Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Salmon River Seed Orchard Well Drilling (2026)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the SALMON RIVER SEED ORCHARD WELL DRILLING opportunity.

• Alternative Drilling Methods: The government will not accept alternative drilling processes or well construction methods that deviate from the specified 10-inch well with steel casing. The proposed alternative of an 8-inch well with steel casing and a 4-inch PVC liner is not permitted.

This clarification confirms that only the specified drilling and construction methods will be accepted, reinforcing the requirements outlined in the original solicitation documents.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains the Well Construction Plans for the Salmon River Seed Orchard, detailing the technical specifications and requirements for drilling and constructing new wells.

• Sheet Index: Lists all included sheets (C0.2, C1.0, C2.0) and their titles.
• General Notes: Outlines contractor responsibilities, coordination with operations, utility locates, protection of existing improvements, permits, and compliance with codes.
• Project Notes: Specifies compliance with IDAPA 37.03.09, requirements for documenting lithology and test pumping, submission of a well driller's report, procedures for wells not meeting requirements, and water discharge management.
• Abbreviations & Legend: Provides definitions for technical terms and symbols used in the plans.
• Survey Control Table: Lists survey points, elevations, and coordinates.
• Site Plan (Sheet C1.0): Shows proposed well locations (Priority 1 and 2), setbacks, and proximity to existing infrastructure.
• Well Detail (Sheet C2.0): Provides a cross-section of the well construction, including casing types and depths, grout seals, well screen specifications, and minimum production requirements (10 GPM for 24 hours).

This document is critical for bidders to understand the technical scope of work, including the exact specifications for well construction, materials, depths, production requirements, and site-specific considerations. It directly informs the bidding process by defining the deliverables and performance standards for the well construction services.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the Salmon River Seed Orchard Well Drilling project. The U.S. Forest Service requires the drilling of a well to provide potable water to the nursery, as there is currently no potable water supply. The project includes options for decommissioning the first well and drilling a second if the first does not meet specifications, and further decommissioning and drilling a third if the second also fails.

• Drilling of a well to supply potable water to the nursery.

• Completion of the well in accordance with provided plans and specifications.

• Potential decommissioning of wells and drilling of replacement wells if initial wells do not meet specifications.

• The project is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Anticipated Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: October 15, 2026, to October 15, 2027.

• Quotations are due no later than May 04, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. (Mountain Time).

• Quotes will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Experience, Past Performance, and Price.

• Award will be made to the quoter representing the best value to the Government.

• Experience: Assessed based on similarity in scope, size, and complexity to the project requirements.

• Past Performance: Assessed based on recency, relevancy, and quality of performance on up to three (3) relevant contracts within the last five years.

• Price: Will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction.

• Small business size standard: $45M.

• Attachments to be returned with the quote include: Schedule of Items, Experience Questionnaire, and Bid Guarantee.

• A Bid Bond/Offer Guarantee of 20% is required for quotes/offers exceeding $150,000.

• Performance and Payment Bonds are required for contracts over $150,000.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "SCHEDULE OF ITEMS," details the specific pay items, quantities, units of issue, and pricing structure for the Salmon River Seed Orchard Well Drilling opportunity in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho.

• Base Items: Includes mobilization, sediment control, drilling permits, various sizes of well drilling (12", 10"), steel casing (10" diameter), steel well casing (6" diameter), PVC well casing (4" diameter), PVC well screen, temporary well caps, grouting, testing for yield and drawdown, chemical analysis of water, and bacteriological tests.
• Optional Items: Provides for optional work including Priority 2 Well Drilling & Development, Abandon Priority 1 Well, Abandon Priority 2 Well, evaluating and proposing connections from new wells to personnel buildings, and a lump sum proposal for items identified in Option 3.
• Pricing: Columns are provided for Unit Price and Total Price for each item, with a "TOTAL BASE PRICE" and separate totals for each optional item.

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the specific services and materials required for the well drilling project. Bidders must use this schedule to prepare their pricing proposals, ensuring they provide unit prices and total prices for all base items and any optional items they wish to bid on. The "SCHEDULE NOTES" indicate that optional items are not guaranteed and may be exercised under specific conditions, with deadlines for exercise noted for certain options.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This project aims to provide potable water to the nursery located at the Salmon River Seed Orchard.

• Drill a well to provide potable water to the nursery.
• The well will be completed in accordance with the plans and specifications provided by the Forest.
• If the first well drilled does not meet specifications, an alternative will be utilized to decommission the first well and drill a second well.
• If the second well does not meet specifications, an additional alternative will be utilized to decommission the second well.

Salmon River Seed Orchard, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County, Idaho (Section 23, Township 26N, Range 1E).

Estimated between $100,000 and $250,000.

No official site visit is scheduled, but contractors are highly encouraged to visit the site to familiarize themselves with the layout.

Work shall commence no earlier than June 01, 2026, and conclude no later than May 31, 2027.

• Drawings (Attachment 4 - Well Construction Plans_signed) are part of the solicitation and contract.
• Special Provisions 2100 Groundwater Well (Attachment 5 - SP 2100 Groundwater Well) are part of the solicitation and contract.
• A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be designated for on-the-ground administration.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a General Decision Number (GDN) for wage rates, specifically for "Heavy Construction" in Idaho County, Idaho. It serves as a reference for prevailing wages for various construction trades and equipment operators.

• General Decision Number: ID20260051
• Superseded GDN: ID20250051
• State: Idaho
• Construction Type: Heavy Construction (including water/sewer lines, treatment plants, industrial sites)
• County: Idaho County, Idaho
• Publication Date: 01/02/2026
• Classifications and Rates: Details prevailing wage rates and fringes for various trades including:
  • Carpenter (Form Work Only)
  • Electrician
  • Power Equipment Operator (various groups based on equipment type and capacity)
  • Ironworker, Reinforcing and Structural
  • Laborer (Common-Pipeline, Asphalt, Flagger, etc.)
  • Cement Mason/Concrete Finisher
  • Truck Drivers (Dump, Lowboy, Water)
  • Welders
• Zone Pay: Specifies additional pay based on distance from designated zone centers (Spokane, Pasco, Lewiston, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls).
• Boom Pay: Additional pay for crane operators based on boom length.
• Executive Orders: Mentions applicability of Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors).

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with the opportunity. It establishes the minimum prevailing wage rates that must be paid to laborers and mechanics employed on the construction project. Bidders must factor these wage rates into their cost proposals to ensure compliance with federal labor standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "SP-2100 GROUNDWATER WELL," outlines the specifications and requirements for the construction of a groundwater well. It details the scope of work, materials, workmanship, and testing procedures.

• Scope of Work: Includes drilling, casing, developing, and testing a production well, adhering to Idaho regulations. It specifies estimated depths, production rate requirements (10 gpm for 24 hours or 5 gpm for 72 hours), and potential use of an alternative "Priority 2" location.
• Materials: Details requirements for permanent steel casing pipe (various diameters and wall thicknesses), grouting material (Portland Cement and bentonite clay), and PVC well screen (4-inch Sch. 40 with 0.050 slots).
• Workmanship: Outlines general requirements for well construction, waste disposal, site restoration, and specific procedures for drilling, sampling, yield tests, well logs, well development, plumbness, alignment, casing installation, welding, temporary well caps, well screens, and grouting.
• Testing: Includes requirements for yield and drawdown tests, chemical analysis of water (covering coliform, inorganic, organic contaminants, and radionuclides), and disinfection and bacteriological tests.
• Abandonment: Procedures for abandoning a well if it does not meet acceptance criteria.
• Measurement and Payment: Details how various components of the work (drilling, casing, grouting, testing, etc.) will be measured and paid for, often on a per-linear-foot basis.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the technical specifications, quality standards, and performance requirements for constructing the groundwater well. It provides detailed information on materials, methods, testing protocols, and payment structures, enabling bidders to accurately estimate costs, assess their capabilities, and prepare a compliant proposal.