Pumping of campground vault, holding and septic tanks on the East Side of Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains a question from an interested party regarding a site visit for the project and the government's response.

• Question: Will there be a site visit for this project?
• Answer: There will be no site visit for this project.

This clarification indicates that potential bidders should not expect or plan for a site visit as part of the opportunity.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment incorporates the mandatory contract clause FAR 52.222-90, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026)," as required by Executive Order 14398.

This amendment does not affect the period of performance or scope of the contract. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

This amendment does not appear to impact proposal deadlines or submission requirements, as it modifies an existing contract rather than a solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for the pumping of campground vault, holding, and septic tanks on an as-needed basis within the East Zone of the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. The government intends to make one award from this solicitation.

• Pumping of campground vault, holding, and septic tanks.

• Detailed requirements are outlined in Attachment C (Statement of Work).

• Offerors must provide pricing for all items listed in Attachment B (Schedule of Items) for both the Eagle River Florence and Lakewood Laona Ranger Districts.

• Award will be made to the offeror submitting the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable quote.

• The period for acceptance of offers is 90 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026, by 5:00 PM CT via email to Debra.Derickson@usda.gov.

• Required Documents: Signed SF 1449, Attachment B (Schedule of Items), and Attachment G (Experience Questionnaire).

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Quotes will be evaluated for technical acceptability and fair and reasonable pricing. Past performance may also be considered.

• Questions Deadline: May 10, 2026, CST via email to Debra.Derickson@usda.gov.

• Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific clauses related to small business concerns, HUBZone, and other set-asides may apply (refer to listed FAR clauses).

• Offerors are required to meet a qualification requirement, detailed in Attachment G (Experience Questionnaire).

• Numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and USDA Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and full text. Key attachments include:

  • Attachment A: Contract Terms and Conditions
  • Attachment B: Schedule of Items
  • Attachment C: Statement of Work
  • Attachment D & E: Maps for Ranger Districts
  • Attachment F: Wage Grade
  • Attachment G: Experience Questionnaire
  • Attachment H: Quality Assurance Plan

• External technical data is available at: https://www.example.gov/technicaldata

• The Service Contract Labor Standards may apply. Offerors must request additional wage determinations no later than two days before solicitation close.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map displaying the locations of vault/septic/holding tanks within the Eagle River/Florence Ranger District. It serves as a visual aid to identify the distribution and quantity of these facilities across the district.

• The map indicates specific locations with numbered callouts.
• A legend explains the symbols used: '1' represents the number of individual vault toilets at a site (open systems), and a red outlined '1' represents the number of individual septic/holding tanks at a site (closed systems).
• The map also shows major roads and bodies of water within the ranger district.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical scope and the physical locations of existing infrastructure relevant to potential maintenance, servicing, or construction opportunities related to vault/septic/holding tanks within the Eagle River/Florence Ranger District.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map titled "Lakewood/Laona Ranger District Vault/Septic/Holding Tank Locations." It serves as a visual aid to identify the geographical distribution of vault toilets and septic/holding tanks within the specified ranger district.

• The map displays various locations marked with numbered squares and red circles with numbers.
• A legend indicates that numbered squares represent "Number of Individual Vault Toilets at Site (Open Systems)" and red circles with numbers represent "Number of Individual Septic/Holding Tanks at Site (Closed Systems)."
• The map includes topographical features, roads, and bodies of water within the Lakewood/Laona Ranger District.
• It also indicates distances to specific points, such as "25 Miles to RHI" and "50 Miles to RHI."

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical locations and distribution of existing vault and septic/holding tank systems within the ranger district. This information is likely relevant for any opportunity involving the maintenance, servicing, or installation of such facilities, helping bidders assess the scope, logistical challenges, and potential service areas.

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

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for pumping waste from campground vault toilets, holding tanks, and septic tanks within the East Zone of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The vendor will be responsible for waste disposal in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations.

• Provide on-demand, on-call service for pumping waste.

• Service must be completed within 5 business days of request (Monday-Friday, excluding Federal Holidays).

• Vendor is responsible for ensuring tank access is unlocked before service and locked/closed after service if Forest Service staff are not present.

• The vendor must leave facilities and sites as clean as they were before pumping began.

• Tanks must be emptied to the extent that only residual waste remains.

• The Forest Service will handle general cleaning of vault toilets and provide toilet paper.

• Total facilities: 137 vault toilets, 4 holding tanks, and 18 septic tanks.

• Facilities are grouped into two zones: Zone 1 (North) Eagle River/Florence Ranger District and Zone 2 (South) Lakewood/Laona Ranger District.

• Estimated pumping requests: Approximately 125 per year between May and October. Additional pumping may be requested and funded if needed.

• Zone 1 includes: 60 vault toilets, 3 holding tanks, and 3 septic tanks.

• Zone 2 includes: 67 vault toilets, 1 holding tank, and 11 septic tanks.

• One year, from 5/1/2026 to 4/30/2027, for one or both zones.

• Disposal of waste must comply with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire required by the USDA Forest Service, referencing FSH 6309.31 and 41 USC 1. It is designed to gather information from potential contractors to assess their experience and capability to perform work related to a solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, UEI, and email.
• Business Type: Options for Company, Corporation, Co-partnership, Individual, or Non-profit Organization.
• Years of Experience: In the line of work and specifically as a prime or sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type of project, completion date, and contact information for the project owner.
• Current Commitments: A list of concurrent contractual commitments.
• Performance History: Questions regarding failure to complete work or work completed under a performance bond.
• Organization and Work Availability: Information on the number of employees, payroll status, and progress rates.
• Key Personnel Experience: Details on the experience of principal individuals within the business.
• Equipment and Resources: A list of equipment planned for use and a maintenance plan.
• Quality Control Plans: Requirements for contractor self-inspection, quality control, safety plans, and proposed schedules, including information on bio-based products.
• Certification: A statement certifying the completeness and correctness of the information provided.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. The information provided will be used by the government to evaluate the bidder's experience and capability to successfully perform the work described in the solicitation. Failure to provide complete information may impact the evaluation of the proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a detailed "Schedule of Items" for two distinct zones (Zone 1 and Zone 2) related to the "CNF - CON FDDS-East Zone Toilet Pumping" project. It outlines the services to be procured and serves as a pricing sheet for potential bidders.

• Project Title: CNF - CON FDDS-East Zone Toilet Pumping
• Zones: Zone 1 and Zone 2
• Period of Performance: 5/01/2026 - 04/30/2027 for both zones.
• Items:
  • Service calls for pumping within specified mileage ranges (within 50 miles, 50-100 miles, 100-150 miles) of the vendor's office, priced "Per Trip".
  • Holding/Septic Tank - Sewage Disposal (no foreign material), priced "per 1,000 gallons".
  • Vault Toilet or Portable Toilet- Sewage Disposal (possible foreign material), priced "per 1,000 gallons".
• Estimated Quantities: Provided for each item within each zone.
• Vendor Information Fields: Includes spaces for Vendor Name, UEI Number, and Email.

This document is crucial for bidders as it details the specific services required, the estimated quantities for each service, and the period of performance. Bidders will use this schedule to prepare their pricing proposals. The distinct pricing and quantities for Zone 1 and Zone 2 indicate that separate bids or considerations may be required for each zone.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the CNF-CON FDDS-East Zone Toilet Pumping project. It outlines the procedures and guidelines the USDA Forest Service will use to ensure the contractor meets the required performance standards and service levels specified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Purpose of QASP: To describe systematic methods for measuring performance, identifying required reports, and detailing resources. It evaluates contractor performance against PWS standards.
• QASP Revisions: The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) can revise QASP procedures. Changes to metrics require a contract modification.
• Performance Standards & AQLs: Defines how contractor performance will be monitored against standards and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs). AQLs specify the allowable level of deficiencies.
• Responsibilities: Outlines responsibilities for the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and the Contractor.
• Surveillance Methods: Details the methods the government will use to monitor contractor performance, including inspections and analysis of results.
• Appendices: Includes example forms for Performance Requirement Summaries (PRS), Discrepancy Reports, Customer Feedback, Inspection Lists, and Quality Assurance Monitoring.

This QASP is crucial for bidders as it defines the government's expectations for quality and performance. It details how the contractor's work will be monitored, evaluated, and what constitutes acceptable performance (AQLs). Understanding these surveillance methods and performance standards is essential for developing a compliant and competitive proposal and for managing quality control during contract execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work on federal contracts in specific geographic areas.

• Wage Determination Number: 2015-4919, Revision No.: 31
• Area: Wisconsin Counties of Door, Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oneida, Portage, Shawano, Vilas.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles (e.g., Accounting Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Automotive Electrician, Nurse Assistant, Computer Programmer, Electrician, Maintenance Mechanic) with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and lists specific Health & Welfare rates ($5.55 per hour or $5.09 per hour under EO 13706).
• Executive Orders: References Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining contractor obligations and minimum wage requirements for 2025.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for requesting additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under a federal contract in the specified Wisconsin counties. It directly impacts the pricing strategy for proposals, ensuring compliance with federal labor laws and regulations. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums for all listed occupations.