WHITETAIL ROAD 224 CONSTRUCTION

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (Amendment 0002) provides responses to additional contractor questions and confirms that all other terms and conditions remain the same.

• The due date for quotes remains June 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

• Contact information for submitting questions and quotes is provided: Janice King (janice.king@usda.gov) and Lucas Dahlman (lucas.dahlman@usda.gov).

• Bidders are instructed to include "WHITETAIL ROAD 224 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - 1240LT26Q0048" in the subject line of emailed quote submissions.

• An attendee list from the site visit held on April 28, 2026, is included.

• Responses to 20 contractor questions are provided, covering topics such as:

  • Water sources (fill station available approx. 10 miles away)
  • Seeding methods (specific method not specified, but correct rate required; Star Seed/Arrow Seed in Broken Bow, NE is the source)
  • Erosion control plan (no permitting required, but mitigation info needed in technical approach)
  • Fire equipment (Contractor must prepare a fire plan with the Contracting Officer Representative)
  • Culverts (none planned, though spec was not removed)
  • CAD files/GPS (Government will stake on ground, visual confirmation only; contractor does not need to supply CAD/GPS)
  • Compaction methods (Method 3 for soil, Method A for aggregate; visual inspection by government for adequacy; submittals in Section 153)
  • Geogrid (12.5' width specified, but 10' for stabilization; examples: Tensar TriAx or InterAx; 24-inch overlap; edges not exposed)
  • Construction water (fill station available approx. 1.75 miles from project start)
  • Temporary well (not permitted)
  • Field testing (Compaction Method 3 for soil, Method A for aggregate; visual inspection for adequacy; submittals in Section 153)
  • Public access (road accesses campground; option to keep road closed through weekend if in best interest)
  • Turnouts/lead-off ditches (will be flagged later by government)
  • Geogrid product type (Tensar TriAx or InterAx; 24-inch overlap; edges not exposed)
  • Seeding/mulching (Sandhills Prairie Mix; certified weed-free mulch; within 15 days of completion, not during windy/frozen conditions)
  • Erosion control/staging (work with COR on staging areas; two identified areas cleared for use)
  • Aggregate source (no government-provided source; sourced from WY/SD in past; uncertain if local material is appropriate)
  • Aggregate requirements (Grading Designation S in Table 703-3; Table 703-2 disregarded)
  • Dust control (use of water during compaction is generally sufficient)
  • Cultural/Environmental concerns (Heritage Report determined no historic properties affected)

• The due date for quotes remains June 3, 2026. No changes to proposal submission requirements or evaluation factors are indicated beyond the Q&A clarifications.

Amendment / Modification

Amendment One (Amend 0001) to Solicitation Number: 1240LT26Q0048 for the WHITETAIL ROAD 224 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT provides the following:

• Site Visit Attendee's List: Includes the list of attendees from the Site Visit held on April 28, 2026.

• Questions and Answers: Provides responses to contractor questions.

• No Other Changes: All other terms and conditions remain the same.

• Due Dates: The due date for quotes remains June 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Questions are due no later than May 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

• Contact Information: Email addresses for questions and quotes are provided: Janice King (janice.king@usda.gov) and Lucas Dahlman (lucas.dahlman@usda.gov).

• Subject Line: Emailed quote submissions must include "WHITETAIL ROAD 224 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - 1240LT26Q0048" in the subject line.

• Culverts: It is clarified that no culverts are planned for this project, although this was not removed from the specifications document.

No changes to the proposal deadline or submission requirements, other than the specified email addresses and subject line format for submissions.

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

This project aims to construct a roadway embankment with turnouts and lead-off ditches, install specified multi-axial geogrid geosynthetic, furnish and compact aggregate material base course, seed and install erosion control material, and perform final roadway shaping.

• Clearing and grubbing: Within work limits interfering with construction equipment.

• Roadway Construction: Construct a 1.7-mile roadway with a 14-foot wide surface and up to six turnouts as located by the Government. Compaction Method #3 for the native soil roadbed.

• Excavation: Up to six lead-off ditches, estimated at 100 LF each.

• Geogrid Installation: Placement of approximately 10,484 square yards of 10-foot wide specified geogrid material along the entire length of the roadway, turnouts, and intersections.

• Aggregate Base Course: Deliver and place aggregate for a 12-foot wide running surface, 6-inch compacted depth, with a 1-foot taper on each side. Turnouts and intersections will also receive 6-inch compacted depth aggregate base course. Approximately 2,420 cubic yards compacted in place for the base 1.7 miles. Compaction Method #3.

• Seeding: Prepare approximately 8 acres of disturbed areas for seeding and mulching, conforming to specified requirements.

• Compaction Method #3 for native soil roadbed and aggregate base course.

• Roadway surface to be 14-foot wide.

• Aggregate base course to be 12-foot wide with 6-inch compacted depth.

• Location: Bessey Ranger District, commencing on FSR #224 (Whitetail Road) at MP 1.5. Approximately 10 miles southwest of Bessey Ranger District Office.

• Construction Season: Shall end by October 31, 2026, or as weather conditions permit and are allowed by the Contracting Officer (CO).

• Site Conditions: Elevation approximately 2,700 feet; experiences snowfall and cold temperatures from mid-November through March.

• Contractor shall provide adequate signage and barricades according to MUTCD.

• Contractor is responsible for notifying utility companies of proposed excavation locations and times.

• Contractor shall remove all equipment, trash, and materials within 7 calendar days of final acceptance.

• Meals and lodging are commercially available off-site.

• Camping on National Forest Service lands may be permitted with approval for one fully contained recreation vehicle.

• Field verification of roadway condition is the responsibility of the Contractor.

• Contractor is responsible for obtaining any required hauling permits.

• Work references Forest Service Supplemental Specifications to the Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges (FP-24) and specific aggregate specifications.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ) for the Whitetail Road 224 Construction project. The project involves constructing a roadway embankment with turnouts and lead-off ditches, installing multi-axial geogrid geosynthetic, furnishing and placing aggregate base course, seeding, installing erosion control material, and final roadway shaping. The work will be performed on a designated 1.7-mile section of Whitetail Road #3224.

• Construction of roadway embankment, turnouts, and lead-off ditches.

• Installation of multi-axial geogrid geosynthetic.

• Furnishing, placing, and compacting aggregate material base course.

• Seeding and installation of erosion control material.

• Final roadway shaping.

• Roadway constructed to a fourteen (14) foot wide surface.

• Work to be completed as detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW), Schedule of Items, Plans and Drawings, and Specifications.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed Price Contract anticipated.

• Estimated Period of Performance: July 13, 2026, to October 30, 2026.

• Project Magnitude: $250,000 through $500,000.

• Questions Due: May 6, 2026, by 9:00 a.m. Central Time (email to Janice King and Lucas Dahlman).

• Quotes Due: June 3, 2026, by 9:00 a.m. Central Time (email to Janice King and Lucas Dahlman).

• Offer Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days from the quote due date.

• Evaluation Criteria: Quotes will be evaluated based on technical approach and understanding of the project, and price. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• NAICS Code: 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction).

• Size Standard: $45M.

• Small Business considerations are noted, including "Notice of Total Small Business Aside" and "Utilization of Small Business Concerns."

• Funds are not presently available; no award will be made until funds are available.

• The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation.

• A site visit is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

• A bid bond/offer guarantee is required (20% of quote/offer, not to exceed $3 million).

• Performance and Payment Bonds are required if the award exceeds $35,000 or $150,000, respectively.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Schedule of Items (SOI) template for the "2026 WHITETAIL ROAD 224 CONSTRUCTION" project by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, NEBRASKA NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS - BESSEY RANGER DISTRICT. It is used for contractors to provide pricing for various construction pay items.

• Pay Items: Lists specific construction tasks with corresponding Pay Item Numbers, Descriptions, Quantity Designations, Units, and Quantities.
• Pricing: Includes fields for Unit Price and Amount for both base and optional items.
• Optional Items: Clearly delineates optional work that the government may or may not exercise.
• Contractor Information: Fields for Contractor's Name and UEI #.

Bidders must use this schedule to submit their pricing for all required items and any optional items they wish to bid on. The total price for base items and optional items will be calculated based on the unit prices provided. Contractors must submit pricing for all items listed, as indicated in the notes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains the plans and drawings for the "2026 Whitetail Road 224 Construction" project. It provides detailed visual information for bidders regarding the scope and execution of the construction work.

• Project Location: Details and maps showing the specific area for construction in Thomas County, Nebraska.
• Travel Directions: Step-by-step instructions to reach the project site from Halsey, Nebraska.
• Roadway Construction Details:
  • Restructuring and resurfacing up to 1.70 miles of Whitetail Road (NFSR 224).
  • Reconditioning and lifting the existing roadway for approximately 0.5 miles to a 14-foot width with shoulders.
  • Constructing approximately 0.5 miles of roadway from an existing ATV trail to a 14-foot width with shoulders.
  • Constructing approximately 0.4 miles of new road from native ground to a 14-foot width with shoulders.
  • Placement of a 10-foot wide specified geogrid textile for the length of the road.
  • Furnishing, hauling, and placing approximately 2,420 cubic yards of specified aggregate, 12 feet wide, for the road.
  • Blading the aggregate to create a smooth running surface with a centerline crown or outslope.
• Turnouts: Construction of up to six (6) turnouts with aggregate placement.
• Optional Work: Excavation of up to six (6) lead-off ditches (estimated at 100 LF each).
• Typical Road Sections: Detailed diagrams illustrating road crown, outslope, cut/ditch sections, and turnout sections, including material specifications (e.g., aggregate depth, geogrid textile).

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the physical scope, layout, and technical specifications of the road construction and improvement project. They provide the visual basis for estimating costs, planning execution, and ensuring compliance with the government's requirements for the road's structure, width, materials, and drainage features.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "FOREST SERVICE SUPPLIMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS (FSSS) For 2026 Whitetail Road 224 Construction," provides supplemental specifications that modify or change the "Standard Specifications for the Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-24)." These specifications are specific to the 2026 Whitetail Road 224 Construction project.

• Incorporation by Reference: The document explicitly states that the "Standard Specifications for the Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-24)" are incorporated by reference and can be found at https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/specs.
• Modifications and Supplements: These FSSS are intended to supplement and/or change the parent FP-24 specifications as needed for this specific project.
• Table of Contents: The document includes a detailed table of contents outlining various sections and subsections that are either deleted, modified, or added to the standard specifications. This includes changes to definitions, scope of work, control of work, material control, acceptance of work, legal relations, prosecution and progress, measurement and payment, construction survey and staking, contractor quality control, public traffic, soil erosion and sediment control, clearing and grubbing, removal of structures, excavation and embankment, earthwork geotextiles, structure excavation and backfill, subgrade stabilization, aggregate courses, road reconditioning, stockpiled aggregates, culverts and drains, turf establishment, permanent traffic control, and aggregate and soil specifications.

This document is crucial for bidders as it details the specific technical requirements and modifications to the standard specifications that will govern the 2026 Whitetail Road 224 Construction project. Bidders must carefully review these supplemental specifications to understand all project requirements, including any changes to scope, materials, methods, or acceptance criteria, to accurately prepare their bids and execute the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a report detailing the findings of a cultural resources inventory for the Whitetail Road EA Project. It serves to inform the District Ranger about the completion of NHPA Section 106 compliance and cultural resources clearance for the project.

• Project Area: Includes new alignment for FR224, closure of 1.2 miles of FR227, a temporary 4.3-acre material stockpile and staging area, and 220 feet of temporary fence line.
• Cultural Resources Found: One new cultural resource (25TM76), a historic General Land Survey Office section marker, was identified but is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
• Determination: The project was determined to have "no historic properties affected."
• Concurrence: The Nebraska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurred with this determination on October 4th, 2023.
• Compliance Status: NHPA Section 106 compliance is complete, granting cultural resources clearance to proceed.

This document confirms that cultural resource compliance has been met for the described project area. It also outlines procedures to follow if unexpected historical or archaeological findings occur during project implementation, and advises that additional review may be needed if project plans change. Bidders should note that this clearance allows the project to proceed without further cultural resource delays, but they must be prepared to halt work and consult if artifacts or human remains are discovered.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Davis-Bacon Act, specifically General Decision Number NE20260030. It establishes the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various construction classifications in the highway construction sector within the state of Nebraska.

• General Decision Number: NE20260030
• Publication Date: January 02, 2026
• Superseded Decision: NE20250030
• State: Nebraska
• Construction Type: Highway
• Counties Covered: A comprehensive list of counties in Nebraska is provided.
• Classifications and Rates: Detailed wage rates and fringe benefits are listed for numerous job classifications, including various OPERATOR roles (Trencher, Asphalt Plant, Backhoe Loader, Crane, Loader, etc.), LABORER roles (Common or General, Traffic Control-Flagger & Cone/Barrel Setter, Landscape & Irrigation, Mason Tender), CARPENTER, CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER, ELECTRICIAN, FORM WORKER, IRONWORKER, POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, and TRUCK DRIVER roles.
• Executive Orders: Notes regarding Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors) are included, outlining their applicability and requirements for federal contracts awarded on or after specific dates.

This wage determination is crucial for any bidder responding to a solicitation that requires work to be performed in the specified counties of Nebraska within the highway construction sector. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor costs comply with these prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits to meet federal contract requirements. The document also outlines the process for appealing wage determinations and provides contact information for the Department of Labor.