CHAINSAW TRAINING

The Purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to questions and to extend the solicitation due date for receipt to Aprial 30, 2012 at 3pm EST. Q: In the last three years, what has been the average number of students per class, and how many classes per year? A: Chainsaw training for team leaders has been conducted three times over the last three years, once a year (September), with 35 team leaders per class. Last year was the first time that additional members were trained. Approximately 60-65 additional members were trained in October, with 5-8 team leaders attending to help to watch/coach. If team leaders are not trained prior to the members receiving training, there would be approximately 90-95 trained at one time, as all team leaders would need to be part of the one class. With regard to training delivered in the field, 1-2 teams of ten received introductory chainsaw training last year, just prior to a disaster assignment. It is anticipated that up to three teams could need such training per year, depending on the number and types of disaster call-outs. Q: In the SOW, under performance, the government states "it is not the intent of this training is not to provide full S212 chainsaw training - it is to provide introductory level classes, similar to a Level A or Class A Sawyer type of introduction that covers basic operations, maintenance, safe cutting and swamping practices." S212 is the required basic course for an entry level Sawyer, so it is unclear as to what the government is asking for. Can the government please identify which elements of the S212 curriculum that it does not want taught? Sawyer is a general occupational term that does not have associated requirements, except when considered within the context of a specific role. These sawyers will not be serving as wildland firefighters. Elements in the S212 that do not need to be taught would include topics such as engine overhaul and maintenance, fireline construction, bowbars, etc. Entry level skills to be taught for this sawyer class are outlined under course objectives in the Statement of Work, including but not limited to familiarity with basic saw techniques, situational awareness, basic maintenance, safety, swamping , cutting, demonstration of felling trees up to 6", knowledge of the types of cutting situations that can be involved in a disaster situation, etc. The vendor will be designing a curriculum to meet these objectives, using practices on basics and safety that serve as - industry standards' similar to those S-212 curriculum and including skills that can be taught within the time frame described for this training. Q: Is it the government's intent to deploy these sawyers in areas that are managed by either the Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service, FEMA, or some other Federal, State or local agency that adheres to the standards and "Carding" requirements for Sawyers or anyone using a chainsaw during emergency, recovery or sustainment operations? A: Members may be deployed to such areas and types of sponsors. They also may be assigned to projects overseen by other state, county, city agencies or nonprofit organizations. As NCCC members, certain certifications are not always required. Q: What model of Chainsaw does the Government currently use in their operations, and can you please describe their current maintenance program for these chainsaws? A: NCCC does not currently provide chainsaws. Members utilize saws provided by project sponsors. Q: The Government states that the contractor shall provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. What are the objective criteria being used to evaluate the contractors service, and will the government provide a copy of that prior at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline? A: The criteria are to fulfill the terms outlined in this solicitation, such as development of a curriculum approved by NCCC, adequate introductory chainsaw training in the identified skill areas, adherence to safety specifications, provision of cutting site, etc. Q: What is the government resolution process if the customer is not 100% satisfied after the delivery of services? A: Areas of concern would be addressed and negotiated with NCCC. Q: Due to the nature of this work being emergency in nature while also regulated by a number of agencies other than NCCC especially in regards to training standards, will the Government please provide the Job Analysis and Hazard Analysis that was used to determine the course objectives while also asking that the full S212 course not be utilized for this Solicitation? A: Not available. Q: For classes held in the field during emergency response outside of the Denver area (currently anywhere in the U.S. with last minute notification) will the government allow language that the contractor may submit change orders if the contractors costs rise above 10% of the firm fixed price for this effort. A: Charges for classroom and hands-on training would remain the same; a change order for up to a 10% rise could be negotiated for travel expenses for field training conducted in disaster areas. Q: Does the maximum number of students per year include only students at the Denver Campus? (the document refers to potential teaching sessions at assigned locations throughout Region and potentially across US) A: This solicitation only applies to the training of members from the Southwest NCCC campus located in Denver. Members will be located within the region, as identified in the solicitation, with the possible exception of large-scale disaster situations, such as Hurricane Katrina. Q: What are the maximum and minimum class sizes for both classroom and field sessions held at each potential location? (determines number of instructors and saws needed) A: These ranges are a competitive factor and should be specified by vendors in their bid. Q: What will the minimum aggregate liability insurance requirement be? (vendors anticipated annual premium costs would be significantly off if he/she is planning on 500K and finds out it is 5 million)? A: Vendors will show proof of liability to NCCC, however the amount can vary depending on level of coverage desired for their staff, operations and arrangements with the cutting site. NCCC will assume liability for team leader and corps member medical expenses in the event of injury. Q: Is there a minimum requirement for the type of saw provided for training students? (OSHA requirements are very general, USFS requirements are quite specific, by OSHA vendor could buy 10 Poulan saws at Walmart for $1500, by USFS standard buying 10 saws that can be used for felling work would cost almost $7000) (differences in saws are based on number of anti-kickback features, type of handle, and quality/reliability) A: As the saws will be owned by the vendor, NCCC is not being prescriptive about the type, with the exception of the requirement to have a chainbreak for safety purposes. The general expectation is that saws will have blades between 20" to 36", anti-kickback, vibration dampening handle, and 3-6 horsepower level as sufficient to power the saw during cutting. Q: Is there currently an incumbent for this type of work, and if so, who is the current incumbent, what was the amount of the award for the contract, and what solicitation was the contract awarded under? A: No Q: What is the maximum number of students per year? (220 and 320 are listed in the document) A: 220 "Bidders are requested to provide ackowlegement of all amendments"