W--Pack Animal Support

*** AMENDMENT ONE ***

PACK ANIMALS AND WRANGLER/S FOR WILDERNESS FIELDWORK - MULTNOMAH, OR

The purpose of this Amendment is to answer vendor questions and extend the due date for quotes to Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 5:00pm PT. No further questions will be accepted.

Questions and Answers
1) Is the trailhead large enough to accommodate a 24ft gooseneck stock trailer? plus staging area for making loads/saddling etc?
Answer: I think there is plenty of space at the Wahtum Lake trailhead for the trailer and staging.

2) Is the wrangler required to cook for the camp/geologists?
Answer: No. The wrangler is only required to deliver and off-load the gear to the destination camp and then pick up at the end of the week.

3) Are the geologists hiking in/out or are we expected to provide riding animals for them?
Answer: The geologists will be hiking in and out.

4) Will the trails be cleared by trail crews before the initial trip, or will the packers be expected to clear trail from downed trees on the way into the camping location? ( we would of course bring a crosscut saw for trees here and there that may have fallen between trips)
Answer: This is a tough question. The trail is not clear as of the latest hiker reports but we expect/hope it will be cleared (by the Forest Service or the Pacific Crest Trail Association or other hiker groups) by the time of the required services in August. I suggest that we make the contract contingent on the trail having been cleared to a condition passable for pack animals. We don't want to build significant trail clearing into the contract.

5) According to "onX" mapping, it appears it's about 5-6 miles by trail to the Benson Plateau area. Is that an accurate rough estimate?
Answer: Yes, this is correct.

6) Is the wrangler expected to stay around camp during operations until the conclusion of the trip? If so, what are appropriate means of stock containment that have been approved such as high lining, electric fence, picket/hobbles?
Answer: No, the wrangler is not expected to stay, just drop off and pick up.

7) Excluding last minute changes from weather related issues, how far in advance is it expected that we can coordinate/plan trips, if we were driving from out of state.
Answer: I anticipate that we should provide a tentative schedule upon awarding the contract, with any modifications (aside from fire or weather issues) having at least seven days notice.

8) Is the wrangler also expected to set up/break down camp for the geologists or just deliver the camp loads to the camp site/trailhead.
Answer: The geologists will set up and break down the camps.

9) is it a one lump sum payment at the conclusion of the three trips, or will each trip be billed/paid per trip?
Answer: I'm not sure about this but I expect that each trip will be a separate element of the contract and that the contractor can invoice upon completion of each individual trip.

10) Is the wrangler required to provide any bear proof trash receptacles for camp refuse?
Answer: No.

11) will the packer need to pick up the gear at a local forest service office or will gear be brought to the packer at the trailhead?
Answer: The gear will be delivered to the trailhead or possibly an alternate local site at the mutual agreement of the contractor and the geologist party.