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Questions and Answers
Please verify Bid Date: 2/12/2010
Yes, the submittal date for qualifications is 02/12/2010.
For the Water Quality, it states that the "Data will be sent to either the PADEP Laboratory in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or to Columbia Analytical Services in Rochester, New York, depending on the state in which samples are collected", do you mean data or do you mean water samples?
Water samples are to be sent to the lab.
Under “Part II RFQ Submittal Requirements” on Page 5, Item 5 requests that we provide a listing of three clients where KCI is conducting work that is similar in scope. Does this mean that these client must be for projects currently under contract, while Item 6 is reserved for clients where worked has already been completed?
Yes, the client must be for projects currently under contract. The answer regarding Item 6 is reserved for references, including 2 clients for whom services have been provided within the past three years (including current contracts if necessary).
Under the same section, Item C states that three copies of the proposal and two electronic copies are due. Appendix A states that the proposals are “enclosed in three separately sealed submittals.” Does this mean you would like three individually sealed proposals? Then would you also prefer a CD to go with each submittal?
Yes, three separately sealed submittals. And yes, at least two electronic copies are required either via CD or via email submittal.
What is the Commission’s position in regard to potential conflicts of interest related to this scope of work and expert consulting provided to other clients applying for approval of surface water or groundwater withdrawal permits from the Commission?
The Commission’s position on conflicts of interest relate specifically to contractors that provide project services to a separate client that are directly related to that exact same project over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
Would the selected Offerors maintain the ability to provide expert consulting to permitees within the basin for preparation/acquisition of Commission withdrawal permits and/or coordinate with the Commission on those matters, or would the selected Offerors be precluded from such endeavors?
The selected Offerors may not perform permitting or other services for a separate client that are related to that exact project over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
Would the selected Offerors maintain the ability to provide expert consulting to Marcellus shale gas well operations throughout the basin, or would the selected Offerors be precluded from such endeavors?
The selected Offerors may continue consulting services as normal unless they enter into conflict, as stated above, relating to projects over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
Are the collection sites pre-selected in response to an existing SRBC permit application, or are they randomly selected?
The collection sites will be co-located with proposed surface water withdrawal locations; they will not be randomly selected.
What is the time frame for the survey sites to be disclosed?
Data collection at survey locations and subsequent reporting will need to take place within 2 months of transmittal of survey location information to the contractor.
Will there be a preference in protocols used for SRBC purposes and comparability or will each state specific protocol take precedent?
State-specific protocol will take precedent.
What is the preferred macroinvertebrate collection period by SRBC?
For this specific purpose, SRBC does not have a preferred macroinvertebrate collection period; data collection timing will be dependent on permit application submittals.
Are any collections sites anticipated within the state of MD?
Site locations are dependent on proposed water withdrawal locations. We do not anticipate that MD collections will be contained within this RFQ.
Could Alkalinity be submitted to the designated lab as part of the analytical testing in place of the field measurement?
Yes.
Is there a preferred water column depth for the depth integrated sampling?
Depth-integrated sampling is performed throughout the water column according to USGS procedures.
Does SRBC have a specific analytical sample transfer procedure (i.e. hand delivery, courier, drop-off, etc.)?
No, SRBC uses the PA Department of Environmental Protection Laboratory in Harrisburg, Pa., and Columbia Analytical Services in Rochester, N.Y., depending on the location of the sample collection. Sample transfer procedures are dependent on the specific Laboratory being used.
Who is responsible for handling the lab processing cost?
SRBC will pay for analytical samples. A sample collector ID and cost codes will be provided to the contractor for sample submittal.
Is the use of a Marsh McBirney Electomagnetic flow meter acceptable for discharge measurements?
No, Marsh McBirney flow meters are not reliable in waters that have high conductivity or high metals concentrations. FlowTrackers or pygmy/AA meters are acceptable for discharge measurements.
Can you please clarify the number of sites and surveys that are anticipated? The RFQ states that “Qualified Offerors, if selected for contract award, will provide the following types of aquatic resource survey services as needed, including up to, but not limited to, 10 surveys in year 2010.”
The answer to the Question does not differ from the information stated in the RFQ. Commission staff are best able to estimate the contractor will be needed to perform surveys including up to, but not limited to, 10 surveys in year 2010.
Would the contract be for one year only, or is there potential for renewal for further years?
Yes, the potential for contract renewal does exist, but is not guaranteed.
Our group has extensive experience in ecological monitoring and rarely have encountered projects that required Errors and Omissions (Professional Liability) Insurance. Is that an absolute requirement for responding to this RFP?
The Professional Liability Insurance is a requirement for responding to this RFQ.
Does a “survey” comprise a single sampling reach from a water withdrawal location or does each survey include several sampling reaches? In other words, how many fish, benthic macroinvertebrate, physical habitat and water chemistry samples will be collected during each survey event?
A survey comprises one sampling reach (at least 100 meters) at a proposed water withdrawal location. One macroinvertebrate and water quality sample will be collected at each location; one habitat assessment will be performed; and three passes will be conducted for electrofishing.
Will the SRBC select only one contractor for the performance of this RFQ, or will multiple contractors be selected and SRBC distribute work assignments on a project by project basis?
The SRBC reserves the right to select a single contractor or multiple contractors for implementation of required tasks in this RFQ, based on the qualifications the SRBC receives.
Will the Offeror be expected to provide analysis or interpretation services relating the results of the aquatic assessments to surface water withdrawals as part of the scope of services?
The contractor is expected to provide a data report to the Commission, which will not include statistical analysis.
Relating to #4 of Part II RFQ Submittal Requirements – Should the key personnel list for example projects in the “experience matrix” only include those people who will also be a key person in the SRBC RFQ submittal or all key people, even those not part of the RFQ submittal?
Yes, those personnel that will be included in the RFQ submittal.
Relating to #10 of Part II RFQ Submittal Requirements – Does SRBC require subcontractors to have their own insurance or can the subcontractors be covered under the primary contractor’s insurance?
SRBC needs a certificate of insurance from all subcontractors or proof from the primary contractor that his/her insurance covers all subcontractors under him/her.
How will the final selection be made? Will the selection process be based solely on qualifications or cost?
The final selection(s) will be made based on qualifications and a potential combination of interviews and cost negotiations.
Will we be responsible for obtaining the collection permits from the difference state agencies?
The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all collection permits.
Do you already have the required collection permits?
The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all collection permits.
How much money is budgeted for this monitoring contract?
There is no set budget for this monitoring contract.
Is the work outlined in the RFQ only for 2010 or would it extend beyond?
At this time the RFQ includes anticipated work for 2010.
In general, what percent of projects are anticipated to be completed in PA? NY? and MD?
It is unknown what percentage of the projects will be in PA and NY. MD will not be included in this RFQ.
Will there be a need for boat electrofishing gear or will all of the fish sampling locations be located in wadeable streams?
Boat electrofishing gear will not be required.
The RFQ does not specify the macroinvertebrate sampling protocol to be used for samples collected in Maryland. Is this an oversight, or does the SRBC not anticipate performing any benthic macroinvetebrate sampling in this state?
The Commission does not anticipate sampling locations in Maryland as part of this RFQ.
The RFQ specifies that a depth-integrated sampler is to be used for the collection of surface water samples. Can the SRBC recommend a specific sampler model that can be used in a variety of water depths including shallow streams <1 foot in depth?
Commission staff use a depth-integrating wading type sampler.
Is there a defined number of sites that will be surveyed? If not, is there an estimated number? Also, what is the anticipated timeline for completion; will there be multiple sites ordered for completion simultaneously?
The number of sites to be surveyed is dependent on water withdrawal applications. The Commission estimates between 5 and 15 surveys per quarter; however, this is not guaranteed. Multiple sites may be ordered for completion simultaneously.
Is there an estimated stream mile length to be surveyed available?
Electrofishing is completed in approximately 100 meters of stream.
Is it anticipated that multiple work orders will be issued or will there be a single award of contract?
It is anticipated that multiple work orders will be issued.
Is the contractor expected to generate site maps from GPS coordinates as part of the deliverable?
A general station location map is expected.
Is the contractor expected to provide analysis and conclusions using comparisons to previously collected data, or is this simply a data collection contract?
The contractor is expected to provide a data report to the Commission, which will not include statistical analysis.
Are sample collections anticipated to coincide with water withdrawals or are these potential sites for water withdrawal?
The sample collection will be located at potential sites for water withdrawal.
Is the contractor expected to create reporting forms for use with data or to utilize existing reporting formats consistent with the respective protocol?
Existing reporting formats will be used; the contractor is not expected to create forms.
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