RFP | Fish & Wildlife, Two Custom Designed Incline Plane Traps

RFP Incline Plane Trap_Question and Answers
9/16/26
Would you accept round pontoons up to 18-inches in diameter? Yes, add brief justification.
Would you accept rectangular aluminum closed foam filled pontoons with a maximum width of
24-inches, similar to pontoons used on a rotary screw trap? Yes.
We recommend cross braces to be 2x4-inch x 3/16-inch wall thickness if aluminum or 1-1/2x3-
inch x 3/16-inch wall thickness if mild steel. Ok, add this into the proposal with a short
justification.
The lift tower design as described in the RFP does not allow for angle adjustment from front to
back for the incline plane and will have issues moving up and down when under pressure from
flowing water. Will you allow alternative designs for the lift mechanism? Yes
Can we assume that the proposal should include the cost of delivery? Yes
Is the tribe interested in assistance with installation? Add as a separate line so we can
determine if we have the budget to do this.
Can you elaborate on how portable the Tribe would like the traps to be? 1. The trap must be
able to be taken out of the water in the fall and transported back to the shop for winter
storage.
Should the final cost include the consultant installing the traps, or is it just fabrication and
delivery? Fabrication and delivery, with the option for consultant install.
Section 1.03 lists tribal headquarters in Nespelem, WA. Should delivery occur at the Seatons
Grove/Spirit Ridge location? Yes the trap can be delivered to the Spirit Ridge office.
Would you confirm that the TERO Fee is 5%? TERO is 5% of any work conducted on the
reservation, so for this it would be the installation (if it is over the minimum).
Does delivery need to occur on or before December 31, 2026? Yes
Can you elaborate on what "unit needs to be highly stackable" means? Means lightweight and
squared off so it can be stacked. Disregard.
Would a stainless steel "ramp" be considered if it offers a lower abrasion resistance? Stainless
is much smoother on the punched side, and stainless is the industry standard in hatcheries and
aquaculture. - 1/8" (vs 5/16") will change rear discharge velocity. Yes, stainless steel is
acceptable. Especially if it is the standard. There is language in the RFP that allows me to work
with the contractor on the final design adjustments. Note the use of stainless in the quote.
Updated by H. McLellan
9/16/26

Livebox depth is required to be 3-4' deep per the RFP, yet the sample depth is 2'. A deeper
livebox will hinder shallow operations. Would a 2' deep livebox be preferred? We are happy to
discuss ways to increase carrying capacity. 2' is preferred.
12" diameter pontoons at 14' long will draft ~5 inches deep with the current material specified.
They will sit much lower if a crew member wants to walk on the trap, or if anything is added.
Would a larger diameter be considered? Yes, add that detail in the RFP
Should the pontoons have access (drain/pressure test) threaded bulkheads? If that is suggested
by the designers, then yes.
Bolting would allow easier transport, is there a preference? If bolting makes transport easier,
then yes.
Does the winch need a physical brake? I added that because it was suggested in other designs.
If it is excluded from the quote, just note it if you do not think it is necessary.
Does overhead rigging need to be provided? If rigging is already in place, what size thimbles and
links are used? Is there a preferred attachment method from the trap to the rigging? i.e., would
standard eyelets, cleats, or pre-installed winches be preferred at the front of each pontoon?
Rigging of some sort will need to be provided. The design is up to the builder; it will need to be
strong enough to operate in the required flows.
The Request for Proposals does not have requirements for decking, safety handrails, non-slip
surfaces, or rigid/locking lids over the livebox or pontoons. Will tribal field crews need to step
on, walk around, or actively balance on the pontoon frame and live box during trap checks? If
staff are accessing and emptying the trap while wading directly on the riverbed, will they
primarily access the live box from the rear of the vessel? Staff may step on the pontoons so
non-slip surfaces would be good on certain locations. For the most part, the plan is to use this
during lower flows and access will primarily be from the rear of the box and walking in the river
instead of walking on it. However, they may so some safety measures should be added. Note
these in the proposal so these measures can be compared to what others add for safety in their
proposals.
Can the Tribes confirm if the main shore-to-shore overhead highline cables and anchors are
already established at the Sanpoil River site? Our current baseline bid includes the custom
vessel-mounted anchor bridle and attachment yoke built to connect to an existing cable line. If
the contractor is required to price out and supply the complete shore-to-shore overhead
highline cable assembly, we will need channel metrics and bank data before we can provide a
formal line. We do not have an overhead cable. The specific location for this trap has not been
selected. I believe your staff have a general idea what the river width is. Instead of bidding the
overhead cable, I suggest providing a list of supplies that would need to be purchased for our
staff to complete this task separately.
Updated by H. McLellan
9/16/26

For flatbed delivery to Spirit Ridge facility, our team can accommodate multiple transport
arrangements. Does your team have a preferred offloading configuration? Our team can ship
both complete Incline Plane Traps fully pre-assembled, which will require a standard forklift or
tractor to offload from the flatbed trailer. Alternatively, we can ship the modular components
completely disassembled, allowing a small field crew to hand-unload the pieces directly from
the flatbed. Delivery unassembled is probably best so staff can store the unit for the winter and
use it next summer. Instructions on how to put the trap together would be helpful.
Updated by H. McLellan
9/16/26