1_Appendix_A_TechSpecsServiceItems.pdf

Windy Helicopters Stewardship IRSC Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forest Page 1 of 7 Salmon River Ranger District

Revised 01.06.2022

ATTACHMENT 1 - APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Windy Helicopters Stewardship IRSC shall reduce the risk of, or increase resilience to, insect or disease infestations in the project area and to reduce the wildfire risk to the local communities and surrounding federal lands. The Windy Helicopters project is located within the Lower Salmon Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscape.

Contractor shall cut and remove included timber from 169 acres (4 units) of helicopter logging units. Timber to be cut shall be designated by description and in general is classified as a commercial thin. Minimum sawlog specifications will be 7.0” DBH/8’ piece for sawlog and 5.0” DBH/16’ piece for non-saw. Haul roads shall be maintained commensurate with use. The haul roads include routes heavily used by recreationists. The Contractor shall control traffic in a manner that ensures the health and safety of the public while minimizing traffic delays.

Cutting of all non-saw sized material within the Units is required along with helicopter yarding and removal of Douglas-fir non-saw and non-saw generated from sawtimber processing. Helicopter yarding and removal of all or part of the remaining non-saw material (Grand fir, Ponderosa pine and Larch) may be awarded as optional work. Whole tree yarding is required. All product shall be scaled.

Reconstruction of haul roads is also required.

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber, Landing Improvement & Landing Pile Construction Units 1-4 (169 Acres)

Cut and remove from Contract Area included timber which meets the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B table A.2 provided as an attachment to the solicitation. Hand felling and whole tree helicopter yarding is required. Work includes improving helicopter landing access, performing necessary landing improvements, piling landing slash and reclamation of landings following work completion. Road maintenance shall be performed commensurate with use; the cost shall be included in the per acre price. See Appendix C for Road Maintenance requirements.

Unit Acres 1 (North) 28 2 (North) 72 3 (South) 42 4 (South) 27

Total: 169

Logs not meeting merchantability specifications accumulated at landings shall be decked as agreed to in writing by the Forest Service. All slash accumulated at landings shall be piled. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning. Piles will not be less than 5 feet in height. Piles shall be of a size and location which will not impair road use or result in damage to residual timber. Piles shall be located at least 25 feet from residual timber. Piles shall not be more than 50 feet long.

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The estimated volumes stated in Appendix B Division A are not to be construed as guarantees or limitations of the timber volumes to be designated for cutting under the terms of this contract.

Contractors should independently assess the ground and vegetation conditions prior to submitting quotes. The Forest Service makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee of the accuracy of the estimates of timber quantity. In no event shall a contractor’s reliance on USFS cruise data constitute grounds for a claim after contact award.

Mandatory Items 2-7: Road Reconstruction (FSR 624, 517C, 2109, 9908, and 517 – 9.98 Miles)

Contractor shall complete specified road work as described in Appendix D and the Road Reconstruction Plans provided as attachments to the solicitation. Standard Specifications for Construction and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-14, U.S. Customary Units are included in this solicitation by reference only. The requirements contained in these Specifications are hereby made a part of the solicitation and any resultant contract. Copies of the Specifications are available by performing an internet search for the FP-14. Unless agreed otherwise, reconstruction shall be completed on any portion of road prior to hauling on that portion. Commercial rock source will be required.

Optional Item 8: Helicopter Yard and Remove Non-saw Product (Grand fir, Ponderosa pine, Larch) – Timber Subject to Agreement

Helicopter yard and remove from Contract Area Grand fir, Ponderosa pine, and Larch timber meeting nonsaw specifications as described in Appendix B table A.2. Whole tree yarding is required. If removal of Timber Subject to Agreement is awarded, Appendix B (Timber Specifications - Scaled) and Appendix C (Road Maintenance) shall apply. If funding is available, award may be made by the ton based on the unit price quoted up to a maximum ceiling amount not to exceed 649 tons.

Payment shall be made for the actual tons of product removed. The product may be removed in log or chip form. Product removal from one or all of Units 1-4 may be awarded.

SECTION III – CONTROL OF WORK

The Contractor agrees to conduct its operations under this contract and other related business activities in compliance with Federal, State, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits and other regulations.

The Contractor shall meet all State and local environmental quality laws applicable to National Forest system lands.

Work may be done any time during the term of the contract, except under the following conditions:

(1) When conditions are such that operations shall be restricted or ceased due to increased fire risk.

(2) When seasonal operating restrictions for active raptor nests are in effect. All active nest sites and areas of restriction are shown on CAM and listed in the solicitation under Protection Measures Needed for Plants Animals, Cultural Resources, and Cave Resources. Restrictions would apply:

a. If new nests are discovered,

(3) When soil moisture conditions create excessive risk of damage to the soil,

(4) When snow depth creates a situation where requirements cannot be met and/or work cannot be inspected, Page 3 of 7 Salmon River Ranger District as determined by the COR.

(5) The government reserves the right to prioritize the order in which Units are treated.

(6) If any cultural or archeological sites are discovered during operations of this contract, work will be suspended in the immediate vicinity of the site until a reconnaissance survey is completed by the Forest Archeologist. Areas excluded from treatment shall be deleted from the contract.

SECTION IV – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

For All Work Items:

At any point during the project, the Contractor and/or Project Manager may request (documented through email, text, or hand-written request) an in the field consultation with the Forest Service to inspect work progress, review contract specifications, or clarify issues. The Forest Service shall respond to Contractor’s request within 5 working days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Government Inspection Procedures - The COR, or a Government Technical Monitor (GTM) designated inspector, will make periodic inspections while work is in progress, usually daily at first, as needed to assure work is proceeding satisfactorily. The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are started, when problems are encountered and when contract work needs government oversight.

1. Each unit will be inspected as a separate unit. Unit will not be averaged with other units for acceptance or payment.

2. When units are completed and ready for government inspection, Contractor’s designated Project manager shall request unit inspection in writing, prior to moving out of the general area.

3. The COR, or designated inspector, will determine compliance with contract specifications through informal visual inspections. In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required.

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 1 Cut and Remove Included Timber, Landing Improvement and Landing Pile Construction (Units 1-4)

The cut and removal of included timber and associated road maintenance shall be visually inspected for acceptance in accordance with Appendices B and C. A designated Timber Sale Administrator shall be responsible for determining that timber harvest and removal is performed in accordance with the timber removal specifications and a designated Government Technical Monitor with engineering experience shall be responsible for inspecting the road maintenance performed.

Government Inspection Procedures – Items 2-7 Road Reconstruction - FSR 624, 517C, 2109, 9908, and

Road construction pay items shall be inspected for acceptance in accordance with the Standard Specifications for Construction and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-14 as supplemented by Appendix D. A designated Government Technical Monitor with road construction experience shall be responsible for inspecting the road reconstruction performed.

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Government Inspection Procedures – Optional Item 8 Helicopter Yard and Remove Non-saw Product (Grand fir, Ponderosa pine, Larch) – Timber Subject to Agreement

The yarding and removal of optional non-saw product shall be visually inspected for acceptance in accordance with Appendix B. A designated Timber Sale Administrator shall be responsible for determining that non-saw product yarding and removal is performed in accordance with the timber removal specifications.

Table 1 – Minimum Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) of Work

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min

AQL

1 Cut and Remove Included Timber MANDATORY ACRE 100%

2-7 Road Construction MANDATORY See Schedule of Items 100%

Yard & Remove Non-saw Product (Grand fir, Ponderosa pine, Larch)

OPTIONAL TON 95%

Unsatisfactory Performance

1. If the work quality falls below the minimum AQL or performance standard detailed in the pertinent specification, the COR will immediately notify the Contractor, in writing, and order him to improve the quality of work performed.

2. If after rework has been performed and reinspected, and work quality still falls below minimum AQL percent or performance standard detailed in the pertinent specification, payment will either be made at a reduced rate, or not at all, as determined in SECTION V below.

3. Repeated failure to produce work quality at or above the minimum acceptable standard will be considered reason for contract termination for cause.

SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Method of Measurement for Acreages - Item 1 Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The acreage for each work item will be rounded to the nearest acre and is final unless:

a. The contract is modified or,

b. The Government makes a determination to remeasure or,

c. The Contractor exercises his/her option under the following Remeasurement provisions:

Remeasurement

1. The Contractor may request, in writing, remeasurement of any units under this contract if he/she feels that acreage stated on the project maps is incorrect. The remeasurement must be within the existing perimeter of the respective unit. No variance of the unit perimeters as laid out on the ground for this contract will be allowed. All requests for remeasurement must be made prior to payment for each completed unit. Remeasurement will be performed by the Government.

2. If remeasurement indicates that a variance of ten percent or less exists on units of 1 to 5 acres, five percent or less exists on units of more than five but less than 20 acres, or if three percent or less exists

Page 5 of 7 Salmon River Ranger District on units of 20 acres or larger, the Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of the remeasurement.

Under this condition, payment will be made on the acreage stated on the project maps. If the remeasurement indicates the actual acreage varies by more than the above factors from that stated on the project maps, the payment will be made on the remeasured acreage and the Forest Service will pay for the cost of the remeasurement.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 1 Cut and Remove Included Timber

1. When informal visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

Acceptance and Payment – Items 2-7 Road Construction

1. Acceptance and payment shall be made in accordance with the Standard Specifications for Construction and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-14 as supplemented by Appendix D.

When inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

Acceptance and Payment – Optional Item 8 Helicopter Yard and Remove Non-saw Product (Grand fir, Ponderosa pine, Larch)

1. Payment for removal of non-saw product shall be made when visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality and acceptable proof has been provided to support the quantities invoiced. Payment shall be made for the actual tons of product removed Not to Exceed the total tonnage awarded.

Removal of material in excess of the ceiling amount awarded shall not be performed without contract modification.

* Stewardship Credits will be earned first, whenever practical. Forest Service Funds will be used if the availability of Stewardship Credits is exhausted or if appropriated dollars are obligated to a specific item.

SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL): Acceptance of work will be based on compliance with all specifications corresponding to the appropriate task(s). A minimum AQL is required for all service work – hand or mechanical. The minimum AQL will receive a satisfactory performance rating.

BIOMASS TREES: Any conifer material 2 feet in height to 4.9 inches DBH.

BOLE SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet from the edge of one leave tree bole to another leave tree bole, measured from the outside bark of each tree.

CIRCULAR PLOT: A sample plot within a thinning unit that is used to determine the number of desirable trees and other contract specifications.

COARSE WOODY DEBRIS: Woody material left on the ground to meet wildlife habitat requirements.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

CLEARCUT: A cutting prescription in which all trees within a boundary are designated to be cut.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

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CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

CUT TREES: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees and are required to be cut. As described by the contract or otherwise marked to be cut.

CUTTING UNIT: See Treatment Unit definition

DAMAGED TREES: Trees damaged beyond recovery. A tree that is larger than 2 feet in height, and has the top knocked out, is leaning more than 10 degrees, has less than one half of its original limbs, or has approximately 50% of bark removed from the circumference of the bole.

DBH: Diameter at breast height, measured at a point of 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

DECKING: Stockpiling of trees in a designated area.

DEAD/DYING TREES: Trees with the crown foliage changing from green to red, yellow, or needleless.

Any tree that has pitch tubes indicating Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.

DESIGNATION BY SPECIES AND DIAMETER (DXSD): A cutting prescription in which species and diameter are used to determine which trees will be left and which will be cut.

DIB: Diameter inside bark.

HANG-UP TREE: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

HEALTHY REGENERATION: Young, healthy, dwarf mistletoe free conifers, less than 4.9 inches in diameter, free of defect.

LEAVE TREE: Trees that possess desirable characteristics and that serve to create the basis for designated spacing requirements or are otherwise designated to be left.

NON-SAWTIMBER TREE: For all conifer species, minimum diameter of 5 inches DBH to minimum diameter by species identified in Appendix B, Division A.2.

OVERSTORY REMOVAL: A cutting prescription where all trees greater than a specified size are cut.

Trees less than the specified size are protected.

PAYMENT UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS): Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

PILING: Material moved to an agreed upon location shall be piled for future treatment by Forest Service.

PROGRESSION OF WORK: Work conducted in a progressive, workmanlike and orderly manner by the Contractor.

RESERVE CLUMPS: Groups of trees within a treatment area that are protected from cutting, may also include Individual Reserve trees.

SAWTIMBER TREE: Included timber meeting sawlog size specifications as defined in Appendix B, Division A.2.

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SLASH: Woody material existing or created that has accumulated on the forest floor. Woody material includes logs, pieces of logs, tops, and branches.

UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

TEMPORARY ROADS: Non-permanent roads that are constructed by Contractor for the purpose of treatment unit access.

TREATMENT UNIT: An individual area on the ground in which activities will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item in the Schedule of Items.

UNSATISFACTORY WORK: If work quality falls below the AQL, the COR will issue a work order or notice of noncompliance to the Contractor in writing. Untreated or unsatisfactory treated areas shall be reworked to obtain satisfactory work quality.

WHOLE TREE YARDING: Whole tree logging includes cutting tree and removing the entire tree, including tops and branches, to the landing.

WILDLIFE TREE: Standing tree marked to be reserved as a wildlife tree. Used by birds and small mammals for shelter, nesting, perching, etc.

SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS