1. CLIN Specification.docx

CLIN Specification

CLIN 0001 Base - Planting Potted Trees/Shrubs

Logistics:

The COR will provide Contractor with planting site maps at least 14 days prior to the scheduled Prework Meeting between the Government and the Contractor. During the prework meeting, the COR will provide the Contractor with directions on how to receive the Government-furnished potted trees/shrubs from the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger Station in Wellston, Michigan. Navigating to and locating planting sites is the responsibility of the Contractor. Individual planting sites are located within 0.5 miles of a Forest Service Road (i.e., high clearance 4WD “two tracks”). Access to planting areas located away from roads must be done on foot, without the use of motorized all-terrain or 4-wheel drive vehicles. At each planting site, the Contractor will plant 10 potted trees/shrubs. Within the planting site, individual tree/shrub planting locations will be marked with flagging and/or pin flags a minimum of 14 days prior to start of work. The work shall be performed and completed between March 15, 2025, and May 31, 2025, but planting may only occur when snow is not present at planting sites. The Contractor will notify COR when planting is complete. To evaluate survival, final inspection may occur up to 14 days after Contractor notifies COR planting is complete.

The following technical specifications must be met for an acceptable level of work:

a) Contractor will pick-up Government furnished property from the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger Station/COR. Contractor will maintain a record of when trees/shrubs are picked up and when they are planted. To maximize survival trees/shrubs must be planted within 48 hours (unless specified otherwise by the COR) of being picked up.

b) Contractor is responsible for tree/shrub survival during transport and planting. Care must be taken by the Contractor to keep roots hydrated and not damage trees when moving or planting them. Improper handling resulting in tree mortality or damage (including drying out) is unacceptable.

c) 10 Trees/shrubs will be planted by Contractor at each planting site. Contractor will make every effort to plant as close to the flagging and/or pin flags as possible. Minimum spacing between trees is 10 feet.

d) Contractor will perform the following for all planted trees/shrubs:

i. Clear existing vegetation and debris in a 36-inch diameter circle not exceeding 4-inch depth at planting site.

ii. Dig planting hole slightly larger than the size of the tree/shrub pots. Hole will consist of primarily mineral soil and be free of debris, foreign material, or excessive organic matter. Add 1.5 teaspoons of Government furnished soil moisture granules to hole.

iii. Gently remove tree/shrub from pot and agitate bottom of roots before planting. Firmly pack soil around planted tree/shrub roots removing any air pockets. Trees/shrubs will be planted so the root flare is slightly above or at the soil surface.

iv. Water each tree/shrub with 1.0 gallon of water after planting.

v. Install Government furnished tree ring mat at base of tree/shrub on top of cleared area.

vi. Place a government furnished wooden stake 2’ from each planted tree/shrub.

e) 95% of planted trees/shrubs must be alive and 100% of trees/shrubs must be correctly planted/protected at the time of the COR’s final inspection. Alive is defined as pliable, green colored foliage, and/or green colored cambium.

CLIN 0002 and 0002AA Option - Planting and Protecting Potted Trees/Shrubs

Logistics:

The COR will provide Contractor with planting site maps at least 14 days prior to the scheduled Prework Meeting between the Government and the Contractor. During the prework meeting, the COR will provide the Contractor with directions on how to receive the Government-furnished potted trees/shrubs and caging materials from the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger Station in Wellston, Michigan. Navigating to and locating planting sites is the responsibility of the Contractor. Individual planting sites are located within 0.5 miles of a Forest Service Road (i.e., high clearance 4WD “two tracks”). Access to planting areas located away from roads must be done on foot, without the use of motorized all-terrain or 4-wheel drive vehicles. At each planting site, the Contractor will plant and protect 10 potted trees/shrubs. Within the planting site, COR will mark individual tree/shrub planting locations with flagging and/or pin flags a minimum of 14 days prior to start of work. The work shall be performed and completed between March 15, 2025, and May 31, 2025, but planting may only occur when snow is not present at planting sites. The Contractor will notify COR when planting is complete. To evaluate survival, final inspection may occur up to 14 days after Contractor notifies COR planting is complete.

The following item-specific technical specifications must be met for an acceptable level of work:

a) Contractor will pick-up Government furnished property from the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger Station/COR after an award has been issued by Contracting Officer. Contractor will maintain a record of when trees/shrubs are picked up and when they are planted. To maximize survival trees/shrubs must be planted within 48 hours (unless specified otherwise by the COR) of being picked up.

b) Contractor is responsible for tree/shrub survival during transport and planting. Care must be taken by the Contractor to keep roots hydrated and not damage trees when moving or planting them. Improper handling resulting in tree mortality or damage (including drying out) is unacceptable.

f) 10 Trees/shrubs will be planted by Contractor at each planting site. Contractor will make every effort to plant as close to the flagging and/or pin flags as possible. Minimum spacing between trees is 10 feet.

c) Contractor will perform the following for all planted trees/shrubs:

i. Clear existing vegetation and debris in a 36-inch diameter circle not exceeding 4-inch depth at planting site.

ii. Dig planting hole slightly larger than the size of the tree/shrub pots. Hole will consist of primarily mineral soil and be free of debris, foreign material, or excessive organic matter. Add 1.5 teaspoons of Government furnished soil moisture granules to hole.

iii. Gently remove tree/shrub from pot and agitate bottom of roots before planting. Firmly pack soil around planted tree/shrub roots removing any air pockets. Trees/shrubs will be planted so the root flare is slightly above or at the soil surface.

iv. Water each tree/shrub with 1.0 gallon of water after planting.

v. Install Government furnished tree ring mat at base of tree/shrub on top of cleared area.

d) At the time of planting, Contractor will use Government furnished supplies to install a 36” wide circular cage (14-gauge galvanized fencing or poly deer fence) around planted trees/shrubs. Cage height will range from 5’ to 6’. Cages will be flush with ground and affixed to ground using Government furnished hardware. Cages will be affixed to a T-post at three points with zip-ties and T-post shall be driven into the ground 16” to 24” deep.

e) 95% of planted trees must be alive and 100% of trees/shrubs must be correctly planted/protected at the time of the COR’s final inspection. Alive is defined as pliable, green colored foliage, and/or green colored cambium.

CLIN 0003 and 0003AA Option - Tree Felling ≤ 18” DBH

Logistics:

The COR will provide the Contractor with tree felling site maps at least 14 days prior to the scheduled Prework Meeting between the Government and the Contractor. Navigating to and locating tree felling sites is the responsibility of the Contractor. Individual tree felling sites are located within 0.5 miles of a County Road. Access to tree felling sites must be done on foot, without the use of motorized all-terrain or 4-wheel drive vehicles. Within the tree felling site, the COR will mark 10 individual trees between 8” and 18” DBH with flagging/paint a minimum of 14 days prior to start of work. The COR may also mark each tree to indicate the direction it should be felled. The 10 individual trees at a tree felling site will be close to and within sight of one another. Base Item # 3 shall be performed and completed only between the dates of January 1, 2025 and Feb 28, 2025. Option Item #3 shall be performed and completed between October 16, 2024 and April 14, 2025.

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will fell individually marked trees in a directional manner according to the COR’s marking scheme. After felling, the crown of the tree must be in contact with the ground and the tree cannot be suspended from shrubs, trees, or snags. It is acceptable to suspend crown on other individually marked trees that have previously been felled. If the Contractor identifies hazards/concerns related to felling specific individually marked trees, they may request that alternate tree(s) be selected by the COR. If approved, alternate trees selected by the COR will be adjacent to the same felling site and will be of similar DBH. Work must be completed via hand cutting (e.g., chainsaws).

(b) Stumps must be left no greater than 6 inches above the ground.

(c) Do not cut or damage reserve or protected species as identified by the COR.

CLIN 0004 and 0004AA Option - Mechanical Brushing ≤ 6” DBH and Piling

Logistics:

COR will provide Contractor with job area maps at least 14 days prior to the scheduled Prework Meeting between the Government and the Contractor. Navigating to and locating job areas is the responsibility of the Contractor. The use of mechanical equipment is allowed. Individual job areas occur within 0.5 miles of Forest Service or County roads. Job areas may require contractors to operate the equipment off-road to access the job areas. Off-road access routes from roads to job areas will be identified and marked in advance by COR. Alternate off-road access routes requested by the Contractor must be approved by the COR. Any Contractor requests to cut vegetation, move woody debris, or otherwise modify off-road access routes must be approved by the COR. Job area boundaries will be delineated by the COR with flagging and/or paint at least 14 days prior to start of work. Individual reserve trees, shrubs or reserve islands of trees/shrubs will be marked with flagging and/or paint by the COR at least 14 days prior to the start of work. Operability within the job areas will be discussed by the COR during the prework meeting and on a site-specific, as-needed basis, during contract performance. The work shall be performed and completed between August 15, 2024, and April 14, 2025.

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

a) Contractor will use motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment, including but not limited to masticator, tractor, bobcat, brush hog, and/or hand tools including but not limited to chainsaws and brush-cutter saws to cut all deciduous and conifer woody species >1” DBH and ≤ 6” DBH. It is acceptable if woody stems or vegetation <1” DBH are damaged or cut during the brushing process.

b) Stumps must be left no greater than 6 inches above the ground.

c) All woody stems cut during the brushing process must be consolidated into brush piles at COR-specified locations within the job area OR must be run through a brush hog or forestry mulching attachment head. If run through a brush hog or forestry mulching head, brush must, at a minimum, be severed from the stump, be de-limbed, and lay within 6” of the ground. If piled, brush piles must occupy a minimum area of 15’ length by 15’ width by 6’ but not exceed 25’ length by 25’ width by 15’ height. Brush piles must be constructed so slash is packed down with adequate density that piles are not able to be seen through.

d) Do not cut or damage reserve or protected species or reserve islands as identified by the COR.

e) Upon completion of work within the job area, off-road access routes will be closed by the Contractor using natural materials present on site. Route closure will be done by placing brush piles at up to 3 locations flagged by the COR, typically the start, middle, and end points of the off-road access route. Route closure brush piles must be constructed to dimensions preventing an All-terrain and/or 4-Wheel Drive vehicles from traveling from the road to the job area along the Contractor’s off-road access route.

CLIN 0005 and 0005AA Option - Mechanical Brushing ≤ 3” DBH

Logistics:

COR will provide Contractor with job area maps at least 14 days prior to the scheduled Prework Meeting between the Government and the Contractor. Navigating to and locating job areas is the responsibility of the Contractor. The use of mechanical equipment is required. Individual job areas are located immediately adjacent to Forest Service or County. Contractor requests to cut vegetation, move woody debris, or otherwise modify off-road access routes must be approved by the COR. Job area boundaries will be delineated by the COR with flagging and/or paint at least 14 days prior to start of work. Individual reserve trees, shrubs or reserve islands of trees/shrubs will be marked with flagging and/or paint by the COR at least 14 days prior to the start of work. Portions of the job areas may contain steep slopes or other impediments to equipment operability. Operability within the job areas will be discussed by the COR during the prework meeting and on a site-specific, as-needed basis, during contract performance. If there is question about where the job area boundary or reserve trees/shrubs/islands, contact the COR for clarification. The work shall be performed and completed between August 15, 2024, and April 14, 2025.

The following item-specific technical specifications must be met for an acceptable level of work:

a) The Contractor will use mechanical equipment (e.g., skidsteers, hydro-axes, fecon, brush hog, bobcats, tractors, masticators, mulching attachment) to brush all herbaceous vegetation and woody vegetation > 24” tall and ≤ 3” DBH within the job areas. The brushing process should effectively mulch, chip, de-limb, and/or shred woody vegetation woody vegetation > 24” tall and ≤ 3”. After the brushing process, brush must, at a minimum, be severed from the stump, be de-limbed, and lay within 6” of the ground.

f) Upon completion of work within the job area, off-road access routes will be closed by the Contractor using natural materials present on site. Route closure will be done by placing brush piles at up to 3 locations flagged by the COR, typically the start, middle, and end points of the off-road access route. Route closure brush piles must be constructed to dimensions preventing an All-terrain and/or 4-Wheel Drive vehicles from traveling from the road to the job area along the Contractor’s off-road access route.

General Technical Requirements (Applicable to all Items)

(a) Job Area Prioritization - The Contractor may be required to treat certain Forest Service specified job areas prior to others. This information will be given to the Contractor at least 14 days before the start of work and will be reviewed at the Pre-Work Meeting.

(b) Communication Expectations/Anti-Procrastination Clause – Before commencement of work, the Contractor will provide the COR with a written Schedule of Work stating when the Contractor intends to begin to perform the work, where the work will begin, and scheduled progression through job areas. The Contractor is required to inform the COR at least 7 days in advance before beginning work. Cancellations or rescheduling by the contractor, shall be done in writing by the Contractor, at least 7 days in advance. If the Contractor cancels or postpones scheduled meetings, equipment inspections, or start dates, it may result in the COR requiring an additional 7 days before he/she is available to meet with contractor or conduct equipment inspections and thus start dates may be delayed but the Period of Performance will remain the same. Procrastination by the Contractor will not be grounds for an extension. Procrastination is defined as waiting to begin work until the last 21 days of the Period of Performance.

(c) Protected Wildlife, Vegetation, and Cultural Resource Sites – Avoid harming or harassing any wildlife species encountered during contract activities. Protected plant, wildlife, and/or cultural resource sites will be identified and flagged off on a site-by-site basis by the COR and will be discussed during the pre-work conference. Communicate all concerns/discoveries relating to wildlife, vegetation, and cultural resource sites to the COR immediately before continuing work.

(d) Equipment Cleaning - To prevent the spread of non-native invasive species, the Contractor’s equipment will be inspected prior to starting work with the Forest Service. All equipment must be cleaned and free of brush, debris, mud, dirt, and plant parts including roots and seed prior to travel on Forest Service roads, before entering the first job area, and between moving from one job area to another. Methods of equipment cleaning may include, but are not limited to power washing, steam-cleaning, running through a car wash, or compressed air cleaning. The COR will inspect equipment upon being brought onto National Forest System lands for the first time, or subsequent times if the equipment is taken off site and returned.

(e) Salvage - No cut materials are to be salvaged, sold, or collected.

(f) Snags – Standing dead trees or shrubs will not be cut or disturbed, unless they pose a hazard to operation. Discuss with COR before removing/felling any snags.

(g) Private Land – No activity or trespassing will occur on non-National Forest System lands. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to avoid trespassing. Contact the COR if there are any questions about job area boundaries.

(h) Personal Protective Equipment – Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn at all times while in job areas. Unsafe work practices could result in a ‘Stop Work’ order being issued by the Contracting Officer or further penalties.

Government Furnished Property for Base Item #0001:

· 200 potted trees/shrubs. Container (pot) size will be ≤1 gallon.

· 200 tree ring fiber mats. Tree ring fiber mats are ≤ 36” diameter circular mats made of coconut fiber.

· 400 wooden stakes. Dimensions of wooden stakes are ≤ 1” x 1” x 12”.

· 300 teaspoons of soil moisture granules.

Government Furnished Property for Base Item #0002:

· 100 potted trees/shrubs. Container (pot) size will be ≤1 gallon.

· 100 tree ring fiber mats. Tree ring fiber mats are ≤ 36” diameter circular mats made of coconut fiber.

· 2400’ of galvanized fencing or poly deer fence. Fencing will be in rolls of 50’ or 100’. Fencing height will be ≤ 72”.

· 100 metal T-Posts or 100 wooden posts. Wooden post dimensions will be ≤ 2” x 2” x 72”.

· 200 wooden stakes. Dimensions of wooden stakes are ≤ 1” x 1” x 12”.

· 150 teaspoons of soil moisture granules.

· 350 plastic zip-ties

Government Furnished Property for Option Item #0002AA:

· 100 potted trees/shrubs. Container (pot) size will be ≤1 gallon.

· 100 tree ring fiber mats. Tree ring fiber mats are ≤ 36” diameter circular mats made of coconut fiber.

· 2400’ of galvanized fencing or poly deer fence. Fencing will be in rolls of 50’ or 100’. Fencing height will be ≤ 72”.

· 100 metal T-Posts or 100 wooden posts. Wooden post dimensions will be ≤ 2” x 2” x 72”.

· 200 wooden stakes. Dimensions of wooden stakes are ≤ 1” x 1” x 12”.

· 150 teaspoons of soil moisture granules.

· 350 plastic zip-ties.