12012018Q0011_AMHT_Phase2TimberCruise_DraftPWS.pdf

12012018Q0011, Draft Requirement

AMHT Phase 2 Timber Cruise Pre-Solicitation page 1 of 4

ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST LAND EXCHANGE

Timber Cruise DRAFT Performance Work Statement

The purpose of posting this draft performance work statement is to inform potential quoters of an upcoming solicitation.

On May 5, 2017, Federal legislation was passed directing the USDA Forest Service to exchange certain lands with the State of Alaska’s Mental Health Trust Authority. The legislation is the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Exchange Act of 2017, (“the Act”). All of the lands identified for this exchange are within Southeast Alaska. The exchange is to be conducted in two (2) phases. In order to appraise each of the two (2) ownerships for Phase 2, timber cruise data will be needed for portions of these properties. The USDA Forest Service intends to contract for timber cruising of portions of the Phase 2 properties. At the time of this pre-solicitation, the exact areas to be cruised have not yet been identified. The identification of the exact areas will be a part of the subsequent request for quotations. Not all areas included in the land exchange will need to be cruised, but the following map identifies the locations included in the exchange:

AMHT Phase 2 Timber Cruise Pre-Solicitation page 2 of 4

The Phase 2 lands extend over a distance of 230 miles north-south. The total size of the lands included in Phase 2 is approximately 33,842 acres, but only a fraction of those lands will need timber cruising. The USDA Forest Service intends to acquire by contract services to cruise timber to typical private industry standards. Because of the potential size of the assignment and the short field season, the successful quoter may need to place more than one crew in the field. Also, it is reasonable to expect that helicopters may be needed to transport crews to the work sites. All expenses are to be borne by the vendor. The USDA Forest Service intends that the timber cruising contract for Phase 2 will be completed in 2018.

NAICS 115310 — Support Activities for Forestry

Performance – Unless otherwise stated, the contract timber cruiser shall furnish all materials, supplies, tools, equipment, personnel, supervision, travel, and shall complete all requirements including performance of the professional services listed herein. The standards and requirements are shown on following pages.

Pre-Work Conferences – The timber cruiser shall attend a telephone pre-work conference for discussion and understanding of these instructions. Invited attendees will include at least one representative of the State of Alaska’s Mental Health Trust Authority, and at least one representative of the Tongass National Forest, in addition to the contract appraiser, Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Report Format and Delivery –Prior to commencing field work, the contractor shall provide a timber cruise plan describing the details of the planned field work. It is permissible for the contractor to orient cruise strips differently than north-south or east-west, if shown as such in the cruise plan. This may be appropriate based on terrain or cruise area orientation. It is emphasized that the standards to be applied are the typical private-industry standards for the Southeast Alaska market. The Forest Service’s assigned measurements forester, and the appraiser’s forester will review the cruise plan for adequacy and appropriateness. Any needed revisions will be incorporated into the cruise plan.

The contract timber cruiser shall submit the developed timber cruise data to the assigned Forest Service review appraiser. Delivery of the final data report shall be within 45 days of the contracting officer’s Notice to Proceed. Data files from the Atterbury timber cruise software shall be included. After the timber cruise is completed, the Forest Service may conduct a check-cruise in order to ascertain whether or not the timber cruise complies with the contract and followed the cruise plan that was submitted for review. It is important that the timber cruise should be completed as early as possible so that the check cruise can be finished prior to the end of the period of performance of the contract. Use of highly prominent markings in the field will assist the check cruiser in locating the plots. The review appraiser will coordinate review of the timber cruise data for acceptability.

Confidentiality – The timber cruiser may provide information about the assignment, results, or portions thereof only to the Forest Service review appraiser or Regional Appraiser. Data may only be provided from the timber cruiser to the assigned Review Appraiser or the Regional Appraiser. The Regional Appraiser will control any subsequent distribution of data, reports, summaries, or reviews. Any requests for information shall be referred to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative, including all inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act.

AMHT Phase 2 Timber Cruise Pre-Solicitation page 3 of 4

Timber Cruise Specifications This specified timber cruise will be the basis of an appraisal of the timber, which in turn will be incorporated into the real estate appraisal of the described properties. These parcels are part of the lands to be exchanged between the US Forest Service and the Mental Health Trust based on fair market value to be determined by the appraisal.

Timber Cruise specifications:

• Statistical Accuracy: +/-10% sampling error at 1 standard deviation.

• Cruise type: Variable Plot utilizing a 40-factor prism (relascop), sighting at d.b.h.

• Plot spacing:

• Cruise areas over 100 acres: 1 plot for 2.5 acres.

• Cruise areas under 100 acres: 1 plot per acre.

• Old growth top size will be 40% of diameter inside bark at d.b.h., minimum of 6"

Second growth top size will be minimum top diameter of 6".

• .Cruise area and timber acres will be calculated by GIS and field checked by plot spacing.

• Logs will be graded according to the NW Log Rules Advisory Group Official Log

Scaling and Grading Rules with long log volume calculated in Gross and Net Scribner by log grade and log sort. Logs will be cruised using variable log lengths.

• Export log sort specifications typical of Southeast Alaska will be used for assigning log sorts. (example attached hereto, may be refined prior to beginning field work)

• Timber cruise standards and procedures will be typical of Southeast Alaska timber industry.

Timber Cruise calculations:

• Atterbury Timber Cruise Program

Cruise plots:

• Plots will alternate with two cruise plots and one count plot.

• Plot centers will be established by flagging with cruiser’s initials, date and plot number.

• Cruise lines will run generally in cardinal directions (East-West or North-South)

• Plot data will be used to stratify timber types – cruise report will include a type map.

Defect identification:

• Visible defect: The cruiser will estimate defect based on indicators identified while observing the bole of the tree.

• Hidden defect: A hidden defect factor appropriate to local conditions will be applied at the discretion of the appraiser.

Utilization standards:

• A merchantable log will be a log that meets the requirements for a number 3 sawlog or better.

• Number 4 sawlogs and utility logs will be recorded and reported.

AMHT Phase 2 Timber Cruise Pre-Solicitation page 4 of 4

Sort Guidelines: