2018_Buckskin_Exhibits.pdf

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 01 Project Maps Exhibit 02 Crown Position Classification Exhibit 03 Summary Information Chart Exhibit 04 Silvicultural Summary Prescription Exhibit 05 Thinning Inspection Plot Form R4-2400-4 Exhibit 06 QASP

Attachments and Exhibits Solicitation No.: 12026118Q0068

Exhibit 02

Crown Position Classification

Crown classification in a stand: D, Dominant; C, Co-dominant; I, Intermediate; S, Suppressed

Dominant Tree - Trees whose crowns are somewhat above the general level of the canopy and are exposed to full sunlight from above and to a certain extent laterally.

Co-dominant Tree - Trees that are not as tall as dominants, with crowns receiving overhead light.

They may be confined laterally by the dominants. They are usually as thrifty as dominants and with them comprise the main canopy of the stand.

Intermediate Tree - Trees that are definitely subordinate in crown position, receiving direct sunlight only through holes in the canopy. All trees of this class are subject to strong competition, and growth and vigor is generally declining.

Suppressed Tree - Trees that are (or were) definitely overtopped by the main canopy, receiving almost no free overhead sunlight. They exist by virtue of sunlight that filters through the canopy.

These trees are generally very weak, slow growing, and exhibit very small and thin live crowns.

Attachments and Exhibits

Buckskin 2018 Timber Stand Improvement/Fuel Reduction Summary Information Chart

Item

Site Description Thinning Specs Sanitation Specs Remarks Disease Tree Specs

Area Unit No. Est.

Acres

Average Spacing (feet)

Minimum Height (feet)

Maximum

DBH

(inches)

Overstory Size To Ignore (DBH in inches)

Minimum Damaged/Dis eased (heights in feet)

Maximum Diseased Tree to be Cut (DBH in inches)

Maximum Damaged (DBH in inches)

Dwarf Mistletoe Allowance

Dwarf Mistletoe Pruning

DBH

Range to Girdle Dwarf Mistletoe Infected

Trees (DBH in inches)

Major Work Categories/ Additional Specs

1 Buckskin Unit 13 12 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 500 ft.

Buckskin Unit 14 22 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in Buckskin Unit 15 71 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

Buckskin Unit 16 14 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in Buckskin Unit 18 45 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in 400ft.

Buckskin Unit 19 64 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 500ft./ATV

Buckskin Unit 20 33 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A

T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in .4 miles/ATV

Buckskin Unit 21 23 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A

T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in

500ft./ATV

Buckskin Unit 22 11 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in .25 miles/ATV

Buckskin Unit 23 8 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A

T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in 600 ft.

Buckskin Unit 27 5 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 500ft.

Total Acres for Item 1= 308

Exhibit 03 Attachments and Exhibits

Optional Items

2A Buckskin Unit 17 71 12 to 20 2 12 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2B Buckskin Unit 24 13 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

2C Buckskin Unit 25 31 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 200ft.

2D Buckskin Unit 26 22 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in 400ft.

2E Buckskin Unit 28 33 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 400Ft.

2F Buckskin Unit 29 156 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW, TIME Access: Drive-in

2G Buckskin Unit 30 89 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2H Buckskin Unit 31 91 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in .2 miles

2I Buckskin Unit 32 70 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2J Buckskin Unit 33 282 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW, TIME Access: Drive-in

2K Buckskin Unit 34 62 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2L Buckskin Unit 35 121 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

2M Buckskin Unit 36 49 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2N Buckskin Unit 37 303 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

2O Buckskin Unit 38 70 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2P Buckskin Unit 39 17 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in 400ft.

2Q Buckskin Unit 40 360 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Drive-in 2R Buckskin Unit 41 183 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

2S Buckskin Unit 42 90 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW

Access: Walk-in 400ft.

2T Buckskin Unit 43 40 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in 400ft.

Attachments and Exhibits

Abbreviations:

N/A- Not Applicable DBH- Diameter Breast Height (4.5 feet above ground level) DMT- Dwarf-Mistletoe HP- Hand Pile (entire Unit) PAW- Pull Away Slash from residual trees Drivable- Access by drivable road ATV- Access by All-Terrain Vehicle CTF- Damaged Tree Falling T- Thinning CTF- Cull tree Falliing San- Sanitation (Dwarf Mistletoe) L&S- Lop & Scatter Slash DF- Directional Felling Walk-In- Access other than drivable road HPC- Hand Pile Concentrations ACR- Aspen Clone Release TIME- Time Constraints for wildlife Can Not thin between May 1 – August 15 (Units 29 and 33)

2U Buckskin Unit 44 77 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A

T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Walk-in .3 miles/ATV 2V Buckskin Unit 45 58 12 to 20 2 15 N/A 2 15 15 Lower 1/3 of crown N/A N/A T, CTF, San, HP, PAW Access: Drive-in

Total Acres Optional Units=

Exhibit 04 Silvicultural Summary Prescription

Stand Description: Bid-item No: 1, Optional Items 2A-2V Acres: 2,596 Unit: Name: Buckskin Units 13-45 Elevation range: 4200-5800 feet Slope Range: 5 – 65% Avg. Stand Age: 60 years old Avg. Aspect: NW, West, and SW Avg. Tree Height: Seedling to Mature Overstory

Silvicultural Goals:

• Promote development of large size-class ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir trees and begin to restore the desired species composition and structure within the nonlethal fire regime.

• Reduce densities and change the structure of small and medium tree size class stands in all potential vegetation groups to accelerate development of large size class stands and old forest habitat.

• Reduce conifer competition to small clones.

End Results – Specifics

Units 13-23

1. Tree Thinning Leave Tree Selection:

Remove all Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine less than 12.0 inches DBH.

Remove all ponderosa pine, less than 12.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of aspen clones with at least 10 live stems, greater than 15 feet tall.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 12.0 inches DBH with any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe-caused brooms or swelling in the bole on the upper 2/3 of tree crown. Ponderosa pine trees with branch infestation in the lower 1/3 of crown are acceptable leave trees where they are the best tree to leave.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 12.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of the outer crowns of any ponderosa pine greater than 20 inchs DBH.

Enhance natural openings, ¼ acre to 1 ½ acre in size, with little-or-no evidence of past trees, by removing all ponderosa pine less than15.0 inchs DBH within and around the opening. Indicators of past trees include old stumps, logs and/or stump wholes.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 8.0 inches except for a few open grown clumps of 3 or more trees with healthy crowns and at least 30 feet away from the crown of any residual trees.

Thin remaining patches of 8.0 to 11.9 inch DBH ponderosa pine to promote clumps and openings. Clumps will have 2 to 12 trees with 12- to 20- foot bole spacing. Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown positions), and straightest stems without forking, with no indication of insect, disease, damage,. The Contractor shall select leave trees in the following priorities:

Species Preference: Ponderosa pine

Trees that are to be ignored (not to be cut): Aspen, Any tree with large stick (predator) nests, any tree with evidence of nesting cavities, or snags.

Maximum tree diameter at DBH to cut: (see Summary Information Chart ( Exhibit 03)

Minimum tree height to thin: see Summary Information Chart (Exhibit 03) Trees less than minimum height to thin not included in the acceptable leave trees per acre determination.

2. Insect, Disease and Damage: (Cull Trees)

A. Diseased Trees

a. In all units any ponderosa pine greater than 2 feet tall and less than 15.0 inches DBH with any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe brooms or swelling in the bole on the upper 2/3 of tree crown. Douglas-fir or ponderosa pine trees with branch infestation in the lower 1/3 of crown are acceptable leave trees where they are the best tree to leave.

b. Any ponderosa pine greater than 2 feet tall and less than 15.0 inches DBH with evidence of western gall rust in the bole of the tree (trees with branch infections only are acceptable leave trees, where they are the best tree to leave).

B. Damaged Trees

Any conifer tree greater than 2 feet tall and less than 15.0 inches DBH with any of the following characteristics (UNLESS THE TREE IS THE ONLY TREE OCCUPYING THE SITE....I.E. ROCK OUTCROPPINGS, DENSE BRUSH FIELDS):a. Three or more tops in the live crown, or dead or broken tops (double topped trees are acceptable leave trees, where they are the best tree to leave).

b. Bent over or leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical.

c. Bole damage where the bark is removed from more than 50% of the trees stem circumference.

3. Cut Tree Requirements:

A. Cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, traveled roads, maintained trails, stock driveways, established fire-breaks, fence lines, gates, designated leave trees, culverts, drainage ditches, and perennial and intermittent streams channels

B. All trees other than leave trees shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural obstacles. All live limbs below the cutting point shall be removed. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump. Stump height shall not exceed 8 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

C. Ips bark beetles are a continuing problem on most or all of the thinning units within this contract area. If trees are thinned between the period of September 15 and July 1 and not removed currently or will be within 2 weeks of the felling, the Contractor may be required to provide a continuous food chain of green trees for the Ips beetle during the period of June 1 to July 31, as a part of the thinning operation and/or be required to leave 10% of the unit(s) unthinned to provide a source of green trees for future Ips food. Such green material shall be provided from periodic cutting or thinning within the unit(s); or where such material is inadequate or not available, green

Attachments and Exhibits material may be provided by thinning of non-included trees adjacent to the unit boundary upon approval of the Contracting Officer. Thinning outside the unit boundaries shall not exceed 10 percent of the unit's acres.

D. All hang-up trees shall be pulled down and be made to lie on the ground. Portions of severed tress shall not be left entwined with standing leave trees, due to Ips beetle attraction.

4. Slash Treatment:

A. Slash to be Hand-piled: All created green slash, 1 inch and larger in diameter, and up to 6 inches in diameter at the large end, shall be hand-piled. Butt portions of stems larger than 6 inches may be left un-piled providing that the butt is on the ground and green limbs are removed, and smaller portions/crown of the tree are piled.

B. Location of Piles: Piles shall be located at least 10 feet, or as far away from the crown and base of standing trees as conditions allow. Piles shall be located such that the heat, when pile is burned, will vent uphill into an opening in the canopy. No piles are to be made on roads or trails as shown on the Contract Map, drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms above a culvert intake without prior written approval of the COR.

C. Construction and Size of Piles: All piles shall be as compact as possible. Height of piles shall be not less than 3 feet, nor greater than 6 feet. Diameter of piles shall be not less than 4 feet, nor greater than 6 feet. All piles shall have a good base to keep the pile from toppling. Larger material shall be placed in the upper portion of the pile to aid in compacting the pile. All material in excess of 6 feet in length shall be cut before placing in the pile. Material protruding out beyond the compact portion of the pile shall be bucked off and added to the pile to facilitate a clean burn.

D. All created green slash not meeting hand piling slash concentration specifications (5. Hand Piling Slash Concentrations Specifications) shall be lopped and scattered (L&S). All green slash shall be loped, bucked and scattered to lie within 24 inches of the ground. The boles of felled trees shall lie on the ground surface. The 24 inch slash depth will be measured from the ground surface to the top of suspended limbs.

E. Due to the presence of Ips bark beetle in the project area, all portions of felled green ponderosa pine trees larger than 3 inches in diameter shall be moved at least 4 feet from the base of any residual ponderosa pine. All ponderosa pine trees shall be felled in a scattered pattern and into openings as much as possible to promote rapid drying of the slash, except in areas where handpiling is designated, and the Contractor is handpiling concurrent with felling.

F. All slash created by operations performed under this contract, which is outside the unit boundaries shall be pulled back into the unit(s), unless it is handpiled.

G. All slash created by operations performed under this contract shall be pulled back at least 5 feet from the top of road cuts and at least 2 foot beyond the traveled surface of the road prism on the fill side, for all roads, as shown on the Contract Maps.

H. All slash created by operations performed under this contract shall be pulled back at least 15 feet above all culvert intakes.

5. Hand Piling Slash Concentrations Specifications:

A. Slash to be Handpiled: All created, green slash 1 inch and larger in diameter and up to 6 inches in diameter at the large end, where slash concentrations exist, shall be handpiled. Slash concentrations are defined as areas where the amount of slash located in a 50 ft. radius area or smaller is sufficient to build a handpile, as described in Section 4.C. (Construction and Size of Piles) above. Butt portions of stems larger than 6 inches may be left un-piled providing that the butt is on the ground and green limbs are removed and smaller portions/crown of the tree are piled.

B. Location of Piles: (Same as Section 4.B. Location of Piles, above).

C. Construction and Size of Piles: (Same as Section 4.C. Construction and Size of Piles, above).

Units 24-45

1. Tree Thinning Leave Tree Selection:

Remove all Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine less than 15.0 inches DBH.

Remove all ponderosa pine, less than 15.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of aspen clones with at least 10 live stems, greater than 15 feet tall.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 15.0 inches DBH with any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe-caused brooms or swelling in the bole on the upper 2/3 of tree crown. Ponderosa pine trees with branch infestation in the lower 1/3 of crown are acceptable leave trees where they are the best tree to leave.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 15.0 inches DBH within 30 feet of the outer crowns of any ponderosa pine greater than 20 inchs DBH.

Enhance natural openings, ¼ acre to 1 ½ acre in size, with little-or-no evidence of past trees, by removing all ponderosa pine less than15.0 inchs DBH within and around the opening. Indicators of past trees include old stumps, logs and/or stump wholes.

Remove all ponderosa pine less than 8.0 inches except for a few open grown clumps of 3 or more trees with healthy crowns and at least 30 feet away from the crown of any residual trees.

Thin remaining patches of 8.0 to 14.9 inch DBH ponderosa pine to promote clumps and openings. Clumps will have 2 to 12 trees with 12- to 20- foot bole spacing. Desirable leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown (in dominant & co-dominant crown positions), and straightest stems without forking, with no indication of insect, disease, damage,. The Contractor shall select leave trees in the following priorities:

Species Preference: Ponderosa pine

Trees that are to be ignored (not to be cut): Aspen, Any tree with large stick (predator) nests, any tree with evidence of nesting cavities, or snags.

Attachments and Exhibits

Maximum tree diameter at DBH to cut: (see Summary Information Chart ( Exhibit 03)

Minimum tree height to thin: see Summary Information Chart (Exhibit 03) Trees less than minimum height to thin not included in the acceptable leave trees per acre determination.

2. Insect, Disease and Damage: (Cull Trees)

Same as Units 13-23 section 2

3. Cut Tree Requirements:

Same as Units 13-23 Section 3

4. Slash Treatment:

Same as Units 13-23 Section 4

5. Hand Piling Slash Concentrations Specifications:

Same as Units 13-23 Section

Attachments and Exhibits

Exhibit 05

USDA - FOREST SERVICE

THINNING INSPECTION PLOT FORM

R4-2400-4 (2/99)

ID CONTRACT CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

STAND SUM.

FOREST CONTRACTOR ACCEPT.MIN/MAX TC/AC TO TARGET ACTUAL

DISTRICT NUMBER PRIORITY SP. PREF. TREES LEFT/AC

INSPECTOR ITEM PLOT SIZE CATEGORY "C"/AC/

DATE SUB-ITEM ACCEP. TREES/PLOT TO **TREES/AC IGNORED

REMARKS COMP/STD(S) VARIATION OF SPACING % OR ± FT TREES/AC. BELOW

ACRES SPECIES IGNORED** MIN.HT

WORK ACCOMPLISHED % MIN. CUT TREE HEIGHT FT

CONTRACT TIME REMAINING % MAX. CUT TREE DBH. IN TOTAL TREES/ ACRES

ACCEP. CAT "C" PER AC.

Plot No.

(1)

TREE EVALUATION

(see back) (2)

TREES LEFT:

(INCL.SAT., TREES ABOVE

MAX DBH. &

EXCLUDES**)

CREDIT

NONSTK.

SPOTS

SURPLUS

S2 AND

CAT. "A"

IMPROPER LEAVE

TREE SELECTION

UNCORRECTABLE

CAT. "B"

EXCESS TREES

CORRECT ABLE

CAT. "C"

CORRECTABLE

S1,S2 (3)

S3, S4 (4)

(5)

A1,A2, A3 (6)

A4,A5 (7)

B, B1 (8)

C1-C7 (9)

TOTAL ALL PLOTS

TOTAL PER ACRE

Quality Thinning Calculations: NOTES: 1. ** = Species of trees ignored in thinning activity.

1.00 - [ COL. (6) + COL. (7) + COL. (8) ] x 100 = % Quality Thinning

2. If species of trees is needed, record species for each tree tallied in Column (2).

COL. (3) + COL. (4)

TOTAL PER ACRE CALCULATIONS: TREES PER ACRE = "TOTAL ALL PLOTS" in column divided by total of plots, then multiplied by reciprocal of plot size.

Attachments and Exhibits

TREE EVALUATION CODING AND INSTRUCTIONS

ACCEPTABLE TREES and CREDITS FOR NON STOCKED SPOTS (3-5) CATEGORY "C" TREES (9)

S1 - Meets all specifications and species preference C1 - Not completely severed from stump S2 - Tree meeting maximum d.b.h. cut limit C2 - Hang-up tree S3 - Credit leave tree due to insufficient origianl stocking C3 - High stump S4 - Credit for missing tree cut due to insects and disease C4 - Tree left with excess damage C5 - Tree left fith excess disease C6 - Tree not girdled C7 - Tree improperly girdled

CATEGORY "A" TREES (6) AND (7)

A1 - Improper spacing relationship or too many cut A2 - Tree cut exceeds the maximum d.b.h. cut limit A3 - Leave tree damaged excessively by salvage or felling operations A4 - Improper tree selection (does not meet specification) A5 - Wrong tree cut

CATEGORY "B" TREES (8)

B - Improper spacing or too few trees cut (Excess Trees) B1 - Stump with live limbs

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. The sum of Columns (3) and (4) cannot exceed maximum acceptable trees per plot.

2. If the total of Col. (3) and Col. (4) is less than the minimum acceptable trees per lot and there are no improperly cut trees (Col. 6 and 7 -Category

A), Column 4 must be increased to the extent the total of Col. ((3) and Col. (4) equals the average number of acceptable trees per plot. If trees are improperly cut (Category A) the total of Columns 3 and 4 must not exceed the sum of maximum acceptable trees per plot minus the n;umber of Category A trees (Columns 6 and 7).

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Add C8 – small trees

Add local codes such as Trees not pruned (B2 or /c9), Trees improperly pruned (C__), describe pruning deficiency ex. 0.25/deficiency)

EXHIBIT 6

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

for

Hand Tree Thinning and Stand Improvement Activities

I. Introduction The Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides the procedure and guidelines that will be used in evaluating technical performance of the Contractor for tree thinning and stand improvement activities in a performance based statement of work. The Government’s QASP is not part of the contract, but is provided to the Contractor solely as information. A copy of this plan is furnished to the Contractor in the solicitation package and with the contract so the Contractor is aware of the methods that the Government will use in evaluating performance on this contract and address any concerns that the Contractor may have prior to initiating work. The QASP is subject to change by the Government during the contract performance period. The Government reserves the right to perform more or less than is outlined in the Plan.

Purpose of the QASP:

o Define the role and responsibilities of participating Government officials;

o Define the types of work to be performed with required end results;

o Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the Government in assessing the Contractor’s performance;

o Provide copies of the performance assessment form that the Government will use in documenting and evaluating the Contractor’s performance; and o Describe the process of performance assessment documentation.

II. Roles and Responsibilities of Participating Government Officials

A. Contracting Officers Representative (COR): The COR is designated by the Contracting Officer to administer the contract within the authority and limitations specified on form FS-6300-6 provided to the Contractor at the pre-work and at any time there is a change in COR, the COR, and maintained in the contract file. Refer to FSH 6309.11.04.4, WO Amendment 6309.11-91-1 for a full description of responsibilities.

The COR will monitor the Contractor’s work and may utilize Work Orders and Notice of Non-compliance as tools to communicate in writing with the Contractor. The COR will keep the Contracting Officer and Contractor informed of progress and contract compliance and any non-compliance issues. The Contracting Officer will work with the Contractor and COR to correct non-compliance issues. Suspension of work may be necessary to halt operations when compliance issues are at question and continuing work during discussions could cause irreversible damage (e.g., wrong trees being cut).

The COR will maintain Daily Diaries for each day the site visited, as the record of contract progress and compliance. These will include only facts concerning the contract, and will be complete and unbiased as they will be used by the Contracting Officer to make further decisions on contract issues.

The COR designates and supervises the work of the inspectors.

B. Inspectors: The Government inspector(s) are designated by the COR to represent him/her in securing compliance of contract requirements. The Designation of Project Inspector (R4-6300-34) will be used to designate the inspector and identify the responsibilities. Refer to FSH 6309.11.04.4, WO Amendment 6309.11-91-1. The inspector(s) will monitor Contractor performance and inform the Contractor of contract deviations. The inspector(s) will monitor thinning in progress and conduct quality assurance plots. The inspector(s) will not direct the operations of the crew but rather keep in contact with the foreman, stressing the requirement of Contractor quality control as well as protect the Government’s interest by assessing the adequacy of thinning and stand improvement activities.

Attachments and Exhibits

A lead inspector may be designated by the COR when more than one inspector will be on site to act as the leader of the Government inspectors and avoid confusion in communications with the Contractor.

The inspector(s) will maintain Daily Diaries, issue notice of non-compliance to the Contractor when s/he fails to meet contract requirements, and keep the COR informed of all contract progress, and conformance problems.

The inspector(s) will anticipate change orders and inform the COR.

C. District Ranger, Forest Supervisor, Silviculturist and other District, Forest and Regional employees: The Forest Supervisor is responsible for the administration of the National Forest, and the District Ranger acts as an authorized representative. These and other employees will act as resource advisors to the COR and Contracting Officer but do not have contract authority. Their role is to provide advice on project implementation, which may be used for contract decisions.

III. Assessing the Contractors Performance

A. Schedule: The COR and inspector will monitor progress and if the Contractor is falling behind schedule, the COR may issue a work order to ensure the agreed to schedule is maintained.

B. Tree Thinning: The following plan will be used by the Government to assure the Contractor is providing the quality promised and work meets the performance standard. Surveillance will consist of visual observations of the entire operation and sample plots to determine compliance with the specifications

Work in Progress. The Government inspector will observe work in progress, and may put in occasional “informal plots” to judge the quality of thinning and other required work. Any problems should be reported to the foreman to allow the problems to be corrected. The inspector and COR will not direct operation of the crew, however, as this is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Government expects the foreman to inspect work in progress and take corrective action prior to being notified by the Government inspector, consistent with the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan. Failure of the Contractor to inspect his work is cause for notice of non-compliance or other contract action.

1. Quality Assurance Plots. The Government inspector will take sufficient sample plots to assure the Government’s quality assurance plots represent thinning quality (adequate to judge if the Contractor is within 5% of the Government’s and if the work is acceptable). This may be a small sample (e.g., 0.2%) up to 1%, although it generally should not exceed 0.5%, which is half of what the Contractor is required to do. The CO and COR should determine the sample size, which should be influenced by the real or anticipated problems associated with the thinning or the Contractor quality control.

2. Plot procedures will be consistent with plot procedures described in FSH 2409.17, 6.6, Exhibit 04, for Thinning Inspection Plot Form R4-2400-4. Thinning quality will be based on the directions of inspection form.

The Government’s plot method should mirror the Contractor’s plot method described in the Contractor’s approved QCP and further agreed to, but plots will be in different locations and generally be of a different sample intensity. Any deviations must not affect inspection results. For this reason, the Government’s plot size must be the same as that agreed for use in the Contractor’s QCP. In many cases 4-6 trees per plot is adequate however a larger plots with more trees is necessary when variability in density is a desired result. Plot sizes may vary between units.

All computations will be carried to at least thousandths (.000) and the final percentage of quality will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

The most desirable leave tree should be selected based on the procedures described in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription (provided in Exhibits) and the contract. There is space on the top of the inspection form R4-2400-4

Attachments and Exhibits for trees per acre of thinning operation. This is for information only. The final thinning quality reflects the Contractor’s ability to select the proper leave trees and properly cut the excess trees. The ability of the Contractor to thin to the prescribed density is reflected in the trees coded as acceptable or unacceptable in some way.

3. The Government inspector or COR will monitor the Contractor’s quality inspection plots to assure the Contractor is providing inspection consistent with the Contractor’s accepted Quality Control Plan (QCP). If not included in the QCP, the Contractor and CO/COR will agree to how/when Contractor inspection sheets will be turned in to the COR. The Government inspector may observe the Contractor’s plots in progress or check them after completion. The Contractor may be put on notice of non-compliance (or other contract action taken) for failure to conduct plot inspections as per his QCP. The Contractor’s inspector is not permitted to modify plot deficiencies nor influence the work quality by indicating to the thinners (or workers) of upcoming plot locations.

After receipt, the Government inspector or COR will review all plot cards, and re-check calculations after receipt.

4. The Government inspector will conduct quality assurance plots in a timely manner after unit completion.

The COR will inform the Contractor if the quality is acceptable to the Government, after comparing the Government assurance plots with the Contractor’s after the entire unit is treated. When they are within 5%, the Contractor will be informed that his/her quality assurance is acceptable for tree thinning (or other work as applicable) quality and pay will be calculated based on the Contractor’s plot results.

When the Government’s inspector compares the Contractor’s inspection to the Government’s assurance plots prior to the unit being completed, it will only be considered an indication of the progress and not considered an acceptance of the Contractor’s work. The Government does not need to reveal the results of their plots, but will notify the Contractor if it appears that the Contractor’s inspection is greater than 5% from the Government’s.

Based on Inspection of Services, the Contractor should be notified as soon as it is apparent that there may be a problem so they can improve in their inspection process if it does not conform to the standards. In some cases with thinning, the Government may not have quality assurance plots prior to unit completion.

If at unit completion, the Contractor’s results differ by greater than 5% from the Government’s QA plots, payment will be based on the Government’s plot results. If the Contractor finds this objectionable, he may request a re-evaluation. At least a 2-percent of each treated unit, or at least 15 plots per treated unit (whichever is greater) shall be sampled by the FS, and if the results confirm the Contractor’s results (or within 5%), payment will be based on the Contractor’s results. However, if the results of the re-evaluation sample indicate the Government results are correct (i.e. greater than 5% difference), then payment is based on the Governments re-verification results and the Contractor pays for the actual costs associated with the re-verification sample.

5. When the Contractor’s work is below the performance standard of 90%, the COR may require the Contractor to rework the unit or portion of the unit where the deficiency occurred and it can be corrected. The Contractor will re-inspect this work and the Government will conduct similar surveillance as the original work.

When work cannot be corrected, or at agreement with the Contractor, the Government may accept work at the reduced price stated in CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA Section. After being advised that the Contractor has reworked an area, the Government will conduct a new set of plots up to 2 times after the initial. The Contractor should submit his quality control inspections indicating that work is complete and acceptable prior to the Government conducting plots. The Contractor can be assessed the cost of the extra plot assessment.

Attachments and Exhibits

C. Release and other tasks not included in the Tree Thinning inspection:

1. The Government inspectors will conduct quality assurance for release and other TSI work similar to the procedures described for Tree Thinning.

2. Modify the codes on the standard Tree Thinning Inspection form or utilize a local form for inspecting release and weeding activities.

D. Slash Clean up. The COR and inspector will monitor the slash activities according to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, and contract requirements, and the Contractor’s proposal provided with the technical proposal. The Contractor is required to rework any areas not meeting the requirements and repair damage to improvements.

The Contractor may be assessed actual damages when work is unacceptable.

E. Resource Protection. The COR and inspector should monitor the activities to assure resources are being protected. This should be monitored in conjunction with work in progress.

F. Work Schedule. The work schedule will be monitored as previously described. When the Contractor does not complete work within the accepted time schedule, the CO has several options that allow the Contractor to continue to work but s/he may be assessed the actual damages to the Government (i.e., wages, travel and per diem, etc.) for work completed outside the contract time

G. Contractor’s Quality Inspection. When the Contractor’s inspection varies by greater than 5 percent from the Government’s, the Contractor may be required to re-work, essentially re-inspect, the unit, or the Government may do the work. Refer to FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services. The CO or COR will make this determination and make payment and assess costs accordingly. Note that if Government results are used for payment, the Contractor can be charged for the actual Government cost of conducting the additional more intense inspection.

H. Work site and Campsite. The inspector and COR will periodically assess the campsite and daily monitor the worksite to assess if it is clean, and meets the requirements set forth in the contract. The COR will require the Contractor to clean up the work site or campsite or suspend operations if it is a safety hazard. Final payment will be withheld until the worksite is cleaned, including trash that may be left in the unit and the campsite meets the camping permit requirements.

I. Safe Working Conditions. Safety should be discussed at the prework meeting. Emergency numbers and similar information needs to be shared with Contractor. The COR should use common sense in dealing with safety concerns. For example, when there are extreme conditions such as, windy weather in areas with a potential for blowdown, the CO/COR shall use their contract authority to reduce the safety risks. Example of actions to take include moving the operations to a safer unit, posting lookouts, dropping portions of a unit, suspending operations with contract time. When the COR is not on site, the Contractor will need to notify the COR or CO of such a condition.

If the Contractor brings safety hazard to the attention of the COR, the COR/CO and Contractor must find resolution. Examples of options for resolution include, suspension with contract time, moving to another area until the hazard (like in the case of wind) has ceased, altering specifications to avoid the hazard (an example may be modifying the contract to not work within a certain distance of snags), or falling the trees the Contractor identifies as hazards.

IV. Contractor Final Performance Assessment

A. Final Performance Assessment.

The COR will document the Contractor’s performance under this contract/task order. The COR will document his/her understanding of the contract requirements, what was actually completed, and the impact or consequences of what was not completed, and any recommendation for rework.

The COR will summarize the Contractor’s performance in the following aspects:

Quality of TSI activities and related services Cost Control Timeliness of Performance Business Relations Customer Satisfaction: Was the Contractor committed to customer satisfaction?

Would you recommend the selection of this Contractor again (after contract expiration)? Why?

Utilize these ratings along with a short explanation.

o Unsatisfactory = nonconformance is jeopardizing the achievement of contract requirements despite the use of Agency’s resources.

o Poor = overall compliance requires MAJOR agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

o Fair = Overall compliance requires MINOR Agency resources to ensure achievement of contract requirements.

o Good = Overall compliances does not impact achievement of contract requirements.

o Excellent = There are no quality problems and Contractor goes beyond what is expected of contract to achieve services.

B. Analysis of Performance Assessment Results.

The Contracting Officer will review each Performance Assessment prepared by the COR. When appropriate, the Contracting Officer may investigate the event further to determine if all the facts and circumstances surrounding them even are considered in the COR opinions outlined on the forms. The Contracting Officer will prepare the final Performance Assessment that will be entered into the Past Performance Database. Prior to entering information, the Contracting Officer will provide a copy of the final performance rating to the Contractor and allow time for the Contractor to provide rebuttal if desired

Attachments and Exhibits

Exhibit 05