TSI_RFP.doc

OFFEROR'S COPY

NOTE: Attached forms must be completed and submitted intact.

Issuing Office:

USDA – Forest Service Region 1, Acquisition Management Western Montana Acquisition Zone 24 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804

Offers Are Solicited For:

Region One Timber Stand Improvement and Hand Fules Treatments

IMPORTANT - NOTICE TO OFFEROR

1. This is a complete copy. Information and instructions for submission of proposals as well as contract provisions and specifications are contained in this OFFEROR REFERENCE COPY. This copy should be retained by offerors.

FS-6300-45 (11/79)

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

USDA – Forest Service

Region 1, Acquisition Management

Western Montana Acquisition Zone

24 Fort Missoula Road

Missoula, MT 59804

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

(Hour)

(Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

Area Code/Number/Extension

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

FACILITY

TIN: ________________________________

DUNS: ______________________________

CAGE Code (see FAR Provision 52.204-16): ____________________________________ OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Area code,number and extension)

18. OFFER DATE

from above – enter such address in Schedule.

FORMCHECKBOX

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

FORMCHECKBOX

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (

FORMCHECKBOX

41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (

All invoices will be processed using the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), visit http://www.ipp.gov to learn more. Contractors must follow the instructions on how to register and submit invoices via IPP.

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.6/2014)

Previous edition is unusable

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Region One Timber Stand Improvement and Hand Fules Treatments B.1 Schedule of Items: Contract Prices

1. See Section J-1 (Attachments) B-1 Schedule for each National Forest and Grasslands B.2 Schedule of Items: Production Rates

1. See Section J-1 (Attachments) B-2 Schedule for each National Forest and Grasslands Under Clause 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, Contractors shall be responsible for complying with any Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes and regulations applicable to the performance of the work. Questions regarding assessment of Idaho Use Tax on Government Furnished Property should be directed to the Idaho State Tax Commission at (208) 799-3491.

NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE IS FOR PAYMENT PURPOSES ONLY. SEE SECTION L FOR BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

B- 3 Basis of Award

The Government may make up to three contract awards from this solicitation. Offerors may provide proposals on (a) Paragraphs B.1, and B.2 (POD 1; IDPN and CLW/NEZ Forest items), (b) B.3, B.4 and B.5 (POD 2; Lolo, Bitterroot, Kootenai and Flathead National Forest items), or (c) B.6, B.7, B.8, and B.9 (POD 3; LC/Helena, B-D, Custer/Gallatin National Forest and Dakota Prairie Grasslands items) or may bid on all PODS. Offerors must submit prices for all Work Items and Subitems included in the Schedules of Items. See Section L for instructions for proposal preparation and Section M for the basis of award.

B- 4 AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988) During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, Ordering, the Government shall place orders:

· totaling a minimum of $15,000.00 per year (all National Forests inclusive) for each option year exercised by the Government;

· but not in excess of $3,000,000.00 in the base year or any individual option year exercised by the Government.

· In addition, the Government will not place orders in excess of $_________________ cumulative total over the entire period of the contract, including any option years. (The Contracting Officer will enter the final amount at the time of contract award). The total amount will be:

· $9,000,000.00 if the Government makes one single contract award from the solicitation; or

· $6,000,000.00 if the Government makes two separate contract awards from the solicitation.

· $6,000,000.00 if the Government makes three separate contract awards from the solicitation

Also See Paragraph I.10, Order Limitations for limitations on individual Task Orders. (Also See FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations, for limitations on individual Task Orders.)

B. 5 Authorized Ordering Activities

In addition to the Contracting Officer for the parent contract, the authorized officials shown below may issue Task Orders under this contract: Any Contracting Officer assigned to the USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, within the limits of their authority.

B. 6 General Description of Units and Cost Categories

Categories: The cost categories on each schedule of items are substituted for the individual listing of each thinning unit. Stands to be treated will be classified by these categories defined by levels that are based on a combination of examinations and visual estimates of the stand uniformity.

Stocking levels displays stems per acre. This is the total amount of trees per acre to be cut and the Silvicultural Summary Prescription will identify the appropriate post-treatment stocking levels based on spacing requirements.

Spacing and diameter limits used within these categories will be specified in the detailed prescriptions and on the summary information chart.

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C. 1

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

This contract is for tree thinning, slashing, pruning, release, weeding, stand improvement, slash treatment, hand piling, release of browse species, fuels reduction activities, fuels treatment activities, preparation work for burning, and related services on lands administered by the National Forests and National Grasslands within the boundaries of the Northern Region (Region One) of the U.S. Forest Service as authorized herein. The Region will be divided up into 3 separate working PODs as follows:

POD 1: Idaho Panhandle and Clearwater/Nez Perce National Forests.

POD 2: Kootenai, Flathead, Lolo and Bitterroot National Forests

POD 3: Beaverhead/Deerlodge, Lewis and Clark/Helena, Custer/Gallatin National Forests and the

Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

Except for those items identified herein as Government-furnished, the Contractor shall furnish everything necessary, including, but not limited to all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and incidentals to perform services under this contract.

C. 1.2.1 This contract is a Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a Base and 2 optional year renewals. The Government will order work by issuing Task Orders.

C. 1.2.2 See FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations for contract minimums, maximums and ordering limitations.

C. 1.2.3 The Contracting Officer may order services under this contract for any National Forest or National Grassland within the boundaries of the Northern Region (Region One) of the U.S. Forest Service subject to the following conditions:

(1) There is not a requirement, contractual or otherwise, to order the services for that other National Forest or National Grassland under another contract or agreement; (2) The Contracting Officer will consult with the Small Business Administration if required by federal law or regulation; and

(3) Prices for work ordered will be at rates specified in the Schedule of Items of the awarded contract. If work is ordered for National Forests or Grasslands in other than awarded POD, the prices for work ordered will be paid as follows:

· Prices for work ordered by a POD will be at the Rates of the Ordering PODs Schedule of Items

This does not preclude the Contracting Officer from exercising other Government rights under this contract, including, but not limited to the Changes clause.

C. 2

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

Task Orders will include specific information regarding the project worksite location and description, access to the areas, work items ordered, size of units and other information pertinent to each Task Order.

C. 3

DEFINITIONS

Access Point. The point identified for where walk-in access begins to a contract unit.

Accessible. Units are accessible when they are within 1,000 feet of a road open for public use or an administrative use road (gated for public use but can be made available for Contractor use) Units that are not accessible will have a walk-in price included on the Parent Contract.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density. The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Berm. A ridge of soil and debris along the edge of a fireline resulting from line construction.

Bole: A trunk of main stem of a tree. Note: seedlings and saplings have stems rather than boles.

Buck: To saw felled trees into shorter lengths

Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Canker. A disease of the bark and cambium that causes a usually well-defined sunken or swollen necrotic lesion. A malformation of a host stem or branch caused by a disruption of the cambium as a result of dwarf mistletoe infection. A scar left after canker disease or environmental injury.

Clump. See definition of leave island.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The onsite contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer.

Competitive Area. The area used for comparison of potential leave trees of the same species. The radius of the competitive area is specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Contract Period. For the purposes of this contract, the contract period is defined as the entire period from the date of contract award through the end of the base year, and/or any option year(s) if option year(s) are exercised by the Government.

Contract Time. The number of calendar days identified in each Task Order, within which the Contractor shall complete the work described in that Task Order in compliance with the Task Order and the parent contract.

Crook/Crooked Trees. An abrupt bend in a tree or those trees with an abrupt bend on the main bole which is less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than 3 inches from the longitudinal axis.

Crop Tree. A tree that will be a component of a future commercial harvest or managed into the future. In this contract, it is interpreted as the trees specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription that are of preferred species, free of insect or disease infection, or if it is present does not threaten the tree survival or growth, exhibits leader dominance and growth, exhibits little or no damage that affects tree survival or growth, and has crown ratio of greater than 40% (ratio of crown to overall length).

Crown Class – A category of tree based on its crown position relative to those of adjacent trees. Types of crown classes include the following:

Codominant: A tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above and comparatively little from the sides.

Dominant: A tree whose crown extends through the upper layer of the forest canopy of even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, above the crowns of the tree’s immediate neighbors and receiving full light from above and partial light from the sides.

Emergent: A tree whose crown is completely above the general level of the main canopy, receiving full light from above and from all sides.

Intermediate: A tree whose crown extends into the lower portion of the main canopy of even-aged stands, or in uneven-aged stands, into the lower portion of the canopy formed by the tree’s immediate neighbors, but shorter in height than the co-dominants and receiving little direct light from above and none from the sides.

Overtopped (suppressed): A tree whose crown is completely overtopped by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees – the vigor of overtopped trees varies from high to low depending on individual circumstances.

Predominant: A tree whose crown has grown above the general level of the upper canopy.

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, or equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Decision Area. An area that is evaluated to determine the appropriate number of leave trees. The Decision Area is specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Deficiency (or Discrepancy). Trees that are unsatisfactory either because they were cut and met the requirements for a leave tree or were not cut and should have been. There are three categories of deficiencies described in the Inspection Procedure (Section J, Exhibits 4, 5 and 8).

Category A deficiencies – cutting trees that should not be cut or damaging selected leave trees. These are non-correctable errors.

Category B deficiencies - leaving trees that should be cut. These are excess trees and are correctable errors.

Category C deficiencies – other types of errors such as not completely severing trees from stumps, leaving small trees, and other errors as described on the inspection form.

Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

· Straight stem

· Small branch diameter

· Good coloration

· Well-formed crown

· Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

· Free or limited presence of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms; damage or symptom does not affect growth or survival

· Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

· Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

· Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

Characteristics of trees that are not desirable for leave trees:

· Multiple tops

· Poor crown form

· Crook or sweep in bole

· Dead or broken tops

· Poor coloration

· Large branch diameter

· Presence of insect or diseases

· Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

· Physical or mechanical damage

· Suppressed

· Poor annual growth

· Sucker limbs

Diameter Breast Height (d.b.h.). The diameter of the trunk measure at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

D-Minus Rule. A specified number of inches (typically 1-3”) subtracted from the diameter of tree species specified in the silvicultural prescription used to identify which trees should be cut or retained as specified in Section C.5.2.1, Selection of Satisfactory Leave Trees. The diameter of a designated species minus a specified number of inches will be evaluated against the diameter of other trees species during the selection of a leave tree.

Down Wood Concentration. An area where the amount of Down Wood (see Definitions for Down Wood), located in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a hand pile.

Down Wood (Natural Fuels). Woody debris not meeting the definition of Slash that is 12 inches or less in diameter on the large end and 3 feet or greater in length. Rotten wood which is partially buried in the soil or is decayed 75% or greater is not considered down wood.

Duff Mound. An accumulation of freshly fallen litter, bark flakes, branches and other organic material above the mineral soil surrounding the base of large diameter trees.

Excess Tree. An uncut tree that according to contract specifications should have been cut. Excess trees are considered a Category B deficiency in the inspection procedure; these are generally correctable.

Existing Logging Slash: Slash from past logging activity that is covered and entangled with grass and shrubs

Fireline. That portion of a control line (a constructed or natural barrier and treated fire edge to control a fire) from which flammable materials have been removed by scraping or digging to mineral soils.

Fuelbreak. A generally wide strip of land on which native vegetative has been permanently modified so that a fire burning into it can be more readily controlled. Some fuelbreaks contain firelines that can be quickly widened with hand tools or by burning.

Girdle. A cut through the bark and cambium tissue completely encircling the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree.

Healthy Conifer. Trees that are growing well, exhibited by good leader growth, green foliage, and at least 40 percent crown ratio (ratio of live crown to overall tree height), has upright growth form, absence of forking or broken tops, absence of mortality causing diseases or insects in the terminal buds.

Hard Snag: Sound standing dead tree with less than 10 percent cull in any diameter and species.

Hang-up Tree. Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Improperly Cut/Pruned Tree. A tree that was cut that should have been a leave tree based on contract specifications. Also includes any leave tree that was damaged by the Contractor’s operations. This is considered a Category A deficiency and is not a correctable deficiency.

Inspection Procedure. The plot inspection procedure described in Section J. Used to determine quality of work.

Jackpot Concentration. Slash concentration between 1-½ and 3 feet in height and less than 4 feet wide created by directional felling and/or pulling slash away from leave trees.

Leave Tree. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to requirements in Section C.5 and/or the silvicultural prescription.

Leave Island/Clump. An area to be left untreated OR, if treated, has a higher trees per acre left than the remaining acres. An example would be an area left untreated for wildlife screening. Description, size and locations will be explained in detail within the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Leave Trees per Acre. The number of leave trees within one acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

No. of trees per plot * reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre and

Total trees on all plots * reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre

Total No. plots taken

Lopping. Cutting limbs from boles of trees to reduce depth of slash created by felled trees.

Minor Damage. Trees with damage; however, the crooks in the trunk are offset less than 3 inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, or bark damage to less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree. Trees with forks or broken tops are not considered to have minor damage.

Operational Damage. Bark gouges, rips, tears (to the cambium), or other damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference of the bole, or damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference to the limb collar.

Parent Contract: The document setting the base Performance requirements, Line Items, Prices, and Terms & Conditions for all Task Orders issued.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period of Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed for completion of work under each Task Order and/or the number of calendar days under the parent contract.

Pole. A tree of a size between a sapling and a mature tree, generally between 4” and 8” inches DBH

Pruning: Removal of multiple leaders or removal of all lower live or dead limbs from the bole of a selected tree per, silvicultural prescription, to a specified height by severing completely from the bole, without damage to the selected tree. Pruning cuts are parallel to the bole and as close to the bole as possible without damage to the branch collar.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Release. A treatment designed to free young trees from undesirable, usually overtopping, competing vegetation. Treatments include:

A. Cleaning: A release made in an age class not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from less desirable individuals of the same age class that overtop them or are likely to do so. Also, a treatment designed to eradicate individual trees infected with dwarf mistletoe.

B. Improvement cutting: the removal of less desirable trees of any species in a stand of poles or larger trees, primarily to improve composition and quality.

C. Liberation: A release treatment made in a stand not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from competition with older, overtopping trees.

D. Weeding: A treatment in stands not past the sapling stage that eliminates or suppresses undesirable vegetation regardless of crown position.

Sapling. Usually a young tree larger than a seedling but smaller than a pole generally between 1” and 4” inches DBH.

Satisfactory Leave Tree. Tree that is selected to be left on the unit that meets contract specifications. Tree is larger than the minimum height required to be cut.

Slash. The residue (e.g. tops, limbs, branches, trunks, etc.) left on the ground after treatment activity. This would include pre-existing residue or residue created by Contractor operations.

Slashing. Cutting of undesirable live or dead conifer and/or shrub species from designated crop/leave trees or from within an entire unit to facilitate site preparation or fuels reduction activities designed to improve the stand composition and condition. The term “slashing” does not refer to slash treatment, which is a separate activity.

Slash Concentration. An area where the amount of slash in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a hand pile. Task Orders issued under this contract will identify whether the Contractor shall pile pre-existing slash and/or slash created by Contractor operations.

Slash Pullback. Pulling slash greater than 2 feet in length resulting from tree thinning/slashing or other forestry activities required under this contract into the unit to protect leave trees, designated improvements and developments and/or unit boundaries. An area cleared of slash to a specified distance less than or equal to 50 feet. Specifications defined further in C.5.9.1 and C.5.11.2.

Small Trees. Trees to be cut that are taller than the minimum tree height to cut and shorter than the “small tree height” specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Trees defined as “small trees” shall be cut, small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C Deficiency.

Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree. Average spacing is calculated from the leave trees per acre.

Special Protection Area. A zone that has special characteristics such as riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Refer to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription for required practices.

Stem (Rocky Mountain juniper). For the purpose of determining stems/acre for Rocky Mountain juniper, a stem for this species is defined as any live stem growing out of the ground/duff layer that is taller than the minimum cut tree height (1ft). Any growth from a stem between ground/duff layer and minimum cut tree height will be deemed a limb.

Stream Course. The area along a stream with riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment, which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Special treatments will be specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Supplemental Slash Treatment. Non-standard bucking, lopping and scattering treatment of slash created from TSI operations.

Surplus Tree. A tree that is left in the unit that is in addition to the other satisfactory leave trees and is larger than those defined as small trees. It is not counted in the acceptable tree per acre calculation but does contribute to the total trees per acre on the unit. A surplus tree is coded as S3 or S4 trees in the inspection procedure.

Sweep: The extent to which the lower portion of a tree’s stem diverges from straight, usually measured in degrees.

Task Order: Individual delivery orders issued under the Parent Contract, containing funding sufficient to cover the work to be performed, a defined location, and description of the work to be completed.

Thinning (Tree Thinning) - A cultural treatment made to reduce stand density of trees primarily to improve growth, enhance forest health, or recover potential mortality. Types of thinning include the following:

A. Free: The removal of trees to control stand spacing and favor desired trees, using a combination of thinning criteria without regard to crown position.

B. Mechanical (syn. geometric thinning): The thinning of trees in either even- or uneven-aged stands, involving removal of trees in rows, strips, or by using fixed spacing intervals.

C. Thinning from above (syn. crown thinning): The removal of trees from the dominant and codominant crown classes in order to favor the best trees of those same crown classes.

D. Thinning from below (syn. low thinning): The removal of trees from the lower crown classes to favor those in the upper crown classes.

E. Variable Density Thinning. Tree thinning done in a way that results in an uneven and patchy characteristic when completed that mimics nature. Areas within the stand will vary from more open to denser areas.

Contractor shall refer to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription for thinning treatment guidelines.

Thinning Slash. Debris created from work under this contract, including all cut trees and shrubs including the tops, trunks, and branches.

Under slung line: A fire line below a unit on a slope.

Unsatisfactory Tree. A tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes but is not limited to:

(1) Cutting the wrong tree, failure to cut a correct tree, failure to completely sever a live limb, etc.

(2) Failure to prune a tree or pruning that is not in contract.

(3) Failure to girdle a tree that meets the specifications is also an unsatisfactory tree.

Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection and may be either a Category A, B, or C deficiency.

Windrow. Slash and debris that has been piled into long continuous rows.

Whorl: The arrangement of limbs in a circle originating at the same location (i.d. node) around the bole of a tree.

C. 4

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND/OR SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

The contractor shall return all Government-Furnished property upon the demand of the Contracting Officer.

C. 5

CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C. 5.1 General.

C. 5.1.1 Road Access. Access to project areas can be variable and will be identified in specific task orders. Generally, access to project site(s) is by all-weather and seasonal roads and accessible by 4WD vehicles. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains or snow-blocked during winter months.

The Contractor may access the units from forest roads indicated on project maps. Some units require the Contractor to walk; road access is to the access point noted on project map, where a walk-in would begin. The Contractor shall clear any trees or rocks that block public use or administrative use roads needed to access units.

C. 5.1.2. Walk-In Areas: Units identified by the Government as “walk-in” units are closed to motorized vehicles and may not be accessed by motorized vehicle (including ATVs) unless specifically authorized by the CO in writing, in advance. Contractor requests to access walk-in units by motorized vehicle shall (a) be submitted in advance and in writing, and (b) shall specifically describe the access desired. The Contractor is not authorized to access any walk-in units by motorized vehicle unless the Contractor has received specific written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

C. 5.1.3 Locked Gates. In cases where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after entering or exiting each gate and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use. The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew.

C. 5.2 Tree Thinning. Thinning reduces the density of a sapling stand and by purposeful selection of leave trees improves the stand composition and condition as prescribed for each individual unit.

C. 5.2.1 Selection of Satisfactory Leave Trees. Satisfactory leave trees contribute to the acceptable density computation. All Satisfactory Leave Trees are larger than the “small trees” described in the prescription (including the D-minus rule, Section J, Exhibit 15, if applicable); if there are no small trees specified, then they are taller than the specified minimum cut tree height.

When a Silvicultural Summary Prescription (also referred to as the prescription) is included in the Task Order, the Contractor shall select leave trees in conformance with the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, the characteristics of desirable leave trees (as defined in Paragraph C. 3) and the requirements in this section for the selection of leave trees. The prescription is based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and is intended to be a guideline for achieving the desired final condition. The Contractor shall use their silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to any conditions within the stand and notify the Contracting Officer of any conditions not addressed in the prescription. The Contractor shall recognize any insect, disease or animal damage problems and report them to the Contracting Officer if not recognized in the prescription. The Government, at the suggestion of the Contractor, may revise prescriptions with approval by the Contracting Officer. Alternate prescriptions must meet the overall stand objectives to be considered by the Contracting Officer.

The acceptable density, preferred species, and unique unit requirements for selecting leave trees are defined in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C. 5.2.1 Best Tree in Competitive Area Leave Tree Selection. Leave trees shall be selected from trees that have potential for being a desirable tree. Potential for desirable trees are rated in relation to the optimal tree of the same species and age in the Competitive Area. The selected leave trees shall be those that have the highest rating in the decision area. The number of leave trees to be left in the decision area will depend on the acceptable stocking density. (Example: 1/20 of the acre decision area will have a range of 5 to 10 trees when the acceptable stocking density is 100-200 trees per acre.) When there is more than one tree rated the highest for its species for species in the decision area, the selection shall be based on the species preference list. Selected leave trees shall have the best form and vigor and meet the desirable leave tree characteristics described in section C.3, be of a species listed in the species preference in the prescription, and be within the acceptable stocking density. The characteristics of desirable leave trees shall determine trees to be left, but defects are acceptable for a particular leave tree if it is the best selection within a decision area. Alter the spacing to select the most desirable tree within the spacing guide identified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C. 5.2.2 Other Leave Trees. In addition to the leave trees described in C.5.2.1, the Contractor shall leave trees larger than the maximum DBH and other “trees to be ignored” as described in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Contractor failure to leave these trees will be identified during Government Quality Assurance, will affect Contractor work quality and may result in reduced payment.

C. 5.2.3 Cutting Trees Not Selected as Leave Trees

C. 5.2.3.a All trees not designated as leave trees that are taller than the minimum cut tree height shall be cut. Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation.

C. 5.2.3.b All cut trees shall be completely severed below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material. A live limb is a limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C. 5.2.3.c Trees defined as “small trees” in the prescription shall be cut; however, there is a greater tolerance for failure to cut these trees than larger trees. Small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C deficiency. Refer to E. 3.1.2 for maximum level of

Category C deficiencies allowed.

C. 5.2.3.d Stump height shall not exceed 4 inches above the ground level as measured on the uphill side, or 4 inches above natural obstacles unless otherwise specified in the

Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal.

C. 5.2.3.e Hang- up trees shall be pulled down and made to lie on the ground.

Portions of severed trees shall not be left entwined with standing leave trees.

C. 5.2.4 Tree Improvement Test Plantation Thinning. Test plantation thinning estimated trees to be cut, approximately 500-3000 tpa. All non-leave trees will be painted and/or tagged or leave trees will be specified as species designation. Cut all trees including hardwoods that are greater than 1 foot in height to a stump height of 6 inches. Leave trees are genetically superior trees and are of high value. Therefore, for any leave tree cut or severely damaged by thinning operations, Contractor will be assessed a damage fee of $250.00 per tree. (See G.4.2.2)

C. 5.3 Slashing. Slashing removes undesirable live or dead conifer and/or shrub species from designated crop/leave trees or from within an entire unit to facilitate site preparation or fuels reduction activities designed to improve the stand composition and condition as prescribed for each individual unit. The acceptable unit requirements for trees and shrubs to be slashed will be defined in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C. 5.3.1 Slashing of Trees Not Designated as Leave Trees

C. 5.3.1.a All trees not designated as leave trees that are taller than the minimum cut tree height shall be cut. Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation.

C. 5.3.1.b All cut trees shall be completely severed below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material. A live limb is a limb of any size that has green needles attached. Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C. 5.3.1.c Trees defined as “small trees” in the prescription shall be cut; however, there is a greater tolerance for failure to cut these trees than larger trees. Small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C deficiency. Refer to E. 3.1.2 for maximum level of

Category C deficiencies allowed.

C. 5.3.1.d Stump height shall not exceed 4 inches above the ground level as measured on the uphill side, or 4 inches above natural obstacles unless otherwise specified in the

Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal.

C. 5.3.1.e Hang- up trees shall be pulled down and made to lie on the ground.

Portions of severed trees shall not be left entwined with standing leave trees.

C.5.3.1.f Trees and shrubs to be cut shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads, trails, established game trails, fence lines, and established land corners. Any slash falling on such areas shall be removed in accordance with the standard slash treatment specifications.

C. 5.3.2 Shrub Slashing Supplement. When utilizing Tree Thinning (C.5.2) and/or Slashing (C.5.3), and when required by the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or the Task Order, the Contractor will slash shrubs specified to be cut taller than the minimum cut height of 2 feet. This supplement will be applied to units that contain shrubs to be slashed. Additional costs for these treatments will be reflected as shown in Schedule of Items, C. 5.3.1 A-C (Note: The additional payment is to compensate the Contractor for the added difficulty of slashing shrubs. Compensation to the Contractor for tree thinning or slashing of conifer trees is already included in the payment for the specified Tree Thinning C.5.2 A-F or Slashing categories C.5.3 A-D).

C. 5.4 Girdling. Girdling deliberately kills the treated tree, leaving it to become a snag.

The Contractor shall select and girdle trees specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Unless otherwise described in Silvicultural Summary Prescriptions included in task orders, girdling shall be a minimum of two 1” wide cuts, 6” apart, completely through the bark and cambium tissue and encircling the tree trunk that deliberately kills the tree.

C. 5.5 Pruning.

C. 5.5.1 The Contractor shall select the trees for pruning based on the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C. 5.5.2 Prune all trees 8 feet and greater in height unless a different height is specified in the Silvicultural Prescription. Contractor must ensure that all branches within the lower ½ of the bole are pruned up to a maximum height of 8 feet, leaving ½ of the crown of the tree or at least four whorls. All limbs pruned shall be cut to within ¼ inch of the limb collar and needles removed at the bole. A diagram is included in Section J, Exhibit 12. Pruned limbs shall be completely severed from the tree. Contractor may need to remove duff from around base of tree to ensure all live branches are severed according to specifications.

C. 5.5.3 The bole of the tree and limbs to be retained shall not be damaged in the pruning operation. The Contractor shall not use chainsaws for pruning unless approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

The attached Pruning Inspection Form (see Section J, Exhibit 11) will be used for Contractor Quality Control and the Government Quality Assurance inspection.

C.5.6 Pruning with Release

C. 5.6.1 The Contractor shall select the trees for pruning based on the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C. 5.6.2 Prune all trees 8 feet and greater in height unless a different height is specified in the Silvicultural Prescription. Contractor must ensure that all branches within the lower ½ of the bole are pruned up to a maximum height of 8 feet, leaving ½ of the crown of the tree or at least four whorls. All limbs pruned shall be cut to within ¼ inch of the limb collar and needles removed at the bole. A diagram is included in Section J, Exhibit 12. Pruned limbs shall be completely severed from the tree. Contractor may need to remove duff from around base of tree to ensure all live branches are severed according to specifications.

C. 5.6.3 The bole of the tree and limbs to be retained shall not be damaged in the pruning operation. The Contractor shall not use chainsaws for pruning unless approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

C. 5.6.4 When release is required, all trees (exception western white pine and whitebark pine) over 2 feet in height within 8 feet of a selected tree will be cut to a stump height of 4 inches. Any tree in the release area not cut that is over 2 feet in height or a stump with a stump height over 4 inches or a tree not completely severed from the stump will be considered a category C tree. The allowable number of Category C trees per acre will be 25 unless specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

A minimum of 35 western white pine or whitebark pine per acre will be released (unless specified differently in Silvicultural Summary Prescription) and a maximum of 43 western white pine or whitebark pine per acre will be released. The Silvicultural Prescription will state specifications for selection of trees to be released.

The attached Pruning Inspection Form (see Section J, Exhibit 11) will be used for Contractor Quality Control and the Government Quality Assurance inspection.

C. 5.7 Release of Browse Species.

C. 5.7.1 This activity cuts the following browse species: maple, serviceberry, willow, dogwood and Ceanothus to 1 foot in height that is accessible to browse animals.

If specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, the Contractor shall cut Ceanothus that is greater than 2 feet in length/height and other specified browse species that are greater than 3 feet in length/height (species and percentage specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription) down to a height of 1 foot.

C. 5.8 Release/Weeding.

C. 5.8.1 This activity cuts competing vegetation from around selected trees to allow residual trees room to grow. The Contractor shall select the trees to be released based on the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Trees and shrubs, unless specified to be retained in the prescription, shall be cut from around the selected trees for a distance from the bole of the tree as specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Slash shall be cleared away from the bole of the residual trees for a distance of at least 10 feet. The residual trees and other vegetation specified to be left shall not be damaged during release work.

C. 5.9 Slash Treatment.

C.5.9.1. Standard Slash Treatment (Up to 8” DBH). Bucking, Lopping, Scattering. The Contractor shall perform Standard Slash Treatment for the following items unless the Task Order specifically removes the requirement: C.5.2 Tree Thinning, C 5.3 Slashing, C.5.5 Pruning, C.5.6 Pruning with Release, C.5.7 Release of Browse Species, and C.5.8. Release/Weeding.

C.5.9.1.a. All thinning slash shall be lopped to less than 2 feet high and placed on or near the ground surface. Slash will be bucked, lopped and/or scattered according to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Cut material shall not lean against an uncut tree, stump, log or any obstacle. It shall be secure and not able to roll down the hill.

Bucking is required, regardless of height of slash above the ground, when specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Bucked lengths may be specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription otherwise the minimum length will be 4 feet and the maximum would be 8 feet.

Directional felling is preferred in lop and scatter units as opposed to jack straw felling. Directional felling will have a positive effect on contractor work quality. The attached Slash Treatment Inspection Form (see Section J, Exhibit 7) will be used for Contractor Quality Control and the Government Quality Assurance inspection.

C.5.9.1.b. Slash treatment shall be performed concurrent and progressive with the thinning. The Contractor shall not move onto a new unit without completion of slash treatment.

C.5.9.1.c. When hand piling is required by the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, felled trees and natural fuels shall be limbed to a minimum diameter of 1 inch on two opposing sides and bucked into pieces 8 feet or less in length. Walk-through inspection of the slash work will be completed prior to the hand-piling activity beginning.

C.5.9.1.d. All trails indicated on the project maps and all roads open to the public and administrative use roads within or adjacent to the unit shall be kept free of slash at all times.

C.5.9.1.e. The following improvements and developments shall be free from slash created by the tasks in this contract:

(1) The area adjacent to cut and fill slopes, and ditches for a distance of 10 feet measured from the upper cut slope and the lower shoulder of the road. Material shall be less than 6 feet in length to prevent barriers along roads.

(2) Culverts for a distance of 10 feet.

(3) 20 feet from improvements such as unit boundaries, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners.

(4) Stream courses as required in Resource Protection (C. 5.15).

C.5.9.2 Supplemental Slash Treatment (8.1”-10” DBH). When the maximum DBH cut limit for Tree Thinning (C.5.2) and Slashing (C.5.3) as shown in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, is between 8.1 inches DBH and 10.0 inches DBH, the Contractor shall perform the slash treatments described in C.5.9.1. Additional costs for these treatments will be reflected as shown in Schedule of Items, C.5.9.2.

C.5.9.3 Supplemental Slash Treatment (8.1”-12” DBH). When the maximum DBH cut limit for Tree Thinning (C.5.2) and Slashing (C.5.3) as shown in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, is between 8.1 inches DBH and 12.0 inches DBH, the Contractor shall perform the slash treatments described in C.5.9.1. Additional costs for these treatments will be reflected as shown in Schedule of Items, C.5.9.3.

C.5.9.4 Deduction for No Slash Treatment. Deduction for no standard slash treatment. When the Standard Slash Treatment (C.5.9.1.) is not required per the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. A deducted cost per acre will be applied for not completing these treatments will be reflected as shown in Schedule of Items, C.5.9.4.

C. 5.10 Hand-piling.

C.5.10 (Hand-Piling C.5.10 A-F) Hand Piling categories C.5.10 A-F include slash and down wood (natural fuels) as specified by the silvicultural prescription. When required by the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or in the Task Order, slash (thinning slash and/or pre-existing slash) and/or down wood (natural fuels) less than 8” in diameter shall be piled by the Contractor. Piles shall be constructed to facilitate full consumption when they are burned.

Piles shall be located outside of residual/leave tree driplines, in openings or areas of low tree densities to minimize damage to residual trees when the piles are burned. Piles constructed on slopes in excess of 35% piles will be secured by leaving one or two activity generated stump(s) per pile 4-6 feet in height with a minimum stump diameter of 4 inches or greater, slash shall be piled perpendicular to the stump(s) on the uphill side. At the discretion of the Contracting Officer isolated areas within a hand pile unit may be scattered and not piled in areas of light slash and/or down wood (natural fuels) densities not sufficient to build an acceptable size pile.

Unless otherwise specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or Task Order, piles shall be constructed as follows: All slash (thinning slash and/or pre-existing slash) and/or down wood (natural fuels) shall be limbed flush with the bole to a minimum diameter of 1 inch on two opposing sides and bucked into pieces 8 feet or less in length prior to…