SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

WASHINGTON DC 20250-1138

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW MS-1138

AQM PROC PROPERTY

USDA FOREST SERVICE

4440 CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR3187

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

11/02/2026 1400 ES

09/28/2026

202-617-8490CASSANDRA CAREY

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12318726Q0224

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 51 1175453OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

USDA-FS CSA EAST 2

15. DELIVER TO

WASHINGTON DC 20250-1138

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW MS-1138

AQM PROC PROPERTY

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$34

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Delivery: 09/15/2026 Period of Performance: 11/16/2026 to 11/15/2027

0001 Market Index Prices for Use in Forest Management

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

DATED

CASSANDRA N. CAREY

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

51 2 of

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

12318726Q0224

FAR 12.6 Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation of Commercial Items

USDA Forest Service Washington Office

MARKET INDEX PRICES FOR USE IN FOREST MANAGEMENT

Schedule of Items

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Period of Performance Base Year: * 11/01/2026 – 10/31/2027

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAY

UNIT EST QTY

0001 Development of Index Log Each 1 0002 Monthly and Quarterly Indices Each 1

Period of Performance Option Year 1: 11/01/2027 – 10/31/2028

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAY

UNIT EST QTY

1001 Development of Index Log Each 1 1002 Monthly and Quarterly Indices Each 1

Period of Performance Option Year 2: 11/01/2028 – 10/31/2029

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAY

UNIT EST QTY

2001 Development of Index Log Each 1 2002 Monthly and Quarterly Indices Each 1

Period of Performance Option Year 3: 11/01/2029 – 10/31/2030

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAY

UNIT EST QTY

3001 Development of Index Log Each 1 3002 Monthly and Quarterly Indices Each 1

Period of Performance Option Year 4: 11/01/2030 – 10/31/2031

ITEM

NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAY

UNIT EST QTY

4001 Development of Index Log Each 1 4002 Monthly and Quarterly Indices Each 1

EA - EACH MO -

MONTH

*Actual dates will be based on award

Award anticipated to be a firm fixed price contract.

1.0 INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service requires the need to purchase market index price data to be used to achieve fair, objective, and transparent valuation and pricing measures for Forest Service stumpage.

Product or Service Code (PSC): R702 – Support-Management: Data Collection. NAICS: 115310 - Support Activities for Forestry.

1.1 Background

The Forest Service sells stumpage through competitive bidding. Stumpage must be advertised at its appraised value, and contracts are awarded to the highest responsible, qualified bidder.

Stumpage rate adjustment procedures began in the 1950s to reduce risk to timber sale purchasers during market downturns, and to ensure the government receives fair market value when lumber prices rise. These procedures have evolved, with a major change following a 1991 USDA Office of Inspector General audit.

This audit found that the previous 50-percent-up/100-percent-down adjustment formula disproportionately benefited purchasers. In response, the Forest Service revised its procedures in 1997 so that stumpage rates now adjusted by 100 percent of changes in lumber prices both up and down.

In the 1990s, the Forest Service also adopted transaction‑evidence-based appraisals nationwide (except in Alaska). TE-based appraisals further improved methods for establishing and applying base period prices, and the agency incorporated these advancements into its business practices.

1.2 Scope

Currently the Forest Service applies a stumpage rate adjustment procedure on the sawlog component of timber sales over 1-year in length sold on a hundred cubic foot (ccf) basis in national forests west of the 100th meridian. The Forest Service does not apply the stumpage rate adjustment procedure to any material that does not meet the sawlog specifications.

The Forest Service size specifications for sawlogs vary by geographic area, however the general assumption is that a sawlog meets the minimum species, size, and recovery specifications such that the material is suitable as the primary raw material input for a class of sawn, dimensional, finished lumber in the market area or working circle of the Forest.

The Forest Service currently uses nine (9) distinct market indices but will not be continuing the data collection on the coast-inland north and rocky mountain ponderosa pine indices. Each unique index is a combination of three values: market geographic area/species/log product.

The index price in dollars per thousand board feet ($/mbf) is a composite price. The composite price is a volume weighted average value of the outputs from the given inputs. Table 1 displays the characteristics of each unique index price the Forest Service currently uses.

Table 1: Current Forest Service indices in use Market Geographic Areas Species Log Product Index Price per

Unit of Measure PNW Coast1 Douglas Fir Sawlog $/mbf PNW Coast Hemlock-Fir2 Sawlog $/mbf Inland3 Sugar Pine Sawlog $/mbf Inland Inland Red Cedar Sawlog $/mbf Inland White Fir (Hem-Fir) Sawlog $/mbf Inland Douglas Fir-Larch Sawlog $/mbf Inland White Woods4 Sawlog $/mbf Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana west of the Rocky Mountains (Continental Divide), and all of Idaho west of I-15

Coast-Inland North Ponderosa Pine5

Sawlog $/mbf

Ponderosa pine milled in the remainder of the West.

Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine5

Sawlog $/mbf

1 The PNW Coast Region includes the Pacific Coast and Cascade mountain ranges.

2 Hemlock-Fir includes hemlocks and true firs from the PNW Coast.

3 The Inland Region includes all geographic areas in the Lower 48 states west of the 100th meridian that are not part of the PNW Coast Region.

4 White Woods includes any volume invoiced and shipped as White Woods and Western Woods, as well as Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine. Volumes shipped as White Woods may include mixed species shipments with any combination of Engelmann spruce, true firs, hemlocks, and pines (except Ponderosa pine). Volumes shipped as Western Woods may include any combination of western softwood species, except redwood and cedar.

5 The coast inland and rocky mountain ponderosa pine indices are currently in use but will not be included in this solicitation.

1.3 Objectives

The objective of this solicitation is to provide the Forest Service with monthly and quarterly lumber price indices based on index logs that are representative of the lumber market for 7 species groups of lumber as follows: .

Index Species PNW Coast Douglas Fir

Hemlock-Fir Inland Sugar Pine

Inland Red Cedar White Fir (Hem-Fir) Douglas Fir-Larch White Woods

In addition to providing monthly and quarterly average indices the contractor is required to conduct a grade recovery survey resulting in new index logs and to provide a procedure to equitably change to a new basis when new index logs become effective.

2.0 REFERENCES

2.1 Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 223, §223.60 establishes that the objective of timber sale appraisals is to determine fair market value. The regulation also identifies pertinent factors affecting market value, including, but not limited to “prices paid and valuations established for comparable timber, selling value of products produced, estimated operating costs, operating difficulties, and quality of timber.”

2.2 Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 223, §223.64 allows for the adjustment of contract (stumpage) rates during the term of the contract. These regulations state “Timber may be appraised and sold at a lump-sum value or at a rate per unit of measure which rate may be adjusted during the period of the contract and as therein specified in accordance with formulas or other equivalent specifications for the following reasons: (a) Variations in lumber or other product value indices between the price index base specified in the contract and the price index actually experienced during the cutting of the timber.”

2.3 Forest Service Manual 2431.37 - Stumpage Rate Adjustment requires that all Forest Service timber sale contracts (Contract Forms FS-2400-6, FS-2400-6T, FS-2400-13 and FS-2400-13T) that exceed one (1) year in contract length in the western United States must provide for stumpage rate adjustment, except when:

a. Sales lack a significant amount of sawtimber,

b. An index is not available for the predominant species in the sale, or

c. There is no reasonably accurate conversion to cubic feet.

d. Flat rates may provide the best value for stewardship integrated resource timber contracts (IRTC)

(FSH 2409.19, Ch. 60). However, risks to both the government and the Contractor must be carefully weighed when making the decision to use flat rates on contracts over two (2) years in length.

The procedure the Forest Service uses to adjust contract tentative rates (bid rates) on stumpage throughout the life of harvest contracts is:

1. Establish the base price index for each contract at the time of award.

2. At time of the rate adjustment, the current index is compared to the base index, and the differences are applied to the bid rate.

The Forest Service utilizes the conversion factors shown in Table 2 to make the conversion from $/mbf to $/ccf:

Table 2: Conversion factors from mbf to ccf mbf/ccf Ratio Range mbf/ccf Ratio Average Conversion Factor .0000 - .2499 .0225 .225 .2500 - .2999 .0275 .275 .3000 - .3499 .0325 .325 .3500 - .3999 .0375 .375 .4000 - .4499 .0425 .425 .4500 - .4999 .0475 .475 .5000 - .5499 .0525 .525 .5500 - .5999 .0575 .575 .6000 - .6499 .0625 .625 .6500 and up .0675 .675

2.4. Timber Sale Contracts FS-2400-6 and FS-2400-6T (6/06 version), including pertinent provisions:

• A/AT4a - Timber Payment Rates for Species and Products to be Paid for at Rates Escalated under

B/BT3.2.

• A/AT5 - Indices Used in Quarterly Adjustment

• B/BT3.2 - Escalation Procedures; and

• B/BT3.21 - Unavailable index

2.5. General Technical Report FPL-GTR-242: A Process to Establish and Use Base Period Prices for National Forest System Transaction Evidence Timber Appraisal. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.

2.6. Definitions

2.6.1 one hundred cubic foot (ccf)

2.6.2 dollars per thousand board feet ($/mbf)

2.6.3 free on board (FOB)

2.6.4 unit of measure (UOM)

3.0 CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

The Forest Service desires to purchase market price index datasets for two (2) primary purposes:

1. Adjustment of contract tentative rates (bid rates) on stumpage throughout the life of harvest contracts (primary).

2. Accurately estimating market adjustment factors for use in stumpage rate appraisals.

3.1 Tasks

3.1.1 Task 1: Kick-off Meeting.

3.1.1.1 Kick-off Meeting

(a) The Contractor and the Forest Service will participate in a kick-off meeting scheduled within ten (10) days from award. At a minimum, attendees will be the Contractor’s Project Manager (CPM), the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) for this contract.

(b) The Contractor will take kick-off meeting minutes and submit them within five

(5) days after the kick-off meeting, and submit directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC in .pdf format and Section 508 Compliant.

3.1.6 Task 2: Monthly Index Prices

Each of the index prices is a composite price representative of the index log. Each month the Contractor will publish two monthly PNW Coast and five monthly Inland lumber prices indices used by the Forest Service for adjusting contract rates during the life of the timber sale contract. .

Species for which indices will be provided:

Index Species PNW Coast Douglas Fir

Hemlock-Fir Inland Sugar Pine

Inland Red Cedar White Fir (Hem-Fir) Douglas Fir-Larch Whitewoods

Indices are to be based on the sales price of lumber shipped and the mix of lumber included in the indices must be representative of lumber production in western sawmills. This price may be collected at the time of shipping or the time of order. If a sample of lumber prices is taken, the sampling error must be no more than 5% of the index value at the 95% confidence level (2 standard errors or t=2).

The PNW Coast includes Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade Mountains.

Hemlock-Fir includes hemlocks and true firs from the PNW Coast.

White Woods includes any volume invoiced and shipped as White Woods and Western Woods, as well as Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine. Volumes shipped as White Woods may include mixed species shipments with any combination of Engelmann spruce, true firs, hemlocks, and pines (except Ponderosa pine). Volumes shipped as Western Woods may include any combination of western softwood species, except redwood and cedar.

3.1.7 Task 3: Quarterly Average Index Prices

Contractor will publish quarterly averages of the monthly index prices for each species, for the quarters ending March, June, September, and December.

3.1.8 Task 4: Index Logs and Grade Recovery Survey: Conduct a grade recovery survey in 2029 to provide Index Logs available for use on January 1, 2030. The grade recovery survey shall be based on a minimum of 50% of the lumber volume produced for each index species group for the 24-month period January 2027 through December 2028.

3.1.9 Task 5: Transition Plan

3.1.9.1 Four (4) weeks prior to the end of the contract, the Contractor will submit directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC, the Transition Plan in .pdf format and Section 508 Compliant.

3.1.9.2 The Contractor will identify and outline a plan for phasing and transitioning services and information back to the Forest Service.

3.1.10 Task 6: Closeout

3.1.10.1 Upon either the last day of the contract performance period or the contract ends, whichever occurs first, the Contractor will complete Section 3.5.9.2.

3.2 Deliverables

The typical method of delivery for such material is via secure email attachment. However, the Contractor is encouraged to propose alternative delivery methods if such methods will increase delivery speed, timing, accuracy, availability, reduce cost, or positively affect the transfer of information to the Forest Service.

3.2.1 Deliverable 1: Kick-off Meeting Minutes

The Contractor will take kick-off meeting minutes and submit them within five (5) days after the kick-off meeting, and submit directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC in .pdf format and Section 508 Compliant.

3.2.3 Deliverable 2: Monthly Index Prices

Beginning November 10, 2026, and continuing each month thereafter until contract termination, Contractor will produce and deliver the monthly index prices directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC.

Monthly and quarterly index price releases are to be prepared and delivered when first available but no later than the 10th of each month, or the next business day if the 10th falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

3.2.4 Deliverable 3: Quarterly Average Index Prices

Beginning January 1, 2027, Contractor will prepare quarterly index prices for the quarters ending March, June, September, and December. Quarterly index prices will be sent with the monthly index prices directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC.

3.2.5 Deliverable 4: Methodology for updating the Index Log

Deliver the final methodology for updating the index log no later than January 1, 2027, to be finalized jointly no later than March 31, 2027.

3.2.6 Deliverable 5: Index Logs and Grade Recovery Survey

The index log for each index species group will be submitted directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC no later than January 1, 2030.

3.2.7 Deliverable 6: Transition Plan

Four (4) weeks prior to the end of the contract, the Contractor will submit directly to the CO, COR, and TPOC, the Transition Plan in .pdf format and Section 508 Compliant.

The Contractor will identify and outline a plan for phasing and transitioning services and information back to the Forest Service.

3.2.8 Deliverable 7: if subcontracting, Subcontracting Plan

Ten (10) days after award, the Primary Contractor will submit to the CO, COR, and TPOC a Subcontracting Plan in .pdf format and Section 508 Compliant.

3.2.9 Deliverable 8: Closeout

Within, upon either the last day of the contract performance period or the contract ends or within ten (10) days after contract employee is no longer employed on this contract, whichever occurs first, the Contractor will complete and submit the Documentary Materials Removal/Non-Removal Certification and Non-Disclosure Agreement [ attached AD- 3001_NDA.pdf] to the COR.

Failure to fill out and submit this document could delay payment of the Contractor’s final invoice.

3.3 Schedule

3.3.1 The Period of Performance (POP) for this contract is as follows:

3.3.1.1 Base will be for 12 months from award with four (4) Option Years, based on performance.

The initial 1-year contract period will include the preparation of 12 monthly indices and 4 quarterly indices. The monthly indices will include the months beginning November 2026 and ending October 2027. The quarterly indices will be for quarters ending December 2026, March 2027, June 2027, and September 2017.

For Option Periods 1 through 4; the same monthly indices and quarterly average indices described for the initial 1-year contract will be provided. In addition, the index log for each index species group shall be provided to the Government no later than January 1, 2030

The contract includes four optional periods as follows:

Option Period 1: November 2027 through October 2028 Option Period 2: November 2028 through October 2029 Option Period 3: November 2029 through October 2030 Option Period 4: November 2030 through October 2031

3.4 Place of Performance

Work will be performed at a contractor’s facility or remote office with appropriate network and Internet connections. If required for government furnished property troubleshooting, Contractor’s employee must be able to meet at a Forest Service office or location.

3.5 Contractor’s Key Personnel

3.5.1 The Contractor will employ and maintain technically qualified personnel in the management and key staff positions who meet the minimum requirements for each of the skill levels to which they are assigned and will be capable of performing the functions described in a competent and professional manner.

3.5.2 The Contractor will maintain the personnel, organization, and administrative control necessary to ensure the work delivered meets the contract requirements.

3.5.3 The Contractor must ensure employees and contractors have current and valid professional certifications before starting work under this contract.

3.5.4 The Contractor must not employ any person who is an employee of the US Government if employing that person would create a conflict of interest. Additionally, the Contractor must not employ any person who is an employee of the Department of Agriculture, unless such person seeks and receives approval according to 18 U.S.C. 207(a).

3.5.5 The Contractor will submit their key personnel’s name and resumes to the CO, COR, and TPOC when submitting their technical proposal.

3.5.6 During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor will make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment.

• Request for Key Personnel changes within the first ninety (90) days of performance must provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions or additions, a complete resume for the person to be substituted or added, and any other information requested by the CO/COR.

3.5.7 Noncompliance with the provisions of this section will be considered a material breach of the terms and conditions of the contract for which the Forest Service may seek any and all appropriate remedies, to include termination for default.

3.5.8 If the Primary Contractor utilizes a subcontractor to assist in this contract, a Subcontracting Plan must be included in and made part of the resultant contract.

• The Subcontracting Plan must be according to FAR 52.219-9, Small Business

Subcontracting Plan, (d) (1) – (15).

• The subcontracting plan will be negotiated within the time specified by the Contracting

Officer.

• Failure to submit and negotiate the subcontracting plan shall make the Offeror ineligible for award of a contract.

3.5.9 Contract Project Manager (CPM)

The Contractor will designate a Contract Project Manager (CPM) as the single point of contact (POC) with the CO, COR, and TPOC for contractual issues/concerns, communication issues, or problems that may arise under this contract. The CPM:

• Will have the authority to commit and make decisions for the Contractor.

• Will readily respond to Forest Service questions, concerns, and comments.

• Will proactively alert the CO and COR to any and all potential contractual issues.

• Must be available during normal business hours to meet (either virtually or by phone) with the CO, COR, and/or TPOC within 24 hours to discuss problems.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

3.5.9.1 Should a CPM not be used by the Contractor, then the Contractor is responsible for appointing a representative within their company to be a single point of contact (POC) with the CO, COR, and TPOC for contractual issues/concerns, communication issues, concerns, or problems that may arise under this contract.

3.5.9.2 CPM, upon closeout of this contract, if the contract is terminated for any reason, or if the contract employee is no longer employed under this contract, will ensure the contract employee leaving fills out and submits the below document to the COR.

Failure to fill out and submit this document could delay payment of the Contractor’s final invoice.

• Documentary Materials Removal/Non-Removal Certification and Non- Disclosure Agreement [ attached AD-3001_NDA.pdf]

3.5.10 Lead Data Administrator

3.5.10.1 Invoice data processing & checking

3.5.10.2 Index generation & checking

3.5.10.3 Grade recovery survey support

3.5.11 Data Resource Administrator

3.5.11.1 Invoice data processing & checking

3.5.12 Data Systems Manager

3.5.12.1 Invoice & Index data translation support

3.5.12.2 Invoice data price checking

3.5.12.3 Index data checking

3.5.12.4 Grade recovery study processing and analysis

3.5.12.5 Index Log creation

3.5.12.6 Index-related computer hardware and software systems support and upgrades

3.5.12.7 Overall management of the Lumber Price Index, Grade Recovery Study, and

Index Log activities and deliverables

3.5.13 Director of Quality Assurance

3.5.13.1 Grading standards and milling practices expert. Supports new grade translation and categorization

3.6 Assumptions

The Government understands once this contract is awarded, there might be a “discovery” phase between the program office and the Contractor during which both parties will be able to discuss in more detail about the exact outcomes and how this might necessitate updating the schedule/timeline and deliverables.

The COR must be included in all conversations when a possible change might occur to the schedule/timeline and deliverables.

The Forest Service requires all market price information purchased under this solicitation, including index log values, descriptions, methodologies, log product, index pricing, research materials, and all other tasks and deliverable related materials and communications be available to all USDA agencies and employees without restriction to retransmit or share within the Agency.

4.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

4.1 The Contractor must scan all products/deliverables for viruses prior to submission.

4.2 The Contractor will submit all electronic deliverables directly to the CO, COR, and the TPOC.

4.3 Contractor will ensure any and all electronic information (e.g. documents, video, audio, social media content, presentations, graphics, spreadsheets, web pages, pdf, electronic signatures, equations and formulas, etc.) produced and provided to the Government is in compliance with Section 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act to ensure any time the Government maintains, procures, develops, or uses electronic and information technology that it is accessible to persons with disabilities.

4.4 The Contractor will write and submit documentation in clear, concise language that is verifiable. The Contractor will produce final documents without typographic and grammatical errors and will be formatted according to standards provided by the Forest Service.

4.5 The Forest Service will have ten (10) days to review draft deliverables and make comments.

4.6 The Contractor will have five (5) days to make corrections. Upon receipt of the final deliverables, the COR/TPOC will have five (5) days for final review prior to acceptance or providing documented reasons for non-acceptance.

4.7 The COR and/or TPOC will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal.

• In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR of the specific reasons for rejection.

• The Contractor will have five (5) days to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

5.0 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Section 508 Compliance– Electronic and Information Technology Standards

5.1.1 Contractor will ensure any and all electronic information (e.g. documents, video, audio, social media content, presentations, graphics, spreadsheets, web pages, pdf, electronic signatures, equations and formulas, etc.) produced and provided to the government is in compliance with Section 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act to ensure that any time the Government maintains, procures, develops, or uses electronic and information technology that it is accessible to persons with disabilities:

5.1.2 USDA guidance and information regarding Section 508 accessibility requirements:

http://www.ocio.usda.gov/policy-directives-records-forms/section-508 http://www.ocio.usda.gov/policy-directives-records-forms/section-508

5.1.3 USDA Departmental Regulation for Section 508:

http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2009/02/18/508law.pdf

5.1.4 USDA Section 508 Reference Manual:

http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/USDA_Section_508_Reference_Man ual_2003.doc

5.2 Data Rights

5.2.1 The Contractor will treat all deliverables under this contract as the property of the U.S.

Government for which the Government Agency has unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

5.2.2 The Contractor will not create or maintain any records not specifically tied to or authorized by this contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

5.2.3 The Contractor will not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable containing information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

5.2.4 The Contractor will not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records not specifically tied to or authorized by this contract.

5.2.5 The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

5.2.6 All documents produced for this project are the property of the U.S. Government and cannot be retained or reproduced by the Contractor.

5.2.7 The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor will deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

5.2.8 The Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

5.2.9 No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the CO. The agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

5.2.10 The Contractor is required to obtain the CO’s approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.

5.2.11 The CO needs to inform contractors of their responsibilities regarding records management if the contract involves access to agency records.

5.2.12 The Contractor will complete and submit, upon either the last day of the contract performance period or the contract ends or within ten (10) days after contract employee is no longer employed on this contract, whichever occurs first, the Documentary Materials Removal/Non-http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2009/02/18/508law.pdf http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/USDA_Section_508_Reference_Manual_2003.doc http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/USDA_Section_508_Reference_Manual_2003.doc

Removal Certification and Non-Disclosure Agreement [ attached AD-3001_NDA.pdf] to the

COR.

5.3 Restrictions Against Disclosure

5.3.1 The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence.

The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part in any manner or form, or to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor's possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a "need to know" basis. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify in writing, the CO, named herein, in the event the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

5.3.2 The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning the work under this contract to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the CO.

The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

5.4 Acceptance Criteria

5.4.1 Contractor will submit all products concurrently to the CO, COR, and TPOC.

5.4.2 Deliverables will follow the following criteria:

5.4.3 The Contractor must scan all products/deliverables for viruses prior to submission.

5.4.4 Contractor will ensure any and all electronic information (e.g. documents, video, audio, social media content, presentations, graphics, spreadsheets, web pages, pdf, electronic signatures, equations and formulas, etc.) produced and provided to the Government is in compliance with Section 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act to ensure it is accessible to persons with disabilities.

5.4.5 Completeness – Initial requirements (as identified) are satisfied in all sections.

5.4.6 Accuracy – Documents will be accurate in presentation, technical content, and adherence to accepted elements of style.

5.4.7 Clarity—Documents will be clear and concise; project management and terms will be used, as appropriate. All diagrams will be easy to understand and be relevant to the supporting narrative.

5.4.8 Specification Validity—all deliverables must satisfy the requirements of the Forest Service as specified herein.

5.4.9 File Editing—All text and diagrammatic files will be provided in Microsoft Office Version 2010 or higher (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.) so they can be edited by the Forest Service.

5.4.10 Format—Documents will be submitted electronically whenever possible and as a print-ready (camera ready) product. Hardcopies will be provided upon request. The document’s format may change from Subtask to Subtask.

5.4.11 Timeliness—Deliverables will be submitted on or before the due date specified in the Schedule of Deliverables Section of this SOW or submitted in accordance with a later scheduled date determined solely by the Forest Service.

5.5 Invoicing

5.5.1 All invoice(s) must be submitted by the Contractor via the US Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

5.5.2 All invoice(s) must include all information as described in FAR 52.212-4. Invoice(s) missing information required per FAR 52.212-4 will not be approved/paid and will be rejected for the Contractor to make corrections.

5.5.3 Final Invoice

5.5.3.1 Within sixty (60) calendar days of product acceptance and/or completion of services:

5.5.3.1.1 The contractor will submit a final invoice, designated as such by a clear statement of “FINAL INVOICE” on the face of the invoice document.

5.5.3.1.2 The contractor will provide a certificate of completion which certifies all goods and services have been provided as required by this SOW.

5.5.3.1.3 The contractor will provide USDA FS release of claims against the government for any further payment under this SOW.

5.5.3.2 The sixty (60) calendar day submission timeframe will not be extended without written authorization from the CO. In the event items 5.5.3.1.1, 5.5.3.1.2, or5.5.3.1.3 above are not submitted within the authorized timeframe, the CO will make final cost determinations in order to make final payment and close out this contract unilaterally.

5.5.3.3 Upon closeout of this contract, if the contract is terminated for any reason, or if the contract employee is no longer employed under this contract, the contract employee leaving must fill out and submit the below document to the COR. Failure to fill out and submit this document could delay payment of the Contractor’s final invoice.

• Documentary Materials Removal/Non-Removal Certification and Non- Disclosure Agreement [ attached AD-3001_NDA.pdf]

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions.

Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-l(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-4 Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.212-4

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements

(Jan 2017) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

D Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Sep 2025)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Sep 2025) 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Nov 2025)

52.244-6 D Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020) with Alternate I (Nov 2021) of 52.203-6 52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel Jan 2011 52.204-13 System for Award Management-Maintenance (Nov 2025) 52.204-91 Contractor identification (Nov 2025) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with

Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Sep 2025) 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility

Matters (Sep 2025) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2025) 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2025) 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014)

This Statement is for Information Only:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

It is not a Wage Determination Employee Class I Monetary Wage -- Fringe Benefits

I

I

I

52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (May 2014) 52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Nov 2025) 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (Nov 2025) 52.222-90 Addressing DEi Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026)

52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (Nov 2025) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017)

□ Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3 52.232-29 Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(Nov 2021) 52.232-30 Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(Nov 2021) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer- System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.232-36 Payment by Third Party (Nov 2025) 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (Apr 1984) 52.237-3 Continuity of Services (Jan 1991) 52.240-92 Security Requirements (Nov 2025) 52.240-93 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Nov 2025) 52.216-18 52.216-19 52.216-21

52.217-6 52.217-7 52.217-8

52.217-9

52.232-90 52.245-1

52.245-2 52.245-9

Ordering (Aug 2020) Delivery - Order Limitations (Oct 1995) Requirements (Nov 2025)

□ Alternate I (Apr 1984) of 52.216-21 Option for Increased Quantity (Mar 1989) Option for Increased Quantity - Separately Priced Line Item (Mar 1989) Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) 30 calendar days prior to contract expiration Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) 30 Calendar days prior to contract expiration and 60 days

(c) five years.

Fast Payment Procedures (Nov 2025) Government Property (Sep 2021) D Alternate I (Sep 2021) of 52.245-1 Government Property Use and Charges

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within fifteen (15) days of performance expiration.

(End of clause)

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within thirty (30) days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least sixty (60) days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b)If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed sixty (60) months or five (5) years).

(End of clause)

52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (Nov 2021)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Covered contractor information system means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information.

Federal contract information means information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public websites) or simple transactional information, such as necessary to process payments.

Information means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

Information system means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information (44 U.S.C. 3502).

Safeguarding means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems.

(b) Safeguarding requirements and procedures.

(1) The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems. Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

(i) Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).

(ii) Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

(iii) Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.

(iv) Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

(v) Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

(vi) Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title44-section3502&num=0&edition=prelim

(vii) Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

(viii) Limit physical access to organizational information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals.

(ix) Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

(x) Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems.

(xi) Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

(xii) Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

(xiii) Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems.

(xiv) Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

(xv) Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

(2) Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

(End of clause)

AGAR Clauses

452.203-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEi) Compliance (Dec 2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

(1) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

(2) Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEi in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government's position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e)…