Amendment 0002 - Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.doc

AG-24H8-S-11-0021

ANF - Planting

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

DIVISION 100 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110 - Scope of Contract

It is the purpose of this contract to secure services for planting Government-furnished tree seedlings, shrubs, and saplings, installing Government-furnished tree shelters over planted seedlings, constructing woven wire planting cribs, constructing woven wire individual tree fences with government furnished materials. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished) and incidentals, to perform all work necessary to plant seedlings, shrubs, and sapling, and install the specified type of shelter (plastic, mesh, or woven wire enclosure).

120 - Location and Description

121 - The planting areas are located on the Bradford Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest. The detailed information sheet is attached to the contract and lists detailed information on planting units and access. Due to road conditions in the spring, four-wheel drive vehicles may be needed to access some of the planting sites. Forest Service system roads are marked with a signpost, or some other sign marking next to the road. Some areas may be behind a gated road and the Contractor will coordinate with the COR for gaining access behind locked gates. Some roads may be blocked with boulders or earthen barriers.

122 - General planting areas are marked as described in the Detailed Information Sheet and shown on the attached planting area maps. Crib and individual fence locations may be marked prior to planting with pin flags.

Some Area boundaries are marked by existing painted two or three stripe. In some cases, if the paint is no longer visible, “orange” ribbon/flagging marks the boundary.

All Projects will be identified by orange cards with unit description number and project name identified, see example below. All cards will be read, ensured they are at the correct location and initialed by contractor prior to start of project. This is to ensure that contractor is at correct project area.

Example Of Orange project identification card in which contractors must sign to acknowledge they are at correct project area prior to start of project work.

123 - Planting to be completed occurs in stands that may have varying amounts of logging slash and hardwood regeneration, which can make planting more difficult. Planting also occurs in natural and man-made openings, or along edges of pipelines.

124 – If the contractor decides that work on a particular unit may be more easily accessed through private lands, they shall present to the Government proof of written permission from the private landowner(s) prior to performing those actions. The permission shall include all pertinent private landowner information, tax parcel ID, an explanation of the actions to take place and shall be signed by all parties. This shall be provided to the Government at least 3 business days prior to work starting.

130 - Definitions

The following terms are defined for use in this contract:

131 - Plantable Spot - A plantable spot is an area from which vegetation, ash, duff, slash, and debris has been or can be removed, and a tree seedling can be planted and sheltered according to all specifications contained herein.

132 - Unplantable Spot - An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a tree seedling according to specifications (heavy rock, standing water as examples).

133 - Satisfactory Planted or Sheltered Tree - A tree seedling planted, and a shelter installed over that planted seedling in full accordance with all specifications as set forth herein.

134 - Unsatisfactory Planted or Sheltered Tree - A planted tree seedling and its associated shelter which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactory planted or sheltered tree.

135 - Damaged or Wasted Government Supplies - Government supplied trees, tree shelters, fiber rod stakes, shelter ties, fencing material, and posts which are lost, damaged, destroyed or handled contrary to the specifications for care of these materials. Seedlings, shrubs, or saplings that are broken, skinned, bent, or otherwise damaged by the installation of tree shelters.

136 - Root Collar - The transition zone between stem and root. In tree seedlings, it is identified by the presence of a slight swelling. In established woody vegetation, it is the woody thickened portion of the taproot at the natural ground level of the plant.

137 - Root Crown - The point at which the root of a plant joins with the stem or stems.

138 - Scalping- The cutting of the aerial portion of vegetation at the natural ground line. Usually in a 1 foot by 1 foot area around the planting hole.

139 – Shelter Stake – Fiber Rod - A stake that is 5’ or 6’ made from fiberglass that is

3/8” in diameter. The stake is pointed on one end and flat on the other. They are installed by hammering into the ground by using nylon drive caps. The drive caps prevent splintering of the end of the rod. Note: gloves should be worn when handling fiberglass rods.

140 - Contractor Furnished Property The contractor will furnish all tools and equipment such as planting bars, augers, shovels, post driver, scalping tools, pliers, and planting bags needed to carry and plant the seedlings. The contractor will furnish all transportation for all materials and equipment to and from the job and arrange for employees to be at the planting sites.

150 - Government-Furnished Property

151 - The Government will provide all planting stock.

152 - The Government will provide the following major parts for the tree shelters, depending upon whether traditional shelters with stakes or conical self-staking tree/shrub shelters are used.

A. A five-foot tree shelter, stake, ties to hold the stake.

B. A two – foot conical shaped self- staking tree/shrub shelter.

153 - The Government will supply all woven wire fencing materials, posts, and post ties necessary for constructing cribs and individual tree fences.

154 - The Contractor shall request Government-furnished Property from the Contracting Officer's Representative 24 hours prior to it being needed. The contractor will pick up this property at the Marienville District Office or Bradford District Office. Upon pickup of the Government Furnished Property, loading, unloading and transportation from delivery point to the planting area is the responsibility of the Contractor.

155 - USFS Gate Key(s). For accessing areas behind locked gates. These must be returned to the COR prior to approval of the final contract invoice.

156 – Contractor ID card. To be placed on vehicle dash in order that the contractor can be identified as working for the Government.

160 - Protection of Existing Structures

The contractor shall be required to protect existing improvements such as pipelines, fences, gates, water bars, plantings, nesting structures, oil/gas equipment, etc, which are located in the project area. The contractor shall be required to repair or replace such improvements if damaged as a result of their operations. Any rocks or slash removed for access must be replaced. Any water bars or dirt mounds removed for access must be rebuilt and reseeded.

170 - Vehicle Operation

ATV's (All Terrain Vehicles). ATV's may not be driven on roads open to the public. See Detailed Information Sheet for work areas that ATV use is authorized. If at any time Forest Service inspections indicate that soil damage is occurring due to the use of ATV's, such use will be suspended, and the damage repaired by the contractor.

DIVISION 200 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210 - Planting Equipment

211 - Planting Tools - Contractor's planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

A. Augers - The augers used shall be capable of drilling a minimum 4-inch diameter hole to a depth 2 inches deeper than the specified root length. Flighting on the auger shaft shall have a minimum diameter of 4 inches.

B. Scalping Tools - To do necessary spot preparation while planting, the tool selected shall be capable of cutting and removing living vegetation at the root crown. The planting spot preparation may be done in advance of actual planting.

C. Planting Bar/Hoedad - The tool used shall be capable of creating a hole to a depth of 12 inches.

D. Shovel - A spade, shovel or similar digging tool will be required to prepare a hole large enough to accommodate the root systems.

212 - Planting Bags - Planting bags shall be a light color, not retain heat, have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and be free of defects.

220 - Care of Trees

221 - The contractor shall arrange seedling pickup times with the Contracting Officer's Representative.

222 - The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings, shrubs, or saplings in his or her possession:

A. Tree seedlings and shrubs shall always be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, animal browsing, or contact with injurious substances.

B. Tree seedlings and shrubs stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes must be promptly resealed. Containers of tree seedlings shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

C. Tree seedlings and shrubs shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed.

D. Tree seedlings and shrubs shall be planted without further top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury or dying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer's Representative.

E. Root pruning is allowed when approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative in advance on individual tree seedlings that have roots that exceed 12 inches in total length. Pruning will result in the removal of only that material needed to make the root 12 inches in length.

F. Tree seedlings or shrubs that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade.

G. Tree seedlings and shrubs removed from cold storage facilities shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow.

223 - Field Handling - Tree seedlings, shrubs, or saplings in possession of planters shall be handled in accordance with the following:

A. Tree seedlings and shrubs in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

B. Tree seedlings and shrubs shall not be removed from the planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

C. Tree seedlings and shrubs shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

D. Tree seedlings and shrubs carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Tree seedlings and shrubs placed in bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Seedlings and shrubs in planting bags shall be planted the same day they are removed from cold storage.

E. Tree seedling and shrubs roots shall always be kept wet. To facilitate this, the contractor is advised to place an inert moisture holding substance in the bottom of the planting bag along with the seedlings.

F. Planting bags shall be emptied of accumulated debris and water each time the bag is refilled with tree seedlings or shrubs.

230 – Spacing and Spot Selection

Trees shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at intervals prescribed in the Detailed Information Sheet. For individual trees planted, the specified average spacing may be varied up to 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot. If a suitable planting spot cannot be found by varying the specified spacing by up to 25 percent, the spot shall be considered unplantable, and the planter shall move on to the next planting spot.

The specified number of shrubs planted in cribs will be evenly distributed throughout each crib, unless otherwise specified. Shrubs will not be planted within 24" of a crib fence wall. Shrubs to be planted in individual fences will be planted in the center of each individual tree fence.

231 - When the Contractor adjusts the spacing within the 25 percent limit, as described above, the point of reference for planting the next tree shall be the point where the adjusted tree would have been planted had spacing not been varied.

232 - Spots considered unplantable include, but are not limited to, stumps, logs, rock outcrops, permanent roadbeds, concentrations of compacted bark and debris over 8 inches in depth, clumps of heavy grass, or mounds of loose soil subject to unusual drying or erosion. Sites that contain ground water at or near the surface, and clumps of desirable vegetation (i.e., natural tree seedlings) are also considered unplantable.

233 - Number of Attempts - Should the initial attempt to create a planting hole by auger, planting bar, or shovel fail because of subsurface rocks, roots, or other obstacles, a second effort shall be made in a slightly different part of the same planting spot. If this effort also fails for similar reasons, a third attempt shall be made in another part of the planting spot. If the third effort also fails, the spot shall be abandoned as unplantable.

240 - Preparing the Site

241 - Above Ground - Before preparing the planting hole, the Contractor shall clear and scalp the planting spot of all limbs, logs, debris, ash, duff, snow, frost, bark, rotten wood, rocks, roots, crowns of living plants, and other material to expose moist mineral soil and facilitate proper planting and growth of tree. Planting spot scalp dimensions are specified in the Detailed Information Sheet.

242 - Below Ground

A. Auger Planting - Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. The Contractor is expected to open planting holes in hard as well as easily plantable ground.

1 - A 4-inch diameter hole shall be drilled at least 2 inches deeper than the maximum seedling root length. Since the roots may be pruned back to 12 inches, the maximum hole depth required is 14 inches.

2 - The Contracting Officer reserves the right to limit the number of holes the auger operator progresses in advance of the planter.

3 - Auxiliary holes shall be drilled in cleared areas if needed to provide additional moist mineral soil to fill the planting hole. Auxiliary holes shall be drilled no closer than 9 inches from the planting hole. Auxiliary holes shall be filled in with debris or collapsed after the tree has been planted.

B. Planting Bar or Shovel - Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. The Contractor is expected to open planting holes in hard as well as easily plantable ground.

1 - Planting Bar - a planting bar or similar tool will be used to create a hole up to 12 inches deep, so that the hole is two inches deeper than the maximum root length

2 - Shovel - a hole up to 24 inches deep and 24 inches in diameter will be prepared so that the root system can be placed in a near natural arrangement.

250 - Tree Placement

251 - All plants shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth that after filling, packing, and leveling, the soil comes to a point even with the original ground line of the tree. No portion of the roots should be exposed, nor any leaves or branches covered with soil. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, or bunched. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

252 - Bare root tree seedlings and shrubs shall be planted to a depth such that the firmed soil level is just above (less than ½ inch) the root collar.

260 - Filling and Firming

Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain, and seedling or shrub is as firmly planted, as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole and firming the soil around the tree or shrub shall be done in a manner that assures the tree and root systems are not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the tree or shrub, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the tree or shrub stem shall be erect and free to grow. The tree or shrub shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

270 - Description of Stock

The following is a description of the stock that is included in this contract:

Stock will generally be 12-18 inch bare-rooted hardwood, shrub, and conifer seedlings; 3-6-foot-tall shrubs with well-developed root systems up to 24" long; 3-7-foot-tall saplings with well-developed root systems up to 24" long. It is possible some stock may be containerized.

280 - Installing Tree/Shrub Shelters and Construction of Cribs and Individual Tree Fences

281 – Installing Five Foot Tubular Tree Shelters

A. Contractor shall position the stake so that it is no more than 2 ½ inches and no less than ½ inches away from the stem of the planted seedling. The stake is then driven into the ground at an angle of no more than 10 degrees from vertical. The stake is driven into the ground no less than 6 inches and no more than 12 inches.

B. The shelter is slipped over the seedling so that: 1) 3 ties are required (top, middle and bottom) to secure the shelter to the stake, and 2) the seedling is centered inside the shelter.

C. Contractor shall drive the base of the shelter at least 1 inch into the soil, so that: 1) the bottom of the shelter is sealed into the soil and no air can move into the shelter under the bottom edge, 2) and the shelter is not damaged. Damaged is defined as any deformation of the shelter that prevents it from operating as designed. This includes but is not limited to crumpling of the upper edge and buckling of the shelter's cylindrical shape.

282 - Installing Conical Self Staking Tree Shelters A. Install these Tree/Shrub shelters around the trees and shrubs.

B. Install these shelters so that the base is slightly entrenched in the soil (approximately 1-2 inches) and firmly attached to the ground, so no air space is visible. Ensure that the metal anchors for the shelter are firmly attached evenly to the ground with no obstructions such as rocks and vegetation.

C. Ensure that the tree or shrub is maintained in an upright position and growing freely through the end of the shelter.

283 - Cribs

Cribs will be constructed to be 10 by 40 feet in size. Using 1 piece of woven wire fencing, the fence will be secured onto metal posts with four wire ties per post. Typically, 1 roll of fencing is 330’ long and will build 3 cribs. Eight posts per crib will be vertically pounded at least 15 inches but no more than 18 inches into the ground so they are firm enough to stretch the fencing around. Fencing material shall be attached to the post, so it is taut and flush with the ground. Example in Exhibit A.

The woven wire fence is 4’ high with 6’ high posts used. Cribs will be constructed prior to planting of stock, with a side left open for access to plant, and then the side fastened and stretched shut after stock is planted.

284 - Individual Tree Fences.

Individual fences will consist of three metal posts and approximately 15 feet of fencing. Fencing will be installed and secured to the three metal posts so that the perimeter of the final fence structure will be rounded rather than triangular (avoid fence corners). They will be constructed with 4-foot-high woven wire fencing and three 6-foot-high posts per fence to the same specifications listed above for crib construction.

*The fence will be constructed so that USFS staff can gain entry inside the fence for inspections and maintenance without the need for wire cutting tools. Specifically, the end of the fence which serves to enclose the entire unit will be secured to the opposite end of the fence by folding over (by hand) no more than four strands of wire from the woven-wire fence. These strands should be spaced out relatively evenly from top to bottom of the fence. An example of this fence construction method will be shown to the Contractor during the pre-work meeting. This should apply to the crib construction as well.

Individual tree fences may be constructed before planting or immediately following planting of stock. Fencing installed after planting must ensure that the planted trees are not damaged in any way from construction of fence. Individual tree fences must be constructed such that planted stock is centered within the fence.

290 - Progress of Work

291 - The Government reserves the right to halt planting or shelter installation in any area exhibiting unacceptable planting or shelter installation conditions. If an area's soil is to dry, too wet or frozen the area is unacceptable for planting or shelter installation.

292- A contractor must only work on one Item/Area at a time unless they have multiple complete crews then they can work on other Items/Areas after informing COR. Work must be completed before leaving each Item/Area and going to the next Item/ Area.

300 - Work Area and Equipment Clean Up 301 - The contractor shall clean up the work area in and around each contract item prior to the Government accepting the item as complete. This cleanup includes removal of all excess and discarded materials associated with the planting and shelter installation process, as well as other activities of the contractor.

302 – Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving any equipment to a work site, between work sites, and from the Allegheny National Forest, all planting equipment such as but not limited to: augers, shovels, and planting bars are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Off-road equipment used for transport of materials such as ATV’s and trailers shall also be free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seed, and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection tools is not required. Cleaning of equipment may entail brushing or hosing off. The use of detergents or other cleaning agents are not to be used unless they are used at a car wash or other facility equipped for water catchment and treatment. Equipment is not to be cleaned in streams, ditches or other waterways.

400 – Responsibility for Safety

It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the work environment is safe for themselves as well as their employees. If the contractor feels that a requirement of this contract would place them or their employees in an unsafe environment, then work should stop on that area of work and the contractor should contact the COR. Work on other areas of the contract that the contractor does not view as unsafe should continue. The Contractor is required to follow all applicable OSHA standards while working on the job site. In addition, it is required that the successful contractor utilize and supply to their employee’s appropriate personal protective safety equipment/clothing.

500 – Pennsylvania 811 Call The Contractor is responsible for calling and adhering to procedures before auger planting or fence building begins at a site. Contractor needs to give his or her own phone number as the call-back number when submitting information to PA 811. More information can be found at: https://www.pa1call.org.

INSPECTION METHODS

In accordance with the Inspection Clause the Government is able to inspect the entire work the Contractor performs, and the Contractor shall be required to rework any areas that are not in conformance to the requirements of this contract. All inspections will be based on each individual planting areas, not the entire contract as a whole.

PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE CONTRACT (PBSC) REQUIREMENTS

Performance based disincentives apply to the Government’s inspections for contract compliance. (See below “Disincentives” section.)

Inspection will be in accordance with the standards indicated in Specification Section 200 and will be accomplished by either the COR or Inspector.

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

Improper care observed – stop work until corrected. If improper care results in loss of seedlings – Contractor will be required to pay for original seedlings lost and replacement seedlings.

Tree Planting

-Spacing & Spot Selection -Preparing the Site

-Tree Placement, Filling, and Firming

Random Count of scalping areas. 90% of scalp sites check shall meet specifications

Visual and tug test. Random check and count of seedlings. 90% of seedlings checked shall meet specifications.

90% compliance for reforestation planting, 95% for wildlife planting

– acceptance of work.

Less than 90/95% compliance – work shall be stopped until 90/95% compliance is met through re-work.

Tree Protection – tree shelters

- Installation of 5 ft tubular tree shelters

- Installation of conical self staking tree/shrub shelters

Less than 90% compliance – work shall be stopped until 90% compliance is met thru re-work.

Tree Protection – Fencing

- Constructing Cribs

- Installation of individual tree fences

Less than 100% compliance – work shall be stopped until compliance is met thru re-work.

Visual inspection of all equipment at office site and at planting site. Equipment shall be free of material that holds seed.

100% compliance – acceptance of work and fully payment of adequately completed planting sites.

Less than 100% compliance – work shall be stopped until 100% compliance is met.

Areas to be Inspected:

Each Project Area will be inspected as a separate unit. Units will not be averaged with other units for acceptance and payment.

Additional Information:

Corrective Actions for Poor or Late Performance: Regardless of any anticipated disincentive that may be issued at the end of the contract period, during that same contract period, the Contractor still has the responsibility to remedy all poor and/or late contract performance issues.

Termination for Default: Government issuance of a disincentive for poor contract performance is neither a settlement, nor alternative to a termination for contract default.

Conformance to Contract Requirements: If any of the work does not conform to contract requirements, the Government can require the Contractor to re-perform the work, at no increase in contract amount.

Payment/Contract Reduction: Any payment or reduction will be applied to the contract prior to final payment.

Disincentives:

Upon completion of work for an area, the contractors field representative will inspect the work and notify the COR that the site is ready for final inspection. If upon the government’s initial final inspection, there are noncompliance issues, the contractor will be notified and corrective actions to be performed.

The COR will document all inspections in a Contract Daily Diary (FS-6300-20). When corrective actions are necessary, the inspection reports shall be sent to both the Contracting Officer and Contractor. It must detail the corrective actions that need to be done to bring the area in line with contract specifications.

If upon the next COR inspection there are still noncompliance issues that were not remedied, there will be a 20% deduction assessed on the final payment for that Item/Area, and the contractor must continue to remedy the issues to bring the area into contract compliance. If noncompliance continues to be an issue, there will be an additional 20% deduction assessed for each following return inspection.