12363N25Q4185 Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Allison Creek Timber Mark and Cruise.pdf

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Stewardship Branch Combined Synopsis and Solicitation Request for Quote #12363N25Q4185

**MUST BE REGISTERED IN SAM (www.sam.gov) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD**

Title: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Allison Creek Timber Marking Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Award Determination: Best Value Place of Performance: Chattahoochee-Oconee NF, Allison Creek, GA Period of Performance: Date of Award through 1 September 2026

The USDA Forest Service is issuing a Request for Quote (RFQ) for timber marking in the Allison Creek sale area of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia

Quotes will be submitted in accordance with the instructions set forth in this document. Failure to comply with any and/or all of the instructions set forth in this document may result in the offer’s quote not being considered.

Payment will be made via EFT. Invoice using IPP.Gov

FOB: X Destination Origin

Set Aside For: Large Small

Woman- Owned SDVOSB Hubzone 8(a)

(Please check all that apply) X

NAICS Code: 115310 Size Standard: $11.5 million

Delivery address Chattahoochee-Oconee NF, Allison Creek, GA

Date and time needed Date of Award through 1 September 2026

**MUST HAVE ALL INFO BELOW**

Company Name:

Vendor Rep:

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Email:

Mailing Address:

UEI SAM #

**QUOTES ARE DUE BY: 08/21/2025 by 11:00AM CT**

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(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04.

(iv) This procurement is set aside for Small Business. The NAICS code is 115310 and the Small Business Size Standard is $11.5 million.

(v) Schedule of Items/Price Schedule

Schedule of Items

Item Number Item Description Required Unit Estimated Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost

(Mandatory)

Layout and Cruising Mandatory Plots/ Miles

127 PCM Cruise Plots and 27 miles of Layout

(Mandatory)

Layout and Cruising Mandatory Plots/ Miles

100 PCM Cruise Plots and 16 miles of Layout

Total: 227 Plots 43 Miles

Schedule Notes:

One award will be made from this solicitation, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

(vi) Description of Requirement (including a list of any attachments)

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ALLISON CREEK & DEEP SOUTH

TIMBER SALES

CRUISE DESIGN

AND

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Statement of Work

MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL

WORK ITEMS

Cruise Designed By: __________________________________________________ Forester

Recommended By: __________________________________________________ Contract Officer

Approved By: __________________________________________________ District Ranger

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CHATTAHOOCHE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST

OCONEE RANGER DISTRICT

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SECTION A – SCOPE OF WORK

ALLISON CREEK (COMPARTMENT 110)

TIMBER MARKING AND CRUISING

CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

OCONEE RANGER DISTRICT

PUTNAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

A-1 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This cruise plan includes an estimated 1,168 +/- acres of thinning intended to move project area stands from their current overstocked condition towards the desired condition for RCW habitat.

Mandatory work includes layout of cutting unit boundaries PCM plot cruising which is planned for ± 667 acres across eighteen (18) units for the Allison Creek Timber Sale (Item 1) and work layout of cutting unit boundaries and PCM plot cruising which is planned for ± 499 acres across ten (10) units for the Deep South Timber Sale (Item 2). These areas will be Designation by Prescription and will include no marking of induvial trees.

Item Number Item Description Required Unit Estimated Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost

(Mandatory)

Layout and Cruising Mandatory Plots/ Miles

127 PCM Cruise Plots and 27 miles of Layout

(Mandatory)

Layout and Cruising Mandatory Plots/ Miles

100 PCM Cruise Plots and 16 miles of Layout

Total: 227 Plots 43 Miles

**Note: Quantities in this statement of work are based on layout estimates to facilitate contractor scheduling of work and are likely to change following layout and acreage determination for cultural sites.

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SCHEDULE OF WORK ITEMS

Item 1: Allison Creek Timber Sale Unit Acres Plots Designation

Method Required

01 34 5 DxP Mandatory 02 13 3 DxP Mandatory 03 31 5 DxP Mandatory 04 16 4 DxP Mandatory 05 83 11 DxP Mandatory 06 32 6 DxP Mandatory 07 6 1 DxP Mandatory 08 80 12 DxP Mandatory 09 29 19 DxP Mandatory 10 22 4 DxP Mandatory 11 72 10 DxP Mandatory 12 39 6 DxP Mandatory 13 21 5 DxP Mandatory 14 16 4 DxP Mandatory 15 23 4 DxP Mandatory 16 99 16 DxP Mandatory 17 24 8 DxP Mandatory 18 27 5 DxP Mandatory

*DxP = Designation by Prescription

Item 2: Deep South Timber Sale Unit Acres Plots Designation

Method Required

01 54 TBD DxP Mandatory 02 48 TBD DxP Mandatory 03 32 TBD DxP Mandatory 04 43 TBD DxP Mandatory 05 17 TBD DxP Mandatory 06 19 TBD DxP Mandatory 07 87 TBD DxP Mandatory 08 78 TBD DxP Mandatory 09 51 TBD DxP Mandatory 10 70 TBD DxP Mandatory

The Contractor’s personnel assigned cruising duties shall be qualified cruisers meeting Region 8 Forest Service standards. This qualification process generally takes two days. One day to work through a self-study guide followed by a written test and one day to field measure a set of trees and then to compare them against predetermined measurements for those same trees.

If Contractor’s personnel have been previously certified as Region 8 Forest Service Qualified Cruisers, such documentation must be provided to the Forest Service. In such cases, individuals will only need to complete the field measurements test prior to starting work.

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A-2 PROJECT LOCATION

The Allison Creek Timber Sale is located within Compartment 110 of the Oconee Ranger District, approximately 7 miles south of Monticello, in Jasper County, Georgia. Project area is well managed for red-cockaded woodpecker; having had a previous timber sale in 2010 and burned on a 2-year rotation.

The Deep South Timber Sale is located within Compartment 123 of the Oconee Ranger District, approximately 4 miles Southeast of Hillsboro, in Jones County, Georgia.

Most Areas are accessible via FS roads; foot travel may be required to some areas. Terrain is rolling, predominately pine with hardwood drainages.

A-3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. Cutting Unit Layout

Task 1: Boundary Layout and Mapping Guidelines

(a)Cutting Unit Boundaries The Allison Creek Timber Sale (item 1) project includes all or portions of individual stands located across Compartment 110. The Deep South Timber Sale (item 2) project includes all or portions of individual stands located across Compartment 110.

The Proposed Rx and Virtual Layout maps show the estimated location of stand boundaries included in this project for both mandatory Items

All layout and boundary marking work for both Mandatory Items will be performed in two (2) phases.

Phase 1: Contractor shall physically locate stand boundary and flag its perimeter with high-visibility (Orange) flagging.

Layout of cutting unit boundaries shall conform to the following standards and procedures:

• Layout shall not include areas with sustained slopes over 35 percent;

• Layout shall follow timber types (e.g. following pine boundary in first thinning units);

• Layout shall protect perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams by establishing cutting unit boundaries no closer than 100, 50, or 25 feet respectively from stream edge.

Perennial streams are defined by the following: water flow is year-round; streambed has a defined channel with exposed rock and riparian dependent flora and fauna.

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Intermittent streams are defined by the following: evidence of water flow for part of the year;

streambed has a defined channel with areas of exposed bedrock and areas of riparian dependent flora and fauna.

Ephemeral streams show evidence of scouring (i.e. movement of duff or litter on the surface due to water movement and exposing the soil surface). They DO NOT have defined channels, FLOW ONLY IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO PRECIPITATION, and LACK RIPARIAN

AREAS.

(b) Protected Streamcourses Boundary Contractor shall be responsible for boundary layout and painting Streamcourse Protection Zones (SMZ) along streams on interior of and along cutting unit boundaries adjacent to streams where there is a perceived possibility that logging operations could otherwise carry over into such areas. In general, layout should protect identified streams by excluding them during boundary layout using the stated distances for stream type previously described.

(c) Cultural and Special Protection Area Boundary Forest Service Personnel shall be responsible for boundary layout and painting of special areas and other protection zones within project stands. These include Cultural Resource sites, Protected Plant sites, Recreation areas and other special areas.

Phase 2: Mapping Cutting Unit Boundaries Contractor shall map delineated boundaries of cutting units with Android Tablet and external GPS receiver unit (Forest Service supplied) using TwoTrails software. Files shall be saved to the SD card with daily backups saved to the internal memory. Crew shall set Polygon Metadata as follows:

- Name to “Unit Xa” (ex. Unit 19a)

- Accuracy to specified coefficient according to MTDC report

- Desc to compartment and stand numbers (ex. C102_S52).

Mapping shall be done using Take 5 method of point collection. Cutting units must meet 10% area determination error.

TwoTrails software can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. A User Guide for TwoTrails can be found at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/fmsc/ftp/measure/geospatial/TwoTrails/TwoTrailsAndroidGuide-v4-20190429.pdf

Task 2: Boundary Marking Guidelines

Upon approval of flagged boundaries, Contractor shall paint the flagged boundaries of cutting units with orange tree marking tracer paint (to be supplied by the Forest Service)

Painted boundaries shall conform to the following standards and procedures:

• Marked boundaries shall face into the unit;

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• Boundaries will be marked with THREE (3) slanted slashes placed at 4 to 8 feet on the bole of trees and a butt mark painted on the downhill side of stump.

• Leaf litter and debris shall be cleared away from stump area to ensure paint makes full contact with stump and ground.

• Boundary slashes should be thick (2-3 inches) with ample amount of paint to remain visible for several years;

• Contractor should select a mixture of tree sizes to use as boundary trees, but should avoid selecting non-desirable species such as; yellow poplar, sweetgum, and red maple, where practicable;

• Distances between boundary trees shall not exceed 50 feet

• If boundaries of two units are coincidental, ensure boundary paint is applied on both sides of selected boundary tree so that paint faces into units as described above;

• Where unit boundary runs along natural barrier (i.e. road edge, utility corridor), boundary trees shall not be painted

If streamcourses are included within the interior of a cutting unit (in other words, not excluded from unit), layout of Streamcourse Protection zones shall conform to the following standards and procedures:

• Contractor shall establish a pink painted boundary (3 SLASHES and STUMP mark) along both sides of designated Streamcourse Protection zones, when applicable, using tree marking tracer paint;

• Marked boundary shall be established 25 feet from ephemeral streams and 100 feet from perennial and intermittent streams/waterbodies, where applicable;

• When Streamcourse Protection zones are designated on interior of cutting units, marked boundary shall be placed on both sides of designated stream/waterbody, at stated distances (above), facing away from the protected stream and into unit matrix – applicable for small ephemeral streams typically.

• Distances between selected Protected Streamcourse zone boundary trees shall be no greater than 30 feet.

Boundary painting of Cultural Resource sites, Protected Plant sites, and other special areas sites will conform to the following standards and procedures:

• Forest Service Personnel shall navigate to and locate sites and establish a painted boundary (WHITE blaze above ORANGE slashes) around the perimeter of site(s) using tree marking tracer paint.

• White marked boundaries of protected site(s) shall face away from site and into matrix of cutting unit.

• Distances between selected site boundary trees shall be no greater than 30 feet.

B. Cruising Guidelines

(a)Timber Designations Designation by Prescription (DxP) with PCM Cruising This method will not designate individual trees with marking paint. Units will be cruised using the following rules to determine cut and leave trees for each PCM plot:

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- Thin from below to meet an average residual basal area (RBA) as specified in Cutting Unit Data table for each mandatory items, see below

- Priority will be given to leave the largest and best quality trees; removing smaller, suppressed, poorly formed, and/or damaged trees

- All oak and hickory trees greater than 14.0” DBH shall be retained as leave trees

- Any pine tree greater than 25.0” DBH shall be retained as a leave tree

- Red-Cockaded Woodpecker nesting and cluster site marker trees (banded in white or green paint), where present on plots shall be retained as leave trees and accounted towards the target basal for plots

Unit specific marking guidelines for species preferences will be provided to the awarded contractor after award by COR.

(b.1) Cutting Unit Data – Allison Creek Mandatory Item 1

*RBA = Target Residual Basal Area **PCM = Point-Count-Measure

Cutting Unit

Sub-division

Strat a

Cutting Unit

Acres Treatment RBA* Cruise

Method** BAF Designation Method

01 01 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

02 02 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP 03 03 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP 04 04 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

05 05 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

06 06 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

07 07 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

08 08 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

09 09 91 TBD Commercial Thin 50 PCM 10 DxP

10 10 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

11 11 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

12 12 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

13 13 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

14 14 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

15 15 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

16 16 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

17 17 90 TBD First Thin 60 PCM 20 DxP

18 18 92 TBD Commercial Thin 40 PCM 10 DxP

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(b.2) Cutting Unit Data – Deep South

*RBA = Target Residual Basal Area **PCM = Point-Count-Measure

(c)Cruise Design

Cost Benefit Analysis for DxP Due to rising costs of tracer paint and lack of timber crew personnel, the DxP provision has been selected. In both the Allison Creek Timber Sale and the Deep South Timber Sale, it has been determined that due to the size (667 acres) that the ability to eliminate designating trees without paint has been determined to be more cost effective, and less time consuming since the crew will only have to visit the stand once to plot cruise.

It is estimated that both sales will individually appraise for more than $120,000 therefore, sampling intensity was designed to meet a combined sampling error for the sale-as-a-whole of ± 20 percent. This design produced the following sampling intensities:

Plot based PCM cruising (DxP) – Allison Creek Mandatory Item 1 Strata Sample Group Species Sample

Interval 90 – 60 RBA PS (Pine Sawtimber 11.0” +) 110, 131 1:4

LP (Leave pine sawtimber > 11.0”) 110, 131 1:6 HS (Hardwood Sawtimber 14” +) All 1:1 LH (Leave hardwood sawtimber 14.0” +) 400, 800’s 1:1 zP (Pine Pulpwood 5.0”– 10.9”) 100 1:10 zL (Leave pine pulpwood 5.0” - 10.9”) 100 1:4 zH (hardwood pulpwood 5”-13.9”) 300 1:3

Cutting Unit

Sub-division

Strat a

Cutting Unit

Acres Treatment RBA* Cruise

Method** BAF Designation Method

01 01 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

02 02 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

03 03 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

04 04 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

05 05 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

06 06 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

07 07 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

08 08 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

09 09 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

10 10 TBD TBD TBD TBD PCM TBD DxP

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Strata Sample Group Species Sample Interval

91 – 50 RBA PS (Pine Sawtimber 11.0” +) 110, 131 1:6 LP (Leave pine sawtimber > 11.0”) 110, 131 1:6 HS (Hardwood Sawtimber 14” +) All 1:1 LH (Leave hardwood sawtimber 14.0” +) 400, 800’s 1:1 zP (Pine Pulpwood 5.0”– 10.9”) 100 1:6 zL (Leave pine pulpwood 5.0” - 10.9”) 100 1:3 zH (hardwood pulpwood 5”-13.9”) 300 1:3

Strata Sample Group Species Sample Interval

92 – 40 RBA PS (Pine Sawtimber 11.0” +) 110, 131 1:10 LP (Leave pine sawtimber > 11.0”) 110, 131 1:10 HS (Hardwood Sawtimber 14” +) All 1:2 LH (Leave hardwood sawtimber 14.0” +) 400, 800’s 1:2 zP (Pine Pulpwood 5.0”– 10.9”) 100 1:8 zL (Leave pine pulpwood 5.0” - 10.9”) 100 1:2 zH (hardwood pulpwood 5”-13.9”) 300 1:6

Plot based PCM cruising (DxP) – Deep South Mandatory Item 2 Strata Sample Group Species Sample

Interval TBD PS (Pine Sawtimber 11.0” +) 110, 131 TBD

LP (Leave pine sawtimber > 11.0”) 110, 131 TBD HS (Hardwood Sawtimber 14” +) All TBD LH (Leave hardwood sawtimber 14.0” +) 400, 800’s TBD zP (Pine Pulpwood 5.0”– 10.9”) 100 TBD zL (Leave pine pulpwood 5.0” - 10.9”) 100 TBD zH (hardwood pulpwood 5”-13.9”) 300 TBD

(d) Cruise and Sampling Methods

General instructions for PCM cruising with DxP in both Mandatory Items 1 and 2:

- Plot centers will be marked on the ground by pin flag and plot number, clear an area of about

18 inches in diameter to mineral soil around plot center pin flag

- All trees on plot will be identified using the BAF prism listed in Cutting Unit Data table

(see above) and indicated by applying a single dot of non-tracer paint to the face of each “IN” tree facing plot center.

- For trees identified and determined as leave trees based on prescription/RBA, a second dot of non-tracer paint will be applied to the face of the tree, facing the plot center.

- All remaining trees on the plot will be cruised as cut trees.

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- Tally all cut and leave trees; measure trees will be identified through the FSCruiser program and based on established sample intervals.

Plot Monumentation:

Document counts of trees by sample group and species, date and initials on a piece of flagging and hang near plot center

For example: Plot 12, 3 LP 131, 1 LH 802, 2 PS 131, 3 zP 100, 1 zH 300

This indicates that plot 12 has a count of 3 loblolly pine sawtimber leave trees, 1 white oak hardwood sawtimber leave tree, 2 loblolly pine sawtimber cut trees, 3 pine pulpwood cut trees, and 1 hardwood pulpwood cut tree.

Sample tree monumentation:

Trees selected for measurement must be identified with a length of flagging ribbon tied around the bole of the tree at about eye level. On the “tail” of the ribbon, the following information is required: tree #, sample group, species code, DBH, heights, defect, date, and cruiser’s initials.

For example: #3, PS 131, 13.2, 35, 64, 2%, 3/20/09, DS.

This indicates the sample tree was tree #3, Pine Sawtimber, loblolly pine, 10.2” DBH, 35’ merchantable height, 35’ upper stem height (479 ht), 2 percent defect, dated 3/20/09 by certified cruiser with the initials DS.

(e) Cruise Data Entry

FSCruiser shall be used for cruise data entry and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

A user guide for FSCruiser can be found at:

https://github.com/FMSC-Measurements/NatCruise/wiki/FScruiser-V3-User-Guide

A cruise file to load on Android device will be provided. The file will have the sample intervals specified by sample group built into set-up of the cruise data file for all strata.

Product Tree Number Species DBH Merch Ht1 479 Ht2 Total

Ht3 Defect Marker Initials

Pine Sawtimber X X X 10” 7” X X Hardwood Sawtimber X X X 12” 9” X X Pine Pulpwood X X X X X

Hardwood Pulpwood X X X X X

1Merch Ht is the sawtimber merchantability limit pine sawtimber (10 inches); hardwood sawtimber (12 inches).

2These are the product reference heights for pine sawtimber (7 inches); hardwood sawtimber (9 inches).

3Pine and Hardwood pulpwood measurement will be taken at total height of the tree.

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Cruise Data File Storage Make daily back-ups of cruise data to a PC with an organized file structure to minimize risk of data loss and for reference in cases of file corruption. There shall be at minimum a bi-weekly transfer of data to the COR for review, back-up and use for check cruise purposes. Cruise file data can be submitted to David Ralston (david.ralston@usda.gov)

C. Tracer Paint Accountability:

The security of tracer paint is of the utmost importance. It is one of the most important elements in use by the Forest Service to deter unauthorized cutting of federal timber.

The Forest Service – Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest – has designated Paint Property Custodians in accordance with direction in FSH 2409.12 at web link https://www.fs.fed.us/cgi-bin/Directives/get_dirs/fsh?2409.12!..

Duties of Property Custodian and Paint Custodian:

The District Property Custodian is ultimately responsible for tracking all tracer paint, from the time it is ordered until proper disposal of the empty cans. An accounting system is in place to document the use and location of all full and empty tracer paint cans acquired by the district.

Once a paint transaction has been checked for completeness and proper exchange, it shall be added to the inventory forms and secured in the Contractor’s approved paint storage containers.

Training Contractor shall be instructed in the proper safety, use, and security of tracer paint. Instruction will include the following:

1. Review the Job Hazard Analysis for tracer paint.

2. Review the Tracer Paint Accountability Plan.

3. Discuss with the COR and understand the following:

a. Accountability procedures.

b. Proper security measures for transporting tracer paint.

c. What to do if a can/cans are missing.

d. How to identify and report suspicious situations.

e. How to properly mark a tree.

Paint Storage The Paint Custodian or custodian’s designee will pick up timber marking paint from the District paint storage facility. Timber marking paint shall be available for pickup at the district storage facility at 6:00 AM and shall be returned to the district storage facility no later than 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Timber marking paint will only be issued to the designated contractor paint custodian (CPC).

The CPC shall have the ability to secure the paint at all times while the paint is out of the Forest Service tracer paint storage facility.

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Paint storage containers shall be inspected and approved for compliance with security measures prior to paint being issued to the CPC. Storage containers shall be constructed of strong materials, with locking mechanisms that cannot be easily compromised. Containers shall be anchored and have secured doors or lids with hinges to the inside or welded to prevent theft of the paint or the container.

Tracer paint containers shall be locked at all times while not under direct surveillance of the contractor or his/her employees.

Tracer Paint Security While In the Field All individuals checking out tracer paint have the ability to secure the paint at all times while the paint is out of the Forest Service tracer paint storage facility. Tracer paint will not be issued to anyone who does not have the capability to secure the paint in the field. Tree marking paint shall be stored in secure containers (building, vehicle, toolbox, etc.)

Security of tracer paint is most vulnerable from the time it is checked out for field use, until it is returned and accounted for. It is extremely important during this time for the paint to be properly transported, stored, and used in the field.

All unused tracer paint shall be stored in secure, locked containers at all times

Returning Unused Paint and Empty Cans to the Forest Service Paint Custodian The CPC shall be return all unused paint and empty cans to the Forest Service Paint Custodian (FSPC) at the Forest Service secured paint storage facility on a daily basis.

All unused paint and empty cans shall be returned to the FSPC at the Forest Service storage facility and accounted for by inventory methods. The CPC shall provide the FSPC with the required documentation weekly, recorded on the “Tree Marking Contractor’s Daily Paint Accountability Log”. The COR shall receive all Accountability Logs before approving any final Payment Invoice.

Lost Paint Procedure An immediate investigation shall occur anytime tracer paint or empty tracer paint cans cannot be accounted for.

Paint Lost From Storage Any time the inventory does not match the inventory sheets; check past and present inventory sheet figures in an effort to locate a possible math error or where the discrepancy occurred. If the paint cannot be accounted for:

1. Immediately perform a complete audit of all paint in storage, including paint stored in vehicles. If procedures have been followed, this audit should identify the person who lost the paint or verify that a theft has occurred from the paint storage facility.

2. If a theft from the storage area is indicated, immediately notify the COR.

3. The CPC or custodian’s designee and Paint Property Custodian (FS) shall prepare separate written statements.

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Paint Lost in the Field If all tracer paint cans are not accounted for at the end of the day:

1. An immediate inventory shall be conducted to determine which employee lost the paint.

2. Prior to the contractor leaving the area, a search shall be conducted of the area in which the employee was working.

3. The CPC or custodian’s designee and Paint Property Custodian (FS) will prepare separate written statements. The Property Custodian will notify the District Ranger and District Law Enforcement Officer. All written documentation will be submitted for review.

If the paint is not found:

1. The CPC or custodian’s designee shall provide a written statement addressing the circumstances involved in the loss. Statements involving lost tracer paint shall include the following information:

Brand of paint (manufacturer) Batch number Date of manufacture Color of paint Type of can (quart, aerosol, etc.)

Was the can(s) full, partially full, or empty Circumstances and Location of loss

If lost on a timber sale, Paint Custodian or custodian’s designee shall include all information in the presale or administration folder as appropriate.

2. The Paint Custodian or custodian’s designee shall immediately notify the Property Custodian. The Property Custodian will notify the District Ranger and District Law Enforcement Officer as soon as possible.

3. Upon review of documentation provided, the District Law Enforcement Officer shall determine investigation procedures.

D. Documentation:

Forest Service Personnel:

The District check cruiser will complete all required inspection reports and forms required to administer the project. All completed reports and forms will be submitted in a timely manner.

The CPC or custodian will be provided a copy of the sale area map

Contract Personnel:

A daily recording of the units cruised, number of plots taken, approximate percentage of units marked, crew names, number of hours spent on the project, including travel time, as well as field observations, shall be kept daily and submitted to the COR weekly to assist in determining production, paint usage by designation method and for other planning purposes (see report requirements).

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The unit paint usage forms will have daily entries for paint usage and will be submitted to the COR upon completion of the project (see attachments section).

A-4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Estimated Start Date: 09/08/2025 Contract Duration: Approximately 1 year Completion Date: 09/01/2026

A-5. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE/QASP:

Check Cruise Check cruiser: The responsible qualified advanced cruiser will be David Ralston.

Timber cruising shall meet established cruising standards.

The cruising shall be check cruised to determine acceptable work once all contract work is complete. The Check Cruiser will document measurement checks on R8-FS-2400-61 and R8-FS- 2400-62 (see attachments section).

Both cut and leave trees will be cruised/measured to account for cut and leave volume. Cut and leave trees on the plot will be determined using the non-tracer paint “dot” scheme described above during the check cruise. Counts of cut and leave trees will be matched to the plot center ribbon and processed cruise file, and checked against the prescribed RBA for each unit to determine if cruisers followed the prescription

The Check Cruiser/COR will use Form R8-FS-2400-63 to evaluate overall satisfactory plot layout, cruising and tree marking work.

Forest Service inspections will also be documented on daily diaries and placed in the contract file. If work in part of an area does not meet cruising and marking standards, Contactor shall perform remedial work before the area can be accepted as complete, as identified by the COR/Check Cruiser. Contractor will not receive payment for unaccepted work until remedial work has been inspected and accepted by the COR/Check Cruiser.

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A-6. ATTACHMENTS

Tree Defect Table

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Tree Species Codes

100 Other Softwoods 107 Sand Pine 110 Shortleaf Pine 111 Slash Pine 115 Spruce Pine 121 Longleaf Pine 123 Table Mt Pine 126 Pitch Pine 128 Pond Pine 129 White Pine 131 Loblolly Pine 132 Virginia Pine 197 Spruce 221 Baldcypress 222 Pondcypress 261 Hemlock 268 Eastern Redcedar 300 Soft Hardwoods 313 Boxelder 314 Black Maple 316 Red Maple 317 Silver Maple 318 Sugar Maple 330 Buckeye 370 Birch (except yellow) 400 Hickory 404 Pecan 460 Hackberry 500 Hard Hardwoods 521 Persimmon 531 Beech 541 Ash, White 544 Ash, Green 545 Ash, Pumpkin 546 Ash, Blue 550 Honey Locust 580 Silverbell

601 Butternut 602 Black Walnut 611 Sweetgum 621 Yellow-poplar 650 Wahoo 651 Cucumbertree 652 Magnolia 653 Sweetbay 691 Water Tupelo 693 Blackgum (highland) 694 Blackgum (lowland) 711 Sourwood 731 Sycamore 742 Cottonwood 762 Black Cherry 800 Oak (Mixed) 802 White Oak 813 Cherrybark Oak 817 Shingle Oak 820 Laurel Oak 822 Overcup Oak 823 Bur Oak 825 Swamp Chestnut Oak 826 Chinkapin Oak 804 Swamp White Oak 806 Scarlet Oak 812 Southern Red Oak 827 Water Oak 828 Nuttall Oak 830 Pin Oak 831 Willow Oak 832 Chestnut Oak 833 Northern Red Oak 834 Shumard Oak 835 Post Oak 837 Black Oak 901 Black Locust 920 Willow 930 Sassafras 950 Basswood 970 Elm

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Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Timber Product Merchantability Specifications

Sawtimber

Product

Applicable Species Codes

Species Group

(Appraisal Code)

Min

DBH

(Inches)

Min Merch.

Piece

Merch.

Height

Primary (Feet)

Reference Height – Upper Stem

Height (Feet)

Defect

Yellow Pine

110, 131 SYP (170) 11.0 Must contain an acceptable1 continuous 12-ft piece section somewhere between ground level on uphill side of tree and the Merchantable Height.

Measured from ground level on uphill side of tree to 10 inches outside bark. The measured height must contain an acceptable1 continuous 12-ft piece.

Ground level on uphill side of tree to 7 inches outside bark

Percent of sawtimber not suitable to be sawn into lumber.

Use defect card to determine seen defect.

Hardwood2 833, 837, 762

621, 544, 541, 950, 531, 316, Other hardwoods

NRO (833)

WTO (802)

YPL (620)

CHW (008)

WAL (602)

LGH (271)

14.0 Must contain

an acceptable1 continuous 12-ft piece section somewhere between ground level on uphill side of tree and the Merchantable Height.

Measured from ground level on uphill side of tree to 12 inches outside bark. The measured height must contain an acceptable1 continuous 12-ft piece.

Ground level on uphill side of tree to 9 inches outside bark

Percent of sawtimber not suitable to be sawn into lumber.

Use defect card to determine seen defect.

1Acceptable. Contains no significant defects. Significant defects: Canker, crook, sweep, rot, unacceptable whorl, fork, etc.

Unacceptable whorl = a whorl of limbs, either dead or alive, that are within 1 foot vertical section of the tree’s stem and in which the sum of the diameters of the limbs are equal to or greater than the diameter of the main stem at the location of the whorl (or the central point for vertically spaced limbs).

2Hardwood sawtimber must meet minimum requirements for a Tree Grade 3, as defined in USDA Forest Service General Technical Report NE-1 A Guide to Hardwood Log Grading.

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Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Timber Product Merchantability Specifications

Pulpwood

Product

Applicable Species Codes

Species Group

(Appraisal Code)

Min

DBH

(Inches)

Min Merch.

Piece

Merch.

Height

Primary (Feet)

Reference Height – Upper Stem

Height (Feet)

Defect

All Pine and Hemlock Pulpwood

All Pine and Hemlock Species Codes (100)

SWD (001) 5.0 A tree that contains a minimum continuous 15-foot section to 4 inches outside bark somewhere between ground level on the uphill side of tree and the Reference Height

N/A Ground level on uphill side of tree to 4 inches outside bark or total tree height1 (must specify which and be the same for all trees within the sale)

N/A

All Hardwood Pulpwood

All Hardwood Species Codes (300)

HWD (004) 5.0 A tree that contains a minimum continuous 15-foot section to 4 inches outside bark somewhere between ground level on the uphill side of tree and the Reference Height

N/A Ground level on uphill side of tree to 4 inches outside bark or total tree height1 (must specify which and be the same for all trees within the sale)

N/A

NSB Plant Other Green Biomass

All NSB (1000) 2.0 15 foot total height.

N/A Total Height N/A

1Total tree height is the preferred method of measurement for pulpwood trees.

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Tree Marking Tracer Paint Field Accountability Log Daily tracer paint use by unit, color and batch

Sale Name__________________________ Purpose: Layout Marking Streamcourses Special Areas (circle one)

*Use separate table for marking, layout, and/or Special Areas and Streamcourses.

Unit Color Batch Amount/Date Color Batch Amount/Date Color Batch Amount/Date

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Tree Marking Paint Paint Accountability Log

ISSUE: Full and partial containers

Paint Color: Batch # Quantity Issued (# and size of containers) Full:

Date: Partial:

Issued by (signature)

Date: Received by (signature)

RETURNED: Full and Partials containers Quantity Returned (# and size of Containers) Full:

Batch # Partial:

Returned by (signature) Date:

Received by (signature) Date:

RETURNED: Empty containers Quantity Returned (# and size of Containers) Batch #

Returned by (signature) Date:

Received by (signature) Date:

Note: Please sign name so signature is legible.

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PLOT OR TREE MEASUREMENT CHECK SHEET

FSH 2409.12,60

District: Oconee Sale: Allison Creek Checker:

1st √ Ht Ht dif

2nd √ Ht Ht dif

Defect dif SPP√SPP Name of Marker

Plot# Or Tree#

Count Or

Measure Dbh √Dbh dif

SUM of: Hts.

Diff

Accuracy ≤.10 /1

.95≦Bias≦1.05 /2

1st number in each column is the cruiser’s measurements, √ is the check cruiser’s value.

dif = difference between the 2 values. SPP=species or product group, circle if incorrect. Use Exhibit #02 to summarize results of this check for individuals.

/1 Accuracy = absolute sum of 2nd ht.diff./sum of √’d 2nd ht.

/2 Bias = sum of 2nd ht./sum of √’d 2nd ht.

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USDA Forest Service R8-FS-2400-62 (05/02)

FIELD MEASUREMENT EVALUATION

FSH 2409.12,60

Check Cruise Elements

Tolerance Total Possible Correct Answers

(a)

Numbers of Incorrect Answers

(b)

Error Weight

(c)

Total Error (bxc)

(d)

Percent Correct (1-(d/a))x100

(e)

In/Out trees None N/A N/A 5 N/A N/A

Species None 5* DBH ≤0.2 in. 2 Defect < 20% 1 1st Height <10 feet 3 2nd Ht.Accuracy

≤0.10

2nd Ht. Bias .95<=>1.05 5 *Forests should use species that coincide with the appraisal product group for the sale e.g.: SYP sawtimber, red oak sawtimber, hardwood pulpwood, low-value hardwood sawtimber, etc.

Overall Percent Correct = Total of (e) ÷ number of items about which information is checked. Accuracy and bias for all trees on this evaluation form will have only 1 “Total Possible Correct Answer”.

Note: To pass this check, each item checked must have at least 75 percent correct and the overall accuracy must be 80 percent. Failure of any given item or of overall score constitutes a need to check additional trees, and/or retraining, or loss of certification.

The “Total Possible Correct Answers” (a) is the number of trees measured by the check cruiser. For plot or point cruises, the “Total Possible Correct Answers” of “in/out trees” is the number of plots checked by the check cruiser.

Number of “in” trees must be the same for cruiser’s count and check cruiser’s count for plot to be correct. For all other elements, it is the measurements on the number of correctly identified “in” trees.

Recommendation:

Certified Check Cruiser Signature & Date

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DAILY RECORD

DATE NAME OF

PROJECT

UNIT NUMBERS

CRUISED

# OF POINTS

SAMPLED

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Quality Control Inspection Form for DxP Inspected by: _________________________________ Date: _______________________________________ Unit: _________

BAF: _______

Plot Number Total BA Leave BA Cut BA Selection

(Y or N)

Remarks:

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(vii) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance/Location

Period of Performance: 8 September 2025 – 1 September 2026 Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Allison Creek sale area

(viii) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023) (Provision)

Addenda to provision FAR 52.212-1:

Addenda to Provision FAR 52.212-1 paragraph (b) Submission of Offers:

1) Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management in order to submit an offer. https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

2) Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall include a technical proposal, a price proposal, and contractor representations and certifications.

a) Technical Proposal – The technical proposal shall address the evaluation factors in FAR 52.212-2. At a minimum technical proposal shall include:

i) Past Performance – provide a list of similar projects completed by your firm over the past three years. Include a brief description of the project, dollar amount, year completed, and project owner contact information (name, phone, and email). The government may use past performance information from any available source. If a company does not have past performance information available, information may be provided for predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors. In the event that there is no past performance information available, the offeror will receive a neutral rating in this factor.

ii) Technical Capability – Provide a list of equipment and key personnel (with qualifications) that will be used to complete this project.

3) Price Proposal – Include the following: 1) the completed Schedule of Items from Section B of this solicitation, and 2) acknowledgement of any amendments to this solicitation by following the instructions that accompany the amendment(s).

4) Representations and Certifications – Fill in the check boxes for provisions FAR 52.204-26, FAR 52.204-24.

NOTICE: SAM updates may lag policy updates and may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations, including:

• FAR 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals—

Representation

• Paragraph (d) & (t) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—

Commercial Products and Commercial Services

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Contracting officers will not consider these representations when making award decisions or enforce requirements. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

3) Submit offer by email to cynthia.horwitz@usda.gov so that it is delivered into this inbox by the due date and time. Emails should contain two separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal) in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF format. Be aware that large attachments may increase the time required to deliver an email. It is the offeror’s responsibility to confirm receipt of the offer.

4) Address questions about this solicitation to Cynthia Horwitz at cynthia.horwitz@usda.gov.

(ix) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) (Provision)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1) Technical capability

2) Past Performance

3) Price

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT 2020) (Provision)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

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(c) (1) Representation. The Offeror represents that it □ does, □ does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument.

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it □ does, □ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021) (Provision)

The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products or Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at FAR 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at FAR 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

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(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) ( https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(d) Representation. The Offeror represents that—

(1) It ☐ will, ☐ will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds "will" in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that—

It ☐ does, ☐ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.