1240BE25Q0082 Attachment 2 Statement of Work.pdf

ATTACHMENT 2 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION 1 GENERAL

1.1 Scope of contract

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure services for tree planting of Government-furnished tree seedlings in such a manner as to insure tree survival and growth.

The Contractor shall, considering given resource objectives for the work unit, develop a plan of operation to accomplish these objectives, organize, and direct all the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work. The Contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, services, permits, licenses, credentials necessary to complete the work required. The contract includes tree handling and planting to provide the seedlings with the greatest chance of survival. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic and safe manner to assure services will be performed over the entire project area.

The quoter is advised to visit the worksites to determine site conditions and average plant trees per acre prior to submitting a quote. The quoter is responsible for determining the amount of work.

1.2 Location and Description

The location of the worksites, access to the areas, methods of work, size of each sub item, and other information pertinent to this contract are contained in the Vicinity and Project Maps, which shall be considered as part of the technical specifications. All units are located on the Detroit Ranger District.

1.3 Accessibility

1.3.1 Forest Service Roads designated 4x4 high clearance on the vicinity map may not be accessible due to slides or other conditions. These roads may be possible to access by use of an ATV or walk in. Use Planting Data sheet (Attachment 3) for access information.

1.3.2 Work areas may be reached by Forest roads that are accessible by a standard two-wheel drive pickup equipped with snow tires and chains, if needed, during normal operating seasons, unless otherwise indicated on Planting Data Sheets. Vehicles shall not operate off system roads without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

1.3.3 Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the Government may: (1) provide an alternate access route; (2) delete the inaccessible sub items (s) or; (3) substitute similar subitem(s).

1.3.4 The government will clear the primary access road of fallen trees prior to the beginning of contract time. Any trees fallen across the road subsequent to the beginning of the contract shall be the contractor’s responsibility to remove.

1.3.5 Roads shown on unit maps indicate access to units and are not to suggest the roads are open within units or for any further travel. ORV use may be permitted to transport tree seedlings on roads not accessible to passenger vehicles at the CO’s discretion. ORV may not be used off roadbeds

1.3.6 Use of motorized equipment other than handheld equipment such as power saws and brush cutters will not be permitted off designated roads in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer or as hereinafter provided.

SECTION 2 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The property and services provided by the Government are listed below. The Contractor shall inform the Government when supplies are needed and both parties shall schedule a time to meet at the warehouse where the Government will issue the needed supplies to the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for safe handling and transport of supplies to the worksites.

The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such delivered Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. All unused Government furnished material shall be returned to the Government in the original packaging and in good condition.

Government Furnished Property/Services/Data etc.

Quantity Where, When, How to be Furnished to Contractor

Plugs approx. 12” length

Approx. 700,000

Contractor to pick up trees at Detroit Ranger Station Tree cooler and transport to project areas, returning unused seedlings and broken-down boxes at the end of each workday.

Geo-referenced Project Maps 1 per planting sale area

Provided at pre-work

Inspection Forms As needed Provided at pre-work

Codes to closure gates French Creek (FS Rd 2223) code Provided at pre-work. Close and lock gates behind you when entering and leaving the closure area.

SECTION 3 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

3.1 General

The Contractor shall provide tools, transportation including insulated pickup canopy to transport seedlings, planting bags with insulators, planting tools, and sufficient workforce to complete the contract in the specified time. The Contractor shall also provide the equipment and capability to receive and utilize geo-referenced contract planting area maps. The Contractor shall also have at all times of contract performance, a properly designated representative that understands and speaks fluent English. Contractor shall also provide proof of an Oregon Farm Forest Labor license and proof of Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration (MSPA) during transport of crew and at the worksite.

3.2 Nonplanting Supervisor and Single Workforce

A. Contractor shall provide a non-planting supervisor, who shall have a copy of the contract, including the contractor Work Plan and Quality Control Plan at the worksite during all operations.

B. Crews shall work in a planting area as a single work force. Crew members shall not be scattered in separate parts of the same planting area or in between units except as necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when approved by the Contracting Officer. Bag up and dipping shall be done with the entire crew at one time. Crews shall not be split up in order to send workers to the area containing tree seedlings, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer.

C. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer's Representative of the planned workforce and order trees for the following day prior to leaving the unit.

3.3 Nonplanting, Nonsupervising, Quality Control Inspector

One non-planting, non-supervising work quality inspector shall be designated by the Contractor to take inspection plots for the Contractor. Results of Contractor inspector's plot will be used by the Contractor to insure the crew's work is meeting the Government quality standards set forth by this contract.

3.4 Qualifications of Contractor’s Inspector

The Contractor shall provide a list of names of proposed inspectors and their experience for the Contracting Officer's approval. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to reject any Contractor proposed inspector.

SECTION 4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT, TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

4.1 General

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure services for tree planting on the Detroit Ranger District, Willamette National Forest, Marion County, Oregon. The project details include the planting of forest seedlings at a specified spacing within the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire area.

Except for those designated as Government furnished property, the Contractor shall furnish all services, labor, equipment, supervision, training, transportation, supplies, permits, licenses and incidentals necessary to perform the work. Tree bag insulators shall be used when COR determines conditions warrant use for tree survival.

The Contractor shall be aware of environmental hazards, which affect tree species survival. The Contractor is also responsible for the safety of their crew. Contractor shall alter crew work schedules and handling practices to allow planting when possible and avoid planting during hazardous weather conditions.

4.2 Potential Safety Hazards

(a) Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the Contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor. This list shall not be deemed to be all inclusive. The Contractor shall bear the sole responsibility for taking all appropriate actions necessary to prevent accidents and injuries to individuals at the worksite.

(c) The following checked activities have been identified by the Government as potential safety hazards.

[ ] Confined space entry.

[ ] Temporary excavation/deep trenching/slope stability.

[X] Tree falling.

[X] Fall hazard from work heights exceeding six feet.

[ ] Blasting.

[X] Driving on narrow, gravel, and/or limited visibility Forest roads [ ] Heavy equipment operation.

[ ] Tree climbing and/or tower climbing.

[ ] Fire hazards.

[ ] Hazardous materials handling.

[ ] Electrical hazard.

[ ] Hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or other high pressure hazards.

[ ] Mechanical hazards such as pulleys, springs, etc.

[X] Other: Working in a burned area which includes unique hazards, some examples include: snags, large downed logs, uneven ground conditions, overhead hazards, burned stump and root holes, and slick conditions.

4.3 Detailed Standards

This solicitation is to provide services for site prep and tree planting of Government- furnished tree seedlings on the Detroit Ranger District, Willamette National Forest.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all tasks concerning the planting, protection and survival of trees.

4.3.1 Planting: See Exhibits A-D,F (Attachment 5), Root Orientation (Attachment 6), and Planting the Bareroot Tree (Attachment 7)

Trees shall be planted satisfactorily both above and below ground using correct planting spot location, spacing, clearing specifications, planting hole preparation and configuration, root placement, depth requirements, and firming as required in this contract.

Planting tools shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant a seedling furnished by the Government. Tree seedling species and root length is stated in the Planting Data Sheet.

Trees will be planted with shovel or hoe-dad and all vegetation will be removed from the scalps. Trees shall be planted in a planting hole deep enough to accommodate the fully extended tree roots. A four-sided break out with a deep vertical hole shall be used in preparing the planting hole. Slit planting and/or slant planting shall not be used. See Exhibit D.

Planting bags shall be of light color, must have insulators, and shall not retain heat with a minimum depth of 15 inches and shall be free of defects, tears and contaminants.

Tree species for each stand are shown on the Planting Data Sheet. When more than one species of seedling is provided, the specific mix of each species shall be discussed with the COR or inspector before the area is to be planted. When there is a geographic preference for certain species, the specific location of each species shall be discussed with the COR or inspector before the area is to be planted. It is the Contractor's responsibility to provide this mixture.

When planting around and near existing “live” trees (overstory or young natural trees), at least 8 inches tall, no tree shall be planted closer than 10 feet; as long as the natural tree is of good form and vigor with a live top.

4.3.2 Care of Seedlings

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

The Contractor shall ensure that tree seedling transport from the Government cooler to the planting site is adequate to ensure maximum conditions for out planting survival of trees.

The Contractor shall ensure that seedling bags will not be dropped, left exposed to wind, sun, or extreme temperatures. If there are leftover trees at the end of the day, they shall be bundled in groups of 25 and returned promptly to the cooler, closed up so that air cannot dry out the roots.

Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances. If the Government determines seedlings need extra protection from heat while being planted, tree bag inserts shall be required.

Seedlings stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes shall be promptly resealed. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade.

Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

Seedlings shall not be taken out of the planting bags until the planting hole is ready. Seedling roots shall not be handled during planting. Cutting or stripping of roots will not be allowed. Trees or tree bundles shall not be thrown to other planters.

Seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appear necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR.

Frozen seedlings shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade.

Seedlings removed from cold storage facilities shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow.

Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

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

Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried or removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Trees in planting bags shall be planted out before extended breaks, such as lunch.

The Contractor shall not dig and replant seedlings other than those located on inspection plots or spot checks of below ground planting quality.

4.3.3 Spacing and Spot Selection

Seedling Spacing Requirements - Seedlings shall be planted to within 10 feet of the boundary of all planting areas. For individual seedlings, the specified average spacing may be varied no more than 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot. This means; to find an ideal planting spot when designated spacing cannot be obtained, a tree may be planted as close as 11 feet and as far away as 18 feet with the average spacing is 15’x 15’ for 200 trees per acre (TPA). This would always be an exception, so the average spacing shall resume immediately after the 25% variance is used. The specified spacing for each sub item is found in the Planting Data Sheet.

Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall plant in the closest plantable spot; however, average spacing shall be maintained.

Whenever possible, within the 25 percent variance in average spacing, planting spots shall be prepared where stumps, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from the sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedlings.

Planting Spot Preparation- Prior to preparing the planting hole, Contractor shall clear the planting spot of all limbs, logs, snow, bark, rotten wood, rocks and other loose debris and shall scalp duff, sod, crowns of living plants, and roots to moist mineral soil. Clearing and scalping dimensions shall be as shown on the Planting Data Sheet. If slash prohibits the specific diameter of scalp, a smaller scalp may be acceptable. When mineral soil cannot be found within the scalping depth specified in the Planting Data Sheet, a seedling shall be planted in duff, with at least 50 percent mineral soil mixed in with the seedling roots.

Preparing the Planting Hole- Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared planting spot and shall be between perpendicular to the ground surface and true vertical. The hole shall be deep and wide enough to fully accommodate the roots of the seedlings to be planted which is required when hand planting tools are used. The planting hole shall be broken out on all four sides, with the back of the hole being broken out after the seedling is suspended in the center of the hole.

Seedling Placement- Seedlings shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth such that, after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point at or above the cotyledon scar of the tree. No portion of the roots shall be exposed. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

Filling and Firming- Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, 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 the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root system are not damaged.

After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. It is permissible to cover the lowest whorl of branches with loose soil. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

Utilize “Attachment 8: Plot Instructions and Inspection Sheet” to document activities.

4.3.4 Measurement

The areas to be worked and paid for are provided in the Schedule of Items. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane. The unit boundaries are marked with flagging or identified on the project maps. Digital copies of the unit boundaries can be provided as requested but are strictly for reference only. The contract map is to be used for official boundary locations.

Re-measurement of the acreage under this contract may be made upon the receipt of a written request and documentation supporting the probability of an error by the Contractor. Requests for re-measurement must be made within five (5) days after the specific task has been completed on the unit.

If the remeasurement is found to be within five (5) percent, the Contractor shall pay for the cost of the remeasurement. If the remeasurement shows a difference of more than five (5) percent, the Government will pay for the cost of the remeasurement.

4.3.5 Work Plan and Schedule

Contractor shall prepare a Work Plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the Performance Time (30 days). The Contractor shall provide a draft Work Plan during the Solicitation phase as a part of the evaluation criteria. A final Plan and schedules shall be provided after award, no later than two days before start of work. The Contractor may update the Work Plan when work is in progress for review and approval by Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall work according to the accepted plan.

4.3.6 Contractor Quality Control Plan

A. Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) during the Solicitation phase as a part of the evaluation criteria. The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor shall assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall specify:

- How quality will be monitored to ensure performance standards are met.

- How the work will be supervised.

- How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

- Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

B. Contractor Quality Control Inspection

The Contractor shall assure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, paragraph (a), prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer upon completion of a work area. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor’s inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

4.3.7 Unsatisfactory Planting

A. If the percentage of planting quality for any sub item/unit falls below 90 percent, the Contractor may be permitted to replant the sub item/unit in order to achieve a higher planting quality percentage.

Replanting will be subject to availability of seedling stock and shall be requested in writing by the Contractor. Following completion of replanting, a new inspection shall be made by the Contractor.

Payment will be based on the new inspection.

B. The Contractor shall replant any sub item where the average planting quality falls below 80 percent, provided that:

1. Additional supplies of suitable seedlings are available,

2. Only one replant will be permitted. Payment will be based on a new inspection made after replanting. The Contractor shall bear the cost of all reinspections after replanting.

Quality below 90% will be deducted from payment (See Section 5.2.6 Payment). When inspection results are below 90 percent, and excess trees constitute any part of the deficiency, payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected by the Contractor. Note: Minimum acceptance quality is 80%. Reinspections, after rework, will be made in the same manner as the first inspection, but on different plot lines. The Contractor shall pay for inspections necessitated by the rework.

4.3.8 Reinspection of Planting upon Contractor Request

If original inspection results are unacceptable to Contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used following a different plotline. If the second inspection shows less than 5 percent variance from the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and results of the second inspection will be used in determining payment. reinspection requests shall be in writing and submitted within three (3) calendar days of the original inspection notification.

4.3.9 Unsatisfactory Performance

If the percentage of satisfactory work falls below 80 percent, the Government will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and order improvement of the quality of future work. If the quality of future work is not raised above the 80 percent within two consecutive workdays after receipt of notice in writing of unsatisfactory work, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated and the contract considered in default. Repeated failure to perform work at or above 80 percent acceptable performance shall also be considered reason for contract termination and default action.

4.3.10 Rework and Reinspection after Rework

When inspection results are below 80 percent and the deficiency is correctable, payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected. Reinspection after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. The Contractor shall pay for inspections necessitated by the rework.

5.0 PAYMENT

5.1 Calculation of Payment

a) After inspection of completed acreage, the Contracting Officer will calculate the pay rate.

b) The pay rate will be calculated by multiplying the inspection percentage times the contract unit price per acre. When the percentage of satisfactory planting is 90 percent or greater, payment will be made at 100% of the contract unit price.

c) When the percentage of satisfactory planting falls below 90%, payment shall be made by multiplying the actual percentage rate achieved in the Contracting Officer’s inspections(s) of the sub-items(s) by the unit price, and then by the number of acres within the sub-items(s).

d) At no time will the inspection percent of a sub-item be averaged with that of another sub-item for basis of payment.

Final payment will be made on the basis of the number of acres satisfactorily completed as determined by the Contracting Officer. Acceptance of the work will be determined by an inspection of each area and will be based on the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

5.2 Payment Incentives and Deductions

Comparison of the Contractor’s inspection to the Government’s assurance planting plots will only be considered as an indication of the progress and not considered as acceptance of Contractor’s work.

If at completion of unit, the Contractor’s results differ by greater than 5% from the Government’s plots, payment will be based on the Government’s plot results.

If the Contractor requests a re-evaluation, the Government will conduct a 1% sample and if the results confirm the Contractor’s results (or within 5%), payment will be based on Contractor’s results. However, if the 1% sample indicated the Government results are correct (or greater than 5% from the Contractor’s), then payment is based on the Government’s 1% results and the Contractor pays for the actual costs associated with the 1% sample.

When Contractor’s work is below 90%, the Contractor may be required to rework the unit or portion of the unit where the deficiency occurred. Rework will only be required when the COR determines the deficiencies are correctable (e.g., poor scalping or shading) and/or if trees are available to increase the quantity in the unit, thereby potentially increasing planting quality. The Contractor will re-inspect this work and the Government will conduct similar surveillance as the original work, but different plot locations.

When work cannot be corrected or trees are not available, or at agreement with the Contractor, the Government may accept work with the deductions as stated below.

Wasted trees will be determined by adding the wasted trees on each plot (sum of column 8). Note that if this amount is minor in nature the wasted tree charge can be waived unless the unit total number plants (column 7) exceed the unit total for maximum allowed (column 7). In no case will a waiver be given if the total Planted Trees (column 6 of R-6 Inspection form) exceeds the Maximum Number Allowable Trees (column 7 of R-6 Inspection form) for any pay item. Wasted trees will be based on the plot results that are used for payment.

Planting Quality less than 90 percent but 80 percent or over. Whenever the quality of planting is below 90% but 80 percent or over, the work will be considered unacceptable. Work may be rejected, required to be reworked, or accepted at a reduced price.

Rework will be permitted only if tree stock is available and/or the existing deficiencies can be corrected.

Any Government quality assurance assessment after reworking an area, either at the Contractor's request or because of unacceptable work, will be at the Contractor's expense. Items to be included in the actual damage includes but is not limited to wages of the COR and Inspector(s) incurred due to the rework, costs of vehicles, meals and lodging that are incurred while administering the contract during the rework.

Any work quality that the Government determines as unacceptable will be so noted in the performance evaluation.

Damages

1. When wasted trees are found, and the damage is considered minor in nature, the Contracting Officer may waive the wasted tree charge. In no case will a waiver be given if the total Planted Trees on Inspection plot exceeds the Maximum Number Allowable Trees for any unit.

2. The Actual charge rate for wasted trees, plants or materials and other Government-furnished property that is not returned, or returned in a non-usable condition, is as follows:

Q plug seedlings $ .30 each Bare root 2-0 seedlings $ .25 each 1-1 seedlings $ .40 each Plug + 1 seedlings Sty 8 plugs

$ .30 each $ .55 each

Final payment will be made based on the number of acres satisfactorily completed as determined by the Contracting Officer. Acceptance of the work will be determined by an inspection of each area and will be based on the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

ATTACHMENT 2 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK