ATTACHMENT 3

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Willamette NF, 2026 Middle Fork Spring and Fall Tree Planting

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 ensure 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, and credentials necessary to complete the work required. 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.

1.2 Location and Description

The location, access, and acreage of each subitem, as well as other information pertinent to this contract are contained in the Project Maps. All units are located on the Middle Fork Ranger District.

These units are located within the 2021 Gales Fire, the 2023 Bedrock Fire, the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire, and the

Armet Timber Sale. Conditions vary from unit to unit.

Fall Creek Units (Gales and Bedrock fires):

From the Middle Fork Ranger Station, drive west on Highway 58. Turn right on S Pioneer St and drive north towards Lowell. Turn left on E 2nd St then turn right on N Moss St. Continue north to the 4-way stop before the covered bridge and turn right onto Big Fall Creek Rd. Continue east on Big Fall Creek Rd/ Forest Service Road

18 into the project area.

Cedar Creek Units:

This area is closed to the public. Contact Gary Jackson to arrange a site visit. From the Middle Fork

Ranger Station, drive east on Highway 58. Continue through Oakridge and turn left onto Fish Hatchery Rd. At the stop sign, turn right onto Salmon Creek Rd/ Forest Service Road 24 and drive east. Turn left onto Forest

Service Road 1934 and continue into the project area.

Armet Units:

From the Middle Fork Ranger Station, cross Highway 58 to drive southeast on Westfir Rd. At the stop sign, turn left to continue north on Westfir Rd. Turn left on Winfrey Rd and stay left a T-intersection after bridge.

Continue straight onto North Shore Rd/ Forest Service Road 5821. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 5823 and drive north into the project area.

All units are within ¼ miles of Forest roads, unless otherwise noted in the Planting Data Sheets. Road conditions may vary due to snow and mud. Four-wheel drive vehicles and/or tire chains are recommended.

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) suspend work, (2) compensate the

Contractor for walk-in distances at the predetermined rate, (3) delete the inaccessible subitems, (4) substitute similar subitems.

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. In the case of walk-ins due to road conditions, contractors are permitted to use ATVs or snowmobiles along roads as permitted by the Willamette National Forest’s Motorized Vehicle Use Map with adherence to local and state requirements for vehicle operation.

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.

Unit boundaries are 100% virtual. The Government will provide georeferenced .pdf maps, or shapefiles (if requested), for all units. The Contractor is required to furnish GPS device(s) compatible with .pdf format georeferenced maps and capable of better than 30ft accuracy. The Contractor may choose to identify unit boundaries with flagging before or during planting work. Flagging for the purpose of boundary identification must be furnished by the Contractor and flagging color must be approved by COR prior to use.

Site Visit: The quoter is advised to visit the worksites to determine site conditions prior to submitting a quote.

The quoter is responsible for determining the amount of work. Some areas may be inaccessible due to locked gates or other impediments. Contact Gary Jackson by phone (458-298-0240) or email

(gary.jackson@usda.gov) to arrange a site visit.

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 work sites.

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.

Description Quantity When

Seedlings Up to approximately

860,635

Contractor to pick up trees at tree cooler and transport to project areas, returning unused trees at the end of each day.

Flat Creek Work Center

49098 Salmon Creek Rd.

Oakridge, OR 97463

Project Maps As needed Provided at pre-work

Digital Maps or

Shapefiles

As needed Provided at pre-work

Inspection Forms As needed Provided at pre-work

Plot flagging As needed Provided at pre-work

SECTION 3 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

The contractor shall provide tools, GPS devices, transportation, including insulated pickup canopy or trailer, to transport seedlings, planting bags with insulators, planting tools, and sufficient workforce to complete the contract in the specified time. The contractor shall also have at all times of contract performance a properly designated representative that understands and speaks fluent English.

SECTION 4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT, TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

4.1 General

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure services for planting prescribed numbers of tree seedlings, within identified planting units, at approximate spacing.

4.2 Safety

Units indicated for planting include excessive slopes greater than 90%; these and other areas of safety concern may be excluded from planting as approved by the COR. The contractor shall notify the COR if unplantable areas or unsafe terrain exists in amounts that may prevent planting the quantity of seedlings designated for the unit.

Planting units are within burned areas. Contractors shall be alert for hazardous conditions (i.e. high wind events, falling snags, falling or rolling debris). If conditions are present, the Contractor shall notify the on-site COR. The

COR and Contractor’s Supervisor may decide whether to move sites or remove crew members from the field.

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.

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 work site.

Contractor shall prepare a Safety Plan that addresses potential hazards, PPE provided, and a plan for field communications.

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 at a distance greater than ¼ mile from a drivable road. Working in a burned area which includes unique hazards, including snags, large downed logs, uneven ground conditions, overhead hazards, burned stump and root holes, and slick conditions.

4.3 Crew Organization, Supervision, and Inspection

At all times during performance of this contract and until work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly supervise the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent representative who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has the authority to act for the Contractor.

The Contractor’s onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language, spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with the COR. The Contractor shall keep a full copy of the contract along with supporting documents including maps and unit specifications at all times while work is being performed.

Each planting crew shall have one non-planting supervisor for every 12 planters, conversant in the English language and at least one non-planting, non-supervising Inspector to inspect and record services, relay inspection results to supervisor and crew, and monitor project boundaries. Minimum crew size shall be 12 planters. A maximum of 20 tree planters will be allowed on any single planting unit unless more planters are approved by the Contracting Officer or COR.

Planting with scattered crews within or between sites shall not be permitted except as necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when authorized by the COR.

If at any time, planting is accomplished without a Government representative present, Government inspection will take place after work is completed. Unsatisfactory work may be rejected without the opportunity for rework.

4.4 Detailed Standards

4.4.1 Planting

Trees shall be planted satisfactorily both above and below ground using correct planting spot location, spacing, clearing specifications, hole preparation and configuration, root placement, depth requirements, and firming as required by this contract. See Attachment 3 Exhibits A-F.

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 a shovel or hoedad and all vegetation will be removed from the scalps. Trees shall be planted in a 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 or slant planting shall not be used

(Attachment 3 Exhibit D).

Planting bags shall be of light color, must have insulators, and shall not retain heat, have a minimum depth of

15 inches, and shall be free of defects, tears, and contaminants.

Likely 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 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.

4.4.2 Care of Seedlings

Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances.

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

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 removed from cold storage facilities shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow. Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

Contractor shall ensure that seedling bags will not be dropped, left exposed to wind, sun, or extreme temperatures. If the COR determines seedlings need extra protection from hot or cold temperatures while being planted, tree bag insulators will be required. Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

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 shall not be taken out of the planting bags until the planting hole is ready. Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole. Seedling roots shall not be handled during planting. Trees or tree bundles shall not be thrown to other planters. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out before extended breaks and shall not be returned to storage. If there are leftover trees at the end of the day, they shall be bundled in groups of 25, closed up to reduce air drying, and returned promptly to the cooler.

Cutting or stripping of roots will not be allowed. Seedlings shall be planted without further root or tip 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.

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

4.4.3 Spacing and Spot Selection

Seedlings shall be planted to within 10 feet of the boundary of all planting areas. The Government will allow for

+/- 30ft GPS error for indiscernible virtual boundaries. Trees planted outside of unit boundaries, after accounting for GPS error, may be counted as wasted trees and the Contractor may be penalized accordingly.

Any areas within unit boundaries that are not planted may be deducted as a percentage of unit quality. Rework may be allowed only if approved by the Contracting Officer and if additional seedlings are available. No increase in payment per bid item will be made based on additional trees planted during rework. If rework is not allowed, unplanted areas will be measured using GPS, and a quality deduction will be made based on the percentage of the total area which is not planted within an individual contract unit.

No trees are to be planted within 20 feet of drivable roads.

For individual seedlings, the specified average spacing (found in the Planting Data Sheet) may be varied no more than 50 percent in any direction to find the closest suitable planting spot. For example, with a 14’ x 14’ spacing, this means a tree may be planted as close as 7 feet and as far away as 21 feet to find an ideal planting spot when designated spacing cannot be obtained. Such instances are expected to be the exception, and the

Contractor will be inspected according to the trees per acre as specified in the Planting Data Sheet.

Whenever possible, the Contractor must use the 50 percent variance to situate planting spots in favorable microsite locations where stumps, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from the sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedlings (Attachment 3 Exhibit A).

Prior to planting the 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 are included 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 specified scalping depth, a seedling may be planted in duff with at least 50 percent mineral soil mixed in with the seedling roots.

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. 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 (Attachment 3 Exhibit C, D).

The seedling 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. 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 (Attachment 3

Exhibit E, F).

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. 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 roots 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 seedlings shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

4.4.4 Seedling Quantity Monitoring

The Government will monitor and track the number of seedlings furnished to and planted by the Contractor on a daily and unit by unit basis. This monitoring will occur at the time seedlings are furnished, during planting operations, and when/if excess seedlings are returned. The Contractor is encouraged to observe the

Government’s methods and/or independently track total seedlings furnished and planted.

It is required that all seedlings prescribed to be planted in an individual unit are planted in the assigned unit regardless of factors such as unplantable ground, spacing, and residual trees. If there are excess seedlings after planting the total area of a unit, the remaining seedlings must be interplanted at the direction of the onsite COR.

This requirement may be waived, or excess seedlings may be planted in a different area, only if approved by the

Contracting Officer.

4.4.5 Area 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 identified on the project maps.

Digital copies of the unit boundaries will be provided. Contract maps are to be used for official boundary locations. The Government will not compensate the Contractor for any areas worked outside of boundaries identified virtually or on the ground.

Re-measurement of the acreage under this contract may be made upon the receipt of a written request and documentation by the contractor supporting the probability of an error. Requests for re-measurement must be made within 5 days after the specific task has been completed on the unit. If the re-measurement is found to be within 5 percent, the contractor shall pay for the cost of the re-measurement. If the re-measurement shows a difference of more than 5 percent, the Government shall pay for the cost of the re-measurement.

4.4.6 Work Plan and Schedule

Contractor shall prepare a general work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period described in the Period of Performance. A supplementary plan and schedule shall be provided after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed and before the start of work. Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the updated work plan may be accepted by the Contracting Officer.

Contractor shall work according to the accepted plan.

4.4.7 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 quality percentage by the contract unit price. When satisfactory planting is 90 percent or greater, payment will be made at 100 percent of the contract unit price.

c) When satisfactory planting falls below 90 percent, payment shall be made by multiplying the actual percentage rate achieved by the Contracting Officer’s inspection(s) of the sub-item(s) by the unit price and then by the number of units within the sub-item(s).

d) When satisfactory planting falls below 80 percent, work may be rejected, and no payment made.

e) 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 seedlings satisfactorily planted 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.

SECTION 5 PROTECTION OF LAND AND RESOURCES

5.1. Archaeology and Cultural Resources

It is illegal to collect cultural artifacts on federally managed lands. If through the course of work on this contract, the Contractor or its employees discover any cultural artifacts or suspected cultural artifacts, they must leave the items undisturbed and immediately notify a Government representative such as the onsite COR.

5.2 Invasive and Noxious Plants

To prevent the potential spread of invasive and noxious plants onto National Forest lands, the Contractor shall be required to clean all vehicles and equipment before entering National Forest lands and before moving into new project areas. This includes the cleaning of any seeds, soil, mud, and other debris from: vehicle tires and undercarriages; all tools and equipment used to perform work on this contract; and personal items such as clothing and boots. CORs may inspect compliance with this requirement at any time. If found to be unsatisfactory, the Contractor must clean any identified items prior to entering National Forest lands and starting or continuing work. All cleaning must take place off National Forest lands.

SECTION 6 QUALITY/PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Requirement Performance

Standard

Method of

Assessment

Incentive/Deduction for meeting the standard

Tree Handling and Care

Trees are properly handled and cared for. When violations occur, Contractor takes corrective action immediately

COR

monitoring

Contractor’s care and handling of trees will affect the performance evaluation. If

Contractor meets the standard, no deduction.

If Contractor does not meet the standard and/or take corrective action, the Government may assess damages in accordance with the

Payment Incentives and Deductions.

Planting Planting quality meets or exceeds

Performance

Standard of 90%

COR conducts random plots consistent with

R6 Planting

Inspection

Contractor’s planting quality will be reflected in the performance evaluation. If Contractor achieves 90% planting quality or greater, full unit price will be paid. If Contractor does not achieve 90% or greater, deductions will be made in accordance with Payment Incentives and Deductions.

Quality Control

Contractor maintains good quality control on all aspects of operations.

COR randomly observes operations.

The Quality Control provided by the

Contractor will be reflected in the performance evaluation either positive or negative. If the

Contractor fails to meet standards, work may be suspended or terminated for cause for failure to take corrective action immediately.

Contractor’s Plot

Inspections

Contractor’s plot inspections are within

5% of Government’s quality. Inspection completed to meet timeframes.

COR randomly observe

Contractor inspection.

Review

Contractor inspection sheets daily.

Contractor’s ability to meet the standard will be reflected in the performance evaluation either positive or negative. When Contractor’s plot inspections meet standards, no deduction.

If quality does not meet standard, pay deduction per Payment Incentives and

Deductions and/or additional costs to the

Government will be assessed.

Work Plan, Schedule, &

Communications

Work meets schedule as per the accepted work plan.

Contractor keeps

COR advised of working location during contract performance.

COR conduct periodic monitoring.

Contractor’s ability to maintain the work schedule and complete work on schedule will be reflected in the performance evaluation as either positive or negative incentive.

Contractor’s work not completed on schedule is subject to default and may result in termination for cause including assessment of reprocurement costs.

Payment Incentives and Deductions

Comparison of Contractor’s inspection to the Government’s assurance planting plots will only be considered 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 percent from the Government’s plots, payment will be based on the Government’s plot results. If Contractor requests a reevaluation the Government will conduct a 2 percent sample and if the results are within 5 percent of the Contractor’s results, payment will be based on Contractor’s results. However, if the 2 percent sample indicated the Government results differ more than 5 percent from the Contractor’s, then payment is based on the Government’s 2 percent sample results and the Contractor pays for the actual costs associated with the 2 percent sample. Any request for reevaluation must be submitted by the Contractor in writing.

When Contractor’s work is below 90 percent but at or above 80 percent, 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 if trees, if needed, are available to increase the quantity in the unit, thereby potentially increasing planting quality. Contractor will re-inspect this work and the Government will conduct similar surveillance as the original work, but in 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.

When the quality of planting is below 80 percent, 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 the existing deficiencies can be corrected, and tree stock is available if needed. Any Government quality assurance assessment after reworking an area, either at Contractor’s request or because of unacceptable work, will be at

Contractor’s expense. Items to be included in the actual damage includes but is not limited to wages, costs of vehicles, meals and lodging of the COR or inspector(s) incurred while administering the contract during the rework.

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

Wasted trees will be determined by adding the wasted trees on each plot (sum of column 8 of R6 Inspection

Form). Note that if this amount is minor in nature, the wasted tree charge can be waived unless the unit total number of plants (column 7) exceed the unit total for maximum allowed (column 6). In no case will a waiver be given if the total planted trees (column 7) exceeds the maximum number allowable trees (column 6) for any pay item. Wasted trees will be based on the plot results that are used for payment.

Charge Rates for Wasted Seedlings by Stock Type

Bareroot 1+0 $0.35

Bareroot 2+0 $0.45

Q-plug Q+1 $0.45

Q-plug Q+1.5 $0.50

Container 7.9 cu. In. $0.60