1240BK25Q0072_Attachment 3 Statement of Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

FY2026 UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST SOUTH ZONE FALL TREE PLANTING

SCOPE

This contract requires hand planting and related work in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes furnishing labor, equipment, supervisors, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

All planting sites are in the Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Ranger District. The majority of units are located along roads or within ¼ mile hike, while some units may require traveling greater than ¼ mile from an open road. Road conditions may vary due to snow and mud. Four-wheel drive vehicles and/or tire chains are recommended. Due to high wind events and general winter weather, road access cannot be guaranteed on planting day. In such cases the COR shall: (1) provide an alternative route to the unit, (2) delete the inaccessible subitems and/or (3) substitute other planting sites.

Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washout 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) delete the inaccessible subitems, (3) 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 Umpqua National Forest’s Motorized Vehicle Use Map with adherence to local and state requirements for vehicle operation.

Information about individual units are provided on unit/vicinity maps. Boundaries may not be installed on the ground. Boundaries may also change prior to planting or dropped altogether and in such cases will be clearly communicated by the COR. 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. Any sensitive resource areas that will need to be avoided will also be communicated by the COR prior to planting.

There is one primary area where planting will occur, which is located on the Tiller Ranger District. The area is in the footprint of the Big Hamlin and Smith Fire (2021) fire. Drive times to the sites from Tiller Ranger Station in Tiller, OR vary and can be expected to take anywhere from 30-90 minutes.

NOTIFICATION OF SUBCONTRACTING-MSPA CONTRACTS

The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer upon entering into any subcontracting arrangement. All clauses contained in this contract will be passed down to the subcontractor with a signed notice of subcontracting. The Contractor shall provide the following information to the Contracting Officer for all sub-contractors to be utilized during the performance of this contract:

1. Name address, telephone number and email address of the subcontractor.

2. Federal MSPA Registration Certificate (orange card)

3. Employee registrations tied to the subcontractor’s MSPA Registration Certificate (blue cards)

4. State Farm/Forest License

5. Required motor vehicle insurance

6. Required Workman’s Compensation, Employer’s Liability, and General Liability insurance;

7. List of PPE provided to employees at no charge

8. Housing plan (including camping) if applicable

9. A copy of the signed subcontracting arrangement with the date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration.

10. A detailed description of the work being subcontracted including a listing of contract items, units, etc., as appropriate.

SUPERINTENDENCE BY THE CONTRACTOR

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

All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The Contracting Officer may require that the Contractor removes from the work an employee the Contracting Officer/COR deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

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

COR.

Planting shall be performed in an organized manner.

Planting with scattered crews within or between sites shall not be permitted except as a necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when authorized by the COR. The Contractor shall provide on non-planting supervisor for each crew of up to 12 planters and one non-planting inspector for each crew of up to 12 planters unless authorized by the Contracting Officer/COR.

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 Project Maps 1 per unit As determined at pre-work Seedlings (Items 1.1, 1.4) Approximately

407,000 seedlings from mixed varieties of bareroot and container stock

Contractor to pickup trees at nearest tree cooler and transport to project areas, returning unused trees at the end of each day to:

North Umpqua Ranger Station 18782 North Umpqua Highway Glide, OR 97443 Or Tiller Ranger Station 27812 Tiller Train Hwy.

Tiller, OR 97484

Item 1.2 Stake Row Supplies:

Wooden Stakes 32 Supplied by COR after start of work Pin Flags 400 Item 1.3 Mulch Mat Supplies:

Mulch Mats 6,670 Supplied by COR after start of work Landscape Staples 26,700

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide tools and transportation, including; insulated pickup canopy to transport seedlings, planting bags with insulators, planting tools, a container and water for root dipping, and a workforce sufficient to complete the contract in the specified time. The contractor shall also provide materials and means to store seedlings at appropriate temperatures of unfavorable conditions occur during the day (i.e. bagged/dry ice or refrigerated truck). The contractor shall also have at all times of contract performance, a properly designated representative that understands and speaks fluent English.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

A. Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of their response to the Solicitation. The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor shall assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall include taking representative sample plots of the unit to verify planting quality both above ground and below ground using the form Standard Plot Procedure (Attachment 4, Figure 1, ) and record results using the form Planting Inspection Sheet (Attachment 5, Figure 2).

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.

Planting Quality Assurance Plots: The Contractor will be required to take representative sample plots (at 1/50th acre) of the unit to verify planting quality both above ground and below ground using the Standard Plot Procedure (Attachment 4 - Figure 1) and will record results using Planting Inspection Sheet (Attachment 5 - Figure 2)

UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE

Work on individual planting sites will be accepted following the final inspection by the COR.

Work with a 90 percent quality or better will be accepted at full payment. Planting sites which have an inspection quality between 80% and 89% will be accepted at a reduced pay rate as indicated in Payments and Deductions Section. The Government reserves the right to require rework of areas with planting quality between 80% and 89% if planting stock is available and the existing deficiencies can be corrected. The Contractor will not be assessed damages for rework if the original planting quality was at least 80% and the rework is at the Government’s request.

Work with an inspection quality less than 80% is not acceptable and will not be paid for.

Law Enforcement will be notified if wasted trees are due to theft, burying, hiding or unnecessary discarding.

REWORK AND REINSPECTION AFTER REWORK

The Government will permit the Contractor to rework an area only if planting stock is available and the existing deficiencies can be corrected.

Any Government inspections needed due to the Contractor reworking an area, either at the Contractor's request or because of unacceptable work (original planting quality below 80%), will be at the Contractor's expense. The Contractor may be assessed actual damages which may include but are not limited to wages of the COR and Government inspector(s) incurred due to the rework, costs of vehicles that are incurred while administering the contract during the rework, and the cost of planting stock in excess of the trees originally planned for the site.

If the inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a re-examination may be requested.

Requests for reinspection must be made in writing within 5 days after receipt of initial inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used. New plots will be selected and an additional 1% of the planted trees will be sampled for total of at least 2% of the planted trees. The inspection pattern will be shifted so new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots. Inspection results of the reinspection will be used in determining the planting quality. The Contractor will bear the cost if the reinspection results are equal to or lower than original results.

ADDITIONAL CONTRACTOR INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor may be put on notice of non-compliance (or other contract action taken) for failure to conduct plot inspections in accordance with the QCP. The Contractor’s inspector is not permitted to modify plot deficiencies nor influence the planting quality by indicating upcoming plot locations to the planters.

In the event the Contractor falsifies inspection results as determined by the Contracting Officer, the Government may declare the Contractor to be in default of the contract. Additionally, the Government may refer such falsification to the U. S. Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001 (Falsification of Government Documents) or 18 U.S.C. 287 (Fraud).

(End of Clause)

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Objective: The purpose of this plan is to provide a quality assurance surveillance plan for Tree Planting performed under this contract. This plan provides a basis for the COR to evaluate the quality of the Contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for in the contract and in this plan will help ensure that performance meets required levels of quality as defined.

Quality Level: By monitoring the Contractor, the COR will determine whether the performance levels set forth in the contract have been attained. Quality standards for all tasks are specified in the Tasks and Critical Sub Tasks Section.

On-site Inspections: The COR will evaluate the performance, according to the standards set forth in this contract at the discretion of the COR.

Documentation: The COR will keep a file containing the following:

Copy of the contract All modifications to the contract Copy of the COR appointment letter All contract correspondence initiated or received by the COR Copies of all completed inspection reports, checklists, logs, diaries, and other contract forms Records of meetings attended Copies of processed invoices and receipt documents

Evaluation Methods: The COR will conduct periodic on-site inspections. Planting procedures will be observed and planted seedlings on representative sample plots will be examined to ensure and measure compliance with specifications. Inspection of planted seedlings will be recorded using attached form (Figure 2; Attachment 5). Specific inspection items include but are not limited to:

Above Ground Inspection:

• Planting spot selection.

• Planting spot preparation (scalping).

• Tree location on planting spot.

• Planting depth and exposed roots.

• Stem position or damage.

• Firmness.

• Spacing.

• Wasted (dropped) trees.

• Tree Shelter Installation (if applicable)

Below Ground Inspection:

• Planting hole preparation.

• Planting hole orientation.

• Root configuration and orientation.

• Altered root length and damage.

• Foreign material in planting hole - rocks, sticks, wood, duff, snow, etc.

• Loose soil or air pockets.

The Government will monitor progress to assure the Contractor is providing the quality promised in their Quality Control Plan (QCP) and that work meets performance standards. Surveillance will consist of visual observations of the entire operation including the Contractor’s inspection procedure and sample plots to determine compliance with the specifications. A portion of the Government’s plots will be reinspection of plots installed by the Contractor. Plots will be located throughout the planting area to obtain a representative sample of the work. The Government may choose to sample at higher or lower intensities based on visual observations. Each contract unit will be inspected separately, and inspection results will not be averaged with those of other contract units. The Contractor may observe plot procedures while they are underway.

Upon completion of the entire unit, the Government will compare results with Contractor plot sheets to determine acceptability. If the Government’s and the Contractor’s inspection results are within 5% of each other, pay will be calculated based on the Contractor’s plot results. If there is a difference of greater than 5% between inspection results, the Government’s plot results will be used to calculate payment. Payment must be calculated based on a minimum sample intensity of 1%.

SUGGESTED INSPECTION PLOT SIZE:

TABLE 1

Inspection Plot Size Plot Radius Target planting density range

1/50 ac 16.7 ft 200—500 trees/ac 1/20 ac 26.3 ft 200—500 trees/ac 1/10 ac 37.2 ft 100—200 trees/ac

1/5 ac 52.7 ft < 100 tree / ac

Average amount of planting spots per spacing requirement and plot size:

TABLE 2

Nominal Spacing

Average planting spot per acre on 1/10 acre plot

Average planting spot per acre on 1/20 acre plot

Average planting spot per acre on 1/50 acre plot

13x13 26 13 5 14x14 22 11 4 15x15 19 10 4 16x16 17 8 3 17x17 15 8 3 18x18 13 7 3 19x19 12 6 2 20x20 11 6 2 30x30 5 2 1

TABLE 3

Number of Planted Trees on Plot Minimum Number to be Dug (Bareroot only)

1 1 2 – 6 2 7 – 9 3 10 - 12 4 13 plus 5

Compute the Planting Quality Percentage (PQ %) by the following formula:

Percentage of planting quality as calculated above will be rounded upward to the nearest whole percent. Upon completion of each planting site, the Contractor may request in writing a final evaluation of planting. The evaluation results will be made available within three days of receipt of the Contractor's request. In the event Forest Service Inspectors become aware of planting quality falling below 90 percent or repetitive planting errors are found, the Contractor will be notified.

PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIONS

Payment will be based on number of trees planted and quality of planting as accepted by the Government. Payment will be processed for completed items only.

Planting quality at 90 percent or above will be paid at the full price for the individual planting site. If planting quality falls below 90 percent for a site, a deduction will be made against the site payment for every percent below 90 as shown in the following table. Planting quality below 80 percent will be rejected without payment.

PQ% = (Total planted Correct X 100) / Total Sampled

Examples of the payment schedule are shown below:

QUALITY (%) REDUCTION (%) FINAL PAYMENT (%)

90 or above 0 100 89 -2 98 88 -4 96 87 -6 94 86 -8 92 85 -10 90 84 -12 88 83 -14 86 82 -16 84 81 -18 82 80 -20 80

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Units indicated for planting may include slopes in excess of 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.

Most planting units are located within the Big Hamlin fire perimeter. Contractors shall be alert for undesirable field conditions (e.g. high wind events, falling snags, active smoldering, etc.). If such conditions are present, the Contractors shall notify the on-site COR, and the COR will direct the Contractor to move sites or remove the 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 conclusions drawn by the Contractor from the data or information provided. 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.

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.

[ ] Blasting.

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

[X] 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.

TASKS AND CRITICAL SUB-TASKS

This part of the contract identifies the critical tasks and subtasks require in the contract. It also specifies the quality standard of each task and related subtask, the acceptable quality level for each task and related subtask, the means of measuring the level of quality, and any penalties or incentives associated with the level of quality.

For each crew or change of crew members on this contract and at the job site immediately prior to the start of planting each day, by each crew, the Contractor or the designated foreman shall discuss the following specifications with all crew members:

- Work Methods

- Care and Handling of Tree Seedlings -Preparation of Trees by Contractor

- Field Handling -Spacing and Spot Selection

- Planting Spot Preparation -Preparing the Planting Hole

- Tree Placement -Seedling Protection Tube Installation (if required)

- Delivery of Seedlings -Mulch mat installation (if required)

Planting Equipment: Planting tools shall be provided by the Contractor and shall have a blade of sufficient size to produce a planting hole at least 12 inches deep and 4 inches wide.

Work Methods: Contractor’s operations must proceed in an orderly manner to facilitate inspection. Unless approved otherwise by the COR, the Contractor will restrict operations to one planting site at a time. The Contractor must notify the COR 48 hours prior to moving the Contractor’s crew to work on another district.

Planting Bags: bags shall be a light color, have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and be free of defects, container trees shall remain in styroblocks until each tree is removed for immediate planting unless other arrangements are approved by the COR.

Care of Tree Seedlings

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of trees in their possession:

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

During transportation trees are not to be exposed to fuel supplies or fumes. Trees shall only be transported from cold storage building to the planting site by the Contractor within and insulated trailer or other suitable carrier, as approved by the COR.

Trees stored in trays or bags shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags must be promptly resealed. Containers of trees shall be opened only in full shade to the extent feasible.

Each tray or bag of tree shall be stored in insulated boxes or under reflective tarps while in the Contractor’s possession.

Trees shall not be removed from shipping containers or from under reflective tarps until immediately prior to planting. In particularly warm or dry conditions, the Contractor shall work with the COR to ensure seedlings remain at appropriate temperatures, which may include supplying bagged/dry ice or refrigerated truck.

Trees shall not be removed from shipping containers or from under reflective tarps until immediately prior to planting. In particularly warm or dry conditions, the contractor shall work with the COR to ensure seedlings remain at appropriate temperatures, which may include supplying bagged/dry ice or refrigerated truck.

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

Trees that are frozen shall be field stored in a manner in which the roots are not in contact with water or snow.

Trees will be planted in the order they are removed from refrigeration coolers.

All unused tree seedlings remaining in the Contractor’s possession upon completion or suspension of planting are to be returned to the government in sealed, original shipping packages, dated when they were removed from the refrigeration cooler the first time. Contractor shall supply tape and/or stapler to reseal bags and have them available on the work site at all times.

Quality Standard – Seedlings remain moist and cool with good needle/bud vigor prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage and root elongation is minimal.

Preparation of Trees by Contractor

The Contractor shall prepare trees for planting in accordance with the following:

When directed on the Planting Location Map and/or Activity List, or by the COR, the Contractor shall plant a mixture of species throughout the unit. This will mean providing the species mix in planting bags to ensure the objective is met.

Trees shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of inquiry or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR. All tree preparation shall be done at the tree station under the supervision of the planting crew foreman or as agreed upon by COR. Contractor shall not shake dirt from the roots. Seedlings may be required to be root dipped by the Contractor in a COR approved root dip.

When “root-dipping” of seedlings is required, the Contractor shall furnish clean, five-gallon buckets. The Contractor shall mix the dip compound with water according to instructions from the COR. Prior to dipping the roots into the mixture, the Contractor will separate the roots to insure they are uniformly coated with the dip mixture prior to placing seedlings in a planting bag or box.

Quality Standard – Seedlings remain moist and cool with good needle/bud vigor at all times prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage.

Field Handling

Trees in possession of planters shall be handled in accordance with the following:

1. Trees in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

2. Planting bags shall be a light color, have a minimum depth of 15 inches and be free of defects. Planting bags shall be used for both bareroot and containerized stock; soil “plugs” of the container stock shall remain intact throughout the planting process.

3. Trees shall not be removed from planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

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

5. Trees carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occurs.

Trees placed in planting bags shall be planted within one hour unless otherwise directed/approved by COR.

Quality Standard – Seedlings remain moist and cool with good needle/bud vigor at all times prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage.

Spacing and Spot Selection

Tree Spacing Requirements – Trees shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at the average spacing specified on the planting location map and/or Activity List, unless directed to do otherwise by the COR or the task order. Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall disregard spacing limits and plant in the closest suitable spot. Spacing may be varied up to 25 percent to take advantage of shade providing material and the most favorable planting spots.

Planting Spot Selection. Planting spots shall be selected where stumps, slash, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to tree survival and growth.

Quality Standard – The specified spacing indicated on the Planting Location Map and/or Activity List or as otherwise directed by the COR.

Planting Spot Preparation (Scalping)

The Contractor shall make a scalp or shall otherwise clear the planting spot approximately 36 inches by 36 inches wide, using a hoedad or other suitable tool, to remove from the planting spot of all snow, bark, rotten wood, ash, dry or loose soil, duff, loose debris, and grass or other vegetation. Trees shall be planted near the center of the scalp or other cleared area. If the scalp is made adjacent to a stump, rock or other shade-providing object, the Contractor shall plant as close to the object as possible. Planters shall prepare the planting spot so that it is not possible for loose dirt or other debris to fall on the planted tree seedling.

Quality Standard – Scalps free of debris, dry/loose soil.

Preparing the planting Hole (Hoedad or Other Planting Tool)

Planting tools shall have a blade of sufficient length to produce a planting hole of the correct depth. Blade width shall be at least four inches. For hoedads, the angle between the blade and the handle must be at least 100 degrees to ensure vertical holes.

Planting holes shall be oriented at an angle within fifteen degrees of perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. An open hole, broken out and large enough to fully accommodate the roots of the trees to be planted, is required. Up to three attempts at opening a planting hole at any given planting spot will be required. The Contractor is expected to open planting holes in difficult as well as easily plantable ground. Slit planting will not be permitted. If an unplantable planting spot is encountered, the planter shall disregard spacing guidelines and plant in the next closest plantable spot. See Spacing Requirements.

Quality Standard – Proper depth, alignment, and configuration of planting hole.

Tree Placement

Trees shall be placed near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth that will, after filling, packing, and leveling the soil, come to a point even with, or up to one inch above the root collar. No portion of the roots or root collar shall be exposed the roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, bunched or cut. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward in a near natural position for their entire length. The tree stem shall be oriented at an angle between vertical and 90 degrees with the slope face.

Quality Standard – Seedlings will be planted so that the root collar is even with soil surface or within one inch below the soil surface.

See Attachments: Attachment 6 – Root Orientation, Attachment 7 – Exhibits A,B, and C, Attachment 9 – Planting the Bareroot Tree

Filling and Firming

Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around tree roots. Planting holes shall be free of dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, other foreign material, and air pockets. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively, starting at the bottom of the hole, so that no loose soil or air pockets remain, and the tree is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the planting hole, and firming the soil around the tree shall be done in a manner that assures the tree and root systems are not damaged. After planting, the tree stem shall be erect and be vertical or perpendicular to the ground-level of the planting spot. The tree shall not be weighed down with mud or debris. Firmness will be inspected by gently pulling upward on the stem of the seedling. The soil shall be firm enough around the root system so that no movement occurs to the seedling.

Quality Standard – No debris or foreign material shall be incorporated into the planting hole. The planted tree shall be located near the center of the planting spot and the roots shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. No portion of the roots or root collar shall be exposed. The root system shall be free of j-roots and tangled or balled roots. The soil shall be firm enough around the root systems, so the seedling does not move when gently pulled and no air pockets exist.

Installation of Stake Rows

1. Trees within a single stake row shall be planted by one person.

2. ONLY the trees specified for the stake row shall be planted between stakes.

3. Stake row locations will be determined and communicated by the COR

4. Installation procedure.

a. A wooden stake shall be pounded into the ground at a location identified by the

COR

b. A row shall run along a bearing determined by the COR.

c. Along a straight line, stakes shall be installed every 10 feet for a distance of 50 feet, with one stake installed at the end (6 stakes).

d. Five trees shall be planted at an even spacing between each pair of stakes for a total of 25 trees.

e. Metal tags shall be consecutively numbered and affixed to a metal pin to be inserted 6-12 inches from the base of the planted seedling. Trees shall be numbered as indicated by the COR.

Quality Standard: All quality standards pertaining to field handling and planting shall apply to trees planted within stake rows (care of tree seedlings, preparation of trees, field handling, planting spot preparation, preparing the planting hole, tree placement, filling and firming), except spacing and spot selection. Trees shall be numbered and consecutively and deviations in the direction of the stake row shall be communicated to the COR.

Mulch Mats

1. Seedling mulch mats will be installed in planting units at the discretion of the COR and in coordination with the Contractor. Center the seedling in the middle of the cut openings or in the downhill slit (Attachment 8 – Exhibit D for placement of mulch mats).

2. The planting area shall be scalped at the time of planting, additional clearing may be needed for a total area of 3’x3’ with the seedling tin the middle. Tools may be required to remove slash and vegetation in order to establish an appropriate spot.

3. Place one mulch mat per seedling so as not to damage the planted seedling. Install to properly cover the area around the seedling.

4. Install mulch mats by stapling down each corner with the provided landscape wire staples. As measured from the corner, fold six (6) inches of each corner toward the center underneath the sheet. Set each staple firmly by placing the staple approximately three (3) inches from the folded edge and passing through both layers of the mulch mat.

5. In rocky areas, staples may be unable to penetrate the ground adequately. Alternative methods may be used to secure paper mulches such as placing debris or rocks.

Alternatives may be used only with approval of the COR.

6. Mulch mats may be folded for placement next to immovable objects as long as the mulch has at least one-half of its effective area around the seedling.

Quality/Performance Requirements Summary

Requirement Performance Standard

Method of Assessment

Incentive/Deduction for meeting the standard

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 +/- 5% of Governments quality.

Inspection completed to meet timeframes.

COR collects contractor-completed inspection cards for each unit upon completion.

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 as laid out in Payments and Deductions section.

Work Plan, Schedule, and Communications

Work meets schedule as per the accepted work plan.

Contractor keeps COR advised of working location during contract performance.

COR conducts 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 re-procurement costs.

Tasks and Critical Subtasks

Quality Standards

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Methods

Negative Incentives Positive Incentives

Care of tree seedlings

Task accomplished as described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Visual sampling by the Government

Suspend work until deficiency is corrected. Poor performance rating.

Good performance rating.

Preparation of trees by the Contractor

Task accomplished as described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Visual sampling by the Government

Suspend work until deficiency is corrected. Poor performance rating.

Good performance rating.

Field Handling

Task accomplished as described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Visual sampling by the Government

Suspend work until deficiency is corrected. Poor performance rating.

Good performance rating.

Spacing and spot selection

Task accomplished as described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

90% of all Government plots showing correct number of trees shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot sampling by the Government.

Rework at no cost to the Government or Government accepts with price reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.

Planting spot preparation

Task accomplished as described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards

Plot sampling by the Government.

Rework at no cost to the Government or Government accepts with price reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.

Preparing the planting hole

Sub-Task accomplished described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards

Plot sampling by the Government.

Rework at no cost to the Government or Government accepts with price reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.

Tree placement

Sub-Task accomplished described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards

Plot sampling by the Government.

Rework at no cost to the Government or Government accepts with price reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.

Stake row installation

Sub-Task accomplished described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

95% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards as established for all above tasks, Excepting spacing and spot selection

Government will sample 100% above ground and 4% below ground per standards established for seedling planting.

Rework at no cost to the Government.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.

Seedling protection tube, Sentry Shelter, shade card, and mulch mat installation

Sub-Task accomplished described in TASKS and

CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

90% or higher AQL will result in full payment.

Visual sampling and inspection by the Government

Rework at no cost to the Government.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting

AQL.