1240LP21Q0114.docx

1240LP21Q0114

Diamond Peak Common Stand Exam (CSE) Medicine Bow Routt National Forest

SECTION B – CONTINUATION OF SF-1449

Schedule of Items/Price Schedule

Option Line

Description of Requirement The purpose of this contract is to secure Common Stand Exam services to collect stand data from approximately 7000 acres of the Diamond Peak area located on the Medicine Bow Routt National Forest. The Common Stand Exam data will provide valuable information and insight on tree species composition, regeneration, and other stand characteristics. Understanding these important characteristics will help to guide the Forest Service with future forest management within these stands.

All vegetation polygons and Common Stand Exam (CSE) plots are a mixture of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen. Elevation ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 feet throughout the CSE project area. Some travel through stands of beetle-killed lodgepole pine may be required.

Location The Diamond Peak Common Stand Exam (CSE) is located on the Hahn’s Peak Bears Ears Ranger District of the MRTB and will occur in the Sand Mountain Geographic Area, west of Steamboat Lake State Park. The area is located approximately 23 miles north of Hayden CO, and 60 miles north west of Steamboat Springs CO. From Steamboat Springs, take Hwy 40 west 23 miles to the town of Hayden. Once in Hayden, turn right onto N. Walnut St. and continue straight onto SR 80. Stay on SR 80 heading north for approximately 20 miles. The CSE area can be accessed by turning right (east) on FSR 42, just north of California Park. Specific locations, maps, number of plots per stand and other site-specific information will be provided.

PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK (PWS)

Common Stand Exam (CSE) Data Collection

3.0 GENERAL

3.1. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1.1. Accessibility: The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to sample locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a sample location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

Accessibility may be determined from maps and digital orthoquads which will be furnished by the Forest Service. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the USDA Forest Service travel management plan, including yearlong or seasonal closures to motor vehicles, unless authorization is obtained. Maps and photos may indicate that a road goes to the stand; however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted. Stand locations may necessitate that Contractor walk to the stand or acquire some other means of travel.

Most roads are typically accessible between the months of May through October, though high clearance vehicles may be necessary on some roads. A four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is recommended. The Government assumes no responsibility to maintain roads in a passable condition.

3.1.3.1. The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of any periods that the Contractor will not be working, not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

3.1.4.2. The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and submit for approval to the Contracting Officer.

3.1.4. Standards: Each Purchase order shall specify the version of the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and appendices that shall be used. The specified version shall dictate the standards of data collection except when specified otherwise in this contract. In addition, the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide shall be used.

3.2 Technical Specifications

3.2.1. Locating Plots

3.2.1.1. Plot Location Determination An electronic file that include the latitude and longitude UTMs of the plot locations for each stand will be provided. The contractor shall use a global position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government.

1. For standard data collection, a recreation grade GPS (e.g. Garmin, Magellan, etc.) is sufficient.

2. The COR may authorize moving plot locations in the field as appropriate (e.g. plot is in road or on a cliff). If plots are moved, the contractor will document and GPS the new location and provide new location to the COR.

3.3. Maps Sample plot locations to be measured within each stand will be marked on one of the provided topographical maps. Plot numbers will be pre-assigned for each plot in each stand. Electronic files of plot locations and polygons will be provided to the contractor.

3.4. Locating Plot Center Upon arrival at the specified coordinates, the Contractor shall check the map or electronic file to confirm that he/she is at the correct sample plot location. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

1. If this is the initial plot survey, the Contractor shall identify the sample plot location on the ground.

2. If this is a return visit for re-measurement, the Contractor shall locate the plot center monument or relocate the exact plot center using a combination of GPS and bearing trees, then re-monument.

3.5. Non-functioning GPS. For standard data collection, the contractor may elect to use traditional methods of plot location if the GPS is unable to acquire the necessary resolution to execute the traverse from waypoint data. In either case, the contractor must navigate to the location provided.

3.6. Plot Center Identification/Flagging For standard data collection, the Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker that can be either a wire flag, wooden stake, or other marker as agreed upon at the pre-work conference or as specified in the purchase order. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground.

The location, stand, and plot number shall be written legibly on the plot center markers using a waterproof marker. For example: "060609 Site 3 Pt 04”.

To facilitate relocation of plots a piece of colored flagging at least 12” long shall be hung vertically at eye height as near as possible to plot center (to be determined per each Purchase order).

Upon inspection, the center point of the marker where it intersects the ground shall be used as plot center. If the marker is not a wire flag, flagging shall be tied to the marker so that it is visible above the plot center.

Latitude and longitude of plot center needs to be recorded in the PDR in the Exams PDR program. It is preferable if the PDR has GPS capabilities to take the GPS coordinates on site. If not, then the data collector needs to input the latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes, seconds (decimal seconds) in the appropriate lat. and long fields in the plot form.

3.7. Survey Technique Plots shall be located using waypoint navigation with a GPS unit. During the initial establishment of the plot, the plot center monument may vary +/- 30 feet from the true plot location listed in Exhibit 1, unless otherwise specified in individual purchase order. Recurring errors in the location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory; relocation of sample plots and remeasurement shall be required.

In cases where government provided photo plot location differs from GPS location found on the ground the GPS location will prevail.

3.8. Recording Requirements The data fields to be collected and recorded are enumerated in sections 3.14. and 3.15.

· ExamsCE program. The ExamsCE program runs on several types of PDR style computers with the Windows operating system.

· ExamsPC program. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with Windows operating system. This may require data to be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into the ExamsPC program at a later time.

· Government provided VEGCOV program for recording and entering the setting level R2 FSVeg Spatial Polygon Attribute (Walkthrough) Form (FV) data. Runs on computers with DOS or Windows operating systems.

· The contractor is responsible for providing the computer hardware necessary for running the software program/s and for installing, maintaining and troubleshooting the most recent version of the required software.

3.9. Qualifications The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

1. Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification.

2. Each crew leader must also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

a. Proficient in the interpretation of aerial photography and associated maps.

b. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field, on original or photocopied aerial photographs and on DOQs.

c. Knowledge in the use of handheld compass, data recorders, pacing, GPS equipment and map measurements.

d. Ability to accurately identify necessary tree, shrub, forb, and grass species needed for identifying local habitat types.

e. Ability to complete vegetation attribute and composition forms.

f. Knowledge of rating tree defects and parasitic plants.

g. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

h. Familiar with habitat typing.

i. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

j. Proficient in the use of GPS equipment and data recorders.

k. Experience with data entry and using PC Exams

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards. The contractor will inform the Government who will be working on the contract.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' or subcontractor’s qualifications; any employee or subcontractor who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the Contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmittal of any data supplied by that person. The Government may also request the removal of an employee or subcontractor with unsatisfactory past performance.

3.10. Work Plan and Progress Schedule The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and progress schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period of the contract. The Contractor shall provide a plan with the technical proposal for the contract (See instructions in section 7). The contract time shall not exceed the negotiated completion date. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion and acceptance of work for each purchase order within the performance period. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each item by performance time specified.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that are not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

The Contractor shall provide a supplementary plan and schedule as needed to update the work plan when work is in progress. The Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

3.11. Data Collection Specifications – Common Stand Exam (CSE) This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each of the following data forms are found in the Common Stand Exam (CSE) User Guide, Regional Supplements to the CSE User Guide (i.e. R2 Supplement to the FSVeg User Guide) and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). If the following contract specifications differ from the provided Common Stand Exam User Guide below, the contract specifications shall have precedent.

3.12. Setting Form A setting is normally a stand in which the stand exam is being done. Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. Stand Sketch & Notes will be used to record reference point (RP) description, traverse information and a general stand sketch. Project name (Field 1) will be supplied by the government.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column:

Source Comments

Not collected

Contractor

Not collected

Not collected

All Setting Form fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the setting form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

3.13. Sample Design Form Sample Designs specifications will be provided. Sample Designs may be Variable Plot or Fixed Plot to sample large trees (live or dead). Fixed area plots shall be used to sample small trees.

The Contractor shall determine the size of the fixed plot to use to sample the large trees. To determine the fixed plot size, a minimum of 5 trees per plot (greater than 5.0 inches DBH/DRC) average must be obtained on the plots in the stand.

The Contractor shall determine the fixed plot size for small trees. A minimum of 5.0 trees per plot (less than 5.0 inches DBH/DRC) average must be obtained on the plots in the stand. If a 1/50 acre plots is used, the minimum of 5 small trees per plot average will be waived.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form for all plots.

The same BAF and fixed plot sizes must be used throughout the stand.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column of the following table. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form in Exhibit 2 as the template for all plots. All sample design fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the design form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

Field Num

Field Description

Required Data Source

Comments

Only used for Transect Line

3.14. Plot Form The Plot Number field in PC Exams shall correspond to the assigned plot number for any given plot location.

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Plot Data with the following:

Capable Grow Area Percent. Based on a 1/10th acre plot, ocular estimate and record the percent of the area that can support tree growth. If the plot has no trees present and is not capable of supporting tree growth (nonstockable), record a 0 percent. If a portion of the plot is capable of supporting trees (stockable), record the percent of the plot area that is capable of supporting trees.

Source Comments

Contractor

Contractor

Not collected

Not collected

Contractor

Not collected

Derived from GTR INT-122

Contractor

Contractor

Contractor

3.15. Tree Form Begin recording standing tree data on the Tree form at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center. Trees shall be recorded in the following order:

1) Growth Sample Trees located on the large fixed radius plot or small fixed radius plot.

2) Live Trees and Dead Standing trees located on the large fixed radius plot.

3) Small Live trees located on the fixed radius plot.

4) Site trees that are located off plot.

During fixed plot survey, group small trees of the same species with DBH less than 5 inches into one of four diameter classes as described in the table below. Enter an average height for the trees that fall into each category.

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Tree Data with the following:

Growth Sample Trees (GST) If only one tree species is expected to be present in the stand two large (>=5.0”DBH) GST and one small (<5.0”DBH) GST will be measured on each plot.

Measure the first two live standing trees (large) and first live standing tree (small), when moving clockwise from north.

If more than one tree species is expected to be present in the stand two large (>= 5.0”DBH) and two small (<5.0”DBH) GST will be measured on each plot. The first live standing tree, both large and small, of each species encountered moving clockwise from north, will be measured until two trees of different species are assessed.

Field Number

Data Source Desired for:

Contractor

Contractor

Contractor

Stems

Not collected

Contractor

Contractor

Field 8: DBH/DRC. For DRC species, standing dead and down dead trees that are grouped, the diameter breakdown will be 5.0”-6.9” = 5.0”, 7.0”-8.9”= 7.0”, 9.0”-10.9”=9.0”, etc. Saplings (trees that are greater than 4.5’ with a diameter of 0.1” – 4.9”) may be grouped into 1.0” diameter classes.

Field 9: Height. Heights will be required for all trees recorded. For saplings, DRC species, and standing dead trees that are grouped, heights can be averaged as long as averaged height is within 10% of actual height.

Field 21,22,24: Damage. The presence or absence of Dwarf mistletoe will be checked on all pine species and Douglas Fir. Always record if present regardless of what other damages have been recorded. For all other damages record only those significant damages that are most affecting tree growth and/or longevity. For all trees, a maximum of 3 damages will be recorded. If a tree has no significant damage, record no damages for that tree.

The table below shows the maximum amount tree data fields that may be collected for each type of exam. The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “X” in the Required column for the specified exam level as listed in the table below. See the Common Stand Exam Users Guide for accuracy standards for each type of exam. All tree data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the Tree Data Form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

3.16. Vegetation Composition Form Vegetation Composition forms 1-4 may be collected on a plot size of 1/10 acre (37.2 foot radius) Form 4 (ground surface cover) shall be collected on 1/100 acre (11.8 foot radius) plot.

Record the cover percent of all species that occupy 1% or more of a lifeform/layer combination. For Form 4, the sum of all ground cover types must equal 100%; foliar canopy cover above the soil surface plane is not considered ground surface cover.

Form 4: The sum of all ground cover types must equal 100%. Foliar canopy cover above the soil surface plane is not considered ground surface cover.

Exam Level

The following items are required at each plot, detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices:

All vegetation composition data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the vegetation composition form provided. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form. All ground surface cover data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the Ground Surface Cover Form provided. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

3.17. R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form This form shall be completed for each stand that is included in the contract. The field crew should walk through the entire stand before completing the form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes are in the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide.

The contractor will be responsible for collecting and entering all provided and collected data into VEGCOV for each polygon listed, and will complete all data items that are set to “YES” in the required column of the table below. All data will be submitted as .TRU files to the Government.

POLYGON INFORMATION

If the polygon does not currently have a total of 25% crown cover of trees, but was previously tree cover and is currently not stocked due to a recent harvest or burn, enter the expected regenerating cover type or the previous cover type:

(Refer to code list definitions) If the patches make up at least 20 percent of the polygon, then the polygon is considered to be patchy and not continuous.

(Refer to code list definitions)

Record the primary reason for the significant vegetation change:

H – Harvest F – Fire W – Wind I – Insect and Disease O – Other

Photo Project

Contractor

Date

Contractor

3.18. Data Format Data recorded on paper forms shall not be accepted (except stand sketches and traverse notes where applicable). Data shall be provided to the Government in electronic files on CD-R disks, DVD-R disks, a portable USB flash drive, portable flash memory card or via contractor provided FTP site. An email with a zipped attached file will also be acceptable. The file shall be zipped to help avoid data corruption. With any electronic media, data must be readable by the Government’s computers (Windows 7/10 operating system). Adjustments shall not be made for software or hardware errors that result in data error or loss of data.

Unless otherwise specified, the R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form data shall be submitted in the .TRU file format for each stand. Specific electronic file naming conventions shall be outlined during the pre-work conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file shall also be provided.

3.19. Standards The version of the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and appendices that shall be used can be found using the link below (4.3). The specified version shall dictate the standards of data collection except when specified otherwise in this contract. In addition, the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide will be used.

4.0 Government Furnished

The property and services that will be provided by the Government, are as follows:

https://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml or shared electronically

Provided at pre-work conference or shared electronically.

https://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at pre-work conference.

Form is in Exhibit 6

Use of Premises permits may be required for contractor’s camp if it exceeds local occupation time limit. All maps, aerial photos, and other unused Government-furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the job or upon request of the Contracting Officer. Replacement cost for any lost, damaged, or unused Government property that is not returned, shall be deducted from the Contractor’s final payment.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

5.1. Suspension of Work Whenever the Contracting Officer determines that the ground conditions, winds, or combination of these and other physical conditions have become unsuitable for project to continue in any area, the Contractor shall move the work force to another area(s) prescribed by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, the Contracting Officer will issue a suspend work order for the bid item and contract time will stop for that item. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm the resumption in writing. Contract time will resume on the effective work resumption date. In all cases, the Contractor shall resume work within 10 calendar days after the effective work resumption date. It is the Contractor's responsibility to keep the Contracting Officer currently advised as to where the Contractor or the Contractor's Representative may be reached by telephone during periods of work suspension. If the Contractor cannot be reached at the telephone number provided, or if the Contractor fails to leave a number, a written resume work order will be mailed, and contract time will resume on the date specified on the resume work order.

5.2. Environmental Contractors are expected to respond to sensitive resource conditions, i.e. walk to plots where road conditions are poor/wet.

Contractor needs to assure resource damage is not being caused by contractors trying to access stands over wet or poor ground conditions. Contractor to build in sufficient time in work plan for anticipated weather delays.

5.3. Preservation of Historical and Archeological Resources If, in connection with operations under this contract, the Government, the Contractor, Subcontractor(s), or the employees of any of them, discovers, encounters or becomes aware of any objects or sites of cultural value on the project area, such as historical or pre-historical ruins, graves or grave markers, fossils, or artifacts, the Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity of the cultural value and shall notify the COR in writing of the findings. No objects of cultural resource value may be removed. Operations may resume at the discovery site upon receipt of written instructions. Actions taken under this paragraph shall be subject to the Suspension of Work clause.

5.4. Schedules for Service Contracts If Contractor's progress falls behind progress work schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to improve his progress; in addition, the Contracting Officer may require Contractor to submit a revised schedule and proposed work plan to ensure completion of the work within the time(s) set forth in the contract.

In the event of unexpected delays or the contract falling behind the 10% guideline the government may request an updated work plan. As a general rule the government would expect that the percentage of submitted and accepted data be within 10% of the contract time used. Example if the contractor has used 50% of the allotted contract time it would be expected that no less than 40% of the required data has been submitted inspected and accepted by the government.

Contractor shall schedule work to allow enough time for final inspections and any possible reworks to be completed by the contract end date.

5.5. Contract Performance Time and Required Rate of Progress The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Contract time will start on the date specified on the NTP. Whenever it is determined that environmental conditions become unsuitable for continued service work, the Contractor will move to another area determined by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, service work will cease. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to determine when conditions again permit service Purchases to be completed.

The Contractor shall not begin work on the contract until the effective date of the NTP, and shall continue performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except for causes beyond his control as defined in the contract, or by the receipt of a "Suspend Work Order" issued by the Government.

5.6. Performance Period of Purchase Order This contract states performance period with due dates. The contractor will provide a progress schedule identified in their quote. This progress schedule becomes the timeline for the contract. The Contract time shall not exceed the negotiated completion date.

a. Period of Operation – Periods of seasonal or other closure periods will be identified

b. Period of Performance – Timeframe for when the contract will be completed.

5.7. Quality Control Plan The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan to ensure quality performance and accurate results. The Plan shall describe methods for quality Control as identified in Section 5.11. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan. Contractor inspection records shall be provided upon submission of plots for payment.

5.8. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) The purpose of this plan is to provide a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for contract bid items and Purchases performed under this contract. This plan provides a basis for the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to evaluate the quality of the Contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for the contract and this Plan will help to ensure that quality levels of Contractor’s service(s) reach the required levels of performance.

By monitoring the Contractor’s service work, the COR will determine whether the performance levels set forth in the contract have been attained. Quality standards for all Purchases are specified and individual Purchases will be identified in the contract Supplemental Specifications.

The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract Purchases in the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government will perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the Contractor(s) work.

If any of the services do not conform to contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reworking, the Government may:

a. Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

b. Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed (see Section7.4.)

Upon written request from the Contractor, the Government will perform one demonstration inspection of one sample plot at no cost to the Contractor as an example of inspection procedures and demonstration of potential problems. The Contractor shall accompany the Government inspector on the inspection. An initial inspection may be done on less than 50 plots if requested by Contractor.

All work included in the contract specifications/issued contract is subject to inspections by the Government at periodic intervals throughout the performance of this contract. Treatment inspections are for the sole benefit of the Government and shall not release the Contractor of the responsibility of providing quality control measures to assure that the work strictly complies with the contract requirements.

In the event that work is performed that is contrary to the requirements in the contract the Government is not liable for costs incurred by the Contractor during negligent performance that is without the fault or negligence of the Government.

5.8.5. Re-inspection If the AQL is not being met, and a need for re-inspection of the Contractor’s services arises, the following procedures will be implemented:

If the Contractor has not met the AQL described in the Performance Requirements Summary, Section 5.11 of this contract, the Contractor will be required to go back and complete missed or unsatisfactory areas.

The Contractor will be charged for any costs of inspection if services, for which the Contractor is requesting inspection, are not ready at the time specified by the Contractor.

No charge will be made for the initial inspection or the first rework inspection. Thereafter, any contract reinspection required will be at the Contractor's expense. These charges will include vehicle mileage, COR’s time, and inspector’s time as identified in Section 10.1 Damages. Time expended by the Forest Service identified as the “start up, learning curve” period is not considered here. The Government will inspect service Purchases completed by the Contractor (or Subcontractor) as a basis for acceptance and payments, and to provide recommendations to improve work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with requirements of contract specifications.

All work included in the contract specifications/issued contract is subject to inspections by the Government at periodic intervals throughout the performance of this contract. Treatment inspections are for the sole benefit of the Government and shall not release the Contractor of the responsibility of providing quality control measures to assure that the work strictly complies with the contract requirements.

5.8.5.1. Re-Inspection Costs If rework of Purchase(s) is required, the Contractor will be assessed the costs incurred by the Government in performing such activities. One inspection will be authorized at each of the draft stages and one at the final report stage.

a. Any resubmittals of drafts will be re-inspected and will accrue re-inspection costs.

b. If final report requires rework the resubmittal will be re-inspected and will accrue re- inspection costs.

The table below lists charge rates for Government re-inspection of work.

*Mileage reimbursement rate in effect January 1, 2021 is $.56 per mile. Mileage rates change periodically and the most current mileage rates for assessed damages at the time will be used. Most current mileage rates can be found at the General Services Administration website http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/104715.

5.8.6. Re-inspection Upon Contractor Request If the original inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested, in writing, up to seven (7) days after receiving notification of unacceptable work. If the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score, but re-inspection results in fully passing score, then the Government assumes the cost of re-inspection. If the reinspection confirms the results of the original inspection, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for performing re-inspection.

5.9. Sustainable Procurement/Bio Based Products The Contractor shall make maximum use of bio-based oils and lubricants that are designated by the United States Department of Agriculture unless the product cannot be acquired:

1. Competitively within a time frame providing for compliance with the contract performance schedule;

2. Meeting contract performance requirements; or

3. At a reasonable price.

Information about this requirement and these products is available at http://www.biopreferred.gov/

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires Contractors to report the purchase of bio-based products under service and construction contracts during the previous Government fiscal year (October 1 thru September 30) and to submit this report no later than:

1. October 31 of each year during contract performance; and

2. At the end of contract performance.

Information about this requirement is available at http://www.biopreferred.gov/FARReporting/FARReporting.xhtml

5.10.1. Sustainable products identified for this solicitation

5.10.1.1. Transportation to the job site The main category where you can find these products on the green purchasing website is “vehicles and vehicle products.” In that category, there are several products that could be used in this contract such as: Alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels, engine coolants, engine crankcase oil and gasoline fuel additives etc.

The individual products available for use can be found under “Vehicles and Equipment Maintenance” and then under “Vehicle Maintenance.”

5.10.1.2. Other products that may be needed or used in the execution of your need include:

· Paper/printer ink – field forms

· Pens/pencils – field forms

· Batteries – GPS

· Other miscellaneous items

· Biodegradable flagging

All of these products can be found at http://www.biopreferred.gov/ProductCategories.aspx

5.11. Submittals

Electronic Data (Including all shapefiles, database file, and photos)

5.11.1. Contractor Quality Control The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Services include field inspection, documentation on plots surveyed, electronic data supplied, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.