12444224R0014.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

USDA-FS CSA EAST 4

7K11 CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR4442

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

08/22/2024 1700 ED

08/01/2024

501-900-7993SEAN METZGER

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12444224R0014

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 65 1127756OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

PINEVILLE LA 71360

2500 SHREVEPORT HIGHWAY HWY 71

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

15. DELIVER TO

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$11.5

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA-FS CSA EAST 4

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

This a solicitation for Timber Prep Sale and Professional Forestry Services for the Kisatchie National Forest located across the Claiborne, Webster, Rapides, Vernon, Grant, Winn, Natchitoches parishes in Louisiana. This RFP's services are subject to the Service Contract Labor standards and along with its attachments this solicitation will provide the wage rates, specifications, details and locations for this requirement. To quote send offers to sean.metzger@usda.gov by the due date and time.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

SEAN D. METZGER

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

To conduct a site survey, contact Alvin Wells, 318-473-7194, alvin.wells@usda.gov.

This solicitation will be awarded as an

IDIQ/MATOC Pool of up to 6 Awards as a two-year

Base + 1 three-year Option Contract. Each Option

Year is not guaranteed and will be subject to:

(1) funds availability and (2) sustained satisfactory contractor performance. The Option

Year will be exercised near the end of base

Period of Performance.

"Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the

Government cancels this solicitation, the

Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs."

The government intends to award a contract without discussion, refer to FAR 52.215-1(f)(4)

Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition

(Nov 2021).

LATE OR INCOMPLETE Offers will not be accepted.

QUESTIONS ARE DUE 08/09/2024 @ 5PM ET

OFFERS DUE 08/22/2024 @ 5PM ET

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

65 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 65

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

12444224R0014

Period of Performance: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2029

0001 (Base) KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST TIMBER SALE PREP

AND PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES

Product/Service Code: F018

Product/Service Description: NATURAL

RESOURCES/CONSERVATION- OTHER FOREST/RANGE

IMPROVEMENTS (NON-CONSTRUCTION)

Delivery: 09/30/2026

Period of Performance: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2026

1001 (OY1) KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST TIMBER SALE PREP

AND PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES

(Option Line Item)

Product/Service Code: F018

Product/Service Description: NATURAL

RESOURCES/CONSERVATION- OTHER FOREST/RANGE

IMPROVEMENTS (NON-CONSTRUCTION)

Delivery: 09/30/2029

Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2029

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

12444224R0014 Timber Sales Prep Services

Kisatchie National Forest

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF-1449

TIMBER SALE PREP AND PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES

Kisatchie National Forest

Headquarters/Supervisor’s Office (Pineville, LA), Caney Ranger District (Homer, LA), Calcasieu Ranger District (Boyce, LA), Catahoula Ranger District (Bentley, LA), Kisatchie Ranger District (Provencal, LA), Winn Ranger District (Winnfield, LA).

OVERVIEW

This solicitation will result in Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) as best meets the needs of the Government on the basis of technical capability, past performance and price. These contracts will have a two-year base period, which runs through September 30, 2026 and one three-year option period, which if exercised could extend contract performance through September 30, 2029. There is no guarantee that any options will be exercised by the Government.

Period of Performance (POP):

10/01/2024 to 09/30/2026 Base 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2029 OY1

Individual task orders will be competed among all MATOC awardees. The Government expressly reserves the right to limit competition in order to meet minimum contract obligations or as may otherwise be determined to be in its best interests. The Government reserves the right to adjust the quantity ordered on any task order based on the availability of funds.

Refer to SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS for Task Order Procedures

Offerors may quote on any or all items for one or multiple Ranger Districts. Offerors may also limit the total amount of work they might accept by addressing any such limitations in their Technical Proposal. When quoting on multiple items, offerors shall identify the priority of those items and the maximum amount of work that may be undertaken. Contractors must “opt out” of task orders and identify their reason(s) for not submitting an offer; contractors who consistently fail to submit an offer on task orders risk not having their option renewed and could forfeit their minimum guarantee.

AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: Task orders may only be issued by warranted contracting officers or purchasing agents on behalf of the Kisatchie National Forest.

Kisatchie National Forest

Kisatchie National Forest

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Unit Pricing

Item Task/Sub-task Description Est.

Qty. Unit Calcasieu

District Caney District

Catahoula District

Kisatchie District

Winn District

5.1 Sale Unit Layout

5.1.1 Boundary Flagging 5 miles $ $ $ $ $

5.1.2/.3 Acreage Determination (GPS) 5 miles $ $ $ $ $

5.1.4 Boundary Designation (Paint) 5 miles $ $ $ $ $

5.2 Leave Tree Marking-Only

5.2.1/.2/ .3/.4 Leave Tree Marking 20 acres $ $ $ $ $

5.3 Timber Cruising

5.3.1 Variable Plot Cruise 100 plot $ $ $ $ $

5.3.2 Fixed Plot Cruise 100 plot $ $ $ $ $

5.3.3 Recon – Pre-Cruise Plots 20 plot $ $ $ $ $

5.4 Timber Marking & Sample

Tree Cruising

5.4.1/.2 Thinning 300 acres $ $ $ $ $

5.4.2 Clearcut/Clearcut w/ Reserves 20 acres $ $ $ $ $

5.4.3 Leave Tree Marking &

Sample Tree Cruising

20 acres $ $ $ $ $

5.5 Paint Refresh Marking

5.5.1 Paint Refresh Boundaries 5 miles $ $ $ $ $

5.5.2 Paint Refresh Individual Trees 20 acres $ $ $ $ $

*Estimated quantities for evaluation purposes only but are based on anticipated requirements for initial task order(s). Note: Please enter unit prices, not extended total price for shown quantities.

Contractor Information / Area of Interest Worksheet

CONTRACTOR IDENTIFICATION: _______________________________

Name: _______________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________

Phone: ______________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________

SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): ______________________________

EACH OFFEROR SHALL IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS FOR WHICH THEY DESIRE

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR CONTRACT AWARD. Contractors will be provided fair opportunity to compete for all task orders at those locations if awarded a contract.

PLACE AN “X” FOR

ALL LOCATIONS OF

INTEREST

Kisatchie Forest Locations

All Kisatchie NF Ranger Districts

Caney Ranger District (Homer, Louisiana)

Calcasieu Ranger District (Boyce, Louisiana)

Catahoula Ranger District (Bentley, Louisiana)

Kisatchie Ranger District (Provencal, Louisiana)

Winn Ranger District (Winnfield, Louisiana)

Kisatchie National Forest

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The purpose of the proposed contract is to provide an array of timber sale preparation services to the Kisatchie National Forest as detailed in the Schedule of Items and this Performance Work Statement.

PROJECT LOCATION

The project is located on Ranger Districts of the Kisatchie NF with headquarters in Pineville, Louisiana. Specific locations, unit data, and maps will be supplied with each task order.

Acreages listed on each task order will have been determined by closed traverse, planimeter, or global positioning system (GPS). For purposes of this contract, quantities listed on each task order are considered actual acreage and not an estimate.

PROJECT ACCESS

a) The project area shall be accessed by Forest Service Roads. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to perform any special maintenance in order to keep roads open. Stands are accessible by some combination of 2- or 4-wheel drive vehicle and foot travel.

b) The National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the individual Ranger Districts

(available upon award) provides open road information. The Contractor will be issued a Forest Service key in order to access those roads that are seasonally closed by gates. Forest Service roads that are permanently closed by earthen berms or some other obstruction will have to be accessed by foot or, if available, UTV.

c) Contractors are subject to the same rules as Forest Service personnel regarding the use of off-road vehicles and must use only utility task vehicles (UTV) or side by sides. These vehicles differ from all-terrain vehicles (ATV) in that UTV payloads run from 800 to 1,350 pounds above the operator/passenger’s weight. UTV also have roll-over protection and seat belts unlike ATV.

RE-MEASUREMENT

The Contractor may at any time after issuance of a task order request re-measurement of an area in writing.

Payment will be based on the re-measured acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for less than 1 acre.

The Contractor shall pay for the cost of re-measurement if the resultant increase is less than 10 percent.

Method of re-measurement will be determined by the Government.

PAYMENT

Payment will be based on actual work completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government.

PERFORMANCE OF SIMILAR WORK BY THE GOVERNMENT

Nothing in this contract restricts the Government from performing any of the work with its own organization and workforce.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The

SECTION I – GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Kisatchie National Forest contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his crew and Government representatives.

CONTRACTOR ACCESS: If the contractor must unlock a gate, the Contractor is required to relock the gate upon entry and egress.

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES: The Contracting Officer shall designate a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for each resulting Task Order. A copy of their designation letter will be provided in the award package. The Government reserves the right to change COR for each individual Task Order as necessary to meet the Government’s objectives and a copy of the COR’s designation will be provided with the Task Order documents.

PRE-WORK CONFERENCE: Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange a meeting with the Contractor to discuss the contract terms and work performance requirements. A work progress schedule will be developed at this meeting.

WORK PROGRESS: The Contractor shall complete all work within the contract time stated on each task order.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage caused by his/her personnel or equipment to any existing structures, private or public. Damaged items shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

In the event of interruption to utility service, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with the authority in the restoration of service. Delays in work performance related to this shall be the responsibility of the contractor.

PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: Any improvements damaged by the contractor’s work shall be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the contractor’s expense. ATV/UTV use by the Contractor will be permitted when approved by the COR and only to the extent necessary to accomplish work associated with task orders.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Govt. Furnished Property/Services/ Data Quantity Where, When How to be Furnished to

Contractor

Forest Service Tree Marking Tracer Paint

As Required

District Office or Work Center, 0700-1600 Monday-Friday, except on Federal Holidays, by COR or Inspector.

GPS Unit No more than one (1) per District Same as above.

Data Recorders As specified in Task Orders Same as above.

Cruise Plans As Required Same as above.

Maps As Required Same as above.

Tally Sheets As Required Same as above.

Sale Unit Posters As Required Same as above.

Any Government-furnished property used by the contractor will be inspected prior to release to the contractor. Reference FAR 52.245-1 Alt. 1 (AUG 2010). No other supplies or services will be supplied to the contractor.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES: Except for items listed under Government furnished property, the contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and

Kisatchie National Forest incidentals necessary to perform Timber Sale Prep and Professional Forestry Services (this may include but is not limited to flagging, D-Tape, clinometer, tally counters, marking guns, tree sounding devices, cruiser vests, hard hats, engineering stakes, pin flags, etc.)

TERMS MEANING

100% Tally A method of measuring tree volume by measuring and recording every tree marked.

Basal Area (BA) The cross-sectional area of a tree at DBH, used to determine stocking, typically expressed by the acre.

Basal Area Factor (BAF) The critical angle used to determine BA with a prism Butt Mark Butt marks are applied the same way for both Leave Tree Marking and Cut

Tree Marking (Sawtimber trees must have 2 butt marks in CTM Units). Paint applied to the base of the tree, on the downhill side, within 6” of the ground line, and to the adjacent soil so that the tree can be identified after it is cut.

The butt mark shall be a concentration of paint at least 3 inches in diameter on the base of the tree at ground level on the downhill side. Butt marks shall be concentrated in cracks or crevices on the stump as much as possible.

Accumulations of debris (pine straw, moss, hardwood leaves) shall be kicked out of the way prior to application of the paint, and the paint shall cover both the base of the tree and the ground immediately joining the stump.

Cut Trees Trees which will be cut during harvest due to location within the unit or deformities.

Cut Tree Marking (CTM) A method of identifying the trees intended for removal in a sale unit during harvesting. The trees are designated with at least two spots of paint – one at eye level and one butt mark (two butt marks on sawtimber).

Diameter Breast Height (DBH) Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree. Measurements are rounded down to the nearest tenth of an inch.

Eye Level Mark Paint applied at eye level on a tree.

Eye Level Mark when Leave Tree Marking: Paint mark(s) will create a continuous band completely around the tree so that the marks can be seen from any direction within the sale unit.

Eye Level Mark when Cut Tree Marking: Paint mark(s) will be put on uphill side of the tree. The mark can be a 3” diameter spot or a horizontal or diagonal stripe. If stripes are used a minimum mark would be 2 inches in width and 6 inches long.

First Thinning The first time to harvest selected trees within an even-aged pine plantation stand.

Fixed Plot Cruise Estimating tree volume and number of trees per acre using a specified radius from the center of the plot.

GPS(Global Positioning System) Surveys

GPS receivers and methods commonly used to determine ground locations and calculate the horizontal area of polygons (sale units).

GPS Walk Method GPS method where data is collected using dynamic or continuous logging of GPS points while traversing along the boundary.

GPS Take Five Angle-Point Method

GPS method where data is collected by occupying points along the boundary where there is a distinct or significant change of direction and where data is collected by steading the GPS receiver in one position for a period of time (five or more points) in order to average a number of observations at that common location. This method is used to reduce Area Error by one half.

Inclusion An area greater than one acre in size that is significantly different from the surrounding stand, either by product, species, or density.

SECTION II - DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

Layout The process of determining boundaries for sale units.

Leave Trees Trees which will not be cut during harvest due to size or spacing.

Leave Tree Marking (LTM) A method of identifying the trees intended to be left in a sale unit during harvesting. The trees are designated with a painted band or stripes on all sides at eye level and a butt mark.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

(RCW)

An endangered species of bird which nests in live pine trees, which can be identified by a small hole (< 2” diameter) at approximately 30’ high on the tree. There is usually sap running down the tree originating from points clustered around the hole.

Sale Unit Payment/Cutting unit in a tree measurement timber sale or a subdivision in a weight scale sale.

Sample Group Groupings within a Strata of similar trees for sampling purposes.

Sample Interval How often to measure a tree in each Sample Group/Strata combination. Used with sample tree cruising.

Sample Tree Cruising (STR) A method of measuring tree volume by taking a specific sample of the marked trees for measurement and recording.

Strata A subdivision of a population of trees which improves sampling error.

Timber Cruising The method by which volume estimations for timber are made based on tree count and measurement.

Traverse Surveys Determining horizontal acreage of an area by surveying using direction-distance methods. GPS surveying, by common usage, may also be called traversing.

Variable Plot Cruise Estimating tree volume and number of trees per acre using a prism Net Scale in Percent of Gross The percent of a tree or tree segment that can be sold and used to make lumber.

Applies only to sawtimber trees.

CRUISE PLAN: The Cruise Plan for each task order should be referred to prior to beginning work on any task order. An individual Cruise Plan with specific direction on where the timber is located and how it is to be laid out, marked, cruised, or paint refreshed and it will be provided to the Contractor at task order award.

The Forest Service may identify protected areas (such as red-cockaded woodpecker nest trees, sensitive plants, archaeological sites, and historical sites, etc.) in the Cruise Plan. The contractor may need to avoid marking trees for removal in these areas; the Cruise Plan will have specific instructions for the contractor to follow. Should the contractor discover potential protected areas not designated by the Forest Service within the sale area or individual unit they must notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) immediately and before proceeding so that proper preservation or safety measures can be taken if necessary.

MARKER CERTIFICATION: After contract award, the contractor will have any of their employees who will be performing area based cruising and/or sample tree cruising become Certified Cruisers. To become a Certified Cruiser, a person is required to pass a written and field test given by the Forest Service. The location and scheduling of these tests will be determined by the Forest Service. Forest Service policy requires that a Certified Cruiser be present with the cruising crew when estimation of standing tree volumes is made (in accordance with FSH 2409.12 and FSM 2442.04).

This certification will remain valid for a period of one year and annual recertification is required in order to continue performing services under this contract. The annual recertification will consist of a fieldtest only. Contractors and/or their employees who have met the cruiser certification requirements on another forest in the Forest Service Southern Region (Region 8) will not be required to retake the written test but will be required to pass a field test conducted by Kisatchie National Forest. Contact Chad Knight (chadwick.knight@usda.gov) to obtain information about the qualified cruiser certification and recertification.

TREE MARKING TRACER PAINT ACCOUNTABILITY: The Government will furnish the necessary tree marking tracer paint required to complete the project. Paint accountability is considered a very serious aspect of mailto:chadwick.knight@usda.gov

Kisatchie National Forest successful completion of contract requirements and will be handled according to the methods outlined in the Kisatchie National Forest Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability Plan (Attachment A).

The procedures outlined in the Kisatchie National Forest Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability Plan will be reviewed during the pre-work conference for the individual task order. Tree marking paint remains property of the United States. Final payment invoices will not be processed until all paint is accounted for as described within the Kisatchie National Forest Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability Plan and completed “Contractor Tree Marking Tracer Paint Log” (Attachment B) forms for the entire task order are provided to the COR.

TREE MEASUREMENT: General specifications for tree measurements and minimum product specifications are listed in Attachment C (Kisatchie National Forest). Specific requirements will be provided in each individual cruise plan received when awarded a task order.

DOCUMENTATION: The contractor shall provide the following documentation:

Quality Control Plan The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are met.

Work Plan The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform Timber Sale Prep and Professional Forestry Service activities including methods, personnel, and equipment. This plan should include how the contractor will provide for safety and whether the contractor’s crew will be camping or commuting to the worksite. If the crew plans to camp then the contractor needs to include a plan to prevent fires and dispose of trash properly. Work hours are generally limited to weekdays between dawn and dusk. Work outside of those times requires approval by the COR. Work on federal holidays requires prior written approval from the Contracting Officer.

Progress Schedule The contractor shall prepare and submit to the COR a practical work schedule for each task order issued. The schedule should show the order in which the contractor will perform the work ordered and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each task included on the project lists that accompany each task order.

Contractor Inspection Records The contractor shall submit to the COR, all inspection records completed for each task order issued.

Timber Sale Data: The Contractor shall not divulge and shall take all reasonable steps to insure that no member of its organization divulges, any information concerning this timber sale data to any person other than those duly authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer. In addition, neither the Contractor nor any of the Contractor’s employees may be involved in bidding on any timber sale(s) resulting from this contract.

Archaeological Sites: Any archeological sites encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed.

The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential archeological sites and report their location to the Contracting Officer. Disclosure of any archeological information to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to legal penalties.

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (Plants, Animals, or Bird): Any of these species encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed. The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential indicators (such as nests) or actual sightings and report their location to the Contracting Officer.

Disclosure of any information associated with these species to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to civil penalties.

CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF INFORMATION

TIMBER SALE PREPARATION AND PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES

Timber Sale Preparation and Professional Forestry Services involves sale unit layout, layout marking only, plot based cruising, timber marking & sample tree cruising, and paint refresh marking. A Cruise Plan will be provided for each task order and should be referred to before working as it may have more specific guidelines than what is listed below.

5.1 SALE UNIT LAYOUT

5.1.1 Boundary Flagging

Using Forest Service provided maps along with a site specific Cruise Plan for the sale unit(s), the Contractor will determine the edge of the unit(s) identified on the map based on change in vegetation (stocking, size, age or species), topography, aspect, or proximity to Streamside Management Areas (SMAs). This boundary will be flagged in a way so flagging is visible from one flag to the next. Any unnecessary flagging shall not be left in the woods, but shall be removed when it can be seen from the boundary line or anywhere within the sale unit.

Unless otherwise agreed to by the COR, boundary flagging will follow the color scheme below:

Service Item Flagging Color Timber Sale Boundary Pink with “Timber Sale Boundary” in Black Letters

Streamside Management Zones Orange with “Streamside Management Zone” in Black Letters.

5.1.2 Acreage Determination (GPS) Walk or Unspecified Method

Using Forest Service provided maps and a GPS unit, the contractor will determine the acreage of previously flagged sale units using the walk method or combination of acceptable methods that meet the specifications listed below.

The contractor may use their own GPS unit or a Government-furnished GPS unit to traverse the boundary by walking the flagged line. If the contractor supplies their own GPS unit it must be a Trimble GeoXM, GeoXT, GeoXH or similar-quality GPS receiver approved by the Forest Service. The units must be capable of meeting the FSH2409.12 Chapter 50 Area-Determination standard. Briefly stated, the area-error is equal to the perimeter of the sale-unit-boundary times the MTDC (Missoula Technology and Development Center) Accuracy Matrix value. This calculated area-error must be less that 10 percent of the sale-unit-area.

See FSH2409.12 Chapter 50 for full official explanation. The Forest Service COR or inspector will determine the required accuracy matrix value for forest canopy conditions and equipment used.

The Contractor will collect GPS data in the 3-D mode only. The GPS data collection should use either WAAS real- time augmentation or be Post-Processed. A small mixture of intermittent autonomous GPS measurements between WAAS corrected measurements is allowed. See Appendix G for guidelines if post-processing is used.

In some cases, neither of these augmentation methods may be available, which requires the area calculation to use a large

MTDC autonomous value which usually means the area standard will not be met and the survey will be rejected. Enough points need to be collected to capture significant changes in the boundary and to represent curves in order to accurately represent the area of the unit. If satellite reception is poor, consider other survey methods allowed by FSH2409.12 Chapter 50.

Return GPS data files at least twice weekly or as otherwise agreed for downloading by USFS personnel. A lost or damaged Government-furnished GPS unit may incur a penalty charge of $6,000, which may be deducted from any payments due the contractor.

1. Before taking measurements, allow the GPS receiver to “warm up” for a sufficient amount of time to download a current GPS ephemeris. This may take as long as ten minutes and may be done while walking to the site if the antenna is kept in view of the satellites (avoid heavy canopy closure and obstacles).

TIMBER SALE PREPARATION AND PROFESSIONAL FORESTRY SERVICES TASK ITEMS

Kisatchie National Forest

2. During measurements, position the antenna of the GPS receiver above local obstacles (including the body) as much as possible. Take care to avoid situations that could cause multipath errors (reflected, redirected, or bounced signals) such as proximity to cliffs, large rocks, buildings, trucks, signs, power lines, and nearby large tree boles. If these situations cannot be avoided, consider alternative methods of measuring the boundary.

3. Include with the project:

• Data files containing the position fixes or results from those fixes (such as, *.ssf , *.cor, *.inf, *.txt when using TerraSync or *.tt, when using TwoTrails).

• GIS Shapefiles® (including at least: *.shp, *.dbf, *.shx, and *.prj files). These files should be populated with all relevant attributes such as area and perimeter with the units defined in the metadata or the table headings.

• Method used for area calculations and any software used.

4. HDOP may be set to maximum productivity. Setting the HDOP to 20 or less is simply good practice; setting it to 6 or less may improve accuracy if that is needed to meet area-error limitations. If post-processing is used, follow vendor guidelines as explained in Appendix G.

5. Include information about the data and process (metadata). Metadata should include:

• Thoroughly document the collection procedure or reference the standard procedure/process that was used.

• Document the data sufficiently to allow users to determine the accuracy, value, purpose, restrictions, and sufficiency of the information.

• Include equipment details, such as: type, measurement units, least count, and other similar information associated with the data or data collection.

• Include information about: personnel directing or authorizing the work and procedure, crews performing the survey, field situations, personnel checking and verifying the field work, personnel processing the data, and so forth.

• Forest, region, district, time, date, sale, and so forth.

• Mapping projection, coordinate system, and datum used.

• Adjustments made, such as: GIS modification of GPS features, office corrections to the original data, and transformations or conversions of coordinates.

• Special conditions that might influence the outcome of the survey.

• Differential GPS augmentation methods or similar operations (if used).

• Software programs used for data collection, processing, and so forth. Store appropriate data files used for processing and keep common readable files showing the same general information with the project. These files need to be in readable form, such as text, ASCII, or *.doc files.

The field personnel should review the resulting map. The collected data must consist of a smooth string of fixes. The position fixes must lie in order, one after another, in a sequential pattern. GPS walk method boundaries of units are often jagged. Frequently, adjacent units have coincident sides that do not match.

Allow only slight irregularities (such as jumping from side to side) in taking fixes. When all measuring conditions are appropriately observed and the roughness of the boundary appears to be within positional tolerance defined for the project, it is allowable to smooth the lines. If some irregularities are obvious outliers, they may be deleted upon the advice of the field personnel. It is inappropriate to eliminate small irregularities without proper reason. Eliminated points should be noted.

The contractor will report area in the accepted Forest Service-required datum. The USDA Forest Service presently requires data be reported in the NAD 83 datum for official mapping operations.

Failure to obtain a sufficient number of acceptable 3-D points to adequately delineate the horizontal area of a unit may require the contractor to traverse survey the specified unit again to the satisfaction of the Forest Service. The full requirements of FSH 2409.12 Section 50 can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.12/wo_2409.12_50.docx

5.1.3 Acreage Determination (GPS) – Take Five Angle-Point Method Using Forest Service provided maps and a GPS unit, the contractor will determine the acreage of previously flagged sale units using the Take Five Angle-Point Method. The contractor will traverse the sale boundary occupying each point where the boundary makes a distinct or significant change in direction and taking five or more static points which will be averaged. It is imperative that enough points are taken to capture the shape of the sale unit accurately while striving to maximize distance between points without excluding area (or trees) within the sale unit or including area outside of the sale unit. All other requirements listed in 5.1.2 Acreage Determination (GPS) Walk or Unspecified Method are applicable.

5.1.4 Boundary Designation (Paint & Signing)

Using orange Tree Marking Tracer Paint supplied by the Forest Service, mark the previously flagged sale unit boundary. Unless specified otherwise in the specific cruise plan, unit boundary line trees are to be marked at eye level with three (3) orange horizontal slash marks and a butt mark, with eye marks facing into the interior of the payment unit. Eye level marks should be at least 2 inches wide and encompass enough of the tree to be seen while standing near the boundary of the sale unit. Boundary lines are not required along obviously visible sale unit edges, such as roads, utility rights-of-way, or railroad tracks. Post sale unit signs where the boundary intersects with obvious visible sale unit edges, including roads, trails, or other features.

At least two signs must be posted for each sale unit. All other edges of sale units will require a painted boundary line.

Boundary line trees must be visible from each other during summer foliage conditions and marked within 100 feet of the previous boundary line tree or closer in brushy areas. Boundary trees shall be selected such that they remain as close as possible to the alignment indicated by the flagging.

A mix of merchantable and un-merchantable trees may be used as boundary line trees, however at pre-work meetings, preference of species and size of trees to use as boundary trees may be discussed.

If no tree is available on-line between two adjacent flags, the tree nearest that alignment and meeting inter-visibility requirements shall be selected. In no case shall a boundary be marked on a portable object such as a fallen limb or a small rock. Do not paint trees that do not belong to the U.S. Forest Service. Do not paint landline trees (USFS landline trees are marked with red paint).

5.2 LEAVE TREE MARKING ONLY

Leave tree marking is the only type of timber marking that can be bid without a type of cruising automatically attached to it. (Cut Tree Marking will be done in conjunction with sample tree cruising and is covered in section 5.4 Timber Marking and Sample Tree Cruising section).

5.2.1 Leave Tree Marking- First Thinnings

Leave trees would be selected and marked based on the description in each individual Cruise Plan. Leave trees would be selected and marked so that the desired BA/acre and spacing would result after harvest. All leave trees shall be marked with orange Forest Service Tree Marking Tracer Paint with a butt mark and eye level mark(s) (Refer to Section 2- Definitions for detailed instructions on how to apply these marks).

5.2.2 Leave Tree Marking- Seedtrees

Leave trees would be selected and marked based on the description in each individual Cruise Plan. Leave trees would be selected and marked so that the desired BA/acre and spacing would result after harvest. All leave trees shall be marked with orange Forest Service Tree Marking Tracer Paint with a butt mark and eye level mark(s) (Refer to Section 2- Definitions for detailed instructions on how to apply these marks).

5.2.3 Leave Tree Marking – Second Thinnings (Plantation) and Sawtimber Thinnings Leave trees would be selected and marked based on the description in each individual Cruise Plan. Leave trees would be selected and marked so that the desired BA/acre and spacing would result after harvest. All leave trees shall be marked with orange Forest Service Tree Marking Tracer Paint with a butt mark and eye level mark(s) (Refer to Section 2- Definitions for detailed instructions on how to apply these marks).

5.2.4 Leave Tree Marking – Other (Clearcuts, Shelterwood cuts, and Other) Leave trees would be selected and marked based on the description in each individual Cruise Plan. Leave trees would be selected and marked so that the desired BA/acre and spacing would result after harvest. All leave trees shall be marked with orange Forest Service Tree Marking Tracer Paint with a butt mark and eye level mark(s) (Refer to Section 2- Definitions for detailed instructions on how to apply these marks).

5.3 PLOT BASED CRUISING

Direction for both Variable Plot Cruising and Fixed Plot Cruising

• The establishment of plots and measurement of trees shall be done in accordance with the R8 Qualified Cruiser Training Guide and the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12) which may be obtained by interested bidders after they contact one of the individuals listed in section 2.3 on page 12 of this document.

• The Government will provide a unit map with the plot locations and the spacing between plots will be given to contractor before cruising starts. GIS coordinates will be given to the contractor if using GPS to locate plots centers on the ground. If not using GPS to locate plot centers, cruise lines shall be located using a grid system method. Unit corners on roads or property lines shall be used as starting (reference) points. The distances between plots will be measured with a string box, pacing, or other measuring devices. The maximum allowable error for azimuth is + 2 degrees. The reference point or points shall be identified by two lengths of red flagging (over 2 feet in length) hung at eye level and recorded on cruise map. The bearing to plot and unit number shall be recorded on the flagging. Example: Unit 5330 feet @ 120 degrees to plot number 2.

*If using GPS units to locate the plots on the ground, their locations should be accurately placed within 30ft.

• Plot centers shall be marked with pin flags or engineering stakes, unless otherwise agreed by the Forest Service. The plot number should be written on the flag or close to the top of the wooden stake. A piece of flagging shall be hung at eye level as close to plot center as possible. The flagging shall have the plot number, and cruisers initials marked on it. Indelible marker shall be used for all writing on flagging.

• If a cruise plot is partially outside the sale unit boundary, the mirage or walk through plot will be performed. Reference the cruise plan for information on which method to use and how to perform the plot.

• Cruising of the plot will begin with the cardinal direction of North and moving clockwise around the plot. The first cut tree will be recorded starting with number one (1).

• All measure trees on plots shall be identified with flagging tied on the tree bole at eye level.

On measure tree flagging, record with indelible marker:

o Marker’s Initials o Species o DBH o First (Merchantable) height for sawtimber trees o Reference height o Date o Tree number o Percent defect for sawtimber trees

• The Forest Service may require all count trees on plots shall be identified with flagging tied on the tree bole at eye level with product (or sample group – see cruise plan) written on the flag with indelible marker. If required, it will be part of the cruise plan.

• All distance measurements will be corrected for slope to reflect horizontal distance.

• Unless otherwise agreed to by the COR, the following flagging color scheme will be used:

Service Item Color Plot Centers Fluorescent Pink/Pin flags

Plot Grid Lines Red Measure Trees White Count Trees Fluorescent Orange

All plot data shall be recorded as specified in the cruise plan, either on government furnished or otherwise approved data recorder(s) or on the government furnished Tally Sheets. The contractor is responsible for recording and storing data correctly and according to the cruise plan, and reviewing data, whether electronic or on paper tally sheets, for accuracy, legibility, and completeness. The Contractor shall audit all completed cruise data to ensure accuracy and completeness before delivery to the Contracting Officer. All incomplete and incorrect cruise data will be returned to the Contractor for completion and/or correction.

• Each plot number shall be recorded on a data recorder or Tally Sheet even if no trees exist in a plot and recorded as a null plot.

• The Government will be responsible for entering data from data recorder files or Tally Sheets into the FS Cruiser program.

• The contractor is required to maintain backup copies of all data until such time all contractual obligations have been meet.

Upon completion of each sale unit, Contractor shall deliver the completed electronic cruise data or tally sheets and other unit-specific records to the Government before moving to the next unit. Upon receipt and acceptance, the cruise data shall become the sole property of the Government.

5.3.1 Variable Plot Cruise- Point Count Measure

The Cruise Plan will specify the BAF (10 or 20) prism that will be used and if sawtimber and pulpwood are to be cruised. At each plot all “in” trees must be counted but only some of the trees need to be measured.

There are several methods to determine which trees get measured (Big BAF, Count/Measure Points, Count/Measure Interval) and the type to use will be specified in the Cruise Plan. The Specific instructions on what is to be done on each plot is listed under 5.3 Plot Based Cruising.

5.3.2 Fixed Plot Cruise- Fixed Count Measure

The Cruise Plan will specify the fixed plot size (generally 1/10th or 1/20th acre) and radius that will be used and if sawtimber and pulpwood are to be cruised. At each plot all “in” trees must be counted but only some of the trees need to be measured. There are several methods to determine which trees get measured (Big FIX, Count/Measure Points, Count/Measure Interval) and the type to use will be specified in the Cruise Plan. Specific instructions on what is to be done on each plot is listed under 5.3 Plot Based Cruising.

5.3.3 Recon – Pre-Cruise Plots

The Work (Pre-Cruise) Plan will specify fixed or variable plots that will be taken to gather data to be used in developing cruise plans, marking guidelines, and other elements of sale unit planning. Most commonly, these plots will gather data to be used in determining stratification strategies, sample interval and intensity and number of plots needed to achieve the desired sale error.

5.4 TIMBER MARKING & SAMPLE TREE CRUISING

Timber Marking Two different kinds of Timber Marking (Cut Tree Marking and Leave Tree Marking) may be used in combination with Sample Tree Cruising in this contract. Cut Tree Marking will designate trees to be cut using blue, yellow, or green Timber Marking Tracer Paint with a properly applied eye level mark and butt mark. Leave Tree Marking will designate trees to leave using orange Tree Marking Tracer Paint with a properly applied eye level mark and butt mark.

Sample Tree Cruising

• The Contractor shall perform Sample Tree Cruising in accordance with the R8 Qualified Cruiser Training Guide, Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12), and the cruise plan. The tally person shall not mark or cruise trees. Cruise trees will be flagged with flagging and have the measure tree number and other required information legibly written on it.

• The establishment of measure trees shall be by random number and by Government desired sample frequency.

The Government will provide the random number list with the Cruise Plan. Measure trees shall be identified consecutively numbered by starting with number one.

• Where it is necessary for the Contractor to make changes in trees originally marked, the Contractor shall completely obliterate any markings (includes both eye level and butt marks) with black Tree Marking Tracer Paint as supplied by the Government, with no pay adjustment.

• All measure trees shall be recorded as specified in the cruise plan, either on government furnished or otherwise approved data recorder(s) or on the government furnished Tally Sheets.

The contractor is responsible for recording and storing data correctly and according to the cruise plan, and reviewing data, whether electronic or on paper tally sheets, for accuracy, legibility, and completeness. The Contractor shall audit all completed cruise records to ensure accuracy and completeness before delivery to the Contracting Officer. All incomplete and incorrect cruise data will be returned to the Contractor for completion and/or correction.

• The Government will be responsible for entering data from data recorder files or Tally

Sheets into the FS Cruiser program.

• A marking map shall be maintained with shading of progress. These maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder. A contractor’s daily diary recording the sale unit, crew names, amount and color of paint used, number of hours spent on the project including travel time, and field observations, such as location of old woods roads, log landings, or wet boggy areas, shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

5.4.1 Cut Tree Marking & Sample Tree Cruising- First Thinnings Trees to be Cut within sale unit boundaries will be marked with blue, yellow, or green Tree Marking Tracer Paint (as identified in each individual Cruise Plan) with a properly applied butt mark and eye level mark.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre, select and mark trees to be removed based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan. Special reserve trees such as hardwood mast trees, hardwood den trees, or certain species may be identified in the Cruise Plan to be left.

Kisatchie National Forest

5.4.2 Cut Tree Marking & Sample Tree Cruising – Sawtimber Thinnings, Shelterwoods, Seedtrees, or Clearcuts Trees to be cut within sale unit boundaries will be marked with blue, yellow, or green Tree Marking Tracer Paint (as identified in each individual Cruise Plan) with a properly applied butt mark and eye level mark.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre, select and mark trees to be removed based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan.