12444225R0003.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

7DF5 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

07/02/2025 1500 CT

06/11/2025

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

12444225R0003

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

1 3 1147337OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

LUFKIN TX 75904-1865

2221 N RAGUET STREET

NATL FORESTS GRASSLANDS IN TX

USDA FOREST SERVICE

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 Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation for Vegetation Management Services for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. These 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 proposals and all required documentation to sean.metzger@usda.gov by the due

(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.

date and time. LATE OR INCOMPLETE Offers will not be accepted. QUESTIONS ARE DUE 06/25/2025 @ 3PM

CT. OFFERS DUE 07/02/2025 @ 3PM CT.

This solicitation will be awarded as an Blanket

Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a target Award Pool of up to 20 Awardees. These Agreements will have a period of performance that begins from the date of award through 07/31/2030.

"Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Any BPA that is awarded under this solicitation will not have any funds obligated, all funding will be at the

BPA Call level. 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." Services for these BPAs, once awarded, will be competed among those contractors that quoted for those services in their submitted proposals. Contracting Officer

Representatives (CORs) will be designated at the

BPA Call level.

The government intends to award BPA's without discussion, refer to FAR 52.215-1(f)(4)

Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition

(Nov 2021).

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

3 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 3

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

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

12444225R0003

Delivery: 07/31/2030

Period of Performance: 08/01/2025 to 07/31/2030

0001 Vegetation Management Services for the National

Forests and Grassland in Texas. Refer to the

Schedule of Items and SOW for details and specifications.

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

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

12444225R0003 Vegetation Management Services

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF1449

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

National Forests and Grassland in Texas Headquarters: Lufkin, TX LBJ National Grassland: Decatur, TX (Wise County) Caddo National Grassland: Decatur, TX (Fannin County) Angelina National Forest: Zavala, TX (Angelina, St. Augustine, Jasper, Nacogdoches Counties) Sabine National Forest: Hemphill, TX (Sabine, Newton, Shelby Counties) Sam Houston National Forest: New Waverly, TX (Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker Counties) Davy Crockett National Forest: Kennard, TX (Houston, Trinity Counties)

OVERVIEW

This solicitation will result in a performance-based, Blanket Purchase Agreement as best meets the needs of the Government on the basis of technical capability, past performance and price. These Agreement will have a Period of Performance that runs from the Award date through July 31, 2030.

Period of Performance (POP):

Award date through 7/31/2030

BPA CALL COMPETION

All Services will be competed among the BPA Pool of Awardee’s who quoted and priced those services in their Offers. Refer to the Schedule of Item’s Item numbers and the corresponding SOW item numbers for descriptions and details. Note: If only 1 BPA Awardee quoted for a specific service or services, BPA Calls for said services will be a direct to award BPA Call with pricing according to the Schedule of Item’s Ordering Periods, see below.

BPA CALL ORDERING PERIODS

This BPA has 5 ordering periods, with a start date that begins on the Award date in 2025 through July 31st of the following year. These Ordering periods were set at the time of the solicitation in the Schedule of Items to permit different pricing during the BPA’s Overall Period of Performance. The Government reserves the right to adjust the quantity ordered on any BPA Call based on the availability of funds.

Award date to 07/31/2026 (Period 1) 08/01/2026 to 07/31/2027 (Period 2) 08/01/2027 to 07/31/2028 (Period 3) 08/01/2028 to 07/31/2029 (Period 4) 08/01/2029 to 07/31/2030 (Period 5)

Refer to SPECIAL AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS for BPA Call 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 BPA Calls and identify their reason(s) for not submitting an offer; contractors who consistently fail to submit an offer on BPA Calls risk having their BPA terminated for convenience.

AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: BPA Calls may only be issued by warranted contracting officers or purchasing agents on behalf of the National Forests and Grasslands in TX.

Priced items in the following Schedule are for reference only and to indicate awarded items on this BPA.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

Schedule of Items

Use this the following attachment to submit pricing for each service (02) Schedule of Items.xlsx

Note: Items (services) listed in the schedule of Items may be removed from this requirement at the time of award if services are no longer deemed necessary or if there is no quoted pricing from any offeror.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

STATEMENT OF WORK

DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICES - BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, NONNATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL, REVEGETATION PRACTICES, AND RARE PLANT SURVEYS.

NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS IN TEXAS

SECTION I – GENERAL

SCOPE: The contractor shall provide all materials, labor, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, expertise, permits, licenses and other incidentals necessary, except as otherwise provided, to successfully complete vegetation management practices and nonnative invasive species control work on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas in accordance with the performance work statement, State and Federal Regulations, and OSHA guidelines. The contractor must be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act.

Work includes tasks and subtasks related to vegetation management, Fireline construction, herbicide application, seeding, and seed harvest and collection on National Forest land.

LOCATION: All areas are located within the boundaries of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Wise, Fannin, Montague, Trinity, Houston, Angelina, Nacogdoches, Jasper, San Augustine, Shelby, Sabine, San Jacinto, Montgomery, and Walker Counties. Specific locations, area data, and maps will be issued with each BPA-C.

Accessibility will be indicated on project maps and may not be accessible without 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Work locations listed will have been determined by either global positioning system (GPS) or geographic information system (GIS). For purposes of the BPA, quantities listed in the Schedule of Items are estimates only.

The number of snags listed on each BPA-C for snag felling will have been determined by a 100 percent tally. The quantities listed on each BPA-C are considered actual and not an estimate. All trees for snag felling will be marked with a yellow painted “X” on trees at eye and a spot on ground level before cutting.

FOREST BOUNDARIES: Most boundaries have previously been marked by paint slashes on sides of trees or by hanging flagging around each area. Others may have fences, roads, private land boundaries, timber age changes, or natural structures which were used as boundaries.

PERFORMANCE OF SIMILAR WORK BY THE GOVERNMENT: Nothing in this BPA restricts the Government from performing any of the work with its own organization and workforce.

TECHNICAL CONTACT: Charles Graziadei, Forest Silviculturist, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas- Supervisor’s Office, (936)639-8572.

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 (CO). The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contractual matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

The Contractor Representative designated by the contractor shall have the ability to read, write, and speak English and communicate with crew members.

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR): The CO will designate a COR in writing for each BPA Call (BPA-C) that is made against this BPA.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

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

EQUIPMENT CLEANING – INVASIVE SPECIES OF CONCERN

(a) The contractor shall ensure that any equipment intended for use during Agreement performance, either mechanical or otherwise, shall be free from invasive species of concern before use on this BPA or any subsequent BPA-C.

(i) Prior to commencing work on a project, the contractor shall advise the Forest Service of previous equipment cleaning measures and make equipment available for inspection upon request. Forest Service shall have 2 days, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, to inspect any equipment to ensure it is free of invasive species of concern. Equipment shall be considered clean when a visual inspection does not disclose seeds, soil, vegetative matter, and other debris that could contain or hold seeds of invasive species of concern. After satisfactory inspection or after such 2-day period, the contractor may proceed with work as directed by the CO.

(ii) If the contractor desires to clean equipment on National Forest land, such as at the end of a project or prior to moving to or through an area that is free of invasive species of concern, the contractor shall obtain prior approval from the CO as to the location for such cleaning and measures, if any, for controlling impacts.

(b) The Forest Supervisor’s Office maintains a current list and maps of areas known by the Forest Service that are infested with invasive species of concern and are available upon request. The parties shall promptly communicate with one another with respect to description or designation of additional locations; discovery of locations of new species or new infestation; and addition of species to the list of invasive species of concern and any potential impact on Agreement operations.

PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES, AND

IMPROVEMENTS

(a) The Contractor shall preserve and protect all structures, equipment, and vegetation (such as trees, shrubs, and grass) on or adjacent to the work site, which are not to be removed, and which do not unreasonably interfere with the work required under this Agreement. The Contractor shall only remove trees when specifically authorized to do so and shall avoid damaging vegetation that will remain in place.

(b) The Contractor shall protect from damage all existing improvements and utilities (1) at or near the work site, and (2) on adjacent property of a third party, the locations of which are made known to or should be known by the Contractor. The Contractor shall repair any damage to those facilities, including those that are the property of a third party, resulting from failure to comply with the requirements of this contract or failure to exercise reasonable care in performing the work. If the Contractor fails or refuses to repair the damage promptly, the CO may have the necessary work performed and charge the cost to the Contractor.

(c) Treatment applications shall not be applied within Streamside Management Zones that are comprised of a minimum one hundred feet either side of a perennial stream and thirty feet either side of a defined stream unless specifically authorized by the COR and aquatic labeled herbicides are in use.

(d) The Contractor shall take every precaution necessary to prevent pollution of any stream. All streams shall be kept free of Contractor generated debris. Heavy equipment shall not operate within the streamside management zones as designated by the COR. The COR will designate stream crossings.

(e) Improvements such as fences, gates, property boundaries, corner monuments and trees that are marked or identified with paint, signs, tags, and/or blazes shall be protected by the contractor.

(f) Trees that are located adjacent to roads, fire lines, fences, private property, right-of-ways, or other structures and are designated for treatment shall be severed and felled so as not to damage, lean on, clog or otherwise obstruct existing structures or facilities.

(g) The contractor will notify the COR immediately of any damaged structures and repair damages that have resulted from the contractor’s operations.

(h) Tracked equipment shall be loaded or unloaded onto unimproved roads or within the area to be treated.

(i) Lead off and wing ditch structures that have been constructed for system roads shall be protected.

(j) Some treatment areas will be in very wet areas or undrained flats and will not have vehicle access: vehicles will be prohibited from those areas. It these cases, the BPA-C will include designated parking or access routes.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

(k) Contractor shall not work in active RCW cluster areas during the breeding season for RCW (April 1-July

31) or until it is determined by the Wildlife Biologist that the young have fledged. Equipment shall not be left parked overnight within 200 feet of any RCW cavity tree (trees marked with a green or white painted band 4-6 feet above ground and having a small metal numbered tag). Utmost caution must be displayed when working around RCW cavity trees. Under no circumstances shall a RCW cavity tree be damaged.

No work shall be conducted in active RCW clusters until 60 minutes after sunrise and shall terminate 60 minutes prior to sunset. Operations shall be completed outside the bald eagle nesting season (October 1st through May 15th) for operations within 660’ of the eagle nest tree unless otherwise determined by Forest Service biologist.

(l) The Contractor shall take every precaution necessary to prevent digging, gouging and moving soil. The Contractor shall prevent excessive rutting and compaction by operating his equipment only when suitable soil conditions exist, as determined by the COR or Inspector. The Contractor shall prevent damage to trees left standing.

CLEANING UP: The Contractor shall at all times keep the work area, including storage areas, free from accumulations of waste materials. Before completing the work, the Contractor shall remove from the work and premises any rubbish, tools, equipment, and materials that are not the property of the Government. Upon completing the work, the Contractor shall leave the work area in a clean, neat, and orderly condition satisfactory to the CO or their designee.

PERFORMANCE TIME: All BPA-Cs issued will include delivery or performance schedule in terms of specific calendar dates or time frame for completion. To facilitate timely inspections, the contractor shall provide the Government of their proposed operation schedule. The contractor shall notify the Government of schedule changes.

All work shall be performed during the time period of one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Friday, unless time changes are approved by the COR or Inspector.

AGREEMENT (BPA-C) TIME:

5.1 NNIS Herbicide application-- All BPA-C work shall be done during the current appropriate application season for the targeted vegetation. BPA-C time shall be 1 day for every 10 ac’s (or equivalent for spot application).

5.2 Revegetation and Seed Collection-- Negotiated by CO and contractor at time of BPA-C.

5.3 For mechanical site prep services, the time shall be 1 day for every 12 acres. For mechanical PCT, contract time shall be 1 day for every 8 acres.

5.4 For Fireline construction services, the time shall be as follows: Fuel model 3, 5, 8 (0%-25% slope) Uphill- 45-70 Chains/hour. Downslope 70-80 chains/hour.

5.5 For planting services, the time shall be 1 day for every 15 acres. The planting season begins upon availability of seedlings and normally ends in April.

5.6 For manual site prep, PCT and release services, the time shall be 1 day for every 10 acres.

5.7 Herbicide application services, the time work shall be done during the current appropriate application season for the targeted vegetation. Service time shall be 1 day for every 10 ac’s (or equivalent for spot application).

5.8 For Mowing/Mulching/Chainsaw treatments services, the time shall be 1 day for: 5 ac’s for Mowing; 2 ac’s for Mulching (Initial); 10 ac’s for Mulching (Maint.); & 10 ac’s for Chainsaw work.

5.9 For snag felling services, the time shall be 1 day for every 20 snags.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

5.10 For Plant Surveys services, the time shall be 1 day for every 50 acres.

5.11 For Bog and Prairie Restoration-- Negotiated by CO and contractor at time of BPA-C.

5.12 For RCW insert installation-- 5 inserts per day or as negotiated between the CO and the contractor.

5.13 For RCW mechanized midstory control-- One day for every 10 acres.

5.14 For Food Plot maintenance-- Negotiated by CO and contractor at time of BPA-C.

5.15 Bird Surveys-- Negotiated by CO and contractor at time of BPA-C.

5.16 RCW Monitoring-- Negotiated by CO and contractor at time of BPA-C.

RE-MEASUREMENT: The contractor may at any time after issuance of a BPA-C request re-measurement of an area. The request must be in writing. Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for areas less than 1 acre. The contractor shall pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in an increase of less than five percent. Method of re-measurement to be used will be determined by the Government.

PAYMENT: Payment for performed work will be based on actual hours worked/acres completed by the contractor and accepted by the Government.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

SECTION II – DEFINITIONS

STANDARD DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

Calendar Days Every day shown on the calendar, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays included.

Contracting Officer (CO) A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate

Contracts/Agreements and make related determinations and findings.

Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR)

A Government person appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract/agreement administration and surveillance.

Defective Service A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

Government Inspector A Government person responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

Performance Requirements Summary

(PRS)

Identifies the key service outputs of the contract/agreement that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety equipment to be worn for protection from hazards such as safety glasses, ear protection, hard hat, work gloves, boots, long sleeve shirts and pants.

Quality Assurance Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

(QASP)

An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance that contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

Quality Control Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

Random Sampling A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

Chainsaw/Handtool midstory Chainsaw/Handtool all woody stems with stump diameters 24 inches and less (d.o.b.)

shall be completely severed at the base. Cut stumps shall be no higher than 6 inches above ground level for stems less than 12 inches DBH or no higher than 12 inches above ground level for stems greater than 12 inches DBH unless obstructed by rocks, terrain, etc. Retain natural oak inclusions of upland species such as post, blackjack, turkey and bluejack (sandjack) oak if a historic component of sites prior to fire suppression. Trim limbs and buck felled material to where tops lie no greater than 2 feet above ground level.

Cut surface treatment Denotes cutting of stump and manually applying herbicide to exposed wood.

DBH (Diameter breast height) Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Direct Seeding – Pine Broadcasting pine seed by cyclone seeder Double Chopping Two passes with single drum chopper (see definition above). Second pass shall be at approximately a right angle to first pass (unless otherwise agreed in writing by COR).

All woody material including cut stems and tops must be cut.

Fireline construction Establishing a Fireline by blading a line 8 to 30 feet wide around the perimeter of treatment area.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

TERMS MEANING

Fireline reconstruction Blade an existing corridor around the perimeter of the treatment area.

Foliar spray Method of treatment application where herbicide is applied to foliage of vegetation.

Leave Trees Trees which are not to be cut or treated under this Agreement.

Manual Felling Method of treatment application that severs the stem from the stump.

Mechanical Midstory Method of treatment application where tree stems are severed and mulched near ground level by a mechanical mulcher. Stems shall be chipped. All woody material with stump diameters 12 inches or less and logging slash shall be severed from the ground and mulched. Cut stumps shall be less than 5 inches above ground level unless obstructed by rocks, terrain, etc.

Midstory Tree/brush layer in a forest between the upper tree canopy and herbaceous (grassy) layer.

Mowing Mechanical manipulation with a brush/bush hog to uniformly reduce the height of the vegetation. Mowing of RCW stands will primarily consist of all vegetation up to 2 inches in diameter.

Nonnative Invasive Species Noxious weeds Precommercial thinning

(PCT)

Method of treatment where tree stems are completely severed from the stump in order to improve tree spacing (releasing pines from pines).

RCW Red-cockaded woodpecker Release A treatment designed to free young trees from undesirable, usually overtopping, competing vegetation (generally, releasing pine from hardwood/brush).

Sapling A tree taller than 5 feet and less than 5” DBH.

Seedling A tree less than 5 feet tall.

Shearing Severing residual stems within 2 inches of the ground.

Shear/Rake/Windrow Severing residual stems within 2 inches of the ground and raking into rows.

Single Drum Chopping Method of treatment application where tree stems are chopped at ground level by a single drum chopper with a total working weight of not less than 21,000 pounds, pulled by a crawler tractor. As a minimum 5 inches of each blade must be available for cutting. All woody material including cut stems and tops must be cut.

Slash The residue left on the ground after tree felling. It includes unutilized logs, uprooted stumps, broken or uprooted stems, and the heavier branch wood.

Snag A standing dead tree.

Waterbars Compacted berm one to two feet in height, the width of a Fireline, with an angle of 30 to 45 degrees downgrade of Fireline centerline, with drain outlet.

SECTION III – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The Government will furnish the following: project area maps (1:24000) scale for each area; vicinity maps that show the general location of the areas on each unit, water; seed for revegetation, and tree seedlings.

SECTION IV – CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

The contractor shall furnish all the equipment, supplies and labor required to successfully accomplish the work outlined in the Performance Work Statement at an acceptable level. The contractor shall also provide proof that the work meets the standards. Contractor shall provide proof of State license for herbicide handling and application.

Submittals. The contractor shall provide and maintain an acceptable Quality Control Plan, Work Plan, and Safety Plan throughout the life of this Agreement. The contractor shall make available to the Government any records, materials, and other evidence regarding inspection, testing, and quality control for any work performed under this Agreement for examination, audit, or reproduction. This requirement also applies to any subcontracts under this Agreement. The Contractor shall notify subcontractors appropriately and insert this requirement in all subcontracts under this Agreement.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

SECTION V – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL

SUBTASKS

5.1 NONNATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES HERBICIDE APPLICATION

Herbicide Standards Common to All Methods of Application

The contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, certifications and permits, and for complying with any applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with the use of herbicides under this Agreement. This includes a State of Texas TPDES general permit. ** State of Texas Pesticide Applicator Certification is Required**

The Contractor shall provide all Personal Protective Equipment.

The contractor shall apply herbicides in accordance with the label directions and Worker Protection Standards

(WPS).

Herbicides used on this project shall be logged on the attached Pesticide Use Log Sheet.

DO NOT apply herbicide within 100 feet of private land, within 100 feet of a private residence, or 35 feet of open water unless otherwise notified by COR. Any herbicide applied within 35 feet of open or flowing water must be labelled for aquatic use.

Herbicide Spills - Contractor shall be responsible for all costs of damages, clean-up, and decontamination should a herbicide spill occur. COR shall be notified immediately of any herbicide spill or accident. The Forest’s spill plan is attached.

All empty herbicide containers shall be triple rinsed on the application site and allowed to air dry. Dry containers shall be punctured and returned to the locations designated by the COR for disposal. Wastewater from triple rinsing shall be added to spray mixture.

Timing of Application

Foliar Spray and Cut Surface treatments shall be implemented during the leaf-on period of the year. Normally, leaf-on starts about the middle of April and ends at the first frost in November. Hack ‘n’ Squirt treatments can be done beginning the middle of April until October 31st. Basal Bark applications can be done beginning the middle of April until October 31st. Banded Spray treatments can be done beginning the middle of April until October 31st per pesticide label requirements.

Work shall be performed when weather conditions are appropriate for foliar spraying.

Weather conditions under which operations are suspended

Temperature Higher Than

Humidity Less Than

Wind (At Target)

Greater Than Ground Hand (cut surface) NA NA NA Hand (Other) 98º 20% 15 mph Mechanical (liquid) 95º 30% 10 mph Mechanical (granular) NA NA 10 mph

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

5.1.1 FOLIAR SPRAY APPLICATION

Apply herbicide mix to the foliage of target vegetation as designated on maps. The herbicide mix will have a dye in it to aid in a thorough application to target leaf surfaces. Treatment will be to point of run-off. Treatment sites will be thoroughly inspected so all target vegetation is treated.

Effectiveness of treatment is reduced if applied within two hours of rainfall. Any areas treated within two hours of rainfall shall be retreated.

Foliar application of herbicides should be made only when there is little or no hazard from spray drift as directed by the label.

5.1.2 CUT SURFACE APPLICATION

Target trees or brush are cut and cut surfaces are immediately treated with a specified herbicide mix. Cut stumps no higher than 6 inches above ground. Using a pressurized quart jug or small backpack sprayer for a cambium treatment, thoroughly wet the cambium area of the stump (the wood next to the bark) with the herbicide mixture. For a basal application of a cut stump, apply to the outside bark of the stump for best results.

5.1.3 HACK ‘N SQUIRT APPLICATION

Apply a herbicide mix using the tree injection method of Hack ‘n’ squirt. This method utilizes hatchets, axes or machetes and a squirt bottle. Cuts are made edge to edge around the circumference of the tree. Herbicide mixture is applied to each cut according to the label.

5.1.4 BASAL BARK APPLICATION

Apply spray to the lower 12-15 inches of bark around the entire stem. Spray until bark is wet, but not to the point of runoff. Stems of target trees or brush are treated with an oil-based herbicide mix. Trees to treat are usually less than 6 inches in diameter. Usually backpack sprayers with a straight stream nozzle are used. Nozzle sizes will be determined based on herbicide application requirements

5.1.5 BANDED SPRAY APPLICATION

Treat stands by applying herbicide mix to the vegetation in a strip application. Contractor will use a tractor mounted boom or boomless sprayer. Boom height and distance between nozzles must be set so a 30 percent spray overlap from each nozzle is attained. Treated strips will be 5-8-feet wide. Liquid dye will be added to the mix for visibility and to ensure an even treatment. Use of plastic (non-biodegradable) string will NOT be allowed to mark swaths.

Contractor shall be responsible for calibrating sprayer properly and ensuring a continuous and even application of the herbicide mix. A flat nozzle with pressure less than 35 psi is required for droplet size control.

5.1.6 AQUATIC APPLICATIONS

Involves chemical control through the use of registered aquatic herbicides to control submersed or emergent vegetation in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Treatments can range in size from backpack spray applications to individual plants or small clusters of plants up to large-scale treatments from boats that may target an invasive weed throughout an entire lake. In addition, the objective of some treatments is broad spectrum control of numerous plant species, while many treatments target a specific invasive plant or algal species. Treatments to emersed vegetation are applied as foliar treatments with a back-pack sprayer or other device. Treatments to submersed vegetation are applied as concentrated liquids, granules or pellets. Aquatic herbicide applicators must measure the volume of the water to be treated before applying submersed herbicides to ensure that the appropriate and effective amount of

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025 herbicide is used. The following constants are needed to calculate the volume of water before treatment with submersed herbicides:

• The volume of a body of water is calculated in acre-feet, which is a function of area and depth;

for example, a lake with an area of 1 acre and a depth of 6 feet has a volume of 6 acre-feet.

• A single acre-foot of water comprises around 326,000 gallons of water and weighs around 2.7 million pounds.

Fluoridone is the only herbicide registered by the EPA that is labeled only for use in aquatic systems and it is used primarily to control submersed (e.g., Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla, and Egeria) by treating the water column instead of the foliage of the plants. Application is typically made by boat. Unlike the contact herbicides that require hours or days of exposure, the f Fluoridone label states that target weeds must be exposed to Fluoridone for a minimum of 45 days. The extended exposure requirement typically calls for treatment of the entire aquatic system or treatment of the protected embayment of lakes or reservoirs. Fluoridone is available in both liquid and pellet formulations. Both products require that plants be exposed to sufficient concentrations of Fluoridone for an appropriate period of time. As a result, sequential Fluoridone treatments – often called “bumps” – are usually applied over a period of time to ensure that an effective concentration of the herbicide is maintained. A commercial assay that measures Fluoridone residue levels is available through the manufacturers of Fluoridone and can be used to identify current concentrations of Fluoridone to determine if further applications are necessary to maintain an effective concentration of the herbicide or reservoirs.

5.1.6.1 TREATMENT TO EMERSED VEGETATION (SAME SPECS AS ABOVE)

5.1.6.2 TREATMENT TO SUBMERSED VEGETATION (SAME SPECS AS ABOVE)

5.1.7 MECHANIZED NNIS CONTROL, FUEL REDUCTION, AND MOWING

Mowing herbaceous vegetation in areas across each district designated in the BPA-C to sever all vegetation to lie within approximately six (6) inches of ground level.

Contractor will use the proper equipment to minimize penetrating or disturbing the topsoil and not operate in wet ground conditions.

Equipment used must meet OSHA standards.

To reduce the chance of invasive plants being spread into the National Forest any mechanical equipment shall be pressure washed prior to beginning work on the National Forest. It applies to any mechanical equipment that could harbor clumps of dirt or vegetative material such as bush hogs. When changing locations on the forest the determination of treatment requirements will be discussed with the COR.

Timing of Operations

Treatments shall not be implemented within an active red-cockaded woodpecker cluster during the April 1st through July 31st nesting season. RCW nesting season is subject to change based on site-specific surveys of activity status.

Treatments shall not start until on hour after sunrise and stop one hour before sunset within an active red-cockaded woodpecker clusters.

VEGETATION NOT TARGETED FOR TREATMENT

All fruiting and flowering trees to include but not limited to black cherry, dogwood, cabbage palm, plum, persimmon, and holly shall be retained.

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

Other trees and plant species, or size class that have been designated by the COR/Inspector under any BPA-C shall be retained.

5.2 REVEGETATION TREATMENTS

Native plant seed shall be stored in paper bags only. Any other storage medium such as plastic or burlap will not be permitted. Seed is perishable and shall be protected from rain and excess moisture, and or freezing. Seed shall be protected from contamination by materials such as gasoline, diesel, fuel, oils, or chemicals, which may cause damage.

SEEDING

5.2.1 SEEDING NATIVE SPECIES

The Government will provide the species to be seeded. The application rate will be supplied to the contractor at BPA-C award. Seeding will be done as directed by BPA-C to revegetate firelines, trails, and other areas of bare soil. Seeds will be drilled, broadcast and covered with soil at appropriate depth. Care will be taken to prevent rutting, uprooting, or otherwise damaging natural groundcover surrounding the work area. Contractor will be responsible for repairing any damage caused while performing services under any BPA-C.

5.2.2 SEED HARVEST AND COLLECTION

Harvesting of native groundcover seeds will only take place in areas specified by the Government.

Collection will only occur when the understory vegetation is completely dry (usually after 9:30 a.m.).

Seeds will be collected in paper (grocery) bags and shall be marked indicating the date, location id#, and the contractors’ initials.

When harvesting with equipment, maintain low speeds of two to three mph. Limit multiple passes over the same area and avoid wet areas.

Native seeds will be harvested from standing vegetation mid-May to late December. Any mechanized equipment used shall rubber-tired and able to maneuver among widely-spaced trees. Care will be taken to prevent rutting, uprooting, or other damage to natural groundcover in the work area. Contractor will be responsible for repairing any damage caused during BPA-C operations.

Hand collectors, flail-vac seed harvester, and green-silage cutter are examples of appropriate equipment.

5.3 MECHANICAL SITE PREP & PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING (PCT)

Timing of Operations

1. No operations shall be conducted within active Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) clusters during the April 1st through July 31st nesting season subject to change based on site-specific surveys of activity status.

2. Operations shall not start until 60 minutes after sunrise and stop 60 minutes before sunset in active RCW clusters.

3. Operations shall be completed outside the bald eagle nesting season (from October 1st through May 15th) for operations within 660’ of the eagle nest tree unless otherwise determined by Forest Service biologist

4. Operations shall not be conducted when soil moisture conditions promote rutting and compaction of soil.

Protection of RCW Cavity Trees or Eagle Nest Trees

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025

1. Equipment shall operate no closer than 50 feet of RCW cavity and/or insert trees and eagle nest trees, unless otherwise agreed by Forest Service. Cavity trees are designated with a white painted band at eye level.

2. Utmost caution shall be applied when operating near these trees.

3. Under no circumstances are these trees to be damaged.

Soil and Water Protection

1. Operations shall avoid the digging, gouging and moving of soil.

2. If needed, stream crossings shall be designated by the Forest Service representative.

Other resource protection

1. System Roads

a. Equipment shall be unloaded onto unimproved roads or within the treatment area.

b. Lead off ditch and wing ditch structures shall be protected.

2. Utilities

a. Avoid damage to structures within rights-of-way.

b. Contractor shall be responsible for contacting utility companies to determine location of underground lines (natural gas, water, telephone, etc.)

3. Other Improvements to protect by contractor include fences, gates, property boundaries and corner monuments.

Material to be treated

1. All woody material including logging slash and uncut stems are to be treated.

2. All standing trees and stems not designated to remain are to be treated.

Designated Material to Remain

1. All designated longleaf and shortleaf pines will be protected.

2. Where available, one ½-acre hardwood clumps per 20 acres of treatment area.

3. Where available, 2 hard mast producers of oak or hickory per treatment acre greater than 14 inches DBH.

4. Where available, 2 hardwood or pine snags per treatment acre greater than or equal to 12 inches DBH.

5.3.1 SHEARING OPERATIONS

1. The shearing operation shall be performed with a tractor/crawler(s) equipped with a V-type blade that will shear material instead of uprooting. The V-blade shall be sharpened by contractor as often as necessary to ensure that shearing is performed properly.

2. All standing trees and stems larger than 2 inches DBH and all stumps shall be sheared off at or within 6 inches of ground level except higher shearing is acceptable to avoid rocks, unless designated to remain (above).

3. Crawler tractors shall be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers and shall meet all OSHA standards.

4. Direction of cut swaths shall be determined by the COR before each treatment area is entered.

5.3.2 SINGLE DRUM CHOPPING

Single Drum Chopping Operations

1. Tree stems and other vegetation up to 7 inches DBH chopped at ground level by a single drum chopper with a total working weight of not less than 21,000 pounds pulled by a crawler tractor, unless otherwise agreed by the

COR.

2. A minimum of 5 inches for each blade on the drum must be available for cutting and be kept sharp enough to completely sever vegetation from the stump.

3. Direction of cut swath shall be determined by COR before each treatment area is entered.

4. All standing trees and stems less than 7 inches not designated to remain are to be chopped.

5.3.3 DOUBLE CHOPPING

1. Tree stems and other vegetation up to 7 inches DBH chopped at ground level by a single drum chopper with a total working weight of not less than 21,000 pounds pulled by a crawler tractor, unless otherwise agreed by the

COR.

2. A minimum of 5 inches for each blade on the drum must be available for cutting and be kept sharp enough to completely sever vegetation from the stump.

3. Two cut swath passes required. Direction of cut swaths shall be determined by COR before each treatment area

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

FAC 2025-03 January 17, 2025 is entered.

4. All standing trees and stems less than 7 inches not designated to remain are to be chopped.

5.3.4 SHEAR

Mechanical Shear Only Operations

1. The shearing operation shall be performed with a tractor/crawler (s) equipped with a V-type blade that will shear material instead of uprooting it. The V-blade shall be sharpened by contractor as often as necessary to ensure that shearing is performed properly.

2. All standing trees and stems larger than 2 inches DBH and all stumps shall be sheared off at or within 6 inches of ground level except higher shearing is acceptable to avoid rocks.

3. Tractor/crawler(s) shall be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers and shall meet all OSHA standards.

4. Direction of cut swaths shall be determined by the COR before each treatment area is entered.

5.3.5 SHEAR/RAKE/WINDROW

Mechanical Shear/Rake/Windrow Operations

1. The shearing operation shall be performed with a tractor(s) equipped with a V-type blade that will shear material instead of uprooting it. The V-blade shall be sharpened by contractor as often as necessary to ensure that shearing is performed properly.

2. All standing trees and stems larger than 2 inches DBH and all stumps shall be sheared off at or within 6 inches of ground level except higher shearing is acceptable to avoid rocks.

3. Tractor/crawler(s) shall be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers and shall meet all OSHA standards.

4. Direction of cut swaths shall be determined by the COR before each treatment area is entered.

5. The raking operation must be performed with a tractor/crawler(s) equipped with a raking blade that will permit raking without moving soil into the windrow.

6. All sheared material and other loose material on the sheared area measuring 4 inches in diameter at small end and 10 feet in length and larger shall be raked into windrows.

7. Location of the windrows shall follow the contour

8. Windrows shall not be located in stream side zones.

9. Windrows shall not exceed 12 feet in width and spaced 100 to 150 apart. Staggered overlapping gaps shall be left every 150 to 250 feet. Gaps shall be staggered to occur at the adjacent row and will be 20 to 40 feet wide.

10. Windrows shall not be located within 20 feet of trees designated to remain standing.

11. Windrows shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from the treatment area boundary.

5.3.6 MECHANICAL PCT

Mechanical Pre-Commercial Thinning Operations

1. Cutting parallel swaths approximately 10 feet in width through stands of young pine trees leaving rows of trees on uncut strips from 1 to 2 feet wide utilizing a front mounted heavy duty rotary cutter (or a V-Blade) that can be raised or lowered and capable of reducing trees up to 6 inches DBH in a single pass.

2. Trees to be treated shall be cut, chopped and severed from the stump within 6 inches of the ground line.

3. Where solid obstructions prevent severing stumps within 6 inches of the groundline, stump heights may exceed 6 inches.

4. Directions of cut swaths shall be determined by COR before each treatment area is entered.

5.3.7 SITE PREPERATION - MULCHING

1. Utilizing a front-mounted, heavy-duty rotary cutter that can be raised or lowered, all standing herbaceous vegetation, slash, and woody stems up to six inches DBH shall be mulched.

2. Vegetation, tops, slash, and stems shall be completely severed from the stump and mulched to within six inches of the ground unless obstructed by rocks, terrain, or as directed by the COR.

3. Felled trees shall be reduced to within 2 feet of ground level unless otherwise designated by the COR.

4. Shredded woody debris shall be scattered evenly across the ground, minimizing penetration or disturbance of the topsoil.

5. Contractor shall use every precaution necessary to prevent damage to trees not specified for treatment. All slash shall be mulched around the base of the leave trees

National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

6. The CO may order the removal and require replacement of any unsatisfactory equipment.

The Government reserves the right to inspect bidder’s equipment prior to award of the BPA-C.

7. The Contractor assumes full responsibility for the actions of all equipment and the operation.

Equipment used must meet OSHA standards.

5.3.8 ADD BLADED FIRELINES

Bladed Fireline Construction

1. Fireline construction width shall be a minimum of 8’ dozer blade width or 8 to 10 feet of bladed line.

2. Fireline’s shall not be constructed within protected stream zones unless otherwise approved by the Forest Service.

3. Prevention of slash piling along Fireline’s shall be mitigated by scattering cut and chopped material into the treatment area.

4. Snags with total heights that exceed the distance to improvements such as roads, Fireline’s, property lines and transmission line rights-of-way shall be pushed away from such improvements.

5.3.9 ADD WATERBARS

Waterbar Construction

1. Waterbars shall be reconstructed at…