12569R18R0009_HM_-_Manistee_Wildlife_Habitat_IDIQ_Solicitation.docx

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

DATE

March 27, 2018

Patrick Larrman 231-745-5831 231-723-2211 X 3138 April 26, 2018 4:30 pm EST

9. ISSUED BY CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

USDA FOREST SERVICE

LSAT CONTRACTING

820 RAINS DRIVE

GLADSTONE, MI 49837

|_| UNRESTRICTED OR |X| SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

|X| SMALL BUSINESS |_| Women Owned Small

BUSINESS (WOSB)

|_| HUBZONE SMALL |_| Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

|_| SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- |_| 8(A) NAICS:115310

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

Size Standard:$7.5M

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

|_| SEE SCHEDULE

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

|X| RFQ |_| IFB |_| RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

same as 9

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

IPP – INVOICE PROCESSING PROGRAM

DUNS NUMBER:_______________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS:______________________

TELEPHONE N0.________________________

|_| SEE ADDENDUM

MANISTEE WILDLIFE HABITAT IDIQ

Enter pricing on “Offer Submission Package” enclosure, at the end of this package.

A single or multiple IDIQ Contract(s) will be awarded from this solicitation as a Best Value to the Government.

Please submit entire Offer Submission Package to acaliguri@fs.fed.us or to the address in block 9 above. Sign and date this SF1449 Form and return with Submission Pages.

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

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ____________________

ANNETTE CALIGURI

31c. DATE SIGNED

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

|_| RECEIVED |_| INSPECTED |_| ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

CORRECT FOR

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

|_| COMPLETE |_| PARTIAL |_| FINAL

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER

FOR PAYMENT

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012) BACK

MANISTEE WILDLIFE HABITAT IDIQ CONTRACT

HURON-MANISTEE NATIONAL FORESTS

BALDWIN AND MANISTEE RANGER DISTRICTS

CONTENTS

SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGES

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

M Evaluation Factors for Award 58

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B—SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY18 BASE ESTIMATES

OPTIONAL ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY18 BASED ESTIMATES

ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY19 BASE ESTIMATES

7. Mechanical and/or Manual Cutting ≤ 10” DBH, Stump Herbicide, and Piling

9. Herbicide Non-native Invasive Plants

OPTIONAL ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY19 BASED ESTIMATES

ESTIMATED QUANTITY

TOTAL AMOUNT

ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY20 BASE ESTIMATES

OPTIONAL ITEM NO./ DESCRIPTION

FY20 BASED ESTIMATES

ESTIMATED QUANTITY

TOTAL AMOUNT

All items will be awarded based on price, qualifications, relevant experience, past performance, capability/production rate, and operating plan. Multiple awards may be made.

The Government may issue an order to other than the lowest quoter, make multiple or single awards, waive minor informalities or irregularities in quotes received, or elect not to award at all. If necessary, the Government may conduct discussions with any or all quoters. It is in the quoter’s best interest to fully respond to the Experience Questionnaire located in Section J of this solicitation and provide an Operating Plan that includes an equipment to be used list with plan of work that includes a quality control plan, safety plan, and a work schedule that meets the time frames specified in the contract, since an order may be issued on the basis of information received, without further discussion.

Please quote on all options: it is expected that funding is available for all options, however, based upon the quote, certain task items may not be awarded if sufficient funds do not exist to cover the total bid price quotes.

SECTION C-DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

It is the intent of this contract to secure services to improve wildlife habitat within the Baldwin and Manistee Ranger Districts by reducing tree and shrub cover and increasing native grass and wildflower cover using a combination of mechanical equipment, hand tools, and/or chemical treatments. The Forest Service will hold the option of renewing this contract with the selected Contractor(s) at the initial price/acre for up to two additional years, without re-advertising. Project acreage for each year is estimated to be: 100 acres of mowing; 25 acres of mechanical brushing ≤ 3“ diameter at breast height (DBH) and no piling; 75 acres of mechanical and/or manual brushing ≤ 6“ DBH and piling; 12 acres of hand cutting ≤ 5“ DBH and piling; 15 acres of manual brushing ≤ 6” DBH and no piling; 5 acres of hand cutting ≤ 5” DBH, stump herbicide, and piling; 5 acres of mechanical and/or manual cutting ≤ 10” DBH, stump herbicide, and piling; 6 acres of tilling and seeding with a native seed mix; and 9 acres of herbiciding non-native invasive plants (NNIP). However, project acreage may potentially increase or decrease based on funding. For the 2018 schedule of items, project acreage includes: 79.4 acres of mowing; 22.6 acres of mechanical brushing ≤ 3“ DBH and no piling; 50 acres of mechanical and/or manual brushing ≤ 6“ DBH and piling; 9.3 acres of hand cutting ≤ 5” DBH and piling; 9 acres of manual brushing ≤ 6” DBH and no piling; 2.3 acres of hand cutting ≤ 5” DBH, stump herbicide, and piling; 4.7 acres of mechanical and/or manual cutting ≤ 10” DBH, stump herbicide, and piling; 4.9 acres of tilling and seeding; and 7 acres of herbiciding NNIP. The Contractor(s) will be responsible for providing all personnel and equipment necessary for multiple years of contract execution and completion. Both mandatory and optional work items are included in the contract for all three fiscal years, 2018-2020. All mandatory work items will be completed and if funding is available within a fiscal year, additional optional work items will be awarded. If out-year quantities increase or decrease significantly, the selected Contractor(s) may be allowed to adjust bid item prices accordingly.

Characterization of Sites by Treatment Type

2018 Work Locations

· See Section J – LIST OF ATTACHMENT FOR MAPS

BALDWIN RANGER DISTRICT (BWC)

Item 1 - Mowing

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.89234

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.88528

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.89198

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.89080

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.88632

Liley Township, Newaygo County

-85.88592

Troy Township, Newaygo County

-85.99539

Chase Township, Lake County

-85.66611

Leavitt Township, Oceana County

-86.06873

Beaver Township, Newaygo County

-85.95911

Beaver Township, Newaygo County

-85.95460

-85.92845

-85.92715

-85.92549

Item 2 - Mechanical Brushing ≤ 3” DBH and No Piling

Chase Township, Lake County

-85.66944

Chase Township, Lake County

-85.66361

Chase Township, Lake County

-85.66908

Beaver Township, Newaygo County

-85.94246

Item 4 - Hand Cutting ≤ 5” DBH and Piling

Troy Township, Newaygo County

-85.99276

Denver Township, Newaygo County

-85.95079

-85.94246

Item 6 - Hand Cutting ≤ 5” DBH, Stump Herbicide, and Piling

Chase Township, Lake County

-85.66361

-85.66795

Item 7 – Mechanical and/or Manual Cutting ≤ 10” DBH, Stump Herbicide, and Piling

-85.67188

Otto Township, Oceana County

-86.23965

-86.23940

-86.23895

Item 8 - Tilling and Seeding

-85.95804

-85.95791

-85.95626

-85.81241

-85.81363

Item 9 - Herbicide Non-native Invasive Plants (NNIP)

Troy Township, Newaygo County

-85.99539

MANISTEE RANGER DISTRICT (CM)

Item 3 - Mechanical and/or Manual Brushing ≤ 6” DBH and Piling

Stronach Township, Manistee County

-86.23519

Stronach Township, Manistee County

-86.24985

Boon Township, Wexford County

-85.63227

Free Soil Township, Mason County

-86.17071

Meade Township, Mason County

-86.10433

Meade Township, Mason County

-86.14857

Meade Township, Mason County

-86.15556

Item 5 - Manual Brushing ≤ 6” DBH and No Piling

Boon Township, Wexford County

-85.64112

2019 and 2020 Work Locations

Work locations in 2019 and 2020 are yet to be determined. Job areas to be treated in future years are projected to be similar in range of difficulty to 2018 jobs areas. For example, stem densities in 2019 and 2020 work locations will fall within the range of stem densities present in the 2018 work locations.

C.2 SPECIFICATION INFORMATION (see attached maps)

Bidders are urged to inspect the job areas prior to submission of a quote. It is impossible to describe fully job areas and other conditions that may be factors that affect the cost of contract performance and completing the contract. Only by physical inspection can the prospective bidder be assured of the existing conditions. Example sites for optional work items are available upon request. For further information, you may call Heather Keough at (231) 745-5831 or Kathleen Mahoney at (231) 745-5830 at the Baldwin Ranger Station, or Patrick Laarman at (231) 723-2211x3138 or Paul Thompson (231) 723-2211x3119 at the Manistee Ranger Station. A pre-bid meeting will take place at the Baldwin Ranger Station at 10 am EST on April 17, 2018 and at the Manistee Ranger Station at 10 am EST on April 18, 2018. Before any contract work is started, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange for a pre-work conference to discuss contract provisions and specifications.

At this time, the Contractor should present a proposed progress schedule for completing the work.

C.3 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, necessary personal protective equipment (including hard hats, saw chaps, hearing/eye protection and first aid kit), supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to complete the Work Items.

C.4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Global Positioning System (GPS) points are provided on maps in Section J as Decimal Degrees to assist in locating job areas. Acreage has been determined by the use of GPS and Geographical Information System (GIS). No further acreage computation is planned.

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

General Technical Specifications

(a) Job Area Prioritization - The Contractor may be required to treat certain Forest Service specified job areas prior to others. This information will be given to the Contractor before the start of work. Maps showing their locations will be found in Section J.

(b) Access - Job areas are accessed by State, County, and Forest Service roads (See area maps). Designated access routes may be identified on the maps in Section J or agreed on during the pre-work conference. Tree/shrub removal may be required to improve some designated access routes. Additional access points may be available via unofficial two tracks or closed Forest Service roads upon request and approval by the COR, but closures that are opened for access must be reclosed in a similar and acceptable fashion upon completing work or when work is suspended for more than a week. Any additional access for motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment will require approval by the COR. Some work is beyond Forest Service gates. A Forest Service key may be provided by the government if required. Gates must remain closed during and after work to limit public access.

Work Items 4, 5, and 6 and Optional Work Items 4, 5, 7, and 8 may require walk-in access from the nearest State, County, or Forest Service Road.

Notify the COR at least 1 week prior to entering job areas.

Not all roads are plowed in winter and should be avoided during extreme wet conditions. Work under this contract will not be performed when ground or access road conditions would result in damage to access roads or natural resources. If precipitation makes the ground wet enough to cause significant rutting, then work will be temporarily suspended or the contractor can bring in machinery with a lighter ground pounds per square inch. Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and equipment. The COR may determine conditions warrant cessation of vehicular traffic. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to repair damage caused as a result of their work activities.

(c) Adjacent Wildlife Openings – Other wildlife openings not listed for treatment often occur near or adjacent to job areas. Maps showing their locations will be found in Section J. Contact the COR if there are any questions about opening boundaries. Do not operate motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment within wildlife openings not listed for treatment. Designated access routes may provide paths around these openings. Any additional access for motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment will require approval by the COR.

There will be no loading, unloading, or storing of materials within wildlife openings not listed for treatment. No slash will be placed within these openings with the exception of piling at designated piling locations. Designated piling locations will be identified on the ground and GPS coordinates will be provided. Pile specifications will be provided in Section C.

(d) Adjacent Contract Areas – Treatment units under other contracts such as timber sales may occur near or adjacent to job areas. Treatment unit boundaries are delineated using a combination of painted trees and/or ribbon. Contact the COR if there are any questions about treatment unit boundaries. No activities under this contract will occur within these areas. Occurrence of nearby treatment units under other contracts will be disclosed during pre-work conference meetings.

(e) Government Property - A GPS unit may be provided by the government if required. Additional GPS information, such as gridded maps or downloaded GPS data, may be provided to aid in identification of job area boundaries, upon request of the Contractor. Government property (e.g., Forest Service key, GPS unit, maps) will be issued following signature of Property Transfer Forms and returned in its original condition by agreed upon return dates.

(f) Protected Wildlife and Vegetation – Avoid harming or harassing any wildlife species encountered during contract activities. Wildlife may be removed from job sites to a nearby safe area to avoid harm to them. Keep decks/blades at least 12” above ground during operations to avoid killing snakes or turtles. Retain snags, den trees, and trees with cavities or active bird nests. Avoid damaging wildflowers. Avoid piling slash on top of areas containing concentrations of wildflowers. Avoid getting herbicide on wildflowers or any other non-targets during herbicide treatments.

Trees and brush will not be configured in any way conducive to providing a hunting blind. Slash and/or brush will not be windrowed or placed in any way that serves as a barrier to wildlife.

Avoid damaging reserve or protected plant species during contract activities. Reserve or protected species will be identified on a site-by-site basis by the COR and will be discussed during the pre-work conference. If present, these areas will be communicated to the contractor by the COR. Avoid falling trees or piling slash on top of areas containing reserve species or protected plant species.

If sensitive plant species are found prior to herbicide treatments, the Contractor will need to place a temporary cover over the plants for protection. The COR will confirm sensitive plant locations 2 weeks prior to treatment.

Other sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, species habitat and native vegetation may exist within job areas. These areas will be identified on maps and marked by Forest Service staff, as needed, and avoided by the Contractor or work will be performed only with an appropriate Forest Service staff member on site. Operating areas and ingress and egress lanes for vehicles and equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

(g) Equipment Cleaning - To prevent the spread of non-native invasive species, the Contractor’s equipment will be inspected prior to starting work with the Forest Service. All equipment must be cleaned and free of brush, debris, mud, dirt, and plant parts including roots and seed prior to travel on Forest Service roads, before entering the first job area, and between moving from one job area to another. Methods of equipment cleaning may include, but are not limited to steam-cleaning, running through a car wash, or compressed air cleaning. The COR will inspect equipment upon being brought onto National Forest System lands for the first time, or subsequent times if the equipment is taken off site and returned.

(h) Herbicide Use - Herbicide transport, use, mixing, and disposal will comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Herbicide solutions will be mixed at appropriate locations, not within wildlife openings, to eliminate the potential for spills in naturally vegetated areas. Application will not occur within 2 days of forecasted major rain events. Install temporary signs at treated areas to notify visitors. Remove signs after treatment has concluded.

(i) Salvage - No cut materials are to be salvaged.

(j) Treatment Areas – No activity will occur on non-National Forest System lands. Treatment activities will only occur within job area boundaries. Contact the COR if there are any questions about job area boundaries.

(k) Personal Protective Equipment – Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn at all times while in job areas. Unsafe work practices could result in a ‘Stop Work’ order being issued by the Contracting Officer or further penalties.

(l) Performance - The Contractor will, at the time of submitting the quote, provide an Operating Plan. The Operating Plan will include the following:

(m)

1) Schedule of Work which describes when the Contractor intends to begin to perform the work, where the work will begin, and scheduled progression through job areas.

2) Quality Control Plan which describes how the Contractor intends to demonstrate all tasks are completed to the required Performance Quality Standards and/or to Acceptable Quality Levels.

3) Performance Plan which describes how the Contractor intends to assure the work gets completed in accordance with the time frames and specifications identified including knowledge of the species of vegetation required to perform the work, intended use of manpower, how much and how frequent manpower will be applied to the work, number and types of equipment, and knowledge of treatment techniques including use of herbicide.

The Performance Plan and any work processes shared with the government to fulfill this requirement is considered proprietary and will be kept confidential.

(n) Inspections - Inspections will be completed by the government, occasionally, during performance of the contract and again after the Contractor completes all work within a work item. Inspections are for the benefit of the government. The Contractor will inspect their own work and only tender for acceptance work that has met specifications.

(o) Pre-Work Conference - A pre-work conference will be scheduled and completed with the Contractor after award and prior to the commencement of work. The conference will be by mutual agreement between the COR and the Contractor.

(p) Definitions:

i. DBH – Diameter at breast height units are in inches. Breast height is defined as 4.5 feet above the ground.

ii. Safety Plan – Provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the Contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves and their employees.

iii. Hand cutting/manual brushing – Using hand operated tools (e.g., loppers, chainsaws, brush saws) to cut vegetation.

iv. Mechanical brushing – Using motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment (e.g., trucks, masticators, brush hogs, hydro-axes, shear cutters, bobcats, tractors, skid steers) to cut vegetation.

v. Snags – Standing dead trees or shrubs.

vi. Piling – Moving and consolidating vegetative and woody material from treatment activities into piles of specified dimensions.

vii. Quality Control Plan – Provide a written quality control plan that demonstrates the ability to complete all tasks to the required Performance Quality Standards and/or to Acceptable Quality Levels.

viii. Work Plan and Schedule - Provide start date, production rate, completion date, labor, and equipment list.

(q) Resource Protection:

i. Protection of Streams, Lakes and Reservoirs - The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent pollution from fuels, oils, chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials of any stream, lake, or reservoir located in or near the job areas. All water bodies shall be kept free of Contractor-generated debris.

ii. Debris Disposal - All litter generated by the Contractor during this contract shall be removed from Forest Service land as work progresses.

Specific Technical Specifications

Item 1 Mowing

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will use motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment (e.g., trucks, mowers, tractors) to mow all herbaceous vegetation and incidental small woody seedlings/saplings within job areas. Job areas will be delineated using orange ribbon when necessary, and an 8-10 foot buffer is to be left un-mowed near fence lines to avoid damage or by any body of water to avoid erosion. Where delineation by orange ribbon is not present, implement treatment to the forest edge. If there is question about where the job area boundary lies, contact the COR for clarification.

(b) Areas are to be mowed to a height of approximately 12 inches, no less.

(c) Mowing will occur between August 15 and November 15, with the exception of job areas that will be herbicided in Item 9. Mowing will occur between May 29 and June 15 for these job areas.

Item 2 Mechanical Brushing ≤ 3” DBH and No Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will use motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment (e.g., hydro-axes, brush hog, bobcats, tractors, masticators) to brush all herbaceous vegetation and woody vegetation ≤ 3” DBH within job areas. Job areas will be delineated using orange ribbon when necessary, and an 8-10 foot buffer is to be left un-mowed near fence lines to avoid damage or by any body of water to avoid erosion. Where delineation by orange ribbon is not present, implement treatment to the forest edge. If there is question about where the job area boundary lies, contact the COR for clarification.

(b) Areas are to be mechanically brushed to a height of approximately 12 inches, no less.

(c) Mechanical brushing will occur between August 15 and November 15, with the exception of job areas that require removal of trees and shrubs to provide access for motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment. Access routes to these job areas will be treated under Items 4 or 6 prior to mechanical brushing, and brushing will occur between October 1 and November 15.

Item 3 Mechanical and/or Manual Brushing ≤ 6” DBH and Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) Contractor will use motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment, including but not limited to masticator, tractor, bobcat, brush hog, and/or hand tools including but not limited to chainsaws and brush saws to cut all deciduous and conifer woody species that are at least 2 feet tall and less than 6 inches DBH, except for reserve species. It is ok if woody stems or vegetation less than 2 feet tall are damaged or cut during the brushing process. Brushing boundaries are delineated by painted trees/shrubs and/or flagging ribbon.

(b) Stumps must be left no greater than 6 inches above the ground.

(c) All woody stems (>2” DBH) cut during the brushing process must be consolidated into brush piles at specified locations within the job area unless it is specified in the pre-work conference that brush piles are not required at a specific job area. Specified brush piling locations for each job area will be marked by the COR with flagging or pin flags. Brush piles must occupy a minimum area of 15 feet length by 15 feet width by 6 feet height but not exceed 25’ length by 25’ width by 15’ height. Brush piles must be constructed so slash is packed down with adequate density that piles are not able to be seen through. Entry points used by the Contractor to access job areas with equipment must be blocked upon completion of work with a brush pile meeting dimensions specified above at locations specified by the COR. compressed

(d) Do not cut or damage reserve or protected species as identified by the COR.

(e) Woody stems cut during the brushing process that are not used to create brush piles must lay firmly on the ground and not be suspended from shrubs, trees, or snags.

(f) Mechanical brushing and piling will occur between July 15 and November 15.

Item 4 Hand Cutting ≤ 5” DBH and Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will use hand operated tools (e.g., loppers, chainsaws, brush saws) only to cut all live trees and shrubs ≤ 5” DBH and ≥ 24” above ground. Job areas will be delineated using orange ribbon when necessary, and an 8-10 foot buffer is to be left un-cut near fence lines to avoid damage or by any body of water to avoid erosion. Where delineation by orange ribbon is not present, implement treatment to the forest edge. If there is question about where the job area boundary lies, contact the COR for clarification.

(b) Do not cut trees/shrubs within a 10 foot radius around red ribbons (delineated reserve islands).

(c) Stump height will be ≤ 6”. If a taller stump remains from a previous cutting, cut it too.

(d) Multiple stems originating from the same stump will be treated according to the instructions that apply to the largest stem.

(e) All slash ≥ 1 DBH will be bucked to a manageable size and placed in piles. All other slash left on the ground will be scattered within job area boundaries. Slash may be piled within job areas and wildlife openings where designated. Designated piling locations will be marked using a combination of yellow and blue pin flags on the ground and GPS coordinates will be provided. Additional piling locations may be provided upon written agreement with the COR. All other piles will be placed outside of job area boundaries and wildlife openings on National Forest System lands, piling on existing piles when possible. Pile size will not exceed 5’ in height and 20’ in diameter at the time of final inspection. Piles placed outside of job areas and wildlife openings will not be closer than 50 feet to one another unless approved by the COR. Slash will not be piled or placed in rights-of-ways or drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms or streams unless designated by the COR. Optionally windrowing of material may be allowed upon written agreement with the COR, including location, height, length, and structure.

(f) Hand cutting will occur between August 15 and November 15, with the exception of job areas that are also scheduled for mechanical brushing under Item 2. To allow these job areas to be mechanically brushed between October 1 and November 15, areas that need tree/shrub removal to provide access for motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment will be hand cut and piled between August 15 and September 30. The Contractor needs to ensure stump height allows for access of mechanical brushing equipment.

Item 5 Manual Brushing ≤ 6” DBH and No Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will cut all deciduous and conifer woody species that are at least 2 feet tall and less than 6 inches DBH, except for reserve species. Work must be completed via hand cutting (e.g., chainsaws, brush saws, hand tools). Motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment are not permitted within job areas. Access beyond State, County or Forest Service roads is walk-in access only. It is ok if woody stems vegetation less than 2 feet tall are damaged or cut during the brushing process. Brushing boundaries are delineated by painted trees/shrubs and/or flagging ribbon.

(b) Stumps must be left no greater than 6 inches above the ground.

(c) Do not cut or damage reserve or protected species as identified by the COR.

(d) Woody stems cut during the brushing process must lay firmly on the ground and not be suspended from shrubs, trees, or snags.

(e) No brushing will occur on non-federal land or outside boundaries of job area.

(f) Manual brushing will occur between July 15 and November 15.

Item 6 Hand Cutting ≤ 5” DBH, Stump Herbicide, and Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will use hand operated tools (e.g., loppers, chainsaws, brush saws) only to cut all live trees and shrubs ≤ 5” DBH and ≥ 24” above ground. Job areas will be delineated using orange ribbon when necessary, and an 8-10 foot buffer is to be left un-cut near fence lines to avoid damage or by any body of water to avoid erosion. Where delineation by orange ribbon is not present, implement treatment to the forest edge. If there is question about where the job area boundary lies, contact the COR for clarification.

(b) Do not cut trees/shrubs within a 10 foot radius around red ribbons (delineated reserve islands).

(c) All trees and shrubs will be cut so that the whole stump of cut stems can be immediately treated with herbicide.

(d) Hand operated equipment will be used to spot apply glyphosate or triclopyr on all cut stumps, except for pine species, that are ≥ 1” in diameter at stump height. Spot apply herbicide to ≥90% of the cut stem stumps (as indicated by presence of dye) following the Herbicide Technical Specifications listed below.

(e) Stump height will be ≤ 6”. If a taller stump remains from a previous cutting, cut it too.

(f) Multiple stems originating from the same stump will be treated according to the instructions that apply to the largest stem.

(g) All slash ≥ 1 DBH will be bucked to a manageable size and placed in piles. All other slash left on the ground will be scattered within job area boundaries. Slash may be piled within job areas and wildlife openings where designated. Designated piling locations will be marked using a combination of yellow and blue pin flags on the ground and GPS coordinates will be provided. Additional piling locations may be provided upon written agreement with the COR. All other piles will be placed outside of job area boundaries and wildlife openings on National Forest System lands, piling on existing piles when possible. Pile size will not exceed 5’ in height and 20’ in diameter at the time of final inspection. Piles placed outside of job areas and wildlife openings will not be closer than 50 feet to one another unless approved by the COR. Slash will not be piled or placed in rights-of-ways or drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms or streams unless designated by the COR. Optionally windrowing of material may be allowed upon written agreement with the COR, including location, height, length, and structure.

(h) Hand cutting, stump herbiciding, and piling will occur between October 1 and November 15, with the exception of job areas scheduled for treatment under Item 2 as described below (i). The performance period for job areas not under Item 2 may be extended to August 15 and November 15 for cutting only if cut stumps are re-cut and have stump herbicide applied between the original performance period (October 1 and November 15).

(i) Job areas that need tree/shrub removal to provide access for motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment under Item 2 will be hand cut and piled between September 1 and September 30. The Contractor needs to ensure stump height allows for access of mechanical brushing equipment. Cut stumps within these job areas will be re-cut and have stump herbicide applied between October 1 and November 15.

Item 7 Mechanical and/or Manual Cutting ≤ 10” DBH, Stump Herbicide, and Piling

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

a) The Contractor will use a combination of motorized vehicles/mechanical equipment (e.g., hydro-axes, shear cutters, skid steers) and hand operated tools (e.g., loppers, chainsaws, brush saws) to cut all live trees and shrubs ≤ 10” DBH and ≥ 24” above ground. Job areas will be delineated using orange ribbon when necessary, and an 8-10 foot buffer is to be left un-cut near fence lines to avoid damage or by any body of water to avoid erosion. Where delineation by orange ribbon is not present, implement treatment to the forest edge. If there is question about where the job area boundary lies, contact the COR for clarification.

b) Do not cut trees/shrubs within a 10 foot radius around red ribbons (delineated reserve islands).

c) All trees and shrubs will be cut so that the whole stump of cut stems can be immediately treated with herbicide.

d) Hand operated equipment will be used to spot apply glyphosate or triclopyr on all cut stumps, except for pine species, that are ≥ 1” in diameter at stump height. Spot apply herbicide to ≥90% of the cut stem stumps (as indicated by presence of dye) following the Herbicide Technical Specifications listed below.

e) Stump height will be ≤ 6”. If a taller stump remains from a previous cutting, cut it too.

f) Multiple stems originating from the same stump will be treated according to the instructions that apply to the largest stem.

g) All slash ≥ 1 DBH will be bucked to a manageable size and placed in piles. All other slash left on the ground will be scattered within job area boundaries. Slash may be piled within job areas and wildlife openings where designated. Designated piling locations will be marked using a combination of yellow and blue pin flags on the ground and GPS coordinates will be provided. Additional piling locations may be provided upon written agreement with the COR. All other piles will be placed outside of job area boundaries and wildlife openings on National Forest System lands, piling on existing piles when possible. Pile size will not exceed 5’ in height and 20’ in diameter at the time of final inspection. Piles placed outside of job areas and wildlife openings will not be closer than 50 feet to one another unless approved by the COR. Slash will not be piled or placed in rights-of-way or drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms or streams unless designated by the COR. Entry points used by the Contractor to access job areas with equipment will be blocked outside of job area and wildlife opening boundaries upon completion of work, unless otherwise specified by the COR. Brush piles meeting dimensions specified above may be used to block entry points. Optionally windrowing of material may be allowed upon written agreement with the COR, including location, height, length, and structure.

h) Cutting, stump herbiciding, and piling will occur between October 1 and November 15. The performance period may be extended to August 15 and November 15 for cutting only if cut stumps are re-cut and have stump herbicide applied between the original performance period (October 1 and November 15).

Item 8 Tilling and Seeding

The following items are required for an acceptable level of work:

(a) The Contractor will till seed beds within job areas using a tractor and rotovator or equivalent piece of equipment. Seed bed boundaries are delineated by red pin flags. Tilling will result in seed beds that are 95% free from grass, weeds, ferns, sprouts/saplings, and other vegetation. Tiller depth will be adjusted so that no more than 10% of an individual seed bed has yellow soil exposed. The goal is to get the ground surface vegetation tilled down and a minimum of yellow sand tilled up.

(b) Prior to tilling, the Contractor will remove debris (e.g., sticks, chunks of wood) that may interfere with tilling or damage equipment.