Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.pdf

SECTION C-- DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Scope of Work

Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure services for nine acres of hand felling and machine/hand piling of standing dead and down conifers outside of Montgomery Meadow.

Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government.

Due to Access Route sensitive soils, Equipment furnished shall be a small rubber tired excavator less than 15 tons and capable of piling material 36” DBH and less. Track laying equipment is not acceptable.

C.2 Project Location & Description

Location: Summit Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest

Description: Montgomery Meadow treatment area is located within the 2017 McCormick Fire footprint.

Terrain slope is 25% and less.

Treatment area boundary is not flagged. Contractor shall be required to have a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a mobile electronic device with GPS capabilities (i.e. smart phone, tablets) with a program capable of reading a .pdf map for each piece of equipment and/or crew. A good program example is Avenza. Devices using GPS must have sub-meter accuracy and be capable of accepting/uploading shapefiles or track logs compatible with ARCGIS 10.3 or newer.

Exclusions (Non-Work Areas): Within project area, the Government may exclude non-work areas such as; rocky areas, archaeological sites, sensitive plant sites, wildlife areas, wet areas, and other special areas. The Contracting Officer’s Representative will designate non-work areas either verbally or with flagging. Control Areas are not designated on contract maps. CA areas will be discussed with Contractor prior to work beginning in unit.

Accessibility: Work site access instruction as given here is for information only. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to determine the most suitable route to the project area. The Government will not provide special maintenance nor snow plowing to open roads or keep roads open.

C.3 Maps

Any maps included in Section J are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations.

Any prospective contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding.

C.4 Estimated Start Date & Contract Time

Estimated Start Date: August 1, 2024, or when soils are dry along the Access Route.

Number of Calendar Days Required: 7 days

See also Section F

C.5 Restrictions on Work

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included in Section J.

2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

Add any restrictions on work for your Project, such as LOPs or holiday work restrictions

C.6 Licenses and Insurance

The contractor shall obtain the insurance and licenses listed here.

MSPA Card (Form WH510): This contract [ ] does [X ] does not require the contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy.

Other: Add any other requirements for your Project

C.7 Technical Requirements

C.7-1 Definitions

Definitions:

Controlled Area - Area within contract boundaries determined to contain sensitive plants, infestation of noxious weeds, archaeological sites, or threatened or endangered species, and designated to be protected from all Contractor operations.

Diameter at Breast Height (dbh) - The diameter of the main trunk of a tree/shrub measured at 4.5 ft.

Downed log - all or part of the trunk of a felled tree greater than 20 inches in diameter at the midpoint and at least 10 feet long. Includes logs in all various stages of decomposition.

Hardwood - A tree with broad, flat leaves including but not limited to oak, maple, willow, alder, cottonwood, or dogwood.

Riparian Vegetation - Plant species typically associated with and found in wet drainages. They include, but are not limited to alder, willow, cottonwood, or maple in the over-story and sedges and rushes underneath.

Slash - Debris consisting of portions of brush and/or trees created by work under this contract or debris created prior to this contract including all brush and cut trees, tops, trunks, and branches. Material with diameters of 3 inches and larger, and over 1 foot in length.

Standing Dead – Dead trees still standing with a 3 inch DBH though 36 inches DBH.

C.7-2 Specifications

General:

Equipment shall make one pass in and one pass out to treatment area using the Access Route as shown on Contract Map. Only the equipment and maintenance vehicle are to use the Access Route.

Maintenance vehicle can make as many passes as needed to service the equipment however maintenance to equipment must occur outside of the Control Area as located on the Project Map. See section J – Project Map Slash created prior to this contract shall be treated.

All control areas shall be avoided unless agreed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Riparian vegetation shall not be cut or damaged.

Retain 4 of the largest down logs per acre. Use logs greater or equal to 20 inches diameter and 10 feet in length. Retained downed logs shall be left in an undisturbed state to the greatest extent practical and shall not be bucked or piled.

Retain all hardwood snags greater than 12 inches DBH. Retain the largest conifer snags available at a minimum of 4 per acre.

Hardwoods shall not be cut or damaged.

Brush, dead trees and slash shall not be pushed into leave trees (includes hardwoods) and left untreated.

Contractor’s equipment shall not cross “wet” stream channels, or other non-work areas, except by prior, written agreement with Contracting Officer.

Equipment tracks shall not occur within 15 feet of the high water mark on ephemeral, perennial and intermittent stream channels. Material within stream channel shall have the slash material removed by hand or machine and piled according to the pile requirements.

Waterbars in skidtrails, fire lines, and roads disturbed by the Contractor shall be restored to condition prior to damage at the Contractors' expense.

Boulders shall be placed at the Access Route entrance after work is completed in treatment area. See Section J – Project Map

Maintain 50% soil cover (e.g. duff and litter, live plant cover, fine woody debris, and down logs) on moderate slopes of less than 25.

Soil displacement shall be minimized by working the equipment in as straight a line as possible, parallel slopes, given the known limitations of residual trees and terrain. Rutting depth shall not exceed 4 inches over 90% of the area. Rutting depth is measured from the top of the undisturbed litter/duff layer to the top of the duff in the rut (“duff-to duff”). Soils in the operating area must be dry enough to prevent rutting by a single pass of the equipment.

All equipment used on this project shall be washed before moving into the project area so that the equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. Equipment will be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil, seeds, plant material, or other such debris. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection equipment is not required. If the project area is known to contain noxious weeds, the equipment shall be cleaned before moving to other Forest Service system lands which do not contain noxious weeds.

Cutting of Material:

Cut all standing dead conifer trees 24 inches in dbh and less.

Snag retention for wildlife will be achieved with dead standing trees that are greater than 24 inch dbh.

Hand cutting is required on slopes over 45%.

Buck and pile all down logs and slash according to pile requirements.

All stumps must be less than 1 foot in height.

Piling of Material:

Machine or hand pile all slash material from 3 inch diameter to 36 inch diameter.

Piles shall be between 10 feet tall and between 10 feet in diameter. Exceptions will be made to prevent the possibility of piles being either too close together or too close to adjacent leave trees such that damage might occur during burning.

All downed material shall be bucked into 10 foot lengths or less to produce a tight pile with minimal airspace.

Piled material shall not protrude more than 3 feet outside main pile diameter.

Piles shall be neat, compact, and sufficiently free of dirt (less than 10% soil material). Piles not meeting this requirement shall be rebuilt.

Piles shall be located 25 feet from the project boundary.

Piles shall not be constructed within 25 feet of ephemeral stream channels; within 50 feet of perennial or intermittent streams.

Piles shall not obstruct roads, trails, or other travel and access routes.

Piles shall have a 3 foot fuel break cleared of all but fine material around each pile. A 1.5 foot wide fire line shall be cleared to mineral soil around the outer ring of the fuel break. In areas where there is a potential for burning material to roll, fire lines shall be trenched on the downhill side of each pile to adequately prevent material from crossing fire lines. In addition to trenching, material shall be piled perpendicular to the slope to prevent it from rolling.

All vegetation removed for fuel break and fire line construction shall be piled.

Piles shall be covered with a durable waterproof covering as approved by Forest Service. The material shall be at least 6 feet in width. Pieces of burnable material shall be placed on top of the durable waterproof covering to keep the covering from blowing off the pile.

C.7-3 Contractor-Furnished Equipment

Prior to award, the Government reserves the right to inspect the equipment to be furnished. If the equipment is found to be in such condition to indicate the need for frequent repairs and delays in performance, it shall be rejected. The decision of the Contracting Officer shall be final as to whether equipment is in suitable condition for acceptance.

Equipment shall be furnished on a fully operational basis, of modern design, and in good operating condition, with a competent, fully qualified operator. The required equipment shall meet the following specifications:

Equipment furnished shall be a small rubber tired excavator less than 15 tons and capable of piling material 36” DBH and less. Track laying equipment is not acceptable.

Equipment shall be in good running condition with no excessive fluid leaks or overheating.

Contractor shall be responsible for all fuel, lubrication, repair, and replacement for equipment.

Contractor shall provide all tools and equipment for self and employees. All equipment must be equipped with the tools and supplies necessary for making emergency and routine repairs and servicing.

Equipment and service/transport vehicles must be equipped with the required fire tools. See Section H.

Equipment shall be kept free of debris accumulations that may result in fire starts.

Chainsaws or other motorized equipment shall be equipped with Forest Service approved spark arresters. Spark arresters are not required on equipment powered by exhaust-driven turbo-charged engines or motor vehicles equipped with a maintained muffler as defined in California Public Resources Code, Section 4442 and 4443.

C.7-4 Government-Furnished Equipment

None

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.aquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996)

E.1 Sampling (Government’s Inspection System)

[X] Plots. At least one percent of each treatment area will be sampled by a random series of plots distributed over the entire area. Plot size will be:

[ ] 1/250 acre

[ ] 1/100 acre

[ ] 1/50 acre

[ ] 1/10 acre

[X] 1/20 acre (radius 26.2 ft.)

[ ] Transects.

[ ] Other (specify)

E.2 Specific Inspection Procedures

The Contractor shall submit a unit to the Contracting Officer for acceptance only when the Contractor's inspections for quality control assure the work specifications have been met.

Government inspection may be by work observation, measurement by pacing, tape, clinometers, prism, ocular estimation, and progress of work over time, or by formal inspection. Formal inspections will inspect at least one percent of the work unit on a systematic plot basis, plots will be 1/2Oth acre radius (26.2 feet) and will address the work specifications.

Measurable Performance Standards:

http://www.arnet.gov/far/

* Treatment of slash

* Slash Pile Fuel Breaks

* Amount of soil in piles

* Compact and tight piles

* Stump height

* Standing dead removal

* Paper/Plastic placement

E.3 Acceptance

Work on this contract will be deemed acceptable when the above measurable performance standards are met.

E.3-1 Government Quality Assurance Plan

The Government will conduct inspections of each unit to determine work quality. Initial inspections will consist of a 100 percent visual inspection and will be bases on adherence to the specific tasks listed in the contract. The Government may also install a series of circular plots. Plots will be randomly located throughout each sub-item to obtain a representative sample of work. Plot size 1/20th of an acre.

After inspection of all plots for a unit, the quality shall be calculated as follows:

(Total number of acceptable plots) X 100 = Performance Quality Percent

(Total number of plots)

Payment will be made in full if inspection results are 90 percent or higher. No payment will be made if inspection results are less than 90 percent.

E.4 Government Inspections

Government inspections are for the purpose of satisfying the Government that the services are acceptable and do not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for maintaining quality control.

The Contracting Officer's Representative or designated inspector will conduct all inspections. The Contractor (or designated representative) is encouraged to be present to observe inspections. Summary results will be made available on request.

Compliance Inspections.

Visual compliance inspections will be made on a periodic basis. Such inspections are not final and do not constitute acceptance by the Government.

Final Inspections.

Final (formal) inspections for payment will be made on completed sub-items only. Contractor shall request final inspections in writing and give the Forest Service at least two working days advanced notice. Inspections will be completed within four working days after the notice is received. If the work is not ready for inspection at the time specified by the Contractor, the cost associated with the inspection attempt may be charged to the Contractor.

Disputed Inspection.

The Contractor may request reinspection without rework if the results are unacceptable. Reinspection must be requested in writing within 48 hours after receiving written notice of the inspection results.

Reinspection will be accomplished within five working days after receipt of the contractor's written request.

The same sampling and inspection procedures will be used, but new samples will be taken. The inspection pattern will be shifted so that new samples will not overlap previously inspected samples.

Results will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

If reinspection results are within five percentage points of the first inspection, the original inspection result will be used in determining acceptability and payment. If reinspection results are greater than five percentage points above or below the first inspection, the reinspection results will be used.

If the reinspection results are within five percentage points of the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the actual costs of the reinspection.

Reinspection after Rework.

Where rework after a failed inspection may improve the inspection results, the Contractor may rework the area and request (in writing) a second inspection. The Government will charge to the Contractor the cost of this additional inspection. Reinspection will be accomplished within five working days after the notice is received. The results of the second inspection will be final, and no further rework will be permitted. Areas not ready for reinspection at the time specified by the Contractor will not be reinspected, and the results of the first inspection will be final.

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

Work Timing

The Contractor shall begin work within _____7_____ calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed and shall prosecute the work at a rate that will result in completion of all work within the following time frame:

Item No. Estimated Start Work Date Contract Time (Calendar Days)

1. August 1, 2024 7 days

Failure to begin work on schedule will make the contract subject to immediate termination for default.

Delays due to normal adverse weather, weekends, and holidays have been included in the calculation of contract time. The Government reserves the right to set the priority of items or subitems. Contractor shall complete all work on one subitem before proceeding to another.

[ ] If this solicitation has more than one numbered item, award of more than one item to one contractor will not change the start work dates or the amount of contract time; times will run concurrently.

http://www.arnet.gov/far/

[ ] In the event of award of more than one item to one contractor, times will run consecutively.

Time on the second item will begin automatically the day following expiration of time (including any extensions) on the first item. Likewise, time on a third item would begin immediately following expiration of time on the second, and so on.

Winter Shutdown

When winter weather sets in and the continuation of work is impractical, the Contracting Officer may authorize a total suspension until such time as work can proceed. During the period of total suspension, the calendar days elapsed will not be charged against the contract time.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Pre-work

Pre-work conference. Before work begins on service contracts, a pre-work conference is normally held to discuss the contract--especially the specifications, labor provisions, plan of work, and selected standard clauses. The pre-work meeting should be attended by an officer of the firm or someone designated in writing to act on behalf of the firm. The pre-work meeting may be waived at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Notice to Proceed.

A. [X] No work may begin on this contract until the Contracting Officer has issued a Notice to Proceed.

B. [ ] Work on this contract may proceed and contract time will begin upon receipt of the awarded contract. Any adjustments to the anticipated completion date will be noted in the award letter.

Measurement

Methods of Measurement.

[ ] Acreage was measured by dot grid method from aerial photographs.

[ ] Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using compass and chain.

[ X ] Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using a Global Positioning System.

[ ] Linear measurements have been taken with a wheel on the centerline of the trail or road.

[ ] Estimated acreage: Actual acreage worked will be measured by the method(s) indicated above.

Remeasurement. Unless otherwise indicated by this contract, the contractor may request remeasurement of any quantities in Part B, when the units are acres or any linear measurement. The request must be made in writing and must be made within 10 calendar days of completing work on the unit in question. If remeasurement indicates a variance of five percent or less from the stated quantity, the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of remeasurement and no adjustment will be made in the quantity as stated in Part B. If remeasurement indicates a variance more than five percent from the stated quantity, payment will be based on the remeasured quantity, and the Contractor will not be liable for the costs of remeasurement. All remeasurements will be done by the Government. Remeasurement of acreage will be done with two people using a hand compass and ground measurement or by means of a Global Positioning System. This clause is not applicable to quantities listed as estimated quantities.

Payment

Payments and Deductions. Payment will be made for fully acceptable work at the prices bid in the schedule of items. In the event of extended non-work periods because of adverse weather, the Contracting Officer may authorize progress payments for partially completed sub-items on a case-by- case basis. In accordance with the inspection clause, payment may be made for less than fully acceptable work at a reduced price. Other exceptions are noted below:

A. [ X ] Payment will be made in full if inspection results are 90 percent or higher. No payment will be made if inspection results are less than 90 percent.

B. [ ] Payment will be made in full if inspection results are 90 percent or higher. If inspection results are below 90 percent, a deduction will be made equal to 2 percent for every 1 percent below 90. For example, if inspection results are 87 percent, the bid price would be reduced by 6 percent. No payment will be made if results are less than 80 percent.

C. [ ] Liquidated damages will be charged as follows:

Contract Release. The following supplements the Payments clause in Section I:

Before final payment will be made the Contractor shall sign a release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically excepted from the operation of the release. A release may also be required of the assignee if the Contractor's claim to amounts payable under this contract has been assigned under the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. 3727 and 41 U.S.C. 15).

Invoices.

A. [ X ] Payment will be processed using Form FS-6300-30, Contract Pay Estimate and Invoice, prepared by the C.O.R. The Contractor need not submit any other invoice, nor is Contractor required to sign any invoice except the last.

B. [ ] Payment will be made from Contractor's invoice.

RETAINAGE (applicable to service contracts where work accomplishments are measured in units other than time)

The following supplements Clause 52.232-1, Payments:

The Contracting Officer may retain up to 10 percent of the invoiced amount if the contractor is behind schedule at the time the invoice is presented. “Behind schedule” means that the percentage of work completed is less than the percentage of time used.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

NONE

SECTION H--CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Emergencies

Fire Plan [ X ] See Section J, Fire Plan [ ] Not applicable; however, Contractors are required to comply with State law during fire season.

Area of Responsibility for Fire. Unless otherwise noted elsewhere in the contract, the following define the limits of a contractor's area of responsibility for fire under the terms of the Fire Plan (Section J):

[ ] (a) Trail Maintenance -50 meters on either side of the centerline

[ X ] (b) Silviculture Projects - 70 meters around the perimeter of the unit being worked in

[ ] (c) Special for this project:

Superintendence by Contractor The name and the specific authorities of the foreman or superintendent must be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may use his/her own prepared letterhead stationery or a "Designation of Contractor's Representative" form available from the Contracting Officer. If the Contractor or the designee is not present when work is being performed on the contract, a Suspend Work Order may be issued with contract time continuing to run. The Contractor shall have a person on-site that is fully conversant in the English language.

Camping Permit Compliance Contractor shall comply with all terms and conditions of any camping permit issued to allow use of premises. Any non-compliance will result in suspension of work until compliance is achieved.

Archaeological and Historic Sites

Location of known archaeological, historic, or pre-historic materials--such as Amerind artifacts and/or historic mining, logging, or fur trapping remains protected by the American Antiquities Act (l6 USC 433)--will be identified for the contractor before work commences.

Spill Plan

If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, the Contractor shall prepare and implement a Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered professional engineer. The Contractor under the direction of the Contracting Officer, or in the absence of said officer, acting independently, shall immediately take action to contain and clean up, without expense to the Government, all petroleum products spills on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by the Contractor's employees directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary by the Government for the containment and clean up of petroleum products spills caused by Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations. The Contractor shall immediately report all petroleum products spills to the Contracting Officer.

Equipment Cleaning

All off-road equipment used on this project shall be washed before moving into the project area so that the equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. “Off-road equipment” includes all logging and construction equipment and such brushing equipment as brush hogs, masticators, and chippers; it does not include log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, and similar vehicles not intended for off-road use.

Equipment will be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil, seeds, plant material, or other such debris. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection equipment is not required. Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least five days in advance of moving equipment in so that arrangements can be made for inspection.

If the project area is known to contain noxious weeds, the equipment shall be cleaned before moving to other Forest Service system lands which do not contain noxious weeds.