127EAY22R0001.pdf

MANUAL FUELS REDUCTION AND

RELATED SERVICES

PPS, Southwest Zone Contract Service Area 1

Klamath National Forest Lassen National Forest

Mendocino National Forest Modoc National Forest

Shasta Trinity National Forest Six Rivers National Forest

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

7EAY

REDDING CA 96002

3644 AVTECH PARKWAY

USDA-FS CSA SOUTHWEST 1

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR7EAY

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

05/09/2022 1300 PT

04/08/2022 troy.boudro@usda.govTROY BOUDRO (No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

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

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

127EAY22R0001

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

2 60OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

REDDING CA 96002

3644 AVTECH PARKWAY

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$20.50

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

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA-FS CSA SOUTHWEST 1

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Manual Fuels Reduction and Related Services IDIQ

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

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

PAUL M. WOOD

. 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 FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

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:

REF.

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. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

60 3 of

Manual Fuels Reduction and Related Services

Table of Contents

A - Solicitation/Contract Form B - Supplies or Services/Prices C - Description/Specifications D - Packaging and Marking E - Inspection and Acceptance F - Deliveries or Performance G - Contract Administration Data H - Special Contract Requirements I - Contract Clauses J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments K - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors M - Evaluation Factors for Award

A - Solicitation/Contract Form

Reserved

B - Supplies or Services/Prices

The above pay item will not be pre-priced. All Task Orders issued will be competed amongst all contract holders to allow for the maximum pricing flexibility possible.

The Service Contract Labor Standard applies and the appropriate Wage Determination will be clearly specified on each Task Order.

Effective Period of the Contract The effective period of this contract is from date of award through five years unless the ordering threshold is reached prior to this date. If the ordering threshold is reached all awarded contractors will be notified and the contract will expire.

Task order contract time will be identified for each task order based on the amount of work to be done and the ordering limits included herein.

Number of Awards:

The Government intends to award up to fifteen (15) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts for manual fuels reduction and related services. The government reserves the right to award fewer or no contracts if determined to be in the government's best interest. The resulting contracts will have a five-year ordering period. The total aggregate maximum ceiling value is $20,000,000.00 over the life of all the contracts. Each IDIQ is limited to the minimum guarantee amount of $200.00. Line items 5 and 6 will be considered the minimum guarantee. IDIQ contract holders will be awarded a project task order or a task order for line items 5 and 6 (minimum guarantee) before September 30th, 2022. If a contractor does not receive a project task order before September 30, 2022, the Government will issue a task order for line items 5 and 6, and upon Government acceptance of the deliverables of those line items, the contractor can invoice the Government for the minimum guarantee of $200.00.

C - Description/Specifications

1. Scope of Contract

The scope of this contract is to secure services for manual, labor-intensive treatment of forest lands to reduce vegetation within the forests and the risks of wildland fires and to improve forest health. Objectives

Item # Description Qty Unit Unit Price

1 Thin / Hand Pile/ PCT 1 XXXX $XXXX

2 Five Person Burn Prep. Crew 1 XXXX $XXXX

3 Hazard Tree Felling 1 XXXX $XXXX

4 Misc. Forestry Activities 1 XXXX $XXXX

5 Safety Plan 1 Plan $100.00

6 Quality Control Plan 1 Plan $100.00 of various task orders will be to re-arrange ladder fuels to reduce the potential for an extreme wildfire, reduce the threat of major insect attack, reduce inter-tree competition for moisture, nutrients and light in the area, and maximize individual tree growth and vigor.

Project areas are reforestation areas, natural and managed stands of timber/woodlands of all ages, size and species, shrub fields or grass areas. Fuels will consist of harvest activity slash, natural fuels, live fuels, slashed shrubs, and trees. Fuel loads across the area range vary and conditions will be identified on each task order. Treatments such as slashing, brushing, thinning, pullback, lopping and scattering, pruning, chipping, piling, covering piles, fuel break construction, and burning activities are contemplated under this contract.

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and equipment, necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract or task order clearly states will be furnished by the Government.

The Contractor shall, develop a plan of operations to organize, accomplish, and direct all operations for the necessary work when provided the resource objectives for the project.

2. Location and Description

Vicinity maps identifying forest locations are included in attachments and are hereby made a part of this contract. The map is intended only to show the general size and location of the unit(s) and is not intended to be accurate as to shape and dimension. Information about specific locations will be included in each task order. Tasks may be located on the following forests in California: Klamath, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests.

A. Accessibility.

Accessibility is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Project area may be reached via County and Forest Service roads and are accessible by standard pickup during the normal operating seasons. Four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with snow tires and chains may be necessary when snow, mud or ice is abundant in the project area or on four-wheel drive roads. Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the Government may require walk-in to units that are inaccessible by road. Vehicles shall not operate off system roads without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer Representative (see restriction on motorized equipment below).

B. Boundaries.

Unit boundaries such as roads and fire lines are usually obvious on the ground. Boundaries that are not obvious will be marked with plastic ribbon and/or boundary tags. If plastic ribbon and/or boundary tags are used, individual task orders will indicate their presence and description/color of boundary markers. Work on this contract may require the contractor to use global positioning system (GPS) capabilities in order to identify treatment areas or project boundaries. The government may provide electronic files to the contract that will identify treatment unit boundaries and treatment islands within the boundary. It is the responsibility of the contractor to utilize electronic data and all technical support for contractor equipment.

3. Unique Factors

Motorized Equipment Use of motorized equipment other than hand-held equipment such as power saws and brush cutters will not be permitted off designated roads in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer Representative or as provided elsewhere herein.

Safety Contractors shall have, and maintain, a written Safety Plan for the duration of the contract. The Safety Plan is due to the Contracting Officer within 10 days of award. The Safety Plan must be available on-site and must be updated for project specific information by task. The Contracting Officer Representative will obtain a copy of the site-specific Safety Plan from the Contractor on the first day of work.

Fuel reduction activities are known to have inherently hazardous conditions associated with working in the woods, e.g.: sharing the road with log trucks, private and government vehicles; ticks, snakes, and bees;

working below someone else on steep and rocky terrain, chainsaw operations, and hazard trees that are susceptible to wind throw that could lead to serious injury or loss of life.

Some Task Orders may contain a government Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) in order to convey to the contractor known hazards. The site-specific safety plan shall comply with the JHA and the contractor shall provide the Project Safety person who shall be responsible for enforcing the Safety plan.

Protection, Use and Maintenance of Improvements The Contractor, in all phases of contract operations shall protect insofar as practicable all land survey corners, telephone lines, ditches, fences and other improvements. If such improvements are damaged by contractor operations the contractor shall restore them immediately to condition existing immediately prior to Contractor's work. When necessary, the Government may require the Contractor to move such telephone lines, fences or improvements from one location to another. All roads and trails designated by the Forest Service as needed for fire protection shall be kept free of logs, brush, and debris resulting from Contractor operations.

Landscape Preservation The Contractor shall give attention to the effect of contract operation upon the landscape, shall take care to maintain natural surroundings undamaged, and shall conduct the work at all times in compliance with the following requirements.

a) Prevention of the Landscape Defacement. The Contractor shall not remove, deface, injure, or destroy trees, shrubs, lawns, or other natural features or any other improvements in the work area unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Contractor shall confine contract operations to within the areas designated in contract documents.

b) Protection of Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs. The Contractor shall take sufficient precautions to prevent pollution of streams, lakes, small ponds, and reservoirs with fuels, oils, bitumens, calcium chloride, silt, or other harmful materials. Mechanical equipment shall not be operated in streams or channels with evidence of annual scour without written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Endangered Species The Government may direct the Contractor to discontinue task order operations in the event that listed or proposed threatened or endangered plants or animals protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, are discovered to be present in or adjacent to the project area. Actions taken under this paragraph shall be subject to FAR 52.242-14 Suspension of Work.

Preservation of Historical and Archeological Resources If, in connection with operations under this contract, the Contractor, subcontractors, or the employees of any of them, discovers, encounters or becomes aware of any objects or sites of cultural value on the project area, such as historical or prehistorical ruins, graves or grave markers, fossils, or artifacts, the Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity of the cultural value and shall notify the COR in writing of the findings. No objects of cultural resource value may be removed. · Operations may resume at the discovery site upon receipt of written instructions. Actions taken under this paragraph shall be subject to the Stop-Work Order clause FAR 52.242-15.

Special Situations Some project areas may have limited periods where work can occur, zones where no soil disturbing activity can occur, or special access rules due to noxious weeds or other types of diseases (such as Port-Orford Cedar or Sudden Oak Death areas). Any such limitations will be identified on the applicable task order.

Environmental Interruption of Work Environmental - The Contracting Officer, by issuance of a suspend work order, may direct the Contractor to shut down any work that may be subject to damage due to weather conditions or fire danger. The Contractor will be given a resume work order that will document the date the work suspension ends. An allowance will be included in each task order for short-term environmental delays up to one day at a time.

The count of contract time will therefore continue during work interruptions of one day or less, but the count of contract time will stop during work interruptions in excess of one day at a time. All periods of interruptions directed by the Government will be documented. The Contractor will not be entitled to additional monetary compensation for such suspensions regardless of duration.

Other Contracts The Government may undertake work with its own forces or award other contracts for additional work, and the Contractor shall fully cooperate with such other contractors and Government employees and carefully fit its own work to such additional work as may be directed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall not commit or permit any act, which shall interfere with the performance of work by any other Contractor or by Government employees.

Equipment Cleaning for Noxious Weed Avoidance Measures To prevent the spread of noxious weeds, all equipment will be air washed with pressurized air or washed to remove soil and organic debris prior to entry into the project area and upon final exit on site.

Season of Operation Project activities will occur when roads are open in the project area. Project activities will not occur when roads are closed seasonally, and during periods of wet weather, this varies seasonally and generally occurs between October 15 to April 15. Exemptions to road closures may be issued and must be documented by the COR.

Limited Operating Period A limited operating period (LOP) may apply and will be identified at task order level.

4. Task Order Contract Time and Work Progress Performance Requirements

Rate of Progress Each Task Order will identify the contract time applicable to the task. The following conditions are applicable for all tasks

a) Work shall commence no later than 3 days after the effective date of the notice to proceed unless the

Task Order specifies otherwise. Units shall be treated in accordance with the order of preference established in the Task Order or by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate which will assure completion within the contract time indicated on the individual task order.

The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each item by contract time specified or as established by an approved progress schedule.

b) If the Contractor's progress falls behind the work progress schedule for more than 2 days at the specified rate of progress or if the percentage of quality falls below 85 percent for more than 20 percent of the item acreage, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated if satisfactory quality or progress is not attained within the time specified.

Restrictions on Work Work will generally be performed at any time during the period of the task except as determined by the COR or as stated below:

1. In accordance with the Task Order Fire Plan.

2. When the COR determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

3. Work is suspended by notice of a Work Order for non-compliance with requirements of this contract.

4. When other environmental conditions are detrimental to the work being performed.

Work Progress Schedule Prior to starting work, the Contractor shall present a written plan of work providing for the orderly and timely completion of the task order requirements. This plan is subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer. The schedule may be modified in writing during the course of the task if conditions warrant.

If the work progress falls behind schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to ensure that the timely completion of the contract is not jeopardized. In addition, the Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit a revised plan of work showing by what means they intend to complete the project on time and in compliance with all contract requirements.

Prosecution of the Work The capacity of the Contractor's plant, method of operation, and forces employed shall, at all times during the continuance of the contract, be subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer and shall be such as to assure the completion of the work within the specified period of time. To the extent stated in the specifications, the Contracting Officer shall have the right to select the sequence in which the individual work will be completed. If work is seriously or chronically deficient, the Contractor's right to proceed may be suspended until the performance problems can be resolved and work may resume. The contract time will continue to run during any such period of suspension.

5. Definitions

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) - The maximum allowable deviation from the Quality Standard established by the Government for work performed in this contract before the Government may invoke payment deductions. The AQL does not allow a Contractor to knowingly quote or perform defective services below the Quality Standard, but limits reduced payments to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services received by the Government.

Average Spacing - The average distance between all leave trees necessary to provide the desired number of leave trees per acre.

Brush - A low woody, perennial plant having stems arising from or near the ground such as Manzanita, deer brush, whitethorn, gooseberry, etc. brush, conifer reproduction, and any portion of a tree or brush that was cut as a result of this contract. Note: this definition includes newly created (cut) material as well as existing ground fuels.

Bucking - The cutting of felled trees, hardwoods, and brush into smaller sections.

Chipping - Operation similar to grinding by a mobile chipper shredder or equivalent, either wheeled or tracked to reduce vegetation.

Codominant Tree - A tree with the crown forming the general level of the crown cover and receiving full light from above, but comparatively little from the sides.

Competing Vegetation - All non-coniferous woody plant species, including hardwoods and brush.

Conifer - A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales. Examples are Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir and sugar pine.

Control Area - A point or area identified within the treatment unit designated with a specific flagging scheme identified in the task order. Within control areas, there shall be no felling of trees, cutting of brush, piling of materials, staging of equipment, driving or parking vehicles.

Crop Tree or Leave Tree - Any conifer or hardwood that is not cut but left to grow.

Cut tree - Trees that are to be removed from the stand that are not needed to meet the specifications, and all sanitation trees.

D.B.H. or Diameter at Breast Height - The diameter of a tree at 4.5 feet above ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Damaged Trees - Any injury caused by the contractor's performance of work the exposes the cambium of a leave tree (i.e. scarred bole, cut limbs in the upper 50% of the tree, cut top).

DBH (Diameter Breast Height) - Diameter of trees measured at breast height, 4.5 feet above ground on the uphill side.

Deficient Trees - Those cut trees that should have been left, to meet stocking requirements, or crop trees damaged by contractor.

Desired Stocking/Average Spacing - Average spacing is only a guideline when making crop tree selections.

Crop tree selection will take precedence over average spacing to the point that average number of trees/acre are maintained and no crop trees are spaced at less than half the average spacing distance of each other. Distribution of trees shall be maintained as much as possible but may be slightly different between administrative areas of the agreement.

Diameter - Other vegetation (not trees) measured 1 foot above ground.

Dominant Tree - A tree with the crown extending above the general level of the crown cover and receiving full light from above and partly from the side, usually larger than the average trees in the stand Duff - Decaying organic material found on the forest floor (all materials down to mineral soil.

Ephemeral Stream – A rain-dependent stream which only flows after precipitation.

Excess Trees - Trees that are left but should have been cut to meet stocking requirements or sanitation trees that should have been cut.

Hand Pilling and Cover -To pile slash by hand and cover to protect against rain and snow. Hardwoods - Species having broad leaves. For example: Quercus ssp. (oaks) and Arbutus menziesii (pacific madrone). Hardwoods exclude all needle bearing trees, such as conifers.

Hardwood - A broad-leaved tree, which usually has a single well-defined trunk and/or attains a height greater than 20 feet (i.e. aspen and oak species). Sprouting hardwood species may be in the form of multi-stemmed clumps.

Hung-up tree - A cut tree suspended above the ground by a crop tree.

Hazardous Fuels - The existence of a fuel complex that constitutes a threat of wildfire ignition, unacceptable fire behavior and severity, or suppression difficulty.

Hazardous Fuels Reduction - The planned treatment or manipulation of naturally growing vegetation or any other flammable material for the purpose of reducing rate of spread and output of heat energy from any wildfire occurring in the area treated.

Healthy Tree - A healthy tree is one that is undamaged due to defects or deformity resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, diseases, or equipment.

Intermittent Stream – A seasonal stream which ceases to flow during very dry periods.

Ladder Fuels - Fuels that provide vertical continuity between the ground and the tree crowns, thus creating a pathway for surface fire to move into the overstory tree crowns.

Leave Trees - Established trees designated not to be cut. May include conifers or hardwoods. (see crop tree).

Limited Operating Period (LOP) - Restricted operating dates due to wildlife requirements (i.e. Spotted Owl, Goshawk). Synonymous with seasonal restriction.

Litter - Needles, duff, twigs, cones and leaves.

Live Crown Ratio (LCR) - That portion of the tree bole that supports green live foliage that is effectively contributing to tree growth, expressed as a percentage of the total length of the bole.

Lopping - The cutting of branches from tree, hardwood, and brush.

Manual - Work performed with the aid of hand-held tools or equipment, such as chainsaws, pruning shears, axes, etc.

Mistletoe - A parasite which infects the living branches of a tree and which is most easily spotted by branch deformities.

Multiple Tops - More than one top.

Natural Obstacles - Large rocks, and large logs that completely block the cutter from severing competing vegetation.

Non-Treatment Area: These areas may be excluded from treatment for consideration of wildlife habitat, utilities, archeological sites, trails, land improvements, stream course protection, and/or areas with excessive rock or steep ground.

Percent Cover - Portion of the project area beneath the dripline of vegetation to be cut. Does not include reserve vegetation.

Perennial Stream – A stream which has water flowing in it year-round.

Pre-commercial Thinning (PCT) - The removal of excess conifers and hardwoods so that the growth of crop trees is enhanced. (Also called non-commercial thinning).

Project Activity Level (PAL) - Established work restrictions and fire precautions that the Contractor must observe at each activity level.

Project Area - The area being treated defined by the task order.

Pullback - Removal of all slash within a specified distance of the bole of leave trees.

Quality Standard - The established standard against which all of the Contractor's performance shall be measured.

Reserved Trees or Reserved Areas - Individual species of trees or certain areas within a treatment unit that the task order or COR designates are reserved from treatment.

Riparian Buffer - A 50 foot area extending upslope on each side of a stream channel or as described in the specific task order.

Riparian Reserves - They include unstable and potentially unstable areas that are not associated with a riparian area, but are primary sources for wood and sediment. Riparian Reserves occur at the margins of standing and flowing water, intermittent stream channels, ephemeral ponds, seeps, springs and wetlands. Scattering - The moving and rearranging of slash concentrations to reduce the slash depth.

Sanitation Trees - Trees wounded by porcupines or infected with diseases such as Elytroderma disease

(Elytroderma deformans), Dermea canker of Douglas-fir (Dermea pseudotsugae) and white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). A sanitation tree with a healthy top may be acceptable as a crop tree if no other trees are available.

Shrub (or brush) - Vegetation consisting of woody perennial plant smaller than a tree, usually having permanent single or multiple stems originating at or near the ground level not normally reaching 20 feet in height (i.e. bitter brush, manzanita, ceanothus, mountain mahogany, rhododendron, serviceberry, sagebrush, etc.).

Slash - The term "slash" as used herein means all vegetative material, including cull logs, blasted or pushed-out stumps, chunks, tops, limbs, branches. Rotten wood, bark, hardwoods, hardwood reproduction, Snag - A dead or living tree that has 10 percent or less live crown.

Spacing - The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree measured center to center.

Stream Channel - That area influenced by high water at the time of the year with the highest flow. Stump

Height - Distance above the natural level of the ground to top of the stump cut.

Stump Height - Distance above the natural level of the ground to top of the stump cut.

Stump Sprout - Growth originating from a hardwood stump.

Treatment Unit - A contiguous work area with designated boundaries.

Tree Bole - The main stem or trunk of a tree.

Unit - Unit for inspection and payment purposes is an area specified in the task order by Unit Name and

Number.

Unit of measure- Specified designation for how payment will be made. Units may be designated as hours, days, acres, miles, etc.

Wildlife Trees - Standing dead or live trees left for nesting, feeding, perching and shelter for birds and mammals. Trees may be marked with paint and/or designated with a tag stating it is a wildlife tree or as identified by the COR.

Woody biomass - The trees and woody plants, including limbs, tops, and other woody parts, grown in a forest, woodland, or rangeland environment, that are the by-products of management, restoration and/or hazardous fuel reduction treatment

6. Contractor Furnished Property

• The Contractor shall provide employees with the necessary measuring devices to determine conifer lengths and heights to the nearest 1 inch and diameters to the nearest 1/10 inch.

• GPS with capability of holding shapefiles.

• Device capable of downloading and using georeferenced PDF maps. Chainsaw(s) in good operating condition.

• 4-mil polyethylene plastic or alternate pile covering material approved by the COR.

• Communication equipment for remote areas without cell phone coverage. (e.g. programable radio, satellite phone etc.).

• The contractor shall furnish all safety and fire prevention equipment required by State, federal law or regulations and by county ordinance. Refer to the fire plan in - List of Attachments for fire tools and equipment requirements.

7. Government-Furnished Property

No government property is contemplated; however, if available will be identified on the task order.

8. Method of Measurement

All linear and area measurements under this contract will be measured on the horizontal plane. The work area may be designated on the ground by existing roads, flagging and/or paint marks. Maps will be attached to the task order and are intended to show only the general size and location of the area. The Contractor may, in writing at any time after award, request measurement of the unit under this contract if they feel that the acreage identified on the task order is incorrect. No variation of the stand perimeter(s), as laid-out on the ground for this contract, will be allowed. If the Government measurements are found to be accurate, within five (5) percent, the Contractor is liable for the actual cost of the re-measurement. The re-measurement costs will be calculated using the salary of the Inspector, vehicle travel, plus twelve (12) percent overhead costs. If the Government's measurement proves inaccurate, the Government will bear the cost of the re-measurement and payment will based upon the acreage as re-measured.

9. Contractor Personnel and Equipment

Contractor On-Site Representative For each task order the Contractor shall designate in writing, a representative to act for the contractor during his absence. The Contractor's representative shall read and speak fluent English. The Contractor shall list the extent of authority the designated representative will have on the job. The Contractor or acting authorized Representative shall receive orders from the COR/Inspector as required to keep the job in progress and adherence to technical specifications, as needed, to finish the job. The Government may, at its option, suspend work with full count of contract time continuing, if the Contractor fails to provide a Contractor's Representative conversant in the English language and able to read and understand the contract.

Work Foreman The Contractor's foreman shall be fluent in the English language. The Contractor shall at all times have a foreman and an inspector with each crew whose intended purpose is quality control of the Contractor's work and Contractor self-inspection.

Non-Supervising Quality Inspector It is expected that there will be at least one non-supervising quality inspector per crew designated by the Contractor to perform quality control.

Contractor Employees The Contracting Officer, in writing, may require the Contractor to remove from work any employee found to be working in an unsafe manner, endangering government resources or criminal behavior.

Subcontractors The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer about any subcontract arrangement related to this contract. Any subcontractor not identified in the contractor's task order response is subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer. Any subcontractor shall have the relevant experience and appropriate equipment for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum:

A. The name, address and telephone number of the subcontractor.

B. The date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration C. A detailed description of the work being subcontracted including a listing of contract items, units, etc., as appropriate.

D. Documentation of the subcontractor's representative authority. Subcontracting any portion of the contract shall not relieve the Prime Contractor of any responsibility under this contract. Any subcontract agreement shall contain appropriate flow down terms and conditions of the prime contract.

10. Tasks/Critical Subtasks and Standards

The prescription objective is based on the overall composition and conditions of the stand and is intended to be a guideline for achieving a high quality final product in a professional manner. The Contractor shall use their silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to any conditions within the stand and notify the Contracting Officer of any conditions not addressed in the prescription. The Contractor shall recognize any insect, disease, or animal damage problems and report them to the Contracting Officer Representative.

Examples of the types of tasks and standards are identified in this contract. Additional specifications for similar work or any deviations or additions to these standards will be identified in each task order.

Chipping Chippable slash up to 14 inches diameter shall be processed through a chipping machine. Chips shall be scattered to a loose depth not exceeding 6 inches.

Thinning

Leave trees shall generally be those of tallest height, live, largest crown ratio, consistent or increasing height growth, good needle/leaf retention, good color and form, and straightest stems that are free of damage due to insects, disease, physical or mechanical causes. Each task order will identify, size limits for treatment (DBH), whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, and if any individual species are reserved from treatment. The Contractor shall select leave trees in the units listed in the Task Order, according to the following:

1. Leave all trees that exceed maximum D.B.H. cut limit specified in the attached Task Order.

2. Unless designated as a crop tree specified in the attached Task Order, leave all Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana); these trees shall be ignored when calculating the average spacing, unless the tree is heavily diseased or the area is overstocked and dominated by Sugar pine.

3. Leave all trees whose height is less than that specified in the attached Task Order, these trees are to be ignored as part of the average spacing.

4. Select additional leave trees from healthy, undamaged trees (except for Knob cone pine unless no other conifer is present) under the specified maximum D.B.H. cut limit having a 40% or greater live crown ratio necessary to achieve the average spacing specified in the Task Order. Spacing may be varied up to 25 percent to select the most desirable tree. However, spacing control, using the original guides, shall be maintained whenever possible. The number of desired leave trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased.

5. If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, leave a tree with minor mechanical damage or mistletoe infection.

6. If no healthy tree with minor damage exists, leave the best tree as prioritized from the best to worst below, a through e.

a. Porcupine or mechanical damage involving less than ¼ the bole circumference.

b. Mistletoe infection (Hawksworth rating of 3 or 4).

c. Excessive lean (10 percent from vertical).

d. Broken top.

e. Bark damage extending more than ¼ the circumference of the bole.

7. Within categories 4 through 6 above, favor a mixture of species with the intention of developing diversity within the stands.

8. Units within Riparian Reserves, where currently greater than 85% shade exists, at least 85% shade on water will be maintained.

Cutting Requirements The maximum height of cut stumps shall not exceed 6 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles. All live limbs must be severed from the stump.

Slashing

a) Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for slashing is determined by the task order. Treatments under this item are completed by hand operated tools. The level is based on the relative amount of the material to be slashed, according to size of material to be slashed, as described as a percent of cover as follows:

· Level I - Unit density of material to be severed is estimated to average 33 percent or less of total cover.

· Level II - Unit density of material to be severed is estimated to average between 34 and 66 percent cover.

· Level III - Unit density of material to be severed is estimated to be greater than 67 percent cover.

b) The task order will define the diameter and size of the standing vegetation to be treated. Material shall be completely severed with the stump height not to exceed 6 inches. This will be the standard size for treatment unless otherwise designated in the task order. Individual species may be specified as reserved from cutting on individual units.

c) Each task order will identify the level of difficulty, size limits for treatment, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, and if any individual species are reserved from treatment.

d) Slashing shall be accomplished throughout the entire unit, excluding areas identified by the task order as reserved from treatment. Firelines shall remain free of debris. Restore firelines to original clear condition following slashing.

e) All cut trees shall be limbed to height specifications within task order. No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

f) Felled trees within 50 feet of either side of any erosion rill or gully will be placed in the erosion rill or gully.

Girdling

a) Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for girdling is determined by the task order. The level is based on the expected number of trees to be girdled.

· Level I - The expected number of trees to be treated is less than 30 trees per acre.

· Level II - The expected number of trees to be treated is between 30 and 60 trees per acre.

· Level III - The expected number of trees to be treated is between 60 and 120 trees per acre.

b) Girdling shall be accomplished in one of two manners, as designated in the task order:

1) All hardwoods and/or conifers between 6 inch DBH and 16 inches DBH shall be girdled. Three

(3) horizontal chain saw cuts shall be made completely around the bole of each hardwood tree, and two (2) horizontal chain saw cuts shall be made completely around the bole of each conifer tree;

such that the minimum cut depth inside the cambium is ½ inch. Cut shall be made below the lowest live limb. If limbs extend to ground level, cut lower limbs within 1 foot of ground level.

2) All hardwoods and/or conifers between 4 inches DBH and 16 inches DBH shall be girdled in such a manner as to create a 4 to 6-inch wide horizontal band cut completely around the bole of each tree such that the cambium is removed. Made cuts below the lowest live limb.

c) These will be the standard tree DBH size for treatment unless otherwise designated. The task order may designate a different size within this range for individual units (example: girdle trees 6-10 or 4-6 inch DBH only). Individual species may be specified as reserved from girdling on individual units.

d) Each task order will specify the level of difficulty and the size range limits for treatment, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, and if any individual species are reserved from treatment.

With written approval from the CO, trees may be flled instead of girdling.

e) Accomplished girdling throughout the entire unit, excluding areas identified by the task order as reserved from treatment.

Lop and Scatter

a) Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for lop and scatter is determined by the task order. The level is based on the amount of the slash to be treated, access to the project site, and reduction height of slash.

· Level I - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages less than 12 tons per acre.

Reduced slash to the extent that it is within 12 inches of the ground at all points.

· Level II - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages between 12 and 20 tons per acre.

Reduced slash to the extent that it is within 20 inches of the ground at all points or as designated by the task order.

b) Slash to be treated - The material to be treated consists of down woody material created from vegetation treatments (such as harvest, thinning, or slashing, etc.) or created through natural processes.

c) Lop and scatter all existing slash so that all top and side branches are free of the central stem so that the slash is reduced to within the limit of distance to the ground at all points, as stated for the level of difficulty. Central stem length shall not exceed 12 feet, or as designated by the task order.

Selective Slashing/Thinning

a) Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for selective slashing/thinning is determined by the task order. Treatments under this item are completed by hand operated tools. The level is based on the expected number of leave trees per acre to be treated and/or spacing between leave trees, or the relative amount of material to be slashed.

· Level I - A specific spacing footage will be designated by Government, within the range of 10'

X 10' up to 45' X 45' for conifers and hardwoods in combination. The number of acceptable leave trees will be determined by the spacing designated (10' X 10' spacing equals ~435 trees/acre, 45' X 45' spacing equals ~22 trees/acre). Unit density is estimated to average less than 40 percent cover.

· Level II - A specific spacing footage will be designated by Government, within the range of 10' X 10' up to 45' X 45' for conifers and hardwoods in combination. The number of acceptable leave trees will be determined by the spacing designated (10' X 10' spacing equals ~435 trees/acre, 45' X 45' spacing equals ~22 trees/acre). Unit density is estimated to average between 40 and 60 percent cover.

· Level III - A specific spacing footage will be designated by Government, within the range of 10' X 10' up to 45' X 45' for conifers and hardwoods in combination. The number of acceptable leave trees will be determined by the spacing designated (10' X 10' spacing equals ~435 trees/acre, 45' X 45' spacing equals ~22 trees/acre). Unit density is estimated to average greater than 60 percent cover.

· If variable spacing is to be utilized, the level will be determined by the percent cover as described above. In this situation, the number of leave trees will be specified along with the variable spacing guidelines, not a footage spacing designation.

b) Criteria for Selection of Leave Trees

1) The best available acceptable leave trees, both conifers and hardwoods, shall be selected as leave trees and treated in accordance with spacing requirement and the number per acre specified by the Level of Difficulty. The average spacing may vary + or - 20% of the spacing stated in the Level of Difficulty in order to select the best leave trees without numerically changing the average number of leave trees per acre.

2) The largest, healthiest, best-formed trees shall be selected as leave trees. Characteristics used in the selection of leave trees include the following:

· Has no apparent damage to the main bole;

· Is not chlorotic;

· Demonstrates good vigor and is disease/bug free;

· Has at least 40 percent crown ratio.

3) Species preference guidelines will be identified in the task order on each unit.

4) The Government may identify additional individual leave trees or leave tree areas within each unit.

c) Treatment of Surplus Vegetation

1) All vegetation not selected as acceptable leave trees up to 7 inches DBH (or as specified in the task order) within the specified spacing of acceptable leave tree shall be severed six inches or less above the ground. No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

2) All conifers over one foot tall and up to 7 inches DBH or as specified in the task order not selected as acceptable leave trees and within the specified spacing of acceptable leave tree shall be completely severed six inches or less above the ground. No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

3) Vegetation greater than 7 inches DBH shall not be cut or be treated unless otherwise designated by the task order.

4) Acceptable leave trees shall not be damaged while cutting vegetation, or buried with slash.

d) Unless further treatment of slash is prescribed, such as hand piling, then lop and scatter the resulting slash to a maximum 12-foot length and a depth not to exceed 20 inches, or as designated by the task order.

e) No material cut by the Contractor shall be left on the ground outside the project area. Remove all cut material at least 25 feet from the road shoulder on the upper (uphill) side, and 50 feet on the lower (downhill) side.

f) Individual species may be specified as reserved from cutting on individual units.

Pruning

a) Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for pruning is determined by the task order. The level is based on the expected number of trees per acre (TPA) requiring treatment.

· Level I - Less than 20 TPA.

· Level II - 20 - 50 TPA.

· Level III - 50 - 100 TPA.

· Level IV - 100 - 150 TPA.

· Level V - 150 - 220 TPA.

b) Designated vegetation shall be pruned of live and dead limbs and branches to a designated height measured above ground level. The designated height shall not exceed 12 feet above ground level, and will typically be designated to a height of from 6 to 12 feet. The Task Order will designate the height for each individual unit. The pruning height may vary + or - one foot from the designated height.

Limbs shall be cut cleanly and flush (as close) to the bole of the tree as possible.

c) Tree limbs that attach to the bole above the designated pruning height, but have limbs extending into the pruning height area, shall be pruned so that they do not extend below the designated height.

d) Material pruned shall be pulled back a minimum of 4 feet away from tree bole.

e) Pruning will many times be ordered in conjunction with slashing, selective thinning, or girdling.

f) Individual species of hardwoods and conifers may be specified as reserved from pruning on individual units.

Hand Piling Slash and Covering Piles The Contractor shall hand pile all slash as specified in the units listed in the task order and according to the following:

Material to be piled requirements Slash between the diameters and minimum length specified in the units listed in the Task Order. Material over the diameter specified shall be limbed and the limbs piled.

Location of Pile requirements Piles shall not be located on road surfaces, road cut banks, established trails, survey monuments, in roadside ditches and channel bottoms, on downed logs or stumps, or within 15 feet of draws, wet areas, water lines/tanks, and 20 feet from private land ownerships. Greater distances from specific features may be designated in the task order.

Piles shall be spread out and not "stacked" above one another. No portion of the pile shall be under branches of a live tree that are within 25 feet of the ground or within 5 feet of the trunk. Piles shall be greater than 5 feet from a down log.

Construction and Covering of Pile requirements Piles shall be constructed by aligning individual pieces of small material in the same direction and placing the heavier slash on top. Piles shall have a stable base to prevent toppling. The log axis of individual pieces shall be oriented up and down the slope. Protruding pieces shall be trimmed to allow covering in a manner that permits the piles to shed water.

All piles shall be compact and free of noncombustible material. Slash that causes large air pockets in piles shall be cut to eliminate air spaces - air spaces larger than 6" diameter are unacceptable. Pile size shall be a maximum of 8 feet in diameter by 8 feet in height, except within riparian reserves piles will be maximum of 6 feet in diameter by 6 feet in height, and minimum pile size shall be 5 feet in diameter by 5 feet in height at the time of final inspection by the Government (COR may authorize larger piles in areas void of overstory trees). Handpiles within riparian reserves shall be more than 30 feet away from intermittent streams and 70 feet away from perennial streams in a checkerboard pattern whenever possible (not piled directly above another).

Hand piles shall have a core of kindling of materials in the lower 1/3 of the pile This is defined as at least 40% of materials in the…