Solicitation_127K1119R0003.pdf

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7A86

HOT SPRINGS AR 71901

100 RESERVE STREET

OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST

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115310

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09/09/2019 1400 CT

08/09/2019

501-321-5324JAY TOBIN

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

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

127K1119R0003

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

1 53 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

PINEVILLE LA 71360

2500 SHREVEPORT HIGHWAY HWY 71

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13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

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UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Common Stand Examination Services for the Kisatchie National Forest

This solicitation will result in Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) as best meets the needs of the Government on the basis of technical capability, past performance and price. These contracts will have a base period, which runs through September 30, 2020 and two option years, which if exercised

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HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

JAY G. TOBIN

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STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

could extend contract performance through

September 30, 2022. There is no guarantee that any options will be exercised by the Government.

0001 Common Stand Exams

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

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(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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53 2 of

127K1119R0003 Common Stand Exams

Kisatchie National Forest

COMMON STAND EXAMINATION SERVICES

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

OVERVIEW

This solicitation will result in Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) as best meets the needs of the Government on the basis of technical capability, past performance and price. These contracts will have a base period, which runs through September 30, 2020 and two option years, which if exercised could extend contract performance through September 30, 2022. There is no guarantee that any options will be exercised by the Government.

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

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

contractors who consistently fail to submit an offer on task orders risk not having their option renewed and could forfeit their minimum guarantee.

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

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Item Task/Sub-task Description Estimated Quantity Unit Base

Year

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

3.0 Variable Plot Cruise (stand exams)

3.1 Calcasieu Ranger District 300* Plot $ $ $

3.2 Caney Ranger District 300* Plot $ $ $

3.3 Catahoula Ranger District 300* Plot $ $ $

3.4 Kisatchie Ranger District 300* Plot $ $ $

3.5 Winn Ranger District 300* Plot $ $ $

*Estimated quantities for evaluation purposes only, but are based on anticipated requirements for intial task order(s).

CONTRACTOR IDENTIFICATION:

Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

E-Mail:

DUNS #:

EACH OFFEROR SHALL IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS FOR WHICH THEY DESIRE TO BE

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

Locations: PLACE AN “X” FOR ALL

LOCATIONS OF INTERESTS

Kisatchie Forest

All Kisatche NF Ranger Districts

Caney Ranger District (Homer, Louisiana)

Calcasieu Ranger District (Boyce, Louisiana)

Catahoula Ranger District (Bentley, Louisiana)

Kisatchie Ranger District (Provencal, Louisiana)

Winn Ranger District (Winnfield, Louisiana)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SECTION I – GENERAL DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the proposed contract is to provide plot inventory and stand examination data. It involves locating and establishing plots, measuring and recording trees, transfering the data to Forest Service computer. The stand examination data provides information to help guide land managers’ decisions on Kisatchie National Forest.

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The scope of this contract is to furnish all labor, tools, equipment, transportation and incidentals necessary to conduct reliable timber stand examinations. The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with the terms, spcifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation and the current version of the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8. The contractor’s electronic data shall successfully transmit to the Forest Service’s FSVeg database system using computer equipment on Kisatchie National Forest.

PROJECT LOCATION

a) The project is located on Ranger Districts of Kisatchie NF with headquarters in Pineville, LA. (see maps in Appendix A)

b) Specific locations, data, and maps will be supplied with each task order.

c) Acreages listed on each task order have been determined by geographic information system (GIS). For purposes of this contract, quantities listed on each task order are considered actual acreage and not an estimate.

PROJECT ACCESS

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

b) The National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the individual Ranger Districts (available upon award) provides open road information. The Contractor will be given access to those roads that are seasonally closed by gates in coordination with the COR. Forest Service roads that are permanently closed by earthen berms or some other obstruction will have to be accessed by foot or, if available, UTV in coordination and agreement with the COR.

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

UTV also have roll-over protection and seat belts unlike ATV.

SCOPE OF WORK

Work shall consist of locating pre-defined plots within stands of a given compartment(s), establishing these plots by physical marker specified in the task order, then measuring and recording individual stem data around these plots using Common Stand Exam protocols of the Forest Service FSVeg program. These protocols are in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, services and facilities necessary for the stand exams.

Each data collection plot will consist of using a variable radius 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) or what is specified in the task order. Stand data collected is species, tree status, dbh, height (for the following: hardwood pulpwood, hardwood sawtimber, pine pulpwood and pine sawtimber) and tree count.

PAYMENT

Payment will be based on a work order basis after delivery of electronic data, successfully uploaded into Exams PC, inspected and accepted by the Government.

PERFORMANCE OF SIMILAR WORK BY THE GOVERNMENT

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

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his crew and Government representatives.

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Govt. Furnished Property/Services/

Data Quantity Where, When How to be Furnished to Contractor

Map(s) and/or plot GPS coordinates As specified in task orders

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

Project area maps As required Same as above.

Initial CSE file with defaults set for project area As required Same as above.

Data Recorders As specified in task orders Same as above.

Stand Exam Plans As specified in task orders Same as above.

Maps or computer generated aerial photographs of the contract area

As required Same as above.

Pin flags to be used to mark plot centers As required Same as above.

MVUM maps As needed Same as above.

Any Government-furnished property used by the contractor will be inspected prior to release to the contractor.

Reference FAR 52.245-1 Alt. 1 (AUG 2010). No other supplies or services will be supplied to the contractor.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES: Except for items listed under Government furnished property, the contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform stand examination inventory (this may include but is not limited to flagging, D- Tape, clinometer, cruiser vests, hard hats, etc.)

SECTION II - DEFINITIONS

The following are definitions that refer to data elements and attributes for collecting Common Stand Exam data.

TERMS MEANING

Azimuth A horizontal angle of a point, measured clockwise from true north

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

Basal Area Factor

(BAF)

The critical angle used to determine BA with a prism

Breast Height A point located on the uphill side of the main stem, by measuring 4.5 feet along the uphill side of the bole from ground level or the predominant root collar. Preclude slight, non-compacted litter accumulations when establishing breast height.

Compartment

A land area easily identified on the ground by physical features, made up of various stands. A compartment is comparable in size to a sub-watershed or landscape management unit. Its is used as a convenience for maintaining stand records and planning vegetation management projects.

Diameter At Breast Height (DBH)

Diameter of a tree measured at breast height (4.5 feet), outside bark, perpendicular to the tree bole. Measurements are rounded down to the nearest tenth of an inch.

Exams CE Software on data recorder used to collect data using stand exam protocol.

Exams PC Software on personal computer to collect data using Common Stand Exam protocol.

Inclusion An area of land less than 10 acres that has vegetation different from surrounding or neighboring stand, but is too small to be delineated separately without creating excessive map details.

Pdr (.pdr) File Personal data record is a file format containing filed data that has been created using ExamsPC software. The file extension is .pdr.

Plot A sub-sample of a plot or stand exam. This is the unit on which data is recorded for individual trees. A 10-factor prism is primarily used.

Plot Data Form The plot data form is used to collect data at the plot level and is independent of the information collected at the setting level. This data is collected individually for all sample plots in the stand.

TERMS MEANING

Proclaimed Forest Units of the National Forest System as originally proclaimed or designated by Congress.

SAF Cover Type Society of American Foresters forest cover type code. SAF forest cover type codes are numeric and up to 3 digits in length. Example: 21 = longleaf pine

Sample Design Form The sample design form contains information about how the data was collected, which trees are measured and how the measurements shall be converted to per acre values.

Setting Data Form The setting data form is used to collect data that uniquely identifies each stand.

Species A code that represents a fundamental category of taxonomic classification of an organism.

Stand A stand is a community, particularly of trees, possessing sufficient uniformity as regards to composition, age, spatial arrangement, or condition, to be distinguishable from adjacent communities, so forming a silvicultural or management entity.

Personnel Qualifications The person performing the work must hold a minimum of a two year degree in forestry and three months prior experience in collecting data for forest inventory, stand examinations, or timber cruises. Twelve months verifiable technical experience in collecting field data for timber inventories, stand examinations, or timber cruises may be substituted for the education requirements.

In addition, each person must also be able to demonstrate the following:

A. Proficiency in the interpretation of aerial photography.

B. Proficiency in the use of GPS to locate prescribed plot locations.

C. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field and on original or photocopied aerial photographs.

D. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

E. Proficiency in the use of GPS units and or GPS enabled personal data recorders for navigating, pacing, determining map distance and area measurements.

F. Ability to accurately identify local tree and shrub species, generally to the species level, including listed non-native invasive species.

G. Knowledge of common forest insects and diseases.

If the person cannot demonstrate these qualifications, then replacement of that person may be required at the discretion of the COR.

DOCUMENTATION: The contractor shall provide the following documentation:

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

Work Plan The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform stand examination inventory activities including methods, personnel, and equipment. This plan should include how the contractor will provide for safety and whether the contractor’s crew will be camping or commuting to the worksite. If the crew plans to camp then the contractor needs to include a plan to prevent fires and dispose of trash properly.

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

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

CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF INFORMATION

Archaeological Sites: Any archeological sites encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed. The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential archeological sites and report their location to the Contracting Officer. Disclosure of any archeological information to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to legal penalties.

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (Plants, Animals, or Bird): Any of these species encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed. The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential indicators (such as nests) or actual sightings and report their location to the Contracting Officer/COR. Disclosure of any information associated with these species to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to civil penalties.

SECTION III – COMMON STAND EXAMINATION TASK ITEMS

3.0 COMMON STAND EXAMINATION

Common stand examination involves plot location, data collection, data entry and data transfer. A stand exam plan will be provided for each task order and should be referred to before working as it may have more specific guidelines than what is listed below.

PLOT LOCATION

The contractor shall locate plots within stands using maps and/or GPS coordinates provided by the Government.

Plot locations are pre-defined by latitude and longitude (NAD 83 Louisiana North 1701) or as specified in the task order. The latitude and longitude of each plot will be retaken at each plot with a GPS unit entered in the data as a 3-digit degree entry, a 2-digit minutes entry and a 3-digit seconds entry. The ‘seconds’ entry shall have the form ‘XX.X’. Decimal degree entries are not acceptable. One plot per 10 acres is the general rule. Each district can have a variation. Travel routes are not pre-defined. Motor vehicle access is shown on maps.

The contractor shall use flagging to facilitate the location of plot center. The contractor shall provide flagging that is photodegradable and highly visible. The COR and contractor will jointly select the flagging color to be used.

Flagging shall be at least 18” inches long after tying.

The contractor shall identify plot center with a pin flag that shall extend a minimum of twelve inches above the ground surface. The plot center is defined as that point where the pin flag enters the ground. This point or plum-line extension of this point shall be used for all distance measurements.

The contractor shall mark the flagging with the date, compartment number, stand number and plot number on the flagging with a waterproof marker. Plot ID numbers will be in the following format: for example 1200101, 12 = compartment number, 001= stand number and 01= plot number. Plot ID numbers can be found on contract map.

Prior to using GPS units, the Forest Service may require a field check of each of them for their resolution in comparison with Forest Service established points of known location which will be used as actual locations. GPS units that fail to locate these points within 20 feet of the established location will not be acceptable.

DATA COLLECTION

The Contractor shall measure and record data for each sample plot to complete the Setting Form, Sample Design Form, Plot Data Form and Tree Data Form in accordance with the current version of the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8 and this contract.

The Contractor shall utilize GPS capable data recorders with the latest version of CSE software installed. The Forest Service will provide the first data file with the user defined field defaults set for the project area and sample design that will be used. Modifications of the user definitions or sample design shall be made by the Forest Service, only when necessary.

Data collection for each plot shall begin at azimuth 360 degrees (north), progressing in a clockwise direction around the plot center.

The Contractor shall complete one Setting Form for each setting (stand) in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8.

DATA ENTRY

The Contractor shall collect and record tree data in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8.

Begin recording tree data on the tree form at azimuth 360o (North) progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center.

All live trees will be counted and recorded that are ≥ 5 inches DBH using the selected BAF for the stand. When encountering a “borderline” tree (those trees are not quite in or out), measure the tree’s DBH and its distance from plot center. Use Appendix J of the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 8 to determine whether the tree is in or out for the plot.

At each plot using the clockwise direction, measure the height of one pine sawtimber, one pine pulpwood, one hardwood sawtimber and one hardwood pulpwood encountered and record the heights on the tree data form.

DATA TRANSFER

The data will be transferred to the Exams PC program by the Forest Service. The contractor is responsible for data stored on the PDRs until the data is uploaded. The Contrator shall submit completed stand information in electronic form within seven (7) days after completion of each compartment.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) has been developed pursuant to the requirements of the Performance Work Statement. This plan sets forth procedures and guidelines that will be used in evaluating the technical performance of the contractor.

A. PURPOSE OF THE QASP

The QASP is intended to accomplish the following:

Define the roles and responsibilities of participating government officials and the contractor;

Identify the types of work to be performed and the inspections to be performed to validate adequacy;

Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the government in assessing the contractor’s inspection program and performance to the quality/performance standards required for each task

Provide copies of the contractor’s inspection records and Government quality assurance monitoring forms that will be used by the government in documenting and evaluating the contractor’s performance;

Describe the process of performance documentation

The contractor is responsible for performing inspection services pursuant to the inspection clause and for providing and maintaining the inspection forms, approved by the government, to perform the contractor’s inspection services. The contractor has represented themselves, to be responsible for meeting the prescribed quality/performance standards in the statement of work.

B. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The following government officials will participate in assessing the quality of the contractor’s performance.

Their roles and responsibilities are described as follows:

The Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) will be responsible for monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on the schedule of inspections submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. The COR/Inspector, if the latter is assigned to the project, will either witness the contractor’s performance of the inspections performed by the contractor or will evaluate the contractor’s inspection results as to documented findings relative to meeting the standards for each task/subtask within the statement of work.

The COR will have primary responsibility for completing quality assurance monitoring forms which will be used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) and will have the overall responsibility for overseeing the contractor’s performance. The CO will also be responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of the contractor’s performance in the areas of contract compliance, contract administration, cost control, and property control; reviewing the COR’s assessment of the contractor’s performance; and resolving all differences between the COR’s version and the contractor’s version.

C. TYPES OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED/SCHEDULE OF INSPECTIONS

This contract calls for the contractor to perform the following tasks and subtasks and to perform inspections at the completion of the tasks/subtasks as a minimum and or for intermediate inspections as determined at contract award by the COR/CO. The contractor’s quality control plan/schedule will be modified accordingly and will be one of the bases for the award of the contract.

Task/ subtask# Title When To Be

Inspected What To be Inspected Documentation

Inspection Type (100%/Periodic/

Random)

3.0 Stand exams

Variable plot cruise As work is being performed and at completion of task

Compliance with technical specs

1) plot location

2) data collection

3) data entry

4) data transfer

Contractor:

Records,data, reports

COR/Contract Inspector Daily Diary

Periodic

100%

C1. Inspection for Adherence to stand exams The Government will ensure that the Contractor’s employees are proficient in performing the stand exams according to the personnel qualifications given for the contract.

C2. Inspection for Adherence to Plot Based Cruising

Total number of plots must be at least 95% of the estimated number of plots in the stand exam plan or as adjusted based on concurrence with the Contracting Officer. The Government will inspect plot locations within each stand exam in order to determine whether or not the Stand Exam Plan was followed. The following factors will be considered in determining whether or not a stand has been cruised to the specified plan:

Plots must be within the locations shown on the map within 20 feet.

Plots must not be moved to accommodate streams, roads, openings, or other obstructions on the cruise.

Tree Counts for each plot: the proper techniques for determining “in” and “out” trees by which the count is made for each plot during variable plot cruising. Failure to measure a borderline tree or record count trees may cause an inaccurate cruise; therefore, all borderline trees must be measured to determine how many count trees on each plot.

Selection of Measured Trees: Contractor shall determine which trees to measure based on the instructions in the Stand Exam Plan.

Monumentation and recording requirements are met.

The Government will perform a check on a minimum number of plots and measured trees per compartment as specified in the task order. Measurements by the COR/CI will be compared to the measurements recorded by the Contractor.

Failure to meet stand exam standards requires contractor adjustments or re-performance started within 24 hours.

Contractor’s Quality Control: The Contractor is responsible for quality control and will, at a minimum, check at least 1 plot per stand. These need to be recorded on the tree inspection forms provided by Forest Service.

D. METHODS OF SURVEILLANCE

The government, through it’s COR/CI, will monitor the contractor’s performance on a continuous basis. The method the government will use is identified in Paragraph C above. The COR/Inspector will first verify the results of the contractor’s inspection, completeness and adequacy of the documentation of the contractor’s inspection results. The government COR will perform periodic independent inspections after the contractor has performed their inspection if questions develop regarding the results of the contractor’s inspections. Results of the independent inspections that differ from the results noted by the contractor on their inspections the costs thereof for the re-inspection costs will be assessed against the contractor. The contractor shall be required to rework/repair or replace the effort until the quality/ performance standard is achieved.

Inspections will be performed to the schedule submitted by the contractor and approved by the government.

Variances from the schedule must be pre-approved by the CO.

E. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) FORMS AND REPORT

1. The COR/CI will use a quality assurance monitoring form to document and evaluate the contractor’s performance under the contract. This can consist of a Form, a Memo for record or an entry in a daily or weekly diary. The form when completed will document the COR’s understanding of what the contractor was supposed to do, what was actually done, and the impact or consequences of what was done. The documentation will also identify the additional steps required of the contractor if there is a nonconformance.

2. The COR/CI will judge each event in accordance with the performance standards and performance requirements stated in the Quality/Performance Requirements stated in the contract either in section 5 of the Statement of Work (SOW) or in section 7 of the SOW.

3. The COR/CI must substantiate all tasks which he judges to be indicative of “unacceptable” performance.

Performance at the “acceptable” level is expected and need not be substantiated.

4. In accordance with Section C above, the contractor shall furnish (weekly, at a minimum) to the COR copies of all inspection forms generated by the contractor witnessing inspections performed. The COR will forward copies of all completed QA monitoring forms to the CO and contractor inspection records prior to processing payments. The contractor is required to respond in writing to any negative QA monitoring form(s) within 5 working days after receipt of the form(s).

F. ANALYSIS OF SURVEILLANCE RESULTS

1. The CO will review each QA monitoring form prepared by the COR. When appropriate, the CO may investigate the event further to determine if all the facts and circumstances surrounding the event were considered in the COR’s opinion outlined on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating with the contractor to assure that corrective action is promptly initiated.

2. Upon completion of the contract/task order the COR will perform a performance evaluation of the contractor using the results documented as above and provide to the CO for further action.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Government quality-assurance will be initiated when the Contractor sumits all data and forms for a payment item.

Payments will be made on a work order basis after delivery of electronic data, successfully uploaded into Exams PC and inspected.

Deductions from payments will be made for the following conditions:

The Contractor shall be assessed actual damages, per day, for;

any work not completed within the time specified by this contract, unless a time extension has been approved by the Contracting Officer re-inspections beyond the first one subsequent to Contractor’s corrective actions, re-inspection done at Contractor’s request prior to his or her corrective action that subsequently confirms the initial finding of unacceptable data errors within the tolerances defined in this contract

Actual damages include, but are not limited to, unproductive time spent on the project in an attempt to inspect or re-inspect by Forest Service officials when the cause of loss production was that areas were not ready for inspection or re-inspection contrary to the written schedule and the Forest Service was not notified that the areas as scheduled were not ready.

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 ORDERING PROCEDURES FOR COMPETITIVE TASK ORDERS.

H.1.1 REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS. When the Government requires work under the MATOC, a Notice of Proposed Task Order Request for Proposal will be issued VIA EMAIL ONLY. Performance and payment bonds may be required for Task Orders in accordance with applicable PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS and ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROTECTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS clauses if required for fireline construction projects.

H.1.2 COMPETITION. Task Orders will be awarded based on Fair Opportunity, FAR 16.505(b)(1).

MATOC awardees will have a fair opportunity to be considered for a task order exceeding $2,500, unless an exception applies. Under the MATOC contracts, the Government reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer, and to reject any or all offers. The basis of award will be a conforming offer, the price or cost of which may or may not be the lowest. If other than the lowest offer, it must be sufficiently more advantageous than the lowest offer to justify the payment of additional amounts.

• COMPETING FOR A TASK ORDER. The Contracting Officer will ensure that each awardee receives a fair opportunity to be considered for each order. It is expected that MATOC contractors will submit proposals for all RFP notices received. In the event a Contractor is unable to submit an offer in response to an RFP notice, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer via return email. Failure to respond or compete for projects may be considered failure to make progress or perform and will be a consideration for option year renewal.

H.1.3 SITE VISITS. Offeror's attendance at walk-throughs (site visits) is considered vital to preparation of competitive and cost-effective offers and to understanding the total results desired by the Government.

In SOME cases, walk-throughs will be determined mandatory in order for a contractor to submit a proposal. Such requirement shall be stated in the RFP notice. The Contractor will not be reimbursed for proposal preparation, attendance during negotiations, site visits, walk-throughs or other pre-task order costs.

H.1.4 PROPOSAL CONTENTS. Depending upon the requirements of each Task Order, the Contractor will typically provide a price proposal in response to an RFP notice. Contractors shall respond within the number of calendar days stated in the RFP notice by submitting a proposal to the Contracting Officer in accordance with requirements stated in the RFP notice. Some task orders may require the submission of a technical proposal. If required, this will be noted in the RFP notice.

H.1.5 CONTRACT PRICES-SCHEDULE OF ITEMS. The Government's payment for the items listed in the Schedule of Items of individual task orders shall constitute full compensation to the Contractor for-

(1) Furnishing all plant, labor, equipment, services, materials and expertise; and (2) Performing all operations required to complete the work in conformity with the drawings and specifications. The Contractor shall include in the prices for the items listed in the Pricing Schedule all costs for work in the specifications, whether or not specifically listed in the Pricing Schedule.

H.1.6 EVALUATION METHOD AND PROCEDURES. The primary technical and price criteria will vary depending on the unique requirements for each task order. The Contracting Officer may develop evaluation criteria which reflect the instant requirement and contracting environment. Examples of these criteria are past performance on prior task orders under the MATOC contract, which includes quality and timeliness, special expertise or other factors the Contracting Officer determines are relevant to award of a particular task order and the unit’s status of achieving small business goals/targets. In making decisions in award of any individual task order, the Government intends to select the most advantageous, responsive, and responsible proposal, price and other factors considered. Each RFP notice will describe the criteria to be utilized in evaluating task order proposals.

H.1.7 DISCREPANCIES IN THE EVALUATION OF OFFERS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO RFP

NOTICES FOR INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS.

a. For the purpose of initial evaluations of offers proposed for individual Task Orders, the following will be utilized in resolving arithmetic discrepancies found on the face of pricing schedule as submitted by the Offeror: (1) Obviously misplaced decimal points will be corrected; (2) Discrepancy between unit price and extended price, the unit price will govern; (3) Apparent errors in extension of unit prices will be corrected;

(4) Apparent errors in addition of lump-sum and extended prices will be corrected.

b. For purposes of price evaluation, the Government will proceed on the assumption that the Offeror intends the proposed price to be evaluated on basis of the unit prices, the totals arrived at by resolution of arithmetic discrepancies as provided above.

c. These correction procedures shall not be used to resolve any ambiguity concerning which price is low.

H.1.8 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (FAR 52.217-5) (JUL 1990). Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for the purpose of awarding task orders by adding the total price for all optional line items to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the optional line items.

H.1.9 AWARD DECISION. Whenever possible, award will be made without discussions. If discussions are required, each MATOC contractor will be requested to provide a final proposal revision, unless eliminated from discussions through the establishment of a competitive range. Task Order award will be made based on either the best value to the Government or the lowest price, technically acceptable proposal as described in the RFP notice. The awarded Task Order will be firm fixed-price with a specific number of calendar days for completion. When optional line items are included in the Schedule, the Task Order will specify the timeframe for exercising the Options.

H.1.10 TASK ORDER ISSUANCE. Task Orders will be issued on SF 1442 or OF 347, depending on the dollar value of award, and will normally be transmitted by email. The Task Order becomes binding when the Contracting Officer signs the order. A Notice to Proceed (NTP) will be issued separately after receipt of required performance and payment bonds. Appropriate proof of Insurance must be in place before work commences. The appropriate issuing, administration, and payment offices will be cited on each Task Order.

H.1.11 PROTESTS. In accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(10), no protest under FAR Subpart 33.1 is authorized in connection with the issuance or proposed issuance of an order under a Task Order Contract except for a protest on the grounds that the order increases the scope, period, or maximum value of the contract.

H.1.12 OMBUDSMAN. If the Contractor believes it was not fairly considered for a particular task order, the Contractor may present the matter to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may appeal the explanation or decision of the Contracting Officer to the Ombudsman, who is the Head of the Contracting Activity. The Ombudsman will review the Contractor's complaint, and in coordination with the Contracting Officer, ensure that the Contractor was afforded a fair opportunity to be considered for the Task Order.

H.1.13 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. The Contractor will be provided an electronic copy of the Statement of Work (with pertinent supplemental specifications and construction drawings as applicable) upon issuance of each Task Order. All further reproduction shall be at the Contractor's expense. The Government may provide these as hard copy or as electronic media, such as email or CD ROM, at its option.

H.2 ORDERING PROCEDURES FOR SOLE SOURCE ORDERS. In the event it becomes necessary to negotiate with one firm on a sole-source basis, the following procedures shall be used in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2):

H.2.1 CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTING SOLE SOURCE ORDERS. All MATOC Contractors will be given a fair opportunity to submit a proposal on projects unless the Contracting Officer determines:

a. An urgent need exists, and seeking competition would result in unacceptable delay

b. Only one Contractor is capable at the level of quality required because the requirement is unique or highly specialized

c. A sole source is in the interest of economy and efficiency as a logical follow-on to an order already competed (e.g. work in progress in a contiguous area).

d. To satisfy contract minimum award obligations.

H.3 GENERAL WAGE DECISIONS.

Applicable Davis-Bacon wage rates will be identified for all construction task orders issued under this contract.

H.4 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

The Government may request proposals for which funding is not currently available for the award (which will be duly noted in the request for proposals). If funds fail to become available for the award of the project, the event shall not constitute a basis for equitable adjustment under this contract. If funds for a project become available within 30 days after the expiration of the proposal acceptance period, the Government may request an extension of the contractor’s proposal acceptance period without further competition for the project. If the proposal acceptance period is not extended by the contractor, the project may be re-solicited.

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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. The full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

52.204-7 System for Award Management. (OCT 2018) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items. (OCT 2018) 52.223-2 Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products under Service and Construction Contracts (SEP 2013) 52.232-18 Availability of Funds. (APR 1984) 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions. (APR 1984) 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work. (APR 1984) 52.236-5 Material and Workmanship. (APR 1984) 52.236-6 Superintendence by the Contractor. (APR 1984) 52.236-7 Permits and Responsibilities. (NOV 1991) 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements. (APR 1994) 52.245-1 Government Property (JAN 2017), ALT 1 (APR 2012) 52.245-9 Use and Charges (APR 2012) 52.246-20 Warranty of Services. (MAY 2001) 52.249-4 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form). (APR 1984) 52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service). (APR 1984) AGAR 452.236-73 Archaeological or Historic Sites (FEB 1988) AGAR 452.236-74 Control of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution (NOV 1996) AGAR 452.236-76 Samples and Certificates (FEB 1988) AGAR 452.236-77 Emergency Response. (NOV 1996)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items. (MAY 2019)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section

743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L.

113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(4) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(5) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2018) (Pub.

L. 109-282)

(31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) [Reserved].

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_x_ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_x_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_x_ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C.657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3.

__ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone…