1284LM22R0002 5192022.pdf

OFFEROR'S COPY

NOTE: Attached forms must be completed and submitted intact.

Solicitation No. 1284LM22R0002 HELP PREVENT FOREST FIRES

IMPORTANT - NOTICE TO OFFEROR

1. This is a complete copy. Information and instructions for submission of proposals as well as contract provisions and specifications are contained in this OFFEROR REFERENCE COPY. This copy should be retained by offerors.

FS-6300-45 (11/79)

Issuing Office:

USDA – Forest Service PPS Intermountain Region 24 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804

Offers Are Solicited For:

USDA/USFS Region 1, Northern Region and Region 4, Intermountain Region Hand Fuels Treatment Multiple-Award Task Order Contract

(MATOC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page(s)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 5 - 6

Standard Form 1449, Solicitation, Offer, and Award

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES 7 - 8

B- 1 - Schedule of Items

B- 2 – Bases of Award

B- 3 – Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts

B- 4 – Idaho Use Tax

B-5 - Authorized Ordering Activities

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS 9 - 34

C- 1 - Scope of Contract

C- 2 - Project Location

C- 3 - Definitions

C- 4 - Government-Furnished Property

C- 5 – Work Requirements

C- 6 - Deliverables

C- 7 – Performance Requirements Summary

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 35 - 39

E- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

E-2 – Additonal Inspection and Acceptance Requirements

E-3 – Accetance and Rework

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 40 - 42

F- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

F- 2 - Contract Period and Renewal Option

F- 3 - Contract Time, Task Order Periods of Performance and Required Rate of Progress

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 43-50

G- 1 – Authorized Ordering Activities

G- 2 – Ordering Procedure

G- 3 – Ordering Procedure Task Orders

G- 4 – Measurement

G- 5 – Method of Calculating Payment

G-6 – Invoice Processing Platform

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 51 - 68

H- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

H- 2 - Key Personnel and Communications H- 3 – Emergncy Response

H- 4 – Fire Control

H- 5 – Loss, Damage, or Destruction

H- 6 - Barricades, Warning Signs, and Other Devices

USFS/Region 1&4 TSI and Hand Thinning MATOC Solicitation 1284LM22R0002

H- 7 - Weed Free Equipment

H- 8 - Landscape Preservation

H- 9 - Camping Provisions for Labor Intensive Contracts

H-10 - Camping and Worksite Conditions

H-11 - Personal Protective Equipment

H-12 - Employment of Eligible Workers (DEC 1999)

H-13 - Labor Standard for Contracts Involving Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers (DEC 1999)

H-14 - Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration (DEC 1999)

H-15 - Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

H-16 - Prework Conference

H-17 - Bear Safety

H-18 - Idaho Workers Compensation Law

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES 69 - 89

I- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

I- 2 - 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV

2021)

I- 3 - 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes

I- 4 - 52.216-18 Ordering (AUG 2020)

I-5 - 52.216-19 Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

I- 6 – Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995)

I- 7 - Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman

I- 8 - Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

I- 9 - Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

I-10 - Modification for Contract Closeout (OCT 2021)

I-11 - Labor Law Violations (OCT 2021)

I-12 - Past Performance Labor Law Violations (OCT 2021)

I-13 - Post Award Conference

I-14 - Key Personnel

I-15 - Employment of Eligible Workers

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 90

Exhibits 1 – 29

Exhibit 30 Seed Task Order 1

Exhibit 31 Seed Task Order 2

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER 91 - 98

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS AND RESPONDENTS

K- 1 - Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

K- 2 - Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications

K- 3 - Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

K- 4 - Offeror Representations and Certifications

K-5 - Employment of Eligible Workers

USFS/Region 1&4 TSI and Hand Thinning MATOC Solicitation 1284LM22R0002

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 99 - 103

AND RESPONDENTS

L- 1 - Instructions to Offerors

L- 2 – Date, Time and Place Proposals are due

L- 3 – Government Point of Contact L- 4 – Amendments to Proposals

L- 5 – Type of Contract

L- 6 – Service of Protest

L-7 – Site Visit

L-8 – Alterations in Solicitation

L- 9 - Authorized Deviations in Provisions

L- 10 - Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 104 - 105

M- 1 - Evaluation Criteria

M- 2 - Award Statement

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

MISSOULA MT 59804

26 FORT MISSOULA ROAD

R1 REGIONAL OFFICE

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR84LM

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

05/19/2022

406-329-3979MICHAEL LUCAS

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

06/17/2022 1600 MT

b. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

1284LM22R0002

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

5 105OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

OGDEN UT 84401-2310

324 25TH ST

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 INTERMOUNTAIN 2

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.

Region One/Region Four TSI and Hand Thinning IDIQ

Period of Performance: 07/01/2022 to 06/30/2027

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

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

MICHAEL J. LUCAS

. 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

101 6 of

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1284LM22R0002

SECTION B – CONTINUATION OF SF-1449

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

B- 1 Schedule of Items/Price Schedule

Base Year and four Option Years for Timber Stand Improvement and Hand Thinning Services within Region 1, Northern Region and Region 4, Intermountain Region states to include: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and California.

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0001

Base Period: One year (12 months) from the award date. (specific dates will be set at time of award)

FFP, IDIQ MATOC for Timber Stand Improvement and Hand Thinning Services.

CLIN 0002

Option 1: One year (12 months) from the completion date of Base Period. (specific dates will be set at time of award)

CLIN 0003

Option 2: One year (12 months) from the completion date of Option 1. (specific dates will be set at time of award)

CLIN 0004

Option 3: One year (12 months) from the completion date of Option 2. (specific dates will be set at

CLIN 0005

Option 4: One year (12 months) from the completion date of Option 3. (specific dates will be set at

B- 2 Bases of Award

Multiple contracts will be awarded. The final number of contracts to be awarded will be based a determination by the Contracting Officer at the time of award regarding the number of contracts in the best interest of the Government. The contract award selections will be based on a Best Value determination by the Contracting Officer. Offerors must submit prices for all attached Seed Task Orders.

See 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors for instructions for proposal preparation and for the basis of award.

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B-3 AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, Ordering, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $2,500.00 per awarded contract (per Contractor) over the life of the contract, but not in excess of $20,000,000 per contract award.

B- 4 IDAHO USE TAX

Under Clause 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, Contractors shall be responsible for complying with any Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes and regulations applicable to the performance of the work.

Questions regarding assessment of Idaho Use Tax on Government Furnished Property should be directed to the Idaho State Tax Commission at (208) 799-3491.

B-5 Authorized Ordering Activities

In addition to the Contracting Officer for the parent contract, the authorized officials shown below may issue Task Orders under this contract: Any Contracting Officer Mission Area Wide within the limits of their authority.

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SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C. 1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

This contract includes a wide variety of non-merchantable vegetation management activities for the purpose of fuels reduction, prescribed burn unit preparation, stand improvement, or unit rehabilitation.

Contracted activities could include, but are not limited to, tree thinning, slashing, girdling, pruning, weed and release, release of browse species, slash treatment, hand piling, fuel break construction, fireline construction, residual tree protection, duff mound removal, unit preparation work, rehabilitation, chipping and related services. Unit boundary/special protection area designation and/or traversing for or within these units may also be an included activity. These activities would occur on lands administered by the

National Forests (NF) and National Grasslands (NG) within the boundaries of the Northern Region

(Region One, R1) and the Intermountain Region (Region Four, R4) of the U.S. Forest Service (see table below). These lands are in all or portions of CA, ID, MT, ND, NV, UT, and WY; maps may be found at this link. Activities may also occur on adjacent lands where cross boundary services can achieve project objectives and necessary permissions have been obtained.

R1 National Forest and Grasslands R4 National Forests and Grasslands

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Ashley NF

Bitterroot NF Boise NF

Custer Gallatin NF Bridger-Teton NF

Dakota Prairie National Grassland NG Caribou-Targhee NF

Flathead NF Dixie NF

Helena-Lewis & Clark NF Fishlake NF

Idaho Panhandle NF Humboldt-Toiyabe NF

Kootenai NF Manti-Lasal NF

Lolo NF Payette NF

Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Salmon-Challis NF

Sawtooth NF

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF

Except for those items identified herein as Government-furnished, the Contractor shall furnish everything necessary, including, but not limited to, all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and incidentals to perform services under this contract.

There are no salvage rights associated with this contract.

C. 1.2.1 This contract is a Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a Base and 4 option year renewals. The Government will order work by issuing Task Orders for competitive bid by contractors awarded a parent contract.

C. 1.2.2 See Section I for contract minimums, maximums and ordering limitations.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r1/about-region/offices https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r1/about-region/offices https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r4/about-region/offices https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/maps

10 R1/R4 Hand TSI MATOC

C. 1.2.3 The Contracting Officer may order services under this contract for any National Forest or

National Grassland within the boundaries of the R1 and R4 of the U.S. Forest Service subject to the following conditions:

(1) There is not a requirement, contractual or otherwise, to order the services for that other

National Forest or National Grassland under another contract or agreement;

(2) The Contracting Officer will consult with the Small Business Administration if required by federal law or regulation; and

(3) Prices for work ordered will be at the rates specified on awarded task orders. This does not preclude the Contracting Officer from exercising other Government rights under this contract, including, but not limited to the Changes clause.

C. 2 LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Task Orders will include specific information regarding work items and quantities, project location, unit access descriptions, boundary designations, maps, prescriptions or prescription summaries or other information pertinent to each Task Order.

The Government may designate boundaries by (a) an obvious timber type difference, (b) flagging, (c) tags/posters, (d) paint and/or (e) spatially georeferenced maps or through digital GPS-based technology.

The type of boundary designation shall be described in Task Orders, when Contractor unit boundary designation is not a requirement in Task Orders.

Stocking levels in Task Orders are displayed in stems or trees per acre. Task Orders or Silvicultural

Prescription Summaries will identify the appropriate post-treatment stocking levels based on spacing or other requirements.

Species preference, spacing and diameter limits for work items will be specified in Task Orders, the silvicultural prescription summary, and/or on the summary information chart.

The Contractor shall not move to a new unit or area without completing all activities within one unit or area, unless otherwise approved by the Contractor Officer.

C. 3 DEFINITIONS

Access Point. The point identified for where walk-in access begins to a contract unit.

Accessible. Units are accessible when they are within 1,000 feet of a road open for public use or an administrative use road (gated for public use but can be made available for Contractor use) Units that are not accessible will have a walk-in price included on the Parent Contract.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density. The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary.

Acre. A unit of area equal to 43,560 square feet.

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Berm. A ridge of soil and debris along the edge of a fireline resulting from line construction.

Bear Girdle. When a bear eats the bark and cambium to the woody tissue of a conifer tree.

Blowdown: Tree or trees felled or broken off by wind.

Bole: A trunk of main stem of a tree. Note: seedlings and saplings have stems rather than boles.

Brush: A collective term that refers to stands of vegetation dominated by shrubby, woody plants or low-growing trees, usually of a type undesirable for livestock or timber management.

Buck: To saw felled trees into shorter lengths

Burned Area Rehabilitation: Post-fire activities prescribed and implemented to rehabilitate and restore fire damaged lands.

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

Cambium: A layer of living cells between the wood and the innermost bark of a tree.

Canker. A disease of the bark and cambium that causes a usually well-defined sunken or swollen necrotic lesion. A malformation of a host stem or branch caused by a disruption of the cambium as a result of dwarf mistletoe infection. A scar left after canker disease or environmental injury.

Chain. Unit of length equal to 66 feet (20.1m) and composed of 100 links.

Chaining. A method of reducing or clearing undesirable shrubs or saplings from an area by dragging a heavy chain (generally further weighted by concrete cylinders or large steel balls) through it between two tractors using a thick steel cable.

Clump. See definition of leave island.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The onsite contract administrator for the Contracting

Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the

Contracting Officer.

Competitive Area. The area used for comparison of potential leave trees of the same species. The radius of the competitive area is specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary.

Contract Period. For the purposes of this contract, the contract period is defined as the entire period from the date of contract award through the end of the base year, and/or any option year(s) if option year(s) are exercised by the Government.

Contract Time. The number of calendar days identified in each Task Order, within which the Contractor shall complete the work described in that Task Order in compliance with the Task Order and the parent contract.

Crook/Crooked Trees. An abrupt bend in a tree or those trees with an abrupt bend on the main bole which is less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than 3 inches from the longitudinal axis.

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Crop Tree. A tree that will be a component of a future commercial harvest or managed into the future. In this contract, it is interpreted as the trees specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary that are of preferred species, free of insect or disease infection, or if it is present does not threaten the tree survival or growth, exhibits leader dominance and growth, exhibits little or no damage that affects tree survival or growth, and has crown ratio of greater than 40% (ratio of crown to overall length).

Crown Class – A category of tree based on its crown position relative to those of adjacent trees. Types of crown classes include the following:

Codominant: A tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above and comparatively little from the sides.

Dominant: A tree whose crown extends through the upper layer of the forest canopy of even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, above the crowns of the tree’s immediate neighbors and receiving full light from above and partial light from the sides.

Emergent: A tree whose crown is completely above the general level of the main canopy, receiving full light from above and from all sides.

Intermediate: A tree whose crown extends into the lower portion of the main canopy of even-aged stands, or in uneven-aged stands, into the lower portion of the canopy formed by the tree’s immediate neighbors, but shorter in height than the co-dominants and receiving little direct light from above and none from the sides.

Overtopped (suppressed): A tree whose crown is completely overtopped by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees – the vigor of overtopped trees varies from high to low depending on individual circumstances.

Predominant: A tree whose crown has grown above the general level of the upper canopy.

Cultural and/or Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Sites: Locations where special protection is required to preserve and protect cultural values and species of plants or animals listed on the T&E list.

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, or equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Decision Area. An area that is evaluated to determine the appropriate number of leave trees. The

Decision Area is specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary.

Deficiency (or Discrepancy). Trees that are unsatisfactory either because they were cut and met the requirements for a leave tree or were not cut and should have been. There are three categories of deficiencies described in the Inspection Procedure (Section J, Exhibits 4, 5 and 8).

Category A deficiencies – cutting trees that should not be cut or damaging selected leave trees.

These are non-correctable errors.

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Category B deficiencies - leaving trees that should be cut. These are excess trees and are correctable errors.

Category C deficiencies – other types of errors such as not completely severing trees from stumps, leaving small trees, and other errors as described on the inspection form.

Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

• Straight stem

• Small branch diameter

• Good coloration

• Well-formed crown

• Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

• Free or limited presence of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms; damage

• or symptom does not affect growth or survival

• Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

• Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

• Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

Characteristics of trees that are not desirable for leave trees:

• Multiple tops

• Poor crown form

• Crook or sweep in bole

• Dead or broken tops

• Poor coloration

• Large branch diameter

• Presence of insect or diseases

• Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

• Physical or mechanical damage

• Suppressed

• Poor annual growth

• Sucker limbs

Diameter Breast Height (d.b.h.). The diameter of the trunk measure at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Diameter at Root Collar (DRC): Diameter measured at collar near ground line.

D-Minus Rule. A specified number of inches (typically 1-3”) subtracted from the diameter of tree species specified in the silvicultural prescription used to identify which trees should be cut or retained as specified in Section C.5.2.1, Selection of Satisfactory Leave Trees. The diameter of a designated species minus a specified number of inches will be evaluated against the diameter of other trees species during the selection of a leave tree.

Down Wood Concentration. An area where the amount of Down Wood (see Definitions for Down

Wood), located in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a hand pile.

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Down Wood (Natural Fuels). Woody debris not meeting the definition of Slash that is 12 inches or less in diameter on the large end and 3 feet or greater in length. Rotten wood which is partially buried in the soil or is decayed 75% or greater is not considered down wood.

Dripline. A line extending vertically from the exterior edge of a tree live crown to the ground.

Duff Mound. An accumulation of freshly fallen litter, bark flakes, branches and other organic material above the mineral soil surrounding the base of large diameter trees.

Excess Tree. An uncut tree that according to contract specifications should have been cut. Excess trees are considered a Category B deficiency in the inspection procedure; these are generally correctable.

Existing Logging Slash: Slash from past logging activity that is covered and entangled with grass and shrubs

Fireline. That portion of a control line (a constructed or natural barrier and treated fire edge to control a fire) from which flammable materials have been removed by scraping or digging to mineral soils.

Fuelbreak. A generally wide strip of land on which native vegetative has been permanently modified so that a fire burning into it can be more readily controlled. Some fuelbreaks contain firelines that can be quickly widened with hand tools or by burning.

Fuel Loading: The amount of fuels present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight per unit area.

Fuels Reduction: Manipulation, including combustion or removal of fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition and/or to lessen potential damage and resistance to control. Often includes thinning and/or prescribed burning.

Fuel Treatment: Any vegetation manipulation and/or removal/modification of wildland fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition, to reduce potential fire intensity and spread rates, to lessen potential damage and resistance to control, or to limit the spread and proliferation of invasive species and diseases. Fuels treatments achieve site-specific fire and resource management objectives under approved land use plans and with full compliance to NEPA and other regulatory statutes.

Fuel Type: An identifiable association of fuel elements of a distinctive plant species, form, size, arrangement, or other characteristics that will cause a predictable rate of fire spread or difficulty of control under specified weather conditions.

Girdle. A cut through the bark and cambium tissue completely encircling the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree.

Ground Fuels: All combustible materials below the surface litter, including duff, tree or shrub roots, punky wood, peat, sawdust, and other materials that can support a glowing combustion without flame.

Healthy Conifer. Trees that are growing well, exhibited by good leader growth, green foliage, and at least

40 percent crown ratio (ratio of live crown to overall tree height), has upright growth form, absence of forking or broken tops, absence of mortality causing diseases or insects in the terminal buds.

Hard Snag: Sound standing dead tree with less than 10 percent cull in any diameter and species.

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Hang-up Tree. Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Improperly Cut/Pruned Tree. A tree that was cut that should have been a leave tree based on contract specifications. Also includes any leave tree that was damaged by the Contractor’s operations. This is considered a Category A deficiency and is not a correctable deficiency.

Inspection Procedure. The plot inspection procedure described in Section J. Used to determine quality of work.

Jackpot Concentration. Slash concentration between 1-½ and 3 feet in height and less than 4 feet wide created by directional felling and/or pulling slash away from leave trees.

Leave Tree. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to requirements in

Section C.5 and/or the silvicultural prescription.

Leave Island/Clump. An area to be left untreated OR, if treated, has a higher trees per acre left than the remaining acres. An example would be an area left untreated for wildlife screening. Description, size and locations will be explained in detail within the Silvicultural Prescription Summary.

Leave Trees per Acre. The number of leave trees within one acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

No. of trees per plot * reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre and

Total trees on all plots * reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre

Total No. plots taken

Live Limb: A limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Lopping. Cutting limbs from boles of trees to reduce depth of slash created by felled trees.

Minor Damage. Trees with damage; however, the crooks in the trunk are offset less than 3 inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, or bark damage to less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree. Trees with forks or broken tops are not considered to have minor damage.

Operational Damage. Bark gouges, rips, tears (to the cambium), or other damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference of the bole, or damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference to the limb collar.

Optional Items: Items that may be included in a task order along with the mandatory line items for which award and performance is subject to availability of funding.

Parent Contract: The document setting the base Performance requirements, work items, specifications, and Terms & Conditions for all Task Orders issued.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period of Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed for completion of work under each Task Order and/or the number of calendar days under the parent contract.

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Pole. A tree of a size between a sapling and a mature tree, generally between 4” and 8” inches DBH

Pruning: Removal of multiple leaders or removal of all lower live or dead limbs from the bole of a selected tree per, silvicultural prescription, to a specified height by severing completely from the bole, without damage to the selected tree. Pruning cuts are parallel to the bole and as close to the bole as possible without damage to the branch collar.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance

Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Rehabilitation: Commonly referred to as "rehab," the work necessary to repair damage or disturbance caused by wildland fire, fire suppression activities or timber harvest. Often includes restoration of fire lines, skid trails or dozer work, through activities such as erosion control, installation of water bars or culverts, re-seeding or other related activities.

Release. A treatment designed to free young trees from undesirable, usually overtopping, competing vegetation. Treatments include:

A. Cleaning: A release made in an age class not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from less desirable individuals of the same age class that overtop them or are likely to do so. Also, a treatment designed to eradicate individual trees infected with dwarf mistletoe.

B. Improvement cutting: the removal of less desirable trees of any species in a stand of poles or larger trees, primarily to improve composition and quality.

C. Liberation: A release treatment made in a stand not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from competition with older, overtopping trees.

D. Weeding: A treatment in stands not past the sapling stage that eliminates or suppresses undesirable vegetation regardless of crown position.

Sapling. Usually a young tree larger than a seedling but smaller than a pole generally between 1” and 4” inches DBH.

Satisfactory Leave Tree. Tree that is selected to be left on the unit that meets contract specifications.

Tree is larger than the minimum height required to be cut.

Silvicultural Prescription. A document written or approved by a certified silviculturist that describes management activities needed to implement silvicultural treatment or treatment sequence. The prescription documents the results of an analysis of present and anticipated site conditions and management direction. It also describes the desired future vegetation conditions in measurable terms. It documents a planned series of treatments designed to change current stand structure and composition to one that meets management goals. The prescription normally considers ecological, economic, and societal objectives and constraints.

Silvicultural Treatment. A forest management activity such as thinning, harvesting, planting, pruning, prescribed burning, or site preparation that is designed to alter the establishment, growth, composition, 17 R1/R4 Hand TSI MATOC health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis

Slash. The residue (e.g. tops, limbs, branches, trunks, etc.) left on the ground after treatment activity.

This would include pre-existing residue or residue created by Contractor operations.

Slashing. Cutting of undesirable live or dead conifer and/or shrub species from designated crop/leave trees or from within an entire unit to facilitate site preparation or fuels reduction activities designed to improve the stand composition and condition. The term “slashing” does not refer to slash treatment, which is a separate activity.

Slash Concentration. An area where the amount of slash in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a hand pile. Task Orders issued under this contract will identify whether the Contractor shall pile pre-existing slash and/or slash created by Contractor operations.

Slash Pullback. Pulling slash greater than 2 feet in length resulting from tree thinning/slashing or other forestry activities required under this contract into the unit to protect leave trees, designated improvements and developments and/or unit boundaries. An area cleared of slash to a specified distance less than or equal to 50 feet. Specifications defined further in C.5.9.1 and C.5.11.2.

Small Trees. Trees to be cut that are taller than the minimum tree height to cut and shorter than the “small tree height” specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary. Trees defined as “small trees” shall be cut, small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C Deficiency.

Snag: A standing dead tree or part of a dead tree from which at least the smaller branches have fallen.

Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree. Average spacing is calculated from the leave trees per acre.

Special Protection Area. A zone that has special characteristics such as, but not limited to, riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Refer to the Silvicultural Prescription Summary for required practices.

Stem (Juniper). For the purpose of determining stems/acre for juniper, a stem for this species is defined as any live stem growing out of the ground/duff layer that is taller than the minimum cut tree height (1ft).

Any growth from a stem between ground/duff layer and minimum cut tree height will be deemed a limb.

Stream Course. The area along a stream with riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics.

Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment, which may include alteration to the tree cutting, tree species mix, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws.

Special treatments will be specified in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary.

Supplemental Slash Treatment. Non-standard bucking, lopping and scattering treatment of slash created from larger diameter thinning operations.

Surplus Tree. A tree that is left in the unit that is in addition to the other satisfactory leave trees and is larger than those defined as small trees. It is not counted in the acceptable tree per acre calculation but

18 R1/R4 Hand TSI MATOC does contribute to the total trees per acre on the unit. A surplus tree is coded as S3 or S4 trees in the inspection procedure.

Sweep: The extent to which the lower portion of a tree’s stem diverges from straight, usually measured in degrees.

Task Order: Individual delivery orders issued under the Parent Contract, containing funding sufficient to cover the work to be performed, a defined location, and description of the work to be completed.

Thinning (Tree Thinning) - A cultural treatment made to reduce stand density of trees primarily to improve growth, enhance forest health, or recover potential mortality. Types of thinning include the following:

A. Free: The removal of trees to control stand spacing and favor desired trees, using a combination of thinning criteria without regard to crown position.

B. Mechanical (syn. geometric thinning): The thinning of trees in either even- or uneven-aged stands, involving removal of trees in rows, strips, or by using fixed spacing intervals.

C. Thinning from above (syn. crown thinning): The removal of trees from the dominant and codominant crown classes in order to favor the best trees of those same crown classes.

D. Thinning from below (syn. low thinning): The removal of trees from the lower crown classes to favor those in the upper crown classes.

Contractor shall refer to the Silvicultural Prescription Summary for thinning treatment guidelines or identified in the task order.

Thinning Slash. Debris created from work under this contract, including all cut trees and shrubs including the tops, trunks, and branches.

Tons/Acre: Unit of measurement of fuel.

Under slung line: A fire line below a unit on a slope.

Unit Preparation: The combination of three or more items listed in this contract to achieve a desired outcome.

Unsatisfactory Tree. A tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes but is not limited to:

(1) Cutting the wrong tree, failure to cut a correct tree, failure to completely sever a live limb, etc.

(2) Failure to prune a tree or pruning that is not in contract.

(3) Failure to girdle a tree that meets the specifications is also an unsatisfactory tree.

Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection and may be either a

Category A, B, or C deficiency.

Water Bar: A shallow channel or raised barrier, e.g., a ridge packed earth or a thin pole laid diagonally across the surface of a road or trail to lead off water, particularly storm water. (Frequently installed on fire lines on steep slopes to prevent erosion.

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.

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Windrow. Slash and debris that has been piled into long continuous rows.

Whorl: The arrangement of limbs in a circle originating at the same location (i.d. node) around the bole of a tree.

C. 4 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND/OR SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Item Description Where, When, How

C. 4.1 Access behind locked gates

Some units are behind Forest road closures (i.e., locked gates). The

Government will provide a permit and access to the unit. Refer to C.5.1.3.

During period unit is being treated.

The contractor shall return all Government-Furnished property upon the demand of the Contracting

Officer.

C. 5 CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C. 5.1 General.

C. 5.1.1 Road Access. Access to project areas can be variable and will be identified in specific task orders. Generally, access to project site(s) is by all-weather and seasonal roads and accessible by 4WD vehicles. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains or snow-blocked during winter months.

The Contractor may access the units from forest roads indicated on project maps. Some units require the

Contractor to walk; road access is to the access point noted on project map, where a walk-in would begin.

The Contractor shall clear any trees or rocks that block public use or administrative use roads needed to access units.

C. 5.1.2. Walk-In Areas: Units identified by the Government as “walk-in” units are either closed to motorized vehicles or may not be accessed by motorized vehicle (including ATVs) unless specifically authorized by the CO in writing, in advance. Contractor requests to access walk-in units by motorized vehicle shall (a) be submitted in advance and in writing, and (b) shall specifically describe the access desired. The Contractor is not authorized to access any walk-in units by motorized vehicle unless the

Contractor has received specific written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

C. 5.1.3 Locked Gates. In cases where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after entering or exiting each gate and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use.

The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew.

C. 5.2 Tree Thinning. Tree thinning reduces the density of a sapling stand and by purposeful selection of leave trees to improve the stand composition and condition as prescribed for each individual unit. Task

20 R1/R4 Hand TSI MATOC orders will include an estimated range of the number of stems per acre to be cut. Task orders may also provide options for the type of equipment that may be used to conduct this work.

C. 5.2.1 Selection of Satisfactory Leave Trees. Satisfactory leave trees contribute to the acceptable density computation. All Satisfactory Leave Trees are larger than the “small trees” described in the prescription (including the D-minus rule, Section J, Exhibit 15, if applicable); if there are no small trees specified, then they are taller than the specified minimum cut tree height.

When a Silvicultural Prescription Summary (also referred to as the prescription) is included in the Task

Order, the Contractor shall select leave trees in conformance with the Silvicultural Prescription Summary, the characteristics of desirable leave trees (see section C.3 Definitions) and the requirements in this section for the selection of leave trees. The prescription is based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and is intended to be a guideline for achieving the desired final condition. 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 if not recognized in the prescription. The Government, at the suggestion of the Contractor, may revise prescriptions with approval by a Government certified silviculturist and the Contracting Officer.

Alternate prescriptions must meet the overall stand objectives to be considered by the Contracting Officer.

The acceptable density, preferred species, and unique unit requirements for selecting leave trees are defined in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary or in the task order.

C. 5.2.1 Best Tree in Competitive Area Leave Tree Selection. Leave trees shall be selected from trees that have potential for being a desirable tree. Potential for desirable trees are rated in relation to the optimal tree of the same species and age in the Competitive Area. The selected leave trees shall be those that have the highest rating in the decision area. The number of leave trees to be left in the decision area will depend on the acceptable stocking density. (Example: 1/20 of the acre decision area will have a range of 5 to 10 trees when the acceptable stocking density is 100-200 trees per acre.) When there is more than one tree rated the highest for its species for species in the decision area, the selection shall be based on the species preference list. Selected leave trees shall have the best form and vigor and meet the desirable leave tree characteristics (see section C.3

Definitions), be of a species listed in the species preference in the prescription and be within the acceptable stocking density. The characteristics of desirable leave trees shall determine trees to be left, but defects are acceptable for a particular leave tree if it is the best selection within a decision area. Alter the spacing to select the most desirable tree within the spacing guide identified in the

Silvicultural Prescription Summary or in the task order.

C. 5.2.2 Other Leave Trees. In addition to the leave trees described in C.5.2.1, the Contractor shall leave trees larger than the maximum DBH and other “trees to be ignored” as described in the Silvicultural

Prescription Summary or in the task order. Contractor failure to leave these trees will be identified during

Government Quality Assurance, will affect Contractor work quality and may result in reduced payment.

C. 5.2.3 Cutting Trees Not Selected as Leave Trees

C. 5.2.3.a All trees not designated as leave trees that are taller than the minimum cut tree height shall be cut. Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation.

C. 5.2.3.b All cut trees shall be completely severed below the lowest live limb except

21 R1/R4 Hand TSI MATOC when prevented by natural obstacles. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material.

Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C. 5.2.3.c Trees identified as “small trees” in the prescription shall be cut (see section C.3

Definitions); however, there is a greater tolerance for failure to cut these trees than larger trees.

Small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C deficiency. Refer to E. 3.1.2 for maximum level of Category C deficiencies allowed.

C. 5.2.3.d Stump height shall not exceed 4 inches above the ground level as measured on the uphill side, or 4 inches above natural obstacles unless otherwise specified in the Silvicultural

Prescription Summary or in the task order. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal.

C. 5.2.3.e Hang-up trees shall be pulled down and made to lie on the ground. Portions of severed trees shall not be left entwined with standing leave trees.

C. 5.2.4 Tree Improvement Test Plantation Thinning. Test plantations generally need approximately 500-3,000 trees per acre (TPA) cut during a thinning operation; Task Orders will specify actual estimates. All non-leave trees will be painted and/or tagged for removal.

Alternatively, leave trees will be identified through species designation. Unless otherwise specified in Task Orders, cut all trees, including hardwoods, that are greater than 1 foot in height to a stump height of six inches. Leave trees are genetically superior trees and are of high value.

Therefore, for any leave tree cut or severely damaged by thinning operations, Contractor will be assessed a damage fee of $250.00 per tree. (See G.4.2.2).

C. 5.3 Slashing. Slashing removes undesirable live or dead conifer and/or shrub species away from designated crop/leave trees or from within an entire unit to facilitate site preparation or fuels reduction activities. This will improve the unit composition and condition. Tree and shrub slashing specifications and an estimated range of the number of trees or stems per acre to be cut will be identified in Task Orders or in Silviculture Prescription Summaries.

C. 5.3.1 Slashing of Trees Not Designated as Leave Trees

C. 5.3.1.a All trees not designated as leave trees that are taller than the minimum cut tree height shall be cut. Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation.

C. 5.3.1.b All cut trees shall be completely severed below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material.

Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C. 5.3.1.c Trees identified as “small trees” in the prescription shall be cut; however, there is a greater tolerance for failure to cut these trees than larger trees. Small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C deficiency. Refer to E. 3.1.2 for maximum level of

Category C deficiencies allowed.

C. 5.3.1.d Stump height shall not exceed 4 inches above the ground level as measured on the uphill side, or 4 inches above natural obstacles unless otherwise specified in the

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Silvicultural Prescription Summary or in the task order. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal.

C. 5.3.1.e Hang-up trees shall be pulled down and made to lie on the ground.

Portions of severed trees shall not be left entwined with standing leave trees.

C.5.3.1.f Trees and shrubs to be cut shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads, trails, established game trails, fence lines, and established land corners. Any slash falling on such areas shall be removed in accordance with the standard slash treatment specifications.

C. 5.3.2 Shrub Slashing Supplement. When utilizing Tree Thinning (C.5.2) and/or Slashing (C.5.3), and when required in Task Orders or in the Silvicultural Prescription Summary, the Contractor will slash shrubs specified to be cut taller than the minimum cut height of 2 feet. Estimated ranges of the percent shrub cover to be cut will be identified in Task Orders or Silviculture Prescription Summaries.

Supplemental payments for this item will be reflected on the Task Orders, when required.

C. 5.4 Girdling. Girdling deliberately kills the treated tree, leaving it to become a snag.

The Contractor shall select and girdle trees specified in Task Orders or Silvicultural Prescription

Summaries. Task orders will specify the estimated range of number of trees per acre to treat. Unless otherwise specified in in Task Orders or Silvicultural Prescription Summaries, girdling shall utilize a minimum of two 1” wide cuts, 6” apart, completely through the bark and cambium tissue (but not more than ½ inch to ¾ inch past the cambium),…