1284LM22R0006 Final.pdf

OFFEROR'S COPY

NOTE: Attached forms must be completed and submitted intact.

Solicitation No. 1284LM22R0006 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 Mechanical Fuels Treatment Multiple-Award Task Order Contract

(MATOC)

R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

1284LM22R0006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page(s)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 6 - 7

Standard Form 1449, Solicitation, Offer, and Award

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES 8- 9

B- 1 - Schedule of Items

B- 2 – Bases of Award

B- 3 - Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts

B- 4 – Idaho Use Tax

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS 10 - 33

C- 1 - Introduction

C- 2 - Background

C- 3 – Scope of Contract

C- 4 - Biobased Product Utilization

C- 5 – Location and Description

C- 6 - Definitions

C- 7 – Governmnet Furnished Property and/or Services

C- 8 – General

C-9 – Technical Specifications

C-10 – Performance Requirements Summary

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 34 - 37

E- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

E-2 – Contractor Quality Control

E-3 - Contractor Quality Control Methodology

E-4 – Government Quality Assurance

E-5 – Acceptability of Contractor Quality Control

E-6 – Acceptance and Rework

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 38 - 41

F- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

F- 2 – Contract Period

F- 3 – Task Order Period of Performance

F- 4 - Contract Time and Required Rate of Progress

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 42 - 46

G- 1 – Authorized Ordering Activities

G- 2 – Ordering Procedure

G- 3 – Measurement

G- 4 – Method for Calculating Payment

G- 5 – Invoice Processing Platform (IPP)

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 47 - 61

H- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

H- 2 – Key Personnel

H- 3 – Fire Control

H- 4 - Fire Protection Requirements Outside of Closed Fire Season Period – Pump & Trailer

H- 5 – Loss, Damage, or Destruction

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

H- 7 - Weed-Free Equipment

H- 8 - Landscape Preservation

H- 9 - Erosion Prevention and Soil Protection

H-10 – Slope Limitations

H-11 – Erosion Control Seeding

H-12 - Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities and Improvements

H-13 – Use of Premises

H-14 – Sanitation and Servicing

H-15 – Prevention of Oil Spills

H-16 – Protection of Survey Monuments

H-17 – Safety Plan

H-18 - Personal Protective Equipment

H-19 Snow Removal

H-20 Product Removal

H-21 Camping Provisions for Non-Labor Intensive Contracts/Task Orders

H-22 Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration (DEC 1999)

H-23 Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (FEB 2011)

H-24 Prework Conference

H -25 Idaho Workers Compensation Law

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES 62 - 81

I- 1 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference

I- 2 - FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial

Services (NOV 2021)

I- 3 – FAR 52.212.-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to implement Statues or Executive

Orders

I- 4 – FAR 52.216-18 Ordering

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

I – 6 FAR 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995)

I- 7 - FAR 52.216-32 Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman (Sep 2019)

I- 8 - FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

I- 9 - FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

I-10 - AGAR 452.204-70 Modification for Contract Closeout (OCT 2021)

I-11 - 452.222-70 Labor Law Violations (OCT 2021)

I-12 - 452.222-71 Past Performance Labor Law Violations (OCT 2021)

I-13 - Post Award Conference

I-14 – Key Personnel

I-15 - Employment of Eligible Workers

I-16 - Insurance Coverage Alternate I

I-17 - Federal, State, and Local Taxes

I-18 - Reimbursement For Bond Premiums - Fixed Price Construction Contracts

I-19 - Permits and Responsibilities

I-20 - Authorized Deviations in Clauses

I-21 - Order of Precedence - Construction

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

SECTION J - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 82

J- 1 SEED PROJECT #1 CRESTLINE MASTICATION

J- 2 SEED PROJECT #2 KOOTENAI FUELS

J- 3 SEED PROJECT #3 LITTLE SNOWIES

J- 4 THINNING INSPECTION PLOT FORM R4-2400-4 AND INSTRUCTIONS 6

J- 5 SAMPLE THINNING INSPECTION PLOT FORM

J- 6 SAMPLE FOREST CAMPING PERMIT 1

J- 7 EQUIPMENT EVALUATION FORM

J- 8 IDAHO - WD 95-0228 (REV.-53) 03/15/2022 3

J- 9 WYOMING - WD 79-0948 (REV.-61) 03/15/2022 3

J-10 NEVADA - WD 69-0113 (REV.-67) 03/15/2022 3

J-11 UTAH - WD 77-0030 (REV.-62) 03/15/2022 3

J-12 CALIFORNIA - WD 77-0727 (REV.-66) 03/15/2022 3

J-13 MONTANA- WD 76-1342 (REV.-69) 03/15/2022 3

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER 83 - 90

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS AND RESPONDENTS

K- 1 - Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

K- 2 - Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or

Equipment (NOV 2021)

K- 3 - Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

K- 4 - Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial

Services

K-5 Employment of Eligible Workers - Workforce Certification

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 91 - 95

AND RESPONDENTS

L- 1 - Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021)

L- 2 - Date, Time, and Place Offers are due

L- 3 - Government Point of Contact

L- 4 - Alterations in Solicitation (APR 1984)

L- 5 - Authorized Deviations in Provisions (APR 1984)

L- 6 - Site Visit (APR 1984)

L- 7 - Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference (FEB 1988

L- 8 - Amendments to Proposals (FEB 1988)

L- 9 - Type of Contract (APR 1984)

L-10 - Service of Protest

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 96 - 98

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

04/29/2022

406-329-3979MICHAEL LUCAS

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME 05/31/2022 1600

MT

b. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

1284LM22R0006

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

6 98OFFEROR 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 Mechanical Thinning IDIQ

Period of Performance: 6/15/2022 to 05/31/2027

(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

98 7 of

Page | 8 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

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 Mechanical 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 Mechanical 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

CLIN 0004

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

CLIN 0005

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

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.

Page | 9 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

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.

Page | 10 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

C-1 Introduction

The U.S. Forest Service is in need of mechanical fuels reduction and stand improvement activities to reduce accumulations of hazardous fuels.

C-2 Background

Projects are located in reforested areas, natural and managed stands of timber of all ages, size, and species, shrub fields, or grass areas. These activities may include reducing leave tree densities by the deliberate selection of trees to be removed from the site based upon silvicultural prescriptions; piling of naturally occurring and harvest related fuels; chipping and/or mastication;

and other fuels reduction related activities. Fuel loadings may range from less than ½ ton per acres to as high as 200 tons or more per acre. The desired outcome of these activities is to improve the overall health and condition of the stands by providing more space for the leave trees to grow and develop, therefore reducing the risk of insect infestations and disease outbreaks, and reduce the potential for wildfires to transition into crown fires. It is anticipated that this work will be completed with conventional logging systems or heavy equipment with some of the work completed by hand.

C-3 Scope of Contract

The scope of this contract is to accomplish work activities such as tree thinning, whole tree removal, processing, decking, mastication, excavator/machine piling, stand improvement, slash treatment, leave tree protection and slash pull-back, chipping, grinding, hauling, fireline/fuelbreak construction, roadside brushing, road decommissioning, earth barrier construction, landing cleanup, rehabilitation, stump treatment, mowing, wet mowing, harrowing, chaining, water barring, unit preparation and other activities related to fuels treatment objectives.

The work ordered by the Government under this contract will primarily consist of work requiring the use of heavy machinery and equipment, but some Task Orders may include work that will necessitate the use of manual labor and/or hand crews. Manual labor and/or hand crew work may include (but is not limited to) hand tree thinning, hand piling, slashing/bucking, hand constructed fireline and fuel break and other non-mechanized activities necessary to comply with contract specifications. The Contractor shall furnish everything necessary, including, but not limited to all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to perform work under this contract. The Contractor shall perform all aspects of the work in an organized, systematic manner, ensuring that the services are completely performed over the entire area(s) specified.

This contract is a Performance-Based, Multiple-Award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity

(IDIQ) contract with a base and four option year renewals. “Performance-Based” means the

Contractor is responsible for an end product. If an end product is not provided in compliance

Page | 11 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ with the contract specifications, an adjustment to the payment will be made or rework will be required.

C-5 Location and Description

These activities would occur on lands administered by the National Forests and National

Grasslands within the boundaries of the Northern Region (Region One, R1) and the

Intermountain Region (Region Four, R4) of the U.S. Forest Service. National Forest maps may be found at this link. The National Forests included in this list are as follows:

R1 National Forests 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-La Sal NF

Lolo NF Payette NF

Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Salmon-Challis NF

Sawtooth NF

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF

The following Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Offices are also included and authorized to utilize this contract: Coeur d' Alene Field Office | Bureau of Land Management

(blm.gov)

• Cottonwood Field Office (Idaho)

• Coeur d’Alene Field Office (Idaho)

Task Orders issued under this contract will include specific information regarding the project worksite location and description, access to the areas, work items ordered, size of units and other information pertinent to each Task Order. The contract specifications found in definitions of this contract may be supplemented or changed in the individual Task Orders issued under this contract.

C-6 Definitions

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

Access Point. The point identified for access to contract subitem areas.

Accessible. Unit will be considered accessible when road access is within ¼ mile of the unit.

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 https://www.blm.gov/office/coeur-dalene-field-office https://www.blm.gov/office/coeur-dalene-field-office

Page | 12 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

Air Curtain Burner. An air curtain burner is a piece of equipment designed to minimize air pollution associated with the burning of wood and vegetative waste – the burner uses a series of air blowers to generate a “curtain” of air that drives volatile gases back into the burner to be consumed as fuel in the fire.

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

Biochar. Biochar is a granular carbon substance produced by pyrolysis or thermal decomposition of organic matter in an oxygen starved environment. When applied to the soil it resists decomposition, effectively sequestering the applied carbon and mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Biomass. Biomass is any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including trees, plants and associated residues; plant fiber; poultry litter and other animal wastes;

industrial waste; and the paper component of municipal waste.

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

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.

Bucking: To saw felled trees into a shorter length.

Buffer Zones:

1. An area of reduced vegetation that separates wildland areas from vulnerable residential or business developments. This barrier is similar to a greenbelt in that it is often used for another purpose such as agriculture or recreation, or parks or golf courses.

2. A vegetation strip or management zone of varying size, shape, and character maintained along a stream, lake, road, recreation site, or different vegetative zone to mitigate the impacts of actions on adjacent lands, to enhance aesthetic value, or as a best management practice.

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. An area killed or blistered on the bark, a branch or the trunk of an infected tree.

Clump. See definition of leave island.

Coarse Woody Debris. Pieces of dead woody material (typically boles of trees or large branches) of a defined size class (typically larger than 4” small end diameter but size class can vary) that are left on site. Material should be distributed across the site as much as practical to enhance microsite conditions, for small mammal and microbial habitat and soil nutrient cycling.

Page | 13 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

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 Summary Prescription.

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. Under this contract, a COR will be designated for each awarded contract (aka “Parent Contract”). A COR will also be designated for each Task

Order issued under this contract.

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. Contract Time may also be expressed as a “Due Date” in some

Task Orders.

Contractor Representative. An individual designated by the Contractor to comply with the requirements of FAR 52.236-6 (Superintendence by the Contractor). The Contractor shall designate a Contractor Representative for each Task Order. Also see “Designation of Contractor

Representative”.

Crooked Trees. Those with a sharp crook on the main bole which is less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than 3 inches from the longitudinal axis.

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 Summary

Prescription 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).

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.

Daylighting. See definition for Release.

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and 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 Summary Prescription.

Page | 14 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

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, damaging selected leave trees, not completely severing trees from stumps, leaving small trees, and other errors.

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; if present, damage or symptoms do not affect the growth or survival of the tree.

• Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in the 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 seep in bole

• Dead or broken tops

• Poor coloration

• Large branch diameter

• Presence of insect and disease

• Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

• Physical or mechanical damage

• Suppressed

• Poor annual growth

• Sucker limbs

Diameter Breast Height (DBH). 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.

Detrimental Soil Disturbance. These disturbances include the effects of compaction, displacement, rutting, severe burning, surface erosion, loss of surface organic matter, and soil mass movement. At least 85 percent of an activity area must have soil that is in satisfactory condition. Detrimental conditions include:

(a) Compaction. Detrimental compaction is a 15 percent increase in natural bulk density.

The cumulative effects of multiple site entries on compaction should also be considered since compacted soils often recover slowly.

(b) Rutting. Wheel ruts at least 2 inches deep in wet soils are detrimental.

(c) Displacement. Detrimental displacement is the removal of 1 or more inches (depth) of any surface soil horizon, usually the A horizon, from a continuous area greater than

100 square feet.

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(d) Severely-burned Soil. Physical and biological changes to soil resulting from high-intensity burns of long duration are detrimental. This standard is used when evaluating prescribed fire. Guidelines for assessing burn intensity are contained in the Burned-Area

Emergency Rehabilitation Handbook (FSH 2509.13).

(e) Surface Erosion. Rills, gullies, pedestals, and soil deposition are all indicators of detrimental surface erosion. Minimum amounts of ground cover necessary to keep soil loss to within tolerable limits (generally less than 1 to 2 tons per acres per year) should be established locally depending on site characteristics.

(f) Soil Mass Movement. Any soil mass movement caused by management activities is detrimental.

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. 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.

Dominant Tree. A tree whose crown extends above the general level of the main canopy; or in some cases, a tree whose canopy is above the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above.

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 or machine pile as specified in the Task Order.

Down Wood (Natural Fuels). Woody debris not meeting the definition of Slash (i.e. Contractor created) and not defined as Course Woody Debris. Rotten wood which is partially buried in the soil or is decayed 75% or greater is not considered down wood.

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

Duff: The layer of decomposing organic materials lying below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil.

Excess Tree. An uncut tree that according to contract specifications should have been cut.

Excess trees are generally correctable. This may also include trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, and stumps with live limbs. When girdling or pruning is required, excess trees also includes trees not girdled or trees not pruned that, according to specification, should have been girdled or pruned.

Fireline. A strip of land cleared of all vegetation and burnable material down to mineral soil used to stop the spread of fire.

Forb: A plant with a soft rather than permanent woody stem, that is not a grass or grass-like plant.

Page | 16 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ

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

Fuel break. An area cleared of standing vegetation up to 6” DBH as specified in the silvicultural prescription. This area is cleared of all existing and activity created woody debris of a size class defined to meet specifications for either hand or machine fuelbreak.

Fuel Break- Shaded: A shaded fuel break is a forest management strategy used for mitigating the threat of wildfire in areas where natural fire regimes have been suppressed, leading to a dangerous buildup of combustible vegetation. Constructing a shaded fuel break is the process of selectively thinning and removing more flammable understory vegetation while leaving the majority of larger, more fire tolerant tree species in place.

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.

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.

Inspection Procedure. The plot inspection procedure described in a task order. 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 statement of work or the silvicultural prescription. Trees that are of preferred species, free of insect or disease infection, or if it is present does not threaten the tree survival or growth, Page | 17 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ 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).

Leave Island/Clump. An area to be left untreated OR at higher trees per acre 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 statement of work and/or Silvicultural Summary

Prescription.

Leave Trees per Acre. The number of leave trees within 1 acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

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

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

Total No. plots taken

Litter: Top layer of the forest, scrubland, or grassland floor, directly above the fermentation layer. It is composed of loose debris including sticks, branches, twigs, and recently fallen leaves or needles, little altered in structure by decomposition.

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

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

Lopping and Scattering: Lopping woody debris and spreading it more evenly on the ground. This may involve physically spreading slash in order to achieve a slash height of 18” or less or as specified in individual task order.

Mineral Soil: Soil layers below the predominantly organic layers; soil with little combustible material.

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.

Missing Leave Trees: Trees cut that should have been selected as a leave tree.

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

Parent Contract: The document setting the base Performance requirements, Work Items, and

Terms & Conditions for all Task Orders issued.

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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.

Pruning: Severing of all limbs along bole of tree or shrub to remove diseased infested branches or material that creates a fuel ladder to the remaining crowns.

Pullback. Pulling slash by hand or machine into the unit to protect leave trees and/or designated improvements and developments.

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 or suppression activities. Often includes restoration of fire lines or dozer work, and includes projects such as erosion control, installation of water bars or culverts, re-seeding or other protection measures of fire-damaged areas.

Release/Daylighting/Weeding: Cutting competing vegetation from around selected trees to allow the selected trees room to grow.

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

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.

Site Preparation: Removal or reduction of competing vegetation, unwanted trees, slash or other downed woody material, and preparing the soil to promote the growth and survival of desired tree species. This may be accomplished by the use of fire, herbicides, mechanical treatments or other means in preparation for reforestation and future management.

Skidding: A term for moving logs by dragging from stump to roadside, deck, or other landing.

Slash: Debris left after logging, pruning, thinning, or brush cutting; can include logs, chips, bark, branches, stumps and broken understory trees or brush.

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

Contractor operations.

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Slashing: Slashing could mean cutting standing dead or alive trees or brush, and or downed and dead woody material laying on the ground or as specified in the task order.

Small Trees. Trees designated to be cut that are taller than the designated minimum tree height but without a measurable diameter at breast height (DBH). Trees that fall within this range and are not cut are considered a deficiency.

Snag: All standing dead trees of any species greater than 10” DBH and 20’ tall or taller.

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 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 Summary Prescription for required practices.

Stem (Rocky Mountain juniper). For the purpose of determining stems/acre for Rocky Mountain 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, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Special treatments will be specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Stump Treatment. Treatment of stumps greater than 12” in diameter to prevent the spread of annosus root disease. Treatment shall consist of removing sawdust and other loose debris from the cut surface of the stump including exposed wood surfaces on all sides and application of borate product within one (1) or two (2) hours, but no later than 24 hours for powder application and within 72 hours for liquid application.

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 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.

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 Slash. Debris created from work activities under this contract or pre-existing debris created from other work activities, including all tops, trunks and branches of cut trees and shrubs.

Tons/Acre: Unit of measurement of fuel.

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Tree Slashing. This activity cuts competing vegetation from around selected crop trees to allow the crop trees room to grow and reduce fuel continuity. The term “slashing” does not refer to slash treatment, which is a separate activity.

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

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.

Variable Density Thinning. Tree thinning done in a way that results in an uneven and patchy characteristic when completed that mimics nature. Areas within the stand will vary from more open to denser areas. Contractor shall refer to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription for treatment guidelines.

Walk-In Areas: Units indicated as ‘walk-in’ units will be further than ¼ mile from an accessible road.

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 so as 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.

Windthrow: See blow down.

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

Whorl: The arrangement of limbs in a circle at generally the same location around the bole of a tree.

Yarding: Moving cut trees from where they fall to the point where logs are loaded for transport to mill. Most commonly used in cable logging operations.

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C-7 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND/OR SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government will be identified in the Task

Orders. The Contractor shall return all Government-Furnished property upon the demand of the

Contracting Officer.

C-8 GENERAL

Road Access. The Contractor may access the units as indicated on the Task Order project maps.

Access is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains, or snow-blocked during the winter months. Some units require the Contractor to walk, or walk in the piece of equipment; access will be from the closest open road as defined on the motor vehicle use map. Individual task orders will indicate access for each treatment unit.

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

Walk-In Units: Units identified by the Government as “walk-in” units might include one or more of the following and will be addressed in each task order.

a) Require the Contractor to walk their crews or equipment without a transport for relativley long distances, as specified in the site specific task order, to access remote work locations.

b) Require the Contractor to maintence, fuel and access their equipment by ATV, UTV or

OHV.

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. Unless otherwise approved by the CO, 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 crews or equipment.

Boundaries of Project Areas. The project areas are generally identifiable as logged units, by changes in vegetation, roads, flagging, or by GPS technology. The boundaries can be adjacent timber stands, recent harvest units, or other natural or manmade features that clearly define the boundary as noted on the project area maps. Individual task orders will define boundary delineation.

C-9 Technical Specifications

(a) Statements of Work and Silvicultural Prescriptions. The Contractor shall execute the work in accordance with the requirements of the parent contract and the Task Order, including, but not limited to the Statements of Work, Description of Work, Specifications, Requirements and

Silvicultural Prescriptions (when applicable) for each Task Order.

(b) Equipment Operators. The Contractor shall provide equipment operators, highly skilled in:

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(1) Understanding and complying with detailed and technical silivicultural prescriptions for treatments by designation;

(2) Performing the work in a manner which does not cause excessive soil disturbance

(compaction, displacement, and so forth), or road and other resource damage;

(3) Performing the work in a manner which does not damage leave trees outside of allowable tolerances;

(4) Performing the work safely.

If the Contracting Officer determines that the Contractor’s equipment operator is not performing the work according to specification, and/or cannot consistently and reliably perform the contract work in compliance with the terms of the contract, the Contracting Officer will inform the

Contractor of that determination and, if required by the CO, the Contractor shall promptly provide replacement operator(s) with the required skills. The Contractor shall not be entitled to any adjustment in contract price or time as a result of the Contracting Officer exercising the

Government’s contractual rights under this clause. This clause shall not be construed as affecting any other rights of the Government under this contract.

(c) Equipment.

(1) When the Government requests Contractor(s) to quote on a particular Task Order, the

Government may specify the type of equipment required for that Task Order, or, at the

Contracting Officer’s discretion, the Government may allow the Contractor(s) to propose the type of equipment to be used for that Task Order. Task Orders may not require all types of equipment listed. The Contractor(s) receiving the Task Order shall provide the equipment required by the Government (if specified by the Government), or proposed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government (if the Contractor is allowed to propose the equipment type).

(2) When required by the Task Order, the Contractor shall provide the following equipment for performance of the work under this contract, not all inclusive:

(i) Excavators with bucket and thumb, grapple or clam shell bucket.

(ii) Mobile brush cutters and shredders (masticator), vertical/horizontal-shaft machines mounted on a tracked excavator or tracked feller-buncher.

(iii) Whole-Tree Chipper/Grinder capable of chipping/grinding large landing piles into trucks or smaller portable chipper for blowing material into the forest or smaller trucks.

(iv) Rubber Tire Whole-Tree Skidder w/Grapple or Forwarder.

(v) Cut-to-Length Harvester or Whole-Tree Processor/De-limber.

(vi) Log Loader

(vii) Feller-Buncher

(viii) Yarder/Excaliner

(ix) Log/Chip Truck

(x) Dump Truck

(xi) Excavator w/Bucket, Thumb, & Grousers (every other pad)

(xii) De-limber

(xiii) Skid-steer

(xiv) Tractor w/road brushing attachment

(xvi) Utility Vehicle to facilitate fueling and maintenance in remote locations.

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(xvii) Chainsaw

(xviii) Bulldozer

(xix) Road Grader

(xx) Air Curtain Burner

(3) Equipment Requirements. The Contractor shall provide dependable and safe equipment that meets all applicable state and federal laws and regulations relating to motor vehicles and equipment, including, but not limited to 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. The

Government reserves the right to conduct inspections at any time. Equipment requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

(i) An audible reverse warning device (backup alarm) of 87 decibel or greater measured at 5 feet behind and in the center of the equipment.

(ii) A fire extinguisher, multi-purpose 2A 10BC that is securely mounted to the vehicle and accessible by the operator. The fire extinguisher shall have a current annual inspection tag and the annual maintenance tag in regards to a 6-year annual inspection and every 12 years regarding a hydro test on all dry powder, metal fire extinguishers.

(iii) Shovel.

(iv) U.S .Forest Service-qualified spark arrester on all naturally aspirated engines.

(v) All factory guards shall be in place and in functional condition (i.e. engine compartment) (applicable for heavy equipment).

(vi) Radiator protection (applicable for heavy equipment).

(vii) Seat belts.

(viii) Flashlight.

(ix) Water, 1 gallon drinking.

(x) 5-person first aid kit.

(xi) Personal Protective Equipment.

(xii) Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and Falling Object Protection (FOPS) meeting the applicable OSHA standards at time of manufacture or SAE J 1040 and SAE J

231 is required on all machines. A manufacturer's nameplate certifying the operator enclosure or alternative documentation that the cab meets these provisions is required.

Modification of factory ROPS/FOPS (Cutting/Welding) and any aftermarket

ROPS/FOPS requires certification to SAE J 1040 and SAE J 231.

(xiii) Operator Protection. Shall meet all applicable Federal and State (the State where equipment is registered) logging safety standards (per OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.266) and must have operator protection, such as a Forestry cab package with wire mesh or safety glazing that provides equivalent protection. Stand-alone safety glass does not provide equivalent protection to wire mesh, however it may be used as part of the window glazing system.

(xiv) Polycarbonate windows are not "glass" and may be acceptable as a stand-alone window guard. Any machine cab meeting ISO 8084 or SAE 1084 fulfills this requirement. The protective canopy shall be constructed to protect the operator from injury due to falling trees, limbs, saplings or branches which might enter the compartment side areas and from snapping winch lines or other objects. The rear portion of the cab shall be fully enclosed with open mesh material with openings of such size as to reject the entrance of an object larger than 2 inches in diameter. The covering shall be affixed to the structural members so that ample clearance will be provided between the

Page | 24 R1/R4 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQ screen and the back of the operator and shall provide maximum rearward visibility. Open mesh shall be extended forward as far as possible from the rear corners of the cab sides to provide the maximum protection against obstacles, branches, etc., entering the cab area.

Deflectors, which may be part of the cab, shall be installed in front of the operator area to deflect whipping saplings and branches. Deflectors shall be located so as not to impede visibility and access to the cab.

(xv) Lighting (2 rear, 2 forward). Lights shall be mounted to the equipment in such a way to provide protection from damage and provide illumination beyond the blade.

(xvi) Underbody protection (belly pan, rock guards unless not recommended by manufacturer).

(xvii) In addition to above requirements, Excavators shall have:

(A) Operator Protection System. Shall have a factory enclosed canopy with deflectors installed in front of the operator area to deflect whipping saplings, branches and debris broken off by the action of the bucket, hydraulic thumb or masticator/brush cutter. Deflectors shall be located so as not to impede visibility and access to the cab but still protect the operator from frontal damage.

(B) Capability of operating at manufacturer's limitations (i.e., slope).

(C) Lighting (2 forward). Lights shall be mounted to the equipment in such a way to provide protection from damage and provide…