Amendment_3_additional_Q&A.docx

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

USDA Forest Service Central California Acquisition Service Area Tahoe National Forest 631 Coyote Street Nevada City, CA 95959

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

12/19/2017

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

|X| The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers |_| is extended, |X| is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS, IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14. (TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER)

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor |_| is not, |X| is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

The reason for Amendment 3 is to present answers to questions previous asked that required Subject Matter Expert responses. As a rsult of question regarding how many trees will remain after felling a new Schedule of items is also attached. Response date remains 25 January 2017 4;00.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Another question was can we hand pile the branches and collet the piles with a skidsteer? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards, skid steer would be considered a Feller/Buncher system.

Can we go off the skid trails to access hand piled branches and debris with a skidsteer? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards, skid steer would be considered a Feller/Buncher system. Outside Normal Operating Season Standards requires “Skidding equipment will stay on designated skid trails spaced an average 75 feet apart until soils are dry to a depth of 10 inches. (Same for tractor skidding.)” Will we be allowed to use small equipment to gather the remaining debris between the skid trails such as a skidsteer? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards, skid steer would be considered a Feller/Buncher system. Outside Normal Operating Season Standards requires “Skidding equipment will stay on designated skid trails spaced an average 75 feet apart until soils are dry to a depth of 10 inches. (Same for tractor skidding.)” And: No more than 15% of the activity area (includes temporary roads, landings, and skid trails) should be detrimentally affected by changes in soil porosity, soil cover, and soil organic matter.

Can we winch or end-line logs to the paved areas during times when the ground is too moist for equipment to travel on? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards so that No more than 15% of the activity area (includes temporary roads, landings, and skid trails) should be detrimentally affected by changes in soil porosity, soil cover, and soil organic matter.

Are mules a consideration for a tool to remove slash? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards so that No more than 15% of the activity area (includes temporary roads, landings, and skid trails) should be detrimentally affected by changes in soil porosity, soil cover, and soil organic matter.

Is there a way to get the hydro and the soil scientist from the Lassen to collaborate with Tahoe specialists? Yes, we would be happy to consider research or personal observations from Doug Peters or any other scientist.

Can we use a skidsteer to stump grind? Yes, follow Outside Normal Operating Season Standards so that No more than 15% of the activity area (includes temporary roads, landings, and skid trails) should be detrimentally affected by changes in soil porosity, soil cover, and soil organic matter.

Can we camp at the site? Because the Recreation complex is closed, you or a small group would be allowed to camp, providing you get proper permits and follow camp ground rules. The restrooms may be opened but there is no water a site.

Do you know how many trees need to remain after felling? 27 trees will not need to be removed. See spreadsheet. This number will affect Line item 2. Instead of 776 to be removed it will be 749 to be removed. See new Schedule of items. We have a specific plan for felling of these 27 trees which will be provided to the awardee.

Can we use air Burner? We haven’t used these before. More research and time would be needed by the government to evaluate this type of operation. We are unfamiliar with the equipment’s process, costs, performance, and impact to air quality as well ground disturbance.

Attached is the copy I have of the Outside Normal Operating Season Standards. This information addresses a timber sale but guidance is relevant to this projects service work.

OUTSIDE NORMAL OPERATING SEASON STANDARDS (10/31/02)

The following standards are intended as a supplement to the Timber Sale Contract (TSC) to provide specific criteria for conducting sale operations outside the Normal Operating Season (NOS).

Although logging operations may be conducted outside the NOS subject to B(T)6,6 and when requirements of B(T)6.65 are met, it is essential to have an understanding of the standards that we will adminster our TSC’s to in order to ensure protection of the resources due to possibility of sudden inclement weather. These standards provide for all additional special measures needed to protect the transportation system, maintain water quality, and preserve the soil resource. Specific guidelines are provided to determine when operations may begin, what monitoring is required during operations, and when operations should be suspended. If additional measures beyond these standards are necessary, they will be agreed upon by all parties and documented in writing (ie., R5-2400-181).

The following guidelines are to be used to determine if conditions are favorable for activities outside the NOS and to provide guidance as to when conditions warrant suspension of operations. These guidelines also apply within the NOS when prolonged periods of wet weather are encountered.

A. General Guidelines:

No more than 15% of the activity area (includes temporary roads, landings, and skid trails) should be detrimentally affected by changes in soil porosity, soil cover, and soil organic matter. The reduction in soil porosity (compaction) is one of the most critical elements resulting from activities which occur on moist to wet soils. Soil puddling and/or compaction will occur when the force exerted by the logging equipment or vehicles exceeds the strength of the soil to bear that force or load. Soil strength is typically low when the soil is moist or wet.

Snow acts as a soil insulator. Unless extreme low temperatures are reached the soil will not freeze under snow. Normally these conditions are not met until the middle of winter, if at all. Late fall and early spring conditions are such that wet and dry areas exist under the snow. If minimum snow depth and snow compaction requirements are not adhered to, soil compaction and/or displacement may occur in the wet areas. This leads to channelization and the potential for accelerated erosion during precipitation periods, and poor vegetative productivity.

Continued monitoring of the operation shall be done by the Purchaser and the Forest Service, including resource specialists, Engineering Representatives, and sale administration personnel. If any problems are encountered which pose a threat to the integrity of the operation, immediate notification and action must be taken to alleviate those problems.

To conduct over snow operations, overnight temperatures must be below 25 degrees F. Afternoon temperatures should not exceed 35 degrees F. However, if nighttime temperatures are at or below 20 degrees F., afternoon temperatures above 35 degree F. may be tolerated for short durations, usually less than two hours. These temperature guidelines will help to protect the resources by maintaining a solid snow pack or solid ground conditions when no snow is present.

No sediment flow into drainages from any facility used by the Purchaser, including roads, landings, and skid trails, will be permitted at any time. Placement of straw wattles at the outlet of any erosion control structure may be needed to control sediment discharge. Three (3) straw wattles should be placed in series and keyed-in to prevent flow under the wattle. Straw bales may be used instead of the straw wattles, but straw wattles are preferred.

B. Roads:

Required road work for prehaul must be accomplished prior to the wet season or periods of precipitation. Wet road surfaces should not be graded nor should snow be plowed so that the road surface is exposed. Road surfaces must be at a standard that will support the impacts of wet weather operations. This includes the following:

Drainage structures must be in place and functioning prior to precipitation events.

Road is properly graded and ditched. In no case should sediment extend more than 20 feet from the outlet of an erosion control structure. Where sediment does extend more than 20 feet from the outlet of an erosion structure or on roads within the Riparian Conservation Area (RCA), placement of straw wattles at the outlets will be required to control sediment discharge. Three (3) straw wattles should be placed in series and keyed-in to prevent flow under the wattle. Straw bales may be used instead of the straw wattles, but straw wattles are preferred.

If roads lie within RCAs, make sure road gradient is above streambed gradient to prevent stream from flowing onto road surface.

Portions of roads that lie within RCAs shall be rocked, unless otherwise agreed, with input from a hydrologist or fisheries biologist.

Roads can be plowed, including intervisible turnouts, if the action will not cause damage to the road surface and associated drainage structures. During winter operations a minimum of 6 inches of snow will remain on the road surface after plowing. This will facilitate freezing of the road surface during early and mid-winter. To facilitate drying of the road surface and subgrade, normally in the Spring, roads can be plowed to within 3 inches of the road surface. Caution should be taken to prevent displacing the road surface. Roads will be plowed full width.

Roads that lie within the sale area requiring snow removal will be staked on both sides along the entire alignment to facilitate plowing. Areas for disposal of excess snow will be identified prior to snow fall to ensure that sidecast snow is not deposited in drainages. No soil or aggregate should be intermixed with the sidecast snow during plowing or grading.

Snow berms must be breached to allow proper road drainage. These outlets must be spaced so as not to concentrate road surface flows (usually spaced a minimum of every 300 feet). Erosion control structures (straw bales or filter fence) may be required at the outlets to collect road generated sediment.

If more than 10 percent of the road surface is rutted 2 inches in depth or greater, the road will be closed. Percentage will be determined in one mile increments if road is longer than one mile. If the road is to remain closed, it must have a barrier of some type installed to keep out all vehicular traffic and signed to keep traffic off road surface. Roads will not be used during precipitation events if rutting occurs.

Roads damaged by Purchaser's operations will be repaired at the Purchaser's expense. Repair work shall be accomplished immediately when conditions are such that additional damage to the resources will not occur, or when designated by the Forest Service.

Native Surfaced Roads

Where a native surfaced Forest Service road meets a paved state or county road, the Forest Service road must be rocked to a depth of 3 inches for a minimum of 300 feet to prevent tracking of mud onto the paved road. If mud is being tracked onto the paved roads, a water pumper will be required to wash the wheels of the log trucks.

If freezing temperatures occur, the road surface must remain completely frozen and must be able to support the weight of any vehicle that operates on it. If hauling over frozen surfaces, portions of roads that are prone to thawing during the winter shall be rocked to Forest Service specifications.

When any part of the active road length thaws and mitigations such as rocking cannot be implemented to ensure water quality protection, the road will be closed. This will preclude the use of the road by all vehicles (including administrative) unless the activity can be restricted to that portion of the road that remains frozen.

If the roadway dries and can support vehicles without causing rutting, soil displacement, damage to drainage structures, and with no off-site sediment movement due to water flow, it can be used upon approval by Forest Service. If not, the road will remain closed.

Rocking Roads

Locations where road rocking is required to harden the road surface for wet weather haul will be designated in writing and flagged on-the-ground by the Engineering Representative or Sale Administrator. Minimum depth of rock will be established in writing and inspected by the Forest Service prior to use of the road for hauling outside the NOS.

C. Skid Trails:

Skid trails will be flagged by the Purchaser and approved by the Forest Service in advance of falling.

Unless otherwise agreed, within the operating area, a minimum of 15 inches of compacted snow is required for over-the-snow logging. When the snow depth approaches this minimum, snow conditions must be monitored on a daily basis to verify snow depth is sufficient to start or continue operations. Approval to operate on snow less than 15 inches must include an evaluation by a soil scientist.

The following guidelines apply to areas where snow and/or frozen ground are not present:

Cut-to-Length System - Processing of material on the designated skid trails by a harvester may occur when soils are dry to a depth of 4 inches. Off of designated skid trails, limit harvester to 1 or 2 passes over the same piece of ground. The forwarder will stay on designated skid trails, covered with a minimum of 6 inches of slash, spaced an average of 40 feet apart.

Feller/Buncher System - Movement of material to the designated skid trails by a track laying feller/buncher may occur when soils are dry to a depth 4 inches. Feller/buncher will be limited to 1 or 2 passes over the same piece of ground. Skidding equipment will stay on designated skid trails spaced an average 75 feet apart until soils are dry to a depth of 10 inches. (Same for tractor skidding.)

Traditional Tractor Logging - Skidding may occur by conventional high-ground-pressure equipment when soils are dry to a depth of 4 inches. Equipment is restricted to the designated skid trails spaced an average of 75 feet apart until soils are dry to a depth of 10 inches. Endlining will be used to move material to the designated skid trails until soils are dry to a depth of 10 inches.

To determine depth of dry soil, a field soil moisture test will be conducted which consists of taking a sample of soil from the soil profile and squeezing the soil sample in the hand. The soil sample is considered dry enough to begin operations if the soil sample cannot be molded into a ball.

Operations will be suspended if monitoring by the Forest Service reveals that unacceptable soil compaction or displacement results from operations. The operations will be re-evaluated to determine the cause of the soil compaction and/or soil displacement and remedies will be agreed upon.

Skid trails will be monitored to ensure proper drainage is achievable, ie. skid trails are not creating trenches which cannot be properly drained by waterbarring. Skidding will be halted if ruts more than 2 inches in depth and are present on more than 10 percent of the skid trail.

Erosion structures must be in place and functioning prior to precipitation events. Drainage structures are very difficult to construct when trails are wet or have snow on them. On skid trails and landings, TSC provisions B(T)6.6 and C(T)6.6 requires erosion control work be kept current immediately preceeding expected seasonal periods of precipitation or runoff and after September 15 work shall be done as promptly as practical.

D. Landings:

Landings will be agreed to prior to their construction and/or use. Landings will not be located within RCAs unless a Hydrologist or Fisheries Biologist is consulted.

Landings will be constructed to ensure proper drainage is achievable and monitored to ensure that drainage is effective; for example, landings will not create a depression which cannot be properly drained. Rock or slash mats will not be placed on the landing due to conflicts with tillage, unless approved by a Hydrologist or Soil Scientist. If the landing is improperly drained, rills (small 1/2 inch deep parallel depressions) will form in the landing slope where drainage leaves the landing surface. Rills and/or sediment should not extend more than 10 feet from the downslope edge of the landing and should not be present along more than 25% of the downslope edge. In no case should any rill or deposition of sediment reach a stream channel. As a preventative measure, all landing fill slopes will be mulched prior to expected seasonal periods of precipitation. Mulch material can consist of wood chips, weed-free straw, or any other Forest Service approved material which will provide slope protect against rilling. In addition, downslope perimeter erosion control fencing will be required if a potential threat to water quality exists as determined by a Hydrologist or Fisheries Biologist.

The use of a heel boom loader may be required to minimize landing size and reduce excavation of the site.

Logging operations will not proceed until safe access and safe working conditions are present to conduct normal inspections by Forest Service personnel.

Forest Service retains the authority to suspend any or all of Purchaser's operations as needed to protect the resources.

These standards will be reviewed on an annual basis and modified, if necessary, prior to commencement of operations.

Acknowledgement of receipt of these standards:

FOREST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PURCHASER REPRESENTATIVE

DATE DATE

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS (Revision 2)

to Disposal Sites (Estimated Quantity)

Borat Compound.

EA

Total:

· Please note asterisk implies estimated quantities. Some saw logs will remain on the ground after falling. Approximate number not available at this time but will follow up if any changes arise. Not all stumps identified may be able to have its stump ground. If no changes are a result of the follow on questions, this schedule replaces the schedule on the Combined Synopsis solicitation.

Business:___________________________________

Signature:__________________________________

Name: _____________________________________