RFQ.doc

PROJECT NAME

XX NATIONAL FOREST

SOLICITATION NO. AG-9JGP-S-15-XXXX

7. FOR SOLICITATION INFORMATION CALL:

CONTRACTING OFFIER

TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE

a. NAME

Teresa Reniff Michael Friend

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect calls) 530-532-7456 530-836-7167

8. OFFER DUE DATE/ LOCAL TIME

May 11, 2018, 4:30pm

UNRESTRICTED OR FORMCHECKBOX

SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

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SMALL BUSINESS FORMCHECKBOX

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

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HUBZONE SMALL (WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

NAICS: 541990

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SERVICE DISABLED FORMCHECKBOX

EDWOSB

VETERAN- OWNED SIZE STANDARD: 15.0

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8(A)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ACQUISITIONS

875 Mitchell Ave.

Oroville, CA 95965

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

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SEE SCHEDULE

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ FORMCHECKBOX

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

See specifications.

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

See block 9.

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

Invoice Processing Platform IPP

All invoices must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform IPP via WWW.IPP.GOV

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17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

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SEE ADDENDUM

PROJECT NAME: Beckwourth Botany Surveys - 2018 LOCATION: Beckwourth RD, Plumas NF Offers will be accepted hardcopy of via facsimile (530)532-1210 To verify receipt, contact Teresa Reniff (530)532-7456 Contractor MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) before award can be made.

Please provide the following information:

DUNS#__________________________

Email offers are authorized

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

See IAS requisition.

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

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

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28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 1

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29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA ‑ FAR (48 CFR) 53.212 001a 001b 001c 001d 001e 001f

002a

002b

002c

002d

002e

002f Presurvey activities and deliverables Haskell Survey Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Survey and delineate scoped species, special habitats, with deliverables Additional Delineation: Scoped Species occurrences that are larger than one-tenth acre Additional Delineation: Scoped Species occurrences that are smaller than one-tenth acre Occurrence Forms Draft Report and Final Report

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Presurvey activities and deliverables

Crocker Survey Units 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

Additional Delineation: Scoped Species occurrences that are larger than one-tenth acre

Additional Delineation: Scoped Species occurrences that are smaller than one-tenth acre

Occurrence Forms

Draft Report and Final Report

12,803

TASK

ACRE

MILE

POINT

FORM

TASK

TASK

ACRE

MILE

POINT

FORM

TASK

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED

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INSPECTED

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ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

CORRECT FOR

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

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COMPLETE FORMCHECKBOX

PARTIAL FORMCHECKBOX

FINAL

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012) BACK

SECTION C- STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Description of Work: The work to be performed consists of a one-year botany survey for the Scoped Species including Invasive Plants within the Haskell Project Area, Beckwourth Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest. These surveys cover vascular plants only, i.e. the contractor is not responsible for fungi, lichens, or bryophytes. All surveys shall be conducted when plants are at an optimum phase of phenology for identification purposes. Survey units shall likely require more than one visit, depending on the timing of the bloom of the scoped species.

Contractor Responsibility: The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies except for government furnished property, services, permits, and licenses, necessary to collect field data and report on the presence or absence of Scoped Species.

C.2 Project Location & Description

Location: The Haskell Project Area (Item 001b above) are approximately 4 air miles south of the unincorporated town of Graeagle, Plumas County, California. See Attached Vicinity Map. All contract areas are located on National Forest lands within the delineated boundaries of the Plumas National Forest. Surveys shall not be conducted on private land. The Haskell Project Area is located on the following USGS topographic quadrangles: Clio and Calpine; it is located in all or portions of T21N, R12E, Sec. 1 - 3, 10 -15; T21N, R13E, Sec. 6 – 8, 13 – 23, 27, 28, Mount Diablo Base Meridian (MDBM). See Project Map.

Location: The Crocker Project Area (Item 002a above) are approximately 4 air miles north of the city of Portola, California. See Attached Vicinity Map. All contract areas are located on National Forest lands within the delineated boundaries of the Plumas National Forest. Surveys shall not be conducted on private land. The Crocker Project Area is located on the following USGS topographic quadrangles: Portola, Crocker Mountain, and Calpine; it is located in all or portions of T23N, R13E, Sec. 1, 2; T23N, R14E, Sec. 13 - 6, 8 – 10; T24N, R13E, Sec. 4 - 5, 8 – 10, 13 – 17, 22 – 26, 35 – 36; T24N, R14E, Sec. 16 – 21, 28 – 33; Mount Diablo Base Meridian (MDBM). See Project Map.

Table 1. Mandatory and Optional survey units with acreage totals.

Mandatory Items: Haskell Survey Units

Optional Items: Crocker Survey Units

Description: The Haskell Survey area is approximately 4799 acres. Elevations range between 5,200 & 8,100 feet. The project area consists of a mosaic of habitats, (on all aspects) including montane meadow, Sierra mixed conifer, and true fir stands. Terrain ranges from steep to flat with slopes generally under 45%.

Description: The Crocker Survey area is approximately 13,373 acres. Elevations range between 5,200 & 7,500 feet. The project area consists of a mosaic of habitats, (on all aspects) including montane meadow, Sierra mixed conifer, and true fir stands.

Existing information:

HASKELL SURVEY AREA:

· There are no scoped (sensitive or noxious weed) species known to exist in the Haskell Survey area.

· ADDITIONAL SCOPED SPECIES WITHIN 2 MILES OF THE HASKELL SURVEY AREA: Pyrrocoma lucida.

· There are no known serpentine outcrops within the survey units or within 2 miles of the Haskell Survey area.

· There are 6 known and mapped special habitats in the Haskell Survey Area. All six are springs.

Table 2. Acres by elevation range within the Haskell Project area.

5,000 to 6000 ft. = 1,334 acres

6,000 ft. to 7,000 ft. = 1,791 acres

7,000 ft. to 8,000 ft. = 1,638 acres

< 8,000 ft. = 2.85 acres

CROCKER SURVEY AREA:

· There are three scoped (sensitive or noxious weed) species known to exist in the Crocker Survey area.

Table 3. Scopes species documented within the Crocker Survey area.

· ADDITIONAL SCOPED SPECIES WITHIN 2 MILES OF THE CROCKER SURVEY AREA: Cirsium arvense, Lepidium latifolium.

· There are no known serpentine outcrops within the survey units or within 2 miles of the Crocker Survey area.

· There are 15 known and mapped special habitats in the Crocker Survey Area. All 15 are springs or seeps.

Table 4. Acres by elevation range within the Crocker Survey area.

5,000 to 6000 ft. = 5,633 acres

6,000 ft. to 7,000 ft. = 6,600 acres

≥ 7,000 ft. = 559 acres

Accessibility: Access shall be by 2WD, 4WD, or walking, as determined by the Contractor’s Pre-survey Reconnaissance. Trees that block roads may have to be cut into chunks and moved to allow vehicle access. Walking distances will vary within the project areas. Walking distances will be considered incidental to the work and no additional payment will be made. The Government will not provide special road maintenance or snowplowing to open roads. Spur roads are not maintained and are frequently blocked by earth barriers. A road that has been closed with an earthen berm or gated shall not be driven on with motorized vehicles. Off-highway-vehicle (OHV) trails may be used only if they appear on the PNF Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Private roads, over which the Government does not have right of way, may have to be detoured around unless the Contractor secures their own permission to cross from the landowner.

C.3 Maps Maps showing the general vicinity and/or specific survey areas are attached to this contract. Maps are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations. The size, shape, and location of the contract units were mapped utilizing Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. All maps will be made available in pdf format to be used with geo-referenced smart phone applications. (Figures 1-3)

C.4 Estimated Start Date & Contract Time Estimated start date June 1, 2018. Contract shall be completed by October 30, 2018 C.5 Restrictions on Work

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

Work in all or parts of the survey area may be suspended when the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage. Forest Service system road conditions should be evaluated prior to implementation; avoid accessing treatment units when excessive rutting may occur. Follow-up road maintenance may be necessary if road surfaces are negatively impacted by project related vehicle access.

C.6 Licenses and Insurance

Worker’s Compensation Insurance: The Contractor shall provide evidence of Worker's Compensation Insurance or a written explanation as to why the Contractor is exempt from the requirement. NOTE: The Contractor working alone is not required to carry the insurance.

C.7 Camping and Housing Camping is not permitted in US Forest Service campgrounds. Contractor [X] will [ ] will not be permitted to camp elsewhere on US Forest Service land.

C.8 Technical Requirements C.8-1 Definitions Botany Survey: A search for vascular plants that does not include nonvascular plants.

Buffer: The perimeter of scoped species polygons is the furthest site-defining attribute or scoped species plus one meter.

Complete Coverage: Survey Units shall be surveyed by walking transects that are close enough together that the next transect is clearly visible and all of the areas has been examined thoroughly.

Day: For the purposes of this contract a day is defined as time in the field, starting at the first stop and ending with the last, within the project area. It does not include the travel time from town to and from the project area.

Intuitive Coverage: Survey Units shall be surveyed by walking transects, which cover a representative cross section of all major features and habitats within the unit. Habitats with low potential for scoped species or weed habitat shall have at least 25% of the area covered with transects. Habitats identified as having a high to moderate potential for scoped species or weed habitat shall have at least 50% of the area covered by transects.

Miles: On the Schedule of Items, payment will be made for the cumulative distance GPS-ed and flagged around all polygons. The number and size of polygons is not estimated.

Occurrence: Plants of the same species estimated to be separated by less than a quarter mile are considered the same occurrence. Within an occurrence, plants separated by more than 100 feet are known as sub occurrences. A distinct occurrence form will be used for occurrences of each of the following: 1.) rare plants (USFS Sensitive sp. or PNF Watchlist sp.); 2.) Noxious weed, 3.) Special habitat.

Scoped Species: Scoped Species include vascular plant species:

· Listed as Endangered, Threatened, and Proposed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service List,

· Any Species with status for California on the US Forest Service Region 5 Sensitive Plant list, (https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r5/plants-animals/plants )

· Any plant found on the US Fish and Wildlife Service Quarterly Species List for National Forests,

· Any Species on the PNF Watch List,

· Invasive plants on the Plumas National Forest List;

· Any A or B rated Noxious Weed listed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Exceptions: Species that are known to be on the above lists but for the purposes of this contract shall not be treated as scoped species include: all fungi, lichens, and bryophytes.

Session: The time spent in the field gathering data. Session lengths are decided by the Contractor. Sessions shall be discussed in the Survey Plan and shall be between one and 10 continuous days.

Special Habitats: Special Habitats are defined as including areas predominated by serpentine soils, fens, seeps, springs, and vernal pools. Special Habitats also include stands of unique plant species assemblages, plant associations, or communities that are found to be uncommon or azonal within the project area. Special habitats will be reported on a special habitat occurrence form.

Survey: A pedestrian examination in search of scoped species, including the recognition of special habitats. In addition to the pedestrian examination, surveying includes all the tasks listed under Field Surveys.

Transect: A linear strip of ground where the surveyor can see the Scoped Species by walking down the center and looking left and right. The effective transect width is dependent on the surveyor’s skills, experience and eyesight.

QCP: Quality Control Plan.

C.8-2 Specifications

Item 1.a. PRESURVEY

1. Literature Review: The Contractor shall review the literature supplied as Government Furnished Property before writing the Survey Plan. The Contractor shall familiarize themselves with the known locations, habitats, flowering periods, and identification characteristics of the scoped species. Knowledge gained from the Literature and record review shall be included in the survey plan.

The Contractor shall review all information listed in “Applicable Documents” and consider:

a. Known Scoped Species: The known location of scoped species with the Survey area.

b. Satellite Imagery: Available on-line (e.g. Google Earth, Google Maps).

c. Previous Surveys: The final reports for adjacent surveys as available from the Government.

d. Resources Layers: The contractor shall review the Government provided GIS information (soil types and special habitats information).

Standard: If critical Government Furnished data is missing from the Survey Plan, the Contractor shall redo the Literature Review.

2. Pre-survey Reconnaissance: Prior to the start of surveys the contractors shall conduct a field reconnaissance of the survey area to familiarize themselves with the Project area. Impassable roads, locked gates, downed trees, and the current phenology of any scoped species encountered, shall be noted. The Government does not have right of way across some private roads.

Standard: The Pre-Survey reconnaissance shall use the information gained during the Literature Review to aid in a field review of the significant terrain features, access, known locations of scoped species, and special habitat components. Strategies for locked gates and downed trees blocking roads shall be discussed with the Government. Knowledge gained from the Pre-survey Reconnaissance shall be incorporated into the Survey Plan.

3. Survey Planning: The Contractor shall consider the information gathered during the Literature Review and Pre-survey Reconnaissance and discuss any issues that surfaced with the Government. After discussions the Contractor’s Solicitation Proposal shall be updated with the survey strategy and renamed the Survey Plan. The Survey Area shall be organized into survey units for reporting purposes. The Contractor shall design a Survey Map that shows the survey units within the Project Boundary on the Project Map. The Survey map and Survey Plan shall be subject to approval by the Government before surveying.

Standard: The contractor’s survey planning and strategy shall reflect the discussions held with the Government about Project issues. The Survey Map shall be at a minimum 1:24,000, and show contours, ownership, survey units, and anticipated survey coverage. A discussion of the Contractor’s anticipated use of Complete and Intuitive Survey Coverage, by habitat, is required with the Survey Plan.

4. Quality Control Planning: The Contractor shall plan Quality Control Activities to insure that the survey and deliverables meet the Government’s Quality Assurance Plan Standards. The Quality Control Activities shall be documented in the Solicitation Proposal and titled as the Quality Control Plan. After award the Quality Control Plan (QCP) becomes a part of the Survey Plan and the Contractor’s QC activities are specified by the QCP. A QCP that does not catch errors shall be redesigned.

Standard: The Contractor’s Quality Control Activities shall test all activities against:

a. The Government’s Quality Assurance Plan: See GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN.

b. This Work Statement: See INTRODUCTIONS thru QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN.

Item 1.b. FIELD SURVEYS

Following approval of the Survey Plan, the contractor shall conduct a thorough pedestrian survey of the “Survey Area” for vascular plants on the Scoped Species List and Special Habitats; see Project Maps and or coverage files. Field surveys shall be conducted to the intensity necessary to discover the Scoped Species:

a. All roadsides shall receive complete coverage (see DEFFINITIONS) for invasive plants.

b. All Special Habitats, meadows, and serpentine soils shall require complete coverage.

c. Within the Project Area where Complete Coverage is not required, the Contractor shall survey with Intuitive Coverage, (see DEFFINITIONS).

Occurrences shall be recorded, up to 100 feet outside of survey polygon boundaries, on Government land. A Plant Reconnaissance Record shall be completed for each survey unit and turned in with the Draft Final Report. A complete list of all vascular plants encountered by each surveyor in each survey unit is required with the Session Report. This plant list shall be legible, and either use complete scientific names following the nomenclature in the Jepson Manual for each species encountered, or abbreviations that follow the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) National Plant Database symbol protocol from the NRCS website. At the discretion of the government, the Contactor may be required to collect Voucher Specimens for any species new to the Plumas National Forest Flora, unless the population is less than 20 individuals, for the PNF herbarium.

Survey for Scoped Species and Special Habitats, Minimally Delineating Both, and Deliverables.

The Contractor shall survey for Scoped Species and Special Habitats, minimally delineating both as described below:

a. Hang one three foot Blue/Black flag in the center of each occurrence or special habitat upon discovery. Substitute Noxious Weed flagging when it is an invasive plant occurrence.

b. Hang one three foot White informational flag in the center of each occurrence or Special Habitat, on discovery.

c. GPS the center point of each occurrence or Special Habitat, on discovery, and submit as a computer plotted map with Session Report.

d. Obtain Occurrence numbers for new Scoped Species from the Contract Inspector.

e. Complete the Assessment Form electronically in Microsoft Excel, due with the Session Report on discovery.

f. Complete the Plant Occurrence Discovery Record, the Noxious Weed Report Monitoring Forms, and special habitat occurrence forms due with the Draft and Final Report.

Standard: The informational flag shall be inscribed with the Contractor’s Occurrence number (sub occurrences shall start with the letter “a”) the date, Species code, and Surveyor’s initials, in indelible black ink.

The GPS will be Resource Grade. The mapped locations shall be recorded in the following coordinate system: NAD 1983, CONUS, UTM Zone 10, and meters.

Recreational Grade GPS shall be turned in as a Map.

Resource Grade UTM’s shall be within plus or minus 3 meters horizontal distance. Recommended Resource Receiver settings include: 3D Mode, a PDOP of 8, SNR of 6, and an Elevations Mask of 15 degrees. The Contractor shall include data verifying the accuracy of the mapped locations in relationship to the actual location. These data shall be post-processed, corrected (.COR) GPS files that include standard deviation of recorded features. Points shall be labeled with the Plumas Data Dictionary. Where GPS verification cannot be obtained directly for a location, the contractor shall obtain indirect GPS verification by measuring the azimuth and horizontal distance of the actual location from a GPS verified reference point.

a. GPS features shall be attributed in accordance with the data dictionary. There should be one shape file for all like data collected. For Example: one point file for rare plants, one polygon file for rare plants, one point file for invasive plants etc. GPS data shall be cleaned up in GIS, eliminating “bowties” and sliver polygons, and submitted as required as an ARC Map shape file.

Item 1.c Additional Delineation: For Scoped Species Occurrences larger than 1/10 acre.

The Contractor shall install the following delineations in addition to those listed in Item 1.b for Scoped Species occurrences that are larger than 1/10 acre.:

a. Hang two foot Blue/Black or Noxious Weed flags every 20 feet around the buffer.

b. GPS the buffer with a Resource Grade GPS, mapped and due with the Draft Report.

Standard: Flags shall be hung as near to eye height as possible. Scoped Species Buffers are one meter out form the nearest site-defining attribute of a special habitat or individual plant of a scoped species.

Resource Grade UTM’s shall be within plus or minus 3 meters horizontal distance. The mapped locations shall be recorded in the following coordinate system: NAD 1983, CONUS, UTM Zone 10, and meters. Recommended Resource Receiver settings include: 3D Mode, a PDOP of 8, SNR of 6, and an Elevations Mask of 15 degrees. The Contractor shall include data verifying the accuracy of the mapped locations in relationship to the actual location. These data shall be post-processed, corrected (.COR) GPS files. Polygons shall be labeled with the Plumas Data Dictionary. Where GPS verification cannot be obtained directly for a location, the contractor shall obtain indirect GPS verification by measuring the azimuth and horizontal distance of the actual location from a GPS verified reference point.

GPS features shall be attributed in accordance with the data dictionary. There should be one shape file for all like data collected. For Example: one polygon file for sensitive and watch list plants and one polygon file for invasive plants. GPS data shall be cleaned up in GIS, eliminating “bowties” and sliver polygons and submitted as required as an ARC MAP shape file.

Item 1.d Additional Delineation: For Scoped Species Occurrences that are 1/10 acre or less in area.

The Contractor shall install the following delineations in addition to those listed in Item 1.b for Scoped Species occurrences that are smaller than 1/10 acre.:

a. Hang two-foot-long Blue/Black or Noxious Weed flags every 20 feet around the buffer.

GPS the Center point of the Occurrence with a Resource Grade GPS, on discovery, and submit as a computer plotted map with the Draft Final Report.

Standard: Same as 1.c except substituting point features instead of polygon features.

SURVEY UNIT-OPTIONS

The Government may, at its discretion, at or after award, order field surveys for one or more of the optional survey units. The Contractor shall survey the additional units at the prices on the Schedule of Items.

DELIVERABLES

PRESURVEY DELIVERABLES

1. Survey Plan: The Contractor shall incorporate the information gathered from the Literature Review and Pre-survey Reconnaissance into the Solicitation Proposal, and rename it the Survey Plan. The Survey Plan shall include the: who, what, when, and where about the Contractor’s Survey. The Survey Plan shall be submitted for Government review at least five business days before the planned start of the survey. The Survey Plan shall be approved prior to the start of the survey. During the contract the Contractor shall keep all portions of the Plan up to date and all changes shall be submitted with the Session Reports, before adopted.

Standard: The Contractor’s Solicitation Proposal shall be updated after the Pre-Survey Reconnaissance and renamed the Survey Plan. At a minimum the Survey Plan contains the:

a. Schedule and Session Dates: Contractor’s work schedule including field session dates and the dates the session reports will be submitted, and other work commitments.

b. Work Progression: The approximate order the project will be surveyed.

c. Organization: A discussion of crew organization and the introduction of new surveyors that were not in the solicitation proposal.

d. Equipment: A discussion of the transportation and other equipment. Discuss the GPS equipment including make and model of GPS and settings that differ from the Government recommendations.

e. Emergency Measures: Discussion of emergency measures and communications between office and field.

f. QCP: Quality Control Plan and Forms.

g. Survey map: The Survey map (1:24,000) with contours, contractor designated survey units, planned complete and intuitive (25%, 50%) coverages.

The Contractor shall submit updates to the Survey Plan with each Session Report.

2. Quality Control Plan: The Contractor shall include their Quality Control Plan, submitted as a part of the Solicitation Proposal, as a part of the Survey Plan. During the term of the contract the Quality Control Plan shall be modified as needed to insure that the Contractor’s self-inspection finds errors and corrects them. A summation of the week’s Quality Control Activities shall be submitted with the Session report and a contract QC summation shall be reported with the Interim (if required), Draft, and Final Reports. The Contractor shall turn in a map with each session report that documents each surveyor’s survey routes, based on a Recreational Grade GPS “Tracks” or similar program. The Government includes the following sample Quality Control Plan for the Contractor’s consideration: Sample Quality Control Plans for Contractor’s Consideration. For example, a Contractor could Propose the following: 1) Contractor inspects/resurveys a percentage of each special habitat, survey coverage, and forms, hire a second party to conduct prescribed resurvey.

Standard: The Contractor’s QCP shall make meaningful and significant improvements to the quality of the Contactor’s tasks and subtasks, as specified in the Schedule of Items. The QCP should inspect the fieldwork and all deliverables including forms, maps, and reports. The Contractor’s QCP should specify what field or office task is being inspected, who’s doing the inspections, how many or what percentage of the task is being inspected, how often, and to what standard they are being inspected. A form shall be developed and used to document the Contractor’s Quality Control Inspections. A discussion of the week’s Quality Control activities, the results, the remedies, and the forms, shall be turned in with the Session Report. The Contractor’s QCP shall be updated and improved as needed to assure all tasks and subtasks meet the standards in the Government’s Quality Assurance Plan. “Tracks” Map(s) shall be of a large enough scale to make each route discernable.

FIELD SURVEY DELIVERABLES

3. Session Reports: Session Reports are required during field surveys. A Session Report covers the previous session (see DEFFINITIONS). Session Reports shall be submitted to the Government no later than four days after the end of the session, email is required. The required draft forms, Quality Control Inspections, and Maps are due at the same time and shall be digital forms or scanned and sent electronically.

Standard: The Session reports shall include, at a minimum:

a. Update Survey Plan: Updates to the Survey Plan as necessary, submit as an updated document.

b. QC Update: A summary of the previous week’s Quality Control Activities, include copies of forms.

c. Electronic Forms: Completed electronic assessment form for scoped species and special habitats discovered.

d. Work Completed and Planned: Discussion of work completed and that planned for the next session.

e. Changes: Discussion of the techniques used and work completed that differed from the Survey Plan.

f. Species List: An updated species list by survey unit.

g. Coverage Map: An electronic or hand drawn Coverage Map depicting survey units, the areas surveyed, the intensity employed, and Special Habitats discovered, all since the previous session.

h. A map of each surveyor’s routes as tracked by a recreational grade GPS “tracks” or similar program.

4. Field Forms: All field forms shall be complete including the required Maps and UTM Coordinates. Originals and the photos as required (see individual Forms) shall be submitted with the Draft Report, copies as required are due with the Session Report. All but the Occurrence Forms are considered Field Forms.

Standard: Field forms shall be legible and complete when copied or submitted the first time. Required photos shall be submitted as prints or .jpeg images.

5. Occurrence Forms: The Contractor shall complete one Plant Occurrence Discovery Record for each occurrence of a scoped species or special habitat. This form is due with the Draft report.

Standard: Occurrence forms shall be legible and complete when copied or submitted the first time. And should have a photo of the occurrence attached.

REPORTING DELIVERABLES

6. Draft Report: See 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984) for the date when one electronic copy of the Draft Report is due. The Government’s comments will be returned in ten working days and the Final Report is due 15 calendar days later.

Standard: The Contractor’s Draft Report shall be in Microsoft Word and include at a minimum, but not be limited to:

a. Literature Reviewed: A discussion of the Literature Reviewed.

b. Methodology: A discussion of the methodology and findings of the surveys.

c. Assessment: A Quality Assessment of the Contractor’s work discussing how well the survey met Applicable Documents, if any.

d. Quality Control: A Discussion of the Quality Control Activities.

e. Original Forms: Original Field data sheets and forms bound separately that are keyed to the Survey Map.

f. Photos: Photos that are required with Forms.

g. Species of Interest: A discussion and handmade map of Species of Interest.

h. Survey Map: A hand drawn or digitized Coverage Map depicting survey units, the areas surveyed, the intensity employed, and Special Habitats discovered All Maps shall be submitted at 1:24,000 scale plus an electronic version as an Arc GIS layer. The contractor shall also submit for all GPS:

1. The uncorrected GPS files.

2. The Base Files used to correct the GPS files.

3. Corrected GPS files.

4. GPS files exported as an ARC GIS shape file.

i. “Tracks Map”: A compilation of each surveyor’s “tracks” as recorded for the session reports.

7. Final Report: See 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work for due dates. The Contractor shall incorporate all of the Government’s comments on the draft report into the final. The Final Report and Original Field Forms shall be bound separately. The Contractor shall submit one electronic version of everything on a CD and one paper copy signed by the Senior Botanist.

Standard: The Final Report contains everything in the draft plus the changes specified in the Government’s comments to the Draft.

C.8-3 Contractor-Furnished Equipment

The Contractor shall provide all labor, housing, supervision, transportation, tools, and material (except Government-furnished Property) necessary to perform the requirements of the contract. Specifically, but not necessarily inclusive, the Contractor shall furnish:

Safety and fire equipment- Necessary safety and fire equipment to safely implement contract.

Vehicles - Necessary vehicles to safely implement project.

Flagging- Blue/black striped, white, and noxious weed

All plant keys (Jepson Manual) and field equipment.

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.aquisition.gov/far/

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVELS

Government’s Quality Assurance Plan:

Acceptable Quality Levels are 100% unless otherwise note.

Pre-survey Activities

Field Surveys

Deliverables

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) Work Days

The actual performance time needed to complete this contract will be listed in the solicitation and includes weekends (excluding Federal holidays, adverse weather, unworkable ground conditions, and subject to Section J Fire Plan restrictions). In order to ensure timely completion, the contractor shall begin work or make contact with COR within 5 days of award and be within the operational period for when work is generally completed, or show cause why the contract should not be terminated in accordance with the default clause –52.249-10.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Measurement

Methods of Measurement.

Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using a Global Positioning System.

Re-measurement. Unless otherwise indicated by this contract, the contractor may request re-measurement of any quantities in Part B, when the units are acres or any linear measurement. The request must be made in writing and must be made within 10 calendar days of completing work on the unit in question. If re-measurement indicates a variance of five percent or less from the stated quantity, the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement and no adjustment will be made in the quantity as stated in Part B. If re-measurement indicates a variance more than five percent from the stated quantity, payment will be based on the re-measured quantity, and the Contractor will not be liable for the costs of re-measurement. All re-measurements will be done by the Government. Re-measurement of acreage will be done with two people using a hand compass and ground measurement or by means of a Global Positioning System. This clause is not applicable to quantities listed as estimated quantities.

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-15 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) The period of performance of this contract is from June 1, 2018 through October 30, 2018.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Emergencies

AGAR 452.236-77 EMERGENCY RESPONSE (NOV 1996)

A. Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting

1. The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause 52.236-9, PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work.

2. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees.

B. Contractor's Responsibility for Notification in Case of Fire

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site.

C. Contractor's Responsibility for Responding to Emergencies

When directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall allow the Government to temporarily use employees and equipment from the work site or emergency work (anticipated to be restricted to fire fighting). An equitable adjustment for the temporary use of employees and equipment will be made under the Changes clause, FAR 52.234-5.

NOTE:* Fire Protection Requirements, Contractor shall comply with the Fire Protection and Suppression Requirements.

52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 75 days after the last day of the survey. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

Delays due to normal adverse weather, weekends, and holidays have been included in the calculation of contract time. The Government reserves the right to set the priority of items or sub items. Contractor shall complete all work on one sub item before proceeding to another.

Pre-work Pre-work conference. Before work begins on service contracts, a pre-work conference is normally held to discuss the contract--especially the specifications, labor provisions, plan of work, and selected standard clauses. The pre-work meeting should be attended by an officer of the firm or someone designated in writing to act on behalf of the firm. The pre-work meeting may be waived at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Notice to Proceed.

A. [X] No work may begin on this contract until the Contracting Officer has issued a Notice to Proceed.

B. [ ] Work on this contract may proceed and contract time will begin upon receipt of the awarded contract. Any adjustments to the anticipated completion date will be noted in the award letter.

Measurement

Methods of Measurement.

Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using a Global Positioning System.

Re-measurement. Unless otherwise indicated by this contract, the contractor may request re-measurement of any quantities in Part B, when the units are acres or any linear measurement. The request must be made in writing and must be made within 10 calendar days of completing work on the unit in question. If re-measurement indicates a variance of five percent or less from the stated quantity, the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement and no adjustment will be made in the quantity as stated in Part B. If re-measurement indicates a variance more than five percent from the stated quantity, payment will be based on the re-measured quantity, and the Contractor will not be liable for the costs of re-measurement. All re-measurements will be done by the Government. Re-measurement of acreage will be done with two people using a hand compass and ground measurement or by means of a Global Positioning System. This clause is not applicable to quantities listed as estimated quantities.

Payment Payments and Deductions. Payment will be made for fully acceptable work at the prices bid in the schedule of items. In the event of extended non-work periods because of adverse weather, the Contracting Officer may authorize progress payments for partially completed sub-items on a case-by- case basis. In accordance with the inspection clause, payment may be made for less than fully acceptable work at a reduced price.

Invoices.

Payment will be made from Contractor's invoice. All invoices are to be submitted via the electronic Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S. Department of Treasury and you can find more information at this website https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm. There is no pre-award registration.

After award of a contract, please make sure that your company registers promptly at https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm to establish your account. PRIOR to starting the IPP enrollment process, please verify that the point of contact’s (POC’s) email address is up to date in your company’s System for Award Management (SAM) account at www.sam.gov and that any recent update(s) have been allowed time to process resulting in an “Active” status on the SAM account. The one-time enrollment in IPP means a series of emails will be sent to the SAM POC. If you have questions on the IPP enrollment process, the help desk phone number is 1-866-973-3131.

IPP invoices are now the official payment record. Contractors must include an IPP attachment which shows the breakdown of billing based on the pricing schedule items and/or sub-items. For assistance with invoicing in IPP, the help desk phone number is 1-866-973-3131.

Contract Release. The following supplements the Payments clause in Section I:

Before final payment will be made the Contractor shall sign a release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically accepted from the operation of the release. A release may also be required of the assignee if the Contractor's claim to amounts payable under this contract has been assigned under the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. 3727 and 41 U.S.C. 15).

RETAINAGE

The following supplements Clause 52.232-1, Payments:

The Contracting Officer may retain up to 10 percent of the invoiced amount if the contractor is behind schedule at the time the invoice is presented. “Behind schedule” means that the percentage of work completed is less than the percentage of time used.

Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative

The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative(s) (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

The Contracting Officer should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government, which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

On all matters that pertain to the contract terms, the Contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a contract claim.

Superintendence by Contractor

The name and the specific authorities of the foreman or superintendent must be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may use his/her own prepared letterhead stationery or a "Designation of Contractor's Representative" form available from the Contracting Officer. If the Contractor or the designee is not present when work is being performed on the contract, a Suspend Work Order may be issued with contract time continuing to run. The Contractor shall have a person on-site that is fully conversant in the English language.

Archaeological and Historic Sites

Location of known archaeological, historic, or pre-historic materials--such as pre-historic artifacts and/or historic mining, logging, or fur trapping remains protected by the American Antiquities Act (l6 USC 433)--will be identified for the contractor before work commences. Any site(s) discovered by contractor’s employees will be reported to COR or inspector immediately and work in the immediate area will stop until a USFS Archeologist can perform a site inspection. During this time work may continue in any area within the units that are not a designated control area. After the site inspection and marking of any new control units the area may be re-entered to complete work.

Landscape Preservation

The…