Amendment_0003_revised_SOW_brushing_maps_0003.pdf

REFORESTATION TREATMENT, ROSEBURG, OR

BLM ROSEBURG DISTRICT OFFICE

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

The purpose of this purchase order is to provide reforestation and maintenance services for the Roseburg District's 2023 planting season. Detailed maps and unit specifications will be provided at pre-work conference(s). Work will be performed primarily in the Archie Creek fire area and will focus on low-density planting of 300-400 TPA (A), seedling protection in those planted units (C), and Manual Brushing in previously planted units (F). Work may be elsewhere on the district as determined in the prework. The Start Work Date is dependent on acceptable planting conditions as determined by the COR as well as seedling availability. Tree planting and protection activities are expected to begin on 11/01/2022, pending acceptable conditions and availability of materials.

Manual cutting activities may begin 10/01/2022, pending fire season restrictions. Waivers to work in IFPL II or higher will not be supported.

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Description of Services – This purchase order is to contract reforestation and seedling maintenance services for the Roseburg District BLM 2022-2023 planting season. Detailed maps and unit specifications will be provided at pre-work conference(s). The Start Work Date is dependent on acceptable planting conditions as determined by the COR as well as seedling availability. Tree planting and protection activities are expected to begin on 11/01/2022, pending acceptable conditions and availability of materials. Manual cutting activities may begin 10/01/2022, pending fire season restrictions. Waivers to work in IFPL II or higher will not be supported. Contractor shall furnish all necessary management, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, transportation, and any other incidentals to perform silvicultural treatment service activities designed and prescribed for reforestation. This includes planting, mulching, tubing and manual maintenance by cutting brush and hardwoods for the establishment and growth of conifers species in harvest units or fire areas. Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local safety requirements in the performance of this work.

1.2 Location of Project - All project units are located within the South River and Swiftwater

Resource Areas, Roseburg District BLM, Oregon. Project area maps will be provided at pre-work. Work will primarily be within the Archie Creek fire area but may include other areas on the district.

1.3 Boundaries of Units - Project unit boundaries not clearly defined by roads, adjacent timber stands, natural or manmade features are marked with flagging, paint, or tags. Upon agreement between COR and Contractor, virtual boundaries may be used if appropriate.

1.4 Access to Project Areas

1.4.1 Access is passable with a 2-wheel drive vehicle, although a 4-wheel drive vehicle may sometimes be required. Foot travel up to ½ of a mile may be required as designated on individual project unit maps. If foot travel is more than ½ mile to the project unit boundary, additional pay shall be negotiated between the contractor and the government.

1.4.2 Standard Access: Access is defined as (1) passable with a 2-wheel drive vehicle although a 4-wheel drive may sometimes be required or (2) foot travel to the closest project area boundary is up to 0.5 miles. Foot travel over 0.5 miles to individual project areas will be compensated as follows:

0.51 – 1.0 miles 10% Compensation*

1.10 - 1.5 miles 15% Compensation*

1.51 - 2.0 miles 20% Compensation*

2.10 + miles 25% Compensation*

*Compensation percentage will be applied to the cost per acre for the unit(s) requiring foot travel.

1.4.3 If an all-terrain vehicle is used, it shall be of such design that it will travel over rough, uneven terrain and not create wheel ruts and channels. The all-terrain vehicle must be approved by the Government.

1.4.4 Use of 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles on dirt roads is permitted only with the

Government’s approval.

1.4.5 Locked gates restricting access will be noted on the unit maps. Access behind locked gates shall be for the purpose of conducting work under this contract only. Gates with locks shall be locked immediately after entry or exit by the Contractor for each project unit. Keys may be issued to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Project Inspector (PI) at the BLM, Roseburg District Office. Gate keys shall be returned to the COR or PI within 5 days of completing unit(s) of work. A charge of $50.00 will be assessed for each gate key lost or returned in an unusable condition.

1.5 Security of materials - The Contractor may leave its equipment at the work site. However, the Contractor shall be responsible for the equipment if it should be lost, stolen or damaged.

1.6 Sequence of Work - The sequence of work will be determined by the COR or PI at the pre-work conference and may be subject to significant change. Certain project areas may be designated as higher priority units which would require an earlier completion than the bulk of the contract units. Reasons may include, but are not limited to: snow hazards and biological requirements.

1.7 Operating Permit - State law requires a permit to operate power driven machinery. Permits must be obtained from the Oregon Department of Forestry prior to the operation of power driven machinery. This requirement applies to chainsaws and brush cutters.

1.8 Camping on BLM Administered Land - The Contractor shall obtain authorized permission from the COR prior to camping on BLM administered lands.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 Planting

Bare root seedlings - tree seedlings grown from one (1) to two (2) years in the ground at a seedling nursery. Most soil is removed from the roots before the seedlings are packed for shipment.

Containerized seedlings - tree seedlings grown in plastic or styrofoam containers in nursery greenhouses. The rooting medium is planted with the trees.

Culling - the discarding of individual tree seedlings from the seedling lot being planted.

Micro-site planting – choosing a planting spot that gives a seedling the best chance to survive and grow. These spots that have good soil, away from dense competing vegetation, and provide a protected environment. Examples of these areas could be planting adjacent to a skid trail instead of planting in the compacted area of the skid trail or planting on the north side of a stump or log to provide shade for a seedling.

Minor Species - any tree species other than Douglas-fir, such as western redcedar, incense-cedar, Port- Orford-cedar, western hemlock, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and grand fir.

"Other" trees - natural, previously planted or newly planted conifers which can be readily seen by the planter, and measure 6” or more in height. Trees to be counted will include trees that are not chlorotic or damaged.

Pruning - the cutting or tearing of tree seedling tops, roots or branches with pruning clippers, other tools or by hand.

Scalping - removal of all movable slash, debris, gravel, humus, ash and living vegetation including surface roots down to mineral soil using hand tools to a minimum of 12” × 12” square.

Space Blanket - a reinforced plastic tarp having a facing of aluminum foil on one side used to provide tree seedlings protection from direct sunlight, frost and wind. Blanket shall be equal to International Reforestation Supplier's "Heat Shield" seedling protection tarp.

2.2 Tubing

Stake - round bamboo stake 36 inches in length used to support tubes.

Terminal leader - the uppermost portion of the stem of the seedling from the uppermost whorl to the top of the seedling.

Tube - tubular plastic mesh (vexar) 18 inches in length.

2.3 Paper Mulching

Landscape Staple - a wire staple, 6" × 1" × 6", of 12 gauge minimum diameter.

Paper Mulches - 3' × 3' sheet of kraft paper with asphalt interlining, slit crossways in the middle.

Glass fiber scrim reinforcing may or may not be present.

2.4 Stand Maintenance by Manual Cutting of Brush and Hardwoods

Brush - vegetation consisting of shrub species with single or multi-stems originating at or near ground level not normally reaching twenty (20) feet in height. Examples of this vegetation include poison- oak, willow, hazel, huckleberry, blackberry, manzanita, oceanspray, deerbrush and other ceanothus species, rhododendron, tanoak, and broom species.

Competitive brush - includes brush within twenty (20) foot radius of the stem of a leave tree and greater than 6” tall. All broom species (Scotch, Portuguese, and French) and Hawthorn greater than one (1) foot tall are considered competitive regardless of the distance from a leave tree.

Competitive hardwoods – hardwoods within twenty (20) feet of a leave tree and less than 8 inches DBH.

Conifer - an evergreen, cone bearing tree, such as Douglas-fir, incense-cedar, western hemlock, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, grand fir, white fir, and noble fir.

Cut Leave Tree - a tree noted during inspection of the area as a tree that should not have been cut.

Damaged Leave Trees - any Contractor-caused alteration or injury to the leave tree which may cause death, loss of vigor or will affect growth.

DBH - diameter of the tree at breast height, measured at a point four and one-half (4-½) feet above ground level from the uphill side of the tree.

Hardwood - a broad-leaved tree which attains a height of greater than 20 feet and occurs in both single stem and multi-stem forms. Includes, but is not limited to, species such as alder, chinquapin, Pacific madrone, bigleaf maple, Pacific dogwood and oak species.

Leave Trees – Trees not to be cut, including reserve trees. Includes all conifers and hardwoods eight

(8) inches DBH and larger and all conifer seedlings.

Lodged - slash leaning into, supported by, or covering a leave or reserve tree sprout that causes it to bend or lean.

Reserve Tree – a tree that shall not be cut or damaged. A reserve tree includes conifers and hardwoods greater than 8” DBH and trees marked with orange, red or yellow paint, or have an attached metal tag or sign within the treatment area. These trees count as a leave tree. Other trees may be reserved as ordered.

Slash - any material which has been cut and left on site.

Sprout - a stem of new growth on a previously-severed hardwood.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS

3.1 The Contractor shall provide all tools, materials, equipment, labor, supervision and transportation to satisfactorily complete the work.

3.2 Planting tools, materials, and containers for carrying trees during planting operations shall be of a design normally used in tree planting work. Planting bags shall prevent seedling roots from drying out. Planting hoes or shovels shall be capable of opening a hole at least 4" wide and 12" deep, perpendicular to the ground surface, and broken on three (3) sides.

3.3 Crew Requirements

3.3.1 The Contractor is responsible for the crew(s) and complying with the requirements of the contract including, but not limited to, seedling care, proper planting, spacing requirements, project area location, scalping, clearing and materials installation requirements. The Contractor is fully responsible for the proper planting of the trees by the crew(s). The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will not supervise the crews. The Contracting Officer (CO) and COR will ensure compliance to the contract.

3.3.2 Provide a supervisor for each crew that is not a working member of the crew who is required to stay with the crew while work is in progress. No more than eleven (11) workers are to be supervised by one supervisor.

3.3.3 Crews must be kept together at all times working as a crew under control of a supervisor rather than as individuals in separate areas. Twenty-four hours prior notice must be given to the COR if there is to be a significant change in crew composition or productivity.

3.3.4 State safety regulations require that crew members shall not work alone and accessibility to emergency transportation shall be provided by the Contractor at all times.

3.4 Supervisor Requirements

The supervisor must, effectively supervise and direct the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew's work, (2) advising them as to deficient work, and (3) providing instructions for correcting such deficiencies. This person shall be capable of speaking and reading English proficiently to ensure good communications with the COR. The supervisor shall ensure proper seedling care and handling. Should the supervisor fail to adequately perform these duties, the

Government may require substitution. Any changes in supervisory designations initiated by the Contractor must be submitted in writing to the COR at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect.

4.0 GOVERNMENT PROVIDED MATERIALS

4.l The Government will furnish tree seedlings, paper mulches, landscape staples, bamboo stakes, and tubing.

4.2 Distribution Sites - Roseburg BLM Fire Warehouse, 2300 Aviation Drive, Roseburg, Oregon or Roseburg District Office, 777 N.W. Garden Valley Blvd., Roseburg, Oregon or Roseburg BLM Myrtle Creek Maintenance Shop 161 Klimback Street, Myrtle Creek, Oregon or Sutherlin Maintenance Shop, Old Highway 99, Sutherlin, Oregon.

4.3 Distribution and Care of Government-Furnished Items

4.3.1 Seedlings and materials will be issued Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

PT unless other arrangements are made with the COR. The Contractor is responsible for the loading and unloading of tree seedlings and materials. A receipt shall be signed by the Contractor and COR each time seedlings and/or materials are issued or returned. Deliver all Government-furnished material to the project area.

4.3.2 Seedlings will not be issued in the morning if inclement weather conditions indicate planting cannot be performed on the project site.

4.3.3 The amount of seedlings issued will be limited to the estimated quantity that will be planted in one (1) day and the nursery's ability to lift and process the trees without damage. The amount of materials issued will be limited to the estimated quantity to be installed on a unit or the amount that can be installed within two (2) days, whichever is greater.

4.3.4 Transport the seedlings and materials directly to the unit with no intermediate storage points.

Seedlings and materials may only be moved from one unit to another with prior approval of the

COR.

4.3.5 The Contractor shall be responsible for the care, security, and maintenance of all

Government-provided material. Return all damaged seedlings and materials unsuitable for its intended use to the location approved by the COR and place in an orderly manner. The Contractor will be charged for all lost, damaged, wasted or stolen seedlings and materials.

4.3.6 Remove from the site any individual(s) involved in the improper care and/or disposal of

Government-provided material. The Government may also, by issuance of a written order, suspend the Contractor's right to proceed for improper care and disposal of Government- provided material.

4.3.7 Count and re-bundle all unused and surplus materials and seedlings in a manner in which the count is obviously displayed. Return unused/surplus supplies to the storage point where the property was issued during regular business hours. Any unit containing unused materials will not be considered complete.

4.3.8 Flatten and stack all empty seedling shipping boxes and bags, and stack all pallets and packing materials in an area designated by the COR. Dispose of the shipping boxes and bags and pallets and packing materials with the approval of the COR.

4.3.9 Return all unused seedlings to the District storage facility no later than 6:00 p.m. each day. Non-return or late return of unused tree seedlings may be treated as improper disposal.

5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1 Tree planting - Plant tree seedlings on forest lands modified by timber harvest, fire, or other causes.

5.1.1 Planting Stock – The age class and species of stock to be planted in each unit will be specified prior to planting. Stock is typically 1-2 year old bareroot or container stock.

5.1.2 Care of seedlings - Protect seedlings against damage to tops and roots, including damage from freezing, heating and drying. The following requirements shall be adhered to.

a. Transport seedlings from seedling storage to project areas in fully enclosed trailers or pickups with canopies. Seedlings shall not be transported in heated vehicles.

b. Upon arrival at the project area, store seedlings in a manner that protects them from direct sunlight, frost, and wind and provide for proper air circulation around bundles or boxes.

Cover seedlings with a space blanket when necessary to provide protection. The COR must approve the location and method of storage at the project area.

c. Do not mistreat or mishandle seedlings in any manner. Provide and transport water to the work site. Immediately upon removal from the nursery packages, dip seedlings in water from their root collar to the tips of the roots. Excess water may be allowed to drain from dipped seedlings. Do not slap or squeeze seedling roots to remove excess moisture. Immediately place dipped seedlings into planting bags or other containers. Comply immediately with any requests or instruction by the COR regarding the care of seedlings.

d. Restrict the number of seedlings placed in a planting bag to a number that allows removal of individual seedlings without damage to the seedling roots.

e. During the planting operation, remove only one (1) seedling at a time from the planting bag or other container and only after the planting hole has been prepared.

f. Do not perform root or top pruning or culling except with the approval and under the direct supervision of the COR.

g. Notify the COR immediately if the seedlings and/or seedling roots are too large or small, dryness of roots, mold or other evidence of damage to the seedlings.

h. Return unused seedlings to the storage site if inclement weather conditions occur during the planting operation which will damage seedlings, such as freezing or high temperature, drying winds, low humidity, or snow which prohibits the planting operation from continuing.

5.1.3 Planting location

a. Plant all spots designated at prework, unless they meet one or more of the following conditions.

(1) Soil covering slash or debris.

(2) Rock outcrops, talus slopes and areas of stones, cobbles or gravel over 12" deep.

(Note: Some soils contain up to 70% rock fragments and are plantable.)

(3) Other areas as designated by the COR.

b. Plant in areas of slash up to three (3) feet in depth. Cut holes and/or remove slash in order to establish a plantable spot. Where paper mulching is required, the spot must be large enough to properly install a paper mulch.

c. Plant seedlings in patches of dense brush and slash.

5.1.4 Planting methods

a. Proper selection of planting site is important and clearing efforts shall be required to prepare the site for planting. Examples of unplantable and plantable areas will be indicated by the COR on the project site.

b. Plant seedlings in spots distributed over the area at the intervals prescribed provided that, for individual seedlings, the specified average spacing, if required, may be varied as much as 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot or the best micro-site. Planting in micro-sites is preferred. COR may designate wider spacing variance on a unit-to-unit basis.

c. On items designated for mixed species planting, the approximate mixture of species to be planted is prescribed prior to planting.

5.1.5 Scalping of a planting spot - Scalping shall be performed using hand tools before seedlings are planted. The cleared area shall be a minimum of 12” × 12” square. Chain saws and/or other tools may be required to remove slash and vegetation in order to establish a plantable spot.

5.1.6 Tree seedling placement

a. Plant the seedling in the center of the cleared area. Set seedling firmly in the ground with moist soil filled in and well firmed around the roots so that no air pockets are around or adjacent to the tree roots. After firming around the tree, soil should be at the ground level with no deep depression or high mound at the stem. Plant the seedlings so that roots approximate a natural position; not twisted, tangled, compacted together, curled or bent from a position perpendicular to the ground surface. . Roots will be ten (10) inches in length and may vary twenty (20) percent, more or less (see Illustration Nos.1 and 2.) Acceptable and Not Acceptable planting are shown on Illustrations No. 3 and 4.

b. Suspend the seedling near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth that, after filling, packing, and leveling, the root collar is even with or slightly below the firmed soil level. Do not expose any portion of the roots (see Illustration No. 1.)

c. Plant seedling erect, vertical to the ground surface with allowance for slope on steep ground. Acceptable and Not Acceptable planting are shown on Illustrations No. 3 and 4.

5.2 Paper Mulch Installation

For mulching, place paper mulches around all newly-planted seedlings to reduce competition from herbaceous vegetation. See Exhibit D for placement of mulches.

The planting area shall be scalped at a 12” × 12” area at the time of planting. Clearing is needed for a total area of 3’× 3’, with the seedling in the middle. Chain saws and/or other tools may be required to remove slash and vegetation in order to establish a mulchable spot.

Place one mulch sheet per seedling so as not to damage the planted seedling and install to properly cover the area around the seedling.

Center the seedlings in the middle of the cut openings, or in the downhill slit.

Install mulches by stapling down each corner with a six (6) inch by one (1) inch wire landscape staple of twelve (12) gauge minimum diameter. As measured from the corner, fold six (6) inches of each corner toward the center underneath the sheet. Set each staple firmly in six (6) inches of soil by placing the staple approximately three (3) inches from the folded edge and passing through both layers of the paper mulch. When a seedling is less than 5 inches tall above ground,install a fifth staple in the center area of the mulch to hold it down.

In rocky areas, staples may be unable to penetrate the ground adequately. Alternative methods may be used to secure paper mulches such as placing debris or rocks. Alternatives may be used only with approval of the COR.

Mulches may be folded for placement next to immovable objects as long as the mulch has at least one-half of its effective area around the seedling. This will be demonstrated by the COR, upon request.

5.3 Tube installation

Install tubes and stakes to protect seedlings from animal damage such as browsing and clipping by deer, elk, rodents and rabbits throughout the seedlings' establishment period.

Tube newly planted seedlings as designated on maps and in the prework. Specific seedling species may be prescribed. Install tubes in a systematic manner to prevent skips and to ensure adequate coverage of the unit.

Tube installation shall occur within three (3) working days of any new planting. If mulching is also required, the contractor has the option of tubing the trees and then mulching later. Inspection of the tubing will not occur until the mulch and tubing are complete. Contractor shall schedule, pick up, transport and deliver all materials to the project site in a timely manner during normal working hours.

The terminal leader and lateral branches that are protected by the tubing must be in an upright position and treated to allow the terminal leader to stand erect and free to grow within the tube.

Prevent damage to the seedling as the tube is placed over it.

Install tubes and stakes as follows:

a. One (1) installation per seedling consisting of one (1) stake, woven through the plastic tube

(see Exhibits A, B and C).

b. Install the stake into the ground a minimum of nine (9) inches deep. Insert the largest end into the ground. Place the stake no more than three (3) inches from the base of the seedling.

c. Tube eight (8) inches, protecting the leader. If seedlings are shorter than eight (8) inches, the entire seedling shall be leader protected.

d. The maximum lean allowed from vertical is two (2) inches relative to the seedling as measured from the top of the tube.

5.4 Manual Cutting of Brush and Hardwoods, Seedlings Present

Cut all competitive brush and hardwood species not reserved less than eight (8) inches DBH and greater than six (6) inches in height within twenty (20) feet of any conifer seedling. Leave all conifers and reserve trees. Refer to Exhibit E for illustration.

Cut all broom species and Hawthorn regardless of height or distance from leave tree.

Leave no live limbs on the stump of cut hardwoods. Remove all live limbs below the severance point. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches measured on the uphill side of the stump.

Remove slash lodged in leave and reserve trees, where present. Work will not be accepted if conifer seedlings are covered, toppled or damaged with severed brush or hardwood species.

Remove all slash completely, at least ten (10) feet from the edge of all roads. Keep roads designated on the project maps free of slash.

For Protection of Water Quality, refueling power equipment (chainsaws) shall be at least 100 feet away from streams, lakes and wetlands as identified on project area maps provided.

Criteria for Selecting Trees for Treatment –

a. Conifers (6) six inches to (5) five feet in height.

b. Planted trees preferred over natural trees.

c. Healthiest; non-chlorotic with new leader growth, or

d. When b. and c. cannot be met, any live conifer needed in an 8 ft. x 8 ft. spacing.

5.5 Manual Cutting of Brush and Hardwoods, Entire Unit

Cut all brush and hardwood species within a unit less than eight (8) inches DBH and greater than six

(6) inches in height. Leave any conifers and reserve trees.

Cut all broom species and Hawthorn regardless of height or distance from leave tree.

Leave no live limbs on the stump of cut hardwoods. Remove all live limbs below the severance point. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches measured on the uphill side of the stump.

Remove slash lodged in leave and reserve trees, if present. Work will not be accepted if conifer seedlings are covered, toppled or damaged with severed brush or hardwood species.

Remove all slash completely, at least ten (10) feet from the edge of all roads. Keep roads designated on the project maps free of slash.

For Protection of Water Quality, refueling power equipment (chainsaws) shall be at least 100 feet away from streams, lakes and wetlands as identified on project area maps in Section J.

Attachment No. Title Pages

1 Roseburg Reforestation Treatments Attachments 12 1a Illustrations 1-4 1b Exhibits A-E

EXHIBIT E

Treatment of Brush and Hardwoods Item 4

Leave Tree

Treat Brush: Cut all brush greater than 6” tall.

Treat Hardwoods: Cut competitive hardwoods less than 8” DBH.

(End of Section C)

20 feet and less