2.Appenidx A_Theodore IRSC.pdf

Theodore Stewardship IRSC Black Hills National Forest Page 1 of 15 Mystic Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The Theodore Stewardship in the McVey Project area will remove planted off site seed stock that is poorly regenerating through commercial harvests, non-commercial and fuel reduction treatments to maintain and increase the forest resilience to disturbance while producing future timber, forage and habitat outputs in support of Forest Plan goals.

The Theodore Stewardship project will address the above by commercial and non-commercial timber activities. The project’s goods will be a combination of removing commercial sawtimber products and commercial removal of non-saw timber and optional biomass.

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber:

Units 1-24 (1,672 Acres)

Cut and remove from Contract Area included timber which meets the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B. Road Maintenance shall be commensurate with use per the requirements of Appendix C.

Mandatory Item 2: Precommercial Thinning with Decking

Unit S10 (26 Acres)

1. Ponderosa pine 1 foot tall -7.9” DBH shall be thinned to an average 20’ x 20’ spacing, skided to landings and decked. Ponderosa pine 1’ in height up to 7.9” DBH not utilized in spacing or being decked shall be mechanically masticaed. Stump height shall not exceed 6” or 4” above an obstruction and shall be cut to less than a 30-degree angle.

a. Trees greater than 8” DBH will not be considered in spacing.

b. All standing woody vegetation <4” DBH and >1’ in height within 6’ of road edges and up to 12’ through corners shall be removed and chipped, for line of sight and Right of Way (ROW) clearing.

c. Masticate or compact/crush 80% of existing large diameter (>4”) dead and down coarse woody debris.

d. Mulch depth of masticated material shall not exceed 6” in depth. Piece size in treated material shall not exceed 6’ in length.

e. Up to 20% of the acreage may require hand thinning due to ground features such as rock and/or steep slope. Manually treated slash shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches.

f. Reference contract area service map for units.

2. Landings shall be approved by the COR/GTM (SA) prior to any decks being constructed and may be built outside of decking units as agreed to.

3. Material will be availble to Contractor as Timber Subject to Agreement. Estimated 38 CCF of Non-saw and 15 CCF of GrnBioCV.

a. Reference Appendix B for minimum tree and cutting specifications.

Unit Acres Treatment S10 26 Precommercial Thinning with Decking

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Mandatory Item 3: Precommercial Thinning:

Units S3A, S4A, S5A, S6B, S7A, S7B, S9, S9A, S9B, S9C, S9D and S9E. (356 Acres)

1. Mechanical mastication of live ponderosa pine 1’ in height up to 4.9” DBH to an average 16’ x 16’ spacing within a range of 12’-20’.

2. All standing woody vegetation <4” DBH and >1’ in height within 6’ of road edges and up to 12’ through corners shall be removed and chipped, for line of sight and Right of Way (ROW) clearing.

3. Trees greater than 5” in diameter shall not be considered in spacing of residual trees, but no trees between 1’ tall and 4.9” DBH shall be left within the dripline of any tree greater than 5”.

4. Masticate or compact/crush 80% of existing large diameter (>4”) dead and down coarse woody debris.

5. Mulch depth of masticated material shall not exceed 6” in depth. Piece size in treated material shall not exceed 6’ in length.

6. Stump height shall not exceed 6” or 4” above an obstruction and shall be cut to less than a 30-degree angle, trees shall be severed from stump.

7. Up to 20% of the acreage may require hand thinning due to ground features such as rock and/or steep slope.

Manually treated slash shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches.

8. Reference contract area service map for units.

S3A 5 Precommercial Thinning

S4A 9 Precommercial Thinning

S5A 9 Precommercial Thinning

S6B 53 Precommercial Thinning

S7A 1 Precommercial Thinning

S7B 6 Precommercial Thinning

S9 102 Precommercial Thinning

S9A 82 Precommercial Thinning

S9B 18 Precommercial Thinning

S9C 46 Precommercial Thinning

S9D 7 Precommercial Thinning

S9E 18 Precommercial Thinning

Mandatory Items 4 and Optional Item 8: Surface Fuels Treatment:

Units S1-2, S3B, S3C, S3D, S4, S4B, S4D, S5, S5B, S5C, S5D, S5E, S6C, S6D, S6E, S6F, S8B and S10A (479 Acres) and Units S8, S8A, and S8C (397 Acres)

1. 80% of all slash both existing and activity created ≥4” in diameter and ≥6’ in length up to 24” in diameter shall be piled or mechanically masticated. Slash not piled or under specified size may be treated by crushing, compacting or mastication.

a. If masticated, slash depth shall not to exceed 6” in depth and 3’ piece length.

b. Dead and down fuels will be available as DryBio Cv Timber Subject to Agreement.

2. Piles shall be placed in openings and a minimum 15’ from any other machine pile or leave tree marked timber.

Piles shall be a minimum of 6’ high by 6’ wide, compact, and free of dirt.

3. No piles shall be constructed within 50’ from roads and trails, 100’ from Stream Management Zones (SMZ), 200’ from private property and improvements identified on project maps and 300’ from all structures unless approved by project COR.

4. Reference contract area service map for units.

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Mandatory Units

S1 55 Surface Fuels Treatment

S2 32 Surface Fuels Treatment

S3B 4 Surface Fuels Treatment

S3C 6 Surface Fuels Treatment

S3D 4 Surface Fuels Treatment

S4 28 Surface Fuels Treatment

S4B 12 Surface Fuels Treatment

S4D 41 Surface Fuels Treatment

S5 22 Surface Fuels Treatment

S5B 12 Surface Fuels Treatment

S5C 40 Surface Fuels Treatment

S5D 34 Surface Fuels Treatment

S5E 12 Surface Fuels Treatment

S6C 16 Surface Fuels Treatment

S6D 58 Surface Fuels Treatment

S6E 54 Surface Fuels Treatment

S6F 5 Surface Fuels Treatment

S8B 37 Surface Fuels Treatment

S10A 7 Surface Fuels Treatment

Optional Units

S8 206 Surface Fuels Treatment

S8A 113 Surface Fuels Treatment

S8C 78 Surface Fuels Treatment

Mandatory Item 5: Road Reconstruction

See Appendix D for Road Reconstruction specifications.

1. Work is anticipated to be performed during the period of December 15- May 15, 2023, for culvert replacement work (Item 5(h). Once started on culvert replacement, Contractor shall diligently work towards completion of culvert replacement with no Contractor caused delays. If delays outside of Contractors control occur during the period of December 15- May 15, 2023, Contractor may be given additional time during the period of December 15- May 15, 2024. No timing restriction for all other road reconstruction.

2. All work shall be completed May 15, 2024.

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Mandatory Item 6: Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment Units S3, S4C, S4E, S6, S6A, S6F, S6G and S6H (198 Acres)

1. Mechanincal thinning in areas of dead and down surface fuels.

2. Utilize specifications for Item 3 Precommercial Thinning activites and Iten 4 for Surface Fuels Treatment activites

3. Reference contract area service map for units.

S3 56 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S4C 30 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S4E 8 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S6 62 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S6F 5 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S6A 8 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S6G 5 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

S6H 24 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment

Mandatory Item 7: Temporary Road Closure Sign Instalation

See Appendix B, CT5.35 for performance requirments.

1. Signs shall be 12” wide x 18” long with 1” tall retroreflective lettering mounted to a U-Channel steel post and secured in the ground to a minumum height of 4’ not to exceed 5’.

2. See Exhibit A for sign example and specifications.

3. Reference Forest Service Publication “Standards for Forest Service Signs and Posters” (EM-7100-15) 6.4.2e (pg.

6-16 example 2) stelprd3810021.pdf (usda.gov)

Optional Item 9: Noxious Weeds Treatments (78 Acres)

1. Contractor shall treat noxious weeds listed in Exhibit B within 50 feet of roads and disturbed areas (i.e., landings) in noxious weed area between June 1st and September 30th after timber harvest activities are completed.

2. Contractor shall comply with all South Dakota state laws, certifications and applicator licensing requirements prior to treating noxious weeds.

3. Listed noxious weeds shall be treated with appropriate chemicals used according to manufacturer’s directions (see Exhibit C for approved herbicides). Treated areas shall be reported to the project COR or designated inspector and flagged for Government inspection.

4. Contractor shall provide field data files, applicator records and geospatial data (shapefile or geodatabase) of noxious weeds to project COR upon completion of treatment.

SECTION III – CONTROL OF WORK

The Contractor agrees to conduct its operations under this contract and other related business activities in compliance with Federal, State, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits and other regulations.

The Contractor shall meet all State and local environmental quality laws applicable to National Forest system lands.

Service work will occur within ATP boundaries marked on Contract Area Maps.

Work may be done any time during the term of the contract, except under the following conditions:

1. The government reserves the right to prioritize the order in which units are treated.

2. All operational restrictions in Appendix B, CT6.312# apply to service work units.

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3. When conditions are such that operations shall be restricted or ceased due to increased fire risk.

4. When the soil moisture is below plastic limits or protected by 2” of frozen soil. Soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit if the soil can be rolled into 3mm threads without breaking or crumbling.

5. When snow depth creates a situation where requirements cannot be met and/or work cannot be inspected, as determined by the COR.

6. If any cultural or archeological sites are discovered during operations of this contract, work will be suspended in the immediate vicinity of the site until a reconnaissance survey is completed by the Forest Archeologist. Areas excluded from treatment shall be deleted from the contract.

When seasonal operating restrictions for active raptor nests are in effect. All active nest sites and areas of restriction are shown on CAM and listed in the solicitation under Clause 24. Protection Measures Needed for Plants, Animals, Cultural Resources, and Cave Resources. Restrictions would apply:

7. If new nests are discovered.

SECTION IV – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

For All Work Items:

At any point during the project, the Contractor and/or Project Manager may request (documented through email, text, or hand-written request) an in the field consultation with the Forest Service to inspect work progress, review contract specifications, or clarify issues. The Forest Service shall respond to Contractor’s request within 5 working days, excluding weekends and federal holidays.

Contractor quality control plan (QCP)/Contractor self-inspections

The Contractor shall conduct self-inspections on all aspects of work. The field inspections shall be spread throughout the project area. The Contractor shall provide the Government with an acceptable method of self-inspection. This method shall be accepted and approved by the Government prior to the Notice to Proceed being issued. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

The self-inspection process shall be documented and submitted prior to the Notice to Proceed.

The Contractor Quality Control Plan (QCP) shall specify:

How quality will be monitored to assure performance standards are met.

How the work will be supervised.

How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are started, when problems are encountered and when contract work needs government oversight.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Government Inspection Procedures - The COR, or a designated inspector (GTM), will make periodic inspections while work is in progress, usually daily at first, as needed to assure work is proceeding satisfactorily. The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are started, when problems are encountered and when contract work needs government oversight.

1. Each unit will be inspected as a separate unit. Unit will not be averaged with other units for acceptance or payment.

2. When units are completed and ready for government inspection, Contractor’s designated Project manager shall request unit inspection in writing, prior to moving out of the general area.

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3. The COR, or designated inspector, will determine compliance with contract specifications through informal visual inspections. In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required.

Government Inspection Procedures – Formal (Plots) Precommercial Thinning with Decking, Precommercial Thinning and Surface Fuels Treatments

1. In the event visual inspection indicates work and / or rework to be in non-compliance with contract specifications, a series of verification plots shall be installed by the Government to determine compliance with specifications and percent of satisfactory work for treatment of each unit not meeting specification as observed with visual inspection.

2. Government verification plots for precommercial thinning will consist of a series of 1/20th acre fixed area plots (26.3’radius) along transects to record whether density, basal area, best tree selection, and other requirements are being met and to what extent. Verification plots for machine piling will be ½ acre (104’ radius) and random.

3. Plots and grid will be distributed so that a representative sample is obtained.

4. The COR or designated inspector will mark the center of each plot on the ground using flagging, stakes, or pin flags. Additional flagging will be hung near the plot center so that it may be seen from a distance. The inspector will include the plot number, their initials and date on the flagging.

5. Plots will be numbered to correlate with the inspection form and transects on a unit map.

6. The minimum number of verification plots, per treatment unit, shall be as follows:

Unit Acreage Minimum No. of Plots 1 – 9 1 plot per 2 acres

10 – 29 10 plots

30 – 59 1 plot per 4 acres

60 – 99 20 plots

100 1 plot per 5 acres

7. Determination of acceptability of the work performed will be based on Government verification inspections and will be considered conclusive.

8. At each thinning plot, the Government will examine the plot area and record findings on the items listed below:

a. Plot number

b. Number of trees to be left on plot.

c. Number of trees left on plot.

d. Number of satisfactory trees.

e. Number of deficient trees.

f. Number of excess trees.

- Stumps containing live limbs which are not in accordance with specifications herein will be counted as excess trees.

- Cut trees which are still attached at the stump will be counted as excess trees

- Trees meeting cut specifications will be counted as excess trees

- Trees in excess of trees to be left will be counted as excess

At each piling plot, the Government will examine the plot area and record findings on the items listed below:

g. Plot number

h. Number of satisfactory pile quadrants.

i. Number of plots x 4.

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9. Work quality will be calculated on the form as follows:

Precommercial Thinning with Decking, Precommercial Thinning:

No. Trees Deficient + No. Excess Trees -------------------------------------------------- = % Unsatisfactory work No. Trees to be left

100% – % Unsatisfactory work = % Work Quality

Surface Fuels Treatments (If Piled):

No. of satisfactory quadrants -------------------------------------------------- X 100 = % slash pile quality No. of inspected quadrants x 4

100% – % Unsatisfactory work = % Work Quality

Unsatisfactory Performance

1. If the work quality falls below 90 percent, the COR will immediately notify the Contractor, in writing, and order him to improve the quality of subsequent tree cutting or surface fuels treatments. If the quality is not raised above the 90 percent minimum acceptable standard within 24 business hours after receipt of such written notice, the Contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated and the contract considered in default.

2. When the work quality falls below 90 percent as a result of excess trees, the Government may elect to do one of the following:

(a) Order rework to be performed and withhold payment until excess trees are cut and the results of a post-rework Government inspection show work quality to be at least 85 percent or more. No rework shall be performed unless ordered or authorized by the COR.

(b) Order that no rework be performed and payment will either be made at a reduced rate, or not at all, as determined from the Thinning Inspection Report.

3. Repeated failure to produce work quality at or above the 90 percent minimum acceptable standard will be considered reason for contract termination and default action.

Reinspection Upon Contractor Request

1. If Government inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a reinspection may be requested, in writing, within 5 business days after receipt of notice of said inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used; however, the inspection pattern will be shifted so that new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots.

2. If reinspection results – rounded up to the nearest whole percent – indicate a variance of more than 5 percent from the first inspection, the results of the second inspection will be used to calculate work quality and payment, and the Government will bear the cost of reinspection.

3. If reinspection results – rounded up to the nearest whole percent – are within 5 percent of the first inspection, plots from the initial inspection and the reinspection will be combined and used to calculate work quality and payment, and the Contractor shall bear the cost of reinspection.

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Government Inspection Procedures – Noxious Weeds Treatment

Task Requirement

Specification Reference

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Government Method of Assessment

Incentives and Deductions for

Meeting Standard

Noxious Weed Treatment

Weed treated in compliance with Manufacturer’s Directions:

Quantity of mixture used

Rate of application

Contractor is responsible for the effects of herbicide residue on non-target species as well as problems that could arise from drift of herbicide.

Treatment performed at temperatures less than 95 F and wind speeds less than 10 mph.

Flag areas for identification purposes.

90% Acceptable level of performance thus resulting in 90% or more kill rate.

90% compliance manufacture label direction

Less than 20% loss of non-target species.

95% treatment is performed within temperature and wind speed requirements.

No more than One warning to fix any equipment leaks or clean-up drafting or mixing sites.

One warning or lack of flagging per treatment area.

100% visual inspection of reporting sheets.

Random Visual Field Inspections

Random plot sampling.

Random compliance checks of contractor inspection plots.

100% inspection of equipment

Random field inspection of drafting and mixing site(s)

Meeting or Exceeding

AQL:

Payment made at the full quoted task order price.

Good Past Performance ratings.

Options exercised (if work is needed & have budget).

Failure to meet AQL:

Rework at contractor’s expense.

Re-inspection charges are deducted from payment.

Total payment reduced by AQL deduction % if cannot meet AQL.

Data Submittal Complete treatment data table according to required standards and on a regular basis, provide Government with GPS data of treated sites

95% of spray records will have no missing values. Applicator spray records shall conform to South Dakota State standards.

Visual Inspection of data

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Government Inspection Procedures – Items 1-9

Table 1 – Minimum Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) of Work

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT

MIN

AQL

1 Cut and Remove Included Timber MANDATORY ACRE NA

2 Precommercial Thinning with Decking MANDATORY ACRE 90%

3 Precommercial Thinning MANDATORY ACRE 90%

4 Surface Fuels Treatment MANDATORY ACRE 90%

5 Road Reconstruction MANDATORY MILE 100%

6 Precommercial Thinning with Surface Fuels Treatment MANDATORY ACRE 90%

7 Temporary Road Closure Sign Installation MANDATORY EACH 100%

8 Machine Piling OPTIONAL ACRE 90%

9 Noxious Weeds Treatment OPTIONAL ACRE 90%

SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Method of Measurement for Acreages

Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) except for roadside units S3, S3C, S3D, S4, S4A, S4C, S5, S5A, S6, S6A, S6C, S6F and S6G. Acreage in roadside units was estimated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and is an estimated 50’ or 100’ buffer from centerline of road. The acreage for each work item will be rounded to the nearest acre and is final unless:

a. The contract is modified or,

b. The Government makes a determination to remeasure or,

c. The Contractor exercises his/her option under the following Remeasurement provisions:

Remeasurement

1. The Contractor may request, in writing, remeasurement of any units under this contract if he/she feels that acreage stated on the project maps is incorrect. The remeasurement must be within the existing perimeter of the respective unit. No variance of the unit perimeters as laid out on the ground for this contract will be allowed.

All requests for remeasurement must be made prior to payment for each completed unit. Remeasurement will be performed by the Government.

2. If remeasurement indicates that a variance of ten percent or less exists on units of 1 to 5 acres, five percent or less exists on units of more than five but less than 20 acres, or if three percent or less exists on units of 20 acres or larger, the Contractor shall pay for the actual costs of the remeasurement. Under this condition, payment will be made on the acreage stated on the project maps. If the remeasurement indicates the actual acreage varies by more than the above factors from that stated on the project maps, the payment will be made on the remeasured acreage and the Forest Service will pay for the cost of the remeasurement.

Acceptance and Payment

1. Percentages as calculated herein shall be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

2. No allowance for variation or portion of a variation will be added which will create a percentage greater than 100 percent.

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Acceptance and Payment – Items 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 Precommercial Thinning with Decking, Precommercial Thinning and Surface Fuels Treatment.

If informal visual inspection indicates acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

1. In the event that formal inspections are used, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 90 percent or higher, 5 percent (adjustment for statistical variation) will be added and the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 89 percent, the 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

(c) For work quality 84 percent and less, the 5 percent will not be added and there will be no payment made to the Contractor.

(d) If, after rework, the percentage of satisfactory work is between 85% and 94%, payment will be made by the actual percentage. If the percentage is less than 85%, the work is unacceptable, and no payment will be made.

Acceptance and Payment – Items 5 and 7, Road Reconstruction, and Temporary Road Closure Sign Installation

1. Full payment will be made when visual or measurement inspection indicates specifications have been met.

2. Only one rework opportunity will be allowed for this item.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 9 Noxious Weeds Treatments

Full payment will be made for final work meeting minimum AQL.

1. If formal inspections are used, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) Payments for task with AQL between 1% and 10% below minimum AQL

i. If the task deliverable cannot or will not be reworked to achieve the minimum required AQL, payment of 90% of the unit price will be applied to tasks falling between 1% and 10% below identified AQL.

(b) Payments for task with AQL between 11% and 20% below minimum AQL

i. If the task deliverable cannot or will not be reworked to achieve the minimum required AQL, payment of 90% of the unit price will be applied to tasks falling between 11% and 20% below identified AQL.

(c) Payments for tasks with AQL below 21% minimum AQL

i. If the task deliverable cannot or will not be reworked to achieve the minimum required AQL, payment of 80% of the unit price times the actual AQL received will be made for AQL falling below 21% required AQL.

* Stewardship Credits will be earned first, whenever practical. Forest Service Funds will be used if the availability of Stewardship Credits is exhausted or if appropriated dollars are obligated to a specific item.

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SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL): Acceptance of work will be based on compliance with all specifications corresponding to the appropriate task(s); refer to the Performance Requirements Summary in Section E.4 of the contract. A minimum AQL is required for all service work – hand or mechanical. The minimum AQL will receive a satisfactory performance rating.

BOLE SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet from the edge of one leave tree bole to another leave tree bole, measured from the outside bark of each tree.

CIRCULAR PLOT: A sample plot within a thinning unit that is used to determine the number of desirable trees and other contract specifications.

COARSE WOODY DEBRIS: Woody material left on the ground to meet wildlife habitat requirements.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

CLEARCUT: A cutting prescription in which all trees within a boundary are designated to be cut.

CROWN RATIO: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

CROWN SPACING: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

CUT TREES: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees and are required to be cut. As described by the contract or otherwise marked to be cut.

CUTTING UNIT: See Treatment Unit definition

DAMAGED TREES: Trees damaged beyond recovery. A tree that is larger than 2 feet in height, and has the top knocked out, is leaning more than 10 degrees, has less than one half of its original limbs, or has approximately 50% of bark removed from the circumference of the bole.

DBH: Diameter at breast height, measured at a point of 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

DECKING: Stockpiling of trees in a designated area.

DEAD/DYING TREES: Trees with the crown foliage changing from green to red, yellow, or needleless. Any tree that has pitch tubes indicating Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.

DIB: Diameter inside bark.

HANG-UP TREE: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

HEALTHY REGENERATION: Young, healthy, dwarf mistletoe free conifers, less than 4.9 inches in diameter, free of defect or characteristics listed in Section II, 2.2.2.

LEAVE TREE: Trees that possess desirable characteristics and that serve to create the basis for designated spacing requirements or are otherwise designated to be left.

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NON-SAWTIMBER TREE: For all conifer species, minimum diameter of 5 inches DBH to minimum diameter by species identified in Appendix B, Division A.

OVERSTORY REMOVAL: A cutting prescription where all trees greater than a specified size are cut. Trees less than the specified size are protected.

PAYMENT UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS): Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

PILING: Material moved to an agreed upon location shall be piled for future treatment by Forest Service.

PROGRESSION OF WORK: Work conducted in a progressive, workmanlike and orderly manner by the Contractor.

RESERVE CLUMPS: Groups of trees within a treatment area that are protected from cutting, may also include Individual Reserve trees.

SAWTIMBER TREE: Included timber meeting sawlog size specifications as defined in Appendix B, Division A.2.

SLASH: Woody material existing or created that has accumulated on the forest floor. Woody material includes logs, pieces of logs, tops, and branches.

UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

TEMPORARY ROADS: Non-permanent roads that are constructed by Contractor for the purpose of treatment unit access.

TREATMENT UNIT: An individual area on the ground in which activities will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item in the Schedule of Items.

UNSATISFACTORY WORK: If work quality falls below the AQL, the COR will issue a work order or notice of noncompliance to the Contractor in writing. Untreated or unsatisfactory treated areas shall be reworked to obtain satisfactory work quality.

WHOLE TREE YARDING: Whole tree logging includes cutting tree and removing the entire tree, including tops and branches, to the landing.

WILDLIFE TREE: Standing tree marked to be reserved as a wildlife tree. Used by birds and small mammals for shelter, nesting, perching, etc.

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Exhibit A

Temporary Road Closure Sign Specifications

Minimum specifications: TM-1

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Exhibit B

Invasive Plant Priority Management List (2021) Black Hills Invasive Plant Partnership (BHIPP)

Class A Invasive plants that are generally not found in the region OR have a relatively low population size within the region and are of the highest priority. Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) action taken when found.

BROWN KNAPWEED (Centaurea jacea ) - isolated patches in the Galena area.

COMMON TEASEL (Dipsacus fullonum ) - isolated patches along Bear Butte Creek in Sturgis

DYERS WOAD (Isatis tinctoria ) - no known populations in the region

EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL (Myriophyllum spicatum) - aquatic plant found in the Missouri River

GIANT KNOTWEED (Fallopia sachalinensis) - isolated patches along Yellow Creek and Whitewood in Lawrence County

MEADOW SAGE (Salvia pratensis ) - isolated patch in Vanocker Canyon near Elk Creek

MEADOW HAWKWEED (Hieracium caepitosum ) - isolated population identified and treated by BHNF

MEDUSA HEAD (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) - invasive grass in western states, no known populations in the region

MYRTLE SPURGE (Euphorbia myrsinites ) - isolated patches landscaped yards in Hot Springs and Rapid City

ORANGE HAWKWEED (Hieracium aurantiacum ) - isolated plants in central and northern Black Hills

PERENNIAL PEPPERWEED (Lepidium latifolium) - no known populations in the region

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria ) - isolated patches along Rapid Creek in Rapid City

RUSSIAN KNAPWEED (Centaurea repens ) - isolated patches outside of the Black Hills

SICKLEWEED (Falcaria vulgaris) - isolated patches on the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

SPURGE FLAX (Thymelaea passerina) - in and around Badlands National Park

TANSY RAGWORT (Jacobaea vulgaris) - no known populations in the region

TALL BUTTERCUP (Ranunculus acris ) - isolated patches in the Dumont area

TALL HAWKWEED (Hieracium piloselloides ) - isolated population identified and treated by BHNF

VENTENATA (Ventenata dubia) - also known as N. African Grass invasive grass in western states, no known populations in the region WILD PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa) - isolated patches north of Sturgis and Wind Cave NP area

YELLOW FLAG IRIS (Iris pseudacorus ) - isolated patches along Lime and Rapid Creeks in Rapid City and small patch in Hot Springs

YELLOW STARTHISTLE (Centaurea solstitialis ) - no know populations in the region

Class B

Invasive plants that have a moderate population size within the region, established in some areas but less abundant or absent in other areas. Eradicate where less abundant, suppress in areas where established through integrated management tactics (herbicide, mechanical, biological control).

ABSINTH WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) PERENNIAL SOW THISTLE (Sonchus arvensis) BLACK HENBANE (Hyoscyamus niger ) PHRAGMITES (Phragmites) COMMON TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare) SALT CEDAR (Tamarix spp.)

*DALMATIAN TOADFLAX (Linaria dalmatica ) SPOTTED KNAPWEED (Centaurea maculosa) DIFFUSE KNAPWEED (Centaurea diffusa ) ST JOHN'S-WORT (Hypericum perforatum) GARLIC MUSTARD (Alliaria petiolata) SULFUR CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla recta) HOARY CRESS (Cardaria draba) WHITE HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare) LEAFY SPURGE (Euphorbia esula) *YELLOW TOADFLAX (Linaria vulgaris) OXEYE DAISY (Leucanthemum vulgare) * Including all hybrid species of Toadflax

Class C Invasive plants that are established in the region. Containment of established areas and suppress smaller isolated patches through integrated management tactics (herbicide, mechanical, biological control).

BABY BREATH (Gypsophila) HOUNDSTONGUE (Cynoglossum officinale) BULL THISTLE (Cirsium vulgare) MUSK THISTLE (Carduus nutans) CANADA THISTLE (Cirsium arvense) POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum) CHICORY (Cichorium intybus) PUNCTUREVINE (Tribulus terrestris) COMMON BURDOCK (Arctium minus) SCOTCH THISTLE (Onopordum acanthium)

COMMON MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsus) WATER HEMLOCK (Cicuta spp.)

CURLY PONDWEED (Potamogeton crispus)

Page 15 of 15 Mystic Ranger District

Exhibit C Approved Herbicides

Listed below are approved herbicides. Any chemical that the Contractor requests to use and it is not on the approved list will need prior approval from the Forest Service prior to application. Application rates and products applied to various species of noxious weeds are dependent upon plant and stage of plant growth. When working in riparian/wetlands, the Contractor shall use aquatic type herbicides.

A blue dye in the herbicide shall be used to identify location of treatments.

Tordon 22K/2,4-D tank mix Curtail Banvel/2,4-D tank mix Vanquish/2,4-D tank mix Plateau Banvel Beads Rodeo Roundup Aquatic 2,4-D Escort Transline Phenoxy 088 Krenite S Redeem Telar XP Milestone Glyphomax Plus

2,4-D LV400

Habitat