2. Draft OakWilt IRSC Appendix A_Technical Specs.pdf

Oak Wilt Stewardship IRSC Shawnee National Forest Page 1 of 11 Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District

Revised 01.06.2022

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The objectives of this project are to remove known oak wilt infected and susceptible trees to improve stand composition to reduce risk of loss from insect and disease. Implementation of root graft barrier (RGB) by tree removal and cut stump application of approved herbicide between infected and healthy oak trees.

1. Within Unit 1, cut and remove trees marked with a diagonal slash (green paint) at or above diameter breast height (DBH) on both sides of the tree and at the stump.

2. Within Unit 1, cut and leave trees marked with a green stripe from DBH to the base of the trees or an X at DBH with a stump mark.

3. Within Unit 1, apply herbicide within 30 minutes of the tree being cut on stems that are greater than 1” in diameter.

4. Within Unit 1, cut and chip or pile trees marked with a band of blue paint at or above DBH and at the stump.

5. Spot surface haul road if applicable during and post haul activities. Rehabilitate existing parking lot post landing operations if applicable with spreading of surface rock.

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber Marked with Green Slash:

2,272 Trees

1. Cut and remove from Contract Area all trees and forest products which meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B. All specifications of Appendix B apply to product removal. Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

2. Timing of cutting will be limited to herbicide application (see Mandatory Item 3 for herbicide application timing requirements)

Mandatory Item 2: Cut and Leave Trees Marked with Green Stripe and/or X 323 Trees

1. Cut all trees that are marked with a green stripe and/or X.

2. Trees shall be left in place in a manner where the bole of the tree is laying flat on the ground surface.

Mandatory Item 3: Apply Herbicide to Stumps of All Trees Marked with Green 2,595 Trees

1. Includes trees in Mandatory Item 1 and 2.

2. Herbicide application shall be performed concurrently with cutting operations. Must be applied 30 minutes post cutting of each tree with a diameter greater than 1inch at DBH.

a) All trees marked in Green shall receive herbicide application.

b) Application for trees identified above shall use Garlon 4 (Triclopyr) herbicide as soon as possible but no longer than 30 minutes from the time of cutting. Herbicide shall be purchased by the contractor.

Visible colored die must be used with the herbicide for quality control. See herbicide specification below for more details.

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c) Herbicide should cover the entire stump.

d) Herbicide application log sheets (see attachment 1) shall be completed daily and submitted in a timely manner to Forest Service representatives.

e) Herbicide Specifications – the following are technical specifications for herbicide use as in conjunction with felling activities.

• Standards - Contractor is responsible for obtaining all herbicides, basal oils, water, colorants, as well as labor, equipment, supplies, storage, permits, licenses and certifications required for completion of Herbicide Applications under this contract.

f) Herbicides - Triclopyr is approved for use in certain areas. Supplemental specifications will state when herbicide use is approved.

• Herbicide applications include cut stump application.

Basal Oils - Triclopyr Ester herbicides that are used with Cut Stump and Basal Bark Treatments will require a basal oil to be used in the herbicide mixture. Only commercially available basal oils can be used for this contract (the labels may list Diesel fuel, No. 1 or No. 2 fuel oil, and kerosene as options, but they will not be used under this contract). The contractor may use any commercially available basal oil that is labeled for the appropriate site/application/mix. Some examples of basal oils that meet these requirements are Elite Premier, Improved JLB Oil, and JLB Oil Plus.

• Colorants - A colorant (also called dyes or spray pattern indicators) will be required to be used in the mixture for all herbicide task items unless approved otherwise by COR. This helps to facilitate appropriate application and inspection. Certain colorants are labeled for oil mixtures while others are labeled for water based mixtures. The contractor may use any commercially available colorant that is labeled for the appropriate site/application/mix, however, a specific color of colorant may be required by the COR. Some basal oils have dye already added and would not need an additional colorant (such as Elite Premier Blue).

• Proof of Illinois Certified Commercial License (General Standards, Rights of Way, Forest, and Aquatics) will be required. The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Illinois licensed applicator on-site at all times.

• Contractor shall follow all manufacturer’s label directions and industry standards for application of herbicides.

• Applications of herbicide will be directed so damage will not be done to non-target vegetation.

• Mixing - The amount required will be within the ranges set by the herbicide and other product labels. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with the label. The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The Contractor must have herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS or the new SDS) of chemicals on site.

• Warning Signs - The Contractor will post caution/warning signs around the sprayed areas that lists the herbicide and active ingredient being used during application and for a minimum 24 hours post application. Signage shall be a minimum size of 8.5” x 11” or otherwise approved by the COR.

Chemical Name

Examples of Trade Names

Targeted Use

Triclopyr Garlon 4 *Cut stump treatment, 20-30% solution of Garlon 4 in oil carrier

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Herbicide Use Log - The Contractor will be required to use the Herbicide Use Log (See Attachment 1) daily to maintain accurate records of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas. The Herbicide Use Log will be required to be given to the COR at the completion of each stand/unit or on a schedule determined by the COR. Below is an example of a completed Herbicide Use Log for a unit.

• Application Methods

• Cut Stump

Treat stumps as soon as possible (30 minutes or less) after cutting.

Herbicide should cover the entire stump.

Treatment is effective on all size of stumps

• The stump shall be treated immediately after cutting (within 30 minutes) with herbicide using the cut stump method as directed by the herbicide label.

Optional Item 4: Cut, Apply Herbicide to Stumps, and Chip or Pile Trees Marked with Blue Band:

112 Trees

1. Cut all trees that are marked with a blue band all the way around the stem at or above DBH and at the stump within the Contract Area.

2. Herbicide application shall be performed concurrently with cutting operations. Must be applied 30 minutes post-cutting of each tree with a diameter greater than 1inch at DBH.

g) All trees marked in BLUE shall receive herbicide application.

h) Application for trees identified above shall use Garlon 4 (Triclopyr) herbicide as soon as possible but no longer than 30 minutes from the time of cutting. Herbicide shall be purchased by the contractor.

Visible colored die must be used with the herbicide for quality control. See herbicide specification below for more details.

i) Herbicide should cover the entire stump.

j) Herbicide application log sheets (see attachment 1) shall be completed daily and submitted in a timely manner to Forest Service representatives.

k) Herbicide Specifications – the following are technical specifications for herbicide use as in conjunction with felling activities.

• Standards - Contractor is responsible for obtaining all herbicides, basal oils, water, colorants, as well as labor, equipment, supplies, storage, permits, licenses and certifications required for completion of Herbicide Applications under this contract.

l) Herbicides - Triclopyr is approved for use in certain areas. Supplemental specifications will state when herbicide use is approved.

• Herbicide applications include cut stump application.

Basal Oils - Triclopyr Ester herbicides that are used with Cut Stump and Basal Bark Treatments will require a basal oil to be used in the herbicide mixture. Only commercially available basal oils can be used for this contract (the labels may list Diesel fuel, No. 1 or No. 2 fuel oil, and kerosene as options, but they will not

Chemical Name

Examples of Trade Names

Targeted Use

Triclopyr Garlon 4 *Cut stump treatment, 20-30% solution of Garlon 4 in oil carrier

Page 4 of 11 Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District be used under this contract). The contractor may use any commercially available basal oil that is labeled for the appropriate site/application/mix. Some examples of basal oils that meet these requirements are Elite Premier, Improved JLB Oil, and JLB Oil Plus.

• Colorants - A colorant (also called dyes or spray pattern indicators) will be required to be used in the mixture for all herbicide task items unless approved otherwise by COR. This helps to facilitate appropriate application and inspection. Certain colorants are labeled for oil mixtures while others are labeled for water based mixtures. The contractor may use any commercially available colorant that is labeled for the appropriate site/application/mix, however, a specific color of colorant may be required by the COR. Some basal oils have dye already added and would not need an additional colorant (such as Elite Premier Blue).

• Proof of Illinois Certified Commercial License (General Standards, Rights of Way, Forest, and Aquatics) will be required. The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Illinois licensed applicator on-site at all times.

• Contractor shall follow all manufacturer’s label directions and industry standards for application of herbicides.

• Applications of herbicide will be directed so damage will not be done to non-target vegetation.

• Mixing - The amount required will be within the ranges set by the herbicide and other product labels. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with the label. The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The Contractor must have herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS or the new SDS) of chemicals on site.

• Warning Signs - The Contractor will post caution/warning signs around the sprayed areas that lists the herbicide and active ingredient being used during application and for a minimum 24 hours post application. Signage shall be a minimum size of 8.5” x 11” or otherwise approved by the COR.

Herbicide Use Log - The Contractor will be required to use the Herbicide Use Log (See Attachment 1) daily to maintain accurate records of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas. The Herbicide Use Log will be required to be given to the COR at the completion of each stand/unit or on a schedule determined by the COR. Below is an example of a completed Herbicide Use Log for a unit.

• Application Methods

• Cut Stump

Treat stumps as soon as possible (30 minutes or less) after cutting.

Herbicide should cover the entire stump.

Treatment is effective on all size of stumps

• The stump shall be treated immediately after cutting (within 30 minutes) with herbicide using the cut stump method as directed by the herbicide label.

3. Chip (preferred method) or pile all trees marked with a blue band. All material from the tree 2” in diameter and above shall be either chipped or piled. Material under 2” in diameter may be left on site.

• If chipping is the chosen method, chips shall be spread within the cutting unit to a depth of no greater than 12 inches.

• If piling is the chosen method, locations and size of piles shall be agreed upon in writing with Contracting Officer Representatives (COR). Pile size will depend upon overhead canopy and adjacent fuels.

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Optional Item 4a: Cut, Apply Herbicide to Stumps, and Chip or Pile ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Blue Band: 50* Trees

1. An additional 50 Trees have been estimated to become infected during the life of the contract. Actual quantities will be determined based on the spread of the infection and will be designated by the Forest Service.

If it is determined that the actual number of additional trees is over the estimated quantity, the trees over the estimated quantity may be added through a contract modification. Payment will be made for actual number of trees as determined by Forest Service.

2. See Optional Item 4 for requirements.

Optional Item 5: Cut and Leave ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Green Stripe and/or X: 100* Trees

1. An additional 100 trees have been estimated to become infected during the life of the contract. Actual quantities will be determined based on the spread of the infection and will be designated by the Forest Service. If it is determined that the actual number of additional trees is over the estimated quantity, the trees over the estimated quantity may be added through a contract modification. Payment will be made for actual number of trees as determined by Forest Service.

2. See Mandatory Item 2 for requirements.

Optional Item 6: Apply Herbicide to Stumps of ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Green: 300* Trees

1. An additional 300 trees have been estimated to become infected during the life of the contract. Actual quantities will be determined based on the spread of the infection and will be designated by the Forest Service.

If it is determined that the actual number of additional trees is over the estimated quantity, the trees over the estimated quantity may be added through a contract modification. Payment will be made for actual number of trees as determined by Forest Service.

2. See Mandatory Item 3 for requirements.

Optional Item 7a: Spot Surfacing Haul Road:

Resurfacing of potholes on haul route road surface of 0.75 miles. Timing and need of requirement shall be agreed upon by the COR and contractor. Aggregate source shall be agreed upon prior to commencing work.

DESCRIPTION

1.1 Spot Surface Course Placement/Replenishment includes Subgrade preparation, furnishing, hauling, spreading and shaping materials in accordance with the requirements.

MATERIALS

2.1 Surface Course Material will be in accordance with the subsection 3.2 of these specifications. Only commercial sources of aggregate will be accepted, except surfacing material may also be purchased from the government, where available, by filling out a form 2600, paying the required fees, and obtaining a permit.

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REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Subgrade Preparation. Prepare Subgrade to receive Surface Course Material at locations as designated on-the-ground by the Forest Service on roads listed below. Prepare the Subgrade by shaping the Roadbed to approximately the original cross-section and consistent with adjacent sections.

3.2 Furnish, haul and spread Material at locations designated on the ground by the

Forest Service (FS). Compact the aggregate by operating spreading and hauling equipment over the full width of each layer of the aggregate, or by other methods as specified below.

During Haul

Post Haul

Optional Item 7b and 7c: Landing Rehabilitation and Sourcing and Hauling of Additional Material for Landing Rehabilitation:

1 Landing Site Resurfacing existing parking lot used for landing site post operations. Returning parking lot back to pre-operation conditions with additional rock surfacing and grading. Timing and need of requirement shall be agreed upon by the COR and contractor.

Aggregate source shall be agreed upon prior to commencing work.

1. If applicable use any remaining aggregate from Item 8a. If additional aggregate is needed the requirement below applies:

• Only commercial sources of aggregate will be accepted, except surfacing material may also be purchased from the government, where available, by filling out a form 2600, paying the required fees, and obtaining a permit.

• Furnish, haul and spread aggregate at locations designated on the ground by the Forest Service.

2. Compact the aggregate by spreading and grading to a depth of no more than 6 inches on an area of 100 feet by

150 feet.

Road Number Type Material Finished Compacted Thickness Specified

Total Quantity (Tons)

Compaction Method

NFSR 786

(Oakwood Bottoms)

CA-06 Tailgate Spread 60 N/A

Road Number Type Material Finished Compacted Thickness Specified

Total Quantity (Tons)

Compaction Method

NFSR 786

(Oakwood Bottoms)

CA-06 Tailgate Spread 90 N/A

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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.

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

(1) When soil moisture conditions create excessive risk of damage to the soil and access route structures.

(2) Herbicide application timing should follow the label and not be applied outside of those recommend conditions.

(3) 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 removed from the contract.

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.

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

2. 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.

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.

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min AQL

1 Cut and Remove Included Timber Marked with Green Slash MANDATORY EACH NA

2 Cut and Leave Trees Marked with Green Stripe and/or X MANDATORY EACH 99%

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3 Apply Herbicide to Stumps of All Trees Marked with Green MANDATORY EACH 99%

Cut, Apply Herbicide to Stumps, and Chip or Pile Trees Marked with Blue Band

OPTIONAL EACH 99%

4a Cut, Apply Herbicide to Stumps, and Chip or Pile ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Blue Band

OPTIONAL EACH 99%

5 Cut and Leave ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Green Stripe and/or X OPTIONAL EACH 99%

Apply Herbicide to Stumps of ADDITIONAL Trees Marked with Green

OPTIONAL EACH 99%

7a Spot Surfacing Haul Road OPTIONAL MILE 100% 7b Landing Rehabilitation OPTIONAL 1 100%

7c Sourcing and Hauling of additional Material for Landing Rehabilitation OPTIONAL 1 100%

SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Method of Measurement for Acreages

Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). 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.

Acceptance and Payment—All Mandatory and Optional Items:

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

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2. In the event that informal visual inspections indicate unacceptable work quality after corrective action has taken place, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 95 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 94 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

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.

3. Payment rate for work quality at or above 85% will be calculated as follows:

% Work Quality + 5 % Statistical Variation (SV) = % Payment rate

* 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.

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.

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.

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PAYMENT UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

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.

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.

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.

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

Attachment 1

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Compt/Stand or Unit # Unit Acres Date(s) Applied Temp (°F):

Min & Max

% Relative Humidity

Wind:

Direction &

Speed Cloud Cover

Gallons of Herbicide Mix Used

Compt/Stand or Unit # Unit Acres Date(s) Applied Temp (°F):

Min & Max

% Relative Humidity

Wind:

Direction &

Speed Cloud Cover

Gallons of Herbicide Mix Used

Compt/Stand or Unit # Unit Acres Date(s) Applied Temp (°F):

Min & Max

% Relative Humidity

Wind:

Direction &

Speed Cloud Cover

Gallons of Herbicide Mix Used

HERBICIDE USE LOG

STAND LEVEL INFO DAILY ENTRIES

Application Method & Rx

Herbicide Mix (% Herbicide, Basal Oil, Water, Surfactant, Dye)

Applicator Name(s):

Certified Applicators (put CA) Non-Certified (put Non)

TOTAL GAL:

STAND LEVEL INFO DAILY ENTRIES

Application Method & Rx

Herbicide Mix (% Herbicide, Basal Oil, Water, Surfactant, Dye)

Applicator Name(s):

Certified Applicators (put CA) Non-Certified (put Non)

STAND LEVEL INFO DAILY ENTRIES

Application Method & Rx

Herbicide Mix (% Herbicide, Basal Oil, Water, Surfactant, Dye)

TOTAL GAL:

Applicator Name(s):

TOTAL GAL:

Certified Applicators (put CA) Non-Certified (put Non)

Acceptance and Payment