2. Dutton Hill G-Z IRSC Appendix A.pdf

Dutton Hill G-Z Stewardship IRSC Coconino National Forest Page 1 of 19 Flagstaff Ranger District

Revised 01.06.2022

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The Flagstaff Ranger District on the Coconino National Forest in Arizona requires this mission essential project to complete forest management treatments that will reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires to the surrounding rural communities of Williams, Sedona, Munds Park and Flagstaff, AZ. This project was identified for Region 3 in the attachment to the Secretary's Memorandum 1078-006. This work will include a combination of mechanical and hand thinning which will remove hazardous fuels and provide over 95,000 CCF of timber to the local timber industries. The Dutton Hill G-Z IRSC comprises three project treatment areas: Double Springs (626 acres), Dutton Hill (4,210 acres), and LO Pocket (3,933 acres). The total project area consists of 8,821 acres of Ponderosa Pine forest and savanna/grasslands. This project will increase the pace and scale of forest restoration treatments by contracting project layout and preparation activities. These activities will facilitate logging activities across the 8,821 acres and are in line with the President's Executive Order 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production (3/1/2025) and related USDA Secretarial Memo 1078-006 (4/3/2025). This project has a projected start date of September 2025. The objectives of this project are to increase forest health and vigor sustaining long term timber production and reduce hazardous fuels and decreasing the threat of catastrophic wildfire within the Wildland Urban Interface by accomplishing the following:

1. Improve forest health by increasing residual tree growth, vigor, and crown development.

2. Reduce fuel loading and re-introduce low-intensity fire by implementing mechanical fuel treatments and preparatory work to manage the effects of the re-introduction of fire as a disturbance mechanism. Removing activity slash from FS lands when feasible.

3. Thin from below in ponderosa pine stands and restoring savanna and grassland vegetation types.

4. Remove included sawtimber and non-sawtimber from the Contract Area.

5. Mechanically remove small diameter trees to landings to be burned by FS or chipped/removed from contract area.

6. Provide wood products to local industry by utilizing timber and other forest products.

SECTION II – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with FAR clause 52.245-1 Government Property incorporated by reference in the contract.

1. Tree marking paint with registered tracer and material safety data sheet (refer to accountability standards listed below).

Tree Marking Paint – Accountability and Handling (Attachment 1 – USFS Region 3 Tracer Paint Accountability Plan and Attachment 2 – Region 3 Tree Marking Contractor’s Daily Paint Accountability Log)

SECTION III – WORK ITEMS

Mandatory Item 1: Double Springs Treatment Area

Mandatory Item 1a: Cut and Remove Included Timber:

Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (626 acres)

Cut and remove from Contract Area all included products which meet the minimum specifications as identified in Appendix B.

• Cut and remove all designated sawtimber, non-sawtimber, and biomass within each cutting unit.

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• All landings and skid trails shall be treated in accordance with the provisions in Appendix B.

• Road Maintenance shall be implemented as per Appendix C and will be commensurate with use.

• Construction and obliteration of created temporary roads shall be done in accordance with the provisions listed in Appendix B.

Mandatory Item 1b: Timber Stand Improvement Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (626 acres)

The requirement for timber stand improvement involves cutting conifers greater than 6 feet tall and less than 6 inches DBH (sub-merchantable), in addition to non-merchantable trees greater than 6 inches DBH.

• Cut all trees less than 6 inches DBH and greater than 6 feet in height.

• Cut all trees that have undesirable characteristics (See Undesirable Tree Characteristics below):

o Leaning or bent (>15 degrees from vertical axis; often related to prolonged suppression) o Any crook, sweep, or fork in stem o Poor crown form (one-sided, narrow, or sparse) o Multiple, dead, or broken tops o Presence of insects, diseases, or animal damage, including any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe

(i.e, fruiting bodies) o Any physical or mechanical damage Note: Trees considered undesirable have ONE OR MORE of the above.

• In all cutting units except for Unit 2, retain all trees that have desirable characteristics (See Desirable Tree Characteristics below):

o Straight, vertical stem (leaning <15 degrees from vertical axis) o Well-formed crown (wide, full, symmetrical) o Live, single top with vigorous annual terminal growth o Free of animal, insect or disease damage and/or symptoms, including dwarf mistletoe Absence of physical or mechanical damage Note: Trees considered desirable have ALL the above.

• Cut all trees in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe.

• Cut all trees under the canopy of yellow pines. (See attachment 5 for yellow pine visual aid)

• Trees shall be either be brought into the landing to be machine piled, hand piled in the unit or lopped and scattered in accordance with Appendix B C6.7#.

Item 1b Cutting Unit Table with Prescriptions.

Cut Unit Acres Prescription

1 88 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

2 24 Cut all trees less than 6” DBH

3 28 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

4 41 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

5 89 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

6 105 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

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7 23 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

8 96 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

9 30 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

10 102 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

Mandatory Item 2: Dutton Hill Treatment Area (4,219 acres)

Item 2a: Designate Cut Unit Boundaries and Deferrals All Units (306,665 feet)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 5a and 5b.

Contractor shall designate Cutting Unit boundaries and interior deferral areas for an estimated 311,629 feet.

• All boundaries and Deferrals have been painted at a prior time. The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

o If the boundaries and designated deferral areas are painted the establishment of new boundaries by any method is not necessary. Paint must be in good condition and be visible for operations.

o If previously marked boundary tree(s) cannot be located, contractor shall designate a new boundary along established boundary using a GPS device.

• For areas with faded paint or boundary or deferral are not designated on the ground, the contractor shall designate these areas in a method that facilitates successful completion of Optional Items 5a, and 5b.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the Contractor shall follow the attached Tracer Paint Accountability Plan (Attachment 1).

Item 2b: Re-Designate Leave Tree Mark Units Units 2, 6, 9, 12, 21, 25, 27, 29, 31, 36 (619 acres)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 5a and 5b.

The Dutton Hill Treatment Area was previously marked and leave tree units identified in for this item requiring updated designation. The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

• Re-designate all individual “leave” trees.

• Examples of designation include but are not limited to: painting using FS tracer paint, painting using contractor furnished paint, flagging, virtual designation, etc.

o Method of designation shall be done in a way that inspection can determine if designation meets prescription.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the

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Item 2c: Leave Tree Designation - Convert DxP Units to Leave Tree Designation Units 8, 10, 13, 14, 24, 28, 30 (2,639 acres)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 5a and 5b.

Use existing silviculture prescriptions/marking guides (Attachment 3) to convert units previously designated as Designation by Prescription to a Leave Tree designation. Digital prescription guides are available for use at Contractors request.

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

• Each leave tree shall be designated.

• Examples of designation include but are not limited to: painting using FS tracer paint, painting using contractor furnished paint, flagging, virtual designation, etc.

o Method of designation shall be done in a way that inspection can determine if designation meets prescription.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the

Mandatory Item 3: LO Pocket Treatment Area (3,934 acres)

Item 3a: Designate Cut Unit Boundaries and Deferrals All Units (288,831 feet)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 6a and 6b.

Contractor shall designate Cutting Unit boundaries and interior deferral areas for an estimated 311,629 feet.

• All boundaries and Deferrals have been painted at a prior time. The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

o If the boundaries and designated deferral areas are painted the establishment of new boundaries by any method is not necessary. Paint must be in good condition and be visible for operations.

o If previously marked boundary tree(s) cannot be located, contractor shall designate a new boundary along established boundary using a GPS device.

• For areas with faded paint or boundary or deferral are not designated on the ground, the contractor shall designate these areas in a method that facilitates successful completion of Optional Items 5a, and 5b.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the

Item 3b: Re-Designate Leave Tree Mark Units Units 13, 27, 29, 30 (606 acres)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 6a and 6b.

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The Dutton Hill Treatment Area was previously marked and leave tree units identified in for this item requiring updated designation. The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

• Re-designate all individual “leave” trees.

• Examples of designation include but are not limited to: painting using FS tracer paint, painting using contractor furnished paint, flagging, virtual designation, etc.

o Method of designation shall be done in a way that inspection can determine if designation meets prescription.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the

Contractor shall follow the attached Tracer Paint Accountability Plan (Attachment 1).

Item 3c: Leave Tree Designation - Convert DxP Units to Leave Tree Designation Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 20, 24, 26, 33 (2,304 acres)

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished shall be clearly defined in technical proposal. This would include detailed description of designation and how it will be utilized to meet the requirements for both this item and the associated work in Items 6a and 6b.

Use existing silviculture prescriptions/marking guides (Attachment 3) to convert units previously designated as Designation by Prescription to a Leave Tree designation. Digital prescription guides are available for use at Contractors request.

The method of designation and how the requirement will be accomplished are as follows:

• Each leave tree shall be designated.

• Examples of designation include but are not limited to: painting using FS tracer paint, painting using contractor furnished paint, flagging, virtual designation, etc.

o Method of designation shall be done in a way that inspection can determine if designation meets prescription.

• If contractor elects to repaint these designated boundaries utilizing Government furnished tracer paint, the

Mandatory Item 4: Heritage Site Work

4a: Complete Site Update:

28 sites Site Update

Re-record previously inventoried sites in the project area.

Reconcile previously recorded sites using previous documentation, adding additional information where appropriate to meet current CNF archaeological recording standards. Discuss any changes to the site boundary (expansions or reductions) and any previously recorded features that could not be relocated with the COR.

All project work will confirm to the guidelines in Attachment 7, General Requirements for Survey on the Coconino National Forest.

• Site Description o In the form of site cards. See exhibit 1 in Attachment 7.

• Condition Assessment o If the site has been damaged, indicate the nature and severity of damage. For the purposes of this section, cattle grazing, tree growth, normal weathering, and erosion are not usually considered damage. Only indicate these types of condition if they have caused damage beyond that which would normally be expected, like if a tree is growing inside a pit house, an arroyo has cut through the site, or a major cattle drive has impacted the site.

o On a 0-5 scale, rank the severity of damage done to the site. 0 is pristine, undisturbed, and 5 is completely destroyed, no longer useful for any archaeological study. Remember to consider the site as a whole for this ranking and don’t allow severe damage in one area color your perception of the entire site. For example, if a burial area has been severely vandalized by pothunters, but the pueblo

Page 6 of 19 Flagstaff Ranger District has not been pot hunted, do not rank the site as a 5, but, perhaps as 2 or 3. If any ranking other than 0 is used, you must indicate what the nature and cause of damage is.

• Documentation of features and artifacts o Within the site card all features and artifacts will be described in detail and tallied

• Updated photographs o Digital Standards: Minimum 1600 x 1200 at 5 megapixel.

o Digital photographs will be provided through and external shared Box Folder through Pinyon as part of the project electronic documentation submitted with the final report. Alternative formats for electronic data submission should be agreed upon with the District or Forest archaeologists before field work begins.

o Photographs should show site features, diagnostic pottery, projectile points, and other artifacts, as well as identifying site characteristics and important landmarks for relocating the site. The use of a mug board with the site identification number clearly visible in the photograph is desirable.

o Digital photos will be taken of every recorded site providing at least two site overviews from different directions with the datum tree visible or pointed out, as well as individual photos of site features and/or diagnostic artifacts.

o Photographs will use the following digital naming format: District prefix followed by site number followed by a number, and descriptive information. For example, 02-2491. 01.site overview.north.date.jpg OR include a photo log (provided by CNF) to detail photo information. Photo logs are required for ‘detailed’ projects such as data recovery. Photo logs are to be provided in the same data folder as the digital photos when provided to the CNF. Other photos, such as scenic, project, etc, titled as descriptive.

• Plan view site map o Production of a site map that includes the site boundary, datum, tree, all site features, and artifacts.

o Include normal cartographic elements. e.g., legend, north arrow, scale, labels, contour lines, etc.

o The purpose of the map is to help relocate the site, features, and artifacts present therefore this should also include landscape features that are within or near the site. e.g., fences, drainages, water features, roads, etc.

Updated Geometry and Marking

• GPS Boundaries -o All site boundaries and site datums must have their spatial locations recorded using GPS devices that have sub-meter accuracy. Locations will be reported using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, North American Datum (NAD) 1983. Site cards will identify the GPS unit model used to plot site areas. Project generated spatial data must be compatible with ArcGIS Pro 3.2 o CNF attribute data for isolates and linear sites (only) must be completed for all final deliverable spatial data. A blank CNF geodatabase will be provided to the contractor to assist in this process.

o At a minimum, the location of the site tag (datum), and site boundaries must be captured using GPS.

o Geospatial data shall be submitted in an NRM Heritage Mobile format, consistent with CNF standards. A blank geodatabase template may be provided for collection of data for input into the NRM Heritage Mobile application.

• Paint Boundaries o The perimeter of the site will be marked by spraying a white horizontal band, at least two inches wide, at a height of approximately 6 ft. above the ground, around trees that circle the site. In addition, a spot above 6 in. in diameter will be painted at the base of each tree so banded with the spot facing into the site.

o The perimeter of the site will be additionally marked by tying pink, fluorescent flagging tape at chest height on the bole of painted trees with the knot facing away from the center of the site.

o Both painted bands and flagging tape must be inter-visible and not obstructed by branches or foliage.

White painted stakes, posts, or lathe that are clearly visible may be used to identify site boundaries if trees are unavailable.

o The datum tree of the site will be marked by spraying two white horizontal bands, each at least two inches wide, at a height of approximately 6ft. above the ground with 9 inches in between the bands o If site boundaries are adjusted from previously painted site boundaries, all unused paint will be covered in black tracer paint. Black paint shall be sufficiently painted to cover all white paint.

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National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) site eligibility recommendation o 36-CFR-60.4 used as standard for NRHP recommendations in association with criterion A, B, C, or

D o CNF heritage staff are available for collaboration in these recommendations and can provide historical context and references for recommendation eligibility

Complete NRM Heritage data entry

a. Complete data entry of site records into the FS NRM database using NRM Mobile (CNF Staff will provide a data package and training materials). Please consult with CNF Staff if contractor elects to conduct site recording using NRM Mobile in the field. Otherwise, a data package will not be provided until requested after the draft report has been reviewed.

b. Complete production of digital site records (printed from NRM) with digital site maps, photos and any artifact illustrations in PDF format. Please place site specific documents (digital or sketch map(s), photos, and artifact illustrations) within a site-specific PDF by site number, for example, 03040209999.pdf Digital photos from site recordings in jpg format with a file name equivalent to the site number, ex. 03040200292.01.jpg. Digital photo files organized by site will be submitted with final deliverables.

c. Newly recorded and revisited site boundaries and survey coverage will be inputted into the FS NRM database for final submittal. A shapefile of site boundaries and survey coverage will be submitted with the draft report.

d. CNF attribute data for isolates and linear sites (only) must be completed for all final deliverable spatial data. A blank CNF geodatabase will be provided to the contractor to assist in this process.

e. Resources including how-to videos, instructional aids and field population requirement document will be provided through external Box share folder.

Final Site Packets

• A PDF containing captioned site photos, a plan view site map, and the NRM Heritage database-generated site form.

Optional Item 5: Dutton Hill Treatment Area (4,219 acres)

Item 5a: Cut and Remove Included Timber (6”-24” DBH)

All Units (4,219 acres)

Cut and remove from Contract Area all included products which meet the minimum specifications as identified in Appendix B. Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

• Cut and remove all designated sawtimber, non-sawtimber, and round biomass within each cutting unit.

• All landings and skid trails shall be treated in accordance with the provisions in Appendix B.

• Road Maintenance shall be implemented as per Appendix C and will be commensurate with use.

• Construction and obliteration of created temporary roads shall be done in accordance with the provisions listed in Appendix B.

Item 5b: Timber Stand Improvement (<6” DBH and >6’ in Height) Units 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35 and 36 (4,219 acres)

The requirement for timber stand improvement involves cutting conifers 6 feet tall or greater and less than 6 inches DBH (sub-merchantable), in addition to non-merchantable trees greater than 6 inches DBH.

• In cutting Unit 36 cut all trees less than 6 inches DBH and greater than 6 feet in height.

• In all remaining cut units except Unit 13, retain all trees that have desirable characteristics less than 6”

DBH and greater than 6 feet tall (See Desirable Tree Characteristics below):

o Straight, vertical stem (leaning <15 degrees from vertical axis) o Well-formed crown (wide, full, symmetrical) o Live, single top with vigorous annual terminal growth

Page 8 of 19 Flagstaff Ranger District o Free of animal, insect or disease damage and/or symptoms, including dwarf mistletoe Absence of physical or mechanical damage

Note: Trees considered desirable have MOST, if not all the above.

• And, Cut all trees 6 feet tall or greater and less than 6” DBH that have undesirable characteristics (See

Undesirable Tree Characteristics below):

o Leaning or bent (>15 degrees from vertical axis; often related to prolonged suppression) o Any crook, sweep, or fork in stem o Poor crown form (one-sided, narrow, or sparse) or <40% live crown ratio o Multiple, dead, or broken tops o Presence of insects, diseases, or animal damage, including any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe

(i.e, fruiting bodies) o Any physical or mechanical damage

Note: Trees considered undesirable have ONE OR MORE of the above.

• In cutting Unit 13, retain all desirable ponderosa pine 6 feet tall or greater and less than 6” DBH, except cut all within 50’ a live aspen and cut all trees 6 feet tall or great and less than 6” DBH with undesirable characteristics as described above.

• In all cutting units, Trees shall be either be brought into the landing to be machine piled, hand piled in the unit or lopped and scattered in accordance with Appendix B C6.7#.

Item 4b Cutting Unit Table with Prescriptions.

Cut Unit Acres Prescription

2 119 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

4 190 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

6 34 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

7 19 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

8 128 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

9 46 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

10 430 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

11 29 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

12 22 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

13 569 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh, except cut all ponderosa <6” dbh w/in 50’ of live aspen. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

14 135 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

21 53 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

22 178 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

23 98 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

24 500 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

25 48 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

26 127 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable

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27 47 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

28 103 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

29 65 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

30 774 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

31 163 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

34 140 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable ponderosa <6” dbh.

35 223 Retain all desirable ponderosa <6” dbh. Cut all non-desirable

36 22 Cut all ponderosa <6” dbh.

Optional Item 6: LO Pocket Treatment Area (3,934 acres)

Item 6a: Cut and Remove Included Timber All Units (3,934 acres)

Cut and remove from Contract Area all included products which meet the minimum specifications as identified in Appendix B. Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

• Cut and remove all designated sawtimber, non-sawtimber, and round biomass within each cutting unit.

• Road Maintenance shall be implemented as per Appendix C and will be commensurate with use.

• All landings and skid trails shall be treated in accordance with the provisions in Appendix B.

• Construction and obliteration of created temporary roads shall be done in accordance with the provisions listed in Appendix B.

Item 6b: Timber Stand Improvement All Units (3,934 acres)

The requirement for timber stand improvement involves cutting conifers greater than 6 feet tall and less than 6 inches DBH (sub-merchantable), in addition to non-merchantable trees greater than 6 inches DBH.

• Cut all trees less than 6 inches DBH and greater than 6 feet in height.

• In all cutting units except for Unit 29, retain all trees that have desirable characteristics (See Desirable

Tree Characteristics below):

o Straight, vertical stem (leaning <15 degrees from vertical axis) o Well-formed crown (wide, full, symmetrical) o Live, single top with vigorous annual terminal growth o Free of animal, insect or disease damage and/or symptoms, including dwarf mistletoe Absence of physical or mechanical damage Note: Trees considered desirable have ALL the above.

• Cut all trees that have undesirable characteristics (See Undesirable Tree Characteristics below):

o Leaning or bent (>15 degrees from vertical axis; often related to prolonged suppression) o Any crook, sweep, or fork in stem o Poor crown form (one-sided, narrow, or sparse) o Multiple, dead, or broken tops o Presence of insects, diseases, or animal damage, including any visible evidence of dwarf mistletoe

(i.e, fruiting bodies)

Page 10 of 19 Flagstaff Ranger District o Any physical or mechanical damage Note: Trees considered undesirable have ONE OR MORE of the above.

• Cut all trees in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe.

• Cut all trees under the canopy of yellow pines. (See Attachment 5 for yellow pine visual aid)

• Trees shall be either be brough into the landing to be machine piled, hand piled in the unit or lopped and scattered in accordance with Appendix B C6.7#.

• In Cutting Unit 29, Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand and further, Vary spacing between trees from 5 to 20 feet, leaving no more than 20 trees per 1/10th acre. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

Item 5b Cutting Unit Table with Prescriptions.

Cut Unit Acres Prescription

1 373

Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

2 92

Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which

3 314

4 849

5 128

7 124

8 35

9 76

10 295

11 77

13 291 Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which

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17 24

19 141

23 16

24 184

25 78

26 122

27 202

28 140

29 15

Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Vary spacing between trees from 5 to 20 feet, leaving no more than 20 trees per 1/10th acre. Cut all trees which are non-desirable, infected with dwarf mistletoe, in areas infected with dwarf mistletoe, or under the canopy of yellow pine.

30 98

Retain only desirable trees throughout the stand. Cut all trees which

33 116

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

(2) 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 Protection Measures Needed for Plants Animals, Cultural Resources, and Cave Resources. Restrictions would apply:

(3) If new nests are discovered,

(4) When soil moisture conditions create excessive risk of damage to the soil,

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

(6) The government reserves the right to prioritize the order in which Units are treated.

(7) 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.

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

Quality assurance will be performed by the Government during the contract at regular intervals. Methods may include visual survey and review of contractor quality control documents. Unacceptable work shall require rework at no cost to the Government. All work shall meet all the standards listed in above sections.

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.

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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.

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 (Items 1a, 5a, and 6a)

Follows specifications found in Appendix B, C6.36# - Acceptance of Work.

Government Inspection Procedures – (Items 2a, 3a, 4)

Work will be accepted on the basis of visual inspection by the CO through the COR or designated inspector. The Contractor’s inspection data shall be provided to the COR before the U.S. Forest Service begins its inspection.

The U.S. Forest Service will check a minimum of 10 percent of the total distance of each treatment unit to be inspected. This will constitute a minimum inspection for determining satisfactory performance.

Government Inspection Procedures – Formal Plots (Items 2b, 3b)

Work will be accepted on the basis of visual or formal inspection by the CO through the COR or designated inspector. The Contractor’s inspection data shall be provided to the COR before the U.S. Forest Service begins its inspection. If formal inspection is used, Table 1 describes the minimum number of random or systematic plots to be inspected per cutting unit (or group of cutting units). Plots will be fixed or variable radius, with additional specifications provided in the task order. The inspection will evaluate the extent to which previously marked trees were remarked (including boundary trees) and proper paint application. The Contractor shall notify the COR upon completion of each cutting unit or group of cutting units (as defined on the task order), at which point the U.S.

Forest Service shall complete the inspection and inform the Contractor of the inspection results within fourteen

(14) business days.

Government Inspection Procedures – Formal Plots (Items 2c, 3c)

Work will be accepted on the basis of visual or formal inspection by the CO through the COR or designated inspector. The Contractor’s inspection data shall be provided to the COR before the U.S. Forest Service begins its inspection. If formal inspection is used, Table 1 describes the minimum number of random or systematic plots to be inspected per cutting unit (or group of cutting units). Plots may be fixed or variable radius.

Table 1. Minimum No. Plots per Cut Unit Cut Unit Size Minimum No. Plots Up to 40 acres 15

40 to 100 acres 30

Over 100 acres

30 plots plus an additional plot for every 10 acres over 100 acres (e.g. 420 acres would require 30 plots for first 100 acres and 32 plots for remaining 320 acres for a total of 62 plots

Typical performance elements to be inspected include residual basal area; proper placement of groups, interspaces, and regeneration openings; distribution and size of groups; distribution and width of interspaces and/or regeneration openings; tree removal within regeneration openings, residual tree quality; designation of mandatory reserve trees; and proper paint application.

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The Contractor shall notify the COR upon completion of each cutting unit or group of cutting units (as defined on the task order), at which point the U.S. Forest Service shall complete the inspection and inform the Contractor of the inspection results within fourteen (14) business days.

Government Inspection Procedures – Formal Plots (Items 1b, 5b, 6b)

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 will consist of a series of fixed area plots and variable radius plots along transects to record whether density, basal area, best tree selection, and other requirements are being met and to what extent.

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 10 – 29 2-3 plots 30 – 59 4-6 plots 60 – 99 7-10 plots 100 11 plots

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

8. At each 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

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

No. Trees Deficient + No. Excess Trees

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-------------------------------------------------- = % Unsatisfactory work No. Trees to be left

100% – % Unsatisfactory work = % Work Quality

Unsatisfactory Cutting Items 1a, 5a and 6a

1. If the work quality falls below 85 percent, the COR will immediately notify the Contractor, in writing, and order him to improve the quality of subsequent tree cutting. If the quality of subsequent tree cutting is not raised above the 85 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 85 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.

Government Inspection Procedures – Items 1-6

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

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min AQL

1a Cut and Remove Included Timber

MANDATORY

ACRE N/A 5a OPTIONAL

6a OPTIONAL

1b Timber Stand Improvement

MANDATORY

ACRE 95% 5b OPTIONAL

6b OPTIONAL

2a Designate Cut Unit and Deferral Boundaries MANDATORY FEET 100%

3a

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2b Re-Designate Leave Tree Mark Units

(LTM) MANDATORY ACRE 95%

3b

2c Leave Tree Designation MANDATORY ACRE 95%

3c

4 Heritage Site Work MANDATORY EACH 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:

Items 2a and 3a - Designate Cut Unit and Deferral Boundaries, Item 4 - Dutton Hill Heritage Site Work - Complete Site Update

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

2. Contractor shall rework any areas or entire units at no additional cost to the Government, when work is deemed to be unacceptable by visual inspection.

3. If after rework, the work quality is measured with informal inspection to be 100%, the Contractor will be paid 100 % of their bid rate. If the percentage is less than 100%, the work is unacceptable, and no payment will be made.

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Acceptance and Payment:

Items 1b, 5b, and 6b - Timber Stand Improvement Items 2b and 3b - Re-Designate Leave Tree Mark Units (LTM) Items 2c and 3c - Leave Tree Designation

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

2. For work quality measured to be 95% or higher with formal plots, Contractor will be paid 100% of their bid rate.

3. Contractor shall rework any areas or entire units at no additional cost to the Government, when work is deemed to be unacceptable by visual or formal inspection.

4. If after rework, the work quality is measured with formal inspection to be between 95% and 100%, payment will be made by the actual percentage. If the percentage is less than 95%, the work is unacceptable, and no payment will be made.

* 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). A minimum AQL is required for all service work – hand or mechanical. The minimum AQL will receive a satisfactory performance rating.

BIOMASS TREES: Any conifer material 2 feet in height to 4.9 inches DBH.

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.

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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.

DESIGNATION BY SPECIES AND DIAMETER (DXSD): A cutting prescription in which species and diameter are used to determine which trees will be left and which will be cut.

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.

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…