2. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix A.pdf

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Elk Creek IRSC RMRP Stewardship Call Order
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12363N25Q4191
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This document is Appendix A containing technical specifications for service work items for the Elk Creek IRSC project in the Black Hills National Forest, Northern Hills Ranger District. The project objectives focus on increasing forest health and reducing wildfire threats in the Wildland Urban Interface through commercial vegetation treatments including thinning Ponderosa Pine stands, understory liberation, hardwood stand enhancement, timber removal, and noxious weed treatment.

The project includes four work items across four contract areas (Atlantis, Diamond, Jade, and Pearl). Mandatory Item 1 involves cutting and removing timber from up to 4,790 acres total (3,006 ground-based and 1,784 steep slope), with estimated volumes ranging from 5,612 to 10,817 CCF across the different areas. Mandatory Item 2 covers steep slope logging cut and skid operations totaling 1,784 acres. Mandatory Item 3 addresses road reconstruction requirements. Optional Item 4 involves noxious weed treatments across 2,368 total estimated acres over five years, including both existing populations and newly established areas post-harvest. The document establishes acceptance quality levels of 95% for steep slope logging, 100% for road reconstruction, and 90% for noxious weed treatments. Payment methods vary by item, with timber removal paid per acre, and detailed inspection procedures are outlined including formal plot-based verification when visual inspections indicate non-compliance. The contractor must use GPS equipment capable of determining geo-fence boundaries within 30-foot tolerance and provide geospatial data for weed treatments compatible with ESRI software.

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Other files

File Type Posted
A001 12363N25Q4191.pdf PDF
7d. A001 Elk Creek IRSC LPM-Pearl_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
7b. Elk Creek IRSC LPM-Diamond_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
5a. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix D-Atlantis.pdf PDF
1. 12363N25Q4191 Elk Creek BPA Call Order.pdf PDF
5d. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix D-Pearl.pdf PDF
8d. Cruise Summary-Pearl_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
10. SD SCA-WD 1979-1157 v73 8Jul2025.pdf PDF
6c. Elk Creek IRSC CAM-Jade.pdf PDF
11. DB WR SD20240032.pdf PDF
6d. Elk Creek IRSC CAM-Pearl.pdf PDF
4a. Elk Creek IRSC_Appendix C-Atlantis.pdf PDF
4b. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix C-Diamond.pdf PDF
7d. Elk Creek IRSC LPM-Pearl_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
7a. Elk Creek IRSC LPM-Atlantis_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
4e. Elk Creek IRSC Traffic Control Plan.pdf PDF
7c. Elk Creek IRSC LPM-Jade_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
6b. Elk Creek IRSC CAM-Diamond.pdf PDF
9. Elk Creek IRSC Fire Plan.pdf PDF
4c. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix C-Jade.pdf PDF
8b. Cruise Summary-Diamond_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
3. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix B.pdf PDF
6a. Elk Creek IRSC CAM-Atlantis.pdf PDF
4d. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix C-Pearl.pdf PDF
5c. Elk Creek IRSC Appendix D-Jade.pdf PDF
8a. Cruise Summary-Atlantis_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
8c. Cruise Summary-Jade_INFORMATIONAL ONLY.pdf PDF
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Elk Creek IRSC Black Hills National Forest Page 1 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The objectives of this project are to increase forest health and vigor, reduce hazardous fuels in order to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire within the Wildland Urban Interface by accomplishing the following:

1. A combination of commercial vegetation treatments which include thinning Ponderosa Pine stands, the liberation of the understory within young pine stands by removal of overstory pine, and hardwood stand enhancement by the removal of encroaching conifers.

2. Remove included saw timber and non-saw from the Contract Area.

3. Noxious weeds treatment.

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Work items 1 and 2 include units with virtual boundaries. Unit boundaries are identified on contract area maps and many of these units utilize requirements for geo-fence boundaries. Contract allowable tolerance for geo-fence boundaries is ±30 feet. Contractor is responsible for obtaining a GPS receiver(s) that can determine the location of the geo-fence within the contract tolerance. Device accuracy can be determined at the USDA GPS MTDC Accuracy website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber on up to 3,006 acres of ground-based operations and 1,784 acres of steep slope logging:

Cut and remove from Contract Area timber which meets the minimum tree specifications identified in Appendix B. This includes timber that is cut and skid in item 2. Road Maintenance shall be commensurate with use per the requirements of Appendix C All Appendix B are applicable to this item.

a. Atlantis Contract Area 5,612 Estimated CCF Units 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 (801 Acres) Steep Slope Units 1, 2, 14, 20, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 (321 Acres- Removal of Timber only)

Unit Acres Unit Acres Unit Acres Unit Acres 6 21 10 92 15 33 18 19 7 101 11 42 16 28 25 6 8 51 13 34 17 48 26 5

b. Diamond Contract Area

7,955 Estimated CCF Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 50, 51, 52, 60, and 61 (625 Acres) Steep Slope Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 33, 50, 51, 52, 60, and 61 (495 Acres- Removal of Timber only)

7 21 22 23 30 11 34 16 13 8 26 3 31 4 35 4 16 6 27 6 32 10 39 18 https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

Page 2 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

c. Jade Contract Area 10,817 Estimated CCF Units 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 38, 54, 55, 56, 80, 81 and 82 (998 Acres) Steep Slope Units 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 38, 55, 80 and 81 (694 Acres - Removal of Timber only)

8 7 24 8 31 18 54 11 9 4 27 30 33 8 56 11 17 28 29 15 34 102 82 20 22 42

d. Pearl Contract Area 6,797 Estimated CCF Units 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 37, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 60 (582 Acres) Steep Slope Units 9, 11, 14 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 31, 50, 52, 55 (274 Acres - Removal of Timber only)

1 12 18 9 37 11 54 9 8 4 21 81 51 5 56 41 10 26 25 68 53 20 60 5 15 17

Mandatory Item 2: Steep Slope Logging Cut & Skid:

Cut and skid timber to landings which meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B.

Timber cut in this item is accounted for in item 1 volumes for removal from the contract area.

a. Atlantis Units 1, 2, 14, 20, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 (321 Acres)

1 24 20 169 23 6 28 6 2 9 22 13 27 31 29 25 14 38

b. Diamond Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 33, 50, 51, 52, 60, and 61 (495 Acres)

1 31 10 30 20 3 50 14 2 98 14 25 21 12 51 7 3 12 17 12 23 13 52 52 4 26 18 4 25 7 60 3 6 22 19 17 33 91 61 13 8 3

c. Jade Units 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23 25, 28, 30, 38, 55, 80, and 81 (694 Acres)

Page 3 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

10 30 15 44 23 20 38 121 11 20 18 126 25 11 55 19 12 39 20 57 28 33 80 8 13 56 21 21 30 81 81 8

d. Pearl Units 9, 11, 14 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 31, 50, 52, 55 (274 Acres)

9 5 17 11 28 7 50 4 11 16 23 31 29 16 52 25 14 4 27 24 31 62 55 4 16 65

Mandatory Item 3: Road Reconstruction:

See Appendix D for Road Reconstruction requirements.

a. Atlantis

c. Jade

d. Pearl

Optional Item 4: Noxious Weeds Treatments

a. Atlantis (512 Acres)

b. Diamond (789 Acres)

c. Jade (590 Acres)

d. Pearl (477 Acres)

This work consists of treating invasive plant species (noxious weeds), and providing treatment data, including geospatial files.

1. All treatments will take place within the project area boundary and associated haul routes. Treatment location priority will be as follows: 1) populations within 50ft of any road, 2) any other populations within the project area (i.e., treatment units, temp roads, landings, skid trails, haul routes, disturbed areas or other).

2. The Contractor shall treat all noxious weeds listed in Exhibit 1 (Noxious Weed Priority List), in order of priority beginning with Class A species.

3. Existing and newly established noxious weed populations:

Existing Noxious Weed Populationsa Estimated

Acres Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total Atlantis 40 40 40 40 40 200

Diamond 50 50 50 50 50 250 Jade 40 40 40 40 40 200 Pearl 50 50 50 50 50 250

Newly Established Noxious Weed Populationsb

Estimated Acres

Post Ground Disturbance

Year 1

Post Ground Disturbance

Year 2

Post Ground Disturbance

Year 3 Total

Page 4 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

Atlantis 200 80 32 312 Diamond 345 138 56 539

Jade 250 100 40 390 Pearl 146 58 23 227

Total 2,368

a. Existing noxious weed populations include those areas found within the project area and associated haul routes. This area has had considerable noxious weed infestations in the near past and the seed bank is likely still present so establishment in disturbed areas is highly possible.

b. Newly established noxious weed populations are those that are estimated to become established within the project area and/or near any associated haul route, post ground disturbing activities (i.e., timber harvests). These acres were estimated based on the associated temp roads, landings, haul routes and total acres found within the project area. They assume an estimated 40% reduction each year post treatment.

4. The growing season of target plants generally begins on or around June 1st of each year with the growing season ending around September 30th of any given year. Work shall commence when target plants are actively growing, and weather conditions make them most susceptible to herbicide effects as per the manufacturers’ recommendations.

a. Existing noxious weed populations will be treated for 5 consecutive growing seasons. Treatments will begin in year 1 of the project and occur pre, post and/or during other project area activities.

b. Newly established noxious weed populations will be treated for 3 consecutive growing seasons post ground disturbing activities associated with Items 1 and 2. These treatments will be in areas of ground disturbance resulting from Items 1 and 2 and will begin during the first full growing season after Items 1 and 2 are completed in an area.

5. All herbicides used within the Black Hills National Forest must have a risk assessment and worksheet as well as be approved by the State of South Dakota and Wyoming. A list of these herbicides can be viewed at the USDA Forest Service National Headquarters Forest Health protection website.

(https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/protecting-forest/integrated-pest-management/pesticide-management/pesticide-risk-assessments.shtml) Application rates and products applied to various species of noxious weeds are dependent upon species, location and stage of plant growth. Follow manufactures direction when selecting herbicide for each weed species. When working in riparian/wetlands, the Contractor shall use aquatic designated herbicides.

6. Treatment shall consist of herbicide application directly onto target plants, with little to no (less than 5% of application area) harmful effects to non-target plant species from herbicide drift. Application methods may consist of site specific application from ground-based, horse-mounted spray rigs, backpack, or motorized trucks, trailers, ATV’s and UTV’s. Any other method or treatment must be agreed to with project COR and weeds inspector. All spray equipment shall be calibrated to ensure herbicide is applied according to manufacturer’s recommended application rates. The Contractor shall comply with all South Dakota state laws, certifications and applicator licensing requirements prior to treating noxious weeds.

7. The Contractor shall provide their own water for treatment or obtain approval from the COR for any use of on-site water sources for tank mixes. Any on-site mixing will occur at least 100’ from any stream course, spring, or wetland.

8. A blue dye in the herbicide shall be used to identify location of treatments. The Contractor shall use flagging to identify weed treatment areas. This flagging will remain in place until the treatment has been inspected.

9. The Contractor will immediately notify the COR when treatments are complete each year and ready for inspection. The Contractor is required to collect geospatial data for all weed treatments and collect a separate geospatial file for all Class A & B priority species found to exist within infestations of non-priority species. Geospatial data will include attributes listed in Exhibit 2 and be compatible with ESRI software. All https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/protecting-forest/integrated-pest-management/pesticide-management/pesticide-risk-assessments.shtml https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/protecting-forest/integrated-pest-management/pesticide-management/pesticide-risk-assessments.shtml

Page 5 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District geospatial data will be provided as polygons. Small and linear treatments may be mapped as a point or line; however, they must be converted into polygons of the correct dimensions. All weed treatments will be combined into one polygon with attributes listed in Exhibit 2. During yearly treatments, geospatial data and attributes will be submitted to the COR weekly, unless otherwise directed by the COR. All reports must be submitted by October 1st each year. Applicator spray records shall conform to South Dakota State standards.

SECTION III – 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. 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.

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)

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:

Page 6 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

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. Inspection plot procedures for Items 1 and 2 are described in Appendix B under C6.36# - Acceptance of Work. Plots are scored as pass or fail based on the procedures of the provision. The sum of passing plots within a unit is divided by the total number of plots for the unit. The result multiplied by 100 represents the quality of the work item within the unit.

Government Procedures – Noxious Weeds Treatment

Task Requirement

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Government Method of

Assessment

Incentives and Deductions for

Meeting Standard Noxious Weed Treatment

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.

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 95% of spray records will have no missing values.

Applicator spray records shall conform to South

Visual Inspection of data

Page 7 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

Task Requirement

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Government Method of

Assessment

Incentives and Deductions for

Meeting Standard Dakota State standards.

Applicator spray records will state equipment calibration for gallon/acres.

The contractor will immediately notify the COR when treatments are complete each year and ready for inspection.

The contractor is required to collect geospatial data for all weed treatments and collect a separate geospatial file for all Class A&B priority species found to exist within infestations of non-priority species. Geospatial data will include attributes listed in Exhibits 2 and 3 and be compatible with ESRI software. All geospatial data will be provided as polygons. Small and linear treatments may be mapped as a point or line; however, they must be converted into polygons of the correct dimensions. All weed treatments will be combined into one polygon with attributes listed in Exhibits 2 and 3. During yearly treatments, geospatial data and attributes will be submitted to the COR weekly, unless otherwise directed by the COR. All reports must be submitted by October 1st each year.

Unsatisfactory Performance

1. If the work quality falls below AQL shown in table 1 below, the COR will immediately notify the Contractor, in writing, and order him to improve the quality of subsequent work. If the quality of subsequent work is not raised to the AQL 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 AQL, the Government may elect to do one of the following:

(a) Order rework to be performed and withhold payment until the results of a post-rework Government inspection shows quality to be at AQL 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 Inspection Report.

3. Repeated failure to produce work quality at or above the AQL 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 – 4

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

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min

AQL

1 Cut and Remove Included Timber MANDATORY ACRE N/A 2 Steep Slope Logging Cut & Skid MANDATORY ACRE 95% 3 Road Reconstruction MANDATORY MILE 100%

4 Noxious Weeds Treatments OPTIONAL ACRE 90%

SECTION IV – PAYMENT METHODS

Method of Measurement for Acreages

Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Some unit boundaries are marked with paint, many boundaries are virtual.

Discernable Boundaries are locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Contract Area Map. A Geo-Fence is a location on the ground corresponding to the boundary location shown on a mobile mapping device using a Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver using a digital vector file/shapefile. The digital vector file/shapefile will be provided as an attachment to the Contractor by the Forest Service at award. A digital list of the coordinates can be provided upon request.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining a GPS receiver(s) that is capable of determining the location of the geo-fence boundary within the contract tolerance. Allowable contract tolerance is 30 feet.

Forest Service inspection of treatment boundaries shall be conducted to determine treatments are within the allowable contract tolerance using the digital vector file/shapefile referenced above using a GPS Receiver with a minimum, tested accuracy in a Light- Medium canopy of 20 feet.

National Technology Development Program GPS Receiver accuracy reports by GPS manufacturer and model are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm. Forest Service determination of boundary location will be final.

In case of a major disruption in GPS service, or lack of GPS coverage on the Contract Area beyond the control of the Contractor, as determined by the Contracting Officer, extension of time may be granted by Contracting Officer when requested in writing by Contractor in accordance with 52.212-4 (f) Excusable Delays. To resolve major disruption of GPS service, or lack of GPS coverage on the Contract Area, the Forest Service may elect to Mark Geo- Fence boundaries on the ground, in which case the Forest Service’s determination of boundary location will be final.

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.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

Page 9 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

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 – Item 2, Steep Slope Logging Cut & Skid

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

2. 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 95 percent or higher the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 90 to 94 percent the Contractor will be paid the actual percentage multiplied by the bid rate.

(c) For work quality 89 percent and less there will be no payment made to the Contractor.

(d) If, after rework, the percentage of satisfactory work is between 90% and 94%, payment will be made by the actual percentage. If the percentage is less than 90%, the work is unacceptable, and no payment will be made.

Acceptance and Payment – Item 3, Road Reconstruction

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

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

Acceptance and Payment – Item 4, Noxious Weeds Treatments

1. If informal visual inspection verified through field inspections and spray sheet checks indicate acceptable work quality, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

2. Only “wet” acres treated counts towards target noxious weeds acres accomplished

a. Wet acres are determined by equipment calibration records for gallons/acres.

b. Acres shown in Optional Item 4 tables are yearly estimates. Payment will be made on actual wet treated acres and may vary from year to year from estimates but will not exceed the total estimated existing and newly established population acres.

3. Only one rework opportunity will be allowed for these items.

* 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 V – 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.

BROWNS TRANSECT: A line intercept method for measuring the amount of fuel on the ground.

Page 10 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

BRUSH: Vegetation consisting of shrub species with single or multi-stems originating at or near ground level not normally reaching more than 15 feet in height.

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.

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.

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.

LOPPING AND/OR SCATTERING: Cutting limbs from trunks of cut trees, bucking, and moving and rearranging of slash concentrations to reduce the fuel bed height as specified.

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.

Page 11 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

PILING: Gathering and stacking of downed wood and activity slash by hand or mechanical methods into piles constructed and located as indicated by technical specification and project maps.

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.

VIRTUAL BOUNDARY: A unit boundary that is shown on the map but is not demarcated on the ground. The contractor must use mapping applications in order to locate these boundaries in the unit.

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.

Page 12 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

Exhibit 1

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

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

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)

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).

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).

Black Hills Invasive Plant Partnership (BHIPP) Invasive Plant Priority Management List (2022)

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.

Cl as s A Cl as s B

Cl as s C

Page 13 of 13 Northern Hills Ranger District

Exhibit 2

Geospatial Attributes List

Field Name Length Type DISTRICT 20 Text PROJECT_NAME 50 Text JOB_CODE 10 Text EXAMINER 60 Text DOMINANT_LIFEFORM 50 Text WEED_CODE1 50 Text CANOPY_COVER1 10 Text WEED_CODE2 50 Text CANOPY_COVER2 10 Text WEED_CODE3 50 Text CANOPY_COVER3 10 Text BUFFER Short Integer APPLICATION_METHOD 50 Text CHEMICAL_STD_MIXES 50 Text CHEMICAL1 50 Text RATE1 Float CHEMICAL2 50 Text RATE2 Float CHEMICAL3 50 Text RATE3 Float SURFACTANT 50 Text MECHANICAL 50 Text BIOCONTROL 50 Text TEMPERATURE 10 Text WIND_DIRECTION 10 Text WIND_SPEED 10 Text RH 10 Text DISTANCE_H20 10 Text OTHER 100 Text COMMENT 100 Text

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
SECTION II – WORK ITEMS
Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber on up to 3,006 acres of ground-based operations and 1,784 acres of steep slope logging:
Mandatory Item 2: Steep Slope Logging Cut & Skid:
Mandatory Item 3: Road Reconstruction:
Optional Item 4: Noxious Weeds Treatments
SECTION III – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE
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 w...
Government Inspection Procedures – Formal (Plots)
Unsatisfactory Performance
Reinspection Upon Contractor Request
Government Inspection Procedures – Items 1 – 4
SECTION IV – PAYMENT METHODS
Method of Measurement for Acreages
Remeasurement
Acceptance and Payment – Item 2, Steep Slope Logging Cut & Skid
Acceptance and Payment – Item 3, Road Reconstruction
Acceptance and Payment – Item 4, Noxious Weeds Treatments

SECTION V – DEFINITIONS

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .