2. Silver Creek IRSC Appendix A.pdf

Silver Creek IRSC San Isabel National Forest Page 1 of 16 Salida Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The objectives of this project are to implement an integrated pest management program emphasizing management of timber stands to prevent and control insect infestations and disease, increase age class diversity and sustain and improve the cover of aspen stands, reduce the risk of high intensity wildfire and restore and maintain healthy, diverse, fire adapted ecosystems to provide improved resilience and sustainability, reduce accumulations of hazardous fuels, increase protection of private land, authorized uses including electric transmission lines, and structures adjacent to and within the project area, and provide a diversity of habitat types for a range of species by accomplishing the following:

1. Thinning in mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and aspen forest stands.

2. Cutting and removal of dead trees and trees currently infested with Douglas-fir and pine beetles.

3. Remove included sawtimber from the Contract Area.

4. Thinning and decking of non-sawtimber. .

5. Thinning of biomass.

6. Hand thinning and lopping and scattering of non-included material.

7. Lopping and scattering of slash

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Applicable to Items 1, 2, 3, and 4

1. Work items 1, 2, 3, and 4 include units with virtual boundaries. Unit boundaries are identified on the contract area maps and all of these units utilize requirements for geo-fence boundaries. Contract allowable tolerance for virtual 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

2. If log forwarders are utilized, In units designated with “LF” on Contract Area Map, Included Timber shall be carried free of the ground by a log forwarder. The log forwarder shall be all wheel drive, capable of self-loading and unloading, and have rear tires or track type tractive devices greater than 27 inches in overall width. Log forwarders with GVW's greater than 15,000 pounds shall have a minimum of three (3) load bearing axles.

Stumps shall not be grubbed from forwarder strip roads except for portions requiring excavation for safety. All excavation and any supplemental skidding of Included Timber shall be flagged and preapproved in writing prior to commencing such activity.

Except for manually felled trees which exceed the harvester's capability, Included Timber shall be felled, limbed, bucked, and prebunched by a self-propelled mechanical harvester. The harvester shall place unmerchantable tops and limbs evenly in the strip road as it proceeds. Wherever residual trees require protection, strip roads shall not be more than 15 feet in width nor less than 50 feet apart.

Log landings and transfer points shall be limited to existing roads and turnouts unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

3. Non-sawtimber cut tree diameter is from 6.0 inches DBH to 7.9 inches DBH for all species other than lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine non-sawtimber cut tree diameter is from 6.0 inches DBH to 6.9 inches DBH. Biomass cut https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

Page 2 of 16 Salida Ranger District trees include conifer trees > 2 foot in height to < 5.9 inches DBH, except for Rocky Mountain juniper and pinyon pine, which is < 12 inches DRC.

4. Stump height of non-sawtimber and biomass cut trees shall be no higher than 6 inches above ground level.

Stumps shall be cut parallel to the ground.

5. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

6. All live limbs shall be completely severed from the stump.

7. No cut tree shall be left suspended in or leaning against a leave tree or tree outside the unit boundary.

8. No thinning and/or logging slash shall be allowed outside the contract boundary, unless otherwise approved by the COR.

9. Trees which must be cut for collection points/landings, skid trails or other approved clearings will have the same slash treatment requirements as designated cut trees.

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and Remove Included Timber:

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

618 Estimated CCF Units 1, 3, 5, 7 (144 acres) Steep Slope Units 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, and 3b (17 Acres – Removal of Timber only)

Unit Acres

1, 1a, 1b, 1c 61 3, 3a, 3b 82

5 9 7 9

Mandatory Item 2: Steep Slope Logging Cut & Forward and Steep Slope Non-Commercial Thinning and Decking, Units 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, and 3b (17 acres) :

1a 4 1b 7 1c 1 3a 3 3b 2

Cut and forward timber to landings/collection points 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.

Treat all non-sawtimber and biomass material outlined in Appendix A and Appendix B. All designated non-sawtimber trees shall be cut, processed in the woods, transported free of the ground, and decked at a designated location in the contract area. Slash shall be placed on forwarder trails and crushed or made to lie within 24” of the ground. All designated biomass trees shall be cut and lopped and scattered in the unit.

Treatment and slash specifications are listed below.

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1. Non-sawtimber Treatment Specifications

a) Non-sawtimber material in units 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, and 3b shall be treated per specifications provided in Appendix B, C2.352# Designation by Species and Diameter.

b) All slash from designated non-sawtimber trees will be placed on forwarder trails and crushed or lopped and scattered per specifications provided in Appendix B, C6.7# Slash Treatment.

c) Non-sawtimber boles must be stacked parallel to each other with a maximum deck height of 5 feet. Decks will be placed at a designated location as shown on the Contract Area Map in a fashion that allows public access for firewood gathering, or as agreed to with Forest Service.

2. Biomass Treatment Specifications

a) Cut all dead biomass trees > 2 foot in height to < 5.9 inches DBH.

b) Cut all Rocky Mountain juniper and pinyon pine < 12.0 inches DRC.

c) Thin live ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, blue spruce, and Engelmann spruce to a 20 foot spacing between biomass trees, favoring blue spruce, then Engelmann spruce, then lodgepole pine, then ponderosa pine, and then Douglas-fir. Retain the best formed, most vigorous individuals of desired species that are free of insects and disease.

d) Cut all biomass trees with a Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR) > 2. Cutting biomass trees with DMR > 2 would take priority over spacing requirements. See Exhibit 1 for DMR rating protocol.

e) Cut all biomass trees in established aspen areas. An established aspen area is defined as an area with at least 20 individual aspen stems that are > 2” DBH in a 1/10th acre area or areas where at least 25% of the stems in the area are aspen (typically considered in areas where aspen exceed 2” DBH).

f) Retain all limber pine.

g) Do not count aspen in spacing guidelines and do not thin any aspen.

h) All biomass trees and slash from designated biomass trees will be lopped and scattered per specifications provided in Appendix B, C6.7# Slash Treatment.

Mandatory Item 3: Non-Commercial Thinning and Decking, Units 1, 3, 5, and 7 (144 acres):

1 49 3 77 5 9 7 9

Treat all non-sawtimber and biomass material outlined in Appendix A and Appendix B. All designated non-sawtimber trees shall be cut, processed in the woods, transported free of the ground, and decked at a designated location in the contract area. Slash shall be placed on forwarder trails and crushed or made to lie within 24” of the ground. All designated biomass trees shall be cut and lopped and scattered in the unit.

Treatment and slash specifications are listed below.

1. Non-sawtimber Treatment Specifications

a) Non-sawtimber material in units 1, 3, 5, and 7 shall be treated per specifications provided in Appendix B, C2.352# Designation by Species and Diameter.

b) All slash from designated non-sawtimber trees will be placed on forwarder trails and crushed or lopped and scattered per specifications provided in Appendix B, C6.7# Slash Treatment.

c) Non-sawtimber boles must be stacked parallel to each other with a maximum deck height of 5 feet. Decks will be placed at a designated location as shown on the Contract Area Map in a fashion that allows public access for firewood gathering, or as agreed to with Forest Service.

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2. Biomass Treatment Specifications

c) Thin live ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, blue spruce, and Engelmann spruce to a 20 foot between biomass trees, favoring blue spruce, then Engelmann spruce, then lodgepole pine, then ponderosa pine, and then Douglas-fir. Retain the best formed, most vigorous individuals of desired species that are free of insects and disease.

d) Cut all biomass trees with a Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR) > 2. Cutting biomass trees with DMR > 2 would take priority over spacing requirements. See Exhibit 1 for DMR rating protocol.

e) Cut all biomass trees in established aspen areas. An established aspen area is defined as an area with at least 20 individual aspen stems that are > 2” DBH in a 1/10th acre area or areas where at least 25% of the stems in the area are aspen (typically considered in areas where aspen exceed 2” DBH).

f) Retain all limber pine.

g) Do not count aspen in spacing guidelines and do not thin any aspen.

h) All biomass trees and slash from designated biomass trees will be lopped and scattered per specifications provided in Appendix B, C6.7# Slash Treatment.

Mandatory Item 4: Hand Thinning Non-Included Material

Units 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (296 Acres)

2 33 4 6 6 2 8 25 9 104

10 85 11 41

For treatment of all non-sawtimber and biomass material outlined in Appendix A. All designated non-sawtimber and biomass trees shall be manually cut and lopped and scattered in the unit. Treatment and slash specifications are listed below.

1. Non-sawtimber and Biomass Treatment Specifications

Units 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11

c) Thin live ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, blue spruce, and Engelmann spruce to a 20 foot spacing favoring blue spruce, then Engelmann spruce, then lodgepole pine, then ponderosa pine, and then Douglas-fir. Retain the best formed, most vigorous individuals of desired species that are free of insects and disease.

d) Cut all biomass trees with a Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR) > 2. Cutting biomass trees with DMR > 2 would take priority over spacing requirements. See Exhibit 1 for DMR rating protocol.

e) Cut all biomass trees in established aspen areas. An established aspen area is defined as an area with at least 20 individual aspen stems that are > 2” DBH in a 1/10th acre area or areas where at least 25% of the stems in the area are aspen (typically considered in areas where aspen exceed 2” DBH).

f) Retain all limber pine.

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g) Do not count aspen in spacing guidelines and do not thin any aspen.

Unit 8

a) Cut all live and dead conifer trees less > 2.0 foot in height and < 6.0 inches DBH.

2. Non-sawtimber and Biomass Slash Specifications

a) All designated non-sawtimber and biomass trees and slash from designated non-sawtimber and biomass trees will be lopped and scattered according to the following specifications:

1. Contractor shall buck the remaining bole into 8 foot pieces. The bole and limbs will not extend over 24 inches in height above the ground.

2. Slash should be scattered to reduce slash concentrations with slash left within 24 inches of the ground and not in piles.

3. All slash created from the contractor’s operations shall be removed from Forest Service Trails shown on the contract area map and pulled back 10 feet from the trail’s edge daily.

Mandatory Item 5: Road Maintenance NFSR 201C

NFSR 201C (0.8 miles)

The maintenance to be performed shall include the work necessary to restore drainage functionality, correct safety problems, and maintain the road prism to provide passage of high clearance vehicles. This work in no way increases its capability nor improves the road system beyond its current function. As such, this work is considered service work and SCA rates apply.

1. Drainage Specifications

a) Drainage structures and related outlets or lead-off ditches shall be cleared of all foreign material and all vegetation which interferes with the flow pattern. Drainage dips and drivable waterbars shall be shaped to a depth and width to provide drainage in reasonable conformity to the original lines, grades and cross section, unless otherwise designated on the ground by the FSR. Hand work may be necessary to obtain a smooth surface and uniform cross section. Lead-off ditches shall be cleaned or installed and shall daylight flow away from the road. Material generated from the lead-off ditches shall be removed and blended into existing native road surfaces or shoulders where feasible.

2. Travelway Specifications

a) Shape the road surface and shoulders to provide drainage and accommodate high clearance vehicles.

Ruts and loose material that prevent normal road surface runoff and have potential to further damage the road or adjacent resource shall be graded. Loosened material shall be leveled uniformly over the width of the Travelway with any additional material for filling ruts being generated from the roadway. All material shall be placed in layers and compacted by operating equipment over the full width of each layer with finishing compaction by tired vehicle traffic.

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.

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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 big game (mule deer and elk) winter range and winter concentration areas would be disturbed by operations. As a result, either Option 1 or with written agreement from the Forest Service Option 2 will be implemented: Option 1 – No operations will occur from December 15 through March 15.

Option 2 – At the entrance of all temporary roads used to access treatment areas within winter range, a locked gate will be used to restrict all motor vehicle access/use except for authorized administrative use (Forest Service personnel or authorized contractors and permittees).

(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

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.

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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 at least one plot per five acres.

Each cutting unit will have a minimum of three plots.

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

8. Work quality will be calculated as follows:

Work quality percentages are derived from data developed from inspection plots. The total number of satisfactory plots divided by the number of plots inspected determines the quality rate. This rate multiplied by 100 provides the work quality percentage.

Example: Number of plots inspected 25 Number of satisfactory plots 23 23 divided by 25 .92 Work Quality Percentage 92%

Acceptance of work will be based on compliance with all Appendix A, Section II Work Items and Appendix B, C2.352# Designation by Species and Diameter that corresponds to the treatment. A minimum basic quality of 90 percent is required to meet the Acceptable Quality Level.

Unsatisfactory Cutting

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

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

(a) Order rework to be performed and withhold payment until excess trees are cut and the results of a post-rework Government inspection show work quality to be at least 90 percent or more. No rework shall be performed unless ordered or authorized by the COR.

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

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

Reinspection Upon Contractor Request

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

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

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

Government Inspection Procedures – Items 2 and 3

Units 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, 3b, 1, 3, 5, and 7

1. For sawtimber and non-sawtimber trees, the method of inspecting contractor cutting will be done using 1/20th acre (26.3 feet radius) fixed plots with one plot per five acres. Each cutting unit will have a minimum of three plots. Plot locations will be random and determined by a non-biased method across each cutting unit.

2. For biomass trees, the method of inspecting contractor cutting will be done by 1/20th acre (26.3 feet radius) fixed plots with at least one plot per five acres. Each cutting unit will have a minimum of three plots. Plot locations will be random and determined by a non-biased method across each unit.

3. Each collection point, landing, or designated decking area will be inspected for slash and non-sawtimber decking as a separate plot.

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 4

Units 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11

1. For non-sawtimber and biomass trees, the method of inspecting contractor cutting will be done using 1/20th acre (26.3 feet radius) fixed plots with one plot per five acres. Each cutting unit will have a minimum of three plots. Plot locations will be random and determined by a non-biased method across each cutting unit.

Government Inspection Procedures – Item 5

1. For road maintenance the method of inspecting contractor performance will be done using a visual inspection.

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

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min AQL

1 Cut and Remove Included Timber MANDATORY ACRE NA

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Steep Slope Logging Cut and Forward and Steep Slope Non-Commercial Thinning and Decking

MANDATORY ACRE 90%

3 Non-Commercial Thinning and Decking MANDATORY ACRE 90%

4 Hand Thinning Non-included Material MANDATORY ACRE 90%

5 Road Maintenance NFSR 201C MANDATORY MILE 100%

Table 2 – Performance Requirements Summary

Work Item Performance Standard

Quality Assurance

Process

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

Item 2 Steep Slope Logging Cut and Forward and Steep Slope Non-Commercial Thinning and Decking

Cut and forward timber to landings/collection points. Cut all trees identified in the treatment descriptions and deck non-sawtimber boles at collection points/landings;

Appendix A and Appendix B.

Contractor records and reports and Government Random Verification.

90% of all cut trees will meet the Quality Standard.

• Review Contractor’s written record of Quality Control

• Visual inspection— walk through Units

• Verification of compliance—Plot Inspections

Item 3 Non- Commercial Thinning and Decking

Cut all trees identified in the treatment descriptions and deck non-sawtimber boles at collection points/landings;

Appendix A and Appendix B.

Contractor records and reports and Government Random Verification.

90% of all cut trees will meet the Quality Standard.

• Review Contractor’s written record of Quality Control

• Visual inspection— walk through Units

• Verification of compliance—Plot Inspections

Item 4 Hand Thinning Non-included Material

Cut all trees identified in the treatment descriptions; Appendix A.

Contractor records and reports and Government Random Verification.

90% of all cut trees will meet the Quality Standard

• Review Contractor’s written record of Quality Control

• Visual inspection— walk through Units

• Verification of compliance—Plot Inspections

Item 5 Road Maintenance

NFSR 201C

Complete road maintenance according to specifications;

Appendix A.

Contractor records and reports and Government Random Verification

100% of route has been maintained to meet Quality Standard.

• Visual inspection

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SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Method of Measurement for Acreages and Miles

Acreages were determined by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and miles were digitized using GIS mapping. All unit boundaries are flagged, the unit boundaries are a combination of painted, discernable, and Geo-Fence.

Discernable Boundaries are boundary 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 Forest Service. 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 10 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 miles will be rounded to the nearest hundredths of a mile. Acreage and mileage are 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 or milage stated on the project maps is incorrect. The remeasurement must be within the existing perimeter of the respective unit or existing centerline of the road. No variance of the unit perimeters or road as identified on the maps 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 percentage.

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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 2, 3, and 4

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 90 percent or higher, Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 80 to 89 percent, the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

(c) For work quality 80 percent and less, 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 – Item 5

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

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

* 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.

ACCEPTABLE SERVICE: A job performed to the standard and within the AQL. The Contractor must do the specific job, and meet the standard, and meet the AQL before one can say that performance has been acceptable and that the Contractor should be paid

ASPEN AREA: Aspen areas are defined as an area with at least 20 individual aspen stems that are > 2” DBH in a 1/10th acre area or areas where at least 25% of the stems in the area are aspen (typically considered in areas where aspen exceed 2” DBH).

BIOMASS TREES: Any conifer material 2 feet in height to 5.9 inches DBH. Pinyon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper trees < 12.0 DRC.

BOLE: A trunk or main stem of a tree.

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.

BUCK: To saw felled trees into shorter lengths.

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.

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COLLECTION POINT: An area to which logs are forwarded for loading onto trucks for transport. Used synonymously with landing.

CONIFER: A cone-bearing tree.

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.

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 TO LENGTH HARVEST SYSTEM: Harvesting system in which felled trees are processed into log lengths at the stump before they are carried to a road, landing, or collection point. A cut to length harvest system consists of a harvester and forwarder working together. The harvester shall be all wheel drive, self-propelled, have a minimum of three (3) load bearing axles, and have rear tires greater than 27 inches in overall width. The forwarder shall be all wheel drive, capable of self-loading and unloading, and have a minimum of three (3) load bearing axles. Track type tractive devices can be installed for use on the harvester and forwarder.

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): Diameter at breast height, measured at a point of 4.5 feet or 1.37m above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

DECK: Pile of logs, typically at a landing, collection point, or designated location. Decks are to be placed along and/or near to US Forest Service system roads as agreed to by USFS and contractor. Decks are not to exceed 5 feet in height in order to accommodate public fuelwood gathering.

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 or frass indicating Mountain Pine Beetle infestation or Douglas-fir beetle infestation.

DESIGNATION BY SPECIES AND DIAMETER (DXSPD): 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): Diameter measurement of a standing tree or log in which the estimated or actual thickness of the bark is discounted.

DISCERNABLE BOUNDARY: A natural or constructive feature, used as a boundary, that is so conspicuous it can be identified from a contract area map and using that feature will not cause mistakes to be made when trees are cut. Examples of discernable boundaries are roads, distinct breaks in vegetation, streams, and rock outcrops.

DMR (DWARF MISTLETOE RATING): A standardized system called the Hawksworth 6-class mistletoe rating system (DMR) used to determine how much dwarf mistletoe has infected a tree. To use this system, the living part of the tree crown needs to be broken up into 3 sections, (top, middle, bottom). Each section is then rated either 0, 1, or 2 with a score of 0 being assigned for an uninfected section, 1 for light infection with less than

Page 13 of 16 Salida Ranger District half of the branches infected, or 2 for heavy infection with over half of the branches infected. The 3 numbers are then added together to give the total rating for the tree.

DRC (DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR): Diameter at root collar.

EROSION CONTROL: Activities designed to prevent/reduce the delivery of sediment to area streams as a result of road building and/or timber harvest. Activities typically include grass seeding and/or installation of structures to trap moving sediment.

FORWARD: To haul a log from the stump to a collection point or landing by a forwarder with both ends of the log suspended from the ground.

FORWARDER: A self-propelled machine, usually self-loading, that transports trees or logs by carrying them completely off the ground.

FORWARDER TRAIL: An access cut through the forest to allow forwarding of logs. Used synonymously with skid trail.

HAND TREATMENT: A method of treatment completed using manual labor and equipment such as chain saws.

HARVESTER: A machine that falls trees and performs processing functions at the stump.

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

HEALTHY REGENERATION: Young, healthy, dwarf mistletoe free conifers, less than 6.0 inches in diameter, free of defect or characteristics listed in Section II.

LANDING: An area in the forest to which logs are yarded or forwarded for loading onto trucks for transport.

Used synonymously with Collection Point.

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.

MANUAL TREATMENT: A method of treatment completed using manual labor and equipment such as chainsaws.

MECHANICAL TREATMENT: A method of treatment using machinery such as feller bunchers, harvesters, processors etc.

NFSR: National Forest System Road.

NFST: National Forest System Trail.

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

PAYMENT UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

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.

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

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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.

ROOT COLLAR: The location on a plant where the primary vascular anatomy changes from that of a stem to that of a root.

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

SAWTIMBER TOP: Topwood from a sawtimber log 6 inches diameter inside bark to a 4 inch diameter inside bark with a minimum length of 6.5 feet.

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

STUMP HEIGHT: A point on the bole of the tree from the uphill side that is 12” above the ground for sawtimber trees and 6” above the ground for non-saw and biomass trees.

UNIT: See Treatment Unit.

STREAMCOURSE: The area along a stream that has riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics.

Streamcourses are noted on the contract area map. They typically require special treatment which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel, or fueling of equipment.

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

TETHERED: Logging systems utilizing cable winch systems on harvesters and fowarders to stabilize and assist equipment operations on steep slopes.

THINNING: The cutting of trees in excess of those to be left for future management.

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.

TREE CROWN: The total of an individual tree's above ground parts, including stems, leaves, and reproductive structures.

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.

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Exhibit 1 - Dwarf Mistletoe Rating System

Hoffman, James T. “Management Guide for Dwarf Mistletoe”. Forest Health Protection and State Forestry

Organizations, May 2004. Web.

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