2. WestCrystal IRSC_Appendix A.pdf

West Crystal Stewardship IRSC Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Page 1 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

1. The objectives of this project are to reduce surface fuel loads and ladder fuels in order to improve firefighter safety, reduce potential flame lengths, and reduce crown fire initiation while maintaining intra- and inter-stand variability across the landscape. To accomplish these objectives, the contract includes the following requirements:

a. Thin stands from below, leaving the largest and most vigorous trees

b. Fell and yard snags and pre-existing downed material

c. Remove included timber from the Contract Area

d. Skid and/or yard felled trees and included downed material to approved locations for disposal by the

Forest Service

SECTION II – WORK ITEMS

Requirements Pursuant to all Items (except Item 3):

1. Reserve areas that are located within the treatment units may be identified in writing by the Government to be excluded from treatment. Reserve areas may be identified prior to award or may be identified by the Government during contract performance. Reserve areas may include, but are not limited to:

a. Rock Outcrops – areas where more than 70% of the ground surface is exposed bedrock.

b. Wetlands – areas where the water table is close to or at the ground surface.

c. Fens – areas where saturated soil has a peat component to the vegetation.

d. Perennial Streams – areas where water is present year-round in stream channel.

e. Inoperable Ground – as determined by the Government and identified in writing.

f. Resource protection – areas designated by Government to be reserved for protection of plants, animals, minerals, and/or cultural or heritage sites.

2. Operations may occur in only two subdivisions at a time. Work may not begin in an additional subdivision until work in at least one of the prior subdivisions has been completed and accepted by the Forest Service unless otherwise agreed in writing. Operations may not occur within any combination of Subdivisions A, E, and G at the same time unless otherwise agreed in writing.

3. Coarse woody debris requirements: Leave 140-180 linear feet/acre of material (a minimum of 5 boles/acre) ≥ 10 inches diameter and ≥ 8 feet in length. If material this size is not available, leave the largest diameter and length material available. Areas within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries are exempt from this requirement.

4. Unless otherwise agreed, no tracked equipment shall be allowed on Larimer County Roads without the use of rubber mats or other protective measures, as agreed.

5. Contractor will be responsible for providing proof of liability insurance to Forest Service 10 days prior to hauling.

Requirements Pursuant to Items 1, 2, and 6

1. Within units listed under Items 1, 2a, 2b, 6a, and 6b, the following criteria describing the end results shall be used by Contractor to designate trees and other products for cutting:

a. In units 1, 2A, 10, 11B, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18B, 20, 21, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G, 22H, 22I, 22J, 22K, 22L, 22M, 22N, 22O, 22P, 22Q, 22R, 22S, 22T, 22U, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 38B, 39, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66, 69, 71, 74, 76, 76B, 77, 78, 80A, 80B, 82, 83, 84A, 84C, 88B, 89A, 89B, 95, 96, 98, 100, 103, 105, 106, 111, 112, 113, 120, 124, 127, 129, 130, 132, 134, 135, 137, 138, 146, 150, 154, 157, 158, 159, 163, 164, 166, 168, 169, 171, 174, 179, 181, 182, 183, 186, 188, 190, 191, 194, 195, 197, 198, 199, 203, and 204:

Page 2 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Thin from below: Remove live and dead conifer trees greater than 2 feet in height up to 20” stump diameter in order to achieve 7-foot canopy spacing +/- 1 foot in remaining live conifer trees.

b. In units 140 and 141:

Thin from below: remove live and dead conifer trees greater than 2 feet in height up to 20” stump diameter in order to achieve 5-foot canopy spacing +/- 1 foot in remaining live conifer trees.

c. In units 88, 88a, and 90:

Thin from below: remove live and dead conifer trees greater than 2 feet in height up to 12” stump diameter in order to achieve 7-foot canopy spacing +/- 1 foot in remaining live conifer trees.

d. In units 11A, 18A, 18C, and 76A:

Thin from below: remove live conifer trees greater than 2 feet in height up to 10” stump diameter and dead trees 2 feet in height up to 12” stump diameter in order to achieve 7-foot canopy spacing +/- 1 foot in remaining live conifer trees.

e. In units 22V and 24A:

Sanitation: remove all standing dead trees greater than 2 feet in height up to 20” stump diameter, with the exception of dead trees to be retained as described in (f) below.

f. In all units: Favor retaining healthy trees in the largest size classes with no apparent damage and little to no evidence of insect or disease. Select against trees in lower canopy positions and trees with evidence of damage to one third of the bole diameter or greater, evidence of insects and disease, stems with excessive sweep, or lean exceeding 20%. Species preference for leave trees is as follows:

1. Limber Pine

2. Ponderosa Pine,

3. Douglas-Fir

4. Lodgepole Pine

5. Subalpine Fir

6. Engelmann Spruce

7. Rocky mountain Juniper.

Fell all standing dead trees less than 66 feet from National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries.

In areas farther than 66 feet from National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map, retain 5-7 of the largest available dead trees per acre. Dead trees chosen for retention should be at least 8” DBH for lodgepole pine, and 10” DBH for all other species. Favor dead trees with evidence of wildlife use (dens, nests, cavities) for retention, when available. All other dead conifer trees not exceeding stump diameter limits in (a) through (e) shall be felled.

Within treatment units where Rocky Mountain juniper occurs, leave an average of at least one individual per acre.

Within treatment units where aspen occupies 75% or more over a footprint equal or greater to ¼ acre, fell and remove all live conifers other than limber pine less than 12 inches stump diameter throughout and within 35 feet of the aspen clone.

A tree is classified as dead if it at least 75% of its crown has missing, brown, or red needles.

Additional trees to be cut, if any, are marked by Forest Service with green tracer paint. Other trees that shall be left uncut are marked with orange paint.

Contractor is not required to mark cut or leave trees meeting the criteria in (a) through (f) in advance of felling.

As an operational convenience and upon approval of the Contracting Officer, Contractor may mark leave trees and/or cut trees Contractor identifies in criteria (a). Leave trees may be marked with Contractor’s non-tracer pink

Page 3 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District paint. Cut trees may be marked with Contractor’s non-tracer blue paint. Cut trees shall not be marked with paint applied below stump height. Contractor shall bear all costs associated with such marking.

Forest Service will not approve or accept Contractor’s tree marking in advance of cutting.

Mandatory Item 1: Cut and skid designated trees, pile unmerchantable material, and remove included timber:

Units 2A, 10, 11A, 11B, 14, 15, 17, 18A, 18B, 18C, 20, 22, 22V, 23, 24, 24A, 34, 36, 38B, 39, 41, 43, 46, 51, 53, 57, 59, 60, 62, 71, 76, 76A, 78, 80A, 80B, 83, 84C, 88, 89B, 90, 96, 98, 100, 103, 106, 111, 113, 120, 124, 138, 140, 163, 168, 169, 171, 174, 179, 182, 188, 198, 199, 204 (856 Acres)

1. Cut and skid to landings all designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map are to be felled and skidded to approved landing locations.

3. All cut trees are to be whole tree skidded to approved landings with the exception of trees meeting the criteria for Coarse Woody Debris.

4. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material ≥ 5 inches diameter and ≥ 6 feet in length within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be skidded to approved landing locations.

5. Contractor shall place on all main skid trails 8-10 processed tops per 66 feet evenly distributed, not to exceed 18” in height from the ground surface. Processed tops are defined as material less than 6” diameter on the large end.

6. Remove included timber meeting the minimum specifications as identified in Appendix B, A.2.

7. Other material brought to landings shall be piled at approved landing locations for disposal by the Forest

Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

8. All Road Maintenance Requirements identified in Appendix C apply commensurate with use.

9. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Mandatory Item 2: Cut and Pile Designated Material:

Item 2a or 2b will be awarded, but not both. Offerors must provide pricing for at least one and may provide pricing for both. The Forest Service will evaluate all method options and make award for a single method that is the best value to the government.

Item 2a: Cut, skid and pile designated material, Mechanical:

Units: 1, 13, 21, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G, 22H, 22I, 22J, 22K, 22L, 22M, 22N, 22O, 22P, 22Q, 22R, 22S, 22T, 22U, 23A, 23B, 23C, 25, 26, 44, 47, 55, 56, 63, 66, 69, 74, 76B, 77, 82, 84A, 88A, 88B, 89A, 95, 105, 112, 137, 154, 157, 158, 164, 166, 181, 183, 186, 190, 191, 194, 195, 197, 203 (896 acres)

1. Cut, skid, and pile designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be felled and skidded to approved landing locations.

3. All cut trees are to be whole tree skidded to landings with the exception of trees meeting the criteria for Coarse Woody Debris.

4. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material ≥ 5 inches diameter and ≥ 6 feet in length within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be skidded to approved landing locations.

5. Contractor shall place on all main skid trails 8-10 processed tops per 66 feet evenly distributed, not to exceed 18” in height from the ground surface. Processed tops are defined as material less than 6” diameter on the large end.

6. Material brought to landings shall be piled at landing for disposal by the Forest Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

Page 4 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

7. All Road Maintenance Requirements identified in Appendix C apply commensurate with use.

8. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Item 2b: Cut and pile designated material, hand work:

Units: 1, 13, 21, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G, 22H, 22I, 22J, 22K, 22L, 22M, 22N, 22O, 22P, 22Q, 22R, 22S, 22T, 22U, 23A, 23B, 23C, 25, 26, 44, 47, 55, 56, 63, 66, 69, 74, 76B, 77, 82, 84A, 88A, 88B, 89A, 95, 105, 112, 137, 154, 157, 158, 164, 166, 181, 183, 186, 190, 191, 194, 195, 197, 203 (896 acres)

1. Cut designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be felled and piled within the unit.

3. Maximum stump height is 6”.

4. All downed material shall be limbed of all branches larger than 1” diameter and at least 3 feet in length.

5. Pile all pre-existing and activity-generated material from 1” small end diameter up to 10” large end diameter and at least 3 feet in length according to specifications in Appendix B clause C6.7#, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

6. Remaining material larger than 10” on the small end shall be left in full contact with the ground and placed so they are not in contact with the boles of leave trees. This material may be bucked to ensure this requirement is met.

7. Remaining material smaller than 1” large end diamter and/or less than 3 feet in length shall be left within 18” of the ground surface.

Mandatory Item 3: Subdivision I Traffic Control and Installation/Removal of Temporary Culverts:

1. A minimum of two flaggers certified to Colorado MUTCD state standards must be posted on Larimer County Road 86 (Deadman Road) when tree felling is occurring within 200 feet of Larimer County Road 86, or when any operations are occurring that pose a hazard to public safety. Contractor may restrict access on the county road for no more than 15 minutes at a time.

2. Contractor’s logging slash and debris need to be removed from the roadway and placed in such a manner and location as not to interfere with drainage features or impede safe vehicular passage to the public. All logging debris that impedes traffic shall be removed within 15 minutes.

3. Warning signs such as Trucks Hauling and Logging Operations signs shall be placed on county road in compliance with MUTCD state standards.

4. Two temporary culverts will be required for 2 temporary access roads, as identified on the permit map and will be provided by the contractor and meet the following specifications: 15 inch diameter, 20 feet long, corrugated metal. The culvert will be topped with a minimum of 8 inches of fill material and be level with the road surface.

5. Culverts shall be removed within 30 days after operations and hauling are complete. The ditch shall be recontoured and cleared of debris.

6. See Solicitation Section 27, Larimer County Section for additional requirements.

Optional Item 4: Yard and Pile Unmerchantable Material in Remainder of Removal Units Item 4a or 4b may be awarded, but not more than one. Offerors must provide pricing for at least one and may provide pricing for multiple. The Forest Service will evaluate all method options and make award for a single method that is the best value to the government.

Item 4a: Yard and Pile Unmerchantable Material in Remainder of Removal Units, Mechanical:

Page 5 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Units 2A, 10, 11A, 11B, 14, 15, 17, 18A, 18B, 18C, 20, 22, 22V, 23, 24, 24A, 34, 36, 38B, 39, 41, 43, 46, 51, 53, 57, 59, 60, 62, 71, 76, 76A, 78, 80A, 80B, 83, 84C, 88, 89B, 90, 96, 98, 100, 103, 106, 111, 113, 120, 124, 138, 140, 163, 168, 169, 171, 174, 179, 182, 188, 198, 199, 204 (769 Acres)

1. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material ≥ 5 inches diameter and ≥ 6 feet in length within units and greater than 66 feet from National Forest System Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be skidded to approved landing locations, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements.

2. Material brought to landings shall be piled at landing for disposal by the Forest Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

3. All Road Maintenance Requirements identified in Appendix C apply commensurate with use.

4. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Item 4b: Pile Unmerchantable Material in Remainder of Removal Units, Hand:

Units 2A, 10, 11A, 11B, 14, 15, 17, 18A, 18B, 18C, 20, 22, 22V, 23, 24, 24A, 34, 36, 38B, 39, 41, 43, 46, 51, 53, 57, 59, 60, 62, 71, 76, 76A, 78, 80A, 80B, 83, 84C, 88, 89B, 90, 96, 98, 100, 103, 106, 111, 113, 120, 124, 138, 140, 163, 168, 169, 171, 174, 179, 182, 188, 198, 199, 204 (769 Acres)

1. Pile all pre-existing and activity-generated material from 1” small end diameter up to 10” large end diameter and at least 3 feet in length according to specifications in Appendix B clause C6.7#, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

2. Remaining material larger than 10” on the small end shall be left in full contact with the ground and placed so they are not in contact with the boles of leave trees. This material may be bucked to ensure this requirement is met.

3. Remaining material smaller than 1” large end diamter and/or less than 3 feet in length shall be left within 18” of the ground surface.

4. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Optional Item 5: Yard and Pile Designated Material in Remainder of Non-Removal Units, Mechanical:

Item 5a or 5b may be awarded may be awarded in addition to 2a, but will not be awarded in conjunction with 2b. Offerors must provide pricing for at least one and may provide pricing for multiple if pricing is provided for 2a. The Forest Service will evaluate all method options and make award for a single method that is the best value to the government.

Item 5a: Yard and Pile Designated Material in Remainder of Non-Removal Units, Mechanical:

Units: 1, 13, 21, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G, 22H, 22I, 22J, 22K, 22L, 22M, 22N, 22O, 22P, 22Q, 22R, 22S, 22T, 22U, 23A, 23B, 23C, 25, 26, 44, 47, 55, 56, 63, 66, 69, 74, 76B, 77, 82, 84A, 88A, 88B, 89A, 95, 105, 112, 137, 154, 157, 158, 164, 166, 181, 183, 186, 190, 191, 194, 195, 197, 203 (773 acres)

1. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material ≥ 5 inches diameter and ≥ 6 feet in length within units and greater than 66 feet from National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be skidded to approved landing locations, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements.

2. Material brought to landings shall be piled at landing for disposal by the Forest Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

3. All Road Maintenance Requirements identified in Appendix C apply commensurate with use.

4. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Item 5b: Pile Designated Material in Remainder of Non-Removal Units, Hand:

Page 6 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Units: 1, 13, 21, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G, 22H, 22I, 22J, 22K, 22L, 22M, 22N, 22O, 22P, 22Q, 22R, 22S, 22T, 22U, 23A, 23B, 23C, 25, 26, 44, 47, 55, 56, 63, 66, 69, 74, 76B, 77, 82, 84A, 88A, 88B, 89A, 95, 105, 112, 137, 154, 157, 158, 164, 166, 181, 183, 186, 190, 191, 194, 195, 197, 203 (773 acres)

1. Pile all pre-existing and activity-generated material from 1” small end diameter up to 10” large end diameter and at least 3 feet in length according to specifications in Appendix B clause C6.7#, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

2. Remaining material larger than 10” on the small end shall be left in full contact with the ground and placed so they are not in contact with the boles of leave trees. This material may be bucked to ensure this requirement is met.

3. Remaining material smaller than 1” large end diamter and/or less than 3 feet in length shall be left within 18” of the ground surface.

4. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Optional Item 6: Cut and Pile in Optional Units:

Item 6a or 6b or 6c may be awarded, but not more than one. Offerors must provide pricing for at least one and may provide pricing for multiple. The Forest Service will evaluate all method options and make award for a single method that is the best value to the government.

Item 6a: Cut, skid, and pile designated material, mechanical:

Units: 27, 29, 31, 32, 48, 127, 129, 130, 132, 134, 135, 141, 146, 150, 159 (574 acres)

1. Cut, skid or endline, and pile designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be felled and skidded to approved landing locations.

3. All cut trees are to be whole tree skidded to landings with the exception of trees meeting the criteria for Coarse Woody Debris.

4. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material ≥ 5 inches diameter and ≥ 6 feet in length within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be skidded to approved landing locations.

5. Contractor shall place on all main skid trails 8-10 processed tops per 66 feet evenly distributed, not to exceed 18” in height from the ground surface. Processed tops are defined as material less than 6” diameter on the large end.

6. Material brought to landings shall be piled at landing for disposal by the Forest Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

7. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Item 6b: Cut, skid, and pile designated material with additional yarding, mechanical:

1. Cut, skid or endline, and pile designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be felled and skidded to approved landing locations.

3. All cut trees are to be whole tree skidded to landings with the exception of trees meeting the criteria for Coarse Woody Debris.

4. All pre-existing and activity-generated down material within treatment units ≥ 5 inches diameter end and ≥ 6 feet

Page 7 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District in length shall be skidded to approved landing locations, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements.

5. Contractor shall place on all main skid trails 8-10 processed tops per 66 feet, not to exceed 18” in height from the ground surface. Processed tops are defined as material less than 6” diameter on the large end.

6. Material brought to landings shall be piled at landing for disposal by the Forest Service, see Appendix B clause C6.7# for piling specifications. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

7. All Appendix B clauses apply.

Item 6c: Cut and pile designated material, hand work:

1. Cut designated trees according to requirements described above.

2. All standing dead trees within 66 feet of National Forest System Roads, Larimer County Roads, National

Forest System Trails, POD lines, and private property boundaries shown on the Contract Area Map shall be felled and piled.

3. Maximum stump height is 6”.

4. All downed material shall be limbed of all branches larger than 1” diameter and at least 3 feet in length.

5. Pile all pre-existing and activity-generated material from 1” small end diameter up to 10” large diameter and at least 3 feet in length according to specifications in Appendix B clause C6.7#, with the exception of material required to be left to meet Coarse Woody Debris requirements. All piles must be placed a minimum of 100 feet from private property.

6. Remaining material larger than 10” on the small end shall be left in full contact with the ground and placed away from the boles of leave trees. This material may be bucked to ensure this requirement is met.

7. Remaining material smaller than 1” large end diamter and/or less than 3 feet in length shall be left within 18” of the ground surface.

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) If new nests are discovered,

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

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

(5) 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.

(6) 21-day notice shall be provided to the Forest Service before any change in Operating Schedule.

Page 8 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Operations may occur in only two subdivisions at a time. Work may not begin in additional subdivisions until work in prior subdivisions has been completed and accepted by the Forest Service, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Operations may not occur within any combination of Subdivisions A, E, and G at the same time unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Contractor shall, before commencing operations, provide in writing an annual Operating Schedule of anticipated major activities and needs for implementing treatment actions, such as cutting, skidding, and road maintenance. Upon reasonable notice to Forest Service, such schedule may be modified as necessitated by weather, markets, or other unpredictable circumstances.

Within 60 days of final award of contract, Contractor shall furnish Forest Service a written general Plan of Operations that shall be in addition to the annual Operating Schedule. The Plan of Operations shall set forth planned periods for and methods of road construction, timber harvesting, and completion of slash disposal, erosion control measures, and other contractual requirements. Forest Service written approval of the Plan of Operations is prerequisite to commencement of Contractor’s Operations. Contractor may revise this Plan of Operations when necessitated by weather, markets, or other unpredictable circumstances, subject to approval of Contracting Officer.

SECTION IV – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

For All Work Items:

At any point during the project, the Contractor and/or Project Manager may request in writing 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 Contracting Officer Representative (COR), or a designated inspector (Government Technical Monitor-GTM), will make periodic inspections as needed while work is in progress 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 feedback.

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 visual inspections at a frequency that keeps pace with work completion (weekly at a minimum). In the event visual inspection indicates work to be in non-compliance with specifications, prompt corrective action and/or rework shall be required at no additional cost to the Government.

Government Inspection Procedures – 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 contract requirements are being met within contract tolerances.

Page 9 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

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

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

5. Each inspection plot will be divided into four quadrants, the Government will examine each quadrant and document the findings. Work quality percentages are derived from data developed from inspection plots. The total number of satisfactory quadrants divided by the number of quadrants inspected determines the quality rate.

The rate multiplied by 100 provides the work quality percentage.

For each completed work activity, Contractor’s quality control inspection result for services completed will be compared to the Government’s assessment results. If the results differ by <5%, and the inspection has been conducted to the standards specified, the Contractor’s inspection will be considered acceptable and the quality percentage will be used as the basis for payment. When the results differ by more than 5%, the Government’s percentage will be used as the basis for payment.

EXAMPLE: Number of quadrants inspected: 25 Number of satisfactory quadrants: 23 23 divided by 25: 92 Work Quality Percentage: 92%

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.

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

ITEM DESCRIPTION SCHEDULE UNIT Min AQL

Cut and Skid Designated Trees, Pile Unmerchantable Material, and Remove Included Timber

MANDATORY ACRE 98%

2 Cut and Pile Designated Material MANDATORY ACRE 98%

3 Subdivision I Traffic Control and Temporary Culvert Installation/Removal MANDATORY LUMP

SUM 100%

4 Yard and Pile Unmerchantable Material in remainder of removal units OPTIONAL ACRE 98%

5 Yard/pile Designated Material in Remainder of Non-removal Units OPTIONAL ACRE 98%

6 Cut and Pile in Optional Units OPTIONAL ACRE 98%

SECTION V – PAYMENT METHODS

Page 10 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

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 – Item 1 Cut and Skid Designated Trees, Pile Unmerchantable Material, and Remove Included Timber

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 and rework cannot be performed, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 98 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 97 percent, 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

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

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

Acceptance and Payment – Item 2 Cut and Pile Designated Material

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 and rework cannot be performed, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 98 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 97 percent, 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor

Page 11 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

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

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

Acceptance and Payment – Item 3 Subdivision I Traffic Control

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

2. In the event that contractor is suspended for failure to follow traffic control requirements, payment will be reduced to 50% of the bid rate.

3. In the event that contractor is suspended more than once, payment will be reduced to 0%.

Acceptance and Payment – Optional Item 4 Yard/pile Unmerchantable Material in Remainder of Non-Removal Units

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 and rework cannot be performed, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 98 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 97 percent, 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

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

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

Acceptance and Payment – Optional Item 5 Cut and Pile in Optional Units

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 and rework cannot be performed, the rate of payment to the Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 98 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 97 percent, 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

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

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

Acceptance and Payment – Item 6 Cut and Pile in Optional Units

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 and rework cannot be performed, the rate of payment to the

Page 12 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

Contractor will be calculated as follows:

(a) For work quality of 98 percent or higher, the Contractor will be paid 100 percent of their bid rate.

(b) For work quality from 85 to 97 percent, 5 percent will be added to the work quality percent and the Contractor will be paid the total multiplied by the bid rate.

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

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

* 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.

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: A tree is classified as dead if it at least 75% of its crown has missing, brown, or red needles.

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.

DRIPLINE: The area defined by the outermost circumference of a tree canopy where water drips from and onto the ground.

Page 13 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

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

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.

PODS (POTENTIAL OPERATIONAL DELINEATIONS): Spatial features identified as potential fire control features, such as roads and ridge tops.

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.

SUBDIVISION: Divisions of the Contract Area as shown on the Contract Area Map(s). Subdivisions may be revised and additional ones may be established only by written agreement.

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.

UNMERCHANTABLE MATERIAL: Wood material not meeting the minimum merchantability specifications for sawtimber or non-sawtimber described in Appendix B

Page 14 of 14 Canyon Lakes Ranger District

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

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

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

YARDING: Mechanically transporting trees or portions thereof to a landing using at least one-end suspension.

Reinspection Upon Contractor Request

SECTION VI – DEFINITIONS