3. Mitchell-Jackson IRSC Appendix A DRAFT.pdf

Mitchell Jackson, G-Z Stewardship IRSC Kootenai National Forest RFI 12363N24Q4210 Libby Ranger District

APPENDIX A

DRAFT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The Mitchell Jackson project is intended to provide fuels reduction treatments to the Forest Service lands located within the project area to reduce wildfire severity and spread into the OU3 project area. Vegetation treatments with commercial harvest will reduce stand density by removing trees off the site for commercial use while non-commercial vegetation treatments reduce stand density of non-commercial material. Both commercial and non-commercial density reduction will follow with fuels treatments to further reduce the fuel loading. All vegetation treatments will shift the species dominance toward fire tolerant species of ponderosa pine and western larch.

The objective of this contract is for the contractor to complete the desired end-results activities from contract award through final completion of the project area. The contractor is expected to:

1. Complete a written, detailed Plan of Operations for; commercial (logging) and non-commercial wildfire fuel treatments, road construction / re-construction and decommissioning (road plans), and all other service only treatments for acres associated with the Mitchell Jackson Project Area.

A. After these detailed plans have been accepted and approved, contractors will then:

i. Cut, skid, and deck all included Sawtimber (Sawlog) Products.

ii. Cut, skid, and deck all included non-sawtimber (non-saw) products.

iii. Remove all included Sawlog products.

iv. Remove all included non-saw products.

v. Complete all on the ground timber removal and service work activities.

vi. Complete all required road maintenance, road construction, and road re-construction required for product removal.

2. Complete all required road maintenance, road construction and road reconstruction required for forest product removal.

3. Optional work that may be included:

A. Incineration/Carbonization of slash products utilizing air curtain burners and creation of biochar.

B. Design/plan a commercial timber products cruise and complete the cruise including a final estimate for non-saw products (See Item XX below).

C. Marking of timber for harvest.

SECTION II – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

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

1. List of items (if any) here. - To Be Determined (TBD)

SECTION III – SCHEDULE OF WORK ITEMS

(Items 1-24 will have both Mandatory and/or Optional requirements)

Item 1: Completion of a Written, Detailed Plan of Operations for the removal of commercial timber products:

For each included commercial treatment unit, design a detailed timber harvest plan. All the information for a harvest plan will be recorded in the Harvest Card (See Attachment XX) for each harvesting unit. Harvesting plans shall identify all relevant information for product removal work to be performed including, but not limited to:

1. Producing a commercial treatment unit map that depicts contours, ownership boundaries, treatment unit boundaries, planned harvesting system for each unit with direction of skidding/yarding shown, approximate landing locations, areas of adverse skidding, bridge and other stream crossing locations, proposed temporary road locations, areas requiring site specific protection measures, improvements to be protected, stream locations, archaeological/heritage sites, botany control areas, haul routes, and other key information (see Attachment XX, Contract Area Map).

A. The contractor shall generate maps digitally. All maps generated shall be georeferenced for use in Avenza and/or Field Maps Applications. All information and data shown on maps shall be provided to the Forest Service in the form of shapefiles for use in ArcGIS Pro and must be of adequate consistency and quality to meet the requirements for US Government contracts (Attachment XX).

B. Forest Service will provide spatial data of applicable resources for use in the maps such as, but not limited to, harvesting unit boundaries, resources to protect, Limited Operating Periods (LOP’s), known stream locations, etc.

C. Any data and or maps containing sensitive data such as, but not limited to, heritage, wildlife or botanical locations will be treated as confidential and will need to be acknowledged as such by signing a confidentiality agreement prior to using or sharing the data and or maps.

2. Commercial Treatment Area Plans shall include an annual operating schedule (pursuant to B6.31 Operating Schedule) of anticipated major activities and needs for the harvesting included sawlog products. Items covered may include anticipated; start dates, units which will be operated in, roads to be used and the timing of associated road maintenance, road construction/reconstruction, etc.

Upon reasonable written notice to the Forest Service, such a schedule may be subject to modifications necessitated by weather or other unpredictable circumstances.

Item 2: Cut, Skid and Deck All Included Commercial Timber Products (sawlog) within All Included Commercial Treatment Units.

Cut, skid or yard, and deck all included sawlog forest products which meet the minimum specifications as identified in Appendix B, Division A. All applicable specifications of Appendix B shall apply. Appendix C, Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

Within included Commercial Treatment Units, the contractor shall:

Cut and skid or yard sawlog material to landings for removal. Commercial treatment units within Area 1 include a total of 1,133 Acres. Cut in accordance with Provisions C2.355# Designation by Prescription (07/22) (DxP), C2.358# Individual Trees (Leave Tree Marking) (07/20), or C2.359# Individual Trees (Cut Tree Marking) (07/20). Inspection of work done under C2.355# will be in accordance with provision C6.36# Acceptance of Work. Refer to Appendix B for all commercial timber product removal specifications.

Item 3: Remove Sawlog Products from the Project Area

Remove from the Project Area all awarded forest products associated with timber removal (merchantable boles of trees meeting minimum merchantability specifications included in Attachment B) associated with cut, skid, and deck activities.

Item 4: Cut, Skid and Deck Non-commercial Timber Material (Non-Saw) within Commercial Harvest Units.

Cut, skid or yard, and deck all non-sawtimber (non-saw) forest material which meet the minimum tree specifications as identified in Appendix B, Division A. All applicable specifications included in Appendix B shall apply. Appendix C Road Maintenance requirements are commensurate with use.

Within included Harvest Units, the contractor shall:

Cut and skid or yard non-saw material to landings for removal within all included harvest units totaling 1,133 Acres. Cut in accordance with C2.2# Utilization and Removal of Included Products (03/21) and C2.355# Designation by Prescription (07/22).

Inspection of work done under C2.355# will be in accordance with provision C6.36# Acceptance of Work. Refer to Appendix B for all timber removal specifications.

Item 5: Remove Non-Saw material from the Project Area

Remove from Project Area all awarded forest products associated with timber removal (whole trees (primary non-saw) and top wood (secondary non-saw) meeting minimum merchantability specifications included in Attachment B, Division A), cull logs, chunks and small diameter trees associated with cut, skid, and deck activities.

Item 6: Piling of Landing Slash

A landing is considered a place where any logs or products are gathered for processing and/or loading.

1. Unless otherwise agreed upon, all slash accumulated at landings shall be piled. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning. Piles shall be of a size and location which will not impair road use or result in damage to residual timber.

A. The piling of landings will be done by a grapple-type loader, excavator, or as otherwise agreed to by Forest Service.

B. Landing Piles shall be located at least 30 feet from residual timber.

C. Piles shall range from 20 to 80 feet in diameter and 10 to 20 feet in height.

D. All objects which extend more than 8 feet in any direction from the pile profile will be cut off and returned to the pile.

Item 7: Post Timber Harvest Slashing within Commercial Treatment Units – Hand Slashing (Cutting); Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Cutting of Non-Saw material - < 300 trees per acre, <20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Cutting of Non-Saw material - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles. OR > 300 trees per acre, > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit - Cutting of Non-Saw material – > 300 trees per acre, >20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, many large rocks and obstacles.

1. Cutting Specifications

A. Silvicultural Prescriptions will be provided by the FS for hand slashing. Refer to Attachment XX for prescriptions.

B. Contractor shall fell all live and dead (coniferous and/or deciduous) trees and vegetation not meeting utilization standards and over 1 foot in height, and unless otherwise designated to be left standing. Cut vegetation using handheld chainsaws.

i. All cut material shall be felled into the treatment units and away from identified control areas, improvements, and property boundaries.

ii. Remaining stumps shall be less than 6 inches in height as measured from the ground surface on the uphill side and shall be cut flat or with a minimal angle to avoid creating a sharp stump.

iii. Completely sever cut material from the stump, leaving no live limbs on the stump.

iv. Prune branches of all residual trees to 6 feet in height.

v. Keep all system roads and drainage structures, including roadside ditches, free of slashed material from within these units.

vi. Cut all resulting slash greater than 4 inches in diameter into manageable sized pieces for possible piling (about 6-foot lengths). The maximum slash height throughout the unit shall be 18 inches above the surface of the ground.

C. Seasonal limited operating period (LOP) within 0.25-mile of known northern goshawk nests during the breeding season (February 15 to September 15 for goshawks) unless surveys confirm that northern goshawks are not nesting. Upon survey completion LOPs may be lifted or added by Forest Biologists approval. Refer to Attachment 4.

Item 8: Fell Damaged Residual (FDR) Trees within the Commercial Treatment Units – Post Timber Harvest Hand Felling; Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – FDR of Non-Saw Trees - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – FDR of Non-Saw Trees - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles. OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit - FDR of Non-Saw Trees – > 300 trees per acre >20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

1. Contractor shall fell all species over 2 feet in height not meeting minimum diameter specifications for Included Timber and damaged beyond recovery by Purchaser's Operations according to prescriptions included in Attachment XX.

A. Such trees shall be limbed, and stems bucked into lengths of about 6 feet.

B. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches from ground surface as measured on the uphill side and shall be cut flat or with a minimal angle to avoid creating a sharp stump.

C. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump leaving no live limbs on the stump.

D. Tops, stems, and limbs will not extend over 18 inches above the surface of the ground.

Item 9: Post Timber Harvest Slashing within Commercial Treatment Units – Mechanical Slashing (Cutting); Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Cutting of Non-Saw Material - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Cutting of Non-Saw Material - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles. OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit - Slashing (cutting) of Non-Saw Material – > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

A. Silvicultural prescriptions will be provided by the FS.

B. Cut trees, snags, brush and dead and down into manageable size pieces for grapple piling, about 8 feet long. This slash may be generated by use of machinery or by hand.

2. Discernable Boundaries – These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Contract (Sale) Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix B, Division C.

A. 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 the digital vector file/shapefile that will be approved after Items 6 and 25 are accepted.

B. Trees and brush to be treated is located within and not past the boundary as shown on the mobile mapping device using the digital vector file/shapefile listed above.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining a GPS receiver(s) that is capable of determining the location of the true Geo-Fence within the contract tolerance. Allowable contract tolerance is 15 feet.

C. Forest Service inspection of treated areas to determine if mastication/cutting is within allowable contract tolerance, shall use the digital vector file/shapefile named and dated above using a GPS Receiver with a minimum, tested accuracy in a Light- Medium canopy of 18 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.

D. As an operational convenience and subject to written agreement by the Forest Service, in advance of marking, Contractor may mark Geo-Fence boundaries on the ground with Contractor’s non-tracer paint. Boundary trees shall not be identified with paint applied below stump height. Contractor shall bear all costs associated with painting used to visually identify boundaries. Forest Service will not approve or accept the boundaries identified on the ground by the Contractor in advance of cutting.

E. 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.

Item 10: Mastication – Machine Mastication Fuel Treatment Units Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

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

Low Complexity: Within Specified Treatment Unit – Machine Mastication of Non-Saw Material - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Specified Treatment Unit – Machine Mastication of Non-Saw Material - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles. OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Specified Treatment Unit – Machine Mastication of Non-Saw Material – > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

1. Mastication Specifications

A. Silvicultural prescriptions will be provided by the FS for each treatment unit.

B. Equipment used shall be required to washed prior to arrival on site according to C6.351# Washing Equipment (01/18), Appendix B, Division C.

C. Operate machinery in a way so as not to damage any residual trees (a maximum of 15% damage to the residual stand) or cause undo damage to surrounding resources such as roadways or streambeds.

D. Machines used shall be designed and operated in such a way to minimize soil disturbance (a maximum of 15% of the area) and compaction.

E. After mastication, stump heights shall be no more than 6 inches in height as measured on the uphill side or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

F. No slash or vegetative debris shall be more than 12 inches deep as measured from the ground level. A maximum of 15% of the individual pieces of slash or vegetative debris will be allowed to exceed 6 feet in length. No masticated or cut material shall lean against or be suspended by a residual tree.

2. Discernable Boundaries - These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Sale Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix A, Division C and specifications stated in Item 9 above.

Item 11: Mechanical (Excavator) Piling of Slash within Commercial Treatment Units - Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Excavator piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Excavator piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles. OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit - Excavator piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities – > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

1. Excavator Piling Specifications

A. Contractor shall grapple pile timber harvesting slash within the commercial treatment units or portions thereof as shown on the Hazard Reduction and Site Preparation Map.

i. Equipment used for piling shall be an excavator type of equipped with thumb or other attachment approved by the Forest Service.

ii. Equipment used shall be required to be washed prior to arrival on site according to

C6.351# Washing Equipment (01/18), Appendix B, Division C.

iii. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning.

iv. Slash to be piled shall include material greater than 3-inch diameter at the large end.

v. The minimum piece length will be 4 feet. Smaller material may be piled incidentally and in conjunction with the greater than 3-inch diameter material.

vi. Piles shall range from 4 feet to 15 feet in diameter and 6 feet to 15 feet in height.

vii. Piles shall be placed no closer than 20 feet from the outside perimeter of the unit, system roads, wet areas, or other areas designated on the ground by the Forest Service.

viii. No pile shall be closer than 15 feet from any standing residual trees.

ix. All objects which extend more than 8 feet in any direction from the pile profile will be cut off and returned to the pile.

x. Stack boles of trees parallel so piles are compact.

xi. Cover ¾ of each pile with 7 mil plastic at the very top of the pile where it is visible.

xii. Cover plastic with a minimal amount of slash material so it stays in place under high winds but remains visible.

B. Conduct piling operations when soils are dry, frozen, or as approved by the Forest

Service. Refer to Attachment XX.

C. In the event timber harvesting activities result in significant accumulations of

Contractor generated slash due to breakage or as a result of slashing or FDR activities, excavator piling shall be performed to mitigate the accumulations of slash that can include diameters less than 3 inches on the large end.

i. A significant accumulation of slash is defined as Contractor created slash concentrations over a one-tenth acre in size that could be accumulated into a pile with a minimum height of 12 feet and at least 8 feet in diameter.

2. Discernable Boundaries - These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Sale Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix A, Division C.

Item 12: Hand Piling of Slash within Commercial Treatment Units - Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

1. Piling Specifications

A. Hand pile all slash created from the activities mentioned above. Minimum acceptable hand pile size will be 7 feet high.

i. Width and length of piles is irrelevant if piles are tall, steep, and compact. The larger the pile the better with at least 20 feet between piles.

ii. Piles should be compact with smaller material such as needles and branches in the bottom and center, and larger material such as boles on top to compress lighter fuels.

iii. Boles of trees will be oriented parallel to the slope (pointing up and down hill) to prevent rollout during burning.

iv. Boles of trees should be stacked parallel to each other (no teepees).

v. Cover at least 3/4 of each pile with 7 mil plastic placed in the very top of the pile.

Secure plastic with a minimal amount of slash to anchor it in high winds. Plastic must be obviously visible at the top of the pile.

B. Whenever possible piles can be elongated and oriented up and down slope. These piles should have the same tall and compact pile structure and can combine the material that would typically be found in many individual piles.

C. Burn piles are allowed in meadows outside of RHCA or EEZs but can be no greater than 10 feet wide by 10 feet high. Additionally, material in piles will be no greater than 10 inches in diameter and piles will cover no more than 30 percent per acre in the treated meadow. Material greater than 10 inches will be removed from meadow by hand or mechanized equipment outside of RCA EEZs or lopped and scattered and left

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Hand piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Hand piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit - Hand piling of slash created during timber harvesting activities – > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

within the meadow as large woody debris. See Attachment 13.

2. Discernable Boundaries - These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Sale Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix A, Division C and specifications stated in Item 9 above.

Item 13: Lop and Scatter of Slash Created within Commercial Treatment Units - Low, Moderate, and High Complexities

A. Silvicultural prescriptions will be provided by the FS.

B. Cut vegetation using handheld chainsaws.

C. All trees, limbs, and other vegetation shall be cut into lengths of 6 feet or less within the treatment units, and scattered away from identified control areas, improvements, and property boundaries.

D. Remaining stumps shall be less than 6 inches in height and shall be cut flat or with a minimal angle to avoid creating a sharp stump. Prune branches of all residual trees to 6 feet in height.

2. Slash Treatment A. Slash shall be lopped and scattered in such a manner that overall slash height should not exceed 18 inches above the surface of the ground.

B. Slash shall be cut so that it maximizes contact with the ground. Scattering of slash shall be done in a non-contiguous manner to avoid creating piles.

C. Slash shall be scattered into openings away from and without damaging residual trees.

D. Scattered materials shall be located at least 10 feet from the crown, or drip line of any dead or live tree or equal distance between standing dead or live trees, whichever is greater.

DESCRIPTION OF COMPLEXITY

Low Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Lop and Scatter of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

Moderate Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Lop and Scatter of slash created during timber harvesting activities - < 300 trees per acre, < 20% slope, < ½ mile from system road, with a few large rocks and obstacles OR > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, free of large rocks and obstacles.

High Complexity: Within Commercial Treatment Unit – Lop and Scatter of slash created during timber harvesting activities – > 300 trees per acre > 20% slope, > ½ mile from system road, with many large rocks and obstacles.

3. Discernable Boundaries – These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Sale Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix A, Division C.

Work item descriptions for items 14 and 15 will be included in pre-solicitation documents.

Item 14: Road Reconstruction

Item 15: New Road Construction

Item 16: Hand Fireline Construction

Firelines shall be constructed by hand around the perimeter or portions of the perimeter of each harvest unit which has been designated for burning within the individual Silvicultural Prescription. The Hazard Reduction and Site Preparation Map shows locations of required hand firelines around portions of harvest units.

1. Water bars will be properly constructed according to specifications included in Appendix B, C6.7# and installed at intervals designated by the Forest Service to ensure adequate water diversion.

2. The fireline will be constructed and cleared completely to expose mineral soil so that a continuous mineral soil line ranges from 12 to 24 inches in width.

A. Do not bury or cover slash with soil during the construction of the fireline.

B. Scatter all soil and duff material removed in fireline construction outside of the fireline.

C. Scatter all vegetative material removed in fireline construction within the boundary of the harvest unit to avoid concentrating fuel next to the fireline.

D. If an additional fuelbreak is required, construct the mineral soil fireline on the exterior edge of the fuelbreak.

E. Remove any fuels extending across the mineral soil fireline and within 6 feet of the ground and scatter within the harvest unit away from the fireline.

3. Fuelbreaks shall be cleared of all concentrated vegetative debris (fuel) by hand that will easily ignite, maintain, or increase fire intensity, contribute to fire spread or hinder mop up operations.

A. The Hazard Reduction and Site Preparation Map shows the location of required fuelbreaks around the perimeter or portions of the perimeter of each harvest unit.

B. All vegetative material removed from the fuelbreak shall be scattered within the unit to avoid concentrations greater than 3 feet in height.

C. Fuelbreaks shall be constructed to minimum width of 20 feet.

D. Live vegetation may remain intact but not exceed 1 foot in height.

E. All cut material should be scattered inside the unit at least 10 feet from the fuelbreak.

F. Large material shall be placed parallel to the slope to prevent rolling during burning operations.

G. Contractor shall fell all live and dead (coniferous and/or deciduous) trees, not meeting Utilization Standards and over 1 foot in height within the width of the fuelbreak, unless otherwise designated to be left standing. Stump heights shall not exceed 6 inches from ground surface as measured on the uphill side. Felled trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

Item 17: Mechanical Fireline Construction -

Firelines shall be constructed by excavator around the perimeter or portions of the perimeter of each harvest unit. The Hazard Reduction and Site Preparation Map shows required locations of excavator fireline around portions of harvest units.

1. Water bars will be properly constructed according to specifications included in Appendix B, Division C, C6.7# and installed at intervals designated by the Forest Service to ensure adequate water diversion.

2. The fireline will be constructed and cleared completely to expose mineral soil so that a continuous mineral soil line ranges from 16 to 24 inches in width and not any deeper than 6 inches.

A. Do not bury or cover slash with soil during the construction of the fireline.

B. Scatter all soil and duff material removed in fireline construction outside of the fireline.

C. Scatter all vegetative material removed in fireline construction within the boundary of the harvest unit to avoid concentrating fuel next to the fireline.

3. If a fuelbreak is required, construct the mineral soil fireline on the exterior edge of the fuelbreak.

A. Fuelbreaks shall be constructed by excavator around the perimeter or portions of the perimeter of each harvest unit.

B. Fuelbreaks shall be cleared of all concentrated vegetative material (fuel) that will easily ignite, maintain, or increase fire intensity, contribute to fire spread or hinder mop up operations.

C. The Hazard Reduction and Site Preparation Map shows the location of required fuelbreaks.

D. All vegetative material removed from the fuelbreak shall be relatively free of mineral soil and scattered within the unit to avoid concentrations greater than 3 feet in height.

E. Fuelbreaks shall be constructed to minimum width of 20 feet.

F. Live vegetation may remain intact, but not to exceed 1 foot in height.

G. All vegetative material should be scattered inside the unit at least 10 feet from the fuelbreak.

H. Large material shall be placed parallel to the slope to prevent rolling during burning operations.

I. Contractor shall fell all live and dead (coniferous and/or deciduous) tree species not meeting Utilization Standards and over 1 feet in height within the width of the fuelbreak, unless otherwise designated to be left standing. Stumps shall be cut flat and not exceed 6 inches in height as measured from ground surface on the uphill side. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

Item 18: Mechanical (Excavator) Piling of Fuels – Noncommercial Treatment Units

Refer to Item 11 for performance requirements.

Item 19: Hand Piling of Fuels – Noncommercial Treatment Units

Refer to Item 12 for performance requirements.

Item 20: Hand Thinning – Noncommercial Treatment Unit Slashing

Refer to Item 13 for performance requirements.

Item 21: Pre-commercial Thinning (PCT)

Silvicultural prescriptions will be provided by the FS for each PCT unit.

1. General leave tree descriptions will include good crown form, live crown ratio > 40%, species preference, good leader growth, color of foliage, straight bole, no significant defect or damage, and insect/disease free. Tree spacing and specifics will be covered in the individual prescriptions.

2. Trees designated for removal as defined in the prescription shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural obstacles. All live limbs below the point where cut shall be removed.

3. Stumps shall be cut flat and not exceed 6 inches in height as measured from ground surface on the uphill side and shall be cut flat or with a minimal angle to avoid creating a sharp stump. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

4. Designated cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, and streams. Any trees falling on such areas shall be removed. Any tree felled into private land, roadside ditches, or within cross drainage culvert inlets shall be pulled back a minimum of 10 feet back into the PCT treatment unit.

5. All PCT slash shall be placed on or near the ground surface, not to exceed an average of 2 feet in depth and shall be cut into lengths no greater than 6 feet long, so that it is not leaning against or suspended by an uncut tree, stump, log, or any obstacle. Snags may not be cut unless the contractor elects to fall them for safety reasons and receives concurrence from the FS prior to felling.

A. If felled, snags should be felled prior to selecting leave trees within a distance equal to the height of the snag in the direction of fall.

Item 22: Noxious Weed Treatment

Refer to C6.27# Noxious Weed Treatment (06/23) included in Appendix B, Division C.

Sub Item a – Truck Mounted Application Equipment

Sub Item b – UTV Mounted Application Equipment

Sub Item c – Backpack Applications

Sub Item d – Drone Applications

Item 23: Cutting Roadside Vegetation

This work consists of cutting and disposing of all vegetative growth, including trees, from within the roadway that reduce sight distance and operational capability of the road. Vegetation removal is required if the growth of the vegetation during the contract period causes unacceptable reduction of sight distance and operation capability.

Vegetative matter within the roadway which reduces sight distance, impedes vehicular travel, or interferes with road maintenance operations such as surface blading and ditch and culvert cleaning shall be removed. Downed timber meeting utilization standards shall be cut in appropriate lengths and decked along the roadside in locations where the traveled way or sight distance will not be impaired.

Low shrubs and brush which do not restrict sight distance, do not impede road maintenance, and reduce erosion shall not be removed. Vegetation removed shall be disposed of by scattering, chipping, hauling to designated disposal areas, or as otherwise agreed upon.

Refer to C5.31# Road Maintenance Requirements (09/04) Specification T-507 included in Appendix B, Division C.

Item 27: Soil Scarification – Landings, Skid rials, Temporary Roads, Etc

Unless waived in writing by the Forest Service on specific roads, skid trails/skid roads or landings, all landings, skid trails/skid roads, and Temporary Roads constructed or used by Contractor shall be scarified by the Contractor following use.

1. Scarification shall span the width of the compacted areas and shall be done to a depth of not less than 6 inches, but not to exceed a depth of 14 inches, and must effectively prepare the ground for seeding.

2. Scarification shall be done during the period XXXXX to XXXXX unless otherwise approved.

3. No scarification work shall be done during wet weather or when the ground is frozen or otherwise unsuitable.

Item 24: Soil Scarification – Site Preparation for Reforestation

1. Scarification patches shall be evenly distributed over the workable ground. Generally, a scarification patch shall be defined as an area of ground 3 ft X 2.5 ft (one bucket width by three feet), cleared to mineral soil. The duff and litter removed from the scarification patch shall be scattered evenly over the undisturbed ground. Scarification may be conducted in conjunction with excavator piling or may be a separate activity. Exact spacing and patch size will be identified within the individual prescription.

The following are optional work activities that may be included when project is solicited:

Item 25: Air Curtain Burner

An air curtain burner is a piece of equipment designed to minimize air pollution associated with the burning of wood and vegetative waste – the burner uses a series of air blowers to generate a “curtain” of air that drives volatile gases back into the burner to be consumed as fuel in the fire.

1. Air curtain burning or production of biochar includes the work necessary to incinerate piles or concentrations of woody fuel in an air curtain burner or to convert these fuels into biochar.

A. Individual prescriptions will specify whether an air curtain burner or biochar kiln shall be supplied and/or operated by the Contractor or the Government.

B. This work activity may include the use of an excavator to load woody biomass into the air curtain burner or kiln and/or transport woody biomass short distances from pile locations to the burn site.

C. The fuel may require longer transportation distances and may specify utilizing a dump truck or other hauling methods in order to complete burning activities at a central location.

D. Additional fire protection measures and seasonal limitations may also be required.

E. Individual prescriptions will identify exact specifications for air curtain burning or production of biochar.

Item 26: Biochar Creation

Biochar is a granular carbon substance produced by pyrolysis or thermal decomposition of organic matter in an oxygen starved environment. When applied to the soil it resists decomposition, effectively sequestering the applied carbon and mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Item 27: Biochar Spreading

Item 28: Contract Area Map

Contract Area Map (CAM):

1. The contractor shall create a CAM for each Treatment Area. All maps will be in digital format and will be georeferenced. All information and data shown on maps shall be supplied to the Forest Service in the form of shapefiles or Feature Class for use in ArcGIS Pro. Forest Service will provide spatial data for known resources to protect including but not limited to Limited Operating Periods (LOP’s), Special Treatment Areas, etc.

2. Each CAM shall at a minimum show the following items.

A. Identify Timber Treatment area boundaries and specify how product is designated.

B. Identify Service Treatment area boundaries and differentiate areas by treatment type.

C. Differentiate between painted, virtual, or discernable boundaries.

D. Identify all resources to protect.

E. Identify all areas that have Limiting Operating Periods (LOP).

F. Identify Haul routes and show roads identified in Road Plan for Road maintenance and Re-construction.

G. Show roads identified in Road Plan for Road maintenance and Re-construction.

H. Identify protected improvements.

I. Identify seasonal operation restrictions.

J. Identify sensitive and invasive species.

K. Identify no treat areas provided by the Forest Service and identified by the contractor.

L. Identify Service Treatment areas and differentiate areas by treatment type.

M. Identify Product Removal treatment units and differentiate units by prescription.

3. Any data and or maps containing sensitive data will be treated as confidential and will need to be acknowledged as such by signing a confidentiality agreement prior to using or sharing the data and or maps.

4. Maps must be of adequate consistency and quality to meet the requirements for US Government contracts. Guidance for CAM’s can be found in Attachment XX TBD

Item 29: Commercial Volume Determination (Cruising)

1. Design/Plan a Timber Cruise to determine an estimate of the merchantable timber volume to be included.

A. Unless otherwise stated or agreed to by the Forest Service, the Cruise Design, Cruise

Plan and associated data in the final cruise report shall follow directions and standards provided in Forest Service Manuals and Handbooks. Details of methodology and standards can be found in Attachment XX TBD.

B. All Cruise designs and plans will be reviewed and approved by the Forest Service prior to implementation of the cruise.

C. If it becomes necessary to modify the cruise plan after implementation has begun, the contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and prepare an addendum to the plan.

Add the date of the addendum to the cover page of the plan. Follow the standards and guidelines in Attachment XX TBD.

D. The contractor is responsible for developing pre-cruise information for use in the cruise.

E. Harvest Units:

i. The cruise will be designed to achieve a maximum sampling error of 50 percent for each individual sampling strata that consists of commercial products (sawlogs), a maximum sampling error of 65 percent for non-commercial (non-saw), and a maximum sale-as-a-whole error of 30 percent (Attachment 8: FSH 2409.12, chapter 40). All data collected shall meet the accuracy requirements in FSH 2409.12, chapter 50 (Attachment XX TBD).

F. Cruise Plots:

i. Cruisers must be supervised by a qualified cruiser and have sufficient training to execute data collection to meet quality standards of the Forest Service.

ii. Cruiser will follow procedures outlined in the approved cruise plan and take measures in accordance with the information outlined in Attachment XX.

iii. All data will be kept in a consistent format, an organized file structure, and be supplied to the Forest Service with the final cruise report.

2. Final Cruise Processing and Report:

A. National Cruise Program (NATCRS) shall be used for processing cruise data. The final cruise shall be delivered to the FS in a working CRZ file.

B. Following processing, the Forest Service will notify the Contractor if the cruise meets

Maximum Sampling Errors. The contractor may take corrective action if cruise exceeds Maximum Sampling Errors. When the original cruise exceeds the desired sampling error and a small number of additional samples are needed to reduce the error to an acceptable level, the Contractor will calculate the total number of additional samples needed, locate, and measure unbiased samples in the field, and add these data to the original cruise. Corrective action and additional samples will be agreed to by Forest Service.

3. Forest Service will conduct cruise inspections as outlined in Attachments XX TBD.

A. Inspections will evaluate cruising procedures and monitor cruiser performance.

The Forest Service will indicate when results of a sale inspection are unsatisfactory and recommend corrective action needed to make the cruise acceptable.

B. When Final Cruise for each Commercial Treatment Area has been completed and accepted, the FS will complete an independent Timber Sale Appraisal to determine the Advertised Timber Rate and Bid Premiums to be collected according to the “Timber Appraisal and Bid Premium” notes section in the solicitation. Maps, plans, and quantities accepted by FS WILL be used for appraisal data entries to calculate logging costs. If Advertised Timber Rates are unacceptable to Contractor for Items X, X, X, X, X, and/or X, indicating these Option Items cannot be awarded bilaterally, the included timber of that treatment area and any overlapping Optional service treatment units shall not be awarded. These units will be re-solicited for open competition.

Item 30: Timber Designation Marking – Contractor Furnished Paint

Know the planned timber sale contract requirements and the marking guide. Mark or designate timber for harvest in accordance with the marking guide. Use a paint mark at or above eye level and another mark below stump height for each cut tree, leave tree, or boundary tree to be marked. Prior to marking, check the sale area for any residual paint from previous projects and develop a marking plan that addresses any existing tree marking paint. See table below for alternate marking paint colors to avoid confusion.

National Paint Scheme for Timber Sale - Related Activities Work Item Primary Color Secondary Color Tertiary Color

Cut Trees Blue Yellow Green

Leave Trees * Orange Pink White

Cancel Prior Work Black

Property Lines Red (non-tracer)

*Includes harvest unit boundaries, cultural resources, wildlife trees, etc.

Mark or designate all timber to be cut prior to sale advertisement. This permits the determination of the volume and quality of the offered timber. The primary methods for designating timber to be cut include:

A. Leave Tree Marking (LTM): Trees designated to be left standing after commercial harvesting operations shall be marked with a horizontal stripe of LTM paint at or above eye level, and a stump mark consisting of a horizontal stripe of LTM paint on the downhill side of the tree at ground level.

B. Cut Tree Marking (CTM): Trees designated to be cut during commercial harvesting operations shall be marked with a horizontal stripe of CTM paint at or above eye level, and a stump mark consisting of a horizontal stripe of CTM paint on the downhill side of the tree at ground level are also designated for harvest.

C. Harvest unit boundaries: The boundaries of units are marked on three (3) sides of the harvest unit boundary trees with vertical stripes of Orange paint extending from diameter at breast height (DBH) upwards approximately three (3) feet, except where the boundaries coincide with existing roads or other discernible features as shown on Sale Area Map. The middle stripe of paint shall face the harvest unit and the other two stripes shall face on line with the harvest unit boundary. In addition, each boundary tree shall have a horizontal stump mark painted on the downhill side of the tree at ground level covering at least 1/3 of the stump circumference. Trees used for boundary designation are not to be cut.

i. Virtual Boundaries or Geo-Fence:

(1) Boundaries may be left unmarked if natural or constructed features are so conspicuous that they can be identified from the sale area map alone, and if using those features would not cause mistakes to be made when the trees are cut.

(2) These are Treatment Unit boundary locations that are readily identifiable features on the ground in locations shown on the Sale Area Map and in accordance with C2.30# - Cutting Unit Boundaries (02/21), Appendix A, Division C and specifications stated in Item 9 above.

D. Upon agreement with Forest Service, dead trees designated to be left standing may be felled when necessary for safety under the State Safety Code and other dead trees designated in their place.

E. Always use stump marks for any tree marked for harvest, as a leave tree, or as a boundary tree. Make the stump mark large enough to be conspicuous if scraped or chipped off, usually at least 1/3 of the circumference of the stump. Avoid marking thick moss or loose bark that could easily be removed from the tree. When possible, mark on the low side of the tree, or where it is less likely that the mark could be removed by the harvest of the tree.

2. Determine compliance with marking guides and plans by periodically checking crew performance. Individuals that are designated to ensure the quality of timber marking must inspect timber marking activities to ensure compliance with written marking guides. File written documentation on marking crew compliance with marking guides in each timber sale case folder.

3. Tree Designation without Marking Individual Trees A. Use clearcut units, overstory or understory removal, or similar descriptions for treatment designations to reduce sale layout costs when such methods would accomplish the sale objectives.

B. Designation of trees by description (DxD) may be done only by using contract provisions for this method of designation that have received prior approval from the Washington Office, Director of Forest Management.

C. Designation of trees by prescription (DxP) may be used for noncommercial trees that are not removed from the contract area or having contract provisions for this method of designation that have received prior approval from the Washington Office, Director of Forest Management.

D. Clearly mark the harvest unit boundaries (sec. 71.22) with tree marking paint.

Make certain there is no question of which trees are designated for removal.

E. Ensure that the sale area map agrees with the designated boundaries on the ground.

4. Do not designate witness, bearing, and corner trees for harvest. If, for some reason, destruction of such trees is inevitable, coordinate with the forest cadastral surveyor for the preservation or replacement of such monuments before harvest occurs.

Item 31: Completion of a Detailed, Written Road Construction/Reconstruction Plan (Road Plan):

An approved Road Plan will consist of information related to the following:

1. Road Maintenance according to C5.31# (Appendix B, Division C).

2. New Road Construction.

3. Reconstruction.

4. Road Storage and/or Decommissioning.

Once the Contractor and Forest Service agree upon road plan(s) Appendix C and D will be finalized and added through contract modifications. Quantities in the accepted Appendix D will modify estimated quantities to true quantities for Item XX and associated sub items.

Temporary roads will not be included in the Road Plan and should instead be included in the detailed logging plan. The reconstruction plan will not apply to temporary roads.

SECTION IV – 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.

It is incumbent upon the contractor to ensure areas for protection are identified in the project Plan of Operations and are…