639502 Statement of Work.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Attachment

Project CONT 030121 TMB Open Draw Big Lake Planting

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has a requirement for tree planting services to restore and reforest lands that were burned after wildfire, openings created by timber related activities, or other deforestation events such as wind-throw or pest epidemic. The purpose of the Open Draw/Big Lake Planting project is to conduct reforestation within the burn scar of the Wallow Fire, where natural regeneration has failed to populate areas that burned at high severity. The Open Draw/Big Lake Planting project will achieve these objectives by planting approximately 180,000 seedlings across 1600 acres.

2.0 Background

In 2011 the Wallow Fire burned over 500,000 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests creating a mosaic of low, medium, and high severity burned areas across the landscape. Reforestation is an essential compoenet to restore the ecosystem functioning in these high severity areas, providing benefits to multiple resources, including aesthetics, soils, timber, water quality, and wildlife.

The Open Draw/Big Lake Planting project will plant approximately 180,000 trees over 12 planting units which cover roughly 1,600 acres in the Springerville Ranger District. Additionally, 17,000 tree shelters will be installed as artificial shade over 153 acres of the planting area. A mixture of blue spruce, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and Southwestern white pine will be planted in accordance with the desired conditions described in the dry- and wet-mixed conifer potential natural vegetation types. These trees will be planted between September and November dependent on weather, moisture, and monsoon conditions for Northern Arizona.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Contractor shall furnish all expertise, supervision, labor, tools, equipment, supplies (except those designated as Government furnished), transportation, lodging, and incidentals to perform all work necessary for reforestation services on a national forest. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure services shall be performed over the entire unit. The contractor will be responsible for completing the planting described in Table 1 below, as well as installing artificial shade over 153 acres of the planted area (Units 1, 3, and 4).

Table 1: Planting unit details.

Unit Desired Spacing (feet)

Acres Estimated Total Trees

Task

1 14x14 41 4,556

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (50%) and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Install Blue-X (or similar model) tree shelters as artificial shade.

2 14x14 7 778

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (50%) and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

3 14x14 34 3,778

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (50%) and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Install TreeSentry tree shelters as artificial shade.

4 14x14 82 9,112

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (50%) and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Install Blue-X (or similar model) tree shelters as artificial shade.

5 14x14 430 47,783

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (45%), blue spruce (7.5%), Southwestern white pine (2.5%), and Douglas-fir (45%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

6 14x14 85 9,445

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (40%), blue spruce (15%), Southwestern white pine (5%), and Douglas-fir (40%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

7 14x14 46 5,112

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (35%), blue spruce (25%), Southwestern white pine (5%), and Douglas-fir (35%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

8 14x14 255 28,336

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant blue spruce (40%), Southwestern white pine (10%), and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

9 14x14 7 778

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant blue spruce (40%), Southwestern white pine (10%), and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

10 14x14 223 24,780

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (25%), blue spruce (20%), Southwestern white pine (5%), and Douglas-fir (50%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

11 14x14 140 15,557

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (45%) and Douglas-fir (55%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

12 14x14 240 26,669

Tree plant at 50% total unit area in grouped arrangement with interspaces between groups (Figure 2) with 24x24-inch scalping. Spacing should average 14x14-feet between individual trees within groups. Plant ponderosa pine (50%), blue spruce (5%), and Douglas-fir (45%) to create desired species composition. Utilize natural shade.

Figure 1. Diagram of grouped planting arrangements with interspace between groups.

3.1 Seedling Management

Seedlings from Lucky Peak Nursery and Bessey Nursery will be stored either in the tree cooler or on the lawn at Alpine Site 2 (see attached maps). The trees in the tree cooler will be packed in boxes of approximately 200 trees. The trees on the lawn will be in FT-128 trays. The trees in the FT-128 trays will be transported in their trays to the planting site. These trees cannot be stacked and will require transportation in multiple pickup trucks or in an appropriate trailer.

Contractor must have appropriate vehicles, trailers, and equipment to transport seedlings. Planting crew should expect to transport minimum 6000 seedlings to the planting area each day. Multiple runs throughout the day back to Alpine Site 2 for seedlings is not permitted due to the distance between the storage site and the planting areas. Staging trees at the planting site for work the next day is prohibited. All trees removed from the tree cooler for work that day will be planted at the planting site. The seedlings cannot be put back in the cooler once removed.

The planters are responsible for proper protection during transport and care once the seedlings are retrieved from their designated staging area. Trees cannot be stacked on top of one another during transport. This will result in significant damage to stem and leader. Shelves are recommended in trailers to carry trees. The Forest Service will provide reflective shade tarps for use at the planting site. The seedlings in FT-128 containers must be taken out of the trucks/trailers on site and covered by reflective tarps. Trees in boxes should be removed from truck beds if reasonable but do not have to be covered by reflective tarps if appropriate shade is available at planting site. This is a requirement that will be enforced by inspectors.

In the event of the availability of a refrigerated trailer, the seedlings will be stored near the planting sites in the trailer and will not require contractor transport from Alpine site 2 to the planting site. The contractor may access the refrigerated trailer multiple times a day to retrieve trees as deemed reasonable by the U.S. Forest Service.

3.2 Proper planting techniques:

All seedlings should be planted using hoedads or a comparable tool. Seedlings must be put in dug holes straight with no damage to plug and then properly compacted to reduce air pockets and ensure seedling remains straight. Penalties for incorrectly planted seedlings are listed in master contract. See Figures 2 and 3 for planting procedures and acceptable tree planting positions.

Figure 2. Proper planting techniques using hoedad.

Figure 3. Acceptable tree positions.

3.3 Project Specific Shading Requirements

Natural shade requirements apply:

Stationary material or transportable shade (planter discretion), then plant in the open. A tree planted next to either stationary material or transportable shade at the planter’s discretion. Suitable transportable shade meets the definition for transportable shade. When neither stationary nor transportable material is available, the tree may be planted in the open.

All transportable shade must be at least 4 inches in diameter and be within 100% of the spacing distance to the planted tree. For example, if the tree spacing is 16X16, the maximum distance a tree planter must go to seek and move transportable shade from is 16 feet from the planted seedling. If no transportable shade is found within 16 feet of the seedling then the seedling may be planted in the open. Shade on the uphill side of a planted tree must be stable so as not to roll down on top of the planted tree. The natural shade shall be located on the south-southwest side of the planted seedling.

FSH 2409.17, 2.61 - Planting Spot Selection - Microsites Planting in favorable microsites protects seedlings from potentially harmful conditions and improves the probability of survival. This is especially true in areas of high animal use, high insolation rates, and extreme winds. To take advantage of microsites, the spacing requirements may need to be adjusted. Silviculturists must evaluate local site conditions to assure the required microsite is tailored to the damaging agent.

1. Areas of High Animal Use: Cattle and big game damage is a major cause of plantation failure. Cattle generally trample the seedling and big game tend to feed on the plants. Plant seedlings near logs, stumps, or sticks where they are protected, which will inhibit trampling and animal browsing.

2. High Insolation: High insolation results in heat and moisture stress to the seedling and can cause mortality on any sites. Drier habitat types and those on south- and west-facing slopes are most damaging. Direct heat to the tree crown affects the physiology of the tree causing water maintenance deficits. Heat at the soil surface can cause the soil temperatures to be lethal to the seedling stem at the ground line. Early season insolation can also cause the seedlings to break dormancy too soon and become subject to freeze damage. All types of damage intensify on exposed slopes over 30 percent.

Stationary shade such as stumps, sticks and larger logs provide the best site protection. On south and west slopes, plant on the north to east side of the stationary shade to protect the seedling from the afternoon sun. Where existing (stationary) shade is not present, other transportable shade types can be used in most cases. Use pieces of wood or branches that are larger than 3 inches in diameter and other material. Place the shade on the south and west side of the tree, to offer afternoon shade to the seedling (see exhibit 01). If you must use a rock, it should not touch the tree.

Staked shade cards or shingles are costly to install but are an option where there is no natural shade. Although it is beneficial to shade the entire crown of the seedling, the most critical area needing shade is the ground line. This is where insolation rates raise soil temperatures above the lethal point.

Shade is generally not necessary on north slopes, and if used on east slopes, place it on the downhill side to protect seedlings from morning sun. Do not place transportable shade on the uphill side of the tree because it may roll down onto the planted tree.

As a general rule, it is critical to require shade in these conditions:

• Planting sites on Douglas fir habitat types and drier in Montana, grand fir habitat types and drier in northern Idaho, most habitat types throughout Regions 2, 3, 4

• Planting sites on south- and west-facing slopes

• Planting sites on steep slopes, generally over 30 percent, especially on a dry aspect

• Other site factors such as soil moisture-holding capacity, plant competition, and elevation compound insolation problems. Without proper site preparation to reduce competing vegetation, shade will not be sufficient to assure survival.

3.4 Natural Shade

Natural shade must be utilized when tree shelters are not installed. The contractor must follow the guidelines below when utilizing natural shade. See Figure 4. below for a visual example of proper shading practice.

(1) Live trees or brush Live shade can provide beneficial protection to seedlings. Select planting spots that minimize moisture competition with the live shade plants. Plant so that seedlings are protected from the afternoon sun.

It is generally beneficial to plant near the root crown of brush because water- absorbing roots of shrubs are not as dense as compared to farther away from the crown, and trees placed here are protected from browsing animals. When planting under a tree overstory, it is generally desirable to plant outside the dripline and within the shade pattern of afternoon sun.

Planting within brush fields is risky. In a year with good moisture, newly planted trees may survive, however, if the following year is dry, mortality may result as brush has the competitive advantage for moisture. Rodent damage can be more common in live brush areas resulting in increased mortality as well.

(2) Standing dead trees or brush Shade from standing dead trees and brush provides seedlings protection, but it is difficult for planters to move in dense thickets of dead brush and falling debris may later smother or damage young seedlings. There is also a hazard to tree planters when planting in areas of standing dead trees.

(3) Downed logs, stumps, large pieces of debris Down, dead organic material is ideal for microsites. Retain sufficient debris during logging and site preparation to assure adequate shade materials. There is a risk of root pathogens spreading from stumps to regeneration. Where root pathogens like Armellaria spp. are a known problem, do not plant adjacent to stumps. However, on forested sites, there are more benefits (shade and trampling protection) to planting near stumps than there is a risk of mortality from disease.

(4) Small debris Small debris can protect the tree at ground level where shade is critical and other stationary shade is not present.

Insolation often heats surface soils to temperatures lethal to natural regeneration and planted seedlings. Mortality can be attributed to heat lesions at the ground line. To reduce this problem, place small pieces of material, at least 3 inches in diameter, so that they shade the ground and base of seedlings from afternoon sun. Do not place this material on the uphill side of trees.

(5) Rocks Using rocks as shade may be better than no shade but may cause heat problems if not properly placed. Rocks should not contact the seedling or reflect the sun's rays onto the seedling.

(6) Areas Prone to High Winds Hot, desiccating winds or winter winds that blow snow and ice can cause damage to tree seedlings, especially container-grown stock. In areas known for hot and/ or high winds, protect seedlings by planting them on the leeward side of large debris.

Figure 4. Natural Shading Protocol

3.4 Artificial Shade

Units 1, 3, and 4 specify the installation of tree shelters as artificial shade for tree seedlings. TreeSentry and Blue-X (or similar model) tree shelters will be used for artificial shade and will be provided by the US Forest Service (see government furnished materials in section 4).

For proper installation of the tree shelters, the seedling should be centered in the middle of the tree shelter and should not be touching any side of the tree shelter. The bottom of the tree shelter should be flush with the ground if possible or no more than a 1-inch gap between the ground surface and the bottom of the tree shelter. All trees within the units prescribed tree shelters will be provided with a tree shelter. If it is not possible to properly place the tree shelter around a seedling, then natural shading (see above) must be used in place of a tree shelter. In the event the seedling is too large for the tree shelter (ex: leader sticks out top of tree shelter) use natural shading techniques to avoid damage to seedling from tree shelter. Contractor will be penalized for improper artificial shading- see master contract for more information.

TreeSentry

TreeSentry tree shelters are hard plastic, conical tubes with a metal frame and 3 prongs to anchor the tree shelter in the ground (Figure 5). Only 2 of the 3 prongs are required to be in the ground, the third one can either be used or bent upwards to not interfere with the stability of the tree shelter. Broken tree shelters or tree shelters missing more than one prong should not be used. These will be installed in Unit 3.

Figure 5. TreeSentry tree shelter.

Blue-X (or similar model)

Blue-X tree shelters are a two-piece tree shelter comprised of a plastic film inserted into a poly- sleeve (Figure 6). The contractor will be responsible for assembly and installation of all Blue-X (or similar model) tree shelters. The shelter must be attached to a stake placed securely into the ground for successful installation. These will be installed in Unit 1 and Unit 4.

To assemble a BLUE-X® grow tube take a single sheet of blue plastic film (Part A), roll it up into approximately a 2” diameter cylinder and insert it into a blue-tinted poly sleeve (PART-B) which is open at both ends. The tensile strength of PET (Part-A) will form the tube when released inside of Part-B. Even up the ends of Part-A allowing a minimum of one-half inch (½”) of Part-B to extend above the top of the inner sheet (Part-A). This step must be completed prior to anchoring to a stake or any hole punches for ventilation. We recommend that you use a stake that is a minimum of one 1 foot longer than your grow tube height and staked the entire length of the tube. This is necessary for the grow tube to perform correctly. In some cases, longer stakes may be required depending on the soil conditions in your specific planting area.

Figure 6. Blue-X tree shelter.

4.0 Government Furnished

All planting unit boundaries will be designated by forest service personnel using BLUE FLAGGING. Each flag is a single flag hanging on a tree or branch with subsequent flags visible along designated unit boundary line.

The forest service will also provide digital copies of the maps of the planting units.

The Forest Service shall provide all the planting stock required for project completion. Approximately 180,000 seedlings will be provided in boxes and will be made available for contractor pickup at the Alpine Site 2 seedling storage location.

Upon pickup, the contractor is responsible for proper handling of seedlings per section 3.1 above.

The Forest Service shall provide all the tree shelters required for artificial shade requirements. Approximately 4,000 TreeSentry and 13,000 Blue-X (or similar model) tree shelters will be made available for contractor installation at the project site.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Expected start date Oct. 15, 2023. Period of performance is 30 days. Units 5, 6, and 7 overlap with Northern Goshawk post-fledgling areas and are subject to timing restriction. No operation may occur in these areas from Mar. 1st to Sep.

30th.

6.0 Travel

The project area is located adjacent to the Big Lake Recreation Area, approximately a 25 to 35 mile drive from the tree cooler site in Alpine, AZ. The planting units are accessed via Forest Service Roads (FS RD) 68, 116A, and 249C, and associated spur roads that stem from the two forest roads. FS RD 249 is paved and is the main access route to the planting site from Alpine, AZ. FS RD 249E, 116, and 68 are regularly maintained and are passable by passenger car. Spur roads can be accessed by high clearance 4WD vehicles or UTV/ATVs. Access into planting units can change depending on moisture patterns and road conditions. See attached maps.

From Alpine, AZ to Alpine Site 2 Seedling Storage Location:

Head East on US-180 from US-191/US-180 intersection in Alpine, AZ (Alpine is approximately 30 minutes south of Springerville, AZ on US 180/191. After 2 miles, take a left turn on FS RD 408. You will come to a gated Forest Service Administrative site. The sign on the FS RD will say Alpine site 2 Authorized Personnel Only. If you pass the Alpine cemetery, then you have gone too far.

From Alpine Site 2 Seedling Storage Location to the Planting Units:

Head west on US-180 back towards Alpine. Turn right heading north onto US-191. Go approximately 1.75 miles and turn left onto FS RD 249 (Big Lake Highway). Continue on FS RD 249 for approximately 16 miles. Turn left onto FS RD 249E.

Units 1-5: Continue on FS RD 249E for 2.2 miles, then turn left on FS RD 68. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto FS RD 249C.

Units 1-5 are on both sides of the road over the next 4 miles, until FS RD 249C reconnects with FS RD 249E.

Units 6 and 7: Continue on FS RD 249E for 2.2 miles, then turn left on FS RD 68. After 0.2 miles, keep left to stay on FS RD

68. Units 6 and 7 are on the right side of the road over the next 2 miles.

Units 8-11: Continue on FS RD 249E for 5 miles, then keep left onto FS RD 116. Continue on FS RD 116 for 7 miles, then turn left onto FS RD 116A. Units 8-11 Are on both sides of the road over the next 2 miles, and can also be accessed from FS RD 72, 72I, and 72L.)

Unit 12: Continue on FS RD 249E for 5 miles, then keep left onto FS RD 116. Continue on FS RD 116 for 6 miles, then turn left onto FS RD 72. Continue 0.5 miles then turn left on FS RD 72M. Continue 0.5 miles and unit 12 will be on the left.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The contractor shall provide a contract representative who is readily available to the project area for the performance of work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contactor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternates(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand intermediate level English.

8.0 Security Requirements

Not applicable.

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Attachment

Project Area map.pdf

68 and 249C

Planting Areas 12152022.pdf

116A Planting Areas

12152022.pdf