A07.1282CS20R0002_Cone_Collection_IDIQ_SF18.pdf

1282CS20R0002

1. REQUEST NO.

5a. ISSUED BY

NAME

a. NAME

c. STREET ADDRESS

d. CITY

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO

THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON

OR BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (Date)

2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT. DEF.

UNDER BDSA REG. 2

AND/OR DMS REG.1

RATING

6. DELIVERY BY (Date)

7. DELIVERY

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

b. STREET ADDRESS

PAGE OF PAGES

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL: (No collect calls)

TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER

8. TO:

b. COMPANY

e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

c. CITY

d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

THIS RFQ

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDEX

03/12/2020 991973

1 60

15 BURNETT COURT

DURANGO CO 81301-3647

SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST

06/30/2025

USDA FOREST SERVICE

USDA-FS SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST

DOLORES RANGER DISTRICT

29211 HIGHWAY 184

DOLORES

CO 81323

970 385-1266RANDAL SADLER

04/17/2020 1700 MT

FOB DESTINATION

OTHER

(See Schedule)X

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

USDA Forest Service, Region 2, Southern Tier multi-forest cone collection IDIQ contract.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation;

quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 1282CS20R0002 and is issued as a request for proposals (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-04. This requirement is Continued ...

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. COUNTY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

SIGN QUOTATION

16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print)

c. TITLE (Type or print)

a. NAME OF QUOTER

AREA CODE

NUMBER

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

b. TELEPHONE are are not attached

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable

STANDARD FORM 18 (REV. 6-95)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 60

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

1282CS20R0002

solicited as a Set-Aside for Small Business

Concerns (Total Small Business Set-Aside) under

NAICS code 115310, Support Activities for

Forestry with a U. S. Small Business

Administration size standard of $8 million. This is a requirement cone collection for multiple forests in the Southern Tier of Region 2

(Colorado). The intent is to award one or more

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with a base plus up to four option years to provide a solution for cone collection for the San Juan, Rio Grande, Pike-San Isabel, and Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National

Forests.

The FAR provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to

Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition.

Additional clauses and provisions applicable to this acquisition are attached. Evaluation shall be made on a Best Value basis in accordance with

FAR Clause 52.212-2.

A current Contractor registration is required on the System for Award Management (SAM) website, https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. Offerors must ensure that they are self-certified under NAICS Code

115310 as a small business in the Representations and Certifications portion of SAM or return a fully executed Offeror Representations and

Certifications-Commercial Items (Dec 2019) FAR clause 52.212-3 with their quote.

Deadline for submission of questions. Any questions concerning this solicitation shall be submitted in writing by email directly to the contracting officer at randal.sadler@usda.gov no later than 17:00 MT March 26, 2020. Include the solicitation number, 1282CS20R0002, in the subject line of your email. If warranted, a question and answer document shall be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation no later than April 3, 2020.

Deadline for submitting proposals. Proposals shall be submitted by email to the contracting officer at randal.sadler@usda.gov no later than

17:00 MT, April 17, 2020. Include the solicitation number, 1282CS20R0002, in the subject line of your emailed quote.

Award of this contract will be made utilizing the

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 60

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

1282CS20R0002

SF1449 Solicitation/Order for commercial items.

The SF18 is provided for administrative and posting purposes only.

---End of combined synopsis/solicitation---

Period of Performance: 07/01/2020 to 06/30/2025

0001 Multi-forest IDIQ for Cone Collection

Complete and return the entire Schedule of items for the base and all option years.

The schedule of items is also provided in an

Excel format which can be returned as a separate attachment.

Delivery: 06/30/2025

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 4 of 60 Contract #: Assigned at time of award

A - Solicitation/Contract Form B - Supplies or Services/Prices C - Description/Specifications D - Packaging and Marking E - Inspection and Acceptance F - Deliveries or Performance G - Contract Administration Data H - Special Contract Requirements I - Contract Clauses J - List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments K - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Bidders L - Instructions,Conditions, and Notices to Bidders M - Evaluation Factors for Award

A - Solicitation/Contract Form

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 5 of 60

B - Supplies or Services/Prices

B-2.1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: Complete and return the Schedule of Items tables in the attached Excel spreadsheet. Provide pricing for all items in tables B-2.1.a through B-2.1.e.

B-2.2. QUOTE OF ALL ITEMS: Only quotes to the nearest cent will be accepted. Place a bid for climbing or accessing each tree per tree and another additional bid for picking the cones by the bushel.

B-2.3. AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: Specific work will be performed under a task order. The task order shall be in written form. Task orders will be sent via electronic format with electronic signatures. Task orders shall only be issued by the Contracting Officer or other warranted procurement official of the USDA Forest Service acting within their warranted contracting authority. Additional task orders may be issued throughout the cone collection season, as needed.

B-2.4. WRITTEN ACCEPTANCE: Any contract resulting from this solicitation will require written acceptance within 7 (seven) calendar days of receipt by the Contractor.

B-2.5. ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: The Economic Price Adjustment clause does not appear in this solicitation.

Rather, offerors are asked to propose prices for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025 at this time. The new prices would go into effect at the time of option renewal, should the option be exercised.

B-2.6. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS: During the term of the contract (base and any options exercised) the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $2,500.00, but not in excess of $250,000.00.

B-2.7. BASIS FOR AWARD: Evaluation factors are stated in Section M. More than one contract may be awarded to the Offeror(s) providing the best over-all value to the Government (see Section M). Task Orders will be issued with actual quantities to the Contractor at the beginning of each cone collection period. Task orders will be issued electronically by email.

Contractor’s Company Name:

Signature of Offeror:

Title of Offeror:

Date:

DUN’s Number:

Tax ID Number:

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 6 of 60

C - Description/Specifications

452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications. (FEB 1988)

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced in Section J.

(End of Clause)

452.211-73 Attachments to Statements of Work/Specifications. (FEB 1988)

The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications listed in Section J are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

(End of Clause)

C-1 INTRODUCTION

C-1.1 Scope of Contract

The USDA Forest Service is in need of conifer seed used to restore and reforest National Forest System lands located in Colorado. The purpose of this solicitation is to secure commercial services for the harvest of mature seed cones in areas prescribed by the terms of this contract. Services needed include collecting cones from a variety of species located on 4 (four) administrative National Forests located in Colorado (San Juan, Rio Grande, Pike-San Isabel, and Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre- Gunnison). Collection may be by tree climbing, by using a mechanical lift truck, or by picking from felled trees, as specified by the Forest Service in the task order. Additional information for each forest can be found at the following webpages:

San Juan – http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan Rio Grande – http://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande Pike-San Isabel – http://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison - http://www.fs.usda.gov/gmug

The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government furnished) and incidentals to perform all work necessary to select trees (if required) and to pick, bag, label, and deliver cones to the delivery point. All tree seed cones collected under the provisions of this contract are and shall remain the property of the U.S.

Government. Unless otherwise specified in the task order, the Government is responsible for surveying and identifying trees or areas for general cone collection. Generally a minimum of 20 trees will be picked for each seedlot. Seedlots are specific to the elevation band, species and location.

Cone collections usually take place from August through September for all forests, however actual collections are dependent on cone ripening and there often is a very short period of time suitable for collection. Collection times vary by location, elevation, and species. In any given year, all species will not be collected on all forests.

The resulting Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery – Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will include services for tree climbing, use of mechanical lift truck, and picking from felled trees for the collection of cones from a variety of species (refer to Schedule of Items for species listing) in accordance with all safety requirements for such work as directed by the Government. The work may also include tree reconnaissance and tree selection, if required in the task order.

C-1.2 Location and Description

Collection areas may be located throughout the San Juan, Rio Grande, Pike-San Isabel, and Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison National Forests. Collection areas range from 6,000 to over 12,000 feet in elevation on four (4) National Forests, depending on species being collected.

Collection area maps and seed zone information shall be provided in a task order at the pre-work meetings.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan http://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande http://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc http://www.fs.usda.gov/gmug

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 7 of 60

C-1.3 Site Visit

No site visit is planned for this project. For further information, contact:

Forest Contact Person Address Phone/Email

San Juan NF Gretchen Fitzgerald

San Juan National Forest 15 Burnett Ct.

Durango, CO 81122

Phone: 970-884-1435 Email:

gretchen.fitzgerald2@usda.gov

Rio Grande NF Rachael Sanchez 1803 W. Hwy 160 Monte Vista, CO 81144

Phone: 719-657-6023 Email: rachael.sanchez@usda.gov

Pike-San Isabel NF Jim Gerleman 2840 Kachina Dr.

Pueblo, CO 81008

Phone: 719-553-1430 Email: james.gerleman@usda.gov

Grand Mesa- Uncompahgre- Gunnison NF

Art Haines 2250 Hwy 50 Delta, CO 81416

Phone: 970-641-0471 Email: art.haines@usda.gov

C-2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

Bushel: dry measurement, 8 gallons or approximately 12 cubic feet.

Branch Hook: Long-handled devise used to pull limbs into the bole of the tree, so that the climber can safely pick cones without damaging the tree.

Cone lot: The cones from a variety of trees, usually at least 20, from the same elevation band and within the same collection area.

These cones will be bulked together at a later time but during collection the cones from each tree are maintained separately.

Contracting Officer (CO). The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority.

Contractors Officer’s Representative (COR): The COR is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities or a COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer after award.

Contract Time: Length of time to be determined based on Task Orders issued allowing a minimum number of contract days for an established number of contract items ordered.

Cut face: The exposed face of one side of a cone that has been cleanly sliced lengthwise along the cone axis exposing the inside of the cone and the seeds.

Mature seed: The actual seed condition will vary by species, but in general seed is considered mature when the embryo fills 90% or more of the embryo cavity (most important criteria) and is a cream or pale yellow color. The surrounding storage tissue (endosperm) is a firm consistency and not a viscous milky condition. The seed coat and seed wing have darkened in color and is easily lifted from the cone scale.

Filled seed per cut face: a method used to determine seed yield which includes the count of seed on the cut face exhibiting the highest exposed filled seed count. Only seed that have been sliced open sufficiently so that the inside of the seed is readily visible are counted as exposed. Only seed containing storage tissue (endosperm) and that are sound are counted as filled seed. Seed that are not sliced open (i.e., the seed coat remain intact), are ignored.

Sound seed: Seed is considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, climatic or other types of damage.

Species Definitions:

Abbreviation Species- Common Name Scientific Name Species Code DF Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii PSME ES Engelmann spruce Picea engelmannii PIEN

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 8 of 60

Abbreviation Species- Common Name Scientific Name Species Code LP Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta PICO PP Ponderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa PIPO BS Blue spruce Picea pungens PIPU

LMP Limber pine Pinus flexilus PIFL2 BP Bristlecone Pinus aristata PIAR SP Southwestern White pine Pinus strobiformus PIST3

C-3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Item No.

Item Name Description Where, When, How

C-3.1 Project Maps Maps of seed zones and general collection areas and information; Will also include Motor Vehicle Use Maps, forest maps and topographic maps.

Maps will be provided with task order or at pre-work meeting.

C-3.2 General Collection Cone Tags

Cone ID tags – At pre-work meeting, with task order, or upon Contractor request.

C-3.3 Bagging Materials Burlap cone bags and fasteners for bagging cones.

At pre-work meeting, with task order, or upon Contractor request.

The Contractor shall return unused government supplies, maps, and forms to the Government to the same location they were delivered or as agreed to with the COR.

C-4 CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C-4.1 Access

The Contractor may access the collection areas from forest roads indicated on forest travel maps. All roads should be drivable during the performance period; a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle, however, may be necessary, particularly under wet conditions.

The Contractor is not allowed to drive off of forest roads indicated on forest travel maps, unless approved in advanced by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative. Travel on closed roads is prohibited, except with prior written permission of the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall be responsible for transportation of all equipment and supplies to the cone collection and delivery sites.

Walk-ins to some sites may be necessary, but generally should be less than 1/4 mile.

C-4.2 Tree Selection - General Collection

If required in the task order, Contractor will follow the requirement set forth below to select the trees that will be used for collection.

C-4.2.1 Cone Lot Requirements.

If specified in the Task Order, the Contractor shall survey and select trees for each cone lot specified for collection.

Collections within each cone lot shall meet the following criteria described in this section:

C-4.2.1.1 Selected trees shall be within the specified cone lot and elevation bands specified on the General Collection - Information Chart provided with the task order.

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 9 of 60

C-4.2.1.2 In most cases, at least 20 trees shall be selected. In some cases, the Contracting Officer or COR may authorize fewer trees when cone crops are small. More than 20 trees may be selected to assure there are sufficient cones for the estimated collection. For BP or LMP collections, the number of trees may be reduced to a minimum of 10 trees, if specified in the task order. Cones from a single tree shall not constitute more than 20% of the cone lot.

C-4.2.1.3 The physical characteristics of the selected trees are indicative of the genetic makeup of the seed, thus the selected trees shall be equal or better than the average of the same species in the area and be healthy and vigorous.

Physical characteristics that are desirable include:

Dominant or co-dominant trees (tree crown extends above the general level of the canopy or forms the general level of the canopy) relative to the neighboring trees.

Straight stem free from crook, sweep, spiral grain, and forking.

Branch bases small in relation to the stem and branches should project horizontally or angle slightly upward. Do not collect from “wolfy” trees.

At least 30% live crown ratio.

Tree crown compact for the species but have a large area of foliage.

Conical crown indicating the tree growing and is vigorous.

Free from insect and disease damage.

Tree age approximately 40 to 110 years old. (Very old and very young trees have poor sound seed production even when there are numerous cones.)

History of past cone crops is desirable.

Avoid trees that are isolated by trees of the same species by more than 100 feet (may be inadequately pollinated by other trees).

C-4.2.1.4 The selected trees should have a cone crop that is expected to provide seed quality and quantity suitable for collection as described in C-4.3. If the Government selects the trees, the COR may require the contractor to climb designated trees to pick sample cones to determine ripeness and seed quality prior to making a collection. If after evaluation, no further collections are made from that tree, the Contractor will be paid the bid rate for climbing the tree.

If further collections are made from that tree while the Contractor is in the tree, the Contractor will be paid for the collection (bushel of cones) and the rate for climbing the tree.

C-4.2.1.5 Each selected tree is generally at least 200 feet from another selected tree. If two trees are closer, only one can be used in the collection unless approved by the COR.

C-4.2.1.6 Selected trees are considered appropriate for tree climbing, when applicable, by the Contractor.

C-4.2.1.7 Selected trees should not be taken from second growth plantations.

C-4.2.2 If the Contractor selects the trees, the COR shall accept a sample of the trees in each cone lot selected for collection to assure that the physical characteristics of the selected trees are suitable prior to the Contractor expending the time to collect from trees that could be substandard.

C-4.3 Cone Collection - General Collection

C-4.3.1 General

Except for lodgepole pine (where both current year and closed cones from the previous year will be accepted, if less than ½ of the surface is weathered), cones shall be from the current calendar year, and meet the quality standards described in C.4.3.2. Trees that are picked shall be clearly marked with a Contractor specified number. Contractor may be required to collect from trees, which yield less than 1 bushel per tree.

The upper 1/3 of the tree crown typically has the best quality cones and should be the priority for collecting. The lower portions of the tree may be allowed by the COR when large collections are needed and the cones meet the quality standards.

The Contractor may be required by the COR to flag the highest portion of the tree where cones were picked. The flagging shall be visible from the ground.

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 10 of 60

The Contractor shall take all precautions to prevent excessive damage to trees. Live branches or tops of trees being climbed shall not be deliberately broken or cut. If pole cutting, damage to branches shall be minimized; live branches may be pruned if needed for ladder placement with approval of the COR.

The Contractor shall plan the collection and sequence of collection to be most efficient in collecting the estimated quantity when cones mature but prior to cone flaring.

C-4.3.2 Seed Quality Standards

C-4.3.2.1 Mature, Sound Seed. Only cones with mature, sound seed shall be used in the collection. The Contractor shall discuss with the COR where the seed quality is questionable. Refer to definitions in C-2 for definitions of mature seed and sound seed.

C-4.3.2.2 Filled Seed Content. An acceptable collection for an individual tree shall be based on evaluating the filled seeds per cut face on a sample of at least 5 cones. An average of the cones tested shall have the following minimum number of mature, filled seed per cut face at the time of collection:

Species No. Filled Seeds per Cut Face

DF 5

LP 5

ES 7

PP 7

BS 7

LMP 5

BP 7

SP 5

Due to past drought seasons and unknown Cut Face Seed, the Government may at its option, reduce the minimum number of filled seed per cut face at the time of collection.

Refer to definition in C.2 for definition of filled seed per cut face. The test cones shall come from different branches and different areas of the portion of the tree that will be collected from. Test cones shall be bagged separately (a clean plastic bag is suitable) and delivered with the collection for that tree.

C-4.3.2.3 Cone Condition- Cones must be dry, free of mold and not showing damage by animals, disease, or physical damage.

C-4.3.2.4 The Contractor shall notify the COR when cones are not sufficiently mature for collection; the government may move the contractor to another area or suspend operations if cones have not yet matured.

C-4.3.3 Cone Care

Contractor actions shall not cause cones to come in contact with the ground surface to avoid contamination of cones by soil bearing fungi. Tarps or other protection may be needed to avoid such contamination.

Cones are live plant material and as such shall not be handled roughly or exposed to damaging conditions. Bags of cones shall not be dropped and shall be protected from moisture and heat.

C-4.3.4 Collection, Cleaning, and Bagging Standards

Prior to delivery, a maximum of one bushel will be put in the Government provided bag to allow cones to expand during storage. Bags shall be free of debris (such as twigs, needles, cone stems, cones of other species or tree source). All bags shall be tied securely shut approximately 3 inches from the top of the bag. Only cones that meet the quality standards shall be included in the bag. Do not use wire to close bags.

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C-4.3.4.1 The contractor shall plan the collection and sequence of collection to be most efficient in collecting the desired quantity when cones mature but prior to cone flaring.

C-4.3.4.2 Branch tips shall not be cut off in order to collect cones. Branches may be bent in gently using a pole with a hook, and cones removed by hand.

C-4.3.4.3 The Contractor may request on a case-by case basis to prune live branches or use a pruning pole if he/she deems it necessary for safety. If the contractor is authorized by the COR to prune and/or pole cut, damage to branches shall be minimized.

C-4.3.4.4 Cones must be placed into bags (furnished by the Government) or other acceptable container, while in the tree and lowered to the ground. Bagged cones shall not be thrown or dropped out of the trees and protected from heat and moisture.

C-4.3.4.5 Cones shall not come in contact with the ground surface to avoid contamination of cones by soil bearing fungi. Tarps or other protection may be needed to avoid such contamination.

C-4.3.4.6 No more than one bushel may be put in the Government provided burlap bags. Bags shall be free of debris such as (twigs, needles, and cone stems). All bags shall be tied securely as indicated on the bag or approximately 3 inches from the top of the bag. Do not use wire to close bags. If specified in the task order, cones from each BP and LMP tree may be required to be bagged separately (one tree per bag(s)).

C-4.3.5 Cone Tags

For each tree, the Contractor shall prepare two general collection cone tags. Information shall be legible through both layers of the cone tag, be in permanent in, and written in English. One tag shall be placed inside the bag at the top, and the other securely fastened on the outside of the closed bag.

The Contractor specified tree number shall be clearly marked on flagging and shall be consistent with the number on the tree, and on the Contractors Collection Record.

C-4.3.6 Delivery

Bagged cones shall be delivered to a mutually agreeable and accessible road near the collection site as soon as practical after bagging the cones; they will be available for pickup by the Government on the same day that the collection was made. Cones shall be protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.

C-4.4 Cone Collection

C-4.4.1 Tree Climbing Standards

C-4.4.1.1 The Contractor shall provide ladders, a tagline, and a collapsible pole or branch hook for pulling the branches toward them to reach the cones.

C-4.4.1.2 The Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to prevent excessive damage to trees. Living branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked, or cut nor shall tree trunks be skinned or peeled to cause excessive damage to the cambium. Spur climbing is not allowed for BP and LMP. If the COR determines that excessive damage is occurring, the Contractor’s right to proceed will be suspended until the proper corrections have been made.

C-4.4.2 Mechanical Lift and/or Tree Felling and Slash Requirements

C-4.4.2.1 The Contractor may use a mechanical lift to collect cones if selected trees are within 300 feet, or other approved distance, of a road and accessible to this type of equipment and would not cause resource damage. If soil damage is occurring, operations will be suspended. Alternate collection methods may be substituted.

C-4.4.2.2 With previous approval from Contracting Officer tree felling may be an acceptable method of cone collection.

Trees to be cut will be designated by the government unless agreed to by the COR. Prior to felling, trees shall be

Solicitation #: 1282CS20R0002 Multi-forest Cone Collection IDIQ Page 12 of 60 sampled to ensure sound and viable seed is present. Trees shall be directionally felled to mitigate resource damage. Any potential damage as identified by the COR will be corrected to COR standard. Examples include but are not limited to:

trees blocking drainages, roads or culverts; damage to improvements; slash not scattered to specifications etc. Damage to improvements shall be corrected by the contractor within timeframe stated by Contracting Officer. Generally, felled trees shall be limbed at bole and lopped and scattered to lie within 2 ft. of ground surface unless otherwise described in the task order or approved by the COR.

C-4.5 Cone Collection Record

Unless otherwise specified by the task order or the COR, the Contractor shall provide daily cone collection records to the COR.

The cone collection record shall provide the following information at a minimum for each tree:

Contractor specified tree number

Collector’s name Bushels collected Sound seed per cut face

Location of cone bags Date and time of collection Elevation Number of trees in lot Location of tree/ GPS point of tree

Species Contractor’s inspection notes

C-4.6 Crew Safety

The Contractor shall prepare a Safety Plan, which addresses the specific hazards of the work site. The Contractor shall identify the specific conditions that s/he considers is a hazard. The Safety Plan shall also address the personal protective equipment and mitigating measures the Contractor will do to increase safety on the worksite.

If climbing, the contractors shall comply with the safety requirements of:

FSH 6709.11 - Health and Safety Code Handbook, section 22.49, Section J.

Forest Service National Tree Climbing Guide (Technical Report 0567-2819-MTDC, March 2005; found at http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/policy/guide/tree-climbing-field-guide-2005-edition.pdf.)

At the request of the Contractor, alternative procedures may be approved by the Contracting Officer that meet the intent of Forest Service safety requirements, but differ in actual practice.

The Contractor shall follow all Federal, State, and local safety laws and regulations applicable to the contract work to be performed.

Failure to meet safety requirements will result in an immediate work shut down until requirements are met.

Contractor assumes all risks of loss or damage to his/her equipment and injury to self or employees, and will hold and save the Government and its employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind resulting from performance of this contract, except for negligent acts of Government employees.

C-4.7 Communications

The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer’s Representative advised as to where the Contractor can be reached prior to start of Contract Time.

C-5 TASK ORDERS:

The Contracting Officer shall submit an executed task order to the Contractor. All work will be ordered by Firm-Fixed price TASK ORDERS (TO) at the prices listed on the Schedule of Items through the Base Period and each Option Year exercised.

The price may change only by a written modification to the task order signed by the Contracting Officer and the Contractor. The Contractor shall schedule work to minimize impact on road use when possible.

http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/policy/guide/tree-climbing-field-guide-2005-edition.pdf

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D - Packaging and Marking

There are no clauses for this section.

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E - Inspection and Acceptance

52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed-Price. (AUG 1996)

E-2 Contractor Quality Control

The contractor shall provide a general Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days before start work based on the items awarded to the Contractor.

The QCP must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall describe how quality will be monitored to assure that cone collection meets the standards for tree selection, collection, testing of cones, safety and other associated tasks.

Cone quality inspection shall include tests from at least 5 cones from the area of the crown being collected from and demonstrate that seeds are mature and the average number of mature filled seed meets the minimum quantity described in C-4.3 and C-4.4, and meet the other quality requirements. These test cones shall be provided to the government in a separate bag identified and delivered with the appropriate bag of cones. The test cones may be in addition to that made just prior to the cone collection and if so should be identified as such.

The Contractor shall provide written comments and quality control results to the government on the daily Cone Collection Record.

E-3 Work Plan and Schedule

The Contractor shall provide a work plan and schedule that demonstrates how the work can be completed within the performance time. The Contractor shall advise the COR of the next day’s work area to allow for Government quality assurance.

E-4 Acceptance

E-4.1 The Government will accept all cones which meet the standards in C-4 and F-5.

E-4.2 Collections which fail to meet the above requirements will not be acceptable. When rework is possible, the Contracting Officer may allow rework. When rework is not possible, then the affected bags of cones will be rejected. All rework will be at the expense of the Contractor.

E-4.2.1 If the contractor fails to collect from sufficient trees for the cone lot as agreed to by the COR and Contractor, the Government may require the contractor to collect from additional trees or reject the cone lot. All cones remain the property of the Government even if they are rejected.

E-4.2.2 If the Contractor fails to collect sufficient cones to meet the estimated quantity in each task order, and the Government determines more are available in the collection area and elevation band, the Government may require the contractor to collect more cones from approved trees. All cones remain the property of the Government even if they are rejected.

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F - Deliveries or Performance

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989)

52.242-17 Government Delay of Work. (APR 1984)

452.211-74 Period of Performance. (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with options to extend for up to four additional years.

(End of Clause)

F-4 Contract Time

The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate, which will assure completion within the stated Task Order. Specific Contract Time will be determined on each Task Order. Progress shall be according to the schedule provided by Contractor and approved by the Contracting Officer.

If the Contractor’s progress falls behind for more than 10 percent, the Contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated if satisfactory progress is not attained within the time specified in a written notice. Such notice may be in the form of a Work Order and shall allow no more than 2 working days for corrective action to be completed. Contracting Officer may suspend work and stop contract time when no trees with cones in suitable condition for picking are available.

Some variance will occur in approximate start dates due to the uncertainty of cone ripening. The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed as soon as cone conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time will start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed.

The decision of the Contracting Officer that the collection season is ended will be final. If the Contracting Officer closes the season prior to the estimated closing date, the Contractor will be paid for the number of bushels collected that are satisfactorily completed and accepted.

F-5 Performance Summary

Specification Work Requirement

Performance Standard Government Method of Assessment

Incentives and Deductions for Meeting Standard

C-4.2 Tree Selection

(if required as part of task order)

90% of trees selected meet standards.

Sample observation;

approval will be given prior to collection.

Failure to meet standard, which results in a delay in collection, may result in Government making selection at Contractors expense.

C-4.2.1 Cone lot requirements

Unless otherwise specified, at least 20 trees are collected from to make up the cone lot and no single tree comprises more than 20% of lot.

Periodic inspection Failure to meet minimum standards will result in rework if possible and/or rejection of cones.

Unless agreed in advance, failure to collect from at least 20 trees may deem the collection of the cone lot unacceptable.

C-4.3.2 Cone and seed quality

(if required as part of task order)

Cone test indicates seeds are mature and the average number of mature filled seed per cut face meets minimum requirements.

Periodic sample of cones using cut face technique.

Examination of contractor test cones.

Failure to meet minimum standards result in rejection of cones and no payment for all cones collected from the affected tree.

C-4.3.3 Cone care 100% of cones delivered to government are properly cared for.

Periodic Field Observation

Rejection of affected cones.

C-4.3.4 Cleaning, and bagging

Less than 1.5% of the bag may have trash (up to 1 pint per bushel). Bags are filled no more than ½ full (one bushel per two-bushel bag)

Periodic Inspection.

Inspection for trash may occur in the field or at the District Office.

Contractor shall rework unacceptable bags or result in reduced payment.

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Specification Work Requirement

Performance Standard Government Method of Assessment

Incentives and Deductions for Meeting Standard

C-4.3.5 Cone tag All tags are properly filled out with one tag in bag, one secured to top of outside of bag.

100% inspection Failure to meet standards result in rework or rejection of collection for tree in question.

C-4.5 Contractor Collection record

Completely filled out, accurate information, consistent with Cone tag and identifier on the tree.

100% inspection Failure to meet standard result in rework or rejection of collection for tree(s) in question.

C-4.6 Safety All activities meet Safety Plan

Periodic field observation

Failure to meet safety plan will result in work suspension until corrections are made.

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G - Contract Administration Data

452.215-73 Postaward Conference. (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within * days after the date of contract award.

The conference will be held at: TBD and mutually agreed to..

(End of Clause)

G-2 INVOICES & PAYMENTS:

USDA ELECTRONIC INVOICING Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System.

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or the clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov. The Contractor must use the IPP website to register for access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov or phone (866) 973-3131.

Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice.

The contractor shall utilize the attachments feature of the IPP invoicing screen to attach a copy of their regular vendor invoice to substantiate the request for payment or send it separately by email to the contracting officer at randal.sadler@usda.gov within 24 hours of IPP submission. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to reject the request for payment until the documentation is provided.

If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the CO with its proposal or quotation.

(End of local clause)

G-3 FOREST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES:

Randal Sadler will serve as the Contracting Officer (CO) on the Parent IDIQ Contracts. He will have full warrant authority over all contract issues. He can be reached at 970-385-1266 or Randal.Sadler@usda.gov

A Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will be appointed for this contract upon award. His/her delegated authority and responsibilities will be defined on a delegation letter issued after contract award. This delegation will also contain his/her contact information.

A different CO and/or COR may be assigned for each Task Order. A separate letter of delegation will be issued with the Task Order outlining that COR's responsibilities related to the specific Task Order.

G-4 ADMINISTRATION

1. Contract Award; A written award or acceptance of offer emailed or otherwise furnished to the Contractor shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

2. Notice to Proceed; The Contractor shall commence work upon receipt of a properly executed Notice to Proceed.

3. Changes; The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements under this contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

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4. Unauthorized Instructions from Government or Other Personnel; The Contractor shall not accept instructions issued by any person employed by the U.S. Government or otherwise other than the Contracting Officer, or the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of his/her authority.

G.5 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Payment will be made at the rates shown in the Schedule of Items for each tree successfully completed and accepted. Successful completion will be determined by Government inspection and acceptance of a sufficient quantity of mature cones that can be safely caged, collected, bagged, and labeled from the exact individual tree.

(a) Quantity of measure. Cone quantity shall be measured to the nearest ¼ bushel, with a maximum of one bushel per two-bushel bag. One bushel of cones may be measured in a one-bushel container to the level top. One bushel = 8 gallons. Cones that do not meet the requirements identified in Section C will not be included in the measurement. Cones not meeting standards remain the property of the Government.

(b) Payment. Payment will be made at the unit price when all specifications have been complied with and will be made as follows:

Collection Price per Bushel Example: 10 bushels x $100/bushel = $1,000

Collection Price per Tree Example: 10 trees x $125/tree = $1,250

For Sampling Price Example: 5 trees x $10/tree = $50

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H - Special Contract Requirements

452.236-77 Emergency Response. (NOV 1996)

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting. (1) The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause 52.236-9, PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES, AND IMPROVEMENTS, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work. (2) The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees.

(b) Contractor's Responsibility for Notification in Case of Fire. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site.

(c) Contractor's Responsibility for Responding to Emergencies. When directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall allow the Government to temporarily use employees and equipment from the work site for emergency work (anticipated to be restricted to fire fighting). An equitableadjustment for the temporary use of employees and equipment will be made under the CHANGES clause, FAR 52.243-4.

(End of clause)

452.237-74 Key Personnel. (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Contractor Representative Foreman/woman Inspector

All key personnel must by capable of communicating in English

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph

(c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit theinformation required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer.

Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions.

The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

(End of Clause)

H-3 4G52.222-701 Employment of Eligible Workers

Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1324a) makes it unlawful for an employer to hire unauthorized aliens.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has established the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form, as the document to be used for employment eligibility verification (see 8 CFR 274a).

The contractor is required to (1) have all employees complete and sign the I-9 Form to certify that they are eligible for employment;

(2) examine documents presented by the employee and ensure the documents appear to be genuine and related to the individual; (3) record information about the documents on the form, and complete the certification portion of the form; (4) retain the form for three years, or one year past the end of employment of the individual, whichever is longer.

It is illegal to discriminate against any individual (other than a citizen of another country who is not authorized to work in the United States) in hiring, discharging, or recruiting because of that individual's national origin or citizenship status.

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Compliance with Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) is a material condition of the contract. If the contractor employs unauthorized workers during contract performance in violation of section 274A, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

For further information on the requirements of the Act, contractors should contact the Employer and Labor Relations Officer of their local INS office.

H.4 4G52.222-702 Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers

(a) General. This contract is subject to the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act (MSPA) (29 U.S.C 1801-1872) and to Department of Labor regulations implementing MSPA (see 29 CFR 500). The purpose of MSPA is to eliminate activities that are detrimental to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, to require registration of farm labor contractors, and to assure necessary protections for the workers. In addition to traditional farm labor activities, the Act applies to predominately manual forestry work including, but not limited to, tree planting, release, pre-commercial thinning, and site preparation and wildland fire fighting.

(b) Definitions.

"Migrant Agricultural Worker" and "Seasonal Agricultural Worker", as used in this clause, mean individuals employed in agricultural (including forestry) work on a seasonal or temporary basis. A worker who moves from one seasonal activity to another is employed on a seasonal basis even though the worker may continue to be employed during a major portion of the year. Migrant workers are required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Seasonal workers are not required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Members of the contractor's immediate family are not considered to be either migrant or seasonal workers. "Immediate family" includes only (1) spouse; (2) children, stepchildren, or foster children; (3) parents, stepparents, or foster parents; and (4) brothers and sisters.

"Farm Labor Contractor", as used in this clause,…