A10_1-127EAS26Q0017-Att1-SOW.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

THE SCHEDULE

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

2026 Tree Planting Sierra National Forest

Fresno and Madera County, California

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

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Project 2026 Sierra National Forest Tree Planting Project

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The purpose of this contract is to procure auger planting services for approximately 310,000 seedlings in the High Sierra Ranger District and auger planting services for approximately 83,500 seedlings for the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest. Hoedad planting may be required within archeological sites at the direction of the COR. As needed, the Contractor shall provide planting crews to work at the same time frame for both the High Sierra Ranger District and the Bass Lake Ranger District.

Item 1: High Sierra Ranger District:

Planting includes units within areas between 5000 to 7500 ft elevation. The lower elevation units are generally at 5000 ft to 6500 feet elevation, they will be planted primarily with ponderosa pine, sugar pine and douglas fir.

The higher elevation units (above 6500 feet) will be planted with Jeffery pine, and sugar pine. The ponderosa and Jeffery pine are bare root stock all the other species are container seedlings. For certain species, at the request of the COR, the contractor will be required to place “shade cards” next to certain species to provide shade. The shade cards will be provided by the government. The specification on placing them is included in the specifications.

The planting season usually starts about March to April while the higher units usually start in late April into May.

These dates are totally weather and snowpack dependent. It is highly likely there may be a break between the completion of the lower elevation units and the start of the higher elevation units.

Planting sites are located near the town of Big Creek, between Shaver and Huntington Lakes. With access paved access roads including Highway 168 and Huntington Lake Road.

Each morning the Contractor’s crew will meet the High Sierra Forest Service personnel at the designated coolers to load into the Contractors trailer, the daily needed Government furnished seedlings to transport to the work areas. The seedlings are packaged in boxes and bags. The Contractor and Forest Service Inspectors will drive following each other, to the daily planting sites. Any unused trees will be stored properly and returned to the coolers at the end of the day.

Item 2: Bass Lake Ranger District:

The Bass Lake Ranger District will include a variety of stands for planting. A chart is included that includes:

Stand Unit number, work area name, estimated trees, planting spacing, estimated work schedule, planting elevation and tree planting techniques. Contract work areas will include areas between 3,800-to-5,900-foot elevation, within the following project areas; 2014 French Fire Reforestation, Buffin, 2020 Creek Fire which includes both Incline and Doghouse. Species to be planted include Ponderosa pine, Sugar pine, Jeffrey pine, White and Red fir. A combination of bare root and containerized stock will be planted. For certain species, at the request of the COR, the contractor will be required to place “shade cards” next to certain species to provide shade. The shade cards will be provided by the government.

All planting sites will be an interplant and Unit 513-001 has received a Spring 2025 herbicide application for release treatment.

Planting time frame is weather dependent and is usually between early March to April.

Each morning the Contractor’s crew will meet the Bass Lake Forest Service inspectors at the North Fork office to load into the Contractors trailer, the daily needed Government furnished seedlings to transport to the work areas. The seedlings are packaged in boxes and bags. The Contractor and Forest Service Inspectors will drive following each other, to the daily planting sites.

Reforestation techniques will use both mechanical augers( hoedads will be limited to archeological sites).

Optional Item 1: Bass Lake Ranger District High Elevation Fir Trees

The Bass Lake Ranger District will be implementing shade cards on higher elevation fir trees and before winter storms hit will be looking to have all shade cards removed. This line item if funded seeks to have the contractor return to the units within the fall months, and remove all shade cards. Shade cards will be bundled and turned into the appropriate government personnel upon collection.

Prospective contractors desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

Estimated Start Date & Contract Time:

Anticipated Start Date for the contract is 3/16/2026. It is dependent on the weather and may be earlier or later depending on road and soil conditions. There is also the possibility that there will be a break between when the low elevation units are finished and the high elevation units are ready. There is a possibility that multiple crews shall be needed to start work at the same time for both the High Sierra and the Bass Lake Ranger Districts

Restrictions on Work:

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included.

2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

3. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines weather conditions and soil conditions are too wet or too dry to successfully plant the seedlings to specification. Example: when the soil is too wet and muddy it becomes impossible to properly tamp the soil into the prepared auger planting hole or when high dry winds may desiccate seedling roots.

2.0 Background

SNF High Sierra District:

The units were all impacted by the Creek fire (2020). They have all been prepared for planting by cutting the dead material and piling the slash for burning. The burning is being completed during the current field season and will be finished in time for planting. Several units have been sprayed as a site preparation treatment.

The planting will take place in three areas. The Balsam units are near the village of Big Creek, the Swanson\Tamarack units between Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake and the Lakeshore units near Huntington Lake. Additional units that may be planted if needed (to use all the trees) will be agreed upon.

Balsam: From the district office in Prather ca. follow highway 168 beyond the town of Shaver Lake to the intersection with the Huntington Lake Road. Turn onto Huntington Lake Road and follow it several miles to the community of Camp Sierra. Units are located along this hillside.

Swanson\Tamarack: These units are located between Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake and accessed from Highway 168.

The Lakeshore units are all located near Huntington Lake. Access is also from highway 168.

Directions for the Bass Lake work item includes French Fire Recovery, Creek Fire Recovery-Incline and Doghouse and Buffin project areas are given from the Bass Lake Ranger District office, 57003 Road 225, North Fork CA.

French Fire Project Area:

From the Bass Lake Ranger District office, turn left onto Road 225 and travel for approximately 5 miles to Mammoth Pool Trailer Park. At this point Road 225 becomes Forest Road 4S81.

Proceed on Rd 4S81 for approximately 16 miles and a short distance past Fish Creek campground on the left is Road 4S81X. Proceed for a short distance to reach Units 523-022 and 523-044.

WALK-IN – WALK-OUT requirements to reach unit #523-044: follow Road 4S81X and turn left onto Road 8S67 and park. The culvert along the Fish Creek tributary SMZ failed, and the road disappeared by the high volume of water during the 2023 winter atmospheric river events. A hiking trail and footbridge have been installed for ease of accessibility.

Return to Road 4S81 and turn left and proceed for approximately 5 miles to Rock Creek Campground. Turn right through the gate and travel a short distance and turn left at Rd 7S47Y. Travel for approximately .25 mile to reach Unit 520-046 and it is located on the south side of the road. Return to Rd 4S81 and travel to Mile High Overlook.

Continue for a short distance and Units 517-065 and 517-066 will be located on each side of Rd 4S81. Continue for a short distance on Rd 4S81 and turn left onto Rd 7S15Y. Follow to the intersection of Rd 5S25X and turn left to reach 517-080 and 517-074. Return to Rd 4S81 and turn left and proceed to Road 4S81W and turn right to reach Unit 517-005. Return to Rd 4S81, turn right and travel a short distance and turn right at the green gate onto Road 7S35. Proceed north on Rd 7S35 to reach Units 517-004 and Nehouse Fuelbreak. There is a minor rough spot on the road where the water was diverted near the culvert crossing.

Return to Road 4S81, turn right and travel several miles towards Mammoth Pool Road and turn right and travel for approximately 4 miles and turn right onto Road 6S25 and cross the bridge. Proceed through the gate and Unit 513-001 is on both sides of the road for approximately 1+ miles. Unit 513-001 has a small polygon south of the creek.

Creek Fire Recovery-Incline and Doghouse Units: From the Bass Lake Ranger District office, turn left onto Road 225 and travel for approximately 1 mile and turn left onto to Road 233 towards Cascadel Woods. Travel for 2 miles and at the Cascadel Woods overhead sign follow to the left on Road 8S09 for approximately 5+ miles proceed through the gate and turn right onto Road 7S07. Follow Road 7S07 for approximately 2 miles and at the intersection of Road 7S07B and Road 7S07 is the Doghouse Unit 722-081 located on both sides of the road.

Continue a short distance and follow to the right at the intersection with Road 7S76 and Benedict Meadow, and Incline Unit 522-077 is located along both sides of Road 7S07 and spur Road 7S07E.

Buffin Meadow Unit: From the Bass Lake Ranger District office turn left onto Road 225 and at the roundabout follow around to Road 274. Proceed for approximately 13 miles and the road number changes to Road 222. Proceed for additional 5 miles to reach Highway 41. Turn right at Highway 41 and proceed for 14 miles towards the town of Fish Camp and turn right onto Mt Raymond Road. Travel for 2 miles towards the snow play area and turn left through the gate onto Road 5S06. Travel for 3 miles to reach Buffin Meadow unit 706-501 located on both sides of Road 5S06 and Road 5S43.

Exclusions - Natural and Determined Non-Work Areas:

In all the planting units there may be small areas of unplantable ground due to rock, green trees, oak and mature conifer canopy closure, meadows, roads, skid trails, landings, designated controlled areas, and streamside zones. Some of these areas may be flagged to designate the edge of the acceptable planting areas. The Designated inspector on site, will help with identifying these areas. To meet the planting prescription and required spacing, the contract work shall properly space 20 feet from the outside edge of the live canopy of both conifers and oaks. Areas with surviving previously planted conifers, shall plant the new seedling to the required prescribed spacing.

Accessibility:

All work areas may be reached by roads that are accessible by a 2-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle with chains, unless otherwise noted. Depending on weather conditions tire chains may be required to access some of the units. No vehicles will be permitted to operate off Forest Service system roads without approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

No vehicles will be permitted to operate off Forest Service system roads without approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, mud, slides, or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the Government may, under the Changes Clause (1) provide an alternate access route, (2) delete the inaccessible unit(s), or (3) require an "unspecified walk in". In all cases the government will make a best effort to get the trees to the unit or as close as possible. It is still the contractor’s responsibility to get the workers and necessary equipment to the units.

A specified walk-in and walk-out is required to reach work area Unit 523-044. Due to a failed culvert on Road 8S67 there is a dangerous gap in the roadway. A trail and foot bridge, built spring 2024, will be used to cross Fish creek tributary to reach the northeast corner of unit 523-044. Both the Forest Service and Contractor’s representative will record and agree on travel times to and from the truck to the work area, for an hourly payment. This travel route has been safely used for multiple access requirements.

Maps:

Any Maps included are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations.

The contractor will be provided an electronic version suitable for use with geo referenced application such as Avenza.

Attached contract maps are intended to show only the general size, shape and location of the work areas. The work locations on the ground take precedence over the shapes on the Project Maps.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

PRIORITY OF WORK:

The Contracting Officer’s Representative may specify a priority of work by item, block, or sub-unit within the item without additional cost. In nearly all cases, work will move to adjacent units of work.

CREW SCHEDULING:

The Contractor shall submit to the COR, for approval, a schedule of work at the pre-work conference. The Schedule will include the proposed work- days, proposed size and number of crews to be assigned to the contract. If the contractor intends to have more than one crew or if additional crews are needed due to being behind schedule or unseasonable weather, the Contractor shall request this in writing to the COR. The Government will attempt to accommodate the contractors wish to have several or very large crews, however, government manpower is limited and there may be a point where the government can no longer adequately administer very large or multiple crews at which time the contractor will have to limit the amount of workers assigned to this project.

Any changes in crew plans or schedules need to be submitted for approval to the CO and COR 48 hours prior to any changes becoming effective.

PLANTING OPERATIONS AND WORK STANDARDS:

All operations shall be performed in an organized manner, and in groups of the entire crews. This includes, but is not limited to, arrival, bagging, re-bagging, planting, and completion of a unit. Planting with scattered crews within or between units shall not be permitted except as necessitated by on-the- ground conditions and then only when approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Also see, Special Requirements. All work shall meet the contract specifications. Seedlings shall be planted to the boundary of all work areas and around the perimeter of all non-work areas within the work unit. Seedlings shall not be planted on landings, fire lines, skid trails, or haul roads unless directed to do so by the COR.

Planting areas include recent fire, insect mortality/hazard tree removal activities. Initial and interplant areas may have some natural seedlings, older plantation trees or surviving large trees. (See Specifications) The Contractor shall protect the seedlings by parking the insulated trailer in the shade. Proper care and protection measures of the seedlings will be agreed upon onsite between the Contractor and the designated Government inspectors. The planters shall follow the specifications for proper care and handling of the seedlings during the dipping, handout and handling during the planting techniques and counting the returned seedlings.

High Sierra and Bass Lake Ranger District: The Contractor shall hand out the seedlings in an organized methodical process to ensure the seedling tally is recorded properly for each seed lot. The Contractor shall dip the bare root seedlings before placing them into the crew member’s planting bag liner. At the end of each handout there shall be an agreed number of total seedlings per species. The Forest Service inspector will record the tree tally onto the 2026 Unit Seedling Planting Record. This data for each planted unit will be recorded onto the 2026 Tree Planting Daily Receipt as documentation for the invoice preparation. Both the Contractor and inspector will confirm on the tree totals, sign and date the form. A copy will be provided next workday.

CARE AND HANDLING OF SEEDLINGS:

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care, protection, and planting of all tree seedlings in their possession:

a. Seedlings shall always be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances.

b. Seedlings stored in boxes, bags or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes shall be promptly resealed. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

c. Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

d. Seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying is seen, the condition shall be reported to the Contracting Officer’s Representative immediately. Seedling roots shall not be pruned, clipped, or cut by the Contractor or Contractor's employees.

e. Frozen seedlings shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade.

f. Seedling planting bags will all be equipped with a liner and be carried on the workers hip to protect the seedling roots from wind, heat and direct sun.

g. The number of seedlings provided for each “bag-up” shall be determined by both the Contractor and the Forest Service representative. The seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the number that can be carried and removed without injury. The seedlings shall be planted before heating or drying of roots occurs.

Species composition, seedling size, nursery bundling, length of time to plant and weather conditions shall be considered in determining the number of seedlings per bag-up.

h. Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

i. Seedlings shall be gently removed from the planting bags, one at a time, to prevent stripping or injury, when the planting hole has been properly prepared.

The planters shall not remove more than one tree at a time. If planting two trees at each planting spot, only one tree shall be removed and properly planted. The second seedling shall be removed and planted, after the planting hole has been properly prepared.

The Contractor shall not remove trees while walking between planting spots.

j. Seedlings placed in bags shall be planted out before lunch, before the end of the day, or before any other significant work stoppage, and not returned to storage.

SPECIFICATIONS, PLANTING SPACING

SNF High Sierra District:

The spacing for all units will be 18ft by 18ft. This equals, on a perfect acre, 135 planting spots per acre. Two seedlings will be planted in each planting spot for a total of 270 planted trees per acre. In actual field conditions this will likely be less. Spacing may vary if agreed upon by the COR.

The specified average spacing may be varied up to 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot.

The number of seedlings planted per acre, however, shall not be materially increased or decreased because of individual planting spot selection.

Each planting spot shall be planted with two seedlings of the same species. Species mixtures will be given by the government representative.

In the units with multiple species being planted, each planting spot will be planted with only one species. If the planter has only one of a species left in the planting bag the planter shall plant a second tree of a different species

It is expected that the contractor will meet a government representative at one of the cooler locations each morning with the covered trailer to pick up seedlings for the day. Seedlings will be loaded to transport out to the planting site. Any unused seedlings will need to be stored properly and coordinated with government representative for proper return to the coolers.

The Bass Lake Ranger District:

Spacing requirements for the contract planting areas are listed on the 2026 Bass Lake Tree Planting Data Table.

Stocking per acre will vary due to soil moisture, rocky soil conditions, unplantable sites, live and dead brush field conditions and existing live green canopy of conifers and oaks. Prior to handing out the seedlings, the Contractor and the Bass Lake Ranger District Designated Inspector will agree on the total trees per species to be issued, following the Silviculturist prescription per planting site.

Historic and prehistoric sites may or may not be planted. The District Archaeologist will designate which sites are allowed to be planted by Hoedad tools only, no augers and NO scraping a scalp.

The Hoedad tool will prepare a planting hole, insert the seedling as the hoedad opens the hole and properly firming the bottom and top of the hole with the Hoedad blade. The tree planting worker will use their boot to firm and pack the soil around the top of the hole, while protecting the seedling.

At the first contract work area both the Contractor and the Designated Forest Service Contract Inspector shall work together to confirm the total count of bare root seedlings per rubber band bundle and the total count of containerized seedlings per bag. The results shall be documented for the total count for each specie handed out, for daily count per work area.

PLANTING SPOT SELECTION AND PREPARATION

When possible, planting spots shall be selected on the north side of the stumps, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedling survival and growth.

No seedlings shall be planted closer to a planted or suitable existing tree than the spacing specifications. No seedlings are to be planted under the drip lines of suitable existing conifer and oaks within and adjacent to unit boundaries.

Brush patches containing satisfactory planting spots shall be planted even though this may require spreading stems aside or working around the stems.

Landings, skid trails and fire lines are not to be planted unless otherwise directed by the COR or inspector.

Mounds of soil that have been created by equipment activities shall not be planted, unless the scalper prepares the scalp all the way to ground level. Water bars are not to be planted. In the units some dead trees have been left to provide wildlife habitat. Planting shall be carried on as if these snags were not there. The contractor shall encourage a safe working environment by paying attention to the condition of these snags. As needed refrain from close working conditions if they appear unstable or likely to break.

The burned footprint of a slash pile is considered a preferred planting spot, if the cleared scalp can reach moist soil. When conditions can be met, each burned footprint shall be planted with at least one planting spot. Ash is considered a drying agent and only moist soil shall be used to pack the auger planting hole.

The workers using hand tools to prepare the selected planting spot (“scalp”), shall clear all loose debris including limbs, snow, bark, rotten wood, rocks, ash, duff, sod, crowns of living plants, masticated slash, roots and other material to expose bare moist mineral soil.

The “scalpers” shall be working at the same speed as the auger operators and the tree planters, to provide optimum exposed moist soil for the seedling. The Contractor shall monitor the crews work methods and speed to meet these requirements. If the augured scalped soil becomes dry, it shall be necessary to rework the dry planting spots.

Scalp Size The scalp shall be large enough that each tree is planted 1.5 feet from the other tree(s) measured from the nearest edges of the hole, and each tree is at least 6 inches from the edge of the scalp, measured from the outside edge of the drilled planting hole. The planting hole must be far enough from the edge of the scalp so that only moist soil is packed into the auger hole.

When preparing a planting spot for 2 planted trees, the cleared scalp shall be a minimum of 38 inches by 18 inches for ease of seeing and survival from competing vegetation. No foreign material shall be used to pack the auger hole.

SHADE CARD PLACEMENT

Shade cards will be placed on each planting spot containing certain species (to be determined by the COR). One shade card is needed per seedling. Shade cards will be placed in south westerly fashion, so they are blocking the afternoon sun. It is best that the placement be more west. The shade card is to be placed about 2 inches from the seedling. The shade card is shaped like a croquet wicket with a fabric screen stretched between the two sides. The wicket is made of wire. The wire must be pushed into the ground deep enough to be sure it does not fall over. Shade cards will be provided by the government.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government.

Augers, hoedads, scrapers to prepare the planting spot, planting hip bags, planting bag liners, fuel, oil, crew transportation, truck, enclosed trailer to shuttle supplies and seedlings, crew PP&E, water for crew members to drink, bucket and water for dipping bare root seedlings.

PLANTING HOLES:

Planting holes shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. Should the initial attempt to make a planting hole fail because of subsurface rock, roots, or other obstacles, a second effort shall be made in a slightly different part of the same planting spot. If this effort also fails for similar reasons, a third attempt shall be made in another part of the planting spot. If the third effort also fails, the spot shall be abandoned as an un-plantable spot. In the case of multiple trees per scalp if only one or two holes are successful, they shall be planted, there must be at least two attempts for each of the holes within the scalp.

The hole shall be at least 6 inches from the edge of the scalp, measured from the nearest edge of the hole.

When there are multiple plantings per spot the trees shall be at least 18 inches apart.

Un-plantable auger holes shall be filled in with dirt by the auger operator.

Augers - the hole shall be made five centimeters (approx. 2 inches) deeper than the maximum root length specified. The auger shall not proceed so far ahead of the planters that the drilled hole or the excavated material will dry before packing the soil around the seedling. The auger shall be run at a speed that will deposit the excavated soil adjacent to the hole and not scattered to a distance that it would be unavailable for filling the hole. The auger operator shall reduce the auger speed while lifting it from the hole, so the soil is piled near the hole and is available for refilling the hole without other foreign material. The auger shall not leak oil into the planting hole or onto the ground.

The contractor is required to use a vegetable oil based; biodegradable bar oil that is specifically designed to be used as bar oil.

An auger is required for units designated for auger planting. If the site conditions become not suitable for an auger, those portions of the work area shall use hand tools such as a hoedad or shovel. The site conditions shall be reviewed and determined by the COR or the designated contract inspector and discussed with the Contractor.

Planting Tools: Contractor's planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements: Hoedads or planting shovels will be required and shall be capable of digging a 12-inch-deep hole. For required scalping, the tool selected shall be capable of removing all material at the planting spot down to moist mineral soil, or other tools capable of scalping in advance of planting shall be provided by and used by the Contractor. The hand tools used by the Contractor for planting shall have a minimum 12- inch length and 4-inch-wide planting blade. The head or scalping blade of a hoedad is not to be included in the minimum length measurement. If the Contractor uses planting shovels but is unable to plant some portions of the ground which could be planted with a hoedad, the Contractor will then be required to plant those portions of ground with hoedads.

Planting Bags: Shall be a light color, shall not retain water or heat, shall have a minimum depth of 38 cm (15 inches), and shall be free of defects. Planting bags shall be clean and free from dirt and residue from prior planting operations when initial planting on this contract begins, or after any stoppage of work where the Contractor plants seedlings elsewhere. Each planting bag shall be equipped with an insulating liner specifically designed for that purpose.

Water and container for dipping bare root seedlings: The contractor must also provide a container and enough water for dipping bare root seedlings in a hydrogel such as Terrasorb. Water absorption will vary with each local tap water, so use more or less water as needed to achieve the desired consistency that allows the maximum amount of gel to adhere to the roots.

Water for Workers: The Contractor shall provide, for the crew, clean water in clean containers for both drinking and sanitation purposes.

Covered trailer for transporting seedlings: The Contractor shall provide a trailer for each crew to transport seedlings. Trailers shall be fully enclosed from the outside and have enough capacity to store approximately 15,000 seedlings. Trailers shall have with them a trash bin with trash bags. Trailers will be filled with seedlings at USFS tree coolers.

Planting Expectations

Spacing Requirements. The contract maps are estimated shapes, and the polygon work boundary will be defined on site. The Avenza app can be used. Forest Service issued tablets for sensitive CA sites will be provided.

For example, in addition to the planting grid of 12’ x 12’, 13’ x 13’, 14’ x 14’, 15’ x 15’ and or 18’ x 18’, seedling planting spacing requirements shall also include a buffer from the following: 20 feet from the edge of the road;

75 feet from the outside edge of the overhead powerlines; 20 feet measured from the outside edge of the tip of the canopy of existing conifers and oaks and 30 feet from existing log piles not burned. Refer to the contract maps for the powerline location.

Incline #1 unit 522-077, when planting red and or white fir seedlings, two scalps shall be made 12 inches apart to accommodate 2 fir seedlings. Specific directions will be provided on site to determine the percent of red/white fir seedlings to be planted with the other seedling species. Contractor will use shade cards provided by the government to provide shade to fir seedlings.

To meet replanting and or interplanting spacing specifications, only areas lacking sufficient surviving seedlings shall be planted. There may be situations where the worker shall be required to walk through areas where there are sufficient surviving natural or previously planted conifers, oak sprouts, mature oaks, conifers and elderberry plants and brush. Take advantage of placing planted seedlings on the north side of and or adjacent to down logs and or stumps.

Adhere to the following specifications for seeding care and protection during planting listed for CARE AND HANDLING OF SEEDLING, with the additional measure:

a) One tree shall be planted at each scalped area, except for planting White fir and Red fir at Incline Unit 522-077 where 2 firs shall be planted at 2 scalps. Scalp size is 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet.

For individual seedlings the specified average spacing may be varied up to 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot. The number of seedlings planted per acre, however, shall not be materially increased or decreased because of individual planting spot selection.

Planting shall occur in recent insect and fire mortality areas of Buffin Meadow, French and Creek Fire. Planting will be 20 feet from the outside edge of the canopy of a mature live crown of a conifer and oak. Established oaks and conifers are counted as existing trees and will be part of determining the tree spacing. Refer to the data table for work areas that have overhead power line. Maintain a 75-foot buffer from each side of the outside edge of the overhead power line.

The designated prescription for tree planting may include bare root and/or containerized plug Ponderosa Pine, Jeffrey pine and Sugar Pine, White fir and red fir. On site directions will be provided for the planting species ratio. Tree planting spacing will be 12 x 12, 13 x 13, 14’ x 14’ and 18’ x 18’.

DATA TABLE

2026 Bass Lake Ranger District Tree Planting French Unit # Name Estimated

Trees Estimated Spacing Feet

Est. Plant Date

Elevation (feet)

513-001

Mammoth Pool

13,000 14 x 14

March 3,800 Interplant

517-004 Rd 7S35 11,500

14 x 14

March 4,500 Interplant

FBK

Nehouse

Rd 7S35 2,000** 18 x 18 March 4,500 Interplant

517-0005 Rd 6S12X 4,000** 14 x 14 March 5,200 Interplant

517-065* Rd 4S81 1,500 14 x 14 March 5,200 Interplant

517-066* Rd 4S81 1,000 14 x 14 March 5,200 Interplant

517-074 Rd 6S25X 2,500 14 x 14 March 5,400 Interplant

517-080* Rd 6S25X 1,500** 14 x 14 March 5,500 Interplant

520-046 Rock Ck CG 2,500** 14 x 14 March 4,400 Interplant

523-022 Rd 4S81X 9,000 14 x 14 March 4,990 Interplant

523-044 Rd 4S81X 9,000 14 x 14 March 5,000 Interplant Walk-in walk-out

Incline/ Dog House

522-077 Rd 7S07 24,000 12 x 12 March/April 5900 Interplant

WF&RF*

522-081 Rd 7S07 1,500 13 x 13 March/April 5600 Interplant

Buffin Interplant

706-501 Rd 5S43 2,500** 13 x13 March/April 5500 Interplant

Total 85,500

Unit 517-077 Approximate 8,000 White fir (WF) and Red fir (RF) containerized seedlings (of the 24,000 seedlings) will be dispersed with 2 seedlings auger planted per planting site, throughout the work area. * WALK-IN – WALK-OUT requirements to reach unit #523-044: follow Road 4S81X and turn left onto Road 8S67 and park.

The culvert at the Fish Creek tributary SMZ failed, and the road disappeared by the high volume of water during the 2023 winter atmospheric river events.

Walk-in – walk-out time and extra effort will be required for the tree planting crew to complete the tree planting, if the water crossing can be accessed safely. Time will be documented by the crew foreman and lead contract inspector and total crew time will be agreed upon for payment.

PLANTING SPOT SELECTION

SEEDLING PLACEMENT:

Bare root seedlings: The seedling shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth, that, after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point even with the root collar of the seedling. No portion of the roots shall be exposed, nor any needles or branches covered with soil. The proper depth is to the root collar. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, or bunched. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

Containerized seedlings: The seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole, deep enough so that two centimeters of soil placed on top of the plug and leveled with the surrounding soil surface will seal the plug into the ground. Containerized stock growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during the planting process. The proper depth is the root collar of the seedling at ground level.

FILLING & FIRMING:

Auger planting: The speed of the auger operations shall leave a ring of loose soil near the hole that is free of debris and used to systematically pack the hole with the seedling’s root collar at ground level. Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, and other foreign material shall be kept out of the hole. Soil shall be filled in and firmed packed progressively, this usually requires placing some soil, about a third of the depth, then tamping with the hand, then adding the next third and tamping again and finally adding enough to fill the hole and tamping again. Tamping is not to be done using a stick or other implement. The result should be that there are no air pockets in the hole and that the tree is planted firmly enough that it cannot be pulled up with a tug on the needles, or a shovel handle cannot be pushed into the filled soil. The height of the tree must be correct as described in the seedling placement specification. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the seedling shall be done in a manner that assures the seedling and root systems are not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the seedling, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. Properly planted, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighed down with mud or debris.

Archeological site hoedad areas - The hoedad shall be inserted into the ground in front of the seedling and the lower part of the blade rocked toward the seedling to wedge the soil at the bottom part of the hole to a packed tight or closed condition. The upper part of the blade shall then be rocked forward to wedge the upper part of the hole to pack the soil tight or a closed condition. The goal is to pack the soil for the entire length of the root zone while the tap root and fine roots are straight and in a downward position. Apply pressure with the tree planters’ boot to firm and level the soil surrounding the stem of the seedling. All actions in this process shall be done in a manner that assures that dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, and other foreign material does not enter the hole. No air spaces or loose soil shall be present at the roots zone or on top of the soil. The seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow and not be weighted down with mud or debris.

SPECIES MIXTURE:

The species to be planted will be discussed at the planting site. To follow the planting prescription, the COR and lead contract inspector will determine the species mix, based on the number of planters available and the unit prescription.

Landscape & Botanical preservation:

To maintain stand diversity, trees and/or brush providing homes for wildlife shall not be disturbed.

Protection of Sensitive Plant Populations: any protected plants located within any of the units will be designated for protection by the Contracting Officer Representative.

Land Survey Monuments:

The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, and bearing trees against avoidable destruction, obliteration, or damage during the Contractor's operations.

Known corners are identified on the contract maps by black diamonds. It is the Contractor's responsibility to locate and protect them during operations.

If the Contractor causes such damage, the Contractor shall hire the appropriate registered land surveyor to establish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, or accessories. Such surveyors shall use procedures in accordance with the "Bureau of Land Management Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States" for the

General Land Office surveys, and in accordance with the State law for others. The Contractor shall record such survey in the appropriate county records.

Archaeological and Historic Sites:

Location of known archaeological, historic, or prehistoric materials – such as Native American sites or artifacts and/or historic mining, logging, or fur trapping remains protected by the American Antiquities Act (16 USC 433) – will be identified for the contractor before work commences.

Protection of Cultural Resources. Location of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431433), National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470), and implementing regulations (36 CFR 800), the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PL 96-95 and 36 CFR 261.9(e)) will be identified on the ground by the Forest Service. The Forest Service may unilaterally modify or cancel all or portions of this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas or objects by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party.

The Contractor shall protect Controlled Areas (CA) shown on the Project Unit Maps, by AVOIDANCE, and shall protect all known and identified or discovered historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal or damage during the Contractor's operations. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contract Officer if damage occurs to any cultural resources and immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the resource where damage occurred until the Contract Officer authorizes the Contractor to proceed. If such damage is negligently or willfully caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall bear costs of investigation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve the Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

All known Controlled Areas are identified on the project map and on the ground with blue and black stripped flagging.

The sites may be reflagged immediately prior to operations.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEYS

The results of the Heritage Resource field surveys may permit tree planting within the perimeter of some of the archaeological site boundaries. Specific planting guidelines will be provided by the District Archaeologist and shared prior to starting the work. Designated non-work areas will be identified with on-site flagging and information provided on the Avenza app map.

Spill Plan & Site Maintenance:

If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, the Contractor shall prepare and implement a Spill Prevention and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered professional engineer. The Contractor, under the direction of the Contracting Officer, or in the absence of said officer, acting independently, shall immediately take action to contain and clean up, without expense to the Government, all petroleum products spills on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by the Contractor's employees directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary by the Government for the containment and cleanup of petroleum products spills caused by Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations. The Contractor shall immediately report all petroleum products spills to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup and removal of all trash from the work site.

Equipment Cleaning:

All off-road equipment used on this project shall be washed before moving into the project area so that the equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. “Off-road equipment” includes all logging and construction equipment and such brushing equipment as brush hogs, masticators, and chippers; it does not include log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, and similar vehicles not intended for off-road use. Equipment will be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil, seeds, plant material, or other such debris. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection equipment is not required. Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least five days in advance of moving equipment in so that arrangements can be made for inspection. If the project area is known to contain noxious weeds, the equipment shall be cleaned before moving to other Forest Service system lands which do not contain noxious weeds.

Final cleanup:

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of all contractor’s rubbish (including food material), excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and all parts of the work area shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government shall provide the seedlings and the shade cards to the Contractor for use in this contract. The planting stock may be either bare root or containerized. The Government will furnish tree seedlings and shade cards to a location point of four- wheel drive vehicle accessibility nearest the unit boundary, or to the point where the walk-in begins, unless other points are mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer’s Representative and the Contractor. The container trees have been removed from the plastic tubes but still have a plug of soil attached to the roots. They are provided to the contractor in small plastic bags that usually contain 10 – 15 trees. The trees are to remain in the plastic bags as they are carried in the planting bag.

Root dipping material (such as Terrasorb) will be supplied for use on all bare root seedlings. Use a nontoxic, super-absorbent hydrogel material that absorbs up to 150 times its weight in water and releases water slowly in dry soils.

Each planter will be given anywhere between 25-250 trees at a time to plant. This will vary by the weather conditions and the amount of time it takes to plant out the bag. It will vary depending on weather conditions, unit size and factors of the day. It will be at the discretion of the government how many trees to hand out to the planters at a time. Each planter will be given only as many trees as can be planted before the seedlings are judged by the Government to be overly stressed. The number of seedlings given out in each bag up is also limited by the number that can be carried without risk of damaging the seedlings as they are removed from the bag.

The Government will arrange the seedlings for the planters to pick-up, usually near the trucks.

Public officials not personally liable:

There shall be no personal liability upon the Contracting Officer or officer in charge, their agents or employees, for any act performed in the discharge of any duty imposed or the exercise of any power or authority conferred upon them by, or within the scope of the contract, it being understood that in all such matters they act solely as agents and representatives of the Government.

Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract. The Contracting Officer must be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract may be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

On all matters that pertain to the contract terms, the Contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer.

Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment.

DEFINITIONS:

BARE ROOT STOCK - Conifer seedling with little or no soil attached to the roots.

CONTAINERIZED STOCK - Conifer seedling grown in a container, with a growing medium attached to the roots.

DRIP LINE - The point where moisture dripping from…