A22 - W912EK23Q0034 - Wih Cover Page.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

PLEASE RETURN TO:

US Army Corps of Engineers

US Army Corps of Engineers Forest Inventory

W912EK23Q0034

Attn: Joseph Porter Email: joseph.e.porter@usace.army.mil

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. Complete Block 17a on the SF1449 - Enter Name, Address, and Current Phone Number of Person to

Contact Regarding Proposal

2. Complete and sign Blocks 30a, 30b, and 30c on the SF1449

3. Complete Offeror Representations and Certifications (Clause 52.212-3) if your company has not completed the Representations and Certifications located with your company’s SAM record (https://www.sam.gov).

4. Award will be made to the responsive, responsible vendor capable of providing the SOW requirements at the lowest price to the Government.

5. Please fill out the the below information completely and include this cover page with your offer, along with the above items that need to be filled out.

6. Include the Solicitation Number as subject line when submitting by email pdf format. It is the responsibility of the offeror to verify that their offer has been received and is legible when using a method other than electronic format to submit an offer.

Contractors must be current in their registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) Database before a Government Contract award can be made.https://www.sam.gov/

Please provide: Taxpayer ID Number: ____________________________ CAGE Code (SAM):_______________________________ Point of Contact: _________________________________ Phone & Email: __________________________________

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joseph Porter -

Email: joseph.e.porter@usace.army.mil

SEE ADDENDUM

(No Collect Calls)

W912EK23Q0034 11-Sep-2023

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER

309-794-5333

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

10:00 AM 20 Sep 2023

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

(TYPE OR PRINT)

(SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

ADDENDA X ARE

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Gov t. Use Only )

23.

CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT

BELOW IS CHECKED

TELEPHONE NO.

W912EK9. ISSUED BY

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a. UNLESS BLOCK

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

JOSEPH E PORTER

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER

(TYPE OR PRINT)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a.UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1. 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3. 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.X

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

20.

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, AND 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

96514732293293

ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR X

SMALL BUSINESSX

17a.CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

CONTRACTING DIVISION

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 1500 ROCK ISLAND D

ROCK ISLAND IL 61201

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

13b. RATING

CODE15. DELIVER TO CODE W912EK 16. ADMINISTERED BY

12. DISCOUNT TERMS11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFPX

US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, ROCK ISLAND

CEMVR

1500 ROCK ISLAND DRIVE

ROCK ISLAND IL 61201

TEL: FAX:

FAX:

TEL: SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

8(A)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SIZE STANDARD:

$11,500,000

NAICS:

115310

X

OFFER DATED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF.

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

EMAIL:

TEL:

31c. DATE SIGNED

SEE SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICESITEM NO. QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

24.22.21.19.

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(CONTINUED)

PAGE 2 OF92

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ______________________________________________________

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f . TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIALCOMPLETE

36. PAYMENT35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER

FINAL

33. SHIP NUMBER

PARTIAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

SEE SCHEDULE

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY UNIT

22. 23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

19.

ITEM NO.

W912EK23Q0034

Section SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

MVR.03

QUESTION AND ANSWER

via email

Technical inquiries and questions relating to this solicitation are to be submitted to Joseph Porter at joseph.e.porter@usace.army.mil on or before 14 Sept 2023 at 1:00 PM Central.

SCHEDULE OF PRICES

CONTRACTOR MUST FILL OUT THE BID SCHEDULE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR

AWARD. ALL LINE ITEMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED.

Schedule of Pricing NESP Multi-Pool Forest: Port MRI Benton - Timber Inventory Contract

ITEM DESCRIPTION Qty Unit Plot Type Amount per Unit

Total Amount

Navigation Pool 17 - Port Louisa - River Miles 439 to 442

0001 Fixed Plot and Prism Plot only at Port Louisa work area

108 Each Regular

0002 Fixed Plot, Prism Plot, and Age Plot at Port Louisa work area

31 Each Age

Navigation Pool 18 - Mississippi River Islands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) - River Miles 428 to 434

0003 Fixed Plot and Prism Plot only at Mississippi River Islands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) work area

227 Each Regular

0004 Fixed Plot, Prism Plot, and Age Plot at Mississippi River Islands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) work area

83 Each Age

Navigation Pool 18 - Benton Island - River Miles 418 to 427

0005 Fixed Plot and Prism Plot only at Benton Island work area

80 Each Regular

0006 Fixed Plot, Prism Plot, and Age Plot at Benton Island work area

23 Each Age

TOTAL $

STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SCOPE OF WORK. Work covered by this contract shall consist of furnishing all labor, equipment, operators, supervision, supplies and materials necessary to completing timber inventory survey. All timber inventory data collected must be provided to the government in the designated format. All work shall be performed to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer.

2. CONTRACT AREA. This contract is to assist the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District (USACE) with timber inventory and monitoring services for projects located within the following counties: Louisa, in the state of Iowa; Mercer and Henderson in the state of Illinois. See Attachment 1: Map of contract area. The actual work areas may or may not be accessible by land (some may be on islands or other floodplain backwater areas accessible only by vessel). Work areas may be identified on USACE fee title lands, partnership lands, and other federal government fee title lands within contract area identified herein.

Navigation Pool 17 and 18 data collection area is near the river town of Wapello, Iowa.

Plot locations include portions of Port Louisa Refuge, Mississippi River Islands Wildlife Management Area, and Benton Island. All inventory areas are on USACE fee title under the management of the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) and the Iowa Department of National Resources (IADNR). Portions of the work area are only accessible by boat, while other portions are accessible by land and by boat.

The timber inventory survey will take place on federal US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) fee title along the Mississippi River in Navigation Pools 17 and 18, spanning from river miles 418 to 442. The entirety of the work areas includes approximately 1,500 acres of federal land.

3. NOTICE: Contract areas may be in heavily visited public access areas to include the floodplain and watershed of the Mississippi River and are subject to frequent flooding.

4. OMISSIONS. These specifications may duplicate or not cover all specified activities, steps, and/or procedures required to accomplish work. In case of omission the Contracting Officer will notify contractor for clarification, the normal industry standards, practices, specifications and/or guides shall prevail. In no instance shall an omission be a reason to perform inferior work, produce a less than acceptable product or service, or refuse to perform an intended activity.

5. CONTRACT PERIOD. See CLIN

6. SAFETY. The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with safety requirements set forth in the most recent version of the Corps of Engineers’ Manual, EM 385-1-1, entitled “Safety and Health Requirements Manual”. Copies and any updates are available for review at:

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_3 85-1-1.pdf

A. APP. Contractor shall submit, The Contractor’s Accident Prevention Program (APP), as required by ER 385-1-1 Appendix A, paragraph 11 (for limited scope

APP).

B. Job Hazard Analysis. At the end of each month the Contractor shall submit, in writing, the total employee hours worked by employees during the preceding month. This report will include detailed descriptions of any accidents or injuries sustained on the project by their employees during this subject month, including copies of documents for claims under Workman’s Compensation.

7. ACCESS. The contractor is expected to comply with all applicable regulations related to site access. The contractor shall provide boats to complete the work licensed to operate in waters in Iowa and Illinois. The Contractor shall be responsible for access to, into, and through all locations. Access to locations may or may not be through locked barricades or gates, only accessible by water, or through Government limited used or developed areas. Access into and through Government property shall be by routes approved by the Contracting Officer in advance prior to entry. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to lock all gates or barricades, if present, when leaving an area. Keys to Government locked barricades or gates will be supplied to the Contractor and returned to the Government after contract period is over.

General security requirements and guidance: The security requirements described below apply to all contract personnel (including employees of the prime Contractor (“Contractor”) and all subcontractor employees) supporting the performance requirements of this contract. The Contractor is responsible for compliance with these security requirements. Questions regarding security matters shall be addressed to the designated Government representative (e.g., Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Requiring Activity (RA) representative, or Contracting Officer (if a COR or other RA representative is not appointed)). Contract personnel are critical to the overall security and safety of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) installations, facilities and activities, and security awareness training contributes to those efforts. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Army security training requirements specified below, if applicable, are performance requirements;

all applicable contract personnel shall complete initial training within 30 days of contract award or the date new contract personnel begin performance on the contract. Within five business days from the completion of training, the Contractor shall provide written documentation (e.g., email or memorandum) to the Government representative. The documentation shall include the names of contract personnel trained and which training they completed; the Contractor shall maintain training records as part of their contract files and be prepared to provide copies of training certificates to the Government representative. Contractor personnel and vehicles are subject to search when entering federal installations. Additionally, all contract personnel shall comply with Force Protection Condition (FPCON) measures, Random Antiterrorism Measures (commonly referred to as “RAMs”), and Health Protection Condition (HPCON) measures. The Contractor is responsible for meeting performance requirements during elevated FPCON and/or HPCON levels in accordance with applicable RA plans and procedures --this includes identifying mission essential and non-mission essential personnel. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the FPCON or HPCON levels at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may implement security changes that affect contract personnel. The Contractor shall ensure all contract personnel are aware of their security responsibilities, including any site-specific requirements identified in local policies or procedures.

Antiterrorism (AT) Level I training: All contract personnel requiring routine access to Army installations, facilities, and controlled access areas, or requiring network access shall complete initial and annual refresher AT Level I awareness training. Online AT Level I awareness training is available at https://jko.jten.mil/ (website subject to change).

For Access and General Protection Policy and Procedures. All Contractors and sub-contractor employees shall comply with installation and facility access guidelines and rules as stated herein. Contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by Department of Defense, Department of the Army Headquarters, Rock Island District and/or local policy. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the Changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any installation or facility change, the Government may require changes in Contractor security matters or processes.

In support of Rock Island District evaluation of personnel authorized for access to federal facilities, the Contractor shall submit background checks that have been conducted by a bonded third party within the last 6 months of Notice to Proceed date and authorize reports to be provided to the Rock Island District Security and Law Enforcement Office by the third party. The background check will cover, at a minimum, the ten years covering states the employee has lived in, national criminal records check which includes felony and misdemeanor offenses, Department of Motor Vehicles records, and a national sex offender registry check, submitted 14 days prior to accessing the project site.

Identification Badges: The Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing a photo identification badge/card to each employee prior to the employee's work on-site, and for requiring each employee engaged on the work to display identification. At a minimum, the badge shall have the following items shown, the employee’s picture, employee’s name, and company name working for. The badge will be prominently displayed unless restricted for safety concerns, in which case it will be available for immediate display upon request (carried on person).

As employees are added or deleted from the submitted and approved Access Control List (ACL), this information will be reported immediately to the Contracting Officer (KO). Added employees will not be permitted on-site until requirements of this paragraph are completed, submitted, and approved.

Disqualifying factors include, but are not limited to:

(1) Criminal conduct, in particular violent crime and sex offenders;

(2) Habitual use of intoxicating beverages to excess as evidenced by Driving under the influence or public intoxication records; or

(3) Any illegal activity or other disqualification which makes the individual unfit for service (e.g.

drug trafficking or procurement fraud).

In addition to the submitted background checks, supplemental agency checks may be performed at the discretion of the Rock Island District security personnel. The Contractor agrees to cooperate and ensure that Contractor personnel provide any documentation required to complete these checks. Any person lacking proper identification credentials or deemed a security threat may be denied access to the project.

Such action in no way relieves the Contractor from performance of the Contract. The Rock Island District retains the right to deny any Contractor and sub-contractor employee from working on a contract awarded by the Rock Island District based on final background investigation results. All information received as a result of a background check will be handled according to Privacy Act regulation.

In the event that an unexpected change in personnel is required, due to sudden absence of a critical path employee, the Contractor shall immediately contact the Contracting Officer to coordinate obtaining written approval from the Security Office for new/additional personnel to be brought on site prior to background check acceptance. Contractor shall submit Personnel Change Request Form and will receive written authorization from the Security Office prior to bringing new personnel on site, and ensure a background check is sent to the Rock Island District Security Office no later than ten days from written notice of approval. The Rock Island District reserves the right to terminate access of the employee upon completion of the Government’s review of the background check and the Contractor shall be notified immediately of any such Government decision.

In the event of an unforeseen change in work site conditions which may require a contract modification, and the contractor is required to immediately add personnel, a Personnel Change Request Form will be submitted to and approved by the Security Office prior to bringing new personnel on site, and ensure a background check is sent to the Rock Island District Security Office no later than ten days from written notice of approval. The Rock Island District reserves the right to terminate access of the employee upon completion of the Government’s review of the background check and the Contractor shall be notified immediately of any such Government decision.

Subcontractor personnel not expected to be on the worksite for more than 15 days may be allowed on site with the following conditions:

1) Employee will be on site a total of 15 days or less, for the duration of the project.

2) Employee is added to the ACL as a short term employee.

3) Employee is escorted while on site. This is defined as being in the line of sight of an identified contractor employee who has a background check on file with the Rock Island District (as noted on the ACL).

4) Each contractor employee can sponsor only five short term employees at a time.

Foreign National employees: Due to a difference in background check procedures for long term foreign national employees, all such employees must provide a photocopy of their passport to the Rock Island District Security Office NLT 30 days prior to arrival on site. Short term foreign national employees (e.g.

specialists with a two week period of performance) may work on site with the following conditions:

1) Foreign national employee will be on site a total of 15 days or less, for the duration of the project.

2) Foreign national employee will comply with E-verify requirements E-verify paragraph).

3) Approved and identified contractor employee shall escort the foreign national employee at ALL times while on site.

4) Each contractor employee can sponsor only one short term foreign national at a time.

Personnel Change Request Form Contract #_______________ Date___________ We, _____________________, respectfully request to add/replace (circle one) personnel to the jobsite due to the following situation:

Personnel to be conditionally added to the ACL (escorted by):

Background checks (if required for a long term employee) shall be submitted by close of business on (insert proposed date): ________________

(Insert signature block)

Pre-screen candidates using E-Verify Program: Contractors shall comply with the requirements set forth in FAR clause 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification and FAR Subpart 22.18 in using the E-Verify Program at (https://www.e-verify.gov/) (website subject to change) to meet the contract employment eligibility requirements. Contractors are encouraged to cooperate with Federal and State agencies responsible for enforcing labor requirements to include eligibility for employment under United States immigration laws in accordance with FAR 22.102-1(i). An initial list of verified/eligible candidates shall be provided to the COR no later than three business days after the initial contract award. When contracts are with individuals, the individuals will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and submit it to the Contracting Officer to become part of the official contract file.

****Add the following to the bottom of the security clause section in each contract*****

To protect the privacy of the Contractor, all Contractor employees, and all sub-contractor employees, background checks, OPSEC SOPs, E-verify, and I-9 forms shall be submitted with a coversheet stating the contract number (e.g. W912EK-15-C-XXXX), title of project, and the company's point of contact information, in a sealed envelope/container and mailed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District

Security Office 1500 Rock Island Drive Rock Island, IL 61201

8. POST AWARD CONFERENCE. Within five (5) days after Contract award the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative to schedule a Post Award Conference, at the Mississippi River Project Office or by web meeting.

9. CONTRACTOR POST AWARD SUBMITTALS.

A. Employee List. Complete list of personnel who will conducting work on government fee title lands to complete work on this contract. If additional staff are to be included to conduct work, the required information will need to be provided prior to the COR prior to any implementing work. If staff are removed from implementing the contract work, the names of those individuals are to be provided to the COR. Information provided per employee will include:

1. Date completed AT level 1 training.

2. Background check documentation.

3. E-Verify documentation.

4. Contact information of employee.

5. Position(s) of employee and/or identify tasks performed.

B. Work Plan. Prior to the start of work, the Contractor shall submit a Contractor’s Work Plan for approval by the COR. Any changes or additions to an approved Contractor Work Plan shall be submitted to the COR for approval two business days (no less than 48 hours) prior to the contractor implementation a change to the targeted scheduled work plan. The Contractor’s Work Plan shall include the following:

1. Primary spatial data processing and field data collection contact.

2. The physical address of the Contractor’s place of business.

3. Targeted work date to begin field data collection per anticipated submissions. To include total duration of an estimate of anticipated timeline to collect field data, perform quality control measures, and post processing data prior to data delivery.

4. Targeted data delivery dates for spatial data and tree cores.

C. Quality Control Program. The quality control program (QCP) is to include measures that that contractor will perform to ensure that the provide data and materials to the government meet the quality standards of this contract. The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete quality control program for all work required herein assuring the requirements of the contract are provided. The contractor must provide at the minimum the quality measures implemented and contingencies to correct discrepancies identified during quality measures to the approval of the COR of these items in the QCP:

1. Field data collection requirements of the Fixed Plot.

2. Field data collection requirements of the Prism Plot.

3. Field data collection requirement of the Age Plot.

4. Tree core handling, storage, and delivery.

5. Plot center magnet storage, tracking, and return of unused magnets.

6. Spatial data review and requirements for delivery.

D. Accident Prevention Program. The contractor will provide an Accident Prevention Program (APP) that identifies all the requirements pertinent to this scope of work (SOW). The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with safety requirements set forth in Corps of Engineers’ Manual, EM 385-1-1, entitled “Safety and Health Requirements Manual”, NOV 2014 copies and any updates which are available for review at:

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/ Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1.pdf. An accident constitutes an incident or act involving the Contractor that caused damage to persons or property. All accidents shall be reported to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) within 24 hours of the occurrence. Any serious accidents (those resulting in death or injury requiring medical attention) shall be reported immediately.

E. Required Insurance. The Contractor will carry liability insurance that will cover their employees. The amount of coverage this insurance will provide will not be less than $1,000,000 per incident. A copy of the Contractor’s ACORD Liability Insurance Certificate signed by the insuring agency shall be provided to the contracting officer within 15 business days after contract award or 10 business days prior to the start of work whichever is later. The insurance policy shall state that it cannot be cancelled without 30 days written notice to the Contracting Officer. Failure to secure and maintain insurance may be grounds for termination during the performance period of this contract.

10. CONTRACTOR INSPECTION SYSTEM. The Contractor shall provide an inspection system and a method of identifying the quality of their performance to ensure the level of performance is acceptable. The inspection system shall specify the phase or area of work to be inspected on a scheduled or unscheduled basis, the work requirement to be inspected, the method of inspection, and the individual(s) who will do the inspection. The system shall include, but is not limited to, inspection of (1) schedules, (2) methods of performing work, (3) materials, (4) equipment, (5) deliverables including select re-sampling of plot data, and (6) personnel. The Government may require an update to the Contractor Inspection System if delivery of plot data is not meeting Acceptable Quality Levels.

11. RECORDS SYSTEM. The Contractor will provide a records system and file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and the corrective actions taken. This documentation shall be made available to the Government during the contract period.

12. UNUSUAL CONDITIONS. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer of any unusual conditions observed such as dumping or vandalism. NOTICE: THE

CONTRACTOR SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COOPERATE WITH, AND COORDINATE

WITH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER ANY OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND ANY

OTHER CONTRACTORS, WORK CREWS, OR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHICH

MAY BE WORKING WITHIN THE CONTRACT LIMITS.

13. EQUIPMENT. The Contractor shall provide all equipment necessary to perform the work described herein. Contractor equipment used in the performance of this contract shall be of suitable size and type for the intended use and shall be inspected daily by the Contractor and maintained in a safe and good working condition. Contractor equipment found to be unsafe or not in conformity with the contract specification shall be removed from work site immediately.

14. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND STORAGE. The Contractor shall provide all supplies and maintenance necessary for the operation of Contractor furnished equipment. The Contractor may store equipment at worksites during ordering period performance. However, the Government assumes no responsibility for the safety or security of equipment stored. Equipment shall be removed from worksite within ten

(10) days after the completion and acceptance of final submission of data. Any storage site shall be returned to original condition.

15. MATERIALS. The Contractor shall provide all materials necessary to perform the work described herein except for when provided by the government. All materials used in the performance of this contract shall be of suitable size, type and quality for the intended use.

SECTION 2

SCHEDULE OF WORK

1. GENERAL. The Contractor shall have one (1) year and (1) month from the date of contract award (or date of options, if exercised) to complete all work (field data collection and submission). Field data collection must occur during the vegetation growing season (May 1 to October 15) to ensure effective identification and sampling of plant species, especially herbaceous. Fall or winter data collection when plants are in senescence will not be allowed. USACE may provide the contractor with a list of alternative plot locations that could be sampled on the occasion that high water limits access to certain sampling areas.

2. SCHEDULE. The Contractor shall provide USACE with an approximate schedule prior to beginning work in a new area. The Contractor shall submit all data as prescribed above and in accordance with an approved schedule.

3. Treatment Area Work Execution Timeline. Field data collection may proceed after approval of post award submittals. A minimum of 20 plot locations are to be completed by 07 June 2024. An additional minimum of 200 plot locations are to be completed by 10 July 2024. All remaining plot locations are to be completed along with quality control measures by 02 October 2024.

4. DELIVERABLES. The Contractor shall submit deliverables within 5 business days of completing field data collection and completed QC as survey work progresses. The contractor SHALL NOT submit an invoice at the time of submitting data. USACE will require 20 business days to perform Quality Assurance on sequential submissions. No data submissions should include less than 100 timber inventory plot locations unless otherwise specified.

5. INVOICING. The Contractor may submit an invoice for the work once USACE has informed the Contractor that work met performance standards or within 30 business days of final data submissions per contract. Invoices shall only be for work which has been subjected to USACE Quality Assurance.

6. DATA. The contractor shall complete and submit data for contiguous areas.

SECTION 3

DELIVERABLES

1. GENERAL. Copies of all deliverables will be submitted to USACE. Field data sheets, digital data, tree cores, and other documentation of the project are the property of USACE and will not be distributed or sold by the Contractor to sources outside USACE without prior written approval. No use of the data by the Contractor for secondary products is allowed without prior written approval from USACE. The contractor shall assume no implied right or privilege to utilize the data for processing, summary, or analysis beyond the scope of this contract; USACE retains the sole right to determine when, by whom, and how data will be summarized and analyzed. The Contractor shall submit the following as deliverable materials:

2. FORMAT. Provide compiled records after field data collection and completed QC of a minimum of 100 completed plot locations during Phase III data collection efforts (unless otherwise approved by discretion the COR) once timber inventory commences in an ESRI ArcGIS file geodatabase format compatible with ArcGIS 10.0 or higher. The geodatabase shall be in the UTM NAD 1983 Zone 15N coordinate system. The geodatabase must include separate feature classes for age, fixed and prism plots. The file name for the geodatabase shall be: MVR_MultiPool_S_yy.mm.dd.gdb, where S = sequential submission number, yy = two digit year.mm = two digit month.dd = 2 digit day for date of submission. The compiled geodatabase shall include all fields listed in the designated data field order supplied by USACE, Compiled Geodatabase Parameters and each field shall include only in the format described for each field in the “Allowable entries/data format” column in this table. Any fields with a data type of text (code) or categorical shall include only the values listed in the “Allowable entries/data format” column. Any fields listed as “required” in the “Entry” column must be entered for each record in each feature class. Any fields listed as “as needed” in the “Entry column” shall be entered only when applicable; these fields should otherwise be left as <Null>. Any data submissions with data that does not match the values listed in the “Allowable entries/data format” column, or do not contain all the requisite plots at each location, or have the correct spatial projection and georeferencing will be considered incomplete and the submission will be rejected, and the Contractor will be asked to resubmit the submission including only complete data for plot locations that match the “allowable entries/data format”.

3. ALTERNATE FORMAT. Contractor may request an alternate digital file format to provide collected timber inventory data. Alternative digital submission must meet USACE data management requirements and be compatible to current USACE software capacity.

Alternative digital submission must be approved by COR prior to data submission. Plot location data must follow provided field data order. Submission must follow the same file name schema described herein.

4. PLOT LOCATIONS SHIFTED IN THE FIELD. Provide a spreadsheet or word document listing any timber inventory plot locations that were shifted in the field per submission. Must include the reason for why the plot locations required to be shifted.

5. TREE CORE. Delivery of tree core samples collected from all age plots for each submission. Tree core must include full length from bark to the center pith of the age tree and must be in one or at the minimum two pieces to be acceptable. Tree cores that are delivered in more than two pieces per age tree will be rejected. Contractor will be required to resample age tree to provide acceptable tree core. The contractor is responsible for the delivery of tree cores per submission to USACE.

SECTION 4

GENERAL SAMPLING METHODS

1. FORESTED AREA LOCATION. The government will provide the contractor with maps displaying the boundaries of forested areas defined by the latest Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center land cover and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) fee title. These maps will delineate forested lands from other terrestrial lands. Other terrestrial lands will hereafter in this document be referred to as “non-forested areas”.

Non-forested areas will not be sampled as part of this Timber Inventory SOW. A description of the distinction between forested and non-forested areas is provided in Attachment 3: Figures and Tables.

2. TIMBER INVENTORY PLOT LOCATIONS. A timber inventory plot location consists of a Fixed Plot and a Prism Plot. Approximately every fifth timber inventory plot location will include an Age Plot. Plot locations that include an Age Plot will be identified and indicated as a plot location to include an Age Plot. The contractor will be provided plot locations digitally by format of spatial data and pdf maps that will indicate level of effort to be conducted at each inventory plot location. Provided plot location numbers will be required to be used for all data entries collected at that associated plot location. The combination of Fixed, Prism, and Age Plots (when applicable) collectively is referred to as a “Plot Location”. Plot locations that only include Fixed Plot and Prism Plot data will be referred to as a “regular plot location”. Plot locations that include Fixed Plot, Prism Plot, and Age plot data will be referred to as a “age plot location”. Details of these plot data collection efforts are provided in the Data Collection section below. For purposes of quality review and for payment, each plot location (regular plot location or age plot location) will be considered as a single unit.

3. PLOT LOCATION ESTABLISHMENT. The contractor will be provided with a list of timber inventory plot location coordinates and plot location numbers. Coordinates will be provided using the spatial projection of the North American Datum of 1983, Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 15 North (NAD83 UTM 15N). Plot locations will be distributed at a rate of approximate 1 plot location per 2.5 acres of forested area, or roughly 330 feet between plot locations. To minimize bias, the sampling grid has been created with plots oriented in a north-south direction across all USACE forested areas.

Random plot locations will be included to the grid in highly fragmented areas to maintain plot location distribution required per inventory area. The contractor will collect data at each plot location provided with this contract. Plot location numbers are to remain the same number as provided in the contract for quality assurance purposes. Field collected GPS coordinates will be recorded by the contractor at each plot location and submitted to USACE in the projection of NAD83 UTM Zone 15N. The contractor will not independently add or remove timber inventory plot locations. The contractor may be required to shift a plot location as described in subsection C “water plot locations”.

A. Location. Plot locations shall not be arbitrarily relocated in the field. Plot locations having shift the plot location inward away from the edge so that the entirety of the plot location (including sub plots) is within the forested area by 50 ft.

B. Marking. Upon locating the plot location center in the field, the contractor shall mark the plot center using a provided magnet. The magnet shall be set into the ground vertically with the colored end flush with the surrounding grade and soil reinstalled around the magnet to sufficiently secure the magnet in place. For ease in relocation, flagging shall be wrapped around the magnet before setting into the ground that extends out 2 feet onto the surface. Additional flagging is to be hung on a nearby branch or placed stick that is visible from a distance. All surveyed plot locations shall be marked accordingly to facilitate relocating plot center and random quality assurance inspections (as described in Section 6, below). This plot location center shall be the center for the Fixed, Prism and Age Plot data collection efforts for the plot location, as described in the following paragraphs. USACE may alter the plot marking requirements.

If plot marking requirements are changed, USACE will supply the contractor with the necessary materials at no additional cost to the contractor.

C. Water Plots. The contractor will not collect data or place a plot marker magnet at a plot location that is in water as defined herein. For a plot location to be considered in water and no data collection is conducted at the intended target plot location, the plot location center must be in open water or 3 of the 4 1/1000th acre sub plots of the Fixed Plot layout must be in open water. The open water condition to determine if the plot location is in water must be considered when river gages are at median flow. The government will have the final determination if a plot location is in the water and no data collection is to be conducted at said target plot location. Consideration for being in open water includes perennial sloughs or main open water channels that during median base flow of the navigation channel would be open water. Should the target plot location be determined in the field as a water plot, the contractor is to shift the plot location center directly north, south, east, or west into the forested area. The contractor will determine the closest position of the target plot location center to the top of bank position of the shoreline. From that position, the contractor will shift the plot location center 50 feet into the forested area. If the COR determines that the plot location is not a water plot, then the contractor will be required to conduct rework of the data collection efforts. The rework will require to relocate the set plot marker magnet and conduct the data collection efforts at the correct plot location at no additional cost to the government.

The contractor is to notify the COR promptly of a plot location that requires to be shifted out of open water location for USACE concurrence. All plot locations that are shifted are to be listed in the correspondence of that data submission and is to include the miscellaneous entry of “field shifted” in the fix plot misc. attribute.

D. Alternative Plot Location. In the event of prolonged high-water periods restricting work in the identified work areas or extreme inaccessibility, the government has full discretion to provide alternate plot locations to conduct work. The provided alternative plot locations will be within the extent of the work area and concurred with the contractor in writing. This will only account to inability to complete work during the seasonal field data collection execution timeline for the provided plot locations. Alternative plot locations are to be used only when provided target plot locations are determined to be unachievable to collect data and complete work per total plot location requirement.

Total number of plot locations awarded with the contract will match the total number of plot locations provided within all data submissions.

4. FIELD TOOLS. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all field tools. Field tools shall be the following unless otherwise specified or allowed by USACE:

A. Wedge Prism/Angle Gauge. Optical device that can be used for initially identifying “count” trees for inclusion and measurement in the prism plot. A ten basal area factor (10 BAF) instrument shall be used. If using an angle gauge, the observer’s eye must be positioned over the plot center and the observer rotates at plot center. If using a wedge prism, the instrument must be held over the plot center and the observer must rotate around the instrument. IT IS

IMPERATIVE THAT THE OBSERVER MAKES THE CALL OF “COUNT” OR

“OUT” BASED ON THE DISPLACEMENT AT 4.5 FEET ONLY, not at any point above or below 4.5 feet. See Figure 1 in Attachment 3: Figures and Tables, for an example of proper use of the wedge prism to determine whether a tree is initially “count” or “out”. Figure 1.a is the usual scenario, neither the top nor the bottom of the bole are displaced in the prism, and the tree is a “count” tree.

Figure 1.b is a less common scenario, but especially important for trees with substantial taper or large trees far from the plot center. Note that in Figure 1.b, the bole is NOT displaced at 4.5 feet but IS displaced at the top of the prism. The call would be “count” for a tree in this case and be tallied in the Prism Plot. If the prism is used incorrectly on the same tree (Figure 1.c), and the reading is taken above 4.5 feet, then the tree would be incorrectly called “out” and would not be tallied. Precise use of the prism or angle gauge is imperative, improper prism or angle gauge use may result in inaccurate tallies. Final determination during QA inspections, limiting distance will be used for a final determination of “count” verses “out” trees from the USACE diameter measurement. A prism or angle gauge can be useful in initial determination of most “count” trees.

B. Clinometer. Hand held instrument for measuring vertical angles to determine tree height. If using a 1:66 clinometer, heights are to be taken by standing a distance of one chain (66 feet.) from the base of the tree, and recording heights directly from the right-hand scale. If there is no line of sight to the tree top from one chain, then the height can be estimated from a 33 foot standoff by dividing that resulting value by two or from a 132 foot distance by doubling the resulting value. If using a percent scale clinometer, heights may be directly read from the right-hand scale at 100 feet from the height tree. Alternatively, heights may be calculated based on the horizontal distance from the base of the tree and the angle measured by the clinometer.

C. Compass. Used to follow directional transect grid lines and to determine where 1/1000th acre sub plots are established for Fixed Plot data recording. The compass used needs to be correctly set to the appropriate declination.

Diameter tape- This tape has tree diameter in inches on one side, and the other side measures length in tenths of a foot. This tool shall be used to measure standoff distances for clinometer measurements and to measure the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees in Prism and Age Plots. USACE will use diameter tapes solely for tree diameter measurements during Quality Assurance (QA) unless the nature of the tree is not suitable for its use.

D. Biltmore stick. A graduated tool for direct reading of tree diameters at breast height. If a Biltmore stick is used, trees shall be measured on two perpendicular faces of the tree with the average of the two measurements recorded. A Biltmore stick shall never be used when the diameter of the tree exceeds the maximum gradation on the stick. In this case, a diameter tape must be used.

E. Diameter tape. A graduated tool for direct reading of tree diameters at breast height. If a diameter tape is used, placement of tape around the tree is to be horizontal to the ground surface for a tree without significant lean. Trees with significant lean are to have the placement of the tape perpendicular to the direction of the lean.

F. GPS. Used to traverse to plot locations, input plot location data, and to accurately record geographic locations.

G. Increment borer. A hand operated drill no less than 18-inches in length with a hollow bit that extracts a wood core from the stem of a tree. Wood core sample to be used to determine tree age and tree growth.

H. Increment core straw or core case. This will be used to transport the wood core samples from the field collected at Age Plots. To be used for protection of the sample to stay whole for record and storage by USACE. Determination of tree age and growth rings during QA by USACE will be conducted from the wood core samples submitted to the government.

I. Marker. A paint “marker” or timber crayon used to mark trees as they are measured. These tools reduce error by providing evidence that a tree has already been measured and verify “count” trees for Prism Plot quality assurance.

J. Magnetic locating device. A device capable of locating the magnetic markers placed at plot center (when necessary to relocate plot center).

K. Other approved devices. The contractor may propose use of other devices for USACE approval. Approval for alternate devices may be later rescinded if the associated collected data does not meet Acceptable Quality Standards. In such cases, the Contractor is still responsible for ensuring the data provided meets contract standards.

5. SAMPLING DEFINITIONS.

A. Plot location. Generic reference for general location where prism, fixed, and possibly age data are collected from.

B. Plot center. The center point referenced/used in collecting prism and fixed data.

C. Prism plot. Variable radius plot where area of the plot is directly proportional to the basal area of the tree it represents. Radius of the plot increases proportionally to the diameter in tree being surveyed.

D. Fixed plot. Fixed radius plot is used to sample trees that are less than the specified breakpoint diameter. Fixed plot is an area of a measured distance from plot center to a defined radius.

E. Age plot. The Contractor shall extract an increment core from an appropriate tree using an increment borer and provide wood core to the Government.

F. Count tree. A 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) Wedge Prism, Angle Gauge, “limiting distance”, or other approved method is used to initially determine whether the tree should be sampled and thus considered a “count” tree using standard forestry practices. Another name typically used for “count” tree is “in” trees for prism plots. Regardless of utilized method by the contractor, the limiting distance and USACE diameter measure by diameter tape will be the definitive method for determining “count” tree status during USACE Quality Assurance.

The limiting distance is in feet and used for determining whether a particular tree should be a count tree. Limiting distance can be physically determined and measured by multiplying the diameter at breast height in inches by 2.75. To determine limiting distance USACE will multiply 2.75 to the nearest half inch diameter at breast height (dbh) rounding down. If the actual distance from the center of the tree at dbh height (not from the face of the tree) to plot center is less than the calculated “limiting distance”, then the tree is a “count” tree.

G. DBH. Diameter at breast height (DBH) which is 4.5 feet off the ground from the high side of the tree. This is the height at which tree diameter measurements shall be taken unless special cases apply. If special cases are encountered, the contractor shall follow all procedures outlined in pages 26 to 36 of the US Forest Service Timber Cruising Handbook, publication number FSH 2409.12, chapter 101 to determine the proper location for tree diameter measurements.