A3_Atch 1_ PWS_Rocky_Mountain_Region_Planting_20241126.docx

Rocky Mountain Region Tree Planting IDIQ Table of Contents

Performance Work Statement Project Title Rocky Mountain Region Planting IDIQ

1.0 General Information

Background and Purpose The Rocky Mountain Region (R2) needs planting and related services on lands administered within its boundaries. Planting and related services are needed on lands that have been disturbed through fire, insect or diseases, harvest, or from other causes and where land and resource management plans indicate forested cover is desired after these disturbances.

Scope of Contract The Contractor shall furnish everything necessary, including all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation (i.e., for crews and seedlings), supplies (except those as designated as Government furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary on the areas specified in task orders issued under this contract. The scope of this contract includes, but is not limited to, tree transport, tree care, handling, and planting, tree preparation (if needed for bare root stock), natural and artificial shading treatments, animal damage control treatments (i.e., protective netting), and related services.

Planting will be done with the use of hand tools (dibbles may NOT be used) and mechanized equipment. Task Orders may be awarded for work on a per acre or per tree basis, depending on site characteristics and project objectives. In general, per acre planting will be used where conditions require a “full plant” and few unplantable spots are expected to be encountered (i.e., less than 25 percent). Per tree projects could include “fill-in” planting conditions where residual trees are common, other un-plantable conditions can be expected (i.e. rock), or larger seedlings are needed to meet objectives. Per tree projects may also include “full planting” where micrositing is more important than tree spacing to ensure tree survival.

For Pay Per Tree projects, payment for tree planting and shading services will be based on the number of seedlings acceptably planted in each Schedule Item (measured in 1000’s of trees). The number of trees to be paid for will be measured by “box count” of the trees delivered and used in a planting unit, cross checked against inspection by the number of cull trees observed by the Government Inspection Team or presented by the Contractor to the Government Inspection Team, and by any wasted tree/shading materials along with reduction measures by planting quality and acceptance procedures. This method of measurement allows for site-specific variations, cull trees, and opportunities for planting out “spare trees.”

Price for the Offeror’s mobilization to and between planting units shall be factored into the Offeror’s price for each Schedule Item.

In this solicitation, the terms “sub-item” and “planting unit” are synonymous. Task Orders will provide Description of Units, and the Detailed Information Chart about the sub-items/units.

Location and Description Task orders may be issued on any of the Forests listed in the Schedule of Items. Information on each Forest within the Rocky Mountain Region can be found in this link. Specific locations, boundary identification, maps, and data for individual planting units or treatment areas will be provided on task orders.

Stock Types The predominant stock type used throughout the Rocky Mountain Region are FT112 (6 cu. In.) container- grown seedlings. The complete list of stock types that could be used throughout the life of the contract include, but are not limited to, the following:

for seedling specifications

Pot -Anderson 2 ⅞”

58.6 cubic in./9 in. long/2.78 in. diameter

Pot- Anderson 3 ⅝” 67 cubic in./6 in. long/3.58 in. diameter

Pot - Anderson 5”x 8” 172.7 cubic in./8 in. long/5 in. diameter 1 gallon

Planting Seasons Forests in the Rocky Mountain Region generally plant during three seasons; spring, summer, and fall. Spring planting seasons run from approximately March 1-June 30 following winter snow melt, summer planting season July 1 to August 31 during the southwest monsoon period and fall planting seasons run from approximately September 1-November 15 ahead of fall and winter snows. All dates are approximate and depend on weather and/or local site conditions. Task orders may be issued for one or more planting seasons within any given year.

Seedling survival and growth is dependent on proper soil and moisture conditions; these conditions may prevail for only a brief period of time. It may be necessary to plant a portion of a unit and return when ground conditions are suitable to plant the remaining area.

Safety There may be snags and/or burned trees present in any or all the units to be planted under this contract. Some of the units to be planted may have been burned by wildfire. There is potential for blowdown or falling debris especially in windy conditions. See section 9.0 – Deliveries or Performance – Safety Plan regarding providing a Safety Plan.

2.0 Definitions

Acceptable Existing Seedling. Acceptable existing trees are defined as: Conifer – six inches or greater in height that appear to be growing well. Aspen – 20 or more stems two feet in height.

Acceptable Existing Tree. Any live tree meeting diameter specifications in the Task Order Detailed Information Sheets will define these requirements; a healthy tree with good form, vigor, and foliage coloration, and shall have at least the top 1/4 of the tree in live green foliage. Such a tree shall be free of disease (i.e., dwarf mistletoe brooming), and severe physical damage (i.e., broken out top, three or more forks, leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical, severe crook or severe cambial damage, bark flaking caused by woodpeckers).

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The allowable leeway or variance from a standard before the government will reject the specific service. An AQL does not say that the contractor may knowingly offer defective service. It implies that the government recognizes that defective performance sometimes happens unintentionally. If the percent of defective performance does not exceed the AQL, the service will not be rejected by the government. The contractor, however, must re-perform the defective service when possible.

Access Point. The point identified for vehicle access to planting areas. Contractor vehicles will be able to drive to this point. Government furnished property, which includes the planting stock, will NOT be delivered to an access point UNLESS the same location has been designated as a delivery point.

Animal Damage Protection (ADP). Methods for protecting the seedlings from animal damage, particularly big game. May include Vexar-type tubing or flexible netting.

Artificial Shade. Materials not found on the planting site used to shade the tree. e.g., = tree shelters or tree shade cards Bareroot Trees. Seedling grown in a field and then lifted from the soil when dormant, removing soil from the roots. Roots should be protected from drying out.

Clean Water and Buckets/Tubs. Water and buckets/tubs used for tree dipping that are free of contaminants that could injure the trees. Water is initially suitable for human consumption.

Clearing. The removal of surface debris in and around the planting hole, exposing mineral soil. Debris includes duff, litter, rotten or charred wood, moss, loose rock, ashes, snow, and surface frost. Removing this material avoids debris from falling into the planting hole.

Container-grown Tree. Seedling grown in a receptacle containing soil and nutrients. When the container seedlings are extracted from the receptacle, the soil stays intact around the roots. The soil and roots together are referred to as the container plug; the soil is the container media.

Contract Time. See Period of Performance Contracting Officer (CO). Individual with authority to bind the government with their signature on the contract.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Individual(s) designated to act on the behalf of the CO within the delegation given them in writing.

Cotyledon Scar. The location where the seedcoat had been attached to the seedling. This marks the point where the hypocotyl, which grows upward and turns into the stem and the radicle, which becomes point of differentiation between the root system and the shoot.

Cull Tree. A seedling found at delivery with detrimental molding (mycorrhiza on roots is acceptable), physical damage to the top or roots, excessively dry, of extremely poor quality, or obviously dead. Cull trees will not be planted or paid for. The Contractor is required to notify and present cull trees found to the Government Inspection Team.

Delivery Point. The point identified for delivery of trees and other supplies. If there are multiple points for delivery of assorted items, it will be so noted. May be at the planting unit, at the end of a walk-in, district cooler, etc. A delivery point may or may not be the same location as an access point. Wherever supplies are to be delivered is considered a delivery point. An access point is only a location to which a Contractor can drive vehicles to a planting unit.

Diameter at Breast Height. The diameter of the stem of a tree measured outside bark at beast height (4.5 feet or 1.37 m) from the ground. On sloping ground, the measure is taken from the uphill side.

Drip Line. The line extending vertically from the exterior edge of a tree’s live crown to the ground.

Excess Trees. Trees that are tallied on the Planting Inspection Sheet that exceed the maximum allowable trees to be planted. These trees are considered wasted trees.

Foreign Material (in planting hole). Large rocks, sticks, litter, or similar material not part of the surrounding soil substrate that is in the planting hole after the tree is planted.

Government Technical Monitor (GTM). Individual(s) designated by the CO to assist the COR in monitoring a contractor’s performance.

Ground line of tree before planting: The original ground line of the tree before planting is the soil surface level in the nursery beds or in the container receptacle. It is between the cotyledon scar and the root collar.

Heat Tarp: Tarp with a white upper surface and of silvery metallic reflective underside material designed to prevent solar heating of stored receipted trees. This tarp is designed to be used with the metallic side down over the receipted tree seedlings and the white side exposed to the air. The space blanket will be equal to the Terra Tech “Heat Shield” model.

In-box Temperature. The temperature near the center of the box of trees measured with a probe thermometer or similar instrument. This is the temperature of the seedlings while in the shipping box.

Microsite. A plantable spot favorable to seedling survival and growth. Examples of favorable microsites are stumps, down logs, large woody slash, snags, and standing cull trees that provide protection from sun, wind, animals, and other damaging agents.

Moist Soil (in the planting hole). The soil in the planting hole is considered “moist” if it is similar in moisture to the undisturbed soil next to the planting hole at similar depth.

MTR or M Trees. Abbreviation for measurement of 1,000 trees.

Pay or Sub Item. A unit or group of units listed under one bid item on the Schedule of Items.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time). All calendar days allowed for completion of contract work. Includes all days of the week including weekends and holidays.

Plantable Spot. An area from which vegetation, ash, duff, and debris have been, or can be, removed and seedling can be planted according to all specifications contained herein. In planting inspections, a plantable spot is also any areas where the Contractor has planted a tree.

Non-plantable spot. Campsites, parking areas, fence lines, hiking trails, and roads are designated as non-plantable areas. (See 6.9 for additional non-plantable areas) Where practical, non-planting areas have been deleted from planting unit acreage and may be displayed on the project maps.

Planting Inspection. The standard planting inspection procedure provided in Section 8.0. It includes the description of planting violations that result in unsatisfactorily planted trees, plot sizes, calculations for determining planting quality based on trees planted, and similar information.

Protection. Natural and artificial materials that act as an obstacle protecting the tree from animals or other injurious agents. The protection material and effort required by the planter to protect the tree varies depending on the site conditions of each unit.

Quality Assurance (QA). Those actions taken by the Government to check goods or services to determine that they meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains information about how the government will assess performance, checklists, and may contain decision tables.

Quality Control/Quality Control Plan (QCP). Those actions taken by a contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they will meet the requirements of the PWS. The QCP is the Contractor’s plan for self-monitoring work prior to Government inspection and acceptance.

Random Sampling. A method of looking at a few individual items in a lot to determine the quality of that lot against a standard.

Roads. Primary access roads will provide the closest access possible to units.

Root Collar. The original ground line of the tree before planting is the soil surface level when the tree was in the nursery beds or in the container receptacle. The ground line is represented by the “root collar.” Above this point is stem tissue, below this point is root tissue.

Root Length. The root length measured from the original ground line of the tree to the end of the main vertical or tap root. For container-grown trees, this is the length of the plug.

Satisfactory Planted Seedling. A seedling planted in full compliance with all planting specifications.

Scalping. The removal of live vegetation, including roots, in and around the planting hole to reduce competition to the planting tee. Vegetation is removed down to and exposing mineral soil.

(Acceptable) Service. A job performed to the standard and within the AQL. The contractor must do the specific job, and meet the standard, and meet the acceptable quality level before one can say that performance has been acceptable and that he/she should be paid.

Shade. Natural and artificial materials that protect the tree from the sun’s heat & wind Standard. An acknowledged measure of comparison.

Shade. Natural and artificial materials that protect the tree from the sun’s heat/wind Stationary Shade Material. Natural material used to shade or protect the tree that is not moveable by the planter. Natural material includes items such as stumps, logs, dead brush, rocks, or terrain features used to provide the required protection for a tree. Stationary material generally offers the most shade and protection for seedlings from sun and animal trampling.

Terra-Sorb Hydrogel. Compound used in conjunction with bareroot tree-dipping to increase the water holding capacity and prevent drought stress to exposed root systems of tree seedlings that are being planted.

Unplantable Spot. An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications and no tree has been planted. One unplantable spot is allowed for each single unplantable area equal in size to the average specified spacing. Example: if a single unplantable area of 64 feet exists on an 8-by 8 foot spacing, one unplantable spot is recognized.

In hoedad planting, a spot is considered unplantable if a suitable spot for planting a tree cannot be found after three attempts of throwing the hoe, and if the hole cannot be opened at the spot with five swings or less.

In auger planting, the spot is considered unplantable if a suitable plantable spot cannot be found after three attempts at clearing or scalping, and then after three attempts to open the hole in the spot with the auger fail.

Unsatisfactory Planted Seedling. A planted seedling which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted seedling.

Walk-in Units. Some units cannot be accessed from open forest roads and require the Contractor to walk; vehicle access is to the ‘access point’ identified on the project map. If the access point and the delivery point are the same location, the Contractor shall transport trees and materials from that location to the unit using the method of his/her choice consistent with restrictions on motorized vehicles or other transport method noted on the Detailed Information Sheet in task orders.

Wasted Material. Government furnished property that is lost, dropped, or damaged by the Contractor, or which is installed on trees not in accordance with the requirements of the contract. This may include, but is not limited to, installing shade on the wrong species, or netting on the wrong tree(s).

Wasted Seedlings. Seedlings which are lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to the specifications listed under Section 4.0 – Tree Handling and Care. Planted trees that exceed the maximum number of trees in the planting inspection procedure are also considered wasted seedlings.

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3.0 Government Furnished Property

Bare Root Trees Length of roots and top heights will be defined in task orders. At least 90% of the trees will meet these specifications.

As specified in task orders

Container-Grown Trees Length of container plug and top heights will be defined in task orders. At least 90% of the trees will meet these specifications.

As specified in task orders

Access Road(s)/ Access Point(s)

4.0

4.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

5.0 Contractor Requirements/Tasks

Access Road Access Planting units are accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles equipped for mountain driving, except where task orders specify walk-in units. The Government will provide passage to access points noted on task order maps for units either accessible from roads or from walk-ins. After initial clearing of the access roads by the Government, the Contractor shall clear any subsequent obstacles that block passage to access points.

Walk-in Units These units cannot be accessed with vehicles from open forest roads. The Contractor shall transport trees and any shading or ADP materials (if required on task orders) from access points noted on task order maps to units. Transport methods shall not violate Forest-specific restrictions on off-road use, unless specifically accepted in task orders or by the COR.

Locked Gates In instances where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after passing through. The Contractor shall be subject to all restrictions of administrative use. If the gate has a double lock, ensure that when relocking gates, the non-Contractor accessible lock can be opened properly to allow others to pass through. The Contractor shall drive from the locked gate to access points with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew and trees. No firearms are permitted behind locked gates.

Tree Transport Within Unit The Contractor may transport trees from access points to any areas within units consistent with Section 5.0-Tree Handling and Care and ensuring that Forest-specific restrictions on off-road use are not violated, unless specifically except in task orders or by the COR.

Orders, Delivery, and Returns Government-furnished property shall be inventoried upon Contractor pickup and if authorized, return. Refer to Exhibit 12 – Tree Tracking Sheet.

Seedlings The Contractor shall order trees at least 12 hours in advance of desired delivery. This time period is necessary to allow the Government time to prepare trees for planting and for acclimatization if needed.

The Contractor shall plant all trees ordered and delivered to the planting unit within 12 hours of delivery, unless otherwise approved by the COR. Trees shall not be returned to the Government for cooler storage unless approved by the COR. When the COR determines that conditions are unsuitable for planting, the Contractor shall return all unplanted trees to the delivery point with no penalty for delay in planting the delivered trees. If returning trees to storage is authorized, the trees shall be returned to the shipping boxes and marked to indicate the seed lot or other information as specified by the COR. These trees will not be counted as wasted trees.

Any trees not planted out and returned without approval by the COR shall be considered wasted trees.

Artificial Shade and ADP Materials The Contractor shall order materials for artificial shade or animal damage control treatments at least 12 hours in advance of desired delivery. Materials will be delivered to access or delivery points as identified in task orders.

Return of Government Furnished Property The Contractor shall return unused Government supplies, unplanted trees, all packaging, wrapping, shade, and ADP materials to access or delivery points at the end of each planting day, as specified in task orders.

Tree Handling and Care The Contractor shall be responsible for the care of trees from the delivery point and throughout the time that trees are in possession of the Contractor to assure they are properly cared for and not damaged or exposed to damaging conditions. Trees not properly cared for may be considered wasted trees. The Contractor shall be aware of environmental hazards which affect tree survival; he/she shall alter crew work schedules and tree handling practices to allow planting whenever possible. Care shall be taken to adhere to the following requirements any time trees are in the Contractor’s possession, with noncompliance to these requirements grounds for damage payments or for termination of the contract:

· The Contractor shall take precautions to keep roots moist during the entire planting operation.

· Trees shall be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, bending, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or shall not come into contact with injurious substances such as petroleum products or petroleum product residues.

· Seedlings removed from cold storage facilities shall not stand or lay in water or snow or be covered directly with snow.

· Shipping containers containing trees shall be opened only in full shade and shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Shipping containers shall not be tossed or dropped. Punctured or torn shipping containers or liners shall be promptly resealed. Shipping containers shall be separated to provide free air movement. Trees may be placed on racks or inside boxes which will support rack or box weight and prevent crushing.

· The temperature in shipping box shall be maintained at 45 degrees F, or similar to the temperature in the box at receipt, whichever is higher.

· Trees shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for planting preparation.

· Trees are to be planted or prepared without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, or evidence of injury or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR.

· Trees that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in accordance with direction from the COR.

· Trees are to be kept in the baggies they were packed in when placed in planting bags.

· Trees in planting bags shall only have tops exposed.

· Trees carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur.

· Trees shall not be removed from planting bags until immediately before planting. They shall be handled carefully to avoid damage to roots and buds. They shall be gently removed one at a time to prevent injury, and quickly inserted into the prepared planting hole.

· All trees in a planter’s bag should be out planted prior to taking breaks.

· Trees placed in bags will be planted and not returned to storage, unless approved by the COR as described in Section 5.0 – Orders, Delivery, and Returns.

Caches Seedling cache sites/temporary storage shall be allowed within or near the planting units. These sites are intended for staging seedlings on the same day that they are to be planted. The COR shall approve all seedling caches/temporary storage sites. COR approved seedling protection tarps (to be furnished by the Contractor) will be utilized to protect the seedlings within the cache. Tarps shall be white on one side and have a reflective surface on the other.

Equipment The Contractor shall provide all transport for seedlings, planting tools, bags, and other necessary equipment to perform planting and shading/ADP treatments and quality control. Required planting tools will be included in task order Detailed Information Sheets.

Tree Transport to Planting Units Special care shall be taken when transporting seedlings to access points (follow Section 5.0 – Tree Handling and Care section above). Contractor transport of planting stock shall be by either fully enclosed trailers or pickups with fully enclosed canopies. Trees may not be carried with petroleum products, petroleum powered tools, or in a petroleum contaminated enclosure.

Hand Tools Tools shall be capable of opening a hole that is deep and wide enough to accommodate appropriate stock type plus a minimum 1-inch burying depth, unless otherwise specified in task orders. Hand tools used shall be capable of cutting live or dead vegetation and adequate to create minimum or larger scalp sizes listed in task order Detailed Information Sheets.

Power Augers Power augers, if specified on task orders, shall be lubricated with vegetable oils or similar substances not injurious to trees and shall not leak gas.

Planting Bags Planting bags shall be a minimum of 15 inches deep, free of defects, light in color, of porous material (i.e., canvas), and shall not retain water or heat. Bags may have a shield of waterproof material attached to one exterior side to protect the planters from water seepage. Planting bags must not be transported with or come into contact to petroleum-based products.

Tree Preparation Dipping – Bareroot Stock Only Container-grown trees will not be dipped or wrapped.

Water Dip The Contractor shall dip the roots of bareroot trees in clean water at the planting site, prior to placing trees in the planter's bag. Dipping in water is intended to increase root moisture. Roots shall be fully wet, but soil particles shall not be washed off the roots during the dipping process.

Bareroot stock shall be removed from the shipping boxes and immediately dipped in water. Tree roots shall not be exposed to air for more than 20 seconds. All tree sorting and packing activities shall be done in shaded areas and protected from the wind. The shipping bags shall be kept closed at all times except when trees are being removed.

All dipping shall be done under the direct supervision of the Government. The planting crew will be required to dip as an entire group during the course of the day. Tree planters will not be allowed to return to the dipping site in a random fashion to dip trees on an individual basis. With approval from the CO and oversight from CORs or GTMs, the Contractor may send individuals to the dip site to get trees for the rest of the planting crew (tree runners or carriers).

Water for Dipping The Contractor will haul water necessary for dipping operations. Water can be brought with or acquired from a location agreed to by the CO. Terra-Sorb Hydrogel used in dip water will be provided by the Government (see Section 4.0 – Government Furnished Property). Contractor shall utilize at least one dipping tub per four planters. Dipping tubs shall be a minimum of 14 inches deep. Bareroot trees shall be dipped for not less than 30 seconds or more than four minutes. For ponderosa pine, trees shall be dipped in water only long enough to moisten the tree roots (ten seconds or less). After dipping, trees shall be wrapped in a wet Sontara material to maintain root moisture. Trees shall not be forcibly packed into water tubs or tree planting bags.

Planting Bag Liners Planting bags will have insulated liners constructed from ½ inch thick closed cell polyurethane, Sontara or Kimtex jelly-roll material surrounded by polyester mesh, or another moisture-retaining liner approved by the CO. Planting bag liners shall be kept saturated with water, but all excess water shall be drained prior to putting trees in the planting bag.

Inventory The tree inventory on each nursery box shall serve as the official tree count for dipping operations. No additional counting of trees will be allowed to minimize seedling exposure time outside of boxes of planting bags.

Tree Planting Scalping Each planting spot shall be free of live vegetation, including roots, to reduce competition from competing vegetation. The Contractor shall remove the vegetation to the maximum sizes specified in Detailed Information Sheets. The Contractor shall not destroy or remove any existing tree seedling unless otherwise specified by the COR. Drainage of scalps is not required.

Clearing Each planting spot shall be free of surface debris to avoid foreign material from falling into the hole. All debris down to the soil surface in areas according to the maximum sizes specified on task order Detailed Information Sheets shall be removed by the contractor. Debris to be removed includes duff, litter, dry soil, rotten or charred wood, moss, loose rock, ashes, snow, and surface frost.

Tree Placement, Filling, and Firming To ensure the greatest probability of tree survival and growth, trees shall be planted according to examples shown in Exhibit 02 and according to the following:

· Should the initial attempt to open a planting hole fail because of subsurface rocks, roots, or other obstacles, a second effort shall be made in a slightly different part of the planting spot. If this effort fails for similar reasons, a third attempt shall be made in another part of the planting spot. If the third effort fails, spot shall be abandoned as unplantable.

· All additional and auxiliary holes created during the planting operations that are within 18 inches of the planted tree shall be filled-in or collapsed.

· Planting holes shall be located near the center of the cleared and scalped area, except as required to meet artificial shade or ADP installation and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and vertical.

· Trees shall be planted in an uncovered hole, deep and wide enough to fully accommodate the roots of the tree being planted. The tree roots shall be in their natural configuration and not be wedged, jammed, spiraled, or twisted into the hole.

· The hole shall be filled and firmed with the planter’s hands, using moist soil taken from the planting hole so the tree is firmly in the soil, there are no air pockets, and the tree is firmly secured in the ground. Firming the soil around the tree shall be done in a manner to assure no damage is done to the tree or root system. There shall be no material in the hole which is foreign to the hole such as dry solids, ash, organic matter, and rock.

· After soil is packed around the seedlings, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface, cupping will not be allowed.

· When bareroot trees are planted with lateral roots exceeding the maximum length, the long lateral roots shall be placed in the bottom of the planting hole in a manner that does not affect the placement of the vertical root or other lateral roots. Trees with long lateral roots planted in this manner will not be subjected to a root configuration violation during inspection.

· Bareroot trees shall be planted deep enough so that after filling and firming, the soil surface is at, or up to one inch above, the original ground line of the tree with no roots exposed and no branches buried. The root system shall extend downward and be aligned with the axis of the planting hole.

· Container-grown trees shall be planted so that after filling and firming, there is ½ to 1 inch of soil on top of the container plug. The cotyledon scar should be level with the surrounding soil surfaces to seal the plug into the ground. The Contractor shall take care to keep the container growing media intact. Where media falls away from the roots, the tree shall be planted in accordance with the Bareroot trees guidance listed in the previous bullet.

· After planting, the tree stem shall be erect and oriented between vertical and perpendicular to the slope. Trees or tree branches shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. Tree branches shall not be firmed into the soil. There shall be no excessive depressions on the ground surface that may collapse on the tree hole and the tree shall not be in contact with the dirt bank. The tree shall be free from damage.

· Once a tree has been planted, the tree shall not be uprooted and replanted.

Tree Species or Stock Type Mix The species and stock types to be planted along with the distribution of each will be indicated on task order Detailed Information Sheets. The Contractor shall maintain a uniform mixture of species throughout the unit unless otherwise described on Detailed Information Sheets.

Acceptable Established Seedlings and Acceptable Existing Trees A tree shall not be planted in direct competition with established seedlings, other planted trees or under the immediate influence of acceptable existing trees. Task order Detailed Information Sheets will define these requirements. Trees not meeting acceptable existing seedling or tree definition shall be disregarded and a seedling planting according to task order specifications.

Seedlings shall not be planted outside the original forest canopy. Natural openings are considered to be outside the original forest canopy and shall not be planted.

Shade Requirements Planting in favorable microsites protects seedlings from potentially harmful conditions and improves the probability of survival. Trees shall be planted consistent with the shade requirement for each planting unit as specified in task order Detailed Information Sheets. The type of shade available and the effort required by the planter to shade seedlings varies depending on the site conditions of each unit. Shade material includes downed logs, stumps, and standing snags meeting minimum specifications.

When shade is required, each tree shall be shaded at the ground level from the afternoon sun. Trees shall be planted on the north, northeast, or east side of the shade material (refer to Exhibit 03). Each tree shall be as close to the shade material as possible (without touching), and within ½ the distance equal to the height of the shade material (for stumps, downed logs and similar) or ½ the distance equal to the width of the shade material in the case of standing snags. Exceptions will be noted on task order Detailed Information Sheets.

A stationary shade source may be used as part of the scalp.

When transportable shade material is required, it must be at least 6 inches and minimum two feet length in diameter and be available within ½ of the distance to the next plantable spot, unless otherwise specified in task order Detailed Information Sheets. Do not place shading material where it can roll on planted trees.

Stationary Material Only Tree shall be planted next to stationary material when it is available. Planting spot selection takes precedence over spacing requirements. When stationary material is not available, no tree is planted.

Plant Existing Shade Only Planting spot selection takes precedence over spacing requirements. Trees will be planted (regardless of spacing) next to stationary shade sources, listed in order of preference with the most favored first, on task order Detailed Information Sheets. Planting spot selection will move down the list if higher priority stationary shade sites don’t exist. If no priority sites exist, seedlings are planted to achieve spacings as described on task order Detailed Information Sheets. Refer to Exhibit 05 for an example of this method.

Stationary Material First, Then Transportable Shade A tree shall be planted next to stationary material when it is available. When stationary material does not exist in the spacing allowance, shade shall be transported to the seedlings. When neither stationary nor transportable material exists, no tree shall be planted.

Stationary Material First, Transportable Shade Second, Plant in Open Last A tree shall be planted next to stationary material when it is available. If stationary material does not exist in the spacing allowance, shade shall be transported to the tree. When neither stationary nor transportable material exists, the tree may be planted in the open.

Stationary Material or Transportable Shade (Planter Discretion) A tree may be planted next to either stationary material or transportable shade at the planter’s.

discretion. When neither stationary nor transportable material is available, no tree is planted.

Stationary Material or Transportable Shade (Planter Discretion), then Plant in Open A tree may be planted next to either stationary material or transportable shade at the planter’s discretion. When neither stationary nor transportable material is available, the tree may be planted in the open.

Protection Only Requirements Trees shall be planted to protect seedlings from animal trampling, harsh winds and to provide insulation as specified in task order Detailed Information Sheets. Protection material is natural material that acts as an obstacle protecting the tree from animal damage or other injurious agents and may consist of such materials as downed logs, stumps and standing snags. The protection material and effort required by the planter to protect the tree varies depending on the site conditions of each unit. Each tree shall be planted as close to the stump, log, or other suitable protection material as possible. It is acceptable to plant on any side of the stationary material when protection-only is required.

Stationary Material First, Then Plant in Open A tree planted shall be planted next to stationary material when it is available. When stationary material is not available, tree may be planted in the open.

Trees not Meeting Specifications The Contractor is not obligated to plant trees that do not meet the specifications and shall be returned to the Government. Except as noted below, if trees not meeting specifications are planted, they shall be planted satisfactorily.

· In no case shall bareroot trees with root systems less than eight inches long and fewer than three roots (vertical or lateral) be planted.

· Container trees shall have a minimum top height of three inches with the exception of high elevation five-needle pines. Roots shall have a defined main root and still maintain some soil media.

Tree Planting Line-Item Descriptions Regular Spacing Planting (per acre or per thousand trees) Trees shall be planted to achieve the average spacing specified on task order Detailed Information Sheets. It is expected that an irregular distribution will result as planters avoid acceptable established seedlings or trees, rock, or shallow soils, and seek planting spots in the best microsites and soil conditions. For individual trees, the spacing may be varied as much as 50 percent in any direction to attain the best plantable spot unless otherwise stated in task order Detailed Information Sheets. The number of trees planted shall not be materially changed by the method of selecting planting spots.

Variable Density Planting (per thousand tree) Trees will be planted with variable densities based on aspect. Favorable aspects (west to northeast aspects (270 -45 degrees)), shall be planted with higher densities while less favorable aspects (northeast to west aspects (45-270 degrees)) shall be planted with lower densities. Hand compasses (adjusted for declinations listed on task order Detailed Information Sheets) shall be used to determine aspects.

Desired aspects and densities to be planted shall be identified on task order Detailed Information Sheets.

Group/Clump Planting (per thousand tree) This type of planting is designed to provide a more natural arrangement of trees and take advantage of limited resources in harsh planting sites. Trees will be planted in clumps/groups with defined edges with unplanted space left between groups/clumps. Task order Detailed Information Sheets will describe the average number of trees per acre to be planted within the unit as a whole.