Solicitation-_AG-0116-S-15-0002.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

KETCHIKAN AK 99901

648 MISSION STREET

TONGASS NF KETCHIKAN AREA FED BLDG

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR0116

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

03/18/2016 1300 AS

02/26/2016

(907)228-6244RONALD SMITH

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

AG-0116-S-15-0002

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 64OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

KETCHIKAN AK 99901

648 MISSION STREET

TONGASS NF KETCHIKAN AREA FED BLDG

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$7.5

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

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Tongass Timber Sale Support Activities IDIQ

NOTES:

(a) Please read the entire solicitation and be familiar with its terms, conditions, and instructions to offerors.

(b) Ensure you business is "active" in System for Award Management (SAM).

(c) The IDIQ parent contracts will be for five years consisting of a base year and four optional years.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

RONALD P. SMITH

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

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

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT:

REF.

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

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

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

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

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

*Request for Information (RFI's) pertaining to this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer by email to: rpsmith@fs.fed.us

Proposal Due Date: Friday March 18, 2016 @ 1:00

PM (AS)

FAX PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Email proposals are preferred.

Period of Performance: 04/01/2016 to 03/31/2017

The "Submit Invoice-to" address for USDA orders is the Department of Treasury's Invoice

Processing Platform (IPP). The contractor must follow the instructions on how to register and submit invoices via IPP as prescribed in the previous communications from USDA and Treasury.

All invoices are to be submitted via the electronic Invoice Processing Platform. This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S.

Department of Treasury and you can find more information at this website https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm. Please make sure that your company has registered at https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm to establish your account.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

2 2 of

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B—TIMBER SALE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IDIQ – Prices

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Base Year

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

Option Year 1

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

Option Year 2

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

Option Year 3

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

Option Year 4

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

Option Year 5

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF

MEASUREMENT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

A Variable Plot Cruising

Plot

B Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

Flagging, Posting, and Painting

Linear Feet

NOTE: Offerors must submit prices for all items included in the price schedule. Option items may be awarded after the initial award subject to availability of funds.

B.1 The Government intends to make multiple awards. The actual number of awards will be dependent on the offers received and the best value analysis process. The intent is to have a sufficient number of awardees to provide a pool for competition of task orders.

B.2 Offeror’s must submit pricing for each item on the Schedule of Items. The amounts priced is the maximum amount the offeror will charge. Lesser amounts may be offered to provide competitive pricing on future task orders competed within the contractor pool.

B.3 VENDOR INFORMATION

Vendor Name: Phone

Signature: Fax

Address: Email

City, State, Zip: TIN#

Duns#

B.4 Mobilization Mobilization costs will vary depending on specific work locations throughout the Tongass National Forest.

These locations will be outlined in full detail in the individual Task Orders to follow this IDIQ, and are not included in this document. Offers as stated above are for the work outlined in this document only. Offerors are not to include mobilization costs at this time. Mobilization will be included when individual task orders are issued.

B.5 Minimum Guarantee Each contractor selected as a multiple award contractor under this IDIQ is guaranteed a minimum award of $500.00 at the end of the contract period including the four option years if the contractor has not been awarded any task orders. The government will pay this amount, upon receipt of an acceptable invoice. Participating contractors forfeit the minimum order if they do not make a good faith effort to compete. A good faith effort is defined as submitting offers for at least three task announcements.

B.6 Estimated Quantity The amounts shown on the schedule of items are estimated. This is an indefinite quantity contract.

B.7 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (AGAR 452.216-73) (FEB 1988) During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $2,500.00, but not in excess of $500,000.00.

SECTION C—DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS OF WORK

C.1 General Purpose

A. Scope of Contract

This contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract. At this time, the Government does not have complete specifications or estimated quantities for this Schedule of Items. It is expected that the offeror will provide pricing on a per plot (Cruising) and per linear foot (Harvest Boundary Marking) based on average expected site conditions present in southeast Alaska. These conditions include moderate-to-steep terrain, with moderate brush.

Basal Area Factors for Variable Plot Cruising may vary between 20 and 40 BAF, with the majority of plots cruised under 40 BAF. The Tongass National Forest will advertise task orders to successful Offerors based on funding, prescription, and priorities of the Government.

The Tongass National Forest anticipates the need for timber stand data collection in excess of agency capacity during the 2016 through 2020 field seasons. Work will be wide-ranging geographically, potentially in timber sale areas on Craig, Thorne Bay, Ketchikan, Wrangell and/or Petersburg Ranger Districts. This work will consist of harvest unit boundary marking and may include cruising timber using a prescribed method, as provided in the Forest Service Handbook 2409.12, to provide the Government with data to facilitate the timber sale planning and appraisal processes.

This contract requires the work be in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals.

B. Key Personnel Qualifications

The following MINIMUM combinations of experience and education are required for Contractor’s Representative and inspectors.

A Contractor’s Representative is the individual responsible for field operations in accordance with the contract objectives and technical specifications, and may also serve as the inspector as required for Contractor’s Quality Control inspections (see Section E).

An “inspector” is the individual responsible to insure contract specifications are being met.

1. The following MINIMUM combinations of experience and education are required for Contractor’s Representatives. A season is defined as more than 90 working days.

(a) Minimum 2 seasons experience with no additional Forestry education.

(b) Minimum 1 season experience with 1 year Forestry technical education.

C. Location and Descriptions

1. Project work areas are located on the Ranger Districts of the Tongass National

Forest. Site-specific maps and legal descriptions will be furnished with each task order.

2. Project work areas may be reached by forest roads that are typically open to standard 4x4 pickup or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during the field season. The field season in southeast Alaska is roughly between April and October. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or provide special maintenance to keep roads open. Foot travel to and from areas 0.5 to 1.0 mile will be common. Occasionally distances in excess of 1 mile will be required. Seasonal road closures may necessitate scheduling by the Contractor in order to obtain access to the area. District Travel Maps are available upon request from the District. The Forest Service will not maintain roads for vehicle travel behind closures.

D. Government Furnished Property

The Forest Service will supply the following property for specific task orders that may be awarded:

1. USFS-approved Tracer Paint for marking cutting unit boundaries (ORANGE), all plot locations and cruise trees (WHITE) and for corrections (BLACK). Paint will be issued to the Contractor for periods up to but not exceeding 30 days. Paint will be transferred to the Contractor using the Forest Service’s paint inventory form.

(See Time of Delivery and Contractors Responsibility below)

2. ORANGE pre-printed boundary tags

3. Unit Cards and Road Cards

4. Vicinity maps of the work area, in electronic format (PDF, JPEG, etc.)

5. Copies of digitally reproduced aerial photographs containing the area represented by each unit and planned road location, in electronic format (PDF, JPEG, etc.)

If relevant to the task order, the Forest Service will provide the following specific references after contract award:

6. Forest Service Handbook; TNF Supplement 2409-18-2005-1

7. Coastal Alaska Timber Cruising Field Guides for Scribner Cruising in 32 foot Log

Lengths

8. Supplemental Guidelines for layout of Stream Class I or II buffer at the transition to Class III or IV Channels (August 8, 2006)

9. Tongass Timber Theft Detection and Prevention Guidelines

10. Reasonable Assurance of Wind Firmness Guidelines, Version 2.0

11. State of Alaska Occupational Safety and Health; Additional Logging Standards

12. NEPA Change Analysis Direction and Change Analysis Exhibit 1

If relevant to the task order, the Forest Service will provide the following specific materials and examinations after contract award:

13. Timber Cruiser Certification study material

14. Certified Cruiser Written Exam

15. Qualified Cruiser Certification Field Exam

16. Plot location coordinates

17. Cruise Tally Sheets

18. FSCruiser software package for desktop and field data recorder

Also available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/cruising/fscruiser/index.php)

E. Contractor-supplied Equipment and Supplies

Contractor shall furnish equipment, supplies, labor, and tools necessary for compliance with field procedures herein. Suggested items include, but are not limited to the following:

1. GPS Unit

2. Electronic data recorder capable of running FSCruiser

3. Staple hammers or gun and minimum 1/2-inch staples

4. Azimuth compass with declination setting capability (+/- 2 degrees accuracy)

5. Tatum/Traverse Book

6. Relaskops

7. Indelible ink markers and/or grease pencils (BLACK)

8. Diameter tape

9. Clinometer

10. 75 foot loggers’ tape

11. RED/WHITE “candy stripe” non-biodegradable flagging

12. Wooden stakes (2”) to be used as traverse points and cruise plot centers http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/cruising/fscruiser/index.php

F. Time of Delivery and Contractor’s Responsibility of Government Furnished Property

All Tree Marking Paint (TMP) will be transferred to the Contractor for periods not to exceed (30) thirty consecutive days. Tree Marking Paint will be issued either by Forest Service delivery to a point with vehicle access and/or the Contractor may make arrangements to pick up paint at the appropriate Ranger Station. It is required that Tree Marking Paint only be issued to the Contractor when active tree/boundary marking is planned by the Contractor.

Tree Marking Paint will be issued to, and signed for, by a Contractor-designated paint custodian. The Contractor will be required to designate this paint custodian prior to receiving the first delivery of paint. The Contractor shall not change paint custodian designation on a bid item until all paint transferred to a custodian has been returned to the Forest Service and the paint transfer form has been completed, inspected, and accepted by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The form shall be used to document ALL TMP transfers, to and from, the Contractor’s paint custodian, which shall include transfers to and from the Contractor’s employees to accomplish work under this contract, and to and from the Forest Service.

The Contractor shall store any TMP, not in use, secured by a locking system agreed to by the Forest Service. All full, partial, and empty paint cans shall be returned to the Contractor’s lock security facility at the end of each day, and to the Forest Service at the end of each check out period. The Contractor shall fill in the appropriate columns of the form, each time paint is checked in or out, and will be accountable for all cans of TMP at all times. The Government will provide the Contractor’s paint custodian with a standard form for TMP accounting, which will be submitted at the time of transfers.

The Forest Service will conduct and document inspections on the Contractor’s compliance with the daily accounting requirements and TMP security during each site inspection. This inspection is in addition to those made when TMP is checked out and returned. A search for any missing TMP will be conducted immediately by the Contractor. Failure to daily account for and/or return the correct amount of full, partial, or empty TMP cans will result in immediate suspension of work, until TMP accountability is resolved. The Contractor will return all TMP (full, partial and empty cans) to the Forest Service if the Contractor has a changes of plans by which no tree/boundary marking work is planned for periods exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days. Repeated failure to properly account for paint shall be considered contract default and cause for termination and may be cause for criminal investigation.

All items, except item (D:1) Tree Marking Paint, listed above shall be furnished by the Contracting Officer as designated for each task order with three work day advance notice in writing by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer. All items shall be picked up by the Contractor at the Ranger Station so designated in each task order or at an agreed upon location.

Note: The Contractor shall only use Government-furnished Tree Marking Paint.

Use of any substitute paint NOT approved by the Government will require rework at the expense of the Contractor.

C.2 Technical Specifications

A. Variable Plot Cruising: The intent of the Variable Plot is to assess the potential of a unit for timber production. Frequency of plots is determined by the cruise design and may vary by unit. All work is to be done in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the task order and Forest Service Handbook 2409.12, Timber Cruising Handbook, and with the most current versions of the Region 10 supplements to the Forest Service Handbook 2401.12, hereafter referred to as FSH 2409.12. The entire FSH 2409.12 is included by reference to this Contract and will not be reproduced in this document. In brief, the handbook outlines how to:

1. Locate, establish, and monument the plot center on a semi-permanent stake. A GPS point will be collected at each plot location. Stakes will be flagged and labeled with the following information with waterproof marker or grease pen:

a. Unit number

b. Plot number

c. Date (dd/mm/yyyy)

d. Cruiser's initials Location of Cruise Plots: Plots locations shall be identified on a unit map by the Government. The Contractor shall navigate to plot center using a method that maintains the accuracy standard stated for plot location in accordance with this solicitation. All directions from compass readings shall be corrected for magnetic declination. If azimuths are used, azimuths are to be measured from the individual unit map that has plot locations marked on a dot grid design.

Plot grids shall be established from reference points. Reference points shall be established by the Government along roads or harvest unit boundary traverse stations, with a minimum of one reference point per unit, and shall be GPS’d and monumented in the field in accordance with plot center specifications.

2. Identify and designate “in” sample trees using prescribed “Basal Area Factor(s)” (BAF).

In some cases, sample tree BAF’s may be stratified by species. Cruise trees will be wrapped with a single strand of flagging and marked, in paint, with the tree number and cruiser’s initials. Cruise trees shall be numbered consecutively, starting from true north and continuing clockwise.

3. Collect cruise tree data. Data collected shall consist of tree number, species, diameter at breast height (DBH), total tree height, number of 32 foot logs, log grade and log defect.

B. Harvest Unit Boundary Marking: The intent of the harvest unit boundary marking is to provide a continual, visually-obvious boundary for timber harvest operations. Contractor will be responsible for painting and tagging along harvest unit boundaries in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract and FSH2409.12.

1. Posting and Painting

a. Contractor shall write the appropriate unit number on the Forest Service provided pre-printed orange tags in the appropriate space with permanent ink or grease pencil.

b. Tags shall be stapled to live trees greater than 6 inches DBH directly along the harvest unit boundary, printed side facing toward the inside of the unit. Loose bark and moss shall be removed sufficiently prior to stapling. Each tag shall have minimum of 4 staples evenly distributed on the tag. Tags shall be placed at least 5 feet above the ground level on standing trees.

c. Tag locations must be inter-visible during all foliage stages experienced during the year. Tagged trees shall be no more than 100 feet apart

d. Tags shall be secured directly along the boundary. When no suitable tree is available; a tree outside of the boundary, but within five feet, is acceptable.

e. Two offset tags shall be used at unit corners or sharp changes in direction. On the corner tree, one tag will face the line departing the corner, and one tag facing the approaching line. Contractor will write the unit name and cardinal direction on each corner tag

f. Where unit boundaries cross existing or planned roads, tags will be positioned on the uphill side of the road, facing into the unit, in a way as to be visible from the road.

2. Flagging: Flagging must be inter-visible (placed such that two flags are visible from any single point on the harvest unit boundary, at least one forward and one behind the point, following the boundary). Flagging must be hung in a way as to be visible during all seasonal vegetation changes. A minimum of 12” of flagging is expected to hang below knots.

All portions of FSH 2409.12 (including Region 10 and Tongass National Forest supplements), the Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), and Best Management Practices (MBP’s) apply.

If the contract specifications differ from FSH 2409.12, the contract shall take precedence. Payment for contract work will be made only for and under those pay items included in the Schedule of Items. All other work and materials will be considered incidental to and included in the payment for the items shown.

A copy of the Forest Service Handbook 2409.12 Timber Cruising Handbook is available at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/ftp/measure/cruising/other/docs/FSH2409.12-2000.pdf Copies of R10 Supplements are available at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r10/fsh/2409.12/

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 Project Labeling for Official Correspondence

a. The Government singularly identifies each project with a contract number at time of award.

The contract number is a unique identifier to purposely and permanently represent an awarded http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/ftp/measure/cruising/other/docs/FSH2409.12-2000.pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r10/fsh/2409.12/ project. The Government issued contract number is to be referenced on all official communication, to include emails, starting upon notice of award.

(b) Note: The main or parent contract number of the IDIQ will have “C” for contract indicator in the number. Task Orders will have a similar number format but will have a “D” in place of the “C”.

SECTION E – QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG1996)

E.1 Contractor Quality Control Plan

A. Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of this Technical Proposal.

The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall specify:

How quality will be monitored to assure technical specifications are met.

1. How the work will be supervised.

2. How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

3. Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

B. Contractor Quality Control Inspection

The Contractor shall assure that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with Inspection of Services (FAR 52.246-4), prior to requesting the Government to inspect for acceptance or payment. The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer to set a mutually agreed upon date for inspection of completed work.

E.2 Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan and Acceptance Requirements

A. Government Quality Assurance Inspection

The Government will, at its convenience, make periodic inspections of the work to assure itself of contract compliance and to perform Quality Assurance Inspections to confirm that the Contractor is performing quality control in accordance with its QCP and that Contractor monitoring results in quality performance of contract objectives.

B. Acceptance

Acceptance of the work under the contract will be made after steps in (A) above have been taken and the Contracting Officer has made the determination of satisfactory compliance with the specifications.

E.3 Inspection, Re-inspection and Acceptance

A. Compliance Inspection

The Contracting Officer may, by formal inspection, determine if the specified methods of work have been used. Failure to use specified methods shall require prompt corrective action. Failure to take reasonable and satisfactory corrective action may be cause to issue a Notice of Noncompliance or a Suspension of Work order.

1. Work shall be inspected as Harvest Unit or groups of Harvest Units assigned to the Task Order. Quality and pay rate shall use the same groups. Payment for partial unit completion will not be allowed.

B. Inspection Procedures

1. All work under this solicitation will be inspected on the basis of formal, visual inspection by the Contracting Officer through the Contracting Officer’s Representative or designated inspector. The following values will constitute a minimum inspection for determining satisfactory performance.

a. Variable Plot Cruising:

A minimum of ten (10) percent of all plots listed on the treatment unit will be inspected.

b. Harvest Unit Boundary Marking:

A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the total distance listed on the treatment unit will be inspected.

2. Whenever administratively practical, inspections will be done weekly as the work progresses.

3. All handwritten work will only be accepted if completely legible. This includes, but is not limited to paperwork, information on flagging, stakes, and trees.

4. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer/COR when work commences and shall keep the Contracting Officer/COR informed of any changes in the Contractor’s work schedule. Government inspection will take place after Contractor’s self-inspection.

5. Contractor self-inspection shall be done in accordance with the Contractor’s Quality Assurance Plan and FAR Clause 52.246-4, Inspection of Services.

a. Contractor shall provide and use an inspection system acceptable to the Government.

b. The Contractor shall make periodic inspections while marking and cruising is in progress to assure work is proceeding satisfactorily. Records of the inspection shall be maintained for the life of the contract and will be submitted with the formal Request for Inspection by the Government.

C. Determination of Acceptable Work

1. Variable Plot Cruising

a. The Government will use the R10 check cruise specifications (FSH 2409.12;

62.1) to calculate, document, and summarize the results of inspected work done by the Contractor. Below are a list of the categories, which will be inspected, and the minimum quality for each category:

Species Identification 80% Diameter 80% Height 80% Log Grades 85% Defect 85% Point/Plot Tally 80%

Note, as per FSH 2409.12: “Number of trees MUST equal check cruiser’s tally with exception of borderline trees when point plot cruising. Borderline trees will have a variance of 1 percent between the cruisers and check cruiser’s limiting distance. If the cruiser’s DBH is within tolerance, use the cruiser’s DBH for calculating the variance.”

b. Calculation: the total number of incorrect trees divided by the total number of trees (by category) tallied on the inspection will determine the percentage of unsatisfactory work. 100% minus percentage unsatisfactory work = % satisfactory work. For error weights and other information, see FSH 2409.12;

62.1.

c. Failure to meet the required quality for any category will require rework.

2. Cruise Plot Location

a. Plot center monuments must be within +/- 20 feet of check cruiser’s plot center.

b. Failure to meet the required accuracy standard shall require rework.

3. Harvest Unit Boundary Marking

a. The Government inspector will check boundary tag and paint locations and spacing between tags and painted trees.

b. Failure to meet the required minimum quality shall require rework.

D. Unsatisfactory Work

1. Variable Plot Cruising

a. If the percentage of satisfactory work falls below the required percent quality, or if plot locations fall outside of the required accuracy standard, a notice of noncompliance will be issued notifying the Contractor in writing of the deficiency and define a reasonable remedy to improve the quality of work. The Contractor will be required to revisit the work sites to bring them up to the required quality within a reasonable amount of time after receipt of the Notice from the Contracting Officer’s Representative of unsatisfactory work, or the Contracting Officer may terminate the Contractor’s right to proceed and consider the contract to be in default. Repeated failure to perform work at the required quality may also be considered cause for contract termination and default action.

b. Failure to meet the plot locations requirement shall require rework. Plots not meeting the specifications shall be relocated.

2. Harvest Unit Boundary Marking

a. Work not meeting the specifications set forth in the task order shall be reworked prior to payment.

E. Re-Examination Upon Contractor’s Request

If the initial Government inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, the Contractor may dispute the results in writing. The same inspection procedures will be followed, but a different random sample will be inspected by the Government. If the re-inspection confirms the original inspection as not meeting standards, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for making re-inspection.

E.4 Measurement and Payment

A. Quantity Measurement

1. Variable Plot Cruising: The unit of measure will be the plot.

2. Boundary painting and posting: The unit of measure will be linear foot of perimeter, in horizontal distance. Measured distance will be determined by the established harvest unit traverse.

3. Common boundaries will be paid at the unit price.

B. Payment

The price listed in the Schedule of Items within the Task Order will be the basis for payment for accepted work. No payment will be made for unacceptable work.

1. Cruising

a. Payment will be based on Government Quality Assurance Plan inspections documenting work by the Contractor. The R10 check cruise protocols will be used to determine acceptable work by the Contractor. All six (6) categories, addition to plot location, must meet satisfactory passing scores as stated in FSH 2409.12;

Chapter 60. Contractor will be paid for the number of plots cruised and accepted.

Payment rate will be the price listed in the Schedule of Items within the Task

Order. If unsatisfactory work is not reworked by the Contractor and/or the contract is terminated, the Government may determine partial payment is warranted.

b. If partial payment for timber cruising is determined to be appropriate, the following formula will be used:

PPSW = TSW x (TSC x 0.2) x 50% where:

PPSW = Partial Payment to Contractor for Satisfactory Work TSW = Total Satisfactory Work Dollars to be Earned TSC = Total Satisfactory Check Cruise Categories

2. Boundary painting and posting: Payment will be on the Contractor’s submitted invoice using the Government’s GPS linear distance as shown on the unit maps. The Government will compare the traverse distance to the GPS distance on units traversed.

If the average distance difference between the traverse vs. GPS is greater than 10% then all GPS (posted and painted units) distance will be increased by the percentage greater than 10%.

Example: If the distance difference is 15%, the GPS distance will be increased by 5%. If the difference is less than 10%, the payment will be based on the Government’s GPS linear distance.

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984) 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F.2 Period of Performance (AGAR 452.211-74) (FEB 1988) The period of performance will be from date of award for 12 months for the base year and 4 option year periods.

F.3 Performance Standards

(a) Perform the service as stated in the referenced specification according to the Performance Standards in Section E; and complete all ordered services by the completion date stated in the Task Order.

(b) For all tasks, the penalties for poor performance are:

(1) Contractor may be required to re-work the unacceptable portion of the work, at the Contractor’s expense;

(2) Contractor may receive a poor performance rating for this contract;

(3) Government may withhold partial, or full, compensation;

(4) Contractor may be required to replace lost, or damaged Government property, such as excessive aggregate lost during road blading; and

(5) Contract may be terminated for the contractor’s default.

(c) For all tasks, the incentives for high quality performance are:

(1) Contractor will receive a superior performance rating; and

(2) The Government is more likely to select the Contractor for future Task Orders.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 Administration

(a) CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE. The Contracting Officer will designate a representative, hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or, alternatively, as the Engineer, who will provide on-the-ground administration for the Government. The COR will be designated in writing and a copy of the designation will be furnished to the Contractor before or at the pre-work conference. The Contractor is cautioned to read the COR designation because certain authority under the contract is reserved solely for the Contracting Officer. The term ―Contracting Officer‖ as used throughout the contract shall be interpreted to include the Contracting Officer’s designated representative(s) acting within the limits of their delegation of authority.

(b) CONTRACTOR’S REPRESENTATIVE. Any representative of the Contractor shall be designated in writing. The designation shall clearly indicate the name and limitations of authority, if any, of the representative.

G.2 Government-Furnished Property The Government may provide item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

G.3 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Processing Platform (IPP)

(a) Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract. The IPP website address is:

https://www.ipp.gov

The Contractor must use the IPP website to register, access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email IPPCustomerSupport@fms.treas.gov or phone (866) 973-3131.

(b) Final Payment. The final invoice must be accompanied by a release of claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically accepted from the operation of the release. Final payment will not be approved without a properly executed Contract Release, Form 6300-16.

(c) In addition, when submitting the invoice, the Contractor shall submit payrolls, subcontractor payment information and a spreadsheet detailing the payment breakdown in accordance with the Pay Items in the Schedule of Items, Section B.1 (either electronically in IPP, hard copy, or via fax) to the Contracting Officer (see FAR 52.232-5 Payments Under Fixed Price Construction Contracts).

G.4 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror(s) will be scheduled if required by the Contracting Officer. It will be scheduled as soon as possible after the date of contract award. Dates and locations of the conferences will be mutually agreed upon.

G.5 Contract Prices and Task Order Prices

(a) Unit/line item prices submitted by an offeror are the maximum price the Government will accept.

Contractors can offer lower prices on Task Announcements (TA) for competitive selection of subsequent Task Order (TO).

(b) The Government may use the prices in this contract, within any conditions specified, for task orders issued under this contract. However, whenever the Government issues a task order with a contractor or provides an opportunity to more than one contractor to compete for a task order, the contractor may offer discounts to this contract's prices or other concessions which might enhance its likelihood to be selected for award of the task order.

(c) Any discounts or concessions offered by a contractor for a task order apply only to that particular task order, and do not modify this contract or affect already-completed, on-going, or future task orders.

(d) For the purpose of this clause, discount means a reduction to the contract prices.

(e) For the purpose of this clause, concession means any benefit, enhancement or privilege (other than a discount), which either reduces the overall cost of the Government's acquisition or encourages the Government to select the contractor offering the concession.

G.6 Task Ordering Procedures

(a) To order services under this contract, a task order announcement will be forwarded to the Contractor(s)

(b) Identifying the specific requirements of the individual order on an SF-33, SF-1449 or other form. The Contractor(s) shall prepare and submit a response to the task announcement by the due date stated on the announcement. Upon award of a task announcement, the Contracting Officer will issue a written task order for work on an OF 347 Order for Supplies or Services form or other authorized form including an SF-33 or SF-1449.

(c) Any warranted Government Contracting Officer may issue a task order exceeding $3,000 for this contract. The Contracting Officer will issue a task order announcement to all contractors. If a Fair Opportunity exception applies, the task order announcement will be issued to one contractor. The task order announcement will include a due date for proposal submission and a Statement of Work (SOW) which includes a detailed description of work to be accomplished, a listing of the deliverables required, and additional data as appropriate.

G.7 Proposal Process

1.1. Any warranted Forest Service Contracting Officer may issue a task order announcement. The

Contracting Officer will issue a TO announcement request to all contractors within a designated area. If a Fair Opportunity Exception Applies, the TO announcement will be issued to one contractor. The TO announcement will include a due date for proposal submission and a Statement of Work (SOW) which includes a detailed description of work to be accomplished, a listing of the deliverables required, and additional data as appropriate. The TO announcement will also include specific instructions for the submission for proposals, the selection criteria factors, the factors’ order of importance, and other information deemed appropriate.

1.2. Awardees under the Basic Contract will generally be allowed 10 working days to prepare and submit proposals. However, more or less time may be necessary based on the requirements. The due date shall be set forth in each TO announcement. If an awardee is unable to perform a requirement, the awardee may “NO BID” the TO announcement. All “NO BIDS” shall include a brief statement as to why the awardee is unable to perform (i.e., Conflict of Interest). While no mandatory requirement exists for the submission of a proposal, firms consistently declining to submit offers for reasons of availability may jeopardize their ability to receive future TO awards.

1.3. Clarification of Proposal: Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with selection criteria set forth in the TO announcement. If necessary, during the evaluation of proposals the Government may contact an awardee with questions concerning their proposal. Upon completion of evaluations, the CO will issue a task order to the awardee whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government.

1.4. In the event issues pertaining to a proposed task cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the

Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to withdraw and cancel the proposed task. In such event, the Contractor shall be notified, via letter, of the Contracting Officer's decision. This decision shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to the "Disputes" clause or the "Contract Disputes Act".

1.5. TO Issuance: Task orders may be issued verbally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods. However, all task orders must be finalized in writing and provided to the Contracting Officer with the appropriate signatures and agreed upon pricing for stated pay items.

1.6. Unauthorized Work: The Contractor is not authorized to commence performance prior to issuance of a signed TO and Notice to Proceed or verbal approval provided by the CO to begin work.

1.7. Task Funding Restrictions: No unfunded tasks are authorized under this contract.

G.8 Task Order Announcement Media

(a) As Government needs are identified, Task Announcements detailing the specific services to be provided will be issued in writing and may be transmitted by any of the following media: Fax, US Mail, or Email. Email is the preferred method of transmission, thus participating contractors must provide the government with an active email address and are responsible to notify the government if the email address is changed.

(b) The Government will make every effort to provide adequate time for contractors to make informed responses to task announcements. Typical announcement times will be from 14 to 21 days between issuance and closure. Shorter times may be necessary to fill more urgent requirements.

G.9 Award of Task Orders & Fair Opportunity

(a) Contractors are bound to accept task orders within the ordering limitations defined in the ordering clauses (See Section I, FAR clause 52.216-19 Ordering Limitations).

(b) If a contractor is awarded multiple task orders, work shall be completed concurrently unless otherwise specified in a task order.

(c) Competitive task order awards will be made to the Contractor(s) who provide the best value to the Government, including:

(1) Past performance on earlier task orders under this contract including quality and timeliness.

(2) Potential impact on other orders placed with the contractor.

(3) Price including price realism and price reasonableness.

(d) The Contracting Officer will give every contractor a fair opportunity to be considered for a task order unless one of the following exceptions applies:

(1) The Governments need for the service is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

(2) The order must be issued on a sole source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

(3) It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

G.10 Fair Opportunity Ombudsman Ombudsman Description. In accordance with FAR 16.505(a)(9), no protest under FAR subpart 33.1 is authorized in connection with CO decisions regarding fair opportunity or the issuance of a TO under this contract, except for a protest on the grounds that a TO increases the scope, period, or maximum value of the contract. The Ombudsman will review complaints from the contractors and ensure that all contractors are afforded a fair opportunity to be considered consistent with the procedures in the contract. Complaints to the USDA Forest Service Ombudsman must be forwarded to:

Assistant Director for Operations, Acquisition Management, Washington Office

Ronald Wester 1621 N Kent Street, Plaza E, Suite 707 Arlington, VA 22209 Phone (703) 605-4665 Facsimile (703) 605-5100

G.11 Incidental Over And Above Work

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause, “Incidental Over and above work” means work that is—

(1) Within the general scope of the contract;

(2) Not covered by the line item(s) in the Schedule of Items for the basic work under the contract; (with exception of Mobilization).

(3) Necessary in order to satisfactorily complete a particular task order; and

(4) Of a price not exceeding the sum of the prices of the basic work on that task order.

(b) In addition to basic work described in this contract, the Contractor and Contracting Officer agree that task order announcements issued under this contract may include incidental over and above work. In submitting its proposal for a task order announcement, the Contractor shall include a separate price for the over and above work.

(c) The Contractor and Contracting Officer further agree that the Contracting Officer, by written order, may add incidental over and above work to an existing task order. Such an addition will be treated as a change under the Changes clause of this contract.

(d) Failure to agree on any matter regarding this clause shall be a dispute within the meaning of the Disputes clause of this contract.

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 Other H Clauses

(a) Task Orders under this contract may contain other Section H – Special Requirements clauses as needed and within scope of the contract.

H.2 Contractor Responsibility to Notify Government

(a) The Contractor will notify the COR when leaving the project area of any task orders for 3 or more days and within 24 hours before returning to the project area.

H.3 Contract Administration This contract will be administered by the Contracting Officer located at:

Alaska Region 10 Attn: CO Ron Smith

648 Mission St.

Ketchikan, AK 99901

All matters related to the performance of this contract shall be coordinated through the Contracting

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I. CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FAR 52.212-4) (MAY

2015)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or re-performance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or re-performance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights --

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C.3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. Chapter 71, Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault…