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AG-0281-S-08-0023 Pre-commercial Thin Common Stand Exams

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

PAGE OF PAGES

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

Idaho, Montana Acquisition Team

3815 Schreiber Way

Coeur d’Alene , Idaho 83815 Estimated Start Date June 1, 2008 Contract Time 30 days

FOB DESTINATION

NUMBER

765-7456

9. DESTINATION

2502 East Sherman

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes) PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING COMMON STAND EXAMS, Idaho Panhandle National Forest ,Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District in accordance with the attached Schedule of Items, Specifications, Terms and Conditions.

Duns#____________________

Submit prices in Schedule B

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

are not attached.

c. COUNTY

AREA CODE

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

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

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SERVICES AND PRICES

Pre-commercial Thin- Common Stand Exam (CSE) Services

Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, Kootenai & Shoshone County, Idaho

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

B. 1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Award from this solicitation will result in a Performance based, Firm-Fixed price, Indefinite Quantity contract to provide anticipated common stand exam data collection services on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ (IPNF) from the date of award through September 30,2010. Orders are limited by availability of funds each fiscal year (see Availability of Funds, FAR 52.232-19). Planned and estimated work presented in the Schedule will be ordered and accomplished to the extent possible within the contract limitations. It is estimated that beginning in June of 2008 the following data collection will be initiated:

2008 Pre-commercial Thin- Common Stand Exam (CSE) Services

WORK

ITEM #

EST.

ACRES

UNIT OF

MEASURE

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

** Item 1

Total

* Estimated Quantity: Number of plots in stands may vary depending on stand conditions.

** See Appendix B Stand List for complete list of stands to be sampled in 2008 and the sampling design information.

2009 Pre-commercial Thin- Common Stand Exam (CSE) Services

WORK

ITEM #

EST.

ACRES

UNIT OF

MEASURE

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

Total

** The complete list of stands to be sampled and the sampling design information will be provided in task order.

2010 Pre-commercial Thin- Common Stand Exam (CSE) Services

WORK

ITEM #

EST.

ACRES

UNIT OF

MEASURE

PRICE

TOTAL

AMOUNT

** Item 3

Total

** The complete list of stands to be sampled and the sampling design information will be provided with the Task Order

Estimated size of current and out year programs. Contractors are cautioned that estimates are tentative. Final adjustments will be made to accommodate potential future changes in data collection protocols, project area and /or specific stand examination needs

B. 2. AGAR 452.216-73 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of 200 plots, but not in excess of 1,500 plots.

B. 3. AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: Task orders may be issued by the following authorized ordering officials: Fred A. Fischer, Sally Russell, & Rita Loper.

B.4. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF STANDS TO BE SURVEYED

Within 30 days of the estimated start work date Task Orders will be written for each season of performance. Maps and copies of aerial photos, and detailed information will be provided for the stands to be examined. Stand information will include: project area title, stand number, acres, number of plots, exam level. It is anticipated that the out years stands and exam level will be the same as 2008, if the contractor and the government agree they are not, then the price may be negotiated.

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFICATIONS/ WORK STATEMENTS

C-1. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The scope of this contract is to furnish all labor, tools, equipment, transportation, and incidentals necessary to conduct statistically sound stand examinations with which management determinations for the stands will be made. The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation and the CSE Field Guide for Region 1, Version 3/3/2008 hereafter known as “R1-CSE Handbook”. If the contract specifications differ from the R1-CSE Handbook the contact shall take precedence.

Collected data shall be submitted to the Forest Service on the PCT Examination Cover and Data Sheets, and in electronic format. The electronic copy will be made using either PCEXAMS software on the PC or EXAMS software on the personal data recorder (PDR).

At the agreement of the Forest Service and Contractor, data sheets may be generated after submission of the electronic data file, through the FSVeg loader software, in lieu of contractor submitted data sheets. In either case, a PCT Examination Cover sheet with narrative write-up must be completed for each stand surveyed.

Copies of aerial photographs (i.e. Xerox copies) of the project areas are available for inspection and will be made available to the successful bidder as provided in Government-Furnished Property.

Habitat Type information shall be identified in accordance with Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho: A Second Approximation.

Plant species shall be identified by using the Field Guide to Forest Plants of Northern Idaho, General Technical Report INT-180. In the case of any question about species identification, Flora of the Pacific Northwest (1973), by C. Leo Hitchcock and Arthur Cronquist shall be the final authority. Most plant species in this contract will be those species found in the CSE Field Guide for Region 1, Appendix H and the Kaniksu, St. Joe, and Coeur d’Alene Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants and Forest Species of Concern by Rare Plant Habitat Guild (October 2004).

Insect and Disease identification will be limited to those agents, pests and diseases listed in the disturbance tables found in the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 and the Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Northern and Central rocky Mountain Conifers by Susan K. Hagle, Kenneth E. Gibson, Scott Tunnock (2003).

C-2. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

A. PROJECT LOCATION

This solicitation is for Pre-commercial Thinning Exam Plots on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. See Appendix E for Project Area Vicinity Maps for 2008. Individual stand locations shall be delineated on contract work maps (which will be furnished at the pre-work meeting.). Copies of the aerial photos or computer generated images shall be provided upon contractor request.

The project area boundaries are ground features shown on the contract maps. Individual stand boundaries are timber types that can be identified on aerial photographs.

B. ACCESSIBILITY

The project areas may be accessed by Forest roads during the normal operating season. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Individual stands are accessible by some combination of 2 or 4-wheel drive vehicle, mountain bicycle, horse, or foot travel.

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission, through privately owned land, to gain access to stand locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a stand location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing within 5 calendar days of denied access.

Accessibility may be determined from aerial photographs and maps furnished by the Government. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the U. S. Forest Service travel management plans for all Ranger Districts on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’. For roads or trails not designated for public motorized access District Rangers may, in writing, grant limited use authorizations upon request of the Contractor. Requested use must be limited to short-term use for the purpose of accessing stands to be surveyed under this contract. All requests for motorized travel of closed roads by the Contractor must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officers Representative (COR). Request shall specifically identify road/s needed for access and the periods of time use will occur. Gates in the contract area may be locked. A double lock system shall be provided for gates where contractor access has been authorized. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that the gates remain closed and locked at all times.

Contractor shall request industrial camping authorization in writing, within 5 calendar days of camping date, specifying location, duration and dates of use. Requests for authorization to camp behind locked gates will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Authorization will require a camping permit issued by the Ranger District. No access to contractors or employees will be allowed behind locked gates after periods of work unless a valid camping permit has been authorized. Motorized access will generally not be permitted behind locked gates during hunting season for elk, deer or bear. Requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis, and may be authorization at the discretion of the District Ranger. Otherwise, contractor shall adjust work schedule to take the closure time into consideration. No Suspend Work Orders will be issued; contract time will run during this period. Any miss use of gates may constitute loss of privileges.

C-3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. QUALIFICATION

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

1. Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification, preferably in the Pacific Northwest.

2.Other crew members must have undergraduate courses in mensuration and tree identification.

3.Each crew member must be able to satisfactorily interpret aerial photographs.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with resubmission of any data supplied by that employee.

B. PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS

1.At the pre-work conference, the Contractor shall submit for the approval of the CO, a written Resource Plan specifying the resources (including people, equipment, and other factors) the Contractor shall use as well as the rate of progress the Contractor proposes to achieve.. Any modification of the plan shall be subject to approval by the CO.

2. The Contractor shall identify plot center with a marker that can be a No. 9 wire flag, wooden stake or native material. The marker shall extend a minimum of 12 inches above the ground surface. Flagging tied to the marker shall have the plot number and date, examiners initials written with grease pencil or water-proof marking pen. Plot center is defined as that point where the wire or the stake enters the ground. This point or plum line extension of this point shall be used for all distance measurements taken from plot center.

3. Two pieces of flagging shall be hung near plot center as topography and available vegetation allow. This flagging shall be at least 5 feet above ground surface and 12”long. Write the stand and plot number on flagging with grease pencil or water-proof marker. Color shall be determined at the pre-work.

C. PLOT LOCATION AND ESTABLISHMENT

The Contractor shall locate and evenly distribute the plots throughout the stand on a systematic, unbiased, square grid basis, from acres provided in the Detailed Unit List. Locate & identify these accurately on the provided stand (contour) map.

The Contractor shall navigate to plot centers using any method that maintains the accuracy standard stated for plot location, in accordance with the R1-CSE Handbook. Point number (1) one will be used to calculate all plot locations within the stand as to the required plot tolerances in: APPENDIX A, TOLERANCES AND STANDARDS, A. PLOT LOCATION.

Flagging shall be used to facilitate the location of a plot or the relocation of a plot in order to check the original measurement. The COR and Contractor will jointly select the flagging color to be used.

Flagging shall be provided by the Contractor and shall be biodegradable unless otherwise specified by COR. Flagging shall be at least 12 inches long after tying.

Starting points (reference points as needed) shall be established from survey markers, roads, lakes, or other reliable surface features. One reference point for each stand shall be established. Plots from adjacent stands shall not be used as reference points. Record the GPS readings for starting points (reference points as needed) on the back of the Setting Form in the Traverse Notes section, or on the stand map if using a handheld data recorder directly in the field.

Route to plot center shall be marked as follows:

a. Start of transect - three ribbons at least 5 feet above the ground with the stand number, date, azimuth and distance to the specified plot written on one ribbon.

b. Abrupt Changes in Directions - two ribbons at least 5 feet above the ground with azimuth and distance indicated.

c. Remainder of Route - single ribbons placed visibly, not to exceed one chain apart.

d. When the line of travel between two plot centers crosses a road or trail, the closest plot #, distance, and azimuth shall be put on flagging on at least one side of the road or trail.

No plot center shall be located closer than 1 chain from the stand boundary.

D. STAND EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

The Contractor shall locate establish, measure and record data using fixed radius subplots in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide For Region 1, V 3/3/2008, hereafter referred to as Common Stand Exam Field Guide For Region 1. As stipulated by this contract data shall be collected and recorded to complete the Setting Form, Plot Data Form, Tree Data Form, Vegetation Composition Data Form (if required), and Down Woody Material Data Form (if required) as specified in, Section E, Inspection and Accuracy Requirements.

The Contractor shall limit Insect and Disease identification to those agents, pests and diseases listed in Damage Categories, Agents and Severity Ratings found in the R1-CSE Handbook.

Comments are required for all stands. The stand examiners view of current conditions in conjunction with the quantitative data can contribute toward the development of more accurate mental images of the stands during diagnostic and prescriptive analyses.

1. Setting Data.

The Setting Data contains data about the stand. The Contractor shall complete one Setting Form for each stand. The following fields are required:

District

Location

Stand Number

Date

Examination Level

Potential Vegetation

Capable Growing Area

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Acres

Examiner

Sketch Map and Traverse Notes

Note the following:

District:

Data supplied by Government. District COR provides.

Location:

Data supplied by Government. Appendix C Stand List Stand Number:

Data supplied by Government. Appendix C Stand List Examination Level :

Data supplied by Government. Appendix C Stand List Acres:

Data supplied by Government. Appendix C Stand List Examiner:

Record the individual(s) responsible for data collection. When using a Personal Computer or Portable Data Recorder, do not use reserved characters such as +, /, -, or * in this field.

2. Sample Design The Sample Design contains information about how the data was collected, which trees, shrubs, and down woody pieces are measured, and how the measurements will be converted to pre-acre values. The sample design describes what kinds of plot are installed, such as fixed area or variable radius plots. It defines what will be collected on variable radius plots and what will be collected on fixed area plots. It also defines the size of each plot. Each stand requires the completion of one sample design form. All fields are required.

Valid Sample Designs are provided by the Government (see Appendix B).

The Contractor shall use the Sample Design Form to record the sample design used.

For all plots installed for this contract, tree composition will be measured on a 1/100th acre fixed radius plot (11.8 feet diameter), hereafter referred to as the fixed radius plot. A slope correction shall be calculated for slopes > 10%.

3. Plot Data.

The Plot Data contains information about a sample plot. This information is independent of the information collected on other forms. Record separate sets of plot data for each plot in the stand. Required fields are Heading, Plot Number, Capable Growing Area, Plot Aspect, Plot Slope, Plot Potential Vegetation, Plot remarks.

A 1/20 acre plot (26.3’ radius) shall be used to determine the Plot Potential Vegetation (Habitat Type). Habitat types are provided on the Detailed Unit List, contractor shall verify and update as necessary. Habitat types shall be identified to phase for each plot in accordance with instructions and descriptions in Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho: A Second Approximation. A slope correction shall be calculated for slopes ≥ 10%. Canopy coverage terms for use in this contract and written descriptions are diagramed below.

Depauperate: unusually sparse undergrowth conditions resulting from dense shading or thick duff. This situation requires the adjustment of canopy coverage values in the key to the next lower class (for instance, “well represented” becomes “common”), or extrapolation from the nearest non-depauperate condition occurring on a comparable site.

“Present” as applied to trees or large shrubs requires at least 10 individuals per acre, well scattered through the stand, not restricted to microsites. “Present” as applied to low shrubs and herbaceous plants requires scattered individuals throughout the stand, usually 5 or more individuals or clumps per 1/10th acre, not occurring on microsites.

Microsites are small areas that are atypical for the stand, such as wind-throw pockets, micro-drainage ways, seeps, well-rotted logs, or excessively rocky areas.

4. Tree Data.

Fixed Plot:

The 1/100th acre fixed radius plot tallies live conifers and deciduous trees with height greater than .5 feet. Measure all trees greater then .5 feet tall, both living and dead.

A slope correction shall be calculated for slopes ≥ 10%. Tally shall start at 0( azimuth and proceed in a clockwise direction. All live down trees shall be recorded. A tree is considered down when the lean from tip to stump is > 45° from perpendicular.

E. RECORDING INSTRUCTION

The Contractor shall provide data to the Government on Common Stand Examination Cover and Data Sheets, and in ExamsPC/ ExamsCE electronic format. Electronic data will be acceptable if provided on an MS-DOS formatted compatible double-sided, double-density, 3.5” floppy disk, CD-R disk or by E-Mail (to the specified address), with files written in the specified .cse format. With either media, data must be readable by the Government’s Windows OS-based computers. No adjustments will be made due to program errors that result in data errors or loss of data. If data sheets are being generated from the electronic file as detailed in Section C-1.A., the only acceptable method of submission will be CD-R (non-rewritable) disc.

The first stand of data typed into the EXAMSPC software should be turned in to check for it’s running successfully in the FSVEG System.

C-4. DATA COLLECTION SPECIFICATIONS

This section describes, in detail, the data collection forms, and the fields within each form, to be completed. Data collection is per CSE Quick Plot Protocols.

A.SETTING DATA

A setting is normally a stand in which the stand exam is being done. Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. If the contract specifications differ from the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 and Appendicies, the contract specifications shall have precedent.

See C-3 Technical Specifications, D.1. Setting Data for Government furnished “Field Codes”. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 section 9 and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

B. SAMPLE DESIGN DATA

The Contractor shall record the fixed plot size, BAF and number of plots installed on the sample design form. The fixed plot size and number of plots to use are listed on the stand list in Appendix B.

Valid Sample Designs are provided by the Government (see Appendix B).

C. PLOT DATA

The following items are required to be recorded at each plot.

Contractor

Plots must be numbered consecutively. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 section 4 and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

D. TREE DATA

Begin recording standing tree data at azmuth 0º, progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center.

The following items are required to be collected by the Contractor for each tree or group, except as noted.

And

Contractor

Radial Growth

Details of methods and acceptable values can be found in Common Stand Exam Field Guide for

Region 1, Section 10, and below. Where data field requirements differ from the Field Guide, they are detailed below.

Tree Count:

All trees may be grouped by species, damage, and the height classes defined below.

Height Classes for Grouping Trees :

Height Class Range

(for sample tree groups)

0.5-2 feet

3-4 feet

5-9 feet

10-14 feet

15-19 feet

19+ feet

For groups of trees, record the data of the first member of the group tallied from 0o azimuth

Tree Damage Category, Agent, and Severity:

Unless otherwise agreed in order to meet data needs specific to each Ranger District the following minimum required data shall be collected:

If Root Disease (Category 21) is present, record this Tree Damage Category Code. General Agent 000 is acceptable, and severity must be coded. Coding of these damage categories is not required unless the severity is three or greater.

If Mistletoe (Category 23) record this Tree Damage Category code, and the Tree Damage Agent Codes 000 is acceptable, and the appropriate severity code.

If White Pine Blister Rust is record the Tree Damage Category code for Stem Rusts (Category 26), and the Blister Rust Tree Damage Agent code (Agent Code 001), and the appropriate severity code.

All other damage codes are not required.

E. DATA FORMAT

Detailed information for use of ExamsPC/ ExamsCE data entry software can be found in the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 section 12 and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.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(es): www.arnet.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

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

E-2. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days of contract award based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments.

The general Quality Control plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and an unbiased sample of plots to determine actual quality percentage.

Plot Inspections. The Contractor shall maintain an inspection system that provides an unbiased sample of CSE plot quality and represents the entire work force. A minimum of 10% of the installed plots shall be sampled within each inspection block. The Government may observe or re-inspect the Contractor’s plots at any time.

The Contractor shall provide written inspection data and electronic GPS inspection data by plot that meets contract requirements.

All Contractor inspection records shall be provided to the Government based on the schedule proposed by the Contractor and agreed to by the Contracting Officer for quality assurance assessment consistent with the Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. All records shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection.

E-3 - GOVERNMENT INSPECTION PROCEDURES

An inspection block, as established by the Government, will contain a minimum of 50 plots. Contractor may deviate from the minimum at the COR’s approval. No partial stands will be accepted. The Contractor shall submit stands in designated blocks with respective record sheets and electronic data.

All plots within a stand are to be recorded sequentially.

A. COMPLIANCE INSPECTION

The COR will, by formal review, determine if the specified progress and methods of work are being carried out. Failure to comply with specified work standards may be cause for termination of the Contractor's right to proceed.

B. INSPECTION OF WORK

The Government will inspect the stand examinations to determine compliance with contract specifications and to provide a basis for payment. The Contractor shall submit completed stand information within seven (7) days after completion of each block to the COR.

Completed work, consisting of any required paper forms, electronic data, will be turned in for inspection in blocks. Field inspections will be made from the electronic data submitted. Inspection will only be made on completed stands. Within each block, at least 10% of the plots will be selected for inspection to determine if the prescribed work standards have been met. This will constitute the minimum sample plot inspection for determining satisfactory performance. Pass-fail inspection for compliance to other work standards and procedures shall be performed on all blocks.

The Government will make the initial inspection of each block of completed stands without cost to the Contractor. Any re-inspection required due to the Contractor reworking a block will be at the Contractor's expense. Re-inspection charges may include, but are not limited to: inspector's wages for travel time to and from work site; inspector's wages to re-inspect; per diem cost (meals, lodging, field costs); COR wages; and vehicle use rate and mileage.

All data submitted for inspection or payment that have omissions or exceed the tolerances allowed for the required data fields will be returned to the Contractor for completion or rework. All hand written forms shall be turned in with their respective stands in an inspection block. All entries must be legible. Any missing, non-legible or non-applicable entries shall be counted as discrepancies.

The Contractor's electronic data shall load successfully into FSVEG and run through the edit program without fatal errors or it will be returned for rework.

The COR will record the global position of the plot during the field inspection. A GPS Receiver capable of measuring in “3D” status will be used. Coordinates will be gathered a minimum of 4 minutes of averaging before location is recorded. This coordinate will be used to evaluate the field inspected plot using the tolerance specified in Appendix A.

The Government is not responsible for GPS down time due to Contractor negligence or satellite disturbances. No Suspend Work Order will be issued, contract time will run during these periods.

C. DETERMINATION OF ACCEPTABLE WORK

An inspection, as stated above, will be performed by the Government for evaluation of contract specification compliance. The following will be used for determination of acceptable or unacceptable work.

1.Pass-fail check of specified standards and procedures for each block.

Site examinations deficient in the following specifications are unacceptable on a "pass-fail" basis and will be returned to the Contractor with the entire block for rework. The determination of noncompliance with these items may be made during the office edit or during field inspection.

a. All completed forms and electronic data not submitted to the Forest Service in a timely manner after Contractor completion.

b. .Electronic data that cannot be read by Government computers.

c. Any plot center located outside of tolerance.

d. Stands having less than the prescribed number of sample plots examined.

e. Any sample plot center which cannot be located because of improper plot center labeling or because of improper GPS reference, or for any other reason attributable to noncompliance with specifications.

f. Any data with inaccurate stand location and stand number data.

g. Any plot having a missed live tree over breakpoint DBH.

h. Any plot that includes a live tree over breakpoint DBH that should not have been in the plot.

i. Any plot with a discrepancy between live and dead tree classifications.

j. Any plot with a missing or incorrect species on a live tree over 5.0" DBH.

k. Any stand with an incorrect BAF resulting in less than the minimum average number of live trees.

l. Any inspection block with an overall inspection percentage ≤ 84.99%.

2. Discrepancy trend.

If during inspection of selected plots or review of submitted data, the Government determines a similar discrepancy is occurring in the information being recorded by the Contractor, the COR shall notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspections, the block (s) will be returned for rework.

In addition, if the COR notices a discrepancy trend developing while inspecting plots on the ground, they may visit plots not selected in the random sample, to inspect the field (s) in question. These plots will be used to determine if a discrepancy trend does exist, not for payment purposes. The COR will notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspections, the block (s) will be returned for rework.

If an individual or crew repeatedly installs plots in the wrong location or makes inaccurate measurements or observations (e.g., missed heights, diameters, etc.), over two inspections, the COR may notify the Contractor and require the Contractor to replace the individual or crew.

D. REWORK OF UNACCEPTABLE WORK

The Government reserves the right to require unacceptable blocks, as determined under Section C. Determination of Acceptable Work, to be reworked. Upon written notification by the COR that a block is unacceptable, the Contractor may be required to complete and submit rework before beginning work on another block.

1. Correction of Errors:

a. Pass-fail failures require correction of errors throughout the block.

b. All plots in an inspection block will be returned to the Contractor when the block is determined to be unacceptable. The contractor is required to rework all of the plots in the inspection block. The Contractor shall pay the actual costs incurred by the Government for any re-inspection.

c. At the Governments option, on those inspection blocks reworked by the Contractor, a different colored ribbon shall be tied at each plot center. The COR shall specify the color of the ribbon. Each time the block is reworked a different colored ribbon shall be used.

d. The Contractor will have the option of reworking acceptable packets containing plots with inspection results of ( 85% or receiving reduced payment. The re-inspection will be at the Contractor's expense.

e. The Government is not required to provide more than 2 re-inspections on any single inspection block. Results of last re-inspection will supersede any prior inspection results for determining acceptability and payment. Failure to pass inspection may result in contract default.

f. Trend error failures require rework of all items identified as having an error trend.

E. DEMONSTRATION OF INSPECTION PROCEDURES

At the Contractors request the Government may provide one free inspection to demonstrate inspection procedures. This inspection shall be performed on the first stand the Contractor works.

F. RE-INSPECTION UPON CONTRACTOR REQUEST

If the Contracting Officer's Representatives original inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, the Contractor has the option to request, in writing, a re-inspection. Requests for re-inspection shall be made within five calendar days after receipt of initial inspection results. A complete re-inspection of the original inspected plot (s) will be made. The contractor may accompany the COR during the re-inspection.

If re-inspection does not result in an additional payment for the contractor, the Contractor must pay for the re-inspection. Re-inspection for resubmitted units will be done in accordance with the original inspection procedures.

Results of this re-inspection will supersede the original inspection for determining acceptability and payment.

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(es): www.arnet.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) F.2. AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) The period of performance of this contract is from Date of Award through September 30, 2010.

F.3. AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of Contract (FEB 1988) The effective period of this contract is from Date of Award through September 30, 2010.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use within the following:

Period of Performance will be determined by the number of plots for 2009 & 2010 and be provided in the Task Orders.

It is estimated that adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specifications. Access could potentially be affected during the period of November 1 to June 1. Conditions suitable to accurately identify Forest Habitat Type indicator species may be affected from November 1 to April 1. When such conditions make work impracticable, and upon written request by the Contractor, the CO may authorize a total shutdown, with no charge against time, until the Zone COR determines that work can resume.

The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

The Contractor shall maintain the rate of progress specified in the Contractor’s Work Plan and schedule. The minimum acceptable rate of progress shall occur when the percent of work completed falls within 10 percent of the time used.

The Government shall issue a Notice to Proceed as soon as the weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time shall start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed.

The Contractor shall be assessed actual damages, per day, for any work not completed within the time specified by this contract, unless a time extension has been approved by the CO. Actual damages include, but are not limited to time and travel spent on the project by Government officials.

When work performance of a crew is deficient, the Contractor shall correct the deficiencies before proceeding with any new work.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 10 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a place to be determined.

G.2. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following 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.

1 copy.

Provided at Pre-work meeting.

1 copy.

Provided at Pre-work meeting.

1 copy.

Provided at Pre-work meeting.

9. ExamsPC and Exams CE Software and instructions

Data entry software.

--Handheld data recorder software available from website: http://fsweb.nris.fs.fed.us/products/PDR/CSE/installation.shtml

*Above Government-Furnished Property will be made available to the Contractor at the pre-work conference or with the Task Order.

All maps, overlays, and unused Government-Furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the contract. Aerial photographs must be given exceptional care and returned in essentially the same condition as delivered. Failure to do so may result in charges for damage or replacement.

G.3. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

The unit of measure and payment will be the plot as described herein. The quantity of plots completed satisfactorily will be processed for payment in accordance with the payment rate provisions herein based on the unit price bid.

B. METHOD OF PAYMENT

No payment will be made for unacceptable blocks. After notification of unacceptable blocks, the Contractor shall not begin work on other plots until the unacceptable inspection block (s) have been reworked.

Payment will be based on the results of the field inspection.

Each inspection block will be accepted for payment, returned for rework or rejected based on the results of the field inspection of the selected plot (s) in the block. Inspection and payment will be made only on completed stands.

The electronic data will be treated as the original field data and will be inspected as such.

Field inspected stands whose quality is < 85% will not receive payment and will be returned to Contractor for rework of all plots. Contractor will be assessed Government cost of inspection.

The following reduced schedule will be used if there are stand discrepancies within acceptable blocks:

≤ .33 = 100% payment .34 ( .67 = 85% payment

.68 ( 1.0 = 70% payment

( 1.0 = 0% payment (block is unacceptable and returned to Contractor)

The average number of discrepancies per data line across all inspected stands in a block will be the basis for payment

For purposes of calculating payment the following schedule shall apply:

Setting Data – The first plot inspected in a stand shall have the appropriate Setting Data information inspected as part of that inspection, and any errors found within the Setting form shall count against the total number of data lines on that inspection.

Plot Data – Each line of plot data shall count as two (2) lines of data.

Tree Data – Each fixed radius plot line of tree data shall count as one (1) line of data.

In lieu of a reduced payment on acceptable work with discrepancies, the Contractor may elect to rework the plots in the reduced payment block. The Contractor will be charged with re-inspection costs.

Plots selected for field inspection will be checked for accuracy with latitude and longitude coordinates. If the coordinates are not within the tolerance stated, all plots in the inspection block will be returned to the Contractor for rework. Following rework, an additional inspection is required. The Contractor shall pay for the actual Government cost of the re-inspection.

An inspection block is considered complete when all work has been inspected and accepted for payment.

Partial payment may be made for completed and accepted work as determined by the CO. Acceptance of the work will be determined by an inspection of the area and will be based on adherence to work specifications.

C.

DEDUCTIONS

Replacement cost for any lost, damaged or unused Government property that is not returned will be deducted from the Contractor's final payment at the following rates:

Field Guide to Disease and Insect Pests - $15.00 each

Field Guide to Forest Plants of Northern Idaho - $20.00 each

Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho - $20.00 each

Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1 - $20.00 each

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.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(es): http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation may be accessed at www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

452.236-72 Use of Premises (NOV 1996)

H.2. USE OF PREMISES

The Contractor shall comply with the regulations governing the operation of premises which are occupied and shall perform his contract in such a manner as not to interrupt or interfere with the conduct of Government business.

H.3. AGAR 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

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

Crew Foreman or Supervisor

Quality Control person or Inspector

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

H.4. AGAR 452.236-77 EMERGENCY RESPONSE (NOV 1996)

(a) Contractor’s Responsibility for Fire Fighting.

(1) The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause 52.236-9, Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work.

(2) The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor’s agents or employees.

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

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

H.5. PREWORK CONFERENCE

Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer will arrange a meeting…