final_solicitation.pdf

IDAWY ACQUISITION SERVICE CENTER INSTRUCTIONAL COVER SHEET

ISSUING OFFICE:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

IDAWY ACQUISITION SERVICE CENTER

1405 HOLLIPARK DR.

IDAHO FALLS, ID 83401

FAX (208) 557-5829

SOLICITATION NO. AG-02NV-S-15-0088

OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FOR: 2015 Precommercial Thinning and Planting on the Caribou-Targhee

SET-ASIDE: TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS

IMPORTANT – NOTICE TO OFFEROR:

AT A MINIMUM, OFFEROR SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BACK WITH THEIR RESPONSE

TO THIS SOLICITATION:

1.SF-1449 Request For Quotation (Complete, date, and sign)

2.Section I – Schedule of Items (Pages 3-4). (Complete Unit Price and Amount)

3.Experience Questionnaire (Pages 50-51)

4.Representations and Certifications (Pages 52-67). (Complete the Representations and Certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website at http://orca.bpn.gov)

IT IS REQUIRED YOU WRITE THE SOLICITATION NUMBER ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR ENVELOPE.

Return to: IDAWY Acquisition Service Center

1405 Hollipark Drive

Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Solicitation No. AG-02NV-S-15-0088

IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL CONTRACTOR’S BE REGISTERED IN THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT DATABASE PRIOR TO AWARD UNDER THIS SOLICITATION. SEE CLAUSE 52.204-7

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY.

IT IS THE OFFERORS RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH FOR ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITATION, WHICH SHALL BE ISSUED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH FEDBIZOPS.

AG-02NV-S-15-0088 2015 Precommercial Thinning and Planting

Caribou-Targhee National Forest

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

587890

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

AG-02NV-S-15-0088

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

7/13/15

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL

a. NAME

KELLIE SHAW

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

(208) 557-5766

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

8/12/15 3:00 p.m. MST

9. ISSUED BY CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS: UNRESTRICTED or SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR:

IDAWY Acquisition Service Center

1405 Hollipark Drive

Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Small Business Women-Owned Small Business

(WOSB) Eligible Under the Women-Owned

Hubzone Small Small Business Program NAICS: 115310

Business Economically Disadvantaged Women-

Service-Disabled Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Size Standard: $7.0 Million

Veteran Owned

Small Business 8(A)

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS

A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

11. Delivery for FOB

Destination unless Block is

Marked

See Schedule

12. Discount Terms

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

15. DELIVER TO

See Delivery Schedule Same as Block 9

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE

OFFEROR

FACILITY

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO.:_____________________________________

DUNS NO:_____________________ TIN No. ___________________________

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

National Finance Center

P.O. Box 60000

New Orleans, LA 70160-0001

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH

ADDRESS IN OFFER

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

CHECKED SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

2015 Precommercial Thinning and Planting on the Soda Springs and Montpelier Ranger Districts, Caribou-Targhee National Forest

This requirement is being procured as a fixed-price

Simplified Acquisition.

PLEASE PLACE YOUR QUOTE IN SECTION I-

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

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

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _____

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

HEREIN.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________ OFFER

DATED _________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES

WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

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

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT)

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR

PRINT)

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 5/2011)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ___________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

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

REPRESENTATIVE

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

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT

VERIFIED CORRECT

FOR

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL

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

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

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

42.b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

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

Standard Form 1449 (REV. 5/2011) Back

SECTION I--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Tree Planting Soda Springs Ranger District

Caribou County

Precommercial Thinning Montpelier Ranger District

Bear Lake and Franklin Counties

I – 1 - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Base Items – Tree Planting and Precommercial Thinning

Item

Number Description Estimated

Quantity Unit of

Measure Unit

Price

Total

Amount

1 Grays Range Planting – Soda

Springs Ranger District

40 acres $ $

2 Dick’s Retreat PCT – Montpelier

Ranger District

44 acres $ $

3 Dry Basin PCT - Montpelier

Ranger District

56 acres $ $

Base Items Total $

ITEM 1 TREE PLANTING: This includes requirements for services to accomplish hoedad fill-in tree planting of

8,000 1 year old “plug stock” tree seedlings with hand scalping. Tree planting is the sole priority item and is dependent upon soil moisture. When a precipitation event occurs, or, is reasonably forecasted to occur, tree planting shall become the priority over any thinning operation within this contract.

ITEMS 2 & 3 PRECOMMERCIAL THINNING (PCT): This item is for the need for services to accomplish precommercial thinning (PCT) in plantations.

I – 2 - Quote on all items

Only quotes to the nearest cent will be accepted.

I – 3 – Idaho Use Tax

Under clause 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, Contractors shall be responsible for complying with any

Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes and regulations applicable to the performance of the work. Questions regarding assessment of Idaho Use Tax on Government Furnished Property should be directed to the Idaho

State Tax Commission at (208) 799-3491.

SECTION II - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

II- 1 – Background

Tree Planting - The planning areas are natural regeneration harvest units which have failed to reproduce in sufficient numbers within the 3 years following harvest to substantiate being certified as reforested. These harvest units were broadcast burned in the fall of 2008 following harvest. The silviculturalist has determined these areas are to be planted using 1 year old plug stock in the fall season and timed to coincide with a precipitation event to insure adequate soil moisture. The presence of sufficient soil moisture will be the determining factor as to when this planting will occur. When a precipitation event occurs, or, is reasonably forecasted to occur, tree planting shall become the priority over any thinning operation within this contract.

Precommercial Thinning (PCT) - Project areas are reforested timber harvest units: plantations. Reducing competition between trees through the deliberate selection of leave trees will improve the overall health and condition of the stand based on the prescribed objectives. Tree selection and cutting of undesirable or excess trees will provide space for the leave trees to grow and develop, reduce the incidence of insect and diseases that affect growth, and undesirable tree qualities. It is the objective of this contract to treat vegetation and decrease competition with residual trees.

II- 2 – Scope of Work

Tree Planting – It is the purpose of this contract to secure services for hand planting Government-furnished tree seedlings, plug stock 1-0. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary to plant trees in the areas specified.

All units shall be hand scalped down to bare mineral soil for an area of 24” x 24” and to a spacing standard of

11’ x 11’. Hoedads are the preferred tool of choice for this planting, but other commonly accepted forestry type planting tools will also be considered, so long as the Contractor can readily demonstrate the planted trees will meet inspection criteria and the Forest Service obtains the best value of tree planting as is possible.

PCT – It is the purpose of this contract to also secure services for precommercial thinning (PCT) of plantations, using chainsaws and hand labor. This includes furnishing labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, operating supplies (except those designated as Government – furnished) and incidentals to perform all work necessary to conduct tree thinning. Spacing standards are 11’ x 11’ with a 50% variation permitted to obtain the most desirable trees on the site.

II- 3 – Location or Delivery

The tree planting project area is located on the Soda Springs Ranger District and the PCT areas are located on the

Montpelier Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. See attached Project Maps for additional details.

II- 4 – Period of Performance

This project has a combined performance period (including all tree planting and PCT units awarded) of 60 days total, exclusive of federal holidays. September 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015 is the estimated period of contract performance.

Note: Tree planting shall be closely linked to a precipitation event to assure adequate soil moisture. When a precipitation event occurs, or, is reasonably forecasted to occur, tree planting shall become the priority over any thinning operation within this contract.

II- 5 – Government-Furnished Property

Tree Planting - Government-owned planting stock will be delivered to the Contractor by the Forest Service

(Service) at prearranged time(s) and location(s). Delivery will be to the most convenient roadside point near the planting areas which can be safely reached by a vehicle as determined by the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR). The Contractor shall be responsible for care of the tree stock and shall transport it from the roadside delivery point to the planting areas.

Tree seedlings planted under this solicitation require proper acclimatization prior to issuance to the Contractor.

The Contractor must inform the Government of the number of seedlings needed for the next day’s planting, at least 24 hours prior to the time of planting.

All trees considered as wasted will be charged to the Contractor at the rate of $0.55 each.

A project area map showing the tree planting units is part of this solicitation.

PCT – Thinning plot inspection form, Form R4-2400-4 (2-99), will be given to the Contractor at the Pre-work meeting, in sufficient quantities necessary to inspect the entire PCT portion of the Contract. In addition, sufficient amounts of flagging to use for marking inspection plot centers shall also be given over to the

Contractor at the Pre-work meeting.

II- 6 – Contractor Furnished Property and Services

Unless otherwise specified herein, the Contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, materials, and equipment necessary to perform the work as described as described.

II- 7 – Access To and Within the Project Areas

Full sized vehicle access is by seasonal roads with a native surface. These roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains or may become snow-blocked for the winter months once annual fall snows begin. Some units require the Contractor to walk into; access will be from the closest open road. All roads which access the project area(s) will be cleared of downfall initially by the Service, any subsequent tree removal from any roadway(s) shall be accomplished by the Contractor.

II- 8 – Boundaries of Project Areas

Unit boundaries shall be designated by using a combination of the following methods:

Flagging

Existing tree lines

Roads

II- 9 – Communications

The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer (CO) advised as to where the Contractor or Contractor’s

Representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension and periods of time without work.

Further, the Contractor shall maintain contact with the CO during periods of work suspension or periods of time without work.

II-10 – Definitions

Accessible- Road access to a unit. Unit will be considered accessible when road access is within ¼ mile of the unit.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density- The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in the contract.

Calendar Days- Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)- The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer.

The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting

Officer.

Contract Time – See period of performance.

Damage – Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumferenceof the tree.

Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics – Trees that are desirable to be a leave tree have the following characteristics:

Straight stem

Small branch diameter

Good coloration

Well-formed crown

Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms

Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

Crown ratio is 40% or larger

Characteristics of trees that are not desirable as a leave tree:

Multiple tops

Poor crown form

Crook or sweep in bole

Dead or broken tops

Poor coloration

Large branch diameter

Presence of insects or diseases

Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

Physical or mechanical damage

Suppressed

Poor annual growth

Sucker limbs

DBH – Diameter measured at breast height, 4.5 feet above the ground

Dominant Tree – Tree whose crown extends above the general level of the main canopy; or in some cases, a tree whose canopy is above the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above.

Excess Trees – Uncut trees, which according to the specifications, which should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, and stumps with live limbs.

Hang-Up Tree – Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Healthy Conifer – Trees that are growing well, exhibited by good leader growth, green foliage, and at least 40 percent crown ratio (ration of crown to overall tree length), has upright growth form, absence of forking or broken tops, absence of mortality causing diseases or insects in the terminal buds.

Leave trees – Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to requirements in the contract.

Trees that are of preferred species, free of insect or disease infection, or if it is present does not threaten the tree survival or growth, exhibits leader dominance and growth, exhibits little or no damage that affects tree survival or growth, and has crown ratio greater than 40 percent.

Leave trees per acre – The number of leave trees within one acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

Number of tree per plot X reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre, and

Total trees on all plots X reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre

Total number plots

Live limb – A limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Missing leave trees – Trees cut that should have been selected as a leave tree.

Minor damage – Trees with damage, however, the crooks in the trunk are offset less than 3 inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, or bark damage to less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree.

Trees with forks or broken tops are no considered to have minor damage.

Period of Performance (also Contract Time) - The number of consecutive calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of contract work.

Pruning – Severing of all limbs along bole of tree or shrub using a chainsaw or other hand saw to remove diseased infested branches or material that creates a fuel ladder to the remaining crowns.

Punji Stick – A sharply angled tree stump of the smaller diameter.

Quality Assurance – The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance

Plan (QASP).

Quality Control – Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the

Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Reserved Trees or Reserved Areas – Individual species of trees or certain areas within a treatment unit that the contract of COR designates are reserved from treatment.

Shrub or Brush – Vegetation consisting of woody perennial plant smaller than a tree, usually having permanent single or multiple stems originating at or near the ground level not normally reaching 20 feet in height.

Examples are manzanita, ceanothus, hazel, rhododendron, etc.

Slash – Any cut vegetation or existing natural (dead and down) woody debris.

Snag – A standing dead tree.

Spacing – The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree.

Average spacing is calculated form the leave trees per acre.

Stream Course – The area along a stream with riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment, which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. The contract will specify special treatments.

Spike – Sharp pointed limbs of living or dead vegetation.

Surplus Vegetation – Includes vegetation (conifers and hardwoods) greater than 1 foot tall and up to 6 inches

DBH; when not selected as leave trees, reserved, or needed to meet spacing requirements.

Thinning Slash – Debris created from work under this contract, including all cut trees and shrubs including the tops, trunks, and branches.

Unsatisfactory tree – Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy during contract inspection.

Cutting of a tree that fails to meet contract standards includes but is not limited to:

1. Cutting the wrong tree

2. Failing to cut the correct tree

3. Failing to completely sever a live limb

Walk-In Areas – Units indicated as ‘walk-in’ units cannot be driven to by vehicle.

Wildlife Trees – Standing dead or live trees left for nesting, feeding, perching and shelter for birds and mammals. Trees may be marked with paint or designated with a tag stating it is a wildlife tree or as identified by the COR.

II-11 – Technical Specifications

II-11.1 – Tree Planting

II-11.1.1-Tools and Planting

The Contractor’s planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

Scalping Tools: Scalping tools shall be similar to Hoedad or Hazel Hoe and capable of removing pine grass, sod, litter, elk sedge, and brush to bare mineral soil.

Planting Bags: Unless otherwise specified, planting bags shall be constructed of porous material and shall be of a light color, shall not retain water or heat, and shall be free of defects. Bags may have a shield of waterproof material attached to one exterior side to protect the planters from water seepage. Planting bags shall not be transported with or come in contact with any petroleum products.

Seedling Sizes: Seedlings are 1 year old Lodgepole pine plug stock.

II-11.1.2-Care of Trees

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings in his possession:

a. Tree seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances, such as petroleum products or petroleum product residues.

b. Trees stored in boxes, plastic baggies, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Containers of trees shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

c. Tree seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, or evidence of injury is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR.

d. Seedlings that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade.

II-11.1.3-Transportation

Special care in transporting shall be taken to ensure compliance with Care of Trees.

II-11.1.4-Stockpiles or Temporary Storage of Trees

All trees in Contractor’s possession not being carried by planters actively engaged in planting operations shall be stored to comply with the requirement of Care of Trees.

II-11.1.5-Field Handling of Trees

Trees in possession of planters shall be handled in accordance with the following:

a. Trees in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed. Burlap-wrapped trees shall have the wrapping loosened slightly to allow individual tree removal.

b. Trees shall not be removed from planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

c. Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole. Removal by the terminal bud is not permitted. Root systems shall not be twisted or otherwise manipulated before being planted.

d. Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occurs. This will be determined by the COR. Trees placed in bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage.

e. Trees furnished shall be planted by 10:00 am on the day following the calendar date of issuance, unless precluded by weather or other unsuitable planting conditions. If trees are not planted within this time frame and the Government determines that the trees are unplantable, they will be considered wasted trees, unless the Contractor can show that the trees could not be planted, for excusable reasons.

II-11.1.6-Tree Spacing and Planting Spot Selection Requirements

a. Contractor will space off of acceptable existing trees which can be: any sawtimber size trees.

Acceptable existing trees shall have good form and vigor, show no physical damage or disease and have a well-defined leader.

b. Planting units shall be planted at 11’x 11’ (11 foot by 11 foot) spacing

c. Average spacing shall be maintained for all units.

II-11.1.7- Planting Spot Selection

Wherever possible, within requirements set forth above, planting spots shall be where stumps, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to tree survival and growth.

II-11.1.8- Planting Spot Preparation

The Contractor shall clear the planting spots of all vegetation, limbs, logs, debris, ash, duff, snow, frost, bark, rotten wood, rocks, and root crowns to expose moist mineral soil and facilitate proper planting and growth of seedlings.

II-11.1.9- Hand Scalping

The minimum size of the scalp shall be 24” x 24”.

II-11.2 – Precommercial Thinning (PCT)

II-11.2.1-End Result Specifics

The end result is to increase tree vigor on trees which are free from disease and insects, which are spaced as closely to 11 x 11 foot spacing as is practical, while still selecting for the best overall trees to remain until the end of rotation. Windfirm trees will increase the options for regeneration treatments other than clearcutting at the end of rotation. The long-term objective is to maintain good crown development of at least 30 percent and to also establish root firmness.

II-11.2.2-Leave tree selection

The average spacing for leave trees is 11 feet. The spacing may be varied by up to 50% to select the best leave tree based upon the prescription and characteristics of desirable trees. Target stocking density is 360 trees/acre.

II-11.2.3-Species Preference

1. Douglas-fir

2. Engelmann spruce

3. Lodgepole pine

4. Subalpine fir. Subalpine fir shall be discriminated against whenever and wherever possible when spacing and availability of other suitable leave trees permits.

II-11.2.4-Aspen

All aspen trees are to be ignored and left uncut. These trees will not be counted in the acceptable stocking density per acre determination.

II-11.2.5-Characteristics of desirable trees

Trees that have the best form and vigor, straight stem, good condition, well-formed crown, free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms, vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in the last 1 to 3 years), crown class of dominate or co-dominate, crown ration is 40% or larger.

II-11.2.6-Minimum tree height to cut

Trees less than 1 foot in height are not included in the acceptable leave trees per acre determination. Cut trees greater than 1 foot in height.

II-11.2.7-Maximum cut tree diameter

Do not cut any trees greater than 6 inches at DBH. Trees over 6 inches DBH will be considered in the leave tree spacing and acceptable trees per acre determination as long as the trees are healthy.

II-11.2.8-Maximum stump height

Maximum stump height cannot exceed 8 inches. As a safety measure, no sharply angled stumps or “Punji sticks” can be created. Stumps shall be parallel with the ground surface.

II-11.2.9-Insect, Disease and Animal Damage

Diseases present are primarily mistletoe and western gall rust. Damage includes removal of bark, bent main-stems and dead or damaged terminal leaders. Cut all trees with damage or disease unless no undamaged or undiseased tree exists within the allowable stocking density. If no healthy trees are present, leave a tree with the lowest levels of damage or disease.

Use the following order and criteria to determine the selection of leave trees when no trees without disease exist within the spacing guidelines.

1. Do not leave trees with mistletoe or gall rust infections in their boles.

2. Do not leave trees with terminal weevil damage.

3. Do not leave trees with mechanical or animal damage on greater than 50% of their bole and/or crown.

4. Do not leave trees with severe bends in the main stem (greater than 45 degrees).

II-11.2.10-Slash Treatment

All thinning slash shall be placed within 3 feet of the ground surface. Cut material shall not lean against a leave tree.

Slash treatment shall be concurrent and progressive with the thinning. The contractor shall not move onto a new unit without completion of slash treatment.

All trails indicated on the project maps and all open roads (as defined by the COR) within or adjacent to the unit shall be kept free of slash at all times.

The following improvements and developments shall be free from slash created by the tasks in this contract:

The area adjacent to cut and fill slopes, and ditches for a distance of three feet measured from the upper cut slope and the lower shoulder of the road. Material shall be less than 6 feet I length to prevent barriers along roads.

Around any culverts for a distance of 15 feet.

Improvements such as unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, power lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners. Do not fall any trees, which may fall on power lines.

Reservoirs or stream courses.

SECTION III – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

III- 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

III- 2 - Addendum to 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (OCT 2008) (a)

Inspection/Acceptance:

III- 2.1 - Tree Planting

The Government will inspect all tree planting to determine compliance with specifications and to provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of observations of tree handling, site preparation (scalping), planting procedures, and examination of individual planted trees on sample plots. The sample plots will be taken from throughout the payment item to obtain a representative sample of the work.

Each pay item will be inspected separately and inspection results on one pay item will not be averaged with those of other pay items.

Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract. The Contractor or a designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway.

Trees that are handled in a manner inconsistent with these specifications will be declared "wasted" trees, and may be cause for default termination and assessment of damages against the Contractor.

III- 2.1.1 - Planting Quality. Planting procedures will be observed and planted seedlings on representative sample plots will be examined to assure and measure compliance with specifications. Specific items include:

A. Above Ground Inspection Symbols used on inspection sheet to denote an unsatisfactory condition

1. Spacing S

2. Planting spot selection P

3. Site preparation X

4. Tree location on spot T

5. Planting depth and exposed roots D (h=high, d=deep)

6. Stem position or damage A

7. Firmness F

8. Auxiliary hole left open H

9. Shading SH

B. Below Ground Inspection Symbols used on inspection sheet

1. Planting hole orientation O

2. Root configuration and orientation R

3. Altered root length and damage L

4. "Foreign" material in planting hole M http://www.arnet.gov/far

5. Loose soil or air pockets F

Satisfactory above and below ground uses a symbol of the checkmark.

III- 2.1.2 - Plot Procedure

Sample plots will be examined as follows:

The inspector will mark, on the ground, a series of 1/50th (16.65 ft. plot radius) acre plots, as specified in the attachments, sufficient in number to yield at least a 1 percent sample of the contract acreage. Plots will be randomly distributed over the entire planted acreage. When indicated on the Schedule, units will be combined for the purpose of inspection and payment. Inspection within each plot will be done as follows:

a. Locate and mark the plot center on the ground.

b. Determine from Table 1 the average number of planting spots for the plot based on the specified average spacing unless sites are pre-scalped (see Additional Information). From this number, subtract the number of acceptable existing trees and the number of un-plantable spots. Record the difference as the number of plantable spots on which trees should be planted.

Table 1

AVERAGE SPACING AVERAGE PLANING SPOTS ON 1/50th ACRE

PLOTS

11’ X 11’ 7

c. Determine and record the maximum number of allowable trees from Table 2.

Table 2

PLANTABLE SPOTS MAXIMUM TREES

1 1

2 2

d. Record the number of trees planted on the plot.

e. Determine and record the number of wasted trees on the plot. This will be the number of trees determined by subtracting the maximum number of allowable trees from the number of planted trees, but not less than zero.

f. Inspect and record the number of planted trees meeting the above-ground contract specifications.

The maximum number of satisfactory trees to be credited shall not exceed that shown in Table 2.

g. Determine and dig the minimum number of trees from those determined satisfactory above-ground as shown in Table 3. All planting quality inspections will be performed by the Forest Service representatives assigned to this project. Project Inspector Designation forms

Table 3

NUMBER OF SATISFACTORY (ABOVE

GROUND) PLANTED TREES ON PLOT

MINIMUM NUMBER TO BE DUG

1/50 ACRE PLOT

1 1

3-7

h. The trees will be dug starting with those closest to the plot center and progressing outwards.

i. Record the number of trees meeting below-ground contract specifications.

j. Compute the planting quality by the following formula: (See Exhibit D – Planting Inspection sheet).

(Sum of Column 9 divided by Sum of Column 5) multiplied by

(Sum of Column 11 divided by Sum of Column 10) multiplied by

100 equals __________ percent planting quality or

(C9/C5) x (C11/C10) x 100 = _____ % Planting Quality

Percentage of planting quality as calculated above will be rounded up to the nearest whole percent. Upon completion of each pay item, the Contractor may request, in writing, a final evaluation of planting. The evaluation results for the pay item will be made available within 3 days of receipt of the Contractor's request.

Average planting spots and maximum number of satisfactory trees shown in Tables 1 and 2 have been rounded to the nearest whole number and it is mutually understood and agreed that these figures will be used for determining planting quality even though they are not precisely correct from a mathematical standpoint.

III- 2.1.1 - Re-inspection upon Contractor's Request. If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the

Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested. Requests for re-inspection must be made in writing within 5 days after receipt of notice of initial inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used but new plots will be selected. The inspection pattern will be shifted so new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots.

a. Inspection Results Used to Determine Payment. The inspection results of the first examination will be used in determining payment and acceptability if re-inspection results are within 5 percent of the first inspection. If re-inspection indicates a variance of more than 5 percent from the first inspection, the results of the second inspection rounded up to the nearest whole percent will be used.

b. Payment for Re-inspection by Contractor. If the results of the re-inspection rounded to the nearest whole percent are within 5 percentage points of the previous inspection, the Contractor shall pay the actual costs of the re-inspection.

A claim under this clause shall not be allowed (1) for any costs incurred more than 20 days before the

Contractor shall have notified the Contracting Officer in writing of the act or failure to act involved, and (2) unless the claim, in an amount stated, is asserted in writing as soon as practicable after the termination of the delay or interruption, but not later than the day of final payment under the contract.

III- 2.2 – Precommercial Thinning

III-2.2.1 - Quality Control

The Contractor shall inspect the work they have completed in a timely and consistent manner. Contractor shall use form R4-2400-4 (2/99).

The Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of work and which represents the entire area treated. Slash treatment shall be inspected with thinning. The Contractor shall sample at least

1-percent of the treated area, with a minimum of 5 plots per treatment unit. The Government may observe and shall re-inspect the Contractor’s plots at any time.

III-2.2.2 - Plot Inspections – The plot size to be used by the Contractor during inspection shall be 1/50 acre, a

16.65 foot radius, at a rate of, at least, 1% of the treated area , with a minimum of 5 plots/treatment unit

The Contractor shall mark and identify each inspection plot on the ground.

The Contractor shall provide written inspection data by treatment unit that meets contract requirements.

Inspection forms for the required work will be supplied by the Government in sufficient numbers to fully inspect all items.

All Contractor inspection records shall be provided to the Government based on the schedule proposed by the

Contractor and agreed to by the COR. The person who conducted the Contractor’s inspection shall sign and date each sheet and certify that the inspection records are complete and accurate.

The following calculation will be used to determine Tree Thinning Quality:

All computations will be carried to at least to one thousandths (.000) and the final percentage of thinning quality as calculated above will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Trees in excess of the maximum number of acceptable trees will be considered unsatisfactorily selected trees

(Category B). Thinning quality will reflect the deductions for improperly selected or cut trees and improper treatment.

Quality = 1- Improper Cut or selected trees “Cat A” + Excess Trees “Cat B” X 100

Percent Satisfactory Trees left (S1, S2) up to maximum + Non-stocked spots (N1,N2)

The following calculation will be used to determine the trees per acre of Category C deficiencies on the unit:

Cat C trees per acre = Total Category C on plots x Reciprocal plot size

Number of plots

III-2.2.3 - Acceptance and Rework

The Contractor’s quality control inspections for services performed will be considered acceptable when they are within 5 percent of the Government quality assurance results. When the Contractor’s verified inspection results are below the performance standard of 90 percent quality and Category B deficiencies (excess trees) contribute to the low quality, acceptance and payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected unless the

Contracting Officer determines excess tree deficiency to be minor or an isolated situation that will not result in any material differences in the total number of trees to be left.

When the total number of Category C deficiencies exceed 5 percent of maximum stocking density or a specified number of trees, based on the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, acceptance and payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected unless the COR determines the deficiencies to be minor in nature.

The Contractor’s quality control inspections for services performed for each task order will be considered acceptable when they are within 5 percent of the Government quality assurance results.

The Contractor’s quality control will be deemed unacceptable when the Contractor inspection is not within 5 percent of the Government’s quality assurance results at the completion of a unit. When the Contractor’s quality control is unacceptable, payment for the unit will be based on the results of the Government’s quality assurance.

If the Government’s results are objectionable to the Contractor, the Contractor may request a re-examination in writing, within 5 calendar days after receipt of the Government’s quality assurance results. The request shall include documentation that supports that the probability of an error exists. The Government’s re-examination will consist of a 2-percent sample utilizing the same inspection method as the original examination, but new plots will be selected with different plot centers than the plots previously inspected by the Government. If the results of the re-examination are within 5 percent of the Contractor’s submitted quality control results, the

Contractor’s results will be considered acceptable and used for pay. If results of the re-examination exceed 5 percent of the Contractor’s submitted quality control results, the Government’s re-examination will be used for the basis of pay and the Contractor will be assessed the costs incurred by the Government that are directly related to the performance of such service.

III-2.2.4 - Slash treatment

Acceptance will be determined based on the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the

Government monitoring and will be based on adherence to the specifications of nothing higher than 3 feet above ground level with no “hang-up trees”. Noncompliance with any of the specifications will classify the treatment as unsatisfactory and rework will be required to bring the treatment up to specification standards.

III- 3 - Acceptance

Acceptance will be determined based on compliance with the contract specifications. Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work.

III- 4 - Rework

If the initial work is unacceptable to the Government, the Contractor may re-work the area if deficiencies can be corrected. The Government will assess the re-work after receiving the Contractor’s inspection records which reflect that all work meets specification standards.

The Government will assess the Contractor’s actual costs of conducting the additional quality assurance after rework. The Contractor may be assessed actual damages which may include, but is not limited to: wages of the

COR and Government inspector(s), costs of vehicles, meals, and lodging that are incurred during the additional quality assurance.

III- 5 - Work Completed After the Performance Period

Whenever the Contractor fails to complete work within the performance period, and is allowed to work beyond that period, the Contractor will be assessed actual damages. Items to be included in the actual damage includes, but is not limited to: wages of the COR and Government inspector(s) for quality assurance after the performance period, costs of vehicles, meals, and lodging that are incurred while administering the contract after the performance period.

SECTION IV – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

IV- 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

FAR 52.242-14 SUSPENSION OF WORK (APR 1984) incorporated by reference

IV- 2 - Contract Performance Time and Required Rate of Progress

The Contractor shall maintain work progress at a rate that will assure completion within the performance period. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each item by performance time specified.

IV- 3 - Contract Time

(See Period of Performance definition). The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to

Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the stated contract time. The contract time specified in each Task Order will generally not exceed a required rate of progress exceeding that determined from the accepted work plan.

The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed, as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work on one or more of the areas. Contract time will start (1) on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed, if the notice is hand-delivered; Or (2) on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the

Contractor; Or (3) when thinning and/or other work commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick-up Certified Mail will not be considered excusable.

IV- 4 - Unfavorable Conditions

Adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specification during the period October to December. When such conditions make work impracticable, or if wind or other conditions create extreme conditions that are unsafe for contract work, and with written request by the

Contractor, the Contracting Officer may suspend work with no charge against contract time. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm that order in writing. The count of contract time will resume on the day indicated by the Contracting Officer. If the

Contractor cannot be reached at the phone number provided or the Contractor fails to contact the Contracting

Officer (per Section I) a written Resume Work Order will be mailed and count of contract time will resume on the date specified in the order.

IV- 5 - FAR 52.236-6 Superintenance by the Contractor (APR 1984).

At all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor.

http://www.arnet.gov/far

SECTION V – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

V- 1 - Measurement

The area to be treated will be stated in the task order. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane within the established boundaries. Boundaries are marked as indicated in the task order.

V- 2 - Re-Measurement

The Contractor may at any time after award request re-measurement of any Item. The request must be in writing within 10 days after completion of a unit or pay item. The Government’s re-measurement of the Item will be made within established boundaries.

V-2.1 If re-measurement indicates a variance of 5 percent or less in the acreage stated in the task order, there will be no adjustment in acres and the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement.

V-2.2 If re-measurement results in a variance greater than 5 percent in the acreage stated in the task order, payment shall be based on the re-measured acreage and the Government shall pay for the re-measurement.

V- 3 - Method of Calculating Payment

V- 3.1 - The Contractor’s Quality Control

For each completed unit, the Contractor’s quality control inspection percentage for tree thinning, pruning, girdling, and slash treatments will be compared to the Government’s assessment results. If the results differ by 5 percent or less, the Contractor’s inspection will be considered acceptable and the Contractor’s quality percentage will be used as the basis for payment. When the results differ by more than 5 percent, the Government’s inspection percentage will be used as the basis for payment as per III- 3.1. Note that payment for thinning quality will only be made when Category C deficiencies are below the maximum levels described in III- 3.1.

V- 3.2 - Payment Calculation

Payment less damages will be based on the following methods.

V- 3.2.1 Quality at fully acceptable performance- meets or exceeds 90 percent. Whenever the quality of work meets or exceeds 90 percent, based on the results of the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, the work will be acceptable, an incentive payment will be made that provides payment at the unit price for the Item.

Payment Example: With a unit price of $100 and a unit size of 40 acres, the bid price would be

$4,000. If the Contractor’s work quality is 95 percent, payment would be $4,000.

V- 3.2.2 Quality at unacceptable performance level, less than 90 percent. Whenever the quality of work is below 90 percent based on the results of the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, the work is unacceptable and the value of services provided is significantly reduced. Therefore, a deduction will be made for unacceptable performance. For each percentage point that performance quality falls below 90 percent, a 2 percent deduction in unit price will be made. No payment will be made where quality of work is below 80 percent.

Payment Example: With a thinning quality of 85 percent, the deduction would be: 10 percent for quality 85 to 89 percent (5 x 2%) resulting in the Contractor receiving 90 percent of the bid price.

With a unit price of $100 per acre and a unit size of 40 acres, the bid price would be $4,000. At 85 percent thinning quality, payment would be: $100 x 90% x 40 acres = $3,600.

Payment Example: With a thinning quality of 70 percent, the deduction would be: 40 percent for quality 70 to 89 percent (20 x 2%) resulting in the Contractor receiving 60 percent of bid price.

With a unit price of $100 per acre and a unit size of 40 acres, the bid price would be $4,000. At 70 percent thinning quality, payment would be: $100 x 60% x 40 acres = $2,400.

V- 3.3 - Unacceptable Work

V- 3.3.1 Any unit, with quality less than 90 percent, is considered unacceptable and may be rejected. For these areas the Government may (i) accept the work at a reduced price (ii) require the area to be re-worked at no additional expense to the Government, or (iii) reject the work in its entirety. If the quality is unacceptable, the Contractor's right to proceed is subject to immediate termination for default.

V- 3.3.2 When work quality falls below 90 percent in areas of 1 acre or larger and the quality of work can be corrected, the Government may require the area to be reworked. If the Government does not require the area to be reworked or the quality remains below 80 percent, the area may be separated from the item and payment made in accordance with V- 3.2.2.

V- 3.3.3 Category C deficiencies that exceed the maximum allowance stated in Section III will be considered unacceptable and payment for the unit will not be made until corrections are made consistent with

Section E.3.1.2.

V- 3.3.4 The Government will document unacceptable work quality in its performance assessment.

SECTION VI – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

VI- 1 - KEY PERSONNEL

VI- 1.1 The Contractor shall assign to this contract the key personnel identified in their technical proposal and that list may include the following:

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE

FOREMAN/WOMAN

INSPECTOR

VI- 1.2 The Contractor shall make no…