SolicitationStandExams2016.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

2. CONTRACT NO.

3.AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

AG-02RC-S-16-0025

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

03/01/2016

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL

a. NAME

Marion Daniel, Contracting Officer

Clare Brick, Technical Contact

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

208-765-7282

208-963-4208

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

03/10/2016

4:00 p.m.

9. ISSUED BY CODE | 02RC

USDA Forest Service

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

[ ] UNRESTRICTED

[ X ] SET ASIDE 100 % FOR

[ ] EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR

FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

[ ] SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

Idaho Panhandle National Forests [ X ] SMALL BUSINESS [ ] 13A. THIS CONTRACT IS RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700

3815 Schreiber Way

Coeur d Alene ID 83815

[ ] HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS

[ ] SERVICE DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

[ ]8(A)

13B. RATING

NAICS: 115310

SIZE STANDARD: $7.5 Million

14. METHOD OF SOLICATION

[ X]RFQ [ ] IFB [ ] RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE 02RC

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

3815 Schreiber Way FAX 208 765-7229

Coeur d Alene ID 83815 17a. CONTRACTOR/ OFFEROR

ADDRESS

CODE FACILITY

CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE IPP

DUNS: _____________________________________________

EMAIL: _____________________________________________

PHONE:

Invoice Processing Platform (IPP)

All invoices must be submitted electronically through the

Invoice Processing Platform via www.ipp.gov.

17b CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH

ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUMBIT 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

STAND EXAMS 2016

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Selway, Palouse, & Salmon River Ranger Districts

Insert pricing in the Schedule of Items on Page 2

Submission Instructions on Page 24

Offerors MUST have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) via www.sam.gov upon due date of solicitation to be eligible for award.

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

[X ] 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5. [ X ] 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 [X]28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 1 Copy

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: REFERENCE _ OFFER

DATED . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH A11

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Signature Of Contracting Officer)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE STANDARD FORM 1449 (Rev. 3/2005) Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48CFR 53.212 http://www.ipp.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 2 of 35

Continuation of SF-1449, Block 19-24

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

STAND EXAMS 2016

Selway, Palouse, and Salmon River Ranger Districts

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION

UNIT

QTY

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

Horse Creek CSE, Selway RD

Plot

White Pine CSE, Palouse RD

Race Cow CSE, Salmon River RD

Center Johnson CSE, Salmon River RD

TOTAL PRICE FOR ANY/ALL ITEMS $ ________________

Award will be made by Item. The Government may make a single or multiple awards under this solicitation.

Offerors may quote on any or all items and limit the total amount of work they could accept. If quoting on multiple items, offerors shall identify the priority of the items that they would prefer and the maximum amount of work that may be undertaken.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 3 of 35

CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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 these addresses:

Federal Acquisition Regulations https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

Agriculture Acquisition Regulations www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (MAY 2015)

FAR 52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

FAR 52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989)

FAR 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 2012)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (DEC 2013)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment

Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

Approval of Subcontracting: The Contractor shall request approval from the Contracting Officer prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement. The subcontractor shall have the experience and be equipped for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum: 1) the name, address and telephone number of the subcontractor; and 2) the date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration.

AGAR 452.236-73 Archaeological or Historical Sites. (FEB 1988) If a previously unidentified archaeological or historic site(s) is encountered, the Contractor shall discontinue work in the general area of the site(s) and immediately notify the Contracting Officer.

AGAR 452.237-74 Key Personnel. (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: (to be addressed in attached

Experience Questionnaire).

(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.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 4 of 35

AGAR 452.209 – 71 Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate

Applicants (FEB 2012) Alternate I (FEB 2012)

(a) This award is subject to the provisions contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. No. 112-

74), Division E, Sections 433 and 434 regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. Accordingly, by accepting this award the contractor acknowledges that it –

(1) does not have a tax delinquency, meaning that it is not subject to any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, and

(2) has not been convicted (or had an officer or agent acting on its behalf convicted) of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within 24 months preceding the award, unless a suspending and debarring official of the United States Department of Agriculture has considered suspension or debarment of the awardee, or such officer or agent, based on these convictions and/or tax delinquencies and determined that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

(b) If the awardee fails to comply with these provisions, the Forest Service may terminate this contract for default and may recover any funds the awardee has received in violation of sections 433 or 434.

AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of Contract. (FEB 1988) The effective period of this contract is from the date of Notice to Proceed through October 15, 2016. The estimated start date is May 23, 2016.

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 and time to be determined.

AGAR 452.236-72 Use of Premises. (NOV 1996)

(a) Before any camp, quarry, borrow pit, storage, detour, or bypass site, other than shown on the drawings, is opened or operated on USDA land or lands administered by the USDA, the Contractor shall obtain written permission from the Contracting Officer. A camp is interpreted to include a campsite or trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for the Contractor.

(b) Unless excepted elsewhere in the contract, the Contractor shall (i) provide and maintain sanitation facilities for the work force at the site and (ii) dispose of solid waste in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations.

ADDENDA TO FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items. (MAY 2015)

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Background: The purpose of this contract is to provide plot inventory and stand examination data. It involves locating and establishing plots, measuring and recording trees, habitat types, and fuels data. Some plots will require vegetation data to be collected. The stand examination data provides information to help guide land manager’s decisions.

Scope of Contract: The scope of this contract is to furnish all labor, tools, equipment, transportation, and incidentals necessary to conduct reliable timber stand examinations. The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation and the current version of the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for Region 1. The Contractor’s electronic data shall successfully transmit to the U.S.F.S. FSVEG System using the computer equipment on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National

Forest.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 5 of 35

Project Location:

(a) The projects are located on the Selway, Palouse and Salmon River Ranger Districts of the Nez Perce-

Clearwater National Forest, with headquarters at 903 3rd Street, Kamiah, Idaho. The general project work area locations is shown on the attached vicinity maps. See Appendix B.

(b) Individual stand locations will be delineated on Contract Stand Maps and will be provided to the contractor after award.

Project Access:

(a) The project area shall be accessed by Forest roads during the normal operating season which is May through

October. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open.

Stands are accessible by some combination of 2- or 4-wheel drive vehicle, and foot travel.

(b) The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Road and Trail Access Guide provides specific road closure dates and locations. All motorized travel by the Contractor shall adhere to the date and location restrictions specified in the The Nez Perce National Forest Road and Trail Access Guide.

Physical Data: Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the Contractor’s information. The

Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor.

(a) The indications of physical conditions on the plans and in the specifications are the result of site investigations by Forest Service specialists making physical determination based on surface observations.

(b) Weather Conditions. Normal snow conditions indicate a work season from approximately June 1 to October

31.

(c) Transportation. Roads are closed by snow in late fall and winter months. Access to the project is from the junction of Highway 13, a paved two lane state highway open year around. Sally Ann Road is a paved two lane county road. County Road 284 is a one and a half to two lane gravel road, and Forest Road 1106 is a one lane native surface road with turnouts.

(d) Access roads and roads to be decommissioned may be overgrown and need to be cleared to gain access before use. Contractor is responsible for clearing and maintaining access roads during the project.

Fire Control:

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest

Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place the employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 6 of 35

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to the Contractor’s operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(5) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(6) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(7) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 7 of 35

Scope of Work:

(a) Work shall consist of locating, establishing, measuring, and recording data for sample plots in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, services, and facilities necessary for the stand examination project and performance of the tasks described below.

(b) Each task is broken down by:

Task Number and a general description of that task.

Subtask Number and more detailed information on the specific task.

Task 1. Plot Location

Subtask 1.1. Plot Location Procedure.

1.1.1. The Contractor shall locate plots within stands using GPS coordinates provided by the Government.

(Appendix B).

1.1.2. The Contractor shall use flagging to facilitate the location of plot center. The Contracting Officer's

Representative and Contractor will jointly select the flagging color to be used. Flagging shall be at least 12 inches long after tying.

Actual plot location shall be offset 1 chain at perpendicular from any road listed on the Road Access Map.

Subtask 1.2. Plot Establishment Procedure.

1.2.1. The Contractor shall identify plot center with flagging attached to a stick that shall extend a minimum of 12 inches above the ground surface and the stick shall be firmly anchored into the ground. The plot number shall be marked on the flagging with a waterproof marker. The plot center is defined as that point where the stake enters the ground. This point or plum-line extension of this point shall be used for all distance measurements.

1.2.2. Two pieces of flagging shall be hung adjacent to plot center, and shall be at least 5 feet above the ground surface, and 12 inches long. Write the stand (setting) and plot numbers on the flagging with a grease pencil or waterproof marker.

Subtask 1.3. Plot Acquisition Procedure Using Global Positioning System (GPS).

1.3.1. The Contractor shall set up the GPS receiver and software as referenced below:

a. The Contractor shall provide a GPS receiver that has the ability to obtain the stated accuracy standard of ± 15 meters in the horizontal dimension.

b. All GPS data shall be collected using geographic coordinate system Latitude/Longitude, and Geodetic

Datum NAD83.

c. The latitude and longitude of established plot center will be entered into the plot data form.

Task 2. Data Collection

Common Stand Exam (CSE): The Contractor shall measure and record data for each sample plot to complete the Setting Form, Plot Form, Tree Data Form, Vegetation Composition Form, and Ground Surface Cover Form in accordance with the current version of the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1 and this contract. If the contract specifications differ from the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1, the contract shall take precedence.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 8 of 35

Subtask 2.1. Setting Data.

2.1.1. The Contractor shall complete one Setting Form for each setting (stand) in accordance with the

Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1. An X in the table below indicates required fields that are to be completed by the Contractor. All other fields shall not be collected.

Setting Data Form

Field Number Field Name Intensive Plot Data Source

1 Project Name X Government

2 Proclaimed Region X Government

3 Proclaimed National Forest X Government

4 District X Government

5 Location X Government

6 Stand Number X Government

7 Ownership X Government

8 State X Government

9 County X Government

10 Administrative Forest X Government

11 Date X Contractor

12 Photo ID

13 Examination Level X Government

14 Exam Purpose X Government

15 Stratum

16 Existing Vegetation Reference X Government

17 Existing Vegetation Cover Type X Contractor

18 Potential Vegetation Reference X Government

19 Potential Vegetation X Contractor

20 Structure

21 Capable Growing Area X Contractor

22 Fuel Model

23 Elevation X Contractor

24 Aspect X Contractor

25 Slope X Contractor

26 Slope Position

27 Acres X Contractor

28 Examiner X Contractor

29 Precision Protocol X Government

30 Radial Growth Interval X Government

31 Radial Growth Interval #2

32 Height Growth Interval X Government

33 Fuel Photo Reference X Government

34 Setting User Code

35 Setting Remarks

36 Setting Damage Category

37 Setting Damage Agent

38 Setting Damage Severity

39 Species of Management Interest

40 Sketch Map and Traverse Notes

2.1.2. Field 1, Project Names:

Item 1 – Horse Creek CSE

Item 2 – White Pine CSE

Item 3 – Race Cow CSE

Item 4 – Center Johnson CSE

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 9 of 35

2.1.3. Field 13, Examination Level: The exam level for each item is listed on the stand/plot tables

Subtask 2.2. Sample Design.

2.2.1. The Contractor shall use the following base Sample Design. This example applies directly to Items 3 and 4. Items 1 & 2 will not have Vegetation Composition or Ground Surface Cover collected.

Sample Design Form

Form

Type

Selection

Method

Expansion

Factor Azm

Subpop.

Filter

Selection

Criteria #

Subpop.

Variable

Subpop.

Min.

Subpop.

Max.

TREE BAF 10/20/30/40 ALL 1 DBH 5.00 999.99

TREE FRQ 300 LIVE 2 DBH .10 4.99

OR LIVE 3 HGT .50 4.49

VEGCOV FRQ 100 LIVE 4 CVR 1.00 100.00

2.2.2. For each setting, the Contractor shall select an appropriate BAF to achieve 4 - 8 trees per variable plot.

The Contractor shall record the BAF used for a stand on the sample design form. The BAF for this contract can be 10, 20, 30 or 40, unless otherwise agreed upon by COR and examiner.

Subtask 2.3. Plot Data.

2.3.1. The Contractor shall collect plot data in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1.

An X in the table below indicates a required field. All other fields shall not be collected.

Plot Data Form

Field

Number Field Name Intensive Plot Data Source

1 Plot Number X Contractor

2.1 Plot Latitude X Contractor

2.2 Plot Longitude X Contractor

3 Plot Capable Growing Area X Contractor

4 Plot Aspect X Contractor

5 Plot Slope X Contractor

6 Slope Position

7 Slope Horizontal Shape

8 Slope Vertical Shape

9 Plot Elevation X Contractor

10 Plot Existing Vegetation X Contractor

11 Plot Potential Vegetation X Contractor

12 Fuel Model

13 Residual Descriptive Code

14 Distance To Seed Wall

15 Plot User Code

16 Plot History

17 Plot History Date

18 Plot Remarks If applicable Contractor

2.3.2. Plot Capable Growing Area is used to indicate a non-stockable plot within the extent of the large and small tree plot. If the plot is non-stockable, record 0.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 10 of 35

2.3.3. Plot Potential Vegetation (Habitat Type): Habitat types shall be identified for each plot in accordance with instructions and descriptions in Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho: A Second

Approximation.

a. A 1/10-acre plot (37.2 feet plot radius) shall be used where the circular plot radius is corrected for slope.

b. In a case where some indicators are present on the 1/10-acre plot, and other indicators are present in the area immediately adjacent to the plot, the actual habitat type shall be determined using this consideration.

For example, when understory union indicators are present on the 1/10-acre plot, and the indicated tree series is not present on the plot but is identified in the area immediately adjacent to the plot, the actual habitat type shall be determined using this consideration, accounting for similar site conditions

(topography, etc).

Subtask 2.4. Tree Data.

2.4.1. The Contractor shall collect and record Live Tree Data in accordance with the Common Stand Exam

Field Guide for R1. An X in the table below indicates a required field. All other fields shall not be collected.

Tree Data Form

Field Name Intensive Plot Data Source

1 Plot Number X Contractor

2 Tag ID X Contractor

83 Tree Status X Contractor

4 Tree Class X Contractor

5 GST/Site Trees X Contractor

6 Tree Species X Contractor

7 Tree Count X Contractor

9 DBH X Contractor

10 Height

GST, all trees < 4.5 ft., trees with broken tops

Contractor

11 Height To Crown

12 Radial Growth GST only ≥ 3” Contractor

13 Radial Growth #2

14 Height Growth GST only < 3” Contractor

15 Tree Age GST only Contractor

16 Crown Ratio X Contractor

17 Crown Class X Contractor

18 Crown Width

19 Wildlife Use X Contractor

20 Snag Decay X Contractor

21 Cone Serotiny

22 Tree Damage Category X Contractor

23 Tree Damage Agent X Contractor

24 Tree Damage Part

25 Tree Damage Severity X Contractor

26 Tree Remarks If applicable Contractor

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 11 of 35

2.4.2. Variable-Radius Live and Dead Tree Plot: The Contractor shall select and use a basal area factor

(BAF) that will result in 4 - 8 live trees per plot on the variable plot for each stand. Tally all live and dead trees 5 inches DBH.

a. If a 10 BAF does not provide the required 4 - 8 trees per variable plot, the Contractor will not be required to use a lower BAF.

b. Heights on dead trees (snags) with broken tops can be estimated.

2.4.3. 1/300-Acre Fixed-Radius LiveTree Plot: Tally all trees less than 5 inches DBH that fall within the

1/300-acre fixed plot (6.8 feet radius from plot center).

a. Any trees less than 0.5 feet in height shall not be included.

b. Any tree with > 45% lean shall not be included

2.4.4. Field 26, Tree Remarks: An underscore ( _ ) shall be used to separate remarks. Do not use commas to separate remarks.

Estimated Age – if a Growth Sample Tree needs to have age estimated due to heart rot, record AE1 as the first entry in Tree Remarks, on the first line for each plot.

Subtask 2.5. Vegetation Composition Data.

2.5.1. If required, the Contractor shall use a 1/100-acre plot (11.8 feet radius) to collect ocular estimates of plant life. Record vegetation data on the Vegetation Composition Form according to the Common Stand Exam

Field Guide for R1, as required by Cover by Lifeform (Form 1). An X in the table below indicates a required field. All other fields shall not be collected.

Vegetation Composition - Form 1

Field Name Quick Plot Data Source

1 Plot Number X Contractor

2 Life Form X Contractor

3 Layer Code X Contractor

4 Cover% X Contractor

5 Predominant Height

6 Predominant DBH

7 User-Defined Data

8 Remarks If applicable Contractor

Subtask 2.6. Down Woody Fuel Data.

For Items 1-2:

The Contractor shall use photo reference guide General Technical Reports INT-96 or INT-98 Photo Guides For

Appraising Downed Woody Fuels in Montana Forests. The fuel loading shall be entered in the Down-Woody

Form and recorded in tons per acre and volume by size class. The tons per acre and volume shall be determined by fuel photo guides.

For Items 3-4: The Contractor shall record down woody material for all exams requiring Brown’s Transect information according to the following chart and in accordance with Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1.

An X in the table below indicates a required field. . All other fields shall not be collected.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 12 of 35

Down-Woody Form – Brown’s Protocals

Field Name Exam Level 2 Data Source

7.1 Plot Number X Contractor

7.2 First Duff X Contractor

7.3 Second Duff X Contractor

7.4 Fuel Depth X Contractor

7.5 Twig 1 X Contractor

7.6 Twig 2 X Contractor

7.7 Twig 3 X Contractor

7.8 Piece Count X Contractor

7.9 Log Decay Class X Contractor

7.10 Diameter X Contractor

7.11 Piece Length X Contractor

7.12 Small End Diameter X Contractor

7.13 Large End Diagmeter X Contractor

First Duff and Second Duff: Record duff in accordance with Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1. For even-numbered plots, orient transects at azimuth of 0 degrees (360) from plot center (at 1 foot and then 6 feet respectively from plot center). For odd-number plots, orient transect at azimuth of 90 degrees from plot center

(at 1 foot and 6 feet, respectively from plot center). Measure in tenths of inches as 12/10ths = 1.2.

Down Woody Material Transect: Down Woody Material shall be measured following Browns Protocol

Method procedures outlined in Appendix S, Down Woody Materidal procedures of the Common Stand Exam

Field Guide for R1. For even-numbered plots, orient transects at azimuth of 0 degrees (360) from plot center.

For odd-number plots, orient transect at azimuth of 90 degrees from plot center. The transect length shall be

7 feet for tallied twigs with a diameter < 2.9 inches and 50 feet for down woody material that is > 3.0 inches diameter. Mark the end of each transect with flagging.

Subtask 2.7. Ground Surface Cover Data.

2.6.1. If required, the Contractor shall use a 1/100-acre plot (11.8 feet radius from plot center) to collect ground surface cover data in accordance with the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1. Total surface cover percent of all features must equal 100%. An X in the table below indicates a required field. All other fields shall not be collected.

Ground Surface Cover Form

Field Name Quick Plot Data Source

1 Plot Number X Contractor

2 Ground Surface Cover Type X Contractor

3 Cover% X Contractor

4 Remarks If applicable Contractor

Task 3. Data Entry

Subtask 3.1. Data Format.

3.1.1. The Common Stand Exam data is required in electronic format that duplicates the ExamsPC program.

The electronic data shall successfully run through Region One’s Pre-edit program, and load into the FSVeg database without fatal errors. The electronic data shall successfully transmit to the Forest Service computer equipment at the Red River R.D.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 13 of 35

3.1.2. When entering a new Common Stand Exam setting (stand), the Contractor shall edit the following fields on the Sample Design Form.

Expansion Factor for the Tree BAF must be recorded.

Task 4. Meetings.

Subtask 4.1. Pre-work Conference.

4.1.1. A Pre-work Conference shall be scheduled between the Government and the Contractor before work proceeds. The Pre-work Conference location and time shall be agreed upon by the parties after award.

Deliverable Specifications:

(a) The Contractor shall submit completed payment items within seven (7) days after completion of work.

(b) The unit of measure shall be the plot as described in the Common Stand Exam Field Guide for R1. Each payment item shall consist of 100 plots. The Contractor may deviate from this number upon approval of the

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

(c) The Contractor shall submit, with each payment item, the following:

Electronic field data in ExamsPC (.cse) file format, and any original corresponding inspection data forms.

(d) All electronic data files shall be submitted by e-mail, CD or USB storage device.

(e) The Contractor shall ensure that completed data is unique to each pay item.

(f) The Government shall provide the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property, or services, for use in the performance of this contract, hereinafter referred to as Government-Furnished Property. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government

Property” FAR clause (Reference Clause 52.245-4).

Materials:

(1) Project area map(s) (NAIP Imagery) depicting stand boundaries, streams, roads, contours and plot locations (Appendix C).

(2) Stand/Plot List (Appendix B) showing the following information:

Stand Number

Plot #

Plot GPS Coordinates

Number of Plots per Stand

(3) Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho: A Second Approximation.

(4) Field Guide to Disease and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests by Susan K. Hagle, Scott Tunnock, Kenneth E. Gibson, and Carma J. Gilligan (1987).

(5) Photo Guide For Appraising Downed Woody Fuels In Montana Forests, General Technical Report INT-

96.

(6) Data entry software ExamsPC. This software is downloadable from the following website:

http://fsweb.nris.fs.fed.us/products/PDR/CSE/installation.shtml

(7) The .cse file for the exams software. The file will be field-ready.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 14 of 35

All Government-Furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the contract. Failure to do so may result in charges for damages or replacement.

Contractor Quality Control: The Contractor shall provide quality control for all operations. The Contractor is expected to conduct their own prompt inspections to ensure that all requirements are being met. Government inspections are for payment determination only, and are not intended to be used as a quality control by the

Contractor. Any delay in Government inspections will not cause the Government to be responsible for the

Contractors work quality.

Government Inspection Procedures: An inspection block, as established by the Government, will contain a minimum of 50 plots and a maximum of 100 plots. The final inspection block may be smaller by necessity.

Contractor may deviate from these numbers at the COR’s approval. No partial stands will be accepted. The

Contractor shall submit stands in designated blocks with respective data sheets, maps, and electronic data. A

Cover form with each stand id, number of plots within the block, designated block number, acres, baf exam type, date submitted and name of crew members that worked on block.

(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, maps, and 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 costs (meals, lodging, field costs); COR wages; vehicle use rate and mileage.

All data submitted for inspection or payment that have omissions or exceed the tolerances allowed for the required 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 shall be returned for rework.

The COR will record the global position of the plot during field inspection. A GPS receiver will be used, and coordinates will be gathered for a minimum of 4 minutes. These coordinate will be used to evaluate the field inspected plot using the tolerances specified in the current Common Stand Exam Field Guide For R1.

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.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 15 of 35

(1) Pass-Fail check of specified standards and procedures for each inspection 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.

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

(ii) Electronic data that cannot be read by Government computers.

(iii) Any plot center located outside of tolerance, or within one chain of stand boundaries.

(iv) Stands having less than the prescribed number of sample plots examined.

(v) 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.

(vi) Any data with inaccurate stand location and stand number data.

(vii) Any plot having a missed live tree over breakpoint DBH.

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

(ix) Any plot with discrepancy between live and dead tree classifications.

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

(xi) 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 the 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 exists, not for payment purposes. The COR will notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in the 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.

(3) Partial Payment Based on Discrepancy - See Section G-2 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT for partial payment schedule based on discrepancies per data line.

(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 a rework before beginning another block of work.

Correction of Errors:

(i) Pass-fail failures require correction of errors throughout the block.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 16 of 35

(ii) All plots in the 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.

(iii) At the Government’s 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 a block is reworked, a different colored ribbon shall be used.

(iv) 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.

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

(vi) Trend error failures require rework of all items identified as having an error trend.

Demonstration Of Inspection Procedures: At the Contractor’s request the Government may provide one free inspection to demonstrate inspection procedures. This inspection shall be performed on the first stand the

Contractor works.

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 (5) calendar days of receipt of initial inspection results. A complete re-inspection of the original inspected plot(s) will be made. The Contactor may accompany the COR during the re-inspection.

If re-inspection does not result in 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.

Contract Performance Period:

Item No. No. Plots Estimated Starting Date Required Completion Date

1 550 June 1, 2016 October 15, 2016

2 443 May 23, 2016 August 19, 2016

3 348 June 1, 2016 October 15, 2016

4 428 June 1, 2016 October 15, 2016

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 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.

Method Of Measurement And Payment:

(a) Government quality-assurance will be initiated when the Contractor submits all data and forms for a payment item.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 17 of 35

(b) For stand examination, the number of discrepancies divided by the number of lines equals the average number of discrepancies per line. This is the basis for determining if a plot is acceptable.

(c) The number of lines is determined by counting data lines as they appear on field forms. For purposes of calculating payment, the following schedule shall apply:

Common Stand Exam (CSE) Data:

Setting Data – The first plot inspected in a stand shall have the appropriate Setting data information inspected. Setting data shall count as two (2) lines of data.

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

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

Vegetation Composition Data – Every two (2) lines of vegetation data shall count as one (1) line of data.

Down Woody – Each line of down woody data shall count as two (2) lines of data.

Ground Surface Cover Data – Every four (6) lines of ground surface cover data shall count as one (1) line of data.

(d) The following shall be used for determination of acceptable and unacceptable work:

Superior – performance is .33 average number of discrepancies per line.

Acceptable – performance is .34 – .99 average number of discrepancies per line.

Unacceptable – performance is ≥ 1.0 average number of discrepancies per line.

Method of Payment:

(a) Quality-assurance assessment and payment will only be made on completed stands unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Officer.

(b) For a payment item, the total number of discrepancies divided by the total number of lines equals the average number of discrepancies per line. (This does not include failed plots.) The following determines the percent of full payment:

.33 discrepencies per data line = 100% payment

.34 .66 discrepencies per data line = 85% payment

.67 .99 discrepencies per data line = 70% payment

1.0 discrepencies per data line = 0% payment

Payment Formula for Payment Item:

(Total # Discrepancies) / (Total # Lines) = % Payment for the payment item.

17/59 = .29 average discrepancies/line = 100% Payment.

Total plots in Payment Item minus # plots in unacceptable stand = Acceptable plots.

62 plots minus 1 plot = 61 Acceptable plots.

(Price per plot) x (number of acceptable plots) x % Payment = Total Payment.

$20.00 x 61 plots x 100% = $1220.00 Total Payment for Payment Item #1. (Note $20 retained for unacceptable plot in setting# 44030059.) In addition, Contractor would be charged for the reassessment costs.

RFQ AG-02RC-S-16-0025 Stand Exams 2016 Nez Perce-Clearwater NF – Commercial Item Page 18 of 35

(c) An inspecton unit is considered complete when all work has been assessed for quality assurance, and accepted for payment.

(d) Partial payment may be made for completed and accepted work as determined by the Contracting Officer.

Deductions:

Replacement cost for any lost, damaged, or unused Government property that is not returned shall be deducted from the Contractor's final payment as examples listed below.

Field Guide to Disease and Insect Pests - $15.00

Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho - $20.00

Photo Guide For Appraising Downed Woody Fuels in Montana Forests - $20.00

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -

Commercial Items (FEB 2016)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)(Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78

(19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct

1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

(June 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2015) (Pub.

L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) [Reserved].

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of

Div.