S170027.pdf

OFFEROR'S COPY

NOTE: Attached forms must be completed and submitted intact.

Solicitation No. RFP AG-0343-S-17-0027 HELP PREVENT FOREST FIRES

IMPORTANT - NOTICE TO OFFEROR

1. This is a complete copy. Information and instructions for submission of proposals as well as contract provisions and specifications are contained in this OFFEROR REFERENCE

COPY. This copy should be retained by offerors.

FS-6300-45 (11/79)

Issuing Office:

USDA – Forest Service

Region 1, Regional Office

Attn: Acquisition Management

24 Fort Missoula Road

Missoula, Montana 59804

Offers Are Solicited For:

R1 Mechanical Fuels Treatment IDIQs

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1.THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 1 83 PAGES

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE

AG-0343-S-17-0027

SEALED BID (IFB)

21 APRIL 2017

NUMBER

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

USDA – Forest Service Region 1, Regional Office, Acquisition Management 24 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and See ¶ L-5 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in (See Block 7) until 4:00 pm local time May 22, 2017 (Hour) (Date) CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR

INFORMATION

A. NAME

B. TELEPHONE NO. (NO COLLECT

CALLS)Area Code/Number/Extension

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

CALL: Loren Ebner (406) 329-3858 lebner@fs.fed.us

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1 X I CONTRACT CLAUSES 15

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES 2 PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 17 X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 4

X

K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

X F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 3 OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 4 X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 8

X H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 19 X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 3

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT 10 CALENDAR DAYS 20 CALENDAR DAYS 30 CALENDAR DAYS CALENDAR DAYS

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8) % % % %

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

15A. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

TIN: ________________________________

DUNS: ______________________________

CAGE Code (see FAR Provision 52.204-16):

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code and extension)

15C. Check if remittance address is different

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

from above – enter such address in Schedule.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( ) (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

All invoices will be processed using the Department of Treasury’s Invoice

Processing Platform (IPP), visit http://www.ipp.gov to learn more.

Contractors must follow the instructions on how to register and submit invoices via IPP.

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c) http://www.ipp.gov/

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region

B- 1 Schedule of Items. Important: This Schedule of Items is based on the fictional sample Task

Order in Section J of the attachments. This Schedule of Items will be used by the Government for evaluation of the price factor as described in Sections L and M of the solicitation. See Section J, attachment J-6, as well as Sections L and M. Offerors must submit prices on all 3 items.

Item

No.

Sub-

Item Unit Name Est. Quantity

Unit of

Measure Unit Price Total

01 0-1-1 Excavator Pile 300 Acre $_________ $___________

02 0-2-1 Whole Tree 200 Acre $_________ $___________

0-2-2 Slash, Excavator Pile 200 Acre $_________ $___________

03 0-3-1 Mastication 100 Acre $_________ $___________

Grand Total

NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE IS FOR PAYMENT PURPOSES ONLY. SEE SECTION L FOR

BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

B- 2 Basis of Award

Multiple contracts will be awarded. The final number of contracts to be awarded will be based a determination by the Contracting Officer at the time of award regarding the number of contracts in the best interest of the Government. The contract award selections will be based on a Best Value determination by the Contracting Officer (See Sections L and M). Offerors must submit prices for all work activities identified in the Schedule of Items. See Section L for instructions for proposal preparation and Section M for the basis of award.

B- 3 AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, Ordering, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $2,500.00 per awarded contract (per Contractor) over the life of the contract, but not in excess of $7.5 million collectively over the life of the contract for all contracts awarded. All individual contracts awarded are identified here:

(The Contracting Officer will identify all of the individual contract awards here at the time of contract award.)

B- 4 IDAHO USE TAX (The following is applicable for performance of work in Idaho and

Government property is furnished):

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 C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Background

The U.S. Forest Service is in need of mechanical fuels reduction and stand improvement activities to reduce accumulations of hazardous fuels. These activities may include reducing leave tree densities by the deliberate selection of trees to be removed from the site based upon silvicultural prescriptions; piling of naturally occuring and harvest related fuels; chipping and/or mastication; and other fuels reduction related activities. The desired outcome of these activities is to improve the overall health and condition of the stands by providing more space for the leave trees to grow and develop, therefore reducing the risk of insect infestations and disease outbreaks, and reduce the potential for wildfires to transition into crown fires. It is anticipated that this work will be completed with conventional logging systems or heavy equipment with some of the work completed by hand.

C- 1 Scope of Contract

The scope of this contract is to accomplish work activities such as tree thinning, whole tree removal, processing, decking, mastication, excavator/machine piling, stand improvement, slash treatment, leave tree protection and slash pull-back, chipping, grinding, hauling, fireline/fuelbreak construction, roadside brushing, road decommissioning, earth barrier construction, landing cleanup, rehabilitation, stump treatment and other activities related to fuels treatment objectives. The work ordered by the Government under this contract will primarily consist of work requiring the use of heavy machinery and equipment, but some Task Orders may include work that will necessitate the use of manual labor and/or hand crews.

Manual labor and/or hand crew work may include (but is not limited to) hand tree thinning, hand piling, slashing/bucking, hand constructed fireline and fuel break and other non-mechanized activities necessary to comply with contract specifications. The Contractor shall furnish everything necessary, including, but not limited to all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to perform work under this contract. The Contractor shall perform all aspects of the work in an organized, systematic manner, ensuring that the services are completely performed over the entire area(s) specified.

This contract is a Performance-Based, Multiple-Award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base and four option year renewals. “Performance-Based” means the Contractor is responsible for an end product. If an end product is not provided in compliance with the contract specifications, an adjustment to the payment will be made or rework will be required.

C- 2 Location and Description

This contract is for performance on any of the National Forests and Grasslands within the boundaries of the Northern Region (Region One) of the U.S. Forest Service as authorized herein. The National Forests included in this list are as follows:

Beaverhead-Deerlodge

Bitterroot

Custer - Gallatin

Dakota Prairie Grasslands

Flathead

Helena - Lewis and Clark

Idaho Panhandle

Kootenai

Lolo

Nez Perce-Clearwater

The following Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Offices are also included and authorized to utilize this contract:

Cottonwood Field Office (Idaho)

Coeur d’Alene Field Office (Idaho)

Task Orders will include specific information regarding the project worksite location and description, access to the areas, work items ordered, size of units and other information pertinent to each Task Order.

(See Section G).

C - 3 DEFINITIONS

Access Point. The point identified for access to contract subitem areas.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density. The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Berm. A ridge of soil and debris along the edge of a fireline resulting from line construction.

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

Canker. An area killed or blistered on the bark, a branch or the trunk of an infected tree.

Clump. See definition of leave island.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The onsite 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. Under this contract, a COR will be designated for each awarded contract (aka

“Parent Contract”). A COR will also be designated for each Task Order issued under this contract.

Competitive Area. The area used for comparison of potential leave trees of the same species. The radius of the competitive area is specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Contract Period. For the purposes of this contract, the contract period is defined as the entire period from the date of contract award through the end of the base year, and/or any option year(s) if option year(s) are exercised by the Government.

Contract Time. The number of calendar days identified in each Task Order, within which the Contractor shall complete the work described in that Task Order in compliance with the Task Order and the parent contract. Contract Time may also be expressed as a “Due Date” in some Task Orders.

Contractor Representative. An individual designated by the Contractor to comply with the requirements of FAR 52.236-6 (Superintendence by the Contractor). The Contractor shall designate a Contractor

Representative for each Task Order. Also see Paragraphs H-2, and Attachment J-3 “Designation of

Contractor Representative”.

Course Woody Debris. Pieces of dead woody material (typically boles of trees or large branches) of a defined size class (typically larger than 4” small end diameter but size class can vary) that are left on site.

Material should be distributed across the site as much as practical to enhance microsite conditions, for small mammal and microbial habitat and soil nutrient cycling.

Crooked Trees. Those with a sharp crook on the main bole which is less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than 3 inches from the longitudinal axis.

Crop Tree. A tree that will be a component of a future commercial harvest or managed into the future. In this contract, it is interpreted as the trees specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription 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 of greater than 40% (ratio of crown to overall length).

Daylighting. See definition for Release.

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 circumference of the tree.

Decision Area. An area that is evaluated to determine the appropriate number of leave trees. The

Decision Area is specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Deficiency (or Discrepancy). Trees that are unsatisfactory either because they were cut and met the requirements for a leave tree or were not cut and should have been, damaging selected leave trees, not completely severing trees from stumps, leaving small trees, and other errors.

Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

Straight stem

Small branch diameter

Good coloration

Well-formed crown

Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

Free or limited presence of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms; if present, damage or symptoms do not affect the growth or survival of the tree.

Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in the 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 for leave trees:

Multiple tops

Poor crown form

Crook or seep in bole

Dead or broken tops

Poor coloration

Large branch diameter

Presence of insect and disease

Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

Physical or mechanical damage

Suppressed

Poor annual growth

Sucker limbs

Diameter Breast Height (d.b.h.). The diameter of the trunk measure at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Detrimental Soil Disturbance. These disturbances include the effects of compaction, displacement, rutting, severe burning, surface erosion, loss of surface organic matter, and soil mass movement. At least

85 percent of an activity area must have soil that is in satisfactory condition. Detrimental conditions include:

(a) Compaction. Detrimental compaction is a 15 percent increase in natural bulk density. The cumulative effects of multiple site entries on compaction should also be considered since compacted soils often recover slowly.

(b) Rutting. Wheel ruts at least 2 inches deep in wet soils are detrimental.

(c) Displacement. Detrimental displacement is the removal of 1 or more inches (depth) of any surface soil horizon, usually the A horizon, from a continuous area greater than 100 square feet.

(d) Severely-burned Soil. Physical and biological changes to soil resulting from high-intensity burns of long duration are detrimental. This standard is used when evaluating prescribed fire.

Guidelines for assessing burn intensity are contained in the Burned-Area Emergency

Rehabilitation Handbook (FSH 2509.13).

(e) Surface Erosion. Rills, gullies, pedestals, and soil deposition are all indicators of detrimental surface erosion. Minimum amounts of ground cover necessary to keep soil loss to within tolerable limits (generally less than 1 to 2 tons per acres per year) should be established locally depending on site characteristics.

(f) Soil Mass Movement. Any soil mass movement caused by management activities is detrimental.

D-Minus Rule. A specified number of inches (typically 1-3”) subtracted from the diameter of tree species specified in the silvicultural prescription used to identify which trees should be cut or retained. The diameter of a designated species minus a specified number of inches will be evaluated against the diameter of other trees species during the selection of a leave tree.

Dominant Tree. A 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.

Down Wood Concentration. An area where the amount of Down Wood (see Definitions for Down

Wood), located in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a hand or machine pile as specified in the Task Order.

Down Wood (Natural Fuels). Woody debris not meeting the definition of Slash (i.e. Contractor created) and not defined as Course Woody Debris. Rotten wood which is partially buried in the soil or is decayed 75% or greater is not considered down wood.

Excess Tree. An uncut tree that according to contract specifications should have been cut. Excess trees are generally correctable.

Fireline. A strip of land cleared of all vegetation and burnable material down to mineral soil used to stop the spread of fire.

Fuel break. An area cleared of standing vegetation up to 6” DBH as specified in the silvicultural prescription. This area is cleared of all existing and activity created woody debris of a size class defined to meet specifications for either hand or machine fuelbreak.

Girdle. A cut through the bark and cambium tissue completely encircling the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree.

Healthy Conifer. Trees that are growing well, exhibited by good leader growth, green foliage, and at least

40 percent crown ratio (ratio of crown to overall length), has upright growth form, absence of forking or broken tops, absence of mortality causing diseases or insects in the terminal buds.

Hard Snag: Sound standing dead tree with less than 10 percent cull in any diameter and species.

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

Improperly Cut/Pruned Tree. A tree that was cut that should have been a leave tree based on contract specifications. Also includes any leave tree that was damaged by the Contractor’s operations.

Inspection Procedure. The plot inspection procedure described in a task order. Used to determine quality of work.

Jackpot Concentration. Slash concentration between 1-½ and 3 feet in height and less than 4 feet wide created by directional felling and/or pulling slash away from leave trees.

Leave Tree. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to requirements in statement of work or the silvicultural prescription.

Leave Island/Clump. An area to be left untreated OR at higher trees per acre than the remaining acres. An example would be an area left untreated for wildlife screening. Description, size and locations will be explained in detail within the statement of work and/or Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Leave Trees per Acre. The number of leave trees within 1 acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

No. of trees 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 No. plots taken

Lopping. Cutting limbs and boles of trees to reduce depth of slash created by felled trees.

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 not considered to have minor damage.

Operational Damage. Bark gouges, rips, tears (to the cambium), or other damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference of the bole, or damage exceeding ¼ of the circumference to the limb collar.

Parent Contract: The document setting the base Performance requirements, Work Items, and Terms &

Conditions for all Task Orders issued.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period of Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed for completion of work under each Task Order and/or the number of calendar days under the parent contract.

Pullback. Pulling slash by hand or machine into the unit to protect leave trees and/or designated improvements and developments.

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).

Release/Daylighting/Weeding: Cutting competing vegetation from around selected trees to allow the selected trees room to grow.

Satisfactory Leave Tree. Tree that is selected to be left on the unit that meets contract specifications.

Tree is larger than the minimum height required to be cut.

Skidding: A term for moving logs by dragging from stump to roadside, deck, or other landing.

Slash: Trunks of cut trees and limbs, either pre-existing or created by Contractor operations.

Slash Concentration. An area where the amount of slash in a 50-foot radius area or smaller, is sufficient to build a pile. Task Orders issued under this contract will identify whether the Contractor shall pile pre-existing slash and/or slash created by Contractor operations.

Small Trees. Trees designated to be cut that are taller than the designated minimum tree height but without a measurable diameter at breast height (DBH). Trees that fall within this range and are not cut are considered a deficiency.

Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree. Average spacing is calculated from the leave trees per acre.

Special Protection Area. A zone that has special characteristics such as riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Refer to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription for required practices.

Stem (Rocky Mountain juniper). For the purpose of determining stems/acre for Rocky Mountain juniper, a stem for this species is defined as any live stem growing out of the ground/duff layer that is taller than the minimum cut tree height (1ft). Any growth from a stem between ground/duff layer and minimum cut tree height will be deemed a limb.

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. Special treatments will be specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Stump Treatment. Treatment of stumps greater than 12” in diameter to prevent the spread of annosus root disease. Treatment shall consist of removing sawdust and other loose debris from the cut surface of the stump including exposed wood surfaces on all sides and application of borate product within one (1) or two (2) hours, but no later than 24 hours for powder application and within 72 hours for liquid application.

Surplus Tree. A tree that is left in the unit that is in addition to the other satisfactory leave trees and is larger than those defined as small trees. It is not counted in the acceptable tree per acre calculation but does contribute to the total trees per acre on the unit. A surplus tree is coded as S3 or S4 trees in the inspection procedure.

Task Order: Individual delivery orders issued under the Parent Contract, containing funding sufficient to cover the work to be performed, a defined location, and description of the work to be completed.

Thinning Slash. Debris created from work activities under this contract or pre-existing debris created from other work activities, including all tops, trunks and branches of cut trees and shrubs.

Tree Slashing. This activity cuts competing vegetation from around selected crop trees to allow the crop trees room to grow and reduce fuel continuity. The term “slashing” does not refer to slash treatment, which is a separate activity.

Under slung line: A fire line below a unit on a slope.

Unsatisfactory Tree. A tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes but is not limited to:

(1) Cutting the wrong tree, failure to cut a correct tree, failure to completely sever a live limb, etc.

(2) Failure to prune a tree or pruning that is not in contract.

(3) Failure to girdle a tree that meets the specifications is also an unsatisfactory tree.

Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection.

Variable Density Thinning. Tree thinning done in a way that results in an uneven and patchy characteristic when completed that mimics nature. Areas within the stand will vary from more open to denser areas. Contractor shall refer to the Silvicultural Summary Prescription for treatment guidelines.

Windrow. Slash and debris that has been accumulated into long continuous rows.

Whorl: The arrangement of limbs in a circle at generally the same location around the bole of a tree.

Yarding: Moving cut trees from where they fall to the point where logs are loaded for transport to mill.

Most commonly used in cable logging operations.

C. 4 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND/OR SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government will be identified in the Task Orders.

The Contractor shall return all Government-Furnished property upon the demand of the Contracting

Officer.

C.5 GENERAL

Road Access. The Contractor may access the units as indicated on the Task Order project maps. Some units require the Contractor to walk or pad. The Contractor shall clear any trees or rocks that block roads needed to access units.

Walk-In Units: Units identified by the Government as “walk-in” units might include one or more of the following and will be addressed in each task order.

a) Require the Contractor to walk their crews or equipment without a transport for relativley long distances, as specified in the site specific task order, to access remote work locations.

b) Require the Contractor to maintence, fuel and access their equipment by ATV, UTV or OHV.

Locked Gates. In cases where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after entering or exiting each gate and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use.

Unless otherwise approved by the CO, the Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of crews or equipment.

C- 6 Technical Specifications

(a) Statements of Work and Silvicultural Prescriptions. The Contractor shall execute the work in accordance with the requirements of the parent contract and the Task Order, including, but not limited to the Statements of Work, Description of Work, Specifications, Requirements and Silvicultural

Prescriptions (when applicable) for each Task Order.

(b) Equipment Operators. The Contractor shall provide equipment operators, highly skilled in:

(1) Understanding and complying with detailed and technical silivicultural prescriptions for treatments by designation;

(2) Performing the work in a manner which does not cause excessive soil disturbance

(compaction, displacement, and so forth), or road and other resource damage;

(3) Performing the work in a manner which does not damage leave trees outside of allowable tolerances;

(4) Performing the work safely.

If the Contracting Officer determines that the Contractor’s equipment operator is not performing the work according to specification, and/or cannot consistently and reliably perform the contract work in compliance with the terms of the contract, the Contracting Officer will inform the Contractor of that determination and, if required by the CO, the Contractor shall promptly provide replacement operator(s) with the required skills. The Contractor shall not be entitled to any adjustment in contract price or time as a result of the Contracting Officer exercising the Government’s contractual rights under this clause. This clause shall not be construed as affecting any other rights of the Government under this contract.

(c) Equipment.

(1) When the Government requests Contractor(s) to quote on a particular Task Order, the

Government may specify the type of equipment required for that Task Order, or, at the Contracting

Officer’s discretion, the Government may allow the Contractor(s) to propose the type of equipment to be used for that Task Order. Task Orders may not require all types of equipment listed. The Contractor(s) receiving the Task Order shall provide the equipment required by the Government (if specified by the

Government), or proposed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government (if the Contractor is allowed to propose the equipment type).

(2) When required by the Task Order, the Contractor shall provide the following equipment for performance of the work under this contract:

(i) Excavators with bucket and thumb, grapple or clam shell bucket.

(ii) Mobile brush cutters and shredders (masticator), vertical/horizontal-shaft machines mounted on a tracked excavator or tracked feller-buncher.

(iii) Whole-Tree Chipper/Grinder capable of chipping/grinding large landing piles into trucks or smaller portable chipper for blowing material into the forest or smaller trucks.

(iv) Rubber Tire Whole-Tree Skidder w/Grapple or Forwarder.

(v) Cut-to-Length Harvester or Whole-Tree Processor/De-limber.

(vi) Log Loader

(vii) Feller-Buncher

(viii) Yarder/Excaliner

(ix) Log/Chip Truck

(x) Dump Truck

(xi) Excavator w/Bucket, Thumb, & Grousers (every other pad)

(xii) De-limber

(xiii) Skid-steer

(xiv) Tractor w/road brushing attachment

(xvi) Utility Vehicle to facilitate fueling and maintenance in remote locations.

(xvii) Chainsaw

(3) Equipment Requirements. The Contractor shall provide dependable and safe equipment that meets all applicable state and federal laws and regulations relating to motor vehicles and equipment, including, but not limited to 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. The Government reserves the right to conduct inspections at any time. Equipment requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

(i) An audible reverse warning device (backup alarm) of 87 decibel or greater measured at

5 feet behind and in the center of the equipment.

(ii) A fire extinguisher, multi-purpose 2A 10BC that is securely mounted to the vehicle and accessible by the operator. The fire extinguisher shall have a current annual inspection tag and the annual maintenance tag in regards to a 6-year annual inspection and every 12 years regarding a hydro test on all dry powder, metal fire extinguishers.

(iii) Shovel.

(iv) U.S .Forest Service-qualified spark arrester on all naturally aspirated engines.

(v) All factory guards shall be in place and in functional condition (i.e. engine compartment) (applicable for heavy equipment).

(vi) Radiator protection (applicable for heavy equipment).

(vii) Seat belts.

(viii) Flashlight.

(ix) Water, 1 gallon drinking.

(x) 5-person first aid kit.

(xi) Personal Protective Equipment.

(xii) Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and Falling Object Protection (FOPS) meeting the applicable OSHA standards at time of manufacture or SAE J 1040 and SAE J 231 is required on all machines. A manufacturer's nameplate certifying the operator enclosure or alternative documentation that the cab meets these provisions is required. Modification of factory

ROPS/FOPS (Cutting/Welding) and any aftermarket ROPS/FOPS requires certification to SAE J

1040 and SAE J 231.

(xiii) Operator Protection. Shall meet all applicable Federal and State (the State where equipment is registered) logging safety standards (per OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.266) and must have operator protection, such as a Forestry cab package with wire mesh or safety glazing that provides equivalent protection. Stand-alone safety glass does not provide equivalent protection to wire mesh, however it may be used as part of the window glazing system.

(xiv) Polycarbonate windows are not "glass" and may be acceptable as a stand-alone window guard. Any machine cab meeting ISO 8084 or SAE 1084 fulfills this requirement. The protective canopy shall be constructed to protect the operator from injury due to falling trees, limbs, saplings or branches which might enter the compartment side areas and from snapping winch lines or other objects. The rear portion of the cab shall be fully enclosed with open mesh material with openings of such size as to reject the entrance of an object larger than 2 inches in diameter. The covering shall be affixed to the structural members so that ample clearance will be provided between the screen and the back of the operator and shall provide maximum rearward visibility. Open mesh shall be extended forward as far as possible from the rear corners of the cab sides to provide the maximum protection against obstacles, branches, etc., entering the cab area.

Deflectors, which may be part of the cab, shall be installed in front of the operator area to deflect whipping saplings and branches. Deflectors shall be located so as not to impede visibility and access to the cab.

(xv) Lighting (2 rear, 2 forward). Lights shall be mounted to the equipment in such a way to provide protection from damage and provide illumination beyond the blade.

(xvi) Underbody protection (belly pan, rock guards unless not recommended by manufacturer).

(xvii) In addition to above requirements, Excavators shall have:

(A) Operator Protection System. Shall have a factory enclosed canopy with deflectors installed in front of the operator area to deflect whipping saplings, branches and debris broken off by the action of the bucket, hydraulic thumb or masticator/brush cutter.

Deflectors shall be located so as not to impede visibility and access to the cab but still protect the operator from frontal damage.

(B) Capability of operating at manufacturer's limitations (i.e., slope).

(C) Lighting (2 forward). Lights shall be mounted to the equipment in such a way to provide protection from damage and provide illumination beyond the bucket/thumb.

(D) Hydraulic thumb or clamshell.

(d) Work Activities. Task Orders will include detailed specifications. The Contractor shall perform work in accordance with the detailed specifications identified in each Task Order. Unless otherwise specified in Task Orders issued under this contract, the Contractor shall comply with the following specifications for the identified work activities:

(1) Tree Thinning

(i) The Contractor shall perform services according to the Silvicultural Prescriptions specified in each Task Order, including, but not limited to the slashing and bucking requirements specified.

(ii) General leave tree description will include good crown form, live crown ratio >40%, good leader growth, straight bole, no significant defect or damage, and insect/disease free.

(iii) Trees designated for removal by the silvicultural prescription shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural obstacles. All live limbs below the cutting point shall be removed. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump. Acceptable stump heights will be designated in the individual Task Orders. Stumps shall be cut horizontally, not slanted.

(iv) Designated cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, and streams. Any trees falling on such areas shall be removed. Any tree felled into private land shall be pulled back into the thinning unit. All thinning slash shall be placed on or near the ground surface, so that it is not leaning against or suspended by an uncut tree, stump, log, or any obstacle. Snags may not be cut unless the contractor elects to fall them for safety reasons, and receives concurrence from the

Government prior to felling. Snags should be felled prior to selecting leave trees within a distance equal to the height of the snag in the direction of fall.

(2) Whole Tree Removal

(i) Silvicultural prescriptions will be provided for each whole tree removal project. Work may include but is not limited to the following activities:

(ii)Skidding/Yarding/Forwarding of trees designated for removal.

(iii) Whole tree processing to a top diameter and length designated in the individual Task

Order.

(iv) Decking of trees in a way that makes them accessible to a self-loading truck

(v) Pertinent slash treatment designated in the individual Task Order

(vi) Landing Cleanup

(vii) Skid trail provisions, landing locations and specifications, soil protection measures, required signage, and all other pertinent clauses not included in this document will be included in the individual Task Orders. Reference Section H for additional requirements and clauses.

(3) Landing Preparation and Cleanup

(i) A landing is considered a place where any logs or products are gathered for loading.

All slash accumulated at landings shall be piled. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning. Piles shall be of a size and location which will not impair road use or result in damage to residual timber. Size specifications and locations for landings will be designated in the individual task orders.

(4) Mastication.

(i) Silviclutural prescriptions will be provided for each mastication project.

(ii) Masticated material will be within the following specifications unless otherwise designated in the individual Task Order: 75% of chips from masticating must be <3’ in length, 25% of chips from masticating may be >3’ in length however, a slash depth must be no more than

1’ in height.

(iii) Acceptable concentrations of masticated debris will be designated in the individual

Task Orders.

(iv) In addition to standing vegetation, mastication of existing down wood may be required in some individual Task Orders.

(5) Excavator Piling.

(i) Excavator piling may include piling of slash generated by thinning activities and/or natural accumulations of fuels as specified by the silvicultural prescription or in the site specific

Task Order. Piles shall be constructed to facilitate full consumption when they are burned. Piles shall be located outside of residual/leave tree driplines, in openings or areas of low tree densities to minimize damage to residual trees when the piles are burned. At the discretion of the

Contracting Officer isolated areas of Contractor-generated and/or pre-existing down wood within an excavator pile unit may be scattered and not piled in areas of light slash densities.

(ii) Task Orders for excavator piling work may designate a range of course woody debris to be retained on the ground and scattered as much as practical throughout the unit for nutrient cycling and microsite purposes. Material to be left as course woody debris will be relatively free of limbs and needles. Exact amounts, size classes and method of measurement (tons per acre, number of pieces pre acre or other methods) will be designated in the individual Task Orders.

(iv) Unless otherwise specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or the site specific Task Order, piles shall be constructed as follows: Piles shall be 8-15 feet in diameter, minimum of 8-10 feet in height, shall be constructed compact and free of dirt and duff, shall have a good base to prevent the pile from toppling and shall not be made on down logs, rotten stumps or rocks. Material shall be piled in a parallel configuration, similar to pencils in a box. Once a pile meets the minimum diameter and height; slash may be added vertically on the edge of a pile to prevent the pile from toppling. Material used to build piles shall not exceed 8 feet in length.

All objects which extend more than 2 feet in any direction from the pile profile shall be cut off and returned to the pile. No stumps shall be placed in piles.

(6) Scarification

(i) Scarification patches shall be evenly distributed over the workable ground. Generally, a scarification patch shall be defined as an area of ground 3 ft X 2.5 ft (one bucket width by three feet), cleared to mineral soil. The duff and litter removed from the scarification patch shall be scattered evenly over the undisturbed ground. Scarification will be conducted in conjunction with excavator piling. Exact spacing and patch size will be identified within the individual Task Order.

(7) Machine Fireline/Fuel Break.

(i) Fuel break construction will consist of removing all down wood >2” diameter from a specified width and scattered in a way that does not create a windrow or add >1’ to the existing fuel bed depth.

(ii) Fuel break construction may consist of cutting and removing standing vegetation of a certain diameter from the designated fuel break width as well as removal of down wood. Exact specifications will be designated in the individual task order.

(iii) Fireline will remove and scatter fuel and duff only enough to expose mineral soil for a specified width.

(iv) Existing slash will not be buried or covered with dirt during the construction of the fireline. When fireline is located on steep slopes, construction of waterbars may be required to mitigate erosion potential. When waterbars are required, specifications and locations will be identified in the individual Task Order.

(8) Pile Chipping/Grinding.

(i) Chipping or grinding of fuels may occur within a designated area or existing fuel concentrations and will be designated in the individual Task Order. The Task Order will specify how chips will be dispersed or piled.

(9) Woody Material Retrieval

(i) ) Woody material retrieval will consist of removing material from existing landings, excavator piles and top piles, and decking this material at a close location, usually for the purpose of firewood access. Generally the material to be removed shall consist of tops and non-merchantable logs at least 3 feet in length, with the majority of each log being larger than 4 inches in diameter. The amount of material to be pulled from each pile and the deck locations will be designated in each individual Task Order. Deck locations will be within close proximity to the original pile. The remaining fuel that isn’t to be decked will be replied to meet designated piling specification outlined in the Task Order.

(10) Earth Barrier Construction

(i) Earth barriers may be completed in conjunction with other fuels reduction work (within excavator piling and/or scarification units, adjacent to landing cleanup areas, close to fireline and fuel break areas, etc.) and may be located within close proximity to accompanying work item.

Earth barriers shall be constructed to the following specifications: material shall be excavated to 3 feet deep along the width of the existing road or unauthorized route. The excavated material shall be placed in a mound along the back side of the trench, also running the width of the road. Where possible, the down slope side will have a lead out to allow water to escape for drainage purposes.

(11) Road Decommissioning

(i) Decommissioning may be completed on existing roads that are to be removed from the landscape. Work activities related to decommissioning may include but are not limited to the following activities: removing culverts, reestablishing former drainage patterns, stabilizing slopes, restoring vegetation, blocking the entrance to the road, installing water bars and restoring natural contours and slopes.

(12) Road Brushing

(i) Roadside brushing is accomplished with a tractor, small excavator, or machinery equipped with a brushing attachment capable of treating the brush to the desired specifications.

The machines must be able to cut vegetation from roadway and roadside, five horizontal feet up cut slope to fill shoulder of road. Provide 14-foot clear height above roadbed.

(13) Hand piling

(i) Hand piling may include piling of slash generated by thinning activities and/or natural accumulations of fuels as specified by the silvicultural prescription or in the site specific Task

Order. Piles shall be constructed to facilitate full consumption when they are burned. Piles shall be located outside of residual/leave tree driplines, in openings or areas of low tree densities to minimize damage to residual trees when the piles are burned. At the discretion of the Contracting

Officer isolated areas of Contractor-generated and/or pre-existing down wood within a hand pile unit may be scattered and not piled in areas of light slash densities.

(ii) Task Orders for hand piling work may designate a range of tons per acre (tpa) of course woody debris to be retained on the ground and scattered as much as practical throughout the unit for nutrient cycling and microsite purposes. Material to be left as course woody debris will be relatively free of limbs and needles. Exact amounts and size classes will be designated in the individual Task Orders.

(iii) At the discretion of the Contracting Officer, piles constructed on slopes in excess of

35% may be secured by leaving one or two activity generated stump(s) per pile 4-6 feet in height with a minimum stump diameter of 4 inches or greater, slash shall be piled perpendicular to the stump(s) on the uphill side.

(iv) Unless otherwise specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or the site specific Task Order, piles shall be constructed as follows: All Contractor-generated slash and/or pre-existing down wood to be piled shall be limbed flush with the bole to a minimum diameter of

1 inch on two opposing sides and bucked into pieces 8 feet or less in length prior to piling. Piles shall be 6-12 feet in diameter, minimum of 6-8 feet in height, shall be constructed compact, shall have a good base to prevent the pile from toppling and shall not be made on down logs, rotten stumps or rocks. Material shall be piled in a parallel configuration, similar to pencils in a box.

Once a pile meets the minimum diameter and height; slash may be added vertically on the edge of a pile to prevent the pile from toppling. Material used to build piles shall not exceed 8 feet in length. All objects which extend more than 2 feet in any direction from the pile profile shall be cut off and returned to the pile.

(v) Pile covering may be required on hand-piling work issued under this contract and will be designated in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or the site specific Task Order. When pile covering is required, the Contractor shall cover piles with a burnable water-repellent paper that is approved by the Contracting Officer. For example, the Contracting Officer will approve 80# kraft paper, that is burnable, water-repellant paper and that is non-toxic when burned. The Contracting

Officer will not approve tar paper to be used for pile covering. Paper shall be placed within the pile such that ¾ the diameter and ¾ of the height of the pile is covered and held firmly in place by heavy slash on top of it.

(14) Hand Constructed Fireline

(i) The Forest Service will designate firelines on the ground and provide the Contractor with a written description of the work standards in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription or the

Task Order.

(ii)Unless otherwise specified in the task order, hand constructed fireline consists of utilizing hand tools to scrape a continuous mineral soil line, not less than 18 inches wide. Cut material and existing down wood removed from the fireline shall be scattered within the cutting area and not windrowed or otherwise concentrated adjacent to the fireline. All existing stumps and snags within the fireline clearing limits shall be cut flush at ground level and/or scraped around down to mineral soil to remove fuels and prevent ignition. Do not mix slash with side cast material. Fireline shall be constructed on the exterior edge of the existing or newly constructed fuel break.

(iii) On under-slung line, a cup trench using the specifications found in each task order will be constructed. When fireline is constructed, berms shall be pulled to the outside edge of the constructed fireline, and outside of the unit. When required by the silvicultural summary prescription waterbars will be installed to set specifications.

(15) Hand Constructed Fuel break

(i) When required by the silvicultural prescription the fuel break may be up to 50 feet wide, with the exact width designated in the site specific Task Order. All woody debris over 1 inch in diameter and over 1 foot in length within the fuel break shall be moved into the unit.

(ii) When standing vegetation is specified for removal in the task order, the fuel break shall be cleared of all standing vegetation over 16 inches in height and under 12 feet in height and…