Solicitation_ProfForestryIDIQ_Final.pdf

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

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 1 44 PAGES

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

AG-046W-S-14-0002

SEALED BID (IFB)

4/09/2014

NUMBER

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7) USDA Forest Service Northwest Contracting Area 16400 Champion Way Sandy, OR 97055

USDA Forest Service Northwest Contracting Area Attn: Donna Mullen 16400 Champion Way Sandy, OR 97055

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and 4 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 Item 8 until 2:00 PM local time 5/08/2014 (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: Donna Mullen dmmullen@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

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

I CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

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

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

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

OFFER (Type or Print)

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

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT 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

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)

Solicitation #AG-046W-S-14-0002 Region 6 Professional and Forestry Services

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

There are two major categories in this IDIQ contract that the Government intends to award as a result of this solicitation. The first category is Professional Natural Resource-Related Items and Activities; and the second is Forestry Resource-Related Items and Activities. Multiple awards will be made for each category.

After award of the parent contracts, individual task orders will be competitively solicited amongst awarded contractors in the appropriate category, based on the task order’s work requirements. These task order solicitations will seek firm fixed price (FFP) quotes. Each quoter will determine the mix of skills necessary to perform the tasks and provide pricing based on the appropriate pricing method.

ITEM

NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES UNIT UNIT

PRICE

Professional Natural Resource Related Items and Activities

01 Program Manager Hour $ 02 NEPA* Specialist Hour $ 03 Heritage or Cultural Resource Specialist Hour $ 04 Soil Scientist Hour $ 05 Hydrologist Hour $ 06 Botanist Hour $ 07 Wildlife Biologist Hour $ 08 Fisheries Biologist Hour $ 09 Geologist Hour $ 10 Writer/Editor Hour $ 11 Rangeland Management Ecologist or Botanist Hour $ 12 Forest Ecologist Hour $ 13 Air Quality Specialist Hour $ 14 Recreation Specialist Hour $ 15 Fuels Specialist (related to planning and NEPA) Hour $

*NEPA: National Environment Policy Act

The work items associated with the Professional Natural Resource Related Items and Activities includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Perform surveys of current streams conditions;

2. Search for cultural sites inside proposed activity areas;

3. Survey for threatened and endangered flora and fauna species according to protocol(s);

4. Conduct soil surveys and write feasibility reports, recommending mandatory operational curtailments and/or restrictions to meet regulatory requirements, etc.;

5. Complete planning documents consistent with National Environmental Policy Act-required methods and procedures, from scoping to writing the decision document;

a. Identifying inter-disciplinary team members;

b. Setting up meetings with stakeholders and interested publics; define the agenda, location and facilitate meetings.

Solicitation No. AG-046W-S-14-0002 Region6 Professional & Forestry Services

ITEM

NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES UNIT UNIT

PRICE

Forestry Resource Related Items and Activities

01 Forester or Timber Sale Layout Forester Hour $ 02 Forestry Technician Hour $ 03 Logging Road Engineer or Logging Engineer Hour $ 04 General Forest Laborer Hour $ 05 Biological Technician Hour $ 06 Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician Hour $

The work items associated with the Forestry Resource Related Items and Activities includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Timber Cruise-related Work Items:

a. conduct a pre-cruise and prepare a cruise plan;

b. conduct the cruise based upon the approved cruise plan;

c. flag unit boundaries;

d. traverse with GPS with a print out to scale indicating shape and acres to set standards;

e. mark trees with tracer paint and a marking guide supplied by the Forest Service;

2. Road Construction and Timber Logging Preparation Work Items

a. flag locations on-the-ground for permanent and temporary roads;

b. conduct road survey and layout;

c. complete cost estimates for road construction and reconstruction using Forest Service cost guides;

d. locate landings;

e. perform on-the-ground skyline profiles and analysis of logging system requirements;

f. locate tailtrees, intermediate support trees and related items as needed..

Multiple Awards are anticipated. Awards for the Professional Natural Resource Items and Forestry Resource Items will be made for specific activities or the entire list as a whole. Offerors are required to price all sub-items under each category that they want to be considered for. In order to ensure sufficient coverage for all activities identified, preference may be given to offerors who propose for multiple activities. Subcontractors may be used to fill needed resource occupations. Offerors shall indicate which item(s) will be performed by subcontractors. In and of itself, use of subcontractors by an Offeror will not negatively impact the Government’s evaluation of the Offeror. However, in terms of relative strengths and weaknesses for performance of each subcontractor-performed work items, the Government will evaluate each subcontractor just as it will evaluate each Offeror for Offeror-performed work items.

Contractors may provide offers / proposals on either the Professional Resource or Forestry Resource area only or for specific items under each category.

The hourly rates shown in the Schedule of Supplies or Services are not a representation of actual quantities or unit of measure to be ordered, but serve as a means of developing a pool of contractors for competing task orders.

Specific task orders will be solicited separately and by any Contracting Officer (CO) of any Service First agency (http://www.fs.fed.us/servicefirst/) in the states of Oregon and Washington. Each Task order will be site specific and will be advertised amongst the awardees of each specific item of work.

Please respond fully to the solicitation requirements (e.g. pricing, representations and certifications, and selection criteria). The rates your firm proposes shall be commercial “shelf” rates that will be used for award evaluation purposes. Vendors are cautioned that as awards of a Task Order are based, in part, on the pricing proposed herein, subsequent vendor quotes for specific unit Task orders must be representative and reflective of those rates or they shall be removed from the pool of vendors for that work activity. Therefore it is imperative that each vendor provide the Government with their best commercial rate for each activity they are capable of performing and that those rates be similar to the quotes on individual Task orders submitted for specific units.

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 $1,000.00 over the life of the contract, but not in excess of _$4,900,000.00_.

PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED TO PLACE ORDERS AGAINST THIS CONTRACT

The following Forest Service and Service First Agency personnel are authorized to place, compete, award, and administer task orders under this contract:

Any warranted Contracting Officer, within the limits of their warrant, may award and administer a task order for work covered by this contract within the geographical boundaries of this contract (see Section C.3).

TASK ORDER COMPETITION

All task orders awarded as a result of this solicitation will be awarded using procedures appropriate to the individual projects to be accomplished, by considering the size, complexity, location and urgency of the project. The local Contracting Officer retains latitude to determine fair opportunity for each task order competition in accordance with FAR 16.505(b).

http://www.fs.fed.us/servicefirst/

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 BACKGROUND

The USDA-Forest Service in fulfillment of its vegetation, land use, and resource management functions, requires a variety of professional services in the natural resources environmental, and technical sciences to meet legal requirements imposed by such laws as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Preservation Act (NFPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and others.

This contract shall provide scientific and professional services contributing to the vegetation management program, and other professional services used for land and resource management by the USDA Forest Service and other government entities. The purpose of this solicitation is to award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ) contracts for use in preparation or implementation of land use and natural resource projects. Work under the awarded contracts may relate to the following typical subject areas. This list is not all-inclusive:

1. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Support;

2. Data Collection and Analysis

3. Natural Resource Studies Minerals and Geology;

4. Water Resources

5. Air Quality and Smoke Management

6. Timber - Vegetation - Silviculture

7. Designation and Cruising

8. Fuels Reduction and Treatments

9. Logging and Transportation System Planning

10. Logging and Road Analysis

11. Fisheries and Wildlife

12. Scenery Management

13. Landscape Analysis and Watershed Assessments

14. Recreation

15. Heritage Resource Surveys and Studies

16. Socio-Economic Studies

17. Lands

18. Geographic Information System

C.2 SCOPE OF WORK

A. The purpose of this contract is to obtain professional services in support of the timber, natural resource management, and land use activities of the Forest Service (USFS) and Service First Agencies (http://www.fs.fed.us/servicefirst/). The Government may issue task orders to perform work in any or all of the subject areas listed above in order to carry out respective programs. The Government may also issue task orders for other professional services in land use and resource management-related disciplines.

http://www.fs.fed.us/servicefirst/

C.3 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The project area will be defined in each task order solicitation for the specific project. Project areas may be located anywhere on USFS or Service First Agency managed lands in Oregon and Washington. Some of the work may include private land adjacent to forest lands or forest lands with mining claims on them in accordance with the Wyden Amendment (Public Law 109-54, Section 434).

The majority of projects will be for the Forest Service in Oregon and Washington.

C.4 GENERAL WORKS REQUIREMENTS

A. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, personnel, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, tools, transportation, travel, and incidentals (except those designated as Government-furnished property) to perform all work necessary for completion of task orders. The Contractor has the responsibility for all other data collection and reports that will be used as the basis for deliverables resulting from the task orders. The Forest Service retains approval authority for these documents. All federal and state rules and regulations will be followed as well as appropriate federal agency jurisdictional guidelines unique to each agency.

B. Prepare resource reports or other related reports to document procedures, findings or recommendations.

C. Submit all reports to the COR designated on the task order.

D. Public Involvement work may consist of preparing informative documents for public circulation.

The work may include all preparation needed to conduct public meetings, scheduling, availability of meeting room, etc. Results of public involvement efforts may be documented, consolidated or analyzed.

E. Writing/Editing work may include technical writing or editing of documents required for support of NEPA efforts or landscape analysis, watershed assessments, and other programs.

F. Monitoring work may include designing monitoring plans for resources, projects, or programs. It may include implementation of monitoring efforts or preparing related monitoring reports.

G. The contractor is responsible for presenting requested data and information in formats specified by the Forest Service or Service First Agency that is compatible and useable with Microsoft Office and other data compilation and processing methods.

H. All data, reports, pictures, analysis, etc. collected or produced related to this contract shall remain the property of the government.

C.4.1 NEPA SUPPORT

A. Work may consist of gathering data and preparing supporting documents for environmental analysis. The documents may require varying levels of resource analysis, field investigations, public involvement, and preparation of camera-ready documents. Policy and procedures contained in FSH

1909.15 will be the basis of the required work.

B. The USFS will complete identification of the purpose and need of the proposed action and make the decision of the preferred alternative. The awarded Contractor shall complete all NEPA analysis and documentation, from identification of the proposed action through government decision. Specific progress check points will be established by the USFS to facilitate approval of work completed and to ensure timely submittal / completion of the NEPA document. Reports prepared by the awarded Contractor may be incorporated completely, in part, or by reference into NEPA documents or planning files at the sole discretion of the Government.

C.4.2 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The following guidelines are primarily related to the gathering of resource information:

A. Maximize the use of existing National Forest information available before initiating field investigations or inventory activities. Available information will be identified as part of the Government Furnished Property in the task order solicitation.

B. The Contractor shall not release data or information gathered through a task order without written permission of the Government.

C. Public laws, manuals, and handbooks referenced in any guidance or directive documents are subject to change.

D. The Government requires that all data collected and prepared that are the basis of summary documentation shall be delivered to the Government at the conclusion of the study in an appropriate format that allows future use by the Agency. In addition, the Contractor shall document any updates made to government-furnished data as a result of field checking or other means of verification. As a minimum, the Contractor shall state what the updates were, what areas were affected, and the cause for the update.

C.4.3 NATURAL RESOURCE STUDIES

Work may include field surveys or investigations, data gathering, analysis, and documentation.

Resource areas may include soil, water, air, botany, fish, vegetation, wildlife, visual, recreation, geology, and land uses. Resource studies for botany, fish, and wildlife may include biological evaluations or assessment preparation.

C.4.4 MINERALS AND GEOLOGY

A. The contractor will employ geologists (resource geologists, engineering geologists, or geomorphologists) to perform the necessary geologic and geomorphology components of resource inventory, analysis or monitoring. The work will range in specificity from landscape to site-specific and may include working as part of an interdisciplinary team conducting Ecological Unit Inventory, Watershed Analyses or other integrated work. Specialized geologic skills shall be required when conducting groundwater studies or when completing landslide investigations and other work requiring the characterization of soil and rock material for engineering purposes. A professionally certified geologist shall be utilized to locate and document unstable land hazard areas to facilitate layout and design of transportation and harvest systems.

C.4.5 WATER RESOURCES

A. Work may consist of identification of non-point source pollution water quality protection and mitigation requirements in accordance with the USFS Region-6 Best Management Practices (BMP).

Identify water BMP implementation and effectiveness monitoring required. Address cumulative watershed effects (CWE) potential and remediation options. Include in the documentation an analysis of location and condition of flood plains, wetlands and riparian management areas that may require additional precautions and/or mitigations.

B. Evaluate and document channel, stream bank and flood plain stability, and threat of onsite and downstream impacts using local Forest evaluation and analysis protocols.

C.4.6 AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE MANAGEMENT

A. Contractor shall be knowledgeable of federal, state, and local county air regulations pertaining mainly to open burning. This performance standard includes fluency of understanding and interpretation of Section 118 requirements of the Clean Air Act and State Implementation Plans (SIP);

which include a Smoke Management Plan. Determination of potential impacts from the proposed use of prescribed fire on designated non-attainment and smoke sensitive areas must be a part of any analysis related to this work item.

B. The contractor shall be knowledgeable in combustion processes and emission factors associated with prescribed fire for the various vegetative and fuels found within the project area. If prescribed fire use is proposed within a SIP non- attainment area, the Contractor shall be capable of performing a conformity rules determination of the impacts of the burning through modeling.

C. Primary emission sources to be analyzed are: Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from prescribed burning activities and fugitive dust generated from road construction, recreation use, and commercial hauling activities.

D. The Contractor will determine total emissions produced by the proposed activity for each alternative displayed by the analysis. Modeling of downwind impacts may be necessary if there is concern over avoiding impact of smoke to sensitive populated areas.

E. The Government will supply guidelines for preparing Air Quality Analysis for the project areas upon request.

C.4.7 TIMBER - VEGETATION-SILVICULTURE

A. Timber Management work may include conducting formal stand examinations or more general “walk-through” examinations all based on the Common Stand Exam Protocols. Using stand and other resource information, the Contractor shall develop diagnostic and/or implementation prescriptions for timber sale or stewardship projects. Work may include all aspects of preparing timber projects from harvest unit boundary location, road location, boundary or road traverses using GPS equipment, cruising and documenting tree measurements on USFS-provided cruise cards, tree designation, prescription implementation, creating sale area maps, timber value appraisals, and related documents substantiating all preparation work accomplished. Work may also include development of plans for accessing commercial forestlands, assigning relative values to the plans to reflect resource needs, logging/road limitations and economics, and field verification of these plans.

B. Analyze the current condition of insect disease and fuels buildup for the project area including basic predictions resulting from current conditions. Collect sufficient field information to prepare diagnostic prescriptions, determine feasible treatment options, and to assess effects on listed or proposed plant species.

C. Prepare a Biological Assessment/Evaluation (BA/BE) for any threatened, endangered or sensitive plant species that are known or suspected to occur within the project area.

D. Collect sufficient field information to assess the existing condition of habitats for botanical species of concern.

Data collection may include surveys for vascular plants (including rare and invasive plants), non-vascular plants (bryophytes [mosses and liverworts] and lichens), and/or fungi. Surveys shall be conducted according to protocol for target species.

E. The USFS will provide a list of plants and animals to be assessed. The USFS retains approval authority and the ability to reverse determinations for any BA/BE document written.

F. A Forester shall prepare a silvicultural prescription for each area proposed for harvest or treatment (e.g. fuel treatment, reforestation, timber stand improvement, or mechanical habitat improvement). Prescriptions shall be prepared by a State of Oregon or State of Washington Registered Professional Forester in compliance with policy contained in Forest Service Manual 2478 and using guidelines contained in Forest Service Handbook 2409.17 (Silvicultural Practices Handbook) and any other pertinent information provided by the USFS.

The prescriptions shall be prepared to the satisfaction of a Forest Service Certified Silviculturist, who will accept the prescriptions in writing once satisfied.

C.4.8 DESIGNATION AND CRUISING

A. A Forester or Forestry Technician shall oversee designation of boundaries and trees for cut or leave using USFS-provided paint. Paint shall be accounted for in accordance with Forest directions. Use marking guides developed from the silvicultural prescription. Designated trees shall be marked at DBH so that marking can be seen from all sides of the tree, and at ground line (within 2 inches of the ground) on the downhill side of the tree. Personnel assigned to complete this work shall not be employed by or associated with the eventual successful purchaser or contractor of the timber sale or stewardship contract.

B. A Forester or Forestry Technician shall prepare a cruise plan for the proposed sale. The cruise plan shall be prepared in compliance with policy contained in Forest Service Manual 2440 and using guidelines contained in Forest Service Handbook 2409.12 (Cruising Handbook) and any other pertinent information provided by the Forest Service Certified Advanced Cruiser, who will accept the cruise plan in writing once satisfied. Acceptable cruising methods include 3P, sample tree cruising, point variable plot count/measure, and fixed plot. The cruising method will be approved by the Forest Service.

C. A Forester or Forestry Technician shall cruise the sale area during or after tree designation.

The cruise plan shall be followed. Cruise data shall be processed using the Forest Service cruise processing software using R-6 volume equations. The cruise must meet the standards specified in Forest Service Handbook 2409.12 (Cruising Handbook). The cruise must pass a standard check cruise by a USFS-Certified Check Cruiser, who will accept the cruise in writing once satisfied.

C.4.9 FUELS REDUCTION AND TREATMENTS

Contractor shall prepare a fuels management plan for each stand proposed for harvest or vegetative treatment. Data collection for the plan shall be in compliance with policy contained in Forest Service Manual 5150 and any other pertinent information provided by the USFS.

C.4.10 LOGGING AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PLANNING

A. Plans shall take into consideration the landform stability and related geologic hazards, air quality, water quality, riparian and wetland information, specified resource protection requirements and economic considerations. Logging plans will document and recommend a logging system and associated transportation network that provides for treatment of the project area. A road engineer or logging engineer shall accomplish the work requirements in this section.

B. Develop a transportation analysis with recommendations for needed permanent and temporary road system within the Sale Area or Contract Area Boundary. Include a recommended haul route on National Forest System Roads and county roads to reach the state highway system. The recommended haul route is that route which is most advantageous to the Government.

Transportation planning and analysis shall be completed according to the guidance provided in Forest Service Manual and Handbooks, 7700 Series and specifications provided in the task order.

Include road surfacing and transportation safety enhancements necessary to accommodate existing traffic and projected sale traffic.

C.4.11 LOGGING ROAD SERVICES AND ROAD ANALYSIS

The Government requires various skills for logging road placement and layout that may require or may include: consultations, site visits, planning, cost analysis, inspections, documents and review of documents. Various road analyses may include studies to help determine if and where to construct new roads, reconstruct existing roads, or decommission existing roads. Efforts could include road data collection, resource effects analysis, public involvement, and report preparation.

C.4.12 FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

A. In conjunction with soil and water resources, collect sufficient field information to assess the existing conditions of the fish and fish habitat resources for the project area. Include marine fish resources where appropriate.

B. Collect sufficient field information to assess the existing condition of habitats for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species of concern.

C. Complete a biological assessment/evaluation (BA/BE) for any threatened, endangered, proposed, or sensitive fish or wildlife species that are known or suspected to occur within the project area.

D. A Wildlife Biologist shall prepare a Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation for Survey & Manage and/or Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Sensitive wildlife species that are known or suspected to occur within the project area.

E. The Forest Service will provide a list of fish and wildlife species to be assessed. The Forest Service retains approval authority and the ability to reverse determination for any BA/BE written.

C.4.13 SCENERY MANAGEMENT (VISUAL RESOURCE)

Describe current landscape characteristics, including a description of the ecological unit, landscape attributes and the landscape’s relative scenic attractiveness. Describe the area’s scenic integrity, including historic or past integrity, any interim short-term integrity levels necessary to reach a long-term goal, and an expression of the landscape’s “desired condition.” Collect information regarding the constituent(s), including a constituent inventory and analysis;

information sources and use of constituent surveys. Determine landscape visibility including the identification of travel ways and use areas, constituent concern levels, “seen” areas, distance zones and scenic classes. Conduct ecosystem analysis, planning and implementation, alternative development, evaluation and selection, achievement of landscape character goals, and monitoring.

C.4.14 LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS AND WATERSHED ASSESSMENTS

A. Work may consist of assessing physical, biological and social resources of an identifiable portion of an ecosystem to determine program or project opportunities and possible management practices. Public involvement may be a key component of this pre-NEPA type of work.

B. Determine a program for site development through use of client interviews. Conduct site analysis to identify physical site constraints. Demonstrate use of Best Environmental Design Practices. Develop conceptual alternative plans for client review. Develop final working drawings and specifications. Conduct scheduled site reviews during construction phase; and final post-construction site review.

C.4.15 RECREATION

Work elements in this area may include the following items: Describe the amount and type of recreation use in the project area based upon market research and analysis. Identify and locate recreation facilities. Develop conceptual alternative recreation site configurations for client review. Design recreation sites. Incorporate Built Environment Image Guide principles to meet the needs of client/ visitor groups, including the needs of specific cultural/ethnic groups.

Incorporate use of Universal Design principles to address the facility and program needs of the physically disabled. Develop management plans for recreation management areas including Scenic Areas, National Recreation Areas, Special Interest Areas, Monument Areas, or Congressionally-designated areas. Determine trail locations and provide trail construction details.

Develop scenic byway corridor plans and associated infrastructure improvements. Provide design of visitor information signs, directional signs or interpretive signs.

C.4.16 HERITAGE RESOURCE SURVEYS AND STUDIES

A. Heritage Resource work may include archaeological, anthropological, historic or other related studies or analyses. Completing this work may require the expertise of archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, curators, architects, preservation engineers, or other related professionals and specialists. This area’s work usually involves work with archaeological, historic, or traditional cultural resources.

B. Tasks may include: literature, records, or archival searches; overviews, preparation of research designs, resource inventories and documentation, ethnographies, written /recorded or oral histories, excavations and data recovery, artifact and data analyses, curative work, stabilization or restoration, interpretation or other historic preservation activities.

C. Heritage Resource work is generally oriented to completing National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 consultation, involving resource significance or eligibility evaluation, analysis of effects to historic values, and mitigation of adverse effects. Work may also be oriented to Section 110 historic preservation activities such as resource rehabilitation or public education.

C.4.17 SOCIO-ECONOMICS AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY

A. Socio-Economic Studies work may include data collection on the social and economic environment including information related to subsistence resources and uses. It may include analysis of social and economic information for NEPA or landscape analysis.

B. Describe the social and economic conditions or contributions of the project area in relation to the local and regional settings. The socio-economic analysis must include various resource values including recreation, scenery, habitat, and other related items.

C. Financial and Economic Analysis shall be completed as guided by FSH 2409.18. This work will be completed for the project area in relation to local and regional values. The purpose of this analysis will be to determine the most cost-efficient and practicable method/approach to achieve the objectives outlined by Forest plans and to produce a program/project where the long-term benefits exceed costs (FSM 2430.3).

C.4.18 LANDS

A. Identify encumbrances and investigate their status and ownership within the sale or contract area. Provide COR with written documentation of investigation that includes a map of scale in a manner acceptable to the USFS.

B. Contractor shall provide a recordable document, which includes an exhibit in map form, which clearly defines the location and extent of any needed right-of-way, connected to property corners.

C. Contractor shall examine federal land status records and document any outstanding ownership rights.

C.4.19 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

A. Geographic Information System work may include digitizing data for entry into a system, designing and conducting various resource mapping and analysis for projects, creating various products for inclusion in NEPA and maps for timber sale or stewardship contract packages, or other documents or public display items, or other electronic related resource or geographic analysis.

B. The Contractor shall use a computer-based Geographic Information System compatible with the National Forest system software, ARCINFO. The electronic data, both products and additions to the database, shall be delivered to the USFS at the conclusion of each project or study. The Contractor shall supply coverage additions, updates and corrections to base layers with full documentation so that the updates may be verified before application to the Forest Service database. Any data capture must meet minimum spatial accuracy consistent with USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle sheets, 1:24,000 scale or larger. GIS coverage file naming, map projections, items and valid codes shall be consistent with the Regional Forest Resource Data Base Dictionary, or other National or Regional approved data base.

C.5 ATTACHMENTS TO STATEMENT OF WORK-SPECIFICATIONS

Task orders may contain attachments to the Statement of Work-Specifications. Attachments identified within a future task order are part of any resultant order.

C.6 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

A. The following added requirements or job descriptions shall be met for the respective work categories below:

All professional positions require a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, Master’s Degree or PhD in relevant field of study related to discipline, with 5+ years of experience in Oregon and/or Washington OR a Master’s (M.Sc.) degree in relevant field and 3+ years of experience, OR a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in a relevant field of study and more than 2 years of field experience. Skills in using ArcGIS, GPS devices and Microsoft Office products required as well.

Biological Technician: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Or a combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate they possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work. The technician must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience identifying and surveying for a variety of plant and animal species and habitats in Oregon and Washington and must have specific training and certifications relevant to the surveys being performed. Skills in using GPS devices and field navigation required as well.

Botanist: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in botany; or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany. Should have demonstrated experience with identifying and surveying for a variety of species and habitats in Oregon and Washington.

Fish Biologist: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree that includes 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields.

Forest Ecologist: Persons performing designated forest ecology work items shall have a BS or higher college degree in Forestry, Forest Ecology, or closely related field. These individuals shall have demonstrated experience in identifying vegetation types typically found in Oregon or Washington.

Photo interpretation, field sampling, data interpretation and computer use are key skill areas necessary to perform the duties. Knowledge and use of ecological modeling using geology, soils, slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation life forms (such as conifers, hardwoods, mixed, shrubs, and grasses derived from remote sensing or existing map data) is necessary. Incorporation of existing data sources into the project shall also be necessary. Skills in computer modeling language, use of ARCINFO grid software or similar experience is required.

Forester: The term Forester refers to a person with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from a 4-year college or university in forestry or a forestry-related field with demonstrated field experience in working with tree species, silvicultural practices and logging systems, used in Oregon or Washington. A Forester shall be responsible for all silvicultural prescriptions, harvest area layout, tree and boundary designations, and timber cruising.

Fuels Specialist: The term Fuels Specialist refers to an individual with a background in forestry or fire science and a demonstrated, fluent knowledge of fuel measurements, fuel models, fire behavior relationships, natural fire regime, and vegetation conditions.

Geologist: The term Geologist refers to an individual who is registered in the States of either Oregon or Washington (or both) as a Registered Professional Geologist (RPG). Individuals conducting groundwater resource evaluations, studies or monitoring may also be required to hold a specialty certification as a hydro geologist in the States of Oregon or Washington, depending on the project location.

Subject to the task order’s project location, certification as an Engineering Geologist in the States of Oregon or Washington shall be required of any individual conducting geologic work that involves characterizing geologic materials (soil and rock) and processes (geomorphology) for geologic hazard evaluations and other purposes where human health and safety, structures, or resources may be at risk. The Government retains sole discretion as to the applicability of these specialty requirements for any submitted task order project.

Hydrologist: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources.

Logging Engineer: Logging Engineers shall have an appropriate state license.

Soil Scientist: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.

Wildlife Biologist: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, Master’s Degree or PhD in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, with 5+ years of experience in Oregon and/or Washington.

Additionally have at least 9 semester hours in botany or forest ecology and management. Should have experience with identifying and surveying for a variety of animals and habitats in Oregon and Washington. Understanding of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species

Act (ESA), and National Forest Management Act sufficient to be able to prepare biological evaluations and assessments. Skills in using ArcGIS, GPS devices and Microsoft Office products required as well.

o At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and o At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and o At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

Other professionals negotiated: If a state where the work is to be performed requires a license or certification, the professional proposed shall meet this requirement.

End of Section C

SECTION D--PACKAGING AND MARKING

{For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section}

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996) 452.246-70 Inspection and Acceptance (FEB 1988)

E.1 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM

The Contractor shall identify the quality control inspection system it will use to ensure that contract specifications will be achieved. At no time shall the contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F.1 AGAR 452.211-75 EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF CONTRACT (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is five years from date of award.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Actual work to be completed will be stated in a unit of measure appropriate to the work to be completed. For example, stream surveys would be in miles, soil surveys in plots, fuel transects could be a cost per plot, etc.

The Contracting Officer will assign the unit of measure in the task order Schedule of Items and a cost negotiated for the work to be completed.

G.2 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government may provide Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract. Specific government furnished property will be included in the task orders issued for work to be completed.

SECTION H--SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 AGAR 452.237-74 KEY PERSONEL (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: (See Personnel Classifications in Section B)

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

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

H.2 452.226-77 EMERGENCY RESPONSE (NOV 1996)

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting. (1) The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause

52.236-9, PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES,

AND IMPROVEMENTS, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work. (2) The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees.

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

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

H.3 Additional Requirements or Restrictions

Additional requirements will be identified on individual task orders.

PART II--CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I--CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.202-1 Definitions (NOV 2013) 52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984) 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (APR 1984) 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006) 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (OCT 2010) 52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal or Improper Activity (JAN 1997) 52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (JAN 1997) 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (OCT 2010) 52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Recycled Paper (AUG 2000) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (FEB 2012) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (DEC 2010) 52.215-2 Audit and Records -- Negotiation (OCT 2010) 52.215-8 Order of Precedence--Uniform Contract Format (OCT 1997) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (JAN 2011) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (NOV 2011) 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages --Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999) (Applicable if > $550,000) 52.219-29 Notice of Set-Aside For Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns

(NOV 2011)

52.219-30 Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women Owned Small Business Program (NOV 2011) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUN 2003) 52.222-4 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act -- Overtime Compensation (JUL 2005) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (MAR 2007) 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (SEP 2010) 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (OCT 2010) 52.222-37 Employment Reports Veterans (SEP 2010) 52.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965 (NOV 2007) 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act--Price Adjustment (SEP 2009) 52.