Restoration_BPA_Solicitation.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

1. REQUISTION NUMBER: N/A PAGE 1 OF 36

2. CONTRACT NO.

AG-046W-B-17-____________

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

N/A

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

AG-046W-S-17-0023

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE: 06/10/2017

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

Leslie Solberg, Contracting Officer

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls) 503-668-1667

8 OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME: 07/10/2017

@ 2pm PST

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

USDA Forest Service

Mt. Hood National Forest

ATTN: Leslie Solberg (AQM)

16400 Champion Way

Sandy, Oregon 97055

UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR:

NAICS: 115310

SIZE STANDARD: $7 Million

SMALL BUSINESS EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE DISABLED VETEERAN- 8(A)

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

As indicated on each Call

13a THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTRERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

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

BELOW IS CHECKED SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

Region 6 - Forest Service Restoration/vegetation, seed/vegetation collection, native grass and forb seed and straw production, plant propagation & tree climbing/cone collection – BPAs

See attached

Schedule of Items

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

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

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

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _1_

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFED ABOVE AND ON ANY

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ______________________ OFFER

DATED ______________ . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

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

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITIONS IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 3/2005)

PRESCRIBED BY GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ff19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

NOTE: Prospective awardees MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be awarded a Federal Government contract. If you are not registered, please register at the following site:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

Quoters are requested to place their offers on the provided attachment:

Schedule of Items

DUNS Number_____________________

EMAIL ____________________________

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

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

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

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

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNTG NO.

39 S/R VOUCHER NUMBER

40. PAID BY

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

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITILE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC’D (YY/MM/DD)

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005) BACK

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

AG-046W-S-17-0023

R6 Restoration Services BPA

BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Pricing

The Government is only obligated to the extent of authorized BPA calls/orders actually placed against this BPA by authorized pool of BPA holder’s personnel, against authorized line items. All calls will be

Firm Fixed Price.

2. Purchase Limitation

The limitation for each individual Call under this BPA shall not exceed $1 million.

3. Individuals Authorized to Purchase Under this BPA

BPA Calls under these BPAs may be issued by any Region 6 Forest Service Contracting Officer operating within the limits of their warrant within Region 6 Forest Service Forests.

4. Invoices

BPA Call invoicing shall be submitted via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). See FAR 52.212-4(g) for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) requirements. www.ipp.gov.

5. Cancellation of BPA

The United States government reserves the unilateral right to cancel this BPA by providing written notification to the contractor. Cancellation of the BPA does not affect any calls/orders placed which shall be completed as ordered.

6. Points of Contact and Mailing Address

Leslie Solberg, Contracting Officer

16400 Champion Way

Sandy, Oregon 97055

503-668-1667 lsolberg@fs.fed.us

7. Period of Performance

The agreement shall be reviewed annually before the anniversary of its effective date and revised as necessary to conform to the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The BPA will not run longer than 10 years from date of award.

8. Modifying the BPA

This Blanket Purchase Agreement shall be changed only by modifying the agreement itself and not by individual orders issued under it. Only the Contracting Officer or their designated successor may modify this BPA.

9. Evaluation for Award

For evaluation purposes only, awards will be based on listed line items and prospective offeror’s responses to the Evaluation Criteria. Awards will be made on the best value for the Government.

Awards can be made for one or more items as set forth in the Schedule of Items.

http://www.ipp.gov/ mailto:mljohnson02@fs.fed.us

10. Source Selection for Award of Individual BPA Call: Source selection will be based on the best overall value to the Government, price and other factors considered. These factors may include one or more of the following:

Technical Capabilities relating to the specific project [including elements such as Project

Sequencing, Scheduling, Resource Availability, Technical Experience]

Past Performance History [including elements such as quality of work, timeliness, effectiveness of Contractor Quality Control]

Response to additional Evaluation Criteria, if required

SCOPE AND LOCATION

The desired outcome of this agreement is to provide and apply state-of-the-art restoration/revegetation services, including native grass seed, native forb seed, and straw production, for an assortment of diverse ecological settings over a broad geographic area. This solicitation is for the National Forests in Region 6.

The Government intends to make multiple awards for each of the five (5) items (see Schedule of Items).

The Government anticipates approximately 3-5 awards per item.

Over the duration of the BPA, individual calls with actual quantities will be issued and competed. Only vendors in the initial award pool will be allowed to submit a quote on the work offered, but are not required to offer on all orders. No restrictions have been set regarding the number of vendors in the award pool;

however, sufficient awards will be made to provide for adequate competition for calls.

This BPA is for an assortment of seed and straw production, restoration, and revegetation services for project areas within the National Forests in Region 6. Other project sites may be located within

Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, but the majority of the work will be in

Oregon and Washington across public lands. Work may occur, but is not limited to, adjacent to federal lands administered by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bonneville Power Administration, and National Fish and Wildlife Service. All

Federal Agencies will require Interagency Agreements before using this BPA.

Note: For calls with migrant and seasonal work, Migrant and Seasonal Agriculture Workers Protection

Act (MSPA) regulations will apply, and applicable clauses will be attached to those calls. Additionally if any minor construction is anticipated under this solicitation the appropriate wage determination shall be attached.

CONTRACTORS OBLIGATIONS

The Contractor shall furnish, except for Government-furnished property, all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals. All federal and state rules and regulations will be followed as well as appropriate federal agency jurisdictional guidelines unique to each agency.

Specific to Item 3, Contractor shall:

(a) It may be a requirement to have growing facilities located within eastern Oregon or Washington for calls accomplished for work in Region 6.

(b) Provide all acreage, labor, supervision, equipment and supplies necessary to cultivate and produce cleaned and tested seed and straw bales from species listed in the call orders. Note: a fully implemented irrigation system may be required for some species and call orders.

(c) Be a qualified seed producer/manager with a suitable level of experience in grass or forb seed production.

(d) Perform all work in compliance with Oregon or Washington Department of Agriculture state laws, all Federal and local laws related to the production and shipment of seed produced, as well as applicable guides, rules, and regulations such as the “Oregon Seed Certified Service Handbook 2012" (or updated version) from Oregon State University Extension Services (Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 633) or certification guidelines from Washington State Crop Improvement Association (Washington

Administrative Code, WAC 16-301 thru 16-303 and Revised Code of Washington, RCW 15.49)

(e) Maintain adequate records to allow the Government to monitor progress. Records shall include information and dates of field preparation, seed sowing, field treatments, fertilization, seed harvest, cleaning, storage, seed yield and any other activity relative to the production of the seed. Contractor shall provide the Government copies of these records each year upon request.

(f) Provide the Government with a timetable for sowing, growing, harvesting, cleaning and providing test results and delivery of grass seed and straw bales.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS ITEMS 1-4

Item 1: Restoration Services

Restoration overview

Projects may include ecological restoration in both terrestrial and aquatic settings in varied and diverse environments, and may include for example but are not limited to: native habitat restoration/enhancement (wildlife, fisheries, etc.); road construction (cut and fill slopes, source pits, spoils areas, landscaping, ERFO, etc.); mine reclamation (tailings, waste rock, overburden, etc.); fire rehabilitation (BAER, habitat improvement, etc.).

1.A Hydro - Seeding/Mulching/Fertilizing. Provide a variety of products (tackifers, mulches, fertilizers, mycorrhizae, etc.) and capabilities (equipment, application methods, personnel, etc.)

best suited to project objectives. Minimum equipment requirements may be imposed if terrain is limiting.

NOTE: For pricing purposes only use those items described above in 1.A. However, individual Calls competed at a later date may require use of the following.

Aerial Seeding/Mulching Application/Project Material(s) transport. Services may include but are not limited to, helicopters and/or fixed wing aircraft for the application of dry seed, dry fertilizer, hydro-seed/mulch/fertilizer, grass straw and wood product mulches, compost, etc. Applying approved herbicides for help in controlling an assortment of introduced and/or invasive plant species.

Anticipated projects might involve Ferry (helicopter) restoration materials, equipment, and supplies into remote or inaccessible project sites or aiding post fire restoration work, such as

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) efforts to provide soil stabilization. All appropriate

Forest Service aircraft requirements will apply and would be addressed in the specific Call.

1.B Pneumatic/Mechanical/Hand - Seed/Mulch/Compost Installation. Provide a variety of products (tackifier, compost, straw, wood chips, shredded woody material, fertilizer, amendments, etc.) and capabilities (equipment, application methods, personnel, etc.) best suited to project objectives. Additional services may include placing compost berms, filling and creating wattles, socks, etc. using mulch or compost with a selection of casing materials.

1.C Mechanical/Hydraulic Planting/Plant Protection. Provide a variety of mechanical and hydraulic equipment (mounted augers, handheld augers, water jet, excavator mounted hydraulically actuated expanding “stingers,” tree spades, etc.) and capabilities (various hole diameters, depth, portability, reach, substrate penetration, plant configuration capacity, etc.) to maximize planting efficiency and plant survival. Plant a variety of conifer, shrub, fern, grass, grass-likes, and forb species and stock-types. Plant varied container types and configurations including bare root and balled-and-burlapped into a wide range of ecological settings and substrates.

Protection of new plantings/seedlings using a variety of caging and fencing options may be necessary to help insure plant survival and establishment. Options may include single plant protection to multi-acre big game enclosures.

1.D Hand Planting/Plant Salvage/Plant Protection. Prepare and plant sites with hand tools. Plant a variety of conifer, shrub, fern, grass, grass-likes, and forb species and stock-types. Plant varied container types and sizes including bare root and balled-and-burlapped into a wide range of ecological settings and substrates. Access may be difficult for some projects and may involve off-road vehicles, pack animals, or other means to transport plant materials and/or labor. Work may require the use of pesticides to control competing vegetation, rodents, or insects, in addition to the application of fertilizer, mycorrihzae, game repellants, etc. Protection of new plantings/seedlings using a variety of caging and fencing options may be necessary to help insure plant survival and establishment. Options may include single plant protection to multi-acre big game enclosures.

Work may also entail salvaging by hand or mechanically (excavator, tree-spade, etc.) plant materials, transplanting directly or at a later time. This may for example include temporary on-site care/storage or transport and care/storage off-site for later use.

1.E Mechanical/Hand Seeding. Provide equipment (tractors, quads, etc.) and capabilities appropriate for the ecological setting (seed drills, mounted broadcast seeders and sprayers, hand seeders, backpack sprayers, etc.) including site and seedbed preparation and maintenance equipment (discs, harrows, rippers, rakes, sprayers, etc.)

1.F Bioengineering/Storm Water Treatment. Projects may involve slope/soil stabilization utilizing

(live stakes and fascines, live crib-walls, vegetated geo-textiles, vegetated gabion walls, vegetated riprap, vegetated rock walls, retaining walls, “stinger” plantings, etc.), stream bank stabilization/enhancement, storm water treatments including: mechanical filtration systems, bio-retention, bio-filtration swales, vegetated buffer strips, sodding, settling basins, wet detention ponds, storm water wetlands, and ecology embankments for example.

1.G Slash Shredding/Hauling. Provide mobile equipment that can efficiently reduce slash into shred form of varying sizes for use in creating compost or used as mulch on constructed cut and fill slopes, decommissioned roads, etc., as well as for erosion control, bio-engineering, etc.

Provide equipment which can size, sort, or screen out and separate product as needed. For example, produce material for mulch blowing applications to a specific maximum size. Source material may be existing slash piles, generally tops and limbs, generated from timber management activities or highway right-of-way clearing debris. Provide equipment sufficient to forward piled slash. Slash may vary from green to aged and dry with variable lengths and diameters and may include stumps and whole trees. Slash may be entirely from conifers, hardwoods, and shrubs or a mix. Provide trucking, loading, and unloading of product to designated sites, in general within a

10 mile radius of the project site.

1.H Road Decommissioning/Obliteration/Soil De-compaction. Provide services to de-compact soils, decommission, obliterate, enhance, re-contour and/or shape roads, source and waste areas, landings, skid-trails, temporary roads, etc., pull culverts, improve drainage, restore hydrologic function, create barriers to discourage further use, etc. Work may involve transporting (on and off-highway), placing materials such as soil, rock, logs, slash, etc. to and/or from the site and disposal. Additional services may include whole tree removal (tree-tipping), transport, and placement.

1.I Vegetation/Invasive Plant Treatment/Inventory/Mapping/Monitoring. Provide vegetation and invasive plant treatment plans and control for varied ecological settings within both terrestrial and aquatic habitats and may include inventory, mapping, and monitoring. Provide appropriate state applicator licensing, herbicide use plans, and personnel to control undesirable vegetation, and state listed noxious weeds. Projects for example may include rangeland, forested or wetland habitats, existing or newly constructed roads, trails, landings and may involve inventory, treatment, and/or monitoring. Adjacent lands, right-of-ways, gravel pits, waste areas, and parking lots may also be treated. Treatments may involve the use of herbicides applied by fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, or ground based. For example, vehicle mounted boom or sprayer, mechanized means such as mowers, brush cutters, weeds whackers etc. Backpack sprayers, hand pulling, burning, scalding, covering, etc. may also be employed. Weed treatment for a given project may continue for 3-5 years and require multiple yearly treatments. Treatment in rights-of-ways such as those of DOTs may be included, some of which might require additional applicator endorsements.

NOTE: For pricing purposes only use those items described above in 1.I. However, individual BPA Calls competed at a later date may require use of the following.

Approved biological control agents may be used including collection and release. The use of goats and/or prescription grazing to help control invasive species may also be used. Monitor and inventory existing populations and areas susceptible to invasion. Herbicide application via fixed wing aircraft or helicopter may be requested.

1.J Vegetation Monitoring/Mapping/Survey. Perform vegetation monitoring for a variety of ecological settings and data requirements, including for example rangeland, forested and riparian/wetland habitats, as well as restoration/revegetation work including road construction, fire, wetland enhancement, wildlife/fisheries habitat improvement, and ecological studies. Locate and/or establish and monument temporary and/or permanent monitoring plots within designated areas. Analyze existing and/or collected data and provide reports. Perform plant/vegetation surveys and mapping including but not limited to: vascular/non-vascular plant surveys, timber stand exams, vegetation typing and mapping, etc. Monitoring protocols and methodologies will be expounded upon within each individual Call.

1.K Stream/Riparian/Wetland Restoration/Channel Realignment. Provide all services necessary to perform riparian and wetland restoration and enhancement. Design, plan, mitigate, and implement complex riparian/wetland restoration projects including but not limited to: wetland delineation;

wetland relocation/creation; stream classification; federal and state regulations, licenses, and permitting requirements; heavy equipment sufficient to relocate/enhance stream channels/wetlands; place in-stream structures; plant large size container trees and shrubs;

transport large volumes of rock, sand, sediment, woody debris, etc. Treat and control or remove invasive species. Additional services may involve plant salvage, direct transplanting, maintaining plant materials on site or transporting and storage and/or increase off site for future use and whole tree removal (tree-tipping), transport and placement.

1.L Landscaping. Work will be primarily associated with previously completed road construction involving restoration work within transportation corridors and may include, weigh stations, rest-stops, overlooks, trailheads, parking facilities, administrative facilities, road medians and shoulders, safety zones, over and underpasses, wildlife crossings, ramps, noise abatement screens, and interchanges. Primary to this work is soil stabilization, beautification, maintenance, and functionality. Additional work may consist of designing and implementing appropriate temporary or permanent irrigation systems, providing topsoil, gravels, rock, logs, mulch, compost, erecting barriers, such as placing a large boulder to restrict/redirect pedestrians and traffic. Design and implement project specific storm-water treatments as needed.

1.M Container/Bare-root/Balled-and-burlapped Propagation. Provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track a wide variety of tree, shrub, fern, grass, grass-like, and forb species from seed and/or vegetative means providing an array of container and/or bare-root configurations. Delivery to project sites may be requested, necessitating appropriate transportation and storage equipment, such as mobile refrigeration. Container requests may range from small volume plugs (3 in³) to (5 gallon) or larger for example. Depending on project needs balled-and-burlapped or a tree spade may be required. Due to the uncertainties involved with many projects scheduled delivery dates of plant materials for a specific project may occasionally need to be modified. This may involve delaying delivery (weeks-months), changing container configuration and/or production strategy to accommodate an additional year of growth, or over wintering in a secure facility. The Government may provide all plant materials, a portion of, or none to the grower.

1.N Seed Collection/Inventory/Mapping/Seed Cleaning. Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Identify and collect phenologically appropriate native tree, shrub, fern, forb, grass-like, and grass seed from a wide range of ecological settings.

Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking. Sites may also be along heavily traveled highway corridors. Inventory and mapping involve locating, identifying, evaluating, and recording potential collection sites, species, and phenology. A typical project for example may first involve the contractor performing a 5-6 species inventory and mapping exercise, followed up with seed collections over a range of elevations and habitats, cleaning and seed testing.

1.O Vegetative Collection/Salvage/Inventory/Mapping. Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Identify and collect phenologically appropriate native hardwood, shrub, forb, fern, grass-like, and grass vegetative plant materials from a wide range of habitats and conditions. Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking. Sites may also be along traveled highway corridors. Inventory and mapping involve locating, identifying, evaluating, and recording potential collection sites, species, and phenology.

Post collection material handling, storage and transport may require refrigeration and/or overnight delivery. Long term cold storage (2-4 months) may be required prior to nursery planting.

Collection requests for vegetative materials, for example, may vary from small twigs to rhizomes to large poles depending on project design.

1.P Sediment/Erosion Control. Design and implement sediment and erosion control plans for highway, trail, or energy corridor construction projects. Implement an already existing control plan or provide advice on design, implementation, or improve existing plans. Provide, install, or place control devices, such as erosion control bales, wattles, logs and rolls, silt fence, temporary rolled erosion control products both short and long term, temporary mulching/seeding, check damns, settling ponds, basins, bio-filtration, geo-textiles, and geo-composite materials, etc., sufficient to meet all local, state and federal regulatory requirements. Work may involve “on-call” duties and storm patrols.

1.Q Compost. Produce compost from non-recycled woody debris/slash created through the clearing of project right-of-ways, timber sales, fuels reduction, etc. Provide all equipment necessary to produce a final product that complies with the standards set forth by the American

Composting Council and/or project specifications. Compost production is generally performed on site or adjacent to the project. Material handling, monitoring, turning, consolidation, off-site storage, and transporting may be needed in part or whole prior to composting as well as after.

Compost and transport from other sources and suppliers may be requested.

1.R Project Mobilization In/Out. This cost should reflect the amount of time and resources required to travel to and from a project with the appropriate equipment to perform the task at hand. Mobilization may be incidental on some Calls.

1.S General Labor. Provide general labor and necessary equipment for a variety of jobs which may include, but are not limited to, repairing/enhancing/removing established sediment and erosion control systems; plant maintenance including: weeding, watering, replanting, fertilizing, and protection; minor landscaping and enhancement; project clean-up; materials hauling and disposal; and modifications to completed revegetation plans.

1.T Tree Climbing/Cone and Seed Collection. Provide all necessary equipment and personnel sufficient to access and collect cones and seeds from a variety of conifer and hardwood species.

Collection sites and conditions may be highly variable. Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking. Work may also include climbing and caging cones prior to collection, installing wildlife habitat structures, and tree topping via mechanical or explosive means.

Item 2: Plant Material Collection/Inventory/Mapping

2.A Seed Collection/Inventory/Mapping/Seed Cleaning. Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Identify and collect phenologically appropriate native tree, shrub, fern, forb, grass-like, and grass seed from a wide range of ecological settings.

Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking. Sites may also be along heavily traveled highway corridors. Inventory and mapping involve locating, identifying, evaluating, and recording potential collection sites, species, and phenology. A typical project for example may first involve the contractor performing a 5-6 species inventory and mapping exercise, followed up with seed collections over a range of elevations and habitats, cleaning and seed testing.

2.B Vegetative Collection/Salvage/Inventory/Mapping. Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Identify and collect phenologically appropriate native hardwood, shrub, forb, fern, grass-like, and grass vegetative plant materials from a wide range of habitats and conditions. Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking. Sites may also be along traveled highway corridors. Inventory and mapping involve locating, identifying, evaluating, and recording potential collection sites, species, and phenology.

Post collection material handling, storage and transport may require refrigeration and/or overnight delivery. Long term cold storage (2-4 months) may be required prior to nursery planting.

Collection requests for vegetative materials, for example, may vary from small twigs to rhizomes to large poles depending on project design.

Item 3: Native Grass and Forb Seed and Straw Production

3A. Native Grass and Forb Seed Production

Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Produce native grass and forb seed as well as straw to aid in restoration efforts. The Contractor’s growing facility must be located within eastern Oregon or Washington.

3B. Straw Production

Services may be required in part or whole depending on project requirements. Produce native grass and forb seed as well as straw to aid in restoration efforts. The Contractor’s growing facility must be located within eastern Oregon or Washington. Delivery to project site may be requested, necessitating appropriate transportation and storage equipment.

Item 4: Plant Propagation

4.A Container requests may range from small volume plugs (3 in³) to (5 gallon) or larger for example.

4.B Depending on project needs bareroot plant stock may be required.

4.C Balled-and-burlapped or a tree spade may be required.

Provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track a wide variety of tree, shrub, fern, grass, grass-like, and forb species from seed and/or vegetative means providing an array of container and/or bare-root configurations. Delivery to project sites may be requested, necessitating appropriate transportation and storage equipment, such as mobile refrigeration.

Due to the uncertainties involved with many projects scheduled delivery dates of plant materials for a specific project may occasionally need to be modified. This may involve delaying delivery

(weeks-months), changing container configuration and/or production strategy to accommodate an additional year of growth, or over wintering in a secure facility. The Government may provide all plant materials, a portion of, or none to the grower.

Item 5: Plant Material Collection

Provide all necessary equipment and personnel sufficient to access and collect cones and seeds from a variety of conifer, hardwood, and herbaceous species. Collection sites and conditions may be highly variable. Collection sites may be remote requiring significant driving and/or hiking.

Work may also include climbing and caging cones prior to collection, installing wildlife habitat structures, and tree topping via mechanical or explosive means.

5.A Tree Climbing

5.B Cone Collection

5.C Seed Collection

5.D Vegetative Collection

E. Inspection and Acceptance

CONTRACTOR’S QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

The Contractor may be required to provide a detailed Quality Control Plan per individual BPA Calls.

In General, the Quality Control Plan must demonstrate how the contractor will assure quality, and meet the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall describe: how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of the work; key personnel assigned to the project; and personnel that will be performing the quality control. In addition, the

Contractor should address industry standard guidelines, and any applicable State or Federal specifications, protection to the environment and wildlife habitat, and public safety in constructing a

Quality Control Plan.

The Government may or may not require a specific quality control plan for each call order competed.

If required it will be described in the call order. The Government may ask for additional information in the Quality Control Plan prior to acceptance.

When required and after the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan has been accepted by the Government, it will be incorporated into the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s duly authorized representative (COR) will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract.

Monitoring of restoration and revegetation work will vary by call, but will consist of monitoring

Contractor’s:

(a) Field operations by visiting job site(s).

(b) Compliance to Quality Control Plan.

(c) Compliance to any requirements listed on individual call orders, including adherence to performance period and time table for sub items.

In addition, monitoring of native grass and forb seed production, as well as the production of straw, will consist of monitoring:

(a) Field records to check the progress of contract.

(b) State seedling and seed crop reports to verify land requirements, isolation distances and field management standards.

(c) Seed tests to ensure minimum standards for germination, purity, other crop, weed, prohibited weeds and inert matter are met.

(d) Operations by making field visits during the contract. The Government may arrange visits to inspect sowing, production fields, harvesting, storage facilities, seed cleaning and seed test sampling.

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVELS (AQL) FOR NATIVE GRASS AND FORB SEED AND

STRAW PRODUCTION

(a) Payments

(1) Upon receipt of satisfactory Certified State Laboratory seed test results (fall of each year), the

Government will pay the Contractor 100% of the production year contract price for the pounds of seed produced and accepted.

(2) For Call Orders involving field preparation and sowing the Government will pay the Contractor

100% of the field preparation and sowing contract price upon the Government’s receipt and acceptance of:

a) The technical approach to growing the specific species,

b) Field preparation, and

c) Sowing

(3) The Contractor shall provide planting records and seedling inspection and seed crop inspection reports at the request of the COR. The Contractor will arrange for original seed test results to be mailed to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) by the seed lab. Payment shall not be made until reports and test results are received by the Government.

(4) The Contractor shall notify the Government prior to removing a field from production. Failure to notify the Government may affect future awards for Call orders under this contract as well as follow on contracts. Removing a field prior to completing a call order does not remove the obligation to produce the seed within the performance period of the contract. Should stand failure occur as a result of contractor negligence or failure to perform the Government may terminate for cause. Should stand failure occur, and the Contractor can show that the failure was due to circumstances beyond their control the Government shall consider and accept one of the following:

a) The acreage shall be replanted, if seed is available.

b) A substitution will be provided, if available, and acceptable to the Government.

c) The call order shall be terminated, if no seed nor suitable substitution is available.

A modification to the call will be executed for any of the circumstances described in a), b) or c) above.

(5) Should the Contractor fail to produce seed of contract quality, the Government may refuse to accept the seed and refuse payment of the balance due on the contract. The Contractor may recondition the seed to achieve contract quality, or a fair market price for the seed as-is (e.g., PLS weighted by contract price) may be negotiated within 60 days of receipt of the contract seed test results, and the contract price will be negated.

(b) Government Rights to Seed Produced and Excess Seed

(1) The Government retains the right of first refusal for any additional amount of seed or straw produced. Price will remain the same as offered for additional amounts within 25% of the original quantity ordered. A price will be negotiated for any additional quantities that exceed 25%. The government shall notify the Contractor within two weeks following the date of receipt of contract seed test results to exercise its option to purchase excess seed or straw. The Contractor may have salvage rights to any seed or straw that is excess to the Government’s needs.

(2) If the Government decides to purchase excess seed or straw over $2,500, a call order will be submitted to the Contractor at the contract or negotiated price.

(3) The Contractor may continue producing seed or straw from the contract planting beyond the termination of the contract at their option, and the Government will have the opportunity to negotiate, in a timely manner, a new contract for such production or the Government will release the field to the Contractor.

DESIGNATION OF CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative(s) (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this agreement. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the agreement.

The Contracting Officer should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the

Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the agreement.)

On all matters that pertain to the terms, the Contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer.

Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a claim.

PERFORMANCE OF WORK BY THE CONTRACTOR

The Contractor shall perform on the site, and with its own organization, work equivalent to at least 20 percent of the total amount of work to be performed under this agreement. This percentage may be reduced by a supplemental agreement to this contract if, during performing the work, the Contractor requests a reduction and the Contracting Officer determines that the reduction would be to the advantage of the Government.

APPROVAL OF SUBCONTRACTING

The Contractor shall request approval from the Contracting Officer prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement. The subcontractor shall have the experience and be equipped for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum:

a) The name, address, and telephone number(s) of the subcontractor.

b) The date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration.

c) A detailed description of the work being subcontracted including a listing of contract items, units, etc., as appropriate.

d) Documentation of the subcontractor's representative authority.

Subcontracting any portion of the contract shall not relieve the Prime Contractor of any responsibility under this contract. Any subcontract agreement shall contain all terms and conditions of the prime contract.

452.215-73 POSTAWARD CONFERENCE. (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled and held within 10 days after the date of contract award of each call. The conference will be held as specified in the call or at a mutually agreed upon location.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this agreement. 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 agreement.

Property Descriptions will be provided with each call order (e.g., seed purity, germination, or

TZ/noxious weed test results, etc. Seed shall be labeled as to geographic origin e.g., provisional seed zone. Government-furnished quantities of seed shall be sufficient to produce ordered quantities.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE

There shall be no personal liability upon the Contracting Officer or officer in charge, their agents or employees, for any act performed in the discharge of any duty imposed or the exercise of any power or authority conferred upon them by, or within the scope, it being understood that in all such matters they act solely as agents and representatives of the Government.

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP)

The “Submit Invoice-to” address for USDA orders is the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing

Platform (IPP). The Contractor must follow the instructions on how to register and submit invoices via

IPP as prescribed in the previous communications from USDA and Treasure. All invoices shall be submitted via the electronic Invoice Processing Platform. This platform is managed by the U.S.

Department of Treasury and additional information is available at this website:

https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm.

Vendors register at: https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm to establish an account.

https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm

NOXIOUS WEEDS

(a) In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds onto Federal lands, the Contractor shall be required to furnish the Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment.

(b) Noxious weeds are defined as any exotic plant species present or that may be introduced in the State, which may render the land unfit for agriculture, forestry, livestock, wildlife, or other beneficial uses and which is designated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, County Weed Boards, or by other appropriate agencies having jurisdiction.

(c) All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and certified free of noxious weeds and their seeds prior to entrance onto the National Forest. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the contractor or subcontractor.

(d) Cleaning shall consist of the removal of all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. This may require the use of a pressure hose. Cleaning shall occur off Federal lands.

(e) Equipment, materials and vehicles shall be visually inspected by a designated Forest Service Officer, and certified in writing to be reasonably clean and weed free. Inspections will take place at a location designated by the Forest Officer in advance of equipment and material arrival. Equipment and vehicles are expected to proceed directly to the job site following the inspection. Materials to be used on the project will be delivered to the project.

Certification shall remain valid for each identified piece of equipment or vehicle only for the duration of the specified project and only as long as the vehicle or equipment remains at the job site. Equipment and vehicles (excepting passenger vehicles - this includes pickups and vans) that leave the job site will need to be recertified as weed free before they are allowed to return to the job site or re-enter the National

Forest. Equipment not passing inspection will be refused entry to the project site. Refused equipment will require re-cleaning by the Contractor at an approved off-site location at no additional time or cost to the contract. The equipment will then be re-inspected prior to entry to the project site.

SEED CROP AND STRAW QUALITY STANDARDS

(a) Land requirements shall meet State Certification Standards for the appropriate state, which includes planting seed on clean land with the crops in distinct rows. Field history records shall be available for

Government inspection. The land shall not have been recently planted to or have grown the same species being propagated under this contract to prevent contamination by volunteers of non-target seed sources.

(b) Fields of the individual seed lots shall be isolated by a minimum of 165 feet from contaminating sources which may potentially cross-pollinate with the species being grown under this contract. If a species is known to be predominately self-pollinating, then a mechanical separation is allowed (See table below for a list of self-pollinating species). The Contractor may choose to use a larger isolation distance in order to meet State Certification Standards, or a COR may specify the isolation distance on individual calls.

Minimum Isolation Distance: Species listed in the following table are predominantly self-pollinating.

The distance between fields of any other germplasm (seed lot) of the same species must be adequate to prevent mechanical mixture (e.g., 25 feet), unless otherwise specified on the Call order. For all other species, a minimum isolation distance of 165 feet is required, unless otherwise specified on the Call.

SPECIES

CODE

SPECIES COMMON

NAME

FAMILY MATING

SYSTEM

MINIMUM

ISOLATION

DISTANCE

BRCA5 Bromus caninatus California/mountai n brome

Gramineae Selfing Mechanical

BRMA4 Bromus marginatus mountain brome Gramineae Selfing Mechanical

DASP2 Danthonia spicata poverty danthonia Gramineae Selfing Mechanical

ELEL5/SI

HY

Elymus elymoides squirreltail Gramineae Selfing Mechanical

ELGL Elymus glaucus blue wildrye Gramineae Selfing Mechanical

POSE Poa secunda Sandberg's/pine bluegrass

Gramineae Selfing and apomixis

Mechanical

(c) The Contractor shall apply for seedling and seed crop inspections with the State Certification Agency to check compliance with land requirements, isolation distances, presence of prohibited and restricted weeds, and other standards listed in the State’s Certified Seed Regulations. State inspections will be responsibility of the Contractor.

(d) Produced seed shall meet State's Standards for Source Identified class of seed. Purity, germination, and All-State Noxious Weed examinations will be required. Tests and payment will be the responsibility of the Contractor. Samples will be tested by a state certified seed laboratory. Seed test results should include the Government’s source seed lot number as specified in the call order. Test results must be satisfactory to the Government before final acceptance of the seed is made. Note: A tetrazolium test

(TZ) may be made in lieu of a germination test for a seed viability test with the approval of the COR.

This decision may be based on the species involved (see Exhibit 1) or time constraints.

(e) The minimum acceptable standards for seed include:

1. Seed must meet or exceed State Certification Standards for that species. Generally, where no standards exist, Kentucky Bluegrass standards shall be used for grass seed, except for Achnatherum and Hesperostipa species for which the minimum germination standards will be 50.0%. Standards for forb and grass seed may also be set by the Government and listed on individual call orders. Seed standard guidelines for a variety of species are provided in Exhibit 2.

2. Seed must be free from prohibited weed species and meet or exceed minimum standards for restriction weed seed as listed in the current State Certification Standards.

3. Seed moisture content shall not exceed 10.0%.

4. Grass seed will be de-awned.

5. Harvested and cleaned seed will be bagged and secured in 25 or 50 lb. bags made of a strong material that maintains seed viability during storage.

6. All bags shall be tagged and labeled to meet State seed law labeling requirements. Bags of seed shall also be labeled by stencil or permanent marking pens (characters at least 1 inch in size) with the

Government’s source seed lot number as specified on the Call order. Additional labeling information may be requested by the COR on the Call order, such as the Project Name, National Forest unit, etc.

7. Bags of seed shall be stored in a cool and dry storage facility to assure optimal viability of seed until seed delivery to the Government.

(f) Seed lots shall be positively identified with seed lot numbers throughout sowing, all stages of grass growth, and on all packaging.

(g) The minimum acceptable standards for straw include:

1. Straw must meet or exceed State Certification Standards for weed free straw. Generally, where no standards exist, acceptance will be based on seed crop inspection reports, and/or visual field inspections by the COR prior to harvest. Standards may also be set by the Government and listed on individual call orders.

2. Straw will be baled and secured according to specifications listed on the Call order. Generally, bales will be less than 100 pounds.

3. Straw shall not be allowed to become wet after harvest or during storage prior to delivery.

SEED AND STRAW DELIVERY

(a) Delivery for Government acceptance shall occur within 120 days of harvest date or as otherwise agreed upon by the Government. Delivery dates may also be specified on the call.

(b) After the seed or straw has been determined to be acceptable, the Government will assume the financial responsibility for shipment, unless shipping charges are included in the call.

SAFETY

A Safety Plan will be required for all field work. Contractors may use the Job Hazard Analysis

(JHA) attached or their own plan or form to analyze the hazards and provide abatement measures. It is especially important to identify hazardous conditions that could lead to serious injury or loss of life. Contractors shall be required to submit a safety plan to the Contracting Officer that is in accordance with OSHA Regulations prior to starting work on each individual call. Safety plans shall include all tasks and related activities anticipated to successfully complete the work.

Projects are located on Government lands that include rugged…