veg plot rfp.doc

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Solicitation Number AG-0489-S-10-0303

Tree and Vegetation Data Plots

Wallowa Whitman National Forest

03/17/10

INFORMATION CALL:

04/19/10 0900 PACIFIC

UNRESTRICTED OR FORMCHECKBOX

SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS FORMCHECKBOX

EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

2900 NW Stewart Parkway – Room 220 Roseburg, OR 97470

FORMCHECKBOX

HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

FORMCHECKBOX

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- FORMCHECKBOX

8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: $7.0 M OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

FORMCHECKBOX

SEE SCHEDULE

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

FORMCHECKBOX

RFQ FORMCHECKBOX

IFB FORMCHECKBOX

RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

Wallowa Whitman National Forest

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

USDA FOREST SERVICE

EROC NORTHWEST

16400 CHAMPION WAY

SANDY, OR 97055

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

See block 16

TELEPHONE N0.

FORMCHECKBOX

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

FORMCHECKBOX

SEE ADDENDUM

TREE AND VEGETATION DATA PLOTS

Wallowa Valley, Whitman & La Grande Ranger Districts, Wallowa Whitman National Forest

This solicitation is issued under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary) See List of Payment Items

List of

Payment

Items See List of

Payment

Items

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

FORMCHECKBOX

ARE NOT ATTACHED

FORMCHECKBOX

ARE NOT ATTACHED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ____________________

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA ‑ FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

Technical Contact:

Lynne Smith 541-742-6715 Contract Specialist:

Dennis Danz 541-957-3230 Continuation of SF1449 Block 27:

The full text of a clause or provision may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov/far/

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

FORMCHECKBOX

RECEIVED

FORMCHECKBOX

INSPECTED

FORMCHECKBOX

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 AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

CORRECT FOR

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

FORMCHECKBOX

COMPLETE FORMCHECKBOX

PARTIAL FORMCHECKBOX

FINAL

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER

FOR PAYMENT

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005) BACK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SF 1449 – Solicitation For Commercial Items

Table of Contents

Schedule of Payment Items

Contract Specifications, Plans, Exhibits and Attachments

Addendum To FAR 52.212-4 Special Contract Clauses

· Full Text Clauses

· FAR 52.204-11 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements

· Supplement to FAR 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires

· AGAR 452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information List of Clauses Incorporated by Reference:

Far 52.215-5 Contract Terms And Conditions-Commercial Items Solicitation Provisions Addendum to FAR 52.212-1

· Technical Proposal Submission Instructions

· Proposal Submission Documents FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items

Addendum To FAR 52.212-3

· Government Employees, Former USDA Employees, and USDA Relatives Questionnaire

THE SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT ITEMS

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

TREE AND VEGETATION DATA PLOTS

WALLOWA WHITMAN NATIONAL FOREST

WALLOWA VALLEY, WHITMAN AND LA GRANDE RANGER DISTRICTS

ITEM 1 – WALLOWA VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT

Big Sheep - Forested Land

Exceeding 35% slope

Big Sheep - Stand Initiation (SI)

Big Sheep - Stem Exclusion Closed Canopy (SECC)

Big Sheep

GRAND TOTAL ITEM 1: $_____________

ITEM 2 –WHITMAN RANGER DISTRICT

Barnard

Patrick

Bourne

Noman/Broman

GRAND TOTAL ITEM 2: $_____________

ITEM 3 –LA GRANDE RANGER DISTRICT

Basin Bennet

Clark

Umapine

Starkey

GRAND TOTAL ITEM 3: $_____________

GRAND TOTAL ITEMS 1 + 2:

GRAND TOTAL ITEMS 1 + 3:

GRAND TOTAL ITEMS 2 + 3:

GRAND TOTAL ALL ITEMS (1 + 2 + 3):

Vendor Name:

Mailing Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone

Phone

Fax

E-Mail:

DUNS NUMBER:

TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN):

Offeror Qualification Limits on Award The Offeror may enter a maximum amount for which they are willing to accept an award in following space. This qualification limit shall be for at least the total value of the lowest total amount for any one Item based on the above offer totals. Option quantity values are excluded from this limitation. Qualification is not necessary if an Offer is for the maximum award possible.

My Offer is limited to an award in the amount of:

FAR 52.217-6 Option for Increased Quantity (MAR 1989)

The Government may increase the quantity called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within the time specified below. Completion/delivery of added items shall continue as shown elsewhere herein.

The exercise of an increased quantity will be accomplished by a unilateral contract modification issued by the Contracting Officer. There may be multiple modifications.

The quantities for the Payment Items shown above are considered to be base quantities. Each individual Payment Item may be increased by any quantity up to and including 10% of the base quantity specified above. [As an example: Item 3.4 Extensive Plots-Starkey – 3,700 plots may be increased by any additional quantity up to 370 additional plots].

The exercise of the option for any one payment item is independent of any other payment item.

If an option quantity is exercised for only part of the allowed 10% increase, an additional option quantity may be exercised to cover the remainder.

Exercise of an increased quantity of any single Payment Item will be available to the government from the date of award until work on the base quantity for that same Payment Item is completed, unless a later date is mutually agreed.

Offers on Subitems and Payment Items Offerors may submit prices for only Item 1, for only Item 2, for only Item 3, for any combination of any two Items, or for all Items.

Offerors submitting prices for any one Item shall submit a unit price and amount for every Payment Item within that Item.

Award By Item The Government intends to make awards by Item. Multiple awards are possible.

Registrations

Contractors should register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system. Ref: http://www.ccr.gov

Contractors should submit annual representations and certifications via the Online Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA) website. Ref: http://orca.bpn.gov

Contractors should register with VETS-100. Ref: http://www.vets100.cudenver.edu

Offer Submittal Documents A list of offer submittal documents is provided under the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions. To receive full consideration for award, all documents must be completed, including a completed Questionnaire. Offers must be submitted to the SF1449 Block 9 location.

CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS, PLANS, EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

Project Vicinity Maps (9) [separate pdf and jpg files]

Specifications/Quality Assurance/Measurement & Payment Commencement, Prosecution and Completion of Work [FAR 52.211-10] Contract Administration

· Pre-Work Conference

· Government Furnished Property

Fire Requirements

Service Contract Act Wage Determination 1977-0079 Revision 38 – Oregon

SPECIFICATIONS /QUALITY ASSURANCE/MEASUREMENT & PAYMENT

Performance Work Statement

The objective of this contract is to gather tree and ground vegetation information from plots located in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest using the U.S. Forest Service Common Stand Exam Protocols. This information will be used to determine future land management decisions. This is a forest wide contract that consists of three ranger districts, which are Whitman, Wallowa Valley and La Grande.

This work shall be accomplished over the course of 2 field seasons (generally May through October on the Wallowa-Whitman NF) with 35% of all work accomplished in 2010, and the remainder in 2011. Project areas will be prioritized by the government.

The specifications, drawings, terms and conditions are intended to be mutually complementary and shall be read as a whole.

Project Location and Brief Description:

Vicinity maps showing project location are provided in List of Attached Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments. Detailed maps and spreadsheets with stands, plots, topographic lines and other detail will be provided during pre-work conferencing.

The Whitman Ranger District was combined to include the former Baker, Pine and Unity Ranger Districts, comprising the south end of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The project names for the Whitman RD are Barnard (1,353 acres), Patrick (12,789 acres), Bourne (4,137 acres) and Noman/Broman (11,745 acres). There are approximately 258 plots within Barnard, 2,466 plots within Patrick, 806 plots within Bourne and 2,284 plots within Noman/Broman. These project areas are intended to be extensive plots.

The Barnard project area is located north of the towns of Richland and Halfway, Oregon and is accessed by several main Forest Roads; 7700, 7710 and 7715. The Patrick project area is located south of Highway 7 near the historic town of Whitney. The Noman/Broman project area is located on both sides of Highway 26, north and west of the town of Unity, Oregon. The Bourne project area is located north of Sumpter, Oregon and is accessed by several major Forest roads; 5532, 5538 and 5540.

The Wallowa Valley Ranger District is located in Enterprise, Oregon. The project is called Big Sheep, which is broken up into four classifications.

· Forested acreage on slopes exceeding 35% will be inventoried with “quick plots”. Acreage of timbered stands exceeding 35% approximates 13,249 acres. Sampling intensity will be 1 plot per 5 acres for a total of 2,650 plots.

· Inventory with “quick plots” in stands representative of the Stand Initiation (SI) stage of stand development. The SI acreage approximates 2463. Sampling intensity will be 1 plot per 5 acres for a total of 693 plots.

· Inventory with “quick plots in stands representative of the Stem Exclusion/Closed Canopy (SECC) stage of stand development. The SECC acreage approximates 2663. Sampling intensity will be 1 plot per 5 acres for a total of 534 plots.

· Inventory with “extensive plots” in remaining timbered stands. Extensive plot acreage approximates 22,761. Sampling intensity will be 1 plot per 5 acres for a total of 4,352 plots

The project area is 13 miles southeast of Joseph, Oregon and is accessed by State Highway 350 (the Joseph-Imnaha highway) and Forest Road 39. The watershed includes portions of the Wallowa Valley Ranger District (77%), Eagle Cap Ranger District (16%), and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (7%).

The La Grande Ranger District is located in La Grande, Oregon. There are four project areas, which are entitled Basin Bennet (8,335 acres), Clark (14,109 acres), Umapine (23,990 acres) and Starkey (31,494 acres). There are approximately 1,800 plots within Clark, 1,500 plots within Umapine, 3,700 plots within Starkey and 1,300 plots within Basin Bennet. These project areas are intended to be extensive plots.

The Basin Bennet project area is southeast of La Grande on the eastern District boundary with the Whitman District. It lies west of main Eagle Creek and south of the Eagle Cap Wilderness boundary. There are several main Forest roads providing access; 7700, 7755. The Clark project area is located northeast of La Grande just to the west of the Eagle Cap Wilderness boundary. It is near Mount Harris and Point Prominence lookout and is accessed by Forest roads 6200, 6205. The Starkey and Umapine project areas are located north (Starkey) and south (Umapine) of State Highway 244, west of La Grande.

All work shall be performed in accordance with the following unless otherwise specified in a task order.

The Contractor shall:

1. Provide labor, supervision, transportation, and all equipment necessary to complete the contract except those listed as Government-furnished property.

2. Provide electronic data utilizing Microsoft Pocket PC or Microsoft Windows CE operating system capable of operating application software provided by the Government, ExamsCE©. Contractor can also hand input collected data on home based Personal Computer’s using Exams PC©. The Contractor will need Windows 2000 or Windows XP to operate these systems. Contractors will provide the government with electronic files for uploading into the Government’s Field Sampled Vegetation (FSVeg) corporate database. Contractors are responsible for maintaining backups of all data collected.

3. Maintain adequate records to allow the Government to monitor contract progress.

4. An Internet web site is available to download user guides, appendices, forms and software (ActiveSync37, winpc_v16.exe and appropriate PDR) necessary for operating the electronic version of CSE and supporting communication software http://fsweb.nris.fs.fed.us/products/PDR/CSE/installation.shtml

5. Compact discs (CD) will be provided to Contractors upon request with needed application software, user guides, appendices, and forms for ExamsCE© and ExamsPC© if they are not able to obtain from Internet web site listed above.

Note: Software for the portable field data recorders provided at the above website or CD are for those devices that the Government had developed and tested the software on. The Government does not endorse any of the devices listed. If the device is not listed, look for a device with a similar platform and chipset.

6. Submit files to the Government via electronic mail, compact disc (contractor must have a back up file), or download directly from field data recorder into Government PC.

Special Requirements:

Some roads may be temporarily or permanently closed in conformance with the current District Access Management Plans. The contractor may or may not be issued a permit to drive behind road closures, but may request access through the COR. The contractor will not be authorized to drive behind any road closures during the fall big game hunting season. This may require the contractor to use other modes of transportation such as feet, bike or horse. These modes of transportation must be congruent with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Access and Travel Management Plan.

Definitions:

Common Stand Exam User Guide- Contains detailed instructions on how to collect Common Stand Exam (CSE) data, load into Field Sampled Vegetation database, and obtain reports. It also contains instructions on using Portable Data Record (PDR) software.

Region 6 Common Stand Exam Field Guide- Contains only the information necessary for collecting data while in the field. Forest specific field guides have been compiled from the R 6 field guide for use on the Whitman and Wallowa Valley project areas and the La Grande District (see government furnished property). These specific field guides correlate to the specific data collection requirements by project area. Copies will be provided at pre-work conferencing.

ExamsCE- a Government provided computer application software that is specifically designed to be used in the field on a Portable Data Recorder in support of the Government Field Vegetation Sampled Vegetation (FSVeg) Common Stand Exam program. This program requires the PDR to have either MicrosoftPocket PC or MicrosoftWindows CE operating system. Data are collected directly in the PDR while the examiner is in the field. Data files generated are then uploaded into the Government’s corporate FSVeg database.

ExamsPC- A Government provided computer application that is designed to be used on a desktop or laptop Personal Computer (PC) that uses MicrosoftWindows 2000 or greater. This application is used to directly support the Government’s Field Vegetation Sampled Vegetation (FSVeg) Common Stand Exam (CSE) program.

Technical Specifications All measurements shall be made in accordance with the USDA Forest Service’s Common Stand Exam User Guide, which describes measurement procedures as specified in this contract. The Common Stand Exam User Guide is available along with data recorder software at the following website http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml. This website provides the National Forest User Guide which is intended for nation-wide use. Where there are discrepancies between this contract’s specifications and the User Guide, this contract shall have precedence.

NOTE: Technical specifications vary between project areas for extensive plot data collection requirements and methods. Differences are noted.

For Quick Plots:

Quick plots are scheduled only in the Big Sheep Project Area on Wallowa Valley Ranger District so there are no varying specifications.

Nationally Required Fields:

Setting:

· Project Name: Big Sheep Stand Exam

· Region: 6

· Proclaimed Forest: 16 (Wallowa-Whitman)

· District: 02 (Wallowa Valley)

· Location: Big Sheep Watershed

· Owner: USFS

· Date: MM/DD/YYYY

· Exam Level: (1) Quick Plot

Plot:

· Plot number: Integer (1-XX).

· Stand Tag: E.G. 2IH16N980001 (2: denotes Wallowa Valley District, IH16: denotes quad identifier, N: denotes quad half, 980001: denotes unique stand number. Acceptable tag identifier must be 12 characters in length.

· Ecoclass Code: applicable plant association as derived from Charlie Johnson’s “Plant Associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province” . Copies provided.

· Variable Plot BAF: Select BAF to obtain 4-6 trees greater than or equal to 5.0 inches in diameter

· Fixed plot: 1/100 recording seedlings to poles (4.9” DBH)

· Tree Species: Record the species of every recorded tree. Use 4 digit identifier. (E.G. PIPO. The first two letters indicate the genus of the species: PInus, and the second two indicate the species: POnderosa)

· Tree Status:

· Tree Class:

· Tree Crown Class:

1. Dominant: (D) crowns extend above the general level of the crown cover of others of the same stratum and are not physically restricted from above, although possibly crowded by other trees on the sides

2. Codominant: (CD) crowns form the general level of the main canopy of the stratum, receiving full sunlight from above and comparatively little light from the sides.

3. Intermediate: (I) trees with crowns extending into the lower portion of the main canopy of the stratum receiving little light from above and none from the sides.

4. Suppressed: (S) overtopped trees of varying levels of vigor that have their crowns completely covered by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees.

· Tree Diameter: record diameter to the nearest 2 inch even class (i.e. 6,8,10…)

For Extensive Plots:

Stands shall be examined by gathering extensive plot level information with some additional optional fields for tree data. The total number of sample plots per stand has been predetermined and are pre-located by latitude and longitude on stands within the La Grande project areas or delineated on aerial photos on stands within the Whitman and Wallowa Valley project areas.

1. No plot shall be closer than 66 feet to a road. If a plot falls closer than 66 feet to a road then the plot shall be moved to create the required distance. Where latitude and longitude are pre-located (La Grande project areas) corrections shall be made and recorded if plots are moved. Where plots are not pre-located with latitude and longitude, notation of the plot relocation shall be made on aerial photo overlays.

2. Where plots are pre-located with latitude and longitude (La Grande project areas), the Contractor shall use a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit capable of at least 10 meter accuracy. The GPS shall be capable of using the UTM and/or lat. /long. coordinate systems and have the capability to be set to NAD 1927, NAD 83 Datums, or WGS 1984 Datums.

3. Where stands are delineated on aerial photos (Whitman and Wallowa Valley Districts project areas), stands have been delineated by the Forest Service using 1/12,000 true color aerial photos and the number of plots has been determined. The Contractor will select a plot grid that places the required number of plots uniformly across the delineated stand.

4. Where plots are pre-located with latitude and longitude (La Grande project areas) no flagging shall be used to indicate routes between plots by the Contractor or the government. Where plots are delineated on aerial photos (Whitman and Wallowa Valley Districts project areas) the Contractor shall mark the reference point on the ground with two strips of fluorescent pink colored flagging for each stand and noted on the aerial photo. Contractors shall record GPS coordinates for all reference points for all project area stands. The distance and the azimuth to the first plot, the stand number, and the date (month/day), shall be written on the ribbon with a permanent black ink marking pen. The route to and between plots shall be flagged with fluorescent pink flagging at points not to exceed 75 feet apart to facilitate relocation for inspection.

5. Plot centers shall be clearly and securely identified with a wire flag (described under Contractor Provided Materials) with the flag at least 6 inches above the ground. Three strips of flagging shall be tied no less than 5 feet above the ground in a 120 degree pattern around plot center for ease of plot center location. The plot and stand number shall be marked on the wire flag with a permanent, black ink marking pen. Plot center is defined as that point where the wire or stake enters the ground. This point or plumb line extension of this point shall be used for limited distance measurements and inspections. In addition to the wire stake a small paint dot (approximately 1 inch in diameter) shall be placed on the ground with the stake center in the dot.

6. All plot data shall be recorded at each plot using the Common Stand Exam (CSE) software. Completed exams shall be delivered to the Forest Service as electronic files with the “CSE” or “PDR” file extension created by the CSE software.

Survey Techniques

1. Setting Data - The following fields shall be completed for each exam in the CSE software. Information on necessary procedures to complete these fields is available in the User Guide. Some of the data for these fields will be provided by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Provided Data Required Fields for Contractor Completion

Date

Potential Vegetation

Structure

Fuel Model

X

Elevation

Aspect

Slope

Slope Position

Examiner

Remarks

Damage Category

Damage Agent

Damage Severity

La Grande Project Areas

Sample Design – To reduce bias on the selection of small tree plot size in normally stocked stands of trees over 5 inches in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), the small tree fixed radius plot size shall be based on the limiting distance of the breakpoint diameter between large and small trees for the selected basal area factor (BAF) used for large trees. For example, if the limiting distance of a 5 inch DBH tree tallied using a BAF of 10 is 13.5 feet, then the small tree plot size will be 13.5 feet or approximately 1/75th acre plot. Selection of BAF is based on the factor necessary to tally 4 to 8 trees over 5 inches DBH.

Whitman and Wallowa Valley Project Areas

Sample Design – Selection of BAF is based on the factor necessary to tally 4 to 8 trees over 5 inches DBH. Sampling of trees 5 inches and less will be accomplished using a 1/100th acres fixed plot. The following fields shall be completed for each setting (stand). Information on necessary procedures to complete these fields is available in the User Guide. Some of the data for these fields will be provided by the COR.

Provided

Required Fields For Contractor Completion

Sample Expansion Factor

1. Plot Data - The following fields shall be completed for each plot. For information needed to complete these fields refer to the User Guide. Tolerances listed in measurable standards supersede those found in the User Guide if differences are found.

Provided

Required Fields For Contractor Completion

Plot Number

Latitude

X

Longitude

X

2. Tree Data – (Level 2 Extensive plus Optional Fields). The following fields shall be completed for each sampled tree. For information needed to complete these fields, refer to the User Guide. Tolerances listed in measurable standards supersede those found in the User Guide if differences are found.

PROJECT NAME

(Provided)

REGION

PROCLAIMED FOREST

DISTRICT

LOCATION

STAND NUMBER

La Grande project Areas:

Tallied Trees: Trees shall be tallied starting with a north azimuth and turning in a clockwise direction

Whitman and Wallowa Valley project areas:

Tallied Trees: Trees shall be tallied starting with a north azimuth and turning in a clockwise direction

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 provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) in their proposal. The Quality Control Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure that quality meets the requirements of the contract. It shall describe how the standards of the Common Stand Exam User Guide and requirements listed in this contract will be met.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The Government will make periodic inspections while work is in progress on a sample of completed exams. The Contractor shall notify and provide the electronic data files to the COR at an agreed upon and convenient location, when groups of 5 to 10 stands or approximately 1 to 2 weeks worth of work are completed, and are ready for inspection prior to moving out of the general area. It is normally expedient for the government to initially inspect contractor work following the completion of the first one or two stands to assure that no misunderstandings of exam procedures develop.

Quality Assurance Plan

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

INSPECTION TOLERANCES AND PENALTIES

At each inspection plot, the Contractor shall examine the plot area and record his/her findings on the items listed below. The following measurements or data entries shall be recorded. Tolerances for all measurements and data entries and the error value for each entry outside of allowable tolerances are shown below. Plots will be inspected by the Government to determine if the work is performed in accordance with the contract specification of 90 percent minimum acceptable standard of work.

NOTE: Some of this data will be provided to the Contractor by the Government. Any data provided shall be accurately transferred from provided data tables to the electronic file by the Contractor

(A) Setting Level

SAMPLE DESIGN FORM FIELDS

Tolerance Penalty

+/- 0

PROCLAIMED FOREST

FORM TYPE

Not Acceptable

SAMPLE SELECTION METHOD

+/- 0

Not Acceptable

SAMPLE EXPANSION FACTOR

+/- 0

SUBPOPULATION FILTER

SELECTION CRITERIA NUMBER

+/- 0

SUBPOPULATION FILTER

SELECTION CRITERIA NUMBER

+/- 0

SUBPOPULATION VARIABLE

SUBPOPULATION MINIMUM VALUE

+/- 0

Not Acceptable

SUBPOPULATION MAXIMUM VALUE

+/- 0

Not Acceptable

SETTING DATA FORM FIELDS

Tolerance

PROCLAIMED FOREST

+/- 0

OWNER

STATE

COUNTY

ADMIN FOREST

DATE

EXAM LEVEL

EXAM PURPOSE

POTENTIAL VEGETATION REF

+/- 0

(Provided)

POTENTIAL VEGETATION

+/- 0

ERROR = 1 tree

STRUCTURE (WHERE REQUIRED)

NO ERROR

FUEL MODEL (WHERE REQUIRED)

ELEVATION

+/- 100’

ASPECT

SLOPE

+/- 10%

SLOPE POSITION

+/- 1 class

ACRES

PRECISION PROTOCOL

+/- 0

EXAMINER

REMARKS

DAMAGE CAT

EGORY

+/- 1 class

DAMAGE AGENT

+/- 1 class

DAMAGE SEVERITY

(B) Plot Level

PLOT DATA FORM

Tolerance

PROCLAIMED FOREST

+/- 0

PLOT #

LATIUDE (WHERE REQUIRED)

+/-10 meters ERROR = 1 tree

LONGITUDE (WHERE REQUIRED)

+/-10 meters

ASPECT

SLOPE

+/- 10%

POTENTIAL VEGETATION

+/- 0

ERROR = 1 tree

(C) Tree Level

TREE DATA FORM FIELDS

Tolerance

PLOT #

ERROR=1 tree

TAG NUMBER

STATUS

TREE CLASS

SPECIES

COUNT

DBH

ERROR = ½ tree

.1 TO 4.9

+/-1

5 TO 4.99

+/- .5 except for borderline trees 0 tolerance

TREE HEIGHT (all trees)

+/- 10%

AGE

+/-10%

RADIAL GROWTH

+/-1/20 inch

HEIGHT BASE LIVE CRN

+/-10%

CROWN RATIO

+/-10

CROWN CLASS

1 class

DAMAGE CATEGORY

DAMAGE AGENT

DAMAGE PART

DAMAGE SEVERITY

For tallied trees in the fixed area plot or Frequency (FRQ) plot on sample design

Actual Trees on Plot

Tolerance

1-4 trees

+/- 0 trees ERROR = each tree

5-15 trees

+/- 1 trees

16-25 trees

+/- 3 trees more than 25 trees

+/- 5 trees ERROR = each tree

For tallied trees in the variable plot BAF on sample design.

1 or more trees

+/-0 trees

TOTAL EXAM

The following errors are considered 'fatal' errors and will result in the affected stand(s) being returned to the Contractor for rework at no additional cost to the government.

1. Any plot where the plot center location cannot be located because of improper labeling of the plot center or missing GPS coordinates, or for other reasons attributable to noncompliance with the contract specifications.

2. Any form where the field’s penalty is labeled “not acceptable” or information provided by the Government is not correctly transferred.

The total number of incorrect tree penalties divided by the total number of trees tallied on the inspection will determine the percentage of unsatisfactory work. 100% minus percentage unsatisfactory work = % satisfactory work (see below).

# Incorrect tree penalties

-------------------------------- x 100 = % unsatisfactory work

# Tallied trees

100% - % unsatisfactory work = % satisfactory work

RE-INSPECTION

If all required information is not fully legible and correctly completed, or if the percentage of work quality falls below 90 percent, the Government will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and order improvement of the quality of work. The Contractor shall revisit all of the plots with unsatisfactory stand exams within 5 work days after receipt of written notice of the unsatisfactory work. The Contractor shall rework all unsatisfactory areas to meet the 90 percent minimum acceptable specifications.

CONTRACTOR REQUESTED RE-INSPECTIONS

If the Government’s initial inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested. The request shall be submitted in writing by the Contractor within 5 calendar days after receipt of the original inspection results. This re-inspection will be on the original inspection plots. The Contractor is encouraged, but not required, to accompany the Government during the re-inspection. Results of this re-inspection will supersede the original inspection regardless of the findings. If the results of the re-inspection do not differ more than 5% from the original inspection results AND do not change the acceptability/unacceptability (90 percent work quality) of the plots then the Contractor shall pay for all costs associated with the Contractor requested re-inspection. Costs of re-inspection will be based upon the inspector’s hourly wage rate, vehicle mileage, and associated administrative costs.

INSPECTION OF RETURNED STANDS

After the Contractor has reworked the entire stand, the Government will perform a re-inspection of the work. If the second Government inspection reveals that the rework does not meet contract specifications and work acceptability, the actual costs of the second inspection will be borne by the Contractor. Costs of re-inspection will be based upon the inspector’s hourly wage rate, vehicle mileage, and associated administrative costs. The Contractor will have only one opportunity to rework unacceptable stands. If a stand fails to pass Government inspection after rework, no payment will be made for that stand.

PAYMENTS

Payments will be made for the total plots installed by project name. For example, when Basin Bennet, which contains 1300 plots, has been completed and has been accepted by the Government the Contractor may submit an invoice for the total number of plots in that Location. No invoices will be accepted for work done on partial project names.

FAR 52.211-10 COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION AND COMPLETION OF WORK (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 3 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than November 2010 on 35% of all work, and November 2011 on all work. In the event an offeror is awarded more than one item, contract time will run concurrently. In the event any option quantities are added, all work shall be completed by November 2011 unless otherwise agreed. Earliest estimated start dates are shown in the table below.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Pre-Work Conference Prior to the start of work the Contractor shall meet with the Government to discuss contract terms and work performance requirements. Discussion will include the Contractor’s Work Progress Schedule, and Fire Prevention and Suppression Plans. The meeting shall be held prior to issuance of any notice to proceed and within 5 days from contact award at the Wallowa Whitman National Forest offices in Baker City, Oregon, unless otherwise changed by mutual agreement. A Contractor-designated representative or foreman (whomever the Contractor will have on the site) shall be present at the prework conference.

Government Furnished Property The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property/services 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. These items will be made available at a mutually agreed location and time. Failure to return items requires contract payment deductions in the amounts shown.

R6-FS-6300-52 (5/97)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION

FIRE PROTECTION AND SUPPRESSION

Specific fire prevention measures are listed below and shall be effective for the period April 1 to October 31 of each year. The Forest Service may change the dates of said period by advance written notice if justified byunusual weather or other conditions. Required tools and equipment shall be kept currently in serviceable condition and immediately available for initial attack on fires.

Before starting any operations on the project, the Contractor, Permittee, Licensee, or Purchaser, hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor," shall prepare a fire plan in cooperation with the Contracting Officer providing for the prevention and control of fires in the project area.

The Contractor shall certify compliance with fire protection and suppression requirements before beginning operations during the fire period and closed season, and shall update such certification when operations change

The Contracting Officer may by written notice authorize substitute measures or equipment or may waive specific requirements during periods of low fire danger.

The Forest Service may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of equipment or portions of operations in the project area during periods of fire emergency created by hazardous climatic conditions.

The Contractor shall, independently and in cooperation with the Forest Service, take all reasonable action to prevent and suppress fires in the project area. Independent initial action shall be prompt and shall include the use of all personnel and equipment available in the project area.

For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall place employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Any individual hired by the Forest Service will be employed in accordance with the Interagency Pay Plan for Emergency Firefighters. The Forest Service will compensate the Contractor for equipment rented at fire fighting equipment rates common in the area, or at prior agreed to rates.

Listing of specific fire precautionary measures herein is not intended to relieve the Contractor in any way from compliance with the State Fire Laws covering fire prevention and suppression equipment, applicable to operations under this contract, permit or license.

Specific fire precautionary measures are as follows:

Smoking and fires shall be permitted only at the option of the Contractor. The Contractor shall not allow open fires on the project area without advance permission in writing from Forest Service.

Unless restricted by State Law or Federal Regulation, smoking shall be permitted only in such portions of the project area that are free of flammable material. Smokers shall sit down to smoke in such a position that any burning material will fall within a cleared area, and shall extinguish and press out in mineral soil all burning material before leaving the cleared area.

All power-driven equipment operated by the Contractor on National Forest land, except portable fire pumps, shall be equipped with one fire extinguisher having a UL rating of at least 5 BC, and one "D" handled or long handled round point shovel, size "0" or larger. In addition, each motor patrol, truck and passenger-carrying vehicle shall be equipped with a double-bit axe or Pulaski, 3-1/2 pounds or larger.

Equipment shall be kept in a serviceable condition and shall be readily available.

Each gasoline power saw operator shall be equipped with a pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight, and one long-handled round point shovel, size "0" or larger. The extinguisher shall be kept in possession of the saw operator at all times. The shovel shall be accessible to the operator within 1 minute.

One refill for each type or one extra extinguisher sufficient to replace each size extinguisher required on equipment shall be safely stored in the fire tool box or other agreed upon place on the project area that is protected and readily available.

Each internal combustion engine shall be equipped with a spark arrester meeting either (1) USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, or (2) appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) as now or hereafter amended unless it is:

Exhaust equipment described in this subsection, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed and constantly maintained in serviceable condition.

The Contractor shall restrict operations in accordance with the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels listed below. The Forest Service may change the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to other values upon revision of the National Fire Danger Rating System and may change the specific Industrial Fire Precaution Levels when such changes are necessary for the protection of the National Forest. When sent to the Contractor, the revised Industrial Fire Precaution Levels will supersede the attached levels

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTIONS SCHEDULE

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION (IFPL)

LEVEL

a. power saws, except at loading sites;

b. cable yarding;

c. blasting;

d. welding or cutting of metal.

Cable yarding - except that gravity operated logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may be operated between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time, when all block and moving lines, except the line between the carriage and the chokers, are suspended 10 feet above the ground;

Power saws - except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time.

In addition, the following are permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time:

a. tractor/skidder operations;

b. mechanized loading and hauling of any product or material;

c. blasting;

d. welding or cutting of metal;

e. any other spark-emitting operation not specifically mentioned.

The following definitions shall apply to these Industrial Fire Precaution Levels:

Cable yarding systems: A yarding system employing cables and winches in a fixed position.

Closed season (Fire Precautionary Period): That season of the year when a fire hazard exists as declared by the responsible agency official.

Contracting Officer: The person executing the contract, permit or license on behalf of the Government and includes that person's designated representative, acting within the limits of their authority or the duly appointed successor to the individuals.

Loading sites/woods site/project area: A place where any product or material (including but not limited to logs, firewood, slash, soil, rock, poles, posts, etc.) is placed in or upon a truck or other vehicle

Low hazard area: Means any area where the responsible agency representative (WDNR, ORF, BIA, BLM) determines the combination of elements reduces the probability of fire starting and/or spreading.

Tractor/skidder operations: include a harvesting operation, or portion of a harvesting operation, where tractors, skidders, or other harvesting equipment capable of constructing fireline, are actively yarding forest products and can quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start.

Waivers, written in advance, may be used for any and all activities. Activities for which waivers may be issued include, but are not limited to:

Such waiver, or substitute precautions will prescribe measures to be taken by the Contractor to reduce the risk of ignition, and/or the spread of fire. The Contracting Officer shall consider site specific weather factors, fuel conditions, and specific operations that result in less risk of fire ignition and/or spread than contemplated when precaution level was predicted. Consideration shall also be given to measures that reduce the precaution levels above. The Contractor shall assure that all conditions of such waivers or substitute precautions are met.

The Contractor shall obtain the predicted Industrial Fire Precaution Level daily, prior to the start of work, from the appropriate Ranger District headquarters. If predictions made after 6:00 p.m., local time, are significantly different than the original prediction, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor when changes in restrictions or industrial precautions are made.

Where hauling involves transit through more than one shutdown/regulated use area, the precaution level at the woods loading site shall govern the level of haul restriction, unless otherwise prohibited by other than industrial precaution level system.

The Contractor shall…