09_0008_CORP_Appendix_A_CRE Planting.doc

CORP Specifications Appendix A – Deschutes Crescent Planting

CRE PLANTING

Planting-CRE-C3 CONTRACT DEFINITIONS :

Planting Definitions:

(a) Plantable Spot: An area from which vegetation, ash, duff, and debris has been or can be removed, and a tree seedling can be planted as specified elsewhere herein.

(b) Unplantable Spot: An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications. Berms, mounds of soil or ash, as well as standing water, are unplantable.

(c) Satisfactorily Planted Seedling: A seedling planted in full accordance with all planting specifications set forth in this contract.

(d) Unsatisfactorily Planted Seedling: A planted seedling which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted seedling.

(e) Wasted Seedling: Seedling which is lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to the specifications for care of seedlings. Planted seedlings in excess of the maximum number of seedlings creditable as specified elsewhere herein are also considered to be wasted seedlings.

(f) Cotyledon Scar: Lowest point on stem from which branches will grow. Marked by a distinct ring in the bark on most species of tree seedlings: Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit A.

(g) Root Length: Root length is the distance between the longest root tip and the cotyledon scar.

(h) Replanting: Any planting work done in a sub-item, either voluntarily by the Contractor or directed by the Contracting Officer, after the Contractor has given the planting inspection sheets to the Government.

(i) Mineral Soil: Where soil content is less than 70 percent coarse rock fragments greater than 2mm in Size.

(j) Microsite Planting: The planting of tree seedlings in plantable spots most favorable to seedling survival and growth. Examples of favorable microsite features that provide protection from sun, wind, animals, and other damaging agents are spots located to the following: Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit B.

(k) Prepared Sites: An area from which logging slash, ash, and competing vegetation has been removed to allow a seedling to be planted in full accordance with all specifications set forth in this contract.

(l)Tree Height: Tree height will be measured from the ground to the tip of the seedling.

(m) Suitable Tree: A tree of good form and vigor which shows no physical damage and which conforms to the size, characteristics, and species specified on the Detailed Unit Information Sheet(s).

Planting-CRE-C4 TREE PLANTING EQUIPMENT:

Tree Planting Equipment: Contractor's planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

Hand held equipment shall be capable of chopping, cutting, or sawing slash to diameters and depths specified and live vegetation or ash to the scalp size specified in the attached Tree Planting Data Sheet.

Hand Tools (hoedads and shovels) shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant the seedlings. Tree seedling species and average root length are listed on the attached planting data sheets. The hoedad and shovel shall have a minimum of 12 inches length and 4 inches minimum in width of the planting blade, unless otherwise specified. The head of the scalping blade of the hoedad shall not be included in the minimum length measurement

Planting-CRE-C5 SEEDLING HANDLING EQUIPMENT:

Planting bags shall be light color, shall not retain heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and shall be free of defects or contaminants. Insulated planting bags or planting bags with inserts are required.

Planting-CRE-C6 CARE OF SEEDLINGS

a) The contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

(1) Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, wind, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations or contact with injurious substances.

(2) Seedlings stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes shall be promptly resealed. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

(3) Seedling shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying is seen, the conditions shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer.

(4) Frozen seedlings shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade.

(5) Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed. Burlap-wrapped trees shall have the wrappings loosened slightly.

(6) Seedlings shall not be removed from planting bag until a planting hole has been completely prepared.

(7) Seedlings removed from cold storage facilities shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or be covered with snow.

(8) Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

(9) Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried or removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur.

(10) Bags of seedlings shall not be carried into the unit and stored for later planting, unless Government field storage facilities are provided.

(11) The Contractor shall not dig and replant seedlings other than those located on inspection plots or spot checks of below ground planting quality.

(12) Seedlings in bags shall be planted out before extended breaks, such as lunch. At the Contracting Officer's discretion, seedlings left in planting bags before extended breaks shall be placed in shade or the tree truck. Trees thus stored during extended breaks shall be planted before the planting bags are refilled.

(13) Unplanted seedlings shall be returned to the Rosedale Tree Cooler at the end of each working day. Planters shall not carry more than 200 seedlings in each planting bag compartment at anyone time. Should temperatures exceed 65 degrees or winds exceed a consistent 20 mph, special precautions will be taken to ensure seedling survival during handling.

Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit E (14)Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation or planting.

Planting-CRE-C7 TRANSPORTATION OF SEEDLINGS:

(1) Seedlings shall be transported by the Contractor in either a fully enclosed insulated trailer or fully enclosed insulated pickup canopy. Pick-up beds can only be used for temporary storage of seedlings when weather permits and a tarp is provided. Trailer and/or canopy shall be free of any contaminants that might injure or kill the trees, such as oil or gasoline. Trees shall not be transported in heated areas of the vehicle(s).

(2) Inside bag temperature must be kept below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, unless waived by the Contracting Officer. Trees within bags with inside bag temperature found to be above 45 degrees Fahrenheit may be considered damaged or wasted trees.

Planting-CRE-C8 PREPARATION OF SEEDLINGS:

(a) Seedlings shall be removed from storage -bags or boxes and dipped by the Contractor into Government Furnished Terra-Sorb and water so as to submerse the entire root system for a minimum of 5 seconds immediately prior to being placed in the planting bag.

Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit G for product information

(b) All seedling preparation shall be accomplished in shaded areas protected from winds. Roots shall be kept moist at all times. Excess water and Terra-Sorb shall not be shaken or otherwise removed from trees before they are placed in the planting bag. The Terra-Sorb slurry shall be supplied and prepared by the Government

Planting-CRE-C9 SPACING AND SPOT SELECTION:

(a) Seedlings Spacing Requirements:

(1) Seedlings shall be planted to the boundary of all planting areas and around the perimeter of unplantable areas in spots distributed at intervals prescribed. For individual seedlings, the specified average spacing may be varied no more than 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot. No seedling shall be planted closer than five feet from a planted or acceptable existing tree or no closer than 6” from stumps, snags or other debris.

(2) Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall plant in the closest plantable spot; however, average spacing shall be maintained.

(b) Planting Spot Selection:

(1) Brush patches containing planting spots shall be planted even though this may require spreading stems aside or working around the stems. Landings, road cuts, and full banks shall be planted where planting spots exists.

(2) Whenever possible, within the 25 percent variance in average spacing, planting spots shall be prepared on the north side of stumps, logs, brush and terrain features that provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedlings. Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit B.

Planting-CRE-C10 PLANTING SPOT PREPARATION:

(a) Prior to preparing the planting hole, Contractor shall clear the planting spot of all limbs, logs, snow, bark, rotten wood, rocks and other loose debris and shall scalp ash, duff, sod, crowns of living plants, and roots to moist mineral soil. Clearing and scalping dimensions shall be as shown on the Tree Planting Data Sheets. If slash prohibits the specific diameter of scalp, a smaller scalp will be acceptable; however, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements for filling and firming contained herein.

(b) When mineral soil cannot be found within the scalping depth specified on the tree Planting Data Sheets, a seedling shall be planted in duff. When a tree must be planted in duff, only moist organic matter will be allowed in the hole.

Planting-CRE-C11 PREPARING THE PLANTING HOLE:

Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared planting spot and shall be between perpendicular to the ground surface and true vertical.

(a) For Hand Tools:

An open hole, broken out as shown in Planting-CRE-Exhibit D and deep and wide enough to fully accommodate the roots of the seedlings to be planted is required when hand planting tools are used. The planting hole shall be broken out on four sides, with the back of the hole being broken out after the seedling is suspended in the center of the hole.

Planting-CRE-C12 SEEDLING PLACEMENT:

(a) Bare Root Seedlings: The bareroot seedling shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth such that, after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point at or above the cotyledon scar of the tree. No portion of the roots shall be exposed or any live needles or branches covered with soil. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, or bunched. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit D.

Planting-CRE-C13 FILLING AND FIRMING:

(a) Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rocks, and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not sedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root systems are not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

(b) Soil firming shall be accomplished by hand without the aid of a mechanical tool. Firming shall be from the bottom up, while the seedling is held suspended in the middle of the hole. Adequate soil firming is best accomplished when approximately one-third of the hole is filled in at one time.

Planting-CRE-C14 MIXTURE OF PLANTING STOCK

(a) Where a mixture of species or stage planting is required, the Contractor shall plant these mixtures or stages in locations required by the Contracting Officer Representative or as indicated on the attached Tree Planting Data Sheets or unit maps.

Planting-CRE-C15 CREW ORGANIZATION:

(a) Contractor shall provide one supervisor who is conversant in English. Detaching or splitting one or more persons from the crew will not be permitted.

(b) Crews shall work in a treatment unit as a single work force. Crew members shall not be separated or scattered in different parts of the same treatment unit or in between units.

(c) One crew with an English speaking foreman must be provided for each bid-item.

Planting-CRE-C16 PRIORITY TREATMENT OF UNITS The government shall determine the order in which units will be treated to take best advantage of weather and related conditions or circumstances.

2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Planting-CRE-E1 INSPECTION OF SERVICES--

(a) Definitions. "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract .amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may (1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements and (2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may (1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service or (2) Terminate the contract for default.

Planting-CRE-E2 CONTRACTOR INSPECTION PROCEDURES (TREE PLANTING):

(a) The Contractor shall:

(1) Install a series of 1/50 acre plots with slope correction; Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit H. Plots shall be located throughout the planting areas to obtain a representative sample of the work.

NOTE: 1/1 00 acre plots are not permitted on this contract.

ACRES IN SUBITEM

NUMBER OF PLOTS

1-39

1 Per Acre

40-80

40 Total

81+

1 per 2 Acres

Minimum number of plots for 1/50 acre inspection is 4.

(2) Mark inspection plots on the ground by using flagged markers to locate the plot centers and identify them by consecutively numbering each plot, and also indicate the date of inspection.

(3) Declare seedling handled in a manner inconsistent with contract specifications as wasted seedlings.

(4) Inspect planting procedures on representative sample plots and examine the planted seedlings to ensure and measure compliance with the specifications. Utilize the following codes for recording above and below ground compliance on the planting plot cards: Reference Planting-CRE-Exhibit F

CODE

ABOVE-GROUND INSPECTION

A

Planting Spot Selection

B

Planting Spot Preparation

C

Tree Location on Planting Site

D

Planting Depth and Exposed Roots

E

Stem Position or Damage

F

Firming

G

Shade

H

Spacing

AA

Other Specifications

CODE

BELOW-GROUND INSPECTION

I

Planting Hole Preparation

J

Planting Hole Orientation

K

Root Configuration and Orientation

L

Altered Root Length and Damage

M

“Foreign” Material in Planting Hole

N

Loose Soil or Air Pockets

II

Other Specifications

(b) Inspections Within Each Plot - Each plot shall be inspected as follows:

(1) Determine from Table I the average number of planting spots for the plot based on the specified average spacing. From this number subtract the number of suitable trees and the number of unplantable spots. Record the difference as the number of plantable spots on which seedlings should be planted.

TABLE I

AVERAGE SPACING (FEET)

AVERAGE NO. OF SEEDLINGS PLANTING SPOTS

ON 1/50 ACRE PLOTS

6X6

7X7

8X8

9x9

10X10

11X11

12X12

13X13

14X14

15X15

(2) Determine and record the maximum number of allowable seedlings from Table II.

TABLE II

PLANTABLE

MAXIMUM NO.

PLANT ABLE MAXIMUM NO.

SPOTS

OF SEEDLINGS

SPOTS

OF SEEDLINGS

(3) Record the number of seedlings planted on each plot.

(4) Determine and record the number of wasted seedlings on the plot. This will be the number of seedlings determined by subtracting the maximum number of allowable seedlings from the number of planted seedlings recorded, but not less than zero. When planted wasted seedlings are found, and they are considered minor in nature and in no way indicates a trend that average spacing requirements are being exceeded, the Contracting Officer may waive the wasted tree charge. In no case will a waiver be given if the total of the Planting Inspection Sheet column "Planted Seedlings" exceeds the total of column "Maximum Number allowable Seedlings" or the number of wasted seedlings is not minor and indicates a trend that average spacing requirements are being exceeded.

Wasted seedlings will be calculated by the following: Total number of wasted seedlings from inspection record divided by number of plots taken multiplied by the reciprocal of the plot size times number of acres in the sub-item, plus seedlings determined wasted under care of seedlings specifications. For example, if a total of 27 wasted seedlings were found on 40 1/50 acre plots which were take on a 60 acre sub-item, and a bundle of 200 seedlings had been wasted through improper care, the calculations would be made as follows:

27 x 50 x 60 / 40 = 2,025 + 200 = 2,225 Wasted Seedlings

(5) Inspect and record the number of planted seedlings meeting the above-ground contract specifications. The maximum number of satisfactory seedlings to be credited shall not exceed that shown in Table II.

(6) Determine and dig the number of seedlings from those determined satisfactory above-ground as shown in

Table III.

TABLE III

NUMBER OF SATISFACTORILY

PLANTED SEEDLINGS ON PLOT

ABOVE GROUND

NUMBER TO BE DUG

2-6

7-9

10 Plus

The satisfactory above ground seedlings shall be dug starting with those closest to the plot center and progressing outward. Each dug tree shall be immediately replanted in accordance with specifications.

(7) Record the number of seedlings meeting below-ground contract specifications.

(8) Compute the planting quality by the following formula:

Planting Quality =

No. of Sat Trees Above-Ground x

No. of Sat Dug Seedlings X 100

No. of Plan table Spots

No. of Dug Seedlings

The result of the above calculation will be applied as follows:

(a) Plot

(1). Divide the total satisfactory seedlings above ground by the total number of plantable spots.

(2). Divide the total satisfactory seedlings below ground by the total dug.

(3). Multiply the two totals to get planting quality percentage.

(4). When the number of satisfactory seedlings above ground is zero or one and the number of plantable spots is zero, the result shall be 1.0.

(b) Total Sub-item

(1). Add the total plot percentages of all plots in the sub-item and divide by the total number of plots in the sub-item to get the average percentage of plot quality in the sub-item.

(2) Percentage of planting quality as calculated above will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Maximum allowable percentage shall be 133 percent per plot as computed in paragraph

(3) Average planting spots and maximum number of satisfactory seedlings shown in Tables I and II have been rounded to the nearest whole number and it is mutually understood and agreed that these figures will be used for determining planting quality even through they are not precisely correct from a mathematical standpoint.

(c) Inspection Results

(1) Inspection shall be maintained concurrent with contract work. Contractor inspection results shall be available to the Contracting Officer at the completion of each planting day for the work completed that day. Completed Planting Inspection Sheets shall be turned in to the Contracting Officer within 24 hour upon completion of each sub-item/unit and will remain a part of the permanent contract file.

(2) The Contractor shall submit legible plot cards. Illegible and incomplete sheets shall be returned to the Contractor for correction and re-submission before Government verification inspections are performed.

(3) By submission of the plot cards to the Government, the Contractor is considered to be certifying that the unit is:

(A) Satisfactorily completed,

(B) Tree handling was completed in accordance with the Contract provisions stated elsewhere in the contract, and

(C) Plot cards reflect the work accomplished.

(4) In the event the Contractor falsifies inspection results, as determined by the Contracting Officer, the Government may declare the Contractor to be in default of the contract. Additionally, the Government may refer such falsifications to the US Attorney's Office for possible prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001 (Falsification of Government Documents) or lSU.S.C. 287 (Fraud).

Planting-CRE-E3 UNSATISFACTORY PLANTING:

(a) If the percentage of planting quality for any sub-item falls below 90 percent due to an insufficient number of satisfactory trees above ground, the Contractor may be allowed to replant the sub-item in order to achieve a higher planting quality percentage. Replanting will be subject to availability of tree stock and shall be requested in writing by the Contractor. Replanting, if allowed, shall be done a maximum of one time. Replanting will not be allowed where the average below-ground quality for the sub-item is less than 90 percent.

(1) Following completion of replanting, a new inspection shall be made by the Contractor. Payment will be based on the new inspection.

(2) The Contractor may be required to replant any where the average planting quality falls below 80 percent, provided that additional supplies of suitable seedlings are available.

Planting-CRE-E4 GOVERNMENT VERIFICATION PLANTING:

(a) The Government will conduct verification inspections to determine compliance with specifications. Each sub-item/unit will be verified separately and inspection results on one sub-item/unit will not be averaged with those of other sub-items/units. Determination of acceptability of the work performed will be based on these verification inspections and will be considered conclusive. The Contractor or a designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway.

(b) Verification inspection of a sub-item/unit mayor may not be performed immediately following planting.

(c) Government verification inspection will consist of observation of tree handling, site preparation, planting and inspection procedures, and examination of individual trees on sample plots. If the Government's verification inspection results differ by more than 5 percentage points from the Contractor's inspection results, the Government's inspection will be used for payment.

Planting-CRE-E5 RE- INSPECTION UPON CONTRACTOR REQUEST PLANTING:

(a) If the original verification inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, the Contractor will have the option to request, in writing, a full inspection by the Government. Requests for re-inspection shall be made, in writing, within five calendar days after receipt of initial inspection results. If the Government's re-inspection results differ by more than 5 percentage points from the Contractor's original inspection results, the Government's re-inspection results will be used for payment and the Contractor shall bear the Government's re-inspection costs.

(b) Inspection results used for payment will be determined as specified elsewhere herein.

Planting-CRE-E6 METHOD OF PAYMENT

(a) Payment for Planting

(1) When Government verification is within 5 percentage points from the Contractor’s inspection, the Government will base payment on the Contractor’s inspection percentages. If inspection indicates the percentage is 95 percent or above, payment will be made at 100 percent of the subitem unit price. For planting quality below 95 percent, payment willl be made for the actual quality percent earned.

(2) If Government verification differs greater than 5 percentage points of the Contractor’s inspections, the Government will be base payment on the Government verification inspection.

(aa) If the Government re-inspection results are within 5 percentage points of the original Contractor’s inspections, pay will be based on the Contractor’s inspection. The Contractor willl not be billed for the Government inspection costs.

(bb) If the Government re-inspection results are greater than 5 percentage points from the original Contractor’s inspection, pay will be based on Government re-inspection results, but the Contractor shall bear the Government inspection costs.

Final Work %

% Payable 95% and above

100% (FULL PAYMENT)

94%

95%

93%

90%

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS AND EXHIBITS

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT B

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT C

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT D

Bareroot Seedling Placement

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT E

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT F

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT G

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT G _(cont.)

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT G (cont.)

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT H

FOR CIRCULAR PLOTS ON VARIOUS SLOPES

AVERAGE

PERCENT PLOT SIZE (ACRES)

SLOPE 1/100 1/50

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT I

PLANTING-CRE-EXHIBIT A

Plot Card Example

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