09_0008_CORP_Appendix_A_OCH_Planting.doc

CORP Specifications Appendix A – Ochoco Planting

Estimated Quantities and Task Orders The quantity on the schedule of items is estimated. The estimated quantity is established for evaluation purposes only and is not an indication of actual work to be awarded. The actual work is dependent on funding availability, quantity of trees which the Government receives, site locations and weather conditions.

The unit prices listed will be used to price out task orders.

Government will place task orders for units to be planted on an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity basis in accordance with priced planting levels of difficulty.

A planting difficulty rating will be calculated using unit survey information and the planting difficulty matrix. The matrix is based on the ranges of planting difficulty issues encountered on the project site. Once a rating is established, the price is determined by placing the rating within the difficulty category that relates directly to the Contractor’s proposed price per acre for that level of difficulty. This process enables orders to be placed in accordance with a contractor’s pricing schedule for units not yet identified. Priced offers will need to reflect costs associated for the difficulty within the entire category as all units within one category will not be identical.

Levels of difficulty shall be established by the Contracting Officer for each task order. Establishing any differences in the level of difficulty estimated and actual planting conditions encountered is the responsibility of the Contractor, and shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer.

The tree planting and riparian planting as ordered, may require planting on the two Districts to be performed at the same time. The Contractor shall have the capability of performing multiple orders simultaneously (more than one crew working concurrently).

The Contractor will be paid based on the quantity and level of difficulty listed in the task order and also on the quality of work received as stated within these specifications. This contract requires Contractor self-inspection in accordance with the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

Typical stock types to be planted: primarily 1-0 plugs, 1-0 BR and 2-0 BR. The planting difficulty levels are designed to include inter-plants as well as initial reforestation plantings.

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE BASED STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Attachments to Statement of Work/Specifications

The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications listed in Section J are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

PLANTING-OCH C2 Scope of Work The purpose of this contract is to provide spring hoe conifer tree planting, riparian tree planting and tubing services of Government-furnished tree seedlings on the Ochoco National Forest during the period of April 2006 through June 2008. This contract is a Performance-based, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

All work shall be done in such a matter as to insure tree survival and growth. Tree survival and growth is dependant on the initial health of the tree seedlings, the manner in which trees are handled and planted, environmental conditions such as soil moisture and weather, and animal damages to the seedlings. The services secured with this contract will focus on the need to provide appropriate tree handling and planting techniques during a period of time when environmental conditions are most favorable to insure tree survival.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment, transportation, tools, supplies, materials, supervision and incidentals to perform Tree Planting as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS), except as specified as Government-furnished property and services, on the Ochoco National Forest.

PLANTING-OCH C3 Location and Description Vicinity maps showing project location and access will be included in each task order issued against this contract. In addition, specific information regarding individual units will be specified in the Planting Data Sheets issued with each task order.

A. Accessibility

1. Work areas may be reached by Forest roads that are accessible by standard four-wheel drive pickup equipped with snow tires and chains, if needed, during normal operating seasons, unless otherwise indicated on the planting data sheets. Vehicles shall not operate off system roads without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

2. Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the Government may: (1) provide an alternate access route; (2) delete the inaccessible sub-items(s); or (3) substitute similar sub-item(s).

3. Roads shown on unit maps indicate access to units and are not to suggest the roads are open within units or for any further travel.

4. Some units will require walk-in. They will be posted on the maps and also on the planting difficulty matrix worksheet.

5. If a unit has a walk-in distance and is listed behind a gate or barrier closure, a permit is required for motor vehicle passage behind it. The permit must be authorized by the District Ranger. This authorization is granted on a case-by-case basis and not guaranteed. Most of the closures are to protect seasonal wildlife habitat.

B. Boundaries - Planting unit boundaries such as drip lines, roads, and fire lines are usually obvious on the ground. Boundaries which are not obvious will be marked as follows: posters, flagging, paint on trees or any combinations. Shrub/riparian planting will generally be in areas designated on maps.

PLANTING-OCH C4 Definitions

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.

Microsite Planting - The planting of tree seedlings in plantable spots most favorable to seedling survival and growth. Examples of favorable micro-site features that provide protection from sun, wind, animals, and other damaging agents are spots located adjacent to the following: Logs and Stumps.

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

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

Profile Digging - A method of below-ground inspection where the inspector digs a hole adjacent to the planted seedlings root system. This hole is dug to a depth and width which allows access to the seedlings entire root profile; and, this initial digging is done in such a manner so as to not disturb the seedlings root system. After the initial hole is dug, the planted seedlings root system is carefully exposed by removing soil with a small tool (e.g. spoon or small trowel). The soil is removed in such a manner so that root placement during planting can be observed.

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 Root Length - Root length is the distance between the longest root tip and the cotyledon scar.

Satisfactorily Planted Seedling - A seedling planted in full accordance with all planting specifications set forth in this contract.

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 Planting Data Sheets.

System Roads - Roads which are assigned a Forest road number.

Tree Height - Tree height will be measured from the ground to the tip of the seedling.

Unplantable Spot - An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications. Berms and mounds of soil, as well as standing water, are unplantable spots.

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

Wasted Seedlings - Seedlings which are 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.

PLANTING-OCH C5 Planting Difficulty Matrix A weighted planting difficulty rating is calculated using pre-plant information, and the planting difficulty matrix below. The final ratings are then grouped into difficulty categories, each with similar planting difficulty. Contract quotes will need to reflect the planting difficulty within the entire category because all units within one category will not be identical.

Difficulty Category 1 = 1.00 to 1.74

Difficulty Category 2 = 1.75 to 2.74

Difficulty Category 3 = 2.75 to 3.74

Difficulty Category 4 = 3.75 to 4.74

Difficulty Category 5 = 4.75 and above

Difficulty

Rating Category Weight Rank Criteria

Trees Per Acre 20% < 250 trees per acre

251-350 trees per acre

351-450 trees per acre

Vegetation/ 20% < 10% vegetation/light slash

Slash Loading

10-30% vegetation/medium slash

> 30% vegetation/heavy slash

Rocks/Roots 15%

0-30%

31-60%

> 60%

Scalp Size 10%

12"-18" scalp

19"-24" scalp

25"-36" scalp

Slope 05%

0-35%

36-55%

> 55%

Access 05%

Road access

Walk in up to 1/4 mile

Walk in > 1/4 mile

Location 25%

60 miles or less from Prineville

61 miles or more from Prineville

Difficulty Rating Example Example 1: Icky #201 - Heavy slash on steep slope, need large scalp to help trees survive expected vegetation competition.

Planting Difficulty Matrix

RATING CRITERIA

WEIGHTING

VALUE

OVERALL

RATING

Trees per acre planted .20 1.0 Vegetation/slash heavy .20 1.0 Rock/Roots 20% rock .15 .15 Scalp size 36" .10 .50

Slope 60% .05 .25 Access .

Road .05 .05 Location 40 miles .25

.25

TOTAL 3.2

The weighting is converted to a decimal (trees per acre 20% to .20) and multiplied by the value to total 1.0. When all values are input a total overall rating is displayed which equals 3.2, or Difficulty Category 3.

The weighting is converted to a decimal (trees per acre 25% to .25) and multiplied by the value to total .75. When all values are input a total overall rating is displayed which equals 1.50, or Difficulty Category 1.

Riparian Planting Difficulty Matrix

Difficulty Category 1 = 1.0 to 2.0

Difficulty Category 2 = 2.1 to 3.0 Difficulty Category 3 = 3.1 and Above Rocks/Roots 25%

Access 40%

Location 35%

Tubing Difficulty Matrix Difficulty Category 1 = 1.0 to 2.5

Difficulty Category 2 = 2.6 to 4.0 Trees Per Acre 55%

200 trees

400 trees Slope 10%

Access 10%

Location 25%

PLANTING-OCH C6 Government Furnished Property and Services The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Tree seedlings

Riparian Seedlings Bare-root Trees: At least 90% of the trees will have root lengths from 8 to 12 inches. Up to 10% may have root lengths from 12 to 14 inches. An occasional lateral root may exceed this length.

Top heights range from 3 to 16 inches for all species.

Container Grown Trees: Length of container plug will be 6 to 12 inches. Tree heights will vary from 3 to 12 inches from ground line to terminal bud. At least 90% of the tree stock will meet these size specifications.

Provide on written order by 3:00 p.m. the preceding day before planting.

Contractor to pick up at tree cooler at Lamonta Compound in Prineville, Ochoco R.S. cooler or Paulina R.S. cooler, depending on location of planting sites.

See Section G, Government Furnished Property.

Contractor shall be responsible for loss, damage, or destruction of Government Property unless the Contractor can show the damage resulted from causes beyond the Contractor’s control and without the Contractor’s fault or negligence.

Note: Information about tree seedlings and pick up is also listed below .

PLANTING-OCH C7 Government-Furnished Tree Seedlings The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government Property” FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

1. The Government will provide tree seedlings in accordance with the following information: The Contractor shall order trees and other specified Government-Furnished property by 3:00 p.m. the preceding contract day before planting. Delivery will be made at the point specified below. Government-Furnished property shall be receipted for by the Contractor when delivered.

2. Government-furnished tree seedlings will be issued by the Forest Service daily at the tree cooler located at the Lamonta compound in Prineville, Oregon, Ochoco Ranger Station (25 miles east of Prineville or the Paulina Ranger Station cooler (65 miles east of Prineville). The Contracting Officer will issue seedlings between a by agreed upon time and date. The quantity of trees to be issued for the next working day will be based on the previous day's average planting production per person and the proposed crew size for the next workday.

3. The following requirement will be adhered to: Trees will not be issued in the morning if undesirable weather conditions indicate planting would not be allowed on the site.

4. Contractor shall be responsible for loss, damage or destruction of Government property unless the Contractor can show the damage resulted from causes beyond the Contractor's control and without the Contractor's fault or negligence.

5. Survival of seedlings will depend on planting as scheduled. Failure to plant seedlings ordered may result in a charge for wasted trees.

PLANTING-OCH C8 Contractor Furnished Critical Items/Services

1. The Contractor shall provide tools, transportation and sufficient workforce to complete the contract in the specified time. The Contractor shall also have at all times of contract performance, a properly designated representative that understands and speaks fluent English. Contractor shall also provide proof of Oregon State Farm Forest Labor license and proof of Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration.

2. The Contractor shall provide a four wheel drive pickup and an insulated transportation storage unit to transport the seedlings.

3. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) in their proposal as described in the in Section E. The Quality Control plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets 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 crew and work; and personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control shall include monitoring quality while planting is in progress, tree care, and other associated tasks, and using an unbiased sample of planting and determining actual quality percentage.

4. Tubing Maintenance

(a) The Government will furnish the Contractor the following list of material, supplies, property or services (herein after referred to as “Government-furnished property”) at the Rager Ranger Station compound, which the Contractor will be required to transport to the job site.

(b) In accordance with the specifications, the Forest Service will provide:

(1) Rigid Tubes: 4 or 5 inch diameter, 20, 22 or 24 inches in length

(2) Wood Stakes: ¾ “ x 1 ½” x 28” or ¾” x 1 ½” x 30”

(3) Twisties – plastic coated, 10” long

(4) Flagging for inspection plots

(5) District map

(6) Inspection Sheets for Tube Maintenance & Removal

PLANTING-OCH C9 Contractor’s Work Requirements and Standards

A. Contractor’s Planting Equipment

1. Planting Tools - Contractor's planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

a) Planting tools shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant the seedlings furnished by the Government. Tree seedling species and average root length are listed elsewhere herein.

b) A hoe type tool shall be used.

c) Hand tools - where hand planting is specified, the hand tools used shall have a minimum 12 inches length and 4 inches minimum width planting blade, unless otherwise specified. The head or scalping blade of a hoedad shall not be included in the maximum length measurement.

B. Contractor’s Seedling Handling Equipment

1. Planting Bags

a) Planting bags shall be a light color, shall not retain heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches and shall be free of defects or contaminants.

b) Insulated planting bags or planting bags with insulated inserts are required.

C. Care of Seedlings

1. The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

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

b) 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.

c) Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

d) Seedlings 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 condition shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer.

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

f) Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

g) Seedlings shall not be removed from a planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

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

i) 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. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage.

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

k) Unplanted seedlings shall be returned to the Government at the end of each working day.

l) 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.

m) The number of seedlings in the planting bag shall not exceed Bare root 200, container stock 120, and may be further increased or decreased depending on severity of drying conditions, size of seedlings, size of the bag and/or duration in the planting bag; i.e., not to exceed two (2) hours.

n) The Contractor shall not use the hoe blade to guide the seedling roots into the planting hole.

2. Transportation of Seedlings

a) Contractor shall transport seedlings from Government storage to the planting site, and back to Government storage, in an insulated transportation storage unit and a four wheel drive pickup which will be supplied by the Contractor.

b) Contractor shall not crush seedlings.

c) Transportation storage unit shall be free of substances that may harm seedlings such as gas or oil.

d) Contractor shall provide a space blanket to effectively cover all stored seedlings inside of transportation storage unit. Space blanket will be equivalent of international Reforestation Suppliers catalog "heat shield" seedling protection tarp. It shall have a durable white vinyl fabric on one side and a reflective metallic finish on the other side.

e) Contractor shall maintain the air temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit within the bags. Seedlings within bags which have an inside air temperature above 45 degrees Fahrenheit may be considered wasted seedlings and Contractor charged accordingly. If the temperature rises to 42 degrees Fahrenheit within bags, Contractor shall supply enough ice or snow to keep seedling temperature from rising above 45 degrees.

D. Preparation of Seedlings

1. Prior to placing seedlings in planting bags, Contractor shall break or otherwise remove rubber bands so that no injury occurs to the roots.

a) Contractor supplied dipping containers shall be deep enough to submerge seedling root systems.

2. The Contractor shall dip roots of bare root seedlings in water to wet them prior to placing seedlings in planting bags. Seedlings shall remain in the water at least 1 minute but not longer than 2 minutes. Contractor shall supply the water and container for dipping.

3. Trees or bundles shall not be whipped or struck against any object to remove excess water after dipping.

4. All seeding preparation shall be accomplished in shaded areas protected from winds. Roots shall be kept moist at all times. Excess dipping solution shall not be shaken, or otherwise removed from trees before they are placed in the planting bag.

E. Spacing and Spot Selection

1. Seedlings Spacing Requirements:

a) 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 or as defined in the planting data sheets.

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

c) The minimum distance a seedling may be planted from a planted seedling or acceptable existing tree under any circumstances is one-half the average spacing distance specified in the Planting Data Sheets for each unit. Acceptable trees are defined on the Planting Data Sheets.

2. Planting Spot Selection:

a) 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 fill banks shall be planted where planting spots exist.

b) Whenever possible, within the 25 percent variance in average spacing, planting spots shall be prepared where stumps, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedlings.

c) Planting spots shall not be located in the tracks left by crawler tractors or rubber tired skidders, harvester forwarders, skid trail berms, or mounds of soil unless otherwise designated by the Contracting Officer.

d) System roads shall not be planted nor are they included in unit acreages.

F. Planting Spot Preparation

1. 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 Planting Data Sheets. If slash prohibits the specific diameter of scalp, a smaller scalp will be acceptable.

G. Preparing the Planting Hole

1. 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.

2. For Hand tools:

a) An open hole, broken out as shown in Exhibits D and D1, 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.

H. Seedling Placement

1. Bare Root Seedlings - The bare root 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 1" above the cotyledon scar of the tree. No portion of the roots shall be exposed nor any live needles or branches covered with soil. 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. See Exhibit G.

2. Containerized Seedlings - Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole, deep enough so that 1 inch of soil is placed on top of the plug, level with the surrounding soil surface, to seal the plug into the ground. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during the planting process.

I. Filling and Firming

1. Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock 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 wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root system 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 stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

2. After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed 30 degrees from true vertical.

3. For hand planting sub-items, a hoedad may be used to firm the soil in the manner shown in Exhibit D. Soil firming shall be accomplished while the seedling is held suspended near the center of the hole. Firming soil with the foot will not be permitted.

4. Firming soil with the foot, planting wand, stick or any device other than the hand will not be permitted.

J. Mixture of Planting Stock

Where a mixture of planting stock is required, the Contractor shall plant mixtures in units/locations specified on the Planting Data Sheets/Contract Unit Maps.

K. Riparian Planting Requirements for the Lookout Mountain Ranger District Alder, aspen, birch, dogwood, chokecherry, currant, elderberry, gooseberry, mock orange container stock/seedlings and willow/black cottonwood rooted cuttings shall be planted in units/locations specified on the Planting Data Sheets and Contract Maps.

1. Alder, birch, currant, dogwood, elderberry, gooseberry, and mock orange seedlings have an average root length of 9 to 12 inches.

2. Willow and black cottonwood cuttings consist of rooted stems cut to lengths between 14 inches and 16 inches.

3. Aspen seedlings are contained in 3 inch by 10 inch pots.

Planting spots shall be selected along stream courses and meadows where seedlings/rooted cuttings/container stock can be planted in moist soil or within the high water line of the stream. See Exhibit X.

Seedlings/rooted cuttings/container stock shall be planted the same as conifers.

Spacing of seedlings/rooted cuttings/container stock shall depend on the availability of moisture, logs, and other woody material. Planting will be concentrated next to logs and other woody material when available. No more than 5 seedlings/rooted cuttings/container stock shall be placed within any ten (10) foot length of stream course. Other than concentrations, general spacing shall be one seedling/rooted cutting/container stock every 3 feet.

Mixtures of planting stock identified by stream course or meadow are shown on the Riparian Planting Data Sheet.

L. Tubing Requirements Spacing – Tubing of Trees – Seedling spacing is not uniform everywhere on the units. The Contractor shall locate and tube seedlings with solid tubing at the average spacing as indicated on the Tubing Data Sheets.

Maintenance of tubes can be ordered under this contract.

The following seedling characteristics shall be considered when selecting trees to be tubed:

i. Only live, planted trees will be tubed.

ii. Select trees having live terminal buds, no forking in main stems.

Tubing with one Wooden Stake (See Exhibit Q and Exhibit R)

1. One installation per tree shall consist of a tube and one stake either woven through the cut outs or securely fastened together at the top and the bottom with twisties.

2. The Government-furnished tubes come in lengths ranging from 17 to 20 inches.

3. The stake shall be vertically driven into the ground so that the side nearest the seedling is between 1 and 2 inches away from the base of the seedling.

4. The stake shall be driven into the ground a minimum of 8 inches but not more than 12 inches. Stakes range in size from ¾”x3.4”x30” to ¾”x1 ½”x30”.

5. The tube shall be assembled as shown in Exhibit Q and centered over the tree with the bottom of the tube in contact with the ground. Solid tubes shall have soil mounded 1 to 2 inches around the bottom of the tube. Stake shall be woven through cut outs as shown in Exhibit R.

6. On mesh tubes, a twisty will be threaded through three to four diamonds and securely anchored around the stake so it is not possible to life the tube off without disturbing the stake. A minimum of three turns (a turn is 360 degrees) will be required for the twisty.

7. The complete installation shall be vertical with a tolerance of 2 inches from vertical allowed. Following installation the terminal bud and lateral branches shall be free to grow in a vertical direction.

8. Care shall be taken to prevent damage to the seedling as the tube is placed over it. A seedling with skinned bark or a broken terminal leader due to installation of tube or stake is not acceptable and will be deducted from creditable trees as unsatisfactory on the inspection summary.

9. The following seedling characteristics shall be considered when selecting trees for treatment:

a. Only planted trees will have tube maintenance or reinstallation. Some planted trees may only have part of the tube or stake present. These trees will still require maintenance and/or reinstallation.

b. In tube maintenance bid items, trees that are taller than the height of the rigid tube will not require maintenance or reinstallation. These individual trees would have the tube removed.

Maintenance of Rigid Tubing

(a) Planted trees shall have rigid tubes maintained, and the Contractor shall determine which components of the rigid tube need to be re-installed or fixed, as described below.

(b) When the tube, stake and Twisties are still in good condition, and where straightening the tube and stake will result in a condition where the growth of the terminal bud is unobstructed inside the tube and the tree is not being damaged, no replacement of materials is required. In this case, the maintenance may consist of carefully returning the terminal bud of the seedling back inside the tube if it has grown through the side of the tube. Care will be taken not to break the terminal bud or lateral branches.

(c) Tube Maintenance Instructions:

(1) When the tube is distorted, breaking down, or damaging the tree such that straightening the tube is impossible, or will obstruct the growth of the terminal bud, replace the tube with a new tube, following the instructions outlined in new tube installation.

(2) When the wooden stake is broken or will not support the tube, a replacement wooden stake shall be installed, following reinstallation instructions. The contractor needs to check the condition of each wooden stake, as they may appear to be in good condition above ground, but are broken below ground, which is determined by a very loose stake/tube condition above the ground.

(3) When the tube and stake are present and are no longer connected by twist ties, new twist ties will be installed. Or if the twisities are not tightly connecting the stake to the tube, new twist ties are needed to re-tighten the tubed seedling.

(4) Some trees may need to have a new tube, wooden stake and twist ties installed.

Tube Removal

Carefully remove all of the tube and lay it at the base of the seedling. In most cases the tube will need to be torn in order to remove it without damaging the seedling. The stake can be left standing with the point in the ground. If the stake is pulled out of the ground, the hole created where the stake was needs to be filled in with soil.

Tree Damage

Care shall be taken to prevent damage to trees during work operations. A tree with a broken terminal leader or bud due to reinstallation or maintenance of the tubes is unacceptable and will be deducted from creditable trees as unsatisfactory on the inspection sheet.

PLANTING-OCH C10 Performance Requirements Summary The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

If the Contractor does not meet the Government at the negotiated time or place, the Government may charge administrative costs.

Work Plan Schedule and Communica-tions

PLANTING-OCH C11 Method of Measurement

1. The areas to be planted and paid for are provided in the Planting Data Sheet. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane. The unit boundaries are generally marked.

2. Acre unit of measure. When the quantity of measure is acres, the Contractor will be paid based on the acres indicated on the Planting Data Sheet.

3. Re-measurement. Re-measurement of the acreage or actual quantity of planting under this contract may be made upon the receipt of a written request and documentation supporting the probability of an error by the Contractor. Requests for re-measurement must be made within 3 days after the specific task has been completed on the unit.

a.

Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage or quantity count except when:

i.

Per acre unit of measure: no payment adjustment shall be made for areas less than 1 acre.

b.

The Contractor will pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in:

i. Per Acre Unit of Measure: An increase of less than 1 acre on units smaller or equal to 20 acres.

Per Acre Unit of Measure: An increase of less than 5 percent on units larger than 20 acres.

PLANTING-OCH C12 Payment, Incentives and Deductions

1. Payment for Planting

a. When the Government verification is within 5 percentage points from the Contractor’s inspections, the Government will base payment on the Contractor’s inspection percentages. If the inspection indicates the percentage is 90 percent or above, payment will be made at 100 percent of the sub-item unit price. For planting quality below 90 percent, payment will be made for the actual quality percent earned.

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

c. If the Contractor disputes the Government verification, the Government will reinspect.

i. If the Government reinspection results are within 5 percentage points of the original Contractor’s inspections, pay will be based on the Contractor’s inspection. The Contractor will not be billed for the Government inspection costs.

ii. If the Government reinspection results are greater than 5 percentage points of the original Contractor’s inspections, pay will be based on Government reinspection results, but the Contractor shall bear the Government reinspection costs.

d. Where planting quality for a sub-item falls below the Minimum Acceptable Quality level of 80 percent, the Contractor may be required to rework, and actual damages incurred by the Government as a result of the rework may be assessed as specified elsewhere herein. Repeated failure to plant at the 80 percent level or above may be grounds for termination for default. As a minimum, actual damages include but are not limited to, cost of tree seedlings, site preparation, and re-survey.

e. Any work quality that the Government determines as unacceptable will be noted in the performance evaluation.

f. Charges for Government-furnished property wasted, lost, or damaged by the Contractors:

Bare root and Containerized Seedlings $0.75 each

g. Contractor may be charged administrative costs incurred by the Government’s representatives at previously scheduled times and place.

h. The Government will periodically assess campsite and worksite to assess if it is clean and meets the requirements set forth in the contract. Final payment will be withheld until the worksite is cleaned, including boxes or packing materials that may be left in the unit, and the campsite meets the camping permit requirements.

i. Safety and the Contractor’s written safety plan will be discussed at the prework meeting. Failure to adhere to the safety plan may result in suspension of work or termination.

Planting-OCH SECTION E – QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLANS PLANTING-OCH E1 Contractor Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with their technical proposal.

1.

Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of this Technical Proposal. The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall specify:

a. How quality will be monitored to assure performance standards are met.

b. How the work and crew will be supervised.

c. How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

d. Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

e. Quality control shall include monitoring quality while planting is in progress, tree care and other associated tasks, and an unbiased sample of planting.

2. Contractor Quality Control Inspection. The Contractor shall assure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with Inspection of Services (FAR 52.246-4) paragraph (b), prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. Upon completion of an inspection card, the Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer to set a mutually agreed upon date for inspection of completed work.

PLANTING-OCH E2 Contractor’s Plot Inspection Procedures The Contractor’s Quality Control Plan must address the Contractor’s Plot Inspection Procedure. Below is a guideline for the Contractor Plot Inspection Procedure. If the Contractor’s Plot Inspection procedures vary from these procedures, the Contractor must state the revisions in the Quality Control Plan submitted with their quote and these maybe modified.

1. Contractor shall:

a. Install a series of plots with slope correction (see Exhibit K). Plots shall be located throughout the planting areas to obtain a representative sample of the work.

ACRES IN SUB-ITEM

NUMBER OF PLOTS

1/50

1 - 5

5 Plots

6 - 39

1 Per Acre

40 - 80

81+

1 Plot Per 2 Acre

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

b) 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. An additional piece of flagging shall be hung at least three (3) feet above ground adjacent to marked plot center.

c) Identify plots on a Government-furnished unit work map, and deliver the completed map to the Contracting Officer’s Representative together with the completed Planting Inspection for that unit.

d) Declare seedlings handled in a manner inconsistent with contract specifications as wasted seedlings.

e) 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:

CODE

ABOVE GROUND INSPECTION

A

Planting Spot Selection

B

Planting Spot Preparation

C

Tree Location on Planting Site

D

Planting Depth and Exposed Root

E

Stem Position or Damage

F

Firming

G

Shade

H

Spacing

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 Specification

Seedlings sampled on inspection plots which are not placed in the most favorable spot in accordance with the specifications shall be counted as an unsatisfactorily planted seedling.

2. Inspection Within Each Plot - Each plot shall be inspected as follows:

a. 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

AVERAGE NO. OF

AVERAGE NO. OF

SPACING

PLANTING SPOTS

PLANTING SPOTS

(FEET)

ON 1/50 ACRE

ON 1/100 ACRE

PLOTS

PLOTS

7 x 7

8 x 8

9 x 9

10 x 10

11 x 11

12 x 12

13 x 13

14 x 14

NOTE: 1/100th acre plots are not appropriate for average spacing greater than 12' x 12'.

b. Determine and record the maximum number of allowable seedlings from Table II.

TABLE II

Determination of the maximum allowable seedlings from number of plantable spots recorded in Step No. 1 above.

MAX

MAXIMUM

PLANTABLE

NUMBER OF

PLANTABLE

NUMBER OF

SPOTS

SEEDLINGS

SPOTS

SEEDLINGS

c. Record the number of seedlings planted on the plot.

d. 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 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 seedling 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 taken on a 60-acre sub-item, and a bundle of 200 seedlings had been wasted through improper care, the calculation would be made as follows:

27 x 50 x 60 / 40 = 2025 + 200 = 2225 wasted seedlings

e. 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.

Determine and dig the number of seedlings from those determined satisfactory above-ground as shown in Table III. Digging to determine below-ground quality shall be accomplished in such a manner as to expose the root system profile (profile digging).

TABLE III

NUMBER OF SATISFACTORILY

PLANTED SEEDLINGS ON

NUMBER TO

PLOT - ABOVE GROUND

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 outwards. Each dug tree shall be immediately replanted in accordance with specifications.

g. Record the number of seedlings meeting below-ground contract specifications.

h. Compute the planting quality by the following formula:

Planting Quality =

(No. of Sat. Trees Above Ground) (No. of Sat. Dug Seedlings) x 100

(No. of Plantable Spots) X (No. of Dug Seedlings)

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

i. Plot

i. Divide the total satisfactory seedlings above ground by the total number of plantable spots.

ii. Divide the total satisfactory seedlings below ground by the total dug.

iii. Multiply the two totals to get planting quality percentage.

iv. 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.

j. Total Sub-item

i. Add the total plot percentage 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.

ii. 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 8.

Example of Planting Quality

Plot consists of 9 plantable spots. Contractor planted 10 trees. After inspection it was found that all trees inspected above ground were acceptable and that of 4 trees inspected below ground 1 of them was unacceptable due to a J root.

Planting Quality = 10/9 (111%) x ¾ (75%) = 83%

However, if all below ground trees inspected were acceptable planting quality would not exceed 133%.

10/9 (111%) x 4/4 (100%) = 111%

10. 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 though 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 into the Contracting Officer within 24 hours 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 will be returned to the Contractor for correction and resubmission 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.

c. Plot…