a.AG-04KK-S-15-0004.docx

AG-04KK-S-15-0004 Four Forest Stand Exam/Stocking Survey IDIQ Page 8 of 44

SECTION B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Schedule of Items

AG-04KK-S-15-0004; Four Forest Stand/Stocking Exam IDIQ

**OPTION ITEM**

B-1 AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (FEB 1988) The effective period of this contract is from date of award through May 3, 2020.

B-2 AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988) During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $1,000.00, but not in excess of $3,000,000.00.

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

C-1 Introduction and Project Location The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals for Stand Exams/Stocking Surveys for each national forest within the scope of this contract.

The objective of the project is to gather vegetation information from plots established in vegetative stands across the three national forest system lands using the U.S. Forest Service Common Stand Exam Protocols, an electronic portable data recorder to collect the data or paper forms (if specified), and GPS unit to navigate to pre-located plots. This project includes lands administered by the Colville (1.1 million acres), Malheur (1.7 million acres), Umatilla (1.4 million acres), and Wallowa-Whitman National (2.3 million acres) Forests.

The exams are grouped into geographic areas we now call “Locations” in the Field Sampled Vegetation database (FSVeg) and are related to subwatersheds. Descriptions of the Locations are defined in the detailed unit information sheets. Information collected through this contract will be used to support various natural resource programs on each forest encompassing silviculture, fuels, timber, wildlife, and hydrology in land management planning efforts or for other programmatic efforts. Results or outcomes from data collected will aid in the development of prescriptions (i.e. silviculture, fuels, etc.), performing forest modeling, updates to vegetation, populating/updating vegetation databases (i.e. FSVeg database, etc.), stocking amounts, certification of forest stands (e.g. reforestation and thinning) etc.

Information regarding specific items is contained in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet(s) attached to this packet. Also attached are: a vicinity map showing the contract area relative to highways and major Forest roads, and detailed low resolution maps showing stand locations, plot locations, township-range and section lines, and local open and closed roads. The designation of open roads on the map(s) is not guaranteed due to potential differences between the time when the road was last inventoried and today. Upon delivery orders, some roads that are listed in the orders as open may be closed due to weather-caused erosion, debris such as rock, snow or fallen trees, or for some other reason not yet recorded in the database from which the map is constructed.

Major access to each forest is through public road systems including federal, state, county, and local public. One major interstate, I-84 bisects both the Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Malheur National Forest is bisected by both U.S. Highway 26 and 395. The Umatilla National Forest can also be accessed from US Highway 395 but is specific to the south half of the forest. A portion of the Wallowa-Whitman can also be accessed from US Highway 26, but it is local to the southern portions of the forest. Attachments A and A1 provide vicinity maps of each administrative forest along the major roads and highways. Access to surveyed stands may require foot travel from the nearest access point to the survey area. Distances could exceed a quarter mile in distance to the project site. In such instances, the detailed unit information sheets shall disclose such conditions as provided by the Contracting Officer or their representative.

The headquarter office locations and addresses are as follows:

· Colville National Forest Forest Supervisor’s Office 765 South Main Street Colville, WA 99114 Office hours Mon-Fri: 7:45 AM- 4:30 PM

· Malheur National Forest Forest Supervisor Office 431 Patterson Bridge Rd.

John Day, OR 97845 Office hours Mon-Fri: 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM

· Umatilla National Forest Forest Supervisor Office 72510 Coyote Road Pendleton, OR 97801 Office hours Mon-Fri: 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM (Note: the office is approximately 8-miles east of Pendleton located in the Coyote Business Park just north of Interstate-84 next to the Arrowhead Travel Plaza)

· Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Forest Supervisors Office 1550 Dewey Ave.

Baker City, OR 97814 Office hours Mon-Fri: 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM

Note: Attachments A and A1 provide vicinity maps of each Forest by administrative boundaries. Attachment B provides a list of district office locations and hours of operations. Attachments C and C1 contain vicinity maps of each district by administrative forest.

1. Vicinity maps showing project locations and other information regarding specific items are contained in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet(s) attached to this packet. Detailed low resolution maps are available upon request from the Contracting Officer Representative or other designated official assigned to the contract. Maps may be provided to the contractor electronically or by paper.

2. The Umatilla National Forest has implemented an Access and Travel Management Program. It is the responsibility of the contractor to abide by all of the rules and regulations provided under the program. Copies of the maps can be acquired electronically by visiting the Umatilla National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/) and using the Motorized Vehicle Use Maps link under the Quick Links section of the webpage. Hard copies of the maps can also be obtained from any of the offices listed.

3. The designation of open roads on the maps is not guaranteed due to potential differences between the time when the road was last inventoried and what is present today. Some roads listed as open may be closed due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather-caused erosion, debris such as rock, snow or fallen trees, or for some other reason not yet recorded in the database from which the map is constructed. If such condition is present during contract work, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer or his/her representative. Forest maps are available for download

If additional higher resolution maps of the project area are needed with more detail, an Adobe PDF formatted map showing contours and background imagery will be made available at the Offeror’s request and be provided by the Contracting Officer or his/her designated representative. If such request is made, it must be made within five business days of the need. Any request less than five business day notice may be delayed beyond the time of need.

C-2 Technical Specifications

1. 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. Where there are discrepancies between the contract and the User Guide, the contract shall have precedence. The Common Stand Exam User Guide is available along with field data recorder software at the following website http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml.

2. Stands shall be examined using Quick, Extensive, or Intensive examination level as defined by the issued order. The breadth of information collected shall be determined by the type of form used to acquire the data and the examination level which the data is collected. The three forms are Tree, Vegetation Composition, and Down Woody. The examinations levels are 0 (form not used), 1 (Quick Plot), 2 (Extensive Examination), and 3 (Intensive Examination). In some instances, the total numbers of sample plots have been predetermined and are pre-located by latitude and longitude where applicable (See Detailed Unit Information Sheet). If the total number of sample plots have not been predetermined and not pre-located by latitude and longitude the order will define the spacing/distances (i.e. systematic grid) which the plot(s) will be established.

a) The types of plots shall include fixed radius, variable radius, and line transect as defined by the Sample Design as specified within the issued Task Order. An average of 4 to 8 trees per plot is desirable. The Contractor shall use a plot configuration that will meet this requirement unless specified otherwise.

b) No plot center shall be closer than 66 feet to the stand boundary. If the predetermined plot center falls closer than 66 feet to the stand boundary then the plot shall be moved to create the required distance, the Latitude and Longitude corrected for the revised location of the plot, and then recorded. In the case where a GPS Coordinate is not provided where a systematic grid, the plot location will be noted and documented either on a Stand Sketch Map, other approved media (i.e. aerial photograph, facsimile, with a mylar overlay etc.), and or recorded electronically using CSE software.

c) In general, the Government has predetermined the plot locations through the Forest Service’s Geographic Information System (GIS). In such cases, the plots will be navigated to a predetermined set of coordinates by the use of a Contractor supplied Global Positioning System (GPS) unit capable of at least a10-meter accuracy. The GPS shall be capable of using the UTM and/or Latitude/Longitude coordinate systems and have the capability to be set to NAD 1927, NAD 83 Datum, or WGS 1984 Datum.

d) In cases where plots have not been predetermined by the Government, plots will be established either by an unbiased or biased system sampling method defined by CSE protocols or by the issued order.

e) The use of flagging to mark reference locations, plot centers, or for navigational purposes will be defined by the issued order. No flagging shall be used to indicate routes between plots by the Contractor or the government. The use of flagging in wilderness areas is strictly prohibited. Each order shall list the appropriate color of flagging and type that is approved for use by each forest listed in this contract.

f) Plot centers shall be established with flagging (described under Government or Contractor Provided Materials), pin flags, wooden sticks, stakes (e.g. wood, fiberglass, metal, etc.), or painted (marking of plot centers with spray paint may be required by the Government; described under Government or Contractor Provided Materials). The materials used to mark the plot center must be done in a manner that is secure to minimize dislodgement. If flagging is used (both pin and non-pin), the flagging/flag must be at least 6 inches above the ground. If flagging is used to mark the plot center, it must be tied to an object such as a stake, wood stick, or other acceptable object agreed to by the Government and Contractor at the post award conference. The plot center is defined where the point of the wire, stick or stake enters the ground, or the flagging is tied.

g) If specified in the order, if flagging is used as to mark reference locations (i.e. plot centers, reference points, etc.) three strips of flagging shall be tied no less than 5 feet above the ground in a 120 degree pattern around the reference point or plot center location. Flagging shall be tied in a manner that can be identified in the avenue of approach.

h) Plot centers shall be labeled clearly with the stand number and plot stand number using a black permanent marker (e.g. Sharpie pen, felt marker, etc.) on the identification flag, pin flag, or stake marking the plot center location. This point or plumb line extension of this point shall be used for limited distance measurements and inspections. In cases where plots are not predetermined, referencing will be done in order to locate the first sample plot location with the route properly documented. (See Attachment D for approved flagging)

· All plot data shall be recorded at each plot using the Common Stand Exam (CSE) software unless specified otherwise in the issued order where paper forms may be accepted. Completed exams shall be delivered to the Forest Service as electronic files with the “CSE” or “PDR” file extension created by the CSE software or hard copy as specified in the issued Task Order. If paper forms are ordered these forms must be delivered in hard copy to the Forest Service ordering office.

i) The plot center point represents the beginning of the transect line for Down Woody Material (unless specified otherwise). Record the azimuth used to establish the transect line in the remarks section of the form. Define the location of the transect by extending a tape along the designated azimuth from the plot center location. Pass the tape to either side of trees impending a straight transect line (giving the least amount of offset). Install a stick with two pieces (pin flags or wooden stakes may be used as substitutes if agreed to by both the Government and Contractor at the post award conference or designated in the issued order) of flagging at least a foot long in length at each end of the transect line. If a no tally occurs on the plot, note in the plot remarks on the Plot Data Form that no Down Woody Material was recorded.

3. Survey Techniques The examination level includes the scope and range of the information collected. The scope is the breadth of information collected (type of form), and the range is the precision of information collected (examination level). The intensity implies a measurement standard, sample design, and sample selection criteria. The actual criteria used to sample the stand shall be documented on the Sample Design Form. Based upon the sample design will dictate which forms will be employed in the exam as defined by the issue order. Each form has a specific function and requirement to the information to be collected. Some fields with the forms are provided by the Government while others are required of the Contractor. Those provided by the Government shall be noted with the word “Provided” in the issued order. Those fields not identified as “Provided” shall be required by the Contractor unless otherwise noted in the issued order.

The following information provides a list of forms and fields available within CSE. Each issued order shall define which fields are provided by the Government and which fields are required by the Contractor. The fields listed shall be completed for each exam using the CSE software or required by paper form. The Government shall specify in the issued order what media that the exam is to be completed with (i.e. CSE software or paper form). Information on the procedures to complete these fields is available in the CSE User Guide.

3.1. Sample Design – The sample design contains information about how the data is to be collected, which tree, shrub, and down woody material is measured, and the expansion factor to convert the information to a per-acre value. The sample method for trees, shrubs, grasses, or down woody material shall have the following methods selected: fixed area plot (FRQ), variable radius plot (BAF), or transect line (TRN). The FRQ is frequency for fixed area plots or linear strip plots, BAF is basal area factor for variable radius plot, and TRN is fixed-length transect.

a) The following fields shall be completed for each setting (stand) unless specified in the order. Information on necessary procedures to complete these fields is available in the User Guide.

SAMPLE SELECTION METHOD (Provided)

SAMPLE EXPANSION FACTOR

b) Tree Measurements. As stated the Sample Design contains information about how the data is to be collected. In the case of tree measurements there are three general size classes that the CSE User Guide describes which includes seedling, small, and large trees. The seedling size class is standing live trees that range in height between 0.5 and 4.49 feet. Small trees are standing live and dead with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) between 0.1 inches DBH to 4.9 inches DBH. Last, large standing are live and dead trees that are greater than 5 inches DBH. The selection of these subpopulations is dependent upon the needs of the resource requesting this information and the criteria needed in order to determine what size of plot to acquire this information. Generally, most tree selections will be either a variable plot or fixed plot or a combination of the two. As stated, the general rule for trees is that the sample should be done in order to collect an average of 4-8 live trees per plot. The Contractor shall be responsible for determining the proper Basal Area Factor unless specified otherwise in the issued order. The Government will specify the requirements and the exceptions to the tree measurements for each order.

3.2. Setting Data - The following fields are the fields available in the setting form. The order shall specify the fields to be completed for each exam in the CSE software or paper forms if ordered. Fields noted with “Provided” will be provided by the Government unless otherwise specified in the order. Information on necessary procedures to complete these fields is available in the User Guide.

DATE

STRATUM

EXISTING VEGETATION REF (Provided)

EXISTING VEGETATION

POTENTIAL VEGETATION REF (Provided)

POTENTIAL VEGETATION

STRUCTURE

CAPABLE GROWING AREA

FUEL MODEL

SLOPE POSITION

ACRES (Provided)

EXAMINER

RADIAL GROWTH INTERVAL

RADIAL GROWTH INTERVAL #2

HEIGHT GROWTH INTERVAL

FUEL PHOTO REFERENCE (Provided)

RESIDUAL DESCRIPTION CODE

PRECISION PROTOCOL (Provided)

DAMAGE CATEGORY

DAMAGE AGENT

DAMAGE SEVERITY

SPECIES OF MANAGEMENT INTERST

LATITUDE/LONGITUTUDE DATUM

USER CODE (Provided, if ordered)

SKETCH MAP/TRAVERSE NOTES

SETTING REMARKS

3.3. Plot Data - The following fields are the fields available in the plot data form. The order shall specify the fields to be completed for each exam in the CSE software or paper forms if ordered. Fields noted with “Provided” will be provided by the Government unless otherwise specified in the order. Information on necessary procedures to complete these fields is available in the User Guide.

CAPABLE GROWING AREA PERCENT

PLOT ASPECT

PLOT SLOPE

SLOPE POSITION

SLOPE HORIZONTAL SHAPE

SLOPE VERTICAL SHAPE

PLOT ELEVATION (Provided)

PLOT EXISTING VEGETATION

PLOT POTENTIAL VEGETATION

FUEL MODEL

RESIDUE DESCRIPTIVE CODE

DISTANCE TO SEED WALL

PLOT REMARKS

USER CODE (If defined by order)

3.4. Tree Data – (Available levels: 0=This form was not used; 1=Quick Plot; 2=Extensive Examination; 3=Intensive Examination). The following fields shall be completed for each sampled tree unless otherwise specified. Site growth and sample growth measurements shall only be required if specified in the issued Task Order. User code shall be recorded if specified. 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.

TAG ID (tree number)

TREE STATUS

SITE/GST TREE

TREE SPECIES

TREE COUNT

TREE CLASS

DIAMETER (DBH /DRC; DBH for trees >4.5 ft. tall; Record all to nearest 1/10th of an inch) TREE HEIGHT (Trees <4.5 feet tall & GST only) HEIGHT TO CROWN (base of live crown) RADIAL GROWTH (GST only)

RADIAL GROWTH 2

HEIGHT GROWTH (GST/Site tree only) AGE (Site/GST only and specified) CROWN RATIO (Live trees only)

CROWN CLASS

CROWN WIDTH

DAMAGE CATEGORY (Record 3 damage codes maximum)

DAMAGE AGENT

DAMAGE PART

DAMAGE SEVERITY

WILDLIFE USE

LOG/SNAG DECAY (If Dead/Down is taken)

CONE SEROTINY

NUMBER OF STEMS (DRC only)

REMARKS

USER CODE (If defined by order)

Note: Tallied trees shall be tallied starting with a north azimuth (360 degrees) and turning in a clockwise direction

3.5. Vegetation Composition. There are four data forms available for the collection vegetation composition that includes total cover and cover by lifeform, cover by species and layer, cover by species, and ground surface cover. The examination levels are 0=Data not collected; 1=Quick estimate; 2=threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (TES), noxious species (NOX) and/or the dominant four species; 3=All species; 4=All species including TES and NOX to trace. The following fields shall be completed for each exam by issued order and applicable form. For most silvicultural examinations the Contractor only has to identify those plants that are listed as key indicator plants that are used to determine plant associations in the Blue Mountains Plant association guides and other common species over and above the key indicator plants listed in the Common Plants of the Inland Pacific Northwest by Charles Grier Johnson. However, for other examination such as those within riparian zone may require the Mid-Montane Wetland Plant Associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests by Elizabeth A Crowe and Rodrick A. Clausnitzer 1997. The species have been entered into default setup files for the data recorder and will be provided to the Contractor at the post-award conference for each task order.

Form 1: Total Cover and Cover by Lifeform (Reguired for all exam levels)

LIFE FORM

LAYER

LAYER CODE

CANOPY COVER PERCENT

PREDOMINANT HEIGHT

PREDOMINANT DBH OR DRC

USER DEFINED (If defined by order)

REMARKS

Form 2: Cover by Species and Layer (Required for exam levels 2-4)

LIFE FORM

LAYER

LAYER CODE

SPECIES

CANOPY COVER %

PREDOMINANT HEIGHT

PREDOMINANT DBH OR DBH

PREDOMINANT AGE

MATURITY (Shrubs only) SHRUB FORM (Shrubs only) USER DEFINED (If defined by order)

REMARKS

Form 3: Cover by Species (Optional for all exam levels)

LIFE FORM

SPECIES

CANOPY COVER %

USER DEFINED (If defined by order)

REMARKS

Form 4: Ground Surface Cover (Optional for all exam levels)

SURFACE COVER TYPE

SURFACE COVER %

REMARKS

3.6. Down Woody Material. There are two methods available for the collection of down woody material, Method 1 includes piece count on a fixed area plot, photo series, piece count on a transect, and Method 2 is on a planar intercept known as “Brown’s Protocol”. The following fields shall be completed for each exam as specified in the issued order using the assigned methods and forms. For information needed to complete these fields refer to the User Guide.

A. Method 1

Method 1A: Photo Series

FIRST DUFF

SECOND DUFF

FUEL DEPTH

FIRST LITTER

SECOND LITTER

VOLUME

WEIGHT

Method 1B: Piece Count on a Fixed Area Plot

FIRST DUFF

SECOND DUFF

FUEL DEPTH

FIRST LITTER

SECOND LITTER

PIECE COUNT

DECAY CLASS

DIAMETER

DIAMETER LARGE END

DIAMETER SMALL END

PIECE LENGTH

Method 1C: Piece Count on aTransect

FIRST DUFF

SECOND DUFF

FUEL DEPTH

PIECE COUNT

DECAY CLASS

DIAMETER

DIAMETER LARGE END

DIAMETER SMALL END

PIECE LENGTH

B. Method 2 Planar Intercept (Brown’s Protocol)

1ST DUFF

2ND DUFF

FUEL DEPTH

FIRST LITTER

SECOND LITTER

PIECE COUNT

DECAY CLASS

DIAMETER

DIAMETER LARGE END

DIAMETER SMALL END

PIECE LENGTH

C-3 Noxious Weed Control In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds onto National Forest lands, the Contractor shall furnish the Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment.

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

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

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

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

C-4 AGAR 452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications (FEB 1988) The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced in Section J.

C-5 AGAR 452.211-73 Attachments to Statements of Work/Specifications (FEB 1988) The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications listed in Section J are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking

This Section has intentionally been left blank.

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed-Price (AUG 1996)

E-2 Contractor Quality Control System The Contractor shall submit a Quality Control Plan to ensure that contract specifications are achieved. At no time shall the Contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer or a designated representative may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

E-3 Performance Standards 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.

1. Setting Level 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. Fields not provided by the Government are the contractors responsibility to appropriately enter. If the data field input requirement is unclear it shall be the contractors responsibility to request this data from the COR prior to submitting the data.

2. Plot Level

3. Tree Level

CROWN RATIO

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

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

1 or more trees +/-0 trees ERROR = each tree

4. Vegetation Composition

Form 1

CANOPY COVER

Form 2

CANOPY COVER %

Form 3

CANOPY COVER %

Form 4

CANOPY COVER %

5. Down Woody

Method 1:

Method 1A: Photo Series

Method 1B: Piece Count on a Fixed Area Plot

Method 1C: Piece Count on a Transect

E-4 Government Quality Assurance 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 and/or paper copies to the COR at the ordering offices listed in Section C of this contract or those offices provided in Attachment B of this contract, when groups of 5 to 10 stands or approximately 1 to 2 weeks worth of work has been completed, and are ready for inspection prior to moving out of the general area. The Government will randomly select 10 percent of the plots (at a minimum) of those stands submitted for inspection.

Quality Assurance Plan

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

· 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.

· 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.

(# Incorrect Tree Penalties ÷ # Tallied Trees) x 100 = % Unsatisfactory Work

100% - % Unsatisfactory Work = % Satisfactory Work

E-5 Unsatisfactory Stand Examination 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.

E-6 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 is 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.

E-7 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 shall 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 shall have only one opportunity to rework the unacceptable stands. If a stand fails to pass the Government inspection after rework, no payment will be made for the remaining number of plots contained within the submitted stands.

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

F-1 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

FAR 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order (AUG 1989)

F-2 Contract Time Work shall begin no later than 5 calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed. It is estimated that adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specifications during the period November to May. Estimated start work date and contract time is as follows:

If an offeror is awarded multiple items contract time will be concurrent.

F-3 Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative(s) (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

The Contracting Officer should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

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

F-4 Approval of Subcontracting The Contractor shall request approval from the Contracting Officer prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement. The subcontractor shall have the experience and be equipped for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum:

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

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

G-1 AGAR 452.215-73 Post-award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 10 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a mutually agreed upon location within the boundaries of the Colville, Malheur, Umatilla, or Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.

G-2 Task Order Issuance Task orders may be issued verbally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods. Verbal task orders will be backed up by a written order.

Warranted Forest Service Contracting Officers within Region 6 are authorized to place task orders against this contract within their delegated warrant authority.

(a) Proposed Task Orders (TOs) will be issued during the performance period of this contract.