3.Appendix_A_Mandatory_Items.doc

Sustained Yield Restoration Stewardship Contract – Appendix A Solicitation No AG-04P5-S-08-9001 Fremont-Winema National Forests Page 1

Appendix A-Work Items

Mandatory Item 1.0 - Felling, Yarding, and Decking of Non-saw Timber Material in Conjunction With Commercial Saw Timber Harvest.

Desired Outcome:

The end result of this thinning is to reduce stocking levels in trees greater than 4.0 inches DBH up to trees 6.9 inches DBH to reach the prescribed density for the total stand, to improve forest health, and to remove biomass material to landings to reduce a portion of the fuels in the stand.

This item will typically occur on acres where the contractor is also harvesting and removing saw timber material under Appendix B – Timber Removal Specifications. All specifications of Appendix B, other than for removal and utilization, or payment for material removed, apply to this item.

The thinning will be from below and will reduce crown density, raise crown base height and move composition toward shade intolerent, fire resistant species. Non-saw timber material will generally yield around 1-8 tons per acre (in whole tree form). Residual densities will be specified in terms of trees per acre over a specified diameter range.

Technical Specifications:

a) Cut trees shall be whole tree yarded to landings approved by the Forest Service, and piled. Pile size and arrangement will be agreed to and approved by the Forest Service.

b) Cut trees greater than 4.0 inches DBH up to 6.9 inches DBH to an average of 109 trees per acre for the total stand including trees greater than 6.9 inches DBH. Any tree less than 4.0 inches DBH are to be ignored for total trees per acre count. Acceptable range of leave trees on any given acre is between 90 and 125 trees. The higher density may be exceeded if trees over 6.9 inches DBH exceed 125 TPA. To achieve variable density and species preference objectives, an average spacing of 20 feet by 20 feet may be varied up to 50%.

Following are Cut tree preference:

1) Species preference to cut: western juniper, white fir, lodgepole pine, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and western white pine.

2) Cut unhealthy trees. Unhealthy trees display evidence of disease including dwarf mistletoe (brooms or sprouts) and gall rust.

3) Cut trees with poor vigor (live crown ratios <25%).

4) Cut trees with damage. Damage is defined as dead tops, multiple tops, sweep, crook or bole damage.

c) Cut all conifer trees greater than 2 ft. tall and up to 12.0 inches DBH, within 60 feet slope distance of an aspen clone (three or more aspen stems within 50 feet of each other).

Other Requirements:

1. Cut trees shall be completely severed. Cutting shall be below the lowest live limb unless prevented by natural obstacles.

2. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches in height on the uphill side unless cutting is obstructed by natural obstacles. Stumps shall be horizontal as possible to avoid sharp spikes.

3. Cut trees shall be cleared away from unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, stream or watercourses by 5 feet.

4. No cut trees shall be permitted to suspend above the ground by a leave tree.

5. If operations cause damage to any posted monuments, fences or other improvements the COR will be notified immediately. Contractor will be responsible for restoration or replacement cost.

6. Operations will be conducted to avoid damage to leave trees and resources.

Acceptable Quality Level:

Monitoring and Disincentives

The government will conduct visual inspections, with random plots, on each unit to determine compliance with work specifications. Inspections will consist of a review of the trees cut and left in terms of tree condition and density, yarded and piled material. When work appears satisfactory, it will be accepted. When work appears unsatisfactory, the contractor will be responsible for any rework to comply with contract requirements.

If the contractor disagrees with the random walk thru results of the Forest Service, the contractor may request a formal systematic sample across the unit. Work Quality will be judged by the following formula:

Acceptable plots/Total number of plots X 100 = Work Quality %.

Where work quality is > 90%, work item will be accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90%, due to re-workable items, such as leaving too many trees or incomplete slash work, contractor will rework the unit. The unit will be re-inspected, and if deficient items repaired, accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90% due to too many trees cut, the pay will be reduced to a level equal to the work quality achieved. For example if, the work quality is 85% due to cutting too many trees, this cannot be repaired and the contractor’s pay would be reduced to 85% of the pay rate for that pay item.

Calculation of Credit:

The credit rate will be calculated by multiplying the percentage quality rate by the bid unit (mile, acre, etc.) price. When the percent of quality is 90 percent or greater, credit will be made at 100 percent of the bid price.

When the Government verification inspection results find unacceptable work, credit will not be made until the work has been corrected to meet the specifications. No additional credit or payment will be allowed for re-work of unacceptable work. The Government may reduce payment for unacceptable work that is not correctable.

Mandatory Item 2.0 - Felling, Yarding, and Decking of Non-saw Timber Material Not in Conjunction With Commercial Saw Timber Harvest.

Desired Outcome:

The end result of this thinning is to reduce stocking levels in trees greater than 4.0 inches dbh and up to 12.0 inches DBH to reach the the prescribed density for the total stand, to improve forest health, to remove biomass material to the landings to reduce a portion of the fuels in the stand.

This item will typically not occur on acres where the contractor is also harvesting and removing saw timber material under Appendix B – Timber Removal Specifications.

The thinning will be from below and will reduce crown density, raise crown base height and move composition toward shade intolerent, fire resistant species. Non-saw timber material will generally yield around 1-8 tons per acre (in whole tree form). Residual densities will be specified in terms of trees per acre over a specified diameter range.

Technical Specifications:

a) Cut trees shall be whole tree yarded to landings approved by the Forest Service, and piled. Pile size and arrangement will be agreed to and approved by the Forest Service.

b) Cut trees greater than 4.0 inches DBH up to 12.0 inches DBH to an average of 109 trees per acre for the total stand including trees greater than 6.9 inches DBH. Any tree less than 4.0 inches DBH are to be ignored for total trees per acre count. Acceptable range of leave trees on any given acre is between 90 and 125 trees. The higher density may be exceeded if trees greater than 12.0 inches DBH exceed 125 TPA. To achieve variable density and species preference objectives, an average spacing of 20 feet by 20 feet may be varied up to 50%.

1) Species preference to cut: western juniper, white fir, lodgepole pine, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and western white pine.

2) Cut unhealthy trees. Unhealthy trees display evidence of disease including dwarf mistletoe (brooms or sprouts) and gall rust.

4) Cut trees with damage. Damage is defined as dead tops, multiple tops, sweep, crook or bole damage.

c) Cut all conifer trees greater than 4 inches DBH and up to 12.0 inches DBH, within 60 feet slope distance of an aspen clone (three or more aspen stems within 50 feet of each other).

Other Requirements:

1. Cut trees shall be completely severed. Cutting shall be below the lowest live limb unless prevented by natural obstacles.

2. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches in height on the uphill side unless cutting is obstructed by natural obstacles. Stumps shall be horizontal as possible to avoid sharp spikes.

3. Cut trees shall be cleared away from unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, stream or watercourses by 5 feet.

4. No cut trees shall be permitted to suspend above the ground by a leave tree.

5. If operations cause damage to any posted monuments, fences or other improvements the COR will be notified immediately. Contractor will be responsible for restoration or replacement cost.

6. Operations will be conducted to avoid damage to leave trees and resources.

7. Contractor shall submit for Forest Service approval a Yarding/Skidding Plan prior to the start of felling operations. Requirements other than those specified herein may be approved if they meet or exceed resource protection requirements. Contractor shall flag locations of landings, skid trails / roads, feller-buncher cutting lanes and temporary roads for Forest Service approval prior to their construction or use.

8. Skidding equipment is restricted to designated skidtrails/roads. Mechanical feller-bunchers are restricted to designated cutting lanes and shall not have a static unloaded PSI (Pounds per square inch) rating greater than 7.5, unless approved by the government. No equipment will be allowed off skid trails/roads and landings except: When other resource conditions permit, the following soil moisture and field conditions will be used as a basis for permitting cutting equipment off approved skid roads/trails and landings: When there is less than 15% soil moisture, equipment with 7.5 PSI or less, will be allowed to use approved cutting lanes. (Soil moistures shall be measured at 8 inches below the surface of the mineral soil. The moisture values are to be measured as % (percent) dry weight. Moisture shall be measured when operations would occur outside the period July 15 through October 31. It is not required that moisture be measured during the period July 15 through October 31, to use approved cutting lanes.) A cutting lane is defined as a pathway on which a feller/buncher generally travels in one direction or out and back during the operation of felling and bucking trees. Contractor is responsible to determine soil moisture percentage and inform Forest Service of the results. Contractor may not use cutting lanes until agreed to in writing by Forest Service.

9. An average skidtrail/road spacing of at least 100 feet is required, except when using existing trails that are to be scarified at the completion of logging operations, or when logging over firm snow of 18 inches or greater, or ground frozen to a minimum depth of 4 inches. Firm snow is defined as snow that compacts to create a mat over the soil during skidding operations.

10. Except when endlining, the leading ends of the logs must be suspended above the ground during skidding.

11. Tractor or skidder shall be no more than 12 feet wide.

12. Mechanized equipment is prohibited within 30 feet of designated stream channel.

Acceptable Quality Level:

Monitoring and Disincentives

The government will conduct visual inspections, with random plots, on each unit to determine compliance with work specifications. Inspections will consist of a review of the trees cut and left in terms of tree condition and density, yarded and piled material. When work appears satisfactory, it will be accepted. When work appears unsatisfactory, the contractor will be responsible for any rework to comply with contract requirements.

If the contractor disagrees with the random walk thru results of the Forest Service, the contractor may request a formal systematic sample across the unit. Work Quality will be judged by the following formula:

Acceptable plots/Total number of plots X 100 = Work Quality %.

Where work quality is > 90%, work item will be accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90%, due to re-workable items, such as leaving too many trees or incomplete slash work, contractor will rework the unit. The unit will be re-inspected, and if deficient items repaired, accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90% due to too many trees cut, the pay will be reduced to a level equal to the work quality achieved. For example if, the work quality is 85% due to cutting too many trees, this cannot be repaired and the contractor’s pay would be reduced to 85% of the pay rate for that pay item.

Calculation of Credit:

The credit rate will be calculated by multiplying the percentage quality rate by the bid unit (mile, acre, etc.) price. When the percent of quality is 90 percent or greater, credit will be made at 100 percent of the bid price.

When the Government verification inspection results find unacceptable work, credit will not be made until the work has been corrected to meet the specifications. No additional credit or payment will be allowed for re-work of unacceptable work. The Government may reduce payment for unacceptable work that is not correctable.

Mandatory Item 3.2 Small Tree Thinning and Slash Treatment, Moderate level of Effort.

Desired Outcome:

The end result of this thinning is to reduce stocking levels in trees greater than 2.0 feet tall and up to 6.9 inches DBH to the prescribed density.

Technical Specifications:

These Items are intended to be hand chainsaw work. However, other methods may be used by written agreement with the Forest Service if such methods will meet resource protection needs.

a) Cut trees greater than 2 feet tall and up to 6.9 inches DBH to an average of 109 trees per acre for the total stand including trees greater than 6.9 inches DBH. Any tree less than 4.0 inches DBH are to be ignored for total trees per acre count. Acceptable range of leave trees on any given acre is between 90 and 125 trees. The higher density may be exceeded if trees greater than 6.9 inches DBH exceed 125 TPA. To achieve variable density and species preference objectives, an average spacing of 20 feet by 20 feet may be varied up to 50%.

1) Species preference to cut: western juniper, white fir, lodgepole pine, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and western white pine.

2) Cut unhealthy trees. Unhealthy trees display evidence of disease including dwarf mistletoe (brooms or sprouts) and gall rust.

4) Cut trees with damage. Damage is defined as dead tops, multiple tops, sweep, crook or bole damage.

c) Cut all conifer trees greater than 2 ft. tall and up to 12.0 inches DBH, within 60 feet slope distance of an aspen clone (three or more aspen stems within 50 feet of each other).

d) Lop and Scatter thinning slash. All thinning slash shall be less than 18 inches high, placing it on or near the ground surface. The slash will be less than 8 feet in length. Cut material shall not lean against an uncut tree, do not create concentrations of slash near leave trees. It shall be secure and not able to roll down hill. Scattered slash will be a distance of 5 feet from improvements, such as private property, roads, culverts, fence lines, power lines, established land corners, and established campsites and trails, unless approved by the COR.

Other Requirements:

1. Cut trees shall be completely severed. Cutting shall be below the lowest live limb unless prevented by natural obstacles.

2. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches in height on the uphill side unless cutting is obstructed by natural obstacles. Stumps shall be horizontal as possible to avoid sharp spikes.

3. Cut trees shall be cleared away from unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, stream or watercourses by 5 feet.

4. No cut trees shall be permitted to suspend above the ground by a leave tree.

5. If operations cause damage to any posted monuments, fences or other improvements the COR will be notified immediately. Contractor will be responsible for restoration or replacement cost.

6. Operations will be conducted to avoid damage to leave trees and resources.

Levels of Effort: For pricing, Levels of Effort are calculated as follows:

Item 3.2 Small Tree Thinning – Moderate level of effort; greater tan 50 cut trees per acre and less than 250 cut trees per acre. Lop and Scatter -18 inch maximum slash depth and 8 foot piece length.

Acceptable Quality Level:

Monitoring and Disincentives

The government will conduct visual inspections, with random plots, on each unit to determine compliance with work specifications. Inspections will consist of a review of the trees cut and left in terms of tree condition and density, and lop and scatter material. When work appears satisfactory, it will be accepted. When work appears unsatisfactory, the contractor will be responsible for any rework to comply with contract requirements.

If the contractor disagrees with the random walk thru results of the Forest Service, the contractor may request a formal systematic sample across the unit. Work Quality will be judged by the following formula:

Acceptable plots/Total number of plots X 100 = Work Quality %.

Where work quality is > 90%, work item will be accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90%, due to re-workable items, such as leaving too many trees or incomplete slash work, contractor will rework the unit. The unit will be re-inspected, and if deficient items repaired, accepted.

Where work quality is less than 90% due to too many trees cut, the pay will be reduced to a level equal to the work quality achieved. For example if, the work quality is 85% due to cutting too many trees, this cannot be repaired and the contractor’s pay would be reduced to 85% of the pay rate for that pay item.

Calculation of Credit:

The credit rate will be calculated by multiplying the percentage quality rate by the bid unit (mile, acre, etc.) price. When the percent of quality is 90 percent or greater, credit will be made at 100 percent of the bid price.

When the Government verification inspection results find unacceptable work, credit will not be made until the work has been corrected to meet the specifications. No additional credit or payment will be allowed for re-work of unacceptable work. The Government may reduce payment for unacceptable work that is not correctable.

Mandatory Items #4.1: Road Closure – Barricade and Water Bar Moderate Level of Effort.

Desire Outcome:

Roads specified for closure will be closed to vehicles, and water bars place in road to hydrologically stabilize roads. The objective is to close roads not needed for resource management or causing resource damage.

Description:

The work under this project consists of blocking access of the identified roads from traffic with earth mound barricades. Water bars shall be constructed to prevent further resource damage.

Location:

Project Locations will be specified in Task Orders.

Technical Specifications:

Water Bars

Water bars shall be constructed where designated by Government and shall be sloped to drain to the outside area of the roadbed as shown on attached Drawing Sheets unless otherwise agreed in writing.

See attached Drawing Sheets for water bar construction details.

Barricades

Road closure barricades shall be constructed at locations specified by the Government. A typical drawing of this feature is attached. See attached Drawing Sheet. The Contractor may, when available use logs, rock, or slash to block the road, to control access and to minimize erosion in addition to or in lieu of an earth barricade.

Selection of Treatment

The Contractor and Government will coordinate the selection of treatment type (road closure) that best meets the on-the-ground situation. Each project (road closure) may have multiple treatment types performed on the length of the road (water bar, scarification or ripping, earth barrier, log/slash barrier).

Levels of Effort: For pricing, Levels of Effort are calculated as follows:

Item 4.2 Moderate level of effort: 21-35 water bars per mile.

Equipment Specifications:

Unless stated otherwise in the Stewardship project specifications or otherwise agreed by the Government, the equipment requirements are the same as stated in Appendix B, K-G.4.2# yarding/skidding requirements, or as specified or negotiated per Task Order.

Inspection Procedures:

The Contractor shall visually inspect the barricades and water bars for all roads, for compliance with the specifications. The Government will verify the inspection results by visual inspection on a minimum of 10% of the roads treated.

Unsatisfactory Work:

When the Government verification inspection results find unacceptable work, credit will not be made until the work has been corrected to meet the specifications. No additional credit or payment will be allowed for re-work of unacceptable work. The Government may reduce payment for unacceptable work that is not correctable.

Calculation of Credit:

The credit rate will be calculated by multiplying the percentage quality rate by the bid unit (mile, acre, etc.) price. When the percent of quality is 90 percent or greater, credit will be made at 100 percent of the bid price.