Cone Collection FY09 21.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (4/98) THIS RFQ X IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET- ASIDE PAGE OF

PAGES

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER) * 1

1. REQUEST NO. 2. DATE

ISSUED

3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST

NO.

4. CERT. FOR NAT.DEF. RATING

UNDER BDSA REG. 2 --

RFQ

AG-05G1-S-09-0021

May 26, 2009

278157

06EW210936433

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

5a. ISSUED BY 6. DELIVER BY (Date) USDA, Forest Service Reference Specifications Colville National Forest Contract Time: See Specifications 765 South Main Estimated start date: See Specifications Colville, Washington 99114

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS) 7. DELIVERY

NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER FOB

DESTINATION

X OTHER

(See Schedule)

AREA

CODE

NUMBER

Cathy E. Van Alyne, Contracting Officer

509 684-7114 9. DESTINATION

Colville National Forest

Tom DeSpain Technical Representative

509 684-7225 a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

8. TO:

a. NAME b. COMPANY b. STREET ADDRESS 765 South Main

c. STREET ADDRESS c. CITY Colville

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE d. STATE e. ZIP CODE Washington 99114

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO

THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5A ON

OR BEFORE

June 15, 2009 Close of Business

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5A. This Request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotation must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes) Cone Collection, Colville National Forest

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Insert your price on pages 2 through 15.

BASIS OF AWARD: One or more contracts will be awarded, by item, to the Offeror(s) providing the best over-all value to the Government. Past performance, experience, capacity and technical ability to meet the requirements, price and other factors will be considered in evaluation for award.

Return pages 1 through 14 and 72 through 82 when submitting your quotes. Return to the address shown in block 5A. On your enclosed sealed envelope, please write RFQ AG-05G1-S-09-0021 due June 15, 2009.

Faxes will be accepted (with hard copy to follow) until close of business on the due date of this solicitation. Fax number is (509) 684-7280. It is the quoters responsibility to verify fax has been received.

DUNS Number ________________________________________[See Representation, Certifications and Provisions (FAR 52.204-6)]

Procurement will be accomplished under Simplified Procurement procedures. All responsible and qualified sources may submit a quotation. Quotations submitted are considered to be confidential. The name of the Contractor and the amount of the contract will be disclosed only after an order has been issued.

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS

b. 20 CALENDAR

DAYS (%)

c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) d. CALENDAR DAYS

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

NUMBER PERCENTA

GE

XXXXXXXXX

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations

X are are not attached.

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR 14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON

AUTHORIZED TO

15. DATE OF

a. NAME SIGN OFFER OFFER

b. STREET ADDRESS 16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print) b. TELEPHONE

c. COUNTY ( )

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE c. TITLE (Type or Print) FAX

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 18 (Rev. 6-95)

Cone Collection RFQ AG-05G1-S-09-0021 Colville National Forest Page 2

PART 1 – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

ITEM

NO.

SUPPLIES AND

SERVICES

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

PRICE

Cone collection by tree climbing on the Colville National Forest.

Prices include all labor, equipment and materials, except as noted below. Quantites for all sub-items are estimated.

D1A Three Rivers Ranger District, Colville Side

For the period of Date of Award through April 30, 2010

Estimated

.1 Douglas-fir

1 EA $______

.2 Engelmann Spruce

.3 Lodgepole Pine

.4 Ponderosa Pine

EA $______

.5 Western Larch

50 EA $______ $_______

.6 Western White Pine

1 EA $______ $_______

Total for Item D1A

94 $_______

D1B Three Rivers Ranger District, Colville Side

For the period of May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011

Colville National Forest Page 3

Total for Item D1B

D1C Three Rivers Ranger District, Colville Side

For the period of May 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011

Total for Item D1C

Total Quote for Three Rivers Ranger District Colville Side (Items D1A + D1B + D1C)

D2A Three Rivers Ranger District, Kettle Falls Side

40 EA $______ $_______

Colville National Forest Page 4

Total for Item D2A

D2B Three Rivers Ranger District, Kettle Falls Side

Total for Item D2B

D2C Three Rivers Ranger District, Kettle Falls Side

Total for Item D2C

Colville National Forest Page 5

Total Quote for Three Rivers Ranger District Kettle Falls Side (Items D2A + D2B + D2C)

D3A Newport Ranger District

1 EA $______ $______

.7 Western Red Cedar

Total for Item D3A

95 $_______

D3B Newport Ranger District

Total for Item D3B 95 $_______

Colville National Forest Page 6

D3C Newport Ranger District

Total for Item D3C

95 $_______

Total Quote for Newport Ranger District (Items D3A + D3B + D3C)

D4A Republic Ranger District

30 EA $______ $_______

Total for Item D4A

84 $_______

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D4B Republic Ranger District

Total for Item D4B

D4C Republic Ranger District

Total for Item D4C

Total Quote for Republic Ranger District (Items D4A + D4B + D4C)

Colville National Forest Page 8

D5A Sullivan Lake Ranger District

25 EA $______ $_______

Total for Item D5A

69 $_______

D5B Sullivan Lake Ranger District

Total for Item D5B

65 $_______

D5C Sullivan Lake Ranger District

1 EA $______ $0.00

.2 Engelmann Spruce 1 EA $______ $0.00

Colville National Forest Page 9

Total for Item D5C

69 $_______

Total Quote for Sullivan Lake Ranger District (Items D5A + D5B + D5C)

Total Quote for Items D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5

D6A All Ranger Districts on the Colville National Forest

.1a Whitebark Pine Travel for Cone Caging

1 Mile/ Person

.1b Whitebark Pine Caging

1 – 5 6 – 10 11- 15 16 – 20 21 – 25 26 - 30

Trees $______

.1c Whitebark Pine Travel for Cone Collection

.1d Whitebark Pine Cone Collection

11- 15 16 – 20

Colville National Forest Page 10

D6B All Ranger Districts on the Colville National Forest

11- 15 16 – 20

11- 15 16 – 20

D6C All Ranger Districts on the Colville National Forest

11- 15 16 – 20

Colville National Forest Page 11

11- 15 16 – 20

Note: The Contractor shall submit a quote for each sub-item even when the quantity specified is zero.

The Contractor will be paid for the actual number of trees climbed and cones picked from the tree’s clean picking area as specified in the contract specifications.

For Bid Items D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5

The Contractor’s bid price per tree shall include the cost to climb the tree and to pick and bag the designated amount of cones, as measured in bushels, from the tree’s clean picking area as specified in the contract.

The Contractor will be paid 10% (0.10) of the bid price for surveying the amount of cones in the tree from the ground only when the tree is not climbed and when no Forest Service designated representative is present. The amount paid = (0.10 X bid price).

The Contractor will be paid 40% (0.40) of the bid price for climbing the tree and collecting cones to test for cone ripeness and number of viable seed per cone cut face, but without picking clean the tree’s clean picking area due to too few seed per cone cut face or the seed not being ripe enough to collect. The amount paid = (0.40 X bid price).

For western larch only an additional payment, above the bid price per tree, will be paid for picking western larch cones above one (1) bushel per tree. For each additional one-forth (¼) bushel above the first one (1) bushel of western larch cones picked, 20% (0.20) of the bid price will be paid. For example, if three-fourths (¾) of a bushel is picked above the first bushel, and the bid price per tree is $40.00, then the additional amount paid is: $40.00 X 0.20 = $8.00 per ¼ bushel. Three-fourths (¾) of a bushel = (3 X $8.00) = $24.00.

For the western larch example above, if $40.00 was the bid price per tree, then total payment would be:

$40.00 for the first bushel + $24.00 for the next ¾ bushel = $64.00 total payment for 1 ¾ bushels of cones picked.

For Bid Item D6 for Whitebark Pine

The Contractor’s bid price for travel for caging shall include the cost to transport all supplies, equipment and materials to and from the designated caging area.

The Contractor’s bid price for caging shall include the cost to climb the tree and place cages on the tree.

The Contractor’s bid price for travel for cone collection shall include the cost to transport all supplies, equipment, materials to and from the designated cone collection area from the vehicle access area

Colville National Forest Page 12 designated by the Government and all seeds and cones collected from the designated cone collection area to the vehicle access area designated by the Government.

The Contractor’s bid price for cone collection shall include the cost to climb the tree, remove the cages, and collect and bag the seeds and cones from the tree.

For whitebark pine the Contractor shall supply all equipment necessary to transport all wire cages, cable (bar) lock ties, cone bags, cone collection tags, etc. from the delivery point(s) to the caging and cone collection area(s) and the return transport process after collection of cones.

Estimated Quantity and Task Orders

The quantity on the schedule of items are estimated. This is an indefinite quantity contract. Reference FAR 52.216-18, FAR 52.216-19 and FAR 52.216-22 in Section I and Ordering Clause located in Section F.

To evaluate offers for award purposes, the Government will apply the offeror’s proposed fixed – prices/rates to the estimated quantities included in the solicitation, and will add other direct costs if applicable.

Note: The estimated quantity is established for evaluation purposes only and is not an indication of actual work to be awarded. The unit prices will be used to establish task orders.

Based on many variables (weather, tree conditions, variable cone crops, insect damage, etc.) it is hard to estimate the exact number of trees until it is time to collect the cones. The estimate on the schedule is for award purposes only. The Government estimates the actual quantity to vary. There may be as little as 10 trees and up to 250 trees per item. The Government will pay for only actual trees climbed and at the unit prices on the schedule of items. For whitebark pine (Item 6), the Government will pay for only actual trees climbed for caging cones and collecting cones, and actual distances traveled to get to the caging and collection sites, at the unit prices on the schedule of items.

Government-Furnished Ladders

Government-furnished ladders are available at a cost of $20.00 per section (seasonal charge) for Bid Items D1, D2, D3 and D5. There is a reduction in the total bid price for the use of Government-furnished ladders. Quoters intending to use Government-furnished ladders must complete the following:

Item No. Ladder Sections Available

Price Number of Section Quoter Intends to Use

Amount

D1 & D2 14 $20.00 __________ = $________

D3 10 $20.00 __________ = $________

D5 8 $20.00 __________ = $________

Colville National Forest Page 13

Pricing for FY 2010 and FY 2011 Years

For FY 2010 and FY 2011 (Items with a “B” and “C” after them) pricing shall include all escalation costs for equipment, materials and incidentals, except for labor costs in accordance with FAR clause 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts).

Contractor's Hourly Wage Rate and Fringe Benefits

To enable the Contracting Officer to determine whether any future price adjustment shall be applicable under FAR 52.222-43 (May 1989), Contractor shall provide the following information:

A. Wage to be paid by Contractor:

Class Hourly Fringe Total Wages Employee Wage Benefits for Each Class

1._________________________________________________ 2._________________________________________________

B. Percent of unit bid price which represents wages _____.

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 $100.00 (minimum guarantee) but not in excess of the ceiling price.

Note: For Fiscal Year 2009, the Government currently has $11,000 funding available for the total contract (all items). If there is a large crop of Whitebark Pine, the Forest may receive additional funding to cover the need.

AGAR 452.216-74 Ceiling Price (FEB 1988)

The ceiling price of this contract is $70,000. The Contractor shall not make expenditures or incur obligations in the performance of this contract which exceed the ceiling price specified herein, except at the Contractor’s own risk.

Quoter’s Limitations

Quotes will not be accepted for less than a complete item.

There are six items on this solicitation. They are:

Three Rivers Ranger District, Colville Side D1 Three Rivers Ranger District, Kettle Falls Side D2 Newport Ranger District D3

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Republic Ranger District D4 Sullivan Lake Ranger District D5 Whitebark Pine Caging and Cone Collection D6

Quoters wishing to quote on items on an “all or none” basis shall write ALL OR NONE in the following space: ____________________

Quoters who quote on more than one item may qualify their quote limiting the total quantity of work for which they will accept a contract. Quoters desiring to qualify their quote must complete the following:

My quote is limited to a minimum of ________ item(s) and a maximum of ______ item(s) on this schedule.

Signature of Quoter Telephone

Colville National Forest Page 15

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE BASED STATEMENT OF WORK

General Information

A. Scope of Contract

This project requires climbing designated trees and picking cones with ripe seeds from those trees in compliance with the terms, specifications, and provisions incorporated herein. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals to do the job.

In addition to the above, for whitebark pine, this contract is for caging cones of designated whitebark pine trees with wire cages, and collecting cones and seeds from these same trees in a few scattered locations generally above 6,000 feet in elevation within the Colville National Forest.

The collection of whitebark pine cones requires two visits per tree (stem) per year. In middle to late June or early July, depending on environmental conditions, the tree is climbed and wire mesh cone cages are placed and secured over branches with developing cones to protect the cones from birds and rodents. The cages remain on the trees (stems) through most of September, then the trees (stems) are climbed again, the cages are removed, and the cones and seeds are collected.

B. All seed cones picked, seed collected, and wire cages are the property of the Government.

C. Location and Description

1. Location

Cone collection and whitebark pine cone caging and collection sites are located on the Colville National Forest. Cone collection and cone caging sites vary from less than a mile apart to many miles apart at predetermined locations on each Ranger District.

Prior to start of work, the Government will furnish Contractor(s) with Project Area Map(s) showing specific locations of trees.

2. Access

The majority of trees selected for cone collection are within 300 feet of a forest road, accessible by a standard pickup. Exceptions to this are noted on Performance Requirement Chart, located in section J. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Some trees may be located behind recently closed or obstructed roads. Additional road closures may occur during the course of the season. Contractor should expect some walk-ins up to ¼ mile.

Performance Based Information Sheets shall be considered as part of the Technical Specifications.

For whitebark pine caging and cone collection travel distances from the designated delivery point(s) to the cone caging and collection site(s) may vary from ½ mile up to 4 miles one way. Any

Colville National Forest Page 16 distance from the delivery point to caging and cone collection site(s) up to one-forth (1/4) mile one way are considered incidental travel and no additional payment will be made. Walk-in distances from the designated delivery point(s) to the cone caging and collection site(s) greater than one-forth (1/4) mile one way will be compensated for as the distance from the closest vehicle access point to the closest tree climbed, times the appropriate contract travel bid rate, either the rate for caging or the rate for cone collection. Walk-in distance(s) will be estimated by the Contracting Officer (CO). Travel distances walked between trees (stems) within the cone caging or collection sites(s) will not be compensated.

3. Identification

a. Cone collection trees are marked with:

(1) A yellow tag, R6-24-11, which says “Selected Tree for Genetics” and/or tree identification number.

(2) Flagging

Item District Color D1 & D2 Three Rivers Ranger District Pink & Black Stripe D3 Newport Pink & Black Stripe D4 Republic Pink & Black Stripe D5 Sullivan Lake Pink & Black Stripe

b. Additional cone collection trees may be designated during the course of the contract.

Such trees will be marked with flagging and an identification number and will be assigned a picking sequence number.

c. Whitebark pine trees (stems) with cones to be caged and collected will be designated with flagging and an identification number will be assigned.

Definitions

Administrative Terms

Acceptable Service. A job performed to the standard and within the acceptable quality level. The Contractor must do the specific job, and meet the standard, and meet the acceptable quality level before one can say that performance is acceptable for payment.

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a Contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

Best Value. One criterion used for selecting a service contractor for award, based on comparison of the service price offered, with the quality of service offered.

Colville National Forest Page 17

Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays included.

Change Order – An order issued to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer, pursuant to the “Changes” clause included in Section I of this contract, requiring work to be performed within the general scope of the contract.

Contract Item – A pay item designated on the bid schedule and described by a specification.

Contracting Officer (CO). A Government employee with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Contracting Officer.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A Government person appointed by the Contracting Officer (CO) to help the CO with the contract administration and surveillance. The duties and responsibilities of a COR are defined in the letter of designation by the CO.

Crew Foreman – The individual responsible for ensuring the contract specifications are met on the ground and that the proper inspection plots have been taken.

Defective Service. A block of service that contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The Federal Regulations that govern Forest Service acquisitions of property and services, also supplemented by the FSAR (Forest Service Acquisition Regulations).

Forest Supervisor – The person responsible for administration of a National Forest, including his authorized representative.

General Provisions – Those provisions of an administrative nature applicable to the contract.

Government Inspector. A Government person appointed by the COR to help the COR with the contract administration and surveillance. The duties and responsibilities of a Government Inspector are defined in the letter of designation by the COR. The Inspector’s authorities are strictly limited, not to exceed the authority to issue a Contractor a Notice of Non-compliance.

Government. Title used to represent the United States Federal Government and its designated employees acting within their delegated contract authority. Throughout this contract the titles United States, USDA-Forest Service, Forest Service, and USFS may be used interchangeably as synonymous with Government.

Indefinite – Delivery Contract – A type of contract in which the delivery is unspecified in the original contract but established by the Contracting Officer during performance.

Colville National Forest Page 18

Indefinite Quantity Contract – A contract providing for an indefinite quantity, within stated maximum or minimum limits of specific supplies or services to be furnished during a fixed period with deliveries to be scheduled by placing orders with the contractor.

Labor Standards Provisions – Those statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the Contractor’s employees and employment practices.

Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC). A service contract that (1) Describes requirements in terms of results required rather than the methods of performance of the work; (2) Use measurable performance standards (i.e., terms of quality, timeliness, quantity, etc.) and quality assurance surveillance 0plans; (3) Specifies procedures for reductions of fee or for reductions to the price of a fixed-price contract when services are not performed or do not meet contract requirements; (4) May include performance incentives where appropriate.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed in this contract for completion of the contract work. Once begun on the official start date, the period of performance will be counted in consecutive calendar days, including Sundays and holidays.

This time may be suspended by Government issuance of one or more written Suspend Work Order/s.

Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Government inspection for quality assurance does not substitute for the Contractor’s quality control.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected. A method of inspecting a few individual items in a lot to determine the quality of that lot against the standard.

Specifications – That portion of the contract comprising a description of the general and technical requirements for materials, products or services to be furnished under the contract.

Standard. An acknowledged measure of comparison.

Task Order – An order for services issued under a Task Order contract.

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Work Order – An order written by the COR, which directs the Contractor to correct deficient performance. It may also be used to document satisfactory completion of units and give permission for the Contractor to begin work on additional work units.

Technical Specification Terms

1. Cone Collection Trees – Includes “Select Trees” in the Tree Improvement program and additional trees identified for general cone collection, as well as, whitebark pine trees (stems) designated for cone caging and collection.

2. Select Tree – A tree included in the Tree Improvement program which is identified by a yellow tag, R6-24-11 and a tree number.

3. Tree Registers – A form used to describe phenotypic characteristics of a “Select Tree” and its location. A map and relocation directions are included on the back of the form.

4. Picking Sequence Sheets – Shows tree numbers listed in the order to be climbed and picked, based on expected cone ripeness and the order of succession along portions of a road system.

5. Minimum Number of Cones Needed to Climb and Pick.

a. Number of cones needed for general cone collection purposes.

Refer to Technical Specifications for General Cone Collection, B. Seed Cone Standards,

3. in this Section.

Government Furnished Property And Services

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.

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Item Description Where, When, How

Project Maps

Maps of cone collection areas with access roads.

With task order and some are provided in Section J.

Access Roads

Access roads are accessible by 4 wheel drive vehicle with snow tires and chains.

Colville National Forest Page 20

Access behind locked gates

Some areas are behind Forest road closures (locked gates).

The Government will provide access through locked gates unless walk-ins are required. .

During the period which the Contractor is in the unit collecting cones.

Picking Sequence

The Government will reserve the trees designated to be picked for exclusive picking by the Contractor.

The Government will determine seed ripeness, specify the beginning and end of the picking season, and determine the picking sequence.

Prior to work

Miscellaneous Supplies as listed.

One set of the Project Area Map(s), and “Select Tree” registers

Cone identification tags, R6- 2470-112

Burlap bags

Flagging for all units

At the prework meeting.

Ladders

Tree climbing ladders, if requested on the schedule of items and under clause titled Government Furnished Ladders.

Government-furnished ladders are “SWEDISH SECTIONAL

TREE CLIMBING

LADDERS.” They are made in lengths of three (3) meters each and join together in male-female fashion.

Prior to starting work on the unit.

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Additional sections of ladder may be needed to complete the contract within the contract time. The Contractor shall be required to furnish any additional ladders needed.

In addition to the above, for whitebark pine

Project Area Map(s) with designated cone caging and collection site(s) and delivery points

Cone identification tags, R6- 2470-112

Cone collection bags

Wire cages

Cable (bar) lock ties or zip-ties

At the prework meeting.

Contractor – Furnished Items and Services

A. 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 a Washington State Farm Forest Labor license and proof of Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protect Act Registration.

B. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) in their proposal as described in section titled Contract Documents, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. 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 cone collection is in progress, tree care, safety, and other associated tasks. Reference Section E for more required information.

C. The Contractor shall have in his/her employ climbers under this contract with a minimum of one

(1) season of prior tree climbing and cone picking experience. The Contractor shall provide a statement of the technical capability and the number of years the Contractor has performed tree climbing work, document the qualifications or skill level of individual personnel who will execute the provisions of this contract, and specify the techniques and safety practices planned and/or equipment to be used for work performed under this contract.

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1. Each individual climber operating in the performance of this contract shall have final determination as to whether a tree is safe to climb or not to climb.

D. The Contractor shall comply with the safety requirements as specified in: Forest Service Handbook ID 6709.12, Chapter 10; Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook, Section 22.49; and the National Tree Climbing Guide 2005 Edition. These handbooks and the guide can be accessed electronically through the internet at these addresses: www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/policy and www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/safety. At the request of the Contractor, alternate procedures may be approved by the Contracting Officer that meet the intent of Forest Service safety requirements, but differ in actual practice.

E. The Contractor shall follow and be in compliance with all Federal (e.g. OSHA), State (e.g. WA OSHA), and local safety laws, rules, regulations and safe climbing practices applicable to the work to be preformed under this contract.

F. Prior to allowing any work to commence on the project, the Contractor shall submit a General Safety Plan to the Contracting Officer that is in compliance with or exceeds Federal, Washington State, and local standards and regulations. Such safety plan shall include all tasks and related activities anticipated to successfully complete the work. It shall specify the techniques and safety practices planned and/or equipment to be used for work preformed under this contract. It shall describe safety procedures for crew safety involved with all contract operations. Emergency numbers and communications shall be described in the plan. This plan shall be presented and reviewed by all crew members before work commences and be available to all crew members at all sites during work periods, as well as, available to the Government for inspection at any time. The safety plan shall also address paragraphs D. and E. above.

G. Prior to any work commencing on the project the Contractor shall have, in addition to the General Safety Plan, a site specific Communication/Emergency Plan. The site specific plan shall be a document giving location of operations, name and phone number of individuals to call in case of an emergency, phone number of nearest fire department, travel route(s) to project location(s), nearest hospital, and fire rescue and ambulance (EMS). If a gate key is needed, this document shall also include where it can be obtained. This plan shall be presented and reviewed by all crew members and be available to all crew members at all sites during work periods as well as available to the Government for inspection at any time.

H. The Contractor shall furnish (but not limited to):

1. Labor, climbing and safety equipment, rescue equipment, cone caging and cone collection equipment, supervision, and transportation needed to climb designated trees, sample cone ripeness, pick, sack, identify, and deliver the cones in accordance with General and Technical Specifications of this contract.

2. For whitebark pine Contractor shall supply equipment necessary to transport all wire cages, cable (bar) lock or zip-lock ties, cone bags, cone collection tags, etc. from the delivery point(s) to the caging and cone collection area(s) and the return transport process after collection of cones.

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3. Black, indelible, smudge proof, waterproof, felt-tip, permanent ink pens for filling out cone identification tags and other forms. Ball point pens are not acceptable.

4. Binoculars.

5. Cone hooks or branch hooks are required on all Ranger Districts.

6. Flagging, for purposes of tying at the highest point the tree was climbed. Refer to Technical Specifications for General Cone Collections, C. Tree Climbing, 7 located in this Section.

I. The Contractor shall have on hand sufficient equipment and supplies at the work site to perform rescue operations for injured tree climbers in trees and on the ground.

J. The Contractor shall register himself or herself and employees on the Tree Seed Collector’s Registration Log (see Exhibit No. 1 located in Section J). The log will be provided to the Contractor at the pre-work meeting.

K. The Contractor shall comply with all requests from the Washington State Crop Improvement Inc.

Seed Certification personnel.

L. The Contractor shall protect all Government improvements to trees. Improvements include but are not limited to aluminum squirrel bands and metal tags. Aluminum bands are 20 to 28 inches wide and located between 5.5 and 7.5 feet above ground measured on the uphill side of the tree. Damaged or destroyed property shall be replaced by the Contractor at no charge to the Government. If squirrel bands are removed, they shall be replaced by Contractor.

M. The Contractor shall immediately contact Contracting Officer where a tree is inaccessible due to locked gate(s), road closures or where the Contractor cannot locate a tree designated for cone collection.

N. The Contractor shall assume all risk of loss or damage to his equipment and injury to himself or his employees and shall hold and save the Government and its employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind resulting from performance of this contract, except for negligent acts of Government employees.

O. The Contractor shall not block roads or trails, or obstruct traffic while performing contract requirements, unless warranted by safety requirements. The Contractor shall provide sufficient warning (signs, safety guard, etc.) to ensure public safety and meet Federal and State regulations. The Contractor shall be responsible for assuring that operations will not cause harm or injury to personnel, other users of the area, or non-target (landscape or wildlife) forest resources.

P. Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumen, raw sewage and other harmful materials shall not be discharged into or near rivers, streams, wetlands or impoundments, or into natural or man-made channels leading thereto. Mechanized equipment shall not be operated in live streams without prior written approval by the Contracting Officer.

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Q. If the Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on site, appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil products does not enter any stream or other waters.

Performance Requirements Summary

The the performance requirment summary chart which describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described is located in Section J, titled “Performance Requirement Charts”.

Technical Specifications for General Cone Collections

A. Seed Cone Sources

Seed cones shall be picked from trees designated in the task order and on the Picking Sequence Sheets, and Project Area Maps.

B. Seed Cone Standards

1. All seed cones harvested shall be from the current calendar year seed cone crop.

2. Cones may be harvested by squirrels, damaged by diseases, frost, and insect attack making the cones worthless for harvest. If prior to the Contractor climbing a tree, the Contracting Officer determines the cones are not worth harvesting or too few in numbers, the Contractor shall be instructed to not climb the tree.

3. When no Government representative is present at the collection site, the Contractor shall be required to conduct a cone survey (see chart below) prior to climbing each designated tree to ensure that the minimum number of cones are available to be picked in the clean picking area. Contractor shall use the survey procedure specified in Section titled Contract Documents, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, INSPECTION OF TREE CLIMBING AND TREE SEED CONE HARVEST, B.1, through B.4.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF CONES AND BUSHELS NEEDED TO CLIMB AND PICK

SPECIES MULTIPLIER CONES NEEDED BUSHELS NEEDED

General Cone General Cone Collection Collection

Douglas-fir 2.0 225 1/4 Western Larch 2.0 500 1/8 Engelmann Spruce 2.0 500 1/4 Western White Pine 1.5 50 1/2 Ponderosa Pine 1.5 90 1/2 Lodgepole Pine 4.0 400 1/4

If Contractor determines that the minimum numbers of cones do not exist on a tree, he/she shall

Colville National Forest Page 25 record the whole tree number and cone survey count on a cone tag. The cone tag shall be securely attached to the tree at its base.

The Government reserves the right to make the final determination and Contractor may be directed to climb and pick the tree.

4. Minimum numbers of cones needed to climb and pick trees are applicable to bid items D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5.

5. Cones ripen at different times depending on the weather, elevation, aspect, etc. Seed cones shall not be harvested from a designated tree until the Contracting Officer determines that they are mature enough to harvest.

6. Cone lots shall not be contaminated with cones of other species or contain more than 1/2 pound of trash per bushel or a proportional amount for quantities less than one bushel. Cones not of the current year's crop, twigs, leaves, rocks, grass, etc., shall be considered trash.

7. Cones cut by squirrels shall not be collected.

C. Tree Climbing

1. Trees shall be climbed and picked according to the order shown on the Picking Sequence Sheets. Every tree in a Picking Sequence shall be climbed and picked before advancing to the next Picking Sequence. The Contracting Officer may alter the sequence in which cone collection trees shall be climbed and picked.

2. Whitebark pine, Western white pine and lodgepole pine shall be climbed with ladders when no adequate climbing limbs are available at ground level. Tree bicycles may be used, provided the tree is not damaged. Climbers shall wear soft soled shoes or boots such as tennis or running shoes when climbing in these species to reduce damage to the tree.

3. All other species may be climbed with ladders, spurs, or tree bicycles, provided the tree is not damaged.

4. Ladder trees may be in excess of 65 feet to the live crown. Other climbing methods, EXCLUDING SPURS, may be acceptable.

5. In some cases squirrel bands may be at the same height as ladder cleats. This may cause some difficulty in attaining a stable ladder or in protecting the squirrel band. If this situation arises, it may be necessary to cushion the ladder cleats with wood, rubber, canvas, etc. to protect the squirrel band.

6. Live branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked or cut.

7. If the Contractor determines that a tree is unsafe to climb, the Contractor shall leave a note securely attached to the tree base specifying, in detail, the reason the tree is not safe to climb including the nature and location of the hazard.

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8. All designated trees shall be climbed unless a substitute tree is designated by the Contracting Officer. In the event of squirrel harvest of the cones of a cone collection tree, the Contracting Officer may designate a substitute tree, (if available).

9. All designated trees shall be climbed unless the minimum numbers of cones are unavailable for picking. See TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GENERAL CONE COLLECTIONS, B. Seed Cone Standards, 3. located in this Section for minimum numbers of cones required for climbing and picking.

10. If no Government Representative is present when a tree is climbed, Contractor shall tie a piece of colored flagging at the highest point in the tree from which cones were harvested.

11. To minimize potential for misunderstandings, the Government will provide flagging of a distinctively different color than that which was used in the previous year.

D. Seed Cone Sampling

The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to pick sample cones from designated trees in the following manner:

1. No less than six (6) cones shall be picked randomly as the tree is climbed; two (2) cones from the bottom, two (2) cones from the middle, and two (2) cones from the top.

2. These cones shall be sampled by the Contracting Officer for soundness, maturity, quality and quantity of seed.

3. If the sampled cones are determined to be unfit for picking, the Government may terminate further picking from the tree.

E. Seed Cone Picking

1. The clean picking area shall be:

a. The portion of the crown located within six (6) feet of the trunk and below the two (2) inch diameter of the trunk (main stem), and at least 16 feet above ground surface.

b. That portion of the crown located beyond six (6) feet of the trunk of the tree when the cone-bearing portion of the branch can be manually pulled to within six (6) feet of the trunk with a branch hook.

2. The Contractor shall bag cones in the tree. Cones in bags shall be slowly lowered to the ground. Bags of cones shall not be dropped or thrown from the crown of the tree to the ground.

3. The Contractor shall pick, from the clean picking area, the quantity of cones shown on the Performance Based Information Sheets. If the number of cones to be picked is less than "ALL", the

Colville National Forest Page 27 following shall be required:

a. The Contractor shall pick no less than the specified number of cones, unless this quantity is not available.

b. Cones shall be picked from the top of the tree working toward the bottom.

4. If the number of cones to be picked is specified as “ALL”, or if the specified number of cones to be picked is not available on the tree, the Contractor shall pick no less than 75 percent of the cones in the clean picking area.

5. No payment will be made for less than 100 percent of the minimum number of cones specified by species in Technical Specifications for General Cone Collection, B. Seed Cone Standards,

3. located in this Section.

6. Live branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked or cut.

F. Western Larch Incentive Payment

For Western Larch trees only, an additional payment incentive may be made by the Government. Once the Contractor has picked and bagged the first full bushel of western larch cones per designated tree as stated in the contract specifications, then for each additional full one-forth (¼) bushel of western larch seed cones picked and bagged above the one bushel, the Contractor will be paid an incentive of 20% (0.20) of the per tree bid price.

Technical Specifications Whitebark Pine Cone Caging and Cone Collections (Item D6)

In addition to the applicable technical specifications in the section Technical Specification for General Cone Collections the following apply to whitebark pine cone caging and collection.

A. Climbing

Average heights for selected whitebark pine trees can range from fifteen (15) feet to over seventy-five

(75) feet tall.

The Contractor must only use soft soled shoes or boots to climb in whitebark pine trees. No hard soled shoes or boots, hooks, climbing spurs, or spikes will be allowed to climb the whitebark pine trees.

B. Transport of Materials and Equipment

The Contractor shall supply and transport all necessary climbing and safety equipment and cone collection equipment to and from the cone caging and cone collection site(s).

Two separate trips shall be required by the Contractor to the cone caging and cone collection site(s).

The 1st trip will be in middle to late June or early July, depending on environmental conditions, to cage cones. The 2nd trip will be in middle to late September to remove cages and collect seeds and cones.

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Travel distances from the designated delivery point(s) to the cone caging and cone collection site(s) may vary from ½ mile up to 4 miles one way. Any distance from the delivery point to cone caging and cone collection site(s) up to one-forth (1/4) mile one way are considered incidental travel and no additional payment will be made. Walk-in distances from the designated delivery point(s) to the cone caging and cone collection site(s) greater than one-forth (1/4) mile one way will be compensated for as the distance from the closest vehicle access point to the closest tree climbed, times the appropriate contract travel bid rate, either the rate for cone caging or the rate for cone collection. Walk-in distance(s) will be estimated by the Contracting Officer (CO). Travel distances walked between stems (trees) within the cone caging or cone collection sites(s) will not be compensated.

The Contractor shall transport from the designated delivery point(s), to and from the cone caging site(s), all materials [e.g. wire cages, cable (bar) lock ties, branch hooks, gloves, climbing and safety equipment, etc.] needed for caging the cones and securing the wire cages to the tree branches.

The Contractor shall transport, from the cone collection site(s) to the designated delivery point(s), all materials [e.g. wire caging materials, cable (bar) lock ties, etc.] used in caging the cones, all materials [e.g. cone collection bags, cone collection identification tags, cable (bar) lock ties, etc.] used to collect the cones and seeds, plus all the cones and seeds collected in cone collection bags.

C. Pre-selection and Identification of Trees (Stems) by Government

All whitebark pine trees or stems that are to have cages placed over the cones will be pre-selected by the Government and designated by flagging.

Trees will be selected based on the number of cones within the tree crown. The desired goal is to select single trees or multiple stem clumps with enough cones to place a minimum of 10 cages over 60 or more cones. The greater the numbers of cones within a tree crown the better.

Whitebark pine’s growth form may vary from a single stem (tree) to multiple stems (trees) growing together within the same multiple stem clump. Multiple stem (tree) clumps can originate from a single seed or a cache of multiple seeds and, therefore, each stem may be different genetically. Because of the potential for being genetically different, each stem within a multiple stem clump, which originates from ground level or below, shall be treated as a separate tree. Cones and seeds from each of these separate stems (trees) shall be kept separated from each other, shall be given separate tree numbers, and shall not be mixed together in cone collection bags.

All single stem whitebark pine trees, and each individual single stem (tree) within a multiple stem clump of trees that have cages placed over their cones, or from which cones and seeds are collected, will be identified by the Government by placing a durable tree identifying tag, on the downhill side, at the base of the tree or stem with the tree number identified on it.

Each separate stem (tree) within a multiple stem (tree) clump shall have the same tree number, but it will end with a different alphabet letter (e.g. 21016-230A, 21016-230B, 21016-230C, 21016-230D, etc) so that each stem (tree) can be uniquely identified. All stems (trees) in a multiple stem (tree) clump shall have a durable tag placed at its base on the downhill side of the stem (tree) with the tree number and its

Colville National Forest Page 29 uniquely differing alphabet letter identified on it. This number shall be used to identify the stem (tree) and shall be placed on the cone collection identification tags which must be placed securely on the inside and outside of the bag(s) used to collect the cones and seeds from that stem (tree).

Up to ten single stem whitebark pine trees or multiple stem clumps of trees per caging site will be selected by the Government to have their cones caged.

D. Caging

Only whitebark pine cones shall be caged and have cones and seeds collected from them.

The Government will furnish caging material as listed in the Government Furnished Property. Cages are designed to withstand rodent and bird attempts to gain access to the cones.

The Contractor shall install cages on the whitebark pine trees by middle to late June or early July, depending on environmental conditions, before Clark’s Nutcrackers begin harvesting seeds from the cones.

Before caging cones, the Contractor must sample three (3) cones, from three (3) different areas, spread throughout the crown of the selected whitebark pine tree(s) or stem(s). The cones shall be examined for seed soundness, seed development and seed count by slicing them with a cone cutter into halves lengthwise, which is parallel to the long axis of the cone. A minimum average of three (3) healthy, developing seed per cone cut face will be necessary for cones to be caged. Seed will be considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, or other types of damages.

The number of cages to be placed on a tree is dependent upon the number of cones on the tree.

A minimum of 60 cones per whitebark pine tree or multiple stem clump shall be caged and collected.

Whitebark pine has a two (2) year cone growth cycle. The Contractor shall only cage and collect cones from the second (2nd) year cone crop (those cones that will be mature this year). No cones from other years’ cone crops will be acceptable.

The Contractor shall only cage cones undamaged by Clark’s Nutcrackers.

The Contractor shall install cages on branches when 6 or more cones…