AG-3434-S-13-0005.pdf

(rev2)

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER AL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30 109

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE 4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICIATION ISSUE

DATE

AG-3434-S-13-0005

DATE

04/09/2013

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect 8. OFFER DUE DATE/

7. FOR SOLICITATION calls) LOCAL TIME

INFORMATION CALL: Mark Corse (812) 277-6863 05/03/13 3:00PM(ET)

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

Ohio River Shared Procurement Cluster UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100% FOR

C/O Allegheny National Forest SMALL BUSINESS EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

4 Farm Colony Dr.

Warren, PA 16365

HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- 8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: $7.0 Million OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 13b. RATING N/A

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

Mark Twain National Forest

As directed in each Task Order

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

Mark Twain National Forest

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE N0.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

OFFER IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM N0. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

INDENFIITE DELIVERY – INDEFINITE QUANTITY

FORESTWIDE TIMBER CRUISING AND MARKING

MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

See Schedule

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.2124. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY DATED .. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

See attached pages

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECTFOR

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER

FOR PAYMENT

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41 b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41 c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE RECD (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005) BACK

DISTRICTWIDE TIMBER MARKING AND CRUISING

SECTION B

Schedule of Items

BASE PERIOD

AVA/CASSVILLE/WILLOW RANGER DISTRICTS Est Qty Unit Unit Price

Extended Price

OOO1 Cut Tree Markings(CTM) and Sample Tree Cruising (STR) in Hardwood Dominated Forest Types

0001A Hdw Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0001B Hdw Shelterwood w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0001C Hwd Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0001D Hwd Thinning (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0001E Hwd Salvage (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

OOO2 Cut Tree Markings(CTM) and Sample Tree Cruising (STR) in Pine Dominated Forest Types

0002A Pine Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0002B Pine Seedtree w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0002C Pine Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

0002D Pine Thinning (CTM; STR) 35 ACRE $

OOO3 Leave Tree Marking (LTM) & Fixed Plot Cruising (FIX) in Pine Dominated Forest Types

0003A Pine Thinning (LTM;FIX) 35 ACRE $

OOO4 Leave Tree Marking (LTNM) & Variable Plot Cruising

Pine Thinning (LTM;VAR) 35 ACRE $

Total Value

OPTION PERIOD ONE

OPTION PERIOD TWO

OPTION PERIOD THREE

OPTION PERIOD FOUR

DONIPHAN/ELEVEN POINT RANGER DISTRICTS Est Qty Unit Unit Price

0001A Hdw Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0001B Hdw Shelterwood w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0001C Hwd Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0001D Hwd Thinning (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0001E Hwd Salvage (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0002A Pine Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0002B Pine Seedtree w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0002C Pine Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0002D Pine Thinning (CTM; STR) 67 ACRE $

0003A Pine Thinning (LTM;FIX) 67 ACRE $

Pine Thinning (LTM;VAR) 67 ACRE $

HOUSTON/ROLLA/CEDAR CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS Est Qty Unit Unit Price

POPLAR BLUFF RANGER DISTRICT

Est Qty Unit Unit Price

POTOSI/FREDRICKTOWN RANGER DISTRICTS Est Qty Unit Unit Price

SALEM RANGER DISTRICT

0001A Hdw Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0001B Hdw Shelterwood w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0001C Hwd Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0001D Hwd Thinning (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0001E Hwd Salvage (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0002A Pine Clearcut w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0002B Pine Seedtree w/Reserves (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0002C Pine Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0002D Pine Thinning (CTM; STR) 50 ACRE $

0003A Pine Thinning (LTM;FIX) 50 ACRE $

Pine Thinning (LTM;VAR) 50 ACRE $

Extended

Price

TOTAL VALUES

AVA/CASSVILLE/WILLOW RANGER DISTRICTS

TOTAL VALUES: BASE PERIOD: $________________________

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD FOUR $________________________

TOTAL BASE AND ALL OPTIONS $________________________

DONIPHAN/ELEVEN POINT RANGER DISTRICTS

TOTAL VALUES: BASE PERIOD: $________________________

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

HOUSTON/ROLLA/CEDAR CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

POTOSI/FREDRICKTOWN RANGER DISTRICTS

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD ONE $________________________

OPTION PERIOD TWO $________________________

OPTION PERIOD THREE $________________________

Offerors are not required to provide pricing for all of the locations identified in

Section B, however, offerors shall submit pricing for all line items, and all option periods, for each of the designated locations they have interest in performing.

Failure to provide complete pricing may result in your offer being considered non-responsive.

NOTE: Total prices cited here will used for evaluation purposes only. The IDIQ will be awarded at a maximum value of not to exceed the ceilings identified below regardless of the number of times each line item is utilized. The prices contained in this section will be firm-fixed prices per unit delivered and utilized for each awarded task order.

FAR 52.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause FAR 52.216-18, ORDERING, the

Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $2,000.00 but not in excess of the maximum cited below:

Multiple contracts with different maximum values have been identified. Awards will be made with the maximum values identified below

CONTRACT AREA:

AVA/CASSVILLE/WILLOW RANGER DISTRICTS: $120,000.00

DONIPHAN/ELEVEN POINT RANGER DISTRICTS: $230,000.00

HOUSTON/ROLLA/CEDAR CREEK RANGER DISTRICTS: $120,000.00

POPLAR BLUFF RANGER DISTRICT: $120,000.00

POTOSI/FREDRICKTOWN RANGER DISTRICTS: $230,000.00

SALEM RANGER DISTRICT: $175,000.00

Rev 2

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall provide any and all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supplies, services, incidentals, permits, and licenses necessary to perform Timber Marking and Timber Cruising on the Mark

Twain National Forest; except for Forest Service Timber Marking Tracer Paint and R9

Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards (Attachment A) which will be issued to contractor by the Government. The Contractor shall follow all State and Federal regulations, including OSHA guidelines. All work shall be performed in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in Section 5 to the performance requirements of the technical specifications. Acreages listed have been determined by Global Positioning System (GPS) Traverses.

Cut Units or Payment Units in Timber Sales will have the Unit boundaries marked and GPS traversed prior to Contractor’s crews walking over the areas and estimating the volumes to be cut and removed from the sale area.

The contractor who is the apparent high bidder will be required to have their contractor’s representative and/or the contractor’s representative alternate become Certified Cruisers prior to award for timber marking/cruising work. To become a Certified Cruiser, the high bidder will be required to pass a written and field test given by the Forest Service. The location and scheduling of these tests will be determined by the Forest Service. Forest Service policy requires that a Certified

Cruiser be present with the Cruising crew when estimation of standing tree volumes are made. All other markers will be required to take and pass a field exam for volume estimation on the Forest.

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO ALL Task Orders issued against resulting IDIQ contract(s) awarded as a result of this solicitation:

1.1 DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION: The areas are located within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. Specific locations, area data, and maps will be issued with each task order.

1.2 BOUNDARIES: Individual cut or payment unit boundaries will be premarked by the Forest Service prior to Contractor doing the work. Boundaries will be marked on trees with two diagonal slash marks at eye level and one spot of Forest Service

Orange or Pink Tracer paint on the stump next to ground so that all marks will face the interior of the Unit and can be seen from the interior of the Unit. All units will be signed from an access point along the boundary of the unit to identify the Unit.

Signs will indicate the payment unit and Timber Sale Name.

Generally, Units representing the volume for specified road construction or reconstruction will be estimated by Forest Service Crews prior to Contractor starting any work within that Timber Sale.

1.3 RE-MEASUREMENT: The Contractor may at any time after issuance of this contract request re-measurement of acres. The request must be in writing.

Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for areas less than 1 acre. The Contractor shall pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in an increase of less than 10 percent. Method of re-measurement to be used will be done with GPS

(Global Positioning System) traverses by the Government.

1.4 PAYMENT: Payment for performed work shall be made at the contract price per acre for timber marking/cruising actually completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government. Payment will be processed for completed units only.

Payments terms will be negotiated as a part of the Task Order.

1.5 CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his crews. The contractor representative and/or alternate(s) must be certified Qualified Cruisers who have passed both a written and field examination prior to award of this contract.

1.6 CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES: The Contracting Officer shall designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for each resulting IDIQ

Contract. A copy of their designation letter will be provided in the award package.

The Government reserves the right to change COR for each individual task Order as necessary to meet the Government’s objectives and a copy of the COR’s designation will be provided with the Task Order documents.

1.7 PRE-WORK CONFERENCE: Prior to commencement of work on any Task

Order, the Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange a meeting with the Contractor to discuss the Task Order terms and work performance requirements. A work progress schedule will be developed at this meeting.

Prior to commencement of work, preferably at the pre-work conference, the

Contractor shall designate in writing a person to act for him in his absence. The

Contractor or the designated representative shall be on the job whenever work is in progress.

In the absence of the Contractor, the authorized representative will take action as required to keep the job in progress under the terms of the contract. The presence of the Contractor's Representative or Contracting Officer's Representative on the job will not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for satisfactory performance.

1.8 WORK PROGRESS: The Contractor shall complete all work within the contract time stated on each task order. Unless otherwise identified, the allowed work performance should be 1 day for every 3 acres plus 5 additional days for initial mobilization and 1 additional day for mobilization from one district to another.

1.9 DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage caused by his/her personnel or equipment to any existing structures, private or public. Damaged items shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

In the event of interruption to utility service, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with the authority in the restoration of service. Delays in work performance shall be the responsibility of the contractor.

1.10 PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: Any improvements damaged by the contractor’s work shall be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the contractor’s expense. All necessary repairs shall be made during the

Task Order performance period. ATV/UTV use by the Contractor will be permitted when approved by the COR and only to the extent necessary to accomplish work associated with task orders.

1.11 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: The Government will furnish (1)

Forest Service Timber Marking Tracer Paint and (2) R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards

(Attachment A) to the Contractor. Campgrounds or other dispersed camping areas may be used for work related camping with COR approval. No other supplies or services will be supplied to the contractor.

1.12 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES: Except for Forest Service

Timber Marking Tracer Paint and R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards, the contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform Timber Marking/Cruising activities

(this may include flagging, GPS, prism, D-Tape, clinometer, tally counters, marking guns, tree sounding devices, cruiser vests, etc).

2.0 GENERAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

2.1. Cruise Plan & Silvicultural Prescription

An Individual Cruise Plan with specific Marking/Cruising Guidelines will be provided to the Contractor for each task order at task order award. These Guidelines will provide specific direction on where the timber is located and how it is to be marked and cruised.

The Forest Service may identify protected areas (such as sensitive plants, archaeological sites, etc.) in the Cruise Plan. The contractor may need to avoid marking trees for removal in these areas, the Cruise Plans will have specific instructions for the contractor to follow.

Should the contractor discover potential protected areas not designated by the

Forest Service within the sale area or individual unit, notify the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR) immediately and before proceeding so that proper preservation or safety measures can be taken if necessary.

2.2. Marker Certification

Contractor Representatives and/or Contractor Representative alternate are required to obtain a Qualified Cruiser Certification through the Forest Service by passing a written examination and field test PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD OF

TIMBER MARKING AND TIMBER CRUISING TASKS AND SUBTASKS. This certification will remain valid for a period of one year and annual recertification is required in order to continue performing service under this contract. Contact Jack Courtney at

573-364-4621, to obtain information about qualified cruiser certification and recertification.

2.3. Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability

The Government will furnish the necessary Tree Marking Tracer Paint required to complete the task order. Paint accountability is considered a very serious aspect of successful completion of contract requirements and will be covered in detail at the

Pre-Work meeting.

All government Tree Marking Tracer Paint cans, full or empty, not in immediate use by the contractor, are required to be in locked storage. Tree Marking Tracer Paint remains property of the United States. Any unused quantities will be returned to the Government upon completion of the task order. All used paint cans shall be returned to the Government with the residual paint in the cans dried.

Final payment invoices will not be processed until all paint is accounted for and completed “Mark Twain National Forest Contractor Tree Marking Tracer Paint Log” forms (Attachment B) are provided to the COR or inspector.

2.4. Timber Marking and Timber Cruising

Under this contract two different kinds of TIMBER MARKING may be used:

1. Cut Tree Marking (CTM): Trees to be removed are to be designated with

Blue, Yellow, or Green Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level mark and at ground level.

2. Leave Tree Marking (LTM): Trees to be left uncut are to be designated with

Orange or Pink Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level and at ground level.

Under this contract three different kinds of TIMBER CRUISING may be used:

1. Sample Tree (STR) Cruising- The Sample Tree cruising method involves measuring a specified proportion (Sample Interval) of trees in the defined sub-population. The remaining trees (trees not measured) included for removal are tallied as count trees. With this cruising method every tree included for removal must be visited and marked.

2. Fixed Plot (FIX) Cruising- The contractor will establish fixed size plots

(uniform circle of a fixed radius, generally 1/10th acre and/or 1/20th acre in size) in which all trees included for removal will be measured. Plots are uniformly distributed across the defined area per the Cruise Plan (generally

1 plot per 1-2 acres).

3. Variable Plot (VAR) Cruising- The contractor will establish variable plots and cruise volume using a 10 BAF prism (a 20 BAF may be used in some cases).

This method could be Point Cruising (every tree on the point is measured) or

Point Count Measure (not all tree on the point are measured, but all are counted). Generally, plots are systematically distributed at the rate of one plot per acre or as specified in the Cruise Plan.

All tree measurements shall be done in accordance to the Qualified Cruiser

Reference Guide which will be given to interested bidders when they contact Jack

Courtenay (573-364-4621) about becoming certified as a Qualifier Cruiser.

2.4.1. Cut Tree Marking (CTM) with Sample Tree Cruising (STR)

In this contract CTM and STR will be used together.

Cut Tree Marking

When using CTM paint must be applied at eye level (or DBH) and on the stump below maximum stump heights.

Direction for Eye Level Marks (or DBH): Two paint marks at eye level (or DBH) will be used to designate all trees for cutting. Marks are to be placed on opposite sides of the tree. Marks will be either a 3” diameter spot or a horizontal or diagonal stripe.

If stripes are used a minimum mark would be 2 inches in width and 6 inches long.

Direction for Stump Marks: Two stump marks will be used on all trees unless otherwise specified by the COR or Inspector at the Pre-work Meeting. Stump marks shall be placed inside large root pockets or between bark fissures where possible to protect them from damage during felling and skidding. Also, paint shall be placed on clean bark or wood or areas free or scraped free of moss, lichen, loose bark, or other debris. Marks shall be located on the LOW SIDE of the stump and in recessed portions of the stump where possible. Liberal amounts of paint shall be used on stump marks, since these are very important marks and must be durable. Ideally, the marker would use two applications of paint per mark to apply an adequate amount of paint and the paint mark would touch the ground, (about 10% of the mark on the ground and 90% on the stump).

This marking procedure, when completed properly, will allow paint marks on all cut trees to be seen from any direction. A draft copy of the sale area map shall be maintained with shading of progress- these maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder.

The R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards and Contractor Tree Marking Paint Log shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

Sample Tree Cruising

During marking, trees shall be counted within each stratum by the use of tally counters. Trees to be Measured should be measured on the exact tree of the sampling interval as identified in the Cruise Plan.

Tally trees shall be measured and recorded legibly on the R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally

Card. The types of measurements that will be taken can be seen by looking at

Attachment A (R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Card). The Tree # and Marker # should be painted on each tally tree and flagging should also be tied to the tree.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed

R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards will be given to the COR. The Contractor may also be required to keep copies of the R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards until all work on the Task Order is complete. The Government will be responsible for entering data from the Tally Cards into the FS Cruiser program.

2.4.2. Leave Tree Marking (LTM) with Fixed Plot Cruising (FIX)

In this contract LTM and FIX can be used together and will only be available for use in pine thinnings.

Leave Tree Marking

When using LTM paint must be applied at eye level (or DBH) and on the stump below maximum stump heights.

Direction for Eye Level Marks (or DBH): The mark near eye level will be either a horizontal band completely around the tree or diagonal stripes, or some other method, so that the marks can be seen from any direction within the payment unit.

Direction for Stump Marks: There will be two stump marks applied to all Leave

Trees unless otherwise specified by the COR or inspector at the Pre-work Meeting.

Stump marks shall be placed inside large root pockets or between bark fissures where possible to protect them from damage during felling and skidding. Also, paint shall be placed on clean bark or wood or areas free or scraped free of moss, lichen, loose bark, or other debris.

Marks shall be located on the LOW SIDE of the stump and in recessed portions of the stump where possible. Liberal amounts of paint shall be used on stump marks, since these are very important marks and must be durable. Ideally, the marker would use two applications of paint per mark to apply an adequate amount of paint and the paint mark would touch the ground, (about 10% of the mark on the ground and 90% on the stump).

A draft copy of the sale area map shall be maintained with shading of progress-these maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder. The R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards and Contractor Tree Marking Paint Log shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

Fixed Plot Cruising

After LTM is finished, the contractor shall go back through payment units and put in approximately 1 plot per /acre (could be less plots per acre) acres using a fixed plot usually 1/10th acre and/or 1/20th acre in size. Fixed Plot cruising involves measuring all trees to be harvested in a plot. Plot locations and their coordinates will be determined by the Government and a map with these locations will be given to the contractor.

Plots shall be monumented using wooden stakes placed at the exact plot center, with the Plot number, cruiser initials, and tree count of trees to be harvested legibly written on it. A white or contrasting color ribbon shall be hung over the wooden stake as close as possible to the plot center and contain the Plot number.

All trees to be harvested within the plot should be measured and marked using flagging that is easily visible from plot center. The Plot # and Tree # will be written legibly on the flagging. Tree Measurements that need to be taken can be seen by looking at Appendix A.

The measuring of each plot needs to start at due North and work clockwise.

Therefore, Tree #1 should be either located directly North or be the first tree to harvest you come to working clockwise from North.

All plot and tree information shall be legibly recorded on supplied R9 Timber Sale

Cruise Tally Cards. At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards will be given to the COR.

The Contractor may also be required to keep copies of the R9 Timber Sale Cruise

Tally Cards until all work on the Task Order is complete. The Government will be responsible for entering data from the Tally Cards into the FS Cruiser program.

2.4.3. Leave Tree Marking (LTM) with Variable Plot Cruising (VAR)

In this contract LTM and VAR can be used together and will only be available for use in pine thinnings.

Leave Tree Marking

Leave Tree Marking instructions are the same as what is listed in section D2.

Variable Plot Cruising

After LTM is finished, the contractor shall go back through payment units and put in approximately 1 plot per acre using a variable plot with a 10 factor prism (a 20 factor prism may be used in stands with high BA). Desired leave basal area/acre may vary from sale to sale, and will be identified in the Cruise Plan. Plot locations and their coordinates will be determined by the Government and a map with these locations will be given to the contractor.

Plots shall be monumented using wooden stakes placed at the exact plot center, with the Plot number, cruiser initials, and tree count of trees to be harvested legibly written on it. A white or contrasting color ribbon shall be hung over the wooden stake as close as possible to the plot center and contain the Plot number.

Contractor shall measure specific trees in a systematic sequence of plot selection that prohibits biasing selection and this will be identified in the Cruise Plan.

Measured trees shall be marked with flagging with the Plot # and Tree # written legibly on it. Tree Measurements that need to be taken can be seen by looking at

Appendix A.

The measuring of each plot needs to start at due North and work clockwise.

Therefore, Tree #1 should be either located directly North or be the first tree to harvest you come to working clockwise from North.

All plot and tree information shall be legibly recorded on supplied R9 Timber Sale

Cruise Tally Cards. At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed R9 Timber Sale Cruise Tally Cards will be given to the COR.

The Contractor may also be required to keep copies of the R9 Timber Sale Cruise

Tally Cards until all work on the Task Order is complete. The Government will be responsible for entering data from the Tally Cards into the FS Cruiser program.

3.0 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

3.1 Quality Control Plan

The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified.

3.2 Work Plan

The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform Timber

Sale Prep activities including methods, personnel, and equipment.

3.3 Progress Schedule

The contractor shall prepare and submit to the COR a practical work schedule for each task order issued. The schedule should show the order in which the contractor will perform the work ordered and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each road included on the project lists that accompany each task order.

3.4 Contractor Inspection Records

The contractor shall submit to the COR, all inspection records completed for each task order issued.

4. CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF INFORMATION

4.1 Timber Sale Data: The Contractor shall not divulge, and shall take all reasonable steps to insure that no member of its organization divulges, any information concerning this timber sale data to any person other than those duly authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer.

In addition, neither the Contractor nor any of the Contractor's employees may be involved in bidding on any timber sale(s) resulting from this contract.

4.2 Archaeological Sites: Any archeological sites encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed. The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential archeological sites and report their location to the Contracting

Officer. Disclosure of any archeological information to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to legal penalties.

4.3 Threatened, endangered, or Sensitive Species (Plant, Animal, or Bird):

Any of these species encountered are protected by law and shall not be disturbed. The Contractor is encouraged to be alert for potential indicators

(such as nests) or actual sightings and report their location to the

Contracting Officer. Disclosure of any information associated with these species to any persons, other than those duly authorized as representatives of the Contracting Officer, may be subject to legal penalties.

5.0 Timber Marking & Timber Cruising:

A Cruise Plan and Silvicultural Prescription for each task order can be found at the applicable District Office, and should be referred to prior to beginning any Timber

Marking/Cruising work on any task order. The Cruise Plan may have more specific

Marking/Cruising Guidelines than what is listed below

5.1 Cut Tree Marking & Sample Tree Cruising in Hardwood Dominated Forest

Types

5.1.1 Hardwood Clearcut with Reserves (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked within the Payment Unit to leave a BA/Acre of 0 ft2, except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise

Plan.

b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked (Ex.

Arch sites, certain products/species, etc.).

5.1.2 Hardwood Shelterwood with Reserves (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit to leave a BA/Acre of 10-30 ft2 except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise

Plan.

b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above(20-30 ft2 BA), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment

Unit.

5.1.3 Hardwood Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 30-50 ft2 except:

a.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (30-50 ft2), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment

5.1.4 Hardwood Thinning (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 except:

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to

5.1.5 Hardwood Salvage (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. All trees of a certain species

(Ex. Black Oak) or trees of certain species that display certain characteristics will be marked. This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked within:

a.) Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s)

5.2 Cut Tree Marking & Sample Tree Cruising in Pine Dominated Forest Types

5.2.1 Pine Clearcut with Reserves (CTM; STR)

marked within the Payment Unit to leave a BA/Acre of 0 ft2, except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise

Plan.

b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked (Ex.

Arch sites, certain products/species, etc.).

5.2.2 Pine Seedtree with Reserves (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit to leave a BA/Acre of 10-30 ft2 except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise

Plan.

b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (10-20 ft2 BA), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment

5.2.3 Pine Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 30-50 ft2 except:

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (30-50 ft2), select trees to

5.2.4 Pine Thinning (CTM; STR)

marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 except:

a.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to

5.3 Leave Tree Marking & Fixed Plot Cruising in Pine Dominated Forest Types

5.3.1 Pine Thinning (LTM; FIX)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 would result after harvesting all unmarked trees. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

5.4 Leave Tree Marking & Variable Plot Cruising in Pine Dominated Forest Types

5.4.1 Pine Thinning (LTM; VAR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 would result after harvesting all unmarked trees. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

CONTRACT –Timber Marking & Timber Cruising on the Mark Twain National Forest.

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) has been developed pursuant to the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in this contract. (See

Section J)

This plan sets forth procedures and guidelines that will be used in evaluating the technical performance of the contractor.

A. PURPOSE OF THE QASP

The QASP is intended to accomplish the following:

Define the roles and responsibilities of participating government officials and the contractor;

Identify the types of work to be performed and the inspections to be performed to validate adequacy;

Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the government in assessing the contractor’s inspection program and performance to the quality/performance standards required for each task;

Provide copies of the contractor’s inspection records and Government quality assurance monitoring forms that will be used by the government in documenting and evaluating the contractor’s performance;

Describe the process of performance documentation.

The contractor is responsible for performing inspection services pursuant to the inspection clause and for providing and maintaining the inspection forms, approved by the government, to perform the contractor’s inspection services. The contractor has represented themselves, to be responsible for meeting the prescribed quality/performance standards in the statement of work.

B. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The following government officials will participate in assessing the quality of the contractor’s performance. Their roles and responsibilities are described as follows:

Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) by District:

Beth Hardman (Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District)

Keith Holland (Doniphan/Eleven Point Ranger District)

Troy Crowe (Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District)

Michael Stevens (Poplar Bluff Ranger District)

Ron Moon (Potosi/Fredricktown Ranger District)

John Bryan (Salem Ranger District)

The COR’s responsibilities will be listed on their designations and may include the following: monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on the schedule of inspections submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. The COR/Inspector, if the latter is assigned to the project, will either witness the contractor’s performance of the inspections performed by the contractor or will evaluate the contractor’s inspection results as to documented findings relative to meeting the standards for each task/subtask within the statement of work. The COR will have primary responsibility for completing quality assurance monitoring forms which will be used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) will have overall responsibility for overseeing the contractor’s performance and for the day-to-day monitoring of the contractor’s performance in the areas of contract compliance, contract administration, cost control, and property control; reviewing the COR’s assessment of the contractor’s performance; and resolving all differences between the COR’s and the contractor’s version.

C. TYPES OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED/SCHEDULE OF INSPECTIONS

This contract calls for the contractor to perform the following tasks and subtasks and to perform inspections at the completion of the tasks/subtasks as a minimum and or for intermediate inspections as determined at contract award by the

COR/CO. The contractor’s quality control plan/schedule will be modified accordingly and will be one of the basis for the award of the contract.

C1. Inspection for Adherence to Marker Certification

The Government will ensure that the Contractor or Contractor’s Representative certifications for Qualified Cruiser are valid and current.

C2. Inspection for Adherence to Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability

No discrepancies in paint count; all paint cans used by the Contractor are returned to the Government. Lost paint cans will incur a penalty charge of $500 per each can that is not accounted for. This charge will be deducted from any payments due to the contractor.

Timber Marking Tracer Paint must be kept in secure, locked facilities when not in actual use in the field. Paint stored in vehicles must be in securely locked storage boxes out of public view. Timber Marking Tracer Paint should be returned to the

Government on a specified schedule. The paint must not be stored in vehicles over holidays, weekends, or extended periods. The Government may perform periodic

Tracer paint security inspections, including off site temporary storage facilities.

C3. Inspection for Adherence to Timber Marking, Timber Cruising, and Cruise

Plan/ Silvicultural Rx

C.3.1 Timber Marking

Cut trees are marked in blue, yellow, or green Tracer Paint as designated in the

Cruise Plan. Leave trees are banded in orange or pink Tracer Paint as designated in the Cruise Plan

Trees Marked must meet minimum specifications for the marked product.

Tree Selection and Leave BA- The Government will inspect trees selected for cut or leave. Tree selection should follow the description in the Cruise Plan/Silvicultural Rx at least 90% of the time. Leave BA/Acre should also average 90% of the designated leave BA as listed in the Cruise Plan. If the above conditions are not met upon inspection by the COR, Contractor may be required to mark additional trees in the payment unit, and/or deduct trees with black paint from the payment unit, or remark the entire payment unit.

Designated trees have eye level marks and a stump marks no higher than 6” above the ground, and paint touches the ground at some point on the stump.

USFS Check Cruiser should be able to find a minimum of 25 tally (measured) trees with flagging on the sale area.

If the above conditions are not met upon inspection by the COR, Contractor may be required to remark the Payment Unit.

C.3.2 Timber Cruising

The Government will perform random inspections to ensure compliance with cruise standards.

For the Sample Tree Cruising Method the Government will perform a Check Cruise on a minimum of 25 tally (measured) trees per sale area. Measurements by the

Check Cruiser will be compared to the measurements recorded by the Contractor.

Acceptable work will be determined with the completion of the R9 Check Cruise

Evaluation Report Form (Attachment C). Final payment is contingent upon an acceptable Check Cruise on the Sale as a whole.

Contractor’s Quality Control for Sample Tree Cruising: The contractor is responsible for quality control and will check tally (measured) trees in each payment unit to determine tree selection and measurements of trees. Blue (or other color agreed

on) will be tied on inspected trees with the following information on it:

Selection: Acceptable/Not Acceptable

Measurements: Acceptable/Not Acceptable

Marking: Acceptable/Not Acceptable

For the Fixed Plot Cruising Method the Government will perform a Check cruise on a minimum of 5 plots and/or 25 tally (measured) trees per sale area. Measurements by the Check Cruiser will be compared to the measurements recorded by the

Contractor. Acceptable work will be determined with the completion of the R9

Check Cruise Evaluation Report Form (Attachment C). Final payment is contingent upon an acceptable Check Cruise on the Sale as a whole.

Contractor’s Quality Control for Fixed Plot Cruising: The Contractor is responsible for quality control and will check plots in each payment unit for accuracy. Blue flagging

(or other color agreed on) will be hung at the plot center of inspected plots with the tree count of trees to be harvested and trees to be left written on it.

Failure to meet cruise standards requires contractor adjustments or re-performance started within 24 hours.

C.4. METHODS OF SURVEILLANCE

The government, through it’s COR’s, will monitor the contractor’s performance on a continuous basis. The method the government will use is identified in C above. The

COR/Inspector will first verify the results of the Contractor’s inspection, completeness and adequacy of the documentation of the Contractor’s inspection results. The government COR may perform periodic independent inspections after the Contractor has performed their inspection, if questions develop regarding the results of the Contractor’s inspections. Results of the independent inspections that differ from the results noted by the Contractor on their inspections the costs thereof for the re-inspection costs will be assessed against the Contractor. The

Contractor shall be required to rework/repair or replace the effort until the quality/ performance standard is achieved. Any rework will be at the Contractor’s expense.

Inspections will be performed to the schedule submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. Variances from the schedule must be pre-approved by the CO.

C.5. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) FORMS AND REPORT

1. The COR will use a quality assurance monitoring form to document and evaluate the contractor’s performance under the contract. The form when completed will document the COR’s understanding of what the contractor was supposed to do, what was actually done, and the impact or consequences of what was done. The documentation will also identify the additional steps required of the contractor if there is a nonconformance.

2. The COR will judge each event in accordance with the performance standards and performance requirements stated in the Quality/

Performance Requirements stated in the contract documents.

3. The COR must substantiate all tasks which he judges to be indicative of

“unacceptable” performance. Performance at the “acceptable” level is expected and need not be substantiated.

4. The contractor shall furnish to the COR (weekly, at a minimum) copies of all inspection forms generated by the contractor witnessing inspections performed. The COR will forward copies of all completed QA monitoring forms to the CO and contractor inspection records prior to processing payments. The contractor is required to respond in writing to any negative

QA monitoring form(s) within 5 working days after receipt of the form(s).

C.6. ANALYSIS OF SURVEILLANCE RESULTS

1. The CO will review each QA monitoring form prepared by the COR. When appropriate, the CO may investigate the event further to determine if all the facts and circumstances surrounding the event were considered in the

COR’s opinion outlined on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating with the contractor to assure that corrective action is promptly initiated.

2. Upon completion of the contract/task order the COR will perform a performance evaluation of the contractor using the results documented as above and provide to the CO for further action.

C.7. Pricing:

The pricing offered is considered by the Forest Service to be contractually binding unit ceiling pricing. If a contract is awarded, based on this pricing; the Contractor is bound to this offered pricing as the maximum pricing that can be offered when a task order is solicited. When offering a task order proposal, the IDIQ Contractor can elect to offer less than the contractually established ceiling pricing; however, this reduction is only in effect for that specific task order solicitation/issued task order, and does not constitute a contractual change to the unit ceiling pricing.

Any resultant contract awarded in response to this solicitation is considered a service contract. As such, the Applicable Service Contract Act Wage Decision is included in the solicitation and any subsequent contract.

The Contractor-offered pricing is considered the maximum price for each Contract

Line Item (CLIN). When task orders are competed, the Contractor can elect to offer less than the maximum CLIN price; however, this CLIN reduction is only in effect for that specific task order offer; and does not constitute a contractual change to original CLIN price.

The offeror’s prices for all line items should include all applicable overhead, profit and all burden costs such as, insurance, support costs, compliance with environmental laws, taxes, and protection of government property. If the work will be sub-contracted the price proposed should be inclusive of all costs involved with subcontracting the work.

C.8. On-Line Registration Requirements

C.8.1 SYSTEM AWARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SAM)

C.8.1.1 In order to be eligible for a contract award under this solicitation, the offeror must have an active account in the SYSTEM AWARD MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM (SAM) SAM (www.sam.gov).

Your company must have an active account in SAM at the time of proposal submission. Your proposal will be considered non-responsive if the

Government cannot verify registration in SAM. Provide proof of your SAM registration with your offer package.

C.8.2 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CPARS)

C.8.2.1 Regulations require that contractors performance is reported to CPARS for all multiple year contracts, service contracts values over $150,000 and construction contracts valued above $650,000.00

In as much as the contract(s) awarded as a result of this solicitation are expected to be valued in excess of $150,000 and contain provisions for performing additional option years CPARS registration is mandatory. In order to be eligible for a contract award under this solicitation, the offeror must have an active account in the contractor Performance Assessment

Reporting System (www.cpars.gov).

Your company must have an active account in CPARS at the time of proposal submission. Your proposal will be considered non-responsive if the Government cannot verify your firm’s registration in CPARS. Provide proof of CPARS registration in your offer package

If your firm is not registered in both programs at the time of submission of your…