5-contract_specs_041009.doc

SPECIFICATIONS

WFM-0801-09HF

NF AL Sub-project – Conecuh RD

Hazardous Fuels Reduction

DIVISION 100-GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110-Scope.

The project is described in detail in the “Specifications” section. The purpose of this project is to reduce or minimize catastrophic wildfires and restore fire dependent woodlands. This contract will mechanically reduce the density and continuity of small diameter vegetation (understory and midstory as specified in Division 211-Tree to be Treated) within twenty- two units. These twenty-two units are located on 313 acres within Covington and Escambia Counties, in Alabama. Within these twenty-two units there are nine units with 18.6 acres to be treated with herbicide to prevent the re-grouth of NNIS. The total acreage to be treated is contingent upon available funds. The contractor will furnish all labor, supplies, tools, equipment, transportation and supervision to perform all work necessary to treat all woody stems specified in Division 211-Trees to be treated. All specified stems will be cut, mulched, chopped, slashed, mowed, severed or otherwise put on the ground with a mechanical cutting device as specified in Division 213-Fuels Treatment Procedures.

111-Description and Location.

All areas are within the boundaries of the Conecuh Ranger District, in Covington and Ecambia Counties, in Alabama. The treatment areas are indentified on the project map. The forest service has the right to substitute areas of the same acreage and similar brush and debris conditions as needed. See Exhibits: Project Area Maps.

Acres Herbicide

Acres

RCW

Cluster

Totals

112-Description of Treatment Area(s).

There are twenty-two units comprising approximately 313 acres located throughout the Conecuh Ranger District. The treatment areas include mature Pine/Hardwood and Pine stands. Vegetation in these areas consists of pine and hardwood pulpwood and saw–timber with interspersed hardwood and pine midstory and understory of various ages and sizes. All sites are identified on the project maps.

RED – COCKADED WOODPECKER CLUSTERS- Four of the twenty-two units contain RCW Clusters and may need to of the timing of the treatment modified to accommodate nesting seasons. These four units comprise approximately 115 acres of the total acreage. These units are: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 and Unit 8. These units are identified on the project maps.

HERBICIDE – Nine of the twenty-two units have portions that will require a cut-stump herbicide application. The treatment of these areas consists of 18.6 acres. These units are: Unit 2, Unit 4, Unit 6, Unit 10, Unit 13, Unit 14, Unit 18, Unit 19 and Unit 20. The sites are identified on the project maps. The boundary for herbicide application for all units other than unit 13 will be a 30 foot swath from the “Red Line” inward and extending the length of the private boundary of the unit. Unit 2, Unit 4, Unit 6, Unit 10, Unit 14, Unit 18, Unit 19 and Unit 20 is to be treated with Arsenal AC (4lbs / gallon) at a rate of 0.75% solution with 1/3 oz per gallon of surfactant and dye. The entire of Unit 13 is to be treated with Transline in a 0.05 % solution with 0.02 % surfactant and dye. Herbicide application will be conducted under the direction of a Forest Service supplied Certified Pesticide Applicator.

All treatment areas are accessible with existing roads and fire lines.

113-Boundaries.

Boundaries of areas to be worked will be marked with orange flagging. In some areas, Forest Service roads and fire lines may be used as boundaries. A map is attached showing project boundaries. See Exhibits: Project Area Maps.

114-Contractor Furnished Items.

The contractor will furnish all materials and equipment needed to complete the contract.

115-Pre-work Conference

Prior to commencement of work on any of the treatment areas, a meeting, requested by the Contracting Officer, will be attended by the Contractor, Contractor’s Representatives, and delegated Forest Service representatives. The meeting will be held at a time and place mutually agreeable to the Contractor and Forest Service for the purpose of discussing work schedules, quality control, and review of the specifications. At this meeting the Contractor will provide written delegations of authority for his/her Contract Representative and Field Representatives. Contractor will provide, for Contracting Officer’s approval, a schedule of work for completing all Units and a quality control plan. Schedule of work will present a practicable work progress schedule showing the order in which work on each treatment unit will be started and completed. The schedule will show a self inspection plan, daily planned acreage accomplishments, number of workers, equipment and/or tools that will be used, and planned completion dates. The Quality Control Plan will identify who and how Contractor’s work will be self inspected and what documentation will be provided during and at the conclusion of work.

116-Performance and Acceptance

The Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer or his/her representative written notification within 10 days of planned commencement of work.

The Contractor may only work in one treatment unit at a time and may not start work in another treatment unit until all work has been completed and accepted by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

At completion of work in a treatment area, the Contractor will notify the Contracting Officer's Representative that the required work has been completed to standards and is ready for final inspection. Upon final inspection by the COR, the Contractor will be given written notice of acceptance. Upon written notice of acceptance, the Contractor is then authorized to move to the next work unit identified in the schedule of work.

Payment will be based upon written acceptance of all required work in a Treatment Unit by the Contracting Officer. When there is more than one Treatment area in a Treatment Unit, partial payments for completed and accepted work in one or more units can be made at the written request of the Contractor and with the written approval of the Contracting Officer.

117-Method of Measurement

Acres of treatment were determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS) and are considered to be actual acreages. Boundaries are identifiable on the ground by natural or man-made features such as roads, meadows, timber edge, fire lines, painted unit boundaries, orange glow flagged boundary line.

118-Safety The Contractor and the Contractor’s employees shall operate within the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards for safety and safety equipment.

The Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall adhere to all safety regulations and guidelines applicable to this type of work. It is the contractor’s responsibility to know what safety regulations and guidelines are applicable to this type of work.

The Contractor shall provide a written, job-specific safety plan for the inherently hazardous conditions that exist during operations. Contractor’s safety plan shall identify and describe any inherently hazardous conditions and specific actions to reduce these hazards. This plan shall be provided to the Contracting Officer (CO) at the post award conference. Work shall not commence on this project if the Contractor fails to provide the CO with a safety plan.

When Contractor’s operations are in progress adjacent to roads open to public travel, the Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain temporary traffic controls signs which will provide adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with Contractor’s operations.

119-Work Unit Trash Disposal

Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor generated trash, paper, cans, food, etc., is picked up by the Contractor or the Contractor’s crew(s). No trash shall be left at work units, along forest roads, or other forested areas.

120-Equipment Requirements

All heavy equipment, including tractors, dozers, and mulchers must be equipped with protective canopies or roll-over protection devices and fire extinguishers.

Mulching equipment must be of sufficient size and type capable of cutting and mulching midstory and understory trees, as well as mulching logs and stumps. (Minimum 100 Horse Power) The mulcher must be equipped with a horizontal shaft head with teeth/knives (a hammer type cutting head or swing-tooth flail drum). The horizontal shaft head may be directly or boom mounted to the carrier. There are no restrictions on drive train, i.e. rubber-tired or track mounted. Offers for this mechanical fuels project shall include a description of the equipment that will be used for the project. (rubber tire or tracked equipment, horsepower, etc.)

Transportation equipment shall meet DOT requirements and be capable of transporting required equipment over access roads.

All equipment including dozers, lowboys, trucks, mulchers etc. must be cleaned offsite prior to start of contract to prevent the introduction and spread of nonnative invasive species. Mandatory washing of equipment is required when moving any equipment from these units. A washing station will be provided at the Open Pond Work Center.

Equipment shall be in good working condition and free of abnormal leakage of lubricants, fuel, coolants, and hydraulic fluid. Contractor shall remove from National Forest lands all contaminated soil, vegetation, debris, vehicle oil filters, batteries, oily rags, and waste oil resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment.

DIVISION 200-TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210-Time of Treatment.

All units shall have treatments completed on or before 9/18/2010. Soil conditions suitable for operation will be determined by COR. All units having RCW Clusters will not be open during nesting season as determined by District Wildlife personnel.

210a- Order of Treatment The Order of treatment will be determined by the COR and District Wildlife personnel to accommodate RCW nesting season.

211-Trees to be Treated.

All trees and shrubs less than 6.1 inches DBH will be treated / cut.

212-Trees or other Vegetation NOT to be Treated.

1. Any trees reserved such as Corner Bearing Trees with red-painted bands or wildlife trees with white – painted bands.

2. All trees greater than 6.1 inches DBH

3. All trees and shrubs, regardless of DBH, designated as reserve trees by blue flagging.

4. Any trees marked with paint (i.e., red-property line, blue-resource protection area, orange-SPB reserve tree, or green-SMZ.).

5. Any flagged trees designating the unit boundary.

6. Recognizable den trees (i.e., those with cavities or crevices).

7. Naturally occurring snags (i.e., dead trees), unless they pose a safety hazard to the contractor.

8. Other trees, species, or size classes designated by the COR/INSPECTOR as work progresses.

213-Fuels Treatment Procedures.

1. All trees and shrubs selected for treatment by contract, COR or inspector must be felled using a mechanical cutting device. Mulching equipment must be of sufficient size and type capable of cutting and mulching midstory and understory trees up to 6 inches in DBH. (minimum 100 horse power)

2. Trees and shrubs designated for treatment that occur adjacent to roads, pipelines, fire lines, managed wildlife openings, or trails will be felled away from those structures. Slash and debris felled in structures mentioned above will be pulled into the treatment unit.

3. All trees and shrubs designated for treatment will be completely severed from the stump. No trees will be removed from the treatment areas.

4. Trees and shrubs designated for felling will be cut as close to ground level as practicable without disturbing the soil, but not higher than 8-inches from ground level.

5. When felled, cut trees will not be left hanging or lodged on nearby trees.

6. Slash will not be higher than two feet from ground level.

7. All trees and shrubs designated for treatment will be removed from within 12 inches of trees to be retained.

8. Equipment will not be operated in riparian areas designated by flagging or within thirty feet of Lewis Smith Lake. Steel tracked machinery shall not cross paved roads or trails.

9. The contractor shall avoid any damage to improvements such as, but not limited to, roads, gates, signs, culverts, bridges, fences, utility poles, paved roads, paved or unpaved hiking trails, and survey markers. The contractor will be required to repair or pay fair market value to replace any damaged improvements.

10. Trees to be retained and designated reserve trees will not be damaged by the Contractor’s operations. Accidental nicking (scuffing of bark exposing the cambium layer or inter wood) of reserve or retention trees shall be immediately repaired with nursery tree heal paint by the contractor.

11. All trees larger than 6.1 inches in diameter will be protected from damage. Damage is defined as: bumping or pushing of tree that results in root damage; scaring of the bole of the trees where 144 square inches or more of the cambium layer is exposed; side-washing of the tree resulting in the breakage of 50 percent or more of the crown limbs; and brakeage or cracking of the main bole of the tree.

12. Should damage, as defined in #11, occur through mistake or negligence, the Contractor will be assessed liquidated damages at the following rate: $9.25 per tree for all trees larger than 9.6 inches DBH and $1.00 per tree for all reserve trees between 6.1 inches and 9.5 inches DBH. Trees that are damaged will not be removed by the contractor even if the contractor is assessed liquidated damages.

13. When the Contractor’s operations are in progress adjacent to Forest Service roads open to public travel, the Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain all temporary traffic controls which provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with the Contractor’s operations.

14. The Contractor shall ensure all equipment moved onto National Forest land is clean and free of soil, seeds, and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds.

DIVISION 300 – GENERAL INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE SPECIFIC TO ALL BID ITEMS.

300-Inspection of Services

Definition. “Services” as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and materials furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the services to be provided under this contract.

The Contracting Officer's Representative or a designated Inspector will make periodic inspections as work progresses at such intervals as is necessary to ensure compliance with the contract specifications and provisions. The Contractor may observe the inspection while it is being made.

The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system that is acceptable to the Government that covers the Services under this contract.

The Government has the right to inspect and test all Services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government will perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

If any of the Services do not meet contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the Services again in accordance with contract requirements, without increase in the amount of the Quote Item. When defects in Services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may: (1) require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance meets contract requirements; and (2) reduce the Quote Item value to reflect the reduced value of the Services performed.

If the Contractor fails to perform the Service again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance meets contract requirements, the Government may, (1) by contract or otherwise, perform the Service and charge the Contractor costs incurred by the Government that are directly related to the performance of such Service or (2) initiate breach of contract actions.

Government will randomly review the manner in which the Contractor is conducting the Quality Control Program by both reviewing Contractor records and observing actual performance. Government may inspect any area within treatment units and compare records and/or do all of the above. If Government inspection shows a difference in results as compared to the Contractor’s inspection, then the Government may elect to inspect the unit at the Contractors expense, not limited to, but including time and mileage.

Upon completion of work, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative that work has been completed. The Contracting Officer's Representative or Inspector will then make an overall inspection of the work completed.

310-Acceptance of Work

Work will be accepted when the work is completed according to the contract specifications. If the work completed is accepted, the Contractor shall proceed according to the Work Progress Schedule. If the work is not accepted, the Contractor shall not receive payment until completing any remedial work required for acceptance. If the area cannot be brought up to specifications, credits or payments will be reduced or not be awarded.

Non-conformance with any of the specifications will classify the work as unsatisfactory and rework may be required to bring the work up to standard.

Acceptance of units worked will be reserved until a final inspection is held. If said Contractor moves to another unit and describes the unit left as being completed and upon inspection, the Contracting Officer's Representative or Inspector determines the work unacceptable, said Contractor shall be required to return and complete all unacceptable work at no additional cost to the Government.

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