Sow-Jitterbug.doc

Ladder Fuels Reduction Chequamegon-Nicloet National Forest

ARRA Stimulus Project

Ladder Fuel Reduction

Contract Package

Chequamegon – Nicolet National Forest

Eagle River/Florence Ranger District

Forest, Vilas, and Florence Counties, Wisconsin

Schedule of items

Item Number

Jitterbug Fuel Reduction Project (WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-01)

Project Location: The Jitterbug fuels treatment project is located Forest County, Wisconsin on the Eagle River/Florence Ranger District, Chequamegon – Nicolet National Forest in Township 39 North, Range 14 East, Section 24. Latitude/Longitude N45.51.13, W88.41.23 (see attached maps). The project unit boundary will be identified with pink flagging. The unit is bordered by private property on the west, south and east sides. The northern boundary of the unit is bordered by Forest Road 2168. Property boundaries are identified by solid red paint marks on trees or metal signs indicating National Forest boundary. Working boundaries will be identified on the ground with the contractor before work commences.

Item Number

Deerskin Ladder Fuel Reduction Project

(WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-04)

Project Location: The Deerskin Ladder Fuel reduction project is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin Township 41North Range 11 East, NW1/4 Section 23, and Latitude N 16.10.7 Longitude W89.5.53. The unit is a 100 foot wide strip of Forest Service property that is bordered by private property. Property boundaries are identified with signs indicating National Forest boundary. Project unit boundaries will be identified with pink flagging and will be identified with the contractor on the ground before work commences.

Item Number

South Popple Ladder Fuel Reduction Project

(WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-03)

Project Location:The South Popple Ladder Fuel reduction project is located in Florence County, Wisconsin Township 38 North Range 15 East, SE1/4 Section 25, Latitude N 45.44.14 Longitude W88.34.04. The unit is a 100 foot wide strip of Forest Service property that is bordered by private property. Property boundaries are identified with signs indicating National Forest boundary. Project unit boundaries will be identified with pink flagging and will be identified with the contractor on the ground before work commences.

Specifications for Fuel Reduction Projects

WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-01 (Jitterbug)

WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-04 (Deerskin)

WFM-0900-6-HFR-730-0913-03 (South Popple)

Eagle River/Florence Ranger District

Forest, Vilas, and Florence Counties, WI

Scope of Work

The intent of this Request for Quotations (RFQ) is to complete approximately 111 acres of ladder fuel reduction treatment at the specified locations. One or more contracts may be awarded by the FS. Awards will be made by Item/Project based on the best value to the FS considering Price, Past Performance, Approach to getting the work completed on time. Vendors may quote one or more items. If a contractor is awarded more than one item, contract time will run concurrently. Vendors must submit the attached Contractor Questionnaire and submit it with the quotation. The contract work start date is approximately July 31, 2009 with the completion of all work on all items no later than November 1st, 2009. The treatment will consist of the removal of hazardous ladder fuel vegetation within the areas for each item (see attached Vicinity Maps and Project Site Maps). Reducing these ladder fuels will lessen the risk of a crown fire if a wildland fire would occur within or adjacent to the timber stand.

Ladder fuel removal will consist of using a chainsaw or other hand tools to cut vegetation to specifications listed below. The removed vegetation will be piled by the contractor to specifications listed below.

Performance Requirements

Treatment will occur to the conifer species in the under story and over story of the timber stand. All balsam fir and spruce less than 4 inch diameter at breast height (DBH) will be severed from the stump, bucked into appropriate lengths if necessary and hand piled. Balsam and spruce larger than 4 inch DBH will have limbs removed to a height of 5 feet above the ground from the base of the tree. All other conifer species will have limbs removed to a height of 5 feet above the ground from the base of the tree. The ratio of removed limbs will not be more than half of the height of the whole tree. All limbs removed shall be cut flush to the tree bole.

Specifications

The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies and incidentals to perform the work. Equipment must be in good operating condition. The contractor will assume all costs of maintenance for the equipment. All power tools shall be equipped with agency approved spark arrestors. The contractor will provide chainsaws, hand tools and personnel protective equipment for the job. Hard hats, ear and eye protection, leather gloves, leather boots and chainsaw chaps will be required for personnel performing the work on site.

Ground work requirements:

Stump heights of removed vegetation will be no greater than 4 inches in height. Angle cuts on stumps will be less than 20 degrees.

Piles shall be constructed to a maximum width of 15x15 feet and no smaller than a minimum width of 6x6 feet.

Pile height shall be no less than 7 feet tall and no higher than 10 feet tall.

Piles shall be a minimum of 12 feet from the outside base of the pile to any residual tree.

Operators shall use care when removing the limbs from the residual trees to prevent damage to the tree. Limbs will be cut from the trees and hand piled to the same pile specifications listed above.

Inspection and Acceptance:

All equipment furnished by the contractor will be inspected by the COR or project inspector prior to start of work to insure compliance with specifications and safety requirements.

Inspection of the project work may be made anytime by the FS after work commences. The contractor shall take prompt corrective action on any deficiencies or deviations from contract requirements that may occur under this contract.

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

Company Name

Date

Contractor’s Name

Company Address

Phone number

Cell phone number

Fax number

Duns Number

Tax ID Number Instructions: Mark “X” in the appropriate boxes. Please list NA for inapplicable items.

1. Type of Business

(Please check appropriate line.)

Company

Corporation

Non-profit Organization

Co-partner

Individual

2. How many years of experience do you have in this line of work? ______________________

3. How many years of experience as a prime contractor? _________ subcontractor? ________

4. List the projects your business has completed in the last 3 years.

Contract

Amount

Completed Name and Telephone Number to

Contact for Information/Reference

5. List all of your firm’s current contract commitments.

Contract

Number Contract

Amount

Completion Name and Telephone Number to

Contact For Information/Reference

6a. Have you ever failed to complete any work awarded to you?

______yes ______no

6b. Has work ever been completed by performance bond?

______yes ______no

6c. If “yes” to either Question 6a. or 6b., please specify location(s) and reason(s):

7. Organization that will be available for this project:

a. Minimum No. of employees:_________ Maximum No. of employees:________

b. Are employees regularly on your payroll? ____yes ____no

c. If applicable, estimate rate of progress (i.e., acres per day):

Minimum progress rate: _______________ Maximum progress rate: ____________

8. List the experience of the principal individuals of your business.

9. Remarks:

CERTIFICATION: I certify that all of the statements made above are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and that any persons named as references are authorized to furnish the Forest Service with any information needed to verify my capability to perform this project.

Signature

Title

Date