SF1449 cont Clause Specificaitons.doc

Solicitation AG-4419-S-10-0117 – RECOVERY- Mechanical Midstory Removal on the Croatan National Forest

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SOL NO. AG-4419-S-10-0117

PROJ NAME: Mechanical Midstory Removal

UNIT: Croatan National Forest

Continuation of SF1449 Block 27: The full text of a clause or provision may be accessed electronically at www.arnet.gov/far/

CONTRACT CLAUSES

The following clauses apply if orders placed are with funds from the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act are used:

52.203-15 Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009--Use the clause at 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in all solicitations and contracts funded in whole or in part with Recovery Act funds.

Whistleblower Protections Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Mar 2009)

(a) The Contractor shall post notice of employees rights and remedies for whistleblower protections provided under section 1553 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5).

(b) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause including this paragraph (b) in all subcontracts.

52.204-11 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements. Insert the clause at 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements in all solicitations and contracts funded in whole or in part with Recovery Act funds, except classified solicitations and contracts. This includes, but is not limited to, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), multi-agency contracts (MACs), Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts, or agency indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contracts that will be funded with Recovery Act funds. Contracting officers shall ensure that this clause is included in any existing contract or order that will be funded with Recovery Act funds. Contracting officers may not use Recovery Act funds on existing contracts and orders if the clause at 52.204-11 is not incorporated.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Mar 2009)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

“Contract”, as defined in FAR 2.101, means a mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them. It includes all types of commitments that obligate the Government to an expenditure of appropriated funds and that, except as otherwise authorized, are in writing. In addition to bilateral instruments, contracts include (but are not limited to) awards and notices of awards; job orders or task letters issued under basic ordering agreements; letter contracts; orders, such as purchase orders, under which the contract becomes effective by written acceptance or performance; and bilateral contract modifications. Contracts do not include grants and cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C. 6301, et seq. For discussion of various types of contracts, see FAR Part 16.

“First-tier subcontract” means a subcontract awarded directly by a Federal Government prime contractor whose contract is funded by the Recovery Act.

“Jobs created” means an estimate of those new positions created and filled, or previously existing unfilled positions that are filled, as a result of funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This definition covers only prime contractor positions established in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). The number shall be expressed as “full-time equivalent” (FTE), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked divided by the total number of hours in a full-time schedule, as defined by the contractor. For instance, two full-time employees and one part-time employee working half days would be reported as 2.5 FTE in each calendar quarter.

“Jobs retained” means an estimate of those previously existing filled positions that are retained as a result of funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This definition covers only prime contractor positions established in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). The number shall be expressed as “full-time equivalent” (FTE), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked divided by the total number of hours in a full-time schedule, as defined by the contractor. For instance, two full-time employees and one part-time employee working half days would be reported as 2.5 FTE in each calendar quarter.

“Total compensation” means the cash and noncash dollar value earned by the executive during the contractor’s past fiscal year of the following (for more information see 17 CFR 229.402(c)(2)):

(1) Salary and bonus.

(2) Awards of stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. Use the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) (FAS 123R), Shared Based Payments.

(3) Earnings for services under non-equity incentive plans. Does not include group life, health, hospitalization or medical reimbursement plans that do not discriminate in favor of executives, and are available generally to all salaried employees.

(4) Change in pension value. This is the change in present value of defined benefit and actuarial pension plans.

(5) Above-market earnings on deferred compensation which is not tax-qualified.

(6) Other compensation. For example, severance, termination payments, value of life insurance paid on behalf of the employee, perquisites or property if the value for the executive exceeds $10,000.

(b) This contract requires the contractor to provide products and/or services that are funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Section 1512(c) of the Recovery Act requires each contractor to report on its use of Recovery Act funds under this contract. These reports will be made available to the public.

(c) Reports from contractors for all work funded, in whole or in part, by the Recovery Act, and for which an invoice is submitted prior to June 30, 2009, are due no later than July 10, 2009. Thereafter, reports shall be submitted no later than the 10th day after the end of each calendar quarter.

(d) The Contractor shall report the following information, using the online reporting tool available at www.FederalReporting.gov.

(1) The Government contract and order number, as applicable.

(2) The amount of Recovery Act funds invoiced by the contractor for the reporting period. A cumulative amount from all the reports submitted for this action will be maintained by the government’s on-line reporting tool.

(3) A list of all significant services performed or supplies delivered, including construction, for which the contractor invoiced in this calendar quarter.

(4) Program or project title, if any.

(5) A description of the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the contract, including significant deliverables and, if appropriate, associated units of measure.

(6) An assessment of the contractor’s progress towards the completion of the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the contract (i.e., not started, less than 50 percent completed, completed 50 percent or more, or fully completed). This covers the contract (or portion thereof) funded by the Recovery Act.

(7) A narrative description of the employment impact of work funded by the Recovery Act. This narrative should be cumulative for each calendar quarter and only address the impact on the contractor’s workforce. At a minimum, the contractor shall provide—

(i) A brief description of the types of jobs created and jobs retained in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). This description may rely on job titles, broader labor categories, or the contractor’s existing practice for describing jobs as long as the terms used are widely understood and describe the general nature of the work; and

(ii) An estimate of the number of jobs created and jobs retained by the prime contractor, in the United States and outlying areas. A job cannot be reported as both created and retained.

(8) Names and total compensation of each of the five most highly compensated officers of the Contractor for the calendar year in which the contract is awarded if—

(i) In the Contractor’s preceding fiscal year, the Contractor received—

(A) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants) and cooperative agreements; and

(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants) and cooperative agreements; and

(ii) The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the senior executives through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(9) For subcontracts valued at less than $25,000 or any subcontracts awarded to an individual, or subcontracts awarded to a subcontractor that in the previous tax year had gross income under $300,000, the Contractor shall only report the aggregate number of such first tier subcontracts awarded in the quarter and their aggregate total dollar amount.

(10) For any first-tier subcontract funded in whole or in part under the Recovery Act, that is over $25,000 and not subject to reporting under paragraph 9, the contractor shall require the subcontractor to provide the information described in (i), (ix), (x), and (xi) below to the contractor for the purposes of the quarterly report. The contractor shall advise the subcontractor that the information will be made available to the public as required by section 1512 of the Recovery Act. The contractor shall provide detailed information on these first-tier subcontracts as follows:

(i) Unique identifier (DUNS Number) for the subcontractor receiving the award and for the subcontractor’s parent company, if the subcontractor has a parent company.

(ii) Name of the subcontractor.

(iii) Amount of the subcontract award.

(iv) Date of the subcontract award.

(v) The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.

(vi) Funding agency.

(vii) A description of the products or services (including construction) being provided under the subcontract, including the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the subcontract.

(viii) Subcontract number (the contract number assigned by the prime contractor).

(ix) Subcontractor’s physical address including street address, city, state, and country. Also include the nine-digit zip code and congressional district if applicable.

(x) Subcontract primary performance location including street address, city, state, and country. Also include the nine-digit zip code and congressional district if applicable.

(xi) Names and total compensation of each of the subcontractor’s five most highly compensated officers, for the calendar year in which the subcontract is awarded if—

(A) In the subcontractor’s preceding fiscal year, the subcontractor received—

(1) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants), and cooperative agreements; and

(2) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants), and cooperative agreements; and

(B) The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the senior executives through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items (MAR 2009) FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items (APR 2009)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer shall check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sep 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995)(41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Dec 2008) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

__X_ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5).

_X__ (4) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 111-5).

___ (5) 52.219-3, Notice of Total HUBZone Set-Aside (Jan 1999)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (6) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Jul 2005) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (7) [Reserved]

_X_ (8) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-6.

_X__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-6.

___ (9) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003)(15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

___ (10) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

___ (11) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Apr 2008)(15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4).)

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (12) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996)(15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___ (13) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___ (14) (i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (Oct 2008)(10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer).

___ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23.

___ (15) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Apr 2008)(Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (16) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000)(Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (17) 52.219-27, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 657 f).

__X_ (18) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

_ X_ (19) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003)(E.O. 11755).

_X_ (20) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Aug 2009) 2008) (E.O. 13126).

_X__ (21) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

_X__ (22) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007)(E.O. 11246).

_X__ (23) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sep 2006)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X__ (24) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998)(29 U.S.C. 793).

_X__ (25) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sep 2006)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

__X_ (26) 52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees (Dec 2004) (E.O. 13201).

___ (27) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

___ (28) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008)(42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (29) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

___ (30) (i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (Dec 2007) (E.O. 13423).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Dec 2007) of 52.223-16.

___ (31) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009)(41 U.S.C. 10a-10d).

___ (32) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act –Free Trade Agreements – Israeli Trade Act (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, and 109-169).

_X__ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3.

___ (33) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Mar 2009) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__X_ (34) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

___ (35) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (36) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (37) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (38) 52.232.30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995)(41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

__X_ (39) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003)(31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (40) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999)(31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (41) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 1999)(31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (42) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996)(5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (43) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006)(46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

__X_ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007)(41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

_X__ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989)(29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Nov 2006)(29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Feb 2002)(29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (7) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247).

__X_ (8) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008)(31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in paragraphs (e)(1) of this paragraph in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause--

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Dec 2008) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $550,000 ($1,000,000 for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(iii) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). Applies to subcontracts funded under the Act.

(iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007)(E.O. 11246).

(v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sep 2006)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

(vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (June 1998)(29 U.S.C. 793).

(vii) 52.222-39, Notification of Employee rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees (Dec 2004) (E.O. 13201).

(viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, (Nov 2007), flow down required for all subcontracts subject to the Service Contract Act of 1965 (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009).

(xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS OR ATTACHMENTS

Project WFM-0811-03HF Croatan National Forest Mechanical Midstory Removal

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C-1 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

(A)

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, transportation, supervision, and perform all work required to conduct mechanical midstory control (MMC) through the slashing of woody vegetation on approximately 205 acres within the boundaries of the Croatan National Forest. The Contractor shall precommercially thin (PCT) the longleaf pine understory in 14 of the 205 acres to a 25 foot by 25 foot spacing. The Contractor shall flag the Area boundaries, perform self-inspection, and determine final treatment acres using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

This work shall be completed in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract. Total acreage to be treated will be dependent upon the awarded price and Government funding available for the project. At a minimum, the treatment acreage should be 100 acres. Contractor will be paid at bid rate for each acre completed satisfactorily. Acres worked will be contiguous or closely located. Contractor will not be asked to move equipment for minimal work.

(B)

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The areas to be treated are located within the boundaries of:

National Forest: Croatan Ranger District: Croatan County(ies): Craven, Carteret State: North Carolina See attached Vicinity and Site Maps for locations of and directions to project sites. All Sub-Area boundaries shall be marked with flagging using the Boundary Color in the following table:

All contract map locations are approximate; therefore, actual locations designated on the ground take precedence over the contract maps contained in section J.

Vegetation to be treated is described in section C-2 (a). It consists of saplings and brush between 1” and 6” dbh.

Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall schedule a meeting with Will Dienst (252-638-5628, ext. 4010) in order to review contract areas, provide contractor with maps and government-provided equipment, and answer any questions the contractor might have.

(c)

GOVERNMENT PROVIDED EQUIPMENT

The Government shall provide a GPS unit to the Contractor with operating instructions.

C-2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

(A)

CUTTING AND TREATMENT PROCEDURE

1 . TREATMENT SPECIFICATIONS

All midstory and understory hardwoods and pines between 1 and 6 inches diameter at breast height (dbh) shall be felled within treatment areas unless specified differently. Midstory vegetation treated will be severed from the stump within 6” of the ground. Stumps may be left higher if the cutter head must be raised to negotiate terrain features. If midstory vegetation cannot be felled without damage to a mature pine tree, then the vegetation will not be treated around said tree.

All slash, including tops, limbs, and vegetation cut in the above specification, as well as pre-existing slash, shall be compacted to a depth of two (2) feet or less. The slash shall be scattered over the treatment area and not piled.

Standing dead trees (i.e., snags) shall be left standing within treatment areas unless they present a safety hazard or have the potential to fall across roads or property lines.

Sub-area 34-18 contains thick pockets of longleaf pine saplings between 1 and 6 inches dbh. These pockets shall be thinned to an average spacing of 25’ by 25’ with a spacing allowance of + or – 3 feet on an individual basis. The contractor shall leave the tallest, disease-free tree with good form whenever possible. No trees over 6” dbh shall be cut.

All known RCW cavity trees within the treatment areas are marked with painted white bands at approximately 4-6 feet above the ground and may have one or more aluminum identification tags attached to the tree. RCW cavity trees and other sensitive areas will be identified and communicated to the contractor prior to the commencement of work. The contractor shall avoid damage to green standing timber.

Should damage to white-banded cavity trees occur through mistake or negligence, the Contractor will be assessed liquidated damages at the following rate: $100 per tree. Trees that are damaged will not be removed by the contractor even if the contractor is assessed liquidated damages.

No treatment will occur in streams, drains, bays, or low-lying areas without approval of the COR.

The Contractor shall take every precaution necessary to prevent digging, gouging, and moving soil. The Contractor shall prevent excessive rutting and compaction by operating the equipment only when suitable soil conditions exist, as determined by the COR.

2. ORDER OF ENTRY AND OPERATING HOURS

Sub-areas 31-14 and 34-18, located within Area 2, contain active Red-cockaded Woodpecker ( RCW) clusters. These two stands shall be treated first in order to avoid disturbance to the woodpeckers during nesting season (April 1-July 31).

The Government will have the authority to restrict when a specific treatment area can be entered. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or the inspector will be present when equipment enters a treatment area for the first time, unless otherwise agreed upon by the COR.

Operating hours in active red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusters will be limited to one hour after sunrise and continuing to one hour before sunset.

Treatments will occur between January 11 and April 1, 2010, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and COR.

3. EQUIPMENT STANDARDS AND INSPECTION

All equipment will be cleaned and in sound working condition prior to entering National Forest lands, including leaking hydraulic fluid or other equipment fluids.

Minor, incidental leaks from fittings, seals or ruptured hoses will not subject the Contractor to remedial requirements; however, continued leaks will require repair to eliminate/minimize the impact of hazardous materials.

Maintenance and repairs that require the draining of lubricants or other fluids may be conducted on site only if the fluids are captured, containerized, and removed from public lands for proper disposal.

All equipment will be inspected prior to use on National Forest lands by Forest Service personnel.

A fire extinguisher shall be readily available for use in the immediate vicinity of each internal combustion engine. The extinguisher shall be at least a 5# capacity of a type ABC. Extinguishers will be located or mounted to be readily accessible (not in locked toolboxes or vehicles).

All non-manual fueling equipment will have an automatic shut-off switch installed to avoid accidental fuel releases.

The Contractor shall not operate any internal combustion engine on any timber, brush or grass covered land, including trails or roads without a spark arrestor maintained in effective working order and meeting the guidelines set forth in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Publication NFES 1363 and 2363.

Work may be suspended or modified when the Project Inspector or Fire Management Officer identifies conditions that represent an unacceptably high fire risk, such as very dry fuels, high winds, increased incidence of wildfires, erratic fire behavior, or Red Flag conditions.

4. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL PROCEDURES AND DISPOSAL

Individual fuel tanks greater than 501 gallons may only be used within a spill containment pit. The spill containment pit shall be constructed at a site designated by the Project Inspector. The pit shall be lined with an approved impermeable liner and shall be capable of containing a released volume of 1.5 times the tank volume.

The Contractor will comply with all applicable State and Federal regulations pertaining to the handling and disposal of hazardous materials.

Disposal of hazardous materials is not permitted on site or on federal land. Failure to meet this condition can result in the Contractor being liable for the cost of reclamation, including clean up and disposal of contaminated soil.

5. WEED CONTROL

The Contractor, prior to moving any equipment onto public lands, including the treatment areas, is required to remove all visible detritus and debris that could contain weed seeds.

Removal will include a thorough washing of the equipment with a pressure washer.

If equipment is removed from the project area it will have to be cleaned again before it can be used on the project.

Cleaning of equipment cannot be done on public lands.

This treatment does not apply to transports such as pickups or tractors and trailers for hauling equipment.

The Contractor is required to have equipment inspected prior to off-loading at the treatment site. Contractor may alternately request an inspection of the equipment for compliance as per this section at an off-site location acceptable to the COR or Project Inspector and at a reasonable distance from the Croatan Ranger District office.

(B)

FLAGGING PROCEDURE

Prior to commencing the cutting and treatment work, the Contractor shall flag the complete boundary of each contract Sub-Area with orange flagging, or another color designated by the COR. GPS files with the approximate Sub-Area boundaries delineated will be made available by the COR upon request by the Contractor to assist in the layout.

The flagging shall be tied approximately six (6) feet above the ground on the outermost ends of existing tree branches.

Flagging shall be hung in a manner so that Government inspectors and persons performing the release work can easily see the flagging.

(C)

GPS PROCEDURE

Upon completion and Government acceptance of each contract Sub-Area, the Contractor shall measure the treatment acres using a GPS unit. 3D satellite coverage shall be used during measurement to ensure acceptable quality.

The completed GPS files will be made available to the Government for download into the Government electronic filing system.

Upon acceptance by the Government, the GPS acres will be the basis of measurement for payment purposes.

C-3

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL

The work areas are all accessible by standard pickup by way of Forest Service Roads. There are no locked gates or areas restricted to the Contractor or laborers.

C-4

CONTRACTOR”S QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan before starting work and provide it to the COR. The Plan will demonstrate how the Contractor - through organization, supervision, and self-inspection – shall perform work at the Acceptable Quality Level (see C-5). Any proposed inspection system shall produce written data that can be provided in a timely manner to the Contracting Officer or his/her representative. Sampling shall be unbiased, shall represent all parts of the stands, and shall be verifiable (sample locations marked on the ground). The CO, COR, or Inspector may observe the Contractor’s inspection at any time.

Among the items to be included in the Quality Control Plan are the percentage of longleaf saplings left on a 25’ by 25’ spacing (Sub-Area 34-18 only), percentage of hardwoods and pines between 1” and 6” dbh treated, percentage of competing stems completely severed from the stump, percentage of slash 2’ in depth or less, percentage of stumps 6” or less in height, damage to leave trees caused by Contractor, documentation of safety discussions, and a proposed schedule of work, updated at least weekly.

C-5

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT METHODS

Performance Objective Acceptable Quality Method of Performance and Standard Level Assessment

Mechanical Midstory Control 90% on all listed tasks Contractors’ records and reports;

and Pre-commercial Thinning random verification by the

Government.

C-6

GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

The Government will monitor progress to ensure that the Contractor is providing the quality promised in their Quality Control Plan and that work meets performance standards. Visual observation will be used. The Government reserves the right, if deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the contract, to take standard 1/50th acre inspection plots by random sample. Each contract Sub-Area will be inspected separately, and the results will not be averaged.

Government inspections will be documented on Daily Diaries and placed in the contract file. If work in part of a Sub-Area does not meet the Acceptable Quality Level given above, a Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued to the Contractor. The CO may issue other cure notices if work is not being performed in a timely manner or does not comply with contract specifications.

Upon completion of a Sub-Area and notification by the Contractor, the COR or designated Inspector shall make an overall inspection of that Sub-Area. If a need for remedial work prior to acceptance is reflected by the COR/Inspector`s overall inspection, or by plot sample results, such remedial work will be performed before the Contractor moves to the next Sub-Area. If the inspection results in acceptance of the Sub-Area, the Contractor may immediately proceed with work on the next area.

MIGRANT AND SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION ACT

FSAR 4G52.222-701 Employment of Eligible Workers (DEC 1999)

Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1324a) makes it unlawful for an employer to hire unauthorized aliens. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has established the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form, as the document to be used for employment eligibility verification (see 8 CFR 274a).

The contractor is required to (1) have all employees complete and sign the I-9 Form to certify that they are eligible for employment; (2) examine documents presented by the employee and ensure the documents appear to be genuine and related to the individual; (3) record information about the documents on the form, and complete the certification portion of the form; (4) retain the form for three years, or one year past the end of employment of the individual, whichever is longer.

It is illegal to discriminate against any individual (other than a citizen of another country who is not authorized to work in the United States) in hiring, discharging, or recruiting because of that individual's national origin or citizenship status.

Compliance with Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) is a material condition of the contract. If the contractor employs unauthorized workers during contract performance in violation of section 274A, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

For further information on the requirements of the Act, contractors should contact the Employer and Labor Relations Officer of their local INS office.

FSAR 4G52.222-702 Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers (DEC 1999)

(a) General. This contract is subject to the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act (MSPA) (29 U.S.C 1801-1872) and to Department of Labor regulations implementing MSPA (see 29 CFR 500). The purpose of MSPA is to eliminate activities that are detrimental to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, to require registration of farm labor contractors, and to assure necessary protections for the workers. In addition to traditional farm labor activities, the Act applies to predominately manual forestry work including, but not limited to, tree planting, release, precommercial thinning, and site preparation and wildland fire fighting.

(b) Definitions.

"Migrant Agricultural Worker" and "Seasonal Agricultural Worker", as used in this clause, mean individuals employed in agricultural (including forestry) work on a seasonal or temporary basis. A worker who moves from one seasonal activity to another is employed on a seasonal basis even though the worker may continue to be employed during a major portion of the year. Migrant workers are required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Seasonal workers are not required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Members of the contractor's immediate family are not considered to be either migrant or seasonal workers. "Immediate family" includes only (1) spouse; (2) children, stepchildren, or foster children; (3) parents, stepparents, or foster parents; and (4) brothers and sisters.

"Farm Labor Contractor", as used in this clause, means an individual who, for any money or other valuable consideration, paid or promised to be paid, performs any recruiting, soliciting, hiring, employing, furnishing, or transporting of any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.

(c) Registration Requirement. Any contractor who provides or hires migrant or seasonal workers to perform agricultural or manual forestry work shall first obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Department of Labor or an authorized State agency. The contractor shall carry the Certificate at all times while engaged in contract performance, and shall display it upon request. Any of the contractor's employees who also perform any one or more of the activities defined for a "Farm Labor Contractor" in paragraph (b) must have their own Farm Labor Contractor Employee Certificate.

(d) Worker Protections. The contractor shall comply with the following protections and standards related to wage disclosure, recordkeeping, vehicle safety, and housing:

(1) The contractor shall display and maintain at the place of employment the MSPA poster provided by the Department of Labor.

(2) Wage and Payroll Standards

(i) The contractor shall disclose in writing to each worker in a language common to the worker the full terms of their employment, including workers compensation information, at the time they are recruited or hired. The Department of Labor provides an optional form WH-516 for contractor's use in disclosure.

(ii) The contractor must keep the following payroll records for each employee: name, address, social security number, basis for wages (i.e. per hour, per tree, per acre), number of units earned if paid on a per unit basis, hours worked, total pay, withholdings and purpose for each, and net pay. Payroll records shall be retained for three years.

(iii) Payments must be made no less frequently than every two weeks or semi-monthly. At the time of each payment, the contractor shall provide to the employee a written itemization of the information listed above and which shall include the employer's tax identification number.

(iv) If paid on a piece rate basis, the employee's wage must be at least equivalent to the required hourly wage for the hours worked, including overtime differential for time in excess of 40 hours per week.

(3) Motor Vehicle Safety

(i) The contractor must be registered to transport employees, unless employees provide their own transportation or carpool by their own arrangement in one of their own vehicles. The authorization to transport employees must appear on the contractor's certificate. If the contractor directs or requests employees to carpool, the registration requirement is still applicable. Any driver who transports workers for a fee or at the direction of the contractor must be registered as a farm labor contractor or a farm labor contractor employee.

(ii) Any vehicle under the ownership or control of the contractor shall comply with safety standards applicable to that vehicle. Generally passenger vehicles or station wagons must comply with Department of Labor regulations at 29 CFR 500.104. Vehicles other than passenger vehicles or station wagons which are driven more than 75 miles must comply with Department of Transportation Regulations at 29 CFR 500.105. All drivers must have a current, valid State drivers license.

(iii) Each vehicle under the ownership or control of the contractor which is used to transport any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker shall be covered by vehicle insurance of $100,000 per seat (maximum $5,000,000). A workers compensation policy which covers the workers while being transported plus an additional property damage policy for $50,000 for loss or damage in any one accident to the property of others may be substituted for the vehicle insurance requirement.

(4) Housing

(i) The contractor shall house workers only in a commercial establishment or a facility that has been certified by a health authority or other appropriate agency. The contractor must post the certificate of occupancy at the housing site.

(ii) The authorization to furnish housing, other than commercial lodging, must appear on the contractor's certificate.

(e) For further information on the requirements of the Act, contractors should contact their local Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.

FSAR 4G52.222-703 Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration (DEC 1999)

The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) (29 U.S.C. 1801-1872) and implementing regulations issued by the Department of Labor (29 CFR 500), require any employer who hires or anticipates hiring employees subject to MSPA to obtain an MSPA registration number.

If the contractor employs or anticipates hiring employees subject to MSPA, the contractor shall provide a valid U.S. Department of Labor MSPA Registration Number to the Contracting Officer within 10 days after notification of award of the contract.

The Government may demand that the contractor display MSPA registration at any time during contract performance if it appears that the contractor is employing workers subject to MSPA. On demand, the contractor shall display its MSPA registration or state why it is exempt from MSPA.

Compliance with MSPA is a material condition of the contract. If the contractor fails to provide a valid MSPA number in accordance with this clause, or falsely states that it is exempt from the MSPA, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

4G52.222-704 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (FEBRUARY 2007)

The contractor shall train workers in the safe operation and use of equipment that the worker may use before the worker begins using such equipment.

Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered which may cause injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

The contractor shall provide chain saw chaps to each employee who operates a chain saw, at no cost to the employee. These chaps must be approved by an Underwriters Laboratory or meet Forest Service specification 6170-47. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh and shall extend to the top of the boot on each leg.

The contractor shall assure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support. Employees operating chain saws shall wear foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw.

In any area where the worker is exposed to the potential for flying or falling objects, the contractor shall provide a hard hat, at no cost to the employee, and the contractor shall assure that the employee wears the hard hat. The hard hat must meet the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, hearing protection where there is a potential for hearing loss due to high intensity noise for example, chainsaw operation.

4G52.222-705 CAMPING PROVISIONS FOR LABOR INTENSIVE CONTRACTS (FEBRUARY 2007)

The following provisions apply to all camping on National Forest lands during performance of this contract:

These provisions are in addition to those contained in, or provided for, in the clause titled “Use of Premises”, in this contract.

Every structure used as shelter shall provide protection from the elements. Where heat adequate for weather conditions is not provided, other arrangements should be made to protect workers from the cold. Firewood may be cut only after obtaining a District Firewood Permit.

The campsite must not encroach beyond the boundaries designated by the Forest Service. The campsite shall be located so as to minimize impacts on streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. No camping is permitted within developed recreation sites or along primary recreation roads.

The campsite shall have a clean appearance at all times. Upon abandonment of any campsite, or termination, revocation, or cancellation of camping privileges, the contractor shall remove, within 10 calendar days, all structures and improvements except those owned by the United States, and shall restore the site, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing or in the camping permit. If the contractor fails to remove all structures or improvements within the 10 calendar days, they shall become the property of the United States, but that will not relieve the contractor of liability for the cost of their removal and restoration of the site.

Unless otherwise designated by the Contracting Officer, the use of this area is not exclusive, and may be granted to other…