AG-4419-S-10-0706.doc

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AG-4419-S-10-0706

Caribou Fuels Stewardship

Superior National Forest

5/24/2010

INFORMATION CALL:

6/24/2010 4:00pm

FOB DESTINATION

UNRESTRICTED

SET ASIDE: % FOR

MARKED

1720 Peachtree Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30309

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SMALL BUSINESS

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SEE SCHEDULE

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HUBZONE SMALL

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

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8(A) 13b. RATING

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RFQ FORMCHECKBOX

IFB FORMCHECKBOX

RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

Same as 15

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

Albuquerque Service Center

TELEPHONE N0.

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

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SEE ADDENDUM

Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Full Site Preparation Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Partial Site Preparation

Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Partial Site Preparation Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Partial Site Preparation Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Full Site Preparation Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Full Site Preparation Continued on Page 2

Acres Acres

Acres

Acres

Acres

Acres

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.4/2002)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA ‑ FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

Amount

Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Partial Site Preparation

Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Mechanical Piling) and Partial Site Preparation

Acres Acres

Values of timber products removed to be applied at Flat Rates

(FLAT)

TOTAL OFFER

See Timber Removal Project Terms and Specifications in Appendix B.

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

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RECEIVED

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INSPECTED

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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

CORRECTFOR

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

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COMPLETE FORMCHECKBOX

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FINAL

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.4/2002) BACK

CONTRACT CLAUSES

52.203-15 Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Mar 2009)

52.204-11 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements. (Mar 2009)

52.215-2 Audit and Records—Negotiation. (Mar 2009) (Edited to include Alternate I for ARRA Acquisitions)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms And Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders—Commercial Items (Apr 2008)

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

(2) 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 check as appropriate.]

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

__ (2) 52.219-3, Notice of Total HUBZone Set-Aside (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (3) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (July 2005) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (4) [Reserved]

_X_ (5)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

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

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

__ (6)(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.

__ (7) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (8)(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.

__ (9) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

__ (10) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (11)(i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (Sept 2005) (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.

__ (12) 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).

__ (13) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

__ (14) 52.219-27, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (May 2004).

_X_ (15) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Jun 2007)(15 U.S.C. 632(g)(2)).

_X_ (16) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

_X_ (17) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2008) (E.O. 13126).

_X_ (18) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

_X_ (19) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

_X_ (20) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (21) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998) (29 U.S.C. 793).

_X_ (22) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (23) 52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees (Dec 2004) (E.O. 13201).

_X_ (24)(i)52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Aug 2007)( Applies to all contracts)

__ (ii) Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.220-50

__ (25)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Products (Aug 2000) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Aug 2000) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)).

__ (26) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007)(42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (27)(i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (Dec 2007)(E.O. 13423)

__ (ii) Alternate I (Dec 2007) of 52.223-16

__ (28) 52.225-1, Buy American Act—Supplies (June 2003) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d).

__ (29)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (Aug 2007) (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), 109-53, and 109-169).

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

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

__ (30) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Nov 2007) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__ (31) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2006) (E.o.s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (32) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007)(42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (33) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007)(42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (34) 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)).

__ (35) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X_ (36) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (37) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (38) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (39) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (40)(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, as Amended (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 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 (Nov 2007)(41 U.S.C. 351, et. Seq.).

(7) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Aug 2007)(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 (i) through (vii) 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) 52.219-8, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

(vii) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Aug 2007)(22 U.S.C. 7104(g)). Flow down required in accordance with Paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-50.

(viii) 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.).

(ix) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Nov 2007)(41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

(x) 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 (See paragraph 48 for list of attachments) 1.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

(a) Description of Work- This solicitation and any resultant contract is a stewardship project in accordance with Section 323 of Public Law 108-7 (16 U.S.C. 2104 Note, as revised February 28, 2003 to reflect sec. 323 of J.J. Res. 2 as enrolled), the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, amending Public Law 105-277, sec. 347. This is a commercial item acquisition that has been tailored to fit the Government’s method of trading goods for services. Work includes:

-Reduce hazardous fuels in the northern portion of the Lutsen Township Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).

-Maintain overstory trees in treatment units adjacent to roads with a high scenic integrity objective.

-Retain seedlings and saplings of pine, white spruce, white cedar and paper birch.

To accomplish these objectives, the contract includes mechanical piling of vegetative material and scarification. In some cases vegetation may be treated by crushing/chopping/chipping or removed as biomass but will require prior approval by the Contracting Officer.

Contractor shall furnish all labor, material, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and perform all work necessary to perform hazardous fuels reduction and site preparation. (See Service Specifications)

(b) Resulting Contract – Fixed Price Services Contract with Timber Removal

(c) Project Location – Tofte Ranger District on the Superior National Forest, Cook County, Minnesota inT62N, R3W, Sec.15, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35. See attached Caribou Contract Area Map.

2.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for each Stewardship Activity individually described by an item number in Schedule B pages can be found in Appendix A. Specifications for timber removal can be found in Appendix B.

3.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION SYSTEM

The Contractor shall identify the quality control inspection system it will use to ensure that contract specifications will be achieved. At no time shall the contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

4.

ACCEPTANCE

The Forest Service shall perform an inspection upon Contractor’s written request and assurance that work has been completed. Request shall be for a reasonable portion of work. Acceptance may be made for all or portions of work.

5.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Quality assurance plans specific to individual items will be found in Appendix A.

6. 52.211-10 COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION OF WORK (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 15 calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed or Task Order for specific work items, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 9/30/2014 or as specified on each Task Order. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

Performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clauses. Except as this contract otherwise provides, the Government shall order all services within the scope that are required by Government activities specified in the Schedule only with the vendor holding this contract for the specified services. Timber Removal activities shall be scheduled and carried out in accordance with the Timber Removal Specifications in Appendix B and as approved by the Contracting Officer.

It is estimated that work will begin July 15, 2010. Actual date is negotiable based upon actual award date, prospective work and weather conditions.

Scheduling of Work may be restricted based on the following: Fire Conditions 8.

AGAR 452.211-74 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from date of contract award through 9/30/2014.

9. SCHEDULES AND REPORTS

Pursuant to contract requirements, the following submittals are required within 10 days after issuance of a Notice to Proceed or Task Order for review and/or approval, unless stated elsewhere in the specifications or otherwise mutually agreed:

All schedules and reports shall be submitted to: COR, Jody Buffman.

10.

PAYMENT

It is anticipated that funds will be exchanged in the performance of this contract because the value of the timber will not completely offset the value of the work to be performed. When payment is made to the contractor for work performed, it will be made in accordance with FAR 52.232-1 – Payments, (Section I).

The value of work completed and timber removed will be documented in an Integrated Resource Statement of Account produced by Timber Sale Accounting (TSA) monthly when harvesting operations are underway.

11.

STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

Stewardship Credits are credits that are earned and established when work listed in the B.1 Schedule of Supplies/Services has been performed and accepted. Stewardship credits shall be earned at the rate as shown in the Schedule. Earned credits may be used to pay for timber value included in Schedule B.2. Unless otherwise indicated in the Schedules, credits will be earned based upon Actual Quantities accomplished and accepted.

12.

ESTABLISHMENT OF STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

Notwithstanding references to payments in “Payment” clauses or provisions of this contract, payment for Stewardship Activities will be made with Stewardship Credits as indicated in the award document.

Stewardship Credits will be established on a monthly basis. Stewardship credits will be established for the number of units of each activity that have been completed and accepted. Acceptance may be for all, or a reasonable portion of, any specific activity.

Stewardship credits will not be established for work that is in progress that has not been accepted by the Forest Service. No credits will be established for work performed under terms of Schedule B.2 and Appendix B Timber Removal Specification.

13.

CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION

Monthly, as Stewardship Credits are established, the Contractor shall furnish the following certification (Contractor Certification - Earned Stewardship Credits) or credit will not be received.

CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION - EARNED STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

CARIBOU STEWARDSHIP PROJECT

I hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that--

(1) The amounts requested are only for performance in accordance with the specifications, terms, and conditions of the contract;

(2) Payments to subcontractors and suppliers have been made, and timely payments will be made for the work activities covered by this certification, in accordance with subcontract agreements and the requirements of Chapter 39 of Title 31, United States Code;

(3) This request for progress payments/credits does not include any amounts which the prime contractor intends to withhold or retain from a subcontractor or supplier in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subcontract; and

(4) This certification is not to be construed as final acceptance of a subcontractor's performance.

(Name)

(Title)

(Date) 14.

TIMBER PAYMENT GUARANTEE

(1) General—(a) To guarantee payment for timber scheduled for removal under the IRSC, Contractor may earn Stewardship Credits in advance of removal, or provide a Timber Payment Guarantee in the form of an acceptable surety payment bond, cash payment, or a deposit in a Federal Depository negotiable securities of the United States.

(b) Any earned Stewardship Credits and alternate Timber Payment Guarantee together will maintain a minimum unobligated balance equal to the outstanding charges for payment units released for cutting, or equal to the total value of timber that has not been paid for.

(c) Securities shall be deposited through the Contracting Officer accompanied by a power of attorney and agreement authorizing the bond-approving officer to sell or collect such securities if payment is not made within 15 days of billing by Forest Service. The penal sum of such surety bond or the market value at time of deposit of such negotiable securities shall be the maximum amount of the payment guaranteed.

(2) A Timber Payment Guarantee for a single contract shall be provided utilizing FS Form 6500-12.

(3) Blanket Surety Bond—(a) Contractor may furnish an acceptable bond, or deposits securities, to guarantee payment for timber from multiple contracts. Contractor shall not start cutting hereunder until this contract receives an allocation that will meet the obligation for payment guarantee.

(b) The amount of such bond or deposited securities shall be allocated to such contracts by the Forest Service. The Contractor will provide the contact information for the Forest Service representative administering the Blanket Surety Bond.

(c) When there is to be no timber cutting hereunder for 30 days or more and payment of current charges has been made, the allocation to this contract shall be reallocated to other contracts at Contractor’s request.

(d) A Timber Payment Guarantee for multiple contracts (Blanket Guarantee) shall be provided utilizing FS Form 6500-12a.

(3) Letters of Credit for Payment Bond—Contractor may use letters of credit in lieu of a surety bond for payment bond purposes when approved by Contracting Officer.

15.

EXCESS STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

In the event there are excess (unused) established Stewardship Credits when all of the included timber has been cut and removed the Forest Service, at its option, shall either add more timber or make cash payment for the unused credits.

16.

EXCESS TIMBER VALUE

In the event the value of the included timber exceeds the total value of all of the mandatory activities plus the ordered elective activities, the Contractor shall make cash payment for the excess timber value.

17.

REFUND OF EXCESS CASH

If at any time the credit balance of the Integrated Resource Statement of Account exceeds the charges for timber removed to date and for timber that the Forest Service estimates will be cut within the next 60 calendar days, any portion of such excess from cash in the account shall be refunded if requested by Contractor. If no cutting is planned within the next 60 calendar days, refund of the entire unencumbered cash balance may be made. After a refund, deposits shall be made to meet the requirements of the clause entitled, “TIMBER PAYMENT GUARANTEE” before additional timber may be cut.

18.

FINAL PAYMENT - RELEASE OF CLAIMS

The Government shall pay the amount due the Contractor under this contract after—

(1) Completion and acceptance of all work;

(2) Presentation of a properly executed voucher; and

(3) Presentation of release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically excepted from the operation of the release.

19.

AGAR 452.215-73 POST AWARD CONFERENCE (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 15 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at the Tofte District Ranger’s Office, and will include discussion of contract terms and work performance requirements, work progress schedule and fire prevention/suppression and safety plans.

20.

FAR 52.236-4 PHYSICAL DATA (APR 1984)

Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the Contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor.

(a) - The indications of physical conditions on the drawings and in the specifications are the result of site investigations by visual observation.

(b) - Additional informational material made available to contractors including but not limited to: environmental documentation, timber cruise data, timber removal report and appraisal, maps, access permits, etc.

21.

AGAR 452.236-72 USE OF PREMISES (NOV 1996)

(a) Before any camp, quarry, borrow pit, storage, detour, or bypass site, other than shown on the drawings, is opened or operated on USDA land or lands administered by the USDA, the Contractor shall obtain written permission from the Contracting Officer. A camp is interpreted to include a campsite or trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for the Contractor.

(b) Unless excepted elsewhere in the contract, the Contractor shall (i) provide and maintain sanitation facilities for the work force at the site and (i) dispose of solid waste in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations.

22.

AGAR 452.237-74 KEY PERSONNEL (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Overall Project Manager

Logging Supervisor

Fuels Treatment Supervisor

Individual Sub-Managers – Individuals supervising individual sub-contracts for work items not covered by personnel noted previously herein.

(b) During the first 90 days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

23.

Deleted 24.

Deleted 25.

Deleted 26.

PROTECTION MEASURES NEEDED FOR PLANTS, ANIMALS, CULTURAL RESOURCES, AND CAVE RESOURCES

See Appendix B.

27.

EROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

See Appendix B.

28.

PROTECTION OF LAND SURVEY MONUMENTS

Forest Service shall appropriately designate on the ground all known survey monuments including but not limited to horizontal control stations (Triangulation Stations), vertical control stations (Bench Marks), property corner monuments, and all Public Land Survey System monuments. This shall include reference monuments, corner accessories such as bearing trees, line trees and line posts. Identifying signs shall be posted by Forest Service on two sides of each known bearing tree, and each line post shall be posted with a metal sign or decal. Line trees may be cut if designated by the Government.

In authorized clearings such as Clearcutting Units and road construction clearings, and in other instances where damage to survey monuments, corners, corner accessories and survey of property line markers is unavoidable, Forest Service shall arrange protective or perpetuative action which does not cause unnecessary delay to Contractor.

Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, bearing trees and line markers against avoidable destruction, obliteration or damage during Contractor's operations. Additional monuments or objects discovered on the area shall be promptly reported to the other party and shall also be protected. If any known monuments, corners, corner accessories, and survey or property line markers are destroyed, obliterated or damaged during Contractor's operations, Contractor shall employ a registered professional land surveyor to reestablish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, corner accessories or line markers. Such surveyors shall use procedures and monumentation that accords with the Bureau of Land Management Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States for General Land Office surveys and any applicable State statutes concerned with land surveys. Contractor's agent shall record such surveys in accordance with state survey statutes.

29.

PROTECTION OF RESIDUAL TREES

Contractor's Operations shall not unnecessarily damage young growth or other trees to be reserved.

30.

SANITATION AND SERVICING

Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent pollution of air, soil, and water by Contractor's Operations. If facilities for employees are established on Contract Area, they shall be operated in a sanitary manner. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on National Forest lands where servicing is likely to result in pollution to soil or water. Contractor shall remove from National Forest lands all refuse resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment. In the event that Contractor's Operations or servicing of equipment result in pollution to soil or water, Contractor shall conduct cleanup to restore the polluted site to the satisfaction of Forest Service.

31.

PREVENTION OF OIL SPILLS

If Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on Contract Area, Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to insure that any spill of such oil or oil products does not enter any stream or other waters of the United States or any of the individual States.

If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112) including certification by a registered professional engineer.

32.

WASHING EQUIPMENT

In order to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into the Contract Area, Contractor shall be required to clean all off-road logging and construction equipment prior to entry on to the Contract Area. This cleaning shall remove all soil, plant parts, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Only logging and construction equipment so cleaned and inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the Contract Area. All subsequent move-ins of equipment to the Contract Area shall be treated in the same manner as the initial move in. "Off-road equipment" includes all logging and construction machinery, except for log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, cars, and similar vehicles.

Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seed, and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection tools is not required.

Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall give the forest service at least 24 hours notice when equipment is ready for inspection. Notification will include an agreed upon location where the equipment will be available for inspection by the forest service.

New infestations of noxious weeds, of concern to Forest Service and identified by either Contractor or Forest Service, on the Contract Area or on the haul route, shall be promptly reported to the other party. Contractor and Forest Service shall agree on treatment methods to reduce or stop the spread of noxious weeds when new infestations are found. A current list of noxious weeds of concern to Forest Service is available at each Forest Service office.

33.

MEADOW PROTECTION

Reasonable care shall be taken to avoid damage to the cover, soil, and water in meadows shown on Contract Area Map. Vehicular or skidding equipment shall not be used on meadows, except where roads, landings, and tractor roads are approved. Unless otherwise agreed, trees felled into meadows shall be removed by endlining. Resulting logging slash shall be removed where necessary to protect cover, soil, and water.

34.

Deleted 35.

Deleted 36.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND CONTROL

See Appendix B 37.

REQUIREMENTS OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Contractor’s road construction and use on rights-of-way shall be confined to said rights-of-way and limited by the related easements and stipulations, if any, unless Contractor makes other arrangements that will not infringe upon or adversely affect the grantee’s rights. Said easements or right-of-way documents are available in the offices of the Forest Supervisor and District Ranger.

38.

USE OF ROADS BY CONTRACTOR

See Appendix B.

39.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

See Appendix B.

40.

USE BY OTHERS

Forest Service shall have the right to use any road constructed by Contractor under this contract for any and all purposes in connection with the protection and administration of the National Forest. Other parties, in connection with the logging of tributary National Forest timber, may use roads constructed by Contractor hereunder when such use will not materially interfere with Contractor’s Operations. Such third party use shall be contingent upon the third party paying a fair share of maintenance cost commensurate with such commercial use. Unless otherwise provided, Forest Service shall authorize other uses of roads constructed by Contractor hereunder only if:

(a) Forest Service makes appropriate arrangements to relieve Contractor of related maintenance costs commensurate with such other uses and

(b) Such other uses will not materially interfere with Contractor’s Operations.

Where Contractor reconstructs a road having established use, the use during reconstruction and thereafter by Contractor shall be such as to reasonably accommodate such established use. Contractor shall have the right to use such reconstructed road without material additional interference from other users.

41.

INCIDENTAL PAYMENT ITEMS

The intent of the contract is to provide for the complete performance of the project described in the contract. Unless otherwise provided, the Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies and perform all work required to complete the project in accordance with drawings, specifications, and provisions of the contract. Payment for contract work will be made only for and under those pay items included in the Schedule of Items. All other work and materials will be considered as incidental to and included in the payment for items shown.

42.

SAFETY

See Appendix B.

43.

Deleted 44.

Deleted 45.

REIMBURSEMENT FOR BOND PREMIUMS

The Contract Price includes the total amount for premiums that the Contractor attributes to the furnishing of the performance and/or payment bonds required by the contract. Reimbursement for bond premiums may be made in stewardship credits or cash.

46.

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically a this/these address(es):

http://www.arnet.gov/far http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.228-2 Additional Bond Security (OCT 1997)

52.228-11 Pledges of Assets (FEB 1992)

52.228-14 Irrevocable Letter Of Credit (DEC 1999) 47.

ADDENDUM

In accordance with FAR 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR FEDERAL HIRES (MAY 1989), the following information is provided:

This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination

*FRINGE BENEFITS: Life, Accident and Health Insurance and Sick Leave Programs - 5.1 percent of basic hourly rate.

Paid Holidays - 10 per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day Vacation - 13 days paid vacation per year up to 3 years of service, 20 days after 3 years of service, and 26 after 15 years of service. Retirement - 7 percent basic hourly rate.

48.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

The following attachments are made a part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

1. Appendices Appendix A - Service Specifications, 5 pages

Appendix B - Detailed Information Sheet (Prospectus), 2 pages Appendix C - Map, 1 page

Appendix D - Timber Removal Project Terms and Specifications, 23 pages

2. Wage Determination No:

3. Financial Information Forms:

FS-6500-24, Financial Statement – 5 pages

(to include with Business Proposal) FS-6500-25, Request for Verification – 1 page

4. Recovery Act Reporting Instructions

5. Recovery Act Report (Blank)

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (JAN 1999)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(1) Utilization of Local Work Force

Explain how you will recruit and utilize labor, subcontractors, and other workforce from the local communities of Cook and Lake Counties, Minnesota, as available skills allow. Provide driving distance in miles from contractor’s facility to Cook and Lake Counties in Minnesota.

(2) Past Performance

As part of the evaluation process, the Government will assess each offeror’s past performance. The offeror shall present factual material dealing with contracts performed for other Government agencies or with private sector businesses for which the same or similar services were provided. Information requested includes successful execution of contracts. When problems were encountered briefly describe the problem areas and the steps taken to resolve or correct. For those contracts with less than positive performance, you are encouraged to provide a description of the problems and the efforts made to correct and to prevent future occurrences.

(i.) Content. Offerors shall provide a list of all contracts similar in size and scope completed or begun during the past three years. The list should not exceed more than 20 contracts. Include the following information for each contract:

a) Contracting agency/BusinessName

b) Contract Number

c) Brief description of contract effort (service)(i.e. type of Fuels treatment, number of acres, equipment used, tasks performed and trades used)

d) Total Contract Value e). Period of Performance and indicate whether the contracts were completed within the required performance time

f) Client’s Name, Address, Telephone number, and point of contact

(ii) Offerors lacking recent and relevant present/past performance experience may submit information regarding key personnel who have recent and relevant experience. In this case, offerors shall provide the following information, as a minimum, to allow government evaluators to conduct a present/past performance evaluation for those key personnel cited by the offeror.

a) Name of Key Personnel b)Complete Address c)Telephone Number

d) Brief synopsis of relevant experience (a resume may be submitted)

(3) Technical Approach

(a) Fuel Treatment Plan.

1. Describe how you plan to pile treatment vegetation into compact piles that can be burned.

2. Describe how you plan to pile treatment vegetation while protecting leave trees.

(b) Scarification

1. In Item numbers 2, 3, 4, and 8 (north of FR340) the desire is to scarify the soil for natural regeneration while also maintaining seedling and saplings of target species. Describe how you plan to locate and protect target species as you perform scarification.

2. Brush is included in the vegetation to be treated so these areas can be planted or regenerate naturally. Describe the method you will use to achieve site preparation while still keeping dirt in the piles to a minimum. For example: what criteria will you use to determine when you need to separately pile root wads from the regular piles?

3. Explain how you will remove duff, brush and tree roots while maintaining the existing soil profile.

(c) Organization

1. List the names and proposed duties of key personnel and consultants assigned to the contract. Provide information on work background, and recent work experience. The approximate percentage of time each individual will be available for this project must be included. List all areas of work that you intend to subcontract and the subcontractors you intend to use.

(d) Timing

1. Address both completion of work within individual units and a general plan for sequence of work across the project.

(e) Equipment

1. Specify the equipment type and age to be used to accomplish the fuels treatment.

(4) Price

The schedule of items will be evaluated for completeness and reasonableness. The proposal will be evaluated to ensure it covers all requirements of the specifications, includes all pricing information required by the solicitation, and all items are completed as required.

Technical and past performance, when combined, are more important than price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items (SEP 2007)

An offeror shall complete only paragraph (k) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) through (j) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

“Emerging small business” means a small business concern whose size is no greater than 50 percent of the numerical size standard for the NAICS code designated.

“Forced or indentured child labor” means all work or service—

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

“Manufactured end product” means any end product in Federal Supply Classes (FSC) 1000-9999, except—

(1) FSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Federal Supply Group (FSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) FSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) FSG 89, Food and Related Consumables;

(5) FSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) FSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) FSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) FSC 9610, Ores;

(9) FSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) FSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

“Place of manufacture” means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

“Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern”—

(1) Means a small business concern—

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

“Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

“Veteran-owned small business concern” means a…