ATT2 SPECIFICATIONS.doc

SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

PROPERLY EXTRACT AND STORE INCREMENT CORES FOR THE BENT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST, ASHEVILLE, NC Contractor will provide all labor, materials, supervision, tools, and equipment, unless stated elsewhere in this scope of work, to properly extracting and storing increment cores from 5 trees (2 cores per tree) in each of 138 plots. These 138 research plots are located in northern Georgia, western North Carolina, and Virginia. After collection, increment cores must be stored in paper straws and properly labeled with plot and tree information. Cores must be dried and then mounted on the supplied increment core mounts. Contractor will bid on the aforementioned services on a per plot basis. Contractor will be taking 2 cores per tree. All efforts should be made to hit the pith, however if 1 of the cores misses, the contractor will hopefully hit it on the 2nd core. We will not be coring more than 2 times per tree. In general, the trees being cored will be b/t 25 and 35" DBH, but it will depend on the plot. All trees that will be cored will be dominant/co-dominant trees.

Deliverables are expected with 120 days of receipt of the Notice to Proceed. The deliverables will include 1410 mounted non-damaged increment cores (collected to pith) from 705 pre-identified trees. (5 trees per plot and 2 cores per tree). The cores, deliverables, will be delivered to the Bent Creek Experience Forest.

Offeror must be located within daily driving distance of Asheville, NC and supply own vehicle. All other equipment and supplies required to perform the services will be provided by the Government. Travel costs associated with the contract, based on USDA FS official Travel regulations, will apply. Plots will be organized into 5-6 groups on geographic location. The contractor will be expected to collect increment cores within each of the 5-6 groups during a single extended trip in order to minimize travel costs.

Offerors are not to submit estimates for travel expenses. A second Line item will be incorporated at time of award for an estimated amount of expenses. The expenses will be reimbursed to the Government at the rates established in the Joint Travel Regulations.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

All equipment and supplies furnished by the Government will remain the property of the Government and must be returned in properly working condition at the end of the contract.

The Government will provide the following equipment to use on this project.

Increment Borers Maps Paper straws for storage Wooden core mounts Glue for mounting the cores Increment borer sharpening kit

ATTACHMENT 2