Revised_ATTACHMENT_2_-_Specifications_-_as_of_24_March_2017.doc

AG-4670-S-17-0079

Revised ATTACHMENT 2 – SPECIFICATIONS – as of 24 March 2017

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, transportation, supervision, and perform all work required for RCW GROUP CHECKS, RCW CLUSTER INVENTORIES & PAINTING AND TAGGING RCW CAVITY TREES on the Francis Marion National Forest in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract.

A service contract to monitor and inventory red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusters on the Francis Marion National Forest. The Francis Marion currently manages approximately 520 RCW clusters of which approximately 90% are active. Currently the Francis Marion monitors a 20% random sample each year. For this base year the contractor will monitor 102 clusters (listed below) with an option to monitor a minimum 102 different clusters annually for the next 5 years pending available funding. Almost all RCW clusters are located within one-half mile of Forest Service roads or trails. Information to be collected will be RCW group status in each cluster during the nesting season (April 01 thru July 31), inventory of each RCW cluster which includes status and needs for each RCW cavity tree in the cluster (it is estimated that there are on average 12 cavity trees/cluster), mid-story and understory status and needs, and new cavity trees. All cavity trees will be painted, new cavity trees will be gps’d, using gps equipment that collects data than can be differentially post processed to obtain 3 meter accuracy, and tagged in each cluster.

TABLE#1 – Clusters to Be Inventoried in FY 2017:

TOTAL : 102 CLUSTERS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1) Use the attached maps of U.S. Forest Service compartments to monitor the listed clusters.

2) Record all data in an excel spreadsheet or an empty geodatabase.

3) Supply the US Forest Service with a shapefile containing all collected data from ITEM #1: Cluster Inventory) or a shapefile containing all data recorded (gps’d cavity trees, completed cluster inventory) and an excel spreadsheet with all data collected in an electronic form.

ITEM #1: Cluster Inventory (can be done anytime during the contract period):

A. Record Cavity Tree Number

B. Record cavity tree type for each cavity tree (insert, drilled start, natural, drilled cavity) C. Record cavity status (active or inactive) for each cavity tree.

D. Record whether a restrictor is needed for each cavity.

E. Record if the cavity tree is alive.

F. Record if an insert needs replacing.

G. Search within 750 ft. radius of all cavity trees for new cavity trees.

H. All new cavity trees will be GPS’d

I. Record all data for all cavity trees found.

J. Record average condition of understory (% herbaceous cover), and height of mid-story within each cluster.

ITEM #2: RCW Group Checks (must be done during RCW nesting season, April 01 thru July 31):

A. Will include determining the group status of each RCW cluster. Group status will be determined using one or all of the following methods

a. Morning clan checks

b. Evening roost checks

c. Nest checks B. Information to be recorded will be the total number of birds observed in each cluster.

C. Record method used to determine Group Status (morning clan checks, evening roost check or nest check)

D. Record date of the observation.

ITEM #3: Paint and Tag Cavity Trees :

A. Paint all RCW cavity trees with two white bands.

B. Paint to be used will be white in color and have an estimated durability of 5-7 years

C. Check all cavity trees to insure they are properly tagged with the corresponding number on the supplied inventory.

D. Tags to be used will be 1.25 inch diameter round aluminum unnumbered tags.

E. If tag is missing or improper number is present, place a correctly numbered tag on the cavity tree.

F. Ensure that all new cavity trees are tagged with the next available number (ex. last tree recorded was # 9 the next new tree would be # 10).

G. Contractor will stamp tags showing the Cluster ID and corresponding cavity tree number

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

A. A shapefile of known cavity trees can be provided upon request to the successful bidder.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

A. Inspections will be performed randomly by visual inspection by U.S. Forest Service personnel.

B. Only the COR may accept the work performed by approving the invoice routed using the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). The COR may choose to conduct an inspection separate from a random inspection prior to approving the invoice.