AG-4756-S-14-0013.pdf

Solicitation AG-4756-S-14-0013

Vegetation Management Services, Cherokee NF

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30 683029 49

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE 4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

AG-4756-S-14-0013

DATE

3/24/2014

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect 8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

April 23, 2014

4:00 PM

7. FOR SOLICITATION Nina B. Barrow calls) 423-476-9706

INFORMATION CALL:

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

USDA Forest Service

Cherokee National Forest

2800 North Ocoee Street

Cleveland, TN 37312

UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100% FOR

SMALL BUSINESS EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- 8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: $7.0 Million OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

See Individual Task Orders

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

USDA Forest Service Cherokee National Forest 2800 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland TN 37312

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

DUNS NO. TIN:

TELEPHONE NO.

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

IPP (Invoice Processing Platform), https://www.ipp.gov/

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

OFFER IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM N0. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

Vegetation Management Services, Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

(Requirements contract)

DUNS #____________ TAX ID _______________

See Schedule of

Items

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN (see submission requirements)

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY DATED .. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ____________________

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212 https://www.ipp.gov/

INTRODUCTION

Scope of Work

The Cherokee National Forest is soliciting for manual forestry services including planting, herbicide application, and other vegetation treatments using hand tools. Work also includes site preparation, mid-story control, crop tree release, non-native invasive species control, and Southern Pine Beetle suppression. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals, and shall conduct the work in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation. All Ranger Districts of the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee are included in this contract.

This solicitation will result in the award of one requirements contract with one base year and four option years that may be exercised at the unilateral discretion of the Government.

This procurement is conducted using simplified acquisition procedures under Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) Part 13.5.

Pre-Bid Tele-Conference

Date: April 8, 2014 (attend in person or by phone)

Time: 10:00 a.m. Telephone number: 888-844-9904, passcode 7221581

Location: Cherokee National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Small Conference Room

2800 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland TN 37312

Submission Requirements

Offerors must complete and submit the following in hard copy form. Email and facsimile submissions will not be accepted.

1. Business Proposal – one copy

a. Standard Form 1449 (complete Blocks 17 and 30)

b. Section B - Schedule of Items/Prices (pages 4 - 6)

c. Representations and Certifications (pages 40 – 48)

2. Technical Proposal – three copies

a. Contractor’s Response to Evaluation Factors

b. Copy of Tennessee State Pesticide Contractor’s License and Pest Control Charter

c. Copy of MSPA Certificate of Registration

d. Copy of Contractor’s Safety Plan and Safety Record

3. Contractor Performance Survey – sent to three previous clients to be submitted directly to the

Contracting Officer by the due date for proposals.

(As a convenience to offerors, the FedBizOpps posting for this solicitation includes a Business Proposal

Submittal Package.)

Registration in the System for Award Management is required for award of contract. Registration is free;

access SAM at www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

Technical Factors

(1) Organizational Experience. The Government will evaluate each offeror's organizational experience on the basis of its breadth, depth, and relevance to the work required under the prospective contract.

Three aspects of organizational experience will be evaluated: qualifications of proposed personnel, Contractor’s offered equipment, and licenses/certifications. Information for this factor will come from the “Response to Evaluation Factors” form, and may also be obtained from other sources.

(2) Organizational Past Performance. Past performance is a measure of the degree to which an offeror satisfied its customers in the past and complied with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The

Government will evaluate the contractor’s past performance to determine: (1) that the offeror was capable, efficient, and effective; (2) the offeror's performance conformed to the terms and conditions of its contract; (3) the offeror finished within the contract time; (4) the offeror was reasonable and cooperative during performance; and (5) the offeror was committed to customer satisfaction. The

Government may evaluate the organizational past performance of the offeror's proposed key subcontractors. Information for this factor will come from the “Contractor Performance Survey” submitted directly to Contracting Officer by Contractor’s references, and may also be obtained from other sources.

(3) Safety. Contractor’s commitment to safety will be evaluated by examining the Safety Plan furnished by the Contractor, along safety record detailing any violations that occurred, date of violation, and results for the past 3 years. Furnish documentation of in-house safety training provided to employees, and a list of safety/personal protective equipment furnished to employees.

(4) Ability to Satisfy the Government's Requirements. The Government will evaluate each offeror's ability to successfully perform this contract work using on the following sub-factors:

a) Resources – supervision, crew, equipment

b) Safety

c) Quality Control

d) Certification and Licensing. If Contractor does not hold the required Tennessee licensing and charter, state how and when it will be obtained.

Price

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s understanding of the work by examining the prices provided in the Schedule of Items.

Award Decision

Evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are approximately equal to price in the award decision. The critical factor in making any cost/technical trade-off is not the spread between the technical scores, but, rather, the significance of that difference. The significance of the spread of scores will be determined on the basis of what the difference might mean in terms of performance and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. Award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. The

Government reserves the right to make cost/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest and advantageous to the Government.

Schedule of Items / Price Schedule

Base Year Pricing, All Locations, Cherokee National Forest

5.1 Manual Tree Planting

Description

Unit

Estimated

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.1.1 Bareroot pine, 100 trees per acre Acre 152 $ $

5.1.2 Bareroot pine, 200 trees per acre Acre 1 $ $

5.1.3 Bareroot pine, 300 trees per acre Acre 1 $ $

5.1.4 Containerized pine, 100 trees per acre Acre 1 $ $

5.1.5 Containerized pine, 200 trees per acre Acre 1 $ $

5.1.6 Bareroot hardwood, 25 trees per acre Acre 1 $ $

5.1.7 Bareroot hardwood, 50 trees per acre Acre 90 $ $

5.2 Site Preparation for Natural or Artificial Regeneration

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.2.1 Manual slashdown by chainsaw Acre 208 $ $

5.2.2 Herbicide application by Hack ‘n’ Squirt Acre 100 $ $

5.2.3 Herbicide application, streamline basal bark Acre 200 $ $

5.2.4 Herbicide application on cut stem surface Acre 1 $ $

5.3 Midstory Control

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.3.1 Manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, High Density, cut 1000+ stems/acre

Acre

5.3.2 Manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, Medium Density, cut 501 - 999 stems/acre

5.3.3 Manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, Low Density, cut 500 stems/acre or less

5.3.4 Chemical – High Density, Thinline Spray

1000+ stems/acre

5.3.5 Chemical – Medium Density, Thinline Spray

501 – 999 stems per acre

5.3.6 Chemical – Low Density, Thinline Spray 500 or

less stems per acre

5.3.7 Herbicide application Hack ‘n’ Squirt with less

than 50% rhododendron

5.3.8 Herbicide application Hack ‘n’ Squirt with

more than 50% rhododendron

5.4 Crop Tree Release – Manual Slashdown – Seedlings and Saplings

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.4.1 Manual slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool, release 25 crop trees/acre (42’ x 42’ approx. spacing)

5.4.2 Manual slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool, release 50 crop trees/acre (30’ x 30’ approx. spacing)

5.4.3 Manual slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool, release 100 crop trees/acre (20’ x 20’ approx. spacing)

5.4.4 Manual slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool, release 200 crop trees/acre (15’ x 15’ approx. spacing)

5.4.5 Manual slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool, release 300 crop trees/acre (12’ x 12’ approx. spacing)

5.5 Crop Tree Release – Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark (Seedlings and Saplings)

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.5.1 Select and release 25 crop trees/acre (42’ x 42’

approx. spacing) by treating competing vegetation.

5.5.2 Select and release 50 crop trees/acre (30’ x 30’

5.5.3 Select and release 100 crop trees/acre (20’ x 20’

5.5.4 Select and release 200 crop trees/acre (15’ x 15’

5.5.5 Select and release 300 crop trees/acre (12’ x 12’

5.6 Non-native invasive species control

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.6.1 Foliar Application of herbicides using

power equipment

5.6.2 Foliar or basal bark application using low

volume, low pressure backpack sprayer

5.7 Southern Pine Beetle Suppression

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.7.1 Cut and Leave (manual or machine felling) Acre 1 $ $

5.8 Fireline Construction (Handline)

Quantity

Unit

Price

Total

Price

5.8.1 Construct fireline, 4 feet wide, free of wood

debris and exposing mineral soil. Use hand tools such as fire rake and chainsaw

Linear

Foot

Tasks and Quantity Pricing

Tasks with estimated quantities: Estimated quantities for Base Year are shown. These estimated quantities are based upon past consumption, current work plans, and projected need and are represented as the Government’s best estimate for work ordered during the base year of the contract.

Tasks estimated as 1 acre: It is not known if these tasks will be ordered during the contract period. A quantity of 1 is used for establishing a unit price.

Tasks with * for estimated quantities: These tasks are required so infrequently that no price is requested at this time. If work in these items is needed, the price will be negotiated at the time the task order is issued.

If a requirement of a particular task order does not fit into the categories in the schedule, or circumstances exist which significantly increase or decrease the work required for a particular task, prices for that task order will be negotiated at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Unknown future needs that are not described in the schedule or descriptions of work may arise. Contracting Officer will negotiate contract pricing, performance time, and start date when need is identified.

Option Year Pricing

Exercise of Option Periods will be at the unilateral discretion of the Government, with each subsequent Option being exercised with a 2.75% upward adjustment applied to each base unit price, which will be cumulative in nature.

FAR 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the

Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is from date of award through one calendar year. Four option years will follow. Each option year shall be exercised for one calendar year at the unilateral discretion of the Government. The performance time for each Task Order will be stated on the Task Order.

Ordering

In accordance with clause 52.216-18, Ordering, task orders under this contract may be placed by warranted Contracting

Officers on the Cherokee National Forest.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2017_2.html#wp1078150

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK

All estimated quantities of work shown in the Schedule of Items are for the base year only. These estimates are not a representation that these estimated quantities will be required or ordered, or that conditions affecting requirements will be stable or normal. These estimates were obtained from records of previous requirements and consumption, current work plans, or projected need, and are based on the most current information available.

Contractor must be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers

Protection Act. Contractor will follow all State and Federal regulations, including OSHA guidelines.

The State of Tennessee requires contractors to have both a Tennessee State Pesticide Applicator’s license and a Tennessee pest control charter. For more information, go to the website link:

http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/licenses.shtml

Task orders will be issued as Government needs arise. Each order will contain specific quantities and tasks to be performed; performance period and specific date of Notice to Proceed will be negotiated. The CO may issue a task order unilaterally if needed and the contractor has 5 days after receipt of order to take exception to the performance period. Specific area data and maps will be issued with each order.

Contractor may accept the established base unit pricing or may, at his sole discretion, request to enter into negotiations for a change in unit price if evidence furnished to the Government resasonably establishes a basis for adjustment.

DEFINITIONS

BOUNDARIES: Most boundaries have previously been marked by paint slashes on sides of trees or by hanging flagging around each area. Others may have fences, roads, timber age changes, or natural structures which were used as boundaries.

SALVAGE RIGHTS: No salvage rights exist under this contract.

RE-MEASUREMENT: The Contractor may at any time after issuance of a task order request re-measurement of an area. The request must be in writing. Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for areas less than one (1) acre. The Contractor will pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in an increase of less than 10 percent.

Method of re-measurement to be used will be determined by the Government.

PAYMENT: Payment for performed work will be based on actual work completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The Contractor will provide a Contractor Representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person, who will act for the Contractor when the

Contractor is absent, will be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor

Representative will have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contractor Representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and communicate with the Contractor’s employees.

http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/licenses.shtml

PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: Any improvements damaged by the Contractor’s work will be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the Contractor’s expense.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

Item 1: Project area maps (1:24,000) scale for each area; vicinity maps that show the general location of the areas on each unit.

Item 2: Tree seedlings will be furnished by the Forest Service to Contractor in sealed bags or bundles.

Contractor shall be responsible for loading and transporting seedlings from the storage sites located at District

Work Centers to the planting areas; and for sorting, separating and untangling necessary for planting of seedlings.

For the purpose of FAR 52.245-1, Government Furnished Property, seedlings will be considered delivered to the Contractor upon Contractor’s loading on his vehicle for transportation to planting sites. Seedlings must be picked up daily between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Not more than a one-day-supply of seedlings will be picked up on any one day, with the exception being a two-days-supply may be picked up on Friday. Any change in the above times for pick-up must be approved by the COR.

Item 3: Emergency Spill Kit

Item 4: The following herbicides will be furnished by the Government:

BRAND NAME HERBICIDE NAME

Transline Clopyralid

Arsenal Imazapyr

Garlon 3A Triclopyr amine

Carlon 4 Triclopyr ester

Accord or Forester Select Glyphosate

Cide-Kick Spray Adjuvant for herbicides

JLB Oil Spray Adjuvant for herbicides

Dyes Mixed with Herbicide to show areas treated

RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS – APPLICABLE TO MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES

Improvements such as fences, gates, property boundaries, corner monuments and trees that are marked or identified with paint, signs, tags, and/or blazes will be protected by the Contractor.

Trees that are located adjacent to roads, firelines, fences, private property, right-of-ways, or other structures and are designated for cutting will be severed and felled so as not to damage, lean on, clog or otherwise obstruct existing structures or facilities.

The Contractor will notify the COR immediately of any damaged structures and repair damages that have resulted from the Contractor’s operations.

Vegetation placed on rights-of-way as a result of contract work will be removed unless otherwise directed by the COR.

All cut vegetation will be lopped and scattered to lie within two feet of the ground for approximately one hundred feet on either side of a highway or trail that has been designated as having a slash treatment zone on the contract unit map unless otherwise directed by the COR.

Timing of operations will be constrained as needed to avoid conflicts with recreation, Threatened and

Endangered species, wet soil conditions or other time-sensitive factors.

Contractor will not treat trees reserved to meet other resource objectives such as wildlife habitat, visual quality, stream bank stability, etc. Identification of these trees will be as agreed with the COR at the time each task order is made.

A minimum of 20 square feet of basal area (the cross-sectional area of a tree stem at 4.5’ above the ground) per acre of canopy or midstory trees will be retained within 25 feet of ephemeral stream channels as agreed with COR during any tree cutting activities.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

5.1 MANUAL TREE PLANTING

5.1.1 Plant 100 Bare-Root Pine per Acre

Plant 112 Bare-Root Pine Seedlings per acre on spacing of 20’ by 20’ to achieve a minimum of 95 properly planted trees per acre and a maximum of 112 properly planted trees per acre.

5.1.2 Plant 200 Bare-Root Pine per Acre

Plant 200-Bare-Root Pine Seedlings per acre on spacing of 15’ by 15’ to achieve a minimum of 190 properly planted trees per acre and maximum of 210 trees per acre.

5.1.3 Plant 300 Bare-Root Pine per Acre

Plant 300 Bare-Root Pine Seedlings per acre on spacing of 12’ x 12’ to achieve a minimum of 285 properly planted trees per acre and maximum of 315 trees per acre.

“Pine” includes any species of conifer.

Timing of Operations

Planting operations may be implemented when sufficient soil moisture is available. Annual seasonal rains normally began in December providing sufficient soil moisture. About ninety percent of the planting is scheduled between January 1 st and March 15 th . The remaining ten percent may be completed in the fall after the first rains and before Christmas.

Seedlings

Seedlings will be furnished in sealed bags or bales. Contractor shall be responsible for loading and transporting seedlings from the storage site to the planting site. Seedlings will be considered delivered to the Contractor when the Contractor loads seedlings on his vehicle for transporting to planting sites.

Seedlings may only be picked up during the specified hours and days except by prior arrangement with the COR. Not more than one day’s supply of seedlings can be picked up on any one day, except a two day supply may be picked up on Friday or the day preceding a Federal holiday.

The Forest Service will coordinate with the contractor to have sufficient fresh seedlings on hand to meet the agreed upon starting date, estimated crew size, and expected rate of progress. Seedlings are perishable and have limited viability during storage. Once lifted at the nursery, packed and placed in refrigerated storage, survival of seedlings begins to decline. Seedlings stored beyond 21 days are unacceptable planting stock.

The contractor will be responsible for the cost of expired seedlings when seedlings have been ordered and stored based on the contractor’s schedule but have not been planted before their expiration date due to circumstances within the contractor’s control.

The contractor shall plant all trees picked up from refrigerated storage within twenty four hours of accepting delivery unless otherwise approved by the COR. When the COR determines that conditions are unsuitable for planting, the contractor shall return all unplanted trees to the refrigerated storage location with no penalty for delay in planting the delivered trees.

If conditions are outside the following range of preferred weather conditions then the contractor shall take additional precautionary measures as directed by the COR in the protection, care and handling of seedlings during transport and while on planting site:

Air temperature: 33-75 degrees F

Relative humidity: 30- 50 percent

Wind speed: no more than 15 miles per hour

Spacing

Tree spacing may change with the species being planted and the objective being met on each planting site. Maps provided with each delivery order and showing the location of planting sites shall specify the spacing for that site.

Planting Standards for Bare-Root and Containerized Seedlings

Keep seedling bags in the shade in the open air. The Contractor will provide, as a minimum, a a light colored, heat reflective tarpaulin to cover tree seedlings during transport and field storage. Do not store wihin an enclosed vehicle where passive solar heating can occur.

Do not crush, stand or sit on seedling bags.

Do not build a warming fire wihtin 100 feet of area shere seedlings are stored or handled.

Keep seedling bags sealed prior to planting.

Open only one bag at a time. The entire crew will get seedlings out of this bag until the seedlings are used up before opening the next bag.

Quickly remove only enough seedlings to fill planting bags to be carried by the planters. Seedlings should not be exposed to the elements for more than two minutes. Do not separate, untangle, or count out an advnace quantity of seedlings ecept as necessary to grade for unplantable seedlings.

Do not allow planters to carry an excessive amount of seedlings. Planting bags should not be filled to the point where “packing” occurs. Do not carry more than a one-hour supply of seedlings in the planting bag.

Tightly close partially used bag as soon as seedlings are removed. Contractor shall provide a clamp or cord to keep bag closed.

Immediately repair any torn, snagged, ripped or punctured bag.

Keep seedling roots moist at all times prior to and during planting. Planters will not be allowed to carry any seedlings in their hands between planting locations. Remove a seedling from the planting bag ONLY when a hole for the seedling has been made.

Contractor shall provide planting bags. The bags shall be of light color, shall not retain water or heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches, shall be free of defects or contaminates, and shall be constructed to allow easy and unrestricted extraction of tree seedlings, one at a time. Seedlings shall be carried in seedling bag or other suitable container allowing the seedlings to be kept moist and protected.

One seedling shall be planted in a trash-free hole.

Trash such as leaves, litter, duff etc. will be removed in the area surrounding the planting hole.

Do not plant seedlings in frozen ground, during freezing weather, or other unsatisfactory conditions as determined by the COR.

Soil moisture shall be present to a depth of at least six inches.

All planting areas in and adjacent to surface obstructions such as windrows, tree tops and/or rocks shall be planted.

Do not plant within clearing limits of any designated system road or power line right-of-way or within fifteen feet of fence, or existing tree line.

Do not plant in standing water.

Seedlings shall not be planted within twelve inches of large mounds of dirt, or stump holes large enough to hamper root growth of seedling.

Pine seedlings will be planted following the procedures shown in the attached exhibits, “How to Plant

Forest Tree Seedlings” and “Trees Planted in an Unsatisfactory Manner”.

Hand planting tools will be a dibble bar, mattock, hoedad, etc. The penetrating portion of the blade will not be less than ten (10”) inches long and four (4”) inches wide.

Lean of planted seedling shall not exceed twenty (20) degrees.

Soil shall be firmly packed around each planted seedling and the planting hole shall be closed at the bottom as well as at the top. Debris in the planting hole such as leaves, bark, wood or stones is unacceptable. Seedlings must be planted with roots in soil firmly enough to not move when the seedling is pulled by the terminal group of needles.

The ideal pine seedling is a balanced, sturdy stemmed, medium-sized seedling seven to thirteen inches in height with a well-developed, fibrous root system.

TABLE B

Minimum Quality Measure

Stem Length: 7 inches

Root Collar Diameter: 1/4 inch

Root Length: 7 inches

Lateral Roots: Abundant

Winter buds: Present

Stem: Hard, woody, bark-covered

Seedlings will not be culled in the field without agreement with the COR. Criteria shown in Table B above will be used as guidelines to culling, if necessary. In addition, seedlings with forked tops, having evidence of fusiform rust, or other noted undesirable traits will not be planted.

Seedling roots have been root pruned in the nursery. Roots will not be pruned in the field without agreement with the COR.

When seedlings are being separated, do not beat seedlings against objects to loosen the roots.

Do not shake off or remove moisture retentive root coatings.

Lateral roots are the primary source of water and nutrient uptake; protect and keep them intact.

Shortleaf pine seedlings shall be planted with the S-shape in stem (‘basal crook’, if present) showing even with or just above the mineral soil ground line, allowing, as needed, for settling of planting hole fill.

Seedlings shall be unacceptable if; (1) the root system has a “U”, “J”, or “L” configuration within the planting slit, (2) the planting hole is closed at the top but open at the bottom resulting in an ‘air pocket’,

(3) the roots are twisted or balled together, or (4) the roots have been pruned to below minimum acceptable lengths.

To avoid possible root damage, do not use planting tools to maneuver roots of seedling into the planting hole.

Following is an example of the proper planting procedure for bare root seedlings:

Planting holes shall be constructed according to the attached pictures. After a proper planting slit is made, insert the seedling until the taproot reaches the bottom of the planting slit, then raise the seedling to the proper planting depth. After the seedling is raised to the proper planting depth and it is in a vertical position without leaning, close the planting slit at the bottom and then the top and pack the soil around the planting hole. Proper planting can be determined for pines by grasping four of the terminal needles. If the seedling moves up when the four needles are pulled, the seedling is improperly packed. If the seedling remains still and the four needles release, packing is suitable.

5.1.4 Plant 100 containerized pine seedlings per acre

Plant 100 containerized pine seedlings per acre on a spacing of 20’ by 20’ to achieve a minimum of 95 properly planted trees per acre and a maximum of 112 properly planted trees per acre.

5.1.5 Plant 200 containerized pine seedlings per acre

Plant 200 containerized pine seedlings per acre on a spacing of 15’X 15’ to achieve a minimum of 190 properly planted trees per acre and a maximum of 210 trees per acre.

“Pine” includes any species of conifer.

The soil medium within which the containerized seedling was grown in the nursery, called a seedling plug, will remain intact with the root system. The seedling plugs shall be kept moist but not water soaked to ensure a healthy seedling.

The contractor shall furnish planting tools appropriate to the plug length being planted.

The seedling plugs shall be placed no deeper than one-half inch below the ground line and the top of the plug will be covered with soil at the planting site to prevent the wicking of moisture from the very porous nursery planting medium. Organic materials such as leaves, duff, bark, or chips will not be used as a substitute for mineral soil to cover the plug.

The native soil around the seedling plug should be firmed up. However, be careful not to step on the seedling. Seedlings must be planted so as to withstand being pulled up by the terminal group of needles.

Containerized seedlings will be planted using a tool that will prepare a planting hole the same shape and size (diameter and depth) of the seedling plug.

The ideal pine seedling should be a balanced, sturdy stemmed, medium-sized seedling seven to thirteen inches in height with a well-developed, fibrous root system contained within the seedling plug.

Do not shake off or remove soil that is contained within the seedling plug.

TABLE C

Stem Length: 5 inches

Root Collar Diameter: 1/4 inch

Plug Length: 6 inches

Lateral Roots: Abundant

Seedlings will not be culled in the field without agreement with the COR. Criteria shown in Table C above will be used as guidelines to culling, if necessary. In addition, seedlings with forked tops, having evidence of fusiform rust, or other noted undesirable traits will not be planted.

Correct planting, step by step, is as follows:

STEP 1: At the proper spacing within the row, pick a location and scalp a suitable planting spot to mineral soil.

STEP 2: Insert the entire usable tip of the planting tool (6 inches) straight down into the soil at the center of the planting spot.

STEP 3: Place the containerized seedling in the hole so that the root collar is located at ground level but not more than ½ inches below the scalped ground level.

STEP 4: After inserting and compressing the tree seedling, fill depression with ½ inch of soil to cover the growing medium at the top of the root plug. This will prevent the root mass from “wicking” or drying out. This step is essential for satisfactory planting. Be careful not to step on the seedling with a foot during this operation.

5.1.6 Plant 25 Hardwood Seedlings per acre

Plant 25 bare-root hardwood seedlings per acre to achieve a minimum of 24 properly planted trees per acre and a maximum of 26 properly planted trees per acre.

5.1.7 Plant 50 Hardwood Seedlings per acre

Plant 50 bare-root hardwood seedlings per acre to achieve a minimum of 47 properly planted trees per acre and a maximum of 53 properly planted trees per acre.

Planting equipment will be a shovel, gasoline-powered auger, tractor-mounted auger, or other digging equipment that will excavate a planting hole equivalent to a 6” diameter auger.

The planting hole shall be at least as deep as the length of the seedling taproot or – if a species without a taproot – of a sufficient depth to avoid bending roots sideways or upward.

Seedlings shall be planted upright. Seedlings with a lean of more than 15 degrees off of vertical are unacceptable.

Seedlings shall be planted at a depth that leaves the root collar just at the top of the planting hole fill surface and the planting hole shall be filled to the same level as the original ground surface.

Soil shall be firmly packed around each planted seedling by alternately filling a layer and packing it then adding more soil until all excavated soil has been replaced in the planting hole.

The ideal hardwood seedling is a balanced, sturdy stemmed, medium-sized seedling thirty-six to forty-eight inches in height with a well-developed, fibrous root system with numerous first order lateral (FOLR) roots.

TABLE D

Stem Length: 36-48 inches

Root Collar Diameter: ½ - 3/4 inch

Root Length: 12-15 inches

First Order Lateral Roots: Abundant

If culling of seedlings is necessary, it will be done by Forest Service personnel unless the COR agrees to the contractor culling seedlings in advance of it being done. Criteria listed in Table D above are the guidelines for deciding whether or not a seedling is acceptable as planting stock.

Seedling roots have been root pruned in the nursery. Roots will not be pruned in the field without agreement with the COR.

When seedlings are being separated, do not beat seedlings against objects to loosen the roots.

Do not shake off or remove moisture retentive root coatings.

Lateral roots are the primary source of water and nutrient uptake; protect and keep them intact.

Seedlings shall not be planted so as to result in “U”, “J”, or “L” root configurations or in twisted or balled root systems. Tangled root systems shall be gently shaken out or straightened by hand until roots are free.

To avoid possible root damage, do not use planting tools to maneuver roots of seedlings into or inside of the planting hole.

Following is an example of the proper planting procedure for bare root seedlings:

After a proper planting hole is made, insert the seedling until the taproot reaches the bottom of the planting slit, then raise the seedling to the proper planting depth. After the seedling is raised to the proper planting depth and it is in a vertical position without leaning, partially fill the planting hole and pack the soil around the seedling then add more fill, pack and continue until the planting hole is re-filled to the original ground surface.

5.2 SITE PREPARATION FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION

5.2.1 Manual Slashdown by Chainsaw

Completely sever all live stems of woody vegetation that are 1.0 inches or greater in basal diameter and less than 7.0 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh). Include trees (oak, poplar, pine, and others) and shrubs (rhododendron, laurel, and grapevine). Leave stump heights as low as possible and not more than

4 inches on the uphill side of stump. Any trees with 1/3 of less of original crown that were damaged from logging operations will also be slashed down.

No restriction on time of year to perform this task.

5.2.2 Herbicide Application by Hack’n’Squirt

Treat all red maple, striped maple, black locust, sourwood, sassafras, birch, rhododendron, yellow poplar, mountain laurel, wahoo and black gum less than 7.0 inches in diameter at breast height and 1 inch or larger basal diameter. Grapevines larger than 1 inch basal diameter shall be treated with the exception of five grapevines per acre and grape arbors. Individual vines to be left will be on low quality trees. No treatment may be performed from February 15 to May 1.

Use cutting tool such as hand axe to make horizontal cuts in bark to the cambium layer of wood and apply herbicide using a calibrated hand applicator as follows:

1. Cuts will be made so they encircle the tree stem with no more than two inches between the cuts (hacks).

2. Make cuts horizontal to ground.

3. Cuts will pierce the bark and penetrate into the wood.

4. Cuts will form a pocket to hold the chemicals.

5. Herbicide applicators will be metered to release one milliliter of chemical mixture into each cut. If using spray bottles apply material until it fills the cut.

6. Cuts will be within five feet of the ground and will be at the same level on an individual tree.

7. Chemical will be thoroughly agitated before filling the applicator.

8. Trees will not be treated when air temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or during or within one hour before heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall would be sufficient to dilute or wash out herbicide with cuts.

9. Herbicide is furnished by USFS as government furnished property.

10. See section on Herbicide Standards Common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.2.3 Herbicide Application Streamline basal bark

Treat multiple stump sprouts (not single stem sprouts) from red maple, striped maple, magnolia, yellow poplar, black gum, birch, sourwood, locust, sassafras and other species as directed in the Delivery Order as follows:

1. Treat stems up to 4 inch basal diameter using streamline method. Supervisor and crew must be able to identify tree species during dormant season (leaf-off).

2. No oak, hickory, cherry, ash, basswood, beech, sugar maple will be treated.

3. Application equipment will consist of low volume, low pressure backpack sprayer with

“spray systems” Gunjet using a .001 tip (.002 in cold weather).

4. All stems designated for treatment shall be sprayed on one side at a point between 12 inches and 24 inches above the ground line to form a treated zone that is at least 6 inches in height. Treat both sides of stems that are 3 to 4 inches in basal diameter.

5. Treat either dormant or growing season; however, dormant season is preferred to ensure material reaches target stem and is not intercepted by leaves, grasses, or other vegetation.

6. Herbicide is furnished by USFS as government furnished property.

7. See section on Herbicide Standards common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.2.4 Herbicide Application on cut stem surface

Treat designated stems by cutting and at or near ground line and immediately applying herbicide as directed in delivery order to the fresh cut stump as follows:

1. The outer one inch of the cut surface of the stump will be sprayed until wet around the entire circumference of the stump.

2. Stump spray will be done as soon as possible after the tree is cut, but no longer than 20 minutes afterward.

3. The herbicide solution will be thoroughly agitated before filling the squirt bottle or sprayer.

4. Trees to be stump sprayed will not be cut during rainfall, and all trees already cut when rainfall begins will be immediately stump sprayed.

5. Trees will not be cut and stump sprayed when the air temperature is 32 degrees or less.

6. See section on Herbicide Standards common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.3 MIDSTORY CONTROL

5.3.1 Midstory manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, High Density, cut 1000+ stems/acre

Treat trees designated in delivery order by slashing down at or near ground level. Tree diameters at breast height will range from 4 inches to 8 inches.

5.3.2 Midstory manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, Medium Density, cut 501-999 stems/acre Treat trees designated in delivery order by slashing down at or near ground level. Tree diameters at

5.3.3 Midstory manual slashdown by chainsaw/mechanical, Low Density, cut 500 stems/acre or less

Treat trees designated in delivery order by slashing down at or near ground level. Tree diameters at

5.3.4 Midstory High Density chemical, Thinline Spray 1000+ stems/acre

5.3.5 Midstory Medium Density chemical, Thinline Spray 501-999 stems/acre

5.3.6 Midstory Low Density chemical, Thinline Spray 500 or less stems/acre

5.3.7 Herbicide Application Hack’n’Squirt with less than 50% occupied by rhododendron

Treat trees that are from 4 inches to 8 inches in diameter at breast height with herbicide application using the hack’n’squirt method. Treat all red maple, striped maple, black locust, sourwood, sassafras, birch, rhododendron, yellow poplar, mountain laurel, wahoo and black gum less than 7 inches in diameter at breast height and 1 inch in basal diameter (measured at 6’ above ground line). Grapevines greater than 1 inch basal diameter shall be hacked and squirted with the exception of five grapevines per acre and grape arbors. Individual vines to be left will be left in low quality trees. No treatment may be performed from

February 15 to May 1. No oak, hickory, cherry, ash, basswood, beech, sugar maple will be treated.

Use cutting tool such as hand axe to make horizontal cuts in bark to the cambium layer of wood and apply herbicide using a calibrated hand applicator as follows:

1. Cuts will be made so they encircle the tree stem with no more than two inches between cuts.

2. Cuts will be horizontal to ground.

3. Cuts will pierce the bark and penetrate into the wood.

4. Cuts will form a pocket to hold the chemicals.

5. Herbicide applicators will be metered to release one milliliter of chemical into each cut.

If using spray bottles this will be enough material so it just begins to flow from cut mark.

6. Chemical will be thoroughly agitated before filling the applicator.

7. Trees will not be treated when the air temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less, or during or within one hour before heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall sis that which might dilute or wash out herbicide within cuts.

8. Herbicide is furnished by USFS as government furnished property.

9. See section on Herbicide Standards Common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.3.8 Herbicide Application Hack’n’Squirt with more than 50% occupied by rhododendron

Treatments as described in 5.3.2 above except sites are more than 50% occupied by rhododendron.

5.4 CROP TREE RELEASE – MANUAL SLASHDOWN (SEEDLINGS AND SAPLINGS)

5.4.1 Manual Slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 25 crop trees per acre (42’x 42’ approximate spacing). These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Crop tree species will be designated in Delivery Order and will be released by:

Slashdown of all stems competing with the upper ½ of crown of selected crop trees within a 6-foot radius from the edge of the crop tree.

Cut all competing grapevines that are in or could climb into selected crop tree.

Cut stems as close to ground line as possible, but no higher than 12 inches above ground level on uphill side.

If selected crop tree originates from a common stump, cut competing sprouts flush with stump.

All treated stems may remain leaning against untreated stems.

5.4.2 Manual Slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 50 crop trees per acre (30’x 30’ approximate spacing). These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Crop tree species will be designated in Delivery Order and will be released by:

(see bulleted list, above.)

5.4.3 Manual Slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 100 crop trees per acre (20’x 20’ approximate spacing). These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Crop tree species will be designated in Delivery Order and will be released by:

5.4.4 Manual Slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 200 crop trees per acre (15’x 15’ approximate spacing). These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Crop tree species will be designated in Delivery Order and will be released by:

5.4.5 Manual Slashdown by chainsaw or other cutting tool (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 300 crop trees per acre (12’x 12’ approximate spacing). These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Crop tree species will be designated in Delivery Order and will be released by:

5.5 CROP TREE RELEASE – HERBICIDE APPLICATION STREAMLINE BASAL BARK

(SEEDLINGS AND SAPLINGS)

5.5.1 Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark

Select and release 25 crop trees per acre (42’x42’ approximate spacing) by treating competing vegetation. Competing vegetation is the same as described in 5.4.1 above for manual treatment. These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Methodology:

1. Treat stems up to 4 inch basal diameter using streamline method. Supervisor and crew must be able to identify tree species during dormant season (leaf-off).

2. Application equipment will consist of low volume, low pressure backpack sprayer with

“spray systems” Gunjet using a .001 tip (.002 in cold weather).

3. All stems designated for treatment shall be sprayed on one side at a point between 12 inches and 24 inches above the ground line to form a treated zone that is at least 6 inches in height.

Treat both sides of stems that ar 3 to 4 inches in basal diameter.

4. Treat either dormant or growing season; however, dormant season is preferred to ensure material reaches target stem and is not intercepted by leaves, grasses, or other vegetation.

5. Herbicide is furnished by USFS as Government-Furnished Property.

6. See section on Herbicide Standards common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.5.2 Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 50 crop trees per acre (30’x30’ approximate spacing) by treating competing vegetation. Competing vegetation is the same as described in 5.4.1 above for manual treatment. These stands are generally from 1 to 10 years old. Methodology: see list in 5.5.1, above.

5.5.3 Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 100 crop trees per acre (20’x20’ approximate spacing) by treating competing vegetation. Competing vegetation is the same as described in 5.4.1 above for manual treatment. These

5.5.4 Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 200 crop trees per acre (15’x15’ approximate spacing) by treating competing vegetation. Competing vegetation is the same as described in 5.4.1 above for manual treatment. These

5.5.2 Herbicide Application Streamline Basal Bark (Seedlings and Saplings)

Select and release 300 crop trees per acre (12’x12’ approximate spacing) by treating competing vegetation. Competing vegetation is the same as described in 5.4.1 above for manual treatment. These

5.6 NON-NATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL

5.6.1 Foliar Spray Using Power Equipment

Treat kudzu, multiflora rose, autumn olive, privet, fescue and other non-native species as directed in delivery order by applying foliar spray to leaf surfaces.

1. Areas will be accessible by vehicles but may require up to 300 feet of hose to be laid from road to treat entire site.

2. All foliage of target species will be sprayed to the point of run off.

3. When spraying kudzu all vines that cannot be reached by spray will be severed and the cut stem surface treated with spray.

4. See section on Herbicide Standards Common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.6.2 Foliar or Basal Bark Spray Using Low Volume, Low Pressure Backpack Sprayer

Treat kudzu, multiflora rose, autumn olive, privet, fescue and other non-native species as directed in delivery order by applying foliar spray to leaf surfaces.

1. Area is not accessible by vehicle due to distance from road (up to 1 mile from road), topography, or barriers that may prevent vehicle access.

2. Foliage spray will be applied to the point of run off, if performing basal bark application treat following direction under 5.2.3.

3. When spraying kudzu all vines that cannot be reached by spray will be severed and the cut stem surface treated with spray.

4. See section on Herbicide Standards Common to all methods of application on page 17.

5.7 SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE SUPPRESSION

Cut and Leave

For Southern Pine Beetle suppression all pine trees within designated buffer zone around active infestation are felled with their tops toward the center of the infested “spot”. No pine trees will be felled outside the buffer or infested spot into standing, healthy, uninfested live green trees. Dead pine will not be cut unless needed for safety reasons. Hardwood stems will not be cut unless part of negotiated site preparation for regeneration of the infested area.

5.8 FIRELINE CONSTRUCTION (HANDLINE)

Construct fireline in preparation for prescribed burn activities. Fireline will be 4 feet wide, free of wood debris and exposing mineral soil. Use hand tools such as fire rake and chainsaw. This item will only be ordered with vegetation management work, and fireline would be constructed at or adjacent to project sites.

HERBICIDE STANDARDS COMMON TO ALL METHODS OF APPLICATION

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