1_Statement_of_Work.doc

3/14/2017

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Page Common Stand Exam

COMMON STAND EXAM (CSE) STATEMENT OF WORK

SPECIFICATIONS/DESCRIPTIONS/

STATEMENTS OF WORK

C. 1 INTRODUCTION

C.1.1. Background.

The USDA-Forest Service Shawnee National Forest proposes to contract for technical forestry services to conduct the field phase of a Common Stand Exam (CSE) project. Its purpose is to obtain the site and setting characteristics required to identify stand conditions and capabilities in providing the Government information with which management determinations for natural resources will be made.

C.1.2. Scope of Contract.

Work shall consist of locating, establishing, measuring and recording data for sample plots. The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, services, and facilities necessary for the project and performance of this contract. The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation and the “Region 9 Common Stand Exam Field Guide,” - hereafter known as “CSE Handbook”. Current version can be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ .. If the contract specifications differ from the CSE Handbook, the contract shall take precedence.

This contract is a five year Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Once the minimum guarantee is met as stated in clause 452.216-73, the government is under no obligation to issue additional task orders.

C.1.3. Location and Description. This solicitation is for Common Stand Exams on the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois. Specific stand locations, and maps for each sub item will be provided with the task order. Stand lists and maps for the seed projects are attached to this solicitation. Compartment maps with stand boundary delineations will be provided with task order issuance.

Vicinity Map – Shawnee National Forest

C. 2. DEFINITIONS

The following are definitions that refer to data elements and attributes for collecting Common Stand Exam data.

Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer.

Latitude. The north/south measurement of position that is perpendicular to the earth’s polar axis.

Longitude. An east/west measurement of position in relation to the Prime Meridian, an imaginary circle that passes through the north and south poles.

Microsites. Small areas atypical of the stand, such as wind-throw pockets, micro-drainage ways, seeps, well-rotted logs, or excessively rocky areas.

Navigation. Navigation is the process of traveling from one place to another and knowing where you are in relation to your desired course.

Plot Data Form. The Plot Data form is used to collect data at the plot level and is independent of the information collected at the setting level. This data is collected individually for all sample plots in the stand.

pdr (.cse) File. Personal Data Record is a file format containing filed data that has been created using ExamsPC software. The file extension is .cse.

Sample Design Form. The Sample Design form contains information about how the data was collected, which trees, shrubs and cover are measured, and how the measurements shall be converted to pre-acre values.

Setting Data Form. The Setting Data form in used to collect data that uniquely identifies each stand.

Shape (.shp) File. Shape file is a format developed by ESRI and used in Arcinfo and other GIS packages. The file extension is .shp.

Stand. A stand is a community, particularly of trees, possessing sufficient uniformity as regards composition, age, spatial arrangement, or condition, to be distinguishable from adjacent communities, so forming a silvicultural or management entity.

Waypoint. A specific location saved in the gps receiver’s memory.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP)

C. 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

The Government shall provide the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property or services, for use in the performance of this contract, hereinafter referred to as Government Furnished Property. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government Furnished Property.” FAR clause, (Reference Clause 52.245-1).

Provided with task order.

2 copies Provided with task order.

3.5 Access behind locked gates

www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/

3.8 Exams PC Software and instructions

Exams CE Software Data entry software.

Handheld Personal Data Recorder software.

This software is downloadable from the following website:

www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/#software

All Government furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the contract. Failure to do so may result in charges for damages or replacement.

C.3.1. Services:

(1) At the Contractors request, the Government shall provide one review on the inspection procedures regarding quality assurance. This quality assurance assessment review shall be performed on one plot.

(2) At the Contractors request, the Government shall accompany the Contractor on one plot to review data collection procedures.

(3) At the Contractors request, the Government shall review the Exams PC data entry software.

C. 4. CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS and STANDARDS C.4.1. General.

C4.1.1. Performance period. Multiple task order awards shall not change the required performance period for each item. If multiple items are awarded to one Offeror, the respective performance times shall run concurrently, not consecutively. Work may be performed on each item in succession, provided the required rate of progress is maintained. The Government shall issue a Notice to Proceed as soon as the weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time shall start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed.

C4.1.2. Rate of progress. The Contractor shall maintain the rate of progress specified in the work plan and schedule. The minimum acceptable rate of progress shall occur when the percent of work completed falls within 10 percent of the time used.

C.4.1.3. Access. The project area shall be accessed by State, County or Forest roads. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Stands are accessible by some combination of 2- or 4-wheel drive vehicle and foot travel.

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission, through privately owned land, to gain access to stand locations.

C.4.1.4 Locked gates. In cases where stands are behind locked gates, authorization for limited motorized use may be granted. All requests for motorized travel of closed roads must be submitted in writing to the COR for specific roads and specific periods of time The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that gates remain closed and locked at all times and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use. The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the stand with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew. No access to Contractors or employees will be allowed behind locked gates after periods of work. Motorized access will not be permitted behind locked gates during turkey or deer hunting seasons. Contractor shall adjust work schedule to take the closure time into consideration. No Suspend Work Orders will be issued; contract time will run during this period. Any misuse of this authorization may result in revocation of the permission.

C.5 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED UNIQUE SERVICES, ITEMS, PROPERTY

C.5.1. Tasks and Critical Subtasks

(1) Upon award of a task order, the Contractor shall submit a work plan and schedule for completing data collection on each project area on the USDA-FS Shawnee National Forest land according to the specifications of this Contract and the CSE Handbook.

(2) Contractor may collect/record the setting data and plot/tree data with a portable data recorder using Exams PDR software or may collect the data on paper forms and record the data in a PC using the Exams PC software.

(3) Contractor shall provide appropriate completed setting data forms, plot/tree data forms and other required forms (identified in the solicitation and at the pre-work conference) in Exams PC (.cse) file format.

(4) Contractor shall provide GPS coordinates of plot centers.

(5) Contractor shall plot accurate plot locations on maps provided.

C.6 PLOT LOCATION AND ESTABLISHMENT.

C.6.1. Locating Stands To Be Examined

(1) The Government will furnish to the contractor a list of compartment and stand numbers to be examined. Compartment maps showing the present boundaries of the stands to be examined will be provided. These compartment maps will be used as a reference. The old stand boundaries do not necessarily meet current stand typing requirements. It is the contractor’s responsibility to confirm boundaries of the stands to be examined, and provide information regarding needed boundary changes. Individual stands shall be contiguous. New forested stands must be at least 5 acres and non-forested stands must be at least ½ acre in size. Stands smaller than this standard should be considered inclusions.

(2) During field examination, stand boundaries will be refined as needed based on differences in forest type, size, and density of forest vegetation, stand age, and other factors encountered which would affect management decisions.

C.6.2. Plot Location And Number.

(1) The number of plots for each stand will be determined by the Government. Stands will be sampled by measurements in individual plots dispersed throughout the stand. The number of sample plots is based on the acreage of the stand. If additional stands are broken out of the originally delineated stand, the number of plots will be based on the acreage for each stand. New forested stands must be at least 10 acres and non-forested stands must be at least ½ acre in size. New stands should be numbered with the same number as the original stand number with an added nine (9) character (for example, if stand 0010 is split into two stands one will retain the original stand 010 and the new stand should be labeled 9010). The following guide will be used to determine the number of sample locations needed in each stand:

Sample plot locations will be distributed evenly throughout each assigned stand. Plot locations must be approved by the COR prior to collecting data. The distance between sample locations should not be less than three chains where possible. No plot center shall be located closer than 1 chain from the stand boundary. Plot center locations shall be adjusted if necessary to avoid special protection areas such as streamside zones, seeps, sinkhole ponds, etc. ).

C.6.3. Plot Establishment.

(1) Sample plot centers will be identified on the ground using a cut shrub as a stake, unless otherwise agreed upon with the COR. Tie flagging on the stake to mark it. Tie another 18-24 inch length of flagging to a tree or branch at eye level near plot center. Write the stand number and plot number on this flagging using permanent ink. The Contractor shall provide colored flagging (color will be determined at the pre-work conference) which will last through all environmental conditions until inspections are completed. Trees will be sampled starting at North from plot cetner, moving around in a clockwise manner.

C.6.4. Site Index Trees

(1) One site tree shall be taken per stand inventoried. Record the diameter, total height, species, and age for each site tree. Select a site index tree of the proper species for the Forest Type and is one of the dominant or codominant trees within the stand. The age shall be determined by using an increment bore. Diameter of site trees shall be measured to a tenth of an inch. The increment bore should reach the pith of the tree and age shall be the total rings counted. If the site index tree is not measured on a inventory plot, then record azimuth, bearing, and distance to the site tree from the nearest plot. Increment cores shall be placed back in the hole made by the increment bore and the site tree flagged with two flags (other than the color orange) that go completely around the bole of the tree.

C.7 COMMON STAND EXAM

(1) The Contractor shall locate, establish, measure and record data using variable (10 or 20 basal area factor) and fixed radius subplot that shall be taken at each designated sample point. CSE data shall be collected and recorded in accordance with the CSE Handbook unless specifically modified by this contract. The Contractor shall collect data necessary to complete the following forms Setting Data Form, Sample Design Form and the Tree Data form, as specified in, Chapter 4 Collecting and Recoding Data.

(2) The Contractor shall use appropriate codes in accordance with the CSE Handbook.

(3) The Contractor shall limit Insect and Disease identification to those agents, pests and diseases listed in Appendix 1: Damage Categories, Agents, and Severity Ratings in this document.

C.8 DATA COLLECTION

The following tables demonstrate the required fields for each form that is to be collected and recorded. All data shall be taken in accordance with the CSE Handbook. An “X” in the Exam Level column indicates the required fields for this solicitation.

C.8.1. Setting Form (Exhibit 2).

The Setting Form shall be used to record stand measurements, stand comments, sample point locations (site sketch and traverse notes), as well as design parameters and references.

Quick Plot

Field 3: District.

Field 9: County.

Stand Damage Category. Follow categories in Appendix 1 of this document.

Stand Damage Agent. Will always be coded 000.

Stand Damage Severity. Follow categories in Appendix 1 of this document.

Damage Part. Follow categories in Appendix 1 of this document.

More detailed insect, disease, weather, fire; etc damage data will only be collected on individual trees when required in the individual Requests for Quotations and discussed at the pre-work conference.

C.8.2. Sample design.

The Sample Design Form shall be used to record design parameters provided by the Government.

Required

Form

Type

Or

Form

Type

And Form

Type

C.8.3. Plot/Tree Data Form (Exhibit 3).

The Plot/Tree Data Form shall be used to record tree measurement information. The Contractor shall use the following criteria for selecting trees:

· The Contractor shall use a 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) prism in hardwood forest types to tally all live or dead deciduous and coniferous trees ≥ 1.0” DBH or use a 20 BAF prism in conifer forest types to tally all live or dead coniferous and deciduous trees >. 1.0” DBH for each stand. Trees will be recorded individually and in order starting with the tree to the right of 0˚ azimuth, moving clockwise.

· The Contractor shall install the 1/700 acre (4.45 foot radius) fixed subplot size used in tallying trees ≤ 0.99” DBH. The fixed radius subplot tallies all live conifer and deciduous trees 0.1” DBH to ( 0.99" DBH and all live conifer and deciduous trees 0.5’ height to ( 4.5’ height. Trees may be recorded in groups of same species and heights. Only heights are required for trees less than 4.5’. Both DBH and height are required for trees over 4.5’.

· Fixed radius plot size will vary with slope. Follow the table below

1/ Trees must be within one of the appropriate size classes (see dbh section).

2/ Site trees to nearest foot

3/ Snags only need ocular estimate to nearest foot but there is no accuracy standard Latitude/Longitude

Degrees – maximum of three digits. A leading zero may be entered (i.e. 090).

Minutes – two digits.

Seconds – four digits. Seconds shall be rounded to the nearest hundredth (i.e. 17.36).

Maximum allowed error for plot center location is 10 meters.

Aspect. Record general direction from North in degrees towards which the plot faces. Ex. 0 = Flat, 183 = 183, 999 = Indeterminate/ Undulating

Slope – Optional

Tag ID. Record a number, unique within each plot. On each plot, start with “1” and increment one number for each tree record. Trees ≤ 1.00” to 4.99” DBH may be grouped by DBH class and species. Trees ≥ 5.0” DBH shall be tallied individually. The Tag ID, in conjunction with the plot number, uniquely identifies each line of tree data in the setting.

Tree Status. The following tree class codes shall be used.

Site/Growth Trees. A minimum of one-site tree shall be recorded per stand. To facilitate inspection, all Site Trees shall be marked with flagging tied to the tree and labeled with the tree number, plot number, and “S” for site tree. A distance and azimuth from the nearest plot center (or GPS waypoint) shall be provided for off-plot site trees

Tree Species. Tree species shall be limited to the list included in Appendix H of the CSE Handbook.

Tree Count. Trees ≤ 1.00” to 4.99” DBH may be grouped by DBH class and species. Trees ≥ 5.0” DBH shall be tallied individually. Tree count is based on the 10 or 20 factor basal area tally for each plot. If necessary, the distance measurement should be taken from the face of the tree to plot center and compared to tables in Appendix J of the CSE Users Guide. A tree within the limiting distance is “in” and beyond the limiting distance is “out”.

DBH. The following size classes (in inches) shall be used. The accuracy standard (option 1) is required unless specifically modified in the solicitation where more accuracy is required (option 2 will be used in that case).

The DBH accuracy standard is all trees must be within a dbh class that is within 10% of the actual tree measurement. For example, if a tree actually measures 14.1 inches in dbh (10%+/- provides a range of 12.69 to 15.51 inches), then this tree could be correctly coded as a 12, 14 or 16 inch tree. However, the contractor should be diligent about tree measurement and for this reason if any more than three trees on any one plot are outside their actual dbh class (14.0 inch in this example) then every tree beyond the three will be considered an error.

If any tree is recorded more than one class off its acceptable range (12, 14 or 16 in the example) the error will be doubled. For example, if a tree actually measures 14.1 inches in dbh but is recorded as 20 inches, the error would be doubled.

Snag/Decay Class: The following table is from the CSE Field Guide and should be recorded with a rating from 1-5.

Decay

Breakage

Since

Death

C.8.4. Quality Control. The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan as described in Section E.2. - Contractor Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan.

C.8.5. Work Plan and schedule.

(1) Upon task order award, the Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates work will be completed within the performance period described in individual orders. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal. A supplementary plan and schedules will be provided after issuance of a task order, but before start of work.

(2) The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that is not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

(3) The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress for the Contracting Officer’s approval.

C.8.6. Camping and Worksite Conditions. If the Contractor recommends camping, the Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Shawnee National Forest applicable to forest visitors. The Contractor is responsible for campsite clean up and employee conduct while camping on National Forest land. Requests for camping behind locked gates will be evaluated on a case-by-case bases by the COR. Contractor shall submit camping requests in writing, specifying exact time and dates of desired use behind locked gates. If approved, approval will be granted by the Government in writing.

C. 9. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The following describes the major items in this solicitation with the performance requirements for the work described.

Common Stand Exam Data Collection

· If all Form Scores <20 percent and Total Score < 10 percent work is acceptable.

· If any Form Score > 20 percent, or if Total Score > 10 percent inspection block is unacceptable and returned for rework

· Inspection blocks deficient in specifications under section E.3.2 shall be returned to the Contractor for rework.

Work Plan and Schedule

· Work not completed on schedule is subject to Default and may result in assessment of actual costs.

SECTION D - BLANK

SECTION E - INSPECTION and ACCEPTANCE

E. 2. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

E.2.1. Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days of contract award based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments.

The general QCP must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress.

E.2.2. Plot Inspections. Inspection of the plot data will occur on a minimum of 5% of the plots within the block. Inspections of 5% will be the norm unless problems are discovered. Additional plot inspections (no more than 10% of total plots) will be checked to determine if work is acceptable or not.

E.3 Acceptance and Rework E.3.1. Acceptance.

(1) Acceptance will be determined based on compliance with the contract specifications. Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work. If the Contractor’s work is determined to be unacceptable, the Government may initiate any remedies described in FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services.

(2) When the Contractor’s inspection results fall below the performance standard of < 10 percent for Total Score; based on the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, acceptance and payment will not be made until the deficiency(s) has been corrected.

(3) Quality assurance assessment and payment will be made only on completed stands unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Officer.

(4) The Government shall initiate a pass-fail check of specified standards and procedures for each inspection block. Inspection blocks deficient in the following specifications are unacceptable on a "pass-fail" basis and the entire inspection block shall be returned to the Contractor for rework. The determination of noncompliance with these items may be made during the office edit or during field inspection.

(i) All electronic data must be submitted to the Forest Service in a timely manner.

(ii) Stands submitted with incomplete and/or inaccurate information on any electronic form.

(iii) Electronic data must not contain error and must be readable by Government computers.

(iv) An error found in the Sample Design

(v) All stands must have the prescribed number of sample plots examined.

(vi) All plots must be evenly distributed throughout the stand.

(vii) All plot centers must be at least one chain from the stand boundary and must fall within the stand boundary

(viii) Any sample plot center which cannot be located because of improper labeling, improper reference point labeling, improper GPS referencing or for any reason attributable to noncompliance with specifications. .

(ix) Any tree with a discrepancy in tree status between live and dead

(x) Any tree with a missing or incorrect tree species on live trees > 5.0” DBH

(xi) Any stand without a measured site tree E.3.2. Rework.

(1) Upon notification to the Contractor of a failed inspection block (total score of >10% or individual form >20%), the Contractor shall be required to rework all forms on every plot within the inspection block before beginning work on another inspection block. This will be at no cost to the Government. At the Governments option, during a rework the Contractor may be required to use a different colored ribbon at each plot center. The COR shall specify the color of the ribbon.

(2) The Government is not required to provide more than two quality assurance assessments on any single inspection block. Results of last quality assurance assessment will supercede any prior results for determining acceptability and payment. Failure to pass two quality assurance assessments on a single inspection block may result in the contract being in default.

(3) The Government will assess the Contractor the actual costs of conducting any additional quality assurance. Items that may be included in the actual damages may include wages of the COR and Government inspector(s), costs of vehicles, meals and lodging.

(4) Potential contractors for specific projects are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the costs of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

SECTION F - DELIVERIES of PERFORMANCE

F. 2. DELIVERIES

F.2.1. Contract Performance Time and Required Rate of Progress. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the performance period. The minimum acceptable rate of progress shall occur when the percent of work completed falls within 10% of the time used.

F.2.2. Contract Time. The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the stated contract time. All bid items must be completed by the required completion date. Standard contract time will be 180 days and it is required that Contractor(s) submit a minimum of 10% of work for inspection/acceptance within 30 calendar days of effective date of Notice to Proceed, 50% of the respective Contractor's work must be completed and submitted for inspection/acceptance within 90 calendar days of effective date of Notice to Proceed, and 100% of the respective Contractor’s work must be completed, inspected, and accepted before 180 calendar days. Contract time may vary depending on size of individual task orders. A general rule will be 90 days for orders up to 400 plots, 180 days for orders over 400 plots, and 270 days for orders over 800 plots. . The Government will issue A Notice to Proceed as soon as weather, vegetation, and ground conditions are favorable for work on one or more of the areas. Contract time will start (1) on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed, if the notice is hand-delivered; or (2) Contract Time will start on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor. Failure of the Contractor to pick-up Certified Mail will not be considered excusable.

F.2.3. Work Completed after the performance period. If the Contractor fails to complete work within the contract time, and is allowed to work beyond that period, the Contractor will be assessed actual damages. Items to be included in the actual damage includes but is not limited to: wages of the COR and Government inspector(s) for quality assurance after the performance period, costs of vehicles, meals, and lodging that are incurred while administering the contract after the performance period. The Forest Service retains all other rights available to it for late performance including termination for default.

F.2.4. Unfavorable Conditions. Adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites during the contract period. In addition, hunting pressure during deer and turkey seasons may create adverse working conditions. Upon written request, the Contracting Officer may authorize additional contract time if adverse conditions prevent access to the work sites for ten or more consecutive days.

F. 3. FAR 52.236-6 SUPERINTENDENCE BY THE CONTRACTOR

At all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor.

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 SUBMISSION OF DATA AND INVOICES

(1) The Contractor shall submit completed payment items within seven (7) days after completion of work.

(2) The unit of measure shall be the plot as described in CSE Handbook. Each inspection block shall be a minimum of 30 plots and a maximum of 150 plots. Contractor may deviate from the min/max at the COR’s approval.

(3) The Contractor shall submit with each inspection block the following deliverables:

(a) Contractor shall provide the appropriate completed electronic setting data forms, tree/plot data and other required forms in Exams PC/PDR (.cse) file format.

(b) Contractor shall plot updated stand delineations on a map

(c) Stand list containing stand numbers with corresponding number of plots, examiner name(s) and date(s).

(d) A back-up copy must be held by the contractor until work has been accepted and payment made.

G. 2. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

(1) The Government’s quality assurance will not be initiated until the Contractor submits all data and inspection forms for the inspection block. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane within the established boundaries.

(2) If during the office inspection, the COR determines a discrepancy trend is occurring, the COR shall notify the Contractor of the finding.

(a) If during the field inspection, the COR notices a discrepancy trend developing, the Government may visit plots not selected in the sample, to review the field(s) in question. These plots will be used to determine if a discrepancy trend does exist. The COR shall notify the Contractor of the findings.

(b) If any discrepancy trend continues in any quality assurance assessment(s), the inspection block(s) will be returned for rework.

G.2.1. Re-measurement. If the COR’s original quality assurance assessment results are unacceptable to the Contractor; the Contractor has the option to request, in writing, a re-measurement. Upon the requested re-measurement the Government will conduct a minimum 2 percent sample. Requests for re-measurement shall be made within five (5) calendar days after receipt of non-compliance and shall contain documentation to support the probability that an error exists. The Contractor may accompany the Contracting Officer’s Representative during the re-measurement.

(1) If re-measurement supports a variance of <5 percent, there will be no adjustment and the Government’s final results will supersede the original assessment and be used for the basis of acceptance. The Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement.

(2) If re-measurement results supports a variance of >5 percent, acceptance shall be based on the re-measurement results and the Government shall pay for the re-measurement.

G. 3. METHOD OF PAYMENT

G.3.1. Calculation of Acceptable Scores. A point deduction is given for each deficient entry or procedure within an inspection block. Acceptable tolerance levels for individual measurements are shown on the Inspection Forms. Any item or measurement indicated by inspection to be outside these tolerance levels shall be assigned a point deduction. Point deductions shall be calculated for each form within the inspection block and then averaged for a Total Score. An inspection block may fail based on a Form Score or the Total Score.

(1) Scores for each Inspection Form are determined by the following method. The total point value is calculated by multiplying the point value of a field times the number of lines of data in that field. The number of errors, corresponding to each field, found during the inspections of the inspection block are recorded in Column C-Number of Errors. The Deduction is calculated by multiplying Column C-Number of Errors by Column A-Point Value. The Point Deductions are then totaled and divided by the total point value to determine the Total form Score.

Total Form Score = (Deduct Points ÷ Total Points) x 100 = percent error.

(2) The Total Score is calculated by averaging all the Form Scores. Errors in any field that have a Point Value of "unacceptable" will fail and the entire inspection block shall be returned to Contractor for rework.

(a) All Form Scores < 20.00 percent and Total Score < 10.00 percent = acceptable.

(b) Any Form Score ≥ 20.00 percent = unacceptable, all forms from entire inspection block, shall be returned for rework. No payment.

(c) Total Score > 10.00 percent = unacceptable, all work from entire inspection block shall be returned for rework. No payment.

(3) An inspection block is considered complete when all work has been assessed for quality assurance and accepted for payment.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H. 1. KEY PERSONNEL

(1) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the key personnel identified in their technical proposal and that list may include the following:

(a) Contractor Representative

(b) Foreman/Woman

(2) The Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel without notifying the Contracting Officer within a reasonable timeframe and in advance, and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced.

(3) The Contractor shall make no diversion of personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

(a) The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

H. 2. Prework Conference

(1) Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall attend a meeting to discuss the contract terms, deviations/additions to the Contract, work performance requirements, and safety. Also at this meeting such items as work progress schedule, camping/worksite plan and communications shall be finalized in writing.

SECTION I - BLANK

SECTION J--EXHIBITS

J.1. EXHIBITS

EXAMPLE

Setting Data Form

Proclaimed Region

Proclaimed

Forest

District

Location

(Compt)

Stand Number

Project Name

Owner

USFS

State

IL

County

Admin

Forest

Date mm/dd/yyyy

Exam Level

Exam

Purpose

SE

Existing

Vegetation

Cover Type

Structure

Acres

Precision Protocol

CSE_Q

Examiner

Remarks

Enter below Damage Category

Damage Part

Damage Severity

Tree Parts

Sketch Map

Remarks:

Traverse Notes

Reference Point Information:

Other Information:

Exhibit 2 – Setting Data Form

Tag #

Tree

Status

Site

Tree Tree

Species

Tree

Count

DBH

Height

GST & Snags only

Cat

Exhibit 3 – Plot/Tree Data Form

Exhibit 4 – Setting Data Inspection Form

Standard

Lines # of

Errors Total

(A x B) Deduct

(A x C)

Structure

Subtotal for Setting Data Form

Setting Score: (Deduct Points / Total Points) X 100 = percent error

Inspectors signature:

Date:

Bold entries are collected only when present.

1/ The contractor will be awarded points if remarks provide accurate information on the coverage of established tree regeneration in the understory; presence/location of non-native invasive plants; location of raptor stick nests; or appropriate & alternative prescription for site conditions.

Exhibit 5 – Plot/Tree Data Inspection Form

Field Name

Accuracy

Standard

Lines # of

Errors Total

(A x B) Deduct

(A x C)*

Subtotal for Tree Data Sheet

Plot Score: (Deduct Points / Total Points) X 100 = percent error

Inspectors signature:

Date:

Bold entries are only need to be recorded once per stand. No points will be assigned on plots where a site tree has not been recorded.

1/ Only one site tree per stand is required

2/ All trees must be within one of the appropriate size classes (see dbh section or as modified in the RFQ).

3/ Site index trees to the nearest foot ± 5%; Dead trees (snags) will have no accuracy standard (ocular estimate only) Appendix 1: Damage Category, Damage Agent, Damage Severity and Tree Part Codes

Damage Category

10-general insects 12-defoliators

19-general diseases

30-fire

40-animal

50-abiotic damage

60-competition

70-human activity

80-mulit-damage (insect/disease)

90-unknown

99-physical effects

Damage Agent

Will always be coded 000.

Damage Severity

1-minor

2-severe

Tree Parts

TO-top

FO-foliar (crown)

LI-limb

BO-bole

BA-base

RO-roots

WT-whole tree

BS-buds/shoots of the current year

UN-unspecified

PAGE

USDA-FS Shawnee National Forest

Illinois