StatementOfWork.doc.docx

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1. SCOPE

It is the intent of this contract to secure services for release of natural and planted trees from competing vegetation and allow increased sunlight to reach the seedlings and less competition for the seed trees; thus allowing them to grow faster and afford them better survival and health. This will require cutting down of small trees and brush that are shading or competing with the trees according to specifications described below. The contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified. The work shall be accomplished using hand or power tools, whichever the contractor desires as long as the desired results are achieved. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and supplies.

C.2. DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

Bidders are urged to inspect the Bid Item and work areas prior to submission of a proposal. It is impossible to fully describe the areas, work problems, and other conditions that may be factors in submitting a bid. Only by physical inspection can the prospective bidder be assured of the existing conditions. Arrangements for inspection can be made by contacting the Watersmeet Ranger District.

All items are located on the Ottawa National Forest, Iron River Ranger District (Iron County, Michigan.)

ITEM

Sec. 14 ReAd Oxbox Payment Unit #02

Sec. 13

ReAd Oxbox Payment Unit #05

Sec. 13 ReAd Oxbox Payment Unit #06

Sec. 14 ReAd Oxbox Payment Unit #07

Sec. 14 ReAd Oxbox Payment Unit #09

ITEM

Sec. 6 Re Ad Splake Payment Unit # 01

Sec. 6 ReAd Spalake Payment Unit # 04

Sec. 1 ReAd Spale Payment Unit # 06

Sec. 6 ReAd Splake.

Payment Unit #09

Sec. 8 Wooden Nickle Payment Unit # 11

Sec. 8 Wooden Nickle Payment Unit # 12

Sec. 8 Wooden Nickle Payment Unit # 13

Sec. 8 and 9 Wooden Nickle Payment Unit # 14

Sec. 8 Wooden Nickle Payment Unit # 15

C.3. DEFINITIONS

1) Canopy Gaps – a space in the tree canopy created by the removal of one or more trees from the main stand of trees. Canopy gaps are measured from the edge of the tree crown along the edge of the opening to the edge of the tree crown across the opening. Canopy gaps provide diversity and allow for regeneration of desirable tree species.

2) Cleaning – Release treatment to free favored seedlings/saplings from less desirable trees that overtop them, or are likely to do so.

3) Crop Trees – desirable trees that are left in the stand.

4) DBH (Diameter Breast Height) – Diameter of the trunk of the tree measured at 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

5) Lop and Scatter – to cut limbs from the trunks of cut trees, and move and rearrange slash concentrations to achieve a slash depth required in the contract.

6) Release – the act of freeing a young stand of desirable trees from competition of undesirable vegetation that suppress or threaten to suppress them.

7) Release (Individual Tree) – Release thinning around individual crop trees for a specified distance around the crop trees.

8) Release (Area) – Release thinning which removes all competing vegetation in the stand except for crop and reserve trees.

9) Reserve Tree – A tree designated to be left.

10) Sapling – Young tree or shrub species generally considered greater than 1 (one) inch in diameter but less than 5 (five) inches in diameter measured at DBH.

11) Seedling- Young tree or shrub species generally less than 1 (one) inch in diameter measured at DBH.

12) Slash – Limbs and trunks of downed trees.

13) Snags – standing dead trees.

14) Tree Crown – the living branches of a tree.

C.4. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Specifications for all Bid Items:

A. Cleaning Northern Hardwood Canopy Gaps (Bid Item #1 and #2)

a) The Contractor shall identify the location of the canopy gaps unless stated otherwise in the supplemental specifications.

b) Contractor shall hang ribbon at each canopy gap that is treated for inspection purposes.

c) Canopy gaps are generally created at a frequency of 2 to 6 gaps per acre.

d) Identify canopy gaps created by logging that are 30-80 feet in diameter in size.

e) Clean canopy gaps by cutting low quality seedlings and saplings between ½ inch DBH and 5 inches DBH. The objective is to release suitable “crop trees” or create a growing space to regenerate future “crop trees” within canopy gaps.

f) Cleaning shall “treat” all low quality saplings within the Canopy Gap, including the area up to the boles of trees whose crowns create the perimeter of the Canopy Gap, unless damage will result to those residual trees 5 (inches) or greater in diameter.

g) Annuals such as grasses, sedges, ferns, etc. are not required to be cut.

B. Felling Specifications

a) All trees required to be cut shall be cut below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles.

b) Trees required to be cut shall be completely severed from the stump and lie flat on the ground. No tops shall be left hanging in standing trees.

c) The stump height of cut trees shall not exceed 6 inches above the ground level on the high side of the stump, or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

d) The cut angle of such stumps shall not exceed 20 degrees measured from a horizontal plane extending from the stump at ground level.

e) No boundary trees marked with paint (orange) shall be cut.

f) All snags shall be left.

g) Crops trees as defined in the supplemental specifications shall be retained.

C.5. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

A. The Contractor shall provide cutting tools and equipment that are suitable for the job.

B. All power tools shall be equipped with Forest Service approved spark arrestors and shall be in good operating condition.

Biobased Products

The Contractor must comply with the Agricultural Act of 2014; the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA), 7 U.S.C. 8102; the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), 7 U.S.C. 8102; the Federal Acquisition Regulation; Executive Order (EO) 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance,” dated October 5, 2009; EO 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management,” dated January 24, 2007; and Presidential Memorandum, “Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement,” dated February, 2012 to provide biobased products.

All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quantity that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards, and to the extent feasible and reasonable; include the exclusive use of biobased and recycled products.

The Contractor shall utilize products and material made from biobased materials to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered to the end user. All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quality that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards. All supplies and materials to be used in the performance of work described herein are subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

The following is an example list of products that may be used in this contract for which biobased products are available. The list is not all inclusive. It is desirable that vendors be able to supply the greatest number of biobased products listed meeting the health and environmental specifications.

Equipment Lubricants, Hydraulic Fluids, Fuel Additives, Engine Oils.

For more information regarding the Department of Agriculture Biobased Program go to: http://www.biopreferred.gov.

C.6. ROAD USE AND MAINTENANCE

A. All roads leading into each project area to be worked are to be kept open and free of any debris that may occur as a result of the work.

B. All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started.

C. Prior to the start of work, the Contractor and COR will review and document existing road conditions to provide a basis for maintenance needs.

C.7. SLASH TREATMENT

A. All existing slash and slash resulting from the Contractor's operations shall be pulled back at least 10 feet from perennial and intermittent stream courses, lakes, ponds, vernal ponds, trails, culverts, and boundaries adjacent to private land.

B. Within a strip 50 feet wide, measured from the cleared edge of any numbered Forest Service road, all existing slash and slash resulting from Contractor’s operation shall be lopped and scattered to lie within 24 inches of the ground. Slash within 10 feet of the cleared edge of any numbered Forest Service road must be pulled back.

C.8. WORKING AREA BOUNDARIES

A. The boundaries will be shown on the project maps and discussed on the ground before the Contractor commences work.

C.9. RESOURCE PROTECTION

A. Protection of Streams, Lakes and Reservoirs a.) The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent pollution from fuels, oils, chemicals, silt or other harmful materials of any stream, lake or reservoir located in or near the contract areas.

b.) All streams shall be kept free of Contractor-generated debris.

B. Protection of Archaeological/Historical Resources a.) The Contractor, upon discovery of suspected archaeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify the COR.

C. Protection of Improvements a.) The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent damage to any improvement in contract areas such as roads, trails, ditches, fences, etc.

b.) All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started.

D. Protection Of Land Survey Monuments a.) The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments and bearing trees against avoidable destruction, obliterating or damage during Contractor's operations. These will be shown to the Contractor on the ground by the Contracting Officer's Representative or the Inspector.

E. Debris Disposal a.) All gas and oil cans or other litter generated by the Contractor during this contract shall be removed as work progresses.

C.10. CREW ORGANIZATION

A. The Contractor or designated representative shall be on site whenever the crew is working and shall be able to speak and understand English, as well as fully understand and communicate with the crew members.

C.11. SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. Forest Service will work with the Contractor at the beginning of this project to flag out representative canopy gaps and identify crop trees and low quality trees/shrubs to treat.

B. Crop Tree – A seedling or sapling which has the potential of growing straight and tall developing a limb-free and defect-free bole of at least 17 feet in height from the ground.

a. Bid Item #1-Crop trees will be high quality hardwood seedlings/saplings/trees with emphases on hemlock and white pine.

b. Bid Item #2- Crop trees will be high quality hardwood seedlings/sapling/trees.

c. Bid Item # 3- Crop trees will be high quality white pine and hemlock seedling/saplings/trees.

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.2. SITE VISIT

A. 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.

E.3. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

A. All equipment furnished by the Contractor will be inspected prior to start of work to insure compliance with the specifications.

B. Contractor shall hang ribbon at each canopy gap that is treated for inspection purposes.

C. Upon completion of the work, the Contractor shall notify the COR that work on the area is completed. If the completed work is accepted, the Contractor shall proceed with work on the next area. If the work is not accepted, the Contractor shall complete any remedial work required for acceptance prior to commencing work on the next area. Multiple areas may be worked only under agreement with the COR.

D. The COR or inspector will make visual inspections to check for compliance with contract specifications. Inspection plots may be taken if the visual inspections indicate that the work quality may not be acceptable.

E. Compliance of provisions C.4 - C.11 F. Inspection Plots for Individual Tree Release and Canopy Gap Cleaning.

a) Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

1. Number of stems that should have been cut but were not, or were improperly cut (missed stems)

2. Number of crop trees or reserve trees that were cut, but should not have been cut (leave trees cut)

3. The acceptable total number of stems that were or should have been cut.

b) The following formula will be used to calculate the quality of the work for all tree felling projects:

Quality % = (1 - (no. of missed stems + no of leave trees cut * 2)) * 100

no. of stems that were or should have been cut

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.2. CONTRACT TIME

Notification of award will be issued on or about July 15, 2015. Contract period will be from contract acceptance through July 31, 2016.

F.3. SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall submit an operating plan at the post award conference for each contract which outlines a schedule of performance. This plan shall be updated if the Contractor falls behind scheduled dates by more than 25 percent.