SOL.docx

AG-67-T0-14-0018 North Zone Thinning/Fuel Reduction Black Hills Nation Forest

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Base Year Award Date to May 31, 2015

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Mastication 5.1 Level I 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 16’x16’ 24’x24’ Acres

_383_ _20_

_694_

Pre-commercial Thinning: 5.2 Level I 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’

Acres

_300_ _503_ _900_

_20__ _770_ _ 20__

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Decking 5.3

Level I 16’x16’

Level II 16’x16’ Acres

_1000_

Hardwood Release 5.4

Acres

Hardwood Regeneration 5.5

Acres

Fuel Break Construction 5.6

Acres

Individual Tree Removal 5.7 Trees _50_

Chip Hand Piles 5.8 Pile

Cut & Chunk 5.9 Trees

Hand Piling 5.10 Acres __10__

Level I thinning = Current conditions estimated to be less than 2,000 stems per Acre Level II thinning = Current conditions estimated to be greater than 2,001 stems per Acre

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Option Year 1 - June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Mastication 5.1 Level I 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 16’x16’

Acres

_600_

_500_

Pre-commercial Thinning: 5.2 Level I 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’

Acres

_ 20_

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Decking 5.3

Level I 16’x16’

Level II

Acres

__20__

Hardwood Release 5.4

Acres

Hardwood Regeneration 5.5

Acres

Individual Tree Removal 5.7 Trees _50_

Chip Hand Piles 5.8 Pile

Cut & Chunk 5.9 Trees

Hand Piling 5.10 Acres _70_

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Option Year 2 - June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Mastication 5.1 Level I 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 16’x16’

Acres

_600_

Pre-commercial Thinning: 5.2 Level I 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’ 24’x24’

Level II 12’x12’ 14’x14’ 16’x16’

Acres

_300_

Pre-commercial Thinning: with Decking 5.3

Level I 16’x16’

Level II

Acres

Hardwood Release 5.4

Acres

Hardwood Regeneration 5.5

Acres

Fuel Break Construction 5.6

Acres

Individual Tree Removal 5.7 Trees _50_

Chip Hand Piles 5.8 Pile

Cut & Chunk 5.9 Trees

Hand Piling 5.10 Acres _70_

Total Base and all Option Years Cost

· Provide Total Cost Pricing on each schedule.

· Unit Price Prevails

· Period of Performance will be negotiated with each task order issued.

· All treatments are based on current stand conditions as listed by the level of work required.

Please complete and submit the following:

DUNNS #

Non Discrimination Statement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK (PWS)

TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT

SECTION I – GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE OF WORK

This statement of work consists of conducting timber stand improvement with activities to include but not limited to: Hand Pre-commercial Thinning, Mechanical Pre-commercial Thinning with Mastication, Pre-commercial Thinning with Decking, Hardwood Release, Hardwood Regeneration, Hand Piling, Fuel Break Construction, Individual Tree Removal, Mechanical Fuel Treatment Chipping, and Cutting and Chunking. The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, supervision, workman’s compensation, unemployment, and transportation to accomplish projects within the North Zone Ranger Districts, Black Hills National Forest. Equipment being used for the requirements under this contract shall be cleaned prior to entering any of the Ranger Districts, and each subsequent move within the Districts. This statement of work consists of completing tasks in accordance with Section V, and performance requirements in Section VII.

1.1.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Operational restrictions for units and or individual task orders if any will be listed in the Supplemental Specifications. All task orders under this contract will be awarded no later than May 31, 2017. Each task order shall identify a completion date for the project. No additional time shall be granted for mechanical breakdowns.

1.1.2 LOCATION DESCRIPTION: Project areas that are included under this contract are located on the Mystic, Northern Hills, and Bearlodge Ranger Districts, Black Hills National Forest. Each task order shall be accompanied with specific location map(s).

1.1.3 LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Is estimated by the government and is only an estimate. Contractor is encouraged to visit each project area prior to submitting pricing to determine level of difficulty such as accessibility, terrain, slope, etc.

1.1.4 ACCESSIBILITY: Specific site maps identifying units and access roads shall be provided to the contractor upon request and will be included with the contract package.

1.1.5 BOUNDARIES: Each project shall be marked separately and all markings identifying units within a project will be identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

1.1.6 CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall 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.

SECTION II – DEFINITIONS

2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

2.1.1 ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL): The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

2.1.2 DEFECTIVE SERVICE: A unit of service, which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

2.1.3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS): Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

2.1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE: Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.1.5 CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR): A Government official appointed by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with contract administration and surveillance of the contract.

2.1.6 GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR: A Government official appointed by the COR to assist the COR with surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.7 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP): An organized document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

2.1.8 QUALITY CONTROL: Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

2.2.1 AVERAGE SPACING: The average distance in feet between desirable leave trees.

2.2.2 CIRCULAR PLOT: A sample plot within a thinning unit that is used to determine the number of desirable trees left in a plot in accordance with the task order.

2.2.3 CUT & FILL SLOPES: Banks along the high or low side of established roadways.

2.2.4 CUT TREES: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees, and are required to be cut.

2.2.5 CUT & Chunk: The felling and bucking of trees identifies as Mountain Pine Beetle infested

2.2.6 CUT TREE CHARACTERISTICS: Cut trees shall be those trees that are not to be left as leave trees.

1. Crooked Bole - Those trees with deformation so pronounced that one straight, eight-foot piece cannot be cut from the bottom twelve feet of the tree.

2. Broken Tops - Treetops broken as a result of physical damage.

3. Trees with broken tops and live crown ratios less than 30%.

4. Trees which are overtopped and growing into the crown of an adjacent larger tree.

5. Trees without broken tops with live crowns less than 20%.

6. Bark beetle infested trees or trees exhibiting signs of mountain pine beetle infestation.

2.2.7 DAMAGED TREES: Damage to trees in excess of 5% of the number of leave trees will be considered excessive, and the Contractor will be charged $10.00 per damaged leave tree beyond 5%. As determined by expansion of plot data or individual tree count, which ever method the Forest Service determines to use.

Any tree exhibiting one or more of the following injuries is considered to be damaged:

1. Any tree greater than 1 inch DBH that has any bark cut or removed to the cambium at/or over 50% of the circumference of the bole.

2. Any tree that has had 50% or more of the live limbs or branches broken or removed by any operation.

3. Any tree that leans more than 10 degrees due to contractor’s equipment or skidded material striking the tree.

4. Any tree that has the top knocked out or broken as a result of contractor’s actions.

2.2.8 DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE: Any damage to infrastructure shall be charged at the actual replacement or repair cost.

2.2.9 DBH: Diameter of the stem measured at a point of 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

2.2.10 DECKING: Stockpiling of non-commercial sized cut trees in a designated area.

2.2.11 DEFICIENT TREES: Trees that have been cut, that should have not been cut.

2.2.12 DESIRABLE LEAVE TREES: Trees left because they possess desirable leave tree characteristics.

1. Dominant Trees – Trees, which are taller on the average when compared to other trees in the unit. These trees are not severely suppressed.

2. Codominant Trees – Trees of average height when compared to other trees in the unit. These trees are not severely suppressed.

3. Healthy Foliage – Foliage shall be dark green in color with a full crown or over 1/3 or more of the tree.

4. Straight Bole – The bole or stem of the tree shall be relatively straight. Trees shall have a single branch terminal.

5. Free of Physical Damage – Trees shall not have physical damage from fire, animals, or weather on more than ¼ of the circumference of the bole or more than three feet of the length of the bole.

6. Free of Disease Damage – Trees shall not have disease such as gall rust, peridermium cankers, and stalactiform rust. Symptoms of gall rust are galls on the branch and stem. Symptoms of peridermium cankers are the presence of cankers on the bole of the branches. Symptoms of stalactiform rust are elongated, diamond-shaped cankers and associated resinosis.

7. Free of Insect Damage – Trees shall not have insect damage from mountain pine beetles or Ips beetles. Symptoms of mountain pine beetles are small red to yellowish pitch tubes (less than ¼ inch) and boring dust in bark crevices and round the base of the tree. Symptoms of the Ips beetles are dead tops and group killings without pitch tubes.

2.2.13 DIB: Diameter of the stem inside the bark

2.2.14 DITCHES: Drainages along a road that lead to a cross-drain mechanism.

2.2.15 DRIP LINE: Tree drip line, the area defined by the outermost circumference of a trees canopy where water drips from and onto the ground.

2.2.16 EXCESS TREES: Uncut trees not needed to meet average spacing specifications and that do not qualify as leave trees.

2.2.17 FUELBREAK CONSTRUCTION: The cutting of trees less than 8.9 DBH and piling of existing and/or created slash less than 6” DIB in timber stands creating a break in fuel and slash free strip on the ground. Residual trees within the fuel break shall be limbed to a height of 6’ with the resulting slash treated as directed Desired spacing in fuel breaks is 24’x 24’. Fuel break construction may be accomplished through the use of hand piling, machine piling, chipping, or a combination of treatments, or as further identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

2.2.18 HANG-UP TREE: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

2.2.19 HARDWOOD RELEASE: All live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut from designated hardwood stands.

2.2.20 HARDWOOD REGENERATION: All hardwoods greater than 1.0 inch DBH or as specified in the task order and all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut within the designated stand.

2.2.21 LESS DESIRABLE LEAVE TREES: When the prescribed stocking level of most desirable leave trees cannot be achieved with trees that possess the most desirable characteristics.

1. Minor Defect - Trees with minor defect such as a sharp crook or a small amount of animal damage.

2. Suppressed Tree - Trees that have been severely suppressed. Characteristics of suppressed trees are extremely short or nonexistent internodes, twisted gnarled stems, or an extreme sparseness of foliage.

3. Other Live Trees - Trees other than insect or disease damaged trees with ¼ live crown and/or sparse crown.

4. Forked Tree - Those trees with two or more terminal leaders. Two or more stems originating from the same base shall only be left if needed for spacing purposes. Either both stems shall be cut or both stems shall be left.

5. Physical Damage - Trees that have physical damage on half or more of the bole circumference and greater than three feet in length. Equipment, falling trees, lightning, wind, animals, etc., may be causes of physical damage.

2.2.22 LOP AND SCATTER: Cutting limbs from cut trees and moving and/or rearranging of slash concentrations to achieve specific slash depth requirements. Trees shall be lopped and scattered to a height not to exceed 18 inches.

2.2.23 MACHINERY: Equipment used to meet contract requirements such as cutting, skidding, and piling of trees and or slash. Both rubber-tired and track machines may be used unless otherwise identified in the task order. All equipment used for skidding purposes shall be equipped with a minimum of 90 feet of mainline cable to reach from the A frame of the equipment. Slash piling equipment shall be equipped with a brush rake. Teeth on brush rake shall extend a minimum of 10 inches below the cutting edge of the blade.

2.2.24 MECHANICAL MASTICATION: Treatment of trees utilizing machines to shred, mulch, fragment, compact, thin, and otherwise rearrange and reduce the size of created and pre-existing slash or trees. Mastication treatment is generally conducted in conjunction with mechanical thinning and shall be specified in the task order.

2.2.25 MULCH DEPTH: Depth of shredded or mulched material measured from the ground to the top of mulch layer. Piece size shall not exceed 6 feet in length, with mulch depth not to exceed depth specified in the task order.

2.2.23 PILE: Pre-existing and activity created slash 2.0 inches diameter and 3 feet in length up to and including 8.9 inches diameter or as specified in the task order piled by hand in the “haystack” or “teepee” method. Constructed piles shall be a minimum of 5 feet in height by 6 feet in diameter with a maximum size of 8 feet in height by 8 feet in diameter, free of dirt and compact with no protruding limbs. Refer to Exhibits A and B for exact instructions on hand pile construction.

2.2.24 PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING Selective thinning of conifer trees 2 feet in height up to 8.9 inches DBH to a desired spacing guideline.

2.2.25 PROGRESSION OF WORK: Work conducted in a progressive and orderly manner by the contractor.

2.2.26 PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: The protection of known archeological sites and improvements. Costs to replace or repair damage are the contractor’s responsibility.

2.2.27 ROADS, TRAILS, & OTHER OPEN AREAS: All roads and trails within the project area, including but not limited to; existing slash free fuel breaks, private property, proximity to property corners, watercourses, meadows, parks, etc.

2.2.28 SLASH: Any debris such as limbs, tree tops, boles, and other wood fiber pieces that are present and/or created as a result of violent storms, logging operations, thinning operations, or by the contractor’s activities. Under this contract, slash depth shall not exceed 18 inches in depth.

2.2.29 SNAG: A standing dead tree over 10 feet in height and greater than 8.0 inches DBH.

2.2.30 STUMP HEIGHT: The height of a stump on the uphill side. Stumps are cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from horizontal. Under this contract, stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction.

2.2.31 THINNING & SLASH TREATMENT: The cutting of trees and limbs in excess of those left for future management and treatment of the associated slash.

2.2.32 THINNING UNIT: An individual area on the ground in which thinning will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item in the Schedule of Items.

2.2.33 TREE SIZE: The contractor shall select cut or leave trees in accordance with these tree size guidelines.

1. Pre-commercial Thinning: Live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 2 feet in height up to 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut unless they qualify as a desirable leave tree or they are needed to maintain the specified average spacing intervals. However, in no case shall any live ponderosa pine/white spruce tree 2 feet in height up to 8.9 inches DBH be left closer than as specified in the task order to any other pine or white spruce.

Trees in these size classes shall be cut if one or more of the following conditions exist:

2. Pre-commercial Thinning with Decking: Live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 7.0 inches DBH up to and including 8.9 inches DBH that were cut during Pre-commercial Thinning (Mechanical) operations shall be skidded to designated landings and decked.

3. Hardwood Release: All live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 2 feet in height up to 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut from designated hardwood stands.

4. Hardwood Regeneration: All hardwood species greater than 1.0 inch DBH or as specified in the task order and all conifers greater than 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut.

5. Hand Piling: Piling of all existing slash from 2.0 inch diameter and 3 feet in length up to and including 8.9 inches diameter or as specified in the task order shall be constructed in the “haystack” or “teepee” method, compact, and free of dirt with no protruding limbs. Piles shall be at a minimum 5 feet in height by 6 feet in diameter to a maximum of 8 feet in height by 8 feet in diameter. All pre-existing slash greater than 8.9 inches diameter shall be limbed with the limbs piled; boles shall be cut to lengths not to exceed 10 feet and shall lie on the ground. Material not piled shall be oriented on the slope so it will not freely roll downhill, and shall be at least 4 feet from a slash pile. Piles shall not be located under the drip line of any tree.

Live conifer trees equal or greater than 9.0 inches DBH shall not be cut unless they pose a safety hazard to the contractor and shall be considered as leave trees for spacing purposes as designated in the task order. Dead trees may be cut if they pose a hazard.

2.2.35 TREE SPACING: Spacing for leave trees can range from the minimum spacing to the maximum spacing so specified. Leave trees exceeding the maximum DBH cutting limits shall be left regardless of the spacing. Leave tree spacing may vary by 4 feet to 6 feet as specified in the task order to select the most desirable tree. Spacing control using the specified leave tree guidelines shall be maintained wherever possible.

2.2.36 TREE QUALITY: Trees left to meet stocking levels specified in thinning guides and task order.

2.2.37 WHIPS & CULLS: Trees left as a result of the initial timber harvest which have not been designated as wildlife trees (no sign and/or blue or white paint) that are bent, spindly, broken-topped, crooked, or have sparse crowns. Exhibit C identifies examples of whips and culls.

SECTION III – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Project Area Maps

SECTION IV – CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

The contractor shall furnish all items required to perform this PWS.

SECTION V – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

5.1 PRECOMMERCIAL THINNING (With Mastication)

Selective thinning of conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH to a desired spacing guideline, using tracked or wheeled machinery with an attached cutting head (FECON, Hydro ax, buncher head, etc.). Up to 20% of the acreage in a given unit may require Pre-commercial Thinning (Hand) due to ground features such as rock and/or steep slope.

5.2 PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING (Hand)

Selective thinning of conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH to a desired spacing guideline, using manual hand tools (chainsaws, sandviks, brushhooks, pole saws, etc.).

5.3 PRECOMMERCIAL THINNING WITH DECKING

Selective thinning of conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH to a desired spacing guideline. Conifer trees 7.0 inches DBH up to and including 8.9 inches DBH cut during Pre-commercial Thinning operations shall be skidded to approved landing.

5.4 HARDWOOD RELEASE

The cutting of all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inch DBH within a designated hardwood stand, by mechanized or manual methods. No hardwood species shall be cut unless it poses a hazard to the contractor.

5.5 HARDWOOD REGENERATION

The cutting of all hardwoods greater than 1.0 inch DBH or as specified in the task order and all conifers 2 inches DBH up to and including 8.9 inches DBH from a given stand.

5.6 FUELBREAK CONSTRUCTION: The cutting of trees less than 8.9 DBH and treatment of existing and/or created slash less than 6” DIB in timber stands creating a break in fuel and slash free strip on the ground. Residual trees within the fuel break shall be limbed to a height of 6’ with the resulting slash treated as directed Desired spacing in fuel breaks is 24’x 24’. Fuel break construction may be accomplished through the use of hand piling, machine piling, chipping, or a combination of treatments, or as further identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

5.7 Individual Tree Removal: The removal of “Red Needle” Mountain Pine Beetle killed trees as well as designated “Individual Trees” from designated stands. Trees may be designated as a stand or as individual trees. Green hit bug trees may be identified for this treatment. All trees shall be removed from the stand to a designated landing.

5.8 Mechanical Fuel Treatment (Chipping / Grinding): The chipping or grinding of decked or piled material this activity may take place within the stand or at a landing adjacent to roads as specified in the supplemental specifications.

5.9 Cut and Chunk: The felling and bucking of designated “Green Hit” bug trees. Trees shall be bucked into “Chunks “not to exceed 24” in length to a 4” top and arranged in such a manner as to facilitate air movement between chunks. All other activity slash treated to an 18” depth.

5.10 HAND PILING: Piling of all existing slash equal or greater than 2.0 inches diameter and 3 feet in length up to and including 8.9 inches diameter or as specified in the task order shall be constructed by hand in the “haystack” or “teepee” method, compact, and free of dirt with no protruding limbs.

SECTION VI – GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/INDUSTRY STANDARDS/ STATE STANDARDS/ GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

Attachments, including site specific exhibits and location maps are found in individual task orders.

SECTION VII – PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

STANDARD

ACCEPTABLE

QUALITY

LEVEL (AQL)

MONITORING

METHOD

DISINCENTIVIES

FOR NOT

MEETING STANDARDS

Conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH cut to the spacing stated in the task order

Spacing based on trees greater than 8.9 inches DBH will be designated in the task order

Leave trees shall possess the characteristics stated under “Desirable Leave Trees” in Section II Definitions

Number of stems per acre shall be maintained wherever possible to meet spacing requirements

Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

Cut all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH that are defected to a point where one 8 foot merchantable piece is not present

All conifer trees and existing and activity created slash shall be mechanically cut and masticated, chopped, or shredded within the stand using tracked or wheeled equipment (FECON, brush hog, etc.) as designated in the task order

Up to 20% of the acreage in a given unit may require pre-commercial hand thinning due to ground features such as rock and/or steep slope.

Mulch shall not exceed 6 inches in depth

All existing and activity created slash within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches

Piece size shall not exceed 6 feet in length

All live conifers 2 feet tall up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut within and up to 66 feet from the edge of hardwood inclusions smaller than 2 acres within any designated unit unless otherwise specified in the task order

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

Mulch shall be flush with the edge of the road cut banks and shall not lie on the cut bank or road

All hand created slash shall be pulled back 75 feet from existing roads and 50 feet from all established trails as designated on the task order map

All trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Care shall be taken not to damage the residual stand or stand infrastructure during all equipment operations

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through and 1/20 acre inspections plots Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be assessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH cut to the spacing stated in the task order

Spacing based on trees greater than 8.9 inches DBH will be designated in the task order

Leave trees shall possess the characteristics stated under “Desirable Leave Trees” in Section II Definitions

Number of stems per acre shall be maintained wherever possible to meet spacing requirements

Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

Cut all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 10.0 inches DBH that are defected to a point where one 8 foot merchantable piece is not present

All existing and activity created slash within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches

Piece size shall not exceed 6 feet in length

All live conifers 2 feet tall up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut within and up to 66 feet from the edge of hardwood inclusions smaller than 2 acres within any designated treatment area unless otherwise specified in the task order

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

All created slash shall be pulled back 75 feet from existing roads and 50 feet from all established trails as designated on the task order map

All trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Care shall be taken not to damage the residual stand or stand infrastructure during all equipment operations

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through and 1/20 acre inspections plots Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be accessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Conifer trees 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH cut to the spacing stated in the task order

Spacing based on trees greater than 8.9 inches DBH will be designated in the task order

Leave trees shall possess the characteristics stated under “Desirable Leave Trees” in Section II Definitions

Number of stems per acre shall be maintained wherever possible to meet spacing requirements

Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

Cut all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH that are defected to a point where one 8 foot merchantable piece is not present

All existing, and created slash less then 7.0 inches within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches, with piece size not to exceed 6 foot in length

All live conifers 2 feet tall up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut within and up to 66 feet from the edge of hardwood inclusions smaller than 2 acres within any designated treatment area unless otherwise specified in the task order

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

All created slash less than 7.0 inches shall be pulled back 75 feet from existing roads and 50 feet from all established trails as designated on the task order map

Conifer trees equal or greater than 7.0 inches DBH up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be removed from the designated stand to an approved landing and Decked.

Landings shall be approved or designated by the COR prior to use.

All trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Care shall be taken not to damage the residual stand or stand infrastructure during all equipment operations

Skidding operations shall be performed to minimize soil compaction or excessive rutting

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through and 1/20 acre inspection Plots Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be assessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Hardwood Release 5.4

The task order shall specify the number of acres to be treated and the estimated number of stems per acre

Within designated treatment areas, all conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH shall be cut

The residual stand shall be protected and conifers shall be felled in such a manner as to impact the least amount of hardwoods within the stand

All existing and activity created slash within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches

Piece size shall not exceed 6 feet in length.

Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

All trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All slash shall be pulled back 75 feet from existing roads and 50 feet from all established trails as designated on the task order map

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

All residual trees shall be free of damage caused by equipment used during thinning or other operations

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Care shall be taken not to damage the residual stand or stand infrastructure during all equipment operations

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be assessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Cut all hardwoods greater than l.0 inch DBH or as specified in the task order AND conifers 2 feet in height up to and including 8.9 inches DBH

All existing and activity created slash within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18 inches

Piece size shall not exceed 6 feet in length.

Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches or 4 inches above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

All trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All slash shall be pulled back 75 feet from existing roads and 50 feet from all established trails as designated on the task order map

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be accessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Fuel Break Construction 5.6 The task order shall specify the number of acres to be treated. The spacing and the desired number of tree per acre, as well as the estimated stems currently existing within each stand

All conifers to 8.9” DBH shall be cut to the spacing specified in the task order

All tree shall be pruned to a height of 6’ above ground level

All cut trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All trees and slash both existing and created less than 6” diameter shall be piled to facilitate burning

All cut trees 6” to 8.9” DBH may be removed from the fuel treatment area to an approved landing or piled to contract specifications.

No piling shall take place under the “drip line” of any residual tree within the fuel treatment area

Piles will be no larger than 8’ in diameter or 8’ in height

Piles shall be compact, free of dirt with no protruding limbs and no material common between piles nor shall piles be created on top of stumps

Stump height shall not exceed 6” or 4” above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

Contractor shall be responsible for submitting a tally of piles created in each unit and submit with request for inspection

All residual trees shall be free of damage caused by equipment used during thinning or other operations.

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be assessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bare the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Within inclusions of greater than two (2) acres of dead trees space and leave trees at 60’ spacing

Cut and remove from the stand to a designated landing as specified in the task order standing dead / hazard or “Red Needle” bug killed trees

Hazard trees may be identified with paint the color of which will be noted in the task order

“Red Needle” trees are identified by their characteristics

Trees may be bucked to facilitate removal from the stand

All existing and activity slash within the stand shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18”

Hazard /Dead trees within hardwood inclusions greater than 2 acres shall not be cut

Trees shall be felled away from trails, roads, fences if at all possible in the event that trees are felled across trails or roads all debris greater than 1”in diameter shall be removed and scattered and all damaged fences repaired.

If trees are pushed over mechanically as may be the case within burned over areas the root wad shall be severed from the bole of the tree and placed back in the hole

Stump height shall not exceed 6” or 4” above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

All cut trees should be felled within the unit boundary

All slash shall be pulled back 75’ from existing roads and 50’ from all established trails as designated on the task order map

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard

All residual trees shall be free of damage caused by equipment used during thinning or other operations.

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

Care shall be taken not to damage the residual stand or stand infrastructure during all equipment operations

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Poor Performance Rating

Grinding operations will be restricted to landing operations only

Chips from hand piles shall be broadcast in such a manner as not to produce an identifiable pile of chips within the stand.

The residue from the large decks or piles shall remain on site.

All residual trees shall be free of damage caused by equipment used during thinning or other operations.

All ditches and culverts within the treatment area shall be clean and free of debris.

All residue piles shall be free of dirt and debris.

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Poor Performance Rating

Trees may be identified with paint the color of which will be noted in the task order

Stump height shall not exceed 6” or 4” above an obstruction and shall be cut at less than 30 degree angle

Tree shall be bucked (Chunked) into lengths of 24” or less down to a diameter of 4”

All activity slash shall be treated to a depth not to exceed 18”

The chunked sections shall be positioned in such a manner as to facilitate air movement around each piece.

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Poor Performance Rating

Hand Piling 5.10 The task order shall specify the acres and type of slash to be treated

Pile shall be constructed in the “haystack” or “teepee” style

All trees and slash both existing and activity created 2.0 inches diameter and 3 feet in length up to and including 8.9 inches diameter or as specified in task order shall be piled to facilitate burning

Slash that is piled shall be bucked into 6 feet or less lengths before piling

No piling shall take place under the drip line of any residual tree within the unit

Piles shall be 5 feet in height by 6 feet in diameter up to and including 8 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height

Piles shall be compact, free of dirt with no protruding limbs and no material common between piles nor shall piles be created on top of stumps or slash greater than 3 inches in diameter

Contractor shall be responsible for submitting a tally of piles created in each unit and submit with request for inspection

All residual trees shall be free of damage caused by equipment used during operations

All unit boundary markings shall be specified with each task order

All pre-existing slash greater than 8.9 inches diameter shall be limbed with the limbs piled; boles shall be cut to lengths not to exceed 10 feet and shall lie on the ground

Slash not piled shall be oriented on the slope so it will not freely roll downhill, and shall be at least 4 feet from a slash pile

Regular onsite review of specification compliance

Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be accessed against the contractor

No payment for work falling below 90%AQL

Contractor shall bear the cost of requested inspections for payment in excess of two per unit

Poor Performance Rating

Quality Control Plan 5.11.1 (QCP) includes contractor’s inspection system and the method for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service performed. Includes method and frequency of inspections

On-site records of all contractor quality control inspections are made available upon request

Work Plan 5.11.2 The contractor’s work plan describes the order of work on the task order assigned. This plan may be revised at any time by the contractor with a new written plan submitted to the CO prior to implementation

Safety Plan 5.11.3 includes identifying personal safety equipment, a monitoring method to ensure compliance, inspection of equipment and crew transportation, employee certifications, communications, road signage, and what is done when adherence to the plan is not followed by the crew.

SECTION VIII FIRE PREVENTION

8.1 FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

(A) Tools and Equipment:

The Contractor shall furnish and maintain in a serviceable condition one shovel, size 0 or larger, for each employee working in the project area. The shovels may be stored in the employee’s private vehicle or the contractor's vehicles, but must be readily available to each employee while in the project area.

For each ATV, supply truck, water truck, crawler tractor, skidder, hauling truck, portable welder, or comparable type equipment, the Contractor shall furnish one shovel, size 0 or larger attached to each unit, and one two and one-half pound or larger dry chemical or four pound or larger carbon dioxide type fire extinguisher attached to each unit.

For each power saw, soil auger, portable pump, or like powered equipment, the Contractor shall furnish one shovel, size 0 or larger, and one dry chemical fire extinguisher, 8 ounce or larger, immediately available to the operator of the equipment. The fire extinguisher shall be with the operator of the equipment; the shovel may be with the fuel can used to refuel the equipment.

Refueling of the equipment shall be done in an area cleared and void of flammable materials. Power saws shall be moved from the spot of refueling before starting.

(B) Fire Prevention.

The contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site. The contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the contactor or the contractor’s agents or employees.

Fire Orders/Moratorium – Any fire order issued during the contract will become a requirement of the contract.

Blasting – Advance approval in writing is required from the District Ranger. The use of fuses shall not be permitted, except near power lines where the danger of accidental detonation is present. Use of prima cord will not be allowed in clearing operations where flammable materials are present. A watchman will remain on site for at least one hour after detonation in areas of blasting where flammable fuels are present. Explosives will be stored at all times in a locked box marked "Explosives." All Federal, State, and local laws concerning the use and storage of explosives shall be followed.

Welding – All flammable materials will be cleared for a minimum distance of 10 feet around any welding operation. Fire extinguishers and fire tools are required as shown in Section B-1(b).

Open Fires – In accordance with State and local regulations.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50a the following is prohibited on each National Forest or National Grasslands in the Rocky Mountain Region:

Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine on any timber, brush or grass covered land, including trails traversing such land, without a spark arrester, maintained in effective working order, meeting either (i) Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or (ii) the 80 percent efficiency level determined according to the appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended Practices J335 and J350.

Violation of this regulation and the general prohibitions of 36 CFR 261.3 to .20 is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both.

Gas and Oil Use and Storage - Gasoline will be stored and transported only in metal containers with tight caps or seals. Gas and oil drum storage areas will be cleared of all flammable material for a distance of 50 feet around the drums. Storage areas will be posted with "No Smoking" signs. Oil filters, oil cans, oily rags, etc., will be removed from the project area and discarded in proper waste disposal receptacles or sites.

Smoking – Smoking is prohibited while operating tractors or open-type vehicles, or while walking or working in an area with flammable fuels.

SECTION IX WASHING EQUIPMENT WEED CONTROL

9.1 WASHING EQUIPMENT

In order to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into the contract area, contractor shall clean all off-road logging and construction equipment prior to equipment being transported to the project site. Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seed, and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection tools is not required. This cleaning shall remove all visible soil, plant parts, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds including but not limited to the engine compartment, winch area, wheels, etc. Only logging and construction equipment cleaned and inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the contract area. All subsequent move-ins of equipment to the contract area shall be treated in the same manner as the initial move in. "Off-road equipment" includes all logging and construction machinery, except for log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, cars, and similar vehicles.

Unless otherwise agreed, contractor shall give the Forest Service a minimum of 24 hour notice when equipment is ready for inspection. Notification will include an agreed upon location where the equipment will be available for inspection by the Forest Service.

New infestations of noxious weeds are a concern to the Forest Service and shall be identified by either contractor or Forest Service, within the contract area and shall be promptly reported to the other party. Contractor and Forest Service shall agree on necessary steps to reduce or stop the spread of noxious weeds when new infestations are found. A current list, along with photos, of noxious weeds of concern to Forest Service is available at each Forest Service office upon request.

SECTION D -- PACKAGING AND MARKING

{No clauses in this section.}

SECTION E -- INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 FAR 52.246-4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES – FIXED-PRICE (AUG…