SOL.docx

AG-67T0-S-14-0068 Vestal Fuel Reduction/POL Thinning IDIQ Black Hills Nation Forest

VESTAL FUEL REDUCTION/POL THINNING IDIQ

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Base Year Award Date to August 31, 2015

QUANTITY

HIGH

UNIT PRICE

Pre-commercial Thinning (0 – 4,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’ 12’ x 12’ Acre

Pre-commercial Thinning (4,001 – 9,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’

Acre

POL Thinning (0 – 500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’ 24’ x 24’ Acre

POL Thinning (501 – 1,500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’

Acre

1,200

VESTAL FUEL REDUCTION/POL THINNING

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Option Yr. 1: September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016

QUANTITY

HIGH

UNIT PRICE

Pre-commercial Thinning (0 – 4,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’

Acres

Pre-commercial Thinning (4,001 – 9,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’

Acres

POL Thinning (0 – 500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’

Acres

POL Thinning (501 – 1,500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’

Acres

1,000

VESTAL FUEL REDUCTION/POL THINNING

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – SUPPLIES AND PRICE/COSTS

Option Yr. 2 September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017

QUANTITY

HIGH

UNIT PRICE

Pre-commercial Thinning (0 – 4,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’

Acre

Pre-commercial Thinning (4,001 – 9,000 Stems/Acre) 8’ x 8’ 10’ x 10’

Acre

POL Thinning (0 – 500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’

Acre

POL Thinning (501 – 1,500 Stems/Acre) 20’ x 20’

Acre

1,200

Base & Option Years Information:

All thinning is based on two stand conditions (Low 0 – 4,000, High 4,001 – 9,000 stems/acre in pre-commercial units and Low 0 – 500, High 500 – 1,500 stems/acre in POL units). Total stems per acre define current stand conditions.

A. Provide Total Cost Pricing on each schedule.

B. Unit Price Prevails C. Period of Performance will be negotiated with each task order issued.

D. 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.

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK (PWS)

VESTAL FUEL REDUCTION/POL THINNING IDIQ

TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT/FUEL REDUCTION

SECTION I – GENERAL

C.1.1 SCOPE OF WORK: This statement of work consists of conducting timber stand improvement, and fuels treatments with a selected activity of Pre-commercial thinning, POL Thinning, Mechanical Mastication, Machine Piling, Hand Piling, Hazard Tree Removal, and Chipping. The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, supervision, workman’s compensation, unemployment, and transportation to accomplish projects on the Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest. Equipment being used for the requirements under this contract shall be cleaned prior to entering the Hell Canyon Ranger District, and each subsequent move onto the District. This statement of work consists of completing tasks in accordance with Section V, and performance requirements in Section VII.

C.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 August 31, 2017. Each task order shall identify a completion date for the project. No additional time shall be granted for weather delays or mechanical breakdowns.

C.1.1.2 SINGLE OR MULTIPLE AWARDS: The Government may elect to award a single delivery order contract or task order contract or to award multiple delivery order contracts or task order contracts for the same or similar supplies or services up to three sources under this contract.

C.1.1.3 LOCATION DESCRIPTION: Project areas that are included under this contract are located on the Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest. Each task order shall be accompanied with specific location map(s).

C.1.1.4 LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Contractor is encouraged to visit each project area prior to submitting pricing to determine level of difficulty such as accessibility, terrain, slope, etc.

C.1.1.5 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.

C.1.1.6 BOUNDARIES: Each project shall be marked separately and all markings identifying units within a project will be identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.1.1.7 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

C.2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

DEFINITIONS - ADMINISTRATION TERMS

C.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.

C.2.1.2 BIOBASED PRODUCTS A product determined by the Secretary of Agriculture(USDA) to be a commercial or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products or renewable domestic agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials) or forestry materials. Information on biobased/biopreferred products can be found at http://www.usda.gov/biopreferred. In addition to the biobased products designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the BioPreferred Program, the Contractor is encouraged to use other biobased products. The Contractor shall comply with the provision at FAR 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification. The Contractor shall comply with the clause at FAR 52.223-2, Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts.

C.2.1.3 CALENDAR DAYS - Every day shown on the calendar, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays included.

C.2.1.4 CHANGE ORDER- An order issued to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer, pursuant to the “change” clause included in Section I of this contract, requiring work to be performed, within the general scope of the contract.

C.2.1.5 CONTRACT ITEM - A pay item designated on the bid schedule and described by a specification.

C.2.1.6 CONTRACTING OFFICER(CO) - The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of his/her authority.

C.2.1.7 DEFECTIVE SERVICE: A unit of service, which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

C.2.1.8 NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE- A written notice from the CO or COR which documents, for the Contractor's attention, specific performance deficiencies.

C.2.1.9 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.

C.2.1.10 QUALITY ASSURANCE: Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

C.2.1.11 CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR): A Government person appointed by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with contract administration and surveillance of the contract.

C.2.1.12 GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR: A Government person appointed by the COR to assist the COR with surveillance of contractor performance.

C.2.1.13 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.

C.2.1.14 QUALITY CONTROL: Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

C.2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

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

C.2.2.2 CHIPPING: The mechanical chipping of slash and or piles into fragmented pieces with minimal ground disturbance and spread evenly on the ground as to not exceed 4” in depth. Slash less than 8” DIB will be chipped unless otherwise identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.2.2.3 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 Supplemental Specifications.

C.2.2.4 CUT & FILL SLOPES: Banks along the high or low side of established roadways.

C.2.2.5 CUT TREES: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees, and are required to be cut.

C.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.

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

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

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

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

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

C.2.2.7 DBH: Diameter of the stem measured at a point of 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

C.2.2.8 DECKING: Stockpiling of commercial and non-commercial sized cut trees in a designated area.

C.2.2.9 DEFICIENT TREES: Trees that have been cut, that should have not been cut.

C.2.2.10 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.

1. Co-dominant Trees – Trees of average height when compared to other trees in the unit. These trees are not severely suppressed.

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

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

1. 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.

1. 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.

C.2.2.11 DIB: Diameter of the stem inside the bark

C.2.2.12 DITCHES: Drainages along a road that lead to a cross-drain mechanism.

C.2.2.13 EXCESS TREES: Uncut trees not needed to meet average spacing specifications and that do not qualify as leave trees.

C.2.2.14 FUELBREAK CONSTRUCTION: The cutting of trees less than 10.9” 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. . Desired spacing in fuel breaks is 20’ x 20’. 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.

C.2.2.15 HAND PILING: Piling of slash and chunks of material in sensitive areas or in areas not accessible by equipment. Hand piling may be used in conjunction with machine piling. Piles shall be placed a minimum of 25’ from the outside line of any power line, or at least 75’ from known improvements such as buildings, fences, sheds, etc.

C.2.2.16 HANG-UP TREE: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

C.2.2.17 HAZARD TREE REMOVAL: The cutting and slashing of green bug infested and or dead trees in a specific location. Cut trees will be cut into lengths less than 2’, and slashed to a height not to exceed 18” in height.

C.2.2.18 LABOR STANDARD PROVISIONS - Those statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the Contractor's employees and employment practices.

C.2.2.19 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.

1. 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.

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

1. 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.

1. 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.

C.2.2.20 LOP AND SCATTER: Cutting limbs from cut trees and moving and/or rearranging of slash concentrations to achieve specific slash depth requirements. Unless otherwise stated, trees shall be lopped and scattered to a height not to exceed 18”.

C.2.2.21 MACHINE PILING: Slash piles created with the assistance of machinery. Both tracked and rubber tired machines may be used unless otherwise specified. Piles shall be placed a minimum of 25’ from the outside line of any power line, or at least 75’ from known improvements such as buildings, fences, sheds, etc.

C.2.2.22 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 Supplemental Specifications. All equipment used for skidding purposes shall be equipped with a minimum of 90’ 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” below the cutting edge of the blade.

C.2.2.23 MECHANICAL MASTICATION: Treatment utilizing machines to treat trees by shredding, fragmenting, crushing, thinning, 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.

C.2.2.24 MULCH DEPTH: Depth of shredded or mulched material as a result of mechanical mastication and or chipping is measured from the ground to the top of mulch layer. Piece size shall not exceed 3’ in length, with mulch depth not to exceed 4” unless otherwise identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.2.2.25 POL THINNING: Selective thinning of conifer trees 1’ in height and less than 10.9” DBH to a desired spacing guideline. Cut trees between 5” DBH and 10.9” DBH are skidded and decked at approved landings unless otherwise identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.2.2.26 PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING: Selective thinning of conifer trees 1’ in height and less than 5” DBH to a desired spacing guideline.

C.2.2.27 PROGRESSION OF WORK: Work conducted in a progressive and orderly manner by the contractor.

C.2.2.28 PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: The protection of known archeological sites and improvements. Costs to replace or repair damage, is the contractors responsibility.

C.2.2.29 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.

C.2.2.30 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.

C.2.2.31 SLASH PILING: Piling of existing slash and slash created as part of an activity. Size of material to be piled will vary depending on cutting requirements, terrain, and method of piling.

C.2.2.32 SNAG: A standing dead tree over 10 feet in height and greater than 8” DBH.

C.2.2.33 SPECIFICATIONS- That portion of the contract comprising a description of the general and technical requirements for materials, products or services to be furnished under the contract.

2.2.34 STUMP HEIGHT: The height of a stump on the uphill side. Stumps are cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from horizontal.

C.2.2.35 THINNING & SLASH TREATMENT: The cutting of trees and limbs in excess of those left for future management and treatment of the associated slash.

C.2.2.36 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.

C.2.2.37 TREE SIZE: The contractor shall select cut or leave trees in accordance with these tree size guidelines.

1. Pre-commercial Thinning: Trees under 5.0 inches DBH - Live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 1’ in height and less than 5.0 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 ponderosa pine/white spruce tree under 5.0 inches DBH be left closer than twelve feet to any other pine or white spruce.

1. POL Thinning: Live ponderosa pine/white spruce trees 1’ in height and less than 10.9 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 ponderosa pine/white spruce tree under 10.9 inches DBH be left closer than twelve feet to any other pine or white spruce.

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

1. Trees with deformation so pronounced that one straight eight-foot piece cannot be cut from the bottom twelve feet of the tree.

1. Trees with active peridermium cankers anywhere on the tree bole.

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

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

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

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

1. Trees 11.0 inches D.B.H. and Over: shall not be cut unless they pose a safety hazard to the contractor, and shall be considered as leave trees for spacing purposes unless otherwise described in the Supplemental Specifications

C.2.2.38 TREE SPACING: Desired spacing intervals between leave trees.

C.2.2.39 TREE QUALITY: Trees left to meet stocking levels specified in thinning guides and Supplemental Specifications.

C.2.2.40 WEED AND RELEASE (WHIPS & CULLS): Trees left as a result of the initial timber harvest which has not been designated as wildlife trees (no sign and/or blue paint) that are bent, spindly, broken-topped, crooked, or have sparse crowns. Exhibit C identifies examples of whips and culls.

C.2.2.41 WORK ORDER- An order written by the COR, which directs the Contractor to correct deficient performance. It may also be used to document acceptable completion of units and to approve starting on additional work units.

C.2.2.42 VARIABLE DENSITY THINNING: Variable density thinning addresses all size classes of trees. 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 up to 50 percent in order to select the most desirable tree. Spacing control using the specified leave tree guidelines shall be maintained wherever possible.

SECTION III – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Thinning Inspection Record/Request for Inspection Sheets Unit 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

C.5.1 PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING: The selective cutting of conifer trees less than 5” DBH to a desired spacing guideline.

C.5.2 POL THINNING: The selective cutting of conifer trees 1’ in height and less than 10.9” DBH to a desired spacing guideline. Cut trees 5” – 10.9” DBH shall be skidded to approved landings. Supplemental Specification may identify specific cutting requirements.

C.5.3 MECHANICAL MASTICATION: Will be utilized to treat slash by shredding, fragmenting, crushing, thinning, and otherwise rearrange and reduce the size of created and pre-existing slash and or trees. Chip, piece, or mulch depth shall not exceed 3’ in length and 4” in depth unless otherwise identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.5.4 MACHINE PILING: The use of tracked and or rubber tired equipment to pile created and or existing slash within open areas or areas approved for piles.

C.5.5 HAND PILING: Piling of slash and chunks of material in sensitive areas or in areas not accessible by equipment. Hand piling may be used in conjunction with machine piling.

C.5.6 HAZARD TREE REMOVAL: The cutting and slashing of green bug infested and or dead trees in a specific location. Cut trees will be cut, and slashed to a height not to exceed 18” in height.

C.5.7 CHIPPING: The mechanical chipping of slash and or piles into fragmented pieces with minimal ground disturbance and spread evenly on the ground as to not exceed 4” in depth. Generally slash less than 8” DIB will be chipped unless otherwise identified in the Supplemental Specifications.

C.5.8 PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: The protection of known archeological sites and improvements. Costs to replace or repair damage are the contractor’s responsibility.

C.5. 7 SUBMITTALS

C.5.7.1 CONTRACTOR SELF INSPECTION: CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL (QCP): The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified.

C.5.7.2 WORK PLAN: The Work Plan shall describe how the Contractor plans to perform the project, such as methodology and equipment that will be utilized. The work plan shall include a list of all employees/personnel working on this contract identifying each by their Occupational Code/ Job Title for work as it applies to this contract under the applicable Service Contract Act wage rate. The initial Work Plan shall be provided at the pre-work meeting and be updated whenever any personnel changes occur. All Subcontractors must also provide a list of all employees/personnel working on this contract identifying each by their Occupational Code/ Job Title as it applies to this contract under the applicable Service Contract Act wage rate.

C.5.7.3 PROGRESS SCHEDULE: The contractor shall prepare and submit a practical schedule showing the order in which the contractor will perform the work, the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each unit for each task order.

C.5.7.4 SAFETY PLAN: The contractor shall prepare and supply a contract safety plan covering the treatments being conducted under this contract. The plan will identify personal safety equipment, a monitoring method to ensure compliance, inspection of equipment and crew transportation, employee certifications, communications, warning signs on roadways, and what is done when adherence to the plan is not followed by the crew. This plan shall be submitted to the Government for approval at the time of the pre-work conference. Work under this contract shall not commence until the plan is provided and approved. The contractor is responsible to follow all applicable state laws, Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, and regulations including OSHA requirements.

1. The Contractor shall provide a copy of their safety plan. This copy of the Safety plan shall be kept in the contract folder for OSHA’s review.

1. The Safety Plan should be available to all employees and subcontractors working on the contract.

1. The Safety Plan should cover at a minimum:

1. Safety briefings covering the work area, equipment being used, and any special considerations for the work under the contract.

1. Personal Protective Equipment required for the work under the contract.

1. Identify appropriate OSHA requirements for the type of work under the contract.

1. Weather considerations for the time of year of the contract.

1. Communication issues and locations of the nearest medical facilities.

1. Name and point of contact information of supervisor responsible for enforcing Safety Plan.

1. Name, position title and point of contact information of company executive responsible for approving the Safety Plan.

1. Specific contingency plans for emergencies such as medical, fire, hazard material spills and any other contract assessed hazard prevention and abatement requirement needs that apply to this project.

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

QUALITY LEVEL (AQL)

Leave trees shall be of the tallest crown and straightest stem and are free of disease

Variable density thinning if required allows contractor to select the most desirable leave trees regardless of spacing requirements

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

Stump height shall not exceed 6” on uphill side of tree, and less than 30% angle from horizontal

Existing and activity slash shall be slashed to a height not to exceed 18”

All conifer trees less than 10.9” DBH shall be cut for a distance of 12’ from any aspen or birch tree > than 3’ height

Hardwood tree species shall not be cut unless they pose a safety hazard to the contractor

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through inspection of 1/20 acre plots Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Leave trees shall be of the tallest crown and straightest stem and are free of disease

Variable density thinning, if required, allows contractor to select the most desirable leave trees regardless of spacing requirements

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

Cut trees between 5” and 10.9” DBH shall be skidded to approved landings as described in Exhibit D, unless otherwise stated.

Stump height shall not exceed 6” on uphill side of tree, and less than 30% angle from horizontal

Existing and activity slash shall not exceed a height of 18”

All conifer trees less than 10.9” DBH shall be cut for a distance of 12’ from any aspen or birch tree > than 3’ in height

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard to the contractor

Bug infested green trees less than 10.9” DBH shall be cut and treated as specified

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through inspection of 1/20 acre plots Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Additional trees shall not be cut unless damaged as part of the mastication activities

Hardwood species shall not be cut unless they pose a hazard to the contractor.

All green bug infested trees less than 10.9” shall be masticated

Any pre-existing tree boles greater than 10” diameter shall not be masticated. All slash attached to boles greater than 10” shall be severed from the bole and masticated

In areas not suitable for mastication, slash height shall not exceed 12” in height

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through a series of ocular inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Piles shall be compact and meet requirements as shown in Exhibits A & B

Piles shall be spaced a minimum of 2 times the diameter of the pile from and tree or 25’ from any outside line of existing power line and 75’ from any known improvement

Minimum pile size is 8’ in height and 10’ in diameter with no protruding limbs

Piles shall be dirt free

Additional trees may be cut and treated to meet spacing requirements

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through a series of ocular inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Piles shall be compact and meet requirements as shown in Exhibits A & B

Piles shall be spaced a minimum of 2 times the diameter of the pile from and tree or 25’ from any outside line of existing power line and 75’ from any known improvement

Minimum pile size is 6’ in height and 6’ in diameter with no protruding limbs

Piles shall be dirt free

Additional trees may be cut to meet spacing requirements

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through a series of ocular inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Cut trees will be bucked into lengths less than 2’, and slashed to a height not to exceed 18” in height.

Each cut tree will be individually marked for removal

If during felling operations damage occurs to residual trees, damaged trees shall be treated with same requirements and contractor shall not be compensated for treating additional trees

Activity slash or chunks shall not lie on cutbanks, fill slopes and on roadways

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through ocular inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Chip material shall be spread evenly on the ground as to not exceed 4” in depth

Any pre-existing tree boles greater than 10” diameter shall not be chipped. All slash attached to boles greater than 10” shall be severed from the bole and chipped

Chip material shall not lie on private land

Chip material shall be less than 3” in length and width

Equipment can be used to pull or move chipper

Broken topped trees, leaners, and tree tops within a unit shall be chipped

Chip material shall not lie within ditches, cut banks or on roadways

Perform periodic on-site inspections

Verifying compliance of contractor through a series of ocular inspections Rework at contractor’s expense

Ref. G.6 Payment

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

5.7 - Submittals

5.7.1 - Quality Control Plan (QCP)

5.7.2 - Work Plan

5.7.3 – Progress Work Schedule

5.7.4 – Safety Plan

All submittals are received within 10 days after contract award

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

Safety Plan 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

C.8.1 FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

1. 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.

Fire Information:

In the Black Hills area, Local, State and Federal agencies have combined fire restriction information on one website at: www.blackhillsfirerestrictions.com

SECTION IX WASHING EQUIPMENT WEED CONTROL

C.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 X Sustainable Products

C.10.1 In the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall make maximum use of biobased oils and lubricants that are designated by the United States Department of Agriculture unless the product cannot be acquired:

a. Competitively within a time frame providing for compliance with the contract performance schedule;

b.Meeting contract performance requirements; or c.At a reasonable price.

· Information about this requirement and these products is available at http://www.usda.gov/biopreferred C.10.2 The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires Contractors to report the purchase of biobased products under service and construction contracts during the previous Government fiscal year (October 1 thru September 30) and to submit this report no later than:

1. October 31 of each year during contract performance; and

2. At the end of contract performance.

3. Information about this requirement is available at http://www.biopreferred.gov/FARReporting/FARReporting.xhtml C.10.3 Sustainable products identified for this solicitation.

1. Transportation to the job site

0. The main category where you can find these products on the green purchasing website is “vehicles and vehicle products.” In that category, there are several products that could be used in this contract such as: Alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels, engine coolants, engine crankcase oil and gasoline fuel additives etc.

0. The individual products available for use can be found under “Vehicles and Equipment Maintenance” and then under “Vehicle Maintenance.”

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 1996)

E.2 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP):

A. The contractor shall conduct self-inspections Contractor Quality Control (QCP) on all aspects of work. The field inspections shall be spread throughout the project area. The contractor shall provide the Government with an acceptable method of self-inspection. This method shall be accepted and approved by the Government prior to the Notice to Proceed being issued.

The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

The self-inspection process shall be documented and submitted prior to the Notice to Proceed The QCP shall specify:

B. Contractor Quality Control Inspection. The Contractor shall assure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with clause FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, paragraph (a), Inspection/Acceptance prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance.

E.3 GOVERNMENT INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE:

A. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): The Government will, at its convenience, make periodic inspections of the work to assure itself of contract compliance and to perform Quality Assurance Inspections to determine confirm that the Contractor is performing quality control in accordance with its QCP and that Contractor monitoring results in quality performance of contract objectives. The Government will assure quality is being met through plots and visual inspections as stated in Section VII - PRS.

B. Acceptance: Acceptance of the work under the contract will be made after Government inspection and the Contracting Officer has made the determination of satisfactory compliance with the specifications. All required contract specifications shall be satisfactorily completed in each unit before acceptance will be made. Acceptance will not be made for segments broken by unacceptable portions of work.

C. Rework and Re-inspection after Rework. If the contractor fails to meet the minimum AQL, the contractor shall rework the area. The Government will conduct an inspection and up to one re-inspection for each area. Anytime the contract or task order requires more than two inspections per area, the contractor will be accessed for additional inspections which will include mileage and hourly rate of Inspector or Inspectors. When inspections indicate the performance objectives were not met, the work will be deemed unsatisfactory and payment will not be made until the Contractor has assured the Government that its Quality Control measures have corrected the deficiencies. Inspections after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection. The cost to the Government for inspections necessitated by the rework will be deducted from any payments to the Contractor.

SECTION F -- DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 SUSPENSION OF WORK

Whenever the Contracting Officer determines that the weather, ground conditions or combination of these and other physical conditions have become unsuitable for project to continue in any area, the Contractor shall move the work force to another area(s) prescribed by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, the Contracting Officer will issue a suspend work order for the bid item and contract time will stop for that item. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm the resumption in writing. Contract time will resume on the effective work resumption date. In all cases, the Contractor shall resume work within 3 calendar days after the effective work resumption date. It is the Contractor's responsibility to keep the Contracting Officer currently advised as to where the Contractor or the Contractor's Representative may be reached by telephone during periods of work suspension. If the Contractor cannot be reached at the telephone number provided, or if the Contractor fails to leave a number, a written resume work order will be mailed and contract time will resume on the date specified on the resume work order.

F.2 FAR 52.242-15 STOP WORK (AUG 1989)

F.3 FAR 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F.4 AGAR 452.211-74 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from the effective date of the Base Period through the end of Option Period 2 or when the ceiling amount is reached, whichever is first.

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

F.5 AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract. (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is from date of contract award through August 31, 2017.

F.6 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE TIME AND REQUIRED RATE OF PROGRESS.

The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Contract time will start on the date specified on the NTP. Whenever it is determined that environmental conditions become unsuitable for continued service work, the Contractor will move to another area determined by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, service work will cease. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to maintain sufficient contact to determine when conditions again permit service tasks to be completed.

The Contractor shall not begin work on a Task Order until the effective date of the NTP, and shall continue performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except for causes beyond his control as defined in the contract, or by the receipt of a "Suspend Work Order" issued by the Government.

F.7 PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF TASK ORDER.

The performance period specified in each Task Order will generally not exceed a required rate of progress determined from the accepted work plan. If more than one area is available for planting, the Government may prescribe the planting sequence.

SECTION G -- CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDERS

Task Orders will be issued in accordance with FAR 52.216-18, FAR 52.216-19, FAR 52.216-22 and AGAR 452.216-73.

Warranted Contracting Officers within the Rocky Mountain Acquisition Service Northern Tier Team are authorized to place task orders against this contract only for scope of work stated in Section C on the Black Hills National Forests and within their…