RFP_IDIQ_PJ_ OtherSpecies.doc

SOLICITATION OFFER AND AWARD

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

USDA APACHE--SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS

SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE – ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

PO BOX 640, 30 S CHIRICAHUA DRIVE

SPRINGERVILLE, ARIZONA 85938

SAME AS BOX NO. 7

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

(Hour)

(Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-10. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated.

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

FORMCHECKBOX

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPLETION

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

B. 1. Contract Line Items:

Zone 1 = Alpine RD Zone 2 = Black Mesa RD Zone 3 = Clifton RD Zone 4 = Lakeside RD

Zone 5 = Springerville RD

Zone 1

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Zone 1 = Alpine RD Zone 2 = Black Mesa RD Zone 3 = Clifton RD Zone 4 = Lakeside RD

Zone 5 = Springerville RD

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Zone 1 = Alpine RD Zone 2 = Black Mesa RD Zone 3 = Clifton RD Zone 4 = Lakeside RD

Zone 5 = Springerville RD

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B. 4. Contract Line Items:

Description

All Zones

Zones:

Zone 1 -Alpine Ranger District [01] Zone 2 - Black Mesa Ranger District [02] Zone 3 - Clifton Ranger District [03] Zone 4 - Lakeside Ranger District [07] Zone 5 –Springerville Ranger District [06]

NOTES:

Task Orders: Individual Task Orders will be issued for various project areas. Performance specifications may vary by task order. All acreages will be measured using Trimble’s “Geographical Position System” (GPS) and are determined on a horizontal plane within plus or minus Five Percent (5%). This 5% variation in acreage shall not require a decrease in total funds allocated to a Task Order, nor shall any additional funding be added to cover an increase in acreage for the same variation. The minimum guarantee (See Ordering Clauses) for each year shall be $500 for each awarded contract under the MAS.

Complexity Level Descriptions:

-Low – Least amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 1-250 trees per acre (TPA) and treat created slash. Existing tree stocking across the unit is predominantly open and/or easy for work to progress quickly. Simple leave-tree selection criteria, like cutting all trees under a maximum diameter, or tree selection is already painted by the USFS. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class easiest for the contractor to handle.

-Medium – Moderate amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 251-1000 TPA and treat created slash. Existing tree stocking across the unit is dense enough that work would progress at a slower pace than the “Low” complexity level. Moderate leave-tree selection criteria, like bole spacing combined with tree species preferences and/or tree health considerations. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class somewhat more difficult than the “Low” level for the contractor to handle.

-High – Most amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 1001+ TPA and treat created slash. Existing tree stocking across the unit is sufficiently dense that work would progress at an abnormally slow pace. Complex leave-tree selection criteria, like bole spacing combined with tree species preferences combined with tree health and/or tree form criteria. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class most difficult for the contractor to handle.

Complexity Note: Government estimated complexity levels will be specified for each Task Order in the Project Level Information form. Contractors’ proposed plan of operation may affect the complexity level for a Task Order. Adjustments or changes will be made to determine the level acceptable to the Government.

Best Value Selection for Task Orders: Government will offer/assign/obligate Task Orders in accordance with the Best Value ranking that will be determined by the Contracting Officer after the Evaluation and Award process.

Right of First Refusal: Awarded Contractors may refuse a Task Order offered/assigned by the Government with the understanding that the minimum guarantee is considered met with the first Task Order offered by the Government each Fiscal Year. Once a Task Order is accepted and obligated, Awarded Contractor is required to complete the work of the Task Order or be subject to default as defined in FAR 52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service) APR 1984.

CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TO RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

· _____ Request For Proposals (RFP) Return Package (Be sure to include Schedule of Items; Past Performance and Technical Capability; See Section M)

· _____ Register or maintain yearly registration in CCR/ORCA

· _____ Provide your Taxpayer Id Number (TIN)________________________ (Note: The TIN number you supply must match the TIN number you supplied in CCR, which maybe your EIN or SSN)

· _____ Provide your DUNS number____________________

· _____ Provide your MSWPA number__________________ (Copy of MWSPA card will be required after award)

· _____ RFP Return Package should be mailed at least 5 (five) full business days before the Closing Deadline (Note: Couriers and USPS do not consider the area for the mail to address as an overnight destination, it usually takes two or three days to receive any package sent by Overnight Courier or USPS).

PRE-PROPOSAL / SITE VISIT MEETING

DATE:

TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008

TIME:

0930 (MST)

LOCATION:

APACHE-SITGREAVES N.F.’S SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE

MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM

30 S. CHIRICAHUA DRIVE

SPRINGERVILLE, AZ 85938

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION C - PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION C1 - GENERAL

Introduction

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have a requirement for thinning and slash treatment of standing dead and live pinyon pine and juniper trees, ponderosa pine trees, and mixed conifer species. The intent of this work is to reduce fire hazard, improve stand health, and/or improve watershed conditions. For Pinyon-Juniper areas, mechanized equipment and chainsaws may be used to perform the treatments. For other species, steep slope may dictate manual thinning methods. The fuels reduction treatment will be implemented through removal of slash from the forest or by some other treatment method that is deemed acceptable to the Contracting Officer. The Government anticipates awarding a Firm Fixed-Price, Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards under Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) from this solicitation.

Contractors submitting a response to this solicitation shall be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act.

The contractor shall, considering given resource objectives for the Task Orders, develop a plan of operation to accomplish these objectives, and organize and direct all of the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work.

Each Task Order will have slash treatment specifications, along with any operating restrictions.

Each Task Order will be priced in accordance with the awarded prices for the individual MAS contract. It is the responsibility of the awarded contactor to determine the level of effort necessary to satisfactorily perform the work of this contract.

Each Task Order is subject to the variation in quantity of 5 percent plus or minus, with no change total price.

The prosecution of work for each Task Order shall be performed in compliance with the environmental documentation for each project, as specified by the Project/Unit information for that Task Order.

C.1.1 Scope of Work

The purpose of the awarded contract is to provide services for thinning of standing dead and live conifer trees and resultant slash treatment on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Work will occur on various acreages of pinyon-juniper sites and grasslands with tree encroachment. Some projects may also include units of Ponderosa pine or mixed conifer species up to a maximum of no more than 100 acres total per Task Order.

The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required on the Task Orders. The execution of the work associated with each Task Order shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure all required services shall be performed to completion before any new work may begin. The Contracting Officer (or his/her designee) shall determine when satisfactory completion of plots, blocks, section or portions of a given Task Order are complete to allow additional work to begin in an additional plot, block, section or portion.

C.1.2. The awarded contract(s) shall be Firm Fixed-Price, IDIQ MAS contract(s) that are Performance Based Service Contracts. The term of the contract(s) shall be from date of award up to 3-years, if the CO determines that the Government has the continuing requirement and Congress approves funding for each additional year.

C.1.2.1. The Period of Performance for each Task Order shall be the maximum number of calendar days calculated for each Task Order, as shown on each Project Level Information Form. Due to the unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions, the Forest Service reserves the right to start, stop, and or limit the work of each Task Order as determined by ground conditions and/or weather conditions (Red Flag conditions) that may affect the safety of operations on the Forest.

C.1.3. Location and Description.

The general locations of the project work areas (Task Orders) shall be within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests which is comprised of the following Ranger Districts: Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Lakeside, and Springerville. The Contracting Officer may offer the awarded contractors the right of refusal for Task Orders on other Forests located in Arizona. Contractor may propose a percentage increase to a Task Order from another Forest to cover additional cost of travel and lodging.

The contract consists of areas that have not been treated, or have not been treated completely, with other fuel reduction or thinning projects. Area treatment will consider slopes that are accessible for mechanical treatment, and generally less than 35% slope. The Government anticipates that some equipment that is capable of operating on slopes up to 35% will be needed for some Task Orders.

The boundaries for all areas treated will be marked with paint, flagging, or roads, and designated on project forms and maps with each Task Order. Specific treatment requirements and restrictions will be listed in Project/Unit Information Forms for each Task Order.

C.1.3.1 Detailed Unit Information Site-specific information will be provided in each Task Order on the Project Level and Unit Information Forms completed by each ranger district. Sample forms are provided as exhibits in Section J. General information common to all task orders is outlined here.

Topography will vary from flats, to ridgetops, mid-slopes, foot hills and drainage bottoms. The contract elevation range is approximately from 5,500 feet on the Clifton district to 10,00 feet above sea level on the Springerville and Alpine districts. The species to be thinned (either in tree or shrub form) can include pinyon pine, alligator juniper, one seed/utah juniper, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Ponderosa Pine, Southwestern White Pine, Douglas Fir, White Fir, Corkbark Fir, Blue Spruce, Engelmann Spruce.

All tree spacing will be measured between boles. Minimum cut tree height may vary but will not be less that 2 feet tall. Maximum cut bole diameter will vary by task order, but will not exceed 12 inches DRC/DBH. Leave-tree spacing will vary by unit, but will generally range from 20 x 20 feet to 90 x 90 feet.

Activity slash will be treated as defined in Section C.4.3, and as specified in the Project and Unit Information forms or accepted method proposed by offeror. Salvage removal is highly encouraged. All fresh green slash must be treated as specified within 28 days of creation to reduce fire hazard and/or bark beetle risk.

C.1.3.2 Accessibility

Communities near the project area may include Heber, Overgaard, Linden, Pinedale, Show Low, Taylor, Vernon, Springerville/Eagar, Nutrioso, Alpine, and Clifton, Arizona, as well as other locations on the Forest. Interior portions of the project area are accessed by many forest roads, the use agreements and maintenance specifications thereof to be specified in each Task Order.

C.1.4. Contractor Representative

The contractor shall provide a contract representative who is readily available to the project area for the performance of work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contactor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. In order to effectively manage the day-to-day operations of this type of contract, the Government requires the Awarded Contractor(s) to provide key personnel that represent the Contractor to have fluency in English capable of reading, writing, conversing, and comprehension.

C.1.5. OPTIONAL: Salvage Rights:

C.1.5.1. If requested, slash may become salvage material available to the Contractor at district minimum salvage rates, with approval by the Contracting Officer; when other contract work is progressing as scheduled; and removal will be completed prior to expiration of the contract time. Any such material shall become property of the Contractor on a salvage rights basis. If salvage is approved, additional requirements stated in Section H will also apply. Rights to any material not removed from the project after expiration of contract time shall revert back to the Government.

C.1.5.2. If the salvage option is requested, the Awarded Contractor(s) shall provide a general salvage plan with the technical proposal, which addresses the desire to salvage and general information. The general plan shall identify the material to be salvaged, by species and size dimensions.

Awarded Contractor(s) shall provide a more detailed plan after contract award [task order issuance] which shall include:

(a) Name of salvage operator and all employees.

(b) License number and vehicle description of all trucks that will be hauling salvage material.

(c) Number and size of loads to be removed from which units.

(d) Equipment/how material will be removed from the unit and loads will be hauled.

(e) Tentative destination/s of salvaged material.

(f) Approximate date salvage and hauling will be accomplished.

(g) Other information specific to the project as requested by the COR.

SECTION C2 – DEFINITIONS

C2.1 Standard Definitions

C2.1.1 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.

C2.1.2 Contracting Officer (CO). Federal Government employee with the sole authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.

C2.1.3 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A Government person appointed by the Contracting Officer to provide daily administration and surveillance of a Federal Government contract. The duties and responsibilities of a COR are defined in the letter of designation by the CO.

C2.1.6 Contractor. Term used to represent the prime contractor that is awarded the contract, who is also responsible for the work and conduct of all partners, employees, equipment, and subcontractors assigned by the prime to perform the contract.

C2.1.7 Defective Service. A unit of service that contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

C2.1.8 Government Inspector. A Government person appointed by the COR to help the COR with the contract administration and surveillance. The duties and responsibilities of a Government Inspector are defined in the letter of designation by the COR.

C2.1.9 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.

C2.1.10 Performance Work Statement (PWS). A statement of work to be performed which identifies the specific work to be performed.

C2.1.11 Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time).

The number of calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of the contract work.

C2.1.12 Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

C2.1.13 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

C2.1.14 Quality Control. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

C2.1.15 Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

C2.2 Technical Definitions

Bole. The trunk or stem of a tree.

Bucking. Cutting the boles and limbs to specified lengths.

Controlled Area. Areas delineated by flagging for the purpose of protecting sensitive plants, animals, or heritage resources. The areas will be marked on the ground, however, they are not located on the project map, other than the cutting unit they occur in.

Crushing. Flattening of slash down to a specified height from ground surface by driving heavy equipment over it one or more times.

Cull Trees (insects, natural or contractor-created damage, disease)

1. Insect Hit Trees

a. Any live or dead conifer tree with evidence of bark beetles. Pitch tubes, entrance holes, and/or boring dust may be present on the bole of the tree.

b.

Any live or dead conifer tree with evidence of other insects specified in the Unit

Information.

2. Damaged Trees

Any conifer tree with any of the following characteristics:

a. Bole/stem dead or broken below the 4” diameter top, for single-stem species.

b. More than 10% of the bole or main stem fork broken off aspen, oak, juniper, hardwood species.

c.

Less than 1/3 of the live green limbs left fully attached to the bole.

d.

Bent over or leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical.

e.

Bole damage where the bark is loosened or removed from more than 40% of the tree’s bole circumference.

f.

Three or more tops exist in the live crown of single-stem species.

3. Dying Trees a.

Trees with an unhealthy appearance and majority of needles fading. Colors vary on the tree from light green, to yellowish, brown, or red.

Less than 15% live crown.

4. Diseased Trees a.

Trees with dwarf mistletoe in the bole or branches of the tree.

Trees with other disease agent specified in the Unit Information.

Cut Trees. Trees to be cut under this contract.

Cut Tree Mark (CTM). Trees designated by the USFS with painted marks to be cut. Paint color is specified in the Unit Information form.

Dead and Down Trees. (Dead and/or down) Dead standing (or leaning) trees and/or dead trees that have fallen or been chained to the ground.

Dead Trees. Trees with no live needles or limbs.

Decking. Gathering and stacking of boles at designated landings.

Designation by Description (DxD). Cut and leave tree choice is determined by the contractor, based on the Unit Information form which describes trees to be cut, spacing, and the number and size of trees to be left.

Desirable leave tree characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

· Straight stem

· Small branch diameter

· Good coloration

· Well-formed crown

· Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

· Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms.

· Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

· Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

· Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

Diameter Breast Height (DBH). Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree. Used for commercial timber species, like ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir.

Diameter Root Collar (DRC). Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured at ground level on the uphill side of non-commercial timber species tree, like pinyon pine and junipers.

Directional Felling. Felling cut-trees or snags a predetermined direction to protect natural resources and land improvements, and/or to facilitate proper skidding.

Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR). The standard visual 6-class system used for rating infection levels in individual trees. Instructions with illustration are provided as an exhibit in Section J.

Elevation. The elevation recorded in feet above sea level for the majority of the site.

Ephemeral drainage. A drainage which forms the lowest spot of the surrounding ground. It forms obvious channel continuity along its length and joins with more obvious channels downstream. It shows evidence of having run water on previous occasions, i.e., litter and vegetation has moved, or there is a lack of litter in the channel.

Excess trees. Uncut trees that according to specifications, should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, high stumps.

Felling. Completely severing a tree bole from the stump, by any means except explosives, to place the tree on the ground. Also includes completely repositioning a dead snag from standing or leaning, to place it on the ground. This may include cutting, pushing, winching, or other hand or mechanical means, but not by means of fire or explosives. Maximum stump heights apply to both snags and live trees felled.

Flagging Color Designations. The colors of flagging to be used by the Forest Service and the Contractor will be determined prior to operations.

Hang-up tree. Any cut tree suspended off the ground.

Landings. Areas used to stage and load wood or slash materials just prior to removal from the unit. Existing openings along edges of haul roads which are large enough to hold decks, slash piles, and accommodate loading equipment to place removal materials onto haul vehicles.

Leave Tree. Any live or dead tree that is selected or required to be left standing, as provided in the specifications.

Leave Tree Mark (LTM). Trees designated by the USFS with painted marks to be left. Paint color is specified in the Unit Information form.

Leave Trees per acre. The numbers of leave trees within one acre. Generally referred to as average leave trees per acre calculated from one or more plot samples.

No. Of trees per plot X reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre and

Total trees on all plots X reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre

Total no. Plots taken

Limbing. Totally severing live and dead limbs from off of the bole.

Live Limb. A limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Missing Leave Trees. Government inspection term for cut trees that, according to requirements, should have been left uncut.

MUTCD. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Street and Highway.

Project Area. A number of geographically grouped units within the burn analysis area to form a single Task Order.

Project Level Information Form. A document included with the task order with specific information about the project area, including number of calendar days period of performance, treatment acres, slash treatment types, timing restrictions, and restricted road use limitations. See Section J exhibit.

Protected Reserve Trees. All leave trees and/or Snags which have intrinsically greater ecosystem values, due to rarity, size, species, or other resource criteria described in Unit Information. The Government may assess penalties for damage done to these trees through willful or negligent actions by the Contractor.

Pruning. Removal of limbs from trees as specified in the Unit Information. The purpose may be for control of disease, or for lifting the tree crown above ground to reduce ladder fuels. All pruned limbs shall be completely severed from the main tree bole. Cuts shall be done flush with the bole bark, so as not to leave a portion of the limb protruding beyond 1/2 inch from the bole bark surface. Pruning of limbs shall always be started with an undercut, followed by a top cut if needed, in order to prevent bole bark from peeling down as the limb falls. No damage penetrating beneath the bark layer shall be inflicted to the tree bole during pruning. Pruning shall be done up to a height of 5 feet above ground, unless otherwise specified in the Unit information. Pruning slash shall be treated the same as created slash.

Skidding. Transportation of felled whole trees or snags, trimmed boles, bucked boles, and/or slash from the point of origin to designated landings along haul roads. Skidding is done only on pre-approved skid trail locations. It may include transport by machine, vehicle, animal, or hand.

Slash. Any Contractor generated residue (limbs, tops, bark) from cutting, limbing, or bucking the boles of standing or down dead trees. See the following section Slash Treatment for a complete description of slash treatment methods and specifications.

Snag. Any standing or leaning dead tree taller than 6 feet.

Sound (referring to dead wood). Wood that is solid enough to hold together for skidding as an intact piece.

Spacing (Average). The horizontal distance from the bole of one leave tree to the boles of the surrounding leave trees. Average spacing is calculated from the average trees per acre.

Stream course. The area along a stream with riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment, which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws.

Streamside and Spring Filter Zone (SFZ). A linear or circular strip of land set at a designated width along the edges of protected drainages and around springs, in which ground disturbance by mechanized equipment is restricted. Maintaining a mat of herbaceous vegetation and ground cover in place to filter out overland movement of sediment or ash into the water channel is the primary objective. SFZ widths are determined based on the soil erosion hazard stated in the Unit Information.

Stump Height. Stump height is the acceptable maximum level left above ground, measured from the uphill side, after a tree is felled. Stumps shall not exceed 12 inches for trees 12.0 inches DRC/DBH and larger. They shall not exceed 6 inches for trees under 12.0 inches DRC/DBH, which may require lowering the stump after felling. Maximum stump height may be modified in both cases to 4 inches above fixed natural obstacles, such as large rocks. Trees designated for felling which are wired into established fence lines shall be cut at 4 inches above the top fence wire.

Timing Restrictions. A period during the year when operations are restricted:

MSO (Mexican Spotted Owl) – No activities from March 1 – August 31

GSH (Northern Goshawk) – No activities from March 1 – September 30 Other restrictions may apply to other Threatened and Endangered or Sensitive species.

Soils - No off-road equipment activities unless soils are totally dry or frozen.

Slash - Must be treated within 28 days after creation for reduced fire hazard and bark beetle risk.

TPA. Trees Per Acre - Individual boles per acre above DRC. Includes live and dead trees.

Tree Designation. Trees designated to be cut by any of three methods: See DxD, CTM, LTM.

Trimming. Completely severing the top and limbs from the bole. A specified bole diameter for top trimming may be required. Also called “de-limbing” or “limbing” when just limbs are cut from the bole.

Undesignated Timber Unnecessarily Damaged or Negligently or Willfully Cut. Undesignated timber meeting current Forest sawlog or roundwood utilization standards and unnecessarily damaged or negligently or willfully cut by Contractor shall be assessed at current Forest standard rates for penalty.

Unit. A specifically defined area with a specific prescription for the treatments prescribed to meet thinning and fuel reduction objectives for that particular forest condition.

Unit Information Form. A document included in the Task Order and shown on the project map that describes the treatment and activities that will occur in the unit. It may describe work complexity, desired condition, what material is to be removed, what material is to be left, slash treatments, and any special considerations or restrictions that apply to a given unit. See Section J exhibit.

Unsatisfactory Tree. Cutting of a tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes but is not limited to:

Cutting the wrong tree or failing to cut a correct tree. Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection.

Winching. Pulling or end-lining felled trees or slash over inaccessible ground, or a specified protected distance, or out of a group of trees where damage may occur if normally skidded, by means of cable drawn out from the skidder or skidding vehicle. May also be used to assist felling or dropping snags.

SECTION C3 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Provided at Prework meeting. Sample provided in Section J.

SECTION C4 – CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C4.1. General.

C4.1.1. Road Access and Landings.

The Contractor may use system roads and service roads that run through the project area for access with motorized vehicles such as cars, trucks, or other mechanized equipment to perform work during normal operating seasons. However, some of the interior roads have been closed, i.e., heavily water barred, ripped or brush placed on roadway. The Contractor will restore pre-existing water bars and road closure efforts resulting from Contractor’s use.

All cultural and historic sites will be protected. Most sites will be protected by complete avoidance by mechanized equipment. Any removal of trees or slash treatment within a site is required to be approved by the COR. Designated site boundaries will be identified and flagged by the Forest Service prior to operations.

Equipment operations for removal of trees and slash treatment, including hauling, is subject to “dry or frozen conditions” (See section J, Apache-Sitgreaves Rutting Guidelines).

The COR will approve the use, and conditions of use, of any road not shown on the project or unit map. Any new temporary road is required to be approved by the COR prior to construction.

C4.2. Tree Thinning.

Thinning reduces the density of a sapling/pole or savanna stand, and by purposeful selection of leave trees improves the stand composition and condition as prescribed for each individual unit.

C4.2.1. Selection of Leave Trees

The Contractor shall utilize the characteristics of desirable leave trees (refer to definitions) and requirements in this section for selecting the leave trees. The work requirements are based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and are intended to be a guideline for achieving the desired final condition. The Contractor shall use their forestry knowledge to identify and adjust to any conditions within the stand and notify the Contracting Officer of any conditions not addressed in the contract. The Contractor shall recognize any insect, disease or animal damage problems and report them to the Contracting Officer if it is not recognized in the contract. The Government, at the suggestion of the Contractor, may revise work requirements upon approval by the Contracting Officer. Alternate requirements must meet the overall stand objectives to be considered by the Contracting Officer.

Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation. Leave trees severely damaged by the Contractor’s operations shall be removed if they meet cull tree specifications and the slash will be treated to specification. They will be counted as “missing leave trees” on inspection plots. Contractor-created severe damage to leave trees (see “Cull Tree” definition) will not be permitted to continue after the COR has issued the first written warning.

C4.2.1.1. Leave Tree Spacing Selection.

Whenever Designation by Description (DxD) is required, the Contractor shall select the most desirable leave trees based on the work requirements and desirable leave tree characteristics within the acceptable stocking density. Alter the spacing to select the most desirable tree within 20% of the spacing distance identified in the Unit Information form. Spacing and Trees per Acre (TPA) shall not be materially changed across the work unit.

C4.2.2. Cutting trees not selected as leave trees.

C4.2.2.1. All trees not designated as leave trees shall be cut.

C4.2.2.2. All cut trees shall be completely severed and have no live limbs (as defined in Section C2 Definitions) remaining on the stump, to prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material. Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C4.2.2.3. Severely damaged trees are all trees which are over 2 feet in height that now meet any of the “Cull Tree” definitions as a result of the Contractor's operation. Such damaged or destroyed trees shall be felled and further treated by the slash treatment method specified for the area. Maximum stump height requirement (see definition) also applies.

C.4.3. SLASH TREATMENTS

Treatment methods below appear in the same order as they occur in the contract Line Items in Section B.

In the case that all slash is not removed, vegetative debris larger than 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet long resulting from Contractor's operations in the cutting of trees is created slash, and must be treated according to Unit Information specifications or accepted method proposed by offeror.

All fresh green slash must be treated in conjunction with thinning, not to exceed 28 days after creation to reduce fire hazard and/or bark beetle risk.

Dead and down woody material less than 6 inches in diameter and more than 3 feet long existing on the site prior to Contractor’s operations are existing slash, not to be treated.

Unit Information will describe what slash treatments are to be done, and whether the treatment is to include created green tree slash, felled snags, or both. Any variations in the slash disposal methods listed below will be described in the attached Unit Information. The information to be filled in the general descriptions below will be described in the Unit Information.

In the event the resulting tree boles, limbs or tops (slash) are not removed, the contractor is responsible for the treatment of the remaining slash. The remaining slash will receive one or more of the following treatments, depending on resource objectives: 1. Lopping and scattering to within 2 feet of the ground; 2. Hand piling or Machine piling according to contract specifications; 3. Total removal off-forest; 4. Mastication; 5.Chipping; 6. Salvage of certain species/sizes if requested and approved; 6. No treatment necessary.

By agreement in writing, certain slash may be left for public fuelwood gathering. When the specified treatment is by a combination of methods, slash not treated by one of the methods shall be treated by the other(s).

Slash treatment along roads shall be accomplished without affecting the proper functioning of channels leading to and from drainage structures.

All vegetative debris associated with construction of Temporary Roads such as unutilized timber, brush and grubbed stumps is construction slash. Measures to be taken by Contractor for treatment of construction slash will be described in specific task orders as part of the road work.

Forest Service and Contractor shall jointly develop a schedule for completion of slash treatment on the various portions of the Project Area prior to Contractor's Operations.

METHODS OF SLASH TREATMENT (Any measurements left blank will be completed in the task order, Unit Information):

C.4.3.1. Method: LOP and SCATTER Definition and Specifications: Lop = Cutting limbs of trimmed and/or bucked boles down to a specified vertical height above the ground. Scatter = Breaking up concentrations of slash by pulling it apart and leaving it unpiled or unstacked so that it does not overlap too many other slash pieces. Often used to ensure slash will receive full sunlight and good air circulation for more rapid drying and/or bark beetle brood prevention.

Slash shall be treated by limbing or severing, or both, and scattered as necessary to place slash within 2 feet of the ground over entire area of cutting unit. Occasional slash which exceeds the maximum height, not to exceed 5 percent of slash to be lopped and scattered, is acceptable. No slash will remain or be placed within 10 feet of any leave tree 16 inches DBH/DRC or larger. Slash shall not be placed down slope from leave trees. Lopped and scattered material must be left according to the required pullback distances defined in this section for the Pullback method. Some slash will be scattered (the amount to be in agreement with the COR, depending on the conditions) over skid trails as an erosion control measure.

C.4.3.2. Method: HAND PILING

Definition and Specifications:

Created slash smaller than 6 inches in diameter and longer than 3 feet shall be hand piled in accordance with the following specifications:

Location of Piles: Landings, temporary roads, and natural openings shall be utilized for pile placement. The minimum spacing between piles shall be equivalent to one and one-half the diameter of the adjacent pile. Piles must be left according to the required pullback distances stated for the pullback method below.

Contractor shall not be required to move slash more than 75 feet to meet the above pile location requirements.

Construction of Piles: Piles shall be compact and dirt-free, with most small slash on the bottom to facilitate consumption during burning. Piles shall not be less than 4 feet in diameter and height and shall not exceed 20 feet in diameter. All slash which protrudes 2 feet or more from outer edge of the pile shall be bucked off and placed on the pile.

C.4.3.3. Method: REMOVING

Definition and Specifications: Mandatory transportation of cut whole trees, boles, slash, residue, and/or equipment on designated haul roads from landings within the contract area to completely off of the National Forest, usually within a specified time frame.

Created slash shall be moved or hauled completely off of the National Forest. It shall not be moved to another location to be left on the National Forest. Minimum slash removal size is 1 inch diameter and 3 feet long.

For acres where removal is the required method, and salvage rights are agreed upon, no product salvage rates will be charged to the contractor.

The Landing and Grapple Piling method addressed below may be negotiated for certain Task Orders only if needed in special cases.

C.4.3.4. Method: MACHINE PILING

Definition and Specifications:

Concentrations of created slash, excluding scattered individual pieces, shall be machine piled by tractor equipped with brush rake as per the Machine Piling Specifications.

Machine Piling Specifications

Acceptable Equipment: Piling will be accomplished with a crawler tractor or skid-steer not to exceed overall width of 10 feet. The machine will be equipped with a brush blade having teeth extending a minimum of 11 inches below the frame. The teeth shall number at least 7 and no more than 10.