RFP_IDIQ_Tree_Stand_Exam_Forestwide_2009.doc

SERVICE RFP

SOL NO AG-8173-S-09-0015

UNIT APACHE-SITGREAVES NF

PROJ NAME Forestwide IDIQ Tree Stand Exam

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 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 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

wabbott@fs.fed.us

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X

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.

different 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.

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

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

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code and extension)

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 COMPETITION

FORMCHECKBOX

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

FORMCHECKBOX

41 U.S.C. 253(c) (

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TO RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

· _____ Request For Proposals (RFP) Return Package (Be sure to include Business Proposal (Prices) separate from Technical Proposal (Past Performance and Technical Capability) in the same package submitted as an offer to this RFP.

· _____ Register or maintain yearly registration in CCR/ORCA (Make sure your firm has entered NAICS code 237110 as one of its specialty areas of work in CCR)

· _____ 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____________________

· _____ Be certain to complete the clauses in SECTION K--REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS;

· _____MSWPA Number ________________ (Migrant Seasonal Worker Protection Act Number, if applicable to work being performed)

· _____ 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 MEETING

DATE:

TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009

TIME:

10:00 A.M. (MST)

LOCATION:

SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE

APACHE-SITGREAVES NF

30 S. CHIRICAHUA DR

SPRINGERVILLE, AZ 85938

NOTE: ALL VENDOR INFORMATION SUBMITTED ON THIS PAGE SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND USED ONLY AS NEEDED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER AND OTHER FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE AWARDED CONTRACT.

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

01 SEP 2009 – 30 AUG 2013

* Includes all work items specified in the performance work statement

B. 1.2. CONTRACT LINE ITEMS:

Description

B. 2 AGAR 452.216-73 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $500.00, but not in excess of $100,000.00 per delivery (task) order.

B. 3. AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: Task orders may be issued by the authorized officials shown below.

Warren Abbott, Contracting Officer

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION C1 - GENERAL

Introduction

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has a requirement to collect stand examination data for the Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Lakeside, and Springerville Ranger Districts. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), incidentals, and perform all work necessary to conduct stand examinations in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation. The purpose of this contract is to secure stand examine data collection services for the Government in a manner outlined in Chapter 4 of the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Region specific Appendices www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml unless specifically modified by the contents of this contract.

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

This contract is determined on a per plot basis. Pricing shall be determined on a per plot basis for each Task Order. It is the prospective bidder’s responsibility to determine the amount of work necessary to meet objectives within the contract time specified in accordance with the contract specifications, within the boundaries of the project area. It is highly recommended that prospective offerors visit the site to determine the amount of work necessary to complete the project as required by the contract specifications. The anticipated 2009 Task Order is estimated at approximately 2000 plots on the Black Mesa, Lakeside, and Alpine Ranger Districts.

C1.1 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, expertise, labor, equipment, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary for successful data collection. All aspects of the work of the contract shall be performed in an organized, professional, and systematic manner to assure services shall be performed over the entire unit.

The awarded contractor is required to be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act.

Some work areas may include areas burned in wildfires, snags and burned trees are present along with stump holes and other hazards. Wind creates a potential for blow down trees or falling woody debris

C.1.2. This contract is a Performance Based Service Contract for which the statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in section C7 Performance Requirements Summary.

C.1.2.1. The term of the contract is anticipated to be one-year with four one-year option periods, for a total of five years. Period of performance will be determined on each task order by the number of working days calculated for each project.

C.1.3. Location and Description. Plot locations will be identified through specific Task Orders and are within the Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Lakeside, and Springerville Ranger Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Lands.

C.1.3.1 Detailed Unit Information. Task Orders will contain detailed unit information. Topography generally ranges from flat to approximately 45 percent slope, with a portion greater than 45 percent. Elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet. Contractor and workers shall use proper safety precautions regarding safety hazards attributed to dead standing trees and other site hazards throughout the data collection areas.

Unit Description Table

C.1.3.2 Accessibility

The project area is within the Forest and District boundaries as described above. Roads and accessibility will be described in each Task Order and shown on maps. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to sample locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a sample location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

Accessibility may be determined from maps, which will be furnished by the Forest Service. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the USDA Forest Service travel management plan, including yearlong or seasonal closures to motor vehicles, unless authorization is obtained. Maps and digital orthoquads may indicate that a road goes to the stand; however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted. Stand locations may necessitate that Contractor walk to the stand or acquire some other means of travel.

The Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) may restrict use of any road when such use of the road will damage resources.

C.1.3.2.2. Transport within unit. General project areas may be reached by using forest roads, State and County roads as shown on vicinity and projects maps. Most roads are accessible between the months of April through October, though four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles may be necessary on some roads. The Government assumes no responsibility to maintain roads in passable condition. Many interior logging roads have been closed i.e., heavily water barred, washed out, or covered with down wood debris and dead trees.

The Contractor may transport crews and equipment from the access point or portions of the project area at the Contractor’s discretion consistent with any restrictions on motorized or other vehicle type specified with COR approval. Some plots may be located within designated wilderness, primitive or inventoried roadless areas where motorized or mechanized transport is prohibited. These plots will be identified in the task order.

In cases where exam areas are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after entering or exiting each gate and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use. The Contractor is permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit access point with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew.

Example: If the contractor uses and/or opens a closed road, the contractor shall be required to repair water bars and reseed vegetation (grass and forbs) to original condition. If re-vegetation becomes necessary, the seed mix shall be determined by the Forest Service, but seed shall be provided by the contractor. Reseeding shall be to Forest Service Standards. If down woody debris is moved, it will be replaced to original condition.

ATV’s i.e.: 3-wheelers or 4-wheelers may be used off Forest System (primarily numbered roads) roads to deliver gas or oil, etc. During contract performance the Contracting Officer (CO) may exclude certain areas from ATV travel. The CO may restrict use of any road when such use of road will damage resources. A travel access permit may be required to use closed roads or to travel cross country using ATV’s.

C.1.3.2.3. Air Transport Air Operations are not allowed under this contract.

C1.4. 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 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 alternates(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

SECTION C2 – DEFINITIONS

C2.1 Standard Definitions

C2.1.1 Acceptable Service. A job performed to the standard and within the acceptable quality level. The Contractor must do the specific job, and meet the standard, and meet the acceptable quality level before one can say that performance is acceptable for payment.

C2.1.2 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.

C2.1.3 Contracting Officer (CO). A Government employee with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Contracting Officer.

C2.1.4 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The Contracting Officer will delegate the administration of the on the ground work to qualified government employee. The duties and responsibilities of a COR are defined in the letter of designation by the CO.

C2.1.5 Defective Service. A unit of service that contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

C2.1.6 Inspector. The COR may designate in writing a government employee to assist with surveillance and minor administrative duties of the contract.

C2.1.7 Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC). A service contract that (1) Describes requirements in terms of results required rather than the methods of performance of the work; (2) Use measurable performance standards (i.e., terms of quality, timeliness, quantity, etc.) and quality assurance surveillance plans; (3) Specifies procedures for reductions of fee or for reductions to the price of a fixed-price contract when services are not performed or do not meet contract requirements; (4) May include performance incentives where appropriate.

C2.1.8 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.

C2.1.9 Performance Work Statement (PWS). A statement of work to be performed which identifies the specific work to be performed.

C2.1.10 Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time).

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

C2.1.11 Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

C2.1.12 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.

C2.1.13 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).

C2.1.14 Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

C2.2.0 Technical Definitions

C2.2.1 Access point. The point identified for access to the project area.

C2.2.2 Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, or equipment, and evidenced by dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, deep scars or damage to the bark.

C2.2.3 Flagging Color Designations. The colors of flagging to be used by the Forest Service and the Contractor will be determined prior to operations.

C2.2.4 Project Area. A number of geographically grouped units within the analysis area to form a single Task Order.

C2.2.5 Project Information. A document included with the task order with specific information about the project area, including treatment acres and road use limitations.

C2.2.6 Unit Information. 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.

Refer to Common Stand Exam User’s Guide, Appendix M for other definitions found at www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml

SECTION C3 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

Government-furnished property shall be receipted for by the contractor when delivered on Form AD-107. The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at post award conference.

Section H

Section J

/products/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at post award conference.

/products/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at post award conference.

Use of Premises permits may be required for contractor’s camp if it exceeds local occupation time limit. All maps, keys, and other unused Government-furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the job or upon request of the Contracting Officer. Government-furnished property shall be receipted for by the contractor when delivered on form AD-107.

Replacement cost for any lost, damaged, or unused Government property that is not returned, shall be deducted from the Contractor’s final payment.

SECTION C4 – CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

The contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this PWS.

Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and Appendices found at the following website www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml. Task Orders may revise the version as the documentation requirements or software updates occur.

C.4.1. Boundaries. Boundaries for the individual compartments are not flagged or marked.

C.4.2. Fire Tool box. The contractor shall provide a fire toolbox as described in Section H if required. This is dependent upon timing of data collection.

C.4.3. Resource Protection. The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments and resources in all aspects of the contract work.

C.4.4. ADDITIONAL FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND CONTROL - Fire Plan Requirements. See Section H

C.4.5. Camping – See also Section H.

C.4.5.1 The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests applicable to forest visitors.

C.4.5.2 If the Contractor elects to camp, a signed permit from the District Ranger shall be obtained by the Contractor prior to occupation of an area. Site location will be discussed at post award meeting. The following guidelines will be followed while camping. Final payment shall be withheld until the authorized camping area has been cleaned up to the requirements of the Camping Permit.

If the Contractor does not obtain a camping permit but requires his/her employees to obtain the camping permit, the Contractor remains responsible for campsite clean up and his/her employees conduct while camping on National Forest land.

C.4.5.3. Contractor Information: The Contractor shall abide by the OSHA’s Field Sanitation Standard Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-25, which applies to agricultural establishments hiring 11 or more workers for hand labor. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=137

SECTION C5.0—PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

The following tasks are to be performed to the quality performance requirements shown on the Performance Requirements Summary table in Section C7.

C.5.1. Plot Location C.5.1.1 Plot Location Determination. The Contractor shall use a geographic position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government.

C.5.1.2.Sample plots. Sample plot locations with sample plot numbers to be measured within each stand have been predetermined on topographical maps and are listed in the Survey Stand list (Section J) with Compartment, Stand and number of plots for each stand. The Sample Plots with Sample Plot Numbers have been pre-assigned for each plot in each stand.

C.5.1.3. Locating Plot Center. Upon arrival at the specified sample plot location, the Contractor shall check the topographic map to see if he is at the correct sample plot location and adjust as necessary. The Contractor shall locate the sample plot on the ground. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

C.5.1.4. Non-functioning GPS. If on a particular day the GPS is unable to acquire satellites to execute the traverse from waypoint data or the GPS is unusable for any other reason the contractor may elect to use traditional methods (hand compass and pacing) of plot location. Hand compass adjusted to a magnetic declination as agreed with the Government for each year. In any event the contractor will travel to the sample plot locations to be measured within each stand that have been predetermined on topographical maps. Traverse to plot center shall be marked on trees with flagging visible from flagging to flagging. Plot locations are located on a systematic grid pre-determined by the Government and are located at an azimuth of 360, 270, 180 and 90 degrees .

C.5.1.5. Plot Center Identification/Flagging. The Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker that can be a wire flag, wooden stake, native material, nail, or other marker as agreed upon at the pre-work conference. Upon inspection, the center point of the marker where it intersects the ground shall be used as plot center. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground.

If the marker is not a wire flag, flagging shall be tied to the marker, so that it is visible above the plot center. The location, stand, and plot number, shall be written legibly on the flagging or wire flag using a waterproof marker. For example: "005001-0014”. Plot pins and markers may be provided to the contractor for certain data collection points for relocation purposes.

C.5.2. Survey Technique Sample plots shall be located using waypoint navigation with a GPS unit. Plots shall be located on the ground according to the sample plot numbers predetermined on a topographic map. Acceptable error is +/- 30 feet of the true plot location. Recurring errors in location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory and relocation of sample plots and re-measurement shall be required..

C.5.3. Recording Requirements

The data fields to be collected and recorded are enumerated in Data Collection Requirements below.

Data shall be recorded electronically using one or more of the following:

Government provided Exams PDR program. System requirements, installation, and operation can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/ Government provided ExamsPC program. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with the Windows 2000 or XP operating systems. This may require data to be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into the ExamsPC program at a later time. It has not been tested for Windows Vista operating system. System requirements, installation, and operation can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/ The contractor is responsible for providing the computer hardware necessary for running the software programs (see Government Furnished Property).

C.5.4. Qualifications

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in forest mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification.

Each crew leader must also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

a. Proficient in the interpretation of topographic maps.

b. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field and on original topographic maps.

c. Knowledge in the use of hand held compass, pacing, and map measurements..

d. Knowledge of rating tree defects and parasitic plants.

e. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

f. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmitting any data supplied by that employee.

C.5.5. Data Collection Requirements This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each of the following data forms are found in the Common Stand Exam (CSE) User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). If the following contract specifications differ from the provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices listed below, the following contract specifications shall have precedent.

All data provided by the government or contractor shall be entered electronically by the contractor.

C.5.5.1. Setting Form (CSE)

Setting (Stand) Data. A setting is the stand in which the exam is being done. The following data must be collected for each setting. Detailed information and lists of valid codes are found in the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and appendices. The Stand Sketch Maps and Traverse Notes will be used to record reference point description, traverse information and a general stand sketch if GPS is unavailable and a compass is used.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Form for all data items (Section J) that are set to “YES” in the Required column:

Setting Form (CSE)

Source Comments

Not Collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

All Setting Form fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the setting form provided in the Section J. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

C.5.5.2. Sample Design Form (CSE)

The Contractor shall determine which Fixed Plot size to use for live trees 5.0 inches DBH/DRC or greater. Plots shall be designed to sample an average minimum of 8 large live trees per fixed plot. To determine the fixed plot size to use, an average minimum of 8 trees per plot must be obtained on the fixed plot size in the stand. Stands having less than the average minimum are not acceptable and must be re-sampled with a larger radius to meet the average minimum. The same fixed plot sizes must be used throughout the stand. Fixed plot size allowable factors are, 1/10, 1/20, 1/24, and 1/30 acre plots. If a fixed plot size of 1/10 acre is used, the plot average will be waived. The same fixed plot sizes must be used consistently throughout the stand.

The Contractor shall determine which Fixed Plot size to use for live trees less than 5.0 inches DBH/DRC. To determine the fixed plot size to use, a average minimum of 8 trees per plot average must be obtained on the fixed plot size in the stand. The same fixed plot sizes must be used throughout the stand. Fixed plot size allowable factors are 1/20 and 1/100 acre plots. If a fixed plot size of 1/20 acre is used, the plot average will be waived. The same fixed plot sizes must be used consistently throughout the stand.

A one acre fixed plot size shall be used to record standing dead trees > 12 inches DBH and 15 feet in height for DBH species and > 10 inches DRC and 12 feet in height for DRC species. Where a 1 acre plot size results in a minimum average greater than 6 samples per plot, it will be permissible to reduce the plot size to one-half (1/2) acre. The same fixed plot sizes must be used consistently throughout the stand.

A 1/10 acre fixed plot will be used to record stumps > 12”diameter.

A one (1) acre fixed plot size shall be used to record down woody material (logs) or sections of logs exceeding the minimum specifications of 12 inches diameter and 8 feet in length. If a portion of a log meets minimum specifications, the log will be recorded. If a log appears to meet diameter specifications prior to decay, record the log. Diameter for the pieces will be measured at the mid-point.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form in Section J as the template for all plots.

Sample Design Form (CSE)

Source Comments

All sample design fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the design form provided in the Section J. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

C.5.5.3. Plot Form (CSE) The following items are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column .

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Plot Data with the following:

Plot Form (CSE)

Comments

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

All plot data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the plot data form provided in the Section J. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

C.5.5.4. Tree Form (CSE)

Begin recording standing tree data on the Tree form at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center.

a.

Growth Sample Trees located on the large fixed radius plot. Contractor shall put flagging on all Growth Sample Trees.

b.

Live Trees located on the large fixed radius plot. Allowable fixed plot sizes for large live trees are: 1/10, 1/20, 1/24, and 1/30 acre plots to obtain a minimum average by location of 8 trees per plot per stand.

c.

Live Trees located on the small fixed radius plot. Allowable fixed plot size is 1/20 or 1/100 acre plot.

d. Standing Dead Trees (snags) on a 1 acre fixed plot or ½ acre fixed plot.

e. Stumps on same plot as live trees on large fixed radius plot. Conifers > 12” diameter (estimate diameter if stump rotten). Information collected will be species, tree status, diameter, and tree count if > 1.

f. Site trees that are located off plot.

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Tree Data with the following:

Field 4: Site/Growth Trees. A minimum of 3 site trees will be sampled per stand. Site trees species selected will be representative of the species comprising the cover type of the stand. Acceptable site tree species are listed in Section J.

Field 9: Height. Heights will be required for all trees recorded.

Field 21,22,24 : Damage. The presence or absence of Dwarf mistletoe will be checked on all pine species and Douglas Fir. Always record if present regardless of what other damages have been recorded. For all other damages record only those significant damages that are most affecting tree growth and/or longevity. For all trees, a maximum of 3 damages will be recorded. If a tree has no significant damage record no damages for that tree.

The following items, except as noted, are required to be collected by the Contractor for each tree on the plot, for the specified exam level. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column.

Tree Form (CSE)

Required for:

Plot

Not collected

All tree data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the tree data form provided in the Section J. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

C.5.5.5. Vegetation Composition Form (CSE)

This data will not be collected in the course of this contract C.5.5.6. Down Woody Form (CSE)

The following items are required to be recorded on the down woody form at each plot. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices.

Down woody material (logs) will be collected using a 1 acre fixed plot for determining piece counts. See the Sample Design Specifications, Section J, for the plot size and piece size requirements. Pieces to be measured must be in log decay classes 1 through 5. Diameter for the pieces will be measured at the small end. Pieces will be considered in the plot if at least 50% of the minimum size log falls within the plot (Section J).

All down woody fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the down woody form provided in Section J. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

Down Woody Form

Comments

C.5.5.7. Format Data is to be provided

Data shall be provided to the Government in the format provided by the government using ExamsPC format on CD or DVDas described in C.3.1. Government Furnished Propery.

Specific electronic file naming conventions will be outlined during the post award conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file shall also be provided.

C.5.6. Submittals

C.5.6.1 Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan as described below. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan.

C.5.7. Camping and Worksite Plan. The Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities.

C.5.8. Safety Plan. The Contractor shall consider and address crew safety and provide a Safety Plan consistent with FAR 52.236.13 Accident Prevention Alt. I, recognizing that work items may be in areas of snags and fire burned trees and in rugged terrain.

C.5.9. Communications. The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer advised as to where the Contractor can be reached prior to start of Contract Time. Further the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting Officer during periods of work suspension to reduce any delay in resuming data collection and to determine the best suitable time and conditions to resume data collection.

C.5.10. Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-9 and Payrolls

A copy of Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-9 and payrolls for all employees will be required before any payments for work done on the contract will be made. Fourteen days will be allowed for the I-9 Forms and payrolls will be required weekly or biweekly. The payrolls will contain the elements required by the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. All employees of the contractor may be asked to present identification to a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer at various times during the course of the contract. Failure to provide the above mentioned documents will result in delay of payment and/or suspension of the work of the contract.

C.5.11. QUALITY CONTROL

C.5.11.1. Quality Control

C.5.11.1. Quality Control Plan The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within _10__ days of contract award based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments.

The QCP submitted with the technical proposal must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and inspection of an unbiased sample of stand exam and other work to determine actual quality.

All Contractor quality control records shall be provided to the Government for quality assurance assessment consistent with the Government Quality Assurance Plan. All records shall be signed and dated by the contractor’s representative. All contract quality control records shall be provided to the government at the same time that the field data is submitted.

The government will review the quality control performed by the contractor as well as any required paper forms, electronic data or other work submitted to determine whether the quality is sufficient for inspection.

C.5.11.2. Quality Assurance Plan

The government’s Quality Assurance Plan will be given to the contractor at the pre-work meeting. The plan outlines the minimum number of compliance inspections the government will perform on plots that have been inspected by the contractor for quality control. These are turned into the government for compliance inspection as part of quality assurance and inspection and acceptance Section E. In the example below 10% government inspection of contractor inspected plots and 5% for non-inspected plots would yield :

These percentages may be negotiated by the government to most efficiently perform the quality assurance inspections.

10 % of contractor inspected

Inspected by

Government

SECTION C6. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS / INDUSTRY STANDARDS / STATE STANDARDS / GOVERNMENT STANDARDS / TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

C.6.1. Mandatory Standard. USDA Forest Service’s Common Stand Exam User’s Guide, appendices, and data collection forms. Available from the internet website: www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml

SECTION C.7 – PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS )

The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

deduction

Stand Exam Form Completion

All Government-supplied data items are correctly recorded by the contractor on the appropriate forms, and are legible.

100% performance required toward passing.

COR and Inspector conduct periodic monitoring consistent with QASP.

· The Contractor’s quality will be reflected in the performance evaluation either as positive or negative incentive.

· Incorrectly recorded data will result in rework required at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality, no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

Stand Exam Data Collection,

· If Contractor achieves acceptable performance quality, the Contractor will receive unit price as incentive.

· If Contractor does not achieve at least acceptable performance quality, rework at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality, no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

Quality Control

Contractor maintains good quality control on all aspects of operation Actions not consistent with contract specifications are corrected as per the Quality Control Plan.

Contractor’s plot inspections are +/-5% of Government’s verification. Inspection completed to meet timeframes.

COR or inspector randomly sample work and observe operations.

Review Contractor inspection forms.

· The Quality Control provided by the Contractor will be reflected in the performance evaluation…