AG-8173-S-13-0014_RFQ_NVUM_SURVEY.pdf

SERVICE RFQ AG-8173-S-13-0014

Apache-Sitgreaves NFs 2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION PAGE OF PAGES

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER) THIS RFQ IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET- ASIDE 1 39

1. REQUEST NO. 2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT.DEF. RATING

AG-8173-S-13-0013 05/29/2013

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

5a. ISSUED BY 6. DELIVER BY (Date)

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS) 7. DELIVERY FOB DESTINATION

NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER OTHER (See Schedule)

AREA CODE NUMBER 9. DESTINATION

WARREN ABBOTT 928 333-6344 a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

8. TO:

a. NAME b. COMPANY b. STREET ADDRESS

USDA FOREST SERVICE

APACHE-SITGREAVES NFs

c. STREET ADDRESS c. CITY

PO BOX 640 30 S CHIRICAHUA

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

SPRINGERVILLE AZ 85938

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE

ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5A ON OR

BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in BLOCK 5A.

This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the

JUNE 20, 2013

4:00 P.M. LOCAL

submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations are are not attached.

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER 14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO 15. DATE OF

a. NAME OF QUOTER SIGN QUOTATION QUOTATION

b. STREET ADDRESS 16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print) b. TELEPHONE

c. COUNTY AREA CODE

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE c. TITLE (Type or Print) NUMBER

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

18-121 STANDARD FORM 18 (Rev. 6-95) Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

NATIONAL VISITOR USE MONITORING SERVICES

ITEM

No.

DESCRIPTION UNIT

ESTIMATED

QUANTITY

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL

PRICE

1 Daily Field Survey Each 207

2 Mobilization Lump Sum

BASIS FOR AWARD

The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

Past performance is approximately equal to price. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(1) Price Factor:

Provide your best price for each item in the Schedule of Items.

(2) Past Performance (If you have no past references, your offer will be rated neutral for this factor):

List at least three previous or current similar type agreement/contracts within the last three years.

Include name, address, and telephone number for point of contact for references.

(3) Technical Capability -- contractor’s approach to that demonstrates the advantages of their firm’s technical capabilities, including:

1) Description of the firm’s technical abilities, how those abilities were acquired, including experience, training, and education.

2) Strategy to accomplish the work within the time allotted.

3) Project specific quality control plan demonstrating 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.

1) Equipment and availability.

VENDOR COMPANY NAME:___________________________________________________

AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (NAME):________________________________________________

SIGNATURE:______________________________________ DATE:__________________

CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TO RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ)

_____ Request For Quotations (RFQ) Return Packag.

_____SUBMISSIONS (OFFERS) DUE JUNE 20, 2013 4:00 PM MST local time.

_____ Register or maintain yearly registration in SAM (Formerly CCR/ORCA). Notify the Contracting

Officer of any change you make to your CCR record (not the actual change, just that you made a change).

_____ Provide your DUNS number____________________

NVUM 2013 Statement of Work and Specifications

General Information and Project Description

To better understand the amount of recreation use and user satisfaction on the National Forests, the USDA Forest Service is surveying users on all forests through a random sampling system over a four-year window of time. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is being sampled during fiscal year 2013/2014.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has an estimated 207 surveys to be taken from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 (See Attachment A). Actual duration of the survey takes 6 hours at the site;

however, traffic counters shall be placed to count traffic for a 24-hour period of time, which includes the survey time. AM surveys take place between 8 am and 2 pm. PM surveys take place between 2 pm and 8

pm. Adjustments to the afternoon survey time may be made to avoid conducting surveys after dark.

It is critical that each survey be completed on the prescribed date and time as indicated on the final schedule provided at the pre-work meeting. There are approximately 65 days that two surveys are scheduled on the same day. No tolerance is allowed for convenience to persons performing the survey. The only reason for a survey to be delayed would be that the site is physically closed or access to the site is blocked.

Location

The actual survey sites are situated at specified Forest Recreation Sites on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest or other locations on or near the National Forest. There are an estimated number of surveys (207).

There are approximately 65 days that two surveys are scheduled on the same day. If for some reason, a survey is not completed a back-up day will be used. The back-up survey most likely will not be done at the same location and may be at another location(s) not included on the project maps. The back-up day will be selected by the contract COR. Back-up survey logistics will be discussed with the contractor after the award of the contract at a pre-work meeting. See Attachment B, Project Maps to show the location of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

Accessibility by motor vehicle is generally good. All survey sites are reached by graded roads at a minimum, and paved roads in some cases. Weather and wet road conditions could make access difficult in some of the more remote locations. A 4x4 vehicle maybe recommended in some locations but is not required.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is divided into five Ranger Districts: Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Springerville and Lakeside. Travel time maybe substantial between the Districts. This is important to consider when multiple surveys are planned for the same day. There are approximately 65 days that two surveys are scheduled on the same day. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that travel time and set up times are accounted for when multiple surveys are required in one day.

SURVEY REQUIREMENTS

(a) Contracted recreation use surveys will be performed in accordance with the booklet: National Visitor

Use Monitoring Handbook, dated July 2010. Copies will be provided at a pre-work meeting.

(b) Surveys shall consist of exit interviews (only those leaving the site for the last time) during assigned 6-

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey hour periods plus traffic counts as directed by the above training manual. Survey dates and locations shall be followed for successful completion of this contract.

The contractor shall perform recreation use surveys on dates and at times scheduled on the Government provided calendar. In cases of facilities being physically closed on planned survey days, back-up days may be assigned at the discretion of the Government. Back-up days will not be used in cases of inconvenience or inclement weather.

(c) It should be noted that on 65 days, two surveys are scheduled on the same day.

(d) Survey Data Forms – The Contractor shall record survey data on Government provided survey forms as directed by the training manual. This is one of several survey forms that will be discussed. Completed survey forms shall be submitted to the Government Representative for every two week period by the Thursday of the following week. The Contractor will be responsible for reviewing all forms for accuracy and quality assurance prior to providing them to the COR.

(e) Traffic Counts – At most survey sites, the Contractor shall perform hand tallies of passing vehicles or trail users during the 6-hour survey. An additional 24-hour traffic count, performed by the Contractor with Government-provided equipment, shall be completed at the survey site. The USFS will provide K- Hill Pneumatic traffic counters.

(f) Quality Control – At the Government’s discretion, a Government Representative(s) will conduct a minimum of 6 “friendly” inspections and at least 2 “secret shopping” checks during the sample year to ensure all NVUM procedures are being followed. “Friendly” inspections will consist of a Government Representative accompanying the Contractor at the survey site to observe the survey in progress.

“Secret shopper” days will consist of a Government employee posing as a member of the public to be interviewed.

The Contractor shall submit a list of workers, including contact information, who will assist the Contractor in survey performance. The list shall include survey dates and locations.

Survey form accuracy will be reviewed as requested by an authorized inspector or upon submission of monthly survey files or at the time of individual survey observations by an authorized inspector.

(g) Contractor must stay on designated roads and/or trails.

(h) Contractor shall submit survey recording forms to the COR on a bi-weekly basis.

(i) Unsatisfactory Performance – The survey schedule reflects a random sample of recreation users.

Deviation from the schedule will directly impact the accuracy of the study. Satisfactory contract performance depends on the extent the Contactor meets the set survey schedule.

Government / Furnished Equipment ( 14 Items )

The Government shall deliver to the contractor at the pre-work meeting the following listed materials, supplies, property or services:

1. Forest Map with all survey locations

2. Calendar of survey dates and times

3. Interview recording forms

4. Interview script card

5. Copy of “National Forest Visitor Use Monitoring” training manual

6. Training video

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

7. Traffic cones

8. “Survey Ahead” signs

9. “Voluntary Survey” signs

10. Sign Stands

11. Yield Signs

12. Electric eye trail counters with batteries

13. Pneumatic hose traffic counters with batteries

14. Project Inspectors to monitor the progress and quality of the work performed by the contractor.

All Government-Furnished Property shall be returned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative prior to final payment.

Contractor The Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, materials (except Government furnished property as listed in Section G), transportation, supervision, and incidentals necessary to perform Recreation Use Surveys at times and sites listed below, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

The following are recommended for successful contract performance.

1. Transportation to and from survey sites

2. Clipboards

3. No. 2 pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners

4. Cellular/portable telephones for emergency communication

5. Watches

6. Hand-held tally counters

7. Orange safety vests

Contractor / Crew Supervision ( 2 Items )

1. The Contractor shall submit a list of workers, including contact information, who will assist the Contractor in survey performance. The list shall include survey dates and locations.

2. Emergency transportation will be provided by the Contractor at all times.

Notice to Proceed

After the Contract is awarded; the Contracting Officer will issue a Notice to Proceed to the Contractor.

Project Meetings

The Pre-Work Meeting

1. A Pre-Work Meeting will be held prior to the start of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of the meeting time, date and place. The purpose will be to review required work, project drawings and specifications, survey schedules, payroll and payments and administrative provisions of the contract.

2. The Contractor, sub-contractors and the persons responsible for coordination of the work shall be present at the meeting.

Any Progress Meetings

1. Informal meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Government COR. Meetings may be called by either the Government COR or the Contractor. Request shall state who should attend.

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

Inspection and Acceptance

Unsatisfactory Performance

The survey schedule reflects a random sample of recreation users. Deviation from the schedule will directly impact the accuracy of the study. Satisfactory contract performance depends on the extent the Contactor meets the set survey schedule. Missed survey dates, or improperly recorded survey records would constitute unsatisfactory performance and may be considered reason for contract termination and default action.

Inspection

The Government COR or project inspectors will inspect completed surveys and provide recommendations to improve work quality to the Contractor if adjustments are needed while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with the contract specifications.

If the quality level falls below contract specifications, the Government CO will immediately notify the Contractor and instruct the Contractor to improve the quality of work. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level after notification, the Government CO may issue a suspend work order to resolve the problem, during which time contract time will continue to run.

If satisfactory work quality is not obtained the Government may terminate the contract for default.

A Final Inspection shall be held when the work is completed. The Contractor shall notify the Government COR three working days before completing the project so the Government can schedule the inspection. The Contractor shall be present during this inspection.

Payment (FAR 52.232-1)(Apr 1984) The Government shall pay the Contractor, upon the submission of proper invoices or vouchers, the prices stipulated in this contract for supplies delivered and accepted or services rendered and accepted, less any deductions provided in this contract. Unless otherwise specified in this contract, payment shall be made on partial deliveries accepted by the Government if—

(a) The amount due on the deliveries warrants it; or

(b) The Contractor requests it and the amount due on the deliveries is at least $1,000 or 50 percent of the total contract price.

Public Official not Personally Liable There shall be no personal liability upon the Government COR(s) for any act performed in the discharge or any duty imposed or the exercise of any power of authority conferred upon them, by or within the scope of the contract, it being understood that in all such matters they act solely as agents and representatives of the Government.

Forest Service / Contacts If there are any questions concerning this solicitation contact Dustie Aylor (928)333-6337 or Ryan Domsalla (928)333-6268 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. They may also be contacted at the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office, 30 South Chiricahua Drive, Springerville AZ 85938.

Contracting related questions should be addressed to Warren Abbott – Contracting Officer (928)333-6344.

Forest or District Technical Contact Phone Number

Supervisor’s Office Ryan Domsalla – Alternate Coordinator 928-333-6268

Supervisor’s Office Dustie Aylor – Coordinator 928-333-6337

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

Alpine Ranger District Eric Flood 928-339-5000

Black Mesa Ranger District Meckenzie Helmandollar 928-535-7300

Clifton Ranger District Mike Bailey 928-687-8600

Springerville Ranger District Barbara Romero 928-333-4372

Lakeside Ranger District Randall Chavez 928-368-2100

SECTION D--PACKAGING AND MARKING

{For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section}

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E-1. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.arnet.gov/far

52.246-1Contractor Inspection Requirements (APR 1984)

E-2. ACCEPTANCE AND REWORK

Acceptance will be determined based on compliance with National Visitor Use Monitoring Handbook(dated June 2011), the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Use Monitoring Law Enforcement Plan, the NVUM – Risk Assessment, and contract specifications. Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work. Missed survey dates, or improperly recorded survey records shall constitute unsatisfactory performance and may be considered reason for contract termination and default action.

If the Contractor’s work is determined to be unacceptable, the Government may initiate any remedies described in FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services.

FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996)

(a) Definition. "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a Sub- Contractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform to contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may-

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and http://www.arnet.gov/far

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may-

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service;

or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

(End of Clause)

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F-1. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFRENCE (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.arnet.gov/far

FAR 52.242-14 Suspension Of Work (APR 1984) FAR 52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) FAR 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F-2. CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

Contract Time

The Contractor shall begin work after issuance of the notice to proceed. The Contractor shall continue performance of the work under the contract following the schedule provided without delay or interruption except by causes beyond his control. The Contractor shall complete all work required within the time specified in the work schedule.

Performance Time The term of this contract is from date of award (June 2013) through September 30, 2014. All surveys shall be completed by September 30, 2014 and all reports shall be submitted to the designated Government Representative no later than October 15, 2014. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate required that will assure completion within the stated specifications.

http://www.arnet.gov/far

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

G-1. POST AWARD CONFERENCE (AGAR 452.215-73) (NOV 1996)

A post award conference (Pre-Work Meeting) with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled and held within thirty (30) days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a location to be determined.

G-2. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

An awarded contract will have a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Designation will be made by appointment letter.

G-3. SUBCONTRACTS

Before entering into a subcontract covering any part of the work called for, the Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer and submit information required by the Contracting Officer.

G-4. CONTRACT INTERPRETATION

Technical assistance regarding interpretation of the specifications of the contract will be provided by the Contracting Officer or the COR. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to award, modify, and terminate the contract.

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H-1. PERSONNEL

At all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent project manager who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor.

1.1 KEY PERSONNEL AGAR 452.237-74 (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: PROJECT MANAGER.

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

H-2. INDUSTRIAL FIRE PLAN

The following requirements are a part of this solicitation and any resultant contract or permit, and shall be provided at the Contractor’s expense:

1. Wildfire Prevention – During periods of contract/permit performance, fire prevention and immediate suppression actions shall be performed by the Contractor.

2. Execution of Industrial Fire Plan

a. Forest Service personnel involved will, in all cases, coordinate through the Contracting Officer’s

Representative (COR) or Permit Administrator, except in cases of emergency, Red Flag Days, or Forest closure.

b. The Contractor shall designate a Fire Guard, fluent in English, who shall be responsible for executing and carrying out the Industrial Fire Plan requirements. The name of this representative will be provided to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall include the Industrial Fire Plan requirements in all subcontracts.

d. The Contractor shall assure that all contract employees are informed of the existence and conditions of the

Industrial Fire Plan requirements.

3. Compliance Inspection

a. Inspection by the Forest Service will be made to insure compliance with the fire requirements.

b. Should any deficiencies appear during the inspection, the Contractor/Permit holder will be informed and the deficiencies shall be corrected within 24 hours. Activities with the potential to start fires shall be halted until the deficiencies are corrected and the corrections are approved by the COR.

c. The Contractor’s Fire Guard shall make daily inspections to insure that the terms of the Industrial Fire Plan requirements are met at all times, both on the job-site and in the Contractor’s camp.

4. Fire Prevention Requirements

a. Fire Toolbox - During contract performance, the Contractor shall furnish and maintain, at the Contractor’s expense, one mobile Fire Toolbox, within ¼ mile or less of the location where the Contractor is currently performing work and camping.

The fire toolbox is to be maintained with tools in good working condition, in such quantities and mix to provide at least one firefighting tool for each person in the Contractor’s workforce engaged in contract operations. This equipment is for the sole purpose of firefighting: a mix of three shovels, size 0 or larger, one axe, two fire rakes, two Pulaskis, and two 3-5 gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps filled with water. Where appropriate, a chainsaw may be substituted for the axe; a McLeod tool or heavy duty garden rake for a fire rake, and a heavy duty garden wide hoe or other sturdy digging/scraping tool may be substituted for the Pulaski.

The fire toolbox shall be replenished with cleaned, re-sharpened, reconditioned, or new tools by the Contractor after each use.

b. Work Hours – The Contractor shall restrict operations in accordance with the following Industrial Fire Plan level unless the COR waives the requirement in writing.

Each day of operation when there is a predicted change in the Industrial Fire Plan level, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor between 3 and 6 pm MST (4 and 7 pm MDT). Notification will be made of the alphabetical industrial fire precaution plan (Supplement 1) to be followed the next day within the local operating area.

No later than 9 am MST (10 am MDT) the following day, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor of any change in the fire precaution schedule. In the case of Red Flag Days, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor as soon as possible after the National Weather Service issues their high wind warning for that day, which often comes after 9 am MST.

c. Blasting – Use of fuses in blasting shall not be permitted. A Fire Guard must remain on the blasting site for a minimum of one hour after blasting operations have concluded. Required equipment shall consist of at least one 5 lb. fire extinguisher, one long-handled round-pointed shovel size 0 or larger and one 5-gallon hand pump garden sprayer or backpack pump filled with water. Written permission must be obtained from the CO during fire precaution plan B and C days. Blasting hours are restricted under fire precaution plan C;

and blasting is prohibited under fire precaution plan D and on Red Flag days.

d. Welding – An area of sufficient size but not less than a 10 foot radius shall be cleared down to bare mineral soil before welding operations are started. Prior to welding, authorized user shall have available a round-pointed long-handled shovel, at least 5-gallons of water, and a 5-pound fire ABC dry chemical extinguisher at each welding site. A Fire Guard must remain on the welding site for a minimum of one hour after welding operations have concluded. Written permission must be obtained from the COR during fire precaution plan B, C, and D days. Welding is prohibited on Red Flag days.

e. Slash Incineration – Operation of forced-air burners must comply with all state and federal open burning laws, regulations and policies. Forced air burners shall be operated with a minimum set back from combustibles of 100 feet. This activity is prohibited on fire precaution plan C, D and Red Flag days. This activity is restricted and only permitted under a specifically-designated contract.

f. Refuse Burning – No slash (such as that resulting from thinning, or clearing a right-of-way), or other debris shall be burned without advance written consent of the Forest Service. Waste such as broken tools, worn tarps, camp tables, etc. shall be disposed of properly off-Forest, rather than burning.

g. Ash disposal – Ash from cooking or warming fires shall be treated in such a manner as to not constitute a wildfire risk, and shall be disposed of in an approved manner designated by the COR.

h. Controlled Burning – All planned burns, including pile burns or use of air curtain burners, conducted by the

Contractor under the terms and conditions of the contract are required to have a written Burn Plan that meets the requirements of Forest Service Manual 5140 for the project. The Burn Plan must be prepared, recommended and approved by the appropriate Forest Service Officers. The Contractor will notify the CO, COR, and District Fire Management Officer prior to implementation of a burning project. The Contractor will insure all appropriate Federal, State and local laws, regulations, and policies pertinent to the Burn Plan, are adhered to. Training and qualification standards for the Contractor’s employees conducting burning operations will be required according to the applicable regulations in NWCG 310-1, which can found at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website, www.nwcg.gov/pms/docs/docs.htm.

i. Fire Guard – To prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires, the Contractor/Permit holder shall provide one or more trained Fire Guards at each operating area where internal combustion engines, power-driven equipment, incineration equipment, or camp/warming fires are used. Each Fire Guard is required to read, understand, and perform the Industrial Fire Plan duties. The Fire Guards may perform other contract work in conjunction with Fire Guard duties, provided such other work does not distract from Fire Guard responsibilities. A Fire Guard(s) assigned on one operating area shall satisfy the requirements on adjacent areas if the travel time with available transportation is not in excess of ten (10) minutes to any of the other areas, and provided the Fire Guard patrols all areas where operations have occurred.

Each Fire Guard shall be trained, vigilant, able and prepared, to prevent, detect, and report any wildfire; and to promptly and efficiently take suppression action with available required firefighting equipment and personnel on any wildfire that starts on the contract/project area. The Fire Guards shall constantly perform their duties during normal operating hours, with an added three (3) hour watch after work stops for the day when the Fire Precaution Plan is at Plan B, C, or D (see Supplement 1). If the Contractor has agreed to additional terms for operation under Fire Precaution Plan D (see Supplement 2), the Fire Guard will perform all requirements specified in the Plan D Authorization Letter issued by the CO.

http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/docs/docs.htm

Each Fire Guard shall be equipped with a vehicle and shall carry a minimum 5 lb. fire extinguisher and fire tools consisting of a cache box with one shovel, size 0 or larger, one cutting tool such as either an axe, Pulaski or chainsaw, one fire rake or heavy duty garden rake, two 5-gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps, and 25 gallons of water for firefighting purposes. All equipment and tools shall be maintained in serviceable and operable condition. The tool cache for the Fire Guard will be in addition to the Fire Toolbox maintained for the work crews and available for use at both the work site and campsite.

j. Communications –The Contractor shall provide some form of prompt and reliable direct communication, such as a cell phone or two-way radio, between the Fire Guard(s) and the work crews, and between the contractor’s operations and the Forest Service. The Contractor’s cell phone number, and Fire Guard’s cell number, or other form of prompt contact, will be reported to the COR at the pre-work meeting. All communications will be in English.

5. Wildfire Suppression

a. The Contractor shall take independent action immediately to suppress all fires originating within the contract boundary and camp location. The Contractor shall continue fighting the fire until released from the fire by the Forest Service. The Contractor will take appropriate action on a fire outside the contract area or campsite to the level of their firefighting experience, abilities and qualifications. The Contractor may be requested to assist the Forest Service with fighting a fire if the personnel have been trained and equipped with the proper personnel protective equipment (PPE). If contract operations are interrupted for fire fighting purposes the Contractor shall notify the COR as soon as practical.

b. If the Contractor pursues fighting any wildfire which has moved from off the USFS contract land and crosses onto lands of other ownership, such as private property, the Contractor shall be aware that dangers may be present associated with urbanized areas. For example, the Contractor will need to become highly alert, and take extreme care to avoid dangers associated with open flames or operating heavy equipment near propane/butane tanks and underground gas lines, overhead/underground electric lines, underground septic tanks, and private outbuildings which may contain hazardous or flammable/explosive chemicals.

Coordination as soon as possible with USFS and/or local municipal firefighters who are better trained for safe wildland/urban-interface fire suppression tactics is recommended when faced with fires on private lands.

c. All fires shall be reported immediately to the most available Forest Service office. The COR will insure that all fire reports are forwarded immediately to the Apache-Sitgreaves NF Fire Dispatcher’s Office. Even though the fire may have been suppressed by the Contractor’s crew, this report is still required. The office and telephone numbers to which fires shall be reported will be furnished to the Contractor at the contract pre-work meeting.

d. The Contractor shall not perform fire suppression activity, or provide reinforcement support, on any wildfires that originates and remains outside the contract boundary or Contractor’s camp location, without meeting the criteria below.

If the Contractor wishes to be available to assist the Forest Service with emergency wildfire suppression or support activities beyond the contract boundary, all the Contractor’s, and/or Subcontractor’s, equipment must first be signed up on an Equipment Rental Agreement, USDA/USDI Optional Form 294, issued by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. (In cases of extreme emergency, the Forest Service can finalize this agreement at the fire location.) Emergency use of equipment manned with operators, such as dozers, skidders, tree shears, chainsaws and water trucks/trailers, would then be compensated to the Contractor at current Forest Service fire-fighting rental equipment rates common to the area. Equipment rented by the Forest Service under this agreement shall be operated only by physically able personnel supplied by the Contractor.

Likewise, all personnel employed or subcontracted by the Contractor who wish to work on wildfires as individuals must first be currently certified with the required fire training to be qualified as a wildland firefighter before being permitted to assist the Forest Service with fire suppression. Firefighters must also have completed the necessary forms to become temporary emergency Forest Service fire-fighting employees.

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

Contract personnel temporarily released off this contract by the Contractor to fight off-contract fires, shall be paid by the Forest Service at current USFS standard emergency “administratively determined” (AD) fire-fighting rates.

The COR can direct you on how and where to make these preparations in advance. The contract COR must be notified as soon as possible in writing when the above conditions for fire rental equipment and personnel have been met. The Contractor must also notify the COR as soon as practical if contract operations are interrupted for emergency fire fighting outside the contract area. If the Contractor does not wish to meet these criteria to help fight wildland fire outside the contract area, the Contractor is not required to do so.

6. Equipment Requirements

a. Passenger carrying vehicles, including light pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles, shall be equipped with one

(1) long-handled round pointed shovel and one (1) ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher not less than 2 ½ pounds capacity. Each internal combustion fuel-carrying piece of equipment (dump-truck, dozer, excavator, backhoe, fuel service truck, etc…) shall be equipped with one long-handled round-pointed shovel, and one 5-pound capacity ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. Shovels and fire extinguishers shall be so mounted as to be readily reached from the ground, and shall be maintained in good working condition at all times.

The work camp and fuel-storage area shall be equipped with a shovel, double bit axe, and class ADC pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 15 pounds capacity by weight, kept in good working condition.

These shovels and fire extinguishers are in addition to those required for the Fire Guard tool cache (4.a.) and the mobile crew fire tool box (4.e). These shall be furnished and maintained at the Contractor’s expense.

b. Authorized user will ensure that each internal combustion engine (both gasoline and diesel fueled) used on the project and in camp shall be equipped with a spark arrester qualified and rated under USDA Forest Service Standard (Spark Arrester Guide) 5100-1a or the latest revision of Society of Automotive Engineers "medium size engine, SAE recommended practice J350" unless it is:

(i) Equipped with a turbine-driven exhaust supercharger such as the turbocharger. There shall be no exhaust bypass.

(ii) A multi-position engine, such as on power saws purchased after 6/30/77 which must meet the performance levels set forth in the Society of Automotive Engineers "multi-positioned small engine exhaust fire ignition standard, SAE recommended practice J335B" as now or hereafter amended. Those purchased prior to the above date shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester/muffler containing a 0.023 inch mesh screen which all exhaust products must pass through. The effective exhaust area of the screen (total area of all screen openings) shall not be less than 200 percent of the engine exhaust port area at its smallest cross-section. Screen material will be heat and corrosion resistant, and shall provide at least 100 hours of service life.

(iii) A passenger carrying vehicle or light truck, or medium truck up to 40,000 GVW, used on roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and an exhaust system in good working condition.

(iv) A heavy duty truck, such as a dump truck, or other vehicle used for commercial hauling, used only on roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and with a vertical stack exhaust system extending above the cab. Exhaust equipment described here, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed and constantly maintained in serviceable condition.

c. All internal combustion engines must be inspected before use in the job and periodically thereafter by the Forest Service. Equipment not passing inspection cannot be used until repairs are made, re-inspected, and passed by the Forest Service.

d. Care shall still be taken at all times to avoid parking all vehicles over tall grass, brush or flammable materials.

e. Equipment service areas, and gas and oil storage areas, shall be cleared of brush, litter, debris, and grass for a radius of at least 50 feet. Locations shall be pre-approved by the Forest Service.

f. All crawler tractors and rubber-tired equipment suitable for fire suppression work shall be equipped with lights for nighttime use. This includes two functioning headlights, and 1 to 2 backup lights.

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

g. Powered handtools (saws, augers, drills, jack hammers, pumps, etc.) shall be kept in a safe, serviceable condition at all times. Each power tool shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester screen muffler system as defined in this section.

(i) The refueling of powered tools shall be done in an area which is completely cleared of flammable materials (such as on bare mineral soil) and the tool shall be moved at least 10 feet from the point of refueling to another barren spot before being started.

(ii) Power tools with warm or hot spark arresters/screen mufflers—running or not—shall not be placed or rested on sawdust piles, litter duff, stumps, or spots that are easily ignited.

(iii) During periods of use, each powered handtool operator shall have readily available for use, one long-handled round-pointed shovel, one chemical-pressurized ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight, and a Factory Mutual (FM) approved fuel can. Muffler, extinguisher, shovel and fuel can shall be maintained in good working order at all times. The shovel is to be kept with the fuel supply can.

h. Forced Air Burners shall be kept in serviceable conditions at all times. Blower unit power supplies must comply with 6 b, c and d above.

7. Smoking and Fires

a. Smoking – When/where smoking is permitted, cigarette butts or other smoking materials shall be extinguished completely and disposed of responsibly.

i. No smoking shall be allowed while traveling, except on surfaced highways. A surfaced highway is any road that is oiled, graveled, or otherwise paved.

ii. Smoking is not permitted while working. Smoking is only permitted in camp or on breaks, and only in areas having a clearing of at least 3 feet in diameter to bare mineral soil or rock, or preferably inside an enclosed vehicle with an ash tray.

(3.) Smoking is not permitted while refueling, or while in the fuel storage/ service area.

b. Fires – Warming fires, cooking fires, or burning of daily kitchen waste at camp or on the job-site, shall not be permitted during periods of high to extreme fire danger except in designated places by written consent of the Forest Service. All other fires (such as burning of debris resulting from clearing a camp or right-of-way) and ash disposal are covered under sections 4.e., 4.f., 4.g., and 4.h.

8. Red Flag Events - A “Red Flag Event” by definition, is a combination of environmental factors that can lead to extreme wildland fire behavior. The criteria for a Red Flag Event include a combination of sustained high winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. The thresholds for Red Flag Events are established by the local National Weather Service office.

Red Flag Events are categorized in the following order:

FIRE WEATHER WATCH is issued to alert the possibility of the development of conditions that would lead to a Red Flag Alert.

RED FLAG WARNING is issued to warn of a predicted, impending or ongoing event that will meet the criteria of a Red Flag Alert within the next 24 hour period. This warning will generally precede a full alert.

RED FLAG ALERT is the most critical stage and implemented when conditions are extreme When a Red Flag Alert is issued by the National Weather Service, all contractor and permitee operations will adhere to Industrial Fire Precaution Plan “D” and will shut down operations until the Red Flag Alert is rescinded.

Red Flag categories are announced publicly on 24-hour radio broadcasts on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio channels for localized vicinities. The contract COR or Permit Administrator can provide operators the correct weather radio channel to use for a particular project area.

RFQ AG-8173-S-13-0014

2013 NATIONAL VISITORS USE MONITORING SERVICES

APACHE-SITGREAVES NFs

9. Fire Plan and Closure Order Violations

a. Contractor’s violation or deficiency in meeting fire plan requirements shall result in a state of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Immediate suspension of contract operations will be enforced until the deficiency or violation is corrected.

b. The Contractor shall advise all employees of Forest campfire, smoking, powersaw, and/or area closure orders (36 CFR

261.52 (a) (c) (d) (e) (h)). After notification to the Contractor by the Forest Service of such orders taking effect, the Contractor and their employees may be subject to criminal action under Federal Regulations separate from this contract should a violation occur.

10. Fire Suppression Costs – The USDA Forest Service reserves the right to participate in extinguishing any fires caused by the

Contractor’s operations. Contractor’s obligations for cost of fire suppression, and all suppression activities ordered or directed by the Forest Service, vary according to three classifications of fires as follow below:

a. Operations Fire. An “Operations Fire” is a fire caused by Contractor’s operations other than a Negligent Fire, when all requirements of this industrial fire safety plan have been met and consistently maintained by the Contractor. The Government (Forest Service) shall perform fire suppression activities on Operations Fires, under the authorities of 16 USC 572. Contractor agrees to reimburse the Forest Service for expenses incurred by the Forest Service for the cost of an Operations Fire, to a maximum of $10,000 dollars for each occurrence.

b. Negligent Fire. A “Negligent Fire” is a fire caused by negligence or fault of the Contractor’s deficient operations by failure to comply with all requirements of this industrial fire plan (ie. “Fire Plan Negligence”), which results in a wildfire starting or permitting a controlled fire to spread out of control. Damages and the cost of suppressing Negligent Fires shall be borne by the Contractor. The Contractor shall also be responsible for full or partial costs and damages to any property of the USDA Forest Service or third parties caused by escaped fires resulting from Contractor’s negligence.

c. Other Fires in Immediate Area. This situation is covered under section 5.d. of this industrial fire plan.

11. Historical Data – The following data on the Forest area involved is provided for the Contractor’s information. The data are averaged from records for the past 10 years based on the Energy Release Component (ERC) for the appropriate Fuel Models, at various weather stations across the Forest.

Total operating year used for the following information is January 1 through December 31. (Most years lack some days of data collection during winter months when weather stations were not functional.)

12. Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule – Supplement 1 to this fire plan shows and defines the levels of operational restrictions, in accordance with regionally-standardized restrictions and closures.

FIRE PLAN SUPPLEMENT 1

EMERGENCY FIRE PRECAUTIONS (2/13)

Contractor/permit holder will restrict operations in accordance with the Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule shown below. When there is a predicted change, Forest Service shall inform the Contractor by 6:00 pm, Mountain Standard Time (7:00 pm MDT), of the predicted change in the Industrial Fire Precaution Plan. The procedure for the Forest Service to notify the Contractor of a change in the Fire Precaution Plan stage in the following table is stated in section 4.b.“Work Hours” of this Industrial Fire Plan, and shall also be reviewed at the pre-work meeting.

EMERGENCY FIRE PRECAUTION SCHEDULE

FIRE RESTRICTION/CLOSURE “STAGE”

“STAGED” RESTRICTION LEVELS INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION PLAN

NO RESTRICTIONS A

STAGE I B

STAGE II C or D

2013 National Visitor’s Use Monitoring Survey

PARTIAL/ FOREST CLOSURE ** D

RED FLAG WARNING

(Issued by National Weather Service)

D

** Partial Forest Closure:

Contract/permit areas which are outside the boundaries of the partial forest closure may continue to operate under Industrial Fire Precaution Plan “C” operating criteria as agreed upon between the CO and Contractor in writing.

Contract/permit areas within the boundaries of the proclaimed partial forest closure area are to operate under Industrial Fire Precaution Plan “D”.

Staged Restriction levels are determined by the appropriate Forest Line Officer in consultation with Fire Management Officer(s) and Contracting Officer(s)/Permit Administrator(s). The Contracting Officer/Permit Administrator may, after consultation with the appropriate Forest Line Officer, adjust the predicted Industrial Fire Precaution Plan for local weather conditions on the contract/permit area.

Deviations from the predicted Industrial Fire Precaution Plan shall be agreed to in writing.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION PLAN – DESCRIPTIONS

A - Normal Fire Precautions. No Fire Guard required, except for welding and blasting operations.

B - Normal Fire Precautions, except designated areas…