S-16-0036_2016_IDIQ_CONE_COLLECTION_r1.pdf

SERVICE RFQ P a g e | 1 SOL NO: AG-8173-S-16-0036

LOCATION: APACHE-SITGREAVES NF

PROJECT NAME: SEED CONE COLLECTION & TREE CLIMBING

SOLICITATION OFFER AND AWARD 1.THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 350) 1 67 PAGES

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. SOLICITATION NO. 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE

AG-8173-S-16-0036

SEALED BID (IFB)

06/30/2016

NO.

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7.ISSUED BY CODE 8173 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

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

9. Sealed offers in original and

See Section L copies for furnishing the supplies or serviced in Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in Supervisor’s Office / Acquisition Mgmt until 4:00 PM local time 07/11/2016

(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.

10. FOR INFORMATION A. NAME B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

CALL: CONTRACTING OFFICER WARREN L. ABBOTT (928) 333-6344

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM X I CONTRACT CLAUSES

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK/STATEMENT X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE X K REPRESENTATIVES, CERTIFICATIONS AND

X F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

X H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

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.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within 60 calendar days (60 calendar days unless a 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.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT 10 CALENDAR DAYS 20 CALENDAR DAYS 30 CALENDAR DAYS CALENDAR DAYS (See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8) % % % %

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(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 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPLETION

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ) 41 U.S.C. 142(c) ( ) (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

WARREN L. ABBOTT, CONTRACTING OFFICER

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

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

NSN 7540_01_152_8064 33-133 STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.4-85)

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c) Prescribed by GSA

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PROJECT NAME: SEED CONE COLLECTION & TREE CLIMBING

PART I - THE SCHEDULE -- SECTION B - SERVICES AND PRICES

BASE LINE ITEMS:

Item Number

Description (species and picking method) Estimated Quantity

Unit 2016 Unit Price

B.1.a Ponderosa Pine Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.1.b Ponderosa Pine Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.1.c Ponderosa Pine Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service IDIQ Bushel $

B.1.d Ponderosa Pine Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from branches

IDIQ Bushel $

B.2.a Douglas-fir Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.2.b Douglas-fir Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.2.c Douglas-fir Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service IDIQ Bushel $

B.2.d Douglas-fir Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from branches

B.3.a Engelmann Spruce Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.3.b Engelmann Spruce Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.3.c Engelmann Spruce Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service

IDIQ Bushel $

B.3.d Engelmann Spruce Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from branches

B.4.a Southwestern White Pine Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.4.b Southwestern White Pine Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck

IDIQ Bushel $

B.4.c Southwestern White Pine Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service

IDIQ Bushel $

B.4.d Southwestern White Pine Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from branches

B.5.a Blue Spruce Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.5.b Blue Spruce Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.5.c Blue Spruce Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service IDIQ Bushel $

B.5.d Blue Spruce Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from

B.6.a White fir Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.6.b White fir Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.6.c White fir Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service IDIQ Bushel $

B.6.d White fir Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from

B.7.a Corkbark fir Cone Collection – Tree Climbing IDIQ Bushel $

B.7.b Corkbark fir Cone Collection – Mechanical Lift Truck IDIQ Bushel $

B.7.c Corkbark fir Cone Collection – Trees felled by Forest Service IDIQ Bushel $

B.7.d Corkbark fir Cone Collection – Already downed trees, pick from

Number

Work Description – Additional Services Estimated Quantity

Unit Price

B.8 Sampling Cone Trees for Readiness to be Picked - prior to picking by any method, any species

IDIQ Tree $

B.9 Contractor Field-Location of Quality Cone Trees to specifications

- any species

IDIQ Tree $

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Downed = trees already down recently by natural causes, logging or thinning project. One (1) bushel is defined as eight (8) US gallons.

NOTE: Actual quantities will be specified via Task Order and are dependent on budgets, physiological development of tree cones and seeds, field conditions, and availability of Government personnel to administer this work. The desired work involved for each tree climbed or picked will be the minimum number of cones sampled for quality, and the majority of cones carefully collected, bagged, tagged, and delivered to the Government in a timely manner, with minimal damage to the cone tree.

For each contract awarded the minimum of $500.00 is guaranteed during the full contract performance period. The minimum guarantee is not annual.

VENDOR COMPANY NAME:___________________________________________________

AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (NAME):________________________________________________

SIGNATURE:______________________________________ DATE:__________________

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)

_____ Provide your business email to facilitate electronic communications_______________________

_____ Provide your DUNS number____________________

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

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SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION C.1 - GENERAL

C.1. Scope of Work

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has a requirement to collect seed cones for numerous conifer species 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 collect cones in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation. The purpose of this contract is for cone collection and/or cone sampling services for the Government. Amount of annual cone crops are unpredictable from one year to the next.

The Government anticipates award of an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Firm Fixed-Price multiple-award contract based on best value. Government reserves the right to make a single award after reviewing responses to this Request For Proposals. The duration of the IDIQ contract will be 3 years.

Each Task Order objectives will have work locations by district and any other related specifications or needs. Types of technical information that will be provided on each task order will typically include (but may not be limited to): Ranger District;

Seed Zone; elevation to nearest 100 feet above sea level; exact number of cone trees by species; number of trees which can be climbed; estimated number of trees which could be picked by lift truck; location of each tree – by road number, GPS coordinates, and GIS maps of their locations; delivery point for bags of cones; period of performance (number of working days); Contracting Officer Representative’s name and phone number to contact for each District or task order; date and location of the pre-work meeting.

This contract is determined on a per bushel basis for collections, while cone tree location and/or sampling is on a per tree basis. Bids for each Task Order shall be determined on these bases. 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.

Services required will vary by Task Order, but will involve sampling and collecting seed cones, either by tree climbing, or by mechanical lift truck (bucket on a boom), or from branches on felled/downed trees. Quality cone trees may be pre-designated by the Government, and/or may be identified and located by the contractor with COR approval prior to picking.

C.1.2. Location and Description

Work areas are located on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Definite collection areas have not been defined but task orders will be within ponderosa pine and various mixed coniferous forested stands located on the Alpine, Springerville, Lakeside, Black Mesa, and possibly Clifton Ranger Districts within Apache, Greenlee, Navajo, and Coconino Counties of Arizona (see Exhibit 5: Apache National Forest Vicinity Map, Exhibit 6: Sitgreaves National Forest Vicinity Map, Exhibit 7:

Conifer Seed Zones Map - Apache-Sitgreaves NFs.) Most cone trees will usually be on the sides of drivable forest roads.

Walk-in to some tree sites may be necessary, but generally should not exceed one half mile from an access road.

Tree locations, access and specific information regarding specific collection needs will be specified on each task order. Refer to Specifications and Government Furnished Property for additional information. Maps of project locations listing tree locations will be provided to the contractor with each task order.

SECTION C.2 - DEFINITIONS

C2.1 Standard Definitions

C2.1.2 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.

C2.1.3 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.

C2.1.4 Best Value. Government method used to evaluate offers submitted in response to solicitation. See Section M for definition of best value for this solicitation.

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C2.1.5 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.

C2.1.6 Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays included.

C2.1.7 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.

C2.1.8 Defective Service. A unit of service that contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

C2.1.9 Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The Federal Regulations that govern Forest Service acquisitions of property and services, also supplemented by the FSAR (Forest Service Acquisition Regulations).

C2.1.10 Government. Title used to represent the United States Federal Government and its designated employees acting within their delegated contract authority. Throughout this contract the titles United States, USDA- Forest Service, Forest Service, and USFS may be used interchangeably as synonymous with Government.

C2.1.11 Government Inspector. The COR may designate in writing one or more government employees to assist with surveillance and minor administrative duties of the contract.

C2.1.12 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.

C2.1.13 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.

C2.1.14 Performance Work Statement (PWS). A statement of work to be performed which identifies the specific work to be performed.

C2.1.15 Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time).

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

C2.1.16 Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the

Performance Work Statement (PWS).

C2.1.17 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.

C2.1.18 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).

C2.1.19 Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

C2.1.20 Standard. An acknowledged measure of comparison.

C2.2 Technical Definitions Specific to This Contract

C2.2.1 Species Code – Numeric value or alpha characters assigned by the Government to represent various species of vegetation. These numeric values or alpha characters for species of seed to collect on this contract will be given to the contractor by the COR.

C2.2.2 Cone cut – A cut made a bit off center, length wise, on a cone to cut into two halves, cut faces, exposing the seed inside of the enclosed cone. From these cone samples one can have seed counts made per cut face determining whether viable amounts of seed exist in the cone crop for each tree being evaluated.

C2.2.3 Cone cutter – A sharp device used to make the cone cut. (e.g. large knife or cleaver mounted on a wood or other base to cradle the cone securely while cutting the long axis of a cone.)

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C2.2.4 Branch hook – Long handled device used to pull limbs toward the bole of the tree, so that the tree climber can pick the cones safely without damaging the tree they are harvesting cones from.

C2.2.5 Bushel – One (1) bushel is defined as eight (8) US gallons.

C2.2.6 Cone Lot – (Synonymous with “seed lot”.) A specific collection of cones unique to the following combination of 5 factors: tree species, seed zone, elevation band, and from at least 20 trees spaced over 200 feet apart from each other. The nursery usually requires cones from a minimum of 20 trees to be considered a complete cone lot. However in years with sparse cone crops, the Government may decide to collect from fewer than 20 trees per cone lot, with the intention of completing the same lot in future collections.

C2.2.7 DBH (diameter-at-breast-height) – Where diameters of trees are measured, in inches, and should be taken at breast height of the individual, or 4.5 feet from the ground, on the uphill side of a tree if on a slope.

C.2.2.8 Elevation Band - A range of elevations pre-determined by the Forest Service Geneticist for each conifer species.

Used to collect seed, and plant seedlings raised from that seed, at the correct elevation sites that will best enable them to survive the micro-climate they are genetically adapted to, especially with respect to snow-loading and other environmental factors critical for tree survival to maturity. Elevation band ranges by species are same for all seed zones, and are provided in Section J, Exhibit 8.

C2.2.9 Flagging Color Designations - The colors of flagging to be used by the Forest Service and the Contractor will be determined prior to operations on each task order.

C2.2.10 Healthy, available cones - Cones free of insect or other damage, and have the average minimum number or percent sound, ripe seed exposed on one cut face of all six cones sampled at random. Remaining cones in the tree will be assessed by the contractor during the harvesting and if they are determined to be unhealthy the contractor must inform the COR of this as soon as possible.

C2.2.11 MUTCD - Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (follow for public roadway safety signs to be posted by mechanical lift truck operations).

C2.2.12 Project Area - A number of geographically grouped units to form a single Task Order.

C2.2.13 Project Information - A document included with the task order with specific information about the project area, including work specifics and possible road use limitations.

C.2.2.14 Seed Zone – Forest Service Geneticist-identified areas in which conifer trees of the same species have similar genetic makeup of adaptations to the particular area, and should not be planted outside that area where the genetic history and growing conditions are different. Example: Ponderosa pines inside Seed Zone X should only be used to collect seed for raising seedlings which will be planted inside Seed Zone X. Such seedlings should never be planted in a different seed zone because those seedlings will not survive and grow or reproduce well in the different zone. The results of cross-planting in different seed zones can take decades to be detected, which defeats successful reforestation long-term. Thus, correct labelling of seed by the seed zone it came from is critical to a successful tree planting program.

C.2.2.15 Terminal Leader (of tree bole) – The vertical top of a conifer tree’s bole (trunk main stem).

C.2.2.16 Wolfy Tree – A conifer tree with multiple boles and forks in the limbs making its crown look irregular and non-conical, excessively limby or top-heavy (like an apple tree). Lacks a single straight bole (trunk) with individual limbs clearly originating from that bole. Very poor form.

C.3. Access The Government will designate travel routes that may be used by Contractor. All roads should be drivable during the performance period; a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle, however, may be necessary, particularly under wet conditions. The Contractor is not allowed to drive off of forest roads indicated on forest travel maps unless approved in advance by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative. Travel on designated closed roads is prohibited except with prior written permission of the Contracting Officer.

C.1.3.1 Accessibility

The project area is within the Forest and District boundaries as described above, and shown in Exhibits 5 and 6. Roads and accessibility will be described in each Task Order and shown on task order maps. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to work locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a work location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

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General project areas may be reached by using State, County, and Forest 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. Some roads may be closed with posted closure signs, and others closed with locked gates, for which ranger district free-access permits and keys are available as government-furnished property, as needed. Any Government provided keys to locked gates shall be returned or the replacement costs deducted from the contractors task order final invoice.

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 a work location; however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted. Work locations may necessitate that Contractor walk to the tree/s or acquire some other means of travel, like ATV. Walk-ins to some sites may be necessary, but generally should not exceed one half mile.

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 Transport

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. Occasionally some trees may be located within designated wilderness, primitive or inventoried roadless areas where motorized or mechanized transport is prohibited. These trees will be identified in the task order.

In cases where work 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 cone trees 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 at contractor’s expense. Reseeding shall be to Forest Service Standards. If down woody debris is moved, contractor will replace it to original condition.

ATV’s i.e.: 3-wheelers or 4-wheelers may be used off Forest System (primarily numbered roads) roads to transport climbing equipment, cone sacks, 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.

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C.4. Government-Furnished Property The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with provisions of FAR Clause 52.245-1 "Government Property" found herein. All Government-furnished property will be issued using Form AD-107 to track the chain of custody and replacement or repair value. 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 follow:

No.

Item Name Description Where, When, How

4.1 Project Maps Forest visitor road map, plus maps of

operational cone collection areas with access roads identified. GPS coordinates to some general or specific cone tree locations may be provided.

Provided with Task Order

4.2 Other Maps Maps of seed zone boundaries, and

topographic maps for identifying elevation bands.

Provided in task order or at pre-work meeting.

4.3 Cone

Collection Tags

Blank Cone ID Tags Provided at pre-work meeting and as needed upon Contractor request

4.4 Cone Bagging

Materials

Burlap bags for operational cone collection.

Provided at pre-work meeting and upon Contractor request

4.5 Access to Work

Areas

If needed, Ranger District permits and/or gate keys will be provided to the Contractor. If any of the access roads become blocked or otherwise unusable due to closure orders, the Government may under the Changes Clause: (1) provide an alternate route; (2) delete the inaccessible area(s) or tree(s); or (3) substitute similar area(s) or tree(s).

Provided at pre-work meeting

4.6 Cone/seed

Quality and Maturity Aids

If requested in advance, species-specific cone/seed quality and maturity descriptions and/or photos.

Provided at pre-work meeting, if requested by Contractor prior to the meeting

The contractor shall return unused government supplies, maps and forms to the Government to the same location they were delivered or as agreed to with the COR. All Government-provided equipment shall be returned in good condition. Any lost or damaged Government-furnished property shall be compensated at the dollar value listed on the AD-107 form. Any Government provided keys to locked gates shall be returned or the replacement costs deducted from the contractors delivery order final invoice.

C.5. Contractor Quality Control The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of this contract. The role of the Government is quality assurance to ensure contract standards are met and contractor quality control is adequate.

C.5.1. Contractor Representative

The contractor shall provide a contractor 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. All communications from the contractor’s representative and alternates(s) for this contract shall be in the English language. All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and professional manner. The Contracting Officer may require, in writing, that the Contractor remove from the work any employee the Contracting Officer deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

C.5.2 Quality Control Documents

Records of the Contractor’s quality control inspections shall be kept and made available to the Government throughout the performance period and for the period after contract completion until final settlement of any claims under this contract.

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A description of the Contractor’s site specific quality control inspection plan shall be provided within ten (10) days of task order award. The plan shall include; (1) control procedures for security of Government-provided items such as keys, and lock combinations; (2) location of the inspection documents; (3) corrective or preventive actions that will be taken to meet quality standards; and (4) a customer comments feedback system.

C. 6. Government Quality Assurance Quality assurance will be performed by the Government during the contract at regular intervals. Methods may include visual survey and review of Contractor quality control documents. Deduction for work may include rework at no cost to the Government or Government acceptance with price reduction. Also see Section E in this contract for more information.

SECTION C.7 - PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

The following tasks are to be performed to the quality performance requirements stated in the following subsections and listed on the Performance Requirements Summary table in Section C.7.8.

C.7.1 Tree Selection

A. Cone Lot Requirements. In some cases the Government will determine cone trees for sampling and collection. In other cases the Contractor shall survey and select trees for each cone lot specified for collection. In either case, collection within each cone lot shall meet the following criteria:

1. Selected trees shall be on National Forest lands, within the specified species, seed zones, and elevation bands

(cone lots) specified on task orders.

2. At least 20 trees shall be selected for each different cone lot. In some cases, the Contracting Officer or

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) may authorize fewer trees when cone crops are small. More than 20 trees may be selected to assure there are sufficient cones for the desired collection. Cones from a single tree shall not constitute more than 20% of the cone lot.

3. Cones shall be collected from the upper 2/3 of the tree crown.

4. The physical characteristics of the selected trees are indicative of the genetic makeup of the seed, thus the selected trees shall be equal or better than the average of the same species in the area and be healthy and vigorous. Physical characteristics that are desirable include:

Dominant or codominant trees (tree crown extends above the general level of the canopy or forms the general level of the canopy( relative to the neighboring trees.

Straight stem free from crook, sweep, spiral grain, and forking.

Branch bases small in relation to the stem and branches should project horizontally or angle slightly upward. Do not collect from “wolfy” trees.

At least 30% live crown ratio, with healthy green needle color overall.

Tree crown compact for the species but have a large area of foliage.

Conical crown indicating the tree is growing and is vigorous.

Tree is free from insect damage (bark beetles, defoliators, cone/seed insects) and from disease infection (particularly dwarf-mistletoe, white pine blister rust, broom rusts).

Tree age approximately 40 to 110 years old. (Very old and very young trees have poor sound seed production even when there are numerous cones.)

History of past cone crops is desirable.

Avoid trees that are isolated by trees of the same species by more than 100 feet (may be inadequately pollinated by other trees).

5. Each cone tree is at least 200 feet from another selected tree. If two trees are closer, only one can be used in the collection (to prevent in-breeding).

B. Selected trees are considered appropriate and safe for tree climbing by the Contractor, when applicable.

C. Selected trees should not be taken from second growth plantations. If prospective cone trees are located in an area that appear to be a plantation (single-storied, evenly-spaced trees of the approximate same age/size class and species), the COR shall be contacted before picking cones there.

D. Avoid selecting trees which have an active squirrel nest (both red and Abert’s squirrel species), especially within recently-burned areas, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

E. Trees at developed campsites and developed trail heads shall be avoided, unless otherwise directed or approved in writing by the COR.

F. Lift truck operations may only pick from trees within reach without truck tires leaving the road bed or solid shoulder; or

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The Government may limit the amount of cones collected per tree, or the number of trees picked in one area to assure good geographic distribution of parent trees and ensure genetic diversity within species of cones collected.

C.7.2 Seed Cone Standards All cones harvested shall be from the current calendar year seed cone crop. If directed by the Government COR or Inspector, the Contractor may be required to climb and pick sample cones from designated trees in advance to determine quality and/or cone crop development prior to scheduling collection dates. If no further cone collections are made from that tree, the Contractor will be paid the bid rate for climbing and sampling that tree.

Depending on task order requirements, the Government or the Contractor will determine collection cone quality (maturity, soundness, minimum seed per cut face, etc.) on the basis of cut cone tests. Ultimately it is the Government’s responsibility to approve or reject the quality of the cones being collected. Each cone bearing tree climbed or picked for cone collection shall have the cones inspected for soundness and maturity. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to sample cones at time of collection. Cones shall be sampled in the following manner:

A. A minimum of 6 cones shall be picked randomly as the tree is climbed for collection. The Contractor shall pick 2 cones from the bottom, 2 from the middle, and 2 from the top as sample cones to determine soundness and maturity.

Cone bearing branches shall not be broken or cut to provide cones for sampling. The contractor shall tie a ribbon, visible from the ground, in each portion of the crown where the cone samples have been picked. These sampled cones shall be bagged separately and placed at the base of the tree for review by the Government.

B. Sample cones collected from (A) above shall be sliced open with a sharp blade to determine whether they contain an acceptable count of exposed, sound seed on one open cone face. All cut tests will be made by slicing the cone lengthwise through the central axis. The average minimum number of sound, ripe seed exposed per one cut face, by species, is:

Ponderosa pine 7 seeds Douglas-fir 5 seeds Southwestern white pine 10 seeds White fir 10 seeds Blue spruce 7 seeds Englemann spruce 7 seeds Corkbark fir 8 seeds

Due to past drought seasons and unknown or variable cone conditions, the Government may at its option, reduce the minimum number of filled seed per cut face at the time of collection. This deviation will be documented in writing.

C. Seed shall be considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, climatic, physical, or other types of damage.

D. Seed cones shall be mature. Seed cones shall be considered mature when sound seed in them have a hard brown seed coat with a darkened seed wing; white, solid and nutlike kernel (not soft or runny); a uniform cream or yellow colored embryo; the embryo fills 90% of the embryo cavity; and seed can be removed from cone scales without detaching the seed wing.

E. Ripe seed cones having scales that have already flared open wide enough to easily drop loose seed shall not be picked.

F. The Government will accept for collection payment only those mature cones that meet or exceed the specified quality standards. If cone quality does not meet cone and seed quality standards, cone collection efforts will be stopped.

The COR may terminate all or any portions of the collections or may direct the Contractor to collect in other collection areas.

C.7.3 Tree Climbing and Picking Standards

All cones collected under this contract are and shall remain the property of the Government. The delivery point is the administering forest and will be specified on each Task Order. After cones have been sampled and acceptable seed has been found, the cones of the tree shall be picked as follows:

A. The Contractor shall notify the CO of a tentative picking schedule. This plan shall be reviewed each time the Government is present at the work site. A meeting point shall be established with the Government for future days

SERVICE RFQ P a g e | 11 SOL NO: AG-8173-S-16-0036 work.

B. Climbers will stay within that portion of the crown located within six (6) feet of the tree trunk and below the seven-inch diameter of the trunk.

C. Cones may be picked from that portion of the crown located beyond six feet from the trunk or above the seven-inch trunk diameter when the cone bearing portion of the branch can be manually pulled to within six feet of the trunk with a branch hook.

D. If the COR or designated Inspector is not present when the cones are collected from a specified tree, the Contractor shall tie a piece of flagging in a visible area at the highest point in the tree from which cones were harvested.

E. The Contractor shall complete a daily collection log. The log shall be submitted to the Government the following morning for the previous day's activities at the District office, or at a mutually agreed upon location. The following information shall be recorded on the collection log:

1) Collection or Picking date

2) Tree Number

3) Location of tree, with GPS coordinates and road number

4) Climbers/pickers name

5) Tree Species

6) Elevation

7) Number of sound seed per cut face

8) Number of bushels picked (or number of cones sampled if no collection was done that day)

F. Mechanical lift truck contractors shall minimize damage to cone tree boles, terminal leaders, limbs and tops, as well as to forest soils and roads. They will also avoid damage to any utility lines or poles.

G. The Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to prevent excessive damage to all trees. Climbing spurs may be used to climb Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine cone trees. Climbing spurs may not be used to climb other species unless pre-approved ibn writing by the COR. Cone bearing branches shall not be broken or cut to provide cones for sampling.

H. For all species except Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, ladders will be required if necessary to climb the first 15 feet to reach climbable tree limbs, thereby avoiding spurring the tree bole. The Contractor shall provide a ladder, a tagline, and a collapsible pole or branch hook for pulling the branches toward them to reach the cones. Living branches shall not be deliberately broken, barked, or cut, nor shall tree trunks be skinned or peeled to cause excessive damage to the cambium. If the COR determines that excessive damage is occurring, the Contractor’s right to proceed will be suspended until the proper corrections have been made. Rappelling out of the crown is allowed.

I. Contractor assumes all risks of loss or damage to his/her equipment and injury to self or employees, and will hold and save the Government and its employees harmless from liability of any nature or kind resulting from performance of this contract, except for negligent acts of Government employees.

J. Any designated tree the Contractor declares unsafe to climb shall be reported to the COR, specifying the reason the tree is not safe to climb, including the nature and location of the hazard. The COR will designate, verbally or in writing, an acceptable substitute tree or delete the tree from the Task Order. Also see section C.7.5.

C.7.4 Cone Collection, Care, and Tag Identification Standards

A. Cones shall be harvested only from Government-designated trees or from contractor-selected trees pre-approved by the Government in designated areas, as specified in the Task Order. Absolutely under no circumstances shall cones ever be collected from any squirrel middens (caches) anywhere, any time. Trees with an active squirrel nest should also be avoided, especially within recently-burned areas, but are at the final discretion of the Government. The Government may limit the amount of cones collected per tree, or the number of trees picked in one area to assure good geographic distribution of parent trees and ensure genetic diversity within species of cones collected.

B. The Contractor shall notify the CO of a tentative picking schedule. This plan shall be reviewed each time the

Government is present at the work site. A meeting point shall be established with the Government for future days work. The Contractor shall complete a daily collection log. The log shall be submitted to the Government the following morning for the previous day's activities at the District office, or at a mutually agreed upon location.

C. If the COR or designated Inspector is not present when the cones are collected from a specified tree, the Contractor shall tie a piece of flagging in a visible area at the highest point in the tree from which cones were harvested.

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D. All cones harvested shall be from the current calendar year seed cone crop. Cones other than the current year's crop will not be acceptable. The Contractor shall collect mature, sound, and quality seed as described previously. Cones must be dry, free of mold and not showing damage by animals, insects or disease, or physical damage.

E. The Contractor shall harvest cones only from the upper 2/3 of live tree crowns identified by the Government for collection. Unless safety issues dictate otherwise, no less than 95% of all ripe cones present in the upper 2/3 of the crown shall be picked from each tree. The top terminal leader of the tree bole shall never be cut or damaged to pick cones attached to it. The Contractor must receive Government concurrence on trees that cannot be completely picked due to safety issues.

F. Burlap bags provided by the Government for specific tree species must be used for those species, and not used for other species, unless directed by the Government in writing. Absolutely no plastic, foil, nylon, or canvas bags are to be used under any circumstances.

G. All cones shall be picked and placed into burlap bags provided by the Government. Cones shall be bagged in the tree. Bags shall be filled only half-full and be free of debris (such as trash, needles, dirt, mold, etc). No more than one bushel shall be filled per bag. The contractor must provide a measuring device to determine the one bushel amount accurately at the tree site before securely closing the bags shut.

H. At the point of collection, the bag shall be tied securely shut approximately 3 inches from the top of the bag. Bags will be handled carefully so as not to drop or crush any cones inside, and to prevent snags from causing holes in the bag. The burlap bag should be securely tied shut with heavy string, cord or binder twine (no wire), leaving ample room particularly for cone expansion as they dry.

I. The bags of cones shall be lowered slowly and carefully to the ground with a rope, haul line, or other method approved by the COR. Bags of cones shall not be dropped or thrown from the crown of the tree or lift truck bucket down to the ground or into a vehicle. Bags will be lowered to the ground to avoid physical damage to seed and to avoid contamination of cones by soil-borne fungi. Cones must not be allowed to come into contact with the forest floor. A clean tarp may be used to facilitate this.

J. Cones shall be protected from moisture and heat. Cones shall not be damaged during any phase of picking or transporting. No payment will be made for climbing and collection of cones that have been damaged. The COR may suspend work until proper procedures are being followed.

C.7.4.1 Cone Identification Tags

At the point of collection in the field, two identification (ID) tags shall be prepared for each bag of cones or seeds. Each tag should be laid on a hard surface when entries are recorded to ensure that the tag is legible. Information must be printed legibly, in permanent ink, and in English. One tag shall be placed inside the bag at the top. The other tag shall be securely fastened on the outside of the closed bag, about 3 inches from the top of the bag.

If there is more than one bag belonging to the same lot, color-coding the Cone ID Tags for easier handling and recognition, in addition to identify the total number of sacks in the lot on the Cone ID Tags and Cone and Seed Handling Checklist, are required. Different colors of flagging will be placed both inside the bag and attached to the outside of the bag, to indicate different cone lots.

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C.7.4.2 Cone ID Tag Information and Codes

At the time and point of collection, the following information must be completed by the contractor on every tag, using these codes:

Species: Ponderosa pine = PP, Douglas-fir = DF, Southwestern white pine = SWP, White fir = WF, Blue spruce = BS, Englemann spruce = ES, Corkbark fir = CF.

Tree Number: Use the unique cone tree number assigned by the COR.

Elevation: Record whole elevation in feet above sea level of the cone tree’s location, rounded to nearest 20 feet. (Use altimeter calibrated to known local elevation, or correctly interpreted topographic map.)

Bag # ____ of total # ______of bags filled from this same tree. Example: Bag 3 of 10.

Collector’s Name: Printed the contractor’s company name, plus name and signature of the collector.

The Government will later use this field tag information to fill out more-detailed forms and tag codes required by the nursery.

Therefore, the Contractor’s information must be 100% complete, correct, and legible.

C.7.4.3 Cone Delivery

A. The COR or designated inspectors will accept delivery of bagged seed cones at the base of the tree from which they were picked, or at an agreed-upon location.

B. All bags shall be tied securely shut approximately three (3) inches from the top of the bag. The Contractor is required to furnish a measuring device to ensure no more than one (1) bushel of cones is in any bag.

C. All cones from each tree will be kept separate from cones of other trees. Mixing will only be done by the Government to ensure identity and source.

C.7.5 Crew Safety

For safety reasons, all climbing Contractors shall have two climbers on site while work is being performed.

The Contractor shall comply with the safety requirements of the Forest Service Safety and Health Program Handbook (FSH 6709.12), the most current National Tree Climbing Guide, and FSH 6709.11 (See Section J, Exhibit 4), Health and Safety Code Handbook, section 22.49. At the request of the Contractor, alternate procedures may be approved by the Contracting Officer that meet the intent of Forest Service safety requirements, but differ in actual practice. The Forest Service National Tree

Climbing Guide (Technical Report 0567-2819-MTDC), and other useful references and safety information can be found at the USDA Forest Service National Tree Climbing Program website found at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/

The Contractor shall follow all Federal, State, and local safety laws and regulations applicable to the contract work to be performed.

General Plan – Contractor shall provide the CO a Safety Plan, outlining actions that will be taken to perform work in a safe manner. The Safety Plan must address how Contractor will assess the work site to determine if it is safe to work in the area, and how conditions will be monitored for changing conditions. The Safety Plan shall also address the personal protective equipment and mitigating measures the Contractor will do to increase safety on the worksite.

Within 10 days after task order award, the Contractor shall provide a detailed Safety Plan which also includes:

1. Provides a statement of technical capability and the number of years the Contractor has performed tree climbing and/or picking work.

2. Documents the qualifications or skill level of individual personnel who will execute the provisions of the contract.

3. Specifies the techniques and safety practices planned and/or equipment to be used for the contract.

4. Utilizes safety practices for safe climbing and/or lift bucket operations, rescue and emergency communications.

5. States precautions that mechanical lift truck operators will take to prevent employee injuries during normal operations, as well as for inclement weather, lightning, and avoiding any utility lines/poles.

http://www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/

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C.7.6 Public Safety

For all mechanical lift truck Contractors, proper public safety signs shall be posted on roadways while parked for picking operations, on both sides of the cone tree where work is underway.