S-17-0030_Mastication_First_Knoll_Phase_4.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION PAGE OF PAGES

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER) THIS RFQ IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET- ASIDE 1 67

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

AG-8173-S-17-0030 4/25/2017 841814

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

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

USDA FOREST SERVICE, APACHE-SITGREAVES N.F., PO BOX 640

30 S. CHIRICAHUA DR, SPRINGERVILLE, AZ 85938-0640

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS) 7. DELIVERY FOB DESTINATION NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER OTHER (See Schedule)

AREA CODE NUMBER 9. DESTINATION

Apache Sitgreaves National Forest

WARREN ABBOTT 928 333-6344 a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

8. TO:

a. NAME b. COMPANY b. STREET ADDRESS 30 South Chiricahua Drive

c. STREET ADDRESS c. CITY Springerville

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

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

MAY 18, 2017, 4:00 PM MST

(LOCAL TIME)

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)

SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

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

12. D 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)

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LOCATION: APACHE-SITGREAVES NF

MASTICATION FIRST KNOLL PHASE 4

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

First Knoll PJ Thinning & Grassland Restoration – Phase 4

BASE LINE ITEMS:

BASE

ITEM #

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ITEMS

UNIT OF

MEASURE

EST. QTY

LUMP SUM

PRICE

B1.1

Treatment Unit A – Masticate all Juniper trees up to 12 inches DRC* - Complexity: LOW

ACRE 334 $

B2.1 Treatment Unit B – Masticate all Juniper trees up to 12 inches DRC* – Complexity: Medium

ACRE 306 $

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

TOTAL OF ALL BASE ITEMS - $

VERIFY YOUR OFFER BY COMPLETING THE FOLLOWING:

VENDOR COMPANY NAME: __________________________________ DUNS# _______________________

BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS: __________________________________________________

AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (NAME): _______________________________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________________ DATE:__________________________

PHONE: - -

CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TO RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ)

_____ Have active vendor record for the DUNS number above in the System for Award Management (SAM) https://www.sam.gov

_____ Be certified in SAM as a Small Business under NAICS

_____ Respond with the complete RETURN PACKAGE (SEE SECTION M for Evaluation Criteria) https://www.sam.gov/

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SECTION C – STATEMENT OF TASKS AND OBJECTIVES

C1 Scope of Work

The purpose of the awarded contract is to provide services for thinning of standing dead and live conifer trees and resultant slash treatment on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Work will occur on various acreages of Pinyon-juniper sites and grasslands with tree encroachment. Not all thinning and slash treatments contained in this solicitation will be used.

The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required. The execution of the work shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure all required services shall be performed to completion before any new work may begin.

All acreages will be measured using Trimble’s “Geographical Position System” (GPS) and are determined on a horizontal plane within plus or minus Five Percent (5%). This 5% variation in acreage shall not require a decrease in total funds allocated, nor shall any additional funding be added to cover an increase in acreage for the same variation.

Masticate Juniper trees up to 12 inches DRC on approximately 640 acres.

Unit A (334 acres) treatment area is located south of HWY 60, off NFSR 9724X just east of First Knoll.

The area is primarily Pinyon-Juniper and Grassland habitat. Topography is generally flat, with moderate slopes, and rocky outcrops. Elevation Ranges from 6500 feet to 6600 feet. Treatment area was rated as Low 2 Based on the density of trees to masticate, the terrain and thinning prescription.

The material to be masticated is mostly consisting of One-Seed Juniper and Alligator Juniper, all of small sizes.

Unit B (306 acres) treatment area is located along NFSR 45 & can be Accessed via NFSR 9722Q just east of Sponsellor Lake.

The area is primarily Pinyon-Juniper & Grassland habitat. Topography is generally flat, with moderate slopes and rocky outcrops. Elevation ranges from 6900 feet to 7000 feet. Treatment was rated as medium based on density of trees, terrain and thinning prescription. Material to be masticated mostly consists of One-Seed Juniper and Alligator Juniper, of all sizes.

Period of performance time frame for this work is begin within 10 calendar days after award, with 120 calendar days to complete the work, no later than November 30, 2017. The funding for this project was provided by a grant that requires completion, payment, processing of paperwork before December 31, 2017.

Complexity Level Descriptions for Pinyon-Juniper:

-Low1- Trees/shrubs are generally less than 10ft tall and/or less than 7 inch Diameter Root Collar (DRC). These areas will generally consist of cutting less than 50 trees/shrubs per acre. These areas have likely been treated in the past, with the goal of restoring back to grassland.

-Low2- Trees/shrubs are generally less than 10ft tall and/or less than 7 inch DRC. These areas will generally consist of cutting 50 to 100 trees/shrubs per acre. These areas have likely been treated in the past, with the goal of restoring back to grassland.

-Medium- Trees are generally greater than 10ft tall and/or greater than 12 inch DRC. These areas typically have 50 to 100 trees/shrubs per acre. Treatment will encompass leaving up to 20

SERVICE RFQ P a g e | 4 SOL NO: AG-8173-S-17-0030 trees/shrubs per acre standing, cutting the rest. These areas have not likely been treated in the past, with the goal of restoring back to Pinyon-Juniper woodland.

-High- Trees are generally greater than 10ft tall and/or greater than 12 inch DRC. These areas will generally consist of cutting 50 to 100 trees/shrubs per acre. These areas have not likely been treated in the past, with the goal of restoring to grassland.

Complexity Level Descriptions for Ponderosa Pine and Mixed Conifer/Spruce-Fir:

-Low – Least amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 1-250 trees per acre (TPA) and treat created slash. Existing tree stocking across the unit is predominantly open and/or easy for work to progress quickly. Simple leave-tree selection criteria, like cutting all trees under a maximum diameter, or tree selection is already painted by the USFS. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class easiest for the contractor to handle and may range up to 9” Diameter at Breast Height (DBH).

-Medium – Moderate amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 251-1000 TPA and treat created slash. Existing tree stocking across the unit is dense enough that work would progress at a slower pace than the “Low” complexity level. Moderate leave-tree selection criteria, like bole spacing combined with tree species preferences and/or tree health considerations. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class somewhat more difficult than the “Low” level for the contractor to handle and may range up to 9” DBH.

-High – Most amount of work involved. Examples: Cut average 1001+ TPA and treat created slash.

Existing tree stocking across the unit is sufficiently dense that work would progress at an abnormally slow pace. Complex leave-tree selection criteria, like bole spacing combined with tree species preferences combined with tree health and/or tree form criteria. Most trees to cut and treat are in a size class most difficult for the contractor to handle and may range up to 12 inch DBH.

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

SECTION C2 – DEFINITIONS

C2.1 Standard Definitions

C2.1.1 Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

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

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

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

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

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

C2.1.9 Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

Bole. The trunk or stem of a tree.

Bucking. Cutting the boles and limbs to specified lengths.

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

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

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

1. Insect Hit Trees

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

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

2. Damaged Trees

Any conifer tree with any of the following characteristics:

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

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

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

d. Bent over or leaning more than 30 degrees from vertical.

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

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

g. Other criteria as specified in the Unit Information.

3. Dying Trees

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

b. Less than 15% live crown.

4. Diseased Trees

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

b. Trees with other disease agent specified in the Unit Information.

Cut Trees. Trees to be cut under this contract.

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

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

Dead Trees. Trees with no live needles or limbs.

Decking. Gathering and stacking of boles at designated landings.

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

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

Straight stem Small branch diameter Good coloration Well-formed crown Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms.

Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years) Crown class of dominant or co-dominant Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

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

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

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

Dwarf Mistletoe Rating (DMR). The standard visual 6-class system used for rating infection levels in individual trees.

Instructions with illustration are provided as an exhibit in Section J.

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

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

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

Felling. Completely severing a tree bole from the stump, by any means except explosives, to place the tree on the ground.

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

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

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

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

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

Leave Tree Damage. Any injury or damage caused by the contractor’s performance of work exposing the cambium (i.e. on the bole from equipment scraping the tree). Potential crop trees uprooted during contractors’ performance of work are also considered damaged trees.

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

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

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

Total trees on all plots X reciprocal of plot size = leave trees per acre Total no. plots taken

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spacing (Average). The horizontal distance from the bole of one leave tree to the boles of the surrounding leave trees.

Average spacing is calculated from the average trees per acre.

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

Streamside and Spring Filter Zone (SFZ). A linear or circular strip of land set at a designated width along the edges of protected drainages and around springs, in which ground disturbance by mechanized equipment is restricted.

Maintaining a mat of herbaceous vegetation and ground cover in place to filter out overland movement of sediment or ash into the water channel is the primary objective. SFZ widths are determined based on the soil erosion hazard stated in the Unit Information.

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

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

MSO (Mexican Spotted Owl) – No activities from March 1 – August 31 GSH (Northern Goshawk) – No activities from March 1 – September 30 Other restrictions may apply to other Threatened and Endangered or Sensitive species.

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

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

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

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

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

Undesignated Timber Unnecessarily Damaged or Negligently or Willfully Cut. Undesignated timber

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

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

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

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

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

C3 OPTIONAL: SALVAGE RIGHTS:

C3.1 If requested, slash may become salvage material available to the Contractor at district minimum salvage rates, with approval by the Contracting Officer; when other contract work is progressing as scheduled; and removal will be completed prior to expiration of the contract time. Any such material shall become property of the Contractor on a salvage rights basis. If salvage is approved, additional requirements stated in Section H will also apply. Rights to any material not removed from the project after expiration of contract time shall revert back to the Government.

C3.2 If the salvage option is requested, the Awarded Contractor(s) shall provide a general salvage plan with the technical proposal, which addresses the desire to salvage and general information. The general plan shall identify the material to be salvaged, by species and size dimensions.

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

(a) Name of salvage operator and all employees.

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

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

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

(e) Tentative destination/s of salvaged material.

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

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

C4 – CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C4.1. General.

C4.1.1. Road Access and Landings.

The Contractor may use system roads and service roads that run through the project area for access with motorized vehicles such as cars, trucks, or other mechanized equipment to perform work during normal operating seasons.

However, some of the interior roads have been closed, i.e., heavily water barred, ripped or brush placed on roadway. The Contractor will restore pre-existing water bars and road closure efforts resulting from Contractor’s use.

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

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

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

C4.2. Tree Thinning.

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

C4.2.1. Selection of Leave Trees

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

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

C4.2.1.1. Leave Tree Spacing Selection.

Whenever Designation by Description (DxD) is required, the Contractor shall select the most desirable leave trees based on the work requirements and desirable leave tree characteristics within the acceptable stocking density. Alter the spacing to select the most desirable tree within 20% of the spacing distance identified in the Unit Information form.

Spacing and Trees per Acre (TPA) shall not be materially changed across the work unit.

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

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

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

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

C4.3. SLASH TREATMENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C4.3.1. Method: LOP and SCATTER

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

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

C4.3.2. Method: HAND PILING

Definition and Specifications:

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

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

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

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

C4.3.3. Method: REMOVING

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

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

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

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

C4.3.4. Method: MACHINE PILING

Definition and Specifications:

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

MACHINE PILING SPECIFICATIONS

Acceptable Equipment: Piling will be accomplished with a crawler tractor or skid-steer not to exceed overall width of 10 feet. The machine will be equipped with a brush blade having teeth extending a minimum of 11 inches below the frame.

The teeth shall number at least 7 and no more than 10. The teeth shall be of sufficient size and strength so that they shall not bend or break through normal slash piling. The objective is to reduce the amount of soil pushed into the pile to enhance consumption when it is burned. Piles created by a feller-buncher are also acceptable provided all other specifications for pile construction, size, and location are met.

Location of Piles: Landings, temporary roads, and natural openings shall be utilized for pile placement. The minimum spacing between piles shall be equivalent to one and one-half the diameter of the adjacent pile. Piles must be left according to the required pullback distances stated below. If conditions make it impractical to locate piles where damage to live trees and physical improvements can be avoided, a space shall be cleared in a location designated by Forest Service. Slash within partial cut areas and road construction clearings shall be moved to take advantage of previously constructed or natural clearings in order to minimize the construction of new clearings. Slash shall not be moved more than 150 feet to achieve the location requirement. Piles shall not be made on permanent roads. The minimum allowable distance of location of piles from the high water marks of live streams, intermittent or ephemeral stream courses, or drainage ditches is:

75 feet on low erosion potential areas – identified in Unit Information.

150 feet on mod/high erosion potential areas – identified in Unit Information.

Construction of Piles: Machine piles shall be compacted by pushing slash from all sides towards the center of the pile. A machine pile shall not be less than 6 feet in diameter and height and shall not exceed an average diameter of 25 feet. All slash which protrudes 4 feet or more from outer edge of the pile shall be bucked off and placed on the pile. Piling shall be accomplished in a manner that will prevent the accumulation of dirt in the piles.

Logs and tops from felled trees within leave groups of trees inside or outside the cutting unit shall be moved out of such leave groups to approved locations and piled. Where there is danger of damaging leave trees, long material shall be end-lined (winched) out of leave tree groups.

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C4.3.5. Method: MASTICATE

Definition and Specifications: The mechanized mowing/mulching/shredding of cut-trees and/or slash within the unit.

The dimensions of the slash debris pieces resulting from mastication shall not exceed 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length, and shall not accumulate to a depth exceeding 6 inches.

C4.3.6. Method: CHIPPING

Definition and Specifications: Use of any machine which chops or shreds slash into small pieces or chips.

Created slash up to 5 inches in diameter shall be processed through a portable chipping machine. The chipper shall be moved or re-positioned as often as necessary to prevent buildup of chip piles or rows. In all cases wherever chips are created, chips shall not be piled, and shall be spread out to a depth not exceeding 4 inches thick above the ground. If chipping to the ground, clean-up of landings shall consist of spreading of remaining chips throughout as much open area as it takes so that the chips are no more than 4 inches deep, and so that the exposed soil intermixed with the chips consists of at least 50% of the surface area. The affected landing area shall be seeded at twice the normal contract rate.

No accumulation of chips around the base of live trees is allowed. Chips shall not be placed on any roadbed surface, or inside any drainages or water bodies. Chips must be left according to all required pullback distances listed below.

C4.3.7. METHOD: PULLBACK

Applies to all lopping & scattering, piling and chipping.

Definition and Specifications: Removal of slash from roads, fences, live trees, utilities, structures, or any other improvements as identified within a specified distance.

Used for cases where some slash or woody materials will be left on-site, to reduce fire danger to specific resources when broadcast burned later. Slash and chips shall be placed or moved beyond 35 feet from all private land boundaries.

Unless specified differently in the Unit Information form, location of slash left on-site will be a minimum of 10 feet away from all unit boundaries, drainage edges, road edges, fences, heavy concentrations of pre-existing ground fuels, and snags over 12 inches DBH/DRC left standing. The pullback distance for chipping/lopping/scattering from leave trees 16+ inches DBH/DRC is 10 feet from the tree bole. The pullback distance for chipping/lopping/scattering from leave trees under16 inches DBH/DRC is 10 feet from the tree crown edge. Minimum distance from utility lines, other improvements or special resources will be specified in the Unit Information form.

C4.3.8. METHOD: LANDING PILING & GRAPPLE PILING

Applies only to those operations using mechanized removal or salvage which results in large amounts of slash accumulating at landings. Requires written CO approval.

Definition and Specifications:

Landing Piling occurs with whole tree skidding where slash accumulates at the landing which is too difficult to be removed off-forest. Piles at the landing shall be no more than 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, spaced no closer than 30 feet from each other, or from live trees, or from the road edge. If there is more slash than the landing can accommodate using these specifications, slash will be taken back to the woods and piled (”grapple” piling). A grapple slash pile in the woods shall be no more than 10 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, spaced no closer than 50 feet from each other, and at least 100 feet from the landing. The location of piles will be as described in Location of Piles, Machine Piling Specifications, except that slash will normally be moved more than 150 feet. Some of the slash will be scattered (the amount to be in agreement with the COR, depending on the conditions) over the skid trails and landings as an erosion control measure.

C4.4. Fire Tool box. The contractor shall provide a fire toolbox as described in Section H.

C4.5 Resource Protection. The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments and resources in all aspects of the contract work. See Section H.6.1.

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C4.6 Camping and Worksite Conditions. The Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The Contractor shall obtain a camping permit from the Ranger District on which work will be performed, prior to establishment of the camp. The conditions will be consistent with the requirements of Section H.10.0. Sanitation and Camp privileges.

C4.7 Communications. The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer advised as to where the Contractor or Contractor's representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension and periods of time without work. Further, the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting Officer during periods of work suspension or periods of time without work. Communication shall also be required to meet the Industrial Fire Plan in Section H.3.0.

C4.8 Contractor Representative

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

SECTION C5. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

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

C.5.1. Tree Felling. The contractor shall thin and fell trees not less than 2 feet tall and not greater than 12 inches DBH/DRC, and/or as specified in the Unit Information Forms for each Task Order. Other requirements such as pruning may be listed in Project or Unit Information example forms shown as exhibits in Section J.

C.5.2. Slash treatment. The resultant slash from the felling operations, if not removed with the boles, will be treated as specified in Unit Information (Section J, Exhibits) and according to standards in Slash Treatment in C.4.3.

C.5.3. Road Maintenance and/or Erosion Control. Only where hauling for removal is required, roads will be maintained according to the standards listed in Section H. Only where mechanized equipment is used, erosion control work will conform to specifications listed in Section H.

C.5.4. Submittals. The awarded contractor shall provide the following submittals:

C.5.4.1 Quality Control Plan The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified.

C.5.4.2 Detailed Work Plan and Progress Schedule The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform the project Task Order. Include methods, personnel and organization, and equipment (also see C.5.4.3 below). The contractor shall prepare and submit a practical schedule showing the order in which the contractor will perform the work and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each task. Work shall be performed in only two units per Task Order at a time unless otherwise authorized by the CO in writing.

C.5.4.3 Equipment and Limitations The work plan shall include a detailed list of all equipment that will be used. Limitations of each piece of equipment will be stated, such as: maximum width, slope limitation, ground clearance, maximum tree bole diameter cutting ability, haul truck capacity, or other applicable information.

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SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE / TASK STANDARDS

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://farsite.hill.af.mil/ http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vfagara.htm

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

E. 2. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

E.2.1. Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal that is similar for the scope of work contained herein. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days of contract award based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments.

The general Quality Control plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and an unbiased sample of thinning and other work to determine actual quality percentage.

E.3. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION / QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The objective of this plan is to provide a quality surveillance plan for thinning and slash treatment performed on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This plan provides a basis for the Contracting Officers Representative to evaluate the quality of the Contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for in the contract and in this plan will help ensure that quality levels reach the required levels of performance.

E.3.1 Performance Standards

A. Quality Level: By monitoring the Contractor, the COR will determine whether the performance levels set forth in the contract have been attained. Quality standards for all tasks are specified in the PWS in Section C7.

B. On-Site Inspections: The COR will evaluate the current levels of performance, according to the standards set forth in this contract at the discretion of the COR.

C. Records Inspections: 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.

D. Documentation: The COR will keep a file containing the following:

Copy of the contract Copy of COR and Government Inspector appointment letters Copy of Contractor Designated Representatives letter Copies of all required documents provided by the Contractor under this contract All contract correspondence initiated or received by the COR All modifications to the contract Copies of all completed inspection reports, checklists, logs, diaries, contract discrepancy reports and surveillance certifications Records of meetings attended Copies of processed invoices and receipt documents

E.3.2. Visual Inspection

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The government will make periodic inspections while work is in progress to assure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. These inspections will initially be done daily but may vary if work progresses in a satisfactory manner.

Inspection for acceptance of work will be accomplished by a visual or random plot inspection of each unit and…