Solicitation__AG-82AK-S-15-0016.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING PAGE OF PAGES

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

CODE7. ISSUED BY 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than item 7)

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and copies for furnishings the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in until local time

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

A B C D E F G H

I

J

K

L

M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

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

CONTRACT CLAUSESSOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

PACKAGING AND MARKING

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

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

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within 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 set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

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

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS(%)

DATEAMENDMENT NO.AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFER-

OR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND THE TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER EXTENSION

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS

DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER SUCH

ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

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 OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) ( )41 U.S.C. 3304(a)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition is unusable

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

CODE

ITEM

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 6/2014)

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

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

(Hour) (Date)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

1 51

739268

Electronic delivery: jtobin@fs.fed.us Mail/hand delivery: Address in Item 6GRAND MESA UNCOMPAHGRE GUNNISON NF

2250 HIGHWAY 50 DELTA CO 81416

AG-82MK-S-15-0013

one

DEPO 1 1500 MT

JAY G. TOBIN jtobin@fs.fed.us

6 2

07/13/2015

970 8746625

06/11/2015

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGES

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

BIGHORN/STATELINE PROJECT FOR THE RIO GRANDE

NATIONAL FOREST

The project objective to perform pre-commercial hand thinning operations as further detailed in Section C.

Set Aside: Total Small Business

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bighorn/Stateline Hand-Thinning Operations

AG-82AK-S-15-0016 2 of 51

AG-82AK-S-15-0016

Pre-Commercial Hand Thinning Services Rio Grande National Forest

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION B - Schedule of Items

SECTION C - Statement of Work

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

SECTION H - Special Contract Requirements

SECTION I – Contract Clauses

SECTION J - List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments

SECTION K - Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

FSECTION L – Instructions, Cnnditions, and Notices to Offerors or Respondents

SECTION M – Evaluation Factors for Award

SECTION B - Schedule of Items

Base Year – 2015

Line

Item Description UOM Quantity Unit Price Total Price

Pre-commercial Thinning; Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 18 ft. x 18 ft. to 24 ft. x 24 ft.

(76 to 134 TPA);

Acres 152 $__________ $__________

Pre-commercial Thinning - Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 25 ft. x 25 ft. to 36 x 36 ft.

(70 to 34 residual TPA);

Acres 144 $__________ $__________

Meadow Maintenance; Lop & Scatter Slash

Treatment (cut trees expected to average less than 35 TPA)

Acres 50 $_________ $_________

Items 004 to 011should be priced as additional cost to completion of items 1, 2, or 3

Hand Piling Slash less than 6 inches diameter Acres $+_________ $+_________

Pruning/Limbing of Residual Trees up to a maximum of 6 feet from ground level Acres $+_________ $+_________

Access

Access -Walk-in Distance less than (<) or equal to ¼ mile No Price Adjustment

Access Walk-in Distance greater than (>)

¼ mile to ½ mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Access Walk-in Distance > ½ mile to 1 mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Slope Adjustment

10 Average slope less than (<) 30 percent No Price Adjustment

11 Average slope 30 to 50 percent Acre $+_________ $+_________

TOTAL $_________

Option Year One – 2016

Description UOM Quantity Unit Price Total Price

Pre-commercial Thinning; Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 18 ft. x 18 ft. to 24 ft. x 24 ft.

(76 to 134 TPA);

Acres $__________ $__________

Pre-commercial Thinning - Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 25 ft. x 25 ft. to 36 x 36 ft.

(70 to 34 residual TPA);

Acres $__________ $__________

Meadow Maintenance; Lop & Scatter Slash

Treatment (cut trees expected to average less than 35 TPA)

Acres $_________ $_________

Items 004 to 011should be priced as additional cost to completion of items 1, 2, or 3

Hand Piling Slash less than 6 inches diameter Acres $+_________ $+_________

Pruning/Limbing of Residual Trees up to a maximum of 6 feet from ground level Acres $+_________ $+_________

Access

Access -Walk-in Distance less than (<) or equal to ¼ mile No Price Adjustment

Access Walk-in Distance greater than (>)

¼ mile to ½ mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Access Walk-in Distance > ½ mile to 1 mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Slope Adjustment

10 Average slope less than (<) 30 percent No Price Adjustment

Option Year Two – 2017

Description UOM Quantity Unit Price Total Price

Pre-commercial Thinning; Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 18 ft. x 18 ft. to 24 ft. x 24 ft.

(76 to 134 TPA);

Acres $__________ $__________

Pre-commercial Thinning - Lop & Scatter

Slash Treatment; Average spacing of residual trees 25 ft. x 25 ft. to 36 x 36 ft.

(70 to 34 residual TPA);

Acres $__________ $__________

Meadow Maintenance; Lop & Scatter Slash

Treatment (cut trees expected to average less than 35 TPA)

Acres $_________ $_________

Items 004 to 011should be priced as additional cost to completion of items 1, 2, or 3

Hand Piling Slash less than 6 inches diameter Acres $+_________ $+_________

Pruning/Limbing of Residual Trees up to a maximum of 6 feet from ground level Acres $+_________ $+_________

Access

Access -Walk-in Distance less than (<) or equal to ¼ mile No Price Adjustment

Access Walk-in Distance greater than (>)

¼ mile to ½ mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Access Walk-in Distance > ½ mile to 1 mile Acre $+_________ $+_________

Slope Adjustment

10 Average slope less than (<) 30 percent No Price Adjustment

Notes:

1. Indicated quantities are estimates for initial (Base Year) task order and will be used to evaluate and compare submitted price proposals.

2. Provide Unit Price for ALL pay items, whether or not a quantity is indicated.

3. Project acres to be treated in the Base Year will be a minimum of 296 acres. Acres to be thinned in Option

Years 1 and 2 may range from a minimum of 0 acres to a maximum of 650 acres, depending on funding.

Name: ____________________________

TIN: ____________________________

DUNS: ____________________________

Phone: ____________________________

E-mail: ____________________________

REQUIREMENTS: OFFERORS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

(www.sam.gov). OFFERORS MUST RESPOND TO ALL CRITERIA INCLUDED IN SECTION L.

OFFERORS WHO FAIL TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE

AND NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD.

http://www.sam.gov/

SECTION C - Statement of Work

C.1 OVERVIEW

C1.1 Scope of Contract

The Rio Grande National Forest is in need of tree thinning services to meet land management objectives. The overall goal of this project is to complete a range of pre-commercial thinning and related operations needed to reduce tree density, ladder fuels, or to increase or maintain landscape diversity by thinning around legacy trees, or cutting conifers in aspen/cottonwood patches, or cutting conifer trees encroaching into meadows. The Forest

Service intends to award one Indefinite Delivery - Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the performance of these services based on the best interests of the Government. The proposed contract will include one base year and two option years. Individual task orders issued under the proposed contract will flow from these objectives.

C1.2 Description of Work

It is expected that pre-commercial thinning work will be focused in the drier mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and pinyon-juniper vegetation zones; additional fuels reduction work may be needed on fewer acres adjacent to private land in Wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. WUI areas occur in all vegetation zones from low elevation pinyon-juniper to high elevation Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir zones. Required work may be further described in the

Statement of Work for each Task Order.

For the purposes of this contract, pre-commercial sized trees will generally include live conifers less than 9 inches

DBH (diameter at breast height)/DRC (diameter at root collar), as specified in individual Task Orders. Cutting selected hardwoods (such as aspen or cottonwood) or dead trees (snags) may be included in specific situations to meet objectives such as protecting improvements or fuels reduction adjacent to private land. Pruning may be used in specific situations to further reduce ladder fuels.

Slash treatment will generally be Lop and Scatter which includes limbing, bucking, lopping and scattering slash and boles resulting from tree thinning operations. Hand piling of slash less than 6 inches diameter may be required in some situations to meet specific fuels reduction or other objectives.

This work will be conducted using hand methods only (chain saws, brush cutters, etc.) – tracked or wheeled equipment may not be used in this contract.

Walk-ins to some sites may be necessary, but generally should be less than 1/4 mile unless otherwise included in the

Task Order. Within each unit, travel will generally be cross-country, by foot, on sometimes rough and steep terrain.

Average unit slopes will generally be less than 30 percent unless otherwise included in the Task Order.

Thinning projects would usually take place from May through October with actual dates depending on project area elevation and timing of snow melt; occasionally other timing restrictions may be required to meet other objectives

(for example in ponderosa pine dominated areas, thinning will usually be planned from late June through early fall to reduce the potential for Ips beetle population buildup).

The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as

Government furnished) and incidentals to perform all work necessary to perform the work described under the provisions of this contract.

C1.3 Location of Project

Work areas are located throughout the Rio Grande National Forest, located in southcentral Colorado. Elevations range from about 6,000 to over 11,500 feet depending on the project location. It is expected that most areas have been harvested in the past, so will generally occur on slopes less than 40 percent with a well-developed road system.

Soils are often of volcanic origin. Surface rock can range from very minor to over 90 percent of the ground cover.

Tree density and species composition can vary by aspect; small changes in aspect can result in more trees per acre and a shift in the mix of species present. Each Task Order will provide a Detailed Unit Information Table with additional information for each thinning unit.

C1.4 Performance of the Work

All work shall be conducted in a safe and expedient manner and in conformance with the specifications referenced in Section J and the Task Order. Safety / OSHA compliance shall be shall be a priority. When applicable, traffic control shall be in accordance with standards set forth in the most current edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic

Control Devices (MUTCD). All work shall be conducted by personnel fully qualified to perform the tasks assigned, and shall be supervised by a designated Contractor’s Representative.

C1.5 Personnel Qualifications All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to replace any employee whom the Contracting Officer determines to be incompetent, careless or otherwise objectionable.

C.2 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Aspen/cottonwood patch: An aspen/cottonwood patch is defined as a dense patch of aspen or cottonwood trees at least 0.10 acre (~20 ft. x 20 ft.) in size. This requirement does not apply to scattered individual trees, though scattered individuals shall be considered in spacing.

Average Spacing: Average horizontal distance in feet between the bole of one desirable Leave Tree to the bole of another Leave Tree. Average spacing between leave trees for each unit will be specified in the Task Order, Detailed

Unit Information Table. The average spacing may be varied up to +/-25% in order to select the most desirable tree

(see Variable Density Thinning).

Bole: Main trunk or stem of a tree.

Circular Plot: A sample plot within a thinning unit that is used to determine the number of leave trees left in a plot in accordance with Section E – Inspection and Acceptance.

Conifers: Evergreen, cone-bearing trees such as ponderosa pine, blue spruce, white fir, Douglas-fir, piñon, or juniper.

Contracting Officer (CO): The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the CO acting within the limits of their authority.

Contractors Officer’s Representative (COR): The COR is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting

Officer. The duties and responsibilities for a COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting

Officer after award.

Conifer species: Conifer species that may be thinned include: blue or Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, Douglas fir, white fir, lodgepole pine, limber pine, bristlecone pine, ponderosa pine, pinyon, or juniper.

Contract Time: Length of time to be determined based on work awarded for to complete contract items.

Cut Trees: Conifer trees that are within the specified size classes that shall be cut unless they qualify as a desirable

Leave Tree or are needed to maintain the specified average spacing interval. However, in no case shall any conifer in the Cut Tree size classes be left closer than 15 feet to any other conifer or hardwood.

DBH: (diameter at breast height) Diameter of the stem measured at a point of 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

DRC: (diameter at root collar) Diameter measured at the root collar is used for woodland species such as pinon or junipers. For plants with multiple stems, diameters are added together and summed to determine DRC.

Deficient Trees: Trees that have been cut, that should have not been cut.

Drip line: Projected vertical line from the outermost edge of the tree canopy where water drips from and onto the ground.

Excess Trees: Uncut trees not needed to meet average spacing specifications and that do not qualify as leave trees.

Hang Up Tree: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

Hand pile: Pile slash manually without use of equipment in such a way to facilitate burning and minimize damage to residual trees and improvements.

Hardwoods: Tree species such as aspen or cottonwood that are generally protected from cutting or damage unless otherwise specified.

Improvements: Roads, trails, fences, water developments, section corners, or similar items owned by the

Government or private landowners that need to be protected and not damaged.

Leave Trees: Trees left to meet desired stocking requirements and that possess desirable leave tree characteristics such as: dominant or co-dominant trees; healthy foliage; a live terminal leader and little or no physical damage; and free of insect or disease damage.

Legacy Trees: For this contract these trees are defined as scattered individual trees of any species that generally larger in diameter, older, and/or taller than surrounding trees; they are often remnant trees from an earlier stand condition. If protecting these trees is a consideration for a unit, additional criteria will be included in the Task Order, Detailed Unit Information Table.

Limbing: Cutting and removing branches along the main stem(s) of Leave Trees in order to reduce ladder fuels or meet some other requirement.

Lop and Scatter: Cutting limbs from cut trees and moving and/or rearranging of slash concentrations to achieve a slash depth of not more than 18” above ground level. Bucking of cut material is not required for boles 6 inches diameter or smaller except as needed to meet slash depth requirements; buck all cut material greater than 6 inches diameter into 4 foot lengths to facilitate drying and reduce buildup of insect populations.

Pre-Commercial Thinning (PCT): Selective cutting of conifer trees within specified sized classes to meet desired spacing guidelines. Trees of pre-commercial size will be less than 9 inches dbh/drc, as specified in the Task Order.

Progression of Work: Work conducted in a progressive and orderly manner by the contractor.

Protection of Improvements: Protection from damage of known archeological sites or improvements (fences, water developments, etc.). Costs to replace or repair damage are the Contractor’s responsibility.

Pruning: See definition for limbing.

Residual Trees: trees remaining on site following thinning operations.

Slash: Any debris such as limbs, tree tops, boles, and other wood fiber pieces that are present and or created as a result of violent storms, logging operations, thinning operations, or by the contractor’s activities.

Slash Treatment: Contract requirements needed to manage slash which may range from Lop and Scatter to hand piling as stated in the Task Order.

Snag: A standing dead tree over 15 feet in height and greater than 12 inches DBH.

Species Preference for Retention: Tree species to favor for retention. To meet silvicultural objectives, some units may have species preference as additional criteria when selecting Leave Trees with similar desirable qualities; this may vary by unit and be specified in the Task Orders, Detailed Unit Information Table.

Stump Height: Unless otherwise specified, the height of a stump on the uphill side will be no greater than 12 inches.

Stumps are to be cut at an angle of less than 30 degrees from horizontal.

Thinning Unit: An individual area on the ground in which thinning will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item on the Task Oder Schedule of Items.

Tree Spacing: Desired spacing intervals between residual leave trees.

TPA: Trees per acre; average number of individual trees found on 1 acre.

Variable Density Thinning: Variable density thinning considers all size classes of trees. Leave Tree spacing may vary +/- 25 percent from the average spacing in order to leave the most desirable trees; average desired spacing shall be maintained over the unit. However, in no case shall any conifer in the Cut Tree size classes be left closer than 15 feet from other conifer or hardwood.

C.3 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

Item Name Description When, How provided

Project Maps Topographical and aerial photograph maps at a scale of

1:10,000 showing the boundaries of each treatment unit and available access roads.

Provided with the Task Order or at pre-work meeting or upon Contractor request

GPS data GPS-compatible digital data for the boundaries of each treatment unit, if requested.

Provided with the Task Order or at pre-work meeting or upon Contractor request

Detailed Unit

Information

Table

Includes unit description, boundary designations, specifications of work required in each unit

Provided with the Task Order

C.4 CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

C.4.1 Access/Communication

Access to thinning units will be from forest, county, or other roads indicated on forest travel maps and/or project maps. Project maps will be provided with individual Task Orders. All roads should be drivable from late spring into fall. However, a high clearance or four wheel drive vehicle may be necessary to reach some areas on the Forest.

The Contractor is not allowed to drive off of designated roads, unless approved in advance by the Contracting

Officer or Contracting Officer Representative. Travel on gated roads is prohibited, unless otherwise authorized in a Task Order and included on the Project Map.

Walk-ins to some sites may be necessary, but generally should be less than 1/4 mile unless otherwise included in the Task Order. Within each unit, travel will generally be cross-country, by foot, on sometimes rough and steep terrain.

Motorized equipment, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs or UTVs), may only be used on approved access routes and may not be used to travel cross-country within treatment units. Such equipment must follow safety and licensing requirements prescribed by the state of Colorado (http://www.atvsafety.gov/legislation/ColoradoLaw).

http://www.atvsafety.gov/legislation/ColoradoLaw

The contractor is advised that cell phone communications are often poor to non-existent in many areas across the Forest; the contractor may want to consider arranging alternate means of communication and safety check-in, check-out procedures.

C.4.3 Unit Boundary Designation

The exterior boundaries of the thinning units may be painted, signed, flagged or otherwise designated. Unit designations will be described in individual Task Orders, Detailed Unit Information Table (section J).

C.4.4 Technical Thinning Specifications

Unless otherwise noted, the specifications will be applicable to all thinning units. More specific details of the treatments in the individual units will be described in the project Task Order, Detailed Unit Information Table

(section J).

C.4.4.1 Specifications Common to all Thinning Units

1) Protect Hardwoods - Unless otherwise specified in the Task Order, no aspen, cottonwood, or other hardwood trees will be cut unless they are a hazard to safe operations, and care should be taken not to damage these trees.

2) Protect Improvements – Improvements within or adjacent to units will be protected from damage. Within unit boundaries, cut all conifers trees in the unit specified size classes for the growing within 6 feet of fences, roads, or other improvements.

3) Variable Density Thinning will be used– in all units, spacing may vary +/- 25 percent from the average spacing to retain the best trees available; no tree should be left closer than 15 feet to another Leave Tree.

4) Avoid Uniform Spacing -It is desirable to vary spacing in order to leave the most Desirable Trees available in each unit and to avoid creating a stand with uniform spacing and stand structure; the overall goal is to reduce the number of stems per acre while maintaining natural, irregular, patchy stands across the landscape.

5) Stump heights – stump heights of all cut trees will be less than 12 inches from ground level and cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from horizontal.

6) Keep improvements free of slash - During thinning operations, keep roads, trails, property boundaries, survey corners, fence lines, and meadows clear of slash at all times.

C.4.4.1.1 Thinning-Related Work Descriptions

C.4.4.1.1a -Pre-commercial thinning (PCT) - Considering the Cut Tree and Leave Tree characteristics outlined below, thin conifer trees within the size classes/diameter range specified to meet average spacing requirements described in the Task Order, Detailed Unit Information Table.

The average spacing may be varied up to +/-25% in order to select the most desirable tree (see Variable Density

Thinning). Unless otherwise specified, all size classes and species of trees and trees within the unit immediately adjacent to unit boundaries shall be considered for spacing purposes. Spacing control using the specified Leave Tree/Cut Tree guidelines shall be maintained wherever possible to meet unit residual TPA requirements.

Trees of specified Cut Tree size classes and species (except aspen or cottonwood stems within identified clones or patches) will be considered in spacing and counted toward meeting average spacing requirements in each unit.

Average spacing and trees per acre reference information.

PCT - Average Spacing

(feet) PCT – approximate allowable spacing to leave best trees (feet) Target conifer TPA – all size classes 18 15 to 23 134

20 15 to 25 109

22 15 to 27 90

24 18 to 30 76

26 20 to 32 64

28 22 to 34 56

30 22 to 36 48

32 24 to 40 42

34 26 to 42 38

36 27 to 45 34

C.4.4.1.1b -Legacy Tree Protection –May be an included requirement in some units; requires cutting all conifers greater than 2 feet tall and up to the maximum Cut Tree dbh/drc specified in the Task Order growing under and within 10 feet of the drip line of all “Legacy” trees, as defined in section C.2 and the Task Order, Detailed Unit Information Table.

C.4.4.1.1c- Aspen/cottonwood maintenance - May be an included requirement in some units where maintaining aspen or cottonwood patches within or immediately adjacent to the unit is a priority; requires cutting all conifer trees in the size classes specified for the unit from within the aspen/cottonwood patch and within a radius around the patch extending approximately1.5 tree heights of the tallest aspen/cottonwood in the patch.

An aspen/cottonwood patch is defined as a dense patch of aspen or cottonwood trees at least 0.10 acre (~20 ft. x

20 ft.) in size. This requirement does not apply to scattered individual trees, though scattered individuals shall be considered in spacing.

C.4.4.1.1d – Snag or hardwood cutting – Cutting selected snags or hardwoods may be included requirements in some units, primarily adjacent to private lands where cutting these trees is needed to reduce wildfire risk or protect private improvements. These types of trees will generally be scattered and incidental.

C.4.4.1.2 Cut Tree Requirements -

Cut Trees are trees within the size limits or species identified in the Task Order, Detailed Information Table, do not meet requirements for Leave Trees, and/or are would be considered an excess tree based on desired spacing for that unit.

First priority Cut Trees are conifers of any species with identifiable disease or insect infestations or with physical damage that is likely to limit growth into a larger size class such as broken or dead tops, multiple tops, or severe suppression.

Cut conifer trees with any evidence of disease such as dwarf mistletoe, western gall rust, and broom rust or any evidence of insect infestation such as pine engraver beetles, mountain pine beetle, Douglas-fir beetles, or repeated heavy western spruce budworm defoliation.

C.4.4.1.3 Leave Tree Requirements

The goal is to leave the best available trees on-site regardless of size class (i.e. if a 3 foot tall tree best meets the criteria for a desired Leave Tree compared to a 6 inch dbh tree, the 3 foot tall tree should be left) and the 6 inch tree cut.

The most desirable leave trees include:

1. Hardwood species – Unless otherwise specified in the Task Order, do not cut unless they are a safety hazard and protect from damage.

2. Dominant or co-dominant trees – Trees of average height or taller when compared to other trees of that size class. These trees are not generally suppressed.

3. Healthy Foliage – Foliage shall be dark green in color with a full crown or over 1/3 or more of the tree.

4. Straight Bole with live leader – The bole or stem of the tree shall be relatively straight. Trees shall have a single, live terminal leader (no dead or broken tops).

5. Free of Physical Damage – Trees shall not have physical damage from fire, animals, or weather on more than ¼ of the circumference of the bole or more than three feet of the length of the bole.

6. Free of Disease Damage – Trees shall not have diseases such as dwarf mistletoes (symptoms include witches brooms, cankers, stem or branch swelling), western gall rust (symptoms are galls on the branch and stem), or other noticeable stem cankers or galls.

7. Free of Insect Damage – Trees shall not have insect damage from mountain pine beetles (symptoms of mountain pine beetles are small red to yellowish pitch tubes (less than ¼ inch) and boring dust in bark crevices and round the base of the tree), Douglas fir beetle (symptoms are red-orange boring dust in bark crevices or on the ground, may have pitch streamers on bole) or and Ips (pine engraver) beetles that can be found on many species of conifers (symptoms of the Ips beetles include dead tops and group killings without pitch tubes); trees repeatedly defoliated by western spruce budworm (any species but the pines and junipers) will have a sparse crown and/or dead top.

C.4.4.1.4 Species Retention Preference

Overall, it is desirable to maintain a mix of conifers and aspen/cottonwood on-site. However, to meet a variety of objectives a species retention preference order may be identified for a unit in the Task Order, Detailed Unit

Information Table (section J). For these units, species will be considered along with other Leave Tree/Cut Tree characteristics outlined above.

If dwarf mistletoe is encountered, adjust species to retain non-susceptible species if possible. For example, if dwarf mistletoe is present in overstory ponderosa pine, retain any of the other conifer species present and selectively cut ponderosa pine in that area.

C.4.5 Slash Treatment – Lop & Scatter

In units where slash treatments is Lop and Scatter, maximum slash height will be 18 inches deep in each treatment unit.

Broadcast burning may be used as a follow-up treatment in many units. To reduce the potential for mortality, the following additional requirements apply:

1) Slash shall be pulled beyond the drip line of all residual Leave Trees (including hardwoods, if specified in the Task Order) and existing snags.

2) Slash shall be secure and not able to roll downhill.

3) Slash shall not felled into draws or drainages from outside the draw or drainage; if a tree is cut inside the draw or drainage, it does not need to be pulled out.

4) Slash shall not be felled or left on the ground outside the thinning unit.

5) Slash shall not be left within 6 feet of fence lines or roads.

6) Limbs, boles, and other material shall be scattered to avoid creating piles of slash.

Slash treatment shall be concurrent and progressive with thinning. The Contractor shall not move into a new treatment unit without completion of slash treatment requirements, unless otherwise approved in writing by the CO.

Bucking of cut material is not required for boles 6 inches diameter or smaller, unless hand piling is required. Buck all cut material greater than 6 inches diameter into 4 foot lengths. Boles shall be cut as needed to meet the maximum slash depth requirement

Existing dead and down woody material (for example, fallen snags) shall be limbed, if needed, but will not require bucking except as needed for safety. Boles of existing down logs are not subject to the maximum slash depth requirement.

C.4.6 Slash Treatment – Hand Piling

In units where hand piling is required, Lop and Scatter requirements apply except in addition, slash up to 6 inches in diameter will be placed in piles approximately 6 foot by 6 foot in size and generally no taller than 6 feet. Material will be piled in a teepee fashion, with the smaller fine fuels located in the center of the pile.

Hand piles will be located in open areas where damage to residual trees or improvements resulting from burning the piles can be avoided. Piles should be located at least 10 feet outside the drip line of residual trees and/or at least 15 feet away from improvements. Where open areas of sufficient size do not occur, additional precommercial sized trees may be cut if approved by the COR.

C.4.7 Meadow Maintenance – This treatment will be used to cut all scattered encroaching conifers trees within the size classes/diameters specified in the Task Order, Detailed Unit Information Table to maintain grass/shrub openings. This treatment will only be used where Cut Trees would be less than a maximum average of approximately 35 trees per acre that are concentrated mostly along the forest/meadow edge.

C.4.8 Pruning (limbing)

In units where pruning (limbing) is required, use chainsaws or brush cutters to cut limbs from the bole of the residual leave trees at ground level to a prescribed height. Cuts will be made close to the bole of the tree without causing additional damage to tree bole. Limbs will be scattered or piled, as specified in the Task Order.

C.5 GENERAL OPERATIONS

C.5.1 Quality Control. The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan.

C.5.2 Camping and Worksite Conditions. If camping is permitted it will be specified in the Task Order.

C.5.3 Communications. The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer advised as to where the Contractor can be reached prior to start of Contract Time. Further the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting

Officer during periods of work suspension to reduce any delay in resuming work.

C.5.4 Supervision and On-site Representative.

C.5.4.1 At all times during performance of this contract and until work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly supervise the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor. The Contractor’s on-site representative and inspector shall be fully conversant and literate in the English language and shall be in the work area whenever work is in progress.

C.5.4.2 All work will be performed in an organized and systematic manner. Unless authorized by the CO or COR all work will be completed in one unit before starting another unit.

C.5.5. Crew Safety. The Contractor shall consider and address crew safety and provide a Safety Plan recognizing the hazards as stated in each Task Order

The Contractor shall prepare a Safety Plan, which addresses the specific hazards of the work site. The Contractor shall identify the specify conditions that s/he considers is a hazard. The Safety Plan shall also address the personal protective equipment and mitigating measures the Contractor will do to increase safety on the worksite.

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

Failure to meet safety requirements will result in an immediate work shut down until requirements are met.

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.

SECTION D - Packaging and Marking

{There are NO clauses in this Section}

SECTION E - Inspection and Acceptance

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

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

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

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

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

(e) If any of the services do not conform with the contract requirements, the Government may require the

Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may:

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

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

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

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

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

(End of clause)

E.1 Contractor Quality Control

The Contractor shall provide quality control for all tree thinning and related operations. The contractor shall provide a general Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within

10 days before start work based on the items awarded to the Contractor. The QCP must demonstrate how the

Contractor will assure work quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract and how quality will be monitored to assure that contract specifications are met for tree selection, slash treatment, and other requirements.

E.2 Work Plan and Schedule

The Contractor shall provide a work plan and schedule that demonstrates how the work can be completed within the performance time. The Contractor shall advise the COR of the next day’s work area to allow for Government

Quality Assurance.

E.3 Government Quality Assurance and Acceptance

The Government will accept all work that meets the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) as described in the table below. AQLs will be based on an individual unit basis and will not be averaged with any other unit.

Performance Requirement Summary.

Task/Subtask Performance Standard Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Quality

Assurance

Method

Disincentives for

Not Meeting

Standards

Legacy Tree

Protection, if required in Task

Order

All conifer trees greater than 2 feet tall and less than the maximum Cut Tree dbh/drc size class growing under and within

10 ft. of drip line shall be cut and slash pulled out from beneath drip line.

100% Review contractor’s records of inspection system and sampling results

Periodic on-site inspections

Rework at contractor’s expense until such time as minimum

AQL is met

Aspen/ cottonwood maintenance, if required in Task

Order

In hardwood patches, Cut all conifers trees in the cut Tree size classes growing within the aspen/cottonwood patch and within a radius around the patch extending approximately1.5 tree heights of the tallest hardwood tree in the patch.

95% Review contractor’s records of inspection system

Rework at contractor’s expense until such

Pre-Commercial

Thinning

Conifer trees are cut to achieve required spacing using Variable

Density Thinning requirements.

Number of trees per acre (TPA) are maintained to meet average spacing requirements & target

TPA

Selected Leave Trees shall be free of disease or insect damage and consider species preference

(if a species preference is identified in the Task Order).

Unless otherwise specified, all trees >= 2 ft. tall shall be considered in the required spacing guidelines

90%

Acceptable level of performance

Review contractor’s records of inspection system

Verifying compliance of contractor through inspection of 1/20 acre (or other appropriately sized) fixed plots`

Rework at contractor’s expense until such

No payment will be made for less than

90% AQL

Contractor is responsible for re-inspection costs when inspections exceed two inspections per unit

Poor performance rating

Stump Heights Stump height shall not exceed

12” on uphill side of tree, and <

30 degree angle from horizontal

Slash Treatment

– lop & scatter

Existing and activity slash shall not exceed a height of 18” and meet bucking requirements.

Performance Requirement Summary.

Task/Subtask Performance Standard Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Quality

Assurance

Method

Disincentives for

Not Meeting

Standards

Slash Treatment

– hand piling, if required in Task

Order

Piles are stacked to facilitate burning and located to protect residual trees and improvements.

Pruning, if required in Task

Order

Limb residual trees to a height to specified height or ½ of total tree height, whichever is less. Scatter or pile slash, as specified.

SECTION

SECTION F - Deliveries or Performance

FAR 52.236-6 Superintendence by the Contractor. (APR 1984)

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

FAR 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989)

(a) The Contracting Officer may, at any time, by written order to the Contractor, require the Contractor to stop all, or any part, of the work called for by this contract for a period of 90 days after the order is delivered to the Contractor, and for any further period to which the parties may agree. The order shall be specifically identified as a stop-work order issued under this clause. Upon receipt of the order, the

Contractor shall immediately comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize the incurrence of costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work stoppage. Within a period of 90 days after a stop-work is delivered to the Contractor, or within any extension of that period to which the parties shall have agreed, the Contracting Officer shall either -

(1) Cancel the stop-work order; or

(2) Terminate the work covered by the order as provided in the Default, or the Termination for

Convenience of the Government, clause of this contract.

(b) If a stop-work order issued under this clause is canceled or the period of the order or any extension thereof expires, the Contractor shall resume work. The Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the delivery schedule or contract price, or both, and the contract shall be modified, in writing, accordingly, if -

(1) The stop-work order results in an increase in the time required for, or in the Contractor's cost properly allocable to, the performance of any part of this contract; and

(2) The Contractor asserts its right to the adjustment within 30 days after the end of the period of work stoppage; provided, that, if the Contracting Officer decides the facts justify the action, the

Contracting Officer may receive and act upon the claim submitted at any time before final payment under this contract.

(c) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for the convenience of the Government, the Contracting Officer shall allow reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order in arriving at the termination settlement.

(d) If a stop-work order is not canceled and the work covered by the order is terminated for default, the

Contracting Officer shall allow, by equitable adjustment or otherwise, reasonable costs resulting from the stop-work order.

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance. (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from award thru November 2017, inclusive of all options.

(End of Clause)

Contract Time

The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed as soon as conditions are favorable for work in one or more of the areas. Contract time will start (1) on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed, if the notice is hand-delivered or emailed; or (2) on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor. Failure of the Contractor to pick-up Certified Mail will not be considered an excusable delay.

The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate, which will assure completion within the stated contract. Specific Contract Time will be determined on each

Task Order. Progress shall be according to the schedule provided by Contractor and approved by the Contracting

Officer.

The time includes all weather related stoppages, including, but not limited to, snow accumulation, saturated soils, fire restrictions, etc. The expected operating season includes the entire operating period, with the exception of certain seasonal restrictions in some units. The contractor is encouraged to consider seasonal restrictions and winter access concerns when planning work on this contract. Additional contract time may be granted at the discretion of the Contracting Officer in the case of suspension of work orders related to fire, significant periods of adverse weather, or other factors beyond the control of the contractor.

If the Contractor’s progress falls behind for more than 10 percent, the Contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated if satisfactory progress is not attained within the time specified in a written notice. Such notice may be in the form of a Work Order and shall allow no more than 2 working days for corrective action to be completed.

SECTION G - Contract Administration Data

AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference. (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful Offeror is required. It will be scheduled within thirty (30) days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at:

U.S. Forest Service

Supervisor's Office

San Luis Valley Public Lands Center

1803 West Hwy 160

Monte Vista, CO 81144

G.1 INVOICES:

The "Submit Invoice-to" address for USDA orders is the Department of Treasury's electronic Invoice Processing

Platform (IPP); all invoices shall be submitted via IPP. This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S.

Department of Treasury and you can find more information at https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm.

The successful offeror must register at https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm upon contract award if an IPP account has not previously been established.

G.2 FOREST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES:

Jay Tobin shall serve as the Contracting Officer on this contract. He shall have full warrant authority over all contract issues. His contact information is included above.

A Contracting Officer Representative shall be appointed for this contract upon award. His/her delegated authority, responsibilities and contact information shall be defined on a delegation letter after contract award.

G.3 PAYMENT PROCEDURES

Payment will be made by Item when the Item is inspected and accepted by the Government at the contracted price submitted by the Contractor on each Task Order.

Unit acreage will be measured on a horizontal plane using a differentially corrected Global Positioning System

(GPS) data traverses. Traverses will meet accepted Government accuracy standards. The Government will not re-measure the units under any circumstances.

https://www.ipp.gov/index.htm https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm

SECTION H - Special Contract Requirements

The Contractor shall provide a list of all employees and subcontracted employees that will be working on the contract site.