ROAD BLADING SOW.doc

Statement of Work Nez Perce NF Road Blading

AG-82B1-S-10-0097

ROAD BLADING – 2010 and 2011

ALL RANGER DISTRICTS, NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST

IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO

B.1 - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Offerors are to enter a proposed price per mile, in the unit price for road blading and a lump sum price for mobilization. We anticipate doing up to 400 miles each year.

The offeror must submit a unit price on all items.

PAY ITEM NO.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 - SCOPE OF CONTRACT The services covered in this solicitation are for the furnishing of all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform road blading on roads specified herein, in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation.

2.2 - LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The roads to be maintained are located on the Nez Perce National Forest. The locations of the specific roads to be bladed will be identified and shown on maps provided with the task orders. This work shall consist of the blading and shaping of the traveled way and shoulders of roads; the cleaning of ditches, the cleaning of cross ditches, ditch-outs, and the removal of trees and brush which have fallen into and across the traveled way. During all operations under this contract, the contractor shall exercise reasonable measures to direct surface runoff water to stabilized waterways and to keep the drainage systems functioning effectively to prevent or minimize soil erosion and pollution of water and other resources.

Point of hire and release: Grangeville, Idaho

2.3 Moving of Equipment and Supplies – Moving of equipment, accessories, support equipment, and personnel to the point of hire, and from the point of release shall be paid at the lump sum mobilization amount as shown in the Schedule of Items.

(a) Moving of equipment, accessories, support equipment and personnel to and between job locations shall be at Contractor’s expense and should be reflected in the unit bid price per mile in the Schedule of Items.

(b) Start Work: It is estimated that notice to proceed will be issued on or about June 14, 2010 and June 13, 2011. Start of contract time will begin on the effective date of the Notice to Proceed and run continuously with no shutdown for normal winter season. Work on the project shall commence within 10 calendar days (or another period of time that is mutually agreed to) after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed. Work will proceed in accordance with the Contractor's approved work schedule. For the purpose of this project, the winter season is usually October to May of each year.

(c) Government-Furnished Property NONE

3 - EXISTING FACILITIES All existing facilities such as signs, cattleguards, and drainage structures damaged by the Contractor's operations shall be replaced or repaired by the Contractor at no cost to the Government. No crawler type equipment will be allowed on asphalt roadways.

4 - MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC AND USE OF WARNING DEVICES The Contractor shall provide signs, other devices, and traffic control for occupied work areas in accordance with National standards as contained in Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), most current edition (2009), and these specifications. All signs and devices remain the property and responsibility of the Contractor.

4.1 Traffic Conditions

(a) - Roads shall be open to traffic unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer (CO).

(b) - One lane roads shall be available for one lane channelized passage of traffic at all times unless approved in writing by the CO.

(c) - On roads closed with gates, the gate will remain closed during the period of operations. The gate shall be opened only to allow passage of the Contractor and his/her equipment and then be closed, unless otherwise approved in writing by the CO. The Contractor shall not utilize motorized equipment behind a closed gate for hunting.

4.2- Devices

a. - Required signs may be mounted on portable or temporary mountings. Standard MUTCD legends shall be used.

b. - Traffic approaching the work area from either direction or side approaches shall be warned by signing.

c. - Signs will, at all times, be within one mile of the operating equipment or personnel, unless otherwise approved in writing by the CO.

d. - Hazards incidental to the work within or on the traveled way, shoulders, or turnouts shall be marked with hazard identification, illuminated beacons, and other MUTCD devices to safely guide road users through the area. Work shall be scheduled to provide for completion of segments on a daily basis.

e. - Advisory speed plates may be used to control traffic through the work area.

4.3- Equipment

a. - All vehicles and machinery operating on or from the traveled way or road shoulder shall have flashing lights or rotary beacons operated continuously while work is in progress.

b. -Vehicles and machinery not currently used in the maintenance operation shall be parked off the traveled way at approved locations to minimize interference with the normal use of the road.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

5 - DESCRIPTION

a. Minimum rated flywheel horsepower: 150HP

b. Minimum operating weight: 30,000 LBS.

c. Articulated design (preferred).

d. Enclosed cab with rollover protection (R.O.P.) required.

e. Hydraulic shift moldboard – minimum width of 13 feet.

f. All tires shall have at least 3/4 inch tread depth measured at the center of the tread. This minimum tread shall be maintained at all times during the course of the contract.

g. Hydraulic bull blade mounted on the front of the road grader (preferred).

h. Rotating beacon and flashing marker lights, front and rear required.

i. Equipped with fire prevention and suppression equipment in accordance with the Fire Prevention and Control clause requirements.

j. Equipment will be inspected at the time it is delivered to the point of hire and release. Equipment that does not meet contract specifications and requirements will be rejected.

If the equipment is rejected or becomes inoperative, the contractor will be notified in writing to correct the deficiencies or furnish replacement equipment meeting specifications within two (2) calendar days.

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

6- WORK OBJECTIVES

6.1- Blading and Shaping.

Performance of Road Maintenance includes blading and shaping the roadbed, including shoulders and turnouts, removing ruts, washes, slough, and other irregularities that prevent normal run off from the road surface. The end result shall be the restoration and maintenance of the original cross section, grade and drainage of the road. The following standard industry practices will be reviewed during quality assurance inspections to determine that the desired end results will be met:

· Blading shall restore the surface without loss of aggregate/gravel surfacing or disturbance or loss of road base material. Performance on gravel surfaced road shall be accomplished so the base is not disturbed and no surface material is lost in ditches or over the road shoulders. Blading of unsurfaced roads shall be performed so no base material is lost. Surface material shall be bladed from one edge of the road to the other in a berm in order to eliminate any segregation prior to spreading. Sections having segregated materials after spreading shall be reprocessed and spread. The elimination of ruts, chuckholes, and washes shall be repaired by scarifying or cutting to the bottom of such defects to provide for uniform compaction of roadbed material. Large rock or organic material removed from drainage facilities during cleaning process shall not be used as fill. High blading, or any method which merely fills depressions with loose material, does not eliminate the defect or provide for uniform compaction and is therefore not acceptable.

· Repair of settlement sections shall be performed, where possible, by cutting from the roadbed on each end of the settled area and filling in the settled area to provide smooth transitions to adjacent road grades. If this will not accomplish the objective, the CO shall be informed.

· Blading and shaping operations shall not undercut road back slopes.

· Sections of roads constructed without roadside ditch shall be uniformly in- sloped or out-sloped the entire width of the roadbed (i.e. crowning)., unless otherwise specified on each individual task order The in-slope or out-slope grade shall be a minimum of 2 percent and a maximum of 6 percent unless staked otherwise on the ground.

· Existing drainage dips shall be cleaned and the out-slope grade restored to equal or exceed the gradient of the road.

· Sections of roads constructed with roadside ditches shall be bladed and reshaped to maintain crown at centerline of the roadbed, or in-sloped except on curves where crown is omitted and is replaced by appropriate super.

· Road cross section shall slope uniformly both ways from the crown apex to the shoulders at a minimum grade of 2 percent and a maximum grade of 6 percent.

· Ditches shall be blended to roadway so that no ridges occur to hamper roadway drainage. Ditches will only be pulled when required to open drainage.

At the conclusion of the blading and shaping operations the roadbed shall be smoothed and dressed to produce a uniform grade and cross section with a surface free of hollows, depressions, and projections above the adjacent roadbed surface. No berm or ridge or any material shall be left along either shoulder of the roadbed unless directed by the CO. Special care shall be taken while blading stream adjacent roads to ensure no side casting of material into the stream channel.

6.2- Drainage Facilities - Cleaning and Repair

Wood, rocks, and other debris shall be removed from roadside drainage ditches to provide unobstructed flow of water. The back slope of the ditch shall not be undercut by ditch cleaning operations; and the slope to road shoulder shall be maintained at an approximate ratio of 3:1 from the bottom of the ditch to the edge of the roadbed. Roadside ditches shall not be excavated to a depth of greater than 2 feet below roadbed grade. Typical depth of roadside drainage ditches below roadbed is one foot. Existing ditch dikes shall be restored, reshaped, and compacted as needed for effective drainage through culverts.

Wood, rocks and other debris resulting from the cleaning of drainage ditches shall be removed and disposed of on the jobsite as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). On aggregate-surfaced roads material may be bladed across the road provided it is not deposited in ruts, washes, or chuckholes in the road surface. Such material shall be side cast on stable fill slopes or natural ground out of streambeds, streams, or other waterways. All ditches shall be pulled; material shall not be side cast into the stream channel but drifted to a location that is at least 75 feet from the stream channel. Pulling of ditches shall be done on all roads and shall be pulled at all inlets except 100 feet from the culvert inlets of any live streams. All material shall be spread out and not piled off the road fill shoulder.

All rock and other material that would create a hazard to traffic or is otherwise detrimental to the traveled surface shall be removed from bridge decks. Cattle guards shall be left clean between the bottom of the rails and the ground beneath. No additional material may be deposited within cattle guards.

6.3 Slough and Debris Removal:

All slough and debris shall be removed and disposed as directed by the CO. On aggregate- surfaced roads, material may be bladed across the road provided it is not deposited in ruts, washes or chuckholes in the road surface. Such material shall be left on the shoulder in a berm for pickup and removal by the Forest Service. No side casting will be permitted on roads paralleling streams where the ground slope from the outside road shoulder to the stream edge is steeper than 2:1. No side casting will be permitted within 50 feet of a stream course. On unsurfaced roads, surface soil with rocks less than 2 inches in greatest dimension shall be spread evenly over the adjacent roadbed. The contractor shall not be required to spread such material more than 100 feet upgrade from the slough area. All rocks more than 3 inches in greatest dimension shall be removed from the road surface and deposited outside the shoulders to the extent that it can be done with the motor grader. All slough removal will be completed keeping cut-slope stabilization in mind.

6.4 Removal of Obstructions:

All fallen trees, limbs or brush in the travel-way or road ditch line shall be removed and scattered outside the travel-way.

7 - STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF

ROADS AND BRIDGES ON FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS (FP-03)

8 - SUPPLEMENTAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

The Special Project Specifications listed on the Specification List are applicable to this contract and are physically included in this section (C).

NOTE THAT THE SPECIFICATION LIST INCLUDES THE MAJOR SPECIFICATIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS PROJECT. OTHER SPECIFICATIONS REFERRED TO WITHIN THESE SPECIFICATIONS (EVEN THOUGH NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED HEREIN) ARE ALSO FULLY APPLICABLE TO THIS SOLICITATION AND ANY RESULTANT CONTRACT

9. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

9.1 - ADDITIONAL INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS.

The Government will, at its convenience, make periodic inspections of the work to assure itself of contract compliance.

(a) - Contractor Quality Control Inspection. The Contractor shall assure himself that performance meets contract specifications, prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. Upon completion of a road, or segment of road not less than 5 miles in length, the Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to set a mutually agreed upon date for inspection of completed work.

(b) – Daily records. The Contractor shall keep daily records on Government provided forms. The Contractor shall record the road number, mileage bladed from milepost to milepost and hours worked each day.

(c) - Acceptance. Acceptance of the work under the contract will be made after steps in (a) above have been taken and the CO has made the determination of satisfactory compliance with the specifications. For acceptance purposes, complete segments as defined in (a) above, or an entire road if shorter in length, shall be satisfactorily completed before acceptance will be made. Acceptance will not be made for segments broken by unacceptable portions of work.

9.2 - INSPECTION OF SERVICES--FIXED-PRICE (FAR 52.246-4) (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 Contract number Section E, Page 2 subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

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

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

(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.

9.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

The Contracting Officer will designate a representative, hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or, alternatively, as the Engineer, who will provide on-the-ground administration for the Government. The COR will be designated in writing and a copy of the designation will be furnished to the Contractor before or at the pre-work conference. The Contractor is cautioned to read the COR designation because certain authority under the contract is reserved solely for the Contracting Officer. The term "Contracting Officer" as used throughout the Specifications, shall be interpreted to include the Contracting Officer's designated representative(s) acting within the limits of their delegation of authority.

9.4 MEASUREMENT

Road blading will be measured in miles and the nearest tenths of miles along the centerline of the roadway, and shall include only those roads or road portions which are included in the contract and completed in accordance with the specifications. Measurement will be by a Forest Service vehicle. Parking areas, turnouts, and approach road connections are considered as part of the main roads and will not be measured separately. Mileage measurement includes all work on both sides of the road.

9.5 PAYMENT

Payment will be made for completed and accepted mileage to the nearest tenth of a mile as stated above, at the contract unit price per mile.

10. CONDITIONS ON USE OF PREMISES

10.1 Camping

(a) Camping will be allowed only at the sites designated on the project maps or approved in advance by the District Ranger.

(b) No improvements of a permanent nature shall be constructed without prior written approval of the CO. Temporary structures such as tent frames, hitch racks, tents and tent pegs shall be removed at the end of the period of use, all evidence of the camp eliminated, and the site restored to its original condition. Final payment will not be authorized until the campsite has been cleaned up and the site is approved by the Contracting Officer or his designated representative. Reusable native material may be neatly stacked for future use.

(c) Livestock will not be permitted without written approval from the Contracting Officer.

(d) Vegetation shall be undisturbed to the maximum extent possible. The Contractor will be permitted to cut only those trees designated by the CO.

(e) Storage of petroleum products in excess of 50 gallons at the campsite will require the approval of the CO. All petroleum spills shall be immediately cleaned up. All spills will be reported immediately to the CO or CO. Spills over 25 gallons will be reported to the Idaho State Department of Environmental Quality. No waste disposal of petroleum product will be permitted on National Forest land.

(f) Chemical toilets are preferred for all campsites, however, the Contractor may be permitted to construct a slit trench when conditions warrant. Any slit trench constructed shall not be located closer than 400 feet to any live stream and is subject to approval of the CO. The trench shall be covered and the area restored to as natural a condition as possible when the camp is closed.

(g) Refuse including waste materials, garbage, and rubbish of all kinds, shall be disposed of in the following manner, and shall guard the purity of streams and living waters:

Garbage, trash, sewage waste, and other litter shall be kept in closed fly-proof containers and periodically hauled to an approved disposal facility located outside of the National Forest.

(h) Waste water shall be disposed of in a leach pit located at least 300 feet from springs, streams, and lakes. The pit shall be a minimum of 2 x 2 x 2 feet and shall be filled with rock two to eight inches in diameter. The leach pit shall be covered with at least two feet of compacted soil when the camp is closed.

(i) No waste or by-products shall be discharged if it contains any substances in concentrations which will result in substantial harm to fish and wildlife, or to human water supplies.

Storage facilities for materials capable of causing water pollution, if accidentally discharged, shall be located so as to prevent any spillage into waters, or channels leading into water, that would result in substantial harm to fish and wildlife or to human water supplies.

(j) The camp area shall be maintained to present a clean, neat, and orderly appearance. Disposal of trash and debris, unusable machinery, Forest Service authorized improvements, etc., shall be kept current. Building materials, firewood, etc., shall be neatly stacked.

The campsite shall be left in a clean condition. Any clean-up work not accomplished by the Contractor at time of camp closure will be done by the Forest Service, and the actual cost of such clean-up will be deducted from payment otherwise due the Contractor.

Good Morning

10. 2 PHYSICAL DATA (FAR 52.236-4) (APR 1984)

Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the contractor.

(a) The indications of physical conditions on the drawings and in the specifications are the result of site investigations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Features shown on the plan & profile sheets were identified by visual observation during the preliminary location and survey and during a "plans in hand" review.

(b) Weather Conditions - The project is subject to seasonal limitations from November thru June. Wet weather commonly limits construction operations in October and June.

10.3 BARRICADES, WARNING SIGNS, AND OTHER DEVICES

The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades, suitable and sufficient lights, danger signals, signs, and other traffic control devices, and shall take all necessary precautions for the protection of the work and safety of the public. Roads closed to traffic shall be protected by effective barricades, and obstructions shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness. Suitable warning signs shall be provided to properly control and direct traffic.

The Contractor shall erect warning signs in advance to any place on the project where operations may interfere with the use of the road or trail by traffic and at all intermediate points where the new work crosses or coincides with an existing road or trail. All road barricades, warning signs, lights, temporary signals, flagmen and pilot car operators and equipment, and other protective devices, except for special devices, shall conform with Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, published by the Federal Highway Administration and applicable safety codes. Necessary warning signs and guards shall be posted during blasting operations to safeguard the public.

10.4 OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING THE WORK

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

· Storage

Storage of more than 200 gallons of petroleum products on the project must be done under the rules and regulations of the State of Idaho Forest Practices Act (IDAPA 20.02.01) and PACFISH Standard RA-4. A partial list of these requirements is listed below.

(a) Storage containers shall be sited within a constructed dike of sufficient size to contain 125% of the volume of the petroleum products stored in the tanks. Containment areas shall be lined with an impermeable membrane.

(b) The storage areas shall be located more than 300 feet from any existing stream courses.

· Fueling of equipment:

(a) Transfer trucks shall be limited to 200 gallons maximum.

(b) Fueling of equipment shall take place a minimum of 300 feet from any stream course. If this requirement cannot be met a written spill plan must be approved by the CO.

© All spills shall be reported immediately to the CO. Spills over 25 gallons must be reported to the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality.

NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL. (2/96)

In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds into work areas, Contractor shall be required to use weed-free equipment. The following is considered proof of weed-free equipment:

The Contractor will be required to clean all construction equipment prior to entry on to the work area. This cleaning shall remove all dirt and plant parts and material that could carry noxious weed seeds into the work area. Only construction equipment so cleaned and inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the work area. All subsequent move-ins of construction equipment shall be treated in the same manner as initial move-in. "Construction equipment" does not include pickup trucks and personal vehicles.

Prior to the initial move-in, and all subsequent move-ins, the Contractor shall make all construction equipment available for inspection by the Forest Service at an agreed upon location. The Contractor shall give the Forest Service at least 24 hours advance notification when equipment is ready for inspection.

10.5 FIRE CONTROL

(a) - Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) - Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or his employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place his employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area. An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) - Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved hand tool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One (1) - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One (1) - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One (1) - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One (1) - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

Three (3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are:

(a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards;

(b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe;

(c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Power saws.

For each power saw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

One (1) - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times. Any fueling or refueling of a power saw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; power saw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

(5) Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the CO with special precautions stated.

(6) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(7) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(8) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(9) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

(10) Welding. Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container (filled) with hand pump attached shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

(11) Fire Plan. Prior to initiating work on the contract area, during the closed fire season period, a fire prevention and suppression plan will usually be prepared. The Contractor and the Forest Service will jointly prepare this plan. Such plan shall include a detailed list of men and equipment at the Contractor's disposal for implementing the plan. The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contractor's operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

(i) All high fire risk operations could be terminated at 1300 local time.

(ii) All burning could be stopped, including debris burning fires.

(iii) Patrolman may be required for a period of 2 hours after high fire risk operations and 1 hour after end of work shift. The Contractor shall provide the patrolman unless the contract is for equipment rental, in which case the Government will provide the patrolman.

(12) Pump and Trailer.

The Contractor shall provide at a location satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, a serviceable truck or trailer, equipped with a fire fighting tanker unit to be kept ready for instant use for suppressing forest fires. The unit shall consist of a tank of not less than 100-gallon capacity upon which shall be mounted a live hose reel or live hose basket with 250 feet of at least 3/4-inch I.D. heavy-duty rubber hose; a portable or power takeoff pump with discharge capacity of at least 10 gallons per minute at 150 P.S.I. pressure. Gear type pumps shall be provided with a bypass or pressure relief valve so that the hose nozzle may be shut while the pump is operating. Each tanker unit shall have a hose nozzle of the shut-off type, adjustable for straight stream, spray or fog, at least 12 feet of 1-inch suction hose with an intake screen, an additional 250 feet of 3/4-inch heavy-duty rubber hose or 1-inch cotton jacket rubber-lined or linen hose to be carried on the unit for use as needed. Tools, adapters, accessories and fuel necessary to operate the pump and truck or trailer shall be provided. If a trailer is used, a serviceable vehicle with the proper trailer tow hitch shall be located at a point satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Where water is available, a supply sufficient for rapidly filling the water tank shall be provided at one or more accessible points along or adjacent to the main truck roads.

(13) Burning. Before starting any open burning, the Contractor shall comply with the following:

(i) Submit a burning plan, subject to approval by the Contracting Officer, designed to minimize the impact on air quality and to lessen any fire damage.

(ii) Obtain a burning permit from the District Ranger.

(iii) Use weather forecasts as far as possible in scheduling burning for more favorable dispersal of smoke.

(iv) Fuel shall be reasonably free of dirt and piled to facilitate rapid and complete combustion. Piles shall be tended during burning operations to maintain combustion and to eliminate unnecessary smudges. Piles shall be patrolled during off-work hours to avoid wildfires.

(v) Unless fire season controls dictate otherwise, burning shall be scheduled, as far as practicable, for the most favorable conditions during the burning period.

(vi) Under certain atmospheric conditions, smoke accumulations may become excessive and in these cases, the Regional Forester may, at his discretion, prohibit all open burning for definite periods within specific areas of the National Forest.