AG-82B1-S-10-0150.pdf

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 1

INTERMOUNTAIN EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATION CENTER

INSTRUCTIONS

ISSUING OFFICE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

INTERMOUNTAIN EROC

740 SIMMS STREET

GOLDEN, CO 80401

FAX (303) 275-5299

SOLICITATION NO.: AG-82B1-S-10-0150

OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FOR: RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST

IMPORTANT – NOTICE TO OFFEROR:

AT A MINIMUM, OFFEROR SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BACK WITH THEIR

RESPONSE TO THIS SOLICITATION:

1. SF-1449 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Complete, date, and sign)

2. Section B – Schedule of Items (Pages 5-6). (Complete Unit Price and Amount)

3. Section K – Representations and Certifications (Pages 54-63). (Complete the Representations and Certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications

Application (ORCA) website at http://orca.bpn.gov)

4. Acknowledgement of Amendments

5. Technical Proposal in accordance with the instruction in Provision L.

IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU WRITE THE SOLICITATION NUMBER ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR ENVELOPE.

Return to: USDA, Forest Service

Intermountain EROC

740 Simms Street

Golden, CO 80401

IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL CONTRACTOR’S BE REGISTERED IN THE CENTRAL CONTRACTOR

REGISTRATION DATABASE PRIOR TO AWARD UNDER THIS SOLICITATION. SEE CLAUSE I-FAR

52.212-4 (T) CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY.

ALL SOLICITATIONS SHALL BE ISSUED THROUGH FEDBIZOPS. NO PAPER SOLICITATIONS

SHALL BE ISSUED.

IT IS THE OFFERORS RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH FOR ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE

SOLICITATION, WHICH SHALL BE ISSUED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH FEDBIZOPS.

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

SECTION C – Descriptions/Specifications/Statement of Work

SECTION D – Packing and Marking

SECTION E – Inspection and Acceptance

SECTION F – Description and Performance

SECTION G – Contract Administration Data

SECTION H – Special Contract Requirements

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – Contract Clauses

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – Exhibits, Attachments, and Appendices

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors or

Respondents

SECTION L – Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

SECTION M – Evaluation Factors for Award

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 3

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30 357946

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE 4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

AG-82B1-S-10-0150

DATE

4/12/2010

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect 8. OFFER DUE DATE/

7. FOR SOLICITATION Shirlee Harrison calls) 303-275-5237 LOCAL TIME

INFORMATION CALL: 5/11/2010 1500 MT

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

US FOREST SERVICE

EROC INTERMOUNTAIN

740 SIMMS STREET

UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

GOLDEN CO 80401-4720 SMALL BUSINESS EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- 8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: $7.0 OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

Per schedule

US FOREST SERVICE

EROC INTERMOUNTAIN

740 SIMMS STREET

GOLDEN CO 80401-4720

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

TELEPHONE N0.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

OFFER IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM N0. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

TAS::12 1118::TAS RECOVERY KOOTENAI NF

LIBBY DISTRICT HAND TREE THINNING

Enter prices on SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY DATED .. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ____________________

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 4

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER

FOR PAYMENT

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE RECD (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005) BACK

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 5

SECTION B - SERVICES AND PRICES

PRECOMMERCIAL HANDTHINNING

Kootenai National Forest

Libby Ranger District

B-1 - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

All items, or a combination of the following items, may be awarded depending on prices received and funding available at the time of award:

Libby District 2010 Recovery Thinning Item# 1

Sub-item Stand Area and Number Quantity Unit Unit Price Total

1.1 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-08-014 62 Ac. $__________ $

1.2 Cripple Horse Cr 560-08-060 & 53 62 Ac. $ _ $

1.3 Cripple Horse Cr 560-06-079 50 Ac. $ _ $

1.4 Cripple Horse Cr 560-06-078 37 Ac. $ _ $

1.5 Cripple Horse Cr 560-06-075 39 Ac. $ _ $

TOTAL QUOTE ITEM NO. 1 250 Ac. XXXXXXX $_________

Libby District 2010 Recovery Thinning Item# 2

2.1 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-088 19 Ac. $_________ $_________

2.2 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-071 24 Ac. $_________ $_________

2.3 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-070 31 Ac. $_________ $_________

2.4 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-068 58 Ac. $_________ $_________

TOTAL QUOTE ITEM NO. 1 132 Ac. XXXXXXX $_________

Libby District 2010 Recovery Thinning Item # 3

3.1 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-04-065 19 Ac. $_________ $_________

3.2 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-091 63 Ac. $_________ $_________

3.3 Cripple Horse Cr. 560-06-089 30 Ac. $_________ $_________

TOTAL QUOTE ITEM NO. 3 112 Ac. XXXXXXX $_________

Libby District 2010 Recovery Thinning Item # 4

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 6

4.1 Canyon Cr. 561-04-002 & 23 257 Ac. $_________ $_________

4.2 Canyon Cr. 561-04-009 42 Ac. $_________ $_________

TOTAL QUOTE ITEM NO. 4 299 Ac. XXXXXXX $_________

Total Contract Acres = 793

* Includes all work items specified in Silvicultural Summary Prescription

NSP - Not separately priced

Contractor Name: Phone:

Signature: Fax:

Email:

Address: Tin:

City, State, Zip: DUNS:

B-2 Award Determination. AWARD WILL BE MADE BY ITEM. Offers will not be accepted for quantities less than those specified for each sub item and must be submitted or all sub items within each item.

Award of all sub items is contingent on available funding and may or may not be awarded.

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 7

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION C - SPECIFICATIONS

C. 1. INTRODUCTION

C.1.1. Background.

The Forest Service is in need of precommercial tree thinning and stand improvement activities to reduce the tree density and, by the deliberate selection of leave trees, improve the overall health and condition of the stand based on the prescribed objectives. Tree selection and cutting of undesirable or excess trees will provide space for the leave trees to grow and develop, reduce the incidence of insect and diseases that affect growth, and undesirable tree qualities.

C.1.2. Scope of Contract

The solicitation is for tree thinning and stand improvement activities on the Kootenai National Forest Land

Libby Ranger District. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies

(except those designated as Government furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary on the areas specified. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure services will be performed over the entire unit.

C. 2. DEFINITIONS

Access Point. The point identified for access to TSI areas. The project area may be reached by forest roads that are accessible by standard two-wheel drive pickup equipped for mountain driving during the normal operating season, except as noted below. The government assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open.

The road/gate access for the bid items is as follows:

Permission can usually be obtained for access after road closure dates at the Libby Ranger Station except in special wildlife area closures that will require walk-in. Walk-in units have been identified in the schedule of items.

Libby Ranger District

Sub-item Road Access

Item #1

All sub-items can be accessed from seasonally restricted road # 4904 G. This road is closed 10 /15 – 6/30 for big game security.

Item #2

Sub-items 2.1 & 2.2 can be accessed from a seasonally restricted road 4904 G. This road is closed 10 /15 – 6/30 for big game security.

Sub-items 2.3 & 2.4 can be accessed from road # 4904. This road is open year long.

Item #3

Sub-item 3.1 can be accessed from road # 4904. This road is open year long.

Sub-item 3.2 and 3.3 can be accessed from road # 6292. This road is open year long.

Item #4

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 8

All sub-items can be accessed from road # 334. This road is open year long.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density. The number of trees between the, minimum and maximum specified in the

Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

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

Contracting Officer‟s Representative (COR). The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer.

The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting

Officer

Competitive Area. The area used for comparison of potential leave trees of the same species. The radius of the competitive area is specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Contract Time. See Period of Performance.

Crop Tree. A tree that will be a component of a future commercial harvest or managed into the future. In this contract, it is interpreted as the trees specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription that are of preferred species, free of insect or disease infection, or if it is present does not threaten the tree survival or growth, exhibits leader dominance and growth, exhibits little or no damage that affects tree survival or growth, and has crown ratio of greater than 40% (ratio of crown to overall length).

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Decision Area. An area that is evaluated to determine the appropriate number of leave trees. The Decision area is the same as the plot radium used for inspection (1/50 th acre plot = 16.65 feet).

Deficiency (or discrepancy). Trees that are unsatisfactory either because they were cut and met the requirements for a leave tree or were not cut and should have been. There are three categories of deficiencies described in the Inspection procedure (Section J).

Category A deficiencies – cutting trees that should not be cut or damaging selected leave trees. These are non-correctable errors.

Category B deficiencies - leaving trees that should be cut. These are excess trees and are correctable errors.

Category C deficiencies – other types of errors such as not completely severing trees from stumps, leaving small trees, and other errors as described on the inspection form.

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

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 9

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.

Characteristics of trees that are not desirable for leave trees:

Multiple tops

Poor crown form

Crook or seep in bole

Dead or broken tops

Poor coloration

Large branch diameter

Presence of insect or diseases

Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

Physical or mechanical damage

Suppressed

Poor annual growth

Sucker limbs

Diameter Breast Height (DBH). The diameter of the trunk measure at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Dominate Tree. A tree whose crown extends above the general level of the main canopy; or in some cases, a tree whose canopy is above the main canopy of the tree‟s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above.

Excess Tree. An uncut tree that according to specification should have been cut. Excess trees are generally considered a Category B deficiency in the inspection procedure; these are generally correctable.

Girdle. A cut through the bark and cambium tissue that completely encircles the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree. Two cuts around the entire bowl of the tree shall be made by the contractor that completely severs the cambium of the tree. The cuts shall be made 5-8 inches apart. The bark between the cuts shall be removed with a hand axe or chainsaw to expose the cambium layer to the air. The two cuts around the tree must also not be made to deeply into the wood of the tree < or = to 1 inch deep, as this may cause the tree to become unstable and fall over.

Healthy Conifer. Trees that are growing well, exhibited by good leader growth, green foliage, and at least 40 percent crown ratio (ratio of crown to overall length), has upright growth form, absence of forking or broken tops, absence of mortality causing diseases or insects in the terminal buds.

Hang-up Tree. Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Improperly Cut tree. A tree that was cut that should have been a leave tree based on contract specifications.

Also includes any leave tree that was damaged by the contractor‟s operations. This is considered a Category A deficiency and is not a correctable deficiency.

Inspection Procedure. The plot inspection procedure described in Section J. Used to determine quality of work

Leave Tree. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to requirements in Section C.4.

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 10

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

Number 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

Minor Damage. Trees with damage, however, the crooks in the trunk are offset less than 3 inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, or bark damage to less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree.

Trees with forks or broken tops are not considered to have minor damage.

Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of contract work.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance

Plan (QASP).

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the

Contractor‟s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Satisfactory Leave Tree. A tree that is selected to be left on the unit that meets contract specifications. Tree is larger than the minimum height required to be cut.

Slash. Trunks of cut trees, and/or limbs created by the Contractor‟s operations.

Small Trees. Trees to be cut that are taller than the minimum tree height to cut and shorter than the “small tree height” specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree.

Average spacing is calculated from the leave trees per acre.

Special Protection Area. A zone that has special characteristics such as riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel or fueling of saws. Refer to the Silvicultural

Summary Prescription for required practices.

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. Special treatments will be specified in the

Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

Surplus Tree. A tree that is left in the unit that is in addition to the other satisfactory leave trees and is larger than those defined as small trees. It is not counted in the acceptable tree per acre calculation but does contribute to the total trees per acre on the unit. A surplus tree is coded as S3 or S4 trees in the inspection procedure.

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 11

Thinning Slash. Debris created from work under this contract, including all cut trees and shrubs including the tops, trunks, and branches.

Unsatisfactory Tree. A tree that fails to meet contract standards includes but is not limited to:

(1) Cutting the wrong tree, failing to cut a correct tree, failure to completely sever a live limb, etc.

(2) Failure to prune a tree or pruning that is not in contract.

(3) Failure to girdle a tree that meets the specifications is also an unsatisfactory tree.

Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection and may either be a

Category A, Category B, or Category C deficiency.

C. 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

Item Description Where, When, How

3.1 Project Maps Maps of units with access roads

identified. Suggested access to walk-in units identified.

Section J, Attachment

3.2 Silvicultural Summary

Prescription

Treatment prescription for each unit.

Provided in Section J.

Attachment2

3.3 Access Roads The Government will provide

access to the point indicated on project maps. The Government will initially clear down trees from the access roads.

Access roads are accessible by

_2x4__ drive vehicle.

Provided in section

C.2

3.4 Access behind locked

gates

Some units are behind Forest road closures (locked gated). The

Government will provide a permit and combination lock to the Contractor. Refer to C.4.1.3.

During period unit is being treated.

3.5 Thinning Inspection

Plot Form

Inspection Plot Form. Quantity necessary to inspect the contract

Sample and instructions provided in Section J.

Attachment 4

3.6 Wage Determination

Sheet

Section J, Attachment

C. 4. CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS and STANDARDS

C.4.1. General.

C.4.1.1. Road Access. The Contractor may access the units from forest roads indicated on project maps. Some units require the Contractor to walk; access is to the access point noted on project map. After initial clearing

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 12 of the access roads by the Government, the Contractor shall clear any subsequent falling of trees that block roads needed to access units.

C.4.1.2. Walk-in areas. Units indicated as „walk-in‟ units cannot be driven to by vehicle.

C.4.1.3. Locked gates. In cases where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates

(see C.3.3) after entering or exiting each gate and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use.

The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew. No firearms are permitted behind locked gates.

C.4.2. Tree Thinning. Thinning reduces the density of a sapling stand and by purposeful selection of leave trees improves the stand composition and condition as prescribed for each individual unit.

C.4.2.1. Selection of Satisfactory Leave Trees. Satisfactory leave trees contribute to the acceptable density computation. All Satisfactory leave trees are larger than the “small trees” described in the prescription; if there are no small trees specified, then they are taller than the specified minimum cut tree height.

The Contractor shall utilize the Silvicultural Summary Prescription, (also referred to as the prescription) in

Section J, characteristics of desirable leave trees (refer to definitions C.2) and requirements in this section for selecting the leave trees. The prescription is based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and is intended to be a guideline for achieving the desired final condition. The Contractor shall use his/her silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to any conditions within the stand and notify the Contracting

Officer of any conditions not addressed in the prescription. The Contractor shall recognize any insect, disease or animal damage problems and report them to the Contracting Officer if it not recognized in the prescription.

The Government, at the suggestion of the Contractor, may revise prescriptions with approval by the Contracting

Officer. Alternate prescriptions must meet the overall stand objectives to be considered by the Contracting

Officer.

The acceptable density, preferred species, and unique unit requirements for selecting leave trees are defined in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription.

C.4.2.1.1. Best Tree in Competitive area leave tree selection shall be used. Leave trees shall be selected from trees that have potential for being a crop tree. The trees having the potential for crop trees are rated in relation to the optimal tree of the same species and age in the Competitive area. The selected leave trees shall be those that have the highest rating in the decision area. The number of leave trees to be left in the decision area will depend on the acceptable stocking density. (Example: 1/50 of the acre decision area will have a range of 7 to 9 trees when the acceptable stocking density is 350-450 trees per acre.) When there is more than one tree rated the highest for its species for species in the decision area, the selection shall be based on the species preference list. Selected leave trees shall have the best form and vigor, be of a species listed in the species preference in the prescription, and be within the acceptable stocking density. The characteristics of desirable leave trees shall determine trees to be cut, but defects are acceptable for a particular leave tree if it is the best selection within a decision area.

C.4.2.2. Other leave trees.

In addition to the leave trees described in C.4.2.1, The Contractor shall leave trees larger than the maximum dbh, and other “trees to be ignored” as described in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Thinning quality will reflect the failure to leave these trees.

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 13

C.4.2.3. Cutting trees not selected as leave trees

C.4.2.3.1. All trees not designated as leave trees that are taller than the minimum cut tree height shall be cut. Leave trees shall not be damaged in the operation.

C.4.2.3.2. All cut trees shall be completely severed below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material. A live limb is a limb of any size that has green needles attached and is greater than six inches in length. Cut trees shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

C.4.2.3.3. Trees defined as “small tees” in the prescription shall be cut however there is a greater tolerance for failure to cut these trees than larger trees. Small trees that are not cut are considered a Category C deficiency. Refer to F.4.1.2. for maximum level of Category C deficiencies allowed.

C.4.2.3.4 Stump height shall not exceed 12 inches above the ground level or 3 inches above natural obstacles.

C.4.3. Girdling. This activity deliberately kills the treated tree, leaving it to become a snag. The Contractor shall select and girdle trees specified in the Silvicultural Summary Prescription. Girdling shall be accomplished by sawing two continuous cuts, approximately three inches apart, around the circumference of each bole, each deep enough to sever the cambium layer of the tree. Then two more continuous cuts, approximately three inches apart, around the full circumference of the tree severing the cambium, approximately six inches from the first two cuts. The contractor shall then remove the three inch bands with an axe of Pulaski. See the diagram on page

21 (section C Standards) for further description.

C.4.5. Release. This activity cuts competing vegetation from around selected crop trees to allow the crop trees room to grow.

C.4.5.1. The Contractor shall select the crop trees to be released based on the Silvicultural Summary

Prescription.

C.4.5.2. Trees and brush specified in the prescription shall be cleared from around the selected crop trees for the distance specified in the prescription.

C.4.5.3. The crop trees and other vegetation specified to be left shall not be damaged during release work..

C.4.6. Slash Treatment. Reduction of slash created in TSI operation to acceptable conditions.

C.4.6.1. All thinning slash shall be less than _2_ feet high, placing it on or near the ground surface. Cut material shall not lean against an uncut tree, stump, log or any obstacle. It shall be secure and not able to roll down the hill.

C.4.6.2. Slash treatment shall be concurrent and progressive with the thinning. The Contractor shall not move onto a new unit without completion of slash treatment.

C.4.6.3. All trails indicated on the project maps and all open roads within or adjacent to the unit shall be kept free of slash at all times.

C.4.6.4. The following improvements and developments shall be free from slash created by the tasks in this contract:

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 14

(1) The area adjacent to cut and fill slopes, and ditches for a distance of _5_ feet measured from the upper cut slope and the lower shoulder of the road. Material shall be less than 6 feet in length to prevent barriers along roads.

(2) Culverts for a distance of _5_feet.

(3) Improvements such as unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners.

Stream courses as required in Resource Protection (C.4.7.)

C.4.7. Resource Protection. The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments and resources in all aspects of the contract work.

C.4.7.1. Existing Facilities. Throughout the operations, the Contractor shall take extreme care to prevent damage to facilities including roads, erosion dips, barriers and drainage, developments and streams and other identified resources. Improvements damaged shall be replaced or repaired at no cost to the Government.

C.4.7.2. Stream courses. The Contractor shall minimize damage to stream courses. Stream courses identified on project maps shall be free of thinning slash for a distance of 15 feet on either side of the stream course.

Trees shall be directionally felled away from the stream course. Stream courses will be thinned through but the contractor shall not fell any brush and shall leave a higher percentage of shade tolerant species such as GF, AF, and ES. Also the contractor will be required to leave 300-350 TPA in stream courses unless otherwise designated in silvicultural summary prescription. Stream course boundaries will be designated on the ground with flagging and the flagging color will be noted on the silvicultural summary prescription.

C.4.7.3. Soil Erosion. The Contractor shall take precautions to prevent gullying of roads and skid trails within and adjacent to the contract area, and protect vegetative cover, soil, and water resources.

C.4.8. Salvage.

C.4.8.1. Salvage material is available to the Contractor 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. Rights to any material not removed from the project prior to expiration of contract time shall revert back to the Government.

C.4.8.2. The Contractor shall provide a general salvage plan with the technical proposal, which addresses the intent to salvage and general conditions. Based on items awarded, the Contractor shall provide a more detailed plan after contract award [task order issuance]. The general plan shall address:

(a) Identification of material to be salvaged and number of loads to be removed.

(b) Name of salvage operator and all employees.

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

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

C.4.8.3. Truck tickets may be required for each individual subitem. Tickets will only be issued to identified salvage operators. Salvage shall not commence on any other subitem until truck tickets are all accounted for, from the subitem previously salvaged on.

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4.9. Reserved – utilize this clause for other work items required by the project. Describe the contract requirement (end results if possible) and include them in the chart in C.6 and on the Silvicultural Summary

Prescription.

4.10. Plot Tree Data. On each inspection plot conducted by the Contractor, the Contractor shall record the species of each tree and estimate and record the average diameter and height of all remaining trees on each inspection plots. Record this data on the Thinning Inspection Plot Form. This is in addition to the other required inspection information specified in Section J, Thinning Inspection Plot Form and detailed instructions, and other contract requirements.

C.4.11. Quality Control. The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan as described in Section E. The

Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan.

C.4.12. Work Plan and schedule. The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period described in Section F. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal. A supplementary plan and schedules will be provided after contract award, but (One week) before start work.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that is not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

C.4.13. 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 conditions shall be consistent with the requirements of Section H, Section I, and supplementary attachments in Section J.

C.4.14. 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.

C.4.15. On-site Representative. The Contractor‟s on-site representative shall be fully conversant and literate in the English language and shall be in the work area whenever work is in progress.

C. 5. STANDARDS

C.5.1. (Non-mandatory use) Forest Service Handbook, R1 Supplement 2409.17-99-1 (effective 4/12/99), Chapter 6 - Timber Stand Improvement available at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r1/fsh/2409.17/2409.17_6-6.17.rtf http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r1/fsh/2409.17/2409.17_6.2-6.4.rtf http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r1/fsh/2409.17/2409.17_6-6.17.rtf http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r1/fsh/2409.17/2409.17_6.2-6.4.rtf

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This reference is not mandatory but provides additional information that may be useful to potential offerors in preparation of his/her proposal.

C.5.2. OSHA‟s Field Sanitation Standard Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-25 is available at http://www.osha-slc.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=137

C. 6. PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

Work

Statement

Performance

Standard

Government

Method of

Assessment

Incentive/ deduction

Tree Thinning, C.4.2

Girdling

C.4.3

Quality meets or exceeds performance standard of 90% when considering Satisfactory selected leave trees, and

Category A and

Category B deficiencies as described in the

Inspection Procedure.

AND

The number of

Category C deficiencies do not exceed the maximum stated in

Section F, acceptance and rework.

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring of operations and random plots consistent with

Thinning

Inspection Method described in

Section J.

The Contractor‟s quality will be reflected in the performance assessment either as positive or negative incentive.

If Contractor achieves 90% or greater quality AND Category C deficiencies are below the maximum allowable, the

Contractor will receive unit price as incentive.

If Contractor exceeds the maximum allowance for Category C deficiencies, the

Contractor is required to rework as per

Section F prior to payment for other thinning work.

If Contractor does not achieve at least

90% quality, deductions as per Section G and adverse performance assessment.

Release

C.4.5

Quality meets or exceeds performance standard of 90%.

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring and random plots

The Contractor‟s quality will be reflected in the performance assessment either positive or negative.

If Contractor achieves 90% or greater quality, the Contractor will receive unit price as incentive.

If Contractor does not achieve 90% quality, deductions as per Section G.

Adverse performance assessment.

Slash

Treatment

C.4.6

Meets slash treatment requirements.

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring

Rework is required if Contractor fails to meet standard.

Reserved for additional work item

C.9.

Quality

Control

C4.11

Contractor maintains good quality control on all aspects of operation

Actions not consistent with contract specifications are corrected as per the

Quality Control Plan.

COR or inspector randomly sample and observe operations.

The quality of Quality Control provided by the Contractor will be reflected in the performance assessment as either positive or negative incentive.

If the Contractor fails to meet standards, work may be suspended or put in

Default for failure to take corrective action immediately. Result in adverse performance assessment.

http://www.osha-slc.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=137

RECOVERY HAND TREE THINNING AG-82B81-S-10-0150 Page 17

Work

Statement

Performance

Standard

Government

Method of

Assessment

Incentive/ deduction

Contractor‟s plot inspections are +/-5% of Government‟s quality. Inspection completed to meet timeframes. Inspection forms are complete and accurate.

COR or inspector randomly observe

Contractor inspection. Review

Contractor inspection sheets.

The ability of the Contractor to meet the standard will be reflected in the performance assessment as either positive or negative incentive.

When Contractor‟s plot inspections meet standards, no deduction.

If quality does not meet standard, pay deduction (Section G) and/or additional costs to the Government will be assessed

Work Plan and

Schedule

C.4. 12.

Work meets schedule as per the accepted work plan.

COR and inspector conduct periodic monitoring.

The Contractor‟s ability to maintain the work schedule and complete work on schedule will be reflected in the performance assessment as either positive or negative incentive.

Work not completed on schedule is subject to Default and may result in assessment of actual costs.

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SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E. 1. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Feb 1998)

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

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. 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.2.2 Plot Inspections. The Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of thinning quality, release quality, and which represents the entire area treated. The Contractor shall sample at least 1-percent of the treated area, with a minimum of 5 plots per unit/pay item. A _1/50_ plot size shall be used during inspection

The Government may observe or re-inspect the Contractor’s plots at any time.

E.2.2.1. The Contractor shall mark and identify each inspection plot on the ground.

E.2.2.2. The Contractor shall provide written inspection data by unit that meets contract requirements and a sketch map with plot locations. The Contractor shall use the Thinning Inspection Plot Form and inspection forms for other work that are provided in Section J.

E.2.2.3. All Contractor inspection records shall be provided to the Government based on the schedule proposed by the Contractor and agreed to by the Contracting Officer for quality assurance assessment consistent with the Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. The person who conducted the

Contractor’s inspection shall sign and date each sheet and certify that the inspection records are complete and accurate.

E.2.3. The following calculation will be used to determine Tree Thinning Quality:

All computations will be carried to at least thousandths (.000) and the final percentage of thinning quality as calculated above will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Quality = 1- Improper Cut or selected trees “Cat A” + Excess Trees “Cat B” X 100

Percent Satisfactory Trees left (S1, S2) up to maximum + Non-stocked spots (N1,N2) http://www.arnet.gov/far

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Trees in excess to the maximum number of acceptable trees will be considered unsatisfactorily selected trees (Category B). Thinning quality will reflect the deductions for improperly selected or cut trees and improper treatment.

E.2.4. The following calculation will be used to determine the trees per acre of Category C deficiencies on the unit.

Cat C trees per acre = Total Category C on plots x Reciprocal of plot size

Number of plots

E.2.5. The equation specified on the inspection form for Release (provided in Section J) will be used to determine quality for release and other work.

E.2.6. Slash Treatment quality must reflect full compliance with requirements.

E.2.7. Acceptance. The Contractor‟s Quality Control inspections for thinning will be considered acceptable when they are be within 5 percent of the Government quality assurance results.

E.2.7.1. The Contractor‟s quality control will be deemed unacceptable when the Contractor fails to provide tree thinning within 5 -percent of the Government‟s quality assurance results at the completion of a unit. When the

Contractor‟s quality control is unacceptable, payment for the unit will be based on the results of the

Government‟s quality assurance (G.3.1.).

If the Government‟s results are objectionable to the Contractor, the Contractor may request a re-examination in writing, within 5 calendar days after receipt of the Government‟s quality assurance results. The request shall include documentation that supports that the probability of an error exists. The Government‟s re-examination will consist of a 2-percent sample utilizing the same inspection method as the original examination, but new plots will be selected with different plot centers than the plots previously inspected by the Government. If the results of the re-examination are within 5-percent of the Contractor‟s submitted quality control results, the

Contractor‟s results will be considered acceptable and used for pay. If results of the re-examination exceed 5-percent of the Contractor‟s submitted quality control results, the Government‟s re-examination will be used for the basis of pay and the Contractor will be assessed the costs incurred by the Government that are directly related to the performance of such service.

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SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 FAR 52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

F. 2. DELIVERIES

F.2.1. Contract Performance Time and Required Rate of Progress

The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the performance period. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each item by performance time specified.

F.2.2. Contract Time. (See Period of Performance definition). The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the stated contract time. The contract time will generally not exceed a required rate of progress exceeding that determined from the accepted work plan.

EXAMPLE

Item Estimated Beginning Date Contract Time

All July15 th 2010 800 Calendar Days*

* Contract time applies to each item. If more than one item is awarded to any firm, contract times will run concurrently.

The Government will issue A Notice to Proceed as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work on 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 (2) on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor; Or (3) when thinning and/or other work commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the

Contractor to pick-up Certified Mail will not be considered excusable.

F.2.3. Unfavorable Conditions. It is estimated that adverse weather and/or road conditions may prevent access to the work sites or performance to specification during the period _12/1/2010_ to _5/15/2012_. When such conditions make work impracticable, or if wind or other conditions create extreme conditions that are unsafe for contract work, and with written request by the Contractor, the Contracting Officer may suspend work with no charge against contract time. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm that order in writing. The count of contract time will resume on the day indicated by the Contracting Officer. If the Contractor cannot be reached at the phone number provided or the

Contractor fails to contact the Contracting Officer (per Section C) a written Resume Work Order will be mailed and count of contract time will resume on the date specified in the order.

F. 3. FAR 52.236-6 SUPERINTENDENCE BY THE CONTRACTOR. 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.

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F. 4. ACCEPTANCE AND REWORK

F.4.1. Tree thinning, girdling, pruning, release.

F.4.1.1. When the Contractor‟s inspection results are below the performance standard of 90 percent quality based on the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, and Category B deficiencies (excess trees) contribute to the low quality, acceptance and payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected unless the Contracting Officer determines excess tree deficiency to be minor or an isolated situation that will not result in any material differences in the total number of trees to be left.

F.4.1.2. When the total number of Category C deficiencies exceed __35__ based on the Contractor‟s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, acceptance and payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected unless the Contracting Officer determines the deficiencies to be minor in nature.

F.4.2. Slash Treatment. Acceptance will be determined based on the Contractor’s quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring and will be based on adherence to the specifications stated in the contract. Noncompliance with any of the specifications will classify the treatment as unsatisfactory and rework will be required to bring the treatment up to specification standards.

F.4.3. Acceptance. Acceptance will be determined based on compliance with the contract specifications.

Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work. If the Contractor‟s work is determined to be unacceptable, the Government may initiate any remedies described in FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services.

F.4.3.1. If the initial work is unacceptable to the Government, the Contractor may re-work the area if deficiencies can be corrected. The Government will assess the re-work after receiving the Contractor‟s inspection records which reflect that all work meets specification standards.

F.4.3.1.1. The Government will conduct quality assurance plots up to one times after the initial assessment due to rework by the Contractor.

F.4.3.1.2. The Government will assess the Contractor the actual costs of conducting the additional quality assurance after rework. The Contractor may be assessed actual damages which may include but is not limited to:

wages of the COR and Government inspector(s), costs of vehicles, meals and lodging that are incurred during the additional quality assurance.

F.4.4. Work Completed after the performance period. Whenever the Contractor fails to complete work within the performance period, and is allowed to work beyond that period, the Contractor will be assessed actual damages. Items to be included in the actual damage includes but is not limited to: wages of the COR and

Government inspector(s) for quality assurance after the performance period, costs of vehicles, meals, and lodging that are incurred while administering the contract after the performance period.

G. 1. MEASUREMENT

G.1.1. The area to be treated is stated in the Schedule of Items, Section B. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane within the established boundaries. Boundaries are marked by Flags and mature timber walls,[or as indicated in prescription].

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G.1.2. Re-measurement. The Contractor may at any time after award request re-measurement of any subitem.

The request must be in writing within 10 days after completion of a unit or pay item. The Government’s re-measurement of the unit/sub item will be made within established boundaries.

G.1.2.1. If re-measurement indicates a variance of 5 percent or less in the acreage stated in the Schedule of

Items, there will be no adjustment in acres and the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement.

G.1.2.2. If re-measurement results in a variance greater than 5 percent in the acreage stated in the Schedule of

Items, payment shall be based on the re-measured acreage and the Government shall pay for the re-measurement.

G. 2. METHOD OF CALCULATING PAYMENT

G.2.1. The…