Attachment A Specifications.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS

1 – SCOPE OF CONTRACT. The purpose of this performance based contract is to secure services for hand slashing. The contractor shall organize and direct all equipment and personnel needed to accomplish the work. The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required within the specifications.

2 LOCATION DESCRIPTION and TIMING RESTRICTIONS.

2.1. Description. The work consists of hand slashing of standing trees as described in the performance standards below.

The work may occur on slopes up to70 percent and on wet or rocky terrain.

2.2. Location. The work is located within the Libby Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest, headquartered in

Libby, Montana. Legal descriptions of the location of the work is described below and contained on the attached maps.

Item 540- Gopher Hill 545 is a single unit of 265 acres located about 13 air-miles northeast of the town of Libby, MT between Canyon Creek and Boundary Moutain. The unit is located just south of Gopher Hill in Section 23 of

Township 31N, Range 29W. Access is obtained off of road 6724. Road 6724 is restricted from Oct. 15-June 30.

A contractor lock will be placed on the gate for access. Slashing will not be allowed during the general hunting season from October 15 th to December 1 st for big game security.

Item 541- Warland Peak West 536 is a single unit of 195 acres located about 20 air-miles northeast of the town of Libby, MT between Cripple Horse Creek and Warland Creek. The unit is located west of Warland Peak in

Sections 2 and 3 of Township 31N, Range 28W. Access is obtained from Road 4898 (Warland Peak). Road 4898 is open yearlong. The bottom portion of the unit may require a short hike-in due to lack of road access and steep terrain.

Item 542- Cripple Warland 53403 is a single unit of 450 acres located just west of Item 541. The unit is located in Sections 32, 33, and 34 of Township 32N, Range 28W and Sections 3 and 4 of Township 31N, Range 28W.

The main access for Item 542 will be on Road 4898 which is open yearlong. Additional access from Road 4891 on the Warland Creek side may provide better access to the western and top portion of the unit. Road 4891 is also open yearlong. A hike of up to 1 mile may be needed to access the western boundary of this unit due to lack of driveable roads.

Item 543 and 544- Southeast Ziegler 5107 and 5107B is a single unit broken into six parts and located about 19 air-miles northeast of Libby, MT. Item 543 is 185 acres (5 parts) and Item 544 is 30 acres (1 part). The unit is located in Sections 6 and 7 of Township 32N, Range 28W and Sections 11 and 12 of Township 32N, Range 29W.

Access is from Road 228 (FDR) which is a paved road, open yearlong. Additional access may be provided to a portion of this Item on road 4853 which is closed from October 15 th through June 30 th

. If road 4853 is utilized for slashing, no motorized access will be allowed during the first and last week of general hunting season (typically the last week in October and the week of Thanksgiving in November). Access by open roads or hiking-in would be allowed.

Item 545- Bristow 32 is a single unit of 255 acres located about 14 air-miles northeast of Libby, MT. The unit is located in Sections 20 and 21 of Township 32N, Range 29W. Access for the bottom portion of this unit is from

Road 615 which is open yearlong. The top and middle portion of the unit is accessed from Road 4817 which is closed yearlong. A contractor lock will be placed on the gate for access during activities. No motorized access will be allowed during the first and last week of general hunting season (typically the last week in October and the week of Thanksgiving in November). Access by open roads or hiking-in would be allowed.

2.3. Accessibility. The general vicinity of the contract areas may be reached by forest or county roads that are accessible by standard pickup or 4WD during the normal operation season. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or perform special maintenance to keep roads open. It is the Contractor's responsibility to keep current on road restrictions. A written request to access closed roads by motorized vehicles shall be submitted for approval by the District Ranger or designated Staff Officer. One week prior to useage, a request for road access shall be made with the Contracting Officers

Representative (COR). The Contractor shall lock all gates upon entering and leaving the unit area for all yearlong or seasonally restricted roads. For planning purposes, the Contractor shall assume that the motorized travel will be restricted on yearlong closed roads or roads not shown on the attached maps.

Some roads are not shown in their entirety, or are not shown at all on the District Road Access Map. Contact the COR regarding access.

Timing of road use may have to be coordinated with other users.

2.4. Boundaries. Unit boundaries will either be flagged or contained by roads or some other easily definable boundary.

The unit may contain wildlife leave islands that shall not be slashed. These leave islands will be flagged in pink ribbon and will range in size from ¼ to a few acres. Aerial photos and/or photocopies of the units will be available for inspection to assist the Contractor with unit boundaries.

2.5. Timing Restrictions - All Items. Currently none of the scheduled items have active goshawk or eagle nests within the unit boundaries. Further monitoring by a biologist will occur prior to any pre-work meetings. If a new nest is discovered after contract award there could be timing restrictions associated with the new nest.

Any new goshawk nests will require a 40 acre buffer that does not allow any slashing related activities from May 1 st to

August 30 th

, or until nesting is not occuring. Actual shape and size of buffer may vary based on the size of the nest stand, topography, or local conditions. Size will be determined by a Wildlife Biologist.

There are currently no eagle nest located within the scheduled items. If a new nest in established after contract award a buffer of ¼ mile will be established around the nest from approximately February 1 st through August 15 th . The size of the buffer will be determined by a Wildlife Biologist since it may vary depending on site specific conditions.

If no nests are found then these timing restrictions will not apply.

No motorized access is allowed the first and last week of the general hunting season on any yearlong or seasonal road closures. Access by open roads or hiking-in would be allowed except for Item 540.

2.6. Detailed Unit Information. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Nikia Hernandez or Kevin

Cardwell at Canoe Gulch Ranger Station, telephone (406) 293-7773 during business hours.

3 DEFINITIONS

Access point – The point identified for access to the fuel reduction areas.

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

Contracting Officer’s Representative – The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsiblities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer.

Contract Time - See Period of Performance.

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.

Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

Straight stem

Small branch diameter

Good coloration

Well-formed crown

Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms.

Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

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.

Dominant 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.

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

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.

Leave Tree. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing according to performance standards

Lopped – To saw off or buck-up a piece of slash into smaller pieces.

Limb – a branch of a tree. To limb means to cut off the branches of a felled tree to reduce the slash height

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).

Slash – limbs and trunks of downed trees.

Slashing – The cutting/felling of standing trees sometimes referred to as thinning.

Slash height – the depth of contractor created thinning slash. It is measured from the ground surface to the average top height of the thinning slash.

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.

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

4 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – Items 540, 541, 542, and 543: The goal of the Libby District slashing is to reduce ladder fuels and open the canopy around larger diameter ponderosa pine, western larch, and Douglas-fir. Hand slash/thin all understory conifer species, except ponderosa pine and western larch, greater than 2 feet in height and less than 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Clumps or thickets of ponderosa pine and western larch less than 6 inches DBH will be thinned to a 10 foot by 10 foot spacing retaining healthy trees that meet the “desirable leave tree characteristics” as defined under C-3 Definitions. Retain all hardwood species such as aspen and cottonwood.

4.2. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – Items 544: Hand slash/thin all understory conifer species, except ponderosa pine and western larch, greater than 2 feet in height and less than 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) that are within a

50-foot radius of all ponderosa pine 12 inches DBH and greater, all western larch 12 inches DBH and greater, and all

Douglas-fir 18 inches DBH and greater. No slashing will occur outside the 50-foot radius. Retain all hardwood species such as aspen, cottonwood, willow, etc.

4.3. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – Items 545: Hand slash/thin all understory conifer species greater than 2 feet in height and less than 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) that are within a 50-foot radius of all ponderosa pine and western larch that are 12 inches DBH or greater. Areas outside of the 50-foot radius will require hand slashing/thinning of all understory conifer species, except ponderosa pine and western larch, greater than 2 feet in height and less than 4 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Clumps or thickets of ponderosa pine and western larch less than 4 inches DBH will be thinned to a 10 foot by 10 foot spacing retaining healthy trees that meet the “desirable leave tree characteristics” as defined under C-3 Definitions. Retain all hardwood species such as aspen, cottonwood, willow, etc.

4.4. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: Directionally fall slash into non-designated or illegal ATV/OHV trails as designated by COR to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

4.5. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: Cut trees shall be directionally felled away from leave trees. Hand pull back slash from leave tree boles within a 10 foot radius adjacent to all snags greater than 14” DBH and all ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and western larch greater than 18 inches DBH.

4.6. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: Slashed material will have the tops, stems, and/or branches lopped to reduce the horizontal fuel height to less than 2 feet. This will help ensure the material is kept lower to the ground to speed up decomposition and reduce potential fire behavior. In dense pockets when it is mutually agreed by the government that a fuel height of less than 2 feet cannot be met a smaller maximum cutting diameter may be used (i.e. drop slashing diameter from less than 6 inches DBH to less than 4 inches DBH).

4.7. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: No slashing will be done in draws identified on the map, draws identified in a pre-work meeting, or any newly discovered draws with evidence of scour. Other exclusions areas may include wildlife leave islands that will be identified and flagged in pink ribbon. The wildlife leave islands will generally range from ¼ to a few acres in size and may not be shown on the maps. No slashing in existing or newly identified archeological sites.

4.8. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: All slashing shall be conducted in such a manner as to allow operations without damaging residual trees. All leave/reserve trees shall be retained in an undamaged condition.

4.9. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: All trees other than leave trees shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural obstacles. All live limbs below the cutting point shall be removed. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump. Stump height shall not exceed 8 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

4.10. PERFORMANCE STANDARD – All Items: Cut trees shall be felled away from leave trees, unit boundaries, roads, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, culverts, and streams. Any trees falling on such areas shall be removed. Any tree felled into private land shall be pulled back into the thinning unit.

All thinning slash shall be placed on or near the ground surface, so that it is not leaning against or suspended by an uncut tree, stump, log, or any obstacle. Snags may not be cut unless the contractor elects to fall them for safety reasons after consultation with the government (unless it poses an immediate danger). Snags felled should be done prior to selecting leave trees within a distance equal to the height of the snag in the direction of fall.

4.11. PERFORMANCE STANDARD (Protection of Existing Facilities, Developments and Resources) – All Items:

The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments, and resources.

Existing Facilities – Any existing facilities, such as roads, culverts, erosion dips, drainage facilities, barriers, fences, section corners, bearing trees, utilities, and signs that are damaged by the Contractor’s actions, shall be replaced or repaired by the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

Protection of Stream Courses - Contractor shall not operate any equipment within 50 feet of any intermittent stream or

100 feet of any year round stream. Slash shall be pulled out of dry draws with defined channels and draws that have the potential to flow water.

Protection of Resources - The Contractor shall protect all “Areas to Protect”, and all known and identified or discovered historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal or damage during Contractor's operations. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Forest Service if a new site is discovered or damage occurs to any Cultural Resources and immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the Resource where damage occurred until the Forest Service authorizes the

Contractor to proceed. If such damage is negligently or willfully caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall bear costs of investigation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law. Unless agreed otherwise, trees shall not be felled into such areas. Newly discovered sites will be removed from the contract and avoided.

4.12. PERFORMANCE STANDARD (Noxious Weed Control) – All Items: The Contractor shall clean all personal vehicles or support equipment prior to entry onto the project area. Remove all dirt and plant parts and material that could carry noxious weed seeds into the project area. Only equipment so cleaned and inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the project area.

4.13. 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.

4.14. 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.

4.15. 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 and any other references within the contract.

4.16. 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.

4.17. 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.

5 LOSS, DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION

The Government will not be liable for loss, damage or destruction of equipment furnished under this contract except for such loss, damage or destruction resulting from the negligent or wrongful act(s) of Government employees while acting within the scope of their employment.

All claims arising under this clause shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

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

Hand Slashing

4.1

4.2

4.3

Quality meets or exceeds performance standard of 90% when considering satisfactory selection of cut trees by size, species, and spacing

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring of operations and completed work

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

If Contractor does not achieve at least 90% quality, rework will be required.

Slash

Treatment

4.5

4.6

4.7

Meet slash treatment requirements

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring of operations and completed work

Rework is required if Contractor fails to meet standard.

Felling

Operations

4.9

4.10

4.11

Meets slash treatment requirements.

COR or inspector conduct periodic monitoring

Rework is required if Contractor fails to meet standard.

Quality

Control

4.14

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.

Work Plan and

Schedule

4.15

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.