TERMS and CONDITIONS.pdf

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Introduction

C.1.1 Scope of Contract- The purpose of this contract is to secure services for fuels reduction and vegetation treatments throughout the Shoshone and Bighorn National Forests. The contract would include rehabilitation, including seeding, of sites disturbed by contractors operations, see section H6.3. This contract is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract. This contract does not establish an obligation of total price and does not commit the government to any quantity other that the minimum established yearly amount of $3000. Individual Task Orders will be issued for each Geographic Area listed in the contract based upon those areas the Forest Service wants to treat as funding and projects become available. Only those Contractors who have been awarded contracts for a particular Geographic Area will receive a request to submit a proposal for projects within that area.

C.1.2 Location and Description- The work will be performed on U.S. Forest Service administered lands or on adjacent non-Forest owned land within Region 2. The specific location of the projects will be shown on maps attached to each task order. Task Orders will be issued to the Contractor with actual quantities for each unit to be treated. The Shoshone and Bighorn National Forests are located in north central Wyoming.

C.1.3 Boundaries- Unit boundaries and markings will be identified on each task order. In addition, a map of the desired treatment unit will be provided.

C.1.4 Salvage of Non-Merchantable Material- During performance of any task order issued under the terms and conditions of this contract, salvageable material may be produced. Any task order issued hereunder that would result in the production of salvageable material will address the disposal of the salvageable material in compliance with the governing regulations. A reduced cost to the U. S. Forest Service may be negotiated for services rendered in order to negate the value of the salvage material.

C.1.5 Access - Access to project areas will be highly variable and identified in each specific task order. Generally access is by all weather and seasonal roads. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains or snow-blocked during the winter months.

C.1.6 Task Order Issuance –

1. Task orders will be issued as required to meet the mission of the Forest Service.

2. Task orders may be issued by any warranted Contracting Officers of the Bighorn and Shoshone National Forest and the Intermountain EROC.

3. The Contracting Officer will give every awardee a fair opportunity to be considered for award of task orders exceeding $3000. Awardees will be given an opportunity to submit a proposal, and completed schedule B (price) for accomplishing the effort set forth in the statement of work. Offers will be evaluated based upon, their proposal, past performance, and Price. The contractor offering the Best Value will be issued the task order unless minimum guarantees under the contract need to be met, or award of the of the Task Order would have a potential impact on other orders placed with the contractor.

Note: The Prices in Schedule B will be utilized for all Task Orders issued in the Base Year. Contractors will be required to submit current prices in response to requests for proposals from the Contracting Officer for Task Orders to be issued in all Option Years.

4. The task order will address specific requirements of a project and may include: seasonal limitations, resource protection requirements in addition to those listed in section H, equipment specifications, and surplus vegetation requirements.

5. Multiple tasks may be awarded for the same treatment area. When multiple tasks are awarded for the same treatment area, each separate task may be awarded to a different contractor. Multiple contractors will not be assigned the same tasks for the same treatment area.

6. Task Orders issued under this contract may include designation by descriptions which require a working knowledge of silvicultural terminology and treatments.

C.2 Definitions

Accessible - Road access to a unit. Unit will be considered accessible when road access is within 1/4 mile of the unit.

Advanced Regeneration - Seedlings or saplings that develop or are present in the understory.

Basal Area (BA) - The cross-sectional area of a single stem, including the bark, measured at breast height (4.5 ft from the ground on the uphill side of a tree). The cross-sectional area of all stems of a species or all stems in a stand measured at breast height and expressed per unit of land area.

Canopy Cover – The proportion of the ground covered by a vertical projection of the outermost perimeter of the natural spread of foliage, plants or slash, including small openings within the canopy.

Crown Class - A category of tree based on its crown position relative to those of adjacent trees. Types of crown classes are the following:

− Codominant: A tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above and comparatively little from the sides.

− Dominant: A tree whose crown extends through the upper layer of the forest canopy of even-aged stands or in uneven-aged stands, above the crowns of the tree’s immediate neighbors and receiving full light from above and partial light from the sides.

− Emergent: A tree whose crown is completely above the general level of the main canopy, receiving full light from above and from all sides.

− Intermediate: A tree whose crown extends into the lower portion of the main canopy of even-aged stands, or in uneven-aged stands, into the lower portion of the canopy formed by the tree’s immediate neighbors, but shorter in height than the codominants and receiving little direct light from above and none from the sides.

− Overtopped (suppressed): A tree whose crown is completely overtopped by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees – the vigor of overtopped trees varies from high to low depending on individual circumstances.

− Predominant: A tree whose crown has grown above the general level of the upper canopy.

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.

DBH - Diameter at Breast Height. Diameter of the tree at 4.5 feet on the uphill side of the tree.

Desirable Leave Trees - Trees that are desirable to leave 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 the last 1 to 3 years)

• Crown class of dominant or codominant

• Crown ratio is 40% or larger.

• Characteristics of trees that are not desirable leave trees:

• Multiple tops

• Poor crown form

• Crook or sweep in the bole

• Dead or broken tops

• Poor coloration or chlorotic

• Large branch diameter

• Present of insect or diseases, such as (but not limited to):

o Bark beetles (on pines, spruce, Doug-fir and true firs) as indicated by:

� Mountain pine beetle indicators: dead, red-needled, or with green needles, pitch tubes, frass and/or beetle galleries and/or larvae under the bark.

� Doug-fir beetle indicators: dead, red, or fading crowns, pitch streaking evident on trees boles.

� Spruce beetle indicators: dead or fading crowns, bark flaking, and/or beetle galleries and/or larvae under the bark.

o Dwarf Mistletoe/Comandra blister rust indicators: bole cankers, dead tops above bole cankers, brooms or mistletoe plants on any portion of the tree.

o White pine blister rust o Western gall rust o Wood rot

• Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

• Physical or mechanical damage

• Suppressed

• Poor annual growth

• Sucker limbs

Fire Behavior Fuel Model (FBFM) - Simulated fuel complex for which all fuel descriptors required for the solution of a mathematical rate of spread model have been specified. In the instance of this contract fuel models are used to characterize on site vegetation types.

Anderson’s “Aids to Determining Fuel Models For Estimating Fire Behavior” may be viewed at (http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/6447) which includes photos of typical fuel model types. Also see Fuel Model Examples located in Section J – Exhibits.

Hardwood or Aspen Clones - Any area containing hardwoods that are greater than or equal to ¼ acre in size.

Hazard - The existence of a fuel complex that constitutes a threat of wildfire ignition, unacceptable fire behavior and severity, or suppression difficulty.

Hazard Reduction - The planned treatment or manipulation of naturally growing vegetation or any other flammable material for the purpose of reducing rate of spread and output of heat energy from any wildfire occurring in the area treated.

Intermediate Treatment - Any treatment or tending designed to enhance growth, quality, vigor, and compositions of the stand after establishment or regeneration and prior to final harvest.

Leave Trees - Trees designated not to be cut. May include conifers, hardwoods, or hardwood clumps with less than or equal to three sprouts of common origin.

Leave Shrub Clump - A group of 2 or more shrub plants with stems growing within a 6-foot diameter circle at ground level that are the same species.

Litter - Needles, duff, twigs, cones and leaves.

Merchantability Specifications

Product Species Specific Specifications - Minimum

Live and Dead Engelmann spruce (ES), Subalpine Fir (AF), Whitebark/Limber Pine (WBP), Lodgepole Pine (LP), Douglas-fir (DF)

Sawtimber 7.0” DBH 6.0” top DIB 8’ Piece

10.67 Merchantability Factor or 34% sound

Product Species Specific Specifications - Minimum

Live and Dead Engelmann spruce (ES), Subalpine Fir (AF), Whitebark/Limber Pine (WBP), Lodgepole Pine (LP), Douglas-fir (DF)

POL 4.0” DBH

4.0” top DIB 12’ Piece 100% sound

All merchantable material may be required to be decked (see section H6 for additional landing/decking area requirements) through either tree length or whole tree yarding or as specified in the task order. If the merchantable material needs to be bucked, it will be bucked as specified by the Forest Service. The decks of merchantable material may be separated by product type as specified by the Forest service and may need to be piled as high as 15 feet depending upon space available.

Overstory Removal - The cutting of trees constituting an upper canopy layer to release trees or other vegetation in an understory.

Pole - A tree of a size between a sapling and a mature tree, generally between 5 and 7” DBH.

Precommercial Thinning - The removal of trees not for immediate financial return but to reduce stocking to concentrate growth on the more desirable trees.

Regeneration Method (syn. reproduction method) - A cutting procedure by which a new age class is created. The primary methods are:

1. Even-aged Methods: Regenerate and maintain stand within a single age class.

a. Coppice: A regeneration method where regeneration is achieved from stump sprout or root suckers.

i. Coppice Selection: only selected stems of merchantable size are cut at each felling, giving even-aged stands.

ii. Coppice with Reserves (syn. coppice with standards):

Reserve trees are retained to attain goals other than regeneration.

b. Clearcutting: the cutting of essentially all trees, producing a fully exposed microclimate for the development of a new age class. Regeneration can be from natural seeding, direct seedling, planted seedlings, or advance reproduction. Cutting may be done in groups or patches, or in strips. When the primary source of regeneration is advance reproduction, the preferred term is overstory removal. With Reserves: Clearcutting in which varying numbers of reserve trees are not harvested to attain goals other than regeneration.

c. Seed Tree: The cutting of all trees except for a small number of widely dispersed trees retained for seed production and to produce a new age class in fully exposed microenvironment. Seed trees are usually removed after regeneration is established.

With Reserves: some or all of the seed trees are retained after regeneration has become established to attain goals other than regeneration.

d. Shelterwood Seed Cut: The cutting of most trees, leaving those need to produce sufficient shade to produce a new age class in a moderated microenvironment. The sequence of treatments can include three types of cuttings:

i. Preparation Cut (optional): To enhance conditions for seed production.

ii. Establishment (Seed) Cut: To prepare the seed bed and to create a new age class.

iii. Removal Cut: to release established regeneration from competition with the overwood.

Cutting may be done uniformly throughout the stand (uniform shelterwood), in groups or patches (group shelterwood), or in strips (strip shelterwood). In the latter, regeneration cuttings may progress against the prevailing wind.

With Reserves: some or all of the shelter trees are retained after regeneration has become established to attain goals other than regeneration.

2. Uneven-aged (selection) Methods (syn. all-aged methods): Regenerate and maintain a multi-aged structed by removing some trees in all size classes either singly, in small groups, or in strips.

a. Group Selection: trees are removed and new age classes are established in small groups. The width of the groups is commonly approximately twice the height of the mature trees with small openings providing microenvironments suitable for tolerant regeneration and larger openings providing conditions suitable for more intolerant regeneration. With Reserves: some trees are not cut to attain goals other than regeneration within the group.

b. Single Tree Selection (syn. individual tree selection): Individual trees of all size classes are removed more or less uniformly throughout the stand, to promote growth of remaining trees and to provide space for regeneration.

Release - A treatment designed to free young trees from undesirable, usually overtopping, competing vegetation. Treatments include:

− Cleaning: A release made in an age class not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from less desirable individuals of the same age class that overtop them or are likely to do so. Also, a treatment designed to eradicate individual trees infected with dwarf mistletoe.

− Liberation: A release treatment made in a stand not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from competition with older, overtopping trees.

− Weeding: A treatment in stands not past the sapling stage that eliminates or suppresses undesirable vegetation regardless of crown position.

Reserved Trees or Reserved Areas - Individual species of trees or certain areas within a treatment unit that the contract or COR designates are reserved from treatment.

Salvage - The removal of dead trees or trees damaged or dying because of injurious agents other than competition, to recover economic value that would otherwise be lost.

Sanitation - The removal of trees to improve stand health by stopping or reducing the actual or anticipating spread of insects and disease.

Sapling - A usually young tree larger than a seedling but smaller than a pole; generally between 1 and 5” DBH.

Seedling - A usually young tree less than 1” DBH.

Shrub (or brush) - Vegetation consisting of woody perennial plant smaller than a tree, usually having permanent single or multiple stems originating at or near the ground level not normally reaching 20 feet in height.

Slash - Any cut vegetation or existing natural (dead and down) woody debris.

Snag - A standing dead or living tree that has 10 percent or less live crown.

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

Streamcourse - The area along a stream (including the stream) with riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Protected streamcourses will be shown on task order maps.

Stump Diameter - Stump diameter is measured outside bark at four inches above ground level on the uphill side of the tree and may be measured using a diameter tape or caliper according to standard measurement procedures in use by the Forest Service.

Surplus Vegetation/Slash – Surplus vegetation includes standing vegetation (conifers and hardwoods) greater than 1 foot tall and shrubs less than 12 inches diameter at ground level;

when not selected as leave trees, reserved, or needed to meet spacing requirements. Standing dead conifers, hardwoods, and shrubs shall be included as surplus when not reserved.

Surplus vegetation becomes slash when it is cut. Slash can include any existing natural (dead and down) woody debris.

Thinning - A cultural treatment made to reduce stand density of trees primarily to improve growth, enhance forest health, or recover potential mortality. Types of thinning include the following:

� Chemical: The killing of unwanted trees by using an herbicide, including band or frill girdling.

� Free: The removal of trees to control stand spacing and favor desired trees, using a combination of thinning criteria without regard to crown position.

� Mechanical (syn. geometric thinning): The thinning of trees in either even- or uneven-aged stands, involving removal of trees in rows, strips, or by using fixed spacing intervals.

� Thinning from above (syn. crown thinning): The removal of trees from the dominant and codominant crown classes in order to favor the best trees of those same crown classes.

� Thinning from below (syn. low thinning): The removal of trees from the lower crown classes to favor those in the upper crown classes.

Tons/Acre - Unit of measurement of fuel, usually but not always, of dead and down woody debris (slash). Tons/Acre is generally determined by using a Photo Series, such as USDA Forest Service GTR-PNW 51 (1976). These documents are available for review by the contractor by contacting the issuing office.

Water Influence Zone (WIZ) - The land next to water bodies where vegetation plays a major role in sustaining long-term integrity of aquatic systems. It includes the geomorphic floodplain (valley bottom), riparian ecosystem, and inner gorge. Its minimum horizontal width (from top of each bank) is generally 100 feet or the mean height of mature dominant late-seral vegetation, whichever is most.

Wetland - A transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that is inundated or saturated for periods long enough to produce hydric soils and support hydrophytic vegetation.

Wildlife Trees - Standing dead or live trees left for nesting, feeding, perching and shelter for birds and mammals. Trees may be marked with paint and/or designated with a tag stating it is a wildlife tree or as identified by the COR.

C.3 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

C.3.1 Contractor Furnished Items- Unless otherwise specified herein, the Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, transportation, materials, and equipment necessary to perform the work as described herein.

C.3.2 Security of Materials - The Contractor may leave its equipment and Government-furnished property at the work site. The Contractor shall be responsible for the Contractor's equipment and Government-furnished property if it should be lost, stolen or damaged.

C.3.3 Noxious Weeds – equipment cleaning requirements must be followed (see section J)

C.3.4 English literate Supervisor- A working (English literate) supervisor, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the required work and supervision, shall be provided for each crew and is required to stay with the crew while work is in progress.

C.3.5 Contractor Furnished Seed - The contractor will provide seed for rehabilitation services as specified in Section H.6.3. Seed mixes will be specified by the Forest Service, potential seed mixes attached.

C.4___ GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

C.4.1 Government Furnished Items- will be identified in the task order. The Contractor shall return all Government furnished-property within 24 hours from final acceptance. At time of return, the Contractor shall furnish the COR with an inventory of property being returned. The

Contractor shall be financially responsible for any shortages or damage of Government-furnished property.

C.5 Specific Tasks

C.5.1 Item #1 -Mastication/Chipping - Timber Stands

C.5.1.1 Mastication/Chipping of Timber Stands - will be conducted to reduce adverse wildfire effects, limit rate of spread, and/or to establish defensible areas for use during fire suppression activities. Flammable material shall be masticated or chipped and dispersed on site, including live and dead fuels. Treatments required in this item may include mastication/chipping standing trees, shrubs and small vegetation, dead and down trees, and snags. Mastication/chipping may occur in whole or portions of stands, along ridge lines, between separate stand and vegetative types, and on or adjacent to private property. If a specific type of masticator or chipper is required (i.e. rubber tracked, rubber wheeled, horizontal mounted drums, articulated head, etc) it will be identified in the task order.

C.5.1.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for mastication/chipping is determined by on site vegetation represented as a fire behavior fuel model (FBFM, see definitions), percent cover of material to be treated, and project site slope. The level of difficulty will be determined by the task order and may include mixed percentages of two or more levels of difficulty. If a specific type of masticator or chipper is required (i.e. rubber tracked, rubber wheeled, horizontal mounted drums, articulated head, etc) it will be identified in the task order.

Item #1 - Level I – The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than 40 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 0% to 25% slope.

Item #1 - Level II - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent cover of material to be treated is between 40 and 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 0% to 25% slope.

Item #1 - Level III - The fuel model is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a

Item #1 - Level IV - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than 40 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 0% to 25% slope

Item #1 - Level V - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent cover of material to be treated is between 40 and 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 0% to 25% slope.

Item #1 - Level VI - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 0% to 25% slope.

Item #1 - Level VII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent on a 25% to 50% slope.

Item #1 - Level VIII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent project site is on a 25% to 50% slope.

Item #1 - Level IX - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 8. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a 25% to 50% slope

Item #1 - Level X - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent

Item #1 - Level XI - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent

Item #1 - Level XII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 10. The percent site is on a 25% to 50% slope

If a particular treatment area does not fall within the level of difficulties listed, a mixture of percentages of the difficulty levels may be incorporated to best illustrate the intensity of work required on a given area. Level I being the least and level XII the highest.

C.5.1.3 Each task order will specify the level of difficulty, the specifications, the ranking of preferred species and the size range limits for treatment, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, and if any individual species are reserved from treatment.

C.5.1.4 Spacing - Spacing width and spacing variance shall be designated for each unit in written instructions with each task order. For example, the average spacing may vary + or - 20% of the designated spacing in order to select the best leave trees without numerically changing the average number of leave trees per acre.

C.5.1.5 Criteria for Selection of Leave Trees or shrubs - Task orders will include instructions designating criteria for selection of leave trees or shrubs.

C.5.1.6 Reserve Trees and Shrubs

a. Areas of trees and shrubs may be reserved from treatment in designated units. Reserve areas may be designated by the Government or the Contractor. Prior to the Contractor commencing work in a unit, the Government may designate no-treatment area(s) within each unit, or, the Government may authorize the Contractor to designate the no-treatment area(s) within each unit. No cutting of vegetation shall be done within these designated areas. These areas may range in size and vary in number.

b. Reserve trees and shrubs shall be designated by the Government with marking (paint, flagging, or sign), or by written instructions. Reserve trees and shrubs shall not be damaged or cut. Reserve trees and shrubs shall not be considered in the spacing of leave trees or shrubs.

C.5.1.7 Mastication/Chipping Specifications- Task orders will include written instructions designating mastication/chipping specifications. As a reference specifications may include but are not limited to:

a. Masticate all slash generated from treatment.

b. Fifty percent of preexisting slash and/or down/dead fuels will also be masticated.

Preference for masticating preexisting slash/down/dead fuels will be given to material under 8” DBH or to material that is jackstrawed and contributes to ladder fuels.

c. Vegetation and slash to be treated shall be chipped so that no woody piece is greater than three (3) feet in length.

d. Masticator chips shall be spread in patches across the unit. Chips will need to be spread on site or transported offsite if the amount of chipped material is excessive (between 6 to 12”). Maximum chip depth will be specified in the task order.

e. All vegetation to be cut or removed shall be completely severed from the stump.

f. Tree Stump height shall not exceed twelve (12) inches and shrub stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches above ground level measured on the uphill side.

g. Leave trees shall not be damaged while cutting vegetation, or buried with slash or chips

h. Cut or removed trees and brush shall not be left hanging up in leave trees.

i. Vegetation or slash to be treated that is lodged in or covering a leave tree shall be dislodged or removed before chipping.

j. Contractor generated slash shall be immediately removed from water courses, existing slash-free fuel breaks, power-line and telephone rights-of-way, and road cuts, fills, and running surfaces.

C.5.2 Item #2 -Mastication/Chipping/Mowing – Woodland/Shrubland

C.5.2.1 Mastication/Chipping/Mowing of Woodland and Shrubland -will be conducted to reduce adverse wildfire effects, limit rate of spread, and/or to establish defensible areas for use during fire suppression activities. Flammable material shall be masticated, chipped, or mowed and dispersed on site, including live and dead fuels. Treatments required in this item may include mastication/chipping of standing or dead and down trees, or mastication/chipping/mowing of shrubs and small vegetation. Mastication/chipping/mowing may occur in whole or portions of stands, along ridge lines, between separate stand and vegetative types, and on or adjacent to private property. If a specific type of masticator/chipper/mower is required (i.e. rubber tracked, rubber wheeled, horizontal mounted drums, articulated head, etc) it will be identified in the task order.

C.5.2.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for mastication/chipping/mowing is determined by on site vegetation represented as a fire behavior fuel model (FBFM, see definitions), percent cover of material to be treated, and project site slope. The level of difficulty will be determined by the task order and may include mixed percentages of two or more levels of difficulty.

Item #2 - Level I – The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent cover

Item #2 - Level II - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent cover

Item #2 - Level III - The fuel model is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent. 75 percent or more of the project site is on a

Item #2 - Level IV - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent cover

0% to 25% slope

Item #2 - Level V - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent cover

Item #2 - Level VI - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent cover a 0% to 25% slope.

Item #2 - Level VII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent

Item #2 - Level VIII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent

Item #2 - Level IX - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 2. The percent cover a 25% to 50% slope

Item #2 - Level X - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent cover

25% to 50% slope.

Item #2 - Level XI - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent cover is on a 25% to 50% slope.

Item #2 - Level XII - The vegetation on site is best represented by FBFM 6. The percent site is on a 25% to 50% slope

If a particular treatment area does not fall within the level of difficulties listed, a mixture of percentages of the difficulty levels may be incorporated to best illustrate the intensity of work required on a given area. Level I being the least and level XII the highest.

C.5.2.3 Refer to C.5.1.3- C.5.1.7 for additional sub-items.

C.5.3 Item #3 – Selective Slashing/Thinning

Selective Slashing/Thinning consists of falling standing vegetation as specified in each task order. Slash treatment will consist of lopping and scattering or limb removal from the main stem in the instance of merchantable material.

C.5.3.1 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for selective slashing/thinning is determined by the task order. The level is based on the estimated canopy cover of the vegetation to be slashed / thinned.

Item #3 - Level I - Canopy cover is estimated to average less than 40 percent cover.

Vegetation to be cut is generally less than 5” dbh.

Item #3 - Level II - Canopy cover is estimated to average between 40 and 60 percent cover.

Vegetation to be cut is generally less than 5” dbh.

Item #3 - Level III - Canopy cover is estimated to average greater than 60 percent cover.

Vegetation to be cut is generally less than 5” dbh.

Item #3 - Level IV - Canopy cover is estimated to average less than 40 percent cover.

Vegetation to be cut is generally more than 5” dbh.

Item #3 - Level V - Canopy cover is estimated to average between 40 and 60 percent cover.

Item #3 - Level VI - Canopy cover is estimated to average greater than 60 percent cover.

Task orders will identify the designated leave tree spacing requirements.

Under this item, task orders may be issued to treat conifer in hardwoods. The difficulty level will be determined by the estimated canopy cover of the conifer to be slashed as referenced above.

C.5.3.2 Criteria for selection of leave trees will be identified in the task order.

C.5.3.3 Specifications for slashing/thinning-

a. All vegetation not selected as leave trees shall be severed 6 inches or less above the ground. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump and no live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

b. Leave trees shall not be damaged while cutting vegetation, or buried with slash.

c. The resulting surplus vegetation and slash:

i. Will be lopped and scattered to a maximum 12-foot length and to a depth of 18 to 24 inches. Maximum depth will be specified in the task order.

Or

ii. Will have limbs removed from the main stem (in the case of merchantable material) and will have the top cut and limbed at merchantable top diameters (see definitions) If the merchantable material needs to be bucked, it will be bucked as specified by the Forest Service.

as specified in each task order.

C.5.3.4 No slash cut by the Contractor shall be left on the ground within 25 feet of any road or outside the project area. Remove all slash at least 25 feet from the road cut and fill.

C.5.3.5 Individual species may be specified as reserved from selective slashing on individual units.

C.5.4 Item #4 – Lop and Scatter

C.5.4.1 Lop and scatter - is the cutting of existing slash then spreading it evenly over the ground.

C.5.4.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for lop and scatter is determined by the task order. The level is based on the amount of the slash to be treated, access to the project site, and reduction height of slash.

Item #4 - Level I - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages less than 12 tons per acre. Site is accessible. Reduce slash to the extent that it is within 18 inches of the ground at all points.

Item #4 - Level II - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages between 12 and 20 tons per acre. Site is accessible. Reduce slash to the extent that it is within 24 inches of the ground at all points.

Item #4 - Level III - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages less than 12 tons per acre. Access requires a walk-in of 1/4 mile or more. Reduce slash to the extent that it is within 18 inches of the ground at all points.

Item #4 - Level IV - The amount of slash to be lopped and scattered averages between 12 and 20 tons per acre. Access requires a walk-in of 1/4 mile or more. Slash shall be reduced to the extent that it is within 24 inches of the ground at all points.

C.5.4.3 Slash to be Treated - The material to be treated consists of down woody material created from vegetation treatments (such as harvest, thinning, or slashing, etc.) or created through natural processes.

C.5.4.4 Lop and scatter all existing slash so that all top and side branches are free of the central stem so that the slash is reduced to within the limit of the ground at all points, as stated for the level of difficulty. Central stem length shall not exceed 12 feet.

C.5.5 Item #5 – Fuel Break Construction- Timber Stands

C.5.5.1 Fuel Breaks - shall be created to reduce adverse wildfire effects, limit rate of spread, and/or to establish defensible areas for use during fire suppression activities. Flammable material shall be treated and removed from the surface, under-story, and canopy. Treatments required in this item include cutting and limbing of trees, slashing of shrubs and small vegetation, pruning of residual trees, snag felling, and removing, piling or scattering of slash. Fuel Breaks will normally be created in whole or portions of stands, along ridge lines, between separate stand and vegetative types, and on or adjacent to private property.

C.5.5.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for Fuel Break Construction is based on percent cover of material to be treated and access to the project site. Level is determined by the task order.

Item #5 - Level I - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than 40 percent.

Item #5 - Level II - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is between 40 and 60 percent.

Item #5 - Level III - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent.

Item #5 - Level IV - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than 40 percent.

Item #5 - Level V - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent cover of material to be treated is between 40 and 60 percent.

Item #5 - Level VI - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater than 60 percent.

Item #5 - Level VII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #5 - Level VIII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #5 - Level IX - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

C.5.5.3 Task orders will include written instructions designating spacing width; pruning height; any no treatment areas; additional reserve trees, hardwoods, and/or shrubs; and/or girdling instructions.

C.5.5.4 Spacing - Spacing width and variation tolerances shall be designated for each unit in written instructions with each task order.

C.5.5.5 Criteria for Selection of Leave Trees or shrubs - Task orders will include instructions designating criteria for selection of leave trees or shrubs.

C.5.5.6 Reserve Trees and Shrubs

a. Areas of trees and shrubs may be reserved from treatment in designated units. Reserve areas may be designated by the Government or the Contractor. Prior to the Contractor commencing work in a unit, the Government may designate no-treatment area(s) within each unit, or, the Government may authorize the Contractor to designate the no-treatment area(s) within each unit. No cutting of vegetation shall be done within these designated areas. These areas may range in size and vary in number.

b. Reserve trees and shrubs shall be designated by the Government with marking (paint, flagging, or sign), or by written instructions. Reserve trees and shrubs shall not be damaged or cut. Reserve trees and shrubs shall not be considered in the spacing of leave trees or shrubs.

C.5.5.7 Treatment of Surplus Trees and Shrubs

a. All vegetation not selected as leave trees shall be severed 6 inches or less above the ground. Stumps shall be cut to an angle of less than 30 degrees from the horizontal.

Trees shall be completely severed from the stump and no live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem.

b. Leave trees shall not be damaged while cutting vegetation, or buried with slash.

C.5.5.8 Treatment of slash will be prescribed in the task order, such as hand/machine piling, or lop and scatter the resulting slash to a maximum 12-foot length and to a depth between 18 and 24 inches. Maximum depth will be specified in the task order.

C.5.5.9 No slash cut shall be left on the ground outside of the project area or within 25 feet of any road cut, fill, or running surface.

C.5.5.10 Bucking of Cut Material - Slashed, cut and felled material shall be bucked into the standard length of 12 feet or less unless otherwise designated by the task order. Longer lengths may be designated in order to meet utilization objectives.

C.5.5.11 Pruning - Leave trees and leave snags shall be pruned to a height between 6 and 12 feet or as designated by the task order. Live and dead limbs and branches shall be cut cleanly and as close to the bole of the tree as possible without damaging it. Tree limbs and branches that attach to the bole above the designated pruning height but have limbs or branches extending into the pruning height area shall be pruned so they do not extend below the height designated in the task order.

C.5.5.12 Snag Felling - Selected snags may be reserved from felling requirements by the government when snags are deemed necessary for other resource objectives.

C.5.6 Item #6 – Fuel Break Construction- Woodland/Shrubland

C.5.6.1 Fuel Breaks - shall be created to reduce adverse wildfire effects, limit rate of spread, and/or to establish defensible areas for use during fire suppression activities. Flammable material shall be treated and removed from the surface, under-story, and canopy. Treatments required in this item include cutting and limbing of trees, slashing of shrubs and small vegetation, pruning of residual trees, snag felling, and removing, piling or scattering of slash. Fuel Breaks will normally be created in whole or portions of stands, along ridge lines, between separate stand and vegetative types, and on or adjacent to private property.

C.5.6.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for Fuel Break Construction is based on percent cover of material to be treated and access to the project site. Level is determined by the task

Item #6 - Level I - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than

Item #6 - Level II - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is between

Item #6 - Level III - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater

Item #6 - Level IV - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #6 - Level V - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #6 - Level VI - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #6 - Level VII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #6 - Level VIII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #6 - Level IX - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

C.5.6.3 See section C.5.5.3- C.5.5.12 for additional sub-items.

C.5.7 Item #7 – Mechanical Piling

C.5.7.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for mechanical piling is determined by the task order. The level is based on the percent canopy cover of the slash to be piled according to the slope of the area to be piled. Specific equipment requirements may be specified in the task

Item #7 – Level I – The slash to be piled is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%.

Item #7 - Level II – The slash to be piled is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%.

Item #7 - Level III – The slash to be piled is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%.

Item #7 - Level IV- The slash to be piled is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover.

Slope is from 30 to 45%.

Item #7 - Level V – The slash to be piled is estimated to be greater than 60% percent total cover. Slope is under 30%.

Item #7 - Level VI – The slash to be piled is estimated to be greater than 60% percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%.

Item #7 - Level VII - Hourly rate to mechanically pile.

C.5.7.3 Size, shape, placement, and number of piles per area will be identified in the task order.

C.5.8 Item #8 – Yard slash and Mechanical Piling at selected locations

C.5.8.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for yard slash and mechanical piling is determined by the task order. The level is based on the percent canopy cover of the slash to be treated according to the slope of the area to be treated, and the average distance slash is to be yarded to the designated piling area. This task may be issued to include yarding of merchantable material. Specific equipment requirements and percentage of slash to be yarded and piled may be specified in the task order.

Item #8 – Level I – The slash to be treated is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level II – The slash to be treated is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level III – The slash to be treated is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level IV- The slash to be treated is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level V – The slash to be treated is estimated to be greater than 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level VI – The slash to be treated is estimated to be greater than 60 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is less than 15 chains (990’).

Item #8 - Level VII – The slash to be treated is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level VIII – The slash to be treated is estimated to be between 0 and 30 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level IX – The slash to be treated is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level X- The slash to be treated is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level XI – The slash to be treated is estimated to be greater than 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level XII – The slash to be treated is estimated to be greater than 60 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%. Average yarding distance is greater than 15 chains (990’) and less than 30 chains (1,980’).

Item #8 - Level XIII - Hourly rate to yard and pile.

C.5.8.3 Size, shape, placement, and number of piles per area will be identified in the task order.

C.5.8.4 Acceptable non-merchantable slash treatment will be 60% of the slash 1 to 3” in diameter, 75% of the slash 3-6” in diameter, and 60% of the slash 6” and greater treated to specification.

C.5.8.5 All merchantable material may be required to be decked (see section H6 for additional landing/decking area requirements) through either tree length or whole tree yarding or as specified in the task order. If the merchantable material needs to be bucked, it will be bucked as specified by the Forest Service. The decks of merchantable material may be separated by product type as specified by the Forest service and may need to be piled as high as 15 feet depending upon space available.

C.5.9 Item #9 – Hand Piling

C.5.9.2 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for hand piling is based on percent ground cover of material to be treated and access to the project site. Level is determined by the task order.

Item #9 - Level I - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is less than

Item #9 - Level II - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is between

Item #9 - Level III - Site is accessible. The percent cover of material to be treated is greater

Item #9 - Level IV - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #9 - Level V - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #9 - Level VI - Access is limited with longest walk-in of ½ mile or less. The percent

Item #9 - Level VII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #9 - Level VIII - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

Item #9 - Level IX - Access is limited with a walk-in of more than a ½ mile. The percent

C.5.9.3 Size, shape, placement, and number of piles per area will be identified in the task order.

C.6 Treatment Plan and Schedule

C.6.1 The Contractor shall develop a Treatment Plan and Schedule once the task order is issued.

The Treatment Plan and Schedule will become a part of the awarded contract. Any changes to the agreed upon Treatment Plan and Schedule will be agreed to in advance by both parties.

As a minimum, the Treatment Plan and Schedule will include the following items:

a. Quality Control Plan:

b. Work Plan:

C.6.2 Quality Control Plan - The contractor shall provide a general Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days before start work based on the items awarded in the Task Order. The QCP must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality, meet the requirements and specifications of the contract, and that work is progressing in compliance with specifications. The Contractor’s quality control inspection system shall be used in the administration of the requirements for all service work.

C.6.3 Work Plan and Schedule - The Contractor shall provide a work plan and schedule that demonstrates how the work will be completed and in what time frame.

SECTION E– INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 INSPECTION OF SERVICES

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

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

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

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

(e) If any of the services do not conform to contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no…