Solicitation_17_WR_stand_exam_contract.pdf

Solicitation AG-82D7-S-17-0022 White River National Forest Stand Exam

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

STAND EXAM DATA COLLECTION SERVICES

B. 1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Description Unit of measure Quantity Unit Price Total Price

Common Stand Exam Services Plot 1,000

Company Name: ___________________________________________________

DUNS #: _________________________________________________________

POC: ____________________________________________________________

EMAIL: __________________________________________________________

PHONE: _________________________________________________________

To be eligible for award, contractors MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), www.sam.gov

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION, SPECIFICATIONS & WORK STATEMENT

C. 1. INTRODUCTION

C.1.1. Scope of Contract

Stand exam plots will be done on the White River National Forest. Work may take place anywhere on the White River National Forest except in wilderness or roadless areas. Stand locations have not been identified yet, contractor will receive stand lists and location maps before the pre-work meeting. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), incidentals, and perform all work necessary to conduct stand examinations in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation. Information shall be collected as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Government provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Region specific Appendices, unless specifically modified by the contents of this contract.

C.1.1.1. This contract is a firm fixed price contract.

C.1.1.2. Specific locations, maps, and number of plots per stand for each stand will be provided prior to the pre-work meeting. Stands will not be more than ½ mile from a USDA Forest Service travel management plan road and will not be on slopes over 40%. Stands will generally not be located adjacent to each because the purpose of this exam is to get a sample of the whole forest.

C.1.2.1 Access. Refer to Government furnished services in Section C.3 and Contractor requirements in Section C.4 for additional information on access to the stands.

http://www.sam.gov/

C. 2. DEFINITIONS

Borderline Tree: A tree that cannot be easily identified as being located inside or outside of a sample variable plot when measured with a wedge prism or angle gauge. When a borderline tree is encountered, the limiting distance of that tree must be calculated to determine the in/out status.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): The outside bark diameter at 4.5 feet above the forest floor on the uphill side of a tree. See the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide for special situations where measurement methods may differ.

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

Limiting Distance: The maximum distance that the center of a tree can be from plot center and still be within the variable plot. Limiting distance is a function of the actual DBH of the tree as measured by a diameter tape and the Plot Radius Factor (PRF).

Plot Radius Factor (PRF): An angle gauge constant calculated by dividing 8.696 by the square root of the Basal Area Factor (BAF) of the angle gauge.

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).

C. 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

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

item # Item Description Where, When, How

3.1 General Area Map Maps of stands with access roads

identified.

Provided at pre-work.

3.2 NAIP imagery A map displaying color aerial

photography of the work area.

Provided at prework conference.

3.3 Common Stand Exam

User’s Guide, appendices, and data collection forms

The USDA Forest Service’s Common Stand Exam User’s Guide, appendices, and data collection forms.

Available from the internet website http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/n ris/products/fsveg/index.sht ml.fs.fed.us

3.5 Topo maps

A topo maps covering the areas to be sampled.

Provided at prework conference.

3.8 Forest Visitor’s Map or

transportation map One copy of map Provided at prework conference.

3.9 Use of Premises permit Permit to occupy the national forest in excess of time limits imposed in standard orders.

Provided when needed.

Section H

3.10 Common Stand Exam

Inspection Form One copy of inspection form Provided at prework meeting. Exhibit 7.

3.11 Portable Data Recorder

software for CSE One copy on compact disk or can be downloaded from the internet site :

www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at prework conference.

3.12 PC-based data entry

software (MS Windows 2000 operating system required)

One copy on compact disk or can be downloaded from the internet site at www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

Provided at prework conference.

3.13 GPS technical

specifications

GPS datum and waypoints provided to plot centers

Provided at prework conference

3.14 Species List One copy of a list of species that shall

be recorded in the vegetation composition forms when present

Provided at prework conference

3.15 R2 Supplement to the

FSVEG Spatial User Guide and associated data collection form

One hard copy and one electronic copy of the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide including the data collection form.

Provided at prework conference.

Form is in Exhibit 6

3.16 FSVeg Spatial Polygon

Attributing Inspection Form

One copy of inspection form Exhibit 7

Use of Premises permits may be required for contractor’s camp if it exceeds local occupation time limit of 16 days. All maps, aerial photos, and other unused Government-furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the job or upon request of the Contracting Officer. Replacement cost for any lost, damaged, or unused Government property that is not returned, shall be deducted from the Contractor’s final payment.

C. 4. CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS and STANDARDS

C.4.1. General Specifications.

C.4.1.1 Accessibility. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to sample locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a sample location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

Accessibility may be determined from maps and digital orthoquads which will be furnished by the Forest Service. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the USDA Forest Service travel management plan, including yearlong or seasonal closures to motor vehicles, unless authorization is obtained. Maps and photos may indicate that a road goes to the stand; however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted. Stand locations may necessitate that Contractor walk to the stand or acquire some other means of travel.

Most roads are typically accessible between the months of May through October, though high clearance vehicles may be necessary on some roads. A four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is recommended. The Government assumes no responsibility to maintain roads in a passable condition.

4.1.2 Resource Protection Conditions. Contractors are expected to respond to sensitive resource conditions, i.e. walk to plots where road conditions are poor/wet.

4.1.3 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 schedule shall be provided after the issuance of a task order, but before work starts.

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

4.1.3.2 The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and submit for approval to the Contracting Officer.

C.4.2 Technical Specifications

A. Locating Plots

1. Plot Location Determination. The UTMs of the plot locations for each stand will be provided. The contractor shall use a global position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government.

A. For standard data collection, a recreation grade GPS (e.g. Garmin, Magellan, etc…) is sufficient.

2. Maps. Sample plot locations to be measured within each stand have been marked on one of the provided topographical maps. Plot numbers have been pre-assigned for each plot in each stand.

3. Locating Plot Center. Upon arrival at the specified coordinates, the Contractor shall check the map to confirm that he/she is at the correct sample plot location. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

A. If this is the initial plot survey, the Contractor shall identify the sample plot location on the ground.

4. Non-functioning GPS.

A. For standard data collection, the contractor may elect to use traditional methods of plot location if the GPS is unable to acquire the necessary resolution to execute the traverse from waypoint data. In either case, the contractor must navigate to the location provided on the topo map.

B. Plot Center Identification/Flagging

For standard data collection, the Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker that can be either a wire flag, wooden stake, or other marker as agreed upon at the pre-work conference. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground.

Upon inspection, the center point of the marker where it intersects the ground shall be used as plot center. If the marker is not a wire flag, flagging shall be tied to the marker so that it is visible above the plot center. The HUC6 watershed alias, stand and plot numbers shall be written legibly on the flagging or wire flag using a waterproof marker. If Brown’s transects are conducted, the azimuth of transect shall be written as well.

C. Survey Technique

Plots shall be located using waypoint navigation with a GPS unit. During the initial establishment of the plot, the plot center monument may vary +/- 30 feet of the true plot location listed in Exhibit 1. Recurring errors in the location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory; relocation of sample plots and remeasurement shall be required.

In cases where government provided photo plot location differs from GPS location found on the ground the GPS location will prevail.

D. Recording Requirements

The data fields to be collected and recorded are enumerated in sections C.4.3 and C.4.3.1

− The Common Stand Exam option of the Government provided ExamsPDR program will be used. The ExamsPDR program runs on several types of PDR style computers with the Windows based mobile operating system..

− Common Stand Exam option of the Government provided ExamsPC program will be used. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with the Windows 95/98/2000/XP/7 operating systems. This may require data to be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into the ExamsPC program at a later time.

− Data recorded on paper forms will not be accepted as the final data submission.

− Government provided VEGCOV dos or windows based PC program for recording and entering the setting level Field Verification Polygon Data (Walkthrough) Form (FV) data.

The contractor is responsible for providing the computer hardware necessary for running the software programs

D. Qualifications

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

1. Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification.

2. Each crew leader must also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

a. Proficient in the interpretation of aerial photography and associated maps.

b. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field, on original or photocopied aerial photographs and on DOQs.

c. Knowledge in the use of hand held compass, pacing, and map measurements.

d. Ability to accurately identify necessary tree, shrub, forb, and grass species needed for identifying local habitat types.

e. Knowledge of rating tree defects and parasitic plants.

f. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

g. Familiar with habitat typing.

h. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' or subcontractor’s qualifications; any employee or subcontractor who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the Contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmittal of any data supplied by that person. The Government may also request the removal of an employee or subcontractor with unsatisfactory past performance.

C.4.3 Data Collection Specifications

This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each of the following data forms are found in the Common Stand Exam (CSE) User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). If the following contract specifications differ from the provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices listed in C.4.4 below, the contract specifications shall have precedent.

A. Setting Form (CSE)

A setting is normally a stand in which the stand exam is being done. Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. Project name (Field 1) will be supplied by the government.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column:

Field Num

Field Description

Required

Data Source

Comments

1 Project Name YES Government Assigned during prework conference

2 Region YES Government Always “02” 3 Proclaimed Forest YES Government 01 Dillon RD only, 15 for all other districts 4 District YES Government Provided at prework conference 5 Location/Watershed

Alias YES Site List Provided at prework conference

6 Stand YES Site List Provided at prework conference 7 Owner YES Government Always “USFS”

8 State YES Government CO

9 County YES Government Provided at prework conference 10 Admin Forest YES Government Provided at prework conference

11 Admin Region YES Government Always “02”

12 Date YES Contractor Format is MM/DD/YYYY 13 Photo ID NO Not Collected

14 Exam Level YES Government 2000

15 Exam Purpose YES Government Always ‘SE’ 16 Stratum N/A Not collected

17 Existing Vegetation YES Contractor SAF

18 Potential Veg Ref NO 19 Potential Vegetation NO

20 Structure YES Contractor

21 Capable Grow Area NO Not collected 22 Fuel Model NO Contractor

23 Elevation NO Not collected

24 Aspect NO Not collected

25 Slope NO Not collected 26 Slope Position NO Not collected

27 Acres YES

28 Radial Growth Interval YES Always “10” 29 Radial Growth Interval

N/A Not collected

30 Height Growth Interval YES Always “5”

31 Fuel Photo Reference NO

32 Precision Protocol YES Government Always “CSE” 33 Examiner YES Contractor First and Last Name

34 Remarks YES Contractor

35 Damage Category NO 36 Damage Agent NO

37 Damage Severity NO

38 Species of Management Interest

NO

39 User Code N/A Not collected

40 Sketch Map NO

41 Traverse Notes YES Contractor If GPS-related errors arise

All Setting Form fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the setting form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

B. Sample Design Form (CSE)

The Contractor shall determine which BAF to use. To determine the BAF to use, a minimum of 5.0 trees per plot (greater than 5.0 inches DBH/DRC) average must be obtained on the variable plots in the stand. For BAF, allowable factors are 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40. If a BAF of 10 is used, the 5.0 trees per plot average will be waived.

Where a BAF of 10 is used, the contractor shall use a plot size of 1/50 on all small tree fixed plots unless otherwise specified in the task order. In all other cases, the contractor shall use a plot size of 1/100 on small tree fixed plots. If a stand has very thick regeneration like a aspen stand, a smaller plot size may be used provided contractor averages 4-8 seedling/saplings per plot.

The same BAF and fixed plot sizes must be used throughout the stand.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form in Exhibit 2 as the template for all plots.

Region YES Government Proclaimed Forest YES Government District YES Government Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Stand Num YES Site List

1 Sample Selection Method YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Survey Stand List

2 Sample Expansion Factor YES Contractor or Government

See Exhibit 2 – Survey Stand List

3 Starting Azimuth N/A Not collected 4 Subpop Filter YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Sample

Design Form 5 Selection Criteria Number YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Sample

Design Form 6 Subpop Variable YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Sample

Design Form 7 Subpop Minimum Value YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Sample

Design Form 8 Subpop Maximum Value YES Government See Exhibit 2 – Sample

Design Form 9 Remarks NO Contractor

All sample design fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the design form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the

C. Plot Form (CSE)

The following items are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Plot Data with the following:

Capable Grow Area Percent. Based on a 1/10th acre plot, ocular estimate and record the percent of the area that can support tree growth. If the plot has no trees present and is not capable of supporting tree growth (nonstockable), record a 0 percent. If a portion of the plot is capable of supporting trees (stockable), record the percent of the plot area that is capable of supporting trees.

Region YES Government Always “02” Proclaimed Forest YES Government Provided at prework conference District YES Government Provided at prework conference Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Provided at prework conference Stand Num YES Site List Provided at prework conference 1 Plot Num YES Site List Provided at prework conference

2 Latitude YES Contractor GPS - format dd mm ss.s 3 Longitude YES Contractor GPS - format dd mm ss.s 4 Capable Grow Area YES Contractor Measured on a 1/10 ac plot 5 Aspect YES Contractor 6 Slope YES Contractor 7 Slope Position NO 8 Slope Horz Shape N/A Not collected 9 Slope Vert Shape N/A Not collected 10 Elevation NO 11 Existing Vegetation N/A Not collected 12 Potential Vegetation NO 13 Fuel Model NO 14 Residual Description Code NO 15 Dist Seed Wall N/A Not collected 16 History NO 17 History Date NO 18 User Code N/A Not collected 19 Plot Remarks YES Contractor Borderline tree DBH and

Limiting Distance

All plot data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the plot data form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

The Plot Number field (C.4.3.C.1) shall be changed such that it corresponds to the assigned plot number for any given plot location.

D. Tree Form (CSE)

Begin recording standing tree data on the Tree form at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center. Trees shall be recorded in the following order:

1) Growth Sample Trees located on the variable radius plot or large fixed radius plot or small fixed radius plot.

2) Live Trees and Dead Standing trees located on the variable radius plot or large fixed radius plot.

3) Live Trees trees located on the small fixed radius plot.

4) Site trees that are located off plot.

During fixed plot survey, group trees of the same species with DBH less than 5 inches into one of four diameter classes as described in the table below. Enter an average height for the trees that fall into each category.

Diameter Class Contains trees with DBH of: Comments

0 0 Only for trees shorter than 4.5’

0.5 0.01 – 0.99 2 1.00 – 2.99 4 3.00 – 4.99

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Tree Data with the following:

Field 4: Site/Growth Trees. A minimum of 3 site trees will be sampled per stand. Site trees species selected will be representative of the species comprising the cover type of the stand. Acceptable site tree species are listed in Exhibit 8 -- List of Acceptable Site Tree Species.

Field 9: DRC. For multi-stemmed trees, calculate using the 3 largest stems. Identify the measured stems with flagging or a scratch mark on the bole.

Field 10: Height. Heights will be required for all trees recorded.

Field 21,22,24 : Damage. The presence or absence of Dwarf mistletoe will be checked on all pine species and Douglas Fir. Always record if present regardless of what other damages have been recorded. For all other damages record only those significant damages that are most affecting tree growth and/or longevity. For all trees, a maximum of 3 damages will be recorded. If a tree has no significant damage, record no damages for that tree.

The following items, except as noted, are required to be collected by the Contractor for each tree on the plot, for the specified exam level. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column

Field Description Required by Intensive

Exam

Data Source Required for:

Location/Watershe d Alias

YES Site List See Exhibit 1

Stand Number YES Site List See Exhibit 1 1 Plot Num YES Contractor All trees 2 Tag ID YES Contractor All trees 3 Tree Status YES Contractor All trees 4 Tree_Class NO 5 Site/GST YES Contractor For site trees only, no GST trees required.

6 Species YES Contractor All trees 7 Tree Count YES Contractor All trees 8 DRC Num Stems YES Contractor DRC species only 9 DBH/DRC YES Contractor All trees, accuracy standard will be +/- 1 inch 10 Height YES Contractor All trees 11 Height to Crown YES Contractor All live trees equal to and greater than 4.5’ in height 12 Radial Grow YES Contractor Site trees only 13 Radial Grow 2 N/A Not collected 14 Height Grow NO 15 Age YES Contractor Site trees only 16 Crown Ratio YES Contractor All live trees equal to and greater than 4.5’ in height 17 Crown Class NO 18 Crown Width NO Contractor 19 Wildlife Use YES Contractor All trees 20 Log/Snag Decay YES Contractor All standing dead trees 21 Cone Serotiny YES Contractor All lodgepole pine and jack pine trees 1+ inches DBH 22 Damage Category YES Contractor All trees with damage. Record 3 most severe.

23 Damage Agent YES Contractor Required if damage category is not blank 24 Damage Part NO 25 Damage Severity YES Contractor Required if damage category is not blank 26 Tree Remarks YES Contractor All trees 27 User Determined N/A

All tree data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the tree data form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the

E. Vegetation Composition Form (CSE) Not collected

F. Down Woody Form (CSE) Not collected

G. Field Verification of Polygon Data (Walkthrough) Form (FV). This form shall be completed for each of the specified stands checked in Exhibit 1, Survey Stand List. The field crew should walk through the entire stand before completing the form. Instructions for completing this form are in the R2Veg User Guide, Section ‘Attributing Vegetation (R2Veg) Polygons’.

The VEGCOV data entry program is used to enter the polygon data collected on the ‘R2 FSVeg Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form’.

The VEGCOV files can also be pre-set up with a file for each polygon, with default values pre-filled. The VEGCOV data entry program and polygon file templates can be copied to field data recorders or used on the PC to complete the data entry by folks in the field or in the office.

The contractor will be responsible for collecting and filling out the ‘R2 FSVEG SPATIAL POLYGON VEGETATION ATTRIBUTES FORM’ for each polygon listed in task orders, and will complete all data items that are set to “YES” in the required column:

Item Description Required Data Source Comments

POLYGON INFORMATION

Region, Forest, District code YES Government See Exhibit 1- Survey Stand List in task order Location YES Government See Exhibit 1- Survey Stand List in task order Polygon ID YES Government See Exhibit 1- Survey Stand List in task order Species Survey Method YES Government Always use the canopy method Recorder YES Contractor First, MI, Last Prev Cover Type YES Contractor If the polygon does not currently have a total of 25% crown cover of trees, but was previously tree cover, enter the previous SAF tree cover type. (Refer to code list)

Stocking Flag NO

SAMPLE INFORMATION

Date YES Contractor mm/dd/yyyy Purpose code YES Government Always record ‘WV’ Horizontal Diversity YES Contractor Enter ‘P’ or ‘C’

(Refer to code list definitions) Tree condition YES Contractor Enter ‘A’, ‘P’, ‘D’, or ‘S’

(Refer to code list definitions) Habitat Structural Stage NO Government Will be calculated by the government from the data collected Tree Canopy Closure YES Contractor Used for the CANOPY survey method only. Record the total crown cover of trees within the polygon on one plane looking down, corrected for overlap.

Codes 1-100.

PHOTO FLIGHT ID

Photo Project NO Date NO

SPECIES ATTRIBUTES

Lifeform/GSC YES Contractor Refer to code list definitions Layer YES Contractor 0, 1, 2, 3 (Refer to code list definitions) Species YES Contractor National Plants Database plant codes

Cover % (Live) YES Contractor Record the % live cover based on the cover method used – 1-100

Size Class YES Contractor Record the size of tree and shrub lifeforms (Refer to code list definitions)

Tree Dead % (Standing Dead) YES Contractor Record the % of live cover lost to dead – 1-100

I. Format Data is to be provided

Data recorded on paper forms shall not be accepted (except stand sketches and traverse notes where applicable). Data shall be provided to the Government in electronic files on CD-R disks, DVD-R disks, a portable USB flash drive, portable flash memory card or via contractor provided FTP site.

An email with a zipped attached file will also be acceptable. The file shall be zipped to help avoid data corruption. With any electronic media, data must be readable by the Government’s computers (Windows XP/7 operating system). Adjustments shall not be made for software or hardware errors that result in data error or loss of data.

The R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form will be submitted as a electronic file from the VEGCOV program that is filled out for each stand that is in the contract.

Specific electronic file naming conventions will be outlined during the prework conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file shall also be provided.

C.4.4. Standards

Each task order shall specify the version of the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and appendices that shall be used. The specified version shall dictate the standards of data collection except when specified otherwise in this contract. In addition, the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide will be used.

C.4.5 Quality Control

A Quality Control Plan is required to be submitted in the soliciation as part of the evaluation factors for award. The Quality Control Plan must address how the contractor plans on meeting the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of key tasks in the Performance Requirements Summary within the Performance Work Statement. The Quality Control Plan is a key component in Performance Based contracts and tells the Government how the contractor plans on inspecting themselves during performance to meet the AQL.

C.4.5.1 Quality Control

The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan to describe methods and procedures to ensure quality. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan. All Contractor quality control records shall be provided to the Government at the time a block of data is submitted for acceptance. All records shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection.

The government will review the quality control performed by the contractor as well as any required paper forms, electronic data, and pinpricked plot labeled aerial photographs, or other work submitted to determine whether the quality is sufficient for inspection.

C.4.5.2 Quality Assurance Plan

The government reserves the right to inspect any data submitted by the contractor, including Contractor inspected plots. As an initial guide, the Government shall inspect 5% of the points in each block submitted for acceptance.

SECTION D. PACKAGING AND MARKING

[Blank]

SECTION E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 Inspection and Acceptance

An inspection block, as established by the Government, will contain a minimum of 20 plots and a maximum of 40 plots, and will consist of complete stands. The initial inspection may be done on less than 40 plots if requested by Contractor.

A. Compliance Inspection

The CO will, by formal review, determine if the specified progress and methods of work are being carried out. Failure to comply with specified work standards may be cause for termination of the Contractor’s right to proceed.

B. Inspection of Work

The Government will inspect the stand examinations to determine compliance with contract specifications and to provide a basis for payment. If more than one exam level is specified, inspected stands will be in approximately the same ratio as the exam levels specified. The completed work shall be submitted within seven (7) days after completion of each block. The Government will inspect no more than 100 plots of submitted and completed work per week. If the government has sufficient resources available, more plots may be inspected per week.

Completed work, consisting of any required paper forms, electronic data, and photos will be turned in for inspection in blocks. Inspection will only be made on completed stands. When electronic data is provided, the inspection will be based on a printout of the electronic data and/or based on the .cse files, as applicable.

The Government will make the compliance inspection of each block of completed stands within 14 calendar days without cost to the Contractor. No charge will be made for the first rework inspection. Thereafter, any contract re-inspection required will be at the Contractor's expense. Re-inspection charges may include, but are not limited to: inspector's wages for travel time to and from work site; inspector's wages to re-inspect; per diem cost (meals, lodging, field costs); COR wages;

and vehicle use rate and mileage.

C. Demonstration of Inspection Procedures

Upon written request from the Contractor, the Government will perform one demonstration inspection of one sample plot at no cost to the Contractor as an example of inspection procedures and demonstration of potential problems. The Contractor shall accompany the Government inspector on the inspection.

D. Determination of Acceptable Work

An inspection, as stated above, will be performed by the Government for the evaluation of contract specification compliance. The following will be used for determination of acceptable or unacceptable work:

1. Pass-fail check of specified standards and procedures for each block.

Site examinations exhibiting the following specification deficiencies result in an unacceptable score on a “pass-fail” basis and will be returned to the Contractor with the entire block for rework. The determination of noncompliance with these items may be made during the office edit or during field inspection. Some of the following items appear on the Inspection Point Score Calculation Form included in the exhibits.

a. All completed forms and electronic data not submitted to the Forest Service in a timely manner after Contractor completion.

b. Forms that are illegible or cannot be reproduced on a copying machine.

c. Electronic data that cannot be read by Government computers.

d. Stands failing to meet minimum tree/plot averages where specified when a lower BAF could be selected, unless the Government specified the BAF used.

e. Located plot centers not within acceptable distance of plot location based on Government provided data or where plot location bias is evident.

f. Stands having less than the prescribed number of sample plots examined.

g. Sample plot center falls outside the stand boundary as identified on the stand map or aerial photo.

h. Any sample plot center which cannot be located because of improper plot center labeling or because of improper reference point labeling, or for any other reason attributable to noncompliance with specifications.

i. Stands with less than the minimum number of site and/or growth trees (as specified).

j. Stands submitted with incomplete information on any form, paper or electronic. This includes Remarks and the Stand Sketch Map and Traverse Notes.

k. Any form with inaccurate stand location and stand number data.

l. Stands where government supplied information are incompletely or inaccurately transcribed onto the forms.

m. Stands in which plots are not evenly distributed throughout each stand.

n. Stands or polygons with an error or incomplete information in a field designated

“Unacceptable” in the Point Value column (A) on the Common Stand Exam Inspection Form or R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form. (Exhibit 7).

2. Point deduction for each deficient entry or procedure on an inspection site.

Acceptable tolerance levels for individual measurements are shown on each Exam Inspection Form located in Exhibit 7. Any item or measurement indicated by inspection to be outside these tolerance levels will be assigned a point deduction. Point deductions will be calculated separately for each form. An inspection/payment block may fail based on an individual form score or on the total form score calculation.

For each inspection form: The number of errors for each field for the entire inspection/payment block is recorded in column 'B', "Number of Errors". The Point Deduction, column 'C', is calculated by multiplying the number of errors, column B, by the "Point Value", column 'A'. The Point Deductions are then totalled at the bottom of column 'C' in the "Total Deductions" field (D). This is then divided by the number of stands, plots, or tree data records inspected (as appropriate for each form)- Field (E) to calculate the "Form Score" -Field (F).

Field (E) is the number of stands, plots, or tree data records actually inspected for that Form.

In determining pass/fail for Form Score or Total Score for inspections the government score will prevail.

3. Error trend.

If during inspection of selected plots or review of submitted data, the Government determines an error trend is occurring in the information being recorded by the Contractor, the Government will notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspection blocks, the blocks will be returned for rework even if the blocks have passing inspection scores.

For example, all tree heights are measured taller by 15% when 10%+/- is the tolerance. Even though all other measurements are within tolerance the work could be returned for correction.

If during inspection of selected plots or review of submitted plot sheets, the Contractor’s inspection determines a similar discrepancy is occurring in the information being recorded, the Contractor shall ensure that their personnel are made aware of the findings to prevent further occurrences. In addition, if the Contractor notices a discrepancy trend developing while inspecting plots on the ground, he/she may visit plots not selected in the random sample, to inspect the field(s) in question. These plots will be used to determine if a discrepancy trend does exist, not for payment purposes. The Contractor shall ensure that their personnel are made aware of the findings to prevent future occurrences. Discrepancies found on initial inspection plots are subject to point deduction.

E. Rework of Unacceptable Work

The Government reserves the right to require rework of unacceptable blocks, as determined under Section C. Determination of Acceptable Work. Upon written notification by the CO that a block is unacceptable, the Contractor may be required to complete and submit rework before beginning work on another block. The Government will specify rework requirements for each unacceptable block. In the case of data errors, the Government can require that they be corrected. In the case of plot location errors, the Government may require that the plots be relocated and measured.

1. Correction of Data Errors:

a. Pass-fail failures:

Any errors in a field where the point value is “unacceptable” or where specifications are scored on a “pass-fail” basis will require a correction of errors at all sample plots throughout the entire block.

b. Point deduction failures require:

For failure due to a Form Score ≥ 5.0: Correct all items or measurements in the Form that failed for all stands and sample plots in the block (i.e., if Tree Form fails, then only that form would need to be reworked). A reduced amount of rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO.

For failure due to a Total Score ≥ 10: Correct all items and measurements on all Forms for all stands and sample plots in the block. A reduced amount of rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO.

For a failure due to a Form Score and a Total Score: If a block fails due to both a Form score and a Total score, then the rework will be the same as for a Total score failure.

c. Trend error failures require rework of all items identified as having an error trend.

2. Correction of Plot Location Errors:

a. Incorrectly located plots shall be relocated and measured.

3. Correction of Plot Relocation Errors:

a. Plots that cannot be relocated cannot be remeasured. Therefore, no rework is permitted.

4. The Government will re-inspect blocks of data that have been reworked to determine compliance.

5. If reworked and re-inspected blocks fail during the first re-inspection, additional rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO. Failure to pass inspection may result in contract default.

F. Re-inspection upon Contractor Request

If the original inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested, in writing, up to seven (7) days after receiving notification of unacceptable work. If the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score, but re-inspection results in a fully passing score, then the Government assumes the cost of re-inspection.

However, if the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score, and re-inspection does not result in a fully passing score, then the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for performing re-inspection.

F1. METHOD OF PAYMENT

(a) Quality-assurance assessment and payment will only be made on completed stands unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Officer.

(b) For a payment item, the total number of discrepancies divided by the total number of lines equals the average number of discrepancies per line. (This does not include failed plots.) The following determines the percent of full payment:

• ≤ .33 discrepencies per data line = 100% payment

• .34 → .66 discrepencies per data line = 85% payment

• .67 → .99 discrepencies per data line = 70% payment

• ≥ 1.0 discrepencies per data line = 0% payment

Payment Formula for Payment Item:

(Total # Discrepancies) / (Total # Lines) = % Payment for the payment item.

17/59 = .29 average discrepancies/line = 100% Payment.

Total plots in Payment Item minus # plots in unacceptable stand = Acceptable plots.

62 plots minus 1 plot = 61 Acceptable plots.

(Price per plot) x (number of acceptable plots) x % Payment = Total Payment.

$20.00 x 61 plots x 100% = $1220.00 Total Payment for Payment Item #1. (Note $20 retained for unacceptable plot in setting# 44030059.) In addition, Contractor would be charged for the reassessment costs.

(c) An inspecton unit is considered complete when all work has been assessed for quality assurance, and accepted for payment.

(d) Partial payment may be made for completed and accepted work as determined by the Contracting Officer.

F.2 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

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

Work Statement

Performance Standard Gov’t Method of Assessment

Incentive/ deduction

Stand Exam Data Collection, and Polygon Vegetation Attributing C.4.3

Quality meets or exceeds acceptable performance standard in C.4.3

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

QASP.

• The Contractor’s quality will be reflected in the performance evaluation either as positive or negative incentive.

• If Contractor achieves acceptable performance quality, the Contractor will receive unit price as incentive.

• If Contractor does not achieve at least acceptable performance quality, rework at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality negative incentive would be no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

Quality Control C.4.5 and E.1

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 work and observe operations.

• The Quality Control provided by the Contractor will be reflected in the performance evaluation as either positive or negative incentive.

• Achieving acceptable quality control is necessary to receive full unit price as positive incentive.

• If Contractor does not achieve at least acceptable performance quality, rework at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality negative incentive would be, no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

• The Government may charge for re-inspection of a block in accordance with E.1.

Contractor and Government passes pass-fail check of specified standards.

Contractor and Government’s verification scores < 5.0 and Total Score < 10.0.

COR or inspector randomly observe Contractor inspection per Quality Assurance Plan. Review Contractor inspection forms.

Work Plan and Schedule F.2.4.

Work meets schedule as per the accepted work plan. Contractor inspection completed to meet timeframes.

COR and inspector conduct periodic monitoring.

Government inspection completed to meet timeframes.

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

• Completing work on schedule is necessary to receive full unit price as positive incentive.

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

A. Payments

1. Payments will be made on the number of sample plots within an inspection/payment block if that block has been accepted. Payment may be made for partially completed blocks as determined by the Government. No payment will be made for unacceptable blocks.

B. Deductions

Deductions from payments will be made for the following conditions:

1. Replacement cost for any lost, damaged or unused Government property that is not returned will be deducted from the Contractor's final payment at the following rates:

• Yale Key - $200 per key

2. Re-inspection costs will also be deducted for any block that was reworked (other than the first re-inspection).

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F. 1. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFRENCE (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:

Federal Acquisition Regulations https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar Agriculture Acquisition Regulations www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (MAY 2015) FAR 52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984) FAR 52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) FAR 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 2012)

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. 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.

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) The period of performance of this contract is from July 1, 2017 through October 15, 2017.

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) Contract Time will start on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor; Or (3) Contract Time will start 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.2.2.2. Unfavorable Conditions. It is estimated that adverse weather conditions may in some cases prevent data collection by obscuring visibility or preventing access to the sample plot locations. When such conditions make work impracticable 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 a written Resume Work Order will be mailed and count of contract time will resume on the date specified in the order.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

F.2.3 Resource Protection Conditions. If applicable, periods of restricted access will be provided with the task order or during the prework conference.

F.2.4 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 schedule shall be provided after issuance of a task order, but before the start of work.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of any periods that the Contractor will not be working, 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.

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (DEC 2013)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

Approval of Subcontracting: The Contractor shall request approval from the Contracting Officer prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement.