AR_standx_IDIQ_RFP.doc

AG-82MK-S-10-1016

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

FORMCHECKBOX

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

Common Stand Exams

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

U.S. Forest Service, Region 2 Southern Tier Contracting

2250 Highway 50 Delta CO 81416 Same as Block 7, addressed to the attention of

Joel Butzin, Contracting Officer.

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

KEEP THIS COPY SOLICITATION

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code and extension)

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

FORMCHECKBOX

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

See IAS Requisition

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FORMCHECKBOX

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

FORMCHECKBOX

41 U.S.C. 253(c) (

USDA Rural Development, Centralized Servicing Center, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd (FC-233), Bldg 105E, St. Louis, MO 63120-1703

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

STAND EXAM DATA COLLECTION SERVICES

B. 1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Base Period – Date of Contract award thru 9/30/2011

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Brown’s Transect

5. Horizontal Cover

6. Photos

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Vegetation Comp (Lvl 2)

5. Brown’s Transect

6. Horizontal Cover

7. Photos

Reference C.4.2.E for additional requirements for Option B

Option Year 1 – 10/1/2011 thru 9/30/2012

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Brown’s Transect

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Vegetation Comp (Lvl 2)

5. Brown’s Transect

6. Horizontal Cover

7. Photos

Reference C.4.2.E for additional requirements for Option B

Option Year 2 - 10/1/2012 thru 9/30/2013

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Brown’s Transect

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Vegetation Comp (Lvl 2)

5. Brown’s Transect

6. Horizontal Cover

7. Photos

Reference C.4.2.E for additional requirements for Option B

Option Year 3 - 10/1/2013 thru 9/30/2014

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Brown’s Transect

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Vegetation Comp (Lvl 2)

5. Brown’s Transect

6. Horizontal Cover

7. Photos

Reference C.4.2.E for additional requirements for Option B

Option Year 4 - 10/1/2014 thru 9/30/2015

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Brown’s Transect

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Vegetation Comp (Lvl 2)

5. Brown’s Transect

6. Horizontal Cover

7. Photos

Reference C.4.2.E for additional requirements for Option B

* Includes all work items specified in the performance work statement

Note that pricing on the above Schedule of Items shall be the maximum price for this work during the time periods designated on the Schedule of Items. Individual Task Orders under the parent contracts will be individually priced but at no more than the maximums entered above.

B. 2 AGAR 452.216-73 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS (FEB 1988)

During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $3,000____, but not in excess of $__500,000_.

B. 3. AUTHORIZED ORDERING ACTIVITIES: Task orders may be issued by the authorized officials shown below.

Joel Butzin, Contracting Officer

Christina Schofield, Contracting Officer

Mindy Horitski, Contracting Officer

Steve Russell, Contracting Officer

C. 1. INTRODUCTION

C.1.1. Scope of Contract

The solicitation is for stand examination data collection activities on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. 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 Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract with optional year renewals.

C.1.1.2. Specific locations, maps, and number of plots per stand for each stand will be provided with the task order.

C.1.1.3. The number of plots to be examined each year range from a minimum of 100 plots to a maximum of 15,000 plots. The performance period will be from approximately May to October.

C.1.2. Location and Description

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests administer land from the Wyoming-Colorado state border south to Mount Evans near the Clear Creek-Pike county line. The forests extend from the Fort Collins and Boulder in the east to the Grand-Summit county line in the west. Legal descriptions of the location include sections from R71W to R78W and T12N to T5S. See Exhibits 3-5 for locations specific to each task order.

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.

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:

http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris/products/fsveg/index.shtml.fs.fed.us

/products/fsveg/index.shtml Provided at pre-work conference.

www.fs.fed.us/emc/nris /products/fsveg/index.shtml Provided at pre-work conference.

The Forest Service may elect to provide once annually, in conjunction with the pre-work conference, a training session for key contractor personnel. This training may cover all facets of the contract including collection procedures and identification of NOX and TES species.

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 are provided in Exhibit 1. 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.

2. 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. The Contractor shall locate the sample plot location on the ground. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

4. Non-functioning GPS. If on a particular day the GPS is unable to acquire satellites to execute the traverse from waypoint data or the GPS is unuseable for any other reason the contractor may elect to use traditional methods of plot location. In any event the contractor will travel to the sample plot locations to be measured within each stand that have been marked on one of the provided topographical maps.

B. Plot Center Identification/Flagging

The Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker that can be either a wire flag, wooden stake, native material, nail, or other marker as agreed upon at the pre-work conference. Upon inspection, the center point of the marker where it intersects the ground shall be used as plot center. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground.

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. Acceptable error is +/- 30 feet of the true plot location. Recurring errors in location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory and 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 Section C 4.3. Data Collection Specifications. Data shall be recorded electronically using one or more of the following:

Government provided ExamsPDR program. The ExamsPDR program runs on several types of PDR style computers with the Windows CE or Windows Pocket PC operating system..

Government provided ExamsPC program. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with the Windows 95/98/2000/XP 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.

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

E. 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' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmitting any data supplied by that employee.

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. Stand Sketch & Notes will be used to record reference point (RP) description, traverse information and a general stand sketch. 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:

Source Comments

Always “USFS”

Always “CO”

Provided at prework conference

Always “10”

Always “02”

Not collected

SAF

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

See Exhibit1 – Survey Stand List

Always “10”

Not collected

Always “5”

Always “CSE”

Not collected

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 and 30. 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. In all other cases, the contractor shall use a plot size of 1/100 on small tree fixed plots.

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.

Source Comments

Not collected

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 form.

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.

Comments

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Derived from GTR INT-122

Not collected

Not collected

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 in Exhibit 1 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:

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

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

c. Live Trees trees located on the small fixed radius plot.

d. 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.

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: 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

Not collected

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 form.

E. Vegetation Composition Form (CSE)

Vegetation composition forms 1-3 will be collected on a plot size of 1/4 acre (58.88 foot radius) and recorded on the vegetation composition form. Form 4 (ground surface cover) will be collected on 1/100 acre (11.8 foot radius).

Record the cover percent of all species that occupy 1% or more of a lifeform/layer combination

The following items are required at each plot. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices.

Form

All vegetation composition data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the vegetation composition form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form. All ground surface cover data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the Ground Surface Cover Form provided in the exhibits. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

F. Down Woody Form (CSE)

Down woody material data will be collected using the Brown’s Planar Intercept method for determining fuel loading. See Chapter 4 of the Common Stand Exam User Guide for detailed information and valid codes for each data field. See the Sample Design Specifications, Exhibit 2, for the transect lengths.

Collect Brown’s Planar Intercept data along a 45 degree azimuth. If landscape features make this impossible (e.g. cliff edge), then collect transect data along a 230 degree azimuth. Record the azimuth of the transect on the plot center marker.

Comments

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

G. Protocols for Horizontal Cover Measurement

The provided horizontal cover board shall be placed 33 feet from the plot center marker. It must be fully extended and posted such that the entire board faces plot center. The bottom of the board must be positioned such that it is located 3 feet above the ground surface. Standing at plot center, observe the percent of the board that is obscured by leafy vegetation and small stems. Repeat this process in all four (4) cardinal directions and then calculate the average value. Enter the final calculated value for the plot in the plot user field (C.4.3.C.19).

H. Field Protocol for Digital Images

Five photographic images shall be taken at each plot center. The photos shall be taken in the following order:

1- A legible image of the GPS screen showing the GPS coordinates

2- An image facing North (0/360 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

3- An image facing East (90 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

4- An image facing South (180 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

5- An image facing West (270 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

Each image shall be taken at the widest camera angle setting and at a minimum resolution of 1280x960 pixels per inch. The camera settings must be adjusted for weather conditions (e.g. glare, poor lighting) to provide a correctly exposed image. Photos shall be in focus and may not diverge by more that 20 degrees from each magnetically corrected cardinal direction. Horizontal cover boards shall be placed in each photo as described in section C.4.3.G.

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 or a portable flash memory card. With any electronic media, data must be readable by the Government’s IBM PC computers (Windows XP operating system). Adjustments shall not be made for software or hardware errors that result in data error or loss of data.

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

Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and appendices (March 2009)

C.4.5 Quality Control

Quality Control Plan: 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 plaxns 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

{For this Solicitation, there are NO clauses in this Section}

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

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

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996)

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 20 plots of submitted and completed work 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 10 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 with an error or incomplete information in a field designated “Unacceptable” in the Point Value column (A) on the Common Stand Exam Inspection Form (See attachments).

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 the exhibits. 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). Upon the recommendation of the COR and approval by the CO, a reduced amount of rework may be allowed.

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. Upon the recommendation of the COR and approval by the CO, a reduced amount of rework may be allowed.

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.

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

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.

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F.1 AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of Contract (FEB 1988) The effective period of this contract is from Date of Contract Award through 9/30/2015 if all options are exercised.

F. 2. DELIVERIES

F.2.1. Contract Performance Time and Required…