Keep_This_Copy_Estes_Valley_4.doc

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

PAGE OF PAGES

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

U.S. Forest Service

Aapaho & Roosevelt Natl Forest & awnee Natl Grasslasslands

2150 Centre Avenue, Building E

Fort Collins CO 80526 See Task Order clause entitled “Period of Performance, Task Order”

FOB DESTINATION

FORMCHECKBOX

OTHER (See Schedule)

8. TO:

TIN:

DUNS:

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grasslands, Estes Valley 4 Fuels Reduction Project. This is a Request for Quotations under the BLM national IDIQ Fuels Reduction Contract. SEE THE SCHEDULE OF ITEMS CONTAINED HEREIN

No site visit is scheduled for this project.

KEEP

THIS

COPY

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

are not attached.

c. COUNTY

AREA CODE

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

SECTION B -- SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

BLM IDIQ

RFQ AG-82X9-S-09-0051

Days

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 38 *

Item0004AB – Level II

118 acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 38 *

Item0006AB – Level II

118 acres $_________ $_________

(Hand Pile and Cover) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 40 *

Item0004AC – Level III acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 40 *

Item0006AC – Level III acres

(Hand Pile and Cover)

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 40a *

Item0004AB – Level II acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 40a *

Item006AB– Level II acres

(Hand Pile and Cover) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

Days

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 46 *

Item0004AC – Level III acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 46 *

Item0006AC – Level III acres

(Hand Pile and Cover) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 47 *

Item0004AB – Level II acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 47 *

Item0006AB – Level II acres

(Hand Pile and Cover) (*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

TOTAL PRICE QUOTATION FOR ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT

Total Price Quotation for BASE ITEMS (0001 – 0010):

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 39 (Optional Acres) *

A. Item0004AC – Level III acres

(Selective Slashing/Thinning)

B. Mobilization 1 L.S. $_________ (Mobilization will be paid if (1) Government exercises this option more than 7 calendar days after the final inspection of all work under contract prior to exercise of this option, and (2) no rework is required.

(*) See Task Order - Statement of Work for specific conditions associated with this Line Item

ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT TREATMENT UNIT 39 (Optional Acres) *

A. Item0006AC – Level III acres

(Hand Pile and Cover)

B. Mobilization 1 L.S. $_________

(Mobilization will be paid if (1) Government exercises this option more than 7 calendar days after the final inspection of all work under contract prior to exercise of this option, and (2) no rework is required

TOTAL PRICE QUOTATION FOR ESTES VALLEY 4 FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT OPTIONAL ACRES

Total Price Quotation for OTIONAL ITEMS (0011 – 0012):

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1.

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

This contract requires thinning and piling and related work in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals. The Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project includes 225 acres of the total treatment area, (along with 27 optional acres; see Schedule of Items for this Task Order). The Canyon Lakes Ranger District intends to complete treatment within this portion of project area by using the National Fuels Reduction IDIQ contract task order. All base contract terms, conditions, and specifications apply to this contract in addition to the specifications, terms, and conditions of this specific task order.

C.2.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project is located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and adjacent to Estes Park and surrounding commUnities. The Project Area is located in Sections 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 33, T4N, R71W; 6th P.M.; Larimer County, Colorado. All legal descriptions referenced herein are located using the 6th Primary Meridian, Larimer County, Colorado. A Project Area Vicinity Map is included in Attachment 2.

C.3.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

See Sections One through Ten for details.

1.

INTRODUCTION (C.1.1)

The Government is acquiring fuels management services to treat vegetation to reduce the risk of wild land fires. This is intended to meet the intent of the National Fire Plan in accordance with Public Law 106-291.

2.

APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES (C.1.4)

All applicable legal directives pertaining to this project are described in Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact Estes Valley Fuel Reduction Project, signed September 13, 2005, by District Ranger Ellen Hodges. This document details the implementation of hazardous fuel reduction treatments on approximately 7,100 acres of National Forest land. The document is available at the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Office.

The Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project includes 225 acres of the total treatment area, (along with 27 optional acres; see Schedule of Items for this Task Order).

Rights to salvage material will not be provided to the Contractor in the Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project.

3.

LOCATION OF PROJECT AREA (C.1.5)

The Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project is located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and adjacent to Estes Park and surrounding commUnities. The Project Area is located in Sections 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 33, T4N, R71W; 6th P.M.; Larimer County, Colorado. All legal descriptions referenced herein are located using the 6th Primary Meridian, Larimer County, Colorado. A Project Area Vicinity Map is included in Attachment 2.

Access: All of the Treatment Units included in this task order are accessible through the Pinewood Springs Subdivision and National Forest Service Land.

4.

BOUNDARIES OF PROJECT AREA (C.1.6)

The exterior boundaries of Treatment Units (TU) are marked with painted orange vertical stripes, (one facing into the Treatment Unit and two side stripes facing adjacent boundary trees) or boundary signs accompanied by flagging. Signs with the TU number are posted periodically along the painted boundary. See table for individual Unit designation methods. Specific TU boundary descriptions are included in Paragraph 9, TREATMENT UNITS SPECIFICATIONS.

Treatment Units Method of Designation

Prior to initiating operations, the Contractor shall complete a reconnaissance of the Treatment Units. The purpose of this field review will be to confirm and agree on all locations within the TU particularly areas that are defined by description.

5.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF PROJECT AREAS (C.1.8)

Within the Project Area protected improvements exist which will not be disturbed during Contractor operations. These features are listed below and are identified on the Statement of Work Map as “PI” (See Attachments).

Protected Improvements included in this Task Order:

* See Below TU-38; 5 monuments, Sections 21 and 28, T4N, R71W. TU-39; monuments located on the northwest and southwest corners. See Statement of Work Map.

All unique features will be protected from damage by the Contractor. If any unique features are disturbed the Contractor will immediately contact the Contacting Officer (CO) and will be liable for the cost of repairs.

* The Contractor shall be responsible for the protection from damage by their actions of all noted Monument Posts and Bearing Trees identified by the Forest Service within the contract area. The Contractor shall immediately notify the COR or CO if any damage occurs to these resources.

6.

DEFINITIONS (C.2.)

The following are additional definitions applicable to all Treatment Units in the Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Area as directed by the Task Order:

Definitions

a) Treatment Units (TU): Areas identified by painted or described boundaries where hazardous fuel reduction treatments are prescribed. TUs are identified on the Statement of Work Map.

b) Reserve Areas: Areas reserved or excluded from treatment that are located within TUs and meet at least one of the criteria listed below. The Contractor shall not conduct operations within Reserve Areas unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer. Reserve Areas may be identified by the Government in this Task Order and the attachments to this Task Order or may be identified by the Government during contract performance. The Contractor may propose Reserve Areas, however, areas proposed by Contractor will only be considered Reserve Areas under this Task Order if approved in writing by the CO.

· Rock Outcrops: Areas where >70% of the surface is covered by rock.

· Wetlands: Fens, springs, or seeps where the water table is close to or at the ground surface. Wetlands include buffers of at least 100’ from the edge of the wetland. No treatment will occur within the wetland and the surrounding buffer.

· No treatment will occur within 25 feet either side of Maure Creek (Unit 38). Maure Creek runs north/south through the central portion of the Unit as designed on Project Map.

· Unit 47: Along Colorado State Highway 36 individual trees maybe left uncut due to safety concerns.

c) Temporary Roads: A road developed and operated for a limited period of time that will be closed as directed in the task order after the fuel reduction treatment is completed.

d) Best Management Practices: Practices and procedures designed to control pollution from non-point sources of pollution including runoff from forest roads.

e) Restricted Operation Areas: The Contractor shall not conduct the following operations within Restricted Operations Areas unless otherwise approved in writing by the CO. The Contractor shall not operate any machine capable of distributing chips or chunks of wood such as a masticating cutting head within a 300-foot buffer from private residences or high use roads.

From May 15 through September15 and within Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat (as designated by USFWS) in Units 38, 40, and 40a, fuels reduction treatment will be limited to hand treatments only. Hand treatment will include cutting trees with chainsaws and piling slash.

f) Operating Plan: A written schedule completed by the Contractor of anticipated major activities, name of Contractor’s Project Manager (G.9) and other key personnel (H.3), public safety measures, management of gates, and other needs for completing the task order. This schedule will provide for the orderly completion of the work and will establish the sequence of Treatment Units to be worked. Contractor shall also include other specific information in the plan if requested by the CO.

g) Slash: Woody material existing or created that has accumulated on the forest floor. Woody material includes logs, pieces of logs, tops, and branches.

h) Staging Area: Locations where the Contractor can park equipment needed to complete the treatment.

i) Contract Representatives: Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall designate, in writing, a Representative who is authorized to receive notices in regard to performances under this contract and take related action. Contractor’s representative shall designate, in writing, a Field Supervisor, one of whose responsibilities shall be on-the-ground direction and supervision of Contractor’s Operations. The Field Supervisor shall be readily available to the operations when operations are in progress and shall be authorized to receive notices in regard to performance under this contract and take related action. The responsibilities of the Field Supervisor shall include the safeguarding of National Forest resources and performance within the terms of the contract. Contractor Representatives will furnish Forest Service with names of persons authorized to assume responsibilities in Field Supervisor’s absence. Both the Contract Representative and Field Supervisor shall be proficient in English.

7.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES (C.3.0)

Work Camps: (C.3.2) Will not be allowed.

Cultural Surveys: (C.3.5) for the Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project have been completed by the Forest Service. The Contractor does not need to arrange for Cultural Survey services.

Noxious Weeds: (C.3.7) The Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving on to the National Forest all off-road equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Contractor shall provide the Contacting Officer (CO) with certification, in writing, that off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds prior to each start-up of operations and for subsequent moves of equipment to Project Area. The certification shall indicate the measures taken to ensure that off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds will be identified. “Off-road Equipment” includes all logging or fuels treatment machinery, except for service vehicles, pickup trucks, cars, and similar vehicles.

The Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seeds, and other such debris when a visual inspection by Government does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection tools is not required.

Unless otherwise directed by the CO, the Government will not require the Contractor’s equipment to be cleaned before moving to another Treatment Unit if the Contractor is moving directly from one contract Unit to another.

8.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES (C.4.2)

Unless otherwise provided by the CO, the Contractor will not be given threatened and endangered species information, cultural survey information and reporting formats, maps, photos, and training. The Contractor will be obligated per H.13 and H.27 to report the discovery of any cultural resource or threaten or endangered species during operations. Keys for gates provided at the pre-work meeting are required to be returned within 15 days of completion of Units behind specified gate. AD-107 must be completed at the pre-work meeting. Loss of keys will result in a $300.00 replacement cost per key.

9.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SECTION C)

TASK ORDER -TREATMENT UNIT SPECIFICATIONS

TU- 38:

Overview: The specific tasks associated with this Unit include:

· Thinning 118 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location:

This Treatment Unit is located in the extreme southeastern portion of Section 20; the southwestern and south central portion of Section 21; the northwestern portion of Section 28; and the northeastern portion of Section 29; T4N, R71W. Treatment Unit is adjacent to private property in Sections 21 and 28. This Unit may be accessed through the Pinewood Springs Subdivision.

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All of the boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine with a mix of juniper, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen.

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock is 30-35% with a slope averaging 15-20% with minor steeper areas included.

Treatment:

Item 0004AB - Level II

Item 0006AB – Level II

No treatment 25 feet either side of Maure Creek (Maure Creek runs north/south through central portion of Unit). See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order - Treatment Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements TU- 39: (Optional Acres)

Overview: The specific tasks associated with this Unit include:

· Thinning 27 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location:

This Treatment Unit is located in the central portion of Section 28, T4N, R71W. Treatment Unit is adjacent to private property to the north, west, and south. This Unit may be accessed through the Pinewood Springs Subdivision.

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All of the boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine with a mix of Douglas-fir, juniper, and aspen.

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock is 25-30% with a slope averaging 10-15% with minor steeper areas included.

Treatment:

Item 0004AC - Level III

Item 0006AC – Level III

See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order - Treatment Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements.

TU – 40:

Overview: The specific tasks associated with this Unit include:

· Thinning 38 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location: This Treatment Unit is located in the west central portion of Section 27 and the east central portion of Section 28, T4N, R71W. This Unit may be accessed via adjacent National Forest land.

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine, with a mix Douglas-fir, juniper, and a minor amount of aspen.

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock is 15- 20% with a slope averaging 10-15% with minor steeper areas included.

Treatment:

Item 0004AC – Level III

Item 0006AC – Level III See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order - Treatment Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements.

TU – 40a:

Overview: The specific tasks associated with this Unit include:

· Thinning 11 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location: This Treatment Unit is located in the northeastern portion of Section 28, T4N, R71W. Treatment Unit is adjacent to private property to the west. This Unit may be accessed through the Pinewood Springs Subdivision.

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine, with a mix of Douglas-fir, juniper, and a minor amount of aspen.

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock is 15-20% with a slope averaging 10-15% with minor steeper areas included.

Treatment:

Item 0004AB - Level II

Item 0006AB – Level II See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order - Treatment Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements.

TU – 46:

Overview: The specific tasks associated with this Unit include:

· Thinning 42 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location: This Treatment Unit is located in the southeastern portion of Section 33, T4N, R71W. This Unit may be accessed via adjacent National Forest land (from Unit 47).

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine with minor amounts of Douglas-fir, juniper, and aspen.

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock is 5-10% with a slope averaging 10-15% with minor steeper areas included.

Treatment:

Item 0004AC - Level III

Item 0006AC – Level III See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order - Treatment Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements.

TU – 47:

Overview: The specific tasks associated with these Units include:

· Thinning 16 acres to a 20’ x 20’ spacing.

· Piling of existing and created slash meeting contract requirements.

General Location:

This Treatment Unit is located in the south central portion of Section 33, T4N, R71W. This Unit may be accessed through the Pinewood Springs Subdivision.

Painted and Signed Boundaries:

All of the boundaries of this Treatment Unit are painted and signed. Review Attachment 2: Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Statement of Work Map.

Boundaries Defined by Description:

None.

Vegetation Description:

The stand is characterized by a variety of tree species, size, and age classes. The species composition is predominately ponderosa pine with minor amounts of Douglas-fir, juniper, and aspen

Operating Conditions:

Surface Rock 30-35 % with a slope averaging 5-10% with minor steeper areas included. .

Treatment:

Item 0004AB - Level II

Item 0006AB – Level II

· Along Colorado State Highway 36 individual trees maybe left uncut due to safety concerns.

See Section 10 of this Task Order, Statement of Work (Section C) Task Order – Treatment

Guidelines for specific thinning and fuel management (lop and scatter and/or piling) requirements.

10.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SECTION C)

TASK ORDER -TREATMENT GUIDELINES

The following are Treatment Guidelines and Requirements (C.5.0) applicable to all Treatment Units in the Estes Valley 4 Fuel Reduction Project Area as directed by the Task Order:

Thinning Objectives:

Treatment objectives for all Treatment Units in the project area are to reduce the risk of crownfire near Estes Park and surrounding communities, to reduce the fuel loading, reduce ladder fuels, and to improve the long term health and vigor of these forests.

The intent of this prescription is to accomplish these objectives by use of uneven-aged management treatments to establish open, irregularly-stocked, multi-aged stands which can be maintained through time by periodic prescribed burning and possibly harvests.

To accomplish this, removals will be concentrated in smaller diameter classes, but a few small trees will be left to eventually grow into larger diameter classes. This under-thinning will; (1) reduce the threat of crownfire by removing small diameter live ladder fuels, (2) reduce overall stocking levels to improve the health and vigor of the stands and (3) alter the existing species composition by reducing the number of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir and leaving greater numbers of ponderosa pine and aspen. In general this prescription will focus on removal of trees in the smaller diameter classes, but trees of larger diameter may be cut for purposes stated below (see table below).

DBH AND SPACING CRITERIA

*See C.5.4.6 Item 6

*See C.5.4.6 Item 6

C.5.4 Selective Slashing/Thinning – Line Item 0004 C.5.4.1 Level of Difficulty - The level of difficulty for selective slashing is determined by the task order. The level is based on the expected number of leave trees per acre to be treated and/or spacing between leave trees, or the relative amount of material to be slashed.

Item 0004AB – Level II – 109 acceptable leave trees at a 20’ x 20’ spacing. Unit density is estimated to average between 40 and 60 percent cover.

Item 0004AC - Level III - 109 acceptable leave trees at a 20' X 20' spacing. Unit density is estimated to average greater than 60 percent cover.

C.5.4.2 Criteria for Selection of Leave Trees -

a. The best available acceptable leave trees, both conifers and hardwoods, shall be selected as leave trees and treated in accordance with spacing requirement and the number per acre specified by the Level of Difficulty. The average spacing may vary + or - 20% of the spacing stated in the Level of Difficulty in order to select the best leave trees without numerically changing the average number of leave trees per acre.

b. The largest, healthiest, best-formed trees shall be selected as leave trees. Characteristics used in the selection of leave trees include the following:

1) Has no apparent damage to the main bole,

2) Is not chlorotic,

3) Demonstrates good vigor and is disease/insect free, (and)

4) Has at least 40 percent crown ratio.

c.

Species preference guidelines will be identified by the Government on each Unit.

Applicable for all Units included in this task order unless otherwise specified by the CO:

Leave Trees in order of Preference:

1. Engelmann Spruce

2. Ponderosa Pine

3. Limber Pine

4. Lodgepole Pine

5. Douglas Fir

6. Sub-Alpine Fir

7. Rocky Mountain Juniper

d. The Government may identify additional individual leave trees or leave tree areas within each Unit. See Reserved Areas under 6. Definitions (C.2.) for this task order.

C.5.4.3

Treatment of Surplus Vegetation -

a. Made inapplicable in this Task Order.

b. This Task Order specifies all conifers over two feet tall and up to (see table, page 11) DBH not selected as acceptable leave trees and within the specified spacing of acceptable leave tree shall be completely severed six inches or less above the ground. No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any cut stem. This will prevent the tree from growing new vegetative material. A live limb is a limb of any size that has green needles attached.

c. This Task Order specifies vegetation greater than (see table, page 11) DBH shall not be cut unless otherwise designated by the CO.

d. Made inapplicable in this Task Order.

e. Acceptable crop trees shall not be damaged while cutting vegetation or buried with slash.

C.5.4.4

Unless further treatment of slash is prescribed, such as hand piling and burning, swamper burning or under burning, lop and scatter the resulting slash to a depth not to exceed 24 inches, or as designated by the Task Order.

Further treatment of slash prescribed by Task Order:

Requirements for all slash treatments:

1. Slash treatment shall be concurrent and progressive with the thinning. The Contractor shall not move into a new Treatment Unit without completion of slash treatment requirements unless otherwise approved by the CO.

2. Any items identified on the Statement of Work Map as a Unique Feature as well as all roads open to motorized travel will be kept free of slash created by the tasks in this contract at all times.

3. Slash should be placed on or near the ground surface and not concentrated into piles. Slash shall not lean against an uncut tree, stump, log, or any obstacle. It shall be secure and not able to roll down hill.

4. No existing or created slash shall be left in road prisms or ditches, stream courses, and draws.

Requirements for any chipping, masticating, or brush hog treatments:

1 Contractor operations shall not produce an accumulation of chips and/or shredded material (as produced by a brush hog) in a continuous mat and/or exceed a depth of 3”. Contractor operations shall not produce an accumulation of chips and/or shredded material at the base of reserve trees.

C.5.4.6 Individual species may be specified as reserved from cutting in individual Units.

Applicable for all Units for this task order: Aspen.

Thinning Requirements specific to Task Order:

Use the following criteria for thinning:

1. Leave all trees ( See Table ) unless designated by the CO for such reasons:

· Access to or within Treatment Units.

· Trees damaged beyond recovery by the Contractor during the thinning operation. (Damaged beyond recovery means: top of the tree is missing, 1/3 of the bole is damaged, or the tree is leaning more then 15%. Damaged trees requiring cutting will be noted by the CO in quality assurance inspections.

2. Where minimal clearing limits are needed to create openings for slash piling, the Contractor shall not cut > 10” DBH unless designated by CO.

3. Leave all individual or patches of dead standing trees unless designated as the best location to create a pile. These dead trees will be left for wildlife snags.

4. In > .25 (one quarter) acre Aspen clones. Aspen will be included in spacing criteria.

5. Regardless of spacing, Mountain Pine Beetle infested trees will not be included in the spacing criteria.

6. *When in ponderosa pine, cut all ponderosa pine less than 10” DBH that meet one of the following criteria:

a. crook or sweep greater than 20%,

b. dead or broken top,

c. multiple tops,

d. mistletoe rating of 3 or greater,

e. leaning greater than 20%, (and/or)

f. one third of bole is missing bark.

C.5.6 Hand Pile and Cover – Line Item 0006 C.5.6.1 Level of Difficulty – The level of difficulty for hand piling and covering is determined by the task order.

Item 0006AB – Level II – An average of 19 - 30 piles per acre

Item 0006AC – Level III – An average of 31 – 40 piles per acre

Requirements for Piling:

(These requirements are applicable for piles created either by hand or mechanically)

1 Slash will be piled in the following locations:

· When this Task Order requires piling of slash the Contractor shall pile existing and created slash that is >2” in diameter at the small end and >4 feet in length to an 8” diameter.

2 Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning. Use of a brush blade is required if machine piling.

3 Piles shall be constructed by laying limbs, cut boles, and other slash in the pile. Slash that causes large air spaces in piles shall be reworked to eliminate air spaces. Each pile shall include an area of small sized slash to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. These fuels shall be placed in the center of the pile.

4 Piles will not be less than 8 feet in height and 8 feet wide. Piles shall be of a size and location which will not impair road use or result in damage to leave trees. Piles shall be located at least 8 feet from reserve trees and at least 35 feet from any private property boundary. Piles shall not be more than 25 feet long.

5. No piling of slash within 100 feet of overhead power lines, poles, and guy wires.

6. When piling is required and minimum pile size cannot be achieved, additional trees shall be cut beyond the maximum spacing (see table page 11) and maximum diameter specifications

( see table page 11) to create additional material. No trees shall be cut with a diameter of

> 10 inches DBH.

7. Slash may be moved up to 100 feet to make an adequate size pile meeting the contract requirements.

All objects which extend more than 4 feet in any direction from the pile profile, will be cut off and returned to the pile.

Piles do not need to be covered.

Exceptions to the above specifications may be necessary due to the amount of slash, rocky conditions, tree density, slope etc. Any exceptions will need to be approved by the COR.

Treatment Unit Slash Method

SECTION D—PACKAGING AND MARKING

{See Base Contract}

SECTION E—INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

11.

QUALITY ASSURANCE INSPECTIONS ( Section E )

The Government will complete inspections as directed in E.3.0 and as stated below for all work included in the task order.

The Government will use fixed radius plot sizes ranging from 1/5 acre (52.7’ radius) to 1/100 acre (11.8’ radius). A minimum of one percent of the Treatment Unit will be sampled. The Contractor will be provided information on the sampling methods applied by the Government to measure quality assurance. The Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of thinning quality and slash treatment which represents the entire treated area. At least one-percent of the treated area shall be sampled. The Government may observe or re-inspect the Contractor’s plots at any time. Prior to final inspection, all plot locations shall be identified on the ground by sketch map and flagging, unless by alternative method approved by the CO.

E.3.2.2 Each inspection plot will be subdivided into four (4) quadrants based on cardinal directions. Each quadrant will be evaluated for compliance with all contract specifications as stated in Section C that pertains to that individual treatment. If two (2) or more quadrants fail to comply, the plot will fail.

E.3.2.3 Work Quality Percentage

Work quality percentages are derived from data developed from inspection plots. The total number of satisfactory plots divided by the number of plots inspected determines the quality rate. This rate multiplied by 100 provides the work quality percentage. Ninety percent (90%) work quality is satisfactory for complete payment.

Example: Number of plots inspected 25

Number of satisfactory plots 23

23 divided by 25 .92

Work Quality Percentage 92%

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

52.245-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989)

12.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE, TASK ORDER (F.2)

The Contractor shall complete the work under this Task Order within the contract time specified herein. The estimated start work date for all base items is July 1, 2009. Contract time will run concurrently on all items awarded to any specific Contractor. Contract Time is 500 calendar days from issuance of Notice to Proceed. The 500 days includes all weather related stoppages, including, but not limited to; snow accumulation, saturated soils, firer restrictions, etc. The expected operating season shall be July 1st through October 31st. Additional contract time may be granted due to stop work orders related to weather and/or fire during the expected operating season. Operations outside of the expected operating season will be allowed by the CO.

If option item(s) are ordered by Government, contract time for option items will begin on the effective date of the Notice to Proceed issued for that option. Contract time for option items may run concurrently with contract time for base items.

Contract time will start on the effective date specified on the Notice to Proceed, or the third day after the Post Office has issued a notice of certified mail to the Contractor, or when work commences, whichever is sooner.

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 30 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a site determined after contract award.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

· Keys for Gates. See project specifications for specific details regarding issuance of the keys and Contractor responsibility for the keys.

DESIGNATED GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR SUBMITTING PROPER INVOICE (G.3)

Attn: Christiana Schofield , Contracting Officer

Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest

2150 Centre Ave. Building E

Fort Collins, CO 80526

Fax: 970-295-6699

14 PAYMENT (G.6.2.1)

The Government will make payment by Task Order Line Item for completed Units, unless otherwise approved by the CO.

The Contractor may, at any time during the course of the contract, request re-measurement of any project area if he feels that the acreage stated in the contract is incorrect. If re-measurement indicates that a variance of 5% or less exists, the Contractor will pay for the actual cost of the re-measurement. Under this condition, payment for the project area will be made on the acreage stated in the contract. If re-measurement indicates the actual variance is greater than 5%, payment for the project area will be based on the re-measured acreage.

SECTION H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

15. WORK HOURS (H.16)

No restrictions.

16. OPERATING PLAN

After contract award and upon request of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall submit a written proposed Operating Plan to the Contracting Officer for approval. The Contractor shall not begin work on the contract until Contractor has received written approval of their proposed Operating Plan by the CO, regardless of whether the Notice to Proceed has been issued or not. At a minimum, the Operating Plan shall include a milestone schedule of progress through the Treatment Units and anticipated major activities and orderly completion of the work within contract time. The Operating Plan shall also contain the name of Contractor’s Project Manager (G.9) and other key personnel (H.3), public safety measures, and management of gates. Contractor shall include other specific information in the plan if specifically requested in writing by the CO.

The Contractor shall update the operating schedule by January 31st of each year or by any specific date requested by the CO.

17. HEALTH AND SAFETY (H.12)

When Contractor’s Operations are in progress, Contractor shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous conditions associated with Contractor’s Operations. The Contractor and CO will agree to a specific Traffic Control Plan prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be covered or removed when not needed. Except as otherwise agreed, flagman and devices shall be as specified in the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUTCD). See attached specifications.

Contractor shall develop and maintain a written safety plan specific to the work under this Task Order and shall show it or provide it to the Government if requested by Government.

18.

PREWORK MEETING (H)

Prior to the commencement of work under the contract, the Contractor shall meet with the Contracting Officer to discuss the task order requirements. The meeting will be held at the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Office unless otherwise agreed to by the Contracting Officer.

19.

EQUIPMENT (H)

Operating Conditions: Heavy equipment is allowed to operate only when soil moisture in the upper 6 inches is below the plastic limit or soils protection can be attained by at least one foot of packed snow or 2 inches of frozen soil.

Sanitation and Servicing: Contractor shall maintain all equipment operating on Sale Area in good repair and free of abnormal leakage of lubricants, fuel, coolants, and hydraulic fluid. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on National Forest lands where servicing is likely to result in pollution to soil or water. Contractor shall remove from National Forest lands all contaminated soil, vegetation, debris, vehicle oil filters (drained of free-flowing oil), batteries, oily rags, and waste oil resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment. The Contractor will certify in writing that disposal was in accordance with State of Colorado regulations.

Prevention of Oil Spills: If Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on Project Area. The Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that any spill does not enter any stream or other waters of the United States or Colorado. The Contractor will not be permitted to store oil or oil products that exceed 1,320 gallons or have any single containers that exceed a capacity of 660 gallons.

20.

STAGING AREAS AND ACCESS LOCATION (H)

Contractor will locate all staging areas and access locations to be approved by the CO prior to use.

21.

EROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL (H)

Contractor’s operations shall be conducted to reasonably minimize soil erosion. Equipment shall be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will not result. The type of erosion control work done by the Contractor shall be adjusted to ground and weather conditions and the need for controlling runoff. Erosion control work shall be kept current immediately preceding expected seasonal periods of precipitation or runoff.

22.

ROADS (H)

Temporary Roads: Contractor shall locate Temporary Roads on locations approved by the COR. Such location shall include the marking of road centerline or grade-line as necessary to provide a suitable basis for economical construction and protection of National Forest lands. As necessary to attain stabilization of roadbed and fill slopes of Temporary roads, Contractor shall employ such measures as out-sloping, drainage dips, and water spreading ditches. Temporary Road Width will be kept to the minimum necessary for fuel reduction equipment and service vehicle access.

Temporary Road Closure: As directed by the CO, one of the following methods will be applied: Payment will not be made until temporary roads associated with a TU are satisfactorily closed as directed and approved by the CO.

· Contractor will remove culverts, out-slope roadbed, remove ruts and berms, effectively block the road to normal vehicular traffic where feasible under existing terrain conditions, and build cross ditches and water bars as staked or otherwise marked by the CO.

ATV and Access Locations:

· ATV and access locations will be allowed within the Units at locations approved by the CO. As directed by the CO, access routes shall be rehabilitated by the Contractor. The CO will determine which rehabilitation method will be used on a site by site basis. Rehabilitation work may include, but are not limited to slashing, erosion control measures, and effectively closing from the main road line of sight.

Stream Crossings: When temporary roads or skid trails cross streams, the Contractor will apply Best Management Practices (as specified in FSH 2509.25) as directed by the CO.

Access Roads: Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored, at his expense, to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work.

23.

ENDANGERED SPECIES (H. 27)

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species

In the event that listed or proposed threatened or endangered plant or animal species are discovered in or adjacent to the project area, the Government shall direct the Contractor to discontinue all operations pending review of the project area. Should a Forest Service Sensitive species be discovered in or adjacent to the project area, the Government shall direct the Contractor to discontinue all operations pending review of the project area. Actions taken under this paragraph shall be subject to the Suspension of Work clause in Section F, FAR 52.242-14.

24.

FIRE PRECAUTION REQUIREMENTS (H)

The Contractor shall comply with the following:

24.1. Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

24.2. Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or his employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place his employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

24.3. Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

24.4. An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

24.5. Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract.

24.5.1. Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under H.2.5.2. and H.2.5.4. below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement.

24.5.2. Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each Unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

a. One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

b. One - shovel, round point #0 or equal.

c. One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

d. One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

24.5.3. Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

24.5.4. Powersaws.