AG-82X9-S-11-0143 Calamity SF 18 Cont.docx

SECTION B -- SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Contractor Name: ________________________________ DUNS#: ____________________ Address:________________________________________ Tax ID #: ____________________ Phone #:__________________ Fax #:_____________________ E- Mail: ___________________________

Name of Site Visit Representative: _______________________________

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ PURPOSE:

C.1.0Masticate (grind, shred, mulch, chip or mow) approximately 201 acres of predominately Pinyon-Juniper and intermixed areas of oak brush/intermountain brush species currently occupying the site. The primary purpose and objective of this treatment is to improve wildlife habitat. The project will secondarily reduce natural fuel loading within the area. The treatment areas will result in a mosaic of polygons with irregular boundaries and isolated areas, pockets or individuals of untreated vegetation throughout the project area. This project is designed for completion by a Hydro-axe or similar piece of equipment or method capable of producing the desired results as defined above.

C.1.1 The contractor is to treat vegetation such that 80% of the operable area has been treated as specified with residual stem height being as low as possible without damaging the machine (approx. 10” tall). Inoperable areas are defined as slopes greater than 25%, areas of large rock concentrations or inaccessible drainages. The Forest Service representative may identify additional patches of vegetation to be left untreated inside the unit. The boundaries of these areas will be identified to the Contractor verbally or by flagging on the ground.

C.1.2 There are 3 units flagged within the project area, ranging from 36, 45 and 120 acres in size. They are comprised primarily of juniper and pinyon pine with some ponderosa pine and brush species interspersed within the site. All ponderosa pine within the units and some of the larger, mature pinyon pine and juniper trees will be left on the site

C.2 LOCATION:

Maps are provided to show the general locations and project units. The Calamity Basin project units are located on the northwest portion of the Uncompahgre Plateau southeast of the Calamity Creek drainage and southwest of the Ute Creek Trail (T51N R17W, Sections 19,19, 30 and 31 in Mesa County).

C.3 ACCESS TO WORK:

The project can be accessed from Highway 141 to the Divide Road (FS Road 402, County Rd 26.1 RD.) then proceeding southwest on FS Road 404 (Uranium Road). When FS 404 intersects with FS Road 405 proceed north approximately 2 miles to first unit along road, marked with orange flagging. An alternate route would be the Niche Road, which is accessed from Highway 141 and County Road 6.3 (4 miles north of Gateway, CO). This road also accesses FSR 405, but is narrow and steep. County access roads are maintained gravel roads while Forest Service roads are not and may become rutted, rocky and impassable through-out the operating season.

C.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

C.4.1 In addition to those requirements listed in the BLM IDIQ Hazardous Fuels Reduction Solicitation, LINE ITEM 0017; Mechanical Fuels Treatment (grinding); ITEM 5.17, 5.17.1. Item 0017AE – Level V, the following guidelines are required mitigation measures or specifications incorporated into project design and decision record authorizing this project.

C.4.2 Treatment areas (polygons) are designed to treat through mastication, tree and brush species occupying site as well as the retention of islands of untreated areas resulting in a mosaic effect. Treatment areas (polygons) are designed to treat and remove the some of the mature pinyon or juniper trees species within the flagged stands occupying the site as well as providing islands of untreated areas for enhanced wildlife habitat. The treatment will also serve to interrupt both the vertical and horizontal fuel beds on the site and provide an area where, in the event of a wildfire, may affect adverse fire behavior.

a. In order to reduce the spread of noxious weeds to the project area and other public lands, heavy equipment will be cleaned by the Contractor prior to moving the equipment onto public lands and the project area. Equipment will be cleaned of mud, dirt, and accumulations or organic material which may harbor seed or plant parts of noxious weeds. Steam cleaning is an acceptable method of reducing the import of noxious weeds. Fluid leaks shall be repaired prior to moving onto site.

b. The outer perimeters of the units to be treated have been marked with fluorescent orange, plastic surveyor flagging. The unit boundaries are also identified on the project map provided to the Contractor. Leave areas will be marked by plastic flagging and/or communicated to the owner/operator prior to implementation as deemed necessary by the project manager or COR.

c. Any points of equipment access into the units that are created by the Contractor will be restored to a non-accessible state by the Contractor.

d. Treatment will be done during periods of such time to maximize effectiveness. Environmental conditions such as wet soil, mud or snow over 1 foot deep will not meet the objectives due to ineffective treatment of the target species. Dry or frozen soil is preferred. Operations outside the preferred conditions will be determined by the COR/PI in regards to treatment effectiveness

e. Vegetation will be treated to within 12” of the ground but no closer than 6 inches. Stumps will be as low as possible so that machinery is not damaged however stumps will beno higher than 12” above the ground.

f. Remaining slash shall be treated to lie within eighteen inches of the ground.

g. No treatment of sagebrush or ponderosa pine. Avoid old growth Pinyon and Juniper trees. These will be flagged or otherwise communicated to the owner/operator prior to or during implementation.

The following will be communicated to the Contractor at the pre-work meeting:

· Rocky areas will be avoided to prevent damage to equipment. These areas have typically shallower soils and less potential for herbaceous growth.

· Avoid moving equipment through sagebrush areas to the maximum extent possible, to minimize weed infestations in these areas. No sagebrush will be treated.

· MProvide buffer zones along cliff edges, streams, roads and trails or other features deemed needed protection by the COR/PI.

· Areas flagged or mapped will be avoided to protect other resource values.

· There may be other areas not yet identified that may not be able to be treated. If found, the contractor will notify the COR or Inspector as to location and reasoning for not treating. The COR will make the final judgment as to whether to treat or not.

· Avoid areas supporting larger and older, less dense stands of Gambel Oak.

C.4.3 To the greatest extent possible, adverse slopes, rocky areas and areas supporting larger diameter trees have been identified on the ground. There may be other areas not yet identified that may not be able to be treated. If found, the contractor will notify the COR or Inspector as to location and reasoning for not treating the area. The COR will make the final judgment regarding the validity of the request and advise the CO of that decision.

C.4.4 Access into the Units will be from a closed trail beginning from the trail barrier. Re-establishment of the closure barrier will be required. Although travel will be allowed on this access route, travel will need to be kept to a minimum. Since this trail is currently closed, some light road maintenance may become necessary. This may be dependent on the amount of use the road receives and the types of equipment using it during implementation. A pre and post assessment of road conditions will be made by the COR, the vendor and the District Roads Engineer.

C.5 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

The government will provide project maps and specifications to the Contractor(s) at the pre-bid meeting. There are no further Government furnished equipment or supply needs anticipated.

C.6 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING:

The Contractor will provide transportation for equipment, operator, fuel and supplies to and from the site. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing the necessary material handling equipment to on-load and off-load materials as well as provide appropriate security for equipment left on site.

C.7 LUBRICATING, SERVICING AND REPAIRS OF EQUIPMENT:

The Contractor shall be responsible for the service and repair of all equipment including service and support vehicles. The use of welding equipment for equipment repair may be limited by fire restrictions. It is the Contractors responsibility to keep current on any current fire restrictions. The contractor shall keep the equipment in proper functioning condition to insure objectives for the project are met.

C.8 EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The following criteria will be used to evaluate and select a vendor for the implementation of this contract:

1) Past performance on similar projects involving mastication.

2) Due to the sensitivity of the soil profile and the need for minimal soil disturbance, a rubber tired or track system is required.

SECTION E—INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

INSPECTION

Quality Periodic inspections may be performed by the Government while work is in progress. Inspection for payment and acceptance may be conducted by the Government as work progresses.

Inspection Time Inspection for payment will be made within five working days after the date on which the Contractor requests payment for the job and provides documentation of work completed.

The contractor will be provided information on the inspection sampling methods applied by the Government. The contractor shall monitor their own work for compliance with all contract requirements. The Government will complete inspections for all work included in the task order after notification from the contractor that they have met all contract requirements.

ACCEPTANCE

Units will be considered satisfactorily completed by visual inspection when vegetation treatments are complete, and the roadways and adjacent areas are not usable by motorized or mechanized equipment.

Rework If the unit(s) inspected does not meet the previously described acceptance levels, the contractor shall rework the area to conform to specifications. For example, if stump heights are above 10 inches, they will have to be reworked.

AG-82X9-S-11-0143

Calamity Basin Habitat Treatment

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 Period of Performance The contractor shall complete the work under this task order within the contract time specified herein. The estimated start work date for all items is 15 September 2011. Contract time will run concurrently on all items awarded to any specific contractor. Contract must be completed within 220 days of Notice to Proceed. The time includes all weather related stoppages, including, but not limited to, snow accumulation, saturated soils, fire restrictions, etc. The expected operating season will be year round, with the exception of certain seasonal restrictions in some units. The contractor is encouraged to consider seasonal restrictions and winter access concerns when planning work on this contract. Additional contract time may be granted in the case of stop work orders related to fire, significant periods of adverse weather, or other factors beyond the control of the contractor.

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

G.1 AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 10 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a site determined after contract award.

G.2 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: NONE

G.3 Designated Government Office for Submitting Proper Invoice Attn: Toinette Aranda, Contracting Officer

Pike and San Isabel National Forests

2840 Kachina Drive

Pueblo, CO 81008

Fax: 719-553-1435

G.4 Payment Payment will be made by the Bid item (unit) and accepted by the Government at the contracted cost submitted by the contractor upon approval of completed work and verification of work performed.

SECTION H -- SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

h.1 Work Hours - Work hours are not restricted on this task order.

h.2 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 the 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 and contact information for the contractor’s project manager and other key personnel, public safety measures, and management of gates. The contractor shall include other specific information in the plan if specifically requested in writing by the CO and shall be revised as requested in writing by the CO.

H.3 Health and Safety When the contractor’s operations are in progress, the 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). The 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.

H.4 Pre-work Meeting Prior to the commencement of work under the contract, the contractor shall meet with the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative to discuss the task order requirements. The meeting will be held at the South Platte Ranger District Office, unless otherwise agreed to by the Contracting Officer. This meeting may be combined with the post-award conference described in section G.1.

H.5 Noxious Weeds The contractor shall ensure that prior to moving on to the National Forest all equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. The contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that equipment is free of noxious weeds. The contractor shall provide the Contacting Officer with certification, in writing, that all equipment is free of noxious weeds prior to start-up of operations. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seeds, and other such debris when a visual inspection by the 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.

H.6 Contractor Representative The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, as well as the primary language of the work crews.

H.8 FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL See Fire Prevention and Control Plan – Section J

SECTION I--CONTRACT CLAUSES

452.228-71 Insurance Coverage (NOV 1996) Pursuant to FAR clause 52.228-5, Insurance-Work on a Government Installation, the Contractor will be required to present evidence to show, as a minimum, the amounts of insurance coverage indicated below:

(a) Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability. The Contractor is required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 shall be required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit worker's compensation to be written by private carriers.

(b) General Liability. The Contractor shall have bodily injury liability insurance coverage written on a comprehensive form of policy of at least $500,000 per occurrence.

(c) Automobile Liability. The Contractor shall have automobile liability insurance written on a comprehensive form of policy. The policy shall provide for bodily injury and property damage liability covering the operation of all automobiles used in connection with performing the contract. Policies covering automobiles operated in the United States shall provide coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage or loss.

(d) Aircraft Public and Passenger Liability. When aircraft are used in connection with performing the contract, the Contractor shall have aircraft public and passenger liability insurance. Coverage shall be at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, other than passenger injury. Coverage for passenger injury shall be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

1. The contractor will train in the safe operation and use of equipment to all workers using such equipment.

2. Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body.

3. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

4. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, to each employee who operates a chain saw, chain saw chaps and assure the chaps are worn during saw operations. These chaps must be approved by Underwriters Laboratory or meet Forest Service specification 6170-47. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg.

5. The contractor shall assure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support. Employees operating chain saws shall wear foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw.

6. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who works in an area where there is potential for head injury from falling objects or flying objects wears a hard hat that meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

7. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

8. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, hearing protection where there is a potential for hearing loss due to high intensity noise e.g., chain saw operation.

CAMPING PROVISIONS FOR LABOR INTENSIVE CONTRACTS

The following provisions apply to all camping on National Forest lands during performance of this contract:

1. These provisions are in addition to those contained in, or provided for, in the clause titled “Use of Premises”, in this contract.

2. Every structure used as shelter shall provide protection from the elements. Where heat adequate for weather conditions is not provided, other arrangements should be made to protect workers from the cold. Firewood may be cut only after obtaining a District Firewood Permit.

3. The campsite will not encroach beyond the boundaries designated by the Forest Service. The campsite shall be located so as to minimize impacts on streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. No camping shall be permitted within developed recreation sites or along primary recreation roads.

4. The campsite shall have a clean appearance at all times.

5. Upon abandonment of any campsite, or termination, revocation, or cancellation of camping privileges, the contractor shall remove, within 10 calendar days, all structures and improvements except those owned by the United States, and shall restore the site, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing or in the camping permit. If the contractor fails to remove all structures or improvements within the 10 calendar days, they shall become the property of the United States, but that will not relieve the contractor of liability for the cost of their removal and restoration of the site.

6. Unless otherwise designated by the Contracting Officer, the use of this area is not exclusive, and may be granted to other Permittees, contractors, or recreating public. Disorderly conduct is not permitted.

7. Damaging or removing any natural feature or other property of the Forest Service is prohibited.

8. Servicing of equipment in the campsite is not permitted, unless the campsite is within the project area.

9. Sanitary facilities shall be provided for storing food. Ice chests or coolers, with ice supply made from potable water and replenished as necessary, shall be provided and sufficient for the storage of perishable food items.

10. An adequate and convenient potable water supply shall be provided in each camp for drinking and cooking purposes.

11. Toilet facilities adequate for the capacity of the camp shall be provided and supplied with adequate toilet paper. Such facilities shall be serviced and maintained in a sanitary condition.

12. Garbage shall be collected, stored, and disposed of in such a manner as to prevent scattering by the wind, minimize attraction of flies, and discourage access by rodents.

13. Basic first aid supplies shall be maintained, available and under the charge of a person trained to administer first aid. The supplies shall include:

a. Gauze pads (at least 4x4 inches)

b. Two large gauze pads (at least 8x10 inches)

c. Box adhesive bandages (band-aids)

d. One package of gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide

e. Two triangular bandages

f. Scissors

g. At least one blanket

h. Tweezers

i. Adhesive tape

j. Latex gloves

k. Resuscitation device such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask

14. Any washing of laundry shall be done in such a way as to provide for washing and rinsing without polluting lakes, streams, or other flowing water.

15. Waste water must be disposed of away from living and eating areas and in a fashion that minimizes pollution to lakes, streams, and other flowing water.

16. The contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress forest fires. No material shall be disposed of by burning in open fires during the closed season established by law or regulation without the written permission from the Forest Service.

17. The contractor shall comply with the following fire regulations during fire season:

a. A shovel, axe or pulaski, 10 quart pail which is full of water for immediate use and a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating of at least 1:A 10:BC is required during the fire season.

b. All fire rings or outside fireplaces will be approved by the Forest Service representative. The area will be cleared down to mineral soil for a distance of 1 foot outside of the ring or fireplace and it will not have any overhanging material. Fire rings will be dismantled and material disposed prior to leaving the site.

c. All generators and other internal combustion engines will be equipped with USFS approved spark arrestors and/or factory designed muffler and exhaust system in good working order. They will be located in a cleared area with the same requirements as in (b).

d. All fuel will be stored in UL approved flammable storage containers and be located at least 50 feet from any open flame or other source of ignition.

18. Any violation of these conditions constitutes a breach of contract, and may result in revocation of camping approval.

19. The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate a camping permit at any time.

FSAR 4G52.222-701 Employment of Eligible Workers (DEC 1999) Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1324a) makes it unlawful for an employer to hire undocumented workers. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has established the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form, as the document to be used for employment eligibility verification (see 8 CFR 274a).

The Contractor is required to (1) have all employees complete and sign the I-9 Form to certify that they are eligible for employment; (2) examine documents presented by the employee and ensure the documents appear to be genuine and related to the individual; (3) record information about the documents on the form, and complete the certification portion of the form; (4) retain the form for three years, or one year past the end of employment of the individual, whichever is longer.

It is illegal to discriminate against any individual (other than a citizen of another country who is not authorized to work in the United States) in hiring, discharging, or recruiting because of that individual's national origin or citizenship status.

Compliance with Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) is a material condition of the contract. If the Contractor employs unauthorized workers during contract performance in violation of Section 274A, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

For further information on the requirements of the Act, Contractors should contact the Employer and Labor Relations Officer of their local INS office.

FSAR 4G52.222-702 Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers (DEC 1999)

(a) General. This contract is subject to the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act (MSPA) (29 U.S.C 1801-1872) and to Department of Labor regulations implementing MSPA (see 29 CFR 500). The purpose of MSPA is to eliminate activities that are detrimental to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, to require registration of farm labor Contractors, and to assure necessary protections for the workers. In addition to traditional farm labor activities, the Act applies to predominately manual forestry work including, but not limited to, tree planting, release, precommercial thinning, and site preparation and wildland fire fighting.

(b) Definitions.

"Migrant Agricultural Worker" and "Seasonal Agricultural Worker", as used in this clause, mean individuals employed in agricultural (including forestry) work on a seasonal or temporary basis. A worker who moves from one seasonal activity to another is employed on a seasonal basis even though the worker may continue to be employed during a major portion of the year. Migrant workers are required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Seasonal workers are not required to be absent overnight from their permanent place of residence. Members of the Contractor's immediate family are not considered to be either migrant or seasonal workers. "Immediate family" includes only (1) spouse; (2) children, stepchildren, or foster children; (3) parents, stepparents, or foster parents; and (4) brothers and sisters.

"Farm Labor Contractor", as used in this clause, means an individual who, for any money or other valuable consideration, paid or promised to be paid, performs any recruiting, soliciting, hiring, employing, furnishing, or transporting of any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.

(e) For further information on the requirements of the Act, Contractors should contact their local Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.

Worker Housing Supplement to 4G52.222-702 (d) (4) Add the following to the clause at H.8.2, subparagraph (4) Housing:

(iii) If the Contractor is not furnishing worker housing:

Workers on this contract may obtain housing only in a residential accommodation, including a commercial establishment such as a hotel or motel, which meets all applicable state and federal standards for employee housing.

Within 10 days after award, and prior to the issuance of Notice to Proceed, the Contractor must notify the Contracting Officer of the planned worker housing site.

If the housing site is located on a National Forest, the Contractor must obtain a permit from the District Ranger for the District on which the housing site is located and the facilities established for the workers must meet the applicable U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) MSPA standards for such sites.

If the housing site is not located on a National Forest, the site must meet the applicable housing standards in MSPA.

Compliance with MSPA is a material condition of the contract. If the Contractor fails to provide a valid MSPA number in accordance with this clause, or falsely states that it is exempt from the MSPA, the Government may terminate the contract, If an exemption from the permit requirement is claimed, the Contractor must provide a written statement identifying the law authorizing the exemption, stating the facts constituting an exemption under that law, and identifying a USDOL employee or official who stated or concurred that the accommodations were exempt, citing name, date, and means of communication.

If the housing site is changed after approval by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor must provide a new Permit or exemption statement. The above requirements are material conditions of this contract. If the Contractor fails to comply, the Government may terminate the contract. In addition, other remedies or penalties prescribed by law may apply Field Sanitation In accordance with US Department of Labor Fact Sheet No. ESA 97-28 “Field Sanitation Standards” (Ref. 29CFR 1928.110), employers must provide:

· Potable drinking water, suitably cool and in sufficient amounts, dispensed in single-use cups or by fountains, located so as to be readily accessible to employees.

· Facilities maintained in accordance with public health sanitation practices include upkeep of water quality through daily change or more often if necessary.

· Notification to each employee of the location of the water and allowance of reasonable opportunities during the workday to use them. The employer also must inform the employee of the relevant health hazards in the field and the practices necessary to minimize them.

Employees cannot be made to bear the costs incurred by the employer for providing required facilities.

FSAR 4G52.222-703 Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Registration (DEC 1999) The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) (29 U.S.C. 1801-1872) and implementing regulations issued by the Department of Labor (29 CFR 500), require any employer who hires or anticipates hiring employees subject to MSPA to obtain an MSPA registration number.

If the Contractor employs or anticipates hiring employees subject to MSPA, the Contractor shall provide a valid U.S. Department of Labor MSPA Registration Number to the Contracting Officer within 10 days after notification of award of the contract.

The Government may demand that the Contractor display MSPA registration at any time during contract performance if it appears that the Contractor is employing workers subject to MSPA. On demand, the Contractor shall display its MSPA registration or state why it is exempt from MSPA.

Compliance with MSPA is a material condition of the Contractor. If the Contractor fails to provide a valid MSPA number in accordance with this clause, or falsely states that it is exempt from the MSPA, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

SECTION J--LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION L-- INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

Proposal Instructions The Government must receive your proposal no later than the time and date specified in the request for proposal or subsequent amendment(s). To ensure timely and equitable evaluation of the proposal, the offeror must follow these instructions. Offerors must meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions and technical requirements. Failure to follow these instructions may result in an offeror being ineligible for award.

The proposal shall include one original signed business proposal, one original signed technical proposal, and an additional copy of the technical proposal. The technical proposal must not contain reference to cost. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently from evaluation of the other. The technical approach should be in as much detail as the offeror considers necessary to fully explain the proposed technical approach method.

The business proposal shall include the completed SF 18 cover page (block 13 A thru F, block 14, 15 and 16 A thru C) and a completed Schedule of Items Section B (2 pages).

Facsimile Proposals will NOT be accepted. Email submission of proposals is acceptable as long as all required information is submitted, including required signatures.

SITE VISIT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. An organized pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for:

Tuesday 02 August 2011 @ 10:00AM MT (LOCAL TIME)_____

Participants will meet at the Site.

From Grand Junction, access HWY. 6/50 proceeding east toward Delta, Colorado. Approximately 1/2 mile southeast of Whitewater, turn right onto State HWY. 141. Proceed aproximately 35 miles to the intersectoin of HWY. 141 and 6.3 Road (marked with a green street sign). Turn left off of HWY. 141 and proceed across the bridge on 6.3 RD. Continue up 6.3 Road for approximately 5.5 miles until the Forest boundary is reached and 6.3 RD becomes FS405. Proceed approximately 1.3 miles to the intersection with FS 405.2A. Travel approximately .75 miles to 405.2B to Trail 2608. This trail is barricaded. The barricade will be removed for project implementation. The three units making up the project are to the southwest of 608 and are flagged.

No site visit or conference opportunities will be provided by the Government outside of the scheduled meeting shown above.

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

EVALUATION FACTORS

Technical proposals will be evaluated and rated by a Technical Evaluation Board who may have access to the business proposals. Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with the technical proposal preparation instructions as shown in Section L of this Request for Quotation. At a minimum, the technical proposal must provide adequate information on each of the evaluation factors described below which clearly demonstrates ability to perform the required work satisfactorily. Technical factors, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price. The following factors will be used in the technical evaluation process.

TECHNICAL CRITERIA. The technical proposals will be evaluated and ranked according to the following criteria. The contractor is responsible to submit documentation and records of successful completion of past performances of similar projects within the past three years along with his bid package. In addition the contractor shall provide a list of personnel qualifications, an outline detailing how they plan to accomplish the project (Performance Plan) along with a schedule for finishing the work within the contract time.

A. Past Performance The offeror shall provide specific information of recent relevant, similar effort contracts that support past and present performance. Furnish a list of three (3) projects of similar magnitude within the last three (3) years. Firms lacking past performance will not be rated favorable or unfavorable in this area, but instead will receive a neutral rating. For each relevant contract or reference, the offeror is to provide:

Agency/company and contact point (name, telephone number, address or email)

Provide a description of the project, relevancy to the current project (past projects with a substantial hand thinning component), and schedule compliance. For those contracts with less than positive performance, provide a description of the problems and the efforts made to correct and prevent future occurrences.

When assessing your past performance we may contact other sources of information, including, but not limited to Federal, State, local government agencies, better business bureaus, published media, and electronic data bases.

(i) Quality of Work: Demonstrated ability to perform services in accordance with contract specifications. Conformance to good standards of workmanship.

(ii) Customer Satisfaction: Satisfaction of end users with the contractor's completed products and services.

(iii) Timeliness of performance: compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction, no assessment of liquidated damages.

(iv) Business relations: Effective management, ability to manage projects involving subcontracts, working relationship with the contracting officer and technical representatives, reasonable/cooperative behavior, flexibility, effective contractor recommended solutions, businesslike concern for government's interests.

(v) Cost control: Ability to complete contracts within budget (at or below); reasonableness of price change proposals submitted; providing current, accurate, and complete billings.

Firms lacking a past performance record (e.g., new firms or those with no relevant experience within their organization) will be treated as an unknown performance risk, receiving a neutral score in this criteria. A neutral score will be established as the average of all other competing offerors, or the average of the total score available, whichever is less.

B. Technical Approach:

The offeror shall provide an approach to performing the required services, to include manpower list of personnel qualifications, and equipment. Provide plan outline detailing how they plan to accomplish the project (Performance Plan) along with a schedule for finishing the work within the contract time to include the following:

Organization Understanding of project and Performance Plan General plan and operating schedule Personnel

COST/PRICE EVALUATION CRITERION. This criterion will consider (1) price reasonableness, and (2) help determine the offerors understanding of the work. Cost/price is equal in weight to technical evaluation criteria; however, the importance of cost/price may become greater as the differences between technical proposals decreases. Where technical proposals are determined to be substantially equal, any cost/price advantage to the Government may control award.

AWARD DETERMINATION

Award will be made to that offeror whose quote is technically acceptable and whose technical/cost relationship is the most advantageous to the government. Technical factors, when combined are approximately equal to cost or price. Award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. The Government reserves the right to make cost/technical tradeoffs that are in the best interest and advantageous to the Government.

Award may be made without further discussions. Offers should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint that an offeror can submit to the Government. The Government may, after evaluation of proposals, conduct further oral or written discussion as appropriate, with the offerors whose proposals are within a competitive range.

The Government may incorporate the successful offeror’s technical proposal, or parts of it, into the awarded task order.