hardscrabble task order.pdf

Hardscrabble Task Order 1

WORK ACTIVITY ITEMS – TERMS AND SPECIFICATIONS

1. Scope of Work

This task order for the solicitation describes the contract requirement and specifications for services for a performance based, fixed price contract for hazard tree and hazardous fuel reduction, treatment of biomass, slash treatments in the contract units within the WRNF IDIQ Haztree and Fuels – HT7 Hardscrabble Stewardship project. This contract requires vegetation manipulation and road maintenance in compliance with its terms, specifications and provisions. The contractor shall provide any and all labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, equipment, services, permits, insurance, licenses and incidentals required to fell, limb, skid/yard, deck, load, haul and remove from FS land designated timber and hazardous fuels on approximately 197 acres of National Forest System Lands within the contract area on the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest. Contractor is also required to perform hazardous fuel reduction and slash treatments.

Complete all work by December 31, 2012.

The services in this contract are designed to:

1) Improve public and firefighter safety by:

a) Reducing the risk of people or property being struck by falling trees; and

b) Keeping travel corridors open

2) Minimize the effects of tree mortality on the overall health, scenic quality, and condition of forested areas along roads and trails

The timber harvest and removal requirements of this contract are outlined here, in the solicitation, and in Appendix A of this solicitation. Specifications and requirements for road maintenance are outlined in Appendix B. Cruise volume summary is outlined in Appendix C.

2. Project Location and Description

a) Project Location – This project is located on the White River National Forests approximately 6 miles south of Eagle, Colorado.

b) Legal Location - Treatment units are located within portions of Sections 8, 17, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27 and 35, T6S, R84W, 6th Principal Meridian, Eagle County, Colorado.

c) Access Directions - To access the project area take Brush Creek Rd. from the Town of Eagle. Drive southeast of Eagle on Brush Creek Rd. for approximately 4.5 miles and turn right on FSR413.1 (Hardscrabble Rd). Continue on FSR 413.1 for approximately 11-miles until you reach Unit 5.

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d) See Attachments for Maps of project area.

Project Description – The project, as described, includes performing hazardous fuels and slash treatments. This includes felling, yarding/skidding, bucking, arranging dead down and slashing of material and/or removal of such material to meet land management objectives. The following table shows the estimated quantities and units of work.

Unit # Est.

Miles

Est.

Acres

5 .99 29 6 .99 29 7 1.0 29 8 .98 29 9 .91 27 10 1.0 29 11 .85 25

Total 6.72 197

e) Accessibility – All work areas may be reached by Forest or County roads that are accessible by standard two-wheel drive pickup during normal operating season.

Contractor shall be required to keep vehicles on established roads. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Spring and fall road conditions may necessitate the use of a 4-wheel drive vehicle. During the Spring break up the Forest Service reserves the right to suspend harvest operations to protect forest road surfaces.

All treatment units are located behind a Foreset Service gate that is closed seasonally. The contractor will be allowed to add their own lock to the gate to allow access. The contractor shall be responsible for keeping the gate locked during times of seasonal closure.

f) Restrictions – Timber Removal Specifications will apply. Other project specific restrictions may be included in the solicitation and in Appendix A and Appendix B.

a. For hazard trees within 100 feet of streams, wetlands or riparian areas, directionally fell by hand toward the stream where practical, except within 200 feet upstream of culvert or bridge. Within 200 feet upstream of culvert or bridge, hand fell hazard trees away from streams, wetlands or riparian areas. Mechanized felling equipment may be used within the 100 foot stream, wetland or riparian buffer if road is within this buffer and equipment does not leave the roadbed.

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b. For hazard trees within 100 feet of streams, wetlands or riparian areas, trees removed shall have at least one-end (partial) suspension.

c. Ground based logging equipment is not permitted within 100 feet of streams, wetlands or riparian areas unless the equipment is positioned on the roadbed within the felling corridor.

d. Skidding along or across roadside drainage ditches shall not be allowed, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

e. Roads shall be maintained for through traffic during felling, slash treatment and/or removal operations. Traffic delays during operations may not exceed one half (1/2) hour.

f. Roads shall be left in an operational condition that will adequately accommodate traffic at the end of each work day. All felled trees and slash shall be removed from the road surface and ditches.

g. To minimize conflicts with recreational traffic and to provide for public safety on weekends: tree felling, skidding, yarding, slash treatment and log/biomass hauling will be restricted on weekends, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

h. To minimize conflicts with recreational traffic and to provide for public safety on Federal recognized holidays; tree felling, skidding, yarding, slash treatment and log/biomass hauling will be restricted on Federally observed holidays, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

i. To minimize conflicts with recreation traffic prior to each big game rifle season; tree felling, skidding, yarding, slash treatment and log/biomass hauling will be restricted one day prior to each big game rifle season,

j. To minimize disturbance with elk and deer on winter range, log hauling will be restricted December 1 – April 14, unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

g) Boundaries –Beginning and end points of cutting unit boundaries are marked with a combination of orange paint and yellow cutting unit signs. Orange Streaks of paint on three sides of the cutting unit boundary trees. The middle streak of paint faces the area to be cut. The outside streaks of paint extend below stump height to a height of six feet or more. Boundary trees are marked at the beginning and end of each cutting unit. Cutting unit boundaries between beginning and end of cutting unit are not marked with orange paint and described as 120 feet either side from the edge of the road. Yellow cutting unit boundary signs are placed on boundary trees at the

Hardscrabble Task Order 4 beginning and end of each cutting unit. Cutting unit numbers are on yellow signs.

The contract area boundary is not marked and described as 200 feet either side of the road as measured from the centerline of the road. The contract are encompasses approximately 325 acres.

3. Contractor-furnished Equipment and Services

a) The Contractor shall provide sufficiently skilled labor, experienced supervision, transportation, equipment, operating supplies, incidentals and inspection services, except those items listed as Government-Furnished property, to perform the work in compliance with the contract.

b) The Contractor shall notify the CO/COR of any changes in work schedule.

4. Definitions

a) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) – The maximum percentage or proportion of nonconformities in a lot or batch that can be considered satisfactory as a process average.

b) Average Spacing – The distance in feet between leave trees as defined in the thinning specifications.

c) Accessible - Road access to a unit. Unit will be considered accessible when road access is within 1/2 mile of the unit.

d) Basal Area – The cross section of a tree at dbh, measured as square feet per acre, a measure of stand density.

e) Biomass – Any portion of a tree (trunks, branches and tops) not meeting merchantability specifications for sawtimber and POL including 1.) topwood from POL and sawtimber; 2.) any residue material from cut trees; 3.) any trees removed less than the minimim diameter for POL products, 4.) any material removed in the form of chips or mulch.

f) Biomass Material (Included in Division A) - Sawlog and POL topwood to 3.0” DIB for all species and defect portions of each product to a 3.0” top.

g) Biomass Material (Subject to Agreement) - Any portion of a tree (trunks, branches and tops), non-merchanteable trees, dead down logs or trees; where the anticipated product is wood chip fuel or mulch. This material includes non-sawlog quality products.

h) Bucking – The cutting of tree boles to a designated length. Bucking requires saw to pass completely through the tree bole.

i) Canopy Cover – The percentage of a fixed area covered by crowns of plants delimited by a vertical projection of the outermost perimeter of the spread of foliage.

j) CCF – hundred cubic feet

k) Chipping – The reduction of woody residue by a portable chipper to chips that are left to decay on the forest floor, or removed to produce pulp, hog fuel, etc

l) Cone Laden Top, Cone Laden Limb – tops or limbs of lodgepole pine trees with at least 100 serotinous cones present.

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m) Conifer – A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales, usually evergreen, (e.g.

pines, fires, spruces, junipers).

n) Contracting Officer (CO) – A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Contracting Officer.

o) Contracting Officer Representative (COR) – A Government employee appointed by the Contracting Officer (CO) to help the CO with the contract administration and surveillance.

p) Contractor – Term used to represent the prime individual or organization that is awarded the contract, who is also responsible for the work and conduct of all partners, employees, equipment, and subcontractors assigned by the prime to perform on the contract.

q) Created Slash - Debris created from work under this contract including all cut trees and their tops, trunks, and branches.

r) Crown Ratio - the ratio of live crown length to total tree length.

s) Cultural and/or Threatened and endangered (T&E) Sites – Locations where special protection is required to preserve and protect cultural values and species of plants or animals listed on the T&E list.

t) Cut Trees – Trees designated for cutting. Cut trees include diseased, damaged, defective trees and undesirable species provided in the specifications.

u) Damage Trees and/or Defective Trees - Includes any defect of deformity of a trees resulting from such agents as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment;

and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, forks, and deep scars. Examples of excessive damage and unhealthy conifers:

a. Trees with crook, sweep, or snow bend (damaged). Crooks or bends in the main bole which are less than 9 feet from the ground and offset more than 45 degrees from the vertical axis.

b. Leaner Trees –Leaner trees are those where the main bole is offset more than 45 degrees from the vertical axis.

c. Damaged Trees –

i. Trees that have been severely scarred or cut through the cambium for ½ or greater the circumference of the tree.

ii. Trees with broken boles up to 9 feet high or more than two thirds of the live limbs are broken or missing.

iii. Trees that have been pushed over or are partially uprooted.

v) DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) – Outside diameter of the tree stem at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground, measured from the high side of the base of the tree.

w) Deck – An organized stack of trees or logs.

x) Decked Timber – designated trees or portions of trees accumulated from skidding and/or yarding operations which are stored in organized piles at landing locations prior to being loaded and hauled to a manufacturing facility.

y) Diameter Stump Height – Outside diameter of tree stem measured from the maximum stump height allowed in Division A. Generally 12” from ground level for sawlogs and 4” from ground level for Products other than Logs or Biomass.

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z) DIB (Diameter Inside Bark) - Diameter measurement of a standing tree or log in which the estimated or actual thickness of the bark is discounted.

aa) Erosion control – Activities designed to prevent/reduce the delivery of sediment to area streams as a result of road building and/or timber harvest. Activities typically include grass seeding and/or installation of structures to trap moving sediment.

bb) Excess Trees:

a. All uncut trees not needed to meet average spacing requirements and those trees defined as cull trees.

b. Trees suspended in or leaning into leave trees.

c. Trees not completely severed from the stump.

d. Trees not cut below the lowest live limb.

e. Stumps taller than specifications.

cc) Existing Down Wood – Woody material that is dead and lying on the forest floor, pre-existing to present management activity.

dd) Felling corridor - The felling corridor is defined as an area along the length of roads, trails, trailheads, developed recreation sites and administrative sites the width of “the height of the tallest tree plus an additional 10 percent for a safety margin, provided no trees fall on the roadway, ditch, and/or cut or fill slope.”

ee) Fuel Loading - Weight of hazardous fuels per unit area.

ff) Hand Felling – severing a tree at a designated height with a chainsaw or other hand held tool.

gg) Hand Pile – Hand placement of slash into compact piles not less than 300 cubic feet or approximately 10’W x 10’L x 7’H.

hh) Haul or Hauling - transporting all included timber or forest products from landing to final disposal point.

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

jj) Hazardous Fuels-All live and dead trees (including tops, limbs and branches), excess trees, existing down wood and damaged trees designated for removal.

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

ll) Hazard Tree - any tree that may fail due to a structural defect and, as a result, may cause property damage or personal injury. Tree failure is difficult to predict with certainty due to the complex interaction between a tree and its environment. Every tree will eventually fail; therefore, knowledge of tree species, site characteristics, and local weather conditions and patterns are essential when evaluating tree hazards. A defective tree is hazardous only when its failure could result in damage to something of value.

1) The following tree specific criteria will be used to determine hazardous trees:

a) Dead trees of any species.

b) Trees with significant defects

c) Canker rots

d) Root rots

e) Trunk Injuries (mechanical damage, stem decay, etc)

f) Crown defects (broken or damaged branches, forked tops, dead tops, etc)

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g) Exposed damaged roots in cut banks of roads/trails

h) Dying lodgepole pine trees

1. About 1/3+ dead limbs and branches

2. Foliage transparency 40% (thin crown, off-color, or dwarfed foliage)

3. Borer attacks obvious and abundant - the presence of insect activity, such as bark beetles or mountain pine beetles, may indicate that a tree has been weakened by other agents

mm) Landing – A cleared area to which logs are yarded or skidded for loading onto trucks for transport.

nn) Landing Pile – logging slash that is piled at the landing. See also Machine Pile for size limitations.

oo) Leave Tree – Any live tree that is selected or required to be left standing as provided in the specifications.

pp) Level of Difficulty – An evaluation of the site condition that requires varying amounts of time and effort to complete a task.

qq) Linear Foot-Twelve (12) inches.

rr) Limb and Top Removal – The moving, during yarding/skidding, of cut tree with tops to a designated location.

ss) Live Crown Ratio – Percent of live crown in relation to the total height of the tree.

tt) Load or Loading - process of transferring forest products decked at landings on log trucks or similar vehicles for transportation.

uu) Logging Slash – Any portion of a tree (tops, limbs, branches, cull) that does not meet merchantability specifications for sawtimber or POL and is not removed from the area after completion of a harvest operation.

vv) Lopping and Scattering – The cutting of branches from the tree bole and the moving and/or rearranging of slash to meet a specified slash height.

ww) Lop and Scatter Pull Back- the cutting of branches from the tree bole and placing them a minimum described distance from an area.

xx) Masticate – mechanical destruction of undesirable vegetation, which may include but is not limited to mowing, mulching, chipping, chewing, grinding, etc.

yy) Mechanized - Use of motorized equipment to perform logging operations.

zz) Machine Pile – A method of piling slash with the use of mechanized equipment. Piles shall be compact and free of dirt. Maximum size 45’L x 20’W x 15’H equaling approximately 7068 cubic feet.

aaa) Mastication (Masticate) - The mowing/mulching/chipping of undesirable vegetation. Slash created during mastication shall not exceed 6 inches diameter and 36 inches in length and shall be spread to a depth of no more than 6 inches in depth.

bbb) Merchantability Specifications - R2 Supplement 2409.12-2010-2, 02/17/10

Species Product (Live & Dead)

DBH

(inch)

DIB

(inch)

Min.

Piece (ft)

Merchantability Factor

Lodgepole pine (LP) Sawtimber 7.0 6.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

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(Live & Dead)

DBH

(inch)

DIB

(inch)

Min.

Piece (ft)

Merchantability Factor

Engelmann spruce (ES) Sawtimber 8.0 6.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

Blue Spruce (BS) Sawtimber 8.0 6.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

Douglas Fir (DF) Sawtimber 8.0 6.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

Sub-alpine fir (TF) Sawtimber 8.0 6.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

Aspen (AS) Sawtimber 5.0 5.0 8.0 10.67 or 34% sound

LP POL 5.0 4.0 N/A N/A

ES,BS,DF,TF POL 5.0 4.0 N/A N/A

All Biomass VAR VAR VAR N/A ccc) Non-saw timber – Trees to be cut that are less than 7.0” DBH.

ddd) Normal Operating Season– Generally, ground conditions are favorable for logging operations June 20-October 31, annually. This time period may be extended or shortened based on local ground conditions. See also Operating Season.

eee) Operating Season– Time period when logging operations may be conducted when ground conditions are suitable to protect soil/hydrology, watershed, recreation and wildlife resources. Restrictions pertaining to logging operations are provided for in Design Criteria associated with soils, watershed, recreation and wildlife resources.

fff) Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) – Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

ggg) Products Other than Logs (POL) – Trees to be cut that are greater than or equal to 5.0” DBH and less than 6.9” DBH.

hhh) Removal – Transportation of cut whole trees, boles, slash, and/or equipment on designated haul roads from landings within the contract area to be completely off of the National Forest, usually within a specified time frame.

iii) Reserve Trees – Individual species of trees within a treatment unit that the contract or COR designates are reserved from treatment.

jjj) Roadside – A general term denoting the area adjoining the outer edge of the roadway.

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

lll) Shrubland – A plant community in which, in contrast to a typical forest, the trees are often small, characteristically short-boled relative to their crown depth, and forming only an open canopy with the intervening area being occupied by lower vegetation, commonly grass.

Hardscrabble Task Order 9 mmm) Skidding – The yarding of trees or logs by pulling or towing them across the ground.

nnn) Slash – See logging slash.

ooo) Slash Removal- All created slash to be removed from contract area.

ppp) Slashing – Reducing the height and continuity of hazardous fuels to meet a specified slash objective.

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

rrr) Sorting – arrange timber or logs according to forest product characteristics sss) Spacing – The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree.

ttt) Special Protection Area - A zone that has special characteristics such as riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel, or fueling of saws.

uuu) Stream Course - The area along a stream that has riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel, or fueling of saws.

vvv) Stump – The lower end of a tree remaining in the ground after the tree has been cut.

www) Stump Height – The acceptable maximum stump level left above ground, measured from the uphill side, after a tree is felled.

xxx) Sub-merchantable – Trees or portions of trees that do not meet merchantability specifications for sawtimber or POL. This includes trees less than 5.0” DBH, topwood and defect (cull) associated with designated timber.

yyy) Surplus Vegetation/Slash – Surplus vegetation includes standing vegetation (conifers and hardwoods) greater than 1 foot tall and shrubs less than 12 inches diameter at ground level; when not selected as leave trees, reserved, or needed to meet spacing requirements. Standing dead conifers, hardwoods, and shrubs shall be included as surplus when not reserved. Surplus vegetation becomes slash when it is cut. Slash can include any existing natural (dead and down) woody debris.

zzz) Temporary Roads – Roads other than Specified Roads that are constructed by the Contractor for the purpose of transporting harvested timber out of the units.

aaaa) Tons/Acre - Unit of measurement of fuel, usually but not always, of dead and down woody debris (slash). Tons/Acre is generally determined by using a Photo Series, such as USDA Forest Service RMRS GTR-172 (2006). These documents are available for review by the contractor by contacting the issuing office.

bbbb) Total Percent Cover – Portion of the project area or treatment unit beneath the dripline of vegetation to be cut, Does not include reserve vegetation.

cccc) Tree Designation – the method of identifying which trees are specified to be cut or left under the contract.

dddd) Water Bar – A drainage structure constructed across the surface of a road, skid trail, or constructed fireline to divert water from the surface. The purpose is not to block vehicular passage.

eeee) Water Influence Zone (WIZ) - The land next to water bodies where vegetation plays a major role in sustaining long-term integrity of aquatic systems. It includes the

Hardscrabble Task Order 10 geomorphic floodplain (valley bottom), riparian ecosystem, and inner gorge. Its minimum horizontal width (from top of each bank) is generally 100 feet or the mean height of mature dominant late-seral vegetation, whichever is most.

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

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

hhhh) Wildlife Pile – trees and/or logs at least 8 feet long and 5 inches (small end diameter) arranged in a pile covering 200-250 square feet base, 6-12 feet in height that provide habitat for small mammals. No dirt or material less than 5 inches (small end diameter) shall be present in the pile.

iiii) Whole Tree Removal – remove Standard Timber (C1.1) and portions of Standard Timber that do not meet Utilization Standards in A Division for all designated trees 7.0 inch DBH and greater to a 3 inch top; and, all designated trees 5.0-6.9 inch DBH to a 3 inch top.

jjjj) Whole Tree Yarding - after severing tree from stump, the moving or skidding of the entire tree (bole, limbs, tops) to a landing location for removal.

kkkk) Woodland – A plant community in which, in contrast to a typical forest, the trees are often small, characteristically short-boled relative to their crown depth, and forming only an open canopy with the intervening area being occupied by lower vegetation, commonly grass.

llll) Yard tops attached – The moving, during yarding/skidding, of cut tree with tops to a designated location at the landing.

mmmm) Yarding - The movement of logs from the place they are felled to a landing.

Generally implemented using mechanical equipment.

5. Performance Standards

Hazard Tree Reduction, Slash Treatment and Hazardous Fuels Reduction.

Proposal may include use of manual or ground base equipment to accomplish task.

Proposal may opt for removal of additional biomass and/or sub-merchantable material in any or all cutting units. Ground based equipment shall not be permitted on slopes greater than 40 percent or within 100 feet of the streamcourses designated on the contract area map.

5.1 Task – Hazard Tree Removal, Slash Treatments and Hazardous Fuels Reduction:

Hazardous trees will be cut and felled in an organized manner within the felling corridor.

Slash will be treated in accordance with specifications in 5.1.3. It is anticipated that mechanized logging operation machinery could be used in portions of the cutting units along roads, but not along trails. The Forest Service will determine the width of the treatment by designation through marking or by description, to include all hazardous trees along roads that are the height of the tallest tree plus an additional 10 percent for a safety margin.

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5.1.1 Cutting Methods

a) Trees designated for cutting and removal through Individual Tree Mark (ITM)

Designation within the cutting unit are marked with a GREEN colored paint.

b) Protect seedlings and saplings.

c) Stump height of cut trees shall be no higher than 12 inches above ground level for sawtimber; and 4 inches above ground level for Products other than Logs.

d) Other trees that shall be left uncut are Marked with ORANGE paint.

e) No cut tree shall be left suspended in or leaning against a leave tree or tree outside the unit boundary.

f) Trees shall be limbed to a 3 inch DIB top and severed at that point.

5.1.2 Hazardous Fuels

Unless specified different on Unit Data Sheet, hazard tree removal refers disposal, removal and/or reduction of all live and dead hazard trees designated for cutting and damaged trees designated for removal.

Hazard Tree Removal Treatment type is specified in the Unit Data Sheet. Criteria listed below will be followed for the appropriate treatment. In addition, criteria listed in Performance Standard 5.1.3, (a.) thru (g.) will be followed for the appropriate hazard tree removal treatment as identified in the Unit Data Sheet.

a) Hazard Tree Felling – fell all designated hazard trees within cutting unit in accordance with 5.1.1 (a) through (f).

b) Whole Tree Removal – remove Standard Timber (C1.1), and portions of Standard Timber that do not meet Utilization Standards in Appendix A (Division A) for all trees designated for cutting to a 3 inch top. Trees shall be removed to a landing area designated by the Forest Service. Trees placed in decks for final transport shall be free of limbs and sorted into separate sawtimber and POL decks at the landing area.

c) Decked Timber Removal – remove Standard Timber (C1.1), and portions of Standard Timber that do not meet Utilization Standards in Appendix A, Division A for all trees which have been decked in 5.1.2 (b). Decks shall be removed prior to contract termination.

5.1.3 Slash Treatment and Hazardous Fuels Reduction

Unless specified different on Unit Data Sheet, slash treatment and hazardous fuel refers to contractor created debris from work under this contract including all cut trees and their tops, trunks, and branches.

Slash Treatment criteria listed in a) through d) will be followed for all treatment units.

Slash Treatment and Hazardous Fuels Reduction criteria listed in e) through g) are contractor slash treatment options for all treatment units.

a) No logging slash shall be allowed outside the contract boundary, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer.

b) Contractor shall remove all logging slash in the following areas:

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1,) Roads – All FSR roads identified on the Contract Area Map with “KO” (Keep Open) shall be kept free of slash.

2.) Trails designated on the Contract Removal Map with “PI” to be protected and all trees cut within 15 feet of “PI” trails shall have stumps no higher than 4” from ground level. Slash shall be less than 18” from ground level within 15 feet of trails.

3.) Utility Lines – within the untility corridor and 10 feet either side of the utility corridor.

4.) Land Survey Monuments – lop and scatter pullback within 15 feet. Machine piles shall be at least 25 feet from land survey monuments and bearing trees.

c) Lop and Scatter to 18” depth – All residual logging slash not removed in units and meeting the fuel loading objective, shall be lopped and scattered so that it lies no higher than 18 inches above the ground. Cut material shall not lean against an uncut tree, stump, log, or any obstacle. It shall be secure and not able to roll down the hill.

d) Landing Slash Piles- A landing is considered a place where any logs or products are gathered for loading. All slash accumulated at landings shall be piled at designated locations. Landing slash piles shall not exceed 45’L x 20’W x 15’H or approximately 7068 cubic feet.

e) Landing Slash - A landing is considered a place where any logs or products are gathered for loading. All slash accumulated at landings shall be removed, unless it is agreed in writing that slash can be thrown back or chipped into the treatment corridor while meeting the hazardous fuel loading objective.

f) Remove Slash - All slash between 1” and 6” in diameter and greater than 2 feet in length in excess of hazardous fuel loading objective shall be removed from National Forest System Lands.

g) Chipping Slash – All slash between 1” and 6” in diameter and greater than 2 feet in length in excess of hazardous fuel loading objective shall be chipped and scattered along treatment corridor. Chip depth may not exceed three inches above the ground surface.

5.1.4 IN-OPERABLE AREAS

In-operable areas within stands designated for treatment. The contractor shall identify on the ground with flagging all areas deemed to be in-operable for safe operations in service work activities. If the government agrees that the area is in-operable the contractor may: 1) Propose an alternate treatment that alleviates the safety concern; if the government agrees with the proposal the area will be treated as agreed and the contractor will receive full payment at the normal contract rate, or 2) Request that the area be removed from the contract, in which case the government will use GPS or tally the designated trees to measure the affected area and remove it from the contract. The contractor will receive no payment for in-operable areas that are removed from the contract. For payment purposes in-operable areas that are removed from the contract will be rounded to the nearest ¼ acre if based on an acreage estimate. If based on a mileage estimate, a total cost per tree will be calculated using the contractor price per mile divided by the estimated trees per mile. The cost per tree will be multiplied by the tally count of trees that were deleted from the in-operable areas. Payment will be rounded to the nearest dollar based on the per tree estimate.

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6. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

For all non-construction work activities other than hazardous fuels and slash treatments, inspection of the area may be accomplished by 100 percent visual inspection of the unit and will be based on adherence to the contract specifications. Full payment will be made if 100% of the area meets contract specifications for treatment. Disincentive is Contractor rework to meet the 100% objective.

Hazardous fuels and slash treatments may be accomplished by 100% visual inspection.

Full payment will be made if 100% of the area meets contract specifications for treatment. Disincentive is Contractor rework to meet the 100% objective or reduced payment if additional performance cannot correct the deficiency.

Notwithstanding the 2 paragraphs above, the Forest Service reserves the right to use any Quality Assurance methodologies that it chooses.

7. Acceptable Hazardous Fuels and Slash Treatment Criteria

Hazardous Fuels and Slash Treatment - The Contracting Office or Contracting Officer Representative will visually inspect the cutting units for completion of required hazardous fuels and slash treatment. A photo series guide will be used as a comparison standard for the visual inspection. The guide to be used is “Photo Series for Quantifying Forest Residues in Managed Lands of the Medicine Bow National Forest,” RMRS-GTR- 72, September 2006, Category 1, Photo Series 1A (p.2). Criteria for inspection of work are identified in Performance Standards 5.1.1, 5.1.2 and 5.1.3; and, in the Unit Data Sheet.

8. Performance Work Summary Table

Task Performance

Standard

Quality Assurance

Process

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Incentive/Disincentive

1. Felling, skidding, limbing, decking and product removal

All designated trees will meet contract specifications stated in the Performance Standards table.

Contractor records and reports and Government Periodic Inspection.

No more than 2 instances of noncompliance per acre.

Payment shall be made only for work properly accomplished. All nonconforming work shall be corrected.

Repeated failure to meet the AQL will result in lower performance rating.

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Task Performance

Standard

Quality Assurance

Process

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Incentive/Disincentive

2. Slash Treatment

Slash treated in accordance with contract specifications stated in the Performance Standards table.

Contractor records and reports and Government Periodic Inspection.

No more than 2 instances of noncompliance per acre

Payment shall be made only for work properly accomplished. All nonconforming work shall be corrected.

Repeated failure to meet the AQL will result in lower performance rating.

3. Prevention of Damage to Physical Improvements and Resources to Protect

Any damage to physical improvements is repaired to meet Government Standards.

Visual Inspection by Government

No instances of noncompliance for entire contract.

Work not meeting AQL shall be suspended;

Contractor may be terminated for repetitive failure to meet AQL.

Government may assess damages. Repeated failure to meet the AQL or to correct nonconforming work will result in lower performance rating.

4. Contractor Data, Reports, and Plans

Contractor Progress Schedule, Quality Control Plan, and Safety Plan are followed and Inspection Data is accurate.

Periodic Inspection or Evaluation by the Government

No more than 1 instance of noncompliance per unit.

Contractor’s performance will be rated at end of contract; repeated failure to meet the AQL or to correct nonconforming work will result in lower performance rating.

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9. Unit Data Sheet

HT7 Hardscrabble Task Order Unit

Schedule

Item Miles Cutting Prescription Slash Treatment

Prescription

6.72

See Performance Standard 5.1.1, (a)

– (f).

Approximately 2100 trees >7.0”

DBH.

Approximately 1073 trees<7.0”

DBH

Approximately 197 acres of treatment

See Performance Standard 5.1.2,

(a) Hazard Tree Felling, (b) Whole Tree Removal, (c) Decked Timber Removal.

Minimum product value bid rates apply for removal of forest products.

See Performance Standard 5.1.3, (a)-(d).

Performance Standard 5.1.3, (e) and/or (f,) and/or (g).

Hazardous Fuel Reduction Objective: Minimum 5 tons per acre, Maximum 20 tons per acre.

OPERATIONS

27. EROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted reasonably to minimize soil erosion. Equipment shall not be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result. The kinds and intensity of erosion control work done by 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.

If Contractor fails to do seasonal erosion control work prior to any seasonal period of precipitation or runoff, Forest Service may temporarily assume responsibility for the work and any unencumbered deposits hereunder may be used by Forest Service to do the work. If needed for such work, Contractor shall make additional deposits on request by Forest Service. Any money deposited or used for this purpose shall be treated as cooperative deposits.

Hardscrabble Task Order 16

A. Prior to periods of accelerated water runoff, especially during the spring runoff and periods of heavy rainfall, Contractor shall inspect and open culverts and drainage structures, construct special cross ditches for road runoff, and take other reasonable measures needed to prevent soil erosion and siltation of streams.

B. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Contractor shall keep erosion control work current with his operations under the sale and in any case not later than 15 days after completion of skidding on each payment unit or cutting unit.

C. Skidding with tractors within 100 feet of live streams, riparian areas, wetlands or fens shall not be permitted except in places designated in advance by Forest Service, and in no event shall skid roads be located in live or intermittent stream courses. Skid trails shall be located high enough out of draws, swales, and valley bottoms to permit diversion of runoff water to natural undisturbed forest ground cover.

D. Landing locations within 100 feet of live streams, riparian areas, wetlands or fens shall not be permitted, and in no event shall landings be located in live or intermittent stream courses. Landings shall be located high enough out of draws, swales, and valley bottoms to permit diversion of runoff water to natural undisturbed forest ground cover.

E. Contractor shall seed all exposed areas of raw soil as designated by the Forest Service on skid trails, landings, firebreaks, slides, slumps, temporary toads and traveled ways of Specified Roads. Seed mix shall be spread at a rate of 20 pounds per acre consisting of 25% Idaho Fescue, 20% Slender Wheatgrass, 20% Rocky Mountain Fescue, 20% Mountain Brome and 15% Western Wheatgrass. Seed shall be certified weed free and labels presented to COR for verification. Seeding shall be done between June 1 and September 1.

27a. EROSION CONTROL SEEDING Following completion of skidding and yarding operations in an area, Contractor shall seed and fertilize all exposed areas of raw soil as designated by the Forest Service on skid trails, landings, firebreaks, slides, slumps, Temporary Roads and traveled ways of Specified Road following closure.

Specified roads following closure needed to be seeded - None

Soil on areas to be seeded shall be left in a roughened condition favorable to the retention and germination of the seed. Scarification of traveled ways on Specified Roads listed above shall be to a minimum depth of N/A inches and a maximum depth of N/A inches

Seed and fertilizer shall be spread evenly at the rate of 20 pounds of seed and N/A pounds of fertilizer per acre.

When fertilizer and seed are applied in separate operations, the second operation shall be carried out within 72 hours of the first.

Hardscrabble Task Order 17

Seeding shall be done during the period June 1 to September 1 and under the above specified conditions unless otherwise approved.

The kinds and amounts of seed to be sown in terms of pure live seed (PLS) shall be:

Species of Seed PLS Pounds Per Acre Idaho Fescue 5.0 Slender Wheatgrass 4.0 Rocky Mountain Fescue 4.0 Mountain Brome 4.0 Western Wheatgrass 3.0

TOTAL 20

All seed purchased will be certified to be free of the noxious weed seeds from weeds listed on the current "All States Noxious Weeds List." Test results from a certified seed analyst and seed analysis labels attached to the bags will be provided to the Forest Service.

The following kinds and amounts of standard commercial fertilizer shall be used with guaranteed analysis of contents clearly marked on containers:

Type of Fertilizer Pounds Per Acre N/A N/A

27b. PROTECTION OF DISTURBED AREAS FROM ESTABLISHMENT OF

NOXIOUS WEEDS

Contractor shall seed and fertilize areas where mineral soil is exposed as designated by the Forest Service. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, seeding shall be done in the early spring or fall during weather and moisture conditions favorable for quick germination and growth of the plants. Seeding shall be completed in a timely manner following the last disturbance activity by the Contractor in the disturbed area.

The Certified seed analysis reports from each container shall be provided by Contractor to the Forest Service prior to application of the seed. Seed and fertilizer shall be spread evenly at the rate of 20 pounds of seed and N/A pounds of fertilizer per acre.

When fertilizer and seed are applied in separate operations, the second operation shall be carried out within 72 hours of the first operation.

When an adequate seedbed does not exist, Contractor shall scarify to get a 2 inch loose soil seedbed, prior to seeding.

The kinds and amounts of seed to be sown in terms of pure live seed (PLS) shall be:

Species of Seed PLS Pounds Per Acre

Hardscrabble Task Order 18

Idaho Fescue 5.0 Slender Wheatgrass 4.0 Rocky Mountain Fescue 4.0 Mountain Brome 4.0 Western Wheatgrass 3.0

TOTAL 20

All seed purchased will be certified to be free of the noxious weed seeds from weeds listed on the current "All States Noxious Weeds List." Test results from a certified seed analyst and seed analysis labels attached to the bags will be provided to the Forest Service.

The following kinds and amounts of standard commercial fertilizer shall be used with guaranteed analysis of contents clearly marked on containers:

Type of Fertilizer Pounds Per Acre N/A N/A

28. PROTECTION OF LAND SURVEY MONUMENTS

Forest Service shall appropriately designate on the ground all known survey monuments including but not limited to horizontal control stations (Triangulation Stations), vertical control stations (Bench Marks), property corner monuments, and all Public Land Survey System monuments. This shall include reference monuments, corner accessories such as bearing trees, line trees and line posts. Identifying signs shall be posted by Forest Service on two sides of each known bearing tree, and each line post shall be posted with a metal sign or decal. Line trees may be cut if designated by the Government.

In authorized clearings such as Clearcutting Units and road construction clearings, and in other instances where damage to survey monuments, corners, corner accessories and survey of property line markers is unavoidable, Forest Service shall arrange protective or perpetuative action which does not cause unnecessary delay to Contractor.

Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, bearing trees and line markers against avoidable destruction, obliteration or damage during Contractor's operations. Additional monuments or objects discovered on the area shall be promptly reported to the other party and shall also be protected. If any known monuments, corners, corner accessories, and survey or property line markers are destroyed, obliterated or damaged during Contractor's operations, Contractor shall employ a registered professional land surveyor to reestablish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, corner accessories or line markers. Such surveyors shall use procedures and monumentation that accords with the Bureau of Land Management Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the

Hardscrabble Task Order 19

United States for General Land Office surveys and any applicable State statutes concerned with land surveys. Contractor's agent shall record such surveys in accordance with state survey statutes.

28a. PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS So far as practicable, Contractor shall protect Specified Roads and other improvements such as roads, trails, telephone lines, ditches, and fences:

(a) Existing in the operating area,

(b) Determined to have a continuing need or use, and

(c) Designated on Contract Area Map.

Contractor shall keep roads and trails needed for fire protection or other purposes and designated on Contract Area Map reasonably free of equipment and products, slash, and debris resulting from Contractor’s Operations. Contractor shall make timely restoration of any such improvements damaged by Contractor’s Operations and, when necessary because of such operations, shall move such improvements.

29. PROTECTION OF RESIDUAL TREES

Contractor's Operations shall not unnecessarily damage young growth or other residual trees.

Residual trees are defined as POL and Sawtimber size trees.

29a. RESERVE TREES Notwithstanding the designations for cutting under C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, or C.3.4, live or dead Wildlife reserve trees or groups of reserve trees within such cutting units or clearings shall be left uncut. Reserve trees are identified by ORANGE PAINT at eye level and at the Stump and shall be protected. Units with reserve trees are shown on Contract Area Map.

29b. PROTECTION OF RESERVE TREES.

Contractor’s damage or destruction of reserve trees described in 29a. will cause serious and substantial silvicultural or other damage to the National Forest. It will be difficult if not impossible to determine the amount of such damage. Therefore, Contractor shall pay as fixed, agreed, and liquidated damages $50 for each WILDLIFE_ reserve tree and $_N/A_ for each __N/A_ reserve tree damaged or destroyed by Contractor's Operations. Damage, as used herein, includes any injury to the living crown, bole, or roots of reserve trees. If areas are marked on the ground around such reserve trees, operation of heavy equipment or skidding of products within the area shall be considered to be damage to the tree.

29.1a UNIT BOUNDARIES. (11/06) The boundaries of cutting units are designated as shown in the following table. The trees used for boundary designation are not to be cut.

Cutting Unit Boundary Designation Table

Cutting

Unit Paint Color

Designation

ALL ORANGE Beginning and end points of cutting unit boundaries are marked with a

Hardscrabble Task Order 20 combination of orange paint and yellow cutting unit signs. Orange Streaks of paint on three sides of the cutting unit boundary trees. The middle streak of paint faces the area to be cut. The outside streaks of paint extend below stump height to a height of six feet or more.

Boundary trees are marked at the beginning and end of each cutting unit.

Cutting unit boundaries between beginning and end of cutting unit are not marked with orange paint and described as 120 feet either side from the edge of the road. Yellow cutting unit boundary signs are placed on boundary trees at the beginning and end of each cutting unit. Cutting unit numbers are on yellow signs.

29.2 DESIGNATIONS

29.2a - C.3 Timber Designations. Timber designated for cutting shall be confined to Contract Area, except as otherwise provided. Contract Area Map indicates subdivisions, if any, where Marking is to be done after advertisement, minor changes and damaged timber. The boundaries of cutting units were plainly marked on ground before advertisement and are shown on Contract Area Map.

29.2b - C.3.2.2 Other Authorized Clearings. Timber within authorized clearings for Temporary Roads, landings, or other construction clearings is designated for cutting. Quantities of such timber are not included in Division A.

29.2c - C.3.5 Individual Trees. All trees to be cut, other than in the units described in C.3.1, C.3.2, C.3.3, and C.3.4, are Marked or designated by description. Trees are “Marked” when individually designated by Forest Service with paint marks above and below stump height.

Contract Area Map indicates areas plainly identified on the ground where leave trees are Marked to be left uncut.

Specific information for this clause will be provided at the task order level, if applicable.

29.2d - C.3.7 Minor Changes. Within Contract Area, minor adjustments may be made in boundaries of cutting units or in the timber individually marked for cutting when acceptable to Contractor and Forest Service.

29.2e - C.4 Volume Estimate. The estimated volumes of timber by species designated for cutting and expected to be cut under Utilization Standards are listed in Appendix A - Division A and are not to be construed as guarantees or limitations of the timber volumes to be designated for cutting under the terms of this contract.

35. STREAMCOURSE PROTECTION

Hardscrabble Task Order 21

“Streamcourses” that are subject to provisions of this Section are shown on Contract Area Map.

Unless otherwise agreed, the following measures shall be observed to protect Streamcourses:

(a) Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted to prevent debris from entering Streamcourses, except as may be authorized under paragraph (d).