amend_2_pre-bid_tour_notes.doc

Amendment Two

AG-84N8-S-09-0127

USDA-Forest Service Idaho Montana Acquisition Zone

3835 Schreiber Way

Couer d’Alene, ID 83815 Same as block 6

FORMCHECKBOX

AG-84N8-S-09-0127 buckeye

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

08-10-2009

FORMCHECKBOX

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FORMCHECKBOX

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers FORMCHECKBOX is extended, FORMCHECKBOX is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

FORMCHECKBOX

FORMCHECKBOX

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

FORMCHECKBOX

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

FORMCHECKBOX

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor FORMCHECKBOX is not, FORMCHECKBOX is required to sign this document and return 1 copy to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

Pre-bid tour notes for the Buckeye Hazard Fuels Thin Stewardship held on August 27, 2009.

The closing date for this announcment is NOT extended.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Buckeye Hazard Fuels Thinning

Field Trip 08/27/2009

Stephen Cote – Presale Technician

Forest Service person’s on site: Stephen Cote - Presale Technician, Jim Williams – COR/sale administrator, Greg Montgomery – Silviculturist

Contractors: Bill Blind – Northwest Trees, Andy Glines – Tiger Trees INC, Dennis Lierd Const., Jose Aroca - Desert Spirit

At the office I informed the contractors that the campground within the Buckeye project area would have a contract running next year to improve the campground. It’s a 1 year contract under the stimulus program. Suggested that the contractor work on the units within the campground areas first if possible.

Traveled from office to Old LaSal and than to the Buckeye project on forest road 50208, informed contractors that road 50208 can be used as an alternative haul route.

Reviewed the timber harvest specifications, paint color, stump heights, minimum diameters.

Reviewed the Schedule of Items: Slash piling along main roads and camp grounds for approximately 200 feet; Pre-commercial, weeding, pruning only in units 2, 3, 4, and 6; Fuel re-arrangement, lopping and slash pull back same acres as the thinning; Raking is all units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Discussed about cutting the conifers out of the aspen clones, and thinning other species including juniper, oak brush.

Showed the contractors the campgrounds and discussed the requirement to line pull the trees that are some time in the water due to the high water. Talked about the 50 foot buffer around the reservoir that requires the trees to be removed by cable.

Q. What is the raking requirement?

A. Needles and twigs under yellow barked trees and marked wildlife trees to be raked under the canopy to the drip line. The needles are not to be removed but only disturbed to break up the compaction of the needle bed. Should also pull the needles away from the base of the tree.

Q. How far is it required to pre-commercial thin around Yellow bark Ponderosa pine?

A. It is required to clear all trees under 8 inches in diameter for 40 feet around the bole of yellow bark trees.

Q. What is considered an aspen clone?

A. Approximately three aspen in a group would be considered an aspen clone.

Q. Can we get a copy of the cruise print out?

A. Yes I can E-mail a copy to you?

Q. How much snow is normal for this area?

A. Approximately 2 to 4 feet of snow, you normally can still drive up until late November.

Q. Can I work outside of the operating season?

A. Normally yes, depending on the conditions.

Q. Can I use a grapple to pile the slash?

A. Yes, slash can be hand piled or grappled piled. We need to leave approximately 5 tons of larger material scattered on the ground. Also slash can be pulled back into the units on skid trails and landings. Whole tree skidding could be approved as long as most of the slash is pulled back into the units. Need to keep the landing piles as small as possible.

Q. What are the restrictions on operations?

A. Operating season is June 15 to October 31. Operations are restricted on weekends holidays, and opening weekend of deer and elk rifle seasons. Harvest operations to take place in only one of three camping areas at a time. Talked about the possibility of working in the camp grounds outside of the restricted times due to the other construction contract.

Q. Can I finish the logging and stewardship work in one unit and get stewardship credits to cover the timber costs?

A. That is a question for the CO, but I believe that you can receive payment if all the work is completed in a unit and get a partial payment and stewardship credits for the cost of the timber.

The Contractor is essentially buying the timber at the price they are “awarded it”. For example if the price of the timber was $8,000.00 the Contractor could go about “paying for it” in basically two different ways.

The easiest and least cash impact to the Contractor is to accomplish an equal value of stewardship service work not directly associated with the timber removal which would apply as credits for the purchase of the timber.

Should the Contractor want to remove the timber first- this basically begins with an approved logging plan and a cash deposit prior to laying the timber down. Essentially in USFS timber sales the value or portions of the timber there of are required to paid up front prior to laying down the timber.