Sol_AG-94TZ-S-16-0018_DBKv2.docx

AG-94TZ-S-16-0018

FRI PAC Vegetation Survey Coconino and Kaibab National Forests 4FRI MSO Vegetation Surveys

QUOTER COVER SHEET/CHECKLIST

This is a Commercial Item solicitation, being procured under Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures

QUOTATIONS ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY THE DUE DATE AND TIME. E-MAILS QUOTES ARE ACCEPTABLE, TO BE FOLLOWED UP WITH A HARD COPY

NO PAPER DOCUMENTS OVER 8 ½ X 11, AND NO BROCHURES ARE TO BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF YOUR QUOTE.

OFFERORS ARE TO RETURN to the address in Block 9 of the SF 1449:

1. Completed SF 1449

2. Completed Part 1- The Schedule (Pricing)

3. Addressed Evaluation Factors

4. This page with the following questions answered:

· HAVE YOU OBTAINED A DUNS NUMBER?____________________________________

· WHAT IS YOUR DUNS NUMBER?_____________________________________________

· ARE YOU REGISTERED IN SAM?

· Have you completed your annual recertification requirements?________

· https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

· There is no fee to register on the official government web site.

· Is your banking information correct and current in SAM?___________________

· NOTE: Failure to obtain a DUNS number and register in SAM by the quotation due date will result in the quoter being ineligible for award of a contract. Quoters are encouraged to promptly obtain a DUNS number and register in SAM now, if submitting a quotation to this solicitation.

HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE FRAUD CLAUSES AND ATTACHED THEM TO YOUR QUOTE?

· (SEE AGAR 452.209-70 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION (DEVIATION 2012-01) ALTERNATE 1 (FEB 2012) AND AGAR 452.209 – 71 ASSURANCE REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION OR TAX DELINQUENT STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS ALTERNATE 1 (FEB 2012)

· HAVE YOU READ THE STATEMENT OF WORK AND ADDRESSED ALL OF THE SUBMITTAL INFORMATION AND EVALUATION INFORMATION?____________

· ACKNOWLEDGE AMENDMENTS (See amendments for proper acknowledgement)

CONTACT POINT_____________________________PHONE NUMBER_______________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________

All questions must be submitted in writing no later than April 8, 2016 4:30 p.m. local time.

PRE-QUOTE MEETING:

There will be a pre-quote meeting on April 12, 2016 (TUESDAY) at 10:00 a.m. local time. We will meet at the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1824 South Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

STAND EXAM DATA COLLECTION SERVICES

B. 1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Sub item/Description Estimated Number of units

Unit of measure

Unit Price Total Price

1. Plot Data

2. Large Tree

3. Small Tree

4. Shrub data

5. Brown’s Transects

6. Canopy Transects

7. Photos

* Includes all work items specified in the performance work statement

C - Description/Specifications

C. 1. INTRODUCTION

C.1.1. Scope of Contract

The solicitation is for stand examination data collection activities on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests. The proposed work differs substantially from typical stand exam solicitations. Please read the specification carefully. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), incidentals, and perform all work necessary to conduct stand examinations in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation.

Information shall be collected as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Government provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Region specific Appendices, unless specifically modified by the contents of this contract.

C.1.1.1. This contract is a Performance Based, firm-fixed price contract.

C.1.1.2. Specific locations and maps are provided in Exhibits 1 though 5.

C.1.1.3. There are 602 plots to be examined under this contract. The Contractor shall work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall complete the work under this contract within the contract time stated in Section F. All plots within the following locations (see Exhibit 1) must be completed before September 1, 2016 due to planned prescribed fires: ARCHIE, BONITA, COYOTE, GASHMT, IRISTK, JAMESC, MAYFLO, MUSTNG, ROUNDU, and SPRUCE. All remaining plots must be completed by October 31, 2016. The start date shall be determined at the time of award.

C.1.2. Location and Description

This contract is for lands within the Four Forest Restoration Initiative and specifically the portions of the initiative that fall within the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests. The area extend from approximately the south rim of the Grand Canyon to edge of the Mogollon rim. Legal descriptions of the location include sections from R6E to R9E and T16N to T20N. See Exhibits 3 and 5 for maps of the general vicinity as well as the stand and plot locations. A table with plot locations identified by both UTMs and Latitude/Longitude is also provided under Exhibit 1.

C.1.2.1. Access.

Refer to Government furnished services in Section C.3 and Contractor requirements in Section C.4 for additional information on access to the stands.

C. 2. DEFINITIONS

Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Canopy Cover. A measurement of live canopy based on vertical canopy observations collected at points along a transect.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). The outside bark diameter at 4.5 feet above the forest floor on the uphill side of a tree. See the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide for special situations where measurement methods may differ.

Protected Activity Center (PAC). An area between 600 and 900 acres in size that represents the nesting and feeding range of a single breeding pair of Mexican Spotted Owls.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Snag. A free-standing dead tree. Trees that are not self-supporting or lean at an angle less than 45 degrees are considered to be logs.

C. 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows:

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml Provided at prework conference.

Use of Premises permits may be required for contractor’s camp if it exceeds local occupation time limit of 16 days. All maps, aerial photos, and other unused Government-furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the job or upon request of the Contracting Officer. Replacement cost for any lost, damaged, or unused Government property that is not returned, shall be deducted from the Contractor’s final payment.

C. 4. CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS and STANDARDS

C.4.1. General Specifications.

C.4.1.1. Accessibility.

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to sample locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a sample location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

Accessibility may be determined from maps and digital orthoquads which will be furnished by the Forest Service. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the USDA Forest Service travel management plan, including yearlong or seasonal closures to motor vehicles, unless authorization is obtained. Maps and images may indicate that a road goes to the stand, however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted. Stand locations may necessitate that Contractor walk to the stand or acquire some other means of travel.

Most roads are typically accessible between the months of May through October, though high clearance vehicles may be necessary on some roads. A four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is recommended. The Government assumes no responsibility to maintain roads in a passable condition.

4.1.2. Resource Protection Conditions. Contractors are expected to respond to sensitive resource conditions, i.e. walk to plots where road conditions are poor/wet.

4.1.3. Work Plan and schedule.

The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period described in Section F. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal. A supplementary plan and schedule shall be provided after award but before work starts.

4.1.3.1. The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of any periods that the Contractor will not be working, not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

4.1.3.2. The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and submit for approval to the Contracting Officer.

C.4.2. Technical Specifications A. Locating Plots

1. Plot Location Determination. The UTMs of the plot locations for each stand are provided in Exhibit 1. The contractor shall use a global position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government.

2. Sample plot locations to be measured within each stand have been marked on one of the provided topographical maps or within a GIS shapefile. Plot numbers have been pre-assigned for each plot in each stand.

3. Locating Plot Center. Upon arrival at the specified coordinates, the Contractor shall check the map to confirm that he/she is at the correct sample plot location. The Contractor shall locate the sample plot location on the ground. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

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

5. In the event that a given plot location falls within a road prism or is located in an area that is unsafe (approved safety reasons will be determined at the pre-implementation meeting), the contractor may relocated the plot up to 200 feet due east or west of the original location. The change must be documented and the contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer of the change within 24 hours.

B. Plot Center Identification/Flagging

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

If the marker is not a wire flag, flagging shall be tied to the marker so that it is visible above the plot center. The PAC name, plot number, and other agreed upon information shall be written legibly on the flagging or wire flag using a waterproof marker.

Distance and azimuth from two reference trees to plot center will be recorded in the stand exam data file. Reference trees will be identified with metal tags attached at the base of each tree with aluminum nail, facing plot center.

C. Survey Technique

Plots shall be located using waypoint navigation with a GPS unit. Acceptable error is +/- 30 feet of the true plot location. Recurring errors in location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory and relocation of sample plots and remeasurement shall be required. In cases where government provided photo plot location differs from GPS location found on the ground the GPS location will prevail.

D. Recording Requirements

The data fields to be collected and recorded are enumerated in Section C 4.3. Data Collection Specifications.

Data shall be recorded electronically using one or more of the following:

· Government provided ExamsPDR program. The ExamsPDR program runs on several types of PDR style computers with the Windows Mobile operating system.

· Government provided ExamsPC program. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with the Windows XP/7/8 operating systems. Data may be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into the ExamsPC program at a later time.

· Some data identified below will be entered on a spreadsheet provided by the Government. The data may be entered into a spreadsheet application on a mobile computing device or may be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into a PC-based spreadsheet application at a later time.

· Data recorded on paper forms will not be accepted as the final data submission.

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

E. Qualifications

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

1. Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification.

2. Each crew leader must also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

a. Proficient in the interpretation of aerial photography and associated maps.

b. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field, on original or photocopied aerial photographs and on DOQs.

c. Knowledge in the use of hand held compass, pacing, and map measurements.

d. Ability to accurately identify necessary tree, shrub, forb, and grass species needed for identifying local habitat types.

e. Knowledge of rating tree defects and parasitic plants.

f. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

g. Familiar with habitat typing.

h. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmitting any data supplied by that employee.

C.4.3 Data Collection Specifications

This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each of the following data forms are found in the Common Stand Exam (CSE) User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). If the following contract specifications differ from the provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Region specific appendices listed in C.4.4 below, the contract specifications shall have precedent.

A. Setting Form (CSE)

A setting is normally a stand in which the stand exam is being done but under this contract, it will be the PAC (See Exhibit 1). Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. Project name (Field 1) will be supplied by the government.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column:

Field Num

Field Description

Required Data Source

Comments

Always “USFS”

Always “AZ”

Provided during prework conference

Always “04”

Always “03”

Not collected

SAF

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Provided during prework conference

Always “10”

Not collected

Always “5”

Always “CSE”

Not collected

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

B. Sample Design Form (CSE)

The stand exams shall be based on fixed radius plots and transects as described in the sample design in Exhibit 2. The same sample design must be used throughout the stand.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form in Exhibit 2 as the template for all plots.

Field Num

Required Data Source

Comments

Not collected

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

C. Plot Form (CSE)

The following items are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column

Field Num

Required Data

Not collected

Not collected

Not collected

Derived from GTR INT-122

Not collected

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

The Plot Number field shall be changed such that it corresponds to the assigned plot number in Exhibit 1 for any given plot location.

D. Canopy cover measurement

a. Using a leveled densitometer, measure live canopy cover every 5 feet across the two 50-foot transects (excluding plot center).

b. Live branches or live needles are considered “Live canopy”

c. Dead or absent branches and dead or absent needles are considered “No canopy”

d. Canopy values: No canopy = 0; Live canopy = 1

e. Take the sum off all 20 canopy values at each plot and multiply by 5. Record the final value in field number 18 of the CSE plot form (User defined code)

E. Tree Form (CSE)

Begin recording standing tree data on the Tree form at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center. Trees shall be recorded in a consistent order to be provided at the pre-implementation meeting.

An example of the recording order could be:

a. Live Trees located on the fixed radius overstory plot (0.10 acre)

b. Dead standing trees on the fixed radius snag plot (0.20 acre)

c. Live trees located on the fixed radius regeneration plot (0.025 acre)

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4-Tree Data with the following:

Field 22, 23, 24, 25: Damage. The presence or absence of Dwarf mistletoe will be checked on all pine species and Douglas fir. Always record if present regardless of what other damages have been recorded. If a tree has no significant damage record no damages for that tree.

The following items, except as noted, are required to be collected by the Contractor for each tree on the plot, for the specified exam level. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column.

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

Within the 1/10th acre large tree plot, each tree (those with DBH ≥ 1 inch) will be individually recorded. Species, height, diameter, canopy base height, and dwarf mistletoe infection will be recorded for each tree record. Each stem of a multi-stemmed species (e.g. Gambel oak) will be tallied separately and measured at DBH (as opposed to at root collar). See the accuracy standards and point values in Exhibit 7 for important information.

Within the 1/40th-acre small tree plot, all trees (those with DBH < 1 inch, but height ≥ 6 inches) will be grouped by species and by height. Each stem of a multi-stemmed species (e.g. Gambel oak) will be tallied separately and, where applicable, measured at DBH (as opposed to at root collar). The height classes provided below will be used and trees less than 6 inches (0.5’) will not be recorded. All trees in height classes 5.5 and 7 will have a recorded diameter of 0.5 inches.

F. Vegetation Tally

Within the 1/40th acre plot, shrubs will be recorded and grouped by species and by height class. The height classes provided below will be used for all shrubs on the acceptable shrub list (Exhibit 8). Multi-stemmed plants are counted once. Shrub canopy cover is not calculated.

G. Down Woody Form (CSE)

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

Collect Brown’s Planar Intercept data along two transects. One transect will be to the north (0 degrees) of plot center and the other will be to the east (90 degrees).

Field Num

Field Description

Required Data

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

H. Field Protocol for Digital Images

Two photographic images shall be taken at each plot.

1- Photos will be taken from the North and East endpoints of the two plot transects and will face inward toward plot center 2- Images will be taken in landscape format 3- Images will show 1/3 ground and 2/3 sky 4- Each image with include a white board with the location, plot number, and transect direction clearly written and visible.

5- Only the forest, measuring tape, and white board should be visible (no people or gear)

Each image shall be taken at a minimum resolution 1280 x 960 pixels per inch and adjusted for weather conditions (e.g. glare, poor lighting). If tree limbs or boles obscure greater than 30% of the image, the Contractor shall move up to 6 feet to the left or right to obtain a less obstructed view of plot center.

I. Format Data is to be provided

Data recorded on paper forms shall not be accepted (except stand sketches and traverse notes where applicable). Data shall be provided to the Government in electronic files on CD-R disks, DVD-R disks, a portable USB flash drive, or a portable flash memory card. With any electronic media, data must be readable by the Government’s Windows computers (Windows operating system). Adjustments shall not be made for software or hardware errors that result in data error or loss of data.

Specific electronic file naming conventions will be outlined during the prework conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file shall also be provided.

C.4.4. Standards

FSVeg Common Stand Exam User Guide (March 2015), User Guide Appendices A – N, and R3 User Guide Appendix.

C.4.5 Quality Control

Quality Control Plan: Required to be submitted in the soliciation as part of the evaluation factors for award. The Quality Control Plan must address how the contractor plans on meeting the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of key tasks in the Performance Requirements Summary within the Performance Work Statement. The Quality Control Plan is a key component in Performance Based contracts and tells the Government how the contractor plaxns on inspecting themselves during performance to meet the AQL.

C.4.5.1 Quality Control

The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan to describe methods and procedures to ensure quality. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan. All Contractor quality control records shall be provided to the Government at the same time as the corresponding data block is submitted for acceptance. All records shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection.

The government will review the quality control performed by the contractor as well as any required paper forms, electronic data, and pinpricked plot labeled aerial photographs, or other work submitted to determine whether the quality is sufficient for inspection.

C.4.5.2 Quality Assurance Plan

The government reserves the right to inspect any data submitted by the contractor, including Contractor inspected plots. As an initial guide, the Government shall inspect 5% of the points in each block submitted for acceptance.

E.1 Inspection and Acceptance

An inspection block, as established by the Government, will contain a minimum of 20 plots and a maximum of 40 plots and will come from a single location (PAC). The initial inspection may be done on less than 20 plots if requested by Contractor.

A. Compliance Inspection

The CO will, by formal review, determine if the specified progress and methods of work are being carried out. Failure to comply with specified work standards may be cause for termination of the Contractor’s right to proceed.

B. Inspection of Work

The Government will inspect the stand examinations to determine compliance with contract specifications and to provide a basis for payment. If more than one exam level is specified, inspected stands will be in approximately the same ratio as the exam levels specified. The Contractor shall submit each block of data within seven (7) days of data acquisition. The Government will inspect no more than ten (10) plots of submitted and completed work per week.

Completed work, consisting of any required paper forms, electronic data, and photos will be turned in for inspection in blocks. Inspection will only be made on completed stands. When electronic data is provided, the inspection will be based on a printout of the electronic data and/or based on the .cse files, as applicable.

The Government will make the compliance inspection of each block of completed stands within 14 calendar days without cost to the Contractor. No charge will be made for the first rework inspection. Thereafter, any contract re-inspection required will be at the Contractor's expense. Re-inspection charges may include, but are not limited to: inspector's wages for travel time to and from work site; inspector's wages to re-inspect; per diem cost (meals, lodging, field costs); COR wages; and vehicle use rate and mileage.

C. Demonstration of Inspection Procedures

Upon written request from the Contractor, the Government will perform one demonstration inspection of one sample plot at no cost to the Contractor as an example of inspection procedures and demonstration of potential problems. The Contractor shall accompany the Government inspector on the inspection.

D. Determination of Acceptable Work

An inspection, as stated above, will be performed by the Government for the evaluation of contract specification compliance. The following will be used for determination of acceptable or unacceptable work:

1. Pass-fail check of specified standards and procedures for each block.

Site examinations exhibiting the following specification deficiencies result in an unacceptable score on a “pass-fail” basis and will be returned to the Contractor with the entire block for rework. The determination of noncompliance with these items may be made during the office edit or during field inspection. Some of the following items appear on the Inspection Point Score Calculation Form included in the exhibits.

a. All completed forms and electronic data not submitted to the Forest Service in a timely manner after Contractor completion.

b. Forms that are illegible or cannot be reproduced on a copying machine.

c. Electronic data that cannot be read by Government computers.

d. Stands failing to meet minimum tree/plot averages where specified when a lower BAF could be selected, unless the Government specified the BAF used.

e. Located plot centers not within acceptable distance of plot location based on Government provided data or where plot location bias is evident.

f. Stands having less than the prescribed number of sample plots examined.

g. Sample plot center falls outside the stand boundary as identified on the stand map or aerial photo.

h. Any sample plot center which cannot be located because of improper plot center labeling or because of improper reference point labeling, or for any other reason attributable to noncompliance with specifications.

i. Stands with less than the minimum number of site and/or growth trees (as specified).

j. Stands submitted with incomplete information on any form, paper or electronic. This includes Remarks and the Stand Sketch Map and Traverse Notes.

k. Any form with inaccurate stand location and stand number data.

l. Stands where government supplied information are incompletely or inaccurately transcribed onto the forms.

m. Stands in which plots are not evenly distributed throughout each stand.

n. Stands with an error or incomplete information in a field designated “Unacceptable” in the Point Value column (A) on the Common Stand Exam Inspection Form (See attachments).

2. Point deduction for each deficient entry or procedure on an inspection site.

Acceptable tolerance levels for individual measurements are shown on each Exam Inspection Form located in the exhibits. Any item or measurement indicated by inspection to be outside these tolerance levels will be assigned a point deduction. Point deductions will be calculated separately for each form. An inspection/payment block may fail based on an individual form score or on the total form score calculation.

For each inspection form: The number of errors for each field for the entire inspection/payment block is recorded in column 'B', "Number of Errors". The Point Deduction, column 'C', is calculated by multiplying the number of errors, column B, by the "Point Value", column 'A'. The Point Deductions are then totalled at the bottom of column 'C' in the "Total Deductions" field (D). This is then divided by the number of stands, plots, or tree data records inspected (as appropriate for each form)- Field (E) to calculate the "Form Score" -Field (F). Field (E) is the number of stands, plots, or tree data records actually inspected for that Form.

In determining pass/fail for Form Score or Total Score for inspections the government score will prevail.

3. Error trend.

If during inspection of selected plots or review of submitted data, the Government determines an error trend is occurring in the information being recorded by the Contractor, the Government will notify the Contractor of the findings. If the same trend continues in future inspection blocks, the blocks will be returned for rework even if the blocks have passing inspection scores. For example, all tree heights are measured taller by 15% when 10%+/- is the tolerance. Even though all other measurements are within tolerance the work could be returned for correction.

If during inspection of selected plots or review of submitted plot sheets, the Contractor’s inspection determines a similar discrepancy is occurring in the information being recorded, the Contractor shall ensure that their personnel are made aware of the findings to prevent further occurrences. In addition, if the Contractor notices a discrepancy trend developing while inspecting plots on the ground, he/she may visit plots not selected in the random sample, to inspect the field(s) in question. These plots will be used to determine if a discrepancy trend does exist, not for payment purposes. The Contractor shall ensure that their personnel are made aware of the findings to prevent future occurrences. Discrepancies found on initial inspection plots are subject to point deduction.

E. Rework of Unacceptable Work

The Government reserves the right to require rework of unacceptable blocks, as determined under Section C. Determination of Acceptable Work. Upon written notification by the CO that a block is unacceptable, the Contractor may be required to complete and submit rework before beginning work on another block. The Government will specify rework requirements for each unacceptable block. In the case of data errors, the Government can require that they be corrected. In the case of plot location errors, the Government may require that the plots be relocated and measured.

1. Correction of Data Errors:

a. Pass-fail failures:

Any errors in a field where the point value is “unacceptable” or where specifications are scored on a “pass-fail” basis will require a correction of errors at all sample plots throughout the entire block.

b. Point deduction failures require:

For failure due to a Form Score ≥ 5.0: Correct all items or measurements in the Form that failed for all stands and sample plots in the block (i.e., if Tree Form fails, then only that form would need to be reworked). A reduced amount of rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO.

For failure due to a Total Score ≥ 10: Correct all items and measurements on all Forms for all stands and sample plots in the block. A reduced amount of rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO.

For a failure due to a Form Score and a Total Score: If a block fails due to both a Form score and a Total score, then the rework will be the same as for a Total score failure.

c. Trend error failures require rework of all items identified as having an error trend.

2. Correction of Plot Location Errors:

a. Incorrectly located plots shall be relocated and measured.

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

If reworked and re-inspected blocks fail during the first re-inspection, additional rework may be allowed at the discretion of the CO. Failure to pass inspection may result in contract default.

F. Re-inspection upon Contractor Request

If the original inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested, in writing, up to seven (7) days after receiving notification of unacceptable work. If the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score, but re-inspection results in a fully passing score, then the Government assumes the cost of re-inspection. However, if the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score and re-inspection does not result in a fully passing score, then the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for performing re-inspection.

F1. METHOD OF PAYMENT: Payment will only be the line item per plot. All costs are to be included in this cost. No other payment will be made other than the line item cost per plot.

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F. 1. FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.arnet.gov/far

FAR 52.242-14 Suspension of Work (APR 1984)

F. 2. DELIVERIES

F.2.1. Contract Performance Time and Required Rate of Progress

The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the performance period. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each item by performance time specified.

F.2.2. Contract Time. The Contractor shall start work promptly after receipt of a Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion within the stated contract time. The contract time is 120 calendar days will generally not exceed a required rate of progress exceeding that determined from the accepted work plan.

F.2.2.1. Unfavorable Conditions. It is estimated that adverse weather conditions may in some cases prevent data collection by obscuring visibility or preventing access to the sample plot locations. When such conditions make work impracticable and with written request by the contractor, the Contracting Officer may suspend work with no charge against contract time. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm that order in writing. The count of contract time will resume on the day indicated by the Contracting Officer. If the Contractor cannot be reached at the phone number provided or the Contractor fails to contact the Contracting Officer a written Resume Work Order will be mailed and count of contract time will resume on the date specified in the order.

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) The period of performance of this contract is from May 1, 2016 through October 31, 2016.

The Government will issue A Notice to Proceed as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work on one or more of the areas. Contract time will start (1) on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed, if the notice is hand-delivered; Or (2) Contract Time will start on the third-day after the post office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor; Or (3) Contract Time will start when work commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick-up Certified Mail will not be considered excusable.

F.2.3 Resource Protection Conditions. If applicable, periods of restricted access will be provided during the prework conference.

F.2.4 Work Plan and schedule. The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period described in Section F. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal. A supplementary plan and schedule shall be provided after award but before work starts. All plots within the following locations (see Exhibit 1) must be completed before September 1, 2016 due to planned prescribed fires: ARCHIE, BONITA, COYOTE, GASHMT, IRISTK, JAMESC, MAYFLO, MUSTNG, ROUNDU, and SPRUCE. All remaining plots must be completed by October 31, 2016. The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of any periods that the Contractor will not be working, not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

F.3. PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

deduction

Stand Exam Data Collection, C.4.3

Quality meets or exceeds acceptable performance standard in C.4.3

· If Contractor achieves acceptable performance quality, the Contractor will receive unit price as incentive.

· If Contractor does not achieve at least acceptable performance quality, rework at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality negative incentive would be no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

Quality Control C.4.5 and E.1

· Achieving acceptable quality control is necessary to receive full unit price as positive incentive.

· If Contractor does not achieve at least acceptable performance quality, rework at no expense to the Government. If rework does not meet acceptable performance quality negative incentive would be no pay, termination for default, and/or adverse performance evaluation.

· The Government may charge for re-inspection of a block in accordance with E.1.

Work Plan and Schedule F.2.4.

· Completing work on schedule is necessary to receive full unit price as positive incentive.

· Work not completed on schedule is subject to Default and may result in assessment of actual costs.

B. Payments

Payments will be made on the number of sample plots within an inspection/payment block if that block has been accepted. Payment may be made for partially completed blocks as determined by the Government. No payment will be made for unacceptable blocks.

B. Deductions

Deductions from payments will be made for the following conditions:

1. Replacement cost for any lost, damaged or unused Government property that is not returned will be deducted from the Contractor's final payment at the following rates:

· Yale Key - $200 per key

2. Re-inspection costs will also be deducted for any block that was reworked (other than the first re-inspection).

M.1. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND INFORMATION

The Government will award the contract to the quoter that represents the best overall value to the Government and in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures.

· Experience and Past Performance on Similar Projects

· Technical Approach

· Quality Control and Safety

· Price

The Government will evaluate those factors as follows:

1. Experience and Past Performance on Similar Contracts

This factor will evaluate the offeror for its experience in successful completion of projects with similar scope, magnitude, and complexity that have been accomplished within the past five years as well as how well the offeror has performed on those projects.