Indian Suite Fuels Reduction hand cut and pile_SECTION_C_svc.doc

SECTION C – SERVICE

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure services to hand cut hardwoods, conifers, and brush, and pile the resulting slash for fuels reduction according to contract specifications. Cutting shall consist of hand cutting all trees less than 10” dbh and all brush. Tree and brush cutting shall be done by hand with a chainsaw in a manner that does not damage large over-story trees within the fuel-break.

Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government.

C.2 Project Location & Description

Location: The project is located on the Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District.

See maps for unit locations.

Description: The perimeters of sub-items are flagged with orange and black “Silviculture Boundary” flagging or orange and black striped flagging. In some cases roads or streamzones may make up part of the boundary of a unit and therefore these parts of the unit boundary may or may not be marked or flagged. The project maps are intended to show the general shape and location of the work areas. The map is not intended to be accurate as to precise location and dimension. If the map and field boundaries conflict, the field boundaries shall govern. Positions of the stream zones and topographic features, when shown, also may be approximate.

Exclusions (non-work areas):

Accessibility: All sub-items are accessible with a 2-wheel drive vehicle after snowmelt. If a sub-item requires a walk in from the nearest road, this will be specified in the Exhibit C table. The Government assumes no liability to perform special road maintenance to keep roads open to the project area.

Any prospective contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding.

C.3 Maps

Maps showing the general vicinity and/or specific work areas are included in Section J. Maps are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations.

C.4 Estimated Start Date & Contract Time Start:

June 1, 2010 (weather permitting) Time:

ITEM 1 90 days See also Section F

C.5 Restrictions on Work

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included in Section J.

2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

3. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that continued operation may be injurious to overstory trees.

C.6 Licenses and Insurance

The contractor shall obtain the insurance and licenses listed here; (see also Section L, Notices to Offerors and Respondents).

MSPA Card (Form WH510): This contract [X ] does [ ] does not require the contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy.

C.7 Camping and Housing Camping is not permitted in US Forest Service campgrounds. Contractor [ ] will [X] will not be permitted to camp elsewhere on US Forest Service land. Camping on Forest Service land is not a right; permission may be revoked for failure to comply with the terms of the permit. (See also Section H, Camping Permit Compliance)

C.8 Technical Requirements

C.8-1 Definitions

Aggregation – A pocket of densely packed trees distinct from adjacent areas within a project unit. It is characteristic for trees within aggregations to have a higher percent of phenotypic defects due to competition for resources in close proximity to others.

Brush – all woody shrub species such as manzanita, whitethorn, deerbrush, dwarf tanoak, silktassel and ribes. For the purposes of this contract bear clover, snowberry and squaw carpet are not considered brush.

Conifer - A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales (e.g. pine, fir, cedar).

Co-dominant Tree - A tree with the crown forming the general level of the crown cover and receiving full light from above, but comparatively little from the sides.

C.O.R. - Contracting Officer's Representative.

Crop Tree (Leave Tree) - Any crop tree without excessive damage, which has a live crown ratio of greater than 30%. The top will not be dead, broken, or forked.

Damaged tree – Any crop tree with one or more of the following injuries:

1. Any true fir that has any bark cut or removed to the cambium regardless of the amount.

2. Any other tree species that has bark cut or removed to the cambium from more than 25% of the circumference of the bole.

3. Any tree that has a broken, forked, or dead top.

4. Any tree that has had 25% or more of the live limbs or branches broken or removed by any operation.

5. Defects, which include sweeps in the bole and crooked boles.

DBH - Diameter at breast height; the diameter of a tree measured at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

Diseased Trees – Any tree greater than two feet tall with a diameter less than eleven inches at DBH with one or more of the following diseases:

1. Mistletoe: Trees with one or more visible infections on any part of the live crown or stem.

2. Gall Rust: Trees with one or more visible cankers on the bole or multiple cankers on the limbs in the green crown.

3. Chlorosis: Trees with off color foliage, weak root system and otherwise exhibiting a general unhealthy appearance.

4. Damage: Tree that exhibits insect infestation, severe mechanical, animal, or other damages (i.e. trees leaning severely).

5. White Pine Blister Rust: On sugar pine, stem / branch cankers, yellow to red flagging of branches and tops.

Excess Tree - A tree that is left but should have been cut to meet spacing standards or trees-per-acre requirements.

Forked Trees – Trees with one or more forks in the live crown or with old dead or broken-out tops within 13 feet of the ground.

Hang-up Tree – A cut tree suspended above the ground by a leave tree.

Hardwood – A tree with broad leaves rather than needles (e.g., oak, madrone, etc.)

Insect Infested Tree– A tree pitching sap from the bark in multiple spots on the bole, frass in cracks of bark or at base of tree, dead or fading top.

Live Crown Ratio – The percentage of the live limbs in relation to the total tree height.

Phenotypic Defects - Referring to inherited defects or deficiencies caused by local environmental conditions. Examples: Trees with flat top shapes having under 4 inches of leader growth (measure of previous year), forked or multiple tops, twisting in the limbs bole and trees with sweeping, leaning or drooping forms.

Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) – See Streamside management zone Slash - All debris resulting from operations including stems, limbs and tops of trees, and brush.

Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) - Riparian area protected during logging, mechanical treatments and site preparation.

Suppressed Tree - Any tree with less than 30% of its total height in live green crown or with less than 4 inches of current leader growth.

Thinning - The cutting of trees to meet the short term desired condition.

True fir – This classification refers to the conifer species red fir & white fir.

C.8-2 Specifications

8-2.1 Selection of Cut Trees

1. Hand cut and pile all hardwoods and conifers less than 10” dbh within fuel-break .

2. Leave all hardwoods that are at least 2/3 the size of the largest surrounding leave conifers.

3. Do not cut pacific yew per specification 8-2.5.

8-2.2 Treatment of Brush

All brush within the work areas shall be cut with the exception of brush designated as not to be treated by the C.O.R. All brush treated shall be cut within 4 inches of the ground or 4 inches of obstacles (i.e. rocks, down logs), 8-2.3 Treatment of Slash Slash and other vegetative debris shall meet the following specifications:

1. No individual pieces of pine tree debris shall be greater than 4 feet in length. No individual pieces of tree debris of non-pine species shall be greater than 8 feet in length.

2. Treated material shall not lean against or be suspended by a overstory tree.

3. After treatment, stump heights shall be no more than 6 inches high as measured on the uphill side or 4 inches above natural obstacles (i.e.logs, rocks) 8-2.4 Treatment of Logs

Do not cut and pile or otherwise damage any existing down logs greater than 16 inches in diameter on the large end unless directed to by the COR or their representative.

8-2.5 Treatment of Pacific Yew

All Pacific Yew trees (Taxus brevifolia) will be left and no work will be performed within 5 feet of these trees.

8-2.6 Piling

1. Following tree and brush cutting, the contractor shall pile all material over 18” in length but less than 16” in diameter.

2. Piles shall be compact with a maximum diameter of 15’ and maximum height of 8’.

3. Piles should be located outside of the dripline of overstory trees where possible and at least 40’ from the edge of the unit. If piles can not be located outside of drip line, then it must be atleast 20’ from the bole of any leave tree. Do not locate piles within 10’ of leave logs without COR/inspector approval.

4. Each pile shall have an area measuring at least 4’ by 4’ (measured on the horizontal plane) covered with 6 mil. plastic sheeting and firmly anchored by either piling slash on the plastic or by tying the plastic down.

5. Each pile will have a fireline constructed around it to a width of a minimum of 5’ in width. The fireline shall be cleared to bare mineral soil or rock.

6. No material shall extend from the perimeter of the pile more than 12”.

C.8-3 Contractor-Furnished Equipment- Equipment shall be furnished on a fully operational basis, of modern design, and in good operating condition, with a competent, fully qualified operator. The Contractor shall furnish all fuel, lubricants, and personnel necessary for the operation of the equipment. All repairs, service and replacements are the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be at the Contractor's expense. If, during the contract period, the equipment requires repairs before operations can continue, it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to complete such repairs. The Contractor shall provide plastic that is at least 6 millimeter thick and at least 4’ wide for covering piles.

C.8-4 Government-Furnished Property

None. See Section G.

C.8-5 Public Safety

The contractor shall provide for public safety when operating equipment within 200 feet of open roadways and designated trails by posting cautionary signs warning of hazardous work ahead. Warning signs (at least two, one for each direction) shall be posted on roads. These shall be located 200’ from the intersection of the road and unit boundary at each edge of the unit. Signs shall be posted whenever working to alert oncoming traffic of the safety hazards associated with the operation. Trails must also be signed unless administratively closed by the Government. Signs shall include phrases similar to “Caution, tree falling stay back 200 feet” and be no less than 3’X3’ in size. Lettering shall be at least 6” in height.

C.8-6 Salvage Rights

1. The contractor is permitted to purchase salvage rights to material to be treated within the sub-item boundaries. Salvage material may be removed from within the sub-item boundaries provided the project work is progressing as scheduled and removal is completed prior to the expiration of contract time. Rights to and material not removed from the project prior to expiration of contract time shall revert back to the Government. If salvage rights are granted to the contractor, he must obtain a Road Use Permit before hauling material on Forest Service roads. The permit is obtainable from the District Ranger’s Offices and will specify any required road maintenance fees, dust abatement requirements, or other stipulations.

2. The Contractor shall not be permitted to use any kind of logging equipment to yard salvaged materials from the project units to the roads.

C.8-7 Road Maintenance : All roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition the road was prior to operations. Roads must be kept clear of debris from the Contractors operations. Drainage ditches must be cleared of slash created from Contractor operations by the end of each work day. Waterbars that are disturbed by Contrator work shall be repaired to original condition or better.

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