38_AG-9702-S-10-0464.doc

5/25/2010

707-562-9123

LOCAL TIME

INFORMATION CALL:

06/09/2010

2:00 PDT

USDA Forest Service

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UNRESTRICTED OR FORMCHECKBOX

SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS FORMCHECKBOX

EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

Vallejo, CA 94592

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HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

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SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- FORMCHECKBOX

8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: 7.0 Million OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

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SEE SCHEDULE

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

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RFQ FORMCHECKBOX

IFB FORMCHECKBOX

RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

USDA Forest Service

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1323 Club Dr.

Vallejo, CA 94592

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

USDA Forest Service

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1323 Club Dr.

Vallejo, CA 94592

DUNS:

TELEPHONE NO.

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17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

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SEE ADDENDUM

Site preparation for reforestation. Please see the schedule of items and statement of work in sections B and C respectively.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary) See Schedule

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

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ARE NOT ATTACHED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA ‑ FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

B – Schedule of Items

Pinedale R-C Reforestation Site Preparation and Fuels Treatment B. 1. Contract Line Items: Unit(s) 10 & 12 (Total 184 Acres)

Acre

B. 2. Contract Line Items: Unit(s) 11 (299 Acres)

Acre

B. 3. Contract Line Items: Unit(s) 8 (210 Acres)

Acre

B. 4. Contract Line Items: Unit(s) 13 & 14 (211 Acres)

Acre

B. 5. Contract Line Items: Unit(s) 9 (213 Acres)

Acre

B. 6.

Mobilization

NOTES:

OFFERS WILL BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE EVALUATION FACTORS LISTED IN SECTION M

BOUNDARIES AND ACREAGES ARE APPROXIMATE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNIT BOUNDARY LAYOUT USING GOVERNMENT PROVIDED MAPS, GPS UNIT (if Contractor does not have one) & GPS COORDINATES. BOUNDARY PAINT AND/OR FLAGGING TO BE DETERMINED BY CONTRACTOR AND COR.

The GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AWARD SOME OR ALL OF THE LINE ITEM(S).

C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

SECTION C1 - GENERAL

Introduction The Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is in need of treatment of dead standing and dead/down trees, brush, slash and logs. The purpose of work is to reduce fire hazard by treatment of dead standing trees and down logs within portions of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. Mechanized equipment and chainsaws are the option for this contract. The fuels reduction treatment and the resulting Reforestation Site Preparation will be implemented through treatment of the dead standing and down slash as specified. The slash will receive the following treatments, depending on resource objectives: 1. Piling, according to contract specifications.

2. Crushing/Mastication, according to contract specifications.

The contractor shall, considering given resource objectives and develop a plan of operation to accomplish these objectives, and organize and direct all of the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work.

Offers shall be determined by multiplying the price per acre times the total estimated acreage for a unit or blocks of units. No addition or deduction of payment will be made for reasonable acreage variation. It is the prospective offeror’s responsibility to determine the amount of work necessary to treat slash within the contract time specified in accordance with the contract specifications, within the boundaries of the project area.

Work performed in any contracts resulting from this solicitation, shall be in compliance with the environmental documentation for this project, as specified by the Project/Unit information with each Task Order.

C1.1 Scope of Work

The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies (except those designated as Government furnished), and incidentals necessary to complete the work required on the areas specified. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to assure services will be performed over each entire Task Order. The contractor must be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in section C7 Performance Requirements Summary.

C.1.2. This contract is a Performance Based, firm-fixed price contract.

C.1.2.1. The period of performance will be the number of working days calculated for the duration of the contract will be 120 days.

C.1.3. Location and Description.

The general locations of the project work area are within the burned area of the Rodeo/Chediski fire.

The project consists of areas removal that have not been treated, or have not been treated completely, with other fuel reduction projects. Area treatment will consider slopes that are accessible for mechanical treatment, and although most areas are less than 20% slope, some areas may be up to 30% slope. The contractor must have some equipment that is capable of operating on slopes up to 30%.

The contractor will layout and designate block boundaries for all areas to be treated with GPS unit using coordinates provided by the Forest Service. If the contractor does not have a GPS Unit, the forest Service can provide one on loan. The contractor will mark boundaries with paint, and/or flagging as designated on project area maps and Forest Service provided GPS coordinates. The boundary paint and/or flagging to be determined by the Contractor and COR.

C.1.3.1 Accessibility

The project area is located near Pinedale, Arizona (west of Show Low, Arizona). The project area is generally bounded on north by Highway 260 and on the west by Forest Road 132. The general project area is north of the White Mountain Apache Reservation boundary on the Mogollon Rim. There are many forest roads that access the interior portions of this project.

C1.4. Contractor Representative

The contractor shall provide a contract representative who is readily available to the project area for the performance of work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contactor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternates(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

SECTION C2 – DEFINITIONS

C2.1 Standard Definitions

C2.1.1 Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

C2.1.2 Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

C2.1.3 Contract Time. See Period of Performance definition.

C2.1.4 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A Government person appointed by the contracting officer (CO) to help the CO with the contract administration and surveillance. The duties and responsibilities of a COR are defined in the letter of designation by the CO.

C2.1.5 Defective Service. A unit of service that contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

C2.1.6 Government Inspector. A Government person appointed by the COR to help the COR with the contract administration and surveillance. The duties and responsibilities of a Government Inspector are defined in the letter of designation by the COR.

C2.1.7 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.

C2.1.8 Performance Work Statement (PWS). A statement of work to be performed which identifies the specific work to be performed.

C2.1.9 Period of Performance (also Performance Period or Contract Time).

The number of calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of the contract work.

C2.1.10 Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

C2.1.11 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

C2.1.12 Quality Control. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

C2.1.13 Random Sampling. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

C2.2 Technical Definitions

Bole. The trunk or stem of a tree.

Bucking. Cutting the boles and limbs to specified lengths.

Chipping or shredding. Use of any machine which chops, sheds, or masticates slash into small pieces or chips. When specified or approved, these are considered acceptable forms of on-site slash treatment.

Controlled Area. Areas delineated by flagging for the purpose of protecting sensitive plants, animals, or heritage resources. The areas will be marked on the ground, however, they are not located on the project map, other than the cutting unit they occur in.

Crushing. Flattening of slash down to a specified height from ground surface by driving heavy equipment over it one or more times.

Cut Trees. Trees to be cut under this contract.

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, or equipment, and evidenced by dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Dead and Down Trees. (Dead and/or down) Dead standing (or leaning) trees and/or dead trees that have fallen or been chained to the ground.

Dead Trees. Trees with no live needles or limbs.

Decking. Gathering and stacking of boles at designated landings.

Diameter Breast Height (DBH). Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured 4 ½ feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Diameter Root Collar (DRC). Diameter of the trunk of a tree measured at ground level on the uphill side of non-commercial tree species.

Directional Felling. Felling cut-trees or snags a predetermined direction to protect natural resources and land improvements, and/or to facilitate proper skidding.

Elevation. The elevation recorded in feet above sea level for the majority of the site.

Ephemeral drainage. A drainage which forms the lowest spot of the surrounding ground. It forms obvious channel continuity along its length and joins with more obvious channels downstream. It shows evidence of having run water on previous occasions, i.e., litter and vegetation has moved, or there is a lack of litter in the channel.

Excess trees. Uncut trees that according to specifications, should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, high stumps.

Felling. Completely severing a tree bole from the stump, by any means except explosives, to place the tree on the ground. Also includes completely repositioning a dead snag from standing or leaning, to place it on the ground. This may include cutting, pushing, winching, or other hand or mechanical means, but not by means of fire or explosives. Maximum stump heights apply to both snags and live trees felled.

Flagging Color Designations. The colors of flagging to be used by the Forest Service and the Contractor will be determined prior to operations.

Hang-up tree. Any cut tree suspended off the ground.

Landings. Areas used to stage and load wood or slash materials just prior to removal from the unit. Existing openings along edges of haul roads which are large enough to hold decks, slash piles, and accommodate loading equipment to place removal materials onto haul vehicles.

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

Live Limb. A limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Log. A dead tree laying on the ground that is 6 inches or greater in diameter at mid point and a minimum of 8 feet long.

Lopping. Cutting limbs of trimmed and/or bucked boles down to a specified vertical height above the ground.

Missing Leave Trees. Government inspection term for cut trees that, according to requirements, should have been left uncut.

MUTCD. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Street and Highway.

Project Area. A number of geographically grouped units within the burn analysis area to form a single Task Order.

Project Information. A document included with the task order with specific information about the project area, including treatment acres, road maintenance, timing of logging restrictions, and restricted road use limitations.

Protected Reserve Trees. All leave trees and/or Snags which have intrinsically greater ecosystem values, due to rarity, size, species, or other resource criteria described in Unit Information.

Pullback. Removal of slash from stream courses, roads, fences, live trees, utilities, structures, or any other improvements as identified with the pullback requirement within a specified distance.

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

Skidding. Transportation of felled whole trees or snags, trimmed boles, bucked boles, and/or slash from the point of origin to designated landings along haul roads. Skidding is done only on pre-approved skid trail locations. It may include transport by machine, vehicle, animal, or hand.

Slash. Existing or Contractor generated residue (limbs, tops, bark) from cutting, limbing, or bucking the boles of standing or down dead trees. See the following section Slash Treatment for a complete description of slash treatment methods and specifications.

Snag. Any standing or leaning dead tree taller than 6 feet.

Sound (referring to dead wood). Wood that is solid enough to hold together for skidding as an intact piece.

Stream course. The area along a stream with 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.

Streamside and Spring Filter Zone (SFZ). A linear or circular strip of land set at a designated width along the edges of protected drainages and around springs, in which ground disturbance by mechanized equipment is restricted. Maintaining a mat of herbaceous vegetation and ground cover in place to filter out overland movement of sediment or ash into the water channel is the primary objective. All SFZ boundaries are field designated by the Government.

Stump Height. Stump height is the acceptable maximum level left above ground, measured from the uphill side, after a tree is felled. Stumps shall not exceed 12 inches for trees 12.0 inches DBH and larger. They shall not exceed 6 inches for trees under 12.0 inches DBH, which may require lowering the stump after felling. Maximum stump height may be modified in both cases to 4 inches above fixed natural obstacles, such as large rocks. Trees designated for felling which are wired into established fence lines shall be cut at 4 inches above the top fence wire.

Timing Restriction. A period during the year when there are restrictions to treatment operations. Descriptions of Timing restrictions in this contract include:

MSO (Mexican Spotted Owl) – No activities from March 1 – August 31 GSH (Northern Goshawk) – No activities from March 1 – September 30 Other restrictions may apply to other Threatened and Endangered or Sensitive species Tree Designation. Trees will be designated as trees to be removed by a Designation by Description (DxD). The DxD will describe trees to be removed, and the amount and size of trees to be left. Occasionally, a green tree may have to be removed which will be designated by the COR with Blue Tracer Paint and charged for at current Forest standard rates.

Trimming. Completely severing the top and limbs from the bole. A specified bole diameter for top trimming may be required. Also called “de-limbing” or “limbing” when just limbs are cut from the bole.

Undesignated Timber Unnecessarily Damaged or Negligently or Willfully Cut. Undesignated timber meeting current Forest sawlog or roundwood utilization standards and unnecessarily damaged or negligently or willfully cut by Contractor shall be assessed at current Forest standard rates for penalty.

Unit. A specifically defined area with a specific prescription for the reduction of fuels prescribed to meet fuel reduction objectives for that particular forest condition.

Unsatisfactory Tree. Cutting of a tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes but is not limited to:

Cutting the wrong tree or failing to cut a correct tree. Unsatisfactory trees are considered a deficiency or discrepancy in contract inspection.

Utilization Specifications. Dead standing trees and down logs are required to be removed according to the following specifications:

Dead standing trees > 4 inches dbh, and less than 16 inches dbh, and > 8 feet in length.

Down logs > 6inches diameter at midpoint and > 8 feet in length, if sound enough to skid.

Winching. Pulling or end-lining felled trees or slash over inaccessible ground, or a specified protected distance, or out of a group of trees where damage may occur if normally skidded, by means of cable drawn out from the skidder or skidding vehicle. May also be used to assist felling or dropping snags.

SECTION C3 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

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

3.5 Pending Availability & Dozer Compatibility:

Small Crusher Martin Crusher Minimum Dozer Horsepower Requirement(s):

Small Crusher – Min.95 Horsepower Martin Crusher – Min. 120 Horsepower After Award & Pre-Work

SECTION C4 – CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

The contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this PWS.

C4.1. General.

C4.1.1. Road Access.

The Contractor may use system roads and service roads that run through the project area for access with motorized vehicles such as cars, trucks, or other mechanized equipment to perform work during normal operating seasons. However, some of the interior roads have been closed, i.e., heavily water barred, ripped or brush placed on roadway. The Contractor will restore pre-existing water bars and road closure efforts resulting from Contractor’s use.

All cultural and historic sites will be protected. Most sites will be protected by complete avoidance by mechanized equipment. Any removal of trees or slash treatment within a site is required to be approved by the COR. Designated site boundaries will be identified and flagged with white and pink flagging by the Forest Service prior to operations.

Equipment operations for slash treatment, is subject to “dry or frozen conditions” (See section J, Exhibit 8, Apache-Sitgreaves Rutting Guidelines).

The COR will approve the use, and conditions of use, of any road not shown on the project or unit map. Any new temporary road is required to be approved by the COR prior to construction.

C4.2. Tree and Log Retention.

Five logs per acre, 12 inches or greater in diameter at mid-point and a minimum of 10 feet long must be retained, either already on the ground, or standing so that it will eventually fall to the ground. Dead trees > 16 inches dbh left to meet snag requirements may be used to meet the 5 log/acre requirement. No other species, merchantable or non-merchantable may be cut and removed. No live trees may be cut or removed, except as previously agreed and designated by the COR.

C.4.3. SLASH TREATMENTS

Vegetative debris larger than 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet high resulting from Contractor's operations in the cutting of trees is created slash, and must be treated according to Unit Information specifications or accepted method proposed by offeror.

Dead and down woody material larger than 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet long existing on the site prior to Contractor’s operations are existing slash.

Both created slash and existing slash will be treated as designated and according to the following specification for type of treatment. Any variations in the slash disposal methods listed below will be described and approved in writing.

By agreement in writing, certain slash may be left for fuel wood. When the specified treatment is by a combination of methods, slash not treated by one of the methods shall be treated by the other(s).

Slash treatment along roads shall be accomplished without affecting the proper functioning of channels leading to and from drainage structures.

If the contractor chooses to chip or masticate slash instead of crushing, chipped or masticated material should be spread throughout according to the following specifications for each type of treatment. No accumulation of chipped or masticated material around the base of live trees is allowed.

Forest Service and Contractor shall jointly develop a schedule for completion of slash treatment on the various portions of the Project Area prior to Contractor's Operations. Slash treatment plan may be made a part of the annual operating plan.

General descriptions of slash treatment measures to be taken by Contractor for treatment of created and existing slash are set forth below.

METHODS OF SLASH TREATMENT (Any measurements left blank will be completed in the task order, unit information):

Method: CHIPPING

Definition and Specifications:

Logging Slash up to 4 inches in diameter shall be processed through a portable chipping machine. The chipper shall be moved or re-positioned as often as necessary to prevent buildup of chip piles or rows. In all cases wherever chips are created, chips shall not be piled, and shall be spread out to a depth not exceeding 4 inches thick above the ground. If chipping to the ground, clean-up of landings shall consist of spreading of remaining chips throughout as much open area as it takes so that the chips are no more than 4 inches deep, and so that the exposed soil intermixed with the chips consists of at least 50% of the surface area. The affected landing area shall be seeded at twice the normal contract rate. No accumulation of chips around the base of live trees is allowed. Chips shall not be placed on any roadbed surface, or inside any drainages or water bodies. Chips must be left according to all required pullback distances listed below.

Pullback is required for all chips created, which shall be kept back or pulled back a minimum of 10 feet from all pole decks/slash piles left for burning in place, drainage edges, road edges, fences, property improvements, snags over 12 inches DBH/DRC left standing, and leave trees over 20 inches DBH. Chips created within 35 feet of all private land boundaries shall be directionally blown or moved beyond 35 feet from the Forest/private boundary.

Method: REMOVING

Definition and Specifications:

Logging Slash shall be moved or hauled off the National Forest.

Method: FELLING DAMAGED TREES

Definition and Specifications:

Damaged or destroyed trees are all trees which are over 3 feet in height that are knocked down or damaged to the extent that mortality or serious deterioration will occur, and such trees partially pushed over so as to result in permanent lean and visible damage to the root system, all as a result of the Contractor's operation. Such damaged or destroyed trees shall be felled and further treated by the slash treatment method specified for the area. Materials of merchantable species meeting the minimum piece specifications of will be utilized by the Contractor. Maximum stump height shall be that specified for the unit.

Method: BUCKING

Definition and Specifications:

Logging Slash smaller than 4 inches in diameter at the large end shall be bucked into lengths not to exceed 4 feet and left in place.

Method: HAND PILING

Definition and Specifications:

Logging slash smaller than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet long shall be hand piled in accordance with the following specifications:

Location of Piles: Landings, temporary roads, and natural openings shall be utilized so that piles are located such that burning will not damage standing live trees, leave snags, or physical improvements such as fences, utility lines and poles, buildings, signs, tables, grills, and cattle guards or other improvements. The minimum spacing between edge of each pile and crown edge of adjacent live trees shall not be less than the average diameter of the pile.

Contractor shall not be required to move slash more than 75 feet to meet the above pile location requirement.

Piles shall not be made within 50 feet of the high-water mark of perennial or intermittent stream courses. Slash shall not be piled on or allowed to remain in drainage ditches of permanent roads.

Construction of Piles. Piles shall be compact and dirt-free, with most small slash on the bottom to facilitate consumption during burning. Piles shall not be less than 4 feet in diameter and height and shall not exceed 20 feet in diameter and pile height shall not be less than one-third the average pile diameter. All slash which protrudes 2 feet or more from outer edge of the pile shall be bucked off and placed on the pile.

Method: MACHINE PILING

Definition and Specifications:

Concentrations of logging slash, excluding scattered individual pieces, shall be machine piled by tractor equipped with brush rake as per Machine Piling Specifications.

Method: MACHINE PILING & LOPPING

Definition and Specifications:

Concentrations of slash marked on the ground by the Forest Service shall be machine piled by a tractor equipped with a brush rake as per Machine Piling Specifications. The remaining slash, not in concentrations, shall be lopped and scattered as per specification for "Lopping."

Machine Piling Specifications

Acceptable Equipment. Piling will be accomplished with a crawler tractor not to exceed overall width of 10 feet. Tractor will be equipped with a brush blade having teeth extending a minimum of 11 inches below the frame. The teeth shall number at least 7 and no more than 10. The teeth shall be of sufficient size and strength so that they shall not bend or break through normal slash piling. The objective is to reduce the amount of soil pushed into the pile to enhance consumption when it is burned.

Location of Piles. Landings, temporary roads, and natural openings shall be utilized so that piles are located such that burning will not damage standing live trees, leave snags, or physical improvements such as fences, utility lines and poles, buildings, signs, tables, grills, and cattle guards or other improvements. The minimum spacing between piles shall be equivalent to one and one-half the diameter of the adjacent pile. If conditions make it impractical to locate piles where damage to live trees and physical improvements can be avoided, a space shall be cleared in a location designated by Forest Service. Slash within partial cut areas and road construction clearings shall be moved to take advantage of previously constructed or natural clearings in order to minimize the construction of new clearings. Slash shall not be moved more than 120 feet to achieve the location requirement. Piles shall not be made on permanent roads. The minimum allowable distance of location of piles from the high water marks of live streams , intermittent or ephemeral stream courses, or drainage ditches is:

75 feet on low erosion potential areas – identified in Unit Information.

150 feet on mod/high erosion potential areas – identified in Unit Information.

Construction of Piles. Machine piles shall be compacted by pushing slash from all sides towards the center of the pile. A machine pile shall not be less than 4 feet in diameter and shall not exceed an average diameter of 25 feet and pile height shall not be less than one-third the average diameter of the pile. All slash which protrudes 4 feet or more from outer edge of the pile shall be bucked off and placed on the pile. Piling shall be accomplished in a manner that will prevent the accumulation of dirt in the piles.

Logs and tops from felled trees within leave groups of trees inside or outside the cutting unit shall be yarded out of such leave groups to approved locations and piled. Where there is danger of damaging leave trees, long material shall be end lined out of leave tree groups.

Method: LANDING PILING & GRAPPLE PILING

Definition and Specifications:

Landing Piling occurs with whole tree logging where residue accumulates at a stroke-delimber setting (Landing). Grapple Piling will occur with whole tree logging where residue accumulates at a flail debarker chipper setting (Landing). Piles at the landing shall be no more than 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, spaced no closer than 30 feet from each other, or from live trees, or from the road edge. If there is more slash than the landing can accommodate using these specifications, slash will be taken back to the woods. A residue pile in the woods shall be no more than 10 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, spaced no closer than 50 feet from each other, and at least 100 feet from the landing. The location of residue piles will be as described in Location of Piles, Machine Piling Specifications, except that slash will normally be moved more than 150 feet. Some of the residue will be scattered (the amount to be in agreement with the COR, depending on the conditions) over the skid trails as an erosion control measure.

Method: SCATTERING

Definition and Specifications:

Contractor shall remove all slash greater than 4 inches in diameter and/or 8 feet long, a minimum of 10 feet away from each leave tree 16 inches dbh and larger. Slash shall be placed upslope from, or along the upslope from, or along the contour from, leave trees. Slash shall not be placed down slope from leave trees.

Method: LOPPING

Definition and Specifications:

Slash shall be treated by limbing or severing, or both, and scattered as necessary to place slash within 2 feet of the ground over entire area of cutting unit. Occasional slash which exceeds the maximum height, not to exceed 5 percent of slash to be lopped and scattered, is acceptable. When agreed in writing between Contractor and Forest Service, crushing or chopping with mechanized equipment is permissible, where residual trees will not be excessively damaged and ground conditions are suitable.

Method: PULLBACK

Definition and Specifications:

Used for cases where some slash or woody materials (like chips) will be left on-site, to reduce fire danger to specific resources when broadcast burned later. Location of slash will be a minimum of 50 feet away from boundaries, drainages, private lands, roads, fences, utilities, burner trench edges, trees over 16 inches DBH/DRC, and other improvements or resources as specified.

Method: CRUSHING

Definition and Specifications:

Crushing down created or existing slash by running over it with skidders or dozers, or by dragging acceptable crushing equipment behind skidders or dozers, so that the remaining slash is no higher than 2 feet from the ground. If Forest Service Crushers are available, compatible, and used by contractor, they shall be greased for every 10 hours of operation.

Method: MASTICATE

Definition and Specifications:

The mowing/mulching/chipping of residue within the unit. The dimensions of the slash treated during mastication shall not exceed 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length or be allowed to accumulate to a depth exceeding 6 inches.

C4.4. Fire Tool box. The contractor shall provide a fire toolbox as described in Section H.

C4.5. Resource Protection. The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments and resources in all aspects of the contract work. See Section H.6.1.

C4.6. Camping and Worksite Conditions. The Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The conditions will be consistent with the requirements of Section H.10.0. Sanitation and Camp privileges.. The Lakeside Ranger District requires a special use permit to camp and may require chemical toilets.

C.4.7. Communications. The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer advised as to where the Contractor or Contractor's representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension and periods of time without work. Further, the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting Officer during periods of work suspension or periods of time without work. Communication shall also be required to meet the Industrial Fire Plan in Section H.3.0.

C.4.8. On-Site Representative. Contractor shall provide an on-site representative that is conversant and literate in the English language whenever work is in progress.

SECTION C5. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

The following tasks are to be performed to the quality performance requirements shown on the Performance Requirements Summary table in Section C7.

Tree and Log Treatment. Standing dead trees 4 inches to 16 inches in diameter at DBH (4 ½ feet above ground level) and down logs 6 inches to 16 inches in diameter shall be felled, cut, and treated according to contract specifications. Five logs per acre, 12 inches or greater in diameter at mid-point and a minimum of 10 feet long must be retained, either already on the ground or standing so that it will eventually fall to the ground. No other species, merchantable or non-merchantable may be cut and removed. No live trees may be cut or removed, except as previously agreed and designated by the COR. Other requirements may be listed in Project and Unit Information, Section J, Exhibits 5 and 6.

Slash treatment. The resultant slash will be treated as specified in Unit Information (Section J, Exhibit 6, example), and according to standards in Slash Treatment, C.4.3.

Road Maintenance. Roads will be maintained to the specifications as listed in Project Information (Section J, Exhibit 5, example), and according to the standards listed in H.7.0. and Section J, Exhibit 7, Road maintenance Drawings and T-Specs.

Erosion Control. Erosion control work will conform to specifications listed in H.5.0.

C.5.4. Submittals. The awarded contractor shall provide the following submittals:

C.5.4.1 Quality Control Plan

The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified.

C.5.4.2 Detailed Work Plan and Progress Schedule

The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform the project. Include methods, personnel and equipment. The contractor shall prepare and submit a practical schedule showing the order in which the contractor will perform the work and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each task. Work shall be performed in only one unit at a time unless otherwise authorized by the CO in writing.

C.5.4.3 Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-9 and Payrolls

A copy of Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-9 and payrolls for all employees will be required before any payments for work done on the contract will be made. Fourteen days will be allowed for the I-9 Forms and payrolls will be required weekly or biweekly. The payrolls will contain the elements required by the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. All employees of the contractor may be asked to present identification to a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer at various times during the course of the contract. Failure to provide the above mentioned documents will result in delay of payment and/or suspension of the work of the contract.

SECTION C6. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

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

Project area. The contractor shall cut (or knock down) and treat standing dead and dead/down trees, brush and slash.

Cut (or knock down) and treat dead standing trees 4 to 16 inches in diameter.

Treat dead and down trees 6 to 16 inches in diameter, brush and slash.

Leave 5 logs per acre 12 inches in diameter at midpoint and 10 feet long, either dead standing or on the ground.

Leave live trees regardless of size, unless designated by COR.

Care must be taken to protect existing facilities, Section H.6.1.

90 % minimum acceptable level of performance.

Review contractor’s records of inspection system & sampling results, and perform periodic onsite inspections. (Refer to Section E.2 & .3)

Must pass government inspection of thinning with 90% or greater for full payment.

Reduced payment for quality 80% to 89.9%.

No payment for quality below 80%.

Slash treatment must pass performance standards based on QASP standards.

Non-attainment may result in

With-holding of payment.

Rework at contractor’s expense.

Poor performance rating. Refer to Section M.1. for explanation.

Stump height shall not exceed 12 inches above ground level for trees 12 to 16 inches in diameter and 6 inches above ground for trees less than 12 inches in diameter. Above natural obstacles, such as old slash piles, rocks, logs etc. all stumps shall be 4 inches. Section H.6.3.

Perform slash treatment as specified in Task Orders to standards listed in Section C4.3.

C5.4Submittals

C5.4.1. Quality Control Plan (QCP)

C5.4.2. Work Plan

C5.4.3.Progress Schedule

C5.4.4. Payrolls and I-9 Forms All submittals are received within 30 days after contract award.

QCP includes contractor’s inspection system and method for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service performed. Includes method and frequency of inspections.

On-site records of all quality control inspections are submitted weekly.

As specified in section E.2.

As specified in sections C5.4.2.

As specified in section C5.4.3.

As specified in section C5.4.4.

Payment deduction of 5% if quality control inspections are not performed in accordance with QCP.

D - Packaging and Marking

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E - Inspection and Acceptance

E. 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 52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (Aug 1996)

E. 2. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

E.2.1. Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 10 days of contract award based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments.

The general Quality Control plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and an unbiased sample of thinning and other work to determine actual quality percentage.

E.3. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION / QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The objective of this plan is to provide a quality surveillance plan for thinning and slash treatment performed on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This plan provides a basis for the Contracting Officers Representative to evaluate the quality of the Contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for in the contract and in this plan will help ensure that quality levels reach the required levels of performance.

E.3.1 Performance Standards A. Quality Level: By monitoring the Contractor, the COR will determine whether the performance levels set forth in the contract have been attained. Quality standards for all tasks are specified in the PWS in Section C7.

B. On-Site Inspections: The COR will evaluate the current levels of performance, according to the standards set forth in this contract at the discretion of the COR.

C. Records Inspections: The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

D. Documentation: The COR will keep a file containing the following:

· Copy of the contract

· Copy of COR and Government Inspector appointment letters

· Copy of Contractor Designated Representatives letter

· Copies of all required documents provided by the Contractor under this contract

· All contract correspondence initiated or received by the COR

· All modifications to the contract

· Copies of all completed inspection reports, checklists, logs, diaries, contract discrepancy reports and surveillance certifications

· Records of meetings attended

· Copies of processed invoices and receipt documents

E.3.2. Visual Inspection The government will make periodic inspections while work is in progress to assure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. These inspections will initially be done daily but may vary if work progresses in a satisfactory manner. Inspection for acceptance of work will be accomplished by a visual or random plot inspection of each unit and will be based on adherence to the specifications. If the work quality is determined to be 90 percent or higher, payment will be made at 100 percent of unit price.

E.3.3 Visual Inspection Indicating Less Than Quality Work

In the event visual inspection indicates that work quality is less than 90 percent and the operator will not re-work the unit voluntarily, then the Government shall, by formal inspection, determine if the specified methods of work have been used. Failure to use specified methods shall require prompt corrective action. Repeated failure to follow the specified methods of work may be cause for termination of the Contractor’s right to proceed and the contract considered in default.

The inspections will be made on a series of plots. At least 1% of the total area will be sampled using a systematic grid. This will constitute a minimum inspection for determining satisfactory performance. All plots will be assigned a number. That number will be marked on the ground and will correspond with plot numbers on the inspection forms.

The inspection of this project will be completed using a 1/20 acre plot or larger to measure specifications. At each plot, the inspector will determine the following:

A. Number of trees left.

B. Optimum number of trees that should have been left.

C. Excess number of trees.

D. Number of missing trees.

E. Number of satisfactory trees.

F. Insufficient number of trees left.

G. Satisfactory stump height, slash disposal, and pruning.

The above information will be written on an inspection form. A sample inspection form, Exhibit 9, is in section J of this document.

Inspection of treated slash, road maintenance, and erosion control will occur as a visual examination of the units as they are completed. Elements that will be evaluated are stated in the PWS. The contractor will be informed of unsatisfactory work and asked to fix it should it fall below required standards. Slash must be treated in conjunction with thinning to reduce wildfire risk. Any exceptions must have prior approval by the COR.

E.3.4. Determination of Acceptable Work An error table will be used to determine the percentage of satisfactory work. The total number of errors divided by the total number of optimum leave trees equals the percent of unsatisfactory work. One hundred percent minus the percent of unsatisfactory work equals the percent of unsatisfactory work.

Example: refer to the sample inspection worksheet, Exhibit 9 in Section J. Unit #3 had a total of 48 leave trees within the plots that should be left for optimum results.

3.75 incorrect trees were counted.

(3.75/48) x 100 = 8% unsatisfactory work.

100% - 8% = 92% satisfactory work.

E.3.5. Unsatisfactory Work The minimum acceptable standard for full payment is 90%. Reduced payment will be made for quality 80 to 89.9%. If the percentage falls below 90%, the Government will inform the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall then rework all units that fall below 80% and bring the work up to satisfactory levels.

Payment, less deduction for other Government furnished property, will be made for completed bid items, or subitems of work at the unit contract price where ever the quality of thinning is 90 percent or above, based on inspections as outlined above. Where inspection determines thinning quality is 80 percent and above but below 90 percent, the work will be accepted at a rate reduction of 3 percent for each 1 percent the quality of work is below 90 percent.

EXAMPLE: Assume a item bid price of $1770.00 and a sub-item thinning quality of 84 percent: Deduct 18 percent (3 percent for each 1 percent quality is below 90 percent); 100…