EOW_Mast_C.docx

C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure services to mechanically thin conifers, brush cutting, and fuels reduction according to contract specifications. Thinning shall consist of selecting crop trees and mechanically cutting all other trees and brush designated in the contract except for areas designated by the C.O.R. The C.O.R. will designate areas where the brush may be left. Thinning and brush cutting shall be done in a manner that does not damage leave trees not specified to be treated.

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, American River Ranger District with most of the sub-items located in T15N, R11E, MDM.

From Interstate 80 in Auburn, CA, drive east on Foresthill Road for approximately 17 miles into the town of Foresthill.

Item 1 and II: Proceed past the ranger station to Mosquito Ridge Rd. (Road #96) and turn right. Proceed 22 miles on Mosquito Ridge Rd. to Interbay Road and follow maps to sub-item locations.

Item III: Proceed 10 more miles on Foresthill Road to Sugar Pine Road (Road #10) and follow maps to sub-item locations.

Description: The perimeters of sub-items are either flagged with neon green ribbon with black “Silviculture Boundary” lettering, or posted with orange paint. Designation on painted boundaries includes two painted dots facing into the treatment area and one dot on the sides facing the direction of the boundary. 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): The following shall be excluded or protected:

1. Riparian Conservation Areas: All stream channels, including dry channels, have Riparian Conservation Areas (RCA’s). Low pressure ground equipment is limited to slopes less than 20% gradient within RCA’s up to the edge of the Riparian Buffer (equipment is excluded from the Riparian Buffer). The RCA for Perennial streams includes 300 feet on each side of the channel, measured from the full edge and the RCA on seasonal flowing streams includes 150 feet on each side of the channel, measured from the full edge. Meadows, lakes, and springs will have a 300-foot RCA measured from the edge of feature or riparian vegetation, whichever is greater. Note: there are no perennial streams within units in this contract.

2. Riparian Buffer: No equipment will be permitted within stream channels except at crossings designated by the C.O.R. Mastication equipment must stay outside of riparian buffer zones, but the mastication machine arm may reach inside the riparian buffer. Perennial streams will have a 100-foot riparian buffer zone along each side of the channel, intermittent streams will have a 50-foot riparian buffer along each side of the channel, and ephemeral streams will have a 25-foot riparian buffer zone along each side to limit ground disturbance in the stream/riparian area.

3. Controlled Sites: Heritage resource controlled sites within the project area will be flagged with blue and black stripe ribbon and avoided.

4. Areas of sensitive plants are flagged out with orange and white-striped ribbon.

5. Meadows and wet areas. This includes any areas with wet soils or vegetation indicating the presence of wet soils. The COR shall designate these areas on the ground using “Equipment Keep Out” signs.

6. Survey monuments and bearing trees shall be protected and not damaged in any way.

Protection of Improvements: Contractor shall protect improvements (such as roads, trails, telephone lines, ditches, and fences) that exist in the operating area and are determined to have a continuing need or use. These improvements shall be left in the original condition existing prior to the commencement of work on this contract.

Accessibility: 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.

Contract Explanation/Interpretation: 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: 10 days after Notice To Proceed Time: 156 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 ground conditions are too wet to continue operations without sustaining resource damage to soils. The Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative will make this determination. When such conditions exist, the Forest Service will issue a written Suspend Work Order. Low-ground-pressure equipment may operate when soils are dry to a depth of 4 inches.

4. Servicing and refueling of equipment areas shall be located outside of RCAs. In case of a HAZMAT spill, the material shall be immediately contained and the Forest Service shall be immediately notified.

5. Within the sub-item boundaries, the Government may exclude non-work areas such as: rocky areas, wildlife areas, and other special areas. The Contracting Officer’s Representative will designate non-work areas. Such areas exceeding 1/2 acre in size per unit will be excluded from payment.

6. Limited Operating Period (LOP): Some items may be affected by a LOP for the yellow-legged frog. Riparian Conservation areas in items specified on schedule B may not be entered between November 1st and April 30th.

7. The contractor’s operations are limited to 6AM – 9PM Monday – Thursday and from 8AM – 6PM on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays to limit noise to nearby campground. This restriction applies to Item III, sub-item 200-85 and 200-86.

8. The contractor is restricted from operations within 300’ of Mosquito Ridge Road on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays. Along with placing the two cautionary signs (C.8-5 Public Safety), the contractor must have an individual controlling traffic on the road during the time that the operations are occurring within 300’ of the road edge. This restriction applies to Item II, sub-items 265-127 and 285-53.

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 [ ] does [ X] does not require the contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor.

Other: NONE

C.7 Camping and Housing

Camping is not permitted in US Forest Service campgrounds. Contractor [ X] will [ ] 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. On the American River Ranger District, camping is only permitted with the use of a portable toilet. This also applies even when the person has a self-contained travel trailer. (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.

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) – A tree without excessive damage, phenotypic defects, and insect or disease infestation and which has a live crown ratio 40% or greater.

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 10.0 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.)

Hardwood Clump – A hardwood tree that has sprouted due to wildfire, being cut, or natural causes and has two or more stems growing from the same base. There is generally a wide range in the size and number of stems per clump.

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

Limited Operating Period – A limitation on equipment operation during a specified period of time, usually to protect sensitive species.

Masticate – Chipping, shredding or mulching of woody material.

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) and Riparian Buffer – - an area designated along stream channels or seeps. Within the RCA, a Riparian Buffer is designated as area protected during logging, mechanical treatments and site preparation.

Slash - All debris resulting from operations including stems, limbs and tops of trees, and brush.

Snag – A dead tree.

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 Crop (Leave) Trees:

Leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest boles that are free of damage due to insects, disease, physical and mechanical causes. The Contractor shall select leave trees using the following priorities:

1. Leave all conifers and hardwoods that exceed 10” in DBH.

2. Leave all hardwoods and hardwood clumps that are at least 2/3 the size of the largest surrounding conifers and space off these trees 10’ to 15’ from the crown edge.

3. Select leave trees from healthy undamaged conifers as necessary to achieve an average spacing of 20X20. Spacing may be varied up to 25 percent to select the most desirable tree; however, spacing control using the original guides shall be maintained whenever possible. The number of trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased. In cases where an overstory of large conifers and hardwoods exist, the Contractor will not be selecting crop (leave) trees but rather cutting trees up to 10” DBH and shrubs, and masticating ground fuels specified to contract standards.

4. Select leave trees that are of the largest, healthiest, and with good form and growth. The desired species priority starting from the greatest preference is:

Item1 and II: 1) healthy sugar pine, 2) Douglas-fir, 3) ponderosa pine, 4) incense cedar, 5) black oak, 6) live oak, and 7) white fir.

Item III: 1) Douglas-fir, 2) healthy sugar pine, 3) ponderosa pine, 4) incense-cedar and 5) red/white fir.

5. If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, leave tree with minor damage.

8-2.2 Selection of Cut Trees

Cut and masticate all conifer trees less than 10” at DBH (14” stump diameter) that do not meet the definition of a crop tree while observing spacing requirements. Crop trees greater than 10” at DBH are included in the spacing requirements.

C8-2.3 Mastication Standards

All slash and other vegetative debris shall meet the following specifications when greater than two feet from any obstacle, crop tree, or hardwood:

1. No slash and other vegetative debris shall be more than 12 inches deep as measured from the ground level.

2. All conifer and brush stumps shall be a maximum height of 6 inches above the average ground level as measured on the uphill side or 6 inches above natural obstacles (i.e. logs, rocks).

3. No individual pieces of slash or vegetative debris shall be greater than 3.0 feet in length.

4. All boles or pieces of material created by contractor’s operations up to 14” inches in diameter (at the stump) shall be masticated.

5. No damage to crop trees or sugar pine as a result of contract operations is permitted.

6. All cut vegetation shall be kept within unit boundaries. Any cut vegetation falling into ditches, roads, road banks, trails or adjacent units shall be removed by the end of the day.

7. All brush within the work areas shall be masticated as close to the leave tree as possible without damage to the leave tree.

8. No masticated or cut material shall lean against or be suspended by a leave crop tree.

8-2.4 Treatment of Snags

1. All snags over 10 inches in DBH that do not create a hazard to performing work shall be saved.

2. Snags over 10 inches DBH creating a hazard to performing work will be cut and masticated (according to mastication specifications) only upon approval of the COR.

3. Snags less than 10 inches DBH shall be masticated.

8-2.5 Treatment of Logs

Do not masticate or otherwise damage any existing down logs greater than 10 inches in diameter on the large end and greater or equal to 10.0’ in length. These logs may be moved if possible following approval by the COR.

8-2.6 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. These trees will not be considered in spacing requirements or in trees-per-acre counts.

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 equipment shall be of low ground pressure type which meets the following specifications:

1. Ground pressure shall not exceed a maximum of 8.0 PSI.

2. Machine width maximum shall not exceed 12 feet.

3. Machine shall be equipped with a masticating or mulching head. The machine must have a boom capable of reaching at least 20 feet from center of machine to perform the work described in the scope of the contract. Equipment without an articulating boom shall not exceed a ground pressure of 3.0 PSI.

4. Machine shall be free of fluid leaks and have hoses in good operating condition.

5. 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.

6. Machine shall be cleaned before it is moved on to the work site and before transportation from the project area.

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 300 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 not less than 100 feet, or more than 200’ from the unit so as to be visible to oncoming traffic. 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, flying debris 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 N/A

C.8-7 Road Maintenance

8. All specified roads shown on contract maps shall be left in the original condition existing prior to the commencement of work on this contract. Any water bars in skid trails disturbed by the Contractor's operations shall be restored to the condition prior to damage at the Contractor's expense. Excessive slash cannot be left in the roadways or trails after the end of each work day. All cut vegetation shall be kept within unit boundaries. If slash is broadcasted onto the roadways, it must be removed by the end of each workday.