Specifications.pdf

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Mt. Hebron/Goosenest Replant & Release Page 1 of 18

Section 1

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

KLAMATH NATIONAL FOREST

Tree Planting by Hoedad – Goosenest Ranger District

1.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

This solicitation and any resultant contract is to provide services for spring planting

Government-furnished tree seedlings on the Goosenest Ranger Districts, Klamath National

Forest. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, except those designated as Government-furnished, and incidentals to perform all work specified therein.

1.2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

a. Specific stand maps will be delivered at the pre-work meeting.

b. Accessibility.

1. Project areas may be reached by Forest Roads and are accessible by standard two-wheel drive pickup during the normal operating seasons. Four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with snow tires and chains may be necessary when snow, mud or ice is abundant in the project area or on four-wheel drive roads.

2. Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the

Government may: 1) provide an alternate access route; 2) delete the inaccessible stand(s); 3) substitute similar stand(s); 4) require walk-in to stands that are inaccessible.

c. Boundaries – Planting stand boundaries such as tree walls, roads, and fire lines are usually obvious on the ground. Boundaries that are not obvious will be marked with blue and white stripe, or orange colored flagging, colored boundary markers, or otherwise designated on the ground by the government.

1.3 CONTRACT DEFINITIONS

a. Plantable Spot – An area from which vegetation, ash, duff, snow and debris has been or can be removed, and a tree seedling can be planted as specified elsewhere herein.

b. Tree Walls – An existing tree stand along the perimeter of a plantable unit.

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c. Unplantable Spot - An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications. Berms and mounds of soil, as well as standing water, are unplantable spots.

d. Satisfactorily Planted Seedling – A seedling planted in full accordance with all planting specifications set forth in this contract.

e. Unsatisfactorily Planted Seedling – A planted seedling, which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted seedling.

f. Wasted Seedlings – Seedlings which are lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to the specifications for care of seedlings. Planted seedlings in excess of the maximum number of seedlings creditable as specified elsewhere herein are also considered to be wasted seedlings.

g. Cotyledon Scar – Lowest point on stem from which branches will grow. Marked by a distinct ring in the bark of most species of tree seedlings.

h. Root Length – Root length will be measured from the root tips to the cotyledon scar.

i. Microsite Planting – The planting of tree seedlings in plantable spots most favorable to seedling survival and growth. Examples of favorable micro site features that provide protection from sun, wind, animals, and other damaging agents are spots located adjacent to the following: down dead logs, log round debris, conifer tree stumps.

j. Rocky Ground – Where soil content is greater than 70% coarse rock fragments greater than 1 inch in size.

k. Mineral Soil – A soil consisting mostly of, and having its properties determined predominantly by, mineral matter, usually containing less than 20 percent organic matter but sometimes containing an organic surface layer up to 12 inches deep.

l. Suitable Tree – A tree of good form and vigor which shows no physical damage and which conforms to the size, characteristics, and species specified. See existing suitable trees C.8

(a3).

m. Stand – The measured area to be planted.

n. Drip line – An imaginary perimeter or circle existing on the ground beneath the outer limbs of an over story tree. It is the area on the ground where rainfall being shed by outermost limbs of a tree would land.

o. Interplants – These are stands being planted, but containing various amounts of residual or previously planted seedlings/saplings.

p. Scalp – To remove all ash, duff, sod, crowns of livings plants and roots to moist mineral soil.

For scalp dimensions, see planting spot preparation C.9.

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q. Hardwood trees – Trees with broad leaves rather than needles. Example; Oak, Madrone, and

Maple.

r. Conifer – A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales. Examples: Pine, True-fir, Incense

Cedar and Douglas fir.

s. Brush – A brush or scrub tree with broad leaves rather than needles. Examples: Manzanita, Deer brush and Gooseberry.

1.4 PLANTING EQUIPMENT

a. Planting Tools – Contractor’s planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Planting tools shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant the seedlings furnished by the Government. Tree seedling species and average root length are listed under G.1.

2. Augers – Where auger planting is required, the augers used shall be capable of drilling a 4-inch diameter hole to a depth of 2 inches deeper than the specified root length. Flighting and cutting bit on the auger shaft shall both have a diameter of 4 inches.

3. Handtools Where handplanting is specified, the hoedads used shall have a minimum

17-inch length and 4-inch minimum width planting blade, unless otherwise specified.

The head or scalping blade of a hoedad shall not be included in the minimum length measurement.

4. Hand held equipment used shall be capable of chopping, cutting, or sawing slash to diameters and depths specified, and live vegetation to the scalp size specified in the

Planting Data Sheets.

1.5 SEEDLING HANDLING EQUIPMENT

a. Planting Bags

1. Planting bags shall be a light color, shall not retain water, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches and shall be free of defects and contaminants.

2. Use insulated, light colored, planting bags.

b. Water and Dipping Containers

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1. Water containers for dipping conifers prior to planting shall be provided by the contractor. Containers shall be at least 24 inches deep and 18 inches in diameter.

2. Sufficient water to dip seedlings to codolyden scar shall be provided by contractor daily.

1.6 CARE OF SEEDLINGS

a. The contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

1. Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations or contact with injurious substances.

2. Seedlings stored in boxes, bags or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes shall be promptly resealed. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade.

Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

3. Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

4. Seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer.

5. Frozen seedlings shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow.

6. Seedlings removed from cold storage facilities shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow.

7. Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed. Burlap-wrapped seedlings shall have the wrappings loosened slightly.

8. Seedlings shall not be removed from a planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

9. Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

10. Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried or removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Mt. Hebron/Goosenest Replant & Release Page 5 of 18 before extended breaks, such as lunch. The maximum number of seedlings that may be carried by a planter is 200.

11. The contractor shall not touch the roots of the seedlings.

12. Bags of seedlings shall not be carried into a stand and stored for later planting without authorization from the Contracting Officer. There will be no bag and drag of seedlings into any stand without authorization.

13. The Contractor shall not dig and replant seedlings other than those located on spot checks of below ground planting quality.

1.7 PREPARATION OF SEEDLINGS

Roots of bareroot seedlings shall be dipped in vermiculite and water slurry prior to placing seedling in planting bags unless directed otherwise by the Contracting Officer. All seedlings shall go quickly from shipping containers to slurry to planting bags in one quick process. Not more than 1 bundle of seedlings shall be processed at any one time by each planter. Seedling or bundles shall not be whipped or struck against any object to remove excess water after dipping. Dipping shall be accomplished in the shade. The water temperature should be at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure water uptake by seedling, unless the Contracting Officer waives the requirement.

1.8 SPACING AND SPOT SELECTION

(a) Seedlings Spacing Requirements.

(1) Seedlings shall be planted to the boundary of all planting stands and around the perimeter of unplantable areas in spots distributed at intervals prescribed. For individual seedlings, the specified average spacing may be varied no more than 25 percent in any direction to find a more suitable planting spot.

(2) Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall plant in the closest plantable spot; however, average spacing shall be maintained.

(3) Where existing suitable trees exceed 6 inches in height, seedlings shall be planted within the distance specified in the planting data sheet. Where residual conifers are over 4 inches DBH, planting shall begin at the dripline, see definitions C.3, of the crop tree. When hardwood trees are encountered, they shall be planted through as if they do not exist, and spacing shall not vary unless otherwise specified on the planting data sheet. Knob cone pine shall not be considered a suitable crop tree.

(b) Planting Spot Selection.

(1) Brush patches containing planting spots shall be planted. Landings, road cuts and fill banks shall be planted where planting spots exist.

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(2) Whenever possible planting spots shall be prepared where stumps, logs, and terrain provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedling survival and growth. When planting next to shade baring objects, plant seedling no closer than 2 inches and no farther than 6 inches. See Exhibit A.

(3) Planting spots shall not be located in the tracks left by crawler tractors or rubber tired skidders, skid trail berms, or mounds of soil. Note: Seedlings sampled on inspection plots which are not placed in favorable planting spots shall be counted as unsatisfactory.

1.9 PLANTING SPOT PREPARATION

(a) Prior to preparing the planting hole, Contractor shall clear the planting spot of all limbs, logs, snow, bark, rotten wood, rocks and other loose debris and shall scalp ash, duff, sod, crowns of living plants, and roots to moist mineral soil. Debris to be removed shall be all material up to 10 feet in length and up to 8 inch diameter. Scalping area shall be 18 inches in diameter and shall be scalped to mineral soil. See exhibits B and C.

(b) When auger planting, scalpers shall not precede auger operators so far that excessive drying of the scalps occurs.

1.10 PREPARING THE PLANTING HOLE

(a) Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared planting spot and shall be between perpendicular and true vertical to the ground surface. When auger or hoedad planting, three attempts shall be made within the required scalped area. The auger or hoedad shall be “worked” back and forth on each of those three attempts before the spot can be considered unplantable.

(b) For Handtools:

(1) An open hole, broken out as shown in Exhibit D, and deep and wide enough to fully accommodate the roots of the seedlings to be planted is required. The planting hole shall be broken out on three sides, with the back of the hole being broken out after the seedling is suspended in the center of the hole.

(c) For Power Soil Augers:

(1) A hole as shown in Exhibit F and G, of the specified diameter shall be drilled at least

2 inches deeper than the maximum root length specified. Auger shall not proceed so far ahead of planters that the drilled hole or excavated material will dry excessively prior to planting. Auxiliary holes shall be drilled in cleared areas, if needed, to provide additional moist mineral soil to fill the planting hole. Abandoned holes shall be filled in with soil/debris or collapsed after the seedling has been planted.

(2) Power augers shall be maintained in such a manner that does not leave oil or gasoline in the planting hole or on the soil used for backfilling into the planting hole.

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(3) Hand tools shall be available for planting whenever significant areas are encountered which cannot be auger planted due to subsurface rocks, roots, or other obstacles if deemed necessary by the government.

1.11 SEEDING PLACEMENT

(a) Bareroot Seedlings – The bareroot seedling shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth such that, after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point at or above the cotyledon scar of the tree. No portion of the roots shall be exposed nor shall needles or branches be covered with soil. Roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, or bunched. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. See Exhibit L.

(b) Containerized Seedlings – Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point even with the lowest needles of green foliage. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. See Exhibit J.

1.12 FILLING AND FIRMING

(a) Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that; assures the seedling and root system are not damaged.

After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

(b) After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed a 1 inch lean from true vertical from the top of the seedling. Refer to Exhibit I.

1.13 MIXTURE OF PLANTING STOCK

(a) Where a mixture of planting stock is required, the Contractor shall plant mixtures in locations specified by Contracting Officer’s Representative.

(b) In subitems where more than one species is to be planted, the seedlings shall be evenly distributed throughout the stand unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer Representative.

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Section 2

INSPECITON AND ACCEPTANCE

2.1 INSPECTION OF SERVICES—FIXED-PRICE (FAR 52.246-4) (AUG 1996)

(a) Definitions. “Services,” as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) 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.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and test in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contact amount, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the

Government may (1) require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements and (2) reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may (1) by contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the

Government that is directly related to the performance of such service or (2) terminate the contract for default.

2.2 GOVERNMENT INSPECTION PROCEDURES

(a) The Government will inspect planting to determine compliance with specifications and to provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of observations of seedling handling, spot site preparations, planting and inspection procedures, and examination of individual seedlings on sampling plots. The sample plots will be located throughout the planting units so as to obtain a representative sample of the work. Each planting stand will be inspected separately and inspection results on one stand will not be averaged with those of other stands.

(b) Planting shall be suspended if, in a planting day, 5 inspection plots fall below 90% and the overall stand percentage is lower than 90%. The contractor, after consultation with the planting

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Mt. Hebron/Goosenest Replant & Release Page 9 of 18 inspector/Contracting Officer, shall determine the cause for the error and shall convey to the crew, methods to prevent future mistakes before continuing work. If after resuming work, 2 more plots indicate the planting quality is still below 90%, further action may be taken if poor quality trend continues.

(c) Periodic or continuous inspections to determine compliance with specifications for the planting and care of seedlings will be made by the contracting Officer. Failure of the Contractor to correct unsatisfactory conditions or continued failure to plant at an overall planting quality of at least

90% will be considered non-compliant to the terms of this contract and may be grounds for suspension or termination, and constitute evidence of lack of qualifications.

(d) Ongoing operations will be inspected to assure compliance with Section C-6, Care of

Seedlings. Seedlings that are handled in a manner inconsistent with these specifications will be declared

“wasted” seedlings, and may be cause for default termination and assessment of damages against the contractor.

(e) Planting procedures will be observed and planted seedlings on representative sample plots will be examined to assure and measure compliance with specifications.

(f) Specific Inspection Items Include:

Code (1) Above Ground

Inspection

Clause

V Satisfactory C.6,8,9,10,11,12

S Spacing C.8a

L Planting spot selection C.8

C Site prep – Planting spot scalping & Seedling

Location Within Scalp Area

C.9,10

A Position of stem and top

(seedling top stem position not more than 1” from vertical).

C.12

P Planting depth and exposed roots (1/2 distance between the lower branch whorl and cotyledon scar).

C.11

F Firmness (will inspect for stem damage due to firming techniques).

C.12

B Shade (where available, utilize micro site principles).

C.8b

N Non-plantable C.10a

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Code (2) Below Ground

Inspection

Clause

V Satisfactory C.6,9,10,11,12

O Planting Hole Orientation C.10

U Root configuration and orientation (J-root, twisted)

C.11

X Altered root length and root damage (pruned, bark, peeled).

C.6

M Foreign material in planting hole (rocks, sticks, snow, etc.)

C.12

T Soil firming around roots

(air pockets, loose soil).

C.12

2.3 INSPECTION PROCEDURES

(a) A series of circular plots, with slope correction sufficient in number to yield at least one percent sample of the contract acreage.

(b) Sample plots will be examined as follows:

(1) The inspector will mark on the ground a series of 1/100 or 1/50 acre plots, sufficient in number to yield at least a one percent sample of the stand being measured. Plots will be distributed uniformly over the entire stand. Inspection within each plot will be done as follows.

(2) Determine from Table I the average number of planting spots for the plot based on the specified average spacing. From this number subtract the number of acceptable existing trees and number of unplantable spots. Record the difference as the number of plantable spots on which seedlings should be planted.

TABLE I

AVERAGE

SPACING (FEET)

AVERAGE NO. OF

PLANTING SPOTS ON 1/50

ACRE PLOTS

AVERAGE NO. OF

PLANTING SPOTS ON 1/100

ACRE PLOTS

8 X 8 14 7

9 X 9 11 5

10 X 10 9 4

11 X 11 7 4

12 X 12 6 3

13 X 13 5 -

14 X 14 4 -

16 X 16 3 -

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(3) Determine and record the maximum number of allowable seedlings form Table II.

TABLE II

Determination of the Maximum Allowable Trees From Number of Plantable Spots recorded in Step No.

2 above.

PLANTABLE SPOTS MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SEEDLINGS

0 1

1 2

2 3

3 4

4 5

5 6

6 7

7 8

8 10

9 11

10 12

11 13

12 14

13 16

14 17

15 18

(4) Record the number of seedlings planted on the plot.

(5) Determine and record the number of wasted seedlings on the plot. This will be the number of seedlings determined by number of seedlings which are lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to specifications for care of seedling. Total number of wasted seedlings from inspection record divided by the number of plots taken, multiplied by the reciprocal of the plot size, times number of acres in the stand, plus seedlings determined wasted under care of seedling specifications. For example, if a total of

27 wasted seedlings were found on 40 1/50 acre plots which were taken on a 60-acre stand, and a bundle of 200 seedlings had been wasted through improper care, the calculation would be made as follows:

(27 x 50 x 60 = 2025 + 200 = 2225 wasted seedlings)

(6) Inspect and record the number of planted seedlings meeting the above-ground contract specifications. The maximum number of satisfactory seedlings to be credited shall not exceed that shown in Table III.

(7) Determine and dig at least the minimum number of seedlings from those determined satisfactory above ground as shown in Table III.

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TABLE III

NUMBER OF SATISFACTORILY

PLANTED SEEDLINGS OF PLOT –

ABOVE GROUND

MIMIMUM NUMBER OF SEEDLINGS

TO BE DUG

1 1

2-6 2

7-9 3

10-12 4

13 PLUS 5

(8) The satisfactory above-ground seedlings shall be dug starting with those closest to the plot center and progressing outwards.

(9) Record the number of seedling meeting below-ground contract specifications.

(10) Compute the planting quality by the following formula:

Planting Quality =

No. of Sat. Seedlings Above-Ground x No. of Sat. Dug Seedlings x 100

No. of Plantable Spots No. of Dug Seedlings

(i) the results of the above calculation shall be applied as follows:

(A) Plot.

(1) Divide the total satisfactory seedlings above ground by the total number of plantable spots. The resulting quotient shall not exceed a value of 1.

(2) Divide the total satisfactory seedlings below ground by the total seedlings dug,

(3) Multiply the two (2) totals to get planting quality percentage.

(4) When the number of satisfactory seedlings above ground is zero or one and the number of plantable spots is zero, the result shall be 1.0.

(11) Percentage of planting quality as calculated above shall be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

(12) Average planting spots and maximum/minimum number of satisfactory seedlings shown in

Tables I and II have been rounded to the nearest whole number and it is mutually understood and agreed that these figures will be used for determining planting quality even though they are not precisely correct from a mathematical standpoint.

(i) Inspection Results.

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(A) Inspection results shall be available for review by the Contractor at any time during the inspection process.

(13) Non-conformance with any of the specific items given in this section will constitute unsatisfactory planting.

2.4 REINSPECTION UPON CONTRACTOR REQUEST

If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a reinspection may be requested. Requests for reinspection shall be made in writing within 24 hours after receipt of initial inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used but new plots will be selected. The inspection pattern will be shifted so new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots.

2.5 INSPECTION RESULTS USED TO DETERMINE PAYMENT

The inspection results of the first examination will be used in determining payment and acceptability if reinspection results are within 5% of the first inspection. If reinspection indicates a variance of more than 5 % from the first inspection, the results of the second inspection rounded to the nearest whole percent will be used.

2.6 PAYMENT FOR REINSPECITON BY CONTRACTOR

If the results of the reinspection rounded to the nearest whole percent are within 5 percentage points of the previous inspection, the contractor shall pay the actual costs of the reinspection.

2.7 INSPECTION RESULTS STAND ALONE

Each stand will be inspected separately and inspection results of one stand will not be averaged with inspection results of other stands.

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Section 3

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

3.1 PERIOD OF CONTRACT

(a) The contractor shall be required to commence work within three (3) days after receipt of each delivery order issued under this contract or of the date specified on the delivery order, whichever is later.

The number of days for completion of the work ordered by each delivery order will be calculated by dividing the total number of acres ordered, by the required daily rate as stated below.

(b) Contract period for spring planting will run from date of contract award through June 15, 2015 or completion of contracted acres, whichever is sooner.

(c) The minimum number of acres for mobilizing will be 2 days work for one 10-person crew plus foreman.

(d) Because seedling survival and growth are dependent upon proper soil and weather conditions at the time of planting and because these conditions will only prevail for a limited length of time, it is imperative that work shall commence no later than 5 days after the effective date of the notice to proceed. Sub items shall be planted in accordance with the order of preference established by the

Contracting Office. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate, which will assure completion within the contract time indicated above. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total acres of work for each bid item by contract time specified in Sec. F1(b).

(e) If the Contractor’s progress falls behind the work progress schedule for more than five days at the specified rate of progress or, if the percentage of planting quality falls below 95 percent for more than 10 percent of the item or sub item acreage, the contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated if specified in a written cure notice. Such notice may be in the form of a work order and shall allow no more than three working days for corrective action to be completed.

(f) The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed on each bid item as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for survival of planting stock. It is recognized and agreed that due to existing conditions not all planting stands of a bid item or sub item may be available for planting at the time the Notice to Proceed is issued and subsequent suspension of work may become necessary.

(g) Contract time will start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed, if hand delivered, or the third day after the Post Office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor, or when planting commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick up Certified Mail will not be considered an excusable delay.

(h) The length of workdays is not to exceed 10 hours per day and no later than 5:00 pm., with no work on Saturdays and Sundays unless agreed upon by the Contracting Officer or Representative.

3.2 ARRIVAL FOR WORK

If the Contractor fails to arrive for work as scheduled, and does not give prior notice, he or she may be charged for costs incurred by the Government (wages and mileage).

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3.3 VARIATION IN ESTIMATED QUANTITY (FAR 52.212-11) (APR 84)

If the quantity of a unit-priced item in this contract is an estimated quantity and the actual quantity of the unit-priced item varies more than 15 percent above or below the estimated quantity, and equitable adjustment in the contract price shall be made upon demand of either party. The equitable adjustment shall be based upon any increase or decrease in costs due solely to the variation above 115 percent or below 85 percent of the estimated quantity. If the quantity variation is such as to cause an increase in the time necessary for completion, the Contractor may request, in writing, an extension of time, to be received by the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the beginning of the delay, or within such further period as may be granted by the Contracting Officer before the date of final settlement of the contract. Upon the receipt of a written request for an extension, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and make an adjustment for extending the completion date as, in the judgment of the

Contracting Officer, is justified.

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Section 4

CONTRACT ADMINISTARATION DATA

4.1 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

(a) Government-furnished seedlings will be delivered to the nearest accessible road, adjacent to stand boundary daily unless other points are agreed to by the Contracting Officer. The Contracting

Officer will arrange delivery at a time mutually agreed to at the pre-work conference. The quantity of seedlings to be delivered for the following workday will be requested by the Contractor before the end of the current workday based on his production rates and proposed crew size for the next workday.

(1) It is expected that the stock will be 1.5 q plugs

(2) The species will Ponderosa pine. No payment adjustments in stand prices will be made for any changes in planting stock. Average taproot length will be 10 inches (plus or minus

25%). The Contracting Officer will determine the percentage of species and age class mix on a stand or portion thereof.

(b) Contractor shall be responsible for loss; damage or destruction of Government property unless the Contractor can show the damage resulted from causes beyond the Contractor’s control and without the Contractor’s fault or negligence.

4.2 PROPERTY RECORDS (FAR 52.245-1) (APR 1984)

The Government will maintain the Government’s official property records in connection with

Government property under this contract. The Government property clause is hereby modified by deleting the requirement for the contractor to maintain such records.

4.3 SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT DOCUMENTS

(a) Contractor may request payment on accepted units when the total amount of payment earned is $1,000 or more.

(b) The contractor shall invoice the Government for payment, following the procedures in the

Prompt Payment clause in Section I. Refer to that clause for explanation of a proper invoice and submission procedures.

4.4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

(a) All linear and area measurements required under this contract will be measured on the horizontal plane.

(b) Re-measurement. (1) Re-measurement of the acreage under this contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor. Request for re-measurement must be made in writing within 24 hours after planting has been completed on the stand.

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(2) If re-measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the Contractor shall bear the actual costs of the re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement. No adjustment will be made for a difference of one acre or less.

4.5 METHOD OF PAYMENT

(a) Payment for planting:

(1) Payment, less deductions for wasted seedling, or other Government furnished property, will be made for completed stands of work at the unit contract price wherever the quality of planting is 95% or above, based on inspections outlined in section E.

(2) Where inspection determines that the planting quality is 90% and above, but below

95%, the work will be accepted at a rate reduction of two percent for each percent drop in the quality below 95 percent.

(3) Where quality falls below 90%, the Contractor shall be assessed an additional unacceptable planting deduction of three percent for each percent drop in the quality below 90 percent.

Payment Example

Payment quality Percentage =

No. of Sat. Seedlings Above-Ground x No. of Sat. Dug Seedlings x 100

No. of Plantable Spots No. of Dug seedlings

(I) Assume a unit bid price of $70.00 per acre and a stand planting quality of 86 percent.

(II) Deduct 22 percent (2 percent for each 1 percent quality below 95 percent and 3 percent for each 1 percent quality below 90 percent).

(III) One hundred percent minus 22 percent equals 78 percent pay rate per acre equals 78 percent times $70.00 equals $54.60 per acre pay rate.

(IV) Damaged, dead, destroyed, lost, stolen, or wasted seedlings will be charged for at the rate of $17.00 per 100 seedlings for bare root. Plug stock will be charged for at the rate of $30.00 per 100 seedlings. Number of wasted seedlings to be charged for will be calculated as follows:

(A) Total number of wasted seedlings from inspection record, divided by number of plots taken, multiplied by the reciprocal of the plot size, times number of acres in pay item. Plus seedlings determined wasted.

(B) For example, if a total of 27 wasted seedling were found on 40 one-fiftieth acre plots which were taken on a 60 acre stand, and a bundle of 200 seedlings had been wasted through improper care, the calculation would be made as follows:

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Mt. Hebron/Goosenest Replant & Release Page 18 of 18

27 x 50 x 60 = 2025 + 200 = wasted seedlings

-Such charges will be deducted from earnings

(3) Repeated failure to plant at the 95 percent level or above may be grounds for termination for default. As a minimum, actual damages will be assessed on those stands not satisfactorily planted.

Actual damages include, but are not limited to, cost of seedlings, site preparation, and resurvey.

(4) The Contractor may be charged administrative costs incurred by the Government for repeated failure to meet Government representatives at previously scheduled times and places.

4.6 CONTRACT RELEASE AND FINAL PAYMENT

The Government shall pay the final amount due the Contractor under this contract after completion and acceptance of all work, presentation of a properly executed voucher, and the presentation of release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor specifically excepted from the operation of the release. A release may also be required of the assignee if the Contractor’s claim to amount payable under this contract has been assigned under the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. 3727 and 41 U.S.C.

15).