Solicitation.doc

ADDENDA SHEET

2015 FREDS MASTICATION

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED

AG-9JGP-S-15-0095

PAGE

OF

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

7. FOR SOLICITATION INFORMATION CALL:

CONTRACTING OFFIER

TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE

a. NAME

MATTHEW GAGNON

GARY CLINE

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect calls) 530-478-6826 530-642-5025

8. OFFER DUE DATE/ LOCAL TIME

OCT 08 2015 @ 10:00 a.m.

UNRESTRICTED OR FORMCHECKBOX

SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

FORMCHECKBOX

SMALL BUSINESS FORMCHECKBOX

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

FORMCHECKBOX

HUBZONE SMALL (WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM NAICS:

FORMCHECKBOX

SERVICE DISABLED FORMCHECKBOX

EDWOSB

VETERAN- OWNED SIZE STANDARD:

SMALL BUSINESS FORMCHECKBOX

8(A)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ACQUISITIONS

631 COYOTE STREET

NEVADA CITY 95959

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

FORMCHECKBOX

SEE SCHEDULE

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

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ FORMCHECKBOX

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

See specifications.

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

See block 9.

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE N0.

FORMCHECKBOX

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

FORMCHECKBOX

SEE ADDENDUM

ELDORADO NATION AL FOREST

See separate schedule sheet.

Contractor MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before award can be made.

Please provide the following information:

DUNS#_________________

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary) Email offers are not authorized

Facsimile offers must be fully received by the due date and time. Please plan accordingly.

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

See IAS requisition.

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

FORMCHECKBOX

ARE NOT ATTACHED

FORMCHECKBOX

ARE NOT ATTACHED

FORMCHECKBOX

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 1

FORMCHECKBOX

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA ‑ FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED

FORMCHECKBOX

INSPECTED

FORMCHECKBOX

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

CORRECT FOR

|PARTIAL | |FINAL

FORMCHECKBOX

COMPLETE FORMCHECKBOX

PARTIAL FORMCHECKBOX

FINAL

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012) BACK

PART 1: SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

SECTION B: 07/14/2011

SUPPLIES/SERVICES & PRICES/COSTS

2. Responses without prices for each item and sub-item may be rejected.

PRICE SUBMITTED BY:

SIGNATURE:

PHONE:

VENDOR NAME:

FAX:

ADDRESS:

EMAIL:

DUNS NUMBER:

CONTACT:

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to obtain services of seedling lifting, grading and packing for bareroot and container grown seedlings along with associated clean up. Field destroying of bare root seedlings is also included within this contract.

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.

Project Location & Description

Location: The project is located on the Eldorado National Forest, Placerville Nursery.

Description: This project is located on the Placerville Nursery grounds at 2375 Fruitridge Rd. Camino, California.

Exclusions (non-work areas): none

Accessibility: The Placerville Nursery is accessible year round via paved county roads.

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

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.

Estimated Start Dates & Contract Times Item 1 – Container Pack

Start: October 15, 2015

Time: 40 days

Item2 – Bareroot Lift

Start: January 5, 2016

Time: 5 days

Item 3 – Bareroot Pack

Start: January 6, 2016

Time: 10 days

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 or damage to nursery property.

The Contractor's and employees' vehicles shall only be permitted in the designated parking area. However, the contractor may use one vehicle per eight employees to transport employees and supplies between the parking area and the work area. The Contractor and employees shall use service roads only and shall not drive or walk across fields unless directed to do so by the COR or Inspector. Exceeding speed limits will not be permitted. Posted speed limits are 5 mph from the front entrance gate past the main office to the fuel pumps, and 5 mph in the vicinity of buildings and on secondary roads.

No firearms or controlled substances including alcoholic beverages are permitted on the site. No warming or cooking fires will be permitted in the parking lot or elsewhere on the Nursery site.

The Contractor and employees shall maintain a clean work site. Lunch sacks, cigarette butts and other debris shall be placed in government furnished garbage receptacles, which are emptied by the Contractor and employees.

Government furnished equipment shall not be misused, abused, or damaged by Contractor or employees. Damage caused by the Contractor through misuse or abuse of the equipment will be charged to Contractor.

Only the Contractor and employees shall be permitted in designated work areas. Family members and acquaintances of the Contractor or employees, and job seekers, are not permitted to loiter on the Nursery site. Persons seeking employment with the contractor are not permitted in the nursery office, work areas or coolers. The contractor must deal with job seekers in a prompt manner.

Expectorating or clearing sinuses on the black topped parking area or on the floors in any of the buildings is not permitted.

Heaters located in the packing shed work area must NOT be turned on during packing operations. All outside doors must be kept closed at all times. The exception is for normal movement of equipment, persons and materials into and out of the packing shed. The door closest to the Tub/Sack operations may be left open at the COR/Lead Inspectors discretion. Other doors may be left open at the discretion of the COR/Lead Inspector. Automatic and manual door switches and handles must be operated by hand, not by pressing or striking with a tool, pallet or other object.

At the request of the Government, the Contractor shall remove any worker who exhibits unsafe work behavior, repeated poor work performance or does not conform with Section C.15. provisions. The worker may be moved to a different work assignment or removed from the nursery work site.

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 require the contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy.

Other: NONE

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

Technical Requirements

C.8-1 Definitions

Item 1 – Container Packing

Block: Styrofoam cube of various sizes in which trees are grown.

Bin: A plastic or wooden box or container for storing dirt or cull trees.

Bag: A thirty gallon size plastic bag used to line the boxes of trees for shipping.

Baggie: A quart size bag used for packaging trees for shipping in boxes.

Box: A carboard container used to store or ship trees.

Pin Extractor: A mechanical device used to remove seedling plugs from the blocks.

Tree Popper: A mechanical device used to loosen seedlings plugs in the blocks.

Plugs: Tree seedlings grown in styrofoam blocks or plastic tubes.

Belt: Moving conveyance for plugs and baggies of plugs in the packing process.

Grading: Evaluating each plug for quality and contract specifications. Each plug will be evaluated for the following:

(1) Height: length of seedling from cotyledon scar to tip of bud.

(2) Caliper: the diameter of the stem of the tree just below the cotyledon scar.

(3) Damage: any cut to the stem, broken top or stripped needles or roots.

(4) Disease: any fungus, blistering or abnormal growth of the tree.

(5) Color: brown or yellow foliage in the upper two thirds of the tree.

(6) Adequate Roots: enough roots to support the tree after replanting – more roots that tree top.

Rollers: Adjustable conveyance system for moving the blocks from the growing area to the trailers, and from the trailers to the belt.

Grit: Granular rock substance put on top of the medium in the plugs.

Medium: Planting mix in which the plugs grow in the blocks.

Stapler: Pnuematic staple gun for constructing and closing boxes.

Item 2 - Bareroot Lifting

Lift – To pull seedlings from the seedbed.

Tubs; The plastic containers used to hold seedlings that have been lifted.

Item 3 - Bareroot Packing:

Net Pack: The total number of seedlings packed of a specific lot that have been graded by a specific belt during one days production.

Adjusted Net Pack: Net Pack less the number of seedlings determined unacceptable in accordance with government inspection procedures.

Cull Seedling: Any seedling which does not meet grading specifications as the specific requirements of the current lot being graded.

Wasted Tree: Seedlings which do not meet specified pruning requirements found in a packed bag; a seedling meeting grading standards that is discarded to the floor; or any seedling or group of seedlings which have been damaged, abused, or treated in any manner which is prohibited by the contract or is otherwise considered improper tree handling.

Terminal Bud: The bud located at the very tip or apex of the main growing stem.

Cotyledon Scar: The point on the main stem of the seedling where the first needles were attached. It is located just above the ground line and is discernible by a slight swelling or ridge around the stem where the first needles or "cotyledons" were or are attached to the seedling.

C.8-2 Specifications

Specifications Scope of Work –

The contrator shall:

(1) Provide supervision, training, labor, and transportation except those specifically listed as Government-furnished.

(2) The contractor’s employees shall abide by the safety items set forth in the Forest Service Job hazard Analysis for these specific tasks. These analyses will be available to the contractor before work comences.

(3) Notify the COTR or Inspector immediately of mechanical or electrical breakdown.

Item 1 – Container Packing Packing includes loading and unloading containers, moving containers to extracting location, grading trees, bagging and boxing, area clean-up and cleaning of empty blocks.

Moving Trees – Trees will be moved to the grading area by the Forest Service. The Government shall designate what order the seed lots will be moved. They shall be handled by the following criteria:

(1) The blocks of trees shall be loaded on the tables or trailers, by contract employees to insure the compactness of the load and seed lot integrity.

(2) The blocks of different seed lots shall be separated or identified to insure the lots are not mixed.

(3) The tables of trees shall not be moved to the grading area until they are needed. A backlog of trees to be processed will not be allowed.

(4) The tables shall be transported by forklift with the forks at the widest setting to insure no tipping or sliding.

(5) All conveyance vehicles shall stay on the designated routes.

(6) No materials shall be placed on top the containers of seedlings nor shall container blocks be stacked.

(7) Persons shall not ride on the trailers.

Grading of Trees – The trees shall be handled as quickly and efficiently as possible.

(1) The blocks fed into the Government operated popper device shall be handled in such a way as not to incure damage to the blocks. The popper is the primary extraction device, but may not be available due to seedling quality or mechanical breakdown.

(2) The empty blocks shall be removed from the belt area to a pallet designated by the COR.

(3) The trees shall each be individually graded by height, diameter, damage, disease, color and adequate root system. (see definitions)

(4) The unacceptable trees shall be placed in the bins provided.

(5) Once graded, the trees shall be placed in plastic bags back on the belt in groups of ten (10) oriented in the same direction.

(6) Each baggie shall have the designated amount of trees meeting the specifications placed in it and then returned to the belt oriented the same as the trees on the belt.

Bagging and Boxing – The trees shall be bagged and boxed in the numbers specified by the COR.

(1) Boxes for packing trees shall be preassembled by the contractor. Due to minimal storage space no more than twenty (20) boxes shall be assembled ahead of needs.

(2) Three (3) staples shall be placed in the bottom , the handle holes are nearer the top of the box.

(3) Each box shall be lined with a large plastic bag for tree protection.

(4) The baggies of trees shall be placed in the lined boxes in the amounts and arrangements specified. All excess air shall be pushed out of the bag before the box is closed.

(5) The boxes are then labeled with the proper label (two per box, one on the side and one on the end) placed and pressed on securely and placed on a pallet for removal to the cooler for storage. The pallets shall be labeled as directed by the COR or inspector.

Area Clean-up – Periodic sweeping and removal of empty blocks and debris from the packing and grading areas. Maintain work and break areas free of trash, debris, tools, and any other obstacles that could be a health or safety hazard.

(1) The floor around the belt and in the unloading area shall be swept for grit and soil between each lot and at each break.

(2) The contractor shall remove the pallets of empty blocks to a designated spot. The contractor shall also remove the bins of grit and soil to designated areas.

(3) At the end of each day, the contractor shall perform a complete sweep down of the work area which includes the lunch room and restrooms.

(4) The grit, the medium, and the cull seedlings need to be put in separate bins and kept separate and free of trash.

Note: If the container packing is occuring during the down time for Item 2 – Lift & Pack of Bare Root Seedlings, the Bare Root cleaning must be completed before the Container packing can commense and vise versa.

Cleaning of Empty Blocks and tubes: Sterilization of empty blocks and tubes for reuse. A separate English-speaking working foreman shall be with the loading and block sterilization crews.

(1) The empty blocks shall be delivered to the cleaning area on pallets.

(2) The loose soil shall be knocked out or brushed off of the blocks insuring blocks are free of medium.

(3) The blocks are stacked into the baskets for dunking in the hot tank.

(4) After the blocks have soaked for the indicated time, the blocks are removed and stacked on clean pallets and marked clean.

(5) The pallets of cleaned blocks are removed to a designated area for storage.

Item 2 - Bare Root Seedling Lifting Lifting includes hand pulling (lifting) of seedlings from seedling beds and packing the seedlings in field tubs, hauling empty field tubs to the lifting site, loading, covering with tarp and securing the filled field tubs onto trailers.

Loosening Soil - The Government will provide undercutting of the seedling bed prior to lifting the seedlings. Such undercutting will be done in a manner and with the equipment approved by the government to provide the best lifting conditions possible considering the seedling type, soil type and soil condition.

Lifting Methods

(1) Prior to the beginning of lifting each lifter must receive training on seedling handling and lifting from the contractor's supervisors.

(2) The contractor's personnel shall lift and handle tree seedlings in a manner that shall prevent seedling injury or unnecessary exposure of seedlings to harmful elements. Lifting shall proceed as described below:

(3) Forest Service personnel will undercut all Nursery seedling beds prior to hand lifting. Sections of undercut seedling bed may be lifted by individual lifters or pairs of lifters. The length of these sections must be agreed upon in advance by the contractor or his designated representative and the COR or inspector. Empty seedling field tubs and wet burlap sacks shall then be placed by the contractor in the vicinity of the seedlings to be lifted after the undercutting operation is complete. To ensure that all equipment is out of the way and all government operations are complete, the contractor shall not begin lifting seedlings from any undercut area until authorized to do so by the COR or inspector.

(4) Individual lifters or pairs of lifters shall remove seedlings from these sections by lifting in two to three foot (6 to 9 dm) increments. Each increment shall be lifted one row at a time beginning with the outermost rows. Seedlings shall be lifted with both hands together in such a manner so that double handfuls of seedlings shall be grasped at the same time. The seedlings being grasped shall cover a minimum of ten inches (2.5 dm) of the seedling row and be grasped as close to the soil line as possible. They shall be lifted with a steady pull to free them from the soil. Extreme care must be taken to avoid injuring or breaking stems and root systems. Lifting a single handful of seedlings or jerking seedlings out of the ground will not be permitted.

(5) Seedlings shall be shaken as gently as possible to remove soil from the roots.

· Repeated shakes using a side to side motion and/or alternating hands up and down in a see-saw like motion one or two inches at a time is recommended. Large swinging or jerking motions will not be allowed.

· All shaking shall be carried out above the seedbed so that loosened soil will be returned to the area from which it was lifted.

· Soil from lifted seedlings shall not be allowed to accumulate on seedlings in adjacent beds.

· Seedlings shall not be beaten or knocked against each other or any object.

· Seedling roots shall not be raised above the level of the lifter's waist to remove soil.

· Sufficient soil shall be removed from the roots that excessive soil is not placed in the tubs. The limit of soil is 198 cubic inches (3,246 cubic centimenters) per tub. Tubs exceeding this limit shall be emptied and repacked by the contractor at no additional cost to the government. If a series of tubs inspected (3 or more) in any given 100 ft. of seed bed exceed this limit, all of the tubs for that seedbed shall be reworked at no cost to the government. No additional lifting will occur while tubs are being reworked.

· Seedling beds are to be completely lifted. Leaving hard-to-lift, partially covered, or dead seedlings in the seedbeds will not be permitted.

· Each seedlot shall be kept clearly separated from the others at all times. The government will mark the beginning and end of each seedlot with a flag. These flags are to remain in place and the filled seedling tubs are to be lined up between the flags. A minimum of five feet shall be left between the filled tubs and the flags. Seedlings shall not be mixed across the flags between two seedlots.

Packing Seedlings in Seedling Field Tubs

(1) Empty seedling tubs and wet burlap sacks shall be placed in the vicinity of the undercut seedling bed by contractor.

· Each seedling tub shall be free of soil and contain two wet burlap sacks which shall be used to cover the roots and tops of the seedlings. Any soil from previous use shall be dumped prior to placement of sacks.

· One burlap sack shall be placed in the tub with the majority of the sack extending out of one end of the tub and the other burlap sack shall be placed at the same end with the majority of the sack extending out of one side of the tub.

· Seedlings shall be placed into the seedling field tubs in such a way as to prevent bending of the roots. Tall seedlings which will not lay straight inside the seedling field tubs shall be placed into the tubs with the tops bent in a gentle curve so as to not break or damage the stem or buds.

· The seedlings shall be placed in the tub with the roots toward the end with the burlap sacks. When the tub is full of seedlings, the burlap sack that is extending out the side is folded over the roots first and then the burlap sack that is extending out the end is folded over to cover the roots and the tops so the whole open top of the tub is covered with burlap when finished. Burlap sacks shall be placed over the seedling and tucked in and around the edges of the seedling field tub.

· Seedlings shall be placed into the seedling field tubs until the seedling level reaches the top of the tub. Seedling field tubs shall be filled level full unless there are insufficient seedlings within the seedlot. Over-filling, which results in root exposure or subjects seedlings to crushing, will not be permitted.

· No stockpiling of seedlings will be allowed. After shaking seedlings to remove soil, each double handful of seedlings shall be placed immediately into the seedling field tub. Seedlings shall not be exposed to open air for more than 10 seconds from the time they are lifted from the soil, until properly placed in the seedling field tubs. If any break in lifting occurs, such as stopping to stretch, rest, talk, equipment moves etc. which prevents the previously lifted trees from being covered within 10 seconds, the lifter shall cover the seedlings with the burlap sacks.

· It shall be the contractors responsibility to remove all excess burlap sacks and seedling field tubs from lifting areas daily unless otherwise directed by the COR or Inspector.

(2) Seedling field tubs being filled must be kept in the lifted portion of seedbed close to lifters to avoid mixing of seed lots and to prevent restriction of lifting and loading operations.

· When there is no lifted portion of seedbed available, the field tub may be placed in one of the seedling bed paths as long as it does not obstruct other seedling lifters or movement of equipment. As soon as there is lifted seedbed space available, the seedling field tub will be moved into the lifted seedling bed and oriented properly for pickup.

· The filled seedling field tubs shall be placed into the lifted seedbed and oriented so that the long axis of the tub is perpendicular to the direction of the seedbed unless deviation is authorized by the COR or Inspector.

· In the event that filled seedling field tubs overlap each other, they will have to be stacked upon each other, as directed by the COR or Inspector.

· Failure to place filled seedling tubs in the lifted seed bed from which they were lifted will constitute a mixed seedlot.

(3) Mixing seedlings from adjacent beds or a different seedlot into seedling field tubs will NOT be permitted.

Loading Field Seedling Tubs

(1) The contractor shall load filled seedling field tubs onto trailers.

· Four (4) stacks of seedling field tubs shall be carefully and firmly stacked five (5) high, centered on each field pallet.

· Each pallet load shall be secured with a metal field tub clip that clips the four stacks together in the center.

· In order for the clips to work properly the last layer of tubs must be placed so the ends with the patent number embossed on it are facing each other at the center of the pallet.

· All pallets shall be filled and each trailer shall be loaded to capacity unless the government directs otherwise.

· Throwing, tossing or otherwise jarring filled seedling tubs will not be permitted.

· It is the contractors responsibility to ensure that the burlap coverings and identification tags are properly in place after loading is completed and have two people assist the loaded trailer from the field to the road at the edge of the block to ensure that the loaded seedling field tubs do not topple while the trailer is traveling across a slope.

· It is the contractors responsibility to firmly secure a tarp over the loaded seedling tubs and to re-load the trailer if the field tubs fall off.

· The contractor shall ensure there is no delay between the completion of loading one trailer and the beginning of loading the next trailer.

· All full seedling tubs will be removed from the field prior to the lunch break and at the end of the day.

Additional Seedling Protection Requirements

(1) The Contractor and his/her employees shall not drive their vehicles onto any portion of the nursery fields without COR permission.

(2) The Contractor and his/her employees shall not walk on seedbeds except where breaks between lots are clearly marked.

(3) Some seedlots will require special treatment, such as keeping study plot seedlings separate from the remainder of the seed lot. These areas will be designated by the Contracting Officer or COR. (NOT APPLICABLE)

(4) The Contractor and employees will not remove any stakes or markers from seedbeds or adjacent areas unless authorized by the COR or inspector.

Suspension of Operations

(1) The COR or Inspector may suspend all operations on all or any part of the project area when conditions are determined to be unsuitable for carrying on operations.

This would include but is not limited to:

· Weather

· Ground conditions

· Unsatisfactory contract performance.

(2) The Contractor shall not resume operations on any area so suspended until authorized to do so by the COR or Inspector. Contract time will not be adjusted during periods of partial or total suspension.

Downtime

(1) Downtime - Mechanical Breakdown In the event that mechanical breakdown of Government equipment results in the failure to provide undercutting of seedling beds, the Government will compensate Contractor for downtime of idled employees. Downtime will be measured from the time all previously undercut seedling beds have been lifted plus five (5) minutes, until lifting is again authorized or the contractor is notified that the work day is ended. In the event of mechanical breakdown of Contractor's equipment, the Government will not be liable for compensation to the Contractor for downtime. The Government may assist the Contractor for up to 2 hours with the use of Government equipment and operators, if they are available, at no charge to the Contractor. If the Contractor's equipment is not back in service in that time, the operation may be shut down, or the Contractor will be liable for costs incurred by the Government for further operation. The Contractor must make every effort to have equipment repaired or replaced within 24 hours of breakdown.

(2) Downtime - Seedling field tub shortage

In the event that a shortage of empty seedling field tubs occurs, due to the Contractors packing operation failing to keep up with the field operation, due to mechanical breakdown of the contractors tractor or forklift, or otherwise due to the Contractors fault, the Contractor will not be compensated for downtime of idled workers.

Any equipment breakdowns or seedling field tub shortages which occur at normal breaks or result in early shutdown of work for the day, will not be considered to result in downtime.

Delay in resumption of work after the normal work break period will be considered to be downtime.

Any period of time between work stoppage due to equipment breakdown and notification of end of day will be considered downtime.

All downtime will be recorded by the government on a field inspection form and acknowledged by the Contractor or his/her designated representative.

Coordination of Operations - Contractor and Forest Service

(1) The contractor is required to coordinate the seedling lifting operation with the requirements of the seedling processing operation.

For proper precooling of seedlings and to maintain a reasonable supply for the processing operation, a minimum of 30 pallets of seedling field tubs, or the equivalent in bulk bins, must be stored in the precoolers at the end of each day.

Past experience has shown that the lifting operation must average:

6,000 lineal feet (1,829 lineal meters) of 1-0 seedling beds/day

4,000 lineal feet (1,219 lineal meters) of 2-0 and 3-0 seedlings/day

12,000 linear feet of transplants/day to support the seedling processing operation.

(2) Because of the need to coordinate lifting amounts with packing capabilities lifting more than 8,000 lineal feet (2,438 lineal meters) of 1-0, 6,000 lineal feet (1,829 lineal meters) of 2-0 and 3-0, or 14,000 linear feet of transplants per day must be authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer or COR.

(3) In the event the contractor fails to produce the designated lineal feet per day when required by the processing operation, the contractor may be liable for any resultant actual damages or increased costs incurred by the Forest Service which are directly attributable to such failure. This daily production rate is based on a seven and 1/2 hour workday. In the event that weather or ground conditions or other causes not the fault of the contractor, cause a reduction in available work hours, the required daily production rate will be adjusted accordingly.

(4) One start-up period is allowed for the contractor and the processing facility. This start-up period will be in effect in December when the contract begins. No start-up schedules will be allowed for other work stoppages such as for weather or soil conditions.

(5) During this period the contractor is expected to lift 2,000 feet (610 meters) the first day, 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) the second day, and from then on, maintain a minimum of 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) of 1-0, 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) of 2-0 and 3-0, or 12,000 linear feet of transplants per day.

(6) Tree lifting will not be allowed when the ground is excessively wet or frozen or if there are dry weather conditions. These conditions may result in late morning start times or early afternoon shutdowns. Contractor will receive no additional compensation should this occur.

(7) The contractor shall vary crew size and hours, at no additional cost to the Government, except as stated below, and may be required to work on Saturdays and/or holidays up to 8 hours per day (even if maximum footage requirements have been met) to take advantage of favorable weather and soil conditions and to ensure sufficient stock for the seedling processing operation.

(8) Sunday work will not be allowed except as required by the Government. In the event that contractor is directed to work over eight hours per day or 40 hours per week, the Government will reimburse the contractor for the overtime premium the contractor is obligated to pay, provided that payroll records are furnished to substantiate the amount of the contractor's overtime obligation. This provision will not apply if the overtime work is a consequence of the contractor's failure to achieve the minimum required production rates specified, or if the Contractor requests to continue work beyond the regular work day or work week.

(9) Lifting work will be ordered daily and the amount of lineal feet actually lifted will be confirmed in writing at the end of each work day.

(10) Daily starting times will be scheduled at the end of the previous work day. The Contractor or the Contractor's designated representative must provide a telephone number where he or she can be reached in event weather conditions cause a change in the previously scheduled starting time.

(11) During each working day there will be a 45 minute period of time occurring between 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM in which no contract work shall be performed to allow for a lunch break for government workers.

Ready For Work

(1) During periods of suspension the contractor shall hold the crew ready to begin work with four hours notice during the hours 0700 to 1100 Monday through Friday. On weekends the contractor shall be prepared to begin work the following day with a minimum of 12 hours notice.

Crew Organization Field lifting

The maximum number of lifters shall be twenty two (22).

The contractor is reponsible for loading filled seedling field tubs onto the Government furnished trailers.

The Government recommends that there be three loaders for each ten seedling lifters.

FIELD DESTROY

(1) Lifting seedlings which have been declared surplus to the needs of the Government. This includes:

(2) Hand pulling (lifting) of seedlings from seedling beds and shaking off excess soil. (It should be noted that the roots will be cut much shorter than a normal lift cut making the lifting much easier.)

(3) Placing the seedlings on a trailer towed by the contractors tractor for removal from the field or as directed by the COR or inspector. The trailer shall be unloaded by the contractor at a site designated by the COR.

(4) Refer to Sections C.1 and C.9 of this contract for General and Technical Specifications for Seedling Lifting, which will be in effect. Other general and specific sections of this contract will also be in effect.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

(1) TARGET SEEDLING DENSITIES

(a) Douglas-fir__________ 114/LF___374/LM

(b) Giant sequoia________ 114/LF___374/LM

(c) Incense cedar________ 114/LF___374/LM

(d) White fir____________ 106/LF___347/LM

(e) Bigcone Douglas-fir__ 106/LF___347/LM

(f) Bristlecone fir______ 106/LF___347/LM

(g) Ponderosa pine_______ 99/LF___324/LM

(h) Jeffrey pine_________ 99/LF___324/LM

(i) Sugar pine___________ 99/LF___324/LM

(j) Western white pine___ 99/LF___324/LM

(k) Red fir______________ 106/LF___347/LM

(l) Coulter pine_________ 99/LF___324/LM

(m) Knobcone pine________ 96/LF___315/LM

(n) Knobcone x monterey__ 96/LF___315/LM

(o) Bitterbrush__________ 96/LF___315/LM

(p) Pinyon pine__________ 99/LF___324/LM

(q) Lodgepole pine_______ 99/LF___324/LM

(r) Digger pine__________ 99/LF___324/LM

(s) Ceanothus____________ 96/LF___315/LM

(t) Arizona cypress______ 114/LF___374/LM

(u) Mt. Mahogany---------- 99/LF___324/LM

(v) All transplants______ 24/LF___79/LM

Note; LF = linear foot, LM = linear meter

(2) CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS

A list of applications made will be provided at time of contract award.

Item 3 - Bare Root Seedling Grading and Packing

The seedling grading and packing will consist of: Delivery of non-graded seedling tubs from misting room to grading stations, watering of trees in packed tubs at grading stations, grading, counting, root pruning, bundling, packing, labeling bags, and tallying pallets, removal of cull seedlings from the packing shed, cleaning of packing shed, maintain a supply of seedling tubs for lifting, removal of excess seedlings from tubs and deposit in cull bins.

Technical Specifications - GRADING/PACKING Grading

(1) Seedlings which have been Government-delivered to the misting area shall be Contractor-delivered to the grading stations upon authorization of a Government inspector. The Contractor shall not begin delivery of seedlings to the grading stations until authorized by a Government inspector. The Contractor shall hand-carry filled tubs to grading stations on belts #1 and #3. The Contractor may place filled tubs on belt #2 for removal by the grader. If abuse of the belt or machinery occurs, or for safety reasons, the COR or Inspector may stop this practice on belt #2. The contractor shall record the seedlot number, number of tubs and pallets delivered to the misting room, and number of tubs and pallets thrown away, on a Government furnished form.

(2) Tubs shall not be thrown onto grading belts.

(3) A new seedlot shall not be started until seedlot being graded is completed and packed, grading standards for the new lot are posted, and the Government Inspector authorizes grading of the next seedlot to begin. All seedlings will be individually graded and placed on the belt, or discarded as a cull.

(4) Should the situation arise where the client's order is met and there are seedlings remaining in tubs, Contractor shall be required to consolidate remaining seedlings of the same seedlot to make full tubs. Those filled tubs shall be placed back onto wooden pallets in the misting area, or area designated by the Government Inspector. Government seedling supplier will then return them to the precooler for storage, or the Contractor will dispose of the seedlings, as instructed by the Government Inspector.

(5) Emptied tubs and burlap sacks shall be returned to the loading end of the grading belt by the Contractor and taken out to sack laborers. Care should be taken not to drop soil onto packing shed floor.

(6) Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all empty pallets and seedling tubs from the grading belts at the end of shift. For safety all pallets will be placed flat.

(7) Burlap sacks shall be placed back into seedling tubs following the grading of all trees. Soil in tubs will remain in tubs and sack laborers will dump soil in designated dump boxes.

(8) Contractor is responsible for washing off soil from the burlap sacks with clean water and insuring they are wet when returned to the field, removing soil and identification tags from emptied seedling tubs, separating the metal tags and wires to save, and discarding the paper tags.

(9) Four stacks of 13 tubs shall be placed on each wood field pallet. Two burlap sacks will be placed in each tub except the twelfth from the bottom, which shall have four and the top (13th) tub which will have no burlap.

(10) Pallets of empty seedling tubs shall be placed outside the west end of the packing shed as directed by the COR or Inspector.

Grading Procedures

(1) Each seedling will be graded to ensure it meets acceptable standards.

Acceptable standards are based on Forest Service Regional requirements and customers specifications.

A grading tolerance of 5% of unacceptable seedlings will be allowed in each seedling lot.

An allowance of 1/2 mm in caliper and 1/2 cm in height will be allowed if the seedling is healthy, has good color, root system, needles and buds.

There will be no tolerance for seedlings meeting size specifications being thrown on the floor as cull.

(2) Actual specifications for height and caliper will be displayed above each grading belt on a whiteboard by the Government for each seed lot.

Seedling height will be measured from the cotyledon scar to the tip of the terminal bud. Seedling caliper will be measured directly below the cotyledon scar on the main stem of the seedling. Height and caliper are measured using the metric system. These specifications may be adjusted by the COR or Government inspector at any time during seedling processing. The Contractor shall adjust work accordingly and shall not be required to rework seedlings processed before the specification adjustment is ordered.

(3) Each seedling shall be completely separated from other seedlings in such a manner that branches and roots will not be stripped or otherwise damaged.

(4) Acceptable seedlings shall be placed onto the grading belt. Any seedling not meeting standards shall be discarded onto the floor.

(5) Tubs of seedlings will be processed in the order in which they arrived in the packing shed and at the grading station. While one tub of seedlings is being graded, one additional tub may be placed on the floor next to the grading station, provided it does not cause a safety hazard, other tubs are not stacked on top of it, and it does not adversely effect the quality of the seedlings.

(6) The following are general grading criteria for acceptable seedlings:

Color -- Conifer seedlings should be a blue-green to yellow-green in color. Depending on age and species, variations in green may occur and reasonable tolerances will be made.

Form -- General form for acceptable seedlings will be free of kinked root systems and abnormal stem swelling, and the seedling meets height, caliper and root length specifications. Due to some genetic characteristics and traits, acceptable form characteristics for one seedling source may be unacceptable for another.

(7) The following are defects that render seedlings unuseable. Seedlings with any of these defects are to be discarded as culls:

(a) Any injury to the main stem or tap root.

(b) Diseased tops or roots.

(c) Roots pruned too short during lifting.

(d) Dead trees, or more than 50% dead foliage on 1-0 and more than 20% of second year foliage on 2-0, 3-0 and transplants.

(e) Roots with loops, knots, twists, crooks or discernible creases.

(f) "J" or "L" shaped roots if the angle of turn is greater than 45 degrees, and measured greater than 5cm horizontally from the terminal root.

(g) Torn roots if the tear occurs above where the pruning cut will occur.

(h) Stripped roots where the live cambium and bark is pulled off.

(i) Little or no fine roots or root hairs. (For 2-0 each lateral root should have 60% coverage of root hairs; for 1-0 each lateral root should have 40% coverage.)

(8) The graders shall utilize spray nozzles provided to spray the roots in each seedling tub with water to moisten the roots before grading. They will moisten the roots again mid way through the tub or when they go to breaks or lunch. On warm dry days roots may need to be moistened more often as requested by COR or Inspector.

(9) All seedlings in tub shall be graded unless otherwise ordered by a Government inspector.

(10) The graders shall cover ungraded seedlings with the burlap sacks when grading ceases for any reason.

(11) At no time during the process of grading and packaging the seedlings shall the seedlings be allowed to drag or rub on the packing belt or be exposed to the air for more than 60 seconds before being placed in a packing bag or otherwise protected.

(12) New seedlots will not be placed on the grading belts until authorized by COR or Inspector.

Root Pruning

(1) Root pruning lengths are stated in inches.

(2) The range of acceptable root prune is + or - one inch of specified root length. For instance, the specified root length is 11 inches; any root prune that is between 10 and 12 inches is acceptable.

(3) Root length will be measured from the cotyledon scar to the bottom of the root mass. A 5% tolerance will be allowed for seedlings having the roots pruned more than one inch over or under the specified length.

(4) Specifications for root length will be displayed on a white board above each belt for each seed lot. These specifications may be adjusted by the COR or Inspector at any time during seedling processing. The Contractor shall adjust work accordingly and will not be required to rework seedlings already processed before a specification adjustment.

(5) Seedlings shall have their roots pruned in a manner that allows for a clean cut of the roots and leaves no lateral roots extending below the tap root.

(6) Seedlings roots shall not be abused in any fashion such as striking them against an object, whipping, or excessive stroking. Contractor may gently shake out roots to get a clean cut. They may NOT slap trees against any object, including their aprons or legs.

(7) No seedlings shall be left uncovered at this stage during breaks, downtime, or any other work stoppage. Bundles must be completed and moved on to the packaging phase.

(8) Seedling will be pruned in groups of 5 or 10 trees depending on age of seedlot.

Bundling

(1) Groups of 2-0, 3-0 and transplant seedlings shall be gathered into bundles of 25 and 1-0 seedlings into bundles of 50 unless otherwise specified by the COR or Inspector.

(2) Bundles of seedlings shall be banded using rubber bands and banding cylinders provided by the Government unless otherwise directed by the COR or Inspector.

(3) Roots folded into tops or tops folded into roots will not be permitted during the bundling process.

(4) No seedlings shall be left uncovered at this stage during breaks, downtime, or any other work stoppage. Bundles must be completed and moved on to the packaging phase.

Packaging of Seedlings

(1) The Government will specify the size of bag to use in packaging of the seedlings.

(2) The Contractor shall label each bag with two preprinted labels which identifys the seedling source and provides other information about the lot.

· One label shall be placed on one side of the bag and the second one shall be placed on one end.

· Labels shall not be fixed upside down or sideways.

· The label shall be pressed firmly onto the bag.

· If an incorrect label is attached to a bag, the label must be crossed out with an "X" with permenant marker, and the correct label applied over the old label.

(3) The maximum amount of seedlings that will be placed in each bag is 3,000 for 1-0; and 1,200 for 2-0, 3-0 and transplants.

· The maximum weight of the filled seedling bags shall be 45 pounds.

· For each lot, the Contractor shall weigh the first bag of each new pallet to be filled and mark it on the bag.

· Because tree sizes and weights will vary, the number of seedlings per bag may change from one pallet to another.

· A uniform quantity in each bag is desired but bag weight must be kept under 45 pounds.

· The amount of seedlings per bag will be set by the Government Inspector after the first bag is weighed. Amount changes require Inspector approval.

· Bags must be filled as full as possible, while staying within the amount and weight guidelines allowing for enough space to properly close the bag. Routinely underfilling bags is not acceptable.

· The same number of seedlings per bag on each pallet is desired.

· There are 10 bags per pallet.

(4) Partially filled bags of seedlings will be covered by temporarily closing the bag during any breaks, downtime, or other work stoppage.

(5) Each packing bag will have a double handful of shingle toe placed in the bottom of the bag in the area where the roots will be prior to placing seedlings in the bag. Another double handful will be applied on top of the roots of the top layer of seedlings before the bag is closed.

· Seedlings shall be packed in bags in a manner in which the root mass and seedling tops will not be damaged.

· For 1-0 seedlings, the root mass will normally be placed towards the center of the bag. Place bundles of seedlings into the bags alternating the direction of each bundle in the bag so the roots are in the middle of the bag and the tops are at each end.

· For 2-0 seedlings the roots will be placed in the bags all on one end and the tops at the other. When the the bag is half full the direction of seedlings is reversed to allow for level packing. When the direction is reversed a layer of shingle toe will be used to separate the tops from the roots.

· Directions for packing may be changed by COR or Inspector for any given seedlinglot.

(6) Contractor shall use water nozzle provided to mist down the…