Allegheny NF Wildlife Mowing_12363N23Q4146.docx

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Solicitation Number: 12363N23Q4146 Wildlife Mowing Dated: 05/1/2023

This order is a request for quotations (RFQ). The document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2023-01/12-30-2022.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 115310, Forestry Support Activities a small business size standard of $34 Million.

Contracting Office Zip Code: 16701 (Bradford, PA) Product Service Code: F099 – Natural Resources/conservation- Other Contracting Office Address: 1400 Independence Ave., S.W.; MS-1138; Washington, DC 20250 Set Aside: None. Full & Open.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following:

Commercial Item – Service

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

Warren, PA

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

I. Schedule of Items

ANF WILDLIFE OPENING MOWING / BRUSHHAWG CONTRACT

ITEM ESTIMATED

NO. DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT AMOUNT

1. Sockeye, 7 areas

Area 230-29, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 230-30, Approx 4 acres 1 Area $________

Area 231-39, Approx 12 acres 1 Area $________

Area 247-21, Approx 4 acres 1 Area $________

Area 247-43, Approx 5 acres 1 Area $________

Area 256-23, Approx 8 acres 1 Area $________

Area 258-43, Approx 5 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 1 $________

2. Lease Run, 7 areas

Area 242-10, Approx 3.5 acres 1 Area $________

· Please note: the map shows the stand area not the actual area being mowed.

Area 242-14, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 242-34, Approx 4.7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 242-40 Approx 2.5 acres 1 Area $________

Area 243-40, Approx 4.5 acres 1 Area $________

Area 244-15, Approx 4.5 acres 1 Area $________

Area 244-30, Approx 4 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 2 $________

3. Hermit Springs, 4 areas

Area 257-35, Approx 5.8 acres 1 Area $________

Area 257-36, Approx 6.9 acres 1 Area $________

Area 295-65, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 295-72, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 3 $________

4. Upper Sheriff, 2 areas

Area 296-59, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 298-55, Approx 3.5 acres 1 Area $_______

TOTAL BID ITEM 4 $________

5. Rock Run, 5 areas

Area 272-33, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 272-34, Approx 1.5 acres 1 Area $________

Area 273-28, Approx 7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 299-25, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 299-47, Approx 5 acres 1 Area $______

TOTAL BID ITEM 5 $________

6. Roystone, 4 areas

Area 238-66, Approx 6 acres 1 Area $________

· Please note: the map shows the stand area not the actual area being mowed.

Area 263-41 Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 265-26, Approx 7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 270-24, Approx 5 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 6 $________

7. Tionesta, 5 areas

Area 269-01, Approx 7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 302-07, Approx 7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 304-46, Approx 6 acres 1 Area $________

Area 309-45, Approx 7 acres 1 Area $________

Area 310-37, Approx 5 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 7 $________

8. Hearts Content, 2 areas

Area 276-08, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 336-31, Approx 23 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 8 $________

9. Salmon Creek North, 6 areas

Area 645-12, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 644-20, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 636-51, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 630-38, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 632-54, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

Area 632-68, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 9 $________

10. Salmon Creek South, 7 areas

Area 633-39, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 640-50, Approx 4 acres 1 Area $________

Area 640-111, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 642-14, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 627-23, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 649-106, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 649-69, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 10 $________

11. Bear Creek, 8 areas

Area 713-40, Approx 2 acres 1 Area $________

Area 863-85, Approx 0.5 acre 1 Area $________

Area 863-87, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 874-57, Approx 0.5 acre 1 Area $________

Area 874-58, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 873-51, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 873-50, Approx 1 acre 1 Area $________

Area 873-52, Approx 3 acres 1 Area $________

TOTAL BID ITEM 11 $________

Grand Total Acres: Approximately 225.4 acres

Grand Total Amount $__________

AWARD WILL BE BY BID ITEM

*Quoted prices must include all labor, materials, tools, etc. necessary to complete work.

NOTE 1 - Quoters must submit prices for all Items to be considered for award for that item.

Invoice Processing Platform (IPP)

The Forest Service is utilizing the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for the electronic submission and tracking of contracts/purchase orders, invoices, and payment information. IPP is a secure Government-wide, Web-based invoice processing service. Visit http://www.ipp.gov to learn more.

Upon award of a contract, Contractors must enroll at https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/enrollment-vendors.htm. Contractors shall submit all invoices electronically via IPP. Paper copies of invoices will no longer be accepted.

Quoter Information

Prices Submitted By

Email:

SUBMITTING QUOTE/STATEMENT OF WORK:

1. SCOPE & LOCATION

I. STATEMENT OF WORK FOR ANF WILDLIFE OPENING MOWING / BRUSHHAWGING CONTRACT

The openings occur in a variety of conditions and sizes. Some openings have components of rocks, single large trees, island of trees and shrubs, fencing, songbird boxes, invasive weeds, tree seedlings/saplings, wet areas, narrow access without road surface, slope, oil and gas wells, roads, and pipelines. On-site individual inspections are encouraged to examine all openings, including their access and components.

DIVISION 100 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110. Scope of Contract

The intent of this solicitation and any resulting contract is to obtain Mowing / “Brushhawging” of approximately 225.4 acres located in different areas on the Bradford and Marienville Ranger Districts, in McKean, Warren, Forest and Elk Counties, Pennsylvania.

Mowing will occur on days when conditions are adequate so that no excessive soil erosion, rutting or other environmental site damage will occur.

120. Location and Description of Project Areas

Maps of each area are included in Appendix A.

Note: Opening acres are approximate and may change due to substitution, deletion, environmental conditions, and field conditions.

Accessibility - Forest Service System Roads are marked with a sign-post or some other sign marking next to the road. If the road is not marked with a sign-post, it is a Non-Forest System Road and permission from the owner will be required by the contractor to access the road. A list of owners can be provided after award of contract. The use of any vehicles will be subject to conditions of the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) September 30, 2016. The MVUM shows which roads, trails and areas of the National Forest that are designated for motor vehicle use pursuant to 36 CFR 212.51. Use outside of the MVUM designations is not permitted unless written permission is granted by the COR.

Accessibility to specific sites may require some off-road use that is narrow with no road surface. It may also require removal and restoration of barricades to access sites by the contractor. Contractor needs to supply the equipment to adequately access these openings while meeting the intent of specifications in the contract.

121. Bid Item 1 – Sockeye - Approximately 39 acres.

This site is made up of seven areas:

· Area 230-29 is about 1 acre located along Forest Road 252-B in Lot 565.

· Area 230-30 is about 4 acres located along Forest Road 252-B in Lot 565.

· Area 231-39 is about 12 acres located along Forest Road 441A in Lots 534 and 553.

· Area 247-21 is about 4 acres located at the junction of Forest Road 252 and 252-B in Lot 579.

· Area 247-43 is about 5 acres located along Forest Road 252-B in Lot 579.

· Area 256-23 is about 8 acres located off Forest Road 252 in Lot 623.

· Area 258-43 is about 5 acres located along Forest Road 154 in Lot 622.

The slope in these openings is gentle, ranging from 0 to 20 percent.

Fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts are scattered throughout the areas. There are white spruces, >12” in height, planted along the edges of and scattered in clumps throughout several of the openings.

Site 231-39 has OGM development in the northern portion. The contractor should mow around this development to the extent practical; the area should be avoided if the contractor feels it is unsafe.

Access to Site 256-23 is along a rutted two track road. The ruts may be soft or filled with water, depending on weather conditions.

122. Bid Item 2 - Lease Run - Approximately 26.7 acres

This site is made up of seven areas:

· Area 242-10 has about 3.5 acres of mowable area along Forest Road 549 in Lot 585. Please note: the map shows the stand area not the actual area being mowed.

· Area 242-14 is about 3 acres along Forest Road 549A in Lot 559.

· Area 242-34 is about 4.7 acres along State route 2001 just South of the entrance to Forest Road 528 in Lots 584 and 589.

· Area 242-40 is about 2.5 acres along Forest Road 549B in Lot 559.

· Area 243-40 is about 4.5 acres located along a logging road off Forest Road 472 in Lot 242.

· Area 244-15 is about 4.5 acres along Forest Road 241 in Lots 612 and 613.

· Area 244-30 is about 4 acres along Forest Road 241 in Lot 611.

The slope in these openings is gentle, ranging from 0 to 20 percent. However, the terrain is uneven with scattered rock. Access to each area may involve driving over logs and ditches.

The southern half of Area 242-14 has large, flat surface rock that should be avoided.

Mow around and retain all patches of Aspen within Area 242-34.

Area 242-40 is accessed by a small two-track road off Forest Road 549B.

Area 243-40 is accessed along a logging road off Forest Road 472.

Area 244-30 is located behind a gravel pit adjacent to Forest Road 241.

Several fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts are scattered throughout the areas. There are white spruces, > 12” in height, planted along the edges of and scattered in clumps throughout the openings.

123. Bid Item 3 - Hermit Springs - Approximately 18.7 acres

This site is made up of four areas:

· Area 257-35 is about 5.8 acres located at the end of Forest Road 114 in Lot 649.

· Area 257-36 is about 6.9 acres located at the end of Forest Road 114 in Lots 649 and 656.

· Area 295-65 is about 3 acres located off Forest Road 255 in Lot 708.

· Area 295-72 is about 3 acres located off Forest Road 255B in Lot 707.

The slope in these openings is gentle, ranging from 0 to 20 percent.

Area 257-36 is connected to the South end of Area 257-35, creating one large opening.

Several fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts are scattered throughout the areas. There are white spruces, >12” in height, planted along the edges of and scattered in clumps throughout the openings.

124. Bid Item 4 – Upper Sheriff - Approximately 5.5 acres

This site is made up of two areas:

· Area 296-59 is about 2 acres located off Forest Road 179 in Lot 686.

· Area 298-55 is about 3.5 acres located at the end of Forest Road 256AA in Lot 713.

The slope in these openings is gentle, ranging from 0 to 20 percent.

Access to Area 296-59 is by an old skid trail blocked by a small dirt mound.

Several fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts are scattered throughout the areas. There are white spruces, >12” in height, planted along the edges of and scattered in clumps throughout the openings.

125. Bid Item 5 – Rock Run - Approximately 18.5 acres

This site is made up of five areas:

· Area 272-33 is about 2 acres located off Forest Road 254A.

· Area 272-34 is about 1.5 acres located off Forest Road 254 in Lot 326.

· Area 273-28 is about 7 acres located along Forest Road 117 in Lot 361.

· Area 299-25 is about 3 acres located off Forest Road 547 in Lot 365.

· Area 299-47 is about 5 acres located off Forest Road 547B in Lot 364.

The slope in these openings is gentle, ranging from 0 to 20 percent.

Access to Area 272-33 is by an old skid trail off to the right side of Forest Road 254A as soon as you turn off Forest Road 254.

Access to Area 272-34 is by an old skid trail.

Several fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts are scattered throughout the areas. There are white spruces, >12” in height, planted along the edges of and scattered in clumps throughout the openings.

126. Bid Item 6 – Roystone – Approximately 21 acres

This site is made up of four areas:

· Area 238-66 is about 6 acres located at the end of Forest Road 259A in Lot 172. Please note: the map shows the stand area not the actual area being mowed.

· Area 263-41 is about 3 acres located along Forest Road 139A in Lot 210.

· Area 265-26 is about 7 acres located off Forest Road 258I in Lot 315.

· Area 270-24 is about 5 acres located off Forest Road 258J in Lot 315.

The slope in this area is gentle, ranging 0 to 20 percent.

Area 238-66 has a section of gooseberry and rock in the northern half of the opening. This section may be difficult to see for the tall vegetation (golden rod, deer tongue grass), but should be avoided.

There are fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts scattered throughout these areas.

127. Bid Item 7 - Tionesta - Approximately 32 acres

This site is made up of five areas:

· Area 269-01 is about 7 acres located along Forest Road 518 in Lot 167.

· Area 302-07 is about 7 acres located along Forest Road 413.

· Area 304-46 is about 6 acres located off Forest Road 446-1 in Lot 395.

· Area 309-45 is about 7 acres located along Forest Road 163 in Lot 2445.

· Area 310-37 is about 5 acres located off Forest Road 446-1 in Lot 435.

The slope in this area is gentle, ranging 0 to 20 percent.

There are fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts scattered throughout these areas.

Area 310-37 has rocky areas with some surface rocks throughout the opening. Use caution to avoid rocky areas.

When accessing Area 302-07, use caution on last 1/2 mi of Forest Road 413 due to high crown in road and wet areas. Recommend tractor use only on that section of Forest Road 413.

128. Bid Item 8 – Hearts Content - Approximately 26 acres

This site is made up of two areas:

· Area 276-08 is about 3.0 acres located along Forest Road 536 in Warrant 3014.

· Area 336-31 is about 23 acres located along Forest Road 209A in Warrant 5231.

The slope in this area is gentle, ranging 0 to 20 percent.

There are fence cribs and bluebird boxes mounted on posts scattered throughout these areas.

129. Bid Item 9 – Salmon Creek North – Approximately 15 Acres

This site is made up of six areas:

· Area 645-12 is 2 openings about 3.0 acres located on non-system roads near Forest Road 128Ha in Warrant 3188.

There are (2) distinct openings. Access via oil and gas roads. There are wells/pipelines in the area and very near the mow-able portions of the openings. Few wet areas. Openings have narrow configuration

· Area 644-20 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 101A in Warrant 5102.

This opening contains (2) songbird boxes, rock island, some slope, and a pit in area. Some parts of the opening near the rock island are not mow-able. There is one individual apple tree in opening to avoid.

· Area 636-51 is about 3.0 acres located along Forest Road 101 in Warrant 5102.

This opening contains (2) songbird boxes, islands of trees and shrubs to avoid and at least 3 fenced crib areas to avoid that were recently planted. No mowing on old-plowed dirt berms surrounding the opening as there are very small less than one-foot tall red spruce planted on these mounds in the among the grass.

· Area 630-38 is about 2.0 acres located near Forest Road 399 in Warrant 5110.

There are (2) songbird boxes and access through small woods/skid/road that is blocked with log. Avoid planted crabapple just outside southern edge of opening.

· Area 632-54 is about 3.0 acres located at the end of Forest Road 180 in Warrant 5108.

This opening contains (2) songbird boxes and a few wet areas. Area has a few trees and tree islands in it.

· Area 632-68 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 180E in Warrant 5108.

This opening has some slope but less goes anywhere from 0-20%. Opening is divided into two areas by small mow-able woods road/trail. There are oil and gas roads in the vicinity.

130. Bid Item 10 – Salmon Creek South – Approximately 13 Acres

This site is made up of seven areas:

· Area 633-39 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 216 and small non-system road in Warrant 3191.

This opening contains (3) songbird boxes. Access is a short oil and gas road with a well at the end. Avoid and protect small apple trees/single trees.

· Area 640-50 is about 4.0 acres located along Forest Road 631 and a small non-system road in Warrant 3179.

This opening contains (2) songbird boxes, single trees, islands of trees/shrubs. Final access is via an oil and gas road and well.

· Area 640-111 is about 1.0 acre located along Forest Road 631 A and a non-system road in Warrant 3179.

This opening contains an oil and gas well and road.

· Area 642-14 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 165 and a non-system road in Warrant 36.

This opening contains (2) songbird boxes. Avoid planted crabapple/apple trees and small pipeline. No mowing on old-plowed dirt berms surrounding the opening as there are very small less than one-foot tall red spruce planted on these mounds in the among the grass. Oil and gas road and wells in vicinity. Opening has narrow configuration in places.

· Area 627-23 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 213 in Warrant 5136.

This opening contains songbird boxes, avoid small oak/fruit trees and rock piles scattered in opening. Oil and gas road and wells in vicinity.

· Area 649-106 is about 1.0 acre located along Forest Road 106 in Warrant 2.

There are few individual trees in opening, beneficial trees/shrubs on edge to avoid, and a few small wet areas. This opening is directly across from Area 649-69 listed below.

· Area 649-69 is about 1.0 acre located along Forest Road 106 in Warrant 2.

There is individual tree in opening, beneficial trees/shrubs on edge to avoid, and a few small wet areas. This opening is directly across from Area 649-106 listed above. Opening has very narrow configuration.

131. Bid Item 11 – Bear Creek – Approximately 10 Acres

This site is made up of eight areas:

· Area 713-40 is about 2.0 acres located along Forest Road 224 in Warrant 2464.

This opening is near gate on FR 224.

· Area 863-85 is two openings about 0.5 acres located near Forest Road 232 in Warrant 3779.

These small openings are accessed by a narrow small woods/skid road off of FR 232 which is also an ATV trail. Safety precautions are needed. Access may have dirt or small log barricade. The two small openings are link by a small mow-able woods road. There are a few rocks.

· Area 863-87 is two openings about 1.0 acre located near Forest Road 232 and along the ATV trail in Warrant 3780.

These small openings are accessed off of the ATV trail near FR 232. Safety precautions are needed. Although they appear to be linked, both openings need to be accessed separately off of the trail using small woods road. There are a few rocks.

· Area 874-57 is about 0.5 acre located near Forest Road 104/ATV trail and non-system roads in Warrant 1799.

Access via oil and gas roads and ATV trail. Near ATV trail campsite. Safety precautions are needed.

· Area 874-58 is about 1.0 acre located near Forest Road 104 and non-system roads in Warrant 1799.

Access via oil and gas roads and ATV trail. Safety precautions are needed.

· Area 873-51 is about 1.0 acre located near Forest Road 235 and non-system road in Warrant 1799.

Access is via oil and gas road. There is some rock in the opening especially in the center.

· Area 873-50 is about 1.0 acre located near Forest Road 235 and non-system roads in Warrant 1465.

Access is via oil and gas road. There may be some old blowdown trees on edge of opening. Milkweed is prevalent.

· Area 873-52 is three openings about 3.0 acres located off the end of Forest Road 235 in Warrant 1831.

Access is narrow and long access off end of FR 235. Opening is three separate openings linked together by mow-able woods road. There is some rock and slope, but less than 20%.

140. Contractor Furnished Property Services, Responsibilities and Obligations

141 - The contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, materials, transportation, supervision, and incidentals necessary to complete this contract, including mowing/cutting tools and equipment that is suitable for the job. All gas powered tools are to be equiped with appropriated working safety guards and spark arrestors.

142 - Project Supervisor - The contractor shall designate in writing one person on the job to act as the project supervisor, representing the contractor in all contractual matters that require prompt action. This person shall be familiar with all equipment being used and shall attend any pre-work meetings.

143 – Meetings - A pre-work meeting will be conducted with the successful vendor prior to work commencing to discuss details of work, location, priorities, etc. The Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) are authorized to give verbal orders to the contractor authorizing work to be accomplished.

144 – All openings will be field reviewed with contractor by COR or Inspector prior to mowing, if a need is determined by the contractor or COR.

150 - Vehicle Operation and Access

The Forest Service may, during the administration of this contract, direct the Contractor to temporarily halt work when: vehicles and/or equipment are causing excessive soil damage such as rutting/soil erosion in openings, on roads, and/or other work areas until ground conditions improve. An actual visit to the sites prior to bidding is encouraged to view the access to the project area openings. The Contractor is responsible for any damage caused by their operations.

DIVISION 200 -TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210. Mowing

Mow the grass and vegetation to an approximate height of 12 inches or less. Some warm season grass openings may require grass and vegetation to be mowed to a height greater than 12 inches. If this situation occurs, these openings will be designated in the Bid Item description.

Retain (mow around) ALL existing patches of milkweed plants. Retain (mow around) existing patches of other wildflower species present inside wildlife openings. If no milkweed plants or other wildflowers are present, leave a few islands/patches of undisturbed grass within the interior of the opening.

Mowing will occur anytime from July 1 to August 20.

The openings may contain single larger trees or islands of trees and shrubs of wildlife importance (i.e., fruit trees, dogwood, elderberry, sumac, aspen, etc.), groups of rocks, fences, songbird boxes, wildlife plantings, oil and gas wells, pipelines, and roads and other infrastructure, which need to be avoided. Specific sites where it is not readily apparent to avoid mowing will be marked in the field.

In the event that an opening contains fallen trees or portions of trees resulting from windstorms, poor health, etc., the contractor will be required to cut up trees and/or move them to the perimeter to adequately mow the opening. Please notify the COR if these conditions occur in order to access the opening.

Openings to be mowed are utilized by a wide variety of wildlife. Care should be taken that mortality from mowing does not take place. Wildlife, especially less mobile wildlife species, should be avoided and protected. In the event that wildlife mortality occurs due to mowing operations, please notify the COR.

Site boundaries - See maps. Areas are usually defined by tree line or soil bank as openings were manmade. All openings were mowed in the past, but some have not been mowed recently. Some small tree seedings/saplings and invasive shrubs occur in the middle and edge of opening that will need to be cut with a brush hog.

220. Notification

Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative prior to starting work on any items. The Contractor is required to keep the designated Inspector or COR informed of their daily work schedule and physical location of their work force to permit timely inspection of accomplished work. The Contractor shall also notify the Contracting Officer Representative at least weekly of the progress being attained on this project. This notification can be either oral or written.

To avoid damaging sensitive or valuable resources the Contractor is required to halt operations and contact the COR or Contract Inspector and have the issue resolved on site if: the site appears inconsistent with instructions or maps, boundaries are questionable, requirements or restrictions are unreasonable to complete the work safely and without damaging the resource(s).

230. Payment

Payment in arrears, will be made in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act, upon receipt of properly completed invoice (FS 6300-30), and, completion of inspection and acceptance by Forest Service Personnel. Vendor is encouraged to notify Contracting Officer’s Representative immediately upon completion of specific item(s), if partial payments are desired/approved by Contracting Officer. Note that payment(s) made under any ensuing contract will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (for additional information, see clause 52.213-4(g), Section “I”).

240. Safety

It is the Contractors responsibility to ensure that the work environment is safe for themselves as well as their employees. If the contractor feels that a requirement of this contract would place them or their employees in an unsafe environment, then work should stop on that area of work and the contractor should contact the COR. Work on other area of the contract that the contractor does not view as unsafe should continue.

It is recommended that the Contractor utilize appropriate personal protective safety equipment/clothing (per OSHA regulations), which may include, but is not limited to, a hard hat, leg protection, ear protection, and hand protection, while working in the project areas.

Contractor must be especially alert to vehicular traffic during field operations. Existing roads and trails shall be kept open to all traffic by the contractor while work is progressing. Some work areas are adjacent to open public roads. Appropriate warning signs to the public will be displayed on these roads.

250. Protection of Existing Structures

The contractor shall be required to protect existing improvements such as roads (including state, township, Forest service system or OGM non-system woods roads), private property lines, electric lines, pipelines, fences, gates, trail signs, buildings, water bars, plantings, nesting structures, oil/gas equipment, etc., which may be located in the project area. The contractor shall be required to repair or replace at their expense such improvements if damaged as a result of their operations. This includes replacing and re-seeding water bars and earthen barricades, roadside ditches, culverts and signs if disturbed as a result of this contract. Any rocks removed for access must be replaced. It is advisable that the contractor walk the areas prior to mowing.

Cultural Resource Surveys have been conducted. If during the execution of this contract the operator disturbs a site, work must cease in the general area and the Contract Inspector or COR notified immediately.

260. Equipment Clean-up

Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving any equipment to a work site, between work sites, and from the Allegheny National Forest all equipment such as but not limited to: mower, trailer and tractor are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Off-road equipment used for transport of materials such as ATV’s and trailers shall also be free of soil, seed, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seeds and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspections of tools are not required. Cleaning of equipment on-site may entail brushing or hosing off with compressed air. The use of water and/or detergents or other cleaning agents are not to be used unless they are used at a car wash or other facility equipped for water catchment and treatment. Equipment is not to be cleaned in stream, ditches or other waterways.

DIVISION 300 - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

310. Payment

Payment will be made at the contract unit price for each area acceptably mowed. Payments will be processed at least monthly.

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

Areas to be Inspected

Each Project Area will be inspected as a separate unit. Each area inspection will consist of a thorough walk through the unit.

Inspection Procedures

The COR/Inspector will inspect each of the project acres, in accordance with specification Division 200.

Inspection Criteria

Each unit will be examined to record findings on the following items:

1) Grass and vegetation is mown to an approximate height of 12 inches or less.

2) Milkweed plants and clumps of wildflowers are retained (mown around).

3) Fence cribs and bluebird boxes are avoided and not damaged.

4) Planted white and red spruce trees are avoided not damaged.

5) Project area, including openings, roads, and trails are not damaged with excessive soil erosion, rutting or other environmental site damage and any barricades that needed removed for access are restored.

If any of the five elements listed above are not performed, the contractor will be asked to remedy the situation. If the contractor fails to remedy the situation inside the contract dates, it will result in non-payment for the unit, which will be calculated by percentage of the bid item.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

1 July to 20 August 2023

Sustainable Acquisitions The Contractor shall comply with FAR Part 23 Sustainable Acquisition Policy and all associated laws, rules, regulations, and executive orders referenced therein. Contracts that include the supply of products and for the acquisition of services (including construction) that include the supply of products, require that the products provided are—

(1) Energy-efficient (ENERGY STAR® or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)- designated); (applicable if FAR Clause 52.223-15 is included)

(2) Water-efficient; (applicable if FAR Clause 52.223-15 is included)

(3) Biobased; (applicable if FAR Clause 52.223-2 is included)

(4) Environmentally preferable (e.g., EPEAT®-registered, or non-toxic or less toxic alternatives);

(applicable if FAR Clause 52.223-13,14, or 16 are included)

(5) Non-ozone depleting; (applicable if FAR clause 52.223-11,12,20, or 21 are included), and/or

(6) Made with recovered materials (EPA-Designated products) (applicable if FAR clause 52.223-9 or 17 is included).

(b) The required products in the contract actions for services include products that are—

(1) Delivered to the Government during performance;

(2) Acquired by the contractor for use in performing services at a Federally-controlled facility; or

(3) Furnished by the contractor for use by the Government.

Sustainable products identified for this solicitation:

The following is a list of sustainable products that that may be used in t h e performance of this contract. The list is not all inclusive; the Contractor shall research for available products.

Energy-efficient and Water-efficient Products ENERGY STAR® at http://www.energystar.gov/; and FEMP at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_requirements.html www.epa.gov/watersense None

C9.1.2 Biobased Products: (requires reporting at www.sam.gov by 10/31 each year) http://www.biopreferred.gov a Diesel Fuel Additives

(1) Any substance, other than one composed solely of carbon and/or hydrogen, that is intentionally added to diesel fuel (including any added to a motor vehicle's fuel system) and that is not intentionally removed prior to sale or use.

(2) Neat biodiesel, also referred to as B100, when used as an additive. Diesel fuel additive does not mean neat biodiesel when used as a fuel or blended biodiesel fuel (e.g., B20). 90% - Minimum Biobased Content.

b Penetrating Lubricants Products formulated to provide light lubrication and corrosion resistance in close tolerant internal and external applications including frozen nuts and bolts, power tools, gears, valves, chains, and cables. 68% - Minimum Biobased Content.

c Gear Lubricants Products, such as greases or oils, that are designed to reduce friction when applied to a toothed machine part (such as a wheel or cylinder) that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction. 58% - Minimum Biobased Content.

d Fuel Conditioners Products formulated to improve the performance and efficiency of engines by providing benefits such as removing accumulated deposits, increasing lubricity, removing moisture, increasing the cetane number, and/or preventing microbial growths within the fuel system. 64% - Minimum Biobased Content.

e 2-Cycle Engine Oils Lubricants designed for use in 2-cycle engines to provide lubrication, decreased spark plug fouling, reduced deposit formation, and/or reduced engine wear. 34% - Minimum Biobased Content.

52.237-1 Site Visit. (APR 1984) Potential contractors for project-specific RFQs are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the costs of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government shall provide to the contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property or services (hereinafter referred to as "Government-furnished property”). This property shall be used and maintained by the contractor in accordance with the provisions found here in. The contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such delivered Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work.

Gate Key for Access Key must not be duplicated under penalty of Federal law and must be returned at end of contract.

EQUIPMENT CLEANING

All equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned to make it free of soil, noxious weed seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds prior to being delivered to the project site. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, noxious weed seeds and other such debris when a visual inspection by the C.O.R., prior to the equipment being delivered to the site, does not disclose such material present. Disassembly of equipment components is not required. The Contractor shall notify the Forest Service at least five (5) working days prior to moving each piece of soil moving equipment onto the project site, unless otherwise agreed.

The Contractor shall thoroughly clean all soil moving equipment prior to moving them off a project site or between work areas on a project site that are known to be infested with noxious weed species of concern and other work areas, if any, that are free of noxious weed species of concern. Areas known to be infested with specific noxious weed species of concern to the Forest Service shall be noted in the Schedule of Work. The Contractor and the Forest Service shall agree on the methods of cleaning, location for the cleaning and control of off-site impacts, if any.

When new areas of infestation of noxious weeds of concern to the Forest Service are identified on the project site by either the Forest Service or Contractor they shall be promptly reported to the other party.

AGAR 452.236-78 Fire Suppression and Liability. (MAR 2016)

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting. The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause at 52.236-9, Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees subject to the following fire classifications listed in subsection (b).

(b) Fire Suppression Costs. The Contractor's obligations for cost of fire suppression vary according to three classifications of fires as follows:

(1) Operations Fire. An "operations fire" is a fire caused by the Contractor's operations other than a negligent fire. The Contractor agrees to reimburse Forest Service for such cost for each operations fire, subject to a maximum dollar amount of [Contracting Officer insert amount]. The cost of the Contractor's actions, supplies, and equipment on any such fire, or otherwise provided at the request of Forest Service, shall be credited toward such maximum. If the Contractor's actual cost exceeds contractor's obligation stated above, Forest Service shall reimburse the contractor for the excess.

(2) Negligent Fire. A "negligent fire" is a fire caused by the negligence or fault of the Contractor's operations including, but not limited to, one caused by smoking by persons engaged in the Contractor's operations during the course of their employment, or during rest or lunch periods; or if the Contractor's failure to comply with requirements under this contract results in a fire starting, or permits a fire to spread. Damages and the cost of suppressing negligent fires shall be borne by the Contractor.

(3) Other Fires on Contract Area. Forest Service shall pay the Contractor, at firefighting rates common in the area or at prior agreed rates, for equipment or personnel furnished by the Contractor at the request of Forest Service, on any fire on contract area other than an operations fire or a negligent fire.

(c) Contractor's Responsibility for Notification in Case of Fire. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site.

(d) Contractor's Responsibility for Responding to Emergencies. When directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall temporarily redirect employees and equipment from the work site for emergency work (anticipated to be restricted to firefighting). This is considered to be within the general scope of the contract. An equitable adjustment for any such redirection of employees and equipment will be made under the FAR clause at 52.243-4, Changes.

(e) Performance by the Contractor. Where the Contractor's employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors, or their employees or agents perform the Contractor's operations in connection with fire responsibilities, the Contractor's obligations shall be the same as if performance was by Contractor.

(f) State Law. The Contractor shall not be relieved by the terms of this contract of any liability to the United States for fire suppression costs recovered in an action based on State law, except for such costs resulting from operations fires. Amounts due to the Contractor for firefighting expenditures on operations fires shall not be withheld pending settlement of any such claim or action based on State law.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment A: Attachment A_Maps

2. Attachment B: Attachment B_Wage Determination

3. Attachment C: FAR 52.212-1 Commercial Items (Addenda)

4. Attachment D: FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Dec 2022)

5. Attachment E: Vicinity Maps

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. Instructions to Quoters- Commercial Items

a. Attachment 1 – FAR 52.212-1 Commercial Items (Addenda)

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

· FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Dec 2022)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items (MAR 2023)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Nov 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) ( 31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020), with Alternate I (Nov 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 3509)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

_X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) [Reserved].

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) ( 41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (12) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (13) [Reserved] __ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

__ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

__ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Sep 2021) of 52.219-9.

__ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13.

__ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 657f).

__ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-28.

_X_ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Oct 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) ( 15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

_X_ (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

__ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Dec 2022) (E.O.13126).

_X_ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

_X_ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

__ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

_X_ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

__ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

__ (37) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (40) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

__ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun2014) of 52.223-14.

__ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) ( 42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (43) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

_X_ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513).

__ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (47) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

_X_ (48) (i) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1.

__ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (Dec 2022) ( 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

__ (ii) Alternate I [Reserved].

__ (iii) Alternate II (Dec 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Dec 2022) ( 19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

_X_ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (52) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

__ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) ( 42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) ( 42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Feb 2021).

_X_ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

_X_ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) ( 5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

__ (63) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial…