Appendix G MGR Needle Sampling.docx

Item 8: Sugar Pine Major Gene Resistant (MGR) Candidate Tree: Needle Collection (candidate tree sampling):

Up to 50 designated sugar pine candidate trees shall be sampled for MGR by collecting candidate tree needle sheaths (5-needle bundles) from each candidate tree. The candidate trees are located throughout the Lassen NF. The candidate tree sites shall be disclosed at the pre-work meeting and maps to all candidate tree locations shall be provided at that time. These sites may not always be in the same vicinity as the cone collection sites, but can be done much of the year throughout the Lassen NF, unless specific Forest travel restrictions are in place for specific roads that may have winter recreation closures, or be inaccessible in snow. The sites are all located within 300 feet of Maintenance Level 2 or 3 roads (2-wheel drive vehicle capable). Minimally required tools and materials needed for sampling shall be provided by the Government and are listed here:

Government-furnished materials and tools:

1) MGR Candidate Tree Field collector forms and cardstock tags

2) Numbered aluminum tree tags and nails

3) 8-ounce Ziploc bags

4) Pink and yellow/white flagging

5) Red spray paint Contractor-furnished materials and tools

1) GPS recording device. Recommended: Trimble, smartphone or tablets with an GPS application

2) Recommended GPS Applications: ArcGIS Survey 123, ArcGIS Collector, X-motion)

3) Small, portable ice chest for short-term sample storage (Contractor provides ice)

4) Pruning scissors and Sharpie pens

5) Big Shot-type sling shot (optional)

6) Ladder that does not damage tree cambium but meets Government standards for safety (optional)

7) Tree climbing gear (optional, but must use same protocol and gear as used for cone collecting)

8) 22-caliber long rifle with scope (optional, see C.3.2 and Appendix E for firearms-use requirements and long-gun specifications for make and ammunition).

The work description and specifications for sampling each tree are as follows:

1) No more than 50 designated candidate trees (site trees) shall be sampled.

2) Site trees shall be marked by the Contractor by placing a Government-provided and numbered aluminum tree tag on each tree sampled. Each tag shall be nailed to the tree at four feet above base of tree and face north. Upon sampling completion, each tree will also be flagged with a combination of yellow/white striped and pink flagging to be placed on the tree bole or branches in as close proximity as possible to where the aluminum tag is placed, while making flagging visible from a minmum distance of at least 50 feet.

3) An MGR Candidate Tree Collection Survey Form shall be provided by the Government and filled out by the contractor for each tree sampled. Required information includes candidate tree number, GPS coordinates with specific spatial reference used (i.e., NAD83), Township, Range and Section, candidate tree elevation, diameter and height, seed zone, motor log (driving directions) to the tree from a known location, map of tree location and other information, such as selection date and name(s) of crew making the selected/cone collection tree (Appendix F).

4) All GPS point data shall later be downloaded or transferred into the Lassen NF geodatabase for this project. All files must be delivered to the Government when convenient for the Contractor and the Government, but must occur within 7 days of sampling the last tree of any week the Contractor collects any samples within this item. The Contractor will work with the COR to schedule transfers of delivered sample material in each of those weeks. The COR or Inspector will ensure data is properly filed and transferred to the Government, including meeting all quality control requirements.

5) Needles shall be collected in one of five ways: A) from the ground by hand using scissors; B) use of ladder that does not penetrate or otherwise damage the tree cambium of the sampled tree; C) properly licensed and professionally certified firearms personnel can use a rifle to shoot branches (Appendix E and C.3.2); D) climbing the tree with same safety protocol as when collecting cones; E) use bigshot-type slingshot.

6) At each sample candidate tree: collect a minimum of 5 bundles of needles. Each bundle must be kept intact and cut at the very base of the sheath, completely separated from the branch. Place needle sheaths in 8 oz. Ziploc bag and seal, securely attaching a completely filled out MGR Candidate Tree Collection Survey Form to each sample bag. No other debris shall be inside the Ziploc bag once the sample is sealed and chilled.

7) Samples are to be immediately placed in a portable cooler and stored at a temperature of no more that 550 F. until the samples are delivered to a Government inspector for acceptance and delivery.

ITEM 8 PRICING

Quality Assurance Plan: This item requires a 100% inspection of all sampled needle material upon delivery. The inspection shall be done by the COR or another project Inspector. Each sample bag shall:

1. Be completely sealed and include an attached and completely filled-out sample collection form for each sampled candidate tree (Appendix F).

2. A minimum of five, but no more than 10, intact five-needle bundles from the candidate tree is inside each bag and no other debris is in the bag.

3. All samples have had to been stored at no more than 550 F between the time they are cut/bagged and the time of delivery to a Government Inspector.