attach4 Knowles Head PWS.pdf

1240BF21Q0043

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SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Background The Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) affected many wildlife species and their associated habitats, creating specific management strategies to aid in the recovery of injured wildlife. One such species is the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) which is classified as “not recovered” by the EVOS Trustee Council. Marbled murrelets nest primarily in old-growth forests (Naslund et al., 1995). Old-growth forest characteristics important to breeding marbled murrelets have been reduced in parts of Prince William Sound due to clearcut harvesting.

The US Forest Service is proposing to improve and restore nesting habitat for marbled murrelets through implementation of variable-density thinning. This restoration practice will accelerate the development of old-growth forest characteristics (e.g. large trees and horizontal heterogeneity). This restoration effort will occur on Knowles Head peninsula found in eastern Prince William Sound. Surface rights at Knowles Head were conveyed from the Tatitlek Native Corporation to the National Forest System in 1999. It is now a part of the Chugach National Forest. Before conveyance this area was managed as an industrial forestland. Approximately 21% of the total forested area (6,015 acres) was harvested between 1989 and 1996 using the clearcut method. Through thinning our goal is to accelerate the development of residual trees and promote canopy heterogeneity of stands to offer potential structures for wildlife use.

The forest stands to be thinned are approximately 22 to 32 years old and consist of densely regenerated Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) and Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.). Stands will be thinned by hand. Stand selection was based on current stand structure and location in reference to known marbled murrelet nesting sites in Prince William Sound (Naslund et al., 1995).

C.2 Objectives The objective is to manage second-growth forests to facilitate the development of complex forest structures and the recovery of injured wildlife species.

• Accelerate the development of old-growth forest structure in dense, second-growth Sitka spruce stands.

• Promote key habitat features for marbled murrelet and other species.

A total of 102 acres will be thinned within 4 units (Figure 2 and 3).

C.3 Scope of Contract The purpose and intent of this contract is to secure services for pre-commercial tree thinning of 102 acres in young growth stands approximately 23 to 33 years of age. The Contractor must

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 2 of 21 furnish all labor, equipment, housing, subsistence, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals except those items listed as Government-furnished property. Due to the fairly steep and rugged terrain and limited access, methods for accomplishing this work are limited to chain saws and hand tools only.

C.4 Project Location and Description

C.4.1 Location and General Accessibility This project is located on the Chugach National Forest’s Cordova Ranger District, on Knowles Head peninsula which is located north of Port Gravina and south of Port Fidalgo in eastern Prince William Sound (Figure 1 & 2). It lies approximately 25 miles northwest of the city of Cordova, Alaska and 30 miles south of Valdez, Alaska. The Village of Tatitlek is approximately 15 miles north of the project area.

Figure 1. Vicinity of Knowles Head peninsula.

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Figure 2. Overview of Knowles Head and location of thinning units.

Cordova, Alaska is linked to Seattle, Washington via Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (from Valdez and Whittier, Alaska) and barge services from Seattle. Cordova is the administrative site of the Cordova Ranger District.

C.4.2 Overall Physical Description of Ground Conditions Potential contractors are encouraged to examine the young growth stands on the ground before submitting an offer, in order to determine their expenses in doing the work. Logistics, access, weather, thickness of brush, steepness of slopes, presence of slash, and density of conifer regeneration are just some of the critical items that should be examined on the ground by each potential contractor.

No statistically reliable stem count data is available for the project area. Stem count is typical of what would be expected after 20 – 30 years of regrowth following a clearcut harvest in southeast Alaska.

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C.4.3 Unit (s) Accessibility The Government does not guarantee vehicle access or continued vehicle access to project areas by road. Roads indicated on the contract map have been decommissioned and may not be accessible by motorized vehicle. Road maintenance by the Government will not be provided in this contract.

If access to any of the Units changes due to weather, floods, slides, failure of man-made structures, or any natural phenomenon, the Government reserves the right to delete those units affected by the change in access. The Government may decide to substitute similar units, or may provide an alternate access route. The Government may also agree to the completion of the work on those units affected by a change in access with an adjustment in contract price, an extension in contract time, or both.

This project consists of 4 units that are located on closed roads (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Zoomed in location of thinning units.

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Knowles Head does not have a road system from the city of Cordova. All vehicles, equipment, supplies staff, etc. must be barged or flown to Knowles Head. Potential beach access points include Snug Corner Cove, Knowles Bay, and the shoreline west of Porcupine Point (Figures 2 and 3).

C.4.4 Local Services The City of Cordova is the closest full-service community to the project area.

C.5 Safety

C.5.1 Communications All work sites are remote, and telephone service is usually unavailable on or anywhere near work sites. Having access to reliable communications is essential should an injury occur on the work site. Cell phone coverage in Alaska is not consistent. Contractors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with proper use of radios as well as emergency procedures.

At the time of the pre-work meeting, contractors must be prepared to discuss their communications plan. Contractors shall provide a functional two-way communication system and be familiar with its use. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or her/his inspectors may require a contractor, or their employees, to display on site that they have functional, adequate communications. Inadequate communications will be cause for the issuance of a written cure notice or stop work order.

C.5.1.1 Communication with Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Maintain effective communication with the CO and COR regarding work schedule, progress, and changes.

C.5.2 Travel Logistics pose a special challenge on the Chugach National Forest. Gaining access into remote work areas requires planning and research into local conditions. Contractors are advised to learn about the transportation systems of Prince William Sound. Of special concern are jobs that may require a contractor to use small boats to access a work area. Boating can be dangerous any time of year in Prince William Sound, particularly in the fall, winter and early spring. The seas around Knowles Head can be extremely variable due to its exposure to the Hinchinbrook Entrance of Prince William Sound. Contractors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures.

C.5.3 Climate

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Prince William Sound has a cool and moist maritime climate. This maritime climate results in cool summers, moderate winters, considerable precipitation distributed throughout the year, and a high percentage of overcast days. Precipitation amounts vary widely throughout South- Central Coastal Alaska, and annual precipitation of over 100 inches is common. All field workers should be prepared for wet, cool conditions.

C.5.4 Bears Brown bears and/or black bears are found throughout the contract area. Black bears and particularly brown bears (a large, coastal form of the Grizzly) are considered unpredictable and potentially dangerous in human/bear encounters. It is suggested that contractors carry a large caliber weapon as bear protection. Any bear shot in defense of life or property requires a written explanation and becomes property of the State of Alaska. The best protection is avoiding bear/human contacts. Campsites shall be kept clean and free of garbage. Failure to do so will result in the issuance of a cure notice or a stop work order. Waste disposal shall be in accordance with Federal EPA guidelines. Report any problems with bears to the Contracting Officer (CO) and the COR as soon as possible. This may be done through the COR, or his/her inspectors. Especially important is the reporting of bears that appear to have become habituated to humans.

C.6 Unit Boundaries The Government will mark the exterior boundaries of each unit with florescent pink flagging, unless a distinct physical feature is available which would serve as boundary. Distinct physical features can be roads, well defined slope breaks, limit of old growth timbered edges (stump line), or stream courses. The Contractor is responsible for thinning within the measured boundary and should direct any questions regarding boundary location to the COR. Boundaries on contract maps and aerial photos represent approximate locations of the actual unit boundaries.

C.6.1 Land Survey Corner Monuments and Markers The Contractor is responsible for the preservation of all corner monuments, stakes, and permanent plot markers. Corner monuments and plot markers may be of various materials including iron re-bar, wood post, marked tree and PVC pipe. When damaged by the Contractor's operations, the cost of replacing them will be charged to the Contractor.

C.7 Thinning Specifications

C.7.1 Cut and Leave Tree Limits All conifer species dbh (diameter at breast height):

Tree Size Treatment <2 feet high Leave and ignore for spacing.

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>2 feet high & <8 inches dbh Cut trees to reach the desired spacing.

8 inches dbh and larger Shall not be treated.

Excess trees due to this requirement will not count for spacing.

Residual trees Leave and ignore for spacing.

All trees qualifying for treatment within their own height of the road prism on a designated road (Section H.6, Definitions), shall not be girdled, but cut and felled according to specifications found in Section C.7.5, Felling. This is required to prevent slash from entering roads or road drainage structures, should the girdled trees break or blow over.

C.7.2 Spacing of Leave Trees (Per Tree Spacing Option) The Contractor shall thin all eligible conifers greater than 2 feet in height to the following spacing specifications:

Project Area Spacing (feet)

Target

TPA

- 50% Variance minimum feet apart

+ 50% Variance maximum feet apart

Knowles Head 16 x16 170 8 24

Conifer tree spacing may be varied up to +/- 50 percent on an individual tree basis, in order to select the most desirable leave trees. Leave trees shall be no closer and no farther apart than the minimum and maximum variance for any given spacing as listed in the above table. The intent of the 50% variance is to give the Contractor the greatest opportunity for selecting the most desirable leave trees and to meet the treatment objectives. However, overall average spacing using the original spacing guides shall be maintained wherever possible.

Five percent of selected trees should be spaced at the maximum spacing and 5% of each unit will be untreated, referred to dense canopy retention areas and specified in C.8.0.

All spacing distance between trees shall be adjusted to horizontal distance and measured from the face of the tree boles at breast height (4.5 feet above ground level). Though most stands contain openings not occupied by trees, overly dense thickets shall not be left in one spot to offset the lack of trees in another.

C.7.3 Trees to Favor for Leave Trees The Contractor shall select, within the spacing requirements, the largest, best formed, most vigorous tree, of the preferred species as leave trees. It shall be dominant or co-dominant, free from mechanical or animal damage, and show no signs of disease or dwarf mistletoe. In the event the Contractor determines that no tree meets these specifications, he/she shall choose

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 8 of 21 the one that comes closest to meeting the specifications in order to maintain the required spacing.

The Contractor shall not select double-trunked trees or trees that are growing on logs or stumps as leave trees, unless no other crop tree is available. Double-trunked trees may be selected, in the absence of a more desirable crop tree, if they are at least half or more the height of the alternate tree choices. If a double-trunked tree is selected, both stems shall be left.

Leave tree preference:

Preference Species

1 Sitka spruce Preferred species

2 Western hemlock

3 Mountain hemlock

EXCEPTION:

Except on closed roads to aid access, (see C.7.8), deciduous trees (Sitka alder and black cottonwood) shall not be cut and will not count as leave trees. The contractor should contact the COR should there be any question as to tree species identification.

C.7.4 Stump Height – Removal of Live Limbs All trees to be cut shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural obstacles. Natural obstacles are objects that could damage a saw blade if nicked, such as rock, cable or mineral soil. They do not include logs or stumps. Any live limbs left on stumps because of natural obstacles shall be trimmed to within 4 inches of the obstacle. Stump height shall not exceed 12 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

Pruning branches of leave trees is allowed only when required to access and sever excess trees growing within the leave tree crown. Pruned branch stubs should not exceed 4 inches in length. Care should be taken not to damage the leave tree bole. Damaged leave tree boles or long-branch stubs in excess of 4 inches shall count as a damaged tree for inspection purposes.

C.7.5 Felling Cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads including associated ditches and road banks, established game and recreation trails, ponds and streams. Any trees falling in such areas shall be removed and pulled back into the cutting area. Felled trees shall not be left leaning on, entangled in the branches of or covering any crop tree. Reasonable efforts must be

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 9 of 21 made to ensure that all cut trees are completely felled. At no time will cutting be allowed outside designated unit boundaries without written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

C.7.6 Girdling Make two continuous and parallel cuts around the tree bole. Depth of cut should be at least ¼ inch – ½ inch past the cambium.

C.7.7 Basic Thinning Slash Treatment All slash treatment, including pull back or any required lopping and scattering shall be performed concurrently with thinning operations.

Thinning slash shall be pulled clear of roadways and associated ditches and road banks, and back into the general cutting area on all roads (including closed roads) bordering or within the cutting unit.

C.7.8 Roads Treatment units do not have road access and the current land convenance does not allow for motorized vehicle access.

Roads are not part of the treatment unit when found inside established boundaries. Where boundaries are un-flagged and fall along roads, the boundary of the treatment area shall be the edge of the road surface commonly defined by the presence of alder. If necessary, felling of trees on and along all roads shall be performed in accordance with Section C.7.5 Felling and C.7.7 Basic Thinning Slash Treatment.

Some roads accessing or contained within units may be physically closed to vehicle traffic by water bars, removed culverts, alder re-growth or other physical barriers. To improve access, the Contractor may alter or remove physical barriers such as water bars and alder re-growth with prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Contractor altered physical barriers, with the exception of alder/conifer clearing, must be restored to their previous condition prior to final payment for the unit in which they occur.

Deciduous trees and shrubs may be cut on the closed roads to aid access and are subject to the specifications found in Section C.7.5, Felling or C.7.7 Basic Thinning Slash Treatment.

C.7.9 Streams

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Cut trees shall be felled away from all streams within the units. These streams are designated on unit maps. Any trees falling into streams shall be removed and pulled back into the cutting area.

The written request for inspection, submitted by the contractor, shall include a statement indicating that the streams have been inspected and meets contract requirements. The government will inspect streams to ensure felled trees are pulled back into the cutting area;

payment will be withheld until this slash treatment is correctly completed.

C.7.10 Nest Trees Trees to be cut, which have active songbird nests in them shall be girdled instead of severed. A tree with an active or inactive eagle, other raptor or heron nest shall not be girdled or cut.

Notify the COR promptly should an eagle, other raptor or heron nest be found in or adjacent to a thinning unit as special provisions must be applied, and a substantial buffer of uncut vegetation will be required.

C.7.11 Bear Dens Any bear dens encountered during thinning operations shall be reported to the COR and, if possible, a screen of trees, 10 feet minimum and 25 feet maximum in width shall be left to hide the den opening. Dens can sometimes be located by observing spruce and hemlock trees, which have been stripped of branches to a height of seven feet (branches are used for bedding). A den opening may be visible beneath a stump. The Contractor should consult with the COR if there are any questions.

C.7.12 Beaver Ponds and Standing Water Pools The Contractor shall leave a 25-foot un-cut fringe around all beaver ponds and standing pools of water greater than 10ft in diameter.

C.8 Dense Canopy Retention Area Specifications The contractor will retain 5% of each unit as untreated based where units are greater than 4 acres, where natural tree spacing is less than 5 feet between trees. Size of retention areas will vary between 20 and 40 feet in diameter. Dense Canopy Retention areas may not be grouped together and need to be more than 40 feet from other retention areas.

C.9 Resource Protection The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments, and resources. If existing facilities, such as roads, fences, erosion dips, trails, barriers, and drainage facilities are damaged, they shall be replaced or repaired at no cost to the Government.

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C.10 Control of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution

1. Operations shall be scheduled and conducted to minimize erosion of soils and to prevent silting and muddying of streams, rivers, irrigation systems, and impoundments (lakes, reservoirs, etc.).

2. Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens, raw sewage, and other harmful materials shall not be discharged on the ground; into or nearby rivers, streams, or impoundments; or into natural or man-made channels.

3. If the contractor maintains storage facilities for oil and oil products on the project area, the contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to insure, that any spill does not contaminate soils or enter any streams or other waters. Tarps and absorbent pads shall be utilized at fuel storage areas to capture minor spills in areas where transfer of oil products from container to container is commonplace.

4. If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds in aggregate 1,320 gallons in containers 55 gallons or greater, the Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. Such Plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112). No single oil or oil products storage area shall exceed 660 gallons, 12- 55-gallon drums. Oil or oil products storage areas shall not be within 100 feet of a stream or body of water.

5. The Contractor shall notify appropriate agencies, including Contracting Officer, of all reportable (40 CFR 110) spills of oil or oil products on or in the vicinity of the contract area that are caused by the Contractor’s workers. The Contractor will take whatever initial action may be safely accomplished to contain all spills.

6. Any used motor oils, fuels, lubricants and absorbent pads shall be collected, removed from National Forest Lands and properly deposed of at an approved facility.

7. Mechanized equipment shall not be operated in flowing streams without written approval by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION D—PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 Project Labeling for Official Correspondence The Government singularly identifies each project with a contract number at time of Award.

The contract number is a unique identifier to purposely and permanently represent an awarded

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 12 of 21 project. The Government issued contract number is to be referenced on all official communication starting upon notice of award.

SECTION E—INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 Contractor Quality Control The Contractor shall provide quality control for all thinning operations. The Contractor is expected to conduct their own prompt inspections to ensure that all thinning and slash treatment requirements are being met. Government inspections are for payment determination only and are not intended to be used as a quality control by the Contractor. Any delay in Government inspections will not cause the Government to be responsible for the Contractors thinning quality.

Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) within 10 business days after contract award.

The general Quality Control Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work;

and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and an unbiased sample of thinning and other work to determine actual quality percentage.

E.2 Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Inspection - The Government’s quality assurance inspections will be accomplished in accordance with the QASP and will determine compliance with specifications and provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of visual observations and sample plots to determine compliance with the specifications.

Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract. The Contractor or his representative may observe inspections while they are underway.

Acceptance will be determined based on compliance with the contract specifications.

Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work. If the Contractor’s work is determined to be unacceptable, the Government may initiate any remedies described in FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services.

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E.3 Thinning Inspection

(a) Frequency of Inspections. The Government will conduct inspections during the contract performance period at such times and places as the Contracting Officer and COR deems sufficient to ensure satisfactory contract performance.

(b) Contractor Responsibilities. Prior to payment inspections, the Contractor shall submit a written request for inspection. Prior to Government inspection, the Contractor shall provide written self-inspection results indicating the acreage completed and certifying that the work has been inspected by the Contractor or contractor’s authorized representative and that it meets contract requirements.

The Contractor shall provide on-the-ground evidence of self-inspection. Self-inspection plots shall be flagged and numbered on the ground and the plot number recorded on the inspection form. A map showing plot locations shall be submitted to the Government along with the request for inspection. The self-inspection plots will be randomly checked by the Government.

Inspection/Request/Certification forms will be provided at the pre-work meeting for the Contractor’s use. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that work to be inspected for payment purposes, and requests for payment inspections, are in compliance with the contract requirements. If the Contractor fails to provide the self-inspection results, when they are requested, or comply with the contract requirements regarding inspection or prosecution of the work, the Government may cancel the inspection at the Contractor’s expense.

(c) Area(s) for Inspection. Cut areas for inspection must be contiguous and within a single contract unit, unless the Contracting Officer has approved cutting in separate contract units, and/or separate areas within a contract unit, in accordance with F.2.2 Prosecution of Work.

Each contract unit, as designated on the contract maps and in the Schedule of Units, will be separately inspected and the quality will not be averaged with any other contract unit.

Government estimates of work completed shall not be subject to dispute. Each contract unit inspection and/or re-inspection will stand on its own (i.e., it will not be averaged with other inspections to come up with an overall thinning quality for the contract unit).

E.3.1 Method of Inspection (Per Tree Spacing Option) The quality of performance will be determined from the results of a series of scattered check plots of pre-determined radius and area. Sufficient plots will be taken to total at least one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the area being inspected. Plots will be flagged and numbered on the ground and the plot number recorded on the inspection form. Additionally, if observations made while inspecting the thinned areas show gross contract noncompliance such as missed clumps of trees, failure to thin to unit boundary, unsatisfactory road and stream treatments, 2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 14 of 21 excessive numbers of high stumps (as indicated in Section E), excessive numbers of live limbs, leaners or hang-ups (felled trees leaning on, entangled in the branches of, or covering any leave tree), the inspection may be terminated and the Contractor required to rework the thinned area.

(1) Plot Size: The table below indicates the inspection plot size in fraction of an acre and actual plot radius for spacing encountered. Actual plot size can be adjusted by the inspector to capture stand conditions representative of the variability in spacing. Minimum plot size will be 1/32 of an acre. The No. of Trees Targeted represents the number of well spaced crop trees that should be present per plot given fully stocked ground conditions.

(feet)

Plot Size (fraction) Plot Radius No. of Trees

Targeted Minimum

Check Intensity

16x16 1/32 acre 20.8 feet 5 (3-8) One plot per 6 acres inspected with a minimum of 1 plot per contract unit

(2) The inspection procedure will take into account the fact that the number of leave trees per plot may vary within each spacing regime due to poor initial stocking levels or the spacing variance allowed (see Section C.7.2, Spacing of Leave Trees Per Tree Spacing Option) to select the best crop tree. However, average spacing within each inspection block must be maintained. In most cases, inspection plots should show the normal number of well-spaced trees indicated above. However, because of the variance in spacing allowed, it is possible that an inspection plot could reflect the spacing variance, but this would be the exception rather than the rule. The Contractor is cautioned that inspection plots revealing other than the average number of trees per plot will be cause for a written work order to improve the quality of thinning. Repeated failure to comply with written work order(s) is grounds for termination of the Contractor's right to proceed. For individual plots, the minimum/maximum acceptable number of trees per plot is indicated in the following table:

(feet)

Minimum No. of Trees

Maximum No. of Trees

16x16 3 8

(3) Refer to Example Table A, Section E.3.3 Calculation of Thinning Quality. For calculation purposes, the number of crop trees found on the plot, if within the acceptable range as shown above, will be listed in Column 2, No. of Trees to Be Left on the inspection form, providing they meet spacing requirements. If there are deficient trees on the plot, the minimum acceptable number of trees will be used in Column 2. If there are excess trees on the plot, the maximum acceptable number of trees will be used in Column 2. When considering less than fully stocked

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 15 of 21 conditions, a growing site, which would normally be occupied by a tree on spacing, that is un-stocked or non-stockable, shall be considered an acceptable tree for purposes of calculating inspection results. Credit will be given for up to 7 un-stocked growing sites. The actual number of eligible conifers found on the plot will be listed in column 3 (including any trees missed due to heavy brush, neglect, or other reasons).

(4) Corresponding Slash Treatment and Inspection: Because the thinning and slash treatment are to be accomplished concurrently, inspection for payment will not be performed until both the thinning and any required slash treatment are completed.

E.3.2 Thinning Inspection Report (Per Tree Spacing Option) At each inspection plot the inspector will examine the thinning plot area and record the findings on the thinning inspection report as follows: see Example Table A of E.3.3 Calculation of Thinning Quality

The number of trees to be left, in Column 2 (adjusted for actual stocking and spacing variance as indicated in Section E.3.1, Method of Inspection).

The number of actual trees left, in Column 3.

The number of unsatisfactory trees left, in Column 4.

The number of deficient trees, in Column 5.

The number of excess trees, in Column 6.

No tree will be counted twice against the Contractor. Example: If an excess tree remains on the plot, and it is also unsatisfactory, it will be recorded as either excess or unsatisfactory, but not both. Inspection report categories (shown on the report form as Columns) are outlined below.

Inspection Report Information:

(1) PLOT NUMBER

(2) NUMBER OF TREES TO BE LEFT: The target number of crop trees on a 100 percent stocked plot is 5 trees. The number of trees to be left will be adjusted according to the stocking of the plot, and according to the 50 percent spacing variance allowed between individual trees.

(3) NUMBER OF TREES LEFT: the actual number of uncut eligible conifers on the plot.

(4) NUMBER OF UNSATISFACTORY TREES: the number of trees that do not meet contract specifications, such as, but not limited to:

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Diseased, poorly formed, wildlife damaged, or otherwise undesirable leave tree, [counts as ONE

TREE]

Leaner (an uncut tree leaning due to cut tree leaning on it; a cut tree covering a crop tree; a cut tree hung in the branches of a crop tree, which could be reasonably removed; or bole to bole contact of a cut tree and crop tree for whatever reason); [counts as ONE TREE].

Damaged trees greater than 8 inches DBH not treated according to specifications (C.7.1);

[counts as ONE TREE].

Thinning damaged leave tree, this includes saw scars, pruned limb stubs greater than 4 inches or broken leader; [counts as ONE HALF TREE].

Tree not completely severed from the stump; [counts as ONE HALF TREE].

Live limb left on the stump; [counts as ONE HALF TREE].

High stump; [counts as ONE QUARTER TREE].

(5) NUMBER OF TREES DEFICIENT: The number of trees less than number 2 above; [counts as

ONE TREE].

(6) NUMBER OF TREES EXCESS: The number of trees greater than number 2 above; [counts as

ONE TREE].

E.3.3 Calculation of Thinning Quality The quality of thinning will be calculated as follows:

(unsatisfactory col. 4 + # deficient col.5+ # excess col. 6) x 100 = thinning Quality % (# leave trees to be left)

(a) Inspections which achieve an 80% (minimum acceptable level) or higher thinning quality, using the formula in (a) above, will be considered satisfactory and qualify for full payment, providing no gross noncompliance exists.

(b) Where thinning quality is unsatisfactory (below 80 %), and it is likely that the quality could be improved or raised to satisfactory by rework, for example if too many trees are left, the Contractor will be required to rework the thinning.

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(c) Where thinning quality is unsatisfactory and is below 80%, and it is unlikely that the quality could be improved or raised to satisfactory by rework, reduced payment may be made at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Example 1 There are 36 acres ready for inspection in a unit with 16' X 16' spacing. A 0.5% sample would be (36 acres) (.005) = 0.18 acres of inspection or six 1/32 acres plots of 20.8' radius each. The target trees per plot is 7. With a 50% tree spacing variance the minimum trees per plot is 3 and the maximum is 9. Assume that field inspection data is as follows:

Example Table A:

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Plot No.

# Trees to be Left #Trees

Left # Unsatisfactory

Trees # Trees

Deficient # Trees Excess

Remarks

1 7 6 0 0 0 OK

2 7 10 0 0 1 1 excess 3 7 4 0 1 0 1 deficient 4 7 8 1 0 0 1 poor selection

5 7 7 0 0 0 OK

6 7 5 0 0 0 OK

Totals 42 - 1 1 1 -

Applying the formula: 1- (1+1+1) x 100 = 1 – 3 x 100 = 0.928 x 100 = 93% 42 42

In this case the work is satisfactory and the full progress amount was earned since inspection results were equal to, or greater than 80%:

Amount earned = 36 acres X unit bid price per acre.

However, if: (1) the inspection results are 80% or lower, but above 50%; (2) the quality cannot be improved or raised to a satisfactory level by rework; (3) the amount earned will be calculated per payment calculation level as explained in E.3.3 (c) Calculation of Thinning Quality. The payment will be the calculated percentage of Amount earned as determined with the applying formula in Example Table A of E.3.3 Calculation of Thinning Quality.

In addition, if: unit falls below 50% of the desired treatment and the average number of trees per plot in the unit is not between 3 and 8 trees the amount earned will be reduced to 25% of the Amount earned.

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E.3.4 Unsatisfactory Work or Re-work and Re-Inspection

(a) Unsatisfactory Thinning If inspection results from plot data are marginally below minimum acceptable levels, the Government may, at the inspector's discretion, increase the sampling intensity, up to double the sampling intensity (double the number of plots) and average all plots to obtain an estimate of thinning quality. If the thinning quality falls below the minimum acceptable level of 80%, the Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor in writing and order him/her to improve the quality of thinning. If the quality of subsequent thinning is not raised to an acceptable level by the time of the next Government inspection, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated and the contract terminated for default. Failure to consistently perform work at or above the minimum acceptable level will result in default termination.

(b) Excess Trees When walk through examination reveals gross noncompliance or when inspection results fall below the minimum acceptable level of 80% and excess trees, leaners, high stumps, live limbs or specified treatments not applied are the main cause of the deficiency, the Contractor may be required to rework the affected area(s). Inspections after rework will be made in the same manner as the first inspection, but different plots will be established. The Contractor shall pay the actual costs of re-inspections necessitated by rework. No re-inspection on reworked areas will be made until the rework is completed and the Contractor furnishes written self-inspection results. Reworks must be satisfactorily completed before any new thinning will be inspected.

(c) Deficient and Unsatisfactory Trees When thinning quality falls below the minimum acceptable level of 80% and the poor quality is due primarily to over-thinning (deficient number of leave trees) or poor leave tree selection (unsatisfactory trees), rework is generally not feasible. In such situations the Contracting Officer will determine whether rejection, rework, or reduced payment is appropriate.

(d) Re-inspection of Thinning Upon Contractor Request If initial inspection results from plot data are below minimum acceptable levels and the Contractor disagrees with the results of the inspection, the Contractor may request a re-inspection. The Contracting Officer will determine if a re-inspection is warranted, and if warranted, the same inspection procedure will be used. However, new plots will be established. The results of the re-inspection will govern. If the re-inspection results are also below the minimum acceptable level, the Contractor will be charged for the cost of the re-inspection. In any case where the results of the re-inspection are acceptable (80% or above), the Government will bear the cost of the re-inspection. Requests for re-inspection must be submitted in writing at the time of notification of original inspection results. Rework of areas

2021 PCT Knowles Head – Cordova RD Chugach NF Page 19 of 21 while in dispute and under request for re-inspection will not be tolerated and may be grounds for termination.

E.4 Canopy Retention Area Inspection The quality of performance will be determined from the results of inspection of all Canopy retention areas. If observations made while inspecting the retention areas show contract noncompliance, the inspection will be terminated and the Contractor will be required to rework the area if the retention areas are larger than allowed. Any failing retention area must be reworked.

(1) Retention Size: will be determined by measuring a minimum of two diameters to determine retention area size using the areas of a circle formula [(Area = π × radius2)+/- 5 ft.]

E.5 Canopy Retention Area Report At each inspection area the inspector will examine the retention area and record the findings on the Canopy Retention Area Report as follows:

Inspection Report Information:

(1) CANOPY RETENTION AREA NUMBER

(2) CANOPY RETENTION AREA

Canopy retention areas will not be included in the calculation of desire thinning quality, Section E.2.

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SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 Winter Shutdown It is assumed that adverse weather and/or ground conditions may prevent access to or satisfactory performance on the project during the winter period and which is defined as the period from November 1 through March 31. Therefore, no count of contract time will be made during this period. Work may continue at the Contractor's option, however, the Government shall not be obligated to make progress payments or inspections during this period.

F.2 Work Progress

F.2.1 Work Schedule

(a) The Contractor shall, at the pre-work meeting submit to the Contracting Officer for approval:

• A practical work progress schedule showing, as a minimum, the dates on which the

Contractor contemplates starting the key features or items of the work, the order in which the Contractor proposes to perform the work, the expected rate of progress per day, the planned number of calendar days until completion (or alternatively a completion date).

• Number of workers on the project

• The self-inspection system to be used as required.

(b) If in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor falls behind the approved schedule, the Contractor shall take steps necessary to improve its progress, including those that may be required by the Contracting Officer, without additional cost to the Government. In this circumstance, the Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit for approval any supplementary schedule or schedules as the Contracting Officer deems necessary to demonstrate how the approved rate of progress will be regained.

(c) The Contractor shall submit an updated work progress schedule to the Contracting Officer monthly.

(d) Failure of the Contractor to comply with the requirements of the Contracting Officer under this clause shall be grounds for a determination by the Contracting Officer that the Contractor is not prosecuting the work with sufficient diligence to ensure completion within the time specified in the contract. Upon making this determination, the Contracting Officer may terminate the Contractor's right to proceed with the work, or any separable part of it, in accordance with the default terms of this contract.

F.2.2 Prosecution of the Work

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(a) Due to the high cost of inspections, spot thinning will not be allowed. Spot thinned areas will not be inspected for payment. The Contractor may request approval from the Contracting Officer, in advance, to cut separate areas. Such requests must be in writing. Such approval may be granted only if, in the judgment of the Contracting Officer, the request is reasonable AND it does not place an excessive administrative burden on the Government. The Contractor shall proceed in an orderly manner (work shall be contiguous and continuous) and once a unit is started, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Contracting Officer, must complete that unit before starting on subsequent units. Government estimates of acreage completed are not subject to dispute.

(b) All work under this contract shall be performed in a diligent, skillful and workmanlike manner. The Contracting Officer may require, in writing, that the Contractor remove from the work any employee that the Contracting Officer deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

F.2.3 Notification The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, when intending to leave the project area for 5 or more consecutive calendar days and also when planning to return to the project area. Failure to give notice as required herein may be considered as abandonment and could place the Contractor in danger of default termination.