Attachment 01 Specifications.docx

RIM

HAND

FELL

GRAPPLE

PILE

STANISLAUS

NATIONAL

FOREST

CONTRACT

NO.

AG-9JGP-C-16-0119

STNF RTRT MECHCANICAL SITE PREPERATON SPECIFCATONS

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Scope of Work Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure services for site preparation and fuels reduction prior to planting within the 2013 Rim Fire. The work includes cutting and piling by machine or by hand, standing dead and down conifers and the mastication of live and dead brush Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government.

C.2 Project Location & Description Location: The project is located on the Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District.

Description: Units are located in the 2013 Rim Fire Burn area.

Unit boundaries are flagged in blue and yellow survey flagging tied together or solid yellow survey flagging for Alternative 4 units.

Exclusions (Non-Work Areas): The Government may exclude non-work areas such as; rocky areas, archaeological sites, sensitive plant sites, wildlife areas, wet areas and other special areas. Areas larger than .10 acres shall not be invoiced for if slope or other areas prevent actual work to be performed. The Contracting Officer’s Representative will designate non-work areas either verbally or with survey flagging or on maps. CA areas identified on the maps will be discussed with Contractor prior to work beginning in a unit.

Accessibility: Work site access instruction, as given here, is for information only. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to determine the most suitable route to the project area. Possible access routes:

NORTH Units - From the US Forest Service, Groveland Ranger District Office, head east on Highway 120 to the Cherry Lake Road (1N07) junction. Then head north on Cherry Lake Road to Forest Road 3N01 (Recreation Road 31). Turn west onto Road 3N01 and continue to the west towards the project area. All units can be accessed off Forest Roads off 3N01.

SOUTH Units - From the US Forest Service, Groveland Ranger District Office, head east on Highway 120 to the Sawmill Road (1S03) junction. OR continue east on Highway 120. Turn north onto Evergreen Road and then west on 1S03 towards the project area. All units can be accessed off Forest Roads off 3N01 or 1S03.

The Government will not provide special maintenance nor snow plowing to open roads or keep roads open.

The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all permits necessary for the transportation of equipment on state, county and private roads.

C.3 Maps Any maps included in Section J are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations.

Any prospective Contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective Contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding.

C.4 Estimated Start Date & Contract Time Estimated Start Date:

Oct 1st, 2023 – Sept 30th, 2024 for all Service Items C.5 Restrictions on Work Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included in Section J.

2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

C.6 Licenses and Insurance The Contractor shall obtain the insurance and licenses listed here.

1. MSPA Card (Form WH510): This contract [X] does [ ] does not require the Contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy. State Required Workman’s Compensation.

C.7 Technical Requirements

C.7-1 Definitions Definitions:

1. Brush – Live scrub vegetation, though some may be over 20 feet tall, or woody plants such as Arctostaphylos species (manzanita) and Ceanothus species (deer brush). This does not include small conifers.

2. Brush skeletons – Large dead woody brush skeletons over 2 feet high.

3. Chips – The woody residue resulting from the mechanical shredding/chipping activity. Residue size is usually less than 2 inches, but occasionally is up 2 feet in length.

4. Conifer – A cone-bearing tree with needles or leaf scales. Examples: pine, fir, cedar.

5. Control Area (CA)– Area within or adjacent to unit boundaries designated to be protected from all Contractor operations.

6. Crown – The part of the tree comprised of the branches, twigs, and foliage which carry on the majority of the photosynthesis. Live crown ratio is the percent of tree crown that supports live foliage effectively contributing to tree growth.

7. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) – The diameter of the main trunk of a tree/shrub measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.

8. Damage Trees – Any damage created by work under this contract. Includes the stripping or removing of branches and debarking the bole of a crop tree in excess of ¼ of the circumference.

9. Downed Log – all or part of the trunk of a felled tree greater than 12 inches in diameter at the mid-point and at least 20 feet in length. Includes logs in all of the various stages of decomposition.

10. Duff – The layer of decomposing organic matter on top of the forest soil and composed primarily of conifer needles, leaves, and small twigs.

11. Ground Cover – Living or dead vegetation; usually consisting of a combination of cast needles, small twigs, live plants, and slash under 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter at the large end.

12. Hardwood – A tree with broad, flat leaves including, but not limited to, oak, maple, willow, alder, cottonwood, or dogwood.

13. Limited Operating Period (LOP) – A specified period of time during which certain activities are prohibited.

14. Mastication – The physical process of cutting, shredding, and/or chipping vegetation using a cutter head powered by hydraulic or mechanical means.

15. Mineral Soil – State of soil, generally below where humus and large organic matter is not present; absent of combustible material.

16. Non-work Areas – Within unit boundaries, non-work areas may include, but are not limited to: Heritage Resource sites, sensitive plant sites, wildlife areas, wet areas, rocky areas, slopes exceeding 45 percent, and other special areas that shall not be treated.

17. Riparian Vegetation – Plant species typically associated with and found in wet areas/drainages. They include, but are not limited to, alder, willow, cottonwood, or maple in the over-story and sedges and rushes underneath.

18. Save Tree – Any single or combination of definitions listed below:

a) Any live trees with a DBH of 4 inches (10 cm) or greater will be retained as a save tree. Any trees less than 4 inches DBH should also be avoided where possible, but if damaged by the operator, these saplings shall be piled.

b) A conifer with a live crown that is not fading to orange because of insect attack.

c) A conifer marked or designated as a leave tree, usually with "Yellow" paint.

19. Slash – Debris consisting of portions of brush and/or trees created by work under this contract, or debris created prior to this contract, including all brush and cut trees, tops, trunks, and branches; material with diameters of 3 inches and larger, and over 1 foot in length.

20. Snag – A standing dead tree greater than 16 inches DBH and at least 20 feet tall.

21. Special Aquatic Feature (SAF) – Includes lakes, meadows, bogs, fens, wetlands, vernal pools, and springs.

22. Standing Dead – Dead trees still standing with a 3 inches DBH though 16 inches DBH.

C.7-2 Specifications

GENERAL

The Government may specify the priority of work by units or within a unit during the period of the contract.

Slash created prior to this contract shall be treated. All control areas shall be avoided unless agreed in writing by the Contracting Officer. Riparian vegetation shall not be shredded, cut or damaged. Contractor’s equipment shall not cross “wet” stream channels, or other non-work areas, except by prior, written agreement with Contracting Officer.

Retain 5 of the largest down logs per acre. Use logs greater or equal to 12 inches diameter and at least 20 feet long. Logs shall be left in an undisturbed state to the greatest extent practical and shall not be bucked, shredded or chipped. Retained down logs should be greater than 100 feet (30.4 m) from roadsides.

Hardwoods shall not be shredded, cut or damaged.

Contractor shall retain the largest conifer snags available at a rate of 5 per acre. Snags with orange paint are to be retained and counted first. The Contracting Officer may designate greater/less snag retention on a per unit basis.

Brush, dead trees and slash shall not be pushed into leave trees (including hardwoods) and left untreated. All standing dead trees, live brush, brush skeletons, and dead and down slash within the treatment area shall be treated. Exceptions to this include 5 snags per acre (leaving the biggest on site), down logs, designated road side screening, riparian vegetation, and brush growing very close to leave trees (generally 6 inches (15.2 cm) or closer).

All material shall be severed from the main stems at no more than 6 inches (15.2 cm) above the ground for hand felling, and 3 inches (7.6 cm) above the ground for masticators and feller bunchers. Treatable material will not be left more than 6 inches (20.32 cm) from any natural obstacles such as rock, downed logs, or leave trees. Slash heights for trees and woody slash shall not exceed 12 inches (30.5 cm) measured from the ground level. Severed treetops are considered slash under this clause.

A. GRAPPLE PILING:

Slope limits from 0-45%. A maximum ground pressure of 8 pound per square inch (PSI).

B. FELLER BUNCHER:

Slope limits from 0-45%. A maximum ground pressure of 8 pound per square inch (PSI).

C. MASTICATION:

Slope limits from 0-45%. A maximum ground pressure of 8 pound per square inch (PSI). A boom may be required to achieve vegetation treatments.

The mechanical process of cutting, shredding, and/or chipping vegetation, using a power cutter head, into residue pieces 6 inches (15.2 cm) in size, but commonly up to 4 feet (1.2 m) in length. No piece size 2 feet (0.6 m) in length or longer shall have a diameter exceeding 3 inches (7.6 cm) in thickness. No individual pieces of slash or vegetative debris shall be greater than 6 feet (1.8m) in length.

Where this treatment is performed, material shall be masticated and if needed, scattered. Resulting residue pieces shall meet the following specifications dependent upon stated level required:

FINE TREATMENT

75% <=6 inches (15.2 cm) in length.

20% >6 inches (15.2 cm) and <2 feet (.6 m) in length.

5% 2 feet (.6 m) through 6 feet (1.8 m) in length.

With accumulations not exceeding 12 inches (45.7 cm) in depth.

E. COMMON TO ALL PILES:

All felled dead trees, excess snags, dead brush skeletons, excess down woody material, and live vegetation shall be piled unless mastication is the treatment.

Piles shall be neat, compact, and sufficiently free of dirt (less than 10% soil material). If piles do not meet this requirement they will need to be respread and rebuilt. Pile slash, felled trees, snags, vegetation, and down woody material to the following standards:

1. Piles constructed by hand shall be a minimum height of 5 feet and between 8 to 30 feet in diameter. Piles constructed by mechanical equipment shall be a minimum height of 10 feet and a diameter not to exceed 70 feet.

2. All downed material shall be bucked into 10 foot lengths to produce a tight pile with minimal airspace. No piled material shall protrude more than 3 feet outside main pile diameter.

3. Piles shall be located to minimize damage to residual trees (at least 25 feet from the dripline) and other retained features such as snags and down logs to avoid ignition during burning operations. No piles shall be located within 25 feet of ephemeral stream channels, nor within 50 feet of perennial or intermittent streams. Piles will be built in a vertical-conical arrangement, NOT in a flat/stacked manner.

4. Piling shall be accomplished with minimal disturbance to top soil and effective ground cover (see Definitions). Retain 50% effective ground cover on slopes less than 25%, and 60% cover on steeper slopes. Minimize turning of tracked equipment within 25 feet of ephemeral streams and riparian areas, and within 50 feet of perennial and intermittent streams.

5. An eight foot fuel break shall be cleared of all but fine material around each pile and an 18 inch wide fire line shall be cleared to mineral soil around the outer ring of the fuel break. In areas where there is a potential for burning material to roll, Fireline’s shall be trenched on the downhill side of each pile to adequately prevent material from crossing fire lines. In addition to trenching, material shall be piled perpendicular to the slope to prevent it from rolling.

6. All piles shall be covered on the top with a minimum of a 6 foot by 8 foot Kraft paper or polyethylene sheeting 4 mil thick and covered with enough slash so as the sheeting does not fly away. The purpose of this is to maintain a dry area in the pile to ease ignition operation in the future.

F. COMMON TO ALL TREATMENTS:

1. Dead trees and excess snags shall be felled, piled, or masticated. Snags to be cut may be pushed over for reasons of safety, or when disturbance to soil from such action will be minimal.

2. Contactor shall remove whole trees from perennial, intermittent and ephemeral drainages, no flow of water shall be impeded by treated materials. Contractor shall not pile any felled material within 25 of perennial and intermittent drainages and 15 feet of ephemeral drainages. Contractor shall follow all specifications on pile construction and placement.

3. All brush 12 inches and greater in height within the designated units shall be treated, except brush in non-work areas, designated roadside screening, and brush growing so close to adjacent leave trees that attempted brush removal would cause damage to the residual tree (generally 6 inches (15.2 cm) or closer to residual tree).

4. Brush, dead trees, and slash shall not be pushed into leave trees and left untreated.

5. Protection of the residual trees shall be the highest priority in all operations. Excessive residual stand damage may result in contract shut down and/or default. No more than 4 damaged trees per acre will be permitted. If in the opinion of the Contracting Officer damage is excessive, the Contractor shall be required to alter their operations to prevent the occurrence of such damage. If more than 4 damaged trees per acre exist, a cost of $50.00 per tree will be charged.

6. Noxious weeds, such as bull thistle, are known to exist within the project area. Known concentrations outside unit boundaries shall be avoided. Contractor shall not use these areas for access with service vehicles, take their equipment through these areas or in any way disturb these sites. However, where it is not possible to keep equipment or service vehicles out of sites infested with noxious weeds, the Contractor shall clean equipment and service vehicles so that they are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris prior to being moved from infested sites to uninvested units and prior to being transported out of project area. Clothing, particularly footwear, should be free of soil, mud (wet or dry), seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain seeds. (Refer to maps in Section J for known locations of noxious weeds).

7. All drainages within unit boundaries, except those designated as exclusion in the data table or on the maps, shall have brush treated completely (no buffer zone) with no damage to riparian vegetation. Low ground pressure equipment (grapple pile/mastication/feller buncher) treads shall stay 15 feet outside of stream channel slope break, and on stable, dry soils as far from stream channel as possible, while still accomplishing contract objectives.

8. Contractor's equipment shall not cross meadows, "wet" stream channels, or other non-work areas, except by prior, written agreement with Contracting Officer.

9. The Contractor shall provide for public safety when operating equipment within 200 feet of structures and open roadways. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining and following all safety procedures policies, laws and regulations required by the state, county, and private roadways for the safe operation of equipment necessary to complete the contract.

10. Protection of Improvements: Contractor shall protect improvements from damage and shall be responsible for their timely restoration if damaged by Contractor's operations. Improvements include, but are not limited to, Crook’s water ditch, water tanks, fences, gates, pipelines, culverts, heliports, existing roads, underground cables, and all private property.

11. The Contractor shall be responsible for contacting all utility companies to determine the location of under- and above ground utilities. The Contractor shall protect or avoid these utilities.

12. Protection of Land Survey Monuments: The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, and bearing trees against avoidable destruction, obliteration, or damage during the Contractor's operations. Known corners are identified on the contract maps by black diamonds and in the data table in Section J. It is the Contractor's responsibility to locate and protect them during operations.

If the Contractor causes such damage, the Contractor shall hire the appropriate registered land surveyor to establish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, or accessories. Such surveyors shall use procedures in accordance with the "Bureau of Land Management of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States” for the General Land Office surveys, and in accordance with the State law for others. Contractor shall record such survey in the appropriate county records.

13. The Contractor shall remove all material or debris resulting from contract operations that is distributed outside of treatment unit boundaries or on lava caps, roads, structures, private property, protected sites, improvements, telephone lines, established trails, stock driveways, fence lines, established land corners, or other improvements. Any trees falling on or into such areas as described shall be removed if possible, and any resulting damage shall be immediately reported to the Contracting Officer.

14. The Contractor’s equipment shall not travel over the same tracks, except where designated by the C.O. for access and service routes. Erosion work shall be required and kept current with contract work progress for unit or partial unit acceptance.

15. Water bars in skid trails, fire lines, and roads disturbed by the Contractor shall be restored to their original condition prior to contractor damage, at the Contractor’s expense.

16. Equipment shall be kept free of debris accumulations that may result in fire starts.

17. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, when Contractor's operations are in progress adjacent to or on State, County or Forest Service controlled roads and trails open to public travel, the Contractor shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls which provide the forest user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with Contractor's operations. A specific traffic control plan for each individual contract work area shall be agreed to by Contractor and Contracting Officer prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed. Except as otherwise agreed, flaggers and devices shall be as specified in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highway" (MUTCD), and as shown on the Contract Map.

18. All units shall be worked in a systematic method that will be addressed in the Project Proposal under "Work Methods.”

19. Exit and entry of units will be confined to within unit boundaries unless otherwise stated by the Contracting Officer. Entry and exit points to the unit will be chosen in a manner as to reduce resource damage and soil erosion.

20. Prevention of Oil Spills: If Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil product(s) in the Project Area. Contractor shall take appropriate preventative measures to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil product does not enter any stream or other waters.

21. If the total oil or oil storage exceeds 1,320 gallons (4,996 liters), or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons (2,498 liters), Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112) including certification by a registered professional engineer.

22. Protection of Cultural Resources: Location of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by the American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431433), National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470), implementing regulations (36 CFR 800), the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PL 96-95 and 36 CFR 261.9(e)) will be identified on the ground by the Forest Service. The Forest Service may unilaterally modify or cancel all or portions of this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object, or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas or objects by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party.

The Contractor shall protect Controlled Areas (CA) by AVOIDANCE, unless treatment of site is directed by Contracting Officer and a cultural resource specialist is present. Contractor shall protect all known and identified, or discovered, historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal, or damage during the Contractor's operations. The Contractor shall immediately halt and notify the Forest Service if damage occurs to any cultural resources and immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the resource where damage occurred until the Forest Service authorizes the Contractor to proceed. If such damage is negligently or willfully caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall bear costs of investigation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve the Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

Wheeled or track-laying equipment shall not be operated within such areas except on roads, landings, tractor roads, or skid trails approved by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may be required to restore disturbed areas where incursion has been approved by the Contracting Officer.

Track-laying equipment shall not be operated through cultural resource sites on Forest Roads, unless otherwise approved by the District Archeologist.

All known Controlled Areas will be identified on the ground with flagging. The sites may be reflagged immediately prior to operations. Maps of the locations will be shown to contractor after award.

23. Protection of Sensitive Plant Populations: Known populations of sensitive plants occur within or adjacent to the designated units. No operations are permitted within CA-2 sites. Unless otherwise agreed, no Contractor Operations are permitted within CA-9 (Clarkia spp.) areas during the growing season (from approximately December 1 - July 15). After the dry season begins, tracked equipment is allowed within these sites. Avoid turning and dragging through the site. Any slash or debris resulting from dead tree felling operations occurring within flagged perimeters is to be removed by Contractor. No piling within any sensitive plant sites.

24. Road Maintenance: Contractor maybe required to furnish equipment to abate dust on roads with water; this treatment may require multiple applications daily. Water source location(s) shall be determined by Contracting Officer. Contracting Officer shall determine if dust abatement is necessary.

25. The Contractor shall remove all trash from the work site.

C.7-3 Contractor-Furnished Equipment Contractor shall be required to have a Global Positioning System (GPS) and a mobile electronic device with GPS capabilities (i.e. smart phone, tablets) with a program capable of reading a .pdf map for each piece of equipment and/or crew. A good program example is Avenza. Devices using GPS must have sub-meter accuracy and be capable of accepting/uploading shapefiles or track logs compatible with ARCGIS 10.3 or newer.

Kraft paper or Polyethylene sheeting 4 mil thick for covering piles.

C.7-4 Government-Furnished Equipment Maps, electronic shapefiles or track logs for uploading in GPS or mobile electronic device (smart phone, tablets).

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 Contractor Inspection Requirements (FAR 52.246-01)(APR 1984)

The Contractor is responsible for performing or having performed all inspections and tests necessary to substantiate that the supplies or services furnished under this contract conform to contract requirements, including any applicable technical requirements for specified manufacturers' parts. This clause takes precedence over any Government inspection and testing required in the contract's specifications, except for specialized inspections or tests specified to be performed solely by the Government.

E.2 Inspection of Services—Fixed-price (FAR 52.246-04)(FEB 1992)

1. Definitions. "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

2. The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

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

4. If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, without additional charge, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

5. If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may (1) require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements and (2) reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

6. If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may (1) by contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service or (2) terminate the contract for default.

E.3 Informal Inspections

The Contracting Officer and/or his/her appointed representative may visit the work units to observe the Contractor's work and progress. Acceptance of the unit may be based on informal inspections.

E.4 Compliance With Specifications

If, during the performance of the contract, the Contracting Officer determines that work performance fails to comply with a specification or specifications, the Contracting Officer may issue a work order to the Contractor. The Contractor shall immediately correct performance to comply with the work order and the referenced specifications and shall rework as necessary all area worked that does not comply with the referenced specifications. Failure to correct unsatisfactory conditions may be considered non-compliance with the terms of the contract and may be grounds for contract termination.

Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a general Quality Control Plan (QCP) with the technical proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 7 days before start work based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments. The Contractor shall conduct quality control inspections on all aspects of work. The field inspections shall be performed on each sub-item listed in each task order.

The general Quality Control Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. The Plan shall describe how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met, the supervision of crew and work, and personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control shall include monitoring quality while work is in progress, residual tree care, and other associated tasks, an unbiased sample of:

1. Residual tree care

1. Felling and stump height

1. Snag retention

1. Piling quality

1. Erosion control

1. Brush treatment

1. Road maintenance

1. Control Area protection E.5 Unit Acceptance

The Contractor shall submit a unit to the Contracting Officer for acceptance only when the Contractor's inspections for quality control assure the work specifications have been met.

The Government may perform formal inspections to determine acceptance of the work units. Formal inspections will inspect at least two percent of the work unit on a random plot basis and will address the work specifications.

If the results of the Contractor's inspections cannot be verified by Government inspections, the Government may elect to conduct all subsequent inspections. If the Government does assume the burden of the Contractor's inspections, there shall be an inspection charge of $25/ha ($10.00 per acre) inspected.

E.5-1 Contractor Quality Control Inspection System The Contractor shall identify the quality control inspection system it will use to ensure that contract specifications will be achieved. At no time shall the Contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

E.5-2 Plot Inspections.

Where the unit of measure is per acre, the Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of: residual tree care, felling and stump height, snag retention, piling quality, erosion control, brush treatment, road maintenance, and Control Area protection.

The plot system shall be consistent with method of work. The Contractor shall sample at least 1-percent of the unit, with a minimum of 5 plots per 10 acres unit.

1. Plots shall be marked and identifiable on the ground--this includes plot numbers and visible flagging.

1. The Contractor shall provide inspection sheets and a sketch map of the unit with plot locations to the Government. Inspection sheets shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection and shall certify that the inspection records are complete and accurate.

E.6 Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan Quality assurance specific to individual items will be found in Appendix A.

1. Forest Service Inspection – The Forest Service shall conduct inspections of the Contractor’s work to determine compliance with the contract specifications (Appendix A) and determine a basis for making payment of Service Items. Inspections will consist of a visual walk-through inspection of the work performed and will be based on adherence to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). The Forest Service may also install a series of inspection plots to check for compliance to AQL.

2. Forest Service Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for Harvest and Fuel Reduction – Within cutting units, all trees designated for cutting are cut and removed to designated landings for removal or to disposal sites. No un-designated trees are cut or removed.

a) Residual Trees: No more than 2% (cumulative) of the residual leave trees are damaged by the Contractor’s operations.

b) Felling: 95% of material is felled, 95% of cut stumps are within the specified stump height, and 95% of slope indicated in B.2 (Schedule of Items) are felled to accomplish fuel reduction goals.

c) Snag Retention: 95% of snag retention requirement and number are met.

d) Piling: 95% of all piles meet specifications.

e) 95% of the required erosion control measures conform to the contract.

f) Brush Treatment: 95% of all material meets specifications.

g) Road Maintenance: 95% of road surfaces are returned to prior state before work began.

h) Controlled Area Protection: No damage to controlled areas.

E.7 Acceptance of Services The Contractor shall provide a written request for inspection and submit inspection sheets in accordance with the QCP. The Government will conduct an inspection and up to one re-inspection for each unit. If the Contractor fails to meet the minimum AQL, the Contractor shall rework the unit. Anytime more than two inspections are required per unit, the Contractor may be assessed for additional inspections, which will include mileage and hourly rate of the COR. If follow-up inspections indicate that the minimum AQL was not met, the work will be deemed unsatisfactory and a deduction in payment may result (Section G-3.4). Acceptance may be made for all or portions of work.

Acceptance – Work will be accepted when it is determined by the visual inspection or plot data collected at a 1 percent sample that the Contractor’s work conforms to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for the unit designation. Areas missed within the work unit will be considered part of the work being inspected and must be re-worked regardless of the results of the inspection of the work completed in the Service Item. Service Items that do not comply with the Acceptable Quality Level will be in non-compliance and shall result in no-payment until AQL is met.

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 Contract Time Estimated Start Date: 01 October 2023 End Date: All work must be completed by 30 September 2024.

Failure to begin work on schedule will make the contract subject to immediate termination for default.

Delay due to normal adverse weather, weekends, and holidays have been included in the calculation of contract time. The Government reserves the right to set the priority of items or sub-items. Contractor shall complete all work on one sub-item before proceeding to another.

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Pre-work Pre-work conference. Before work begins on service contracts, a pre-work conference is normally held to discuss the contract--especially the specifications, labor provisions, plan of work, and selected standard clauses. The pre-work meeting should be attended by an officer of the firm or someone designated in writing to act on behalf of the firm. The pre-work meeting may be waived at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Notice to Proceed No work may begin on this contract until the Contracting Officer has issued a Notice to Proceed.

Measurement Methods of Measurement.

[ ] Acreage was measured by dot grid method from aerial photographs.

[ ] Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using compass and chain.

[X] Acreage was measured on a horizontal plane using a Global Positioning System.

[ ] Linear measurements have been taken with a wheel on the centerline of the trail or road.

[X] Estimated acreage: Actual acreage worked will be measured by the method(s) indicated above.

Remeasurement.

Unless otherwise indicated by this contract, the Contractor may request remeasurement of any quantities in Section B, when the units are acres or any linear measurement. The request must be made in writing and must be made within 10 calendar days of completing work on the sub-item in question. If remeasurement indicates a variance of five percent or less from the stated quantity, the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of remeasurement and no adjustment will be made in the quantity as stated in Section B. If remeasurement indicates a variance more than five percent from the stated quantity, payment will be based on the remeasured quantity, and the Contractor will not be liable for the costs of remeasurement. All remeasurements will be done by the Government. Remeasurement of acreage will be done with two people using a hand compass and ground measurement or by means of a Global Positioning System. This clause is not applicable to quantities listed as estimated quantities.

Payment Payments and Deductions. Payment will be made for fully acceptable work at the prices bid in the Schedule of Items. In the event of extended non-work periods because of adverse weather, the Contracting Officer may authorize progress payments for partially completed sub-items on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with the inspection clause, payment may be made for less than fully acceptable work at a reduced price. Other exceptions are noted below: Payment will be made upon presentation of a properly prepared invoice for work that meets all specifications and all GPS files of all completed treatment area acreage that is included on the invoice. Refer to the Prompt Payment Act clause in Section I for the elements of a proper invoice.

A. [ X] Payment will be made in full if inspection results are 90 percent or higher. No payment will be made if inspection results are less than 90 percent.

1) Partial payments may be made by Forest Service for work performed to acceptable standards.

2) Partial payments may be made upon completion and acceptance in a unit, or groups of units, at:

a. 70% of bid price for all work up to including piling will amount to an estimated 50% of the work and vegetation treatment will account for an estimated 50% of the work to be completed in the work units.

b. Final payment will be made only upon completion, inspection and acceptance of all work specified to be performed in the contract

Contract Release. The following supplements the Payments clause in Section I:

Before final payment will be made, the Contractor shall sign a release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically excepted from the operation of the release. A release may also be required of the assignee if the Contractor's claim to amounts payable under this contract has been assigned under the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. 3727 and 41 U.S.C. 15).

Invoices.

A. [ ] Payment will be processed using Form FS-6300-30, Contract Pay Estimate and Invoice, prepared by the C.O.R. The Contractor need not submit any other invoice, nor is Contractor required to sign any invoice except the last.

B. [X] Payment will be made from Contractor's invoice which shall be submitted to the COR with all GPS files of all completed treatment acreage that is included on the invoice.

Government-furnished Property. The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

· Maps, Electronic shapefiles or track logs for uploading in GPS or mobile electronic device (smart phone, tablets).