Attachment_1_-_2025_West_Lodgepole_Thinning_2_PWS.pdf

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT – Upper Snake Field Office Performance Work Statement West Lodgepole Thinning #2

F-1

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide for tree thinning services. The

Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the providers performing these services. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction: The Upper Snake Field Office (USFO), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is acquiring services for fuels reduction and forest management to reduce the risk of wildland fires while improving forest and rangeland health. The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, tools, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, training, and incidentals necessary to perform tree thinning services in accordance with the specifications provided.

1.2. Background: The West Lodgepole Thinning #2 Contract is a conifer treatment project focused on the selective thinning of lodgepole pines from within the designated treatment unit. The treatment area consists of lodgepole pine forests with occasional aspen/mixed conifer stands and mountain brush. Tree densities within the Shotgun Valley Project area range from 100-300 stems per acre, while fuel loadings range from less than ½ ton per acre to as high as 40 tons or more per acre.

Because of the scattered nature of the vegetation and varying prescription within the project as a whole, not all acres within the established boundary of the unit will require the same amount of labor to achieve the specifications.

1.3. Objectives: The objective of this service to reduce fuel loadings and extreme fire danger that exist around the greater Island Park community, as well as improve forest health and wildlife habitat.

Treatments will reduce ladder fuels as well as the tree canopy density so that the stands will be less likely to support a running crown fire. The thinning is intended to keep wildfire on the ground where it is more easily managed by wildland fire fighting resources. The main goals of the project is to reduce the risk of large and/or severe wildland fire; rejuvenate quaking aspen and mountain shrub stands; and reduce lodgepole pine cover there by improving forest and adjacent sagebrush steppe health. A combination of treatment methods will be utilized over the life of the project including hand thinning, prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and chemical treatments.

1.4. Scope: The work under this contract includes the thinning of 187 acres of lodgepole pine through the manual cutting and piling or scattering of treatment slash per contract specifications, (see Detailed Specifications 4.2.2). The piled slash will be burned at a later date.

1.5. Period of Performance: Treatment operations will begin on or after July 15, 2025, as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will notify the contractor that favorable conditions have been met and the contractor shall be prepared to operations within three (3) calendar days of notification. All operations shall be completed no later than November 15, 2025.

Estimated Start Date: July 15, 2025

Required End Date: November 15, 2025

1.6. General Information:

1.6.1. Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative: The Contracting Officer (CO) shall designate the COR and Project Inspector (PI). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documentation executed by the CO prior to completion of the contract.

1.6.2. Hours of Operation: Work hours under this contract shall be limited to the time between one-half hours before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Work will not be permitted on Federal holidays, unless authorized by the COR.

1.6.3. Federal Observed Holidays: In addition to any holidays declared by Executive Orders, the following Federal Legal Holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

1.6.4. Place of Performance: Project area is located in Fremont County, Idaho approximately fifteen (15) miles southwest of Island Park, Idaho (T13N R41E Sec. 32-33). Access is made by way of the Yale-Kilgore (A2) Road, Old Shotgun Road, Green Canyon Road and unimproved two-track roads. The treatment area consists entirely of BLM public land; however, Forest Service and State managed land is adjacent to but outside the treatment area. Elevations at the treatment site range from 6,350 feet to 6,450 feet.

Acreage of the unit was determined by calculations based on a horizontal plane using GIS technology. See attached vicinity and unit location maps for general location of the project area. Site is accessible from native surface roads and by walk-in of less than 1/2 mile.

1.6.5. Pre-work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, a meeting may be requested by the Contracting Officer to be attended by the Contractor, the COR and the PI. The meeting will be held at the Upper Snake Field Office at a time mutually agreeable to the Contractor and the CO to discuss the work schedule and to familiarize both parties with the responsibilities of each under this contract. At this time the Contractor shall provide to the COR a written "performance/work plan" that details dates, locations, equipment, and employees to provide for orderly completion of the work within the contract performance time. This work schedule must be acceptable to the Government. At a minimum, the schedule must reflect a work progress rate equal to the available amount of contract performance time.

1.6.6. Progress Reports: Contractor will provide weekly progress summaries, during treatment, to the BLM Representative (COR and/or PI). Regular communication between BLM Representatives and the Contractor is required to help alleviate any problems or potential delays.

1.6.7. Invoicing: Invoices shall be submitted through IPP for payment, after services have been performed with supporting invoice on company letterhead and referenced purchase order number. Unit Costs offered must be “All-Inclusive” for materials, labor, transportation, surcharges, fees and services necessary and incidental to tree thinning services. Invoices shall reflect only those costs indicated in the Price Schedule. All expenses relating to maintenance and operation of equipment shall be considered in the all–inclusive pricing.

The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all areas furnished to the Contractor by the Government have been treated to the standards specified.

1.6.8. Project Boundary Marking: The location and access to the area is shown on the vicinity and unit location maps. The project areas are identifiable by flagging, paint on trees, or a combination of both. Project areas may also be designated by changes in vegetation, roads, topography, or streams. If these types of project area boundaries are used, the contractor will be notified. The boundaries can be adjacent timber stands, recent harvest units, or other natural or manmade features that clearly define the boundary as noted on the project area maps. All areas will be flagged in some type and color of flagging that will be identified prior to starting of implementation of the project. A supplemental georeferenced PDF map of the treatment unit will be provided by the BLM.

1.6.9. Access: Legal public access to the project areas will be identified on the maps prior to the contractor starting the implementation phase. Seasonal road closers may exist (contractor will be notified of closers upon award). Contractor will assume responsibility for any additional access if desired. If roads or any type of access become subject to damage, because of adverse weather conditions or other natural and or political reasons, the COR/PI will relay information to the contractor, and a Stop Work Order may be implemented by the CO until other access can be decided.

1.6.10. Notification of Cessation or Restart of Work: The Contractor will notify the COR whenever he/she intends to cease operations for three (3) or more days and will notify the COR before starting operations after a shutdown of three (3) or more days.

1.6.11. Personnel Requirements: The Contractor must always maintain an adequate work force to ensure timely completion of the work and is responsible for the crew knowing the requirements of the contract. The crew is also responsible for maintaining a safe working environment following OSHA standards. The Contractor must attend the pre-work meeting and provide a written performance/work plan including crew manifest prior to beginning work.

1.6.11.1. Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the Government: A Contractor Representative/Foreman must be on-site always directing work. This person must be fluent in English and will also serve as an on the ground contact person for the COR/PI. Failure to maintain a Contractor Representative/Foreman will result in suspension of work until an acceptable on-the-ground Contractor Representative/Foreman is provided. A maximum of five

(5) days will be allowed to produce a qualified Contractor Representative/Foreman. Failure to do so within five days may result in the CO issuing a Suspend Work Order. CO and COR must be informed of any changes of Contractor Representative/Foreman. The contractor will also furnish a legible list of all contract employees (last name, first name) to the assigned COR. If there are any changes to the list of contract employees during the life of the contract a new list will be provided to the COR.

1.6.12. Camping: Camping on agency-administered lands will only be allowed on site(s) pre-approved by an authorized officer. Camping areas for crews will be identified and surveyed for cultural resources prior to use of that camp location. Some camp sites including designated camp sites have been identified and cleared for use, ask the COR for details. The Contractor shall maintain all camping areas in an orderly and sanitary manner. The ordering and maintenance of portable toilets and dumpsters is the responsibility of the contractor. All fire regulations and restrictions shall be followed. All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site(s) by the Contractor and disposed of offsite before final payment is made.

1.6.13. Risk and Damages: The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for any damages to persons or property in connection with the prosecution of the work, including the employees of the Contractor.

1.6.14. Protection of Improvements: The COR may order a cessation of work if vehicles are operated on roads within the work area when ground or weather conditions cause or lead to loss of traction. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following rainstorms. Any soil and ground disturbance caused by equipment during and after operations will be rehabilitated.

1.6.15. Salvage Rights: No salvage will be allowed.

1.6.16. Safety

1.6.16.1. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure for the safety of employees and general public during treatment. The treatment area will remain open to public access and, as such, the contractor shall furnish warning signs to be placed at treatment area access points. Should public safety become a concern, the contractor shall stop all operations and work with the COR/PI to resolve the issue.

1.6.16.2. The Contractor shall comply with all the applicable Idaho State Fire Prevention Laws, Restrictions, Rules, Regulations, and Standards. If a fire is started or discovered, work crews will immediately notify Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (208) 524-7600. See Section 6 for additional information.

F-2

2. Definitions

2.1 Bole: The trunk or main stem of a tree.

2.2 Contractor: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.3 Contracting Officer (CO): A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.4 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.5 DBH: Diameter at breast height; the diameter of a tree measured at a point 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

2.6 Dead Tree: A standing tree with no crown, or less than 30% live crown, or a very thin crown with yellowing needles. Also includes green trees visibly infested with insects and/or diseases.

2.7 Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.8 Equipment: A tangible item that is functionally complete for its intended purpose, durable, nonexpendable, and needed for the performance of a contract. Equipment is not intended for sale and does not ordinarily lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use. Equipment does not include material, real property, special test equipment or special tooling.

2.9 Key Personnel: Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal. The prime contractor is responsible for performance of all subcontractors.

2.10 Leave Tree: The largest, healthiest, best-formed trees shall be selected as leave trees. ALL Aspen, Douglas-fir, Engleman spruce, sub alpine fir and Limber pine will be retained regardless of size.

2.11 Quality Control: All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.12 Safety Hazards: Any ground or above ground hazards that would pose a danger to Contractor’s personnel or operating equipment must be identified and mitigated by the Contractor prior to commencing operations.

2.13 Sapling: Young tree larger than a seedling but smaller than a pole (generally >4’ tall and <10.0”

DBH).

2.14 Skid Trail: A path used during ground-based operations to move material or machinery from one area to another.

2.15 Slash: Any material cut by the Contractor, or which has been previously cut, either during logging or a previous maintenance treatment; the residue left on the ground after felling timber and brush.

2.16 Subcontractor: One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

F-3

3. Government Furnished Property and Services

3.1. The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

3.1.1. Provide various USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) or GIS equivalent with clear cut project area boundaries clearly identified.

3.1.2. Provide GIS shapefiles of the project boundary in NAD84 coordinate system.

3.1.3. A georeferenced pdf map file will be provided that delineates the treatment perimeters.

The Contractor must have a smart device capable of accepting and displaying georeferenced files.

3.1.4. A list of contacts, including emergency contacts, will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

F-4

4. Contractor -Furnished Items and Services

4.1. Equipment Requirements:

4.1.1. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to perform the work as described herein.

4.1.2. Ensure that all equipment is power washed and free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain noxious weed seeds prior to being transported to BLM-administered land. In addition, if equipment is found operating in a noxious weed area, the equipment must be cleaned before leaving project or moving to another area.

4.1.3. GPS equipment must have an accuracy of +/- 10 meters and be capable of accepting/uploading shapefiles or track logs.

4.2. Service Requirements:

4.2.1. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor (i.e., knowledge and experience of the crew leader) to determine the quantity of work needed to meet the specifications identified in this PWS.

4.2.2. Detailed Specifications: Cut and Pile

4.2.2.1. The material to be treated consists of live lodgepole pine.

4.2.2.2. Thinning unit (187 acres): Three fourths (3/4) of all live lodgepole trees equal to or less than 12 in. dbh will be cut OR 20 x 20 (+/- 10 ft.) foot spacing of leave trees in areas where all trees are 12 in. dbh or less shall be completely severed with the stump height not to exceed 4 in. and cut flat. No live limbs shall be left on the stumps of cut trees. All lodgepole, 12” and under, within 75 feet of aspen stands will be cut.

4.2.2.3. “All” trees 1 inch in diameter and greater, that are leaning against other trees, will be cut into the required lengths (4 ft. in length) and then piled.

4.2.2.4. Criteria for Selection of Leave Trees: The largest, healthiest, best-formed trees shall be selected as leave trees:

4.2.2.4.1. ALL Aspen, Douglas-fir, Engleman spruce, sub alpine fir and Limber pine will be retained regardless of size.

4.2.2.4.2. No apparent damage to the main bole;

4.2.2.4.3. Is not chlorotic;

4.2.2.4.4. Demonstrates good vigor and is disease/bug free;

4.2.2.4.5. Has at least 40 percent crown ratio, or largest crown ratio if none greater than 40 percent are present.

4.2.2.5. All felled trees between 8 and 12 inches in diameter will be fully limbed, with the limbed material piled and the main stem left intact on site. All slash between 1 to 7 inches in diameter and greater than or equal to 2 ft. in length shall be piled.

Piled slash will not exceed 4 ft. in length. Slash less than 1 in. diameter and less than 2 ft. in length shall be left on the ground. Slash left on the ground shall not exceed 6 inches in depth.

4.2.2.6. Piles will be constructed so they are TIGHTLY woven together, air space free, and dirt free. The piles will consist of a mixture of small diameter and larger diameter material (Needles, Stems, and boles).

4.2.2.7. Unless approved by the COR, maximum pile size shall be 8 ft. in diameter by 8 ft.

in height. Minimum pile size shall be 7 ft. in diameter by 7 ft. in height.

4.2.2.8. Piles shall not be closer than 10 ft. to crown of leave trees or 25 ft. to a unit boundary, unless approved by the COR. Slash shall not be piled or placed on logs or stumps, in roadways or drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms or streams.

4.2.2.9. Felled trees within 50 feet of either side of any erosion rill or gully will “NOT” be placed in the erosion rill or gully.

F-5

5. Specific Tasks

5.1 Cut and Pile: The Contractor shall perform the thinning services in designated areas in conformance with these specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish all personnel, tools, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, training, and incidentals necessary to perform the thinning services in accordance with the specifications provided (see Detailed Specifications 4.2.2). Services shall be billed in accordance with pricing schedule.

F-6

6. Applicable Technical Orders, Specifications, Regulations, Manuals

6.1. Fire Prevention: Primarily for purposes of fire prevention and control, the Contractor shall comply with the following provisions:

6.1.1. Prior to starting operations during a closed fire season or periods of high fire danger, the Contractor shall prepare a fire prevention and fire control plan to the satisfaction of the

COR.

6.1.2. Provide and maintain in good repair on the contract area the following equipment for use during a closed fire season or periods of high fire danger:

6.1.2.1. Firefighting tools shall be kept at vehicle staging areas or at such other place(s) as the COR shall designate whenever employees of the Contractor are working on the contract area. All firefighting tools shall be identified, organized, and easily accessible to all Contractor employees. The fire tools shall be in good condition, be tight on strong handles, and have sharp cutting edges. There shall be at least one (1) tool for each Contractor employee working on the contract area. Three-fourths (3/4) of all fire tools shall be shovels, hoes, or other scraping tools. The fire tools shall be used only for fighting fire.

6.1.2.2. A shovel in good condition with not less than a three (3) foot handle and a blade not less than seven and three-quarters (7 3/4) inches wide shall be within fifty (50) feet of any power saw when in operation.

6.1.2.3. Two (2) back-pack pumps at each vehicle staging area to be kept full of water and in good operating condition.

6.1.2.4. A serviceable chemical fire extinguisher of at least eight (8) ounces minimum capacity shall be carried during a closed fire season or period of high fire danger by each saw operator using a power saw on the contract area. Such fire extinguisher shall be filled and in operating condition and shall at all times be immediately available to the operator when the saw is being fueled or the motor of the saw is running. Any fueling of a power saw shall be done in an area which has first been cleared of all flammable material. Power saws shall be moved at least twenty (20) feet from the place of fueling before the engine is started. A shovel shall be available with each gas can when refueling. Each power saw shall be equipped with an exhaust system and a spark arresting device.

6.1.2.5. The CO may require additional fire tools and fire equipment as the fire danger may warrant.

Technical Exhibits:

DELIVERABLE FREQUENCY REFERENCE MEDIUM/FORMAT SUBMIT TO

Performance/Work Plan Once 1.6.5 Pre-work conference

By email in PDF format or hard copy COR

Crew Manifest Once, and as needed when crew manifest changes.

1.6.10 Personnel

Requirements

By email in PDF or scanned or hard copy COR

Progress Reports Once a week during treatment.

1.6.6 Progress

Reports By phone call or email COR

Required services table with AQL:

PERFORMANCE

TASK PERFORMANCE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE

QUALITY LEVEL

METHOD(S) OF

SURVEILLANCE

Cut and Pile (PWS 5.1)

Stump height < 4” 90% Random inspection

Live limbs removed 90% Random inspection

Trees felled that meet specifications 90% Random inspection

Scattered slash within 6” of ground level 90% Random inspection

Piled slash meets specifications 90% Random inspection