Attachment 1- AP_FY24_TimberStandExam_SOW.pdf

Brief Description of the Requirement:

The contract is for common stand exam plot inventory on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, in northwest South Carolina. Data collection protocol is according to Common Stand Exam (CSE), Region 8, most recent version on the following website:

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ Specific data attribute collection requirements and required forms are given in the technical specifications.

The examination level is as follows:

1 – Quick Plot* (w/ nested variable over fixed plot for overstory/understory trees) 1 – Vegetation Composition level 1 (precision – ocular estimate, percent cover by life form, species not required) 0 – No down woody inventory

*Quick plot precision requirements apply (i.e. – nearest 2-inch diameter class), however, there will be additional data attributes to collect beyond the minimum requirements in CSE User Guide for Quick Plot. See technical specifications for details on data collection requirements. Documents and software are available for download from the website provided above.

Location and Access

The contract area is located on the southern end of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in the far northwest corner of South Carolina, near Long Creek. See attached maps for travel route access to the units. Road access is limited in the project area. The work will require walking substantial distances --- see map for specifics. Under normal weather conditions, Forest Roads are accessible by pickup truck or similar type of vehicle. Should roads become inaccessible due to rain, snow, fallen trees, slides, washouts, or Forest fire closure orders, the government assumes no obligation to keep roads open.

Boundaries

The contract map identifies only the project area. A more detailed map with stand delineations and pre-determined plot locations will be provided at the pre-work meeting. Plots will be more or less randomly distributed across the project area. GIS data will be made available for use on electronic devices.

Government-Furnished Property

The property and services that will be provided by the Government are as follows. Any Government provided keys to locked gates must be returned before invoices are paid:

Item # Item Description How Obtained

1 General Vicinity Map Spatial Extent of Contract Area Provided in this solicitation.

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/

Item # Item Description How Obtained

2 Compartment and Access Map.

Compartment Map-Access map with road location. One set each of topographic and orthophoto maps covering the areas to be sampled with compartment numbers, stand numbers, and sample plot numbers.

Provided at pre-work.

3 Common Stand Exam User’s Guide, appendices, and data collection forms

Two copies of the USDA Forest Service’s Common Stand Exam User’s Guide, appendices, and data collection forms

Available from the internet website http://www.fs.fed.us/ nrm/fsveg/

7 Forest Visitor’s Map or transportation map

Two copies of Visitor’s map. Provided at prework conference.

8 Use of Premises permit

Permit to occupy the national forest in excess of time limits imposed in standard orders.

Provided when needed.

9 Common Stand Exam Inspection Form

One copy of inspection form Provided at prework meeting. Also provided in Section E.

10 Portable Data Recorder software for

CSE

ExamsPDR Data entry software for electronic data recorders. Software is make/model-specific.

Available from the internet website http://www.fs.fed.us/ nrm/fsveg/

11 PC-based data entry software (MS Windows XP or Vista operating system required.

ExamsPC data entry, sample design, and database interface software for desktop/laptop computers.

Available from the internet website http://www.fs.fed.us/ nrm/fsveg/

12 GPS technical specifications.

GPS datum and waypoints to locate plot centers.

Topographic Map with datum and way points to locate plot centers.

Electronic point data file (i.e. – shapefile) of plot centers

Provided at prework conference

13 Spray Paint For numbering trees on plot Forest Service will http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/

Technical Specifications

Plot Location Determination.

Plot locations will be predetermined by the Forest Service using GIS and provided in shapefile and GeoPDF Map/s that also display compartment/stand boundaries. Use a global position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government. Consumer grade GPS receivers (i.e. Garmin, Magellan, etc.) will be acceptable.

Consider plot center located when GPS reports within 25 feet of destination. Relocate plots (using a random azimuth and distance to stay within stand) that fall in any man-made features (roads, wildlife plots, etc), or any inclusions of the stand that are obviously not representative of the overall stand condition (i.e. – in a ½ acre patch of blowdown when the rest of the stand shows no evidence of windthrow).

Non-functioning GPS.

If the GPS device non-functional, the contractor may use traditional methods (hand compass and pacing) to locate plots. Adjust compass to a magnetic declination for the project area. Record bearing/distance information and flag starting reference points (RP) if unable to record a GPS waypoint, so that plots may be readily be relocated by Forest Service inspection personnel.

Plot Monumentation:

Designate plot centers with pink wire flag, wooden stake, or other marker by mutual agreement with the Forest Service. Tie pink “wing” flagging around two trees at eye level to aid inspectors with finding plot. Write plot number on the wire flag using a waterproof marker. For live trees on the variable plot inventory, designate the first measure tree of the plot with the numeral “1” written on flag tied around tree. Flag additional tree numbers if desired to help keep track of “IN” trees.

Designate off-plot site trees with double pink flag the trunk of the tree at eye level. If off-plot site trees are more than 50 feet away from plot center, document a lat/long or distance/bearing to the site tree in field notes or on/around plot stake/pin flag.

Data Collection Specifications

This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed. Data collection requirements listed in these forms supersede those of the CSE User Guide.

Sample Design Form (CSE) Exhibits 1 and 2 provide the sample design form and required data collection requirements for the sample design. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

Item # Item Description How Obtained provide at pre-work.

Contractor is responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the required column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Sample Design Data, with the data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 1.

Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form. Live trees will be inventoried using nested variable (overstory trees) over fixed plot (understory trees / regeneration).

Unless otherwise noted, fixed plot layout is always assumed to be slope-corrected circular. Variable plot in/out trees may be determined using the instrument of the contractor’s choice.

USDA Forest Service Common Stand Exam User Guide and Data Dictionary will be the primary reference document for inventory protocol. When further clarification is needed and when not in conflict with the CSE Guide, the following will serve as a secondary reference: Log Scaling and Cruising, by John F. Bell and the late J. R. Dilworth, Oregon State, 1993.

Overstory trees (diameter at breast height/root collar 5.0” and greater):

Use a variable plot for inventory of large trees. The basal area factor (BAF) should be adjusted from stand to stand in an effort to get between 4 and 8 overstory trees per plot. DO NOT change the BAF from plot to plot within the same stand. Contractor may use grouping of overstory trees on a stand by stand basis with COR approval.

Understory trees (diameter at breast height/root collar less than 5”, or height of 0.5 – 4.49 feet):

Use a “nested” 1/50th acre fixed plot method to sample small live trees (less than 5” DBH/DRC or trees 0.5 – 4.49 feet tall). Understory trees of the same species and status may be grouped by diameter class and average height as follows. Use the tree count field on the tree form to record groups of small trees by diameter class and average height:

Diameter Class Diameter Range (DBH/DRC) Average Height Groupings 1” 0 – 1.0” 0.5 – 4.5 feet; > 4.5 feet 3” 1.1” – 4.9” 10.0 – 19.9 feet; > 20 feet

The Forest Service may allow changes to the understory tree grouping protocol at contractor request.

Vegetation Composition Use Vegetation Composition forms to collect ocular estimates of cover by life form and layers for trees, shrubs, forbs, and grass species within a fixed area. Only an ocular estimate is required by life form (tree/shrub/forbes/graminoids). Species identification/enumeration is not required for this exam level of vegetation composition.

CSE Protocol provides four different levels of intensity to record vegetation composition. For this task order, exam level 1 for vegetation composition will be used for applicable bid items on 1/4th acre fixed plots (plot radius distance and estimate of vegetation cover may be done with ocular estimate, distance does not need to be measured).

Exhibit 1: SAMPLE DESIGN FORM FIELDS

Field Data

Num Field Description Required Source Comments Region YES Government always 08 Proclaimed Forest YES Government always 24 District YES Government always 02 Location YES Government Will be provided on project map Site YES Government Will be provided on project map

1 Sample Selection Method YES Government 2 Sample Expansion Factor YES Contractor or Government

See Sample Design provided with each task order

3 Starting Azimuth N/A 4 Subpop Filter YES Government See Sample Design provided with each task order 5 Selection Criteria Number

YES Government

6 Subpop Variable YES Government 7 Subpop Minimum Value YES Government 8 Subpop Maximum Value YES Government 9 Remarks NO Contractor

EXHIBIT 2: SAMPLE DESIGN FORM AND SPECIFICATIONS

The following form specifies the sample design to be used. The contractor will need to include the sample design with each stand.

REGION: 08 PROC. FOREST:12_ DISTRICT: 02 COMPARTMENT: XX STAND: XX

Form

Sample Selection Method

Sample Expansion Factor

Starting Azimuth

Condition Subpop.

Filter

Selection Criteria Number

Subpop.

Variable

Minimum Value

Maximum Value

Inventory Component

TREE BAF 20* 0/360 LIVE /

DEAD

1 DBH 5.0 999.9 Overstory

Trees *adjust stand to stand TREE FRQ 50 0/360 LIVE 2 DBH 0.1 4.9 Live

Understory Trees

OR LIVE 3 HGT 0.5 4.49

VEGCOV FRQ 4 0/360 LIVE 4 CVR 0.1 100 Veg

Composition form 1 only

Setting Form (CSE) Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. If GPS navigation is unavailable at the time, Stand Sketch & Notes will be used to record reference point (RP) description, traverse information and a general stand sketch.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor is responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Setting Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 3. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 3 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

All setting data fields are included on the setting data form provided in Exhibit 3.

EXHIBIT 3: SETTING FORM FIELDS

Field # Field Description Required Source Comments 1 Project Name YES Government 2 Admin Region YES Government always 08 3 Admin Forest YES Government always 12 4 Proclaimed Region YES Government always 08 5 Proclaimed Forest YES Government always 24 6 District YES Government always 02 7 Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List varies 8 Stand YES Site List varies 9 Owner YES Government always USFS 10 State YES Government always SC 11 County YES Contractor always Oconee 12 Date YES Contractor 13 Photo ID NO 14 Exam Level YES Government Quick Plot 15 Exam Purpose YES Government Stand exam 16 Stratum N/A

Existing Veg Ref YES FSHR8 (existing veg, aka forest type, is determined at the setting/stand level, guide will be provided and reviewed at pre-work meeting)

17 Existing Vegetation YES Contractor 18 Potential Veg Ref NO Government 19 Potential Vegetation NO Contractor 20 Structure YES Contractor Single, two story, multi story, etc 21 Capable Grow Area NO Contractor 22 Fuel Model NO Contractor 23 Elevation N/A 24 Aspect NO Contractor 25 Slope NO Contractor 26 Slope Position NO Contractor 27 Acres N/A 28 Examiner YES Contractor 29 Radial Growth Interval N/A 30 Radial Growth Interval 2 N/A 31 Height Growth Interval N/A 33 Precision Protocol YES Contractor Quick Plot 34 Damage Category Yes Contractor

35 Damage Agent Yes* Contractor *depends on the damage category 36 Damage Severity Yes* Contractor *depends on the damage category 37 Species of Management

Interest

NO

38 User Code N/A 39 Sketch Map NO Contractor Record if unable to use GPS 40 Traverse Notes NO Contractor Record if unable to use GPS 41 Setting Remarks NO Contractor

4.3.3. Plot Form (CSE)

The following items in Exhibit 4 are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor is responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Plot Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 4. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 4 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

All plot data fields are included on the plot data form provided in the CSE User Guide.

EXHIBIT 4: PLOT FORM FIELDS

Field Num

Field Description

Required

Data Source

Comments

Region YES Government always 08 Proclaimed Forest YES Government always 24 District YES Government always 02 Compartment YES Government Stand YES Government 1 Plot Num YES Contractor 2 Latitude NO* Contractor *required if plot is relocated 3 Longitude NO* Contractor *required if plot is relocated 4 Capable Grow Area NO Contractor 5 Aspect YES Contractor 6 Slope YES Contractor 7 Slope Position YES Contractor 8 Slope Horz Shape NO 9 Slope Vert Shape NO 10 Elevation NO

11 Existing Vegetation NO 12 Potential Vegetation NO

13 Fuel Model NO

14 Residue Description Code NO 15 Distance to Seed Wall NO 16 History NO 17 History Date NO 18 User Code NO 19 Plot Remarks NO

Tree Form (CSE) Record tree data on the Tree form provided. Tree #1 starts at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center.

Live Overstory Trees located on the variable plot Live Understory Trees located on the fixed radius plot Site trees located off plot.

Site Trees. A minimum of 3 site trees will be sampled per stand, regardless of stand acreage.

Site tree species selected will be representative of the species comprising the dominant cover type of the stand. Acceptable site tree species list will be provided at pre-work.

Exhibit 5 provides the data collection requirements at the tree level, according to exam level.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor is responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the required column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Tree Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 5. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 5 supersede those of the CSE User Guide.

All tree data fields are included on the tree data form provided in the CSE User Guide.

EXHIBIT 5: TREE FORM FIELDS

Field Num Field Description Required? Data Source

Comments

BAF YES Contractor only need to record on sample design form

Fixed Plot Size YES Contractor only need to record on sample design form

Breakpoint DBH YES Contractor only need to record on sample design form

Location/Watershed Alias

YES Site List record on setting form

Stand Number YES Site List record on setting form 1 Plot Num YES Contractor All trees 2 Tag ID YES Contractor All trees 3 Tree Status YES Contractor All trees 4 Tree Class NO Contractor All trees 5 Site/GST YES* Contractor *For site trees only (only doing for determining stand age, not doing Growth Sample Trees)

6 Species YES Contractor All trees 7 Tree Count YES Contractor All trees. Quick plot allows grouping for all trees.

Grouping method must be approved by COR

8 DRC Num Stems NO Contractor 9 DBH/DRC YES Contractor All trees 10 Height YES Contractor All trees 11 Height to Crown NO Contractor

12 Radial Growth 1 NO 13 Radial Grow 2 NO 14 Height Grow NO

15 Age YES* Contractor *For site trees only

16 Crown Ratio YES Contractor All live trees 17 Crown Class YES Contractor All live trees.

18 Crown Width NO 19 Wildlife Use NO 20 Log/Snag Decay NO Contractor 21 Cone Serotiny NO 22 Damage Category YES Contractor All trees with damage.

Record 3 most severe.

23 Damage Agent YES Contractor Required if damage category is not blank

24 Damage Part NO Contractor 25 Damage Severity YES Contractor Required if damage category is not blank 26 Tree Remarks NO Contractor 27 User Determined

N/A

Vegetation Composition Form (CSE) Vegetation Composition inventory is required for this task order. Only ocular estimates are required, no quantitative measurements need to be taken. The protocol and step-by-step methods for vegetation composition inventory are described in detail in Chapter 4 of the Common Stand User Guide. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Vegetation Composition Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 6a and 6b.

Data collection requirements listed in Exhibits 6a and 6b supersede those of the CSE User Guide. All data fields are included on the plot data form provided in the CSE User Guide.

EXHIBIT 6A: VEGETATION COMPOSITION EXAM LEVELS

Exam Level Code

Interested in Obtaining

Species to record

Subpop.

Min.

Subpop.

Max. Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4

Percent Cover by life form and layers within tree and shrub life forms

None 0.1% 100% YES NO NO NO

0.1% is for trace occurrence.

EXHIBIT 6B: VEGETATION COMPOSITION FORM FIELDS

Field Num

Field Description

Required Data Source

Comments

Region YES Government 08 Proclaimed Forest YES Government 24 District YES Government 02 Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Stand Number YES Site List 1 Plot Number YES Contractor

FORM 1: COVER AND COVER BY LIFEFORM

1 Life Form YES Contractor Tree/Shrub/Forb/Grami noid 2 Layer Code YES Contractor See Form 1 of field guide

3 Canopy Cover (%) YES Contractor Ocular estimate; % of plot with cover by life form (factor understory trees with estimate of shrub coverage).

4 Predominant Height NO Contractor 5 Predominant DBH or

DRC

NO Contractor

6 User Defined Data NO Contractor 7 Remarks NO Contractor As needed

EXHIBIT 6B: VEGETATION COMPOSITION FORM FIELDS (CONT’D)

FORM 2: COVER BY LAYER AND SPECIES- No data collected on this form FORM 3: COVER BY SPECIES - No data collected on this form FORM 4: GROUND SURFACE COVER – No data collected on this form

Format that data is to be provided Contractor will provide data to the Government in electronic file/s by email, USB drive, etc. File format will be the most recent version of ExamsPC/ExamsPDR as of the date of this solicitation or as agreed upon by both parties. Specific electronic file naming convention/s will be outlined during the prework conference. Contractor will also provide a text file listing of all settings (compartments/stands), and plots contained in each submitted data file.

Data Forms Data forms for sample design, setting, plot, and tree data are provided at the following website:

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/ The Contractor may wish to create “template” forms from which to generate copies to avoid having to write in repeated information.

Contractor Representative The contractor will provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who will act for the contractor when the contractor is absent will be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate will have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operations of implementing this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.

Government Contract Representatives for Task Order: (include CO and COR information)

COR

Name: Victor Wyant Title: Forester Address: 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Walhalla, SC 29664 Voice: 864-638-9568 Fax: 864-638-4924 Email: victor.wyant@usda.gov mailto:victor.wyant@usda.gov

ALTERNATE COR:

Name: Destry Bush Title: Forestry Technician Address: 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC 29664 Voice: 864-638-9568 Email: destry.bush@usda.gov

CO

Name:

Title:

Address:

Voice:

Fax:

Email:

Contractor Key Personnel:

Name:

Title:

Address:

Voice:

Fax:

Email:

Contractor(s) will provide information for the applicable Contractor staff per the requirements of the basic contract(s), e.g. Program/Project Manager, Quality Control Manager, key Subcontractor points of contact, as applicable.

Attachments o Contract area map

APPROVAL:

/s/ Victor Wyant 06/03/2024 864-638-9568 (Initiator Signature*) (Date) (Phone)

(*As required per FS policy) mailto:destry.bush@usda.gov