Attachment 1 - BPA SOW Container Seedlings.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Attachment

Project Containerized Conifer Seedling Production

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall produce one-year-old (1+0) greenhouse- grown containerized seedlings as listed in each order in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and clauses contained herein.

2.0 Background

This requirement establishes a BPA in which multiple Orders may be awarded against for production of Containerized Conifer Seedlings. More than one award may be issued depending on vendor quantity availability. Vendors will note the available quantity of each of the items that they are able to provide.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

3.1.1 The Contractor shall provide all necessary records, tools, equipment, labor, materials, laboratory tests, and perform accepted horticultural practices currently in use in the seedling nursery industry necessary to produce high-quality seedlings, including watering, protective fencing, weeding and fertilizing the seedlings, and the application of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, to control and prevent weeds, pathogens, rodents and insects as meet standards of Oregon Department of Agriculture.

3.1.2 Seedling Conditioning (Container Items) -Final shipping dates requested will be determined within each Purchase Order. To meet specific delivery dates, desired caliper size and stem lignification for seedlings requested for fall planting, seedlings shall be induced to set bud early for seedlings scheduled for fall plant. This may be achieved thru industry standard practices such as the use of “black-out” cloth to shorten photoperiod, or the use of moderate moisture stress, fertilizer changes and/or exposure to ambient air temperatures.

3.1.3 Fertilizer Incorporation (Container Items) – If slow-release fertilizer incorporation is utilized, rooting medium shall be constantly monitored for salinity. Immediate corrective action to prevent root damage must be taken if salinity thresholds are exceeded.

3.1.4 Delivery - The anticipated delivery date, and delivery point to which seedlings must be delivered will be specified in each order placed. Price per loaded mile listed on the Contractor’s price proposal will be applied to each load or partial load requested for shipping by the Vendor. All seedlings shall be delivered via enclosed, refrigerated trailers capable of maintaining temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for fall planted seedlings, and 33 - 35 degrees F for seedlings ordered for winter delivery and spring planting.

3.1 SEED SUPPLY

3.1.1 The Contractor shall determine the quantity of seed needed to produce the required number of seedlings in each Item awarded, based on information to be provided in each order. The maximum pounds of seed to be provided by the Government for individual seed lots can be estimated as follows:

Seed Required in lbs. = T x O x W x G

S x P

T = total order (number of seedlings) Germ. Rate Seed/Cell

O = oversow for falldown 1.15 (15%) 55 - 64% 4.0-3.6

W = seed waste factor 1.1 (10%) 65 - 74% 3.5-3.1

S = seeds per pound 75 - 84% 3.0-2.6

G - seed per cell (depending on germ. rate) 85 - 94% 2.5-2.1 P = purity factor (1.0) 95 -100% 2.0-1.6

3.1.1 The quantity of seed determined to be needed by the Contractor shall be subject to approval by the CO for both Standard and Improved Seed Sowing. Deadline for this information being given to the CO is ten days after Contractor receipt of the order with Tree Seedling Schedule with seed attributes filled in.

3.1.2 The Government will provide and deliver seed identified by lot number to the

Contractor's nursery site not later than two weeks following the determination of seed quantity notification.

3.2 SEEDLING LOT IDENTIFICATION, INVENTORY AND RECORDATION

3.2.1 Seedling Lot Identification

A. Seed lot identity must be maintained through the stratification treatment, sowing, all stages of seedling growth, lifting and shipping stages. The standard Forest Service (FS) seed lot codes and district name shown on the individual Order shall be included in the identification.

B. Sowing Table/Bed Identification - Contractor shall identify each table/bed or portion of a table/bed of seedlings with a bed marker using the correct

FS seed source code from labels on seed lots delivered by the Government, or a nursery identification number referenced to the BLM or FS seed lot code.

a) Begin and end flags to distinguish lots

b) Seedling lot map

3.2.2 Inventories and Records - Provide the Government with inventories of stock on hand in accordance with the following specifications and schedule.

A. The inventory sample size shall be large enough to provide for a +10 percent standard error with a 95% confidence level.

B. Inventories shall include the following information:

a) Contract number and order number

b) FS seed lot identification

c) Nursery seed lot identification

d) Number ordered (M seedlings) by lot

e) Number of containers sown by lot

f) Gross and net seedlings per lot

g) Mean height (inches) *

h) Mean caliper (MM) * 3.2.2.B.h.1.1 *Items to be included with the final inventory due in October.

3.2.3 Containerized Seedling Inventory Schedule:

A. Current inventory by June of the calendar year in which sowing occurs, of live healthy seedlings (gross inventory) and those projected to meet contract specifications (projected net inventory).

B. Current and complete inventory, by October of the calendar year in which sowing occurs, of projected shippable seedlings meeting contract specifications.

C. For spring orders, the Government may request another inventory prior to packing.

3.2.4 Records - The Contractor shall maintain and provide to the Government, upon request, a current record by dates, listing cultural work undertaken for this contract. Such records shall include date of seed stratification, sowing amounts, and dates of fertilization, fungicide treatments, herbicide treatments, root culturing, watering schedule, moisture stress measurements, electrical conductivity (EC) tests, and lifting dates.

3.3 MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS

3.3.1 Seedling Measurement Standards

A. Stem and Lateral Branches - Seedlings shall be of good quality as evidenced by dark green color, firm- dark brown buds, absences of root, stem or top deformity, mechanical damage, disease, mold, insect or animal damage, and absences of chlorotic or short abnormal “bottlebrush” needles. All gradable (seedlings meeting specifications) and shippable seedlings shall have the top capable of maximum photosynthesis. All defects lessening the vigor and predictability of a tree to survive and grow, shall be classed as a cull.

3.3.2 Height

A. Height will be measured from the cotyledon scar to the tip of the terminal bud to the nearest inch.

B. Approximately 3-inch top

3.3.3 Root

A. Roots - The roots should form a cohesive plug when extracted. The root mass and soil media shall remain intact when pulled out of the cavity and remain intact during normal handling associated with sorting and packaging operations. The seedling must be capable of being withdrawn from the container without being damaged.

B. Dependent on cell size

C. Point of reference for measuring root length commences at the cotyledon scar.

D. Shoot: Root ratio – 1 to 2.5 Defined: the ratio of the dry mass or volume of the shoot to the dry mass or volume of the root system and provides an indicator of the “balance” of the plant. When the shoot:root is “1” the size of the root mass equals the size of the shoot mass. More often, however, the ratio is greater than 1 because the shoot often outweighs the root system. Shoot-to-root ratios less than 2.5 are usually deemed most desirable.

3.3.4 Caliper

A. Stem caliper will be measured at a point 2.0 mm below the cotyledon scar.

Stem will be measured where the stem is round. No measurement will be taken at an interval swelling.

B. Target caliper will be designated in each order.

3.4 CONTAINER SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

3.4.1 Container Specifications will be designated on each order.

3.4.2 Container sanitization practices will be in line with Oregon Department of

Agriculture’s Phytosanitary practices. Recommendations can be found at:

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pub/em-

9330#Sanitation%20approaches%20for%20containers,%20tools,%20potting%20 media%20and%20soil

3.5 LIFTING, PACKAGING AND MARKING

3.5.1 Container Seedlings

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pub/em-9330#Sanitation%20approaches%20for%20containers,%20tools,%20potting%20media%20and%20soil https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pub/em-9330#Sanitation%20approaches%20for%20containers,%20tools,%20potting%20media%20and%20soil https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pub/em-9330#Sanitation%20approaches%20for%20containers,%20tools,%20potting%20media%20and%20soil

A. Seedlings shall not be packed until conditioned for storage based on accumulation of chilling hours and hardiness testing.

B. Seedlings shall be fully watered and treated with a fungicide to prevent storage molding. This should occur a maximum of five days before packaging.

C. Only one lot should be lifted at a time.

D. Seedlings shall be pulled from containers for packaging and wrapped with plastic in bundles of 4 to 10 seedlings each.

3.5.2 No more than 250 seedlings shall be packed in any one box, or the box weight may not exceed 40 lbs, whichever is less. COR may require less seedlings/weight to be packed per box depending on box size and final average seedling size.

3.5.3 All seedlings shall be packaged in boxes meeting the following specifications

A. Style: Waterproofed fiberboard. Full overlap top and bottom, without hand holes. If hand holes are present, boxes must be lined with plastic bags or other suitable material to prevent moisture loss or drying while in cold or freezer storage.

B. Joint: Stitched, glued, or stapled joints are acceptable.

C. Size: Maximum of 16" in height so that boxes are storable on existing Forest

Service racks.

3.5.4 All containers shall be labeled on one or more sides or ends. The label shall contain the number of seedlings per container, seed lot number, species, elevation band, date packed, and nursery name. The species and elevation band shall be large font and at the top of the label. Containers shall be closed in a secure manner by banding, taping, or stapling. Self-locking and/or folding tops are permissible.

3.5.5 A packing sheet should be included with lot information and average seedling specifications for each lot.

3.6 STORAGE

3.6.1 Packed seedlings must be placed promptly into cold/freezer storage facilities and inside box/bag temperature maintained at 33-35 degrees F. Trees shall be kept at a temperature of 33-35 degrees F and 80 percent or higher relative humidity throughout the storage period.

3.6.2 Boxes shall be arranged in such a manner as to prevent crushing, smothering, heating, or other physical damage.

3.6.3 Provide cold/freezer storage for a maximum of seven days after packaging containerized trees.

3.6.4 Extended cold storage at the nursery beyond the maximum timeframe listed above may be charged according to the price in each order.

3.6.5 The Government will notify the Contractor at least seven days prior to the planned date of pickup or delivery. This order may be made by telephone or in writing. The seven-day delivery date requirement will begin at the time of the order. The order will specify, by lot, seedling quantities, and the date seedlings are to be delivered or picked up.

4.0 Government Furnished

4.1 Government Furnished Seed - On most Orders, the Government will provide non-stratified seed to the Contractor. Upon award of each Order, the Government will issue seed to the Contractor in quantities adequate to meet the requirements.

4.2 The Government will provide the following information (as available) on all seed lots included in each Order:

germination percent, number of seeds per pound, purity percent, species, seed zone and elevation, year of collection and year tested.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

5.1 DELIVERY

5.1.1 All seedlings may be required for delivery to destination F.O.B by the Contractor to destination points as shown on each Order. If the Government requests Contractor delivery, the Government will reimburse the Contractor on loaded mile basis according to the pricing furnished by the Contractor. Deliveries shall be made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding official federal holidays and shall be scheduled with the CO a minimum of two business days prior to delivery.

5.1.2 The Government may elect to pick up seedlings at the Contractor’s storage facility. If the Government elects to pick up seedlings at the Contractor’s storage facility, the Contractor will furnish a forklift and personnel to load the Government trailer.

5.1.3 Contractor deliveries shall be made by refrigerated truck or trailer. Temperatures within the seedling boxes inside the shipping container shall be maintained between 33° and 35° F or as designated by COR.

5.1.4 Boxes shall be arranged in such a manner as to prevent crushing, smothering, heating or other physical damage.

5.1.5 Contractor shall prepare and provide to the driver of the Government truck, or FSreceiving clerks, a nursery shipping ticket when seedlings are loaded or delivered. The shipping ticket shall contain the contract number, seed lot number(s), number of boxes, number of seedlings per box, and total number of seedlings per seed lot.

5.1.6 The Contractor shall be responsible for all seedlings produced for the Government, until the seedlings are delivered to or picked up by the Government.

5.2 ACCEPTANCE

5.2.1 Acceptance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of workmanship and individual seedlings shall be final.

5.2.2 Acceptance of work will be determined by the Contractor's compliance with terms, specifications, and workmanship required by this contract as observed by COR and determined by an inspection or test made at the nursery site, except as herein provided below.

5.2.3 Upon receipt of written notice from the COR that seedlings delivered do not meet contract standards and specifications, the Contractor shall within five days regrade any seedling lots found to be defective. The Contractor shall pay all costs involved, including labor and shipping.

5.2.4 If the Contractor fails or refuses to correct defective seedlings within five days or a longer period as the CO may designate the Government will reject the seedlings or accept them in accordance with FAR clause 52.212-4(a) at an equitably reduced price.

5.3 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

5.3.1 Measurement for payment will be made on the number of thousand acceptable live seedlings.

Payments will be made for the actual quantity requested or delivered up to the quantities shown in the Order. See Section 10 for information regarding overages/surplus seedlings.

5.3.2 Payment

A. After seed is stratified, sown, and germination is complete and the majority of seedlings have reached one inch in height, the Contractor may submit an inventory and invoice for partial payment in the amount of 25% of the unit price.

B. Upon receipt and acceptance of the inventory of live healthy seedlings the contractor may submit an invoice for a partial payment in the amount of 25% of the unit price times the actual number of live healthy seedlings in the inventory, not to exceed the quantities stated in the Order.

C. Upon receipt and acceptance of the June annual inventory (after thinning, if necessary) the contractor may submit an invoice for a second partial payment in the amount of 50% of the unit price times the actual number of live healthy seedlings in the inventory, up to the quantity listed in the Order, less payment 1.

D. Upon receipt and acceptance of the October annual inventory of shippable seedlings meeting contract specifications, the contractor may submit an invoice for a third partial payment in the amount of 75% of the unit price times the actual number of live, healthy seedlings in the inventory, up to the quantity listed in the Order, less payments 1 and 2.

E. When all seedlings have been picked up by the Government and/or delivered by the Contractor, final payment will be made for actual number of seedlings accepted up to the quantity listed in the Order, less payments 1, 2, and 3. Contractor shall include shipping and cold storage costs in this invoice.

F. If the final payment for total acceptable live seedlings is less than the combined total of partial payments 1, 2, and 3, the Contractor will reimburse the Government for any overpayment.

5.4 SURPLUS SEEDLINGS

5.4.1 If the contractor produces seedlings in excess of the quantities specified, then the contractor will offer the excess seedlings to the Government. The Government will have the first opportunity to purchase all additional seedlings at the contract price.

5.4.2 If not requested within 30 days of October inventory, the Contractor may retain or sell additional seedlings, without compensation to the Government.

5.4.3 Seedlings produced in excess of the quantities requested by the Government in the Order, (i.e., overruns in requested production) which are not sold will be disposed of at the Contractor’s expense or may be sold by the Contractor without further compensation to the Government.

5.5 PERFORMANCE TIME

5.5.1 The period of performance for each order will be from issuance to completion of delivery, not to exceed 450 days for all items

5.5.2 The following dates are deadlines set out in the other parts of this contract:

A. June 1 of each year - Provide COR with Seedling Inventories

B. October 1 of each year - Provide COR with Seedling Inventories

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

7.1 Contractor shall provide adequate work force to provide for orderly completion of the work within the contract performance time. At a minimum, the workforce must be able to complete a schedule that must reflects a work progress rate equal to the available amount of contract performance time.

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards