Attachment 1 - Contract Specifications - FY23_GMNF_Planting_PWS.docx

FY 23 Green Mountain NF Reforestation

SECTION C – CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

C-1 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

C-1.1 - Scope of Contract

It is the purpose of this contract to secure services for planting Government-furnished tree seedlings. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished) and incidentals, to perform all work.

C-1.2 - Location and Description

C-1.2.1- The planting area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest. See attachments for the general vicinity and detailed location maps. These show the location and normal access route to the planting areas.

C-1.2.2 – Bid Item 0001 AA is located on the Rochester Ranger District, in the town of Rochester, Windsor County, VT. Bid Item 0001AB is located on the Manchester Ranger District in the town of Winhall, Bennington County, VT. Bid Items 0001AC and 0001AD are located on the Manchester Ranger District in the town of Wallingford, Rutland County, VT.

C-1.2.3 - Bid Item 0001

Item 0001AA: Camp 5 Unit 4 was clearcut in December 2022. Access to this unit is from Route 73. From the junction of VT-100 and VT-73, take VT-73 west from Rochester for 4 miles, then turn Right onto Bingo Brook Rd. Folow Bingo Brook Rd for 3.7 miles until the junction with Thresher Hill Rd. Turn right onto Thresher Hill Rd and the unit will be approximately 1 mile up the road. The unit boundary is identified with three stripes of orange paint and an occasional unit number.

Item 0001AB: Country Road Unit 3 was clearcut in March 2017. Access to this unit is from Route 11. From the junction of VT-11 and US 7, take VT-11 east from Manchester for 6.5 miles, then turn right onto VT-30. Folow VT-30 for 1.7 miles until the junction with French Hollow Road. Turn left onto French Hollow Rd and the unit will be approximately 2.0 miles up the right side road. The unit boundary is identified with three stripes of orange paint and an occasional unit number.

Items 0001AC – 0001AD: These units in the Bully Brook timber sale were clearcut in December 2022/January 2023. Access to these sites is off Route 140. From the Junction of VT-7 and VT-140 in Wallingford, take VT-140 East for 2.1 miles, and then make a slight right onto Sugar Hill Rd. Continue on Sugar Hill Rd for approx. 2.8 miles, then turn right onto Blackwood Rd. Head south on Blackwood Rd. Unit 20 will be approximately 0.25 miles down on the left. To access Unit 21 continue to the end of Blackwood Rd and turn right onto Chapin Rd. Continue west on Chapin Rd approximately 0.5 miles. Unit 21 will be on the right. The unit boundaries are identified with three stripes of orange paint and periodic unit numbers.

C-1.3 - Definitions.

The following terms are defined for use in this contract:

C-1.3.1 - Plantable Spot - A plantable spot is an area from which vegetation, ash, duff, slash and debris has been or can be removed, and a tree seedling can be planted according to all specifications contained herein.

C-1.3.2 - Unplantable Spot- An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a tree seedling or is within a designated protection area..Spots considered unplantable include, but are not limited to, stumps, logs, rock outcrops, permanent roadbeds, concentrations of compacted bark and debris over 8 inches in depth, clumps of heavy grass, mounds of loose soil subject to unusual drying or erosion, or where ground water is at or near the surface. Designated protection areas are marked with an orange painted “X” facing into the harvest unit.

C-1.3.3- Satisfactory Planted - A tree seedling planted in full accordance with all specifications as set forth herein.

C-1.3.4 - Unsatisfactory Planted - A planted tree seedling which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted tree.

C-1.3.5 - Damaged or Wasted Trees - Government supplied Trees which are lost, damaged, destroyed or handled contrary to the specifications for care of these materials.

C-1.3.6 - Root Collar - The transition zone between stem and root. In tree seedlings it is identified by the presence of a slight swelling. In established woody vegetation it is the woody thickened portion of the tap root at the natural ground level of the plant.

C-1.3.7 - Root Crown - The point at which the root of a plant joins with the stem or stems.

C-1.3.8 – Unacceptable Planting Conditions - Air temperature, humidity, windspeed, and soil temperatures where planting should not occur and seedlings should be kept in or returned to the tree cooler. Unacceptable planting conditions include relative humidity below 30%. Wind speeds greater than 20 miles per hour. Air temperatures less than 34 degrees or greater than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil Temperatures measured at 6 inches below the surface less than 40 degrees.

C-1.4 - Government-Furnished Property

Refer to FAR Section I, Clause 52.245-04 - Government-Furnished Property

C-1.4.1 - The Government will provide all planting stock.

C-1.4.2 - The planting stock will be stored at the Rochester Ranger District or at the planting site in a mobile cooler. The contractor will make arrangements to receive seedlings from the COR. The contractor will receive seedlings each day no earlier than 0600 and return any unplanted seedlings to the cooler or COR no later than 1800. Seedlings must be returned to the cooler when the contractor or COR has determined unacceptable planting conditions have been reached (C-1.3.8, “unnacceptable planting conditions”).

C-1.5 - Vehicle Operation

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) may be operated to travel to and around the planting sites. They may not be driven on roads open to the public. The operator is subject to fines if found using an OHV in a manner other than for the purpose of transporting equipment and operator to planting sites. If at any time Forest Service inspections indicate that soil damage is occurring due to the use of OHVs, such use will be suspended and the damage repaired by the contractor.

C-2 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

C-2.1 - Planting Stock

C-2.1.1 - The contract requires planting of approximatley 4,550 seedlings. The Contractor shall plant the following bareroot seedlings: 2,500 2-0 White Pine, 300 3-0 White Pine, 1,250 2-0 Red Oak, and 500 3-0 Red Spruce.

C-2.2 - Planting Equipment

C-2.2.1 - The planting tool used shall be capable of creating a hole large enough to accomodate the root systems of the seedlings, plus an additonal 2” of depth. Acceptable planting tools include planting hoes/mattocks, augers, shovels, dibble bars and spades. All planting tools used on site are subject to Government agreement.

C-2.2.2 - Planting Bags - Planting bags are required to ensure that the tree seedlings do not dry out. Planting bags for bareroot stock must have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and be of sufficent construction to block sunlight and keep the seedlings cool while held within. Canvas bags with a silver colored reflective material on the outside and an inside compartment of neoprene and drain holes are preferred. All planting bags used on site are subject to Government agreement.

C-2.3 - Care of Trees

C-2.3.1 - The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings in their possession:

A. - Tree seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, animal browsing, or contact with injurious substances.

B. - Tree seedlings stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes must be promptly resealed. Containers of tree seedlings shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

C. - Tree seedlings shall not be removed from the cooler until needed for preparation for planting.

D. - Tree seedlings shall be planted without top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appear necessary, or if mold, dry roots, or other evidence of injury or dying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR

E. - Tree seedlings removed from cooler shall not be allowed to stand, or lay in water or snow or be covered with snow.

C-2.3.2 Field Handling - Tree seedlings in possession of planters shall be handled in accordance with the following:

A. Tree seedlings in planting bags or in protective covering shall have only their tops exposed.

B. Tree seedlings shall not be removed from the planting bag or protective covering until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

C. Tree seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

D. Tree seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. No more than 150 trees per bag or container will be permitted. Tree seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Seedlings in planting bags shall be planted the same day they are removed from cold storage.

E. Tree seedling roots shall be kept wet at all times. To facilitate this, the contractor is advised to place an inert moisture holding substance in the bottom of the planting bag along with the seedlings.

F. Planting bags shall be emptied of accumulated debris and water each time the bag is refilled with tree seedlings.

C-2.3.3 - Root Pruning – Seedlings provided by the government may have roots in excess of 12 inches in length. The contractor must prune tree roots that exceed 12 inches in length using pruning shears or other implement agreed to between the COR and the Contractor. Roots must be pruned to between 10 and 12 inches in length as measured from the root collar to the furthest tip of the roots. Roots trimmed to less than 10 inches will be counted as a damaged or wasted tree. Root trimming should occur in the shade prior to being placed in the planting bag.

C-2.4 - Spacing and Spot Selection

C-2.4.1 –All units will be planted with a mix of species; White Pine, Red Oak, and Red Spruce, at a spacing of either 10 x 10 for 0001AA and 0001AB and 20 x 20 for 0001AC and 0001AD. Exact spacing and species composition for each subunit will be provided to the contractor at the prework meeting. The contractor shall make a good faith effort to alternate tree species between planting spots. No more than 90% of the tree seedlings planted within a 1/20th or 1/50th acre area may be of a single species.

C-2.4.2 - For individual trees the specified average spacing between seedlings may be varied up to 25 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot. If a suitable planting spot cannot be found by varying the specified spacing by up to 25 percent, the spot shall be considered unplantable and the planter shall move on to the next planting spot. The specified number of trees planted will be evenly distributed throughout each planting area.

C-2.4.3 - When the Contractor adjusts the spacing within the 25 percent limit, as described above, the point of reference for planting the next tree shall be the point where the adjusted tree would have been planted had spacing not been varied.

C-2.4.4 - Spots considered unplantable include, but are not limited to, stumps, logs, rock outcrops, permanent roadbeds, concentrations of compacted bark and debris over 8 inches in depth, clumps of heavy grass, or mounds of loose soil subject to unusual drying or erosion. Sites which contain ground water at or near the surface are also considered unplantable.

C-2.4.5 – Planting should not occur within designated protection areas, within 12 feet of the edge of a roadway open to public travel (as designated on the subitem maps), or within the dripline of a residual tree.

C-2.5 - Clearing

C-2.5.1 - Clear debris from the soil surface in an area 6-inch by 6-inch square or 6-inches in diameter so that a hole can be opened without surface debris and litter falling into the hole.

C-2.6 - Tree Placement

C-2.6.1 - Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area and shall be oriented at true vertical. The Contractor is expected to open planting holes in hard as well as easily plantable ground.

C-2.6.2 - All trees shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth that after filling, packing, and leveling, the soil comes to a point even with the root collar or original ground line of the tree. No portion of the roots should be exposed nor any leaves or branches covered with soil. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, or bunched. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

C-2.6.3 - Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, and other foreign material shall be kept out of planting holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain, and the seedling is as firmly planted, as soil conditions will allow. Firming soil with the foot will not be permitted. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root systems are not damaged.

C-2.7 - Progress of Work

C-2.7.1 - The Contractor shall halt planting in any area exhibiting unacceptable planting conditions. The contractor shall notify the COR of the unacceptable planting conditions and designate the area on a map provided to the COR.

C-2.7.2- Work Area Clean Up - The contractor shall clean up the work area in and around each contract item prior to the Government accepting the item as complete. This cleanup includes removal of all excess and discarded materials associated with the planting, as well as other activities of the contractor.

SECTION D - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

D.1 INSPECTION OF SERVICES - FIXED PRICE (FAR 52.246-4) (AUG 1996)

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

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain a Quality Control Program (QCP) acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all Quality Control (QC) 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.

(c) 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. These inspections, and the penalties for failing to meet an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) are further detailed in the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contract shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) 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 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.

(f) 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 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.

Section E - Supplemental Exhibits

Exhibit A. Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Plantings

Exhibit B. Planting with an Auger

Exhibit C. Planting with a Hoe

Exhibit D. Planting with a Dibble Bar image4.jpg image1.png image2.png image3.png