Attachment 1 - CSE-FY25_PerWorkStat FINAL.docx

SOLICITATION NEAT

FY 2025 CSE INVENTORY ON THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

QUOTERS NOTES

A. This is a Performance-Based, Fixed-Price Service Contract. See Section C for disincentive features.

B. Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to submit an offer on this project. Registering in SAM is free.

C. Contractors must submit all invoices online thru the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Vendors must register and establish an account at this website to submit an invoice on this project. Registering in IPP is free. More information on the IPP can be found at this website.

D. Quotes submitted in response to this solicitation must include a technical proposal that addresses the evaluation factors outlined in the Evaluation Factors Section. All Contractors shall provide the following information for their technical proposals:

1) Past Performance & Relevant Experience: Provide a list of completed past projects with similar scope for the last three years, including a brief description of the project (and how it is like this one), dollar amount, project location and reference names/phone numbers/emails for these projects. Offerors without a record of past performance will receive a neutral rating for past performance only. Provide this information for subcontractors on the project as well. The government may use past performance information from any source.

2) Qualified Personnel: Provide a list of available qualified personnel to be used on the project (including sub-contractors) and their qualifications. This information is used to determine the acceptability of personnel and to ascertain your understanding of what resources are needed to adequately complete this project.

E. No “Show-Me” trip is scheduled for this project. Prospective quoters are strongly encouraged to view the sites themselves to derive their own estimates of the amount of work required.

F. Award determination under this solicitation shall be to obtain the best value for the Government. Award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose proposal provides the greatest overall value to the Government, price and other factors considered. Only Offerors that demonstrate acceptable submission to the Government of all the above-described technical proposal items shall be considered for award.

G. Award may be made to a single Offeror for all treatments at all locations, or multiple Offerors based on location.

H. All employees working on this contract shall have the ability to identify trees and shrubs common to northwestern Pennsylvania.

I. Period of performance will be Date of Award – One Year. There will be two windows within which the work can be completed: Date of Award – 15OCT2025 and 01JUN2026 – 15OCT2026. Even though the second window of work extends to 15OCT2026, the contract period of performance is likely to end before this date. All work must be completed during the period of performance which will be Date of Award – One Year.

J. Data collection must be completed using GPS-enabled mobile devices compatible with the latest version of the FSVeg Exams Mobile software

1) Android tablets only.

2) Android 11 operating system and higher.

3) FSVeg Exams Mobile, version 1.3.2, released February 24, 2025.

4) To determine whether the latest version of Exams Mobile is installed, launch the application and select the (?) icon in the top right corner of the Main Menu and compare the version information to the version available from the Google Play Store.

5) If a newer version of FSVeg Exams Mobile is available thru the Play Store, DO NOT update the application. First, offload any data to FSVeg and make a backup of the data. Then, remove the outdated version of the software application from the mobile device, prior to installing the latest version from the Play Store.

K. For information about the contract, contact the Contract Specialist - Michael Simpson at michael.simpson@usda.gov.

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

COMMON STAND EXAM (CSE) INVENTORY ON THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

SECTION C – SPECIFICATIONS

DIVISION 100 – GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110 – Background and Scope of Contract The Allegheny National Forest proposes to contract for technical forestry services to conduct the field phase of a Common Stand Exam (CSE) project, for the purpose of obtaining the site and setting characteristics required to identify stand conditions and capabilities, used to inform statistically-sound natural resource management.

120 – Description and Location This solicitation is for Common Stand Exams located on the Allegheny National Forest in Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren Counties, PA (see attached maps).

· Item 1 is on the Bradford Ranger District.

· Item 2 is on the Marienville Ranger District.

140 – Property 141 – Government-Furnished Property The Government shall provide the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, or property for use in the performance of this contract, hereinafter referred to as Government-Furnished Property. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government Property” FAR clause, (Reference Clause 52.245-4).

All Government-Furnished items shall be returned to the Government upon completion of the contract. Failure to do so may result in charges for damages or replacement. Services.

142 – Contractor-Furnished Property The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, services, and facilities necessary for the project and performance of this contract, including but not limited to orange-colored roll flagging, pin flags, and paint sticks, and black sharpie markers.

The Contractor shall use GPS-enabled Android tablets (not phones) capable of running the FSVeg Exams Mobile software to collect the common stand exam data. The contractor shall also collect the inventoried plot locations using GPS that has the capability to locate the plot within three meters of the actual plot location. The contractor shall provide the Government all inventory work and GPS’ed plot locations in an electronic format that is acceptable to the Government. If rework needs to be done within a stand the contractor will provide flagging (color must be agreed upon by the COR).

150 – Access and Gates 151 – Access to Contract Areas Road access to the contract areas is via any State Routes and Forest Roads on the Allegheny that are open and closed, gated roads with permission. The project area shall be accessed by Forest roads during the normal operating season, May through September. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Stands are accessible by some combination of 2 or 4-wheel drive vehicle and foot travel. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission, through privately owned land, to gain access to stand locations.

152 – Locked Gates In cases where stands are behind locked gates, authorization for limited motorized use may be granted. All requests for motorized travel behind closed roads must be submitted in writing to the COR for specific roads and specific periods of time. If access is granted behind a gate, the Contractor will be responsible to ensure that gates remain closed and always locked and will be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use. The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the stand with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew. No firearms are permitted behind locked gates. No access to contractors or employees will be allowed behind locked gates after periods of work. Motorized access will not be permitted behind locked gates during hunting season of turkey, deer, or bear. Contractor shall adjust work schedule to take the closure time into consideration. No Suspend Work Orders will be issued; contract time will run during this period. Any misuse of gates may constitute loss of privileges.

160 – Performance and Progress 161 – Performance Period All work must be completed during the period of performance as listed above. Multiple award of items shall not change the required performance period for each item. If multiple items are awarded to one Offeror, the respective performance times shall run concurrently, not consecutively. Work may be performed on each item in succession, provided the required rate of progress is maintained. It is estimated that the official start date will be around August 18, 2025.

162 – Work Plan and Schedule The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates work will be completed within the performance period. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal. A supplementary plan and schedules will be provided after contract award, but 5 days before the start of work.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working, that is not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

163 – Rate of Progress The Contractor shall maintain the rate of progress specified in the Contractor’s Resource Plan. The minimum acceptable rate of progress shall occur when the percent of work completed falls within 10 percent of the time used.

DIVISION 200 – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210 – Work to be Performed Work shall consist of locating, establishing, measuring, and recording data for overstory and select understory data. The work performed and the data collected shall follow the terms, specifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation and the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams.

Note: Only three total fields need to be populated for the 1/20th acre understory plot, and there is no longer a 6-foot radius plot. This is a significant departure from the amount of data collected in the past for fixed radius plots.

220 – Work Requirements and Standards 221 – Plot Count per Stand The number of plots in which data will be collected is provided in the schedule of items above. Understory and overstory data shall be collected on each of these plots. The following tables provided an itemized summary of the stands to be inventoried:

Bid Item 1 BID ITEM 1 – BRADFORD RANGER DISTRICT – 2,640 plots on 5,320 acres

Bid Item 2 BID ITEM 2 – MARIENVILLE RANGER DISTRICT – 3,513 plots on 7,057 acres

STAND

STAND

STAND

222 – Plot Location and Establishment The Government shall allocate the plots throughout the target stands in advance, on a systematic, unbiased, grid basis. Grid size for determining distance between plots shall vary between stands as necessary to systematically locate the specified number of plots. The Contractor shall navigate to plot center using a GPS-enabled Android tablet that maintains the accuracy standard stated for plot location.

Plots should be taken wherever they fall, not moved to other locations to avoid thick patches of beech brush, slash piles, or other unpleasant conditions. No plot center shall be located closer than one chain (66-feet) from the stand boundary, another plot, or OGM wells. Data collected on one plot shall not overlap with data collected on another plot. Data collected on a plot shall be completely within the stand being inventoried. All plots should be kept at least one-half chain (33-feet) feet from open boundaries, such as roads and powerlines. If a plot must be/is offset due to proximity to in-stand features, refer to the plot allocation for the stand and identify the direction that has the most area before encountering any of the features described above, or other plots. Then move the plot one-half chain (33-feet); or if one-half chain is insufficient, move the plot one full chain (66-feet).

Starting points and plot centers for each plot will be identified on the ground. Plot center will be monumented using a pin flag with plot number written on it. Additionally, flag a tree (or hang flagging from a branch at eye-level) near plot center so that the plot can be easily found at a distance. This flag will be labeled with comp-stand number, plot number, cruiser’s initials, and date. The flagging will be placed directly over the plot center or starting point on a branch or other available vegetation as close as possible to plot center. Plot center will be used when inspecting the contractor’s work.

Once plot center is established, the contractor shall start at magnetic north and rotate clockwise when tallying trees. The first tree on the plot will be magnetic north from plot center or the first tree encountered rotating in a clockwise manner from magnetic north. All plots shall be taken continually once a new stand has been started, until all plots needed in that stand have been taken before moving to the next stand to be inventoried.

The Contractor shall use orange-colored flagging.

223 – Plot Acquisition The Contractor shall acquire GPS coordinates using the FSVeg Exams Mobile application for each overstory plot center.

230 – Common Stand Exam The Contractor shall locate, establish, measure and record data using variable and fixed radius subplots that shall be taken at each designated sample point. CSE data shall be collected and recorded in accordance with the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams, unless specifically modified by this contract. The Contractor shall collect data necessary to complete the following forms below, as specified.

The following tables demonstrate the required fields for each form that is to be collected and recorded. All data shall be taken in accordance with the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams. An “X” in the Exam Level column indicates the required fields for this solicitation. Contractor is the data source for the items identified in red font.

240 – Data Collection 241 – Setting Form The Setting Form shall be used to record stand measurements, stand comments, sample point locations.

242- Sample Design The Sample Design Form shall be used to record design parameters. The Government shall provide the Sample Design.

243 – Plot Data Form The Plot Data Form shall be used to record information relevant to the plot. GPS-enabled Android tablet running the latest version of the FSVeg Exams Mobile software must be used to obtain/update the latitude and longitude (location) of the plot within 3-meter accuracy.

244- Tree Data Form The Tree Data Form shall be used to record tree measurement information. The Contractor shall use a 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) variable radius plot to tally all live stems for each stand in accordance with Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams.

Wildlife Use

Contractor

Snag Decay

Contractor

Tree Damage Category

Contractor

Tree Damage Agent

Contractor

Tree Damage Part

Contractor

Tree Damage Severity

Contractor

Remarks

Contractor

245 – Cover by Lifeform (Total Vegetation) Form The Cover by Lifeform Form shall be used to record information about total vegetative cover on the plot. Total Vegetation Composition data shall be collected using a 26.3-foot fixed radius plot (1/20th acre). The Contractor shall total the cover of all vegetation species on the plot in accordance with Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams.

Note: The Contractor shall enter only the one field for Total Veg./*Cvr% which is an estimate of total vegetative cover of a 26.3 foot fixed radius plot.

247 – Ground Surface Cover Form The Ground Surface Cover Form shall be used to record information describing the makeup of the ground surface. The Ground Surface Cover data shall be collected using a 26.3-foot fixed radius plot (1/20th acre).

Note: The Contractor shall enter the values EXACTLY as follows Surface Cover (*SurC) = LITT (Litter); Cover Percent (*Cvr%) = 100 in accordance with Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams.

These data, as described above, are required for FS outputs and reports run properly. Without these fields filled EXACTLY AS ABOVE, an error will prevent the exam from being successfully uploaded into the FSVeg database.

Completing these fields as per the screenshot above (dummy data) allows ANF staff to continue using a sample design that is identical to the sample design in all prior years, thus allowing for the merging/linking of exams for stands during the spatial editing process in FSVeg spatial.

Ground Surface Cover Remarks

Contractor

250 – Performance Requirements Summary The following describes the major items in this solicitation with the deductions for the work described.

GPS

Acquisition

consistent with the Inspection Form from the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams and the standards stated in the Guide.

Contractor’s quality will be reflected in the performance evaluation either as acceptable or unacceptable.

Common Stand Exam Data Collection

found in the Inspection Form in the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams and the Guide itself.

The Contractor’s quality will be reflected in the performance evaluation either as acceptable or unacceptable.

Work quality will be measured using the standards written in the Inspection Form from the Allegheny National Forest Field Guide Procedures for Common Stand Exams.

Common Stand Exam Data Delivery

inspectors conduct periodic monitoring.

The Contractor’s ability to maintain the work schedule and complete work on schedule will be reflected in the performance evaluation as either pass or fail.

Work not completed on schedule is subject to default and may result in assessment of actual costs.

SECTION I – QUALITY ASSURANCE AND PERFOMANCE

DIVISION 100 – PERFORMANCE

110 – Performance Work Statement The Contractor shall perform work in accordance with the specifications contained in this contract.

120 – Quality Assurance Performance based program apply to the Government’s inspections for contract compliance. Contract extensions are not eligible for performance-based program unless covered under the Excusable Delays Clause listed in the contract clauses.

The Government will conduct compliance inspections on a minimum of 10 percent of the areas that Contractor has reported as completed to specifications. Trees will be randomly selected to check compliance in the areas to be inspected by the Government inspector.

These performance-based surveys apply only to initial inspections; areas that have previously been rejected and corrected do not fall into this population.

130 – Disincentives If a Contractor must be sent back to an Area (that the Contractor has asked for final inspection of) to fix work that was not done to the contract specifications a second time, there will be a 10 percent deduction from the payment for that Area. With each following return to the Area to fix the work will add-on an extra 5 percent deduction to the final payment of that Area.

The uses of negative incentives do not waive any other rights of the Government, in dealing with inadequate performance.