Attachment 1 R10 Thinning PWS with Appendix.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

R10 ALASKA FOREST SERVICE

Thinning

IDIQ Performance Work Statement

Region 10 Thinning Performance Work Statement (PWS)

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

1.1. Purpose: This is a non-personal services contract to provide thinning and fuels management services throughout the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, located in Alaska. The objective of these treatments are to reduce fuels hazards, reduce stand density, improve forest health and better achieve the potential yield capability of these sites by removing undesirable trees and retaining dominant and codominant trees of the best quality.

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

1.2. Background: Established in 1905, the Forest Service is a federal agency that manages public lands in national forests and grasslands under a founding principle, "To provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run". The agency’s mission is to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations”.

1.3. Description of Requirement: This is a Thinning and Fuels Management services requirement for the Tongass and Chugach National Forest. Services include precommercial thinning, cut and no cut-corridors, girdling, pruning and slash treatment. Incidental services include brushing access into work areas. In addition, the Chugach National Forest requires removal of trees to control insects or disease, including removal of infested/infected trees and adjacent live uninfested/uninfected trees; hazard tree removal; hazardous fuels treatments;

stand improvement treatments.

1.4. Period of Performance:

1.4.1. Base Year: Date of Award through XX May 2023

1.4.2. Option Year 1: XX May 2023 through XX May 2024

1.4.3. Option Year 2: XX May 2024 through XX May 2025

1.4.4. Option Year 3: XX May 2025 through XX May 2026

1.4.5. Option Year 4: XX May 2026 through XX May 2027

1.5. Government Regular Working Hours: The Government's regular working hours are from 0700 to 1700, five days per week, Monday through Friday, except observed Federal holidays. Exceptions to the regular hours of operation are detailed in subsequent sections of this PWS.

1.6. Federal Observed Holidays: The government observes the following holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

1.7. Service Interruptions: If any services must be interrupted (even temporarily) due to maintenance of contract work, the Contractor shall notify the CO, and COR at least three working days in advance. If the service is due to an emergency breakdown the Contractor shall notify the CO and COR as soon as practicable.

1.8. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: Will be held at the task order level.

The Contractor shall attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 42.5. A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. Post Award Conference will be scheduled within 10 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held via teleconference. The CO and/or COR will meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the CO will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues.

1.9. Quality Control Program (QCP): The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective

QCP to ensure services are performed in accordance with (IAW) this PWS. The QCP must be forwarded to and accepted by the CO. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of deficiencies. The Contractor’s QCP is the means by which the Contractor assures that the work complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP shall be delivered to the CO within 10 days after contract award. After acceptance of the QCP the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to the QCP.

1.10. Quality Assurance: The contractor shall comply with the quality assurance program as defined in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable quality level(s) (AQL). Government surveillance of contractor performance is not limited to the Performance Objectives as outlined in this PWS. The Government reserves the right to conduct compliance surveillance of any contractual requirement of this acquisition.

1.11. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A COR may be assigned to this contract to monitor all technical aspects and assist in contract administration. The COR may be authorized to perform the following functions: Assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communication with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements (without increasing or decreasing contract scope), including Government drawings designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notify both the CO and Contractor of deficiencies; and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the contract or any task order.

Contractor Requirements

2.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

2.1 General Requirements: Specific to the Base and option years.

The contractor(s) shall perform a combination of the following tasks as applicable and designated by the individual Task Order requirements.

2.2 Overall physical description of ground conditions: The surface of the ground may be extremely broken with some slopes becoming abruptly steep or having rock outcrops and bluffs of various sizes. Wind throw may occur along some sections of the boundary. Brush can be extremely thick in many areas, especially in areas with lower tree stocking. Old logging cable and debris may be present.

2.3 Tree heights, diameters, and densities vary as site productivity conditions change over the project areas and may also exhibit variable areas of muskeg and thick hemlock and spruce competition.

2.4 No statistically reliable stem count is available for the project areas.

2.5 Service Area Protection(s): The Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to existing facilities, developments, and resources. If existing facilities, such as roads, fences, erosion dips, trails, barriers, and drainage facilities are damaged, they shall be replaced or repaired at no cost to the Government.

2.5.1 Roads: Roads are considered and shall be treated as part of the treatment unit when found inside established boundaries. Where boundaries are un-flagged and fall along roads, the boundary of the treatment area shall be the centerline of the road surface. Some roads accessing or contained within units may be physically closed to vehicle traffic by water bars, removed culverts, alder re-growth or other physical barriers. To improve access, the Contractor may alter or remove physical barriers such as water bars and alder re-growth with prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Submit requests directly to the COR, who will coordinate with the CO if necessary. Contractor altered physical barriers, with the exception of alder/conifer clearing, must be restored to their previous condition prior to final payment for the contract line item in which they occur.

Deciduous trees may be cut on the closed roads to aid access and are subject to the specifications found in Section 2.17.1 Felling or 2.19 Slash Treatment.

2.5.2 Streams: Cut trees shall be felled away from all streams within the units. Any trees falling into streams shall be removed and pulled back into the cutting area.

2.5.3 Landslides: The contractor shall leave a 25-foot no-thin buffer around the head and sides of any landslides greater than 100 feet in length encountered within contract items.

2.5.4 Bear dens: Any bear dens encountered during thinning operations shall be reported to the COR and, if possible, a screen of trees, 10 feet minimum and 25 feet maximum in width shall be left to hide the den opening. Dens can sometimes be located by observing cedar and hemlock trees, which have been stripped of branches to a height of seven feet (branches are used for bedding). A den opening may be visible beneath a stump. The Contractor should consult with the COR if there are any questions.

2.5.5 Beaver ponds: The Contractor shall leave a 25-foot un-cut fringe around all beaver ponds.

2.5.6 Wolf Dens: Any wolf dens encountered within or immediately adjacent to a service area item during thinning operations shall be reported to the COR promptly, and all work in that item should cease until the COR has determined the appropriate action to be taken. The Contractor should consult with the COR if there are any questions.

2.6 Item Boundaries: The Government will mark the exterior boundaries of each unit with fluorescent pink and yellow flagging together, unless a distinct physical feature is available which would serve as boundary. GIS Digital boundaries may be available for some projects. Distinct physical features can be roads, well defined slope breaks, limit of old growth timbered edges (stump line), or stream courses. The Contractor is responsible for thinning within the measured boundary and should direct any questions regarding boundary location to the COR . Boundaries as shown on the contract maps or aerial photo overlays represent approximations of the actual unit boundaries.

2.7 Land Survey Corner Monuments and Markers: The Contractor is responsible for the preservation of all corner monuments, stakes, and permanent plot markers IAW 18 USC 1858.

2.8 Public Safety: It is the contractors’ responsibility to ensure public safety and coordinate with relevant federal, state and local agencies while working in areas along roadways and/or utility corridors.

2.9 Safety Plan: Work sites are remote, and advance planning with regards to safety is crucial. Contractors must be prepared to discuss their safety plan at the time of the pre-work meeting. Safety Plan – Shall address at a minimum:

2.9.1 First Aid: OSHA Medical Services and First Aid IAW 29 CFR 1910.151.

2.9.2 Personal Protective Equipment: shall be in conformance with ANSI standards and OSHA approved.

2.9.3 Evacuation Plan: Medical Evacuation Plan for remote work areas.

2.9.4 Communications Plan: work sites may be remote and cell phone service coverage may not be available in all areas:

2.9.4.1 Address means of communication between contractor and the

CO/COR.

2.9.4.2 Provide a list of communication devices for Government awareness.

2.10 Fire Prevention: The Contractor shall be required to comply with the fire regulations governing National Forest lands during the period when this contract is in effect. The following subsections outline minimum fire prevention requirements.

2.10.1 Spark Arresters and Mufflers: IAW USDA-Forest Service, Standard 5100-1.

2.10.2 Emergency Fire Prevention IAW Appendix 2: Fire Prevention

2.10.3 Any deviation, or alternative method, must be approved by COR/CO prior to work starting.

2.11 Use of Premises:

a). Contractor shall obtain and abide by Forest Service Land Access Permit, see APPENDIX 1 USDA Forest Service Land Access Permit, a copy shall be provided to the CO/COR at the pre-work meeting for each project.

b). Wildlife may be encountered are potentially dangerous. Contractors are encouraged to carry pepper spray for their personal protection.

c). The work areas may be frequented by black and/or brown bears, which may become habituated to humans and may be attracted by activity and food.

d). Sanitation Facilities: Unless provided otherwise, the Contractor shall provide and maintain the following facilities:

1. Potable water supplies for drinking, washing, and cooking shall meet the State of Alaska drinking water regulations 18 AAC 80.

2. Domestic sewage shall meet the State of Alaska wastewater disposal regulations

18 AAC 72.

3. Solid waste shall be removed and disposed of in an approved location.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/subpart-K/section-1910.151#p-1910.151(b) https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/fire/documents/FS5100-1D.pdf

4. Fuel storage shall meet the requirements of 40 CFR 112 (Oil Pollution Prevention).

e). Transportation, Access and Equipment: Do not allow helicopters to sling loads directly over persons hiking or otherwise recreating on the ground at any location.

f). If there are known eagle, other raptor, heron, or marbled murrelet nest trees in the vicinity of the project area, the contractor will be notified by the COR. If such trees are discovered, or designated by COR, no disturbance will be allowed within 330 feet of the trees and additional mitigation measures may be applied. Additionally, non-crop trees within any item that have active songbird nests in them shall be girdled instead of felled.

g). The contractor is not permitted to leave any of their property on Forest Service land when a project is completed without written permission from the contracting officer and district ranger. Violation is subject to a $250 a day fine which will be deducted from the contract.

2.12 Camping Plan: Provide a plan for camp development, occupation and clean-up and obtain approval prior to any camp development activities. All camps must conform with the requirements of OSHA 1910.142 - Temporary labor camps: CFR 1910 Subpart J Standard Number 1910.142 and the requirements listed in Appendix 3 CAMPSITES CAMPGROUND. The plan shall contain the following information, if relevant:

a) Layout and location of the proposed camp.

b) Number of users and dates of occupancy.

c) Sewage and waste disposal systems.

d) Layout of cooking, sleeping and common areas.

e) Camp trails layout.

f) Equipment and fuel storage area and Spill Prevention Control and

Countermeasure (SPCC) plan.

g) Fire prevention and control plan.

h) Site Restoration plan.

i) Helicopter operations plan.

j) Mobilization plan.

The Government shall review the Contractor's plan as submitted. Proposed modifications of Contractor's plans will be discussed with the Contractor prior to acceptance.

2.13 Clean Equipment: Prior to entering National Forests, all contractor furnished equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and free of invasive species (noxious weeds), seeds, external grease and oil. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the Contractor or Subcontractor.

2.13.1 Vehicles shall be inspected by the Government prior to entering National Forests.

Coordinate with COR for cleaning inspection.

2.13.2 Provide a list of all equipment to be used two (2) working days prior to the start of performance of work under this contract. Coordinate with COR for cleaning inspection.

2.13.3 All protective plating and armoring shall be intact and properly functioning on the equipment to reduce the potential for damaging hydraulic hoses or the undercarriage.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.142

2.13.4 Spill kit approved by OSHA for petroleum product leaks shall be on site at all times.

2.14 Work Schedule: Contractor shall provide a work schedule to the CO and COR five (5) working days prior to commencement of work and upon request thereafter. The contractor shall notify the CO and COR as soon as possible about any work schedule deviations.

Address at the minimum:

2.14.1 Dates for work to start, expected rate of progress per day, anticipated calendar days until completion.

2.14.2 Number of workers on this project.

2.14.3 Method of self-inspection.

2.15 Request for Inspection: Contractor shall submit a Request for Inspection, APPENDIX 5 REQUEST FOR INSPECTION, to the CO/COR at least five (5) working days prior to demobilizing or invoice submission.

2.16 Thinning: Thin to the specified spacing of “crop” trees across entire treatment area, allowing for spacing variance as indicated in the Task Orders.

Maintain proper species preference as indicated, and refrain from cutting any identified “no-cut” tree species.

Completely sever all non-crop “cut” trees from stump, with stump height not to exceed 6” and with no live limbs remaining.

Completely girdle all non-crop “girdle” trees, making two continuous and parallel cuts around tree bole.

These are subtasks of thinning as defined by task order:

2.16.1 Felling: Cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads including associated ditches and road banks, established game and recreation trails, ponds and streams. Any trees falling in such areas shall be removed and pulled back into the cutting area. Felled trees shall not be left leaning on, entangled in the branches of or covering any crop tree. Reasonable efforts must be made to ensure that all cut trees are completely felled. At no time will cutting be allowed outside designated unit boundaries without written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

2.16.2 Forest gaps: Cut and or girdle trees to meet a specified opening size.

2.16.3 Cut: Thin trees to a defined spacing or density separate from the treatment block as a whole.

2.16.4 No-cut corridors: Do not cut trees in a work area as prescribed or designated.

2.16.5 Snag creation: Cut tree stem cambium with either two rings or by slabbing.

2.16.6 Stump Height: All trees to be cut shall be cut below the lowest live limb.

2.17 Pruning:

2.17.1 If Pruning is called out as a Task Order: trees may be pruned by hand or by mechanical means. Climbing spurs or other tree climbing methods which will damage tree bark are not to be used. In the event of a forked tree, all stems will be treated. Pruning may be a required task stated with ratios such as: ”Pruning intensities for those items identified for pruning include either all trees (1:1) or one out of every three trees (1:3).”

2.17.2 If Pruning is incidental: Pruning branches of leave trees is allowed only when required to access and fell excess trees growing within the leave tree crown.

Care should be taken not to damage the leave tree bole. Damaged leave tree boles or long- branch stubs shall count as a damaged tree for inspection purposes.

2.18 Slash treatment: Cut felled trees to a defined length and depth on the forest floor.

2.18.1 Slash piling: Move and pile treatment slash to specified locations and pile in accordance with dimension prescription.

2.19 Mechanical timber removal: Mechanically cut and yard trees by wheeled or tracked machinery to required specifications.

2.20 Brushing/Access: Cut brush, small trees, downed wood and other vegetation from roads, trails and access points incidental to accessing worksite.

2.20.1 To improve access, the Contractor may alter or remove physical barriers such as water bars and alder re-growth Contractor altered physical barriers, with the exception of alder/conifer clearing, must be restored to their previous condition prior to final payment for the contract line item in which they occur.

3.0 Deliverable / Schedule

3.1 The Contractor(s) shall submit all deliverables for this PWS IAW within the listed timelines outlined above. Below is a list of deliverables outlining each objective and due date. Each task order will have its own separate key deliverables that incorporates the below listed deliverables.

Key Deliverables

Item No. Deliverable Objective Due

2.9 Safety Plan Contractor addressed the

requirements of PWS paragraph 2.9.

10 days prior to commencement of work

2.11 Land Access

Permit

Contractor has obtained permission to operate on federal lands.

10 days prior to commencement of work

2.12 Camp Plan Personnel Camps: IAW clause

452.236-72 Use of Premises, PWS Para 2.9-10:

Provide a plan for camp development, occupation and clean-up and obtain approval prior to any camp development activities.

5 working days prior to camping on NFS lands.

2.13 Clean Equipment Vehicles shall be inspected by the

Government prior to entering National Forest.

5 working days prior to commencement of work.

2.14 Work Schedule To notify the government of when the

contractor shall be on site performing work.

5 working days prior to commencement of work and upon request thereafter

2.15 Request for

Inspection

To notify the government of completion of services.

5 working days prior to demobilizing or submission of invoice.

4.0 Government Furnished

Item Number:

Description: Provided Date(s):

1 As stated in the Task Order Schedule with COR

5.0 Travel/Location

Logistics, access, weather, thickness of brush, steepness of slopes, presence of slash, and density of conifer regeneration are just some of the critical items that should be examined on the ground by the Contractor. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, housing, subsistence, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals except those items listed as Government-furnished property.

The surface of the ground may be extremely broken with some slopes becoming abruptly steep or having rock outcrops and bluffs of various sizes. Wind throw may occur along some sections of the boundary. Brush can be extremely thick in many areas, especially in areas with lower tree stocking.

Old logging cable and debris may be present.

Tree heights, diameters, and densities vary as site productivity conditions change over the project areas and may also exhibit variable areas of muskeg and thick hemlock and spruce competition.

Travel and access may be difficult for some projects on the TNF and the CNF. There are a variety of communities distributed across the region that vary in size and the services they provide. For the Tongass: larger towns like Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, and Yakutat are accessible via Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Marine Highway System. For the Chugach: larger towns such as Girdwood, Whittier, Cooper Landing, Hope, Moose Pass, Seward are all accessible by the state highway system.

In some areas road travel is intra-island only, and it is not possible to drive from one island to another.

Road systems on any specific island can vary from pavement to forest road to ATV trails. The Government does not guarantee vehicle access or continued vehicle access to project areas by road.

Roads indicated on the contract map may not be accessible by motorized vehicle. Road maintenance by the Government will not be provided for in this contract. At times remote locations or islands will have water control features (bridges, culverts) removed and will require walk-ins or ATV/UTV access only.

Commercial floatplane services based in many of the larger and some smaller communities offer charter services to passengers and freight to remote locations in the region. There are also a variety of marine travel options such as ferries, chartered boats, and barges that can access remote areas across the TNF and CNF. Many of these marine modes of travel can move passengers, vehicles and equipment. The Alaska Marine Highway system and barging companies from Washington State can bring equipment and materials to Alaska.

6.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Project Manager: The Contractor shall provide a PM and designated alternate, as applicable, who has full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to this contract. The PM or alternate shall be on-site during the Government's regular working hours and shall be available on-site within one hour after the Government's regular working hours.

7.0 Performance Requirement Measures (PRM)

Each task order will have its own separate PRM including the below listed.

Performance Objective

PWS

Paragraph

Measurement Method

Allowable Performance Deviation

Remedy Amount or Corrective Action

Perform Thinning services

2.16 COR will inspect

using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area. The COR will inspect a minimum of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the unit/contract area.

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

Provide forest gaps

2.16.2 COR will inspect

15-20% gaps for compliance

10% deviation Missed cut trees can be felled to meet standards.

Gaps that are insufficiently small can be expanded to meet opening requirements.

Cut 2.16.3 Density within the cut corridors will be inspected by plot at a frequency to the corridor size.

Zero deviation for no cut corridors, cut corridors will be 10%

Contractor shall rework the cut corridors area(s), if possible.

No-cut corridors 2.16.4 Distance from a specified centerline or designated width or following defined no-cut boundary

Zero deviation-there will be no cutting of trees within defined corridors.

Contractors shall be charged per area in accordance with current timber fair market value.

Provide snag creation

2.16.5 A minimum of

10% of the trees designated for treatment will be inspected.

Zero deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

This can typically be accomplished by girdling more trees or by redoing insufficient cuts.

Stump Height 2.16.6 COR shall inspect using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area to pick up no fewer than 10% of the stumps higher than specified.

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

This can be accomplished by reaching the designated stump height.

Prune 2.17 COR shall inspect using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area to pick up no fewer than 10% of the trees specified to be pruned.

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

This can be accomplished by reaching the designated lift height, pruning more trees, or redoing insufficient cuts.

Slash treatment 2.18 COR shall inspect using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area.

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

If work cannot be redone to meet the 90%, Contractors shall be charged per area in accordance with current timber fair market value..

This can be accomplished by lopping to designated length and depth.

Slash piling 2.18.1 A maximum size and general description will be specified in the Task Announcement.

Zero Deviation Contractor shall rework prior to final payment.

Mechanical timber removal

2.19 COR will inspect

using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area. The COR will inspect a minimum of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the unit/contract area.

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

If work cannot be redone to meet the 90%, Contractors shall be charged per area in accordance with current timber fair market value.

Brushing 2.20 Unit of measure is by ¼ mile or as specified in the Task Announcement.

10% deviation Scores less than 90% will require reworking to meet the requirement for full payment. If work cannot be redone to meet the 90%, then payment will be reduced in relation to the overall score.

This can be accomplished by reworking where the COR has flagged deficiencies.

Notes: Any and all trees cut outside the authorized deviation will be charged to the contractor. This charge will be fair market value.

8.0 Definitions, Abbreviations and Regulations

8.1. ANSI: American National Standards Institute

8.2. Acre. A land measure, measured on a horizontal plane equivalent to 43,560 sq. ft.

8.3. Average Spacing. The average of the distance between all leave, or pruned, trees necessary to provide the desired number of leave, or pruned, trees per acre.

8.4. Bole. Main stem of the tree.

8.5. Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

8.6. Co-dominant tree. A tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-age stands.

8.7. 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.

8.8. Contracting Officer (CO): a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the contracting officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the contracting officer. "Administrative contracting officer (ACO)" refers to a contracting officer who is administering contracts. "Termination contracting officer (TCO)" refers to a contracting officer who is settling terminated contracts. A single contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas. Reference in this regulation (48 CFR chapter 1) to administrative contracting officer or termination contracting officer does not-

8.2.1. Require that a duty be performed at a particular office or activity; or

8.2.2. Restrict in any way a contracting officer in the performance of any duty properly assigned.

8.9. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): means an individual, including a contracting officer’s technical representative (COTR), designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

8.10. Crook. Those with a sharp bend on the main bole which is less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than three inches (3") from the longitudinal axis.

8.11. Crop Tree (leave tree). Any tree selected to become a component of the future timber stand due to its physical attributes or spacing requirements that are specified in the contract.

8.12. Damage. Includes any defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars on the bark.

8.13. DBH. (Diameter Breast Height). Diameter of the trunk measured at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of tree.

8.14. Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

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

8.16. Dominant tree. A tree whose crown helps to form the general level of the main canopy in even-age stands.

8.17. Double-trunked Tree. Two trees originating from the same trunk.

8.18. Eligible Conifers. Coniferous trees 24 inches (2 feet) or greater in height and trees that are not excluded by species (See C.3.3 – Trees to Favor for Leave Trees).

8.19. 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.

8.20. Excess Trees. Uncut trees that do not meet specifications and which should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, stumps with live limbs, trees not girdled or not girdled properly if required are also considered excess trees.

8.21. Fair Market Value: The price a buyer will pay. All parties are willing and aware of the property and its value.

8.22. Felled Trees. Trees that have been completely severed from their stump and positioned such that they lie as close to the ground as possible (to accelerate slash decomposition).

8.23. Forked Trees – Trees that do not have one main stem, but have more than one bole stem at any point along the height of the tree.

8.24. Girdle. A cut through the bark and cambium tissue completely encircling the tree trunk for the purpose of killing the tree. A girdle will consist of at least two cuts, each of which will be at least 1/4" in width and deep enough to expose white wood. Each cut will completely girdle the tree. Girdles will be at least 4" apart and below the lowest live limb.

8.25. Government Furnished Property: Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently furnished to the contractor for performance of a contract. Government-furnished property includes, but is not limited to, spares and property furnished for repair, maintenance, overhaul, or modification.

Government-furnished property also includes contractor-acquired property if the contractor-acquired property is a deliverable under a cost contract when accepted by the Government for continued use under the contract.

8.26. Hang-up Tree. Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

8.27. Inspection Blocks. Pre-designated areas with estimated acres within an individual item/unit that serve as a basis for inspection and partial payments. Primarily utilized on Prince of Wales Island.

8.28. Item. Item refers to a line of work on the Schedule B Supplies or Services and

Prices/costs that a particular per unit, typically acres, and price was awarded for.

8.29. Leave Trees. Same as crop tree and eligible conifer.

8.30. Lopping and Scatter. The limbing and bucking of trees for the purpose of: reducing slash height; promoting slash decomposition; and limiting slash movement into streams, ditches and roads.

8.31. Non-Eligible Conifers. Coniferous trees less than 24 inches (2 feet) in height and

Conifers that are excluded from thinning based on species (See C.3.3 – Trees to Favor for Leave Trees).

8.32. Non-Personal Services: The personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the government and its employees.

Non personal service contracts are authorized by the government in accordance with FAR 37.012, under general contracting authority, and do not require specific statutory authorization.

8.33. Pruning. The severing of live or dead limbs from the bole of a selected tree.

8.34. Quality Assurance: The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

8.35. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan: An organized document written by the government specifying the surveillance methodology used for surveillance of contractor performance.

8.36. Road Bank. That portion of ground extending from the road edge or ditch, with an uphill slope of five percent or greater, to a natural break in slope.

8.37. Road Prism. The area from the road centerline to the road edge, drainage structure or road bank limits (whichever is the widest).

8.38. Root Collar. Point where the bole(s) of the tree and roots meet.

8.39. Slash. Limbs and trunks of downed trees.

8.40. Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest, leave tree.

8.41. Spacing Variance. The range of spacing distance, plus (+) or minus (-), allowed between selected crop trees.

8.42. Species Codes SS=Sitka Spruce; WH=Western Hemlock; MH=Mountain Hemlock:

YC=Alaska Yellow Cedar; RC=Western Red Cedar; LP=Lodgepole Pine; RA=Red Alder; BC=Black Cottonwood; CA=Crab Apple; SF=Pacific Silver Fir; WS=White Spruce; BS=Black Spruce; LS=Lutz Spruce; PB=Paper Birch; QA=Quaking Aspen;

Willow SP=All Willow Species.

8.43. Spot Thinning. Thinning accomplished on more than one contiguous area within an item or, new thinning that is not continuous or, thinning accomplished on more than one item or inspection block at a time, without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

8.44. Snag. A dead standing tree.

8.45. Stem. The principal axis of a plant from which buds and shoots develop.

8.46. Stream course. A path, route or channel along which water flows continually or periodically.

8.47. Tree Height. The total length of the main stem, from ground level (root collar) to tip (apical meristem), measured on the uphill side of the stem. Any tree whose stem is not straight for whatever reason (e.g., leaning, bent over, drooping), will be measured with its stem straightened.

8.48. Target Trees Per Acre (TTPA) Variance. A plus (+) or minus (-) range in the number of allowed tree per acre in contracts that emphasize the number of tree left per acre rather than spacing between trees.

8.49. Workday: The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

8.50. Working Day – Monday through Friday 7-5:30PM AKST.

8.51. Work Week: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

APPENDICES:

1. APPENDIX 1: USDA FOREST SERVICE LAND ACCESS PERMIT

2. APPENDIX 2: FIRE PREVENTION

3. APPENDIX 3: CAMPSITES CAMPGROUNDS

4. APPENDIX 4: TREE SPACING

5. APPENDIX 5: REQUEST FOR INSPECTION

6. APPENDIX 6: WORK SCHEDULE TEMPLATE

APPENDIX 1 – USDA Forest Service Land Access Permit

PCT IDIQ PWS

USDA FOREST SERVICE LAND ACCESS PERMIT

National Forest Ranger District

Contract No.

1. PERMISSION is hereby granted to (Contractor's Name) , hereinafter called the Permittee, to access the Contract location, subject to the conditions set out below and in applicable regulations, on the Forest Service, Alaska Region 10 lands:

, road system ramp and dock site (if applicable).

2. Access will be granted beginning: (Date) for the duration of the contract, unless revoked due to permit violations.

3. The Permittee may not dock any living quarters to a Forest Service float, dock or facility.

Docking of a boat less than 24 feet in length is allowed in order to facilitate the moving of crew and tools. Overnight docking is not allowable, unless approved in advance by the District Ranger. Any vessels used as living quarters, must be located outside the operational zone of dock and shore facilities and may not significantly impact traffic, other users or the overall function of the permitted area.

4. The Permittee may maintain restroom facilities, with District permission, in accordance with the contract and all applicable laws and regulations.

5. Permitted locations shall not be used for the storage of materials without written permission from the District. If granted storage access, the Permittee shall store flammable liquids in accordance with the terms of the subject contract and applicable state and federal regulations.

The Permittee shall submit a plan for COR approval to transport, store and transfer flammable liquids.

6. This permit doesn’t grant the Permittee sole use of the designated area. The area may be accessed by the public, other contractors or Government employees. Disorderly conduct by the contractor and its employees is not permitted.

7. Areas used by the contractor shall have a clean appearance at all times and remain in a condition that will not attract bears or other animals. Open burning of solid waste (excluding rubber products, plastics, oils, oily wastes, and contaminated oil cleanup materials), to prevent animal attraction and to reduce the volume of the waste is allowed as long as the activity does not threaten the safety of persons or property, or violate air quality standards.

8. The Permittee shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress forest fires. No material shall be disposed of by burning in open fires during the closed season established by law or regulation without a written permit from the Forest Service. The Permittee must comply with the following fire regulations, burn only burnable materials and remove all evidence of burning after the contract.

9. Any violation of these conditions may result in revocation of access approval. The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate this permit at any time. Access is subject to terms of the Contract and contingent on safety standards in the Safety Plan in effect under the contract.

USFS DISTRICT RANGER DATE

USFS CONTRACTING OFFICER DATE

USFS CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE DATE

CONTRACTOR

APPENDIX 2 FIRE PREVENTION

R10 PCT IDIQ PWS

FIRE PREVENTION

The Contractor shall be required to comply with the fire regulations governing National Forest lands during the period when this contract is in effect. The following subsections outline minimum fire prevention requirements.

FIRE TOOLS

Contractor/Subcontractor shall furnish fire tools to equip all workers in this Contract at each separate work site. Tools shall be in serviceable condition and kept in one or more sealed, weather-tight fire toolboxes. Fire toolboxes shall be painted red, marked "Tools for Fire Only" with letters at least 3 inches high. A list of the contents shall be posted inside each fire toolbox so it is visible when opened. Sharpened edges of tools shall be protected from rusting in a manner acceptable to the Forest Service.

Fire toolboxes shall contain number and kinds of tools as follows:

Kind of Tool Number of people working in area 1-4 5-9 10-

Shovels #0 or larger 1 3 6 Pulaski 32” min. handle 2 3 7 Flat File, 10” 1 1 1 Backpack Pumps, water filled 5 gal 1 2 2

Backpack pumps shall be located inside or immediately adjacent to the toolbox in a safe, readily available area. The required fire tools shall be available for inspection at the pre-work meeting.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND POWER SAWS

Contractor shall test or check each extinguisher for proper functioning prior to the beginning of Fire Precautionary Period.

Each gasoline power saw shall be provided with 1 chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight. The extinguisher shall be maintained in good working order at all times and carried by the saw operator during the fire season.

Any fueling of a power saw shall be done in an area which has first been cleared of material which will carry fire; such power saw shall be moved at least 10 feet from the place of fueling before starting.

During periods of critical fire danger, additional precautionary measures, such as a #0 competitive grade shovel, may be required when such saws are used.

BURNING OF REFUSE

During periods of critical fire danger, no camp refuse, or brush, slash, or debris such as that resulting from clearing around camps shall be burned without written approval of the Forest Service.

EMERGENCY FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Contractor shall restrict operations in accordance with the Emergency Fire Precautions Schedule.

It shall be the Contractors responsibility to monitor and obtain the predicted Fire Precautions Class from the appropriate Forest Service Office. If predictions made after 1800 local time are significantly different than originally estimated, Forest service will inform the Contractor when a change in restrictions or fire precautions are indicated.

EMERGENCY FIRE PRECAUTIONS SCHEDULE

Forest Service may change the fire danger values to other essentially equivalent values when the Fire Danger Rating Systems is revised.

In this event a new Emergency Fire Precaution Schedule will be prepared. When sent to the Contractor it will supersede the schedule here.

During periods of high fire danger, the Forest Service may suspend operation until danger is passed. An adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

Fire Precaution Class Fire Precautions

M.A.C. I & M.A.C. II

Normal fire precautions only.

• Spark arresters installed.

• Communications available.

• Contact time is normal count

M.A.C. III

All prior fire precautions required.

• No warming or lunch fire permitted.

• Smoking materials permitted only in designated areas.

• A #0 shovel is to be located where re-fueling of power saws takes place.

• On the third consecutive day of M.A.C. III, the Forest

Service may suspend felling, cutting operations from 1200 (12 p.m.) until 1800 (6 p.m.) (Hoot Owl).

• Contract time during shutdown period will be 50% time, 50% count.

• Other operations including use of power saws at loading or landing sites are permitted, during the shutdown times.

M.A.C. IV

All prior fire precautions required.

• Shutdown all power saws, from 1200 (12 p.m.)

until 2000(8 p.m.) local time (Hoot Owl).

• Contract time during shutdown 50% time and 50% count.

• Use of power saws at this time may continue at landing/loading sites with Forest Service permission.

M.A.C. V

Shutdown all operations.

• No Contract time will be charged under this

Fire precaution Class.

APPENDIX 3 - CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUND

1. Contractor shall conform to the requirements of OSHA 1910.142 - Temporary labor camps: CFR 1910 Subpart J Standard Number 1910.142 and the following Forest Service Supplemental(s):

2. CAMPING PROVISIONS FOR LABOR INTENSIVE CONTRACTS

3. The following provisions apply to all camping on National Forest lands during performance of this contract:

4. These provisions are in addition to those contained in, or provided for, in the clause titled “Use of Premises”, in this contract.

5. Every structure used as shelter shall provide protection from the elements. Where heat adequate for weather conditions is not provided, other arrangements should be made to protect workers from the cold. Firewood may be cut only after obtaining a District Firewood Permit.

6. The campsite must not encroach beyond the boundaries designated by the Forest

Service. The campsite shall be located so as to minimize impacts on streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. No camping is permitted within developed recreation sites or along primary recreation roads.

7. The campsite shall have a clean appearance at all times. Upon abandonment of any campsite, or termination, revocation, or cancellation of camping privileges, the contractor shall remove, within 10 calendar days, all structures and improvements except those owned by the United States, and shall restore the site, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing or in the camping permit. If the contractor fails to remove all structures or improvements within the 10 calendar days, they shall become the property of the United States, but that will not relieve the contractor of liability for the cost of their removal and restoration of the site.

8. Unless otherwise designated by the Contracting Officer, the use of this area is not exclusive, and may be granted to other Permittees, contractors, or recreating public.

Disorderly conduct is not permitted. Damaging or removing any natural feature or other property of the Forest Service is prohibited. Servicing of equipment in the campsite is not permitted, unless the campsite is within the project area. Sanitary facilities shall be provided for storing food. Ice chests or coolers, with ice supply made from potable water and replenished as necessary, shall be provided and sufficient for the storage of perishable food items. An adequate and convenient potable water supply shall be provided in each camp for drinking and cooking purposes. Toilet facilities adequate for the capacity of the camp shall be provided and supplied with adequate toilet paper. Such facilities shall be serviced and maintained in a sanitary condition. Garbage shall be collected, stored, and disposed of in such a manner as to prevent scattering by the wind, minimize attraction of flies, and discourage access by rodents.

9. Basic first aid supplies shall be maintained, available, and under the charge of a person trained to administer first aid. The supplies shall include:

9.1. Gauze pads (at least 4x4 inches)

9.2. Two large gauze pads (at least 8x10 inches) Box adhesive bandages (Band-

Aids)

9.3. One package of gauze roller bandage at least 2- inches wide Two triangular bandages

9.4. Scissors

9.5. At least one blanket Tweezers

9.6. Adhesive tape Latex gloves

9.7. Resuscitation device such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask

10. Any washing of laundry shall be done in such a way as to provide for washing and rinsing without polluting lakes, streams, or other flowing water.

11. Waste water must be disposed of away from living and eating areas and in a fashion that minimizes pollution to lakes, streams, and other flowing water.

12. The contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress forest fires. No material shall be disposed of by burning in open fires during the closed season established by law or regulation without the written permission from the Forest Service.

13. The contractor shall comply with the following fire regulations during fire season:

13.1. During the fire season, a shovel, axe or Pulaski, 10- quart pail which is full of water for immediate use, and a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating of at least 1:A 10:BC is required during the fire season.

13.2. All fire rings or outside fireplaces must be approved by the Forest Service representative. The area will be cleared down to mineral soil for a distance of 1 foot outside of the ring or fireplace, and it will not have any overhanging material.

Fire rings will be dismantled, and material disposed prior to leaving the site.

13.3. All generators and other internal combustion engines must be equipped with

US Forest Service approved spark arrestors and/or factory designed muffler and exhaust system in good working order. They will be located in a cleared area with the same requirements as in (b).

13.4. All fuel must be stored in UL approved flammable storage containers and be located at least 50 feet from any open flame or other source of ignition.

13.5. Any violation of these conditions constitutes a breach of contract and may result in revocation of camping approval.

14. The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate a camping permit at any time.

15. Camping Requirements are as follows:

16. Structures used to house employees shall be commercially designed and constructed. Examples of commercially designed and constructed facilities include wall tents, travel trailers and motor homes. Additionally, the structures must:

16.1. Protect occupants from the elements.

16.2. Provide safe and adequate heating (wood, propane or oil).