Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement.pdf

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 1 of 39

SECTION 1- GENERAL

SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall provide any and all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supplies, services, incidentals, permits, and licenses necessary to perform Common Stand Exam, Timber Marking, and Timber Cruising on the Mark Twain National Forest; except for Forest Service Timber Marking Tracer Paint and Chalk/Applicators which will be issued to contractor by the Government. The Contractor shall follow all State and Federal regulations, including OSHA guidelines. All work shall be performed in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in Section 5 to the performance requirements of the technical specifications. Acreages listed have been determined by Global Positioning System (GPS) Traverses. Cut Units or Payment Units in Timber Sales will have the Unit boundaries marked and GPS traversed prior to Contractor’s crews walking over the areas and estimating the volumes to be cut and removed from the sale area.

CERTIFIED CRUISER REQUIREMENTS: 1240BF26R0003 is being solicited in such a way as to result in a pool of successful contractors – creating a set of multiple award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IDIQs). Successful contractors/awardees shall be required to have a minimum of one Certified Cruiser present whenever the contractor is cruising trees for volume/defect estimations. This certification shall be obtained within 30 days of contract award. Contractor may have multiple employees with Certified Cruiser credentials. To become a Certified Cruiser, the candidate cruiser(s) will be required to pass a written exam and field practicum established by the Forest Service. Location will be on the Mark Twain National Forest and scheduling will be determined by the Forest Service. An individual candidate cruiser may attempt the written exam and/or field practicum twice per contract period of performance. FAILURE OF A

CONTRACTOR TO SUCCESSFULLY QUALIFY A MINIMUM OF ONE EMPLOYEE AS A CERTIFIED

CRUISER WITHIN 30 DAYS OF CONTRACT AWARD SHALL RESULT IN CONTRACTOR

BECOMING INELIGIBLE FOR TASK ORDER AWARDS.

DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION: The areas are located within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. Specific locations, area data, and maps will be issued with each task order.

BOUNDARIES: Individual cut or payment unit boundaries will be premarked by the Forest Service prior to Contractor doing the work. Boundaries will be marked on trees with two diagonal slash marks at eye level and two spots of Forest Service Orange or Pink Tracer paint on the stump next to ground so that all marks will face the interior of the Unit and can be seen from the interior of the Unit. All units will be signed from an access point along the boundary of the unit to identify the Unit. Signs will indicate the payment unit and Timber Sale Name.

Generally, Units representing the volume for specified road construction or reconstruction will be estimated by Forest Service Crews prior to Contractor starting any work within that Timber Sale.

RE-MEASUREMENT: The Contractor may at any time after issuance of a Task Order (prior to invoice) request re-measurement of acres. The request must be in writing to the Contracting Officer. Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for areas less than 1 acre.

The Contractor shall pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in an increase of less than 10 percent; cost determined by multiplying the hourly burdened rated for the COR by the hours necessary to re-measure and deducting amount from current Task Order. Method of re-measurement to be used will be done with GPS (Global Positioning System) traverses by the Government.

PAYMENT: Payment for performed work shall be made at the contract price per acre for timber marking/cruising and price per plot for Common Stand Exam actually completed by the Contractor and

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 2 of 39 accepted by the Government. Payment will be processed for completed units only and for a minimum amount of $5,000 or the entire Task Order whichever is less.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his crews. The contractor representative and/or alternate(s) for timber marking and cruising tasks must be Certified Qualified Cruisers who have passed both a written and field examination prior to award of this contract. The contractor representative and/or alternate(s) for Common Stand Exam tasks must have at least a bachelor’s degree in natural resources.

PRE-WORK CONFERENCE: Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange a meeting with the Contractor to discuss the contract terms and work performance requirements. A work progress schedule will be developed at this meeting.

Prior to commencement of work, preferably at the pre-work conference, the Contractor shall designate in writing a person to act for him in his absence. The Contractor or the designated representative shall be on the job whenever work is in progress. Contractor’s representative and/or alternate for timber marking and cruising tasks must be certified as Qualified Cruisers and have taken and passed both the written and field examinations for Qualified Cruisers.

In the absence of the Contractor, the authorized representative will take action as required to keep the job in progress under the terms of the contract. The presence of the Contractor's Representative or Contracting Officer's Representative on the job will not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for satisfactory performance.

WORK PROGRESS: The Contractor shall complete all work within the contract time stated on each task order.

When Task Orders are sent out for bid the request for bids will contain a contract time and these are generally as follows:

• For timber marking and crusing 1 day for every three acres

• For Common Stand Exam it will be 20 plots per day for Quick Plots and 4 plots per day for Intensive Plots

• In addition, 5 days will be allowed for initial mobilization for all items above

The Contract Time listed in the Task order shall be binding – the calculations in the previous sentences are a general guideline only.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage caused by his/her personnel or equipment to any existing structures, private or public. Damaged items shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government. In the event of interruption to utility service, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with the authority in the restoration of service.

PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: Any improvements damaged by the contractor’s work shall be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the contractor’s expense. ATV/UTV use by the Contractor will be permitted when approved by the COR in writing (for each Task Order) and only to the extent necessary to accomplish work associated with that specific task orders.

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SECTION 2- DEFINITIONS

2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

Defective Service A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

Quality Assurance Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

A Government person appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract administration and surveillance.

Government Inspector A Government person responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance that contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

Quality Control Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

Random Sampling A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

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

2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

Basal Area (BA) The cross-sectional area of a tree at DBH, used to determine stocking.

Basal Area Factor (BAF) The critical angle used to determine BA with a prism or angle gauge.

Brown's DWM Transect One transect collecting Down Woody Material using Brown's Protocol. The transect starts at plot center and travels out at a 0 or 360 degree heading.

Crown Cover From Above The ocular estimation of percentage cover of all dominant and co-dominant trees as seen from above tree canopy.

Cut Tree Marking (CTM)

A method of identifying the trees intended for removal in a stand during harvesting. The trees are designated with applications of paint at eye level (or DBH) and on the butt of the tree (see Section D1 under General Technical Specifications for more specific instructions on paint application using CTM).

Designation by Description (DxD)

A method of identifying the trees intended for removal in a stand during harvesting by means other than individual tree marking. In addition, lesser amounts of trees not captured by designation criteria, but identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan. Additional trees may be individually marked (LTM) to leave that fall within the designation criteria.

Designation by Prescription (DxP)

Trees are designated by prescribing the desired composition of the cutting unit following harvesting. The Purchaser has discretion within the guidelines of the prescription in selecting which trees to cut and leave. A determination of whether the correct trees were cut or left is done at the cutting unit level.

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

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Fixed Plot Method

This is an area sampling method using plots of a specified area so trees in the population are selected with equal probability. The population is the total number of plots of specified area contained in the proposed area to be cruised.

Leave Tree Marking (LTM)

A method of identifying the trees intended to be left in a stand during harvesting. The trees are designated with painted bands or stripes on all sides at eye level (or DBH) and paint on the butt of the tree (see Section D2 under General Technical Specifications for more specific instructions on paint application using LTM).

Point Sampling Method (Variable) Point sampling is an application of variable probability sampling.

Remark A method to mark trees previously designated by paint (CTM or LTM). This method is to improve the visibility of the paint in harvest units where paint is faded.

Sample Group Groupings within a Strata of similar trees for sampling purposes.

Sample Interval How often to measure a tree in each Sample Group/Strata combination.

Sample Plot Point (Plot) A predetermined, stratified reference point on the land from which macroplots and any radial transects are established.

Sampling plot location criteria

Those criteria used to stratify and pred-determine specified locations of sampling plots on the landscape including slope, aspect, natural community type, management history, projected stand treatments, etc.

Sample Tree Cruising (STR) A method of measuring tree volume by taking a specific sample of the marked trees for measurement and recording.

Strata A subdivision of a population of trees which improves sampling error.

Timber Cruising The method by which volume estimations for timber are made based on tree count and measurement.

Timber Marking Identifying the proper trees to be cut or left in the stand and marking them with Forest Service Tracer Paint.

SECTION 3- GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

For timber marking and cruising tasks the Government will furnish:

(1) Forest Service Timber Marking Tracer Paint

(2) Chalk/applicators

(3) Initial FS Cruiser master file

(4) The current version of FS Cruiser software found at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/forestmanagement/products/measurement/cruising/fscruiser/index.php

For Common Stand Exam tasks the Government will furnish:

(1) Topographic maps (.pdf electronic copy and paper copy)

(2) List of plot locations

(3) Exams Mobile Software information for Android 11 or later tablets.

(4) Mark Twain Exams Master .db file

No other supplies or services will be supplied to the contractor.

SECTION 4- CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

https://www.fs.usda.gov/forestmanagement/products/measurement/cruising/fscruiser/index.php

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CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES: Except for those items listed in Section 3, the contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform Timber Marking/Cruising activities (this may include flagging, pin flags, conduit, GPS, prism, D-Tape, clinometer, tally counters, marking guns, tree sounding devices, cruiser vests, field data recorder, tablet, etc.) For stand exam the contractor must have a functioning Android 11 or newer tablet that can download the Exams Mobile

SECTION 5- PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS & CRITICAL SUBTASKS

5.1 Quality Control Plan

The contractor shall establish and maintain a proactive Quality Control Plan. The QC Plan is to be submitted as part of the offeror’s Technical Proposal. Any changes to Plan after award shall require Government review/acceptance.

5.2 Work Plan

The work plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform Timber Sale Prep and Common Stand Exam activities including methods, personnel, and equipment. This information is requested in further detail in the Evaluation Factors.

5.3 Progress Schedule

The contractor shall prepare and submit to the COR a practical work schedule for each task order the contractor elects to compete in. This schedule should show the order in which the contractor will perform the work ordered and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each road included on the project lists that accompany each task order.

5.4 Contractor Inspection Records

The contractor shall submit to the COR, all inspection records completed for each task order issued.

5.5 Safety Plan

Contractor shall provide a Safety Plan – requested in the Evaluation Factors. The Safety Plan shall include how the contractor intends to address Fire Suppression.

SECTION 7- PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

5.0 Timber Marking &

Timber Cruising See Standard

Specifications for Timber Marking and Timber Cruising

Minimum AQL is 90%

1) Verify contractor, records, data & reports 2)Periodically witness contractor inspection 3)Independent Governemnt verification

1) Rework at no cost to Government

2) Acceptance with consideration

3) Less than satisfactory performance evaluation

4) Non-compliant contractor inpsection system: Contractor bears 100% of government inspection cost

5) Poor performance may lead to delay in payment or contract default

Satisfactory or better performance rating

GENERAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. Cruise Plan & Silvicultural Prescription The Cruise Plan and Silvicultural Prescription for each task order can be found at the District Office and should be referred to prior to beginning any Timber Marking/Cruising work on any Task Order. An Individual Cruise Plan with specific Marking/Cruising Guidelines will be provided to the Contractor as each Task Order is sent out for bid.

These Guidelines will provide specific direction on where the timber is located and how it is to be marked and cruised.

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The Forest Service may identify protected areas (such as sensitive plants, archaeological sites, etc.) in the Cruise Plan. The contractor may need to avoid marking trees for removal in these areas, the Cruise Plans will have specific instructions for the contractor to follow. Should the contractor discover potential protected areas not designated by the Forest Service within the sale area or individual unit, notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) immediately and before proceeding so that proper preservation or safety measures can be taken if necessary.

B. Marker Certification Reference the Section: CERTIFIED CRUISER REQUIREMENTS

C. Tree Marking Tracer Paint Accountability The Government will furnish the necessary Tree Marking Tracer Paint required to complete the task order. Paint accountability is considered a very serious aspect of successful completion of contract requirements and will be covered in detail at the Pre-Work meeting. Issuance and return of Tree Marking Tracer Paint will occur at a designated paint shed. A representative of the Forest Service will complete the Tracer Paint Transaction book that shall be signed by both the Forest Service and the Contractor.

All government Tree Marking Tracer Paint cans, full or empty, not in immediate use by the contractor, are required to be in locked storage. Tree Marking Tracer Paint remains property of the United States. Any unused quantities will be returned to the Government upon completion of the task order. All used paint cans shall be returned to the Government with the residual paint in the cans dried. Final payment invoices will not be processed until all paint is accounted for and completed “Mark Twain National Forest Tracer Paint Transaction” book (Exhibit A) are provided to the COR.

D. Timber Marking and Timber Cruising Under this contract four different kinds of TIMBER MARKING/DESIGNATION may be used:

1. Cut Tree Marking (CTM): Trees to be removed are to be designated with Blue, Yellow, or Green Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level mark and at ground level.

2. Leave Tree Marking (LTM): Trees to be left uncut are to be designated with Orange or Pink Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level and at ground level.

3. Designation by Description (DXD/CTM/LTM): Majority of trees to be removed are designated by some other means than individually painting. Trees may be defined by characteristics such as an entire species, species group, size class and/or damage class. Additional trees may be individually marked (CTM) if they don’t fall within the designation criteria. Additional trees may be individually marked (LTM) to leave that fall within the designation criteria.

4. Designation by Prescription (DxP): Trees are identified for removal by silvicultural prescription. Additional trees may be individually marked (CTM) if they don’t fall within the designation criteria. Additional trees may be individually marked (LTM) to leave that fall within the designation criteria.

Under this contract three kinds of TIMBER CRUISING may be used:

1. Sample Tree (STR) Cruising- The Sample Tree cruising method involves measuring a specified proportion (Sample Interval) of trees in the sub-population defined in the cruise plan. The remaining trees (trees not measured) included for removal are tallied as count trees. With this cruising method every tree included for removal must be visited.

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2. Fixed Plot (FIX) Cruising- The contractor will establish fixed size plots (uniform circle of a fixed radius, generally 1/10th acre and/or 1/20th acre in size) in which all trees included for removal will be measured. Plots are distributed across the defined area per the Cruise Plan or as provided in a GIS file (generally 1 plot per 1-2 acres).

3. Point Sampling Method (Variable) Cruising- In this cruising method, establish a specified number of points in an unbiased manner over the tract of timber to be cruised. Visit each sample point and using an angle gauge, check each tree around the point, normally at breast height, as a possible sample tree. Select trees whose diameter is larger than the angle projected by the gauge, as sample trees. Plots are distributed across the defined area per the Cruise Plan or as provided in a GIS file. Basal area factor will be determined in the cruise plan.

All tree measurements shall be conducted in accordance with the Qualified Cruiser Reference Guide, provided as Attachment 4 to this solicitation. Cruise files/records are required to be submitted electronically utilizing the current version of Forest Service National Cruise System (FS Cruiser) software at the time of the cruise. If paper cruise cards are used in the field, the original paper record and the electronic record shall be provided to the Forest Service.

D1. Cut Tree Marking (CTM) with Sample Tree Cruising (STR) In this contract CTM and STR will be used together for all 5.1 task items.

Cut Tree Marking

Cut Tree Marking (CTM): Trees to be removed are to be designated with Blue, Yellow, or Green Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level mark and at ground level.

Direction for Eye Level Marks (or DBH): Two paint marks at eye level (or DBH) will be used to designate all trees for cutting. Marks are to be placed on opposite sides of the tree. Marks will be either a 3” diameter spot or a horizontal or diagonal stripe. If stripes are used a minimum mark would be 2 inches in width and 6 inches long.

Direction for Stump Marks: Two stump marks will be used on all trees unless otherwise specified by the COR or Inspector at the Pre-work Meeting. Stump marks shall be placed inside large root pockets or between bark fissures where possible to protect them from damage during felling and skidding. Also, paint shall be placed on clean bark or wood or areas free or scraped free of moss, lichen, loose bark, or other debris. Marks shall be located on the LOW SIDE of the stump and in recessed portions of the stump where possible. Liberal amounts of paint shall be used on stump marks since these are very important marks and must be durable. Ideally, the marker would use two applications of paint per mark to apply an adequate amount of paint and the paint mark would touch the ground, (about 10% of the mark on the ground and 90% on the stump).

This marking procedure, when completed properly, will allow paint marks on all cut trees to be seen from any direction.

A draft copy of the sale area map shall be maintained with shading of progress- these maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder. The FS Cruiser files and Contractor Tree Marking Paint Log shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

Sample Tree Cruising

While individually marking trees, trees designated for removal shall be measured and/or counted at an interval identified in the cruise plan. Sample populations may be further stratified by having multiple sample groups. A

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 8 of 39 proportional sample of trees are measured and counted while other trees within the sample population are merely counted with no specific measurements being recorded. Trees shall be counted using tally counters or comparable tools. Trees to be measured shall be selected each time a multiple of the sampling interval is reached on the counting mechanism.

The tree number and cruiser identification should be written on flagging and tied to the measured tree.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed FS Cruiser electronic files will be given to the COR. The Contractor will be required to keep copies of the FS Cruiser electronic files until payment is recommended by the COR and payment is approved.

D2. Leave Tree Marking (LTM) with Sample Tree Cruising (STR) In this contract LTM and STR will be used together for all 5.2 task items.

Leave Tree Marking

Leave Tree Marking (LTM): Trees to be left uncut are to be designated with Orange or Pink Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level and at ground level.

Direction for Eye Level Marks (or DBH): The mark near eye level will be either a horizontal band completely around the tree or diagonal stripes, or some other method, so that the marks can be seen from any direction within the payment unit.

Direction for Stump Marks: There will be two stump marks applied to all Leave Trees unless otherwise specified by the COR or inspector at the Pre-work Meeting. Stump marks shall be placed inside large root pockets or between bark fissures where possible to protect them from damage during felling and skidding. Also, paint shall be placed on clean bark or wood or areas free or scraped free of moss, lichen, loose bark, or other debris. Marks shall be located on the LOW SIDE of the stump and in recessed portions of the stump where possible. Liberal amounts of paint shall be used on stump marks since these are very important marks and must be durable. Ideally, the marker would use two applications of paint per mark to apply an adequate amount of paint and the paint mark would touch the ground, (about 10% of the mark on the ground and 90% on the stump).

A draft copy of the sale area map shall be maintained with shading of progress- these maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder. The FS Cruiser files and Contractor Tree Marking Paint Log shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

While using LTM as a designation method, it is strongly recommended that all trees for retention be individually marked prior to conducting the sample tree cruise (STR). After leave trees have been designated with paint, the remaining trees that meet product and utilization specifications identified in the cruise plan shall be cruised per the sampling standards identified in the cruise plan. Using this combination of designation and cruising technique requires that the contractor visit every tree meeting utilization specifications. The contractor shall use a chalk mark(s) to indicate that a specific tree has been visited and counted.

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Trees designated for removal by stand prescription and/or cruise plan (those not marked with Orange or Pink paint) shall be measured and/or counted at an interval identified in the cruise plan. Sample populations may be further stratified by having multiple sample groups. A proportional sample of trees are measured and counted while other trees within the sample population are merely counted with no specific measurements being recorded. Trees shall be counted using tally counters or comparable tools. Trees to be measured shall be selected each time a multiple of the sampling interval is reached on the counting mechanism.

The Tree number and cruiser identification should be written on flagging and tied to the measured tree.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed FS Cruiser electronic files will be given to the COR. The Contractor will be required to keep copies of the FS Cruiser electronic files until payment is recommended by the COR and payment is approved.

Fixed Plot Cruising While using LTM as a designation method all trees designated in the cruise plan for retention shall be individually marked prior to conducting the fixed plot cruising (FIX). After any individual tree marking has occurred, the contractor shall go back through payment units and put in approximately 1 plot per /acre (could be less plots per acre) acres using a fixed plot usually 1/10th acre and/or 1/20th acre in size. Fixed Plot cruising involves measuring all trees to be harvested in a plot. Plot locations and their coordinates will be determined by the Government and a map with these locations will be given to the contractor.

Plots shall be monumented using wooden stakes placed at the exact plot center, with the Plot number, cruiser initials, and tree count of trees to be harvested legibly written on it. A white or contrasting color ribbon shall be hung over the wooden stake as close as possible to the plot center and contain the Plot number.

All trees to be harvested within the plot should be measured and marked using flagging that is easily visible from plot center. The Plot # and Tree # will be written legibly on the flagging. Tree Measurements that need to be taken can be seen by looking at the Field Data Recorder.

The measuring of each plot needs to start at due North and work clockwise. Therefore, Tree #1 should be either located directly North or be the first tree to harvest you come to working clockwise from North.

Total sample trees and their respective measurements within each sample group are recorded on the Field Data Recorder.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed FS Cruiser electronic files will be given to the COR. The Contractor will be required to keep copies of the FS Cruiser electronic files until payment is

D3. Designation by Description (DxD) with Sample Tree Cruising (STR) and Fixed Plot Cruising (FIX)

In this contract DxD and STR or FIX will be used together for all 5.3 task items.

DxD/Cut Tree Marking/Leave Tree Marking Designation by Description/CTM/LTM (DxD/CTM/LTM): Majority of trees to be removed are designated by some other means than individually painting. Trees may be defined by characteristics such as an entire species, species

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 10 of 39 group, damage class, and/or size class. Additional trees may be individually marked (CTM) if they don’t fall within the designation criteria. Trees requiring cut tree marking (CTM) will be designated with Blue, Yellow, or Green Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level mark and at ground level. Additional trees may be individually marked (LTM) if they fall within the designation criteria. Trees requiring leave tree marking (LTM) will be designated with Orange or Pink Timber Marking Tracer Paint at or above eye level mark and at ground level.

Direction for Eye Level Marks (or DBH): Two paint marks at eye level (or DBH) will be used to designate additional trees for cutting (those not within the designation criteria). Marks are to be placed on opposite sides of the tree. Marks will be either a 3” diameter spot or a horizontal or diagonal stripe. If stripes are used a minimum mark would be 2 inches in width and 6 inches long.

Direction for Stump Marks: Two stump marks will be used on all trees unless otherwise specified by the COR or Inspector at the Pre-work Meeting. Stump marks shall be placed inside large root pockets or between bark fissures where possible to protect them from damage during felling and skidding. Also, paint shall be placed on clean bark or wood or areas free or scraped free of moss, lichen, loose bark, or other debris. Marks shall be located on the LOW SIDE of the stump and in recessed portions of the stump where possible. Liberal amounts of paint shall be used on stump marks since these are very important marks and must be durable. Ideally, the marker would use two applications of paint per mark to apply an adequate amount of paint and the paint mark would touch the ground, (about 10% of the mark on the ground and 90% on the stump).

This marking procedure, when completed properly, will allow paint marks on all cut trees to be seen from any direction. A draft copy of the sale area map shall be maintained with shading of progress- these maps shall be kept in a pre-sale folder. The FS Cruiser files and Contractor Tree Marking Paint Log shall be kept daily and filed in the pre-sale folder. The pre-sale folder shall be kept neat and orderly at all times.

While using DxD as a designation method, trees designated for removal in the cruise plan shall be cruised per the sampling standards identified in the cruise plan. Using this combination of designation and cruising technique requires that the contractor visit every tree meeting removal designation specifications. The contractor shall use a chalk mark(s) to indicate that a specific tree has been visited and counted. In addition, trees not captured by designation criteria, but identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan, must be incorporated into the cruise population.

Trees designated for removal shall be measured and/or counted at an interval identified in the cruise plan. Sample populations may be further stratified by having multiple sample groups. A proportional sample of trees are measured and counted while other trees within the sample population are merely counted with no specific measurements being recorded. Trees shall be counted by the use of tally counters or comparable tools. Trees to be measured shall be selected each time a multiple of the sampling interval is reached on the counting mechanism.

The Tree number and cruiser identification should be written on flagging and tied to the measured tree.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed FS Cruiser electronic files will be given to the COR. The Contractor will be required to keep copies of the FS Cruiser electronic files until payment is

Fixed Plot Cruising

While using DxD as a designation method, the majority of trees in a stand will be designated for removal as identified in the cruise plan and shall be cruised per the sampling standards identified in the cruise plan. Trees to be

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 11 of 39 left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. In addition, trees not captured by designation criteria, but identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan, must be incorporated into the cruise population.

After any individual tree marking has occurred, the contractor shall go back through payment units and put in approximately 1 plot per /acre (could be less plots per acre) acres using a fixed plot usually 1/10th acre and/or 1/20th acre in size. Fixed Plot cruising involves measuring all trees to be harvested in a plot. Plot locations and their coordinates will be determined by the Government and a map with these locations will be given to the contractor.

Plots shall be monumented using wooden stakes placed at the exact plot center, with the Plot number, cruiser initials, and tree count of trees to be harvested legibly written on it. A white or contrasting color ribbon shall be hung over the wooden stake as close as possible to the plot center and contain the Plot number.

All trees to be harvested within the plot should be measured and marked using flagging that is easily visible from plot center. The Plot # and Tree # will be written legibly on the flagging. Tree Measurements that need to be taken can be seen by looking at the Field Data Recorder.

The measuring of each plot needs to start at due North and work clockwise. Therefore, Tree #1 should be either located directly North or be the first tree to harvest you come to working clockwise from North.

Total sample trees and their respective measurements within each sample group are recorded on the Field Data Recorder.

At the pre-work conference it will be determined when the contractors completed FS Cruiser electronic files will be given to the COR. The Contractor will be required to keep copies of the FS Cruiser electronic files until payment is

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D4. Utilization Standards & Specifications Utilization Standards- FSH 2409.18 Chapter 50

Min. Tree Specs 1/ Min. Piece Specs

Product Type DBH (in.)

Lenth

(ft) 2/

DIB @ Small End (in.) % of Gross Measure

Hardwood Sawtimber 11.0 8 7.6 40% Misc. Convertible Hardwood 9.0 8 7.6 40% Hardwood Fuelwood 5.0 8 4.0 90% sound 3/, & reasonably straight 4/ Pine Sawtimber 11.0 8 7.6 40% Misc. Convertible Pine 9.0 8 7.6 40% Pine Post 5.0 8 4.0 100% sound & reasonably straight Cedar Sawtimber 6.0 7 5.0 40% Cedar Post 4.0 7 3.0 100% sound & reasonably straight

1/ A minimum tree must include atleast one piece that meets minimum specs.

2/ Plus trim allowance 3/ 90% applies to rot, voids, and char. Mechanical type defects such as sweep, crook, spider heart, and ring shake shall not be considered as deductions for soundness.

4/ Reasonably straight is when the true center line of a minimum length piece does not deviate more than one-half the inside diamter of the small end, plus one inch from a straight line drawn between the centers of the ends of the piece.

*Topwood species/product offered as Subject to Agreement is classified as Pulpwood

D5. Species Codes

5.0 Timber Marking & Timber Cruising

As mentioned earlier, a Cruise Plan and Silvicultural Prescription for each task order can be found at the District Office and should be referred to prior to beginning any Timber Marking/Cruising work on any task order. The Cruise Plan will have more specific Marking/Cruising Guidelines than what is listed below (see example Cruise Plans provided).

5.1 Cut Tree Marking with Sample Tree Cruising (STR)

5.1.1 Clear-cut with Reserves (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked within the Payment Unit to leave a BA/Acre of 0 ft2, except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise Plan.

Code Species Code Species 68 Eastern Redcedar 800 Damaged Oak

110 Shortleaf Pine 802 White Oak 400 Damaged Hickory 806 Scarlet Oak 403 Hickory 812 Southern Red Oak 602 Walnut 833 Northern Red Oak

835 Post Oak 837 Black Oak

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 13 of 39 b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked (Ex. Arch sites, certain products/species, etc.).

5.1.2 Seedtree/Shelterwood with Reserves (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked throughout the payment unit to leave a BA/Acre of 10-30 ft2 except:

a.) 7-10% of the stand will be left as reserve groups/trees as described in the Cruise Plan.

b.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) c.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (10-30 ft2 BA), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual stand prescription and/or Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

5.1.3 Open Woodland Thinning (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 30-60 ft2 except:

a.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

c.) Areas with Group Selection Harvest identified in the Stand Prescription and/or Cruise Plan will be completely CTM (BA/Acre of 0 ft2) and may occur on up to 25% of the stand or unit area. Size of Group Section openings will be at least 1/3 acre but no more than two acres in size per group. Selection of groups of trees to be marked is based on the description in the individual stand prescription and/or cruise plan for the Payment Unit.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (30-60 ft2), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual stand prescription and/or Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

5.1.4 Commercial Thinning (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 except:

a.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual stand prescription and/or Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

5.1.5 Salvage (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. All standing and merchantable trees of a certain species (Ex. Black Oak) or trees of certain species that display certain characteristics will be marked. This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked within:

a.) Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

5.1.6 Blowdown Salvage (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM as described in the prescription and/or cruise plan. All trees of a certain damage classification (Ex. All merchantable trees leaning greater than 45 degrees from vertical) or trees that display certain characteristics will be marked. This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked within:

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 14 of 39 b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

5.1.7 Pine First Thinning (CTM; STR)

Trees to be cut shall be designated with paint by CTM. Commercial trees will be marked throughout the payment unit so as to leave a BA/Acre of 50-90 ft2 except:

a.) Trees within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees may also be identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked (Ex. Arch sites, certain products/species, etc.).

In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-90 ft2), select trees to be marked based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit.

5.2 Leave Tree Marking with Sample Tree Cruising (STR) and Fixed Plot Cruising (FIX)

In this Task Item, Leave Trees will be identified first, then cut Trees will be cruised afterwards.

5.2.1 Clear-cut with Reserves (LTM; STR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 0 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (0 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave so as to:

a.) Leave uncut 7-10% of the stand as described in the Cruise Plan.

b.) Leave all trees located within Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ)

5.2.2 Seedtree/Shelterwood with Reserves (LTM; STR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 10-30 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (10-30 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.2.3 Open Woodland Thinning (LTM; STR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 30-60 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (30-60 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.2.4 Commercial Thinning (LTM; STR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 50-80 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-80 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.2.5 Pine First Thinning (LTM; STR)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 50-90 ft2 would result after harvesting all unmarked trees. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-90 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 15 of 39

5.2.6 Pine First Thinning (LTM; FIX)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 50-90 ft2 would result after harvesting all unmarked trees. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (50-90 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.2.7 Restoration Thinning (LTM; FIX)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 30-80 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (30-80 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.2.8 Even-aged with Reserves (LTM; FIX)

Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Leave trees will be marked with paint so that the desired BA/Acre of 5-30 ft2 would result after harvesting. In order to obtain the desired leave BA/acre stated above (5-30 ft2), select trees to be marked (left) based on the description in the individual Cruise Plan for the Payment Unit. Trees shall be designated as leave within all Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s).

5.3 Designation by Description (DxD) with Sample Tree Cruising (STR) and Fixed Plot Cruising (FIX)

5.3.1 Designation by Species/Diameter (DxSPD)/CTM/LTM; STR)

All merchantable trees of a certain species (Ex. Red Oak species group) will be marked with chalk unless trees have been identified in the stand prescription and/or cruise plan to be left. Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Merchantable trees designated by DxSPD would represent the majority of trees identified for removal. In addition, lesser amounts of trees not captured by designation criteria, but identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan, must be incorporated into the cruise population.

This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked for removal within:

a.) Watercourse Protection Zones (WPZ’s) b.) Other areas/trees identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

5.3.2 Designation by Damage Class (DxDAM)/CTM/LTM; FIX; STR)

All merchantable trees of a certain damage class (Ex. All Trees Leaning 45 degrees from Vertical and Trees Lying on the Ground) are included in the designation unless trees have been identified in the stand prescription and/or cruise plan to be left. Trees to be left shall be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Merchantable tree designated by DxDAM would represent the majority of trees identified for removal. In addition, lesser amounts of trees not captured by designation criteria, but identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan, must be incorporated into the cruise population. This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked for removal within:

b.) Other areas/trees identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

5.4 Designation by Prescription (DxP)

5.4.1 DxP with Fixed Plot or Point Sampling (Variable) Plot Cruising All merchantable trees of a certain prescription are included in the designation. Additional trees to be left may be designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Merchantable tree designated by prescription would represent the majority of trees identified for removal. In addition, lesser amounts of trees not captured by the prescription, but

Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement Page 16 of 39 identified for removal by CTM per the stand prescription and/or cruise plan, must be incorporated into the cruise population. This could leave the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas. Trees will not be marked for removal within:

b.) Other areas/trees identified in the Cruise Plan not to be marked.

5.5 Redesignation

5.5.1 Remarking CTM without additional cruising

Remark trees previously designated with blue, green, or yellow paint by CTM. Original designations could have left the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas.

5.5.2 Remarking LTM without additional cruising

Remark trees previously designated with orange or pink paint by LTM. Original designations could have left the stand in a wide range of Basal Areas.

5.5.3 Remarking DxD without additional cruising

Remark trees previously designated with blue, green, or yellow paint by CTM. Remark trees previously designated with orange or pink paint by LTM.