Attachment 2- Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – Common Stand Exam Projects

C-1 Scope of Contract

It is the intent of this contract to procure common stand exam services for the Green Mountain National Forest. The contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, tools, materials, and incidentals thereto, except as otherwise noted in this solicitation.

C.1.1. Background.

The Green Mountain National Forest proposes to contract for technical forestry services to conduct forest inventories using the Common Stand Exam (CSE) protocol. Its purpose is to obtain the site, setting, and tree characteristics required to identify stand conditions and capabilities. Management decisions for natural resources will be made with the information provided to the Government.

Work includes collecting silvicultural and other pertinent data by navigating to predetermined plot locations within pre-delineated stands, following established data collection protocols to measure vegetation information, and entering the data into a portable data recorder.

The work performed and the data collected shall be in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions and provisions of this solicitation.

This contract is a Performance Based, firm-fixed price contract. All items are mandatory.

C.1.2. Contractor’s Key Personnel The Contractor’s onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language, spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with the Contracting Officers Representative (COR).

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

Each crew must have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in forest mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and three months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification. Please note: More specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

Each crew leader must also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

1. Ability identify to the species-level trees common in Vermont.

2. Knowledge in the use of handheld compass, pacing, map measurements, and GPS.

3. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

4. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

Each crew member shall meet the qualifications of the crew leader or have received sufficient training from the crew leader to perform the tasks they are delegated.

The Contractor, by signing an offer, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmitting any data supplied by that employee.

C.1.3. Specific Location and Description.

The inventory work is located on the Manchester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest.

The project work area can be found on the attached vicinity and compartment maps included with this solicitation. A list of stands and site-specific project maps displaying stand boundaries and plot locations will be provided by the time of the prework meeting.

C.1.4. Accessibility of Project Areas

In general, the project areas are accessible by Forest, Town and/or State roads. In some cases, foot travel will be necessary. The Contractor will need to coordinate with the COR for gaining access behind locked gates. The use of any vehicles will be subject to conditions of the Green Mountain National Forest Off-Road Vehicle Policy. A copy is available upon request.

C. 2. DEFINITIONS.

The following are definitions that refer to data elements and attributes for collecting Common Stand Exam data.

Inspection Block. A grouping of plots submitted by the contractor, numbering between 50 and 150 plots and containing full stands.

Latitude. The north/south measurement of position that is perpendicular to the earth’s polar axis.

Longitude. An east/west measurement of position in relation to the Prime Meridian, an imaginary circle that passes through the north and south poles.

Navigation. Navigation is the process of traveling from one place to another and knowing where you are in relation to your desired course.

Plot Data Form. The Plot Data form is used to collect data at the plot level and is independent of the information collected at the setting level. This data is collected individually for all sample plots in the stand.

pdr (.cse) File. Personal Data Record is a file format containing filed data that has been created using ExamsPC software. The file extension is .cse.

Sample Design Form. The Sample Design form contains information about how the data was collected, which trees, shrubs and cover are measured, and how the measurements shall be converted to pre-acre values.

Setting Data Form. The Setting Data form in used to collect data that uniquely identifies each stand.

Shape (.shp) File. Shape file is a format developed by ESRI and used in ArcMap and other GIS packages. The file extension is .shp.

Stand. A stand is a community, particularly of trees, possessing sufficient uniformity as regards composition, age, spatial arrangement, or condition, to be distinguishable from adjacent communities, so forming a silvicultural or management entity.

Tree Data Form. The Tree Data form is used to collect data on each tree in the sample plot.

Waypoint. A specific location saved in the receiver’s memory.

=. Equal to.

<. Less than.

≤. Less than or equal to.

>. Greater than.

≥. Greater than or equal to.

C. 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES.

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

Item Description Where, When, How Vicinity and Project Area Maps

Maps depicting all compartment locations for the project areas.

Project maps are provided as an attachment to this solicitation.

Compartment Maps, excel spread sheet with stand information

Individual maps with current stand boundaries and plot locations.

Provided at pre-work meeting.

Common Stand Examination User and Field Guides

Electronic guides for performing Common Stand Exams.

Available from the following website:

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/documents/fsveg/cse _user_guides/R9FG.pdf

Green Mountain Tatum Guide

The Green Mountain Tatum Guide is a subset of tables taken from the Common Stand Exam Field Guide and will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

ExamsPC/ExamsPDR Software and instructions ExamsPC/Exams PDR Software

Data entry software.

Handheld Personal Data Recorder software.

Available from the following website:

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

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

C. 4. CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS & STANDARDS

C.4.1. General.

At the Contractor’s request, the Government shall accompany the Contractor on one plot to review data collection procedures. Additionally, at the Contractor’s request, the Government shall provide one review of the inspection procedures on one plot.

C.4.1.1. Work Plan and schedule.

The Contractor shall prepare and submit to the Government a Plan of Operation including a schedule that demonstrates work will be completed within the performance period.

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

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/documents/fsveg/cse_user_guides/R9FG.pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/documents/fsveg/cse_user_guides/R9FG.pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/nrm/fsveg/index.shtml

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

C.4.1.2. Performance period.

The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate which shall assure completion and acceptance of work within the specified contract time. The period of performance is 04/01– 10/31 in each calendar year of the contract. The contract expires 9/30/2024.

C.4.1.3. Rate of progress.

The Contractor shall maintain the rate of progress specified in the Contractor’s Plan of Operation.

C.4.2. Access.

The Forest Service assumes no obligation to plow snow or maintain roads to keep roads open to the Contractor during the duration of the contract. Stands are accessible by some combination of 2 or 4-wheel drive vehicle and foot travel. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to stand locations through privately owned land.

C.4.2.1. Locked gates

In cases where stands are behind locked gates, authorization for limited motorized use may be granted upon request. All requests for motorized travel of closed roads must be submitted in writing to the COR for specific roads and specific periods of time.

C.4.3. Tasks and Critical Subtasks

C.4.3.1. Plan of Operation

Within 10 days following the prework conference the contractor shall submit a Plan of Operation for completing data collection.

C.4.3.2. Data and Reports

Contractor shall provide the following data and reports. The contractor is responsible for providing the computer hardware necessary for running the ExamsPC or ExamxPDR software programs.

A. If data is collected on paper forms, Contractor shall provide a fully legible hardcopy of the forms including the stand remarks and fixed plot regeneration forms, along with the following items.

B. Irrespective of how data is collected, the Contractor shall provide electronic field data in ExamsPC (.cse) file format by electronic medium agreed upon at the prework meeting.

Specific electronic file naming convention/s will be outlined during the prework conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file will also be provided with each submission. The contractor must verify that their version of ExamsPC/ExamsPDR is current and compatible with the Government’s, based on the time of the submission of the data.

C. Contractor shall provide stand maps that clearly display the stand boundary and the plot locations. These maps can be copies of the maps furnished by the government. On the stand maps the contractor shall indicate the order that plots were completed and identify features such as streams, trails, landings, cellar holes, stone walls, apple trees, areas of stand damage, and other stand features noted in stand remarks that were encountered while navigating between plots or while measuring plots.

C.4.3.3. Standards The contractor shall use the current version of Common Stand Exam User’s Guide and Appendices. The version will be agreed upon at the prework meeting.

C.4.4. Plot Location and Establishment.

C.4.4.1. Locating Stands to be Examined

A. The Government will furnish to the contractor a list of stands by compartment and stand number with compartment maps, showing the present boundaries of the stands to be examined and expected plot locations. The Government will also provide a list of plot locations as GPS waypoints and a map showing their locations in each stand.

C.4.4.2 Plot Location and Number.

Stands will be sampled by measurements conducted on individual plots (pre-designated) and dispersed throughout the stand. The number of sample plots is based on the acreage of the stand. The following table displays how plots were apportioned by stand area:

Acres No. of sample locations 1-5 3 6-10 1 plot per 2 acres 11-20 6 21-30 7 31+ 7 plus 1 additional plot for each increment of 1-10 acres over 30 acres, not to exceed 25 plots per stand

For example, a 33-acre stand will have 8 plots.

Plot center locations shall be adjusted if necessary to avoid private land, non-forest features (e.g. improved roads) and special protection areas such as streamside zones, seeps, sinkhole ponds, etc. Contractor shall use a set cardinal direction and use set number of feet to relocate plot center if adjustment is needed- decide ahead of time which way to go (i.e. always go north, in increments of 50 feet.)

C.4.4.3. Plot Center Establishment

Contractor shall navigate to specified sample plot location by GPS waypoint navigation. Plot center (target waypoint) is identified when GPS device reports the current position is within 25 feet of the target waypoint AND when the estimated horizontal position accuracy reported by the GPS is less than 50 feet. The Contractor shall take a GPS point at each plot location and enter the plot center location into the ExamsPC/ExamsPDR software.

C.4.4.4 Monumentation The Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker, such as a blue wire flag or other marker and color agreed to by both parties. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground. Two single blue, or other high-vis ribbons, shall be suspended above plot center for ease of plot center location. The plot and stand number shall be marked on the plot center flag using a waterproof marking pen. Plot center is defined as that point where the wire or stake enters the ground. This point or plumb line extensions of this point shall be used for all distance measurements.

If inventory occurs during snow covered months, contractor will identify plot centers with stake and suitable flagging to be easily detected by inspector during quality assurance inspections.

C.4.5. Common Stand Exam.

C.4.5.1. Collecting Data.

The Contractor shall locate, establish, measure and record data using nested fixed and variable plots that shall be taken at each designated sample point. CSE data shall be collected and recorded in accordance with procedures described in the most recent version of the Common Stand Exam User and Field Guides unless specifically modified by this contract. The Contractor shall collect data necessary to complete the following forms: Setting Data Form, Plot Data Form, and Tree Data Form, as specified in Section C.4.6. – Data Collection.

C.4.6. Data Collection.

All data shall be taken in accordance with specific procedures provided by the Common Stand Exam User and Field Guides or as superseded by the following exhibits (1, 2, 3, 4)

C.4.6.1. Sample Design Data Form.

Exhibit 1 provides the data collection requirements for the sample design. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Sample Design Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 1. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 1 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

Exhibit 1 – Sample Design Form

Field Description

Required

Data Source

Comments

Sample Selection Method YES Government Sample Expansion Factor YES Government Starting Azimuth N/A As described in C.4.6.3 Subpop Filter YES Government See Sample Design provided with each task order

Selection Criteria Number YES Government Subpop Variable YES Government Subpop Minimum Value YES Government Subpop Maximum Value YES Government Remarks YES Government

C.4.6.1.1 Overstory trees and standing dead trees (trees with a diameter at breast height 5.0” and greater):

The Contractor shall use a Basal Area Factor of 20 (BAF 20) to determine overstory standing live and dead trees sampled and recorded on the tree form. All live conifer and deciduous tree species with a diameter at breast height 5.0” and greater within the plot will be measured. All dead trees with a diameter at breast height 5.0” and greater and a height 10’ and greater within the plot will be measured.

C.4.6.1.2 Understory trees (trees with a diameter at breast height 4.9” or less and a height of 1’ and greater):

The Contractor shall use a 1/100 acre fixed plot (11.8 feet radius) to sample small live trees (seedlings and saplings less than or equal to 4.9” DBH and height 1’ and greater). Dead trees should not be sampled.

C.4.6.2. Setting Data Form.

A setting is a stand in which the stand exam is being done. Exhibit 2 provides the data collection requirements at the setting (stand) level. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column.

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Setting Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 2. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 2 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

Exhibit 2. Setting Data Form

Field Name

Required Comments Accuracy Standard

Data Source

Proclaimed Region YES 09 N/A Government Proclaimed National Forest

YES 20 N/A Government

District YES 01 N/A Government Location YES 5 digit Compartment # No Error Government Stand Number YES 4 digit Stand # No Error Contractor Administrative Region YES 09 N/A Government Administrative Forest YES 20 N/A Government Project Name YES Moosalamoo N/A Government Ownership YES USFS N/A Government State YES VT N/A Government County YES 01 - Addison N/A Government Date YES MMDDYYYY No Error Contractor Examination Level YES 1000 N/A Government Exam Purpose YES SE N/A Government Existing Vegetation Ref. YES RSHR9 N/A Government Existing Vegetation Cover Type

YES See Tatum Guide No Error Contractor

Structure YES See R9 Field Guide No Error Contractor Acres YES Provided at Prework +/- 1 acre Contractor

Examiner YES No Error Contractor Precision Protocol YES CSE_Q N/A Government Radial Growth Interval YES 10 N/A Government User Defined Code NO Lat.-Long Datum YES NAD83 No Error Government Remarks NO N/A N/A Damage Category NO See Tatum Guide & R9

Field Guide Appendix K.

No Error Contractor

Damage Agent NO See Tatum Guide & R9 Field Guide Appendix K.

No Error Contractor

Damage Severity NO See Tatum Guide & R9 Field Guide Appendix K.

No Error Contractor

C.4.6.2. Plot Data Form.

The following items in Exhibit 3 are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The Contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Plot Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 3. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 3 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

Exhibit 3: Plot Data Form

Required Comments Accuracy

Region YES 09 No Error Government Proclaimed Forest YES 20 No Error Government District YES 01 No Error Government Location YES On Stand Data Sheet No Error Government Stand YES On Stand Data Sheet No Error Government Plot Number YES Plot 1 thru n for stand No Error Contractor Plot Latitude YES Degrees, Minutes, Seconds No Error Contractor Plot Longitude YES Degrees, Minutes, Seconds No Error Contractor Aspect YES +/- 45 degrees Contractor

Slope YES +/- 10 units

Contractor

Existing Vegetation

NO N/A N/A

C.4.6.3 Tree Data Form Record tree data on the Tree form provided. Tree #1 starts at azimuth 360° (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center per the CSE user guide.

1. Collect required measurements on all live trees and standing dead trees meeting the definitions in C.4.6.1.1 located on the variable plot all live trees meeting the definition in C.4.6.1.2 located on the fixed radius plot.

Trees recorded on the variable radius plot will have a DBH of 5.0 inches and larger DBH will be measured to the inch.

Trees recorded on the fixed radius plot will have a DBH of 4.9 inches and smaller and a height of 1 feet or greater. DBH will be estimated to the nearest 0.1”.

For standing dead trees with a DBH of 5 inches or larger and a height greater than 10 feet located on the variable radius plot, record status, species, DBH (to the nearest inch) and make a visual estimate of height. Record the snag decay class.

4. Count/Cruise Plots:

Plots are assigned a designation as a count or cruise plot based on their number.

On count plots, height measurements are only required broken toped trees and growth/site.

Height estimates are required on standing dead trees and on trees located on the fixed radius plot.

On cruise plots, additional height information will be measured and recorded for the first trees encountered in the following diameter classes 5.0” – 10.0”, 10.1” -15.0”, and 15.1”-20.0” and 20.1”+. If no tree is encountered in one of those diameter classes, no height will be measured.

Number of Plots in the stand Cruise/Count pattern Max. Cruise Plots 1-5 Cruise 1, Count 2 2 6-10 Cruise 1, Count 4 2 11-25 Cruise 1, Count 6 4

Plots within a stand may be cruised in any order, however, the cruise/count pattern for the stand will commence with the lowest numbered plot in the stand and proceed in numerical order.

6. Site/growth trees: A minimum of 6 site/growth trees will be sampled per stand. A minimum of 2 of the site/growth trees shall meet the suitable criteria as a site tree and be recorded as a site tree or both a site and growth tree. DBH of site/growth trees will be measured to the nearest 1/10th inch. Height shall be measured and recorded to the nearest foot. Radial growth increment for the most recent 10 years shall be measured and recorded.

Age shall be measured and recorded to the nearest year. A suitable site tree shall be either a red maple, yellow birch, white ash, red spruce, sugar maple, black cherry, northern red oak or white pine. Refer to CSE Field Guide protocol for other suitable site tree criteria. When there is no suitable site tree on a plot, substitute the nearest suitable tree off plot. A description of the location and GPS point of off plot site trees will be provided to the Forest Service. To facilitate inspection, all Site Trees shall be marked with flagging tied to the tree and labeled with the tag number, plot number, and “S” for site tree. Growth trees shall not be fire cherry, striped maple, or sweet birch. Growth trees do not need to be marked or labeled.

Exhibit 4 provides the data collection requirements at the tree level, according to exam level.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the “Required” column. Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, Tree Data, with the following data collection parameters illustrated in Exhibit 4. Data collection requirements listed in Exhibit 4 supersedes those of the CSE User Guide.

Exhibit 4 – Tree Data Form

Exam Level Quick Plot

Comments Accuracy

Header Information

YES No Error Contractor

Plot Number YES As pre-assigned on maps or created/deleted due to changes in stand boundary

No Error Contractor

Tag ID YES Unique sequential number starting with “1” for first tree in each plot

No Error Contractor

Tree Status YES No Error Contractor Tree Class YES See Tatum Guide No Error Contractor Site/GST YES See Note on Site/Growth Trees No Error Contractor Tree Species** YES See Tatum Guide No Error Contractor Tree Count YES No Error Contractor DBH*** YES Small Live Trees < 5.0” DBH from

4.5 feet to 15 feet in height +/- 0.5” Contractor

DBH*** YES Small Live Trees < 5.0” DBH greater than 15 feet in height

+/- 1.0” Contractor

DBH*** YES Live Trees > 5” DBH +/- 0.5%” Contractor DBH*** YES Site Trees/Growth Trees +/- 0.5%” Contractor Height**** Yes Live Trees < 5” DBH, Site Trees, Growth Trees, Broken Top Trees +/- 10% Contractor

Radial Growth YES Site Trees/Growth Trees See CSE Field Guide

+/- 1/20th inch

Contractor

Tree Age YES Site Trees/Growth Trees +/- 10% Contractor Crown Class YES All Live Trees < 5” DBH See CSE

Field Guide No Error Contractor

Log Snag Decay YES Standing Dead Trees <5” DBH See CSE Field Guide

+/- 1 Decay Class

Contractor

Damage YES Damage Category, Damage Agent Damage Severity See CSE Field Guide

CSE Field Guide

Contractor

Remarks NO Optional Contractor

Tree Species** Tree species list provided in the GMNF Tatum Guide.

DBH*** The following size classes shall be used:

Small Trees <5” DBH (Fixed Plot) – Estimate to the nearest 1/10” DBH for trees taller than 4.5 feet up to 15 feet. DBH accuracy standard is +/- 0.5”. Trees taller than 15 feet, estimate to the nearest 1”. DBH accuracy standard is +/- 1.0”.

Large Trees > 5” DBH

DBH Classes CODE

5.00 > 6.9 6.0

7.00 > 8.9 8.0

9.00 > 10.9 10.0

11.00 > 12.9 12.0

13.00 > 14.9 14.0 Etc. Etc.

The DBH accuracy standard is +/- 5 %. For example, if a tree actually measures 8.0” the acceptable range would be from 7.6” to 8.4”. In this case, code 8.0 would be the correct entry.

Height**** Height measurement will be required for all growth/site trees, cruise plot trees as described above, and on trees with broken tops. Height estimates will be required for all standing dead trees on variable radius plots and all trees measured on variable radius plots.

The following size classes shall be used for small trees <5” DBH:

Height CODE 0.5’ > 1.49’ 1.0 1.5’ > 4.49’ 3.0 4.5’ > 7.49’ 6.0

14.5’ > 17.49 15.0

17.5’ > 22.49’ 20.0 22.5’ > 27.49’ 25.0

C.4.7. Camping and Worksite Conditions.

If the Contractor requests camping, the Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Green Mountain National Forest applicable to forest visitors. The contractor is responsible for campsite clean-up and employee conduct while camping on National Forest land. Requests for camping behind locked gates will require a two-week notice and be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the COR. If approved, approval will be granted by the Government in writing. Contractor shall submit camping requests in writing, specifying exact time and dates of desired use behind locked gates.

Performance Work Statement