Attachment B - PWS IDIQ.docx

Attachment B – Performance Work Statement

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

TREE PLANTING IDIQ

HIAWATHA NF and HURON-MANISTEE NF

GENERAL INFORMATION

The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications included herein are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

For technical questions, contact:

SCOPE OF SERVICES

This is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract with a specified minimum and maximum ordering amount. Individual Task Orders will be placed for services as they develop.

The Contractor shall provide all services, facilities, materials, supervision, and supplies required for the performance and completion of the projects outlined in these specifications and maps.

The Contractor will follow the general contract requirements as stated herein, the specific specifications for the Forest within which the Contractor is working, and the specifications of each Task Order. If there is a conflict among the three sets of specifications, the most specific area, the task order, will rule, then the Forest specifications, and the general specifications.

Hand Tree Planting Specifications

SCOPE OF WORK

This contract requires hand tree planting and related work in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals.

It is the intent of this contract to secure hand tree planting services required for the Hiawatha National and Huron-Manistee National Forest for the BASE year of 2025, with periods for the years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. Contractors may bid on all items, Hiawatha National Forest only or Huron-Manistee National Forest only. When performing work relating to tree planting or scalping, the Contractor shall select the appropriate tool to complete the work.

Information on the number of trees, species and other planting requirements will be provided to the Contractor along with other performance requirements as soon as possible in the year of planting, usually around March 15 of each year.

The actual number of trees and sites to be planted may vary depending upon funding, availability of planting stock, and completion of scheduled site preparation.

Orders will contain the number of trees to be planted, individual site prescriptions, District maps, and site locations. Quantities estimated below are approximate and are not guaranteed.

UNIT ESTIMATED NUMBER OF SEEDLINGS TO BE PLANTED EACH YEAR – all will be awarded by Task Orders Hiawatha West Zone Unit 2025 242 M seedlings for Spring Planting

Hiawatha East Zone Unit

Huron-Manistee East Zone Unit

Huron-Manistee West Zone Unit

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

All planting sites are located on the Hiawatha West Zone (Rapid River, Manistique, and Munising Ranger Districts) and Hiawatha East Zone (Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace Ranger Districts) Units of the Hiawatha National Forest and Huron-Manistee West Zone (Cadillac-Manistee and Baldwin-White Cloud Ranger Districts) and Huron-Manistee East Zone (Mio and Huron Shores Ranger Districts) Units of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. National Forests are located in Michigan.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

1. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL

The general Quality Control Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality to meet the requirements and specifications of the contract. The Plan shall describe how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met, the supervision of crew and work, and personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control shall include monitoring quality while planting is in progress, tree care, and other associated tasks.

2. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION

The Government will inspect planting to determine compliance with specifications and to provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of observations of tree handling, planting spot preparation, planting procedures, and examinations of individual planted trees. The inspection plots will be located throughout the planting sites so as to obtain a representative sample of the work. Each individual planting site will be inspected separately, and inspection results on one planting site will not be averaged with inspection results on other planting sites. The Government will inspect, as a minimum, 1% of the planted trees per site, with the plots being well-distributed across the site.

Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract. The Contractor or Contractor’s Representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway.

3. RE-INSPECTION UPON CONTRACTORS REQUEST

If the inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a re-examination may be requested. Requests for re-inspection must be made in writing within 5 days after receipt of initial inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used. New plots will be selected and 2% of the planted trees will be sampled. The inspection pattern will be shifted so new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots.

Results from the new inspection will be used in determining the planting quality. The Contractor will bear the cost if the re-inspection results are equal to or lower than original results.

4. REWORK

The Government will permit the Contractor to rework an area only if planting stock is available and the existing deficiencies can be corrected.

Any Government quality assurance assessment needed due to the Contractor reworking an area, either at the Contractor's request or because of unacceptable work (original planting quality below 80%), will be at the Contractor's expense. The Contractor may be assessed actual damages which may include but are not limited to wages of the COR and Government inspector(s) incurred due to the rework, costs of vehicles that are incurred while administering the contract during the rework, and the cost of planting stock in excess of the trees originally planned for the site.

5. ACCEPTANCE

Work on individual planting sites will be accepted following the final inspection by the COR. Work with a 90 percent quality or better will be accepted at full payment plus incentive for quality above 90 percent. Planting sites which have an inspection quality between 80% and 89% will be accepted at a reduced pay rate as indicated in Payments and Deductions Section. The Government reserves the right to require rework of areas with planting quality between 80% and 89% if planting stock is available and the existing deficiencies can be corrected. The Contractor will not be assessed damages for rework if the original planting quality was at least 80% and the rework is at the Government’s request. Work with an inspection quality less than 80% is not acceptable and will not be paid for.

RESTRICTION ON WORK

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined in this part. Restrictions are as follows:

a. Access is restricted by State or Forest Service Closure Order.

b. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

c. Work is suspended by notice of a Work Order for non-compliance with requirements of this contract.

d. Trees delivery from the nursery has been delayed and there are no trees available to plant.

e. Work could be suspended if the COR deems site conditions as unfavorable for planting. The following are examples of unfavorable planting site conditions.

· Sustained winds of 20 miles per hour, low relative humidity, temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and soil moisture below 15%.

· Frozen ground causing difficulties to properly plant trees

· Soil too dry to properly firm or plant trees.

· Snow causing difficulties to select planting spots or properly plant trees.

If a combination of conditions such as hot, windy weather and low soil moisture would result in excessive moisture stress to seedlings during and immediately after planting the COR may suspend planting until conditions improve.

MEASUREMENT

Where the unit of measure is by the tree, the measure of the number of trees planted shall be determined by the number of trees placed in the bags or trays at the nursery. The Forest Service will do quality assurance inspections on the tree count in the bags or trays.

PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIONS

Payment will be based on number of trees planted and quality of planting as accepted by the Government. Payment will be processed for completed items only. Wasted trees will be charged for at a rate of $830 per M for bare-root trees or $1320 per M for container trees. Deductions for wasted trees found on a plot will be charged based on the plot expansion factor. The COR will talk to the Contractors Representative about incidental trees found off plot. If the COR considers the number of incidental trees to be excessive a charge for wasted trees could be incurred.

Planting quality at 90 percent or above will be paid at the full price for the individual site with a 1% increase for each percent above 90. If planting quality falls below 90 percent for a site, a deduction will be made against the site payment for every percent below 90 as shown in the following table. Planting quality below 80 percent will be rejected without payment.

A table of the payment schedule is shown below:

PLANTING QUALITY ADJUSTMENT (%) FINAL PAYMENT (%)

WORK PROGRESS SCHEDULE

The work progress schedule provided at time of bid may be modified in writing during the contract when conditions warrant it and at the approval of the COR. However, changing the schedule may result in a shortage of seedlings. Seedlings are freshly lifted at the Toumey Nursery, and delivery of seedlings are contracted to be delivered on specific dates based on the work plan submitted with the task order.

The Contractor shall be required to present with their signed tasked order a written plan of work providing for the orderly and timely completion of the contract requirements. This plan is subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer Representative. If the work progress falls behind schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to ensure that the timely completion of the contract is not jeopardized. In addition, the Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit a revised plan of work showing how he intends to complete the project on time and in compliance with all contract requirements.

SUPERINTENDENCE BY THE CONTRACTOR

At all times during performance of this contract and until work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has the authority to act for the Contractor.

All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The Contracting Officer may require in writing that the Contractor remove from the work site any employee the Contracting Officer/ COR deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

The Contractor’s onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language, both spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Planting shall be performed in an organized manner.

Planting with scattered crews within or between sites shall not be permitted except as necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when authorized by the Contracting Officer Representative. The Contractor shall provide one non-planting supervisor for each crew of up to 10 planters unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.

DEFINITIONS

TASK ORDER AND PLANTING LOCATION MAPS - Specify the type of scalping, planting, species, target stocking levels, desired spacing, pattern and/or site selection of planted trees and unplanted openings, estimated number of trees to plant and geographic location of planting area.

EXCLUSIONS - Areas to be left unplanted for roads, inclusions, wildlife openings, and other reasons as may be shown on the task order map, and/or as designated on the ground by the Contracting Officer Representative. Do not plant within thirty-three (33) feet of any designated system road, fence, power line, or pipeline right-of-way, or within thirty-three (33) feet of an existing tree line unless instructed to do so by the Contracting Officer Representative.

1.1 FULL PLANT ON SITE PREPERATION SITES - Normal open field planting usually consisting of 500 or more trees per acre. Planting spots will be prepared by mechanical means or burning to provide an area free of most debris, duff, rocks, or similar material. Spacing of trees will be identified on task order.

1.2 FILL-IN PLANT ON SITE PREPARATION SITES - Planting of an area previously regenerated where existing stocking levels of desired species do not meet site objectives. Planting spots will be prepared by mechanical means or burning to provide an area free of most debris, duff, rocks, or similar material. No trees shall be planted within 6 feet of a residual tree unless otherwise identified in the task order. Planting required under this bid item shall be no less than 100 trees per acre. Spacing of trees will be identified on task order.

1.3 FILL-IN PLANT WITH NO PRIOR SITE PREP - Planting of an area previously regenerated where existing stocking levels of desired species do not meet site objectives. It consists of recognizing under-stocked locations based on task order to achieve desired planted tree and existing tree density. Planted trees must be placed in a mineral soil area of approximately 6 inches in diameter, which may require the clearing of some vegetation or slash with the planting tool, with uniform spacing being less important than planting in mineral soil. No trees shall be planted within 6 feet of a residual tree unless otherwise identified in the task order. Planting required under this bid item shall be no less than 100 trees per acre. Spacing of trees will be identified on task order.

1.4 SCALP AND FILL-IN PLANT - Planting of an area previously regenerated where existing stocking levels of desired species do not meet site objectives. It consists of recognizing under-stocked locations based on task order to achieve desired planted tree and existing tree density. Planting spots shall be prepared with a 15-inch by 15-inch scalp before planting. Scalps shall be made with a hand tool such as a hoedad. Scalping shall completely remove the sod but shall not be more than 4 inches deep. No trees shall be planted within 6 feet of a residual tree unless otherwise identified in the task order. Planting required under this bid item shall be no less than 100 trees per acre. Spacing of trees will be identified on task order.

1.5 SCALP AND FULL PLANT - Normal open field planting usually consisting of 500 or more trees per acre. Specific planting spots will not be created but will be identified by the tree planter. Scalps shall be made with a hand tool, such as a hoedad. Scalping shall completely remove sod, litter, duff, and debris, but shall not be more than 4 inches deep. The size of the scalp shall be approximately 15 inches by 15 inches and may incorporate existing areas of mineral soil. Planting required under this bid item shall be no less than 500 trees per acre. Hand scalping areas and tree spacing will be identified on task order.

1.6 RIPARIAN AREA PLANTING – Riparian area planting generally consists of less than 400 trees per acre. These sites are typically within stream coridors and are limited to the streams flood plain and/or high water mark. Planted trees must be placed in a mineral soil area of approximately 8 inches in diameter, which may require the clearing of some vegetation or slash with the planting tool. Clearing vegitation to reach mineral soil should not be any deeper then 4 inches. High ground micro sites should be a higher priority then uniform spacing. No trees should be planted within 4 feet of a residual tree. Planting required under this bid items shall be no less than 50 trees per acre. Spacing of trees will be identified on task order.

1.7 GAP PLANT - Planting canopy gaps that exist underneath a partially stocked stand of trees. These gaps will be 30 feet or larger in diameter. Planting spot location will be identified by the tree planter and be free of debris, duff, ashes, or similar material. Planted trees must be placed in a mineral soil area of approximately 6 inches in diameter, which may require the clearing of some vegetation or slash with the planting tool, with uniform spacing being less important than planting in mineral soil. Planting of these canopy gaps will be 7 x 7 feet spacing, unless specified differently on task order. No trees will be planted within 8 feet from the base of any existing tree that is 6 inches dbh or greater.

1.8 AUGER PLANTING – Auger planting will typically be done with containerized seedlings but can be approved by the COR for bareroot seedlings. Augers should be able to produce a minimum of a 3 inch hole for containerized and 4 inch hole for bareroot seedlings. The auger should be capable of drilling holes 2 inches deeper than the roots of the seedling stock being planted. To avoid soil drying the auger operator should not get too far ahead of the tree planter. Once the seedling is inserted, the seedling should be hand tamped to fill in and firm up the seedling. Auxiliary holes within 12 inches of the primary planting hole should be closed to avoid root drying.

HAND SCALP – Scalps shall be made with a hand tool, such as a hoedad. Scalping shall completely remove sod, litter, duff, and debris, but shall not be more than 4 inches deep. The size of the scalp shall be approximately 15 inches by 15 inches and may incorporate existing areas of mineral soil. Hand scalping areas and spacing will be identified on task order.

TREE PROTECTOR - Place individual tree protectors on all planted trees of a specified species so that the protector completely covers the seedling, and that the seedling is within 10 degrees of vertical reference to the ground, and stem and branches are not pinned between the ground and the protector; protector stake is to attach at three (3) points on the protector, be driven two (2) feet into the ground, and be within 10 degrees of vertical reference to the ground. Tree protectors will be placed concurrent with seedling planting.

WASTED TREES – Consists of trees which are ordered by the contractor but not planted in a timely fashion that can no longer be used, trees mishandled by the contractor that can no longer be used or planted trees more than 20% above the target density for a site as specified on the site map. Law Enforcement will be notified of any hiding, stashing, burying, or destroying of trees. These trees will be considered lost or damaged government property.

KEY PERSONNEL – All personnel considered essential for successful completion of this contract (e.g., Project manager, planting foreman, quality control inspector, etc.).

SITE PREPERATION -

The site has been treated to reduce slash and competing vegetation. Enough planting spots have been created so trees can be planted in areas free of sod and duff deeper than ½ inch. Some types of site preparation like bräcke and trenching create evenly spaced planting spots. Other types of site preparation like chaining or burning create unevenly spaced planting spots.

TASKS AND CRITICAL SUB TASKS

This part of the contract identifies the critical tasks and subtasks required in the contract. It also specifies the quality standard of each task and related subtask, as well as the acceptable quality level for each task and related subtask, the means of measuring the level of quality and any penalties or incentives associated with the level of quality.

For each crew or change of crew members on this contract, at the job site immediately prior to the start of planting by each crew, the contractor or his designated foreman shall discuss the following specifications with all crew members:

- Care of Tree Seedlings

- Preparation of Trees by Contractor

- Field Handling

- Spacing and Spot Selection

- Planting Spot Preparation

- Preparing the Planting Hole

- Tree Placement

- Filling and Firming

- Tree Protector Installation

- Unloading Tree Stock from Truck – Huron Manistee Only

Quality Standards for Care and Handling of Seedlings and Related Subtasks Planting Equipment: Planting tools shall be provided by the Contractor and shall have a blade of sufficient size to produce a planting hole at least 12 inches deep and 4 inches wide. When planting oak, a planting hole greater than 4” wide may be required to accommodate their larger tree roots. An appropriate tool should be selected when planting oak species.

Work Methods: The Forest Service will provide trees for one planting site at a time. The Contractor shall completely plant the site they are in, prior to starting another site.

Planting Bags: Bags shall be a light color, have a minimum depth of 15 inches and be free of defects. Containerized seedlings shall remain in containers until each seedling is removed for immediate planting, unless other arrangements are approved by the Contracting Officer Representative.

CARE OF TREE SEEDLINGS

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

Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations or contact with injurious substances. Seedlings will be considered wasted if they are ordered by the contractor but not planted in a timely fashion that can no longer be used or seedlings are mishandled by the contractor that can no longer be used.

Transporting seedlings from the tree cooler to the planting site. Do not expose trees to fuel or fumes when transporting them. Seedlings shall only be transported from the cold storage building to the planting site, within an insulated trailer, approved by the Contracting Officer Representative.

Seedlings must be handled, stored, and transported in a manner to protect them from sun and wind and to maintain the air temperature of bags/bundles between 32 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Seedlings stored in trays or bags shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags must be promptly resealed. Each tray or bag of trees shall be stored in an insulated box or trailer while in the Contractor's possession.

Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until immediately prior to planting. Where possible, tree planting bags shall be loaded in full shade.

Roots should be kept moist at all times, regardless of shipped condition. If dry root conditions develop prior to planting, moistening the roots with a mist sprayer or adding root gel product may be necessary. If needed, sprayers, water, and/or root gel will be provided by the government.

Seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying crowns is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) in charge.

If root pruning is needed, the COR should immediately be notified. Tree roots will not be pruned without the approval of the COR. When approved, pruning can only occur with the oversite of an onsite inspector or COR. A government inspector designated by the COR can also prune roots when needed. Roots should be pruned with COR approved tools that results in a clean cut with no root damage or stripping.

Seedlings that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. Trees shall be thawed in full shade.

Seedlings removed from storage shall be field stored in a manner in which the roots are not in contact with water or snow.

Seedlings will be planted in the order they are removed from the tree coolers.

It is the responsibility of the contactor to order the correct number of seedlings for each day’s work. All unused tree seedlings remaining in the contractor’s possession upon completion or suspension of planting are to be returned to the government in sealed, original shipping packages, and date the boxes or bags when they were removed from the tree cooler the first time.

Quality Standard - Seedlings remain moist, cool with good needle/bud vigor at all times prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage and root elongation is minimal.

PREPARATION OF TREE SEEDLINGS BY CONTRACTOR

The contractor shall prepare seedlings for planting in accordance with the following:

For all bare root seedlings, the Contractor shall break the tie on each bundle of trees and loosely separate the roots. The contractor shall not shake dirt from the roots. The contractor shall moisten the roots as directed by the COR. The two most common methods of moistening tree roots are spraying them lightly with water or dipping the seedlings in root gel. When bagging up the seedlings to start planting, the contractor shall not remove trees from shipping containers until just prior to planting.

Quality Standard - Seedlings remain moist, cool with good needle/bud vigor at all times prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage and root elongation is minimal.

FIELD HANDLING

Seedlings in possession of planters shall be handled in accordance with the following:

Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

Tree seedlings shall not be removed from planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury. They shall be quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole. Planters must remove only one tree at a time from the planting bag when they are ready to plant it, thus allowing a minimum time of root exposure. Under no circumstances will planters be allowed to carry several trees with exposed roots from one planting spot to another.

Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occurs. Trees placed in planting bags shall be planted within two hours unless weather conditions warrant a shorter time. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Unless otherwise authorized by Contracting Officer’s Representative, when planters are bagging up seedlings, they shall start with a maximum of 250 trees to assure trees are not being carried for more than two hours. Planting bags shall be kept emptied of accumulated debris and water. Planters shall work in one group whenever possible.

Planters leaving the boundary of the planting site shall leave all trees inside the site.

Quality Standard - Seedlings remain moist, cool with good needle/bud vigor at all times prior to actual planting. Seedlings are free of mechanical damage and root elongation is minimal.

SPACING AND SPOT SELECTION - Plant tree seedlings within the Bracke scalps when they are present.

Tree Spacing Requirements. Plant trees within the Bräcke scalps when they are present. Where Bräcke scalps are not present, seedlings shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at the average spacing specified on the Project Location Map, unless directed to do otherwise by the COR. Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall disregard spacing limits and plant in the closest suitable spot. Spacing may be varied up to 50 percent to take advantage of shade-providing material and the most favorable planting spots.

Planting Spot Selection. Where Bräcke scalps are present, planting holes shall be located near the center and on the higher edge of the scalp in a vertical position. Where trenches are present, planting hole location within the trench will be specified on the site map. Where Bräcke scalps or trenches are not present, as much as possible within the requirements set forth in Tree Spacing Requirements. Planting spots shall be selected where stumps slash, logs, dead brush, and terrain features provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to tree seedling survival and growth.

Quality Standard – The specified spacing in the individual site that is stated on Project Location Map attachment is met.

PLANTING SPOT PREPARATION

When directed to do so on the Project Location Map, the contractor shall make a hand scalp to expose bare mineral soil. Trees shall be planted near the center of the scalp. If the hand scalp is made adjacent to a stump, rock or other shade providing object, the contractor shall plant as close to the object as possible. Planters shall prepare the planting spot so that it is not possible for loose dirt or other debris to fall on the planted tree seedling.

Quality Standard – Seedlings will be planted in mineral soil.

PREPARING THE PLANTING HOLE (Hoedad or other planting tool) Planting holes shall be oriented at an angle, within ten degrees of perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. An open hole, broken out and large enough to fully accommodate the roots of the trees to be planted, is required. When planting oak, a planting hole greater than 4” wide may be required to accommodate their larger tree roots. Up to three attempts at opening a planting hole at any given planting spot will be required. The contractor is expected to open planting holes in difficult as well as easily plantable ground. Slit planting will not be permitted.

Quality Standard – Seedlings will be planted in acceptable holes within ten degrees of vertical.

TREE SEEDLING PLACEMENT

Tree seedlings shall be placed near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement at a depth that will, after filling, packing, and leveling the soil, come to a point even with, or up to 0.5 inch above the root collar. No portion of the roots or root collar shall be exposed. No green needles should be under the soil surface. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, bunched or cut. The root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward in a near natural position for their entire length. See section J for drawings of the planting location.

Quality Standard – Seedlings will be planted so that the root collar is even with the soil surface or within a half inch below the soil surface.

FILLING AND FIRMING

Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around tree roots. Planting holes shall be free of dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock, other foreign material, and air pockets. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively, starting at the bottom of the hole, so that no loose soil or air pockets remain, and the tree is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the planting hole, and firming the soil around the tree shall be done in a manner that assures the tree and root systems are not damaged. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and be vertical or perpendicular to the ground level of the planting spot. The tree shall not be weighed down with mud or debris. Firmness will be inspected by gently pulling upward on the stem of the seedling. The soil shall be firm enough around the root system so no movement occurs to the seedling.

Quality Standard. No debris or foreign material shall be incorporated into the planting hole. The planted tree shall be located near the center of the planting spot and the roots shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical. No portion of the roots or root collar shall be exposed. The root system should be free of j-roots and tangled or balled roots. The soil shall be firm enough around the root system so the seedling does not move when gently pulled and no air pockets exist.

TREE PROTECTOR INSTALLATION

Place individual tree protectors over planted tree seedlings so that the protector completely covers and surrounds the seedling. The seedling is within 10 degrees of vertical reference to the ground, and the stem and branches are not pinned between the ground and the protector, The seedling shall not have any branches or the top sticking out of the protector. The protector stake is to be attached at three (3) points on the protector. The protector stakes shall be driven approximately two (2) feet into the ground, and be within 10 degrees of vertical reference to the ground.

Quality Standard. Each planted tree has one tree protector. No debris or foreign material shall be incorporated into the tree protector. The planted tree shall be located near the center of the tree protector within 10 degrees vertical reference to the ground, and no portion of stem or branches will be pinned between the tree protector and the ground. Tree protector stake is to attach at three (3) points on the protector, be driven two (2) feet into the ground and be within 10 degrees of vertical reference to the ground.

Unloading Tree Stock from the Truck (Huron-Manistee only) Contractor shall assist in the unloading of tree stock from the delivery truck. Seedling bags/boxes shall be handled with care to prevent damage. Seedling containers will not be thrown, slid, or dropped on the ground. Seedlings will be unloaded in an orderly manner allowing for shipment inventory to be counted by FS personnel. At least 1% of all seedlings will be set aside at this time for quality assurance checks by FS personnel. Seedling bags/boxes shall be organized in the tree cooler to allow for ease of inventory checks and removal for planting. IF bidding on Huron-Manistee Task Orders- Provide a plan for how you will co-ordinate with the COR for unloading the planting stock from the delivery truck.

Quality Standard Stock is organized in the tree cooler to maximize cooler space and air flow. Labels will be facing outwards, if applicable. Seedlings show no signs of damage due to unloading. Signs of damage include, but are not limited to, open bags, broken boxes, and broken limbs or tops of seedlings.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Tasks and Critical Subtasks Quality Standards Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) Monitoring Methods by COR/Inspector Negative Incentives Positive Incentives

Care of Tree Seedlings Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Visual Sampling or Plot Sampling

Performance Rating.

Preparation Of trees by Contractor

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards Visual Sampling Suspend work until Deficiency is Corrected.

Poor Performance Rating Good Performance Rating.

Field Handling

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Visual Sampling Suspend work until Deficiency is Corrected.

Poor Performance Rating.

Good Performance Rating.

Spacing And Spot Selection

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all Government plots showing correct number of trees shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling.

Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction Contractor shall receive full payment For meeting AQL.

Planting Spot Preparation.

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction Contractor shall receive full payment For meeting AQL

Preparing the Planting hole Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction Contractor shall receive full payment For meeting AQL

Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment For meeting AQL.

Filling and Firming

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction.

Contractor shall receive full payment for meeting AQL.

Tree Protector Installation

Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 90% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Plot Sampling Rework at no cost to the Gov’t or Gov’t accepts with price Reduction.

Contractor shall receive Full payment for meeting AQL.

Unloading Tree Stock from Truck Huron Manistee (only) Sub-Task Accomplished described in Tasks & Critical Subtasks 99% of all tree seedlings shall meet Quality Standards.

Rating

Plot Inspection Procedure The inspector will mark on the ground a series of plots sufficient in number to sample at least one percent of the planted trees.

Suggested inspection plot sizes:

TABLE 1

Other plot sizes may be appropriate for some planting specifications. On bräcke or furrow plow sites, an inspection plot can be conducted by inspecting 5 random rows adjacent to each other. Two trees should be inspected in each row for a total of 10 trees. The area should be designated as inspected on the ground.

Inspection within each plot will be as follows and the sequence in which these steps are done may vary. All trees inspected using Form R9FSH 2417-2.8 (attached).

TABLE 2

5. Locate and examine the condition of planted trees working in a clockwise direction from north. A poorly planted tree may have more than one violation but record only the most severe violation.

7. Percentage of planting quality as calculated above will be rounded upward to the nearest whole percent. Upon completion of each planting site, the Contractor may request in writing a final evaluation of planting. The evaluation results will be made available within three days of receipt of the Contractor's request. In the event Forest Service Inspectors become aware of planting quality falling below 90 percent or repetitive type planting errors are found, the Contractor will be notified.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) HIAWATHA AND HURON-MANISTEE NF FOREST-WIDE PLANTING IDIQ 2025-2029

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) has been developed pursuant to the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in this contract. This plan sets forth procedures and guidelines that will be used in evaluating the technical performance of the contractor. This plan does NOT relieve the contractor of their responsibility to practice proactive quality control.

PURPOSE OF THE QASP

The QASP is intended to accomplish the following:

• Define the roles and responsibilities of participating government officials and the contractor;

• Identify the types of work to be performed and the inspections to be performed to validate adequacy;

• Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the government in assessing the contractor’s inspection program and performance to the quality/performance standards required for each task;

• Provide copies of the contractor’s inspection records and Government quality assurance monitoring forms that will be used by the government in documenting and evaluating the contractor’s performance;

• Describe the process of performance documentation. The contractor is responsible for performing inspection services pursuant to the inspection clause and for providing and maintaining the inspection forms, approved by the government, to perform the contractor’s inspection services. The contractor has represented themselves, to be responsible for meeting the prescribed quality/performance standards in the statement of work.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be designated on each Task order. The COR’s roles and responsibilities will be listed on their designations and include the following: monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on the schedule of inspections submitted by the contractor and approved by the government.

The COR will either witness the contractor’s performance of the inspections performed by the contractor or will evaluate the contractor’s inspection results as to documented findings relative to meeting the standards for each task/subtask within the statement of work. The COR will have primary responsibility for completing quality assurance monitoring forms which will be used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) will have overall responsibility for overseeing the contractor’s performance and for the day-to-day monitoring of the contractor’s performance in the areas of contract compliance, contract administration, cost control, and property control; reviewing the COR’s assessment of the contractor’s performance; and resolving all differences between the COR’s and the contractor’s version.

The Correct Planting Depth

Planting location in a Bracke spot

Planting Inspectors Report (R9 FSH 2417-2.8)

total

% correct =Total planted right x 100/ Total Sampled=

Planting stock properly cared for?

Number of trees planted per day?

Remarks and Safety violations noted:

Planting Inspectors Report (R9 FSH 2417-2.8)

INSTRUCTIONS

Inspect hand planters every day by checking 5% of a day's planting and recording results on this form. If inspector is satisfied the planter is doing a satisfactory job, inspector may reduce the inspection to a minimum of 1% of remaining trees. If the planting quality falls off additional inspections are needed. If a penalty is to be assessed a minimum of a 2% sample is required.

The daily inspection forms will be reviewed by the forester to determine corrective action. File a copy with plantation maps and one copy goes to the contractor.

Col. 2 Roots should be pointed down not in a J or L shape.

Col. 3 Roots including ends of laterals should not be exposed

Col. 4 Roots are not to be pulled or pruned off by planters.

Col. 5 Soil should be packed tightly around tree. Tool holes must be filled.

Col. 6 Root collar should not be above ground.

Col. 7 Green needles should not be buried.

Col. 8 Spacing must be within 25% or as specified in contract.

Col. 9 Location Ex.-planted in duff, loose ash or soil, species in wrong place.

Col.10 Other specify in remarks. Ex.-not vertical, hole not closed properly, etc.

Col. 11 Total of trees planted correctly on plot or row.

Col. 12 Total trees sampled in plot or row. Sum of columns 2-11.

Other Duties:

Stock care - stored trees must be protected from wind and sun. Roots should not be unnecessarily exposed when moving form bags to planting bags.

Organization - Check organization and production of contractor or crew.

Safety - Check for unsafe actions or conditions.

Prescription - Check that the reforestation prescription is being followed.

***End of Document*** image1.jpeg image2.jpeg