Attachment B Statement of Work.docx

Attachment B Statement of Work

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 requirements as stated herein and the specific specifications for the zone on the Forest within which the Contractor is working. If there is a conflict among the sets of specifications, the most specific area will rule, zone of the Forest specifications, and then general specifications.

The Contractor shall utilize products and materials that promote energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, use of recovered materials (e.g., concrete with fly ash), that are environmentally preferable, with recycled content and that are recyclable, are made from biobased materials (e.g., insulating foam and composite panels), and are energy efficient (Energy Star-qualified) to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered.

Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) Specifications

A. This procurement is for timber stand improvement and site preparation services on the Hiawatha National Forest.

B. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, professional services, and supervision. There will be no Government-furnished property.

C. The actual number of acres and sites to be completed may vary depending upon funding and completion of commercial harvest contracts.

LOCATIONS

Project areas are located on the Eastside (Sault Ste. Marie (Raco) and St. Ignace Ranger Districts) and Westside (Rapid River, Manistique, and Munising Ranger Districts) Units of the Hiawatha National Forest. These units are located in Chippewa, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta, and Marquette Counties of Michigan.

Potential contractors will be shown actual unit boundaries on aerial photos, if requested. Photocopies of aerial photos for specific projects can be obtained from the applicable Ranger District office.

TASKS

Felling specifications for all items, unless specifically changed on individual site prescriptions are listed below.

A. Cutting Method.

1. All trees required to be cut shall be cut below the lowest live limb except when prevented by natural obstacles. All live limbs below the cutting point, including those which may originate below ground level, shall be removed.

2. Trees required to be cut shall be completely severed from the stump.

3. Stump height of cut trees shall not exceed 6 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

B. Felling.

1. Cut trees shall be directionally felled away from unit boundaries, roads, cross country ski trails, telephone and electrical transmission lines, driveways, fence lines, monumented corners, bearing trees, livestock and wildlife watering developments, genetic select trees, maintained trails and streams.

a. Slash created by the Contractor shall be removed from the road prism of access and other roads and trails designated on the Project Maps. Please see figure below to reference the entire road way.

2. All hang-up trees shall be pulled down and be made to lay on the ground.

3. No cut stems shall be left lying on top of, or otherwise positioned, so as to impede the growth or form of the trees being released.

4. All snags shall be left standing for wildlife use.

5. All flagged boundary trees which require treatment shall be felled.

C. Release.

1. The designated tree species will be released from all surrounding live woody vegetation within a 5-foot radius from the base of each tree (measure bole to bole). Woody vegetation includes:

a. Poles, saplings, and seedlings, unless otherwise specified on site map/prescription.

b. Woody perennial shrubs such as but not limited to hazelnut, alder, willow, fire/pin cherry, service berry, etc. that are at least 1/3 the height of the conifer needing release. Annuals such as grasses, sedges, ferns, etc. do not need to be cut down.

2. There may be some small exclusion areas or specifically reserved trees within the work areas where the trees will not be cut. These will be flagged or identified prior to initiation of contract work.

3. Trees greater than 5 inches at breast height will not be cut.

D. Pruning for Tree Quality

1. All pruning shall be performed with hand pruners, lopping shears, or pruning saws only. No pruning by chainsaws will be allowed.

2. Selection of trees to be pruned.

a. Trees to be pruned shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest stems that are free of damage due to insects, disease, or mechanical causes with a minimum height of 5 feet tall.

b. Trees shall be selected for pruning at the spacing specified on treatment area maps. All specified spacing will be between 12x12 foot (up to 302 trees per acre) and 25x25 foot (up to 70 trees per acre), except for the spacing variances noted below.

c. Spacing shall be varied up to 50 percent (for example, in a 20x20 foot spacing prescription, 10 to 30 feet from last prune tree with an average of 20 feet) to select the most desirable tree to prune. The number of pruned trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased.

d. Where natural openings occur in the stand, spacing between pruned trees shall be reduced on the perimeter of the opening to affect the same average spacing.

e. If no healthy, undamaged trees exist at the required spacing interval, prune a tree with minor damage.

3. Pruning Methods.

a. Pruning height; Prune all branches in accordance with the following:

(1.) Two (2) or more whorls must remain in the live crown after pruning.

(2.) Trees 5 to 18 feet in height shall have all branches within the lower half of the bole pruned. Example: A tree approximately 10 feet in height will require pruning all branches on the lower 5 feet of the bole. If a whorl of branches is present half way up the bole it will need to be left. Pruning more than half of the bole will not be allowed.

5 Ft 5 Ft

10 FT

10 FT

(3.) Trees over 18 feet in height shall have all branches within the lower 9 feet pruned.

(4.) The pruning height will be determined from the uphill side of the tree.

4. Removal of live and dead limbs.

a. All live and dead limbs shall be completely severed, parallel and as close to the bole of the tree as possible. No portion of the branch should extend out beyond the branch collar.

(1.) All live and dead limbs must be severed so as to leave a flat cut surface.

(2.) The Contractor shall move thinning slash and other obstacles as necessary to achieve proper pruning if it can be done with a reasonable effort without setting aside the pruning tool.

(3.) Branches originating in the duff layer shall be pruned.

5. Slash Treatment

a. Slash created by the Contractor shall be scattered away from the bole of the pruned trees so that inspectors can see at a glance that all limbs are severed.

b. Slash created by the Contractor shall be removed from the road prism of access and other roads and trails designated on the Project Maps.

E. White Pine Pathological Pruning

1. All pruning shall be performed with hand pruners, lopping shears, or pruning saws only. No pruning by chainsaws will be allowed.

2. Selection of white pine trees to be pruned.

a. White pine to be pruned shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest stems that are free of damage due to insects, disease, or mechanical causes with a minimum of 5 feet tall with a maximum diameter of 14 inches.

b. White pines which have a blister rust infection on the bole or a branch infection within 6 inches of the bole shall not be selected for pruning.

c. White pine shall be selected for pruning at the spacing specified on treatment area maps. All specified spacing will be between 12x12 foot (up to 302 trees per acre) and 25x25 foot (up to 70 trees per acre), except for the spacing variances noted below.

d. Spacing shall be varied up to 50 percent (for example, in a 20x20 foot spacing prescription, 10 to 30 feet from last prune tree with an average of 20 feet) to select the most desirable tree to prune. The number of pruned trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased.

e. Where natural openings occur in the stand, spacing between pruned white pine shall be reduced, but should not affect overall average spacing in the stand.

f. If no healthy, undamaged white pines exist at the required spacing interval, prune a white pine with minor damage.

g. White pine with weevil damage, forked tops, or a double trunk, shall be pruned so as to make a single stemmed tree with a dominate leader. This is only required if pruning is under 9 feet in height.

h. Any branch with a blister rust infection shall be removed within the first 9 feet. If the tree has blister rust above 9 feet the tree shall not be selected for pruning.

3. Pruning Methods.

a. Pruning height; Prune all branches in accordance with the following:

(1.) Two (2) or more whorls must remain in the live crown after pruning.

(2.) White pine trees 5 to 18 feet in height shall have all branches within the lower half of the bole pruned. Example: A white pine approximately 10 feet in height will require pruning all branches on the lower 5 feet of the bole. If a whorl of branches is present half way up the bole it will need to be left. Pruning more than half of the bole will not be allowed.

(3.) White pine trees over 18 feet in height shall have all branches within the lower 9 feet pruned.

(4.) The pruning height will be determined from the uphill side of the tree.

4. Removal of live and dead limbs.

a. All live and dead limbs shall be completely severed from the tree as close to the bole as possible without cutting into the branch collar. Leave approximately one-quarter inch (but no longer than one-half inch) of the branch beyond the branch collar.

(1.) All live and dead limbs must be severed so as to leave a flat cut surface.

(2.) The Contractor shall move thinning slash and other obstacles as necessary to achieve proper pruning if it can be done with a reasonable effort without setting aside the pruning tool.

(3.) Branches originating in the duff layer shall be pruned.

(4.) Remove green needles originating directly from the bole of the tree.

5. Slash Treatment

a. Slash created by the Contractor shall be scattered away from the bole of the pruned trees so that inspectors can see at a glance that all limbs are severed.

b. Slash created by the Contractor shall be removed from the road prism of access and other roads and trails designated on the Project Maps.

F. Cleaning in Uneven Aged Northern Hardwood Canopy Gaps

1. Identify canopy gaps created by previous logging or natural disturbance and clean such gaps by cutting trees greater than 5 feet in height and less than 5 inches diameter at breast height (DBH). Lower diameter limits and target species for cutting will be specified on the treatment area map and in the statement of work. Any reserve species to avoid cutting will be noted on the treatment area map and in the statement of work.

a. To be treated, the narrowest part of a canopy gap should be at least 40 feet wide between the boles of the trees whose branches make up the edge of the canopy gap.

b. In select cases, some treatment areas may have specifications for cutting outside of those identified in F-1 above. In these cases, this information will be on the treatment area map and in the statement of work.

2. Cut specified trees with crowns that impede canopy gaps. These trees may originate outside of a gap, but the crown of the tree may be impeding the perimeter of the gap.

G. Cleaning Canopy Gaps in Beech Salvage Stands

1. This task is the same as cleaning in uneven aged northern hardwood canopy gaps above except the size and frequency of canopy gaps is likely to be greater, and all American beech greater than 2 feet in height shall be cut.

2. Cut American beech seedlings and saplings (2 feet in height and greater) who’s crown impedes canopy gap. These trees may originate outside of a gap, but the crown of the tree may be impeding the perimeter of the gap.

3. In beech salvage stands where there was a heavy beech component, gaps may be large (sometimes in excess of 60 ft) and may be difficult to tell gaps apart from other gaps. In these areas, clean a gap to 60 feet in diameter. Leave an uncleaned buffer of 10 to 20 feet before cleaning another 60 foot gap.

H. Cleaning in Aspen Regeneration Areas

Within commercially clearcut aspen stands, cut all hardwood and conifer stems within the specified diameter limit listed on treatment area maps and in the statement of work. Do not cut favorable wildlife shrubs (unless otherwise specified) like oak, sugar plum (serviceberry), or cherry, or other reserve trees listed on the treatment area map and/or statement of work.

I. Crown Thinning

1. What constitutes a crop tree and the number of crop trees per acre will be defined in the individual site/map or prescription.

2. Cut all trees less than 5 inches D.B.H that have crowns touching the crown of the crop tree.

3. Cut all trees less than 5 inches D.B.H that have crowns within 5 feet of the crown of the crop tree.

J. Understory American Beech Cleaning

1. Cut ALL sub-merchantable American beech greater than 4 feet tall and less than 5 inches DBH.

2. All American beech cleaning must be performed after July 17 of the current year.

3. No cut stems shall be left lying on top of, or otherwise positioned, so as to impede the growth or form of the trees not being cut.

K. Any Special Timber Stand Improvement

Specific prescriptions may be included which incorporate a variety of ecosystem, timber, recreation, aesthetics, or wildlife values. Some prescriptions may not follow standard silvicultural guides. Inspection and acceptance guidelines will be specified in the prescription.

DEFINITIONS OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TERMS

Branch Collar - The basal enlargement of a branch.

Bole - The trunk of a tree.

Canopy Gap – A space at least 40 feet in diameter created by the removal of one or more trees, creating a hole in the canopy. Such gaps are measured from bole to bole of the trees that make up the edge of the canopy gap. They are generally created at a frequency of 2 to 6 gaps per acre.

Canker - A spreading white pine blister rust infection.

Cleaning - Release treatment done to an age class not past the sapling stage to free the favored trees from competing shrubs or low quality trees of the same age class that overtop them or are likely to do so.

Crop tree Release - The removal of all competing trees and shrubs in order to free desirable individual trees from competition.

Crown - That portion of a tree which has green needled branches or branches with leaves.

Deficient Trees - Those trees not pruned but should have been pruned; or trees that are excessively damaged by the pruning operation.

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

Double-trunk tree - Two trees originating from the same stump.

Duff layer - The partly decayed organic matter on the forest floor.

Leave Tree - Any tree that is required to be left standing as provided in the specifications.

Low-Quality - Trees that lack the potential to grow straight and tall, or which do not have one central stem or leader, or stems which are not healthy and have poor or undersirable form. These trees may have broken tops, scrapes or could be up rooted in result of past logging activites.

Operational Damage - Deep bark gouges, rips, tears (to the cambium), or other damage exceeding one-quarter of the circumference to the bole or damage exceeding one-quarter of the circumference of the branch collar.

Pruning - The severing of all limbs, live or dead, from the bole of a selected tree to a specified pruning height.

Sapling - Young tree or shrub species generally considered greater than 1 inch but less than 5 inches in diameter.

Seedling - Young tree or shrub species generally less than 1 inch in diameter.

Slash - Any vegetation that was cut by the Contractor or previously cut by another contractor.

Whorl - The arrangement of limbs in a circle around the bole of the White Pine tree.

UNIT BOUNDARY MARKINGS

Unit boundaries will be identified by the Government with orange or blue paint and/or flagging, except the West Zone GNA sale units 4.1, 4.8, 4.9, 6.5, 6.8, and 6.9 will probably have red paint. If there are any questions, ask the COR. Boundaries which occur along obvious roads, trails, or water bodies may not be marked.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Any special conditions will be noted on site map and prescription.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

(a) Definition: “Services,” as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re performance, the Government may --

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may --

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

1. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION

The Government will perform quality assurance plot inspections to determine compliance with contract specifications. Inspections will consist of observations of work while it is being performed as well as random plots described above in the Government Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan. The Contractor or a designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway.

The Contractor may at any time after award request re-measurement of any site. The request must be made in writing within 5 calendar days after receipt of the Government’s quality assurance inspection results. The request shall include documentation of the Contractor’s reason to believe that an error exists. The same inspection procedures will be followed, but different plots will be measured. If the results of the re-inspection differ by more than 5 percent of the original quality control results, the re-inspection results will be considered acceptable and used for payment. If results of the re-examination are within 5 percent of the original quality control results, the Contractor will be assessed the costs incurred by the Government that are directly related to the performance of such service.

Evaluation Methods: The COR will conduct periodic on-site inspections. TSI procedures will be observed, and sample plots will be examined to ensure and measure compliance with specifications.

Inspection of Pine Release, Pruning, and Crown Thinning Treatments:

Each sub-item as designated in the contract Schedule of Items will be inspected as a separate unit and will not be averaged with any other area for acceptance or payment. 90% of designated leave trees, crop trees, or pruned trees must be treated in adherence to the specifications. Plots size and number can be varied to achieve a one percent sample. The following has been prepared assuming 1/50th acre plots (16.7’ radius).

One plot will be taken for each 2 acres of the unit being inspected.

1. Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a). Number of trees treated correctly.

b). Total number of trees that should have been treated.

(A / B) X 100 = Percent Quality

2. The number of released or pruned trees that should have been released or pruned will vary by plot because of the range of stocking (plus or minus 50% ), the health of the trees occupying the site and/or the portion of plots occupied by openings. Upon inspection of each unit, the treatment quality expressed as a percentage shall be calculated as follows for each plot, and then the plots averaged and rounded up to get the unit percentage:

Example: Release 109 TPA of White Pine A = Number of trees treated correctly (2) B = Total number of trees that should have been treated. This number could be 1 or 3 (plus or minus 50%) (2) Example: (2/2) X 100 = 100% quality

Inspection of Aspen Cleaning

Each sub-item as designated in the contract Schedule of Items will be inspected as a separate unit and will not be averaged with any other area for acceptance or payment. 90% of designated leave trees or cut trees must be treated in adherence to the specifications. Plots size and number can be varied to achieve a one percent sample. The following has been prepared assuming 1/50th acre plots (16.7’ radius).

One plot will be taken for each 2 acres of the unit being inspected.

1. Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a). Number of trees treated correctly (cut trees and leave trees) b). Total number of trees treated.

(A / B) X 100 = Percent Quality

2. Upon inspection of each unit, the treatment quality expressed as a percentage, and then the plots averaged and rounded up to get the unit percentage:

Example: Aspen cleaning.

A = Number of trees treated correctly (28) B = Total number of trees treated. (30) Example: (28/30) X 100 = 94% quality

Inspection of Cleaning in Uneven Aged Northern Hardwood Canopy Gaps:

One canopy gap per acre will be inspected. A transect will be taken and gaps that fall within that transect will be inspected. Typically, 2-6 canopy gaps can be found per acre. Together all canopy gaps inspected will need to meet a quality of 90% or greater.

1. Each canopy gap will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a). Canopy gaps should meet all specifications listed above. Up to two (2) trees between 2 feet and 2 inches in diameter not cut will be allowed without failing the gap.

A Number of gaps treated correctly.

B Total number of gaps sampled

(A / B) X 100 = Percent Quality

2. Upon inspection of each unit, the treatment quality expressed as a percentage for that unit only:

Example: Canopy Gaps for 20 acres Sample of 20 canopy gaps

Inspection of Cleaning Canopy Gaps in Beech Salvage Sales:

One canopy gap per acre will be inspected. A transect will be taken and gaps that fall within that transect will be inspected. Typically, 2-6 canopy gaps can be found per acre. Together all canopy gaps inspected will need to meet a quality of 90% or greater.

1. Each canopy gap will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a). Canopy gaps should meet all specifications listed above. Up to two (2) American beech between 2 and 4 feet in height not cut will be allowed without failing the gap.

A Number of gaps treated correctly B Total number of gaps sampled

(A / B) X 100 = Percent Quality

2. Upon inspection of each unit, the treatment quality expressed as a percentage for that unit only:

Example: Canopy Gaps for 20 acres Sample of 20 canopy gaps

2. REWORK

If the treatment quality as determined above is between 75 and 90% the COR will immediately notify the Contractor by phone or in writing. If the unsatisfactory treatment is due to correctable work (i.e., missed or incompletely released trees, cutting methods, brush, slash, etc) the contractor may rework the unit at his discretion in order to achieve full pay. If it is due to non-correctable work (i.e. over cutting, damage, leave tree selection) or contractor does not correct work, payment will be made at the percentage rate multiplied by the contract unit price.

If the percentage of satisfactory treatment falls below 75% the Contracting Officer will immediately notify the Contractor in writing. If the unsatisfactory treatment is due to correctable work (i.e., excess trees, cutting methods, brush, slash, etc.) rework will be required. If it is due to non-correctable work (i.e. over cutting, damage, leave tree selection) no payment will be made.

If the quality of treatment is not raised above the 75% minimum acceptable standard within (2) work days after receipt of notice in writing from the Contracting Officer of unsatisfactory work, the Contractor's right to proceed may be suspended for noncompliance. Repeated failure to perform work at or above the 75% level may also be considered reason for contract termination.

3. REQUEST FOR INSPECTION

The Contractor shall notify the Government when their work on an individual site has been completed and request that an inspection of their work be performed. This request shall be in writing and state that the Contractor’s inspection of the site has been completed and the work on the site is ready for Government inspection.

4. ACCEPTANCE

Work on individual sites will be accepted following the final inspection by the COR. Work with a 90% quality or better will be accepted at full payment. Sites which have an inspection quality between 75% and 89% will be accepted at a reduced pay rate as indicated in SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE. The Government reserves the right to require rework of areas with quality below 90% if deficiencies can be corrected. Work with a final inspection quality less than 75% is not acceptable and will not be paid for.

Deliveries or Performance

ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION

The Contractor shall plan on poor weather days when work can’t be done or will be slowed. The Government reserves the right to stop the Contractor’s work if it is determined that weather is unsuitable, and quality cannot be assured (ex. snow depth results in stump heights greater than 6 inches).

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. Acreages shown in the contract have been determined using a GPS (Global Position System).

B. Payment will be by the item, as shown in the Schedule of Items in each contract. Payment will be upon completion by the Contractor and acceptance by the Contracting Officer of the entire item, unless otherwise agreed to by the Contracting Officer.

C. Quality at 90 percent or above will be paid at the full price for the individual site. If quality falls below 90 percent for a site, a two percent deduction will be made against the site payment for every percent below 90 as shown in the following table. Quality below 75 percent will be rejected without payment. Examples of the payment schedule are shown below:

*Note: The government may order areas with a quality below 90 percent be reworked at the contractor’s expense.

SAMPLE – Inspection of Pine Release, Pruning, and Crown Thinning Treatments

HIAWATHA N.F - TSI INSPECTOR'S REPORT

CONTRACTOR:

DATE:

INSPECTOR:

PLOT SIZE:

Site # :

Price/Acre :

Item #:

Plot Notes

No trees on the plot

More trees pruned than needed but this brought up the overall average.

(A / B) X100

SAMPLE – Inspection of Aspen Cleaning

HIAWATHA N.F - TSI INSPECTOR'S REPORT

CONTRACTOR:

DATE:

INSPECTOR:

PLOT SIZE:

Site # :

Price/Acre :

Item #:

Plot Notes

Missed Tree

High Stumps

Trees not severed from stump

(A / B) X100

SAMPLE – HARDWOOD GAP INSPECTORS REPORT

HIAWATHA N.F - HARDWOOD GAP INSPECTOR'S REPORT

CONTRACTOR:

DATE:

INSPECTOR:

PLOT SIZE:

Site # :

Price/Acre :

Item #:

YES/NO

(A / B) X100

VICINITY MAP

image3.png image4.jpeg image5.emf image1.png image2.png