Attachment G - Task Order 4.pdf

Attachment G – Task Order #4, North Zone

Schedule of Items:

Ottawa National Forest North Zone Openings Maintenance

Ottawa NF IDIQ FY20 Task Order #4:

SITE DISTRICT COMP./STAND/

FOREST ROAD

ACRES COST PER

ACRE

TOTAL

L – Opening

Kenton D4/C130/S043

FR1300

7.0 acres $

M – Opening

Kenton D4/C082/S013

FR2012-C

13.0 acres $

TOTAL AMOUNT FOR ALL ITEMS

20.0 acres

SEE OPENING-SPECIFIC CUTTING SPECIFICATIONS, SITE CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS, AND

SEASONAL OPERATION RESTRICTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO CALCULATE ACCURATE

PRICING

This Request for Quotations (RFQ) will result in the issuance of a contract against the Ottawa’s IDIQ. This task order is for wildlife habitat improvement work on the Ottawa National Forest. Project area is located on the Ottawa National Forest.

BASIS OF AWARD: One task order will be awarded according to the terms described in solicitation 12569R20Q0023. Ability to meet the completion date will also be considered as a primary factor to determine if a quoter can be responsible for this contract. Bid information should include both price and sufficient information for us to determine whether or not the work can be completed on time (e.g. operating plan and/or list of employees and/or list of current contracts held by quoter)

For Technical information, contact Scott Pearson at (906) 358-4027

Include the following information with your responses to the technical criteria:

Company Name: ______________________________________________________________

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________

Signature: __________________________________________

EMAIL: ________________________________________ DUNS: __________________________

CONTRACT TIME: The start date will be on 1 July 2020 – 14 September 2020.

Technical Contracting Officers Representative:

Scott Pearson, Biological Technician Iron River-Watersmeet Ranger District Ottawa National Forest E23979 US Hwy 2 East Watersmeet, MI 49969 P: 906-358-4027 C: 906-367-2138

DEFINITIONS OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TERMS

This Task Order RFQ incorporates the Ottawa Wildlife Habitat Improvement IDIQ Specifications, please read Attachment A for details.

Ottawa National Forest Wildlife Habitat Improvement Services Description/Specifications/Scope of Work

Task Order #4 North Zone Openings Maintenance

Introduction This task order pricing request will result in the issuance of a task order against the Ottawa’s IDIQ.

Location Project area is located on the Ottawa National Forest

Scope of Work Statement of Work and Site Conditions: This task order identifies approximately 20 acres of upland openings that were formerly more open than today, due to encroachment of trees and shrubs. We want most of the woody vegetation removed, to preserve the open, sunny character of these sites.

Included are upland openings that can be maintained entirely via mechanical means such as tractors with rotary mower decks, skidsteers with mower decks, skidsteers with grinding heads (e.g. Fecon or similar forestry mulching heads). Portions of some of these sites may only be accessible on foot with hand-held chainsaws and/or rotary head brush saws, these areas will be flagged and/or identified on a final georeferenced field map. We expect operators to have all the necessary equipment to efficiently and effectively cut and fell or mow/mulch undesired woody vegetation encroaching on the sites. The perimeter of each opening has been flagged or painted and a georeferenced pdf map is available for upload into programs such as Avenza. Some openings are a short distance (all <1/5 mile) off of main access roads, which means that a trail through the woods (mostly shrubs and sapling sized trees) will need to be created in order to accommodate mechanical equipment. These access trail routes will also be flagged. Within some openings there may be reserve trees and shrubs that have been blue-flagged to aid operators to avoid cutting them. We also expect operators to be proficient at identifying tree and shrub species common in this area. Our specifications require identifying and not cutting certain species of trees and shrubs as part of project implementation. Sensitive resources exist within some of the openings and need protection during project implementation and are either outside the opening boundary or flagged with pink/black striped flag as a do not enter zone within the opening boundary. If during implementation, additional archeological resources, listed plants or dens or nests of listed wildlife are found and occupied, work will cease immediately and the Forest Service will be contacted to determine restrictions and next steps.

We expect the work to be conducted between July 1 to November 14 within one or two operating seasons. If weather and/or soil conditions postpone work, a longer timeline can be negotiated. Forest Service will determine favorable site conditions and notify Contractor within 24 hours that work can begin. Mobilization of equipment to the site can be done earlier if it does not cause road rutting or other resource concerns. Our experience indicates clay soils can usually support equipment operations July 1- Sept 14, but not always. There may be periods of 1-3 days when equipment operations would have to cease following heavy rains.

Description This RFQ incorporates the Ottawa Wildlife Habitat Improvement IDIQ, please see the IDIQ details.

Road Access to the Sites

All of these openings are located on the Kenton Ranger District of the Ottawa National Forest. All openings are located less than 10 miles (straight-line distance) from Kenton and Sidnaw, Michigan.

These two openings (Units L and M) are located north of M-28 between Kenton and Sidnaw. More detailed directions are as follows:

Unit L: T49N-36W-Sec.31. From Kenton, MI take FH-16 north to FR1300, then east approx. 1.1 miles to the opening.

Unit M: T48N-R36W-Sec.35. From Kenton, MI take M-28 east approx. 5.5 miles to FR2012, then 0.5 mile NW to FR2012-C, approx. 0.8 mile north to FR2012-C4, then east to the opening.

Shall maintain Forest Service roads and trails in approximately the same conditions they are in before the work began. Performance of road and trail maintenance may be required prior to, during, or after each period of use. Maintenance may include brushing, removal of fallen trees or logs, back blading, re-crowning and re-shaping to drain the road surface.

So far as practicable, project workers shall protect access routes and other improvements (such as dikes, trails, berms, ditches, etc.):

a) Existing in the operating area

b) Determined to have a continuing need or use, and

c) Designated on the Project Area Map

Contractors shall keep roads and trails needed for fire protection or other purposes and designated on the Project Area Map free of equipment, slash, and debris resulting from Contractor’s operations.

Contractor shall restore any roads or trails damaged by Contractor’s operations.

Opening-Specific Site Conditions, Equipment Limitations, and Seasonal Operating Restrictions:

1) Unit L (Stand ID: C013/S043). This opening is 7 acres and is located north of M-28 and east on FR1300 near the RR Grade. Mechanized equipment and/or hand tools may be used throughout July 1 – November 14. Work will involve moderate brushing, and tree felling/girdling. Trees should be felled into the opening and not into adjacent forested stands.

2) Unit M (Stand ID: C082/S013). This opening is 13 acres and is located north of M-28 and east of FR2012-C. Mechanized equipment and/or hand tools may be used throughout July 1 – November 14. Work will involve moderate brushing, and tree felling/girdling. Trees should be felled into the opening and not into adjacent forested stands.

Opening Maintenance Specifications:

1. Dead standing snag trees should be left standing, unless deemed a safety hazard.

2. Live cavity-containing (woodpecker holes) trees >6” diameter breast height (dbh) will be retained whenever practical.

3. Wildlife trees: oak, cedar, hemlock, apple, plum, and hawthorn should not be mowed, cut or girdled within the perimeter of the openings. White pines, in general, should not be cut, however, when young white pines are growing in dense clumps you may cut roughly 50-75% of the trees with preference for releasing (saving) the healthiest-looking white pines. Aspens >8” dbh should be retained. Save larger cherry trees (~>3” dbh), but where cherry regeneration is forming dense patches, you may cut up to 50-75% of the young cherry to help preserve the opening.

4. Wildlife shrubs: preserve serviceberry, hazel, hawthorn, willows, and cherry >3” dbh. Up to 50- 75% of young sapling cherries may be cut, especially where regenerating cherry is forming dense patches that appear to be taking over the opening.

5. Some trees and shrubs may have blue flagging on them. This blue flagging indicates a tree NOT to cut or damage. The flagging is intended to draw attention to the tree or shrub so that it can be reserved without accidental take. These will typically be oak, serviceberry, hazel and hawthorn.

6. Maximum stump height of cut or mowed/mulched trees shall be 6” or lower, or below any live branches that occur below 6”. For example, if green balsam boughs sprout 4” above the ground, the stump shall be cut below 4” level. Completely sever all trees and shrubs. Hinges are not acceptable. Stumps are not expected to be grubbed or pulled out.

7. One to two brushpile(s)/acre should be created on the edges of the openings using cut woody vegetation; this number is dependent upon available material. Larger logs (>8” dbh) should form the base of the brushpile. For example, a good brushpile will have 4-8 large logs placed 2- 4’ apart parallel with each other. Then another layer of logs are piled on top of the base logs running perpendicular to the bottom logs creating a crosshatch pattern. Then smaller woody materials, ideally evergreens, are piled on top up to 5-10’ high. The base with the larger logs will allow small to medium-sized animals to get completely inside the brushpile with the top layers providing thermal and escape cover.

8. When possible fall trees towards the opening edge to protect the interior of the opening. Care should be taken to preserve pollinator plants especially milkweed. Whenever possible, avoid these plants with mechanical equipment. It would be preferred to take out woody plants in these areas on foot using a chainsaw.

9. If using mower deck or mulching head, minimize scalping to the greatest extent practical. Ideal mowing and mulching height is about 4”-6” above the ground. Exposing mineral soil is discouraged to prevent soil erosion and creating sites for invasive plants.

10. Prior to taking any equipment off a gravel-surfaced road into the woods trails and openings, the Forest Service MUST inspect all equipment to be visually free of dirt, seeds, or plant parts that may contain invasive species. Expectation is for equipment to have been cleaned with stiff broom or thoroughly washed prior to arrival at work site. If moving between the above work sites the operator will not be expected to clean the equipment. But if equipment leaves the Ottawa and works elsewhere, we expect the equipment to be cleaned again, and we will inspect it again before allowing work to resume at these project sites.

11. If fire danger is Very High or Extreme, Forest Service may temporarily suspend operations until fire danger declines.

12. If rutting is occurring, Forest Service may temporarily suspend mechanical operations until ground conditions improve.

13. Roads and trails are to be reshaped and bladed, if needed, to restore road/trail surfaces to pre-contract conditions, unless mutually-agreed to by both parties prior to onset of use.

14. If heritage resources are discovered, work will cease immediately and the Forest Service archaeologist will be contacted to determine next steps.

15. If an active hawk nest is discovered in close proximity to the work area or golden-winged warblers are seen or heard, the work area timing or location may need to be adjusted. Signs of a nearby active nest includes hawks flying overhead or landing in a nearby tree calling continuously or white wash (bird droppings) on vegetation directly below a nest.

16. Also, consult wildlife biologist if there is evidence of recent wolf activity/occupation such as signs of a wolf den or rendezvous site. Notify wildlife biologist if you detect the presence of other federal, state listed, or sensitive plants or animals.

17. Recommended Evaluation Criteria if Subcontracting:

A. Experience shall be documented on OMB’s Experience and Capability Form (see attached document).

B. All workers on site removing vegetation must have ability to identify common tree and shrub species.

C. Diversity of equipment that can be deployed to quickly and efficiently implement the project within seasonal restrictions.

D. Ability to bring adequate personnel to the task for the handwork sites to get them completed quickly and efficiently.

Definitions of Technical Specifications Terms The RFQ incorporates the Ottawa Wildlife Habitat Improvement IDIQ, please see the IDIQ for details.

FDR130

FH

FDR1454 FDR1328

FDR1392

FDR13

92-A

FDR1320

FDR1440

FDR15

01-C2

FDR1393

FD

R1 -C

FDR1501-C1

FD

R1

FDR1500

FDR

8-A

FDR1501-G

USDA - AP FO; USDA - USFS – GTAC

Michigan

Wisconsin

Ottawa NF

Project Location

Ü

2020 Ottawa NF Openings Maintenance Project Unit L (Stand 43)

0 0.09 0.18 0.27 0.360.045 Miles

Legend FR1300_Stand43 Stre am /Riv e r

Roads <all oth e r v alue s>

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM ROAD

Acres Stand 43 = 7 acres

Aerial Imagery: 2018 Leaf-Off One-Foot Resolution Map Date: September 2019 SSP

Th is data was com pile d by th e Ottawa National Fore st using th e m ost curre nt and com ple te GIS data available . Re liability or suitability of th is inform ation is not assure d for any particular purpose and m ay be corre cte d, update d, or oth e rwise m odifie d with out notice .

FH 16

RR Grade

FR 1300

Legend R9OTTELTPOperatingSeasonRSW

INTERP_RATING

1 - Ye ar long e xce pt spring bre ak up 2 - Winte r froze n and July, Aug ust and Se pte m be r 3 - Winte r froze n and Aug ust and Se pte m be r 4 - Winte r froze n and Aug ust 5 - Winte r froze n and le ss th an 1 m onth in sum m e r 6 - Norm ally winte r/froze n g round ope rating se ason only 7 or NA - Fe ature s such as bog s, ope n wate r, g rav e l pits, e tc.

MI-28

FDR2012

FD

R2 2-C

0409407

FDR2009

OLD M28

FDR2012-C4

0409410

FDR3773

FDR2012-C5

FDR2009-A

FDR2009-C

0409413

FDR200

8HOU-KITCHIE ROAD

0409408

FSR2010

FDR2012-B

FDR2009-B

USDA - AP FO; USDA - USFS – GTAC

Michigan

Wisconsin

Ottawa NF

Project Location

Ü

2020 Ottawa NF Openings Maintenance Project Unit M (Stand 13)

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.40.05 Miles

Legend FR2012C4_ope ning _Stand13 Stre am /Riv e r

Roads

SH - STATE HIGHWAY

COUNTY

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM ROAD

UNDETERMINED

Acres Stand 13 = 13 acres

Aerial Imagery: 2018 Leaf-Off One-Foot Resolution Map Date: September 2019 SSP

Th is data was com pile d by th e Ottawa National Fore st using th e m ost curre nt and com ple te GIS data available . Re liability or suitability of th is inform ation is not assure d for any particular purpose and m ay be corre cte d, update d, or oth e rwise m odifie d with out notice .

M-28

Legend R9OTTELTPOperatingSeasonRSW

INTERP_RATING

1 - Ye ar long e xce pt spring bre ak up 2 - Winte r froze n and July, Aug ust and Se pte m be r 3 - Winte r froze n and Aug ust and Se pte m be r 4 - Winte r froze n and Aug ust 5 - Winte r froze n and le ss th an 1 m onth in sum m e r 6 - Norm ally winte r/froze n g round ope rating se ason only 7 or NA - Fe ature s such as bog s, ope n wate r, g rav e l pits, e tc.

FR 2012-C