BPA_Statement_of_Work_Nov_2017.docx

BPA Statement of Work (SOW) for Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Data Collection work

A. General Information

A-1. Introduction

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines requirements for contracting the annual statewide forest, nonforest and urban inventory data collection effort across 24 states in the NRS FIA Region. Contractor(s) will provide inventory data to the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station’s (FIA) FIA (Forest Inventory and Analysis) Unit using prequalified certified data crew leader data collectors. This data will be collected from predetermined forest inventory plots randomly located across any state or states in the NRS FIA Region or any subpopulation within a state or groups of states. It may also cover some urban areas that straddle into Virginia and Kentucky as part of the urban areas of DC and Cincinnati respectively.

A-2. Background and Scope

A-2.1 Background:

The primary purpose of this contract is to advance scientific and technical knowledge and apply that knowledge to the extent necessary to achieve agency and national goals. The U.S Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program is a national program responsible for collecting, analyzing, reporting, and distributing information and data about the extent, content, and condition of the Nation’s rural and urban forests as well as how much forest land exists and who owns it. FIA’s research emphasis is on achieving specified objectives and knowledge rather than on achieving predetermined end results prescribed in a statement of specific performance characteristics. Crew leaders who complete this work will be working independently without a Forest Service employee present except for on a few hot checks. The US Forest Service will not direct the daily work assignments completed by crew leaders.

There are four FIA Units nationally with the Northern Research Station’s FIA unit having the responsibility for the comprehensive forest and urban inventory for 24 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. National, state, and local policymakers, universities, businesses, Tribal governments, National Forest managers, other natural resource agencies, and various interest groups depend on FIA for timely, scientifically credible information about our forests and urban landscape.

FIA inventory plots are randomly located throughout the NRS FIA Region with the vast majority of plots occurring on private ownership. Determining ownership of plot locations and gaining permission from landowners to complete the inventory is critical to the success of the project. In some cases more than one owner may need to be contacted to access a plot, this is especially true in urban settings. Communication skills and the ability to work independently are essential requirements of the work.

Use of aerial photography, other imagery, maps, and previous FIA plot records will be necessary to accurately locate FIA plot locations and collect inventory resource data. This work requires regular and recurring physical exertion in the form of travel on foot over rough, uneven, and steep terrain. This work requires several hours of driving, several days each week with work locations changing frequently, often on a daily basis. Work areas may range from an urban environment to a remote wilderness area and everything else in between. The urban environment involves working in commercial, residential, and institutional areas; often with high population densities and heavy traffic.

FIA plots are located across the entire contract area and overnight travel to access and complete many of the inventory plots in this contract will be necessary. Access to some plots may require the use of watercraft as well as coordination with other public and private agencies.

Additional NRS FIA program information can be found at:

· http://fia.fs.fed.us/

· http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/.

· http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-collection/.

Additional NRS Urban FIA program information can be found at:

· http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/urban/.

· http://www.fs.fed.us/research/urban/fia.

Throughout this document the following terms are defined as follows:

· Contracting Officer (CO): Administers all aspects of the contract. All contract related questions are handled by the CO and the CO is the only person that can make a constructive change to this contract.

· Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Conducts certification sessions, conducts Hot Checks, inspects Crew Leader’s work, and provides technical assistance to the Contractor, Crew Leader(s), Inspector, and Contracting Officer.

· Inspector: Assists with certification sessions, performs Hot Checks, and inspects Crew Leader’s work.

· Contractor: The owner or proprietor of the company bidding on the contract. In some cases the contractor may also serve as the Project Leader, Crew Leader, and or an Assistant. In this document all references to the Contractor also apply to all of the Contractor’s agents as well.

· Project Leader: Serves as the Contractor’s primary contact for interactions with the Forest Service. There should only be one Project Leader assigned to this contract. If the Project Leader will also serve as a Crew Leader they must meet all the requirements of a Crew Leader and should be designated as such on the Experience Questionnaire form, Attachment C.

· Assistants: Serves as an assistant to a Crew Leader on a plot. Assistants do not need to have any experience or education requirements and do not need to be certified in data collection procedures. They are considered the secondary data collector on the plot.

· Crew Leader: Serves as a primary data collector for the contract. At least one Certified Crew Leader must be present on each plot. The number of Qualified Crew Leaders the Forest Service will certify and allow will be defined in each individual call. A Qualified Crew Leader must successfully pass the certification process as well as meet the contract’s experience / education requirements to become a Certified Crew Leader.

· Qualified FIA Crew Leader – meets the minimum standards for being able to submit solicitations for FIA calls. Qualified crew leaders must pass written tests and meet minimum education or experience qualifications. Qualified crew leaders are not required to be currently FIA certified to collect FIA data.

· Certified Crew Leader –A crew leader who meets certification standards defined in each specific call.

A2.2 Scope

Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 2+: The FIA sample design consists of a three phase systematic sample of sites located across all lands in the United States.

Phase 1 (P1): approximately 108,514 points are evaluated by aerial photography and other imagery to determine the location of rural and urban forested / vegetated and non-vegetated lands. In order to meet national precision standards, these data are then stratified into Plot and Condition status classifications using satellite imagery and other remotely sensed data. Office classifications of imagery are not part of this contract.

Phase 2 (P2): Phase 2 is the on the ground plot data collection effort for plot locations identified in phase 1 as having the possibility of accessible forestland. Crew Leader(s) must visit plot locations identified as potentially having accessible forest land in Phase 1 and collect data on land ownership, forest type, tree species, tree size, tree condition, and site attributes (e.g., slope, aspect, disturbance, land use). A complete list of data items collected and the protocols for collection can be found in the field guides. Plot intensity for P2 measurements are approximately 1 plot for every 6,000 acres of forested land (Approximately 125,000 plots nationally) however some areas may be intensified to higher levels.

Phase P2+: a subsample of Phase 2 that have additional variables that are collected during specific times of the year. Currently this is limited to leaf on conditions, but could be subject to other constraints such as frost free, snow free, flood waters free conditions.

FIA Plot Types

1. Phase 1 (P1) verification plots:

These plot types are a 4% QA sample (NTE 25 plots per year per state) of the classifications using imagery verifying whether there is any accessible forest land on a sub sample of P1 plots that were evaluated in the office. P1 verification plots will require a significantly reduced data collection effort than P2, P2+ or P2+ Soils plots, and are essentially a verification of the plot status assigned during the phase 1 image interpretation.

2. Phase 1 QAQC Special verification plots:

As part of the QA effort in Phase 1 classifications done in the office, a subset of office classifications are redone in the office as QA of the office classifications. Phase 1 QA/QC special verification plots are a subsample of the two independent office classifications sent to the field for ground examination to help assess the accuracy of two office classifications on the same image points.

Phase 1 QAQC Special verification plots have identical field data collection procedures to P1 verification plots and normally range in numbers between 0 - 3 per year per state.

3. Phase 2 (P2):

The most common type of FIA field plot that is sent to the field, represents a base of approximately 6000 acres of forestland per P2 plot, however some predesignated areas have intensified samples.

4. Phase 2+ plots (P2+):

The P2+ subsample is approximately 1 of every 16 P2 plots or 6.25% subsample of the P2 population of plots*. P2+ plots have the following additional protocols:

Additional tree crown measurements of each tally tree on plot Estimates of down woody material on the forest floor Assessment of vegetation structure by growth habitat Assessment of invasive species on plot Tree Seedling Regeneration

5. Phase 2+ soils plots (P2+ soils):

The P2+ soils subsample is approximately 1 of every 16 P2 plots or 6.25% subsample of the P2 population of plots*. P2+ soils plots have the following additional protocols:

1. Soil measurements and sampling

· The combined P2+ and P2+ soils subsample is approximately 1 of every 8 P2 plots or 12.5% of the P2 plot population.

6. Urban plots

Urban plots are identified in phase 1 that fall within Census defined Urban Areas. These plots contain all the traditional P2 variables in addition to both invasive species protocols and urban focused data items as described in the field guides. Urban plots are installed regardless of the presence of trees or other vegetation and have a different plot design than FIA P2, P2+, and P2+ Soils plots. Many Urban FIA plots have few if any trees present on them while some have the potential to be fully forested. They are sampled at a rate of 1 plot for every 6,000 acres of defined Urban Areas. Additionally, the portion of this sample that is contained within the political boundary of the target city or cities will be further intensified in order to provide a minimum sample of approximately 200 plots per city. Thus the size of the target city will dictate the actual sampling intensity and the proximity of urban plots to each other. Smaller cities in area have a greater sampling intensity and the plots are closer to one another than larger cities. Urban plots are currently completed during leaf on conditions.

7. Urban Dual Plots:

These plots are a combination of an Urban FIA plot and a P2, P2+, or P2+ Soils plot and occur infrequently. At these locations crews will measure both the urban plot and the P2, P2+, or P2+ Soils plot design that is coincident with it at this location. Urban dual plots are currently completed during leaf on conditions.

Urban dual plot types:

Urban/P2 Urban/P2+ Urban/P2+ soils

* Urban/Phase 1 verification – Phase 1 verification plot will mirror what’s done in the field on a P2 Phase 1 verification plot.

* Urban/Phase 1 QA/QC special–Phase 1 QA/QC special will mirror what’s done in the field on a P2 Phase 1 verification plot.

FIA call s and process:

BPA Award Overview The Government anticipates awarding multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to meet our on-going and evolving needs, each BPA will be 5 years long, however technical qualifications for staff may be required each year.

The award of a BPA will not constitute an order for work. Performance required against the BPA shall be issued as Calls against the Agreement. Offerors are required to be registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM) to receive an award.

BPAs may be awarded to interested offerors who can successfully meet the technical requirements of this notice.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS to QUALIFY for BPA award:

1) Offeror must provide evidence of recent and relevant experience with similar efforts.

2) Offeror must provide examples of successful experience working with USDA, or equivalent agency.

NOTE: For the sake of administrative ease, the Government may use internal knowledge of a contractor's past performance or technical skill in evaluating a contractor's Technical Requirements and entry to the BPA suite. If this internal knowledge negatively affects the technical evaluation, the offeror will be notified in writing and will be invited to respond before being excluded from the award.

Contractors that are award BPAs for this FIA requirement will constitute the BPA Suite that future work, or BPA Calls, will be awarded against.

BPA CALL OVERVIEW

Future requirements for the services listed will be competed between BPA holders. As requirements become known, BPA holders will be contacted via email for price and availability on the current, known requirement. BPA holders will respond with their pricing for the specific requirement. Payment for the Calls issued against these BPAs will be made through the Government's online Invoicing Processing Program (IPP).

The Government anticipates issuing multiple Calls each year for the work required.

The Government is not obligated to issue a Call against the BPA if the Government believes that the Contractor may have a professional conflict of interest, and the Contractor may decline to accept any order based on a professional conflict of interest. Should any questions be raised as to whether or not a situation is considered a conflict, the Contracting Officer will make the final determination.

When a FIA Call is solicited, contractors must identify the Qualified Crew Leader(s) who’ll be collecting FIA plot data.

Please note that certification sessions will not be an awarded against a Call on the BPA. Pricing should include all costs associated with getting qualified crew leaders (qualified contractors is not equal to certified contractor) certified in the per plot bids for each call item. Contractors must submit offers for all plot types requested; however, the Forest Service can opt to only award portions of the anticipated Call if it’s in the best interest of the Government.

For example:

FIA call #1:

1. 120 P2 plots with an option to add or reduce by 20%

2. 45 urban plots with an option to add or reduce by 20%

3. 2 urban dual plots (see potential combinations above under #7 plot types)

4. 4 P2+ with an option to add or reduce by 50%

5. 4 P2+ soils with an option to add or reduce by 50%

Contractor submits bid price for lines 1 thru 5 that includes all costs associated with completing each line including becoming certified in the standards specified in the specific call under Call Certification Standards and Requirements.

Reason for partial award:

Forest Service decides it’s in their best interests to award only lines 1&2 because the government cost of running a certification session for P2+ and P2+ soils to get qualified crew leaders certified for these plot types is too high for the number of plots getting done in the call.

Call Process:

· Step one –The Government will contact Suiteholders via email to advertise known requirements.

· Step two – contractor submit names and qualifications of prospective Qualified Crew Leaders as directed in the Government’s email.

· Step three – Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will determine whether prospective crew leaders meet the minimum technical requirements to be Qualified Crew Leaders described below (How to become a contractor with qualified crew leaders).

· Step five – Call solicitations specifying qualified crew leaders will be received and evaluated for best value award. Best value incorporates the technical capability in conjunction with call bid pricing.

· Step six – CO awards Call(s) with the caveat that qualified crew leaders must pass current certification standards and requirements.

· Step seven – if necessary, qualified crew leaders attend and pass certification session to meet the current certification standards and requirements.

· Step eight – Certified crew leaders can begin work on Calls

A-3 Applicable Documents

See specific call for current applicable documents.

B. Work Requirements:

B-1 Technical Requirements

For technical requirements for all plot types refer to the Field Guides and Quality Assurance Score Programs listed in each call.

Ownership, Permission and Access

PRIVATE LANDS: It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain current ownership information on FIA plots that are located on private land. Under no circumstances will a Contractor enter private lands without verbal or written permission from the landowner or the landowner’s agents. Any plot completed without landowner permission, will be evaluated as a failed plot and can be grounds for exclusion for future FIA work. Additionally, it is strictly forbidden for any contractor to solicit work of any kind from landowner contacts made during FIA data collection work. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in revocation of the contract. Refer to section C-1 Security below. The following information will be required on each privately owned plot to document that permission was provided by the private landowner:

· If the contractor received verbal permission either on site or by phone conversation, the following should be written on the current plot sheet:

· Name of individual, phone number used in the contact, date, time permission was granted, and address of land owner. If on site, make every attempt to collect the person’s phone number.

· If the contractor was given permission in writing through mail correspondence, a copy of the letter or response form used should be included and scanned with the current plot sheets.

STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS: The public agency managing these lands may require permission to access these lands or sections of these lands restricted by regulation or policy. Additionally, contractors should inform land managers of these agencies that they are conducting the inventory as a professional courtesy.

DENIED ACCESS OR HAZARDOUS PLOTS: Any denied access plots will be required to have the landowner’s complete mailing address and telephone number included on the plot sheet. DENIED ACCESS will be written in large block letters in the notes section of the plot sheet. Denied access plots will be identified by writing “denied access” next to plot number on invoice along with a note stating the name and phone number of the individual who denied access. If you send out letters/post cards with a YES/NO request for permission, this document will be included and scanned with the plot sheets. All letters/postcards used for requesting permission must first be approved by the Contractor Officer Representative (COR). The Forest Service is now required to make a follow-up contact on all denied access plots.

Similarly, for any plot where the entire plot area is inaccessible due to permanent hazardous conditions, “HAZARDOUS PLOT” will be written in large block letters in the notes section of the plot sheet as well as descriptive details explaining why the plot is classified as “HAZARDOUS”. Hazardous plots will be identified by writing “Hazardous” next to plot number on invoice along with a note stating why it was hazardous during the entire contract period. Conditions that are temporarily hazardous due to high water, wildlife, poor road conditions, etc. must be re-visited at a later date when the temporary hazard is no longer a factor. It is critical to anticipate such challenges for each geographic area at the start of the contract; and plan accordingly in order to complete the contract on schedule. The electronic plot file should be completed as described in the Field Guide. For plots where only a portion(s) of a plot is classified as a hazardous condition, complete the plot file as described in the Field Guide.

Inspection and Acceptance

Contract compliance to quality data objectives will be determined by the plot scoring program. FIA contract inspectors will use the Microsoft Excel QA scoring programs described in each call to inspect and score plots. Currently, acceptable plots will be defined by plot scores greater or equal to 90.0. There is some thought to changing the evaluation summary away from a numerical score to one that summarizes as meeting minimum standards, exceeds minimum standards, or fails to meet minimum standards. The QA scoring program is subject to change throughout the period of this BPA and change will be in defined in individual call. The Scoring program and evaluations mirrors the Field Guide layout section to section and each section and variable is assigned a weighted point assessment. This program is designed to give a comprehensive check of data items on each plot visited for inspection. Inspections will be conducted proportionally as contractor delivers plot data files described under deliverables. Additionally, Forest Service reserves the right to inspect any completed plot at their discretion. Plots inspected to verify payment and any additional inspections require access to the plot sheets as well as the plot data; therefore, contractors must scan and upload plot sheets into the FIA database as outlined in B-2 Deliverables.

It is required to run a PDR edit check of the plot to address all PDR warnings and correct any PDR errors before leaving the plot location.

B-2 Deliverables

Invoice Blocks:

Blocks of complete plots must: (1) have data files, legible scanned plots sheets, and any scanned landowner replies (currently up to 4 pages) uploaded in to the FIA database. (2) Plot sheets should be shipped by a method that has a shipment tracking feature to the Contractor Officer Representative.

In addition to uploading plot files to the FIA database, contractors will be delivering invoice blocks for payment of services rendered. Invoices for payment should be submitted in blocks with a minimum of 10 plots (20 plots for Urban / Urban Dual Plots) and no plot within the invoice should have a field completion date that exceeds 28 days from the date of the invoice submission. This will allow for plots to be inspected prior to significant biological change (growth, removals/harvests, and mortality) since the time of original data collection. It will be at the discretion of NRS FIA whether or not to pay for any plots in a block that have a data file timestamp that indicates it was collected more than 28 days from the date when the COR was notified via email of the block completion. NRS FIA retains ownership of all data submitted by the contractor and has the option to revisit to obtain more timely measurements or keep data as is in the NRS FIA database without compensation to the contractor.

Invoice blocks may be broken up into more than one inspection block per invoice at NRS FIA’s discretion with a goal to inspect approximately 10% or more per invoice. For example, if an invoice block is submitted with 24 completed plots, the COR may break the invoice block into three 8 plot inspection blocks with each inspection block receiving one plot inspection. If the inspection verifies that the plot meets the prescribed accuracy standards, the inspection block will be accepted, and the contractor will be paid for the entire inspected block of plots.

If an inspection block fails the first inspection, the actual plot that failed inspection will never be paid to the contractor. NRS FIA may or may not give the contractor one week to revisit and/or correct any of the other plots in the inspection block that failed initial inspection. A second plot will be inspected. If the second plot passes inspection, the remainder of the plots in the inspection block will be accepted and the contractor will be paid for all but the initial failed inspection plot. If the second inspection plot fails, the entire inspection block is not paid. NRS FIA retains ownership of all data submitted by the contractor and has the option to correct, revisit, or keep data as is in the NRS FIA database without compensation to the contractor.

Breaking an invoice into smaller inspection blocks protects the contractor from not being compensated for larger invoice blocks and helps NRS FIA manage and correct poor quality plot files. Payment will be based on individual inspection blocks opposed to an entire invoice. NRS FIA may designate which plots from an invoice or inspection block are checked and reserves the right to require the order in which plots are completed.

Failed inspection blocks may be cause for termination of the BPA contract or individual call at the discretion of NRS FIA, and the Contractor may not be awarded future FIA contracts for a specified number of years.

Request for payment will require a four-step process as follows:

1. The contractor shall upload the edited digital plot files and plot sheets and send a list of the plots completed (via email) to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

2. The contractor shall mail the corresponding plot sheets to the COR.

3. The COR shall notify the contractor regarding the QA results of the plots submitted for the inspection.

4. The contractor shall input their electronic invoice into the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) system. In addition, contractors shall attach an invoice listing the plot type, plot number, date completed, and price for each plot submitted. This attachment shall also include non-sampled plots and the stated reason they are not sampled along with the contact information for any DA plots. The (IPP) website is:

https://www.ipp.fms.treas.gov/login/IPPLogon_Index.htm

Invoices shall not be entered into IPP when the plot files and plot sheets are sent to the COR. Invoices are only entered into IPP AFTER the final inspection score is sent to the contractor from the COR.

When plots are classified as entirely denied access or hazardous, contractors will only be compensated $50.00 per plot. All denied access and hazardous plots will be listed on each invoice block of plots submitted for payment as encountered (not all at once at end of contract). They must also meet the submission requirement of 28 days since the plot was completed in the field. Inspection of denied access plots will be completed by follow up attempts to gain access by NRS FIA personnel or inspectors. Plots or parts of plots defined as denied access or hazardous by the contractor that are found to be accessible by NRS FIA personnel or inspectors may be defined as failed plot inspections. The contractor will not be paid for these plots as denied access and may be required to revisit and establish plot. If access to the plot is gained by NRS personnel and the plot is returned to the contractor for completion, the contractor will complete the plots and submit it for payment in the next invoice block.

For each plot that is determined to be a denied access plot, the following documentation is required:

· If the contractor was denied access verbally either on site or over the phone, the following should be written on the current plot sheet:

· Name of individual who denied access, phone number used in the contact, date, and time of the denial. If the denial occurs on site, attempt to get the phone number of the individual denying access.

· If the contractor was denied access in writing through mail correspondence, a copy of the letter or response form used should be included and scanned with the current plot sheet.

· Denied access plots will be identified by writing “denied access” next to plot number on the invoice along with a note stating the name of the individual who denied access.

C. Supporting Information

C-1 Security

The contractor and their employees must abide by the confidentially clause of this contract as well as the restrictions outlined in the FY2000 Consolidated Appropriations Bill (PL 106-113), Congress included language which modified the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276(d)) to add FIA data collection to a list of items requiring confidential treatment. Among other things, the law prevents FIA from disclosing sample locations in such a way that individual ownership can be determined, and it provides for criminal penalties for violations.

Specifically, awarded contractor and their employees agree to:

1. Sign the USDA Foresst Service NRS FIA confidentiality agreement form

2. Not disclose the plot locations or any of the plot data to any other party, not bound to the Forest Service by the terms of this contract;

3. Not use the plot locations or collected plot data for purposes other than those indicated in this contract;

4. Not visit the actual sites of the plot locations, other than for collecting data for this contract;

5. Not contact, bother, or otherwise infringe upon the landowners of the plot locations including any solicitation for any puposes including but not limited to procurement of forest resources, forest management, or any other consulting advise. Any inquiries to forest or natural resource management should be refered to State Forestry Agencies.

6. Not conduct destructive or intrusive sampling within the bounds of the Forest Service plot;

7. Not alter what would be normal business operations/forest management activities on the sites of the plot locations;

8. Not disclose the forest inventory data for an individual private or corporate landowner;

9. Store confidential data, including sample site locations, detailed ownerships, and any derived layers from which confidential data could be recovered, on a computer with security restrictions on file access which include password protection and the absence of a connection to wide area networks;

10. Not use the forest inventory data for regulatory actions against the landowner;

11. Delete, purge, or otherwise destroy all hardcopy and electronic files containing the plot locations, and to return all plot navigational aids (plot sheets, photos, etc) to the Forest Service at the termination/completion of work as outlined in B2-Deliverables.

C-2 Place of Performance

Locations are throughout the 24 state Region of NRS FIA on publicly and privately owned properties. There is a possibility of urban FIA plots in the states of Virginia from the urban inventory of DC and Kentucky from the urban inventory of Cincinnati. Locations are random and are likely to have accessible forestland on at least a portion of the inventory plot; however, some plot locations may be entirely non forest, especially in urban areas.

C-3 Period of Performance

The BPA will have a 5 year lifespan. Actual data collection work will occur after certification in the plot types included in the BPA (Urban, Urban Dual, PI, P2, or P2+/P2+ Soils protocols). See each call for specifics on period of performance and call deliverables.

C-4 Government Furnished Property and Contractor Furnished Property:

The following materials will be furnished by the US Forest Service, FIA.

If there are additions or removals from this list they will appear on individual call s:

Urban, Urban Dual, P2, P2 +, P2+ Soils, P1 QAQC Special Plots:

· An aerial photo, digital orthophoto-quad, or respective imagery of each plot location. Images can be provided digitally or in hardcopy

· One photo scale – To match provided imagery scale(s)

· Plot sheets – Originally in hardcopy then in digital format as indicated by terms in option years

· Field Guides for field reference.

· GPS receiver which when provided must be the devise used to collect GPS coordinates

· Soil equipment – see “Additional equipment for P2+/P2+ Soils plots”

· One data recorder

· Data collection software

· Computer communication cables

· Communication software

· FIA Database communication software

Additional equipment for P2+/P2+ Soils plots

1. Frame for sampling known area of surface litter material. A small bicycle tire (16 x 2.125 in tire size with an internal diameter of 12 in), or similar object/tool/device, has been chosen as the standard size.

1. Impact-driven soil core (2-in diameter x 8-in depth) sampler with two 2-in diameters by 4-in long stainless steel core liners for obtaining mineral soil samples.

1. Additional bulk density sampling equipment: crescent wrench and universal slip wrench for disassembling bulk density sampler if stuck and brush for cleaning soil core sampler and liners.

1. Tile probe (42 in) for measuring depth to a restrictive layer.

1. Soil sample labels.

1. Backpack to hold the equipment

If there are problems with the government provided GPS or data recorder’s hardware, data collection software or communications software that transfers data from PDR (personal data recorder) to either the hard drive of a PC or compact data disk, contractor will notify COR (or his substitute in case of absence) and cease work until a replacement arrives or the problem is resolved within 10 days of this notification.

Contractors are required to back up the data they collected on the government provided PDR to the MIDAS database or a personal computer/laptop on a daily basis to guard against lost data files. All files must be loaded into Midas within a week of completion. Forest Service is not responsible for lost data.

Never do a factory reset on the PDR. Contact the COR if PDR does not appear to be working correctly.

All Government furnished equipment and materials must be returned together with any unused data sheets within 15 days of contract completion each year. Failure to return or reimburse will result in holding final payout until all items returned and may remove contractor from future contract opportunities with NRS FIA.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY: The Contractor agrees to furnish the following:

· A computer capable of downloading data from an Allegro Data Recorder (communicating with Allegro via 9 pin connection or USB port).

· Email capability to communicate with the COR and receive data collection and contract information.

· Internet access and a compatible operating system to interact with the FIA database, currently MIDAS, to download historical data, receive PDR updates, and transfer completed data to the database

· A scanner capable of scanning paper plot sheets for electronic transfer of plot materials with the electronic plot files. Scanned plot sheets must be legible to COR in digital format.

· A safety plan and adequate safety equipment required by OSHA and in accordance with industry standards.

· The Forest Service receives safety plans to ensure safe operation is being considered and is a priority for contractors. The Forest Service does not endorse the safety plan, as contractors are required to meet all Federal, State, and Local Safety requirements

· The Contractor must, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses and permits, and for complying with any Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the performance of the work.

· Reference books for tree and invasive species identification specific to area in the call.

· Maps or gazetteers for accessing plot locations specific to area in the call.

· One increment borer with an minimum borer length of 12 inches

· One clinometer - % and topographic scales

· One Sunto compass – Azimuth (0° - 360°)

· One diameter tape (must be graduated in tenths of an inch)

· One 75' Spencer Loggers Tape (must be graduated in tenths of a foot)

· Laser for measuring distances(optional)

· Chaining pin

· Batteries for Data Recorder and other equipment

· Tree paint - 563 Speedry Paint Markers (blue); or White Nelson Nel-Script Paint to mark trees according to field guide procedures. Type and amount will vary by call

· Postage and shipping costs to deliver FIA plot data, return government provide equipment; obtain landowner permissions, and other correspondence with US Forest Service and the general public.

· A large diameter, 10X hand lens for close examination of plant leaves.

· A forester-grade PLANT PRESS with cardboard inserts to store leaf vouchers collected in the field.

· Envelopes ready for mailing leaf vouchers and other items.

· Stiff paper or cardboard for protecting the leaf vouchers in the mailing envelopes.

· Blue Flagging: for temporary marking of sites or sample plants and wrapping monumentation pins and nails.

· Aluminum nails and markers for marking plots in wilderness areas or reserved areas

· Subplot and microplot center stakes, spikes, and or pins. Type will vary by call.

· Specifications for 12" landscape spikes:

· One Source: https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners-fastener-accessories/nails/common-nails/grip-fast-12-common-spike-nail-50-lb-box/p-1444441530800.htm

· •Actual length of 12"

· •Gauge 3/8"

· •Head diameter of 3/4"

· •Approximately 2 per pound

· Specifications for Wire pins:

· 0.148" dia. Galvanized Steel Wire Cut to 11.00"

· One source is Alabama Wire. NGV-FP-148x01100-300 Forestry Pin GV 9ga x11; Wire type: Galvanized Steel; Alloy: C1008; Temper: medium; Finish: Regular Zinc; Packaging 300 pcs per box

· Specifications for wooden stakes:

· Rot resistant species of Cedar, Locust, Oak, Ash, Hickory

· 1in x 1in x 1ft stakes w/pointed end in 10in x 10in banded bundles.

Additional equipment for P2+/P2+ Soils plots

1. Ruler graduated in tenths of an inch for measuring soil layer depths.

1. Garden trowel or hand shovel for sampling forest floor and excavating soil sample hole where soil core sampler cannot be used.

1. Small knife with sharp blade for sampling the forest floor layers.

1. Pruning shears (very useful in cutting through roots and litter).

1. Soil sample bags (9 x 12 in or quart size) for mineral soil samples.

1. Soil sample bags (10 x 18 in or gallon size) for forest floor samples.

1. Small Indelible ink markers (black thin-line) for marking sample bags.

1. Plastic tarp (1 yd. x 1 yd.) to use as a working surface.

1. Cleaning cloths.

1. Plastic water bottle for use in hand-texturing soil.

1. Any government provided piece of equipment that is lost or damaged by the contractor will be replaced at the contractor’s expense while meeting government specifications.

Any additional equipment requirements from a contractor not listed above will be described in individual call s so contractors can be reimbursed for any additional equipment costs in future per plot bid pricing.

C-5 Qualifications and Limitations to Key Personnel:

How to become a contractor with qualified crew leader(s):

Prior to submitting bids for FIA call s, contractors will need to submit names and qualifications of prospective crew leaders. Only contractors with qualified crew leaders will be able to compete for FIA call s. The Qualified Crew Lead listed on the solicitation should be the one who will be completing the work for all call Changes in Crew Leader listed after call has been awarded must be approved by the CO; however, the Forest Service reserves the right to cancel call award and re-award to a different call bidder or run a new call. This process will be posted on FedBizOpps at:

https://www.fbo.gov/

To be able to bid on FIA call s, contractors will need to specify their Qualified Crew Leader(s). To be a Qualified Crew Leader he or she will need to:

1. Pass all written Demonstration of Knowledge Tests (DKT) to demonstrate basic knowledge the Field Guides for all FIA plot types.

And

2. Meet education and or experience requirement of:

a. Four degree in Forestry or related environmental or natural resources degree

Or

b) A two year degree in Forestry or related environmental/natural resources or certification as a certified arborist AND 6 months’ work experience in the forestry and environmental natural resources field.

Or

c) Two years of experience completing natural resource inventories - forest inventory and or urban inventories.

Documentation will be completed by submitting written DKT tests to the CO for scoring pass/fail determination and a copy of the prospective qualified crew leader’s resume highlighting the education and experience requirements listed above.

How to become a certified crew leader:

1. Must meet the standards of a Qualified Crew Leader

AND

2. Must meet the current certification standard defined in each call.