C04b_1b. BH IRSC_Supplemental Stewardship Requirements_12363N26R4012.pdf

Buck-Helene Fuels Reduction Stewardship IRSC Solicitation 12363N26R4009 Attachment 1b

Supplemental Stewardship Requirements:

1. CONTRACT OPERATIONS SCHEDULE

Under this contract, “Contractor’s Operations” shall include activities of or use of equipment of Contractor, Contractor’s employees, agents, Subcontractors, or their employees or agents, acting in the course of their employment in operations hereunder on National Forest lands or within Forest Service protection boundary (unless acting under the immediate supervision of Forest Service).

Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted in a workmanlike and orderly manner. The timing of required Forest Service designation of work on the ground and the performance of other Forest Service work shall not be such as to cause unnecessary delay to Contractor.

Contractor shall, before commencing operations, provide in writing an annual Operating Schedule of anticipated major activities and needs for logging Included Timber and completing stewardship projects, such as logging, road maintenance, and construction. Upon reasonable notice to Forest Service, such a schedule shall be subject to modifications necessitated by weather, markets, or other unpredictable circumstances.

Contractor’s Operations may be conducted outside Normal Operating Season. “Normal Operating Season” is the period(s) beginning and ending on the dates stated below.

Restriction Description Timeframe

Non-Operating Season December 15 – March 15 Annually

Seeding and Revegetation March 15 – October 15 Annually

2. SCHEDULES AND REPORTS

Contractor shall provide the following submittals as stated below unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. The Contractor shall update all submittals as needed, or as required by the CO, but in no case less than once per calendar year on a date specified by the Contracting Officer:

Schedule, Reports and Plans Submittal Due

Proposed Operation Plan (Overall Schedule): The Contractor shall prepare and submit one electronic copy of a practicable schedule showing the order in which the Contractor proposes to perform the work, and the estimated starting and completion dates of various phases of the work. The schedule shall comply with the contract time requirements in the contract.

With proposal for Mandatory Work and 30 days after optional work items are exercised

Subcontractors: List of proposed subcontractors and their intended work. Sub-contractors must have Contracting Officer’s written approval prior to starting work on the project. Submit on Standard Form 1413 at prework at prework meeting.

With proposal

Traffic Control Plan. The Contractor shall prepare and submit a Traffic Control Plan detailing conformance with OSHA requirements, MUTCD requirements, and all other contract requirements, including, but not limited to the requirements included in the Appendices, if any.

At prework meeting

Safety Plan. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the solicitation’s safety clause for all activities under this contract.

With proposal

Quality Control Plan. Submit original with proposal. Any updates need to be provided for approval to the CO.

With proposal

Designation of Contractor personnel describing responsibilities and authorities At prework meeting

Annual Operating Plan. Contractor shall submit an annual plan listing units, roads and other information required in Appendix B.

Beginning of every operating season annually

Aviation Certifications. Certifications for rotor wing operations showing aircraft to be utilized and operator is currently certified to meet Title 14 regulations to include:

• Rotorcraft External-Load Operator Certificate

• Valid standard or restricted category airworthiness certificate

• Pilot licensing

• FAA accident reports the last 5 years.

• Current US Air Carriers Certificate of Insurance

At prework meeting

Fire Control Plan. Contractor shall submit plan in accordance with Fire Precautions and Control requirements.

At prework meetings

Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Applies to large businesses only- A Draft Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required with any proposal from a large business. Refer to 52.216-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Alternate 1) for requirements.

With proposal

All schedules and reports shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer, unless the Contracting Officer directs the Contractor to submit any schedules or reports directly to the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

3. STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

Stewardship Credits are credits that are earned and established when work listed in the Schedule of Items has been performed and accepted. Stewardship credits may be cash or non-monetary https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52#FAR_52_219_9

(product value) and shall be earned at the rate as shown in award documents. Earned non-monetary credits may be used to pay for timber value included in the Schedule of Items. Unless otherwise indicated in the Schedules, credits will be earned based upon Actual Quantities accomplished and accepted.

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

Notwithstanding references to payments in “Payment” clauses or provisions of this contract, payment for Stewardship Activities will be made with Stewardship Credits as indicated in the award document.

Stewardship Credits will be established on a monthly basis as work is accepted. Stewardship credits will be established for the number of units of each activity that have been completed and accepted. Acceptance may be for all, or a reasonable portion of, any specific activity.

Invoices to establish cash credits (cash payment) are to be submitted electronically via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Invoices to establish non-monetary credit are to be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) identified on award documents. These credits will be used to off-set the amount required to be paid for the forest products value when earned prior to the cutting of Included Timber.

5. PAYMENT

It is anticipated that funds will be exchanged in the performance of this contract because the value of the timber will not completely offset the value of the work to be performed. When payment is made to the contractor for work performed, it will be made in accordance with the specifications set forth under the payment methods provisions in Appendix A. When harvesting operations are underway, the value of work completed and timber removed will be documented monthly in the Forest Products Financial System which will produce a Statement of Accounts. Payment terms for funded (cash credits) stewardship work will be 14 days from invoice approval.

6. TIMBER PAYMENT GUARANTEE

(1) General—(a) To guarantee payment for timber scheduled for removal under the IRSC, Contractor may earn Stewardship Credits in advance of removal or provide a Timber Payment Guarantee in the form of an acceptable surety payment bond, cash payment, or a deposit in a Federal Depository negotiable securities of the United States.

(b) Any earned Stewardship Credits and alternate Timber Payment Guarantee together will maintain a minimum unobligated balance equal to the applicable charges for timber the Forest Service estimates will be cut in 60 calendar days plus the value of any outstanding charges, or equal to the total value of the timber that has not been paid for.

(c) Securities shall be deposited through the Contracting Officer accompanied by a power of attorney and agreement authorizing the bond-approving officer to sell or collect such securities if payment is not made within 15 days of billing by Forest Service. The penal sum of such surety bond or the market value at time of deposit of such negotiable securities shall be the maximum amount of the payment guaranteed.

(2) A Timber Payment Guarantee for a single contract shall be provided utilizing FS Form 6500-12.

(3) Blanket Surety Bond—(a) Contractor may furnish an acceptable bond, or deposits securities, to guarantee payment for timber from multiple contracts. Contractor shall not start cutting hereunder until this contract receives an allocation that will meet the obligation for payment guarantee.

(b) The amount of such bond or deposited securities shall be allocated to such contracts by the Forest Service. The Contractor will provide the contact information for the Forest Service representative administering the Blanket Surety Bond.

(c) When there is to be no timber cutting hereunder for 30 days or more and payment of current charges has been made, the allocation to this contract shall be reallocated to other contracts at Contractor’s request.

(d) A Timber Payment Guarantee for multiple contracts (Blanket Guarantee) shall be provided utilizing FS Form 6500-12a.

(4) Letters of Credit for Payment Bond—Contractor may use letters of credit in lieu of a surety bond for payment bond purposes when approved by Contracting Officer.

7. EXCESS STEWARDSHIP CREDITS

In the event there are excess (unused) established Stewardship Credits when all of the included timber has been cut and removed the Forest Service, at its option, shall either add more timber or make cash payment for the unused credits.

8. EXCESS TIMBER VALUE

In the event the value of the included timber exceeds the total value of all of the mandatory activities plus the ordered Optional activities, the Contractor shall make cash payment for the excess timber value.

9. REFUND OF EXCESS CASH

If at any time the credit balance of the Integrated Resource Statement of Account exceeds the charges for timber removed to date and for timber that the Forest Service estimates will be cut within the next 60 calendar days, any portion of such excess from cash in the account shall be refunded if requested by Contractor. If no cutting is planned within the next 60 calendar days, refund of the entire unencumbered cash balance may be made. After a refund, deposits shall be made to meet the requirements of the clause entitled, “TIMBER PAYMENT GUARANTEE” before additional timber may be cut.

10. FOREST PRODUCT APPRAISAL METHODOLGY

Minimum acceptable offer rates for Timber and Product removal were determined using standard Forest Service appraisal methodologies. The skidding and yarding cost centers for steep slope acres were not included in the appraisal valuation of Forest Products as they are service work items on the schedule that the Government recognizes as carrying increased costs for removal for the Helene Project.

The skidding costs for included products was calculated on a weighted average for ground-based volumes was included in the appraisal for Buck.

11. TIMBER PRODUCT VOLUME ESTIMATION

Quantities listed in Timber/Product removal schedules are estimates only. Volume quantities are made available with the understanding that values shown are Forest Service estimates and are not guaranteed. Contractors are urged to examine the contract areas and make their own estimates.

12. FINAL PAYMENT - RELEASE OF CLAIMS

The Government shall pay the full amount due the Contractor under this contract after—

(1) Completion and acceptance of all work;

(2) Presentation of a properly executed voucher; and

(3) Presentation of release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the Contractor has specifically excepted from the operation of the release.

13. PHYSICAL DATA

Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the Contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of, or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor.

(a) The indications of physical conditions on the drawings and in the specifications are the result of site investigations by visual observation.

(b) Additional informational material made available to contractors including but not limited to:

environmental documentation, timber cruise data, maps, access permits, etc.

14. USE OF PREMISES

(a) Before any camp, quarry, borrow pit, storage, detour, or bypass site, other than shown on drawings, is opened or operated on USDA land or lands administered by the USDA, the Contractor shall obtain written permission from the Contracting Officer. A camp is interpreted to include a campsite or trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for the Contractor. (b) Unless excepted elsewhere in the contract, the Contractor shall (i) provide and maintain sanitation facilities for the work force at the site and (i) dispose of solid waste in accordance with applicable

Federal, State and local regulations. Such permission, if granted, will be without charge to the Contractor.

The Contractor shall comply with the regulations governing the operation of premises which are occupied and shall perform his contract in such a manner as not to interrupt or interfere with the conduct of Government business.

The Contractor shall request permission (in writing) from the appropriate Ranger District to use campsites. If permission is granted, the District Ranger's letter shall specify all conditions and requirements.

It is further stipulated that in addition to clean-up of any camp sites, the Contractor is required to remove all their equipment from National Forest land before final acceptance and payment of the project.

Portable chemical toilets, self-contained holding tanks, approved pit or vault toilets which meet State Code are required.

15. KEY PERSONNEL

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Overall Project Manager

Logging Supervisor

Helicopter Supervisor

Individual Sub-Managers – Individuals supervising individual sub-contracts for work items not covered by personnel noted previously herein.

(b) During the first 90 days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment.

The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

Key Personnel- Representatives:

Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall designate, in writing, a representative who is authorized to receive notices in regard to performance under this contract and take related action. In no case shall Contractor designate any representative to this contract who is currently debarred, proposed for debarment, or suspended by the Federal Government. Contractor’s representative shall provide a copy of the contract to Contractor’s field supervisor and persons authorized to assume responsibilities in the field supervisor’s absence. Prior to initial operations and after shutdowns of 10 days or more, the Contractor’s representative shall notify Forest Service 2 days before, excluding weekends and Federal holidays, any operations resuming in the Contract Area.

The Contractor’s representative shall designate, in writing, a field supervisor, one of whose responsibilities shall be on-the-ground direction and supervision of Contractor’s Operations. The field supervisor shall be readily available to the area of operations when operations are in progress and shall be authorized to receive notices in regard to performance under this contract and take related action. The responsibilities of the field supervisor shall include the safeguarding of National Forest resources and performance within the terms of the contract. The Contractor’s representative will furnish the Forest Service with the names of persons authorized to assume responsibilities in field supervisor’s absence. Such delegations may be made as part of Contractor’s annual Operating Schedule.

Unless the Contracting Officer designates another Forest Service representative and notifies the Contractor in writing, the COR is the representative of Forest Service. The Forest Service representative shall:

(a) Receive notice in regard to performance under this contract,

(b) Take action in relation to this contract, and

(c) Be readily available to the area of work activities and logging operations.

The Contracting Officer shall designate other on-the-ground representatives in writing along with their specific contractual responsibilities and authority. Representatives with authority delegated in writing are the only Forest Service personnel authorized to provide notice or take related actions under the contract. Such a delegation shall be made within 60 days of contract award.

16. EMPLOYMENT OF ELIGIBLE WORKERS

This contract is subject to the Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), 29 United States Code (U.S.C) 1801-1872, and to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) regulations implementing MSPA 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 500. MSPA eliminates activities detrimental to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, requires registration of Farm Labor Contractors, and ensures necessary protection for the workers. Information regarding MSPA can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/agriculture/mspa.

If workers are hired under the H-2B program, (8 CFR Section 274A provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for the admission of nonimmigrants to the U.S. to perform temporary labor or services) a Temporary Employment Certification issued by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) in the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration is required.

For further information on the requirements of the H-2B program, visit OFLC's website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/agriculture/mspa https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor

Compliance with MSPA and the INA is a material condition of this contract. If the contractor employs any unauthorized worker(s) during the performance of this contract that violates section 274A of the INA, the Government may terminate the contract, in addition to other remedies or penalties prescribed by law.

1. Definitions

A. H-2B worker: as used in this part means a nonimmigrant holding a visa authorizing the individual to legally work in the US to perform temporary labor or services. A worker with an H-2B visa (H-2B worker) may also be considered a migrant agricultural worker under MSPA depending on the type and nature of work performed.

2. Migrant Agricultural Worker and Seasonal Agricultural Worker: as used in this part means individuals employed for agricultural (including forestry) work on a seasonal or temporary basis.

a) A worker, moving from one seasonal activity to another, is employed on a seasonal basis even though the worker may continue to be employed during a major portion of the year.

b) An overnight absence from the migrant workers permanent place of residence is required.

c) Members of the contractor's immediate family are not considered migrant or seasonal workers. Immediate family includes:

Spouse Children, stepchildren, or foster children Parents, stepparents, or foster parents, or Brothers and sisters

3. Farm Labor Contractor (FLC). As used in this part means a person including an individual, partnership, association, joint stock company or a corporation, who, for any money or other valuable consideration, paid or promised to be paid, performs any recruiting, soliciting, hiring, employing, furnishing, or transporting of any migrant or seasonal agricultural worker.

4. Registration Requirements

A. Any contractor providing or hiring H-2B nonimmigrants for work under this contract shall provide a copy of their Temporary Employment Certificate. General information about the H-2B program can be found on Fact Sheet # 78 at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/78-h2b-overview. Contractors can apply for the certificate online through the US DOL Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) System at https://flag.dol.gov.

B. Any contractor who meets the definition in (2.c.) above providing or hiring migrant or seasonal workers to perform agricultural or manual forestry work shall first obtain a Federal DOL Farm Labor Contractor Certificate of Registration (https://www.dol.gov/whd/forms/fts_wh530.htm). The contractor shall carry the certificate at all times while engaged in contract performance and shall display it upon request. Any of the contractor's employees who perform any one or more of the activities defined as an FLC in paragraph (2.c.) must have their own FLC https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/78-h2b-overview.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/78-h2b-overview.

https://flag.dol.gov/ https://www.dol.gov/whd/forms/fts_wh530.htm

Employee Certificate. General information about MSPA can be found on Fact Sheet #49 at DOL Wage and Hour Division’s webpage https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/whdfs49.pdf.

Certifications: The Contractor shall provide applicable H-2B Temporary Employment Certificate and/or Farm Labor Contractor Certificate as part of their representations, certifications, and acknowledgements. Subcontractor(s) meeting the definitions above shall follow the same requirements as the Prime Contractor. It is the Prime Contractor's responsibility to ensure the Subcontractor's information is provided to the Contracting Officer.

5. Worker Protections

A. Worker Information Posters

a) A contractor who uses the H-2B program to meet its temporary employment needs must post and maintain the H-2B poster (WH-1505) in a conspicuous location accessible to workers at the job site.

b) The contractor shall display and maintain the MSPA poster (WH-1376) on the job site in a conspicuous location accessible to workers during the contract performance period.

B. Personal protective equipment

a) 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, OSHA's General Industry personal protective equipment (PPE) standard contains the general requirements for the provision of personal protective equipment and requires employers to perform a hazard assessment to select appropriate PPE for hazards that are present or likely to be present in the workplace. OSHA requires that many categories of personal protective equipment meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

b) Before a worker begins operating equipment, the contractor shall train the workers on the safe operation and use of the equipment

c) The contractor shall provide the appropriate personal protective equipment for the work required to be performed in the contract, wherever necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered that may cause injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body. Except for foot protection, all PPE must be provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.

Includes:

1. Head Protection

2. Hearing Protection

3. Eye/Face Protection

4. Leg Protection

5. Foot Protection

6. Hand Protection

d) PPE must be sanitary and in reliable condition. Do not use defective or damaged PPE. PPE must be inspected prior to use on each work shift to ensure it is in serviceable condition.

e) A checklist of applicable PPE guidelines typical for the work performed under this contract is provided. This does not relieve the contractor of the responsibility of performing a risk assessment or providing the necessary PPE for their operations.

References:

https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment or OSHA 3151-12R 2003 Personnel Protective Equipment Booklet. The booklet can be found at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf

f) Manual Logging and Forestry Related activities:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/manual/logger/personal_equip.h tml

g) General Machine and Vehicles Logging and Forestry Related activities:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/mechanical/machines.html

C. Field Sanitation.

OSHA established minimum standards for field sanitation in covered agricultural settings. Refer to Fact Sheet # 51 Field Sanitation Standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

6. Employment Requirements - Fact Sheets with relevant information may be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/78-h2b-overview. (English) or https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/69-h2b-requirements/espanol (Spanish)

A. Contractors employing workers in forestry related work are required to comply with wage and payroll standards and recordkeeping requirements. Refer to Fact Sheet #63: Application of Federal Labor Laws to Reforestation found on the DOL Wage and Hour Division webpage.

B. Contractor Employee List. Contractors are required to maintain and provide upon request an active list of all employees performing work on the job site under this contract. The Employee List will identify employees by full name (aliases), supervisory duties if applicable, and appropriate labor Occupation Code for work performed under the Service Contract Act Wage Rates applicable to this contract. If Subcontractors are utilized, all tiers of subcontractor(s) are responsible for providing the same information for their employees to the Prime for submittal to the Contracting Officer.

7. Transportation

A. The contractor shall be registered to transport employees, unless employees provide their own transportation or carpool by their own arrangement in one of their own vehicles. Authorization for each vehicle that will be used to transport employees must appear on the contractor's certificate. If the contractor directs or requests employees to carpool, the registration requirement is applicable. Any driver, who transports workers for a fee or at the direction of the contractor, shall be registered as an FLC or an FLC employee.

https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/manual/logger/personal_equip.html https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/manual/logger/personal_equip.html https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/mechanical/machines.html https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/78-h2b-overview https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/69-h2b-requirements/espanol

B. See Fact Sheet #50: Transportation under the MSPA, for more information about the vehicle safety standards, driver's licensing requirements, and vehicle insurance requirements. Note that separate transportation requirements may apply if there are H-2B workers.

8. Housing

A. The authorization to furnish housing, other than commercial lodging certified by a health authority or other appropriate agency, must appear on the contractor's certificate. Contractors should contact their local Wage and Hour Division of the DOL for further information on the requirements of the Act.

B. Camping Requirements. The Forest Service (FS) has various camping opportunities.

Check with local FS unit for camping requirements, camping permits may be required. Verify local fire restriction policies. If camps will be used to house workers subject to MSPA, they are also subject to the temporary labor camp standards at 29 CFR 1910.142. The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate a camping permit at any time. These requirements are in addition to those contained in or provided for under the clause titled Use of Premises in this contract. Any violation of these conditions constitutes a breach of contract and may result in revocation of camping approval.

1. Every structure used as shelter must provide protection from the elements.

Where adequate heat is not provided, make other arrangements to protect workers from the cold. Cut firewood only after a District Firewood Permit is obtained.

2. The campsite must not encroach beyond the boundaries designated by the Forest Service. The campsite location must minimize impacts on streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. Camping is not permitted within developed recreational sites or along primary recreational roads.

3. The campsite must have a clean appearance at all times. Upon abandonment of any campsite, or termination, revocation, or cancellation of camping privileges, the contractor shall remove, within 10 calendar days, all structures and improvements except those owned by the United States, and shall restore the site, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing or in the camping permit. Structures or improvements the contractor fails to remove within the 10 calendar day period becomes the property of the United States, however, the contractor remains liable for the cost of the removal and restoration of the site.

4. Unless otherwise designated by the CO, the use of the area is not exclusive and may be granted to other permittees, contractors, or recreating public.

Disorderly conduct is not permitted.

5. Damaging or removing any natural feature or other property of the Forest Service is prohibited.

6. Servicing of equipment in the campsite is not permissible unless the campsite is within the project area.

7. Provide sanitary facilities for storing food. Provide ice chests or coolers, with ice supply made from potable water, and replenish as necessary. Provide sufficient storage for perishable food items.

8. Provide an adequate and convenient potable water supply in each camp for drinking and cooking purposes.

9. Provide adequate toilet facilities and toilet paper for the capacity of the camp. Service and maintain facilities in a sanitary condition.

10. Collect, store, and dispose of garbage in a manner to discourage rodent access, minimize attraction of flies, and prevent scattering by wind

11. Maintain basic first aid supplies available, which must be under the charge of a person trained to administer first aid.

The basic supplies must include:

Gauze pads (at least 4x4 inches) Two large gauze pads (at least 8x10 inches) Box adhesive bandages (such as band-aids) One package of gauze roller bandage (at least 2-inches in width) Two triangular bandages Scissors At least one blanket Tweezers Adhesive tape Medical gloves, (latex or non-latex equivalent), and Resuscitation device such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask.

12. Wash laundry in such a way that washing and rinsing will not pollute lakes, streams, or other flowing water.

13. Dispose waste water away from living and eating areas and in such a way that minimizes pollution to lakes, streams, and other flowing water.

14. The contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress forest fires. Do not dispose of material by burning in open fires during the closed season established by law or regulation without the written permission from the Forest Service.

15. If authorized to have an open fire, the Contractor shall comply with the following fire regulations:

A shovel, axe or Pulaski, a 10-quart pail, which is full of water for immediate use, and a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating of at least 1:A 10:BC is required.

All fire rings or outside fireplaces must be approved by the Forest Service representative. The area must be cleared down to mineral soil for a distance of one foot outside of the ring or fireplace, and it must not have any overhanging material. Fire rings must be dismantled and material disposed prior to leaving the site.

All generators and other internal combustion engines must be equipped with Forest Service approved spark arrestors and/or factory designed muffler and exhaust system in good working order. They will be located in a cleared area with the same requirements as in described in the previous paragraph.

All fuel must be stored in UL approved flammable storage containers and be located at least 50 feet from any open flame or other source of ignition.

16. Contractors are required to provide certification of employment status as part of their representations, certifications, and acknowledgements at the time of submission of proposals/ offers/quotes.

17. PROTECTION MEASURES NEEDED FOR PLANTS, ANIMALS, CULTURAL

RESOURCES, AND CAVE RESOURCES

Locations of known areas needing special measures for the protection of plants, animals, cultural resources, and/or cave resources are shown on Contract Area Map and/or identified on the ground.

Special protection measures needed to protect such known areas are identified in Appendix B, if applicable.

In addition to any special protection measures noted, Contractor has a general duty to protect all known and identified resources referenced in this Subsection from damage or removal during Contractor’s operations. Discovery of additional areas, resources, or members of species needing special protection shall be promptly reported to the other party, and operations shall be delayed or interrupted at that location, if Contracting Officer determines there is risk of damage to such areas, resources, or species from continued operations.

Wheeled or track-laying equipment shall not be operated in areas identified as needing special measures for the protection of cultural resources, except on roads, landings, tractor roads, or approved skid trails. Unless agreed otherwise, trees will not be felled into such areas. Contractor may be required to backblade skid trails and other ground disturbed by Contractor’s operations within such areas in lieu of required cross ditching.

Contractor shall immediately notify Forest Service if disturbance occurs to any area identified as needing special protection measures and shall immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the disturbance until Forest Service authorizes Contractor to proceed. Contractor shall bear costs of resource evaluation and restoration to identified sites. Such payment shall not relieve Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

Forest Service has exercised due diligence and followed established protocols in identifying known areas needing special protection measures. Nevertheless, nothing in this provision shall be interpreted as creating any warranty that all locations and special measures for the protection of plants, animals, cultural resources, and cave resources have been described herein, elsewhere in the contract, or designated on the ground.

Label on Contract Area Map Restrictions N/A N/A

18. EROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted reasonably to minimize soil erosion. Equipment shall not be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result. The kinds and intensity of erosion control work done by Contractor shall be adjusted to ground and weather conditions and the need for controlling runoff. Erosion control work shall be kept current immediately preceding expected seasonal periods of precipitation or runoff.

If Contractor fails to do seasonal erosion control work prior to any seasonal period of precipitation or runoff, Forest Service may temporarily assume responsibility for the work and any unencumbered deposits here under may be used by Forest Service to do the work. If needed for such work, Contractor shall make additional deposits on request by Forest Service. Any money deposited or used for this purpose shall be treated as cooperative deposits.

19. PROTECTION OF LAND SURVEY MONUMENTS

Forest Service shall appropriately designate on the ground all known survey monuments including but not limited to horizontal control stations (Triangulation Stations), vertical control stations (Benchmarks), property corner monuments, and all Public Land Survey System monuments. This shall include reference monuments, corner accessories such as bearing trees, line trees and line posts. Identifying signs shall be posted by Forest Service on two sides of each known bearing tree, and each line post shall be posted with a metal sign or decal. Line trees may be cut if designated by the Government.

In authorized clearings such as clearcutting units and road construction clearings, and in other instances where damage to survey monuments, corners, corner accessories and survey of property line markers is unavoidable, Forest Service shall arrange protective or perpetuate action that does not cause unnecessary delay to Contractor.

Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, bearing trees and line markers against avoidable destruction, obliteration or damage during Contractor's operations. Additional monuments or objects discovered on the area shall be promptly reported to the other party and shall also be protected. If any known monuments, corners, corner accessories, and survey or property line markers are destroyed, obliterated or damaged during Contractor's operations, Contractor shall employ a registered professional land surveyor to reestablish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, corner accessories or line markers. Such surveyors shall use procedures and monumentation that accords with the Bureau of Land Management Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States for General Land Office surveys and any applicable State statutes concerned with land surveys. The contractor’s agent shall record such surveys in accordance with state survey statutes.

20. PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

So far as practicable, the Contractor shall protect all physical improvements including, but not limited to, roads, trails, ditches, fences, waterlines and other improvements, existing in the contract area, determined to have continuing need or use, and designated on the Contract Area Map.

The Contractor shall keep all roads and trails needed for fire protection or other purposes and designated on the Contract Area Map reasonably free of equipment and products, slash, and debris resulting from the Contractor’s operations. The Contractor shall make timely restoration of any such improvements damaged by the Contractor’s operations and, when directed (because of such operations) shall move such improvements if and as specified by the Forest Service.

All protected improvements will be protected from damage by the Contractor. If any protected improvements are disturbed, the Contractor shall immediately contact the COR and will be liable for the cost of repairs.

PROTECTED IMPROVEMENTS

IMPROVEMENT DESCRIPTION LOCATION

Roads All Roads (including associated features) As identified on Contract Area Map

Forest Service shall notify all utility companies, or other parties affected, and make arrangements for all necessary adjustments of the public utility fixtures, pipelines, and other appurtenances likely to be affected by Contractor’s Operations.

When Contractor’s Operations are adjacent to properties of railway, telephone, or power companies, or other property, work shall not begin until Contractor has identified actions necessary to prevent damage.

Contractor shall cooperate with the owners of any underground or overhead utility lines in their removal and/or rearrangement operations in order that these operations may progress in a reasonable manner, utility duplication or rearrangement work may be reduced to a minimum, and services shall not be unnecessarily interrupted.

In the event of interruption to utility services because of accidental breakage or as a result of lines being exposed or unsupported, Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with that authority in the restoration of service until the service is restored.

When materials are to be hauled across the tracks of any railway, Forest Service will make arrangements with the railroad for the use of any existing crossing or for any new crossing required.

Contractor shall make arrangements for use of alternate crossings. All construction work to be performed by Contractor on the rail- road right-of-way shall not damage railroad company’s property.

21. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY

In construction and reconstruction of Roads, Contractor shall not unnecessarily remove, deface, injure, or destroy trees, shrubs, or other natural features, unless specifically authorized. To the extent practicable, Contractor shall confine operations to within the clearing limit or other areas designated in the contract and prevent the depositing of rocks, excavated materials, stumps, or other debris outside these limits.

Material that falls outside these limits shall be retrieved, disposed of, or incorporated in the work to the extent practicable and necessary to protect adjacent resource values, unless otherwise agreed.

22. PROTECTION OF RESIDUAL TREES

Contractor Operations shall not unnecessarily damage young growth or other trees to be reserved (see Appendix B.)

23. SANITATION AND SERVICING

Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent pollution of air, soil, and water by Contractor's operations. If facilities for employees are established on Contract Area, they shall be operated in a sanitary manner. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on National Forest lands where servicing is likely to result in pollution to soil or water. Contractor shall remove from National Forest lands all refuse resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment. In the event that Contractor's operations or servicing of equipment result in pollution to soil or water, Contractor shall conduct cleanup to restore the polluted site to the satisfaction of the Forest Service.

24. PREVENTION OF OIL SPILLS AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

If Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on Contract Area, Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that any harmful discharge of such oil or oil products does not enter into or upon any navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or other waters of the United States, as prescribed in 40 CFR 110. As soon as Contractor has knowledge that measures, as described in Sanitation and Servicing fail to prevent a discharge into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines of the United States, Contractor shall notify the Contract Officer or Contract Officer Representative, the National Response Center and any other appropriate State agencies. In accordance with 40 CFR 110.6, all harmful discharges that occur as a direct or indirect result of Contractor’s operations, regardless of whether such discharges are caused by Contractor’s employees, agents, Subcontractors, or their employees or agents, directly or indirectly, as a result of Contractor’s Operations must be reported.

Harmful discharges of oil are those that violate applicable State water quality standards, cause a film or sheen on the water’s surface, or leave sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water or adjoining shorelines regardless of the amount of material discharged (40 CFR 110.3). As such reporting is not triggered by the amount of the discharge but by the presence of the criteria prescribed in 40 CFR 110.3. Harmful discharges meeting the criteria in 40 CFR 110 must be reported by Contractor. Contractor shall take whatever initial action may be safely accomplished to control all reportable discharges. Appropriate actions include but are not limited to containment, sorbents or dispersants as needed or as prescribed by the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan pursuant to 40 CFR 112. Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures

(SPCC) Plan pursuant to EPA requirements as stated in 40 CFR 112 when the following conditions are met:

(a) Contractor maintains above ground storage facilities, including mobile storage, for oil or oil products on the Contract Area and the total storage capacity for these products exceeds 1,320 gallons in either a single container of greater than 1,320 gallons, or in multiple containers of 55 gallons or greater, and

(b) there is a reasonable expectation that a harmful discharge could reach navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines or other waters as prescribed in 40 CFR 112.

Reasonable expectation for a discharge reaching navigable waters is based on the location of the storage facility to streams, ditches, gullies, or permanent water bodies that could be impacted as well as drainage patterns, soil conditions, precipitation runoff and the volume of material potentially spilled. The SPCC Plan shall outline measures which will prevent discharges from reaching navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or other waters of the United States. According to §112.1(d)(1)(i), the determination of reasonable expectation for a harmful discharge must be based solely upon consideration of the geographical and locational aspects of the facility. If a Contractor makes a determination that, due to the location, the facility cannot reasonably be expected to discharge oil as described in §112.1(b), Contractor should be prepared to provide the rationale and any supporting documentation, if requested by the Contracting Officer, that explains why the facility does not have an SPCC Plan.

Contractor shall notify the National Response Center and Contracting Officer of all releases of reportable quantities of hazardous substances on or in the vicinity of Contract Area that are caused by Contractor’s employees, agents, Subcontractors or their employees or agents, directly or indirectly, as a result of Contractor’s Operations, in accordance with 40 CFR 302.

The Contractor will take whatever initial action may be safely accomplished to contain all spills.

25. EQUIPMENT CLEANING/NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL

(1) In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds onto National Forest lands, the Contractor shall be required to furnish the Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment.

Cleaning shall remove all soil, plant parts, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Only logging and construction equipment so cleaned and inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the Contract Area. All subsequent move-ins of equipment to the Contract Area shall be treated in the same manner as the initial move

in. "Off-road equipment" includes all logging and construction machinery, except for log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, cars, and similar vehicles.

(2) Noxious weeds are defined as any exotic plant species established or that may be introduced in the State, which may render the land unfit for agriculture, forestry, livestock, wildlife, or other beneficial uses and which is designated by applicable state agecy or the local counties vendor is operating in, or by other appropriate agencies having jurisdiction.

(3) All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and certified free of noxious weeds and their seeds prior to entrance onto the National Forest. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use, as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the Contractor or subcontractor.

(4) Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall give the Forest Service at least 24 hours’ notice when equipment is ready for inspection. Notification will include an agreed upon location where the equipment will be available for inspection by the forest service.

(5) Equipment, materials and vehicles shall be visually inspected by a designated Forest Service Officer, and certified in writing to be reasonably clean and weed free. Inspections will take place at a location designated by the Forest Officer in advance of equipment and material arrival. Equipment and vehicles are expected to proceed directly to the job site following the inspection.

(6) New infestations of noxious weeds, of concern to Forest Service and identified by either Contractor or Forest Service, on the Contract Area or on the haul route, shall be promptly reported to the other party. Contractor and Forest Service shall agree on treatment methods to reduce or stop the spread of noxious weeds when new infestations are found. A current list of noxious weeds of concern to Forest Service is available at each Forest Service office.

26. MEADOW PROTECTION

Reasonable care shall be taken to avoid damage to the cover, soil, and water in meadows shown on Contract Area Map. Vehicular or skidding equipment shall not be used on meadows, except where roads, landings, and tractor roads are approved. Unless otherwise agreed, trees felled into meadows shall be removed by full suspension. Resulting logging slash shall be removed where necessary to protect cover, soil, and water.

27. WETLANDS PROTECTION

Wetlands requiring protection under Executive Order 11990 are shown on Contract Area Map.

Vehicular or skidding equipment shall not be used in such wetlands, except where roads, landings, and tractor roads are approved by the Contracting Officer.

28. STREAMCOURSE PROTECTION

“Streamcourses” that are subject to provisions of this Section are shown on Contract Area Map.

Unless otherwise agreed, the following measures shall be observed to protect Streamcourses:

(a) Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted to prevent debris from entering Streamcourses, except as may be authorized under paragraph (d). In event Contractor causes debris to enter Streamcourses in amounts that may adversely affect the natural flow of the stream, water quality, or fishery resource, Contractor shall remove such debris as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 48 hours, and in an agreed manner that will cause the least disturbance to Streamcourses.

(b) Culverts or bridges shall be required on Temporary Roads at all points where it is necessary to cross Streamcourses. Such facilities shall be of sufficient size and design and installed in a manner to provide unobstructed flow of water and to minimize damage to Streamcourses.