C04b_Attachment 1 - Statement of Work_1284LM26Q0121.docx

2026 Gunnison Site Preparation For Natural Regeneration

Performance Work Statement

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

1. SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The solicitation is for crawler tractor work on the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to perform all work necessary on the areas specified in the contract.

All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner to ensure services are performed over the entire project areas.

Count and location of ash pits was by determined from field reconnaissance and GPS waypoints received from the fire crew, cross checked against aerial photographic imagery taken in 2023 and ground truthed in early 2025. All slash piles are reported to have been burned as of January, 2026.

No forest products shall be removed from the project area.

1.1.1. This contract is a Performance Based, firm-fixed price contract.

1.1.2. The performance period will be from Date of Award – November 02, 2026 depending upon the running of contract time and snow cover. Forty-five (45) consecutive days are allowed for Schedule Items 1 to 5 in combination.

1.2. LOCATION, ACCESS, AND DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

2026 Corduroy, Park Cone, Tincup, and Last Tree Site Preparation – The contracted work will be located throughout the Gunnison Ranger District. The maps for each respective project area are shown in Attachment 2 - Maps.

Schedule Item 1 – Corduroy Timber Sale and Lujan Creek Landing Rehab

Attachment 2 – Maps Map 1 (page 2) shows the Corduroy Timber Sale area’s proximity to Gunnison and the major connecting roads. An overview of the treatment units, area roads, and equipment drop off points for the Corduroy Timber Sale are shown in Attachment 2 - Maps. Map 2 (page 3) shows the southern portion of the Corduroy Timber Sale (Units 3 to 7). Map 3 (page 4) shows the northern portion of the Corduroy Timber Sale (Units 1 to 3). Map 4 (page 5) shows the northeastern portion of the Corduroy Timber Sale (Units 10 to 15 in the Pine Creek area).

Note: Maps 2 to 4 are detailed orthographic maps, showing unit boundaries, ash pit locations, and potential drop points for equipment. There are no Units 8 and 9 in this project.

Corduroy Timber Sale is located between State Highway114 and Saguache County NN-14, along NFSR’s 805, 876, and 878. It is approximately 30 air miles southeast of Gunnison, Colorado. The legal description is Sections 1, 2, 3, and 11 of T.45 N, R.3E, and Sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36 of T.46 N, R.3E, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Saguache County, Colorado.

To access the Corduroy project area, head east from Gunnison, Colorado on US Highway 50 for 7 miles, and then make a right at State Highway 114 (SH 114). Follow SH 114 south/southeast for approximately 26 miles, before turning onto Saguache County Road 17-GG, and NFSR 878 at about 28.5 miles.

To access the northern end of the project (Units 1-5), follow Saguache County Road 17-GG for 0.5 Miles, and then turn left onto NFSR 805. Follow NFSR 805 for 2 miles to reach the units. The ash pits to be treated are along a loop route following FR 805 and 805.2B. FR 805 going south from Unit 5 to NN-14 is very steep and narrow, thus not recommended for use.

To reach the southern end of the project area Units 6-7 in Corduroy Creek, follow Saguache Country Road 17-GG southwest for approximately 6 miles. Then turn left and head east on Saguache County Road NN-14 for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn left and head north on gated NFSR 876 for about 2 miles. It is practical to travel a dozer cross country from the FR 805 road system in Unit 4 to the end of FR 878 in Unit 7.

There is no good route for a dozer to travel between the FR 805 road system from Unit 4 to the FR 878 road system in Unit 12. There is no linkage between the Pine Creek and Corduroy Creek watersheds.

To access the northeastern end of the project area (Units 10-15) in Pine Creek, turn right off SH-114 onto gated NFSR 878. Follow NFSR 878 for approximately 1 mile. Ash pits to be treated are found along FR 878.1A, FR 878.1C, and FR 878.1D.

Lujan Creek Landing Rehabilitation is located north of State Highway 114 and North Pass on NFSR 785. It is approximately 28 air miles southeast of Gunnison, Colorado. The treatment area is a log landing on the right hand side at the edge of the tree along NFSR 785 two miles from Hwy 114. The unsightly landing needs to be ripped, stirred and smoothed. FR 785 in this area coincides with the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. So visual quality is important. Legal location is Section 17 of T.46N R.4E., New Mexico Principal Meridian, Saguache County, Colorado. Lujan Creek is on the north side of Hwy 114 across from the Corduroy TS area on the south side of the highway.

Schedule Item 2 – Park Cone and Park Ridge Timber Sales

Attachment 2 – Maps (Corduroy Site Preparation – Vicinity Map) shows the Park Cone and Tincup Project Areas’ proximity to Gunnison and the major connecting roads. Attachment 2 – Maps, page 7, shows a detailed view of the Park Cone project area including all site preparation units, lowboy drop points, and project area access; pages 8 and 9, Map 6 and Map 7, show the Tincup project area, including lowboy drops, and project area access.

Park Cone Timber Sale is located approximately 26 airmiles northeast of Gunnison between Taylor and Union Parks. Access to the main project area is on NFSR 752 and its adjoining spur roads including: 752.1A, 752.1B, 752.1C, 752.1F, and 758.1. The legal description is Sections 19, 20, and 28-30 of T14S, R82W, 6th Principal Meridian., Gunnison County, Colorado. To Access the project area from Gunnison, Colorado travel north via Colo Hwy-135 to County Road 742. Travel east on County Road 742 for approximately 23 miles, then turn right onto NFSR 752.1. Continue approximately 0.6 miles, then turn right onto NFSR 752.0. Continue 2 miles to the project area.

Park Ridge Scarification is located within the Park Cone Timber Sale area (Map 5). The treatment is located on NFSR 758.1 about 200 yards east of the intersection with NFSR 752. In addition to rehabilitating 15 ash pits in the treatment unit, there are about two acres of a compacted log processing area which will need ripping and scarification. Access from Gunnison is identical to those listed for the Park Cone section above.

Schedule Item 3 – Tincup Project Area

The Tincup Project Area is located approximately 28 airmiles northeast of Gunnison, Colorado in Sections 6, 7, 18, and 19 of T.15S, R.81W, 6th Principal Meridian, Gunnison County, Colorado. Access to the sale area from Gunnison, Colorado is via Colo Hwy-135 north to County Road 742. Travel east on County Road 742 for approximately 23 miles, then turn right onto NFSR 765 for approximately 7 miles to the project area just north of the town of Tincup. In the treatment units on the north side of Tincup, there will be ash pits to be rehabilitated, skid trails and temporary road foot prints to be ripped better to eliminate ATV use, and poorly burned slash piles to be piled for burning or scattered in a visually acceptable fashion.

Units 19 and 20 are on the south side of Tincup. Moving the dozer from the north side of Tincup to the south side should be via transport trailer to avoid damage to the road surface in town.

Schedule Item 4 – Last Tree Salvage

The Last Tree Salvage Sale is 41 airmiles southwest of Gunnison above Lake City on Colorado Highway 149, see Attachment 2 – Maps, page 10, Vicinity Map 3. Maps 8 and 9 (pages 11 and 12), detail lowboy drop points, project area access and unit locations. Given the very steep grade of Highway 149 from Lake City up to Slumgullion Pass, the best access route for moving heavy equipment to the project area is along Colorado Highway 149 coming northwest up from South Fork and Creede. Travel 78 miles northwest on Highway 149 over Spring Creek Pass and Slumgullion Summit to the intersection with Forest Road (FR) 788.

Units 4-1 to 4-3 are in Sections 4, 9, and 10 of T.43N, R.3W, NMPM, Hinsdale County, Colorado. Tree planting has occurred in these three units in June, 2026. So care to avoid seedlings is expected. The ash pits were not planted. Turn right-northeast onto FR 788, drive three miles on FR 788 passed the turn off to Deer Lakes CG to a gated road on the right. This will be the equipment drop point for Units 4-1 to 4-3. Walk the dozer along the gated administrative-use road about a mile and a half keeping right to Unit 4-3. The road continues into Units 4-1 and 4-2.

There is an alternative access road to drop points on the high slope southwest and above Units 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3. From Spring Creek Pass continue north on Colorado Highway 149 4.5 miles to the FR 784/784.1B road system on the right. These two roads access the west edges of Units 4-3 and 4-2. See Map 4.

Units 4-4 to 4-7 are in Section 27, 28 and 33 of T.43N, R.3W, NMPM. The treatment units can be accessed while making a loop route from FR 735 on the south side, over to the end of FR 689 on the north side. Go north from Spring Creek Pass two miles on Colorado Highway 149 to FR 735 on the left. The recommended drop point is at the edge of the trees. Go west on FR 735 through the seasonal road closure gate about three miles to Unit 4-7, and then 4-6. After completing these two units, the dozer can travel cross county downhill to Units 4-5 and 4-4, coming out at the edge of the trees on FR 689. The tree edge is a good drop point. See Map 5.

Work To Be Completed By Schedule Item

(Acres) Mobilization and Equipment Moves Between Work Areas

Unit 24 300 ft Unit 28 1,100 ft)

Specifications or Tactics Planned for Use in the 2026 Site Preparation Contract

C.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS

These definitions are given for clarification. Additional definitions and method descriptions are located in the Technical Requirements section.

Ash Pits – The footprint and area surrounding burned slash piles which includes ash, partially burned log ends, and shoulders of unburned or partially burned woody debris, and surrounding woody debris mats. The ash pit itself is usually a depression in the ground. See Images 1 to 9 in Exhibit 2 Photo Examples.

Crushing - Process of breaking up, spreading, and compacting slash to reduce slash height, and spreading concentrations of slash out over a larger area by mechanical means.

Trampling - Process of knocking down cull and undesired trees, brush, and deep slash, spreading and compacting slash to reduce slash height, and spreading concentrations of slash out over a larger area by mechanical means. Trees which are trampled shall have their root systems either grubbed out of the soil, or be so damaged as to eliminate the tree’s potential for survival.

Scarification - Process by which mineral soil is exposed and disturbed (but not displaced) by mechanical means to create an acceptable seed bed for trees. Soil is disturbed by turning on the tracks, ripping the soil with the brush rake teeth or rippers, by rocking the blade, or by moving woody debris across the ground.

Slash - All existing woody debris, including but not limited to cull logs, chunks, branches, tops, stumps from push-outs or windthrows, and broken understory trees or brush resulting from natural accumulation, timber felling, logging, thinning, and clearing. Trees severely damaged by the Contractor shall be treated as slash. Tree stumps imbedded naturally in the soil are not considered slash.

Heavy Slash Concentrations - Areas where accumulated larger-diameter slash results in piles or windrows which equal or exceed the following dimensions: average depth of three (3) feet and cover a ground surface of 100 square feet.

Slash Mats – Areas of deep, compacted, organic material generated during timber harvest operations. Slash mats include cull logs, tops, branches, bark, foliage, and other finely ground organic material, mixed with soil. Untreated slash mats are not suitable seed beds for trees, and are not practical to plant trees in. See Images 1, 4 and 5 for examples.

Slash Piling - The concentrating and compacting of excess amounts of woody debris and slash such that piles may be consumed by burning. Piles must be reasonably dirt-free, compacted, and piled sufficiently tight to facilitate complete burning. Piles in some areas may be left unburned to provide habitat for wildlife. See Images 10 and 11 for examples.

Road Closure – Treatment to road ways to make them unusable by motorized or mechanized traffic. The road bed is capable of vegetation production. Drainage is adequate to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation. See Images 12 to 14 for examples.

Road Obliteration – Treatment to road beds to make them no longer strongly evidence as a travel way, and capable of natural vegetation production. The road prism is usually recontoured back to natural slope.

Snow Removal – Removing snow from road ways to allow more rapid snow melt and drainage. Removal is normally not down to the road surface in order to protect road surface material from erosion.

C.3 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

C.3.1. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

There is no Government-furnished property for this project.

C.3.2. OTHER GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED SERVICES

Erosion control seed and seed application will be provided by the Government.

C.3.3. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to replace any employee whom the Contracting Officer determines to be incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

C.3.4. PROGRESSION OF WORK

Contractor shall perform the work in a progressive, orderly manner. All road closure, site preparation, brush piling and/or crushing work on one unit shall be completed before work is started on another unit, unless wet ground conditions halts work, or if more than one piece of equipment is on the job.

Past experience in this type of site preparation and road closure work has provided insight into the expected production rates (varying some for terrain, ground condition, and needed treatments). Failure to meet expected production rates could be cause for the Contracting Officer to direct the replacement of operators or pieces of equipment, changes in methodologies, or stopping work on the contract.

C.3.5. PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS AND RESOURCES

The Contractor will protect all structural improvements such as cattle guards, gates, fences, ponds, ditches, signs, and roads. The Contractor will restore any improvements damaged by the operation in a timely fashion. Improvements will be restored to pre-operation condition at the expense of the Contractor. Equipment will not cross meadows, live streams, springs, primary roads, or any other non-work areas except as designated by the Contracting Officers Representative. Movement of equipment between work areas will only be allowed on open designated roads. Cross country travel is not allowed to prevent establishment of new OHV routes.

C.3.6. ROAD DAMAGE

Vehicles shall not be operated on roads in the contract area if ground or weather conditions during operation causes lateral displacement or flowing of soil and deep rutting. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following heavy rain storms.

C.3.7. USE OF ROADS BY THE CONTRACTOR

In addition to wet weather operating restrictions, it is the intent of this contract that the work be performed with the present system of existing roads. An existing road is one with a distinguishable roadbed that permits vehicle travel without major improvements to the road. Distinguishable roadbeds that are now reforested (have at least 300 stems/acres) with trees at least 3-feet tall, or that would require major earth work to permit vehicle travel are not considered existing roads for the purpose of this contract. Limited improvement of existing roads is permitted to allow for safe vehicle access (e.g., filling or smoothing ruts, removing roadside trees or obstacles, and removing trees less than 3-feet tall or obstacles from the roadbed).

Upon written approval of the Forest Service, the Contractor may open closed roads to access a work area. Any closed roads opened by the Contractor will be returned to the closed condition in which it was found (e.g., replacing rocks, stumps or logs/slash previously scattered on the roadbed and restoring drainage or barrier structures removed or altered to permit vehicle travel).

Where road closure gates are closed to limit public motorized traffic, the Contractor will be required to close and lock the gate after passing through.

C.3.8. CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT

In order to reduce the spread of noxious weeds to the project area and other public lands, crawler tractors and other equipment will be cleaned by the Contractor prior to moving the equipment onto public lands and the project area. Equipment will be cleaned of mud, dirt, and accumulations of organic material which may harbor seed or plant parts of noxious weeds. Steam cleaning is an acceptable method of reducing the import of noxious weeds. Belly pans must be cleaned prior moving in. Fluid leaks shall be repaired prior to moving onto site.

C.3.9. TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT

Equipment must be moved between work sites in such a manner as not to damage permanent road surfaces. A lowboy trailer is considered an acceptable method. Any other method must be approved in writing by the Contracting Officer. Maximum gross vehicle weight and vehicle width allowed is 82,500 lbs. and 10 feet. Equipment on a trailer may be wider but will need to be flagged and placarded with “Over Size Load” signs per State laws. The minimum road or bridge width to be encountered on this project is twelve feet six inches. The Contractor is responsible for transporting Government furnished property or Contractor furnished property to, between, and from all work sites.

The Contractor is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, etc., for operating and transporting equipment.

C.3.10. LEAVE TREES

In cutting units, all live trees shall be left standing to the maximum extent possible. Standing dead lodgepole pine and aspen (live or dead) 8-inches dbh and larger, and standing dead Douglas-fir and Engelmann spruce 10-inches dbh and larger, will be protected.

C.3.11. SLASH DISPOSAL

Slash resulting from work on this contract shall be removed from streams, drainages, power lines, telephone right-of-ways, private land, and from within 10-feet of property corners. Slash may be left in road ways which are to be closed. Slash falling upon cut and fill slopes along permanent open roads in the work area shall be removed from cut and fill slopes and scattered into the units in a manner so as to not form piles or windrows. Remaining slash shall be treated to lie within twenty-four (24) inches of the ground.

C.3.12. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The Contractor shall train workers in the safe operation and use of equipment that the worker may use before the worker begins using such equipment.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hats, eye protection, hearing protection, dust masks, gloves, and sturdy work boots should be worn during equipment operations. Personal protective equipment shall be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

In any area where the worker is exposed to the potential for flying or falling objects, the Contractor shall provide a hard hat, at no cost to the employee, and the Contractor shall assure that the employee wears the hard hat. The hard hat must meet the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, hearing protection where there is a potential for hearing loss due to high intensity noise for example, chainsaw operation.

Dust or particle masks should be worn during ash pit rehabilitation operations to minimize the inhalation of wood ash.

Refer to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations at 29 CFR 1910.266(d) Logging Operations and 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I (1910.132, 133, 135, 136, and 138).

C.3.13. CAMPING PERMITS

Work camp locations will be approved in advance by the Contracting Officers Representative with a District Ranger approved camping permit. Contractors will be required to maintain the camp site in clean, orderly, sanitary condition. Leakage of fuel and oil will be cleaned up and disposed of.

C.4 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

C.4.1. EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Past experience has shown that a D-4 to D-6 class dozer is effective for completing the required work. Other types of heavy equipment may be substituted for the requested type after approval by the Contracting Officer. As a minimum, other types of heavy equipment must meet the standards outlined below for crawler tractors.

Crawler Tractors

Crawler tractors must be equipped with operable Forest Service approved spark arrestor or turbo charger. As a minimum, the tractor(s) shall be equipped with an open canopy, roll-over protective structure (ROPS), logging type, including brush deflector, overhead canopy and rear screen in accordance with SAEJ-395. The tractor will also be equipped with an operable standard brush rake and track grousers (minimum of two inches high). Experience has shown that crawler tractors should be equipped with belly pan and track guards.

Engine size may range from 90 to 140 net engine H.P. Equipment smaller than 90 H.P. may not be powerful enough to complete work in a timely fashion, or be able to move through stands without getting hung-up. Lighter equipment may not be able to crush woody debris, or be able to pile slash as required (push and lift slash). Smaller equipment is generally more maneuverable between stumps and residual trees. Experience has shown that a crawler tractor in the Caterpillar D-4 to D-6 size class (or equivalent size in other manufacturer lines) works best in this type operation.

The crawler tractor must be equipped with a brush rake or clearing blade (with teeth). Heavy duty rock rakes with top guards to permit high piling are satisfactory. Tooth spacing shall be a maximum of 18-inches and a minimum of 12-inches between teeth. This tooth spacing is necessary to allow debris, rocks, pine cones, and dirt to filter through and not be pushed into the piles. Straight blades are not acceptable.

The dozer must be equipped with rear mounted, hydraulically lifted ripping teeth.

Other Equipment Required

a. Spark arrestor or turbo charger meeting either (I) USDA - Forest Service Standard 5100-1a: or (II) the 80 efficiency level determined according to the appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practices J335 and J350.

b. Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Equipment - while in use, each internal combustion engine including tractors, trucks, yarders, loaders, welder, stationary engines, or comparable heavy equipment shall be provided with at least the following:

One chemical fire extinguisher meeting one of the following specifications:

1. Two and one-half pound or larger size of the dry chemical type, minimum 10: BC rating.

2. Five pound or larger size of the carbon dioxide type, minimum 10: BC rating.

One shovel, sharp, size 0 or larger, round-pointed with the handle at least 36 inches long.

One axe, sharp, double-bit 3-1/2#, or one sharp Pulaski.

Extinguishers, shovels and axes shall be mounted so as to be readily available from the ground. All tools shall be maintained in a serviceable condition.

c. Hobbs Meter.

d. Fluid Leaks – the equipment shall be free of leaking hydraulic fluid or oils. Minor leakage of fluid within normal limits may be accepted by the Contracting Officers Representative. When leakage becomes severe, the Contractor will stop operations and repair the leak. Severe leakage is where fluid reaches the ground, creating pools or stained soil. The Contractor will be responsible for cleaning up and removing fluid spills.

C.4.2. WORK SPECIFICATIONS

For the rehabilitation of burned slash pile ash pits, the treatment area is the ash pit footprint, and the area surrounding the ash pit covered by compacted woody debris (slash mats) and logging slash. The treatment of the surrounding area may extend 30 to 100-feet out from the ash pit.

The outer boundaries of the cutting units are marked in orange or pink tree marking paint. Georeferenced PDF versions of unit maps are available upon request for operations.

The specific type of treatment in a cutting unit or along a road segment will be determined by the Contracting Officers Representative based on site-specific conditions. More than one treatment method may be used in a single cutting unit or along a single road segment as site conditions dictate. Due to adverse ground conditions and desirable regeneration, some areas for non-treatment will be designated by the Contracting Officers Representative.

Not all of the different treatment sections below will be utilized during this contract. They are included to describe scenarios where a different tactic maybe employed to gain the desired result. The variety of tactics are included so that where additional “finesse” type work is encountered, the matching treatment tactic can be utilized.

C.4.2.1. Methods of Site Preparation for Reforestation and Fuels Treatment

C.4.2.1.2 Machine Scarification of Seedbeds for Natural Regeneration

For most conifer tree species, bare mineral soil is necessary for natural tree seed to land on in order for consistent, adequate seed germination and seedling establishment. Scarification is the process by which mineral soil is exposed and disturbed (but not displaced) by mechanical means to create an acceptable seed bed for trees. Soil is disturbed by turning on the tracks, ripping the soil with the brush rake teeth or rippers, by digging or dragging an excavator bucket across the ground, by rocking/dipping the blade, or by moving woody debris across the ground.

In areas of treatment units unoccupied by desirable trees, it is desired that a minimum of forty (40) percent of the ground be in exposed and disturbed mineral soil seedbeds. Where slope exceeds thirty (30) percent and scarification is directed, the area to be treated is twenty-five (25) percent of the ground surface. Soil is to be disturbed, but not displaced. The scarification is to be scattered across the entire treatment area. Where desirable trees are close together, do not treat those areas. Do not scarify the soil under the drip line of the crowns of desirable overstory trees (usually within ten-feet of overstory tree boles) to avoid damage to root systems.

At the discretion of the Contracting Officers Representative, treatment of specific steep areas will not be conducted to protect resources. Areas with considerable surface rock which are not conducive to machine scarification, and areas which were sufficiently scarified during logging, will be identified by the Forest Service for non-treatment.

In partial cut stands, most of the residual trees are desired for retention. Protect advanced regeneration and desirable trees, but do grub out or machine trample cull trees. Areas of desirable dense seedlings and saplings will be identified by the Contracting Officers Representative to be avoided. In general, lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, spruce, fir, and aspen trees should be protected.

In areas where slash mats are present, the organic material will be spread out and spots of mineral soil exposed for reforestation requirements. Some mounding of organic material is acceptable when necessary to expose mineral soil. Do not allow organic material from slash mats to be incorporated into slash piles to be burned. Where slash mats are adjacent to roads to be closed, the fine organic material can be spread across the road. The road bed should be ripped prior or during slash mat spread to reduce soil compaction in the road bed and help work fine organic material into the soil. Be wary of short logs and high stumps hidden in the slash mat.

Where roads are identified for closure under this contract, logs and slash mat material may be scattered across the road way to aid in closure.

C.4.2.1.3 Rehabilitation of Burned Slash Pile Ash Pits

In areas where slash piles have been burned in recent years, ash pits exist which will not naturally vegetate for a prolonged period of time. These untreated ash pits do tend to be preferred by several species of undesirable noxious weeds to become established in an area. The ripping and mixing of the ash pit is intended to break-up and mix heat-sterilized soil such that desirable vegetation will become established. The established desirable vegetation will deter noxious weed establishment.

For the rehabilitation of burned slash pile ash pits, the treatment area is the ash pit footprint, and the area surrounding the ash pit covered by compacted woody debris (slash mats) and logging slash. The treatment of the surrounding area may extend 30 to 100-feet out from the ash pit.

The Contractor will rip the charcoal bed and soil below, break up surrounding woody debris slash mats, stir and mix the ash, soil, and woody debris, smooth out humps and piles of dirt and ash, scatter remaining logs and poorly burned log ends across the burned area, and scatter/crush remaining fuels in the area. See Images in Exhibit 2 – Photo Examples.

C.4.2.1.4 Reworking Slash Piles

Slash piles which have been ignited, but burned poorly, or did not ignite at all, will benefit from being reworked or repiled. Some slash piles and cull log decks were not well compacted during timber harvest operations. These cull log decks are to be burned to reduce the volume of woody debris in the area. There are uneven log ends on the cull log decks which will not burn well and will become burned log ends or chunks.

The Contractor will pile the cull logs into or onto slash piles with the heavy equipment. Slash piles will be compacted and pushed up to improve consumption of the debris. The Forest Service may provide chainsaw support to break-up the length of cull logs to facilitate piling.

Logging slash piles commonly have a deep slash mat apron around the pile. Fine organic material in slash piles will smolder for a prolonged period of time, which could create air pollution issues later on. Woody debris in slash mats has been observed to smolder and “charcoal” for months, creating the potential for an escaped fire. Use the blade/rake to work the fine organic material back away from the slash pile. Do not push the fine organic material into the pile.

C.4.2.1.5 Slash Piling of Excess Amounts of Woody Debris

Slash piling is the concentrating and compacting of excess amounts of slash or woody debris such that the piles may be consumed by burning. Piles must be reasonably dirt-free, compacted, and piled sufficiently tight to facilitate complete burning. Piles in certain areas may be left unburned to provide habitat for wildlife. It is not desired that 100% of woody debris be piled. Light or scattered amounts of woody debris is okay to be left unpiled on site as long as the debris is within twenty-four (24) inches of the ground.

Where specified by the Forest Service, the Contractor shall uniformly pile sixty (60) to eighty (80) percent of existing larger-sized slash. Logs larger than 6-inches in diameter, measured at the large end, shall be piled for burning, except that up to 20 logs per acre may be left unpiled provided they are well-scattered, touch the ground for their full length and are not attached to a root wad. Excess slash and logs, including cull standing timber and snags except designated leave trees, shall be moved into piles. It is desired that much of the needles, small twigs and branches, cones, litter, and duff be left on site, unpiled, for nutrient cycling, erosion control, and for a seed source (cones). Undesired live trees will be grubbed out of the ground and piled for disposal, or have their root systems so damaged that the potential for survival is nil. All remaining slash shall be treated to lie within twenty-four (24) inches of the ground. At least forty (40) percent of the ground surface shall be scarified, that is, the soil is to be disturbed, but not displaced.

In areas with slopes greater than thirty (30) percent, the Contractor may have the option of either crushing or piling the steeper ground. All remaining slash shall be treated to lie within twenty-four (24) inches of the ground and leave twenty-five (25) percent of the ground surface scarified, that is, the soil is to be disturbed, but not displaced. At the discretion of the Contracting Officers Representative, treatment of specific steep areas will not be conducted to protect resources.

Piles to be burned shall be a minimum of 8-feet wide by 6-feet high and 8 and 20-feet long. When it can be done safely, slash shall be piled on the contour rather than parallel to the slope of steep ground to avoid erosion of the soil. Piles must be reasonably dirt-free, compacted, and piled sufficiently tight, steep-sided, and pushed as tall as the equipment will allow in order to facilitate complete burning. Fine organic material from slash mats will not be incorporated into slash piles. If necessary, slash piles will be reworked to reduce the amount of dirt and fine-organic material included in the pile.

Stumps shall not be grubbed out of the ground and incorporated into slash piles due to the amount of dirt. Root wads from down trees will not be included in piles unless old and dirt-free.

Smaller piles of debris may be built and/or left as directed by the Contracting Officers Representative for wildlife habitat.

Piles of slash to be burned shall be located so that burning operations will not damage desirable standing live trees. Piles shall not be constructed within a 100-foot of the edge of units, or within 100 feet of drainage ditches, or within high water marks of live and intermittent streams. All units will be piled in such a manner that after treatment, heavy slash concentrations shall not exist unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officers Representative.

Experience has shown that treatment of slash mats normally turns up a number of short logs which if in excessive amounts will need to be piled for disposal. The logs will need to be separated from the fine organic debris and dirt during piling to provide for cleaner burning, dirt-free piles. There also tends to be high stumps hidden under slash mats which the operator will need to be careful to avoid for high centering or damaging the equipment.

C.4.2.2 Methods and Features for Road Maintenance, Road Closure and Road Obliteration

Road closure locations and methods may be designated on the ground by the Forest Service using pin flags or plastic flagging, or as directed by the Contracting Officers Representative.

Ripping and slashing are commonly used together in road closure work. Ripping the roadbed is intended to reduce soil compaction, rehabilitate the soil to a vegetative productive condition, and to make the soil surface receptive to grass and tree seed. Slashing is intended to eliminate the use of the roadbed by motorized and mechanized traffic. Waterbars are installed or maintained during the process for erosion control.

Drainage crossings will be treated to provide for water flow with minimized erosion and sedimentation.

Roads which will be left open to public motorized and mechanized use will be maintained to reduce soil erosion. In general, maintenance will be by installing or improving waterbars, rolling dips, and drainage ditches. The size and shape of drainage facilities will be such to remain effective for an extended period of time, while allowing passage by normal high clearance highway vehicles operated by prudent drivers. A minimal amount of road surface blading may be conducted as necessary and practical considering the type of heavy equipment used in the contract work, such as a dozer back blading with a swing brush rake.

The Forest Service may provide chainsaw support for the Contractor during closure operations and, will apply erosion control seed as needed.

C.4.2.2.3 Roadbed Ripping

Rip the roadbed with rippers or brush rake teeth to break-up soil compaction and roughen the road surface. The ripped road surface will be more receptive to grass and tree seed establishment. Surface water flow is disrupted on the road surface, reducing the soil erosion potential. The intent is to return the roadbed to vegetative production and assist in preventing motorized or mechanized use. The road closure may be for a short number of years, or a permanent closure. Ripping is commonly applied along the entire length of the road segment, except where the road surface is already revegetated, or is too rocky to rip. Pulling up rocks helps in discouraging vehicle traffic. Ripping should be as deep as the equipment will allow.

Short of full road re-contouring, during the ripping process, as much of the fill material on the downhill side of the road is to be pulled back up onto the roadbed. Realistically, the amount of fill to be drifted back up will be dependent on the type of heavy equipment in use, and whether or not a brush rake or straight dozer blade is installed. An excavator is an excellent piece of equipment for pulling fill material back up onto the roadbed. It is not necessary that drifted fill material be spread and smoothed. Mounds and windrows of soil will be acceptable as long as water flow or erosion control is not compromised. Woody debris and rocks maybe mixed into the drifted material.

Waterbars will be installed or maintained to minimize water flowing across the disturbed surface for erosion control. Waterbar frequency or spacing will be dependent on soil type, cross slope, and road grade. Steeper slopes and road grades will necessitate closer waterbar spacing to divert water from the disturbed area.

C.4.2.5 Other Minor “Finesse” Work

Other minor amounts of unspecified equipment work may requested by the Contracting Officers Representative while the equipment is in the project area, if contract time allows, and if the minor work is agreed to by the Contractor. Minor “finesse” work could include, but is not limited to, items such as installing or maintaining erosion control facilities away from roads and cutting units, cleaning up other slash concentrations, or closing jeep trails. The ash beds of burned slash piles in previously site prepared cutting units (not included in this solicitation) may be ripped and spread out as time allows.

Minor finesse work will be paid for at the contracted hourly rate of Optional Schedule Item 5.

C.5 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (2026 Corduroy/Park Cone/Tincup/Last Tree Site Preparation)

Machine Scarification of Seedbeds for Natural Regeneration C.4.2.1.2

Rehabilitation of Ash Pits C.4.2.1.3 C.4.2.1.4

Slash Piling of Excess Amounts of Woody Debris C.4.2.1.5