C04c Attachment 2 Protocols PWS 1284LM26Q0099.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Northern Region (R1) Vegetation Surveys Protocols Performance Work Statement

Contents

Project Title

Northern Region (R1) Vegetation Surveys

NOTE: Please refer to Project Specific SOW/CSE Protocols - Flathead National Forest Common Stand Exam Protocols as the primary document for this requirement.

This document is referenced from the LMIR BPA Call Form to provide specific information regarding key personnel, requirement qualifications, Government furnished property, and inspection and acceptance.

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

This contract will conduct field surveys related to Common Stand Exam (CSE), Inventory and Monitoring (INVM) and walk-through protocols (WT) collected via ArcGIS Online and Survey123 to support vegetation surveys on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands in various counties of Idaho, Montana, and North and South Dakota.

1.1 Scope

The scope of this requirement is to furnish all labor, tools, materials, equipment, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform sound vegetation inventories on USFS lands in various counties of Idaho, Montana, and North and South Dakota. Work shall consist of locating, or locating and monumentation, or relocating plots, and measuring and recording data.

The Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide (R1 CSE/IM Field Guide) contains information on all the attributes that may be collected on setting, plot, tree, vegetation composition, ground surface cover, and downed woody material forms. The Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide Appendices (R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices),the Region 1 Common Stand Exam Inventory and Monitoring Field Guide Supplemental Appendices (R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Supplemental Appendices), and the R1 CSE Exams Mobile Workflows provide lists of valid values for various attributes, specific mensuration protocols, and additional information for loading software on tablets, creating templates etc. These are the guiding documents for all common stand exams and inventory and monitoring vegetation inventories performed under this contract. These central documents outline the data collection procedures and technical specifications and tolerances used for vegetation inventory unless specifically indicated in the protocol or modified in an individual call order.

For walk-through data collection, the R1 FSVeg Spatial Walk-Through Protocols is the principal document that discusses how to use the R1 FSVeg Spatial Walk-through Survey123 form to collect walk-through data either using the R1 FSVeg Spatial Walkthrough Web Map or a custom web map using ArcGIS Online and Field Maps. Other accompanying documentation includes the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide which has the technical specifications, procedures and methods for data collection as well as the R1 FSVeg Spatial Walk-through Overview, Editing, and Outputs, that provides an overview on the R1 FSVeg Spatial Web Map and associated R1 FSVeg Spatial Survey123 walk-through (WT) form, with procedures on how to edit the data post-data collection.

Table 1.1 provides a description of the various protocols and document abbreviations that will be referenced throughout this contract. Additional Region 1 protocols listed in Table 1.1 tier to the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, Appendices, and Supplemental Appendices; and outline specific forms to use, attributes to collect, technical specifications, and tolerances. These documents are included in the Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section in this document. Forests may also develop call order specific protocols based on the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide. These call order specific protocols will indicate which forms will be used (as specified in the Setting Form, Exam Level, item 3.2.1) and identify the explicit attributes, on each form, to collect. Table

1.2 provides an overview of the various protocols and some of the key attributes that will be described in further detail later in this contract.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), incidentals, and perform all work necessary to conduct vegetation inventories on the areas identified in compliance with terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation.

This requirement is a Performance-Based, “Performance-Based” means the Contractor is responsible for an end product. If an end product is not provided in compliance with the contract specifications, an adjustment to the payment will be made or rework will be required.

Table 1.1 Region 1 Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring documents and R1 specific protocols.

* All protocols referred to in this contract use the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and Appendices as overarching documents.

Field Guide

Defines attributes that can be collected on each form, provides techniques on measurements and their respective tolerances. call order specific protocols may be created using this field guide. Inventory and Monitoring protocols differ from Common Stand Exam protocols in that they require at least a subset of the following: plot monumentation and/or plot to plot navigation and/or stem mapping of trees (azimuth and distance).

Region 1 Common Stand Exam/ Inventory and Monitoring Protocols Appendices

R1 CSE/IM

Appendices

Supplemental Appendices

Protocols

R1 IM

Protocols for Vegetation Data Sampling in conjunction with Lidar Point Cloud Acquisition

R1 CSE IM Scoring Spreadsheet

R1 CSE IM QC Scoresheet Instructions

Table 1.2 Overview of R1 Inventory Protocols

Type of Inventory Protocol Abbrevi -ation

Protocol document Plots per Set- ting

Datafile Type

Tree

Veg

DWM

SC

Field Guide, varies by call order

Field Guide, varies by call order

Protocols

Trees are cored for age

or 2 as specified in Task Order

Intensified Grid Field Procedures

Updates might be required for remeasurement Yes, Installation

During subsequent remeasurements, only ingrowth trees have azimuth and distance collected

Collect species and % cover on all species with at least 3% cover 2 = Brown’s Protocols

Type of Inventory Protocol Abbrevi -ation

Protocol document

Tree

Veg

DWM

SC

Mid-Cycle Remeasure-ment of FIA Plots

Brown’s Protocols

for Lidar

*Minimum is one

1.2 Location and Description

See section 3 of LIMR BPA Call Order form for project locations.

2.0 Definitions

AGOL: ArcGIS Online, is an online cloud-based mapping platform used for collecting walk-through data via a connected Survey123 form.

ArcGIS Field Maps: ESRI application that enables users to use offline maps to collect data in the field and sync data with the cloud which is viewable via ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS Survey123 (Survey 123): Is an online survey platform from ESRI for collecting data via web or mobile devices e.g., tablet, and then syncing the data with the cloud on ArcGIS Online (AGOL).

Block: A payment item made up of a group of completed settings. Each block will contain a minimum and a maximum number of settings as specified in Section 2.1. Submitting Completed Work of this solicitation unless otherwise specified in the individual call order. A block is the basis for quality control and quality assurance inspections.

Calendar Days: Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): Is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer.

FSVeg: Field Sampled Vegetation database that stores vegetation data.

FSVeg Spatial Vegetation Polygons Layer: this feature service layer contains the polygons for data collection within a project area and is pre-populated with setting information such as: Setting ID, setting acres, aspect class, elevation, percent slope, plan survey field, and project name.

Plot: An area of ground within a fixed or variable radius. A nested plot design may include a combination of fixed and/or variable radii plots and may include transects, planes, and/or points along a transect. Oftentimes, the plots have a center point at the same location with transects/planes radiating from plot center or offset from plot center.

Quality Assurance: The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control: Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting quality control are described in the Contractor's Quality Control Plan (QCP).

R1 FSVeg Spatial Walk-through Survey123 form: The Region 1 (R1) WT Survey123 form is the form that is used for walk-through data collection on a mobile field device. The form is attached to the FSVeg Spatial Vegetation Polygons layer and is opened from this layer in the project Web Map.

Services: As used in this document, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

Setting: The geographic area over which inventory data is collected. A setting may be a plot, cluster of plots, stand or a polygon.

Special Protection Area: A zone that has special characteristics such as riparian vegetation, wildlife calving areas, etc. Special protection areas are noted on the project maps, and they may require special treatment such as an alteration to the plot location, access to stands, or vehicle travel. Refer to the specifications regarding required practices.

Stand. A contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform; in age class; distribution; composition; structure; and growing on a site of sufficiently uniform quality; to be a distinguishable polygon.

Walk-through data collection: a type of field data collection that utilizes ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 form applications.

Web Map: A web map is an interactive display of geographic information comprised of data layers that can be editable for collecting data or non-editable base reference layers. Web maps can be opened in browsers, on devices, or in desktop map viewers, and can be downloaded for offline use for field data collection on mobile devices e.g., tablets. For this contract a web map may refer to the R1 FSVeg Spatial Walk-through web map or could be a custom project specific web map that is compatible with corporate layers e.g., R1 FSVeg-Sp Vegetation Polygons and other editable feature service layers. The web map for data collection will be referenced in the individual call order.

USDA: United States Department of Agriculture

Definitions related to data collection and attributes for collecting Common Stand Exam and Inventory and Monitoring data are found in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, Appendices and Supplemental Appendices, and the associated protocols found in the Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section of this contract.

Table 2.1 Acronyms

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

CONTRACTOR WORK REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

3.1 Access

The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary permission to gain access to sample locations. If the Contractor cannot obtain permission to access a sample location, the Contractor must notify the Government in writing.

Accessibility may be determined from maps which will be furnished by the U.S. Forest Service. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to the U.S. Forest Service travel management plans, including yearlong or seasonal closures to motor vehicles, unless authorization is obtained from the appropriate National Forest prior to data collection. Maps and photos may indicate that a road goes to the setting; however, vehicle access may be difficult or restricted.

Most roads are typically accessible between the months of May through October, though high clearance may be necessary on some roads. Generally, a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is recommended. There are some trail systems however, that are open to ATV's, UTV's, motorcycles, e-bikes etc. which may provide closer access than what can be attained with a high clearance passenger vehicle. The Government assumes no responsibility to maintain roads in a passable condition. Depending on the project location some settings may be in inventoried roadless, wilderness areas, or special protection areas which may only be accessed by foot travel or non-mechanized means. Access to the settings may include short or very long walk-ins. The cost to access sample areas is the complete responsibility of the Contractor. Some roads or trails may have been closed after the government provided maps were published. Maps of the sample locations are available from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) so that estimated walk-in distance can be calculated for a given call order.

For roads and trails not designated for public motorized access Forests may, in writing, grant limited use authorizations upon request of the Contractor. Requested use is limited to short-term use for the purpose of accessing areas to be surveyed under this contract. All requests for motorized travel of closed roads by the Contractor must be submitted in writing to the COR. Requests shall specifically identify roads needed for access and the periods of time when access is needed. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to adhere to any National Forest specific closures or orders that pertain to access. Access will be discussed in individual call orders.

Gates in the contract area may be locked. A double lock system may be provided for gates where contractor access has been authorized, or the Contractor may be issued a Yale or another key. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that gates remain closed and always locked. No access to Contractor or employees will be allowed behind locked gates after specified periods of work. Contractors should adjust work schedule to take closure times into consideration. Any misuse of gates may constitute loss of privileges.

For intensified grid installation and FIA burned plot remeasurement protocols any setting/plot deemed inaccessible in the field due to safety concerns, (e.g., dangerous cliffs, impassable terrain, etc.), or permanent ice and snow, should be documented via a UTM/Latitude/Longitude acquired at a location as near to the setting/plot as can safely be accessed, and by photographic evidence of hazards. Inaccessible settings/plots may be inspected by the Government to verify inaccessibility during block inspection, if the Government chooses.

If a setting/plot is deemed accessible, by a reasonable and safe effort, the Contractor will be required to return and sample the setting or forfeit pay for that setting/plot. Payment for uninspected inaccessible plots will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

3.1.2 Camping

Any camping on USFS lands must be implemented in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities and shall be performed in a manner consistent with the requirements of the individual call order, and this contract including but not limited to the requirements in Section 12 Special Orders, the Special Contract Requirements Section, FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Section, and the Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section (Exhibit 16). It is also the Contractor’s responsibility to adhere to any National Forest specific closures, orders or camping restrictions that pertain to camping on National Forest System Lands including but not limited to the R1 Regional Closure Order and Camping Restrictions (see https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/alerts). In addition, the Contractor will adhere to all travel designations shown on the current agency-specific motor vehicle use map which can be obtained from the “Maps & Publications” page on each Forest web page. The contractor must receive written approval prior to camping behind a closed gate. The contractor shall operate the camp in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The written camping plan shall be provided within ten (10) calendar days prior to the start of work for a given call order, specifying exact locations and dates, as well as identifying the locked gates they plan to camp behind. The Contractor remains responsible for campsite cleanup and the conduct of his/her employees while camping on National Forest System lands.

3.1.3 Resource Protection Conditions

Contractors are expected to respond to sensitive resource conditions, i.e. walk to plots when road conditions are poor/wet. Additional seasonal restrictions could be specified on a call order basis.

3.1.4 Work Plan and Production Schedule

The Contractor shall prepare a Work Plan and Production Schedule for each call order as described in Section

10.3.5 Work Plan and Production Schedule and a general plan to be submitted with the technical proposal of this solicitation. The Contractor shall maintain the rate of progress given in their Work Plan and Production Schedule which will assure completion of work within the calendar time specified in the period of performance stated in each individual call order.

3.1.5 Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan as described in Section 3.3 Quality Control Plan. The Quality Control Plan is required to be submitted with the technical proposal of this solicitation. A supplementary plan will also be submitted for each call order after the issuance of the call order prior to the Prework conference. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan.

3.1.6 Safety Plan and Safe Working Conditions

A general Safety Plan is required for submittal with the technical proposal of this solicitation, and a project specific Safety Plan based on the work discussed in Exhibit 17 Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section. A job specific Safety Plan is required after contract award prior to the Prework conference for each call order unless otherwise specified in the individual call order. For more information on the requirements of the Safety Plan, see Section 11 Safety Plan.

Safety will be discussed at the Prework conference. If the Contractor brings a safety hazard to the attention of the COR, the COR/CO and Contractor must find resolution. Examples of options for resolution include suspension with contract time, moving to another area until the hazard (as in the case of wildfire) has ceased etc.

3.1.7 Technical Specifications

Qualifications - The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is required that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

(1) Each crew should have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and 3 months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification. Knowledge of U.S. Forest Service Region 1 CSE/IM protocols is preferred.

(2) Other crew members should have undergraduate courses in mensuration and tree identification.

(3) Additional qualifications, such as higher levels of botanical expertise, may be required in specific call orders.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate a crew leader for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring all measurements are taken in accordance with the stated accuracy standards. When work performance of a crew is deficient; the Contractor shall correct the deficiencies before proceeding with any new work.

The Contractor, by signing this solicitation, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' qualifications and any employee who does not meet the above-described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with resubmission of any data supplied by that employee.

3.1.8 Plot Location and Establishment for R1 Inventory Protocols

Table 3.1.8.1 Determining Number of Plots and Location of Plots Within a Setting

Rem

Rem

of plots in the call order will be acceptable unless approved by the COR.

call order will be acceptable unless approved by the COR.

X

Contractor is responsible for determining number of plots

X

Contractor shall navigate to predetermined plot locations. Except for FMR, actual plot coordinates are acquired and recorded on the Plot Form.

Number of plots provided but plot locations are not Pre-deter- mined

X

Plot Establishment For all plots the plot center is defined as that point where the stake enters the ground. This point or the plumb line extension of this point shall be used for all distance measurements. See Table 3.2.1.2 for stake specifications.

For walk-through data collection, plot establishment may be performed by the contractor according to specifications outlined in the individual call order or provided by the Government. If the plot locations are provided by the government, locations (coordinates) may be given in the individual call order or the locations may already be populated in the individual web map in the Plot Locations to Delete editable layer or may be provided in another spatial file format e.g., .gdb, or shapefile etc.

Monumentation and Flagging Plot monumentation will follow guidelines provided in specified protocols/call order. See Table 3.2.1.2 for general Monumentation specifications, by protocol.

Table 3.2.1.2 Monumentation Specifications

Rem

Rem

Temporary Plot Center Stake

Order specified Task Order specified

Permanent Plot Center Stake Bent aluminum stake wrapped with flagging

Task Order specified Task Order specified

Replace Only

Flagging will be at least 12 inches long after tying unless otherwise specified. One flag will be marked in waterproof marking pen showing the following information: stand id and plot number unless otherwise specified.

aluminum nail at DBH if tree

Call order specified Call order specified

tags (see protocol) and aluminum nail at DBH if tree

Call order specified Call order specified

waterproof marking pen.

Flagging at eye level at the transect end points may be required depending on the individual call order.

Call order Specified

Course Woody Material (1000 hr.

fuels) collected on transect Each piece of course woody material will be marked where it intersects with the transect using a paint pen or timber crayon to indicate where the diameter measurement was taken.

Call order Specified

Flagging shall be used to facilitate locating of plots to aid inspection. Flagging shall be provided by contractor. The COR and Contractor will jointly select the type and color of flagging to be used prior to the commencement of work unless specified in the protocol or call order.

For INT and FMR protocols, monumentation of plots located in wilderness, will be minimized to create low visual impact. See additional specifications in R1 Intensified Grid Field Procedures in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 6 and Mid-Cycle Remeasurement of FIA Plots in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 7.

Plot Layout See the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, and/or the individual protocol/call order for detailed plot layout information.

3.2 Data Collection Specifications

3.2.1 Data Collection Specifications for all R1 Protocols

The contractor is responsible for collecting and submitting information for all attributes specified in the call order and shall leave other fields blank. Attributes will be collected in accordance with the technical specifications and methods outlined in the call order and following documents located in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section of this contract: R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices (Appendix H: List of Species, Appendix J: Fixed Radius Plot, Appendix K: Variable Radius Plot (Borderline Trees), Appendix L: Measuring Diameter, Appendix M: Point of Diameter Measurement, Appendix N: Radial Growth and Height Growth, Appendix O: Measuring Age, Appendix P: Measuring Height, Appendix Q: Measuring Crowns, Appendix R: Damage Categories, Agents, Severity Ratings, and Tree Parts).

All protocols included in this contract are listed in Table 1.2 which are based on R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, R1 CSE/IM Appendices, R1 CSE/IM Supplemental Appendices, (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibits 1, 2 and 3) and R1 FSVeg Spatial WT Protocols (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 9). These documents provide attribute definitions, data collection techniques, and measurement tolerances. The allowable range of measurement, or classification error, is termed the “tolerance”.

For CSE, OG, INVM, LID, and FMR data For CSE, OG, INVM, LID, and FMR, data attribute tolerance limits are indicated in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and in Appendix T of the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibits 1 and 2), unless otherwise specified in specific protocols/call orders.

For INT data For INT, data attribute tolerance limits are indicated in the R1 Intensified Grid Field Procedures for each attribute and Appendix C of the R1 Intensified Grid Field Procedures Protocol (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 6).

For WT Exams For WT exams, data attribute tolerance limits will generally follow quick plot tolerances indicated in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and in Appendix T of the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices (Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 2), unless otherwise specified in specific protocols/call orders. When taking measurements, use procedures outlined in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide unless otherwise indicated in the protocols/call order.

A. CSE - The Contractor shall measure and record data for each setting and complete the forms specified for data collection, as indicated by the Exam Level, in each call order for Common Stand Exam based data collection. All settings will have a Setting, Sample Design, Plot Form, and Tree Data Form. Optional forms are the Vegetation Composition, Ground Surface Cover, and Down Woody Material Form. All data will be collected in accordance with the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and protocols listed in Table 1.2.

Setting Form The Contractor shall complete one Setting Form for each setting with the technical specifications and methods outlined in the specified protocol/call order and R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, Section 2: Setting Form – Intensive/Extensive Exam Levels and Section 9: Setting Form – Quick Plot Exam Level in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 1.

Additional observations that may be required in the CSE Setting/ Stand Narrative Form may include, but are not limited to the following and will be specified in the individual call order:

i. BAF/FRQ factor used to select large and understory trees to sample on the plot.

ii. Overstory description and structure: Describe species by species composition, height classes, DBH range, age classes (for plots where ages were not taken, an estimated age for main canopy layer should be covered in narrative), trees per acre, distribution (clumpy, uniform, scattered), damage agents and general condition.

i. Understory description: same as above Overstory description, with the addition of % coverage of understory trees throughout the stand, and tree vigor (ability to release).

ii. Site Characteristics including soil depth, hydro activity (such as intermittent streams, slumps and marshes), rock, topography, inhibiting brush/grass species or logging equipment constraints.

iii. Old growth characteristics: Describe canopy stories, presence of older large DBH trees and snags, decadence.

iv. Wildlife use: Identify pellet groups, evidence of browsing, active game trails, nesting snags, big game species, non-game species, birds, and birds of prey.

v. Vegetation, habitat type and sensitive plants: Describe specific vegetation, its height and distribution. Identify any changes in habitat type such as micro-sites, aspect changes or transition zones. Be specific as to what is influencing specific habitat type changes. Identify sensitive plant species or noxious weeds as specified in the individual call order if encountered anywhere in the stand and mark their location on stand work maps.

vi. Down wood and snags: Describe the down woody component (high, medium, low amounts), size class and distribution (even, clumpy).

vii. Previous management activities: Has logging, thinning, roads, wildfire, prescribed fire, cattle- use or other anthropogenic disturbances occurred in the stand.

viii. Required items not found in the stand shall be documented in the stand narrative. For example, no wildlife sign is observed. Write: No evidence of wildlife use in this stand.

ix. Personal comments / management insights (optional).

x. Protocols/call order may list additional attribute(s) to make notes of.

Table 3.2.1 Setting Form Minimum Required Attributes by Protocol

R1 CSE/IM

Field Guide Attribute number

Attribute

Data Source

CSE

CSE OG

INVM*

INT*

FMR*

LID

X

X

X

X

X

Call order Specified

*During measurement of INVM Rem, INT Rem, and FMR, many data attributes collected during prior measurement are provided and checked for accuracy but generally not updated if within tolerance. See individual protocols for more detailed information.

Sample Design Form The Sample Design Form contains information about how each subpopulation of interest is selected for sampling and describes the type of plots to be installed, such as fixed area or variable radius plots or a transect. Detailed information on the Sample Design Form is found in R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, Section 3: Sample Design Form – All Exam Levels in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 1.

a. The Sample Design will be indicated in the protocol or call order. Unless specified in the call order, the same sample design will be used for all settings.

b. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form for all plots within a setting.

c. Tolerances for the Sample Design Form are found in Appendix T of the Region 1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices and in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 2 of this contract.

d. Depending on the call order, BAF may be used for determining which large-trees to sample. The BAF may be predetermined or required to be selected by the contractor; this information will be provided in the call order.

For call orders where the contractor is determining the BAF factor, an average minimum number of live trees per plot must be obtained on the variable-radius plot as specified in the individual call order.

For each setting, if the BAF is modified, from what is provided in the Exams Mobile software template file, the Contractor shall edit the Setting Sample Design Form, Expansion Factor field for all tree sub-populations sampled with the modified BAF for the setting.

Additionally, the BAF factor used must be recorded on the Contractor Setting Form in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 11 and the paper CSE Setting/Stand Narrative Form (if required by the call order) Exhibit 12 in the Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section.

Plot Form The Contractor shall collect plot data in accordance with the technical specifications and methods outlined in the in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Section 4: Plot Data Form – All Exam Levels in Contract Document, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 1, or Section 4 of the R1 Protocols.

Individual call orders will specify which attributes are required to be collected on the Plot Form. Non-required attributes will not be displayed in the Exams Mobile software Plot Form, in the template file.

Table 3.2.2 provides minimum required attributes for the Plot Form by protocol. Additional attributes may be required as specified by protocols/call order.

Table 3.2.2 Plot Form minimum required attributes by protocol

CSE

Attribute #

Attribute Name

Data Source

CSE

INVM*

CSE OG

INT*

FMR*

LID

Vegetation Code

X

X

* During measurement of INVM Rem, INT Rem, and FMR, many data attributes, collected during prior measurement, are provided and checked for accuracy but generally not updated if within tolerance. See individual protocols for more detailed information.

i. Acquiring Plot Locations Procedure Using Global Positioning System (GPS) (Latitude/Longitude)

a. For CSE, INVM, OG, INT plot center coordinates shall be acquired in accordance with R1 CSE/IM Field Guide, 4.1.1 Locating Plot Center (GPS Method) unless otherwise specified. The Contractor shall set up the GPS receiver and software, with the technical specifications provided in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide and R1 CSE/IM Supplemental Appendices – Supplemental Appendix R1- C in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibits 1 and 3.

b. For INT, plot center coordinates shall be acquired in accordance with R1 Intensified Grid Field Procedures Appendix B in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 6.

c. For LID, the contractor shall set up the GPS receiver and software, and acquire the coordinates for each plot center in accordance with the technical specifications and plot acquisition procedures provided in the R1 Veg Sampling for Lidar, 4.B Finding the Plot Center (GPS Method) in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 8 unless otherwise specified in an individual call order.

1. Plot center must be recorded with sub-meter accuracy. This will require use of a resource grade GPS unit capable of obtaining the stated accuracy of ± 1 meters or less in the horizontal dimension.

ii. References for collecting Plot Potential Vegetation (Item 4.11) and Residual Descriptive Code (Item 4.13, Fuel Photo Series) will vary depending on geographic region and type of vegetation that is being sampled. These references will be specified in the call order and specified on the Setting Form.

Tree Data Form The Contractor shall select trees to be sampled, based on the sample design and collect and record live and dead tree data in accordance with the technical specifications and methods outlined in the following documents located in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section of this contract, Exhibits 1 and 2:

Required attributes shall be recorded in the tree data form. Non-required attributes shall be left blank. The minimum Tree Data attributes to collect depend upon the Exam Level (Item 2.13.1), which is set in the Setting Form. These minimums are found in the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Section 2.13.1 Tree Data Examination Level in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 1 of this contract.

Tree Data Form - One of three examination levels (Intensive Exam, Extensive Exam, and Quick Plot Exam) may be specified in a call order. Minimum attributes to collect and accuracy standards vary depending on examination level. Attribute tolerances are indicated in Appendix T of the R1 CSE/IM Field Guide Appendices in Contract Documents, Exhibits or Attachments Section, Exhibit 2. The Tree Exam Level only indicates the minimum required attributes to collect and additional attributes may be required. See the protocol/call order for further specifications.