C04q_14 Planting and Reforestation Description of Work.pdf

Performance Work Statement 06/11/2026

Nez Perce Clearwater NF - South Zone

Scope of Contract: It is the objective of this contract to obtain high quality tree planting services to ensure maximum tree survival and achieve prompt reforestation of the sites. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished), and incidentals necessary to perform planting services on the designated areas.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The project consists of hand tree planting on the.

Nez Perce Clearwater National Forests.

South Zone (Salmon River Ranger District)

The location of the work sites, method of site preparation, size of units, tree species, stock type and other information pertinent to each planting unit will be furnished on Detailed Unit Information Charts and Project Maps.

Access

Most units can be accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicles with tire chains. At times, vehicle access may be limited or restricted to protect resources. Walking may be required to access some planting units. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will determine whether or not vehicle access shall be permitted depending on weather and road conditions at the time of planting. The Forest Service will be responsible for the initial opening of the road. Any trees that fall after the initial road clearing will be the contractor's responsibility to remove.

WALK-IN ACCESS: Due to closure of temporary roads or other blocked access, occasional walk-in access may be required.

It is anticipated that conditions may permit spring planting operations to commence prior to the time the roads become accessible for vehicle travel. Therefore, the Government will provide snow removal and road maintenance as necessary to provide access to the majority of the planting units.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

I. Bareroot Trees. The tree species, stock type, and age will be specified in the Detailed Unit Information Charts. The Government will deliver trees in shipping containers, packed in plastic bags. Ninety percent of the trees will have tops ranging from 3 to 20 inches except western larch which may have tops up to 30 inches. Ninety percent of the 2-0 trees will have vertical and lateral root lengths from 10 to 12 inches. Ninety percent of the 3-0 white pine will have vertical and lateral root lengths from 11 to 13 inches. Occasional lateral roots on individual trees may exceed this length. When an individual tree is encountered with a vertical root or a majority of the lateral roots exceeding 14 inches, it shall be planted in accordance with the technical specifications, or it may be returned to the Government.

a) Trees with root systems less than 8 inches long shall not be planted. All trees must have at least 3 roots (vertical or lateral) which are 8 inches long or longer. Trees that do not meet the minimum size standards shall be returned to the Government or disposed of as directed by the COR.

b) Individual task orders may require Terrasorb and our may require additional step of wrapping trees with moisture barrier wrap similar to kimtex after dipping. The moisture barrier wraps and Terrasorb would be a government furnished material. If required the government we'll add the appropriate amount ofTerrasorb to the dipping water before trees are dipped.

2. Container grown trees. The Government will deliver trees in shipping containers, packed in plastic bags with plugs extracted. The length of the container plugs will be 6 to 9 inches long with the tops of the trees ranging from 4 to 15 inches. At least 90 % of the trees will meet these specifications.

3. Reflective tarps.

4. The government may invoke the option to supply containers and/or water for dipping.

5. Delivery of Government-furnished property. The contractor shall place written orders for trees and other Government property at least 24 hours in advance for on-site tree dipping bareroot orders or container tree orders. The Government property will be delivered to the tree delivery points. The tree delivery points will be the planting unit or the beginning of the walk-in.

6. Return and disposal of Government-Furnished Property. The Contractor shall return all unused trees to the tree delivery point at the completion of a unit or the end of the day. The Contractor shall pick up all trash and refuse, from the tree planting operation and place in a designated container at the tree delivery point.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PLANTING EQUIPMENT

The Contractor shall provide planting tools, bags, and other necessary tools to perform planting and quality control.

Hodad shall have a minimum blade length of 15 inches and width of 4 inches. Shorter blade length planting containerized trees maybe allowed depending on COR approval. Length is measured from tip to bottom of handle bracket. Planting bags shall be a minimum of 15 inches deep, free of defects and light in color. As determined by the COR, insulated planting bag liners may be required depending on temperatures at time of planting.

CARE AND PROTECTION OF TREES

The care and protection of trees during the periods of transportation, handling and planting is extremely important.

Care shall be taken to adhere to the following requirements any time trees are in the Contractor's possession.

Noncompliance with these requirements may be grounds for termination of the contract.

(a) Trees shall be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, bending, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances.

(b) Shipping containers containing trees shall be opened only in full shade and shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Shipping containers shall not be tossed or dropped. Punctured or torn shipping containers or liners shall be promptly resealed. Shipping containers shall be separated to provide free air movement. Trees may be placed on racks or inside boxes which will support the weight and prevent crushing.

(c) Trees shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

(d) Trees are to be planted or prepared without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the COR.

(e) Trees that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in accordance with direction from the COR.

(f) Trees in planting bags shall only have tops exposed.

(g) Trees shall not be removed from planting bag until immediately before planting. They shall be gently removed one at a time to prevent injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

(h) Trees carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried and removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Containerized trees shall be placed in the bag, so as not to compress or cause excessive soil loss from the plugs. Bareroot trees shall be placed in the planting bag loosely so as not to cause any damage to the seedling foliage or roots. Trees placed in bags will be planted and not returned to storage.

(i) Extracted container trees furnished in plastic bags or bareroot trees furnished in the original nursery boxes shall be planted by noon the day following delivery. When weather or unsuitable planting conditions prevent the contractor from planting the trees within the specified time, the Contractor shall return the trees to the designated delivery point.

TREE PREPARATION

Water dip at planting site:

(a) When bareroot stock is required, the contractor will provide clean water and dipping tubs sufficient for dipping trees. The government at any time may invoke the option to supply clean water and or tubs. Trees shall be dipped for not less than 10 seconds or more than 1 minute. The Contractor shall dip the roots ofbareroot trees in clean water at the planting site, prior to being placed in planter's bag. Roots shall be fully wet. Bareroot stock shall be removed from the shipping container and immediately dipped in water. Tree roots shall not be exposed to air for more than 20 seconds. Individual task orders may require Terrasorb and/or may require additional step of wrapping trees with moisture barrier wraps similar to kimtex after dipping. The moisture barrier wraps and Terrasorb would be a government furnished material.

(b) All tree dipping shall be done under the direct supervision of the Government.

SPACING AND SPOT SELECTION

(a) Spacing requirements. Trees shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at the spacing intervals prescribed in the Detailed Unit Information Charts (DUIC), depending on suitable planting spots, for individual trees the spacing may be varied as much as 50% in any direction to attain the best plantable spot. However, spacing control shall be resumed using the original guides, and the number of trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased by the method of selecting planting spots. Planting will be based on trees per acre. An acceptable established tree is any existing conifer of good fom1, color, free of significant damage, and a species and size specified in the DUIC. All trees ordered for the unit shall be planted in the unit at this COR discretion. Trees shall be planted up to the edge of all boundaries at the proper spacing requirement.

(b) Planting spot selection. Planting spot selection requirements vary in the type and amount of protection necessary for tree survival. This contract requires micrositing, as follows:

(2) Animal protection and shade using stationary material. Wherever possible, planting spots shall be selected where stationary protection sources are located on the south to west side of the tree. The largest material or feature available is preferred as the protection source. The Contractor is not required to use material less than 3 inches in diameter. The tree shall be planted as close as possible to the source of protection (microsite ).

(3) Stationary material first, transportable shade second. A tree planted next to stationary material will be placed on the north to northeast side or where there is the most protection from the sun during the hottest part of the day when it is available. If stationary material does not exist in the spacing allowance, shade is transported to the tree.

Transportable shade is natural material such as wood debris that can be moved to the planting spot to shade the tree from the sun. Suitable transportable shade material must be at least 3 inches in diameter and be within½ of the spacing distance of the planted tree.

(c) Temporary roads, cut/fill slopes, and fire lines. All temporary roads, skid trails and cut/fill slopes shall be planted where compaction, soil availability and general plantability permits unless directed otherwise by the COR.

PLANTING SPOT PREPARATION

(a) Clearing. Before preparing the planting hole, all debris down to the soil surface in a spot equal to or larger than the minimum diameter and maximum depth specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart shall be removed by the contractor. Debris to be removed includes duff, litter, dry soil, rotten or charred wood, moss, loose rock, ashes, snow, and surface frost. Branches and limbs shall not be included in the measurement for maximum depth measurement. If the clearing of branches and limbs can be done with a reasonable effort, without setting aside the scalping tool, the spot shall be considered plantable.

(b) Scalping. When live vegetation including roots is present, the contractor shall remove the vegetation to the depth specified below the soil surface in a spot equal to or larger than the diameter specified. The minimum diameter and maximum depth to be scalped is specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart. Woody vegetation measured at ground level smaller than the diameter specified in the Detailed Unit Information Chart shall be removed.

(c) Base Prices Include: For All Items unless specified otherwise in the unit detailed information chart.

Clearing - 10-inch minimum diameter and 8-inch maximum depth.

Scalping- 12-inch minimum diameter, 3-inch maximum depth, and maximum diameter of woody vegetation to be removed is¾ inch.

PREPARING THE PLANTING HOLE

Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area, except as required to meet animal protection and shade requirements and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and vertical.

An open hole wide and deep enough to fully accommodate the roots of the trees to be planted is required. Slit planting, the opening of a hole without breaking it out, will not be permitted.

The Contractor shall find plantable spots and open holes in difficult as well as easily plantable ground.

TREE PLACEMENT

Bareroot trees. The trees shall be placed near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement. After filling, firming, and leveling, the soil shall come to a point even with, or when conditions allow, up to 1 inch above the original root collar or original ground line of the tree. The location of the original ground line will vary considerably between seed lots and tree species. No portion of the roots shall be exposed, nor any branches covered with firmed soil.

The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, jammed, or spiraled. The root system shall extend downward and be aligned with the axis of the planting hole.

When trees are planted with lateral roots exceeding the maximum length, the long lateral roots shall be placed in the bottom of the planting hole in a manner that does not affect the placement of the vertical root or other lateral roots. Trees with long lateral roots planted in this manner will not be subjected to a root configuration violation during inspection.

Containerized trees. The trees shall be placed near the center of the hole with roots in a near natural arrangement. After filling, firming, and leveling, the soil shall come to a point even with, or when conditions allow, up to 1 inch above the original root collar or original ground line of the tree. No portion of the roots shall be exposed, nor any branches covered with firmed soil.

The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, jammed, or spiraled. The root system shall extend downward and be aligned with the axis of the planting hole.

The Contractor shall take care to keep the plug growing media intact, but in those instances where the media falls away from the roots the tree shall be planted in accordance with (a) above. The roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, spiraled, bunched, jammed, or compressed into the planting hole.

FILLING AND FIRMING

The original soil from the hole shall be filled in and firmed around the tree roots or plug. Material foreign to the hole such as dry soil, ash, organic matter, and rock shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed in a manner so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the tree is firmly secured in the ground. The Contractor shall not wedge or jam the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the tree shall be done in a manner to assure no damage is done to the tree or root system. The soil shall be firmed around the tree such that the tree is not in an excessive depression that may collapse on the tree nor is the stem or foliage of the tree in contact with a dirt bank. After planting, the tree stem shall be erect/orientated between the vertical and perpendicular limits of the planting hole and free to grow. The tree shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. When firming hoedad should be placed in the hole at a distance far enough away as not to damage the roots.

MIXTURE OF SPECIES

The species to be planted will be indicated on the Detailed Unit Information Charts. The species mix and distribution will be specified by the Government for each subitem. The Contractor shall maintain a uniform mixture of species throughout the unit unless otherwise directed by the COR.

(b) Calculations for wasted trees shall be made as follows:

(1) Items Priced by the Acre: From the Plots

No. of Wasted Trees on Plots ________ 1

Wasted Tree Charge Rate per Tree

No. of Plots Taken X Plot Size x Acres in Subitem x Charge

(2) Items Priced by the MTR: From the Plots

Tree

No. of Wasted Trees on Plots (col. 8) Wasted Tree Charge = Total No. of Trees on Plots (col. 7) x Total No. Trees Planted in Unit x Charge Rate per

(3) Wasted Trees Found by Inspectors During Planting Operations

Found Wasted Tree Charge = Number of Wasted Trees X Charge Rate Per Tree

When planted or dropped wasted trees are found, and they are considered minor in nature, the Contracting Officer may waive the wasted tree charge. In no case will a waiver be given if the total of the Inspection Form column 7, "Planted Trees," exceeds the total of column 6, "Maximum Number Allowable Trees," for any pay item.

(c) The Contractor shall be charged for Government-furnished property that is not returned, or returned in a nonusable condition.

Field Sanitation In accordance with US Department of Labor Fact Sheet No. ESA 97-28 "Field Sanitation Standards" (Ref. 29CFR 1928.110), employers must provide:

► Potable drinking water, suitably cool and in sufficient amounts, dispensed in single-use cups or by fountains, located so as to be readily accessible to employees.

► Facilities maintained in accordance with public health sanitation practices include upkeep of water quality through daily change or more often if necessary.

► Notification to each employee of the location of the water and allowance ofreasonable opportunities during the workday to use them. The employer also must inform the employee of the relevant health hazards in the field and the practices necessary to minimize them.

Camping and Worksite Conditions

Camping and Worksite Plan shall be consistent with requirements set forth in this section, Section I, the camping permit if required, and supplementary requirements in Section J. The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest applicable to forest visitors.

The Contractor shall obtain a camping permit from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest prior to camping on Forest Service land. Final payment shall be withheld until the authorized camping area has been cleaned up to the requirements of the Camping Permit.

If the Contractor does not obtain a camping permit but requires his/her employees to obtain the camping permit, the Contractor remains responsible for campsite cleanup and his/her employees conduct while camping on National Forest land.

Contractor lnformation: The Contractor shall abide by the OSHA's Field Sanitation Standard, Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92- 25, which applies to any agricultural establishment hiring 11 or more workers for hand labor.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Definition. An EMS provides a systematic approach for continually improving environmental performance and identifies the major environmental aspects and associated impacts that occur on a National Forest or Grassland. There are controls in place to manage these impacts, such as NEPA analysis, best management practices (BMPs), and resource monitoring.

The EMS simply documents and ensures that these controls are in place and working as intended. EMS is an ongoing process that formalizes the Forest Service's commitment to adaptive management and continual improvement of the environment.

Environmental Objectives:

I. Invasive Weeds - Reduce invasive weed introduction or spread through improved and more effective control and management.

2. Vegetation Management- l) Restore or maintain vegetation health including the improvement or maintenance of resilient, native wildlife habitat and 2) Reduce fuels in a pattern and location to decrease fire intensity in the proximity of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) or Community Wildfire Protection Plan areas.

3. Travel Management- I) Reduce the existing road systems' contributed sediment and impairment of water quality and aquatic habitats and 2) Improve security for grizzly bears or elk through the designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use.

4. Fleet Management/Petroleum Consumption - 1) Reduce petroleum consumption 2% annually, and 2) Use the most fuel-efficient vehicle for the job, and 3) Use carpooling and ride-sharing, and 4) Maintain vehicles for fuel efficiency.

TABLE 1. Average Number of Planting spots

Specified Ave.No. of Ave.No. of Ave.No. of Spacing Plantable Spots Plantable Spots on Plantable Spots on 1/50Acre 1/1 00Acre Plots on 1/20Acre

Plots Plots

7x7 18 9 Not appropriate

8x8 14 7 Not annropriate

9x9 11 5 Not appropriate lOxlO 9 4 22

11 X 11 7 Not anoropriate 18

12 X 12 6 Not annropriate 15

13 X 13 5 Not aooropriate 13

14x 14 4 Not appropriate 11

TABLE 2. Maximum Allowable Trees based on Number of planting spots (Table 1)

Plantable Maximum Plantable Maximum Plantable Maximum

Spots Trees Soots Trees Soots Trees

1 2 9 11 17 20

2 3 10 12 18 22

3 3 11 13 19 23

4 5 12 14 20 24

5 6 13 16 21 25

6 7 14 17 22 26

7 8 15 18 23 28

8 10 16 19 24 29

TABLE 3. Minimum number of trees to be dug based on number of trees satisfactory based on above ground criteria.

Number of Satisfactory Planted Above Minimum Number to

Ground Plots be Dul!

1 1

2-6 2

7-9 3

10-12 4

13 + 5

Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Plantings