Call 51_2026__OH_E.pdf

A. DESCRIPTION OF CALL:

This Call covers: FIA Data collection work in The following counties in east Ohio; Ashland, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Fairfield, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Licking, Lorain, Medina, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Wayne, and possibly others. Field Guide Version 9.5. Plot types included: P2, P2+, P2+ Soils, P2/Urban P2+/Urban, P2+Soils/Urban, and P1 QAQC verification OR OTHER plots. The data collection work is for One year and includes work for 2026 - to - 2027 field season.

See the BPA Contract Statement of Work for requirements that pertain to all BPA Calls. Details here are for this specific call.

This one year call will NOT include the collection of High-Performance Global Navigation Satellite System (HPGNSS) data.

B. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Throughout this document the following terms are defined as follows:

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

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

∗ Call: An individual work order that is specific to a BPA contract that funds and specifies deliverables including research plot types and numbers, the period of performance, and the specific Field Guide(s) that defines the deliverables.

o Base year – First year of data collection work o Option Year – Each additional year of data collection work

∗ Inspection: A review of a contractor’s plot data by a qualified FIA Inspector.

∗ Certification: A predefined data collection standard that a crew leader must demonstrate by passing field data collection testing and written tests based on the Field Guide versions defined in each call.

Certification can also be achieved with predefined FIA plot experience and passing QA inspections for experienced FIA data collectors.

∗ Inspector: Assists with certification sessions, performs Hot Checks, and inspects Crew Leader’s work. May also be referred to as QA Staff. (Quality Assurance Staff)

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

∗ Project Leader: Serves as the Contractor’s primary contact for interactions with the Forest Service.

There should only be one Project Leader assigned to this contract. If the Project Leader will also serve as a Crew Leader, they must meet all the requirements of a Crew Leader and should be designated as such on the Experience Questionnaire form, Attachment C.

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

o Qualified Crew Leader – meets the minimum standards for being able to submit solicitations for FIA call solicitations. Qualified crew leaders must pass written tests and meet minimum education or experience qualifications.

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

∗ Assistants: Serves as an assistant to a Crew Leader on a plot. Assistants do not have any experience or education requirements and do not need to be certified in data collection procedures.

They are considered the secondary data collector on the plot.

∗ Hot Check: FIA plot where an NRS quality control inspector or COR will be on plot with the contractor to inspect work as it is completed with the purpose of answering questions from the contractor on any aspects of FIA plot data collection work. Hot checks may be used as an alternative way to certify crew leaders at the Forest Service’s discretion.

∗ Core Urban plots: a co-located P2 plot with an Urban plot. May also be referred to as Dual plots.

Two plot types that can be the following combination:

o P2 (NFI – Nationwide Forest Inventory)/Urban o P2+/Urban o P2+ Soils/Urban o PI QA/QC/urban

∗ Invoice Block: Plots the Contractor submits to the COR in a single invoice.

∗ Inspection Block: Plots within an invoice block that are inspected for data quality and invoice payment.

∗ QA/QC: Quality Assurance/Quality Control

C. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:

Specifics on the data collected as outlined above for all plot types and associated certification tools can be found at the following websites. All Crew Leader(s) attending certification are required to show up with a working knowledge of the associated field guides and training tools (PowerPoints) associated with the Call.

All Materials (Field guides, Certification Materials (training tools), etc) are available on the website:

- Forest Inventory and Analysis | US Forest Service Research and Development (usda.gov) They can also be found on the pinyon site for download:

- NRS FIA Data Collection

Direct Links to Field Guides for version 9.5:

• P2 (NFI) and PI QAQC Field Guide:

• Urban Field Guide:

• P2+ and P2+ Soils Field Guide in the P2+ Field Guide (Leaf on Indicators or NFI Volume

I Supplement) folder

D. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Plot Type: Work Period:

PI QAQC / P2 Plots Post certification, February 2026 through February 15, Urban Post 2026 winter/spring certification through September 15, 2026 and no snow on ground P2+, P2+Soils, Core Urban P2+ and P2+Soils

Full leaf out through September 15, 2026 https://research.fs.usda.gov/nrs/programs/fia#data-collection https://usfs-public.box.com/s/2vnr75osmf396tsujdyt7102tl6gdit1 https://usfs-public.box.com/s/r6qtkeqib42omgx780t8onavgwevjb7i https://usfs-public.box.com/s/z3dtmflaa1xrtt215sx1mnld03y5onh2 https://usfs-public.box.com/s/r6qtkeqib42omgx780t8onavgwevjb7i https://usfs-public.box.com/s/r6qtkeqib42omgx780t8onavgwevjb7i

All plots are required to be completed in a specified time frame. If any work periods are extended, the COR will provide notice to the Contractor.

E. DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

To ensure that the contractor is making progress toward the completion of the current call solicitation, the contractor must meet completion benchmarks through the field season. It is the contractor’s responsibility to report the status of benchmark completion to the COR.

Email Benchmark Completion Report for each delivery schedule includes:

• Delivery Schedule Type (Leaf on Urban, P2+, P2+Soils) and Core (P1 QAQC and P2 Plots)

• Benchmark target plot number

• Total plots completed

• Plots remaining

• Notes

Deviation from this delivery schedule must be approved in writing from COR.

Any failures to meet these benchmarks must include a plan to get back on schedule and meeting the final delivery date.

These benchmarks are in addition to the requirements outlined in providing invoice blocks for payment of services rendered.

Specifically, the contractor must follow this delivery schedule for P1 QAQC and P2 Plots:

Benchmarks

Estimated Accumulated Plot Numbers

Required delivery to COR by:

Base year - first third of the first-year plots assigned 22 June 05, 2026 Base year - second third of the first-year plots assigned

September 23, 2026

Base year - 100% of the first-year plots assigned - 1 year

January 11, 2027

Option Quantities 1₸ 75 January 24, 2027 Option Quantities 2₸ 85 February 15, 2027

₸ The option quantity represents a small proportion of the overall plots to be completed when the option for these additional plots is exercised. These plots do not differ from the other plots listed except that they are completed at the end of the contract. The exact number will depend on which plot types the contractor chooses to complete first and which types remain near the end of the contract. Contractor must work closely with COR near end of contract due to unknown number of plots that are paid at Denied Access and hazardous plot rate throughout the contract period.

Specifically, the contractor will follow this delivery schedule for leaf on plots: Urban, P2+, P2+ Soils, and Core Urban (Dual).

Benchmarks (applies to both base and option year(s))

Estimated Plot Numbers

Required delivery to COR by:

First third of the total number of plots assigned 15 June 30, 2026 Second third of the total number of plots assigned 30 August 15, 2026 100% of the total number of base plots assigned 46 September 15, 2026

Plots can be completed prior to these specified due dates on an accelerated schedule if the contractor chooses to do so; 100% of all plot types must be completed, loaded, and turned in by February 15 for each year’s work.

Many factors affect data collection planning and pricing. A few (but not all), such factors are listed below:

• Plots are distributed across the State on public, private, and tribal lands. Obtaining permissions from individuals, companies, agencies, local governments, and tribal councils may take various amounts of lead time and preparation.

• Plots may require water crossings or may be located in areas prone to flooding where access is seasonally dependent.

• Plots may include coordinated access via hiking, boat, canoe, or ferry where advanced planning is necessary.

• Plots may require back country travel where advanced planning is necessary.

• Plots at high elevation locations may require seasonal access due to mud and snow.

The contractor is required to review plots upon receipt to look for potential access issues and plan work accordingly to complete on time. Difficult time-consuming plots may require multiple data collectors on plot or multiple days to complete the plot including overnight backpacking. Difficult time-consuming plots are not Hazardous plots. Failure to plan work and complete all plots by the delivery date will result in unpaid plots and impact a contractor’s future capability to perform evaluation.

The Forest Service may select certain plots that need to be completed by certain time of year based on plot access issues – weather, water, elevation, administrative constraints like hunting or wildlife habitat reserves, etc.

For this Call:

• All plots that require boat, canoe, or river crossing must be completed and turned in prior to August 15, 2026.

• All High Elevation Plots, Road Distance of greater than 2 miles and Backpacking Plots must be completed by August 15, 2026.

Failure to meet progress benchmarks and final delivery date:

Contractor must request a deadline delivery date extension from the COR at least two weeks prior to the delivery date. Extensions of deadlines may be at the discretion of the COR and approvals for extensions will be based on acceptable extenuating circumstances.

Failure to meet the final delivery date will result in the following reduction to plot invoice payments:

1 to 7 days late – reduction of 10% of the plot invoice price payment 8-14 days late – reduction of 20% of the plot invoice price payment 15 to 21 days late - reduction of 30% of the plot invoice price payment 22 to 28 days - reduction of 40% of the plot invoice price payment

Greater than 28 days – no payment and contract default

Failure to meet both benchmark progress dates and final delivery dates will also factor in the capability to perform future FIA contract bid evaluations or could remove a contractor from the current pool of qualified FIA contractors.

F. EVALUATION OF INVOICE BLOCKS

Microsoft Excel QA Score programs, P2/P2+/Urban Scoring Program: This program is used to determine passing or failing QA plot inspections and can be found at the following website:

• https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/2fenncg4fdmsnly99dmm31z4bunfaml5

Updates to QA Score program may occur through field season(s) and call years.

G. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT:

Each crew leader must be currently certified for the current Field Guide version to collect FIA data. For this call, the Field Guide Version is 9.5.

Costs for crew leaders to achieve certification will be included in the contractor’s plot bid pricing.

Prior to a certification session, crew leaders will have reviewed all current Field Guides associated with the contract in their entirety as well as reviewed all training tools and exercises provided prior to certification.

Crew leaders will be required to pass certification tests during or after each certification session, and all travel costs to and from certification sessions as well as any pre-work described here should be included in contract bid pricing. Tardiness at certification sessions is not tolerated and may result in a reduced future contract evaluation rating or forfeiting an awarded contract call.

Certification Attendance:

For this contract call the Forest Service will certify crew leaders as follows:

• One crew leader for every 120* combined P2, P2+, P2+ Soils plots (for calls that exceed 120 combined plots). Calls that have fewer than 120 plots the FS will certify one crew leader. PI QAQC verification plots rarely exceed 30 plots/call and are excluded from the P2/P2+/P2+ Soils plot counts to determine the number of certified crew leaders.

• One crew leader for every 75* Urban plots.

• This specific Ohio Call allows for up to 2 Crew leader(s) to be certified

* A crew leader can, and often does, complete more than these target certification plot numbers. Plot numbers are used to determine the number of crew leaders NRS FIA will certify annually. The Forest Service may allow additional certification opportunities for crew leaders upon a contractor’s request but is not required to certify beyond the requirements above. Additional crew leader certification will be dependent upon certification attendance numbers and the size of the certification classroom. The Forest Service reserves the right to determine who will be given additional certification attendance. Any and all certification costs are to https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/2fenncg4fdmsnly99dmm31z4bunfaml5 be included in a contractor’s bid pricing and contractors will not be given additional compensation for increased numbers of crew leaders attending certification.

Certification Requirement by Plot Types:

Requirements for P2 and Urban Certifications:

Certification Attendance Requirements is based on each individual call.

Crew leaders who met the requirements for attending fewer than three- or five-day sessions for the Calls awarded in August 2025 for Field Guide 9.5 are not excluded from the certification requirements for this set of Calls. Plot numbers and or failed plot inspections could have changed since the August Call evaluations. A crew leader who qualified as certified for Field Guide version 9.5 in August 2025 may need a three- or five-day session for this set of Calls. In other words, certification requirements are not static and are unique to each Call.

P2 Certification Standard:

P2 Cert Option A: 1 Day Virtual: If either of the following two criteria are met, the crew leader will be required to attend a one-day virtual certification session (January or February 2026) via an audio/visual teleconference (must be able to view content being screen shared) and have passed a written test for P2 V9.5 certification. No field test is required. PI QAQC verification plots, and non-Sampled plots do not count toward the following plot requirements.

• Criteria 1: Crew leader is certified in NRS FIA V9.4 and for the past year (10-1-2024 to 9/30/2025):

a. has completed the sum of 100 P2, P2 +, P2+ Soils, Urban, and P2/P2+/P2+ Soils Core

Urban plots. (The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in

MIDAS.)

b. and has passed 90% or greater of plot QA inspections

OR

• Criteria 2: Crew leader is certified in NRS FIA V9.3 and/or V9.4 and for the past two years

(10/1/2023 to 9/30/2025):

a. Has completed the sum of 160 P2, P2+, P2+ Soils, Urban, and P2/P2+/P2+ Soils Core Urban plots. The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in MIDAS

b. And has passed 90% or greater of plot QA inspections.

P2 Cert Option B: 3 day in Person: If crew leader does not meet requirement for Cert Option A, But is certified in NRS FIA V9.3 and/or 9.4 and completed the sum of 20 P2, P2+, P2+ Soils, Urban, and P2/P2+/P2+ Soils Core Urban plots in the past year based on single year dates listed above or 40 such plots in two year option dates above: (The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in

MIDAS).

Crew leaders who fail to maintain a 90% passing rate of QA inspections but have the plot production numbers will attend the three-day in person session.

• Crew Leader will need to attend a three-day in person certification session.

• a. Anticipated Date: Week of March 16-20, 2026 but could be anytime in March or April; exact 3 days to be determined.

• b. Location: Pittsburg, PA

P2 Cert Option C: 5 day in Person: All other crew leaders will require a five-day in person certification session

a. Anticipated Date: March 16-20, 2026, but could be anytime in March or April.

b. Location: Pittsburg, PA

In multiple year calls, standards will be similar for the option year(s). It will be at the Forest Service’s discretion to determine exact dates and locations. It may be on a new or updated Field Guide.

Urban Certification Standard:

Must be P2 certified as specified above.

Additionally:

Urban Cert Option A: 1-Day Virtual: If either of the following two criteria are met, the crew leader will be required to attend a one-day virtual certification session via an audio/visual teleconference (must be able to view content being screen shared) and passed a written test for Urban V9.5 certification. No field test is required. PI QAQC verification plots, and Non-Sampled plots do not count toward the following plot requirements.

• Crew leader is certified in Urban FIA V9.4 and for the past year (10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025)

a. has completed the sum of 75 Urban plots or a combination of 25 Urban plots plus 50 P2 plots

(P2+/P2+ Soils). The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in

MIDAS

b. and has passed 90% or greater of Urban plot QA inspections.

OR

• Crew leader is certified in Urban FIA V9.3 and/or V9.4 and for the past two years (10/1/2023 to

9/30/2025)

a. has completed the sum of 125 Urban plots or a combination of 50 Urban plots plus 75 P2 plots (P2+/P2+Soils). The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in MIDAS

b. and has passed 90% or greater of Urban plot QA inspections

One-day tentatively scheduled for March or April 2026

Urban Cert Option B: 3-day in Person: If crew leader does not meet requirement for Urban Cert Option A, But is certified in Urban NRS FIA V9.4 and/or 9.3 and completed the sum of 20 P2, P2+, P2+ Soils, Urban, and P2/P2+/P2+ Soils Core Urban plots in the past year based on single year dates listed above or 40 such plots in two year option dates above: (The query for this count will be based on the plot completion or field date in MIDAS).

Crew leaders who fail to maintain a 90% passing rate of QA inspections on Urban Plots but have the plot production numbers, will attend the three-day in person session. Because urban plots also collect all the P2 data, the Forest Service will determine whether failed plot inspections on urban plots will result in attending a three-day session for Urban, a three-day session for P2, or in very rare occasions, where the crew leader is failing with both P2 and Urban protocols, both three-day sessions due to the failed Urban Plots.

• Crew Leader will need to attend a three day in person certification session.

a. Date: March or April 2026

b. Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Urban Cert Option C: 4-day in Person: All other crew leaders will require a four-day certification session.

a. Date: March or April 2026

b. Location: Pittsburgh, PA

P2+ Certification Standard:

Must be P2 certified as specified above.

Crew Leaders that are currently certified in P2+: To be P2+ certified, crew leaders must have attended and passed the 2023 P2+ certification session and have not been decertified. These crews will be required to attend a 1-day virtual session and complete and pass the written P2+ test as will be specified by the COR

a. Date: April or May 2026

b. Location: Virtual via audio/visual teleconference.

All crew leaders not presently certified from the 2023 P2+ Certification session will be required to attend a 4-day P2+ session and complete and pass the written P2+ test as will be specified by the COR.

a. Date: April or May 2026

b. Location: To be Determined but will be in IL or IA.

Contractors without P2+ certified crew leaders are able and encouraged to submit bid packages to contracts with P2+ plots. The lack of P2+ certification could play a role in the award evaluation process as it relates to a contractor’s capability to perform but will not exclude the contractor from bidding on calls with P2+ plots. If a contractor without a certified P2+ crew leader is awarded a Call with P2+ plots, the COR will remove these plot types from the call and have them completed with a P2+ certified crew leader.

Currently certified crew leaders will retain certification until the next required P2+ certification session;

however, if a certified P2+ crew leader fails more than one P2+ plot inspection per contract year due to problems with the P2+ protocols, Down Woody Material (DWM), Soils, Vegetation, Regeneration, Invasives, and Crowns, the crew leader will be decertified. Any remaining P2+ plots in a Call post decertification will need to be completed by a P2+ certified crew leader. Recertification won’t be available until the next P2+ certification session.

P2+ data collection cannot begin until the plot locations have “leaf out” conditions on trees. Contractors may start obtaining landowner permission after completing certification requirements and plots are available in

MIDAS.

All Crew Leader(s) are required to show up at the required certification with a working knowledge of the associated field guides and PowerPoints described and linked to in Section C of this Call.

Additional Certification Information:

All potential Crew Leads must submit written tests for P2, P2+ and Urban at time of bid submittal. Scores on tests will be used in bid evaluations. If the contract Call does not have P2+ or urban plots, the tests for these plot types are not required.

For option year(s), Contractor will be given updated written tests for P2, P2+ and Urban to be submitted at a time specified by the Forest Service.

Failure to pass certification requirements at certification session(s)

If a potential Crew Leader is unable to pass initial certification, recertification may be offered at another certification session or NRS FIA may provide one-on-one data collection review (Hot Check plots) with a FIA QA inspector or the COR. The Forest Service will dictate when and where either the second certification session is held or whether Hot Check certification will occur. When Hot Checks are used to certify, the COR will determine the number of Hot Checks required. After the Hot Check(s) are complete, the Crew Leader will complete a plot, identified by the COR or inspector, independently. That plot will be revisited by the COR or QA inspector using the QA Scoring Program. If the plot passes inspection, the crew leader will be certified and paid for that plot. If the plot fails QA inspection, that crew leader will be unable to complete FIA plots in that contract, the failed plot will not be invoiced and paid, and the call solicitation may be canceled. Any cost to the contractor to get crew leader(s) certified after failing initial certification efforts will be the responsibility of the contractor. Contractors will not be paid/will not invoice for plots done as Hot Checks for second attempt certifications. No payments are made for uncertified contractors.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Nothing discussed by either the Inspector or COR during a certification or Hot Check should be considered a constructive change to the contract. Only the CO can approve a constructive change.

The Forest Service will NOT assume any contractor costs associated with recertification. It is up to the contractor to cover the cost of their Crew Leader’s recertification whether that’s with Hot Checks or attending a second certification session anywhere within the NRS Region.

Crew leaders cannot complete FIA plots independently until they’ve been certified and have received notification from the COR. Any plot that is completed by an uncertified crew leader will not receive payment.

Decertification

Change in Field Guide version.

A crew leader will be decertified if a new Field Guide is implemented for this contract. Recertification will be provided for each crew leader working under the new Field Guide as described in Section G. above, through a formal 1-day, 3-day or 5-day certification session.

Failed Inspections.

A crew leader will also be decertified for any current Field Guide version if:

• The crew leader fails 2 or more of the first 6 inspections in any NRS FIA contract

• The inspection pass rate falls below 70% with 7 or more inspections in any NRS FIA contract.

• When a plot with multiple protocols fails, it is at the Forest Service’s discretion to determine which protocol(s) the failure applies to.

Once a crew leader has been decertified, the Forest Service may not accept work performed by that crew leader until the crew leader has been recertified.

H. BID PRICING

Many factors affect data collection planning and plot costs for bid pricing such as ones listed under Delivery Schedule section previously.

Remeasurement of all plot types, P2/P2+/P2+ Soils/Urban, are generally less time consuming to complete because of existing previous data for subplots, boundaries, and tally trees. Old data must be verified and corrected if in error, but in most cases previous data pertaining to subplot locations, boundaries, and tree distances and azimuths from point centers does not change. Existing SP maps and notes on previous installation also add efficiencies in remeasurement

Plot Types and Plot numbers for Bid Pricing

Requirements:

We’re requiring that bid pricing be submitted in a provided excel spreadsheet for any plot type that is in each Call. This new requirement is also referenced in the Section K - FY2026 NRS Calls Bid Package Check List on the last page of this document.

Plot Type: Very general information:

PI QAQC Generally scattered across the entire state/s, verification checks P2, P2+, P2+ Soils Generally scattered across the state/s with some concentration around areas with a higher concentration of FIA defined forest land.

Remeasurement plots

CITY Urban Areas Plots located in and around the “greater CITY metro area”. Urban plots will be new plots, first time measurements.

STATE Statewide Urban Areas

A very few scattered Urban plots around the rest of the state

CITY Urban Areas Plots located in and around the “greater CITY metro area”. Urban plots will be new plots, first time measurements.

STATE Statewide Urban Areas

A very few scattered Urban plots around the rest of the state

Plot Type: Estimated Plot count

PI 2

P2 83 P2+ 6 P2+ Soils 5 P2 Urban STATE*** 32 (estimated) Core P2/Urban* 3 (estimated) Core P2+/Urban* 0 (estimated) Core P2+ Soils Urban* 0 (estimated)

*This call is requiring bid pricing for Core Urban plots opposed to paying the cost of completing an Urban plot AND the P2/P2+/P2+ Soils plot (the Core Urban plot price covers BOTH the Urban and P2/P2+/P2+ Soils plot files).

Having Core and Urban plot types co-located

1) Reduces travel time to two separate plot locations.

2) Data is populated for the P2 subplot 1 from the Urban plot tally reducing data entry

3) Some of ownerships overlap.

In summary, co-located Core Urban plots are not the equivalent sum of two separate plot types at different locations.

** 4 of these plots will have a few Region1/2 variables to collect in addition to the rest of the traditional NRS P2 variables – see Field Guide for details.

***A few of these plots will be statewide plots

Denied Access Plots When PLOT STATUS is 3 in P2 and PLOT STATUS is 4 in urban, contractors will only be compensated $50.00 per plot. All denied access plots will be listed on each invoice block of plots submitted for payment as encountered (not all at once at the end of contract). They must also meet the submission requirement of 28 days since the plot was completed in the field. Inspection of denied access plots and conditions will be completed by follow-up attempts to gain access by NRS FIA personnel or inspectors. Plot status or condition status defined as denied access by the contractor that are found to be accessible by NRS FIA personnel or inspectors may be defined as failed plot inspections. Failed plot inspections are not paid to contractor;

however, the contractor may be required to revisit plots or conditions on plot that are no longer defined as denied access at the discretion of the Forest Service. If the contractor revisits and completes the previously denied access plot or conditions on plot, the contractor should submit the completed plot for payment in the next invoice block. The Forest Service retains the discretion of whether to return a denied access plot for completion or define it as a failed plot. As previously stated, NRS FIA retains ownership of all data submitted by the contractor and has the option to correct, revisit, or keep data as is in the NRS FIA database without compensation to the contractor.

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

• Documentation of landowner contact procedures were followed as laid out in field guide and recorded on the plot sheets. Includes, names, dates and times of call/text attempts, and dates letters were sent.

• If the landowner contact address is within the same county of the plot location, an on-site property visit, knock on the door, to request permission is necessary prior to coding the plot denied access. If no one is home at the time of the site visit, contractors will need to document the date and time that the site visit was conducted. Additionally, contractors will be required to leave a landowner brochure and a written description on how the landowner can contact the contractor.

This could be a business card or the FIA permission form that’s typically enclosed in mailings to landowners.

• If the contractor was denied access verbally either on site or over the phone, the following should be entered in MIDAS plotsheet program:

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

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

• Denied access plots will be identified by writing “denied access” next to plot number on the invoice along with a note stating the name of the individual who denied access and the plot type – P1, P2, P2+, P2+ soils, urban, Core urban, P2+ Core urban and P2+ soils Core urban.

If the contractor receives permission for a plot after it has been processed as denied access, the contractor must contact the COR, the COR may reissue plot to contractor, then the contractor can complete the plot and resubmit for full plot price minus any payment already received for plot.

Hazardous plots When plots are classified as entirely hazardous, contractors will only be compensated $50.00 per plot. All hazardous plots will be listed on each invoice block of plots submitted for payment as encountered (not all at once at the end of contract). They must also meet the submission requirement of 28 days since the plot was completed in the field. All plots with a condition that is classified as hazardous will need to be discussed with the contract COR. Plots that have seasonal access requirements like high elevations, overnight backpacking, require watercraft or river crossing, seasonal flooding, and swamps and marshes are not hazardous plots (see section “Delivery Schedule” above). Plot status defined as hazardous by the contractor that are found to be accessible by NRS FIA personnel or inspectors may be defined as failed plot inspections. Failed plot inspections are not paid to the contractor; however, the contractor may be required to revisit plots that are no longer defined as hazardous at the discretion of the Forest Service. If the contractor revisits and completes the previously hazardous plot, the contractor should submit the completed plot for payment in the next invoice block. The Forest Service retains the discretion of whether to return a hazardous plot for completion or define it as a failed plot. As previously stated, NRS FIA retains ownership of all data submitted by the contractor and has the option to correct, revisit, or keep data as is in the NRS FIA database without compensation to the contractor.

52.211-16 Variation in Quantity.

Variation in Quantity (Apr 1984)

(a) A variation in the quantity of any item called for by this contract will not be accepted unless:

a. the variation has been caused by a miscalculation on the Forest Service’s projection of the number of field plots estimated prior to Phase 1 – the office determination of plots on imagery and whether they are field visited plots or not.

(b) The permissible variation shall be limited to:

a. 20 Percent increase or plus 5 plots whichever is greater 20 Percent decrease or minus 5 plots whichever is greater.

This increase or decrease shall apply to all FIA plot types in each call.

(End of clause)

In Addition:

- If the Forest Service experiences unforeseen circumstances, such as but not limited to the loss of federal plot production capacity, the permissible variation of plots can be greater than specified variation above, however the Contractor can elect to decline or accept any of the quantity greater than the said variation.

I Deliverables Invoice Blocks:

Blocks of complete plots must have data files, plot sheets, and any scanned landowner replies uploaded into the FIA database.

Contractors must follow the “MIDAS Plotsheet and Protocols Quick Guide” of the plot sheet interface tool:”

document to create scan settings on computer, scanning documents, and naming the scanned files:

Items to be scanned unless otherwise specified in Call:

1. Landowner reply page/s (if obtained),

2. Unique Map/s (when applicable),

3. Note page/s not digitized in MIDAS (when applicable)

In addition to uploading plot files to the FIA database, contractors will be delivering invoice blocks for payment of services rendered. Invoices are not submitted for payment until after QA inspections are completed by FIA inspectors. No plot within the invoice block should have a field completion date that exceeds 28 days from the date the invoice block was submitted to the COR for inspection. This will allow for plots to be inspected prior to significant biological change (growth, removals/harvests, and mortality) since the time of original data collection.

• Invoice blocks require 20 or more plots for Urban Plots.

• Invoice blocks require 10 or more plots for PIQA, P2, and P2+

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

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

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

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

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

1. The contractor shall upload the edited digital plot files and plot sheets, complete the plot uploading process as stated in interface tool doc,

2. Send a list of the plots completed (via email) to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

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

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

https://www.ipp.gov/vendors

Invoices are NOT entered into IPP UNTIL the final inspection score is sent to the contractor from the COR stating that the block has been accepted. Once the COR informs the contractor that the invoice is accepted, the contractor should submit the invoice in IPP. The contractor needs to invoice in IPP no more than 30 days after receiving COR notice that the invoice is accepted. Failure to invoice within 30 days can cause accounting problems and the ability to pay the invoice with its respective funding source.

https://www.ipp.gov/vendors

Quality Incentive for Low Nonsample Conditions on Plots

Nonsample Plots and Nonsample Conditions are a detriment to the Forest Service and FIA program. An increase of percent of Nonsample Conditions decreases quality of data provided to FIA users of data. A Nonsample Condition also breaks the continuum of history that plot / trees provides.

Each plot will also be evaluated on presence of Nonsample Conditions to be used at end of call period to determine if eligible for additional payment.

Nonsample Condition Rate:

• Each plot will be evaluated on absence of any 14onsampled (Denied Access or Hazardous).

Condition at the end of Call year. (This include completely denied plots/14onsampled plots or partially denied/14onsampled plots).

• Percent of Plots without a nonsample condition will be based on following formula :

(Completed plots without any nonsampled condition) (Overall total plots awarded in the call over the Call Year)

Pay out of incentive will occur after:

1. Year of work complete and Final delivery payment occurred and

2. Forest Service calculates percent of plots awarded during Call Year without a nonsample condition present on plot / total plots awarded for that call year.

Quality Incentive Rate

% Of Plots without a nonsample Condition Incentive %*

90.0% 10% 95.0% 15%

Incentive Percent will be applied on total amount invoiced for completed plots during a Call Year.

Example:

- If contractor had 91.3% of plots without any nonsampled condition present on plot

- And if $18,460 was invoiced out for completed plot work for that entire Call Year

- Then Contractor will receive $1846 Quality Incentive Payment

Option Quantity

Within this call, Forest Service may exercise an option for additional plots up to the total quantity represented in Section H. The contractor shall notify the COR when the base quantity and each option quantity is completed to give the Forest Service the opportunity to exercise each subsequent option quantity as quickly as possible.

K. FY2026 NRS CALLS BID PACKAGE CHECK LIST

When submitting your Bid package to the Contracting Officer be sure to include the following items:

_____ Call Bid Pricing Summary by plot type spreadsheet provided with each specific call

______Experience Questionnaire Attachment C – Must use most updated version available NRS FIA Data

Collection website : under Contractor Information.

• Include which plot types crew leaders will be collecting data on in this call.

• If more than 3 Crew leaders either digitally add in more sections or supplement with additional

Attachment C forms.

______Completed electronic FIA “Written Tests” – 9.5 NRS Field Guide* completed by each crew leader listed in Attachment C.

• Tests: ” “Written Tests” are submitted electronically via Microsoft Forms. Note: Do not navigate away from website while taking test as it may cause you to lose entered answers. If will need more than one sitting, it is suggested to: 1) print test; 2) complete test on printed copy; 3) Enter the answers in links below. First written test grade will be used in evaluations when awarding future calls.

_____P2 (2025 9.5 P2 Test Link:)

____P2 Urban (2026 9.5 Urban Test Link: )

P2+ Written Tests are not required to be submitted at this time. However a passing test for P2+/Soils protocols will be required prior to attending P2+/Soils Certification sessions..

*If 9.5 written tests for crew leaders were submitted in a bid package for our Calls offered in August/September 2025, you do not need to include the written tests again for these crew leaders. You will need to submit the 9.5 written tests for any NEW crew leaders listed in Attachment C.

When accepting an awarded call all data collectors and anyone else with access to plot data will need to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement, if a current one is not on file. A copy of the NDA is located at this link:

Contractor Information.

If you have questions on what to submit in your bid package, contact:

Gayle Geiger, Contracting Officer Email: gayle.geiger@usda.gov https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/nrs/programs/fia#data-collection https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/nrs/programs/fia#data-collection https://usfs-public.box.com/s/xhsu0o823g88q2yknpt5nrc7ububkq0i https://forms.office.com/g/9FywSU0XFc https://forms.office.com/g/9FywSU0XFc https://forms.office.com/g/DpkLeK912U https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/xhsu0o823g88q2yknpt5nrc7ububkq0i

K. FY2026 NRS Calls Bid Package Check List