Cub - Falls Planting LMIR BPA Attachments.pdf

Land Management Integrated Resources BPA Call

Revised 04-02-2025

Attachment 1 – PERFORMANCE BASED STATEMENT OF WORK

1. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

The 2026 contract includes planting of government-furnished tree seedlings within 1,800 acres on the Methow Valley Ranger District, located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

This task order requires contractor self-inspection. Contractor shall conduct self-inspection in accordance with an accepted quality assurance plan based on the guidelines as described herein.

The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, except those designated as government-furnished, and incidentals to perform all work specified herein.

The contractor shall transport and plant trees in such a way as to ensure survivability of the trees through the seedling stage of the trees development. The specifications herein are required under this contract, but do not constitute an all-inclusive requirement of performance. In addition to the specifications and related exhibits, the contractor is required to perform the planting of the tree seedlings in such a way as to meet a high level of quality assurance. The quality assurance and inspection requirements as described herein require the contractor to adopt or otherwise develop a quality assurance plan in accordance with the clauses entitled “52.246-4 Inspection of Services and Contractor Inspection Procedures – Quality Assurance Plan Guidelines.” The quality assurance plan as submitted by the contractor and approved by the Government shall become a part of this contract as a reference for performance.

2. LOCATION

The Project Area is located on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Methow Base Items are located in T37N, R21E Section 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, 36; T36N, R21E Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 14, 22, 23; T37N, R22E Section 32, 33; T36N, R22E Section 4, 5. Seedlings will be stored in a refrigerated trailer within the Methow Valley Ranger District; exact location of trailer will be specified upon contract award. Additional information can be found on the attached vicinity and unit maps (Attachment 3). No Government directed site visit is scheduled. Georeferenced PDF maps of the project areas can be provided upon request. Project Area contains temporary gates and coordination with Forest Service staff may be required. In addition, specific information regarding individual units will be specified in the Planting Data Sheet (Attachment 4) or unit information maps issued with each task order.

These planting units are within the 2021 Cub Creek 2 Fire perimeter. Moderate winds can cause roads to become blocked by falling trees and create a hazard for personnel in the burned area.

Heavy rain can result in flash flooding and debris flows. If the COR deems the conditions unsafe for work or feels there is a high probability that egress from the work area may be compromised, the Government may: (1) suspend work for the day; or (2) direct work to continue in a different area. If work is suspended, the day will not count toward the contract time and no additional compensation will be made.

3. ACCESSIBILITY

a. Work areas may be reached by Forest Service roads that are accessible by a standard, full size, four-wheel drive pickup. Vehicles shall not operate off system roads without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. Please review project area maps carefully. UTV or ATV routes must be approved by COR prior to use. All ORV equipment must be clean, weed free and inspected before use.

b. Inaccessibility due to snow, fallen trees, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If road access is blocked, the Government may: (1) provide an alternate access route; (2) delete the inaccessible units(s) or; (3) substitute similar unit(s).

c. Roads shown on unit maps indicate access to units and are not to suggest the roads are open within units or for any further travel. UTV or ATV routes must be approved by COR prior to use.

4. BOUNDARIES

Unit boundaries will be marked with blue or red flagging, while some planting units will utilize virtual boundaries; contractor must have ability to view georeferenced PDF maps in the field (using programs such as Avenza Maps).

5. OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONTRACTOR

At all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the contractor shall directly superintend the work, or assign and have on the project site, a foreman who is conversant in the English language, who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, and who has authority to act for the contractor. The Government may at its option, suspend work with full count of contract time continuing if the contractor fails to provide a foreman conversant in the English language and who is able to read and understand the contract.

The contract time and crew size will be established in this task order and be based on an average required minimum progress rate of 100 acres/day unless otherwise authorized by the CO/COR. An estimation of crew size to meet the minimum number of acres (100 ac/day) is 15-20 planters. This crew size does not include the non-planting supervisor nor the non-planting inspector. The maximum number of crews will be two unless otherwise authorized by the CO/COR.

All workers employed by the contractor shall have sufficient skill and experience to properly perform the work to specifications. Any operator or other worker who, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, does not perform their work to specifications or does not perform in a skillful manner, shall be removed by the Contractor upon written request from the Contracting Officer.

The contractor shall be responsible for any damage to existing structural improvements, such as water developments, fences, monumented corners, bearing trees, road surfaces, and/or drainage structures, as a result of contract activities. The Contractor shall restore any damage, immediately, back to its existing condition prior to the damage. The contractor shall be responsible for cleaning up and/or disposing of all contractor waste and garbage.

The Contractor shall be responsible for excessive damage to natural resources, for example, damage to residual trees or streams. The Contractor shall be required to repair restorable damage and may be held monetarily responsible for un-restorable damage.

At all times that work is being performed under this contract, a copy of the contract must be on the work site and must be readily available to the Contractor, his representative, and the individuals performing the work.

6. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED TREE SEEDLINGS

a. The Government will provide tree seedlings in accordance with the following information: The Contractor must order trees and other specified Government-Furnished property by 3:00 p.m. the preceding day before planting.

b. Stock type to be planted is 1-0 plugs (see Planting Data Sheet, Attachment 4). The planting difficulty levels (Attachment 2) are designed to include initial reforestation plantings; however natural regeneration may be present in parts of the unit.

c. Government-furnished tree seedlings will be picked up by the contractor from the seedling storage location each morning under supervision of the government and stored in a contractor provided insulated trailer, canopy or other CO/COR approved storage. Multiple seedling storage containers might be necessary for seedling transport and storage to hold the capacity of seedlings needed for daily planting operations. The COR will issue seedlings at an agreed upon time. The quantity of trees to be issued for the next working day will be based on the previous day’s average planting production per person and the proposed crew size for the next workday.

d. Trees will not be issued in the morning if undesirable weather conditions indicate planting would not be allowed on the site. If work is suspended, the day will not count toward the contract time and no additional compensation will be made.

e. Contractor must be responsible for loss, damage or destruction of Government property unless the

Contractor can show the damage resulted from causes beyond the Contractor's control and without the Contractor's fault or negligence.

f. Survival of seedlings will depend on planting as scheduled. Failure to plant seedlings ordered may result in a charge for wasted trees.

7. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

7.1 Planting Equipment

a. Planting Tools - Contractor's planting tools shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Planting tools shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant the seedlings furnished by the Government.

2. Handheld equipment used shall be capable of removing live vegetation, duff, and soil to the scalp size specified on the Planting Data Sheet.

7.2 Seedling Handling / Transportation Equipment

a. ATV/UTV must be clean, weed free, and inspected before initial use and before moving from one area to another.

b. Planting bags shall be a light color, shall not retain heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and shall be free of defects or contaminants.

7.3 Care of Seedlings

a. The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

1. Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances (gas, oil etc.).

2. Seedlings stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes shall be promptly resealed.

Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade. Bundles, bags, or boxes shall be separated to provide free air movement.

3. Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

4. Seedlings shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling.

5. Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

6. Seedlings shall not be removed from a planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

7. Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

8. The number of seedlings carried in the planting bag must not exceed 200 container stock trees. Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried or removed without injury to the seedlings, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occurs. Seedlings placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Trees in planting bags shall be planted out before extended breaks, such as lunch.

9. Bags of seedlings shall not be carried into the unit and stored for later planting, unless the government gives approval.

10. Plastic wrap on bundles of seedlings shall not be removed until immediately prior to that bundle being planted.

7.4 Spacing and Spot Requirements

The planting units will have an average tree spacing of either 13ft x 13ft or 12ft x 12ft, while maximizing the utilization of microsites for shade. Specific tree spacing for each unit can be found in Attachment 4, the Planting Data Sheet.

a. Shading Requirements / Microsite Planting - Trees shall be planted, whenever possible, and within the spacing limits, on the North-East side of microsites (Attachment 5).

1. Microsites include stumps greater than 6 inches tall, down logs greater than 6 inches in diameter, and natural sun barriers such as large rocks or low spots.

2. Trees shall not be planted on humps or high spots unless planting in an area with saturated soils or standing water.

3. The spacing requirement may be varied up to 50% in any direction in order to plant in a microsite. If no microsite is available, continue to follow the spacing requirement specified on Planting Data Sheet (Attachment 5).

b. Live residual overstory trees should be included in the spacing requirement. Planted seedlings should be spaced away from the dripline of live overstory trees, to the specified spacing of each specific unit.

c. Natural regenerated seedlings may be present throughout the unit. Unless the COR allows natural or existing seedlings to be dismissed (in order to get all seedlings planted within the units), natural regenerated or previously planted ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, whitebark pine, and western white pine seedlings shall be counted towards the trees per acre and should be spaced off according to specified spacing (Attachment 4).

d. Trees shall be planted directly along the flagged unit boundary, while still maintaining the specified spacing.

e. Aspen seedlings may be present in the unit. Planted trees should be spaced 20 ft off aspen when a clump of 5 or more aspen stems greater than 12 in. in height are found within a 20 ft area.

f. Brush patches containing planting spots shall be planted even though this may require spreading stems aside or working around the stems.

g. Whenever possible, within requirements set forth elsewhere herein, planting spots shall be prepared where stumps, logs, brush, and terrain provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to tree survival and growth (see Attachment 4).

h. Avoid ground disturbance within 33 feet of the drip line (or the bole depending on which is greater) for mature whitebark pine trees and 16 feet for whitebark pine saplings.

i. Avoid planting non-whitebark pine seedlings within 33 feet of any whitebark pine seedling, sapling, or mature tree.

j. In addition, if heavy equipment use in whitebark pine stands cannot be avoided, equipment will be used sparingly and will be cleaned before entering work sites to prevent the spread of invasive species.

7.5 Planting Spot Preparation

a. Prior to preparing the planting hole, Contractor shall clear the planting spot of all limbs, logs, snow, bark, rotten wood, rocks and other loose debris and shall scalp ash, duff, sod, crowns of living plants, and roots to moist mineral soil. Clearing and scalping dimensions are specified on the Planting Data Sheet (Attachment 4).

b. A full benched or terraced scalp shall be constructed on slopes that exceed 30 percent

(Attachment 6) unless otherwise specified on the Planting Data Sheet or unit information maps. The minimum bench length shall be the same dimension as the scalp size listed in the Planting Data Sheet (Attachment 4).

c. When mineral soil cannot be found within the scalping depth specified for each unit, a seedling shall be planted in duff with at least 50 percent mineral soil mixed in the roots.

7.6 Preparing the Planting Hole

a. Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared planting spot and shall be between perpendicular to the ground surface and true vertical.

b. For Hand tools -An open hole that is deep and wide enough to fully accommodate the root plug of the seedling to be planted is required when hand planting tools are used (Attachments 7). The planting hole shall be broken out on four sides, with the back of the hole being broken out after the seedling is suspended in the center of the hole.

7.7 Seedling Placement

a. Containerized Seedlings - Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a point even with the lowest needles of green foliage. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward.

7.8 Filling and Firming

a. Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root systems are not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

b. Firming soil with the foot will not be permitted.

c. For hand planting requirements, a planting tool may be used to firm the soil in the manner shown in Attachment 7. Soil firming shall be accomplished while the seedling is held suspended near the center of the hole. Adequate soil firming is best accomplished when approximately one-third of the hole is filled in at one time. Firming soil with the foot will not be permitted.

7.9 Mixture of Planting Stock

a. Where a mixture of planting stock is required, the Contractor shall plant mixtures in locations specified for each unit.

b. Stage Planting – When specified for a particular unit, Contractor shall plant one part of the unit with the designated planting stock prior to completing other parts of the same unit.

Planting areas will be identified by obvious existing physical features, plastic flagging, or directions, requiring the Contractor to plant out adjacent land area increments until the stock is exhausted.

c. Mixture of planting stock – Unit planting specifications may require two or more planting stocks to be mixed at certain proportions. It is the Contractor's responsibility to plant the units accordingly with the specified mixture after receiving the stock indicated.

Planting areas will be identified by obvious existing physical features, plastic flagging or, instructions requesting the Contractor to plant out adjacent land area increments until the stock is exhausted.

7.10 Safety Plan

Prior to the issuance of a Notice to Proceed with the contract work the Contractor must have a safety plan for the activities involved that is consistent with the State OSHA regulations.

8. INSPECTION OF SERVICES

(a) Definition: "Services," as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practical, at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If any of the services do not conform to contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by re-performance, the Government may—

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(e) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may--

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

9. CONTRACTOR INSPECTION PROCEDURES

Quality Control Plan (QCP) Guidelines

a. Contractor shall:

1. Provide a designated experienced inspector, (not the same person as the foreman) who will install a series of plots with slope correction (see Attachment 8).

a. Plots shall be located throughout the planting areas to obtain a representative sample of the work

b. Plot size shall be 1/50 acre

c. Units shall have a minimum of 1 plot per 4 acres

2. Mark inspection plot centers with a stick stuck in the ground with ribbon tied on it that states consecutive plot number and date of inspection. Flags will be at least 12 inches long prior to tying. On the closest reasonable vegetation near the plot center, a second flag will be tied that is easily visible and contains the same information as the plot center flag. The plastic flagging will be provided by the Contractor and be of an easily visible color, acceptable to the Forest Service.

3. In accordance with Section 7.3 Care of Seedlings, and the Contractor’s accepted proposal, declare seedlings handled in a manner inconsistent with said contract specifications as wasted seedlings.

4. Inspect planting procedures on representative sample plots and examine the planted seedlings to ensure and measure compliance with the specifications. Utilize the following codes for recording above and below ground compliance on the planting inspection sheet (Attachment 9):

Code Above-Ground Inspection Paragraph

A Planting Spot Selection 7.4 B Planting Spot Preparation 7.5 C Tree Location on Planting Site 7.5 D Planting Depth and Exposed Roots 7.7 E Stem Position or Damage 7.7 F Firming 7.8 G Shade 7.4 H Spacing 7.4

AA Other Specifications 7.9

Code Below-Ground Inspection Paragraph I Planting Hole Preparation 7.6

J Planting Hole Orientation 7.6 K Root Configuration and Orientation 7.7 L Altered Root Length and Damage 7.7 M “Foreign” Material in Planting Hole 7.8 N Loose Soil or Air Pockets 7.8 II Other Specification N/A

b. Inspection Within Each Plot - each plot shall be inspected as follows:

1. Determine from Table I the average number of planting spots for the plot based on the specified average spacing, from this number subtract the number of suitable trees and the number of unplantable spots. Record the difference as the number of plantable spots on which seedlings should be planted.

--- Table I ---

AVERAGE SPACING

(FEET)

AVERAGE TREES PER ACRE AVERAGE NO. OF PLANTING

SPOTS

(1/50-acre plots)

12 x 12 290 6 13 x 13 250 5

2. Determine and record the maximum number of allowable seedlings from Table II.

--- Table II ---

Determination of the maximum allowable seedlings from number of plantable spots recorded in Step No. 1 above.

PLANTABLE SPOTS MAXIMUM NO. OF SEEDLINGS*

0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4

*Number of seedlings may only exceed # of plantable spots if ALL seedlings are planted in good microsites with good shade.

3. Record the number of seedlings planted on the plot.

4. Determine and record the number of wasted seedlings on the plot. This will be the number of seedlings determined by subtracting the maximum number of allowable seedlings from the number of planted seedlings recorded, but not less than zero. When planted wasted seedlings are found, and they are considered minor in nature and in no way indicates a trend that average spacing requirements are being exceeded, the Contracting Officer may waive the wasted seedling charge. In no case will a waiver be given if the total of the Planting Inspection Sheet column "Planted Seedlings" exceeds the total of column "Maximum Number Allowable Seedlings" or the number of wasted seedlings is not minor and indicates a trend that average spacing requirements are being exceeded.

Wasted seedlings will be calculated by the following: Total number of wasted seedlings from inspection record divided by number of plots taken multiplied by the reciprocal of the plot size times number of acres in the unit, plus seedlings determined wasted under care of seedlings specifications. For example, if a total of 27 wasted seedlings were found on 30 1/50-acre plots, which were taken on a 60-acre unit, and a bundle of 200 seedlings had been wasted through improper care, the calculation would be made as follows:

27 x 50 x 60/30 = 2700 + 200 = 2900 wasted seedlings

5. Inspect and record the number of planted seedlings meeting the above-ground contract specifications. The maximum number of satisfactory seedlings to be credited shall not exceed that shown in Table II.

6. Dig one satisfactory above ground seedling per plot. The satisfactory above ground seedling shall be the one closest to the plot center. Each dug tree shall be immediately replanted in accordance with specifications.

7. Record the number of seedlings meeting below-ground contract specifications.

8. Compute the planting quality by the following formula:

Planting Quality for Seedlings =

× ×100

The results of the above calculation will be applied as follows:

Total Unit

(1) Divide the total satisfactory seedlings above ground by the total number of plantable spots.

(2) Divide the total satisfactory seedlings below ground by the total dug.

(3) Multiply the two totals to get planting quality percentage for the unit.

9. Percentage of planting quality as calculated above will be rounded to the nearest whole percent. MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PERCENTAGE SHALL BE 150 PERCENT PER

PLOT AS COMPUTED IN PARAGRAPH 8.

10. Average planting spots and maximum number of satisfactory seedlings shown in Tables I and II have been rounded to the nearest whole number and it is mutually understood and agreed that these figures will be used for determining planting quality even though they are not precisely correct from a mathematical standpoint.

10. INSPECTION RESULTS

a. Inspection shall be maintained concurrent with contract work. Completed Planting Inspection Sheets shall be turned in to the Contracting Officer Representative within 24 hours upon completion of each sub item/unit and will remain a part of the permanent contract file.

b. The Contractor shall submit legible plot cards. Illegible and incomplete sheets will be returned to the Contractor for correction and resubmission before Government verification inspections are performed.

c. By submission of the plot cards to the Government, the Contractor is considered to be certifying that the unit is:

1. Satisfactorily completed.

2. Tree handling was completed in accordance with the contract provisions stated elsewhere in the contract.

3. Plot cards reflect the work accomplished.

d. In the event the Contractor falsifies inspection results, as determined by the Contracting

Officer, the Government may declare the Contractor to be in default of the contract.

Additionally, the Government may refer such falsification to the U. S. Attorney's Office for possible prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001 (Falsification of Government Documents) or U.S.C. 287 (Fraud).

11. UNSATISFACTORY PLANTING - GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE

SURVEILLANCE PLAN

a. If the percentage of planting quality for any unit or grouping of units that falls below 85 percent due to an insufficient number of satisfactory trees above ground, the Contractor may, at the Government’s option, be allowed to replant the unit or grouping of units in order to achieve a higher planting quality percentage. Replanting will be subject to availability of tree stock and shall be requested in writing by the Contractor. Replanting, if allowed, shall be done a maximum of one time. Replanting will not be allowed where the average below-ground quality for the unit or grouping of units is less than 90 percent.

b. Following completion of replanting, a new inspection shall be made by the Contractor and

Government. Payment will be based on the new inspection.

c. The Contractor shall replant any unit or grouping of units where the average planting quality falls below 80 percent, provided that:

1. Additional supplies of suitable seedlings are available;

2. The original inspection indicated an average below ground planting quality of not less than 90 percent based on the following planting quality calculation method:

No. of Satisfactorily Dug Trees x 100/ No. of Dug Trees

d. Seedlings sampled on inspection plots, which are not placed in the most favorable spot in accordance with the specifications, shall be counted as unsatisfactory seedlings.

e. Only one replant will be permitted. Payment will be based on a new inspection made after replanting. The Contractor shall bear the cost of all re-inspections after replanting.

12. GOVERNMENT VERIFICATION

a. The Government will conduct verification inspections to determine compliance with specifications. Each –unit or group will be verified separately and inspection results on one unit or group will not be averaged with those of other units or groups. Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these verification inspections and will be considered conclusive. The Contractor or a designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway.

b. Verification inspection of a unit may or may not be performed immediately following planting.

c. Government verification inspection will consist of observation of tree handling, site preparation, planting and inspection procedures, and examination of individual trees on sample plots. If the Government's verification inspection results differ by more than 5 percentage points from the Contractor's inspection results, the Government's inspection will be used for payment.

13. REINSPECTION UPON CONTRACTOR REQUEST

a. If the original verification inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, the

Contractor will have the option to request, in writing, a full inspection by the Government.

Requests for re-inspection shall be made, in writing, within five days after receipt of initial inspection results. If the Government's re-inspection results differ by more than 5 percentage points from the Contractor's original inspection results, the Government's re-inspection results will be used for payment and the Contractor will bear the Government's re-inspection costs.

b. Inspection results used for payment will be determined as specified elsewhere herein.

14. SCHEDULES FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS

Contractor shall, at the pre-work meeting or within 10 days from receipt of any subsequent request from the Contracting Officer, submit a time chart or schedule of proposed progress to ensure completion of the work within the time set forth in the contract or each task order. If Contractor's progress falls behind that scheduled, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to improve his progress; in addition, the Contracting Officer may require Contractor to submit a revised schedule and proposed plan of work to ensure completion of the work within the time(s) set forth in the contract.

15. PERFORMANCE TIME

a. As tree survival and growth are dependent upon proper soil and weather conditions at the time of planting and because these conditions will only prevail for a limited length of time, it is imperative work be started promptly after conditions for planting become suitable. Units shall be planted in accordance with the order of preference established by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate, which will assure completion within the contract time specified in each task order. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total acres of work specified on each task order by the contract time specified. The contract time that will be established in each task order will be based on an average required minimum progress rate. If not identified individually, the required minimum progress rate will be 100 acres/day.

b. If the Contractor's progress falls behind the work progress schedule for more than 3 days at the specified rate of progress or if the percentage of planting quality falls below 80 percent for more than 10 percent of the unit acreage, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated if satisfactory planting quality or progress is not attained with the time specified in a written cure notice. Such notice may be in the form of a work order and shall allow no more than 2 working days for corrective action to be completed.

c. Each day in which there are 8 continuous daylight hours where planting conditions are favorable will be counted as a planting day. Days of less than 8 continuous hours but more than 4 continuous hours will be counted as a half-day. Contract time will not be counted for days where less than 4 continuous daylight hours are favorable for planting. Planting hours are one half hour before official sunrise to one half hour after official sunset.

e. The Government will issue a notice to proceed on each delivery order as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for survival of planting stock. It is recognized and agreed that due to existing conditions, not all planting units may be available for planting at the time the notice to proceed is issued and subsequent suspension of work may become necessary. Contract time will start on the date specified on the notice to proceed, if hand delivered, or the third day after the Post Office has issued a Notice of Certified Mail to the Contractor, or when planting commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick up Certified Mail will not be considered an excusable delay.

16. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

a. All linear and area measurements required under this contract will be measured on the horizontal plane.

b. Re-measurement:

1) Re-measurement of the acreage under this contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor. Request for re-measurement must be made in writing within 3 days after planting has been completed on the unit.

2) If re-measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the Contractor shall bear the actual costs of the re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement. No adjustment will be made for a difference of one acre or less.

17. METHOD OF PAYMENT – Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (continued)

a. Payment for Seedling Planting:

1) When Government verification is within 5 percentage points from the Contractor's inspection, the Government will base payment on the Contractor's inspection percentages. If inspection indicates the percentage is 95 percent or above, payment will be made at 100 percent of the unit price. For planting quality below 95 percent, payment will be made for the actual quality percent earned.

2) If Government verification differs greater than 5 percentage points of the Contractor's inspections, the Government will base payment on the Government verification inspection.

3) If the Contractor disputes the Government verification, the Government will re-inspect.

4) If the Government re-inspection results are within 5 percentage points of the original

Contractor's inspections, pay will be based on the Contractor's inspection. The Contractor will not be billed for the Government inspection costs.

5) If the Government re-inspection results are greater than 5 percentage points from the original Contractor's inspections, pay will be based on Government re-inspection results, and the Contractor shall bear the Government inspection costs.

6) Where planting quality for a unit or group of units falls below the Minimum Acceptable

Quality level of 80 percent, Contractor may be required to rework, and actual damages incurred by the Government as a result of the rework may be assessed as specified elsewhere herein. Repeated failure to plant at the 80 percent level or above may be grounds for termination for default. As a minimum, actual damages will be assessed on those acres not satisfactorily planted. Actual damages include, but are not limited to, cost of tree seedlings, site preparation, and resurvey.

7) Charges for Government furnished tree seedlings lost or damaged by the Contractor is $2.00 per tree seedling.

8) The Contractor may be charged administrative costs incurred by the Government for repeated failure to meet Government representatives at previously scheduled times and places.

b. Price Adjustment for a Change of Planting Stock Type:

1) The Government may need to substitute the type of planting stock, and/or species, for all or part of a unit. If so, this will qualify as a change under the "Changes Clause", and the Contract unit price will be adjusted according to the negotiated contract modification for the change in planting stock.

18. PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL/HISTORICAL RESOURCES

The Contractor, upon the discovery of suspected archaeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and shall immediately notify the COR or the CO.

19. USE OF PREMISES

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

b. Before any camp is opened or operated on National Forest land or lands administered by the

Forest Service, the Contractor shall request permission (in writing) from the Ranger District.

A camp is interpreted to include the campsite for trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for the Contractor. If permission is granted, a Work Order will specify all conditions and requirements.

c. It is further stipulated that in addition to clean up of any campsites, the Contractor shall remove its equipment from National Forest land before final acceptance and payment of the project.

d. The Contractor shall provide and maintain sanitary facilities. There shall be a minimum of one toilet for each ten employees. Solid waste shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.

e. The Contractor shall be responsible for clean-up of contractor garbage and disposal.

Attachment 2a – Planting Difficulty Rating Worksheet

--- Planting Difficulty Key ---

Note: Units within ¼ mile will be considered as having access and are included in bid Items No.1 No additional compensation will be made for transportation of seedlings within the units.

PLANTING DIFFICULTY KEY

Difficulty Category 1 = 1.00 to 1.80 Difficulty Category 2 = 1.81 to 2.60 Difficulty Category 3 = 2.61 to 3.40 Difficulty Category 4 = 3.41 to 4.20 Difficulty Category 5 = 4.21 and above

Rating Category Weight Difficulty Rank Difficulty Criteria

Trees Per Acre

40%

1 200 or fewer trees/acre 3 201 to 300 trees/acre 5 > 301 trees/acre

Slash/Vegetation Loading

20%

1 Light slash/vegetation/duff 3 Medium slash/vegetation/duff 5 Heavy slash/vegetation/duff

Surface Rock

15%

1 Less than approximately 30% surface rock 3 Approximately 30% to 50% surface rock 5 More than approximately 50% surface rock

Scalp Size

10%

1 12” scalp 3 18 scalp 5 24” scalp

Slope

15%

1 0 to 35% 3 36 to 55% 5 > 55%

Attachment 2b: Planting Difficulty Rating Worksheet

--- Planting Difficulty Rating Worksheet ---

CC-03001-91-2026

Rating Category Difficulty Criteria Weighting Difficulty Rank Overall Rating

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

Scalp Size 18” scalp .10 3 .30 Slope 0 to 35% .15 1 .15

Total 2.3 The weighting is converted to a decimal and multiplied by the value for a rate. When all values are input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.3, or Difficulty Category 2

CC-07001-113-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Medium .20 3 .60

Surface Rock Less than approximately 30% surface rock

.15 1 .15

Total 2.4 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.4, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-07002-20-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Less than approximately 30% surface rock

.15 1 .15

Total 2.0 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.0, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-09001-68-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Medium .20 3 .60

Surface Rock Less than approximately 30% surface rock

.15 1 .15

Total 2.4 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.4, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-09002-33-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.3, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-09003-360-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

Slope 36 to 55% .15 3 .45

Total 2.6 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.6, or Difficulty Category 2

CC-15001-148-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.6, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-17-337-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2 Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Approximately 30% to 50% surface rock

.15

.45

CC-18-53-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Less than approximately 30% surface rock input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.0, or Difficulty Category 2.

CC-19-34-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

CC-20-83-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

CC-21-36-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

Scalp Size 18” scalp .10 3 .30 Slope 0 to 35% .15 1 .15

Total 2.3

CC-22-85-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Less than approximately 30% surface rock

.15 1 .15 input, a total overall rating is displayed which equals 2.0, or Difficulty Category 2

CC-23-83-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Approximately 30% to 50% surface rock

.45

CC-24-65-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

CC-25-83-2026*

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

*This unit (CC-25-83-2026) is a Walk-In unit.

CC-26-88-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

CC-27-20-2026

Trees Per Acre 201-300 trees/acre .40 3 1.2

Slash/Veg Loading Light .20 1 .20

Surface Rock Approximately

30% to 50% surface rock

.15 3 .45

Attachment 3a – Vicinity & Project Boundary Maps

Attachment 3b – Vicinity & Project Boundary Maps

Attachment 4 – Planting Data Sheet

--- Planting Data Sheet ---

B id Item

U nit N am e

W alk-in >1/4 M ile

Planting D ifficulty

A cres

G eneral A spect

A verage Slope (%

E

st. Trees/A cre

A

vg. Spacing

Plant M ethod

Planting Spot Prep

Species of Suitable E xisting Tree

6” M in H eight

A ge &

Species of Seedlings to be Planted

Max Size and depth of material to be cleared

Scalp Size (Inches)

Length (ft)

D iam eter (in)

D epth (in)

L

W

D

1 CC-

03001

N

2.3

S x

Hoe

4 PP,

DF

1-0 Plug

PP, DF

2 CC-

07001

2.4

SW

3 CC-

07002

2.0

4 CC-

09001

2.4

5 CC-

09002

6 CC-

09003

2.6

7 CC-

15001

2.2

148 S, SE

8 CC-

9 CC-

10 CC-

11 CC-

12 CC-

13 CC-

14 CC-

83 S, 15 CC-

16 CC-

Y

17 CC-

NE

18 CC-

20 S, 1-0 Plug

PP, DF

i. Clearing diameter shall be sufficient to make the size of scalp specified.

ii. Conifer species are abbreviated as follows: PP = ponderosa pine, DF = Douglas-fir

Attachment 5 – Exhibit B – Natural Objects for Shade

Shading Requirements / Microsite Planting - Trees shall be planted whenever possible, and within the spacing limits, on the North - East side of natural shade (i.e.

logs, stumps, brush, rocks or in low spots). Trees shall not be planted on humps or high spots. Spacing may be varied as much as 50% in order to meet the microsite requirements. Average spacing must be maintained. Microsite features shall be used at every opportunity available by varying the spacing distance, see Attachment 3, Exhibit B illustration, and Contract Definitions (Attachment 9). On those planting spots where natural shade is not available within the 50% spacing variation, the contractor shall place material or materials on the South and Southwest side against the planted tree. Shading material to be utilized includes natural debris remaining from logging operations, i.e., wood, bark, limbs. A radius of 8 feet around each planted tree must be examined to find suitable shading material. The contractor may use rocks if woody debris is not available. Minimum size of material shall be 6 inches in diameter by 6 inches long. This may require two or more pieces of shade material to be put together to meet this minimum size for shading.

Attachment 6 – Exhibit C – Full Bench or Terrace Scalp

Attachment 7: Exhibit D – Hoe Planting – Hole Broken on Four Sides

Attachment 8 – Exhibit K – Slope Correction for Inspection Plots Radius Circular Plots

1/50 Acre Plot

% Slope

Plot Radius Ft.

0 16.7

5 16.7

10 16.7

15 16.7

20 16.8

25 16.9

30 17.0

35 17.1

40 17.3

45 17.5

50 17.6

55 17.8

60 18.0

65 18.1

Attachment 9 – Exhibit L – Planting Inspection Sheet

Attachment 10 – Definitions

DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TERMS

Boundaries - Planting unit boundaries will be marked with blue flagging or will be identified as a virtual boundary.

Capable Equipment – Tools, equipment and accessories are to be maintained in good working condition so that it will function in a manner substantially the same as “new” when operated in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.

Cotyledon Scar - Lowest point on stem from which branches will grow; marked by a distinct ring in the bark on most species of tree seedlings.

Microsite Planting - The planting of tree seedlings in plantable spots most favorable to seedling survival and growth. Examples of favorable microsite features that provide partial protection from sun, wind, animals, and other damaging agents are spots located adjacent to the following: stumps, logs, rocks, snags and brush. In areas of standing water or saturated soils a suitable microsite would be a high spot with no standing water.

Plantable Spot - An area from which vegetation, ash, duff, snow and debris has been or can be removed, and a tree seedling can be planted as specified elsewhere herein.

Replanting - Any planting work done in a unit, either voluntarily by the Contractor or directed by the Contracting Officer, after the Contractor has given the planting inspection sheets to the Government.

Root Length - Root length will be measured from the longest root tip end to the cotyledon scar.

Satisfactorily Planted Seedling - A seedling planted in full accordance with all planting specifications set forth in this contract.

Slash - Any woody material left on the ground in the unit.

Suitable Tree - A tree of good form and vigor which shows no physical damage, and which conforms to the size, characteristics, and species specified on the Planting Data Sheets or Unit Information Maps.

Tree Height - Tree height will be measured from the ground to the tip of the seedling.

Unplantable Spot - An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications.

Unsatisfactorily Planted Seedling - A planted seedling which fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted seedling.

Virtual Boundary – The boundary of a unit that will only be marked on a map provided by the Government. A virtual boundary of a unit will not have flagging. Some units will have a combination of virtual and flagged boundaries.

Wasted Seedlings - Seedlings which are lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to the specifications for care of seedlings. Planted seedlings in excess of the maximum number of seedlings creditable, as specified elsewhere herein, are also considered to be wasted.