DRAFT PWS Timber Marking.pdf

DRAFT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

For

Forest Inventory and Timber Marking Services Red River Area

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to provide Forest Inventory and

Timber Marking Services at Broken Bow Lake, Oklahoma; Hugo Lake, Oklahoma; Pat Mayse Lake, Texas; Pine Creek Lake, Oklahoma; and Sardis Lake, Oklahoma. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services / Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Forest Inventory and Timber Marking Services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS), except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services.

The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and manages land lying above the conservation pool elevation at many of its lake projects. These lands are forested with a mix of tree species representative of Southeast Oklahoma, and managed for multiple uses, one of which is a sustainable supply of timber.

Management of forests on USACE lands is guided, in part, by policy set forth in Public Law 86-717, the Forest Cover Act, which states that project lands shall be developed and maintained to assure a future supply of timber through sustained yield programs to the extent that such management is practicable and compatible with other uses of the project. Additional forest management guidance is set forth in USACE regulations ER & EP 1130-2-540 which specifies that stewardship of project land shall be ecosystem based.

1.3 Objectives: The following are broad objectives of this contract. Detailed requirements and objectives will be outlined in later sections of this PWS.

1.3.1 Selectively mark and tally pine and hardwood sawtimber and pulpwood for timber stand improvement.

1.3.2 Select, mark, and tally ten (10) to thirty (30) trees per acre to provide a seed source for timber stand regeneration. Regeneration marking line items also include an inventory of unmarked trees.

1.3.3 Collect and process individual tree and stand level forest inventory data (i.e. timber cruise).

1.3.4 Collect and process pre-merchantable and regeneration inventory data.

1.3.5 Provide Timber Marking and Inventory reports, including maps, tree and stand level inventory data, stocking levels, and volume computations for each compartment or timber stand unit.

1.4 Scope

1.4.1 Furnish all labor, materials, supplies, tools, parts, transportation, and equipment necessary to provide timber marking and forest inventory services. All marking and inventory line items also include required reports detailing individual tree and forest stand level volume and stocking data. There are 3 county’s involved in this contract at Pine Creek lake Choctaw, Pushmataha, and McCurtain.

1.4.2 Timber marking and inventory services to be provided under this contract may be located in one or more timber stands or compartments, owned in fee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Army. The areas to be surveyed are located at Pine Creek Lake.

1.5 Period of Performance (POP):

1.5.1 The Contract Period of Performance (POP) shall be for one (1) Base Year of twelve (12) months, and four (4) Option Years of twelve (12) months each. These Contract Periods of Performance will be referred to as: Base Year, Option Year I, Option Year II, Option Year III, and Option Year IV.

1.5.2 In addition to the Contract POP, each Task Order issued will have a specified Period of Performance required for completion of that Task Order. Each Task Order POP will be calculated as follows. Sixty (60) calendar days for the first five hundred (500) acres, plus thirty (30) calendar days for each additional five hundred (500) acres. For example, a Task Order for 2,000 acres (all items and areas combined) would have a POP of 150 days (60 + 30 + 30 + 30 = 150). The period of Performance begins upon issuance of the Task Order, unless a later start date is specified within the Task Order itself.

1.5.3 Task Order Quantities. Task orders may be issued for any quantity and any combination of locations and line items, subject to the following limitations. No task order will be issued for an amount less than $2,500.

No task order or combination of task orders will exceed 5,500 acres, or

20% of the total dollar value of the contract capacity during the base year or any option year.

1.6 General Information:

1.6.1 Safety: Contractor shall perform all services in full compliance with the safety requirements set forth in the current EM 385-1-1, entitled "Safety and Health Requirements Manual", which is available at the Project Office and at http://www.hq.usace.army.mil (select Safety; and Occupational Health). Consequently, the Contractor shall be responsible for complying with the current edition and all changes posted on the web as of the effective date of this solicitation.

1.6.2 Safety Plan: The Contractor shall develop and submit a written detailed Safety Plan within fifteen (15) days after award and prior to beginning work. This plan must indicate in detail the general policies and procedures for safe operation in the accomplishment of this contract

1.6.3 Quality Control (QC): The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. Contractor shall identify the person responsible for contract QC.

1.6.4 Quality Control Plan (QCP): The Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP) is the means by which the Contractor assures that the work product complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP is to be delivered to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) within fifteen (15) days after contract award, or at the initial pre-work meeting prior to commencement of the first Task Order, whichever is sooner. After initial acceptance of the QCP, the contractor shall be required to receive the Contracting Officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

1.6.5 Quality Assurance (QA): The term “Quality Assurance” refers to actions taken by the Government to insure the Contractor’s Quality Control (QC) system is functioning and effective, and that the Contractor is providing services which are in accordance with this contract. QA Inspection will be random checks of work in progress, a random check of transect lines after work is finished, and evaluation of deliverable reports.

1.6.6 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): The Government shall evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the attached Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/ is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards.

It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable quality levels. The Government will monitor the Contractor's service performance using random sampling, planned sampling, and/or 100% inspection, as described in a separate "Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan". The Government reserves the right to alter or change the type of inspection plan at its discretion at any time, and to make deductions accordingly.

1.6.7 Recognized Holidays: Contractor is not required to perform services on holidays. Contractor may work on holidays if approved in advance by the

COR.

1.6.7.1 New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day.

1.6.8 Hours of Operation: Local Corps of Engineers Lake Office hours are generally 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday. Contractor may work outside of these office hours with prior approval from the COR.

1.6.9 Place of Performance: Work performed under this contract may be at one or more areas, located at Pine Creek Lake owned in fee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

1.6.10 Access: At USACE lake projects, access to Government property where contract work is to be performed will almost always be available by water.

Pedestrian access will usually be available across adjacent Government property having public vehicular accessibility. However, vehicle access will not be available in close proximity to many contract work areas.

Access across adjacent private lands, if required or desired, will be the responsibility of the Contractor. Although Federal Regulations generally prohibit the use of “All-Terrain Vehicles” (ATVs) at USACE Lakes, an exception will be made to the successful bidder, provided that: (1) all such use is limited to work performed in fulfillment of Contract requirements, and (2) all such use is limited to Corps property. Permission for crossing adjacent private lands with an ATV must be obtained by the Contractor.

1.6.11 Type of Contract: The Government will award an Indefinite Delivery

Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) service contract.

1.6.12 Task Orders: Work to be performed under this contract will be initiated by issuance of Task Orders. A Task Order may include any number of different bid items to be performed at one or more locations at Pine Creek Lake.

1.6.13 Invoices and Payments: Work performed under this contract shall be paid for at a per unit price. This price shall be full compensation for furnishing all labor, tools, materials, equipment, transportation and incidentals necessary to complete all work as specified in the PWS. Acreage measurements are derived from Government ArcGIS files and rounded to the nearest acre. They shall be deemed accurate for the purposes of payment. No adjustments to the acreage will be made unless gross errors are found and changes are deemed acceptable by the COR. Partial invoices and payments may be made only when all deliverables have been received and accepted by the QAR for completed compartments, and for not less than $2,500. No task order will be issued against this contract that totals less than $2,500. No payment shall be made until the invoiced job portion has been inspected and approved by the COR and required and acceptable documentation and deliverables have been received.

1.6.14 Damages and Conflicts: The Contractor will exercise extreme care where operations are adjacent to home sites, developed lots, or controversial areas. Contractor must report all negative or controversial contact with adjacent landowners or the general public to the COR in writing within one

(1) workday. Said written notification shall be separate from the Contractor's regular reporting. The Contractor shall be responsible for restoring any Government facilities, structures, or other property damaged (including unauthorized vegetation) as a result of his operations. He shall also be responsible for any damage to private property and injury to any person as a result of his operations. The Contractor will notify the COR immediately of any damage to Government and/or private property, and injury to any person resulting from his operations.

1.6.15 Reporting of Encroachments and Natural Damages: Any encroachment(s) and/or naturally caused damage(s) on Government fee property noticed by the Contractor during his operations shall be documented and reported to the COR within one (1) week of discovery. Examples of noteworthy items could be such things as unauthorized timber cutting, structure placement, utility placement, road / culvert / boat ramp placement, apparent grave, soil or rock cut/fill, pine beetle spot, storm damaged timber, etc.

Documentation shall include the date the encroachment / natural damage was found, a brief description, and the location. No forms shall be provided by the Government for this requirement

1.6.16 Security, Anti-Terrorism, and Operational Security

1.6.16.1 Physical Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.6.16.2 E-Verify Program: Pre-Screening of Candidates Using E- Verify Program. The contractor must pre-screen Candidates using the E-verify Program (http:www.uscis.gov/e-verify) website to meet the established eligibility requirements. The Vendor must ensure that the Candidate has two valid forms of Government issued identification prior to enrollment to ensure the correct information entered into the E-verify system. An initial list of verified/eligible Candidates must be provided to the COR no later than 3 business days after the initial contract award. When contracts are with individuals, the individuals will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, with the designated Government representative.

This Form will be provided to the Contracting Officer and shall become part of the official contract file.

1.6.16.3 CorpsWatch / iWatch Training: The contractor and all associated sub-contractors shall brief all employees on the local iWatch, Corps Watch, or See Something, Say Something program as required by the Anti-terrorism Training Officer.

This local developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award and within 30 calendar days of new employees commencing performance with the results reported to the COR NLT 5 calendar days after contract award.

1.6.16.4 Access and General Protection / Security Policy and

Procedures: All contractor and all associated sub-contractors employees shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by Government representative). The contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation/facility access requirements to be accomplished by installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency

Services or Security Office. Contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements (FAR clause 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel) as directed by DOD, HQDA and/or local policy. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any installation or facility change, the Government may require changes in contractor security matters or processes.

1.6.17 Key Control

1.6.17.1 The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.6.17.2 In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting Officer, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.6.17.3 The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.6.18 Post Award Conference, Pre-work, and Periodic Progress Meetings: The

Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the Government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.19 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The Contracting Officer

Representative (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions:

assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; and coordinate access to Government property. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.20 Contractor Key Personnel: The contractor shall designate a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate (if applicable) who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

1.6.21 Special Qualifications: Contractor qualifications will be evaluated as part of the award process. While this contract does not require any specific state or professional licensing or certification, all field personnel performing forest inventory or timber marking services must have a minimum of two years of prior experience providing timber marking and forest inventory services in forest types typically found in the southeastern

United States; and they must possess adequate knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform to the standards prescribed in the contract.

A list of personnel and qualifications will be provided to the COR prior to commencement of any work.

1.6.22 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials.

They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.23 Insurance: IAW FAR 52.228-5. Prior to commencement of work, the

Contractor shall furnish the original of his Insurance Certificate directly to the Contracting Officer, Fort Worth District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN:

CESWF-CT-S, P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300, and one copy directly to the Regional or Project Office. The Contractor shall maintain, during the entire period of his performance under this contract, the following minimum insurance requirements:

1.6.23.1 LIABILITY: Comprehensive general liability insurance for bodily injury in the minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence. No property damage liability is required.

1.6.23.2 AUTOMOTIVE: Comprehensive automobile liability

insurance covering the operation of all automobiles used in connection with the performance of the contract in the minimum limits of $200,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 per accident for property damage.

1.6.23.3 WORKERS COMPENSATION: Workmen's Compensation

and Employer's Liability Insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000.00, or in compliance with applicable State statutes.

1.6.23.4 ENDORSEMENT: An endorsement to the effect that any

cancellation or any material change adversely affecting the Government's interest shall not be effective until 30 days after the insurer or the Contractor gives written notice to the Contracting Officer.

1.6.23.5 NOTE: It is recommended that the Contractor furnish a copy of the foregoing requirements to the insurance company in order to assure that an Insurance Certificate is issued meeting the minimum requirements shown. The Insurance Certificate shall also show the contract number to which it applies as well as a brief description and location of the work.

1.6.24 Sustainability: Contractors are required to meet recycled content requirements as set forth by the EPA. Refer to https://www.epa.gov for more details, and utilize the search term “greener products” for a list of product categories. Contractors are also required to meet requirements of the Bio Preferred Program. Refer to http://biopreferred.gov for a list of products and other resources as may be necessary based on requirements as listed in the PWS.

1.6.25 Data Rights: The Government has unlimited rights to all documents and material produced under this contract. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.6.26 Organizational Conflict of Interest: N/A

Part 2

Definitions and Acronyms

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

2.1 Definitions

2.1.1 BASAL AREA (BA): A measure of tree stocking density expressed in square feet per acre. The area of a cross-section of a tree trunk at DBH (4.5’ above ground). May refer to a single tree or all trees within a given area.

2.1.2 CONTRACTOR: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO): A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.

2.1.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR): An

employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.5 DEFECTIVE SERVICE: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.6 DELIVERABLE: Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes, plans, or reports.

2.1.7 DIAMETER at BREAST HEIGHT (DBH): Tree diameter as measured at four and one half feet (4.5’) above ground level. Standard forest measurement rules apply for slope, defects, etc.

2.1.8 KEY PERSONNEL: Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.9 PHYSICAL SECURITY: Actions that prevent the loss or damage of

Government property.

2.1.10 QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA): Actions taken by the Government to insure the Contractor’s Quality Control (QC) system is functioning and effective, and that the Contractor is providing services which are in accordance with this contract.

2.1.11 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP): An

organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.12 QUALITY CONTROL (QC): All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.13 SUBCONTRACTOR: One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.14 WORK DAY: The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.15 WORK WEEK: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2 Acronyms

2.2.1 ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative

2.2.2 AFARS Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

2.2.3 AR Army Regulation

2.2.4 CCE Contracting Center of Excellence

2.2.5 CFR Code of Federal Regulations

2.2.6 COE Corps of Engineers

2.2.7 CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)

2.2.8 COR Contracting Officer Representative

2.2.9 COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

2.2.10 COTS Commercial-Off-The-Shelf

2.2.11 CR Cultural Resource

2.2.12 DA Department of the Army

2.2.13 DBH Diameter at Breast Height (4.5’)

2.2.14 DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report)

2.2.15 DD254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List

2.2.16 DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

2.2.17 DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center

2.2.18 DOD Department of Defense

2.2.19 FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

2.2.20 GIS Geographic Information System

2.2.21 HIPPA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996

2.2.22 IDIQ Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity

2.2.23 KO Contracting Officer

2.2.24 OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest

2.2.25 OCONUS Outside Continental United States (incl. Alaska & Hawaii)

2.2.26 ODC Other Direct Costs

2.2.27 PIPO Phase In/Phase Out

2.2.28 POC Point of Contact

2.2.29 POP Period of Performance

2.2.30 PRS Performance Requirements Summary

2.2.31 PWS Performance Work Statement

2.2.32 QA Quality Assurance

2.2.33 QAP Quality Assurance Program

2.2.34 QAR Quality Assurance Representative

2.2.35 QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

2.2.36 QC Quality Control

2.2.37 QCP Quality Control Plan

2.2.38 RCW Red Cockaded Woodpecker

2.2.39 TE Technical Exhibit

2.2.40 T&E Threatened and Endangered (Species)

2.2.41 TES Threatened and Endangered Species

2.2.42 TO Task Order

2.2.43 TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

2.2.44 USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

2.2.45 USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Part 3

Government and Contractor Furnished Items

3. GOVERNMENT AND CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS

3.1 Government Furnished Items

3.1.1 N/A

3.2 Contractor Furnished Items

3.2.1 The contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, materials, and other items necessary to perform timber marking and forest inventory services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Part 4

Specific Tasks

4. SPECIFIC TASKS

4.1 Basic Services: Contractor shall perform Timber Marking and Forest Inventory

Services as described in this Performance Work Statement (PWS)

4.2 Methodology:

4.2.1 Contractor should review maps and other site specific information provided at issuance of the Task Order in order to gain an understanding of site conditions, specified desired outcome, and any special considerations such as Threatened and Endangered Species, Bald Eagle nests, Streamside Management Zones (SMZs), Aesthetic Management Zones (AMZs), and sensitive Cultural Resource sites, etc...

4.2.2 Each site where work is to be performed has its own unique forest conditions and management objectives. Therefore, site specific timber marking and inventory instructions will be provided by the Project or Depot Forester prior to beginning work at each location included in the task order.

4.2.3 Contractor will generally utilize standard timber marking and forest inventory practices and methodology to complete contract tasks, as long as those standard practices do not conflict with the specific guidance and requirements contained in the Contract or Task Order.

4.2.4 Acreage measurements are derived from Government ArcGIS files and rounded to the nearest acre. They shall be deemed accurate for use in stand and volume computations, as well as for the purposes of payment.

No adjustments to the acreage will be made unless gross errors are found and changes deemed acceptable by the COR

4.3 Selective Timber Marking Specifications: The following specifications represent requirements for typical forest stands. Site specific requirements will be given by the Project or Depot Forester, within the bounds of this contract.

4.3.1 Basal Area – Target composite basal area is approximately 70-85 square feet per acre on most tracts, but at no time will more than 40% of the basal area be removed, unless specifically requested by the Area Forester.

4.3.2 Marking Selection Priority (Typical) – First priority is to remove trees with poorest form and/or vigor. Second priority is general spacing, with optimum growth of residual stand as the goal. Third priority is species preference, such as favoring shortleaf pine or mast producing hardwoods.

Actual priorities may vary by stand, and specific marking preferences will be specified by the Area Forester.

4.3.3 Methodology – Thinning will most often be from below, but may also be from above, as required to leave a well-spaced, healthy, residual stand which will encourage more rapid growth of the highest quality and most desirable stems. Trees that are damaged, diseased, or in poor condition or of poor form will be marked in preference to those trees in good condition or form.

4.3.4 Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) – Generally no hardwoods within fifty (50') feet of any intermittent or higher class stream or the lakeshore, or standing in persistently wet areas, will be marked for removal. Persistently wet areas include such areas known as bay galls where water is present for practically the entire year. The Area Forester will be consulted when a question arises as to whether an area is persistently wet or not.

4.3.5 Wildlife Considerations – In addition to site specific prescriptions, at least one wildlife den tree per five (5) acres should be retained in all stands. A wildlife den tree is defined as a standing tree, living or dead, having a hollow cavity that may be used as a den or nest for squirrels, raccoons, owls, wood ducks, etc. Hardwood trees with hollows near the base that are located in an area surrounded by standing water (or where there is evidence that water is persistent for a major portion of the year) will NOT be marked. Specific instructions will be provided by the Area Forester.

4.3.6 RCWs, Bald Eagles, other TES – If a Bald Eagle nest; red-cockaded woodpecker colony or den tree; or any other evidence of a threatened or endangered species is discovered, all work will cease and the COR will be notified immediately.

4.3.7 Other Sensitive Areas – No trees will be marked within any area designated as “sensitive” on provided maps. Area Forester will mark all such areas with flagging prior to timber marking.

4.3.8 Marking and Painting – Trees to be removed will be marked liberally on the main stem at an approximate height of seven (7’) feet above ground level with a single diagonal slash. Additionally, a spot will be placed at the base of each marked tree. The spot will be placed partly on the stump and partly on the ground litter adjoining the tree. The paint, supplied by the contractor, will be tree-marking paint that will be easily visible for a minimum of two (2) years. Generally, blue paint will be used and consistently applied in the same cardinal direction within each marking unit. ALL paint will be lead-free and “uncut”; i.e. paint cannot be diluted with diesel or mineral spirits.

4.3.9 Marked Tree Tally –All marked trees will be 100% tallied by species, product, diameter, and merchantable height. Tally will be by two (2") inch diameter classes. Merchantable height for pulpwood will be to the nearest five (5’) foot bolt, and merchantable sawlog height will be to the nearest half-log (8’). Separate tallies will be made by tract or stand, and by species and product (e.g. pine sawlog, hardwood pulpwood, etc.). Volume computations, along with all tally sheets and a consolidated tally for each tract will be turned in to the COR as each tract is completed.

4.3.10 Merchantability Specifications (Typical) – The following specifications are for typical situations. Area Forester will provide specific guidance for each inventory compartment.

4.3.10.1 Pine Sawlogs: Typically, pine sawlogs must be at least 9.6 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) with at least one sixteen (16') foot log to a seven (7") inch top.

4.3.10.2 Hardwood Sawlogs: Typically, hardwood sawlogs must be at least 11.6 inches DBH with at least one sixteen (16') feet log to a nine (9") inch top.

4.3.10.3 Pine and Hardwood Pulpwood: All pulpwood must be at

least 5.6 inches DBH with at least fifteen (15) feet of merchantable height to a four (4”) inch top.

4.3.10.4 Log Grading: Sawlogs will not be tallied by grade. All trees of sufficient size and quality will be combined to form the sawlog class. Sawlog size trees of insufficient form, quality, and condition will be tallied as pulpwood.

4.3.11 Measuring and Estimating – Contractor is required to measure all sawlog trees over seventeen (17.0”) inches DBH with either a caliper or diameter tape measure. At least one-half (½) of all sawlog trees seventeen (17.0) inches DBH or less, and at least one-fourth (¼) of all pulpwood trees must be measured at DBH. Approximately every half hour of marking time, merchantable height must be measured, in order to keep height estimates as accurate as possible.

4.3.12 Marked Timber Stand and Volume Computations – Contractor will perform timber stand and volume computations of tally data, using standard forestry methodology. Volume of marked timber for each stand or tract will be totaled by species, product, diameter, and merchantable height class. Volume calculations will be to the nearest board foot for sawlogs (Doyle log scale) and to the nearest hundredth (2 decimal places) of a Standard Cord for pulpwood. Form class to be used will be designated by the Area Forester.

4.3.13 Reports and Deliverables – Stand Table reports shall be produced from marked timber tally data. At a minimum, these reports shall be broken out by stand, species, product, diameter, merchantable height, and volume; on both a per acre and total stand basis. Reports shall be provided in digital format and paper copy. Paper copies of all tally sheets shall be provided to the COR as stands and compartments are completed.

4.4 Regeneration Cut Marking: The following specifications represent requirements for typical regeneration cut marking (i.e. Seed Tree or Shelterwood). Site specific requirements will be provided by the Area Forester, within the bounds of the contract.

4.4.1 General – Contractor shall select, mark, and 100% tally ten (10) to thirty

(30) trees per acre to provide a seed source for natural regeneration. This line item also includes an inventory of non-marked (cut) trees, which shall be performed according to the Timber Inventory specifications following in Section 4.5. Additionally, an inventory of tree regeneration and pre-merchantable stems may also be included along with the marking and timber inventory, in accordance with Section 4.6 below. The addition of this regeneration and pre-merchantable stem inventory represents a separate contract Bid Item.

4.4.2 Tree Selection Criteria – Trees selected as a seed source for natural regeneration shall be, as far as possible, well-formed dominant or co-dominant trees, spaced evenly over the area. Where possible, on upper slopes, shortleaf pine will be selected with loblolly selected on lower slopes. Thus some areas may have less trees marked per acre than prescribed due to lack of suitable trees. Hardwood seed trees will be selected based primarily on species and site conditions. Site specific selection criteria for each stand will be at the discretion of the Area Forester.

4.4.3 Tree Marking and Painting – Selected trees will be marked at five (5’) to six (6’) feet above the ground with a band of paint approximately six inches (6”) in width that completely encircles the tree. The paint, supplied by the contractor, will be tree-marking paint that will be legible for at least 2 years. ALL paint will be lead-free and “uncut”; i.e. paint cannot be diluted with diesel or mineral spirits.

4.4.4 Marked Tree Tally – A 100% tally shall be conducted for all marked “seed trees”. Methods and deliverables will be the same as required for Timber Inventory below (Sect. 4.5).

4.4.5 Non-Marked Tree Inventory – An inventory of all merchantable, non-marked (cut) trees shall be conducted in addition to the marked (leave) tree tally. Methods and deliverables will be the same as required for Timber Inventory below (Sect. 4.5).

4.4.6 Reports and Deliverables – Separate Stand Table reports shall be produced from both timber inventory and marked seed tree tally data. At a minimum, these reports shall be broken out by stand, species, product, diameter, merchantable height, and volume; on both a per acre and total stand basis. Reports shall be provided in digital format and paper copy.

Paper copies of all tally sheets shall be provided to the COR as stands and compartments are completed

4.5 Timber Inventory Specifications: Forest Management Units or Compartments shall be inventoried utilizing one or more of the following methods, either individually or in combination, at the discretion of the Area Forester.

4.5.1 Fixed Radius (Plot) Method – Plot sample size will be 1/10th acre, with a radius of 37.2’.

4.5.2 Variable Radius (Point) Method – Point sampling by means of a ten (10) Basal Area Factor (BAF) wedge prism.

4.5.3 Intensity – All timber inventory plots and points will be established on a systematic grid basis, at an intensity of one (1) plot / point per two and one-half (2½) acres, spaced five (5) chains by five (5) chains apart.

4.5.4 Plot Location Map – Contractor will provide a map showing the plot/point locations (grid) for each stand or tract. Plots/points must be numbered on the map corresponding to the plot/point number “on the ground” and on the tally sheets.

4.5.5 Tree Tally – On all timber inventory plots and points, all “in” trees 5.6 inches DBH and greater, of acceptable form and quality, will be tallied by species (or species group), product, diameter at breast height (DBH), and merchantable tree height. Each plot or point will have its own separate tally, and tally sheets will be turned in to the COR as a required deliverable.

4.5.5.1 Diameter (DBH): All diameters will be tallied by DBH to the nearest two inch (2”) class. Example of 2” class: 11.1” to 13.0” will be tallied as a 12” tree. Allowable error is two inches (2”), or one 2-inch class.

4.5.5.2 Height: All heights will be tallied as merchantable height, to the nearest half log (8’) for sawtimber, and to the nearest five foot (5’) bolt for pulpwood. Allowable error for merchantable height is +/- eight feet (8’) for sawtimber and +/- five feet (5’) for pulpwood.

4.5.5.3 Species: Project Forester will designate up to ten (10) species or species groups that are to be tallied, prior to the start of each Task Order, based on the unique characteristics and objectives of the area to be inventoried.

4.5.5.4 Product Classes: Minimum specifications for each product class are as follows.

4.5.5.4.1 All Pulpwood: Minimum 5.6 inch DBH with at

least fifteen (15) merchantable feet to a four inch (4”) top.

4.5.5.4.2 Pine Sawtimber: Minimum 9.6 inch DBH with at

least sixteen (16) merchantable feet to a seven inch (7”) top.

4.5.5.4.3 Hardwood Sawtimber: Minimum 11.6 inch DBH

with at least sixteen (16) merchantable feet to a nine inch (9”) top.

4.5.5.4.4 Wildlife / Fiber: Minimum 5.6 inch DBH, with no

height requirement.

4.5.5.5 Borderline Trees: For Variable Radius (Point) Method, all "border-line" trees will be compared against the BAF 10 limiting distance by measuring DBH and distance from center of tree to inventory point center (where applicable).

4.5.6 Plot and Tree # Identification – All inventory plots and points must have their center marked with two pieces of pink flagging at eye level and a 18" or larger wire flag placed in the ground and marked with the plot or point number, using a permanent black ink marker. Additionally, the first tree to the north at each plot or point shall be marked with pink flagging encircling the tree. This will be the first tree tallied at each plot or point.

Remaining “in” trees will be tallied going clockwise, in order of occurrence. This enables the Government Quality Assurance Representative (GQAR) to perform Quality Assurance (QA) checks on the correct trees.

4.5.7 Site Index - Contractor will determine average site index for each stand or compartment as follows. Total height will be measured and recorded for one dominant pine tree every tenth plot / point. Tree age for these dominant pines will also be determined by increment borer and recorded at every tenth plot / point. If no healthy and dominant pine, representative of the average age of the pine component of the stand, is available at a tenth plot / point, then a dominant pine at the next plot / point containing such a tree shall be measured. No hardwoods shall be bored. These trees will be flagged with two pink flagging bands and utilized by the Contractor to estimate site index.

4.5.8 Timber Stand and Volume Computations – Contractor will perform timber stand and volume computations of tally data, using standard forestry methodology. Volume calculations will be to the nearest board foot for sawlogs (Doyle log scale) and to the nearest hundredth (2 decimal places) of a Standard Cord for pulpwood. Form class to be used will be designated by the Project

4.5.9 Reports and Deliverables – Stand and Stock Table reports shall be produced from timber inventory tally data. At a minimum, these reports shall be broken out by stand, species, product, diameter, merchantable height, and volume; on both a per acre and total stand basis. Reports and plot/point location maps shall be provided in digital format and paper copy. Paper copies of all tally sheets shall be provided to the COR as stands and compartments are completed.

4.6 Regeneration / Pre-Merchantable Inventory Specifications: Regeneration and pre-merchantable stems will be inventoried in order to determine the stocking level of seedlings, advanced regeneration, and pre-merchantable stems. This inventory item may be used for post planting survival checks, and for evaluation of natural regeneration and pre-merchantable timber. It may be ordered either separately or in conjunction with other marking and inventory line items.

4.6.1 Sampling Method – 1/100th acre fixed radius plot, with a radius of 11.8’.

4.6.2 Intensity – Regeneration / Pre-Merchantable Stem plots will be established on a systematic grid basis, at an intensity of one (1) plot per one and one-quarter (1¼) acres, spaced two and one-half (2½) chains by five (5) chains apart. When performed in conjunction with a timber inventory, every other regeneration / pre-merchantable stem plot may be “nested” within the larger timber inventory plot.

4.6.3 Plot Location Map – Contractor will provide a map showing the plot locations (grid) for each stand or tract. Plots must be numbered on the map corresponding to the plot number “on the ground” and on the tally sheets

4.6.4 Tree Tally – On regeneration and pre-merchantable stem plots, all stems will be tallied by species, size class, and form or “free-to-grow” status.

4.6.4.1 Species: The Project Forester will designate up to ten (10) species or species groups that are to be tallied, prior to the start of each Task Order, based on the unique characteristics and objectives of the area to be inventoried.

4.6.4.2 Size Classes: Regeneration will generally be tallied by height as follows: less than three feet (<3’), or three to ten feet (3’- 10’). Stems greater than ten feet (>10’) but not meeting minimum requirements for pulpwood will be tallied as pre-merchantable. Minor changes to the size classes may be prescribed by the Project Forester based on unique characteristics of each site.

4.6.4.3 Form or Status: While somewhat subjective, trees will be classified and tallied as either good form / free-to-grow; or poor form / suppressed.

4.6.4.4 Multiple Stems: In cases where multiple stems appear to be originating from the same source, such as stump sprouts, only the one most dominant stem will be tallied. Likewise, where separate stems of the same species occur less than two feet (2’) apart, only the one most dominant stem will be tallied.

4.6.5 Reports and Deliverables – Stocking Table reports shall be produced from inventory tally data. At a minimum, these reports shall be broken out by stand, species, size class, and “free to grow” status; on both a per acre and total stand basis. Reports and plot location maps shall be provided in digital format and paper copy. Paper copies of all tally sheets shall be provided to the COR as stands and compartments are completed.

5. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

5.1 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures; including but not limited to:

5.1.1 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety Health Requirements Manual (EM

385-1-1, Revised 30 November 2014).

6. ATTACHMENTS AND TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

6.1 Attachment/Exhibit 1. Performance Requirements Summary

6.2 Attachment/Exhibit 2. Deliverables Schedule

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary

The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective Standard Performance Threshold Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1.

The contractor shall selectively mark timber according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.3

The contractor selectively marked timber according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.3

Average residual Basal Area (BA) within +/- 5% of target --- and --- 95% compliance with prescribed tree selection criteria

Audit 10% of marked area, plus periodic checks of work in progress.

PRS # 2

The contractor shall perform regeneration cut marking according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.4

The contractor performed regeneration cut marking according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.4

Average number of seed trees marked per acre within +/- 10% of target --- and --- 95% compliance with prescribed tree selection criteria

Audit 10% of marked area, plus periodic checks of work in progress.

PRS # 3

The contractor shall perform timber inventory according to the specifications described in PWS Sections 4.4 and 4.5

The contractor performed timber inventory according to the specifications described in PWS Sections 4.4 and 4.5

90% of audit plots compliant.

An audit plot will be deemed out of compliance if one or more of the plot data categories are out of their individual allowable error. If more than (10%) of audit plots within a stand are out of compliance, then the contractor will be required to re-inventory that stand.

Audit 10% of inventory plots, plus periodic checks of work in progress.

PRS # 4

The contractor shall perform regeneration and pre-merchantable stem inventory according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.6

The contractor performed regeneration and pre-merchantable stem inventory according to the specifications described in PWS Section 4.6

90% of audit plots compliant.

An audit plot will be deemed out of compliance if one or more of the plot data categories are out of their individual allowable error. If more than (10%) of audit plots within a stand are out of compliance, then the contractor will be required to re-inventory that stand.

Audit 10% of inventory plots, plus periodic checks of work in progress.

PRS # 5

Contractor shall produce and provide required stand and stock table reports and maps as required throughout PWS Section 4.

Contractor produced and provided required stand and stock table reports and maps as required throughout PWS Section 4.

Zero deviation from standard.

100% Inspection of final…