Stocking Survey Services

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

1. Background: The Forest Service is in need of Reforestation Stocking Surveys to monitor reforestation activities in planted and natural regeneration areas. The surveys are used to determine stocking density, distribution, species composition, and health of regeneration.

2. Scope of Contract: This contract is for Fixed Plot Stocking Surveys in accordance with Region 1 standards (see Section 14 - Standards). The majority of work shall be performed in burned-over, logged, and/or planted stands on the Missoula and Seeley Lake Ranger Districts of the Lolo National Forest. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary on the areas specified. All aspects of the work program shall be performed in an organized, systematic manner.

3. Location and Description: The stocking survey units are located on the Lolo National Forest, Montana. (See Vicinity Maps and Unit Maps, Exhibit 3). Specific locations and work items, Maps, and Silvicultural Certification Standard Spreadsheets of survey units will be provided in the Exhibits.

4. Access: Access restrictions are shown in Exhibit 2, although other access restrictions may exist not listed on this table. The Contractor shall be responsible for clearing any trees that block roads as needed to access units. Road status has not been verified by the Forest Service prior to solicitation of this contract, and the Forest Service assumes no obligation to perform maintenance to keep roads open. No special reimbursement will be made for units requiring ‘walk-in’.

a. Locked Gates. In cases where units are behind locked gates, the Contractor shall close and lock gates after entering or exiting each gate. Contractor shall be subject to all other restrictions of administrative use, including posting signs for the public as directed by District policy. The Contractor shall be permitted to drive from the locked gate to the unit with only the minimum number of vehicles necessary for efficient transport of the crew. No firearms are permitted behind locked gates. Vehicle access will be prohibited behind locked gates during Montana's big game hunting season, which generally begins around October 14th of each year.

5. Performance Period: The Performance Period for the entire contract is 6/15/2026 to 11/1/2026. Some units have specific timing restrictions as shown on Exhibit 2, Unit Table and Stand Certification Spreadsheet. Timing restrictions are intended to comply with seasonal wildlife road/hunting season restrictions, and to ensure budset prior to surveys in planted units.

All units in Block 1 may be completed at any time between 6/15/26 and 11/1/26. For Blocks 2 and 3, surveys shall occur between 6/15/26 or 7/15/26 and 10/14/26, as shown in Exhibit 2.

6. Prework Conference: Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall attend a meeting to discuss the contract terms, work performance requirements, and safety. Also, at this meeting such items as work progress schedule, camping/worksite plan, and communications shall be finalized in writing.

7. Onsite Representative: The Contractor's onsite representative shall be fully conversant and literate in the English language and shall be in the work area whenever work is in progress.

8. Definitions:

Access Point. The point identified for access to survey units.

Block. A pay-item made up of a group of stands. Each block will contain a minimum of 200 acres and a maximum of 1000 acres. A block is the basis for quality control and quality assurance inspections.

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

Contract Time. See Period of Performance.

Non-Stockable Area. An area which cannot support establishment of planted stock or natural regeneration due to factors including but not limited to rock, compacted soil, standing water, and harsh site conditions. For example, a dry, natural open meadow which did not historically support trees should be considered non-stockable.

NRG. Natural Regeneration.

Period of Performance. (Also Performance Period or Contract Time). The number of calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of contract work.

Plot. An area of ground within a fixed radius.

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

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

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

Stressed Trees. This is a tree that is alive but shows signs of deterioration caused by either environmental or/and human factors and survival is questionable. Some examples of environmental factors are animal browsing, heat stress, insects, or disease. An example of human factor is poor planting.

9. Government-furnished Property FAR 52.245-1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (SEP 2021):

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause.

Item

Description

Where/When/How Cost if lost or not returned

GIS Unit Map

Digital Unit and overview maps.

Provided at pre-work meeting or with Call order.

N/A

N/A

Silvicultural Unit Table and Certification Standards Spreadsheet Spreadsheet with silvicultural prescription certification standards for each stand: planting year, minimum TPA for certification, minimum height, desired species composition, acres, etc. (See Exhibits)

Provided at pre- work meeting or with Call order.

N/A

Access behind locked gates (Key)

per key.

10. Technical Specifications:

Work shall be performed in accordance with this Statement of Work, and with Forest Service Handbook, Rl Supplement 2409.17-2002-1 (effective 4/29/2002), Chapter 2- Reforestation 2.73 - Stocking Surveys (see web address below). If direction is conflicting, this statement of work shall take precedence over the FSH.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/cgi-bin/Directives/get_dirs/fsh?2409.17!r1_ALL

a. Technical Aspects and Procedures Used on Stocking Survey Plots. The Contractor shall use the following procedures to gather data and install stocking survey plots.

i. Government will provide georeferenced PDF maps with plot locations. Contractor shall locate plots at the location designated on the maps, using Avenza or similar technology. A shapefile of plot locations may be provided upon request. Contractor shall avoid bias in determining exact plot location.

ii. Plot size will be 1/50th acre. The plot radius will be corrected for slope using the correction tables in the Forest Service Handbook. To determine when adjustments are necessary, the slope will be measured with a clinometer and any adjustments will be noted on the plot sheet.

iii. If a plot needs to be offset to avoid running out of the stand, the following method will be used: From the point where the plot originally landed turn perpendicular to the stand boundary, and proceed in ½ chain increments until the plot falls within the stand.

iv. Spinning the plot - Plot procedure and technique.

A. Tallying Trees - Using the proper radius and starting at zero (0) degrees (north), proceed in a clockwise direction tallying acceptable trees by species and height. All tree species encountered shall be tallied. Trees will be tallied by height class.

B. Trees not tallied. Dead trees, trees clearly near death, and trees otherwise not of acceptable quality growing stock shall not be tallied but a note shall be made in the Remarks column as to the number of trees not tallied and nature of their ailments. Trees on plot after the maximum twelve (12) per species column have been tallied shall not be included in the total trees per plot. Trees that are not officially tallied will be duly noted in Remarks.

v. Plot center shall be marked with a stake at least twelve inches (12") tall before leaving the plot. Pink flagging will be tied to the stake and the plot number, unit number, and surveyor’s initials will be written on the flag. Two strands of additional flagging shall be tied above eye level so as to be clearly visible from a distance and assist in locating the plot.

vi. Visual observations shall be made throughout the stand and between plots to confirm that plots are representative of the unit. Notes will be recorded on the Cover Sheet. These observations will bolster stand knowledge by helping with the final summary sheet, assessing stand health, and giving an overall description of the stand.

b. Individual Plot Data. Contractor shall record data using the Reforestation Quick Plot Survey Form, Exhibit 04. Data to be collected in the Reforestation Quick Plot Survey Form includes:

i. SUID, Date, Surveyor. Record the entire SUID on every form.

ii. Plot Number. Use number indicated on unit map.

iii. Species: In each column header, list the species and whether it was natural or planted (e.g. “PIPO-Planted” or “LAOC-Natural”). Whether units were planted or natural regeneration are indicated on the Unit Table and Silvicultural Certification Standard Spreadsheet.

iv. Tree Height Categories: 4 height categories are used: 3”-1 foot, 1-2.5 feet, 2.5-10 feet, and >10 feet. Make a note in the remarks column for germinates < 3 inches in height on plots.

v. List only trees of acceptable quality. Do not count stagnated residual trees or badly damaged trees, suppressed or diseased trees. All counted and tallied trees shall be of acceptable quality exhibiting no signs of imminent death. If a tree is alive but stressed and survival is questionable, include the tree in the tree count and note it in Remarks.

vi. Tree column Tallies and Total Live Trees in Plot. Include all acceptable planted and natural regeneration trees meeting the height criteria. The maximum number of trees to be recorded is 12 live trees per species column heading, and 30 live trees per plot total. Plots with excess of maximum trees per plot shall be noted in remarks column of the Reforestation Quick Plot Survey Form.

vii. Plot Stocking Class. Stocking class is based on the TPA certification standard on the Unit Table And Silvicultural Certification Standard Spreadsheet.

If the number of acceptable trees on the plot meets or exceeds the TPA stocking standard for certification, when TPA is calculated with the individual plot data, the plot is satisfactorily stocked.

If the number of trees on the plot is less than the certification TPA standard when TPA is calculated with the individual plot data, the plot is unsatisfactorily stocked.

If the number of trees on the plot is less than the certification TPA standard when calculated with the individual plot data, but a portion of the plot is non-stockable the plot may be either satisfactorily or unsatisfactorily stocked. For example, if the certification standard is 200 TPA and 3 acceptable trees occur on the plot, but ¼ of the plot is non-stockable, the plot is satisfactorily stocked, and the non-stockable area would be indicated in the Remarks column. However, if on this same plot only 2 acceptable trees occurred, the plot would be unsatisfactorily stocked.

If a plot is non-stockable due to rock or other factors, its classification would be listed as non-stockable.

viii. Plot Remarks shall be used to indicate other considerations that may affect tree health. Remarks shall include aspect, wildlife sign, gopher activity, other vegetation, aspect change, poor soil conditions, rock outcrops, insect & disease, etc. Percent slope shall be taken for each plot and documented in the "remarks section". All of the percent slopes taken in a stand shall then be averaged and documented on the "Stocking Survey Cover Sheet" at "average slope%".

c. Plot Data Spreadsheet. In addition to individual Plot Data to be submitted on the Reforestation Quick Plot Survey Form as described in 10.b. above, Contractor will be required to submit an electronic copy of the data. Data shall be entered in a spreadsheet template provided by the government, Exhibit 5.

d. Stocking Survey Cover Sheet. Utilization of the Stocking Survey Cover Sheet is required. Cover sheets shall be turned into government in electronic format (such as writeable PDF, or legible scan of handwritten form). See Exhibit 6 (Stocking Exam Cover Sheet). Fields are self-explanatory or explained below. All cover sheets must be fully completed, including date. Regeneration species composition should reflect what is in the plots. Contractor should be checking to make sure they are using the correct data.

i. Stand Remarks: The Stocking Survey Cover Sheet shall include pertinent information to survey findings. Remarks shall include the observations made by the surveyor between plots and may include information that was not present on the plots. Including but not limited to major vegetation components, vegetation competition (grasses/shrubs), seedling distribution and composition; insects/disease, animal, drought, frost, heat damage/mortality, results of poor planting quality/nursery stock, burn intensity, etc.

ii. Stand Diagram / Sketch Map. A stand diagram shall be included, sketched on the reverse side of the Stocking Exam Cover Sheet, drawn as an annotated screenshot, or similar, and attached to the digital copy of the cover sheet. The Stand Diagram shall be legible and at a large enough scale for others to interpret. The sketched unit map features shall include but not be limited to, rock outcrops, landings, skid trails, road access, live overstory trees, slash and other features for reference and to indicate the ability to re-stock portions of the unit. The diagrams shall also indicate a north arrow and plot locations. Figures should be drawn around groups of overstocked, unstocked (or non-stockable) areas or plots to depict the shape and size of the area on the ground.

iii. Stand Summary: Calculate the number of stockable plots and partially stocked plots. Calculate percent of plots stocked, understocked, and non-stockable.

iv. Regeneration Species Composition: Calculate total acceptable TPA and TPA by species. Total stand or species TPA is calculated as follows: total TPA / # stockable plots x reciprocal plot size. For example, for a stand that has 40 acceptable trees over 20 1/50th acre plots, the overall TPA would be 40/20x50 = 100 TPA.

v. Silvicultural Stocking Standard Status: Complete according to section d below.

e. Stand Classification Analysis. The stand classification is a result of evaluation of exam results and Government requirements, and is recorded on the Cover Sheet as described above. The goal is to classify a stand with respect to the certification standards set forward by the Government's silviculture plan. Mathematical calculations will determine if the certification standards are met. The certification standards are specified on the Unit Table and Silvicultural Certification Standard Spreadsheet. They typically include:

1. Minimum % stocked level.

2. Minimum height requirements for each stand.

3. Acceptable TPA for each unit.

4. Species composition as specified in the Unit Table and Silvicultural Certification Standard Spreadsheet.

Silvicultural Stocking Standard Status is Fully Met when the above conditions are met.

A Progressing Stand does not meet all the criteria but is expected or anticipated to in the future. Factors used in determining a status of progressing include: seedling distribution, natural regeneration potential, tree condition and health, percentage of stressed trees, stand stocking suitability (e.g. rocky ridge, swamp), species mix (disease and insect resistance), mortality rates and reasons.

A Failed Stand does not meet the criteria and is not expected to do so.

Discrepancies between Government-furnished stand information and survey findings shall be addressed in the stand summary on the Cover Sheet. E.g. Plantation reported to have eighty percent (80%) ponderosa pine, fifteen percent (15%) Douglas-fir, and five percent (5%) lodgepole pine. The survey does not locate any Douglas-fir, so this should be noted in the narrative on the Cover Sheet.

11. <Reserved>

12. <Reserved>

13. Contractor Quality Control Plan: The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) within 10 days of award.

The Quality Control Plan shall address how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and identify the personnel that will be performing the quality control.

For each Block of Stocking Survey Plots, the Contractor's QCP must include a resampling of at least 25 plots. Evaluation and scoring must be based on the Stocking Survey Scoring System, see Exhibit 07. The quality control plots must be unbiased and sample across the entire population of acres.

A. Work Plan. In addition, the QCP shall include a work plan prepared by the Contractor. The Work Plan should demonstrate how work will be completed within the performance period. The work plan should outline staffing and production rate to accomplish work in accordance with contract specifications including items such as estimated progress per surveyor, size of crew, and number of personnel assigned to work on this Call Order. This plan should outline the sequence of work and should contain milestones for inspection documentation. Submission of inspection documentation shall be well-distributed throughout the performance period.

The Contractor should provide a general plan with the technical proposal. This general plan should include approximate anticipated dates when work is expected to be performed. A supplementary plan and schedules will be provided after issuance of a task order, 10 days before start work. The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that is not specified in the accepted Work Plan.

The Contractor shall notify the Government of impending scheduling problems as soon as possible. The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress if necessary and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan. The Contractor shall recognize that altering work plans will affect the Government's ability to inspect, and therefore will adjust any planned partial invoicing accordingly.

B. Safety Plan. A safety plan should be outlined in the QCP. Much of the work will be performed in areas burned by the wildland fires from 2000-2017. These areas contain numerous standing dead trees in weak condition. Therefore, the Contractor should outline how work will be performed safely under these conditions. At a minimum, the QCP shall cover use of Protective Personal Equipment, and how weather or other conditions will be monitored to reduce Contractor's exposure to known hazards, and how employees will be accounted for at the end of each work cycle (day, trip into area, etc.)

C. Camping and Worksite Conditions. The Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan that is implemented in a manner that will protect the environmental resources and the public facilities. The conditions will be consistent with the requirements of Section 18 – Camping and Worksite Conditions.

D. Communications. The QCP shall outline how communications will be maintained between the Contractor and the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Notifying the Contracting Officer and COR of progress, work location, and changes to the QCP or scheduling is of specific importance. The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer and COR informed of where the Contractor or Contractor's representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension, periods of time without work or other unforeseen circumstances. Further, the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting Officer during periods of work suspension or periods of time without work.

14. Standards:

(Mandatory) Forest Service Handbook, RI Supplement 2409.17-2002-1 (effective 4/29/2002), Chapter 2 Reforestation, Section 2.7 - Reforestation Surveys and Monitoring. fsh - 2409.17 Code Field Issuances (usda.gov) Sections 2.7-2.73

A. OSHA's Field Sanitation Standard Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-25 is available at https://www.osha.gov

15. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

Acceptance will be based on the results of the Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, see Exhibit 7. An inspection block, as established by the Government and listed in the Unit Table and Silvicultural Certification Standards Spreadsheet, will contain stands totaling a minimum of 200 acres and a maximum of 1000 acres.

Following Contractor quality assurance of an inspection block as detailed in Section 13 above, Contractor will submit stands in designated inspection blocks with respective record sheets. No partial inspection blocks will be accepted. All forms must be complete and legible. Incomplete or illegible forms will not be accepted and will be returned to the Contractor.

The Government Quality Assurance will be performed within 10 business days of work being submitted after receipt of a written request by the Contractor for a Quality Assurance check.

At the Contractor's request, the Government will provide one review on the inspection procedure regarding quality assurance. This quality assurance assessment review will be performed on one plot. In addition, at the Contractor's request, the Government will accompany the Contractor on one plot to review data collection procedures.

A. Performance Summary The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

Stocking Surveys

Locate and mark Plot Centers. Mark with Flagging on stake, with date, plot#, stand # and initials

100% in accordance with approved plan.

100% of the plots marked and properly located in accordance with the approved plan.

Contractor records and reports.

Random verification by the Government Rework, repair, or replace at no cost to Government.

Government accepts price reduction.

Poor performance rating.

Positive Performance Rating

Individual Plot Data

100% of the data is in accordance with the approved plan.

90% of all data is acceptable in format as well as content.

Contractor records and reports.

Random verification by the Government Rework, repair, or replace at no cost to Government.

Government accepts price reduction.

Random verification by the Government Rework, repair, or replace at no cost to Government.

Government accepts price reduction.

Poor performance rating.

Positive Performance Rating

Contractor Quality Control Plan

Work Plan

100% of the work is in accordance with the approved work plan.

90% of all work is acceptable in accordance with the approved work plan.

Random verification by the Government Rework, repair, or replace at no cost to Government.

Government accepts price reduction.

Poor performance rating.

Quality Control Plan

100% of the Quality Control Plan is met in accordance with the approved plan

100% of the Quality Control Plan is met in accordance with the approved plan

Random verification by the Government Rework, repair, or replace at no cost to Government.

Government accepts price reduction.

Safety Plan 100% of the Safety Plan is met in accordance with the approved plan

100% of the Safety Plan is met in accordance with the approved plan

Contractor records and reports.

Random verification by the Government

Poor performance rating.

B. Acceptance and Rework

1. Acceptance. (See Government's Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan). Will be determined based on compliance with the contract work requirements and standards. Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work. If the Contractor's work is determined to be unacceptable (quality less than 90%), the Government may initiate any remedies described in FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services. If at Block completion, the Contractor's results are greater than 2% deviance from the Government's original inspection sample, the Government inspector should employ an unbiased systematic sample of the population, sampling at least 1% of the Contractor's plots with no less than 25 plots per block. If Contractor results are confirmed to be greater than a 2% deviance from the Government's after the additional 1% sample, the payment will be based on the Government's quality percent, and the Contractor may be assessed the cost of the Government's performance of inspection (the enhanced sample) based on FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services.

When the difference is greater than 2% but both results indicate that quality meets the performance standard of 90% or greater, the Government will generally not take the enhanced sample but will base payment on the Government's sample.

If the initial work is unacceptable (quality less than 90%) to the Government, the Contractor shall re work the Block. The Contractor will re-inspect this work and the Government will conduct similar surveillance as the original work. When work cannot be corrected, upon agreement with the Contractor, the Government may accept work at the reduced price stated in Section 16, below. The Government will assess the re-work after receiving the Contractor's inspection records which reflect that all work meets specification standards.

The Government will conduct assessment plots one time after the initial assessment for quality assessment after rework.

The Government will assess the actual costs of conducting the additional quality assurance after rework. Items that may be included in the actual damages includes but is not limited to wages of the COR and Government inspector(s), and costs of vehicles that are incurred during the additional quality assurance.

Additionally, species identification will be verified. If systematic species identification errors are found, the Contractor shall re-work the block or portions of the block as directed by the Government. Systematic species identification errors are when a single surveyor repeatedly misidentifies a tree species on at least three of five plots inspected.

2. Work Completed after the performance period. If the Contractor fails to complete work within the performance period, and is allowed to work beyond that period, actual damages, as a result of this extension will be assessed. Items to be included in the actual damage include but are not limited to: wages of the COR and Government inspector(s) for quality assurance after the performance period, and costs of vehicles that are incurred while administering the contract after the performance period.

16. Method of Calculating Payment

1. The Contractor's Quality Control: For each completed Block, the Contractor's quality control inspection percentage for the Block will be compared to the Government's assessment results. If the results differ by two (2) percent or less, the Contractor's inspection will be considered acceptable and the Contractor's quality percentage will be used as the basis for payment. When the results differ by more than two (2) percent and would result in less than full payment, the Government's inspection percentage will be used as the basis for payment.

2. Payment calculation: Payment less damages will be based on the following methods.

a. Quality at fully acceptable performance - meets or exceeds 90 percent. Whenever the quality of work meets or exceeds 90 percent, based on the results of the Contractor's quality control inspection and verified by the Government monitoring, the work will be acceptable, full payment will be made that provides payment at the unit price for the sub-item.

Payment Example: With a unit price of $10.00 per plot and a unit size of 40 plots, the bid price would be $400.00. If the Contractor's work quality is 95 percent, payment would be $400.00.

b. Quality at less than fully acceptable performance - less than 90 percent. Whenever the quality of work is below 90 percent (full pay) based on the results of the Contractor's quality control inspection and/or the Government quality assurance inspection, the work is unacceptable, and the value of services provided is significantly reduced. Therefore, a deduction will be made for less than fully acceptable performance in accordance with the following:

The following reduced schedule may be applied at the discretion of the Government on Blocks with less than 90% quality as shown by either the Contractor's or Government's inspection results:

Stocking Survey Services

With a unit price of $10.00 per plot and a unit size of 40 plots, the bid price would be $400.00. At 80% quality, payment would be: $10.00 x 70% x 40 plots= $280.00

c. Unacceptable Work.

i. Any Block, with quality less than 90 percent, is considered unacceptable and may be rejected. For these areas the Government shall:

(A) accept the work at a reduced price,

(B) require the Block to be re-worked at no additional expense to the Government, or

(C) reject the work in its entirety. If the quality is unacceptable, the Contractor's right to proceed is subject to immediate termination for default.

ii. Any work quality that the Government determines to be unacceptable and is not corrected, will be so noted in the performance evaluation.

17. Fire Control

1. Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

2. Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to Contractor operation under the contract.

a. Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

b. Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material shall be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation has been cleared away within a radius of twenty-five (25) feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

c. Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits are required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires shall not be left burning unattended.

d. Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, shall be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, shall not be closer than two (2) feet from any wood or other flammable material or one (1) foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

18. Camping and Worksite Conditions

1. Camping and Worksite Plan shall be consistent with requirements set forth in this section. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal and shall provide a more specific plan based on items awarded, prior to start work.

2. The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the rules of the Lolo National Forest applicable to forest visitors.

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

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

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

5. Contractor shall comply with the Food Storage Order #R1-2023-02, available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/alerts/r1-2023-02-ncde-food-and-wildlife-attractant-storage-order

19. Camping Provisions for Labor Intensive Contracts

The following provisions apply to all camping on National Forest lands during performance of this contract:

1. These provisions are in addition to those contained in, or provided for, in the clause titled "Use of Premises", in this contract.

2. Every structure used as shelter shall provide protection from the elements. Where heat adequate for weather conditions is not provided, other arrangements should be made to protect workers from the cold. Firewood may be cut only after obtaining a District Firewood Permit.

3. The campsite will not encroach beyond the boundaries designated by the Forest Service. The campsite shall be located so as to minimize impacts on streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. No camping shall be permitted within developed recreation sites or along primary recreation roads.

4. The campsite shall have a clean appearance at all times.

5. Upon abandonment of any campsite, or termination, revocation, or cancellation of camping privileges, the Contractor shall remove, within 10 calendar days, all structures and improvements except those owned by the United States, and shall restore the site, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing or in the camping permit. If the Contractor fails to remove all structures or improvements within the 10 calendar days, they shall become the property of the United States, but that will not relieve the Contractor of liability for the cost of their removal and restoration of the site.

6. Unless otherwise designated by the Contracting Officer, the use of this area is not exclusive, and may be granted to other Permittees, Contractors, or recreating public. Disorderly conduct is not permitted.

7. Damaging or removing any natural feature or other property of the Forest Service is prohibited.

8. Servicing of equipment in the campsite is not permitted, unless the campsite is within the project area.

9. Sanitary facilities shall be provided for storing food. Ice chests or coolers, with ice supply made from potable water and replenished as necessary, shall be provided and sufficient for the storage of perishable food items.

10. An adequate and convenient potable water supply shall be provided in each camp for drinking and cooking purposes.

11. Toilet facilities adequate for the capacity of the camp shall be provided and supplied with adequate toilet paper. Such facilities shall be serviced and maintained in a sanitary condition.

12. Garbage shall be collected, stored, and disposed of in such a manner as to prevent scattering by the wind, minimize attraction of flies, and discourage access by rodents.

13. Basic first aid supplies shall be maintained, available, and under the charge of a person trained to administer first aid. The supplies shall include:

a. Gauze pads (at least 4x4 inches)

b. Two large gauze pads (at least 8x10 inches)

c. Box adhesive bandages (band-aids)

d. One package of gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide

e. Two triangular bandages

f. Scissors

g. At least one blanket

h. Tweezers

i. Adhesive tape

j. Latex gloves

k. Resuscitation device such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask

14. Any washing of laundry shall be done in such a way as to provide for washing and rinsing without polluting lakes, streams, or other flowing water.

15. Waste water must be disposed of away from living and eating areas and in a fashion that minimizes pollution to lakes, streams, and other flowing water.

16. The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent and suppress forest fires. No material shall be disposed of by burning in open fires during the closed season established by law or regulation without the written permission from the Forest Service.

17. The Contractor shall comply with the following fire regulations during fire season:

a. A shovel, axe or pulaski, 10 quart pail which is full of water for immediate use and a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating of at least 1:A 10:BC is required during the fire season.

b. All fire rings or outside fireplaces will be approved by the Forest Service representative. The area will be cleared down to mineral soil for a distance of 1 foot outside of the ring or fireplace and it will not have any overhanging material. Fire rings will be dismantled and material disposed prior to leaving the site.

c. All generators and other internal combustion engines will be equipped with USFS approved spark arrestors and/or factory designed muffler and exhaust system in good working order. They will be located in a cleared area with the same requirements as in (b).

d. All fuel will be stored in UL approved flammable storage containers and be located at least 50 feet from any open flame or other source of ignition.

18. Any violation of these conditions constitutes a breach of contract, and may result in revocation of camping approval.

19. The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate a camping permit at any time.

20. Personal Protective Equipment

1. The Contractor will train in the safe operation and use of equipment to all workers using such equipment.

2. Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body.

3. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

4. The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, to each employee who operates a chain saw, chain saw chaps and assure the chaps are worn during saw operations. These chaps must be approved by Underwriters Laboratory or meet Forest Service specification 6170-47. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg.

5. The Contractor shall assure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support. Employees operating chain saws shall wear foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw.

6. The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who works in an area where there is potential for head injury from falling objects or flying objects wears a hard hat that meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

7. The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

8. The Contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, hearing protection where there is a potential for hearing loss due to high intensity noise e.g., chain saw operation.

Employees cannot be made to bear the costs incurred by the employer for providing required facilities.

21. Permits and Responsibilities

The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses and permits, and for complying with any Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the performance of the work. The Contractor shall also be responsible for all damages to persons or property that occur as a result of the Contractor's fault or negligence.

The Contractor shall also be responsible for all materials delivered and work performed until completion and acceptance of the entire work, except for any completed unit of work which may have been accepted under the contract.