FY21 CMTC Forest Inventory PWS Appendix A.pdf

APPENDIX" A"

Services for Obtaining a Phase II Forest Inventory

For Department of Defense land in Mississippi

1.0. SCOPE.

Under this Task Order, the Contractor will be required to conduct a forest inventory on Department of Defense (DoD) land in Mississippi. This forest inventory will be prepared for the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG). The following describes the efforts required to accomplish this work.

1.1. Purpose. The purpose of this Task Order is to obtain a forest inventory for approximately 3,948 acres of forestland. The Department of Defense (DoD) requires all military bases to manage their natural resources under the principles of ecosystem basis. As part of the implementation of ecosystem management, the MSARNG needs an adequate inventory of the forests that occur within its boundaries. The services to be performed consist of creating an inventory of the timber resources, to include, but not limited to timber type and age classes, on DoD forested areas. Forest inventory data shall be presented in stand and stock tables prepared in tabular form. The inventory shall include: standing timber volume, dominant and subdominant species, average diameter at breast height, general determinations of age classes and provide stand boundaries of dominate species. Maps and estimated acreages that are infested by the southern pine beetle, Chinese privet, cogon grass, and kudzu are also to be provided when applicable.

1.2. Tasks. The basic tasks of this project are:

1.2.1 Division of DoD land into management units (as delineated by training area units) and the management units subdivided by stand types using timber types and age classes. (Stand delineation maps have already been created via previous forest inventory data and will be made available for use in preparing updated ones).

1.2.2 To provide a description of forest stands within each forest management unit;

such descriptions shall include: dominant and immediately subdominant species present, average diameter at breast height (dbh), standing timber volumes, general determinations of age classes present. Such information will be provided in a manner consistent with accepted forestry practices and standards, as well as in accordance with any applicable Army guidelines.

1.2.3 Provide a Geographic Information System (GIS) file of stand boundaries collected using a GPS receiver (submeter accuracy), including forest stand tabular attributes (i.e. average dbh, dominant species, etc.)

1.2.4 Furnish maps of infestation spots and estimate of acreage affected by southern pine beetle, Chinese privet, cogon grass, and kudzu.

1.2.5 Cruise data shall not reflect any volume data recorded from sample plots/points taken within 100 foot of or in an SMZ. If a stand is defined/delineated as a “wetland” this data is not to be computed into the stand/total averages.

2.0. Technical Requirements.

2.1. Overall Management of Work. The Contractor shall manage the DoD forest inventory effort to completion as if it were the only job included in this Task Order. The Contractor, as an independent Contractor and not as an agent of the Government, shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, supplies, and supervision needed to perform all field sampling, computations, tables, charts, etc. necessary to accomplish the tasks described in this Task Order. All work shall be performed in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. If any conflicts exist between applicable regulations, the most stringent of the conflicting regulations shall apply. The Government is relying upon the expertise of the Contractor and/or its subcontractor, to comply with all applicable regulations. Under the provisions of this Task Order, the Contractor will accomplish the tasks described below for the MSARNG.

2.2. Staffing. The Contractor shall provide sufficient personnel to assure that the conduct of the forestry inventory is given priority in all efforts, with work on no effort at a particular installation being deferred because of competing actions with work at another installation. The Contractor's employees will at all times conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the non-personal services nature of this contract instrument. The Contractor's workforce will under no circumstances allow themselves to be under the supervision and control of a Government Officer or employee.

2.3. Personnel Qualifications. The Contractor (individual supervising all work) shall meet the following minimum experience requirements:

• The Contractor must have successfully completed a B.S. degree in Forestry from a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and be a registered forester.

• The Contractor must have had at least four years of practical forestry experience in management or evaluation of pine and hardwood forests in the southeastern United States.

• The Contractor must have knowledge of shrubs and herbaceous plants and plant communities commonly found in the southeastern United States. The team will consist of at least one registered Forester. This Forester will need to be knowledgeable of the plants of the State of Mississippi.

2.4. Military Mission. The Contractor shall have knowledge of the relationships between the military mission activities and the land used for such mission and activities. The Contractor must also understand the military mission's influence on the ecosystem and land use. A thorough understanding of the various military missions (including weapons testing requirements, training needs, range safety, security, and munitions storage requirements) is especially important for the installation.

2.5. Natural Resources Management. The Contractor shall be knowledgeable of general natural resources management philosophies and techniques. Such management topics include fish and wildlife, vegetation, natural areas, wetlands and floodplains, biodiversity and ecosystem management, forestry, agriculture, improved grounds maintenance, pest management, invasive species management, range management, soil conservation, and outdoor recreation.

Knowledge of current regional and national initiatives with regard to the management of Federal lands, including those related to "ecosystem management", is also needed.

2.6. Policy and Compliance. The Contractor shall be knowledgeable of Army environmental policy (AR 200-1), environmental laws and regulations applying to natural resources management, including but not limited to the Sikes Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, various wetland directives, Clean Air Act, Historic Preservation Act and similar laws; and Army policies and regulations. In addition, the Contractor shall be knowledgeable of the Army's regulations, programs, policies, and processes involved with Army military training, master planning, pest management, historic resources preservation, and Native American considerations. The following is a list of regulations and guidelines pertinent to forest inventory and mapping:

• Federal Laws:

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.)

Sikes Act "Conservation Programs on Military Reservations: (16 U.S.C. 670 et seq.)

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712 et seq.., as amended)

• Federal Guidelines:

Memorandum of Agreement for Neotropical Migrant Habitat Conservation DOD Regulation and Guidelines Natural Resources Management Program (DOD Directive 4700.4) (DOD Instruction 4715.3) Executive Order 12906, Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), version 2, FGDC-STD-001-199, revised lun 98.

Memorandum, NGB-ARZ-CIO, 28 Aug 01, subject: (All States Log Number POl- 0055) Metadata Requirements for Geographic Data

• Army Regulations:

AR 200-1 Environmental Protection and Enhancement Dec 07 AR 200-2 Environmental Effects of Army Actions, 29 Mar 02

AR 210-20 Data Standards for Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Related Technologies (Memorandum, DAIM-MD), 16 Oct 01

• Applicable State and Local Regulations

2.7. Centralized Files. The Contractor will keep detailed records in a centralized file of the information used to conduct the forest inventory. A separate records file will be maintained for the MSARNG. Each record file will contain all documents, data, analytical tools, sampling methodologies, and reference material used by the Contractor.

The Contractor shall not disclose any contract deliverables to the public without prior approval from the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the MSARNG to ensure that disclosure, when appropriate, is made in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), if invoked by the requestor. All records and files shall be deemed the property of the Government. Each records file will be provided to the MSARNG at the completion of work as a portion of the Administrative Record.

2.8. Field Trips. The Contractor shall use field trips to obtain forest inventory data.

2.9. Editorial Requirements. The Final Forest Inventory Report shall be typed with the margins set for reproduction on both sides of the paper. The size of the pages shall be 8.5 by 11 inches, except for foldout maps, charts, or other illustrative material. Each line of each page of the Draft documents shall be numbered to facilitate review. Type, size, and the font used must be approved by the Government prior to printing. An Executive Summary with technical appendices will be included as necessary.

3.0 WORK REQUIREMENTS.

3.1. Introduction. The Contractor shall provide sufficient personnel to assure that obtaining the forestry inventory is given equal priority in all efforts, with work on no other action being deferred because of competing actions on other projects. The forest inventory will be managed to completion as if it were the only action included in this Task Order. The Contractor shall, after consideration and documentation of any perceived data deficiencies, provide to the Government an explanation of what additional data is necessary for conducting the forest inventory. The Government shall determine whether such additional information and/or data is necessary and appropriate. Services provided by the Contractor shall be performed in accordance with specific requirements listed below.

3.2. Task 1 - National Guard "Kickoff' Meeting/Conference Call. Immediately following award of this Task Order and prior to the preparation of the Project Management Plan (PMP), a meeting/conference call will be held between the National Guard representatives, the Contractor, and the Government's Contract Manager to consider a variety of programmatic issues; the proposed outline that will be followed; the details of the forest inventory methods and GIS requirements, agree on the word processing software that will be used; resolve any schedule discrepancies; and address any concerns related to the future Installation Kick-off Meeting/Conference Call to immediately follow this meeting. The Contractor shall arrange the meeting/conference call and shall be responsible for preparing minutes of the meeting/call and submitting them within 5 working days following the meeting/call.

3.3. Task 2 - Project Management Plan (PMP). The Contractor shall prepare and submit a Draft PMP 10 working days after the effective date of this Task Order. The PMP will specify the dates on which all deliverables are to be submitted to the Government and indicate the sequence of work and critical path of the efforts required to obtain the forest inventory. The minimum number of days to be provided for Government review of a document will be 30 working days unless otherwise specified in this Scope of Work.

The Draft and Final PMP should contain a computerized Gantt Chart Style schedule that will be used by the Contractor to manage work. The Government will use this schedule to monitor work progress and to base interim payment decisions on the computed percent of completed work reported each billing. The schedule will also highlight the dates specific milestones will be met for this effort. The schedule will be built around the mandatory time frames identified in this Scope of Work. The Government will provide comments on the Draft PMP within 20 working days following receipt of the Draft PMP. The Contractor will prepare and submit the final PMP NLT 10 working days after receiving the Government's comments.

The Contractor shall complete the following tasks.

3.4. Task 3 - Installation Kick-off Meetings. The Contractor shall conduct a Kick-off Meeting at a MSARNG designated location within 10 working days of the conclusion of the Overall Kick-off Meeting. The date of this meeting will be determined at Overall Kick-off Meeting in consultation with the installation personnel. This meeting will be designed to (1) identify all installation Points-of-Contacts that will be involved in the forestry inventory effort;

(2) become familiar with the installation's natural resources management program and outstanding concerns/issues; (3) identify other entities with which coordination will be maintained; (4) initiate inventory gathering efforts; and (5) address pertinent issues. The meetings will be hosted by the installation, but the Contractor will be responsible for the agenda and the actual conduct of the meeting. The Contractor shall prepare minutes of the meeting and submit them within 5 working days following each meeting.

3.5. Task 4 - Conduct Installation Forest Inventory.

3.5.1. General. The respective forest inventory shall not represent a comprehensive (100%) inventory of the installation. The intent of this inventory is to obtain an inventory of approximately 3,948 DoD forested acres. This information will be used by the installation for the planning of present and future forest management activities on the installation.

3.5.2. Correspondence. The Contractor will be required to coordinate with a variety of sources to obtain information needed to conduct the forest inventory. The Contractor will be required to provide copies of all correspondence and memoranda documenting meetings, phone calls, e-mails, etc. to the Task Order Contract Manager.

3.5.3. Data Collection. The contractor shall insure that all working personnel have the needed permits, passes and access clearances to perform the required studies. To accomplish this, the contractor shall, if required, accomplish the needed coordination with any and all MSARNG activities to provide access to the study areas and with any outside agency to provide any appropriate permits to conduct the studies in consonance with current existing federal, state, local and installation laws and/or regulations. The contractor shall update, and renew any required permits as the laws change. No changes are expected, but such changes will require permit modifications for continued work on the studies.

3.5.4. The Contractor shall process and coordinate any documentation to gain security badges for their staff needing access to controlled portions of DoD land, if applicable.

3.5.5. The Contractor shall provide any routine transportation equipment and specialized limited use equipment. The Contractor shall provide all vehicles and equipment needed to accomplish the study. Access to flights on military aircraft by contractor personnel may be required and are approved if part of legitimate survey procedures. Standard work hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Much of the inventory is to be accomplished within mission-restricted areas and work will need to be accomplished in other than standard working hours.

3.5.6. The Contractor shall insure that all study participants comply with applicable worker safety and health requirements as covered by statutes and installation regulations.

The Contractor shall work in a variety of potentially hazardous outdoor environments.

The conditions include singular or combinations of climatic conditions, which include but are not limited to cold, heat, humidity, rain, snow, sleet, storms, and other climatic conditions found throughout the state of Mississippi. The contractor shall work in the forests, fields, and waters of Mississippi. They shall be exposed to normal arthropod pests associated with outdoor work. These pests include but are not limited to biting flies, mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. Some ticks may carry Lyme's Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Paralytic Tick Fever, and other naturally occurring tick borne diseases. The contractor shall ensure that all personnel working on the project take all the needed reasonable precautions to protect their personnel from these risks.

3.5.7. The Contractor shall provide project oversight and review the work to insure the resulting information will meet the contract requirements.

3.6. Specifications. A forest inventory of DoD land will be conducted in forest stands by utilizing either the variable-radius or fixed-area plot sampling procedures in accordance with standard forest inventory methods and merchantability standards applicable to the region and the specifications herein. The Contractor will be provided previous stand maps as a basis for initial planning by the MSARNG.

3.6.1. Forest Stand Delineation. Prior to collecting field data, the contractor must first subdivide all undeveloped forestlands into distinguishable stands of similar characteristics that can be uniquely described in the inventory database. A “stand” is defined as an aggregation of trees occupying a specific area and sufficiently uniform in species composition, age distribution, and condition to be distinguishable on the ground from the forest on adjoining areas. The primary characteristics requiring separate delineation of stands is species, age, tree size, and density. These factors can be uniform, such as in an even-aged pine plantation, or varied as in an uneven-aged old growth forest. Other characteristics used to distinguish one forest stand from another include site quality, soil classification, slope steepness, forest health, merchantable volume, and special management considerations. Stands shall be delineated on aerial photos prior to conducting the inventory on the ground. These “preliminary” stand delineations are usually adjusted once inventory crews are on the ground and stand boundaries become more evident. The most important objective is to map stands that can be uniformly treated as management plans may direct.

3.6.2. Computing Number of Sample Points Per Stand. The number of plots to take within a stand must be sufficient so that an analysis of the data will realistically describe the stand. The Contractor shall implement a sufficient number of sample points to attain a statistical sampling error of 10% or less. Larger stands or stands with greater variability may require more sampling points to attain the desired error. The proper number of plots to take in each stand can be estimated by the following formula:

Number of Plots = CV2 Where: CV = Estimated coefficient of variation SE2 SE = Desired sampling error

This formula estimates the number of plots within one standard deviation. This means that the true value of the estimate from this number of plots will be within plus or minus the sampling error percent 68.3% of the time. The allowable sampling error for this forest inventory shall be 10%. The coefficient of variation in the above formula is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean expressed as:

Coefficient of Variation % = SD X 100 Where: SD = Standard deviation X X = Mean value

To calculate the coefficient of variation, the standard deviation and mean must be determined. Therefore, you must first collect some preliminary data to determine an estimate of these variables. Additional sample points will be required in stands where the analysis of the data shows an unacceptable sampling error. For sawtimber and poles, use the number of trees per sample point as the data field for computing mean, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation. For seedling and sapling stands, use the number of trees per acre as the basis for sampling error. As an example, if you determine from preliminary samples that the coefficient of variation for mature pine-hardwood stand is 70%, based on the number of "in" trees per sample point, and the desired sampling error is 10%, then compute the number of plots as shown below:

Number of Plots =CV2 = (70)2 SE2 (10)2 = 49 plots needed = (always round up, if applicable)

3.6.3. Location of Sample Points. The Contractor is required to apply normal forestry practices to the establishment of random sample points in a fashion that ensures the validity of the field data. Sample points shall be established at a spacing no less than 1.5 chains apart, nor within 2.5 chains from the edge effect of a stand or from other significant stand breaks (i.e. roads, trails, powerlines, etc.).

3.6.4. Identification of Sample Points. The starting point used to enter the stand will be anchored to a readily definable reference point, either natural or human-made when possible, with the location and initial azimuth recorded on field tally sheets. The initial azimuth taken to reach the first sample point location and the stand number will be written with indelible ink on the flag. Sample point locations will be identified in the field by the Contractor with flagging tape in the plot center at ground-level and again at eye-level on the nearest tree, shrub, or live branch. The flag placed at ground level will be stuck in the staff hole and anchored down by a stick or small rock and marked with stand identification number and plot number.

3.6.5. Sampling Procedure. When the sampling design and number of plots have been determined, either the variable-radius or fixed-area sampling method shall be used to record tree data. Header information should include entries for each field in your forest inventory database.

Below the header will be lines to record the attributes for each tree tallied for basal area and volume determination. A prism or angle gauge instrument is used at each point of sampling to record the number of trees that fall in the imaged deflection. A prism or angle gauge with Basal Area Factor (BAF) of 10 shall be used. The "in" tree count on a sample plot multiplied times the BAF of the prism or angle gauge represents the basal area per acre. Tally each tree whose diameter is large enough to subtend a fixed angle of a prism or angle gauge of a specified basal area factor. For each "in" tree with a Diameter Breast Height (DBH) of 5-inches and over, record species, DBH, merchantable height, age, condition class, growth increment, merchantable height, and any other measures (e.g. form class, etc.) as needed to compute merchantable volume.

If utilizing fixed area sampling procedure, choose plot size, measure the diameter of the trees inside the plot radius and write down the number of trees found for different diameters, calculate BA for the plot-find the basal area factor from the basal area factor table and calculate the BA for the plot, repeat these steps for all the plots within each stand and calculate an average BA per acre.

Minimum acceptable measurements should include species, DBH, volume, and merchantable height. Bore and record dominant sample trees (3-4 per stand) to determine average stand age and average rate of growth.

3.8. Volume Analysis. Volumes will be calculated by product class. The products will be pulpwood, chip n saw, sawtimber, poles and will be further divided into pine and hardwood components for each category (excluding poles and chip n saw for hardwood component).

Height and diameter limits for each pine and hardwood product class will conform to current local standards for product class determination, and merchantable volume for each species shall be determined using locally derived and acceptable volume tables; copies of volume tables used in this inventory will be included in the final report. Volumes will be summarized for each stand by product class for pine and hardwood and totaled for the entire installation by product class for pine and hardwood. Pulpwood and chip-n-saw volume will be submitted in cords and tons.

Sawtimber shall be calculated using the International 1/4 inch volume tables and expressed in thousands of board feet (MBF) and tons.

3.9. Additional Stand Data. In addition to merchantable volume estimates and characterization of mid story regeneration, average total height, average DBH, stand age, stand condition, basal area, growth, and morbidity/mortality will be provided for each individual stand. This data should be provided for the best management indicator species (i.e. the preferred species for management on the site).

Further information about these data requirements is as follows:

3.9.1. Average Total Height and Average DBH. As part of the merchantable volume estimation, total height (measured in l0-foot classes) and DBH (measured in 2-inch DBH classes) will be recorded for each measurable tree on field tally sheets for each sample plot or point. Based upon this data, an average total height and DBH will be provided for each individual stand for the dominant merchantable species type only. For example, in a mixed pine-hardwood stand, where the Contractor determines future management should be directed towards pine, the average total height and DBH data will be recorded for pine and not for the hardwoods.

3.9.2. Stand Condition. Stand condition classes will follow the categories established by the U.S. Forest Service in the publication, "Silvicultural Examination and Prescription Field Book." Each individual stand will be assigned a stand condition class code as follows:

Code 1: Regeneration Site Code 2: Damaged Poletimber Code 3: Damaged Sawtimber Code 4: Forest Pest Infestation Code 5: Sparse Poletimber Code 6: Sparse Sawtimber Code 7: Low Quality Poletimber Code 8: Low Quality Sawtimber Code 9: Mature Poletimber Code 10: Mature Sawtimber Code 11: Immature Poletimber Code 12: Immature Sawtimber Code 13: Seedling & Sapling, Adequately Stocked Code 14: Seedling & Sapling, Inadequately Stocked Code 15: Non-stocked Code 16: Group Selection Management (Uneven-aged) Code 17: Individual Tree Selection Management (Uneven-aged)

3.9.3. Basal Area. Basal area (BA) will be collected using 10 BAF prisms at each sample plot or point, and an overall average basal area will be provided for each individual stand; all "in" trees, regardless of merchantability or size class, should be counted to ensure total BA is accurate. Additionally, average basal areas will also be summarized and presented for pines and hardwoods in each stand. Therefore, three measurements of BA will be provided for each stand: overall average BA, average pine BA, and average hardwood BA. Basal area will be recorded on field tally sheets.

If utilizing fixed radius sampling procedure, choose plot size, measure the diameter of the trees inside the plot radius and write down the number of trees found for different diameters, calculate BA for the plot-find the basal area factor from the basal area factor table and calculate the BA for the plot, repeat these steps for all the plots within each stand and calculate an average BA per acre.

3.9.4. Growth. Growth will be determined by removing increment cores from a minimum of three-four dominant or codominant trees for each stand, measuring the width (expressed in 20th of inches (e.g. 10 = 10/20th of an inch growth) of the last 5 growth rings (radial growth during last 5 years), measured at DBH, and measuring bark thickness. The location of cored trees within a plot will be noted on field tally sheets to allow for identification in the field. Growth will be expressed as a percentage of current annual growth by using formulas from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Foresters Handbook, USDA Forest Service Southern Region, July, 1986. Species selected for determination of growth will be those species determined by the Contractor to be the best management indicator species for each individual stand (i.e. the preferred species for management on the site). Growth data, including measurements of radial growth, percent gross growth, and percent annual growth, will be included in the final report.

3.9.6. Snag Count. The number of dead and dying snags per acre will be recorded within plots. For wildlife purposes a snag must be at least three inches DBH and 6 feet high to be counted. Summarize sample point data per stand to compute the average number of snags per acre and average DBH for snags.

3.10. Under-story/Regeneration Characterization. A 1/500th acre (radius of 5.3 feet) subplot will be taken at each sample point/plot to characterize understory regeneration within the stand. Within this subplot, all tree species, that don’t make merchantable status, will be counted in increments of 5”. For example, regeneration 1”-5”, 6-10”, 11”-15”, etc.

Measurements will consist of recording total height to the nearest foot for each individual stem from counting all seedlings by species at each subplot. If applicable, any regeneration that is large enough to obtain DBH information, shall be recorded as well. This data will be recorded on field tally sheets and summarized in the final report as an average for each species class.

3 .11. Special Conditions.

• Compartment maps and stand class descriptions from previous inventory, will be provided by the Natural Resource Manager and may be utilized by Contractor in conducting the inventory.

• All contractor personnel shall comply with the applicable OSHA regulations and with installation Security and Safety Regulations.

• Contractor will be escorted by installation personnel until badging is completed, for all inventory work located within the restricted areas.

• Digitized mapping through the Geographic Information System (GIS) and PhotoImagery, will be made available by the Government.

• Contractor shall provide an estimate of the volume of pulpwood (mainly trees 5.0-9.0 inches DBH, that do not meet the minimum requirement for all the other product categories and measure 16 feet in length, with a small end diameter of 3 inches) volume of pine chip-n-saw (10-

13.9 inches DBH at the large end and contain at least one 30 foot log, with a diameter-inside-bark at small end of 6 inches), volume of sawtimber (trees which measure 14 or more inches at the large end and contain at least one 18 foot log, with a diameter-inside-bark at the small end of 8 inches) (these trees can be tallied as sawtimber as long as the 8 inch top doesn’t fall around an area of the tree that contains excessive amount of knots, if that occurs it shall be downgraded into smaller product class), volume of small pine poles/piling (trees with at least a 6” top and a minimum of 31 feet and has less than 1 inch of sweep per 10 feet), and volume of large pine poles (trees which measure 13 or more inches at the large end and contain at least one 42 foot long log, with a diameter-inside-bark at the small end of 7 inches and has less than 1 inch of sweep per 10 feet) on each compartment, for each of the major species. Veneer volume (12 inches DBH and up) shall be estimated for the oak species. A sampling system shall be developed which provides a 90% level of probability of being within +/-15% of the volumes for saw timber and veneer and 90% probability of being within +/-15% for pulpwood.

• Saw timber/veneer volumes shall be calculated using the International1/4 inch volume tables and expressed in board feet and tons. Pulpwood and chip-n-saw volumes shall be calculated in cords and tons.

• Products of the inventory shall consist of: volume tables for each compartment and a summary for all in 2 inch diameter classes, a table showing rate of radial growth for the specified species by compartment by 2 inch diameter class and a synopsis of the accuracy analysis for the volumes.

• Plots within the nonforested areas, shall identify the plant species that are growing.

4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE.

The Contractor's performance will be monitored by Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) and Task Order Manager based upon the comparison of contractor field data with MSARNG personnel field data from a minimum of 1 plot per stand with a total comparison of 5-10% of the plots. If MSARNG personnel determine a series of continuous errors or discrepancies are occurring that could affect the validity of the stand data, the Contractor will be required to resample all plots located within the stand that encompasses the unacceptable plot(s). A copy of each stand inspection will be forwarded to the Contractor, and a second inspection will be made upon completion of the Contractor's resampling of unacceptable areas. The following acceptable ranges of error will be used as a measure of contractor performance:

4.1. Individual Tree Data.

• Determination of whether a merchantable tree is recordable ("in") based upon the plot radius limits (critical distance) for a 10 BAF prism, or if using fixed plot sampling make sure trees fall within the radius limits for whichever plot size is being used-- No Error Allowed.

• Species. No Error Allowed.

• Total Height. Height will be recorded in 10-foot classes. Value must be within ± 10 feet of Government measurement. Error greater than this (a difference of more than 1 height class) is unacceptable.

• DBH. DBH will be recorded in 2-inch classes. Value must be within ± 1 inch of Government measurement. Error greater than this (a difference of more than 1 diameter class) is unacceptable.

• Snag Count. No Error Allowed.

4.2. Plot Data.

• Basal Area. Value must be within 10 square feet of Government measurement. Error greater than this is unacceptable.

• Plot Identification. Plots must be clearly marked as indicated above to allow for revisits. No error allowed.

• Radial Growth. Value must be within 2/20th of an inch of Government measurement.

Any error greater than this is unacceptable.

4.3. Draft and Final Reports. The Contractor shall prepare (using the documentation described above) a comprehensive Forest Inventory Report. The draft report will be submitted for review by the MSARNG, installation staff, and the Task Order Manager.

Following receipt of comments, the Contractor will submit the Final FIR.

4.4. Task 5 - In Progress Review Meeting. The Contractor will be required to participate in all In-Progress Review Meetings (IPR's). The overall project schedule presented in the PMP will include one IPR's. The IPR's will be held as determined to be appropriate by the Government. The IPR will be held at the desired MSARNG location, unless otherwise designated by the Government. The primary purpose of the IPR will be to discuss issues of a programmatic nature; however, specific installation issues will also be addressed as necessary.

Should MSARNG determine that work on the forest inventory is progressing in a satisfactory manner, the IPR will be cancelled and the overall price of the Task Order will be adjusted downward in response to elimination of efforts required by this task.

5.0. DELIVERABLES.

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables.

5.1. Draft Forest Inventory Report (FIR). The Contractor will submit copies of the Draft FIR for review by the MSARNG and the COR. The Contractor shall include associated maps and electronic digital photographs. The Draft FIR should include the following:

• Introduction - Purpose and objectives of the forest inventory, location of site, inventory dates, and individuals involved in the forest inventory. Include any relevant background information.

• A description of the sampling techniques and procedures used to conduct the inventory and collect the required forest stand data.

• Merchantable volumes for each stand along with a summary table of stands totaled for the entire installation in standard cords, board feet, and tons (using the appropriate rule and form class for the region) presented in tabular form and included as a paper copy and as a computer database file.

• Copies of the volume table(s) used to estimate merchantable volume for the inventory.

• Stand descriptions for each individual stand describing the stand based upon the dominant forest type (not product class), average total height, average DBH, stand age, stand condition, BA, growth (measurement of radial growth and percent annual growth), number and average DBH of snags.

• A short paragraph stating management recommendations for each stand that occurs in each management unit.

• Map(s) of forest stands as delineated on aerial photos as described previously.

Recommend plotting stands on 1:24,000 scale topographic maps.

• GIS layers showing sample locations (x, y coordinates) and stand locations (polygon) on the installation in addition to the hard copy map described above. Sample locations and forest stands should be collected using a GPS receiver (submeter accuracy).

Attributes for stand locations will be linked to GIS data and include all information detailed in the tabular stand tables of the forest inventory.

• GIS layers showing delineated stands (polygons). Polygons will be mapped out by using information from the aerial photography provided and mapped out on the ground using a GPS receiver (submeter accuracy).

• Copies of field data forms (tally sheets) prepared during the inventory.

• References and contacts.

• The Contractor will submit the draft FIR no later than 60 days following completion of field work.

5.2. Final Forest Inventory Report. In addition to hardcopies, the Contractor will provide the MSARNG with two digital copies of the Final FIR within 45 days of receipt of Government comments on Draft FIR. The Final FIR shall incorporate all Government review comments of the draft and all information required in the Draft FIR. The digital copies must be in the following formats:

• Forest Inventory Report Text - The narrative of the FIR will be provided as a Microsoft Word document.

• Forest Inventory Report Tables - A computer database file listing merchantable volume inventory and other associated stand data in Microsoft Excel format will be provided.

5.3 . Additional Report Requirements.

• Report copies will be clean and of sufficient quality to be easily read on subsequent reproductions.

• Reports, digital data, and other documentation of the project are the property of the Government and will not be distributed by the Contractor to sources outside the Army without prior approval.

• Geographic Data shall be provided to MSARNG on CD in a format usable by the MSARNG GIS system. The Contractor shall contact the GIS operator to determine the format they need to provide.

6.0. MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS.

6.1. Monthly Progress Reports. The Contractor will prepare and submit monthly progress reports to the Government. The monthly progress report will address work on the installation forest inventory, measured against the schedule contained within the PMP. This report shall be sent (includes electronically) to the COR Manager for this Task Order, and the MSARNG point-of-contact. The names and addresses of the recipients will be provided to the Contractor at the Overall Kick-off Meeting/Conference Call. The monthly report shall contain an accurate, up-to-date account of all work accomplishments and outstanding issues for the installation forest inventory. This report shall be no longer than three pages and should contain a statement of progress against the schedule developed by the Contractor for the PMP. This report shall be submitted to the Government no later than the 10th day of the next month following the end of the monthly period covered by each report. The Contractor will report progress both as (1) "percent complete" for the forest inventory; and (2) an aggregate "overall percent complete" for the total Task Order. The COR will base the periodic contract payment decisions on the "overall percent complete" reports.

6.2. Memoranda/Action Item List. The Contractor shall furnish the Government a memorandum of each meeting held, summarizing the agreements reached along with an updated Action Item List. All memoranda shall be provided within 5 workdays of the meetings.

6.3. Paper. The Final FIR shall be printed front and back on recycled paper unless specified otherwise.

6.4. Computer Software. Documents shall be placed on CDs (as determined by the MSARNG) provided to the Government in the word processing format agreed upon at the Overall Kick-off Meeting/Conference Call.

6.5. Court Testimony. In the event of controversy or court challenge, the Contractor will make available, as appropriate, expert witnesses who performed work under this Task Order and shall testify on behalf of the Government in support of the findings. If a controversy or court challenge occurs and testimony of expert witnesses is required, an equitable adjustment in contract price will be negotiated.

6.6. Release of Data. All data, reports, and materials contained or developed for this project shall not be released or discussed without written approval of the Government.

6.7. Government Furnished Materials. The following materials will be furnished by the Government to assist the Contractor in conducting the forest inventory:

(1) Latest version of the Master Plan, if available.

(2) Latest ongoing mission Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment and other NEPA documents.

(3) Latest natural resources management planning information (fisheries, wildlife, recreation, pest management, agronomy, grazing).

(4) Historic preservation plans and related data as available.

(5) Available maps and aerial photos (black and white at 1 inch = 660 feet scale).

(6) GIS data and maps, if available.

6.8. Invoices. The contractor shall submit monthly progress reports and invoices to the Government. Monthly invoices will only be processed following receipt of the monthly report supporting work accomplished during the invoicing period.

7.0. HAZARD INFORMATION.

This modification does not require the Contractor to handle sensitive items, hazardous materials/waste survey materials, or microbiological/biomedical materials.

8.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

Completion of the work performed under this Task Order shall be accomplished within the timeframes specified in the Final PMP accepted by the Government. The timeframes should allow about 180 days for field data collection. The Draft FIR should be due approximately 240 days following the Notice to Proceed and the Final FIR due approximately 285 days from the Notice to Proceed. All work performed under this Task Order shall be complete within 310 calendar days following the Notice to Proceed. The durations presented above are in calendar days. These times are the maximum amount of time allowed for each activity under this Scope of Work. The Contractor is encouraged to reduce these durations where possible. The Contractor shall identify and include in the Final PMP schedule all intermediate milestones necessary to support and reach the work events listed in the scope. If necessary, the Contractor will recommend appropriate schedule adjustments at the Overall Kick-off Meeting/Conference Call to resolve any problems that may be discovered when the PMP is prepared. Also, time extensions for the field data collection may be granted if significant delays in data collection result from Government actions or military mission related projects.

9.0 MAILING ADDRESS

The following individual will comprise the minimum mailing list for this job:

ADDRESS Number of Copies of FIR Mississippi Army National Guard Point of Contact: 3 Draft JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS, 3 Final

MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD

JFH-MS-ARE

ATTN: MAJ GRANT D. STONE

1410 RIVERSIDE DR.

JACKSON, MS 39202

(601) 313-6228