h.final_Marion Point TSI Task Order.pdf

TASK ORDER NO.

IF THIS ORDER IS GREATER THAN $2,500.00, IT IS

NOT VALID UNTIL SIGNED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER

BPA No. 1240BE22A_______ Project Name:

06- Marion Point TSI County: Union

Contractor:

Issuing Office:

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest 1550 Dewey Avenue, Suite A Baker City, OR 97814

Item No.

Subitem No.

Description Job Code Quantity to date Quantity

Order Unit

Unit Price

Amount

1.0 Thin/Lop and Scatter

1.1 Limber Jim 2 87 Acre $ $

1.2 Limber Jim 33A 150 Acre $ $

1.3 Limber Jim 34A 125 Acre $ $

1.4 Limber Jim 34 202 Acre $ $

1.5 Limber Jim 36A 40 Acre $ $

1.6 Limber Jim 40 36 Acre $ $

1.7 Limber Jim 99A 78 Acre $ $

1.8 Little Mine 21 64 Acre $ $

Total Acres 782 Acres XXXX $

2.0 Thin for Mechanical Pile

2.1 Limber Jim 92 66 Acre $ $

2.2 Limber Jim 95 105 Acre $ $

2.3 Limber Jim 20 22 Acre $ $

Total Acres 193 Acres XXXX $

3.0 Optional Items Thin and Hand Pile

3.1 5140 Road Maitenance 47 Acre $ $

3.2 Limber Jim 98A 46 Acre $ $

3.3 Limber Jim 106B 6 Acre $ $

3.4 Limber Jim 13A 13 Acre $ $

3.5 Limber Jim 18A 16 Acre $ $

3.6 Limber Jim 28 80 Acre $ $

3.7 Limber Jim 33B 50 Acre $ $

3.8 Limber Jim 36B 10 Acre $ $

3.9 Limber Jim 98B 21 Acre $ $

3.10 Little Mine 19 54 Acre $ $

3.11 Peep 21 17 Acre $ $

3.12 Upper Chicken 3 32 Acre $ $

3.13 Upper Chicken 5 22 Acre $ $

3.14 Upper Chicken 7 6 Acre $ $

3.15 Upper Chicken 8 3 Acre $ $

3.16 Upper Chicken 8A 1 Acre $ $

3.17 Upper Chicken 10 9 Acre $ $

3.18 Upper Chicken 15 11 Acre $ $

3.19 Upper Chicken 17 5 Acre $ $

3.20 Upper Chicken 20C 4 Acre $ $

Total Acres 453 Acres XXXX $

Required Delivery Date or Number of Calendar Days: All work shall be completed by November 1st, 2023 with 50% of awarded work items being completed by the end of the 2022 field season. Work is estimated to begin June 1st, 2022.

Total Price:

Contractor: (Name and Signature)

Requested By: (Name and Signature)

COR: Terry George Fund Authorization: (Name and Signature)

Line Officer Ordered By: (Name and Signature)

Andrea Pollock, Contracting Officer Order Date: Job Code:

Original to CO, CC to Contractor, B&F and COR

Specific Project Information

Project Location: Marion Point TSI task order is located on the La Grande Ranger District. General access is via Interstate I84 to highway 244 to Forest Service roads 5100, 4305 and 5140. Maps are included for specific unit locations. Some units are in road closure areas that require a Yale key for access. COR will determine timing of work performed behind locked gates.

Contract expiration date is 11/01/2023 with 50% of awarded items being completed by the end of the 2022 field season. For additional information contact Terry George 541-910-4226 (email terry.george@usda.gov).

Thinning

The technical specifications for all items are based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and are intended to be guidelines for achieving a high-quality final product in a professional manner. Contractor is expected to use silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to variations within the stand. A target trees per acre (TPA) and an average spacing will be assigned for each unit. The contractor will vary spacing up to 50% to select the most dominant and healthiest leave trees of the preferred species to reach the desired target TPA and average spacing for a particular unit. See the detailed unit information sheet for tree species preference list, target TPA/variable spacing, slash treatments and maximum cut diameter for specific units.

Also refer to the detailed unit information sheet for additional unit information such as seasonal cutting restrictions, riparian buffers, wildlife exclusions, pull back information and walk in units.

Item 1 – Pre-Commercial Thinning (Lop And Scatter)

1. Contractor may leave the following trees and disregard them for spacing/target TPA purposes.

A. Live conifer trees that are shorter than 6 inches in height, unless otherwise specified.

B. Trees exhibiting visible wildlife dens or nesting use. Should an active hawk, eagle or pileated woodpecker nest be located, work shall be discontinued within 500 feet of the nest-tree until the CO has been notified and has authorized resumption of work.

C. Leave all shrubs and non-coniferous tree species, except when removal is necessary to access a coniferous tree to be removed.

D. Leave all dead trees, except as indicated on the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

E. Leave any tree which is closer than its height to a rock outcrop.

F. Leave all trees with fencing attached.

G. Contractor shall leave all conifers that are larger than 9 inches DBH (maximum cut diameter), and shall include undamaged trees in this category for spacing/density purposes (damaged trees shall not be included for spacing/density purposes).

2. Contractor shall select additional leave-trees, from those live conifers of a minimum tree height (12”), up to the maximum cut 9 inches DBH, to achieve a desired average spacing/target trees per acre as specified on the Detailed Unit Information sheets.

A. Leave-trees shall be the healthiest, most vigorous, and best-formed trees of the preferred species in the stand, as evidenced by the tallest height, largest crowns and crown ratios, straightest stems, and the least amount of damage or disease.

B. The leave-tree spacing is targeted to select the healthiest and most vigorous trees and may be varied up to 50 percent (wider or tighter) to leave the most desirable trees. It is more important to leave the best trees, than to have uniform spacing. Averaged over the stand, leave tree average spacing/target TPA shall not be materially increased or decreased from what is specified in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

C. Leave-trees shall be selected within the order of species preference, listed in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet. Species preference varies by unit but is generally, ponderosa pine, western larch, or Douglas-fir. Followed by western white pine, Englemann spruce, grand fir and lodge pole pine. This order of preference only applies if the trees are free of damage, insects or disease. In most cases tree vigor will help you determine which trees will best occupy the site.

D. Where undamaged trees are not available, select leave-trees with the least amount of damage. The more extensive the damage, the less satisfactory the tree is as a leave-tree. A tree shall not be left as a leave tree if the amount of damage is to the extent that the tree will not reach maturity or produce a merchantable product. In some cases small areas will be void of any leave trees, due to the presence of serious disease or damage. The contractor is responsible for recognizing these problems and being able to select the best leave-trees.

(1) Indicators of Desirable Leave Trees are:

-Straight stem -Small branch diameter -Good coloration -Well-formed crown -Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole -Free of insect and disease damage and/or symptoms -Vigorous annual terminal growth* -Crown ratio > 50%

*These indicators as well as overall tree vigor are important criteria for leave tree selection. The most prominent indicator for vigor is annual terminal growth for the past 1 to 5 years.

(2) Indicators of Undesirable Trees are:

-Poor crown form -Crook or sweep in bole -Dead or broken tops -Multiple tops -Poor coloration -Large branch diameter -Insect and disease -Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal -Physical or mechanical damage -Suppressed -Poor annual growth -Yellowing crown (relative to trees of the same species) -Insects (defoliation, dead/short leaders, bark beetle frass) -Diseases (mistletoe, brooms, gall rust, bole cankers) -Physical or mechanical damages (bole-scars, lean) -Crown ratio < 40% -Tree is considered a ladder fuel

*These indicators shall determine trees to be cut, the presence of indicators of undesirable trees will be acceptable for a particular leave tree only if it will not keep the tree from reaching maturity or producing a merchantable product.

E. Species preference compensates somewhat for minor differences in size or quality. For example, a smaller but otherwise equal quality ponderosa pine which is 2/3 the height of a grand fir should be left rather than the grand fir. A western larch with minor bole damage would be preferred over an undamaged grand fir.

F. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to leave-trees. If the best leave-tree is accidentally cut or damaged, Contractor shall leave a substitute tree. Contractor shall select as the substitute tree, the most healthy, vigorous, and largest tree of a preferred species available within 8 feet of the cut or damaged tree. Substitution will only be an acceptable remedy if encountered infrequently. If frequent, the inspection will indicate deficient trees.

G. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to all physical improvements (fences, telephone lines, established land corners, buildings, ditches, etc.) on the contract area. Contractor shall be liable for damage to physical improvements and shall make immediate repairs to damaged physical improvements

B. GIRDLING

1. Girdling shall sever the cambium layer for a minimum width of 3 inches, completely around the tree’s circumference. The depth shall be sufficient to remove the bark and cambium but not more than 1/4 inch into the sapwood.

2. For units requiring girdling or felling of over story less than 9 inches DBH, see the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

A. All over story species which are less than 9 inches DBH with live crown ratios less than 40%, are considered ladder fuels, or has severe sweep or forking, or visible mistletoe-infection, or serious insect or disease problems shall be girdled or felled.

B. All species which meet specifications for girdling and are within a trees length of a road open to vehicular travel shall be felled. For safety, during felling operations, spotters shall be used to monitor traffic and pedestrians along open roads.

C. SLASH TREATMENT

1. Check Detailed Unit Information Sheet to determine the specific slash treatment(s) required for each unit and generally involves varying levels of lop and scatter and pull back. This work is considered incidental and no additional payment will be made. In some cases the slash treatment will include the bucking of existing sound, down fuels into lengths suitable for either hand piling or grapple piling. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

2. The contractor shall not start thinning a new unit until the slash treatment on the previously thinned unit is completed.

3. Thinning slash shall be pulled back from the following areas and is considered part of the slash treatment:

a. Roads – No leave trees or slash shall be left within 5 feet of the outside edge of the road shoulders. In areas with cut and fill construction, this distance shall be measured from 5 feet beyond the top of the bank to 5 feet beyond the point where the shoulder meets the fill slope. (See Exhibit A) All open and closed roads shall be kept free of thinning slash unless a closed road has trees greater than 4 feet tall growing in the roadbed.

b. Trails - No slash shall be left on established game trails.

c. Cultural Resource Sites - The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer of any suspected cultural resource sites prior to working the area. If a cultural resource site is found, the Contractor shall discontinue work in the general area until the Contracting Officer has been notified.

d. Improvements - No slash shall be left within 10 feet of any physical improvement.

e. Fence lines – No slash shall be left within 5 feet of any fence line.

f. Private Lands – Slash felled on private land will be pulled back into the unit.

D. EXCLUSIONS

Check the Detailed Unit Information Sheet for specific exclusions required for each unit. There are two types of exclusions:

wildlife and riparian. Below are the guidelines the contractor shall use when addressing each type of exclusion.

1. Wildlife

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet to see which units require wildlife exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag the wildlife exclusions with yellow colored plastic ribbon.

C. The contractor may designate up to ten percent of the total area in units that require wildlife exclusions.

This includes riparian buffers.

-No work is required to be done by the contractor in the wildlife exclusions -Minimum exclusion size is one quarter acre (100’ x 100’).

-Maximum exclusion size is one acre (200’ x 200’).

-Riparian buffers.

Areas recommended for wildlife exclusions are as follow:

-Rock out crops or cliff bands.

-Areas with dens, nests, wallows, springs, game trails or beds.

-Areas with structure, i.e. (multi storied, large number of snags or trees greater than 9 inches DBH, etc.).

-Areas with a lack desirable leave trees, i.e. (low species preference, low vigor, poor health, etc.).

Do not place wildlife clumps in the following areas:

-Within 100ft of any road system (open or closed).

-Within 100ft of private land boundaries -Within 100ft of Forest Service Administrative sites.

2. Riparian

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet and Contract Map to see which units require riparian exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag riparian exclusions with yellow colored plastic ribbon.

C. No work is required to be done by the contractor in the riparian exclusions.

D. Class I and III streams require fifty-foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

-Class I stream is fish bearing and flows year-round.

-Class III stream is non-fish bearing and flows year-round.

E. Class IV streams require twenty-five-foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

-Class IV stream is non fish bearing, flows intermittently and has a graveled bed surface.

F. Springs require a twenty-five-foot buffer around the edge.

ITEM 2 – Thin for Grapple Pile

This work item requires stand density management through the process of cutting down live/dead trees and existing ground fuels by hand to meet spacing/density requirements, in stands that are dominated by a larger over story component mixed with a lesser understory component. The average spacing/target TPA requirements for each unit are described on the Detailed Unit Information Sheet. All thinning slash and/or existing down natural fuels will be treated to meet fuels requirements listed on the Task Order Detailed Unit Information Sheet. Variable spacing will be used to select the most dominant and healthiest leave trees of the preferred species and to reach a desired average spacing/target trees per acre for a particular unit. Variable spacing allows for up to 50% variance in spacing specified. See the detailed unit information sheet for tree species preference list, average spacing/target trees per acre, slash treatments, and maximum cut diameter in inches for specific units. Also refer to the detail unit information sheet for additional unit information such as seasonal cutting restrictions, riparian buffers, wildlife exclusions, pull back information and walk in units.

A. SELECTION OF LEAVE-TREES

The technical specifications are based on the overall composition and condition of the stand, and are intended to be guidelines for achieving a high quality final product in a professional manner. Contractor is expected to use silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to variations within the stand.

1. Contractor shall always leave the following trees and disregard them for spacing/target TPA purposes.

B. Trees exhibiting visible wildlife dens or nesting use. Should an active hawk, eagle or pileated woodpecker nest be located, work shall be discontinued within 500 feet of the nest-tree until the Contracting Officer has been notified and has authorized resumption of work.

C. Leave all shrubs and non-coniferous tree species, except when removal is necessary to access a coniferous tree to

D. Cut all dead standing trees less than 10” DBH and Leave all dead standing trees greater than 10” DBH.

G. Contractor shall leave all conifers that are larger than 9 inches DBH (maximum cut diameter) and shall include undamaged trees in this category for spacing/density purposes (damaged trees shall not be included for spacing/density

H. Contractor Shall buck all pre-existing down woody material up to 16” DBH at the small end.

2. Contractor shall select additional leave-trees, from those live conifers of a minimum tree height (12”), up to the maximum cut 9 inches DBH, to achieve an average spacing/target TPA, as specified in the Detailed Unit Information sheets. Contractor shall buck existing ground fuels up to 16” DBH at the small end of the tree to a minimum length of 8 feet. lengths and a maximum length of 10 feet. lengths for mechanical piling.

A. Tree Health is the first and most important priority when selecting leave trees. If all trees are of the same quality and are healthy the contractor will use the species preference list in the detailed unit information sheet to choose leave trees. Leave-trees shall be the healthiest, most vigorous, and best-formed trees of the preferred species in the stand, as evidenced by the tallest height, largest crowns and crown ratios, straightest stems, and the least amount of damage or disease.

B. The leave-tree spacing is targeted to select the healthiest and most vigorous trees and may be varied up to 50 percent (wider or tighter) to leave the most desirable trees. It is more important to leave the best trees, than to have uniform spacing. Averaged over the stand, leave tree average spacing/target TPA shall not be materially increased or decreased from what is specified in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

C. Leave-trees shall be selected within the order of species preference listed in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet. Species preference varies by unit but is generally, ponderosa pine, western larch, or Douglas-fir. Followed by western white pine, Englemann spruce, grand fir and lodge pole pine. This order of preference only applies if the trees are free of damage, insects, or disease. In most cases tree vigor will help you determine which trees will best occupy the site.

D. Where undamaged trees are not available, select leave-trees with the least amount of damage. The more extensive the damage, the less satisfactory the tree is as a leave-tree. A tree shall not be left as a leave tree if the amount of damage is to the extent that the tree will not reach maturity or produce a merchantable product. In some cases small areas will be void of any leave trees, due to the presence of serious disease or damage. The contractor is responsible for recognizing these problems and being able to select the best leave-trees.

(1) Indicators of Desirable Leave Trees are:

-Straight stem -Small branch diameter -Good coloration -Well-formed crown -Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole -Free of insect and disease damage and/or symptoms -Vigorous annual terminal growth* -Crown ratio > 50%

*These indicators as well as overall tree vigor are important criteria for leave tree selection. The most prominent indicator for vigor is annual terminal growth for the past 1 to 5 years.

(2) Indicators of Undesirable Trees are:

-Poor crown form -Crook or sweep in bole -Dead or broken tops -Multiple tops -Poor coloration -Large branch diameter -Insect and disease -Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal -Physical or mechanical damage -Suppressed -Poor annual growth -Yellowing crown (relative to trees of the same species) -Insects (defoliation, dead/short leaders, bark beetle frass) -Diseases (mistletoe, brooms, gall rust, bole cankers) -Physical or mechanical damages (bole-scars, lean) -Crown ratio < 40% -Tree is considered a ladder fuel

*These indicators shall determine trees to be cut, the presence of indicators of undesirable trees will be acceptable for a particular leave tree only if it will not keep the tree from reaching maturity or producing a merchantable product.

E. Species preference compensates somewhat for minor differences in size or quality. For example, a smaller but otherwise equal quality ponderosa pine which is 2/3 the height of a grand fir should be left rather than the grand fir. A western larch with minor bole damage would be preferred over an undamaged grand fir.

F. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to leave-trees. If the best leave-tree is accidentally cut or damaged, Contractor shall leave a substitute tree. Contractor shall select as the substitute tree, the most healthy, vigorous, and largest tree of a preferred species available within 8 feet of the cut or damaged tree. Substitution will only be an acceptable remedy if encountered infrequently. If frequent, the inspection will indicate deficient trees.

G. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to all physical improvements (fences, telephone lines, established land corners, buildings, ditches, etc.) on the contract area. Contractor shall be liable for damage to physical improvements and shall make immediate repairs to damaged physical improvements.

C. NATURAL FUELS AND SLASH TREATMENT

1. Slash treatment will include the bucking of existing down fuels, felled standing dead trees and thinning slash into 8-10’ lengths suitable for grapple piling. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

2. The contractor shall not start thinning a new unit until the slash treatment on the previously thinned unit is completed.

3. All standing snags, less than 10” DBH shall be cut and bucked into 8-10 foot lengths.

4. Thinning slash shall be pulled back from the following areas and is considered part of the slash treatment:

A. Roads – Open roads will be cleared of all slash. Cutters are encouraged to fall trees away from roads to avoid the need for pull back.

B. Private Land- Trees will be felled away from private land boundaries. Pull back will be required if trees are felled across private land boundaries onto private land. If this occurs it will be acceptable for the contractor to cut slash into pieces suitable for pullback by hand.

C. Cultural Resource Sites - The Contractor shall notify the CO of any suspected cultural resource sites prior to working the area. If slash is felled onto a cultural resource site, the Contractor shall discontinue work in the general area until the Contracting Officer has been notified.

D. Improvements - No slash shall be left within 10 feet of any physical improvement.

E. Fence lines – No slash shall be left within 5 feet of any fence line.

F. No slash shall be left within 10 feet of private land boundaries.

D. EXCLUSIONS

Check the Detailed Unit Information Sheet for specific exclusions required for each unit. There are two types of exclusions;

wildlife and riparian. Below are the guidelines the contractor should use when addressing each type of exclusion.

1. Wildlife

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet to see which units require wildlife exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag the wildlife exclusions with yellow colored plastic ribbon.

C. The contractor may designate up to ten percent of the total area in units that require wildlife exclusions. This includes any riparian buffers.

-No work is required to be done by the contractor in the wildlife exclusions.

-Minimum exclusion size is one quarter acre (100’ x 100’).

-Maximum exclusion size is one acre (200’ x 200’).

Areas recommended for wildlife exclusions are as follow:

-Rock out crops or cliff bands.

-Areas with dens, nests, wallows, springs, game trails or beds.

-Areas with structure, i.e. (multi storied, large number of snags or trees greater than 9 inches DBH, etc.).

-Riparian buffers.

-Topography exceeds 35% slope and is unworkable by excavators.

Do not place wildlife clumps in the following areas:

-Within 100ft of any road system (open or closed)

-Within 100ft of Forest Service Administrative sites and fences.

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet to see which units require riparian exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag riparian exclusions with plastic ribbon.

C. No work is required to be done by the contractor in the riparian exclusions.

D. Class I and II streams require fifty-foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

-Class I stream is fish bearing and flows year-round.

-Class III stream is non-fish bearing and flows year-round.

E. Class IV streams require twenty-five-foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

F. Springs require a twenty-five-foot buffer around the edge.

ITEM 3 – Thin and Hand Pile

All units under item 3 will be thinned and hand piled. This work item requires stand density management through the process of hand cutting with chainsaws live/dead trees and existing ground fuels to meet spacing/density requirements, in stands that are dominated by a larger over story component mixed with a lesser understory component. The average spacing/target TPA requirements for each unit are described on the Detailed Unit Information Sheet. All thinning slash and/or existing down natural fuels up to 10” DBH will be treated to meet fuels requirements listed on the Task Order Detailed Unit Information Sheet. Variable spacing will be used to select the most dominant and healthiest leave trees of the preferred species and to reach a desired average spacing/target trees per acre for a particular unit. Variable spacing allows for up to 50% variance in spacing specified. See the detailed unit information sheet for tree species preference list, average spacing/target trees per acre, slash treatments, and maximum cut diameter in inches for specific units. Also refer to the detail unit information sheet for additional unit information such as seasonal cutting restrictions, riparian buffers, wildlife exclusions, pull back information and walk in units.

Thinning slash, standing dead trees less than 10” DBH and sound ground fuels up to 10” DBH will be hand piled.

A. SELECTION OF LEAVE-TREES

The technical specifications are based on the overall composition and condition of the stand and are intended to be guidelines for achieving a high-quality final product in a professional manner. Contractor is expected to use silvicultural knowledge to identify and adjust to variations within the stand.

1. Contractor shall always leave the following trees and disregard them for spacing/target TPA purposes.

B. Trees exhibiting visible wildlife dens or nesting use. Should an active hawk, eagle or pileated woodpecker nest be located, work shall be discontinued within 500 feet of the nest-tree until the Contracting Officer has been notified and has authorized resumption of work.

C. Leave all shrubs and non-coniferous tree species, except when removal is necessary to access a coniferous tree to

D. Cut all dead standing trees less than 10” DBH and Leave all dead standing trees greater than 10” DBH.

G. Contractor shall leave all conifers that are larger than 9 inches DBH (maximum cut diameter) and shall include undamaged trees in this category for spacing/density purposes (damaged trees shall not be included for spacing/density

H. Contractor Shall buck all pre-existing down woody material up to 10” DBH at the small end.

2. Contractor shall select additional leave-trees, from those live conifers of a minimum tree height (6”), up to the maximum cut 9 inches DBH, to achieve an average spacing/target TPA, as specified in the Detailed Unit Information sheets. Contractor shall buck existing ground fuels up to 10” DBH at the small end of the tree to a minimum length of 4 ft lengths and a maximum length of 6 ft lengths for hand piling.

A. Tree Health is the first and most important priority when selecting leave trees. If all trees are of the same quality and are healthy the contractor will use the species preference list in the detailed unit information sheet to choose leave trees. Leave-trees shall be the healthiest, most vigorous, and best-formed trees of the preferred species in the stand, as evidenced by the tallest height, largest crowns and crown ratios, straightest stems, and the least amount of damage or disease.

B. The leave-tree spacing is targeted to select the healthiest and most vigorous trees and may be varied up to 50 percent (wider or tighter) to leave the most desirable trees. It is more important to leave the best trees, than to have uniform spacing. Averaged over the stand, leave tree average spacing/target TPA shall not be materially increased or decreased from what is specified in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

C. Leave-trees shall be selected within the order of species preference listed in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet. Species preference varies by unit but is generally, ponderosa pine, western larch, or Douglas-fir. Followed by western white pine, Englemann spruce, grand fir and lodge pole pine. This order of preference only applies if the trees are free of damage, insects or disease. In most cases tree vigor will help you determine which trees will best occupy the site.

D. Where undamaged trees are not available, select leave-trees with the least amount of damage. The more extensive the damage, the less satisfactory the tree is as a leave-tree. A tree shall not be left as a leave tree if the amount of damage is to the extent that the tree will not reach maturity or produce a merchantable product. In some cases small areas will be void of any leave trees, due to the presence of serious disease or damage. The contractor is responsible for recognizing these problems and being able to select the best leave-trees.

(1) Indicators of Desirable Leave Trees are:

-Straight stem -Small branch diameter -Good coloration -Well-formed crown -Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole -Free of insect and disease damage and/or symptoms -Vigorous annual terminal growth* -Crown ratio > 50%

*These indicators as well as overall tree vigor are important criteria for leave tree selection. The most prominent indicator for vigor is annual terminal growth for the past 1 to 5 years.

(2) Indicators of Undesirable Trees are:

-Poor crown form -Crook or sweep in bole -Dead or broken tops -Multiple tops -Poor coloration -Large branch diameter -Insect and disease -Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal -Physical or mechanical damage -Suppressed -Poor annual growth

-Yellowing crown (relative to trees of the same species) -Insects (defoliation, dead/short leaders, bark beetle frass) -Diseases (mistletoe, brooms, gall rust, bole cankers) -Physical or mechanical damages (bole-scars, lean) -Crown ratio < 40% -Tree is considered a ladder fuel

*These indicators shall determine trees to be cut, the presence of indicators of undesirable trees will be acceptable for a particular leave tree only if it will not keep the tree from reaching maturity or producing a merchantable product.

E. Species preference compensates somewhat for minor differences in size or quality. For example, a smaller but otherwise equal quality ponderosa pine which is 2/3 the height of a grand fir should be left rather than the grand fir. A western larch with minor bole damage would be preferred over an undamaged grand fir.

F. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to leave-trees. If the best leave-tree is accidentally cut or damaged, Contractor shall leave a substitute tree. Contractor shall select as the substitute tree, the most healthy, vigorous, and largest tree of a preferred species available within 8 feet of the cut or damaged tree. Substitution will only be an acceptable remedy if encountered infrequently. If frequent, the inspection will indicate deficient trees.

G. Contractor shall exercise extreme care to prevent damage to all physical improvements (fences, telephone lines, established land corners, buildings, ditches, etc.) on the contract area. Contractor shall be liable for damage to physical improvements and shall make immediate repairs to damaged physical improvements.

H. NATURAL FUELS AND SLASH TREATMENT

1. Slash treatment will include the bucking of existing down fuels, felled standing dead trees and thinning slash into 4-6’ lengths and hand piled. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

2. The contractor shall not start thinning a new unit until the slash treatment on the previously thinned unit is completed.

3. All standing snags, less than 10” DBH shall be cut and bucked into 4 – 6 ft lengths.

4. Thinning slash shall be pulled back from the following areas and is considered part of the slash treatment:

A. Roads – Open roads will be cleared of all slash. Cutters are encouraged to fall trees away from roads to avoid the need for pull back.

B. Private Land- Trees will be felled away from private land boundaries. Pull back will be required if trees are felled across private land boundaries onto private land.

C. Cultural Resource Sites - The Contractor shall notify the CO of any suspected cultural resource sites prior to working the area. If slash is felled onto a cultural resource site, the Contractor shall discontinue work in the general area until the Contracting Officer has been notified.

D. Improvements - No slash shall be left within 10 feet of any physical improvement.

E. Fence lines – No slash shall be left within 5 feet of any fence line.

F. No slash shall be left within 10 feet of private land boundaries.

D. EXCLUSIONS

Check the Detailed Unit Information Sheet for specific exclusions required for each unit. There are two types of exclusions;

wildlife and riparian. Below are the guidelines the contractor should use when addressing each type of exclusion.

1. Wildlife

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet to see which units require wildlife exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag the wildlife exclusions with yellow colored plastic ribbon.

C. The contractor may designate up to ten percent of the total area in units that require wildlife exclusions. This includes any riparian buffers.

-No work is required to be done by the contractor in the wildlife exclusions.

-Minimum exclusion size is one quarter acre (100’ x 100’).

-Maximum exclusion size is one acre (200’ x 200’).

Areas recommended for wildlife exclusions are as follow:

-Rock out crops or cliff bands.

-Areas with dens, nests, wallows, springs, game trails or beds.

-Areas with structure, i.e. (multi storied, large number of snags or trees greater than 9 inches DBH, etc.).

-Areas with a lack desirable leave trees, i.e. (low species preference, low vigor, poor health, etc.)

-Riparian buffers.

Do not place wildlife clumps in the following areas:

-Within 100ft of any road system or fences.

-Within 100ft of Forest Service Administrative sites.

A. Refer to the Detailed Unit Information Sheet to see which units require riparian exclusions.

B. Contractor shall flag riparian exclusions with plastic ribbon.

C. No work is required to be done by the contractor in the riparian exclusions.

D. Class I and II streams require fifty foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

-Class I stream is fish bearing and flows year round.

-Class III stream is non-fish bearing and flows year round.

E. Class IV streams require twenty five foot exclusions on both sides where the stream passes through the units.

F. Springs require a twenty five foot buffer around the edge.

1. Thinning section above in addition to piled to the following specification and those included in each task order or Detailed Unit Information Sheet:

a. All slash bolewood and limbs including foliage from a diameter specified in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet shall be hand piled from project activities.

b. Pile construction shall be required whenever enough material exists in a 50- foot diameter circle to create a pile to the minimum specifications.

c. Piles shall be constructed perpendicular to the slope to prevent piled material from rolling. Slash shall be piled parallel and in such a manner as to create a stable, dense and compact pile that shall ignite and consume easily.

Limbs and fine fuels shall be placed in the lower portion of the pile with heavier fuels on top.

d. Piles shall be no larger than specified in the Detailed Unit Information Sheet or smaller than specified in the

Detailed Unit Information Sheet unless otherwise approved. Contractor shall utilize slash in the pile area to create one large pile, to the extent possible, rather than several smaller piles.

e. Piles shall not be located closer than 6 feet from any leave tree or snag or other pile unless approved by COR.

Whenever possible piles shall be constructed in created or natural openings. This may entail physically moving slash up to 50 feet. When no opening exists a leave tree may have to be felled to create an opening, its preferred to cut the least desirable tree when creating openings.

f. Piles shall not be constructed on top of or in contact with stumps or logs with diameters of 9 inches or larger. Logs ends extending from the pile shall have a minimum three foot section removed to prevent fire spread.

g. Ends and sides of the pile shall be trimmed only if material extends 3ft or further out side of the edge of a pile.

h. Piles shall be covered with contractor provided 4 foot by 4 foot sheets or larger of approved pile paper or other waterproof material acceptable to the Government. Cover material shall be placed in the top ¼ portion of the pile and covered with enough slash to hold it firmly in place. Piles shall have a sufficient amount of fine fuels included in the covered portion to ensure ignition and consumption under wet/snowy conditions.

Safety

Contractor shall provide a written job specific safety plan addressing the hazards identified above and other potential hazards known to the Contractor. The plan shall be presented at or before the post award conference for discussion.

Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

Item 1. - Pre-commercial Thinning (PCT)

Item 2. -Natural Fuels Thinning.

The government will conduct an inspection of each unit to determine work quality. These inspections consist of three parts.

The first two parts the inspection involves a series of circular plots. Plot size is 1/20th of an acre. (26.3’ plot radius). Plot frequency will be one plot per five acres. Plots will be randomly located throughout each completed unit to obtain a representative sample of the work. The third part involves a visual inspection, for items 2-13 on the Additional Detailed Unit Information sheet.

Part 1 - Plots using the Variable Spacing Inspection (Exhibit C) will be installed to check for leave tree quality and target density/trees per acre as required in the Detailed Unit Information sheets. The inspection will determine:

-Number of trees that should have been left to meet trees per acre (tpa) requirements -Number of trees that were left -The minimum/maximum number of trees that could be left and still meets density/tpa requirements (Refer to the Variable Spacing Inspection Chart Exhibit C) on page 15.

-Number of acceptable trees that were left

Leave tree quality and the target density/trees per acre shall be calculated for each plot as follows:

No. of acceptable leave trees /Variable spacing (X Factor) x 100 = Performance Quality %

Variable spacing (X Factor) is the greater value between minimum # trees to be left and the number of trees that were left.

Quality below 90% will be deducted from payment (See Payment clause). When inspection results are below 90 percent, payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected by the Contractor. Re-inspections, after rework, will be made in the same manner as the first inspection, but on different plot lines.

After all plots for a unit has been inspected, performance quality % for the unit will be calculated by summing the performance quality % for each plot, then dividing by the total number of plots.

PART 2- Using the same circular plots, units will also be inspected for excess trees missed. See below for excess tree definitions:

A. Trees that do not meet leave-tree specifications and should have been removed:

B. Trees not completely severed from the stump or not severed below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by obstacles (e.g. rocks, boulders);

C. Stump height exceeding the maximum listed on the Detailed Unit Information sheet or 4 inches above obstacles;

D. Live limbs below the cutting point not removed at the bole, where possible;

E. Foliated portions not removed from all limbs left attached to the stump;

F. Trees felled into leave-trees, unit boundaries, streams, roads, established trails (recreation, game, stock, etc.) cultural resource sites, stock driveways, and other improvements (e.g. fences, telephone lines, established land corners, buildings, ditches, etc.);

and

Total number of excess trees that were left x 20 trees per acre = Number of excess trees per acre

When the total number of excess trees per acre for the unit exceeds 10 percent of the target leave trees per acre, payment will not be made until the deficiency has been corrected by the contractor.

PART 3 - Visual inspections will be made for all items 2-14 on the Additional Detailed Unit Information sheet. If any of these items are found to be unacceptable, rework shall be required.

Re-inspection of Thinning Upon Contractor Request:

If original inspection results are unacceptable to Contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used following a different plot line. If the second inspection shows less than 5 percent variance from the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and results of the second inspection will be used in determining payment. Re-inspection requests shall be in writing and submitted within three (3) calendar days of the original inspection notification.

Item 3. Hand Piling

1. The quality of hand piles will be evaluated as follows:

a. At least 90% of the project defined slash is hand piled.

b. Spacing of piles.

c. Location of piles.

d. Size of piles

e. Any other requirements defined in the task order or Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

2. The quality of hand piling shall be calculated as follows:

a. Number of piles with acceptable slash treatment / Total number of piles = Hand piling quality

b. Hand piling quality must be above 90%. Failure to do so shall require rework by the Contractor.

Unacceptable Performance

1. Excess trees

a. If the percentage of thinning quality falls below 90% and excess trees constitute the majority of the problem, payment shall not be made until the excess tree problem has been corrected. Inspections after rework shall be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. For any re-inspections due to rework, the Contractor may pay for the Government’s administration costs. When the percentage of thinning quality falls below 90% and the problem is not correctible by rework due to deficient trees, the rate of pay shall be based on the percentage of the Government inspection.

b. If original inspection results are unacceptable to Contractor and a second inspection is requested without rework, the same inspection procedure will be used following a different plotline. If the second inspection shows less than 5 percent variance from the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the cost of the second inspection, and results of the second inspection will be used in determining payment. Re-inspection requests shall be in writing and submitted within three (3) calendar days of the original inspection notification.

2. Slash treatment

a. When inspection results are below 90 percent and unacceptable slash treatment constitutes any part of the deficiency, payment shall not be made until the slash treatment is corrected. Inspections after rework shall be made in the same manner as the first inspection but on different plot lines. For any re-inspections due to rework, the Contractor may pay for the Government’s administration costs. When the percentage of thinning quality falls below 90% and the problem is not correctible by rework the rate of pay shall be based on the percentage of the Government inspection.

3. Hand Piling

a. When inspection results in a hand piling quality of less than 90 percent payment shall not be made until the hand piling is corrected. Inspection after rework shall be made in the same manner as the first inspection. For any re-inspections due to rework, the Contractor may pay for the Government’s administration costs. When the percentage of thinning quality falls below 90% and the problem is not correctible by rework the rate of pay shall be based on the percentage of the Government inspection.

4. Repeated failure to perform work at or above 90% acceptable thinning shall be considered reason for contract termination for default.

5. After inspection of a completed subitem , the Contracting Officers Representative shall calculate the pay rate. The pay rate shall be calculated by multiplying the percentage quality of the subitem times the contract price per acre. When the percent of quality is 90 percent or greater, payment shall be made at 100 percent of the contract price.

FAR Clause 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item (MAR 1989)

The government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the schedule. The contracting officer may exercise the option by written notice to the contractor at any time within the 90 days of the effective date of the Notice to Proceed. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. (JULY 1990)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.

Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

VARIABLE SPACING TSI INSPECTION FORM

Forest District Inspector Contract #

Acres Ave. Spacing Initial Work Rework

Unit Name and #

Plot # Thinning Spots

Non- Thinning Spots

Thinning Spots

Max/Min Crop Trees

# of Crop Trees

# of Acceptable Crop Trees

# of Excess Trees

Comments/% Score

1 /

2 /

3 /

4 /

5 /

6 /

7 /

8 /

9 /

10 /

PERCENT INSPECTION:

16x Min. Max 17x Min. Max 18x Min. Max 19x Min. Max 9 7 11 8 6 8 7 5 9 6 4 8 8 6 10 7 5 9 6 4 8 5 3 7 7 5 9 6 4 8 5 3 7 4 2 6 6 4 8 5 3 7 4 2 6 3 1 5 5 3 7 4 2 4 3 1 5 2 1 4 4 2 4 3 1 5 2 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 4 1 1 1 0 0 0

24x Min. Max 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 2 6 0 0 0 3 1 5

20x Min. Max 2 1 4 5 3 7 1 1 1 4 2 6 0 0 0 3 1 5 @@@@@@@@@

2 1 4 1 1 1 0 0 0

TSI Variable Spacing

Inspection Charts

06-Marion Point TSI (Thin and Lop/Scatter) Detailed Unit Information Sheet

Unit Name and #

Acre

Elev.

Slope

Preferred Species

Average Spacing/

Target TPA Flagging

Color Est. Cut

TPA

Max. Cut Diameter in inches

Additional Information: slash treatments, cutting restrictions, exclusions, riparian buffers, etc..

Limber Jim 2 87 5600 60% df/wl/pp 20x/112 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4B,5B,6,7,8C,9,10,11,12,13 Limber Jim 33A 150 5600 60% wl/df/pp 20x/112 yellow 1600 9 1,2,3,4B,5B,6,7,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 34 202 5600 60% wl/df/pp 20x/112 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4B,5B,6,8C,9,10,11,12,13 Limber Jim 34A 125 5600 60% wl/df/pp 20x/112 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4B,5B,6,7,8C,9,10,11,12,13 Limber Jim 36A 40 4800 20% wl/df/pp 16-20/150 yellow 1600 9 1,2,3,4A,5B,7,8C,9,10,11,12,13,14 Limber Jim 40 36 4800 30% wl/df/pp 16-20/150 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4A,5B,7,8C,9,10,11,13,14 Limber Jim 99A 78 5300 30% wl/df/pp 16X/175 orange 1000 9 1,2,3,4A,5B,8C,9,10,11,13 Little Mine 21 64 5000 40% wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4A,5B,8C,9,10,11,12,13

Total Acres

06-Marion Point TSI (Thin for Grapple Pile)

Preferred Species

Average Spacing/

Target TPA Flagging

Color

Est.

Cut

Max.

Cut

Diamete r in inches

Additional Information: slash treatments, cutting restrictions, exclusions, riparian buffers, etc..

Limber Jim 20 22 6000 10 wl/df/pp 16-20x/125 Blue 800 9 1,3,4B,5E,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 92 66 5000 35 wl/df/pp 16-20x/125 orange 2000 9 1,3,4B,5E,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 95 105 5200 30 wl/df/pp 16-20x/125 orange 1500 9 1,3,4B,5E,7,8C,9,10,11,13

Total Acres 193

06-Marion Point TSI (Thin and Hand Pile)

Preferred Species

Average Spacing/

Target TPA Flagging

Color Est. Cut

Max. Cut Diameter in inches

Additional Information: slash treatments, cutting restrictions, exclusions, riparian buffers, etc..

5140 Road 47 5800 10 wl/df/pp 16x/175 virtual 2500 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 106B 6 6200 20 wl/df/pp 16x/150 orange 2000 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,6,8C,9,10,11,13,14 Limber Jim 13A 13 5800 20 wl/lpp/spr 16x/175 orange 2000 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 18A 16 4900 30 wl/df/pp 16x20/150 yellow 1500 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 28 80 5500 50 pp/df/wl 16x/175 orange 1800 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,7,8C,9,10,11,13

Limber Jim 33B 50 5600 60 wl/df/pp 20x/112 yellow 1800 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,7,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 36B 10 4500 40 wl/df/pp 16x20/150 yellow 800 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 98A 46 6100 10 wl/df/pp 16x20/150 yellow 800 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Limber Jim 98B 21 6100 40 wl/df/pp 16x/150 orange 1600 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Little Mine 19 54 5200 40 df/wl/df 16x/175 yellow 2500 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,7,8C,9,10,11,13

Peep 21 17 5200 30 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 1300 9 1,2,3,4B,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 3 32 4000 25 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 2100 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 5 22 4000 25 wl/pp/df 16x/175 yellow 2600 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 7 6 3800 15 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 2400 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 8 3 3800 20 df/wl/pp 16x/175 yellow 2500 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13

Upper Chicken 8A 1 3900 25 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 3000 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 10 9 4000 5 df/wl/pp 16x/175 yellow 2500 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,6,8C,9,10,11,13 Upper Chicken 15 11 5000 25 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 2000 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,6,8C,9,10,11,13,14 Upper Chicken 17 5 5100 30 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 2000 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,12,13,14

Upper Chicken 20C 4 5400 40 wl/df/pp 16x/175 yellow 2300 9 1,2,3,4A,5D,8C,9,10,11,12,13 Total Acres 453

Additional Detailed Unit Information

1/ Estimates for the average number of cut trees is an estimate…