IFB DACW63-9-27-0506 LUMP SUM_3 Items.pdf

GOVERNMENT FOREST PRODUCTS SALE

LUMP SUM CONTRACT

INVITATION FOR BIDS NO. DACW63-9-27-0506 5 October 2026

Sealed bid subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Invitation for Bids, for the purchase and removal of the Government-owned property listed in this notice to bidders, will be received until the time, date, and at the place indicated below, and then publicly opened.

ATTENTION: Persons interested in receiving a complete copy of this Invitation for Bids should go to (https://SAM.gov) and type in Search – “Any Words” keyword DACW63-9-27-0506, or request a copy from Amanda Wilkinson, Forester, CESWF-RE-M, phone number (817) 886-1015.

FOREST PRODUCTS: Pine and Hardwood Timber

TIME OF OPENING: 2:00 PM, Local Time

DATE OF OPENING: 18 November 2026

PLACE OF OPENING: Wright Patman Project Office, Texarkana, Texas

BID DEPOSIT: $24,000.00 for Item 1 (Clear Springs ATV 1) $12,000.00 for Item 2 (Thompson Creek West) $10,000.00 for Item 3 (Milam Creek South)

EXPIRATION DATE: 1 November 2028 for Item 1 (Clear Springs ATV 1) 31 December 2027 for Items 2 & 3 (Thompson Creek West and Milam Creek South)

Inspection of lump sum contract areas is invited and encouraged between 8:00 a.m.

and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Arrange inspection with Mrs. Stephanie Price, Project Forester, telephone number 903-951-4836. Please call 24 hours in advance of desired time of inspection.

Issued by: Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Address: P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Property located at: Wright Patman Lake, Texas

U.S. ARMY

CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Fort Worth District

SALE Of GOVERNMENT FOREST PRODUCTS

BID AND AWARD

BID

(This Section to be completed by the Bidder)

In compliance with the Invitation identified on the cover page hereof, and subject to all the sale terms and conditions contained in Instruction to Bidders, General Sale Terms and Conditions, and Special Sales Terms and Conditions, all of which are incorporated as a part of this Bid, the undersigned offers and agrees, if this Bid be accepted within 30 calendar days after date of Bid opening, to purchase and pay for any or all of the items listed for sale on Item Bid Page and to remove the property and perform the other required work as specified herein, after notice of acceptance by the Government.

The total amount bid is $

Attached is the required Bid deposit in the form of ' in the amount of

All bidders should complete the "Certificate As to Small Business Status" set forth below. This certificate must be completed and made a part of every Invitation to Bid on the sale of Government-owned timber with an estimated value of $2,000 or more. Failure to properly execute this certificate will not invalidate a bid, but a proper statement must be signed before the bid is accepted by the Government. Refusal or delay in executing a proper statement is grounds for rejecting the bid. Intentional falsification of this certificate is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. (Title 15, United States Code, Section 645(a).

CERTIFICATE AS 1D SMALL BUSINESS STATUS

The bidder certifies that he (is) (is not) a small business concern within the terms of the following definition:

In sales of Government-owned forest products a "small business" is a concern that: (I) is primarily engaged in the logging or forest products industry; (2) is independently owned and operated; (3) is not dominant in its field of operation; and

(4) together with its affiliates does not employ more than 500 persons.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BIDDER (Street, city, state, and zono)(Type or print) SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN BID

SIGNER'S NAME AND TITLE (I'}pe or print)

CORPORATE CERTIFICATE

I, certify that I am the of the corporation named as Purchaser herein; that , who signed this contract on behalf of the Purchaser, was then (Title) of said corporation; that said contract was duly signed for and in behalf of said corporation by authority of its governing body, and is within the scope of its corporate powers.

Signature

ACCEPTANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT

(This Section fur Government use only)

ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

TOTAL AMOUNT

SWF Form 998-J

(Rev 3 May 1985)

CONTRACT NUMBER

(CORPORATE SEAL

DATE OF ACCEPTANCE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

By (Contracting Officer)

TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

(SWFRE-M SOP)

INVITATION FOR BIDS NO.

DACW63-9-27-0506 PAGE 2

DATE OF BID

18 November 2026 2:00PM

Phone: Email:

Shane P. Demmer

District Chief Real Estate Contracting Officer m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Rectangle m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text m2remlrc Typewritten Text

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Text Box

SALE OF GOVERNMENT

FOREST PRODUCTS

INVITATION FOR BIDS NO.

DACW63-9-27-0506

ITEM

NO

PRODUCTS

FOR SALE

QUANTITY

(No. of Units)

UNIT OF

MEASURE

TO BE SUPPLIED BY

BIDDER

PRICE

BID

PER

UNIT

TOTAL PRICE BID

DOLLAR

CENTS

Pine Sawtimber

Pine Pulpwood

Hardwood Sawtimber

Hardwood Pulpwood

2,323

1,234

2,520

1,371

1,187

Tons

Tons

Tons

NOTICE TO BIDDERS:

(1) No bid will be considered unless it is accompanied by a deposit in the amount of $24,000.00 for Item 1, $12,000.00 for Item 2, and $10,000.00 for Item 3. Such guaranty must be in the form of cashier's check, money order, or other form of payment not subject to stoppage or revocation, made payable to F&A Officer, USAED, Fort Worth. PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them as soon as practicable after the bids have been opened and the awards made. The deposit of the successful bidder will be retained by the Government and applied by the Government half as the advance payment for timber and half as the performance deposit.

(2) This sale is for a lump sum contract. The timber for sale will be designated by the project forester as dictated by the assigned contract terms. All merchantable trees in Items 1, 2, and 3 have been designated and marked by a consulting forester with blue paint at eye level and blue paint below stump level. All marked trees, and only marked trees, will be cut and removed by the purchaser to achieve a residual basal area. Logging slash generated from the harvest of timber shall not be piled or dispersed within 50’ of any primary road or piled next to residual trees. These volumes are estimates only and will be used for award purposes by multiplying estimated quantities by unit price bid. No bids will be considered if improperly weighted on any particular product.

(3) The following harvesting stipulations are recommended as Project-specific contract requirements:

(a) all trees must be limbed and topped as approved by the Project Forester to avoid excessive skinning and/or damage to residual trees and severe ground disturbance; (b) excessive scarring of residual trees that is 1/3 of a square foot or greater will be treated, at buyer’s expense, with an approved tree-pruning sealant; (c) no machinery or soil disturbing activity will be allowed on any designated sensitive sites; (d) all tops within 150 feet of any public road shall be lopped to within 2.5 feet of the ground; (e) skidder width shall be no more than ten (10) feet; (f) no more than 2 loaders will be permitted per each logging deck to limit deck sizes; (g) trucking routes on government property will be designated by the Project Forester.

(4) For all other contracts, $5,000 or 20 percent of the bid price, whichever is greater, is required within ten (10) days after notice of acceptance of the bid. The remainder of the purchase price shall be paid in 20 percent or larger increments, the frequency of which will be determined by the Real Estate Contracting Officer, having as an objective that the amount paid shall at all times be the equivalent of at least 20 percent more than the value of forest products cut. Regardless of the percent completion, full payment shall be made before the end of the initial contract period.

(5) Merchantable timber is marked in BLUE paint for all items.

(6) The purchaser shall be held liable for all damages to property and any expenses resulting from fire caused by the purchaser, his employees, agents, and subcontractors.

(7) Conversion factors to be utilized for calculating damage assessments:

Pine Sawtimber/Pine Poles 8.00 tons/MBF (Doyle Scale)

Pine Chip&Saw/Pine Pulpwood 2.70 tons/cord

Hardwood Sawtimber 9.00 tons/MBF

Hardwood Pulpwood 2.80 tons/ cord

(8) Items 1 - 3 consists of designated timber sale harvest areas at Wright Patman Lake.

(9) All material deemed cull and deducted at the mill may be charged either at the current bid rate or at a lower product type rate, depending on how each mill handles culls that they receive.

BIDDER IS CAUTIONED TO INSPECT

THE PROPERTY

NAME OF BIDDER (Type or print)

CONTENTS

I. SPECIAL SALES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Description of Sale

2. Material Not Utilized

3. Specific Provisions

II.INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. Invitation, Bid, and Acceptance

2. Condition of Property

3. Submission of Bids

4. Bid Opening

5. Liability

6. Sale of Property to Employees and Military or Contract Personnel

7. Notice of Action

8. Modification of Contract

9. Bid Deposit

10. Performance Deposit or Bond

III. GENERAL SALE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Contracting Officer

2. Project Forester

3. Marking Procedures

4. Merchantability and Utilization

5. Commencement

6. Schedule of Harvesting and Completion

7. Extension of Time

8. Payment

9. Reports

10. Payment Remittance

11. Inspections

12. Harvesting Operations...…………………...……………………………………

13. Order of Logging

14. Methods of Logging

15. Slash Disposal

16. Stump Heights

17. Site Restoration...……………………………………………………………………

18. Sawmills

19. Vehicle Use

20. Protection of Facilities and Roadways

21. Protection of Environment and Cultural Resources

22. Safety Regulations

23. Fire Suppression

24. Termination for Default

25. Liquidated Damages

26. Termination for Convenience

27. Disputes Clause

28. Gratuities

29. Non-discrimination in Employment

I. SPECIAL SALES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Description of Sale

Item 1:

A. Clear Springs ATV 1 Tract contains 284 acres and is located south of Redwater, TX, along the Clear Springs ATV Hunting Access Road east of FM 991 and north of the Redwater Low Water Crossing Bridge in Bowie County. Project consists of commercial thinning of an overstocked stand of mature mixed pine and hardwood timber. Currently there are approximately 160 trees per acre, with an average basal area (BA) of approximately 122 ft2 per acre. An average of 43 trees per acre (31 ft2 BA/acre) were selectively marked for removal based on individual tree quality, species, and spacing. Trees that were damaged, diseased, suppressed, of poor form, or otherwise less desirable were targeted first for removal in an effort to increase the overall health and vigor of the residual stand, leaving the highest quality trees more room to grow. Sale includes all marked pine and hardwood trees within the sale area. Harvest volumes were estimated based on a 100% tally of marked trees. This area is owned by the Government in fee simple.

B. Estimated volumes are 2,323 tons of pine sawtimber; 1,234 tons of pine pulpwood; 488 tons of hardwood sawtimber; and 2,520 tons of hardwood pulpwood, for a total estimated volume of 6,565 tons for all products. Harvest volumes were estimated based on a 100% tally of marked trees. Volume was determined by 100% tally of marked trees using Doyle Log Rule.

Item 2:

A. Thompson Creek West Tract contains 119 acres and is located south of Maud, TX, along the south side of County Road 1115, approximately 1 mile west of Highway 8 in Bowie County. Project consists of commercial thinning of an overstocked stand of mature mixed pine and hardwood timber. Currently there are approximately 93 trees per acre, with an average basal area (BA) of approximately 108 ft2 per acre. An average of 34 trees per acre (32 ft2 BA/acre) were selectively marked for removal based on individual tree quality, species, and spacing. Trees that were damaged, diseased, suppressed, of poor form, or otherwise less desirable were targeted first for removal in an effort to increase the overall health and vigor of the residual stand, leaving the highest quality trees more room to grow. Sale includes all marked pine and hardwood trees within the sale area.

Harvest volumes were estimated based on a 100% tally of marked trees.

This area is owned by the Government in fee simple.

B. Estimated volumes are 1,371 tons of pine sawtimber; 252 tons of pine pulpwood; 316 tons of hardwood sawtimber; and 890 tons of hardwood pulpwood, for a total estimated volume of 2,829 tons for all products. Volume was determined by 100% tally of marked trees using Doyle Log Rule.

Item 3:

A. Milam Creek South Tract contains 129 acres and is located south of Redwater, TX, south of the Redwater Low Water Crossing Bridge, along the west side of FM 991, and north of County Roads 1211 and 1207 in Bowie County.

Project consists of commercial thinning of an overstocked stand of mature mixed pine and hardwood timber. Currently there are approximately 147 trees per acre, with an average basal area (BA) of approximately 128 ft2 per acre. An average of 39 trees per acre (31 ft2 BA/acre) were selectively marked for removal based on individual tree quality, species, and spacing. Trees that were damaged, diseased, suppressed, of poor form, or otherwise less desirable were targeted first for removal in an effort to increase the overall health and vigor of the residual stand, leaving the highest quality trees more room to grow. Sale includes all marked pine and hardwood trees within the sale area. Harvest volumes were estimated based on a 100% tally of marked trees. This area is owned by the Government in fee simple.

B. Estimated volumes are 1,187 tons of pine sawtimber; 884 tons of pine pulpwood; 140 tons of hardwood sawtimber; and 581 tons of hardwood pulpwood, for a total volume of 2,792 tons for all products. Volume was determined by 100% tally of marked trees using Doyle Log Rule.

2. Material Not Utilized: The volume of merchantable material from designated trees uncut or from designated trees cut, or tops, chunks, long butts, trees broken or split by felling or otherwise, which are not utilized, will be determined through tree estimate, scaling or measurement, and the purchaser billed thereto in accordance with the terms of the contract, unless the leaving of such material is justified as may be determined by the Contracting Officer.

3. Specific Provisions:

A. All trees must be limbed and topped as approved by the Project Forester to avoid excessive skinning and/or damage to residual trees and severe ground disturbance.

B. Excessive scarring of residual trees that is 1/3 of a square foot or greater will be treated, at buyer’s expense, with an approved tree-pruning sealant.

C. No machinery or soil disturbing activity will be allowed on any designated sensitive sites.

D. All tops within 150 feet of any public road shall be lopped to within 2.5 feet of the ground.

E. Skidder width shall be no more than ten (10) feet.

F. No more than 2 loaders will be permitted per each logging deck to limit deck sizes.

G. Trucking routes on government property will be designated by the Project Forester.

II. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. Invitation, Bid, and Acceptance:

a. This invitation, bid, and acceptance shall constitute the entire sale agreement between the purchaser and the Government.

b. The Government may accept or reject any item of any bid unless such bid is qualified by specific limitations. The right is reserved as the interest of the Government to reject any and all bids, and to waive any defect or informality in bids received. All bids submitted shall be deemed to have been made with full knowledge of all the terms, conditions, and requirements contained herein. All bids received may, at the option of the Government, remain open for acceptance or rejection for a period of 30 days from the date of opening bids. Bids may be withdrawn on written or telegraphic requests received from bidders prior to the time fixed for opening. Negligence on the part of the bidder in preparing his bid confers no right for the withdrawal of the bid after it has been opened.

c. The bidders are invited, urged, and cautioned to inspect the property to be sold prior to submitting a bid. Property is available for inspection during the times and through arrangements made as specified on the cover sheet of this invitation. In no case will failure to inspect constitute grounds for the withdrawal of a bid after opening.

2. Condition of Property:

The property is offered for sale "as is" and "where is" with the bidder being obligated and responsible to provide at his sole expense and without any cost whatsoever to the Government all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies required to harvest and remove the forest products involved. The description of the property is believed to be sufficiently specific for purposes of identification. Any error or omission in the description (including location) shall not constitute any ground or reason for non-performance of the contract or claim by the successful bidder for any allowance, refund or deduction from the amounts offered. The Government does not make any guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the property as to quantity, quality, character or condition, size or kind;

or that the property is in a condition or fit to be used for the purpose for which intended. The purchaser acknowledges that he has satisfied himself as to the location, field conditions, and volume of forest products to be removed from the designated area(s). This contract shall be construed to have the intent of covering all the designated forest products of the specified species and sizes on the area and as described herein and shall include all such forest products, whether less than, equal to, or in excess of the estimated volume or quantity stated.

3. Submission of Bids:

a. Sealed bids must be submitted on the bid form accompanying this invitation for bids and specifications of sale, or on exact copies thereof. Invitation and bid forms, or any additional information pertaining thereto, may be obtained from the District Engineer, Fort Worth District, Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102-0300.

b. Bid deposits and original bid sheets should be delivered to

Mrs. Stephanie Price, Project Forester, Wright Patman Project Office, Texarkana, Texas, prior to the time and date of the bid opening or hand carried to the Wright Patman Project Office the day of the opening. Bid deposits will be held until such time as the successful bidder has been selected. All bids shall be sealed in an envelope until such time as the bid opening time has occurred. Bids will be enclosed in a sealed envelope which is marked and addressed as follows:

RETURN ADDRESS

TO: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers SEALED BID TO BE OPENED ATTN: Mrs. Stephanie Price TIME: 2:00 P.M., Local Time 64 Clear Springs Park DATE: 18 November 2026 Texarkana, TX 75501

INVITATION FOR BIDS NO: DACW63-9-27-0506

4. Bid Opening:

a. It will be the duty of each bidder to see that his bid is delivered by the time and at the place described in this invitation. Bids in properly marked envelopes, as required above, received prior to the time for opening will be securely kept, unopened, until the time for opening bids. The person whose duty it is to open them will decide when the specified time has arrived and no bid, modification of a bid, or withdrawal of a bid received thereafter will be considered, except that those received before award is made, but delayed in the mails by occurrences beyond control of the bidder, may be considered if written certification is furnished by authorized postal authorities to that effect. No responsibility will attach for the premature opening of a bid not properly addressed and identified.

All modifications of bids or withdrawals of bids must be in writing. Telegraphic bids will not be considered, but telegraphed modifications or withdrawals of bids already submitted will be considered if received prior to the time set for opening bids. Hand carried bids will be delivered to the Wright Patman Project Office, Texarkana, TX.

b. At the time fixed for the opening of bids, their contents will be made public by announcement for the information of bidders and others, provided that any information submitted in support thereof, the disclosure of which might tend to subject the person submitting it to a competitive business disadvantage, will be held in strict confidence by the United States, if requested by the bidder.

c. The Contracting Officer reserves the right, subsequent to opening the bids, to require a showing by the successful bidder of his experience and facilities to perform the operation in a satisfactory manner.

5. Liability: The purchaser assumes all responsibility and liability for all injuries to persons or damages to property directly or indirectly due to or arising out of the operations conducted under this sale agreement, and the purchaser agrees to indemnify and save harmless the United States against any and all claims of whatsoever nature and kind due to or arising out of this sale agreement.

6. Sale of Property to Employees and Military or Contract Personnel:

a. The sale of Government property to officials and employees of the Department of Defense and officers and enlisted men, including an agent, employee, or member of the immediate family of such personnel, whose duties include any functional or supervisory responsibility for or within the Army Real Property Disposal Program, will not be made.

b. The sale will not be awarded to any person or organization, including partnerships, who have had any determination in the timber to be harvested. This includes any individual or company that has contracted with the Government for the marking of the timber in the sale area.

7. Notice of Action: Notice of acceptance or rejection of bids, notice of authority to proceed with removal of the purchased property, and any other notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when telegraphed or mailed to the bidder, or his duly authorized representative, at the address indicated in the bid.

8. Modification of Contract:

a. This invitation for bids, including all the instructions, terms, and conditions set forth herein, and the bid, when accepted by the Government, shall constitute the contract of sale between the successful bidder and the Government.

Such agreement shall constitute the whole sale agreement, unless modified in writing and signed by both parties except as provided otherwise herein. No oral statements or representations made by, for, or ostensibly on behalf of, either party shall be part of such agreement.

b. The sale agreement resulting from this invitation may be transferred in whole or in part if approved in writing by the Contracting Officer. Subcontracting of the operations is permissible and such subcontracting shall not be regarded as a transfer of the sale agreement. Subcontracting of the operations shall not relieve the purchaser of any responsibility or liability with respect to any of the terms and conditions imposed herein.

9. Bid Deposit: No bid will be considered unless it is accompanied by a deposit in the amount of $24,000.00 for Item 1, $12,000.00 for Item 2, and $10,000.00 for Item 3. Such guaranty shall be in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or other form of payment not subject to stoppage or revocation, made payable to the F&A Officer, USAED, Fort Worth. PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them as soon as practicable after the bids have been opened and the awards made. The deposit of the successful bidder will be retained by the Government and applied as follows: half as advance payment of the purchase price of timber and half as the performance deposit below.

10. Performance Deposit or Bond: Within ten (10) days of notice of acceptance, the successful bidder will be required to submit a performance deposit to the Contracting Officer, made payable to the F&A Officer, USAED, Fort Worth, in the amount of $12,000.00 for Item 1, $6,000.00 for Item 2, and $5,000.00 for Item 3. Such guaranty shall be in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or other form of payment not subject to stoppage or revocation.

PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The deposit as shown will be held by the Government until completion of the operations, to be applied against

(1) the amount of any damage caused by failure of the purchaser to observe fully all conditions of the agreement and (2) any costs, damages, or expenses which the Government may incur by reason of default or breach of any terms, provisions, conditions, or obligations on the part of the purchaser. The amount so deposited shall not be construed as being the maximum amount of the purchaser's obligations in the event the Government is damaged in excess of such amount.

Any balance of said deposit remaining after the purchaser's obligations under the agreement have been fulfilled shall be repaid. In lieu of a cash performance deposit, the purchaser may furnish a performance bond, with a surety approved by and in a form acceptable to the said Contracting Officer, the penal sum of such bond to be the total of performance deposits provided for above. U.S. Standard Form 25 may be used for this purpose.

III. GENERAL SALE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Real Estate Contracting Officer: The term "Real Estate Contracting Officer" as used herein means the person executing this contract on behalf of the Government and includes any duly appointed successors or authorized representative.

2. Project Forester: The term “Project Forester” as used herein refers to the

Manager in charge of Project Forestry Operations. Both terms include any duly appointed representatives having as their responsibility forest protection and forest management.

3. Marking Procedures:

a. All merchantable trees in Items 1, 2, and 3 have been marked with

BLUE paint at eye level and on the stump of the tree by contract labor. All marked trees and only marked trees, will be cut (felled) and removed by the purchaser, regardless of their desire to harvest other trees.

b. The purchaser is prohibited from bringing onto the Project or having in his possession while on said Government property: marking hammers, paint or equipment for painting, or any other equipment similar to that used by the Government in the marking of trees, logs, or bolts.

c. The purchaser accepts the marking as final, except that, by mutual agreement between the Contracting Officer and the purchaser, changes in the marking can be made by marking additional trees or removing the marks from trees already marked when such changes are clearly the result or errors or omissions in the original marking. Trees to be removed in the construction of logging trails and loading points, and trees damaged in logging, will be marked or designated for cutting as needed.

4. Merchantability and Utilization:

a. Trees and timber products cut from those trees which equal or exceed the specifications set forth below are considered merchantable and will be cut and utilized. Tops resulting from the harvest of sawtimber trees, which are within the merchantability specifications, will be utilized as pulpwood.

b. The log length shall be varied so as to secure the greatest utilization of merchantable material. On pine and hardwood sawtimber trees, where limbs are in whorls and the collective diameter of limbs (within a distance of 12" on the stem for pine and 24" for hardwood) is greater than the diameter inside bark at that point, the tree may be topped below the whorls of limbs rather than at the specified diameter.

5. Commencement: At the discretion of the Contracting Officer the purchaser will commence the harvesting and removal of timber within ten (10) days after the date of written notice to proceed.

6. Schedule of Harvesting and Completion:

a. The purchaser agrees to cut and remove from the sale area all timber designated for harvest under this sale agreement on or before 1 November 2028 for Item 1, and 31 December 2027 for Items 2 and 3.

b. Harvesting of all sawtimber and pulpwood trees included in this sale harvest area must be completed in an orderly manner that minimizes damages or other negative impacts to surrounding trees and areas. This allows for efficient logging operations and safety until completion of the timber harvest, unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer or as approved by the Project Forester.

c. The Contracting Officer, with input from the Project Forester and/or Project Archeologist, may suspend or stop logging operations due to specific legal requirements concerning the protection of Endangered Species (plant or animal) and/or Cultural/Historical Resources within the sale area; and if so curtailed or stopped no adjustment in quantity of timber to be harvested, nor the contract price to be paid for the timber left to be harvested shall be made.

d. Timber harvesting operations may be curtailed by the Contracting Officer during rainy seasons to prevent damage to the project's road and drainage systems.

e. Harvesting operations will be permitted five days per week (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays), unless otherwise authorized by the

Contracting Officer. At the discretion of the Contracting Officer, harvesting operations may be limited to certain hours of the day due to special circumstances.

f. All harvesting operations may be suspended for the duration of the project's deer hunting season.

g. Upon request of the Contracting Officer, the purchaser will furnish information as to the percentage of completion of each phase of the sale agreement.

h. Upon completion of the harvesting operations, the purchaser will contact the Contracting Officer to arrange for a joint site inspection to determine whether the terms of the contract have been satisfactorily completed.

i. Following any extended period where equipment is removed or cessation of logging occurs the contractor shall notify the Project Forester of his intention to resume harvesting operations.

7. Extension of Time: The Real Estate Contracting Officer may, by a change order or letter, extend the time allocated for removal, if justified by one or more of the following reasons:

a. Days lost by the purchaser due to stoppages or temporary suspensions ordered by the Real Estate Contracting Officer or his duly authorized representative, except when the stoppage or suspensions are ordered because of the purchaser's failure to comply with the provisions of the contract;

b. Labor disputes or catastrophic events beyond the purchaser's control.

The purchaser shall notify the Real Estate Contracting Officer as soon as practical after such a delay begins. Delays resulting from weather will not normally be justification for extensions of time;

c. When the total volume of the forest products designated for removal exceeds the estimated volume advertised, the time allocated for removal may be extended for an equitable period based upon the minimum weekly production required to complete the removal of the original estimated contract volume within the original allocated time;

d. When purchaser desires an extension of time for his own convenience, provided: (1) the purchaser obtains concurrence for the delay from any sawtimber or pulpwood purchaser also in the sale area(s); (2) the Real Estate Contracting Officer determines that the extension will not endanger final required Project deadlines; (3) the monetary consideration due the Government for such extensions shall be a sum equal to one (1) percent per month of the value of the estimated timber remaining unharvested, or a minimum charge of $100, whichever is greater; and (4) each request of the purchaser for a time extension must be in writing and must be received by the Real Estate Contracting Officer at least 10 days prior to the specified expiration date.

8. Payment:

a. On unit price sales the purchaser agrees to make advance payments for forest products as follows: (1) For contracts of $1,000 or less, the balance of the estimated purchase price is required. (2) For all other contracts, $1,000 or 20 percent of the estimated purchase price, whichever is greater, is required. The remainder will be paid as requested by the Real Estate Contracting Officer, having as an objective that the amount paid shall at all times be the equivalent of at least 20 percent more than the value of forest products cut. Any surplus funds to the purchaser's credit upon completion of removal operations, as required under the terms of the contract, will be refunded to the purchaser.

b. On lump sum sales contracts, the purchaser agrees to make advance payment for stumpage as follows:

c. For contracts below $5,000, payment in full is required within ten (10) days after notice of acceptance of the bid.

d. For all other contracts, $5,000 or 20 percent of the bid price, whichever is greater, is required within ten (10) days after notice of acceptance of the bid.

The remainder of the purchase price shall be paid in 20 percent or larger increments, the frequency of which will be determined by the Real Estate Contracting Officer, having as an objective that the amount paid shall at all times be the equivalent of at least 20 percent more than the value of forest products cut.

Regardless of the percent completion, full payment shall be made before the end of the initial contract period.

9. Reports: When required, the purchaser shall mail or deliver to the Real Estate Contracting Officer AND the Project Office, by no later than Saturday of each week, a summary report or statement(s) showing the timber harvested from each cutting unit from which the timber was removed during the preceding week, together with weight tickets substantiating the report. The report will reflect the volume of sawtimber and pulpwood harvested. If the summary report(s) and substantiating tickets or consumer receipts are not promptly received at both offices by the date indicated above, all operations under the contract may be suspended until the above data is received.

10. Payment Remittance: All payments shall be made by certified check, cashier's check, bank draft, postal or express money order, payable to the F&A Officer, USAED, Fort Worth. Billing payments will be remitted within ten (10) days of the date of the billing directly to the District Engineer, Fort Worth District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CESWF-RE-M, P. O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300. Envelopes containing reports or payments will be conspicuously marked in the lower left corner as follows:

TO BE OPENED ONLY IN M&D BRANCH, REAL ESTATE DIVISION

11. Inspections: The purchaser's harvesting operations covered by this sale agreement and all books and records relating thereto shall be open to inspection at any time by the Real Estate Contracting Officer with the understanding that the information obtained shall be regarded as confidential. When cutting, logging or other operations under this sale agreement are in progress, the purchaser shall have a representative authorized to receive, on behalf of the purchaser, any notices and instructions given by the Real Estate Contracting Officer in regard to performance under this sale agreement and to take such action thereon as is required by the terms of this sale agreement.

12. Harvesting Operations: All harvest activities shall be conducted to meet or exceed the Texas A&M Forest Service approved, Best Management Practices (BMPs). It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure BMPs are implemented. Unless otherwise specified by the Project Forester, only downed timber may be removed from within any Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) and the Contractor will ensure that soil disturbance will be minimal. Any soil disturbed within an SMZ shall be seeded immediately following harvesting operations at the Contractors expense, according to recommendations outlined in the “Revegetation” section of the Texas BMP Manual.

13. Order of Logging: The order of logging will be designated by the Real

Estate Contracting Officer, with input from the Project Forester. Purchaser's proposal for sequence of cutting will be considered. All timber to be cut will be harvested and removed and all phases of operations completed within the assigned logging unit or area prior to commencement of operations in another logging unit. From time to time, due to military activities, the order of logging may be realigned by the Real Estate Contracting Officer. Operations under this sale agreement will be conducted in a manner that will not interfere with timber harvesting operations under another sale agreement.

14. Methods of Logging:

a. Loading points will be in open areas. The purchaser will be allowed to bank logs in areas designated by the Project Forester. Log landings will not be permitted within 150 feet of the center line of the main roads.

b. So far as practicable, trees shall be felled in a direction with reference to skid roads which will facilitate skidding and result in minimum damage to young growth and the residual stand. No swamping or cutting of young tree growth to clear ground for skidding shall be done except at the landings.

c. Tractors shall be turned around in openings and backed to the load.

Tractors shall not be driven through groups of reproduction where it can be avoided, nor shall they be driven across from one tractor road to another, regardless of whether they are empty or loaded.

d. Logging may be done by means of mechanical harvesters, including feller-bunchers and clippers, as long as the use of a given piece of equipment does not excessively damage residual trees. Prior approval by the Real Estate Contracting Officer, with input from the Project Forester, is required before the use of limbing gates or mechanical means for delimbing or debarking the harvested timber. The successful bidder shall provide the Real Estate Contracting Officer, through the Project Forester, a list of type and size of all equipment to be used on the sale area at the pre-work conference.

e. No cut trees or tops will be left leaning against other trees. No tree severely damaged by having the vast majority of its top broken out or its main trunk broken beyond a point where natural healing could restore it to a viable productive state, will be left standing within view of any road or fire lane. All such trees will be brought to the attention of the Project Forester for his on-site inspection before contractor moves from the area. If the Project Forester approves the damaged trees as inadvertent and unavoidable damage, said damaged trees must then be completely downed and removed by the contractor before moving to another cutting area. However, any of these trees that the Project Forester deems as damaged through negligence or carelessness, he may tally and coordinate with the Real Estate Contracting Officer (RECO) in order to assess liquidated damages according to Part 23 below. After the RECO then directs, these damaged trees must then be completely downed and removed by the contractor before he will be allowed to move to another cutting area.

f. Skidders will not be allowed to enter stream courses within the sale area.

Exceptions will be crossings designed by the Project Forester. Trees will be felled in such a way to keep tops out of these stream courses. Any tops felled in a stream course shall be removed.

g. The Government reserves the right to modify or add additional rules to this section if deemed necessary for the protection of the soil, residual trees, young growth, cultural recourses, or special environmental features within the sale area.

h. Skidding will be limited to within the unit boundaries of this sale.

15. Slash Disposal: Piling of tops or branches immediately adjacent to live trees will not be permitted. The unused portion of all tops and branches shall be removed from roads, drainage ditches, fire lanes, power lines, pipelines, and mowed areas the same day trees are cut. Slash will be removed from the decking site and evenly scattered throughout the sale area.

16. Stump Heights: Stumps shall be cut as low as practical, but not higher than six (6) inches for pulpwood and twelve (12) inches for sawtimber unless exempted by the Real Estate Contracting Officer. However, stumps shall in no case be cut lower than all “stump spot” paint, so that some paint is readily visible on the remaining stump after cut tree is removed. A damage may be assessed the purchaser for failure to cut stumps within the specified height.

17. Site Restoration: Purchaser will be responsible to leveling all significant ruts

(generally greater than 6” in depth) before moving equipment from the harvest area.

The Purchaser shall seed said leveled ruts if directed by the Contracting Officer.

Seeding shall be accomplished according to guidelines outlined in the Texas BMP Handbook, “Revegetation of Disturbed Areas” section, “Seeding” subsection.

18. Sawmills: Purchaser shall conduct no sawmill operations on the project.

19. Vehicle Use:

a. The purchaser shall submit a list of vehicles authorized to transport forest products to the Project Forester prior to commencement of any removal operation required under this sale agreement.

b. All vehicles shall have a current inspection sticker, if one is required by the state in which the timber is being harvested. All internal combustion engines, saws, tractors, etc., will be required to have a muffler or spark arrester. Roadways damaged by overloaded trucks shall be promptly repaired by the purchaser. Haul trucks shall comply with the State of Texas laws concerning insurance, weight, lights, and tie-down of loads.

20. Protection of Facilities and Roadways:

a. All utility lines, ditches, roads and shoulders, bridges, culverts, fences, gates and other facilities located within the Project, and specifically within the boundaries of the sale area, shall be protected and, if damaged, shall be repaired immediately by the purchaser. Subject to the approval of the Operations Manager, any utility lines may be moved from one location to another or specified trees which plainly endanger such lines may be left uncut.

b. Maximum utilization of existing gates, roadways, bridges, and fire lanes will be exercised by the purchaser. Only by special permission from the Project Forester when conditions warrant shall the purchaser be allowed to construct any roads or bridges on the premises. Truck or other vehicle routes to be followed by the purchaser in connection with the removal of the timber shall be first approved by the Real Estate Contracting Officer or Project Forester. Restoration of the area to its previous condition where any new routes have been constructed by the purchaser may be required prior to expiration of the sale agreement.

c. Some harvest areas may be more easily accessed through privately owned land. It shall be the responsibility of the successful bidder to gain access via privately owned land if the purchaser deems it the best alternative for ingress/egress.

d. Temporary Routes - Logging roads, trails and skid roads may be established when permitted in advance by the Project Forester and in accordance with the following:

i. For the prevention of excessive soil disturbance and to facilitate the correction of damage which results from logging or construction activities, the purchaser will locate main skid trails which are to be built on erodible soils, on steep side slopes, or which have grades in excess of 7 percent so that they will adequately drain during periods of use and so that the installation of additional drainage facilities after use will be practical and economical;

ii. Upon completion of harvest, contractor will construct water bars on main skid trails. Water bars will consist of graded angular depressions at least one (1) foot deep laid out at an approximate 30-45 degree angle from trail center line to check run off. Water bars will be constructed at intervals designated by state BMP’s:

80 feet on slopes of 5 to 10%, 45 feet on slopes 10 to 20%, and 35 feet on slopes greater than 20%.

iii. Upon completion of harvest, contractor will also construct a berm at the main entry point not less than 3 feet high to discourage unauthorized vehicle use by the public.

e. Permanent Routes - Roads, trails, and designated fire lanes shall at all times be kept free of logs, brush, and debris resulting from the purchaser's operations hereunder, and any road or trail used by the purchaser in connection with this sale that is damaged or injured beyond ordinary wear and tear, through such use shall promptly be repaired by him to its original condition.

21. Protection of Environment and Cultural Resources:

a. Purchaser's operations shall be conducted to minimize damage and pollution to stream courses within the sale area. Culverts or bridges shall be required at all crossing points and such facilities shall be of sufficient size and design to provide an unobstructed flow of water. When a stream is temporarily diverted by purchaser's operations, it shall be restored to the natural course as soon as practicable, but, in any event, prior to the season of major rainfall. All streams shall be cleared of debris, including felled trees, tops, and logs resulting from purchaser's operations. All stream crossings and operations in wetlands shall be in compliance with the mandatory best management practices for silviculture of Section 404 and 319 of the Clean Water Act of 1977. These requirements can be reviewed at the Project Forester's or Real Estate Contracting Officer's Office.

b. The purchaser shall be required to conform to applicable Federal, state, county, and local laws or regulations as necessary to prevent the pollution or degradation of environmental quality. Littering Government property with glass, metal, paper, plastic, oils, lubricants, fuels, detergents, or any other solid or liquid pollutants is prohibited. Pollution of the land and water in and around cutting units or areas used to gain access to these units may be cause for immediate suspension or termination of harvesting operations.

c. The purchaser shall not remove or disturb, or cause or permit to be removed or disturbed, any historical, archeological, architectural or other cultural artifacts, relics, vestiges, remains or objects of antiquity. In the event such items are discovered in the sale area, the purchaser shall immediately notify: first, the Regional Archeologist (via the Project Forester if needed), and second, the Real Estate Contracting Officer. The site and cultural material shall be protected by the purchaser from further disturbance until a professional examination of them can be made or until clearance to proceed is authorized by the Real Estate Contracting Officer.

22. Safety Regulations:

a. All operations in connection with the harvesting and removal of forest products sold hereunder shall be conducted in a workmanlike and orderly manner.

Purchaser is responsible to ensure that all equipment and operations conducted under this sale agreement comply with safety and sanitary regulations established by local, state, and Federal agencies. Purchaser is responsible for compliance with all applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards established by Department of Labor (29 C.F.R. 1910.266).

b. No firearms shall be permitted on the project and no hunting by purchaser personnel shall be permitted by virtue of this sale agreement.

23. Fire Suppression:

a. The purchaser and all subcontractors under him shall exercise due diligence both independently and upon request of the Reservoir Manager to prevent and suppress forest fires. The purchaser agrees to reimburse the Government for the cost of fire suppression incurred and property damage caused as a result of his negligent or willful acts.

b. During periods of danger, as may be specified by the Reservoir Manager, the purchaser shall prohibit smoking and building of camp and lunch fires by his employees, contractors, and employees of contractors within the sale area, except at established areas.

24. Termination for Default: If, after award of the contract, the purchaser breaches the contract by failing to make any payments, in accordance with the contract terms and conditions , or by failing to remove the timber as required, then the Real Estate Contracting Officer may issue a fifteen (15) day written cure notice (calculated from the date of mailing) allowing purchaser 15 days to correct its breach; and, upon purchaser's failure to cure such default within that period (or such further period as the Real Estate Contracting Officer may allow), this sales contract may be terminated for default by the Real Estate Contracting Officer, in which case the purchaser shall lose all right, title, and interest acquired in and to the property as to which a default has occurred. The purchaser agrees that, in the event he fails to pay for the property or remove the same within the prescribed time, the Real Estate Contracting Officer, at his election and upon notice of default, shall be entitled to retain (or collect) as liquidated damages a sum equal to the total amount of such loss or damages sustained. When the Real Estate Contracting Officer exercises this election, he shall specifically apprise the purchaser that, upon expiration of the cure period, if the breach or defect still remains, the contractor shall be liable for any applicable liquidated damages as well as any applicable administrative costs which amounts may be offset by retaining part or all of the cash performance deposit, or by making demand upon the surety.