IFB South Obenchain Post-Fire Restoration #1.pdf

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

South Obenchain #1

IFB TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Summary of IFB

2. General Bid Rules and Specifications

3. Contents and Submittal Instructions

4. Evaluation and Award

5. Attachments:

a. A - Bidder Forms

i. A.1 - Bidder’s Certification and Assurances Form

ii. A.2 - Bid Specification Form

iii. A.3 - Cost Proposal

b. B – Service Contractor Template

i. Exhibit A: Statement of Work (Activity Specifications)

ii. Exhibit B: Not-to-Exceed Amount

iii. Exhibit C: Compliance Inspections and Payment

iv. Exhibit D: Project Area (Maps and Unit Information)

v. Exhibit E: Landowner Lien Information

1. Summary of IFB

1.1. Bid Due Date: January 10, 2025

1.2. Type of Service

The scope of this work involves following conservation practices:

NRCS Practice 666 - Forest Stand Improvement NRCS Practice 314 - Brush Management NRCS Practice 384 - Woody Residue Treatment

1.3. Treatment Acres: 820

*Note, treatment acres are subject to adjustment pending an archeology survey on units 8, 9, 19, 20, and 24-27.

1.4. Bid Delivery: Bidder is responsible for preserving a bid packet confirmation of receipt. Bidder will prepare one complete bid packet for submission according to the Contents and Submittal Instructions (Section 3 of this IFB); including completed forms (available in Exhibit A) and photocopies of state/federal Farm Labor Contractors licenses. A bid packet completion checklist appears in Section 3.5 below.

Bidder may deliver a complete bid packet only via the following methods:

(i) By attachment to an email to the Bid Coordinator in the form of a scanned copy of original documentation submitted as a PDF or similar electronic document consistent with Section 3.3; or

(ii) By mail, to be received by January 10th by the Bid Coordinator, at the following address:

Bid Coordinator:

Becca Shively, Senior Wildfire Program Manager Sustainable Northwest 223 SW Naito Parkway Suite 200 Portland, Oregon 97204

(503) 221-6911 bshively@sustainablenorthwest.org

Bidder may direct questions concerning the IFB to the Bid Coordinator. Bidders requesting special accommodations for the bid submission process or bid opening should contact the Bid Coordinator.

2. General Bid Rules and Specifications

2.1. IFB Purpose: Sustainable Northwest (“SNW”) is soliciting proposals for the performance of silvicultural land management services on privately owned forestlands.

2.2. Site Location: The services are to be performed in: Jackson County

Refer to: Attachment B - Contractor Services Agreement Template and see Exhibit D – Project Area (Maps and Unit Information) for unit details.

2.3. Scope of Work:

Contractor shall perform precommercial thinning work including:

NRCS Practice 666 - Forest Stand Improvement NRCS Practice 314 - Brush Management NRCS Practice 384 - Woody Residue Treatment

See Exhibit attachment for more detail.

For the defined Scope of Work, please refer to Attachment B - Contractor Services Agreement Template and see Exhibit A - Scope of Work.

2.4. Minimum Qualifications and Bid Specifications:

A. Bidders (in-state and out-of-state) must comply with Oregon licensing requirements.

B. Bidders must meet the specifications contained in Attachment A.2 - Bid

Specifications Form.

(i) Current Oregon State Farm Labor Contractors License or proof of application for license renewal.

(ii) Current United States Department of Labor Farm Labor Contractors License or proof of application for license renewal for the subsequent licensing period.

(iii) Bidders that do not meet the minimum qualifications or the required specifications will be rejected. Rejected bids will not be evaluated or scored.

2.5. Schedule of Procurement Activities

SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

ISSUE IFB

DATE IFB IS POSTED IN OREGON JOURNAL OF DAILY COMMERCE

December 13, PRE-PROPOSAL FIELD TOUR

DATE SCHEDULED FOR PRE-PROPOSAL FIELD TOUR January 3, BID SUBMISSION DEADLINE

BIDS ARE GENERALLY EVALUATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF

THE BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

January 10, ANNOUNCE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

AWARD DATE

January 31, HOLD DEBRIEFINGS

DATE DEBRIEFING CONFERENCES TO BE HELD – IF REQUESTED

February 6, BEGIN CONTRACT WORK

DATE SNW EXPECTS THE WORK TO BEGIN

February 2025

SNW RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE ABOVE SCHEDULE.

If only one bidder responds to this IFB, SNW may accelerate the Schedule of Procurement Activities.

2.6. Pre-Proposal Field Tour

Attendance at the Pre-Proposal Field Tour is required under this IFB. If bidders cannot attend on January 3, an alternate date may be provided based on the project manager’s discretion.

Please notify the Bid Coordinator if you are planning to submit a bid and are unable to attend on January 3.

2.7. Notification to Bidders: SNW will notify the successful bidder in writing. SNW will notify unsuccessful bidders separately.

2.8. Debrief for Unsuccessful Bidders: Any bidder who has submitted a bid and been notified that they were not selected for contract award may request a debriefing. The request for a debriefing conference must be received by the Bid Coordinator within three business days after the unsuccessful bidder notification is e-mailed to the bidder.

The scope of the debriefing conference discussion will be limited to the following:

• Evaluation and scoring of the bidder’s bid;

• Critique of the bid based on the evaluation; and

• Review of bidder’s final score in comparison with other final scores.

2.9. Revisions to the IFB: SNW may cancel or reissue all or part of this IFB at any time as allowed by law without obligations or liability.

2.10. Small and Diverse Business Participation: SNW strongly encourages the participation of minority and women-owned businesses, Veteran owned businesses and small businesses, as prime Contractors or Subcontractors.

2.11. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). SNW complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vendors may contact the Bid Coordinator listed above for additional assistance.

2.12. Most Favorable Terms. SNW may make an award without further discussion of the bid submitted. There will be no best and final offer procedure. SNW may contact a bidder for clarification of its bid.

2.13. Contract and General Terms & Conditions: The successful bidder will enter into a services contract with SNW including the terms of this IFB. Bidder should review Attachment B - Contractor Services Agreement Template prior to submitting a bid. Any exceptions to the term of the Contractor Services Agreement Template must be submitted with Attachment A.1 – Bidder’s Certification and Assurances Form. SNW will review and accept, reject, or propose modifications to the requested exceptions.

2.14. Cost to Propose: SNW will not be liable for any costs incurred by the bidder in preparation of a bid submitted in response to this IFB, in conduct of a presentation, or any other activities related to responding to this IFB.

2.15. No Obligation to Contract. This IFB and any reliance upon this IFB does not obligate SNW to make any award or to enter any contract.

2.16. Rejection Of Bids. SNW may reject all bids received without penalty. SNW may elect not to award a contract related to this IFB.

2.17. Commitment Of Funds. Bidder may not incur, and SNW will not be liable for any cost related to or chargeable to the proposed contract before contract signature by SNW.

2.18. Insurance Coverage. Prior to beginning performance, the successful bidder will provide SNW with certificates of insurance, signed by a duly authorized representative of each insurer, showing compliance with the insurance coverages required by the Contractor Services Agreement Template.

3. Contents and Submittal Instructions.

3.1. Review Representation. Bidders are required to read and understand all information contained within this entire bid package, including all attachments and exhibits. By responding to this IFB, bidder represents that they have read and understood the entire bid package.

3.2. Submission of Bids.

(i) The signature line on all submitted forms and documents must be signed by an individual with the legal capacity to bind the bidder to the offer.

(ii) Bidders should allow sufficient time to ensure timely receipt of the bid by the Bid Coordinator. Late bids will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.

(iii) All bids and any accompanying documentation become the property of SNW and will not be returned.

(iv) Bidder is responsible for any confirmation of bid packet receipt.

3.3. Electronic Submission. Bids may be submitted electronically as an attachment to an e-mail to the Bid Coordinator, at the e-mail address for the Bid Coordinator listed in Section 1.5.

The Bid Coordinator may request the submission of original documentation. Bidder will submit all e-mail attachments in either Microsoft Word format or as a PDF. Maximum attachment file size is 30MB. SNW cannot receive zip files.

3.4. Submission by Mail. For bids submitted using physical mail, each bid envelope should be prepared in the following manner:

Mailing address: Delivery to the Bid Coordinator at the address provided in Section 1.5. and including IVB #.

Bids must be received by the bid deadline (January 10) to be considered timely.

3.5. Bidder Checklist: Submit the following applicable documents to the Bid Coordinator by the Schedule of Procurement Activities due date.

BIDDER CHECKLIST

Attachment A.1 – Bidder’s Certification and Assurances Form

Attachment A.2 – Bid Specification Form

Attachment A.3 – Cost Proposal

Oregon State Farm Labor Contractors License

United States Department of Labor Farm Labor Contractors License

4. Evaluation and Award. SNW retains full discretion to select the successful bidder according to criteria that best meet the requirements of this IFB. SNW may reject the bid of any firm who has failed to perform satisfactorily on a previous contract with SNW or its project partners. All bids will be reviewed by the Bid Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative requirements and instructions specified in this IFB. The bidder is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of the IFB may result in rejection of the bid as non- responsive.

4.1. Responsible Bidder Criteria. Exhibit A.2 – Bid Specifications Form must be completed for bid evaluation. In determining whether the bidder is a responsible bidder, SNW may consider the following elements:

a. The ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the service required;

b. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the bidder;

c. Whether the bidder can perform the contract within the time specified;

d. The quality of performance of previous contracts or services;

e. The previous and existing compliance by the bidder with laws relating to the contract or services;

f. Whether, within the three-year period immediately preceding the date of the IFB, the bidder has been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the department of labor and industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction to have willfully violated.

g. Prior bidder performance.

h. Such other information may be secured having a bearing on the decision to award the contract.

i. Whether the bid satisfies the needs of the contract as specified in the IFB documents;

j. Whether the bid encourages diverse contractor participation;

k. Whether the bid provides competitive pricing, economies, and efficiencies;

l. Whether the bid considers human health and environmental impacts;

m. Whether the bid appropriately weighs cost and non-cost considerations; and

n. Life-cycle cost.

SNW’s determination that a bidder is not qualified may result in rejection of the submitted bid.

4.2. Bidder’s Certification Form (Pass/Fail)

All bidders must submit Attachment A.1 – Certifications and Assurances Form, with a signature by an individual with legal authority to bind the bidder contractually.

4.3. Evaluation Weighting and Scoring

CRITERIA MAXIUM

POINTS

RESPONSIVENESS

Minimum Qualifications (Section 2.4) PASS/FAIL Bidder’s Certification and Assurances Form (Attachment A.1) PASS/FAIL Wage Compliance Law (Attachment A.1) PASS/FAIL Responsiveness PASS/FAIL

SPECIFICATIONS

Attachment A.2 Bid Specifications Form – Required PASS/FAIL

QUALIFICATIONS

Attachment A.2 Bid Specifications Form – References 40

COST PROPOSAL

Attachment A.3 – Total Cost 60

TOTAL POSSIBLE 100

ATTACHMENT A.1 – BIDDER’S CERTIFICATION AND ASSURANCES FORM

BIDDER INFORMATION

Business Name:

Name of Authorized

Representative:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Cell Phone:

Office Phone:

E-mail:

TIN (Tax Identification Number):

Oregon Business Registry Number

Bidder makes the following certifications and assurances as a required element of the bid to which it is attached, understanding that the truthfulness of the facts affirmed here and the continuing compliance with these requirements are conditions precedent to the award or continuation of the related contracts:

1. UNDERSTANDING. Bidder certifies that bidder has read, thoroughly examined, and fully understands all the provisions in the IFB (including all attachments and exhibits) and the terms and conditions of the Contract and any amendments or clarifications to the IFB and agrees to abide by the same.

2. ACCURACY. Bidder declares that all answers and statements made in the bid are true and correct.

3. NO COLLUSION OR ANTI-COMPETITIVE PRACTICES. The prices and cost data have been determined independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement with others for the purpose of restricting competition. However, bidder may freely join with other persons or organizations for the purpose of presenting a single bid.

4. FIRM OFFER. The attached bid is a firm offer for a period of 90 calendar days following receipt by SNW, and it may be accepted by SNW without further negotiation (excepting only open terms requiring additional information) at any time within the 90-day period.

5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. In preparing this bid, bidder has not been assisted by any current or former employee of SNW or RCPP AFA Partners (listed below) whose duties relate (or did relate) to this bid or prospective contract, and who was assisting in other than his or her official, public capacity. (Any exceptions to these assurances must be described separately and attached to this document.)

RCPP AFA Partners: Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, Glide Revitalization, Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District

6. NO REIMBURSEMENT. Bidder understands that SNW will not issue reimbursement for any costs incurred in the preparation of this bid. All bids become the property of SNW, and the bidder may not claim any proprietary right to anything provided in response to this IFB.

7. DISCLOSURE. Unless otherwise required by law, the prices and cost data that have been submitted have not been knowingly disclosed by the bidder and will not knowingly be disclosed by the bidder prior to award, directly or indirectly to any other bidder or to any competitor.

8. PERFORMANCE. The submission of a bid proposal in response to this IFB constitutes an offer including IFB terms and conditions. Bidder will describe any exceptions to IFB terms and conditions and include those exceptions as an attachment to a bid proposal.

9. RESTRICTING COMPETITION. No attempt has been made or will be made by the bidder to persuade any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a bid for the purpose of restricting competition.

10. REFERENCES. Bidder grants SNW the right to contact references and others, who may have pertinent information regarding the bidder’s prior experience and ability to perform the goods delivered or services rendered contemplated in this procurement.

11. LICENSED IN OREGON STATE. Bidder will obtain any license required by the State of Oregon (if applicable) prior to providing delivered goods or rendered services to SNW.

12. DEBARMENT. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ NO DEBARMENT. Bidder or its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from contracting with any federal, state, or local governmental entity.

OR

☐ DEBARRED. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), bidder or its principals presently are debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from contracting with a federal, state, or local governmental entity.

13. CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ NO CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Bidder and its officers, directors, and managers have not, within the three year period preceding the date of this IFB, been convicted or had a civil judgment rendered against bidder or such officers, directors, and managers for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a governmental contract; violation of any federal or state antitrust statute; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property. Bidder further certifies that bidder and its officers, directors, and managers are not presently indicted or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in this paragraph.

OR

☐ CRIMINAL OFFENSE. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), within the three year period preceding the date of this IFB bidder or its officers, directors, or managers have been convicted or had a civil judgment rendered against bidder or such officers, directors, or managers for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a governmental contract; violation of any federal or state antitrust statute; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.

14. TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT OR CAUSE. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ NO TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT OR CAUSE. Bidder has not, within the three-year period preceding the date of this IFB, had any federal, state, or local governmental contracts terminated for cause or default.

OR

☐ TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT OR CAUSE. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), within the three-year period preceding the date of this IFB, bidder has had federal, state, or local governmental contracts terminated for cause or default.

15. TAXES. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ TAXES PAID. Except as validly contested, bidder is not delinquent and has paid or has arranged for payment of all taxes due to the State of Oregon and has filed all required returns and reports as applicable.

OR

☐ DELINQUENT TAXES. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), bidder has not paid or arranged for payment of all taxes due to the State of Oregon or has not timely filed all required returns and reports as applicable.

16. FINANCIALLY SOLVENT. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ FINANCIALLY SOLVENT. Bidder is financially stable and solvent, has adequate cash reserves to meet all financial obligations, has not commenced bankruptcy proceedings voluntarily or otherwise, and is not subject to any judgments, liens, or encumbrances of any kind affecting title to any goods or services that are the subject of this IFB.

OR

☐ NOT FINANCIALLY SOLVENT. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), Bidder is not financially stable and solvent – i.e., bidder does not have adequate cash reserves to meet all financial obligations, has commenced bankruptcy proceedings voluntarily or otherwise, or is subject to a judgment, lien, or encumbrance that affects title to the goods or services that are the subject of this IFB.

17. LAWFUL REGISTRATION. Bidder, if conducting business other than as a sole proprietorship certifies as follows (must check one):

NOTE: This certification applies only to bidders that are organized as separate legal entities (e.g., a corporation, partnership, Limited Liability Company). If bidder is a sole proprietor, this certification should not be answered.

☐ CURRENT LAWFUL REGISTRATION. Bidder is in good standing in the State of Oregon and the jurisdiction where bidder is organized, including having timely filed all required annual reports.

OR

☐ DELINQUENT REGISTRATION. As detailed on the attached explanation (bidder to provide), bidder currently is not in good standing in the State of Oregon or the jurisdiction where bidder is organized.

18. REGISTRATION WITH OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE. Bidder, is conducting business other than as a sole proprietorship, certifies as follows (must check one):

NOTE: This certification applies only to bidders that are organized as separate legal entities (e.g., a corporation, partnership, Limited Liability Company). If bidder is a sole proprietor, this certification should not be answered.

☐ BIDDER IS REGISTERED WITH OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE. Bidder is registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and is in good standing.

OR

☐ BIDDER IS NOT REGISTERED WITH OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE.

Bidder is not registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and bidder declines to register with the Oregon Secretary of State.

19. OREGON STATE CERTIFIED DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ Bidder is a disadvantaged business enterprise as defined in ORS 200.055. OR

☐ Bidder is not a disadvantaged business enterprise as defined in ORS 200.055

20. OREGON STATE CERTIFIED BUSINESS THAT SERVICE -DISABLED VETERAN OWNS. Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ Bidder is a certified business that a service-disabled veteran owns under ORS

200.055. OR

☐ Bidder is not a certified business that a service-disabled veteran owns under

ORS 200.055.

21. OREGON STATE CERTIFIED MINORITY- OWNED BUSINESS.

Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ Bidder is a certified minority-owned business under ORS 200.055. OR

☐ Bidder is not a certified minority-owned business under ORS 200.055.

22. OREGON STATE CERTIFIED WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS.

Bidder certifies as follows (must check one):

☐ Bidder is a certified woman-owned business under ORS 200.055. OR

☐ Bidder is not a certified woman-owned business under ORS 200.055.

I certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Oregon, that I am authorized to make these certifications and assurances on behalf of the identified entity.

PRINT FULL LEGAL ENTITY NAME OF FIRM SUBMITTING BID

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON DATE SIGNED

PRINTED NAME OF PERSON MAKING CERTIFICATION FOR FIRM

TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING CERTIFICATE

PRINT COUNTY AND STATE WHERE SIGNED

RETURN FORM TO: BID COORDINATOR WITH YOUR BID

ATTACHMENT A.2 – BID SPECIFICATION FORM

SPECIFICATIONS - REQUIRED (PASS / FAIL)

Bidders are REQUIRED to verify compliance with the following specifications.

CHECK FOR

VERIFICATION

REQUIRED SPECIFICATION(S)

Photocopy of bidder’s current Oregon State Farm/Forest Labor Contractors License meeting the following requirements:

a) License type – Form/Forest Labor Contractor

b) Surety Bond Amount – at least $10,000 for the coverage of greater than 10 workers

c) A vehicle insurance authorization for the transport of workers.

Photocopy of bidder’s current United States Department of Labor Farm Labor Contractors License.

QUALIFICATIONS - REFERENCES (SCORED)

Demonstrating reliability, professionalism, capability.

Bidder must provide at least one bidder reference for verification by SNW that bidder can perform the work described by Attachment B - Contractor Services Agreement Template Exhibit A- Scope of Work with a high level of quality and professionalism. The SNW reference check process may focus on work quality and capacity to provide sufficient labor.

Bidder may reference either a previous SNW silviculture contract within the last two years to which bidder was a party and performed similar work or a landowner (including contact information) for whom bidder has completed similar work within the last two years. Bidder consents to SNW contacting bidder references.

Bid evaluators will refer to past SNW silviculture contract performance reviews and information obtained through reference checks with other landowners in the bid scoring process. Failure to submit references may result in the bid rejection.

Contact information and description of services provided for up to three landowners for whom bidder has recently completed similar work.

Contact Name of Reference #1: Contact's E-mail:

Contact's Phone Number: Name of bidder’s employee known to this reference contact:

Time Frame of Services Provided: Budget for Services Performed by Bidder:

Type of Services Performed:

(This space reserved for SNW’s use)

Contact Name of Reference #2: Contact's E-mail:

Contact's Phone Number: Name of bidder’s employee known to this reference contact:

Time Frame of Services Provided: Budget for Services Performed by Bidder:

Contact Name of Reference #3: Contact's E-mail:

Contact's Phone Number: Name of bidder’s employee known to this reference contact:

Time Frame of Services Provided: Budget for Services Performed by Bidder:

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON DATE SIGNED

RETURN FORM TO: BID COORDINATOR WITH YOUR BID AS INDICATED WITHIN.

ATTACHMENT A.3 – COST PROPOSAL

INSTRUCTIONS: Bids should include all costs related to the performance of the identified services including itemized services on a cost-per-acre basis and a total bid price. Bidders should indicate where the total bid price (for all services combined) is less than the total of itemized services.

Bidder must sign this Cost Proposal. Incomplete or unsigned bids may be rejected.

SNW payment obligations will be determined by performance specifications appearing in IFB Attachment B - Contractor Services Agreement Template.

Bidder offers to perform the following services under the terms of this IFB at the following rates.

Item Number

Item Name Acres Bid Price Per

Acre Item Total

1 Ex) Thinning 10x10 spacing Unit 1

29 $250.00 $7,250

Total Acres: xxx Total Bid Price: $xxx

PRINT FULL LEGAL ENTITY NAME OF FIRM SUBMITTING BID

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED PERSON DATE SIGNED

Exhibits to Contractor Agreement Template: Thinning and Fuels Reduction

Exhibit A: Statement of Work (Specifications for Activity) Exhibit B: Not-to-Exceed Amount Exhibit C: Compliance Inspection and Payments Exhibit D: Project Area (Maps and Unit Information)

1. Unit Descriptions

2. Unit Maps

3. Vicinity Maps

Exhibit E: Landowner Lien Information

Exhibit A: Statement of Work (Specifications for Activity)

Contractor shall perform precommercial thinning work as described below.

A-01 Definitions and Abbreviations A. ‘Buffer Zone’ means an area designated to be left along roads or other features in which there will be no cutting.

B. ‘Conifer’ means a tree that is a Douglas-fir, true fir, pine, western hemlock, spruce, or cedar.

C. ‘Contractor Selection of Leave Trees’ means crop and leave trees are unmarked and will be selected by the Contractor.

D. ‘Crop Tree or Leave Tree’ means large, living, undamaged trees with good form and free of disease.

E. ‘DBH’ means Diameter at Breast Height, a point on the tree stem four and one-half feet above ground level.

F. ‘Hardwood’ means any tree or tall shrub with broad leaves. Examples include Pacific madrone, Oregon white oak, California black oak, Oregon ash, Pacific dogwood, service berry, big leaf maple, alder, willow, and cottonwood.

G. ‘Mechanical Treatment’ means the use of power saws, axes, or other approved tools to remove trees.

H. ‘Mistletoe Thinning’ means the removal of designated conifer trees bearing visible mistletoe plants on branches as well as visible plants or infections on the stem.

I. ‘Slash’ means all debris created on the Work area by the precommercial thinning operation.

J. ‘Surplus Trees’ means all trees designated for cutting.

K. ‘Thinning’ means the cutting down of trees according to the specifications of this contract.

L. ‘Unit’ is the individual geographical area on which Work will be done. Each Unit is specifically identified by number on the Unit Description and corresponding Unit Map.

M. Tree Species Abbreviations

The following tree species abbreviations will be used: DF = Douglas-fir; MA = Big-leaf Maple; PP = Ponderosa Pine; RA = Red Alder; WO = Willow; IC = Incense Cedar; SP = Sugar Pine; PM = Pacific Madrone; QUGA = Oregon white oak; QUKE = California Black Oak

A-02 Precedence between Sections

This Exhibit A covers the general activity standards that apply over the whole contract. If a change is required on a site by site basis, those differences will be outlined on the Unit Description Form. The site specific details found on the Unit Description Form should take precedence over these general guidelines when they exist. If special requirements noted in the Unit Description Form conflict with requirements in this Exhibit A, the special requirements will prevail.

A-03 Work Schedule:

A. Starting Date for Work

Contractor shall begin Work by February 2025 unless alternative plans are approved by SNW and Jackson SWCD.

B. Completion Date. The Completion Date for the Work is June 15, 2026, unless alternative plans are approved by SNW and Jackson SWCD.

A-04 Boundaries The boundaries depicted on Unit Maps (will be provided at time of contract award) delineate the thinning area. Contractor is responsible for completing all Work to boundaries. The treatment boundaries will consist of easily identifiable features (including but not limited to roads, streams, fences, or abrupt changes in forest type or age). Note that mapped spatial data is inaccurate, so boundary features will be identified at each property tour and flagging will be used for areas where identifiable features are absent. Contractor is responsible for understanding the location of all boundaries. Failure to complete Work to boundaries in any Unit renders Work in that Unit incomplete and no payment will be made to Contractor for any Work on that Unit. No payment will be provided for Unit(s) with Work that extends beyond Unit boundaries. Work extending beyond Unit boundaries will be considered breach of contract.

A-05 Workers, Supervision, and Equipment The Contractor shall provide all of the following at its own expense:

A. A minimum crew size of 10 workers, and a maximum crew size of 14 workers, unless otherwise approved by the JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist;

B. Adequate crew supervision, including at least one qualified non-thinning, English-speaking foreperson per crew, unless otherwise allowed by the JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist.

The foreperson must have one season (at least three (3) months) of precommercial thinning experience. Documentation of a foreperson’s experience shall be provided to SNW upon request;

C. All equipment and supplies for mechanical treatment, as well as any specific tool requirements that are detailed in the Exhibit D1- Unit Description.

D. Equipment Limitations: All Heavy Equipment must be approved by the Forest Resource Conservationist prior to use.

1. Operation conditions will be set by the Forest Resource Conservationist

2. Immediately remove any debris or soil deposited in ditches, culverts, or roadways.

3. Avoid any activities that will result in excessive deterioration of ditches, culverts, or roadways.

E. A licensed Commercial Operator or Applicator in the Work area when herbicide is being applied.

F. All approved herbicides for the Work and carrier as specified in the Unit Description(s).

G. Other specific requirements for equipment and materials:

1. Minimum batch mixing capacity of up to 50 gallons at a time.

Batching will occur in no more than two containers, both of which must meet all product label specifications for all herbicides specified in the contract.

All batching containers (drums, barrels, etc.) must be constructed of a non-porous and nonreactive material, be of sturdy construction, be free of defects, leaks, or cracks, and otherwise be in good working condition. All batching containers shall also have graduation marks in 5 gallon increments to help measure the contents. Under no circumstances will batch mixing occur within applicator backpacks.

Approval to change any of these requirements shall only occur with prior written approval from the Contract Manager or Forest Resource Conservationist.

2. Capacity to provide full agitation to ensure adequate and thorough mixing of all chemicals, water, and adjuvants.

H. All safety equipment; and

I. All costs of operation and maintenance not specifically furnished by SNW.

A-06 SNW shall furnish:

A. JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist, Forest Conservation Technician, or Riparian Resource

Conservationist will acquaint the Contractor with each Unit to be worked and to conduct periodic field inspections/in-field review of work completed.

B. JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist or Forest Conservation Technician will provide an introduction to each landowner and serve as landowner-contractor/crew liaison.

C. Boundary marking and access to the unit as reasonably necessary to complete the contract.

A-07 Permitting

A. Contractor will acquire all required permitting associated with treatment activities and will remain in compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations.

B. All forest activities shall comply with the Oregon forest Practices Act. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to contact ODF a minimum of 15 days prior to activity commencement.

C. JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist shall furnish Contractor with unit maps and full prescriptions for ODF Notification of Operations.

A-08 Thinning Methods Selection of leave trees will be made by the Contractor according to the following specifications, as well as those found in the Unit Description table (Exhibit D1) and in each property prescription.

A. Live Trees:

1. Overall, most units burned at very high severity and have very high tree mortality across all species; as such, the majority of units and stands within units have very few living trees remaining. Retaining healthy, living trees throughout the units is of critical concern, specifically those within areas of high (>75%) mortality, and those individuals with mature tree-form, of greater age, with well-developed branch and crown structure, bark differentiation, and size. Retain trees with >30% crown ratios, regardless of species. Remove living conifers that are clearly in decline due to insect our drought stress, specifically Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine that show evidence of insect invasion. Where there remains competition between living trees (i.e., living trees are within dripline, being overtopped, or pierced), follow the leave tree preference specified in each property prescription.

2. In areas where post-fire mortality is less than 50%, two contrasting thinning procedures are recognized. These are Simple Spacing Thinning and Diameter Limit Thinning. For each approach, where there is competition between live trees of similar characteristics, follow the leave tree preference specified in each property prescription.

• Simple Spacing Thinning: When thinning on a spacing basis, Contractor will select and leave uncut the largest live trees (hardwood or conifer) of good form and vigor that will maintain the average spacing designated in the Unit Description Table. Overall, an average spacing of approximately 16-20 feet between individual leave trees will be targeted, where enough living trees remain. To maintain average spacing, Contractor may not need to cut as many trees immediately adjacent to gaps. However, clumps or patches should not be left unthinned to make up gaps in the stand. If the [JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist or Forest Conservation Technician (local partner)] determines that narrower spacing is appropriate for portions of a Unit, 6' x 6' spacing will be used.

Spacing is the average distance between trees that will result in the correct number of trees left per acre. The number of trees left per acre will be measured by SNW to determine compliance with the Per Acre Zone of Acceptance as described in Clause C- 02.

• Diameter Limit Thinning: When thinning on a diameter limit basis, Contractor shall cut trees smaller than the diameter limit, specified in the Unit Description, and will leave uncut the largest live trees (conifer and hardwood) of good form and vigor that will maintain the spacing designated in the Unit Description. Contractor will only cut trees larger than the diameter limit when individual trees are clearly diseased, damaged, or deformed. As a general rule, small trees growing into the canopy of the larger trees will be cut. Spacing will be determined by the average number of trees left uncut per acre, including trees both above and below the diameter limit. Contractor shall not damage the stand by cutting trees that will create undesirable gaps in the stand. The number of trees left per acre will be measured by SNW to determine compliance with the Per Acre Zone of Acceptance, except when desirable trees exceeding the diameter limit comprise a majority of the total tree count. In that case, the Per Acre Zone of Acceptance will be increased by the number of trees above the diameter limit exceeding a simple majority.

A-09 Order of Selection of Leave Trees

The order of selection of leave or crop trees will be as follows:

A. Standing Dead:

1. In areas where standing dead is greater than 10” DBH, leave ~5 standing dead snags per acre, of different species, for wildlife habitat. Snags should be large diameter, if such species are present; look for cavities, large horizontal limbs, conifers with broken tops, or other features of deformity or decay to increase habitat value.

2. In areas where standing dead is less than 10” DBH, leave ~5-10 standing dead trees per acre, favoring hardwood species (oak, madrone). Smaller snags should also be of diverse form, with cavities, horizontal limbs, or other features of deformity to increase habitat value.

Leaving such snags will also increase aesthetic value to the property owner, while not contributing to future fire behavior.

B. Live Trees:

1. Where post-fire tree mortality is greater than 75%, retain all living trees.

2. Where post-fire tree mortality is less than 50%:

• Leave dominant and necessary codominant trees.

• Maintain specified average spacing of 16-20 feet between individual leave trees or leave clumps.

• Maintain an average of 110-170 trees per acre.

• Leave specimens over 10” DBH.

3. Retaining healthy, living trees with good form, vigor, and positioning is of critical concern.

Retain trees with more than 30% crown ratios, regardless of species, in order to promote multiple age cohorts and seed source for future natural regeneration. Living oaks will be identified as leave trees prior to treatment to make retention clear during winter. Where there remains competition between living trees (ie. living trees are within dripline, being overtopped, or pierced) select dominant tree as leave tree and remove encroaching trees within 1.5x the dripline of the leave tree.

4. Select leave tree by species in the following order unless otherwise specified in the Unit

Description:

• Ponderosa pine

• Oregon white oak

• California black oak

• Pacific madrone

• Incense cedar

• Douglas fir

5. Madrone Resprout: Leave 2-3 dominant stems per individual, with the rest cut to stump and sprayed with herbicide, when permitted by the landowner (see A-16, A-17, A-18). Where madrone regeneration is widespread and connected, treatment may remove entire individuals to disrupt fuel connectivity. The standing dead (fire-killed) stems should be treated according to standing dead recommendations (see A-09, A-10)

6. Oak Regeneration and Resprout Where regeneration is dense and many-stemmed, select 2-3 dominant stems to retain and cut the rest to base (do not treat with herbicide). In oak woodland where mature trees remain, a well-executed drip-line thinning for overstory trees using an understory brush reduction treatment will ensure adequate growing space for trees and reduce ladder fuels.

An average 20-foot spacing between the crowns of individual trees or clumps of trees. Any desirable, large open-growing hardwoods greater than 10” DBH should be left and thinned underneath.

A-10 Trees to Be Cut Except for leave trees specified above and in the Unit Description Table, the Contractor shall cut the following:

A. Standing Dead:

1. All species under 10” DBH should be removed across all units except in areas where there is only standing dead less than 10” DBH. In areas where there is only standing dead less than 10” DBH, leave ~5-10 standing dead snags per acre.

2. Aggressive removal of dead stems <8” DBH should occur in areas where oak and madrone regeneration is dense.

3. Leave standing dead greater than 10” DBH to retain ~5 large snags per acre, of different species, for wildlife habitat. Snags should be large diameter, if such specimens are present, look for cavities, large horizontal limbs, conifers with broken tops, or other features of deformity or decay to increase habitat value.

4. Remove Trees >10” in diameter where:

• Tree is dead from fire, or other stress, and is in a stand with high density or similar sized trees.

• Tree is dying of other causes and material can be chipped (not left to harbor pine beetles).

• Falling the tree is safe and will not result in additional snag creation.

B. Live Trees

1. Cut trees between dominant leave trees that are within drip lines and a spacing of 16 x 16 to 20 x 20. Select cut trees have crown ratios less than 30% regardless of species.

2. Remove living conifers that are in decline due to insect stress, specifically Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine that show evidence of insect invasion.

3. Madrone Resprout:

Madrones cut stems to leave 2-3 dominant stems per individual, with the rest cut to stump and sprayed with herbicide where the landowner is amenable (cut face spray). Where madrone regeneration is widespread and connected, treatment may remove entire individuals to disrupt fuel connectivity.

4. Oak Regeneration and Resprout:

Remove saplings and pole-sized trees (alive or dead) under the dripline of hardwood trees greater than 12” DBH. Remove the majority of stems less than 6” DBH so that any retained trees are not a fire hazard to the dominant overstory trees. Any desirable, large open-growing hardwoods greater than 16” DBH should be left and thinned underneath.

A-11 Cut Trees Trees will be cut below the lowest live limb and cut completely free of the stump. Cut trees must not be left "hung up" or leaning against crop trees. Cut must be made as close to the root collar as possible. Cut tree Stumps greater than 8” DBH shall not exceed a twelve (12) inch height. Cut tree Stumps less than 8” DBH shall be cut as close to the ground as possible. In no case shall stumps exceed eighteen (18) inch height.

A-12 Skips and Gaps The treatment area contains natural skips-and-gaps in the woody vegetation which can be beneficial for wildlife habitat. Where not conflicting with treatment or target objectives, skips and gaps of treatment in the overstory canopy can be performed in some areas. Designated skips, or retention areas, 1/10th to 1/4th acre in size, may be left untreated to protect important ecological features such as: biological hotspots (rock outcrops, rare or uncommon species, snags, seeps, etc.), regeneration thickets, shaded areas that create cool microclimates, coarse wood and decadence, steep slopes, and visual breaks to reduce sight lines. Designated skips will be separated by at least 30ft and not cover more than 10% of the treatment area. Trees can be clumped where risk of sun scald is high.

A. All skips and gaps must be approved by JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist or Forest

Conservation Technician.

A-13 Slash Piling To reduce the potential damage from wildfire and insects, slash generated from this thinning will require treatment. Leave some fine slash material (needles and branches < 1 inch) on the forest floor for nutrient cycling, as long as it does not create a fire hazard. Slash will be additionally treated to prevent spread of fire within 100 feet of public roads and railroads and 200 feet of areas with frequent concentrated public use.

A. Hand Piling for Burning

Slash piles will be in open areas. Piles will not exceed 10’ x 6’ x 6’, when piles are among trees.

Cover slash piles with kraft paper, plastic, etc. to allow material to dry and for burning under wet conditions. Piles of slash material may be left for wildlife. Place appropriately for targeted wildlife. To minimize fire damage, place piles far enough away from remaining trees.

Hand piles should be kept small and in open areas, not under select leave trees where damage may potentially occur during burning. The end result is a largely open, well-spaced uneven-aged overstory with little ladder fuels and surface fuels. All slash piles should be constructed by laying limbs, stems, and cut trees parallel to each other. Slash piles should be kept void of large air spaces as much as possible and should consist of at least 20% by volume of small-diameter, less than 1-inch limbs to provide good and complete combustion during burning. Piles should average 6’ x 6' x 5', appx 250-300 lbs of material. May be covered with black polyethylene plastic to promote curing. Successful hand pile burning is directly related to good hand-pile construction and piling. During the construction phase when materials are kept properly sized, and carefully placed, and the inner portions are kept dry enough to burn in wet weather, the piles should be easily ignitable and able to burn to completion.

It is recommended that cut stems from oak and madrone culturing be included in burn piles to increase the amount of fine fuels in the piles, which are otherwise lacking in the post-fire environment. This will increase the efficiency of burning.

Tree boles too large to efficiently burn in piles will be limbed, bucked into 6-8’ sections, and arranged with complete soil contact along the length of the bole, and not left against the trunk of a remaining leave tree.

B. Landowner-Specific Requests Landowner may request larger material be left out of burn piles and staged for other use. This may include larger diameter hardwoods for firewood, conifer boles in good condition, or other materials. These requests will be discussed during contractor orientation to the property and included in final prescription direction to crews.

A-14 Down Dead Woody Debris Across all units, fire-killed trees have fallen and are a significant surface fuel load and hazard. This material should also be cut and managed according to the same size guidelines as above:

A. Less than 8” diameter: cut and hand piled, some 6-8” may be left for firewood B. Greater than 8” diameter: limbed and left with bole in full contact with the soil, not up against any living leave tree.

A-15 Slash Burning All burning activities will be conducted during appropriate weather conditions.

A. When complete, piles will be burned to 80-90% combustion. Uncombusted material will be scattered and not left as a “birds nest” ring around the burned portion of the pile.

B. All forest activities shall comply with the Oregon forest Practices Act. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to contact ODF a minimum of 15 days prior to activity commencement. JSWCD shall provide Contractor with pile burn treatment prescriptions to include in submission for Notification of Operations.

A-16 Herbicide Application Requirements Contractor shall be responsible for all of the following:

A. Using only herbicides identified in the prescription (see Exhibit D2), or otherwise permitted by

JSWCD Forest Resource Conservationist.

B. Mixing and applying herbicide on site as per the Unit Description(s).

C. Upon request, providing a sample of the herbicide solution being applied as treatment.

D. Keeping written English language records of each day's application work, including the specific location of areas treated with herbicide and the method of placement. The records to be kept shall be as per SNW's "Chemical Application Record". Contractor shall provide SNW with such records prior to payment for Work completed, or at any time earlier if requested by SNW.

“Chemical Application Record” shall include: Property Name, Unit Number, Date Sprayed, Wind Direction/Speed, Weather, Air Temperature, Equipment Used, Product Name, Rate, Acres Treated, Total Quantity Used, and Amount of Water Used per Acre.

E. Keeping herbicide from contacting the leaves of retained stems of Pacific madrone, and of conifer trees, and other leave-trees.

F. Marking treatment strips, spots, stems, or clumps with blue dye, flagging and/or semi-permanent marker as specified in Pre-Work Conference.

G. Properly disposing of all herbicide solutions, residues and empty containers in accordance with applicable laws.

H. Refraining from applying herbicide to SNW designated buffer area. Contractors are reminded that each Unit specifies a buffer for all Riparian Management Areas (RMAs), and that no herbicide treatment shall occur within an RMA.

A-17 Contractor Safety Responsibilities Contractor is responsible for initiating, maintaining, and supervising the additional safety precautions below, and ensuring that workspaces and materials meet the following requirements in connection with the performance of the work.

A. Contractor shall maintain an accurate record of exposure data on all incidents relating to the Work resulting in death, traumatic injury, occupational disease, or damage to property, materials, supplies, or equipment. Contractor shall immediately report any such incident to SNW. SNW shall, at all times, have a right of access to all records of exposure.

B. Contractor shall ensure that the use of herbicides authorized by this Contract, specified in the prescription document for Brush Management, in the performance of the Work shall be done in conformance with product labeling.