L15PS00070_Solicitation__Issued.pdf

SALEM SILVICULTURE TREATMENTS, IDIQ SOLICITATION NO. L15PS00070

BLM SALEM DISTRICT Page 3 of 71

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

This is for a Multiple Year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Firm Fixed Price Commercial Items Services

Contract for Silviculture Treatments within the Salem District, Oregon. The IDIQ contract contains a one-year Base plus four (4) additional one-year options.

The maximum value of this contract is $ 1,500,000.00, including options.

The minimum guarantee is $10,000.00 that will satisfy the minimum guaranteed quantity to be ordered on this contract, including options. The minimum guarantee may be satisfied by one task order or the cumulative value of multiple task orders and/or modifications.

BASE YEAR: May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016

Item no.

Statement of Work

Reference Item Description

Unit of

Measure Unit Price

0001 C.5.1 Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC $

0002 C.5.2 Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing AC $

0003 C.5.3

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut

Limits AC $

0004 C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing AC $

0005 C.5.5 Manual Maintenance Regular Regular AC $

0006 C.5.6 Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands AC $

0007 C.5.7 Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation AC $

0008 C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation AC $

0009 C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality AC $

0010 C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control AC $

0011 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

10 Feet AC $

0012 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

25 Feet AC $

0013 C.5.13 Tube Maintenance AC $

0014 C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush AC $

0015 C.1.4

Walk-in Mobilization Costs Greater Than 1.0 mile, per 1,000 feet EA $

TOTAL – Base Year

OPTION YEAR 1: May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017

Item no.

Statement of Work

Reference Item Description

Unit of

Measure Unit Price

0016 C.5.1 Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC $

0017 C.5.2 Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing AC $

0018 C.5.3

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut

Limits AC $

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0019 C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing AC $

0020 C.5.5 Manual Maintenance Regular Regular AC $

0021 C.5.6 Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands AC $

0022 C.5.7 Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation AC $

0023 C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation AC $

0024 C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality AC $

0025 C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control AC $

0026 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

10 Feet AC $

0027 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

25 Feet AC $

0028 C.5.13 Tube Maintenance AC $

0029 C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush AC $

0030 C.1.4

Walk-in Mobilization Costs Greater Than 1.0

TOTAL – Option Year 1 $

OPTION YEAR 2: May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018

Statement of Work

Reference Item Description

Unit of

Measure Unit Price

0031 C.5.1 Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC $

0032 C.5.2 Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing AC $

0033 C.5.3

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut

Limits AC $

0034 C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing AC $

0035 C.5.5 Manual Maintenance Regular Regular AC $

0036 C.5.6 Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands AC $

0037 C.5.7 Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation AC $

0038 C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation AC $

0039 C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality AC $

0040 C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control AC $

0041 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

10 Feet AC $

0042 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

25 Feet AC $

0043 C.5.13 Tube Maintenance AC $

0044 C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush AC $

0045 C.1.4

Walk-in Mobilization Costs Greater Than 1.0

TOTAL – Option Year 2 $

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OPTION YEAR 3: May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019

Statement of Work

Reference Item Description

Unit of

Measure Unit Price

0046 C.5.1 Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC $

0047 C.5.2 Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing AC $

0048 C.5.3

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut

Limits AC $

0049 C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing AC $

0050 C.5.5 Manual Maintenance Regular Regular AC $

0051 C.5.6 Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands AC $

0052 C.5.7 Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation AC $

0053 C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation AC $

0054 C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality AC $

0055 C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control AC $

0056 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

10 Feet AC $

0057 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

25 Feet AC $

0058 C.5.13 Tube Maintenance AC $

0059 C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush AC $

0060 C.1.4

Walk-in Mobilization Costs Greater Than 1.0

TOTAL – Option Year 3 $

OPTION YEAR 4: May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020

Statement of Work

Reference Item Description

Unit of

Measure Unit Price

0061 C.5.1 Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC $

0062 C.5.2 Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing AC $

0063 C.5.3

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut

Limits AC $

0064 C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing AC $

0065 C.5.5 Manual Maintenance Regular Regular AC $

0066 C.5.6 Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands AC $

0067 C.5.7 Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation AC $

0068 C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation AC $

0069 C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality AC $

0070 C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control AC $

0071 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

10 Feet AC $

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0072 C.5.11

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash

25 Feet AC $

0073 C.5.13 Tube Maintenance AC $

0074 C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush AC $

0075 C.1.4

Walk-in Mobilization Costs Greater Than 1.0

TOTAL – Option Year 4 $

GRAND TOTAL – Base Plus 4 Option Years $

AC = Acre

EA = Each

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: See Section F.

(End of Section B)

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SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1.0 GENERAL

C.1.1 Scope of Work - Perform pre-commercial thinning, manual maintenance (cutting brush, vegetation, and hardwoods), site preparation, tree pruning for wood quality or disease control or along roadsides for hazard reduction, slash pullback and tube maintenance in project areas in compliance with the terms and specifications contained herein.

C.1.2 Location of Work - All project areas are located within Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed lands in the Cascades, Marys Peak, and Tillamook Resource Areas of the Salem District within Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook Washington, and Yamhill Counties. The Salem

DistrictMap, Attachment 2, shows the general locations of the project areas. Specific unit location maps will be issued with task orders.

C.1.3 Boundaries of Project Areas - Project area boundaries are indicated on Project Area Maps. Where boundaries are not obvious, they have been marked with flagging. In many cases adjacent timber stands, recent timber sale boundaries and roads, or other natural or man-made features clearly define the boundaries as shown on Project

Area Maps.

C.1.4 Access - Access to most project areas is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Exceptions are shown on individual

Project Area Maps. Some roads may require four-wheel-drive vehicles.

When foot travel is greater than one (1) mile to the project area boundary, each additional 1,000 feet over one (1) mile will be compensated based on the Contractor’s Walk-in Mobilization Cost in Schedule B.

The project areas may be behind locked gates which may require BLM and/or private keys. Access will be discussed at the pre-work conference. If gates are locked with BLM locks, keys may be issued to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). If gates are privately owned and have no BLM lock, the

Contractor shall be responsible for securing access, including acquiring keys to unlock the gates, to the project areas. If the Contractor is unable to obtain access, the COR shall be notified immediately. All gates with locks shall be locked immediately after entry or exit by the Contractor.

Gate keys checked out from the BLM shall be returned to the COR within five (5) calendar days of completing work on the project area(s). Final payment will be withheld until all gate keys have been returned. A charge of

$50.00 for every route key and $500.00 for every master key will be assessed and deducted from the final payment amount for each BLM key not returned.

C.1.5 Seasonal Restrictions – Work in some project units may be limited to spring and summer months. Seasonal restrictions are typically from March 1 to July 15 and will be identified on the project area maps issued with task orders. No work shall be done outside the specified season of operation.

C.1.6 Security of Materials - The Contractor may, at its own discretion, leave its equipment and/or Government-furnished material at the work site. The Contractor shall be responsible for its equipment and/or the Government-furnished material in the event the items are lost, stolen, or damaged. The Contractor shall reimburse the

Government for all lost, wasted, or damaged Government-furnished material.

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C.1.7 ESTIMATED YEARLY QUANTITIES

Description Unit

Estimated

Quantity

Thin trees to 14’ x 14’ Spacing AC 400

Thin trees to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing

AC

Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut Limits

AC

Manual Maintenance with Spacing

AC

Manual Maintenance Regular Regular

AC

Manual Maintenance: Pine Stands

AC

Manual Maintenance: All Vegetation

AC

Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation

AC

Pruning for Wood Quality

AC

Pruning for Disease Control

AC

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash 10 Feet

Vegetation, and Pullback Slash 10 Feet

AC

Prune Specified Roadside Trees and

Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash 25 Feet

AC

Tube Maintenance

AC

Hand Piling of Slash and Brush

AC

C.2.0 DEFINITIONS

Bamboo stake - Round bamboo stake 48 inches or 36 inches in length used to support tubes.

Branch collar - Basal enlargement of the branch at its point of attachment to the tree bole (see Illustration No. 5).

Branch stub - The portion of a pruned branch extending beyond the branch collar (see

Illustration No. 5).

Brush - Woody stems of shrub species normally under twenty (20) feet in height at maturity. Examples include blackberry, California hazel, cascara, ceanothus, devil’s club, elderberry, huckleberry, Manzanita, oceanspray, rhododendron, salal, salmonberry, Scotch broom, thimbleberry, and vine maple. Brush does not include ferns or grass.

Buffer - An untreated area measuring a specified distance from the edge of any flowing stream, standing water, or seasonal wetland.

Competitive brush, trees, or vegetation – Trees, brush, or vegetation required to be cut.

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Conifer tree - An evergreen cone-bearing tree with needle-type foliage such as Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, Sitka spruce, true firs, western hemlock, western redcedar, western white pine.

Cut leave tree - A tree noted during inspection as a tree that should not have been cut.

Cut slope - The excavated portion of the road prism that is adjacent to and uphill from the roadbed.

Damaged tree - A leave tree or reserve tree that has been injured as a result of the Contractor’s activities.

Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: completely severed tree boles, broken tops or stems, trees buried by slash created by the Contractor’s operations, trees with torn or scraped bark, partial or complete cutting of the branch collar, or having more than the specified amount of the live crown (branch-bearing portion of the tree) removed.

DBH - Diameter of the tree at breast height, measured at a point 4½ feet above ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Epicormic growth - Small branches that originate from dormant buds along the tree bole (see Illustration No. 5).

Fall, felled, or cut - Sawing or chopping completely through stems so that stumps are no more than six (6) inches tall, with no live limbs remaining on the stumps of cut trees.

Fill slope - The fill portion of the road prism adjacent to and downhill from the roadbed.

Girdling - Making two (2) parallel unbroken cuts around the tree. The distance between the top and the bottom of the cut shall not exceed eight (8) inches. Cuts must penetrate at least 1/4 inch, but not more than one (1) inch into the wood of the tree. Trees shall be girdled below the lowest uncut live limb on the tree.

Hardwood tree - A deciduous tree which sometimes has a single well-defined trunk and normally attains a height of greater than twenty (20) feet at maturity. Includes, but is not limited to, species such as red alder, bigleaf maple, cherry, madrone, white oak, and red alder. Sprouting hardwood species may be in the form of multi-stemmed clumps. Does not include cascara.

Laminated root rot - A root disease caused by the fungus Phellinus weirii that is widespread in the Pacific

Northwest and readily kills Douglas-fir and true fir species.

Leave stem - The largest, most vigorous stem of a multi-stemmed hardwood clump.

Leave trees - Conifer trees and hardwood trees that are not to be cut, girdled, or damaged.

Lodged - Cut vegetation, brush or surplus trees that are supported by or are covering a leave tree or reserve tree that causes it to bend or lean.

Noble Polypore (Bridgeoporus nobilissimus) - A fungus found in high elevations (1,500 to 4000 feet) noble fir sites, that may require protection under the contract. Contractor will be notified in writing when task orders are issued.

Non-native Plants - Plant species that are not native to the Pacific Northwest. Includes, but is not limited to, species such as Himalaya blackberry, evergreen blackberry, Scotch broom, holly, and reed canary grass.

Pruning - Removing the branches , live and dead, and epicormic growth from the bole of a tree from ground level up to a specified height above ground level, or removing a percentage of the tree crown. Also includes removal of needles along the pruned portion of the tree (when pruning for disease control).

Reserve trees - Trees designated by species or marking that in addition to leave trees, shall not be cut, girdled, or damaged. This also includes trees marked with paint, trees posted with signs, and other trees identified as

BLM SALEM DISTRICT Page 10 of 71 reserve trees identified by the COR..

Roadbed - Includes the running surface, shoulder, and ditch line of the road.

Road prism - Includes the roadbed and the cut and fill slopes.

Running surface - That portion of the road for movement of vehicles which may be asphalt, natural, or gravel surfaced. Running surface includes turnouts and curve widening.

Shoulder - A variable distance between the outside edge of the running surface and start of the fill slope or ditch line.

Sight distance - The area cleared and/or pruned on the inside of a road curve to maintain clear visibility for vehicles through the corner.

Slash – Any material which has been cut by the Contractor and any other slash as specified herein.

Surplus trees - Live conifer or hardwood trees which are not leave trees or reserve trees, and are competing for growing space with selected leave trees.

Swiss needle cast - A needle disease of Douglas-fir trees, caused by the fungus Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii common in the coastal forests of Oregon and Washington, that commonly causes foliage (needles) to yellow and drop off prematurely.

Terminal leader - The uppermost portion of the bole of the tree , from the uppermost whorl to the top of the tree.

Tree Bole - The main central stem (trunk) of the tree.

Tree measuring - Measuring of the pruning height of project trees from the ground level on the uphill side of the trees parallel to and within four (4) inches of the tree bole.

Tube - Tubular plastic mesh that is 30 inches or 24 inches in length and three (3) and four (4) inches in diameter used to protect seedlings from animal damage.

Uncut surplus trees - Trees that have not been cut to provide the required spacing for leave trees, and/or stumps with live limbs.

Unit - Refers to an individual plantation or individual project area.

Vegetation - All brush, ferns, grasses, and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants. Does not include trees.

Whorl – A group of branches arranged horizontally around the tree bole.

C.3.0 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS

C.3.1 Property and Services - The Contractor shall furnish all labor and materials necessary to perform pre-commercial thinning, manual maintenance, pruning, hand piling, and site preparation services, including but not limited to chainsaws or other cutting tools, pruners, loppers, pole saws and ladders Flagging shall be provided for marking the pruning line (see section C.5.10.2). The Contractor shall furnish plastic sheeting for covering hand piles.

C.3.2 Operating Permits - Oregon state law requires a permit, Notification of Operation, to operate power-driven machinery. This requirement applies to chainsaws and weed eaters. The Contractor shall obtain and complete the permits prior to the start work date. Permits are available at the Oregon Department of Forestry Office in Salem, Oregon, or at local Oregon Department of Forestry Offices.

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C.3.3 Crew Requirements

C.3.1 Workers shall be kept together at all times as a crew under control of a supervisor rather that as individuals in separate areas. Prior notice shall given to the COR if there is to be a significant change in crew personnel.

C.3.2 Oregon state safety regulations require that crew members shall not work alone and accessibility to emergency transportation shall be provided by the Contractor at all times.

C.3.3 Supervisor Requirements - The contractor shall designate one supervisor who is experienced, English literate, non-laboring and is knowledgeable in the following areas: pre-commercial thinning, manual maintenance, pruning, site preparation, and tubing maintenance. Persons who are designated by the Contractor as Supervisor shall perform in that capacity by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew's work; (2) advising them as to deficient work; and (3) providing instructions for correcting such deficiencies. One Supervisor shall supervise no more than 12 crew members at any one time. Should the supervisor fail to adequately perform these duties, the Government has the right to request replacement of that crew supervisor. Any changes in supervisory designations shall be submitted in writing to the COR at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect.

C.3.4 Work Camps - The Contractor shall obtain written authorization from the Cascades, Marys Peak, or Tillamook

Resource Area Managers prior to camping on BLM-administered lands. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed. All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site(s) by the Contractor and disposed of at a site approved by the COR before final payment is made. See Migrant Seasonal Agriculture Workers Protection Act

Registration, section I, Contract Clauses, for further information regarding requirements work camps.

C.3.5 Project Area Clean-up – All boxes, bags or any other refuse, debris, or garbage left by the Contractor shall be cleaned up as each unit is completed and shall be properly disposed of by the Contractor before final payment is made.

C.4.0 GOVERNMENT-SUPPLIED MATERIALS

C.4.1 The following materials will be supplied to the Contractor: netted tubes not to exceed 30 inches in length, and bamboo stakes not to exceed 48 inches in length. Samples of tubing materials are available at BLM offices in

Salem and Tillamook, Oregon. Materials will be distributed either at the project site, Tillamook Resourcea Area

Office, or Salem District Office.

C.4.2 The amount of materials delivered by the Government will be determined by the Contractor's daily production rate.

C.4.3 Upon receipt of any of these materials, the Contractor shall be responsible for their protection from damage, loss, or destruction.

C.4.4 Upon daily completion or termination of work, all unused Government-supplied materials shall be returned to the location where they were delivered. Materials shall then be rebundled, boxed, or stacked neatly.

C.4.5 Improper Disposal Of Government-Supplied Material

Improper disposal includes, but is not limited to, the wrongful dumping, hiding or burying of Government-surnished material (GSM). The Government may, by issuance of a written order, suspend the Contractor's right to proceed for improper disposal of GSM. The Contractor may be required to remove from the contract site any individuals involved in the improper disposal of GSM.

The Contractor will be charged for the actual costs of the improperly disposed GSM. The costs will be based on the current market value and any associated costs. Conviction of the Contractor for commission of a criminal offense referred to herein will be deemed sufficient cause for default and the initiation of debarment or suspension proceedings to prevent the Contractor from receiving future Government contracts.

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C.5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

C.5.1 Tree Thinning to 14’ x 14’ Spacing

C.5.1.1 Selection of leave trees - Select approximately 222 vigorous, well formed leave trees per acre averaging 14’ x 14’ spacing. Spacing may vary by 25 percent (10 ½ to 17 ½-foot-spacing) in order to select the best leave tree, as long as the units average tree count falls within 10% of 222 trees per acre. No trees larger than 8” DBH shall be cut.

Tree species selection priority is listed on task orders for Marys Peak and Tillamook Resource Areas, and is listed below for Cascades Resource Area.

C.5.1.2 Cascades Resource Area

If the conifer trees are of equal size, health and form, leave trees shall be selected in the following species priority:

a. Western Red Cedar

b. Noble fir

c. Western white pine or sugar pine

d. Douglas-fir

e. All other conifers

f. Select red alder as a leave trees when there are no conifers available.

g. When big leaf maple or big leaf maple clumps are the only leave trees available, select the largest, healthiest maple sprout as a leave tree. Cut all other sprouts.

C.5.1.3 Timber Stands Infected with Phellinus Weirii (will be identified by COR in task orders).

Leave trees shall be selected in the following species priority:

a. Red Alder

b. Western Red Cedar

c. Western white pine or sugar pine

d. Bigleaf maple. When big leaf maple clumps are the only leave trees available, select the largest, healthiest maple sprout as a leave tree and cut all other sprouts.

e. Hemlock

f. All other conifers

C.5.1.4 Tillamook and Marys Peak Resource Areas

Some units that will be thinned to 14 x 14 spacing may have areas of minor species that will be treated differently as specified below:

Where Sitka spruce is the dominant species, select as many as 1,210 trees per acre, approximately 6-feet average spacing. Where red alder and/or bigleaf maple are present, select one (1) 15-foot-radius clump of unthinned red alder for every two (2) acres where they occur, and select one (1) bigleaf maple tree (1 - 3 stems) for every two (2) acres where they occur and cut all conifer and red alder trees within a 30-foot radius of this bigleaf maple tree.

C.5.2 Tree Thinning to 16’ x 16’ Variable Spacing

C.5.2.1 Selection of Leave Trees - Select approximately170 vigorous, well formed leave trees per acre averaging 16’ x

16’spacing. Spacing may vary 50% (8’ to 24’) in order to select the best leave tree, as long as the units average tree count falls within 10% of 170 trees per acre. No trees larger than 10” DBH shall be cut. Tree species selection priority is listed on project area maps on Marys Peak and Tillamook Resource Areas, and is listed below for

Cascades Resource Area.

C.5.2.2 Cascades Resource Area - If the conifer trees are of equal size, health and form, leave trees shall be selected in the following species priority:

a. Western Red Cedar

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b. Noble fir

c. Western white pine or sugar pine

d. Douglas-fir

e. All other conifers

f. Select red alder as a leave trees when there are no conifers available.

g. When big leaf maple or big leaf maple clumps are the only leave trees available, select the largest, healthiest maple sprout as a leave tree and cut all other sprouts.

C.5.2.3 Timber Stands Infected with Phellinus Weirii (will be identified by COR in task orders)

Leave trees shall be selected in the following species priority:

a. Red Alder

b. Western Red Cedar

c. Western white pine or sugar pine

d. Bigleaf maple. When big leaf maple clumps are the only leave trees available, select the largest, healthiest maple sprout as a leave tree. Cut all other sprouts.

e. Hemlock

f. All other conifers

C.5.2.4 Tillamook Resource Area

Units that will be thinned to 16 x 16 spacing shall have selected individual trees treated differently as specified below:

Select two (2) conifer leave trees per acre, and clear all conifer and red alder trees within a 30 to 40 foot radius around them. These two trees shall be the most open-grown trees available (relatively large diameter with crowns extending to near ground-level), and within fifty (50) feet of streams where possible. Unit average tree count of

170 trees per acre applies to the area outside the 30-40 foot cleared radius.

C.5.2.5 Tillamook and Marys Peak Resource Area

Some units to be thinned to 16 x 16 spacing may have areas of minor species that will be treated differently as specified below:

Where western hemlock is the dominant species, select an average of 220 conifer leave trees per acre, approximately 14-foot average spacing. Spacing may be varied by as much as 25 percent (10 ½ to 17 ½-foot-spacing) in any direction to find a suitable conifer tree, as long as the units average tree count falls within 10% of

220 trees per acre.

Where Sitka spruce is the dominant species, select as many as 1,210 trees per acre, approximately six (6)-foot average spacing. Average tree count must fall within 10% of 1,210 trees per acre.

Where red alder and/or bigleaf maple are present, select one (1) 15-foot-radius clump of unthinned red alder for every two (2) acres where they occur, and select one (1) bigleaf maple tree (1 - 3 stems) for every two (2) acres where they occur and cut all conifer and red alder trees within a 30-foot radius of this bigleaf maple tree.

C.5.3 Variable Spaced Thinning with Diameter Cut Limits

C.5.3.1 Selection of Leave Trees - All conifer trees over the diameter specified on project area maps are reserved, regardless of spacing. Diameters specified will range from six (6) to ten (10) inches DBH. If no trees above the specified diameter limit exist at a distance greater than 40 feet, the largest conifer or hardwood tree below the diameter cut limit will be left regardless of spacing. A diameter tape is required for each worker to implement the diameter cut limits specified on the project area maps. Tree species selection priority is listed on project area maps.

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C.5.3.2 Tillamook and Mary’s Peak Resource Areas - In addition, select one fifteen (15)-foot-radius clump of unthinned red alder for every two (2) acres where they occur, and select one (1) bigleaf maple tree (1 – 3 stems) for every two (2) acres where they occur and cut all conifer and red alder trees less than the diameter cut limit within a 30-foot radius of this bigleaf maple tree.

C.5.4 Manual Maintenance with Spacing

C.5.4.1 Selection of Leave Trees

Select an average of 222 leave trees per acre , approximately 14-foot average spacing. Spacing may vary by 25 percent (10 ½ to 17 ½-foot-spacing) in order to select the best leave tree, as long as the units average tree count falls within 10% of 222 trees per acre.

Select the largest, healthiest, best-formed trees as leave trees. No trees larger than 8” DBH shall be cut. Tree species selection priority is listed on project area maps.

When big leaf maple clumps are the only leave trees available, select the largest, healthiest maple sprout as a leave tree and cut all other sprouts.

C.5.4.2 Treatment of brush

Cut all brush within a four (4) foot radius of all leave trees that range between six (6) inches and seven (7) feet in height.

Cut all brush within a four (4) foot radius that is greater than or equal to ½ the total height of selected leave trees.

This includes portions of plants that overhang an imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees.

C.5.5 Manual Maintenance

C.5.5.1 Selection of Leave Trees - Select all conifer and specified hardwood trees as leave trees. Specified Hardwoods are identified either on the project maps or the task order.

C.5.5.2 Treatment of Brush and Hardwood Trees

Cut all brush within a four (4) foot radius of all leave trees that range between six (6) inches and seven (7) feet in height. This includes portions of plants that overhang an imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees.

Cut all hardwood trees within 15 feet (horizontal distance) of leave trees over two (2) feet tall. Hardwood trees that are outside the 15 foot radius of conifer trees but have limbs that overhang the imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees shall be cut, girdled, or limbed so that the limb is no longer impinging on the leave tree.

Girdle hardwood trees ten (10) inches DBH or larger, except fell them within falling distance of roads. Cut hardwood trees in a manner to minimize damage to leave trees. In some units (specified on maps or the task order) the COR may require the contractor to cut all bigleaf maple stumps down to a six (6) inch stump height.

C.5.6 Manual Maintenance Pine Areas

C.5.6.1 Selection of Leave Trees - Select all white pine and sugar pine trees. All pine trees are reserved from cutting.

C.5.6.2 Treatment of Brush and Hardwood Trees

Cut all brush and competitive conifer trees within a six (6) foot radius of all leave trees that range between six (6)

BLM SALEM DISTRICT Page 15 of 71 inches and seven (7) feet in height. This includes portions of plants that overhang an imaginary cylinder within the six (6) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees.

Cut all hardwood trees within 15 feet (horizontal distance) of leave trees over two (2) feet tall. Hardwood trees that are outside the fifteen (15) foot radius of conifer trees but have limbs that overhang the imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees shall be cut, girdled, or limbed so that the limb is no longer impinging on the leave tree.

Girdle hardwood trees ten (10) inches DBH or larger, except fell them within falling distance of roads. Cut hardwood trees in a manner to minimize damage to leave trees. In some units the COR may require the contractor to cut all bigleaf maple stumps down to a six (6) inch stump height.

C.5.7 Manual Maintenance All Vegetation

C.5.7.1 Selection of Leave Trees - Select all conifer and specified hardwood trees as leave trees. Specified Hardwoods are identified either on the project maps or the task order.

C.5.7.2 Treatment of All Vegetation

Cut all vegetation within a four (4) foot radius of all leave trees between six (6) inches and seven (7) feet in height.

This includes portions of plants that overhang an imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees.

Cut all hardwood trees within 15 feet (horizontal distance) of leave trees over two (2) feet tall. Hardwood trees that are outside the 15 foot radius of conifer trees but have limbs that overhang the imaginary cylinder within the four (4) foot radius around the above-specified leave trees shall be cut, girdled, or limbed so that the limb is no longer impinging on the leave tree.

Girdle hardwood trees ten (10) inches DBH or larger, except fell them within falling distance of roads. Cut hardwood trees in a manner to minimize damage to leave trees. In some units (specified on maps or the task order) the COR may require the contractor to cut all bigleaf maple stumps down to a six (6) inch stump height.

C.5.8 Slashing and Bucking for Site Preparation

C.5.8.1 Treatment of brush and slash - Cut all brush and buck slash into four (4) foot lengths. Completely sever all brush from the stumps. The resulting depth of slash shall not exceed one (1) foot. To achieve a slash depth of one (1) foot or less, scattering or bucking the slash into lengths shorter than four (4) feet may be required.

C.5.9 Pruning for Wood Quality

C.5.9.1 Selection of Trees for Pruning - Select 120 dominant Douglas-fir trees per acre (or as specified on Task Order) for pruning, which corresponds to an average spacing between trees of 19 feet. In general, trees selected for pruning shall be the tallest, largest-diameter, straightest, fullest-crowned trees in the stand. Selected trees should also be free of damage or decay, physical deformity, and mechanical abrasion. Trees with crooked or bent stems within the first 20 feet or trees that are visibly rotted, scarred, or damaged shall not be selected for pruning. All pruning shall be done with hand tools; chainsaws shall not be used for pruning.

C.5.9.2 Measurement of trees for pruning - Measure the pruning height of conifer and hardwood trees from the ground level on the uphill side of the trees parallel to and within four (4) inches of the tree bole.

C.5.9.3 Treatment of Trees

Prune branches on the tree bole to a height of 20 feet, or less if necessary to maintain a 40% live crown (see

Illustration No 4).

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Completely sever all branches, including epicormic growth, at the branch collar without damaging the branch collar or tree bole. Branch stubs shall be no more than 1/4 inch long. Leave all pruned branches lay where they fall (see Illustration No. 3).

C.5.10 Pruning for Disease Control

C.5.10.1 Selection of Trees for Pruning - All western white pine and sugar pine shall be pruned. All pruning shall be done with hand tools, except for chainsaws which areprobited.

C.5.10.2 Treatment of Trees

On trees less than 18 inches in total height, prune only branches below the top two whorls. No cutting allowed in terminal leader and top two whorls of any tree (see Illustration No.1). For trees over 18 inches in height, the lower 1/2 of the tree bole shall be pruned up to 8 feet in height (see Illustration No. 1).

For all pruned trees, branches, including epicormic growth, shall be completely severed at the branch collar, without damaging the branch collar or the tree bole. Branch stubs shall be no more than 1/4 inch long (see

Illustration No. 2).

Remove needles along the pruned portion of the tree bole, without damaging the branch collar or the tree bole.

Remove all dead vegetation and pruned branches from around the pruned trees within an eight (8) inch radius of the base of the tree.

The last worker in line shall flag the pruning line with flagging so it can be easily seen from a distance.

C.5.11 Roadside Tree, Vegetation, Non-Native Plant Cutting, Tree Pruning, and Slash Pullback

C.5.11.1 Selection of trees, vegetation, and non-native plants for cutting - Select all conifer trees less than six (6) inches

DBH, and all hardwood trees less than eight (8) inches DBH, and all vegetation including non-native plants within the road prism. In addition, select for cutting all vegetation necessary to ensure sight distance on the inside of all road curves.

C.5.11.2 Treatment of trees, vegetation, and non-native plants within the road prism - All trees, vegetation, and non-native plants within the road prism shall be completely severed from the stump(s). Stump height hall not exceed one (1) inch measured on the uphill side. All cuts shall be parallel with the ground. All trees, vegetation, and non-native plants along designated roads shall be removed the horizontal distance specified below, back from the roadbed on the fill slope and the cut slope or to the top of cut slopes where appropriate within project areas as specified on the

Project Area Maps.

a. Prune Specified Roadside Trees and Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash 10 Feet: 10 feet

b. Prune Specified Roadside Trees and Cut Specified Vegetation, and Pullback Slash 25 Feet: 25 feet from edge of road.

The resulting depth of slash shall not exceed three (3) feet. To achieve a slash depth of three (3) feet or less, scattering or bucking the slash may be required.

C.5.11.3 Treatment of vegetation outside the road prism - All vegetation outside the road prism that impedes sight distance on road curves shall be completely severed from the stump(s). Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches measured on the uphill side. All vegetation that has been removed 10 feet, or 25 feet (horizontal distance) from the roadbed, fill slope, and cut slope, or to the top of cut slopes shall be arranged so that it does not impede sight distance on the inside of all road curves. Any vegetation that continues to impede sight distance shall be removed as far as necessary to insure sight distance. The resulting depth of slash shall not exceed three (3) feet. To achieve a slash depth of three (3) feet or less, scattering or bucking the slash may be required.

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C.5.12 Tree Pruning

C.5.12.1 Selection of trees for pruning - Select all conifer and hardwood trees within 25 feet (horizontal distance) of the roadbed. In addition, select conifer and hardwood trees outside 25 feet (horizontal distance) of the roadbed where limbs project into the road prism or impede sight distance on the inside of all road curves.

C.5.12.2 Measurement of trees for pruning - Measure the pruning height of conifer and hardwood trees from the ground level on the uphill side of the trees parallel to and within four (4) inches of the tree bole.

C.5.12.3 Treatment of trees

For trees less than 20 feet in height, only prune branches from the lower 1/3 of the tree bole or up to the point where the diameter of the tree is four (4) inches, whichever is less. Branches outside this height range that face the road shall be pruned as necessary to insure sight distance (see Illustration No. 2).

For trees between 20 and 30 feet in height, only prune branches on the tree bole to a height of eight (8) feet. In addition, prune branches that face the road to a height of 14 feet (see Illustration No. 3).

For trees greater than thirty (30) feet in height, prune branches on the tree bole to a height of 20 feet, or less if necessary, to maintain a 40% live crown (see Illustration No 4).

Completely sever all branches, including epicormic growth at the branch collar without damaging the branch collar or the tree bole. Branch stubs shall be no more than 1/4 inch long (see Illustration No. 5).

All pruned branches shall be removed ten (10) feet or 25 feet (horizontal distance) back from the roadbed on the fill slope, cut slope, or to the top of cut slopes where appropriate within project areas as designated on project area maps All pruned branches will be arranged so that they do not impede sight distance on the inside of all road curves. Any pruned branches that continue to impede sight distance shall be removed as far as necessary to insure sight distance. The resulting depth of slash shall not exceed three (3) feet. To achieve a slash depth of three (3) feet or less, scattering or bucking the slash may be required.

C.5.13 Tubing Maintenance

C.5.13.1 Perform tubing maintenance on planted western redcedar and Douglas-fir seedlings. The original tubes and stakes may have been pulled off by big game or damaged by mechanical brush cutting. Existing tube and stake installations may require varying degrees of maintenance to bring the tube and stake installations into compliance with the specifications of the contract. Maintenance treatments may include pulling terminal leaders up to a straight position within the tube (without damaging the terminal leaders of the trees), reinstalling or replacing the original 30 inch tubes and four (4) foot long bamboo stakes on western red cedar trees, reinstalling or replacing the original 24 inch tubes and three (3) foot long bamboo stakes on Douglas-fir, or removing tubes if they are preventing vertical tree growth.

C.5.13.2 One 30 inch tube shall be installed on each planted western redcedar seedling, and one 24 inch tube shall be installed on each planted Douglas-fir seedling.

C.5.13.3 Each 30 inch tube shall be supported by one (1), four (4) foot long bamboo stake. The bamboo stake shall enter the tube through the top diamond-shaped mesh opening and shall be woven in and out of the tube a minimum of six (6) times on all 30 inch tubes. In addition two (2) twist ties shall be installed on each 30 inch tube.

C.5.13.4 Each 24 inch tube shall be supported by one (1), three (3) foot long bamboo stake. The bamboo stake shall enter the tube through the top diamond-shaped mesh opening and shall be woven in and out of the tube a minimum of five (5) times on all 24 inch tubes.

C.5.13.5 The small end of the bamboo stake shall be driven into the ground to a depth that leaves no more than four (4) inches protruding above the top of 30 inch tubes, and no more than two (2) inches protruding above the top of 24

BLM SALEM DISTRICT Page 18 of 71 inch tubes. The bamboo stake is driven into the ground to a depth of at least 14 inches on 30 inch tubes and to a depth of at least 12 inches on 24 inch tubes. Where rocky ground prevents driving the stake the full depth on the first attempt, the stake shall be moved to a different location until the tube is securely held in a vertical position over the seedling. Stakes which are broken during installation shall be discarded and replaced with a new stake

(see Illustration No. 6).

C.5.13.6 The bottom of the tube shall be in contact with the ground and centered around the seedling. The maximum allowed lean of the tube from vertical is one (1) inch measured from the top of the tube.

C.5.13.7 When reinstalling tubes, care shall be taken to prevent damage to the seedling as the tube is placed over it. A seedling with skinned bark, a broken terminal leader, a curled leader inside the tube, or a leader protruding through the side of the tube will be regarded as unsatisfactorily tubed during inspection. Tubes and seedlings shall be arranged so that each seedling leader is free to grow vertically (terminal leaders and lower limbs are in a straight or vertical position within the tube).

C.5.13.8 When a seedling is no longer free to grow within the tube, the tube shall be removed from the seedling.

C.5.14 Hand Piling of Slash and Brush

C.5.14.1 Slashing and Lopping - Cut all brush greater than two (2) feet in height and buck into six (6) foot lengths. Completely sever all brush from the stumps. Stumps heights shall not exceed six (6) inches. Cut all slash greater than one (1) inch in diameter and less than six (6) inches in diameter into six (6) foot or smaller lengths.

Slash greater than six (6) feet in length shall be bucked at the six (6) inch diameter.

C.5.14.2 Building of Hand Piles - All lopped brush and slash within the project area less than 6 inches in diameter and greater than 1 foot in length shall be piled.

All piles shall be constructed by aligning limbs, stems, cut boles, and other slash parallel with each other. Slash that would create large air spaces in piles shall be limbed or bucked to result in a compact pile. On slopes over

30%, slash shall be aligned perpendicularly to the slope.

Size of piles shall be a minimum of four (4) feet in height and six (6) feet in diameter. Maximum pile size shall be eight (8) feet in diameter and seven (7) feet in height.

Piles shall not be constructed within ten (10) feet of reserve trees or 25 feet of a unit boundary, unless approved by the COR. Slash shall not be piled or placed on logs greater than six (6) inches in diameter, on large stumps, in roadways or drainage ditches, or within channel bottoms or streams. Piles shall not be in contact with each other, and should be located so as to avoid damage to reserve trees and brush when burned.

C.5.14.3 Covering of Hand Piles All piles shall be covered with a minimum of six (6)-foot by six (6)-foot piece of .004-mil black polyethylene plastic, resulting in at least 80% coverage of the pile's surface area. All four (4) corners and the middle of the plastic sheets shall be anchored with slash or other debris.

C. 5.15 Special Treatment Requirements – All Items

C.5.15.1 All surplus trees and brush shall be completely severed from the stumps. Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches measured on the uphill side. No live limbs shall remain on the stumps of cut surplus trees.

C.5.15.2 Reserve trees shall not be cut or damaged.

C.5.15.3 All slash leaning against leave trees or reserve trees which causes them to lean or be adversely affected (lodged trees), shall be cut and removed from the leave trees or reserve trees.

C.5.15.4 A ten (10)-foot-wide (horizontal distance) uncut buffer strip of trees, brush, and vegetation shall be left along each side of intermittent non-fish-bearing streams, surface water, and areas with exposed eroded soil. A 20 foot-wide

BLM SALEM DISTRICT Page 19 of 71 uncut buffer strip of trees, brush, and vegetation shall be left along each side of intermittent fish-bearing and perennial streams, as identified on Project Area Maps.

C.5.15.5 All trees marking or forming the boundary of the project area(s) shall be protected from injury. In addition, all bearing trees and stumps, brass caps, corner posts, or other corner monuments within or adjacent to the project area(s) shall be protected from injury or damage. The visibility of brass caps, corner posts, or other corner monuments, posted bearing trees and stumps, or other signs indicating the location of corners shall be maintained, which may require extra cutting, lopping, and/or clearing of slash.

C.5.15.6 Provide adequate warning signs on roads to alert traffic whenever felling or cutting operation may pose a hazard to traffic.

C.5.15.7 Do not refuel equipment within 150 feet of water bodies.

C.5.15.8 In general, select the largest, healthiest, best-formed conifer trees as leave trees. However, in cases where

Douglas-fir trees have yellowish or sparse foliage, alternative conifer species as small as two (2)-feet in height shall be selected in place of larger Douglas-fir trees. If there are no alternative conifer species available to select as leave trees, a smaller Douglas-fir tree with deep green foliage color and fuller foliage shall be selected over a larger, yellowish Douglas-fir with sparse foliage. In addition, red alder or big leaf maple shall be selected as leave trees in place of Douglas-fir trees with extremely yellowish or sparse foliage.

C.5.15.9 Where standing dead and dying Douglas-fir trees occur, select alternative conifer species as leave trees when available. In cases where there are no available alternative conifer species near the dead or dying Douglas-fir tree(s), hardwood trees shall be selected as leave trees.

C.5.16.0 Remove slash concurrently with unit treatment as follows:

C.5.16.1 Remove slash at least ten (10) feet slope distance back from the edge of all-weather roads and to the top of cut banks within the project areas. Scatter concentrations of removed slash over three (3) feet high so that the depth of slash overall is less than three (3) feet deep. Keep all ditches, roads, culverts, motorcycle and hiking trails within the project areas free of slash.

C.5.16.2 Remove slash at least 20 feet slope distance from the edge of roads and to the top of the cut banks where specifically designated on the Project Area Maps (usually at landings and pull-outs). Scatter concentrations of removed slash over three (3) feet high so that the depth of slash overall is less than three (3) feet deep.

C.5.16.3 Slash shall be pulled completely into the project area when fallen across property lines between BLM and adjacent land owners, where specifically designated on the Project Area Maps.

C.6.0 UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

This contract involves the employment of unskilled labor working under arduous field conditions. Such employment may be attractive to persons coming from foreign countries, sometimes illegally. Bidders are reminded that it is a crime to bring into the United States, transport within the United States, and to harbor aliens who do not have a proper visa for entry and working in this country (8 U.S.C. ' 1323-1325). If violations are suspected by the COR during the performance of work on this these projects, they will be reported to the U.S.

Immigration and Naturalization Service for investigation and appropriate action. Conviction of the Contractor for commission of a criminal offense referred to herein will be deemed sufficient cause for default and the initiation of debarment or suspension proceedings to prevent the Contractor from receiving future Government contracts.

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ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustration No. 1 - Pruning Trees – Less than eighteen (20) inches in height

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Illustration No. 2 - Pruning Trees – Less than twenty (20) feet in height

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Illustration No. 3 - Pruning Trees – Twenty (20) to thirty (30) feet in height

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Illustration No. 4 - Pruning Trees – Greater than thirty (30) feet in height

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Illustration No. 5 - Pruning Specifications

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Illustration No. 6 - Tube Maintenance

Left Tube- 30 inch tube with a 48 inch bamboo stake woven in and out a minimum of 6 times.

Right Tube- 24 inch tube with a 36 inch bamboo stake woven in and out a minimum of 5 times.

(End of Section C)

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SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN/INSPECTION

E.1.1 The COR will perform inspection surveys as a basis for acceptance, payment, and recommendations for adjustments in work quality while work is in progress.

E.1.2 Administrative surveys: The COR will conduct walk throughs and perform periodic measurements to monitor the quality of work.