Sol_L15PS00258.pdf

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CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

LDS

SALMON ID 83467

1206 SOUTH CHALLIS STREET

BLM ID-SALMON FIELD OFC(IDI04)

0004276384 CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORLDS

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

04/07/2015 1200 MT

03/24/2015

208-756-5438Sharon L Nagel (No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

L15PS00258

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 22 0040185151OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

COTTONWOOD ID 83522-9498

1 BUTTE DRIVE

BLM-ID COTTONWOOD FIELD OFFICE

15. DELIVER TO

SALMON ID 83467

1206 SOUTH CHALLIS STREET

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$7.5

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ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

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12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

BLM ID-SALMON FIELD OFC(IDI04)

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

NOTICE: Vendors need to check to see if a more recent version of the solicitation is available.

Always click on the most recent posting to submit responses.

Quotes may be faxed to 208-756-5447, Attn:

Sharon. Or you may e-mail the quote to slnagel@blm.gov. It is the quoter's responsibility to ensure the fax or e-mail has been received.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

Sharon L Nagel

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

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30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT:

REF.

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Contractor must be registered and active in the

System for Award Management (SAM) database at time of award.

Any resultant order from this solicitation will require Contractor signature.

Awarded Contractor will be required to submit invoices electronically through the Internet

Processing Platform (IPP) system.

Period of Performance: 04/15/2015 to 06/30/2015

00010 Seedling Transportation

Delivery: 06/30/2015

00020 Sheep Fire Spring Tree Planting

Delivery: 06/30/2015

00030 Sheep Fire Herbicide Application

Delivery: 06/30/2015

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

22 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 22

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

L15PS00258

00040 Elk City Spring Tree Planting

Delivery: 06/30/2015

00050 Big Cougar Fire Spring Tree Planting

Delivery: 06/30/2015

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Firm, fixed-price quotes are requested under Request for Quotation (RFQ) Solicitation number L15PS00258. This document incorporates provisions and clauses which are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-80.

This solicitation is set-aside for small business under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 115310. The Small Business Annual Receipts for the firm and its Affiliates, for the preceding three (3) fiscal years does not exceed $7.5 million.

TREE PLANTING – COTTONWOOD SPRING TREE PLANTING

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, materials (except for Government furnished property and services), supervision, transportation and incidentals necessary to accomplish REFORESTATION in accordance with the attached specifications, terms and conditions.

BID SCHEDULE:

Line Item No.

Description

Seed lot/Grower

WFS= Western Forest Systems

US= Coeur d’Alene Nursery

Quantity (seedlings) Unit Price Total Amount

Seedling Transportation

From Lewiston, ID to Slate Creek Ranger Station for item 020 seedlings

N/A 54,405 seedlings

97 miles

020 Sheep Fire Spring Planting

WFS- WL ‘R09229- 34,215

WFS- BLM DF ‘56100- 15,342

WFS- BLM PP ’5102- 4,848

US- WL ‘R09229- 4,675

US- BLM PP ‘5102- 1,305

60,385 $ $

030 Velpar application on Sheep Fire Planting

WFS- BLM DF ‘56100- 15,342

WFS- BLM PP ‘5102- 4,848

US- BLM PP ‘5102- 1,305

21,495 $ $

040 Elk City Spring Planting

US- WL R09229- 11,710

US- BLM DF ’2744- 10,740

US- BLM PP ‘5102- 11,830

34,280 $ $

050 Craig Mountain Spring Planting

US- WL R09229- 960

US- BLM PP ‘5102- 960 1,920 $ $

TOTAL $__________________

This solicitation is "All or None"

Estimated Period of Performance: April 15, 2015 – June 30, 2015

F.O.B. Point: Destination

Usage Tax: Quotes must include all Federal, State usage, and local taxes.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1.0 GENERAL

Line Item 010

LLIDC02000-LF3200000-JN0000-LFBRG7VJ0000

1. Location: Seedlings grown for the Sheep Fire Spring Planting (line item 020) are being stored in cold storage in Lewiston, ID at the Western Forest Systems seedling cooler. Transportation of these seedlings from Lewiston, ID to the Forest Service tree cooler at the Slate Creek Ranger Station outside of White Bird, ID (approximately 97 miles one way) is a requirement of this contract.

2. Background: Seedlings were grown by private contractor for the reforestation effort. Transportation of seedlings must be completed no more than 3 days prior to actual start date of planting and no later than the day the planting is to commence. See contract item 3. A. Distribution and Care of Trees under 2.0 Description/Specs for more details. Transportation shall occur by means of refrigerated or cooled truck or trailer.

Line Item 020

LLIDC02000-LF3200000-JN0000-LFBRG7VJ0000

3. Location: The Sheep Fire Reforestation Project planting area is located in the John Day Creek watershed, approximately 15 miles north of Riggins, Idaho within section(s) 22, 28-33, of Township 26 North, Range 2 East (see attached map). Slopes within the project area range from 20% to 70% on predominantly north and northeast aspects.

4. Background: The project area units were involved within a high severity wildfire during September of 2012, and most timbered stands suffered total mortality. The proposed fall planting units are within the Sheep Fire Timber Salvage sale. The timber sale was logged in the fall of 2013 and early winter 2014.

Planting units include harvest units not logged in portion or entirety as well as harvest units logged by tractor and cable systems.

5. Site conditions: Harvest units were whole tree yarded. Slash accumulations (limbs, tops, cull logs) are high to moderate and distributed evenly throughout the unit(s). Any larger logs, tops, and stumps should provide ideal micro-site locations for planting. Scalping will be required in many locations due to the regrowth of annual and perennial vegetation in the area. Hand packing of mid-sized woody debris ( 4 to 12 inches in diameter by up to 3 feet in length) may be required to provide shade to the planted seedling should no shade be present in the micro-site.

6. Micro-site planting: This planting will require using the micro-site planting method with a 40 percent spacing tolerance (approximate spacing 14’ X 14’), allowed to take advantage of the best planting site available. For example, seedlings are to be placed in areas where there is some shade from residual logs or stumps, and in locations with minimal competing vegetation.

7. Unit Description: (See attached map) – Sheep Fire Spring 2015 Planting

*South Fork High Riparian area requires packing of trees distances up to ½ miles over slopes as high as 90%. No Herbicide application within riparian areas.

Seedling Description: (All Containerized)

Species & Seedlot Age Class Plug Size Amount Douglas-fir (56100-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in. 15,342 Ponderosa pine (5102-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in. 4,848 Western Larch (R09229) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in. 34,215

Ponderosa pine (5102-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 1,305 Western Larch (R09229) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 4,675

Total trees: 60,385

Line Item 030

LLIDC02000-LF3200000-JN0000-LFBRG7VJ0000

8. Location: Follow-up Herbicide Application will take place on seedlings planted on the Sheep Fire area only (line item 020).

9. Follow-up Herbicide application: This project will also require the spot application of Velpar L herbicide, to be applied over Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine seedlings not planted within riparian areas (21,495 total). The contractor is required to apply Velpar L with a backpack sprayer fitted with an “exact delivery handgun applicator” equipped with a twelve (12) milliliter metered jet to an approximate one (1) gallon per acre rate. The Velpar concentrated product and blue dye marker will be furnished by the Government. The contractor will mix at a rate of eighteen (18) ounces per one (1) gallon of water. The contractor will supply the water and no on-site water will be available (See attached Technical Specification Velpar L Application).

Line Item 040

LLIDC02000-L59000000-JN0000-LVFEFM190000

10. Location: The Eastside Project planting area is located in the Elk City area within section(s) 2, 3, 13, 24 and 25 of Township 29 North, Range 8 East and lies within the American River watershed (see attached map). The planting units are located approximately 2 to 3 miles northeast of Elk City, Id. Slopes within the project area range from 5% to 60% on predominantly southwest and east aspects.

11. Background: The project area units were logged as part of the Eastside Stewardship project in late 2009 through 2011. Units 22, 23 and 26 were tractor logged and units 25, 42, 43, 46 and 48 were cable logged and prescribed burned in the spring of 2014. Helicopter units 9, 11, 12 and 13 were logged in 2013 and machine piled that summer. In units where lodgepole pine dominated the overstory, most of which were removed leaving a scattered overstory and understory of grand fir, Douglas-fir and western larch. Planted seedlings will be spaced fifteen (15)’ off the drip-line of residual overstory trees (10” to 34” DBH) and approximately fifteen (15)’ from healthy desirable natural regeneration that ranges from two (2)’ tall to eight (8)” DBH.

12. Site conditions: Following logging, all of the described tractor units were machine piled with an excavator the summer of 2011 and 2012 to reduce natural and activity fuels. The piles were burned in October/November of 2012. Helicopter units were machine piled and burned in the Spring of 2014. The machine piling/burning activity has provided some ideal planting spots that will require little effort to “break” the ground for planting. The cable units were prescribed burned in the spring of 2014 and the majority of the understory vegetation has been set back. However, all of these proposed tractor and helicopter planting units and portions of the cable units contain a fairly continuous herbaceous layer of bear grass that will require an 18” X 18” scalp prior to planting (if the micro-site location for the seedling is selected within the bear grass). The 2 acre helicopter landing area was leveled for use as a landing. It was reclaimed and put back to slope in the spring of 2014, seeded with grass seed, mulched with weed free straw and logs were scattered over the landing. The landing has lost all organic matter with the exception of the recently planted grasses that are coming back at moderate levels and the slowly decomposing course woody debris scattered on the landing at an approximate rate of 10 tons/acre.

Fertilizer tablets may be required to be placed in the hole with the seedling.

13. Micro-site planting: This planting will require using the micro-site planting method whereas a 40 percent spacing tolerance (approximate spacing 15’ X 15’) is allowed to take advantage of the best planting site available. For example, seedlings are to be placed in prepared spots (burn piles) where available, placed in areas where there is some shade from residual logs or stumps, and in locations with minimal competing vegetation.

14. Unit Description: (See attached map) – Elk City Spring 2015 Planting

Seedling Description: (All Containerized)

Species & Seedlot Age Class Plug Size Amount Douglas-fir (2744-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 10,740 Ponderosa pine (5102-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 11,830 Western Larch (R09229) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 11,710

Total trees: 34,280

Unit # Acres Spacing # Trees DF PP WL

9 10 15’ x 15’ 2,000 800 1,200 0 11 21 15’ x 15’ 3,400 1,190 850 1,360 12 15 15’ x 15’ 2,400 960 1,440 0 13 22 15’ x 15’ 3,600 1,080 720 1,800 22 24 15’ x 15’ 3,800 1,140 760 1,900 23 18 15’ x 15’ 2,800 1,120 1,120 560 25 11 15’ x 15’ 1,800 630 720 450 26 7 15’ x 15’ 1,200 480 480 240

42,43 46 15’ x 15’ 7,400 1,480 2,960 2,960 46 17 15’ x 15’ 2,800 840 560 1,400 48 16 15’ x 15’ 2,600 780 780 1,040

Helicopter Landing 2 14’ x 14’ 480 240 240 0

Totals 209 34,280 10,740 11,830 11,710

Line Item 050

LLIDC02000-LF3200000-JN0000-LFBRJAL80000

15. Location: The Craig Mountain Project area is located in the Craig Mountains approximately 25 miles east of Cottonwood, ID and 23 miles South of Lewiston, ID. The planting unit/former plantation suffered high mortality as a result of the 2014 Big Cougar wildfire.

16. Background: The project area unit was involved within a high severity wildfire during August of 2014.

The 8 acre plant unit was harvested and replanted in the mid 2000’s. Access to the area is good. Slopes are approximately 50%.

17. Site conditions: Site-prep in the unit is good. Any larger logs, tops, and stumps remaining should provide ideal micro-site locations for planting. Scalping is anticipated to be minimal as a result of the wildfire; however, some scalping will be required in many locations due to the regrowth of annual and perennial vegetation. Hand packing of mid-sized woody debris may be required to provide shade to the planted seedling should no shade be present in the micro-site.

18. Micro-site planting: This planting will require using the micro-site planting method with a 40 percent spacing tolerance (approximate spacing 14’ X 14’), allowed to take advantage of the best planting site available. For example, seedlings are to be placed in areas where there is some shade from residual logs or stumps, and in locations with minimal competing vegetation. Planted seedlings will be spaced fifteen (15)’ off the drip-line of any surviving residual overstory trees (10” to 34” DBH) and approximately fifteen (15)’ from healthy previously planted regeneration that survived the fire (approximately 10 to 20 feet tall).

19. Unit Description: (See attached map) – Craig Mountains Spring 2015 Planting

Seedling Description: (All Containerized)

Species & Seedlot Age Class Plug Size Amount Ponderosa pine (5102-BLM) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 960 Western Larch (R09229) 1-0, 8 to 12” ht. 8.0 cu.in.-112L 960

Total trees: 1,920

1.1 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

A. Various USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) of the project area.

B. There will be a BLM Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or Project Inspector (PI) on the project for guidance and inspection.

Unit # Acres Spacing # Trees DF PP WL

1 8 14’ x 14’ 1,920 0 960 960 Totals 8 1,920 0 960 960

C. Pre flagged planting project boundary areas.

D. Government contract grown seedlings (as described above) for specified planting unit(s). Contractor will be responsible for transportation of the 54,405 seedlings for most of line item 020 from Lewiston, ID to White Bird, ID no more than 3 days prior to the actual start date of planting.

Seedlings for other line items will be transported by the BLM to the nearest cold storage facility.

E. Velpar L herbicide and dye to be applied by contractor on approximately 21,495 seedlings (Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine species) outside of 300’ riparian buffers.

F. Fertilizer tablets for the helicopter landing in line item 040 (if needed).

2.0 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

1. GENERAL

A. The purpose of this contract is to secure services for planting government furnished tree seedlings.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, tools, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to perform all work necessary to plant tree seedlings and apply herbicide on the areas specified.

B. Performance time under this contract shall be 45 days. Depending upon weather and ground conditions, the start work date is anticipated to be on or around May 1, 2015. Actual start dates will not be before April 15, 2015 or after June 30, 2015. Planting will generally commence following the units drying enough to be workable with a planting tool and the units and roads being free of snow. Plowing of snow, if required, will be completed by the BLM prior to planting. While it is possible that the three planting areas may be available to plant at the same time, it is also possible and anticipated that the Sheep Fire Area and Craig Mountains Area may take additional time for proper ground conditions to permit planting. As such, more than one mobilization may be required to plant the units as site conditions allow. Delaying the planting of an area that is open for planting to wait for other areas to open up will not be allowed. The Elk City Area planting unit will likely open first, with the Sheep Fire and Craig Mountain Areas being available to plant an estimated 15 to 20 days later depending on snow depths.

C. Access for the Sheep Fire Planting Units is generally within ¼ mile of an existing road drivable with a four wheel drive vehicle. All temporary roads in the project area have been fully obliterated. However, the South Fork Riparian units totaling 20 acres require walking planting personnel, equipment and seedlings distances up to ½ mile on slopes up to 70%.

Access to the Elk City Planting units is generally within ½ mile of an existing road drivable with a four wheel drive vehicle. All temporary roads in the project area have been decommissioned and are not travelable. Units can be accessed off existing roads with hikes up to ½ mile required over slopes 10%-50%.

Access to the Craig Mountain Planting units is very good with roads drivable with a four wheel drive vehicle bordering the unit on two sides.

D. The Government may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate the Contractor's Right-to- Proceed and declare the Contractor in default for improper disposal of government furnished trees. Improper disposal includes, but is not limited to, the wrongful ditching and/or burying of trees. At the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer, the first incident of improper disposal of trees under this contract may be cause for the dismissal of the individuals involved. If the contract has not been previously terminated, the second incident of improper disposal of trees under this contract may be cause for dismissal of the individuals involved and/or for removal of the non-planting supervisor and/or defaulting the Contractor.

E. LOCATION: The project areas are located in the Cottonwood Field Office area of the Coeur d’Alene District. Project area maps showing individual planting units are attached.

F. BOUNDARIES: The boundaries of all units are flagged with plastic ribbon, or are defined by roads, fire trails, mature timber, ridges, creeks, or timber sale boundaries. The COR or PI will point out the boundaries for all planting units prior to commencement of planting operations on each unit.

2. PLANTING OPERATIONS

A. PLANTING METHODS

1. Trees shall be planted in accordance with one of the following two described methods:

STANDARD or MICRO-SITE. The required method of planting for each item is designated under Project Description.

2. Standard Planting - Proper selection of planting site is important. Clearing efforts will be required to prepare the site for planting and to maintain the required spacing. Examples of plantable and unplantable areas in this method will be indicated by the Project Inspector on the project site.

(a) SPACING – Trees shall be planted in spots distributed over the area at the intervals prescribed in under 1,0 General provided that, for individual trees, the specified average spacing may be varied as much as 40 percent in any direction to find a suitable planting spot.

(b) WHERE AN UNPLANTABLE SPOT IS ENCOUNTERED - The planter shall disregard spacing limits and plant in the closest suitable spot, however, average spacing shall be maintained for the unit and the number of trees per acre shall not be materially increased or decreased due to tree planter selection of planting spots.

(c) NO TREE shall be planted closer than half the specified average spacing distance from "other" existing trees. "Other" trees include previously planted or newly planted conifers readily seen by the planter. Healthy desirable natural trees will be considered when planting. Spacing will be based on both planted and desirable naturals.

3. Micro-Site Planting - Proper selection of the planting spot (micro-site) is more important than adhering to a precise planting spacing. Trees shall be planted in the best spots available within the spacing limits specified in Inspection and Acceptance. Examples of the proper micro-site selection will be explained by the Project Inspector on the project site.

(a) Primary consideration in the selection of planting spots (micro-site) will include:

(1) Consideration of soil texture and depth.

(2) Height and diameter of the object providing protection to the seedling and the micro-site.

(3) Location of the planting spot in relation to the object providing protection so that the seedling is given maximum protection from the sun, drying wind, and animal damage. Examples of these spots are: North sides of stumps, rocks, logs, and brush slumps, or in slash and other debris where mineral soil can be reached. The seedling shall be planted as close as possible to the object providing protection. Objects (mid-sized logs, etc.) may need to be packed to the planted seedling if no other shade is available in the chosen micro-site.

(b) SPACING – Trees shall be planted in the best available site. Spacing of individual trees may be varied by 40 percent more or 40 percent less than spacing shown in 1.0 General. Inspection plot size for this 40 percent tolerance will be determined as specified in the micro-site planting method in 4.0 Inspection and Acceptance. Trees are not to be planted closer to “other” existing conifer trees than is shown under 1.0 General. “Other” trees include previously planted or newly planted conifers readily seen by the planter.

Healthy desirable natural trees will be considered when planting. Spacing will be based on both planted and desirable naturals.

(c) A seedling planted outside of a micro-site as described above when a micro-site meeting the definitions above is available within the spacing tolerance may be considered a rejected tree by the COR.

4. WHERE TO PLANT (STANDARD AND MICRO-SITE) - Planters shall be required to plant all areas, unless they meet one or more of the conditions defined below as unplantable. Patches of dense brush will be considered plantable. If a planter can work through the brush by spreading the stems aside or by working around or through the stems, the area shall be planted.

5. UNPLANTABLE - An unplantable area (spot) will be characterized by one or more of the following conditions:

(a) Soil covering slash or debris subject to rapid drying.

(b) Rock outcrops, talus slopes, and areas of stones, cobbles, or gravel over 12 inches deep.

(c) Areas covered by compacted slash over 12 inches deep.

(d) Areas of excessive wet conditions, i.e., subject to standing water.

(e) Highly compacted soil such as roads, main skid trails, and landings not ripped to correct the compacted conditions.

(f) Examples of unplantable and plantable areas will be indicated by the Project Inspector whenever necessary.

(g) Game trails used by elk or deer that are mostly free of other vegetation and show signs of yearly use.

6. CLEARING OF PLANTING SPOT - The planting spot may be exposed mineral soil or covered with vegetation, gravel or slash, which will require a clearing effort before planting. Clearing will include the removal of all debris, gravel, humus, ash, and living vegetation up to 12 inches deep. In areas meeting the above conditions, cleared areas shall be no smaller than 24 inches in diameter.

7. HAND SCALPING - All debris and vegetation, including surface roots shall be removed down to mineral soil using hand tools. Scalping shall be performed before seedlings are planted. Each scalp shall be a minimum of 18" in diameter, and after the seedling is planted there shall be a minimum radius of 9" of cleared space around the seedling.

B. TREE PLACEMENT

1. Containerized seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole, deep enough so that about one inch of soil can be placed on top of the plug growing media, level with the surrounding soil surfaces so as to seal the plug into the ground. Plug-growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during the planting process.

2. Bare root and containerized seedlings shall be set firmly in the ground with moist soil filled in and well firmed around the roots so that no air pockets are around or adjacent to the tree root. After firming around the seedling, soil should be at the ground level with no deep depression or high mound at the stem.

Seedlings shall be planted so that roots approximate a natural position; not twisted, tangled, compacted together, curled or bent from a position perpendicular to the ground surface.

3. Each planted seedling shall stand erect, perpendicular to the ground surface with allowance for slope on steep ground. Correct and improper planting of seedlings is shown in the attachments of these specifications, Attachments 2 - 6.

3. DISTRIBUTION AND CARE OF TREES

A. Seedlings for item 020 will be picked up in Lewiston, ID and transported to the Slate Creek Tree Cooler in a refrigerated or cooled vehicle by the contractor as stated in line item description 010. Intermediate storage of seedlings at the Slate Creek Ranger Station, approximately 15 miles from the planting site is available. Seedlings shall be kept in refrigerated seedling storage until the day those seedlings are to be planted.

For purposes of seedling delivery to the project area per day, the Contractor will inform BLM at the prework conference of the average number of trees each planter will be expected to plant each day. The requested number of seedlings will be removed from the cooler and transported to the project area each day by the BLM. Trees must be protected against damage to tops and roots, including damage from freezing, heating, and drying. Because trees have been stored frozen at the nursery, the Contractor is required to give BLM at least five days’ notice of seedling needs so seedlings can be properly thawed out. The following requirements shall, therefore, be adhered to:

1. Upon arrival at the planting site, trees shall be stored in a manner that protects them from direct sunlight, frost, wind and provides for proper air circulation around bundles or boxes. The Contractor shall provide a space blanket for proper protection. The Project Inspector must approve the location and method of storage at the planting site.

2. At the discretion of the COR, the Contractor may be required to dip seedlings in a solution to protect the seedlings roots (or soil medium) from drying out. The Government shall provide the dip solution.

3. Unless otherwise directed by the PI, the number of seedlings placed in a planting bag will be restricted to a maximum of 200 seedlings. The number of seedlings that may be placed in a planting bag may be further restricted at the discretion of the Project Inspector based upon existing air temperature and/or humidity conditions (see contract item 3. A. 10. Distribution and Care of Trees under 2.0 Description/Specs).

4. During the planting operation, planters shall be restricted to the removal of one seedling at a time from the planting bag or other container, and only after the planting hole has been prepared.

5. When seedling culling or pruning is required, it shall only be performed under the direct supervision of the Project Inspector.

6. When dryness of roots, mold or other evidence of damage to seedlings is detected, the Project Inspector shall be notified immediately.

7. Upon completion of each day’s work, completion of project, or termination of the project, any unused trees shall be returned to the storage points as directed by the Project Inspector.

8. Trees will be issued on a daily basis, unless otherwise authorized by the Project Inspector.

Trees will not be issued in the morning if inclement weather conditions indicate planting would not be allowed on the site. Unless weather conditions prohibit, all trees requested by the Contractor on a daily basis are expected to be planted.

9. If inclement weather conditions occur during the planting operation which will damage seedlings, such as freezing or high temperatures, drying winds, low humidity, or snow which prohibits the planting operation from continuing, any unused seedlings will be returned to the storage point as directed by the Project Inspector.

10. The following environmental conditions must exist on the site before the Contractor will be allowed to plant:

Temperature: Between 32oF to 70oF.

Humidity: Greater than 30% Wind: Wind velocity less than 20 mph.

Soil: Not frozen more than ½ inch deep; upper 3 inches of soil is moist and stable for proper back-filling and tamping.

Snow: Less than two inches.

4. DEFINITIONS

A. Bare Root Seedlings – tree seedlings, when pulled from nursery beds do not have a soil medium around the roots.

B. Containerized Seedlings – tree seedlings grown in plastic or Styrofoam containers in nursery greenhouses. The rooting medium is planted with the trees.

C. Culling - the discarding of individual tree seedlings from the seedling lot being planted.

D. Healthy Conifer - A previously planted or newly planted seedling that has good color, a leader growth of at least two (2) inches, has no visible signs of animal damage, and shows no other signs of being stressed (i.e. sparse foliage, shortened needles, curled terminal leaders, curled leader growth on lateral branches, etc.).

E. Natural Trees - Coniferous trees and seedlings already present on the site produced from seed sources on or near the planting site.

F. Planting Unit - Units shown on the Unit Location Map.

G. PP - Ponderosa Pine

H. Pruning - The cutting or tearing of tree seedling tops, roots, or branches with pruning clippers, other tools or by hand.

I. Space Blanket - A reinforced plastic tarp having a facing of aluminum foil on one side used to provide tree seedlings protection from direct sunlight, frost and wind.

J. WL - Western Larch

5. PLANTING STOCK

Age class and species of stock to be planted in each item under this contract is specified in 1.0 General.

Planting stock will be provided by the Contractor. In the event circumstances require substitution of age class, a modification of the contract will be negotiated with the Contractor to provide for any adjustment in cost due to the substitutions. BLM reserves the right to substitute species of the same age class.

6. CREW REQUIREMENTS

A. The Contractor shall designate one English speaking supervisor for each crew. No more than twelve persons are to be supervised by one supervisor. Supervisors shall be identified at the prework conference. Any changes in supervisory designations must be submitted in writing to the COR at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect. At the prework conference, the Contractor shall provide a work schedule which must be acceptable to the Government.

Crew Size Requirements

2 people (minimum) Supervisor may work.

3 to 10 people Supervisor may be required to be non-working if quality is not satisfactory.

11 to 15 Supervisor may not work

More than 15 people

Crews may not exceed 15 people. If more than 15 people are working on a contract, they must be broken into crews of 15 people or less.

Performance times for this contract were based on the following crew sizes and supervisor requirements:

No. Crew Item Crew Size Supervisor(s) All 1 12 1

B. The person designated by the Contractor as supervisor must actually perform in that capacity and be knowledgeable and experienced in tree planting and supervision. The supervisor must, therefore, remain with and effectively direct the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crews work, (2) advising them as to improper work methods, and (3) providing instructions for correcting any improper work methods encountered.

Any group of people without such an individual will not be considered a crew.

C. The planting crew(s) shall know the requirements of the contract, including, but not limited to, unit location, seedling care, proper planting, spacing, scalping and clearing.

D. Estimated start work date appears under Bid Items.

E. The Contractor shall obtain written authorization from the Field Area Office prior to camping on BLM administered lands.

7. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Unless otherwise specified, planting tools, materials, and containers for carrying seedlings during planting operations will be of design normally used in tree planting work. Only tools capable of opening a hole perpendicular to the ground surface, broken on three sides, and at least ten inches deep and four inches wide will be approved for use, unless otherwise authorized by the COR. Unless otherwise authorized, dibble bars may not be used for planting containerized seedlings.

3.1 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – VELPAR L APPLICATION

The specifications listed below will be performed by the Contractor to ensure that the effects of each application are maximized and completed safely.

1. The herbicide to be used for the Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir is Velpar L which is to be applied at the 4 quart per acre rate. NO HERBICIDE MAY BE APPLIED WITHIN 300 FEET OF A WATER SOURCE.

2. An employee of the Contractor who is certified with a valid state Commercial Applicator’s License is required to be on site at all times. All state and federal laws shall be complied with in addition to operating under all rules of the Commercial Applicator’s License. The licensed applicator will be responsible for overseeing all components of the herbicide application including proper calibration of spray equipment, mixing of herbicide, daily application records and sprayer cleanup. A spill kit must be on-site and available for use in the event of a spill.

3. Application records will be completed and provided to the BLM daily.

4. Herbicide shall be applied in compliance with the label.

5. No herbicides will be stored in the field overnight unless approved by the COR.

6. Herbicide will be applied though a backpack sprayer fitted with an “exact delivery handgun applicator set to deliver twelve (12) milliliters of liquid per pull of the trigger. Mixed product shall be applied to a target area approximately five feet in diameter around each tree.

7. Calibration of the exact delivery handgun applicator will be performed daily prior to applying herbicide.

8. Herbicide will only be applied when weather conditions are appropriate to meeting the goals of the application. In general:

a. Temperature: 33 degrees F to 80 degrees F

b. Precipitation: rainfall amounts less than 0.10 inches per hour

c. Wind Speed: less than 10 mph

d. Relative Humidity: any

9. To compensate for lateral movement on steep slopes, the Contractor will dispense the chemical upslope from the center of the planting spot (location of seedling) based on the following criteria:

1. Slopes less than 30% = None

2. Slopes 30 - 60% = Twelve (12) inches

3. Slopes 60% + = Eighteen (18) inches

10. If herbicide application is suspended for any reason, the contractor must develop a method to mark treated areas so herbicide application can continue without resulting in missed trees or areas of double application.

11. The Contractor is responsible for providing water to mix the herbicide. Water shall not be taken from springs, ponds, seeps, creeks, rivers or other watercourses for the use of mixing herbicide.

12. Unless approved by the COR, a minimum of 1 person applying herbicide in conjunction with 2 planters is required to ensure orderly application of the herbicide and minimize missed trees.

13. Rinseate produced during sprayer cleanout operations shall be collected and utilized as diluent for future applications, applied as product to the site, or otherwise disposed of properly. Rinseate shall not be poured on the ground. Clean-up procedures shall be conducted to minimize release of mixed product or rinseate to the clean-up area. The COR may consider and approve cleanup procedures suggested by the contractor.

3.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The COR will inspect the units to insure compliance with the specifications of this contract. These inspections will be made as work progresses. Inspection details are as follows:

1. Inspection Procedures

Administrative surveys (as detailed under 4.0 Inspection and Acceptance, C. 1.) will be performed by the project inspector, detailing the number of trees sprayed with herbicide and the number of trees not sprayed. In addition to administrative surveys, administrative meander lines may also be conducted whereas the total number of trees encountered and the total number of trees sprayed will be tallied on a randomly walked line within the planting unit.

2. Unsatisfactory Application

Because all of the initial inspection results will be based on a visual observation the COR will notify the Contractor or crew leader of any violations in Sec. I-A as they occur. If violations continue to occur, the Contractor will take the necessary action to correct the violation within one (1) workday, or the Contractor’s right to continue with the contract may be terminated immediately at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Full payment will be made for herbicide application rates of 95% of trees eligible to be sprayed having been properly sprayed. If fewer than 95% of the trees receive herbicide application, payment will be based on the actual percentage of trees sprayed based on the administrative surveys and meander line counts.

3.3 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

A. Various USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) of the project area.

B. There will be a BLM representative present (COR or PI) on the project for guidance and inspection.

C. Pre flagged planting project boundary areas.

D. Velpar L herbicide and dye to be applied by contractor on approximately 21,495 seedlings

(Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine species).

4.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

1. 52.252-02 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.246-01 Contractor Inspection Requirements (Apr 1984) 52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (Aug 1996)

2. INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS

A. During planting operations, the Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Contracting Officer to ensure planting operations are complying the terms of this contract.

Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Contracting Officer.

B. Each planting unit will be sampled to determined work quality. Approximately 2 plots per acre will be taken on units under 40 acres and 1 plots per acre will be taken on units over 40 acres.

C. Quality of work and conformance with planting specifications will be determined by administrative surveys and/or systematic surveys.

1. Administrative Surveys: Surveys will be performed across planting rows at constant intervals to obtain a representative sample of each planter's planting quality and spacing. Adequacy of spacing will be determined by the presence or absence of trees on individual plots and/or actual spacing measurements between planted trees and existing acceptable natural or previously planted trees.

If quality of planting or spacing are found deficient on these surveys, the Contractor or his/her authorized representative will be instructed to take immediate action to correct these deficiencies, which may include replanting of unacceptable areas.

2. Systematic Surveys: Surveys will be performed by establishing survey lines parallel and at constant intervals over the entire area planted so as to assume a cross sample of individual tree planters and even distribution of sampled trees. Systematic surveys will be performed at the discretion of the COR, and upon request by the Contractor, and per 4.0 Inspection and Acceptance, C.5.

3. Administrative and Systematic Surveys.

a. Each planted tree found on the survey plot will be examined for (1) site preparation, proper selection of planting spot and spacing as required by the planting method designated in 1.0 General and described in 3.0 Descriptions/Specifications, 2. Planting Operations; (2) planting depth; (3) position of stem; (4) root placement; and (5) firmness.

1. For the Standard planting method, plots falling on plantable areas without one or more planted trees, indicates under-planting. Over-planting is indicated by plots that fall on plantable areas and contain three or more trees spaced closer than the average spacing specified in the specifications. The inspection plot size will vary with the required spacing as shown in the table below:

Specified Spacing

Plot Radius

Specified Spacing

Plot Radius

6' x 6' 3.4' 9' x 9' 5.1'

7' x 7' 3.9' 10' x 10' 5.7'

8' x 8' 4.5' 12' x 12' 6.7'

2. When MICRO-SITE planting method is required and a 40 percent spacing tolerance is allowed, the inspection plot size will vary with the required spacing as shown in the table below:

Specified Spacing

Normal Plot Radius

Minimum Spacing

Plot Radius

Maximum Spacing

Plot Radius

12' x 12' 6.7' 7.2' 4.0' 16.8' 9.3'

15' x 15' 8.5' 9' 5.1' 21' 11.9'

For the MICRO SITE planting method, trees planted in the best planting site available and not exceeding the 40% allowed spacing tolerance will be considered properly spaced. For example, a plot sampling 15’ x 15’ spacing (8.5’ plot radius) is found under planted, i.e., no planted tree on the plot, but a planted tree is found within the maximum spacing limits (11.9’ plot radius) in a better planting site than on the normal plot, the plot is considered adequately planted and the tree inspected for proper placement. Conversely, if a plot sampling 15’ x 15’ spacing (8.5’ plot radius) is found over-planted, i.e., three or more planted trees on the plot, and all the trees are in a good planting site, the plot will be considered adequately planted if only one tree is found on plot sampling for minimum spacing (5.1’ radius).

4. Average (mean) percentages are determined in the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form (Attachments 8 & 9) for improper planting (Step 6); under-planting (Step 7A); and over-planting (Step 7B). Each of these factors is reduced by the Lower Confidence Limit of Sampling error determined from the table (Attachment 7).

THE AMOUNT BY WHICH THE MEAN IS REDUCED BECOMES SMALLER WITH INCREASING

SAMPLE SIZE, (i.e., ON LARGER AREAS). THIS IS DUE TO THE NARROWING OF THE RANGE OF PERCENTAGES IN WHICH THE MEAN PROBABLY LIES (See explanation of Lower Confidence Limit Table in 4.B. below).

5. If, as a result of an administrative survey, the payment adjustment factor is greater than 15%, a systematic survey will be made prior to final determination on payment for a planting unit.

6. TIMELY INSPECTION by the Government may not be performed when the Contractor accelerates the rate of performance over and above the work schedule approved at the prework conference.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK

A. Acceptance of work will be determined by the Contractor's compliance with the specifications of this contract, as observed by the Project Inspector, and determined by an inspection of the planted area.

Inspection procedures are summarized in 4.0 Inspection and Acceptance.

B. Work will be inspected and accepted or rejected on an individual planting unit basis.

C. The Contractor is encouraged to observe the inspection and will be notified of the inspection results.

D. Work for any given planting unit will be accepted if (1) payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is 15% or less; (2) payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is greater than 15%, and no additional planting stock is available; (3) the under-planting factor (Step 7A on Form 5700-2) is less than 3%; (4) the under-planting factor (Step 7A on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is 3% or greater when no additional planting stock is available; (5) the Contractor has not violated any of the requirements of 3.0 Descriptions/Specifications.

E. If any planting deficiencies exceed 15% and/or underplanting exceeds 3% or contract requirements violated, the Project Inspector will immediately notify the Contractor and order him/her to improve upon the quality of the work. If the quality does not improve to acceptable standards within one day following the notice of unsatisfactory planting, the COR may shut down the Contractor's work until a meeting between the COR and Contractor can be held to settle the problem; or, if the problem cannot be settled, an official cure notice may be issued by the Contracting Officer.

F. When additional planting stock is available, the Contractor shall replant any unit which has a under-planting factor (Step 7A on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form)of 3% or greater and/or a payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) greater than 15%.

The COR may require the existing planted trees and shrubs to be removed before replanting, depending on the reason for rejection and non-acceptance. Acceptance will be based on the results of a re-inspection after replanting.

G. If additional planting stock is not available to replant units which have a payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) greater than 15% or under-planting factor (Step 7A on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) of 3% or greater, the unit will be accepted and payment made in accordance with 4.0 Inspection and Acceptance, 4. Payment.

4. PAYMENT

A. The following standards will be used to determine final payment on a planting unit:

1. When the payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is 2% or less, 100% payment will be made.

2. When the payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is greater than 2% and less than or equal to 15%, payment will be made for the actual planting quality percent earned.

3. When the payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is 15% or less after replant, payment will be made for the actual planting quality percent earned less the cost of the additional seedlings for the replant.

4. When the payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is greater than 15% and no additional planting stock is available for replant, payment will be made for the actual planting quality percent earned, less actual damage.

5. When the payment adjustment factor (Step 8 on the Planting Inspection Summary and Analysis Form) is greater than 15% after replant, payment will be made for actual planting quality percent earned, less actual damages.

EXAMPLES…