LaGrande Planting Project Statement of Work (SOW)).doc

01/08/26

TASK ORDER NO.

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

NOT VALID UNTIL SIGNED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER

Contract No.

Contractor:

Issuing and Billing Office:

Umatilla NF

72510 Coyote Road Pendleton, OR 97801

Total All Items

Contractor: (Name and Signature)

Requested By: (Name and Signature) COR Joe Platz

Fund Authorization: (Name and Signature) Line Officer

Ordered By: (Name and Signature) Contracting Officer

Order Date:

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

1.

DESCRIPTION /SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

This contract is to provide services for planting government-furnished deciduous seedlings, as well as related work in compliance with the resultant contract’s terms, specifications, and provisions. This shall include furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals. This work will be on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, LaGrande Ranger District.

2.

LOCATION

There is one planting area: (1) Upper Fly Creek

(1) Upper Fly Creek – This planting area is located on Upper Fly Creek (T5S, R35E, S8,16,17,20). There will be 9,000 deciduous seedlings (spring) and 6,200 seedlings (fall) planted within ¼ mile of the road, adjacent to Fly Creek.

Project description maps are attached.

A. Accessibility

Work areas may be reached by Forest roads that are accessible by standard two-wheel drive pickup equipped with snow tires and chains, if needed, during normal operating seasons.

All areas are within ¼ mile of existing road prisms. Line Items 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 planting areas all are within ¼ mile of the existing road system. Approximately half of the project area is ATV accessible.

B. Boundaries

Planting unit boundaries such as roads, streams, and tree lines are usually obvious on the ground. Forest Service Boundaries which are not obvious will be discussed at the post-award conference.

3. TASKS/SPECIFICATIONS

A. Line Item 1.1 Contractor shall plant 9,000 native deciduous seedlings within the Upper Fly Creek planting area (3/16/26 – 4/30/26). Several species will be planted. The percentage of each species to be planted will be coordinated at the post-award meeting. Planting will involve the following in sequential order:

(a) Plant 9,000 deciduous according to the following: scalp 2’ x 2’ areas down to mineral soil. The plants would be planted at 6’ spacing. Further information will be provided at the post-award conference.

(b) Hoe, shovel, or auger plant seedlings. Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes is slightly above (1/2 inch or less) the rooted plug. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. Organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root system is not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed a 2-inch lean from true vertical. Firming soil with the heel of the foot will not be permitted, but light toe firming will be acceptable.

B. Line Item 1.2 Contractor shall plant 1,200 native deciduous seedlings within the Upper Fly Creek planting area (10/13/26 – 10/30/26). Several species will be planted. The percentage of each species to be planted will be coordinated at the post-award meeting. Planting will involve the following in sequential order:

(c) Plant 1,200 deciduous according to the following: 2’ x 2’ scalp. The plants would be planted 6’ apart. Further information will be provided at the post-award conference.

(d) Hoe, shovel, or auger plant seedlings. Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes is slightly above (1/2 inch or less) the rooted plug. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. Organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root system is not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed a 2-inch lean from true vertical. Firming soil with the heel of the foot will not be permitted, but light toe firming will be acceptable.

C. Line Item 1.3 Contractor shall plant 5,000: 1 gallon potted native deciduous and conifer seedlings within the Upper Fly Creek planting area (10/13/26 – 10/30/26). Several species will be planted. The percentage of each species to be planted will be coordinated at the post-award meeting. Planting will involve the following in sequential order:

(a) Plant 5,000: 1 gallon (4” in diameter x 18” deep) potted seedlings, 2’ x 2’ scalp, that will be augered or hand dug for the potted plants. The augered or hand dug holes will be completed by the contractor shortly before planting.

(b) Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a midpoint between the top of the container and the lowest needles of green foliage. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that assures the seedling and root system is not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed a 2-inch lean from true vertical. Firming soil with the heel of the foot will not be permitted, but light toe firming will be acceptable.

D. Line Item 1.4 (Optional) Contractor shall plant 2,500: 1 gallon potted native deciduous seedlings within the Upper Fly Creek planting area (10/13/26 – 10/30/26). Several species will be planted. The percentage of each species to be planted will be coordinated at the post-award meeting. Planting will involve the following in sequential order:

(c) Plant 5,000: 1 gallon (4” in diameter x 18” deep) potted seedlings, 2’ x 2’ scalp, that will be augured or hand dug for the potted plants. The augured or hand dug holes will be completed by the contractor shortly before planting.

(d) Seedlings shall be planted in the center of the prepared hole at a depth at which after filling, firming, and leveling, the soil comes to a midpoint between the top of the container and the lowest needles of green foliage. Plug growing media shall not be distorted or broken from the root system during planting process. Root system shall be aligned with the axis of the planting hole with all roots extending downward. Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Organic matter, rock and other foreign material shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively so no loose soil or air pockets remain, and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions will allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the sides of the hole. Firming the soil around the roots shall be accomplished in a manner that ensures the seedling and root system is not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding mineral soil surface. After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris. After planting, the seedling stem position shall not exceed a 2-inch lean from true vertical. Firming soil with the heel of the foot will not be permitted, but light toe firming will be acceptable.

4. WORK SCHEDULE/PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this contract is from 3/16/26 – 4/30/26 and 10/13/26 – 10/30/26. Line Item 1 must be completed from 3/16/26 – 4/30/26. Line Items 2 & 3 must be completed from 10/13/26 – 10/30/26. Optional Line Item 4 would be completed from 10/13/26 – 10/30/26. Required rate of production is 2000 trees (completely finished) per contract day for the smaller seedlings and 750 trees (complete finished for the 1-gallon seedlings). Contract days will be Monday through Friday (No weekends will be allowed).

The Government will issue a notice to proceed on each bid item as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for survival of planting stock. Contract time will start on the date specified on the notice to proceed, if hand delivered, or the 3rd day after the post office has issued a notice of certified mail to the Contractor, or when planting commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick up certified mail will not be considered an excusable delay.

Because tree survival and growth are dependent upon proper soil and weather conditions at the time of planting and because these conditions will only prevail for a limited length of time, it is imperative work be started promptly after conditions for planting become suitable. Work shall commence no later than 2 days after the effective date of the notice to proceed. Line items shall be planted in accordance with the order of preference established by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate which will assure completion within the contract time indicated above. The minimum acceptable rate of progress will be calculated by dividing the total units of work for each bid item by contract time specified below.

Planting shall not be performed on Saturday or Sunday, nor will Sunday be counted as contract time.

In order to obtain a full day's planting, it may be necessary for the Contractor to start planting at sunrise.

Estimated start work date and contract time are as follows:

5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

A. Planting Equipment

Planting tools shall be capable of making a planting hole the width and depth needed to satisfactorily plant the seedlings furnished by the Government.

B. Seedling Handling Equipment Planting bags shall be a light color, shall not retain heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15 inches, and shall be free of defects or contaminants. Insulated bags, or inserts, shall be available for use at all times during the planting period.

C. Care of Seedlings

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of tree seedlings:

a. Seedlings or native plants shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, or contact with injurious substances.

b. Seedlings or native plants stored in boxes shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade.

c. Seedlings or native plants shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting.

d. Seedlings or native plants shall be planted without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appears necessary, or if mold, dry roots, evidence of injury, or drying is seen, the condition shall immediately be reported to the Contracting Officer.

e. Seedlings or native plants in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed.

f. Seedlings or native plants shall not be removed from a planting bag until immediately before planting in a prepared hole.

g. Seedlings or native plants shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into the planting hole.

h. Seedlings or native plants carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be carried or removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occur. Seedlings or native plants placed in planting bags shall be planted out and not returned to storage. Those in planting bags shall be planted out before extended breaks such as lunch.

i. Unless otherwise specified, seedlings or native plants furnished shall be planted within 4 hours unless precluded by weather or other unsuitable planting conditions.

j. Boxes of seedlings or native plants shall not be carried into the unit and stored for later planting unless otherwise specified in the planting data sheets.

k. The Contractor shall not dig and replant seedlings or native plants other than those located on inspection plots or spot checks of below ground planting quality.

l. Unplanted seedlings or native plants shall be returned to the Government at the end of each working day or before moving on to another planting unit if they have not reached the 4-hour limit listed in Section 5(C)(i). Trees and native plants not properly cared for will be considered wasted.

m. The number of seedlings or native plants in the planting bag shall not normally exceed 200 and may be further increased or decreased depending on severity of drying conditions, size of the bag, and/or duration in the planting bag.

n. The Contractor shall provide all labor and materials to transport seedlings within the planting area. The above materials will be taken to the planting areas, but it is up to the Contractor to transport the above materials to each plant site.

6. CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL

The Contractor shall have a quality control inspection system to ensure that contract specifications are achieved. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places requested by the Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

7. GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The US Forest Service will provide quality assurance by inspecting performance with respect to the tasks/specifications. A minimum of 90% of the trees need to meet the specifications within this contract.

A.

The Government will conduct verification inspections to determine compliance with specifications. Each sub item/unit will be verified separately and inspection results on one sub-item/unit will not be averaged with those of other sub-items/units. Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these verification inspections and will be considered conclusive. Verification inspection of a sub-item/unit may or may not be performed immediately following planting.

B. Government verification inspection will consist of observation of tree or native plant handling, site preparation, planting and procedures/specifications, and examination of individual trees/plants on sample plots.

If the Contractor's progress falls behind the work progress schedule for more than 2 days at the specified rate of progress or if the percentage of planting quality falls below 80 percent for more than 10 percent of the sub-item, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated if satisfactory planting quality or progress is not attained within the time specified in a written cure notice issued by the Contracting Officer. Such notice may be in the form of a work order and shall allow no more than 2 working days for corrective action to be completed.

8.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

A.

Payment for Planting:

1.

When Government inspection indicates an average of 90 percent or above for meeting the above tasks/specifications for each sub item, payment will be made at 100 percent of the sub-item unit price. For planting quality between 80 and 90 percent, payment will be made for the actual quality percent earned.

2.

If the Contractor disputes the Government verification, the Government will re-inspect. Contractor disputes must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer within 5 days after completion of government verification inspection.

3.

Where planting quality for a sub item falls below the Minimum Acceptable Quality Level of 80 percent, Contractor may be required to rework, and actual damages incurred by the Government as a result of the rework may be assessed. Repeated failure to plant at the 80 percent level or above may be grounds for termination for default. As a minimum, actual damages will be assessed on those acres not satisfactorily planted. Actual damages include, but are not limited to, cost of tree seedlings, site preparation, and resurvey.

4.

Charges for Government-furnished property wasted, lost, or damaged by the Contractor:

Container deciduous seedling plugs $2.50 ea.

Container deciduous and conifer seedlings (1-gallon pots) $7.50 ea.

9.

AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 10 days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at the LaGrande Ranger District office in LaGrande, Oregon.

10.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. The Government will provide the Contractor the following property in accordance with the following schedule:

Schedule for Delivery of Government Property

Type of Property - Deciduous and conifer seedlings Place of Delivery - A location specified by the Government

Planned Delivery Time - At the beginning of each work day.

Amount of Advance Notice - By 4:00 PM on the day prior to each workday or sooner if

Practical.

Comments - The Contractor shall provide all labor and materials to transport tree seedlings within the project area. The above materials will be taken to the planting areas, but it is up to the Contractor to transport the above materials to each plant or plant site.

12. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

Contractor shall certify compliance with specific fire precautionary measures included in the attached Fire Protection and Suppression Forms. The certification shall be made prior to commencement of work and shall be updated if at any time during performance the conditions change.

The Government may conduct verification inspections to ensure Contractor's compliance.

13. SAFETY

A. The Contractor shall provide a written Safety Plan to the Contracting Officer for approval prior to the post award conference consistent with FAR 52.236.13 Accident Prevention that is job specific for the work performed under this contract.

B. The Contractor shall be aware of hazards of the work site and work in a safe manner. Failure to do so will not benefit the Contractor for profit or time. The Contractor shall provide and wear protective equipment according to OSHA requirements for this type of work.

C. The following are some, but not all, safety hazards which have been identified while performing planting and other reforestation services.

1.

Driving hazards

A.

Traffic

1.

Recreational

2.

Logging

3.

Pedestrian

4.

Wildlife

5.

ATV

B.

Road conditions

1.

Narrow, limited vision around corners

2.

Potholes, washboards

3.

Loose gravel, dust, fallen limbs, rock

4.

Native surface slippery when wet

2.

Foot travel

A.

Uneven ground

B.

Logging slash, downed trees and limbs

C.

Barbed wire fences

D.

Wet ground, loose bark

E.

Branches and needles near eyes

3.

Animals and insects

A.

Black bear, cougars

B.

Bees, wasps, hornets, horseflies

C.

Ticks

D.

Goshawks

4.

Weather

A.

Lightning, thunderstorms

B.

Wind

C.

Sun

D.

Rain, snow

5.

Physical

A.

Fatigue

B.

Heat exhaustion

C.

Hypothermia

6.

Communication

A. Emergencies

B. Remote areas not in cell phone coverage

C. Policy on cell phone usage while operating a vehicle.

D. Offeror shall provide a detailed safety plan for providing emergency medical evacuation from remote roadless locations.

14. LANDSCAPE PRESERVATION

The Contractor shall give attention to the effect of contract operation upon the landscape, shall take care to maintain natural surroundings undamaged, and shall conduct the work at all times in compliance with the following requirements.

a. Prevention of Landscape Defacement. The Contractor shall not remove, deface, injure, or destroy trees, shrubs, lawns, or other natural features or any other improvements in the work area unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Contractor shall confine contract operations to within the areas designated in contract documents.

b. Protection of Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs. The Contractor shall take sufficient precautions to prevent pollution of streams, lakes, small ponds, and reservoirs with fuels, oils, bitumens, calcium chloride, silt, or other harmful materials. Mechanical equipment shall not be operated in live streams, except for pumps to water trees, without written approval of the Contracting Officer.

15. MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT

Use of motorized equipment other than ATVs/UTVs and hand-held equipment such as power saws, brush cutters, and pumps will not be permitted off designated roads in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer or as provided elsewhere herein.

16. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

1. The contractor will train in the safe operation and use of equipment for all workers using such equipment.

2. Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body.

3. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

4. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, to each employee who operates a chain saw, chain saw chaps and ensure the chaps are worn during saw operations. These chaps must be approved by Underwriters Laboratory or meet Forest Service specification 6170-47. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg.

5. The contractor shall ensure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support. Employees operating chain saws shall wear foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw.

6. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who works in an area where there is potential for head injury from falling objects or flying objects wears a hard hat that meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

7. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

8. The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, hearing protection where there is potential for hearing loss due to high intensity noise e.g., chain saw operation.

17. CONTROL OF EROSION, SEDIMENTATION, AND POLLUTION (NOV 1996)

A. Operations shall be scheduled and conducted to minimize erosion of soil and to prevent silting and muddying of streams, rivers, irrigation systems, and impoundments (lakes, reservoirs, etc.).

B. Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens, raw sewage, and other harmful materials shall not be discharged on the ground; into or nearby rivers, streams, or impoundments; or into natural or man-made channels.

C. Mechanized equipment (i.e. pumps) shall have the appropriate spill containment equipment.

18. EMERGENCY RESPONSE (NOV 1996)

A. Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting

1. The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause 52.236-9, PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work.

2. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees.

B. Contractor's Responsibility for Notification in Case of Fire

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site.

C. Contractor's Responsibility for Responding to Emergencies

When directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall allow the Government to temporarily use employees and equipment from the work site or emergency work (anticipated to be restricted to fire fighting). An equitable adjustment for the temporary use of employees and equipment will be made under the Changes clause, FAR 52.234-5.

NOTE: * Fire Protection Requirements the Contractor shall comply with the Fire Protection and Suppression (Eastside) Requirements, Form R6-FS-6300-52 (May 1989).

19. PUBLIC OFFICIALS NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE

There shall be no personal liability upon the Contracting Officer or officer in charge, their agents or employees, for any act performed in the discharge of any duty imposed or the exercise of any power or authority conferred upon them by, or within the scope of the contract, it being understood that in all such matters they act solely as agents and representatives of the Government.

20. DESIGNATION OF CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative(s) (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

The Contracting Officer should be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract will be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

On all matters that pertain to the contract terms, the Contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a contract claim.

21. LIST OF ATTACHED DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

The attachments listed below form a part of this Request for Quotations and any resultant contract:

NOTE: IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PAPER REDUCTION ACT, FAR CLAUSES 52.212-3, 52.212-1 AND 52.212-2 AND ADDENDUMS ATTACHED THERETO, WHICH APPLY ONLY TO THE SOLICITATION PHASE, ARE NOT DUPLICATED AFTER CONTRACT AWARD. HOWEVER, THEY ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE RESULTING CONTRACT.

22. EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items. (JAN 1999)

The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (1) relevant past performance, (2) technical experience and proposal, and (3) price. Past performance and technical experience/proposal will be equal to price.

(1) Relevant past performance: Past performance is a measure of the degree to which an offeror, as an organization, has (1) satisfied its customers and (2) complied with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Government will inquire about the following elements, which are of equal importance in relation to each other, (A) quality of the offeror’s work, (B) customer satisfaction, (C) timeliness of the Firm during performance and completion of the project; and (D) overall business relations.

(A) Quality of Services: Demonstrated ability to perform services specifically relevant to the subject Performance Work Statement’s -related techniques. Conformance to good standards of workmanship.

(B) Customer Satisfaction: Satisfaction of end users with the Contractor's completed products and services.

(C) Timeliness of performance: Compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction, and no assessment of liquidated damages.

(D) Business relations: Effective management; ability to manage projects involving subcontracts; working relationship with the Contracting Officer and technical representatives; reasonable/cooperative behavior; flexibility; effective contractor recommended solutions; businesslike concern for Government's interests.

Each offeror will be evaluated on their performance under existing and prior contracts of a similar nature. The Government will focus on information that demonstrates quality of performance relative to the size and complexity of the procurement under consideration. The Government may research offeror performance on any federal, state, local, and commercial contract performance of the offeror that is known to the Government, but not included on the submitted Performance Information. Additionally, personal experience and evaluator knowledge of offeror performance may be utilized.

Offerors with past performance data will be evaluated in the same manner as all other evaluation factors; however, those offerors with no past performance data will treated as an unknown performance risk and neither be evaluated favorably nor unfavorably. Therefore, offerors will receive credit for good past performance, lose credit for poor past performance, and neither receive nor lose credit for no relevant past performance.

*A contractor would be highly rated under Relevant Past Performance if, in the last three years, the Contractor has completed in a timely manner, with a pay range of 95-100%, with high customer satisfaction/business relations in specific reforestation contracts.

(2) Technical experience and proposal: The evaluator’s will conduct an appraisal of the offeror’s technical approach to determine the feasibility of the operations plan and associated special requirements in addition to whether the contractor understands the Performance Work Statement. The offeror should include the following:

(1) A feasible and efficient statement of work accurately reflecting the Governments needs;

(2) A concise performance metrics and measurement plan correlating with the contractor’s proposed Statement of Work;

(3) Technical experience of contractor and employees; and

(4) An equitable quality assurance plan.

(3) Price: The degree of importance of the price will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based, or when the price is so significantly high as to diminish the value of the technical superiority to the Government.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(End of provision)