OM-RFQ 12444524Q0076.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

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

OFFEROR

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

USDA-FS CSA EAST 6

51KN CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115112

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR4445

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

08/04/2024 2300 ED

07/11/2024

530-214-0154JOSHUA FRANKS

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

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

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12444524Q0076

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

1 2 1128196OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

WILMINGTON IL 60481

30239 SOUTH STATE RT 53

MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

USDA FOREST SERVICE

15. DELIVER TO

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$9.5

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA-FS CSA EAST 6

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

The purpose of this project is to systematically spread seed on the Midewin to promote natural species and habitat.

COR: William Hansche Phone: (815) 423-2127 Email: william.hansche@usda.gov Delivery: 09/25/2024 Period of Performance: 09/25/2024 to 02/28/2025

Continued ...

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

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

NICOLE D. SCOTT

. 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

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

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 (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

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: REFERENCE

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. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

0001 Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Bison Pasture

Seeding

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

2 2 of

Bison Experiment Pasture Seeding - Overview Map

Bison Experiment Pasture Seeding - West Pasture Map

Bison Experiment Pasture Seeding - East Pasture Map

"REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT | EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

By direction of the Secretary of Labor | WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION

| WASHINGTON D.C. 20210

| Wage Determination No.: 2003-0288 Daniel W. Simms Division of | Revision No.: 43 Director Wage Determinations| Date Of Last Revision: 12/27/2022

Note: Contracts subject to the Service Contract Act are generally required to pay at least the applicable minimum wage rate required under Executive Order 14026 or Executive Order 13658.

|If the contract is entered into on or |Executive Order 14026 generally applies to | |after January 30, 2022, or the |the contract. | |contract is renewed or extended (e.g., |The contractor must pay all covered workers | |an option is exercised) on or after |at least $16.20 per hour (or the applicable | |January 30, 2022: |wage rate listed on this wage determination,| | |if it is higher) for all hours spent | | |performing on the contract in 2023. | |If the contract was awarded on or |Executive Order 13658 generally applies to | |between January 1, 2015 and January 29,|the contract. | |2022, and the contract is not renewed |The contractor must pay all covered workers | |or extended on or after January 30, |at least $12.15 per hour (or the applicable | |2022: |wage rate listed on this wage determination,| | |if it is higher) for all hours spent | | |performing on the contract in 2023. |

The applicable Executive Order minimum wage rate will be adjusted annually. Additional information on contractor requirements and worker protections under the Executive Orders is available at www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts.

State: Illinois Area: Illinois Statewide **Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing**

Employed on contracts for Forestry services.

OCCUPATION CODE - TITLE FOOTNOTE RATE

08010 - Brush/Precommercial Thinner 15.81*** 08040 - Choker Setter 17.70 08070 - Faller/Bucker 20.53 08100 - Fire Lookout 15.81*** 08130 - Forestry Equipment Operator 21.92 08160 - Forestry/Logging Heavy Equipment Operator 24.72 08190 - Forestry Technician 24.72 08250 - General Forestry Laborer 16.21 08280 - Nursery Specialist 21.93 08310 - Slash Piler/Burner 15.81*** 08340 - Tree Climber 17.70 08370 - Tree Planter 12.80*** 08400 - Tree Planter, Mechanical 12.80***

***Workers in this classification may be entitled to a higher minimum wage under Executive Order 14026 ($16.20 per hour) or 13658 ($12.15 per hour). Please see the Note at the top of the wage determination for more information. Please also note that the minimum wage requirements of Executive Order 14026 and 13658 are not currently being enforced as to contracts or contract-like instruments entered into with the federal government in connection with seasonal recreational services or seasonal recreational equipment rental for the general public on federal lands.

Note: Executive Order (EO) 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors, applies to all contracts subject to the Service Contract Act for which the contract is awarded (and any solicitation was issued) on or after January 1, 2017. If this contract is covered by the EO, the contractor must provide employees with 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours they work, up to 56 hours of paid sick leave each year. Employees must be permitted to use paid sick leave for their own illness, injury or other health-related needs, including preventive care; to assist a family member (or person who is like family to the employee) who is ill, injured, or has other health-related needs, including preventive care; or for reasons resulting from, or to assist a family member (or person who is like family to the employee) who is the victim of, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Additional information on contractor requirements and worker protections under the EO is available at www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts.

ALL OCCUPATIONS LISTED ABOVE RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

HEALTH & WELFARE: $4.80 per hour, up to 40 hours per week, or $192.00 per week or $832.00 per month

HEALTH & WELFARE EO 13706: $4.41 per hour, up to 40 hours per week, or $176.40 per week, or $764.40 per month*

*This rate is to be used only when compensating employees for performance on an SCA-covered contract also covered by EO 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors. A contractor may not receive credit toward its SCA obligations for any paid sick leave provided pursuant to EO 13706.

VACATION: 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year of service with a contractor or successor, 3 weeks after 8 years, and 4 weeks after 15 years. Length of service includes the whole span of continuous service with the present contractor or successor, wherever employed, and with the predecessor contractors in the performance of similar work at the same Federal facility. (See 29 CFR 4.173)

HOLIDAYS: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. (A contractor may substitute for any of the named holidays another day off with pay in accordance with a plan communicated to the employees involved.) (See 29 CFR 4.174)

** UNIFORM ALLOWANCE **

If employees are required to wear uniforms in the performance of this contract (either by the terms of the Government contract, by the employer, by the state or local law, etc.), the cost of furnishing such uniforms and maintaining (by laundering or dry cleaning) such uniforms is an expense that may not be borne by an employee where such cost reduces the hourly rate below that required by the wage determination. The Department of Labor will accept payment in accordance with the following standards as compliance:

The contractor or subcontractor is required to furnish all employees with an adequate number of uniforms without cost or to reimburse employees for the actual cost of the uniforms. In addition, where uniform cleaning and maintenance is made the responsibility of the employee, all contractors and subcontractors subject to this wage determination shall (in the absence of a bona fide collective bargaining agreement providing for a different amount, or the furnishing of contrary affirmative proof as to the actual cost), reimburse all employees for such cleaning and maintenance at a rate of $3.35 per week (or $.67 cents per day). However, in those instances where the uniforms furnished are made of ""wash and wear"" materials, may be routinely washed and dried with other personal garments, and do not require any special treatment such as dry cleaning, daily washing, or commercial laundering in order to meet the cleanliness or appearance standards set by the terms of the Government contract, by the contractor, by law, or by the nature of the work, there is no requirement that employees be reimbursed for uniform maintenance costs.

** NOTES APPLYING TO THIS WAGE DETERMINATION **

Under the policy and guidance contained in All Agency Memorandum No. 159, the Wage and Hour Division does not recognize, for section 4(c) purposes, prospective wage rates and fringe benefit provisions that are effective only upon such contingencies as ""approval of Wage and Hour, issuance of a wage determination, incorporation of the wage determination in the contract, adjusting the contract price, etc."" (The relevant CBA section) in the collective bargaining agreement between (the parties) contains contingency language that Wage and Hour does not recognize as reflecting ""arm's length negotiation"" under section 4(c) of the Act and 29 C.F.R. 5.11(a) of the regulations. This wage determination therefore reflects the actual CBA wage rates and fringe benefits paid under the predecessor contract.

** SERVICE CONTRACT ACT DIRECTORY OF OCCUPATIONS **

The duties of employees under job titles listed are those described in the ""Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations"", Fifth Edition (Revision 1), dated September 2015, unless otherwise indicated.

REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND WAGE RATE

Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444)

Conformance Process:

The contracting officer shall require that any class of service employee which is not listed herein and which is to be employed under the contract (i.e., the work to be performed is not performed by any classification listed in the wage determination), be classified by the contractor so as to provide a reasonable relationship (i.e., appropriate level of skill comparison) between such unlisted classifications and the classifications listed in the wage determination. Such conformed classes of employees shall be paid the monetary wages and furnished the fringe benefits as are determined (See 29 CFR 4.6(b)(2)(i)). Such conforming procedures shall be initiated by the contractor prior to the performance of contract work by such unlisted class(es) of employees (See 29 CFR 4.6(b)(2)(ii)). The Wage and Hour Division shall make a final determination of conformed classification, wage rate, and/or fringe benefits which shall be retroactive to the commencement date of the contract (See 29 CFR 4.6(b)(2)(iv)(C)(vi)). When multiple wage determinations are included in a contract, a separate SF-1444 should be prepared for each wage determination to which a class(es) is to be conformed.

The process for preparing a conformance request is as follows:

1) When preparing the bid, the contractor identifies the need for a conformed occupation(s) and computes a proposed rate(s).

2) After contract award, the contractor prepares a written report listing in order the proposed classification title(s), a Federal grade equivalency (FGE) for each proposed classification(s), job description(s), and rationale for proposed wage rate(s), including information regarding the agreement or disagreement of the authorized representative of the employees involved, or where there is no authorized representative, the employees themselves. This report should be submitted to the contracting officer no later than 30 days after such unlisted class(es) of employees performs any contract work.

3) The contracting officer reviews the proposed action and promptly submits a report of the action, together with the agency's recommendations and pertinent information including the position of the contractor and the employees, to the Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, for review (See 29 CFR 4.6(b)(2)(ii)).

4) Within 30 days of receipt, the Wage and Hour Division approves, modifies, or disapproves the action via transmittal to the agency contracting officer, or notifies the contracting officer that additional time will be required to process the request.

5) The contracting officer transmits the Wage and Hour decision to the contractor.

6) The contractor informs the affected employees.

Information required by the Regulations must be submitted on SF-1444 or bond paper.

When preparing a conformance request, the ""Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations"" (the Directory) should be used to compare job definitions to ensure that duties requested are not performed by a classification already listed in the wage determination. Remember, it is not the job title, but the required tasks that determine whether a class is included in an established wage determination.

Conformances may not be used to artificially split, combine, or subdivide classifications listed in the wage determination."

USDA – Forest Service

EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

(Ref. FSH 6309.31 and 41 USC 1)

INSTRUCTIONS: See Box 13, Remarks, if extra space is needed to answer any questions below. Mark “X” in appropriate boxes.

1. CONTRACTOR NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NO.

UEI #_____________________

E-Mail #_____________________

2. SUBMITTED TO (office Name and Address)

3. BUSINESS

Company Co-partnership

Corporation Individual

Non-profit Organization

4. How many years do you or your firm have in the line of work contemplated by this solicitation?

5. How many years’ experience in contracting have you or your business had as a (a) prime contractor ____ and/or (b) sub-contractor ____?

6. List below the projects your business has completed within the last three years:

CONTRACT

AMOUNT

TYPE OF PROJECT

DATE

COMPLETED

NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NO. OF OWNER/PERSON TO CONTACT FOR PROJECT INFORMATION

7. List below all of your firm’s contractual commitments running concurrently with the work contemplated by this solicitation:

CONTRACT

NUMBER

DOLLAR AMT.

OF AWARD

NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NO. OF BUSINESS/GOVERNMENT AGENCY INVOLVED

AWARDED

(Units)

PERCENT

COMPLETED

DATE CONTRACT

COMPLETED

8a. Have you ever failed to complete any work awarded to you? Yes No

8b. Has work ever been completed by performance bond? Yes No

8c. If “Yes” to either item 8a or 8b specify location(s) and reason(s) why:

Previous edition is obsolete (OVER) FS-6300-27 (3/00)

9. Organization and work that will be available for this project.

a. (1) Minimum number of employees: _____ and Maximum number of employees: _____

b. Are employees regularly on your payroll: Yes No

c. Estimate rate of progress below (such as 2.0 acres/man/day)

(1) Minimum progress rate: ________________________________ and (2) maximum progress rate: ________________________

10. List below the experience of the principal individuals of your business:

INDIVIDUAL’S NAME

PRESENT

POSITION

YEARS

OF EXP.

MAGNITUDE AND TYPE OF WORK

11. List all the equipment (including vehicles) you plan to use on this contract. Provide a detailed description of the Equipment including your maintenance plan.

12. Contractor Inspection, Safety Plan, and Proposed Schedule. Describe Contractor Self Inspection Procedures which you will use to insure quality for this contract. Please include information on the purchase and use of any bio-based products & materials to be used on this project, a brief safety plan, and your planned schedule of work.

13. Remarks. Specify Box Numbers (Attach sheets if extra space is needed to fully answer any above question):

CERTIFICATION

I certify that all of the statements made by me are complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and that any persons name as references are authorized to furnish the Forest Service with any information needed to verify my capability to perform this project.

12a. CERTIFYING OFFICIAL’S NAME AND TITLE

b. SIGNATURE (Sign in ink)

13. DATE

Bison Pasture Seeding

1. Scope of work

The purpose of this project is to systematically spread seed on the soil surface on the Midewin to promote natural species and habitat.

2. Background

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (Midewin) is located in Will County approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago and approximately 10 miles south of the town of Joliet. Prior to the creation of Midewin, the land was part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant that the Department of Defense (DoD) closed in the 1990’s. During DoD management lands not associated with the manufacture of munitions were either in row crops, pasture or left idle.

3. Technical requirements

A broadcast seeder or similar implement that systematically spreads seed on the soil surface will be used for seed installation via ATV/UTV or Tractor. The contractor must ensure an even distribution of seed across the entire site. Seed mixes will be provided and mixed with rice hulls for carrier and given to the contractor by Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. All seeds (commercial and collected) will be cleaned to the degree it can be spread by a broadcaster. COR will provide seeding rate once final seed tally is known. The topography and the irregular nature of the seeding areas requires use of GPS navigation and track recording (App based software like Avenza or field maps). The contractor shall provide spatial data (Files can be KMZ or SHP files sent via email daily during performance of contract) on tracks of seed distribution including the date and seed mix applied. Native prairie seeding requires seed be applied to specific habitats. In this project, three mixes will be put out, dry-mesic, mesic, and wet-mesic. Please reference the included map and table below for acreages and locations. Contractor will inform the COR what area will be seeded, and the proper seed mix will be provided upon request. Approximately 264 acres of this project fall within an area with active bison grazing. Fall dormant seeding can be conducted from September 25th until February 28th. The seed spreading contractor is responsible for distributing seed across the entire project area as specified in the project plan. Once the notice to proceed is issued the COR and contractor will come to a mutually agreed upon start date. From that agreed upon start date seeding in the project area should be completed in 14 days.

Seeding habitat acres

Habitat

Acres

Location

Dry-mesic

69.5

Active bison pasture

Mesic

54.8

Active bison pasture

Wet-Mesic

139.8

Active bison pasture

Dry-mesic

14.4

Inactive bison pasture

Mesic

167.1

Inactive bison pasture

Wet-mesic

69.4

Inactive bison pasture

Total:

Contractor shall avoid using heavy equipment during times when the soil is soft. Contractor may enter project areas when ground is dry or frozen or with vehicles that have ground pressures of 4 pounds per square inch or less. Work shall be halted if thawing or heavy precipitation occurs. Operation of heavy equipment in creek beds or within creek channels is not allowed. Soil ruts deeper than 2 inches or covering more than 10% of the designated work area must be avoided or mitigated by the contractor. Mitigation will include filling the ruts with soil approved by the COR and planting an appropriate seed mix approved by the COR. Any rutting needs to be communicated with the COR at the time of the incident.

All equipment must be thoroughly cleaned prior to coming on site to remove any invasive plant species seeds and propagules. Compressed air cleaning may be an adequate cleaning method but must be approved by the COR. COR or designated Inspectors will inspect equipment when brought onto Midewin for the first time, or subsequent returns if the equipment is taken off site and returned. Any spill of fuel or hydraulic fluid greater than one (1) pint must be immediately reported to the COR or PM. Contractor personnel must have training to ensure they are qualified to identify such releases and be capable of proper cleanup and reporting. All spilled materials and impacted soils will be removed and properly disposed of as necessary.

Areas prone to soil saturation/mucky soils exist within the project area. The contractor will receive a map outlining these areas. Care should be taken throughout the project area, but extra attention should be paid to when taking vehicles into areas identified on the provided map.

If wind speed is greater than 15mph seeding operations will be suspended. Adverse weather conditions that prevent seeding operations will be discussed with the COR and extension may be granted in the interest of protecting soil integrity and wind conditions that influence seed dispersal.

Part of the project area has active bison grazing. Care should be taken as bison are wild, potentially dangerous animals and should never be approached or harassed. The contractor will receive a written protocol for entering and working in this area. This protocol will be strictly adhered to for safety. Contractor is responsible for conducting themselves in a safe manner and adhering to the protocol provided. Midewin is closed to vehicular traffic except for administrative purposes. Contractors will be given keys and placards for use on site. Loss of keys may result in charging the contractor with replacing all locks which could amount to several thousand dollars. The placards must be in plain view while working on Midewin. Keys and placards are for official use on Midewin. The keys and placards don’t allow the contractor to take tours throughout Midewin by vehicle. The keys and placards allow the contractor to egress and ingress the work area only. All keys and placards will be turned in within 10 calendar days of contract expiration.

During times of high fire danger, the contractor may be required to suspend work temporarily or avoid driving or parking off road with some types of equipment. Ingress, egress, parking areas and equipment storage areas may have to be modified during high fire danger. The contractor will work with the COR and Midewin Fire Management Officer in times of high fire danger.

4. Project area description

The project area is made up of former cattle grazing land and is, in part, grazed by Midewin’s bison herd. Dates and times for seeding within the active bison area must be coordinated with the COR. Scattered shrubs and trees are present in some areas while other areas are open. Terrain is generally gently rolling. Soils in the project area can be mucky when wet and frozen ground is not guaranteed in winter. Most areas have vegetative cover present with bare ground being scattered. Fences with locked gates are along the perimeter of the project area in some locations and run between the actively grazed and inactive pastures. Contractor is responsible for closing and locking all gates after entering/exiting the site.

5. Safety requirements

Equipment suitable to fulfill the Contract shall be furnished on a fully operated basis, of modern design and in good operating condition, with a competent qualified operator. Exhaust stacks on all engines, except those with exhaust-driven turbo-chargers, shall be equipped with spark arrestors that will prevent the expulsion of sparks from the engine into the atmosphere.

Contractor shall maintain Forest Service-approved spark arresting devices on any piece of equipment operated by an internal combustion motor. Each piece of motorized equipment shall be equipped with a serviceable round-pointed shovel and an operational fire extinguisher of at least five-pound rating suitable for the equipment being used. All fuels, supplies, repairs and incidentals shall be furnished by the Contractor.

The Contractor and its employees and subcontractors shall comply with all State and local safety requirements and will be thoroughly familiar with the Forest Service Safety Code for work of this type. This code is available for review at the nearest Forest Service office. Protective devices such as hard hats shall be worn at all times according to Federal, State, and local safety regulations. IAW Forest Service Acquisition Regulation (FSAR) 4G52.222-704 Personal Protective Equipment, contractor shall comply with ANSI Standard Z87.1-2003.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

Contract Line-Item No. – Work Requirement

Task / Critical Sub-tasks

Quality Standards

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)

Monitoring Method

1. – Tractor Seeding

A broadcast seeder or similar implement that systematically spreads seed on the soil surface will be used for seed installation. The contractor must ensure an even distribution of seed across the entire site. Seed mixes will be provided and mixed with rice hulls for carrier

100% of target area will be seeded at the rate provided by the COR

Minimum 99% of area will be seeded.

Visual and random GPS sampling

Inspections (non-Line Item)

Meeting the AQL for line items inspected; either an interim of final inspection, thus avoiding the need for a re-inspection.

COR does not have to re-inspect.

100% success rate in terms of not requiring any re-inspections during the term of the task order.

Visual

Schedule (non-Line Item)

Timely Completion of the Task Order

Per the Work Schedule, the Contractor will complete all task order work prior to the task order end date.

All task order work must be complete by the task order end date and meet the AQL.

Visual

NOTES:

1. Inspection: The Forest Service considers passing inspections (interim or final) to be critical. In an attempt to limit re-inspections, the Forest Service has elected to apply a disincentive when an area is inspected, and the AQL is not met. The Forest Service strives for effective and efficient contract administration; one of way of promoting this is to limit the need for re-inspections.

2. If contractor achieves less than 50% of AQL in any unit after re-work, a 50% deduction in payment will be applied to that unit, unless that outcome is beyond the control of the contractor.