Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS) R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 1 of 16

US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region

Vegetation Management Services IDIQ

INTRODUCTION

The Forest Service is in need of services for vegetation treatment for the purpose of reducing the risk of wildfires and to meet silvicultural objectives on all Region 2 National Forests and Grasslands.

BACKGROUND

Project areas are reforested areas, natural and managed stands of timber of all ages, size, and species, shrub fields, or grass areas. Fuels will consist of harvest activity slash, natural fuels, live fuels, and slashed shrubs and trees. Fuel loadings range from less than ½ ton per acres to as high as 200 tons or more per acre.

Treatments and thinning such as brushing and piling have been shown to reduce the risk of wildfires and the severity of fires that do occur. Reducing competition between trees through the deliberate selection of leave trees will improve the overall health and condition of the stand based on the prescribed objectives. Tree selection and cutting of undesirable or excess trees will provide space for the leave trees to grow and develop, reduce the incidence of insect and diseases that affect growth, and undesirable tree qualities. Site preparation in support of future risk mitigation and silvicultural actions is an important component to forest health and risk reduction objectives. It is the objective of this contract to treat vegetation and fuels present on units identified by the Forests to reduce fuel loading, optimize the treatment of those fuels prepare for future prescribed fire activities and decrease competition with residual trees.

1.0 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The services of this contract are designed to provide for fuels reduction, and timber stand improvement in Region 2 National Forests and Grasslands or on adjacent to R2 where cross boundary services can achieve project objectives. This includes furnishing labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, operating supplies (except those designated as Government furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary as listed in the schedule of items. This work may include cutting of standing dead or alive and or downed and dead material laying on the ground as well as piling and other slash disposal methods and site preparation work through manual or mechanical treatments or as specified in the task order.

2.0 LOCATION OF PROJECT AREAS

The work will be performed on U.S. Forest Service administered lands, or adjacent lands. Location maps where the work activities are to be performed will be provided at pre-award site visits and in the individual task orders. The Rocky Mountain Region has been divided into five contracting zones. See Zone Map for Zones available for bid.

2.1 Boundaries of Project Areas

The project areas are generally identifiable by changes in vegetation, roads, paint, flagging, or through geographical information systems (GIS) data. The boundaries can be adjacent timber stands, recent harvest units, or other natural or manmade features that clearly define the boundary as noted on the project area maps. Work on this contract may require the Contractor to have global positioning system (GPS) capabilities in order to identify treatment areas and/or project boundaries. GPS equipment with an average horizontal positional accuracy of 3 meters (commercial grade) will be required. The Government shall provide geo referenced maps, shape files or track logs electronically (via email or at the pre-work meeting) to the Contractor which shall identify treatment unit boundaries and treatment islands with the project area boundary. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to upload the shape files to the GPS equipment and provide any technical support for problems with the Contractor owned equipment.

2.2 Access to Project Areas

Access is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains, or snow-blocked during the winter months. Some units require the Contractor to walk; access will be from the closest open road as defined on the motor vehicle use map (MVUM). After initial clearing of the access roads by the Government, the Contractor shall clear any subsequent falling of trees that block roads needed to access units. Contractor is responsible for monitoring road conditions and avoiding roads during seasonal periods when travel may cause excess damage to road surfaces and other road improvements. If, as a result of contractor activity, damage occurs to roads or road improvements, R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 2 of 16 the contractor must notify the Contracting Officer Representative. Contractor may be held responsible for repairs to roads caused by negligent actions. Individual task orders will indicate access for each treatment unit.

3.0 LINE ITEM DESCRIPTIONS

Each task order will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) that will identify the line items to be ordered and provide a Statement of Work (SOW) which will describe the treatment prescription, unit quantity to be ordered and any special instructions. Line item descriptions (below) for both manual and mechanical line items are meant to identify the full scope of the work that may be required and, if not defined in the SOW, serve as the default requirements for that line item.

For all line item descriptions, the SOW may specify prescriptions and requirements that are more refined and specific but will not go beyond the full scope definition. For all line items, treatment specifications will be determined by the task order.

The line items may be cumulative. For example, if a task order calls for thinning and lop and scatter, contractors will need to provide pricing for thinning PLUS the cost of lop and scatter.

The solicitations for the task orders will provide the specifications required in order for a Contractor to respond with an offer. The award selection for the task orders will be based on the most reasonable competitive pricing offers and on the Contractor’s past performance on prior task orders awarded under this contract.

All IDIQ holders shall acknowledge task order solicitations whether they intend to submit a proposal or not. If a respective contractor does not intend to submit a proposal they shall respond with a “No Proposal’ within the body of the solicitation email; additionally, if the contractor intends to submit a proposal within the solicitation closing date they can acknowledge receipt and submit their proposal on or before the date stipulated by the contracting officer.

3.1 Manual Treatment Line Item Description

Line Item 001: Manual Thinning Thinning activity through the means of manual removal (chainsaws) to reduce the density of vegetation by purposeful selection of vegetation to leave. Sever stems to levels and standards specified in the task order. Thinning may be designated by either vegetation to be cut and/or vegetation to leave. Thinning shall be accomplished throughout the entire unit, excluding areas identified by the task order as reserved from treatment. Treatment specifications for thinning are determined by the task order.

When designated by vegetation to leave, each task order will specify acceptable density of leave vegetation, vegetation size limits for treatment including height or diameter, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, preferred vegetation leave trees/species (see Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics list below), unique treatment unit requirements and if any individual species are reserved from treatment. Spacing may be altered up to 50% to achieve the desirable stocking levels identified in the task order to select and retain the most desirable species. All vegetation not designated as leave shall be cut. Leave vegetation shall not be damaged in the operation. As a safety measure, no sharply angled stumps or “punji sticks” will be left.

All cut vegetation shall be completely severed from the base/stump and have no live limbs remaining to prevent growing new vegetative material. Cut/thinned vegetation designated to remain on site shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

Stump height on 12-inch or greater diameter trees (diameter at the cut) shall be no more than 12 inches measured from the uphill side. Stump height on trees less than 12-inch diameter (diameter at the cut) shall be no more than 6 inches.

Examples of Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics:

Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

• Straight stem

• Small branch diameter

Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

• Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms.

• Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

• Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

• Crown ratio is 40% or larger

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Characteristics of trees that are not desirable for leave trees:

• Multiple tops

• Poor crown form

• Crook or sweep in bole

• Dead or broken tops

• Presence of insect or diseases

• Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

• Physical or mechanical damage

• Suppressed

• Poor annual growth

• Sucker limbs

Line Item 002: Lop and Scatter Separating branches or limbs from main stem and bucking main stem to specified length(s) and scattering slash throughout the treatment unit. The task order will specify leave vegetation species, quantities and spacing.

Treatment specifications for lop and scatter are determined by the task order. The specifications are based on the amount of the vegetation to be treated, access to the project site, and height requirements of slash.

All treatment slash shall be placed on or near the ground surface as specified in task order. If not defined in the task order, slash shall not exceed a height of 12” from ground level. Lopped material shall not lean against any remaining tree, stump, log or any other obstacle. Scattered material shall not be place under driplines of leave vegetation unless specified by in the task order

Lop and scatter treatments shall be concurrent with the cutting/thinning. The Contractor shall not move to a new unit without completion of treatment line items unless specified in the task order.

Line Item 003: Pruning Severing of all limbs along bole of tree or shrub to remove diseased infested branches or material that create a fuel ladder to the remaining crowns.

Pruning height and specifications will be provided in task order. Prune to a height is measured on uphill side of tree.

The task order will designate species to be pruned and which branches to prune.

All limbs specified in the task order to be removed shall be cut within ½ inch of the limb collar. Pruned limbs shall be completely severed from the tree and scattered outside of drip line unless otherwise specified in task order.

The bole of the tree and limbs to be retained shall not be damaged in the pruning operation.

Line Item 004: Girdling Girdling deliberately kills a tree by severing the cambium at base of the tree, creating a snag.

Treatment specifications for girdling are determined by the task order.

The task order will specify whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, size limit for girdled trees and if any individual species are reserved from treatment.

Trees within two tree lengths of an open road or trail (as defined by COR) will be felled rather than girdled. Trees may be felled rather than girdled with written approval by the CO.

Girdling should be accomplished throughout the entire unit, excluding areas identified by the task order as reserved from treatment.

Trees should be girdled to a depth no more than ½ inch to ¾ inch past the cambium. Individual task orders may modify this requirement.

Line Item 005: Manual Piling Piling of material within treatment unit.

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Treatment specifications for hand piling are determined by the task order. Task order will define residual area tons per acre amount, arrangement and size of down woody material to be left in the unit and/or added in the pile, pile size, pile location, and proximity to leave trees. May include existing downed timber and slash which will be identified in the task orders.

All piles shall be constructed in a manner that will promote complete consumption of piled materials when burned. Slash material that causes large air spaces in piles shall be cut and piled to eliminate air spaces. Each pile shall include an ignition area of small sized slash (small branches less than ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and/or small branches with needles or leaves attached) to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. These fuels shall be placed in the center of the pile. Piles shall be compact, dirt and trash free, and piled in such a manner that will allow them to burn completely.

If task order does not define proximity to leave trees; then, piles shall not be located within dripline or as specified in task order.

Task order will define pile size and maximum transport distance to gather material to construct the pile.

Line Item 006: Pile Covering Covering to limit moisture content in pile.

The covering will be a specific type of material (plastic specifying mil rating, clear or black, or paper…48” 50# poly coated Kraft paper) as specified in task order. Covering will be placed and secured as specified in task order.

Line Item 007: Hand Constructed Fireline Hand Constructed Fireline in advance of a prescribed fire is an activity to reduce the density of unwanted vegetation in order to increase the survival of the desired trees, remove slash and logging debris if the site has been harvested, prepare or modify the soil and protect values at risk including structures and improvements. Hand Constructed Fireline may consist of one or multiple treatment activities including: mineral soil scrape, removal of vegetation and water barring.

Treatment activities and specifications for Hand Fireline Construction are determined by the task order but may include any of the following or a combination of activities:

Hand Constructed Fireline Unless otherwise specified in the task order, hand constructed fireline consists of utilizing hand tools to scrape a continuous mineral soil line, not less than 18 inches wide to the outside edge along an identified boundary, GPS track log/shapefile/geo referenced map, around structures, snags or other improvements. When clearing adjacent to constructed fireline, the area within 15 feet on the inside of the treatment unit shall be cleared to the following: All surface fuels up to the constructed fireline; removal of all vegetation less than 3” in diameter and removal of all snags less than 18” in diameter. Clearing shall include removing ladder fuels 8 feet up the bole of remaining vegetation. This may require some pruning or cutting. Cut material and existing down vegetation removed from the fireline shall be scattered on the outside of the treatment unit and not windrowed or otherwise concentrated adjacent to the control line. All existing stumps and snags within the fireline clearing limits shall be cut flush at ground level and/or scraped down to mineral soil to remove fuels and prevent ignition. Do not mix slash with side cast material and fireline shall be constructed on the exterior/interior edge of the existing unit boundary, or as specified for unit preparation.

On under-slung line, a cup trench using the specifications found in each task order will be constructed. When fireline is constructed, berms shall be pulled to the outside edge of the constructed fire line, and outside of the unit.

Waterbar Construction Water Barring is to dissipate the flow of water down the trail, road, fire line, dozer line, in order to reduce erosion and sediment delivery to streams. Unless otherwise specified in the task order, waterbar construction consists of utilizing hand tools to build an earth berm across constructed fireline at an angle (approximately 45 degrees) designed to deflect water to the outside of the treatment unit. Waterbar location and frequency will be constructed based on the following guidelines:

Fireline Slope Percent (%) Maximum Water Bar Spacing (feet) 2 – 5 300

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6 – 10 200 11 – 15 150 16 – 20 100 21 – 35 75

36+ 50

Line Item 008: Hazard Tree Felling Hazard tree felling may include the cutting of live and/or dead trees to remove a safety hazard and to assist in the implementation of other vegetation management activities. Hazard tree felling may be required as a standalone task or in conjunction with other performed work. Hazard tree felling may require advanced sawyer qualifications based on complexity of the trees to be felled.

Treatment specifications for hazard tree felling are determined by the task order. Each task order will specify the description of trees to be felled including an estimate of the size class and number of trees. Trees to be felled may be marked or identified by flagging, paint or through GIS technology. Trees to be felled may also require contractor identification based on task order description of the objectives to be met. Task orders will also identify if additional line items such as lop & scatter, hand pile, Yarding, etc. will be required as part of the operation.

In addition, the task order may specify the requirement of road guards to assist in the felling of hazard trees adjacent to all roads. This requirement will be identified as an “in addition to” and will be specified in the task order. When road guards, or any traffic control devices are utilized, the contractor shall submit and obtain approval from the government for a traffic control plan to be discussed at the prework meeting.

Line Item 009: Fuels Pullback Fuels pullback consists of removing all green and/or dead and down vegetation around the bole of specified trees/snags or around designated improvements and structures. Task orders will identify the locations of slash pullback, description of trees/snags to be treated, description of improvements to be treated and the approximate number of trees per acre to be treated.

Unless otherwise specified in the task order, fuels pullback will consist of removing all slash greater than ½” in diameter within fifteen feet of an improvement, structure or within the dripline plus 1 foot of specified trees/snags. Slash shall be scattered within the treatment unit and not exceed a total depth of 18” nor stacked in a piled or windrow manner. On sloping ground, slash shall be scattered uphill or sidehill from treated trees/snags.

When clearing around designated trees and snags, each tree/snag designated for pullback shall be cleared around the tree/snag to the following:

• All surface fuels greater than ¼” from the bole of the tree out to the dripline plus 1-foot wide area;

• aerial fuels from a 2-foot wide area from the bole, 8 feet in height;

• Material greater than 3" diameter within the clearing zone shall be rolled at least 4 feet from the bole.

• Clearing shall include removing ladder fuels 8 feet up the bole of the tree/snag. This may require some pruning or cutting.

• Duff and litter may be removed such that the depth is 6 inches or less. Care shall be taken to maintain the lower duff layer as damage to sub-surface roots could occur.

3.2 Mechanical Treatment Line Items Description

Line Item 010: Mechanical Thinning Vegetation manipulation activity through the means of mechanical treatment (heavy equipment) to reduce the density of vegetation(s) by purposeful selection of vegetation to leave. Sever stems to levels and standards specified in the task order. Thinning may be designated by either vegetation to be cut and/or vegetation to leave. Thinning shall be accomplished throughout the entire unit, excluding areas identified by the task order as reserved from treatment.

Treatment specifications, including type of allowable equipment, for thinning are determined by the task order.

When designated by vegetation to leave, each task order will specify acceptable density of leave vegetation, vegetation size limits for treatment including height or diameter, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, preferred

R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 6 of 16 vegetation leave trees/species (see Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics list below), unique treatment unit requirements and if any individual species are reserved from treatment. Spacing may be altered up to 50% to achieve the desirable stocking levels identified in the task order to select and retain the most desirable species. All vegetation not designated as leave shall be cut. Leave vegetation shall not be damaged in the operation. As a safety measure, no sharply angled stumps or “punji sticks” will be left.

All cut vegetation shall be completely severed from the base/stump and have no live limbs remaining to prevent growing new vegetative material. Cut/thinned vegetation designated to remain on site shall be secured so they do not roll down hill and shall not be hung up on other trees or vegetation.

Stump height on 12-inch or greater diameter trees (diameter at the cut) shall be no more than 12 inches measured from the uphill side. Stump height on trees less than 12-inch diameter (diameter at the cut) shall be no more than 6 inches.

Examples of Desirable Leave Tree Characteristics:

Trees that are desirable to be leave trees have the following characteristics:

• Straight stem

• Small branch diameter

• Branches horizontal or slightly angled to bole

• Free of insect or disease damage and/or symptoms.

• Vigorous annual terminal growth (especially in last 1 to 3 years)

• Crown class of dominant or co-dominant

• Crown ratio is 40% or larger

Characteristics of trees that are not desirable for leave trees:

• Multiple tops

• Poor crown form

• Crook or seep in bole

• Dead or broken tops

• Presence of insect or diseases

• Branches more than 45 degrees from horizontal

• Physical or mechanical damage

• Suppressed

• Poor annual growth

• Sucker limbs

Line Item 011: Chipping Chipping of green and dead and down slash utilizing mechanical equipment. Treatment specifications for chipping are determined by the task order. Task orders will specify the maximum depth of chipped bed, size of material to be chipped, allowable site coverage and specifications of acceptable slash to remain on site.

Line Item 012: Mastication Vegetation manipulation activity to reduce the density of vegetation(s) by purposeful selection of vegetation to leave.

Treatment specifications for mastication are determined by the task order and may be designated by either vegetation to be cut and/or vegetation to leave. Each task order will specify acceptable density of leave vegetation, vegetation size limits for treatment including height or diameter, whether hardwoods and/or conifers are included, preferred vegetation leave species, unique treatment unit requirements and if any individual species are reserved from treatment. The task order will define characteristics of desirable leave trees.

Sever stems and/or scatter chips and/or mulch to levels and standards specified in the task order.

All vegetation not designated as leave vegetation shall be masticated including existing dead and down. Leave vegetation shall not be damaged in the operation. As a safety measure, no sharply angled stumps or “punji sticks” will be left.

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Line Item 013: Mowing Vegetation manipulation activity to reduce the density of vegetation(s) by purposeful selection of vegetation to leave.

Sever stems to levels and standards specified in the task order.

Treatment specifications for mowing are determined by the task order. Task order will specify preferred vegetation leave species, unique treatment unit requirements and if any individual species are reserved from treatment. The task order will define characteristics and patterns of desirable leave vegetation.

All vegetation not designated as leave vegetation shall be mowed. Leave vegetation shall not be damaged in the operation.

Line Item 014: Mechanical Piling Piling of material within treatment unit utilizing heavy equipment.

Treatment specifications, including the types of allowable equipment, for machine piling are determined by the task order.

Task order will define residual area tons per acre amount, arrangement and size of down woody material to be left in the unit and/or added in the pile, pile size, pile location, and proximity to leave trees. May include existing downed timber which will be identified in the task orders.

All piles shall be constructed in a manner that will promote complete consumption of piled materials. Slash material that causes large air spaces in piles shall be cut and piled to eliminate air spaces. Each pile shall include an ignition area of small sized slash (small branches less than ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and/or small branches with needles or leaves attached) to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. These fuels shall be placed in the center of the pile. Piles shall be compact, dirt and trash free, and piled in such a manner that will allow them to burn completely.

If task order does not define proximity to leave trees; then, piles shall not be located within dripline or as specified in task order. Task order will define pile size and maximum transport distance to gather material to construct the pile.

Line Item 015: Yarding and/or Decking or Hauling (Forwarding) The moving by dragging or hauling of vegetative materials to consolidate, disperse or arrange as specified in task order.

May include decking material in a consolidated manner as specified by the task order.

Treatment specifications for yarding, decking or hauling are determined by the task order. Task order will define; the amount, arrangement and size of material to be left in the unit, deck size, deck location, and proximity to leave trees or vegetation.

Task order will identify requirements for operation corridors and restrictions.

Line Item 016: Mechanical Fireline Construction Unless otherwise specified in the task order, mechanical constructed fireline consists of utilizing mechanized/heavy equipment to scrape a continuous mineral soil line, not less than 6 feet wide. No berms of dirt or vegetation shall be allowed on the inside edge of the constructed fireline. Do not mix slash with side cast material and fireline shall be constructed on the exterior/interior edge of the existing unit boundary, or as specified in the task order. Additional vegetation removal including thinning (manual or mechanical, pruning, hazard tree removal, fuels pullback, etc.) may be ordered in conjunction with Mechanical Fireline Construction to meet objectives for prescribed fire preparation.

Line Item 017: Mechanical Site Preparation Site preparation work utilizing heavy equipment will primarily involve the rehabilitation of burn pile scars in order to prepare the site for revegetation work. All activities will be measured on an “each” basis and specifications will be identified in the task order. Work to be included may involve crushing of remaining slash, trampling of slash to reduce height and scarification to expose soils for tree planting purposes. Burn pile scars will generally be from large machine or landing piles and, generally, will be located within recent timber sale or treatment units. Burn pile scars may be located and accessible by roads or may be scattered and remote across a project area requiring equipment to cross terrain.

Line Item 018: Road Closing Road closing work with heavy equipment may include the construction of barriers (placement of logs, boulders or ditches (i.e. tank traps)) or other mechanical activities such as ripping of road beds with mechanical rakes at designated locations on established and temporary roads or on internal skid trails from harvesting operations. Road segments in which

R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 8 of 16 treatments will occur will be measured in feet for total treatment length and identified as such in the task order.

Generally, road closures will be scheduled and completed as the last activity for a project area and be completed in such a way that prevents driving of vehicles, equipment, and off-road vehicles (ATV/UTV). Road closing will only occur on road and trail segments authorized as such through project defined NEPA and Forest travel management plans and will follow all established forest or agency guidelines which will also be defined in the task order. Roads and trail segments will be identified in the task order with maps and may be identified in the field with flagging or through provided GIS data files.

4.0 PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, IMPROVEMENTS AND ROAD SYSTEMS

4.1 Bodies of Water or Stream Courses

Trees shall be directionally felled away from bodies of water or stream courses. Unless otherwise specified in the task order, stream courses identified on project maps shall be protected in the following manner:

A. Contractor’s Operations shall be conducted to prevent debris from entering Streamcourses, except as may be authorized. In event Contractor causes debris to enter Streamcourses in amounts that may adversely affect the natural flow of the stream, water quality, or fishery resource, Contractor shall remove such debris as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 2 days, and in an agreed manner that will cause the least disturbance to Streamcourses.

B. Wheeled or track-laying equipment shall not be operated in Streamcourses, except at crossings designated by Forest Service or as essential to construction or removal of culverts and bridges.

Meadow Protection Reasonable care shall be taken to avoid damage to the cover, soil, and water in meadows specified in task orders or shown on Contract Area Maps. Vehicular or skidding equipment shall not be used on meadows, except where roads, landings, and tractor roads are approved.

Wetlands Protection Wetlands requiring protection under Executive Order 11990 will be specified in task orders or shown on Contract Area Maps. Vehicular or skidding equipment shall not be used in such wetlands, except where roads, landings, and tractor roads are approved by the Contracting Officer.

4.2 Improvements

So far as practicable, Contractor shall protect Specified Roads and other improvements (such as roads, trails, telephone lines, ditches, gates and fences) within the operational area, designated on Contract Area Maps or when determined to have a continuing need or use. Contractor shall keep roads and trails needed for fire protection or other purposes and designated on Contract Area Map reasonably free of equipment and products, slash, and debris resulting from Contractor’s Operations. Contractor shall make timely restoration of any such improvements damaged by Contractor’s Operations.

Unless specified in the task order, the following improvement and developments shall be free from treatment slash created by the tasks in this contract:

A. The area adjacent to cut and fill slopes, and ditches for a distance of 10 feet measured from the upper cut slope and the lower shoulder of the road. Material shall be less than 6 feet in length to prevent barriers along roads.

B. Culverts for a distance of 15 feet.

Unless specified in the task order, protected improvements include:

Protected Improvements

Description Location

Roads , Trails, Fences, Gates

All Roads and trails shown on MVUM, Fences and Gates in upright and operation condition

As located throughout contract area.

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Protected Improvements

Description Location

Picnic Tables, Bathrooms, Kiosks, Signs, Recreation Facilities located within the project area

As identified on Contract Area Map

All protected improvements will be protected from damage by the contractor. If any protected improvements are disturbed the contractor will immediately contact the COR and will be liable for the cost of repairs.

4.3 Protection of Land Survey Monuments

Contractor shall protect all known and discovered survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, and bearing trees against avoidable destruction, obliteration, or damage during Contractor’s Operations. If any known monuments, corners, or accessories are destroyed, obliterated, or damaged by Contractor’s Operations, Contractor shall hire the appropriate county surveyor or a registered land surveyor to reestablish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, or accessories at no additional cost to the Government. Such surveyors shall use procedures in accordance with the Bureau of Land Management “Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States” for General Land Office surveys and in accordance with State law for others. Contractor shall record such survey in appropriate county records.

4.4 Road Systems and Traffic Control

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, when Contractor’s Operations are in progress adjacent to or on Forest Service controlled roads and trails open to public travel, Contractor shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with Contractor’s Operations. Contractor and Forest Service shall agree to a specific Traffic Control plan for each individual project prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed. Except at otherwise agreed, flagmen and devices shall be as specified in the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUCD) and as shown on Plans, Contract Area Map, Traffic Control Plan or in specifications attached hereto.

5.0 WORK PLAN AND SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates that work will be completed within the performance period described in solicitation. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal if requested. A supplementary plan and schedules will be provided after contract award, but before start work.

The Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer or COR of any periods that the Contractor will not be working that is not specified in the accepted Work Plan. The Contractor may update the work plan when work is in progress and the Contracting Officer may accept the updated work plan.

6.0 ON-SITE REPRESENTATIVE

The Contractor’s on-site representative shall be fully conversant and literate in the English language and shall be in the work area whenever work is in progress.

7.0 PRE-WORK MEETINGS

Prior to commencement of work under task orders, approved Contractors shall be required to attend pre-work meetings to discuss the terms and conditions of the task orders, the work performance requirements, safety, and complete other paperwork, as required to commence work. Pre-work meetings may not be required but only after discussion and concurrence between the Contractor and Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

8.0 COMMUNICATIONS

The Contractor shall keep the Contracting Officer advised as to where the Contractor or Contractor's representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension and periods of time without work. Further, the Contractor shall maintain contact with the Contracting Officer during periods of work suspension or periods of time without work.

For the life of this contract, the contractor shall monitor the email address and telephone number provided to the

R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 10 of 16 government. The government requires response to email or telephone inquiries within three days. Not responding within three days is an un-satisfactory business practice and will reflect unfavorably on the performance evaluation, subsequent source selections, and may result in contract termination. Email sent by the government to the contractor shall be considered received the same day they are sent.

9.0 CAMPING AND WORKSITE CONDITIONS

The Contractor shall prepare a Camping and/or Worksite Plan and operate in a manner that will protect the environmental resources. In work camps, portable toilet facilities must be provided and maintained by the Contractor. Pit toilets or free range around camp is not acceptable. Portable toilets-on-trailers are available for rent from local sewer and septic businesses in the communities. Due to black bear activity, food and refuse will be secured in a protected location. On Forests with grizzly bears, additional food storage restrictions may be required in the task order. The worksite Plan will also identify locations for loading/unloading and servicing of heavy equipment throughout the project life. Bothe camping and worksite locations must be approved by the government prior to work commencing.

10.0 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP)

The Contractor shall prepare a Quality Control Plan to ensure quality performance and accurate results. The Plan shall describe methods for quality control. The Contractor shall inspect the work in accordance with the accepted Quality Control Plan. Contractor inspection records shall be provided upon submission of plots for payment.

The QCP must demonstrate how the Contractor will meet the requirements and specifications of the contract, and that work is progressing in compliance with specifications quality (for example, demonstrating survey intensity). The Contractor’s quality control inspection system shall be used in the administration of the requirements for all service work.

The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Services include field inspection, documentation on plots surveyed, electronic data supplied, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government for six months after task order completion.

The Contractor shall update and follow a Quality Control Plan (QCP) and Schedule once a Task Order is issued. The QCP and Schedule will become a part of the awarded contract. Any changes to the submitted QCP and Schedule will be agreed to in advance by both the Government and the Contractor.

All Contractor inspection records shall be provided to the Government at the time a block of data is submitted for acceptance. All records shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection.

11.0 PLOT INSPECTIONS

The Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of work defined in the task order and which represents the entire area treated. If included pruning, girdling, piling, or lop and scatter shall be inspected with thinning.

The Contractor shall sample at least 1-percent of the treated area, with a minimum of 5 plots per treatment unit. The Contractor shall specify plot size to be used during inspection or as required in the task order. The Government may observe or re-inspect the Contractor’s plots at any time. The Contractor shall mark and identify each inspection plot on the ground.

12.0 MEASUREMENT

12.1 Measurement

The area to be treated will be stated in the task order. All linear and area measurements under this contract are measured on a horizontal plane within the established boundaries. Acreages will be determined using GIS by digitizing boundaries from ortho-photos and calculating the acreages. Boundaries are marked as indicated in the task order.

12.2 Re-Measurement

The Contractor may at any time after award request re-measurement of any Item. The request must be in writing within 10 days after completion of a unit or pay item. The method of re-measurement will be the same as the original method of measurement used, unless another method is mutually agreed upon. The Government’s re-measurement of the Item will be made within established boundaries.

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If re-measurement indicates a variance of 5 percent or less in the acreage stated in the task order, there will be no adjustment in acres and the Contractor shall pay for the actual cost of re-measurement.

If re-measurement results in a variance greater than 5 percent in the acreage stated in the task order, payment shall be based on the re-measured acreage and the Government shall pay for the re- measurement.

13.0 PAYMENTS, REDUCTIONS & RE-INSPECTION COSTS

13.1 Method of Payment

Payment will be made for completed task(s) meeting or exceeding the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). Upon acceptance, payment will be determined on the service less any deductions for any nonconforming or unacceptable performance as noted below. As specified by the task order, invoices may be submitted for percentage of completed work as inspected and certified by the contracting officer’s representative.

13.1 Reductions.

Payments at 90% AQL or above The Government expects to receive good services. The minimum 90% AQL is required to achieve a satisfactory performance rating. Full payment will be made for final work meeting at least 90% AQL and above.

Payments at 81 to 89% AQL If the unit cannot/will not be reworked to achieve the minimum required 90% AQL, payment of 90% of the unit price will be made for AQL falling between 80 to 89% AQL.

Payments below 80% AQL If the unit cannot/will not be reworked to achieve the minimum required 90% AQL, payment of 90% of the unit price times the actual AQL received will be made for AQL falling below 80% AQL.

Example - 75% AQL is achieved. Unit price is $10,000.00

10,000 x 90% = 9,000 x 75% = $6,750.00 price to be paid for unit.

Re-Inspection Costs:

If the original government inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested, in writing, up to seven (7) days after receiving notification of unacceptable work. If the original inspection results in failure due to an unacceptable Form Score or Total Score, but re-inspection results in fully passing score, then the Government assumes the cost of re-inspection. If the re-inspection confirms the results of the original inspection, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for performing re-inspection.

If rework of task(s) is required, the Contractor will be assessed the costs incurred by the Government in performing such activities. The table below lists charge rates for Government re-inspection of work.

Activity Charge rate Government wages (per employee performing re-inspection) $50.00/hour

*Government mileage $0.65/mile

*Mileage reimbursement rate in effect $0.65 per mile. Mileage rates change periodically and the most current mileage rates for assessed damages at the time will be used. Most current mileage rates can be found at the General Services Administration website https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/transportation-airfare-rates-pov-rates/privately-owned-vehicle-pov-mileage-reimbursement-rates

14.0 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS and TERMINOLOGY

Accessible: Road access to a unit. Unit will be considered accessible when road access is within 1/4 mile of the unit. Only

R2 Vegetation Management Services IDIQ Page 12 of 16 roads on the motor vehicle use map will be considered accessible.

Acceptable (Stocking) Density: The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in a task order.

Aerial Fuels: All live and dead vegetation in the forest canopy or above surface fuels , including tree branches, twigs and cones, snags, moss, and high brush.

Ash Pits – The footprint and area surrounding burned slash piles which includes ash, partially burned log ends, and shoulders of unburned or partially burned woody debris, and surrounding woody debris mats. The ash pit itself is usually a depression in the ground.

Biomass: Biomass is any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including trees, plants and associated residues; plant fiber; poultry litter and other animal wastes; industrial waste; and the paper component of municipal waste.

Blowdown: Tree or trees felled or broken off by wind.

Brush: A collective term that refers to stands of vegetation dominated by shrubby, woody plants or low- growing trees, usually of a type undesirable for livestock or timber management.

Bucking: To saw felled trees into a shorter length.

Cambium: A layer of living cells between the wood and the innermost bark of a tree.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer (CO). The duties and responsibilities are defined in the letter of designation issued by the CO.

Control Line: A constructed or natural barrier and treated fire edge used to control a fire.

Crushing - Process of breaking up, spreading, and compacting slash to reduce slash height, and spreading concentrations of slash out over a larger area by mechanical means.

Cultural and/or Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Sites: Locations where special protection is required to preserve and protect cultural values and species of plants or animals listed on the T&E list.

Damage: Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark on more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Dead Fuels: Fuels with no living tissue in which moisture content is governed almost entirely by atmospheric moisture (relative humidity and precipitation), dry-bulb temperature, and solar radiation.

Defensible Space: An area either natural or manmade where material capable of causing a fire to spread has been treated, cleared, reduced, or changed to act as a barrier between an advancing wildland fire and resources or lives at risk. In practice, defensible space is generally defined as an area of 30 feet or more around a structure that is cleared of flammable brush or vegetation or other fuels.

DBH: Diameter measured at breast height, 4.5 feet above ground on the uphill side of the tree.

Dominant Tree: Tree whose crown extends above the general level of the main canopy; or in some cases, a tree whose canopy is above the main canopy of the tree’s immediate neighbors, receiving full light from above.

DRC: Diameter at Root Collar. Diameter measured at collar 1 inch above ground line.

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Dripline: the line extending vertically from the exterior edge of a tree live crown to the ground.

Duff: The layer of decomposing organic materials lying below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil.

Excess Trees: Uncut trees, according to specifications, that should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, and stumps with live limbs. When girdling or pruning is required, excess trees also includes trees not girdled or trees not pruned that, according to specification, should have been girdled or pruned.

Fine Fuels: Fast-drying fuels, generally with a comparatively high surface area-to-volume ratio, which are less than 1/4-inch in diameter and have a time lag of one hour or less. These fuels ignite readily and are rapidly consumed by fire when dry.

Fire Break: A natural or constructed barrier used to stop or check fires, or to provide a control line from which to work.

Fireline: A fire control line that is dug or scraped to mineral soil by hand or machine according to minimum clearance standards. In certain areas this may be a natural barrier (road, river, rock, etc.).

Flank Lines: A fire control line constructed on the side of the unit (running across contours, i.e., up or down the slope).

Flash Fuels: Fuels such as grass, leaves, pine needles, ferns, tree moss, and some types of slash, flash fuels or flashy fuels ignite readily and are consumed rapidly when dry. Also called fine fuels.

Forb: A plant with a soft rather than permanent woody stem, that is not a grass or grass-like plant.

Fuel: Combustible material. Includes vegetation such as grass, leaves, ground litter plants, shrubs, and trees that feed a fire. (Also see Surface Fuels.)

Fuel Loading: The amount of fuels present expressed quantitatively in terms of weight per unit area.

Fuels Management: Management of wildland fuel complexes to achieve hazardous fuel reduction, to achieve and maintain ecosystem restoration, and to maintain ecosystem health and other resource benefits. Management includes strategic planning and site-specific and landscape-scale treatments designed to improve abilities to protect life and property, and to maintain or restore the sustainability of healthy ecosystems. Fuel management is accomplished by the application and integration of a variety of treatments that will minimize the probability and effects of large-scale, high-intensity fires. These treatments, a variety of fire and non-fire techniques, include, but are not limited to, mechanical, chemical, biological, and manual methods, and prescribed fire and wildland fire use. Both naturally occurring fuels and hazardous fuel accumulations resulting from resource management and land use activities must be addressed.

Fuels Reduction: Manipulation, including combustion or removal of fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition and/or to lessen potential damage and resistance to control. Often includes thinning and/or prescribed burning.

Fuel Treatment: Any vegetation manipulation and/or removal/modification of wildland fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition, to reduce potential fire intensity and spread rates, to lessen potential damage and resistance to control, or to limit the spread and proliferation of invasive species and diseases. Fuels treatments achieve site-specific fire and resource management objectives under approved land use plans and with full compliance to NEPA and other regulatory statutes.

Fuel Type: An identifiable association of fuel elements of a distinctive plant species, form, size, arrangement, or other characteristics that…