RFP-2024-092-AT-Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Proj-CSFS.pdf

Request for Proposals #RFP-2024-092-AT Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Project –

Colorado State Forest Service

Table of Contents I. Background

A. Colorado State University System Background

B. Colorado State University Background

C. Colorado State University Pueblo Background

D. Colorado State University Global

E. Colorado State Forest Services

F. Purpose

II. Scope and Statement of Needs

A. Project Objective

B. Project Administration

C. Project Location

D. Contract Period

E. Operational Blocks and Timeline for Completing Work

F. Plan of Operation

G. Volume Determination and Product Ownership

H. Utilization Standards

I. Units Overview and Prescriptions for Treatment

J. Subcontracting

K. Load Identification and Log Accountability

L. Temporary Roads

M. Skid Trails

N. Landing Trails & Decking Specifications

O. Landing Pile Specifications

P. Stumps

Q. Other Project Specifications

R. Threatened and Endangered Species Considerations

S. Damage Fees & Penalties

III. Information Required from Respondents

A. Cover Letter

B. Experience

C. Equipment

D. Price

E. Project Timelines

F. Additional Information

G. Exceptions to the RFP Terms and Conditions

H. Authorized Agent

IV. Administrative Information

A. Issuing Office

B. Purpose

C. Definitions

D. Scope

E. Schedule of Activities

F. Request for Proposal - Respond and Responsibilities of Offerors

G. Inquiries

H. Addendum or Supplement to Request for Proposal

I. Proposal Submission

J. Confidentiality

K. News Releases

L. Response Material Ownership

M. Incurring Costs

N. Acceptance of Proposal Content

O. Acceptance Time

P. Additional Data

Q. Evaluation and Award

R. Standard Contract

S. Exceptions

T. F.O.B. Delivery

U. Specification Requirement

V. Payment Terms

W. RFP Opening

X. Term

Y. Resident Bidders

Z. Oral Presentations/Site Visits

AA. Selection of Proposal

BB. Award of Contract

CC. Cooperative Purchasing

DD. RFP Cancellation

Appendix A: Plan of Operations

Appendix B: Marking Reference Sheet

Appendix C: Cost Page

Appendix D: ASCC – Mandatory Site Visit Information

Appendix E: Signature Page

Appendix F: Independent Service Contract Template

I. Background A. Colorado State University System Background The CSU System is comprised of three campuses with very distinct roles and missions, CSU-Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo, and CSU-Global Campus. The CSU campuses serve the state, region, country, and world, educating nearly 60,000 students annually. Highly skilled graduates number almost 9,000 per year, and more than 250,000 alumni live around the globe.

B. Colorado State University Background Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the System’s flagship institution, is a doctoral-granting research university with a student body of more than 33,000, with one out of four students being first-generation scholars. As the state’s only land-grant institution, CSU has been serving Colorado since 1870. Our world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, environmental science, and biomedical technology attracts more than $350 million in research funding annually. Our professional programs in veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, journalism, agriculture, and construction management are ranked among the nation’s best.

Colorado State is the “university of choice” for Colorado residents; 30% of all of Colorado’s science, math, engineering, and technology majors pursue degrees at CSU.

CSU’s purpose is to ensure students can realize their dreams and impact the world through access to innovative and relevant academic programming, an incomparable student experience, extraordinary faculty and staff, research, and new knowledge discovery to solve global challenges, and state-of-the-art working and learning environments.

C. Colorado State University Pueblo Background Colorado State University-Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive, federally designated Hispanic- Serving Institution, serving approximately 4,000 students – 47 percent of whom identify as a minority, including more than 25 percent Hispanic, and 31 percent first-generation. Diverse, intimate, and supportive, the Pueblo campus serves the Southern Colorado area offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, education, engineering, nursing, and the humanities. CSU-Pueblo delivers unique programs in mechatronics, railroad engineering, and automotive industry management.

D. Colorado State University Global Colorado State University Global is the nation’s first, independent, 100-percent online accredited public university. With almost 19,000 students in more than 40 countries, CSU Global serves adults, active military, and business professionals who seek flexible educational options. Created to serve modern learners in Colorado and beyond, CSU Global is committed to academic excellence, innovative and outcome-driven learning solutions, and career-relevant degree programs.

E. Colorado State Forest Services Established in 1955, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Headquartered in Fort Collins, the agency provides staffing for the Division of Forestry within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. We have approximately 100 (full-time and part-time); more than 70 seasonal employees; and 17 field offices throughout the state. The CSFS is committed to providing timely, relevant forestry information and education to the citizens of Colorado to achieve resilient forests and communities. Using applied science, we have adapted our focus and approach throughout the decades in response to emerging forestry issues. CSFS funding consists of federal grants, state general fund and state grants, self-funded operations, other revenues, and severance tax. The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations.

F. Purpose The Request for Proposal is for 319 acres of mechanical forest treatment located in the Colorado State Forest, east of Walden, CO (See attached Map file in BidNet). The purpose of the project is to implement and study different forest management prescriptions in high elevation forests (spruce-fir and lodgepole) in the face of a changing climate.

The project area was selectively horse logged from the 1940-1950’s. Timber harvest at that time employed an 11” diameter cutting limit, meaning that many small to medium size trees were released through overstory removal. The current forest composition is dominated by spruce-fir, with a healthy component of lodgepole pine. Many of the larger diameter trees are dead standing spruce and lodgepole that succumbed to recent beetle outbreaks.

The terrain is highly variable and slopes range from 0 to 40%. There is an extensive network of old roads and skid trails that have been mapped (See attached Map file in BidNet), and Offeror(s) will have the option of restoring and using the existing road infrastructure. Winter access to the project units will require plowing approximately 3 miles of road that extends from the southernmost Unit along Bockman Road to the entrance of Jackson County Rd 41. The County and CPW plow JCR41 throughout the winter.

II. Scope and Statement of Needs A. Project Objective The project specifies 3 distinct forest treatment types with differing silvicultural prescriptions: 1) Resistance, 2) Resilience and 3) Transition. Each treatment type is comprised of approximately 100 acres broken into 4 distinct harvest units, roughly equal in size. The following prescription summaries, by treatment type, are for an individual unit:

1. Resistance Treatment - Each 25-to-30-acre harvest unit within the 100 acres of resistance treatment calls for a sanitation cut and thinning. Treatment requires removal of all dead trees greater than 7” dbh, a small number of green lodgepole pine heavily infected with mistletoe, and unhealthy subalpine fir. Offeror will lop and scatter treetops and branches and leave in the woods at a height 18” or less.

2. Resilience Treatment - Each 25-to-30-acre harvest unit within the resilience treatment follows the same prescription as the resistance treatment with one significant difference:

small clearcut openings. These small openings are comprised of 3 gaps measuring approximately 2 acres in size, and an additional 3 smaller gaps measuring approximately

0.5 acres in size. Offeror will leave tree tops and branches in the woods at a height of less than 18”.

3. Transition Treatment (100 acres) - Each 25-acre harvest unit prescribes patch cuts of varying size to clearcut approximately 14 acres of treatment area. Harvest units will have approximately: 1 gap measuring 4 acres in size, 3 gaps measuring 2 acres in size, and 8 gaps of 0.5 acres in size. No harvest is required in the area outside of the designated patch cuts. Logging will consist of whole tree harvest with slash piles constructed at landings.

* More detail can be found in the “Unit Overview and Prescription for Treatment” section.

B. Project Administration CSFS Forester Blair Rynearson will serve as the Administering Forester. Contact information is listed below:

Blair Rynearson 59228 State Highway 14 Walden, CO 80480 Office: (970)723-4505 Cell: (570) 228-6076 blair.rynearson@colostate.edu

The Administering Forester reserves the right to suspend operations for non-compliance. The Administering Forester reserves the right to specify on the spot work on a case-by-case basis that may override the specifications listed below.

C. Project Location This project is located in the Colorado State Forest, southeast of Walden, CO. All units are located near Bockman Campground, accessed via Colorado State Highway 14, to County Rd 41 and onto Bockman Road (See attached Map file in BidNet), ASCC Project Area Overview. Township 7 North, Range 76 West, Sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Jackson County, Colorado 6th Meridian.

D. Contract Period This agreement will be from the date of the final signature herein until September 1, 2027. The operational period for this contract calls for winter season timber harvest, from October 15 – April 15. The Administering Forester may choose to suspend operations during this period because of extenuating circumstances related to unnecessary damage due to weather, or conflicts with heavy recreation activity. This project shall be completed by September 1, 2027.

mailto:blair.rynearson@colostate.edu

The Administering Forester may choose to suspend operations during this period because of extenuating circumstances related to unnecessary damage due to weather or fire restrictions.

E. Operational Blocks and Timeline for Completing Work Research needs for the project require blocking the 319 acres of total treatment area into 4 operational compartments, herein referred to as “blocks” (See attached Map file in BidNet).

Each block, roughly 80 acres in size, contains 3 of the following units: resistance, resilience, and transition.

Offeror must complete total acreage of the ASCC Project two winter operating seasons (October 15 to April 15), and Offeror must harvest each operational block in a single winter season.

Ensuring completion of an operational block requires that the Offeror complete harvest of an entire 75–80-acre block prior to “mud season”, when soft ground conditions in the spring require temporary suspension of harvest operations. The onset of mud season is highly variable, and it is safe to assume that Offeror can operate harvest operations into early-to-mid March.

The Offeror will have a window of 3 winter operating seasons (2024-2027) to complete the work.

But harvest must occur in 2 consecutive winter operating seasons.

There is a deadline of April 15, 2026, for Offeror to complete work on 2 operational blocks (approximately 160 acres), and complete harvest on the treatment area by April 15th, 2027.

F. Plan of Operation The Offeror shall prepare a Plan of Operations for CSFS prior to the start of any work but not later than thirty (30) days after execution of the contract, (Appendix A). Upon approval by CSFS, the Plan of Operations shall identify all subcontractors. Offeror shall not commence any work until the Administering Forester has approved the Plan of Operations. The Offeror, subject to the approval of the CSFS, may amend the Plan of Operations.

The anticipated operating season is October 15- April 15. However, it may include inoperable periods due to monsoons, drought, and other weather conditions where soil or road conditions could result in resource damage or wildfire risk. CSFS has the authority to suspend operations when conditions warrant. CSFS shall suspend operations when weather has caused forest soil and road conditions to degrade enough to cause damage with continued operations.

G. Volume Determination and Product Ownership CSFS makes no warranties of any kind expressed or otherwise as to the products’ value under this contract. The quantity and quality of wood products are not guaranteed. The Offeror is responsible for making their own estimates of actual gross volume, defect, and net volume recovery. The Offeror’s ownership of forest products transfers when the product is removed from the treatment unit.

H. Utilization Standards The Offeror shall remove green logs greater than eight feet in length and greater than five inches in diameter at the small end with 50% or greater merchantability from the property. The Offeror shall also remove dead logs greater than eight feet in length and greater than six inches in diameter at the small end with 50% or greater merchantability from the property. Offeror shall remove any damaged leave trees and utilize them.

I. Units Overview and Prescriptions for Treatment The ASCC Project is comprised of 12 operational units totaling 319 acres. Within the total project area, there are three distinct forest treatment types, each one having a different prescription and volume removal target (See attached Map file in BidNet). Each forest treatment type is comprised of four units between 25 and 30 acres in size.

Table 1. Project acreage by treatment type and unit designation

Unit # Treatment Type Acres 1, 8, 13 and 17 Resistance 107 3, 9, 14 and 16 Resilience 112 2, 6, 9 and 12 Transition 100

A description of the three treatment types is detailed below. The standard for commercial material, is defined as green trees > 6” DBH and dead trees > 7” DBH.

Treatment Types:

Resistance Treatment – 107 Acres

Description:

The resistance treatment is best characterized as a sanitation treatment through thinning. It has a target of reducing the total basal area (live+dead) by 35%. This basal area target will be met through removal of dead trees, removal of a small percentage of green lodgepole with mistletoe, and removal of a small amount of subalpine fir. This treatment will only require removal of commercial material as defined in the above section on utilization standards (section H).

Offeror will lop and scatter slash treatment with a desired fuel loading of 20-35 tons per acre.

Ensure slash height is 18 inches or less. Offeror will leave slash in the woods and distribute to avoid concentrations. Offeror will remove any dead trees on the ground that meet merchantability standard from the site.

Marking:

Boundaries

Boundaries of the resistance units are marked with BLUE flagging. The tails of the flagging point towards the center of the treatment unit. Where boundaries of the resistance units are shared with boundaries of a differing treatment type, the boundary is marked both in BLUE and the color corresponding to the bordering treatment type. The CSFS will provide Offeror a georeferenced map that displays unit boundaries.

Trees

Dead trees of commercial size were not marked in this treatment. Remove all commercially viable dead trees > 7” DBH is to be conducted through designation by prescription.

Live trees designated for removal are marked with a BLUE diagonal slash on opposite faces of a trees, and stump marked. The number of live trees marked per 25–30-acre resistance unit will vary depending on what is required to meet basal area removal requirements.

Approximately four trees per acre were designated as no cut “wildlife snags.” These trees are painted on both sides with a blue “W.” If a dead tree is marked with blue paint, the Offeror can safely assume it is a wildlife tree. Cutting wildlife snags is permitted when necessary for harvest operations, but consultation is required with the Administering Forester.

Roads

Roads are marked with RED and WHITE striped flagging. CSFS will include a roads layer in the georeferenced maps provided to the Offeror.

Historical Buffers

Offeror will take care not to damage historic log loading bunks that are found throughout the old road system in the treatment units. Buffers protecting these structures are marked in ORANGE and BLACK striped flagging.

Resilience Treatment – 112 Acres

Description:

The resilience treatment has a target of reducing the total basal area (live+dead) by 40%. It achieves this removal target through two distinct categories of timber harvest:

Offeror will harvest roughly 25% percent of the resilience treatment area through “patch cuts”.

Each 25–30-acre unit will have 3 patch cuts of approximately 2 acres in size, and another 3 patch cuts of ½ acre in size.

Table 2. For an individual resilience unit - patch cuts by area, # of cuts and respective acreage

Patch Cut Area # of Patch Cuts Acres 2 acres 3 6

0.5 acres 3 1.5

Within the patch cut areas, Offeror will cut all trees and remove all trees of commercial size. If slash is expected to exceed fuel loading levels of 35 tons per acre, the Administering Forester has authority to ask for whole tree harvest, or construction of burn piles.

The remaining 75% of the resilience treatment area has prescriptions identical to that described in the resistance treatment overview.

Offeror will use lop and scatter as the harvest method with a desired fuel loading of 20-35 tons per acre. Offeror will achieve this through leaving tree tops and unmerchantable material scattered throughout the units. Ensure slash height is 18 inches or less. Leave slash in the woods and distribute to avoid concentrations. Offeror shall remove any dead trees on the ground meeting merchantability standard from the site.

Marking:

Boundaries

Boundaries of the resilience units are marked with PINK flagging. The tails of the flagging point towards the center of the treatment unit. Where boundaries of the resilience units are shared with boundaries of a differing treatment type, the boundary is marked both in PINK and the color corresponding to the bordering treatment type. The CSFS will provide Offeror with a georeferenced map that displays unit boundaries.

Patch Cuts

The boundary trees of areas designated for patch cuts are painted YELLOW. Boundary trees are painted on both sides, and stump marked. The Offeror is permitted to harvest boundary trees that are commercially viable or removed for harvest operations.

Minor changes to the displayed boundary of the patch cuts might occur to accommodate research plots. Any boundary modification will not affect overall treatment acreage, and CSFS will provide a finalized map before the scheduled site visit.

Trees

Dead trees of commercial size were not marked in this treatment. Offeror is to remove all commercially viable dead trees > 7” DBH through designation by prescription.

Live trees designated for removal are marked with a BLUE diagonal slash on opposite faces of a trees, and stump marked. The number of live trees marked per 25–30-acre resilience unit will vary depending on what is required to meet basal area removal requirements.

Approximately four trees per acre are designated as “wildlife snags.” These trees are painted on both sides with a blue “W.” If a dead tree is marked with blue paint, the Offeror can safely assume it is a wildlife tree. Cutting wildlife snags is permitted when necessary for harvest operations, but consultation is required with the Administering Forester.

Roads

Roads are marked with RED and WHITE striped flagging. CSFS will include a roads layer in the georeferenced maps provided to the Offeror.

Historical Buffers

Offeror will take care not to damage historic log loading bunks that are found throughout the old road system in the treatment units. Buffers protecting these structures are marked in ORANGE and BLACK striped flagging.

Transition Treatment – 100 Acres

Description:

The transition treatment has a target of reducing the total basal area (live + dead) by 50-60%.

Offeror will meet this basal area target through varying sizes of patch cuts. Each 25-acre transition unit will contain the following number of patch cuts by size class:

Table 3. For each individual transition unit - patch cuts by area, # of cuts and respective acreage

Patch Cut Size # of Patch Cuts Acres 4 acres 1 4 2 acres 3 6

0.5 acres 8 4

Offeror will harvest patch cuts by clearcutting all trees. Offeror will whole tree skid commercial trees to landing sites. For details related to piling specifications, reference the “Landing Pile Specifications” section of this RFP. Offeror can cut non-commercial trees and leave them in the woods using lop and scatter. Ensure slash height is 18 inches or less and distributed to avoid concentrations.

If slash from non-commercial trees exceeds fuel loading levels of 20 tons per acre, the Administering Forester has authority to ask for construction of burn piles.

In the transition treatment, harvest will not occur in areas outside of the painted patch cut boundaries. Location of skid trails, temporary roads, and landings outside of the patch cut boundaries is permitted when pre-approved by the Administering Forester.

Marking:

Boundaries

Boundaries of the transition units are marked with ORANGE flagging. The tails of the flagging point towards the center of the treatment unit. Where boundaries of the transition units are shared with boundaries of a differing treatment type, the boundary is marked both in ORANGE and the color corresponding to the bordering treatment type. The Administering Forester has provided Offeror with a georeferenced map that displays unit boundaries.

Patch Cuts

The boundary trees of areas designated for patch cuts are painted YELLOW. Boundary trees are painted on both sides, and stump marked. The Offeror is permitted to harvest boundary trees that are commercial or require removal for harvest operations.

CSFS may make minor changes to the displayed boundary of the patch cuts to accommodate research plots. Any boundary modification will not affect overall treatment acreage, and CSFS will provide a finalized map before the site visit.

Trees

Approximately four trees per acre were designated as “wildlife snags.” These trees are painted on both sides with a blue “W.” If a dead tree is marked with blue paint, the Offeror can safely assume it is a wildlife tree. Cutting wildlife snags is permitted when necessary for harvest operations, but consultation is required with the Administering Forester.

Roads

Roads are marked with RED and WHITE striped flagging. A roads layer will be included in the georeferenced maps provided to the Offeror.

Historical Buffers

Offeror will take care not to damage historic log loading bunks that are found throughout the old road system in the treatment units. Buffers protecting these structures are marked in ORANGE and BLACK striped flagging.

J. Subcontracting The Offeror may not assign this contract, or any part of this contract without prior written consent of the CSU. Offeror shall submit any planned subcontractor use with the bid response and include it in the operations plan provided before work begins. CSFS will hold all subcontractors to the same standards as outlined in the contract. Subcontractors and operators of subcontractors are required to meet with the Administering Forester prior to starting any work.

K. Load Identification and Log Accountability CSFS must track timber volume to report supply provided to the Colorado Timber Industry. The Offeror shall identify all loads of timber in transit using load tickets and markings as described in this section. The Offeror shall show such documentation upon request by CSFS as evidence of accountability and authority to move timber products.

CSFS will issue load ticket books, containing 50 individual load tickets and comprise of four numerically corresponding stubs (book stub, mill stub, load stub, and CSFS stub) to the Offeror prior to the commencement of timber product hauling. These load tickets and their included instructions are a part of this Agreement. Offeror (or their designated hauler, as an agent of Offeror) must complete all items on all four stubs of the load ticket in ink prior to timber removal from the project area. These listed items include project name, payment unit, mill destination, hauler name, date, and time of product removal from sale area, and species hauled.

Identify loads of timber in transit by displaying the load stub portion of the load ticket securely stapled as a placard on a front- driver’s side log.

Load ticket books, and book stubs are accountable items and Offeror must return used or unused upon project completion and prior to project closeout to the Administering Forester.

Administering Forester and the Offeror shall count and sign for issuance and return of ticket books on a receipt form provided by CSFS prior to commencement of hauling activity or project closure, respectively. The CSFS will bill Offeror $100 for each used or unused load ticket book that is not returned to CSFS.

L. Temporary Roads Use existing roads whenever possible. Offeror will locate, construct, and rehabilitate additional roads, skid trails, landings and decks required according to the Performance Standards set forth below. A map of ASCC Project specified roadwork is available in See attached Map file in BidNet.

There are three classifications of roadwork required for the ASCC Treatment:

1) New Temporary Road Construction

2) Major Road Rehab

3) Minor Road Rehab

New Temporary Road Construction

There is approximately 0.35 miles of recommended new temporary road construction on flat to moderately sloped topography. The Offeror has the option of constructing additional roads to improve operational efficiency in consultation with the Administering Forester.

Major Road Rehab

The project area has miles of logging roads from previous timber harvests that occurred from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. Old logging roads were left in place, and the road benches are mapped, intact and visible (See attached Map file in BidNet). Many of these old logging roads are now overgrown by trees 4 to 8 inches in diameter. Offeror must cut these trees prior to using a dozer or excavator to widen the roadbed. There is a total of 2.3 miles of recommended major road rehab throughout the project area; 1.8 miles forested, and 0.5 miles non-forested. The Offeror has the option of rehabbing any of the mapped old logging road system in consultation with the Administering Forester.

Minor Road Rehab

Subsequent timber harvest occurred in the project area during the late 1990’s. Roads used from this harvest were left in place and remain in good condition. Only minor blading and drainage work is required to bring these roads up to standards. There is 0.52 miles of minor road rehab throughout the project area.

Table 4. Proposed road work for ASCC Project

Road Work Type Distance (Miles) New Road Construction 0.33 Major Road Rehab 2.3 Minor Road Rehab 0.52 Total Road work 3.15

The Offeror will follow the CSFS Colorado Forest Road Field Handbook and the 2023 CSFS Forestry Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality at all times. The CSFS will provide copies of this handbook. Use existing roads whenever possible. Offeror will locate additional roads, skid trails, landings and decks required, constructed, and rehabilitated according to the standards set forth below and in consultation with Administering Forester.

CSFS will approve all proposed road locations and any changes to existing road locations prior Offeror starting any work.

Offeror will repair any damage to existing roads caused by the operation as soon as practical.

The Offeror is allowed to rehab any of the mapped “old logging roads” (See attached Map file in BidNet).

The Offeror will install culverts at three temporary crossings (See attached Map file in BidNet).

In the case of culvert installation, cover all culverts with a minimum of 12” of fill material.

All crossings require a 36” culvert, or use of a temporary crossing structure. The Offeror will remove the culverts following treatment, so the Offeror has the option of using a single culvert for all three crossings.

CSFS will provide a 36” culvert if Offeror is able to transport the culvert from the City of Walden to the Project Site.

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One of the three culvert locations (the road leading into Units 12 and 14) has the option of a hard bottom crossing in place of culvert installation.

If harvested in winter, Offeror may need to leave a 12” cap of snow on roads accessing the sale units.

Once the project is finished, Offeror will return any newly constructed spur roads to their original condition.

The Offeror will maintain all roads in a like or better condition than existed prior to commencement of operations. Take care to maintain drainage necessary to prevent erosion during construction or upgrading of roads and hauling products. The Offeror is responsible for any erosion problems resulting from their operation on the subject property. Offeror must correct these problems immediately upon discovery or soon as conditions permit as determined by the Administering Forester(s). Prior to final contract acceptance as complete, all roads utilized by operation on property, Offeror must grade and Administering Forester(s) must inspect drainage facilities for working condition. The Offeror will follow CSFS Colorado Forest Road Field Handbook and the CSFS Forestry Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality at all times.

Following use for harvest and treatment implementation, Offeror will decommission newly constructed temporary roads, which may involve re-contouring where significant side slope exists, elimination of ditches and other structures, removal of temporary stream crossings is required.

M. Skid Trails Use existing skid trails and landings whenever possible. The Administering Forester will approve all skid trails and landings in advance. Offeror should generally place at 50 foot or greater spacing outside of the Stream Side Management Zones (SMZs). Skid trails that can cross SMZs only were identified by the Administering Forester. Offeror will identify and flag any skid trails crossing an SMZ prior to any skidding operations. Skid trails, landings and temporary roads should not exceed more than 15% of harvest area. Skid trails are allowed to pass through research plots, and Offeror should not consider plot location for designation of skid trails. Skid trail and landing closure will require water barring, re-contouring, ripping, slash scattering, or a combination of these treatments, as determined by the Administering Forester.

The Offeror is responsible for any erosion problems that are the result of their operation on the subject property. The Offeror should correct problems immediately upon discovery or as soon as conditions permit as determined by the Administering Forester.

N. Landing Trails & Decking Specifications The Administering Forester will consult with the operator regarding optimal placement of landings, decks and skid trails prior to work starting in each unit. There is significant flexibility on landing locations, but Offeror should make all attempts to locate landings away from the 55ft buffer of existing research plots. If there are units where landing location is made difficult by research plot location, the Administering Forester has the right to designate landing sites outside of the boundaries of the flagged treatment units. If there is no alternative but to have a landing site within 55ft of a research plot center, the Administering Forester has the authority to make that decision.

The Offeror shall mechanically rip landings to a depth of 6-12 inches, except where bedrock limits ripping depth. After ripping, the Offeror shall obstruct the area with a combination of non-commercial cull material, tops, and logging slash, not to exceed a depth of 18 inches. Distribute slash throughout the entire extent of the landing area and cover at least 50% but no more than 80% of the disturbed ground surface.

O. Landing Pile Specifications For the transition treatment that requires whole tree harvest and piling of slash: Locate piles at least twice the diameter of the pile from the live canopy edge (i.e., drip line) of any residual live trees. If conditions make it impractical to locate piles so that damage to residual live trees cannot be avoided, the Administering Forester will designate an area to clear. Make no piles in roads, streams or within the channel bottom above any culvert intakes. Do not construct burn piles within the 55 ft buffer surrounding research plots.

Construct piles in a manner where they have a good base to prevent them from toppling. Build piles with a tracked or rubber-tired machine equipped with a grapple or bucket with a thumb for grasping tree sections for piling. Ensure no dirt or rocks are within the pile.

Where slash piles are the method of slash disposal, the Offeror and the Administering Forester will determine where slash piles are located prior to the start of work. Ensure slash piles are free of dirt and piled appropriately for burning. Piles should not exceed 30,000 cubic feet in size. the Offeror will NOT burn the piles.

P. Stumps Cut stumps at twelve (12) inches or less as measured on the uphill side unless rocks or other objects require a taller stump.

COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

1. Inspection. CSFS’s quality assurance inspections will determine compliance with specifications. Inspections will consist of visual observations to determine compliance with the specifications. These inspections will determine the acceptability of the work performed and considered conclusive. Compliance with the contract specifications will determine acceptance. Noncompliance will result in non-acceptance of the work.

2. Rework and Re-inspection after Rework. Administering Forester will reinspect after rework in the same manner as the first inspection but on different areas.

3. Inspection of Slash Treatment and Other Contract Requirements. Acceptance is determined by inspection of areas requiring treatment and based on adherence to the specifications. Noncompliance with any of the specifications will classify the treatment as unsatisfactory and rework is required to bring the treatment up to specification standards.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The following describes the major items in the contract with the incentives and deductions for the work described.

Table 5.

Performance standards, the assessment methods, and appropriate resolutions for each of the major tasks in the contract.

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)

Acceptable Quality Level – Thinning (cut trees) AQL 90% acceptable level of performance MONITIORING METHOD – Visual inspections and sampling of Contracts work Acceptable Quality Level – Slash Treatment AQL 90% acceptable level of performance

MONITIORING METHOD – Visual inspections and sampling of Contracts work

RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS

Water Quality- The Offeror shall observe the following measures to protect stream courses:

1. Conduct operations to prevent debris from entering stream courses. In the event the operations cause debris to enter stream courses in amounts which may adversely affect the natural flow of the stream, water quality or fishery resource, the Offeror shall remove such debris as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 48 hours, and in an agreed manner that will cause the least disturbance to stream courses.

Work Statement

Performance Standard

CSFS Method of Assessment

Incentive/ deduction

Cutting all designated cut trees

Quality meets specifications

Visual Inspection

Rework required if Offeror fails to meet standard.

Lop and scatter according to specifications

Quality meets specifications

Visual Inspection

Rework required if

Piling according to specifications

Quality meets specifications

Visual Inspection

Rework required if

2. Offeror shall not operate equipment in stream courses or riparian areas except at crossings designated by the Public Lands Representative. Offeror should cross perpendicular to direction of flow.

3. Equipment will have restrictions associated with operation in riparian areas, which is defined as permanent or intermittent wet spots or drainages with willows, or other riparian vegetation. These areas are protected by description and may or may not delineated on the ground.

Wet Period Restrictions

The operational period accounts for the wet spruce-fir forest type. CSFS may temporarily suspend operation in a specific area. CSFS is not responsible for additional mobilization costs if the project is suspended due to wet conditions.

Other Resource Protection

Offeror shall conduct all activities associated with this project in such a manner that there is no adverse impact to the following resources listed.

Litter- Offeror shall clean-up and dispose of all generated litter at an approved sanitary landfill or other location and in a manner approved by the government representative.

Protection of Improvements and Survey Monuments- The Offeror(s) shall avoid any damage to improvements such as, but not limited to, fences, gates, utility poles, survey markers or monuments, claim stakes, survey witness trees and cultural sites. The Offeror is required to repair or pay fair market value to replace any damaged improvements.

Protection of Historic Log Loading Structures- The Offeror(s) shall avoid any damage to the historic log loading areas displayed in See attached Map file in BidNet. The structures have a 15ft buffer flagged in orange and black striped flagging. Offeror may cut trees around the structures but must ensure no damage to the structures during skidding and road building operations.

Other Protection Measures

Hazardous Spills

Hazardous Materials and Spills. Use of hazardous materials and/or petroleum products requires that Offeror comply with all appropriate State and Federal Regulations including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). On-site contamination of the worksite with hazardous materials or waste including hydrocarbons is not authorized. On-site contamination will subject the Offeror to at least the cost of reclamation and the appropriate disposal of contaminated material, soil, or water.

Safety

When the Offeror’s operations are in progress adjacent to roads and trails open to public travel, the Offeror shall furnish, install, and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with the Offeror’s operations. Ensure devices are appropriate to current conditions and covered or removed when not needed.

Noxious Weeds

Cleaning of Equipment. The Offeror shall insure all equipment moved onto Public Land is free of soil, seeds and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold weed seeds. The Offeror shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure compliance and shall notify the government representative prior to moving each piece of equipment onto State land. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operations. Offeror will plan for the Administering Forester to inspect each piece of equipment prior to moving it onto State land. “Equipment” includes all machinery except for log trucks, chip vans, pickup trucks, cars, or other vehicles primarily for transport of personnel.

Fire Control

The Offeror will exercise all possible precautions to prevent wildfire and shall assist in the suppression of any fire that is on or threatening the property of the COLORADO STATE LAND BOARD. During the fire season the Offeror will have the following firefighting tools located on the sale site:

o A combination of shovels, McLeods and Pulaski’s sufficient to equip each person on the treatment crew o A minimum of one back-pack pump per every 5 people on the treatment crew o A minimum of two 5-pound fire extinguishers available at fueling locations

The CSFS may suspend or limit harvest operations during periods of extreme fire danger.

Q. Other Project Specifications

• The Administering Forester must approve in advance any harvest related operations occurring outside of unit boundaries as depicted in See attached Map file in BidNet.

• The Administering Forester must approve any changes to planned roads.

• Offeror shall remove any soil contaminated by loss of fuel, oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, coolant or other fluids and place in covered drums or other acceptable containers for proper disposal.

• The Offeror shall maintain a drug and alcohol-free work environment on the subject property.

• The Offeror will take all necessary precautions to prevent damage to improvements in the project area. If damage occurs to any improvement, the Offeror will restore the improvement to its original or better condition and bear all costs associated with the repair.

• The CSFS may suspend or limit the Offeror’s harvest operation if excess damage is occurring or due to the following conditions:

o Excess damage is occurring due to mud, snow, rutting or due to unstable soil conditions such as, unfrozen soil, lack of snowpack or saturated soils (or above the plastic limit).

o Theft of timber.

o Extreme fire danger.

o Other extreme, severe, or excessive situations deemed appropriate by the CSFS.

• The Offeror will keep trash picked up at all times and haul from the site on a regular basis.

The Offeror shall install, if not already present, and maintain legible “Log Trucks Hauling” signs on County Rd 41 and Colorado State Highway 14. the Administering Forester must approve the safety signage and placement and it must meet the Manual of Uniform Traffic and Control Devices (MUTCD) standards.

R. Threatened and Endangered Species Considerations CSFS knows of no threatened or endangered species present within the project area. Should the Offeror find evidence of a threatened or endangered species, they should contact US Fish and Wildlife, or Colorado Parks and Wildlife within 24 hours.

S. Damage Fees & Penalties The Offeror shall pay a damage deposit in the amount of $10,000 upon contract execution. The Offeror shall pay using cash or certified check. CSFS shall deduct any damage penalties and charges for damage to soils, improvements or other elements of the forest stand not repaired or corrected by the Offeror from the Damage Deposit. If at any time during the performance of this agreement the Damage Deposit balance falls below $5,000.00, Offeror shall bring it back to the original full amount through additional payments.

CSFS will release any remaining deposit balances to Offeror promptly upon satisfactory completion of this agreement.

Offeror shall protect residual trees to the maximum extent possible. Undesignated timber unnecessarily damaged by negligence or willfully cut by the Offeror will incur a fixed $15 penalty per tree if mitigation measures are not promptly taken to address these damages and must be paid by Offeror within thirty (30) days of invoice by CSFS. CSFS may also assess penalties for damage to soils, improvements, or other elements of the forest stand.

Determination of damage is at the sole discretion of the CSFS but is typically described as basal damage more than 1/3 the circumference of the tree, broken tops, and limbs greater than four

(4) inches in diameter, unnecessary soil disturbance and excessive amounts of any and all of the above. Administering Forester may require utilization of damaged timber.

The Offeror shall conduct all operations in a timely manner and shall take all necessary precautions to protect the remaining forest stand, soil, and any improvements.

III. Information Required from Respondents

The following describes the minimum information that is required from Offerors. If references are made in your response to accompanying materials, specify document names and pages where the information can be found. Failure to comply with the required format and content of all required information may, at the discretion of the University, result in the proposal being eliminated from further consideration.

A. Cover Letter

The Supplier shall furnish a cover letter to introduce the company and its qualifications and to provide a general overview of the Supplier’s proposal.

B. Experience

1. List the key persons and number of dedicated personnel assigned to this project, including:

o Title o Expertise o Experience and tenure with your organization (projects completed) o Experience in the industry outside of your organization if applicable o Applicable certifications or education (trade certificates, academic coursework, or degrees)

2. Provide a list of three (3) client projects completed within the past five years that are in similar scope and size to this RFP and provide a brief overview of the relationship including the following information:

o company or individual name o title of signatory o address o phone number o email address o project description o project title if applicable o project location o date of project o contract amount

CSU has your permission to contact these references if needed.

C. Equipment

• List all equipment your firm will dedicate relative to the project.

o Equipment types o Brand o Model o Year o Maintenance History

D. Price

Complete Appendix D – Cost Page in its entirety.

E. Project Timelines

CSFS has specified when the Offeror may begin work and the operating seasons. The Offeror must fill out the performance period start and end dates (anticipated period of performance) in Appendix D.

The anticipated operating season is October 15th- April 15th. However, it may include inoperable periods due to monsoons, drought, and other weather conditions where soil or road conditions could result in resource damage or wildfire risk. CSFS has the authority to suspend operations when conditions warrant. CSFS shall suspend operations when weather has caused forest soil and road conditions to degrade enough to cause damage with continued operations.

F. Additional Information

1. Describe any services that your company offers not previously requested in this RFP document that may be unique to your organization and add value to the University.

2. 2. Provide any additional information believed to be relevant to the RFP and your firm’s capability to provide the services requested.

G. Exceptions to the RFP Terms and Conditions

All exceptions to the provisions contained in this RFP must be clearly and specifically stated in this section. Failure to specifically state an exception shall be conclusively deemed a waiver of any such objection. Failure or refusal to execute the contract documents as accepted, within the required time stated in this RFP, shall be cause for immediate cancellation of the award.

H. Authorized Agent

The attached signature page, Appendix E – Signature Page, must be completed by an authorized agent of the firm and attached to the proposal.

IV. Administrative Information A. Issuing Office

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued for the State of Colorado, Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System, by the Colorado State University Office of Procurement Services. This RFP is governed by the Colorado State University Procurement Rules in effect at the time of its issuance and may differ from the State of Colorado Procurement Code and Rules. This RFP is not governed by or subject to the State of Colorado Procurement Code or Rules.

B. Purpose This Request for Proposal provides prospective Offerors with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit proposals.

C. Definitions In the following Request for Proposal (RFP) the term “University” shall be understood to mean “The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System acting by and through Colorado State University.”

The term “Offeror,” as used herein, shall be understood to mean the individual, company, corporation, or firm formally submitting a response to this RFP, and may also be referred to as the “Offeror,” “Supplier,” or “Firm.”

The term “Response,” as used herein, shall be understood to mean a written offer to provide goods and/or services in accordance with the general conditions, instructions, and specifications stated herein with exceptions clearly stated, and may be used interchangeably with the term “Proposal.”

D. Scope This Request for Proposal contains the instructions governing the proposals to be submitted and the material to be included therein, mandatory requirements which must be met to be eligible for consideration, and other requirements to be met by each proposal.

E. Schedule of Activities

Schedule of Activities Timeline

All times are Mountain Time (MT)

RFP Published Thursday, September 5, 2024

Mandatory Site Visit Monday, September 23, 2024; 10:30

AM

Written Inquiry Deadline Monday, September 30, 2024, 5:00 PM http://procurement.colostate.edu/policy/policies.aspx http://procurement.colostate.edu/policy/policies.aspx

Responses to Written Inquiries Published (estimate)

Tuesday, October 2, 2024; 5:00 PM

Proposal Submission Deadline Monday, October 7, 2024, 3:00 PM MT

Award Notification (estimate)…