RFQ 1240BK25Q0017 Cone Collection.pdf

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CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

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

OFFEROR

40BK

PORTLAND OR 97204-2829

STE 310

1220 SW 3RD AVE

USDA-FS CSA NORTHWEST 1

04R4 CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115310

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR40BK

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

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SMALL BUSINESS

03/13/2025

458-212-6064JARED MACHGAN

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

04/02/2025 1700 PT

b. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

1240BK25Q0017

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

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

1 291146482OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

SPRINGFIELD OR 97477

3106 PIERCE PARKWAY SUITE D

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

USDA FOREST SERVICE

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PORTLAND OR 97204-2829

STE 310

1220 SW 3RD AVE

9. ISSUED BY

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EFFECTIVE DATE

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USDA-FS CSA NORTHWEST 1

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

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24.

AMOUNT

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UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

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ITEM NO.

Estimated Period of Performance:

08/19/2025 to 09/10/2025

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Continued ...

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HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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JARED D. MACHGAN

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29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

IPP

I N V O I C E P R O C E S S I N G P L A T F O R M I P P E L E C T R O N I C A L L Y T H R O U G H T H E A L L I N V O I C E S M U S T B E S U B M I T T E D I N V O I C E P R O C E S S I N G P L A T F O R M I P P

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM IPP

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ALL INVOICES MUST BE SUBMITTED

INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM IPP

Solicitation Number: 1240BK25Q0017 Cone Collecting

Work Location: Field locations on the Willamette National Forest, Seed Orchards near McKenzie Bridge and Oakridge, Oregon.

Forest/District: Willamette National Forest

VENDOR NAME: _____________________________________________

VENDOR UEI: _____________________________________________

Offers due no later than 1700 PT 4/2/2025

Bid Item Species Activity

Estimated

Maximum

Quantity

Unit

(Tree/Bushel) Unit Price Total

0001 Douglas-fir

Lower Foley

Orchard

Collection

25 Bushels $ $

0002 Douglas-fir

Westfir

Orchard

Collection

15 Bushels $ $

0003 Incense cedar

Field/Open

Source collection

20 Bushels $ $

Western white pine

Pebble

Orchard 20 Bushels $ $

0005 Noble fir

Field/Open

Source collection

20 Bushels $ $

TOTAL ALL ITEMS 100 $

Project Specific Information: For questions concerning unit information or maps please contact:

Lindsay Anderson at the Willamette National Forest, Supervisors Office, Springfield, Oregon via email at lindsay.m.anderson@usda.gov.

Alternative Point of Contact:

Joshua Miller Hoshua.miller1@usda.gov

Estimated Earliest Start Work Date:

General Cone Collection: August 19, 2025

Performance Time: 14 days from start of collection for each species; total contract performance time 30 days.

(vi) Description of Requirement (including a list of any attachments)

1.1 Scope of Contract

The Schedule of Items reflects the maximum total bushels of cone collection needs for all four ranger districts located on the Willamette National Forest in 2024. The maximum quantity is not a representation that the stated quantity will be required or ordered or that conditions affecting requirements will be stable or normal. Utilization of the “requirements” contract has been determined to be appropriate for acquiring cone collection needs as the Government anticipates recurring requirements but cannot predetermine the precise quantities that will be ordered during the contract period. The contract quantities do not include a minimum

(guaranteed) obligation on the part of the Government.

The scope includes the contractor furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals in compliance with the contract’s terms, specifications, and provisions.

The project consists of three (3) different cone collection processes, field or open source, orchard, and superior tree cone collections. Field collection may occur on four different districts on the Forest, Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River and Middle Fork. Depending on cone production, orchard collection will be at one of five (5) orchards found on the McKenzie River and Middle Fork Ranger Districts. Superior tree collection will be limited to sugar pine superior trees located on McKenzie River or Middle Fork Ranger Districts.

The quantities listed within the Schedule of Work are a representative sample of the bushels anticipated to be ordered by the Willamette National Forest throughout the duration of the contract. These quantities are estimates based on environmental conditions and cone production.

The estimated quantity stated in the schedule reflects the approximate need the Willamette

National Forest anticipates during the life of the contract. It is not a representation that the estimated quantity will be required, ordered, or that conditions, environmental or biological, affecting requirements will be stable or normal. The Government anticipates recurring requirements but cannot predetermine the precise quantities that will be ordered during the contract period. The contract quantities do not include a minimum (guaranteed) obligation on the part of the Government. However, within this solicitation the Government has asked for a minimum acceptable contractual value, as well as a maximum contractual value the Contractor would accept.

Contractors submitting a solicitation bid, shall enter a unit price for each subitem listed in the

Schedule of Work, then multiply the estimated quantity to obtain their total amount. Any combination of items could occur in a single year.

1.2 Location of Project Areas

• Field (open source) Collections – Field collections may be made from forest conifer trees

(roadside) on any of the districts of the Willamette National Forest. The Government will assist in locating potential sites by providing a road system map and potential tree location maps. Tree identified by the Forest for field collection potential are within a range of 20 to 70 miles of Eugene, Oregon. The distance between production areas will vary based on environmental cone production. Distances between cone field collection areas may vary from 300 feet, up to 2 miles. Trees designated for field collections are roadside (within 200 feet of the road) and generally on flat to moderately steep slopes.

• Seed Orchards – Cone harvesting will be at seed orchards near Blue River and/or

Westfir, Oregon. See vicinity map in Exhibit Section. Orchard aspects are varied, with mostly gentle slopes less than 12%, however slopes above 12% may be present. Tree spacing within the orchards was originally 20x20 feet, but mortality has made the spacing of trees inconsistent.

• Superior Tree Locations – Superior tree collections are from forest trees classified as genetic superior. Trees are located within the Willamette National Forest boundaries.

Government will provide tree location maps. The distance between trees designated for collection varies from less than a mile to up to 2 miles.

Access to Project Areas

• All cone collection sites are designated Forest Service sites. The contractor may be required to obtain permits to access areas that are on closed roads, but no other permits shall be required.

• Field and Superior Tree Collections – Access to all collection sites is by hard or gravel surfaced roads, by Forest Service system roads, using a two or four-wheel drive vehicle.

• Seed Orchards – Access to all orchards harvesting sites is by gravel surfaced road using a two-wheel drive vehicle.

• Contractor will be responsible for transportation of all equipment and supplies to the cone collection sites, and cone storage sites, designated by the COR.

• Travel on designated closed roads is prohibited except with prior written permission of the CO or COR.

• Gate keys, if needed, will be supplied to the Contractor after the contract is awarded.

The keys shall be returned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) in a usable condition before a bid item’s final payment is made. The Contractor shall be charged

$100.00 for each key lost or returned in an unusable condition.

SECTION 2 STATEMENT OF WORK

2.1 Collection

Depending on the bid item, cones shall be harvested from trees designated by the Government, or within collection areas identified by the Government. It is expected for field collections that the contractor provides a search and locate process for finding sources of cones within areas suggested by the government. All cones picked by the Contractor’s crews will remain the property of the

Government.

Collection Timing – Cones must be collected when seed is mature, but prior to the opening of cones and shedding of seed. The Government will monitor seed maturity and cone ripeness and issue a start work order when both are acceptable. Harvesting of Douglas-fir cone usually begins in mid to late August.

Harvesting other specie cones ranges from August to October.

The Contractor shall climb trees to collect the cones. Climbing spurs are permitted for all species except for 5 needle pines (sugar, western white, whitebark), superior trees and orchard-based trees. However, it is expected that the Contractor shall minimize bole and limb damage to designated trees. The contractor shall tie a piece of colored flagging around the bole of each tree where cone collections were made. Climbing can also be done with standard climbing gear, and ladders.

Acceptable Seed Cones – Each tree climbed shall have cones inspected for seed soundness, maturity, ripeness and sampled for number prior to collection. The Contractor will be responsible to sample cones prior to collection. Seed shall be considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, climatic or other damages. Seed cones will be considered mature when sound seed within the cone has a hard-brown seed coat, is a white solid, nutlike kernel, has a cream/yellow colored embryo, and the embryo fill 80- 90% of the cavity. Seed also can be readily removed from the cone scales without detaching the seed wing.

All seed cones collected shall be from the current calendar year seed cone crop. Cones other than the current year’s crop will not be acceptable. Bagged cone lots shall not be contaminated with needles, twigs, or cones of other species. Cones should be clean and free from debris and shall be placed in

Government furnished cone bags. Cones may be mixed by orchard or by field collection areas or groups.

Cone shall not be mixed from superior trees, or between field collection areas/groups, or seed collection zones.

Contractor shall randomly sample a minimum of three seed cones per tree to determine soundness and maturity. Each cone will be sliced lengthwise to determine if an acceptable quantity of sound seed on a single cut face. Seed cone shall show a minimum number of viable seed per cut face for collection to occur. For this contract 3-4 seed per cut face will be acceptable. Cut cones shall be inspected by government in the field or if government is not present, cut cones shall be delivered when cones are delivered.

Cones can be collected by hand, using collection equipment (pruning pole, gathering pole), or by other methods (limb shaking). Tarps may be used to gather cones at the base of trees. Cones shall be bagged in the tree or dropped individually from trees. Filled cone bags shall not be dropped or thrown from the tree crown to the ground but shall be lowered to the ground mechanically.

The Government may limit the number of cones collected per tree, or the number of trees picked in one area to assure good geographic distribution of parent trees and to ensure genetic diversity.

The contractor shall complete a collection log each day. The collection log shall be submitted to the

Government daily. At a minimum, the following shall be recorded:

✓ Collection Date, Tree number, Road System, seed per cut face, bushels picked and geographic location.

FIELD COLLECTION

• The Government will attempt to pre-locate areas of roadside trees with medium to /heavy cone crops (1/2 bushel or greater per tree), flag these locations and provide locations or maps to the

Contractor. Conifer trees will be located individually or in groups of 2-4 trees within 200 feet of a road. A predetermined color of flagging will be used to mark trees or locations. The Government will also provide a suggested collection sequence for collection to help guide the Contractor’s collection work. The contractor will not be obligated to follow this sequence.

• Contractor may identify additional areas, outside those the government has identified, as good sources and may also pick from these areas. It is expected that these are identified during normal contractual period of work, not as additional work prior to contractual dates of work.

Contractor shall notify the COR or PI of these areas prior to any picking. These identified areas must meet need by specie, and seed zone of the delivered bid item.

• Collection trees shall be collected as individual trees or groups of trees from 2-4 trees. Collection points shall be located a minimum of 300 feet (100 yards) apart (distance between collection points). If collection need exists, this rule can be waived in writing by the COR during pre-work meeting or during contract performance. No collection outside this rule is permitted without prior waiver.

• All cones picked shall be collected into cone bags as approved by the COR. Cones shall be clean and free from debris (grass, branches, needles, etc.) prior to measurement by the Contractor.

Only cones from the current growing season with no damage, deformities or heavy insect and disease will be collected.

ORCHARDS

• All trees marked with flagging hanging from branches shall be picked. Color of flagging will be determined at pre-work meeting. If this is not accomplished by the government, then contractor shall flag trees selected for harvest or harvested.

• Cones shall be handpicked by climbing, preferably using orchard ladders or hydraulic platforms.

Cutting, pruning, or breaking branches is not permitted. Workers shall not damage tree bark during climbing. Therefore, soft-soled shoes are recommended when climbing orchard trees.

Contractor assumes liability for damage of orchard stock (see payments under contractual task section for damage costs).

• Climbing of orchard trees shall be permitted for cones that are beyond the reach of a 16-foot orchard ladder. Climbing spurs will not be permitted for orchard collections. Workers shall use ladders to climb into trees. Workers shall not damage tree tags or tree tag nails. Hydraulic platforms should be operated safely and in such a manner that branch damage is minimized while maneuvering. Not all orchards are suitable for the use of hydraulic platforms.

• All cones picked shall be collected into cone bags as approved by the COR. Cones shall be clean and free from debris (grass, branches, needles, etc.) prior to measurement by the Contractor.

Only cones from the current growing season with no damage, deformities or heavy insect and disease will be collected.

• Cone/branch hooks may be used to assist in picking; however, no undue force may be applied which results in branch breakage.

• Tarp collection under individual trees is permitted. Tarp must be large enough to cover the area within the drip line boundaries of the individual tree. Tarps will be cleaned of any debris prior to collection at each tree. To minimize excess debris, folding of the tarp(s) and then pouring cones into cone bags will be prohibited.

• Squirrel cut cones (undamaged) can be collected when lying on the ground within the drip line of the tree being collected. The squirrel-cut cones may be added to the picked cones when measuring and bagging.

SUPERIOR TREES

• The Government will pre-locate superior sugar pine trees for collection. Individual trees will be located by using field maps or GPS systems. These trees may or may not be marked on-the-ground with flagging or identification markers. Located trees for collection shall have a minimum of one bushel per tree if sugar pine, and 15 cones if white-bark pine. A predetermined color of flagging will be used to mark trees. The Government will also provide a suggested collection sequence for collection to help guide the Contractor’s collection work. The contractor will not be obligated to follow this sequence.

• All cones picked shall be collected into cone bags as approved by the COR. Cones shall be clean and free from debris (grass, branches, needles, etc.) prior to measurement by the Contractor.

Only cones from the current growing season with no damage, deformities or heavy insect and disease will be collected.

• Superior trees will be individually collected, bagged, and tagged. No mixing of cones will be allowed.

2.2 Measurement and Bagging

• The Contractor shall assign a specific person (bagger) to be responsible for measuring cone quantity, bagging cones, and properly identifying bag with Government-furnished cone identification tags. One person shall be assigned for each bid item.

• Burlap cone bags and cone identification tags will be provided by the Government.

• Cone Identification Tags – The contractor shall fill out the following items on the Forest

Reproductive Material identification tag. Two tags will be filled out for each bag, one to be place inside the bag, the other to be tied to the outside of the bag. All identification tags shall be attached to bags of cones at the point of collection.

✓ Identification code

✓ Number of trees

✓ Ranger District

✓ Elevation

✓ Tree number – only if superior tree

✓ Area of Collection – Lat/long from GPS

✓ Bushel amount - left side

✓ Collection date

✓ Signature

• The bagger will be permitted to place up to one (1) bushel in each bag. To ensure an accurate bushel measurement, cones shall be settled in the Government-furnished graduated buckets.

The bagger shall heavily tap each bucket on the ground several times to minimize voids during measurement. Measurements will be to the nearest 0.25 bushel.

• For field collection, Included at a minimum on each tag, shall be the date of collection, location of the tree(s) by township, range, and section or GPS location in latitude/longitude, elevation, road number, tree species, the proper seed zone code, and if a partial bag the number of bushels. Collection shall be by bulk collection method. However, it is recommended that the

Contractor bag, label and tie all cones prior to moving from one location to another. Cones must be bulked by specie and proper seed zone.

• For all orchards, the Contractor shall tie a Government-supplied identification tag on each bag of cones. This shall be done using the Government-supplied zip-ties. A duplicate identification tag shall also be placed inside each bag of cones. As needed, the contractor shall fill out the identification tags. If the final bag for tree collection results in a bushel value lower than 1.0 bushel, the actual bushel amount will be written on the tag with permanent marker. The bagger shall manually write orchard identification information and bushels amounts on blank cone identification tags provided by the Government if insufficient printed cone identification tags are not available to tag all the orchard cones.

• Superior Tree Collection – Cone identification tags will be pre-printed identifying the tree information, including tree number, specie, seed zone, and elevation. If location is not present, Contractor shall enter a latitude /Longitude for the tree using a handheld GPS unit. Contractor shall also enter the date of collection on each tag. Two identical tags per bag shall be used, with one being placed inside the bag and the other tied outside the bag using the zip-ties. Partial bags shall be marked showing the final bushel amount within the bag.

2.3 Transportation/Storage

• Prior to transport, to protect cones from excessive heat and other weather elements, filled, open and tied cone bags shall be deposited under shaded conditions until the time they are transported to storage locations.

• The COR or designated inspectors will accept delivery of seed cones at an agreed upon location.

The contractor shall transport bagged cones from each bid item’s collection to the designated storage location for that bid item. Cones collected each day are to be transported the day picked to the closest designated storage location. Locations will be at one of the following locations:

McKenzie River Ranger District tree cooler or Flat Creek Work Center tree cooler. If field collections are done at Detroit or Sweet Home, delivery location will be discussed at the prework. Contractor will be notified where each bid item is to be stored at the prework.

• Contractor will be responsible for providing transport for bagged cones. Type of transport shall be determined by the contractor, and can consist of vehicle, or trailer modes of transport.

• Contractor shall assist in unloading and stacking cone bags at storage facilities daily.

SECTION 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The property and services provided by the Government are listed below. The Contractor shall inform the

Government when supplies are needed and both parties shall schedule a time to meet at the warehouse where the Government will issue the needed supplies to the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for safe handling and transport of supplies to the work sites.

The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such delivered Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. All unused Government furnished material shall be returned to the Government in the original packaging and in good condition.

Description Quantity

Measurement buckets As needed

Burlap cone bags As needed

Pre-printed cone identification tags

Collection dependent

Blank cone identification tags

Collection dependent

Plastic zip-ties. As needed

Permanent markers As needed

Colored flagging

As needed

Road system and tree location maps Multiple copies as needed

SECTION 4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED CRITICAL ITEMS/SERVICES

Description Quantity

Shall provide all necessary tools, equipment, labor, transportation and material, except for the items specified above in Section 3, to accomplish tree climbing and cone collection/bagging under this contract.

Contractor determined

SECTION 5 TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

5.1 Crew and Supervisor Requirements

• The Contractor shall always maintain an adequate work force to ensure timely completion of the work Timeliness in meeting the requirements of this contract is vital due to potential loss of seed from over-mature cones. Prior notice must be given to the CO if there is to be a significant change in crew personnel or working schedule. Crew size must be adequate to keep up with cone ripening and complete cone collection before cones flare and seed begin dispersal.

• Contractor shall be responsible for the crew(s) knowing and performing the requirements of the contract, and keeping the CO informed of crew location, when each task is completed and when a new task is started.

• Contractor shall attend a contractual pre-work meeting and present a written performance plan acceptable to the Government which includes crew size and scheduling.

• One supervisor/crew leader shall be present with each crew during collection activities. Any group of workers without such an individual will not be considered a crew.

• Persons designated by the Contractor as supervisors/crew leaders must perform in that capacity. The supervisor/crew leader must, therefore, effectively direct the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew’s work, (2) advise them of deficient work, and (3) provide instructions for correcting such deficiencies. These representatives must be English literate to a level adequate to ensure communication with the Project Inspector (PI), or COR. Any changes in supervisor designation must be submitted in writing to the CO at least 24 hours prior to the effective change.

• The supervisor shall know the requirements of the contract, including technical requirements and task unit locations. The COR or PI will not act as supervisor to the crew(s).

• The COR or PI may require that the supervisor act solely as the supervisor, performing no other work assignments, if performance quality is found to be below acceptable standards.

• State Safety regulations require that crew members shall not be left unsupervised and accessibility to emergency transportation shall be provided at all times by the contractor.

5.2 SPECIFIC CONTRACTUAL TASK

• After award of contract, the COR will issue to the Contractor a written notice to proceed.

Issuance of the notice may be delayed for a reasonable time, at the discretion of the

Government, if adverse conditions exist. (IE. soil, vegetative, climatological)

• Contractor shall perform no preliminary work prior to receipt of the written notice to proceed.

Contract time starts on the effective date of the notice to proceed.

• Cone collection is planned primarily for bulk collections by seed zone (site specific conditions) or orchard designation. Sugar pine are the exception and will be collected as individual trees

(superior tree designation).

• Cone ripeness and collection orders will be determined by the Government. Cone collection in orchards will not necessarily proceed in an orderly row-by-row process. Since ripeness may vary across the orchard trees may be picked based on cone ripeness. The Contractor may be required to revisit areas previously harvested to pick slower ripening cones.

• All cones picked by the Contractor’s crews will remain the property of the Government.

• As needed, the Government is responsible for making sure cone storage and drying space is available at each site.

• Camping on USFS administered land will only be permitted in approved site and with prior authorization of the CO. If a work camp is authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary condition. This will require portable sanitation units at all camp sites. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed. Requests for camping authorization shall be made in writing to the CO or COR.

• Any refuse, debris or garbage generated by the Contractor or their crew members shall be cleaned up and removed from the project or camp site by the contractor and disposed of legally before task order payment is made.

• Payment will be made at the contract unit price for each bushel of cones satisfactorily picked and delivered for storage. Bushels will be paid to the nearest 0.25 bushel. No additional payment will be made if rework is necessary. Payment will not be made for cones that are mislabeled, or if identity is in question.

• The contractor shall be paid by the collected bushel. Payment will be made at the accepted bid/contract unit price for each activity.

• A charge of $500.00 per damaged tree will be assessed for any orchard tree damaged by the

Contractor, during the cone collection inspection. (See definition of a damaged orchard tree)

5.3 QUALITY/PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

NOTIFICATION OF SUBCONTRACTING-MSPA CONTRACTS

The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer upon entering into any subcontracting arrangement. All clauses contained in this contract will be passed down to the subcontractor with a signed notice of subcontracting. The Contractor shall provide the following information to the Contracting Officer for all sub-contractors to be utilized during the performance of this contract:

1. Name address, telephone number and email address of the subcontractor.

2. Federal MSPA Registration Certificate (orange card)

3. Employee registrations tied to the subcontractor’s MSPA Registration Certificate (blue cards)

4. State Farm/Forest License

5. Required motor vehicle insurance

6. Required Workman’s Compensation, Employer’s Liability, and General Liability insurance.

7. List of PPE provided to employees at no charge

8. Housing plan (including camping) if applicable

9. A copy of the signed subcontracting arrangement with the date upon which the subcontract was entered into and its duration.

10. A detailed description of the work being subcontracted including a listing of contract items, units, etc., as appropriate.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

A. Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of this Technical Proposal. The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor shall assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall specify:

- How quality will be monitored to ensure performance standards are met.

- How the work will be supervised.

- How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

- Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

B. Contractor Quality Control Inspection

The Contractor shall assure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, paragraph (a), prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. The Contractor shall contact the

Contracting Officer upon completion of a work area. The Contracting Officer may observe the

Contractor’s inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

(End of clause)

INSPECTION and ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.246-4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES--FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1996)

(a) Definition. “Services,” as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable, at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

(d) If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

(e) If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may—

(1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

(2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

(f) If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may—

(1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

(2) Terminate the contract for default.

(End of clause)

GOVERNMENT INSPECTION PROCEDURES – COMPLIANCE INSPECTION:

Contracting Officer’s Representative – The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is the on-the-ground administrator for the Contracting Officer (CO). The COR’s authorities and responsibilities are defined in the COR’s Designation Letter. The COR is authorized to clarify technical requirements, and to review and approve work which is clearly within the scope of work. The COR is NOT authorized to issue changes pursuant to the change clause, or in any other way modify the scope of work.

Project Inspector – The “Project Inspector (PI)” means the person designated by the COR to perform on-the-job Government inspection of the work accomplished by the Contractor. The Project Inspector is responsible for checking the Contractor’s compliance with the technical specifications, work schedule, and labor provisions at the site of work.

• The COR, or a designated inspector, will conduct compliance inspections while work is in progress, to assure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. Compliance inspections will be accomplished by visual inspection of each collection/treatment area or individual tree and will be based on adherence to the required specifications.

• The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are completed prior to his moving out of the general area or completion of a bid item. Compliance inspections will be conducted within one (1) business day of completion of work activities within a collection/treatment area and the Contractor notified of any unsatisfactory performance either requiring additional work or rework on behalf of the Contractor. (Work will be accepted based on visual inspection for compliance with specifications on areas reported as completed by the Contractor).

Government Inspection Procedures

Cone collection inspection will consist of:

1) Field observations of cone collecting to verify cone origin, identification, and collection process.

2) Measuring cones in a standard bushel container to the nearest 0.25 bushel for all species.

3) Inspection of the cones in bags to determine cone cut counts, cone maturity, and bag contamination. Inspection will occur at delivery points and may occur after the collection logs are submitted to the Government.

4) Inspection of the bagging tags and cone collection logs for accuracy, neatness, and legibility.

Illegible or incorrect information will be subject to contractor correction. Tags and logs with errors will not be considered completed work.

5) By submission of the collection log to the Government, the Contractor is certifying that the tree climbing, and cone collection has been satisfactorily completed.

6) A daily random minimum sample (minimum of 10%) of cone bags delivered to the storage location will be inspected and remeasured to verify cone quality, cleanliness, and volume of the sample. If the overall sampling is off by more than 1/2 bushel (0.50 bushel) then all bags delivered must be reworked for volume prior to acceptance. Cone quality and cleanliness will be a visual acceptance by the inspector. Poor quality and cleanliness will require full re-work of all delivered cone bags.

7) For Field Collections: Random visual inspections will be made of field locations to verify collection and tag results. Collection trees shall be flagged to show that the tree has been climbed for collection.

8) For Orchard Inspections: Inspection will be made at the collection sites during cone harvest. The Government will visually inspect collections of cones at the time of harvest to verify compliance with contractual specifications. Trees will be inspected for harvest induced damage.

UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE

• Unsatisfactory performance will include collection of cones with unacceptable quality, immature cones, bagging improper volume of cones, bags that contain contamination of trash, old cones, and other species, and bags that are not properly tagged or identified. Contractor will not be paid for unacceptable deliverables.

• Unsatisfactory Work Quality – Based on inspection results, if work quality is unacceptable, the

Contracting Officer (CO) will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the

Contractor to improve the quality of the work.

• If work is seriously or chronically deficient, the Contractor’s right to proceed may be suspended until performance problems can be resolved and work may resume.

• Bag tags are to be complete and readable. Bag tags found to be missing, incomplete or not readable shall either be re-worked or completed. Cone bags misidentified and without bag tags will not be paid for unless bag can be properly identified and tagged.

• Incomplete bag tags, bags without tags and bags poorly measured may need additional work or may require re-work by the Contractor.

REWORK AND REINSPECTION AFTER REWORK

• If the Contractor collects immature, non-acceptable quality cones, re-collection will be required when additional cones of acceptable quality are available. If necessary, to meet re-collection needs, the Contractor will climb and sample additional field collection trees. Additional work will be done a maximum of one time. Following re-collection, a reinspection will be made. The Contractor may be assessed the cost of reinspection.

• Delivered cone bags that do not meet the sample error on bushel measurement or do not meet quality or cleanliness visual inspection will be re-worked or re-bagged.

• Incomplete or non-readable bag tags will be re-worked or completed. Bags without bag tags or with incomplete tags may further be opened to check tag placed inside bag. Bags opened will be re-bagged once tags are considered complete.

• No additional payment will be made if re-work is necessary.

• There will not be a formal re-inspection of re-work.

BASIS OF PAYMENT

Where inspection determines satisfactory work, the pay rate will be 100 percent of the bid price, less any applicable deductions. During cone harvest activities, where cone cut test determines that a climbed tree will not be harvested, the Contractor will be paid 1/3 the bushel bid price for collecting (and sampling) that tree only. Where Contractor is unable to locate a selected tree during cone collection and the Government determines that the tree is locatable using the same resources available to the

Contractor; the Contractor will be directed back to the selected tree. If the Government determines that the tree cannot be found during a reasonable search, the Contractor will be paid 1/2 the bushel price. No payment will be made for seed cones not meeting the acceptable seed cone and cone picking standards as listed in Section 2. No payment will be made for bags which have improper identification.

No payment will be made if it is determined that excess damage to trees or cones has occurred. Cones will be measured to the nearest quarter bushel.

5.5 QUALITY/PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Requirement

Performance

Standard

Method of

Assessment

Incentive/Deduction for meeting the standard

Quality Control

Contractor maintains good quality control on all aspects of operations.

COR randomly observes operations.

The Quality Control provided by the Contractor will be reflected in the performance evaluation either positive or negative. If the Contractor fails to meet standards, work may be suspended or terminated for cause for failure to take corrective action immediately.

Government’s

Inspections

Government’s inspections are visual acceptance or measured +/-10% of

Government’s quality.

Inspection completed to meet timeframes.

COR randomly observe

Contractor inspection.

Review

Contractor inspection sheets daily.

Contractor’s ability to meet the standard will be reflected in the performance evaluation either positive or negative. When

Government’s inspections meet standards, no deduction. If quality does not meet standard, re-work, or non-payment of work delivered. Additional costs to the Government can be assessed.

Work Plan, Schedule, & Communications

Work meets schedule as per the accepted work plan.

Contractor keeps COR advised of working location during contract performance.

COR conduct periodic monitoring.

Contractor’s ability to maintain the work schedule and complete work on schedule will be reflected in the performance evaluation as either positive or negative incentive. Contractor’s work not completed on schedule is subject to default and may result in termination for cause including assessment of reprocurement costs.

SECTION 6 GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/STATE STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

Attachment Number of Pages

Attachment 2a: Fire Protection and Suppression Forms, R6-FS-

6300-52 & R6-FS-6300-54 (Forest Service) 9

Attachment 3: Wage Determination No.: 2015-5569 rev 24

Maps, exhibits, etc. 3

(vii) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial

Services (SEP 2023) (Provision)

Addenda to provision FAR 52.212-1:

In order to be considered for award, each quoter shall submit a quote consisting of the following:

1. Completed page 1, filled out and signed, and page 2 with pricing.

2. Response to non-price evaluation criteria past performance and technical capability.

3. CO must be informed at the time of offer submission if the offeror intends to subcontract. Offeror but provide the subcontractor’s name, and contact information, if possible, SAM UEI and to what extent the subcontractor will be participating in the project.

4. Price

5. FS Region 6 requires that the Contractor have the necessary certificates in hand prior to submitting a quote/proposal for Labor Intensive Service Contract (LISC) work.

6. Contractors must submit copies of their MSPA Certificate of Registration from the Federal

DOL, their Oregon State BOLI license, and Temporary Employment Certificate if using

H2B workers, and will out the Employment of Eligible Workers - Workforce

Certification found in section ix, along with their quote, to have their quote considered for award.

• Quotes will be emailed to the Contracting Officer: Jared Machgan jared.machgan@usda.gov no later than 1700 PT 04/02/2025.

Addenda to Provision FAR 52.212-1:

For simplified acquisitions, the word quote or quoter is substituted in provision FAR 52.212-1 for the word offer or offeror.

Addenda to Provision FAR 52.212-1 paragraph (b) Submission of Offers:

1) Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management in order to submit an offer. https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

2) Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall include a technical proposal, a price proposal, and contractor representations and certifications.

a) Technical Proposal – The technical proposal shall address the evaluation factors in

FAR 52.212-2. At a minimum technical proposal shall include:

i) Past Performance – provide a list of similar projects completed by your firm over the past three years. Include a brief description of the project, dollar amount, year completed, and project owner contact information (name, phone, and email). The mailto:jared.machgan@usda.gov https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ government may use past performance information from any available source. If a company does not have past performance information available, information may be provided for predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors. In the event that there is no past performance information available, the offeror will receive a neutral rating in this factor.

ii) Technical Capability – (a) The Government will award a call resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors listed below shall be used to evaluate quotes and quoters must respond to each:

1) Quality Control

• The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP). The Plan must demonstrate how the

Contractor shall assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the task order. The QCP shall specify:

• How quality will be monitored to ensure performance standards are met.

• How the work will be supervised.

• How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance.

• Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

2) Work Plan and Schedule

• Provide your general Work Plan including crew size, work schedule, and production rate that will allow you to complete the work to meet performance time for work you are proposing to do.

• Describe your ability to adjust crew sizes in order to complete the work acceptably and on time.

• How will you organize your work force to achieve the various contract requirements?

b) Price Proposal – Include the following: 1) the completed Schedule of Items from Section B of this solicitation, and 2) acknowledgement of any amendments to this solicitation by following the instructions that accompany the amendment(s).

c) Representations and Certifications – Fill in the check boxes for provisions FAR 52.204-26, FAR 52.204-24(if applicable), FAR 52.209-7, FAR 52.212-3, and Employment of Eligible

Worker-Workforce Certification found in paragraph(x) of this solicitation and include a copy with your offer.

3) Submit offer by email to _Jared Machgan jared.machgan@usda.gov so that it is delivered into this inbox by the due date and time. Emails should contain 3 separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal, and Representations and Certifications) in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF format. Be aware that large attachments may increase the time required to deliver an email. It is the offerors responsibility to confirm receipt of the offer from _Jared Machgan____.

4) Address technical questions about this solicitation to _Lindsay Anderson at lindsay.m.anderson@usda.gov.

mailto:jared.machgan@usda.gov

(viii) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV

2021) (Provision)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the

Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

_________See section vii_________________

(End of provision)

FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and

Commercial Services (MAY 2024) (Provision)

[If Offeror Representations and Certifications are not complete in SAM the offeror shall submit a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-

Commercial Products and Commercial Services, with your offer. The full provision is available from http://www.acquisition.gov/far/.

If Offeror Representations and Certifications are complete in SAM, the offeror shall complete the following:]

(b)(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in

SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the

Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and

Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs ______________.

(End of provision) http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-52-solicitation-provisions-and-contract-clauses#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-4-administrative-and-information-matters#i1121876

(ix) Employment of Eligible Workers - Workforce Certification (Provision)

Contractors are required to provide certification under this solicitation in compliance with the Migrant and Seasonal

Agricultural Workers Protection Act (MSPA) and Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) Certificate of Registration requirements describing the workforce they will utilize to fulfill the contract requirements under this solicitation and any resulting contract. If the Contractor will supply workers under the H-2B Program, the Contractor is required to provide a copy of the Temporary Employment Certificate issued by DOL.

Subcontractors are bound by the same requirements for licenses and permits under this contract. If a Prime

Contractor identifies a Subcontractor as part of their workforce to accomplish the work under this solicitation, the Prime Contractor shall submit the Subcontractor's signed certification with their…