Schedule of Items and Performance Work Statement 1240BE26Q0030.pdf

1240BE26Q0030 Middle Fork Ranger District Wildlife Snag Creation

Project Name: Middle Fork Ranger District Wildlife Tree Creation

Contractor: From: Work Locations:

Name: ______________________ Willamette National Forest Middle Fork Ranger District

3106 Pierce Parkway, Email: ______________________ Suite D District

Springfield, Oregon 97477

Phone: ______________________

UEI:_________________________

Schedule of Items Item

Number Treatment Type Est.

Quantity Unit Unit Price

Item Total

0001 High Girdle - (Snags) 10-19” dbh; retain 0 live limbs below girdle; girdle at 60’ min height; Douglas-fir only; Services shall be performed in accordance with

5.2 in the Statement of Work and the additional terms and conditions of this order.

SEE DUIS FOR UNIT INFORMATION

1572 Tree $ $

0002 Base Girdle - (Snags) 10-19” dbh; Douglas-fir only;

Services shall be performed in accordance with item

5.3 in the Statement of Work and the additional terms and conditions of this order.

SEE DUIS FOR UNIT INFORMATION

425 Tree

0003 Base Girdle - (Snags) 20-28” dbh; Douglas-fir only;

Services shall be performed in accordance with item

5.3 in the Statement of Work and the additional terms and conditions of this order.

SEE DUIS FOR UNIT INFORMATION

281 Tree $ $

Total 2278 $ $

Fixed Firm Priced per unit will include all supervision, labor, transportation, walk- in, tools, materials and equipment required for the safe and timely completion of the project except as specifically noted under Section 3.0, Government-Furnished Property, Materials, and Services.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Services will include the creation of structures suitable for cavity nesting wildlife. The Government shall neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks.

Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees.

1.0 SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Description of Work

1.1.1 The purpose of this project is to create structures suitable for use by cavity nesting wildlife. Standing trees will be treated in a variety of methods to create dead wildlife trees or snags.

1.1.2 The Contractor shall, considering given resource objectives for the work unit, develop a plan of operation to accomplish objectives, organize, and direct all the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work. The Contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals necessary, except those designated as Government furnished, to complete the work required.

1.1.3 Contractor shall select trees according to contract specifications.

1.1.4 Blasting is not allowed as a method of treatment on this contract.

1.1.5 The Contractor may use a choice of tools (chainsaw, auger, or other hand tools) unless otherwise specified.

1.1.6 Documentation and digital mapping using approved software shall be submitted to COR for inspection and approval.

1.1.7 Slash treatments are required on all methods if slash exceeds specifications (5.10).

1.1.8 Each Schedule of Items will list specifics including type of treatment, treatment heights, DBH ranges, live limb retention or removal, and/or combinations of treatments, and specific required documentation.

1.2 Location of Work

1.2.1 All work shall occur within the boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Project area boundaries may not be physically identified on the ground. Electronic maps will be provided by the Government.

1.2.2 Period of Performance: 1 May 2026 – 31 December 2026

Project must be completed within the period of performance.

1.3 Accessibility

1.3.1 Standard access is defined as (1) passable with a 2-wheel drive vehicle although a 4-wheel drive may sometimes be required, or (2) foot travel to the project area boundary is less than ¼ mile. The cost of standard access is to be included in the unit price.

1.3.2 If standard access to a project area becomes inaccessible due to snow, fallen trees, slide, or washout, and foot travel is more than ¼ mile to the project area boundary, additional payment will be based on the per mile cost identified on the schedule of items: one roundtrip for the crew, rounded to the nearest ¼ mile.

Walk-in mileage begins at the ¼ mile mark and ends at the project area boundary.

1.3.3 Motor vehicles shall not operate off existing spur roads.

1.3.4 No vehicle shall by-pass any officially blocked road (barriers, locked gates, posted signs, rock/log/dirt, etc.) without approval of the Contracting Officer.

1.3.5 Some roads shown on aerial photos and project maps may not be accessible by vehicle. All roads may not appear on Government provided maps. The Government assumes no obligation to do special maintenance to keep roads open. Some project area(s), may require access through locked gates.

Contractor shall work with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to secure keys required for access through locked gates or when additional arrangements are required.

1.3.6 Locked gates restricting access will be noted on the project maps. Keys to locked Government gates will be issued to the Contractor via a property transfer signed by the Contractor along with a road access permit (if applicable).

1.4 Schedule

1.4.1 Before field work commences, the COR will schedule a prework meeting with the Contractor, and the Contractor shall provide the COR a schedule detailing key milestones. At a minimum, the milestones shall include when work will begin in each project area, field work completion for each project area, and expected completion date. The Contractor shall keep the COR informed of changes to key milestones.

1.5 Safety

1.5.1 A general safety plan shall be developed by the Contractor, which complies with or exceeds OSHA standards. It shall describe safety procedures for crew safety. Emergency numbers and communications shall be described in the plan. The plan shall be provided to the COR before any work begins. This plan shall be presented and reviewed by all crew members before work begins, and be available to all crews at all sites during work periods. The plan shall also be available to the Government for inspection at any time.

1.5.2 In addition to the general Safety Plan, the Contractor shall have a site specific

Communication/Safety/Emergency Plan. The site specific plan shall be a document giving location of operations, name and phone number of individuals to call in case of an emergency, phone number of nearest fire department, travel route(s) to project location(s), nearest hospital, and fire rescue and ambulance (EMS). If gate keys are needed, this document shall also include where they can be obtained.

This plan shall be presented and reviewed by all crew members, and be available to all crews at all sites during work periods. The plan shall also be available to the Government for inspection at any time.

1.5.3 Each individual climber operating in the performance of this contract shall have final say as to the safety of each tree scheduled for climbing.

1.5.4 The Contractor shall be in compliance with the Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 437, Division 7, applicable tree climbing requirements. All State safety laws (OSHA) and safe climbing practices shall be followed. There shall be a minimum crew of two (2) with climbing capabilities who shall be in visible or audible signal distance with one another during all tree climbing activities.

1.5.5 Potential safety hazards:

a. Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the Contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor. This list shall not be deemed to be all inclusive. The Contractor shall bear the sole responsibility for taking all appropriate actions necessary to prevent accidents and injuries to individuals at the worksite.

b. The following checked activities have been identified by the Government as potential safety hazards.

[X] Tree falling.

[X] Fall hazard from work heights exceeding six feet.

[ ] Traffic control on high-volume and/or high-speed and/or limited visibility roads.

[X] Travel on decommissioned roads, i.e. roads with waterbars and other barriers [ ] Heavy equipment operation.

[X] Tree climbing and/or tower climbing.

[X] Fire hazards.

[X] Hazardous materials handling.

[ ] Electrical hazard.

[ ] Hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or other high pressure hazards.

[ ] Mechanical hazards such as pulleys, springs, etc.

[X] Crossing streams-footing, fast water [X] Carrying heavy loads over steep ground [X] Other: uneven ground conditions

1.6 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The Contracting Officer will issue a delegation letter identifying the COR, which will state the responsibilities and limitations of the COR. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract, perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance, maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract, issue written interpretations of technical requirements, monitor Contractor's performance, notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies, coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

1.7 Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan: The Government will periodically evaluate the

Contractor’s performance by appointing a representative(s) to monitor performance to ensure services are received. The Contractor’s operations will be inspected by the COR for compliance of contract specifications and safety requirements once the documentation has been submitted. The Contractor shall provide a safe working environment for the Government. The COR will field inspect randomly, selecting a minimum sample of 10 percent of treated areas for each task order. A visual inspection will be performed on all documentation. The Government may inspect each task as completed, increase the number of quality control inspections, or decrease the number of quality control inspections if deemed appropriate. Each task order may include special inspection criteria, and tolerances for errors.

1.8 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species: The Government may direct the Contractor to stop all operations in the event that listed or proposed threatened or endangered plants or animals protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, or Federal candidate (Category 1 and 2), sensitive or state listed species, are present in or adjacent to the project area.

2.0 SECTION 2 - DEFINITIONS

2.1 Administrative Office - The Administrative Offices that may have personnel involved in the issuance of keys and permits; and the inspection and acceptance of project work include the Willamette National Forest offices.

2.2 Cambium - A layer of living cells between the outer bark and the inner wood of the tree.

2.3 Canopy gap - An area in a stand where trees are spaced such that a small opening exists in the overstory.

An example of a canopy gap is a brush patch or a small wetland area within a stand.

2.4 Corridor - A linear opening in a thinned stand that is used to access treatment sites.

2.5 Co-dominate - Trees whose height and diameter is equal to the tallest, healthiest trees in the project area.

Generally they are the tallest trees in the stand that form the canopy.

2.6 DBH - Diameter of the tree at breast height, measured at a point 4-1/2 feet above ground level measured from the uphill side of the tree.

2.7 Epicormic branches – branches developed on the bole of a tree from a dormant bud newly exposed to light and air. Characteristics of epicormic branches include fan shaped branch clusters; the angle of insertion normally tangential to the main stem; the bark texture is often smooth and light gray similar to the bark of a young Douglas-fir tree often associated with dead or dying branches; and they have a smaller relative diameter than adjacent branches.

2.8 Girdling (exhibit 6) - A 12 inch band of bark and cambium layers removed completely from around the trunk of a tree so that the portion above the girdle dies. Cut into the bole 0.5 inch at both the top and bottom edges of the girdle.

2.9 Harvest Unit Boundary - A subdivision boundary. The outside edge of the area included within a harvest unit. These boundaries are generally flagged on the ground and included on sale area maps.

2.10 Limbing – Removal of live or dead branches.

2.11 Live limb – has live, green needles; originates in the pith of the main stem and grows out at a right angle. The original branches are as old as the part of the main stem they are attached to, and have rough, dark brown bark that matches the bark at the main stem in older trees.

2.12 Safety Guard - An individual who is experienced and equipped with communication systems and remains on the active project area for the purpose of providing the climber help and summoning assistance should it be needed. The safety guard shall also maintain watch over other situations as required.

2.13 Seasonal Restrictions for Threatened & Endangered (T&E) Species – The period of time in which restrictions are placed on mechanical operations in areas where T&E species have been identified.

Project areas affected will be listed on the Scheule of Items with their restriction period.

2.14 Treated trees - Trees that are topped or girdled according to contract specifications.

2.15 Treatment Height – The point at which the highest treatment is located, measured in feet.

2.16 Tree ID number - A unique number assigned to each individual tree that has been treated.

2.17 Treatment records - A written list of tree identification (ID) numbers and pertinent treatment information.

2.18 Wildlife tree tag - A weather resistant painted metal or plastic sign approximately 4-6 inches by 4-6 inches designating a tree as reserved for wildlife. Tags will be provided by the Government.

3.0 SECTION 3 - GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES

3.1 The Government will provide the following to the Contractor for use in the performance of the task order. The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work required. Government-furnished property and materials will be available from the Government at the appropriate Administrative Office.

a. Electronic project area maps

b. Wildlife Tree signs

4.0 SECTION 4 - CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS

4.1 The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, transportation, tools, materials and equipment required for the safe and timely completion of the project except as specifically noted under Section 3.0, Government-Furnished Property, Materials, and Services.

4.2 Contractor shall furnish the following items:

a. Diameter tape

b. Instruments to measure treatment heights

c. Compass

d. Aluminum nails 3 inches long

e. GPS and appropriate software compatible with Agency systems

4.3 Communication devices including mobile phones shall be required for safety purposes when any contract work is being performed. No citizen band (CB) radios will be acceptable. Mobile phones or established radio nets may be necessary to call for help in case of an emergency. There are areas that are considered “dead zones” where communications are not available. The Contractor is required to verify that their communication devices work for the project area, or in the vicinity of the project area prior to beginning work.

4.4 Crew Requirements: The Contractor shall keep the COR informed of crew location and provide weekly progress reports either verbally or in writing.

4.5 The Contractor shall not block roads or trails or obstruct traffic while performing contract requirements unless warranted by safety requirements. The Contractor shall provide sufficient warning (signs, safety guard, etc.) to ensure public safety and meet Federal and State regulations. The Contractor shall be responsible for assuring that operations will not cause harm or injury to personnel, other users of the area, or non-target (landscape or wildlife) forest resources.

4.6 Use of Biobased Products

4.6.1 The Contractor shall utilize products and material made from biobased materials to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting form the overall quality delivered of the end user. All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quality that conform to applicable Federal Specifications and standards. All supplies and materials to be used in the performance of work described herein are subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

4.6.2 The following is an example list of products that may be used in this contract for which biobased products are available. The list is not all inclusive. It is desirable that vendors be able to supply the greatest number of biobased products listed meeting the health and environmental specifications.

a. Chain and Cable Lubricants

b. Greases

c. Penetrating Lubricants

4.6.3 The Contractor shall comply with all clauses and provisions stated in the solicitation regarding Biobased

Products.

4.6.4 Guide to minimum biobased content:

http://www.BioPreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/ProductCategories.xhtml

5.0 SECTION 5 - SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1 General tree selection criteria for wildlife tree creation shall be selected by the Contractor according to the following guidelines. The Government in some cases may designate trees to be treated, as specified on task orders.

5.1.1 Contractor selects & climbs trees according to OHSA.

5.1.2 Tree species selection shall be Douglas-fir unless otherwise specified on task orders.

5.1.3 Trees with nest structures shall not be selected or treated.

5.1.4 Trees on ridge tops that are susceptible to wind throw shall not be girdled.

5.1.5 Any tree with the following characteristics shall not be treated:

a. Existing broken tops (live or dead trees);

b. Multiple topped trees;

c. Spike topped trees;

d. Obvious Root Rot;

e. Mistletoe platforms;

f. Any tagged tree, Genetic tree, or designated research tree of any kind;

Cultural trees with historic scars, for example, Western red cedars with large surface scars where bark was intentionally stripped off;

g. Defects, fire-scars, or mechanical damage; or

h. Any trees that have been pruned unless designated on specific task orders.

5.1.6 Trees shall not be treated that are within the treatment height plus 40 feet of any open or unblocked roads or trails (minimum of 100 feet), unless designated by the Government.

5.1.7 Trees must be within unit boundaries, unless designated otherwise.

5.1.8 Selected trees shall be within the designated treatment heights and DBH ranges as specified in each task order.

5.2 High Girdling

5.2.1 Treatment method will be designated on the Schedule of Items and Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

High Girdling shall be performed in accordance with Item 0001.

5.2.2 The bark and cambium layer shall be removed from a 12-inch wide or greater band completely encircling the trunk of the tree but not deeper than ½ inch into the wood. No trace of the cambium shall remain within the band on the bole (exhibit 6).

5.2.3 The girdled band shall be placed to be completely visible from the ground between branch whorls or remaining branches as designated in the task order.

5.2.4 Treatment height and limb retention below girdle will be designated on the Schedule of Items and

Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

5.3 Base Girdling

5.3.1 Treatment method will be designated on the Schedule of Items and Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

Base Girdling shall be performed in accordance with items Item 0002 and Item 0003

5.3.2 The bark and cambium layer shall be removed from a 12-inch wide or greater band completely encircling the trunk of the tree but not deeper than ½ inch into the wood. No trace of the cambium shall remain within the band on the bole (exhibit 6).

5.3.3 Girdle height is at or below DBH.

5.3.4 Placement of tags and signs are below the girdle.

5.4 Distribution of trees

5.4.1 Distribute the treated trees in approximately equal proportions within the designated treatment height and DBH ranges as indicated on the Detailed Unit Information Sheet.

a. Treat the smaller diameter trees with the shorter height ranges and the larger diameter trees with the taller height ranges

b. Treatment heights and DBH ranges shall be repeated in a series throughout the project areas and an even distribution of available tree sizes shall be treated.

c. If a project area does not have trees that fit any of the DBH or height ranges notify the

Government.

5.5 The number of clumps, size, and treatment distribution will be indicated on the Detailed Unit

Information Sheet.

a. Scattered trees shall be uniformly or randomly dispersed throughout the project area.

b. The number of trees per clump, the distribution of the treatments per clump, and the distribution of the clumps throughout the unit will be indicated.

c. Clumped trees are considered to be within the distance of the tree spacing within the treatment area as a minimum and double the spacing as a maximum.

d. Trees that are treated as part of a clump shall be designated by writing “Clump” in the comments column and by circling those trees in the treatment number column. If trees are clumped with existing snags, record that information in the comments column.

e. The distribution of trees by treatment across a project area shall be indicated in each task order.

5.6 Marking Treated Trees

5.6.1 Installation of Wildlife Signs: All treated trees shall have a "Wildlife Tree" sign (Government

Furnished) placed in the horizontal position at DBH using two nails to fasten it securely to the tree.

Nails shall not be hammered completely into the tree to allow for continued diameter growth.

5.7 Measuring Treated Trees

5.7.1 Measurement shall be taken of:

a. DBH;

b. Treatment height;

Number of live limbs left below the treatment height;

c. GPS coordinates;

d. Any existing use by insects, birds (foraging or cavities) or mammals; and

e. Evidence of stem decay on the treated trees

5.7.2 Accurate measuring tools shall be used by the Contractor including:

a. A logging or diameter tape to measure diameters.

b. A clinometer, relaskop, rangefinder or marked rope to measure treatment heights or distance.

c. A compass with azimuth to measure aspects of dowels, cavities and direction.

5.7.3 UTM coordinates are recorded at each tree or in the center of each clump and recorded on tree registers:

a. UTM coordinates recorded using the GPS system, to an accuracy of between 15 and 24 meters CEP, if possible.

b. If after 15 minutes, an accurate GPS point at the tree/snag cannot be achieved, describe and flag the location from a previous GPS tree/snag or point.

c. Electronic GPS files should be in “.gpx” format unless stated differently in particular task order.

5.8 Documenting Treated Trees

5.8.1 The Contractor shall submit tree registers as established on the task order. Legible and complete tree register forms shall be completed by the Contractor and accompany project maps when turned in to the COR. Some task orders may require electronic tree registers be submitted, in the format requested.

5.8.2 Each unit will have its own tree register form (exhibit 9). The following is an example of the information to be recorded. The header of each page shall be completely filled out by the Contractor.

a. Project/unit area;

b. Date treated;

c. Name(s) of Climbers/recorders;

d. Tree ID number;

e. Treatment type;

f. DBH of treated tree recorded in inches;

g. Treatment height, recorded in feet;

h. GPS coordinates;

i. Comments; and

j. Page number.

5.8.3 Additional comments shall be provided in the comments column that would assist in relocating the trees, such as ” tree next to large snag”, or “tree on ridgetop”, etc.

5.8.4 Trees that have been climbed and not treated due to the occurrence of nest structures shall be identified with “C1", “C2", and so on. Note in the comments column the presence, description and approximate height of the nest structure.

5.9 Mapping Treated Trees

5.9.1 Electronic project maps will be provided by the Government.

5.9.2 Each treated tree shall be recorded via .gpx for each unit and provided to the Government prior to inspection.

5.9.3 If a treated tree cannot be located, the tree will not be accepted for payment.

5.10 Slash Treatment - Slash remaining in the units shall be treated in accordance with the following methods:

5.10.1 Slash created by this project that falls within 50 feet of an open road shall be pulled back and scattered so that the slash depth does not exceed 3 feet.

5.10.2 Treetops shall be removed from fire lines, trails, roads (not specified for pullback) and landings.

5.11 Acceptance and Payment

5.11.1 If the inspection reveals the need for rework, the COR will notify the Contractor immediately. All rework shall be completed prior to proceeding to new areas of work for the same Administrative Office.

No additional payment will be made if rework is necessary or the Contractor elects to climb or treat a tree more than once. All required documentation shall be completed before acceptance.

5.11.2 Payment will be made on a tree by tree basis for all treatments that comply with contract specifications at the unit price stated in the task order.

5.11.3 If a Government-selected tree is deemed to be unsafe by the Contractor, either prior to climbing or once climbing has started, the Contractor will not receive payment for that tree.

5.11.4 Trees not treated and marked in accordance with specifications will not be accepted for payment. No payment will be made for any tree which the COR is unable to identify as having been treated or is unable to locate.

5.11.5 Final payment under each task order will not be made until all Government-furnished property not utilized during performance of the contract has been returned as instructed by the COR. The Contractor shall return all Government-furnished gate keys and/or locks to the Government before final payment is made.

5.11.6 The Contractor may be assessed damages at the current timber market rates, as determined by a certified timber cruiser, for cutting down trees that do not comply with specifications.

5.11.7 The Contractor may be assessed damages for treating trees described in 5.1.6 paragraphs f, g, and i.

Damages for paragraphs f and i will be determined by a silviculturist, and damages for paragraph g will be determined by an archaeologist or other appropriate specialist.

(End of Statement of Work)