Seed Project 2 Midpoint Thinning Performance Work Statement.pdf

WRD Midpoint Thinning/Pruning - Performance Work Statement

Project Title WRD Midpoint Thinning/Pruning Task Order

General Information

1. PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

1.1. All general descriptions and contract terms and conditions listed in the Base IDIQ Performance Work Statement/Contract remain unchanged and are applicable to this Task Order PWS.

1.2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: to secure services for tree thinning of 711 acres and pruning of 209 acres in young growth stands approximately 24 to 55 years of age.

1.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Shall be 19 May 2022 – 31 October 2024

1.4. GENERAL ACCESSIBILITY: This project is located on the Tongass National Forest’s Wrangell Ranger District, on Wrangell Island, approximately 10 to 15 miles south of the city of Wrangell, Alaska.

1.5. ITEM(S) SITE ACCESSIBILITY

1.5.1. This project lies on the same road system as the city of Wrangell, Alaska.

The roads to access all Items are open to vehicle traffic after winter weather (snow/ice) conditions dissipate. See APPENDIX 1 WRD Midpoint Thin Contract Maps.

1.6. LOCAL SERVICES

1.6.1. Wrangell, Alaska is a full-service community that is linked to Seattle, Washington via Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (from Bellingham, Washington) and barge services from Seattle. Wrangell is the administrative site of the Wrangell Ranger District.

2. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

2.1. TASK 1 – THINNING

2.1.1. The Contractor shall thin all eligible conifers to the following specifications:

Tree Size Treatment <2 feet high Leave and ignore for spacing >2 feet high and < 8 inches dbh Cut trees to reach the desired spacing 8 inches dbh and larger, not residual trees Girdle trees to reach the desired spacing all residual trees Leave and ignore for spacing

2.1.2. The Contractor shall thin all eligible conifers greater than 2 feet in height to the following spacing specifications:

Species Items Target Spacing Minimum Spacing Maximum Spacing

SS, WH, MH 4-6, 8-10,

17-18 12’x12’ 9’ between crop trees 15’ between crop trees

SS, WH, MH 13-16 14’x14’ 10.5’ between crop trees

17.5’ between crop trees

SS, WH, MH 7, 11 16’x16’ 12’ between crop trees

20’ between crop trees

YC, RC All 6’ x 6’ 6’ between cedars 7.5’ between cedar trees

Conifer tree spacing may be varied from the target spacing in order to give the Contractor the greatest opportunity for selecting the most desirable crop trees. Crop trees shall be no closer and no farther apart than the minimum and maximum values listed in the above table for any given spacing by species. Overall average spacing using the target spacing guides shall be maintained wherever possible.

In areas within each item that contain more abundant yellow cedar (YC) and/or redcedar (RC) trees, the crop tree spacing will change to 8’ x 8’ and will only apply to the spacing between cedar trees. The spacing between cedar trees and all other crop trees will follow the wider target spacing for that item as listed in the above table.

All spacing distance between trees shall be adjusted to horizontal distance and measured from the face of the tree boles at breast height (4.5 feet above ground level). Though most stands contain openings not occupied by trees, overly dense thickets shall not be left in one spot to offset the lack of trees in another.

2.1.3. TREES TO FAVOR FOR LEAVE TREES - Within the spacing requirements the

Contractor shall select as leave trees, the largest, best formed, most vigorous tree, of the preferred species. It shall be dominant or co-dominant, free from mechanical or animal damage, and show no signs of disease or dwarf mistletoe.

In the event the Contractor determines that no tree meets these specifications, they shall choose the one that comes closest to meeting the specifications in order to maintain the required spacing.

2.1.4. The Contractor shall not select double-trunked trees or trees that are growing on logs or stumps as leave trees unless no other crop tree is available. Double-trunked trees may be selected, in the absence of a more desirable crop tree, if they are at least half or more the height of the alternate tree choices. If a double-trunked tree is selected, both stems shall be left.

2.1.5. SPECIES PREFERENCE - The Contractor shall thin all eligible conifers greater than 2 feet in height based on the following species preference / priority ranking and no-cut specifications:

District Project Area Crop Tree Species

Preference/Priority Ranking* No- Cut / Ignore For Spacing**

1 2 3 4 5

Wrangell Midpoint YC SS RC WH MH LP, RA, BC, *Species Preference / Priority Ranking: 1 is highest priority species; when two species appear in the same priority ranking, they shall be considered equal and one should not be favored over the other – the objective is to leave both species distributed proportionally throughout the stand.

**No-Cut / Ignore For Spacing: Except on closed roads to aid access, these species shall not be cut and will not count as crop trees.

Species Codes: SS = Sitka Spruce; WH = Western Hemlock; MH = Mountain Hemlock; YC = Alaska yellow cedar; RC = Western red cedar; LP = Lodgepole Pine; RA = Red Alder; BC = Black Cottonwood; CA = crab apple

2.1.6. ESTABLISH NO-CUT CORRIDORS - The no-thin wildlife corridor(s) shall be 15 feet wide. It does not have to be in a straight line, curves can be used to avoid cliffs and landings, as long as the 15-foot width is maintained.

2.1.7. STUMP HEIGHT – REMOVAL OF LIVE LIMBS - All trees to be cut shall be cut below the lowest live limb, except when prevented by natural or man-made obstacles. Obstacles are objects that could damage a saw blade if nicked, include but not limited to as rock, cable or mineral soil. They do not include logs or stumps. Any live limbs left on stumps because of natural obstacles shall be trimmed to within 4 inches of the obstacle. Stump height shall not exceed 12 inches above ground level or 4 inches above natural obstacles.

2.2. TASK 2 – PRUNING

2.2.1. General - Trees may be pruned by hand or by mechanical means. Climbing spurs or other tree climbing methods which will damage tree bark are not to be used. In the event of a forked tree, all stems will be treated

2.2.2. Pruning intensities for those items identified for pruning include either all trees (1:1) or one out of every three trees (1:3)

2.2.3. Prune Specifications Prune all trees for the following items.

Prune 1:1:

Bid Items Target Pruning Prune Height Allowable

Variance

1, 2, 3 All trees 17 feet or 50% tree height ±2 feet

Prune 1:3: One out of every three leave trees will be pruned. The Contractor shall select from the largest, best formed, most vigorous trees of the preferred species to be pruned. Trees are to be pruned to 50% of total tree height, to a maximum of 17 feet lift.

Selected trees should be free of damage from insects, disease, physical or mechanical damages.

Bid Items Target Pruning Prune Height Allowable

Variance

7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16

Every 3rd Dom/co-dom tree

17 feet or 50% tree height ±2 feet

Pruned trees should be evenly spaced across the stand.

Preferred species for pruning selection are:

Species Priority ranking

Sitka Spruce 1st

Western redcedar 2nd

Alaska yellow-cedar 3rd

Western hemlock 4th

Pruned branches are to be pruned as close to the basal enlargement as possible. Look for the branch collar. If no branch collar is visible, Contractor shall cut flush to the bole of the tree without damaging the bark. It is recommended that the Contractor undercut large branches to prevent the stripping of bark from the bole. Stripped bark will result in a lower quality score.

3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT MEASUREMENTS:

Performance Objective

PWS

Paragraph

Measurement Method

Allowable Performance Deviation

Remedy Amount or Corrective Action

Task – Thinning 2.1 COR will inspect using plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area. The COR will inspect a minimum of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the unit/contract area.

Distance from a specified centerline or designated width or following defined no-cut boundary

10% deviation

0% deviation for no-cut corridors

Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

If over cutting has occurred:

Contractors shall be charged per area in accordance with Appendix 2 – Damages Table.

Full invoice payment upon acceptance of services.

Task – Pruning 2.2 COR shall inspect using

10% deviation Contractor shall rework the thinned area(s), if possible.

plot at a spatial frequency relative to the unit area to pick up no fewer than 10% of the trees specified to be pruned.

This can be accomplished by reaching the designated lift height, pruning more trees, or redoing insufficient cuts.

Full invoice payment upon acceptance of services.

4. DELIVERABLE / SCHEDULE

Item No. Deliverable Objective Due

IDIQ PWS

Paragraph 2.12

Land Access Permit

Contractor has obtained permission to operate on federal lands

10 days prior to commencement of work

IDIQ PWS

Paragraph 2.13

Camp Plan Personnel Camps: IAW clause 452.236-72 Use of Premises, PWS Para 2.9-10:

Provide a plan for camp development, occupation and clean-up and obtain approval prior to any camp development activities.

5 working days prior to camping on NFS lands.

IDIQ PWS

Paragraph 2.14

Clean Equipment Vehicles shall be inspected by the Government prior to entering National Forest.

5 working days prior to commencement of work.

IDIQ PWS

Paragraph 2.15

Work Schedule To notify the government of when the contractor shall be on site performing work.

5 working days prior to commencement of work and upon request thereafter

IDIQ PWS

Paragraph 2.16

Request for Inspection

To notify the government of completion of services.

5 working days prior to demobilizing or submission of invoice.

5. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

5.1. N/A

6. Appendix:

APPENDIX 1 WRD Midpoint Thin Contract Maps APPENDIX 2 Damages Table

1:1

Appendix 2 – Damages Table

Spacing Target

TPA

Minimum Acceptable TPA with no Damages for Deficient Trees

Damages Category 1 (light over-cutting)

Damages Category 2 (moderate over-cutting)

Damages Category 3 (severe over-cutting)

Measured

TPA

Damages per Deficient Tree below Min. Acceptable TPA

Measured

TPA

Damages per Deficient Tree below Min.

Acceptable TPA

Measured

TPA

Damages per Deficient Tree below Min.

Acceptable TPA

10’ X 10’ 436 392 371-391 $2 349-370 $4 >349 $6 12’ X 12’ 303 273 258-272 $3 242-257 $6 >242 $9 14’ X 14’ 222 200 189-199 $4 178-188 $8 >178 $12 16’ X 16’ 170 153 145-152 $5 136-144 $10 >136 $15 18’ X 18’ 134 121 114-120 $6 107-113 $12 >107 $18 20’ X 20’ 109 98 93-97 $8 87-92 $16 >87 $24 22’ X 22’ 90 81 77-80 $10 72-76 $20 >72 $30 24’ X 24’ 76 68 65-67 $12 61-64 $24 >61 $36