Solicitation - 1282BH20R4002___Rainbow Gulch.docx

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

999191

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

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

n/a

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

1282BH20R4002

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

7/15/2020

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CONTACT:

a. NAME AND EMAIL Brooke Barker – Brooke.Barker@usda.gov

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls) 970-295-6610

8. OFFER DUE DATE:

8/14/2020

TIME: 0900 MT

USDA Forest Service Region 2 Arapaho and Rosevelt National Forests 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E Fort Collins, CO 80526 Email: Brooke.Barker@usda.gov

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMAN- OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

500 Employees

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

|_| SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

Email: @ Telephone No: ( ) - x Invoice Processing Payment (IPP) Submit invoices electronically to www.ipp.gov

DUNS:

IS CHECKED: |_| ‘ SEE ADDENDUM

19.

CLIN

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

Rainbow Gulch IRSC Pike and San Isabel National Forests Pikes Peak Ranger District

ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

from Notice to Prceed to June 30, 2022

See attached Schedule of Items in Section B

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA:

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (Govt. Use Only)

YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN,

IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ,

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) Brooke Barker 31c. DATE SIGNED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B—SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

STEWARDSHIP AUTHORITY

Section 604 (16 USC 6591c) of Public Law 108-148 as amended by Section 8205 of Public Law 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014—Grants the U.S. Forest Service (Government) permanent authority to enter into stewardship contracts or agreements to achieve land management goals for the National Forests or public lands that meet local and rural community needs. Section 8205 supersedes the temporary authority granted to the Forest Service (Government) in section 347 of Public Law 105-277, the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Appropriations Act, 1999.

REGISTRATION

All Contractors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (http://www.SAM.gov) to be eligible for award. If not actively registered by time of proposal evaluations, you will not be considered for award. Registration in SAM is a free service – you do not need to pay to register in this system.

BONDS

Bid Bonds are not required for this project. Neither a Payment nor Performance bond is required for this project.

PROPOSALS

Proposals shall be valid for 90-days from the date the solicitation closes. If additional time is needed, an extension must be requested in writing and may or may not be granted.

Notice to Offerors: Funds are not presently available for this effort.No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

PRE-BID/PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

Details are located in Section L.3.1 of this solicitation under “AGAR 452.237-71—PRE-BID/PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE.”

***RSVP to brooke.barker by 1200 August 3, 2020 if you plan to attend the site visit*** ***Due to the changing COVID-19 requirements, please check www.beta.sam.gov for any conference updates prior to attending*** ***Due to the current pandemic we ask that contractors limit the number of individual attendees and utilize proper PPE***

QUESTIONS

In accordance with AGAR 452.204-70—INQUIRIES, pre-award questions, inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO). Offerors shall contact only the CO issuing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award. The CO’s contact information is located in Block 7a of the SF-1449.

MANDATORY WORK ACTIVITIES

QUANTITY

Cut designated trees (live/dead non-sawtimber and biomass), whole tree yard, process, and remove trees from contract area.

Includes slash requirements.

(Appendix A and Section H.23 apply)

Cut designated trees (live/dead non-sawtimber and biomass), whole tree yard, process and deck trees.

Includes slash requirements.

(Appendices A & B, and Section H.23 apply)

Cut designated live/dead non-sawtimber and biomass, whole tree yard, process, and remove trees from contract area.

Includes slash requirements.

(Appendix A and Section H.23 apply)

Cut designated biomass and non-saw trees; hand pile slash in unit.

Includes slash requirements.

(Appendix A applies)

(Appendix C applies)

OPTIONAL WORK ACTIVITIES

QUANTITY

(Appendix C applies

(FLAT)

TOTAL OFFER

TOTAL QUANTITY

Notes:

· See Instructions to Offerors (Section L) for business proposal requirements

· These schedules are for pricing/payment purposes

· Price Proposals must be provided on ALL Items in the Schedules: Mandatory Work Activities, Optional Work Activities (if applicable), and Timber or Other Products Removal

· Unit prices Prevail

B.3 LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

All Mandatory Work Activities in Section B.2.1 shall be performed.

Performance of land management activities shall be in accordance with the Project Description and Specifications in Section C—Description/Specifications/Statement of Work.

Payment for land management, Mandatory Work Activities (CLIN 0001-0005), listed in Section B.2.1, will be made with either Stewardship Credits in lieu of cash, as defined in Section G, or in appropriated dollars.

SECTION C—DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

(a) Description of Work— The purpose and need for this project are: Reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfires by restoring low-intensity fire to ponderosa pine, aspen, shrub and grass ecosystems within a Wildland Urban Interface project area, moving the vegetation closer to historical conditions. The objectives of the project are as follows:

(1) Move the landscape toward a more desirable, ecologically resilient condition better able to support more natural forest structures, disturbance regimes, vegetative diversity, wildlife habitats, and proper functioning watersheds for future generations.

(2) Reduce crown fire risk, spot fire potential and surface fire intensity in short needle stands by the means of mechanical and hand thinning, pile burning, and mastication.

(3) Utilize Timber or other products (public firewood) – Provide wood resource to forest product industry.

(4) Nutrient recycling in long-needle pine beds.

(5) Improve Forest Health – Provide growing space for healthy trees, reduce fuel loadings, and increase the vigor of grasses, forbs and shrubs.

(6) Improve and protect wildlife and their habitat.

(7) Lower present and future mountain pine beetle and spruce budworm infestations.

(8) Improve Road Management – Provide maintenance and obliteration to meet project area transportation plan and resource needs.

(9) Reduce the negative impacts that wildfire could have on watersheds.

(b) To accomplish these objectives, the contract includes the following components: stand cleaning/thinning, mechanical fuels reduction, non-commercial cleaning/thinning, and piling of fuels, timber or other products, removal and decking of sawtimber and non-sawtimber, and road work.

(c) Contract—will be a commercial services contract with requirements for timber removal.

(d) Project Location—The Rainbow Gulch IRSC Project is located on the Pikes Peak Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forestst approximately 6 miles NE of the town of Woodland Park, CO. The legal description is: T11S, R68W, Sections 27, 28,29,33,34 and 34, 6th PM, El Paso County Colorado.

C.2 SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for each Stewardship Activity described by CLIN in Section B—Schedule of Items, can be found within the contract as well as within the appendices. Technical specifications for service items, Appendix A; timber/product removal specifications, Appendix B; and road maintenance plans and specifications, Appendix C;.

C.3 CONTRACT AREA MAP

The boundaries of the Units, are as shown on the attached "Contract Area Map," which is made a part hereof, and were, before contract award, designated on the ground by the Government to meet the anticipated needs of the parties. The location of the Units and their approximate acreage are stated in Appendix B, Division A.2. Units may be revised and additional ones may be established only by written agreement of both parties. Where applicable, the following are also identified on Contract Area Map:

(a) Claims limiting Contractor's rights;

(b) Unit boundaries;

(c) Areas where leave trees are marked to be left uncut;

(d) Roads listed

(e) Sources of base course, rock riprap and surface rock;

(f) Roads where log hauling is prohibited or restricted;

(g) Roads and trails to be kept open;

(h) Improvements to be protected;

(i) Locations of known historical sites;

(j) Maximum stump heights when more than one height is listed by areas;

(k) Skidding or yarding methods specified;

(l) Streamcourses to be protected;

(m) Other features required by Appendix B; and

(n) Stewardship work activity boundaries.

C.4 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

See FAR clause 52.245-2—GOVERNMENT PROPERTY INSTALLATION OPERATION SERVICES in Section I.1.1.

C.5 OPERATING/WORK PLAN AND OVERALL SCHEDULE

Contractor shall provide, a detailed timeline of when the contract requirements will be accomplished while conforming to the requirements within Section F. The Operating/Work Plan and Overall Schedule shall contain the following elements:

(a) The Operating/Work Plan and Overall Schedule shall indicate the sequence of activities that will take place to accomplish the work described within the contract, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and any additional attachments, including proposed start and completion dates.

(b) Contractor’s Field Representative (Field Rep)—The Contractor shall designate (in writing) an on-site Field Rep and an alternate in their absence. Each designated representative shall be fluent in both spoken and written English. The Field Rep shall be readily available to the area of operations when operations are in progress, shall have a copy of the contract on site during operations, and shall be authorized to receive notices in regard to performance under this contract and take related action. The responsibilities of the Field Rep shall include the safeguarding of National Forest resources and performance within the terms of the contract.

(c) A list of employees/personnel working on this contract identifying each by the Occupational Code/Job Title for the work as it applies to this contract under the applicable Service Contract Act wage rate.

(d) All subcontractors must also provide a list of all employees/personnel working on this contract identifying each by the Occupational Code/Job Title for the work as it applies to this contract under the applicable Service Contract Act wage rate.

(e) A proposed Communication Plan regarding findings, progress, information exchange, questions, and concerns of both parties.

Depending upon how the Contractor proposes accomplishing the activities within the contract, the Operating/Work Plan and Overall Schedule may be developed by indicating when and how all work activities within individual Units will be completed, when and how individual tasks will be completed, or a combination of when and how Units or tasks will be completed. The Contractor should be able to display through an Operating/Work Plan and Overall Schedule that all of the contract activities will be accomplished in a timeline that will meet the contract requirements.

C.6 SUSTAINABLE ACQUISITION

Contractor shall comply with the Agricultural Act of 2014; the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA), 7 USC §8102; the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), 7 USC §8102; the Federal Acquisition Regulation; Executive Order (EO) 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance,” dated October 5, 2009; EO 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management,” dated January 24, 2007; and Presidential Memorandum, “Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement,” dated February, 2012 to provide biobased products.

In compliance with FAR Part 23.4 through performance of this contract, the Contractor shall make maximum use of EPA designated and USDA designated biobased in accordance with FAR clauses 52.223-2—Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products under Service and Construction Contracts and 52.223-17—Affirmative Procurement of EPA-designated Items in Service and Construction Contracts.

Contractor shall utilize products and material made from biobased materials (e.g. biobased greases, biobased hydraulic fluids, biobased absorbents) to the maximum extent possible in the performance of this contract without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered to the end user. All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quality that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards. Information about this requirement and a catalog of products are available at the BioPreferred Web Site.

Contractor shall utilize products and material to the maximum extent possible in the performance of this contract from EPA’s list of designated products and the accompanying recommendations for post-consumer content and recovered materials content in the following eight categories: Construction Products, Landscaping Products, Nonpaper Office Products, Paper and Paper Products, Park and Recreation Products, Transportation Products, Vehicular Products, and Miscellaneous Products.

Compliance with the USDA Biobased requirements requires Contractors to report the purchase of biobased products under service and construction contracts through the System for Award Management (https://SAM.gov) and provide a copy of the report to the Contracting Officer.

C.6.1 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

The following is a list of categories for BioPreferred Products and EPA products that may be used in the performance of this contract. The list is not all inclusive; the Contractor shall research for available products.

Bio Preferred Products:

(a) Diesel Fuel Additives

(1) Any substance, other than one composed solely of carbon and/or hydrogen that is intentionally added to diesel fuel (including any added to a motor vehicle's fuel system) and that is not intentionally removed prior to sale or use.

(2) Neat biodiesel, also referred to as B100, when used as an additive. Diesel fuel additive does not mean neat biodiesel when used as a fuel or blended biodiesel fuel (e.g., B20). 90% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(b) Hydraulic Fluids—Mobile Equipment

(1) Hydraulic fluids formulated for general use in nonstationary equipment, such as tractors, end loaders, or backhoes. 44% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(c) Penetrating Lubricants

(1) Products formulated to provide light lubrication and corrosion resistance in close tolerant internal and external applications including frozen nuts and bolts, power tools, gears, valves, chains, and cables. 68% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(d) Greases—Truck

(1) Lubricants composed of oils thickened to a semisolid or solid consistency using soaps, polymers or other solids, or other thickeners. Lubricants that are designed for use on the fifth wheel of tractor trailer trucks onto which the semi-trailer rests and pivots. 71% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(e) Gear Lubricants

(1) Products, such as greases or oils, that are designed to reduce friction when applied to a toothed machine part (such as a wheel or cylinder) that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction. 58% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(f) Fuel Conditioners

(1) Products formulated to improve the performance and efficiency of engines by providing benefits such as removing accumulated deposits, increasing lubricity, removing moisture, increasing the cetane number, and/or preventing microbial growths within the fuel system. 64% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(g) Erosion Control

(1) Woven or non-woven fiber materials manufactured for use on construction, demolition, service, or other sites to prevent wind or water erosion of loose earth surfaces, which may be combined with seed and/or fertilizer to promote growth. 77% - Minimum Biobased Content.

(h) 2-Cycle Engine Oils

(1) Lubricants designed for use in 2-cycle engines to provide lubrication, decreased spark plug fouling, reduced deposit formation, and/or reduced engine wear. 34% - Minimum Biobased Content.

C.6.2 EPA DESIGNATED PRODUCTS:

Plastic trash bags, printer ribbons, toner cartridges, print & writing papers, Traffic Barricades, Traffic Cones, Engine Coolants, Rebuilt Vehicular Parts, Re-refined lubricating oils, retread tires, manual grade strapping, signage, sorbents.

C.7 DEFINITIONS

(a) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): The allowable leeway or variance from a standard before the Government will reject the specific service. As long as the percent of defective performance does not exceed the AQL, the service will not be rejected by the Government. The Contractor, however, must re-perform the defective service when possible.

(b) Acceptable Service: A job performed to the standard and within the AQL. The Contractor must do the specific job, and meet the standard, and meet the AQL before one can say that performance has been acceptable and that the Contractor should be paid.

(c) Basal Area: The area, per acre that is occupied by the cross-section of tree trunks and stems at DBH, expressed is square feet per acre.

(d) Biobased Products: See Sustainable Acquisitions.

(e) Biomass Trees: Live and dead trees between 1.0 foot in height to 4.9 inches DBH. Aspen not designated to be cut.

(f) Bole Spacing: The horizontal distance in feet from the edge of one leave tree bole to another leave tree bole, measured from the outside bark of each tree.

(g) Circular Plot: A sample plot within a Unit that is used to determine the number of desirable trees and other contract specifications.

(h) Clean-up: Items may include—slash work, fall leaners and broken tops, seeding, landing obliteration and ripping, temp road obliteration and ripping, construction of cross ditches and water bars, road maintenance, removal of warning signs, removal of equipment from project area, return of Government Furnished Property, designated improvement repair, etc.

(i) CLIN: Contract Line Item (Section B.2).

(j) Coarse Woody Debris: Woody material left on the ground to meet wildlife habitat requirements.

(k) Contracting Officer (CO): Individual with authority to bind the Government with their signature on the contract.

(l) Contracting Officer Representative (COR): Individual(s) designated to act on the behalf of the CO within the delegation given them in writing.

(m) Crown Ratio: The ratio of live crown length (tip of leader to base of the crown) to total tree length/height.

(n) Crown Spacing: The horizontal distance in feet between the dripline of a live crown to another live crown.

(o) Cut Trees: Trees that do not possess the characteristics of desirable leave trees, and are required to be cut. As described by the contract or otherwise marked to be cut.

(p) Cut Tree Marking (CTM): A method of timber designation whereby all trees Marked above and below stump height with Blue paint are designated for cutting.

(q) Damaged Trees: Trees damaged beyond recovery. A tree that is larger than 2 feet in height, and has the top knocked out, is leaning more than 10 degrees, has less than one half of its original limbs, or has approximately 50% of bark removed from the circumference of the bole.

(r) DBH: Diameter at breast height, measured at a point of 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

(s) Dead/Dying Trees: Trees with the crown foliage changing from green to red, yellow, or needleless.

(t) Decking: Stockpiling of trees in a designated area.

(u) Designation by Species and Diameter (DxSD): Trees that meet Utilization Standards (Appendix B) are designated for cutting as shown on the “Tree Designation Table” and Contract Area Map, except trees marked with N/A paint as they shall be left uncut.

(v) DIB: Diameter inside bark.

(w) Dripline: Outermost circumference of a tree canopy where water drips from, and onto the ground.

(x) EOR: End of Road.

(y) Erosion Control: Activities designed to prevent/reduce the delivery of sediment to area streams as a result of road building and/or timber harvest. Activities typically include grass seeding and/or installation of structures to trap moving sediment.

(z) Federal/National Holiday: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

(aa) Government: Forest Service.

(ab) Hand Pile: A method of piling slash with the use of manual labor.

(ac) Hang-Up Tree: Any cut tree suspended above ground level.

(ad) Leave Tree: Any live tree that is selected or required to be left standing as provided in the specifications.

(ae) Leave Tree Markings (LTM): A method of timber designation whereby all conifer trees >5.0 inches DBH, that are not marked with Orange paint above and below stump height are designated for cutting.

(af) Limb and Top Removal: The moving, during yarding/skidding, of cut tree with tops to a designated location at the landing.

(ag) Machine Pile: A method of piling slash with the use of mechanized equipment.

(ah) Mechanical Treatment: A method of treatment using machinery such as feller bunchers, harvesters, processors, etc

(ai) NFSR: National Forest Service Road.

(aj) Non-Sawtimber (Non-Saw): Live and dead trees that are 5.0 inches DBH to 9.9 inches DBH for Douglas-fir, ponderosa and limber pine; and 5.0 DBH inches to 7.9 inches DBH for Engelmann and blue spruce; excluding aspen.

(ak) Period of performance (also PoP, Performance Period or Contract Time): All calendar days allowed for completion of the contract work. Includes all days of the week including weekends and holidays.

(al) Performance Requirements Summary (PRS): Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract Performance standards are met by the Contractor.

(am) Piling: Material moved to an agreed upon location shall be piled for future treatment by Forest Service.

(an) Plastic Limit: Soil moisture exceeding operational feasibility when soil can be rolled into 3 millimeter threads without breaking or crumbling/when a ball can be formed in the fist that holds together on gentle tossing or shaking.

(ao) Progression of Work: Work conducted in a progressive, workmanlike and orderly manner by the Contractor.

(ap) Quality Assurance: Those actions taken by the Government to check goods or services to determine that they meet the requirements found in the contract and all attachments listed in Section J.

(aq) Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains information about how the Government will assess performance, checklists, and may contain decision tables.

(ar) Quality Control: Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they will meet the requirements of the contract and all attachments listed in Section J. Refer to FAR clause(s) 52.246-4—Inspection of Services—Fixed Price.

(as) Quality Control Plan (QCP): Contractor’s plan for self-monitoring work prior to the Government inspection and acceptance (Section E).

(at) Random Sampling: A method of looking at a few individual items in a lot to determine the quality of that lot against a standard.

(au) Reserve Clumps: Groups of trees within a treatment area that are protected from cutting, may also include Individual Reserve trees

(av) Sawtimber: Included timber meeting the Utilization Specifications as defined in Appendix B, Division A.2.

(aw) Skidding: The process of conveying felled trees or logs to a landing or designated location.

(ax) Slash: Debris created from work under this contract including all cut trees and their tops, trunks, and branches.

(ay) Standard: An acknowledged measure of comparison.

(az) Stewardship Contracting: An exchange of goods/products for services including construction.

(ba) Streamcourse: The area along a stream that has riparian vegetation and other riparian characteristics. Stream courses are noted on the project maps. They typically require special treatment which may include alteration to the tree cutting, slash treatment, vehicle travel, or fueling of saws.

(bb) Stump Height: A point on the bole of the tree from the uphill side that is 12 inches above the ground for Sawlog trees, and 12 inches above the ground for non-saw and biomass trees.

(bc) Subdivision: See Unit definition.

(bd) Sustainable Acquisitions: (FAR Part 23.4—Use of recovered materials and biobased products)

(1) Biobased Products: Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the goal of the BioPreferred program is to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The BioPreferred program was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized and expanded as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). The program's purpose is to spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities. The increased development, purchase, and use of biobased products reduce our nation's reliance on petroleum, increase the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contribute to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts. Information on biobased/biopreferred products can be found at the BioPreferred Site. The Contractor shall comply with FAR clause 52.223-2—Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts and FAR provision 52.223-1—Biobased Product Certification.

(2) EPA-designated Items: Products that are or can be made with recovered material. The Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program is part of EPA's continuing effort to promote the use of materials recovered from solid waste. Buying recycled-content products ensures that the materials collected in recycling programs will be used again in the manufacture of new products. The Contractor shall comply with FAR clause 52.223-17—Affirmative Procurement of EPA-designated Items in Service and Construction Contracts.

(be) Temporary Roads: Non-permanent roads that are constructed by contractor for the purpose of Treatment Unit access.

(bf) Thinning: The cutting of trees in excess of those to be left for future management.

(bg) TPA: Trees per acre.

(bh) Unit (Treatment Unit, Cutting Unit, Payment Unit, Pay Unit): An individual area on the ground in which activities will be performed and which may appear as a separate pay item in the Schedule of Items.

(bi) Unsatisfactory Work: Work quality falls below the AQL, the COR will issue a work order or notice of noncompliance to the Contractor in writing. Untreated or unsatisfactory treated areas shall be reworked to obtain AQL.

(bj) Weekend: Saturday and Sunday.

(bk) Whole Tree Logging: Whole tree logging includes cutting tree and removing the entire tree, including tops and branches, to the landing

(bl) Whole Tree Skidding/Yarding: Contractor shall leave tops and limbs of felled trees attached to included timber, and skid/yard them to deignated area/location.

(bm) Wildlife Tree: Standing tree Marked to be reserved as a wildlife tree. Used by birds and small mammals for shelter, nesting, perching, etc.

SECTION D—PACKAGING AND MARKING

There are no clauses in this section.

SECTION E—INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION SYSTEM

Contractor shall identify the Quality Control Inspection System it will use to ensure that contract specifications will be achieved. At no time shall the Contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor shall produce written inspection records in a format and at times and places satisfactory to the CO. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the CO and/or COR and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The CO and/or COR may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

E.1.1 QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP)

Contractor shall provide a general QCP with the Technical Proposal. The Contractor shall supplement the QCP within 7-days before starting work based on items awarded to the Contractor and the Government’s comments. The Contractor shall conduct quality control inspections on all aspects of work.

The general QCP shall demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. The QCP shall describe how quality will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met, the supervision of crew and work, and personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control shall include monitoring quality while work is in progress, residual tree care and other associated tasks, such as sample plots of thinning and subitems.

E.1.2 CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION

At no time shall the Contractor rely upon Government inspections to provide notification of unsatisfactory performance. The CO and/or COR may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data. Inspection procedures must provide the following information:

E.1.2.1 PLOT INSPECTIONS

Where the unit of measure is per acre, the Contractor shall maintain a plot system that provides an unbiased sample of tasks listed in the Performance Requirements Summary (Section E.3.3).

The plot system shall be consistent with the method of work. For sawtimber and live non-sawtimber trees, the method of inspecting Contractor, post cutting, of all LTM units, will be done using the walk-through method.

The COR will require a formal plot inspection be systematically done if the walk-through method is found to be insufficient or issues do not get fixed, the same issues continue, or the Contractor has finished the work on the treatment unit with the same specifications not being met If formal plot inspection is required, the method of inspection will be completed using 1/50th acre (16.67 feet radius) fixed plots with at least 1 plot per five acres. Plots should be located systematically on a grid across each unit. Only plots that land in areas where there was live/dead non-sawtimber treatments, within them count toward the overall quality percentage. Each cutting unit will have a minimum of two plots.

Plots shall be marked and identifiable on the ground, this includes plot numbers and visible flagging.

(a) Contractor shall provide inspection sheets and a sketch map of the Unit with plot locations to the Government. Inspection sheets shall be signed and dated by the person who conducted the inspection and shall certify that the inspection records are complete and accurate.

E.2 ACCEPTANCE

Contractor shall provide a written request for inspection and submit inspection sheets in accordance with the QCP. The Government will conduct an inspection and up to one re-inspection for each Unit. If the Contractor fails to meet the minimum AQL, the Contractor shall rework the Unit. Anytime more than two inspections are required per Unit, the Contractor may be assessed for additional inspections, which will include mileage and hourly rate of the COR. If follow-up inspections indicate that the minimum AQL was not met, the work will be deemed unsatisfactory and a payment reduction may result (Section G.2.1). Acceptance may be made for all or portions of work.

The purpose of this plan is to provide a QASP for contract items and tasks performed. This QASP provides a basis for the COR to evaluate the quality of the Contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for the contract and this QASP will help to ensure that quality levels of the Contractor’s service(s) reach the required levels of performance.

By monitoring the Contractor’s service work, the COR will determine whether the performance levels set forth in the contract have been attained. Quality standards for all work descriptions specified in the Performance Requirements Summary (Section E.3.3).

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 will perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the Contractor’s work.

If any of the services do not conform to 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 reworking, the Government may:

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

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

E.3.2 GOVERNMENT INSPECTION OF SERVICES

The Government will inspect service work completed by the Contractor and/or subcontractor as a basis for acceptance and payments, and to provide recommendations to improve work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with the requirements of contract specifications.

All work included in the contract specifications is subject to inspections by the Government at periodic intervals throughout the performance of this contract. Treatment inspections are for the sole benefit of the Government and shall not release the Contractor of the responsibility of providing quality control measures to assure that the work strictly complies with the contract requirements.

E.3.2.1 GOVERNMENT TIMING OF INSPECTIONS

Once the Contractor notifies the Government of Unit completion, the Government will have 14-days to start inspection for payment. Timeframe to complete inspections will depend upon the number of acres to inspect and availability of inspectors. Work with CO to determine when Units will be inspected.

E.3.2.2 WORK QUALITY PERCENTAGE

Work quality percentages are derived from data developed from inspection plots. The total number of satisfactory quadrants divided by the number of quadrants inspected determines the quality rate. The rate multiplied by 100 provides the work quality percentage.

For each completed work activity, Contractor’s quality control inspection percentage services completed will be compared to the Government’s assessment results. If the results differ by <5%, and the inspection has been conducted to the standards specified, the Contractor’s inspection will be considered acceptable and the quality percentage will be used as the basis for payment. When the results differ by more than 5%, the Government’s percentage will be used as the basis for payment.

Government will pay 100% of CLIN price if work quality of all plots meeting the AQL % or greater. If below, the Government will issue a letter of non-compliance. The Contractor will be permitted to bring work quality to an acceptable standard. If the Contractor is unable to bring the work to an acceptable standard, then CLIN pricing will be reduced according to the Payment Reductions (Section G.2.1).

In the event that work is performed that is contrary to the requirements in the contract, the Government is not liable for costs incurred by the Contractor during negligent performance that is without the fault or negligence of the Government.

· Visual inspection—walk through Units

· Random verification of compliance—Plot Inspections

Section H.23

· Written documentation of visual inspection

· Periodic verification of compliance with the use of walk through inspection and/or Plot Inspections

· Written documentation of visual inspection

· Written documentation of visual inspection

Appendix C

· Written documentation of visual inspection

Disincentives for failure to meet the above standards may be as follows:

(a) Rework will be completed at Contractor’s expense.

(b) If rework is not physically possible, payment deductions will be made for work falling below AQL (Payment Reductions, Section G.2.1).

(c) Damage to the residual stand or infrastructure will be assessed against the Contractor.

(d) Government re-inspection charges.

(e) Poor performance rating will be given.

E.4 FAR and AGAR CLAUSES

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4)

E.4.4 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

FAR 52.252-2—CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http://www.acquisition.gov/far and http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

PERTAINING TO SERVICE ITEMS

SECTION F—DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 SPECIAL CONTRACT TIME AND PERFORMANCE RESTRICTIONS

Unless otherwise agreed, the Contractor shall perform this contract according to the following restrictions. Additional performance restrictions may also be found in the Technical Specifications and/or on contract maps.

RESTRICTIONS

Weekends—from 6pm Friday until 3am Monday

F.1.1 OPERATING SEASON

The normal operating season is October 15th through April 30th annually.

F.1.2 START WORK DATE

The estimated start work date is FROM DATE OF AWARD.

See Section F.1—Special Contract Time and Performance Restrictions, concerning the performance of work on this contract. Additional restrictions on the Scheduling of Work for Resource Protection, etc. may be addressed in the Technical Specifications.

F.1.3 COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION OF WORK

Contractor shall be required to:

(a) Commence work under this contract in accordance with the accepted Operating/Work Plan and Overall Schedule;

(b) Start work when the Contractor receives the Notice to Proceed (NTP);

(c) Prosecute the work diligently; and

(d) Complete the entire project including final clean-up of the premises by June 30, 2022.

F.2 [Reserved]

F.3 SCHEDULES AND REPORTS

Refer to Section L for instructions.

Contractor shall provide the following submittals as stated below unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. Contractor shall update all submittals as needed, or as required by the CO, but in no case less than once per calendar year on the anniversary of the initial contract award as stated in Block 3 of the SF-1449.

All schedules and reports shall be submitted electronically (via email) to the CO and COR, as identified by the CO.

SUBMITTALS

Provide at prework meeting Annually & when changes are made

Provide at prework meeting Annually & when changes are made

Annually & when changes are made

Provide at prework meeting Annually & when changes are made

SAFETY PLAN: Contractor shall comply with the requirements of FAR clause 52.236-13—Accident Prevention, for all activities under this contract (Section H.2) Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, provide information how the local (city and county), state and federal laws/restrictions/guidance will be implemented.

With Proposal (Refer to Section L for instructions) When changes are required and made

Annually & when changes are made

Annually & when changes are made

(email to CO & COR when complete) Annually & when changes are made

F.4 [Reserved]

F.5 FAR and AGAR CLAUSES

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4)

F.5.1 CLAUSES PERTAINING TO ALL ITEMS—FULL TEXT

AGAR 452.211-74—PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (Feb 1988) The effective period of this contract is from Notice to Proceed through June 30, 2022.

(End of Clause)

F.5.4 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

FAR 52.252-2—CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.