Solicitation for Ross Draw Project.pdf

Solicitation No. 12970222Q0020 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa Ranger District

Fuels Thinning Ross Draw Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Black Mesa Ranger District National

Solicitation Issue Date: June 29, 2022

Method of Solicitation: Request for Quotation (RFQ)

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the most current Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2022-05.

Responsible sources may submit a quotation which, if timely received, shall be considered by this agency.

North American Industry Classification (NAICS): 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry): Size Standard is $20.5M

Set Aside: 100% small business set-aside.

General Information: The intent of this solicitation is to obtain quotes for masticating, mechanical tree removal and piling. See below for complete project description.

PROVIDE QUOTE BY: 3:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time on July 20, 2022.

DOCUMENTS TO RETURN:

The following documents shall be submitted by the offeror for evaluation to be considered responsive:

• Pricing information on Attachment D: Schedule of Items

• Past performance information contained under Evaluation Factors for Award

• Technical Approach information contained under Evaluation Factors for Award

• Highlighted portions in the Provision section of this solicitation

• Acknowledge Amendments (per the instructions in Block 11 on the SF-30) if applicable.

Send quote to: Forest Service, Property and Procurement Services, SPOC Southwest Zone Attn: Sabrina Rucker – Contract Specialist For solicitation questions and quote submissions use the following email: sabrina.rucker@usda.gov.

The Contracting Officer for this contract is John Kamerer at (John.Kamerer@usda.gov) javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ctl00$body$homebody$RecentDocuments$C$RecentDocumentsControl$RecentDocumentResults$ctl00$DocumentNumberLink','') mailto:sabrina.rucker@usda.gov mailto:John.Kamerer@usda.gov

Schedule of Items:

Table 1. Schedule of Items for Items 1-3 (FY22; 562 acres of treatments)

DETAILED UNIT INFORMATION

Item No. Description Unit of

Measure Estimated Quantity Unit Price

1 Mechanically remove live juniper, including roots.

Machine pile trees.

Acre 263

2 Masticate live juniper. Acre 299

3 Work performed on slopes with grades in excess of 35 percent. Acres 5

Schedule Notes:

a) One award will be made from this solicitation; contractors must submit pricing for all items.

b) All pricing shall include taxes if applicable and overall inclusive pricing.

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CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

1) DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The purpose of the Fuels Thinning Ross Draw project is to restore the forest in the project area to conditions prior to the Rodeo-Chedeski fire. The goal of this phase of the project is to conduct site preparation for prescribed burn and planting projects planned for FY25 and FY26. The objectives covered in this contract include mechanical mastication, mechanical removal, and hand treatment of the existing vegetation within the project area. Contractor shall, considering the specific tasks involved, develop a plan of operations to accomplish the tasks, and organize and direct all of the operations and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work. The Contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government. The contractor has no title to any forest products under this contract.

2) PROJECT LOCATIONS AND BOUNDARIES

The Ross Draw project area is located immediately south of Overgaard, AZ on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa Ranger District. This portion of the project covers 562 acres in the burn scar of the (2002) Rodeo-Chedeski fire. Prior to the fire ponderosa pine was the dominant overstory tree species, however, previous planting efforts were unsuccessful and failed to establish ponderosa pine.

See map (Separate Attachment) for location of units. The locations on the Project Map are approximate and the locations on the ground take precedence over the locations on the Project Map.

Accessibility: The project area can be accessed from FR51, FR124, and FR144 (see attached map of project area).

Maps:

The maps are intended to show only the general size, shape, and location of the areas. If the maps conflict with the field marking the field markings shall govern. Positions of features are approximate.

3) COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION OF WORK

1) The Contractors shall be required to (a) commence work under the contract within 10 calendar days after receipt of the Contract award for specific work items, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 90 days from the award date.

2) Estimated start work date is September 1, 2022. The estimated contract completion date is November 30, 2022. The actual date work will begin is dependent upon weather conditions.

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3) Contract performance time is all inclusive and includes final clean up, rehabilitation of the premises/project area and demobilizations of Contractor personnel and equipment subject to Contract Clause FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (FEB 2007)

4) Service contract work shall be performed in accordance with the order of preference approved by the Contracting Officer Representative. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate, which will assure quality and completion within the service contract time specified above.

4) WORK LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

1) Restrictions on Work: Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract except as determined by the COR and/or as stated below:

2) All operations are subject to Fire Plan requirements and restrictions. Refer to Attachment B-Fire Plan.

3) When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or the continued vehicular travel or use of equipment would cause unacceptable road or resource damage.

4) Work is suspended by notice of a Work Order for non-compliance with requirements of this contract.

5) PRE-WORK MEETING

Within 10 days of award and prior to the commencement of the work, the Contractor will meet in conference with representatives of the Contracting Officer, at a time to be determined by the Government, to discuss and develop mutual understanding relative to scheduling and administering work.

6) CAMPING

There is camping allowed on Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest lands with a 14 day limit.

7) SPECIFIC WORK REQUIREMENTS:

Activities: The contractor is responsible for safely and efficiently conducting the following activities:

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1) Mechanical Removal and Machine Piling:

Mechanically remove live juniper including roots. Machine pile trees. Remove approximately 40-60% of existing juniper vegetation canopy cover. Spacing should be irregular and groups of 1-3 trees may be left. Tree groups should not exceed 4 groups per acre. Machine pile removed trees in dome shaped piles between 20’ x 20’ and 30’ x 30’ in size.

2) Mastication and Machine Piling:

Masticate live juniper. Machine pile trees. Masticate approximately 40-60% of existing juniper vegetation canopy cover. Spacing should be irregular and groups of 1-3 trees may be left. Tree groups should not exceed 4 groups per acre.

8) EROSION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

When determined by the Forest Service, Contractor shall (1) avoid operating equipment when soil conditions are such that excessive damage will result; (2) construct erosion control structures as needed to control erosion; (3) repair promptly any existing erosion control structures damaged by Contractor's operations; (4) complete seasonal erosion control work prior to suspending operations; and (5) perform other soil erosion control work as may be required under this contract. (6) Contractor shall adjust the kinds and intensity of erosion control work done to ground and weather conditions and the need for controlling runoff.

Erosion control work shall be kept current immediately preceding expected seasonal periods of precipitation or runoff. (7) Resource damage resulting from contractor’s operations due to failure to perform required erosion control work, shall be repaired by the contractor.

1) Prior to suspension of operations or seasonal periods of precipitation or runoff;

Contractor shall smooth landings, remove ruts from roads and construct cross ditches, water bars, water-spreading ditches on landings, skid trails and roads.

2) Implement special erosion prevention measures including spreading slash or wood chips or by agreement other treatment on skid trails over 20% slope on granitic or rhyolitic soils. Leave these trails with a minimum of 50% soil cover. This cover can consist of any combination of rock, woody debris (slash), vegetation, pine needles, wood chips or California certified weed-free straw.

3) Soil moisture conditions would be evaluated using Forest established visual indicators before equipment operations proceed. Lassen National Forest Wet Weather Operations and Wet Weather Haul Agreements would be followed to protect the soil and transportation resources.

4) Areal extent of detrimental soil disturbance would not exceed 15 percent of the area dedicated to growing vegetation. Soil porosity would be at least 90 percent of undisturbed conditions.

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5) Following implementation, the project site would be evaluated by a qualified specialist to determine if detrimentally compacted ground exceeds the LRMP standard of 15 percent areal extent. If restoration is needed to achieve compliance an appropriate subsoiler, ripper, or other implement would be used to fracture the soil in place, leaving it loose and friable. Landings no longer needed for long-term management would be remediated as described. Where landing construction involved cut and fill, the landing would also be re-contoured to match the existing topography.

6) To the extent possible, existing landings and skid trails would be utilized.

7) Where available, a minimum of five downed logs per acre, representing a range of decomposition classes, would be retained. This may include the three downed logs retained on the landscape for wildlife habitat.

8) Retain litter and duff at a minimum of 50 percent cover, where available.

9) Machine piling operations would utilize grapples or brush rakes and would remove only enough activity-generated slash to accomplish surface fuel reduction needs.

9) STREAM COURSE PROTECTION MEASURES

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, wheel or track laying equipment shall not operate within "Equipment Exclusion Zones/Non-treatment Stream course Protection zones" except as necessary for fire suppression activities. Boundaries of Equipment Exclusion Zones/Non-treatment Stream course Protection zones may be modified by agreement in writing to meet unforeseen operating conditions.

Culverts, bridges, or other suitable structures shall be required on skid roads and trails only at points where it is necessary to protect Stream courses. The type of crossing structures, method of installation and removal shall be determined by agreement. Contractor in accordance with Erosion Prevention and Control shall remove such structures and associated fills.

Damage to Stream courses caused by unauthorized Contractor's Operations shall be repaired by Contractor in a timely and agreed manner to the extent practical as determined by Forest Service to restore and prevent further damage to Stream courses.

10) PROTECTION, USE, AND MAINTENANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS

The Contractor, in all phases of forestry work and contract operations, shall protect insofar as practicable, all land survey corners, telephone lines, ditches, fences, and other improvements. If such improvements are damaged by Contractor's operations under this contract, Contractor shall restore them immediately to condition existing immediately prior to Contractor’s work.

When necessary, Forest Service may require Contractor to move any such telephone lines, fences, or improvements from one location to another. All roads and trails, designated by javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ctl00$body$homebody$RecentDocuments$C$RecentDocumentsControl$RecentDocumentResults$ctl00$DocumentNumberLink','')

Forest Service as needed for fire protection or other purposes, shall at all times be kept free of logs, brush, and debris resulting from Contractor's operations. Contractor shall promptly repair or restore roads or trails if damaged in the operation of this contract.

11) CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY, REPORTS, AND SERVICES

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government. A majority of the work is to be mechanically performed, unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

Contractor shall provide labor, supplies and equipment to complete the project. All equipment used within the Contract area shall be in such mechanical condition and of an appropriate type to meet the requirements of the work. Equipment shall be capable of working on slopes up to 35%. All equipment will meet or exceed OSHA specification.

Reports:

The Contractor shall provide the following items as part of this Contract

Work Plan:

The Contractor shall prepare a work plan and schedule that demonstrates the work will be completed within the period of performance. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal, and shall update the work plan as work progresses.

Quality Control Plan:

The Contractor shall prepare a quality control plan which must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure the work supplied meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall specify how work will be monitored to assure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will performing the quality control.

Safety Plan:

The Contractor shall consider and address crew safety and provide a Safety Plan consistent with FAR

52.236.13 Accident Prevention Alt. I

Equipment:

The Contractor shall provide dependable, safe equipment and protective gear that meets all applicable state and federal laws and regulations relating to motor vehicles and equipment. The Government reserves the right to conduct inspections at any time.

Noxious Weed Control:

To prevent the spread of noxious weeds, the Contractor shall thoroughly wash equipment to remove plant parts, weed, dirt, and mud from equipment prior to entry into Federal Land. This includes trailers, tracks, wheels and under carriage equipment and any part of the equipment used for this contract.

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12) NON-TREATMENT AREAS

These areas may be in consideration of wildlife habitat, utilities, archeological sites, trails, land improvements, stream course protection, and/or areas with excessive rock or steep ground.

Said areas that are one acre in size or larger or a substantial amount of smaller areas within a work stand, will be deducted from the contract acreage and no payment will be made for these acres. Should unworkable areas be encountered, that have not been delineated by the Forest Service, the contractor shall notify the COR, as soon as possible.

13) EQUIPMENT CLEANING

Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving onto the project area, all off-road equipment, which last operated in areas known by Forest Service to be infested with specific noxious weeds of concern, is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Contractor shall certify in writing that each piece of off-road equipment is free of noxious weeds prior to the start of operations and before moving any equipment to the project area.

Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that Off-Road Equipment is free of noxious weeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seeds, and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material.

Contractor shall notify COR at least 2 days prior to moving each piece of off-road equipment onto Forest Service land, unless agreed otherwise. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operation. If the prior location of the off-road equipment cannot be identified, Forest Service may assume that it was infested with noxious weed seeds. Upon request of Forest Service, Contractor shall arrange for Forest Service to inspect each piece of off-road equipment prior to it being placed in service. The Forest Service will issue an Equipment Cleaning Inspection Form at the Eagle Lake Ranger District. Equipment is to be inspected off National Forest land.

14) SAFETY/TRAFFIC CONTROL

When Contractor’s operation is in progress adjacent to or on Forest Service controlled roads and trails open to public travel, Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain all temporary traffic controls which provide the road user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with Contractor’s operations. Devices shall be specified as in the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Street and Highway” (MUTCD). Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and covered or removed when not needed.

Contractor shall be responsible to clear overhanging or fallen trees and snags across roads accessing the project area and keep roads free of activity debris.

15) ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

Contract tasks shall be conducted up-to but not on-to any prehistoric/historic cultural resource sites. If an archeological site is discovered during operations the COR, inspector shall be notified. As result the site will be flagged and shall be avoided and treated as a non-treatment area.

16) PREVENTION OF OIL SPILLS

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If the contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on the project area, Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil product does not enter any stream or other waters of the United States or any of the individual states.

If the total oil or oil product storage exceeds 1,320 gallons in containers of 55 gallon or greater, Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered engineer.

Contractor shall notify appropriate agencies, including Contracting Officer, of all reportable (40 CFR110) spills of oil or oil products on or in the vicinity of the project area that are caused by the contractor’s employees or contractor directly or indirectly as a result of contractor’s operations.

Contractor will take whatever initial action may be safely accomplished to contain all spills.

Contractor shall notify the National Response Center and Contracting Officer of all releases of reportable quantities of hazardous substances on or in the vicinity of the project area that are caused by the contractor’s employees or the contractor, directly or indirectly, as a result of operations, in accordance with 40 CFR 302.

17) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

The contractor shall maintain all equipment operating on the project area in good repair and free of abnormal leakage of lubricants, fuel, coolants and hydraulic fluid. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on National Forest lands where servicing is likely to result in the pollution to soil or water. The contractor shall furnish oil-absorbing mats, approved by the Forest Service, for use under all stationary equipment or equipment being serviced to prevent leaking spilled petroleum-based products from contaminating soil and water resources. Contractor shall remove from National Forest lands all contaminated soil, vegetation, debris, vehicle oil filters (drained of free-flowing oil), batteries, oily rags and waste oil resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment.

18) FINAL CLEANUP

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied or used by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of all contractor’s rubbish, excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and all parts of the work area shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

Material to be removed includes but is not limited to: used engine oil, oil filters, oil cans, grease cartridges, rags, tires, camp refuse, bottles, plastics, etc. Said material shall be removed to a Arizona State approved disposal site.

19) INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Government Inspection – The Government will conduct inspections of the Contractor’s work to determine compliance with the contract specifications and determine a basis for making payment. Initial inspections may consist of a 100% visual inspection of the work performed and will be based on adherence to the Statement of Work/Specifications for the tasks. The Government may also install a series of random inspection plots to check for compliance with javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ctl00$body$homebody$RecentDocuments$C$RecentDocumentsControl$RecentDocumentResults$ctl00$DocumentNumberLink','') the specifications.

Acceptance – Work will be accepted when it is determined by the visual inspection or random plot data that the Contractor’s work conforms to the Specification for the tasks. Missed areas within the work unit will not be considered a part of the work being inspected and must be re-worked regardless of the results of the inspection of the work completed in the unit. Work units that do not comply with the Specifications for the tasks are un-acceptable and shall be reworked.

20) PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIONS

Payments-

Payment will be made at the full contract unit price for work listed in the Schedule of Items where the Contractor’s work complies with the Statement of Work for the tasks.

Receipt of a proper invoice from the Contractor is required for payments to be made.

21) INTERNET PAYMENT PLATFORM (IPP)

All payment requests must be submitted electronically through the US Department of the Treasure’s Internet Payment Platform System (IPP). “Payment request” means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov. Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP Invoice:

Each invoice shall be submitted on the Contractor’s letterhead or invoice form with the following:

• Invoice date and Government Contract Number.

• Billing period specified with beginning and ending dates. The beginning date must not be later than the completion date or within any previous billing dates.

• An accounting (bulleted list, for example) of charges claimed and amounts due.

• Total amount due for the billing period.

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A Progress Report shall be submitted to support each invoice and shall include a summary of work performed during the period of performance identified on the invoice, which at a minimum must include:

Description of the previous month’s project activities and the planned activities for the next month for each deliverable: identify the items supplied during the month and the cumulative items delivered.

• Reconcile progress of each deliverable with the schedule identified for each

• Identify issues and/or concerns that may affect the project or schedule

• Any other information required in the Contract to be included in the Progress Report

The Contractor must use the IPP website to register access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. The Contractor Government Business Point of Contact (as listed in SAM) will receive enrollment instructions via email from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) within 3 – 5 business days of award or the system implementation date. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email ippgroup@bos.frb.org or phone (866) 973-3131. If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the Contracting Officer with its proposal or quotation.

22) GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Description Location Remarks Project Area Maps Black Mesa Ranger District

Protected Sites Color Flagged Black Mesa Ranger District Will take place before work begins

23) LANDSCAPE PRESERVATION

The Contractor shall give attention to the effect of contract operations upon the landscape, shall take care to maintain natural surroundings undamaged, and shall conduct the work at all times in compliance with the following requirements.

Prevention of the Landscape Defacement The Contractor shall not remove, deface, injure, or destroy trees, shrubs, lawns, or other natural features or any other improvements in the work area unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Contractor shall confine contract operations to within the areas designated in contract documents.

Protection of Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs The Contractor shall take sufficient precautions to prevent pollution of streams, lakes, small ponds, and reservoirs with fuels, oils, bitumen’s, calcium chloride, silt, or other harmful materials. Mechanical equipment shall not be operated in live streams without written approval of the Contracting Officer.

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24) APPROVAL OF SUBCONTRACTING

The Contractor shall alert the Contracting Officer in writing of intent to utilize a subcontractor for work under this contract, prior to entering into any subcontract arrangement. The subcontractor shall have the experience and be equipped for such work. The written notification shall include as a minimum:

1) The name, address and telephone number of the subcontractor.

2) A detailed description of the work to be subcontracted.

3) Documentation of the subcontractor's representative authority.

Subcontracting any portion of the contract shall not relieve the Prime Contractor of any responsibility under this contract. Any subcontract agreement shall contain all terms and conditions of the prime contract.

25) CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

Contractor shall certify compliance with specific fire precautionary measures included in the attached Fire Protection and Suppression Forms. The certification shall be made prior to commencement of work and shall be updated if at any time during performance the conditions change. The Government may conduct verification inspections to ensure Contractor's compliance.

26) SUPERVISION

Before work starts, the Contractor shall designate in writing, a representative to act for the contractor during his absence. The Contractor’s representative shall read and speak fluent English. The Contractor shall list the extent of authority the designated representative will have on the job. The Contractor or acting authorized Representative shall receive orders from the COR/Inspector as required to keep the job in progress and adherence to technical specifications, as needed, to finish the job.

27) LIST OF ATTACHED DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

The attachments listed below form a part of this Request for Quotations and any resultant contract:

Title Pages Attachment A: Maps 2 Attachment B: ASNF Fire Plan 9 Attachment C: Statement of Work 4 Attached: Schedule of Items 1 Attached: SCA Wage Determination 4 javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ctl00$body$homebody$RecentDocuments$C$RecentDocumentsControl$RecentDocumentResults$ctl00$DocumentNumberLink','')

NOTE: In compliance with the paper reduction act, FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-2 and 52.212-3 and addendums attached thereto, which apply only to the solicitation phase, are not duplicated after contract award. However, they are incorporated by reference into the resulting contract.

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C 9

- RSAC

Ross Draw Project Area Black Mesa R.D.

Apache-Sitgreaves N.F.s

Legend

Closed Road Other Owner Treatment Area Project Boundary

Miles

0.5 1 Date: 6/24/2021 by User: dforrer Coordinate System: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N

ATTACHMENT A - PR8 ROSS DRAW MAP

A

N

! Overgaard

5 NA-51

C

A

X

E 2

AZ-260 0

H

8 144

D

X 1

Q

Ross Draw Wildlife Habitat Buffers

260 4

Odell Uno

Burned Up Tank

Overgaard Tank

Ross Draw Tank

OS Tank

UnNamed

UnNamed

Pierce 1 Spring Tank 2

0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Miles

D

Water System: Pit Tank

Ephemeral Wash Habitat Buffer

Tank Habitat Buffer

Project Boundary

S

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: INDUSTRIAL FIRE PLAN

ATTACHMENT B

The following requirements are a part of this solicitation and any resultant contract or permit, and shall be provided at the Contractor’s expense:

1. Wildfire Prevention – During periods of contract/permit performance, fire prevention and immediate suppression actions shall be performed by the Contractor.

2. Execution of Industrial Fire Plan

a. Forest Service personnel involved will, in all cases, coordinate through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Permit Administrator, except in cases of emergency, Red Flag Days, or Forest closure.

b. The Contractor shall designate a Fire Guard, fluent in English, who shall be responsible for executing and carrying out the Industrial Fire Plan requirements. The name of this representative will be provided to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall include the Industrial Fire Plan requirements in all subcontracts.

d. The Contractor shall assure that all contract employees are informed of the existence and conditions of the

Industrial Fire Plan requirements.

3. Compliance Inspection

a. Inspection by the Forest Service will be made to insure compliance with the fire requirements.

b. Should any deficiencies appear during the inspection, the Contractor/Permit holder will be informed and the deficiencies shall be corrected within 24 hours. Activities with the potential to start fires shall be halted until the deficiencies are corrected and the corrections are approved by the COR.

c. The Contractor’s Fire Guard shall make daily inspections to insure that the terms of the Industrial Fire Plan requirements are met at all times, both on the job-site and in the Contractor’s camp.

4. Fire Prevention Requirements

a. Fire Toolbox - During contract performance, the Contractor shall furnish and maintain, at the Contractor’s expense, one mobile Fire Toolbox, within ¼ mile or less of the location where the Contractor is currently performing work and camping.

The fire toolbox is to be maintained with tools in good working condition, in such quantities and mix to provide at least one firefighting tool for each person in the Contractor’s workforce engaged in contract operations. This equipment is for the sole purpose of firefighting: a mix of three shovels, size 0 or larger, one axe, two fire rakes, two Pulaskis, and two 3-5 gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps filled with water. Where appropriate, a chainsaw may be substituted for the axe; a McLeod tool or heavy duty garden rake for a fire rake, and a heavy duty garden wide hoe or other sturdy digging/scraping tool may be substituted for the Pulaski.

The fire toolbox shall be replenished with cleaned, re-sharpened, reconditioned, or new tools by the Contractor after each use.

b. Work Hours – The Contractor shall restrict operations in accordance with the following Industrial Fire Plan level unless the COR waives the requirement in writing.

Each day of operation when there is a predicted change in the Industrial Fire Plan level, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor between 3 and 6 pm MST (4 and 7 pm MDT). Notification will be made of which stage in the industrial fire precaution plan (Supplement 1) to be followed the next day within the local operating area.

No later than 9 am MST (10 am MDT) the following day, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor of any change in the fire precaution schedule. In the case of Red Flag Days, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor as soon as possible after the National Weather Service issues their high wind warning for that day, which often comes after 9 am

MST.

c. Blasting – Use of fuses in blasting shall not be permitted. A Fire Guard must remain on the blasting site for a minimum of one hour after blasting operations have concluded. Required equipment shall consist of at least one 5 lb. fire extinguisher, one long-handled round-pointed shovel size 0 or larger and one 5-gallon hand pump garden sprayer or backpack pump filled with water. Written permission must be obtained from the CO during fire precaution plan B and C days. Blasting hours are restricted under fire precaution plan C; and blasting is prohibited under fire precaution plan D and on Red Flag days.

d. Welding – An area of sufficient size but not less than a 10 foot radius shall be cleared down to bare mineral soil before welding operations are started. Prior to welding, authorized user shall have available a round-pointed long-handled shovel, at least 5-gallons of water, and a 5-pound fire ABC dry chemical extinguisher at each welding site. A Fire Guard must remain on the welding site for a minimum of one hour after welding operations have concluded. Written permission must be obtained from the COR during fire precaution plan B, C, and D days. Welding is prohibited on Red Flag days.

e. Slash Incineration – Operation of forced-air burners must comply with all state and federal open burning laws, regulations and policies. Forced air burners shall be operated with a minimum set back from combustibles of 100 feet.

This activity is prohibited on fire precaution plan C, D and Red Flag days. This activity is restricted and only permitted under a specifically-designated contract.

f. Refuse Burning – No slash (such as that resulting from thinning, or clearing a right-of-way), or other debris shall be burned without advance written consent of the Forest Service. Waste such as broken tools, worn tarps, camp tables, etc. shall be disposed of properly off-Forest, rather than burning.

g. Ash disposal – Ash from cooking or warming fires shall be treated in such a manner as to not constitute a wildfire risk, and shall be disposed of in an approved manner designated by the COR.

h. Controlled Burning – All planned burns, including pile burns or use of air curtain burners, conducted by the Contractor under the terms and conditions of the contract are required to have a written Burn Plan that meets the requirements of Forest Service Manual 5140 for the project. The Burn Plan must be prepared, recommended and approved by the appropriate Forest Service Officers. The Contractor will notify the CO, COR, and District Fire Management Officer prior to implementation of a burning project. The Contractor will insure all appropriate Federal, State and local laws, regulations, and policies pertinent to the Burn Plan, are adhered to. Training and qualification standards for the Contractor’s employees conducting burning operations will be required according to the applicable regulations in NWCG 310-1, which can found at the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website, www.nwcg.gov/pms/docs/docs.htm.

i. Fire Guard – To prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires, the Contractor/Permit holder shall provide one or more trained Fire Guards at each operating area where internal combustion engines, power-driven equipment, incineration equipment, or camp/warming fires are used. Each Fire Guard is required to read, understand, and perform the Industrial Fire Plan duties. The Fire Guards may perform other contract work in conjunction with Fire Guard duties, provided such other work does not distract from Fire Guard responsibilities. A Fire Guard(s) assigned on one operating area shall satisfy the requirements on adjacent areas if the travel time with available transportation is not in excess of ten (10) minutes to any of the other areas, and provided the Fire Guard patrols all areas where operations have occurred.

Each Fire Guard shall be trained, vigilant, able and prepared, to prevent, detect, and report any wildfire; and to promptly and efficiently take suppression action with available required firefighting equipment and personnel on any wildfire that starts on the contract/project area. The Fire Guards shall constantly perform their duties during normal operating hours, with an added three (3) hour watch after work stops for the day when the Fire Precaution Plan is at Plan B, C, or D (see Supplement 1). If the Contractor has agreed to additional terms for operation under Fire Precaution Plan D (see Supplement 2), the Fire Guard will perform all requirements specified in the Plan D Authorization Letter issued by the CO.

Each Fire Guard shall be equipped with a vehicle and shall carry a minimum 5 lb. fire extinguisher and fire tools consisting of a cache box with one shovel, size 0 or larger, one cutting tool such as either an axe, Pulaski or chainsaw, one fire rake or heavy duty garden rake, two 5-gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps, and 25 gallons of water for firefighting purposes. All equipment and tools shall be maintained in serviceable and operable condition.

The tool cache for the Fire Guard will be in addition to the Fire Toolbox maintained for the work crews and available for use at both the work site and campsite.

j. Communications –The Contractor shall provide some form of prompt and reliable direct communication, such as a cell phone or two-way radio, between the Fire Guard(s) and the work crews, and between the contractor’s operations and the Forest Service. The Contractor’s cell phone number, and Fire Guard’s cell number, or other form of prompt contact, will be reported to the COR at the pre-work meeting. All communications will be in English.

http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/docs/docs.htm

5. Wildfire Suppression

a. The Contractor shall take independent action immediately to suppress all fires originating within the contract boundary and camp location. The Contractor shall continue fighting the fire until released from the fire by the Forest Service.

The Contractor will take appropriate action on a fire outside the contract area or campsite to the level of their firefighting experience, abilities and qualifications. The Contractor may be requested to assist the Forest Service with fighting a fire if the personnel have been trained and equipped with the proper personnel protective equipment (PPE).

If contract operations are interrupted for firefighting purposes the Contractor shall notify the COR as soon as practical.

b. If the Contractor pursues fighting any wildfire which has moved from off the USFS contract land and crosses onto lands of other ownership, such as private property, the Contractor shall be aware that dangers may be present associated with urbanized areas. For example, the Contractor will need to become highly alert, and take extreme care to avoid dangers associated with open flames or operating heavy equipment near propane/butane tanks and underground gas lines, overhead/underground electric lines, underground septic tanks, and private outbuildings which may contain hazardous or flammable/explosive chemicals. Coordination as soon as possible with USFS and/or local municipal firefighters who are better trained for safe wildland/urban-interface fire suppression tactics is recommended when faced with fires on private lands.

c. All fires shall be reported immediately to the most available Forest Service office. The COR will insure that all fire reports are forwarded immediately to the Apache-Sitgreaves NF Fire Dispatcher’s Office. Even though the fire may have been suppressed by the Contractor’s crew, this report is still required. The office and telephone numbers to which fires shall be reported will be furnished to the Contractor at the contract pre-work meeting.

d. The Contractor shall not perform fire suppression activity, or provide reinforcement support, on any wildfires that originates and remains outside the contract boundary or Contractor’s camp location, without meeting the criteria below.

If the Contractor wishes to be available to assist the Forest Service with emergency wildfire suppression or support activities beyond the contract boundary, all the Contractor’s, and/or Subcontractor’s, equipment must first be signed up on an Equipment Rental Agreement, USDA/USDI Optional Form 294, issued by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. (In cases of extreme emergency, the Forest Service can finalize this agreement at the fire location.)

Emergency use of equipment manned with operators, such as dozers, skidders, tree shears, chainsaws and water trucks/trailers, would then be compensated to the Contractor at current Forest Service fire-fighting rental equipment rates common to the area. Equipment rented by the Forest Service under this agreement shall be operated only by physically able personnel supplied by the Contractor.

Likewise, all personnel employed or subcontracted by the Contractor who wish to work on wildfires as individuals must first be currently certified with the required fire training to be qualified as a wildland firefighter before being permitted to assist the Forest Service with fire suppression. Firefighters must also have completed the necessary forms to become temporary emergency Forest Service fire-fighting employees. Contract personnel temporarily released off this contract by the Contractor to fight off-contract fires, shall be paid by the Forest Service at current USFS standard emergency “administratively determined” (AD) fire-fighting rates.

The COR can direct you on how and where to make these preparations in advance. The contract COR must be notified as soon as possible in writing when the above conditions for fire rental equipment and personnel have been met. The Contractor must also notify the COR as soon as practical if contract operations are interrupted for emergency firefighting outside the contract area. If the Contractor does not wish to meet these criteria to help fight wildland fire outside the contract area, the Contractor is not required to do so.

6. Equipment Requirements

a. Passenger carrying vehicles, including light pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles, shall be equipped with one

(1) long-handled round pointed shovel and one (1) ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher not less than 2 ½ pounds capacity. Each internal combustion fuel-carrying piece of equipment (dump-truck, dozer, excavator, backhoe, fuel service truck, etc…) shall be equipped with one long-handled round-pointed shovel, and one 5-pound capacity ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. Shovels and fire extinguishers shall be so mounted as to be readily reached from the ground, and shall be maintained in good working condition at all times.

The work camp and fuel-storage area shall be equipped with a shovel, double bit axe, and class ADC pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 15 pounds capacity by weight, kept in good working condition.

These shovels and fire extinguishers are in addition to those required for the Fire Guard tool cache (4.a.) and the mobile crew fire tool box (4.e). These shall be furnished and maintained at the Contractor’s expense.

Authorized user will ensure that each internal combustion engine (both gasoline and diesel fueled) used on the project and in camp shall be equipped with a spark arrester qualified and rated under USDA Forest Service Standard (Spark Arrester Guide) 5100-1a or the latest revision of Society of Automotive Engineers "medium size engine, SAE recommended practice J350" unless it is:

(i) Equipped with a turbine-driven exhaust supercharger such as the turbocharger. There shall be no exhaust bypass.

(ii) A multi-position engine, such as on power saws purchased after 6/30/77 which must meet the performance levels set forth in the Society of Automotive Engineers "multi-positioned small engine exhaust fire ignition standard, SAE recommended practice J335B" as now or hereafter amended. Those purchased prior to the above date shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester/muffler containing a 0.023 inch mesh screen which all exhaust products must pass through. The effective exhaust area of the screen (total area of all screen openings) shall not be less than 200 percent of the engine exhaust port area at its smallest cross-section. Screen material will be heat and corrosion resistant, and shall provide at least 100 hours of service life.

(iii) A passenger carrying vehicle or light truck, or medium truck up to 40,000 GVW, used on roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and an exhaust system in good working condition.

(iv) A heavy duty truck, such as a dump truck, or other vehicle used for commercial hauling, used only on roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and with a vertical stack exhaust system extending above the cab.

Exhaust equipment described here, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed and constantly maintained in serviceable condition.

b. All internal combustion engines must be inspected before use in the job and periodically thereafter by the Forest Service. Equipment not passing inspection cannot be used until repairs are made, re-inspected, and passed by the Forest Service.

c. Care shall still be taken at all times to avoid parking all vehicles over tall grass, brush or flammable materials.

d. Equipment service areas, and gas and oil storage areas, shall be cleared of brush, litter, debris, and grass for a radius of at least 50 feet. Locations shall be pre-approved by the Forest Service.

e. All crawler tractors and rubber-tired equipment suitable for fire suppression work shall be equipped with lights for nighttime use. This includes two functioning headlights, and 1 to 2 backup lights.

f. Powered handtools (saws, augers, drills, jack hammers, pumps, etc.) shall be kept in a safe, serviceable condition at all times. Each power tool shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester screen muffler system as defined in this section.

(i) The refueling of powered tools shall be done in an area which is completely cleared of flammable materials (such as on bare mineral soil) and the tool shall be moved at least 10 feet from the point of refueling to another barren spot before being started.

(ii) Power tools with warm or hot spark arresters/screen mufflers—running or not—shall not be placed or rested on sawdust piles, litter duff, stumps, or spots that are easily ignited.

(iii) During periods of use, each powered handtool operator shall have readily available for use, one long-handled round-pointed shovel, one chemical-pressurized ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight, and a Factory Mutual (FM) approved fuel can. Muffler, extinguisher, shovel and fuel can shall be maintained in good working order at all times. The shovel is to be kept with the fuel supply can.

g. Forced Air Burners shall be kept in serviceable conditions at all times. Blower unit power supplies must comply with 6 b, c and d above.

7. Smoking and Fires

a. Smoking – When/where smoking is permitted, cigarette butts or other smoking materials shall be extinguished completely and disposed of responsibly.

i. No smoking shall be allowed while traveling, except on surfaced highways. A surfaced highway is any road that is oiled, graveled, or otherwise paved.

ii. Smoking is not permitted while working. Smoking is only permitted in camp or on breaks, and only in areas having a clearing of at least 3 feet in diameter to bare mineral soil or rock, or preferably inside an enclosed vehicle with an ash tray.

iii. Smoking is not permitted while refueling, or while in the fuel storage service area.

b. Fires – Warming fires, cooking fires, or burning of daily kitchen waste at camp or on the job-site, shall not be permitted during periods of high to extreme fire danger except in designated places by written consent of the Forest Service. All other fires (such as burning of debris resulting from clearing a camp or right-of-way) and ash disposal are covered under sections 4.e., 4.f., 4.g., and 4.h.

8. Red Flag Events –

A “Red Flag Event” by definition, is a combination of environmental factors that can lead to extreme wildland fire behavior.