SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

A. Project Title

FY 21 Osceola NF SALE PREPARATION Contract – BONNELL

B. Background

This contract is for furnishing all labor, supplies, equipment, transportation and supervision necessary to Mark, Cruise, and Layout perspective timber sales.

C. Objective

The objective of this contract/order is to prepare timber sales for upcoming ecosystem restoration treatments.

This project focuses on the restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem by harvesting slash pine and restoring longleaf pine to its historic locations.

D. Scope of Work

I. SILVICULTURAL MARKING GUIDE

A. Procedures for Layout, Marking and/or Cruising

i. Layout and Boundary Designation

a. Boundary trees are to be marked in orange tracer paint with 3 stripes above 6 foot and a stump mark that connects with the ground. All stands and interior swamps are to be bounded. Painted boundary trees should be within view of adjacent painted boundary trees.

b. Area determination of all stands and interior swamps are to be collected by GPS.

c. Sale area signs are to be placed along roads and trails where boundaries intersect with road/trail.

ii. Timber Designation

a. Cut Tree Marking – Cutting units to be cut by this method will be marked with tracer paint insuring that adjacent cutting units are in a different color. Eye level paint marks should face in the same direction such as facing the log landing to assist the Purchaser in determining which trees are designated for cutting. The mark for cut trees or band for leave trees should be large enough to be viewed from a distance, usually 100 feet, or closer in brushy areas. Proper placement of the paint mark on the stump is essential. Place stump markings so that sufficient paint gets into bark crevices and extends into the ground-line ensuring that paint will remain on the stump over time. Place stump mark on the downhill side of sloping ground. Place two (2) paint marks on Sawtimber size trees and one (1) on pulpwood size trees is required.

Stump marks and eye level marks do not have to be on the same side of the tree.

b. Designation by Row – Cutting units to be cut by this method will be cruised. No additional marking (other than boundaries).

iii. Special Instructions

a. Reserve Trees – These trees are marked with a white band of paint. DO

NOT designated these trees for cutting. DO NOT mark trees within 3 feet of reserve trees for protection purposes.

b. Special Area – Special areas are bounded with three (3) stripes of white paint and a stump mark. DO NOT mark or cruise within these areas nor mark the boundary trees.

iv. Paint Scheme Designation Primary Color Secondary Color Boundary Orange N/A Cut Tree Marking Blue Yellow

Tracer Paint provided by the Forest Service is an accountable item and must be treated as such. Only Forest Service delegated paint custodians can distribute paint to users. All paint containers (empty, partial, and full) must be turned in to the Paint Custodian when requested.

II. Product Merchantability/Utilization Standards (Minimum Standards)

Product Minimum DBH (inches)

Minimum Tree Length (feet)

Percent Sound

Top

DOB

(inches)

Pine Sawtimber 9.6 12.0 30 7.0 Pine Pulpwood 5.0 10.0 N/A 4.0

A. DBH Class – All measure trees will be measured to 1/10th of an inch.

B. Height cutoff –

a. Pine Sawtimber: The last point on the stem that measures 7.0” DOB OR a point on the stem greater than 7.0” DOB where the tree is no longer usable as Sawtimber. This is often where the stem breaks up into a multiple-branched top, or where a whorl of 3 or more live branches arranged radially occurs in two or more faces within a 1-foot vertical section, the sum of whose diameters equals or exceeds the diameter of the tree at that point, UNLESS a useable 8’ piece occurs above that point.

b. Pine Pulpwood: Pine PW = measure total height.

C. Field Data Recorder Height Recording –

a. Height 1 = Merchantable height. Actual Sawtimber cutoff point (where a stem is no longer merchantable a SAWTIMBER)

b. Height 2 (479) = Reference height. Total height for all products.

D. Products – Both primary and secondary products will be used.

III. Sample Method Analysis

A. Cruise Methods (List sale method codes)

i. STR – Cut Tree Marking

ii. PCMTRE – Point Count Measure Tree

B. Strata Codes (List sale strata codes) Strata Method Unit

01 STR 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

02 PCMTRE 10, 11, 12, 13

C. Sample Groups (List sale sample group codes) Product Code Strata Pine Sawtimber S ALL Pine Pulpwood P ALL

D. Species (List all sale species codes)

Code Species Sample Groups 111 Slash Pine ALL 121 Longleaf Pine ALL 131 Loblolly Pine ALL

IV. Sampling Method and Intensity

A. STRATA 01: Sample Tree (STR) Live Longleaf and Slash pine in good condition and have a DBH of 9.6” or higher are to be favored when selecting trees to remove.

*Desired conditions: 40-60 BA

Payment Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sample Group Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range Sample Interval

S Sawtimber (01) 9.6”+ 1: 100

P Pulpwood (02) 5” – 9.5” 1: 100

A random start should be used for each sample group at the start of marking in each payment unit. Select a random interval that is less than the required sample interval for the first tally in each sample group, thereafter, sample at the specified sample interval.

Maintain an accurate tree count by payment unit for each sample group. Original field records used for tracking tree counts must be with the tally cards or data recorder sheets when each unit is completed.

*Do NOT mark any hardwoods on the forest.

B. STRATA 02: Point Count/Measure Tree (PCMTRE) Payment Unit: 10, 11, 12, 13 Basal Area Factor: 10 BAF prism will be used to ensure 5 or more trees per plot Cruise plots are on a 5 chain by 5 chain grid All trees are counted in each plot Measure every 4th plot

Sample Group Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range Sample Interval

S Sawtimber (01) 9.6”+ All trees are counted in each plot, measure every 4th plot

P Pulpwood (02) 5” – 9.5” All trees are counted in each plot, measure every 4th plot

For area estimate cruises, having a tally interval, will be implemented as follows: Tally all trees in each plot proceeding clockwise from the cardinal direction of North. Flag each count and measure tree within plot. Dot tally trees for count plots. Do not cruise any hardwoods. Measure plots will be systematic with a random start. A random number generator determined the first plot. Every forth plot thereafter will be a measure. Measure plots are already indicated on plot maps with an “M” next to them.

First plot selection:

Unit 10: 2nd plot start Unit 11: 3rd plot start Unit 12: 1st plot start Unit 13: 4th plot start

Proceed with this procedure until all trees in each sample group have been accounted for on the plot. Plot center will be staked and identified with pin flagging to indicate plot center and will contain: the plot number, date, number of saw and pulp trees, and cruiser initials.

Overview:

Payment Unit Approx. Acres Strata Treatment

1 108 01 – CTM MARKING

2 48 01 – CTM MARKING

3 67 01 – CTM MARKING

4 76 01 – CTM MARKING

5 71 01 – CTM MARKING

6 49 01 – CTM MARKING

7 48 01 – CTM MARKING

8 51 01 – CTM MARKING

9 52 01 – CTM MARKING

10 104 02 – PCMTRE CRUISING

11 78 02 – PCMTRE CRUISING

12 84 02 – PCMTRE CRUISING

13 74 02 – PCMTRE CRUISING

Protection of Residual Trees - The contractor shall not mark any tree marked with white stripes or banded.

Equipment Requirements -All equipment which is to be used on this work shall be of the proper type, sufficient size, operated at sufficient speed, and in such mechanical condition as to meet the requirements of the work to produce a satisfactory quality of work. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) may order the removal and require replacement of any unsatisfactory equipment.

Erosion Control - The contractor's operation will be conducted so as to avoid unnecessary soil erosion. He will install and/or maintain drainage dips and water bars on skid trails and/or roads where designated by the COR. He will perform the necessary erosion prevention work and remove any temporary structures (if installed by contractor) that are no longer necessary to his operation.

Protection of Lands, Streams, Sinkholes, Lakes and Reservoirs - The contractor shall prevent pollution of streams, lakes, and reservoirs by fuels, oils, and other chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials. He shall schedule and conduct operations so as to avoid siltation of streams, lakes, and reservoirs, loss of embankment material during high flow periods

Protection of Improvements - All survey monuments, road signs, traffic counters, and other improvements must be protected whenever encountered. If any of these improvements are damaged or destroyed, the contractor will be responsible for all replacement costs.

Access - The contractor shall protect all trails, roads, ditches, fences, and other improvements in the project area. Roads and all adjacent private land shall be kept free from logs, slash, and debris. The contractor shall promptly repair any road or trail used by the contractor that is damaged by contract operations. There are numerous unauthorized roads and trails in the area. Travel ways not shown on the map are not authorized by the Forest Service and do not require any protection.

Protection of Archeological/Historical Resources - The Contractor upon discovery of suspected archeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify the COR. Known significant archeological sites will be marked on the ground and discussed at the pre-work meeting. Sale preparation operations will not be al1owed in these areas.

Protection of Land Control Monuments -All land control monuments likely to be disturbed may be identified by 4 X 4 posts or signs. Contractor may not damage these monuments during contract operations.

Protection of Gopher Tortoise Burrows - Areas may have gopher tortoise burrows which should be excluded from sale preparation. Trees should not be marked within a 15-foot radius around the burrow entrance to prevent the collapse of the burrows by future operations. Gopher tortoise burrows have been delineated with flagging (in a different color than area boundary marking) to demarcate the 15-foot protection zone around the burrow entrance.

Protection of Red Cockaded Woodpecker Colonies - Areas containing Red Cockaded Woodpecker colonies are identifies on the maps and flagged on the ground. A damaged Red Cockaded Woodpecker tree can result in a $1000.00 fine.

Other Wildlife Protection - Contractor will not destroy or knock down any larger (greater than 6 inches in diameter) dead trees or snags. These serve as perch trees and/or den trees for cavity nesting birds and raptors such as hawks and owls. Contractor will keep lookout for eastern indigo snakes, Florida pine snakes, and gopher tortoises to reduce mortality or physical injury.

E. Reporting Requirements

No reporting by the contractor will be required for this project

F. Deliverables and Delivery Schedule

All work will need to be completed by AUGUST 15, 2021.

G. Applicable Documents and Standards

N/A

H. Government-Furnished Property

Forest Service tracer paint shall be the only government-furnished property. Tracer paint shall be accountable property and treated as such.

I. Place of Performance

Operation areas are within the boundaries of the Osceola National Forest, Columbia County, Florida (See Attached Maps.)

J. Contractor Travel

Contractor will need to travel to the worksite daily, using contractor provided transportation.

K. Applicable Publications (Current Editions)

N/A