Statement of Objectives.docx

Statement of Objectives Middle Fork Ranger District Seed Orchard Vegetation Management

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to procure services to mow in the two seed orchard sites on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The primary objective is to cut grass within the enclosed orchard areas to reduce fire risk and intensity, reduce the spread of undesirable vegetation, and to maintain access to orchard seed trees.

2.0 Scope

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation of equipment, and incidentals needed to perform the work within the allowable contract time. The Government is not liable for any damage incurred to the Contractor’s equipment during the performance of this contract. Expected vegetation to be mowed is primarily herbaceous with isolated patches of blackberry. Both orchards were mowed in June of 2025.

Seed orchard crop trees are well established and typically range from 10 to 16 inches diameter at breast height. Crop trees are arranged in rows spaced 15 to 30 feet apart. Standing dead crop trees may be present. Crop trees with low-hanging limbs are common.

Terrain within the orchards may be uneven. Slopes generally range from 0 to 20 percent. Material such as branches, treetops, wood chunks, rocks, irrigation piping, and fencing may be found within the treatment areas and can present a hazard to mowing operations. Stumps may be present within the planted rows of some orchards. Potential equipment damage may be caused by unseen obstacles. The Contractor is advised to be mindful when maneuvering within the orchards.

Westfir Seed Orchard consists of Douglas-fir and Sugar Pine crop trees and will require approximately 21 acres of mowing. Buckhead Seed Orchard consists of Douglas-fir crop trees and will require approximately 30 acres of mowing. Contract acres were measured using remote delineation via GIS. Boundaries are discernable by features such as fence lines, roads, and stark changes in vegetation. Georeferenced maps will be provided by the Government.

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

Estimated Start Work Date: June 14, 2026 Performance Time: 14 days (including weekends) Period of Performance (These are potential work ranges. The Performance Time shall be followed.)

· Base Year: June 14, 2026 through June 28, 2026

· Option Year 1: June 13, 2027 through June 27, 2027

· Option Year 2: June 11, 2028 through July 25, 2028

· Option Year 3: June 10, 2029 through July 24, 2029

· Option Year 4: June 9, 2030 through June 23, 2030

Once work begins, contractors must have staff available to complete all work specified. Extensions will not be granted if the Contractor delays work on this contract to take other jobs/assignments before all scheduled items listed are complete.

Work may be suspended due to site conditions. If the COR determines that wet conditions will result in unacceptable levels of ground disturbance, work will be suspended until conditions improve. The period of performance may be adjusted by the Contracting Officer if warranted by conditions outside of the control of the Contractor.

Attached maps show the specific locations of each orchard. All items are located within the administrative boundary of the Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District, Lane County, Oregon. Project work sites are accessible by standard pickup on Forest Service roads. Roads are expected to be open, however, the Government will not perform special maintenance to keep roads open. Work sites are gated and secured with Government padlocks. The Contractor shall ensure gates remain closed and locked before, during, and after operations. The Contractor shall furnish padlocks and secure gates lock-to-lock during performance to allow access to the Government. The Government is not responsible for any Contractor property left on site. Camping on National Forest System lands during performance requires a permit.

A site visit is recommended. If you are interested in accessing fenced areas, you should first obtain a key at the Middle Fork Ranger Station. Contact Gary Jackson by email at gary.jackson@usda.gov or by phone at 541-782-5238 to inquire about obtaining a key or for questions concerning orchard information.

4.0 Background

Seed orchards are an important component of the reforestation system on federal lands. The Government has made a large investment over several decades in establishing seed orchards and cultivating seed trees. Understory vegetation management helps protect the resource from wildfire, reduce populations of damaging insects, and facilitate other activities within the orchards.

5.0 Performance Objectives

The following performance objectives must be met by the Contractor using methods and equipment described in the Proposed Project Plan, as provided by the Contractor in response to the Request for Quotation.

1. Cut vegetation within the orchard boundaries to a maximum height of 4 inches above the ground surface excluding:

a. Seed orchard crop trees

b. Vegetation with stump diameters of 9 inches or greater

2. Ensure residual material does not accumulate in piles deeper than 4 inches.

3. The Contractor may choose not to cut vegetation immediately surrounding obstacles to a distance no greater than 2 feet from the obstacle. Vegetation further than 2 feet from obstacles must be cut unless approved by the COR. Obstacles include objects not designated for cutting or unsafe to cut near such as orchard crop trees, fences, and boulders.

6.0 Deliverables

Key Deliverables

7.0 Operating Constraints

The following constraints and restrictions will apply to all work performed under this contract and should be addressed in the contractor’s Proposed Project Plan. Equipment used and described in the Proposed Project Plan should be of appropriate size and type to meet all objectives as well as conform to the constraints listed below.

1. Safety devices must be used to minimize aerial dispersal of rock and other debris that could present a hazard to people and property.

2. Areas reserved from mowing must not be disturbed. Reserved areas will be identified using flagging and/or maps and will be communicated to the Contractor by the COR before work begins.

3. The Contractor shall minimize ground disturbance. If ground disturbance is exposing mineral soil, the Contractor must stop operations and notify the COR. The Contractor may not operate in wet or muddy conditions.

4. All vehicles, tools, and equipment intended for use during this contract must be clean and free of seeds, soil, mud, and vegetation debris before entering National Forest System lands. The COR may inspect compliance with this requirement at any time.

5. The Contractor must abide by fire prevention restrictions detailed in Fire Protection and Suppression Forms (attached as a separate document).

8.0 Government Quality Assurance Plan and Payment

The Government will conduct visual inspections to ensure that the Contractor has met all objectives and has complied with operational constraints. Any deficiencies in quality must be corrected by the Contractor within the established Period of Performance. The Government will inspect payment units within 2 business days of completion.

Any damage to Government property resulting from actions taken by the Contractor must be repaired to original condition by the Contractor, or the Government may make a deduction in payment based on the direct cost to the Government of replacing or repairing the damaged property. Damaged property could include but is not limited to fence lines, outbuildings, roads, and crop trees.

The Contractor may submit invoices for individual bid items after work is accepted by the Government. Payment will be made at the quoted rate with any deductions resulting from damage to Government property applied.