STATEMENT OF WORK.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

REGION 05 CONE, NEEDLE COLLECTION AND TESTING BPA

DESCRIPTION/ SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

Scope of Work

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure commercial services for tree climbing, cone, needle and other specimen collection within scope, in the California Region as prescribed by the terms of this contract.

The Forest Service needs the following services to restore and reforest government lands in California.

The resulting Blanket Purchase Agreement will include services for tree climbing, slingshot/shooting, use of mechanical lift truck and picking from felled trees for the collection of a variety of specimen from a variety of species in accordance with all safety requirements for such work as directed by the

Government.

When collection services are required the Government will issue a call identifying the location, line items and quantities and the period of performance and services/collections required. Due to unstable and unforeseeable environmental conditions, the Government is not always able to determine needs until it is closer to the suitable conditions varying by location and species. The projects will be time-sensitive for climbing trees and collecting samples. Specimens collected are perishable and will be required to be treated with great care. The Government anticipate recurring requirements but cannot predetermine the precise requirements during the contract period.

Contractor Responsibility:

The Contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, professional certifications, licenses, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and incidentals necessary to complete the project, except for that which the RFQ or Contract states is to be furnished by the Government. This includes all items, labor or equipment needed to perform all necessary work to select trees, (if required) and to pick, bag, label and deliver collections to the delivery point. All equipment and personal protective equipment shall meet or exceed OSHA specifications. All samples collected under the provisions of this contract are an shall remain the property of the Government.

Project Location & Description

Location:

• California Service Area #1: Klamath, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers

National Forests

• California Service Area #2: Eldorado, Plumas, Tahoe, Inyo, Sierra, Sequoia, Stanislaus National

Forests and the Lake Tahoe basin Management Unit.

• California Service Area #3: San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles and Los Padres National Forests

• Also Includes Seed Zones which fall within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Restrictions on Work

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here.

Restrictions are as follows:

1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included.

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

Licenses and Insurance

The contractor shall obtain the insurance and licenses listed here.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance: The Contractor shall provide evidence of Worker’s Compensation

Insurance or a valid reason that exempts the Contractor from the requirement. NOTE: The Contractor working alone is not required to carry the insurance.

If the contractor fails to provide the documentation within 10 calendar days after contract time begins, the contract may be terminated for cause in accordance with FAR 52.212-4.

MSPA Card (Form WH510): This contract does not require the contractor to be registered with the US

Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy.

Technical Requirements

Definitions Branch Hook: Long-handled devise used to pull limbs into the bole of the tree, so that the climber can safely pick cones without damaging the tree. A minimum 6-foot length is required.

Branch Flagging: Dead or dying branches within the live crown which have dead or yellowing needles.

Bushel: dry measurement, 8 gallons or approximately 12 cubic feet.

Cankers: Noticeable swelling on branches or stem bole.

Cone: Pinaceae cones – The members of the pine family (pines, spruces, firs, cedars, larches, etc.) have cones that are imbricate (that is with scales overlapping each other like fish scales). These pinecones, especially the woody female cones, are considered the “archetypal” tree cones. The female cone has two types of scale: the bract scale and the seed scale (or ovuliferous scales), one subtended by each bract scale, derived from a highly modified branchlet. On the upper-side base of each seed scale are two ovules that develop into seeds after fertilization by pollen grains. The bract scales develop first and are conspicuous at time of pollination, the seed scales develop later to enclose and protect the seeds, with the bract scales often not growing further.

The scales open temporarily to receive gametophytes, then close during fertilization and maturation, and then re-open again at maturity to allow the seed to escape. Maturation takes 6–8 months from pollination in most Pinaceae genera, but 12 months in cedars and 18–24 months (rarely more) in most pines. The cones open either by the seed scales flexing back when they dry out, or (in firs, cedars and golden larch) by the cones disintegrating with the seed scales falling off. The cones are conic, cylindrical or ovoid (egg-shaped), and small to very large, from 2– 60 cm long and 1–20 cm broad.

Cone Cut Sampling: Cones are sampled individually by cutting them lengthwise to count and inspect seeds help determine crop health and seed viability.

Conelets: Immature, one-year old pinecones, usually 3 to 4” long.

Cone Location: Seed bearing cones on the tips or along the branches.

Cone Maturity: Cones are usually mature when the color changes from green to lustrous greenish brown to light brown. Cones with scales that begin to crack are also an indicator of maturity. Cone ripening and cone flare may only be days apart.

Contracting Officer (CO): The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority.

Contractors Officer’s Representative (COR): The COR is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities or a COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer after award.

Cut face: The exposed face of one side of a cone that has been cleanly sliced lengthwise along the cone axis exposing the inside of the cone and seeds.

Flared Cone: The seed-bearing organ of a conifer that has matured enough for the cone scales to open to allow seed dispersal.

Filled Seed per Cut face: A method used to determine seed yield which includes the count of seed on the cut face exhibiting the highest exposed filled seed count.

Only seed that have been sliced open sufficiently so that the inside of the seed is readily visible are counted as exposed.

Only seed containing storage tissue (endosperm) and that are sound are counted as filled seed.

Seed that are not sliced open (i.e., the see coat remain intact), are ignored.

Healthy, Available Cones: Cones which are fertile, mature, and sound; capable of producing viable seed that are relatively free of insects, disease, and other types of damage that are within the top two-thirds of the crown of the tree.

Mature Seed: Visually inspect cones and cut cones to examine seeds to determine seed maturity. The actual seed condition will vary by species, but in general seed is considered mature when the embryo fills 90% or more of the embryo cavity (most important criteria) and is a cream or pale-yellow color. Mature seed has a firm white to yellow or cream-colored endosperm. Squeezing the endosperm releases a clear liquid when seeds are mature. Endosperms that are soft and when squeezed release a milky colored liquid are not mature seeds. The surrounding storage tissue (endosperm) is a firm consistency and not a viscous milky condition. The seed coat and seed wing have darkened in color and is easily lifted from the cone scale. In mature seed, the embryo is nearly the length of the seed.

MGR: a sugar or other white pine tree that has been tested and proven to have a major gene resistance to white pine blister rust.

RRSP (Rust Resistant Sugar Pine): Existing proven Major Gene Resistant (MGR) Sugar/White Pine trees.

Seed and Wing: Seed and Wing will be dark brown to deep magenta color and detach intact from the cone scale in mature cones.

Sound Seed: Seed is considered sound when the endosperm and embryo are developing normally and there is no evidence of insect, disease, climatic or other types of damage.

Species Codes: See attachment for Species Codes

Tarp Collection: A type of cone collection where an individual place a tarpaulin, canvas, plastic or other material or fabric flat on the ground under a tree, drops cones from the tree onto the fabric and later collects the cones from fabric into a container.

Visually Blister Rust-Free: No branch flagging or cankers visible from ground observations.

WPBR: White Pine Blister Rust.

Specifications

The Contractor has the option, with the Forest Service’s Technical Expert approval, of deciding the appropriate method of collection. Some options include but are not limited to, tree climbing, mechanical lift truck, felled tree collection, and small quantity collections through sling shot, air gun, shooting with a 0.22 caliber rifle with a scope. Proposers are encouraged to be creative as other methods may be considered and approved if both safe and effective.

Needle collection includes the following Species:

White pines Sugar pine Western White pine Whitebark pine Limber pine Foxtail pine Bristlecone pine

INSPECTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE

Government Inspections

Government inspections are for the purpose of satisfying the Government that the services are acceptable and do not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for maintaining quality control.

The Contracting Officer's Representative or designated inspector will conduct all inspections. The

Contractor (or designated representative) is encouraged to be present to observe inspections. Summary results will be made available on request.

Compliance Inspections. Visual compliance inspections will be made on a periodic basis. Such inspections are not final and do not constitute acceptance by the Government.

Final Inspections. Final (formal) inspections for payment will be made on completed sub-items only.

Contractor shall request final inspections in writing and give the Forest Service at least two working days advanced notice. Inspections will be completed within four working days after the notice is received. If the work is not ready for inspection at the time specified by the Contractor, the cost associated with the inspection attempt may be charged to the Contractor.

Disputed Inspection. The Contractor may request re-inspection without rework if the results are unacceptable. Re-inspection must be requested in writing within 48 hours after receiving written notice of the inspection results. Re-inspection will be accomplished within five working days after receipt of the contractor's written request.

The same sampling and inspection procedures will be used, but new samples will be taken. The inspection pattern will be shifted so that new samples will not overlap previously inspected samples.

Results will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

If re-inspection results are within five percentage points of the first inspection, the original inspection result will be used in determining acceptability and payment. If re-inspection results are greater than five percentage points above or below the first inspection, the re-inspection results will be used.

If the re-inspection results are within five percentage points of the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the actual costs of the re-inspection.

Re-inspection after Rework. Where rework after a failed inspection may improve the inspection results, the Contractor may rework the area and request (in writing) a second inspection. The Government will charge to the Contractor the cost of this additional inspection. Re-inspection will be accomplished within five working days after the notice is received. The results of the second inspection will be final, and no further rework will be permitted. Areas not ready for re-inspection at the time specified by the

Contractor will not be re-inspected, and the results of the first inspection will be final.

Specific Inspection Procedures

Method The Contracting Officer or their Representative will make visual inspections while work is in progress for compliance with terms of the contract.

Determination of Acceptability

Work on this contract will be deemed acceptable when the Government’s visual inspections show acceptable performance.

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Work Timing

The Contractor shall begin work as negotiated with the Forest Staff member or Contracting Officer.

Failure to begin work on schedule will make the contract subject to immediate termination for cause.

Winter Shutdown

When winter weather sets in and the continuation of work is impractical, the Contracting Officer may authorize a total suspension until such time as work can proceed. During the period of total suspension, the calendar days elapsed will not be charged against the contract time.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Pre-work

Pre-work conference. Before work begins on service contracts, a pre-work conference is normally held to discuss the contract – especially the specifications, labor provisions, plan of work, and selected standard clauses. The pre-work meeting should be attended by an officer of the firm or someone designated in writing to act on behalf of the firm. The pre-work meeting may be waived at the discretion of the

Contracting Officer.

Payment

Payments and Deductions. Payment will be made for fully acceptable work at the prices bid in the schedule of items. In the event of extended non-work periods because of adverse weather, the

Contracting Officer may authorize progress payments for partially completed sub-items on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with the inspection clause, payment may be made for less than fully acceptable work at a reduced price. Other exceptions are noted below:

All orders under $2500.00 will be paid with a Credit Card.

Contract Release. Before final payment will be made, the Contractor shall sign a release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of this contract, other than claims, in stated amounts, that the

Contractor has specifically excepted from the operation of the release.

A Contract Release FS-6300-0016 must be uploaded with request/invoice for final payment in IPP, before final payment will be approved.

Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) All payment requests must be submitted electronically through the US Department of the Treasury’s

Invoice Processing Platform (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 FAR clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial

Items. 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:

1. Invoice date and Government BPA Contract Number.

2. 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.

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

4. Total amount due for the billing period.

The Contractor must use the IPP website to register access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. The Contractor’s 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.

https://www.ipp.gov/ mailto:ippgroup@bos.frb.org

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 their proposal or quotation.

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Superintendence by Contractor

The name and the specific authorities of the foreman or superintendent must be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may use his/her own prepared letterhead stationery or a

"Designation of Contractor's Representative" form available from the Contracting Officer. If the

Contractor or the designee is not present when work is being performed on the contract, a Suspend

Work Order may be issued with contract time continuing to run. The Contractor shall have a person on-site that is fully conversant in the English language.

Archaeological and Historic Sites

Location of known archaeological, historic, or prehistoric materials – such as Native American sites or artifacts and/or historic mining, logging, or fur trapping remains protected by the American Antiquities

Act (16 USC 433) – will be identified for the contractor before work commences.

Spill Plan

If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, the Contractor shall prepare and implement a Spill Prevention and Countermeasures

(SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered professional engineer. The Contractor, under the direction of the Contracting Officer, or in the absence of said officer, acting independently, shall immediately take action to contain and clean up, without expense to the Government, all petroleum products spills on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by the Contractor's employees directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations.

The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary by the Government for the containment and cleanup of petroleum products spills caused by Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations. The

Contractor shall immediately report all petroleum products spills to the Contracting Officer.

Equipment Cleaning

All off-road equipment used on this project shall be washed before moving into the project area so that the equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. “Off-road equipment” includes all logging and construction equipment and such brushing equipment as brush hogs, masticators, and chippers; it does not include log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, and similar vehicles not intended for off-road use.

Equipment will be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil, seeds, plant material, or other such debris. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection equipment is not required. Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least five days in advance of moving equipment in so that arrangements can be made for inspection.

If the project area is known to contain noxious weeds, the equipment shall be cleaned before moving to other Forest Service system lands which do not contain noxious weeds.

Final cleanup

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied 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.

Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

The Contracting Officer designates the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

The Contracting Officer must be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the

Contractor or the Government which will change the required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, and the contract may be modified accordingly. (This does not apply to individual task assignments which were issued by the COR provided they do not affect the delivery schedule or performance period stated in the contract.)

On all matters that pertain to the contract terms, the Contractor must communicate with the

Contracting Officer. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment.

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.