StatementofWork BPA.docx

PRESCRIBED BURNING BPA

STATEMENT OF WORK

Description of Work- This solicitation and any resultant Blanket Purchase Agreements may incorporate prescribed burning services, equipment daily rate requirements, and burn module daily rate requirements. Work includes but is not limited to the following:

Project Location – Work will be performed on the Malheur National Forest, Wallow-Whitman National Forest, and Umatilla National Forest

Forest Service is acquiring services to assist with its FY2022 through FY2032 prescribed fire programs. These services (nonemergency) will meet the intent of the National Fire Plan in accordance with Public Law 106-291. This is a Blanket Purchase Agreement spanning 10 years of pre priced service items in multiple locations across the National Forests. The government anticipates making awards to single individual companies based on line item locations to meet the minimum needed quantity as stated in the schedule of items by forest. If contracting companies can clearly show the capacity (through their technical approach) to provide resources in multiple line-item locations, then award may be considered to that company for those services indicated in the schedule of items for those project areas. Companies are not required to bid in all locations to be considered responsive to this solicitation.

Scope

The intent of this BPA is to provide a complete landscape burn module consisting of a type 2 Burn Boss (RXB2) and complete prescribed burn complement, 5-person hand crew module(s), type 6 engine(s), type 2 tender(s), and a type 3 dozer with transport to assist with prescribed burning. Prescribed burn services may include implementing a government furnished burn plan with the entire burn crew, providing specific modules and/or equipment, and operational duties such as fire line construction and/or maintenance, hand fire line construction, fuels pullback, skidgeon, brushing/lopping/scattering/pruning, ignition, holding/suppression, burning of hand or grapple piles, mop-up, and patrol. The Contracting Officer’s Representative or Inspector (PI) will describe the specific objectives of any operational duty, normally during a pre-operational briefing. The objectives and operational duties may change during prescribed fire operations, and the Contracting Officer’s Representative or Inspector will be the only designated person to communicate such changes. The Contractor shall provide all services, supervision, equipment, and supplies (except those specified as Government furnished), transportation, and qualified personnel (see the List of Attachments Exhibit B) necessary to meet the contract specifications.

During the performance period, Contractor’s Burn Boss, hand crew module(s), engine(s) tender(s), and dozer with transport shall be available to perform Prescribed Burn activities. The period during which work will be performed will be dependent on burn windows and will be designated by the Government in a written call order(s). Notification that a call order will be placed will be at least 24 hours in advance of start work date. The Government also reserves the right to verbally order work 24 hours in advance of start work date and follow-up with the required call order. However, call orders may be cancelled or postponed by the Government if prescribed burn conditions are determined to be unfavorable. There is no guarantee of full-time work for the entire performance period.

Prescribed burn activities will require the use of Contractor provided tools and equipment, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (see the List of Attachments Exhibit A).

English Speaking Requirement –

Prompt and efficient communications between the Contractor’s personnel and the Government’s prescribed fire personnel is mandatory for safe and effective performance. At a minimum, the Contractor’s RXB2, CRWB and Squad Bosses (FFT-1) of every crew member shall be proficient in the English language. The RXB2 and CRWB must be proficient in all languages used by all crew members. The Squad Bosses (FFT-1) must be able to communicate proficiently in any language used by their squad members. The RXB2 and CRWB and all Squad Bosses (FFT-1) must also be able to read the Prescribed Fire Burn Plan and communicate the information contained therein to all hand crew module members. All radio communication on Government-assigned frequencies shall be in English.

Type 2 Burn Boss and complement as specified in the burn plan–

Each Type 2 Burn Boss and Complement will consist of at least one qualified type 2 Burn Boss, one qualified Firing Boss (FIRB), and one Holding Boss as specified in the burn plan. All other resources to successfully complete the burn while adhering to the Government supplied Prescribed Fire Burn plan will be determined by the burn organization outlined in the plan, resource objectives, forecasted and expected weather, and the required personnel to meet these objectives. Contractor will be required to hold the burn in containment for a period of time until the government has accepted the mandatory 100 foot of mop-up perimeter of the burn after ignition is complete and mop-up of this area is accepted by the COR.

5 Person Prescribed Fire Hand Crew Module –

The Prescribed Fire Hand crew module shall consist of 1 qualified FFT-1, and 4 qualified FFT-2’s.

For each Prescribed Fire Hand crew module, the Contractor will provide and maintain the clothing and equipment as specified in Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (see List of Attachments Exhibit A). At least one operational chainsaw (per 5-person hand module) with qualified operator shall be available with the hand crew module at all times. Contractor shall ensure each Prescribed Fire Hand crew module has adequate supplies for the operational period including food, water, saw gas and oil, batteries for radios and headlamps and first aid supplies. All personnel shall have heavy-duty, leather, laced boots with non-skid soles and minimum 8” tops.

All hand crew module personnel shall pass the “Work Capacity Fitness Test” at the arduous level (3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less). Copies of the publication titled “Fitness and Work Capacity,” second edition NFES 1956 April 1997, and associated videos can be purchased from the National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705. If requested by the Government, Contractor shall provide proof that employee(s) has/have met this requirement.

The Prescribed Fire Engine Type 6 –

Shall conform to the minimum standards for a Type 6 engine (see List of Attachments Exhibit C). The Prescribed Fire engine crew Type 6 shall consist of 1 qualified Engine Boss (ENGB) and one FFT-2. A third crew member (FFT2) may be ordered for the engine at the additional daily rate for the crew member.

For each Prescribed Fire Engine, the Contractor will provide and maintain the clothing and equipment as specified in Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (see List of Attachments Exhibit A). Contractor shall ensure each Prescribed Fire Engine has adequate supplies for the operational period including food, water, vehicle, and pump fuel, saw gas and oil, batteries for radios and headlamps and first aid supplies. All personnel shall have heavy-duty, leather, laced boots with non-skid soles and minimum 8” tops.

All engine crew personnel shall pass the “Work Capacity Fitness Test” at the arduous level (3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less). Copies of the publication titled “Fitness and Work Capacity,” second edition NFES 1956 April 1997, and associated videos can be purchased from the National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705. If requested by the Government, Contractor shall provide proof that employee(s) has/have met this requirement.

Prescribed Fire Tender –

Prescribed Fire Tender shall conform to the minimum standards for a Type 2 tender (see List of Attachments Exhibit C). The Prescribed Fire tender crew shall consist of 1 qualified water tender operator (WTOP). Contractor may be allowed to use 1 trainee at no additional cost to the Government.

For each Prescribed Fire Tender, the Contractor will provide and maintain the clothing and equipment as specified in Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (see List of Attachments Exhibit A). Contractor shall ensure each Prescribed Fire Tender has adequate supplies for the operational period including food, water, vehicle and pump fuel, saw gas and oil, batteries for radios and headlamps and first aid supplies. All personnel shall have heavy-duty, leather, laced boots with non-skid soles and minimum 8” tops.

All hand crew module personnel shall pass the “Work Capacity Fitness Test” at the arduous level (3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less). Copies of the publication titled “Fitness and Work Capacity,” second edition NFES 1956 April 1997, and associated videos can be purchased from the National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705. If requested by the Government, Contractor shall provide proof that employee(s) has/have met this requirement.

Specifications for Engines and Tenders can be found in Exhibit D.

Prescribed Fire Dozer type 3 with operator and Transport –

Prescribed Fire Dozer shall consist of a minimum of 1 qualified Dozer Operator (EQOP). Dozer operator and transport driver may be the same person or may be two separate operators.

For each Prescribed Fire Dozer, the Contractor will provide and maintain the clothing and equipment as specified in Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (see List of Attachments Exhibit A). Contractor shall ensure each Prescribed Fire Dozer has adequate supplies for the operational period including food, water, equipment and pump fuel, batteries for radios and headlamps and first aid supplies. All personnel shall have heavy-duty, leather, laced boots with non-skid soles and minimum 8” tops.

The Prescribed Fire Dozer must be rated at a minimum of 65 horsepower, the front blade shall be a minimum of 8 feet in width and be hydraulically raised and lowered. The Prescribed Fire Dozer will be permitted to operate off system roads and skid trails, as necessary to accomplish prescribed fire objectives.

The Prescribed Fire Dozer with Operator and Transport shall be provided by the contractor as “wet”. Contractor will provide all fuel, oils, required maintenance, flaggers, Permits at no additional cost to the Government.

Any type of transport may be used to transport the dozer as long as it meets all DOT requirements and is capable of maneuvering on all forest roads.

Equipment typing and all requirements can be found in EXHIBIT C.

Crew Compliment for Pile Burning –

When the contractor is ordered to burn hand or grapple piles or Swamper burn an area, the Government Furnished burn plan shall be followed and at a minimum contractor shall provide a type 3 burn boss to be on site with communications to the Government.

Work Environment -The work is performed in a forest and rangeland environment in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, etc. Temperatures are frequently extreme, both from the weather and from the fire. Smoke and dust conditions are frequently severe.

The normal work shift will be 10 - 12 hours per day. If required by the Government, work shifts may be increased to a maximum of 14 hours per day excluding travel time. The work schedule, including time on and off shift and workdays, will be established by the Government based on burn day needs. The Government will designate the shift time start and location, normally at the prescribed fire work site. All Contractor personnel shall have the specified PPE and equipment at the shift time start. The typical shift is 0800 (8:00 AM) to 2000 (8:00 PM). The COR or Inspector shall notify the Contractor prior to departure of the work activities for the following day, if required.

Physical Demands -The work requires strenuous physical exertion for extended periods including walking, climbing, chopping, throwing, lifting, pulling and frequently carrying objects weighing fifty (50) pounds or more.

Personnel Requirements and Qualifications – All contract personnel must be qualified for the job/position they are performing according to agency direction found in the “Fire and Aviation Management Qualifications Handbook” (FS-5109.17).

Vehicle Safety –

Prescribed Fire Hand crew and Tender Contractor shall provide dependable ground transportation that meets all State and federal laws relating to motor vehicles operating within the States of Oregon and Washington. The vehicle(s) must be capable of carrying the crew and equipment to and from the work site. Vehicle(s) that become inoperable will be towed at Contractor's expense. Contractor shall provide a vehicle for each 5-person hand crew module. The Contractor is responsible for vehicle maintenance including normal wear and tear.

The Government reserves the right to conduct pre use vehicle safety inspections upon Contractor arrival. (As per National Crew contract - “Vehicle/Heavy Equipment Pre-Use Inspection Checklist”, OF-296). Vehicle(s) that are determined to be unsafe for operation may be rejected. Rejected vehicle(s) shall be brought into compliance or replaced by Contractor within 24 hours.

All Contractor vehicles must have external identification. The identification must be located on front driver side and passenger side doors. As a minimum, the identification must include the Contractor’s business name as it appears on the contract.

Accessibility –

All work areas may be reached by Forest roads that are accessible by standard two-wheel drive pickup trucks during normal operating seasons. In the case of burning hand piles, it may be necessary to access units by foot, ATV, or UTV’s all as the Contractor’s expense. The Government will not plow snow or do special maintenance to keep roads open. Vehicle travel is limited to designated open roads. Spur roads are not maintained and are frequently blocked by earth barricades or designated closed by “carsonite” stakes. Blocked roads or closed roads are not open to vehicle travel. Vehicle travel on some closed roads may be allowed with prior written permission. Some units may require walk-in distances, such work is considered incidental, and no additional payment will be made.

Prescribed Fire Plans – See Exhibit H and J

All plans will be prepared and provided by the Government. These plans will be made available to the contractor at least 14 calendar days prior to scheduled ignitions. The plan will include a completed project Complexity and Risk analysis, a copy of the Silviculture prescription for the treatment area, and desired objectives.

The Contractor shall provide to the government one day prior to planned ignitions, a burn organization that will meet the required objectives, safety concerns and mitigations, an ignitions map, plan to meet contingency requirements, a mop-up and control plan, safety plan, and a final Go/No go checklist.

Burn Activities –

The Contractor shall be responsible for any preparatory work such as cleaning Fireline’s, actions necessary to protect sensitive features, and maintaining open travel routes during implementation of the project.

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to monitor all units and to determine when a unit is in prescription and all contract requirements have been met, and to request permission to burn. The Forest Service will independently monitor the units and/or local weather patterns to assure that burn objectives can be met and risk is manageable. If more than one unit is in prescription and ready to burn, the Forest Service reserves the right to establish priorities.

Once ignition is authorized, the Contractor will be responsible for taking and documenting on-site weather readings, on an hourly basis, until ignition of the unit is completed. All weather data collected by the Contractor shall be given to the COR/PI daily, and recorded in the Prescribed Fire Plan, which shall be given to the Forest Service once the unit is complete.

The COR/PI will make the final decision to begin ignition on any given unit, based on adequate personnel and equipment on site, daily restrictions issued by the Oregon State Forestry Department, regional fire restrictions, prescribed burn plan parameters, current local fire weather and fuel conditions, predicted long range weather and fire conditions, and/or availability of contingency resources. The Government representative may as well halt ignitions at any time if any of the resource parameters or objectives are not being met.

The Contractor shall proceed with ignition in such a manner that all parameters specified in the Prescribed Fire Plan are followed, Silvicultural and fuel reduction objectives are being met, and risk of escape is maintained at an acceptable level.

The Contractor shall continually patrol and promptly report to the COR/PI, verbally or by radio or cell phone, any spots or slop overs and take immediate steps to contain and extinguish them. The Contractor shall flag these areas as well.

The COR/PI will have final authority on all matters concerning ignition patterns, rate of ignition and/or stopping of ignition.

If the Forest Service requires the Contractor to halt ignition before a unit is complete, the Contractor will continue patrol for any spots or slop overs and take immediate steps to contain and extinguish them. In addition, the Contractor will meet mop-up requirements on the completed portion of the unit.

Aerial ignition and ignitions with devices other than hand operated maybe approved on a case-by-case basis. The Government will ensure that any proposed burn unit where aerial ignitions is allowed will be properly documented in the approved burn plan. This does not automatically give approval to the contractor; The contractor must submit in writing a proposal to use aerial ignition to the COR for Government consideration.

Live and dead standing timber within and adjacent to the designated units shall be left standing unless approved in writing by COR/PI, or unless personnel safety is immediately threatened.

Work shall be accomplished with the least possible damage to the residual stand and soil. If Contractor operations cause excessive damage, the COR/PI shall require the Contractor to alter operations to prevent the occurrence of such damage.

Declaration of Wildfire –

In the event the fire exceeds the capabilities of the personnel and equipment on site, the Contractor shall take suppression action in accordance with the Contingency Plan. If this suppression action is deemed inadequate by the COR/PI, the Forest Service may assume responsibility for the fire.

If the Forest Service assumes responsibility for the fire, the Contractor shall furnish available personnel and equipment as requested for the suppression of the fire.

The Contractor will not be liable for suppression costs of escaped fires more than $300,000.00, providing that total compliance with all burning plans and contract requirements have been maintained. If it is subsequently determined by the Contracting Officer that an escape fire was caused through the negligence of the Contractor or Contractor’s agents or employees, the Contractor’s costs relating to extinguishing the fire shall not be reimbursed by the government and shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor. In addition, the Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress an escaped fire caused by negligence of the Contractor or the Contractor’s agents or employees.

The Contractor shall have available, required contingency resources, until the project (or unit) is accepted for payment. Contingency resources may not be contingency for another active prescribed burn project or take wildland fire assignments while dedicated to an active prescribe burn project

Patrol and Mop-up – Spring and Summer conditions

The Contractor shall patrol and mop-up each unit burned for a period that is required to meet the minimum of 100 feet, unless this requirement is waived, in writing, by the COR/PI.

The COR will have final authority to set priorities for all mop-up operations When extreme weather conditions are experienced and/or forecasted by the National Weather service, the Forest Service may require the Contractor to complete mop-up within 72 hours. Should the Contractor not comply, the Forest Service will take action to ensure the unit is mopped up within the specified period and charge any excess cost to the Contractor.

When it is deemed necessary by the Forest Service, the COR, the Forest Service, at its discretion, retains the right to take action to ensure the unit is held within the boundaries at no cost to the Contractor.

Contingency Planning –

A Contingency Plan will be included in Prescribed Fire Plan to be supplied by the Forest Service. The Contractor will supply all on site resources. The Forest Service will not provide contingency resources for burns managed by a contract prescribed type 2 burn organization.

Resource Protection –

Wetting agents such as foams, retardants, gels, and wet water will be acceptable for use under this contract only if approved prior to use in writing by the Forest Service.

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of trash, excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

Contractor shall take sufficient precautions to prevent the pollution of streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs with fuels, oils, silt, soils, or other harmful materials.

Burn Permission –

The Contractor shall notify the COR of their intent to burn by 3:00 p.m., 2 days prior to ignitions, and request initial approval to burn.

Permission to burn will be based on daily restrictions issued by the Oregon State Forestry Department, smoke management constraints, regional fire restrictions, prescribed burning plan parameters, current local fire weather and fuel conditions, predicted long range weather and fire conditions, availability of contingency resources, and the judgement of the Malheur National Forest Fire Management Officer or Designated Official considering the risks associated with additional ignitions on the Forest.

Smoke Management Clearance for Burning and/or Mop-up –

The Government will provide smoke management clearance according to each agency’s policy and procedures in accordance with the Oregon Smoke Management Plan. Clearance is dependent upon weather conditions. Weather conditions and number of units receiving burn clearance varies. The Government may not provide clearance for all units requested due to these reasons. Government agencies in Eastern Oregon support the effort to reduce problems in smoke sensitive areas, and agencies will not authorize prescribed burning when local conditions will not allow adequate smoke dispersion. The COR will determine when local conditions prohibit burning.

It will be at the Government's option which units are ignited on any day(s) due to existing suppression contingencies, priorities of individual units, and smoke management.

Government retains Rights to burn units with resources other than a Contract Burn Boss module –

The Government retains the right to supply a Government Burn Boss and order a full complement of resources to implement any burn not issued by call order to the Contractor.

Fireline Construction and Maintenance –

Building, improving, and maintaining a barrier to stop or limit fire spread. Fireline construction consists of clearing an area of all live and dead vegetative material. All Fireline construction shall be performed and maintained in the following specifications.

Unless otherwise designated, fire lines shall be located adjacent to the unit boundary, within 50 feet outside of actual unit boundary, in locations affording the optimal holding ability, and remain on agency property.

All stumps shall be cut within 6 inches of the ground and below the lowest living limb.

All hardwoods and Aspen shall remain in original condition and uncut, unless approved in writing by the COR/PI.

All slash and flammable material shall be removed from the stem outward to a 6-foot radius.

Fireline Maintenance –

Contractor shall ensure all fire lines meet the specifications below. If not, the Contractor shall complete the work necessary to bring containment lines back into contract specifications prior to starting ignitions.

Hand Fireline – Shall be constructed to -

Minimum of 18 inches wide maximum of 24 inches wide Cleared of all flammable material to bare mineral soil.

Berm material from the line construction shall be placed on the outside edge of the burn unit and scattered.

All trees and Brush shall be limbed up 6 feet high; out 5 feet on the nonburn side and 10 feet on the burn side.

The line shall have a pullback of all flammable material from the outside edge of the Fireline or tread of a minimum of 10 feet.

All flammable material shall be pulled back from the lines edge on the fire side for a minimum of 30 feet and scattered.

All stumps and large logs maybe lined rather than moving them.

Minimum performance level for Hand Fireline construction is 1 chain (66 feet) completed per person per hour (Fireline Handbook PMS-410-1 A-21, fuel model 10 & 11).

Prescribed Burn Line Preparation –

Roadside:

- All snags 16’’ DBH and higher will have duff and burnable material removed around base for a distance of 10 feet. This shall be completed within 30 feet of the road’s edge.

- Cut trees 6’’and smaller 30 feet from edge of roadway into burn unit.

- Limb all trees to a height of 6 feet from edge of roadway into burn unit 30 feet.

- All cut material must be placed 50 feet from roadway within the Rx unit.

- Cut ALL juniper <21” DBH.

- All Trees cut from the road prism and within 20 feet of roads edge shall be low stumped with a flat top.

- Overgrown road pullouts shall be cut open with low stumps to allow parking.

- A chipper may be utilized to treat roadside slash per district. Prior COR approval required before chipping is allowed.

General Rx for Powerlines:

- Remove flammable material within a 5-foot radius around each Power Pole and clear to mineral soil 2 feet from the pole.

Burning of Hand and/or grapple piles – See Exhibit J for example of burn plan and DUIS.

The objective is that burning is accomplished in such a manner that piles are completely consumed while not damaging leave trees. Low intensity, cool, smoldering ground fire is acceptable within the unit boundary unless otherwise specified in the DUIS.

Restrictions:

a. Burning operations shall be restricted to conditions acceptable to the Government. The Government will provide a prescribed burn plan for pile burning operations when conditions are suitable.

b. The Contractor shall notify the Government of burning operations 72 hours prior to commencement of the burning operations

c. Piles shall be burnt between October 15th and December 31st.

d. The average hand pile per acre to be burned is 150 but maybe more or less depending on the unit ordered. Grapple pile average per acre is 40 but maybe more or less depending on the unit ordered. Some units may have miscellaneous landing piles in them, these are considered as piles to be burned under this specification and contract price. No additional funds will be paid for landing piles.

e. Piles shall be 90% consumed, if chunking of the piles is required to meet this specification no additional payment will be made.

If any burning activities escape outside of the unit, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer and start suppression efforts at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall be responsible for this project area from ignition through December 31st of the year that ignition occurred or until the CO or designated representative determines in writing that weather precludes spread and no immediate future drying period is predicted, whichever is later.

Swamper/Jackpot Burning - See Exhibit H

Swamper burning consists of burning concentrations of fuels (jackpots) within an identified unit boundary at a time and under conditions that won’t allow fire to spread from the target area. Additional slash may be added to the concentration while the pile is burning.

All prescribed fire operations shall be initiated only when a Prescribed Fire Burn Plan has been approved and signed by an Agency Administrator. All elements of the plan shall be followed unless a deviation has been approved in advance by the COR. The Contractor shall conduct a pre-burn crew briefing, as prepared in the Plan.

Clearance to Burn - The Contractor shall monitor fuel and weather conditions to determine time periods when units are in the prescription parameters identified in the Prescribed Fire Plan. The Contractor may consult the Government regarding short, mid, and long-term weather forecast to determine the potential impacts to fuel moisture conditions and the ability to meet Prescribed Fire Plan objectives. The Contractor shall notify the Government no later than 1100 hours on the day prior to ignition when specific units are within burn prescription parameters and of their request to burn. The Government will notify the Contractor via telephone or direct communications at or before 0900 hours on the day of the proposed ignition of smoke management conditions and any updated weather forecasts that would cancel the burning. The Government will grant final approval to conduct burning. Approval is based on the Government verifying:

1) unit fuel and weather conditions are within Prescribed Fire Plan parameters and prescribed fire and resource objectives are attainable.

2) Prescribed Fire Plan parameters and objectives for smoke management are attainable based on smoke management instructions and forecast, and weather forecasts for proposed burn date and time;

3) successful completion of the Go/No Go Checklist and the test fire.

All slash more than 2 feet long and between 1 inch and 8 inches in diameter at the large end shall be burned. Larger material which has a portion meeting this specification must be bucked at the 6-inch diameter and the smaller portion burned. In all cases, the debris after treatment shall be less than 6 inches deep. Stoke each pile until at least 90 percent of the pile is consumed.

Unless otherwise designated, burning of slash concentrations within 10 feet from unit boundary and reserved areas shall not be permitted. Burning of slash concentrations shall not be located closer than 5 feet from standing snags, wildlife trees, and live trees in order that no damage occurs to these from burning operation. Slash shall not be piled or burned on logs or stumps, in roadways or drainage ditches, or within reserved areas such as riparian zones, channel bottoms or streams.

During ignition operations, the Contractor's crew supervisor shall always maintain contact with the Government representative through a mutually-agreed-upon communications system.

Conduct holding operations in accordance with the prescribed fire plan. Relocation of personnel and equipment may be required as ignition progress. The Contractor's crew supervisor shall recognize the need for and make such relocations, dependent upon on-site weather and fire conditions.

Extinguish any fire outside the fire line of the unit, or unit boundary and promptly report this to the COR/PI at the site.

A fire line shall be constructed completely around active fire spread within the unit boundary, each slop-over, spot fire or fire outside the primary unit boundary. The minimum shall be a fire line scraped to mineral soil 18 inches in width with all overhanging combustible material cleared for 3 feet on each side of the fire line and 6 feet overhead. Do not fell any wildlife trees or snags which may have fire in them without approval of the COR/PI.

The COR/PI may be on site during burning operations (ignition and holding). The Contractor's activity will be monitored throughout the operation for compliance with the prescribed fire plan, daily shift plan, and that objectives for resources, prescribed fire, and smoke management are being met.

100% inspection of the designated mop-up areas will be made by the Government either visually and/or with infrared-scan equipment to ensure that all burning material has been detected. The Contractor shall extinguish any burning material detected before final acceptance is made. Compliance with the Prescribed Fire Plan and Daily Shift Plan will be required unless concurrence is obtained from the COR prior to deviating from the plan.

Water bar Specifications – See Exhibit E.

Work completed during Fire Season - Any work completed during fire season will be subject to the Industrial Fire Precaution Level information found in Exhibit F.

Prevention of Fuel and Oil Spills –

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

If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, Purchaser shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. Such Plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered professional engineer.

Training requirements:

Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training – In addition to the training requirements for the CRWB, ENGB, FFT-1, and FFT-2 positions described in exhibit B, Tender and Skidgeon Operator, the Contractor shall ensure that all its returning certified employees complete the Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training prior to a prescribed fire assignment. The Contractor shall place in the employee’s training file a course roster and training certificate, signed and dated after January 1 of the current calendar year, by the instructor that confirms firefighter attendance and completion of the required annual refresher training. Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training must be at least six (6) hours in length and must include the following core topics:

Entrapments – Use training and reference materials to study the risk management process (as identified in the Incident Response Pocket Guide) and rules of engagement (e.g., LCES, 10, 18, Look Up, Look Down, Look Around). Current Issues – Review and discuss identified “hot topics” and “national emphasis topics” including the “Do the Right Thing” video. Review forecasts and assessments for the upcoming fire season and discuss implications for firefighter safety. Fire Shelter – review and discuss last resort survival. Conduct “hands-on” fire shelter inspections. Practice shelter deployments in applicable crew/module configurations. No “live fire” exercises for the purpose of fire shelter deployment training will be conducted. Other Hazards and Safety Issues – Choose additional hazard and safety subjects, which could include SAFENET, current safety alerts, site/unit specific safety issues and hazards.

WFIQC –

Each RXB2, CRWB/FIRB, FFT-2, FFT-1, WTOP and EQOP shall possess a valid Wildland Fire Incident Qualification Card (WFIQC) (also known as a Red Card) and have acceptable support documentation that the individual has met the training and experience requirements for such position(s).

The Government reserves the right to reject any RXB2, CRWB/FIRB, FFT-1, FFT-2, WTOP or EQOP who is not in full compliance with the specifications listed above. In addition, failure of any personnel to demonstrate an ability to perform the tasks listed in the Position Task Book (PTB) for that individual’s position shall be cause for immediate release of that individual from the prescribed fire operation.

Requirements of all equipment:

1. All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and free of invasive species (noxious weeds), seeds, external grease and oil and shall be inspected prior to entrance onto a new project. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the Contractor or Subcontractor.

1. All protective plating and armoring shall be intact and properly functioning on the equipment to reduce the potential for damaging hydraulic hoses or the undercarriage.

1. Spill kit approved by OSHA for petroleum product leaks will be on site at all times.

Rehabilitation:

Rehabilitation will be minimized by removing the least amount of vegetation removal and soil necessary to complete the project.

The government reserves the right to request a new operator for any of the equipment, if that operator is not capable of performing work in a safe, efficient, and proficient level.

General Guidelines:

Prescribed burning project areas are located on the Malheur National Forests boundaries. The scope covers Federal and local agency lands within Forests’ boundaries which include but are not limited to, all counties within forest boundaries. The BPA call will be issued and administered by a government entity.

(a) Resulting Award – BPA calls will be issued against any resultant Blanket Purchase Agreements and reference the parent Blanket Purchase Agreement when ordered by warranted contracting personnel from Region 6 AQM within 150 miles of Forests’ boundaries. In accordance with the Ordering Procedures Provision herein, BPA calls placed against the Agreements may be completed within the awardee pool or sole source when determined to be in the Governments best interest.

SPECIFICATIONS

General specifications for each Contract Scope individually described by an item number in the Schedule of Service Items can be found in individual call orders (note-specifications may change at time of BPA call creation).

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION SYSTEM

The 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 Contracting Officer. Inspection records shall be made available upon request of the Contracting Officer and be maintained until the date of contract closure. The Contracting Officer may observe the Contractor's inspection at any time and shall otherwise have unlimited access to the inspection data.

ACCEPTANCE

The Forest Service Contracting Officers Representative or Project Inspector shall perform an inspection upon Contractor’s written request and assurance that work has been completed. Request shall be for a reasonable portion of work. Acceptance may be made for all or portions of work. Actual acceptance will adhere to the requirements in each BPA Call Order.

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The following performance items may change or be added to with each individual Call Order. Performance standards will be different for each line item, below is an example of the performance standards for Item #1.

Performance Work Statement 1

(Acceptable Quality Level)

(AQL)

GOVERNMENT

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

(QAP)

EFFECT OF NOT MEETING PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Bid Item 1.0 Prescribed Under Burning, Holding 100% adherence to bid items 1.0

Mop-up of perimeter for a distance of 100 feet.

TIMEKEEPING AND PAYMENT

Contractor will submit daily to the Government inspector on site daily crew time reports and Emergency Equipment Shift Tickets with the actual number of hours of service provided by Contractor, as documented on daily use records. When agreed upon, Contractor and Government shall each sign the Daily Time Report. When work is ordered by the Acre or the mile, this unit will be measured using a GPS as the system of measure, a string box or similar device may also be utilized to measure distance.

Contingency Availability – When the Government orders the Contractor for contingency availability, payment shall be made in full at the daily rate offered in the Schedule. The Government will designate the start time for contingency availability and the anticipated availability period. Contingency availability normally shall be 8 hours per day. The Contractor must be available for immediate mobilization throughout the contingency availability period.

The Government may unilaterally cancel contingency availability prior to the designated start time, or at any time during the contingency availability period. The Government will verbally notify the Contractor of contingency cancellation. If cancelled at any time during the planned contingency date, a minimum payment of 4 hours will be made. In the event the Government, through reasonable effort, cannot contact the Contractor, no payment will be made.

If during the contingency availability period, the Government requires the Contractor to perform operational duties, the Contractor shall proceed immediately to a location designated by the Government (normally the prescribed fire work site). Payment at the daily rate as offered in the Schedule shall commence when the Contractor arrives at the prescribed fire work site.

Prescribed Fire Duties - Payment for all prescribed fire duties will be made at the daily rate specified in the Schedule. The Contractor shall prepare a daily time report for approval by the COR or Inspector at the end of each shift. The daily time report shall be the Crew Time Report SF-261 (5/78) for prescribed fire crews, or the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket OF-297 (7-90) for prescribed fire engine, water tender, and dozer with transport. The Contractor and Government shall each sign the Daily Time Report.

If the pre-operational briefing is completed but the operation is delayed or cancelled by the Government and the prescribed fire resource is released, the Contractor shall be paid a minimum of 50% of the daily rate, or for a minimum of 5 acres if the rate is by the acre.

In the event of accident or illness to a prescribed fire crew member(s), payment shall be reduced by 20% for each crew member who is in a non-working status. Non-working status does not include Contractor personnel who are performing first aid procedures. If the accident or illness results in the loss of the Contractor’s Representative, CRWB/FIRB, WTOP or EQOP, and a qualified replacement is not immediately available, the Government shall release the Contractor and payment will cease. Payment shall be made for hours worked and associated travel times.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

The contractor will train in the safe operation and use of equipment to all workers using such equipment.

Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body.

Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, to each employee who operates a chain saw, chain saw chaps and assure the chaps are worn during saw operations. These chaps must be approved by Underwriters Laboratory or meet Forest Service specification 6170-47. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg.

The contractor shall assure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support. Employees operating chain saws shall wear foot protection that is constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against contact with a running chain saw.

The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure that each employee who works in an area where there is potential for head injury from falling objects or flying objects wears a hard hat that meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z89.1-1997.

The contractor shall provide, at no cost to the employee, eye protection where there is potential for eye injury due to flying objects. This eye protection must meet the minimum requirements of ANSI standard Z87.1-2003.

The…