TO - 1 FINAL_Eirich_ShingleFire22Planting_FY22PerformanceWorkStatement_Final.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Dixie National Forest

Shingle Fire 2022 Tree Planting

Task Order

Project Title Dixie National Forest Shingle Fire 2022 Tree Planting

1.0 General Information

Background and Purpose The Cedar City Ranger District on Dixie National Forest needs planting and related services to assist in reforestation after a major fire in 2012 (Shingle Fire). Planting is needed in the spring of 2022 to recover forest on 8,284 acres across 1 designated planting units. The tree species that is going to be planted is ponderosa pine. Future planting of the Shingle Fire area will continue in Spring of 2023.

Scope of Task Order The Intermountain Region (R4) Planting IDIQ defines the scope of tree planting and related services in R4, including the Dixie National Forest (DNF). The scope of this Task Order includes specifications on project locations, tree transport, seedling counts and stock types, materials, planting seasons, personnel requirements, pre-work meetings, and related services required for DNF Shingle Fire 2022 Tree Planting.

Location and Description The Shingle Fire Planting Project located at the headwaters of the Virgin River which eventually feeds into the Zion National Park and any ecosystem repair work that can be accomplished will help with the soil erosion that is already occurring in this system. The 2022 spring planting will occur on 150 acres. Within the Shingle Fire area, regeneration of shrubs, brush, forbes, and grasses is substantial. Crews will have to be diligent with scalp size to clear a space for seedlings to develop amongst the new vegetation.

Vicinity and planting area maps are attached to this task order. Maps of the distinct planting units will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

Boundaries Planting unit boundaries are designated by geo-referenced maps. The contractor will be provided geo-referenced PDF maps that can be utilized through Avenza Maps on your smartphone or tablet. Unit boundaries will be flagged by the Contacting Officer Representative (COR) where unit boundaries are not naturally demarcated by an obvious natural feature (stream, drainage, forest edge).

Stock Types The stock types used for Dixie National Forest Shingle Fire 2022 Tree Planting are provided from the Lucky Peak Nursery are from container FT128 (8 cu. In); a containerized seedling which has worked well in the past reforestation efforts on the forest.

Planting Seasons The spring planting season runs approximately April - June 30. Theis season may be extended to adapt to road and weather conditions. The COR and contractor will maintain regular contact in anticipation of favorable conditions to begin planting. Contractor shall be available to plant within 48 hours. For the spring planting season, the contractor will have a six-day window from the start date to complete the planting to maintain the integrity of seedlings.

Safety There are snags, burned trees, loose soils, and may be other hazards in planting units. All work must be done after providing for safety first. Contractor shall maintain a stocked first-aid kit on site. Contractor shall immediately report any hazards or unsafe conditions to the COR working on-site.

3.0 Government Furnished Property

Item Where Delivered

Container-Grown Trees Delivery point is at the DNF Tree Cooler at 1789 N Wedgewood Ln., Cedar City, UT 84721

Radios Available upon request at the Cedar City RD at 820 N Main St. Cedar City, UT 84721.

Geo-referenced Unit Maps Unit maps will be provided at the pre-work meeting. Vicinity and planting unit maps are attached to this task order.

4.0 Contractor Requirements/Tasks

Travel Travel to and from the units from the delivery point will be guided by the COR or other Government personnel.

Maps will be provided digitally via Avenza or Field Maps, to the preference of the contractor, in addition, paper maps will be made available. Approximate driving distances are as follows:

● Distance between the Shingle Fire planting site to the delivery point: ~ 40 miles

Access

Road Access Units adjacent to open roads are specified in the Detailed Information Sheet (DIS).. Contractor is expected to have a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to units, as some units are on or near native surface roads and spring conditions may be adverse for a two-wheel drive vehicle.

Orders, Deliveries, and Returns Seedlings Trees will initially be stored at the Cedar City Work Center tree cooler, located at 1789 N Wedgewood Ln., Cedar City, UT 84721. During planting, the COR will meet the contractor at the tree cooler to provide access for tree pick up.

The number of seedlings planned for each unit is provided in the DIS. Seedling numbers are the final lift and pack number from the nursery; no differences in tree numbers is expected at the time of planting.

Return of Government Furnished Property The contractor shall return unused Government supplies, unplanted trees, all packaging, wrapping, and materials to the delivery point (Cedar City Work Center Tree Cooler) at the end of each planting day. Maps showing access points will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

Equipment All trees shall be planted using a hoedad hand tool for scalping, clearing and hole excavation.

Tree Planting Scalping and Clearing All debris, live vegetation, and roots shall be scalped and cleared in a 18 in. . diameter around each planting spot as specified in the DIS.

Acceptable Established Seedlings and Acceptable Existing Trees Will be discussed at the prework meeting.

Tree Planting – Regular Spacing Trees shall be planted to achieve the average spacing specified in the DIS. Individual spacing between trees may vary as much as 75% in any direction to attain the best plantable spot.

Shade Requirements The Contractor shall use the stationary material or transportable shade (planter discretion), then plant in open option.

Acceptable Established Seedlings and Acceptable Existing Trees Requirements will be discussed with the Contractor at the task order prework meeting.