UPPER SNOWMASS PCT LS FINAL.doc

SECTION 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS REV. 20210216

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The STATE OF MONTANA, (DNRC) Department of Natural Resources / Trust Land Management Division (hereinafter referred to as “the State”) is soliciting bids for Pre-commercial Tree Thinning. A more complete description of the supplies and/or services sought is provided in Section 4 of this LS. Bids submitted in response to this solicitation must comply with the instructions and procedures contained herein.

Prospective bidders are urged to examine the project area prior to submitting a bid.

1.1

CONTRACT TERM

The contract term is for a period beginning September 1, 2023 or upon award and ending September 1, 2025

*NOTE: NO OPERATION ON THIS CONTRACT CAN BE DONE BETWEEN APRIL 1 TO JUNE 15 DO TO DNRC RESTRICTIONS.

1.2

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1.2.1 Procurement Officer Contact Information. From the date this LIMITED SOLICITATION (LS) is issued until an offeror is selected and announced by the procurement officer, offerors shall not communicate with any state staff regarding this procurement, except at the direction of Contracting Officer, the procurement officer in charge of the solicitation. Any unauthorized contact may disqualify the offeror from further consideration. Contact information for the single point of contact is:

Procurement Officer: Gwen Ungerman Telephone Number: (406)444-6724 Fax Number: (406)444-2684 E-mail Address: ungermang@mt.gov

1.2.2 Examination of Solicitation Documents and Explanation to Bidders. Bidders are responsible for examining the solicitation documents and any addenda issued to become informed as to all conditions that might in any way affect the cost or performance of any work. Failure to do so will be at the sole risk of the bidder. Should the bidder find discrepancies in or omissions from the solicitation documents, or should their intent or meaning appear unclear or ambiguous, or should any other question arise relative to the solicitation documents, the bidder shall promptly notify the procurement officer in writing. The bidder making such request will be solely responsible for its timely receipt by the procurement officer. Replies to such notices may be made in the form of an addendum to the solicitation.

1.2.3 Interpretation or Representations. The State of Montana assumes no responsibility for any interpretation or representations made by any of its officers or agents unless interpretations or representations are incorporated into a formal written addendum to the solicitation.

1.2.4 Acknowledgment of Addendum. If the LS is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged. It is the bidder's responsibility to keep informed of any changes to the solicitation.

1.2.5 Extension of Prices. In the case of error in the extension of prices in the bid, the unit price will govern. In a lot bid, the lot price will govern.

1.2.6 Bid Preparation Costs. The costs for developing and delivering responses to this LS are entirely the responsibility of the bidder. The State is not liable for any expense incurred by the bidder in the preparation and presentation of their bid or any other costs incurred by the bidder prior to execution of a purchase order or contract.

1.3 Question and Answer Period.

1.3.1 Form of Questions. Bidders having questions or requiring clarification or interpretation of any section within this LS must address the question in writing utilizing the Q & A board within eMACS. Questions received after the deadline listed within eMACS may not be considered.

1.3.2 State's Response. The State's response will be posted on the State's website with the LS at https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=StateOfMontana by the close of business on the date listed. Any other form of interpretation, correction, or change to this LS will not be binding upon the State.

1.4

BID SUBMISSION

1.4.1 Late Bids. Regardless of cause, late bids will not be accepted and will automatically be disqualified from further consideration.

1.5

CHANGE OR WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS

1.5.1 Change or Withdrawal PRIOR to Bid Opening. Should any bidder desire to change or withdraw a bid prior to the scheduled opening, the bidder may do so by making such request in writing to the procurement officer listed in Section 1.2.1 above. This communication must be received prior to the date and hour of the bid opening by a request in writing or facsimile to the procurement officer (e-mail notices containing prices are not allowed and will be disqualified).

1.5.2 Change AFTER Bid Opening But Prior to Bid Award. After bids are opened, they may not be changed except to correct patently obvious mistakes and minor variations as allowed by ARM 2.5.505. The bidder shall submit verification of the correct bid to the State prior to the final award by the State.

1.6

BID AWARDS

1.6.1 Basis for Award. Bid award, if made, will be to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the lowest cost to the State in accordance with the specifications set forth in the LIMITED SOLICITATION.

1.6.2 Rejection of Bids. While the State has every intention to award a contract as a result of this LS, issuance of the LS in no way constitutes a commitment by the State of Montana to award and execute a contract. Upon a determination such actions would be in its best interest, the State, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to:

· Cancel or terminate this LS (18-4-307, MCA);

· Waive any undesirable, inconsequential, or inconsistent provisions of this LS which would not have significant impact on any bid (ARM 2.5.505); or

· If awarded, terminate any contract if the State determines adequate state funds are not available (18‑4‑313, MCA).

1.7 BIDDER'S REPRESENTATIONS – SIGNATORY AUTHORITY AND NO COLLUSION. Bidder represents that the person submitting the response to this LS is authorized to legally bind the bidder to the bid. The bidder may not withdraw the bid for lack of authority. Bidder shall provide proof of authority of the person signing the LS to bind the bidder upon State's request. The bidder further represents that the proposal has been made without collusion.

SECTION 2: SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

2.0

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

2.0.1 Contract Completion Date. The Contractor shall perform all service described in this bid as soon as possible but no later than September 1, 2023

SECTION 3: SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.0

PREFERENCE NOT APPLIED – N/A

3.1

ON-SITE REQUIREMENTS/CLEANUP

Each potential contractor should visit the job site to verify measurements and to become fully aware of the conditions relating to the project and the labor requirements. Failure to do so will not relieve the successful contractor of their obligation to furnish all materials and labor necessary to carry out the provisions of the contract.

The Contractor shall adequately protect the work, adjacent property, and the public in all phases of the work. The Contractor shall be responsible for all damages or injury due to their action or neglect.

The Contractor shall maintain access to all phases of the project pending inspection by the State or its representative.

Gate closure required! Contractor must keep the gates closed and locked during all operations.

All work rejected as unsatisfactory shall be corrected prior to final inspection and acceptance.

The Contractor shall respond within seven calendar days after notice of observed defects has been given and shall proceed to immediately remedy these defects. Should the Contractor fail to respond to the notice or not remedy the defects, the State may have the work corrected at the Contractor's expense.

At the end of each day, the Contractor shall be responsible for picking up and properly disposing of all trash generated as a result of the Contract Agreement. This includes any camps made by the Contractor’s personnel. Cleanup shall be done to the satisfaction of the Contract Supervisor.

In terms of cleanup, the Contractor shall:

(a) Keep the premises free from debris and accumulation of waste;

(b) Clean up any oil or fuel spills;

(c) Keep machinery clean and free of weeds;

(d) Remove all construction smears and stains from finished surfaces;

(e) Perform finishing site preparation to limit the spread of noxious weeds before final payment by the State; and

(f) Remove all construction equipment, tools, and excess materials before final payment by the State.

3.2

MEETINGS

The Contractor is required to meet with the State’s personnel, or designated representatives, to resolve technical or contractual problems that may occur during the term of the contract or to discuss the progress made by Contractor and the State in the performance of their respective obligations, at no additional cost to the State. Meetings will occur as problems arise and will be coordinated by the State. The Contractor will be given a minimum of three full working day notice of meeting date, time, and location. Face-to-face meetings are desired. However, at the Contractor's option and expense, a conference call meeting may be substituted. Consistent failure to participate in problem resolution meetings, two consecutive missed or rescheduled meetings, or to make a good faith effort to resolve problems, may result in termination of the contract.

3.3

COMPLIANCE WITH WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT

Contractors are required to comply with the provisions of the Montana Workers' Compensation Act while performing work for the State of Montana in accordance with the sections 39-71-401, 39-71-405, and 39-71-417, MCA. Proof of compliance must be in the form of workers' compensation insurance, an independent contractor exemption, or documentation of corporate officer status. Neither the Contractor nor its employees are employees of the State. This insurance/exemption must be valid for the entire term of the contract. A renewal document must be sent to the DNRC PO BOX 201601 HELENA, MT 59620-1601, upon expiration.

3.4

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

3.4.1 General Requirements. The Contractor shall maintain for the duration of the contract, at its cost and expense, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property, including contractual liability, which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work by the Contractor, agents, employees, representatives, assigns, or subcontractors. This insurance shall cover such claims as may be caused by any negligent act or omission.

3.4.2 Primary Insurance. The Contractor's insurance coverage shall be primary insurance with respect to the State, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers and shall apply separately to each project or location. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the State, its officers, officials, employees or volunteers shall be excess of the Contractor's insurance and shall not contribute with it.

3.4.3 Specific Requirements for Commercial General Liability. The Contractor shall purchase and maintain occurrence coverage with combined single limits for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage of $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate per year to cover such claims as may be caused by any act, omission, or negligence of the Contractor or its officers, agents, representatives, assigns, or subcontractors.

The State, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers are to be covered and listed as additional insureds; for liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the Contractor, including the insured's general supervision of the Contractor; products, and completed operations; premises owned, leased, occupied, or used.

3.4.4 Specific Requirements for Automobile Liability. – N/A

3.4.5 Specific Requirements for Professional Liability. – N/A

3.4.6 Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions. Any deductible or self-insured retention must be declared to and approved by the state agency. At the request of the agency either: (1) the insurer shall reduce or eliminate such deductibles or self-insured retentions as respects the State, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers; or (2) at the expense of the Contractor, the Contractor shall procure a bond guaranteeing payment of losses and related investigations, claims administration, and defense expenses.

3.4.7 Certificate of Insurance/Endorsements. A certificate of insurance from an insurer with a Best's rating of no less than A- indicating compliance with the required coverages, has been received by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation PO Box 201601 Helena MT 59620-1601. The Contractor must notify the State immediately, of any material change in insurance coverage, such as changes in limits, coverages, change in status of policy, etc. The State reserves the right to require complete copies of insurance policies at all times.

3.5

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – N/A

3.6

PATENT AND COPYRIGHT PROTECTION- N/A

3.7

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS

The State may do assessments of the Contractor's performance. This contract may be terminated for one or more poor performance assessments. Contractors will have the opportunity to respond to poor performance assessments. The State will make any final decision to terminate this contract based on the assessment and any related information, the Contractor's response and the severity of any negative performance assessment. The Contractor will be notified with a justification of contract termination. Performance assessments may be considered in future solicitations.

3.8

CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION – N/A

3.9

CONTRACTOR WITHHOLDING – N/A

3.10

MONTANA PREVAILING WAGE REQUIREMENTS

3.10.1 Montana Resident Preference. The nature of the work performed, or services provided, under this contract meets the statutory definition of a "public works contract" in section 18-2-401, MCA. Unless superseded by federal law, Montana law requires that contractors and subcontractors give preference to the employment of Montana residents for any public works contract in excess of $25,000 for construction or non-construction services in accordance with sections 18-2-401 through 18-2-432, MCA, and all administrative rules adopted in relation to these statutes.

Unless superseded by federal law, each contractor shall ensure that at least 50% of a contractor's workers performing labor on a construction project are bona fide Montana residents.

The Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has established the resident requirements in accordance with sections 18-2-403 and 18-2-409, MCA. Any and all questions concerning prevailing wage and Montana resident issues should be directed to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

3.10.2 Standard Prevailing Rate of Wages. In addition, unless superseded by federal law, all employees working on a public works contract shall be paid prevailing wage rates in accordance with sections 18-2-401 through 18-2-432, MCA, and all associated administrative rules. Montana law requires that all public works contracts, as defined in section 18-2-401, MCA, in which the total cost of the contract is in excess of $25,000, contain a provision stating for each job classification the standard prevailing wage rate, including fringe benefits, travel, per diem, and zone pay that the contractors, subcontractors, and employers shall pay during the public works contract.

Furthermore, section 18-2-406, MCA, requires that all contractors, subcontractors, and employers who are performing work or providing services under a public works contract post in a prominent and accessible site on the project staging area or work area, no later than the first day of work and continuing for the entire duration of the contract, a legible statement of all wages and fringe benefits to be paid to the employees in compliance with section 18-2-423, MCA.

Section 18-2-423, MCA, requires that employees receiving an hourly wage must be paid on a weekly basis. Each contractor, subcontractor, and employer must maintain payroll records in a manner readily capable of being certified for submission under section 18-2-423, MCA, for not less than three years after the contractor's, subcontractor's, or employer's completion of work on the public works contract.

All contractors and employers shall classify each employee who performs labor on a public works project according to the applicable standard prevailing rate of wages for such craft, classification, or type of employee established by the Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, and shall pay each such employee a rate of wages not less than the standard prevailing rate as specified in the Montana Prevailing Wages Rates for Non-Construction service year 2023.

3.11

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

If this contract is not renewed at the end of this term, or is terminated prior to the completion of a project, or if the work on a project is terminated for any reason, the Contractor must provide for a reasonable period of time after the expiration or termination of this project or contract, all reasonable transition assistance requested by the State, to allow for the expired or terminated portion of the services to continue without interruption or adverse effect, and to facilitate the orderly transfer of such services to the State or its designees. Such transition assistance will be deemed by the parties to be governed by the terms and conditions of this contract, except for those terms or conditions that do not reasonably apply to such transition assistance. The State shall pay the Contractor for any resources utilized in performing such transition assistance at the most current rates provided by the contract. If there are no established contract rates, then the rate shall be mutually agreed upon. If the State terminates a project or this contract for cause, then the State will be entitled to offset the cost of paying the Contractor for the additional resources the Contractor utilized in providing transition assistance with any damages the State may have otherwise accrued as a result of said termination.

3.12

CONTRACT TERMINATION

3.12.1 Termination for Cause with Notice to Cure Requirement. The State may terminate this contract for failure of the Contractor to perform any of the services, duties, or conditions contained in this contract after giving the Contractor written notice of the stated failure. The written notice must demand performance of the stated failure within a specified period of time of not less than 10 days. If the demanded performance is not completed within the specified period, the termination is effective at the end of the specified period.

3.12.2 Reduction of Funding. The State must by law terminate this contract if funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support the State's continuation of performance of this contract in a subsequent fiscal period. (18-4-313(4), MCA.) If state or federal government funds are not appropriated or otherwise made available through the state budgeting process to support continued performance of this contract (whether at an initial contract payment level or any contract increases to that initial level) in subsequent fiscal periods, the State shall terminate this contract as required by law. The State shall provide Contractor the date the State's termination shall take effect. The State shall not be liable to Contractor for any payment that would have been payable had the contract not been terminated under this provision. As stated above, the State shall be liable to Contractor only for the payment, or prorated portion of that payment, owed to Contractor up to the date the State's termination takes effect. This is Contractor's sole remedy. The State shall not be liable to Contractor for any other payments or damages arising from termination under this section, including but not limited to general, special, or consequential damages such as lost profits or revenues.

3.13 CONTRACT SECURITY – N/A

3.14

CAMPING ON STATE LAND

Contractor personnel may, with written approval from the DNRC, camp on State land during the contract period. Such camping will be at the Contractor’s own risk. Any camps will be made according to conditions set forth by DNRC and in compliance with all local, state, and federal rules and regulations.

3.15 FIRE PROTECTIONtc \l2 "FIRE PROTECTION A.

The Contractor is required to conduct his operation in accordance with the Montana Forest Fire Regulations.

B.

The cost of suppressing fires caused by negligence or fault in the Contractor's operation shall be borne by the Contractor. The Contractor shall also be liable for property and resource damage resulting from these fires.

3.16

WORK PROGRESS AND CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

A.

No activity may occur on the project area until a pre-operations meeting is conducted between representatives of the Contractor and the State. The Contractor shall notify the Forest Officer at least seven (7) days prior to the start of operations to schedule the pre-operations meeting.

B.

The Contractor shall begin work as specified by the Contract Supervisor at the pre-work conference. Each task must be satisfactorily completed before starting work on another unit, unless approved by the Contract Supervisor.

C.

The State may terminate the Contract Agreement, in whole or in part, by written notice in any one of the following circumstances:

1) Failure of the Contractor to perform any of the provisions of the Contract agreement.

2) Failure of the Contractor to correct unsatisfactory performance or work within 5 days after it has been brought to the Contractor’s attention.

3) Failure of the Contractor to make satisfactory progress in order to be able to complete the work within the Contract Agreement period.

3.17 CONTRACT AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATIONtc \l2 "CONTRACT AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION A.

The Contract Supervisor will administer the Contract Agreement as required in all specifications.

B.

Disputes between the Contract Supervisor and the Contractor will be resolved by DNRC.

C.

The Contract Supervisor has the following authority in addition to that delegated in other portions of the Contract Agreement:

1) Decide questions of fact arising in regard to the quality and acceptability of equipment to be used, materials furnished, and all work performed.

2) Make recommendations for payment.

3.18 CONTRACTOR AND STATE OBLIGATIONtc \l2 "CONTRACTOR AND STATE OBLIGATIONS A. The Contractor will:

1) Furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, materials, and incidentals necessary to satisfactorily complete the Contract Agreement, including all safety equipment required by current laws and regulations.

2) Notify DNRC's Contract Supervisor at least 48 hours before Contractor commences any field work in the project area. Contractor shall also inform Contract Supervisor of the crew size, supervisor(s), name(s), place of lodging and estimated daily WORK RATE.

3) The contractor shall provide each employee with a copy of the “working in bear habitat” brochure (see contract attachment E).

B. The contractor is prohibited from carrying firearms while conducting contract operations [ARM 36.11.432(1)(m); 36.11.433(1)(d); 36.11.443(2)].

C.

DNRC shall furnish:

1) A Contract Supervisor to acquaint the Contractor with the work to be performed and conduct periodic field inspections.

2) Copies of State administrative and area maps.

4) Other items as per the project description.

3.19

SUBCONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

A.

The Contractor shall not, without written approval from the contract Supervisor, enter into any subcontract relating to the performance of the contract.

C. All laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the Contract Agreement will also apply to any subcontracts.

3.20

CONTRACT AGREEMENT EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

A.

If, due to circumstances (e.g. rain, snow, fire, etc.) beyond the control of the Contractor, the work cannot be completed within the Contract period, DNRC may grant an extension of time if the State’s best interests will be served. Such extensions must be in writing and signed by both parties.

B.

The State of Montana reserves the right to assess liquidated damages in the amount of $50.00 per calendar day on the amount of the Contract price for failure to comply with the conditions of award indicated in the bid. This sum may be deducted from Contractor’s payment for failure to deliver/perform as specified. No premium will be awarded to the Contractor for delivery/performance in advance of the specified time.

3.21

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

A.

DNRC shall make periodic inspections of the Contract Agreement area to determine that the requirements of the Contract Agreement are being met. If the Contractor is not meeting the requirements of the Contract Agreement, the Contractor shall correct the deficiencies before any payments are made. Inspections shall occur as often as deemed necessary by the Contract Supervisor. To receive full payment 90% of each unit area must meet the target stocking (Table 4) of trees per acre when thinning is complete.

B. The thinning will be checked for compliance to prescribed residual levels by sight estimate and/or 1/250-acre circular plots. If plots are taken to determine compliance, the minimum sample intensity shall be .5 plots per acre.

C. Payment shall be based on the rates per acre for each payment unit as indicated on the bid sheet. Each thinning unit shall be considered a payment unit.

SECTION 4: SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICING SCHEDULE

4.0

PRICES

4.0.1 Fixed Price Contract. All prices are fixed for the duration of the contract and are not subject to escalation for any cause. Payment of the total fixed bid price shall constitute full payment for performance of the work and covers all costs of whatever nature incurred by the Contractor in accomplishing the work in accordance with the provisions of the contract.

4.1

ALL-OR-NONE AWARD

Awards will be made on an all-or-none basis. Failure of a bidder to provide prices for all line items listed on the Schedule may be cause for rejection of the entire bid. However, a bidder may enter "No Cost" in the unit price and extended amount columns to indicate that the item is being offered at "No Cost."

4.2

SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICING SCHEDULE

DEFINITIONS:

Average Spacing: The average distances between all leave trees necessary to provide the desired number of leave trees per acre.

Crown Spacing: The horizontal distance from the widest part of the crown of one leave tree to the widest part of the crown of the next leave tree.

DBH: Diameter breast height - The diameter of the stem measured at a point 4‑1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of a tree.

Damage: Includes defect or deformity of a tree resulting from wind, snow, animals, insects, diseases, equipment, etc., and shows evidence of dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, deep scars, or damage to bark where it is removed from more than 25% of the tree circumference, etc.

Excess Trees: Uncut trees, which should have been cut, that do not meet specifications. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, stumps with live limbs, trees not girdled or not girdled properly (if required) are also considered excess trees.

Girdling: A cut penetrating through the bark and cambium tissue, completely encircling the tree stem, for the purpose of killing the tree.

Hang-up Tree: Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Hand Pruning: Removal of branches with hand pruning shears flush with the branch collar.

Leave Trees: Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing as provided in the specifications. A leave tree may also be referred to as a crop tree.

Lopping: Cutting limbs from stems of trees.

Minor Damage: Crooks in the stem which are offset less than three (3) inches from the long axis and within 13 feet of the ground, forks, broken tops, or bark damage extending less than 25% of the circumference of the tree.

Missing Leave Trees: Cut trees that should have been left.

Restricted Road: A road in which motorized vehicle use is restricted seasonally or year-long by a physical obstruction (generally a gate).

Slash: Limbs and stems of downed trees.

Stem Spacing: The horizontal distance from the stem of one leave tree to the stem of the next nearest leave tree.

Strap: That portion of a felled tree that is still attached to both the tree and the stump.

4.3

SPECIFICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation/South West Land Office (DNRC/SWLO) is soliciting bids for pre-commercial thinning of 126 acres on the Clearwater Unit. An award will be made to the vendor with the lowest Total Bid Price (TBP) for the following Upper Snowmass PCT. This thinning must be completed by September 1, 2025. Approval of work will be determined by the Forest-officer.

The Upper Snowmass PCT is a total of 160 acres. Of those 19.8 acres will require hand piling of the thinning slash. The remaining 140.2 acres of slash can be lopped and scattered.

The current stand conditions are shown in the following table:

Table 1 – Unit Information

-DBH and Height are for estimated CUT trees

-Average # of CUT stems per acre.

The Contractor will thin trees in the units shown in Attachment B. The Contractor will progress at a rate that indicates all required work be accomplished within the performance period. Thinning will be accomplished according to the following specifications:

(A) General specifications:

Only conifer trees taller than 2 feet in height and less than 6 inches DBH shall be cut to achieve the required target stocking. Requirements specific to each project area are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 – SPACING REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO THE PROJECT AREA UNITS

TREES PER ACRE*

TARGET

UNDERSTORY

AVERAGE

SPACING*

Upper Snowmass

PCT

170 - 302 14 feet

12 foot minimum, 16 foot maximum

Upper Snowmass

PCT

302 - 681 10 feet

8 foot minimum, 12 foot maximum

Upper Snowmass

PCT

170 - 302 14 feet

8 foot minimum, 12 foot maximum

* - The average stem spacing should vary so that the best trees are retained. “Clumps” are ok. Portions of this stand will not meet the definitions under this category. Generally, two or more sides of the crown of the leave tree should have a minimum of 8 feet of open-air space between itself and the tips of other tree crowns. No “sawlog” trees will be felled under this contract. These stands are very clumpy. FOLLOW REQUIREMENTS WITHIN ATTACHMENT B.

** - These units contain Western white pine. Healthy trees will be “Ghosted” with another quality tree of another species. A meeting with the Forest Officer must take place prior to any work beginning on these units.

(B) Selection criteria:

The best trees of each species will be retained as leave trees in all units

1) Indicators of desirable leave trees are:

a) straight stems

b) small branch diameter

c) good crown coloration

d) good crown form

e) good crown ratios (> 60%)

f) freedom from insects, diseases, and physical and mechanical damages

g) vigorous annual growth

h) species preference

2) Indicators of undesirable trees are:

a) multiple tops

b) poor crown ratios (< 60%)

c) poor crown form and coloration

d) crook or sweep in boles

e) dead or broken tops

f) large branch diameter

g) presence of insects, diseases, or physical or mechanical damages

h) suppression

i) poor annual growth

These indicators shall determine the trees to be cut; slight defects may be acceptable for a leave tree if it is the best selection within a competitive group.

(C) Species Preference:

1) When selecting between individual trees with similar indicators of quality, the following order of preference will be used:

a) Western white pine

b) Ponderosa pine

b) Western larch

c) Douglas-fir

d) other

(D) Boundaries: Upper Snowmass PCT Unit 1 boundary is marked with blue three horizontal stripe paint and blue flagging. The other three units the boundary yellow / red stripe flagging and pink / black checker flagging and one dot of paint. Unit boundary was traversed and acreage determined using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

4.4 FELLING REQUIREMENTS – All Projects:

(A) Cut trees shall be completely severed from the stump. No “lazy straps" will be permitted.

(B) All felled trees shall be severed below the lowest live limb.

(C) The maximum stump height shall be 6.5 inches above ground level, as measured on the uphill side of a tree.

(D) Cut trees shall be felled parallel to each other and not criss-crossed or jack-strawed.

(E) Cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, roads, established trails, wildlife trails, fencelines, established land corners, and streams. Any trees felled on such areas shall be removed.

(F) Dead standing trees of the thinning size MUST BE CUT.

(G) Bearing, section-line, or trail-blazed trees shall not be cut.

4.5 SLASH REQUIREMENTS – NOTE THIS PROJECT CONTAINS SLASH REQUIREMENTS

(A) Thinning slash created within 100 feet of the western ownership line and along all roads open to public travel shall be piled. All piles must be at least 15 feet from standing trees. The approximate acres to be piled is 19.8 acres. A map is included within this contract.

(B) Thinning slash shall be bucked and limbed to within 18 inches of the ground throughout the remainder of the thinning unit. Treatment with other mechanical methods that is approved by the Contract Supervisor will satisfy this requirement.

(C) Thinning slash shall be confined within unit boundaries.

(D) Thinning slash shall be removed from all ephemeral and intermittent stream channels and wet areas that carry seasonal water.

(E) The Contract Supervisor may approve salvage of thinning slash.

REV 202307