REVISED_PWS_V9_IDIQ_Forestry.pdf

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD GENERAL FORESTRY

SINGLE AWARD TASK ORDER CONTRACT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

PART I GENERAL PROVISIONS

1 GENERAL:

1.1 General: The work consists of furnishing all personnel, equipment, labor, management / supervision, transportation and operating supplies/materials in strict accordance with the plans and specifications required by task orders.

1.2 Description of Work: Provide all personnel, equipment, labor, management / supervision, transportation and operating supplies/materials to perform all contract work in strict accordance with the specifications and plans required listed in Technical Specifications section, Part II, for each CLIN. There must be a designated Project Manager on the work site while work is being performed who speaks fluent English.

1.3 Location: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, approximately 15 miles southwest of

Tacoma, WA

1.3.1 Premises: The premises concerned in this project are Government owned and managed.

1.3.2 Conditions: All areas have been previously clear cut harvest or partially harvested.

1.4 Period of Performance: The proposed contract period five (5) years: 1 year base period with four (4) option years.

1.5 General Information

1.5.1 Recognized Holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day

1.5.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall perform work between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (normal Government working hours), or as authorized by the Contracting Officer (KO). No work will be allowed outside of normal Government working hours without the advance written authorization of the KO. Weekend work will require two weeks advance notice.

1.5.3 Work Schedule: Planting must be completed between January 15th and March

1st of assigned given year unless approved in writing by the COR. Once seedlings are delivered planting must occur every work day until completed. Pre Commercial Thinning (PCT) and slashing period of performance will be assigned in each task order. These will generally need to be completed within the calendar year awarded but have no particular timing restriction. Initial work schedules must be submitted and approved no later than 30 calendar days of task order issue. Include the starting date of work and the progression of all operations. The work schedule shall be approved by the COR and prior to commencement of any work. Any need for departure from the work schedule shall be reported to the designated COR.

1.5.4 Licenses and Permits: The Contractor shall obtain all licenses and permits necessary for executing provisions of this contract without any additional expense to the Government.

1.5.5 Quality Assurance: The Government reserves the right to inspect the

Contractor’s performance using any reasonable inspection method. All surveillance observations will be recorded by the Government. When an observation indicates defective performance, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will request the Contractor or planting foreman to acknowledge the observation and initiate corrective action. The Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) will support the COR during inspection.

1.5.6 Acceptance and Determination of Payment: Work on this contract will be deemed acceptable when the Government’s final inspection meets the Quality Standard or Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) without dispute by the Contractor, or when the Contractor accepts the Government’s final inspection at a lesser AQL as specified for each Technical Specification in Part II – Technical Specification.

Acceptance Level Quality Standard: Work with a quality of 90% or greater, as determined by Government inspection, will be accepted at full payment, less any deductions for wasted trees or seedlings.

Acceptable Quality Level: Units that have a Government inspection quality of 85- 90% may be reworked at the Contractor’s expense. If inspection results are below 90%, a deduction will be made to equal 2% for every 1% below 90. For example, if inspection results are 87%, the bid price would be reduced by 6%.

Minimum Quality Level: Quality below 84% on any unit within an item is not acceptable and may not be paid for, or shall require rework at the Contractor’s expense.

Payments will be made on a per task basis.

1.6 Access to JBLM: After award of the contract, Contractors performing work on the installation will be required to register all vehicles to be used on the job site. Contractor employees entering post in privately-owned vehicles will be required to register those vehicles and obtain an installation permit. Copies of contract documents, proof of Liability Insurance, and valid driver’s license and registration. For further information, please contact Bruce McDonald at 253-966-6474.

1.7 Conflicts with Military Use: This project is on an active military reservation and the contractor may be required to move persons, equipment and operations at his/her expense at the direction of the Government out of the area in which there is a conflict with military use, whenever it is determined by military authority that the area where (s) he may be working at the time of notice is required for military use. In the event of any interference, due to military requirements, the Government may grant additional time to complete contract requirements, based on a day for day basis. A work schedule of the Contractor will be coordinated with the installation Stand Development Forester.

1.7.1 Interface with Others: Other types of Government use of the areas involved in this project may be anticipated while the work is being performed. The Contractor shall plan their work & coordinate these operations so that there will be minimum interference to others in the vicinity, including military training, and training exercises.

1.8 Safety Requirements:

1.8.1 Compliance: The Contractor shall work in a safe manner and fully comply with ALL applicable Federal, State and Army regulations and requirements. If the Contractor fails or refuses to promptly comply with all safety requirements, the Contracting Officer and/or the designated Government representative, may issue an order stopping/suspending all or part of the work until satisfactory corrective actions have been taken to fix the problem(s). No part of the lost time due to any such stop order shall be made subject of a claim for any extension of time or for excess costs or damage to the Contractor. The job hazard analysis or safety plan shall be submitted and approved no later than 30 calendar days of task order issue.

1.8.2 Safety: All equipment shall be maintained in good, safe operating condition. All safety precautions and regulations shall be observed when using equipment. All safety devices shall be in place and function properly on all equipment being used. All operations shall be conducted in full compliance with all OSHA, Army, Federal, State and local occupational health and safety laws and regulations. Any and all violations and fines are the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

1.8.3 Site Hazards: The Contractor shall be aware that stumps and rocks along with foxholes for military training may be present on the units to be worked. While working down range there is possible existence of hazardous military devices, e.g., live or dud ammunition, artillery shells, etc. If any unexploded ordinance is found clear the area immediately and notify the Government representative.

1.9 Environmental Protection Program;

1.9.1 Environmental Coordination: The Contractor shall comply with all JBLM environmental requirements, including the most current installation regulations 200-1 (Environmental Protection and Enhancement) and 420-5 (Procedures for the Protection of State and Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered, Candidate Species, Species of Concern, and Designated Critical Habitat). This includes requirements for hazardous material authorization, use, storage, and management;

hazardous waste management, spill prevention and reporting, environmental training, etc. ALL spills (outside containment) to ground or water (or with the immediate potential to become so) must be reported IMMEDIATELY, by calling Range Support at 253-967-6371/7974 (for spills downrange) or 911(for spills in cantonment) and then notifying the Contracting Officer and the designated Government representative of the spill incident(s). Please use extreme caution when handling, transporting and using any hazardous materials, to prevent accidental spills and minimize any spill incidents. Spills MUST be cleaned up immediately, and spills should be prevented from spreading, especially from going into water and water drainage areas. Failure to report any spill incidents will likely result in contract shut-down and potential fines. All Contractor-generated trash, refuse and waste shall be removed from the work site to locations off the installation.

1.9.2 Environmental Management System (EMS). The JBLM EMS conforms to the criteria defined in the international standard, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. In accordance with EMS procedures, the Contractor shall be familiar with the JBLM environmental policy and shall ensure that this information is considered and incorporated into this project. The installation policy can be found at http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/publicworks/sustainability/EMS/environ_policy.aspx (click on JBLM Policy). Additional information regarding the JBLM EMS is available from the installation EMS Coordinator (253-966-6470). An environmental awareness training resource is available to the Contractor at http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/publicworks/sustainability/EMS/EnvTraining.aspx.

1.10 Sustainable Acquisition. In order to comply with federally mandated sustainable acquisition requirements and Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of the Army (DA) Green Procurement Program (GPP) policies, JBLM requires the purchase, supply, and use of environmentally preferable products and services. Program elements include:

recovered material products, energy and water efficient products, alternative fuels and fuel efficiency, bio-based products, non-ozone depleting substances, and environmentally preferable products. These elements are described on the Office of Federal Procurement Policy website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement_index_green/. For a listing of designated items, associated requirements and managing program websites, see https://sftool.gov/greenprocurement. Additionally, the JBLM Guide to Sustainable Acquisition for Construction is available in the “Reference Manuals” section of the JBLM Design Standards webpage (http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/designstandards/index1.htm). The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, DOD, Army, and JBLM sustainable acquisition laws and policies. If compliant products are unavailable or determined to be impracticable based on cost or performance, the Contractor shall contact the COR or their Government representative for further guidance. Claims of exception must meet applicable legal criteria and be justified in writing through the submission of a completed HJB Form 225 (Sustainable Acquisition Exception). The form is available at http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/designstandards/pdf/HJB%20225.pdf. All materials must be submitted by the contractor to the QAR and USACE Project Manager for review before commencement of field work activities.

1.11 Hazardous Materials. For any hazardous materials, the Contractor shall submit an initial list of hazardous materials to be used (including unit of measure and Safety Data Sheet for each product). A copy of these documents must be submitted to the JBLM Pollution Prevention Program (usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.dpw-hm-inventory@mail.mil) and USACE Project Manager prior to commencement. These items must be reviewed by Pollution Prevention and authorized for use if they are not already on the JBLM installation Authorized Use List. The Contractor shall not use any hazardous materials not authorized by Pollution Prevention.

For any in-use hazardous materials, the Contractor shall submit a hazardous material inventory on HJB Form 953 noting the hazardous materials used, the units of measure, quantities used, storage locations, and other information indicated on the form. This inventory shall be submitted at the end of task order field work. All HJB 953 inventories shall be submitted electronically and addressed to the USACE Project Manager or their representative with usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.dpw-hm-inventory@mail.mil included in the carbon copy (“cc”) line of the email. Questions regarding the form may be directed to the JBLM Pollution Prevention Program (966-6469). The current HJB Form 953 and form instructions are available at:

http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/designstandards/doc_files/HFL_953_HM%20Inventory20090513.xls http://www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil/designstandards/doc_files/HJB_953%20Instruction.doc

1.12 Fire Responsibility: The Contractor shall be responsible to familiarize his/her employees with the Washington State Forest Fire Protection Requirements and shall adhere to them at all times. The operation will be subject to inspection for adherence/compliance to state regulation and presence of fire tools. All spark emitting engines must be equipped with approved spark arresters. A pump truck or trailer will be required if heavy equipment is used during the closed season per WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) specifications.

1.13 Fire Hazard Closure: The designated Government representative, specified in each Task

Order, shall have the authority to suspend the work, wholly or in part, by written notice for such period(s) as may be deemed necessary due to hazardous forest fire conditions, as applicable. If the relative humidity is 30% or lower and or the fire level on the base is at level 3 the operation will be suspended until Government notification to proceed with Task Order requirements.

1.14 Trash and Waste Disposal: The Contractor shall be responsible for properly collecting, gathering and disposing of all Contractor-generated trash, refuse and waste from the project areas/units to locations off the Installation.

1.15 Suspension of Work: The KO, specified in each Task Order, will have the authority to suspend the work wholly or in part by written notice, for such period as the KO may deem necessary due to fire conditions, military training exercises, unsuitable weather, and any other conditions or situations deemed unfavorable for the satisfactory execution of the work. Where total suspension is not due to any fault of the contractor, the time allowed for completion of the task order shall be extended an equal time. No time allowance shall be made for periods of partial suspension. Partial suspension is defined by the Washington State DNR Industrial Fire Precaution Levels which requires activities to cease by 1300 hours.

1.16 Damages: The Contractor shall be liable for any and all damages or losses caused through the fault or negligence of his/her agents and/or employees. The Contractor shall restore any damage caused by his/her operations, including the replacement of any plant material damaged as a result of negligence, at no cost to the Government.

1.17 Contract Manpower Report: The Contractor shall report all Contractor labor hours

(including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for Department of the Army via a secure data collection site. The Contractor is required to complete all required data fields using the following web address:

http://www.ecmra.mil/, then click on “Department of the Army CMRA” or the icon of the DoD organization that is receiving or benefitting from the contracted services. Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk at help desk at http://www.ecmra.mil.

1.18 Security Requirements: All contractor employees, to include subcontractor employees, requiring access Army installations, facilities and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 30 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever is applicable. The contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected contractor employee and subcontractor employee, to the COR or to the contracting officer, if a COR is not assigned, within 5 calendar days after completion of training by all employees and subcontractor personnel. AT level I awareness training is available at the following website: https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at.

The contractor and all associated sub‐contractors shall brief all employees on the local iWATCH program (training standards provided by the requiring activity ATO). This local developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award and within 5 calendar days of new employees commencing performance with the results reported to the COR NLT 5 calendar days after contract award.

If the contract manager is required to access Army, facilities and controlled access areas they shall complete OPSEC Basic Awareness training. This training can be found at http://www.dodea.edu/Offices/Safety/OPSEC.cfm

2 DEFINTIONS and ACRONYNMS

2.1 Definitions:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government.

Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S.

Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE: Government representative who completes surveillances in accordance with the QASP.

2.1.10. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.11. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.12. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.2 Acronyms

CMR Contract Manpower Reporting COR Contracting Officer Representative COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative DOD Department of Defense KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest

POC Point of Contact PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TE Technical Exhibit

3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1 Information:

a) The Government will provide a representative to acquaint the Contractor with the designated area of work to execute the task order.

b) Adequate maps, use of aerial photographs and other data necessary for orientation.

Boundaries of treatment areas will not be marked in the field but are on PDF maps.

3.2 Services The Government will identify specific tasking and priorities associated with the contract. All taskings and priorities provided by the Government shall be in accordance with Part II Technical Provisions.

3.3 Facilities: None.

3.4 Equipment: None.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide trees and seedlings to execute the work in each task order.

4 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL:

4.1 Project Manager: The Contractor will be required to name a Project Manager for each

Task Order who will be responsible for all work being performed. The Project Manager shall, be physically present on the work site at all times while the work is in progress, and must speak fluent English. The Project Manager shall have authority to make on-site decisions on behalf of the Contractor concerning contract matters. The Project Manager must have a cell phone or device capable of reading PDF maps supplied by the Government.

4.2 Supervision: The Contractor shall provide adequate crew supervision and serviceable equipment to all workers in order to satisfactorily accomplish project. Adequate crew supervision shall mean at least one qualified nonworking foreman present in the immediate geographic area per work site unless otherwise allowed by the COR. The average ratio in the Forestry sector is a 10 person crew to 1 non-working foreman. The Project Manager and nonworking foreman roles may be held by the same individual. The qualified foreman shall have a minimum of two (2) years recent experience in the task order issued, must be physically present at the work site, and must speak fluent English. The qualified nonworking foreman shall be given authority to make on-site decisions on behalf of the Contractor on contract matters. A written record of the Contractor’s experience shall be made available upon task order award and approved by the COR prior to work commencing.

The Government has the right to restrict the employment of any Contractor employee or perspective contract employee who is identified as a potential threat to the health, safety, security or general well-being of the installation and its population.

The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest. Any person who is an employee of the Department of the Army, either military or civilian, shall not be employed by the Contractor unless such person seeks and receives any approval required by DoD 5505.7-R, Department of the Army Standards of Ethical Conduct Rules.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the conduct of all his/her employees and shall inform the designated Government representative of any complaints received.

PART II - TECHNICAL PROVISIONS - Specific Tasks

Detailed Location information shall be provided in each task order.

5 TREE PLANTING

5.1 Materials: Seedlings will be purchased by the Government. The Government will deliver the conifer seedlings to the planting site where the Contractor shall receive the stock and assume responsibility for care and maintenance of the trees. In the event that trees are left unplanted at the end of the day, they shall be returned to the Government.

5.2 Contractor Furnished Property and Services:

5.2.1 Tools: Planting bags shall be light in color, shall not retain heat, and shall be free of defects or contaminants. Planting hand tools shall be capable of opening a hole to properly plant the tree seedling. Long handled planting shovel with blade dimensions of at least 11 ½ inches long by 5 ½ inches wide or planting hoes that have an angle of 100 degrees between the blade and the handle, will be accepted.

5.3 Tree Planting Procedures:

5.3.1 Planting Method: The “line” method of tree planting shall be used. This involves having the planters form a line with each planter maintaining the designated spacing interval between rows and within rows. The crew remains in a “line” as they proceed through the unit.

5.3.2 Care of Seedlings: The Contractor shall care and protect the tree seedlings as follows:

1. Seedlings shall always be transported in a closed box truck or in a truck with a closed canopy.

2. Seedlings shall be protected from drying, heating, smothering, freezing or drowning at all times.

3. Opened seedling bags shall be closed, covered and kept in the shade and protected from freezing and drying by using a seedling protection tarp.

Seedling roots shall be kept moist.

4. Unopened seedling bags shall be stored in a cool, completely shaded spot protected from drying winds, off the ground, and separated one from the other to provide free air circulation and indirect sunlight. Seedling bags shall be opened only as needed.

5. After the planting hole is prepared, individual seedlings shall be gently removed from the planting bag to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly inserted into the hole.

6. Seedlings shall be planted as received without further root or top pruning or culling. If pruning or culling appear necessary, or if mold, dry roots, or injury is evident, these conditions shall be reported to the COR.

5.3.3 Planting Spot Selection:

1. Seedlings shall be planted in mineral soil in the best possible spots within the spacing limit.

2. Mounds of loose soil, solid rock, standing water in planting hole, or duff over six (6) inches deep are not considered suitable planting spots. Where an unplantable spot is encountered, the planter shall plant in the closest plantable spot while maintaining average spacing.

3. Where possible, seedlings shall be planted on the north side of stumps, logs, dead brush, or other dead shade so as to provide protection from exposure to direct sunlight.

4. Seedlings shall not be planted closer than five (5) feet from the edge of any road, unless otherwise instructed by the QAR with concurrence from the COR. Skid trails shall be planted unless otherwise instructed by the QAR with concurrence from the COR.

5. Seedlings shall be planted up to the drip line of large trees unless otherwise instructed by the QAR with concurrence from the COR.

6. Brush patches containing planting spots shall be planted even though this may require spreading stems aside or working around the stems.

5.3.4 Species mix: Shade tolerant species are preferred planted adjacent to crown drip line of larger trees. Plant shade intolerant species in open canopy area as much as possible. (See task order for site specific species mix)

5.3.5 Seedling Spacing: (See task order for spacing requirements)

1. Seedlings shall be planted at an average spacing distance. The spacing distance for individual seedlings may be varied up to 50 percent.

2. When no satisfactory planting spot is present, no seedling is to be planted.

5.3.6 Preparing the Planting Hole: A hole shall be made large enough to fully accommodate the seedling roots. If the planting spot is occupied by living vegetation, the spot shall be scalped by cutting and removing the root crown of the living vegetation to a 6 inch clearing.

5.3.7 Seedling Placement: The seedling shall be suspended near the center of the hole with the roots in a natural arrangement and at a depth that, after filling, packing and leveling, the soil comes to the root collar. No portion of the roots shall be exposed nor branches or needles covered. Roots shall not be doubled up, twisted, tangled or bunched. In areas requiring scalping, the seedling shall be planted near the center of the scalped spot.

5.3.8 Firming and Filling: Mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots, particularly against the roots in the bottom of the hole. Soil shall be filled in and firmed so that no loose soil or air pockets exist. After the soil is firmed around the roots, it shall be smoothed out to the level of the surrounding surface.

After planting, the seedling stem shall be erect and free to grow. The seedling shall not be weighted down with mud or debris.

5.3.9 Weather: Planting operations shall be halted when weather conditions may be injurious to tree seedlings. No planting shall be done when any one of the following conditions exists:

1. The ground is frozen or frost is more than ½ inch deep, or during periods when frost heaving is occurring.

2. There is more than two (2) inch accumulation of snow.

3. The air temperature is less than 32 degrees F (32º F) or greater than 65 degrees F

(65º F)

4. The wind speed is greater than twenty (20) miles per hour.

5.4 Procedures for Inspection of Tree Planting & Determination of Payment:

5.4.1 Inspection: The inspections will be made on a series of 1/50 acre circular plots,

16.65 foot radius. Plot lines will run across the planting crew’s line of travel so that a representative sample of each planter’s work is obtained. Plots will be located on the plot line to obtain a sample intensity of approximately one (1) percent of the area planted (1 plot per 2 acres).

The Contractor or non-planting foreman may be present and observe the inspections.

The average number of plantable spots in a 1/50 acre plot by spacing requirements is as follows in paragraph 5.4.2.

5.4.2 Inspection Process: At each plot, the QAR and COR will examine the plot area.

Based on all applicable specifications, the inspector will record his findings. The QAR and COR will record:

a) the plot number,

b) the number of plantable spots,

c) number of seedlings planted, and

d) number of seedlings satisfactorily planted. At least 1-3 trees per plot will be dug up to inspect below ground planting quality.

5.4.3 Tree Planting Quality

Planting quality is determined by assessing both above ground and below ground planting as calculated below:

# of satisfactory trees planted X 100 = % Planting Quality # of plantable spots

The maximum number of additional allowable trees per plot is 2 trees.

6 INSTALL VEXAR TUBING

6.1 Contractor Furnished Property and Services: Rigid seedling protectors, Vexar or equivalent tubing, bamboo stakes, and cable ties will be purchased by the Contractor. In the event there are excess or unused materials they will become property of the Government.

6.2 Procedure to Install Vexar (or equivalent) Tubing on all Western Red Cedar

The Contractor shall provide Vexar (or equivalent) tree tubes. Each western red cedar that is planted shall have a Vexar (or equivalent) tube installed over the tree. Vexar tube installation shall occur in conjunction with planting operations.

Vexar tree tubes shall be five inches (5”) in diameter and thirty six inches (36”) tall.

The vexar tube shall be held up by two 1/2 inch diameter, 60 inch tall bamboo stakes. The tube will be secured with two cable ties to each stake. The cables will be located directly below the closest knuckle to the bottom of the net and directly below the closest knuckle to the top of the net. Each cable tie shall be secured tightly to the bamboo stake.

6.3 Procedures for Inspection of Installation of Vexar Tubing & Determination of

Payment: Inspections will compare number of Western Red Cedar Planted to the number of tubes. 90% of the western red cedar will need to have a Vexar tube. Stakes will be checked for firmness and zip ties will be checked for placement and tightness.

Payment will be by the completed installation on each western red cedar tree required.

Receipts will need to be presented to COR and QAR for materials.

7 MAINTAIN VEXAR TUBING

7.1 Contractor Furnished Property and Services: Rigid seedling protectors, Vexar or equivalent tubing, bamboo stakes, and cable ties will be purchased by the contractor. In the event there are excess or unused materials they will become property of the Government.

7.2 Procedures to Maintain Vexar (or equivalent) Tubing: Tubes needing maintenance may include resetting the stakes and the tube over the tree, raising the height of the tubes to the top of the stakes, and resetting tubes that have folded over on the top. Materials that are in good shape may be reused. Some replacement materials will be necessary, if so these materials will be supplied by the Contractor. These materials will be the same specifications as described in section 5.2. The Contractor shall exercise care installing, raising and removing tubes.

7.3 Procedures for Inspection of Maintenance of Vexar Tubing & Determination of

Payment:

7.3.1 Inspection: The COR and QAR, will make periodic inspections while the work is in progress. This will generally occur on a daily basis. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

7.3.2 Inspection Process: Inspections will insure stakes are reset, tubes moved up or reinstalled and cable ties are tight and installed below the first knuckle available at the bottom of the net and below the first knuckle at the top of the net. No nets should be set more than 6” above the top of the bamboo stakes.

Payment will be based on the completed reinstallation on each western red cedar tree required. Receipts will need to be presented for material cost.

8 SLASHING

8.1 Definition of Terms for Slashing Technical Specifications:

8.1.1 Slashing: Cutting undesirable hardwood trees, scotch broom, herbaceous vegetation/ brush; (snags); woody brush vegetation (i.e. scotch broom, hazelnut, ocean spray). Stub height shall be no higher than 4 inches measured from ground level.

8.1.2 Leave trees: Trees which are left growing for future management include all conifers, oak, Red Alder and madrone.

8.1.3 Stump Height: The allowable height of the stump of the cut or slashed tree or shrub shall not exceed 4 inches in height.

8.1.4 Damage to Leave Trees: Damage to young trees includes, but is not limited to, breakage and or scarring. Slash will need to be removed from covering any seedlings.

8.1.5 Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): Diameter of the stem or tree measured at a point 4.5 feet above the highest ground level.

8.2 Protection of Standing Timber:

All conifer, red alder, oak, madrone, shall be left uncut and undamaged. Any single stemmed Big Leaf Maple greater than 6 inches DBH shall be left uncut and undamaged.

8.3 Stand/Plantation Description: The areas to be slashed are predominantly harvest areas that have had brush reestablished. Throughout the areas conifers, alder, madrone, oak and maple exist.

8.4 Procedures for Slashing: All woody shrubs , trees and brush 1 foot and taller within the vegetation management areas shall be severed and felled within 6 feet of any conifer, red alder, madrone, or oak. Standard for completion is that the maximum stub height of cut vegetation shall not exceed 4 inches in height. All standing dead snags within the brush cutting area shall be felled. No live trees over 6 inches DBH shall be felled. The Contractor shall furnish mechanical equipment such as chain saws, brush saws or equivalent equipment to perform work.

8.5 Cutting Requirements:

a) The cut surface of the stumps shall be cut flat.

b) All severed vegetation must be laid flat on the ground

8.6 Slash Requirements:

a) Slash shall be removed immediately from ditches, culverts, and running surface of drivable roadways.

b) Slash will be removed from around any leave tree.

c) Slash will have to be within 3 feet of the ground.

8.7 Procedures for Inspection of Slashing & Determination of Payment:

8.7.1 Inspection: The COR and QAR, will make periodic inspections while the work is in progress. This will generally occur on a daily basis. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

8.7.2 Inspection Process: Inspections shall consist of 1/50th acre plots (16.65 ft radius) every 2 acres and will be distributed over the entire unit. Areas that are less than two acres will have two random plots. Plot centers will be marked and numbered.

Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a) Vegetation cut

b) Stump height

c) Leave Tree Damage

Payment will be made for each unit when inspected and accepted by the Government and after proper invoicing from the Contractor.

9 PRE COMMERCIAL THINNING

9.1 Definition of Terms for Pre Commercial Thinning Technical Specifications:

9.1.1 Slashing: The cutting of undesirable hardwood trees and brush.

9.1.2 Pre commercial thinning: The cutting of trees in excess of those required for future management that are currently of unmerchantable size.

9.1.3 Average spacing: The average distance between leave trees.

9.1.4 Leave trees: Trees which are left growing for future management that meet size, spacing and cull-tree requirements as defined in this contract. Leave trees have commercial value and include: Douglas-fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, grand fir, western white pine, ponderosa pine, and red alder.

9.1.5 Cut trees: Trees greater than 2 (two) feet in height that are not needed to meet average spacing requirements. This does not include shrubs, scotch broom, or vine maple.

9.1.6 Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): Diameter of the stem or tree measured at a point 4.5 feet above the highest ground level.

9.1.7 Stands to be thinned: Stands in which the individual trees to be cut are greater than 2 feet in height.

9.1.8 Hung-Up Tree: Any tree that has been cut and is suspended above the ground level by a leave tree.

9.1.9 Thinning Slash: All debris created on the contract area by the pre commercial thinning operation. This includes the limbs, boles and tops of the cut trees.

9.1.10 Limbing or Lopping: To cut the branches from the main stem (bole) of the tree.

9.1.11 Stump Height: The allowable height of the stump of the cut or slashed tree.

This shall not exceed 6 inches in height.

9.1.12 Excess Trees: Uncut trees that are not needed to meet average spacing requirements, or those that are defined as cull trees.

9.1.13 Deficient Trees: Cut trees that should have been left to maintain average spacing requirements.

9.1.14 Cull Trees: Trees that may contain rot; trees that may contain bole defects.

9.1.15 Crooked Trees: Trees containing or having sharp turns or bends in the main stem or bole.

9.1.16 Forked Trees: Trees which have two or more main stems in the live crown of the tree.

9.1.17 Broken Top: Trees that have the main stem broken off in which the broken portion is more than ¼ the total tree height.

9.1.18 Unhealthy Trees: Trees with yellowing crown or obvious needle cast disease

(needles in crown are thinner than surrounding trees).

9.1.19 Stump Diameter: Diameter of stem measured at a point six (6) inches above the ground on the high side.

9.1.20 Damage to Reproduction: Damage to young trees includes, but is not limited to, breakage, scarring, or accumulation of slash around and on top of the young trees.

9.2 Selection of Leave Trees:

The Contractor will select and leave uncut the largest live conifer trees of good form and vigor that will maintain the average 12 foot X 12 foot spac ing . To maintain average spacing, the Contractor may not need to cut as many trees immediately adjacent to gaps. However, clumps or patches should not be left unthinned to make up gaps in the stand. If the Compliance Forester determines that narrower spacing is appropriate for portions of a Unit, 6' x 6' spacing will be used. Spacing is the average distance between trees that will result in the correct number of tree left per acre. The number of trees left per acre will be measured by the Government. To determine compliance.

9.3 Order of Selection of Leave Trees

The order of selection of leave or crop trees will be as follows:

a. Leave dominant and necessary co-dominant trees.

b. Maintain specified average number of trees per acre in task order.

c. Maintain specified average spacing in task order.

d. Select crop tree by species designated in the task order.

9.4 Leave Tree Requirements:

a. Trees will be left and retained as leave trees, as needed to meet the average spacing requirements as specified, provided that they are not cull trees. Spacing may be varied up to 50% to select the most desirable tree. The number of trees per acre, however, shall not be materially increased or decreased, and spacing shall be maintained whenever possible.

b. If no healthy, undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, leave the most healthy, least damaged tree available.

c. All trees ≥ (greater than or equal to) ten (10) inches in diameter are designated as leave trees unless they are marked by the Government as cut trees.

d. Oak and or Madrone trees are not to be included in the spacing of the leave trees regardless of size. They are to be left and not included in the tree count.

e. The Contractor shall exercise care to prevent damage to leave trees. If a leave tree is accidentally cut or damaged, the Contractor shall leave a substitute tree that will meet the specification of a leave tree.

9.5 Cutting Requirements:

a) Hung up trees will not be allowed.

b) Trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

c) The cut surface of the stumps shall be cut flat.

d) Trees shall be cut below the lowest live limb and not more than six (6) inches above the ground.

e) All vine maple clumps shall be cut.

f) Cut all surplus conifer trees more than 1 inch in diameter and 2 feet tall.

g) All big leaf maple clumps and cherry more than four (4) feet in height, and growing within twenty (20) feet of a conifer crop tree shall be cut except that vine maple, elderberry and other low growing hardwoods need to be cut only when they seriously compete with the conifer crop trees by reason of height greater than 2/3 of the average conifer height. Hardwoods shall not be cut where their removal will create gaps in the stand with dimensions greater than fifteen (15) feet in width.

h) All damaged or deformed trees as described below shall be cut, except when their removal will create gaps in the stand with dimensions greater than fifteen 15 feet in width.

a. Trees with scars or open wounds on the lower stem involving more than one-half (1/2) of the circumference of the stem.

b. Trees with more than twenty (20) degrees lean or trees with crook or sweep in the lower stem protruding outward from a straight line more than twelve (12) inches.

c. Trees with broken stems or girdling of the stem where only the lower part of the living crown remains.

d. Trees with double tops of forked trees when other more suitable trees are available.

i) All diseased trees as described below shall always be cut, regardless of gaps created.

a. Trees with thin, ragged crowns with yellowing needles typical of Phellinus

(Poria) weirii and Armillaria mellea infection (root rot).

b. Western hemlock infected with dwarf mistletoe.

9.6 Pre Commercial Thinning Slash Requirements:

a) Slash shall be removed from the running surface and the ditch of drivable roads.

b) All thinning slash shall be placed within 3 feet of the ground level.

9.7 Pre Commercial Thinning Salvage Rights: The Contractor may elect to salvage materials from the worksite limited only to the pre commercial thinning slash created with this contract. This does not include any cull logs, downed woody debris or wind throws created from a previous event.

a) The Contractor shall notify the COR prior to and upon completion of any salvage activities performed. This notice shall include identification of employees performing the work, location of activity, and type of material involved.

b) Salvage operations shall start only after the completed pre commercial thinning work in the unit has been accepted by the Government.

c) In the event that the salvage operation causes damage to the work area or residual trees, this right may be terminated by the Contracting Officer.

d) Salvage operations may be suspended by the Government if the Contractor is behind in contract work progress by more than 10%.

e) Salvage materials must be removed within contract time.

f) The Government will not be responsible for any theft of salvageable material that may occur.

g) Removal of salvageable material is permitted Monday through Friday.

9.8 Procedures for Inspection of Pre Commercial Thinning & Determination of

Payment:

9.8.1 Inspection: The COR and QAR, will make periodic inspections while the work is in progress. This will generally occur on a daily basis. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

9.8.2 Inspection Process: Inspections shall consist of 1/50th acre plots (16.65 ft radius) every 5 acres (1% sample) and will be distributed over the entire unit. Plot centers will be marked and numbered.

Each plot will be examined to record findings on the items listed below:

a) Number of leave trees that should have been left.

b) Number of trees that were left.

c) Number of deficient trees (cut trees that should have been left).

d) Number of excess trees (leave tree that should have been cut).

e) Remarks concerning deficient or excess trees.

9.8.3 Pre Commercial Thinning Quality:

Based on the inspection plots for each unit, the quality of thinning shall be calculated as follows:

1 minus {(# of deficient trees + # of excess trees) ÷ total number of trees that should have been left} Multiplied x 100 = % Quality

Payment will be made for each unit when inspected and accepted by the Government and after proper invoicing from the Contractor.

10 SLASH PULLBACK OPTION

10.1 Stand/Plantation Description: The areas to be pre commercially thinned are predominantly Douglas-fir plantations with minor amounts of other conifer and hardwood species and brush.

Slash shall be pull-backed, lopped, and scattered 20 feet back from all designated roads and unit perimeters.

10.2 Procedures for Inspection of Slash Pullback:

10.2.1 Inspection: The designated Government representative or a designated inspector, will make periodic inspections while the work is in progress. This will generally occur on a daily basis. The Contractor or his representative is encouraged to observe the inspection and will receive inspection summaries upon request.

10.2.2 Inspection Process: Distance will be measured horizontally from the top of the ditch and/or top of cut bank and from the base of the fill slope adjacent to the road.

10.2.3 Slash Pullback Quality: Slashing Pullback quality is determined by dividing the horizontal measurement from the top of the cut bank or ditch by 20 feet.

Payments will be made by perfor every 100 feet of 20 foot pullbackroad distance. That is approximately ½ acre.

11 Summary of Contract Specifications: Perform all contract specifications designed to reduce the number of trees present in the stand due to overcrowding/overstocking. The residual trees in the plantations will be healthy, dominant and co-dominant trees with good form and vigor. The overall prescribed spacing is 12 x 12 feet between leave trees, however there will be variation due to species composition and current stocking. Cut trees must be within 3 feet of the ground and not left leaning against leave trees. Stump height shall not exceed six inches in height. The Contractor shall furnish mechanical equipment such as chain saws, brush saws or equivalent equipment to perform work. The Contractor shall adjust production to varying site and terrain conditions.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Objective Standard Performance Threshold Method of Surveillance

PRS #1.

Contractor shall provide adequate crew supervision

The Contractor shall provide in accordance with PWS

Zero deviation from standard QAR, COR, or Contracting Officer visual inspection

PRS #2.

The Contractor shall provide all equipment and supplies required in technical specifications for planting, tubing, slashing, PCT, and slash pullback in accordance with PWS

The Contractor shall provide items in accordance with

PWS

Zero deviation from standard QAR, COR, or Contracting Officer visual inspection

PRS #3.

The Contractor shall properly collect, gather, and dispose of all Contractor generated trash, refuse, and waste from the project areas/units to location off the Installation in accordance with the PWS

In accordance with the PWS Zero deviation from standard QAR, COR, or Contracting Officer visual inspection

PRS #4.

The Contractor shall follow all the tree planting procedures in Part II, Technical Specifications

In accordance with the PWS Minimum of 90% of trees planted correctly in accordance with PWS Part II, Technical Specifications, Paragraph 5 and Paragraph

1.5.5 and 1.5.6

QAR, COR, or Contracting Officer visual inspection

PRS #5

The Contractor shall furnish supplies and install Vexar (or equivalent) tubing in accordance with Part II – Technical Provisions, Paragraph 6

In accordance with the PWS Minimum of 90% of western red cedar have Vexar or equivalent correctly installed in accordance with PWS and Paragraph 1.5.5 and 1.5.6

QAR, COR, or Contracting Officer visual inspection

PRS #6

The Contractor shall follow all maintenance of Vexar (or equivalent) procedures in Part II, Technical Provisions, Paragraph 7

In accordance with the PWS Minimum of 90% of Vexar (or equivalent) tubing correctly maintained in accordance with PWS Part II, Technical Provisions, Paragraph 7 and Paragraph

1.5.5 and 1.5.6

PRS #7

The Contractor shall follow all…