Wildcat DxP Statement of Work.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule ..................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Attachment

Project Wildcat DxP Contract Cruise

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The purpose and intent of this contract is to conduct a timber cruise in support of the Wildcat DxP Integrated Resource Stewardship Contract Implementation of the Upper Swauk Restoration Project on the Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee Nation Forest in Region 6. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, quality control, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals, except those items listed as Government furnished property. Knowledge and experience identifying tree species and cruising of timber in Central Washington is required. The end results required under this contract are to cruise to the standards included herein and to the standards stated in the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12).

Specifically, this project consists of cruising on the Wildcat DxP Timber Sale. Work shall consist of locating and establishing plot locations, implementing desired cutting prescription on each plot, and measuring and recording all required tree data. The attached cruise plan includes the directions as to how to implement the cruise. It includes the required number of plots and locations, prescriptions to be implemented, as well as merchantability specifications for each species to be cut.

All Cruisers must have a current cruiser certification by the U.S. Forest Service and show proof of certification for the Pacific Northwest Region.

2.0 Background/Location

Provide a general description of the requirement, describing the acquisition history (if applicable), the current environment, and the vision of the future of the requirement. If information technology is a factor, provide pertinent technical facts.

A) Project work area is located on the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Wildcat DxP IRSC is located along HWY 97 and off Forest Service Road 9700-115 (Mill Creek Road). See attached Maps. The project harvest units cover approximately ~500 acres and located within the Mill Creek Drainage. Elevations in the project area range from approximately 2,800 feet along the drainage bottom to approximately 4,000 feet along the ridge lines. Slopes in the area range from 0 to 70 percent, with an average slope of less than 50 percent.

B) Accessibility: The project area may be reached by forest roads that are accessible by a high clearance vehicle; all-wheel or 4-wheel drive is recommended. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to provide special maintenance or log out to keep roads open for contractor access. The units are a mixture of Skyline and Ground based units and will require off-road foot travel, in steep and uneven terrain to access plot locations. Use of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or 4- wheelers, will not be permitted off designated Offroad vehicle trails or to access areas behind gates and barriers in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer or as hereinafter provided.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks: Timber Cruising

(a) General Cruise Specifications: The Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12) is included by reference and is considered part of the technical specifications. When there is a discrepancy between these specifications and the handbook, theses specifications will take precedence. The Government will furnish the cruising guidelines in the Cruise Plan which will include silvicultural prescriptions, and sampling frequency for each harvest unit. The sale in this contract is a Designation by Prescription.

(b) Certified Cruisers: All cruisers (signing the cruise card as cruiser) must have a current cruiser certification by the U.S. Forest Service and show proof of certification for the Pacific Northwest Region.

The general cutting guide is for a commercial in conifer stands involving thinning from below. See attached Cruise Plan and cutting prescriptions.

(i) The establishment of plots and measurement of trees shall be done in accordance with the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12).

(ii) All trees, which meet species, product, and utilization standards, shall be measured, defected, and recorded in accordance with the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12). Saw log and non- Saw log specifications shall be identified in the cruise plan provided.

(iii) The Contractor shall audit all completed Tree Cards to ensure they are filled out properly before delivery to the Contracting Officer. All incomplete and incorrect Tree Cards will be returned to the Contractor for completion and/or correction.

(iv) The contractor may choose to collect the cruise data electronically instead of via the provided cards. The software will be provided by the USFS, the contractor will be required to provide compatible hardware.

(v) All cruise cards shall be filled out neatly, clearly and be legible. The header information at the top of all cruise cards shall be completely filled in.

(vi) All cruise trees shall be recorded on Government provided Tree Cards.

(vii) All cruise trees shall be identified per the provided cruise plan

(viii) All distance measurements will be corrected for slope to reflect horizontal distance.

(ix) Cruiser and/or Tally person will be identified on the cruise cards.

(x) Issuance and handling of tracer paint will be as stated in clause located in Section G, titled “Time of Delivery and Contractor’s Responsibility of Government Furnished Property”.

(xi) Any cruise inspections done by the Government will utilize the R6 Check Cruise Program to calculate, document, and summarize the results of the inspections. All five (5) cruise categories shall receive a passing score to be considered satisfactory work. The five (5) cruise categories are Species Identification, Measurements, Product Designation, Defect and Point/Plot Tally.

(xii) No more than one plot will be recorded per Tree Card regardless of the number of trees per plot.

(xiii) Tree Cards will be turned in to the Contracting Officer on a weekly basis or after all the plots have been completed whichever comes first.

(xiv) Contractor’s cruisers must pass the first 2 cruise plots for each different prescription to ensure that they understand the cutting designations within the cruise design. Any new cruisers brought in after the unit has been started must also pass the first 2 cruise plots.

Plot Cruising

(a) The Government will specify the type of plot and its location on a grid which will be given to Contractor prior to beginning cruise. Coordinates will be provided for each plot. An electronic file of these locations will be provided as a shapefile. The contractor will be required to way point to the plot location on the map. The Government will provide a unit map and any cruise instructions specific to the unit. An electronic version of all maps will be available as a geo-referenced pdf format.

(b) All cruise trees will be measured at DBH to the nearest (1/10) of an inch (rounded down) and measured to the nearest foot in height, from the high side of the tree.

(c) Limiting distances will be measured on all close or borderline trees when using a prism or relaskop. All close or borderline trees will be marked with a “B”. The DBH, plot radius factor, slope distance and calculated limiting distance shall be written on the cruise card.

(d) Each plot number shall be recorded on cruise cards provided even if no trees exist in a plot. This shall be labelled as a “NULL PLOT”.

(e) Plots that are located near boundary and are close to appearing in/out of the unit need to be visited and verified that plot center is in fact, outside the unit, and documented on cruise maps.

(f) If a cruise plot is partially outside the cutting unit boundary, the mirage method shall be used. Reference the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12).

(g) If a cruise plot is located partially in 2 cutting unit prescriptions, the ½ plot method shall be used. Reference the Timber Cruising Handbook (FSH 2409.12).

(h) Designating Trees. Cruising will begin with number one at the cardinal direction of North and moving clockwise on the plot. Paint each cut tree sequentially, facing the plot center.

(c) Contractor’s Furnished Equipment and Supplies

Contractor shall furnish equipment, supplies, labor, and tools necessary for compliance with field procedures herein. Suggested items include but are not limited to the following.

(i) Paint gun

(ii) GPS Unit

(iii) Azimuth compass with declination setting capability (project area declination is 14 degrees)

(iv) Tatums

(v) Relaskops/ hypsometers

(vi) Indelible ink markers or grease pencils.

(vii) Diameter tape.

(viii) Clinometer.

(ix) 100-foot loggers’ tape

(x) Red non-biodegradable flagging.

(xi) Wooden surveyor stakes (1 inch square) to be used as cruise plot centers.

(xii) Chainsaw in the event tree’s fall and block road access

4.0 Government Furnished

List any government-furnished support, data, property or facilities. Describe government responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. If the contractor will require access to government facilities, identify the facility location and specific area. Identify any federal holidays or other times when access may be restricted.

(a)Government Furnished Supplies Blue Tracer Paint: All tracer paint will be transferred to the Contractor for periods not to exceed

(5) days (Monday through Thursday unless otherwise arrangements are made with the Contracting Officer). Paint pickup and drop off times need to be coordinated with Contracting Officer/Contracting Officer Representative and will be issued by agreement. It is expected that marking paint will only be issued to the Contractor when active tree marking is planned by the Contractor. Paint will be issued to, and signed for, by a Contractor designated paint custodian.

The Contractor will be required to designate this paint custodian prior to receiving the first delivery of paint. The Contractor shall not change paint custodian designation on a bid item until all paint transferred to a custodian has been returned to the Forest Service and the paint transfer form, located in Section J, has been filled out and all paint accounted for. The form shall be used to document ALL paint transfers, to and from, the Contractor’s paint custodian, which shall include transfers to and from the Contractor’s employees to accomplish work under this contract, and to and from the Forest Service. The Contractor shall keep any paint, not in use, secured by a locking system agreed to by the Forest Service. All full, partial, and empty paint cans shall be returned to the Contractor’s lock security facility at the end of each day, and to the Forest Service at the end of each check out period. The Contractor shall fill in the appropriate slots of the form, each time paint is checked in or out, and will be accountable for all cans of paint on a daily basis.

The Forest Service will conduct and document inspections on the Contractor’s compliance with the daily accounting requirements and paint security during each site inspection. A minimum of one inspection per week will be made when there is active tree marking. This inspection is in addition to those made when paint is checked out and returned. A search for any missing paint will be conducted immediately by the Contractor and the Forest Service. Failure to daily account for and/or return the correct amount of full, partial, or empty paint cans will result in immediate suspension of work, until paint accountability is resolved. The Contractor will return all paint (full, partial and empty cans) to the Forest Service if the Contractor has a change of plans by which no tree marking work is planned for periods exceeding (4) four consecutive days. Failure to properly account for paint shall be considered contract default and cause for termination and may be cause for criminal investigation.

Paint Guns will NOT be furnished by the Government.

Appropriate Cruise Cards will also be furnished by the government.

(b) Contractor Quality Control Plan

(a) Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of this Technical Proposal. The Plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure that quality of performance meets the objectives and requirements of the contract. The QCP shall specify:

(i) How quality will be monitored to assure performance standards are met.

(ii) How the work will be supervised.

(iii) How results of the monitoring will result in quality performance. (iv)Identify the personnel responsible for performing quality control.

(b) Contractor Quality Control Inspection. The Contractor shall assure themselves that performance meets contract specifications, in accordance with Inspection of Services (FAR 52.246-4) paragraph (b), prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer to set a mutually agreed upon date for inspection of completed work.

Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan and Acceptance Requirements

(a) Government Quality Assurance Inspection. The Government will, at its convenience, make periodic inspections of the work to assure itself of contract compliance and to perform Quality Assurance Inspections to confirm that the Contractor is performing quality control in accordance with its QCP and that Contractor monitoring results in quality performance of contract objectives.

(b) Acceptance. Acceptance of the work under the contract will be made after steps in (a) above have been taken and the Contracting Officer has made the determination of satisfactory compliance with the specifications. Acceptance has occurred once all work and final payment on the task order has been completed. Acceptance will not be made for segments broken by unacceptable portions of work.

Inspection, Reinspection and Acceptance

(a) Compliance Inspection

The Contracting Officer may, by formal inspection, determine if the specified methods of work have been used. Failure to use specified methods shall require prompt corrective action. Failure to take prompt and satisfactory corrective action may be cause for termination of Contractor’s right to proceed and the contract considered in default.

(i) Work shall be inspected by unit completion.

(b) Inspection Procedures

(i) Cruise plots will be accepted on the basis of formal inspection by the Contracting Officer through the Contracting Officer’s Representative or designated inspector. A minimum of five

(5) percent of all plots listed on the treatment unit will be inspected. This will constitute a minimum inspection for determining satisfactory performance.

(ii) Whenever administratively practical, inspections will be done weekly as the work progresses.

(iii) All handwritten work will only be accepted if completely legible. This includes, but is not limited to paperwork, information on ribbons, stakes and trees.

(iv) The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer when work commences and shall keep the Contracting Officer informed of any changes in the Contractor’s work schedule. Government inspection will take place after Contractor’s self-inspection.

(v) Contractor self-inspection shall be done in accordance with the Contractor’s Quality Assurance Plan and FAR Clause 52.246-4, Inspection of Services.

(A) Contractor shall provide and use an inspection system acceptable to the Government.

(B) The Contractor shall make periodic inspections while cruising is in progress to assure work is proceeding satisfactorily. Records of the inspection shall be maintained for the life of the contract and shall be available to the Contracting Officer upon request.

(c) Determination of Acceptable Work

(i) Variable Plot Cruising:

(A) The Government will use the R6 Check Cruise program to calculate, document, and summarize result of inspected work done by the Contractor. An example of the program summary page is shown in Section J. Below are a list of the categories, which will be inspected, and the minimum quality for each category:

Species Identification 95% Measurements 90% Product Designation 90% Defect 90% Point/Plot Tally 95%

(B) The total number of incorrect trees divided by the total number of trees (by element) tallied on the inspection will determine the percentage of unsatisfactory work. 100% minus percentage unsatisfactory work = % satisfactory work.

(C) Failure to meet the required quality for any category will require rework.

(d) Unsatisfactory Work

(i) Variable Plot Cruising

(A) If the percentage of satisfactory work falls below the required percent quality (see clause titled “Inspection, Reinspection and Acceptance, C. Determination of Acceptable Work”), Determination of acceptable work), a notice of noncompliance will immediately be issued notifying the Contractor in writing of the deficiency and order him or her to improve the quality. The Contractor will be required to revisit the work sites to bring them up to the required quality within four consecutive workdays after receipt of the Notice from the Contracting Officer’s Representative of unsatisfactory work, or the Contracting Officer may terminate the Contractor’s right to proceed and consider the contract to be in default. Repeated failure to perform work (two re-works) at the required quality may also be considered cause for contract termination and default action.

(B) Failure to meet the plot locations requirements shall require rework.

Plots not meeting the specifications shall be relocated.

(e) Re-Examination Upon Contractor’s Request

If the original inspection results are not acceptable to the Contractor, a reinspection may be requested in writing. The same inspection procedures will be followed, but different plots or trees will be measured.

If the reinspection confirms the original inspection as not meeting standards, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for actual costs incurred for making reinspection. The Contractor shall redo up to two re- works on all the work that does not meet standards.

(A) Superintendence

The Contractor shall designate one supervisor (for each crew), conversant in the English language, in writing, (in the event that more than one person and/or crew). The written designation shall indicate the limits of the supervisor's authority. When two or more people are designated as supervisor, their written delegation shall indicate the priority of their designations so no more than one person shall be in charge of a crew at any one time. Work shall be performed in an organized systematic manner.

(B) ESTIMATED PRODUCTION RATES

The Government shall assess contract performance regarding completion based on the following production rates:

Point Count Measure Plot Cruising ~5 plots per day

Contract time, whether stated in terms of calendar days or a completion date, has made allowance for inclement weather. The contractor may have to perform more than one bid item concurrently.

Contractor's progress will be measured against Contractor's approved progress schedule as submitted with the Contractor’s proposal.

(C) SCHEDULES FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS

Contractor shall, at the pre-work meeting or within 5 days from receipt of any subsequent request from the Contracting Officer, submit a time chart or schedule of proposed progress to insure completion of the work within the time set forth in the contract. If Contractor's progress falls behind that scheduled, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to improve his progress;

in addition, the Contracting Officer may require Contractor to submit a revised schedule and proposed plan of work to ensure completion of the work within the time(s) set forth in the contract.

(D) CONTRACTOR’S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

The contractor must submit a weekly plan to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to performing next week’s work for review and approval. The format for the weekly plan is to be discussed with and approved by the COR.

Completed cruise cards shall be submitted to the ranger station on a weekly basis. These cards can be dropped off at the front desk, where a receipt will be issued from Forest Service Personnel, that documents date, and time of drop off, as well as units and plots included in the data dropped off. A signature will be required from both parties, and both parties shall receive a copy of receipt of transfer.

(E) NOTICE TO PROCEED

A Notice to Proceed will be issued in writing by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). No work shall begin until receipt of this notice. Contract time shall commence on the day indicated on the Notice to Proceed.

(F) SUPPLEMENT TO SUSPENSION OF WORK

Whenever the Contracting Officer determines that the temperature, humidity, soil moisture, plant moisture stress, winds, or combination of these and other physical conditions have become unsuitable for the project to continue in any area, the Contractor shall move the work force to another area(s) prescribed by the Contracting Officer. When no other area is available, the Contracting Officer will issue a suspend work order for the bid item and contract time will stop for that item. When conditions are again favorable, the Contracting Officer will issue a verbal resume work order and confirm the resumption in writing. Contract time will resume on the effective work resumption date. In all cases, the Contractor shall resume work within 3 calendar days after the effective work resumption date. It is the Contractor's responsibility to keep the Contracting Officer currently advised as to where the Contractor or the Contractor's Representative may be reached by telephone during periods of work suspension. If the Contractor cannot be reached at the telephone number provided, or if the Contractor fails to leave a number, a written resume work order will be mailed and contract time will resume on the date specified on the resume work order.

(G) REQUIRED SUBMITTALS

The following is a general summary of the required submittals. Other submittals may be required as specified elsewhere in this contract.

Submittal Title Submittal Date Schedule of Work Prior to Work Starting Job Specific Safety Plan

Prior to Work Starting

Notification of Subcontracting

Prior to Subcontractor Starting Work

Fire Plan Prior to Work Starting Camping Permit Prior to Work Starting Road Use Permit request (if Required)

Prior to Using Any Road Under Permit

6.0 Travel

Identify any travel requirements, locations involved, number of trips (if known), and duration of anticipated travel. Specify responsibility for travel reimbursement, e.g., the contractor or the Government. If the travel will be reimbursed by the Government, discuss the method of reimbursement, e.g., in accordance with Federal/agency travel regulations. State the Government official authorized to approve contractor travel, e.g., the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to facilitate and fund all travel aspects to and from the project area. The government is not responsible for any travel reimbursement.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Describe positions which are considered key to successful performance of the contract and the information required to support key personnel qualifications, e.g., experience which correlates to SOW requirements, education, and past performance on similar projects. Specify if resumes are required and provide resume format if appropriate.

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Crew Leader and Inspector and Contractor must provide documentation of current certified Region 6 cruiser qualification, In order to meet the criteria required in this contract.

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

8.0 Security Requirements

Specify security requirements that apply to the contract performance. Specify the level of clearances required and identify positions that are applicable.

N/A

9.0 Data Rights

If data is to be produced, furnished, acquired, or used in meeting contract requirements, delineate the respective rights and obligations of the government and the contractor regarding the use, production, and disclosure of that data.

Insert Data Rights Here

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards When information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements.

Insert Section 508 Here

Attachment If applicable, include an Attachment stating Evaluation Factors and significant Subfactors representing the key areas of importance and emphasis to be considered in the source selection decision.

List of Attached Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments

The following attachments are made a part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

Title

1. District Vicinity Map

2. Project Area Map

3. Wildcat DxP IRSC Cruise Plan and Unit Maps

4. Silviculture Marking Prescriptions

SUBMITTAL OF OFFERS

Offers may be via email on the due date of this solicitation to Darnell Williams at darnell.williams@usda.gov.

ADDITIONAL SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

To be responsive to this solicitation offerors shall provide the following items:

• Schedule of Items pricing

• Experience Questionnaire

• Performance Schedule

• Available Resources/Personnel

• Safey Plan

• Quality Control Plan (will be incorporated into resulting contract)

• Minimum Qualifications