127EAS23Q0008 - Mechanical Site Preparation for Fuels Reduction - Stanislaus National Forest

SAM Posting Update 1/10/23 - Corrections include the following: Quotes due extension - 1/18/23 at 12:00pm PST, Q&A uploaded (includes Mech Site Prep Data Table), and Section J. document added - titled Mechanized Equipment Operations RCAs. Scope of Work Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure services for site preparation, fuels reduction prior to planting, and increasing safety by mechanical equipment, hand treatment, or a combination of both. Each unit may require multiple types of equipment and/or treatments to achieve desired reduction of fuels, including, but not limited to, grapple piling, mastication, feller buncher, hand felling, and hand piling. Slope, vegetation amounts, vegetation types, and vegetation heights will be deciding factors. Unless direct treatments are listed by Contracting Officer, it will be the Contractor's responsibility to determine which methods/equipment shall be used to meet treatment requirements for each unit. Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government. Project Location & Description Location: The project is located on the Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District. Description: Units are located in the Rim Fire Area. All mastication, grapple piling, and feller buncher operations shall not exceed 45 percent slope gradient. Hand felling and pile construction may occur on all slope percentages. General unit areas are shown on the enclosed maps and marked on the ground. Unit boundaries are flagged in blue and yellow flagging tied together or solid yellow flagging. Accessibility: Work site access instruction, as given here, is for information only. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to determine the most suitable route to the project area. Predicted access route for project access is as follows: NORTH Units - From the US Forest Service, Groveland Ranger District Office, head east on Highway 120 to the Cherry Lake Road (1N07) junction. Then head north on Cherry Lake Road to Forest Road 3N01 (Recreation Road 31). Turn west onto Road 3N01 and continue to the west towards the project area. All units can be accessed off Forest Roads off 3N01. SOUTH Units - From the US Forest Service, Groveland Ranger District Office, head east on Highway 120 to the Sawmill Road (1S03) junction. OR continue east on Highway 120. Turn north onto Evergreen Road and then west on 1S03 towards the project area. All units can be accessed off Forest Roads off 3N01 or 1S03. Unit access routes are subject to change and will be determined based on road conditions existing immediately prior to and during the implementation of the contract. The Government will not provide special maintenance nor snow plowing to open roads or keep roads open. Any prospective Contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective Contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding. Exclusions (Non-work Areas): Non-work areas will be identified by any of the following: 1) mapping, 2) flagged with specified color, or 3) verbal instructions. These are areas of natural regeneration, streamside protection zones, areas with an excessive amount of rock or rock outcrops, and areas that may have been treated previously. No tractor intrusion, disturbance, or damage shall be allowed in these areas without approval from Contracting Officer. Maps Any maps included in Section J are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations. Restrictions on Work Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows: 1. In accordance with the fire plan, if included in Section J. 2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage. 3. Hours of Operation: Contractor shall limit treatment operations within - mile of residences and campgrounds to weekdays and non-holidays only, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 4. Control Areas (CAs) - No activity shall be allowed in these areas. The only exception to this includes CA-9 (Clarkia spp.) sites during the Clarkia spp. dry season (approximately July 16 thru November 30); limitations within these sites are listed later in this document. 5. Limited Operating Period (LOP) - No activity will be allowed during the following LOPs, unless surveys confirm that nesting is not occurring. a) Northern Goshawk (NOGO): February 15 thru September 15. b) Great Grey Owl (GGO): March 1 thru August 15, within .25 miles of the activity center. c) Spotted Owl (SOP): March 1 thru August 31, within .25 miles of the activity center. d) California Red Legged Frog (CRLF): Prohibited within 1 mile of area identified as suitable CRLF breeding habitat during the wet season (first rain fall event depositing more than .25 inches of rain on or after October 15 thru April 15). e) Within 300 feet of occupied Western Pond Turtle (WPT) habitat, May 15 thru July 15.