Black Locust Tree Thinning on 20.25 acres in Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Use of timber harvest equipment to remove large population of non-native trees and all associated woody material.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for tree thinning services as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 05-60. The solicitation number is P12PS12457 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This solicitation is a Small Business Set-Aside. Responsible small business concerns are encourage to submit a quotation. The NAICS code is 561730 with an associated small business size standard of $7.0 million. It is the contractor's responsibility to be familiar with applicable clauses and provisions. Clauses and provisions can be found at http://www.acquisition.gov/far or at http://www.ios.doi.gov/pam/aindex.html. This solicitation will result in an award of a firm, fixed-price contract. The National Park Service, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, has a requirement for exotic tree removal per the Scope of Work below. The purpose of this contract is to secure a complete set of services to limit the threat to both Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LRNRA) land and to adjacent land by black locust, an exotic tree species. This will be done by performing exotic tree removal activities in and adjacent to developed areas (Kettle Falls Marina to Day Use Area) in order to protect existing native habitats and to re-introduce native species into key areas of the park. This contract will accomplish stand treatments related to the removal of standing exotic trees, specifically black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and greatly reduce the level of current competition and the potential for continuing expansion of the infestations into other native habitst. It includes cutting/removing all unmarked black locust trees greater than 2 inches dbh in the identified treatment areas, placement of the trees in 3 to 5 collection areas or landings, and the eventual removal of all woody material as logs, firewood, posts, wood chips or other products. Salvage costs and values for these potential products should be included in the contract cost estimates. Removal of all bole wood from this activity and piling/chipping of limbs and tree tops at the landings will be performed as part of this contract. The excess wood poses a liability to LRNRA resources and neighbors as a fire hazard. The goal for treatment of this area is to protect both LRNRA native habitats and to allow for the re-establishment of native tree and understory species through both plantings and natural means. Trees will be cut using a harvester and forwarder combination over dry, snow or frozen ground. All unmarked trees will be removed. A few marked trees will have flagging wrapped around them signifying they are historic or of recreational importance. The large black locust within the landscaped area of the Locust Grove Group Campground will also not be removed. The boles of trees may be forwarded and the limbs and treetops piled onsite for later pick-up and delivery to the designated landings. Piling and retrieval of limbs can be performed with other tracked or wheeled equipment as long as the ground is dry, frozen, or covered with snow to protect soil from compaction. The contractor shall take all un-marked trees, and organize and direct all of the equipment and personnel needed to accomplish the cutting and removal. The contractor shall furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required. This includes either chipping all the residue materials and delivering them to the Avista Power Generation plant or similar chip/hog fuel receiver or subcontracting for this service to be completed. The project is located on Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (referred to herein as either Lake Roosevelt NRA or LRNRA). It is near the Kettle Falls District Office on Boise Road starting just south of the Kettle Falls Marina and extending south and east past the Kettle Falls Swim Beach/Day Use Area. Please contact Wayne Owens at +1 (555) 000-0000, ext. 122 or Jon Edwards at ext. 130 for copy of map. Township 36N Range 37E Sections 23, 26, & 35. Location of areas (light green fill) to be treated by Contractor. The red line is the park boundary. The desired end result of this project is to achieve the following: Remove 95% or more of the exotic black locust from the identified areas to allow for the re-establishment of native tree and understory species. The NPS will provide a staff person trained and licensed by the Washington Dept. of Agriculture as a Public Operator pesticide applicator to treat each cut stump with a NPS supplied triclopyr herbicide/oil carrier to kill the extensive root systems and minimize resprouting. Reduce mortality of native trees due to stress and competition from a non-native exotic tree and loss of other potential habitat areas to black locust encroachment and stand enlargements. Remove all black locust bole wood and slash (branches and tops) to minimize fuel loads and protect NPS native habitats and neighboring lands from wildfires. Cut all black locust trees in assigned areas greater than 2" dbh. Schedule and notify NPS staff of harvest days so staff can use a triclopyr product to treat stumps of each tree within 30 minutes of cutting. Contractor may offer to use their own Washington Dept. of Agriculture pesticide applicator licensed employees. Remove all bole wood greater than 2" in diameter. Leave all stumps less than 2 inches high or as low to the ground as possible. Jointly determine with NPS staff 3 to 5 locations for landings where tree boles, limbs, and tops will be collected for treatment into salvageable materials or transport. All trees harvested may be transported whole or limbed and topped. The limb and top slash will be piled for later retrieval to the designated landings for chipping by the contractor or subcontractor. All tree boles and chipped materials will be removed by the contractor and disposed of for their salvage value. The Contractor agrees to cut and remove all black locust trees >2" dbh, including all pieces that meet minimum piece specifications, in the blocks identified on the Project Area map. Stump height shall not exceed 2 inches measured from the ground on the uphill side, or 2 inches above natural obstacles (boulders, wildlife logs, etc.). All material greater than 2 inches in diameter and longer than 6 feet will be collected for chipping. Removal of bole material shall be accomplished by ground based tracked harvester and forwarder. Piling and transport of all woody material to the designated landings can be performed with tracked or wheeled equipment as long as the soil is dry, frozen, or snowpacked to ensure compaction and soil exposure is minimized. No contract work will proceed in the area after April 15, 2013. No removal will be performed if soil moisture makes trails or haul roads muddy. Areas designated will be performed either with dry or frozen soils or snow on top of frozen ground . All of the activities associated with this project shall be conducted in such a manner that there shall not be any adverse impact to the following resources listed. All section corners, bearing trees, sensitive plants, no-cut areas, and meadows. Protection of Protected Species - No known locations of protected plant or animal species are currently present. The location of areas needing special measures for protection of plants or animals listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq. will be marked if found in surveys prior to each black locust removal period. Nesting surveys for birds protected under the Migratory Bird Act will occur if removal activities extend into March and April of 2013. If the Contracting Officer determines that protection measures are needed because new areas are discovered, or if new species are listed on the Endangered Species List, Contracting Officer may either cancel, in whole or in part or unilaterally modify this contract to provide additional protection regardless of when such facts become known. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party. This provision and any protections listed pursuant to this provision do not constitute a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Contractor is on notice that special protection measures not currently listed may be required at any time. A number of historic features related to the Old Town of Kettle Falls are known to occur within the project area. These will be clearly marked to protect the foundations, sidewalks, refuse pits, and other known features from impacts by heavy equipment. General locations of other known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture archaeology, and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431433) National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) and implementing regulations (36 CFR 800), the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PL 96-95 and 36 CFR 261.9(e) will occur prior to the contract starting. LRNRA staff may unilaterally modify or cancel this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas or objects by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party. When Contractor's operations are in progress adjacent to or on LRNRA controlled roads and trails open to public travel, Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain all temporary traffic controls which provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with Contractor's operations. A number of black locust are within the area of the access roads and hiking paths and signage and/or flaggers will be needed for short periods of time to protect the visiting public and neighbors who use these facilities. All roads will be cleared of debris generated during exotic tree removal and kept clear for public use whenever possible. LRNRA will close those portions of the Kettle Falls Visitor Use Areas and trails where heavy machinery is being operated and trees harvested to ensure public safety. Cleaning of Equipment: Contractor shall ensure all equipment moved on to National Park Service land is free of soil, seeds, and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to insure compliance, and shall notify Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area staff prior to moving each piece of equipment onto National Park land. Notification will include identifying the location of where equipment most recently operated. Arrangements will be made for LRNRA personnel to inspect each piece of equipment prior to it being moved onto LRNRA lands. "Equipment" includes all logging machinery except for log trucks, chip vans, pickup trucks, cars, or other vehicles used primarily for transport of personnel. PRICE SCHEDULE: Falling and removal of trees, 20.25 acres@$_________ea equal $______________. Set-up charges, 1ea@$___________. Total $_____________. SUBMITTING QUOTES: Quotations must be received no later than August 4, 2012, 3:30 pm Pacifica Daylight Time. Submit quotations to attention of Wayne Owens, Contract Specialist, Lake Roosevelt NRA, 1008 Crest Dr., Coulee Dam, WA 99116; or send quote by fax to +1 (555) 000-0000. The point of contact for this solicitation is: Wayne Owens, Lake Roosevelt NRA, telephone: +1 (555) 000-0000, ext. 122, email: contact@example.gov. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation.