Eureka TSI

Combined Solicitation & Synopsis AG-9JGP-S-16-0148 The Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, Central California Acquisition Services Area, Beckwourth Ranger District of Plumas National Forest requires services for tree thinning with grapple Piling of activity created slash, grapple piling, mastication and related work of 202 Acres and is located approximately 8 miles north of Graeagle, California. This is a combined / solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, 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. It is the contractor's responsibility to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at these addresses: https://acquisition.gov/far. This is solicitation no. AG-9JGP-S-16-0148, Eureka TSI, Request for Quotations (RFQ) and is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS code is 115310 Support Activities for Forestry-Fuels Management Services. The size requirement for this NAICS code is $19 million. The government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Contract. Closing date of Solicitation is: August 12, 2016. Projected Award Date is: August 26, 2016 ITEM NO. - DESCRIPTION UNIT QTY UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE 001 Grapple Pile Acres 14 $ $ 002 Mastication Acres 86 $ $ 003 Hand Thin w/Grapple Pile Acres 102 $ $ Total: $ Contractor Responsibility: Except as otherwise specified under 1.2 and 1.4, the contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supplies and transportation to perform the services and insure that the designated areas present a clean, healthy, orderly and well-kept appearance. Estimated Start Date & Contract Time: Date/Time Start August 29, 2016 Contract Time 90 Days DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK Scope of Contract Description of Work: This contract requires tree thinning with grapple piling of activity created slash, grapple piling, mastication and related work in compliance with contract terms, specifications, and provisions. Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all technical expertise, equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, incidentals, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the task order clearly states is to be furnished by the Government. Project Location & Description Location: All items are located on the Beckwourth Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest. All units are located within the vicinity of Graeagle, California. Approximately 8 miles north of Graeagle, CA past Cromberg, CA and proceed on County Road 509. From County Road 509 take Forest Road 23N08. Take Forest Road 23N08 for about 9-11 miles to project area. Unit Number - Township - Range - Section(s) 83, 83A, 85, T. 23 N. R. 11 E. 30, 31 85D, 85E, 85F 85G, 85H, 85J 62A, 62B, 62C T. 22 N. R.11 E. 9, 10, 11 62D, 62E, 62F, 65B, 61,58A This contract does not describe work locations in detail. The technical contact listed may be called to verify information and to arrange a time to view it if requested. All contract units are accessible with no controls on access at this time. Photocopies of stand cards will be made available, but are available for viewing only if requested. Verbal information-will be available, but will not be considered binding. Description: Please see map for specific locations Boundaries: Grapple Pile: All grapple pile units are designated with yellow and white striped or yellow flagging and white boundary paint, consisting of 3 painted dots aligned vertically or 3 horizontal stripes located at eye level facing into the interior of the unit, along with 2 horizontal sidebars facing the next boundary line tree. Mastication: All mastication units are designated with yellow and white striped or yellow flagging and white boundary paint, consisting of 3 painted dots aligned vertically or 3 horizontal stripes located at eye level facing into the interior of the unit, along with 2 horizontal sidebars facing the next boundary line tree. Hand Thin with Grapple Pile: All grapple pile units are designated with yellow and white striped or yellow flagging and white boundary paint, consisting of 3 painted dots aligned vertically or 3 horizontal stripes located at eye level facing into the interior of the unit, along with 2 horizontal sidebars facing the next boundary line tree. Boundary trees are spaced ~150-200 feet apart. All units are signed with yellow "Boundary of Contract Area" signs with project name and unit number designated. Accessibility: Weather and wet or muddy road conditions may make it necessary to utilize a four wheel drive vehicle to access the units. It is the Contractor's responsibility to reach the work site when it is ready for treatment. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) may determine the access routes which will be used. In order to reduce the introduction and spread of noxious weeds, operational equipment and ATVs must be thoroughly cleaned and inspected of all mud and debris before they enter Forest Service land. Pre-Bid Items: Any prospective contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, or specifications, must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer in a timely manner, which allows 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 Areas: Equipment exclusion zones within RHCAs and SMZs and control areas (heritage resources and botanical resources) shall be identified and delineated on the ground. See Protective Mitigations for specific guidelines. Maps Maps showing the general vicinity and/or specific work areas are attached to this package in Section J. Maps are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations. The winning bidder will be provided a map showing Exclusion Areas/Control Areas. Estimated Start Date & Contract Task Order Time Start: August 29th, 2016 Time: Contract to be completed by October 27th, 2016 (90 days of contract time). 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, included in Section J. 2. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous, where continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage or climatic conditions are unfavorable for continuation of work. 3. Wet Weather Standards shall restrict operations to when soil is dry; that is, soil moisture in the upper 8 inches is not sufficient to allow a soil sample to be squeezed and hold its shape, or will crumble when the hand is tapped. 4. Work shall not be performed before 6:00 a.m., after 6:00 p.m., on Sundays or on Federal holidays. 5. Project Operations Schedule 6. Limiting Operating Periods (LOP): No activity will be allowed during the following LOPs: Units 83, 85 - May 1st - July 31st. Licenses and Insurance The contractor shall obtain the insurance and licenses listed here; (see also Section L, Notices to Offerors and Respondents). Failure to provide the information will not change the date for starting work, and contract time may begin before the contractor is actually permitted to work. Once contract time begins, the contractor shall provide the documentation within 10 calendar days or 20 percent of the contract time (whichever is less) or the task order may be terminated for default in accordance with the clause governing default (termination for cause). MSPA Card (Form WH510): This contract does require the contractor to be registered with the US Department of Labor as a Farm Labor Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a current Form WH510 or legible copy. Worker's Compensation Insurance: The Contractor shall provide evidence of Worker's Compensation Insurance or a written explanation as to why the Contractor is exempt from the requirement. NOTE: The Contractor working alone is not required to carry the insurance. Camping and Housing Camping is not permitted in US Forest Service campgrounds. Contractor will be permitted to camp elsewhere on US Forest Service land. Camping on Forest Service land is not a right; permission may be revoked for failure to comply with the terms of the permit (See also Section H, Camping Permit Compliance). Technical Requirements Definitions All Green Vegetation: Living vegetation plus but not limited to woody shrubs, grasses and ferns Bucking: Cutting the bole to specified lengths. Co-dominant Tree: A tree with the crown forming the general level of the crown cover (similar in height with other surrounding residual trees) and receiving full light from above, but comparatively little from the sides Competing Vegetation: Refers to any of several woody shrubs and hardwoods with broad leaves that are potential competitors for established residual leave trees that may be encountered in this contract. Crop Tree: A tree without excessive mechanical damage or phonotypical defects, having limited or no insect or disease infestation and which has a live crown ratio of greater than 30%. Normally a live residual tree less than 8" that is considered high quality that is to be retained under the tree quality considerations. Damaged Trees: Any injury or damage caused by the contractor's performance of work exposing the cambium (i.e. the bole, cut limbs in the upper 50% of the tree, cut tops) and/or any conifer buried or partially buried by soil, rock, humus, litter, or slash in the top 50% of the crown of the tree caused by the contractor's performance of work. Potential leave trees, which are uprooted, are also considered damaged trees. DBH: Diameter at Breast Height (4 - feet). DRC: Diameter at Root Collar Dominant Tree: A tree with the crown that is above the level of other trees within the stand, which receives full light from above and partial light from the sides Down Woody Material: Any piece(s) of dead woody material, including freshly cut material, dead boles, limbs, and large root masses, on the ground. Hardwood: A tree with broad leaves rather than needles (e. g., oak, aspen, dogwood) Large Down Woody Material: Any log 10 feet long and 18 inches diameter at the material's midpoint, regardless of its state of decomposition. Live Crown Ratio: The proportion of live foliage length to total tree height PAL: Project Activity Level. Scientifically based "decision support system" used to regulate industrial and contractual activities on national forest lands. PAL is designed to reduce the risk of large damaging wildfires. The system is fire danger and climatologically based. Replaces the Sale Activity Level as the standard for when specified activities can occur. Residual/Leave Tree: Any live tree that is to be retained after stand treatment. Residual/Leave trees should be the best formed, largest, healthiest and more vigorous trees in the stand. Slash: The residue left on the ground after logging or other human activities or accumulating as a result of natural processes. Snag: A standing dead tree at least 15" DBH and 20 feet tall. Suppressed Tree: Any tree with less than 30% of its total height in live green crown or with less than 3 inches of current leader growth Technical Specifications: Standards and Guidelines Equipment Specification Standards (Grapple and Mastication): - Be tracked. - Have a boom capable of reaching 15 feet out from the machine. - Capable of working on slopes up to 45 percent. - Not have a ground pressure exceeding 8 pounds per square inch. - Capable of operating within 16 foot spacing without damage to leave trees. Covering of Grapple Piles - All grapple piles shall be covered with a durable waterproof covering as approved by the Forest Service. The material shall be at least six feet in width. Piles shall not be less than fifty percent covered, with the covering extending not less than half way down all sides. Pieces of burnable material shall be placed on top of the durable waterproof covering to keep the covering from blowing off the pile. Bid Item 1 - Grapple Pile (14 Acres) Treatment units dominated by manzanita, ceanothus species, ribes species, Scouler's willow, pine mat manzanita, conifer seedlings and scattered conifer saplings. - Grapple pile trees ? 4.5' in height up to 2.0 inches DBH and brush/competing vegetation. - Machinery shall work adjacent and reach into equipment exclusion zones with extendable boom and grapple material within reach to specifications. No piling shall occur within exclusion zones. All grappled material must be removed from and piled outside of the exclusion zone. Unit Acres 85D 4 85E 4 85F 3 85G 3 1. Grapple pile trees ?4.5' in height up to 2.0" DBH to a residual spacing of 16'X16'. Use all trees ?4.5 feet in height towards spacing. Do not grapple sugar pine/western white pine unless infected with white pine blister rust. a. Leave trees shall generally be the tallest, healthiest and more vigorous trees free of damage due to insects, disease, physical and mechanical causes. b. Species preferred to retain are sugar pine/western white pine > Jeffrey pine > ponderosa pine >Douglas-fir > red fir >incense cedar> white fir. c. Grapple pile all trees 4.5' in height to 2.0" DBH with a dead top. 2. All brush with a DRC of 1.0 inch and greater shall be uprooted below the root collar and piled with the exception of brush occurring within 1 foot of leave trees ?4.5' feet in height and areas designated by the COR as not to be treated. 3. Piling shall be accomplished with minimal disturbance to top soil and duff. Brush shall be free of dirt. 4. Grapple piles shall be compact and constructed to promote complete and efficient combustion. 5. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning and shall be constructed a minimum of 20 feet from trees ?4.5' in height where feasible or where burning will minimize damage to aforementioned trees. 6. Piles shall be of a height equal to or greater than their width (approximately 15 feet maximum height and 20 feet maximum in diameter). Material may not extend more than 3 feet outside main pile. 7. Material extending three feet or more outside the edge of a pile shall be trimmed. 8. Mechanically created piles shall be placed a minimum of 30 feet apart whenever possible. 9. No piles are to be located on the running surface of roads, road cut-banks, road drainage ditches, sensitive wet areas, or within equipment exclusion zones associated with Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) and Streamside Management Zones (SMZs). 10. Trees < 2 inches DBH may be grappled and piled to facilitate pile construction. 11. Brush shall be removed to attain a residual level of brush 2 feet in height or with a root collar 1 inch in diameter and greater that is <10%. Bid Item 2 - Mastication (86 Acres) Unit Acres Unit Acres 62A 10 62F 25 62B 1.5 65B 30.5 62C 3.5 62D 12 62E 3.5 - Grind or masticate sapling and pole size conifer trees and snags up to 8.0 inches DBH. - After mastication, stump heights shall be no more than 6 inches high as measured on the uphill side or 6 inches above natural obstacles (e.g. logs, rocks). - Mechanical vegetation treatment shall not occur on restricted slopes above 45% or designated by contract or COR. - Machinery shall work adjacent and reach into exclusion zones with extendable boom and masticate material within reach to specifications. Selection of Leave Trees The contractor shall select the trees to leave. Leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest stems that are free of damage due to insects, disease, physical, or mechanical causes. If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, trees with minor damage may be left. 1. Leave all conifers and hardwoods greater than 8.0 inches DBH. 2. Select leave trees from healthy undamaged conifers and hardwoods under specified maximum 8.0 inch DBH cut limit as necessary to achieve average spacing of 20' X 20' feet. Spacing may be varied up to 25 percent (15' - 25') to select the most desirable tree. However, spacing control using the original guides shall be maintained whenever possible. All residual conifers regardless of size or hardwoods > 2" DBH shall be used toward spacing. 3. If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, leave tree with minor damage. 4. If no healthy tree with minor damage exists, leave tree with no sign of disease (e.g. mistletoe, white pine blister rust). 5. Species preferred to retain are sugar pine/western white pine > jeffrey pine/ponderosa pine > douglas-fir > red fir > incense cedar > white fir. 6. No hardwoods shall be masticated. 7. No sugar pine shall be masticated unless infected with white pine blister rust. 8. Leave all trees regardless of size with sign of wildlife habitation or use, signed with wildlife, superior tree, or are given special designation through identified tagging. 9. Do not cut any unit boundary tree (white paint). Selection of Cut Trees Cut or masticate all trees up to 8.0 inches DBH that are diseased, crooked, forked, damaged, or suppressed with the exception of trees occurring within 1 foot of leave trees or residual snags. The Contractor shall select cut trees using the following priorities: 1. Diseased Trees - a. All trees up to 4.9" DBH that are infected with dwarf mistletoe. b. All trees between 5.0" DBH and the maximum DBH of 8.0" with dwarf mistletoe infection ratings of 3-6 (See Section J). c. All sugar pine infected with white pine blister rust. 2. Crooked Trees - Sharp crooks in the main bole which are less than 13 feet from the ground and offset more than 3 inches from the longitudinal axis 3. Forked Trees - One or more forks in the live crown, or old dead or broken-out tops of the bole within 13 feet of the ground 4. Damaged Trees - Any tree up to 8.0" DBH with a broken or dead top. Any tree greater than 4 feet tall with one or more of the following injuries: a. Any true fir that has any bark removed from the bole regardless of the amount b. Any species other than true fir that has more than 25% of the circumference of the bark cut to the cambium or removed, or more than 3 openings of any size to cambium occurring during pruning treatment c. Any tree that has greater than 25% of the live limbs or branches broken or removed by this thinning operation Treatment of Competing Vegetation All brush within the work area shall be masticated with the exception of brush occurring within 1 foot of leave trees, snags, or leave logs, and areas designated by the C.O.R. as not to be treated. All brush treated shall be cut within 6 inches of the ground or 6 inches of obstacles (e.g. rocks, down logs) and shall lie within 18 inches of the ground. Avoid masticating pine mat manzanita (generally < 6" in height) when possible. Treatment of Slash and Other Vegetative Debris Except for leave logs described below, slash and other vegetative debris shall meet the following specifications when greater than one foot from any leave log, crop tree, hardwood, or leave snag: 1. All activity created slash (boles or pieces) up to 8.0 inches in diameter shall be masticated. 2. No masticated or cut material shall lean against or be suspended by a leave crop tree. 3. No slash or vegetative debris shall be more than 18 inches deep as measured from the ground level. Treatment of Snags All snags over 8.0 inches in DBH which do not create a hazard to performing work shall be saved. Snags over 8.0 inches DBH creating a hazard to performing work will be masticated only upon approval of the COR. All snags less than 8.0 inches DBH shall be masticated. Treatment of Logs Do not masticate or otherwise damage any down logs greater than 15 inches diameter. Brush or slash occurring within 1 foot of these leave logs may be left untreated. Bid Item 3 - Hand Thin with Grapple Pile (102 acres) Unit Acres 61 28 83 2 83A 6 85 3 85H 3 85J 22 58A 38 - Hand thin trees up to 10.9 inches DBH except those selected as leave trees. Trees less than 2 inches DBH and 6 feet in height may be grappled and piled versus hand cut. All trees 2 inches DBH and greater must be hand cut prior to grapple piling. Selection of Leave Trees The contractor shall select the trees to leave. Leave trees shall generally be those of the tallest height, largest crown, and straightest stems that are free of structural defects (crooks, forks, dead tops, branch brooms, exposed cambium, etc), damage due to insects (bark beetles, defoliators, etc), disease (blister rust, dwarf mistletoe, etc) or mechanical causes. If no healthy undamaged tree exists at the required spacing interval, trees with minor damage may be left. Residual trees shall not be damaged. 1. No aspen, cottonwood, sugar pine/western white pine (SP/WWP) or California black oak shall be cut. Sugar pine or western white pine will be cut if evidence of white pine blister rust exists. 2. Thin conifers trees 2' tall to 10.9" DBH to an average spacing (distance from bole to bole) of 25'X 25'. Spacing may be varied up to 15'-35' to leave the most desirable trees and clumpy appearance. However, spacing control using the original guides shall be maintained whenever possible. 3. Residual/leave tree spacing is measured off all conifers regardless of size and hardwoods > 3" DBH. 4. Buck material to a length not to exceed 6 feet. 5. Cut trees shall have stump heights <6". All live limbs below the cutting point shall be severed flush with the stump. 6. No felled material shall lean against or be suspended by a leave tree. Leave Tree Priorities The contractor shall select leave trees in the following order: 1. Free from insect, disease, or mechanical damage. 2. Healthiest crown/greatest needle retention. 3. Tallest tree. 4. Straightest stem. 5. Preferred leave species: 1. Sugar pine/western white pine (5 needle pines)/California black oak 2. Ponderosa pine/Jeffrey pine 3. Douglas-fir 4. Red fir 5. Incense cedar 6. White fir Leave all trees with sign of active wildlife habitation or use (cavity nests, branch nests, etc.) or are signed with wildlife, superior tree, or are given special designation through identified tagging. Cut Tree Priorities The following trees shall be cut regardless of spacing: 1. All trees between 2 foot tall and 4.9" DBH that are infected with dwarf mistletoe. 2. All trees between 5.0" DBH and the maximum DBH of 10.9" with dwarf mistletoe infection ratings of 3-6 (see Section J). 3. All trees up to the maximum DBH of 10.9" which have be severly defoliated. 4. Any conifer, including SP/WWP, up to 10.9" DBH with a broken or dead top. 5. All dead trees up to 11.0" dbh unless they exhibit signs of active wildlife habitation. Snags over 11.0 inches DBH creating a hazard to performing work will be cut only upon approval of the COR. 6. All SP/WWP with white pine blister rust. Competing Vegetation All brush 1.0" DRC and greater or 2.0 feet in height and greater shall be uprooted, by machine, below the root collar and piled with the exception of brush occurring within 1 foot of leave trees, snags, leave logs and areas designated by the COR as not to be treated. Machinery shall work adjacent to and reach into equipment exclusion zones with extendable boom and grapple competing vegetation and pile outside of exclusion zone. Grapple Piling - All activity created slash, uprooted brush and down woody material 3" diameter on the small end to 15" diameter on the large end and <10 feet in length shall be grapple piled. 1. Piling shall be accomplished with minimal disturbance to top soil and duff. Brush shall be free of dirt. 2. Grapple piles shall be compact and constructed to promote complete and efficient combustion. 3. Do not grapple pile or otherwise damage any down logs greater than 15" diameter on the small end. Brush or slash occurring within 1' of these leave logs may be left untreated. 4. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning and shall be constructed in areas where burning will not cause damage to the crowns or stems of residual trees. Where feasible piles should be a minimum of at least 25 feet from the drip line of residual trees. 5. Piles shall be of a height equal to or greater than their width (approximately 15 feet maximum height and 20 feet maximum in diameter). Log material may not extend more than 3 feet outside main pile. 6. Material extending three feet or more outside the edge of a pile shall be trimmed. 7. Mechanically created piles shall be placed a minimum of 40 feet apart whenever possible. 8. No piles are to be located on the running surface of roads, road cut-banks, road drainage ditches, sensitive wet areas, within equipment exclusion zones of Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) and Streamside Management Zones (SMZs), or on down logs not to be piled. 9. If piles cannot be located to meet residual tree damage restrictions or locations, upon the Contractor's request, the COR may designate locations for the contractor. Protective Mitigations Site Specific Protection Measures: Maps identifying these features will be made available to the Contractor prior to any starting any work. Historic Control Area Protection Measures: Boundaries are designated with red/black stripe flagging (may fade to orange/black after time). Sites may have 3"x4" tags with (CA) written on them. All sites will be avoided by all project operations. Botanical Resource Protection: Boundaries are designated a combination of blue/black and red/black striped flagging with a red circular tag. All sites will be avoided by all project operations. All off-road equipment will be washed prior to entering the Forest in accordance with the USFS protocol to prevent the unintentional spread of noxious weeds. Staging of equipment will be done in weed free areas. Also, equipment operating in areas known to be infested with noxious weeds will be washed prior to leaving the infested area. If new occurrences of noxious weeds are identified during treatment implementation, equipment used will be washed prior to leaving an infested area. Cave Resource Protection Measures: MINING CLAIMS - Protect monuments and improvements in contract area. Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCA)/Streamside Management Zones (SMZs): Equipment Exclusion Zones: Mechanical equipment will be excluded from the following areas: - Fish-Bearing Streams - There are no fish bearing streams that affect operations within these contract units. - Perennial Streams- will have a 150 foot RHCA with an interior 50 foot no equipment exclusion zone. - Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams - show a definite stream channel with scour and deposition. Shall have a 100 foot RHCA with 25 foot interior equipment exclusion zone. - Stream Management Zones - shall have a 50 foot RHCA with have a 25 foot interior equipment exclusion zone. Equipment exclusion zones shall be delineated with blue and white stripe flagging. Wildlife Resource Protection: Trees with nests or other active wildlife habitation or use will be retained. Nest boxes, guzzlers, and cattle fences are known to exist in the contract area in units 18, 18D, 26A, 28, and 34A, and will not be damaged or removed during operations. Contractor-Furnished Equipment and Supplies 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. Government-Furnished Property GIS unit shape-files will be provided at the request of the Contractor. Public Safety If tree falling or mastication work is being done within 300 feet of the designated road system, then signs warning travelers must be posted on the ingress and egress of the work area Warning signs shall be posted and visible from all directions at the edges of work units along roads while working to alert oncoming traffic of the safety hazards associated with this operation. Salvage Rights None. Road Maintenance Designated access routes require no road maintenance by the Contractor. All roads shown on contract maps shall be left in the original condition existing prior to the commencement of work on this contract. Any water bars in skid trails disturbed by the Contractor's operations shall be restored to the condition prior to damage, at the Contractor's expense. Slash may not be left in the roadways, as this would pose a hazard to damaging vehicles. Work Methods and Standards The contract crew(s) shall work through each unit in an organized fashion, and complete all required work in each unit before beginning work in another unit. All work areas within the boundaries shall be treated except protected areas designated with pink and black checkered or blue & white stream course protection flagging. Land survey corner monuments, bearing trees, and witness markers shall be protected from damage. Damage to roads, culverts, fences, land survey monuments or other improvements caused by this operation shall be restored to their condition prior to damage at the Contractor's expense. The entire work area shall be treated unless specific portions are exempted in writing or designated on the ground by the Contracting Officer's Representative. Exempt areas (larger than 1/2 acre) shall not qualify for payment. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address (es): https://acquisition.gov/far/ FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES 52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996) Quality Control Plan - The Contractor shall conduct inspections on all units in accordance with his/her Quality Control Plan (QCP). The Contractor's Quality Control Plan shall be submitted and accepted by the Government prior to any work starting. Government Inspections Government inspections are for the purpose of satisfying the Government that the services are acceptable and do not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for maintaining quality control. The Contracting Officer's Representative or designated inspector will conduct all inspections. The Contractor (or designated representative) is encouraged to be present to observe inspections. Summary results will be made available on request. Compliance Inspections. Visual compliance inspections will be made on a periodic basis. Such inspections are not final and do not constitute acceptance by the Government. Final Inspections. Final (formal) inspections for payment will be made on completed sub-items only. Contractor shall request final inspections in writing and give the Forest Service at least two working days advanced notice. Inspections will be completed within four working days after the notice is received If the work is not ready for inspection at the time specified by the Contractor, the cost associated with the inspection attempt may be charged to the Contractor. Disputed Inspection. The Contractor may request re-inspection without rework if the results are unacceptable. Re-inspection must be requested in writing within 48 hours after receiving written notice of the inspection results. Re-inspection will be accomplished within five working days after receipt of the contractor's written request. ...