F -- Snag Creation

This contract involves services for creating snags from live Douglas-fir trees through specific methods including blasting tree crowns with explosives and girdling tree boles at breast height, along with related tasks. The contractor must provide all necessary labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, blasting materials, tree climbing, and communication equipment needed for the work. Snag creation will be carried out by three methods: complete top removal by blasting leaving few or no live limbs, partial top removal by blasting with 40-60% of the live crown remaining, and girdling the tree bole near breast height. Trees to be treated must have entire crowns removed at a minimum height of 70 feet, with attention to the percentage of live crown remaining based on the treatment prescription. Stability of trees after treatment is essential, ensuring no unstable tops remain, and all tree tops must be on the ground to meet completion and payment criteria. The contract is a total small business set-aside under the NAICS code 115310, issued by the Umpqua National Forest under the USDA. It was publicly posted in June 2006 and is managed through a sources-sought solicitation process to gather potential contractors interested in providing these specialized forestry services. The office responsible is located in Roseburg, Oregon, with K. Joel Bone as the point of contact for further information. The contract emphasizes safety, precision in treatment methods, and thorough completion requirements to ensure proper snag creation in support of forest management objectives.