Dave Wood DxP IRSC

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for "Dave Wood Thinning Stewardship IRSC" services on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest. The primary objectives are to increase forest health and vigor, and reduce hazardous fuels to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfire within the Wildland Urban Interface. The contract will be a commercial services contract with requirements for timber removal.

Mandatory Work Activities include:

• Cutting, skidding, and decking designated timber (135 acres)
• Slash treatment (135 acres)
• Road maintenance (6.1 miles)

Optional Work Activities include:

• Cutting, skidding, and decking designated timber (47 acres)
• Slash treatment (47 acres)
• Timber Subject to Agreement Product Removal (178 CCF)

Specific work includes thinning ponderosa pine plantations to an average spacing of 16x16 feet, with a residual stand basal area of 70-90 sq ft per acre. No trees greater than 12" DBH shall be cut unless evidence of beetles or mistletoe is present. Mechanically cutting and skidding trees to landings, and mechanically masticating or chipping slash are required. Timber removal will be subject to agreement price schedule.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: From Date of Award through June 16, 2027

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is required for all items.

• Proposals are due by 06/12/2026 at 1400 MDT.

• Technical proposals and price proposals must be submitted separately via email to chad.bullock@usda.gov.

• Proposals must be valid for 60 days after receipt.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Approach (most important), Relevant Past Performance, and Utilization of Local Work Forces/Benefit to Local Community. Cost/Price will be considered, with its importance increasing if technical proposals are equal.

• A site visit/pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Dave Wood Interpretive Trail Parking Area.

• The acquisition is set aside 100% for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 113310 (Timber Tract and Forest Nurseries)

• Size Standard: 500 employees

• The contract is being executed under stewardship contracting authority.

• Payment for land management activities will be made in Stewardship Credits and Appropriated Funds.

• Several FAR clauses are incorporated by reference, including those related to Service Contract Labor Standards, small business concerns, and fire precautions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a "Dave Wood DXP IRSC" project, also known as the Rocky Mountain Restoration Project (RMRP) Stewardship BPA, located in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest. The primary objective is to increase forest health and vigor and reduce hazardous fuels to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfire within the Wildland Urban Interface. The contract will involve timber removal and associated land management activities.

Mandatory Work Items:

• Cut, Skid, and Deck Designated Timber (135 Acres)
• Slash Treatment (135 Acres)
• Road Maintenance (6.1 Miles)

Optional Work Items:

• Cut, Skid, and Deck Designated Timber (47 Acres)
• Slash Treatment (47 Acres)
• Timber Subject to Agreement Product Removal (178 CCF)

Timber Subject to Agreement (TSA) Price Schedule:

• Ponderosa Pine and Other Sawtimber (64 CCF @ $1.00/CCF)
• Ponderosa Pine and Other Non-Sawtimber (63 CCF @ $0.25/CCF)

Key Specifications:

• Thinning from below in ponderosa pine plantation to an average spacing of 16x16 feet.

• Basal area of residual stand should average 70-90 sq ft/acre with an irregular pattern.

• No trees greater than 12" DBH to be cut unless exhibiting signs of beetles or mistletoe.

• Mechanical cutting, skidding, decking, and mastication/chipping of slash.

• Operations must adhere to specific protection measures for plants, animals, cultural resources, and cave resources, as well as protection of improvements and streamcourses.

• Fire precautions and control measures are critical, including a fire plan and adherence to a fire period (April 1 - October 31).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: From Date of Award through June 16, 2027.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but payment will be made in Stewardship Credits and Appropriated Funds.

• Proposal Submission: Technical and price proposals must be submitted separately via email to chad.bullock@usda.gov. Do not mail hard copy documents.

• Offer Due Date: June 12, 2026, 1400 MDT.

• Proposal Validity: 60 days from receipt.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. Technical factors (Technical Approach, Relevant Past Performance, Benefit to Local Community) are considered more important than cost or price, with Technical Approach being the most important.

• Site Visit/Pre-Proposal Conference: Scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Dave Wood Interpretive Trail Parking Area. Questions due by May 15th, 2026.

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 113310 (Timber Tracts), Size Standard: 500 employees.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference. Full text is available at acquisition.gov.

• A post-award conference is required within 10 days of contract award.

• Key personnel requirements are outlined, including an Overall Project Manager and Logging Supervisor.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To increase forest health and vigor, and reduce hazardous fuels to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfire within the Wildland Urban Interface.

This document outlines technical specifications for service work items, including:

• Mandatory Item 1: Cut, Skid, and Deck Designated Timber:

  • Thinning ponderosa pine trees (5"-12" diameter) to an average spacing of 16x16 feet, retaining healthy trees.
  • Trees greater than 12" DBH are only to be cut if exhibiting signs of beetles or mistletoe.
  • Cut trees are to be mechanically skidded to landings, cleanly limbed, and decked to a maximum height of 6 feet.
  • Stumps must be flush cut with the ground.
  • Deck locations must be at least 15 feet from physical improvements, trails, and riparian areas.
  • Applies to Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (135 Acres).

• Mandatory Item 2: Slash Treatment:

  • Masticate all activity fuels less than 5" diameter evenly across stands, leaving a chip bed depth of no more than 4".
  • Alternatively, whole trees can be skidded to landings for chipping and biomass removal.
  • Slash created on roads or trails must be removed daily.
  • Applies to Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (135 Acres).

• Mandatory Item 3: Road Maintenance:

  • Refer to Appendix C for specific requirements.

• Optional Item 4: Cut, Skid, and Deck Designated Timber:

  • Similar specifications as Mandatory Item 1, but for Units 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 (47 Acres).

• Optional Item 5: Slash Treatment:

  • Similar specifications as Mandatory Item 2, but for Units 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 (47 Acres).

• Optional Item 6: Product Removal of Decked Material:

  • Removal of designated ponderosa pine trees (5.0 – 12.0 inches DBH) from specified units.

Work is to be performed within the GMUG National Forest. Specific dates for operations are subject to restrictions, including fire risk, winter recreation, and active raptor nest seasons. Operations are prohibited from December 1 – March 31 for winter recreation unless otherwise agreed.

• Control of Work: Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws is required. Operations may be restricted or ceased due to fire risk, winter recreation disruption, active raptor nests, soil moisture, snow depth, or discovery of cultural/archeological sites.
• Inspection and Acceptance: Work will be inspected daily and formally through verification plots. Minimum Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) are 90% for timber cutting/skidding/decking and mastication, and 100% for road maintenance. Payment is contingent on meeting these AQLs, with provisions for rework and reinspection.
• Definitions: The document includes definitions for various terms related to timber, slash, and work quality assessment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix B - Scaled, provides the "Stewardship Contract - Timber Removal Specifications" for the Dave Wood DxP IRSC, GMUG National Forest. It details the technical specifications and conditions for timber removal under the contract.

• Contract Area and Timber Specifications: Defines the contract area, including maps and claims, and specifies timber types (standard, substandard, damaged, construction, etc.) and their utilization and removal standards.
• Rates of Payment and Payments: Outlines current contract rates, other payment rates, and the process for payments, including integrated resource accounts and deposits.
• Transportation Facilities and Operations: Details requirements for constructing and using roads, safety protocols, prevention of oil discharges, and hazardous substance reporting.
• Scaling and Accountability: Describes the procedures for scaling timber, including scaling services, locations, adjustments, and product identification and accountability.
• Other Conditions: Covers title and liability, modifications for catastrophe, and sale of other materials.
• Specific Clauses: Includes various contract clauses (e.g., C2.11#, C2.301#, C2.355#, C5.12#, C6.312#, C6.333#, C6.36#, C6.411#, C6.42#, C6.6#, C6.601#, C6.825#, C6.83#, C8.66#) related to timber subject to agreement, cutting unit boundaries, designation by prescription, road use, operation restrictions, safety, acceptance of work, felling/bucking, skidding/yarding, erosion control, scaling, and product accountability.

This appendix is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the specific technical requirements, operational procedures, payment terms, and conditions for timber removal. Understanding these specifications is essential for accurately estimating costs, planning operations, and ensuring compliance with the contract's terms and conditions.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the road maintenance requirements for the contractor, specifying tasks to be performed before, during, and after hauling operations.

• Pre-Haul, During Haul, and Post-Haul Maintenance: The contractor is responsible for all road maintenance activities during these phases.

• Specific Roads: Maintenance is required on NFSR 510, NFSR 536, and NFSR 510.3C, with specified termini and mileages.

• Maintenance Tasks: Includes activities detailed in various "T-Specifications" such as:

  • T-800: Definitions
  • T-801: Slide and Slump Repair
  • T-802: Ditch Cleaning
  • T-803: Surface Blading (maintaining crown, inslope, outslope, turnouts, shoulders, berms, intersections, removing large rocks, cleaning bridge decks and drainage dips)
  • T-804: Surfacing Repair
  • T-805: Drainage Structures (clearing foreign material and vegetation, maintaining head walls, aprons, riprap, trash racks, etc.)
  • T-806: Dust Abatement
  • T-807: Roadway Vegetation (cutting brush and trees impeding travel or maintenance, decking timber, trimming limbs)
  • T-808: Miscellaneous Structures
  • T-809: Waterbars
  • T-810: Barriers
  • T-811: Surface Treatment

• No Compensation: Road maintenance performed before, during, and after haul will not be compensated by the Forest Service.

• Slide and Slump Limit: Contractor's responsibility for slide and slump repair is limited to a maximum of 20 cubic yards.

• Material Handling: Specific requirements for handling displaced surface material, oversized rocks, and vegetative matter.

• The document specifies maintenance for National Forest Service Roads (NFSR) within the GMUG National Forest.

• The period of performance is tied to the contractor's hauling operations.

• No Compensation: All road maintenance is considered a contractor responsibility without direct compensation.

• Agreement: Maintenance projects require mutually acceptable methods to resolve issues arising from incompatible situations between drawings, specifications, and ground conditions.

• Material Use: Material generated from certain maintenance activities may be blended with surface material, with specific rules for native vs. aggregate surfaced roads.

• Disposal: Removed material not incorporated into maintenance must be hauled to a Forest Service-designated disposal site. Sidecasting into streams or water courses is prohibited.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Contract Area Map for the Davewood DxP IRSC project located within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Ouray Ranger District. It visually delineates the contract area, cutting units, roads, trails, and other relevant geographical features.

• Contract Area Boundary: Outlines the overall project limits.
• Cutting Unit Numbers: Identifies specific areas designated for work (e.g., Units 1-15).
• Roads: Differentiates between existing roads and restricted-use roads.
• Trails: Indicates hiking trails and non-motorized groomed/Nordic trails.
• Protected Streamcourses: Highlights sensitive water features.
• Other Features: Includes Private Land boundaries, fences, gates, and cattle guards.
• Vicinity Map: Provides a broader geographical context.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical scope and location of the work. It helps in assessing logistical challenges, identifying access routes, and understanding environmental considerations related to the contract area. Bidders should use this map in conjunction with other solicitation documents to fully grasp the project's requirements and operational environment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Fire Prevention and Control Plan required for the contract. Its purpose is to detail the contractor's responsibilities for fire prevention and suppression, implement contract clauses related to fire safety, and establish procedures for responding to fires.

• Action Plan: Includes implementing fire precautions, extinguishing unauthorized fires, and notifying the Government of any fires.
• Reporting: Specifies reporting all fires to Montrose Interagency Dispatch (970-249-1010) and then contacting the Contracting Officer (Keith Brugger, 307-321-3901 cell) and COR Representative.
• Key Personnel: A table for listing contractor representatives responsible for fire control action, their positions, and phone numbers.
• Resources: Fields to indicate the number of available contractor personnel (Woods Crew, Mill Crew) and contractor equipment.
• Effectiveness: States the plan is effective through a specified date unless extended.

Bidders should review this plan to understand the fire safety and control requirements associated with the contract. It details critical contact information, reporting procedures, and personnel/equipment resources that may be necessary for contract performance. The plan itself does not change contract conditions but outlines operational procedures.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-5435, Revision No. 30) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act for a specific geographic area.

• Geographic Area: Colorado Counties of Archuleta, Chaffee, Delta, Dolores, Fremont, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job classifications (e.g., Accounting Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Automotive Worker, Electrician, Nurse, Technician) with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits mentioned include:
  • Health & Welfare: $5.55 per hour (or $222.00/week or $962.00/month).
  • Health & Welfare (EO 13706): $5.09 per hour (or $203.60/week or $882.27/month).
  • Vacation: 2-4 weeks paid vacation based on years of service.
  • Holidays: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (minimum wage rate for federal contractors).
• Footnotes: Explains specific conditions for certain occupations, such as Computer Employees (exemptions and conformance requirements) and Air Traffic Controllers/Weather Observers (night pay and Sunday pay differentials).
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Details an 8% differential for ordnance/explosives work and a 4% differential for lower-hazard ordnance work.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms, including reimbursement for cleaning costs ($3.35/week).
• Conformance Process: Describes the procedure for establishing wage rates for classifications not listed in the determination.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services in the specified geographic area. It directly impacts the pricing of proposals by defining the required wages and fringe benefits for various job roles. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor rates meet or exceed these minimums to comply with the Service Contract Act.