Leroux East Stewardship IRSC- Region 3- Southwest Stewardship BPA- Coconino NF, Flagstaff RD

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions and answers from a site visit meeting for the Leroux East Stewardship IRSC opportunity.

• Geo-referenced Map: A geo-referenced .pdf map is available as part of the contract package.
• Bid Responsiveness: All bid items must have a bid rate to be considered responsive.
• Timber Valuation: Bid items 1A and 2A represent logger costs including profit, while 1B and 2B represent the value of delivered logs. The net value (1A minus 1B) is used to determine the cost per acre.
• Negative Timber Value: If the mill value for timber is negative, this should be accounted for in costs, and a minimum offer must still be submitted in the Removal Schedule.
• Machine Piles: "Machine Pile" on maps indicates areas for landings to keep landings clean; these piles must be removed, not burned.
• Road Patching: Holes on the highway must be patched before and after hauling.
• Pruning: Removal of pruned limbs is required, though alternate ideas are welcome if proposed.
• MSO Impact: Operations are planned around units not impacted by MSO (Wildlife restrictions). Timing restrictions do not apply to hauling on Snow Bowl Rd. Wildlife staff are surveying to determine if restrictions can be lifted sooner.
• Culvert Installation: Culverts must be installed before work begins and removed after completion to protect resources.
• Slash Measurement: Slash is measured in acres locally for payment, as it is easier to account for than tons.
• Seeding: Seeding is required only in areas impacted by operations (e.g., woods equipment), not by over-the-road trucks.
• Hot Shot Ranch: This area is an option, not a requirement. Work is expected to be completed by November 15, 2026.
• Dead and Down Removal: Mandatory in some units (Item 1, Item 6) and optional in others. Smaller debris (<6" diameter, <8ft logs) may be removed but is not required.
• Contract Administration: The contract will be administered by a USFS Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO), with a Government Technical Monitor (GTM).

This document provides clarifications that bidders should consider when preparing their proposals, particularly regarding cost estimation, material handling, operational timing, and specific requirements for timber removal and site restoration.

Amendment / Modification

• Amendment 001 has been issued.

• This amendment adds site visit notes and the attendance list from the site visit conducted on 04/23/2026.

• The description of the amendment/modification in Item 14 has been updated to include the added site visit information.

• The document does not indicate any changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors. It only adds information from a prior site visit.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services, specifically for the Leroux East Stewardship IRSC Project. The project aims to reduce fuel loading and support landscape-level forest restoration and fuels reduction on National Forest System lands in Northern Arizona. Services include cutting and removal of timber, Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), Down Woody Debris Treatment, snag tree removal, pruning, road maintenance, and slash removal.

• Mandatory Work Activities:

  • Treatment of Stands (includes timber removal, TSI, DWD, snag treatments)
  • Cut and Remove Included Timber and TSI
  • Remove All Activity Slash from Forest Service Lands
  • Specified Road Work

• Optional Work Activities:

  • Remove Hand Piles
  • Down Woody Debris Removal
  • Snag Cut and Removal
  • Ponderosa Pine Pruning

• Timber/Product Removal: Includes Sawtimber, NonSaw Timber, and POL (Products of Logging).

• Performance Standards: Work must be performed in accordance with Project Description and Work Specifications. Specific details are in Appendix A (Service Work Items), Appendix B (Timber Removal), Appendix C (Road Maintenance), and Appendix D (Specified Road Work).

• Contract Type: Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) resulting from this solicitation.

• Period of Performance: From date of award through November 15, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but simplified acquisition procedures are being used.

• Proposal Submission: Submit technical and price proposals as separate documents via email to Ingrid Anderson and Joshua Bahling by 05/18/2026, 4:00 PM MT.

• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on Technical Approach, Relevant Past Performance, and Utilization of Local Work Forces/Benefit to Local Community. Technical Approach is the most important factor.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Offer Due Date: 05/18/2026, 4:00 PM MT
  • Site Visit: Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, 11:00 AM local time.
  • Commencement of Work: Within 30 calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed.
  • Completion of Work: No later than 11/15/2026.

• Set-Aside: Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 113310 - Logging (500 Employees Size Standard).

• Registration: Offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Proposals must be valid for 60 days.

• Specific environmental restrictions (e.g., Mexican Spotted Owl) and operational schedules are detailed.

• Offerors must include specific information on their technical approach, past performance, and local community benefits.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "APPENDIX B - TREE MEASUREMENT," provides detailed specifications and conditions for timber removal under a stewardship contract. It outlines the technical requirements for measuring, felling, bucking, skidding, yarding, and processing timber, as well as operational and environmental considerations.

• Timber Specifications: Defines included timber, utilization standards, and designations (clearcutting, overstory/understory removal, individual trees).
• Volume Estimate: Provides estimated quantities of timber by species and product, along with minimum specifications for merchantable trees.
• Rates of Payment: Outlines current contract rates and other payment rates for timber.
• Operations: Details requirements for control of operations, safety, prevention of oil discharges, conduct of logging (felling, bucking, skidding, yarding), erosion control, and slash disposal.
• Roads: Specifies requirements for temporary roads and landings, including scarification and maintenance.
• Product Identification: Details methods for marking timber products (hammer brand, paint spots) for tracking and processing.
• Fire Precautions: Outlines specific measures for fire prevention, including restrictions on smoking, use of equipment, and requirements for fire tools and guards.
• Other Conditions: Covers title and liability, sale of other materials, and use of timber.

This document is critical for potential bidders as it defines the technical and operational scope of the timber removal work. It details the types of timber to be removed, the required quality and dimensions, the methods for removal, and the associated environmental and safety regulations. Understanding these specifications is essential for accurately estimating costs, planning operations, and determining the feasibility of bidding on the opportunity.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, Appendix C: LEROUX EAST IRSC, provides a detailed Table of Contents for road maintenance specifications and associated drawings. It serves as a reference for understanding the scope and requirements of road maintenance activities within the Leroux East area.

• Road Maintenance Specifications: Outlines various maintenance tasks including vegetation removal, pavement cleaning, road grading, surface repair (bituminous and aggregate/native), ditch maintenance, drainage structure maintenance, and closure devices.
• Road Length Tabulation: Lists specific roads with their maintenance levels and lengths.
• Road Work Descriptions: Details specific maintenance tasks for individual roads, including milepost locations and work descriptions.
• Drawings: Includes typical cross-sections, ditch details, rolling dip details, and earthen barrier details.
• Haul Map: Provides a vicinity and haul map for the Leroux East area.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the detailed requirements and specifications for road maintenance activities. It outlines the types of work, the standards to be met, and the specific locations where maintenance is required. Bidders should review these specifications to accurately estimate costs, resources, and timelines for any related contract opportunities.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, Appendix D, titled "Specified Road Work," serves as a detailed breakdown of the work required for road construction and maintenance within the Leroux East IRSC project. It provides itemized lists, schedules, cost estimates, construction drawings, and supplemental specifications to guide contractors in developing their bids and executing the work.

• Specified Roads List: Details various road work items including embankment construction, culvert installation (18-inch corrugated steel pipe), and roadway obliteration, with quantities specified for different "nodes" (locations).
• Schedule of Items: Lists the pay items with descriptions, methods of measure, quantities, and units.
• Specified Road Cost Estimate: Provides a basis for contractors to develop their estimates.
• Construction Drawings: Visual representations of the road work and related structures.
• Forest Service Supplemental Specifications: Modifications or additions to standard specifications relevant to this project.
• General Notes: Outlines contractor responsibilities, safety requirements, traffic control, and material usage.
• Standard Specifications: References the "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-24 U.S. Customary Units)" and "Forest Service Supplemental Specifications (FSSS)."

This appendix is crucial for bidders as it defines the specific tasks, quantities, and technical requirements for the road work component of the opportunity. It provides the detailed information necessary to accurately estimate costs, understand performance expectations, and prepare a compliant proposal. Bidders must carefully review the itemized lists, quantities per node, and referenced specifications to ensure they can meet all requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Leroux East Stewardship IRSC Contract Area Map" for the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District. It visually delineates the contract area, cutting units, payment units, and various operational zones and restrictions relevant to the stewardship contract.

• Legend: Provides definitions for various map features including:
  • Cutting Unit and Payment Unit Boundaries
  • Special Measures Areas (SMA)
  • Areas of Rare and Sensitive Species, and Non-Native Invasive Species
  • Approved Landings and Staging Areas
  • Protected Improvements (Trails, Utilities, Fences, Cattleguards, Gates)
  • Roads (Existing, Temporary, Prohibited Use, Restricted Hauling)
  • Streamcourse Protection
  • Squirrel Midden locations
• Work Item(s) Table: Lists specific work items associated with cutting units, such as "Cut Tree Mark" and "Leave Tree Marking," along with the corresponding contract clauses (e.g., BT2.35, CT2.356#).
• Payment Unit Acreage: Summarizes the acreage for each payment unit.
• Contractor Slash Responsibilities: Outlines requirements for slash disposal.
• Holiday Restrictions: Specifies periods when operations are not allowed.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical scope and geographical layout of the work. It details the specific areas where timber harvesting and related activities will occur, highlighting any protected resources, access routes, and operational constraints. Bidders must use this map to accurately assess the work involved, plan their operations, and ensure compliance with all specified requirements and restrictions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a supplemental map for the Leroux East Stewardship IRSC (Integrated Resource Service Contract). It provides visual information to assist with project implementation and is not an official contract document. In case of conflict with official contract documents, the official documents govern.

• Map Features: Depicts cutting unit boundaries, treated and untreated skips, staging areas, approved landings, Special Measures Areas (SMA), known areas of non-native invasive species, known areas of rare and sensitive species, wilderness, other ownership, protected improvements (trails, underground/overhead utilities, fences, gates, cattleguards), and temporary/existing roads.
• Legend: Provides definitions for all map symbols and features.
• Table of Work Items: Lists potential work items by Cut Unit and Payment Unit, including acreage, designation (LTM, DXP, CTM), and associated work item numbers. It also indicates whether skips and squirrel middens are present.
• Scale: 1:6,500

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical layout and specific features of the work areas related to the Leroux East Stewardship IRSC. It helps in visualizing the scope of work, identifying potential challenges or protected areas, and planning for site-specific requirements mentioned in the official contract documents.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 1977-0211, Revision No. 78) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor for service contracts related to forestry, land management, and cleaning of public use areas in Arizona.

It lists specific occupations, their corresponding wage rates, and required fringe benefits.

This wage determination establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under covered service contracts in Arizona. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals and ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act. Key details include:

• Occupations and Rates: A list of forestry-related job titles (e.g., Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Forestry Equipment Operator, Tree Planter) with specific hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Health & Welfare benefits are specified ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour under EO 13706).
• Paid Sick Leave: Executive Order 13706 mandates paid sick leave for employees.
• Vacation and Holidays: Details on paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 10 years) and a minimum of eleven paid holidays.
• Uniform Allowance: Guidance on reimbursement for uniform costs if required.
• Conformance Process: Instructions for contractors on how to request classification and wage rates for occupations not listed in this determination.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 1 - Specifications for Embankment, Excavation and Backfill, Culvert Installation, and Soil Requirements," provides detailed technical specifications for various construction activities related to earthwork, including excavation, embankment construction, and culvert installation. It outlines the definitions, materials, construction requirements, testing, and acceptance criteria for these tasks.

• Definitions: Clarifies terms such as roadway excavation, subexcavation, borrow excavation, embankment construction, conserved topsoil, and waste.
• Materials: Specifies requirements for various soil and soil-aggregate materials, including crushed aggregate, geosynthetic material, select borrow, and water for construction.
• Construction Requirements: Details the procedures for preparation, excavation (roadway, subexcavation, borrow), embankment construction, foundation preparation, and compaction. It includes specific methods for handling different material types (rock, earth) and site conditions (slopes, existing surfaces).
• Culverts and Drains: Outlines the work for providing and installing culverts, drains, and precast concrete box culverts, including material specifications, laying procedures, and backfilling requirements.
• Soil Specifications: Provides detailed requirements for soil and soil-aggregate materials, including gradation, classification, and plasticity index for various applications like foundation fill, bedding material, and backfill.
• Testing and Acceptance: References tables and subsections for sampling, testing, and acceptance requirements for materials and construction activities.

This document is crucial for bidders as it defines the technical standards and quality expectations for a significant portion of the construction work. Understanding these specifications is essential for accurately estimating costs, developing construction methodologies, and ensuring compliance during project execution. It directly impacts the scope of work, material sourcing, labor requirements, and quality control processes.

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

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

• Reduce overstory densities by removing select conifers (6-24 inches diameter) and creating canopy gaps.

• Remove included saw timber.

• Reduce understory vegetation (conifers <6 inches diameter) to a specified per-acre density.

• Remove surface fuels (sound logs up to 24 inches diameter) to a specified residual per-acre tonnage.

• Remove standing dead trees (all species, up to 24 inches diameter) to a specified per-acre density.

• Remove hand piles off Forest Service (FS) lands.

• Prune Ponderosa Pine limbs on mistletoe-infected trees.

• Remove all accumulated slash off FS lands.

• Install culverts and create aprons for access to project areas.

• Pad the ASB water line per specifications.

• Cold patch and maintain potholes along Snowbowl Road.

• Specific per-acre densities for vegetation removal and residual material.

• Tonnage limits for surface fuels.

• Requirements for retaining specific numbers and types of trees/snags per acre.

• Minimum acceptable quality levels (AQL) of 95% for all mandatory and optional items.

• Not explicitly stated in this document, but the document is associated with the Leroux East Stewardship IRSC in the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District.

• Landings and temp roads are predetermined; relocation requires agreement. Use of meadows is prohibited unless agreed upon.

• Contractor must coordinate with FS on one-way traffic for egress/ingress.

• A staging area at the base of Snowbowl Road is identified for slash management; specific seeding and slash mat requirements apply if used.

• Slash and material removed from the staging area must be recontoured to resemble the original meadow form and meet erosion-control standards.

• Public safety requires slash removal/relocation to be completed at night, potentially requiring temporary closure of Snowbowl Road.

• Ground-disturbing operations must be limited within 25 feet of identified squirrel middens.

• Specific restrictions apply during Mexican Spotted Owl and Goshawk seasonal breeding periods (March 1 - August 31).

• Contractor must comply with all Federal, State, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits, and regulations, including environmental quality laws.

• Government reserves the right to prioritize the order of unit treatment.

• Discovery of cultural or archeological sites will suspend work in the vicinity.

• Nighttime activities are allowed with temporary nighttime closure of Snowbowl Road for public safety.

• Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) outlines inspection procedures and acceptance criteria.

• Payment is based on work quality, with a minimum AQL of 95% for all items. Adjustments to payment are made based on performance percentages.