USDA-Forest Service Region 9 Marking and Cruising BPA Call. Jackalope Timber Marking/Cruising on Ottawa National Forest

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Timber Theft Prevention Plan" for the Ottawa National Forest. It outlines procedures and policies for preventing, detecting, and responding to timber theft and related violations within the National Forest.

• Objectives: To deter timber theft, improve detection, apprehension, and prosecution of violators.
• Operating Procedures: Covers organization, staffing, cross-training, timber sale preparation (including specific paint application guidelines), timber sale administration, and regulatory inspections.
• Law Enforcement Actions: Details procedures for crime scene protection, evidence preservation, and issuance of violation notices.
• Suspension and Debarment: Outlines policies for referring cases for suspension or debarment.
• Prevention: Includes strategies like theft prevention plots and sale area layout.
• Accountability: Addresses program review and audits for timber accountability.
• Appendices: Provides detailed guidelines for timber trespass cases, including criminal, contractual, administrative, and civil remedies, and methods for determining timber values in trespass cases.

While this document is an internal policy and procedure manual for the Forest Service, understanding its contents can provide potential bidders with insight into the Forest Service's operational priorities and enforcement mechanisms related to timber sales. It highlights the importance of compliance with contract terms, proper marking and administration of timber sales, and the consequences of violations. This can help bidders understand the rigor and expectations associated with timber sale contracts and the potential ramifications of non-compliance.

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

This document outlines the silvicultural prescription and marking guides for the Jackalope Timber Sale, aiming to regenerate and restore healthy uneven-aged northern hardwood stands. The goal is to improve tree quality, maintain or increase species diversity, and establish a new cohort of trees.

• Treatment Type: Single Tree Selection.

• Target Residual Basal Area: 70-80 Ft²/AC. In areas with high initial basal area (>130 Ft²/AC), no more than 30% of the initial BA should be removed.

• Species Management: Retain and release healthy species such as white pine, hemlock, cedar, oak, and elm. Favor hemlock, white pine, cedar, elm, and oak in harvest units. Remove high-risk trees, including ironwood, spruce, balsam, and black cherry over 16 inches (due to black knot).

• Regeneration Goal: Achieve a stocking level of 3,000 seedlings per acre of native species.

• Salvage: 100% of conifer volume (spruce) due to decline. 15% of hardwood volume due to insect/disease and overstocking. Aspen salvage volume follows a specific collection rate letter.

• Areas to Exclude: Do not designate trees for removal in areas with scattered, small, poorly drained pockets, seeps, steep slopes, perched water tables, or shallow bedrock.

• Basal Area: Maintain residual basal area between 70-80 Ft²/AC.

• Stocking: Achieve 3,000 seedlings per acre.

• Species Diversity: Maintain or increase current species diversity.

• Diameter Distribution: Stands should mirror the parent stand's diameter distribution.

• The document details marking guides for Payment Units 01-09 (534 acres) and Payment Unit 10 (Right-of-Way, 1 acre).

• Post-harvest treatments include stocking surveys in 2030, 2031, and 2033, with final certification in 2033.

• Marking: Merchantable trees require two paint marks at DBH and a corresponding stump mark. Blue paint is designated for this sale.

• Utilization Standards: Specific minimum DBH, length, and diameter inside bark (DIB) standards are provided for sawlogs and pulpwood for various species.

• Wildlife Considerations: Leave cull trees for wildlife unless they pose a safety hazard. Consult wildlife biologist if stick nests are found. Reserve snags and den trees according to Forest Plan guidelines, focusing on features beneficial to NLEB.

• Archaeological Sites: Consult archaeologist if any sites are located during layout or implementation.

• Paint: Government-furnished tree marking paint (TMP) is available by appointment at the Watersmeet Ranger District Office.

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

This document outlines the specifications and work statement for the Jackalope timber sale, focusing on timber marking and volume estimation for approximately 534 acres of Northern Hardwoods.

• Timber Marking & Volume Estimation: Involves marking and estimating the volume of timber across approximately 534 acres.

• Payment Units: Covers Payment Units 01-09.

• Forest Type: Northern Hardwoods forest types.

• Marking Method: HARDWOOD SINGLE-TREE SELECTION (uneven-age), which involves removing trees considered high risk, defective, poor form, or mature, while maintaining optimum growing stock. Specific marking instructions are to be followed.

• Cruising Method: SAMPLE TREE CRUISING METHOD (STR) will be used for all Payment Units. This involves measuring a specified proportion of trees and marking all trees included for removal.

• Not explicitly detailed in this section, but marking objectives and cruising methods define the work.

• The document does not specify a period of performance.

• The sale is located near Watersmeet, accessible by traveling west on US-2 for 23.8 miles.

• Road R.O.W. Marking: USFS has not yet marked the Road R.O.W. units. Contractors should mark/cruise trees up to the edge of existing road clearing for units with roads.

• Tree Marking Paint (TMP): Government-furnished TMP will be issued or returned by appointment at the WATERSMEET RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE. The paint custodian will be identified at the pre-work meeting. BLUE paint is designated for this sale.

• Leave Trees: USFS will mark all Leave Trees.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for "Jackalope Marking and Cruising" services on the Ottawa National Forest. The government is procuring an estimated 534 acres of timber marking and cruising within a single Sale Area, utilizing the Sample Tree Cruising Method (STR).

• Marking and cruising of approximately 534 acres.

• Application of the Sample Tree Cruising Method (STR).

• GPS locations of all sample trees to be provided digitally.

• Adherence to the Ottawa National Forest's Timber Theft Prevention Plan (TTPP), including paint reconciliation.

• Work may occur in summer or winter, subject to weather conditions.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Contract Term Date is 11/30/2026.

• Estimated Start Work Date: Upon Award of Contract.

• Quotations are due by Close of Business on 17APR2026.

• Submission requires a completed SF-18 form, completed Schedule of Items, and responses to technical (non-price) evaluation criteria.

• Evaluation will be based on Past Performance, Price (reasonableness), and Technical factors (Contract Time and Schedule).

• Award will be made to the Quoter whose response represents the best value to the Government, considering both technical and price factors.

• The Government may reject any or all quotes.

• The document does not explicitly state a small business set-aside. It is notated as "IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE".

• This is an estimated acres contract.

• Specifications in this Call may supersede or replace parent BPA contract specifications.

• Government-Furnished Property includes tree marking paint, cruise tally cards, and marking guides.

• Attachments include Statement of Work, Map, Section C, TTPP, and Wage Determination.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map titled "Jackalope T.S. #21035 Payment Unit & Vicinity Map - Estimated Acres". It provides a visual representation of the payment units and their estimated acreage within the Jackalope Timber Sale #21035 area. It also includes a vicinity map for broader context.

• Payment Units (PU): Labeled numerically from 01 to 10, with corresponding estimated acreage for each unit. Some units are designated as "CTM" (likely indicating a specific measurement or type of timber), and one unit (10) is noted as "R.O.W/USFS" (Right-of-Way/United States Forest Service).
• Map Features: Delineates USDA Forest Service land, OHV trails, converted trails, decommissioned areas, regular maintenance areas, skid trails, and monumented corners.
• Estimated Totals: Provides a total for "Estimated Sale Acres" (535 acres for units 01-10) and "Estimated Contract Acres" (534 acres for units 01-09).
• Scale and Legend: Includes a map scale (1:15,840) and a legend explaining various symbols and line types used on the map.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical layout and estimated size of the timber sale units. It helps in visualizing the scope of work, potential access routes (trails), and the specific areas included in the contract. The acreage estimates are vital for bid preparation and understanding the scale of the timber sale.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination for Michigan Statewide, specifically for Forestry and Logging occupations, issued under the Service Contract Act. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for employees performing contract work in these fields.

• Occupational Codes and Titles: Lists specific job titles within Forestry and Logging (e.g., Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Choker Setter, Forestry Equipment Operator).
• Wage Rates: Specifies the minimum hourly wage for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Details required health and welfare benefits, including rates for both standard Service Contract Act and Executive Order 13706.
• Paid Sick Leave: Outlines requirements for paid sick leave under Executive Order 13706.
• Vacation and Holidays: Specifies minimum paid vacation and holiday entitlements based on years of service and federal holidays.
• Uniform Allowance: Details requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms, including reimbursement for cleaning if applicable.
• Conformance Process: Explains the procedure for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not explicitly listed.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for any contract involving forestry and logging services in Michigan. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums to comply with the Service Contract Act. Failure to adhere to these rates can lead to non-compliance and potential penalties. The document also outlines the process for establishing wages for unlisted occupations, which bidders may need to utilize.