Mechanical Fuel Reduction on the Ocala National Forest

(i) This is a combined synopsis/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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) AG-4283-S-16-0005 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-87. (iv) This solicitation is a (100%) Total Small Business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 115310 and small business size standard is $7.5 Million. (v) See Attachment 3 (vi) DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT DIVISION 100 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS 110 GENERAL - This invitation is for the furnishing of equipment, materials, tools, labor, transportation, and supervision to mechanically mow using a rotary or drum cutter on 3,656 acres of National Forest land in accordance with specifications and provisions of this contract. No materials, labor, or equipment will be furnished by the Government unless specified in the Government-furnished Property Clause. After viewing alternate areas with the contractor, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to substitute at the contract price the same type and amount of work in other areas similar in topography and conditions within the Ocala National Forest boundaries shown on the maps in lieu of the original areas when it is determined by the Contracting Officer that the original areas or portions thereof are unsuitable or unavailable for performance of the specified work. All areas have been delineated on the ground using either flagging, natural boundaries, plowed lines or roads. Brush refers to all hardwoods less than 8 inches dbh and varying in height from 3 feet to 30 feet. Sand pines to mow include brush and trees, and vary in height from 3 feet to 25 feet, and may be up to 8-inches. COR will verify identification of sand pines and other species to mow before contractor starts work. Total acres to mow is 3,656. Starting Date: September 1, 2016. 120 DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION - See Attachment 3 DIVISION 200 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 210 - Equipment Requirements - All vehicles and equipment will be inspected prior to coming on National Forest lands. It will arrive cleaned and free of soil, weeds, and seeds, and be cleaned each time it returns to US Forest Service lands. If vehicles and equipment leave National Forest lands it will require a new inspection. All equipment proposed to accomplish the work shall be of proper type, sufficient size, operated at sufficient speed, and in such mechanical condition as to meet with the requirements of the work and produce a satisfactory quality of work. Oversized equipment or tracked equipment deemed likely to tear up grasses and rut loose sandy soils will not be allowed. All tractors must be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers. The contractor will be required to provide sufficient equipment to average six acres per day. MOWING: In order to perform successfully in the dense, variable diameter vegetation, there must be at least four to six pieces of equipment on site that is equal to brand name machinery such as "Hydro-Axe", "Kershaw Klear-Way", or "ASV Positrack". This equipment must have large tires and a front-mounted, heavy-duty mower with a rotary or drum cutting head capable of cutting trees up to 8-inch diameter measured at ground level. 220 - Mowing specifications All hardwoods and sand pines as designated in Section 120 will be mowed or cut, unless marked as reserve trees. Patches in the areas that lack brush, sand pines, and small hardwoods will be excluded from treatment. Gopher tortoise burrow protection zones (25 feet from burrow) will be excluded from treatment. When mowing is used to cut hardwood and sand pine brush (thick areas where several stems are mowed at once) the deck must be set above 8-inches to prevent killing gopher tortoises. Mowing of individual small trees where the operator can clearly see the ground surrounding the trunk is exempt from this deck height restriction and can be mowed to a 2-4" stump. Exceptions to cutting are: 1. All longleaf seedlings and saplings. Protect as many as possible from the mowing operation - consideration will be given for leaving trees uncut to protect longleaf pine seedlings that are at least 3-feet tall. Due to the density of the vegetation, some longleaf will be incidentally cut. The contractor's work will be monitored closely to determine, if in the judgment of the inspector, longleaf seedlings or saplings were cut by negligence or by accident. 2. All snags. Dead trees will not be cut. Snags include burned lightered wood stumps and dead tree boles greater than 4-inch diameter at ground level, regardless of height. 3. Where an oak has multiple stems arising from one root base and the main trunk exceeds 8-inch diameter at breast height, the entire multiple trunked tree is considered one tree over 8-inches. Do not cut the smaller trunks. 4. Designated hardwood trees that are being left as mast or den trees for wildlife. Such trees will be designated by flagging. DIVISION 300 - RESOURCE PROTECTION 310 - Erosion Control - The contractor's operation will be conducted so as to avoid unnecessary soil erosion. 320 - Protection of Lands, Streams, Lakes and Reservoirs - The contractor shall prevent pollution of the aquifer, sinkholes, wetlands and lakes by fuels, oils, and other chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials. He shall schedule and conduct operations so as to avoid siltation of wetlands, loss of embankment material during high flow periods, and interference with movement of migratory fish. He shall avoid ponds, wet and dry, leaving a 50-foot buffer. No equipment will be allowed in or to travel through dry ponds or their grassy margins. Contractor shall remove from National Forest land any trash, cans, etc. deposited as a result of contracting operations. 330 - Protection of Improvements - All survey monuments, road signs, traffic counters, and other improvements must be protected whenever encountered. If any of these improvements are damaged or destroyed, the contractor will be responsible for all replacement costs. 340 - Access - The contractor shall protect all designated trails, numbered roads, ditches, fences, and other improvements in the project area. Contractor must not conduct any road or access improvements. Numbered roads shall be kept free from logs, slash, and debris. Roads needing to be kept clear of debris are indicated on the Area Map with a route number. The contractor shall promptly repair any numbered road or designated trail used by the contractor that is damaged by contract operations 350 - Protection of Land Control Monuments - All land control monuments likely to be disturbed may be identified by 4 X 4 posts or signs. Contractor may not damage these monuments during contract operations. 360 - Protection of Gopher Tortoise Burrows - Areas may have gopher tortoise burrows. The tractor should not be driven in the 25-foot radius around the burrow entrance to prevent the collapse of the burrows. It is not necessary to back the mower over these sites to access the brush. Vegetation within the gopher tortoise burrow perimeters do not need to be mowed or dozer pushed and can be excluded from treatment. 390 PROTECTION AND SAFETY ON Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) - This hiking trail runs through the area in Compt. 37. In addition, most mowing areas are adjacent to private land. Some coordination with Forest Service staff will be required for public safety when mowing operations are conducted within 150 feet of the Trail. Contractor will ensure the trail is clear of debris after operations. Do not cross the trail except at the numbered road. The COR will designate crossing points if needed. There may be flagged leave clumps or buffer zones next to the Trail corridor. (vii) The period of performance of this contract is from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017. (viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition. (ix) The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items applies. (x) Offerors are to include a completed copy of the Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items applies to this acquisition, with its offer. (xi) Clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (xii) Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (MAR 2016) (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Dec 2014) (2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553). (3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77, 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)). (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402). _X__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (41 U.S.C. 3509). ___ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5) (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). ___ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2013) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). ___ (5) [Reserved] _X__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C). ___ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C). ___ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Aug 2013) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). ___ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313). ___ (10) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012) (section 738 of Division C of Public Law 112-74, section 740 of Division C of Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161). ___ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3. ___ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2011) of 52.219-4. ___ (13) [Reserved] _X__ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011). ___ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011). ___ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7. _X__ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). ___ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4)). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. ___ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9. ___ (iv) Alternate III (Oct 2014) of 52.219-9. ___ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)). ___ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). ___ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)). ___ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f). ___ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). ___ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)). ___ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)). _X__ (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). _X__ (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2014) (E.O. 13126). _X__ (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). _X__ (28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). _X__ (29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jul 2014) (38 U.S.C. 4212). _X__ (30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793). ___ (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jul 2014) (38 U.S.C. 4212). _X__ (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). _X__ (33) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50, (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627). _X__ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Aug 2013). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) ___ (35) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) ___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) ___ (36) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514 ___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-13. ___ (37) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Television (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14. _X__ (38) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b). ___ (39) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Personal Computer Products (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16. _X__ (40) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011) (E.O. 13513). _X__ (41) 52.225-1, Buy American--Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83). ___ (42) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43). ___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3. ___ (iii) Alternate II (May 2014) of 52.225-3. ___ (iv) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3. _X__ (43) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Nov 2013) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). _X__ (44) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). ___ (45) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Jul 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note). ___ (46) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (47) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (48) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 4505), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). _X__ (49) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). _X__ (50) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer- System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (51) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (52) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (53) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). ___ (54) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). ___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. (c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X__ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.). ___ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). _X__ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (May 2014) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). _X__ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). ___ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). ___ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). _X__ (7) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495). ___ (8) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792). ___ (9) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)). _X__ (10) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 Dec 2014)(Executive Order 13658). (d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor's directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract. (2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved. (3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law. (e) (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause- (i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (41 U.S.C. 3509). (ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. (iii) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (1) of FAR clause 52.222-17. (iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). (v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jul 2014) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (vi) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793). (vii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jul 2014) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (viii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. (ix) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014), (41 U.S.C. chapter 67). (x) ____ (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627). ___ (B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 E.O. 13627). (xi) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.) (xii) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67) (xiii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Aug 2013). (xiv) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Jul 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note). (xv) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. (xvi) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64. (xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2014)(Executive Order 13658). (2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations. (xiii) Additional contract requirement(s): Duns No. _______________ Are you registered in SAM? Yes______ No_______ (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating, is not applicable. (xv) The Offers for this solicitation are due on May 16, 2016 at 2:00 pm. The address for mailing offers is USDA Forest Service, 325 John Knox Road, Suite F-100, Tallahassee, FL 32303. (xvi) For information regarding this solicitation contact Lawanda Henry at 850-523-8534 or [email protected]. The following will be attached to this combined synopsis as a separate document. • Maps - 07 Pages • Wage Determination No: 1974-1311 Rev. 45 - 03 Pages