LMIR BPA Call for Lodgepole Pine Cone Collection, Sawtooth National Forest

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a BPA Call Order for the "Trapper Peak Lodgepole Pinecone Collection Project" located in the Cassia Division, Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest. The project aims to collect lodgepole pinecones to reforest and restore critical Cassia Crossbill habitat, which has been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The collection area totals approximately 15.25 acres.

• Collection of lodgepole pinecones from designated trees (10-14 inches DBH, 60-75 feet height).

• Trees will be tagged and flagged.

• Contractor must provide all labor, equipment, PPE, supervision, and transportation.

• Specific tasks include climbing trees, collecting cones, and ensuring genetic diversity.

• Contractor must prepare a Safety Plan.

• This is a single award call order under BPA No. 1284LM26Q0079.

• Period of Performance: Date of Award through 09/17/2026.

• Specific item due dates or deliverable due dates are mandatory.

• Bidders must provide pricing for all items listed under Box 20.

• Evaluation will be based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria.

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

• This call order is unrestricted and will be sent to current BPA Award Holders.

• The document references an attached Performance Work Statement for supplemental information.

• It also lists numerous attachments including maps, checklists, and wage determinations.

• Several FAR and AGAR clauses are included, with some incorporating class deviations related to Executive Orders and policy changes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map detailing specific "Cone Collection Areas" within the Cassia Division of the Minidoka Ranger District. It is intended to visually identify and delineate the locations where lodgepole pine cone collection activities are permitted or designated.

• The map displays aerial imagery of the terrain.
• Labeled roads (e.g., "Rock Creek Rd", "Trapper Creek") are shown with associated road numbers (e.g., 70704, 70533).
• Specific "Cone Collection Areas" are outlined in light blue and numbered (e.g., Area 1, Area 2, Area 3).
• A legend indicates "Minidoka Ranger District" boundaries and "All Roads (from NRM)".
• A scale bar is provided in feet.

This map is crucial for any bidder involved in a contract requiring cone collection within this specific geographic area. It provides the precise locations and boundaries of the collection sites, enabling bidders to understand the operational scope, plan logistics, and assess the accessibility of these areas.

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

To secure commercial services for the harvest of scion, mature pollen, and mature seed cones for the Forest Service (USFS) to restore and reforest National Forest Land and support the Tree Improvement (TI) program.

• Services include tree climbing, caging, and collecting cones, pollen, and scion from individual species.

• The contract will be an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

• Contractor to furnish all labor, equipment, PPE, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals, except for Government-furnished property.

• Collections can occur on any National Forest or Tree Improvement Area (TIA).

• Specific locations, maps, and data will be provided in orders/calls.

• Collection seasons: Cone caging and collection (mid-summer to early fall), Scion collection (dormant seasons: late fall, mid-late winter), Pollen collection (late spring to early summer).

• Site visits will be determined per order/call.

• Performance is based on meeting standards outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and Quality Control/Quality Control Plan (QCP) will be utilized.

• Performance will be reflected in CPARS; only inspected and approved work will be compensated.

• Deductions may apply for work not meeting contract requirements, with potential for termination.

• Contract period extends from award through the last ordering period exercised.

• Orders/calls may be issued at any time and may extend past the contract expiration.

• Specific locations for collection will be on National Forest or Tree Improvement Areas (TIAs).

• Whitebark Pine (PIAL): Listed as Threatened; specific conservation measures will be included as a modification to the contract upon completion of ongoing consultation.

• Government Furnished Property (GFP): May include Project Area Maps, Cone Collection Tags, Wire Cone Cages, Bagging Materials, TIA Orchard Ladders, Swedish Sectional Tree Climbing Ladders, Motorized Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM), Forest Visitor Maps, FS Gate Keys, Locks, Signs, and Radios.

• Access: Generally accessible by motorized routes; high clearance or 4WD may be necessary. Walk-in units and access behind locked gates may be specified. Off-road driving is restricted.

• Cone Collection Standards: Cones must be dry, free of mold, and undamaged. Specific standards for tree improvement vs. operational collections apply. Tree selection criteria are detailed.

• Scion Collection: Collected from the upper third of the tree crown, 6-8 inches long, from wood grown the previous summer.

• Pollen Collection: Approximately March 15th to July 31st, requiring rapid response.

• Specialized Hourly Services: May be required, with specific crew size and requirements.

• Safety: Contractor must comply with Forest Service safety requirements, including safe climbing, rescue, and emergency communications. Contractor assumes all risks.

• Use and Occupancy Restriction Orders: Must be adhered to for specific National Forests.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Register of Wage Determinations under the Service Contract Act. It provides a list of occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum wage and fringe benefit rates for various job classifications applicable to federal service contracts in specific geographic areas. This particular determination is for "Idaho Counties of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Lincoln and Minidoka."

This document is crucial for potential bidders on federal service contracts within the specified geographic area. It outlines the minimum wage and benefit rates that must be paid to employees performing work under such contracts. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate labor costs in their proposals, ensuring compliance with the Service Contract Act and avoiding potential penalties. The document details numerous occupations, including administrative, automotive, health, information technology, and maintenance roles, along with their associated wage and fringe benefit requirements. It also includes important notes regarding Executive Orders on paid sick leave and minimum wage, as well as the process for conforming additional classifications not listed.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a vicinity map illustrating the "Cassia Division Lodgepole Pine Cone Collection Areas" and associated access routes within the Minidoka Ranger District. It serves to visually define the geographical locations relevant to the opportunity.

• Map Title: Cassia Division Lodgepole Pine Cone Collection Areas Vicinity Map
• Geographic Features: Includes towns (Twin Falls, Hansen, Murtaugh, Artesian City), airports (Magic Valley Regional Airport), ridges (Rams Horn Ridge, Hudson Ridge), and bodies of water/creeks (Rock Creek, Dry Gulch, Dry Creek, Trapper Creek, Goose Creek).
• Access Routes: Depicts various Forest Roads (FR 170, FR 500, FR 532, FR 533, FR 538, FR 704) and "Rock Creek Road" with different colored lines indicating their paths.
• Cone Collection Areas: Indicated by blue shaded polygons.
• Minidoka Ranger District Boundary: Outlined in green.
• Scale Bar: Provided in miles.
• North Arrow: Included for orientation.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical locations where lodgepole pine cone collection activities are to take place. It provides essential geographical context for planning logistics, understanding access limitations or routes, and identifying the specific operational areas within the Cassia Division of the Minidoka Ranger District.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a checklist used for the handling of cones and seeds, referencing USDA Forest Service Handbook FSH 2409.26f. It serves as a guide for completing detailed information related to cone and seed collection, processing, and nursery follow-up.

• Section A: Complete at Collection Station: Captures detailed information about the seed collection, including species, location, elevation, habitat, collection method, and seed lot identification.
• Section B: Complete by Nursery: Records information related to seed extraction and processing, including dates, methods, and seed activity metrics like yield and viability testing.
• Seed Test: Details parameters for seed testing, such as moisture content, purity, germination tests, and survival factors.
• Section C: Remarks - Nursery to Forest Follow-up: Provides a checklist for evaluating cone quality, handling, shipping, and identifying any issues like debris or incorrect coding.
• Section D: Comments: A space for additional remarks and to confirm all items were completed according to the Seed Handbook.

This checklist is a procedural document. While bidders may not directly fill it out, understanding its contents can provide insight into the rigorous processes the Forest Service employs for cone and seed collection and handling. This may be relevant for opportunities involving seed procurement, nursery operations, or related forestry services where adherence to specific handling and documentation standards is critical.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides examples and instructions for using "Tree Improvement Cones" and "Cone Identification Tags" (Forms R1-2470-11 and R1-2470-10) for the USDA Forest Service. These tags are used to label and track collected tree seeds for improvement purposes.

• Tree Improvement Cones Tag (R1-2470-11): Includes fields for Species, Cooperator Name, Lot ID Number, Collection details (Sec, Elevation, Area Name, Habitat Type, Tsp, Pg), Collection Date, Collector, and Source Code.
• Cone Identification Tag (R1-2470-10): Includes similar fields for Species, Forest, District, Elevation, Habitat Type, Township, Range, Section, Date Collected, Collected By, and Source Code. It also contains instructions referencing FSH 2409.201, emphasizing the use of indelible ink and the completion of two tags per sack (one inside, one attached outside).
• Carbon Paper: Included as an accessory for filling out the tags.

Bidders involved in seed collection, processing, or tree improvement programs for the USDA Forest Service may need to use or understand these forms for proper labeling and tracking of collected materials. This document clarifies the required information and procedures for cone and seed identification.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment #7 - Crown Position Classification," provides a visual guide and definitions for classifying trees based on their position within a forest canopy. This information is likely relevant for opportunities involving forest management, ecological surveys, or timber assessments.

• Illustration: A diagram depicting various tree crown positions labeled D (Dominant), C (Co-dominant), I (Intermediate), and S (Suppressed).
• Definitions: Detailed descriptions for each tree classification:
  • Dominant Tree: Crowns above the general canopy, exposed to full sunlight.
  • Co-dominant Tree: Not as tall as dominants, receiving overhead light, may be laterally confined, usually thrifty and part of the main canopy.
  • Intermediate Tree: Subordinate in crown position, receiving sunlight through canopy holes, subject to strong competition, declining growth.
  • Suppressed Tree: Overtopped by the main canopy, receiving minimal overhead sunlight, weak, slow-growing, with small live crowns.

Bidders responding to opportunities that require ecological assessments, forest inventory, or silvicultural treatments will need to understand and apply these classifications to accurately describe forest conditions or to evaluate proposed management strategies.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Minimum Cone Collecting Criteria, by Species," is an attachment (Attachment #05) to a larger record, likely a solicitation or contract. It provides specific criteria for collecting cones from various tree species, intended for use in seed collection and handling operations.

• Species: Lists common and scientific names of tree species.
• Species Code: Provides a unique code for each species.
• Minimum Number (or %) of Filled Sound Seeds Per cut Face: Specifies the minimum quantity of viable seeds required per cone face.
• Minimum Pickable Cones per Tree: Indicates the minimum number of cones that should be collected from each tree.
• Average Date Cones Full Size: Provides an estimated timeframe for when cones of each species reach full maturity and are ready for collection.

This attachment is crucial for any bidder involved in or proposing to perform cone and seed collection services. It outlines the quantitative and qualitative standards that must be met for successful collection, directly impacting the feasibility, planning, and execution of related tasks. Bidders should review these criteria to understand the specific requirements for seed viability, collection volume, and timing for different species.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire required for potential bidders to complete. It is designed to gather information about a contractor's past performance, capabilities, and resources to help the Forest Service evaluate their ability to successfully complete a project.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, and business type.
• Experience: Years of experience in the relevant line of work, and experience as a prime or sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type of project, date completed, and contact information for references.
• Current Commitments: A list of concurrent contractual commitments.
• Performance History: Information on any failures to complete work, use of performance bonds, and site visits.
• Resources: Details on available employees and equipment.
• Key Personnel: Experience of principal individuals who will be directly involved in the contract.
• Remarks: A section for additional information to support the evaluation.
• Certification: A statement by the contractor certifying the accuracy of the information provided.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. The information provided will be used by the Forest Service to assess the bidder's qualifications and capability to perform the work described in the solicitation. Failure to provide complete or satisfactory information may impact the evaluation of the bid.