The U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest servicing Region 6 has a requirement for mechanical slash treatment on the Cle Elum Ranger Districts on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This includes mastication of approximately 166 acres. Work shall commence after seasonal restrictions. Slash treatment operations shall not begin until soil moisture levels are sufficiently low to prevent soil rutting, displacement and soil compaction from equipment operations (see USDA Soil Disturbance Field Guide, 2009) . Slash treatment will be suspended if soil moisture levels subsequently exceed standards and guides due to adverse or unusual weather conditions. It is anticipated the period of performance for this project will be 100 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Performance time will begin after July 15 due to elk calving and deer fawning and after August 31 if spotted owl surveys indicate owls are present.

Mastication treatments are planned in the Liberty and Manastash areas on the Cle Elum Ranger District. Mastication will be done with a single pass of low ground pressure maneuverable equipment. The slash material would be shredded and scattered for natural incorporation into the soil. In the Liberty units, mastication of logging slash is planned to a depth not greater than 12" and where practicable, leave all pieces > 8" DBH as whole pieces of wood. Masticate standing green grand fir and Douglas-fir trees < 5" DBH. In the Manastash area, ONLY mastication of standing green conifer trees < 7.9 " DBH is planned across whole plantations to thin out reproduction. Horizontal wood of any kind should be left unmasticated. No existing down wood, would be masticated Standing hardwoods would be left untreated. Incidental cutting of brush may be needed to get into places with machinery It is anticipated Riparian areas and no treatment zones will be flagged and identified in advance.

Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies, incidental supplies necessary to perform all work described in accordance with drawings and specifications of the contract. Contractor will be paid for actual work performed.

The Contractor shall utilize products and materials that promote energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, use of recovered materials, that are environmentally preferable, and are made from bio based materials (e.g. bio fuel, diesel, lubricant or processes) to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered.

The Contractor shall assume all risk, loss, damage, or expense arising out of prosecution of the work, except as otherwise provided in the contract.

A firm-fixed price contract is contemplated requiring submission of both technical factors and a price quote. Award will be made to the offeror whose quote offers the best value to the Government.

This acquisition is determined to be under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program and posted for 100% small business set aside. Contractors are required to be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). The solicitation with specifications and wage rates will be posted to the https://www.fbo.gov/ website on or after May 18, 2013. No hard copies of the solicitation and applicable amendments will be mailed or issued. To receive the Request for Proposal package and any applicable amendments, offerors must download them from the https://www.fbo.gov/ website.

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