MAG-CON-MULCHING (Mechanical Mulching/Mastication)

All technical questions, contact COR Dusting Appleton: dustin.appleton@usda.gov Scope of Work: The contractor will: removal of all cedar from project area using masticating equipment to mulch the trees. The contractor will work systematically in areas prioritized by the contracting officer’s representative (COR).

Background: The project area is a Quail Stewardship Restoration Area dominated by merchantable pine, scattered hardwoods and eastern red cedar. The Forest Service has had the area thinned down to 50-70 basal area, but most of the cedar was not harvested. A prescribed burned was completed in 2023 to aid in restoration efforts, but the Forest Service would like to remove as much of the cedar as possible to improve the habitat for Quail.

Project Access The project area shall be accessed by Robert Hill Rd (gravel road) off AR SR 309. The National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the St. Francis Ranger District (available upon award) provides open road information. The COR will ensure access to the project area if the site is gated. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS Contractor is responsible for completing mastication on the Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Quail Stewardship Restoration Area.

Contractor shall mulch all cedar 4 inches at Diameter at breast height (DBH) and larger. Smaller cedar may be designated for removal if specified by the contracting officer representative or inspector. Contractor shall knock down and delimb cedars, leaving the main trunk on the ground. Stumps will be mulched to ground level. Cedar trunks shall lay flat on the ground, not stacked, crisscrossed or piled on top of one another.

Contractor shall remain out of Stream-Side Management Zones (SMZs) and shall not lay any cedar trunks within the SMZs. SMZs will be marked and/or identified prior to contractors’ arrival. USFS Staff will mark boundaries with flagging before contractors’ arrival. Mulching must stay within the restoration boundary as flagged or directed by the COR. Contractor shall be responsible for repairing any damage to Wildlife Management Area (WMA) roads caused by Contractor's equipment.

Before completing the work, the Contractor shall remove from the work premises any rubbish, tools, equipment, and materials that are not the property of the Government. Upon completing the work, the Contractor shall leave the work area in a clean, neat, and orderly condition satisfactory to the Contracting Officer.