MN DNR Guideline Implementation Monitoring RFP (2014) The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, is currently requesting bid proposals to perform field data collection necessary to evaluate the implementation of timber harvesting and forest management guidelines on approximately 100 public and private timber harvest sites in Minnesota. The guidelines to be monitored can be found in the timber harvest, roads, and general guidelines sections of Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines for landowners, Loggers and Resource Managers. A copy of these guidelines can be downloaded at: http://www.frc.state.mn.us/initiatives_sitelevel_management.html
The official MN DNR Guideline Monitoring RFP and specifics of this request can be viewed at https://supplier.swift.state.mn.us/psp/fmssupap/SUPPLIER/ERP/h/?tab=SUP_GUEST look for Event ID 2412. To view the RFP you must first register as a State of MN vendor. Instructions on how to register are included on the webpage. Field work for this contract must occur between May 1st and September 30th, 2014. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 10, 2014. Guideline Monitoring RFP Brief Description The contractor will provide professional services necessary to evaluate the application of timber harvesting and forest management guidelines on approximately 100 timber-harvesting sites selected by MN DNR. Sample sites will be located within 4 watersheds identified by the following HUC 8 numbers and names: 07010101 (Mississippi Headwaters), 07010102, 07010207 (Rum River), 04010101 (North Lake Superior), 04010101 (South Lake Superior). Guidelines being monitored have been selected from "Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines for Landowners, Loggers and Resource Managers" 2005 & 2012 Minnesota Forest Resources Council. The 2005 version is available at http://www.frc.state.mn.us/FMgdline/Guidelines.html and the 2012 version is available at http://www.frc.state.mn.us/initiatives_sitelevel_management.html . Specific features or resources to be assessed include (but not limited to) roads, skid trails, wetlands, wetland crossings, landings, cultural resources, visual quality, leave trees, snags, riparian management zones, as well as occurrence of rutting, erosion, and implementation of water quality BMPs - all found within the General Guidelines, Forest Roads, Timber Harvesting, and Biomass sections of the guidelines. For each site monitored, the contractor will complete all relevant questions and measurements contained in the on-site evaluation form in accordance with procedures and methods specified by the DNR contract administrator. The contractor will enter all relevant information gathered on the on-site evaluation form (see Attachments to RFP). Examples of specific features to be evaluated on monitoring sites include: * Determine appropriate recommended width of riparian management zones (RMZs). Measure the total width of RMZs broken down by categories of non-forested, forested (un-harvested), forested but harvested with retained basal area greater between 25-80 square feet, or forested but harvested with basal area less than 25 square feet. Additional characterization of species composition, presence of coarse woody debris, presence of super canopy trees by species, and specific basal areas may be required. * Map location of all wetlands and waterbodies in and directly adjacent to timber sale activity. Evaluate condition of filter strips and whether filter strips meet guideline recommendations. Map and evaluate condition of all wetland and waterbody crossings including; length, width, use and effectiveness of water diversion and/or erosion control measures, presence and degree of erosion and of rutting. * Evaluate the number and species of leave trees (green tree retention), snags, and coarse woody debris throughout the harvest site utilizing random sample plots as prescribed by DNR contract administrator. The contractor will create complete on-site maps in an electronic format utilizing the Guideline Monitoring Application (GMA) or current version. The GMA is an ArcMap/Access interface application. The electronic format will be operated on two field-hardened, tablet style laptop computers provided by the DNR contract administrator. The contractor will delineate the correct boundaries of the site and all resources monitored (e.g. waterbodies, wetlands, leave tree clumps, scattered leave tree sample points, landings, roads, water and wetland crossings and associated approaches) into the GMA electronic mapping format. All feature numbers and map labels on the electronic format map must correlate to numbers on any paper datasheets. When necessary or when requested by the DNR contract administrator, the contractor will also create an expanded site map in order to more clearly identify these features. Specific knowledge skills and abilities: Interested bidders must meet specific education and experience requirements as outlined below: The contractor must provide documentation that each monitoring team includes at least two individuals who collectively meet the following criteria: 1. Forest management - expert with a degree in forestry or a closely related discipline and with five or more years of experience in timber sale administration, which may include felling, job/harvest layout and supervision, and equipment operation (skidder, forwarder, processor, etc.). 2. Soil science - demonstrated expertise in applied soil science including the ability to identify and map hydric soils, identify and quantify soil erosion, and identify and assess soil disturbance such as rutting and compaction arising from forestry operations. Qualifying expertise includes relevant coursework and degrees from institutions of higher education, technical coursework (e.g., wetlands delineation course), and field experience in conducting the above skills and abilities. 3. Water quality - demonstrated expertise in water quality and wetland assessments including quantification of potential impacts arising from stream and wetland crossings; road, skid trail, and landing layout; and operations near and in riparian management zones. Ability to assess hydrologic functions such as stream and subsurface flow or stability, and water quality parameters such as sediment and temperature in the context of operational forest harvesting practices. Qualifying expertise includes relevant coursework and degrees (e.g., hydrology, aquatic biology, watershed management) from institutions of higher education, technical coursework (e.g., stream geomorphology course), and field experience in conducting the above skills and abilities. 4. Adequate knowledge and ability to interpret aerial photos to identify common harvest features (e.g., landing areas, stream crossings, etc.) and site characteristics (e.g., wetlands, steep slopes, etc.); proficiency in the use of GIS platforms such as Arc Map and use of GPS to map site and harvest features; demonstrated experience in field botany, identification of plants and trees occurring in Minnesota forests, and conducting forest measurement techniques. 5. Adequate skill in computer operation to enter, save, backup and transfer data utilizing established protocols. Contact: Dick Rossman Division of Forestry BMP Monitoring Program Telephone: 218-308-2371 dick.ross...@state.mn.us<mailto:dick.ross...@state.mn.us>
