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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
MISSOULA, MONTANA
FSH 2409.18 - TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK
R-1 Supplement No. 2409.18-95-4
Effective 01/29/96
POSTING NOTICE: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document name. Remove entire document and replace with this
document. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was supplement FSH 2409.18-95-3 to chapter 50.
Page Code
Superseded
Sheets
14--1 thru 14--4
2
Amendments Covered
1, 7/87
Document Name
2409.18,10
Superseded New
(Number of Pages)
--
5
Digest:
10 - The entire text for Chapter 10 is replaced with this transmittal. Chapter 10 has been
updated with current direction for timber sale program development. In addition, the
new text corresponds with text location in the parent text.
HAL SALWASSER
Regional Forester
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FSH 2409.18 - TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT NO. 2409.18-95-4
EFFECTIVE 01/29/96
CHAPTER 10 - SALE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT - GATE SYSTEM
11 - BASICS OF TIMBER SALE PROGRAM.
11.2 - METHODS OF MEASUREMENT. Tree measurement will be the primary consideration
for all proposed timber sales in Region 1. Exceptions to tree measurement would be scaling on
salvage or thinning sales. Selection of an appropriate volume determination method used for
payment must be considered early in the sale planning process and is the responsibility of the
officer authorized to make the sale.
1. Scaling. The following postsale measurement methods are approved for use in
Region 1. Reference FSH 2409.11 - National Forest Log Scaling Handbook, May 1985, and
FSH 2409.11a - National Forest Cubic Scaling Handbook, May 1991, for application.
Accountability procedures for scaled sales can be found in FSH 2409.15, Chapter 20.
R1-Volume Computation procedures can be found in FSH 6509.17, Chapter 80.
a. 100 Percent Log Scale. 100 percent scale is relegated to a lower priority in the
selection of scaling methods because of the added cost in measurement. However, sale
planners should not overlook the possible benefits of this method when sales or portions
of sales present statistical or accountability problems.
b. Sample Scaling. Two methods offer a range of adaptability suitable for application
in Region 1. They are: (1) sample load log scaling, a random sampling method in which
a sample number of loads are selected at a specific frequency from the total population
for scaling; and (2) sample load log scaling with weights, a double sampling method in
that load weights are taken on all loads in the population. This knowledge of population
weight is then used to supplement the sample loads in estimating the population total
value or volume.
c. Weight Scaling. Weight scale is the measurement of products being sold by
weighing each load. Volume is expressed in A2 of the contract in estimated TONS per
product and each load is weighed both gross and tare to determine the net load volume.
This method can be used on salvage type sales where tree measurement accuracy cruises
will not provide good volume estimates due to rapid deterioration of timber, broken
and/or jackstrawed material, or where significant additional mortality is expected, for
example, bark beetle infestation or fire kill.
The following criteria applies when using weight scaling measurement:
(1) Sales are to be sold using FS-2400-6.
(2) Sales will be cruised to meet sale scale standards.
(3) Form FS-2440-5 Load Receipts will be used.
(4) Use only on flat rate sales.
(5) Length of contract will not exceed two years.
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(6) Do not use with prepaid optional removal (C4.225).
(7) All species and products will be combined in A5b and sold at a single rate.
When using weight scaling, consider additional costs anticipated due to backhaul to
certified scales, or when a fee may be assessed when weighing in log trucks (normally $5
- $10 per weighing cycle) during the appraisal process.
The conversion factor from tons to mbf needed for reporting purposes should be
documented in the timber sale report.
Indicate within the prospectus that the estimated volume quantity will be sold in TONS
and bid rates within the contract will be established as rate/ton. Note that all products
being offered will be bid as a single item (TON) and the requirement for weight will be
obtained at current State certified scales.
State clearly within the advertisement that THIS IS A WEIGHT SCALED SALE.
d. Load Count. Load count scaling requires a predetermined volume to be applied to
each load hauled from a sale. The volume per load is determined by the capacity of the
trucks used to haul the material being sold. It is an acceptable method of measurement
when implemented with the following limitations:
(1) Sale size is limited to 1,000 MBF (600 CCF) or less. Proposals to exceed
this limitation must be approved in writing by the Regional Forester.
(2) Load counting is applicable only when the products/material to be sold
cannot be accurately and effectively measured by one of the other approved
methods.
All sale packages using load count should include as part of the timber sale report an
explanation on how the volume per load was determined. Load count WILL NOT be
used in conjunction with any other form of measurement on the same sale. Verification
checks should be made to ensure that volumes specified per load are accurate and
representative of what is actually being hauled. Refer to Sections 53.1 and 53.2 for
specific contract language.
11.4 - TIMBER PROGRAM SCHEDULING. This activity places the sale on the periodic sale
program announcement. Most of the critical elements have been resolved and the intent is to
offer the volume by competitive bidding.
1. Management of Timber Sales. Forest Supervisors will manage their annual timber
sale program to ensure recognition, disposition, and accountability of all sales offered, sold and
unsold.
a. Unsold Sales. Annual sale programs may contain previously advertised sales
which do not sell because of no bids received, litigation, and other causes.
Monitor and control unsold sales so that resource and management objectives are
met. Consider the following actions when monitoring sale activity.
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(1) Some unsold sales require little extra work to reoffer. For various reasons,
others require greater work. An accurate record of sale accomplishment and
disposition helps measure production and costs of sale preparation.
(2) No bid sales may reflect quality of sale preparation. Quality control reviews
should include unsold sales.
(3) Comparison of volume offered and sold may indicate the level of sale
program needs. Evaluation of unsold sales may indicate economic viability of
National Forest sales in comparison with alternate supply source. Adjustment of
marginal factors in offered sales may result in higher sale success.
(4) Each year use of FR&T funds in the form of capital investment or
contribution dollars helps make sales viable. Forests may use the process to
evaluate whether to depend on FR&T funds or to revise the sale in order to sell it.
(5) Reporting provides management control necessary for crediting
accomplishment for sales unsold in the year programmed and tracking of those
sales until sold or withdrawn. Forest Supervisors will use Sales Tracking and
Reporting System (STARS) to track timber sale activity. Sale criteria will define
when original target accomplishment applies, when new credit will apply, and
when removal from the timber sale program applies.
(6) Unsold sales should form a basis for developing contribution and capital
investment road construction priorities in addition to future sale offerings.
(7) Forest Supervisors will monitor and review unsold sales as to why they were
not offered as originally scheduled. Appropriate action should be taken to ensure
that only sound projects are brought forward to the current year so that sales can
be offered under the specified timeframes.
b. Criteria for rescheduling in the sale program.
Sales remaining unoffered
from a previous year's program may become part of the current year sale program.
Unsold sales from prior years may become part of new offerings for the current
year if one of the following events occur:
(1) Reworked conditions change the sale more than 25 percent of original sale
preparation cost.
(2) Capital investment road construction results in providing new opportunities
for stand treatments.
(3) A catastrophe which significantly affects marketability and requires physical
change in the original sale.
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(4) An administrative action, appeal, or court action delays the sale or causes a
physical change in original sale.
(5) Unforeseen or unresolvable environmental factors which surfaces after
original sale preparation.
(6) Changes due to Forest Plan reallocation of resources and uses.
2. Management of Carryover Sales. Refer to FSM 2490, R-1 Supp 2493.12 for
direction on reporting volume from carryover sales.
11.5 - Sale Program Announcements. Forest timber sale program announcement shall be
completed using the Periodic Sale Announcement Report as listed in the STARS Report Menu.
1. Description of Sale. In addition to the items listed in the parent material, forests may
list major species and the total estimated volume of sale, or may list estimated volume for each
species separately.
Only sales without known delaying factors at the time the timber sale announcement is prepared
will be included in the firm (first six months) program. Sales with delaying factors such as
needed access road funds, right-of-way requirements, and the like, will not be included in the
firm program. Sale offerings containing special or unique requirements should be appropriately
identified by comments in the "Remarks" column of the program announcement. Forests may
also add information specific to individual sale offerings regarding sale conditions that may be of
interest.
Sale announcements will be prepared to cover a full 1-year period. The announcement to be
issued by October 15 will contain a firm program for the period October 1 - March 31, and a
tentative program for the period April 1 - September 30. The announcement to be issued by
April 15 will contain a firm program for the period April 1 - September 30, and a tentative
program for the period October 1 - March 31. At the time each new program is prepared, the
last portion of the previous plan should be updated on the new plan to reflect changes that are
necessary. This will provide for updating programs at 6-month intervals, designation of
set-aside sales when triggered, and other needed changes.
Regular announcements of the sales program will not be delayed for completion of set-aside
agreement with the Small Business Administration, but such announcements should indicate the
volume and selected sales that are tentatively planned for preferential bidding for small business
concerns (FSM 2436). "SBA Set-Aside" should be reflected in the remarks column for sales
selected to be advertised for small business bidding only.
Semiannually, by October 15 and April 15, Forests shall send one copy of their Timber Sale
Program Announcement to the Forest and Rangeland Management Unit in the Regional Office.