‘343’ Contract Processing Guidelines
Introduction:
343 Contracts provide an additional method for District’s to use when offering a sale of timber products
appraised under $100,000. The intention of these sales is to offer the District’s more flexibility in the
timber sale contracting process with better abilities to respond to rapidly changing market conditions
and unique market niches, resulting in greater efficiency and increased revenue.
The major differences in the 343 process are: Districts to perform all advertising and award aspects; a
shorter advertising period than a 341; although, lacking review from Salem staff; and less time for
potential Purchasers to review sale specifications. 342 Contracts shall continue to be utilized for
negotiated sales of forest products. All pertaining statutes and administrative rules are to be considered
and adhered to when offering timber products on State Forest lands.
The following thresholds are listed for ODF timber sale contracts; Districts shall determine the best
contracting method to achieve optimum results and provide fair contracting opportunities:
Appraised Value
Available Contract Processes
$0 - $25,000
342 – Negotiated Sale of Forest Products
343 – District Timber Sale Contract
341 – Standard Timber Sale Contract
$25,000-$100,000
343 – District Timber Sale Contract
341 – Standard Timber Sale Contract
$100,000 and over
341 – Standard Timber Sale Contract
General Policies:
ORS 530.059 – procedures for sales of forest products; surety deposit required of bidder.
Harvests must be consistent with adopted Forest Management Plans
Contract must comply with all T&E Policies (see State Forest Operational Polices for Northern
Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet)
Policies1 and Procedures - Contract Preparation:
Prepare Documents: Cruise, Appraisal, Exhibit A Maps
Determine Sale Number in District using similar 342 system
Prepare timber sale contract utilizing the 343 Contract Template, working through the fields
marked with an *asterisk as you would a regular 341 timber sale contract. Note the “hidden
text” in the document for help. Purchaser fields and final bid price can be written in ink or typed
into the original document, after bid opening, and prior to Purchaser signature.
Districts must address all T&E concerns through the Area Biologists and their local T&E
Coordinator, and maintaining all documentation at the district.
Each 342/343 sale that harvests a half acre of timber or more will have a BSR completed to
document compliance with our take avoidance policy. In some cases this BSR can be generated
at the District with Area Biologist sign-off or will be generated through the standard Salem
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Policy statements are those that state “must”, shall” “required” and similar mandatory sounding words.
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process. For harvest ½ acre or less, district should use their discretion on the amount and type
of documentation needed.
Any 342/343 sale that was not previously part of the AOP planning process requires evaluation
of habitat suitability and any corresponding survey coverage (either from overlap of planned
341 sales or monitoring surveys) by the Area Biologist and District T&E Coordinator. In this case,
a District generated BSR is the preferred alternative.
Any 342/343 sale that was part of the AOP planning process, and was surveyed accordingly, can
have a BSR processed through Salem (Biological Specialist), rather than at the district. If the sale
only includes portions of the original, then a map showing the original planned boundary and
one showing the final boundary will be submitted.
Harvest within owl circles and marbled murrelet management areas require review by the Area
Biologist, and depending on the level of risk may require a Biological Assessment. At a minimum
the review will be documented by the Area Bio; and the review considered, addressed, and filed
by the district.
Use the 343 Contract Checklist to ensure all major contract requirements have been addressed.
Contact Patty Cate, Land Specialist, for any access documents necessary.
Prepare Notice/Bid Papers using the standard 341 Contract Notice and 343 Contract Checklist
minimums.
Policies and Procedures - Advertising:
343 Contracts exceeding $25,000 in appraised value must be awarded by competitive bidding
and sealed bids procedures, be given Notice by mail and in such other media, and must require
a bid deposit as referenced in ORS 530.059. Bidders must be allowed at least 14 days to review
documents prior to bid opening.
District sends out a Notice of Timber Sale to all prospective bidders who are currently on the
lists maintained at the district level. The Notice describes the forest products to be sold, the land
the products are situated on, minimum price to be sold, and contains a brief statement of the
terms of sale. Recommendation: 341 Contract Notice and Bid Papers.
Bid Envelopes may be prepared for district use if desired
District may prepare a prospectus package for purchasers if desired that may include: Notice,
Bid Papers, BSR, Contract, Appraisal, Project Summary, Cruise Report, and/or Exhibit A.
Website: 343 Contract Information must be posted to the standard timber sale web location.
Send any prepared prospectus documents to Sabrina Reinwald at sreinwald@odf.state.or.us for
posting to web and tracking in Saleplan database.
Policies and Procedures - Bid Opening and Award Process:
District must adhere to competitive bidding procedures outlined in OAR 612-029-0000 through 0100 utilizing same documents as 341 processes and referencing Timber Sale Bid Procedures.
Bid Results must be posted to the web utilizing State Forests Internal Web.
District needs to review contract documents and determine bonding amount(s) based upon
Total Purchase Price. These amounts can be easily figured using these calculators.
All Contracts over $25,000 shall be sent to Salem for signature by Chief, State Forests Division.
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District must prepare Intent to Award Letter and provide to purchaser with instructions to
qualify along with any pertinent access documents. Utilize the Word Status Bar for help text in
form fields.
Upon purchaser return of all qualifying documents, district approval of documents, and the 14day waiting period has expired, the District may notify purchaser of official contract award.
To Salem – Contract Execution/Filing:
Send all originals to Salem for filing, accounting, and verification review
If over $25,000, requires signature of the State Forests Division Chief for contract execution.
Salem Processing
A general notification statement shall be added to the monthly “Timber Sale Schedule” booklet
regarding the local 343 sale opportunities that may be available.
As Districts inform Salem of upcoming 343 Contract advertisements they will be placed on the
external web for advertisement and added to the Saleplan database for tracking.
After final contract and corresponding documents are sent to Salem – a contract folder will be
created and a management record developed for use in revenue accounting, finance, and
timber sale reporting.
Reporting - as requested and may carry over into several Asset Management Unit reports.
Salem staff available to assist the District in the contracting processes and any questions:
Dan Corgan
Contracts Team Leader
State Forests Division
Oregon Department of Forestry
503-945-7381
dcorgan@odf.state.or.us
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