Welcome to the FS Policy Report! Our goal is to provide weekly updates on Agency policy actions, including directives and regulations.

Recently issued directives:

1.    FSH 6509.11k Chapter 50-Accounting (10/26/2021)

Renames section title from “Accounting” to “General Accounting and Reporting” and sets forth direction.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/6509.11k/wo_6509.11k_54_Amend%202021-3_corrected.docx

2.    FSM 2400 Chapter Zero Code-Timber Management (10/29/2021)

Makes minor editorial and formatting changes throughout the chapter.  Updates principal statutes, objectives, policies, and regulations governing the sale and disposal of timber and other forest products. Establishes code, caption and sets forth direction for “Contracting Officer Responsibilities for Presale Preparation”.  Also, includes responsibilities formerly in FSM 2432.04d among other changes listed in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2400_Amend%202021-1.docx

3.    FSM 2400 Chapter 2430- Commercial Timber Sales (10/29/2021)

Revises chapter in its entirety.  Makes minor corrections in spelling, punctuation, and style practices throughout the chapter. Updates references throughout.  A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2430_Amend%202021-2.docx

4.    FSM 2400 Chapter 2440- Designating, Cruising, Scaling, and Accountability (10/29/2021)

Adds authority for use of designation by prescription (DxP) as a valid method of designating trees for harvest and removal. Clarifies considering both cost of sale preparation and sale administration when determining methods for designating timber.  Adds policy pertaining to use of paint for marking trees. Adds policy to report volume offered, sold, and harvested in cubic measure. Adds Regional Forester responsibility to provide guidance for use of designation by prescription in timber sales and stewardship contracts. A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2440_Amend%202021-3.docx

5.    FSM 2400 Chapter 2450-Timber Sale Contract Administration (10/29/2021)

Revises chapter in its entirety.  Makes minor corrections in spelling, punctuation, and style practices throughout the chapter. Updates references throughout.  A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2450_Amend%202021-4.docx

6.    FSM 2400 Chapter 2460- Uses of Timber Other than Commercial Timber Sales (10/29/2021)

Clarifies objectives of disaster relief. Recaptioned: Contracting Officer. Includes responsibilities formerly at 2461.04d. Responsibilities for Washington Office, Director, Forest Management moved to FSM 2404.14. Adds authority to grant free use to federally recognized Indian tribes. Recaptioned: Type of Material Granted for Free Use to Individuals. Clarifies designating free use areas and types of material granted free for personal or domestic use. A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2460_Amend%202021-5.docx

7.    FSH 2409.15 Chapter Zero Code -Timber Sale Administration Handbook (10/29/2021)

This amendment updates the Zero Code to the current format and makes minor corrections and editorial changes throughout the chapter. Adds objective of timber sale administration and adds list of current contract forms.  Refers reader to FSM 2450.3 for direction pertaining to timber sale administration. Revises responsibility section and adds reference to FSM 2452.4 for minimum requirements and certification of sale administration personnel. Clarifies general responsibilities pertaining to timber sale administration. Moves line officer’s responsibilities to FSM 2404.  A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.15/wo_2409.15_Zero_Amend%202021-5.docx

8.    FSH 2409.15 Chapter 10- Fundamentals of Timber Sale Contracting (10/29/2021)

Adds introductory paragraph to chapter.  Moved policy information to FSM 2450.3.  Refers reader to FSM 2450.4 for responsibilities. Adds new section titled “Terminology” describing differences between timber sale contracts and Integrated Resource Timber Contracts. Adds a list of timber sale contract forms approved for use.  A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.15/wo_2409.15_10_Amend%202021-1.docx

9.    FSH 2409.1 Chapter 30- Change in Status of Contracts (10/29/2021)

Revises chapter in its entirety.  Makes minor corrections in spelling, punctuation, and style practices, and updates cross references to contracts and directives throughout the chapter. Removes references to obsolete contract forms FS-2400-6/6T dated 1973 and 7/01 throughout chapter. A full list of substantive changes is included in the digest.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.15/wo_2409.15_30_Amend%202021-2.docx

10.    FSH 2409.15 Chapter 50-Transportation Facilities (10/29/2021)

Retitles chapter to Transportation Facilities. Revises, reorganizes, recodes sections and updates entire chapter. Removes references to obsolete contract forms and obsolete procedures such as purchaser credit.  Updates references to contract forms dated 2004 and newer. Substantive changes have been made to the entire chapter.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.15/wo_2409.15_50_Amend%202021-3.docx

11.    FSH 2409.15 Chapter 70- Contract Claims & Disputes (10/29/2021)

Revises, reorganizes, recodes and updates chapter in its entirety. Updates statutory references to Contracts Disputes Act. Adds contract forms FS-2400-13/13T to contracts administered by a Timber Sale Contracting Officer.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.15/wo_2409.15_70_Amend%202021-4.docx

12.    FSH 2409.18a Chapter Zero Code-Timber Sale Debarment & Suspension Procedures Handbook (10/29/2021)

This is a new Handbook containing material formerly in FSM 2433 and FSM 2455.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.18a/wo_2409.18a_0_Amend%202021-1.docx

13.    FSH 2409.18a Chapter 10-Non-procurement Debarment & Suspension (10/29/2021)

New chapter with updates throughout of material formerly in FSM 2433. Updates definitions. Removes references to obsolete Excluded Parties List website and replaces with the current System for Award Management (SAM) website. Adds information regarding AD-1047 and AD-1048 form requirements for bidder and subcontractor certification.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.18a/wo_2409.18a_10_Amend%202021-2.docx

14.    FSH 2409.18a Chapter 20-Debarment & Export Violations (10/29/2021)

New chapter in its entirety related to debarment and export violations and the procedures thereto.

https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.18a/wo_2409.18a_20_Amend%202021-3.docx

Directives published for public comment:
No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 10/26/2021 to 11/07/2021.

Regulatory actions:
No new regulatory actions were published from the period of 10/26/2021 to 11/07/2021.

Announcements:
There are no new announcements regarding upcoming events, but please continue to check this report weekly as new updates may be included in the future.

If you have questions or recommendations for Policy Report content that would be valuable to you and your colleagues, please contact Miranda Galadima (Miranda.galadima@usda.gov).