11-Attachment B-Scope of Work.docx

Attachment B: Scope of Work AM26-24 Red Canyon West, Three Knolls Bullhog LOCATION: The Red Canyon West Bullhog Project is located approximately 7 miles Northwest of Fayette UT. in Sanpete County. The Three Knolls Project is in Millard County: east of Highway 50, approximately 12 miles south of Scipio, Utah.

Introduction: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) along with the Richfield BLM Field Office, West Desert District - Bureau of Land Management (WDD-BLM) are acquiring services in this contract to provide for wildlife habitat improvement by mechanically removing/shredding standing live and dead pinyon and juniper trees and saplings with a wheeled or tracked MECHANICAL MULCHING/SHREDDER (Bullhog). This task order includes the Contractor to furnish labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals. Project area totals approximately 1,763 acres (1,321 Red Canyon, 442 Three Knolls) as identified on attached site maps.

SECTION I – PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

SITE SPECIFICS:

Location and Description:

The Red Canyon Bullhog polygons are located 5 miles Northwest of Fayette UT. The site is located on BLM and SITLA Land Elevations range from 5,900 to 9,000 feet within the project site.

The Three Knolls polygons are located in Millard County which is approximately 12 miles south of Scipio, Utah and east of Highway 50. Elevations range from 6,100 to 6,500 feet within the project site. Slopes range from flat to 30% with the majority of the project being less than 15%. The treatment site consists of 8 individual units ranging in size from 5 to 149 acres. Rocky areas are present throughout the project area. The treatment boundaries will not be flagged and must be located by GPS. The work location is shown on the general location and site maps.

Acreage: 1,763

Access to the site: Access to the project site is provided by a combination of paved highways, county dirt surface roads, and jeep trails. Four (4) wheel drive vehicles are recommended in and around the project area. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to get the equipment to the work site.

SPECIFIC TASKS:

Work Limits: Only areas shown on the Project Map will be treated. The project areas are identified with a GPS unit. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to provide a GPS that is capable of loading project areas from a computer.

Government staff will identify unit boundaries for the work executed under the contract. The Contractor shall immediately upon entering the project area, begin work, locate control points, section corners, and bearing trees, and take such action to prevent their destruction.

Mulching:

Line Item 1: Red Canyon

1. All live and dead Pinyon Pine and Juniper trees within the designated treatment areas are to be 100% removed. individual tress.

2. All live and dead standing Pinyon Pine and Juniper trees, shall be chipped, shredded, or mulched and completely severed from the stump(s).

3. No live limbs shall be left on the stumps of cut trees and stump height shall not exceed 6 inches measured on the uphill side.

4. All parts of the tree shall be mulched.

5. All surplus vegetation and slash shall be mulched or cut, such that no woody piece is greater than 3 feet in length.

6. Any tree or sapling that cannot be removed by bull hog machinery must be removed by a hand crew utilizing chainsaws or loppers or contractor will not get paid for acres not completed.

7. Mulch depth shall not exceed six (6) inches. If mulch exceeds six inches in depth, the Contractor shall spread the mulch either mechanically or by hand.

8. The Project Inspector will make tests to determine the uniformity of the Bullhog operation.

Line Item 2: Three Knolls

This is a mastication contract. ALL standing live juniper trees and pinyon pine less than 12” DBH will be shredded with a wheeled or tracked MECHANICAL MULCHING/SHREDDER (bullhog) unless they meet the description of a leave tree. Leave trees are defined as bearing trees, old-growth, wildlife trees, or pinyon pine greater than 10” DBH. Old-growth trees are defined as large, single stemmed junipers (generally greater than 24” in diameter at ground level) having old-growth characteristics. Wildlife trees are trees with nests showing signs of recent activity or trees with a large nest (nest is greater than 36” in diameter). The contractor will be responsible for identifying and leaving bearing trees, wildlife trees, and large trees with old-growth characteristics once they have been oriented on site by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR will meet with the contractor on site and provide a more detailed written and oral description of wildlife trees, trees with old-growth characteristics and bearing trees. Tree cover, densities and size are variable across the landscape. However, most trees within the project area are medium sized (10-14’ tall).

Mulch depth shall not exceed six (6) inches. If mulch exceeds six inches in depth the Contractor shall spread the mulch either mechanically or by hand.

All surplus vegetation and slash shall be ground or cut, such that no woody piece is greater than 6 feet (6’) in length. No live limbs shall be left on the stump of any ground stem. Stumps shall be no taller than six inches (6”) as measured on the uphill side.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

Equipment Requirements: At least four (4), (Preferably more) mobile, tracked or wheeled, hydraulically or PTO driven, (2) must be tracked excavator type mechanical mulching/shredder (Bullhog) with drum head preferably fecon style, no disc head shall be furnished on a fully operational basis, with a competent, fully qualified operator for each Bullhog, and shall be capable of mulching/shredding all live and dead trees. Equipment shall be washed with a high-pressure system before entering and exiting project lands. All soil and plant parts shall be removed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds in and out of the project area.

Contractors shall furnish two (2) warning signs to be placed on roadside entrance of work area. Signs shall be a minimum of three (3) feet by three (3) feet in dimension and shall warn of the possibility of flying debris.

Deviations from this expectation require prior written approval of the Project Manager.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

No Government property shall be furnished on this project.

EQUIPMENT AND WORKMANSHIP:

All equipment and/or materials incorporated into the work covered by this contract shall be of the most suitable grade for the purpose intended, unless otherwise specifically provided in this contract. All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The State may require, in writing, that the contractor remove from the work any employee deemed by the State to be incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

Surface Conditions: Mulching shall not occur under conditions that prevent the proper operation of equipment. These conditions include deep snow or when the soil exceeds 15% moisture content and rutting occurs. When such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Government.

Surface Disturbance: Public or private access routes damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. Equipment and vehicles must not be operated or driven outside of the flagged boundaries except on identified roads or trails. All terrain vehicles may be used within project areas as long as vehicle use does not create a visible trail. Bullhog use will be prohibited when soils are wet and rutting might occur. All created visible trails and/or ruts will be reclaimed at the expense of the contractor.

Tests for Uniformity: The Project Inspector will conduct tests to determine the uniformity of the bullhog operation.

CONTRACT TIME:

Project performance time: 162 calendar days.

Performance window: October 6, 2025, through March 15, 2026.

Contract time cannot be extended due to timing stipulations for wildlife habitat use. Starting date may be delayed due to aerial seeding and seed availability.

SECTION II – BID REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

SITE VISIT:

A site visit will NOT be held prior to bidding. It is strongly recommended that each potential bidder inspect the site where services are to be performed and satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

MAPS/FILES

Under no circumstances shall the shape/KML files be considered part of the contractual document. They will be provided for informational purposes only. Implementation maps and shape/KML files will be provided prior to work commencing.

QUESTIONS:

Only questions specific to the site should be asked at the site visit (if held). Questions related to this solicitation, specifications, or bidding procedures MUST be asked in writing on the Q&A board within the solicitation to keep the process fair and transparent. There are no exceptions to this. Questions asked at the site visit and subsequent answers will be recorded and posted in the solicitation so that all potential bidders can review questions and answers.

BIDDING:

This contract will be bid on a per-acre price. The per-acre price will be extended based on the number of acres to show a total project price. The total price shall include all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the job, which includes all mobilization and operating costs. There will be no fuel surcharges or adjustments negotiated.

REFERENCES:

“Contractors selected from the non-preferred list shall be required to demonstrate a minimum of two (2) years of verifiable mulching experience. The apparent low bidder must also submit at least three (3) references from previous mulching projects of similar scope and complexity prior to award.”

CONRACT AWARD:

A contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder who meets any experience and equipment requirements noted elsewhere in this solicitation.

USE OF SUBCONTRACTORS:

The Project Manager must approve the use of all subcontractors in writing prior to their performance of any work on the project. Any company or individual who submitted a bid on the project, was offered the project as the low bidder, and declined that award, or who defaulted on project after being awarded the contract, is ineligible to be a subcontractor for, or an employee of, the successful bidder.

SECTION III – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Project sites shall be cleaned up, and all refuse removed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for the disposal of materials in a manner consistent with State, Federal, and local laws and for all expenses incurred with the disposal. Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the contractor's expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work.

2. Use of 2-wheel and 4-wheel vehicles is permitted in the project areas. Off-road driving will be prohibited when soils are wet and rutting may occur.

3. Hazardous Materials:

A. Use of Hazardous Materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate State and Federal Regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).

B. On-site disposal of Hazardous Materials or Waste including hydrocarbons is not authorized. On-site disposal will subject the contractor to at least the cost of reclamation and the appropriate disposal of contaminated soil.

C. Incidental (de minimus) leaks from fittings, gaskets, or ruptured hoses will not subject the contractor to remedial requirements. They will be considered to be normal and unavoidable losses. Continual leaks will be noted on inspection reports and correction through maintenance is required.

D. Maintenance and repair operations that require the draining of engines or hydraulic systems may be conducted on-site only if the fluids are captured, containerized, and removed from public lands for proper disposal.

PUBLIC ACCESS:

Access into and through the project site shall remain open to the public at all times. The Contractor shall maintain roadways free of vehicles, tools, and debris.

SECURITY OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY:

The Contractor may leave equipment at the work site, however, the Contractor shall be solely responsible for the protection of equipment and is solely responsible if the equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged.

CREW SUPERVISION:

1. The contractor shall designate one English-literate supervisor who will be on site during operation hours. Supervisors shall be identified during the pre-work conference. Any changes in supervisory designations must be submitted in writing to the Project manager at least 24 hours before the change takes effect.

2. The person designated by the Contractor, as supervisor must remain with and effectively direct the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew’s work, (2) advising them as to improper work methods, (3) providing instructions for correcting any improper work methods encountered.

3. Emergency transportation will be provided by the Contractor at all times.

WORK CAMPS:

Work camps may be established only in locations authorized in advance by the Project Manager in coordination with the Government. Should such a camp be authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. Upon vacating a camp and before final payment, the Contractor shall remove all refuse and other signs of occupancy to the satisfaction of the Project Manager.

WORK HOURS:

Work hours under this contract shall be limited to the time between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Work hours may extend into darkness only when the contractor’s equipment is suitably outfitted with exterior lighting sufficient to allow safe operation; AND only when mutually agreed upon between the contractor and the project manager. Work may be done on Saturday, Sunday, and legal national holidays as mutually agreed between the Contractor and the Project Manager.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The work schedule shall be submitted at the pre-work conference.

DELAYS:

The contractor is expected to complete all contract performance in a timely manner, regardless of the contractor or subcontractor's other workload, including any work being performed under other state contracts. A delay or failure to perform may be considered excusable when the delay or failure arises from causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor. Examples of these causes are (1) acts of God or of the public enemy, (2) acts of the State in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, (3) fires, (4) floods, (5) epidemics, (6) quarantine restrictions, (7) strikes, (8) freight embargoes, and (9) unusually severe weather. In each instance, the failure to perform must be beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor.

Upon request of the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and extent of the failure. If the Contracting Officer determines that any failure to perform results from one or more of the causes above, the delivery schedule may be revised, subject to the State’s contract termination rights under the contract.

Note:“Unusually severe weather” means weather that is outside the normal weather patterns for a specific area at a specific time of the year. For example, strong wind and snow storms in fall and winter, or strong wind, rain or hail storms in spring and summer are not considered unusually severe. An unusually severe snow, wind or rain storm is one that is worse than even the harshest normal conditions during a season.

PROJECT MEETINGS:

Pre-work Conference:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: A pre-work conference will be held prior to the start of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of the meeting time, date and place. The purpose will be to review required project specifications, schedules, payroll and payments, and administrative provisions of the contract.

3. Attendance: The Contractor, subcontractors and the persons responsible for coordination of the work shall be present at the meeting.

4. Presentation: The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project and present the work schedule requested in the specifications.

Progress Meetings:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: Meetings may be called by either the Project Manager or the Contractor. Request shall state who should attend.

FIRE DANGER SEASON:

If the Project Manager allows the Contractor to continue work during the periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the Project Manager

PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL DATA:

1. The Contractor agrees that should he or any of his employees in the performance of this contract discover evidence of possible scientific, pre-historical, historical, or archeological data he will notify the Project Manager immediately giving the location and nature of the findings.

2. Where appropriate by reason of discovery, the Project Manager may order delays in the time of performance and/or changes in the work. If such delays and/or changes are ordered, the time of performance and contract price shall be adjusted.

3. The Contractor agrees to insert this paragraph in all subcontracts, which involve the performance of work on the terrain of the site.

PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES:

Location of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431-433), National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa-ll) (36 CFR 296.4 and 36 CFR 261.9(g)), shall be identified on the ground by the Government. The Government may unilaterally modify or cancel this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object that is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object, or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the site is determined.

The contractor shall protect all known and identified historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal, or damage during the Contractor's operations. The contractor shall immediately notify the Government if disturbance occurs to any known site, and shall immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the site until the Government authorizes the Contractor to proceed. The contractor shall bear costs of evaluation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve the Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

NOTICE TO PROCEED:

Unless notified by the project manager that notice-to-proceed will be delayed, receipt of the contract or purchase order by email shall constitute a Notice to Proceed. The Project Manager may issue a separate delayed notice-to-proceed for any reason including adverse soil, vegetative, climatologic, or other environmental conditions.

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE:

The Contractor shall begin work within tweny-one (21) calendar days from the effective date of the notice to proceed. The Contractor shall continue the performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except by causes beyond his control identified in the Delays clause. While an extended performance window is provided in this statement of work, this extended window is designed for contractors who may have multiple contracts to complete for the State of Utah at the same time as this contract. The extended performance window is not to be construed as a full performance time window just for this project unless approved in advance in writing by the State’s project manager. Once the contractor is on site working, the contractor shall work diligently and complete all work within the project performance time in the Contract Time clause below.

It is the contractor’s sole responsibility to complete contract performance regardless of the contractor’s current workload, including other state contracts. If necessary, the contractor will be expected to take whatever means are necessary to ensure timely contract performance. At the discretion of the contractor, this may include sub-contracting, additional equipment/manpower, and/or any other necessary action. Any necessary action taken by the contractor to ensure timely completion shall be at no additional expense to the State of Utah beyond the original contract price.

INSPECTION:

Surveillance Plan: The Government will inspect completed acres and provide recommendations to improve work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to ensure that work complies with the contract specifications.

Final Inspection:

1. Location: Meeting shall be held at the project sites, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: The Contractor shall notify the Project Manager at least three (3) working days before the completion date so the Government can schedule the final inspection.

3. Deficiencies: The Contractor shall correct deficiencies and project areas will be re-inspected by the Project Manager.

ACCEPTANCE:

Based on inspection results, if the quality level falls below contract specifications, the Project Manager will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the Contractor to improve the quality of work. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level after written notification, the Project Manager may issue a suspension work order to resolve the problem, during which time contract time will continue to run.

If untreated or unsatisfactorily treated areas are the primary reason for unsatisfactory work, the Contractor shall rework acres designated by the Government until satisfactory work quality is obtained.

PAYMENT:

One lump-sum final payment will be made for the actual number of acres completed following a final inspection of the project, and consistent with the payment clause in the State’s standard terms and conditions. Normally, requests for partial payments will not be considered. However, if a partial payment request is considered, approval of said request shall be at the total discretion of the State. The contractor must get a partial payment request approved in writing before submitting an invoice for partial payment. Partial payment invoices received without prior approval will be returned to the contractor as not proper for payment.

WINTER STOPPAGE:

At the sole discretion of the State and or the Federal Partner this contract may be stopped at any time due to deep snow or other winter conditions. Once the contract work is stopped for winter, the state may pay the contractor and cancel the remaining portion of the contract, or issue a resumption of work order when spring weather permits. The contractor must proceed diligently with all work as weather permits until a stop-work order is issued.

CHANGE ORDERS:

Minor Change Order - If the State determines that a change in the Scope of Work is necessary, they may modify acreage totals or parcel configuration by up to 10% of the originally proposed Project Area by providing written notice to the Contractor (“Minor Change Order”). Issuance of a Minor Change Order does not excuse the Contractor from their obligation to perform the work under their original per-acre bid price, nor does it excuse the State from paying Contractor for work completed to project specifications. Changes in acreage or parcel configuration will add or exchange work areas with characteristics similar to those in the original Project Area. When possible, a Minor Change Order should be implemented so as to leave a consolidated and contiguous project area having similar access to that originally described in the Scope of Work.

Major Change Order- If the State determines that a change in the Scope of Work is necessary, and that change does not qualify as a Minor Change Order, the State and the Contractor may negotiate a Major Change Order as an amendment to the original contract. Examples of Major Change Orders include: (1) a reduction or cancellation of acreage that is greater than 10% of the original Project Area or (2) a change in the Project Area such that the new project characteristics are not comparable to those described in the original Scope of Work. Major Change Orders may authorize an increase in the unit price of per-acre bid submitted by the Contractor, payment of part or all of equipment mobilization costs incurred by the Contractor, or a combination of both. Any Major Change Order shall be supported by documentation supporting the equitable adjustment in contract terms and is subject to approval by the State of Utah Division of Purchasing.

Change Order Limitations -The sum of all payments made under one or more Change Orders on a single contract may not exceed the liability cap for the contract, calculated by identifying the per-acre bid price, and multiplying that figure by 10% of the acreage within the Project Area that remains untreated. For example, the maximum payment authorized under a Major Change Order would be calculated as follows:

$50 per acre bid price x (10% of 500 acres left untreated) = $2,500 Maximum or $250 per acre bid price x (10% of 1250 acres left untreated) = $31,250 Maximum

Nothing in this Section relieves the Contractor from their obligation to perform as described in Section 1, unless the State determines that a change order is appropriate. Under no circumstances may a Change Order exceed the total approved contract price. In most cases, the actual Change Order amount will be substantially less than the maximum liability cap for the contract. Nothing herein shall be construed as eliminating or modifying a Contractor’s obligation to mitigate damages they may incur due to the circumstances necessitating a Major Change Order, or the State’s right to terminate an Agreement in lieu of issuing a Change Order.

SECTION IV – MAPS, DRAWINGS AND OTHER INFORMATION

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

REVISED 1/15/2025

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