1125131 - PWS_DetroitSubsoiling2024.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Performance Work Statement

Detroit Ranger District FS Road 46 Soil Improvement

Contents Project Title

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

2.0 Definitions

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

5.0 Government Furnished

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

Attachment.............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.12

Project Title Detroit Ranger District FS Road 46 Soil Improvement

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

The objective for contract activities is to improve the productivity and drainage of soils detrimentally compacted during emergency hazard tree removal work following the 2020 Beechie Creek-Lionshead Fire. Work will include soil decompaction by subsoiling without damaging live vegetation, re-distribution of large woody debris over the improvement area, and chipping of all excess downed woody debris and slash over 16.7 acres. Subsoiling is a common and effective management action to reduce the detrimental compaction of soils after heavy equipment use or logging operation disturbance. Subsoiling improves porosity and drainage patterns, which in turn protects water quality from sedimentation of fine material from the soil surface. Shown to increase the survival and growth of seedlings, subsoiling begins the process of restoring areas to a condition ideal for successful reforestation. Services will be accomplished by use of contractor furnished and Contractor operated equipment. The effective period of the resulting contract is from date of award through October 15, 2024.

2.0 Definitions

Subsoiling- the process of mechanical soil decompaction without mixing of the soil layers Compaction- an increase in soil bulk density, a condition where pore space is greatly reduced and soil hardness is increased to a degree that greatly can prevent successful reforestation Porosity- volume of interstitial air spaces in soil DBH- Diameter at breast height

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

(1) The Contractor shall furnish all machinery, equipment, labor, supervision, transportation, materials, tools, supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform the described work according to the specifications unless otherwise specified.

(2) The Contractor shall provide equipment operators that have sufficient skill and experience to perform the work safely, and in accordance with the specifications. Operators who, in the opinion of the

CO,

do not do so shall be removed from the project immediately by the Contractor.

(3) The contractor shall give five (5) business days’ advanced notice prior to beginning operations

(4) To prevent the introduction of noxious weeds into the project area, equipment cleaning will be required prior to equipment arriving on Forest Service property. All equipment and vehicles to be used within the project area shall be cleaned and certified free of noxious weeds and their seeds prior to entrance onto the National Forest. Cleaning shall occur off Federal lands. Cleaning shall consist of the removal of all mud, dirt, grease, debris, and any other materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. This may require the use of a pressure hose. Equipment, materials and vehicles shall be visually inspected by the COR or designated Government Technical Monitor. Inspections will take place at a location designated by the COR in advance of equipment and material arrival on Forest Service property. Equipment and vehicles are expected to proceed directly to the job site following the inspection.

Downed Woody Debris Handling and Dispersal:

Dispersed heavy fuels and slash with some fuel piles distributed throughout will be moved and redistributed to allow subsoiling of the entirety of the polygon. When material is available, create a slash matt > 8” depth on slopes >3% grade such as on slopes during entry into unit. Downed woody debris shall be redistributed during subsoiling to 240 linear feet of logs greater than 20” diameter per acre, or the largest available, and in lengths of 20’ or more when available with even scattering of fine slash throughout the unit where the material is available. Fine slash dispersal (~0-3 inches diameter material) should be prioritized on areas of higher slope within the polygons if limited slash is present in the unit. Dispersal of fuels will be as close to these metrics as possible for each unit where all excess fuels >3” are removed from the unit for chipping. Material shall be distributed or removed in conjunction with decompaction to prevent any re-compaction from additional tracking over already subsoiled areas. Transportation of downed woody material may be necessary up to 700 ft linear distance. Logs with a DBH >35” are not required to be redistributed or chipped within this contract. Remove all plastic during dispersal of piled slash and logs.

Excess downed woody fuel >3” will be chipped either directly within the unit or off of the road prism onto subsoiled surfaces. Chipping depth should be between 3’ and ≤ 6”. Chips will be placed outside of live stream areas, roadside drainage areas, and culverts. Chipping equipment shall not recompact any soil nor travel over a native soil surface that is not slated for decompaction in the project area.

Decompaction Requirements:

Desired equipment is an excavator, capable of maneuvering around downed woody debris, with a subsoiling attachment that is capable of piercing into heavily compacted soils in the project area. Subsoiling will be done from the mineral soil surface to 20” depth. Operator will grasp and lift soil then set it back in place, decompacting without mixing soil. As an exception to this requirement, subsoiling depths should be shallower than 20 inches when the operator senses the attachment has encountered resistance due to a boulder-sized rock (> 2’ across) or roots of live trees. Subsoiling should not drag boulder sized rocks to the soil surface. A high density of smaller size rocks will be found throughout the project area and are acceptable to be manipulated without altering subsoiling specifications. The soil removed would then be gently placed back into position. The organic rich duff layer shall remain largely unmixed on the top layer for soil surface protection across the project area. No grooming nor smoothing after subsoiling will be necessary in order to avoid soil mixing. Once an area is subsoiled it must not be driven over to ensure no additional compaction is created in the project footprint.

Equipment Specifications

Multiple attachment designs, such as those that can fit to an excavator, can produce effective subsoiling results. Similar subsoiling work has been done with a single attachment or multiple attachments that are carried throughout the unit and used in tandem. Some attachments that have been able to create desired results are: an excavator bucket that scoops compacted soil up into the bucket where the top claw attachment breaks apart soil clods; a bucket and adapted brush rake that minimizes soil mixing; a multisided tong attachment that can use its penetrating tongs to lift and fluff the surface soil; and other fabricated attachments such as that found in the 2009 USDA article*. Ripper or tillage attachments are not suitable to accomplish this project’s desired outcome.

Equipment proposed by the contractor should also have the capability of grappling any excess woody material within its reach. A smaller, track machine is necessary to minimize ground pressure by an order of magnitude less than wheeled heavy equipment. Wheeled machines tend to displace and upturn soils at the wheel-soil interface.

Because we are allowing proposal of different kinds of equipment, you need to be very clear in the specification documents that you submit, as to the capabilities of the equipment you are suggesting. Along with that, the evaluation of your quotes may be subjective to the knowledge and expertise of our selection panel in assessing the capabilities of proposed equipment.

Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, and other harmful materials shall not be discharged on the ground; into or nearby rivers, streams, or impoundments; or into natural or man-made channels.

Wash water or waste from concrete or aggregate operations shall not be allowed to enter live streams prior to treatment by filtration, settling, or other means sufficient to reduce the sediment content to not more than that of the stream into which it is discharged.

*See the attached USDA Forest Service National Technology & Development Program Article 0424 1804 SDTDC: Multipurpose Subsoiling Excavator Attachments, June, 2009. And see attached photos of an example of a Subsoiler Attachment on a Mini Excavator.

Vegetation Management

Some units may be directly adjacent to living trees. A buffer will be flagged around live trees for equipment avoidance to prevent damage to subsurface root systems. A highly maneuverable machine with the capability of navigating a complex terrain will be necessary to avoid buffers around root masses of conifers and hardwood trees where present. Due to the time since the Beechie-Lionshead Wildfire, there has been some vegetative growth throughout the subsoiling units. The vegetation throughout the units, such as shrubs and grasses, will not need to be avoided during subsoiling work. Only mature trees will be buffered out of the subsoiling area.

Dispersed stumps of varying height will be encountered throughout the units. Subsoiling should follow the same specifications when encountering the decaying, dead root structures. Subsoiling will help incorporate this organic material of these systems into the soil. Minimize complete uplifting of the entire stump and root wad above the soil surface when possible; however, this may not be feasible during subsoiling activities. Uplifted stumps will not solely reflect negatively on the contractor’s work.

Streams and Live Water When live streams are encountered, subsoil up to stream channel edge. Where stream crossings are needed for access to the remainder of a unit, protect the stream channel by installing a slash/log mat >8” over the stream channel. Minimize the number of stream crossings. After a stream crossing is no longer needed, disperse slash/log mat in accordance with contract specifications as described in the Downed Woody Debris Handing and Dispersal section.

Project Unit Characteristics and Access Requirements Table 1. The acres, site condition, downed woody material load, and potential access are described for each of the 11 units. Fuels found in the project areas as dispersed downed woody material (tons/acre) and pile or deck size (dimensions provided) are described from an ocular estimation made by the soil scientist and Fuels specialists. Species of fuel material include Douglas-fir, alder, cottonwood, and bigleaf maple with approximate DBH of piled material provided. Additionally, culverts observed in the field are noted by unit for damage avoidance and areas of increased slope are identified for each unit.

Unit Acres Notes 1 2.16 Dispersed downed material: 3-5 tons/acre

Piles: 40’ L x 15’ W x 9’ H DBH <20” Decks: NA Slope down to flat unit off entrance ~15’ Access: Off turnaround on the southwest of unit and from the

46 road to the northeast of the unit 1 culvert in unit to be avoided

2 0.91 Dispersed downed material: 1 tons/acre Piles: 20’ L x 10’ W x 4’ H DBH 5-15” o 1 additional pile to chip from pullout above NE boundary

Decks: 35’ L x 15’ W x 5’ H DBH <20” Slope into unit from FS road 46 ~100 ft’ Access: Off of the 46 road on the southwest of the unit with some cleared space for equipment staging; to be determined by contractor if loading off of FS road 46 is necessary

3 1.28 Dispersed downed material: 1 tons/acre Piles: 30’ L x 10’ W x 4’ H of fine slash to <20” DBH Decks: 20’ L x 10’ W x 5’ H DBH <20” Gravel in equipment staging area Access: Staging area on southwest of unit; to be determined by contractor if loading off of FS road 46 is necessary

4 0.54 Dispersed downed material: 1 tons/acre Piles: NA Decks: NA Access: Off of 46 road on the southwest corner of the unit Sloped about a 6 ft drop down off of the road into the unit with a culvert at the corner of the unit 1 Culvert in unit to be avoided

5 0.40 Dispersed downed material: <1 tons/acre Piles: NA Decks: 10’ L x 5’ W x 3’ H DBH 10-25” Access: Off of 46 road on the west side of the unit Some gravel in area of entry to unit

6 1.20 Dispersed downed material: 3-5 tons/acre Piles: 40’ L x 10’ W x 4’ H DBH 5-20”; 20’ L x 10’ W x 4’ H

DBH 5-20”; 8’ L x 5’ W x 34’ H fine slash; 10’ L x 5’ W x 3’ H fine slash

Decks: 15’ L x 10’ W x 3’ H; DBH 5-20” Access: Unit is next to a large pullout that can be utilized for staging Slope sloped down 10’ into unit 1 Culvert in unit to be avoided

7 3.89 Dispersed downed material: 2-3 tons/acre Piles: 70’ L x 15’ W x 5’ H DBH 5-20” Decks: 45’ L x 8’ W x 5’ H DBH 5-20”; 15’ L x 10’ W x 4’ H

DBH 5-20”

Access: FS road 4691 can be utilized as access to the unit Slope undulating in unit 2 Culverts in unit to be avoided

8 2.00 Dispersed downed material: 2 tons/acre Piles: NA Decks: NA Access: Entrance from FS road 46 into unit and will need to be access from both sides of the stream due to slope grade 9 1.42 Dispersed downed material: 3-4 tons/acre

Piles: 5’ L x 4’ W x 3’ H Fine Slash Decks: 40’ L x 20’ W x 15’ H DBH 15-30 Access: Entrance from FS road 46 into unit 2 culverts in unit to be avoided

10 0.87 Dispersed downed material: 1-2 tons/acre Piles: NA Decks: NA Access: Entrance from FS road 46 into unit Some gravel in boundary of unit

Heavily moist area ~ avoid water logged areas if present in dry season during work operations

11 1.94 Dispersed downed material: 3-5 tons/acre Piles: 20’ L x 10’ W x 10’ H DBH 5-15” Decks: NA Access: Entrance from FS road 46 into unit Some gravel in boundary of unit

Total acres: 16.7

Road Management and Maintenance

Follow requirements for road use, closure procedures, and road damage mitigation measures in the Willamette Road Rules document attached (Attachment P). Tracked equipment will not be allowed on paved or stabilized road surfaces. Access off of FS road 46 requires equipment to travel down a short pitch of higher slope for many of the units. Contractor will place, slash, rubber mats, tires, or other material on slope to prevent any damage from tracked equipment when loading onto and off of a unit. No road shall be blocked by placement of any vehicle or other object upon the road in a manner that is an impediment or a safety hazard, or conflicts with other users. Flaggers will be required when working immediately adjacent to the road or when offloading equipment from the road surface into the unit. All roads will have signs posted in both directions during operations. Traffic on all subdivisions shall not be delayed more than 20 minutes.

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

The contractor is required to provide written progress reports daily to update forest management about status of potential road closure and work along a main road through Forest Service land.

The progress report shall cover all work completed during the day and shall present the work to be accomplished during the subsequent day. This report shall also identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved and provide an explanation.

The effective period of the resulting contract is from date of award through October 15, 2024.

Key Deliverables Item No.

Deliverable Objective Due

1 Daily Status Report

Written E-Mail documenting work progress and subsequent day plans.

To be received by end of day until the contract expires.

5.0 Government Furnished

Maps of the project area, GIS shapefile of the project area, on the ground flagging of the project area, on the ground direction from the soil scientist during project work, in addition to access and use of the FS Road 46 are provided and available to the contractor.

6.0 Travel

This project area is located on the Detroit Ranger District in the Willamette National Forest.

Areas of work are along FS road 46 from 0.7 miles beyond the junction with highway 22 and FS road 46 to 4 miles from the junction with highway 22.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Key personnel include: an experienced equipment operator capable of producing desired subsoiling results outlined in the 3.0 Technical Requirements section, personnel to manage road traffic on entry and exit into each unit or when work is immediately adjacent to the road; drivers capable of maneuvering transportation equipment onto each unit without damage to the road prism.

8.0 Security Requirements

NA

9.0 Data Rights

The contractor is provided with georeferenced maps and photographs of the unit area and is permitted to utilize this spatial and data to complete contract line items.

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards

NA

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

The Contractor shall use reasonable care to avoid damaging existing buildings, equipment, and vegetation on the Government installation. If the Contractor’s failure to use reasonable care causes damage to any of this property, the Contractor shall replace or repair the damage at no expense to the Government as the Contracting Officer directs. If the Contractor fails or refuses to make such repair or replacement, the Contractor shall be liable for the cost, which may be deducted from the contract price.

Performance Objective

Required Task or Deliverable

Performance Standard

Method of Surveillance

Positive/Negative Incentive % for NOT meeting the Task

Soil Decompaction

Subsoiling of the 16.7 acres across

Decompaction through subsoiling

Soil Scientist will be present at the beginning of

11 work units.

to 20”without soil mixing.

operations to assess subsoiling in the first 10’x10’ area to provide any necessary feedback to achieve desired results. Assessment will be done with visual observations, a sharpshooter shovel, and a penetrometer. Any alterations to operator work will match the standards set in this contract and will be communicated by the soil scientist.

Random inspections of work will be conducted during contract with visual observations done over the whole unit and with additional dispersed, random 10’x10’ areas assessed with visual observations, sharpshooter shovel, and penetrometer assessment.

Downed wood dispersal

Piled, Decked, and Dispersed Woody debris redistributed.

Manual distribution of fine slash and logs to achieve a fuel dispersal

All accumulated and dispersed slash and downed wood shall be distributed as close to 240 linear feet of 20’ logs >20” DBH as possible when the material is available within the unit. Fine slash shall be distributed

COR will be present to observe the downed woody debris dispersal at the completion of the first unit to provide any adjustments to better follow the specifications for all subsequent units. Random as close t the desired specifications as possible.

throughout the unit.

All logs >3” remaining after dispersal will be removed from the unit and chipped off the road.

inspections by the COR will occur throughout the contract.

Chipping of excess material

Remaining logs removed from the unit will be chipped off of the road prism.

Chipping will occur off of the road prism and onto the subsoiled units.

Chips will not be placed in roadside drainages, culverts, and live streams.

Chips should be 3- 6” deep where applied.

COR and Soil Scientist will be on site when possible to observe work standard.

ATTACHMENTS

1. REP_PHOTOS

2. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_ALLUNITS

3. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U1

4. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U2

5. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U3

6. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U4_U5

7. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U6

8. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U7

9. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U8_U9

10. FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U10_U11

12. USDA 0424 1804 SDTDC_MULTIPURPOSE SUBSOILING EXCAVATOR

ATTACHMENTS (SEPARATE ATTACHMENT)

12. 20200330_DM_SUBSOILING_FINAL_SIGNED (SEPARATE ATTACHMENT)

13. WIL_ROAD_RULES_2016 (SEPARATE ATTACHMENT)

14. WAGE DETERMINATION (SEPARATE ATTACHMENT)

ATTACHMENT 1: REP_PHOTOS

1 2

3 4

5 6

Exposed root wad showing a representative example of surface soil rock size and content.

7 8

9 1 0

1 1

ATTACHMENT 2: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_ALLUNITS

ATTACHMENT 3: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U1

ATTACHMENT 4: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U2

ATTACHMENT 5: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U3

ATTACHMENT 6: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U4_U5

ATTACHMENT 7: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U6

ATTACHMENT 8: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U7

ATTACHMENT 9: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U8_U9

ATTACHMENT 10: FS46_SUBSOILINGMAP_U10_U11