Attachment_1-_PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement Construct Fireline, Fuel Break and Slash Piling

Idaho Panhandle National Forests Priest Lake and Bonners Ferry Ranger Districts

1. BACKGROUND: The Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) are a jointly administered set of three national forests located in the state of Idaho that extends into the states of Montana and Washington. The mission of the Forest Service and Idaho Panhandle National Forests is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the Forests. In meeting this mission the IPNF has a need to construct a fireline and fuel break and to conduct slash piling in the forest in Priest Lake and Bonners Ferry, ID.

2. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to construct a fireline, fuel break and associated slash piling in a manner for optimal future Forest Service burning. Perform work as defined in this Performance Work Statement. The contractor performs to the requirements in this work statement and in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations and laws.

2.1 Excavator Constructed Fireline and Fuel Break:

In areas where fireline will be constructed, a continuous mineral soil line not less than 2 feet and not greater than 4 feet shall be cleared completely to expose mineral soil and placed on the outer edge of the unit. Clear all firelines of combustible material for a minimum width of 16 feet. Place material inside the cutting unit relatively free of mineral soil and scattered to minimize berm-like concentrations near the burn edge. Slash will not be buried or covered with dirt during the construction of the fireline.

The mineral soil line may not be any deeper than is necessary to expose mineral soil. When fireline is located on steep slopes, installation of waterbars may be required to mitigate erosion potential.

Spacing and the degree of angle will be designated by the COR. Install waterbars to slope to the outside of the unit with no residual materials blocking any potential flow of water. Place material produced from scraping down to mineral soils on the outside of the line/unit.

2.2 Construct Fuel Breaks generally not less than 10 feet and no greater than a width of 20 feet and remove all combustible material to break the continuity of the fuel bed. The width of the fuel break can vary, based on types and amounts of fuels on the ground, and will be coordinated with the COR (average 16 feet). Place material cleared in the fuel break construction on a designated side of the fuel break. Material shall be free of mineral soil, and scattered to avoid concentrations greater than 2 feet in height. Acceptable equipment for fireline and fuel break construction is an excavator equipped with an approved bucket and thumb. If the Contractor proposes to use other equipment, it must be coordinated with and acceptable to the COR prior to accessing the site and start of work.

2.3 Fireline and Fuel Break Construction Work Categories:

Each unit where fireline and a fuel break is to be constructed has been assigned (by the Forest Service) a ‘work category’, as shown on the Price Schedule and as described below, categorizing the difficulty of operations based on factors such as slash load, slope, and need for erosion barriers. As these factors vary across the forest and unit by unit, the assigned categories help determine the workload needed to meet objectives.

Category 1 per Mile Slope: 0-25%, Minimal erosion barriers required. Line location is reasonably free of slash requiring minimal scattering or throwback.

Category 2 per Mile Slope: 26-45%, Erosion barriers required. Line location contains moderate amounts of slash requiring throwback or side scattering.

Category 3 per Mile Slope: 46% + numerous erosion barriers required.

Throwback and scattering is not emphasized in this category because of slope constraints.

2.4 Excavator Piling:

The work objective is to gather and pile slash and debris meeting the following description for “Material to be Piled” in such manner that will provide for complete and unattended combustion of the piles with relatively minor effort of ignition. This work may occur on slopes up to 45% and on rocky terrain.

Some of the worksites have portions of ground that will be declared unpliable due to excessively steep slopes, wet or rocky surfaces, or light fuel loadings. Piles will have no significant quantities of soil mixed with material that would impede free combustion. The size classes of material to be piled, the approximate dimensions of the piles and the approximate percentages of material to be piled and to be left laying on the worksites are as described. The work will be performed to accomplish the following objectives:

(1) Material to be Piled: Material will be predominantly burnable organic matter with a minimum of soil content. Logging slash, uprooted brush in specified areas, and excessive concentrations of organic, burnable material shall be piled in order to enhance the site for hand tree planting or natural regeneration and to effectively reduce the fuel hazard.

Material in the 0” – 7.0” diameter size class will be piled. Approximately 65% - 75% of the entire work area should have this size material eliminated.

(2) Pile Requirements: Material must be placed into piles of sufficient height so that piles will ignite readily and burn up completely. Slash will be aligned in the same direction as much as possible. Emphasis will be placed upon pile compaction and height will be emphasized over pile width because high, well-compacted piles ignite readily and burn up completely. Slash must be tightly pressed into piles as opposed to loosely arranged in order to support complete combustion. Minimum pile height is 6 feet. Past experience indicates that a ratio of two vertical feet to three horizontal feet results in piles with optimal burning capability. For example, a pile 6 feet in height should be 9 feet wide or a pile 12 feet in height should be 18 feet wide. This is 1 of the guidelines to be used in determining a pile’s acceptability. In areas of units that contain a minimum of slash, piles can be made smaller than the specifications indicated with the approval of the COR. Small piles that are placed close to one another will not be accepted; consolidation of Piles will be required.

(3) Windrows: Slash is pre-sawed into short lengths, so the placement of material into long windrows will not be necessary or acceptable. Operators can expect material to be sawed into 10-12 ft. lengths (with the exception of Category 4). Sale area purchaser or USFS crews will buck material prior to piling. Contractor will not be required to perform any sawing.

(4) Long-Term Nutrient Recycling: Approximately 10 tons to the acre of woody material will be left on dry habitat types (Northern Prairie Unit #90), and approximately 20 tons per acre for moist habitat types (Placer Nuggets Units #29 and #36 and Nickelplate Units 81, 110, 112, 114, 115). Unsound, decomposing pieces are preferred over sound pieces. The tons per acre are subject to change at the discretion of the COR. In order to avoid excessive maneuvering, it is acceptable to leave isolated pockets of slash and debris. This will also apply to areas where there is not enough slash to make an acceptable pile.

(5) Ground Scarification: The percentage of ground surface to be scarified will not exceed

40% of the total unit surface area. The objective will be to create a favorable germinating and growing environment that will ensure a higher percentage of tree survivability by reducing the surface competition with other herbaceous material. In addition, it is desirable that the scarification process provide a mineral soil growing environment that is mostly devoid of mixtures of surface litter and duff.

(6) Resource Damage: Resource damage must be minimized at all times. Damage to delicate soil compositions, creation of erosion potential, and consistent scarring of seed trees and standing adjacent timber will not be acceptable. Soil erosion must be eliminated by providing adequate erosion barriers within the area of activity. Operating on excessively wet, saturated soil will be avoided. The work shall be done when the soil moisture is less than 25%.

Locate piles as far away from designated leave trees as feasible--a minimum of 15 feet where possible to accommodate future Forest Service burning procedures. The expectation is to have a minimum of 5 feet from the dripline to prevent canopy scorch. Locate piles at least 10 feet from unit boundaries adjacent to Forest Service land and 20 feet from unit boundaries adjacent to private land. Retain all standing trees in an undamaged condition.

Areas identified as roads shall be kept clear of contractor created slash piles from the top of the cut back to the downhill edge of the fill. Slash piles will not be permitted on road surfaces. No slash may be left within 5 feet of culverts, nor on trails, roads or fill-slope after piling. Keep Contractor equipment tracts parallel to the road surface in areas where roadside piling is required. Any damage to road surface, cut, or fill slope must be repaired prior to Forest Service acceptance of the work.

Each unit to be machine piled has been assigned (by the Forest Service) a ‘work category’, as shown on the Price Schedule and as described below, categorizing the difficulty of piling operations based on factors such as amount of existing slash, slope, and tree denisty. As these factors vary across the forest and unit by unit, the assigned categories help determine the workload needed to meet objectives.

Category 1 35-50 tons per acre Slope 0-35%, Tree density tends to be moderately open with some restrictive swing movement. Some decisions are required by the operator concerning where best to build slash piles

Category 2 Standing tree density tends to be more restrictive (than category 1) and machine maneuvering becomes more time consuming, but slope and fuel loading are the same as Category 1

OR:

Standing tree density tends to be moderately open with some restrictive swing movement and slope averages are 0-35% (same as category1), but the fuel loading seems to be somewhat heavier than 35-50 tons per acre.

Category 3 Heavy fuel loading: 50 plus tons per acre Slope 0-35% plus Dense standing tree conditions that require careful machine travel and swing movement. Operator is required to monitor pile placement closely in order to avoid crown and stem scorch.

Category 4 Slope 0-40% plus In these units, slashing of damaged or suppressed trees and bucking to the standard lengths is almost non-existent.

GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS:

3.0 PROJECT LOCATION(S):

Item 1:

Priest Lake Ranger District 32203 Highway 57 Priest River, ID 83856

a. Nickelplate Sites: From Priest Lake Ranger District (PLRD) – Nickelplate project area is located at Nordman, Idaho which is 2 miles north of PLRD on Highway 57.

• Units 110, 112, 114, 115: All units border Highway 57; Units 110 and 112 are at Nordman and Units 114 and 115 are 1.5 miles north.

• Unit 81: At Nordman, Idaho, head west on Reeder Creek Rd (#410) and go approximately 2.2 miles to the unit.

b. Lower Priest #24 and 27 Site:

• From Priest River – Approx. 18 miles north on Hwy 57. Take a right on FSR #334. Drive

2.15 miles to FSR 1302 (Gated). Unit 27 is ¾ mile in. Unit 24 is 1 ¾ mile in.

• From Priest Lake Ranger District – Approx. 14.5 miles south on Hwy 57. Take left on FSR #334. Drive 2.15 miles to FSR 1302 (Gated). Unit 27 is ¾ mile in; Unit 24 is 1 ¾ mile in.

Item 2:

Bonners Ferry Ranger District 6286 Main Street Bonners Ferry, ID. 83805

a. Northern Prairie #90 Site:

• From Bonners Ferry RD – Approx. 23 miles north on Hwy 95. Take left on FSR #2228

(Miller Creek) to unit.

b. Placer Nuggets #29 and 36 Site:

• From Bonners Ferry RD – Approx. 5 miles north on Hwy 95 to Three mile junction. Take

Hwy 2 towards Moyie Springs. Approx. 2 miles take left on Meadow Creek road. Follow for 10.5 miles (cross the Moyie River) and take a right on FSR 2541, follow for 1.15 miles to junction of FSR 2540 and take a left up towards Deer Ridge. Follow for 4 miles to units.

4.0. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Work may be performed between July 1 and November 15, 2019 with the following limitations:

• Begin when ground can support heavy equipment – est. early July

• Site access is weather dependent

• No work may take place when ground conditions prohibit operations (ground surface too wet resulting in surface damage, too much snow, safety hazards exist)

• Target work completion by September 30, 2019

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Description Location Remarks Gate Key for Lower Priest Units #24 & #27

Priest Lake Ranger District

Contractor will keep gate locked while working behind the gate during the day and when leaving site at night.

Return key to COR upon completion of work in the units.

6.0 The site is drive-in/out accessible by trucks and heavy equipment. The contractor is responsible for clearing any trees or rocks that block the road needed to access the site. Repair at Contractor expense any road or site damage caused by the Contractor’s work effort.

7.0 Provide highly skilled equipment operators capable of performing the work in a safe manner and in a manner that does not cause excessive soil disturbance or other resource or road damage.

8.0 The Contractor is responsible for contacting the COR at least 48 hours prior to starting work and providing the COR with the anticipated work locations and schedule.

9.0 Quality Control and Assurance: Any in-process inspection by the Government shall be conducted in a manner consistent with commercial practice. The Forest Service may conduct quality assurance for its benefit and has the right to refuse acceptance of nonconforming services. Quality issues with services tendered for acceptance or rejected by the Government shall be resolved under Contract Clause FAR 52.212-4(a), “Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items”. QASP will be provided after contract award.

10.0 Performance Requirement Summary: The below table describes the quality level of performance expected by the Forest Service and the means by which the Forest Service may use to validate acceptable services. Acceptance by the Government of satisfactory services provided is contingent upon the Contractor performing in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The following inspection and acceptance criteria are to be used to determine acceptance of work under this order.

Performance Requirement Summary

PWS

Para #

Required Services Performance Standards Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

2.1 Construct Fire Line Continuous mineral soil

line not less than 2 feet and not greater than 4 feet. Mineral soil is exposed and debris placed on outer edge of fireline

Mineral soil exposed on 100% of fire line

COR visual inspection

2.2 Construct Fuel

Break

Width is not less than 10 feet and not more than 20 feet. Combustible material is scattered beyond the fuel break with no concentration of debris greater than 2 feet high in any one area

Fuel Break is 95% cleared of combustible debris and continuity of fuels is disrupted across 100% of the fuel break.

COR visual inspection

2.4 Slash Piling Material in the 0” – 7.0”

diameter size class is piled

Minimum of 75% of debris material in work area is piled. All continity of fuels are eliminated.

COR visual inspection

2.4 Slash Piling Piles will be minimum of

6 feet in height, with a ratio of 2 vertical feet to 3 horizontal feet (i.e. 6 feet high should be 9 feet wide).

100% of piles are well compacted, clean of soil and formed to readily ignite and burn completely

COR visual inspection

2.5 Quality Conrol and

Assurance

Contractor effectively communicates with COR, resolves issues to COR satisfaction, rework is minimal to nonexistent

No more than 2 areas of rework are required.

Issues resolved within 24 hours. No more than 2 late

COR visual observations and interactions with the Contractor

PWS

Para #

Required Services Performance Standards Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method and work is completed timely and safely.

communications regarding scheduling, work issues or other notifications.

11.0 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): A COR will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is the Contractor’s main point of contract for work related issues. The COR is not authorized to change price or any of the terms and conditions of the resulting contract. Work issues or changes to the contract terms and condition must be referred to the Contracting Officer for resolution.

12.0 Payment – The Contractor may invoice for work completed and accepted by the COR in 14 calendar day increments.

13.0 Barricades, Warning Signs, and Other Devices

The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades, suitable and sufficient lights, danger signals, signs, and other traffic control devices, and shall take all necessary precautions for the protection of the work and safety of the public. Roads closed to traffic shall be protected by effective barricades, and obstructions shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness. Suitable warning signs shall be provided to properly control and direct traffic. The Contractor shall erect warning signs in advance to any place on the project where operations may interfere with the use of the road or trail by traffic and at all intermediate points where the new work crosses or coincides with an existing road or trail. All road barricades, warning signs, lights, temporary signals, flagmen and pilot car operators and equipment, and other protective devices, except for special devices, shall conform with Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, published by the Federal Highway Administration and applicable safety codes.

14.0 Weed-Free Equipment

In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds into the project area, the Contractor shall be required to furnish the COR with proof of weed-free equipment. The Contractor will be required to clean all equipment that operates off existing roads prior to entry on the project area. Additional cleaning of equipment may be required prior to movement between units within the project area as specified in the Task Order. This cleaning shall remove all dirt and plant parts and material that may carry noxious weed seeds into the project area. Only equipment inspected by the Contracting Officer will be allowed to operate within the project area. All subsequent move-ins of equipment shall be treated the same as the initial move-in. Prior to initial move-in of all construction equipment, and all subsequent move-ins, the Contractor shall make equipment available for inspection at an agreed location. Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall give the COR at least 24 hour notice when equipment is ready for inspection.

15.0 Fire Control:

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place the employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to the Contractor’s operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Powersaws. For each powersaw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

(5) Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the COR with special precautions stated.

(6) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(7) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(8) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(9) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch.

All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

(10) Welding. Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container (filled) with handpump attached, shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

(11) Fire Plan. Prior to initiating work on the contract area, during the closed fire season period, a fire prevention and suppression plan will usually be prepared. The Contractor and the Forest Service will jointly prepare this plan. Such plan shall include a detailed list of men and equipment at the Contractor's disposal for implementing the plan. The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contractor's operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

(i) All high fire risk operations could be terminated at 1300 local time.

(ii) All burning could be stopped, including debris burning fires.

(iii) Patrolman may be required for a period of 2 hours after high fire risk operations and 1 hour after end of work shift. The Contractor shall provide the patrolman unless the contract is for equipment rental, in which case the Government will provide the patrolman.

(12) Pump and Trailer or Truck. During Stage I or II fire restrictions the following shall be required:

The Contractor shall provide at a location satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, a serviceable truck or trailer, equipped with a fire fighting tanker unit to be kept ready for instant use for suppressing forest fires. The unit shall consist of a tank of not less than 100-gallon capacity which shall be mounted to a live hose reel with a minimum of 100 feet of hose not less than (3/4) inch INSIDE diameter of non-collapsible (booster) hose with combination nozzle. Hose shall be connected to the water supply.

The tank shall be attached to the chassis frame or to a structurally sound flat bed in such a way to withstand pitch, roll and yaw of the load during on and off road operation of the unit without damaging the tank or other chassis components.

The pump may be an auxiliary powered pump or a power take-off pump with discharge capacity of a minimum 10 gallons per minute at 100 P.S.I. pressure. All pumps shall have a discharge pressure gauge. If the pump is of the positive displacement type, a bypass or pressure relief valve shall be provided. The pump as mounted shall be capable of drafting water from a source located 10 vertical feet below the pump head through the required 20 feet of suction hose. A portable pump capable of filling a 100 gallon tank in 10 minutes or less may be substituted in order to meet the fill time requirements.

Each Pump and Trailer or Truck unit shall have an additional fitting for 250 feet of ¾ inch garden type hose (capable of withstanding the required pressure), two ¾ inch gated wyes, and 4 hose nozzles of the shut-off type, adjustable for straight stream, spray, or fog.

A fire extinguisher, multi-purpose 2A 10BC that is securely mounted to the trailer or truck and accessible by the operator shall be required. The fire extinguisher shall have a current annual inspection tag and the annual maintenance tag in regards to a 6 year annual inspection and every 12 years regarding a hydro test on all dry powder, metal fire extinguishers.

Tools, adapters, accessories and fuel necessary to operate the pump and trailer or truck shall be provided. If a trailer is used, the proper tow hitch shall require a 2 inch ball, a serviceable vehicle and shall be located at point satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. Fill sites shall be identified prior to use, and equipment shall be field tested in the presence of an inspector.

(13) Burning. Before starting any open burning, the Contractor shall comply with the following:

(i) Submit a burning plan, subject to approval by the Contracting Officer, designed to minimize the impact on air quality and to lessen any fire damage.

(ii) Obtain a burning permit from the District Ranger.

(iii) Use weather forecasts as far as possible in scheduling burning for more favorable dispersal of smoke.

(iv) Fuel shall be reasonably free of dirt and piled to facilitate rapid and complete combustion. Piles shall be tended during burning operations to maintain combustion and to eliminate unnecessary smudges. Piles shall be patrolled during off-work hours to avoid wildfires.

(v) Unless fire season controls dictate otherwise, burning shall be scheduled, as far as practicable, for the most favorable conditions during the burning period.

(vi) Under certain atmospheric conditions, smoke accumulations may become excessive and in these cases, the Regional Forester may, at his/her discretion, prohibit all open burning for definite periods within specific areas of the National Forest.