Echo Lefthand SOW.pdf

San Juna National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District Echo-Lefthand Fuels Reduction Contract

Scope of Work (SOW) Dated January 25, 2021

Background The Echo Lefthand Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Area is located on San Juan National Forest land approximately 6 miles east/southeast of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The Pagosa Ranger District is responsible for the Project. The proposed treatments under this contract involves mechanical thinning, mowing and shredding (mastication) of Rocky Mountain juniper, white fir, blue spruce, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, Gambel oak and associated shrubs.

The purpose of this mowing and shredding treatment is to thin and shred ponderosa pine stands and understory vegetation in order to improve overall stand health and to mitigate fire hazards by decreasing fuel continuity. The Project area is within the Wildland Urban Interface. It is at high risk of a high intensity crown fire potentially impacting adjacent private lands and residences.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.0 Description of Services

Contractors are to provide all labor, supplies and equipment to mechanically mow and shred (or grind) designated vegetation with a rubber tired machine equipped with a vertical or horizontal shaft mowing head capable of working on slopes up to 35 percent and mulching trees or logs up to 12 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Contractor must have a minimum of two mowers on site of all operations. All work shall be performed in accordance with this statement of work and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2.0 Location And Description

The Project Area is located on the Pagosa Ranger District in Archuleta County, approximately 4 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The legal location of the Project Area is T. 35 N., R. 1 W., Section 24 and 25; T. 35 N., 1 E., sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32. A Vicinity Map showing the general location of the Project Area and a Project Area Map showing the location of the Treatment Units are attached to this contract.

Accessibility: Access to the Project Area is via U.S. Highway 84 south from Pagosa Springs, CO. Take an immediate left on Archuleta County Road 302. In 6.5 miles, turn right on Nipple Mountain Road (NFSR665). To access Units 2 and 52 turn Right again on Echo Canyon Road (NFSR 029). The units are at the intersection with NFSR 029M.

To access Units 21, 22 and 75 continue past Echo Canyon Road and take a slight right onto the Porcupine Road (NFSR 024). The units are at the end of the road.

3.0 Performance Period

160 days. Work may begin May 1, 2021 or as soon as ground is operatable.

4.0 Prework Conference:

Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer (CO) or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will schedule a meeting with the contractor to discuss the contract terms, work requirements and schedule. At the conference, the Contractor shall designate, in writing, the name and phone number of the Contractor’s on-site representative and their contract responsibilities and authority.

5.0 Contractor Representative

Provide an onsite contract representative who will oversee the performance of the work specified in this contract. Designate in writing to the CO, the name of the contract representative and an alternate(s) who shall have the authority to authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contractor’s representative and alternate(s) must have a minimum of mid level janitorial management, supervision and operational experience as well as be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. Notify the CO/COR at least 10 work days in advance of any subsequent change of personnel in this position.

Replacement personnel shall have the same level or better experience as the person being replaced.

6.0 Government-Furnished Items

Forest Service will provide georeferenced maps and/or kmz or shapefiles to the contractor. No Government-Furnished property is provided for this project.

7.0 Hours of Operation

Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.

8.0 Federal Holidays

May work on federal holidays with COR approval.

9.0 Bio-Based Cleaning Products

N/A

10.0 Qualifications Of Contractor Or Employees

The Contractor and his/her employees shall be capable and experienced in mastication operations in a timber fuel type. The on-site supervisor shall have experience and demonstrated ability in both supervision and mastication work. The Contractor shall provide the names of the operators to be utilized on this project. Include the type(s) of equipment and the individual’s experience level and number of years operating the type of equipment described in section 1.0, above.

11.0 DEFINITIONS

COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative

DBH – Diameter at Breast Height measured 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

DRC- Diameter at Root Collar- diameter of the tree or shrub measured outside the bark just above the root collar swell.

Damaged Tree – any reserve or “leave” tree that has been damaged by the Contractor.

Obstacle – For the purposes of this contract an obstacle is defined as any object which can impede, or damage, the shredding/mulching or tree cutting equipment.

This could include rocks, logs, old stumps, road banks or culverts.

Pre-settlement trees – trees that were established on the site prior to Euro- American settlement in Southwest Colorado. Generally these trees are at least 130 years old at DBH. The bark of ponderosa pine is becoming smoother and is more yellow or orange than younger trees

Riparian Areas - permanent or intermittent wet sites or drainages with willows, cottonwood trees, sedges or other riparian vegetation.

Treatment Unit – Area where contract work will be completed that is delineated on the Project Area Map.

Slash – All vegetative material including, but not limited to, tree or shrub boles or stems, wood chunks, limbs, tops and brush created or disturbed as a result of Contractor’s operations.

12.0 TASKS

Mechanical Fuels Treatment (Grinding) – Percent cover of material to be treated is estimated to be between 40 and 70 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%.

Standards - The following standards apply to all Treatment Units:

1) Mow and shred 75 percent of the canopy cover area of Gambel oak and associated shrubs, greater than 2 feet tall, in a natural mosaic pattern.

Whenever possible mow and shred entire clumps and leave isolated clumps in openings. Do not mow large Gambel oak (DRC 6 inches or greater) except to remove ladder fuels under large ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees.

Emphasis will be on mowing clumps of oak underneath and adjacent to overstory trees to reduce “ladder” fuels.

2) Mow and shred ponderosa pine trees no greater than 12 inches DBH and at least 3 feet tall to enhance clumpiness and openings. Select trees that display any of the following:

a) Suppressed tress within 20 feet of the drip line of a pre-settlement ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir

b) a live crown ratio less than 30 percent of the total tree height

c) severe dwarf mistletoe (more than 30 percent of the live tree crown infected)

d) dead or broken tops

e) severe bend or crook.

3) Mow and shred all Douglas-fir, white-fir and blue spruce trees that are less than 6 inches DBH and at least 3 feet tall. Emphasis should be placed on mowing trees which can serve as ladder fuels to overstory trees.

4) Mow and shred juniper less than 14 inches with the exception of large open grown juniper.

5) All mowed vegetation shall be shredded such that 80 percent of the mulch material is less than 4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long and no woody piece is greater than 8 feet in length. Eighty (80) percent of the mulch and chips resulting from the mowing and shredding must be distributed on the ground surface at a depth less than 4 inches and none of the mulch and chips shall be deeper than 6 inches. Small amounts of branches, stems and tops resulting from the mowing and shredding (not more than 20% of treated material) may be higher than 6 inches but no more than 24 inches above the ground.

6) Stumps and stubble heights must be less than 8 inches above the ground surface or above any obstacle.

7) Do not mow pre-settlement ponderosa pine of any size.

12.1 RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS

A. Water Quality- The following measures shall be observed to protect stream courses:

1. Mowing/shredding equipment shall not be operated in riparian areas or stream courses except at crossings designated by the Forest Service. Equipment shall not be permitted in wetlands or wet meadows. These areas are protected by description and are not delineated on the ground.

2. The Contractor shall not cross any drainages, gullies, channel bottoms or swales at a point where banks exceed 30% slope.

3. Access routes to Treatment Units shall be designated by the Forest Service.

Temporarily opened roads and main trails created by the equipment will be assessed by the Forest Service and, if necessary, rehabilitated by the Contractor to provide drainage, stop erosion, encourage revegetation and discourage unauthorized off-road travel. Rehabilitation could include blading out ruts, outsloping, constructing waterbars, ripping, and/or covering with slash, and seeding.

B. Wet Period Restrictions

Travel on native surface roads and off-road with equipment is restricted when the soil is saturated. If the soils are saturated such that ruts 4 inches or deeper and at least 10 feet long are created by heavy vehicles, the Contractor must stop operations with heavy equipment and wait until the ground dries out or freezes. If the Contractor fails to stop operations and creates significant soil damage, the Contractor will be required to repair the damage and rehabilitate the site. Repair and rehabilitation may include any of the following: (1) surface blading of roads;

(2) filling and leveling ruts to original contour; (3) providing drainage; (4) seeding.

If the wet conditions persist, the COR may issue a “Suspend Work Order” until conditions improve.

C. Other Resource Protection

All of the activities associated with this project shall be conducted in such a manner that there shall not be any adverse impact to the following resources listed.

1) Improvements and Survey Monuments - The Contractor(s) shall avoid any damage to improvements such as, but not limited to, fences, gates, utility poles, power lines, survey markers or monuments. The Contractor will be required to repair or pay fair market value to replace any damaged improvements. Known survey markers are shown on the Project Area map and the Forest Service will attempt to locate and flag survey markers and bearing trees prior to treatment.

2) Soils - The Contractor shall minimize soil disturbance to less than 15% of the treatment area. Soil disturbance includes bare soil exposed at the completion of the treatment and soil that is disturbed and then covered with mulch/chips.

3) Protected trees: The Contractor must avoid damaging protected trees including: (1) ponderosa pine and Douglas fir snags over 15 inches DBH and 12 ft. tall, (2) live standing trees not designated for mulching and shredding and (3) all bearing trees. The COR may require the Contractor to cut and/or shred trees damaged by the Contractor or Subcontractors. The COR or designated inspector will identify and mark all damaged trees. If the damage is excessive the Contractor will be charged a rate of $20/tree. To be considered a damaged tree one of the following criteria must apply:

a. bark is removed from more than 50% of the circumference

b. the top is broken

c. more than 30% of the cross-section of the bole is removed

d. more than 30% of the live crown removed

4) Cultural Sites – The Treatment Units have been surveyed for all cultural sites prior to layout, however should any heritage or cultural sites be discovered during operations, the Contractor should immediately stop treatment in that area and contact the COR who will notify the District Archeologist. To reduce risk of damage to undetected cultural sites, Contractor must use high flotation tires on shredding/mulching equipment and all equipment must remain within the Treatment Unit boundaries or on pre-approved access routes.

5) Operating Season Restrictions to Protect Wildlife –

No restrictions will be applied within this section of the contract.

D. Safety

When the Contractor’s operations are in progress adjacent to or on roads and trails open to public travel, the Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain all temporary traffic controls that provide the user with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with the Contractor’s operations. A traffic control plan shall be agreed to by the Contractor and the Forest Service prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed. Flagmen and devices shall be as specified in the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUTCD)

Warning signs must be posted at least 300 feet away from the machinery on roads and trails adjacent to the Treatment Units while the shredding/ mowing machinery is in operation.

E. Road Maintenance

Commensurate with use, the Contractor is responsible for maintaining all roads within the Project Area. Maintenance shall be performed in a timely manner to prevent rutting and seasonal weather damage, and safeguarding soil and water quality, and provide for safe use. Specifications for road maintenance activities are listed below.

a. Visibility The Contractor shall remove vegetation or other obstructions to driver visibility caused by Contractor’s activities during the permit period.

b. Drainage Maintenance The Contractor shall keep ditches, culverts, water bars and other drainage facilities clear and functioning.

F. Noxious Weeds

Cleaning of Equipment- The Contractor shall insure all equipment moved onto Forest Service land is free of soil, seeds and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. The Contractor shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to insure compliance, and shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) at least 3 business days prior to moving each piece of equipment onto Forest Service land. Arrangements will be made for the COR or a designated Inspector to inspect each piece of equipment prior to it being moved onto Forest Service land.

“Equipment” includes all machinery except for log trucks, chip vans, pickup trucks, cars, or other vehicles primarily for transport of personnel.

13.0 DELIVERABLES

N/A

14.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL

Performance Work

Statement

Quality Standard

Performance Standard (Acceptable Quality Level)

Monitoring Methods

Effect Of Not Meeting

Performance Standard

Mowing 65% of Gambel oak and associated shrubs.

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 item 1.

Mowed area not less than 65 percent and not more than 85 percent of total pre-treatment canopy cover of Gambel oak. No more than 4 Gambel oak stems over 6 inches DRC mowed per acre except under very large pine.

Visual inspection and/or randomly placed sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government.

If above maximum, modify methods.

Thinning & mowing of ponderosa pine

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 Item

2.

No more than 2 missed ponderosa pine trees per acre that meet selection criteria excluding trees inaccessible to equipment or on > 30% slope.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

Modify methods to meet standards at no additional cost to the Government or up to 20% reduction in payments.

Performance Work

Statement

Quality Standard

Performance Standard (Acceptable Quality Level)

Monitoring Methods

Effect Of Not Meeting

Performance Standard

Mowing of Douglas-fir, white-fir blue spruce and juniper trees.

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 Items

3 & 4.

No more than 2/acre missed Douglas-fir, White-fir, blue spruce or juniper trees (combined total excluding trees inaccessible to equipment or on > 30% slope) within diameter range

Visual inspection and/or randomly placed sample plots.

If more than minimum trees/acre missed rework area at no additional cost to the Government.

Size of shredded material

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 Item

5.

At least 60 percent of the mulch material is less than 4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. At least 80 percent of mulch and chips distributed on ground surface at a depth less than 4 inches and no slash higher than 24 inches.

Visual inspection and measurem ent of shredded material.

Rework area at no additional cost to the Government.

Stumps and stubble height

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 Item

6.

95% of stump and stubble heights less than 8 inches above the ground or any obstacle.

Measurem ent of stubble height.

Mow stumps and stubble at no additional cost to the Government.

Pre-settlement pine

Task accomplish ed in Section

12.0 Item

7.

No pre-settlement ponderosa pine mowed of any size.

Visual inspection

Modify procedures to avoid pre-settlement ponderosa pine trees.

Quality Standard