1240LU25Q0013 Attachment 1- SOW-04.04.25.docx

Solicitation Number 1240LU25Q0013; Attachment 1

STATEMENT OF WORK

FY25 GAOA Horseshoe Bridge Install ICY

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST

BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICTS

April 7, 2025

C-1 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

(a) Scope of Contract:

The scope of this project is to deliver the bridge items needed to install a new trail bridge, Horseshoe Creek, on the Custer Gallatin National Forest on the Beartooth Ranger District.

BASE ITEMS: Contractor shall provide both sills and all (20) diaphragms, (See attached drawings for dimensions), remove and dispose of the old existing sills, and install the stringers, sills, diaphragms and all fasteners for these items.

This contract includes delivering other Government furnished material to bridge location, which includes stringers, decking, curb, wearing surface material, and other applicable hardware. The Government will provide all material except Sills and Diaphragms. Government furnished material will be available at the Meyers Creek Administration site upon request.

OPTION ITEMS: Option items will be for complete bridge installation to be able to open the bridge up to the public. These optional items include deck, curb, running planks, and applicable hardware installation, approach work, and new trail construction to tie the trail into the new bridge approaches. Approach grades shall be no steeper than 30%. Approach work does include gabion basket installation on the North approach. Gabion baskets are available onsite to aid in approach construction and minimize embankment. Gabion baskets not used in the approach work shall be returned to Meyers Creek Site.

(b) Project Location: 45.165917, -109.999309 This bridge is located in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, about 16.2 miles from Stillwater trailhead from the North, or 7.5 miles from Upper Stillwater Trailhead from the South. Being in a remote area, this will likely require aviation support for delivery and installation of the bridge items.

(c) Start of Work/Period of Performance:

It is estimated that the work can begin as early as August 1, 2025, weather dependent.

The contractor shall be required to: 1) Prosecute the work diligently, and 2) Complete the entire contract, in its entirety, no later than September 15, 2026.

NOTE: The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) of intent to begin work at least 7 days in advance.

(d) Pre-award Tour:

No pre-award formal site tour is planned; however, offerors may visit the site prior to preparing and submitting their bids. Typically, snow limits access to the bridge site until early summer. Additional information can be requested by contacting: Allie Wood, Beartooth Ranger District Office, Red Lodge, Montana, phone (406) 446-4587, or Logan Foster, Phone (970) 589-9860. Additionally, existing condition pictures are included at the end of this document to help give perspective on the existing condition of the site.

(e) Maps:

Maps in .pdf format of the bridge locations and potential access routes are included in this contract. Upon request the FS can provide geo-referenced maps for use with mapping applications such as Venza Maps.

C-2 – GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Bridge Plan Sets:

This project is utilizing Forest Service standard bridge plans. The length/width/details of different bridge members can be found by referencing the attached bridge plans.

Wilderness:

During the post-award conference, the COR will brief the contractor on the minimum impact/leave no trace ethics prior to traveling, camping, and starting work in the wilderness and shall follow minimum impact/leave no trace ethics while camping and working in the wilderness.

Pack stock used to support project work shall be held in such a way as to minimize tree damage, soil disturbance and loss of native vegetation. Equine stock may not be tied to trees for long durations. The contractor shall meet minimum set back requirements for the Stock and camp sites.

Pack stock transportation shall be restricted to weekdays and non-holidays to minimize impacts to wilderness visitors. The contractor shall obtain written approval from the COR prior to work performed outside these specific days.

All feed shall be certified “weed and seed free”. In the Stillwater, grazing is allowed but shall limited due to damaged meadows after the recent flooding event. Confirm current requirements with the Beartooth Ranger District prior to grazing stock.

Camping at the bridge site may be limited due to the steep terrain. See attached map with recommended campsite. The contractor shall get approval from the District Ranger at the Custer Gallatin National Forest if other sites are to be utilized that are within 100 feet of a stream/river.

All motorized tools and mechanical transport are prohibited in the wilderness except the following:

a. Power tools such as, Sawzall, grinder, impact wrench, generator, compressor, chains saws, and drill motors.

b. Bridge design and materials shall be compatible with the wilderness setting.

Staging of materials, tools and supplies shall be coordinated with Allie Wood, Wilderness Specialist, Beartooth Ranger District Office, Red Lodge, Montana, phone (406) 446-4587, or Logan Foster, Phone (970) 589-9860 to ensure safety for all and to avoid conflicts with the general public, Outfitters, and other users of the trailhead and trail.

All borrow sources for gravel and fine material shall be weed-free, located off trail, and rehabilitated to a natural appearance following use. Rock shall be collected across a dispersed area to avoid removing noticeable quantities from any single concentrated area.

Watershed & Aquatics Clearing of riparian vegetation shall be minimized to that necessary for bridge construction and generally limited to the immediate bridge sites to conserve existing vegetation for shade and stream bank stability.

Native materials collected on site (e.g., logs, slash, rock, gravel, fine material, etc.) for construction and rehabilitation activities shall be collected from areas outside of the ordinary high-water mark (i.e., the bank full channel).

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for using treated wood in aquatic environments shall be followed.

All equipment, tools and boots/waders shall be cleaned of mud, dirt, or plant materials before entering the National Forest to prevent the introduction or spread of aquatic nuisance species.

If fords are improved to accommodate project activities or provide temporary access around the project sites, they shall be restored to pre-project conditions upon completion of the project. Any channel or soil disturbance caused by the use of fords during bridge construction shall be rehabilitated using native materials.

Wildlife:

The project site is located within occupied grizzly bear and black bear habitat, where proper storage of food and attractants is required. To eliminate the chance of habituating grizzly and black bears and other wildlife, food, attractants, and garbage shall be stored in a hard-sided vehicle at trailheads, or within IGBC-approved food storage methods throughout the duration of the project. All food and other bear attractants shall be stored in compliance with the Custer Gallatin National Forest Food Storage Order.

If any threatened, endangered, or sensitive species are located/encountered during project layout or implementation, the COR shall be notified immediately. The COR will consult with the appropriate specialist. Management activities may be altered, if necessary, so the resource is protected.

Soils:

Slash shall be used to stabilize bare soils and streambanks during and following project implementation if applicable. Slash of mixed sizes (at least 50% < 6 inches diameter) shall be placed over approximately 65−70% of the bare soil and streambanks to a depth of approximately 2−3 inches where available (approximately 10-15 tons/acre). Most slash shall be in direct contact with the soil surface.

Social trails established during construction that are not part of the National Forest trail system shall be decommissioned after use. Decommissioning shall include:

· The contractor shall scarify and de-compact the trail tread surface to a depth of 1-2 inches using hand tools. Decompaction techniques shall avoid mixing topsoil (4-6 inches in depth) with infertile subsoil below (> 6 inches).

· Native duff shall be placed over the de-compacted area to re-introduce soil microbial populations and native seed.

Slash shall be placed over decommissioned trails to provide shading and prevent erosion.

Botany:

If new occurrences of Federally listed or Region 1 sensitive plants are detected within the project area, activities shall be halted, and the COR shall be notified immediately. The COR will consult with the botanist so protective measures may be revised, additional buffers implemented, or activity timing restrictions applied. Contractor shall avoid disturbing Whitebear Pine during project activities.

All revegetation efforts shall use native material collected on site.

Weed Control:

In order to prevent the introduction or potential spread of non-native, or noxious weeds, the contractor shall clean all equipment, tools, and supplies prior to entering the National Forest.

The contractor shall implement required weed protection measures outlined in Forest Service Manual 2080 (Noxious Weed Management) including:

The Forest requires all hay and straw to be certified Weed Free, and the contractor shall provide furnish proof of certification upon request. Stock shall be fed weed-free feed one (1) days prior to entering the National Forest. Stock shall also be well brushed to remove any weed seed prior to entering the Forest. Cows?

Work crews shall regularly inspect, remove, and properly dispose of weed seed and plant parts found on their clothing and tools.

Cultural Resources:

If previously unrecorded heritage resources are encountered during project implementation, activities shall be halted, and the Contractor shall notify the COR immediately. The COR will consult with the archeologist and if necessary, shall consult with the State Historic Preservation Office.

Authorization for Aircraft flights:

Since the bridge is located in a wilderness area, the contractor shall obtain an authorization letter from the COR at the Forest Service, who will allow the contractor to utilize a helicopter for transport of tools/materials into and out of the wilderness. This letter will be in response to the contractor “Proposed Flight Plan”. Contractor shall allow the Forest Service a minimum of thirty (30) days for review of the Proposed Flight Plan and subsequent issuance of the Authorization Letter.

The authorization letter may include requirements such as limitation on number of flights, limitation on the number of total days, required FAA certification, requirements for communication with our dispatch center, and a submittal of actual flights/flight time after construction is complete. Flights for personnel are prohibited.

Site Visits:

A post-award conference will be provided within seven (7) days after award. The COR will accompany the contractor on the first site visit. If needed, the Contractor shall provide a seven (7) day notice when planning site visits to allow Forest Service personnel to attend the site visit.

Protection of Existing Structures:

Trails, roads, fences, gates, cattleguards, culverts, and other structures adjacent to and within the project shall be protected from damage by approved methods.

Government Furnished Items:

Most of the bridge material for this contract will be government furnished, save the requested sills and diaphragms. Any necessary tools required to lift, haul, and set the material at the site shall be contractor furnished.

All bridge material will be furnished by the Government, except for sills and diaphragms. All government furnished items will be located at the USFS’s Meyers Creek location (approximately 46.4471, -108.547293), or at the bridge installation location.

Restroom and Water Facilities will NOT be provided by the Government.

Salvage of Materials:

Any salvaging of material shall be removed by the contractor.

Trail Construction:

If option items are awarded, contractor shall construct approaches to the bridge. Up to 200 feet of trail work may be required.

Final clean-up:

Remove all debris, rubbish, and excess material from the project and off Forest Service lands. No excess treated material shall be left on Forest Service lands.

C-3 – PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

The following sets of plans are part of this project: Glued-Laminated Stringer Trail Bridge (5 pages with 4 pictures)

Required Submittals – See FSSS (Forest Service Supplement Specifications) The offerors shall provide the following information in their solicitations. If any changes from the contractor’s proposal are required, the contractor shall notify and obtain approval from the COR immediately.

· Number of flights per day and total days.

· Group size, camping, stock containment & food storage plan.

· Motorized tools and mechanical transport required.

· Impacts to site and number of days to complete.

· Safety- site specific items including trail guard during flight to sites.

· Security- description of anticipated means and methods for site and staging area(s).

· Description and stages of work. This includes proposed trail work for bridge approaches, if option items are exercised.

The contractor shall submit a written request and obtain approval from the COR prior to purchasing Sills and Diaphragms to confirm compliance with the attached bridge designs and avoid any unnecessary construction delays.

C-4 – STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS:

Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-14, U.S. Customary Units) are included in this solicitation by reference only. The requirements contained in these Specifications are hereby made a part of this solicitation and any resultant Contract.

C-5 – SPECIAL PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS:

Forest Service Supplement Specifications are included in this solicitation and are attached.

C-6 – EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS:

The following pictures are provided to assist in understanding anticipated site conditions:

Abutments

Example of drainage grade

North Abutment Gabion Baskets

Potential Campsite at Trail 34/24 Junction. Approx ½ Mile from Bridge Site

Note: Stringers depicted are no longer here but were moved to the Meyers Creek Administration site as previously noted.

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