12443926Q0025 SOW PWS Mech Site Prep and Fuels.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Performance Work Statement

Contents

Project Title R9 Superior National Forest, Laurentian and LaCroix Mech Site Prep & Fuels Work FY2026

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

This contract requires site preparation and fuels work in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions.

It is the intent of this contract to secure site preparation and fuels work services required for the Superior National Forest, Laurentian and LaCroix Ranger Districts for year 2026. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals to perform all work necessary for site preparation and fuels work.

Also, due to the nature of the work and the unknowns that may be encountered, changes in acreage of units shown in Schedule of Items can be expected. After reviewing alternate areas with the Contractor, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) reserves the right to substitute, at the contract price, the same type and amount of work in other areas similar in topography and conditions within the Ranger District boundaries shown on the maps in lieu of the original areas when it is determined by the COR that the original areas or portions thereof are unsuitable or unavailable for performance of the specified work. Equipment movement of more than 5 miles from the nearest boundary of the original area to the substitute areas will be paid for at rates mutually agreed upon between the Parties.

LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

All map units are either on the Laurentian Ranger District, Aurora, MN or the LaCroix Ranger District, Cook, MN.

Schedule of Items and map packet will show project location, access to map units, plus supplemental information.

LaCroix Ranger District map units are located surrounding Lake Vermillion. Map Units are accessible by the Mud Creek Road. Map units are located in the following township/ranges T62N, R16W and T63N, R16W and T63N, R15W.

Most units have road access; however, some locations may have limited access and/or require snow plowing. Roads will be County roads, Forest Service specified, or temporary roads. Temporary roads may need to be opened before site preparation and/or fuels work can begin and shall be reclosed for the unit to be accepted by the COR (see more in Road Use and Maintenance).

2.0 Definitions

DBH (diameter at breast height) - Diameter of the trunk of the tree measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Dry soil season - When the ground is dry and will not easily rut. If dry soil season is required, work without dry soil conditions must be approved by the COR before any operations can begin. Generally, the normal dry period is between July 1 and September 15.

Frozen soil conditions – When the ground is frozen and will not easily rut. COR will determine the appropriateness of site conditions prior to starting work and for duration of work.

Hazardous fuels – Include all live and dead balsam fir trees regardless of size. All standing live and dead species under 6-inch DBH except for all pine, spruce, cedar and oak species. All dead and down materials.

Leave tree -Any tree that is required to be left standing as provided in the specifications (same as a reserve tree).

Mastication - Mechanical fuel reduction treatment that involves grinding or shredding vegetation and woody debris into a mulch layer on the forest floor.

Merchantable tree - For this contract, a merchantable tree is equal to or greater than 5 inches DBH.

Post-harvest Units - These sites have been logged and have varying amounts of standing overstory trees. Some sites may also contain these standing overstory trees as orange painted reserve trees. Site boundaries are marked with painted boundary trees or flagging. These units are to be typically full planted or seeded after site prep, and it is generally expected that the entire unit will be treated unless it is determined to be inoperable as agreed upon with the COR.

Reserve area - An area designated to be left undisturbed, typically identified on the ground with flagging or painted trees or identified on attached maps

Scarify - Scraping the ground surface to expose mineral soil by moving leaf litter and woody debris.

Slash - Limbs and trunks of downed trees.

Snags - Standing dead trees.

Workable Areas - Workable refers to areas where the ground can be manipulated to the desired result. Workable areas are typically less than 35% slope. In post-harvest units, the workable area is typically the harvested area.

Unworkable Areas – Unworkable areas my be left after agreement by COR and may include, but not limited to:

· Reserve areas and any updated map areas identified during the prework meeting.

· Areas described in General Specifications and Resource Protection

· Streams, rock outcrops, non-forested wetlands, clumps of trees, and small low/wet inclusions.

· Unforeseen areas found by the contractor during the performance of work and agreed upon with the COR. (For example – areas that expose rock and unforeseen shallow areas)

Unworked areas that are one acre or larger will be deducted from payment. Acres will not be replaced if dropped for operability reasons, unless approved by the COR.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

TASKS AND CRITICAL SUB TASKS

This part of the contract identifies the critical tasks and subtasks required in the contract. It also specifies the quality standard of each task and related subtask, as well as the acceptable quality level for each task and related subtask, the means of measuring the level of quality and any penalties or incentives associated with the level of quality.

Each time a new operator starts on this contract, at the job site immediately prior to the start of operations, the Contractor or his designated foreman shall discuss the following specifications with operators:

· Work Methods

· General Specifications

· Road Use and Maintenance

· Resource Protection

· Special Considerations

WORK METHODS

Contractor's operations must proceed in an orderly manner to facilitate prework equipment inspections (as described in Deliverables/Schedule 4.0). Unless approved otherwise by the COR, the Contractor will restrict operations to one site at a time. The Contractor must notify the COR 48 hours prior to moving the Contractor's crew to work on another District.

The Contractor shall provide equipment that is suitable for the job. Equipment will be inspected at the time it is delivered onto the job. Equipment that does not meet contract specifications and requirements will be rejected. The Contractor will within 48 hours after receipt of notice from the Contracting Officer, either correct the deficiencies or provide a replacement piece of equipment meeting specifications.

Machine operators and assistants and other key personnel shall be required to comply with all Federal, State and Local codes.

Consult with COR if objectives cannot be met. An alternative will be agreed upon, and objective specifications will be adjusted/documented to meet the project objective.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for all site prep and fuels work unless there are specific supplemental project specifications:

Rock Raking Mechanically scarify sites and pile slash with a dozer or crawler tractor with a rock rake blade as specified below.

Objectives of these treatments are to scarify the ground to expose mineral soil and control competing vegetation. On average, rock rake teeth will work the soil to a depth of 4-8 inches. Scarify the area to provide an adequate seed bed or planting spots.

Mineral soils will be exposed but organic matter will not be scraped outside of unit and can be displaced no more than 50 feet from origin. Avoid displacement of shallow soil where more than 36 square feet of continuous exposure of rock or clay surface occurs. Avoid uprooting of mature tree stumps from previously harvested timber.

Equipment used for the mechanical site prep shall be equipped with a Forest Service approved spark arrestor, safety canopy and a serviceable fire extinguisher.

The dozer or crawler type tractor will be equipped with a rock rake blade that is capable of piling slash, brush and sprouts. There should be at least 8 teeth, more than 12 inches long on the rock rake blade. Rock rake blade must be in good working condition. A rock rake blade in good condition will have rake teeth at least 50% or more of their original height. Teeth with less than 50% of their original height will be replaced.

The teeth of the rock rake blade should run to a minimum depth of 4 inches and a maximum of 8 inches beneath the surface of the ground to allow for mixing of organic and mineral soil. Target soil depth may be adjusted on a “per unit” basis by the COR.

Quality Standard: 100% of workable area is effectively treated.

Mastication Mechanically masticate all hazardous fuels with a boom mounted excavator type with a masticating rotating tooth head. Other wheeled or tracked vehicles can be used in conjunction with a boom mounted masticator where ground conditions allow them to meet objectives.

Stumps from cut trees will not exceed 1 foot in height.

Material will be mulched and scattered evenly throughout the map unit to a height not to exceed 1 foot.

Minimize flying debris towards roads, trails, waterways, utility clearings and other infrastructure by making the effort to process vegetation away from roads, trails, waterways, utility clearings and other infrastructure. Contractor will remove debris from the road corridor or any trials or utility clearings.

Minimize impacts and damage to trees 6” in diameter or greater of white pine, red pine, jack pine, tamarack, cedar, and oak.

Slash (applies only Mechanical Site Prep work) The preferred method of dealing with slash is to have multiple small piles across the site, instead of having a few very large piles.

Piles will be scattered evenly across the site and will be no greater than 15 feet in diameter on the soil surface unless agreed upon by the COR. Piles shall be less than twice as wide as they are tall.

Piles will be less than 10% dirt and rock. Piles should be able to be burnt cleanly and thoroughly. The COR may require the operator to roll the pile over to remove excess dirt and rock. All areas between the piles will be treated.

Piles shall be no closer than 50 feet from any road, trail or work unit boundary. No piles shall be made within 25 feet of merchantable trees, standing snags, or clumps of standing timber. In visually sensitive areas such as locations with recreation use nearby, piles will not be allowed without COR approval.

Quality Standard: Piles are 15 feet in diameter or smaller. Piles are less than 10% dirt and rock.

Leave Trees - All activities Monumented trees and corners will be left standing. Contractor shall use every precaution to prevent damage to trees that are to be protected. Excessive damage will be considered unacceptable and will result in no payment of site/unit. Monument tree damage will be assessed by a Surveyor/Engineer.

Leave all snags possible standing in harvest areas unless required to be felled for safety reasons.

Any tree with a painted band will be left standing. No trees marked with paint or flagging shall be cut or knocked over unless pre-approved by COR. The goal is to have 100% of painted trees left, but 95-100% is acceptable. Mastication units have blue/white flagging.

Leave Trees - Mechanical Site Prep specific Live trees with a diameter of 5 inches or larger will be left standing unless necessary to provide access, ensure operability, or for operator safety. In these situations, cutting live trees 5 inches and larger must be pre-approved by the COR.

5-foot no-treat buffer on all merchantable trees. COR may identify trees that require a 10-foot no-treat buffer to protect boles and roots. Operate around areas where merchantable trees less than 20 feet apart from base to base. Avoid damage to standing merchantable trees.

For retaining sub-merchantable trees, the COR will state if a particular species should be preferred for leaving or cutting.

Leave Trees - Mastication specific Live trees except balsam fir with a diameter of 6 inches or larger will be left standing unless necessary to provide access, ensure operability, or for operator safety. In these situations, cutting live trees except balsam fir that are 6 inches and larger must be pre-approved by the COR.

Quality Standard: Mechanical Site Prep - All trees 5 inches DBH or larger are left standing, unless otherwise described by the COR. All trees with flagging or painted trees are left standing.

Quality Standard: Mastication - All species of trees except balsam fir that are 6 inches DBH or larger are left standing, unless otherwise described by the COR. All trees with flagging or painted trees are left standing.

Tractors If a crawler tractor is used for site prep, it should be equipped with track pads having grousers in good condition. For mechanical site prep operations, the contractor will have to provide a tractor with a minimum of 200 flywheel horsepower.

Quality Standard: Tractors have enough power to safely and effectively move earth and debris.

Soils, Wetlands, and Rutting Avoid creating ruts greater than 6" deep. Rutting will be considered non-compliant when more than 5% of the surface area of a unit is impacted. Rutting on slopes greater than 18% will require water barring as approved by the COR.

Work will generally be done under non-frozen dry soil conditions or frozen soil conditions. COR will determine the appropriateness of site conditions prior to starting operations and for the duration of work. Equipment shall not be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result.

Slash will not be pushed onto non-forested wetlands.

Streams and standing water will be avoided at a minimum of 25 feet.

Quality Standard: Less than 5% of a site is impacted by rutting. No slash is on wet, lowland, or transitional soils. Streams and standing water are buffered by 25 feet.

Sanitation There will be no trash (oil, rags, wrappers, etc.) left on National Forest System land by the contractor or his/her employees. Fueling and maintenance shall be done off the improved surfaces. Work with COR on acceptable places.

Quality Standard: No trash is in map units and all fueling and maintenance done in acceptable places.

Equipment cleaning Contractor shall not move any Off-Road Equipment that last operated in an area that is infested with one or more invasive species of concern without having first taken reasonable measures to make each such piece of equipment free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Contractor shall identify the location of the equipment's most recent operations. If the prior location of the Off-Road Equipment cannot be identified or the presence of invasive species of concern is unknown, the Forest Service will assume that it is infested with seeds of invasive species of concern. Operations will cease until proper cleaning measures and COR inspection has taken place.

Contractor shall not unload/move any Off-Road Equipment onto contract areas prior to having it inspected by the COR or other designated Inspector. Inspections will occur on the trailer before equipment is unloaded onto Forest Service land. COR or Inspector shall have 2 days, excluding weekends and federal holidays, to inspect equipment after it has been made available for inspection. During the winter shearing and winter rock rake operations, equipment is still expected to be reasonably clean prior to operations. Equipment hauled off site to do other work will need to be re-cleaned and re-inspected, prior to continuing work on Forest Service property.

In addition, prior to moving Off-Road Equipment from a contract site that has been shown to be infested with seeds of invasive species of concern to any other unit that is indicated as being free of invasive species of concern, Contractor shall again take reasonable measures to make each piece of equipment free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds.

Contractor must advise the COR of measures taken to clean Off-Road Equipment and arrange for COR prior to such equipment being placed in service or moved from contract sites infested with invasive species of concern to units that are free of such invasive species.

A list of invasive species of concern is available upon request. A map showing the extent of known infestations on the Superior National Forest is also available upon request.

Quality Standard: All equipment used on site is free of weed seeds before arriving.

ROAD USE AND MAINTANENCE

All roads leading into each project area are to be kept open and free of any debris that may occur as a result of the work. All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started. Prior to the start of work, the Contractor and COR will review and document existing road conditions to provide a basis for maintenance needs.

Damage done to roads, trails, signs, utilities, and other improvements will be reported to the COR and corrected by the contractor to the specifications of the jurisdictional agency. Repairs shall be made immediately by the contractor at the Contractor’s expense.

Consider use of road guards if Mud Creek Road is being heavily used. Signage to be provided by contractor and displayed in areas during operations where the public could be present.

Quality Standard: Roads free of debris and in same or better condition as when the operation started.

Temporary Access Closure If the Contractor creates access to a unit from a Forest Service, County, or other road, the Contractor will restore the closure to effectively block access trails to motorized traffic upon completion of work. This may include moving rocks (embedded 1/3 of their depth), stumps, small balsam, and spruce where available nearby (transplanted into roadbed), and/or slash randomly placed 50 feet from the trail entrance for a minimum distance of 200 feet or to the end of the seen area to ensure that passage does not seem feasible and is not attempted. See “Attachment A - Road Closure Illustration: Blocking All Motorized Traffic” and “Attachment B - Road Closure Illustration: Blocking All Motorized Traffic Except ATVs”.

If the Contractor uses a road originally built by a timber purchaser, the Contractor will restore the road to its condition before site prep operations (i.e., decommissioned temp road, barricaded), unless the COR specifies otherwise.

Quality Standard: Temporary access trails are effectively closed to motorized traffic.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent pollution from fuels, oils, chemicals, silt or other harmful materials of any stream, lake or reservoir located in or near the contract areas.

All streams shall be kept free of Contractor-generated debris.

Areas of significant wildlife value If areas of significant wildlife value are encountered during the performance of work contact the COR for further evaluation. Examples of potential areas of significant wildlife value are: a large stick nest, animal den, areas of advanced pockets of regeneration such as conifer.

Fire prevention and control Depending on the local fire danger conditions, the contractor will require that smoking and lunch or warming fires be confined to established camps or to designated safe places. On high or extreme fire danger days, the contractor or his/her employees will be required to patrol the work area for a one-hour period after the equipment has been shut down for the day. A working fire extinguisher is required on the equipment being operated.

Damage to government buildings, equipment, and reserve trees In accordance with FAR Clause 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (APR 1984), the Contractor shall use reasonable care to avoid damaging existing buildings, equipment, and vegetation on Government property. 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 COR 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.

For the purpose of this clause, damage to merchantable trees or protected trees will result in a $300 payment reduction per damaged tree. Cost for damage to monumental tree damage will be assessed at actual cost to the Government.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Any special conditions will be noted on contract maps.

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is from 6/01/2026 to 4/1/2027.

Period of Operations for Mechanical Site Prep is 6/01/2026 to 10/31/2026 as soil and snow conditions dictate.

Period of Operations for Mastication is 6/01/2026 to 4/1/2027 as soil and snow conditions dictate.

WORK PROGRESS SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall be required to present with their signed contract a written plan of work providing for the orderly and timely completion of the contract requirements. This plan is subject to the approval of the COR. The plan should present when the Contractor intends to start and complete the contract line items and how many pieces of equipment will be operating at one time. The written plan of work will include a schedule of the hours and days of the week the Contractor plans to be operating. The schedule may be modified during the course of the contract when conditions warrant it, per COR discretion.

After work has been started, it shall proceed according to schedule while work conditions are satisfactory. The COR is responsible for determining when conditions are satisfactory.

If the work progress falls behind schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to ensure that the timely completion of the contract is not jeopardized. In addition, the COR may require the Contractor to submit a revised plan of work showing how he intends to complete the project on time and in compliance with all contract requirements.

Any failure of contractor-owned equipment that renders it inoperable will be promptly reported to the COR. The Contractor shall have it repaired or furnish a suitable replacement within 72 hours or within a timeframe approved by the COR.

Mobilization of equipment with operator to the point of hire and from the release point will be at Contractor's expense with no cost of mobilization to the Government.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Upon completion of the work in each individual area, the Contractor shall notify the COR that work on the area is completed. Allow the COR or inspector 1 full business day to inspect the work. If the completed work is accepted, the Contractor shall proceed with work on the next area. If the work is not accepted, the Contractor shall complete any remedial work required for acceptance prior to commencing work on the next area. Multiple areas may be worked only under agreement with the COR.

RESTRICTION ON WORK

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined in this part. Restrictions are as follows:

· Access is restricted by State or Forest Service Closure Order.

· When the COR (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

· Work is suspended by notice of a Work Order for non-compliance with requirements of this contract.

· The Contractor shall plan on poor weather days when work can't be done or will be slowed. The Government reserves the right to stop the Contractor's work if it is determined that weather is unsuitable, and quality cannot be assured (ex. Frozen ground conditions or excessive rutting).

· Some site prep and/or fuels activities have seasonal restrictions. The "Definitions" section describes seasonal restrictions. The contract maps and/or the COR will outline site-specific restrictions.

5.0 Government Furnished

Not applicable

6.0 Travel

Not applicable

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

At all times during performance of this contract and until work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the COR and has the authority to act for the Contractor.

All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workman-like manner. The COR may require in writing that the Contractor removes from the work any employee the COR deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

The Contractor's onsite superintendent shall be fully conversant in the English language, spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with COR.

Site prep and fuels work shall be performed in an organized manner.

Key personnel are those personnel (Project Manager, on-site representative, quality control inspector etc.) considered essential for successful completion of this contract. All key personnel shall be identified in the Contractor's Technical Proposal.

The Contractor agrees that assigned key personnel shall not be removed, substituted, or reassigned to another task without the written concurrence of the COR. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed personnel change and any additional information requested by the COR. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. If the COR determines that suitable replacement of key personnel is not feasible or that the reduction of effort would be so substantial as to impair the successful performance of the work, the Contractor may be subject to default action under the contract. Ultimate approval/disapproval to replace key personnel is the responsibility of the COR.

Site prep and fuels work Location Maps and Schedule of Items will specify the type of site prep work and/or fuels work and acres. The Contractor or designated foreman should discuss with the COR if further instruction is needed for site-specific prescriptions.

8.0 Security Requirements

Not applicable

9.0 Data Rights

Not applicable

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards

It is recommended that the contractor uses an application(s) that can utilize georeferenced PDF maps. (e.g. Avenza)

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

Leave Trees _ Mastication

All trees 6 inches or larger are left standing, unless otherwise described by the COR. All trees with flagging or painted trees are left standing.

No slash on wet, lowland, or transitional soils.

Pile width is less than twice the height.

Less than 10% of piles have rock or soil.

Attachments Superior National Forest map with District Office locations.

This contract has work on Laurentian Ranger District, Aurora, Minnesota and LaCroix Ranger District, Cook, Minnesota.

ATTACHMENT A - ROAD CLOSURE ILLUSTRATION: BLOCKING ALL MOTORIZED TRAFFIC

ATTACHMENT B - ROAD CLOSURE ILLUSTRATION: BLOCKING ALL MOTORIZED TRAFFIC EXCEPT ATVS image1.png image2.jpg image3.png image4.png