SOW GT Lawn Mowing 2023 Revised 13Feb23.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Grey Towers Lawn & Flail Mowing

12444823Q0008

UPDATED 13 Feb 2023

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

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 Attachment

Project Grey Towers, NHS Lawn Mowing & Flail Mowing

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

This project consists of twenty (20) intermittent lawn mowing and trimming during the typical mowing season of May through October and flail mowing/Brush Hogging annually in Autumn season. This contract includes the base year (April 2023 through November 2023) and four option years (April 2024 through November 2028). Frequency of mowing is based on rate of growth. The spring season may require weekly mowing’s, but the dry summer may require just monthly mowing’s. There will be no more and no less than 20 mowing’s per year. Contractor will be responsible for collecting any debris necessary to prepare for mowing. Man-made debris is defined as cans, bottles, paper, etc. will be disposed by contractor off site. Organic debris such as tree limbs, less than four inches in diameter, grass clippings can be placed in the wood line, as designated locations by COR. String trimming to cut turf in areas mower cannot reach. All paved areas, including walkways & drives will need to be cleared off with backpack blowers.

A pre-proposal walk thru/site visit of Grey Towers National Historic Site will be scheduled for 28 Feb 2023 at 10:00 am local time. Contact Elizabeth Hawke for location and to register for meeting @ 570-296-9661 or email elizabeth.hawke@usda.gov.

All necessary materials, equipment, labor, transportation, and supervision required for completion of this work shall be supplied by the contractor.

Areas to be mown are shown on maps attached to this solicitation.

2.0 Background

LOCATION & DESCRIPTION

Grey Towers National Historic Site is owned and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. It is located on Old Owego Turnpike, accessed from the intersection of West Harford and 9th Street in Milford, PA. Grey Towers served as the home of Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the Forest Service, and later a two-term Governor of Pennsylvania. It is a regional tourist attraction and conference center, attracting 15,000-20,000 visitors per year. Grey Towers occupies an area of approximately 102 acres overlooking the town of Milford. The principal building on the estate is the Grey Towers Mansion, dating from 1886.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

Frequency of growing is based on rate of growth of the lawn. No more than one-third of leaf area should be removed at one time. The lawn will be maintained at a height of 3.0 inches. String trimmer shall be used to trim around trees and features. Small number of dry clippings will remain on the cut area. Mowing will not take place when the grass is wet.

Dry grass clippings that have been mulched well do not need to be bagged or disposed of. But, if there are large grass clumps, they will need to be picked up and disposed in the wood line in COR designated areas. Trucks and other heavy equipment will not be parked or driven on the lawns. Equipment with low-pressure turf tires is permissible. The Contractor will not bump trees with lawn mowers/string trimmers, or skin lawn areas. Contractor is responsible for repair and replacement of any damaged vegetation. Walkways, drives and features, must be blown after work is complete

Flail Mowing/Brush Hog Option 1 Flail mowing of the tall cool season orchard/meadow grasses is to be done once annually during October/ November. The specific date is to be scheduled with the COR. The fields have many obstacles, like historic apple trees, rocks, stumps ground depressions. A walk with the COR prior to mowing to flag (provided by contractor) to mark such obstacles.

• The flail mower cutting width should be no larger than 60”, No Sickle blades allowed.

• Rubber tires are required, no rubber tracks. No damage or disruption of the ground is allowed. The terrain is uneven and a wide-bodied wheelbase on the tractor/ skid steer is encouraged.

• When working with the machine in unfamiliar territory, heavy brush and trees, or areas of poor visibility, the operator should enlist the assistance of an observer on the ground. The observer should be especially careful to stay clear of the machine.

• The grasses should be mowed to 3-6”.

mailto:elizabeth.hawke@usda.gov

EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

Equipment, materials, and personnel will be the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be consistent with good utilization depending on the amount of work and type of treatment ordered. All materials, methods of application, and rates of application required to perform service requested shall be provided to the COR prior to beginning work. The Contractor will keep necessary equipment and manpower at the site during the workday and continue with performance of the work until it is completed to the satisfaction of COR. No storage space is available for Contractor’s equipment or materials.

REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

Contractor will be responsible for collecting any debris necessary to prepare for mowing. Man-made debris is defined as cans, bottles, paper, etc. will be disposed by contractor off site. Organic debris such as tree limbs, less than four inches in diameter, grass clippings can be placed in the wood line, as designated locations by COR.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION

A. Although the performance of all work requirements is under the responsibility and management of the Contractor, the Government reserves the right to review and approve all work items before their accomplishment.

B. The Contractor is required to discuss with the COR the scheduling of daily work requirements.

C. Work shall not be considered completed until the Contractor has removed from the premises all trash, debris, litter, etc., which accumulate in the performance of work. Contractor will be responsible for collecting any debris necessary to prepare for mowing. Man-made debris is defined as cans, bottles, paper, etc. will be disposed by contractor off site. Organic debris such as tree limbs, less than four inches in diameter, grass clippings can be placed in the wood line, as designated locations by COR.

D. The Contractor shall restore any damage caused by his operations, including but not limited to the replacement of plant material damaged because of negligence, at no cost to the Government.

E. The Contractor shall furnish the COR with certification that all materials used in the fulfillment of their contract conforms to applicable Federal Specifications.

DAMAGE TO CONTRACTOR’S PROPERTY

The Government will not be responsible in any way for damage to the Contractor’s equipment kept in or near the building or the Contractor’s employees’ personal belongings brought onto the Government premises.

CONDUCT OF WORKERS

The personnel employed by the Contractor shall be capable employees qualified in this type of work. As stated elsewhere, the Contractor shall be responsible for, among other things, all damage to the government property resulting from the operations. Damage to the building or its equipment by the activities of his/her employees will fall into this category.

4.0 Government Furnished

WORK HOURS

All work performed on-site shall take place during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Specific start times to be addressed prior to mowing season. Contractor shall notify COR at least two days before arriving to confirm rate of grow and necessity for mowing. Mowing in the vicinity of the mansion shall not occur between 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to minimize the disruption of the interpretive programs and private residence. As an active tour and conference center Federal holidays cannot to worked, Memorial, Independence & Labor Day, as they are big visitation days.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within the mowing season after the date of notice to proceed. Contract services rendered are expected to be within the following dates:

BASE YEAR: 04/01/2023 – 03/31/2024

Option Year 1: 04/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 Option Year 2: 04/01/2025 – 03/31/2026

Option Year 3: 04/01/2026 – 03/31/2027 Option Year 4: 04/01/2027 – 03/31/2028

6.0 Travel

N/A

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The Contractor shall designate one supervisor for satisfactory supervision on the contract work. The Contractor or his/her on-site representative shall be always available when the contract work is in progress to receive notices, reports, or requests from the (COR) or his/her representative. It is the policy of the USDA Forest Service that Government direction or supervision of Contractor’s employees, directly or indirectly, shall not be exercised.

The Contractor shall provide, in writing to the COR, at least five (5) workdays prior to the contract starting date, and each time there is a change, the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of on-site supervisors. The term “on-site supervisor” means a person designated in writing by the Contractor who has authority to act for the Contractor on a day-to-day basis at this work site and to accept and sign inspection reports and all other correspondence on behalf of the Contractor.

8.0 Security Requirements

N/A

9.0 Data Rights

N/A

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards N/A

Attachment