Attachment 1 SOW IITF Safety Hazardous Tree Removal Ammendment v2.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

IITF SAFETY HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL

August 8TH, 2024

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

IITF SAFETY HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The contractor will be required to provide all labor, materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, supervision, tools, safety incidentals, ancillary services, and all other necessary work to complete pruning and removal of hazardous trees. All work will be done within the boundary of the IITF Headquarters located in Jardin Botanico Sur, San Juan PR. Trees indicated for removal shall be removed in a safe manner to prevent injury of workers and/or visitors using the adjacent areas. The government has identified the trees to be cut and removed. Please refer to the Tree Removal table below.

2.0 Background

The International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) is part of the US Forest Service's (USFS) Research and Development branch. It provides scientific research and knowledge. Established in Puerto Rico in the 1930’s its mission is to develop and disseminate scientifically based knowledge that contributes to the conservation of forests, wildlife, and watersheds of the American tropics in the context of environmental change. The IITF main complex includes 6 facilities: the Historic Main Headquarter Bldg., the Library Bldg., the Conference room Bldg., the Multipurpose Bldg., the GIS Laboratory Bldg., and the Chemical Laboratory.

The government has identified the trees to be cut and removed for health and safety as part of preparation for the Hurricane Season.

IITF has several trees within its boundary that have been flagged as dangerous.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

1. Certified Arborist must be always present directing work during tree pruning and cutting activities.

2. Contractor is responsible to secure all applicable federal and commonwealth permits including the Departamento de

Recursos Naturales (DRNA) Tree cutting permit.

3. Tree cutting and pruning activities shall begin only after all applicable federal and commonwealth permits including the

DRNA, are issued and the Contracting Officer issues the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

4. Contractor shall prune two (2) 36 diameter existing trees (Terocarpu, pradu) located in the vicinity of the IITF Headquarters

Building’s back entrance and one (1) 36 diameter existing tree west of the library building. The tree canopy shall be reduced to a maximum radius of 20 feet horizontally measured from the tree trunk. The tree crown shall be reduced by 10 to 15 ft from its current height elevation. Contractor shall remove all hazardous, dangerous, or defective tree branches.

Final offset distances shall be coordinated onsite with COR and Forest Service technical experts. Work shall comply with current best management practices for tree pruning. Final Tree Pruning dimensions shall be coordinated onsite between Certified Arborist, FS Technical Expert and COR to ensure and maintain tree safety, health and status.

5. The government has identified 13 trees to be cut and removed. Please refer to the Tree Removal table on the Attachment Section.

6. Stumps shall be grinded down 6 inches below the ground surface level. Remaining hole shall be covered with topsoil and organic material mix and shall be planted with native grass on top of the organic mix.

7. SLASH DISPOSAL: Trees cut shall be placed horizontally on the ground surface so they will not lean against or be suspended by an uncut tree. Care should be taken when felling trees, so they do not damage other trees in the stand.

8. PROTECTION, USE, AND MAINTENANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS: Cut trees shall be felled away from pipe and power lines, private property lines, oil, gas, and mineral development, wells, trails, fences, survey monuments, roads, and streams. If such improvements are damaged by Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall restore them to conditions existing prior to damage.

9. TREE PRUNING: Reduce the tree spread to remove all hazardous, dangerous, or defective tree branches. Pruning final tree form shall resemble natural tree forms. Contractor shall avoid tree topping and topiary shapes when performing work.

Final Tree Pruning cutting dimensions shall be coordinated onsite between Certified Arborist, FS Technical Expert and COR to maintain tree safety, health, appropriate tree size.

10. The contractor is responsible for repairing to pre-project conditions all damages as a direct result of the project activities including the overall landscape, any existing drainage structures, channels, parking area, etc..

11. DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS: Disposal of material, not limited to debris, vegetation, limbs, specified trees within clearing limits, unsuitable material, and excess material shall be salvaged to the extent possible (preferred sustainable option) and/or disposed legally off the project site and off government lands (no exception).

https://caribbeanclimatehub.org/resources/wood-salvage/

12. The Contractor shall avoid driving or storing heavy equipment on newly installed eco parking grass. Contractor and COR will https://caribbeanclimatehub.org/resources/wood-salvage/ coordinate the final location for staging, storage, and heavy equipment use within the IITF compound.

13. All contractor’s movement or transportation of equipment to or from project site required to pursue the work in this solicitation, to repair or replace equipment, or for the Contractor's convenience shall be at the Contractor's expense and considered incidental to their proposal.

14. At all times during the performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly supervise the work or designate in writing an on-site competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and COR and has authority to act for the Contractor.

15. Contractor shall grind a total of 14 existing tree stumps from the IITF Compound. Stumps shall be grinded down 6 inches below the ground surface level. Remaining hole shall be covered with topsoil and organic material mix and shall be planted with native grass on top of the organic mix.

4.0 Government Furnished

None

4.1 Operational Hours

Contractor working hours shall take place between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Atlantic Time, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The contractor may work other hours only with submission of a written request and subsequent permission of the COR.

FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

1. New Year’s Day – January 1ˢᵗ

2. Martin Luther King Junior’s Birthday – Third Monday in January

3. President’s Day – Third Monday in February

4. Memorial Day – Last Monday in May

5. Juneteenth – June 19ᵗʰ

6. Independence Day – July 4ᵗʰ

7. Labor Day – First Monday in September

8. Columbus Day – Second Monday in October

9. Veteran’s Day – November 11ᵗʰ

10. Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables

Item No. Deliverable Objective Due 1 Kickoff Meeting Defining the responsibilities, timeline, risks, and milestones of contract objectives.

No later than five (5) business days after contract award

2 Schedule Contractor shall provide a work schedule for the contract performance. Schedule shall include specific dates of completion on each task.

No later than five (5) business days after contract award

3 Final Inspection Final inspection shall be scheduled (5) calendar days prior to the date that work will be ready for final inspection.

The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) five

(5) calendar days prior to the date that work will be ready for final inspection.

6.0 Travel

Not Applicable

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Contractor must have a Certified Arborist ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) at all times during the tree cutting and pruning operations at all times. The project superintendent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer and COR prior to the commencement of work. This individual shall be able to read, speak, and understand English.

8.0 Security Requirements

8.1 Operations During Contract Performance & Maintenance Activities The Contractor shall exercise caution and care while pursuing the work to prevent unnecessary conflict with, or potential hazards to others within the work area. Always maintain the site free of hazards. The Contractor is to pursue all work on the project site in accordance with all Federal, State, and Local laws governing the transportation and work being performed.

The contractor shall be responsible for any damage to existing structures, or facility features that are not a part of the contract requirements. Any damages occurred at the site by the contractor shall be repaired at no additional cost to the government.

8.2 Control of Noxious Weeds – Cleaning of Equipment (Dec. 1997) To prevent the introduction and control the spread of seeds of noxious weeds onto and around IITF complex, the Contractor shall ensure all equipment moved is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds.

The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer (CO) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) a minimum of fifteen (15) business days in advance of equipment arrival. Government inspection is required before any unloading of equipment. The Contractor shall certify, in writing, compliance.

8.3 Temporary Facilities

STAGING AREA: The Contractor shall arrange the location for exterior stockpiling of materials as approved by the CO and/or the COR. The Government will approve an adequate staging area as close as possible to the project site.

The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting their own materials stockpiled against adverse weather, damage, theft, and other risks of loss. The Government assumes no responsibility for material or equipment left in the storage area and/or project site.

SANITARY FACILITIES: Not available WATER: Available ELECTRICITY: Available TELEPHONE: Not available

8.4 Safety

1. The contractor shall comply with pertinent provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), state, local, safety, laws, and all pertinent provisions of the contract.

2. The contractor shall comply with pertinent Environmental Protection Agency Laws.

3. All tools, equipment, and other related materials will be removed at the end of each workday and the area will be left neat and clean.

4. The contractor shall immediately report to the Contracting Officer, and COR all accidents resulting in employee injury, death, or damage to the property while performing this contract.

5. Contractor shall provide all traffic flaggers and other traffic control measures and must be in place and functional at all times during the tree removal and trimming in public areas, roads, and parking lots.

6. The successful contractor shall use best management practices for tree removal and trimming. Employees utilizing chainsaws shall wear approved safety equipment to include chaps, hard hats, eyes and tree protection at a minimum.

8.6 Insurance

The contractor shall be insured in accordance with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico insurance regulations and pertinent provisions of the contract. The government is not responsible for damages to the contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools, or materials or their employees and any personal property brought on site. The government will not accept any liability due to the contractor’s negligence.

8.5 Clean-up

During performance of the work and before Final Acceptance of work, the project site shall present as near a natural appearance as possible and cleaned up by removing all waste, garbage, trash, debris, excessive excavation material, excessive material, and materials not utilized in its entirety. Cleanup shall include disposal of all waste, garbage, trash, debris, excessive excavation material, excessive material, and materials not utilized in its entirety by recycling and/or disposing legally off the project site legally in a certified sanitary landfill or at other approved and certified solid waste disposal facility, with the capacity to receive and process these waste types.

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment #1 - Tree Removal Table

COMMON NAME SPECIES NAME DIA (inch)

01 UCAR BUCIDA BUCERAS 35

02 FLAMBOYAN DELONIX REGIA 13

03 HUAJE LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA 16

04 ALGARROBO HYMENAEA COURBARIL 41

05 PALMA REAL ROYSTONEA BORINQUENA 13

06 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 23

07 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 18

08 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 21

09 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 18

10 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 25

11 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 17

12 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 24

13 PINO PINUS CARIBAEA 22