Amendment 0003 Tree Debris Removal SOW.docx

USDA FOREST SERVICE

SOUTHERN RESEARCH STATION

STORM DAMAGE DEBRIS REMOVAL AND SITE CLEANUP

STATEMENT OF WORK

January 14, 2025

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The Southern Research Station, located in Asheville, North Carolina requires removal of several downed trees resulting from Hurricane Helene. Work is required at:

· Southern Research Station Headquarters, 200 W.T. Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804

2.0 THE EXISTING FACILITIES

2.1 Southern Research Station Headquarters – This approximately 10-acre administrative campus was originally developed in 1980’s. The site serves as the administrative headquarters for the Southern Research Station and is used primarily for office space by scientists and research technicians.

3.0 PLANNED WORK AND MATERIALS

3.1 Remove downed and leaning trees – Fell as needed, limb and buck the downed and flagged standing trees and remove the understory growth of small trees and shrubs in the areas generally indicated on the attached site maps. Approximately 40 standing trees, ranging from 6” DBH dogwoods to 36” + DBH white pines will need to be felled.

3.1.1 Brush and logs shall be chipped and used as cover on nearby onsite slopes to the maximum extent possible. Not all material will be able to be used. Excess chips and all material that cannot be chipped must be disposed of offsite. All stumps shall be removed or ground below ground level. Stump holes and other holes or depressions resulting from fallen trees and work included in this project shall be filled with soil suitable for the establishment of grass. Areas suitable for mowing shall be seeded, fertilized and mulched, including Points 15 and 16, Area 7 and portions of Areas 3 and 5. Application rate shall meet recommendation for establishing new lawn manufacturers. All work areas shall be cleared of limbs, twigs, surface rocks, and other organic debris prior to applying seed, fertilizer and mulch in order to promote new grass growth. Overhanging limbs indicated along the drive to the visitor parking shall be trimmed as need to minimize shading of the driveway while not harming the tree.

Contractor shall provide a Site-Specific Safety Plan describing specific actions to be taken during the execution of this work to protect both the Contractor’s employees as well as Forest Service staff and other users of the site, including vehicular and pedestrian traffic control measures.

4.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS - There are no government furnished materials for this project.

5.0 SUBMITTALS

Provide submittals 7 calendars days prior to beginning work onsite

5.1 Certificate of Insurance as required by solicitation clauses

5.2 Site specific Safety Plan

5.3 Fertilizer - 24-24-4 dry fertilizer, Scott’s Starter Fertilizer, or equal.

5.4 Grass Seed - Certified weed-free Fescue; LESCO Fine Fescue Links Seed Mixture or equal

5.5 Mulch - Certified weed-free wheat straw

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Contractor shall complete all work within 60 calendar days.

7.0 SCHEDULING/COORDINATION OF WORK

7.1 Site Access – Agency employees and partners will require access to the buildings and parking areas during this project. Any work that will restrict access to any campus building or parking areas must be coordinated through the Site Point of Contact (SPOC) a minimum of 2 business days in advance to allow proper notification and coordination with affected employees.

7.2 Contractor access to the site and work area shall be coordinated with the SPOC. In general, the work area will be available during normal business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Monday through Friday. Work schedules outside of these times shall be coordinated with the SPOC. Security measures in place on weekends and outside the hours listed above do not prevent work. However, access to building interiors during these times shall not be allowed without supervision by the SPOC.

7.3 All of the buildings on these sites are non-smoking facilities. The Contractor and employees shall adhere to these rules, and outdoor smoking shall not be closer than 20 feet from a building’s entrance.

7.4 Use of Facilities - The following utilities will be made available to the Contractor for use in the execution of work required by this Statement of Work. The Contractor is responsible for providing all extension cords, water hoses or other required means of connection to the available utility:

1.1.1 Electricity, 120V for small tools

1.1.2 Potable Water

7.5 Parking - The Contractor shall maintain the interior driveways and access roads open for government employees, mail and delivery vehicles. Vehicles are not allowed to park off of the asphalt surfaces. Staging equipment, materials, and waste containers shall be coordinated with the government’s Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Site Point of Contact (SPOC) at the site.

8.0 SAFETY

The work undertaken with this Statement of Work shall be performed in compliance with all applicable OSHA Regulations for protection of the contractor’s employees and independent contractors, government employees at the site, and the public. Adequate barricades, fencing and/or signage shall be provided to protect the public and employees at the immediate work site.

9.0 SANITATION

9.1 Removal and disposal of all waste material generated as a result of work on the site is the responsibility of the Contractor. Existing waste containers maintained by the Forest Service shall not be used for disposal of Contractor borne materials.

9.2 Restroom facilities - The Contractor shall supply the labor force on this project with portable sanitation facilities.

10.0 GREEN PURCHASING

The Contractor shall utilize products and materials that promote energy conservation, pollution, prevention, waste reduction, and use of recovered materials that are environmentally preferable and that are recyclable. These materials are made from bio-based materials and are energy efficient (Energy Star - Qualified) to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered.

11.0 NON-PERSONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT

The Contractor’s employees performing services as described herein shall be controlled, directed and always supervised by the Contractor. Contractor management will ensure that the employees properly comply with the performance work standards outlined in this Statement of Work. The work set forth may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in the Contractor creating or modifying Federal Policy. The Government will control access to the facilities and will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work. The term Contractor as applied herein includes Subcontractors and Trades People.

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

Jason Anderson Email: jason.l.anderson@usda.gov Telephone: 828-259-0515

SITE POINT OF CONTACT (SPOC)

Jason Anderson Email: jason.l.anderson@usda.gov Telephone: 828-259-0515