FY19_RT_PWS__FY19_v2.pdf

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES (LBL)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

ROADS AND TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND

OPENLANDS VEGETATION ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE

FISCAL YEAR (FY19)

All Work listed will be Work Order Driven

C.1 GENERAL

For the purposes of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) Forest Service (FS) Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area (NRA) shall be referred to as either LBL or the Government. The Offeror(s) for work covered by this PWS shall be referred to as the

Contractor.

All work shall be in compliance with all appropriate local, State, and Federal rules, regulations, codes, laws, the

Forest Service Handbook (FSH), and the Forest Plan (FP). The Contractor shall at all times observe and comply with those laws and regulations in effect at contract award, as well as new legislation and amendments that become effective during the term of this contract.

C.2 DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, and other items, resources, and services necessary to provide routine, special response, preventive, cyclical, and non-routine work for roads, trails, and associated facilities, structures, programs, activities, and lands in LBL. Work shall include, but not be limited to, road re-construction, surface grading, sign maintenance and installation, trail establishment and maintenance, tree removal and disposal, snow and ice removal, culvert cleaning, culvert replacement, culvert installation, ditch construction and re-establishment, aggregate placement, bridge repair, pothole repair, pavement repair and marking, erosion control, brushing, mowing, overhead trimming, herbicide application, spring and fall wildlife plantings and establishment, and elk and bison feeding. . All equipment should be equipped with puncture resistant tires, government is not responsible for tire damage.

C.2.1 TRAIL MAINTENANCE

Trail maintenance activities include those activities listed above, corridor clearance for height maintenance, and tread repair. Equipment used to maintain and construct trails shall be sized appropriately so as not to create damage to the environment or affect the quality of the setting of the trail. . All equipment should be equipped with puncture resistant tires, government is not responsible for tire damage.

C.2.2 OPENLANDS MANAGEMENT

Openlands management includes the establishment of wildlife plantings, cover crops, and warm season grasses;

openlands maintenance includes mowing, herbicide applications, fertilizing, liming, and tilling.

C.3 FACILITIES/AREAS TO BE MAINTAINED

Information on facilities/areas to be maintained can be found at www.landbetweenthelakes.us. Additional roads, trails, facilities or programs may be added at the Government’s discretion. The cost for service shall be at the current contract rates.

C.3.1 ROADS TO BE MAINTAINED

The Forest Service, States, and Counties have maintenance responsibilities over roads located within the boundaries of LBL. The Forest Service has the authority to perform maintenance on all Forest Service roads, including roads which are the responsibility of the State(s). See Section 4.1.1 for a description of the levels of roads. LBL has approximately 463 total miles of roads. Of the 463 miles, approximately 147 miles are level 5 roads, 49 miles are level 4 roads, 118 miles are level 3 roads, 100 miles are level 2 roads, and 19 miles are level

1 roads.

C.3.1.1 FOREST SERVICE LEVELS FOR ROADS

Level Description

Roads that provide a high degree of user comfort and convenience. The road is normally double lane, paved, and requires the lowest level of maintenance.

Roads that provide a moderate degree of user comfort and convenience at moderate speeds.

The road is normally double lane, aggregate surfaced.

Roads open and maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car. User comfort and convenience are less than higher level roads. The road is normally one or one and half lane, paved or aggregate surfaced.

Roads open for use by high-clearance vehicles. Passenger car traffic is discouraged. The road is normally one or one and half lane, aggregate or native material surfaced.

These roads are closed, but some intermittent or seasonal use may be authorized. When closed, the road must be physically closed with barricades, berms, gates, or other closure devices. When open, the road may be maintained at any other level.

C.3.2 TRAILS TO BE MAINTAINED

Of the 357 miles of trails, approximately 100 miles receive intermittent maintenance; the other 257 miles receive infrequent maintenance. Trail surfaces are a combination of bituminous paved, gravel, and native material.

Admin. Trail - 1.5 miles (paved); Canal Loop Trail - 14.2 miles (hike & bike); Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail

– 11.2 miles; North End Hike & Bike - 2.2 miles (paved); North/South Trail - 58 miles; Nature Station

Connector Trail to North South Trail - 4.8 miles; Fort Henry Trails - 26 miles; Hematite Trail - 2.2 miles;

Honker Lake Trail - 4.5 miles; Long Creek Trail - .2 miles; Center Furnace Trail - .3 miles; Woodland Walk

(Nature Station) - 1.0 miles; Brandon Spring Trails - 14 miles; Energy Lake Trails - 4.35 miles; Piney

Campground Trail - 5 miles; Hillman Heritage Trail - 10 miles; Turkey Bay OHV – 100 miles (off-highway vehicle); Wranglers Trails system – 110 miles (equestrian).

C.3.3 OPENLANDS TO BE MAINTAINED

The annual amount of each activity within openlands maintenance is variable and dependent upon field reviews, soil test results, etc. The acreage to be established in spring and fall wildlife plantings and cover crops vary annually, but ranges from 50 to 400 acres; warm season grass establishment occurs intermittently. Field access roads vary in length from less than 0.1 mile to 5.0 miles and are comprised primarily of natural surface (e.g.

grass/soil) and gravel surfaces. Maintenance may occur on upwards of 50 acres (~35 miles x 12 ft. maintenance width) annually.

C.4 METHODS OF MEASUREMENT

Unless otherwise specified, measurement is made per hour. When mileage or acreage is measured, the accuracy is estimated to be within five percent of the total tasked. When the Contractor believes that there is a difference greater than five percent between what is tasked and what is actual, the Contractor may request Forest Service personnel verify the acreage or mileage. When the acreage difference is greater than five percent, the

Contractor shall be compensated for the actual distance. When the difference in the acreage or mileage is less than five percent, the COR will deduct up to $500 from the task order total.

C.4.1 FLAGGING

All flagging used to mark work order areas are to be removed within 14 days of work order completion.

C.5 SPECIFIC TECHNICAL TASKS

C.5.1 GRADING

The Contractor shall grade gravel and native material roads as needed to remove ruts, potholes, corrugations, and berms. Pulling the ditches to relocate material that has eroded into the ditches shall be a part of the surface grading operation. Where ditches are in such poor condition that the COR determines that re-establishing the ditch line is required it shall be done by the hourly equipment rate. The time needed to accomplish such task shall be a case by case situation and an agreed on hours of need to complete. All suitable dislodged aggregate or native material shall be smoothly redistributed over the entire roadbed to produce the proper cross slope to ensure surface drainage of the road. All suitable aggregate, which has been worked onto the roadbed edge by traffic or maintenance activities, shall be reclaimed onto the roadbed. All suitably sized material distributed within the roadbed or removed from ditches shall be smoothly spread within the roadbed after movement sufficient to sift out surface aggregate. All oversized material and debris shall not remain in the roadbed surface after the blading operation is complete. This waste material includes all loose rocks four inches or larger in the greatest dimension above the graded surface, limbs and woody material larger than two inches in diameter and two feet long, and sod or clumps of debris larger than six inches. Rocks and debris shall be wasted beyond the edge of the roadbed. No material shall be deposited in ditches, streams, or other places that interfere with natural drainage.

SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT

Suitable moisture conditions for surface blading shall be from five to twenty five percent by weight. Unless authorized by the COR, no surface blading or ditch pulling shall be performed while moisture content is outside this range.

RAINFALL POTENTIAL

When the probability of rainfall as predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 75% or greater for the following 24 hour period in the area where Contract performance is occurring, the

Contractor shall contact the COR regarding an “on the spot change” in the grading schedule to an area with less rainfall probability or suspending work until the probability decreases.

C.5.1.2 TRAIL GRADING

Tasks shall include filling ruts, holes, and low spots, and removing obstacles such as protruding rocks, stumps, and roots. Areas that have slide, uprooted trees, eroded areas, or poorly drained sections shall be maintained to the technical standards in Section C.5.16 (level of performance 3). Native material or gravel shall be added in wet areas.

The Contractor shall resurface entire trails or trail segments with material(s) specified in the task order, typically gravel, soil, or wood chips. Materials shall be 1-3 inches in depth and cover the entire trail width throughout the segment designated in the task order. Displaced soil shall be raked or graded back to fill in rutted sections of trail. Soil is to be compacted so that it provides a stable surface for the intended use. Soil may be delivered if sufficient supplies are not located onsite.

The Contractor shall patch potholes on paved trails and report serious problems such as frost heave, broken pavement, and undercutting. Trails shall be maintained to a smooth surface. Materials to be used include concrete and asphalt. The Contractor shall maintain all trail tread to the designed width.

C.5.1.3 Equipment Specifications

The motor grader shall have a minimum gross weight of 14 tons; have an adjustable blade, a minimum

190horsepower at 2000 rpm, a minimum 12 foot wide moldboard with blade reach outside rear tires of 60 inches and scarifiers; or equivalent. The moldboard and cutting edge shall be straight and even with no more than 1/4 inch of deviation from the original line or shape. Scarifiers shall be firmly attached, spaced no more than 12 inches apart, adjusted to adequate depth and capable of scarifying at least a 6 foot width per pass. See

Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.2 SURFACING/RE-SURFACING, ROADS & TRAILS

Surfacing/re-surfacing operations include surface preparation, furnishing aggregate and spreading aggregate with a finish grading. The Contractor shall surface/re-surface defined areas in order to return the trail/road tread surface grade smooth with the intended slope and/or grade. Finish grading of surface replacement or new aggregate is included in this activity and will not be paid for separately under grading. The Contractor shall have the capability to deliver surface replacement aggregate and perform motor grader finish grading at the same time.

The Contractor shall dispose of any unwanted or unacceptable materials. Prevent disturbing base or subgrade material that is in satisfactory condition. Deposit new aggregate to achieve grade, thickness and road template or as otherwise specified by the task order. Spread material evenly across the travel way and finish blade the entire area receiving aggregate. No spoil, excess material, litter or debris shall be allowed to remain on shoulders or in ditch lines as a result of the Contractor's operation.

C.5.2.1 Equipment Specifications

Compaction methods shall use a seven to ten ton pneumatic, steel, or equivalent vibratory roller, operated to cover the full width two times. See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.2.2 Method of Measurement

Measurement for aggregate shall be made to the nearest rounded ton. The Contractor shall supply acceptable weight tickets or batch tickets for each task order showing aggregate quality, gradation, source, gross, tare and net weights when requested by the CO or COR.

C.5.3 RIPRAP STONE PLACEMENT

This activity includes providing and placing riprap for bank protection, slope protection, drainage structures, and erosion control. The Contractor shall place riprap material by methods that do not cause segregation or damage to the prepared surface. The Contractor shall obtain a compact uniformly thick blanket with a reasonably smooth surface and edge line or perimeter.

The Contractor shall perform erosion control on trail segments utilizing riprap, approved seed application, tree seedling planting, hillside fencing, check dam installation, water bar construction, or other methods specified in the task order. The Contractor shall report and recommend corrective actions to the COR for trail segments that have hazards or are poorly designed. The Contractor shall block user-made trails using native vegetation such as downed trees, limbs, and rocks.

C.5.3.1 Method of Measurement

Measurement for rip-rap shall be made to the nearest rounded ton. The Contractor shall supply acceptable weight tickets or batch tickets for each task order showing aggregate quality, gradation, source, gross, tare and net weights when requested by the CO or COR.

C.5.4 DITCH MAINTENANCE, CLEANING, AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT

Cleaning and maintaining ditches includes drainage ditches, swales, drainage dips, leadoff ditches, lead out ditches, and other drainage and erosion control facilities. Ditches include the ditch foreslope, the ditch bottom, and the ditch backslope.

Ditches shall be maintained in their original location and design depth or to a minimum depth of 12 inches below the shoulder and to the shape and grade required to ensure drainage of the travel way. All ditches shall be maintained free of loose sod and other material. Handwork may be required to properly connect ditch flow lines to drainage structure inlets/outlets. The Contractor shall perform ditch maintenance on all roads and trails where grading is performed, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

All excavated material having the same character as the road or trail surface shall be reclaimed and used within the travel way. Existing ditches that are silted in or blocked with other debris shall be cleared to provide drainage away from the travel way. Unsuitable material excavated from ditches shall not be reclaimed onto the road or trail surface. Unsuitable material shall not be deposited or disposed of on the foreslope or the backslope.

Unacceptable aggregate, soil, grass debris, leaf litter debris and small woody material in quantities of less than 2 cubic yards each may be deposited on embankment fill slopes. In the event that larger quantites must be disposed of, disposal sites shall be locations approved by the COR. No spoil, excess material, litter or debris shall be allowed to remain on shoulders or in ditch lines as a result of the Contractor's operation.

C.5.4.1 TRAILS DRAINAGE STRUCTURE CLEANING

Water bars and dips shall be cleaned free of sediment buildup and debris. Debris and sediment shall not be deposited upslope of the drainage device. Damaged or loose water bars shall be reshaped or anchored (see FSH

2309.18 5-15). Gradient dips shall be shaped according to FSH 2309.18 5-09.

C.5.4.2 SOUTH BISON RANGE (SBR) EROSION CONTROL

The Contractor shall remove gravel and/or debris from water gaps, replace riprap, repair or replace hanging water gaps, as needed. Water gaps shall be built with weather resistant materials. Water gap gates shall be in the center of water gaps and built to the same specifications as previously installed water gap gates.

C.5.4.3 DITCH RE-ESTABLISHMENT

Ditches shall be re-established to improve upon and restore the original location, size, shape and flow, including a minimum depth of 12 inches below the shoulder and to the shape and grade required to ensure drainage of the road or trail. The Contractor shall grade, shape and/or excavate to re-establish or improve upon the ditch.

Handwork may be required to properly connect ditch flow lines to drainage structure inlets/outlets.

C.5.4.3.1 Identification

Ditches to be maintained shall be identified by the Contractor during grading operations. Ditches to be re-established shall be identified by task order.

C.5.5 CULVERT MAINTENANCE, CLEANING, AND REPLACEMENT

Culvert cleaning, including box culverts, includes removing soil, leaves, rock, vegetative matter, foreign matter and other debris from the culvert interior, catch basin, inlet and outlet ditches. When applicable, culvert drain holes (i.e., in concrete decks) shall be cleared of any debris. Culvert inlets and outlets shall be cleaned of any debris, mud, rock, silt or other obstruction no less than 3 feet into the inlet and outlet. Debris and materials including broken or dislodged brush, limbs and logs under the culvert and within the stream channel shall be cleared to a distance of 10 feet past wing walls or 10 feet past the last culvert feature, whichever is further.

Work shall ensure unobstructed flow to, through and away from the culvert, minimizing erosion and other resource damage.

Unsuitable material removed from culverts shall not be reclaimed onto the road or trail surface. Waste material removed shall not be deposited in piles either on the road, trail or slopes but shall be distributed evenly to match the original surface grade. Care will be taken so that debris cannot easily re-enter the culvert, catch basin, or ditches. Cut material shall be disposed of by scattering debris into wooded areas beyond the travel way and mowed boundaries and shall not be left in mounds or piles. No disposed materials shall be left in a ditch, drainage or creek or within 20 feet of such.

All damaged, degraded, or nonfunctional material, culverts, or hardware in need of additional maintenance, repair or replacement shall be brought to the attention of the COR prior to completing the task order.

C.5.5.1 CULVERT REPLACEMENT

The new or replaced culvert shall be constructed with inlet and outlet channels that have a free flow of water.

Bedding material shall be placed the entire length of the new or replaced culvert.

C.5.5.2 Identification

Culverts to be maintained shall be identified by the Contractor during grading operations. Culverts to be replaced shall be identified by task order.

C.5.5.3 Method of Measurement

Culvert maintenance shall be measured per hour. Culvert replacement shall be measured per foot.

C.5.6 BRIDGE AND BOX CULVERT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

The Contractor shall maintain bridges and concrete box culverts. Based on the KYTC AND TDOT inspection and report, the COR may task the Contractor for repair to structures. In cases where the inspection shows eminent danger or structural failure, the Contractor shall take immediate action to close the structure to traffic.

Additional inspections and repairs may be necessary after major rainfalls to check for buildup of trash or debris that would interfere with stream flow or for scour on the structure’s abutments.

The Contractor shall clean all bridge and box culvert decks, including cleaning all soil, gravel, vegetative matter or foreign material. The Contractor shall remove debris, grass, weeds or vegetative matter growing on any bridge feature except thin layers of mold or moss found to be less than 1/4 inch thick. The Contractor shall cut or mow grass, weeds or vegetative matter growing around the base of any bridge or box culvert feature within

12 inches of the feature. Grass shall be cut to within 2 inches above grade. Brush, limbs, vegetative matter and debris that obstruct signs and object markers located within 50 feet of the bridge or box culvert center shall be removed.

All bolted connections shall be confirmed “snug” tight. For the purposes of this PWS, “snug” tight is defined as

40 to 60 foot pounds of torque. Under no circumstance shall the Contractor over torque or strip bolted connections.

For purposes of this PWS, guardrails are considered a bridge or box culvert component or feature and include the guardrail within 50 feet of the bridge or box culvert measured from the center of the bridge or box culvert.

All damaged, degraded, or nonfunctional material, signs, or hardware in need of additional maintenance, repair or replacement shall be brought to the attention of the COR prior to completing the task order.

C.5.6.1 TRAIL BRIDGE MAINTENANCE

The Contractor shall replace rotting boards, drive loose nails, and replace or repair handrails made out of wood, steel, or synthetic design. Clear bridge of grass, debris, leafs, loose dirt, etc. during trail maintenance.

C.5.7 BRUSHING (BRUSH CUTTING/SIDE ARMING), MACHINE

Brushing operations include cutting and removing all vegetation (living and dead), limbs, and brush having a diameter of 4 inches or less at a height 3 inches above ground or 3 inches or less from the trunk. Brushing shall extend to a distance of no less than 5 feet beyond ditches or 10 feet past the travel way or active shoulder, whichever is a further distance. A greater distance may be required where additional mowing for safe sight distance at road intersections or blind curves has been designated by a mowing task order. See Section C.5.13 regarding mowing.

Brushing performed with the use of a mechanical arm brusher may require handwork to achieve requirements of the task order. Cut material shall be disposed of by scattering debris into wooded areas beyond the roadway and mowed boundaries and shall not be left in mounds or piles. No disposed materials shall be left in a ditch, drainage or creek or within 20 feet of such.

When a tree line, rock, fence line or similar permanent fixed obstruction is encountered, the obstruction will be considered an adequate edge of the mowing boundaries but must be agreed upon by the COR prior to work completion. The Contractor shall mow around all fixed obstructions, where possible.

Brushing, Machine does not include Overhead Trimming, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

C.5.7.1 Equipment Specification

Brushing shall be performed with a mechanical arm brusher or loader-mounted vertical sickle mower attached to a motor grader, wheeled tractor, or other power equipment as approved by the COR.

C.5.8 BRUSHING (BRUSH CUTTING), HANDWORK

Brushing, handwork consists of cutting and removing all vegetation (living and dead), limbs and brush having a diameter of 4 inches or less, at a height 3 inches above ground or 3 inches or less from trunk in and around bridge and culvert features. Overhead trimming is included and shall extend to a height of 10 feet.

Limbs cut by handwork shall be pruned as close as possible to tree trunks, but no further away from trunks than

3 inches. Brush stumps shall be left no higher than 3 inches above the adjacent ground level. Cut material shall be disposed of by scattering debris into wooded areas beyond the roadway and mowed boundaries and shall not be left in mounds or piles. No disposed materials shall be left in a ditch, drainage or creek or within 20 feet of such.

When a tree line, rock, fence line or similar permanent fixed obstruction is encountered, the obstruction will be considered an adequate edge of the mowing boundaries but must be agreed upon by the COR prior to work

C.5.8.1 BRIDGE, CULVERT BRUSHING

Brushing shall extend to a distance of no less than 5 feet beyond any bridge or culvert feature and include the area between the bridge or culvert wing walls if wing walls exist. Brushing shall extend to a height of no less than 8 feet.

C.5.8.2 CAUSWAY AND SPECIAL BRUSHING

Special Brushing includes unique brushing, brushing construction (new brushing) and brushing re-establishment. New brushing along a road or trail shall be no higher than 14 feet above the road or trail surface and/or active shoulder.

C.5.8.3 Equipment Specification

Handwork shall be performed with the use of pruning saws, power saws, nippers, bow saws or cross-cut saws.

C.5.9 SPECIFIED EQUIPMENT WITH OPERATOR

This activity will be used to identify specific equipment and operator hours not otherwise listed in the PWS, or to be tasked separately from tasks identified above. Examples include, but are not limited to, an operator with: a rubber tire backhoe, motor grader, excavator, dozer, vibratory roller compactor, sheep’s foot compactor, backhoes, trenchers, chain saws, etc. See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

Examples of work to be accomplished include, but are not limited to, road or trail maintenance, utility trenching, debris removal grading, material spreading, and excavation for a variety of purposes. The acceptable equipment shall be furnished on a fully operational basis, be of modern design, and in good operating condition, compliant with manufacturer’s specifications, with a competent and qualified operator; and upon request may require appurtenances or attachments such as, but not limited to, extending arm, thumb grapple and varying bucket sizes.

The Contractor shall assume all costs of transport, maintenance and operation. The operator shall be properly trained, and fully capable of operating the equipment. The operator and/or ground person shall have available all fuel, supplies, and safety gear necessary to effectively and safely operate the equipment.

C.5.9.1 Equipment Specifications

The rubber tire backhoe shall have a minimum net 56 horsepower and be equipped with a minimum 14 feet reach and a minimum 24 inch bucket.

The excavator shall be at a minimum a 15 metric ton tracked excavator.

The dozer shall have a minimum SAE 85 horsepower and be equipped with a 6-way blade.

The dump truck shall be 12 cubic yard minimum capacity, 300 minimum horsepower, diesel engine, 12 foot minimum length hydraulic tilting box, six axle, 15,000 pound front axle, 40,000 pound rear axles; or approved equivalent. See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.10 SIGN AND POST MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION

This activity includes installation of new signs and posts, and maintenance of new and existing signs and posts.

Signs include, but are not limited to, traffic control, recreation, interpretive, facility identification, and visitor information signs. All posts shall be erected plumb, with signs securely attached with vandal-resistant hardware.

The Contractor shall report to the COR instances of missing regulatory and warning signs.

The Contractor shall be knowledgeable of the USDA Forest Service Sign Installation Guide as well as the current edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The Contractor shall designate a

“Sign Coordinator” who shall be responsible for the coordination and execution of sign maintenance work and will engage in discussion, coordination and planning with the CO or COR.

C.5.10.1 TRAIL SIGN AND MARKER MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall re-mount loose or fallen signs, repair or replace signs, and reset or replace leaning, damaged, rotting, or missing posts. The Contractor shall replace or refresh blazes (reflective trail markers).

Signs are to be maintained so that road crossings are clearly identified.

C.5.10.2 BARRICADES

When requested, the Contractor shall place barricades with temporary road closure signs throughout LBL at locations indicated by the COR. At a minimum, approximately 36 barricades shall be installed during a 2-day period immediately before each LBL turkey season, and be removed at the close of the LBL turkey season. The

Contractor shall ensure that all barricades and signs are removed, accounted for, and properly stored.

The Contractor shall confirm by March 1 each year that there are enough barricades for the turkey hunt. If there is not, the Contractor shall purchase or make new ones. In the event that the Contractor failed to retrieve the barricades during the prior year, or the Contractor removed barricades from storage without approval by the

CO, the Contractor shall replace barricades with new ones at the Contractor’s expense.

Barricades may be used for other purposes. Barricades shall be inventoried each year as part of the annual GFE inventory. Barricades must meet MUTCD standards.

C.5.11 TREE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL

This activity consists of cutting and removing standing or fallen trees and limbs. Trees shall be cut to fall away from the roads and trails where possible. Care shall be taken to cause minimal impacts. Resultant stumps shall be no more than 24 inches in height. Cut material shall be disposed of by scattering debris into wooded areas no less than 10 feet beyond the road, trail, shoulder, ditch, or tree line, whichever is further. Cut material shall not be left in mounds or piles. No disposed materials shall be left in a ditch, drainage, or creek or within 20 feet of such or location approved by the CO. No trees shall be removed from Government property unless approved by the CO.

C.5.12 SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL, ROADS

Snow and ice removal includes pre-salting. Snow and ice removal will be accomplished to accommodate employees reporting to work and visitors to open facilities. The COR shall coordinate with the Contract Manager prior to snow and ice removal tasks being accomplished. If the facility is not open and there is no need for employees to report to work then snow and ice removal will not be required. The Contractor shall remove snow and ice from the driveways and parking lots at following facilities as necessary: Administrative Office and L.E&I, Golden Pond Visitor Center, Brandon Springs.

C.5.13 MOWING

Mowing operations consist of cutting grass and small woody plant growth (2 inches in diameter or less at mower height) within the travel way and on both sides of roads or trails, including mowing around signs, abutments, guardrails, appurtenances and permanently fixed features. Mowing operations shall include mowing from the travel way or active shoulder to 5 feet beyond ditches or 10 feet from the travel way or active shoulder, whichever is a further distance. Mowing shall be to a generally consistent height of between 4 to 8 inches.

The use of chemicals for vegetation control will not be allowed without prior written approval of the COR.

Woody vegetation on roadsides and in the canopy shall be removed by mechanical means utilizing equipment such as side arm rotary cutters. At all road intersections, the shoulders shall be mowed a minimum of 100 feet from the intersection. When a trail intersects the road being mowed, the trail shall be mowed to the tree line.

The Contractor shall remove fallen limbs, downed trees and other debris which would prevent the mower from meeting the height and width requirements in this specification. More than one pass with the mower may be required to obtain the minimum width. Any additional mowing for safe sight distance at road intersections or blind curves is considered a part of this activity. Additional mowing for safe sight distance shall not exceed a distance of 20 feet measured from the edge of pavement or travel way.

When a tree line, rock, fence line or similar permanent fixed obstruction is encountered, the obstruction will be considered an adequate edge of the mowing boundaries but must be agreed upon by the COR prior to work

No mowing is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays unless specifically permitted by the COR. Debris disturbed and scattered to undesirable areas, i.e. road and trail surfaces, by mowing activities shall by immediately removed by the Contractor.

C.5.13.1 Aggregate and Native Material Roads

All rocks larger than 2 inches in diameter, woody material larger than 1/2 inch in diameter, woody material larger than 12 inches in length, all domestic waste, and all debris deposited onto the shoulder or travel way as a result of this activity shall be removed.

C.5.13.2 Paved Roads

All rocks larger than 1 inch in diameter, all woody material larger than 1/4 inch in diameter, all woody material larger than 4 inches in length, all domestic waste, and all debris deposited onto the shoulder or travel way as a result of this activity shall be removed.

C.5.13.3 TRAIL MOWING

Trails shall be mowed to 4 inches in height and not allowed to grow more than 8 inches in height and at designed trail tread width.

C.5.13.4 OPENLANDS MOWING

Openlands Mowing includes 300-1200 acres, which may be mowed as a single task or may be mowed prior to other openlands management tasks and combinations (e.g. liming, lime/till, lime/till/plant, herbicide application/plant, or conservation no-till drill type planting). Mowing equipment may be used on the field access roads to maintain an approximate 12 foot width for authorized vehicles and equipment.

C.5.13.4.1 Openlands Mowing Standards

All vegetation shall be mowed to a height of not less than 8 inches or as specified for the task per the vegetation type and condition and time of year. Warm season grasses are to be cut at a minimum 8 inch height between June 1 and August 31. All vegetation cut after August 31 is to be cut at an 8 inch height for wildlife winter cover provisions, unless specified otherwise per the work order. Tree and shrub growth within fields shall be cut to a height less than or equal to 3-5 inches. Mowing shall be done from the centerline of the field outward or from one side of the field to the other to facilitate wildlife escape.

When portions of fields require heavy equipment or more labor intensive management beyond the standard maintenance requirements to reclaim the open land(s) and access routes, the Contractor shall notify the COR prior to mowing. Reclamation work will be determined by the COR on a case by case basis and shall be done under a Field Access Maintenance work order.

C.5.13.4.2 Timeframe

The majority of openlands mowing occurs primarily between June 1 and September 30. Fields mowed between October 1 and April 1 include, but are not limited to, those fields mowed prior to: the establishment of spring wildlife planting and warm season grasses, early spring herbicide applications, spring mow/lime/till treatments, and woods to woods mowing. Open land types and acreages to be mowed will be determined annually by the COR.

C.5.13.5 WOODS TO WOODS MOWING

The Highway 68 corridor shall be mowed woods to woods once every other year in October beginning after the first frost. The area mowed will be upwards of 402 acres from the outer road rights-of-way edge to the wood-line on each side of the specified roads. This acreage may change depending on whether the State has mowed the road rights-of-way and/or other nearby openland acres are added to the work order. The openlands shall not be cut to less than 6 inches in height. Prior to mowing, the Contractor shall remove all debris, trash, paper, downed trees, and large limbs from the area to be mown, and properly dispose of all debris and litter.

The Trace, Ft. Henry Road, Silver Trail, and Mulberry Flat Roads shall be mowed woods to woods in October and shall not be cut to a height less than 6 inches. The area mowed is approximately 292 to 1070 acres

(depending on whether the State has mowed the shoulder).

An acceptable cut grassed area shall be cut to a uniform height in a manner free of scalping, rutting, bruising, unevenness, or roughness. Prior to mowing, the Contractor shall remove all debris, trash, paper, downed trees, and large limbs from the area to be mown, and properly dispose of all debris and litter.

C.5.13.6 BASIC CAMPING AREA MOWING

By work order the Contractor shall mow the following areas Duncan Lake (3 acres), and, WKMS tower (8 acres), as funding allows.

C.5.13.7 CAMPGROUNDS AREA MOWING

These two areas may be mowed as funding allows.

Fenton- (15 acres) Access road at parking lot and along south bank to east access road and field behind pavilion.

Colson Hollow Group Use Area- (15 acres) Large field between road and water’s edge.

C.5.13.8 TURKEY BAY OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV) MOWING

The Contractor may be tasked to mow three acres, four times each year as a minimum, on or about October 1st and 2 to 5 calendar days prior to Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend.

C.5.13.9 ELK AND BISON PRAIRIE (EBP) AND SOUTH BISON RANGE (SBR) MOWING

Mowing of EBP and SBR is normally 20 to 150 acres per request, with larger tasks typically occurring during mid-Summer. Annual totals range from 20 to 400 acres. Mowing heights will be specified in the request and typically range from 4” to 8” in height.

Woody debris within the mowing areas shall be removed from openings if it cannot be mowed over at the prescribed height. Removal of debris is considered incidental to mowing and will not be paid separately. Trees and limbs over 6” DBH may be left in place but shall be reported to the COR for future removal.

The Contractor shall mow as close to obstacles as possible without damaging equipment, roadways, banks, signs, or other structures. Areas to be mowed shall be cut to a uniform height and be free of scalping, rutting, bruising, unevenness, or roughness. Areas mowed along tree lines and shrub lines shall be cut as close to those areas as possible without contacting live tree roots and stems.

Mowing roadsides and viewing areas within the EBP is along 3.5 miles of roadway, and typically occurs 2 to 5 times per year.

C.5.13.10 Equipment Specification

Mowing shall be performed with the widest field mower appropriate for the location and the appropriate sized tractor. See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.13.12 Method of Measurement

Measurement for roads are actual miles as recorded in INFRA. The Contractor shall submit a proposal for mowing per mile Reference Exhibit.

C.5.14 EQUESTRIAN/OHV TRAILS CLEARANCE

Trails clearing will include removing branches, trail debris, and low-lying vegetation. Dead trees overhanging and within falling distance shall be removed. All vegetation shall be removed from the trail corridor, and the butt face shall be faced away from the trail corridor. Cut material shall be disposed of by scattering debris into wooded areas beyond the trail corridor and shall not be left in mounds or piles. No disposed materials shall be left in a ditch, drainage or creek or within 20 feet of such.

C.5.14.1 Equestrian

Designated trails shall be maintained at a width of 8 feet and a height of 10 feet. Two track trails shall be maintained at a width of 12 feet and 10 feet in height. Cut logs shall be laid perpendicular to the trail tread.

C.5.14.2 OHV Trails

Trails shall be maintained at a width of 10 feet for Four Wheel Drive vehicle trails and 50 inches for ATV trails.

Overhead clearance for both trail types will be 12 feet in height.

C.5.14.3 LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 1 – HIKE/BIKE TRAIL CORRIDOR CLEARANCE

All bike/hike trails shall be free of obstacles 5 feet wide and 10 feet tall.

All removed debris shall be scattered so as not to block or impede natural water flow on the downhill side of the trail.

All material that has been cut must be at least 18 inches from the edge of the trail tread and cut flush.

All obstacles to a height of 10 feet shall be removed and cut flush to the stem/base.

2 1/2 feet either side of the centerline of the trail shall be mowed or trimmed to 4 inches or less in height.

The Contractor shall submit a list and a marked map to the COR highlighting safety issues, needed repairs to trail tread, and trail signage and bridge needs. The report shall be submitted to COR no later than one week after that mile of trail has been completed.

All trail bridge surfaces shall be cleaned of leaves, debris and moss.

The distance between the creek channel and the bottom of the bridge shall have all debris removed and placed so that it will not impede water flow under the bridge.

C.5.14.3.1 Season of Work

Level of Performance 1 is typically completed March – November.

C.5.14.3.2 Equipment Specifications All equipment must be 60 inches wide or less. The Contractor shall provide a list of proposed equipment for approval by the COR.

C.5.14.3.3 Method of Measurement

Level of Performance 1, Corridor Clearance shall be measured per mile.

Clearing

Height

10 feet

Clearing Width

5 feet (2.5 feet either side of centerline of trail

Mowing

Height

4 inches or less

Cuts to material shall be 18 inches from the edge of trail tread

C.5.15 LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 2 – HIKE/BIKE TRAIL CORRIDOR CLEARANCE PLUS

Level of Performance 2 includes all work required in Level 1, plus the following:

Blazes shall be maintained so that trail users will be able to follow the trail corridor.

Blazes shall be maintained so that the line of sight from both directions is visible.

Generally no more than 200 yards between blazes unless the line of sight is longer.

All existing route marker signs and posts that are not attached to wooden posts are considered part of the trail blaze replacement.

8 feet either side of the trail corridor shall be cleaned of all foreign debris.

All foreign debris shall be bagged, removed and disposed of in a proper receptacle.

Include in the list and marked map to the COR any signage needs, location and dimensions. All wooden signs, posts and kiosks are to be evaluated.

**Forest Service will provide signage or request purchase from a desired vendor**

C.5.15.1 Season of Work

Level of Performance 2 is typically completed March – November.

C.5.15.2 Equipment Specifications All equipment must be 60 inches wide or less. The Contractor shall provide a list of proposed equipment for

C.5.15.3 Method of Measurement

Level of Performance 2, Corridor Clearance Plus shall be measured per mile and includes materials.

C.5.16 LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 3 – HIKE/BIKE BASIC TREAD MAINTENANCE

Level of Performance 3 includes services for Forest Service identified erosion control.

A two person crew shall complete spot tread out-sloping and de-berming.

New installation and reconstruction of rolling grade dips and water bars.

Reshaping and clean out and installation of ditches and culverts.

Removal of protrusion hazards within the trail tread greater than 4 inches.

All dirt work shall be finished with compaction to support bike and hike travel.

C.5.16.1 Season of Work

Level of Performance 3 is typically completed March – November.

C.5.16.2 Equipment Specifications All equipment must be 60 inches wide or less. The Contractor shall provide a list of proposed equipment for

C.5.16.3 Method of Measurement

Level of Performance 3, Basic Tread Maintenance shall be measured per hour.

Rolling Grade Dip

Tread out-sloping and de-berming

C.5.17 LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 4 – HIKE/BIKE TRAIL BASIC STRUCTURE REPAIR

Level of Performance 4 includes repair of failing structural trail features that may need to be repaired, replaced, or installed. The Forest Service will identify the feature and the specifications to repair or replace the feature to.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Trail bridges: decking replacement, missing or damaged screws, handrail or curb repair, trail bridge stringers and bridge approach repairs.

Signs: post replacement, kiosk, and trailhead board repairs.

C.5.17.1 Season of Work

Level of Performance 4 is typically completed March – November.

C.5.17.2 Equipment Specifications

Equipment is typically restricted to 60 inches wide or less, but will be evaluated on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the work. The COR will approve equipment prior to work commencement.

C.5.17.3 Method of Measurement

Level of Performance 4, Basic Structure Repair shall be measured per hour and includes materials.

C.5.18 LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 5 – HIKE/BIKE NEW TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, REROUTE OR

TRAIL OVERHAUL

Activities consist of all corridor clearing, necessary grubbing and excavating, trail tread construction (18-48 inches wide), tread feature construction, tread compaction, and trail bridge site preparations.

C.5.18.1 Method of Measurement

Level of Performance 5, New Trail Construction, Reroute, or Overhaul shall be measured per hour.

C.5.19 ADDITIONAL TRAIL OPTIONS

C.5.19.1 SAW TEAM - 2 PERSON CREW

Tasks include removal of dead and damaged trees, the non-routine corridor clearing of trails after a storm or natural disaster. Debris shall be scattered so as not to block or impede natural water flow on the downhill side of the trail. All cuts to material must be at least 18 inches off the edge of the trail tread.

C.5.19.2 Equipment Specifications

The Contractor shall provide all mandatory PPE.

C.5.20 LITTER REMOVAL, TRAILS

Trailheads shall be kept free of litter and debris from the trailhead sign to 20 feet along the trail corridor. Litter within six feet of either side of the tread shall be removed, bagged, and disposed of in approved receptacles.

Debris from old home sites shall not be removed. The task order shall instruct the Contractor when to clean entire trail segments. Trailheads within developed recreation sites are excluded from Contractor trail maintenance responsibility.

C.5.21 TRAIL REST AREA MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

Rest areas shall be kept free of litter, debris, and animal waste. Hazard trees and limbs shall be removed. A hazard tree will be identified as such by a qualified COR. Damaged trees, structures, or heavily impacted rest areas shall be reported to the COR. Structures such as benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, and hitching rails shall be installed and maintained. Signs shall be maintained to meet standards, see Section

C.5.10.1.

C.5.22 EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS, TRAILS

Typical equipment needs for trails includes the following:

Dozer with an 8 ft blade

80-120 HP

Double and/or Tri-axle Dump Truck

Backhoe

80-110 HP, 4WD

Reach 15 ft depth

6-8 ft loader bucket

1-2 ft bucket with thumb

Excavator

Approximately 81-110 HP

Minimum 25 ft reach

Excavator

21 to 27 HP

Reach 12 to 17

Loader

90-120 HP

1.5- 2 cu yard

Sheep foot roller

48-60 inch roller

Smooth drum roller

48-60 inch roller

Chipper

13-17 inch diameter capacity

Compact Tractor with mower

See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.23 HERITAGE SERVICES

Heritage services include stabilizing Civil War-era earthworks, restoration, rehabilitation, and renovation of historic structures including controlling dense vegetation and erosion as well as tree removal at historic sites.

Historic sites and structures may include: Iron Furnace remains, fire towers, log and other rustic vernacular structures such as spring houses, wells, cisterns, board and batten cabins, tobacco barns, sheds, etc. The

Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer (CO) proof of experience and training in historic restoration prior to task order submittal.

C.5.24 RECYCLING SERVICES

Recycling services include transporting a trailer of cardboard and/or paper to the recycling center located in

Fredonia, KY, which is approximately 40 miles from the LBL administrative building. The cardboard/paper will be collected and stored at the LBL maintenance facility for delivery to the recycling center. At contract award, the current volume results in two round-trip per year. See Section 1, Exhibit 8 for historically utilized equipment.

C.5.24.1 Method of Measurement

Recycling services shall be measured per hour, and shall include all transportation costs.

C.5.25 DAM AND SUBIMPOUNDMENT MAINTENANCE (By Work Order)

The Contractor shall perform all maintenance and repair of levees, dams, associated drainage structures, and spillways located in LBL. An inventory of the dams and sub-impoundments is included in Exhibit 5, Dam

Inventory, Including Subimpoundments. The Contractor shall remove silt and debris in overflow structures and emergency spillways as required to prevent overflow of water onto roadways and to prevent damage to property and structures. The Contractor shall operate the drainage structures as directed to control the water level. Upon request, the Contractor shall perform dam inspections and report the results to the Government. The Contractor shall perform all necessary repair work once authorized by the Government per work order. Woody vegetation shall be prevented from growing on the embankments. The Contractor shall keep the embankments mowed as required and shall replace riprap as needed.

C.5.26 OPENLANDS MANAGEMENT

C.5.26.1 FIELD ACCESS MAINTENANCE

Access maintenance needs such as the removal of trees or debris that can be cut, pushed, or moved out of the access route and from within openlands during implementation of a work order shall be considered incidental to field access management and shall not be paid separately. The Contractor shall remove all downed trees and large limbs from openlands prior to implementation of tasks. Creating paths around downed trees partially or fully blocking accesses and within fields is not acceptable. Contractor shall notify COR when conditions prevent reasonable field access.

A majority of field accesses (roads, creek crossings, gaps, etc.) are narrow, averaging approximately twelve-feet wide and thirteen feet high. The Contractor shall consider the size of equipment to be used during task implementation in order to gain access to the fields to be treated.

C.5.26.2 RIPARIAN CORRIDOR MAINTENANCE

Riparian Corridor standards are to be implemented per the Area Plan and Continued Maintenance of Open

Lands Environmental Assessment: Within General Forest and Oak-Grassland Demonstration Prescription

Areas, riparian corridors of native vegetation will be maintained along each side of perennial and intermittent stream courses in order to maintain fluvial and riparian functions. Corridors along perennial streams will be

100 feet measured from bank-full stage. Corridors along intermittent streams will be 50 to 75 feet measured from bank-full stage at a minimum. If a 50-foot corridor is used, a minimum of 20 feet adjacent to management activities must be in a maintained native grass or other suitable vegetative filter strip. The remaining corridor should be in shrubs and trees.