PWS_Debris_Removal.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Proposal for Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Debris Removal along Wilderness Canoe Trail as a Direct Result of Hurricane Irma

Part 1

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide services to remove standing dead trees and damaged and downed hazardous trees and removing (cutting) brush along approximately 120 miles of the Wilderness Canoe Trail System. Hazardous trees and brush blocking or adjacent to trails must be downed and moved into areas out of the canoe trails. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over this contract service provider. The contract service provider shall be accountable solely to the Government.

The services within this contract will be performed within the Okefenokee Wilderness Area, an area designated under the Okefenokee Wilderness Act of 1974. The Wilderness Act sets aside areas of “undeveloped Federal land, retaining its primeval character and influence.” The act provides that the area shall be managed “so as to preserve its natural conditions and which - generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable” (Public Law 88-577; 88th Congress, S.4; September 3, 1964). Providing the Wilderness visitor an experience of solitude while surrounded by the primeval character of the Okefenokee Swamp is emphasized. For this reason, disturbances to the visitors’ sight- and sound- scapes need to be considered in all actions.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The proposed project will mitigate hurricane damaged and downed hazardous trees and vegetative brush that has blocked approximately 120 miles of the Wilderness Canoe Trail System. These hazardous trees pose immediate risk of injury to anyone in this area. Some trails remain closed to the public. To safely re-open trails and provide access to Refuge staff, visitors, and resume normal maintenance functions as well as search and rescue operations, hazardous trees and brush blocking and/or adjacent to the trail must be cut down then physically removed from the boat trails. The contractor(s) shall provide all personnel, including a project foreman and a safety officer necessary to safely fell dead standing trees adjacent to the canoe trails. The contractor(s) shall perform to the standards set forth in this contract.

Services will include but are not limited to:

· Develop and implement a logistical plan to safely transport personnel and equipment to the work areas by boat;

· Develop and implement a safety plan to ensure personnel working under extremely hazardous conditions are working as safely as possible, the safety plan should include contingencies for communications; emergency transport, and job hazard analyses that adequately describe the working conditions at the jobsite;

· Develop and implement an operational plan that results in the removal of all hazardous trees posing an immediate threat to the water trails and removal of trees, logs and brush within the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail System. The refuge will provide GPS data to identify all water trails along which the contractor will be responsible for clearing.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has a 120 mile designated Wilderness Canoe Trail System (Attachment 3). The East Entrance (Suwannee Canal Recreation Area), the West Entrance (Stephen C. Foster State Park) and Kingfisher Landing (mid-way between Folkston and Waycross) are launch ramp and access areas for the canoe trail system.

Water levels will determine when the worksite is accessible. Refuge staff will monitor water levels and coordinate this information with the contractor. Low water levels make access impossible in some areas and high water levels flood work sites often making it difficult to move safely amongst the downed trees. Tripping hazards, uneven walking surfaces, soft spots, and stump holes as well as cypress knees and older stumps present constant challenges to working safely within the area. Boat trails have organic material bottoms creating unstable footing. Some trees blocking boat trails will have to be winched out of the way. Cutting of most standing trees will likely occur by the contractor cutting on uneven, unstable ground on the edge of the water trail. Many trees remain standing but are in weakened condition due to burned root systems and drought effects. These hazardous trees can be especially dangerous during sustained and daily wind gusts, particularly those associated with rain events and electrical storms. Down trees and brush often need to be cut while in a floating boat.

Heat with high humidity, electrical storms, encounters with reptiles and insects are additional hazards likely to be encountered during the work day or traveling to or from work sites. First aid training is a must for the chosen contractor and crew.

1.2 Background:

Hurricane Irma caused trees, limbs and debris to fell within, and heavy brush to lean over into, the 120-mile water trail system of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, thereby blocking access along many of the trails. Congress mandated the Refuge to maintain this water trail system for recreational purposes. It is crucial to remove all hazardous trees along the water trails and remove trees, logs and brush within the approximately 120 miles of the Wilderness Canoe Trail System. Hazardous trees and brush blocking or adjacent to trails must be downed and moved into areas out of the canoe trails.

· The safety of Refuge staff, volunteers and visitors will be compromised if this trail system is not cleared, re-opened and then maintained by refuge staff at approved levels.

· It is critical to the Mission of Okefenokee NWR to re-open and maintain the 120 miles of Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail and facilities that were designated for public use access by Congress in the 1974 Okefenokee National Wilderness Act.

· It is vital to the continuing interest and support of taxpayers nationwide who use and continue to support the National Wildlife Refuge System to re-open and repair trails and facilities that promote and endear Refuge visitors to healthy, active, outdoor pursuits at Okefenokee NWR.

1.3 Objectives: Identify and contract with knowledgeable individual(s) who have proven experience and exemplary work records for safely felling and removing trees and vegetation in areas of uneven terrain and water and working in a wilderness environment miles away from the nearest road. The contractor shall oversee the development and implementation of a plan that includes:

· safely transport personnel and equipment to the area by boat;

· ensure personnel working under extremely hazardous conditions are working as safely as possible;

· safely fell hazardous trees adjacent to the canoe trail within the area impacted by the hurricanes.

· safely move fallen trees, limbs, and encroaching vegetation off to the side of the water trails to a distance of 15 feet and out of sight from the trail.

· minimize disturbances to Wilderness users by strategically planning work areas based on visitor use and using the minimal tools necessary to accomplish the job.

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1.4 Scope: Services include but are not limited to:

· Develop and implement a logistical plan to safely transport personnel and equipment to the work areas by boat;

· Develop and implement a safety plan to ensure personnel working under extremely hazardous conditions are working as safely as possible. The safety plan should include contingencies for communications, emergency transport, and job hazard analyses that adequately describe the working conditions at the jobsite;

· Develop and implement an operational plan that results in the felling of all hazardous trees along the water trails and removal of trees and brush within the water trails and brush immediately adjacent to the water trails. All debris removed will be moved away from the trail at least 15 feet, preferably out of sight of the trail. No wood will be removed from the refuge. All trails will be cleared to a width of 8-10 feet and a height of 6 feet (See Watercraft Trail Maintenance Guidelines). The refuge will provide GPS data to identify all water trails along which the contractor will be responsible for clearing.

· Identify the minimum tools required to perform the tasks and the protocol to minimize disturbance to the Wilderness user.

Additional Requirements:

1. All required safety equipment, first aid kits, first aid training, saw chap, gloves, hearing/eye protection, hard hats, and safety boots will be provided by the contractor.

2. Contractor will abide by Okefenokee Refuge Dispatch Guidelines.

3. The contractor will provide appropriate watercraft to perform the tasks. Boats with 10 hp or less motors are preferred within the Wilderness area: however, air cooled, shallow running motors for use on traditional flat bottomed jon boats may be approved in advance by the refuge. The contractor needs to make a conscientious determination on the minimum tools/boats required to comply with Wilderness guidelines.

4. Clippers, saws, winches, boats, motors, cables, straps, snatch blocks and other needed tools, food, fuels radio/phone communications and other supplies will be provided by the contractor.

5. Contractor will be conscientious of the visibility of the cut work. Any large stumps remaining should be cut at an angle where the surface is facing away from the trail or roughly cut to imitate a naturally fallen tree.

6. Contractor will remain on site and available for planned and unplanned compliance inspections, progress updates, two to three days per week by a designated Project Coordinator and/or Refuge staff.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall be for four (4) years.

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how performance standards will be applied, frequency of surveillance, and minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how performance standards will be applied, frequency of surveillance, and minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: The Contractor(s) will not work on federally identified Holidays unless advanced permission is requested and approved. Special wage rates for involved personnel commensurate with work performed on Federal Holidays will be in effect if a contractor request is approved.

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business during normal operational hours for the East or West Entrance (depending on contractor departure location and schedule). East Entrance operational hours are ½ hour before sunrise to 7:30 pm March 1- October 31; November 1 – February 28/29 – ½ hour before sunrise to 5:30 pm. West Entrance operational hours are: March 1 – September 11 – 6:30 am – 8:30 pm; September 12 – February 28/29 – 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. Kingfisher Landing operational hours are Sunrise to Sunset. Normal daily operation will occur daily except when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The Contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 11 miles southwest of Folkston, Ga. Off of Georgia Highway 121.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a Firm Fixed Price Contract. Comment by Clardy, Sarah: Question for CGS: Is that correct?

1.6.7.1 Physical Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all of their equipment, information and property.

1.6.7.2 Key Control: The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.6.7.2.1. In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting Officer, have the Government re-key or replace the affected lock or locks. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks may be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.6.7.2.2. The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: N/A

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting agency or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available during normal Refuge operational hours and any other time periods when contract work may occur, and Monday through Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons. The contractor shall also provide a Safety Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring the safety of personnel performing this work. The Safety Officer will be responsible for submitting a Safety plan for approval to the Contracting Office Representative. The Safety Plan will include the safe operations of motor boats for ingress and egress to the work site, the safe operation of equipment necessary to fell trees and clear brush within the work site, the safe operation of equipment to remove brush and trees from the canoe trail, as well as an emergency plan that includes a communication plan, an evacuation plan, and accident reporting plan.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: Contractor will not be required to travel.

1.6.15 Data Rights: The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.6.16 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.17 Phase In /Phase Out Period: To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the Contractor shall have personnel on board, during the 30 day phase in/ phase out periods. During the phase in period, the Contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements in order to commence full performance of services on the contract start date.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will NOT provide technical computer support to assist with production of formal letters, reports etc.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will NOT provide desk space and access to writing and printing supplies in support of contractor’s efforts.

3.3 Utilities: The Government will NOT provide utilities needed to operate in a normal office environment. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

3.4 Equipment: The Government will NOT provide a computer, photo copying, fax machine and scanning capability commensurate with a normal office environment. Travel into the swamp for inspection and quality assurance purposes will be accomplished in appropriate refuge boats with motors and fuel supplied by the Refuge.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide Standard Operating Procedures, Refuge Policies, and documents suggested for the safe, efficient operation of the contracts.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for:

· Inventory of Damages to include an inventory of canoe trail damages, development of a prioritized list of trails for completion and a timeline for completion.

· Clear 120 miles of Wilderness Canoe Trail of downed and standing hazardous trees, along with removal of brush encroaching on the water trails..

5.2. Task Heading.

· Identify and prioritize boat trails that require tree/brush removal based on staff and visitor safety, accessibility, and identified need.

· Maintain trail closures deemed unsafe by Refuge Manager and other Refuge personnel.

· Divide prioritized boat trails into sections based on estimated debris removal volume.

· Assure all work and is completed on time, contractors work sites are clean and equipment removal is finalized.

· Assure that all documentation is complete and bills are paid.

· Provide a close out session(s) with the selected project contractors, Refuge Manager and staff to evaluate contracted projects.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

· Okefenokee Dispatch Guidelines

· Okefenokee Canoe Trail Maintenance Standards

· Minimum Requirements Decision Guide Workbook

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

7.3. Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3- Location Maps

7.4. Attachment 4/Technical Exhibit 4- Location Pictures

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Numerous copies shared with various Refuge Staff

Hard copy and computer files

Refuge Manager and staff

Written contracts for prioritized Projects.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance reports

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3

LOCATION MAPS

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 4

LOCATION PICTURES

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