A04_-_SOW_(Updated_06_17_26)_0001.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (2026 06 17)

238990 - All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Warbler Vista Barbed Wire Fence Installation, Balcones Canyonlands

NWR, TX

PR Number: _______________

1. General

1.1 The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), located at 24518 E FM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654-4096, is seeking a contract for fence installation (NAICS 238990). The barbed wire fence will be built along the eastern boundary of Warbler Vista (Tract 11) and total approximately 3,540 linear feet. The work in this contract will include all materials, equipment, and labor needed to complete the fence installation.

1.2 Purpose/End Application: The Refuge has continued to acquire new tracts of land since it was established in 1992. While some tracts were bought with existing boundary fences, others do not have fences to delineate boundary lines. Warbler Vista (Tract 11) has remnants of an old fence on its eastern boundary, but there are several small, privately-owned lots adjacent to this area that have encroached onto the Refuge. The boundary line has already been surveyed and posted, but installing a new fence with this contract will provide a visible boundary across the entire line to prevent accidental trespassing or encroachment by neighboring landowners.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications: The Contractor shall be licensed in accordance with State of Texas requirements, as applicable.

1.4 Other: N/A

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance

2.1 Place of Performance: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 E FM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654-4096

2.2 Performance start and end date: The performance start date will be determined as soon as possible after the contract has been awarded. The performance end date shall be 60 days from the start date, unless an extension is granted by the Contracting Officer.

2.3 Normal duty hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Non-duty hours include weeknights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King JR’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence

Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).

3. Scope

3.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for all materials, equipment, and labor required to install a new 4-strand barbed wire fence (approximately 3,540 linear feet) along the eastern boundary of Warbler Vista. Measurement of the linear footage of the fencing installed will be determined from Refuge surveying records. Questions from the Contractor regarding linear footage of the fencing installed will be resolved by taking actual measurements on the ground.

The fence line will follow the Refuge boundary, which has been surveyed and marked with periodic boundary posts and survey monuments (see Fencing Contract Exhibit). Refuge personnel will visit the site with the Contactor and indicate the path of the fence. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to construct a fence within 12 inches of the boundary for the entire length of the fence line. The Contractor shall follow all outlined specifications for materials and installation in this section, unless changes are approved by the Contracting Officer.

3.2 Material Specifications

Barbed wire: minimum 12.5 gauge, galvanized, 4-point barbs Fence stays: minimum 42” length, smooth, 9.5 gauge (minimum), galvanized wire H-brace posts: 8’ length, 2-7/8” diameter, galvanized steel pipe (or steel painted with anticorrosive paint) T-posts: 6’ length, 1.33 lbs./foot steel, studded, attached anchor plates, coated with enamel paint (or galvanized) T-post wire clips: 12 gauge (minimum), galvanized steel Concrete: minimum 3,000 PSI

3.3 Installation Specifications

Field Meetings: Prior to beginning fence construction, the Contractor and the Refuge

Manager (or their designee) shall meet in the field to discuss specific fence and gate space locations, vehicle access restrictions, and any problems unique to the section of fence. The Contractor shall notify the Refuge Manager of a timeline for all phases of project completion prior to beginning any work.

Preparation of Fence Line: If any clearing is required along the fence path, the Contractor must use methods approved by the Refuge Manager. Clearing shall be carried out with minimum soil disturbance. A dozer shall not be used by the Contractor to cleat the fence line unless authorized by the Refuge Manager. Any cleared paths along the fence line shall serve as roads for fence construction rather than creating new paths. Trees which are in the fence path shall either be cut down and mulched or placed in piles in areas approved by the Refuge Manager. Certain trees and vegetation may, at the discretion of the Refuge Manager, be left on the fence path. The Contractor shall preserve any such designated vegetation during fencing operations.

Line Posts and Stays: All steel T-posts or line posts shall be set plumb, in true line with the side to which the wire is to be attached. Posts shall be permanently positioned and anchorages firmly set before wire or stringers are placed. T-posts shall have tapered anchor plates securely attached. The anchor plate may be omitted provided the post is set in a concrete footing. T-posts must be secure and free of play. Concrete may be used to secure T-posts. T-posts shall be set at 15’ to 17’ intervals. On rough ground, post spacing shall be decreased so the specified wire height and spacing is maintained. A minimum of one metal stay spaced evenly between line posts shall be required. Special conditions, such as dry washes, will be handled in a manner dictated by site conditions.

Stretch, Corner, and Brace Posts: Stretch posts shall be set every 150 feet apart. Posts shall be vertical steel pipe that are 2-7/8” in diameter and approximately 8’ long. Stretch posts shall be set plumb and permanently positioned with anchorages firmly set before wire is placed. Post holes shall be approximately 1 foot in diameter. Posts shall be set 4 feet deep in concrete. Where rock is encountered within the required depth to which the post is to be erected, a hole slightly larger than the largest dimension of the post may be drilled into the rock and the post grouted in.

Corner, gate, and brace posts shall be imbedded in the ground to the approximate depths.

In loose soil, all corner, gate, and brace posts shall be firmly set in ground 3’ 6” deep. In caliche, the posts shall be buried 2’ 6” deep. Dirt shall be firmly packed, filling the hole around the posts. In solid rock, the posts shall be set in rock 1’ 3” deep. The hole around the post shall be filled with concrete and allowed to harden a minimum of 24 hours prior to exerting any pressure on the post.

Stretching Wire: The fence shall consist of four strands of barbed wire, stretched uniformly tight with the bottom wire 18 inches above the ground. The remaining three stands of wire shall be placed at 12-inch intervals so that the top wire is 54 inches above the ground. Wire shall be installed on the outside of the posts. Each strand of wire shall be connected to each metal T-post by a pre-manufactured 12-gage spring steel galvanized wire clip.

H-Braces: The fence shall be supported by steel H-braces (or equivalent brace approved by Refuge Manager) placed every 1,310 feet (1/4 mile). H-braces shall be placed closer than 1,310 feet where the fence line curves (either vertically or horizontally) or when the stretch of fence is less than 1,310 feet long. Each H-brace shall consist of two vertical 8’ long steel pipes (2-7/8" in diameter), one horizontal 8’ long steel pipe (2-7/8” in diameter) between the two verticals, and one horizontal 8’ long steel pipe (2-7/8” in diameter) whose vector angles toward the ground at a 60 degree angle and is welded onto a pipe that is 3’ 10” long and 2-7/8” diameter (to be used as a dead man). The H-brace shall be placed in the ground 3’ 10” deep and set in concrete (2,500 psi). This depth should bury the dead man pipe. The dead man will be placed in the direction of the wire being pulled taut. The Contractor can suggest other standard H-brace designs to be approved by the Refuge Manager, if desired. Each stand of wire will be tied off at the H-brace by wrapping it around the main post and tying the end off around the incoming wire at least four times. Pipes shall have the top opening capped in some manner, either welded or filled with concrete and mounded to a dome to prevent water from getting into the pipes.

Corner Brace Structure: Corner brace structures shall be installed at angles less than 120 degrees and shall consist of three vertical pipes and two horizontal pipe braces. Steel pipe used for posts and braces shall be of good commercial quality weldable steel. Corner posts shall consist of vertical 8’ steel pipes that are 2-7/8” in diameter and horizontal 8’ steel pipes that are 2-7/8” in diameter. These pipes will need to be welded together. The lower most brace must be 26” above the ground. All posts and braces, except galvanized products, shall be painted with an approved anticorrosive paint, and after installation all areas where the paint coat has been damaged shall be spot-coated with paint of the same color as the shop coat. No other painting will be required. All fittings required for posts and braces shall be pressed or rolled steel, forged steel, malleable iron or wrought iron of good commercial quality and shall conform to the details specified. Pipes shall have the top opening capped in some manner, either welded or filled with concrete and mounded to a dome to prevent water from getting into the pipes.

Concrete Requirements: The Contractor shall submit a mixing plan for concrete including water source and how the concrete will be placed. Concrete shall be mixed according to manufacturer’s directions. Muddy water will not be acceptable for concrete mixing.

Concrete that is too weak, improperly mixed, or dirty will be rejected. Concrete shall be adequately rodded into place to fill voids. Concrete shall not be placed during freezing weather.

3.4 General Site Information:

Access to the job site on Refuge roads by four-wheel drive vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, heavy equipment, etc. will be allowed for travel directly to, or while working at, the job site. Some sections of the fence line are accessible only by walking.

The work is on a National Wildlife Refuge and all plants and animals are protected. In addition, there are nesting areas for endangered species (i.e., golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos) that are protected and are not included in the project area.

Environmental Hazards that may be encountered: cactus, yucca, insects, poisonous spiders, snakes, sink holes, poison ivy, and other wildlife and plant species.

The Contractor is encouraged to visit the fence installation location before submitting their bid to accurately plan for challenges with topography and shallow soils.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule:

4.1 The final deliverable will be a completed fence line that has been built according to the specifications outlined above. This work shall be completed during the outlined period of performance.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP)

5.1 N/A

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information

(GFI)

6.1 N/A

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 The contractor will be evaluated as detailed herein. Government acceptance is contingent upon completion of the fence installation and a complete walk-through with an authorized Government Representative to verify and inspect the work.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 Where appropriate, QC will be maintained according to industry standards and made available to the agency with the contractor’s proposal. The Contractor shall establish and maintain quality control based on acceptable fencing trade or industry standards for the work covered to assure compliance with all requirements herein. The Contractor shall be fully licensed, certified, and qualified to complete the job and will follow all Quality Control Standards. The preferred vendor will have completed similar jobs. An authorized Government Representative will verify final product/service for quality assurance/completion.