A04_-_Statement_of_Work_-_Timber_Stand_Improvement_Sally_Bull_Hollow_Unit.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Timber Stand Improvement

Ozark Plateau NWR 9014 E. 21st Street, Tulsa, OK 74129

PR Number: 0044060796

1. General:

1.1 In General

This timber stand improvement project (tree thinning) is intended to restore a 35-acre portion of the Sally Bull Hollow Unit of Ozark Plateau National Wildlife (Refuge) that displays overcrowded forest conditions to a more open upland woodland condition historically present on refuge. The timber stand improvement activities will include selective mechanical (i.e., chainsaws, brush saws, compact track loader, etc.) tree thinning to help achieve a more open woodland condition in the 35-acre project area.

1.2 Purpose/End Application:

The Refuge’s primary objective is the restoration of a densely forested area on the refuge to a more open woodland condition historically believed to occur in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion prior to fire suppression and other anthropomorphic effects. Refuge management will include the use of prescribed fire through the timber to maintain a desired species community that is tolerant of fire about one year after the selective tree thinning aspect of the restoration project. The project will improve landscape resiliency, improve wildfire response, and support ecologically sustainable management. Habitat improvements will provide benefits to federally listed bats that use refuge caves, migratory songbirds, gamebirds, pollinators, and other local fauna.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications:

Contractor qualifications and certifications, as required by law, are required for this contract. Contractors are requested to provide a technical approach based on experience doing similar work.

1.4 Other:

It is highly recommended by Refuge staff all contractors perform a site visit prior to submitting a quotation. Site visits must be scheduled in advance by contacting Richard Stark (Fish and Wildlife Biologist) at richard_stark@fws.gov. Work is extensive and will require cutting by hand in certain areas due to inaccessibility of equipment and habitat protection.

mailto:richard_stark@fws.gov

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance

2.1 Place of Performance:

Work will be completed on the Sally Bull Hollow Unit of Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Figure 1). The Refuge Unit is in Adair County in eastern Oklahoma – 10 miles southeast of Stilwell, OK.

The project area is on a portion of the refuge not open to the public. Initial site visits need to be coordinated with the Refuge and adjacent landowner (details provided prior to commencement of work). Initial access will need to be guided by refuge staff.

Units can be accessed from the county road. The refuge road is an uneven and rocky earthen UTV trail. High clearance vehicles are recommended. Vegetation on the Unit consists of eastern hardwood forest species. The upland refuge trail typically has good drainage. Parking is limited but available for vehicles, equipment, and trailers.

2.2 Period of Performance:

This project will be completed within 3 months of the Notice to Proceed, weather permitting. The work for this project must occur during the winter (December 15 – March

15) to avoid impacts to tree roosting bats (including the federally listed endangered northern long-eared bat) and nesting birds. Additionally, work should be performed when the ground is firm enough to hold the weight of the utilized vehicles and equipment and minimize habitat disturbance (e.g., avoid creation of deep ruts/tracks). Work completed without the use of equipment may be conducted at any time outside of the exclusion period (discussed below) if access to the work site does not result in the creation of deep ruts/tracks and/or unnecessary habitat damage.

The cutting described in this Statement of Work may be completed during daylight hours (no work sunset through following morning’s sunrise). The work may be completed Sunday through Saturday, outside of Normal Duty Hours, as described below, and can be completed outside non-Duty Hours, as described below. The contractor may adjust work hours during weekdays or weekends and holidays if prior coordination is made with the Refuge and approved by the Contracting Officer. The full project area is outside huntable lands on the refuge, but the southern boundary of the project area borders state land (Ozark Plateau Wildlife Management Area) that would be open to hunting during project implementation.

The Notice to Proceed will only be given following the contract award and notification by the Contracting Officer. All work must be completed within 3 months of the Notice to Proceed and during winter unless a change in scheduling is arranged with the Refuge and Contracting Officer. A contract extension may be approved if climate conditions are unsuitable during portions of the contract period, and the contractor is prevented from working. Documentation, as described in section 4.2 will be required for an extension to be granted.

2.3 Normal Duty Hours

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

2.4 Non-Duty Hours

Nonduty hours include weeknights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King JR. s’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

3. Scope

This timber stand improvement project (tree thinning) is intended to restore a 35-acre portion of the Sally Bull Hollow Unit of Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Figure 1). The project consists of selective tree removal by mechanical means to reduce tree density to restore the area to a more open woodland condition and improve the stand. During thinning operations, average tree spacing should be reduced with the goal of a residual density of 15’X15’ to 20’X20’.

Thinning operations should focus on retaining trees of good form, that are disease and damage free. Sapling to pole sized timber should be largely thinned to 15’X15’ when possible, while trees 5” or larger in diameter should be thinned to 20’X20’ where possible. Hard mast (e.g., oaks, hickories, walnuts) and soft mast (e.g., persimmons, plums, cherries) bearing trees should be selected for retention where possible. Additionally, eastern red cedar should be targeted for removal. Work may be accomplished using small mechanical equipment such as chainsaws, brush saws, pole saws, loppers, pruning shears, mechanical brush cutters, a skid-steer with forestry implements, small tractor, or others.

It is recommended the contractor(s) make on-site visits prior to quoting on the work. The contractor shall be fully responsible for ensuring that the terms of this contract are met and complied with, via quality control and monitoring. The contractor will also be fully responsible for completion of work in an acceptable and timely manner. Meetings to discuss project area specifics, contract specifics, work progress, and work completion will occur prior to on-the-groundwork starting, during the project, and upon completion.

Overall Cut Specifications

• Completely cut and sever the main body of the tree from the stump.

• NO live limbs on stumps.

• NO partially cut or girdled trees.

• NO barber-chair trees with uncut bark and wood.

• NO hang up trees.

• Trees >12” diameter breast height (DBH) must be cut below 8” stump height.

• Trees <12” DBH will have a maximum stump height of 4 inches, though shorter is preferred.

• All vegetation will be left on the ground.

• Damage to desirable trees must be always avoided with only minimal damage acceptable on a very limited basis.

General Specifications

• Trash/litter will be removed after each shift.

• Any deviation to this listed Scope of Work shall be approved by bilateral modification and is subject to review on-site Refuge staff.

Boundary and Hunter Safety

• Safety Compliance: The southern boundary of the project area borders state land open to active public hunting. The Contractor is solely responsible for the safety of its personnel and shall implement all necessary safety precautions, including ensuring all staff wear high-visibility hunter orange PPE (vests and headwear) at all times while on-site.

• Signage & Coordination: The Contractor shall post clear warning signs along active access points and work boundaries to alert the public of ongoing operations. The Contractor is responsible for coordinating with the Refuge and local wildlife authorities to identify peak hunting periods and mitigate risks.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule:

4.1 Deliverables

Contractor will furnish all labor, services, equipment, specified materials, and supervision to mechanically remove trees as specified above on Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Removal as specified in Section 3).

When utilizing heavy equipment or accessing work area via motorized means, ground conditions need to be checked before going off road or off trail. Ground disturbance will be kept to a minimum due to long-term damage and recovery rates of ruts in soils.

Contractor should prioritize minimizing ground disturbance and damage to non-target vegetative species.

4.2 Required Documentation

The Contractor shall document in the form of daily work logs identifying work completed and weather/ground conditions. Any requests for period of performance extensions shall not be considered by the Contracting Officer without daily logs from the contractor.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP):

N/A

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

6.1 GPE and GFI

Government will not furnish any equipment, services, labor, or daily supervision of contractor or contractor employees. Government will provide support in the form of overall project guidance and oversight. Government will also provide maps and initial access to the project area. Access to the project area will initially be granted in the form of escorting contractor to the project area. After initial access is granted, the contractor will be responsible for daily access to the project area. Both parties shall be able to access the project area at any time.

6.2 Limitations

Limitations are previously discussed in sections 1-3.

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 The contractor will be evaluated as detailed herein. Government acceptance is contingent upon:

Refuge staff, such as the Manager, Biologist, or other designated representative, may make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

Government acceptance is contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 Refuge staff, such as the Manager, Biologist, or other designated representative, will make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

8.2 Government acceptance is contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

9. Technical Coordinator:

Contacts Name Title Phone Email Primary Richard Stark Refuge

Biologist Mobile: 918-775- Office: 918-319-2902 richard_stark@fws.gov

Alternate Damon Taylor Refuge Complex Manager

Mobile: 918-774-2842 Office: 918-773-5251 damon_taylor@fws.gov

Figure 1. Location of the proposed Ozark Plateau NWR Restoration Project on the Sally Bull Hollow Unit where tree thinning would occur.