A04_Statement_of_Work.docx

Statement of Work

Farm Unit 1 (Oatsville Bottoms), Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area.

This project involves forestry mowing flush with ground invading trees in farmland conservation buffers and other farm conservation areas.

1. Introduction and Overview

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area was established in 1994 in Pike and Gibson Counties to conserve and manage habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, resident wildlife, and endangered and threatened species. Active habitat management of wetland, forest, and prairie habitats occur on the nearly 11,000 acres acquired to date. The refuge offers public hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, environmental education and interpretation.

The refuge headquarters is located in Oakland City, IN.

Farm Unit 1 is located in the Oatsville Bottoms south of Oatsville, Indiana and is comprised of over 700 acres of farmland, conservation buffers, and other conservation lands (i.e. prairie restoration). Farm Unit 1 can be accessed from a gravel county road 850E (Gibson County) / 700W (Pike County). See Attachment A and B.

1.1 Background

As described in the refuge 2017 Habitat Management Plan, staff at the refuge actively manage some early successional habitat (i.e., prairie and conservation buffers) for migratory birds and pollinators. Periodically early successional units need some form of disturbance to produce the habitat conditions desired for the aforementioned species. Without regular disturbance, the unit will encounter woody vegetation encroachment. Conservation buffers and other areas on Farm Unit 1 typically receive disturbance in the form of mowing, disking, and/or prescribed fire. The focal areas on this project were unable to be mowed or disked for a period of multiple years because of wet conditions and have since grown up in scattered small (<3” diameter) trees.

Forestry mowing is an effective technique to remove woody vegetation and cut stumps flush with minimal disturbance to other vegetation and soils.

1.2 Objective

The objective of this project is to remove woody vegetation in various locations on Farm Unit 1 by cutting and grinding the material flush with the ground using a forestry mower mounted on a skid steer (equipment described in #2). Woody species in this project are all 3” diameter or less and comprised of cottonwood and maple predominantly in the river bottoms with hackberry, locust, and some cedar present in the uplands.

Completing this project would allow the Refuge to continue to manage the area as intended for migratory birds and pollinators, allow farming operations to continue, improve firebreaks, and increase safe access for the management of the site.

1.3 Period of Performance

The bottomland portion of the site will not likely be dry enough to work until May 2024 or beyond. It is expected the work will be completed by September 30, 2024. Performance period is 30 calendar days from Notice to Proceed but can be flexible based on accessibility of the site (i.e., dry enough to prevent rutting).

2. Scope of Work

This project in Farm Unit 1 consists of:

A. 1 mile of removing scattered woody material on dry dams/levees in the upland area (dams are approximately 15 feet wide) B. ¼ mile of removing scattered woody material on a firebreak and patches of material just off the firebreak in the upland area (approximately 20 feet wide) C. Removing scattered woody material on 12 acres of farm conservation buffers in the bottomlands

The Contractor will:

A. The contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, supplies, and transportation to perform the desired forestry mowing.

B. In the areas to be forestry mowed woody material will be cut flush to the ground with all cut material to be ground up with the forestry mowing attachment. No staubs will be left. Areas are designated on the attached maps and will be flagged by refuge staff in the field.

C. The forestry mowing must be done with a heavy-duty hydraulic forestry mowing attachment (i.e., Fecon brand) mounted to a tracked skid steer machine to minimize soil disturbance.

D. Minimum equipment requirements: 100 Horsepower skid steer with rubber tracks, 40 gallon per minute hydraulic flow for head attachment, planar teeth on attachment (for cutting flush/level with ground).

E. Prior to starting work, the Contractor will meet with Refuge staff to review the project.

3. Place and Deliverables

The work will be performed at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area in Pike and Gibson Counties at Farm Unit 1.

The project completion date can be extended due to delays because of wet conditions and/or weather delays by contacting the Contracting Officer.

4. Location: See location on map – Attachments A and B.

5. Inspection (and Acceptance)

Work will be inspected by FWS representative (Contracting Officer Representative – COR, Heath Hamilton).

Final acceptance will occur upon: a) approval of all work at final inspection by COR, b) receipt of closeout submittals, and c) receipt of release of claims.

6. Availability

Headquarters of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area is located at 510 ½ W Morton St, Oakland City, IN 47660. Pre-bid site visits shall be arranged in advance by contacting, Heath Hamilton, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, at (812) 749-3199.

Project work activities are permitted from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm CDT Monday through Friday, and on weekends with permission, except Federal holidays.

7. Attachments

Attachment A – Refuge Overview Map with Project Area Marked Attachment B – Forestry Mow Work Areas - Oatsville Farm Unit 1 Attachment C – Pictures – Site Photos – Farm Unit 1