A04_-_PWS_-_McFaddin_NWR_-_Ditch_Clean_Out.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Performance of Work Statement (PWS)

Ditch Cleanout on McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge

1. GENERAL/BACKGROUND: The Texas Chenier Plain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)

Complex Biology Program seeks to clean out ditches on McFaddin NWR that have been silted in from past management and tropical weather events. This is a non-personal services contract to clean out ditches for the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to meet objectives within the units specified in the contract. The ditch cleaning will span approximately 14,500 feet across two separate management units on

McFaddin NWR as defined in this Performance Work Statement. Ditches have filled in with soil and vegetation over the past decade because of management actions and tropical weather events.

All equipment used on the project must first be washed to remove seeds and prevent the transfer of undesirable flora to the project area.

There are no physical addresses for the project areas; the location of project areas will be in attachment(s).

1.2 Objectives:

• Remove soil and vegetation from approximately 14,500 feet of ditches on the McFaddin

NWR as outlined on the attached map(s) within performance period of contract award.

• Soil that is removed must be placed on the existing adjacent levee(s) as outlined in the attached map(s).

• Levees adjacent to the subject ditches must be raised approximately 18” and dressed so that water runs off in an efficient manner and does not pond/pool on the levee.

• Any pre-existing holes/breaches and low spots in the levees adjacent to the subject ditches will be filled in and brought to the elevation of the remainder of the levee.

• The levee/soil that make up and surround the pre-existing boat jump in the Pond 23 management unit will be restored to usable condition, as outlined in the attached map(s).

• Fill or smooth over any large holes or ruts from operations.

• Contactor shall remove 100% of all their debris and trash from tract daily.

• Areas must be kept clean at all times.

• Keep all equipment in designated locations.

1.3 Period of Performance:

• All work must be performed in the months of August 19th, 2024 – March 15th, 2025.

• Waterfowl hunting occurs in the specified work areas on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesdays during regular waterfowl season (November 2024 – January 2025).

• The Contractor shall not work during hunt days before 2:00PM.

1.4 Scope:

• Weekly work reports will be completed by contractor and turned in to FWS personnel.

• Contractor should access the area only during times preapproved by FWS personnel.

• The Contractor shall use the least impactful machine on the soil of this area.

1.5 General Information: Refuge access roads provide for one-way travel. Road construction will not be permitted. Contractors must use preexisting roads or the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway to access project area. Options for site access and all equipment storage and environmental concerns will be addressed during project meetings. Road conditions must remain in the same or better conditions during the performance of work.

1.5.1 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of sunrise to sunset Sunday through Saturday except Federal holidays at the Contractor’s option. The Contractor must always maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for

Federal Holidays. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.5.2 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the McFaddin NWR. Please see the attached maps and/or coordinates provided within the

PWS.

1.5.3 Gate Locks: The government will provide combination lock for the gates if needed. Gates need to be closed and locked to the status of what the gate was found.

1.5.4 Pre-Job Showing: There will be a pre-job showing of the project area where contractors will have access and FWS personnel will be present to answer questions. Date and time are to be determined.

1.5.5 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor shall attend any post award conference or progress meetings as deemed necessary by the Contracting Officers

Representative (COR). The COR or other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings, the

COR 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. As stated above a weekly work report will be completed by contractor and turned in to FWS personnel.

1.5.6 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that 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, monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the

Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies and provide site entry of Contractor personnel if required. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms or conditions of the contract.

1.5.7 Contractor Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered contractor key personnel by the government: Contract Manager and Site Project Leader. 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 Representative. 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 to discuss any issues between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.5.8 Contractor Travel: Contractor shall be responsible for all travel cost and scheduling of travel. Contractor is responsible for the cost to transfer between units as required for the contract.

2. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

2.1 General: The government will not provide any services, facilities, utilities, equipment, or materials for this contract.

3. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract.

3.1.1 Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish all equipment to adequately perform the requested job and that is least impactful on the soil areas of the units.

4. SPECIFIC TASKS:

• The contractor will conduct an initial site visit with FWS personnel for access arrangements placement of staging equipment and to ensure proper identification of each area to be worked. Contractor will then mobilize their equipment (i.e., excavators, UTVs, airboats, etc.) to clean out ditches and rebuild levees. Ditches should be cleaned to a depth of 20” (see attached drawings) and levees should be restored and raised approximately 18”. Levees should be dressed so that water runs off and does not pool in any locations. Holes/breaches and low spots in levees should be filled in and brough to elevation with remainder of the levee. The levee/soil that make up and surround the pre-existing boat jump in the Pond 23 management unit will be restored to usable condition.

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable Federal and State regulations and laws applicable to this project.