Attachment_1-_Statement_of_Work-rev1_0001.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK - (SOW)

Fire Breaks and to reduce hazardous fuel loads on the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Scope

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will be contracting services to create fire breaks and to reduce hazardous fuel loads on the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, training, operating supplies, and services to implement fire break construction create and modify canopy and shrub level vegetation density to enhance prescribed burning operations.

The Contractor will use low ground pressure tracked, mechanized or handheld equipment (refer to Equipment Specifications in Section 9.0) to mow/mulch trees and shrubs in wet coastal forests within defined fire breaks. Work to be performed will be a minimum of 15 acres but could be as many as 28 acres of tree thinning/mulching across up to 12 sites. All work is contingent upon fund availability and other logistical and timing constraints to be determined by FWS, consequently total contract amount may not encompass entire acreage described.

Contractor is to submit a per acre bid price.

These tasks are to be accomplished within the limits of the quantities awarded under the contract. The contractor shall perform to the standards in the contract Clauses, Provisions and this SOW. The quantities of work authorized are listed in the contract Line Items. Quantities are not to be exceeded without prior approval and funding by the Contracting Officer. Government is not obligated to pay for quantities performed that exceed the authorized amounts.

National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 compliance actions are pending for this project. The Notice to Proceed will be given once compliance is complete. Planning may occur, however, no on-the-ground work will be able to commence until the compliance is completed.

1.2 Location

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge 1324 Sandbridge Road Virginia Beach, VA 23456 See attached maps for site locations along Sandbridge, Muddy Creek, New Bridge and Colechester Roads.

1.3 Contractor Personnel

1.3.1 Contract Manager. The contractor shall provide an onsite contract manager who shall be fully responsible for the performance of the work under the requirements and specifications of this contract. The name of this individual (and an alternate person who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent), shall be designated in writing to the Project Coordinator and the Contracting Officer (CO).

1.3.2 Authority. 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.

1.3.3 Availability. The contract manager or any alternates shall be available at the work site during normal work hours to meet with the Project Coordinator to discuss any progress status or current concerns.

1.3.4 Language. The contract manager and any alternates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently.

1.4 Hours of Operation

1.4.1 Normal Hours: Normal work hours include Monday through Friday, from 0700-1700. Work outside of these hours performed by the contractor must be requested and agreed to by the Project Coordinator.

1.5 Quality Control

1.5.1 Establish & Maintain. The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan (QCP), to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified. The QCP shall comply with the requirements of FAR Clause 52-246-4, Inspection of Services - Fixed Price. One copy of the contractor’s Quality Control Plan shall be provided to the Contracting Officer not later than the pre-performance conference. An updated copy must be provided to the CO on the contract start work date, and as changes occur.

1.5.2 Inspection System. An inspection system covering all of the services specified in this (SOW). It must specify the areas to be inspected on either a scheduled or unscheduled basis (Random), how often inspections will be accomplished and the title of the individual(s) who will perform the inspections.

1.5.3 Identification and Prevention. The methods for identifying and preventing defects in the quality of service performed before performance becomes unacceptable.

1.5.4 Records. On-site records of all inspections conducted by the contractor, and necessary corrective action taken shall be made available to the Project Coordinator & CO during the term of the contract.

1.5.5 Government Review. The Contractor QCP shall be submitted to the CO for approval. If the plan is not adequate as submitted, then the deficiencies will be identified to the contractor in writing. The contractor shall correct all identified deficiencies and submit a corrected Contractor QCP within ten days or contract start work date, whichever is sooner.

1.6 Quality Assurance

1.6.1 Quality Assurance Evaluators. The Project Coordinator or a designated inspector shall monitor contractor performance, and inspect and accept or reject the services performed, as required by the contract. The name and telephone number of the Project Coordinator and/or inspector will be furnished to the contractor in writing by the CO.

1.6.2 Government Evaluation. The Project Coordinator or designated inspector will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract using a visual inspection (Random or Scheduled). If the inspection reveals that any contract provision has not been met the Project Coordinator will inform the contract manager (or alternate) of the discrepancies. The contract manager will then inform the Project Coordinator of when the discrepancies will be corrected and available for re-inspection by the Government.

1.7 Documentation & Records

1.7.1 All documentation, records and schedules, as described in this Statement of Work (SOW) that are the responsibility of the contractor, are the property of the Government and shall be turned over to the Government upon completion or termination of this contract. All records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and to the Privacy Act and any such requests for release of any records shall be handled accordingly.

2.0 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

2.1.1 Contracting Officer (CO): A Government person that has been delegated authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts and make determinations and findings on behalf of the Government.

2.1.2 Project Coordinator: A Government person appointed by the Contracting Officer (CO), to help the contracting officer with contract administration.

This person may also be responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.3 Defective Service: A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with the specified requirements.

2.1.4 Quality Assurance (QA): Those actions taken by the Government to assure that services meet the specifications and requirements of the (SOW), such as Random Inspection and Final Inspection methods.

2.1.5 Quality Control (QC): Those actions that are taken by the contractor to control the performance of the services so that they meet the requirements of the SOW.

3.0 ACRONYMS:

3.1.1 CO Contracting Officer

3.1.2 OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

3.1.3 QA Quality Assurance

3.1.4 QAE Quality Assurance Evaluator

3.1.5 QC Quality Control

3.1.6 QCP Quality Control Plan

3.1.7 SOW Statement of Work

4.0 DETAILED REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

4.1.1 General. The contractor is solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with the work locations, as well as the nature and scope of the tasks.

4.1.2 Site Visit. A site visit will be scheduled prior to the initiation of work, at potentially 12 sites located along Sandbridge, Muddy Creek, New Bridge and Colechester Roads in southern Virginia Beach. The POC for the site visit is Lauren Mowbray 703-919-1728.

4.1.3 Period of Performance. In order to accomplish this fuel reduction project the contractor is given a period of 12 months to accomplish the quantities listed as stated in the Line Item on the contract. The contractor will be required to review the work areas and develop a schedule of work to be submitted to the Project Coordinator for their review and approval before any work begins. The project areas in greatest need of treatment shall be based on priority. This priority will be based on mutual agreement between the contractor and the Project Coordinator.

4.1.4 Weather Considerations. Certain weather conditions may require work restrictions. Rain events of over one inch rainfall will increase ground disturbance due to the low elevation of the sites. The Project Coordinator will determine when such conditions exist and require area restrictions or a pause in operations. The Contractor will be informed by the Project Coordinator when these restrictions are in effect.

4.1.5 Endangered Wildlife. Unplanned contact with or disturbance of threatened or endangered wildlife or plant species within a work area may require suspension of work in that area. Contractor shall inform the Project Coordinator immediately if such contact is suspected (the Government may provide a substitute area for the contractor to work in if one is available within the same magnitude of task).

5.0 SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

5.1.1 Work Requirements. The Contractor shall perform work in a safe manner and is responsible to be in full compliance with all Federal (including OSHA), State and local policies, rules, regulations and requirements pertinent to the work/tasks being performed under this contract.

5.1.2 Equipment Condition. All equipment shall be maintained in good operating condition. All safety precautions and requirements shall be implemented and complied with when using equipment. All safety devices shall be in place on-site and function properly on all equipment being used. All operations shall be conducted in compliance with all Federal, State and local occupational health and safety laws and regulations, including OSHA.

5.1.3 General Housekeeping and Sanitation. The Contractor shall be responsible for proper handling and disposal of all waste including (but not limited to) general trash/waste, human waste, hazardous materials and hazardous waste (i.e. oily rags, discarded oil or fuel). All trash is to be picked up and removed daily. The Contractor is responsible for cleaning up all camp and worksites before leaving the area. No government facilities (i.e. restrooms or trash receptacles) are available at the work sites.

5.1.4 Fire Starts. Any fire starts that are caused by the contractor shall be quickly extinguished or a 911 call be made to the Virginia Beach EOC for immediate fire response, followed up by a call to the COR. Each vehicle used on the contract shall have a five pound, ABC rated fire extinguisher mounted in the vehicle. Fire extinguishers shall be readily available for any fire starts. All fire extinguishers shall be inspected and certified for use (with inspection tag attached) prior to starting this contract.

6.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

6.1.1 General. The contractor shall furnish and provide all labor, trained crew personnel, appropriate equipment (in good working condition), facilities, materials, trained equipment operators, supervision, training, supplies, tools, transportation and any other items and services needed to perform the work as described herein.

6.1.2 Security of Materials. The Contractor may leave its equipment at the work site. The Contractor shall be responsible for their equipment if it should be lost, stolen or damaged.

6.1.3 The contractor is responsible to furnish personal protective equipment to crew members respective of the type of work being completed (i.e. hard hat, eye and hearing protection, leather gloves, hard hat).

7.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND FACILITIES

7.1.1 No materials or operating supplies are Government furnished. All property and materials required for performing the contract tasks shall be provided by the Contractor.

7.1.2 The Government will provide an agency representative to acquaint the contractor with the work area(s) to be completed.

7.1.3 Adequate maps for orientation of contractor personnel working on this contract will be available.

7.1.4 There are no Government-furnished facilities available under the terms and specifications of the contract.

8.0 VEGETATION CUTTING, CLEARING EQUIPMENT

8.1.1 All machinery must be low ground pressure equipment as to reduce disturbance on wet coastal soils.

8.1.2 Road access to the contract site and specific access locations where equipment may enter will be assigned by Project Coordinator in consultation with Contractor. Contractor shall furnish a minimum of 2 – DOT approved 3x3 foot warning signs, warning of potential flying debris, to be placed roadside.

8.1.3 Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored, at his expense, to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. All roads used by the Contractor to access the site must be restored to their pre-treatment condition at the conclusion of the operation in coordination with and to the satisfaction of Project Coordinator. Any ruts that are made within the treatment areas must be graded promptly as conditions permit.

8.1.4 All equipment and support vehicles will be required to be washed and cleaned of all foreign material prior to moving onto and off the job site to eliminate the spread of invasive plants.

9.0 EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

9.1.1 For areas where access is possible, a tracked vehicle with low ground pressure should be used that has a mulching head for shrub mulching.

9.1.2 For areas where access is possible, a chipper capable of mulching felled trees should be used.

9.1.3 In areas not easily accessible by equipment, chainsaws and hand brush cutters should be used.

10.0 TASK REQUIREMENTS

10.1 Line Item 0001- Mechanical Hazardous Fuel Reduction to consist of, Firebreak

Clearing and Stump Grinding

10.1.1 Firebreak Clearing

Within shaded firebreaks, all trees < 8 inches DBH will be mulched, and all shrubs will be mowed/mulched to the surface level. Shaded firebreaks will be 24 feet wide. Within the shaded firebreaks, a main path is to be void of all trees that is wide enough for a 10-foot-wide pickup truck with service body to easily navigate with towing mirrors extended. Stumps from cut trees and shrubs must be less than 2 inches in height after cutting.

If equipment cannot access the site, then the site can be cleared using hand equipment. Felled trees can be bucked and scattered into the interior of the property. As a last resort, brush may be piled 50 feet inside the line and in piles no larger than 10 feet high and 20 feet wide.

Fire breaks shall be constructed on the edge of the properties, except for Priority 1 Firebreaks that will be at least 30 feet from property line and will be flagged prior to operations.