Attachment_2-_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW)

Pocosin Habitat Enhancement at Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Background Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina (Figure 1). The refuge was established in 1974 for the primary purpose of “protecting and preserving the unique and outstanding ecosystem, and the diversity of life therein.” Thus, the refuge helped pioneer the concept of natural resources stewardship on a landscape scale. Spanning more than 112,683 acres in Virginia and North Carolina, the refuge is one of the largest national wildlife refuges in the eastern half of the United States despite being located near the heart of metropolitan Hampton Roads, Virginia.

At 19,629 acres, pond pine pocosin habitat encompasses approximately 17% of the refuge and represents one of the few occurrences of this community type in Virginia. Pocosin habitats are restored and maintained on the refuge to enhance habitat diversity as well as provide habitat for the federally endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). This habitat type is managed as defined in the refuge’s 2022 Habitat Management Plan, which describes management actions such as stand thinning, herbicide applications, and prescribed fire to accomplish habitat objectives.

Prior to reintroduction of RCWs on the refuge in 2015, approximately 2,100 acres of pond pine pocosin habitat (known as “the Blocks” southeast of Lake Drummond) was restored beginning in 2007 to meet nesting and foraging habitat requirements of the woodpecker. The Blocks has a high density of large-diameter pond pine that meet cavity tree criteria for RCWs and relatively extensive stands of pine that are suitable for foraging. To meet habitat needs for RCW, restoration included selective removal of hardwood species followed by herbicide treatments to slow hardwood regeneration. Following these hardwood removal treatments, the area has seen successful regeneration of pine. In some cases, regeneration is so successful that thinning is necessary to meet desired future conditions for RCW. An understory thinning began in 2023 and is still underway in the C3 and C2 blocks.

regenerating pine. The priority unit (S2 block) to be thinned consists of up to 291 acres if funds and successful performance allow. Due to the unique characteristics of this project area (peat soils, dense understory vegetation, and endangered species), the project will include specialized requirements such as low-ground pressure equipment and equipment-free buffer zones around the large-diameter mature pines. Preferred equipment will be specified in order to minimize soil disturbance.

This SOW outlines the tasks and requirement for submitting a contract to complete the mechanical thinning of a regenerating pine stand in the project area.

Objectives The primary objective of this contract is to mechanically thin an understory regenerating pine stand, as well as remove all regenerating hardwoods, on up to 291 acres total. This includes removal of all hardwood stems and thinning of regenerating pine stems <13” dbh, in a manner which results in a 50-70 stems per acre and approximately 30’x25’ spacing, using low ground pressure equipment. Residual trees should be as large, healthy, and evenly spaced as possible.

The desired result of this project is an open pine stand with no hardwood stems and minimal woody fuel/debris on the forest floor.

GDSNWR Pocosin Enhancement SOW

Scope Project Area description:

The project area includes up to 291 acres to the east of Myrtle Ditch Road and north of Sycamore Ditch Road (S2 Unit: Figure 1). The unit consists of two distinct age classes of pine (loblolly and pond pine): mature, large-diameter pines (>15” dbh) in the upper canopy and regenerating pine in the under story (<15” dbh). The unit is relatively flat and poorly drained with soils consisting of deep organic peat. Surface water may be encountered within the unit, especially during the winter months and unusually wet periods of the growing season. These unit boundaries are approximate, however, any deviation of >10% in the unit size shall be with the approval of the Refuge Manager. GPS shapefiles of the project area will be provided to the contractor. A bridge might need to be installed to cross ditches running parallel to the east side of S2, as well as a ditch running parallel to the south side of S2. Ditches may span approximately 20 feet or less, depending on moisture levels. There is direct land access to the priority unit (S2 Block) on both the western and northern boundaries, although a bridge may also be desired for access into other areas of this unit, depending on the chosen entry point.

Tasks and Requirements Unless otherwise specified by the Refuge Manager, the contractor shall remove or chip all hardwood stems, and thin the smallest regenerating pine stems <13” dbh, using low ground pressure equipment. All the large overstory pines (>15” dbh) should be retained, as well as enough small diameter regenerated pines <13”, so that the overall composition of remaining trees is approximately 50-70 stems per acre with approximately 30’ x 25’. No more than 5 acres of unchipped, felled trees will be allowed at any point during the project.

Protecting the large-diameter residual pines (greater than 15” dbh) from damage is high priority and will have a compaction-free buffer area of 20’ radius from tree center to the greatest extent possible. Purchaser shall avoid damaging the root mat and bole of any known red-cockaded woodpecker trees (typically marked with numbered tags and white paint); these trees are considered potential nest sites and protected under the Endangered Species Act.

All trees shall be sawed or cut down as near the ground as swell of roots and defects will permit.

In general, stumps should be less than 12” high. Woody debris resulting from the cutting of logs will be removed from site to the greatest extent possible. Alternatively, woody debris can be chipped and distributed throughout the stand to the greatest extent possible.

Cutting operations must be conducted during favorable conditions to minimize negative impacts to soils and water quality. Equipment shall operate on hardwood mats or poles where possible to minimize soil disturbance. Rutting shall not exceed 10 inches in depth at any time during operations. The use of brush or other woody materials to buffer rutting can be used to some extent; however, operations may be halted at any time if unnecessary levels of soil disturbance or rutting occur. It is the contractor’s responsibility to clearly understand the desired result of the operation and ensure that unacceptable site damage is avoided. The Government reserves the right to temporarily suspend harvesting operations during such times as these activities would result in serious consequences to forest soils during prolonged periods of inclement weather.

Equipment Minimal Requirements:

• Low ground pressure equipment is required to reduce compaction and rutting on peat soils.

• All equipment and vehicles must be mechanically sound, with no hydraulic, fuel, or oil leaks. Equipment with leaks will not be allowed on the work site.

• All equipment must be cleaned prior to transport onto refuge site to prevent spread of invasive species.

Preferred Equipment:

• Track chipper and excavator closely following a feller buncher. This method reduces soil compaction by eliminating the need to repeatedly haul trees back to a deck and it helps with the even distribution of woodchips throughout the stand.

• Excavator with a masticating attachment. This method also reduces soil compaction and chip distribution by eliminating the need to haul trees back to a deck. This method also reduces the amount of equipment needed on the site.

Contractor Requirements:

The contractor must:

• Present documentation or a certificate of work experience showing habitat manipulation experience of similar size and scope.

• Provide a list of approved equipment of appropriate size and efficiency, including age and size of equipment. Any reference to manufacturers’ models is intended to be descriptive only and are for the sole purpose of indicating the type of equipment suitable for contract work.

• Attend a project pre-bid walk-through (preferred) or virtual meeting/call to discuss size and scope of project and potential threats to endangered species and sensitive habitats.

• Cease work immediately if directed by the Refuge Manager or representative to avoid disturbance to endangered species or sensitive habitats.

Contractor shall provide the following:

• All workers, adequate crew supervision, and serviceable equipment to satisfactorily accomplish treatment of all acres identified in the Project Area Description.

• Equipment operators that are skilled in machine operation on the specific equipment offered, under comparable working conditions.

• Transportation for all workers, supplies, materials, and equipment to and from the Refuge.

• All supplies, materials, fuel, oil, tools, personal protective equipment needed to ensure safe operations.

• Contractor-owned heavy equipment, vehicles, and materials may be stored at the project area, but the Contractor will be responsible for any theft or damage.

• Weekly reports to the Refuge Manager/Project Officer, including issues encountered and acreage completed.

Special Considerations/Resource Protection:

• Great Dismal Swamp NWR includes sensitive wetlands that provide habitat to endangered Red-cockaded woodpeckers, northern long-eared bats, and other protected wildlife. The Refuge Manager/Biologist will provide a thorough briefing to the contractors before commencing work including how to recognize and avoid disturbing wildlife (see Task 1 below).

• The project area contains sensitive peat soils. The Contractor should conduct operations to minimize compaction or rutting. Low-ground pressure equipment is required.

• Operations may be suspended if the Refuge Manager determines that weather conditions will cause excessive soil damage due to high soil moisture content. As well, endangered wildlife activity may necessitate work suspension in some areas. Suspended operations shall not resume unless approval to do so has been given by the Refuge Manager/Project Officer.

• The location of known red cockaded woodpecker trees will be well marked and pointed out to the Contractor before the start of the project.

• Pond pine roots are sensitive to compaction. Large-diameter pines in this site are considered valuable foraging and nesting habitat and should be protected to the greatest extent possible. An equipment-free buffer area of 20’ radius from tree center applies to all pines with a DBH equal or greater than 15 inches.

• Fire Control:

o The Contractor shall both independently and in cooperation with the Government take all reasonable and practical action to prevent and suppress fires resulting from the Contractor’s operations and to suppress forest fires in the project area.

o The Contractor assumes all liability for damages and suppression expenses if a forest fire occurs as a result of the cutting operations or because of carelessness of those involved in the harvesting.

o Operations could be halted, or additional fire suppression equipment may be required in the case of high or extreme fire danger as determined by the Refuge’s agent.

TASKS

Table 1. Project Milestones/Completion Dates

Task Number

Work Milestones

Projected Completion Date

1 Conduct site visit and briefing with Refuge Manager Within 30 days of contract award

2 Conduct habitat improvement work July 1, 2024, to Nov 15, 3 Complete post-work inspection of Project Area with Refuge Manager

Within 30 days of work completion

Task 1 – Conduct Site Visit The Refuge Manager/Project Officer will walk the Contractor through the Project Area pointing out access roads, gates, boundaries, sensitive trees, RCW nest sites, and other areas of concern. They will also discuss how to recognize RCWs and any other species of concern.

Task 2 – Conduct Habitat Improvement Work The Contractor must wait until the Refuge Manager/Project Officer gives the okay before transporting equipment to project site and commencing operations. The Contractor will navigate the up to 291-acre Project Area and thin the target trees as described above. A general plan and schedule will be provided to the Refuge Manager for approval before beginning. Contractor must maintain roads during use and repair roads to good condition at completion of project.

Task 3 – Conduct Post-work Inspection The Refuge Manager will walk through the Project Area with the Contractor to confirm that the work has been completed.

Specific inspection points will include:

• Target stand density has been achieved.

• No woody debris piles remain on site.

• No trash or discarded materials are present.

• Access roads have been repaired and left in good condition.

• Contractors have not damaged signs or gates.

• Any fuel or oil leaks have been excavated and contaminated soil removed.

• Contractors have not left any significant rutting or other damage to the soil surface.

Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or

GFI)

The Government will not provide any materials, equipment, or facilities.

Security The Project Area is accessed through locked gates. Lock combinations will be provided to the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the gates are closed after entry and exit. Contractor may not give out gate lock combinations to non-project personnel and must escort in/out any individual not directly working at the site (i.e., fuel delivery, mechanics, etc.).

Travel Hours of operation are limited to sunrise to sunset. Traffic through Corapeake gate is prohibited from sunset to sunrise, unless authorized in advance by the Refuge Manager. The Contractor shall provide 48-hour notice for work on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Initial work must begin on a non-holiday weekday.

Special Material Requirements

NA

Other Unique Requirements

NA

Place of Performance Great Dismal Swamp NWR is in southeast Virginia and northeastern North Carolina (Figure 1).

The project area is in the eastern center of the refuge (Figure 2 and Figure 3) with the only access being from the western refuge boundary via Desert Rd and Corapeake Rd in Suffolk, Virginia.

Period of Performance The period of performance will be between July 1, 2024, and November 15, 2025. In these units there are certain time periods where the project area, or portions of the project area, may be closed due to site conditions or red-cockaded woodpecker and/or northern long-eared bat activity.

No work can start until after July 1 and work will stop if conditions get too wet. Wet conditions usually occur around mid-November. Time restrictions may be subject to change with the release of new guidance on the northern long-eared bat.

Figure 1. Location of Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Figure 2. Location of project areas in Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Figure 3. Location of project areas in Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Project Area Photos

The photos below characterize the Project Area.

Small-diameter pines to be thinned. Some sites within project area have a moderately open understory (below).

Some areas of project site contain dense understory vegetation (below)

Example of the large-diameter pines to be protected from logging activities (can be seen in background below)

Example of large-diameter residual pine to be protected. Image below depicts an identified RCW tree (note ring of white paint on lower trunk)