Vegetation_Abatement_Statement_of_Work_v20240104_0001.pdf

Statement of Work USGS Vegeta on Abatement Around Earthquake Monitoring Sta ons

General Requirements The contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, and materials to provide goods/services in accordance with the terms and condi ons and the specifica ons set forth herein.

Project Summary As part of natural hazard monitoring, warning, and mi ga on, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) currently operates over 1000 seismic and geode c monitoring sta ons and telecommunica ons relays in five regional networks in California (NCSN, SCSN, NSMN, SCGN) and Washington and Oregon (PNSN) combined. These sta ons and telecommunica ons relays provide cri cal informa on to promote public health and safety and to support earthquake early warnings. Many sta ons are in remote loca ons surrounded by vegeta on and other flammable materials which pose a risk to opera on as a result of fire. To mi gate this risk, the USGS seeks a contractor to perform work to reduce vegeta on‐based fuel and apply fire abatement strategies surrounding specified sites. This RFP is a varia on of three tasks which are considered separately for bidding purposes. The first task is a survey and planning stage that may involve a site reconnaissance visit and repor ng. The second task is the removal of fuels. The third task adds addi onal mi ga on measures.

Solicitation This solicita on is being offered as an Indefinite delivery, indefinite quan ty (IDIQ) between the awardee (“Contractor”) and the USGS. During the ordering period (term) of the contract (see below), the USGS will submit requests for quota on (RFQs) to the Contractor when firm requirements are iden fied for each task. The Contractor will submit a quota on to the USGS within the me period specified in the RFQ to be considered for award. The USGS will award orders on a Time and Materials (T&M) basis that depend on the requirements of each Task Order.

Term The term of this contract is 5 years from its effec ve date.

Qualifications Contractor must have a proven track record of successful landscaping or vegeta on removal projects. Contractor must demonstrate ability to comply with all federal laws and regula ons including the Occupa onal Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Na onal Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Americans with Disabili es Act (ADA).

The Landscaping contractor must have a strong safety record and be able to demonstrate their commitment to provide a safe work environment to their employees.

Many of the sta ons requiring fire abatement are located in remote loca ons where four‐wheel drive vehicles will be required. In addi on, some sta ons may require walking up to 250’ from a parking spot and could be on uneven and/or steep terrain where vehicles and heavy machinery cannot traverse.

Statement of Work This solicita on covers 3 different tasks in 2 different phases. The USGS will provide a list of monitoring sta ons which require fire abatement services, some of which will not require visits by the vendor (1a) and some that do (1b). If needed, the vendor will first bid on the costs to a) travel to all the sites marked as “1b” in the table provided in the Task Order SOW; and b) produce a fire suppression measures report (sample in Appendix 3). In the second phase, the contractor will produce a bid that encompasses fulfilling Tasks 2 and 3 given the informa on gathered in Task 1. In the RFQ, the USGS will specify which task is being requested:

1. Informa on gathering, planning, and site surveys (“Task 1”) ‐ Required (either 1a OR 1b)

1a. Desktop‐only survey – When USGS has sufficient recent knowledge of the site condi ons and can outline the scope of the vegeta on removal with a descrip on and photos, the USGS will provide such informa on. The vendor will use this informa on to make their bid for Task 2.

1b. On‐site reconnaissance visits and evalua on — When USGS does NOT have sufficient recent knowledge of the site condi ons or if condi ons are par cularly difficult/overgrown, an in‐person site visit will be necessary to make a reasonable bid for vegeta on removal. This evalua on will include assessment of topology, vegeta on, access and other relevant factors which will form the basis of the work plan and subsequent RFQ for Task 2 and/or 3. Travel will be necessary. The contractor is expected to plan an efficient route and to visit mul ple loca ons in a region in order to reduce travel costs. USGS personnel will coordinate with and escort the vendor to most of these sites.

2. Perform vegeta on removal from USGS provided list (1a) and Site Evalua on list (1b) (“Task 2”) – Required A typical sta on will require vegeta on removal around a 10‐foot radius from each equipment vault and will usually include branches hanging into the 10‐foot radius (unless otherwise specified in the table of sta on informa on). It includes live and dead standing vegeta on as well as debris on the ground. In cases of wooded areas where nearby trees present a line‐of‐site telemetry or solar insola on blockage, USGS may request that addi onal branches or en re trees be removed outside the 10‐foot radius.

USGS may ask the vendor to clear the access road and/or trail that services the site. In those cases, details will be included in the Task Order, such as distance and berth. For chaparral, sap‐roots/root‐balls will also be removed within the 10‐foot sta on radius to prevent rapid regrowth (unless otherwise specified in the table of sta on informa on).

The requirement of vegeta on disposal will be specified in the site list (e.g. complete removal, chipping, etc.). It is unlikely that pes cides or herbicides will be used in this project. Travel will be necessary. The contractor is expected to plan an efficient route and to visit mul ple loca ons in a region in order to reduce travel costs.

3. Addi onal Preven on Measures (“Task 3”) ‐ Op onal A fabric weed barrier overlain by 4” of ¾"‐cushed gravel will be installed surrounding instrument enclosures and telemetry infrastructure according to specifica on provided in Appendix C of the Task Order SOW. Task 3 should be performed on the same visit as the vegeta on removal in order to reduce travel costs.

Government‐furnished Materials In each task order, USGS will specify the project manager and which task item is being requested (1a or 1b, 2, or 3) and provide a detailed descrip on of the task (SOW), along with site coordinates, photos, and other per nent informa on and/or necessary requirements as noted above. USGS or cooperator will obtain permission from the landowner for the proposed ac ons, and in cases where land disturbance is expected, USGS will review exis ng NEPA requirements and include them in the Task Order SOW. Access to sites such as coordina on with landowners will be provided by the USGS or cooperator. The contractor can expect that USGS or cooperator personnel will accompany them during the performance of the field work.

Safety Protocols At all loca ons, the following guidelines will be followed.

1. BE FIRE CONSCIOUS. Wildfires can easily be started any time of year. The vendor’s work crews shall always have available at least three (3) class ABC fire extinguishers with a minimum use time of at least 10 seconds and a dedicated water source to be used only for fighting fires OR three (3) Indian pumps or equivalent brand. All crew members shall know how to access and use this equipment. Contractors shall use a fiberglass fire blanket when using tools that have the potential to generate sparks. Note: at sites on

Forest Service lands, USGS or cooperator personnel will have to call a day in advance during fire season for current Project Activity Levels (PALs) to determine whether work can happen using the desired tools and vehicles. This may delay work or require the use of hand tools.

2. Absolutely NO smoking while on site unless you are inside your vehicle. Cigarette butts must be extinguished and stored within the vehicle.

3. Use all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and safety practices at the job site.

4. Do not disturb the wildlife and plant life outside of the site footprint. Do not disturb grazing animals.

5. WILDFIRES. The USGS safety protocols call for field operations to cease when fire approaches within 15 miles of a worksite. USGS and cooperator staff will also cease field work when the AQI exceeds 200.

6. COVID‐19 – Contractor shall provide the USGS with COVID‐19 safety protocols that their crew(s) will adhere to when engaged in travel and work pertaining to the USGS contract.

7. Stay on exis ng roads unless approved by escort. If no escort is present, stay on exis ng roads only.

8. Once on private property, do not wander off approved routes when accessing the work sites.

Appendices

Appendix 1A – Map of predetermined sites, California (all possible; each Task Order will include a much smaller targeted list) Appendix 1B – Map of predetermined sites, Oregon and Washington (all possible; each Task Order will include a much smaller targeted list) Appendix 2 – List of predetermined sites (all possible; each Task Order will include a much smaller targeted list) Appendix 3 – Example site evalua on report and work order Appendix 4 – Photos of representa ve seismic sta ons