B08_Attachment_1_PWS_BIFO_Hazard_Tree_Felling.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PROJECT TITLE: BIFO Wilkerson Hazard Tree Felling

Contents

PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office manages public lands in the eastern Sierra from Topaz, CA along the California-Nevada border south to the Owens Dry Lake near Lone Pine, CA. The Bishop Field Office manages lands in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) in several eastern Sierra communities. On some property boundaries there are both native and non-native trees that can become hazards when they are diseased, damaged, or drought stressed and have the potential to fall or drop limbs onto private property with homes and structures or other private property. In general, these trees are cottonwoods or elms, but could also be pinyon pine, juniper or introduced species depending on the site.

There are currently diseased elm trees at a boundary location in Wilkerson, CA (Inyo County) where these potentially hazardous trees that require professional arborist services to remove due to the location, size, and leaning angle of the trees. There is easy public access to the hazardous tree location. Fuels reduction activities targeting the shrub layer and non-hazardous trees have been conducted by the BLM along the boundaries in both locations.

The community of Wilkerson is approximately 6 miles south of Bishop, CA. The BLM parcel on Quail Lane at the corner between 3585 Gerkin Road and 47 Waford Road has three multi-stemmed elm trees growing on the public land side of the boundary and adjacent to a private fence. The local interagency BLM and Forest Services crews will remove the boles and slash once the trees are felled.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

The type of service to be performed is the felling of marked hazardous trees at Wilkerson as shown on attached map. The trees will be marked with flagging as indicated by the BLM.

Services include cutting the trees, leaving the stump cut as close to the ground as possible (8 inches or lower) and leaving the boles, limbs and other slash entirely on the BLM parcel. The stump should remain, and ground disturbance must be kept to a minimum. Any ground disturbance must be repaired after removing the tree by raking the soil back to contour and raking duff and leave litter back over the bare ground.

The contractor shall accomplish cutting the marked trees while providing for the safety of employees, the public, and adjacent landowners.

Place of Performance:

BLM managed parcel off Quail Lane in Wilkerson, CA in the corner between 3585 Gerkin Road and 47 Waford Road. See attached map.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be completed by December 30, 2025. Due to the hazardous nature of the trees, work should be scheduled as soon as possible after contract award.

PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) The objective of the work is to prevent the trees from falling or dropping limbs and causing damage to private property including fences and to reduce the hazardous fuels risk in the case of a wildfire.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1: Wilkerson Safely fell 2-3 multi-stemmed trees leaving a low stump of no more than 8 inches high and without causing any damage to private property, see Attachment 4. All boles, limbs, and other slash shall be left on the BLM parcel for BLM staff to remove. All ground disturbance must be repaired. If an Arborist is needed the Arborist must be registered in accordance with the state of California laws and regulations.

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

Regular Work Hours:

Due to the location of the work sites adjacent to private homes, the contractor shall not work on Sundays. On workdays, the contractor shall not work at the site before 07:00 am or after 07:00 pm.

Communications:

The contractor will notify the BLM before commencing work and will meet with the COR on site before work begins. The contractor will notify the COR of all days that they will be working on site and will notify the BLM once work is complete and ready for inspection.

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

This is a non-personal service, and the Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement. The Contractor will supply at least one fluent English-speaking crew member.

PWS 7.0 Fire Plan

The contractor must have equipment that is compliant with the attached fire plan and follow the Inyo National Forest South Project Activity Level (PAL) as described in the fire plan. The PAL levels for the day are recorded and available by calling 760-872-2555.

Fire Plan

The Contractor shall comply with the following requirements during the fire precautionary period as defined by unit administering contracts unless waived in writing:

The Fire Precautionary Period is May 1st to November 15.

Contractor shall equip each operating tractor and any other internal combustion engine with a spark arrester, except for motor vehicles equipped with a maintained muffler as defined in C.P.R.C. Section 4442 or tractors with exhaust-operated turbochargers. Spark Arresters shall be a model tested and approved under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a as shown in the. National Wildlife Coordinating Group Spark Arrester Guide, Volumes 1 and 2, and shall be maintained in good operating condition.

Contractor shall meet minimum requirements of Sections 4427 and 4428 of the California Public Resources Code (C.P.R.C.). Fire tools kept at each operating landing shall be sufficient to equip all employees in the felling, yarding, loading, chipping, and material processing operations associated with each landing. Fire equipment shall include two tractor headlights for each tractor dozer used in Contractor's Operations. Tractor headlights shall be attachable to each tractor and served by an adequate power source.

Where cable yarding is used, Contractor shall provide a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a filled backpack can (4 or 5 gallon) with hand pump within 10 feet of each tail and corner block.

Trucks, tractors, pickups and other similar mobile equipment shall be equipped with and carry at all times a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a 2-1/2-pound axe or larger with an overall length of not less than 28 inches.

Contractor shall equip each internal combustion yarder, fuel truck, and loader with a fire extinguisher for oil and grease fires (4-A:60-B:C).

Contractor shall equip each mechanized harvesting machine with hydraulic systems, powered by an internal combustion engine (chipper, feller/buncher, harvester, forwarder, hot saws, stroke delimber, etc.), except tractors and skidders, with at least two 4-A:60-B:C fire extinguishers or equivalent. In addition, concentrations of wood dust and debris shall be removed from such equipment daily. Additional extinguishers and sizes may be required at landings in accordance with Section 5.

Each power saw shall be equipped with a spark arrester approved according to C.P.R.C. Section 4442 or 4443 and shall be maintained in effective working order. One fire extinguisher meeting specifications of C.P.R.C. Section 4431 shall be kept with each operating power saw. A size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 38 inches shall be kept with each gas can but not more than 300 feet from each power saw when used off cleared landing areas.

Contractor shall meet minimum requirements of Section 4430 of the California Public Resources Code (C.P.R.C.). Contractor shall provide a water tank truck or trailer on or in proximity to Contract Area during Contractor's Operations hereunder during Fire Precautionary Period unless otherwise agreed. When Project Activity Level B or higher is in effect, a tank truck or trailer shall be on or immediately adjacent to each active landing unless otherwise excepted when hot saw technology is being used. See Section 5 for specific contract requirements.

The tank shall contain at least 300 gallons of water available for fire suppression. A water sprinkling tank truck will meet this requirement if provision is made to ensure that the minimum of 300 gallons is available for fire suppression at all times. Ample power and hitch shall be readily available for promptly and safely moving tank over roads serving Contract Area. Tank truck or trailer shall be equipped with following:

(1) Pump, which at sea level, can deliver 23 gallons per minute at 175 pounds per square inch measured at the pump outlet. Pumps shall be tested on Contract Area using a 5/16-inch orifice in the Forester One Inch In-Line Gauge test kit. Pump shall meet or exceed the pressure value in the following table for nearest temperature and elevation:

T e m p

Sea Leve l

Feet

10000

The pump outlet shall be equipped with 1-1/2-inch National Standard Fire Hose thread. A bypass or pressure relief valve shall be provided for other than centrifugal pumps.

(2) 300 feet of 3/4-inch inside diameter rubber-covered high-pressure hose mounted on live reel attached to pump with no segments longer than approximately 50 feet, when measured to the extreme ends of the couplings. Hose shall have reusable compression wedge type 1-inch brass or lightweight couplings (aluminum or plastic). One end of hose shall be equipped with a coupling female section and the other end with a coupling male section. The hose shall, with the nozzle closed, be capable of withstanding 200 PSI pump pressure without leaking, distortions, slipping of couplings, or other failures.

(3) A shut-off combination nozzle that meets the following minimum performance standards when measured at 100 P.S.I. at the nozzle:

(4) Sufficient fuel to run pump at least 2 hours and necessary service accessories to facilitate efficient operation of the pump.

When Contractor is using Hot Saw Technology, an additional 500 feet of not less than one (1) inch outside diameter serviceable hard rubber poly or rubber lined or fiber jacket rubber lined (FJRL) hose shall be immediately available for use and be capable of connecting to the 300 feet of hose and appurtenances in (2) and (3) above. Synthetic hose may be used by agreement.

B. Any additional fire plan requirements:

GENERAL

C. State Law. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws of the State of California. See California Public Resource Codes.

D. Permits Required. The Contractor must secure a special written permit from the Field Manager or designated representative before engaging in any of the activities listed below. The terms and conditions of any of the permits required for this contract are as shown on copies attached to the Fire Plan.

(1) Blasting and Storage of Explosives and Detonators. (Explosives Permit required by California Health & Safety Code, Section 12101.)

(2) Burning.

(3) Air Pollution. (Issued by local State or County Air Pollution Control Districts, as applicable.)

(4) Camp, Lunch and Warming Fires.

(5) Welding and cutting.

E. Regulations for Burning. Before setting any fires whatsoever, the Contractor shall notify the CO of his/her intentions. Special care shall be taken to prevent scorching or causing any damage to adjacent structures, trees, and shrubbery. Piles of material to be burned shall be of such size and so placed that during burning no damage shall result to adjacent objects.

F. Smoking and Fire Rules. Smoking shall not be permitted during fire season, except in a barren area or in an area cleared to mineral soil at least three feet in diameter (CPRC 4423.4). In areas closed to smoking, the CO may approve special areas to be used for smoking. The Contractor shall sign designated smoking areas. Contractor shall post signs regarding smoking and fire rules in conspicuous places for all employees to see. Contractor's supervisory personnel shall require compliance with these rules. Under no circumstances shall smoking be permitted during fire season while employees are operating light or heavy equipment or walking or working in grass and woodlands.

G. Storage and Parking Areas. Equipment service areas, parking areas, and gas and oil storage areas shall be cleared of all flammable material for a radius of at least 10 feet unless otherwise specified by local administrative unit. Small mobile or stationary internal combustion engine sites shall be cleared of flammable material for a slope distance of at least 10 feet from such engine. The COR shall approve such sites in writing.

H. Welding. Contractor shall confine welding activity to cleared areas having a minimum radius of ten feet measured from place of welding.

I. Blasting. Contractor shall use electric caps only unless otherwise agreed in writing. When blasting is necessary in slash areas, a watchperson equipped with a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a filled backpack can (4 or 5 gallon) with hand pump shall remain in the immediate area for an hour after blasting has been completed.

J. Oil Filter and Glass Jugs. Contractor shall remove from Public Lands oily rags and used oil filters and shall prohibit use of glass bottles and jugs in Contractor's Operations.

K. Reporting Fires. As soon as feasible but no later than 15 minutes after initial discovery, Contractor shall notify BLM of any fires on Contract Area or along roads used by Contractor.

L. Communications. Contractor shall furnish a serviceable telephone, radio-telephone or radio system connecting each operating side with Contractor's headquarters. When such headquarters is at a location which makes communication to it clearly impractical, BLM may accept a reasonable alternative location. The communication system shall provide prompt and reliable communications between Contractor's headquarters (or agreed to alternative) and BLM via commercial or BLM telephone. The communications system shall be operable during Contractor's Operations in Fire Precautionary Period described in Section 3 and during the time fire patrolperson service is required. A radio-equipped fire patrolperson vehicle will satisfy this requirement if in operation during the time required except during PAL levels “D” and “Ev”. See Section 5 for other communication requirements when operating on “D” and “Ev” days with hot saw technology. A CB is not acceptable communication because FCC Regulations prohibit commercial use.

M. Fire Patrol Person. Contractor shall furnish a qualified fire patrolperson each operating day when Project Activity Level B or higher is in effect. When on duty, sole responsibility of patrolperson shall be to patrol the operation for prevention and detection of fires, take suppression action where necessary and notify the BLM as required by Section 5.

By agreement, one patrolperson may provide patrol on this and adjacent projects or sales. No patrolperson shall be required on Specified Road construction jobs except during clearing operations unless otherwise specified.

N. Time of Snag Felling. Unless the felling of dead trees would interfere with the felling, skidding or yarding of green timber or be a safety hazard, or be prevented under Section 5, required felling of dead trees shall be concurrent with the felling of live timber. There shall be reasonably timely felling of dead trees to facilitate utilization and protection from fire.

listed in California State Law:

10 feet slope radius

EMERGENCY MEASURES

The table set forth below establishes work restrictions and fire precautions that the Contractor must observe at each activity level. The restrictions are cumulative at each level.

The BLM, in its sole discretion, may change the predicted activity level if the current fire suppression situation, weather and vegetation conditions warrant additional restriction of activities. Contractor shall obtain the predicted Project Activity Level by calling the following phone number 760-873-2555 before starting work each day. If practicable, BLM will determine the following day’s activity level by 6:00 PM local time. If predictions made after 6:00 PM are significantly different than originally estimated, BLM will inform Contractor when changes in restrictions or industrial precautions are indicated.

The following definitions shall apply to these Project Activity Levels:

Cable Yarding Systems: A yarding system that takes logs from the stump area to a landing using an overhead system of winch-driven cables to which logs are attached with chokers or grapples.

Hot Saw Technology: A harvesting system that employs a high-speed (>1100 rpm) rotation felling heads (i.e., full rotation lateral tilt head).

Sunset: The time that sunset is reported in the local newspaper for that day.

Except for Project Activity Level days “Ev after 1:00 PM local time” and “E”, BLM may issue substitute precautions(s) of the requirements below. Such agreements shall prescribe measures to be taken by Contractor to reduce risk of ignition and/or spread of fire.

BLM may change the Project Activity Levels to other values upon revision of the National Fire Danger Rating System and may change the specific Project Activity Levels and/or requirements when such changes are necessary for the protection of the Public Lands. When sent to Contractor, the revised Project Activity Levels will supersede the levels below.

PROJECT ACTIVITY LEVEL –EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Table version 6/13/2006

PROJECT ACTIVITY LEVEL

1. PAL levels are cumulative; Ev level would include all preceding PAL requirements.

2. Tank truck or trailer shall be on or adjacent to each active landing.

3. When hot saw technology is being used, the tank truck or trailer (B2 above) may serve dual purpose as active landing tank truck provided it shall be kept readily available for use as follows:

a. Within one quarter mile of the operating hot saw technology; and

b. Within 10 minutes of the active landing; and

c. Effective communications exist between hot saw technology and active landing.

Otherwise, there shall be a tank truck or trailer at both the active landing and within one quarter mile of the operating hot saw technology.

4. (Additional restrictions specified by the BLM.)

a. Blasting

2. Operations using hot saw technology are prohibited between 1:00 PM and sunset local time. Hot saw technology operations may continue if Contractor provides a portable fire suppression system capable of extinguishing a 20-foot by 20-foot wild land fire within five (5) minutes of discovery. The following equipment will meet the requirements above:

a. Compressed Air Foam System with minimum requirements of 20 gallons stored energy, 100 feet of 1 inch hose and adjustable 1 inch nozzle, minimum discharge range of 60 feet and 1 spare air cylinder; or

b. All terrain tank truck or equivalent capable of traveling throughout the cutting unit, containing not less than 300 gallons of water and complies with all tank truck requirements of Section 3. All terrain tank truck or equivalent may serve dual purpose as active landing tank truck provided:

1) Tank truck or equivalent shall be kept readily available to extinguish a fire within 5 minutes of discovery of the operating hot saw technology,

2) Tank truck or equivalent shall be no further than 10 minutes travel time to the active landing,

3) A 4-A:80-B:C extinguisher is maintained at the landing fire tool box and,

4) Effective communications exist between the hot saw technology, active landing and all terrain tank truck or equivalent.

Otherwise there shall be a tank truck at the active landing and an all terrain tank truck or equivalent with the hot saw technology.

3. (Additional restrictions specified by the BLM.)

a. No blasting after 10:00 AM

b. Welding or cutting of metal only by special permit

c. No Burning without a permit

2. The following activities may not operate after 1:00 PM local time unless fire patrolperson(s) walks all areas operated that day once per hour until sunset local time and has the capability of notifying the designated BLM Dispatch Center within fifteen (15) minutes of discovery of a fire:

a. Track-laying equipment

b. Chipping outside of landings and roadbeds

c. Equipment using Hot Saw Technology

d. Chainsaw operations outside of landings and roadbeds

e. Tree felling operations

f. Ripping roads and landings

g. Mastication

h. Cable-yarding employing motorized carriages.

3. (Additional restrictions specified by the BLM.)

a. Blasting

b. Welding or cutting metal

c. Burning

2. Following activities may operate when fire patrolperson walks from 9:00 AM until local sunset all areas once per hour that were mechanically operated that day.

A. Activities that may operate all day:

1. Hauling and loading of logs decked at approved landings.

2. Hauling and loading of chips piled at approved landings.

3. Equipment servicing at approved sites.

4. Roads: Dust abatement or rock aggregate installation (does not include pit or quarry development)

5. Chainsaw or stroke delimber operation associated with loading at approved landing sites.

B. All other Operations are permitted until 1:00 PM local time subject to the following:

1. When hot saw technology is being used a tractor or other equipment with blade capable of constructing fire line, shall be on standby and immediately available. Tractor will have effective communications with hot saw technology and be within one quarter mile of hot saw technology to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start.

C. (Additional restrictions specified by the BLM.)

1. Hauling and loading of logs decked at approved landings.

2. Hauling and loading of chips piled at approved landings.

3. Equipment at approved sites may be serviced.

4 Roads: Dust abatement or rock aggregate installation (does not include pit development).

5. Chainsaw operation associated with loading at approved landings.

REPORTING ALL WILDFIRES

Contractor's employees shall report all fires as soon as possible but no later than 15 minutes after initial discovery to any of the following BLM facilities and/or personnel listed below, but not necessarily in the order shown:

When reporting a fire, provide the following information: Your Name Call back telephone number Project name:

Location Legal description (Township, Range, Section) Descriptive location (Reference point) Fire Information Acres Rate of Spread and Wind Conditions P. Contractor's Plan Regarding Personnel. The Contractor shall, prior to commencing work, furnish the following information relating to key personnel.

Title

Owner or Manager

Superintendent or Foreperson on site

Fire Supervisor

Fire Patrolperson

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