SODA_Fuels_Breaks_Revision_0002.pdf

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT-BOISE

STATEMENT OF WORK

Soda Fuel Breaks – Cut and Pile

1. Introduction: The Owyhee Field Office of the Boise District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is acquiring vegetation management services to create fuel breaks along existing road systems.

2. Background: The Soda Fuel Breaks Project is located in Owyhee County south of Marsing and west of Murphy, ID along the

Owyhee front.

Terrain: Flat to rolling sagebrush, mixed conifer, and grass hills with steep yet shallow drainages traversing the project area.

Slope: Typical cutting areas generally will consist of slopes more than 15%.

Rock: Some rock may be present.

3. Purpose: More than fifty percent of the treatment area was burned in the 2015 Soda fire. The purpose of the action is to create fuel breaks that will ultimately protect the Wildland Urban Interface area, the surrounding intact sage-grouse habitat, and the Emergency Stabilization & Rehabilitation investments from the threat of wildfire, and thereby stem the subsequent threat of invasive plant expansion within and adjacent to the Soda Fire boundary, while providing optimal safe areas and anchor points for firefighters to more rapidly and effectively suppress fires.

4. Scope of Work: The objective of the treatments is to hand sever, hand pile and cover 151 acres of coniferous trees within the fuel break boundary. This treatment will be a second entry within 71 acres of state land that has already been treated with a lop and leave contract (Item 7B-Level II). All previously severed trees will be piled along with any remaining live or green trees that were not cut during the initial contract but meet the contract specifications. This will be a first entry on the remaining 80 acres of BLM land (Item 7C-Level III). Contractor will be required to hand sever, hand pile and cover all designated trees within the unit boundary. This treatment will take place within 200 feet of vehicle accessible roadways. It is recommended that an onsite visit occur to accurately determine the scope of work.

The Contractor will furnish all tools, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, training and incidentals necessary to accomplish the removal of trees and treatment of slash in accordance with the specifications provided.

The performance period will tentatively commence Wednesday August 4th. Period of performance is (45) calendar days.

Government furnished Property and Service. The BLM will supply one travel map depicting project area, one unit map depicting the areas to be treated, and provide a GIS shape file or spatially referenced PDF map of the roads so that the Contractor will have the boundaries (outside perimeter, avoidance areas. etc.) necessary for the work executed under the contract.

5. Location: Work under contract is located in Owyhee County, State of Idaho, approximately 13 miles north of Jordan Valley, OR. This project will take place on Cow Creek road between the Oregon border and Silver City road.

6. Project Boundary Marker: The edge of the 200-foot boundary off the road will not be flagged but the beginning and ending points of the cutting areas will be flagged. The contractor is required to have GPS capabilities and will be responsible for utilizing GPS to locate and follow unit boundaries during time of project implementation. See description below for GPS requirements.

GPS Capability: Work in this contract requires the contractor to have GPS capabilities in order to identify treatment areas, leave islands and/or project boundaries. GPS equipment must have an accuracy of +/‐ 10 meters and be capable of accepting/uploading shapefiles or track logs. The government will provide shapefiles or track logs electronically (via email or at the pre‐work meeting) to the contractor which will identify treatment unit boundaries and leave islands within the project area boundary. It is the responsibility of the contractor to upload the shape files to the GPS equipment and provide any technical support for problems with the contractor owned equipment.

7. Vehicle Access and Use: Project site is accessible in dry conditions with two-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. In wet conditions four-wheel drive high clearance vehicle may be needed. Public or private access roads damaged by the contractor shall be restored, at the contractors’ expense, to the same condition they were at the commencement of work.

If roads or any type of access become impassable or subject to damage, because of adverse weather conditions or other natural and/ or social reasons, the COR will relay information to the Contractor, and a Stop Work Order may be implemented by the CO until other access can be obtained.

Undercarriages of all vehicles will be cleaned before entering the treatment areas to avoid spreading noxious weeds.

8. Notification of Cessation or Restart of Work: The Contractor will notify the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at least 3 days before they plan to start operations. Contractor will also notify the COR whenever he intends to cease operations for one or more days and will tell the COR at that time when they plan to resume operations.

9. Personnel/Equipment Requirements: The Contractor must maintain an adequate work force at all times to ensure timely completion of the work, and is responsible for the crew knowing the requirements of the contract. The crew is also responsible for maintaining a safe working environment following OSHA standards. The Contractor must attend the pre-work meeting and provide a written performance plan including crew size prior to beginning work.

10. Contractor Representative: Two (English speaking) Contractor Representatives (foremen) must be designated by the

Contractor. A Contractor Representative must be on-site directing work at all times. This person will also serve as an on the ground contact person for the Government. Failure to maintain a Contractor Representative will result in suspension of work until an acceptable on-the-ground Contractor Representative is provided. A maximum of five (5) days will be allowed to produce a qualified Contractor Representative. Failure to do so within five days may result in the Contracting Officer issuing a Suspend Work Order. The Government must be informed of any changes of the Contractor Representative.

11. Detailed Unit Information: Project area is considered remote with limited cellular phone service on site and over 13 miles to the closest services (gas/motel). Travel time between Jordan Valley and the project site(s) is estimated at 45 minutes depending on vehicles, speeds, and location of project site(s). If not attending the organized site tour, do not cross posted private lands.

12. Camping: The location of any work camps established by the contractor must be approved in advance by the Contracting

Officer. Contractor shall maintain the camp in a sanitary, orderly manner, and upon vacating the camp, remove refuse and any other signs of occupancy of the site before final payment is made. In the equipment maintenance area, special precaution shall be taken to contain spilled fuel, lubricants, and wash water. All fire regulations and restrictions shall be followed.

13. Special Provisions:

All debris resulting from contractors camping operations shall be removed by the contractor. The contractor shall conduct all operations permitted under this permit in accordance with the Idaho Forestry Act Fire Hazard Reduction Law and Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection and Fire Hazard Reduction (1992). Primarily for purposes of fire prevention and control, the Contractor shall comply with the following provisions during closed fire season or periods of fire danger:

(a) Any person using a portable power saw on range or forest land in the state shall have the following immediately available for the prevention and suppression of fire within fifty (50) ft. of any power saw when in operation:

(1) A fully charged operable fire extinguisher of at least 8 oz. minimum capability. Such fire extinguisher shall be filled and in effective operating condition and shall at all times be immediately available to the operator when the saw is being fueled or the motor of the saw is running.

(2) A size O or larger shovel shall be available with each gas can when refueling. Any fueling of a power saw shall be done in an area which has first been cleared of all flammable material.

(3) Power saws shall be moved at least twenty (20) ft. from the place of fueling before the engine is started.

(b) Portable power saws shall be equipped with properly installed, maintained and effectively working spark arresters as designated in the Rules and Regulations pertaining to Forest Fire Protection, Idaho Department of Lands (1992).

The contractor shall comply with the following watershed protection measures:

(a) The contractor shall comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to water quality in connection with any operations under this contract.

(b) Contractor shall take every reasonable precaution not to pollute or obstruct any stream, lake or reservoir on or near the designated cutting area in connection with any operations under this contract. If contractor's operations cause pollution or obstruction of any stream, lake or reservoir on or near the designated cutting area, contractor shall notify the authorized officer immediately, and will correct the condition to the satisfaction of the Authorized Officer.

(c) The contractor will not make any hand piles within (20) ft. of willows, streambeds, or riparian areas.

Archeological Concerns: The excavation, removal, damage, and altering or defacing of cultural resources is protected under the Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979. Numerous cultural resources occur throughout the project area. Cultural sites flagged by the BLM will be avoided by all project activities by the contractor. Contractor will notify the BLM if they encounter obvious or suspected cultural sites that have not been flagged. Work will cease in the area of the finding until the site has been flagged by a BLM Archeologist. Failure to do so may result in civil penalties as provided for under ARPA. Any unauthorized collection of archeological materials is also subject to civil penalties under ARPA.

14. Specifications of treatment: 151 Acres

Item 7B – Level II: Hand Severing, Hand Piling and Cover (71 Acres) Canopy cover of the material to be hand severed, piled and covered is estimated to be from 0 to 30 percent total cover. All previously severed trees will be piled along with any remaining live or green trees that were not cut during the initial contract but meet the specifications below.

(a) Thin, limb and pile all Douglas Fir trees 12 in. DBH and less. All trees that do not meet DBH (diameter measured at 4 ½ feet height on the tree trunk) will be considered as less than 12 in. DBH and will be cut and piled. This will address all small trees that do not come to breast height. Sub-Alpine Fir trees do not need to be cut.

(b) 100% of non-marked live juniper will be severed at the stump within unit boundaries.

(c) No live branches will remain on the stump after the tree is cut and the remaining stump height shall be within

(6) in. from the ground on the uphill side.

(d) All branches will be cut off flush with the trunk of each severed tree.

(e) Any tree that is hand severed and blocks any road will be slashed and moved to allow travel on roadways by vehicles.

(f) No trees will be felled into flagged avoidance sites.

(g) Pruning-All remaining uncut Douglas Fir trees greater than 12-inch DBH will be pruned (live branches) to a height of 7 feet. In order to eliminate ladder fuels.

(h) All slash from felled trees between ¼ and not exceeding 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length shall be piled.

Slash less than ¼ inch in diameter may be left on ground. Slash left on ground shall not exceed 3 inches in depth.

(i) All slash from cut trees will be piled at least 15 ft. away from the bowl of live trees. Incidental smaller mountain mahogany and other shrubs may be removed when necessary, to provide for pile locations.

(j) Retain all aspens.

Item 7C – Level III: Hand Severing, Hand Piling and Cover (80 Acres) Canopy cover of the material to be hand severed, piled and covered is estimated to be from 31 to 60 percent total cover.

(k) Thin, limb and pile all Douglas Fir trees 12 in. DBH and less. All trees that do not meet DBH (diameter measured at 4 ½ feet height on the tree trunk) will be considered as less than 12 in. DBH and will be cut and piled. This will address all small trees that do not come to breast height. Sub-Alpine Fir trees do not need to be cut.

(l) 100% of non-marked live juniper will be severed at the stump within unit boundaries.

(m) No live branches will remain on the stump after the tree is cut and the remaining stump height shall be within

(6) in. from the ground on the uphill side.

(n) All branches will be cut off flush with the trunk of each severed tree.

(o) Any tree that is hand severed and blocks any road will be slashed and moved to allow travel on roadways by vehicles.

(p) No trees will be felled into flagged avoidance sites.

(q) Pruning-All remaining uncut Douglas Fir trees greater than 12-inch DBH will be pruned (live branches) to a height of 7 feet. In order to eliminate ladder fuels.

(r) All slash from felled trees between ¼ and not exceeding 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length shall be piled.

Slash less than ¼ inch in diameter may be left on ground. Slash left on ground shall not exceed 3 inches in depth.

(s) All slash from cut trees will be piled at least 15 ft. away from the bowl of live trees. Incidental smaller mountain mahogany and other shrubs may be removed when necessary, to provide for pile locations.

(t) Retain all aspens.

Hand Pile Construction:

(a) Each pile should have a minimum of 2 cubic feet of small sized slash (small branches less than ¼ to ½ inch diameter and/or small branches with needles attached) to provide “kindling” for prompt ignition and to aid in combustion of larger slash. The kindling shall be placed on the downhill side or in the center of the pile on flat terrain. On slopes over 15 percent material shall be piled parallel to the slope so the material does not roll downhill.

(b) Waterproof paper shall be spread on the pile approximately 3 ft. above the kindling and must be clearly visible on the downhill side. Piles without visible paper will not be accepted. The covering will be waterproofed Kraft paper that is waxed on at least one side and is at least 48 inches in width. If the paper is only waxed or waterproofed on one side, then that side will be the side that is facing up in the pile. Minimum size of the paper for each pile will be 4 feet by 6 feet. All four corners and middle of the Kraft paper shall be anchored down by slash. Note: Contractor shall furnish all necessary 30-30-30 waterproof Kraft paper

(c) Maximum hand pile size shall be 8 feet in diameter by 8 feet in height, and a minimum hand pile size shall be 6 feet in diameter by 5 feet in height.

(d) All piles shall be compact. Compaction of the piles shall be done by aligning the material as much as possible and placing heavier material on top. Slash that causes large air spaces shall be cut or crushed to eliminate air spaces. Compaction shall be considered satisfactory if the pile height, after 7 days of being piled, is not less than the minimum of 5 feet in height on the uphill side and 6 feet in diameter, or upon approval by the COR.

(e) All material placed in the pile shall be contained within the general contour of the pile. Trimming of the piles will be required if material extends more than 18 in. beyond the general perimeter of the pile. The material that is trimmed off will be placed back onto the pile.

(f) Any pile not meeting the above specifications will be re-piled by the Contractor at the Contractor's expense.

Hand Pile Location:

(a) All hand piles should be constructed within the perspective unit’s boundaries.

(b) Hand piles shall not be closer than 15 feet to a reserve tree’s (leave tree’s) drip line or 25 feet to a reserve trees drip line on slopes 30 percent or greater. Incidental smaller mountain mahogany and other shrubs may be removed when necessary, to provide for pile locations.

(c) Piles must be constructed a minimum of 10 feet apart from other constructed piles.

(d) Slash shall not be piled or placed on logs or stumps, in roadways, drainage or canal ditches, or within channel bottoms, streams or within no-treatment zones.

(e) It may be necessary to drag slash, so that all piles built will meet the minimum pile size and location specifications.

Restrictions: Item 7B – Level II: Hand Severing, Hand Piling and Cover listed above.

Item 7C – Level III: Hand Severing, Hand Piling and Cover listed above.

(a) Juniper trees pre-identified with markings and/or flagging will not be cut down.

(b) Old growth juniper trees will not be cut down. Old growth trees are identified by their rounded, flat, or irregularly shaped canopies as opposed to seral trees which are easily distinguished by their conical (Christmas tree) appearance. Additional indicators of old growth trees include deeply furrowed, fibrous, and reddish bark;

presence of lichens; and large branches near the base of the trunk.

(c) Slashing will not occur to any tree containing a raptor nest (including large cavities suitable for nesting).

(d) Slashing will not occur to any tree that is part of a fence line or that can’t be slashed without damaging the fence line or nearby structure(s).

15. Protection of Improvements: The COR may order a cessation of work if vehicles are operated on roads within the work area when ground or weather conditions cause or lead to loss of traction or rutting. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following rainstorms. Ground disturbance will be reduced by tracking over an area one time, and then avoiding sharp tight turns that cause the soil and vegetation to be turned

up. Any soil and ground disturbance caused by equipment during and after operations will be rehabilitated.

INSPECTION, ACCEPTANCE, AND MEETINGS

Pre-work Conference:

1. A pre-work conference will be held prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor will be notified in advance of meeting time, date and place. The purpose will be to review required work, specifications, payment, and administrative provisions of the Contract.

2. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination for the work (Crew Representative/Foreman) shall be present at the meeting.

3. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project and provide a schedule to meet the time frames of the project.

Progress Inspections/Meetings:

1. The Government COR and/or PI will make periodic visual inspections. Inspection will consist of documentation of the treated areas. Documentation will be based upon compliance with the specifications listed above (item #14).

2. The Contractor shall require his or her Crew Representative to be present during the inspections. COR and/or PI will discuss all deviations from specifications with Crew Representative as soon as possible when deviations from specifications are found.

3. The Contractor shall correct any deficiencies noted and the project will be re-inspected by the COR.

Final Inspection/Acceptance:

Acceptance: Acceptance will be based upon 95% visual compliance with the specifications listed above.

Measurement and Payment: Measurement for payment will be the number of acres satisfactorily completed in accordance with these specifications. Payment will be made at the unit price per acre specified in the Bid Schedule and shall include cost of all work described in these specifications. All measurements will be based on horizontal distances.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD – 45 days

THE ESTIMATED DATES FOR THIS PROJECT ARE:

Start Date: August 4th, 2021 (subject to change depending on severity of fire danger) End Date: October 27, 2021

SITE VISIT

Perspective bidders are urged to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site prior to start of contract constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

An organized site visit will occur on Monday, July 23, 2021. Participants will meet at 09:00 AM in the large parking area at the Gas station at the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 55 two miles west of Marsing, Idaho.

(Attachment): SODA Fuel Breaks Cut and Pile Unit Map, SODA Fuels Breaks Cut and Pile Travel Map

2021 Soda Fuel Breaks – Cut and Pile

BID SCHEDULE

ITEM

NO.

DESCRIPTION ESTIMATED

QUANTITY

UNIT UNIT COST TOTAL COST

1 Item 7B – Level II 71 acre 2 Item 7C – Level III 80 acre

TOTAL PROJECT COST:

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

FIRM NAME:______________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER:__________________________________________________________________

DETAILS

1) Personnel

a) Contract Manager for the Contractor. Name and phone number with a brief (no more than one page) resume attached:

Name: Phone Number:

b) On site job superintendent for the Contractor. Name and phone number with a brief (no more than one page) resume attached:

Name: Phone Number:

c) Number of full time employees to be used for this project:

d) Number of part time employees to be used for this project:

2) Equipment

a) Attach a list of hand tools to be used on the job that are owned by the Contractor:

b) Attach a list of hand tools to be used on the job that will be either rented or purchased by the Contractor:

c) Attach a list of vehicles including make and model that will be used on the job.

d) Attach a list of mechanical equipment to be used on the job, if any.

3) Past Performance

Complete the following for the last three jobs either completed or in progress for any client (Government, Business, or Private Owner)

a) Contact Name: Phone Number:

Dollar Value: Type of Project:

Method(s) Used:

Location of Project:

b) Contact Name: Phone Number:

Dollar Value: Type of Project:

Method(s) Used:

Location of Project:

c) Contact Name: Phone Number:

Dollar Value: Type of Project:

Method(s) Used:

Location of Project:

4) Utilization of Small and Local Business Concerns and Hiring of Local Employees and Product Processing

(a) Attach a brief explanation of the plans for providing employment opportunities to the people in the local rural communities and plan for providing training opportunities to those people in rural communities.

(b) Attach a brief explanation of the plans for Use and involvement of local American Indian tribes, personnel, and business.

(c) Attach a brief explanation of the plans for use of local business for product processing. Also include the name and address of the firm who will be processing the product

OWYHEE COUNTY

R 04 W

R 04 W

R 06 W R 05 W

R 05 WR 06 W

T 0 4 S

T 0 5 S

T 0 4 S

T 0 5 S

No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management.

The accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data for individual use or aggregate use with other data is not guaranteed.

This map cannot be made Section 508 compliant.

For help with its data or information, please contact the BLM Idaho State Office webmaster at (208) 373-4000.

F0 0.5 1 Miles

Main Map

Extent

Boise Item 7B- 71 Acres Item 7C- 80 Acres Bureau of Land Management State of Idaho Private (all other land)

SODA Fuel Breaks - Cut and Pile Unit

Map date: July 13, 2021

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Boise District, XXXXXXX Field Office