A04_-_SOW.doc

REMOVE HAZARDOUS LIMBS

FROM THE

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

May 2018

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND STATEMENT OF WORK

REMOVE HAZARDOUS LIMBS AND TREES

FROM THE

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

1. SCOPE OF WORK: The contractor shall furnish all transportation, materials, labor, equipment, and all other services necessary to remove hazardous limbs and trees at various locations on the Natchez Trace Parkway as described in this document.

2. BACKGROUND: Over the past several years there have been several major storms along the Parkway. To mitigate any threat to Parkway visitors and vehicles, there are hazardous trees and limbs overhanging the Parkway area to be removed.

a. Task 1 - Removal of hazardous and overhanging limbs to create a clear zone.

b. Task 2 – Removal of dead trees that are in danger of falling into motor road.

c. Task 3 – Removal of downed trees from storm damage.

3. PROJECT LOCATIONS: The following three project areas are included within this contract.

Project Area 1: Dancy District State: Mississippi Parkway Mile Marker: 181-222 Project Area 2: Ridgeland

State: Mississippi

Parkway Mile Marker: 86.3-135

Project Area 3: Kosciusko

State: Mississippi

Parkway Mile Marker: 135-181

4. PROJECT EXECUTION:

a. Task 1: Removal of Hazardous Limbs: To mitigate any threat to Parkway visitors and vehicles, there are hazardous limbs overhanging the Parkway area to be removed in the project areas. The objective in removing these limbs is to create a clear zone in and around the Parkway motor road. Any limb or branch that is within the designated clear zone shall be properly removed. As shown below, the clear zone is defined as a boxed area extending eight feet beyond the pavement edge on both sides of the road, and extending vertically eighteen feet above the surface of the pavement. The proposal will not be responsive if it does not include all limbs within this section of the contract.

In some cases, it will be necessary to cut off a limb or branch at the tree trunk. In other cases, the limb may be pruned at a naturally occurring fork or branching point. In either case, the contractor shall exercise good judgment when trimming limbs, and shall not cut limbs in a manner that degrades the beauty of the Parkway scenery. Snags shall not be allowed (A snag is defined as a limb sticking out and being cut at a point that is not a natural fork or branching point). A successful pruning project shall result in a clear zone that does not appear to have been freshly pruned. Limbs shall be properly pruned in an aesthetically pleasing manner in accordance with standard arborist practices. The contractor shall paint or otherwise seal the cut end of the limb with tree-pruning compound when appropriate.

b. Task 2: Removal of Hazardous Trees: To mitigate any threat to Parkway visitors and vehicles, there are hazardous limbs overhanging the Parkway area to be removed in the project areas. The stumps greater than 12” in diameter of these trees are to be ground to a depth of at least four inches (4”) below ground level. Trees 12” or less shall be cut at ground level. The objective in removing these trees is to create a clear zone in and around the Parkway motor road. Trees to be removed will be designated by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

c. Task 3: Removal of Downed Trees from Storm Damage: These trees, limbs, vines, etc. shall be removed from the Parkway because we have so many trees in such a confined space. The Contractor shall not push them back into the woods. Any trees that protrude from the woods into the mow area shall be cut at the mow line and removed. At no time shall the contractor push limbs, trees, etc. into ditches, creek, or other drainage ways. The tree root balls within the mow line shall be removed by the Contractor. All holes remaining by the root balls shall be filled with topsoil or wood chips from trees chipped along the Parkway. If wood chips are used, the area shall be filled to an elevation 18 inches higher than the natural ground (to allow for settlement after decay).

5. PROJECT RESTRICTIONS: The following restrictions apply to this contract.

a. Any damage caused by the contractor’s equipment shall be rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer. No heavy machinery will be allowed on slopes or beyond mowed areas. In no case will tracked vehicles or log skidders be allowed.

b. Access routes for the Parkway shall be the closest Parkway access to the area where the contractor is working.

c. Hauling restrictions: Two axle vehicles hauling material over park roads shall have pneumatic tires, dual rear wheels and a gross weight not exceeding 25 tons each. Three-axle units may be used for transporting materials provided: (1) that the two rear wheels axles of such units are equipped with dual wheel pneumatic tires; (2) that the maximum gross weight on any one axle shall not exceed 16,000 pounds; (3) that the maximum gross weight on any such unit shall not exceed 35,000 pounds; and (4) that no two axles shall be spaced less than 40 inches center to center. Vehicles shall not be counted in load determination unless they are equipped with brakes. Units shall not be operated at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour and shall maintain a spacing of not less than 500 feet. Trucks and other heavy equipment shall be confined to the limits of the project on the park road. Hauling of materials, supplies, and equipment over the park road, other than within the limits of the project, will not be permitted except as is necessary to perform the required work and the contractor shall haul on non-Parkway roads to the maximum extent possible.

d. Material shall not be piled on the Parkway shoulders or allowed to accumulate except during hauling or chipping operations. All road shoulders shall be kept free of debris and left free of debris at the end of each workday. At all times, any necessary interruptions in traffic flow shall be minimized. Extra care is required to make sure material along shoulders do not encroach into the roadway at any time.

e. Unauthorized dumping of the material is not acceptable. The contractor shall properly dispose of removed material and shall be liable for any fees or fines associated with improper hauling or disposal.

6. TRAFFIC CONTROL: The contractor shall provide two flagmen whenever work operations may interfere with the flow of traffic. The flagman shall be located at least 150 feet in advance of the work site. "FLAGMAN AHEAD, 500 FT" signs shall be used while the flagmen are working. Flagmen and workers shall wear bright orange safety vests while working on and along the roadway. The contractor shall provide all signs and other equipment to perform this task. Traffic shall be stopped both ways anytime a limb overhanging the roadway is being removed.

7. INSPECTION and TIMES OF WORK: The work will be monitored by a representative of the Contracting Officer and regular meetings with the contractor will be held to assure safety requirements are being met, to resolve problems that arise, and to monitor the general status of the removal process. The contractor, or his designated representative, shall be present while work is being performed. Any contractor representative shall be thoroughly familiar with the project and have authority to act in the absence of the contractor. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding Federal Holidays. No work will be permitted on weekends or Federal Holidays.

8. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY: The contractor shall remove all material from the site in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and all the terms and conditions listed in the contract. The Contractor agrees that personnel and equipment are subject to safety inspections by the Government while on federal property. The Contractor shall comply with all Federal and State OSHA requirements. The contractor shall be responsible for the safety of his employees and equipment, and for any injury or damage done to or by them from any source or cause. Contractor shall save and hold the United States free from all claims for damages to all persons and/or property arising from the execution of the work covered by these specifications.

9. PROTECTION OF VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, AND UTILITIES: The Contractor shall preserve and protect all structures, equipment, and vegetation (such as trees, shrubs, and grass) on or adjacent to the work site, which are not to be removed and which do not unreasonably interfere with the work required under this contract. The Contractor shall only remove trees when specifically authorized to do so, and shall avoid damaging vegetation that will remain in place. If any limbs or branches of trees are broken during contract performance, or by the careless operation of equipment, or by workmen, the Contractor shall trim those limbs or branches with a clean cut and paint the cut with a tree-pruning compound as directed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall protect from damage all existing improvements and utilities at or near the work site, the locations of which are made known to or should be known by the Contractor. The Contractor shall repair any damage to those facilities, including those that are the property of a third party, resulting from failure to comply with the requirements of this contract or failure to exercise reasonable care in performing the work. If the Contractor fails or refuses to repair the damage promptly, the Contracting Officer may have the necessary work performed and charge the cost to the Contractor.

10. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contractor will have 120 calendar days to complete all work awarded under the contract.

11. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT: The estimated quantities shown in this document are approximate and actual quantities may differ from that stated. Interested vendors are cautioned that the estimated quantities indicated are rough counts only. While it may appear that the quantities shown for the tasks indicated are small, the amount and size of the material to be removed from that area may be significant. All interested vendors should thoroughly inspect the project areas before submitting a proposal. Proposals will be lump sum payable to the contractor for the work required in each project area per task awarded.

Parkway

CenterLine

[---8’-----]

[---8’-----]

18’

18’