Revised_Statement_of_Work_0001.pdf

North Country National Scenic Trail Kalamazoo County, MI

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Mowing Service

(FY24 base year plus 4 option years – FY25, FY26, FY27, FY28)

DATED:

February 12, 2024

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

INTERIOR REGIONS 3/4/5

OHIO MAJOR ACQUISITION BUYING OFFICE

Background

The Augusta Prairie property is located in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, north and east of the Village of Augusta. The property is owned by the US Government and managed by the National Park Service as a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The property is spatially arranged as a long rectangle oriented north south, between East E F Avenue to the north and East Augusta Drive to the south.

1.0 Scope of Work

Work includes, but is not limited to, providing all labor, materials, equipment, tools, and services required to provide full professional mowing services for the property.

In general the work includes:

Mowing of the perimeter firebreak / access way surrounding the prairie property Mowing of the lower (front) field area Mowing of the maintenance / staging area Mowing of the trailhead along Augusta Avenue

1.1 Codes and Standards

The contractor shall be responsible for complying with regulations of all local, state, and federal agencies having jurisdiction over any portion of the work to be performed under this contract.

The contractor, as a minimum, shall meet or exceed the applicable requirements of the latest revision of the following codes and specifications published by the following organizations:

DOT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTION

EPA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

OSHA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT

It is not the intent of this specification to restrict the Contractor’s work. The Contractor shall be totally responsible for the work. These specifications are the minimal requirements acceptable to

GPA.

1.2 Coordination of work:

Contractor shall be responsible for coordinating all work to be performed under this contract with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

1.3 Contractor’s qualification:

Contractor shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in providing professional mowing services.

1.4 Contractor’s work hours:

All normal work for this contract shall be performed during normal daylight hours. Any exceptions will require the written approval of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

1.5 Supervision and labor:

The contractor shall provide a competent supervisor satisfactory to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), authorized to act for the contractor. The contractor shall promptly remove from the work site any supervisor or employee whose work or conduct is not satisfactory to the

COR.

The Contractor’s supervisor shall be on the premises at all times during working hours and in charge of the work on behalf of the contractor.

The contractor shall enforce strict discipline and good order among the Contractor’s employees.

The contractor shall exercise the necessary supervision and control to prevent contractor’s employees from violating any rules and regulations.

1.6 Site access on Augusta Prairie:

Access to the site is obtained via two gates accessible from E. Augusta Dr, including one gate at the trailhead parking area (approximately 42.34097901746459, -85.34698876542895 ) and one gate approximately 500 feet further north and east along E. Augusta Dr.

A. Gate locks – Access gates are locked with combination locks. Contractor will contact the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to get the combination for gate locks. Contractor will protect the combination information and access will only be used during normal work hours for work performed under the scope of work.

B. Securing gates – Contractor shall close and secure all gates used for accessing the site and keep gates closed and locked during mowing operations. Contractor shall ensure all gates are closed and locked after work is completed and crew has exited the site. Contractor shall report any damage to gates or locks to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Contractor shall be responsible for replacing any gates or locks damaged during operations.

1.7 Contractor care, custody and control:

Upon commencement of work, contractor shall be fully responsible for the care, custody, and control of the work until it has been completed.

During the period of Contractor’s work, the contractor shall protect the property from all potential hazards or report these hazards immediately to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or local police.

1.8 Safety:

The successful Contractor agrees to adhere to and enforce all applicable local, state, federal, and OSHA safety regulations.

Contractor shall provide safety barriers, as required, to clearly identify the working area and to prevent others from accessing the work areas. This safety zone shall be sufficiently sized to prevent damage to others or existing facilities and structures.

1.9 Certification of lines and dimensions

Care shall be taken to protect any existing structure, historical element, trail markers, posts, trees, electrical lights, fence lines, vehicles, and neighboring properties. If any structure or historic item is destroyed or damaged, it shall be reported to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for assessment of damages.

2.0 Environment protection:

The contractor shall prevent hazardous material spills, in case of spill or release of any sort, contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

2.1 Debris:

Mowing activities shall be completed such that mowing debris is evenly distributed and does not accumulate in one area. In perimeter mowing (see 3.1 – D), all cuttings shall be directed away from the prairie.

2.2 Maintaining Traffic:

Accomplish work with minimum interference to pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the property.

2.3 Underground Utilities:

Concealed lines for such utilities as water, power, lighting, steam, air, sanitary waste, gas, etc;, which may be uncovered during progress of the work and which are essential for services and functions shall be adequately protected until such utility line or lines are temporarily or permanently rerouted, as directed by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) in order to prevent any interruption of required services.

Contractor shall inform Contracting Officer Representative (COR) immediately if such situations were to occur.

When the need for temporary protection no longer exists, and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) approves, contractor shall remove all protective devices from the protected area.

2.4 Use of site:

The E. Augusta Dr. trailhead parking area, North Country National Scenic Trail, and perimeter area on the site may be in use by the public or employees during operational hours.

Contractor shall not unreasonably encumber the work area with materials or equipment.

Contractor shall keep the work area clean at all times and shall promptly remove waste materials or rubbish.

2.5 Contractor performance:

The contractor shall perform all work required as necessary to fulfill the intent of the contract. All work shall be performed in a professional manner, noise kept to a minimum, and work staged from a location on the site as to not interfere with the users’ access to trailhead parking, trails, and other facilities.

3.0 Work To Be Performed

This contract is based on a mowing schedule of every three weeks during the growing season. The beginning and end of each growing season is to be determined by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). If necessary the COR can on occasion request the services to be performed prior to a normal three week interval has elapsed.

3.1 Perimeter Access and Firebreak Mowing.

The perimeter area is kept mown for two reasons: one, to serve as a buffer between the prairie area and adjacent properties (fire break, vegetation control, border monitoring, etc); and 2, as an administrative access driving lane for employees. Perimeter mowing length is approximately

1.75 miles or approximately 2.96 acres of mowed area.

A. Mowed area width – Perimeter shall be mowed to a width of no less than 14 feet and no greater than 20 feet.

B. Mowed area height – Perimeter shall be mowed to a height not to exceed 6 inches and not less than 3 inches.

C. Branches and debris – As most of the perimeter access is bordered by forest and/or treed fence line, branches, limbs, and other debris may occasionally fall onto the mowed area. Contractor shall move smaller branches ( 6 inch diameter and less) off of the perimeter to maintain consistent mowing width and height of the lane. Branches shall be placed inside the fence line / property line. If larger branches or trees (greater than 6 inch diameter) have fallen across or along the perimeter lane, the contractor will alert the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and mow the perimeter on either side of the obstacle to protect equipment and the safety of the operator. Contractor shall conduct a preliminary survey of the perimeter lane before mowing to identify any fallen branches or other obstacles that might impact mowing operations.

D. Mowing Direction / Direction of Cuttings – The perimeter shall be mowed such that all cuttings are directed toward the outer perimeter wood line and not into the prairie area. This is done to minimize transfer of seeds and vegetative material into the prairie restoration area.

3.2 Lower (front) Field area Mowing

The lower field is a grassy opening on the south of the property running parallel to E. Augusta Avenue. This area is used for staging Trail maintenance activities, occasional parking, and Trail related events. The area is defined by a tree line on the south, the lower prairie to the north, wooded area to the west, and property line to the east.

A. Mowed area – The mowed area is approximately 1.75 acres and includes some uneven areas, trees, and other areas to be avoided.

B. Mowed area height – lower field shall be mowed to a height not to exceed 6 inches and not less than 3 inches

3.3 E. Augusta Dr Trailhead Area Mowing

The trailhead area is located along E. Augusta Dr. and includes a dirt and gravel parking area bordered by a small lawn area and a mix native plantings and trees. The trailhead area includes a trail kiosk, picnic table, and historical railroad switch.

A. Mowed area – The mowed area is approximately 0.05 acres.

B. Mowed area height – Trailhead lawn area shall be mowed to a seasonally appropriate height for lawn ( between 3-5 inches in height).

C. Trash and debris – Any trash or debris found in the trailhead area shall be collected and bagged prior to mowing activities and removed from the site at the conclusion of mowing.

3.4 Mowing of the Maintenance and Staging Area

The maintenance and staging area is located on the northeastern edge of the property hidden from public view by a curved arm of forest that protrudes into the prairie. This area is used for temporary staging of materials, temporary storage of large woody debris, and disposal of invasive species. This area is mown to provide separation between the staging and storage areas and the prairie, to provide access to storage areas, and for vehicle access and parking.

A. Mowed area – The mowed area is approximately 3,700 ft2 or 0.085 acres.

B. Mowed area height – lower field shall be mowed to a height not to exceed 6 inches and not less than 3 inches

C. Avoiding temporary storage areas – The staging area includes temporary storage for woody debris, lumber, and disposal of invasive plant species. The contactor will identify and mow up to and around these areas to provide access without disturbing the storage areas.

Contractors Responsibilities:

1. Trees, shrubs, flowers, or turf outside of the prescribed mowing area that are damaged or killed due to contractor’s operations shall be replaced at no expense to owner.

2. Lighting system or structures, whether related to physical building or not that are damaged due to contractor’s operations must be repaired or replaced by the contractor promptly at no expense to owner.

4.0 Preparation and Cleaning of Equipment

A large portion of the site is an active native prairie restoration project. The spread of Non-native invasive vegetation species is a threat to prairie restoration activities. The contractor will take all necessary precautions to clean all vehicles and equipment prior to entering the site and before all mowing operations to ensure that vehicles and equipment are not transporting and distributing non-native invasive species on the Augusta Prairie site. Contractor shall complete all equipment inspection and cleaning actions off site and before each mowing operation. These actions include, but are not limited to:

4.1 Visual Inspection

Visual inspection and removal of plants, insects, mud, soil, and debris. Pull vegetation; brush, sweep, or remove mud and seeds; and inspect areas that can hold seeds. Remove vegetation and mud before leaving a previous operation and leave materials at that location. Further decontamination should be conducted at another location (e.g., power washing at the contractor’s workshop), dispose of materials in a trash receptacle.

4.2 Flushing and Cleaning with a High-Pressure Washer

Pressure washing or rinsing removes invasive seeds and materials but does not necessarily kill them.

Care must be taken to wash all parts of any vehicles and equipment that will be entering the Augusta Prairie property. This includes the underside of vehicles, trailers, mowing equipment, mower decks, tires, and any location that could hold and/or transport invasive seeds, vegetative materials, soils, or insects. Using a wash station or car wash can be effective if the facility has an underbody blast feature.

Contractor shall inspect all vehicles and equipment after high pressure washing operations to ensure that materials and debris potentially containing non-native invasive species has been removed.

5.0 Period of Performance

Base year - This service will begin on May 1, 2024 and end on April 30, 2025 Option year 1 - This service will begin on May 1, 2025 and end on April 30, 2026 Option year 2 - This service will begin on May 1, 2026 and end on April 30, 2027 Option year 3 - This service will begin on May 1, 2027 and end on April 30, 2028 Option year 4 - This service will begin on May 1, 2028 and end on April 30, 2029