6-Attachment B Scope of Work-Shurtz Canyon Cut and Pile.docx

ATTACHMENT B SCOPE OF WORK

NC27-127 Hurricane Cliffs

PROJECT: Hurricane Cliffs Cut and Pile LOCATION: Iron County, Utah, approximately 2 miles Southeast of Cedar City, Utah.

PRE-QUALIFICATION:

Pursuant to the Utah Procurement Code, participation in this solicitation is limited to prequalified contractors only. Bids or quotes submitted by a non-prequalified contractor will not be considered. If you are not on the current Pre-approved/Pre-qualified Vendor list for the State of Utah for the treatment type and acres, please do not submit a bid.

Introduction: The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Land (FFSL) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office (CFO) seeking tree thinning and piling activities. The objectives of this project are to decrease the risk of catastrophic fire and promote the growth and diversity of vegetation throughout the project area. The work includes treating project areas totaling approximately 180 acres. Bids should be submitted on a per/acre basis and total cost basis. Per acre and total bid prices will include all mobilization and operation costs. There will be no fuel surcharges or adjustments negotiated. There will be no government provided materials for this project.

SECTION I – CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

SITE SPECIFICS:

Location and Description: Work under this contract is located in Iron County approximately 2 miles Southeast of Cedar City, Utah. Elevations range from 6,100 to 7,500 feet within the project site. Slopes range from flat to 45% with most of the project being less than 10%. The work location is shown on the attached Project and Reference Maps. The treatment boundaries have been flagged with orange flagging, and within the treatment polygons, some leave trees have been flagged with orange or blue flagging, these are trees designated as leave trees. The work location is shown on the site maps.

Acreage: 180 acres

Access to the site: Access onto the project site is provided by a combination of paved highways, county dirt surface roads and hiking. Four (4) wheel drive vehicles are recommended in and around the project area. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to get the equipment to the work site.

DEFINITIONS

Access point. The point identified for access to thinning areas.

Allowable (Stocking) Density. The number of trees between the minimum and maximum specified in the Contractor Work Requirements and Standards.

Calendar Days. Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Agency.

Decision area. An area that is evaluated to determine the appropriate number of leave trees.

Desirable leave tree characteristics. Trees that are desirable to be leave trees will be designated by orange flagging, contract specifications or determined by the government official on site.

Diameter root collar (DRC). The diameter of the trunk or stems measured at a point 6 inches above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Diameter breast height (DRC). The diameter of the trunk or measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

Damage. Defect or deformity of a tree resulting from agents such as wind, snow, animals, insects, disease, and equipment, and evidenced by such things as dead or broken tops or trunks, crooks, and deep scars or damage to the bark when it is removed from more than ¼ of the circumference of the tree.

Excess trees. Uncut trees that according to specification should have been cut. Trees not severed from the stump, hang-up trees, and stumps with live limbs.

Hang-up tree. Any cut tree suspended more than 3 feet off the ground.

Leave Trees. Any tree that is selected or required to be left standing shall be flagged with orange flagging or be left up to the discretion of the government official on site.

Leave Trees per acre. The number of leave trees within one acre. Generally referred to average leave trees per acre.

Live limb. A limb of any size that has green needles attached.

Performance period. The number of calendar days allowed in the contract for completion of contract work.

Quality Assurance. The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements.

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements.

Slash. Limbs and trunks of downed trees created by the Contractor’s operations.

Spacing. The horizontal distance from the trunk of one leave tree to the trunk of the next nearest leave tree. Average spacing is calculated from the leave trees per acre.

Unsatisfactory Tree. Cutting of a tree that fails to meet contract standards; includes cutting the wrong tree, failing to cut a correct tree, and failure to completely severe the branch, etc.

SPECIFIC TASKS:

Work Limits: Only areas shown on the Project Map will be treated. Treatment and non-treated areas within the project area will be flagged and/or described verbally. A shapefile for GPS and a PDF map of the project area will be provided prior to work beginning. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to furnish either a GPS unit(s) or smartphone(s) with PDF map application to be utilized in identifying project boundaries.

Government staff (Project Inspector) will identify unit boundaries for the work carried out under the contract.

Recreation Requirements:

1. Trail corridors, benches, signs and other visitor amenities will remain free from vegetation debris.

2. Avoid actions that would damage or impair non-motorized trails. If damaged, they will be restored to previous conditions at the contractor’s expense.

3. Vegetation buffers that maintain treed corridors for users within the Iron Hills NRT would be implemented that screen treatments from users and maintain shade in summer months. New openings where needed, along trails would not be greater than 100 feet in length with 500 feet of vegetation present before and after said openings. Irregular treatment boundaries would be used to maintain natural mosaic appearance. Repeating patterns would be avoided.

4. A buffer of 50-foot-wide buffer shall be maintained on either side of trails.

5. Crossing of the trail corridor will be minimized in all treatments. Slash will not be dragged across the trail corridor.

THINNING

Pinyon/Juniper: All live and dead Pinyon and Juniper trees located within the designated boundaries shall be cut and piled in accordance with contract specifications, except for those specifically marked as leave trees or otherwise identified by the on-site government official to remain.

Unit prescription:

Unit 1 boundaries are identified and clearly delineated with orange flagging.

1. Juniper Removal.

The contractor shall cut and pile all juniper trees located within the unit. Exceptions shall include:

· Juniper trees individually marked with flagging, and

· Juniper trees that are designated for retention by the government representative on site.

2. Pinyon Removal The Contractor shall cut and pile all pinyon trees measuring sixteen (16) inches in diameter or less, measured six (6) inches above ground level on the uphill side. Exceptions shall include:

· Any pinyon tree flagged within the unit boundary or otherwise designated for retention by the on -site government official, shall be preserved and left standing.

CUTTING METHODS

A. STUMP HEIGHT AND REMOVAL OF LIVE LIMBS: All cut trees shall be cut below the lowest live limbs, except when prevented by natural obstacles. The maximum allowable stump height is 6 inches measured from the high side of the tree. All live limbs below the cutting point shall be removed. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump.

B. FELLING: Cut trees shall be felled away from unit boundaries, trails, and fence lines. Any trees falling on such areas shall be removed.

SLASH TREATMENT

Slash remaining on the units shall be treated as follows:

A. All activity slash that exceed three (3) inches in diameter shall be piled.

B. Each individual pile should be a minimum of six feet tall, teepee shaped, (taller than they are wide).

C. Piles shall be tightly compacted, free of dirt and trash.

D. Piles should not be placed under the drip line of remaining trees. Strategically place piles in largest opening to avoid scorch or mortality during the flaming stage.

E. Ends protruding out of the main body of the pile by 18” or farther shall be cut and thrown back into the piles.

F. All limbs (dead or live) less than three (3) inches in diameter may be cut from the bole of felled trees and lopped to a slash depth not greater than 24 inches from the ground if not piled.

G. Hand piles would be of reasonable size and shape to ensure drying of fuels prior to burning. Piles would not be sprawling in nature nor too tall or dense. Piles would be constructed away from trail corridors as much as possible

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

Equipment Requirements: The Contractor shall furnish chainsaws on a fully-operational basis, with competent, fully-qualified operators, and shall meet the following specifications:

1. Must provide a minimum of a 10-man crew.

2. Be capable of cutting live or dead pinyon and juniper trees at six (6) inches above ground level on the uphill side.

3. Equipment shall be free of fluid leaks and be in good operating condition.

4. Equipment shall be washed before entering and exiting federal and state lands. All soil and plant parts shall be removed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds in and out of the project area.

Contractor shall also furnish either GPS unit(s) or smartphone(s) with pdf map application to be utilized in identifying project boundaries.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

No Government property shall be furnished on this project.

EQUIPMENT AND WORKMANSHIP:

All equipment and/or materials incorporated into the work covered by this contract shall be of the most suitable grade for the purpose intended, unless otherwise specifically provided in this contract. All work under this contract shall be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The BLM may require, in writing, that the contractor remove from the work area, any employee deemed by the BLM to be incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

Surface Disturbance: Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. Equipment and vehicles must not be operated or driven outside of identified roads or trails.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Project sites shall be cleaned up, and all refuse removed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for disposal of materials in a manner consistent with State, Federal and local laws and for all expenses incurred with disposal. Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work.

2. Use of 2-wheel and 4-wheel vehicles is permitted in the project areas. Off-road driving will be prohibited when soils are wet and rutting may occur.

3. The contractor shall maintain a clean and orderly job site, free from garbage and debris. All waste materials must be properly collected and disposed of at the conclusion of each work shift, and no trash shall be left unattended on the work site.

4. Hazardous Materials:

A. Use of Hazardous Materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate State and Federal Regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).

B. On-site disposal of Hazardous Materials or Waste including hydrocarbons is not authorized. On-site disposal will subject the contractor to at least the cost of reclamation and the appropriate disposal of contaminated soil.

C. Incidental (de minimus) leaks from fittings, gaskets or ruptured hoses will not subject the contractor to remedial requirements. They will be considered to be normal and unavoidable losses. Continual leaks will be noted on inspection reports and correction through maintenance required.

D. Maintenance and repair operations that require the draining of engines or hydraulic systems may be conducted on site only if the fluids are captured, containerized, and removed from public lands for proper disposal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. ACCESSIBILITY:

The area is best accessed from Greens Lake and Cedar highlands Drive, from old highway 91. Access from this point to the thinning area is within 0.5-mile walking distance. The Government assumes no responsibility to provide special maintenance to keep roads open. Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. Equipment and vehicles must not be operated or driven outside of identified roads or trails.

B. BOUNDARIES:

The boundaries HAVE been marked by the BLM with orange flagging. The Contractor will need to utilize either Global Positioning System (GPS) units or smartphone applications capable of utilizing Portable Document Formats (PDF’s) to identify unit boundaries and work areas. Shape files will be provided prior to work beginning.

PUBLIC ACCESS:

Access into and through the project site shall remain open to the public at all times. The Contractor shall maintain roadways and trails free of vehicles, tools, and debris.

SECURITY OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY:

The Contractor may leave equipment at the work site; however, the Contractor shall be solely responsible for protection of equipment and is solely responsible if the equipment is lost, stolen or damaged.

CREW SUPERVISION:

1. Contractor shall designate one English literate supervisor who will be on-site during operation hours. Supervisors shall be identified during the pre-work conference. Any changes in supervisory designations must be submitted in writing to the Project manager at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect.

2. Person designated by the Contractor, as supervisor must remain with and effectively directs the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew’s work, (2) advising them as to improper work methods, (3) providing instructions for correcting any improper work methods encountered.

3. Emergency transportation will be provided by the Contractor at all times.

WORK CAMPS:

Work camps may be established only in locations authorized in advance by the Project Manager in coordination with the Government. Should such a camp be authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. Upon vacating a camp and prior to final payment, the Contractor shall remove all refuse and other signs of occupancy to the satisfaction of the Project Manager.

WORK HOURS:

Work hours under this contract shall be limited to the time between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Work hours may not extend into darkness. Work may be done on Saturday, Sunday, and legal national holidays as mutually agreed between the Contractor and the Project Manager.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The work schedule shall be submitted at the pre-work conference.

DELAYS:

The contractor is expected to complete all contract performance in a timely manner, regardless of the contractor or subcontractor's other workload, including any work being performed under other state contracts. A delay or failure to perform may be considered excusable when the delay or failure arises from causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor. Examples of these causes are (1) acts of God or of the public enemy, (2) acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, (3) fires, (4) floods, (5) epidemics, (6) quarantine restrictions, (7) strikes, (8) freight embargoes, and (9) unusually severe weather. In each instance, the failure to perform must be beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor.

Upon request of the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and extent of the failure. If the Contracting Officer determines that any failure to perform results from one or more of the causes above, the delivery schedule may be revised, subject to the Government’s contract termination rights under the contract.

Note: “Unusually severe weather” means weather that is outside the normal weather patterns for a specific area at a specific time of the year. For example, strong wind and snow storms in fall and winter, or strong wind, rain or hail storms in spring and summer are not considered unusually severe. An unusually severe snow, wind or rain storm is one that is worse than even the harshest normal conditions during a season.

PROJECT MEETINGS:

Pre-work Conference:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: A pre-work conference will be held prior to the start of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of the meeting time, date, and place. The purpose will be to review required work, project drawings and specifications, construction schedules, payroll and payments, and administrative provisions of the contract.

3. Attendance: The Contractor, subcontractors and the persons responsible for coordination of the work shall be present at the meeting.

4. Presentation: The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for each project and present the work schedule requested in the specifications.

Progress Meetings:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: Meetings may be called by either the Project Manager or the Contractor. Request shall state who should attend.

FIRE DANGER SEASON:

If the Project Manager allows the Contractor to continue work during the periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the Project Manager

PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL DATA:

1. The Contractor agrees that should he or any of his employees in the performance of this contract discover evidence of possible scientific, pre-historical, historical, or archeological data he will notify the Project Manager immediately giving the location and nature of the findings.

2. Where appropriate by reason of discovery, the Project Manager may order delays in the time of performance and/or changes in the work. If such delays and/or changes are ordered, the time of performance and contract price shall be adjusted.

3. The Contractor agrees to insert this paragraph in all subcontracts, which involve the performance of work on the terrain of the site.

PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES:

Location of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431-433), National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa-ll) (36 CFR 296.4 and 36 CFR 261.9(g)), shall be identified on the ground by the Government. The Government may unilaterally modify or cancel this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the site is determined.

Contractor shall protect all known and identified historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal or damage during Contractor's operations. Contractor shall immediately notify the Government if disturbance occurs to any known site, and shall immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the site until the Government authorizes the Contractor to proceed. Contractor shall bear costs of evaluation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

NOTICE TO PROCEED:

Unless notified by the project manager that notice-to-proceed will be delayed, receipt of the contract or purchase order by email shall constitute Notice to Proceed. The Project Manager may issue a separate delayed notice-to-proceed for any reason including adverse soil, vegetative, climatologic or other environmental conditions.

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE:

The Contractor shall begin work within seven (7) calendar days from the effective date of the notice to proceed. The Contractor shall continue performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except by causes beyond his control identified in the Delays clause. While an extended performance window is provided in this statement of work, this extended window is designed for contractor’s who may have multiple contracts to complete for the State of Utah at the same time as this contract. The extended performance window is not to be construed as a full performance time window just for this project unless approved in advance in writing by the State’s project manager. Once the contractor is on site working, the contractor shall work diligently and complete all work within the project performance time in the Contract Time clause below.

It is the contractor’s sole responsibility to complete contract performance regardless of contractor’s current workload, including other state contracts. If necessary, the contractor will be expected to take whatever means are necessary to ensure timely contract performance. At the discretion of the contractor, this may include sub-contracting, additional equipment/manpower and/or any other necessary action. Any necessary action taken by the contractor to ensure timely completion shall be at no additional expense to the State of Utah beyond the original contract price.

CONTRACT TIME:

Project Performance Time: The project must be completed by December 31, 2027. Contract time cannot be extended due to timing stipulations for wildlife habitat use. Additional time will not be provided due to winter stoppage or other climatologic, environmental circumstances. No work will be done between April 1st -August 31st unless prior approval has been given due to migratory bird restrictions.

INSPECTION:

Surveillance Plan: The Government will inspect completed acres and provide recommendations to improve work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with the contract specifications.

Final Inspection:

1. Location: Meeting shall be held at the project sites, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: The Contractor shall notify the Project Manager at least three (3) working days before completing date so the Government can schedule the final inspection.

3. Deficiencies: The Contractor shall correct deficiencies and project areas will be re-inspected by the Project Manager.

ACCEPTANCE:

Based on inspection results, if the quality level falls below contract specifications, the Project Manager will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the Contractor to improve the quality of work. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level after written notification, the Project Manager may issue a suspend work order to resolve the problem, during which time contract time will continue to run.

If untreated or unsatisfactorily treated areas are the primary reason for unsatisfactory work, the Contractor shall rework acres designated by the Government until satisfactory work quality is obtained.

PAYMENT:

One lump-sum final payment will be made for the actual number of acres completed following a final inspection of the completed project, and consistent with the payment clause in the Government’s standard terms and conditions. Normally, requests for partial payments will not be considered. However, if a partial payment request is considered, approval of said request shall be at the total discretion of the Government. Contractor must get a partial payment request approved in writing prior to submitting an invoice for partial payment. Partial payment invoices received without prior approval will be returned to the contractor as not proper for payment.

WINTER STOPPAGE:

At the sole discretion of the BLM, this contract may be stopped at any time due to frozen soil or other winter conditions. Once the contract work is stopped for winter, the Government may pay the contractor and cancel the remaining portion of the contract or issue a resumption of work order when spring weather permits. Contractor must proceed diligently with all work as weather permits until a stop-work order is issued.

SECTION II – BID REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

SITE VISIT:

There will be no site visit for this contract.

It is strongly recommended that each potential bidder ensure that he/she has a complete understanding of the requirements of this project. 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 constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

SHAPE FILES:

For this project shape/KML file(s) [ X ] are [ ] are not available.

If available, files will be provided to any bidder who requests them. To request a shape/KML file, bidder must submit through the Q&A board on U3P. Properly submitted requests will be granted and file(s) will be provided by the BLM representative through U3P as long as the request is sent prior to the question & answer closing time. The Government purchasing agent shall be sent a cc:copy of the U3P request. Requests for shape or KML files submitted by fax or phone will not be honored. The BLM is not responsible if said files cannot be delivered by email because of the bidder’s email system limitations. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure that his/her email capability is adequate. Shape/KML files will not be delivered under any other format or method. No other comments or questions are allowed in an emailed request. Note the “Questions” provision below.

Under no circumstances shall the shape/KML files by considered part of the contractual document. They will be provided for informational purposes only. Any .pdf files provided in this bid document, and the actual physical site location shall govern any contractual interpretation or dispute related to this project.

QUESTIONS:

Only questions specific to the site should be asked. All other questions related to this solicitation, specifications, or bidding procedures MUST be asked in writing. There are no exceptions to this.

BIDDING:

This contract will be bid on a per-acre price. The per-acre price will be extended based on the quantity of acres to show a total project price. The total price shall include all labor, equipment and materials necessary to complete the job, which includes all mobilization and operating costs. There will be no fuel surcharges or adjustments negotiated.

REFERENCES:

Bidding on this project is limited to pre-qualified contractors. Therefore, reference information does not need to be submitted with the bid.

CONRACT AWARD:

A contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder who meets any experience and equipment requirements noted elsewhere in this solicitation.

BUDGET

$128,700

SECTION III – MAPS, DRAWINGS AND OTHER INFORMATION

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

All maps, pictures, drawings and other documents/information provided in this section or otherwise referenced in section one of this contract are hereby incorporated by reference in the final contract document.

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Map 1: Hurricane Cliffs Cut and Pile General Location Map

Map 2: Hurricane Cliffs Cut and Pile All Units Map image1.jpeg image2.jpeg