A03_SOW_BRCA_Remove_Prune_Trees.docx

Scope / Statement of Work (SOW)

Remove/Prune Trees in Residential and Visitor Services Areas Bryce Canyon National Park

Prepared By: Eric Vasquez, Biological Science Technician, Bryce Canyon National Park

Revised Date: April 2022

Table of Contents

1.0 Project Description / Summary

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Background

4.0 Specific Work / Tasks

5.0 Optional Work / Tasks

6.0 Government Furnished Equipment / Materials / Other

7.0 Special Conditions / Requirements

8.0 Place of Performance

9.0 Performance Period / Schedule Requirements

Task Order#: ____________________________

1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:

Bryce Canyon National Park (BRCA) seeks to remove or prune/limb trees that may pose risks to safety and property. All trees are located within and around visitor and employee-related areas. The work consists of falling entire trees or pruning tree limbs and in certain cases removing resulting materials to a designated site within the park (see attached map for general locations). Tree species are mainly ponderosa pine, but may also be white fir, Douglas fir, limber pine, or aspen. Trees vary in diameter and height. The Contractor must be qualified and experienced in falling trees of all sizes and complexities. The Contractor must be licensed and bonded according to appropriate state and local regulations. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage to life or property resulting from actions taken to complete this service contract. The Contractor will trim/prune and remove trees in accordance with the attached specifications. The service must be completed within the time frame specified in “Performance Period” section of this document. BRCA personnel will inspect and approve all work to ensure specifications are met by the vendor. Coordination of work schedule and inspection shall be through the BRCA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this project is to improve the safety of residential, occupational, and visitor service-related areas within the development of BRCA. The objectives of the work to be completed by the contractor include the following: remove trees identified by BRCA staff that may contain defects and exist within the proximity of park development; remove limbs, tops, or other parts of trees that may pose a safety hazard to the public or staff; mitigate pest induction and future hazards by relocating felled trees and tree parts to a designated location. The contractor will complete all work in compliance with all applicable laws and park policies, including conservation requirements developed by the park.

3.0 BACKGROUND:

BRCA is visited by more than 2.6 million visitors per year. Among the visitor services at the park are developed viewpoints, a visitor center, parking lots, restrooms, two developed campgrounds, and concessioner-provided services such as a lodge and general store. To support park operations, the park employs several permanent and seasonal staff. Park offices and maintenance facilities are located throughout the developed area. The park also maintains several residential structures to provide temporary and permanent housing for employees, interns, and volunteers.

The work covered by this contract will include tasks related to professional tree services. These tasks will require advanced technical arborist experience and associated equipment due to location or proximity to infrastructure. The Contractor performing the tasks covered by this SOW must provide credentials and examples of past successful performance for completing this type of work. Tree services will be performed on trees specifically identified by park staff. A list of these trees, including technical specifications, locations, and prescribed actions, are attached as Table 1 and 2.

4.0 SPECIFIC WORK / TASKS:

a. Perform controlled tree falling or technical tree removal for the trees listed in Table 1. See notes in Table 1 for specific details related to individual trees.

b. Remove dead limbs or tops (>3 inch diameter at attachment) from trees indicated in Table 2.

c. Remove large “brooms” (mistletoe infected branches) from live trees indicated in Table 2. All branches containing brooms that are attached at or below 15 feet above the ground will be removed.

d. For trees or tree parts labeled as “Remove From Site”, transport all tree materials to the designated disposal site. The designated disposal site is located in an area of the park called the Mixing Circle Yard. See Section 8.0 for map and location information. Park staff will show the exact location to the Contractor on site.

e. For trees that may impact a park road, provide certified flaggers to temporarily halt traffic during felling operations. Traffic control procedures and signage must meet State of Utah Department of Transportation standards. Contractor must provide all signage and equipment for traffic control.

f. Clear all roads and pathways of slash, debris, or other materials resulting from felling or pruning operations.

g. Provide temporary pedestrian safety control during felling operations that may impact trails or pathways.

h. Temporarily remove minor structures or structural features (fencing, signs, etc.) that may be impacted from felling operations. Replace features to previous condition when completed.

5.0 OPTIONAL WORK / TASKS:

a. Not Used

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS / OTHER:

a. Park Staff will be available for a pre-evaluation walk-through if requested by the Contractor to answer questions related to the tasks or requirements. This walk-through must take place from Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00. This must be scheduled at lease five business days in advance.

b. As stated in Section 7.0-c below, the park will assist in controlling visitor pedestrian traffic at Bryce Point.

7.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

a. Site access may be limited. Equipment, such as vehicles or boom lifts, can be used on pavement or other established roads. Vehicles or boom lifts may be used off of paved surfaces upon park approval. Approval is site specific. Vehicles or equipment traveling off pavement must use ground protection mats to reduce damage to soils and vegetation.

b. Removal of non-target trees or shrubby vegetation measuring 6 inches or less DBH to create a safe workspace is permitted around the working area (base of the tree) for saw operations. Removal of trees measuring greater than 6 inches DBH must be approved by park staff. The contractor must submit requests/proposals in writing, including site descriptions and proposed actions, to the park for approval at least 24 hours in advance.

c. The Contractor must implement sufficient safety measures to secure the worksite. This may include signage, flagging, or personnel to control pedestrian or vehicle traffic. At Bryce Point, the park will assist in controlling the worksite, either by providing extra staff or temporarily closing the area to the public. Any closures to visitor areas must be less than four hours in duration.

d. All stumps must be low-cut so that they are no more than two inches high.

e. Any tree or tree part within the developed area (Housing, RV Loop, Viewpoints) that was alive prior to cutting must be removed to the designated disposal site. Trees or tree parts that were dead prior to cutting can remain in place as long as their presence does not block a pathway, trail, road, or any other established access and as long as it does not present other safety or access concerns.

f. Limbs must be cut from the main trunk of the tree just above (~0.5 inch) the limb collar. An initial undercut must be used to prevent stripping of bark below the point of attachment.

g. Contractor must be fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Contractor must provide proof of insurance policy that can cover any accident which causes damage to life or property resulting from work completed under this contract.

h. Contractor must meet or exceed all OSHA standards related to the work completed under this contract.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

· This work will take place at various locations throughout Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield and Kane Counties, Utah. For a list of specific locations, including coordinates, see the attached Tables 1 & 2.

· The following are general descriptions of the locations included in this statement of work. The Park Housing Area is a residential area consisting of single-family homes and shared apartments and duplexes. There is paved access to each house. Access into backyards of houses is through latched gates. Bryce Point and Rainbow Point are viewpoints for visitors seeking views into the canyon. The viewpoint parking lot can be accessed by a paved park road. From the parking lot, the trees to be removed can be accessed by a paved sidewalk. The Main Park Road is a two-lane highway that extends through the park for approximately 16 miles. There is a narrow shoulder along the highway and parking along side the road can be difficult. The road dead ends at Rainbow Point (mile marker 18).

· Designated disposal site is located in the burn pile at the Mixing Circle Yard:

https://goo.gl/maps/KtCFrrZmMn7w8qmDA

112.181220 W 37.625617 N

MAP OF BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

9.0 PERFORMANCE PERIOD / SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

a. Performance period is from July 15 to November 30, 2022.

b. Written proposals for requirements must be submitted to the park in advance as indicated in the Special Conditions/Requirements section (7.0).

c. The contractor will provide a work schedule which details tasks and the duration of performance. This must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the beginning of work.

d. Work must be completed from Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 17:00 local time.

e. Work may not be completed on Federal Holidays.

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