A04_0040668600_Perform_Tree_Service_Work_at_BRCA_SOW.pdf

Scope / Statement of Work (SOW)

Perform Tree Service Work at BRCA Bryce Canyon National Park

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

Revised Date: June 2024

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 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/or tops. In certain cases, materials/slash generated from these tasks will need to be taken 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 perform all tasks 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. Coordination of work schedule and inspection shall be through the BRCA park Point of Contact (POC) or 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 developed areas of BRCA. The objectives of the work to be completed by the contractor include the following: remove trees identified by BRCA staff that may have 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 table containing a list of trees included in this scope of work, along with technical specifications, locations, and prescribed actions, are attached.

All trees are located near park structures, many of which are on the National Register of Historic

Places. These buildings have cultural significance to the park and the surrounding area. All buildings must be protected from damage. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage occurring to any structure during the scope of this contract.

4.0 SPECIFIC WORK / TASKS:

a. Perform controlled tree falling or technical tree removal for the trees listed in the attached table. Specific details related to individual trees are contained in the table.

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

c. Perform technical limbing on trees located around structures identified in the attached table. In general, pruning will be completed on the listed trees to obtain compliance with fire protection standards. Those standards include:

1. 10 feet horizonal clearance between the crown the tree and the structure.

2. 6 feet vertical clearance between the bottom of the crown and structure.

d. Clear sites of all generated tree materials. Tree boles measuring greater than 4” diameter can be disposed of at a designated disposal site in the park’s Mixing Circle Yard. See

Section 8.0 for location information. Park staff will direct the Contractor to the exact location. All material taken to the Mixing Circle disposal site must be limbed and free of branches. Twig-sized debris can be scattered and naturalized at the cutting site.

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

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

g. 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. The park will flag and label trees that are included in this scope of work. Park staff will brief Contractor on all tree locations and specific instructions.

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 paved surfaces upon park approval. Approval is site specific. The Park may require the use of ground protection mats if vehicles or equipment are used off pavement in sensitive areas to reduce damage to soils and vegetation. Mats will be provided by the Contractor.

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, Campgrounds, Visitor

Center) 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. Some work will take place within occupied habitat of the Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens). Utah prairie dogs are a federally threatened species. To mitigate impacts to the species, certain conservation measures must be followed. Work with motorized equipment within mapped habitat is limited to two hours per day and must take place between the hours of 10:00 and 14:00. This work must also take place between June 15 and August 31.

h. 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.

i. 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 County, Utah. Locations within BRCA will include the following:

1. Visitor Center, https://maps.app.goo.gl/8GzqAevx9nP3PTqu8

2. Mission 66 Residential Area, https://maps.app.goo.gl/RdJFJotuaxvFNjgMA

3. Historic Housing Area, https://maps.app.goo.gl/25UfTg53c5msZdwf9

4. North Campground, https://maps.app.goo.gl/daAjUBYvxY55iRNg6

5. Sunset Campground, https://maps.app.goo.gl/T5DBs4GMJTZor7Dk9

6. Mixing Circle Yard.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/m6M2HUZ3XYW9WAGP9

• The following are general descriptions of the locations included in this statement of work. The Visitor Center is a large mixed-use facility. This building contains the main visitor services site and is usually very busy. It also houses most of the park’s offices. There is good access to most of the building. The Mission 66

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. The Historic Housing Area consists of historic cabins that house park employees. Access to the cabins is generally good. North and Sunset Campgrounds are large, heavily used, developed campgrounds each containing about 100 campsites. Roads within the campgrounds are paved and access is general good. The Mixing Circle RV Loop is a small residential area with 6 RV sites that are used by park staff and concessioner employees. Access is on a short gravel road.

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

https://goo.gl/maps/KtCFrrZmMn7w8qmDA

37.625617, -112.181220

9.0 PERFORMANCE PERIOD / SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

a. Performance period is from 14 days from notification of award to November 30, 2024.

Certain tasks must be completed by August 31. These are noted in the table listing trees included in this scope of work.

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.

EXAMPLES OF TREES NEAR HISTORIC CABINS THAT REQUIRE PRUNING.

EXAMPLES OF TREES TO BE REMOVED.

37.625617, -112.181220