A04_-_BISO_337436A_SOW.pdf

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Oneida, Tennessee

Statement of Work

“Cyclic Clearing of Leatherwood Road Corridor”

March 17, 2025

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

INTERIOR REGION 2, SOUTH ATLANTIC GULF

NORTH MAJOR ACQUISITION BUYING OFFICE

SOW Format

1. BACKGROUND:

2. PROJECT IDENTIFIERS:

3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

5. SCOPE:

6. TASK:

7. GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS:

8. MANAGEMENT:

9. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE:

10. INSURANCE:

11. CONTRACTOR USE OF SITE:

12. MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS:

13. EMPLOYEES BADGES/PARKING:

14. NON-PAYMENT FOR ADDITIONAL WORK:

15. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

16. INSPECTION:

17. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR INFORMATION:

18. SECURITY:

19. TRAVEL:

20. FOOD STORAGE GUIDELINES:

21. PROJECT PERSONNEL:

1. BACKGROUND:

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (hereinafter referred to as “BISO”) is located along the eastern portion of the border separating Kentucky and Tennessee.

Encompassing and protecting approximately 125,000 acres, the park was established by

Congress on March 7, 1974. The park’s primary mission is to provide management for the

National Area so that natural and cultural resources are preserved and protected for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Leatherwood Ford Road (TN Highway 297) is a primary paved transportation corridor within

BISO providing visitor access across the park from the eastern boundary to the western boundary. Due to natural vegetation growth, portions of the roadway corridor have become encroached by brush, limbs, and trees, reducing visibility, limiting clearance for vehicles, and increasing safety risks.

This project will restore and maintain the roadway corridor by removing encroaching vegetation and hazard trees to improve safety, maintain access, and protect park infrastructure.

2. PROJECT IDENTIFIERS:

PMIS NUMBER: 337436A

PROJECT TITLE: “Cyclic Clearing of Leatherwood Road Corridor”

3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: All work shall occur along Leatherwood Ford Road (TN

Highway 297) within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area from the eastern boundary to the western boundary of the park.

(SEE MAP BELOW)

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The contractor shall have no more than 60 calendar days to complete all required taskings once the offeror receives the notice to proceed, with the only exceptions being unforeseen events beyond the contractor's control and/or delays that are caused by the National Park Service.

5. SCOPE:

The National Park Service will contract roadside vegetation clearing services. The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, and materials necessary to perform vegetation clearing and hazard tree removal within the designated roadway corridor.

All work shall be completed at no additional cost to the Government and shall be performed in accordance with accepted forestry and arboricultural practices.

6. TASK:

The contractor shall perform roadside vegetation clearing and hazard tree removal in accordance with the following requirements:

Corridor Definition

• The roadway corridor shall be maintained at 45 feet total horizontal width, measured as 22.5 feet from the centerline of the roadway on each side

• Vertical clearance shall be maintained at 20 feet above the roadway surface

Vegetation Removal Criteria

Brush and Small Trees (<5 inches DBH)

• Vegetation less than five (5) inches DBH may be cut as necessary to achieve corridor dimensions without prior marking

Intermediate Trees (5–10 inches DBH)

• Trees between five (5) and ten (10) inches DBH may be removed when encroaching into the corridor or interfering with vertical clearance

Large Trees (>10 inches DBH)

• Trees greater than ten (10) inches DBH shall only be removed when:

• identified as hazard trees, or

• specifically designated by the COR

Hazard Tree Removal

• Hazard trees may be removed up to 50 feet from the roadway centerline when posing a risk

• All hazard trees outside the 45-foot corridor but within the 50-foot zone require COR approval prior to removal

A hazard tree is defined as a tree likely to fail and capable of striking the roadway, vehicles, pedestrians, or infrastructure.

Indicators include:

• dead or dying condition

• trunk decay or cavities

• root instability or soil heaving

• structural cracks or splits

• severe lean toward roadway

• broken or hanging limbs

• storm, insect, fire, or lightning damage

Stump Requirements

• All stumps shall be cut to no more than 3 inches above ground level

• Stumps shall be cut flush and shall not create hazards

Debris Disposal

• All slash and limbs shall be chipped and scattered outside the corridor in a natural manner

• No piles are permitted

• Logs shall be bucked and scattered away from the roadway

• No debris shall remain in travel lanes, shoulders, ditches, or drainage structures

Traffic Control

• Contractor shall provide all traffic control

• Traffic control shall comply with MUTCD standards

• Work shall be conducted in a manner that allows safe passage of the public at all times

Work Coordination

• Contractor shall coordinate daily operations with the COR

• Work shall be performed in a continuous manner along the roadway unless otherwise directed

7. GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS:

Work Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Eastern Time)

Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Contractor shall coordinate the on-site work schedule with the Contracting Officer and the COR five working days prior to the performance start date. The COR may be reached by office or mobile phone during normal business hours. Work outside of normal business hours must be requested 14 days prior and shall pre-approved by the Contracting Officer and the COR. All site visits and correspondence shall take place during the listed work hours above.

8. MANAGEMENT:

The contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on time completion of this contract.

9. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPIANCE:

• The contractor shall comply with pertinent provisions of the Occupational Safety and

Health Act (OSHA), state, local, safety, laws, and all pertinent provisions of the contract.

• The contractor shall comply with pertinent Environmental Protection Agency laws.

• All tools, equipment and other related materials shall be removed at the end of each workday and the area shall be left neat and clean.

• The contractor shall comply with all provisions of NHPA and NEPA compliance documents that will be provided by Big South Fork staff.

• The BISO Safety Officer has the authority to issue restraint or cease-and-desist orders to the contractor when violations or unsafe acts are present and threaten government and contractor employees or damage to government property.

• The contractor shall immediately report to the Contracting Officer, COR and BISO safety officer all accidents resulting in employee injury, death, or damage to property while performing this contract.

• The contractor shall supply a site/project specific safety plan with all submittal packages.

10. INSURANCE:

• The Contractor shall be insured in accordance with Tennessee state insurance regulations and pertinent provisions of the Contract. The government is not responsible for damage or theft to Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools, or materials or their employees and any personal property brought on site. The government will not accept any liability due to

Contractor employee negligence.

• Workers Compensation- The contractor shall furnish proof of worker’s compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the Workman’s Compensation Laws of Tennessee.

• Liability- Contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the Contractor and Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

11. CONTRACTOR USE OF SITE:

Contractor shall have limited use of the construction site for construction-related operations only.

Limited use of premises to areas within the Contract indicated in the specifications. Do not disturb portions of the project site beyond areas in which the work is indicated. Contractor will prevent damage to natural surroundings. Damage to natural surroundings will be restored through NPS-approved methods for repairing or replanting, at no additional cost to the government.

12. MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS:

Contractor, sub-contractor, and material supplier employees (altogether referred to as “contractor employees” in paragraphs 12, 13, 21 and 23) operating motor vehicles shall possess a valid driver's license. Permits, licenses, registrations and proof of insurance documents shall be always maintained in all contractor employee vehicles and made available upon request. Contractor employees shall always comply with federal vehicle motor laws requiring seat belts be worn.

Contractor employees shall adhere to the posted speed limits. Contractor employees are expected to comply with all BISO regulations.

13. EMPLOYEES BADGES/PARKING:

All contractor employees shall comply with parking procedures published for BISO. Contractor employees shall return any BISO issued personal or vehicle identification badges immediately upon termination of employment or completion of this contract.

14. NON-PAYMENT FOR ADDITIONAL WORK:

Any additional contractor performed services not specified in contract, either at its own volition or at the request of an individual other than the appointed Contracting Officer, except as may be explicitly authorized in the contract, shall be performed at the financial risk of the Contractor.

Only the appointed Contracting Officer is authorized to bind the Government to a change in specifications, contract terms, or conditions.

15. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The contractor shall not employ off-duty COR’s or other government employees if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in conflict-of-interest directives.

16. INSPECTION:

The Government will conduct inspections throughout and upon completion of work.

Work shall be considered complete when:

• Corridor meets 45-foot horizontal and 20-foot vertical clearance

• Hazard trees within 50-foot zone are mitigated as approved

• Stumps meet 3-inch maximum height

• Debris is properly disposed

Deficiencies shall be corrected at no additional cost to the Government.

17. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR

INFORMATION:

NONE

18. SECURITY:

Replacement of Contractor Employee for Security Reasons: The Government retains the right to remove contractor employees from park property for security reasons, regardless of prior clearances.

19. TRAVEL:

Contractor is encouraged to make a site visit prior to bidding on the project.

20. FOOD STORAGE GUIDELINES:

All Contractor employees shall comply with BISO food storage guidelines. All food items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or in a food storage locker and must never be left unattended.

"Food" includes any item with a scent, regardless of packaging. This may include items that you do not consider food, such as canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests (even when empty), and unwashed items used for preparing or eating meals. Food shall be disposed of in a designated bear proof refuse container provided by the National Park Service.

21. PROJECT PERSONNEL:

Project Management Branch Chief: Steve Wilmot

Phone: (423)569-7360

Email: stephen_wilmot@nps.gov

Roads and Trails Branch Chief: Chris Carson

Phone: (423)569-7332

Email: chris_carson@nps.gov mailto:stephen_wilmot@nps.gov