A04 Fence Scope of Work_Quivira_2020_7-10-20.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

1434 NE 80th Street, Stafford KS 67578

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION STATEMENT

Statement of Need: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages a variety of habitats using strategies, such as grazing, to support native ecological communities (plants and wildlife). The Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) has identified a need to create larger paddocks, reduce electric fence infrastructure, and increase permanent fence in strategic locations to increase the efficiency of grazing operations and reduce habitat fragmentation. This project will incorporate new fence lines adjacent to roads that are easier to maintain and that better align with the Refuge’s Management Unit boundaries. This project will also incorporate a more “wildlife friendly” fence design.

Fence line Rehabilitation Contractor shall furnish all labor, services, equipment, specified materials, and perform all work in connection with the construction of 13,497 ln ft. of four-strand wildlife friendly fence along priority fence map sections A, B, C, D, and F. The contractor shall also provide line item bid estimates for the construction of fence section options E, G1, G2, H, I, and I (Alt). Fence options E, G1, G2, H, I, and I (Alt) could be offered as additional contract work if extra funding becomes available. Line item fence section bids are required to help itemize and break down costs provided during the bid process, and allows invoicing and partial payments during the construction period as needed. All fence rehabilitation will be done in accordance with specific guidance, photos, drawings, general fencing specifications, and maps (See Attachment 1. Refuge Boundary Map & Individual Fence Maps). It is strongly suggested for vendors to plan a site visit (visualize scope of project, ground conditions, etc.)

prior to submitting for the project. Site conditions can be extremely wet during certain seasons of the year depending on annual rainfall and groundwater flow.

Identification of Fence Line Construction – Section Name, Length (see individual map locations) Map

Section Linear Feet / Miles Remove existing fence

(Yes/No) New or

Rehabilitate Existing

A 1298 / 0.25 No New B 1589 / 0.30 Yes – remove electric New C 2659 / 0.5 No New D 2845 / 0.54 Yes – remove electric New E 2517 / 0.48 Yes - remove barbed wire New F 5106 / 0.97 Yes – remove barbed wire New G1 Yes - remove barbed wire New

Yes - remove barbed wire New H Yes - remove barbed wire New

No New

Start and End Date:

Work can begin once a contract has been awarded, and a “notice to proceed” has been approved by the Contracting Officer. All work must be completed by May 01, 2021.

G2

I

2288 / 0.43 10522 / 1.99 4418 / 0.84 5161 / 0.98

No NewI - alternate 8246 / 1.56

The Government Will Provide:

All pipe gates required for new construction or rehabilitated fence sections.

The Contractor Will Provide All Materials to include:

6.5 foot length steel T-posts; Heavy gauge 1.33 lbs./ft.

12 ½ gauge barbed wire (2 point, regular).

12 ½ gauge smooth or barbless wire (top wire requirement)

9 1/2 gauge, 48 inch galvanized spiral fence stays

Standard T-post wire fasteners.

Metal pipe corner/line posts for braces, corners, stretch stations, and in-line stretch stations.

Welded wire panels (water gap panels)

Bags of Quickcrete concrete mix as needed.

In General

Existing fences (barbed and electric) will be removed and rebuilt in and around interior and exterior boundary lines of the Refuge. The habitat is predominantly tall-grass prairie intermixed with a combination of wetland and woodland tree lots, and is subject to extremely wet conditions during the fall and spring seasons. Fencing work shall occur as long as conditions permit vehicle and equipment use along most of the fence construction line.

Cutting of trees and mowing brush will be required by the contractor to remove existing fence, and prepare for installation of new fence. Contract extension may be needed if climate conditions are unsuitable during portions of the contract period. Documentation of weather/ground condition during the period of performance will be noted if an extension in the contract is requested.

The fence line construction sites are located at various locations around the Refuge. The contractor will be issued keys if access is needed to gated areas where fence line construction will occur. A map of the Refuge, and site specific locations of each fence line are provided in the Appendix of this scope of work.

Fence line inspections will occur during, and at the end of each fence line project by the refuge manager or his representative.

The contractor can adjust work hours during the weekdays or weekends, as long as prior coordination is made with the refuge manager. Certain areas of fence rehabilitation are within hunting, grazing, and farming sections of the refuge, and timing may need to be adjusted to avoid conflicts with other users.

The contractor shall construct all fence lines in accordance with the following guidance, specifications, and photo examples.

The contractor will be in charge of collecting and staging all demolished and removed fencing materials at a location easily accessible by refuge staff. The materials will be picked up and disposed of by the government.

Construction and Rehabilitation in General:

Section 1 – Fence Specification The following specifications are modified recommendations provided by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s guide to wildlife friendly fences titled “A Landowners Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences: How to Build Fence with Wildlife in Mind”.

1. Fence being installed will be a 4-strand wire fence of no more than 42 inches in height. The spacing between the top wire, and second wire (2nd from the top) will be at least 12” apart. The spacing from the ground to the bottom wire will be at least 16”.

2. The top strand will be made of smooth wire and the bottom three strands will be made of barbed-wire.

3. Corner-posts, h-braces, and posts will be made of iron pipe and shall be capped to prevent damage from weather in the winter.

4. Spacing Between each T-post will be approximately 20’ with one fence stay in between. Pipe posts will be spaced approximately every 80’

Section 2 – Fence Corner Specification Corner Construction: Install as indicated in photo provided, the task order, and as directed by the station.

• 3 posts, ends are 2 7/8" pipe and center is a larger 3" pipe

• horizontal pipes are 2 7/8" pipe

• Spacing between posts: 88"

• Small steel diagonal bar

• Pipes are capped

Section 3 – Wire and Panel Gate Specification Gate construction shall be as indicated in photos, exhibits, and drawing specifications provided. The specific gate locations will be staked by the government, and provided on individual maps. All gates will vary, depending on the location and type, and are indicated on fence maps. Gate widths are determined by Refuge, and indicated on fence maps.

• H-bracing will be required on both sides of the gate, and constructed of 2 7/8” pipe.

Section 4 – H-Brace Panel Specification.

H-brace construction shall be as indicated in photos, exhibits, and drawing specifications provided.

• 2 vertical posts are 2 7/8"

• In between are two horizontal 2 7/8" posts

• Spacing between posts: 88"

• small steel diagonal bar for support

Section 5 – Spacing Specification.

Spacing of t-posts, line posts, and H-brace sections shall be as indicated in photos, exhibits, and drawing specifications provided.

• H-Brace to H-Brace to be 1/4 mile (1320 ln. ft.)

• Line post to line post spacing is 80 ln. ft.

• In between the two line posts you will have 3 t-posts each at 20 ft. apart

• Line posts may not deviate more than 6 inches on line spacing.

• All posts may not deviate more than 1 inch from plumb or specified height above the ground.

• Wire spacing may not deviate more than 1 inch from what is specified.

• The center of no post shall be more than 1 ½ inches out of alignment between quarter mile stakes established by the preexisting fence line.

Section 6 – Protection

• All permanent property corner and line monuments shall be protected.

Section 7 – Installation Specification

• Properly locate and erect posts along fence lines.

• Excavation and Backfilling - Carry all excavations to required depths regardless of the nature of materials encountered. Post holes, cylindrical in shape and plumb with centers in true alignment with bottoms flat. Set post in center of holes. Deposit of backfill, carefully tamp in layers a maximum of 1-foot thickness. Restore surfaces to existing grade after mounding, tamping, and smoothing off. Dispose of excess waste excavation shall be by scattering and smoothing the ground surface.

• Wire Placement - Align posts so that new wire for boundary fence can be placed on the boundary line with posts inside. Place wire for interior fence on side of posts facing livestock.

• Stretching - Stretch by hand or use suitable equipment to ensure wire will be taut. Use of trucks and tractors for stretching will not be permitted. Power stretching will not be allowed on line fence.

• Splicing. Use wrap or telephone-type splice using at least five complete turns in each direction. Do not pull wire around corners. Cut, loop around post, wrap and secure.

• Install tie downs and anchors where required in depressed areas and in accordance drawings.

Please contact Joseluis “Louie” Ocaranza for technical guidance on fence construction, refuge access, or other general questions (620-410-4018).

Appendix 1. Appropriate Fence Construction Examples

• Fence Corner

• Wire Gate

• Panel/Pipe Gate

• Water Gap