A04_Scope_of_Work.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

2021 Tree Trimming at Zzyzx, CA

Mojave National Preserve

PART 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION

The intent of this project is for the contractor to trim mature athel trees (Tamarix aphylla) and remove accumulated dead vegetative material from Zzyzx Road and Day Use area in the Mojave National Preserve. The area is near the entrance to the Desert Studies Center at an NPS day use area with a bathroom, parking lot, shade structure and interpretive panels. The day use area provides visitors with views of the Soda Dry Lake and the widely photographed Desert Studies Center. This will improve the visitor’s ability to view the Soda Dry Lake, restore the viewshed of the historic landscape, and increase the amount of accessible shade under the athel trees. The green waste will be loaded into dumpsters and hauled to a green waste facility.

1.1 DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

A. Up to 263 trees are to be trimmed so that they increase the amount of accessible shade under the trees and improve the overall viewshed. Trimming should involve removing a mix dead and live branches around the base and main trunk. Lower lateral branches not providing any accessible shade should be removed to encourage vertical growth. Make cuts flush with trunk or branch.

Trees are not to be flat topped. See Figure 2 for examples of how trees should be trimmed. Most, if not all, vegetation can be removed from ground level with chainsaw or pole saw.

B. Project has been divided into 9 Priority Areas. Table 1 contains a list of the number of trees in each Priority Area.

C. Priority #3 has a few large live lateral branches leaning in the road that must be removed. See

IMG-05.

D. Removed vegetation will be placed into dumpsters furnished by the contractor. Dumpsters will be legally disposed of by the contractor in a location outside of MNP.

E. All work must be completed outside of Migratory Bird Nesting Season (Feb 1st – Aug 15th)

1.2 LOCATION:

A. This project is located at the Desert Studies Center approximately 63 miles east of Barstow, CA, (or 6 miles west of Baker, CA) off interstate I-15, on Zzyzx Road within Mojave National Preserve. Facilities in Baker include restaurants, gas stations, motels, convenience stores, etc.

Nearest medical facilities are located in Barstow and Las Vegas. The closest public landfill that accepts green waste is located in Barstow. See map of project site and priority locations.

1.3 CONTRACTOR’S USE OF PREMISES:

A. Construction Camp: Establishment of a camp within the park will not be permitted.

B. The immediate work area will be closed to the public during tree trimming.

C. Contractor shall at all times conduct his operations to ensure the least inconvenience to the public.

Road closures will be permitted, when required, upon specific approval of Contracting Officer.

D. Confine storage of materials to a designated on-site storage area, located within 100 yards of the work-site.

E. Waste Disposal: The Contractor is fully responsible for containing all waste generated by the Work, removing all waste from the Project Site and the Park, and disposing of it in a legal manner outside of the park. No Government waste containers shall be used for collection or disposal of construction waste and/or trash resulting from the Work and/or Contractor’s personnel.

F. Preservation of Natural and Manmade Features: Confine all operations to work limits of the project area. Prevent damage to natural surroundings. Restore damaged areas at no additional expense to the Government.

1. Do not remove, injure, or destroy trees or other plants not identified for trimming without prior approval.

2. Carefully supervise construction operations near buildings or other trees to prevent damage.

G. Existing Utilities: Notify Contracting Officer and utility companies of proposed locations and times for excavation. (USA Locate).

1. Contractor shall be responsible for locating and preventing damage to known utilities. If damage occurs, repair utility at no additional expense to the Government. Contact the site manager (Jason Wallace) for information on utility locations.

2. If damage occurs to an unknown utility, repair utility. An equitable adjustment will be made in accordance with the Changes clause of the General Provisions.

3. Interruption of Existing Utility Service: There should not be any need to interrupt existing utilities. If there is a need, notify the Contracting Officer prior to interruption.

1 .4 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

A. Protection of Historic Resources: There are a number of historic objects within the project area, including historic curbing and rock walls. Extreme care must be taken to protect the historic resources from damage while performing the work.

B. Buildings adjacent to the worksite may be occupied by staff and students during the work period.

It will be necessary to schedule work that does not interfere with classroom activities.

C. The contractors work hours are between 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Fridays.

Weekend, Holiday work, or alternate schedules may be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer.

D. The Period of Performance will be 30 days from the Notice to Proceed.

1 .5 FIELD VERIFICATION & EXAMINATION OF SITE

A. All bidders are urged to visit the job site and examine existing conditions before submitting bids.

All bidders will be held to have the same knowledge concerning the site and the on ground conditions as if they had inspected the job site.

1 .6 CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

A. No construction materials will be Government furnished.

B. The Government will furnish restroom facilities.

C. All other materials shall be Contractor-furnished from outside the park.

PART 2 – DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall complete and submit the following deliverables in a timely fashion (as soon as feasible after award) to the NPS contacts listed below:

• Plan for approaching tree trimming: equipment used for each priority location, location of staging area and dumpster locations.

• Safety Plan

The following items shall be submitted upon completion of the project work:

• Details of work completed on which sites.

PART 3 – NPS ROLES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

• Contracting Officer; final authority on contractual matters: Jim Read, Contract Specialist Mojave National Preserve. (760) 252-6112. Jim_Read@nps.gov

• Contracting Officer’s Representative; field point of contact for logistics: Drew Kaiser, Vegetation Specialist, Mojave National Preserve. (760) 252-6106 and (760) 221-3590.

andrew_kaiser@nps.gov.

Figure 1 – Map of Project Area – Priority Areas are shown in red.

Figure 2. Examples of how trees should look after trimming

Table 1. Priority Area

Priority Area No. of Trees Picture Notes 1 37 IMG-01, IMG-02 Picnic Area 2 41 IMG-03, IMG-04 Proposed Picnic Area 3 12 IMG-05 Large live lateral branches 4 38 IMG-06 Along Zzyzx Rd.

5 31 Similar to IMG-06 6 32 Similar to IMG-06 7 35 Similar to IMG-06 8 11 Similar to IMG-06 9 26 Similar to IMG-06

Photos IMG-01 – Priority Area #1 – Picnic Site

IMG-02 – Priority Area #1

IMG-03 – Priority Area #2

IMG-04 – Priority Area #2

IMG-05 – Priority Area #3 – Large live lateral branch in old road.

IMG-06 – Priority Locations 4-9 (all look similar) – Trees along Zzyzx Rd.