A04-SOW_1.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

RIO GRANDE NATURAL AREA FENCE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION

CONEJOS COUNTY, COLORADO

OBJECTIVE:

The Rio Grande Natural Area, located in the BLM San Luis Valley Field Office, encompasses 22 miles of the Rio Grande to the New Mexico State line. Current fencing along the Rio Grande is

12.25 miles, all on the west side of the river and mostly within the river corridor. The fence serves as the boundary for the multiple grazing allotments located along the Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley Field Office approximately 15 miles North of the New Mexico line. Twelve point four miles of most recent bob wire/wildlife friendly fence was reconstructed and constructed in 2021, however, due to a lack of funding 1/4 mile of the fence was not constructed thus warranting this SOW.

The fence is intended to prevent unauthorized livestock and estray animals from accessing the upland permitted grazing allotments/BLM on the West side of the river corridor. The fencing also allows for public recreation access. This new 1/4 mile of fence will follow BLM Standard (wildlife-friendly) Fencing Standards and Specifications to ensure wildlife movement across the corridor and uplands. The current fence serves as an allotment boundary for permitted livestock grazing on the La Sauces allotment.

The work to be performed consists of providing labor and materials to construct 1/4 mile of new fence located approximately 1 mile south of the La Sauces Cemetery along the Rio Grande in the upper flood plain on the West side of the river. It also includes some maintenance to approximately 1 mile of existing fence in the same area. Due to the highwater probability, 8’ X 6” treated wood post and metal 8’ steel t-posts 12 ft. apart and a wood post will be required to needed to construct and solidify the proposed fence due to spring high water. Some brush clearing will be necessary to allow for straight runs. Equipment such as a skid steer can be used with minimal resource damage to help dig the holes (recommended 3’ deep) where accessible. A saw line is some areas may be necessary as well. Wood 4-foot wood stays are recommended between steel or periodic wood post. H braces may be required for anything beyond a slight direction change.

Maintenance will include replacing wire stays with wood stays as needed, redriving t post, and mending and stretching the current wires where cut or broke. This existing fence is two years old.

SITE TOUR:

All contractors are to visit the site and verify the size, location, condition, and equipment needed before submitting bid/proposal. The contractor or an appointee must attend the mandatory contractor tour to bid. Please contact Dario Archuleta for notification of your attendance at office number: 719-852-8141 or cell phone: 719-849-8186.

Site Tour Date & Time:

Date: August/23/2024 Time: 10:00 a.m.

Meeting Location: 142 Bridge East of Manassa on Highway 142. Go until you reach the Rio Grande at the Conejos and Costilla County lines.

GENERAL:

The contractor will supply all material, labor and tools associated with the construction of 1/4 mile of new four strand smooth/barbed wire fence. With minimal resource damage occurring and approval from the field office, a skid steer may be used to auger holes or drive t posts.

Topography is flat to mostly moderate with a mixture of deep and shallow soils and some areas may consist of rock. Vegetation consists of sagebrush, rabbit brush, and grasses. Contractor may be required to clear vegetation 3ft on both sides from center of new fence where necessary.

FENCE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS:

H & W (Hutchison brand) 12.5-gauge wire or similar is a necessity for this project.

Contractor will construct fence to specifications for BLM standard barbed wire fences:

Wire Locations from top to bottom:

42 inches from ground level 28 inches from ground level 22 inches from ground level 16 inches from ground level

Top wire will not exceed 42 inches from ground level.

Bottom and top wires will be smooth barbless wire and middle two strands are barbed.

Line post spacing 16 Ft 6 in and set depth to top of t-post spade.

Stay Spacing: 5 Ft 6 in and 2 wood stays per panel (lodge pole)

VEGETATION CLEARING FOR NEW FENCE CONSTRUCTION:

Contractor may clear vegetation to the 3ft width from fence center line on both sides of the fence to allow for fence construction and maintenance where necessary. Vegetation clearing will be limited to using chainsaws and/or pruning tools. Vegetation slash will be lopped and scattered.

Dozer lines or mechanical soil scraping is prohibited.

FENCE REMOVAL:

Contractor will remove and dispose of trash, wire and excess material associated with the project.

FENCE CONSTRUCTION ACCESS:

Access to project area is located on BLM-managed Public Lands. Contractor may use motorized equipment where feasible along fence line including vehicle, UTV and ATV use only with minimal resource damage and approval from the office. Any new routes created will be brushed in upon completion of the project.

CONTRACT TIMEFRAME / ACCEPTANCE:

Work may begin after August 30, 2024, with an expected completion date of Oct 30, 2024 If an extension is needed to complete within the time allotted, the Contractor must submit for an extension within 15 days prior to performance period end date. The request must be approved/accepted by the Contracting Officer & the Project Manager.

Project Manager: Dario Archuleta, Assistant Field Manager Office/Cell #: 719-852-8141/719-849-8186 Email: darchule@blm.gov

COR: Sean Noonan, snoonan@blm.gov

Contracting Officer: Chau Nguyen

Office: 303-239-3678 Email: cnguyen@blm.gov

Contractor will be paid upon satisfactory completion/acceptance of the project.

mailto:darchule@blm.gov