A04_SOW.docx

Brush Mowing of Woody Vegetation on 125 acres at Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Statement of Work Exhibit A

Project: Removal of Trees and Woody Vegetation on 125 acres Location: Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge – Four Square Mile Unit Project Performance Period: October 30, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Bids and Site Visit All bids are to be submitted on a “PER ACRE" unit-price basis, a bid for each project area and a combined bid. If the Contractor would like a site visit prior to submitting a bid for this Project, please contact Ben Walker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 218-230-5563, benjamin_walker@fws.gov).

Location The Project Areas are located in Section 23 of Grove Park – Tilden Township within Polk County, MN (see attached map).

Project Information Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is seeking a contract to reduce the woody vegetation cover on select management units located 6 miles west of Mentor, MN. The results from this treatment will promote a higher-quality and more diverse tallgrass prairie habitat which will benefit a suite of wildlife species for years to come.

Description of Work This is a non-personnel services contract order for the reduction of standing dead and live trees and woody vegetation on 125 acres within the NWR boundary. The objective of this Contract will be for the Contractor to mechanically cut or chip standing woody vegetation utilizing heavy equipment with rotary mowers or mulching/chipping. The standing woody vegetation ranges in size from 1” DBH or smaller up to an estimated 3” DBH, with potentially some larger DBH shrubs/trees. Maps containing details about the project areas for the project are attached below and Shapefiles can be provided, if requested. It is highly recommended that the Contractor visit the site prior to bidding.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personnel services necessary to perform the requirements of this Contract and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of the Contract.

The land is located in Section 23 of Grove Park – Tilden Township within Polk County, MN. Brush mowing will only be applied to land which are currently owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The performance dates for this contract are from October 30, 2023, through December 15, 2023 and this is a firm-fixed price commercial contract.

Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon Statement of Work. Method of treatment will be by via heavy equipment/tractors that are capable of mowing brush and trees with minimal impacts to the soil substrate. Rotary mowers, rotary drum mulchers/forestry cutters, and chipping machines are the preferred equipment for the woody vegetation contained within the polygons. All trees and woody vegetation must be mowed within the polygons identified on the map. If the Contractor’s preferred equipment differs from above, please contact the Project Manager for approval prior to submitting a bid. The Contractor must comply with all EPA, FAA, OSHA, and other Federal, State and Local Government statutes and regulations while performing the services stated in this Statement of Work. The Contractor shall have and provide the Project Manager with a safety/spill response plan. Care should be taken to avoid soil disturbance or erosion. If soil disturbance occurs, the Contractor will take actions to correct the disturbance.

The Contractor will provide the Project Manager with contact information for all personnel and information about vehicles and equipment to be used or parked at sites. All Contractor personnel involved in performing this Contract, as well as the equipment used, will be appropriately licensed and certified for the work to be done as stated in this Statement of Work.

The Contractor is responsible for the repair or replacement of any faulty or sub-standard equipment during the course of the Contract. The Contractor will notify the Project Manager within 48 hours of discovery of necessary repair or replacement during the course of the woody vegetation mowing/mulching Contract. The payment will only be made for actual acres treated which are agreed upon between the Contractor and the Project Manager prior to commencement of mowing/mulching operations. All 125 acres must be treated before payment for services is made.

The Contractor shall be responsible for collecting the following data for the Project Manager: operation start and end dates, location (longitude & latitude or UTM), number of acres treated, equipment used, and hours worked.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

1. General - The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals needed to perform the work.

2. The Contractor must possess any/all required state and federal licenses applicable to this job.

3. Provide equipment with mowing and mulching attachments, operators, fuel and all other staff and associated supplies needed to complete the Project.

4. Mow or mulch all standing and fallen trees and woody vegetation identified in the Project Areas.

5. All cut material; including tops and branches, greater than 2 inches in diameter and 1 foot in length, shall be mowed or chipped.

6. All brush must be mowed as low as possible

7. Equipment Maintenance: Throughout the period of performance, machines used to accomplish this Contract shall be maintained in good and safe working order and shall be free of fluid leaks in order to protect the Refuge environment. All equipment shall be cleaned prior to operation on federal lands (all dirt, grease, and plant parts shall be removed, to minimize risks of contamination of the Refuge).

Safety

· At all times, the Contractor will ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment. All equipment & personnel provided under this project shall meet and comply with all Federal, State, and occupational safety & health administration (OSHA) regulations.

· The Contractor agrees to abide by all local standards, protocols, instructions and briefings related to access the various sites. Any accident or injury resulting from the Contractor's actions will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

Contractor Safety and Experience

· Contractor and all employees assisting will have an excellent safety record.

· At all times, the Contractor will ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment.

· Contractor will be fully insured and willing provide proof of insurance if requested.

Project Manager:

Ben Walker Glacial Ridge NWR 17788 349th St SE Erskine, MN 56535 Benjamin_walker@fws.gov Cell: (218)-230-5563 image1.jpeg