A04_SOW.pdf

2023 Mt. Wilson WUI SOW Page 1 of 4

Manual Fuels Reduction – 2023 Mt. Wilson WUI Cut & Pile

Issuing Office: BLM Nevada State Office

Location: BLM Ely Field Office

Statement of Work

A. Project Area Description and Location

The contractor is responsible for furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and materials to cut and pile 159 acres of pinyon and/or juniper trees with a remaining density of generally 20 to 25 trees per acre (Map 1 & 2). Trees to be cut are live and standing dead pinyon and juniper trees.

The treatment unit is located in Lincoln County, State of Nevada, approximately 32 miles north of Pioche, Nevada. It occurs along the east side of the private property at the Mt. Wilson community on lands administered by the BLM Ely District. The area is the typical great basin pinyon and juniper community with moderate to dense pinyon and juniper trees and brush within the treatment unit. The treatment unit is accessed via the Mt. Wilson Road. Access to the Mt. Wilson Road is from US Highway 93. U.S. Highway 93 is a paved highway, and the Mt. Wilson Road is a well-maintained dirt road (Map 3). It is advised that potential bidders become familiar with the access within the unit.

Although the roads are in good condition, four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended due to the potential for unexpected inclement weather conditions. Overland travel with ATV’s/UTV’s may be authorized by the BLM.

The following legal land descriptions apply:

Township 4 North, Range 67 East, Sections 1; Mount Diablo Meridian

Township 5 North, Range 67 East, Sections 26 and 35; Mount Diablo Meridian

The treatment unit boundary will be outlined on a map and GIS shapefiles provided by the Government. The

Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that they are within treatment boundary by utilizing a Global

Positioning System (GPS) unit. The contractor may flag the boundary of the treatment unit at their discretion however, the contractor would be responsible for the removal of all flagging. Leave areas and boundaries may be altered prior to implementation of the project to mitigate sensitive resource concerns.

It is recommended that potential bidders become familiar with access to and within the site, the density of the trees to be cut and the timing stipulations.

B. Work Description

The goal of this project is to reduce the pinyon/juniper tree density to approximately 20-25 trees per acre within the treatment unit (Map 1 & 2). This would result in a tree being left approximately every 41 to 46 feet.

The priority for pinyon/juniper tree removal would be as follows:

1. Remove all standing dead and/or dying trees,

2. Remove all pinyon/juniper trees under six feet tall,

3. Remove the remaining live pinyon/juniper trees necessary to achieve the desired spacing and density.

This could potentially result in some areas of the treatment unit having a tree density less than 20-25 trees per acre.

2023 Mt. Wilson WUI SOW Page 2 of 4

Work specifications applicable are as follows:

1. Cut and pile all standing dead and/or dying pinyon/juniper trees within the treatment unit.

2. Cut and pile all pinyon/juniper trees under six feet tall.

3. Cut and pile remaining live pinyon/juniper trees after specifications 1 & 2 necessary to achieve the desired density (20-25 trees per acre) and spacing (41 to 46 feet) within the treatment unit.

4. It is acceptable after following work specifications 1, 2, & 3 if the remaining tree density falls below 20-

25 trees per acre. This potentially could occur on portions of the treatment unit.

5. Pinyon/juniper tree spacing should be measured from the outside edge of the tree canopy.

6. Boles shall be cut as close to the ground as possible with a target stump height of less than 6 inches

(90% or more of stumps cut) and a maximum height of 12 inches (not to exceed 10% of the stumps cut).

7. All the laying limbs, stems, cut boles, and other slash resulting from tree removal will be piled.

8. All piles shall be constructed by laying limbs, stems, cut boles, and other slash in the pile so as to be triangular in shape. Slash that causes large air spaces in piles shall be cut to eliminate air spaces.

9. Unless approved by the government representative, maximum pile size shall be approximately 10 feet in diameter by 8 feet in height, and minimum pile size shall be approximately 3 feet in diameter by 5 feet in height at the time of final inspection.

10. The contractor may flag the boundaries of the units at their discretion however, the contractor would be responsible for the removal of all flagging.

11. No trees or slash may be left on roads or fences.

12. Stumps will be cut where there are no living branches, bark or other parts of the tree left attached.

13. Project implementation can occur year-round. However, from March 15 to July 15 trees would be visually inspected for bird nests before being cut. If a bird nest is located in a tree, that tree would be avoided and not cut. The COR will be notified of the location(s) of any tree(s) avoided.

Contractors are to submit a single bid for the line item on a per acre basis as described in Table 1 using the table in Attachment 1.

Table 1 – Table of treatment unit by line item, treatment, and size.

Line

Item

Treatment Unit

Treatment Description

Total Acres

010 2023 Mt Wilson WUI Cut and Pile 159

C. Environmental Considerations

The treatment unit shall be cleaned up, and all refuse removed to an approved landfill at the Contractor’s expense. The Contractor shall not disturb public and private land lands adjacent to the treatment unit. Existing access roads and trails within the treatment unit that are damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the

Contractor’s expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. Stream channels, springs and other wet areas will be avoided by vehicles and heavy equipment.

Project implementation can occur year-round. However, from March 15 to July 15 trees would be visually inspected for bird nests before being cut. If a bird nest is located in a tree, that tree would be avoided and not cut. The COR will be notified of the location(s) of any tree(s) avoided.

Vehicles and other equipment used for implementation of the project shall be washed to remove any vegetation and potential noxious weed and invasive species parts prior to beginning the work and following completion of the work.

2023 Mt. Wilson WUI SOW Page 3 of 4

D. Work Camp

Camping will be allowed during project implementation only at sites approved by BLM in advance and not adjacent to the private land. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed. All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site by the contractor within fifteen days of camp abandonment. Final payment will be reserved subject to inspection of these sites by BLM and approval of site cleanup.

E. Pre-Work Conference

A pre-work conference will be held prior to the start of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of the meeting location, date, and time. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the required work, the project location, project specifications, the work schedule, payroll and payments and administrative provisions of the

Contract. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination of the work shall be present at the meeting. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project.

F. Progress Meetings

Meetings may be called by either the Contracting Officer or the Contractor. Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Contracting Officer.

G. Final Inspection

Final inspection for the project area shall be held at the project site or as otherwise mutually agreed by the

Government and the Contractor. The Contractor shall notify the Government representative at least two (2) working days before the completion date, so the Government can schedule a final inspection. Final payment of the contract will be held pending the completion of a satisfactory final inspection of all associated areas.

H. Measurement of Payment

Work will be measured and paid for by the number of acres within the treatment unit (Table 1). The total will be rounded up to the nearest whole acre. Area measurements required under this Contract will be measured on a horizontal plane.

Prices and payment will be full compensation for the work described in this section. Payment will be made under the following:

Pay Item Pay Unit

Cut and Pile Acre

The Contracting Officer or representative will make periodic inspections as a basis for progress payments and recommendations for adjustments in work quality. The Contractor or representative is encouraged to observe inspections at the time they are being made. Work performed according to the specifications will be considered acceptable for payment purposes.

I. Equipment Maintenance and Repairs

The Contractor is responsible for all maintenance and repairs of Contractor furnished equipment. The

Contractor shall complete sufficient maintenance of the equipment to prevent down-time on the treatment unit.

The Contractor is responsible for all maintenance measures to ensure proper functionality and for safety precautions.

2023 Mt. Wilson WUI SOW Page 4 of 4

Any fuels or oils stored on site must be stored in an approved container with an approved spill guard with berms.

J. Salvageable Items

Unsalvageable materials shall be removed from the work site by the Contractor.

K. Performance Schedule

Period of performance for this work is from contract award through September 30, 2024. The Contractor shall be required to start and complete the treatment area within the performance time identified above or as otherwise negotiated during the pre-work conference, provided weather conditions permit. Project implementation can occur year-round. However, from March 15 to July 15 trees would be visually inspected for bird nests before being cut. If a bird nest is located in a tree, that tree would be avoided and not cut.