A04_SOW.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge 10728 County Road X-61

Wapello, IA 52653

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding Opportunity: Woody Encroachment and Access Treatments within the Rocky Road Sub-unit of the Horseshoe Bend Division of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

Point of Contact:

Ron Knopik Acting Refuge Manager, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge 10728 County Road X-61, Wapello, IA 52653 309.791.2863 Ron_knopik@fws.gov

Resource Goals and Objectives:

1. Horseshoe Bend Habitat Management Plan (2008)

a. As described in the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge Fire Management Plan: Use prescribed fire where appropriate to accomplish resource management objectives (Goal) and maintain and enhance grasslands by retarding the invasion of woody species and noxious weeds (Objective). (Chapter 1, Page 5)

b. “To accommodate both grassland /wet meadow species and early successional willow-cottonwood species on the Division, management will emphasize elimination of tree encroachment to the greatest degree feasible within the existing large tracts of grassland/ wet meadow habitat.” (Chapter 3, Page 100).

c.“…To achieve this overall goal, the habitat should consist of large, contiguous patches of intermixed grasslands and wet meadows containing diverse native prairie and sedge meadow communities…” (Chapter 4, Page 1)

2. Mark Twain NWR Complex, Comprehensive Conservation Plan

a. Maintain 807 acres of native grasslands on the Horseshoe Bend Unit of Port Louisa through mowing, prescribed fire, possible grazing, etc. (Strategy 3.A.1, Page 129)

Project Description:

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, Iowa has identified a project to return existing habitats to a preferred grassland condition following years absent prescribed fire and mechanical treatments due to persistent flooding and the inability to access the site with equipment. This BIL project will also enable upgrades to firebreaks and improved access to Division sub-units for personnel engaged in prescribed burning activities and wildfire suppression efforts on refuge lands. The project consists of mulching and grinding undesirable trees up to 6” dbh to ground level within the Rocky Road Unit of Horseshoe Bend. At project completion, only residual mulch and pre-marked trees for preservation will remain.

Contract Period: Treatments will occur between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

mailto:Jennifer_froehly@fws.gov

Background and Project Area:

The treatment areas lie within the 900-acre Rocky Road sub-unit of the Horseshoe Bend Division of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. The Division is located within the Iowa River floodplain approximately 4 miles upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi River (see Figure 1). The area is accessed via F Avenue, utilizing a temporary crossing over Diggins Slough. Additional information is included in the Scope of Work, Project Regulations, and Special Conditions.

Scope of Work: Types of Woody Encroachment Condition Requiring Treatment (see Figure 2 for locations and sizes of the treatment types)

Line Item 010 – Tier I: Small Diameter (.5”-2”) Trees and Shrubs: Mow/Grind to ground level all un-marked (blue paint and/or flagging) trees and shrubs within the Rocky Road Unit as described and illustrated on the project area map. All un-marked trees and brush <2” dbh will receive treatment resulting in a mulch as a by-product. Disturbance of soil outside the designated project area at or below the natural existing grade will not be allowed. See Figure 3 for examples of Tier I trees and shrubs on the Rocky Road Unit.

Line Item 020 – Tier II: Medium Diameter (2”-4”) Trees and Shrubs: Mow/Grind to ground level all un-marked (blue paint and/or flagging) trees and shrubs within the Rocky Road Unit as described and illustrated on the project area map. All un-marked trees and brush measuring 2”-4” dbh will receive treatment resulting in a mulch, brush, or slash as a by-product.

Any timber slash that results will be piled within the interior of the burn unit a minimum of 50’ if it is clear of living canopy trees or as designated by refuge official. Piles should be compacted to facilitate burning. All stumps resulting from harvested trees within the treatment areas will be flush cut to ground level. Disturbance of soil outside the designated project area at or below the natural existing grade will not be allowed. See Figure 4 for examples of Tier II trees and shrubs on the Rocky Road Unit.

Line Item 030 Tier III: Large Diameter (3”-6”) Trees and Shrubs: Mow/Grind to ground level all un-marked (blue paint and/or flagging) trees and shrubs within the Rocky Road Unit as described and illustrated on the project area map. All un-marked trees and brush measuring 3”-6” dbh will receive treatment resulting in a mulch, brush, slash, or stumps as a by-product.

Any timber slash that results will be piled within the interior of the burn unit a minimum of 50’ if it is clear of living canopy trees or as designated by refuge official. Piles should be compacted to facilitate burning. All stumps resulting from harvested trees within the treatment areas will be flush cut to ground level. Disturbance of soil outside the designated project area at or below the natural existing grade will not be allowed. See Figure 5 for examples of Tier III trees and shrubs on the Rocky Road Unit.

Bid Considerations:

1. Bids are requested in the following format:

• Per/Acre cost for the treatment of Tier I: Small Diameter Trees and Shrubs

• Per/Acre cost for the treatment of Tier II: Medium Diameter Trees and Shrubs

• Per/Acre cost for the treatment of Tier III: Large Diameter Trees and Shrubs

2. Depending on available budget, Refuge personnel will determine the number of treatment acres (by treatment type) to be completed by the selected contractor.

Project Regulations:

1. Cut trees and tops shall not be left hanging or supported by any other trees or brush.

2. All roads, rights-of-way, field accesses, and streams and ditches must be free of slash and damage. Cutoff blocks or any other kind of debris must be removed from any roadside mowing zones, parking lots or any other improved area.

3. The Refuge Manager shall have the authority to temporarily close down all or any part of the operation during a period of high fire danger, inclement weather, safety reasons or any other reason deemed necessary.

4. Contractor must comply with applicable State and/or Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and carry Workman's Compensation Insurance if required. Proof of insurance may be requested by the Contracting Officer at time of award.

5. Contractor shall not possess firearms/alcoholic beverages on Refuge lands.

6. Contractor (and employees) will only travel designated routes to and from the sites.

7. Only the Contractor and his/her designated employees are permitted on the work site.

Violation of these regulations or any other State, Federal or Refuge regulations may be cause for immediate termination and/or possible charges against the Contractor or employee.

Special Conditions:

1. Each treatment area of the project has specific details for work to be designated Complete.

See "Types of Woody Encroachment Condition Requiring Treatment" for details.

2. Trees, Slash, Brush and Stumps: Contractor may take all un-marked trees, stumps, brush & slash within project boundaries and remove them from refuge property but is not required.

All trees, stumps, brush & slash that remain must be moved within the burn unit a minimum of 50’ from any firebreak or road.

3. Invasive Plant Control: Prior to entering Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, all equipment will be washed by vendor and inspected by Refuge personnel to minimize transmission of invasive plants. Haul tractors and trailers are excluded from this requirement. If equipment is removed before the completion of the contract, and returned, another inspection must take place prior to the equipment returning to the work site.

4. Road Conditions - All county and refuge roads must be maintained in their current condition. Excess damage to the roads caused by Contractor equipment will be restored at the vendor’s expense. All roads used for hauling should be kept in good driving condition.

Seasonal weight restrictions on county roads will be adhered to according to the specifications of the road supervisor. The Contractor must obtain any permits needed for hauling on county roads.

5. Haul Routes/Decking Areas – The contractor will only use current identified access roads, haul routes and decking areas.

Liability:

The Refuge and the United States Government assume no liability from the Contractor's performance of the contract work. The Contractor shall hold and save the Refuge and the United States Government harmless from all liability to others arising from the performance of the contract. The Contractor is responsible for all damages to persons and property resulting from performance of the contract work. There are a host of hazards associated with heavy equipment operation and Contractors are responsible for taking steps to mitigate them.

Pre-Work Meeting:

A pre-work meeting (in person or virtual) with Ron Knopik, or his designate, is required to review contract details prior to the start of work. A site visit to treatment areas can be arranged upon request.

Contractor Performance:

All agreed-upon treatments (by type and acreage) must be completed by contractor without exception. Contractor’s failure to perform treatments due to to inadequate equipment and/or personnel and adverse weather is not acceptable. Any inability to conduct treatments will need to be discussed with the contracting officer and refuge point of contact in advance of the contract period deadline as threatened and endangered species considerations severely limit times of potential disturbance.

Invoicing:

Invoicing occurs on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). You can register your company at www.ipp.gov. Contractors may submit one invoice when 50% of the project funding has been reached and another at the conclusion of work. A draft invoice(s) must be supplied to the Refuge in advance of submittal and must be in the same pricing format as the bid. No other line items will be accepted. The Refuge will approve or request edits to the draft invoice within seven days. Once the draft invoice has been approved, final invoicing will be made through IPP.

www.ipp.gov

Figure 1. Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge Vicinity Map

Figure 2: Treatement Types, Locations, and Acreages

Figure 3: Examples of Tier I Trees and Shrubs of the Rocky Road Unit

Figure 4. Examples of Tier II Trees and Shrubs of the Rocky Road Unit

Figure 5. Examples of Tier III Trees and Shrubs of the Rocky Road Unit