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Limestone Lop and Scatter Performance Work Statement Page 1 of 8

Manual Fuels Reduction – Limestone Lop & Scatter

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 lop and scatter 1,500 acres of pinyon and/or juniper trees. Trees to be lopped and scattered are live and standing dead pinyon and juniper trees. Leave areas and boundaries may be altered prior to implementation of the project to mitigate sensitive resource concerns.

The project area is located in Lincoln County, State of Nevada. The project is located approximately 50 miles northeast of Pioche, Nevada along the western side of the Limestone Hills in the southern end of South Spring

Valley on lands administered by the BLM Ely District (Map 1). The area is typical great basin sagebrush communities with pinyon, juniper, and brush. Access to the project is off U.S. Highway 93, onto the Atlanta

Road into South Spring Valley, then jeep trails to and around the project area (Map 1). U.S. Highway 93 is a paved highway, the Atlanta Road is a well-maintained dirt road, and the jeep trails are well traveled dirt roads.

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 and ATVs/UTVs 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 7 North, Range 68 East, Sections 1, 12, and 13 Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian

Township 7 North, Range 69 East, Sections 6, 7, 18, and 19-21 Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian

Township 8 North, Range 68 East, Section 25 and 36 Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian

Township 8 North, Range 69 East, Sections 30 and 31 Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian

The treatment area boundaries will be outlined on maps and shapefiles provided by the Government. The

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

Positioning System (GPS) unit. The contractor may flag the boundaries of the 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 trees to be left by unit, and the timing stipulations (see Section C).

B. Specifications

This lop and scatter treatment has been split up into two phases to increase the efficiency at accomplishing the quality control standards. The quality control standards have not changed from previous lop and scatter treatments conducted within the Ely District.

i. Phase I

All live and standing dead Pinyon and Juniper trees within the treatment unit (Map 2 & 3) will be lopped and scattered utilizing handheld tools (i.e., loppers or chainsaws) regardless of the height

Limestone Lop and Scatter Performance Work Statement Page 2 of 8 of the tree. Lop and scatter will be conducted within the treatment unit specified by the shapefiles and attached maps (2 & 3). 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). Slash shall be scattered with a maximum height of 30 inches above ground level. Stumps will be cut where there are no living branches, bark or other parts of the tree left attached. The treatment unit contains young trees (less than 2 feet in height) growing within it, all of these trees must be lopped and scattered.

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. Completion of Phase I will allow for invoicing of 80% of the total bid.

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

Line

Item

Treatment Description

Total Acres

010 Lop and Scatter (2 Phase) 1,500

` ii. Phase II

Phase II will include using handheld tools (i.e., loppers or chainsaw) to cut all remaining live

Pinyon and Juniper trees/stems left within the treatment unit (Maps 2 & 3). The performance period for this treatment will occur several months after phase I is complete, and after material that was severed in Phase I has turned color, making live trees/stems easier to identify. Any boles or slash not meeting the height requirements will be cut. All Pinyon and Juniper within the treatment unit will be cut regardless of the height of the tree. The treatment unit has young trees

(less than 2 feet in height) growing within it. All of these trees must be lopped and scattered.

A requirement of no more than one live stem per acre remaining after treatment will be adhered

to. If inspections indicate the quality of the work does not meet this standard the unit will be reworked. Standard will be randomly sampled during inspections by the government representative via a transect and communicated to the contractor point of contact. The sampled areas may involve portions of a unit and not the entire unit and will be at the discretion of the government representative. A minimum sample size of 3% will be adhered to however a sample size of 5% or more will be the goal.

Contractors are to submit a single bid for each line item on a per acre basis as described in Table

1 using the table in Attachment 1. Completion of Phase II will allow for invoicing of the remaining 20% of the bid price.

C. Environmental Considerations

The project site shall be cleaned up, and all refuse removed to an approved landfill at the Contractor’s expense.

The Contractor shall not disturb lands adjacent to the project site. Existing access roads and trails within the project area 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. 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.

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Due to wildlife restrictions, work may not occur between March 1st and July 15th. This timing restriction shall be built into the proposal. No extensions to the performance period will be granted due to these timing restrictions.

D. Work Camp

Camping will be allowed during project implementation only at sites approved by BLM in advance. 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) as each phase is completed. Completion of Phase I will allow for invoicing of 80% of the total bid for that line item.

Completion of Phase II will allow for invoicing of the remaining 20% of the bid price for that respective line item. 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

Lop and Scatter 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.

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I. Equipment Maintenance and Repairs

The Contractor is responsible for all maintenance and repairs of Contractor furnished equipment and shall complete sufficient maintenance of the equipment to prevent down-time on the project sites. The Contractor is responsible for all maintenance measures to ensure proper functionality and for safety precautions.

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: July 16, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Completion of Phase I for the treatment unit shall occur from July 16, 2024, through February 28, 2025, with completion of Phase II occurring from July 16, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Due to wildlife restrictions, work may not occur between March 1st and July 15th. Also, weather conditions (i.e., snow) could make the treatment unit inaccessible generally from December through February.

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. If inclement weather conditions should occur prior to the Contractor completing the project, the Contractor shall be issued a stop work order and the project shall be completed as soon as weather conditions permit.

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ATTACHMENT 1

Standard Bid Table

Contract

Line Item Treatment Unit Treatment Method

Total

Acres Bid Price

010 Limestone Lop & Scatter 1,500