A04_SOW.pdf

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2024 Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement B021

Lop and Scatter Projects

Performance Work Statement

A. Project Area Description and Location

The contractor is responsible for furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies and materials to lop and scatter 4,000 acres of pinyon and/or juniper trees in two treatment units (Table 1, Map 1).

This project will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will be the lop and scatter of all trees within the treatment units. The second phase will consist of quality control cutting to ensure all living stems are completely severed. Trees to be cut are pinyon and juniper trees that are regenerating and/or remaining within and adjacent to existing habitat improvement projects.

Table 1: Treatment Units and Acres.

Line

Item

Treatment Unit

Treatment Description

Total Acres

010 Free Well Lop and Scatter (2 Phase) 2,450

020 Gouge Eye Lop and Scatter (2 Phase) 1,550

The treatment units are located in Lincoln County, State of Nevada, approximately 45 to 50 miles north of

Pioche, Nevada or 60 to 65 miles south of Ely, Nevada in Lake Valley on lands administered by the BLM Ely

District (Map 1). The area is typical great basin sagebrush communities with pinyon, juniper, and brush scattered throughout the treatment units. The treatment units are accessed via US Highway 93, a paved highway, onto well-maintained dirt roads to the treatment units. It is advised that potential bidders become familiar with the access within the units.

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:

Free Well

Township 8 North, Range 65 East, Sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, and 28; MDM

Township 9 North, Range 65 East, Sections 33; MDM

Gouge Eye

Township 8 North, Range 66 East, Sections 1, 2, 12, and 13; MDM

Township 8 North, Range 67 East, Sections 6, 7, and 18; MDM

The treatment unit boundaries 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 boundaries by utilizing a Global

Positioning System (GPS) unit. The contractor may flag the boundaries of the units 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.

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B. Specifications

a. Lop and Scatter

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 Pinyon and Juniper within the treatment units will be lopped and scattered regardless of the height of the tree. Lop and scatter will be conducted within the treatment units specified by the shapefiles and attached maps (2-5). 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 units have young trees (less than 2 feet in height) growing within them. All of these trees must be lopped and scattered.

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

2 using the table in Attachment 1. Completion of Phase I will allow for invoicing of 80% of the total bid for that respective line item.

Table 2 – Table of treatment units by line item, treatment units, and size.

` ii. Phase II

Phase II will include using hand tools such as loppers or chainsaws to cut all remaining live stems left within all of the treatment unit. 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 stems easier to identify. Any boles or slash not meeting the height requirements will be cut. All Pinyon and Juniper within the units will be cut regardless of the height of the tree. Some units have young trees (less than 2 feet in height) growing. All of these trees must be removed.

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.

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

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

Table 3 – Table of treatment units by line item, treatment units, and size.

C. Environmental Considerations

The treatment units 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 treatment units. Existing access roads and trails within the treatment units 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.

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.

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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 each treatment unit (Table 1) as each phase is completed within that unit. Completion of Phase I within a treatment unit will allow for invoicing of 80% of the total bid for that respective line item. Completion of Phase II within a treatment unit 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.

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 units.

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 units 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 Free Well Lop and Scatter (2

Phase) 2,450

020 Gouge Eye Lop and Scatter (2

Phase)

1,550

Note: Does not Depict Current Tree Density