A04_SOW_Final.docx

Removal of Trees and Woody Vegetation on 120.0 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 120.0 acres Location: Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge – Four Square Mile Unit & Crane Unit Project Performance Period: August 15, 2023-September 29, 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 Eric Mark (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 701.425.9080, eric_mark@fws.gov or Ben Walker at 218-230-5563, benjamin_walker@fws.gov.

Location The Project Areas are located in Section 26 of 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 120 acres within the NWR boundary. The objective of this Contract will be for the Contractor to mechanically cut and remove or to mechanically cut and pile the standing woody vegetation utilizing heavy equipment, chainsaws, shears, and mulching cutter attachments and chippers. The standing woody vegetation ranges in size from 1” DBH or smaller up to an estimated 25” DBH, with some larger DBH 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 26 of Tilden Township within Polk County, MN. Tree removal and 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 August 15 through September 30, 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 felling, hauling and/or skidding trees with minimal impacts to the soil substrate. Other equipment to consider is equipment that can de-branch, chip branches and remove whole branches or chipped branches from the site, excavator with a bucket thumb or a skidsteer with a grapple attachment and large-capacity truck. Rotary mowers, rotary drum mulchers/forestry cutters, and chipping machines are the preferred equipment for the smaller woody vegetation contained within the polygons. All trees and woody vegetation must be mowed or cut within the polygons identified on the map. Woody material may be piled into burn piles on FWS property if the specifications listed below are followed. The Contractor cannot set fire to any of the piles, burning of the piles is the responsibility of the FWS staff. 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 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/removal 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/removal operations. Contractors will be expected to stay on the project and complete work diligently unless weather is not safe or creates disturbance to ground. Payment may be requested every 30 days following inspection of work.

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

5. Any material that is greater than 6” DBH will be cut and piled; see pile specifications below in #6. All material less than 6” DBH can be mowed, mulched. Anything mulched or cut must be less than 2” in size and no longer than 1’ in length.

6. Multiple burn piles may be made throughout the project area. Any piles created must meet the following specifications:

a. Pile is located completely within the project area

b. Piles can be no greater than 30 feet wide x 30 feet long x 20 feet high

c. Pile must be 250 feet or greater away from any road

d. The contractor cannot set fire to the piles

7. All stumps must be flush cut to ground level with a maximum height of 4” above ground level.

8. All brush must be mowed as low as possible

9. 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:

Eric Mark Glacial Ridge NWR 17788 349th St SE Erskine, MN 56535 Eric_mark@fws.gov

701.425.9080 cell

Alternate Project Manager:

Ben Walker Glacial Ridge NWR 17788 349th St SE Erskine, MN 56535

218.230.5563 cell image1.jpg