A04_SOW___Final_PWS_McFaddin_revised.docx

US Fish and Wildlife Service Performance of Work Statement (PWS) Woody removal project on McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge

1. GENERAL/BACKGROUND: The Texas Chenier Plain Fire Zone wants to mulch and/or remove woody tree and shrubs on McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This is a nonpersonal services contract to provide hazardous fuel reduction for the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to meet objectives within the units specified in the contract. The mulching/removal will encompass 284 acres across on McFaddin NWR as defined in this Performance Work Statement. Woody vegetation occurs over the entire 284 acres at densities that range from sparse shrubs and saplings to dense closed canopy forest.

Contractor must have experience in this type of work. Contractor must be willing to provide documentation of experience if requested along with references if needed. Contract will be awarded to the best value to the government.

All equipment used on the project must first be washed to remove seeds and prevent the transfer of undesirable flora to the project area.

There are no physical addresses for the project area; the location of project area will be in attachment(s).

1.2 Objectives:

· Mulch or remove woody species to the soil over 284 acres on the McFaddin NWR as outlined on the attached map(s) within one year of contract awarded.

· All woody species expect Pines species that are less than 10-inch Diameter at Breast Height (DBH, diameter at 4.5 feet) will be mulched and scattered inside the project area.

· All oak and pines trees that are greater then 10 inches at DBH will not taken or mulched, they will be save trees.

· Any other trees that the Refuge wants to keep will be marked and communicated to the contractor.

· All mulch scattered with in the project area will not exceed 1 foot tall in any pile or location.

· If the mulch exceeds 1 foot tall the contractor must remove the tree(s) and or much from the project area.

· No mulch or slash will be left within 20-feet of North Unit Access Road and Federal Loop Road.

· Mulch size will not exceed 1-inch thick and 10-inches long.

· Fill or smooth over any large holes or ruts from operations.

· Contactor shall remove 100% of all their debris and trash from tract daily.

· Areas must be kept clean at all times.

· Keep all equipment in designated locations.

1.3 Period of Performance:

· April 1st to October 31st

· If areas have standing water or the soil is saturated with water to the point that equipment is leaving ruts in the project area, they will not be able to work on project area, to minimize damage to refuge.

· At minimum every 3-weeks the contractor should complete 25% of the project area, dependent on weather.

1.4 Scope:

· Weekly work reports will be completed by contractor and turned in to FWS personnel.

· Contractor should access the area only during dry times and/or during times preapproved by FWS personnel.

· The Contractor shall use the least impactful machine on the soil of this area, no more than 10% of a sub-unit should have soil disturbance.

1.5 General Information: Refuge access roads provide for one-way travel. Road construction will not be permitted. Contractors must use preexisting roads to access project area. Options for site access and all equipment storage and environmental concerns will be addressed during project meetings. Road conditions must remain in the same or better conditions during the performance of work.

1.5.1 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of sunrise to sunset Sunday through Saturday except Federal holidays at the Contractor’s option. The Contractor must always maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for Federal Holidays. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.5.2 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the McFaddin NWR. Please see the attached maps and/or coordinates provided within the PWS.

1.5.3 Gate Locks: The government will provide combination lock for the gates if needed. Gates need to be closed and locked to the status of what the gate was found.

1.5.4 Pre-Job Showing: There will be a pre bid job showing of the project area where contractors will have access and FWS personnel will be present to answer questions. Date and time are to be determined.

1.5.5 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor shall attend any post award conference or progress meetings as deemed necessary by the Contracting Officers Representative (COR). The COR or other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings, the COR will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. As stated above a weekly work report will be completed by contractor and turned in to FWS personnel.

1.5.6 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract, perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance, maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract, issue written interpretations of technical requirements, monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies and provide site entry of Contractor personnel if required. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms or conditions of the contract.

1.5.7 Contractor Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered contractor key personnel by the government: Contract Manager and Site Project Leader. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer Representative. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available to discuss any issues between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.5.8 Contractor Travel: Contractor shall be responsible for all travel cost and scheduling of travel. Contractor is responsible for the cost to transfer between units as required for the contract.

2. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

2.1 General: The government will not provide any services, facilities, utilities, equipment, or materials for this contract.

3. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract.

3.1.1 Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish all equipment to adequately perform the requested job and that is least impactful on the soil areas of this unit.

4. SPECIFIC TASKS:

4.1 The contractor will conduct an initial site visit with FWS personnel for access arrangements placement of staging equipment and to ensure proper identification of each area to be worked. Contractor will then mobilize their equipment (ie: excavators, backhoes, skid steer) to mulch or remove trees/shrubs to soil. Any woody species, except pines, that are less than 10 inches at DBH shall be mulched and scattered with each sub-unit. Oak and pines trees that are greater than 10 inches at DBH left untouched. No mulch or slash shall be left within 20 feet on sub-unit boundary. Any woody species that the refuge wants to remain, that contradict or not cover in the above specifications, will be visually marked and verbally communicated to contractor.

5. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

5.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable Federal and State regulations and laws applicable to this project.

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