A04_SOW_IndianCreekII-Mastication.pdf

INDIAN CREEK II MASTICATION PROJECT

STATEMENT OF WORK

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

A. Description of Work

1. Specifications and Limitations:

a. The purpose of this statement of work is to secure the service of mechanical mastication (grinding) of approximately 750 acres of pinyon and juniper trees from date of award through February 28, 2021. The Contractor will be responsible for furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and materials required to mechanically masticate pinyon and juniper within the project areas.

b. The Contractor shall modify approximately 95 percent of the structure, amount and continuity of the pinyon and juniper trees through mechanical grinding in order to improve ecosystem health.

c. Where designated, trees will be retained in small groups/islands with openings between the groups. Government personnel will identify islands or stringers of juniper and pinyon pine on the final project map as leave areas.

d. All brush and mountain mahogany shall be left untreated. The Contractor shall take all necessary steps to limit the amount of damage to non-target vegetation

(sagebrush, bitterbrush, mahogany, etc.) during mastication operations.

e. Trees containing raptor nests discovered during project implementation shall be retained.

2. Work specifications:

a. Sever and masticate all pinyon and juniper trees within the project area not identified as leave trees.

i. If obstacles are encountered (i.e. large rocks) during treatment, the mastication attachment may be raised to clear the obstacle.

b. All stumps shall be ground so they are no greater than 6 inches in height on the uphill side above mineral soil.

c. Mulch, being the byproduct of mechanical mastication, will not be greater than:

i. Six inches deep.

ii. Two feet in length.

iii. Four inches in diameter.

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d. Minimal movement of equipment during mastication is required to prevent soil disturbances.

i. The back and forth movement of equipment to preform mastication cannot be allowed on the highly erodible soil types of the project.

e. Implementation will desist in the event wet conditions arise.

i. The ground is saturated where equipment is causing excessive rutting (>3 inches) and disturbance.

ii. Work can resume when the ground is sufficiently dry.

f. State or federal agency representative will identify all fueling and routine maintenance areas prior to uses.

g. Operators of equipment will make every attempt to take different paths to and from the base camp to work area in order to limit the amount of disturbance upon a single path.

h. All Contract equipment will be inspected by the identified state or federal agency representative prior to equipment being offloaded from its transport.

i. The inspection location needs to be pre-arranged with the Contracting

Officers Representative to best serve both contractor and government representatives.

ii. The Contractor shall not load or unload equipment on public highways unless authorized by the government representatives.

3. Mechanical Equipment Requirements:

a. Machine(s) will:

i. Be either metal and/or rubber tracked and/or rubber tired.

ii. Be equipped with a boom mounted with either vertical or horizontal shaft grinding head capable of performing the work described in the treatment specifications.

iii. Be free of fluid leaks.

iv. Be clean and free of soil, seeds, and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds upon arrival at project site.

v. Be equipped with at least one 10 lb. ABC rated fire extinguisher

(minimum) or equivalent and a shovel.

1. Shovel and fire extinguisher must be accessible to the operator.

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vi. Rollover protection structures are required on equipment regardless of age, as defined in 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(1); 1926.602(a)(6); 1926.1000-

1926.1003.

4. Unit Boundary/Work Layout:

a. An electronic georeferenced map will be provided to the Contractor with the treatment area boundaries (outside perimeter, islands, etc.) necessary for the work executed under the Contract. The unit boundaries will not be marked on the ground.

b. A shapefile (for upload on Global Positioning System (GPS) unit) of the project area boundaries may also be provided to the Contractor upon their request.

c. Contractor will be responsible for navigating within unit boundaries using a GPS unit or other geo-referencing mapping tools as approved by government personnel.

d. A map with any applicable avoidance areas (archaeological sites; springs;

structural range improvements; survey markers such as sections corners, quarter corners, bearing trees, trees with old growth characteristics etc.) is to be provided to the contractor.

e. Survey markers disturbed or removed during operations shall be reset at the

Contractor’s expense.

f. Range improvements (fences, troughs, etc.) or other physical structures damaged or removed during operations shall be repaired or replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

g. Active mining claim markers or stakes shall be avoided to the extent practical.

i. Active mining claim markers that are destroyed by operations would be the Contractors responsibility to re-stake using a legal mining claim marker.

ii. The re-staking of mining claim markers would occur in coordination with the existing mining claimants to ensure accurate, legal staking procedures that would minimize damage to claims.

5. Location and Access to Work Sites:

a. Work under this Contract is in southeast Elko County, Nevada. Specific locations and access for the treatment unit is described below:

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i. Indian Creek II

1. The project area is located approximately 60 miles south of Wells, Nevada, on the southeast side of Spruce Mountain, in Elko County, Nevada. The project is on land administered by the Bureau of

Land Management Elko District (BLM). Legal location is T 31N

R 65E Sections 17,18, 19, 20, 29 and 30.

2. Access to the Indian Creek II Mastication site: From Wells, Nevada, take US 93 South for approximately 50 miles, turn left on

BLM 1021 (Goshute Valley Road).

a. Option 1: Travel east 9.1 miles on BLM 1021 (Goshute

Valley Road). Turn left on BLM 1055 (Boone Spring).

Take two track .5 mile west then veer right and head north for 1.4 miles, veer right again and continue north on main two track for 6.2 miles, take right fork toward Lower

Boone Spring for .8 miles; the project area will start on both sides of the road.

b. Option 2: Travel east 17 miles on 1021 (Goshute Valley

Road). Turn left on BLM Road 1038 (Indian Creek). Take two track 3.5 miles west; the project area will start on the left (south) side of the road.

b. Elevation varies from approximately 6,250 to 7,230 feet and slope ranges between

0 and 30 percent. Average annual precipitation is 10-14 inches. Vegetation in the project area is typical of the central Great Basin and consists of a diverse mix of grasses, sagebrush, bitterbrush, and pinyon and juniper trees.

c. Tree density and diameter at crown varies throughout the treatment area. A site visit will be conducted prior to the bid due date for all potential bidders.

d. The nearest full support community to the project is Wells, Nevada. Average travel time from Wells to the project site is 1.5 hours. The project site may be reached by two-wheel drive vehicles when the roads are dry, however access to the project area can be limited during the fall - winter months depending on weather. A high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary to access portions of this project.

The Government does not assume obligation to plow snow or conduct special maintenance to keep roads open and maintained.

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6. Environmental Considerations:

a. Camping:

i. The Contractor shall obtain authorization from the Government (BLM

Elko District Office) prior to camping on BLM administered lands.

ii. Contractor shall maintain the camp in a sanitary, orderly manner, and upon vacating the camp, remove refuse and any other signs of occupancy.

iii. In the equipment maintenance area, special precaution shall be taken to contain spilled fuel, lubricants, and wash water.

iv. Final payment will be reserved subject to inspection of these sites by the identified state or federal agency representative and approval of site cleanup.

b. Off-Road Restrictions:

i. Vehicle travel off roads (excluding equipment) is not authorized.

ii. Travel by vehicle is limited to existing roads only.

iii. If off-road travel is needed to service equipment, the contractor shall obtain permission from the government prior to any travel off-road.

c. Soil Stability/Water Quality Protection:

i. Contractor will cease operation when soil moisture levels result in significant soil compaction and/or rutting (>3 inches).

ii. Contractor's activities will be executed in a manner which avoids large drainages.

iii. Any significant rutting of the soil will be returned to the natural contour by the Contractor as part of the work process.

d. Weed Control:

i. Contractor will ensure all equipment moved onto public land is free of soil, seeds, and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds.

ii. Contractor will employ whatever cleaning methods that are necessary to ensure compliance and will notify the Government prior to moving each piece of equipment onto public land.

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iii. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operations.

e. Cultural Resource Protection:

i. Locations of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts that need to be avoided by the

Contractor will be identified as avoidance areas by the Government.

ii. Discovery of such areas by either party during Contractor’s operations will be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the resource is determined.

f. Fire Prevention/Suppression:

i. Vegetation occurring on the Elko District is highly flammable. Under dry and windy weather conditions the potential for a fire start is high. Be extra careful when working on or around the dry grasses.

1. Check under vehicles when parking off road.

2. Plan any activity that could cause a spark (grinding or welding etc.) in the morning when the relative humidity is up and the temperatures are cooler.

3. Also, be especially vigilant when operating heavy equipment with pivoting metal tracks on rocky ground.

4. When treating an area, work from the outside edge to the center of the day’s treatment area.

ii. The Contractor will:

1. Equip all diesel and/or gasoline operated engines with spark arresters that meet Forest Service standards set forth in the

National Coordinating Group publication for Multiposition Small

Engines, #430-4 (spark arresters are not required on equipment powered by exhaust driven turbo charged engines).

2. Equip all machines powered by an internal combustion engine with at least one 10 lb. ABC rated fire extinguisher (minimum) or equivalent and one shovel.

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3. Remove all concentrations of wood dust and debris from the equipment daily.

4. Have one 10 lb. ABC rated fire extinguisher, one shovel, and five gallons water readily available adjacent to grinding/welding operations.

iii. The Contractor will, independently and in cooperation with the

Government, take all reasonable action to prevent and suppress fires on the project. Independent initial action will be prompt and will include the use of all personnel and equipment available in the project area.

g. Emergency Reporting Requirements:

i. Wildfire Reporting: Elko Interagency Dispatch Center: 775-748-4000

(wildland fire emergency line)

ii. All Other Emergencies: Dial 911(initial call for all emergencies)

iii. Cellular phone service may be limited in the treatment area depending on carrier; AT&T typically provides service within and near the project area, however, travel south may be necessary to achieve cell service via cell tower on the Dolly Varden Range. No cell service is consistently available in the treatment area. A satellite phone is suggested for on-site emergencies.

iv. Information needed in reporting a wildland fire should include location

(geographical reference and if possible, Latitude/longitude coordinates) and description of fire activity (size, rate of spread, color of smoke, etc.).

v. The Government may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of equipment or portions of operations during periods of high fire danger. This typically only occurs in late July and

August; however, this may carry over into September.

h. Fuel Containment Measures:

i. Contractor will be required to maintain a hazmat barrier for any fuel tanks or trailers staged on federal land.

ii. Contractor will provide all the appropriate personal protective equipment

(PPE) and spill containment tools to workers to contain spilled fuel, lubricants, and wash water.

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iii. All spills and major leaks of fuel, lubricants, and wash water need to be contained and reported to the appropriate BLM representative.

1. Contractor will be responsible for all costs associated with any hazardous material clean up.

7. Work Schedule

a. The work schedule shall be submitted at the pre-work conference and negotiated with the identified federal or state agency representatives.

b. The work schedule may be modified if inclement weather conditions occur.

Modifications to the performance period will only occur due to delays caused by abnormal weather conditions. Approved weather delays would have to be conditions that are extraordinary as determined by the government representatives, and the Contractor must take into account normal weather conditions and resultant non-working days into their work schedule.

c. The identified federal or state agency representatives shall be notified immediately by the Contractor of any changes in the original work schedule.

d. Work within the Indian Creek II Mastication Project Area can occur between date of award through February 28, 2021.

II. PROJECT MEETINGS

A. Pre-Work Conference

1. A pre-work conference will be held prior to the start of work, and within 7 days of Contract award or as negotiated by the identified federal and state agency representatives.

2. The Contractor and the appropriate government representative will schedule a time for the meeting location, date, and time.

3. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the required work, project locations, project specifications, work schedule, payroll, progress payments, and administrative provisions of the Contract.

4. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination of the work shall be present at the meeting.

5. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project.

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B. Progress Meetings

1. Meetings may be called by either the identified federal or state agency representative(s) or the Contractor.

2. Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the identified federal or state agency representatives.

C. Final Inspection

1. The meeting shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the identified federal or state agency representatives.

2. The Contractor shall notify the identified federal or state agency representatives at least two (2) working days before the completion date, so the agency representatives can schedule a final inspection.

3. The Contractor shall require his or her superintendent (if designated) to be present during the inspections.

4. The Contractor shall correct any deficiencies noted and the project will be re-inspected by the identified federal or state agency representatives.

5. Final payment of the contract will be held pending the completion of a satisfactory final inspection of the project.

III. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED AND CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

A. Materials Furnished by the Contracting Agency

1. Treatment area boundaries will be provided and outlined on a geo-referenced map, and electronic shapefiles of treatment areas can also be provided by the Government for GPS upload by the Contractor upon request.

2. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that they are within treatment boundaries by utilizing a GPS unit or geo-referencing application.

a. The contractor may flag the boundaries of the unit at their discretion however, the contractor will be responsible for the removal of all flagging before final payment is made.

3. A map with any applicable avoidance areas (archaeological sites; springs; structural range improvements; survey markers such as sections corners, quarter corners, mining claims, bearing trees, trees with old growth characteristics etc.) will be provided to the contractor or marked with flagging.

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B. Equipment Furnished by the Contractor

1. The contractor shall be responsible for providing all labor (Operators skilled in the operation of the furnished equipment), equipment (See: Mechanical Equipment

Requirements), supervision, transportation, supplies and materials (fuel, oil, and lubricants for operation) to complete the work described for the duration of the project.

2. The contractor shall also have a GPS for each piece of equipment, capable of uploading electronic shapefiles and zooming in to 100 feet of the project boundaries, or a geo-referencing map application approved by the designated state or federal government representative.

a. The GPS unit / mobile device must be capable of uploading shapefiles / georeferenced maps and displaying them in a manner that can be followed by the

Contractor’s personnel during operations.

b. It is expected that the individual assigned by the Contractor who is responsible for using the device to follow and/or mark project area boundaries will be able to operate and trouble shoot the unit.

IV. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. Measurement of Payment

1. Work will be measured and paid for by the number of acres completed to specifications.

2. The measurement will be rounded up to the nearest whole acre.

3. Partial payments are allowed for acres treated via invoice submittal.

4. Area measurements (total Acres completed) required under this Contract will be measured on a horizontal plane by a GPS unit.

5. Re-measurement of the acreage under this Contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor.

a. Request for re-measurement must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after the project has been completed.

b. If re-measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5% from the original measurement, the Contractor shall pay the actual cost of the re-measurement.

c. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5%.

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d. Where the difference is less than 5% the results from the first measurement will be used.

6. Mobilization includes all preparatory work and operations, including those necessary to the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies, and incidentals to the project site; and for other work and operations which must be performed or cost incurred prior to beginning work and after completion on the various items on the project site.

a. All costs associated with mobilization need to be incorporated into the total cost per acre for mastication.

B. Basis of Payment

1. Prices and payment will be full compensation for the work described in this section.

Payment will be made under the following basis:

Pay Item Pay Unit

Indian Creek II Mastication Acre

2. The identified federal or state agency project inspector (s) will make periodic inspections as a basis for progress payments and recommendations for adjustments in work quality.

3. The Contractor is responsible for ensure treatment is meeting government specifications.

4. The Contractor or representative is encouraged to observe inspections at the time they are being made.

a. The Contractor bears the responsibility to make sure that they are completing work according to the specifications of the Contract through quality assurance checks of their own.

5. Work performed according to the specifications will be considered acceptable for payment purposes.

V. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

1. Period of performance for this work shall begin following award of the contract. The end of the performance period will be February 28, 2021.

2. The Contractor shall be required to start and complete the treatments within the performance time identified above.

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3. If abnormal inclement weather conditions (determined by Government Representatives) should occur prior to the Contractor completing the project, the Contractor must contact the Contracting Officer to request a Stop Work Order. If the government agrees the conditions warrant a Stop Work Order, then the notice will be issued, and the project shall be completed as soon as weather conditions permit as specified by the government.

VI. MAPS

1. See maps (3) on the following pages:

a. Map 1. Project Area Location Overview

b. Map 2. Project Area Access Map

c. Map 3. Project Area Treatment Map

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Map 1. Project Area Location Overview

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Map 2. Project Area Access Map

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Map 3. Project Area Treatment Map