A04_SOW_Tognini_HT3_cc.doc

Tognini Mountains Lop and Scatter 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 2,428 acres (Unit 1) of pinyon and/or juniper trees. There may be up to an additional 2,495 acres (Unit 2 and 3) indicated as an option areas that would be awarded subject to available funding (see attached maps). A maximum of 4,887 acres would be treated under this contract. Lop and scatter 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. Leave areas and boundaries may be altered prior to implementation of the project to mitigate sensitive resource concerns that may reduce the acreage.

The project area is located in White Pine County, State of Nevada. The project area has two portions, one is located in the Tognini Mountains between Long and Ruby Valleys (refer to attached Map) the second is located in the Kern Mountains. The area is typical Great Basin sagebrush communities with pinyon, juniper and mountain mahogany. Access to the Tognini Mountain treatment area is along the Long and Ruby Valley Road near Hobson Pass accessed from Highway 50 west of Ely, Nevada. The project area is approximately 50 miles northwest from Ely, NV. From the Long and Ruby Valley Road there are a few improved as well as unimproved roads that intersect the treatment units. It is advised that potential bidders become familiar with the access within the units.

The Kern Mountain treatment area can be accessed by two primary methods:

1) Travel north approximately 40 miles from Ely, Nevada on US Highway 93 to Schellbourne Rest Area, travel east along Schellbourne Road approximately 10 miles to Spring Valley, then travel south, southeast approximately 15 miles to County Road 37, then travel east approximately 9 miles to Road 4030. Travel approximately 7 miles northeast to intersection of Spring Valley Wash. From this intersection there are a few unimproved roads that intersect the treatment units.

2) Travel south, southeast approximately 32 miles from Ely, Nevada on US Highway 50/6 to Majors Place (just past), travel north along Nevada State Route 893 approximately 40 miles to County Road 37, then travel east approximately 9 miles to Road 4030. Travel approximately 7 miles northeast to intersection of Spring Valley Wash. From this intersection there are a few unimproved roads that intersect the treatment 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 may be authorized by the BLM to access the units with ATV’s/UTV’s. This will be determined on a unit by unit basis, by the BLM. There are private lands adjacent to the treatment units. It is the contractor’s responsibility to secure permission to cross these lands if they wish to do so.

The following legal land descriptions apply:

· Township 23 North; Range 58 East; Sections 1-3, 9-12, 15-17, 20, 21, 28 and 29; MDM

· Township 24 North; Range 58 East; Sections 26, and 34-36; MDM

· Township 24 North; Range 59 East; Sections 17-20 and 28-31; MDM

· Township 20 North; Range 69 East; Section 1; MDM

· Township 20 North; Range 70 East; Section 6; MDM

· Township 20.5 North; Range 69 East; Sections 33, 34, 36; MDM

· Township 20.5 North; Range 70 East; Section 31; MDM

· Township 21 North; Range 68 East; Section 12; MDM

· Township 21 North; Range 69 East; Sections 27, 30-32, 34, 35; MDM

The treatment area boundaries will be outlined on a map 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 sites, the density of the trees to be cut and the trees to be left by unit, and the timing restrictions by unit (see Section C). 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 Lop and scatter treatments will be conducted within the treatment units specified within the shapefile and the attached map (Units 1-3 and 5-10). 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 24 inches above ground level or the height of the surrounding shrubs (whichever is higher). Stumps will be cut where there are no living branches, bark or other parts of the tree left attached. All Pinyon and Juniper within the units will be cut regardless of the height of the tree. Some units are very sparse and have young trees (less than 2 feet in height) growing. All of these trees must be removed.

Within Unit 4 (Mill Springs) additional specifications are as follows:

· Lop and drop all existing dead or alive pinyon pine and juniper, 6 inch diameter breast height (DBH), so that all top and side branches are free of the central stem. Central stem length shall be 7 feet to 8 feet; not to exceed 8 feet in length. The intent of lop and drop in the Mill Spring unit is to use the boles as fence posts.

· All other existing dead or alive pinyon pine and juniper, less than or greater than 6 inch DBH, shall be lopped and scattered to the specifications described for lop and scatter.

In certain units there may be leave trees designated. These trees will be marked with flagging and the contractor will be informed about them prior to beginning the treatment unit.

Contractors are to submit a single bid for each line item on a per acre basis 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 1 – Table of treatment units by line item, treatment and size.

ii. Phase II Phase II will include using hand tools such as loppers or Pulaski’s 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 (March 1st through August 1st) after phase I is complete, and after material that was severed in Phase I should have 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 are very sparse and have young trees (less than 2 feet in height) growing. All of these trees must be removed.

In certain units there may be leave trees designated. These trees will be marked with flagging and the contractor will be informed about them prior to beginning the treatment unit.

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. The worksite 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.

Contractors are to submit a single bid for each line item on a per acre basis using the table in Attachment 1. Completion of Phase II will allow for invoicing of the remaining 20% of the bid price.

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

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.

Due to timing restrictions for sensitive resources, treatments will not occur within Units 1-3 from between November 1st and September 15th. These timing restrictions shall be built into the proposal. No extensions to the performance period will be granted due to these timing restrictions. Waivers may be granted from August 1st to September 15th as well as November 1st through February 28th pending further agency consultation, but the contractor shall not include these dates when submitting a bid.

For Treatment Units 4-10 work may only occur from July 16 to April 14. These timing restrictions 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, and within seven days of Contract award. 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 each treatment unit as that unit is completed. The total will be rounded up to the nearest whole acre. Once a treatment unit is complete the acreage completed may be billed for. 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:

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 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 shall begin by August 5th or within 10 days of the award of the contract, whichever comes later. Work may begin on awarded line items beginning on in accordance with the timing restrictions described in Section C . The end of the performance period would be February 28th for Units 1-3 and April 16th for Units 4-10 for all phase I, and September 30th for phase II for all units. Under no condition will the performance period extend beyond 1 calendar year from the award of each line item. 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.

Attachment 1

Standard Bid Table

Tognini Mountains Lop and Scatter, 2022 Lop and Scatter Performance Work Statement