A04_SOW_Tree_Removal_Clearing_BPA_.pdf

Statement of Work

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

3815 American Boulevard East

Bloomington, MN 55425-1659

Hazard Tree Removal

5 - Year Blanket Purchase Agreement

January 3, 2024 – January 2, 2029

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION……………………………………………………………..3

2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES…………………………….………………………………5

3. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY……………………………………………………..6

4. OTHER CONDITIONS…………………………………………………………………...7

5. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY………………………………………..7

6. OTHER REQUIREMENTS……………………………………………………………...7

1. GENERAL INFORMATION The purpose of this contract is for a service provider to remove dead and hazardous trees on Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge lands that border adjacent private residences adjacent to the Black Dog Unit of the Minnesota Valley

National Wildlife Refuge in Burnsville, MN off of Highway 13E. The following sources sought:

Tree Felling, Tree Mastication, Emergency Tree Removal on an as-needed basis, Tree Chipping, Tree Removal

The service provided shall assume all responsibilities associated with falling, bucking, chipping or removal of the damaged and dead trees. The service provider will be responsible for coordinating directly with private landowners to facilitate access across private land to access hazard trees, as well as coordinating with refuge staff on removal plans and dates. The service provider will assess and recommend to refuge staff what trees are high priority for removal and agree upon a plan for hazard reduction. Some down wood may require removal from the property, while others will only require falling into refuge lands and left. Requirements for management of down wood may be contingent on local and national laws applicable to trees damaged by Emerald Ash Borer. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes a performance-based work environment in terms of “What” the required service output is rather than task-based or “how” the work is to be performed. The ultimate goal of the service provider shall be to ensure that the aforementioned trees are felled to meet the needs of the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service customer. Quoting vendors shall be in an established tree removal business or arborist specializing in safe tree removal near private homes.

1.1. Performance Work Statement (PWS) Organization The sections of the PWS are as follows: General Information contains foundational information; Description of Services provides a narrative of services to be accomplished; Service Delivery Summary (SDS) identifies the performance measurements; Other Conditions, Government Furnished Property, and Other

Requirements defines the Government and service provider requirements.

1.2. PWS Implementation The service provider shall be responsible for the hiring, training, and supervision of personnel. Other than those provided by the Government, the service provider/personnel will also be responsible for equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, transportation, and other items necessary to provide tree removal.

1.3 There must be an approved schedule submitted prior to work beginning The basic contract period should begin in December 2023 and with final removal occurring before end of

December 2024. The majority of trees should be removed prior to April 1, 2024 in order to mitigate any potential to roosting bats or nesting birds, however hazard trees may be taken outside this time period if they risk human or infrastructure health and safety. The service provider shall work with Refuge personnel to establish a reasonable schedule.

1.4 Work Hours and Special Conditions Normal office hours are 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Central

Standard Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. All services shall be performed during normal office hours unless otherwise scheduled/approved.

1.5 Federal Holidays The following Federal Holidays are observed by Bloomington Education and Visitor Center/MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge/MN Valley Wetland Management

District:

New Year’s Day, January 1st or the Friday preceding or Monday following

Martin Luther King’s Birthday, 3rd Monday in January

President’s Day, 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day, Last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4th or the Friday preceding or Monday following

Labor Day, 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October

Veteran’s Day, November 11th or the Friday preceding or Monday following

Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day, December 25th or the Friday preceding or Monday following

1.6 Character of Work The work shall be executed in the best and most effective manner by qualified, careful and efficient personnel skilled in the trade, and in strict accordance with the contract documents and standards of the industry.

1.7. Key Personnel The service provider shall not employ persons for work on this contract if such employee is considered by the contracting officer or Refuge management to be a potential threat to the health, safety, general well-being or operational mission of the Refuge and its population. The service provider shall exercise due diligence in assuring that only trustworthy and reliable persons are allowed to enter the building and that each such person shall have had the Refuge's rules and regulations reviewed with them regarding the security of Refuge property.

The service provider shall furnish in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO) the names and phone numbers of all management and supervisory personnel no later than the start of contract performance. The CO shall be notified immediately whenever changes are made to these key personnel.

1.8. Employment of Government Employees The service provider shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States (US) Government if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the service provider shall not employ any person who is an employee of the Department of the

Interior unless such person seeks and receives proper approval. The service provider is prohibited from employing off-duty Government Quality Assurance Personnel (QAP) who are managing any contracts or subcontracts awarded to the service provider.

1.9 Environmental, Health, and Safety Training The service provider shall provide their personnel with environmental, health, and safety training to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws or regulations. The service provider is responsible for ensuring that cleaning materials are used properly and according to instruction.

1.10 Compliance with Laws and Directives The service provider shall have and maintain current licenses, bonds, and insurance as required by Minnesota State Law. The service provider shall ensure custodial services are performed in accordance with commonly accepted commercial practices. In addition, the service provider shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations including, but not limited to, Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Compliance with OSHA and other applicable laws and regulations for the protection of employees is exclusively the obligation of the service provider.

1.11 Quality Control Quality control will be a combined effort of the service provider and the

Government based on service provider performance, metrics, and customer complaints.

2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

2.1 Work to be accomplished The service provider will perform a full range of tree removal activities. The work performed in accordance with these contract documents shall consist of furnishing all necessary labor, clearances, materials, and performance of all work shown and described in the contract documents, all of which are made a part thereof. All work will be accomplished according to work hours and special conditions described in 1.4 above.

a. Field Delineation of area: The service provider shall delineate the proposed area on the refuge to remove/trim trees and vegetation away from private property for government approval.

b. The service provider shall be required to cut trees to the ground. Down trees may be left on site with government approval. Others may require chipping or hauling off site.

c. Removal and Disposal: The service provider will determine a plan with government approval for management of vegetation, which may include leaving on site, chipping or hauling off site.

d. The service provider shall coordinate with private landowners for access permission to hazard trees on government property.

e. The service provider may be allowed to stage equipment on refuge lands if a plan is approved by the government.

f. The service provider is responsible for obtaining all permits related to removal of vegetation.

g. The service provider shall repair any ground damage caused by equipment on private landowner property.

2.2 Location Any hazard trees on any property owned by the Minnesota National Wildlife

Refuge and Wetland Management district, primarily in Burnsville, MN. The Black Dog unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife borders approximately 72 private residences.

2.3 Frequency of Work The service provider will perform prep, falling and removal of dead trees primarily in winter months to reduce disturbances to endangered species, as needed in order to complete the task.

3. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

The service provider requirements are summarized into performance objectives that directly relate to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success. *Complaints will be researched by the Government to determine their validity.

Performance Objectives PWS

Para

Performance Measure

1 Field Delineation of Area and provide plan for government approval for tree management.

2.11 Zero (0) discrepancies

2 Removal and Disposal. 2.12,2.13 Zero (0) discrepancies

3 Coordinate with private landowners for access permission and scheduling.

2.14 Zero (0) discrepancies.

4 Repair any ground or other damage caused by equipment on private landowner property

2.17 No more than one valid defect.

4. OTHER CONDITIONS

Only the service provider and employees are authorized onsite. No refuge equipment may be used by the service provider. All persons employed in the work, while on the premises, shall comply with all refuge regulations.

5. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will not provide any tree removal equipment. The service provider shall report the occurrence of any lost or stolen Government property immediately to the designated

Government contact person.

6. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Bidders are highly encouraged to schedule a site visit (walk-through) of the affected area by contacting the point of contact listed below:

Faye Healy

(612) 720-3420

Faye_Healy@fws.gov mailto:Faye_Healy@fws.gov