A04_SOW_TSI_2023_Final.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Timber Stand Improvement

Marais des Cygnes NWR

24141 KS Hwy 52; Pleasanton, KS 66075

PR Number: _______________

1. General:

1.1 In General

This is a timber stand improvement project is intended to promote oak and hickory species on Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and support ecologically sustainable forest management.

1.2 Purpose/End Application:

The Refuge’s primary objective is the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forest. Because of the amount of former agriculture that once dominated this area, many of the tree species present are residuals from fence lines and tree rows. Refuge management would ideally include the use of prescribed fire through the timber to maintain a desired species community that is tolerant of fire. However, conditions have made prescribed fire execution difficult for several successive years, resulting in a suite of species that is fire-intolerant. Additionally, much of the older stands in the forest contain clusters of species reaching ending of life. The predominant understory in many of those locations consists of shade tolerant, fire intolerant species that would not be beneficial to long term maintenance of the forest.

This project is being undertaken for the primary purpose addressing forest community transitions to less than desirable species. We will be returning these areas to forest that will be more tolerant of fire, allowing management actions that benefit the forest but also the surrounding areas to be executed in an efficient and beneficial manner. The project will improve landscape resiliency, improve wildfire response, and support ecologically sustainable management. Habitat improvements will, in turn, provide umbrella benefits to numerous migratory songbirds, gamebirds, pollinators, and other local fauna.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications:

Contractor qualifications and certifications, as required by law, are required for this contract. Contractors are requested to provide a technical approach based on past experience doing similar work.

1.4 Other:

It is highly recommended by Refuge and Fire Management staff all contractors perform a site visit prior to bidding the work. Work is extensive and will require cutting by hand in certain areas due to inaccessibility of equipment and habitat protection.

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance (Where and When) the project is being completed.

2.1 Place of Performance:

Work will be completed on Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (Figure 1). The Refuge is located in Linn County in east central Kansas – 45 miles south of Overland Park, KS. The Refuge’s headquarters building is located at 24141 KS Hwy 52, Pleasanton, KS, 66075.

Site conditions can be wet during certain seasons of the year depending on rainfall and groundwater flow. In no way should the brief descriptions here be considered a thorough account of conditions. Priority site locations are in areas open to the public, but may have private or state land adjacent. Site visits do not need to be coordinated with the Refuge Manager though it is encouraged so any questions that arise at the time of visit can be answered and access may be best guided.

Units can be accessed from county roads and through Refuge lands. The terrain is variable and vegetation consists of eastern hardwood forest species. Units may be upland, bottomland, or a combination of both forest types. The uplands typically have good drainage, however there may be times where access to the area is difficult. The bottomlands are part of the Marais des Cygnes River floodplain and soils can become muddy and soft after rains. During wet conditions, truck access may be limited, but UTV and foot access is likely. Parking is limited but available for vehicles, equipment, and trailers.

2.2 Period of Performance:

This project will be completed within 1 year (365 days) of the Notice to Proceed, weather permitting. The work for this project should occur when the ground is dry or firm enough to hold the weight of the utilized equipment and minimize habitat disturbance (e.g., avoid creation of deep ruts/tracks). Work completed without the use of equipment may be conducted at any time outside of the exclusion period (discussed below) as long as access to the work site does not result in the creation of deep ruts/tracks and/or unnecessary habitat damage.

The cutting described in this Statement of Work may be completed during daylight hours (no work sunset thru following morning’s sunrise). The work may be completed Sunday thru Saturday, outside of Normal Duty Hours, as described below, and also can be completed outside Non-Duty Hours, as described below. The contractor may adjust work hours during weekdays or weekends and holidays as long as prior coordination is made with the Refuge Manager and approved by the Contracting Officer. The full project area is within huntable lands on the refuge. Timing may need to be adjusted to avoid conflicts with other users.

!! Exclusion Period !!: The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge falls within historic range of the federally protected Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB). There have been surveys for this species on the Refuge that have failed to document any NLEB occurring within the boundary. However, out of an abundance of caution – timber stand improvement described in this bid will not occur during the months of June and July, the maternal roosting months for this tree dwelling species.

The Notice to Proceed will only be given following the contract award and notification by the Contracting Officer. All work must be completed within one year of the Notice to Proceed unless a change in scheduling is arranged with the Refuge Manager and Contracting Officer. A contract extension may be approved if climate conditions are unsuitable during portions of the contract period, and the contractor is prevented from working. Documentation, as described in section 4.2 will be required for an extension to be granted.

2.3 Normal Duty Hours

Normal duty hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Non-Duty Hours

Non duty hours include week nights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King JR.s’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

3. Scope

The area for timber stand improvement includes priority units and additional optional units, which may be exercised in future option years if/as funding becomes available. Bids should be itemized per area so they may be implemented as time and funding allow.

The project consists of tree, shrub, and vine removal by mechanical means to reduce standing vegetation that would prove problematic and to improve the stand. Work may be accomplished using small equipment such as a skid-steer with forestry implements, chainsaw, small tractor, or others. However, in certain locations much of the work will be done by hand instead of with the use of machinery due to access restrictions such as drainage crossings. The target species to be cut include hackberry, elm, ash, and post oak. Vine cuttings, consist mostly of wild grape, but also some Virginia creeper and poison ivy. There may also be additional species, such as Osage Orange, that will be marked as necessary. The density of trees, shrubs, and vines will vary throughout the project.

It is recommended the contractor(s) make on-site visits prior to bidding the work.The contractor shall be fully responsible to ensure that the terms of this contract are met and complied with, via quality control and monitoring. The contractor will also be fully responsible for completion of work unit areas within an acceptable, and timely, manner. Meetings to discuss project area specifics, contract specifics, work progress, and work completion will occur prior to on-the-ground work starting, during the course of the project, and upon completion.

Overall Cut Specifications

• Cut ALL painted vegetation in the project area.

• Completely cut and sever the main body of the tree from the stump.

• NO live limbs on stumps.

• NO partially-cut or girdled trees.

• NO barber-chair trees with uncut bark and wood.

• NO hang up trees.

• Trees >12” diameter breast height (DBH) must be cut below 8” stump height.

• Trees <12” DBH will have a maximum stump height of 4 inches, though shorter is preferred.

• All vines >1” DBH will be cut in 2 locations approximately 1 foot apart (or greater) to ensure division. Some vines are painted, but most are not yet are still expected to be cut.

• All vegetation will be left on the ground.

• Damage to desirable trees must be avoided at all times with only minimal damage acceptable on a very limited basis.

General Specifications

• Trash/litter will be removed after each shift.

• Gate on access trail will be closed and locked after each shift.

• Off road and off trail travel with vehicles and/or equipment will be limited during times of wet soil conditions in order to avoid rutting and habitat damage.

• Any modification to this listed Scope of Work will be approved and documented by on-site

Refuge staff.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule: (for extended list a bid schedule and/or use of line item detail on the PR is recommended)

4.1 Deliverables

Contractor will furnish all labor, services, equipment, specified materials, and supervision to mechanically remove less than desirable species on Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. Removal of all vegetation as specified in Section 3.

On flat topography, tracked equipment may be utilized including skid steer or fecon, but dozers are not allowed. Other areas may only allow access by UTV or by foot due to terrain and conditions. When working on foot, most any means necessary to cut painted vegetation is allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, chainsaws, pole saws, loppers, pruning shears, mechanical brush cutters, etc.

When utilizing heavy equipment or accessing work area via motorized means, ground conditions need to be checked before going off road or off trail. Ground disturbance will be kept to a minimum due to long-term damage and recovery rates of ruts in the heavy clay soils. Contractor should prioritize minimizing ground disturbance and damage to non-target vegetative species.

4.2 Required Documentation

The Contractor will document in the form of daily work logs identifying work completed and weather/ground conditions. A potential extension to the period of performance will not be allowed without daily logs from the contractor.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP):

N/A

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

6.1 GPE and GFI

Government will not furnish any equipment, services, labor, or daily supervision of contractor or contractor employees. Government will provide support in the form of overall project guidance and oversight. Government will also provide maps and initial access to the project area. Access to the project area will initially be granted in the form of unlocking the gate. After initial access is granted, the contractor will be responsible for daily access to the project area by providing their own lock to daisy chain onto the government’s lock on the management trail gate. Both parties shall be able to access the project area at any time.

6.2 Limitations

Limitations are previously discussed in sections 1-3.

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 The contractor will be evaluated as detailed herein. Government acceptance is contingent upon:

Refuge staff, such as the Manager, Biologist, or other designated representative, will make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

Government acceptance is contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 For commercial supplies reference clauses for inspection and acceptance. Where appropriate, QC will be maintained according to industry standards and made available to the agency with the contractor’s proposal.

Refuge staff, such as the Manager, Biologist, or other designated representative, will make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

Government acceptance is contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

8.2 Measures for assessing quality control and acceptance.

Project Area Total Acres*

Bid Cost Treatment Target Period (time schedule)

Unit E 19 All months excluding June and July.

This unit is primarily upland forest and has good drainage.

Unit F 12 All months excluding June and July.

This unit is primarily upland forest and has good drainage.

Optional Units

Unit D 53 All months excluding June and July.

Areas of this unit may contain bottomland hardwoods and are recommended to complete during dry times.

Unit G 78 All months excluding June and July.

This unit is almost exclusively vine cutting. Areas of this unit may contain bottomland hardwoods and are recommended to complete during dry times.

Unit H 108 All months excluding June and July.

Areas of this unit may contain bottomland hardwoods and are recommended to complete during dry times.

Unit I 74 All months excluding June and July.

Areas of this unit may contain bottomland hardwoods and are recommended to complete during dry times.

*Acres = the area within the project area boundary and are NOT the acres of vegetation to be cut in the project area. Percent cover of painted vegetation varies throughout the project area.

9. Technical Coordinator:

Contacts Name Title Phone Email Primary Kate Brenner Refuge

Manager o 913-352-8956 m 620-238-1647 kathryn_brenner@fws.gov

Alternate Tim Menard Refuge Biologist o 620-352-5553 tim_menard@fws.gov

Figure 1: Marais des Cygnes NWR within Linn County, Kansas. Unit locations within Refuge boundary.

Figure 2: Unit locations in need of timber stand improvement on the Refuge.