A04_SOW_West_Potato_Valley_2_Mastication_2023.docx

Statement of Work Pinyon and Juniper Mastication

PROJECT: West Potato Valley 2 Mastication LOCATION: Mohave County approximately 65 miles southeast of St. George, Utah.

Introduction: Arizona Strip District - Bureau of Land Management (ASD-BLM) is acquiring services in this contract to mechanically remove/shred standing live and dead pinyon and juniper trees and saplings with a wheeled or tracked MECHANICAL MULCHING/SHREDDER (Bullhog). This task order includes the Contractor to furnish labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals. Project area is a minimum of XXX acres.

SECTION I – CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

SITE SPECIFICS:

Location and Description: Work under this contract is in the Potato Valley area of the Tuweep/Crosby Tank allotment, 4 miles west of Mt. Trumbull, in Mohave County Arizona, approximately 65 miles southeast of St. George, Utah. The coordinates for the project are:

36°24'6.60"N 113°13'47.31"W.

Elevations range from 6,250 to 6,550 feet within the project site. Slopes range from flat to 18% with much of the project being less than 10%, thus it is mostly flat or rolling. Trees vary in age class from saplings to mature pinyon, juniper, and ponderosa with some ground coverage (i.e., grass and brush).

Acreage: XXX acres

Access to the site: Access onto the project site is provided by a combination of paved highways, county dirt surface roads and jeep trails. Four (4) wheel drive vehicles are required in and around the project area. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to get the equipment to the work site.

SPECIFIC TASKS:

Work Limits: Only areas shown on the project map will be treated. Treatment and non-treated areas within the project area may be flagged and/or described verbally. A shapefile for GPS and a PDF map of the project area will be provided prior to work beginning. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to furnish either a GPS unit(s) or smartphone(s)/tablet(s) with PDF map application to be utilized in identifying project boundaries.

Government staff (Project Inspector(s)) will identify unit boundaries for the work executed under the contract. Once approved to begin work the contractor will immediately, upon entering the project area, begin treatment work, locate treatment boundaries, locate control points, section corners, and take such action to prevent their destruction.

Mulching:

· All standing pinyon pine trees less than 6 inches DBH (Diameter Breast Height), all standing juniper trees less than 15 inches DRC (Diameter Root Crown), and all ponderosa pine less than 15 inches DBH.

· No live or dead limbs will be left on the stump of removed shrubs and trees. Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches measured on the uphill side.

· Any shrub, tree, or sapling that cannot be removed by bullhog machinery will be removed by hand, utilizing chainsaws or loppers.

· All surplus vegetation and slash will be mulched or cut into lengths not to exceed 3 feet in length.

· All existing dead and down concentrations of limbs and tops 7 inches or less will be removed.

· Size of woody debris or “chips” upon completion of the project shall not exceed three inches in diameter and three feet in length. Average depth of the debris across the project area shall not exceed three inches with a maximum depth of six inches in isolated locations where dense vegetation exists.

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

Equipment Requirements: At least one (preferably multiple), mobile, tracked or wheeled, hydraulically or PTO driven, mechanical mulching/shredder (Bullhog) will be furnished on a fully operational basis, with a competent, fully qualified operator, and will be capable of mulching/shredding live shrubs and trees of any size class typically found in a cliffrose site or pinyon and juniper woodland, at twelve inches above ground level measured on the uphill side. Equipment will be washed with a high-pressure system before entering and exiting project lands. All soil and plant parts will be removed to prevent the spread of noxious weeds in and out of the project area.

Contractors will furnish two (2) warning signs to be placed on roadside entrance of work area. Signs will be a minimum of three (3) feet by three (3) feet in dimension and will warn of the possibility of flying debris.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

No Government property will be furnished on this project.

EQUIPMENT AND WORKMANSHIP:

All equipment and/or materials incorporated into the work covered by this contract shall be of the most suitable grade for the purpose intended, unless otherwise specifically provided in this contract. All work under this contract will be performed in a skillful and workmanlike manner. The BLM may require, in writing, that the contractor remove from the work any employee deemed by the BLM to be incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

Surface Conditions: Mulching shall not occur under conditions that prevent the proper operation of equipment. These conditions include snow, frozen ground or when the soil exceeds 15% moisture content. When such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Government.

Surface Disturbance: Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor will be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. Equipment and vehicles must not be operated or driven outside of the unit(s) boundaries except on identified roads or trails. All-terrain vehicles may be used within project areas if vehicle use does not create a visible trail. Any vehicle/equipment will refrain from working if ruts form on adjacent roadways exceeding four inches. Bullhog use will be prohibited when soils are wet, and rutting might occur. All created visible trails and/or ruts will be reclaimed at the expense of the contractor.

Tests for Uniformity: The Project Inspector will make tests to determine the uniformity of the Bullhog operation.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Project sites will be cleaned up, and all refuse removed by the Contractor. The Contractor will be responsible for disposal of materials in a manner consistent with State, Federal and local laws and for all expenses incurred with disposal. Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor will be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work.

2. Use of 2-wheel and 4-wheel vehicles is permitted to access unit(s) via existing roads and trails only.

3. Travel within unit(s) and along existing roads and trails is prohibited if soils are wet to the point that rutting will occur.

4. Off-road travel will take place only within designated mastication unit(s) and only by designated equipment designed to be used for the project. Travel from unit to unit may only be done on roads and/or trails.

5. Hazardous Materials:

A. Use of Hazardous Materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate State and Federal Regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).

B. On-site disposal of Hazardous Materials or Waste including hydrocarbons is not authorized. On-site disposal will subject the contractor to at least the cost of reclamation and the appropriate disposal of contaminated soil.

C. Incidental (de minimus) leaks from fittings, gaskets or ruptured hoses will not subject the contractor to remedial requirements. These are considered to be normal and unavoidable losses. Continual leaks will be noted on inspection reports and correction through maintenance required.

D. Maintenance and repair operations that require the draining of engines or hydraulic systems may be conducted on site only if the fluids are captured, containerized, and removed from public lands for proper disposal.

PUBLIC ACCESS:

Access into and through the project site shall always remain open to the public. The Contractor will maintain roadways free of vehicles, tools, and debris.

SECURITY OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY:

The Contractor may leave equipment at the work site; however, the Contractor will be solely responsible for protection of equipment and is solely responsible if the equipment is lost, stolen or damaged.

CREW SUPERVISION:

1. Contractor will designate one English literate supervisor who will be on-site during operation hours. Supervisors will be identified during the pre-work conference. Any changes in supervisory designations must be submitted in writing to the Project manager at least 24 hours prior to the change taking effect.

2. Person designated by the Contractor, as supervisor must remain with and effectively directs the crew by (1) making periodic inspections of the crew’s work, (2) advising them as to improper work methods, (3) providing instructions for correcting any improper work methods encountered.

3. Emergency transportation will be always provided by the Contractor.

WORK CAMPS:

Work camps may be established only in location authorized in advance by the Project Manager in coordination with the Government. Should such a camp be authorized, the Contractor will maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. Upon vacating a camp and prior to final payment, the Contractor will remove all refuse and other signs of occupancy to the satisfaction of the Project Manager.

WORK HOURS:

Work hours under this contract shall be limited to the time between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Work hours may extend into darkness only when the contractor’s equipment is suitably outfitted with exterior lighting sufficient to allow safe operation; AND only when mutually agreed upon between the contractor and the project manager. Work may be done on Saturday, Sunday, and legal national holidays as mutually agreed between the Contractor and the Project Manager.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The work schedule will be submitted at the pre-work conference.

DELAYS:

The contractor is expected to complete all contract performance in a timely manner, regardless of the contractor or subcontractor's other workload, including any work being performed under other state contracts. A delay or failure to perform may be considered excusable when the delay or failure arises from causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor. Examples of these causes are (1) acts of God or of the public enemy, (2) acts of the BLM in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, (3) fires, (4) floods, (5) epidemics, (6) quarantine restrictions, (7) strikes, (8) freight embargoes, and (9) unusually severe weather. In each instance, the failure to perform must be beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor or subcontractor.

Upon request of the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and extent of the failure. If the Contracting Officer determines that any failure to perform results from one or more of the causes above, the delivery schedule may be revised, subject to the BLM’s contract termination rights under the contract.

Note: “Unusually severe weather” means weather that is outside the normal weather patterns for a specific area at a specific time of the year. For example, strong wind and snowstorms in fall and winter, or strong wind, rain or hailstorms in spring and summer are not considered unusually severe. An unusually severe snow, wind or rainstorm is one that is worse than even the harshest normal conditions during a season.

PROJECT MEETINGS:

Pre-work Conference:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: A pre-work conference will be held prior to the start of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of the meeting time, date, and place. The purpose will be to review required work, project drawings and specifications, construction schedules, payroll and payments, and administrative provisions of the contract.

3. Attendance: The Contractor, subcontractors, and the persons responsible for coordination of the work will be present at the meeting.

4. Presentation: The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for each project and present the work schedule requested in the specifications.

Progress Meetings:

1. Location: Meetings shall be held at the project site, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: Meetings may be called by either the Project Manager or the Contractor. Request shall state who should attend.

FIRE DANGER SEASON:

If the Project Manager allows the Contractor to continue work during the periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor will comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the Project Manager.

The operator shall be responsible for the prevention and suppression of fires (at the incipient stage) on public lands caused by its employees, contractors, or subcontractors. During conditions of very high to extreme fire danger, surface use operations may be either limited or suspended in specific areas, or additional measures may be required by the authorized officer.

PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL DATA:

1. The Contractor agrees that should he/she or any of his/her employees in the performance of this contract discover evidence of possible scientific, pre-historical, historical, or archeological data he will notify the Project Manager immediately giving the location and nature of the findings.

2. Where appropriate by reason of discovery, the Project Manager may order delays in the time of performance and/or changes in the work. If such delays and/or changes are ordered, the time of performance and contract price shall be adjusted.

3. The Contractor agrees to insert this paragraph in all subcontracts, which involve the performance of work on the terrain of the site.

PROTECTION OF CULTURAL RESOURCES:

Location of known historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, such as settler or Indian artifacts, protected by American Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431-433), National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa-ll) (36 CFR 296.4 and 36 CFR 261.9(g)), shall be identified on the ground by the Government. The Government may unilaterally modify or cancel this contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, artifact, or similar object which is or may be entitled to protection under these Acts regardless of when the area, object or artifact is discovered or identified. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the site is determined.

Contractor will protect all known and identified historic or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American history, architecture, archaeology and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal, or damage during Contractor's operations. Contractor will immediately notify the Government if disturbance occurs to any known site and shall immediately halt operations in the vicinity of the site until the Government authorizes the Contractor to proceed. Contractor shall bear costs of evaluation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment shall not relieve Contractor from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law.

If, in connection with operations, and human remains, funerary objects, and/or objects of cultural patrimony, as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 USC 3001 et seq., 43 CFR 10), are discovered, the contractor shall stop operations in the immediate area of discovery, protect the remains and/or objects, and immediately notify the Project Manager.

The contractor shall continue to protect the immediate area of the discovery until notified by the BLM that operations may resume. Collection and/or additional disturbance of any human remains and/or objects as stated above is strictly forbidden. The locational information (i.e., GIS data, location drawn on a map) will be provided solely to the BLM. This information is confidential and protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

NOTICE TO PROCEED:

Unless notified by the Project Manager that the notice-to-proceed will be delayed, receipt of the contract or purchase order by email shall constitute Notice to Proceed. The Project Manager may issue a separate delayed notice-to-proceed for any reason including adverse soil, seeding, vegetative, climatologic, or other environmental conditions.

CONTRACT PERFORMANCE:

The Contractor will begin work within seven (7) calendar days from the effective date of the notice to proceed, unless notified by the Project Manager that notice-to-proceed will be delayed. The Contractor will continue performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except by causes beyond his control identified in the Delays clause. While an extended performance window is provided in this statement of work, this extended window is designed for contractor’s who may have multiple contracts to complete at the same time as this contract. The extended performance window is not to be construed as a full performance time window just for this project unless approved in advance in writing by the BLM’s project manager. Once the contractor is on site working, the contractor will work diligently and complete all work within the project performance time in the Contract Time clause below.

It is the contractor’s sole responsibility to complete contract performance regardless of contractor’s current workload, including other contracts. If necessary, the contractor will be expected to take whatever means are necessary to ensure timely contract performance. At the discretion of the contractor, this may include sub-contracting, additional equipment/manpower and/or any other necessary action. Any necessary action taken by the contractor to ensure timely completion shall be at no additional expense to the BLM beyond the original contract price.

CONTRACT TIME:

Project Performance Time: 180 calendar days from official Notice-to-Proceed (NTP)

Extended performance window: None

INSPECTION:

Surveillance Plan: The Government will inspect completed acres and provide recommendations to improve work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with the contract specifications.

Final Inspection:

1. Location: Meeting shall be held at the project sites, or as determined by the Project Manager.

2. Notification: The Contractor will notify the Project Manager at least three (3) working days before completing date so the Government can schedule the final inspection.

3. Deficiencies: The Contractor will correct deficiencies and project areas will be re-inspected by the Project Manager.

ACCEPTANCE:

Based on inspection results, if the quality level falls below contract specifications, the Project Manager will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the Contractor to improve the quality of work. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level after written notification, the Project Manager may issue a suspend work order to resolve the problem, during which time contract time will continue to run.

If untreated or unsatisfactorily treated areas are the primary reason for unsatisfactory work, the Contractor shall rework acres designated by the Government until satisfactory work quality is obtained.

PAYMENT:

Partial payments are acceptable for the actual number of acres completed following an approved inspection of the project, and consistent with the payment clause in the BLM’s standard terms and conditions. Time frames for payment(s) may be negotiated (e.g. every two weeks or every 50 acres completed to the specifications). However, if a partial payment request is considered, approval of said request shall be at the total discretion of the BLM. The Contractor must get a partial payment request approved in writing prior to submitting an invoice for partial payment. Partial payment invoices received without prior approval will be returned to the contractor as not proper for payment.

WINTER STOPPAGE:

At the sole discretion of the BLM this contract may be stopped at any time due to frozen or wet soil or other winter conditions. Once the contract work is stopped for winter, the BLM may pay the contractor and cancel the remaining portion of the contract or issue a resumption of work order when spring weather permits. Contractor must proceed diligently with all work as weather permits until a stop-work order is issued.

SECTION II – BID REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

SITE VISIT:

It is strongly recommended that each potential bidder ensure that he/she has a complete understanding of the requirements of this project. Bidders are urged to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

SHAPE FILES:

For this project shape/KML file(s) [ X ] are [ ] are not available.

If available, files will be provided to any bidder who requests them. To request a shape/KML file, bidder must submit a request for the file(s) by email to____________________or ___________________. Properly submitted requests will be granted and file(s) will be provided by the BLM representative by return email if the emailed request is sent prior to the question & answer closing time. The BLM purchasing agent identified elsewhere in this solicitation shall be sent a cc: copy of the emailed request. Requests for shape or KML files submitted by fax or phone will not be honored. The BLM is not responsible if said files cannot be delivered by email because of the bidder’s email system limitations. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure that his/her email capability is adequate. Shape/KML files will not be delivered under any other format or method. No other comments or questions are allowed in an emailed request. Note the “Questions” provision below.

Under no circumstances shall the shape/KML files by considered part of the contractual document. They will be provided for informational purposes only. Any .pdf files provided in this bid document, and the actual physical site location shall govern any contractual interpretation or dispute related to this project.

QUESTIONS:

Only questions specific to the site should be asked at the site. All other questions related to this solicitation, specifications, or bidding procedures MUST be asked in writing to the Contracting Officer. There are no exceptions to this.

BIDDING:

This contract will be bid on a per-acre price. The per-acre price will be extended based on the quantity of acres to show a total project price. The total price shall include all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the job, which includes all mobilization and operating costs. There will be no fuel surcharges or adjustments negotiated.

REFERENCES:

For a bid to be considered for this project, the bidder must have a minimum of 1 years of experience in bullhog treatments. Bidders must provide a minimum of two references (preferably three) that can establish that the bidder has this required experience and has performed well within the past three years. Bidders who do not meet the experience requirement will not be considered for award. Reference information must include the information outlined in Attachment D, Reference Information, included elsewhere in this solicitation. References that cannot be reached because the information is too old to be accurate, or is otherwise inaccurate, will not be considered a proper reference that meets the minimum number of references stated above. To help determine bidder responsibility, the BLM reserves the right to request additional reference information and reserves the right to contact known references and/or refer to internal documentation independent of what is submitted by the bidder.

OR

Bidding on this project is limited to pre-qualified contractors. Therefore, reference information does not need to be submitted with the bid.

EQUIPMENT:

Bidders must provide the make, model, and horsepower rating (specify flywheel, PTO, or wheel HP) of the tractors and/or other equipment to be used with the bid SUBMITTAL.

CONRACT AWARD:

A contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder who meets any experience and equipment requirements noted elsewhere in this solicitation.

SECTION III – MAPS, DRAWINGS AND OTHER INFORMATION

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

ATTACHMENT D

REFERENCE INFORMATION

First Reference:

Company Name: ___________________________ Contact Person: ________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________ Email Address: _________________________

Project Name: _____________________________ Project Type/Size: __________/____________

Contract Amount: $_______________ Date Completed: _____________________

Comments related to this reference: _______________________________________________________

Second Reference:

Company Name: ___________________________ Contact Person: ________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________ Email Address: _________________________

Project Name: _____________________________ Project Type/Size: __________/____________

Contract Amount: $_______________ Date Completed: _____________________

Comments related to this reference: _______________________________________________________

Third Reference:

Company Name: ___________________________ Contact Person: ________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________ Email Address: _________________________

Project Name: _____________________________ Project Type/Size: __________/____________

Contract Amount: $_______________ Date Completed: _____________________

Comments related to this reference: _______________________________________________________

(NOTE: Additional references can be provided in this same format on a separate uploaded document)