A04_-_SOW_-_Woody_Vegetation_Removal.pdf

Removal of Trees and Woody Vegetation on

Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Statement of Work

Exhibit A

Project: Removal of Trees and Woody Vegetation on 254.0 acres (see highlighted polygons on attached map below).

Location: Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge – Lee and Godfrey Units

Project Performance Period:

o September 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025, and o January 15, 2026 – April 15, 2026

Quotes and Site Visit

All quotes shall be submitted as follows:

- Provide price per acre

- Provide price for 254 acres

A site visit of the project location is strongly encouraged prior to submitting a quote. Interested offerors may contact Eric Mark (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 701.425.9080, eric_mark@fws.gov), to schedule a site visit. For evaluation purposes, preference will be given to offerors who demonstrate a strong understanding of the statement of work, to include the attendance of a site visit.

Location

The project areas are located in Sections 8 of Godfrey Township (T148N R44W) within Polk County, MN

(see highlighted polygons on attached map below).

Project Information

Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is seeking a contract to reduce the woody vegetation cover on select management units located 6 miles west of Mentor, MN. The results from this treatment will promote a higher-quality and more diverse tallgrass prairie habitat which will benefit a suite of wildlife species for years to come.

Description of Work

This is a non-personnel services contract order for the reduction of standing dead and live trees and woody vegetation on 254.0 acres within the NWR boundary. The objective of this project will be for the contractor to mechanically cut or chip standing woody vegetation utilizing heavy equipment with rotary mowers or mulching/chipping machines. The standing woody vegetation ranges in size from 1” DBH or smaller up to an estimated 3” DBH, with potentially some larger DBH shrubs/trees. Maps containing details about the project areas for the project are attached below and Shapefiles can be provided, if requested.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personnel services necessary to perform the requirements of this Contract and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of the Contract.

The land is located in Section 8 of Godfrey Township within Polk County, MN. Tree removal and mowing will only be applied to land which are currently owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The performance dates for this contract are from:

- September 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025, and

- January 15, 2026 – April 15, 2026

Contractor shall comply 100% with the agreed-upon Statement of Work. Method of treatment shall be by via heavy equipment/tractors that are capable of felling, hauling and/or skidding trees with minimal impacts to the soil substrate. Other equipment to consider is equipment that can de-branch, chip branches and remove whole branches or chipped branches from the site, excavator with a bucket thumb or a skid steer with a grapple attachment and large-capacity truck. Rotary mowers, rotary drum mulchers/forestry cutters, and chipping machines are the preferred equipment for the smaller woody vegetation contained within the polygons. All trees and woody vegetation shall be mowed or cut within the polygons identified on the attached map. Woody material may be piled into burn piles on FWS property if the specifications listed below are followed. The contractor shall not set fire to any of the piles, burning of the piles is the responsibility of the FWS staff. If the contractor’s preferred equipment differs from above, offerors shall contact the Contracting Officer prior to submitting a quote.

The contractor shall comply with all EPA, FAA, OSHA, and other Federal, State and Local Government statutes and regulations while performing the services stated in this Statement of Work. The contractor shall have and provide the Project Manager with a safety/spill response plan. Care shall be taken to avoid soil disturbance or erosion. If soil disturbance occurs, the Contractor shall take all necessary actions to correct the disturbance.

The Contractor shall provide the Project Manager with contact information for all personnel and information about vehicles and equipment to be used or parked at sites. All contractor personnel and equipment shall be appropriately licensed and certified for the scope of this project.

The contractor is responsible for the repair or replacement of any faulty or sub-standard equipment during the course of the contract. The contractor shall notify the Project Manager within 48 hours of discovery of necessary repair or replacement during the course of the woody vegetation mowing/mulching/removal contract. Payment will only be made for actual acres treated which are agreed upon between the contractor and the Project Manager (subject to final approval of the Contracting Officer) prior to commencement of mowing/mulching/removal operations. Payment may be requested every 30 days following inspection of work.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting the following data for the Project Manager: operation start and end dates, location (longitude & latitude or UTM), number of acres treated, equipment used, and hours worked.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

1. General - The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals needed to perform the work.

2. The Contractor shall possess any/all required state and federal licenses applicable to this job.

3. Provide equipment with mowing and mulching attachments, operators, fuel and all other staff and associated supplies needed to complete the Project.

4. Mechanically cut or chip standing woody vegetation utilizing heavy equipment with rotary mowers or mulching/chipping machines. The standing woody vegetation ranges in size from 1” DBH or smaller up to an estimated 3” DBH, with potentially some larger DBH shrubs/trees, Any material that is greater than 6” DBH shall be cut and piled; see pile specifications below in #6.

All material less than 6” DBH can be mowed, mulched. Anything mulched or cut shall be less than 2” in size and no longer than 1’ in length.

5. Multiple burn piles may be made throughout the project area. Any piles created must meet the following specifications:

a. Pile is located completely within the project area

b. Piles shall be no greater than 30 feet wide x 30 feet long x 20 feet high

c. Pile shall be 500 feet or greater away from any road

d. The contractor shall not set fire to the piles

6. All stumps shall be flush cut to ground level with a maximum height of 4” above ground level.

7. All brush shall be mowed as low as possible

8. Equipment Maintenance: Throughout the period of performance, machines used to accomplish this contract shall be maintained in good and safe working order and shall be free of fluid leaks in order to protect the Refuge environment. All equipment shall be cleaned prior to operation on federal lands (all dirt, grease, and plant parts shall be removed, to minimize risks of contamination of the Refuge).

Safety

• At all times, the contractor shall ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment. All equipment

& personnel provided under this project shall meet and comply with all Federal, State, and occupational safety & health administration (OSHA) regulations.

• The contractor shall abide by all local standards, protocols, instructions and briefings related to access the various sites. Any accident or injury resulting from the Contractor's actions shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

Contractor Safety and Experience

• Contractor and all employees assisting shall have an excellent safety record.

• At all times, the Contractor shall ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment.

• Contractor shall be fully insured and willing provide proof of insurance if requested.

Project Manager:

Eric Mark

Glacial Ridge NWR

17788 349th St SE

Erskine, MN 56535

Eric_mark@fws.gov

701.425.9080 cell

Ben Walker

Glacial Ridge NWR

Glacial Ridge NWR

17788 349th St SE

Erskine, MN 56535

218.230.5563 cell