A04_-_WMWR_Cedar_Removal_-_SOW.pdf

Eastern Red Cedar Reduction at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Thinning/Mastication)

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

General: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide fuel reduction treatments for the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

Description of Services/Introduction:

The work consists of the contractor furnishing and providing all labor, personnel, supervision, equipment, training, transportation, tools, materials, operating supplies, and any other incidental items and services necessary for performing mechanical reduction of approximately 80 acres infested with eastern red cedar at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMW) as defined in this Work Statement (see attachment 1-5). The contractor is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the work unit areas, as well as with the nature and scope of the contract requirements and specifications.

Background:

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge would like to mechanically thin areas that contains eastern red cedar to reduce the chances of a catastrophic wildfire impacting public and private infrastructure and fire-sensitive plant species that support wildlife across the Refuge. The Refuge needs more machines or operators to dedicate to this project of this size. The overall goals are to reduce the risk of wildfires resulting in damage to habitat, mitigate safety risks to FWS staff, and protect surrounding communities from unplanned wildfires escaping off or onto the refuge.

All units where mechanical clearing will occur have two-track road or paved road access. Options for site access and all equipment storage and environmental concerns will be addressed during project meetings. Attached maps are for reference purpose only, project boundaries could vary depending on Refuge needs.

Place of Performance:

The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, 32 Refuge Headquarters Road, Indiahoma, OK 73552. Job site is approximately 6 miles north of Cache, Oklahoma on a paved road.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this contract shall be from award date to September 30, 2025. The period of performance will be set per Refuge management to meet the objectives.

Hours of Operation:

All work on this contract may be conducted Sunday through Saturday, from sunrise to sunset. The Contractor, must always, maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this SOW when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

Work Outside of Normal Duty Hours.

If the contractor requires work other than during the normal hours as previously stated, then a variance is required. The contractor shall request (in writing), to the Contracting Officer (CO), a variance to request working other hours or work any additional hours.

Recognized Federal Holidays.

The contractor is not required to provide contract services on the following observed Federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Weather Conditions:

Certain weather conditions may require work restrictions. Rain events of over one-inch rainfall at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge usually make Refuge roads undriveable. No vehicles will be allowed to operate on Refuge roads under extremely damp or muddy conditions. The COR will determine when such conditions exist and further define/require these restrictions. Usually if the rain event is followed by one or more full days of dry weather the vehicle restriction can be lifted.

Extreme fire danger in the project area may require work shutdowns or reduced hours of operation (i.e., no saws or mowing machinery after 1 p.m.). The South Texas Fire Management Zone Fire Mgmt. Officer (or his acting) will determine when such conditions exist and will notify the COR the day prior to the restrictions going into effect. The Contractor will be informed by the COR when these restrictions are in effect.

Site Visit:

Site visit of project location will be available June 12th from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. Contact Dan McDonald (580- 583-9147) to schedule time.

Scope:

The contractor should access the area only during dry times and/or during times preapproved by refuge staff. If the areas are too wet, they will not be able to work on the project areas, to minimize the damage to the Refuge. The contractor will complete daily work reports and turn them in to the Refuge staff. The Refuge reserves the right to select specific jobs or portions of jobs based on budgetary constraints.

Contractor will thin, mechanically masticate or remove all Eastern Red Cedar trees within the project locations. Mastication, cutting with saws or equipment is permitted. Mastication is permitted in the place of cutting if masticated material is evenly distributed and does not average more than eight inches in depth on the ground. Masticated cedar shall be less than 4 inches from ground level. Trees too large to masticate will be cut and piled on-site no closer than 100 feet from a paved or gravel refuge road. Eastern red cedar trees cut or felled in a creek must be removed from main creek channel. Some areas of the project may be inaccessible to equipment due to rocky, steep terrain and wet conditions. Care should be taken to not cut or damage non-cedar trees (oak, maple, ash) larger than 6” diameter. Non-cedar trees less than 6” diameter may be removed to remove cedar trees. In these areas chainsaw’s may be required to complete the work. If chainsaw work is used all cut material will be scattered and not be over 18 inches in height. No digging, grubbing, or pushing of vegetation shall occur. All stumps shall be cut flush or below ground level.

Objective:

• Mechanically thin or masticate all eastern red cedar within the project location.

• Allow for more burnable acres on the Refuge.

• Improve access for refuge staff to increase management capabilities.

• Treatments will reduce eastern red cedar fuel loading and reduce potential for severe wildfire occurrence.

Performance Objective (The Service required— usually a shall statement)

Standard Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate.

It could possibly be

“Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1.

• Tracts: The contractor shall treat approximately 80 acres and masticate or cut all eastern red cedar within the project location at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

• Masticate – mulch all eastern red cedar.

• Fell and pile – eastern red cedar too large to mulch will be cut and piled, no pile shall be closer than 100 feet to a refuge road.

• The contractor will provide 100% of all debris and trash to be cleared from tract daily. The area must be kept clean at all times.

95% or greater of deviation from standard

100% Inspection.

COR will inspect work daily.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel.

Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager and Site Project Leader. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

Wildland Fires. Fire tools and fire extinguishers shall be present on-site and shall be readily available for usage.

Fire tools should be one per employee and be suitable for cutting and scraping, such as a shovel or pulaski. Fire extinguishers should be one per 3 employees and, for the purpose of this section, rated for Class A fire only.

Portable water spraying packs suitable for wildland fire suppression can be used in lieu of Class A only fire extinguisher.

All fire starts should be suppressed immediately. Any fire that cannot be suppressed immediately should be reported to 911.

At this time, evacuation of employees is the priority. The contractor should make an initial effort to suppress any fire starts, but it is the responsibility of the Government to suppress any wildland fires.

At times of very high and extreme wildland fire conditions, it may be necessary for the contractor to stop work for extended periods of time. The Government will inform the contractor if these situations are likely to occur and will work in the interest of both parties to minimize the impact of any delays.

Transportation & Access: The contractor shall provide all equipment, operators and support personnel, transportation, parts, fluids, fuel, etc. It is the contractor’s daily responsibility to transport the equipment to and from the site and to provide for the transportation of personnel, fuel, parts, fluids, etc. Personal vehicles are not to be left on Refuge property overnight.

Regardless of time-of-day, vehicles, equipment, etc. shall not block gates, roads, and other access points. At the end of shift, the contractor shall lock all gates on the way out unless otherwise advised by the POC.

Supervision: To ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall provide adequate and competent onsite supervision (with the ability to effectively communicate in English), for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees. When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be always available to receive notices, reports, or requests from the Site Representative or his authorized representative.

NOTE: At no time shall Government representatives direct or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees.

Security of Materials: The contractor may leave their equipment and supplies at the work site. However, the contractor is hereby advised that the Government assumes no liability or responsibility for the stored equipment or supplies on Government lands or on private lands. Also, the contractor shall provide their own locks for usage of gated roads. The contractor’s lock(s) shall not bypass any of the Service’s gate locks on any gate at any time. All gates shall be locked and always secured.

Employee Safety: The contractor is responsible for having an approved safety plan and an emergency plan. The contractor is responsible for having safety briefings and safety training. Also, the contractor shall be liable and responsible for ensuring that all contractor personnel are wearing and using the proper personnel protective equipment (PPE) and supplies, for performing the work duties and tasks under this contract, in a safe and proper manner. Such PPE shall include (but not be limited to) the following: chain saw chaps, steel-toed boots (or boots with foot protection), hardhat, long-sleeve shirts and pants, safety glasses or goggles, ear plugs and leather gloves.

General Housekeeping: The contractor shall be responsible for the proper handling and proper transport and disposal of all waste products, including (but not limited to) general trash/waste, human waste, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste.

The work areas within each unit shall be kept clean and free of all trash. ALL trash is to be picked up and removed daily.

Invasive Species Mitigation: All equipment used by the contractor will be clean of all debris, dirt, mud, plant material, and grease within tracks and undercarriage, prior to entering the Refuge. If equipment leaves the work site for any reason it will be cleaned prior to re-entering the Refuge. This requirement is to limit the potential for spread of exotic and invasive plants onto the Refuge.

Protection of Trees: The Contractor shall take every precaution necessary to prevent damage to trees and vegetation outside of the treatment area.

Spill Containment & Trash Pick-up: The contractor shall have the necessary equipment and supplies required to mitigate any fuel or fluid spills. All spills are to be reported to the FWS POC as soon as they occur. All trash from operations including but not limited to hydraulic fluid and oil containers, water bottles, food wrappers and containers, etc. shall not be left on site.

Hazardous Materials: The contractor shall ensure that a current, up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is readily available for each product, as well as listing a product identification number. ALL hazardous materials shall be properly stored in approved storage containers. The hazardous materials contents shall be in approved, labeled containers. No hazardous materials or waste shall be left unattended out in the open, or left out in sunny areas or spots, due to potential leaking, or swelling of the container, as well as potential vaporization of the contents of such hazardous materials. This is a primary concern for all petroleum fuel products. Any hazardous materials that are used on site by the contractor shall have absorbing pads or other approved alternate containment protection underneath them or have other alternative protection, to prevent accidental spills or leaking of any hazardous materials Any contractor-generated hazardous waste items shall be properly labeled and be in approved containers. Additionally, any contractor- generated hazardous waste shall be properly disposed of. All hazardous waste items shall be transported properly and safely to an approved hazardous waste facility that accept, handle, and dispose of hazardous waste.

Protection of Stream and Water Sources: The contractor is responsible to ensure that any potential environmental contamination is prevented and avoided. All contractor personnel shall always use care and caution, especially when working in or near riparian areas, including streams, springs, creeks, etc. No hazardous materials shall be emptied, stored, or used near any water sources, including springs and creeks.

Soil Erosion and Site Damage: Soil erosion and/or site damage shall be minimized, including on all roads, trails, and shallow soil zones. Additionally, the contractor shall restrict their vehicular traffic to the roads that are designated for use in this contract. Any requests for access to other non-designated roads or trails shall be made in advance with the COR, prior to any usage. All roads and trails are subject to closure at any time by the Government, as deemed necessary or required. If the contractor is authorized to make any new access trail, then the contractor shall be responsible for trail rehabilitation. This includes slash pull-in and scattering of slash into the trail(s). Other site rehabilitation may be required, on a case-by-case basis. If there is rutting of roads, the contractor is responsible for repair.

Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5.

Attachments:

1. Overview, general refuge location

2. Project locations overview

3. Project Location 1/Job 1 – Ranger Station Creek (~38 acres cedar)

4. Project Location 2/Job 2 – Cache Creek East (~17 acres cedar)

5. Project Location 3/Job 3 – Cache Creek West (~25 acres cedar)

Attachment 1

Attachment 2 – Project Locations Overview

Attachment 3 – Project Location 1 – Ranger Station Creek

Attachment 4 – Project Location 2 – Cache Creek East

Attachment 5 – Project Location 3 – Cache Creek West