A05_Attach_2_-_2025_BDFB_Mowing_PWS.docx

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT – Upper Snake Field Office Performance Work Statement 2025 Big Desert Fuel Break Mowing F-1

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide for rangeland mowing services. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the providers performing these services. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction: The Upper Snake Field Office (USFO), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is acquiring services for rangeland mowing. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, supplies, and incidentals; and perform all work necessary to complete treatment in accordance with the specifications provided.

1.2. Background: The Big Desert Fuel Break Mowing Contract is a shrub treatment project focused on the mowing of shrubs and other native vegetation from within designated roadside fuel breaks. The treatment area consists of sagebrush steppe habitat that has been previously modified to reduce fuel loads and shrub stature. Vegetation within the treatment area is typical of the Great Basin and consists primarily of bluebunch wheatgrass and Wyoming big sagebrush along with other native vegetation. Fuel loadings range from less than one half ton per acre to as high as four tons or more per acre. The material to be treated consists of native vegetation, with heights ranging between 8- to 12-in and densities ranging from sparse to dense.

1.3. Objectives: The objective of this service is to reduce fuel loads, modifying vegetation composition, and increasing interspaces within ongoing fuels reduction project areas.

1.4. Scope: The work under this contract includes the mechanical mowing of sagebrush, and other vegetation along 70 miles of improved and unimproved desert roads resulting in an affected treatment area of 150 feet either side of the designated roads resulting in an affected area of 2,516 total acres (see Detailed Specifications 4.2.2).

1.5. Period of Performance: Treatment will begin on or after April 14, 2025, as soon as weather conditions are favorable. The Contracting Officers Representative (COR) will notify the contractor that favorable conditions have been met and the contractor shall be prepared to commence treatment within 3 calendar days of notification. The contractor shall complete operations by no later than May 15. This treatment may coincide with poor weather and site conditions. During the contract and treatment period, county, state and BLM jurisdiction roads may not be suitable for staging areas due to muddy or wet conditions.

Estimated Start Date: April 14, 2025 End Date (must be completed by): May 15, 2025

1.6. General Information:

1.6.1. Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative: The Contracting Officer (CO) shall designate the COR and Project Inspector (PI). The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documentation executed by the CO prior to completion of the contract.

1.6.2. Hours of Operation: Treatments will be permitted only during daylight hours. The Contractor will be allowed to work six days per week including Saturdays. Work will not be permitted on Sundays and holidays, unless authorized by the COR.

1.6.3. Federal Observed Holidays: In addition to any holidays declared by Executive Orders, the following Federal Legal Holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

1.6.4. Place of Performance: The project area is located approximately 35 miles west of Blackfoot and 15 miles southwest of Atomic City, Idaho within Bingham, Blaine and Butte Counties. All work will be performed on land either administered by the Bureau of Land Management or on land (State/Private) where treatment has been authorized (see Vicinity Map). The topography of the project area consists of gently rolling lava plains with associated basalt bluffs and desert playas with elevations ranging from 4,700 to over 7,500-ft above sea level. Slopes within the treatment areas are generally less than ten percent and are easily traversable.

1.6.5. Pre-work Conference: A pre-work conference will be held prior to the commencement of work. The Contractor will be notified in advance of meeting time, date, and place. The purpose will be to review required work, specifications, payment, and administrative provisions of the contract. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination for the work (Contractor Representative/Foreman) shall be present at the meeting. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project and provide a performance/work plan to meet the time frames of the project.

1.6.6. Progress Reports: Contractor will provide weekly progress summaries, during treatment, to the BLM Representative (COR and/or PI). Regular communication between BLM Representatives and the Contractor is required to help alleviate any problems or potential delays.

1.6.7. Invoicing: Invoices shall be submitted through IPP for payment, after services have been performed with supporting invoice on company letterhead and referenced purchase order number. Unit Costs offered must be “All-Inclusive” for materials, labor, transportation, surcharges, fees, and services necessary and incidental to the treatment. Invoices shall reflect only those costs indicated in the Price Schedule. All expenses relating to maintenance and operation of equipment shall be considered in the all-inclusive pricing. The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all areas furnished to the contractor have been treated to the standards specified. Measurement for payment will be the actual treatment area, in acres, within the designated boundaries satisfactorily treated in conformance with these specifications. Measurement will be made from the GIS polygons provided by the government. Acreages will be computed from horizontal distances as shown on maps. Payment will be made at the unit price per acre specified in the Pricing Schedule and shall include the cost of all work described in this paragraph and the Detailed Specifications, including any retreatment, if such work is required.

1.6.8. Project Boundary Marking: The location and access to the unit(s) are shown on the vicinity and unit map(s). The unit boundaries will not be identified by flagging, it will be up to the contractor to identify and verify boundaries in the field using maps and electronic devices to stay within the unit(s).

1.6.9. Notification of Cessation or Restart of Work: The Contractor will have personnel on site prior to commencing daily treatment, during treatment, and will notify COR or Project Inspector (PI) of changing weather conditions. The COR/PI will allow Contractor to continue or stop treatment if weather factors dictate. The COR/PI will give the permission to start, approximately one (1) hour from notification of conditions, depending on location of project from the USFO.

1.6.10. Personnel Requirements: The Contractor must always maintain an adequate work force to ensure timely completion of the work and is responsible for the crew knowing the requirements of the contract. The crew is also responsible for maintaining a safe working environment following OSHA standards. The Contractor must attend the pre-work meeting and provide a written performance/work plan including crew manifest prior to beginning work.

1.6.10.1. Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the Government: A Contractor Representative/Foreman must be on-site always directing work. This person must be fluent in English and will also serve as an on the ground contact person for the COR/PI. Failure to maintain a Contractor Representative/Foreman will result in suspension of work until an acceptable on-the-ground Contractor Representative/Foreman is provided. A maximum of five (5) days will be allowed to produce a qualified Contractor Representative/Foreman. Failure to do so within five days may result in the CO issuing a Suspend Work Order. CO and COR must be informed of any changes of Contractor Representative/Foreman. The contractor will also furnish a legible list of all contract employees (last name, first name) to the assigned COR. If there are any changes to the list of contract employees during the life of the contract a new list will be provided to the COR.

1.6.11. Camping: Camping on agency-administered lands will only be allowed on site(s) pre-approved by an authorized officer. Camping areas for crews will be identified and surveyed for cultural resources prior to use of that camp location. Some camp sites including designated camp sites have been identified and cleared for use, ask the COR for details. The Contractor shall maintain all camping areas in an orderly and sanitary manner. The ordering and maintenance of portable toilets and dumpsters is the responsibility of the contractor. All fire regulations and restrictions shall be followed. All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site(s) by the Contractor and disposed of offsite before final payment is made.

1.6.12. Risk and Damages: The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for any damages to persons or property in connection with the prosecution of the work, including the applicator or other employees of the Contractor.

1.6.13. Protection of Improvements: The COR may order a cessation of work if vehicles are operated on roads within the work area when ground or weather conditions cause or lead to loss of traction. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following rainstorms. Any soil and ground disturbance caused by equipment during and after operations will be rehabilitated.

1.6.14. Salvage Rights: No salvage will be allowed.

1.6.15. Safety

1.6.15.1. Equipment must meet OSHA standards.

1.6.15.2. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure for the safety of employees and general public during treatment. The treatment area will remain open to public access and, as such, the contractor shall furnish roadside warning signs to be placed at treatment area access points. Signs shall be high visibility, with minimum dimensions of 3-feet by 3-feet and shall warn of flying debris. Should public safety become a concern, the contractor shall stop all operations and work with the COR/PI to resolve the issue.

1.6.15.3. The Contractor shall comply with all the applicable Idaho State Fire Prevention Laws, Restrictions, Rules, Regulations, and Standards. If a fire is started or discovered, work crews will immediately notify Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (208) 524-7600. See Section 6 for additional information.

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2. Definitions

2.1. Contractor: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.2. Contracting Officer (CO): A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.3. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.4. Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.5. Equipment: A tangible item that is functionally complete for its intended purpose, durable, nonexpendable, and needed for the performance of a contract. Equipment is not intended for sale and does not ordinarily lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use. Equipment does not include material, real property, special test equipment or special tooling.

2.6. Key Personnel: Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal. The prime contractor is responsible for performance of all subcontractors.

2.7. Quality Control: All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.8. Safety Hazards: Any ground or above ground hazards that would pose a danger to Contractor’s personnel or operating equipment must be identified and mitigated by the Contractor prior to commencing operations.

2.9. Subcontractor: One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

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3. Government Furnished Property and Services

3.1. The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

3.1.1. Provide various USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) or GIS equivalent with clear cut project area boundaries clearly identified.

3.1.2. Provide GIS shapefiles of the project boundary and treatment strips in WGS84 coordinate system.

3.1.3. A georeferenced pdf map file will be provided that delineates the treatment perimeters. The Contractor must have a smart device capable of accepting and displaying georeferenced files.

3.1.4. A list of contacts, including emergency contacts, will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

3.2.

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4. Contractor -Furnished Items and Services

4.1. Equipment Requirements:

4.1.1. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to perform the work as described herein.

4.1.2. Contractor shall insure that all equipment is power washed and free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain noxious weed seeds prior to being transported to BLM-administered land. For purposes of this provision, equipment shall be considered debris free when a visual inspection does not disclose such material.

4.1.3. The Contractor shall service and maintain such equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on the work.

4.1.3.1. Tractors: The Contractor furnished tractors will have adequate drawbar horsepower, traction, and weight to accomplish the mowing requirement within the time limits specified by the government. Additionally, the tractors shall be four-wheel drive, rubber tired, with a minimum horsepower of 90 rated at power take-off unit. Rollover protection structures are required on equipment regardless of age, as defined in CFR1920-1000-1002.

4.1.3.2. Mowers: The Contractor furnished rotary cutter mowers will be either a pull behind or push style. Mowers must be capable of traversing terrain and cutting brush to a height of approximately eight (8) inches.

4.1.3.3. Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Transports: The Contractor shall furnish motor vehicles for hauling equipment and personnel to and from the worksite. The Contractor shall not load or unload equipment on public highways unless authorized by the CO.

4.2. Service Requirements:

4.2.1. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor (i.e., knowledge and experience of the crew leader) to determine the quantity of work needed to meet specifications identified in this PWS.

4.2.2. Detailed Specifications: Rangeland Mowing

4.2.2.1. Mowing shall be performed in a linear fashion along roadways creating a 300-ft-wide mow swath, 150-ft on both sides from the edge of the road. Mowing may include some mosaic areas of non-mowed areas due to avoidance sites or rock outcrops. However, the contractor should make every effort possible to mow ALL vegetation within the 300-ft-wide treatment area.

4.2.2.2. Mowing shall be performed on both sides of the roadway. In cases where fences bisect treatment areas, the contractor WILL need to adequately treat both sides of the fence out to the distance specified in the contract.

4.2.2.3. Surface Conditions: Equipment shall not be operated when the soil is wet, and the equipment causes a three inch or greater rut. If such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the COR or PI.

4.2.2.4. Height of Mowing: The height of mowing shall be no more than eight (8) inches, measured from the original ground surface. The cuttings/mulch will be left where cut and will be even with the normal plane of the ground surface and spread as evenly as possible.

4.2.2.5. Work Hours: To limit impacts to lekking Sage-grouse, mowing operations under this contract shall be limited to the time between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4.2.2.6. No equipment may be parked in sage-grouse lekking areas (see Unit Map).

4.2.2.7. The area to be mowed is open to public access and will remain so during the treatment.

4.2.2.8. Avoidance areas (no mowing) may be identified within the project area and designated with flagging, i.e., cultural sites, survey monuments, above ground pipeline structures, etc.

4.2.2.9. Surface rock and uneven terrain may reduce tractor speeds and cause mechanical problems. Routine periodic maintenance of equipment may reduce the daily hours of operation.

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5. Specific Tasks

5.1. Rangeland Mowing: The Contractor shall perform the mowing services in designated areas in conformance with these specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish, equipment, labor, supplies, tools, supervision, materials, incidentals, and perform all work necessary to complete the mowing services in accordance with the specifications provided (see Detailed Specifications 4.2.2). Services shall be billed in accordance with pricing schedule.

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6. Applicable Technical Orders, Specifications, Regulations, Manuals

6.1. Fire Prevention: Primarily for purposes of fire prevention and control, the Contractor shall comply with the following provisions:

6.1.1. All equipment will have the following:

6.1.1.1. A serviceable chemical “ABC” fire extinguisher of at least 10-pounds minimum capacity. Such fire extinguisher shall be filled and in operating condition.

6.1.1.2. A shovel in good condition with not less than a three (3) foot handle and a blade not less than seven and three-quarters (7 3/4) inches wide. The shovel shall be in good condition, be tight on strong handles, and have sharp cutting edges. There shall be at least one (1) tool for each Contractor employee working on the contract area.

6.1.1.3. The CO may require additional fire tools and fire equipment as the fire danger warrants. This may require the contractor to supply a mechanized fire suppression apparatus (i.e., UTV with water tank and gas or electric pump) that will be always manned during times of high fire danger.

6.1.2. All diesel and/or gasoline operated engines will be equipped with spark arresters.

6.1.3. Remove all concentrations of wood dust and debris from equipment daily.

6.2. Fuel Storage and Transfer: Storage of flammables and combustibles may occur on site. Storage of flammable and combustibles shall follow State and Federal Regulations.

6.2.1. Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5-gallons or less, except that this shall not apply to those flammable liquid materials which are highly viscid (extremely hard to pour), which may be used and handled in original shipping containers. For quantities of one gallon or less, the original container may be used, for storage, use and handling of flammable liquids.

6.2.2. Safety can shall mean an approved container, of not more than 5-gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.

6.2.3. Storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.

6.2.4. At least one portable 10-pound (minimum) “ABC” fire extinguisher shall be located not less than 25-feet, nor more than 75-feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.

6.2.5. Areas in which flammable liquids are transferred at one time, in quantities greater than 5-gallons from one tank or container to another tank or container, shall be separated from other operations by 25-feet distance or by construction having a fire resistance of at least 1-hour. Drainage or other means shall be provided to control spills. Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation shall be provided to maintain the concentration of flammable vapor at or below ten percent of the lower flammable limit.

Technical Exhibits:

Required services table with AQL: