A1_-_PWS_BLRI_Vista_Tree_Cutting_NC_and_VA.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Scenic Vistas Cutting Trees in North Carolina and Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway

National Park Service

Department of the Interior

199 Hemphill Knob Road

Asheville, North Carolina 28803

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Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Blue Ridge Parkway FY2024

1. Background

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic highway that provides views from the many scenic vistas of the mountain ranges in Virginia and North Carolina. Most vistas are located on remote, steep, vegetated, and or rocky mountain slopes at various elevations. The services to be provided within this Performance Work Statement (PWS) consist of cutting dead and diseased scenic vistas along the Blue Ridge Parkway at designated locations in North

Carolina, first, and then Virginia as far as the funding lasts. These services are to be performed to eliminate hazardous (dead and diseased) trees that could cause a danger to visitors, NPS employees, and contractors that are working in and around our historic vistas.

There are three basic types of scenic vistas along the Blue Ridge Parkway:

• Parking Vistas (Overlooks) (PV): Views from roadside parking areas often referred to as overlooks. These vistas may include the roadside areas on either or both sides of the parking area or the area across the Parkway from the parking area.

• Roadside Vistas (RSV): Views from the roadside that are areas immediately behind the grass shoulder, guardrails and rock walls and are primarily viewed through the windshield of a moving vehicle.

• Canopy/Axial Vistas (CAV): Roadside views through stands of trees and shrubs. May also be views from a parking overlook or utilized to enhance a shrub or grass bay area.

2. Key Government Personnel

• Contracting Officer (CO): the only person with authority to enter in, administer, modify and/or terminate the contract.

• The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): a program official designated by the

CO to assist in administering technical aspects of the contract. The COR cannot modify the contract.

• Project Inspector (PI): a program official designated by the CO to assist the COR with day-to-day documentation of contract activities and other contract administration activities. The PI cannot modify the contract.

3. Location and Access

Location: Approximate vista locations are listed on the attached Vista Log Sheets by Parkway milepost to the nearest tenth. Contractor must verify all locations prior to starting work and confirm with COR as needed.

Access: Access to the work sites shall be via the nearest state road intersecting the Blue Ridge

Parkway. Access is subject to variable road conditions, Parkway closures and the ability to access the sites safely.

4. Required Services

A. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS): The Contractor performance requirements are summarized into the major required services that define successful contract

Scenic Vistas Dead Tree Cutting in NC and VA Page 3 completion. The performance standard identifies the minimum acceptable levels of service allowed.

Performance Objective Performance

Standard/

Threshold

Surveillance

Method Incentive/Remedy

Cut designated dead and diseased tree in the vistas and adjacent to the vistas. The proposed diameter at breast height (DBH) will range from

6-inch DBH to 48-inch DBH bidding purposes. The number of identified trees can be found in the Work to be Completed column in the Vista Log Sheet.

The trees to be cut will be left at the prescribed depth and proper height, and lay flat and parallel to ground, according to PWS

100% compliance/

Without

Deviation

COR

Acceptance All rework and/or restoration shall be accomplished by contractor at no additional cost to the government; Performance will be annotated in the CPARS

Rating

Compliance with safety, traffic

& environmental standards per federal, state, NPS regulations and as required within the

PWS

100% compliance/

Without

Deviation

Random

Inspection Performance will be annotated in the CPARS Rating

Protection of natural resources and protected plant and animal species

100% compliance/

Without

Deviation

Random

Inspection Cutting of plants not identified to be cut per the contract or vista log instructions will result in a 50% reduction in payment for the vista. Performance will be annotated in the CPARS Rating

B. SCHEDULING:

1. No vista clearing work shall be performed between dusk and dawn.

2. At least 14 days prior to starting work, the Contractor shall submit a proposed schedule for vista cutting indicating what dates each vista will be cut. The Park will review for compliance with timing of natural resource requirements. The Park may require revision of the schedule to meet these natural resource requirements or elimination of certain vistas from the work.

C. TRAFFIC CONTROL:

The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel and equipment to maintain safe traffic flow through the work area.

1. Staging:

a. Staging and parking for vehicles, equipment and materials shall be confined to paved overlooks and parking areas.

b. Other staging areas may be approved by the CO upon request to the COR.

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2. Signs:

a. All signage must conform to Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requirements.

b. If permitted, when vehicles or personnel are staged on the road shoulder, warning signs (WORKERS AHEAD) with advisory speed limit signs (25 MPH) shall be placed along the mainline Parkway 500 feet in advance of the work zone to alert drivers approaching from either direction.

c. Staging in grassy bays or paved overlooks, away from road shoulder, does not require signage.

3. Traffic Delays: No traffic delays will be permitted without a request submitted for approval by the COR at least five days in advance.

D. Vista Tree Cutting – Dead and Diseased Trees:

1. Vista Log Sheets:

The vistas to be cleared are specified on the Vista Log Sheets which is attached to these contract requirements. The Vista Log Sheets identifies each vista by an identification number, milepost number, vista type, location on the Parkway (left or right side of Parkway from a parkway north to south orientation), cut length and depth. For this project the length and depth of vistas is informational only.

b. Please note that rows marked in pink in the Vista Log Sheets are informational in nature only.

c. As listed in the Vista Log sheet – Vistas from Milepost 43.0 to Milepost 467.9 are in

North Carolina and Virginia. In these identified vistas dead and diseased trees will be cut and dropped where they fall in the vista and away from all paved and dirt roads, mowed areas, and trails. See attached spreadsheet for locations.

In addition to the general information provided above about each vista, and vista type there is information as to the number of trees to be cut per vista. The number of trees to be cut can be found in the Work to be Completed Column of the Vista Log Sheets.

For bidding purposes, only the number of trees identified on the spreadsheet will be included in the bid offering.

There shall be three ranges of tree sizes to be cut on under this project. The ranges are

6-inch to 15-inch DBH, 15-inch to 24-inch DBH, and 24-inch to 48-inch DBH. The contractor shall bid using these ranges as identified on the Bid Sheet. The contractor shall keep a record of trees cut, the tree DBH’s and location of said cut trees. The contractor record shall be used to verify and make progress payments for this project.

Field verification inspections shall be randomly performed to verify progress during this project.

1. An annual monitoring report indicating work done each year will be provided by January

30 of the following year.

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2. Seasonal Vista Clearing Limitations: Due to environmental compliance regulations affecting Park resources, the following must be adhered to by the Contractor for successful completion of the required work. No vista clearing work shall be performed in the time periods listed as follows:

a. North Carolina- May 1st thru August 15th

b. Virginia - April 15th thru August 15th

c. No work will be completed on the Parkway during the month of October.

d. Sites with indicated wetlands and/or T&E species safe dates must be cut during the available timeframe. Restrictions due to the available work window shall be considered in the estimates.

3. Vista Site Work Limits:

a. If requested by the Contractor, assistance will be available to determine the start point and end point (width) for specific vistas. These work limits can be reestablished by the Government at the Contractor’s request. A GPS program will be available to the successful bidder that gives the milepost, vista numbers and road crossings on the

Parkway.

4. General Vista Clearing Standards:

a. No night work will occur (between dusk and dawn).

b. All cut trees cuts shall be left on site to decompose.

c. All cut trees within the limits of the contract shall be cut, de-limbed, and made to lay flat and parallel to the ground unless otherwise specified. Fallen trees and woody debris will be left on site as aesthetics and safety allows.

d. Final cuts shall be at grade level or no higher than 3 inches above the grade.

e. Lying flat requires that all cut trees be within 12 inches of the existing grade or brush currently covering the ground except tree trunks and limbs 6 inches in diameter or larger.

f. Cut trees should remain where it falls after cutting unless otherwise specified. All fallen cut trees must lie flat. Brush falling on trails or plants shall be removed and randomly placed a minimum of 10 feet below the road shoulder or trail, and flat and parallel to the ground as described above.

g. When tree limbs must be removed, the Contractor has the option of chipping and spreading the brush evenly below the road shoulder or trail at a depth no greater than

4 inches or hauling the brush off-site for proper disposal.

F. CLEANUP: Remove any incidental trash and all equipment from the work site each day.

Repair any direct or indirect damage to Government property caused by the Contractor’s personnel or equipment.

5. Safety & Environmental Compliance

A. HEALTH & SAFETY

1. Protection of the Public: The vista sites are in public areas that often receive many park visitors. The Contractor shall provide suitable DOT traffic signs and barriers, barrier tape

Scenic Vistas Dead Tree Cutting in NC and VA Page 6 or barricades necessary to warn people of and protect people from the contract operations.

2. Worker Safety: The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions for the safety of, and shall provide the necessary protection to prevent damage, injury or loss to all Contractor or Sub-contractor employees on the job. Safety requirements are governed by OSHA regulations. The Contractor and its subcontractor(s) shall provide its employees with the proper personal protection equipment prescribed for the type of work involved. All personal protection equipment shall be maintained in a workable and protective condition. Each worksite shall have readily available the following items: first aid kit; bee sting kit; two-way radios or cellular phones for communications in the remote areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway; and a vehicle available for emergency transportation to a medical facility.

3. Fire Prevention: Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to prevent fire during this contract work. Internal combustion equipment shall be located by the Contractor so that exhausts discharge away from combustible materials. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of one fire extinguisher at the job site that is appropriate for each type of fire that could occur on the job.

4. Contractor Conduct: While at the work site or traveling within in the boundaries of the

Blue Ridge Parkway, the Contractor shall comply with all rules and regulations of the

National Park Service governing the park in general and the work site in specific, (specific guidance can be provided upon request).

5. Accident Reporting: Report all accidents on the jobsite to the area Ranger, and COR or

Project Inspector.

B. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

1. Air & Water Pollution Control: Take all necessary reasonable measures to reduce air and water pollution by any material or equipment used during this contract work. Do not dispose of volatile wastes or oils in storm or sanitary drains.

2. Preservation of Existing Features

a. Confine all operations within the work limits of the project.

b. Exercise special care to maintain natural surroundings undamaged. Protect all existing structures, vegetation, equipment, or utilities from damage. All vegetation, structures, equipment, or utilities damaged by the Contractor shall be restored, repaired, or replaced by the Contractor to the satisfaction of the CO at no additional cost to the Government.

c. Contractor shall provide a Hazardous Substance Spill Cleanup Plan listing the procedures, equipment, and materials to be used to prevent spillage of and provide cleanup of any hazardous substance spills that might occur in the park as a result of the operations of this contract. The plan should address cleanup methods not only for spills along grassed shoulders or adjacent natural ground landscapes, but also along the asphalt surfaces of parking areas and roads. Crews shall have readily available all

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6. Insurance: Maintain insurance in accordance with the State of North Carolina regulations.

The Government is not responsible for damage to Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

• Workers Compensation: Furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the CO for those employees performing work related to this contract and comply with the

Workman’s Compensation Laws of the State of North Carolina.

• Liability: Maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the

Government from any claims because of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract, and submit proof of insurance to the CO.

7. Contractor’s Use of Premises: Confine on-site material storage, equipment, and vehicle parking, and staging to paved parking areas or other areas specifically designated by the

COR. Keep project area neat, orderly and in a safe condition at all times. Provide for daily pickup and disposal of refuse and construction debris. Dispose of waste in a legal manner at private or public approved dumping areas outside the park. Do not burn or bury refuse in the park.

8. Park-Specific Conditions and Limitations:

The Blue Ridge Parkway is wholly located along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountain range in parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The following conditions may be applicable to work sites inside Parkway boundaries:

• WEATHER: Sudden and dramatic changes in climate conditions are common. The

Contractor must be prepared to alter work plans and provide protection for workers and equipment.

• CLOSURES: Parkway officials may close portions of the Parkway at any time to protect visitors from hazardous conditions or to implement official duties of the

Parkway.

• REMOTENESS: Many portions of the Parkway are of extreme distance to typical services available in developed areas, including cellular, food, fuel, and emergency services. The Contractor must arrange and account for appropriate precautions and plans prior to bid submission.

• SITE SECURITY: Nearly all Parkway land is accessible by the public 24-hours a day throughout the year. Parkway law enforcement officers and other staff will not be designated to provide extra security to protect project sites from visitor intrusion.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to take measures to prevent vandalism, theft, or destruction of project materials and equipment. Any proposed security measures that may affect ongoing access or use of areas otherwise not already included in the construction zone (including remote security cameras or alarms) must be approved by the COR prior to use. Any security issues must be reported to the Park

Contact immediately upon notice. Parkway law enforcement staff may request official statements or other information from Contractor personnel needed to follow up on reported issues.

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• RESOURCES: As a unit of the National Park System, the Blue Ridge Parkway is tasked to preserve unimpaired its natural and cultural resources and values. The

Contractor must make every effort to ensure no impacts are made deleterious to these resources. It is expected that the project site and access areas will be minimally impacted only as necessary for the performance of contract requirements. Mitigations approved by the COR will be taken to restore pre-existing conditions.

• INVASIVE EXOTICS: To reduce the chance that harmful, non-native plants or organisms will be transported from off-Park locations to the work site, the contractor, prior to entering the Parkway, must clean all soils, roots, seeds, and other sources of plant parts and pathogens from any equipment used for the application of grasses and all heavy equipment, such as dump trucks, front end loader, and graders, which have previously been operating off the park.

• WILDLIFE: All wildlife is protected within the park boundaries, and some species, which occur within the park, receive special State and Federal protection due to their rare, threatened, or endangered status. Very few wildlife species present any danger to persons working within the park. Even species which have the potential to do harm to persons, can usually be avoided. Unless wildlife is presenting an immediate threat to persons, harassment or destruction of wildlife is prohibited.

9. Replacement of Contractor Employee for Security Reasons: The Government retains the right to request removal of the contractor’s employee(s), regardless of prior clearances.

10. Non-Payment for Additional Work: Any additional contractor performed services not specified in contract, either at its own volition or at the request of an individual other than an appointed CO, except as may be explicitly authorized in the contract, shall be performed at the financial risk of the contractor. Only an appointed CO is authorized to bind the

Government to a change in specifications, contract terms, or conditions.

11. Conflict of Interest: The contractor shall not employ off-duty COR’s or other Government employees if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in conflict-of-interest directives utilized by the BLRI.

12. Quality Control: The contractor shall establish and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure the work performed conforms to the contract requirements. The Performance

Requirements Summary establishes performance standards that are the minimum requirements for acceptable performance of required services. The contractor’s QCP shall address methods for remedying poor performance. The Contractor shall develop QCP and submit with proposal package. The Contractor’s QCP includes:

• Required services identified in Performance Requirements Summary

• Contractor’s surveillance methodology

• Method and timeframe for responding to COR or customer complaints

• Progress meetings with Government stakeholders

13. Quality Assurance: The COR will monitor the contractor’s performance under this contract using the quality assurance items listed below. The purpose of the monitoring is to ensure that the required services are performed in accordance with the contract requirements. The

Scenic Vistas Dead Tree Cutting in NC and VA Page 9 plan ensures reliable and continued operation by precluding unnecessary complaints and unacceptable performance. Government’s Quality Assurance Plan includes:

• Acceptance of the contractor’s quality control plan

• Random inspection of the contractor’s work

• Communicating customer complaints

• Progress meetings with the contractor

The implementation of this Quality Assurance Plan does not relieve the contractor of its responsibility to implement and abide by the QCP incorporated into this contract, and to provide acceptable performance of all required services listed herein. At the CO’s discretion, the contractor may incur a payment deduction for lack of compliance with the

QCP, PWS or PRS.

14. Sustainability: The Contractor will make their best effort to perform required tasks in a method that meets general sustainability goals. These may include reducing waste materials, minimizing climate change practices, improving socio-economic impacts, or other actions relevant to the work involved. Goals and practices should be stated as part for the

Contractor’s technical approach.

15. Contractor’s Proposal Package: The following deliverables are to be submitted with offer in response to RFQ (no more than 10 pages including attachments). Include all required and optional items in the proposal package.

• Past performance references.

• Technical approach to perform required services.

• Proposed project schedule.

• Contractor’s safety plan.

• Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

• Hazardous Substance Spill Cleanup Plan.

• Proof of Insurance–Business Liability & Workers Compensation.

• Relevant professional certifications.

16. Inspection and Acceptance:

A. The Government will conduct inspection of services and deliverables throughout contract performance. Final payment will be processed upon confirming that all noted contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected.

B. Any vista not cut completely based on Park inspection will not be paid any partial payment until completed and accepted by the Government.

17. Attached Documentation:

A. Vista Log Sheet – Virginia and North Carolina Area - Milepost 43.0 to Milepost 468.4.

B. BLRI Vista Clearing 2023 Special Instructions

C. Bid Sheet

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ATTACHMENTS