A2_SOW - LPFRinconERTreeRemoval_012026.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work (SOW) Los Padres National Forest USFS Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District (RD) Emergency (ER) Sycamore Hazardous Tree

Removal

SOW- LPF USFS Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District (RD) Emergency (ER) Sycamore Hazardous Tree Removal

Contents Project Title General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 Technical Requirements

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

SOW- LPF USFS Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District (RD) Emergency (ER) Sycamore Hazardous Tree Removal

Project Title Lost Padres National Forest Unites States Forest Service Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District Emergency Sycamore Hazardous Tree Removal

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Contracted support for an arborist certified assessment report and removal of a dying sycamore tree that has been deemed a threat to federal employee life, health and safety

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and services necessary to perform an ISA-certified arborist assessment, prepare a written report, and safely remove the identified sycamore tree, including stump grinding and site restoration, in accordance with the requirements of this Scope of Work and all applicable standards, codes, and regulations.

2.0 Background

The USFS Rincon Station, located in Carpinteria, CA, has two employee housing units. There is a large (approximately 150-foot tall) Sycamore tree located behind the Eastern-most quarters unit. This tree is in poor health, having recently dropped several large limbs into the residents’ yard. There is noted cracking at the base of the trunks of the tree, indicating threats of future failure. This issue needs to be resolved to prevent property damage and/or injury/loss-of-life.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Contractor shall:

1) Provide a certified arborist to assess the health and safety of the tree and document findings, identifying the threats that the tree poses to life, safety, and property.

2) Provide a crew to remove the tree in the safest way possible.

3) All debris from the tree should be removed from the site, disposed of off-site.

4) All roads, driveways, yards and living areas shall be cleaned of debris, limbs, leaves, sawdust and other detritus from the work area after every workday.

5) Coordinate work schedule with the Contracting Officer Representative COR). Contractor SHALL NOT engage with property residents without the COR/GTM present. Refer residents to COR/GTM or CO if there are questions or comments.

3.1 Technical Requirements

Task 1: Pre-Work Assessment & Plan

Certified Arborist Assessment: Conduct an on-site evaluation performed by an ISA Certified Arborist (ISA TRAQ credential preferred). Include:

Species confirmation (Platanus spp.), DBH measurement, height estimate, crown condition.

Structural defects (decay, cavities, cracks), root plate stability, pests/pathogens.

Risk rating methodology consistent with ISA TRAQ.

Photographs (overview and defect close-ups), site map with tree location.

Conclusion and recommended action (removal justification).

Work Plan & Schedule: Submit a written plan detailing methodology, equipment, crew composition, traffic/pedestrian control measures, utility locates, and proposed timeline.

Permits & Notifications: Identify and secure all required local permits, traffic control approvals, and One-Call utility locates (e.g., 811) prior to work.

Environmental & Wildlife Check: Confirm compliance with nesting-season considerations and any applicable environmental constraints. If nesting season applies, include a pre-work wildlife observation and avoidance plan.

SOW- LPF USFS Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District (RD) Emergency (ER) Sycamore Hazardous Tree Removal

Task 2: Site Safety & Controls

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and Site-Specific Safety Plan compliant with ANSI Z133 (Arboricultural Operations—Safety Requirements) and applicable OSHA standards.

Traffic & Pedestrian Control: Install barricades, signage, flaggers, and pedestrian detours as needed; maintain safe ingress/egress to federal facilities.

Property Protection: Protect adjacent trees, turf, paving, structures, vehicles, and utilities; provide ground protection mats where heavy equipment may impact surfaces.

Task 3: Tree Removal Operations

Removal Method: Perform removal using appropriate techniques (e.g., sectional dismantling with rigging, crane assist if required), adhering to ANSI A300 standards for tree care operations.

Rigging & Equipment: Utilize qualified climbers/arborists; ensure aerial lift/crane operators have required certifications.

Maintain exclusion zones.

Debris Management: Lower and control all material—no free-fall where risk exists. Prevent damage to infrastructure and landscape.

Task 4: Stump Treatment/Grinding & Site Restoration

Stump Grinding: Grind stump to a minimum depth of 8–12 inches below grade (or as required for future use of the space).

Root Flare Considerations: Remove surface roots impacting safety/hardscape where feasible without damaging utilities.

Backfill & Restoration: Backfill stump cavity with clean fill/topsoil to match surrounding grade; install seed/sod/mulch to restore landscape; repair any disturbed irrigation.

Optional (If Required by Government): Herbicide treatment of stump/root sprouts per label and environmental compliance.

4.0 Government Furnished

Except for the materials specifically stated within the awarded contract, the contractor shall be expected to provide all the tools, equipment, and materials necessary to carry out this work in accordance with these terms and/or the Statement of Work and any associated attachments.

There is no Government Furnished Property associated with this work.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Requirement Description Due Arborist Assessment Report (PDF)

Ensure the report includes the ISA credentials and TRAQ risk rating, site map, photos, and recommended action. Ensure the report addresses the assessment of the health and safety of the tree in the risk rating and identifies any threats that the tree poses to life, safety, and property.

Within 2 days after award

Work Plan (Final)

After project site analysis, submit a final written plan detailing methodology, equipment, crew composition, traffic/pedestrian control measures, utility locates, and proposed timeline.

Be sure the plan includes traffic/pedestrian control plan and utility-locate confirmation

Within 3 days after award or prior to the start of tree removal activity (whichever is soonest)

Traffic/pedestrian control plan (Draft)

Can be included with the safety/JHA or work plans but must be easy to identify. Be sure it addresses the plans to install barricades, signage, With Work Plan.

SOW- LPF USFS Rincon Station - Santa Barbara Ranger District (RD) Emergency (ER) Sycamore Hazardous Tree Removal flaggers, and pedestrian detours as needed;

maintain safe ingress/egress to federal facilities.

The tree is not located in a major traffic area.

Safety/Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Plan (Final)

Must be compliant with ANSI Z133 (Arboricultural Operations—Safety Requirements) and applicable OSHA standards.

With Work Plan.

Removal Execution Completed removal per scope, stump grinding, and site restoration.

Within 5 calendar days after award

Final Closeout Package Post work Photos; disposal/recycling documentation; confirmation of utility locates, permits and traffic control used; and Statement of completed removal and stump grinding depth.

Final Invoice Release of claims

No later than 14-calendar days after award

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Contractor Representative ISA Certified Arborist Foreman (only required if using a crew for tree removal)

8.0 Security Requirements

There are no gates or security at the job site. Any equipment, vehicles or possessions are the responsibility of the contractor. The Government assumes no responsibility for theft, damage or loss of the contractor’s property.

The contractor shall coordinate and receive approval from the COR before accessing the property.

Contractor SHALL NOT engage with property residents without the COR/GTM present.