0120S160020GraniteVeg_SOW_TechReq.pdf

AG-0120-S-16-0020, Granite Vegetation Project, Scope of Work/Tech Specs Page 1 of 4

SCOPE OF WORK/DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this contract is to acquire services for vegetation enhancement including mechanical timber harvest and slash treatment, on approximately 100 acres of the Glacier Ranger District, Chugach National Forest. The work will spatially continue vegetation enhancement and hazardous fuel reduction in the area, creating a more continuous treated area in the vicinity of Granite Creek.

Vegetation treatments will thin the existing spruce stand to a wider spacing allowing for increased species diversity and age/ height structure of the stand. Implementation of this treatment will also reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires being started or carried through this portion of the Chugach National Forest.

Additionally, forest products generated from the project will be utilized for either commercial or personal uses.

OBJECTIVES:

Thin existing stand to increase vigor and stand diversity.

Reduce fuel loading and risk of wildfire being carried in the Wildland – Urban Interface Provide opportunities to utilize wood products for both personal and commercial uses

SCOPE:

Mechanical timber harvest will be accomplished through a designation by description prescription. All designated trees within the unit will be cut, skid, and decked at approved landings. Slash from cutting will be piled in the unit for later burning by the Forest Service. Specifications for these work activities are listed below.

The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, fuel, oil, and transportation to perform all work required to complete the project in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract.

Unit boudaries are delineated on the ground with orange flagging. Questions pertaining to project area boundaries should be directed to the COR for clarification.

Bidders are encouraged to visit the project area prior to submitting proposals to make their own estimates of the amount of work to be completed.

Payment for the contract work will be made only for items included in the Schedule of Items.

PROJECT LOCATION:

The Granite Vegetation project is located on the Glacier Ranger District, Chugach National Forest at approximately Mile 62.8 of the Seward Highway.

Location Description: T7N, R1E, Seward Meridian, Sections 5

SAFETY

The inherently hazardous condititons that can be expected on the project may include, but are not limited to: Vehicle travel hazards to and from the job site. Possible confrontations with brown or black bears, moose, with claves, and stinging insects that could lead to injury or death. Misuse of appropriate equipment for this project could cause bodily harm. Improper lifting techniques may cause back injuries.

FINAL CLEANUP

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of all contractor’s rubbish, excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and all parts of the work area shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

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MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT

Use of motorized equipment other than hand-held equipment such as power saws and brush cutters will not be permitted off designated roads in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer or as provided elsewhere herein.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MECHANICAL TIMBER HARVEST

- A merchantable tree is any tree that is 6 inches in diameter at breast height or larger and is 1/3 sound. All designated merchantable trees will be cut to a 5 inch top, limbed, skidded to the Existing Road (see attachd map) and decked.

-Live merchantable spruce trees will be thinned according to size class and independent of other size classes. Selection of cut trees will be based on form and vigor, retention trees should have 30% or more live canopy and have comparitively good leader growth:

-Live spruce trees 8 inches in diameter at breast height and larger will be thinned to a spacing of 66 – 75 feet between boles. This is equivalent to leavng 5 – 10 trees of this size class per acre.

-Live spruce trees 6 – 8 inches in diameter at breast height will be thinned to a spacing of 20 feet between boles.

-Dead and down trees within the unit meeting the merchantability specifications above will be cut to a 5 inch top, limbed, skidded to approved landings and decked.

-Any trees within the unit less than 6 inches in diameter at breast height may be cut for operational purposes but are considered slash and must be piled.

-Maximum stump height is 12 inches.

SLASH TREATMENT

-Material to be Piled: All limbs, tops and sound non-merchantable material less than 6 inches in diameter will be machine piled.

-Non-merchantable logs greater than 6 inches in diameter (large end) will be treated with a combination of piling and leaving on the ground within the unit. Preference for logs to be left on the ground will be given to large diameter material.

-Piles will be constructed in a pyramid or conical shape and be reasonably free of dirt and rotten material.

-All piles must be located within the cutting unit boundary. Piles may be constructed on approved landings.

-Piles will be located as not to scorch residual trees and be a minimum of 50 feet from streams or standing water.

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OTHER MITIGATION MEASURES:

• Mechanized work will be done when soils are dry (summer) or frozen (winter) to minimize rutting. Work may be stopped if excessive rutting or soil disturbance can or does occur.

• Equipment that is operating off roads will be cleaned to be free of noxious weeds before it is moved into the project area.

• No activities will be allowed to occur within 1/8-mile of any active Northern goshawk or eagle nest from March 1 through August 31. No nests are currently identified.

• Any identified sensitive plant areas will be flagged on the ground by the COR and the contractor will be notified.

• When work is in progress, the Contractor will post adequate warning of hazardous conditions associated with operations.

• Where appropriate to prevent resource damage, equipment shall operate on a slash mat. Slash will be “fluffed” or decompacted as equipment leaves the unit.

SERVICE CONTRACT ACT:

Work is subject to the Service Contract Act wage determination 1996-0372- Requested current version of the wage determination from the Department of Labor. It will be incorporated in an amenment to the solicitation.

SUBCONTRACTORS:

Contractor shall notify, in writing, if subcontractor is to be used.

NOTIFICATION OF START OF PROJECT

Contractor shall notify COR at least three (3) days prior to mobilization.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY:

There is no Government furnished property.

METHOD OF MEASUREMENT:

All linear and area measurements required under this contract will be measured on the horizontal plane.

RE-MEASURMENT:

Re-measurement of the acreage under this contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor. If re-measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the Contractor shall bear the actual costs of the re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement. No adjustment will be made for a difference of one acre or less.

CONTRACT PERIOD:

The effective contract period will be from issuance of notice to proceed. Work shall be completed within one (1) year after the notice to proceed is issued.

CONTRACT DEFAULT: Reference contract clause 52.212-4 (m) regarding resolution due to contractor’s failure to perform.

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CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTITIVE:

Dan Mico Phone Number (907) 288-7703

QUALITY:

a. The Government intends to inspect the work to the standards found within the above listed statement of objectives.

b. Payment will be based upon 100% acceptable completion. Deductions for unacceptable performance are established in the form of re-work at the contractor’s expense. Reference contract clause 52.212-4 (a).