SOW.pdf

Description/Specifications/Statement of Work C.1. Introduction

The Shawnee National Forest has a requirement to enter into a Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) for a Forest-wide need for mowing and mastication using mechanical treatments.

C.2. Location

All locations are located within the Hidden Springs/Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District on the Shawnee National Forest. Work will preformed on the Shawnee National Forest in Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson Counties.

An overview (vicinity) map will be provided and specific locations will be identified prior to task orders getting initiated.

C.3. Background Information

These openlands are currently maintained via prescribed fire. Although fire is generally a useful tool at managing these habitat types, often times there are portions within these units where non-desirable woody vegetation is still persistent after the successive years of burning. This contract will provide the much needed mechanical treatments that are intended to supplement the ongoing prescribed fire cycle and focus on masticating or mowing these areas where fire alone has not been effective at controlling the woody encroachment. Many of these openlands are important to a variety of wildlife species that are dependent on open, early successional habitat for breeding, foraging, and brood rearing. Some of these species are either regionally or nationally sensitive species that are on the decline.

C.4. Scope of Work

Work will be accomplished through task orders (TO) issued against an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. It is the intent to have multiple IDIQ contractors. The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals to perform the work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) as required in Section E.

The awarded contract and TOs shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract. TOs may or may not be further competed among the awarded IDIQ contractors.

The TOs will involve work that includes mechanical treatments of openlands. The vegetation types in these openlands can sometimes vary greatly due mainly to the size of the vegetation and the capabilities of potential equipment. Potential contractors need to have the capacity to treat vegetation as described below in openlands as the vegetation treatments needs may overlap within units. For example, there may be an openland unit that has a portion of the grassland that may be out of traditional mower deck capabilities. It is expected that potential bidders will perform a site visit to familiarize themselves with the conditions of these openlands prior to submitting an offer. Remember that you are offering a ceiling price now but will compete for each task order as work is identified and can offer a lower price at that time if the conditions of that particular area warrant it.

C.5 General Project Description and Specifications

This is a Forest-wide project to maintain openlands in their mostly herbaceous state; perform “catch-up” maintenance in openlands; create grassland structure that is favorable to upland wildlife and perform vegetation manipulation to openlands that diversifies vertical and horizontal structure for habitat enhancement.

General specifications-

The following specifications provides guidance to the mowing and mastication that will take place on the openlands under this contract according to Forest Service policy and project specific design criteria.

Individual TOs will provide additional information for each individual unit (including restrictions).

Mowing.

All sites listed on a TO will be mowed to a ~6” grass stubble height. The grasslands will be mowed as identified in the individual TOs. Individual unit maps will be provided for each TO which indicate the mowing boundaries and the mowing acres of that area. Bid rate will be based on a per acre basis. Often times the boundaries are by roads, fences, timberline or private land.

Mastication (debrushing) of vegetation.

The mastication of vegetation will consist of areas within the openland units. The locations within the openlands may be within areas that have been not treated for some time. Maps will be provided indicating the unit areas and acres to treat. The bid rate will be based on a per acre basis.

All sites listed may be brush hogged, masticated or hand cut. Everything woody up to 5 inches in diameter shall be cut and chipped unless otherwise noted below. The chipped/mulched pieces of vegetation shall be no larger than 4 inches in length and shall be scattered to lie no higher than 6 inches above ground level. All cut stumps shall be cut down to less than 3 inches in height.

C.6 Equipment Cleanliness

All machinery and equipment shall be cleaned of all debris and residual vegetation prior to entry and leaving each individual site in order to limit the spread of non-native invasive plants species (NNIP).

C.7 Task Order Issuance

TOs will be issued for each project. The Forest Service will normally compete each TO amongst the group of IDIQ contractors; however, the Forest Service can elect to issue a TO without competition.

Reasons for not competing an order include: 1) meeting the contract minimum guarantee, 2) new work that ties directly with work previously completed by one of the IDIQ contractors, or 3) an emergency situation. Each TO that is competed will be awarded based on best value principles, to include price, past performance and a technical submission, including work schedule.

When issued, each task order will indicate the individual units (maps and tables) to either mow, masticate or both. Task orders will indicate specific unit information- this information may include timing restrictions for mowing/ mastication, areas to avoid, and other unit specific details.

C.8 Inspections

The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one line item (CLIN). The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule then request an inspection by the

COR.

C.9 Invoicing

Invoicing is tied to successful inspection of work. The Contractor may only invoice after the COR has inspected the line item(s) work and the work is determined to have met the AQL. This applies to both interim and final payments.

C.10 Safety Plan

The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, their employees and the public at large prior to beginning work on a

TO.

C.11 Definitions:

1. Contracting Officer: A Forest Service employee with the authority to: enter into, administer, and terminate contracts, as well as issue determinations regarding such matters as claims.

2. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Forest Service employee that is appointed and officially designated by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with the technical matters related to contract administration. The COR will assist the Contracting Officer with surveillance of contractor performance.

3. Forest Service Inspector: A Forest Service employee designated by the Contracting Officer or COR to perform surveillance of contractor performance.

4. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): A suitable level of conformance based on an established percentage of defects.

5. Quality Assurance: Those actions taken by the Forest Service to assure services meet specified requirements.

6. Quality Control: Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the specified requirements.

7. Task Order (TO): Method by which the FS will order services and supplies necessary to perform the services of the contract.

8. Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity contract (IDIQ): Contract type that allows for the ordering of supplies or services, based on a minimum and maximum order amount.

9. Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC): A contract which incorporates a results-oriented statement of work, describing the overall work to be accomplished (outcome/result), rather than explicitly describing how the tasks should be performed, to accomplish the work.

10. Mastication: A vegetation treatment that removes unwanted vegetation that is too large for the capacity of traditional mower decks.

C.12. Biobased & Recycled Content Products

Although there are no products being supplied by this contract, the Forest Service encourages the use of biobased and recycled content products in contractor operations.

For more information regarding the Department of Agriculture Biobased Affirmative Procurement Program go to http://www.biopreferred.gov/bioPreferredCatalog/faces/jsp/catalogLanding.jsp.

For more information regarding Environmental Protection Agency list of designate products to http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/cpg/products/index.htm

PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE CONTRACT (PBSC) REQUIREMENTS

Contract Line Item

No.

Work type Task

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring method Determination

1 Mowing

Contractor will mow the entirety of the contracted area to a 6" stubble height.

At least 99% of the mowable area is mowed to a 6" stubble height.

The entirety of the area will be visually inspected.

If AQL is met, submit invoice for payment.

Good Past

Performance Rating.

If AQL is not met, re-work area at your own cost within 5 days. Possible

Poor past performance rating.

2 Mastication

Contractor will reduce the shrubland/ hedgerow to the specification outlined in section C of the parent contract and/or to specifications laid out in any individual task order.

At least 99% of the shrubland

(portion identified) will be masticated (debrushed) to the specification identified in section C of the parent contract and/or in more specific unit information available in the task order.

The entirety of the shrubland will be visually inspected.

If AQL is met, submit invoice for payment.

Good Past

Performance Rating.

If AQL is not met, re-work area at your own cost within 5 days. Possible

Poor past performance rating.