SOW.doc

Boise National Forest

Road Side Brushing

STATEMENT OF WORK

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

C-1 - OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CONTRACT.

(a) - The Government is in need of Performance Based Commercial Services Requirements Contract for Road Side Brushing that will result in removal of encroaching vegetation. The services covered in this contract include the furnishing of all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform road brushing on roads specified herein, in compliance with the terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions of this solicitation.

Brushing minimum of 700 miles and maximum of 1500 miles are anticipated with this contract. Minimum and maximum quantities are estimates based upon expected work load and funding, and are provided for information only. A sample list of roads that are anticipated to be brushed with this contract are contained in Exhibit C.

(b) – Period of Performance: The effective ordering period of this contract is from the date of award through 30 September 2010. The period of performance for each individual order will be based upon the quantity of work being ordered and will be stated in each task order. It is anticipated that brushing will occur between April and November. Contract time will be allowed on the basis 1 day for every four (4) miles. For example, if 100 miles are ordered, 25 work days will be allowed for performance time.

(c) - Method of Measurement. Roadside brushcutting will be measured in miles and nearest tenths of miles along the road centerline of the roadway, and shall include only those sections of the roads which are included in the contract and completed in accordance with the specifications. Parking areas, turnouts, and approach road connections are considered as adjuncts to the main roads and shall not be measured separately. Mileage includes brushcutting both sides of the road

C-2 - DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

(a) – Road Side Brushing. Location for performance is throughout the Boise National Forest, encompassing all 5 districts. Typical forest roads will have areas of little or no brushing to areas of continual brushing with in the same road system. Standard industry practice indicates use of an excavator with a brushing head attachment (brushing head must be able to cut and chip material) to effectively perform this type of work. Equipment must be of efficient size and horse power to operate the head at sufficient RPM’s that will the cut brush and reprod; not just tearing it leaving behind sharp jagged stubble. The machine must be able to mulch or chip material and deposit most of the debris on the slopes not leaving large amounts of debris on the road or in the ditches. Roads and ditches must be clear of debris after operation is complete. The equipment used to perform this work shall be in good mechanical and operating condition. The locations of the specific roads will be identified with task orders.

C-3 - MOVING OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. Costs for mobilization and moves between job locations will be considered incidental to the ordered work, therefore the Contractor must consider this expense in the pricing.

C-4 - REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT. Contractor shall provide quality equipment capable of safely performing the work under the terms of the contract. If equipment is rejected because it does not meet minimum requirements, including but not limited to safety and operability, or if it becomes inoperative, the Contractor shall correct the deficiencies or furnish replacement equipment meeting contract requirements within 2 days. All repairs are the total responsibility of the Contractor; this includes any vandalism to equipment while under contract.

C-5 - POLLUTION AND EROSION CONTROL. During all operations under this contract, the contractor shall exercise reasonable measures to keep the drainage systems functioning effectively to prevent or minimize soil erosion and pollution of water and other resources. All refuse, including garbage, rubbish, and solid or liquid wastes from the Contractor’s operations including camps, parking areas and equipment maintenance areas shall be stored and collected in a sanitary manner and disposed of in a State-approved sanitary landfill.

C-6 - WORK OBJECTIVES

(a) – Road Side Brushing. This work consist of removal and disposal of limbs, residual brush, live road side brush and trees of eight (8) inches or less when measured at 6 inches from the base of the tree; which are within or obtrude upon the designated clearing limits on both sides of the roadway. The clearing limits are shown in a typical section, Exhibits A and B. This includes a horizontal distance of eight (8) feet from the shoulder of the road with ditches, eight (8) feet horizontal distance from hinge of roads without ditches, and a horizontal distance of eight (8) feet from shoulder of the fill slope. Clearing limits shall include turnouts and curves. Clearing limits may exceed the eight (8) feet typical on the inside radius of curves in order to achieve a safe sight distance. Remove only the vegetation necessary to improve site distance when exceeding the eight (8) foot typical. This should not exceed twelve (12) feet unless approved by COR

(1) – Vegetation within 25 feet of stream channels will only be cut when necessary to provide for safety site distance. The horizontal distance from the shoulder on the fill slope may vary to protect the streams and will agreed upon between the contractor and the COR.

(2) – Water ways and drainage facilities must be kept clear of any debris and materials handled during the performance and work shall not result in interference or obstruction of water flow.

(3) – All brush and trees located inside the clearing limits shall be cut off leaving a stump height no higher than four (4) inches above the ground level on the up hill side for hand cut trees and six (6) inches above the ground for machine brushing.

(4) – All brush, slash, and trees shall be cut off cleanly, with no material left partially cut, splintered, bent over, or matted down.

(5) – No brush, slash or other material shall be disposed of in streams or rivers

(6) – Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in heavy concentrations, and should be distributed outside of the clearing limits adjacent to the cutting area.

(7) – All debris shall be removed from the road way and ditches at the end of each day.

(8) -- Roadbed clearing limit vegetation stump height shall not exceed two (2) inches, and shall be cut as not to create a hazard to foot or vehicle traffic.

(9)-- Trees in excess of eight (8) inches in diameter, when measured six (6) inches above the ground, shall be limbed so that no limb extends within a clear height of 14 feet directly above the traveled way, or within 10 feet in elevation of the road surface within the cutting limits. Limbs shall be cut to within six (6) inches of the trunk to produce a reasonably smooth vertical face.

C-7 - SIGNING AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

The Contractor shall provide signs, other devices, and traffic control for occupied work areas in accordance with National standards as contained in Part VI of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD and these specifications. All signs and devices remain the property and responsibility of the Contractor.

(a) - Traffic Conditions

(1) - Roads shall be open to traffic unless otherwise approved in writing by the COR

(2) - One lane roads shall be available for one lane channelized passage of traffic at all times unless approved in writing by the COR.

(3) - On roads closed with gates, the gate, will remain closed during the period of operations. The gate shall be opened only to allow passage of the Contractor and his/her equipment and then be closed, unless otherwise approved in writing by the COR. The Contractor shall not hunt behind a closed gate, nor transport hunters or game, when equipment is behind that gate.

(b) Devices

(1) - Required signs can be mounted on portable or temporary mountings. Standard MUTCD legends shall be used

(2) - Traffic approaching the work area from either direction and side approaches shall be warned by signing.

(3) - Signs will, at all times, be within one mile of the operating equipment or personnel.

(4) - Hazards incidental to the work within or on the traveled way, shoulders, or turnouts shall be marked with hazard identification, illuminated beacons, or other MUTCD devices to safely guide road users through the area. Work shall be scheduled to provide for completion of segments on a daily basis so that no obstacles are left in roadway.

(5) - Advisory speed plates may be used by the contractor to control traffic through the work area.

(c) - Equipment

(1) - All vehicles and machinery operating on or from the traveled way or road shoulder shall have flashing 4-way or top mounted flashing amber lights or rotary beacons operated continuously while work is in progress.

(2) - Back-up horns shall be required on all self-propelled equipment in excess of 8,000 lbs. gross weights.

(3) - Vehicles and machinery not currently used in the Contractor's operation shall be parked off the traveled way at approved locations to minimize interference with the normal use of the road. Track mounted machines shall not be used on paved surfaces.

(4) - 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.

C 8 - REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS. All fallen trees, limbs, or brush in the travel way or road ditch line shall be removed and scattered outside the travel way; for major obstructions contact the COR.

C-9 - DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES. The Contractor shall be held liable and is responsible for any damage caused by his/her personnel or equipment to any existing traffic loops, cattle guards, culverts, signs, and riprap protecting culvert inlets or fill slopes. Repair to these structures shall be at the Contractor's expense. Traffic loops are be marked on the ground with delineators.