Statement of Work.doc

Statement of Work

C-1 - GENERAL

(a) Scope of Contract. The performance-based services covered in this solicitation and resultant contract require the Contractor to furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to perform machine roadside brushing and clearing on roads specified herein, in compliance with the terms, specifications, and conditions stated herein.

(b) Location and Description. Machine roadside brushing to be accomplished under this contract is located on the Stevensville, Darby, Sula and West Fork Districts of the Bitterroot National Forest. The location of each road is shown on the attached maps.

Brushing activity will not be allowed within the restricted portions of these roads during the Closure period:

C-2 - CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Clearing and Brushing. Performance Standard: The area to be cleared and brushed is shown on Exhibit B - Typical Clearing Details. This area shall be inclusive of turnouts and curve widening. This area is to be cleared of all trees less than 6 inches diameter stump height, all brush, limbs on trees outside the clearing area which obtrude upon the clearing area, and windfalls which are within or obtruding upon the designated area. Brush and trees shall be cut off and completely severed from the stump no higher than 6 inches above the ground or rocks and other obstructions when encountered. Limbs cut from trees which will remain standing shall be severed as close to the trunk as practical, but in no case greater than 6 inches from the trunk. Clearing and brushing shall consist of removal and disposal of all vegetative material including but not limited to any limbs any slash left from firewood cutters, residual brush, live roadside brush, and small trees which are within, or obtrude upon the designated clearing limits on both sides of roadway.

(b) Disposal. Performance Standard: All cleared material as described in paragraph (a) above shall be disposed of outside the area to be brushed on the fill or downhill side of the road. This cleared material shall be scattered and not concentrated. Disposal shall not be accomplished in watercourses.

(c) Barricades, Warning Signs, and other Devices. "homemade" signs will not be allowed.

All road barricades and warning signs, , shall conform with Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2003 Edition) for Streets and Highways, published by the Federal Highway Administration and applicable safety codes.

As a minimum, it is anticipated that the following type and number of signs will be required (See Exhibit A).

Location Designation Quantity At the beginning and end of

"ROAD MACHINERY AHEAD"

daily work area for Machine 36" x 36" with 6" Letters

Roadside Brushing Black on Orange

C-3 - OTHER CONSTRAINTS ON PERFORMANCE

(a) Existing Facilities. All existing facilities such as signs, cattleguards, and drainage structures damaged by the Contractor shall be replaced or repaired by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

(b) Motorized Equipment. Use of motorized equipment other than hand held equipment such as powersaws and brush cutters shall not be permitted off designated roads in the project area without approval of the Contracting Officer.

C-4 - GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Performance Assessment Plan (PAP). In accordance with 52.246-4 - Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG 1996), paragraph (c), the COR will inspect the Contractor’s performance on a random basis under this contract to ensure that the dimensions of the area to be cleared are being met, the materials to be cleared and brushed from the area are being cut and removed, that disposal is being properly scattered outside the area to be cleared, and that signs and traffic control devices are properly in place during periods of Contractor performance.

Unacceptable performance occurs when the Contractor responsibilities fail to meet stated Performance Standards. The Government will not pay for unacceptable performance. When unacceptable performance is observed, the COR will document the unacceptable performance on a work order as well as meet with the Contractor at the job site to ensure the Contractor is aware of the unacceptable service. The Governments inspection of the work does not relieve the Contractor of its responsibility to provide an inspection system as stated in paragraph (b) of the clause referenced above.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

C-5 – NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL

In order to prevent the spread of noxious weeds the contractor shall clean all construction equipment prior to moving it to the project area. This cleaning shall remove all soil, plant parts, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Only equipment inspected by the Forest Service will be allowed to operate within the project area. All subsequent move-ins of equipment to the project area shall be treated in the same manner as the initial move-in. This requirement does not apply to service vehicles, water trucks, pickups, cars, and/or similar vehicles.

Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seed, and other such debris when a visual inspection does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment, components or the need for specialized inspection tools is not required.

Notify the COR at least 24 hours before moving any equipment onto the national forest. Notification will include an agreed upon location where the equipment will be available for inspection by the Forest Service. Inspection will be required after every cleaning.

The Forest Service shall approve the methods of cleaning and the locations for the cleaning.

The initial cleaning will not be included in the measurement for payment. Bid Item 2 is for any additional cleanings as required by the COR. Measurement shall be on an “each” basis, meaning one complete cleaning of all brushing equipment required for this contract. Subsequent cleanings necessitated by the Contractor’s actions, but not directed by the CO, will not be included in the measurement for payment.

C-6 - COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION OF WORK

The Contractor shall (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the Notice to Proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use as stated below. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises. **Items and quantities below are known current requirements; however additions may be made throughout the term of the contract but are not guaranteed** Item

Quantity

Completion Date

1 (Stevensville)

37.3 miles

September 30, 2011 2 (Darby)

61.0 miles

September 30, 2011

3 (Sula)

6.9 miles September 30, 2011

4 (West Fork)

23.3 miles September 30, 2011

Total=

128.5 miles

C-7 – METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

(a) Machine road brushcutting shall be measured to the nearest tenth of a mile along the road centerline, and shall include only those sections of the roads which are included in the contract and are completed in accordance with the specifications. Measurement shall be by a Forest Service vehicle. The measuring device will be checked for accuracy and calibrated as necessary on a section of road that has been carefully measured with a surveyor's chain. Parking areas, turnouts, curve widening, 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-8 – BASIS OF PAYMENT

Payment will be made for completed and accepted mileage to the nearest tenth of a mile.

C-9 - FIRE CONTROL

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor Caused Fires The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Other Fires For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or his employees, the Contractor, when requested by the Contracting Officer, shall place his employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from fire fighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan During the fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved hand tool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2-pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester.

Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Powersaws. For each powersaw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

(5) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(6) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(7) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(8) Precautions for Stoves. Stovepipes on all temporary buildings, trailers, and tents using wood burning stoves, will be equipped with roof jacks and serviceable spark arresters of mesh with openings no larger than 5/8 inch. All stovepipes, inside and out, will not be closer than 2 feet from any wood or other flammable material or 1 foot if the combustible material is protected by a metal or asbestos shield.

(9) Welding. Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container (filled) with hand pump attached, shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

(10) Fire Plan. Prior to initiating work on the contract area, during the closed fire season period, a fire prevention and suppression plan will usually be prepared. The Contractor and the Forest Service will jointly prepare this plan. Such plan shall include a detailed list of men and equipment at the Contractor's disposal for implementing the plan. The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions. When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contractor's operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

a. All high fire risk operations could be terminated at 1300 local time.

b. All burning could be stopped, including debris burning fires.

c. Patrolman may be required for a period of 2 hours after high fire-risk operations and 1 hour after end of work shift. The Contractor shall provide the patrolman unless the contract is for equipment rental, in which case the Government will provide the patrolman.

C-10 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)

Definition. An EMS provides a systematic approach for continually improving environmental performance and identifies the major environmental aspects and associated impacts that occur on a National Forest or Grassland. There are controls in place to manage these impacts, such as NEPA analysis, best management practices (BMPs), and resource monitoring. The EMS simply documents and ensures that these controls are in place and working as intended. EMS is an ongoing process that formalizes the Forest Service’s commitment to adaptive management and continual improvement of the environment.

Environmental Objectives:

1. Invasive Weeds – Reduce invasive weed introduction or spread through improved and more effective control and management.

2. Vegetation Management – 1) Restore or maintain vegetation health including the improvement or maintenance of resilient, native wildlife habitat and 2) Reduce fuels in a pattern and location to decrease fire intensity in the proximity of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) or Community Wildfire Protection Plan areas.

3. Travel Management – 1) Reduce the existing road systems’ contributed sediment and impairment of water quality and aquatic habitats and 2) Improve security for elk through the designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use.

C-11 – Maps and Drawings Brushing Contract Maps – Bitterroot National Forest 2009