PERFORMANCE SOW-Rev11-28.docx

PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK (PWS)

SECTION 1

GENERAL

1 SCOPE OF WORK.

The contractor shall provide any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, transportation, supervision and incidentals (except Government furnished property as listed in Section G), necessary to perform National Recreation Visitor Use Monitoring surveys at times and sites listed in the attached spreadsheet. Surveys shall start February 4, 2012 and end September 29, 2012 at the locations specified. This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in section 5 to the performance requirements of section 7.

To better understand the amount of recreation use and user satisfaction on the national forests, the USDA Forest Service is surveying recreation visitors on all forests through a random sampling system every four years. The Prescott National Forest is being sampled during the fiscal year 2012, (Oct 1, 2011 –Sept 30, 2012). The Recreation staff of the Prescott National Forest began conducting surveys beginning Oct 1, 2011 and plan to continue until Jan 31, 2012. The remainder of the surveys, which fall between Feb 1, 2012-Sept 30, 2012 shall be conducted under this contract.

· Contractor shall conduct : Total surveys = 106

· 26 are survey only (6 hour commitment)

· 76 are standard protocol- survey (6 hour commitment) and traffic count (24 hour commitment) *

· 1 is pneumatic traffic counter only (24 hour commitment)

· 3 are hand counts of traffic only (6 hour commitment)

*Note: The person(s) doing the interviews will only be at the site for 6 hours, during which time they put out the traffic counter to do a 24 hour traffic count to return the following day to get the summary of the 24 hour count and remove the counter. The time estimates shown above do not include travel time to/from the site.

It is critical that each survey be completed on the prescribed date and time as indicated on the schedule displayed below. No tolerance is allowed for convenience to persons performing the survey. The only reason for a survey to be delayed would be that the site is physically closed or access to the site is blocked.

Surveys are divided into two types: proxy and non-proxy. The attached survey calendar lists whether a site is proxy or non-proxy. A proxy site is one where a direct count of visitor admissions is collected at a specific site. All proxy sites require an interview to be taken but no traffic counter or hand counts are done. The remaining sites are non-proxy and all of these sites require a traffic counter or hand tally. A few of the non-proxy sites do not require an interview and they are noted in the survey calendar.

Duration of a sampling survey is 6 hours at each site. For non-proxy sites the survey calendar column “SURVTIME” indicates AM or PM. AM samplings occur between 8AM and 2PM, and PM samplings between 12PM and 6PM. Non proxy site survey times are designated by the Forest Service, contact one of the people listed under technical contacts below at least 1 week prior to the survey date to establish the exact times of the 6 hour survey period.

Traffic counters shall be placed at most sites. Motorized traffic is counted by a pneumatic counter, and for non-motorized traffic infra-red counters are used. Both types require a count over a 24 hour period of time. Sites in which both traffic counts and surveys are taken, referred to as standard protocol, may occur simultaneously. Some sites will be surveyed using traffic counter only and some sites (view type) will have a hand tally count only.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining a permit from Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) prior to conducting the surveys on State Highways. There are 3 surveys on Hwy 89 or 89A. It could take up to 60 days to get the permit but the first Hwy survey is 8/9/2012. A blank permit will be provided in attachments. ADOT contact is Jonny Judd. 928-777-5967, jjudd@azdot.gov.

PHONE INTERVIEW

PHONE INTERVIEW

PHONE INTERVIEW

PHONE INTERVIEW

PHONE INTERVIEW

MEET TRAIN AND SURVEY EXITING PASSENGERS

SET UP TRAFFIC COUNTER ONLY -- 8AM START

PHONE INTERVIEW

SITES IDENTIFIED BY SITE NUMBER ARE LOCATED ON ATTTACHED MAP

LOCATION OF PROJECTS

The actual survey sites are situated at specified forest recreation sites or other locations on or near the Prescott National Forest. Latitude and longitude coordinates for each site are shown in a table which is page 2 in the map of the sites document, (pnf_site_map.pdf). The Forest will also provide at the pre-work conference, one binder with pre survey inspection forms which include written directions to the site and information on where to set up for the survey and where to place the signs. Most sites will be included in the binder. For a few sites (approximately 11), contractor will determine set up based on instructions in the NATIONAL VISITOR USE MONITORING HANDBOOK Training Manual. A sample of the pre survey inspection forms that will be in the binder has been provided electronically with the solicitation, sample_site_instructions.doc.)

Accessibility by motor vehicle is generally good. For the following sites a 4WD is recommended to access the interview locations: W-1) Trail 20, Juniper Mesa Wilderness; W-48) Nelson Trail #159, Pine Mountain Wilderness; W-33a) Trail 63 (south) Sycamore Basin TH Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.

The following sites will require hiking up to 1 mile to get to the interview location: W-13) Granite Mountain Portal, Trail 261, Granite Mountain Wilderness; W-12) Williamson Valley TH, Tr 308, Granite Mountain Wilderness; W-22) Algonquin, Castle Creek Wilderness; W-14) North Trail #225-Castle Creek Wilderness; W-1) Trail #20, Juniper Mesa Wilderness.

Only the “Interview Site” sign is needed for wilderness interviews. It is best to place the sign just outside the wilderness boundary because wilderness should remain as remote and primitive as possible.

The NVUM Pre survey Inspection Form has specific information on it to access and set up each site to interview visitors. Other than the sites mentioned, all survey sites are reached by paved or dirt, graded road. Weather and wet road conditions could make access difficult in some of the more remote locations.

INSPECTION OF WORKSITE

The Contractor shall take necessary steps to become familiar with the nature and location of work, and have investigated and satisfied themselves as to the general and local conditions which can affect the work or its cost. Any failure of the Contractor to take the actions described and acknowledged in this paragraph will not relieve the Contractor from the responsibility of estimating properly the difficulty and cost of successfully performing the work, or for proceeding to successfully perform the work without additional expense to the Government.

TECHNICAL CONTACTS

Technical information can be obtained by contacting Dorothy Baxter 928-443-8073, Susan Johnson 928-443-8075 or Ann May 928-443-8017.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE

The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

SECTION II

DEFINITIONS

2.1.1 ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

2.1.2 DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

2.1.3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS). Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

2.1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.1.5 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). A Government person appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract administration and surveillance.

2.1.6 GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR. A Government person responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.7 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

2.1.8 QUALITY CONTROL. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

2.1.9 RANDOM SAMPLING. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

SECTION III

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government shall deliver to the contractor at the pre-work meeting, the following listed materials, supplies, property or services:

· Binder with “NVUM Pre survey Inspection Forms” (contains directions and site specific set-up instructions for most sites)

· Basic Individual Interview Forms

· Daily Summary Forms

· 4 Copies of "National Visitor Use Monitoring" training manual

· Training DVD

· Personal Safety video

· 1 NVUM Traffic Counter Training DVD

Field Supplies 16 folding sign posts 2 Large Sign Stands 5 “Be Prepared to Stop” signs 5 “Survey Site Please Stop” signs 10 “Traffic Survey Ahead” signs 4 extra sets flashcards 4 orange vests 10 sets of orange flags 12 traffic cones 4 sets of pneumatic road counters and associated accessories (not including batteries) 2 infra-red trail counter 2 hammers 4 folding chairs 2 shade structures

4 Interview Brief Cases which contain:

Forest map flashcards clip board 2 hand counters eraser pencil sharpener 3 pencils magnet (for resetting road counters) post-it notes 4 Traffic Counter Briefcases which contain:

Nails to install pneumatic counters on dirt roads Nails to install pneumatic counters on paved roads Wire nail tabs 1 vice clamp 1 lock with keys 1 chain 1 copy of directions for K Hill counters 1 copy of directions for Infra red counters

All Government-Furnished Property except for expendable items, shall be returned to the Contracting Officer's Representative prior to final payment.

SECTION IV

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The following are recommended for successful contract performance:

Transportation to survey sites Cellular/portable telephone for emergency communication Watch Water and food Flashlight Name or identification tag/card Other items as necessary

Note: This is merely a suggested list and is not displayed as an all-inclusive listing.

SECTION V

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASK AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

(a) The Contractor shall perform recreation use surveys (exit interviews) in accordance with the booklet:

NATIONAL VISITOR USE MONITORING HANDBOOK Training Manual, dated July 2007, available at, www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum/reference the “Prescott National Forest Recreation Use Monitoring Law Enforcement Plan” dated November 10, 2011, and the “Data Collection/Interviews, Job Hazard Analysis”, dated September 16, 2011. Documents are posted with the solicitation.

The Surveys shall consist of exit interviews during assigned 6 hour periods plus traffic counts as directed by the above training manual. Survey dates and locations shall be followed as scheduled for successful completion of this contract.

The Contractor shall record survey data on Government provided survey forms as directed by the training manual. Samples of the forms are in the NATIONAL VISITOR USE MONITORING HANDBOOK. Completed survey forms and daily summary forms shall be submitted to the Forest Service Contract Representative every 2 weeks.

The Contractor shall perform visitor use surveys on dates and at times scheduled on the Government provided NVUM Survey Calendar. In cases of locations being physically closed on planned survey days, back-up days may be assigned (for Proxy sites only) at the discretion of the Government. Back-up days will not be used in cases of convenience or bad weather.

If a non-proxy site survey is cancelled by the Government (for example due to administrative closure or fire) a reduced cost will be negotiated since these sites will not be assigned a new date.

It should be noted that on 41 days two surveys are scheduled. Double scheduled dates are bolded on the schedule.

(b) Standard protocol- In addition to conducting the surveys in accordance with section (a) the Contractor shall also perform 24 hr traffic counts with Government-provided equipment, which shall be initiated at the survey site, starting at the time of each survey. Infra red counters must be picked up at exactly the end of the 24 hr period.

(c) Traffic Counts only –24 hour traffic count, performed by the Contractor with Government-provided pneumatic counter.

(d) Hand Count of Traffic only –Performed by contractor for the sites designated (view corridors) in accordance with the training manual referenced above in section (a). Count is conducted over a 6 hour period.

(e) Quality Control - The Contractor shall submit a list of survey workers who will assist the Contractor in conducting surveys. The list shall include survey dates and locations. At the Government's discretion, a Forest Service Representative will visit the Contractor at the survey site and observe the survey process. A “secret shopper” visit will occur twice during the contract duration. This consists of a Forest Service Representative who will act as a visitor during the interview process. This person will judge whether all NVUM procedures are followed. Corrective action will be taken immediately when mistakes are identified.

Survey form accuracy will be reviewed as requested by the C.O.R or upon submission of survey files or at the time of individual survey observations.

(f) Unsatisfactory Performance - The survey schedule reflects a random sample of recreation users. Deviation from the schedule will directly impact the accuracy of the study. Satisfactory contract performance depends on the extent the Contractor meets the set survey schedule.

Missed survey dates, or improperly recorded survey records would constitute unsatisfactory performance and may be considered reason for contract termination and default action.

SECTION VI

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/INDUSTRY STANDARDS/STATE STANDARDS.GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

Attachments or exhibits are found in Section J of the contract.

SECTION VII

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Unsatisfactory Contract Performance

Contract Payment

2. Conduct Recreation Survey with 24 Hr counter (standard protocol-non-proxy sites)

Unsatisfactory Contract Performance

Contract Payment

Unsatisfactory Contract Performance

Contract Payment

Unsatisfactory Contract Performance

Contract Payment