Atch_1_-_Statement_of_Work.pdf

Mojave National Preserve

San Bernardino County, California

SERVICES REQUEST: Prune Trees at Three Maintained Landscapes

DATED: 5/1/2023

Prepared By: Trent Martinez, Project Manager

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Mojave National Preserve

MOJA – Prune Trees at Three Maintained Landscapes

A04 STATEMENT OF WORK: PRUNE TREES AT THREE MAINTAINED

LANDSCAPES

1. BACKGROUND

The Mojave National Preserve is located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, south of the Interstate 15 freeway and about 65 east of Barstow CA. This requirement is for tree and palm pruning services at three locations within the Preserve including Baker Maintenance Complex, Soda Springs Historic District, and the Kelso Depot. The pruning primarily consists of removing dead fronds from palm trees and trimming back a privacy wall of Salt Cedars.

In addition to pruning, there are two tree removals at the Kelso Depot site. Two medium size cottonwood trees must be removed, their stumps ground, and have new sod planted over the removed stumps.

2. PROJECT LOCATIONS:

Baker Maintenance Yard Address: 56850 Caltrans Ave Baker, CA 92364

Kelso Depot Address: 90942 Kelso Cima Road Kelso, California 92309

Soda Springs Historic District (Zzyzx) 49441 Zzyzx Road Baker, CA 92309

3. PROJECT OVERVIEW

The following is a summary of work at each location and approximate number of trees within the work area established in this contract. See Appendix for work area maps of each of the following locations.

Soda Springs Historic District:

• 70 Palm Trees Close to Zzyzx Structures.

• 1 Large Salt Cedar Tree by Wing Building.

• 5 Shrubs growing close to building

Baker Maintenance Yard:

• 380 Salt Cedars Outside and Inside of Maintenance Complex Fence

• Prune Salt Cedars Away from Fence, Road, Electric Lines, and Buildings.

Kelso Depot:

• 8 Palm Trees to be pruned as part of the landscape and away from building.

• 20 Desert Willows to be pruned as part of the landscape.

• 2 Cottonwood Trees for Removal

4. CONTRACTOR TASKS

A. Contractor shall perform the following on all projects:

1. All work shall be directed by International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist or equivalent certification.

2. Clean all cutting tools and equipment with affective bleach solution (1 part bleach 3 parts water) before and after the pruning of each tree and shrub to prevent the spread of arboreal diseases.

3. Clean all work areas after each day of all tree and shrub debris and trimmings created from the project work tasks.

4. Remove all debris and trash from work site to acceptable waste facility meeting all State and Federal waste regulations.

5. No climbing of trees is allowed for pruning. All pruning must be done from bucket truck or mechanical assisted device

6. Remove all fronds and branches that are 5 feet or closer to buildings and structures.

Remove all fronds and branches 5 feet from power utility lines and poles. The Contractor shall obtain all necessary permits and cooperate with the utility company to avoid any damage or liability.

7. Remove all fronds and branches 3 feet from fences.

8. Remove all fronds and branches from right-of-way of road and make sure there is 14 feet of vertical clearance for vehicles traveling on roadway.

B. Contractor shall perform the following when pruning palm trees:

1. Remove dead, broken, and dying fronds with more than 40% discoloration by cutting fronds 2 inches from trunk base.

2. Remove any fronds touching or within 10 feet of a building.

3. Remove any fruit or flowers from the palm tree.

4. Cuts to palm tree must be clean and uniform and free from tearing or damage to the trunk base.

5. Remove loose petioles carefully from fronds.

C. Contractor shall perform the following when pruning trees and shrubs:

1. Pruning will consist of crown cleaning /deadwood pruning which includes the removal of all dead, dying, diseased or broken branches 1/2” in diameter or larger throughout the tree. Pruning will also include the removal of crossing / rubbing, weak branches that may compromise the structural integrity of the tree.

2. All portions of the trunk and any tree limbs or branches over 3 ½ inches in diameter must be lowered to the ground by crane or ropes and may not be dropped. Any headstones that may have to be removed in order to obtain access to a particular tree must be correctly replaced by the Contractor after the tree removal has been completed. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage to the turf, roads or structures caused by dropping parts of the trees.

3. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all pruning cuts shall be made just outside the collar or shoulder ring (branch bark ridge/swollen trunk collar) close to parent stem so that healing can readily start under normal conditions.

4. In general, the Contractor shall ensure when reducing the size of a tree and with respect to retaining the tree’s natural crown characteristics and patterns, not more than 1/4 of the total area shall be reduced at a single opera

5. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all trees shall have branches removed to permit the sufficient penetration of sunlight and circulation of air through the canopy in conjunction to the aesthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the tree. This process is also known as thinning.

D. Contractor shall perform the following when removing the two Cotton Wood Trees:

1. All portions of the trunk and any tree limbs or branches over 3 ½ inches in diameter must be lowered to the ground by crane or ropes and may not be dropped.

2. Removal all of the tree, cut flush to the ground, and grind stump 8 inches below the ground surface.

5. SAFETY

All equipment to be used and work to be performed shall be in full compliance with the most current revision of the American National Standards Institute Z-133.1-2000 and A300-1995.

These guidelines provide safety standards for workers engaged in pruning, repairing, maintaining, or removing trees. Tree care personnel will be sure not to position equipment that blocks any roads or walkways unless prior arrangements have been made with the COR. Tree care personnel will also make sure to provide adequate barricades, flag person, signs and or warning devices during the performance of tree work.

6. CONTRACTOR USE OF PREMISES

A. Contractor will keep worksite organized and clean as work allows B. Designated areas for staging and contractor access will be identified by COR C. Contractor is allowed to camp on premises with COR approval D. Contractor will be allowed to use housing facilities like restrooms and kitchen E. Contractor will be responsible for disposal of any debris and waste generated from project F. Contractor will only be able to use the buildings identified by the COR G. Any government property damaged during this project will be replaced at the contractor’s expense H. NPS will provide water and electrical for contractor to perform work I. COR has the right to revoke any of the above privileges at anytime if cleanliness or unprofessional behavior warrants it

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

All tasks and deliverables for this contract must be completed within 45 calendar days after award.

8. APPENDIX

A. Pruning Map for Baker Maintenance Complex

B. Pruning Map for Kelso Depot

C. Pruning Map for Soda Springs

End of Document