Att_02_140P8423Q0044__SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Hazardous Fuels Reduction – Goat Grazing at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Table of Contents:

1.0 Background

2.0 Scope

3.0 Objectives

4.0 Tasks

5.0 Delivery

6.0 Government-Furnished Property

7.0 Security

8.0 Place of Performance

9.0 Period of Performance

10.0 Contract Administration

1.0 BACKGROUND:

The National Park Service (NPS), Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS), located in Shasta County, California, has a requirement for goat grazing as a method of hazardous fuels reduction.

The primary objective of this project is to use goats to control the native and nonnative vegetation for a minimum of 22 acres up to 50 acres, in existing fuel breaks within Whiskeytown NRA.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, supplies and services to accomplish all work required under the following description of work. This shall include mobilization to and from work site.

The contractor shall conduct open range herding of goats to ensure that target herbaceous species and areas are appropriately treated. The herd may contain up to 10% in number of sheep. Dogs may be utilized unleashed, for the purposes of moving and containing the goats. All areas to be treated shall be identified on the ground by NPS personnel in conjunction with the Contractor prior to initiating any work. Treatment areas will be identified with pink flagging. Excluded areas will be identified with red and white striped flagging. Contractor shall have personnel onsite during the entire project. The Contractor shall not leave the herd unattended.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this project is to use goats to control the native and nonnative vegetation (minimum 22 acres) in existing fuel breaks within Whiskeytown NRA, and in future option years as a maintenance tool.

4.0 TASKS

Work Standards and Browse Prescription:

Goats will be used to browse and reduce dense understory including grasses, forbs, brush, seedlings, and trees to reduce fuel loading.

a. Grasses and forbs: Reduce 75-90% of annual and perennial grasses and forbs to a height of one inch to four inches.

b. Brush: Remove 75-90% of leaves and first year stem growth from existing brush (such as toyon, manzanita, poison oak, and Himalayan blackberry) under five feet in height.

c. Seedling/saplings: Remove 40-90% of leaf and first year stem growth from all tree species under six feet in height.

d. Trees: Limit debarking to less than 10% on oak and pine trees greater than six inches in diameter at breast height.

e. All Historic Trees and historic ornamental vegetation shall be protected from any goat browse or other damage. Damage to historic trees or historic ornamental vegetation due to livestock impacts is the responsibility of the Contractor. The historic trees and vegetation will be flagged by the NPS with red and white striped flagging for avoidance.

Excluded Areas:

Areas excluded from grazing will be flagged with red and white striped flagging. Exclusion areas will be discussed during the Site Tour and pre-work field inspection and conference, prior to work implementation with the Contractor by COR or the NPS contacts listed above. The Contractor is responsible for protecting historic fruit trees or other naturally or culturally significant landscape vegetation, as identified by NPS with red and white striped flagging.

Permissible temporary barricades to exclude grazing shall minimize ground disturbance and shall be approved by the COR prior to installation. It is recommended that proposed barricades be discussed during the site tour and outlined in the bid proposal.

Work Schedule:

This project period of performance is between May 15, 2023 and June 30, 2023. The contractor shall provide to the NPS, at the pre-work meeting, a written work plan that details their work force, number of goats, equipment, and proposed schedule to provide for completion of the work within the performance period. The work plan shall be approved by the COR prior to work implementation.

Adjustments in performance period of up to two weeks may be made to account for seasonal variation in weather and associated plant life cycles if jointly agreed upon by the contractor and the COR.

Special Considerations: These treatment areas are adjacent to high use parking areas and visitor/employee use. The contractor must ensure that all goats remain off the roadways and parking areas. Temporary electric fencing is the preferred method to ensure the herd stay in outlined areas. Protection measures should be discussed during the site tour and outlined in the bid proposal.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

a. Pre-work Field Inspection and Conference A pre-work field inspection and conference will be scheduled between the Contractor, the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COR) and National Park Service Resources Management Personnel. The field inspection is an opportunity to discuss the project on-site prior to commencement of work.

b. Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in the park outside of designated areas (ie. Parking lots). Under no circumstances is smoking permitted during the period of performance if mandated Fire Restrictions are in place. All smoking filters (butts) will be properly disposed of in an approved refuse receptacle.

c. Food Storage

When not in use food, garbage, containers and equipment used to cook or store food must be contained within bear-resistant food storage lockers (where provided). Bear-resistant refuse containers should be stored out of sight in a hard-sided vehicle or vehicle trunk by persons camping or picnicking in areas authorized for access by motor vehicle.

d. Garbage and Sewage

Garbage and food residue shall be made unavailable to wildlife at all times. Garbage and food residue must be kept inside bear proof garbage cans or closed vehicles. Non-burnable refuse must be removed weekly. These rules also apply to lunchtime garbage, which include fruit peelings, apple cores, nut shells, or excess food. Cooking utensils must be promptly cleaned and stored after use. Exposure of any food or residues, which may attract bears, is strictly prohibited.

e. Exotic Plants

1. Before any trailers and/or equipment are brought into the park, the Contractor shall pressure or steam wash the equipment in order to remove non-native seeds. Cleaning shall consist of the removal all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. Cleaning shall occur away from the project site. Examples of equipment are tractors, ATV’s, or trucks and trailers that have traveled off-road. This equipment will be inspected by the COR before the project begins.

2. Animal fur and hooves must be free of weed seed prior to entering park.

3. The Contractor will have the option to either: 1) feed the goats weed-free hay and pellets for 2-5 days before arriving in the park; or, 2) have not grazed the goats outside Western Shasta County (the surrounding 15 miles). The latter will enable park staff to assess the risk of introducing new nonnative and invasive plant species to the park.

f. Toilet Facilities

The NPS will provide access to toilet facilities near the project site (Visitor Center Parking Lot). The digging of “cat” holes or leaving waste on the ground surface is strictly prohibited within the work area.

g. Use of ATV’s and UTV’s Any use of All Terrain Vehicles (including four-wheelers, Mules, Gators, etc.) must be approved in advance by the COR. Vehicles must be operated only on existing roads and trails. All ATV users must utilize personal protective equipment (gloves, helmets, etc.)

and must have received safety training for operating the vehicle. This equipment will require pressure or steam washing outside of the Park to minimize noxious and invasive weed introduction prior to use within the project areas.

h. Cultural Resources

1. The archaeological resources in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area are a valuable record of human history of this area. In addition, such resources (including arrowheads, chert or obsidian chips, mortars, pestles, old homesteading or logging equipment, old glass, etc.) are protected by federal legislation. Removal or displacement of any cultural resources is prohibited. Many of the areas covered by this project are considered to be archeologically sensitive.

2. If concealed archeological resources are encountered during project activities, all work in the vicinity will stop, steps necessary to protect the resources from imminent disturbance or damage will be taken, and the COR or other park staff acting as project inspectors shall be notified immediately.

3. Ground disturbance is prohibited without prior written approval from the COR.

4. An on-site visit with the COR or project inspector is required when establishing fencing location. The Contractor will be made aware of the sensitivity of, and protection for archeological sites.

i. Storage and Parking Areas

Equipment service areas, parking areas and storage areas shall be established in paved parking lots only or as approved by the COR in writing.

j. Communications

Contractor shall furnish a serviceable cellular telephone or other approved device while on- site in order to communicate with the COR/Inspector and to provide for the safety of the Contractor’s employees. In areas of the Park with unreliable cellular coverage, a National Park Service radio may be provided to the contractor to facilitate communication.

k. Weapons

The use of weapons by the contractor is prohibited, except for the use of non-lethal hazing rounds for the sole purpose of protecting livestock from wildlife threats (e.g.

Mountain Lions). The contractor may utilize rubber bullets or banger rounds. The weapon and rounds must be inspected and approved by the CO/COR.

l. Damages

1. The Contractor shall avoid impacts to all cultural resources, natural resources and facilities including existing vegetation, structures and artifacts within and adjacent to the work area.

2. Any form of ground disturbance not specifically described in this scope of work, such as blading, and off-road vehicle travel are prohibited.

3. The Contractor shall remove all refuse from food and/or drink (i.e. lunch wrappers, bottles, cans, food scraps) from the job site by the end of each workday.

4. The Contractor shall remove all construction waste (i.e. packaging materials, fertilizer bags, zip ties, flagging tape, loose tools) from the job site by the end of each workday.

5. If the COR determines that the Contractor’s activities have resulted in damage to Park Resources, the Contractor shall incur all expense associated with damage assessment, damage repair and monitoring.

5.0 DELIVERY

Base Requirement: 22 to 50 acres grazed between May 15, 2023 to June 30, 2023 Option Year 1 (OY1): 22 to 50 acres grazed between April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 Option Year 2 (OY2): 22 to 50 acres grazed between April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 Option Year 3 (OY3): 22 to 50 acres grazed between April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026 Option Year 4 (OY4): 22 to 50 acres grazed between April 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027

Option years are determined by availability of funding. The contractor will be notified approximately 30 days prior to the start of the period of performance of the Government’s intent to exercise the option year.

The specific Goat Grazing Areas may vary annually depending on vegetation growth and control needs determined by the COR.

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

No specific Government-Furnished Property is available to the contractor with the following exceptions: In areas of the Park with unreliable cellular coverage, a National Park Service radio may be provided to the contractor to facilitate communication.

Contractor may access toilet facilities near the project site at the Visitor Center Parking Lot and may access water from Whiskeytown Lake.

7.0 SECURITY

Not Applicable

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive Whiskeytown, California 96095

PROJECT AREA:

The project area encompasses two separate areas that are in close proximity to each other, Whiskeytown NRA Headquarter and the Whiskeytown Visitor Center. Total project area encompasses 22 acres.

PROJECT COORDINATES: T32N, R6W, S 22,7 40°36’40” N 122°31’37” W

DIRECTIONS:

From I-5, take Highway 299 West towards Whiskeytown/Eureka. Proceed to the intersection of Hwy 299 and J.F. Kennedy Memorial drive. Turn south on J.F. Kennedy Memorial dr. and the Visitor Center will be on the right just past the intersection.

WORK AREA ACCESS:

The project area is accessible by a standard 2WD motor vehicle. The outside project limits are only accessible by foot trails. For water, there is access to Whiskeytown Lake.

MAPS

Figure 1. The proposed treatment areas outlined in red Proximity map.

Figure 2: Headquarters map

Figure 3: Visitor Center Map

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Requirement: May 15, 2023 to June 30, 2023 Option Year 1 (OY1): April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 Option Year 2 (OY2): April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 Option Year 3 (OY3): April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026 Option Year 4 (OY4): April 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027

10.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov/. The Contractor shall submit all invoices through www.ipp.gov within 30 days of work completion. Failure of the contractor to upload an attached copy of the invoice and any requested documentation through IPP.gov will result in invoice being rejected.

Payment Unit Description:

The payment unit is per acre (mobilization and associated costs included). Minimum acres to be treated is 22 acres per year with a maximum of up to 50 acres per year.

Invoices must include:

Project Name (Hazardous fuels reduction – Goat Grazing 202x) Description of work performed Date(s) of work performance Acres Completed Inspection/Acceptance:

a. The Inspector/COR will make periodic inspections as a basis for payment and recommendations for adjustments in work quality. The Contractor is encouraged to observe inspections while they are being conducted.

b. Methods of inspection may include collection of pre- and post-treatment photo points.

c. As the basis for payment, inspections for compliance with work standards and browse prescriptions will be conducted for treatment areas reported as completed by the Contractor.

d. Inspections will be conducted at select intervals across the treatment area. At each inspection point, the inspector/COR will examine the area and record findings on a Project Inspection form.

e. Inspection findings will be approved by the COR for treatments where work standards and browse prescriptions are met for each vegetation type.

Inspection findings for treatments where desired conditions are not met for work standards and browse prescriptions for each vegetation type, the CO/COR will contact the Contractor in writing. The CO/COR will provide the Contractor with the inspection findings and deficiencies to be remedied. The Contractor and COR/CO will develop a work plan to correct the deficiencies to meet the work standards and browse prescriptions for the treatment. The treatment will be re-inspected by the COR to ensure work standards and browse prescriptions are met. The COR will provide the inspection findings to the CO and Contractor in writing.

KEY CONTACTS:

The Contract Specialist (CS) responsible for this order will be:

Loren Thomas, Contract Specialist National Park Service

(415) 464-5233 loren_thomas@nps.gov

The Contracting Officer (CO) responsible for this order will be:

Elizabeth Chico, Contracting Officer National Park Service

(530) 595-6113 elizabeth_chico@nps.gov

The NPS Representatives responsible for this project will be:

Adam Zaharris, Fuels Specialist Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

(530) 410-4673 adam_zaharris@nps.gov

David Oechsli, Roads, Trails & Lake Maintenance Worker Supervisor Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

(530) 242-3425 (Office) david_oechsli@nps.gov