Attach-1-SOW.pdf

Jan. 27, 2021

TO: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

CONTRACTING AND GENERAL SERVICES

500 GOLD AVENUE, SW

ATTN: Ray Fletcher

ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102

(505) 248-6443

FROM: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

LOWER Rio Grande VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

ATTN: SCOT A. EDLER, ASST. REFUGE MANAGER

3325 Green Jay Road

ALAMO, TX 78516

(956) 784-7621

SUBJECT: SCOPE OF WORK----

FENCE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL: INSTALL OR REPLACE

66,570 LINEAR FEET OF 4 STRAND BARBED WIRE FENCE

Background Information (General Overview):

The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGV-NWR) seeks to allocate up to $425,000 in FY 2021 Deferred Maintenance funds to replace/install at least 66,570 linear feet of 4 strand barbed wire fence in Starr County Texas and remove and replace 1 parking lot split rail fence with steel pipe fence (see Attachment 1: Fence-Segment Type, Location, Length, and Site Conditions). Due to sensitive natural resources at the various work sites, contractors will work in close coordination with the designated Contract Inspector (CI) to minimize impacts to plants and animals throughout all phases of this project.

Under this contract, fence replacement and supporting boundary-related infrastructure upgrades will be installed to Service standards for purposes of increasing public safety and awareness, increasing protection of refuge resources, and deterring illegal human and domestic-animal trespass on the Refuge.

The optimal time of year to conduct such repairs is during the non-breeding season for migratory birds due to the noise, disturbance, and minimal vegetation clearing required to conduct the boundary infrastructure replacement. Therefore we propose this action be conducted between August 15, 2021 and March 15, 2022

We seek bids from prospective contractors to provide all labor, materials, tools, equipment/machinery, and transportation needed to achieve the indicated fence repairs as per fence specifications. All vegetation removal associated with this project will be only as much necessary to facilitate the fence installation/repair. All clearing must be closely coordinated with designated CI prior to commencement.

In small quantities and in coordination with the CI, woody plant material can be scattered in small piles inside the refuge boundary. In areas where there is excessive woody-vegetation removal required, the refuge will expect: 1) the vegetation/debris to be transported to an approved landfill or authorized disposal site so that excessive downed debris does not pose a fire hazard for the refuge; or 2) debris will be chipped and spread liberally on-site. On-site chipping and mulching of downed vegetation is the preferred refuge option, particularly in areas where there is significant debris within the existing dilapidated fence line. Contractors should identify an off-site location to stockpile and store fence materials and equipment needed for the work; the Refuge cannot guarantee that materials or equipment left on-site will not be vandalized or stolen.

Fence Repair Types (Statement of Work):

Specifications are provided for the wire mesh fence.

Barbed-Wire Fence Specifications (see Attachments 2, 3, and 5): The fence will be built on the existing line and/or no more than one foot inside the refuge boundary so that the centers of steel posts are <12 inches from the boundary unless otherwise specified under the tract specifications of this contract or by the CI. The fence will consist of 2 strands of stretched 12.5 gauge barbed-wire and 2 strands of twisted 12.5 gauge barbless with the bottom wire 12 inches above the ground. The remaining three strands of wire will be spaced at 12-inch intervals so that the top wire is 48 inches above the ground. Approximately 6-8” of T-post will be present above the top string of barbed wire. Line posts will be set at 22-foot intervals with 3 stays inserted at equal distances between each post. Stays will be threaded through each strand of wire. The line posts will be placed in a repeating pattern of four metal posts followed by a 6'x2" steel post. The fence will be supported by H-braces made of steel 2” posts placed every 440' feet. H-braces will also be installed on each side of designated gate locations. H-braces will be placed closer than 440' where the stretch of fence is less than 440' long or when the fence line curves more than 10 degrees. Each H-brace will consist of 2 vertical 8'x2" steel posts spaced 6' apart with 2 horizontal 6'x2" posts welded between the two vertical posts All steel brace posts (8') will be buried approximately 2-3 feet deep and ready-mix cement (Quikcrete) will be used to secure all steel posts and H-brace posts. All steel line posts (6') will be buried approximately 1.5-2 feet deep, and all metal posts will be buried approximately 2 feet deep (8’ T-posts). All steel posts will be tamped very lightly in 6 inch lifts (no more than 6 inches of loose dirt is to be placed around/atop the post before it is tamped well, and then the process repeated until the hole has been tamped full to the top). If the refuge fence inspector determines that the soil around the brace posts has not been tamped sufficiently tight, the contractor may be required to place 1 bag of cement around each post. Barbed wire will be installed on the outside of the posts. Barbed wire will be attached to the steel posts with fencing clips each strand of barbed wire will be tied-off at corners and appropriate H-braces by wrapping it around the far post and tying the end off around the incoming wire at least four times.

General Standards: Once the boundary is delineated for the Contractor, the Contractor will construct a fence at least 12 inches inside of that boundary for the entire length of the fence line. Said fence will be straight and sturdy with no loose posts or wires. The Contractor will remove any and all remaining fence materials from the site at the Contractor’s expense.

Boundary Marker Protection: On tracts where the boundary crosses plowed fields and/or dry wetland areas and a fence segment is not deemed necessary or feasible, the contractor will place an 8'x6" wooden post 1' behind white and/or orange Carsonite boundary markers or as indicated. Each post will be buried approximately 2 feet deep and will be tamped in 6 inch lifts (as described earlier). A “Refuge Boundary” sign will be placed at the top of each post (alternating Spanish and English). One bag of ready-mix cement will be used at this permanent boundary marker sites. These materials will be provided by the contractor.

Fence Removal: The Contractor will remove all sections of deteriorated fence where identified as part of the contract unless directed otherwise by the CI. This necessitates that all potential bidders attend the pre-bid site visit to accurately assess costs for materials, timeline, etc. associated with this project. The contractor will be responsible for removing all unserviceable and excess fence materials from the tract and transporting/depositing them off-site in a legal landfill or recycling them.

Materials: The Contractor will supply all fencing materials at no cost to the Refuge. The Refuge has material standards for T-posts, barbed-wire, and steel posts. The Contractor is required to coordinate material type and quality specification with the CI before ordering materials. Contractor equipment and materials should not be stockpiled or left on-site at the refuge tracts. The CI will assist with locating all corner markers, boundary lines, and gates in question for the Contractor before and/or during the fence work.

Labor: The Contractor will supply all labor, tools, equipment, transportation, trailers and portable restroom facilities (port-o-potties), cement, and fence materials needed to complete this contract. This will include tools to tighten wire, water for mixing cement, vehicles and trailers for transporting new materials and properly disposing of damaged or unserviceable materials, T-post hammers, chainsaws if applicable, hand tools, etc.

Inspection: Work will be inspected on a weekly basis or several times weekly by the CI and/or other designated Refuge staff to make certain that the fence meets general standards and detailed fencing specifications are met or exceeded. The CI will issue a written notice of deficiency to the contractor if any deficiencies are found. The Contractor will then have seven working days from the date of a written notice of deficiency to take corrective action. The CI may stop all contractor work until the problem has been remedied if no action is taken during the seven day period. Failure to correct deficiencies within seven days of written notification may be cause for default of this contract. Any questions arising during fence construction should be brought immediately to the attention of the CI to minimize fence deficiencies and avoid lost time.

Default: At the discretion of the USFWS, additional time may be allowed for the Contractor to correct any reported deficiencies. Should the Contractor neglect to remedy deficiencies within seven days after written notification of deficiency, or within the additional time designated by the CI, this contract may be terminated. The Refuge will take all measure to insure the Contractor completes the project in a satisfactory manner. Payment for a defaulted contract will cover all work in conformance with these contract specifications through the default date of the contract.

Habitat Protection:

A) The Contractor may use designated roads ONLY for vehicle travel unless other access points are pre-approved by the CI.

B) All vegetation clearing must be pre-approved and conducted in close coordination with the CI. If authorized, grass and brush may be cleared by hand or mechanically mowed only up to 5 feet in width along the fence line using equipment with blades or mowing implements with a maximum width of 5 feet. Care should be taken to insure pruned habitat is not cut or manicured in a fashion that will encourage plant disease or plant death. No trees greater than 4” in diameter will be removed without CI approval.

C) In coordination with the CI, lateral tree branches may be trimmed or the fence line moved/altered to avoid trees and shrubs.

D) An ATV with trailer may be used to transport materials.

E) No herbicides or other chemicals will be permitted to remove vegetation in and adjacent to the fence line being repaired.

F) All litter and debris due to contractor operations will be removed from the work site on a daily basis, including extra materials, food and beverage items, ready-mix sacks, etc.

G) The Contractor is responsible for providing portable bathroom facilities for work crews so that human waste is not deposited in the refuge.

Wildlife Value: The Contractor shall always perform work and take such steps required to minimize disturbance to wildlife and their habitat. The Contractor will not be permitted to alter water flows or otherwise disturb native habitat on individual tracts in the contract area. The Contractor and their employees should take every precaution to avoid injury or death to any wildlife species, including snakes. Presence of a migratory bird nest in or adjacent to the fence line being repaired should be brought to the attention of the refuge inspector prior to any habitat removal actions. For all occurrences of habitat damage resulting from Contractor neglect, the Service may require the contractor to restore the area to a condition satisfactory to the Refuge.

Keys: The Contractor will be required to provide their own locks to be placed on refuge gates, if necessary, when working on that area. All locks will be removed upon completion of the fence replacement project and returned to the contractor. Access to the refuge lands should be conducted anytime between daylight and dark daily.

Labor: The Contractor will provide per-foot bids on the previously described fence installation and/or repair to include costs of vegetation removal and any other costs. Contractor selection will be based on competitive bids for the variety of work needed. Only those contractors that attend the pre-bid site-visit will be allowed to provide a considered bid for this project. The Contractor will provide all fence materials to complete this contract. The Contractor will be required to provide labor, equipment, and materials to accomplish the contract, which includes fence removal, fence installation, unserviceable fence removal/disposal, vegetation clearing, and/or minor vegetation trimming, old infrastructure transport and disposal, etc.

Pre-Bid Meeting: Prior to submitting the contractor bid for this fence repair contract, the prospective contractors can contact the refuge manager to arrange for on-site visits of the fence repair sites to ascertain the degree of difficulty, logistics, access, and any other details or concerns identified in this fence contract. The CI will identify 1-3 dates in which a tour of the project site will be organized. All bidders must attend one of the mandatory pre-bid site visits to learn all the details, challenges, etc about the fence job in order to provide the most realistic and competitive bid.

Pre-work Meeting: A pre-work conference will be held at Santa Ana NWR prior to work commencement at a time mutually agreeable to the contractor and refuge inspector. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the contract specifications, to go over tract fencing priorities, to identify the type and quality of materials (i.e., T-posts, steel posts, barbed-wire, field fence, etc.) that will be found acceptable, and to answer any questions the contractor may have regarding the work to be performed.

Field Meeting: Prior to commencing fence construction on each tract of land, the Contractor and CI will meet in the field to discuss specific fence locations, fence design (barbed wire or woven wire) vehicle-access restrictions, vegetation issues along the old fence line, and any problems unique to the particular tract of refuge land.

Completion Notice: When the contractor has completed the required work on a tract of land, and before work is begun on a new piece of land, he/she will notify the CI of the estimated completion date and the amount of linear feet fenced. As long as weather conditions permit, work will be completed on one tract before proceeding to the next.

Payment: Payments will be made only for actual services satisfactorily completed under this contract.

Payments will not be made for any work performed which is not satisfactorily completed in conformance with contract specifications. Any deficiencies will be identified immediately to the Contractor by the CI in order to avoid unsatisfactory work completion.

Contact: For any questions on the administration of this contract, please contact Scot Edler, Asst.

Refuge Manager, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge at (956) 784-7621(office) or (956) 683-5200 (mobile) between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) Email: scot_edler@fws.gov.

Costs that Bidding Contractors should consider:

1. Costs of removing/disposing of existing fence at an approved landfill, when necessary

2. Costs to install and repair all fence according to fence specifications

3. Total cost for providing barbed and barbless wire, posts, and other materials.

4. Costs to mechanically trim or remove vegetation along the existing/new fence line

5. Costs to stockpile, chip/mulch or remove/transport removed vegetation

6. Costs for labor crews to complete the work to specifications

Approximate Materials Needed for a Complete Section (440’ long) of 4-strand Barbed-Wire Fence Roll Barbed-wire 1,800’ Ea Fencing stays 60 Ea Metal T-posts 16 Ea 8'x2" steel post 7 Bag 80# concrete 7

Attachment 1:

Fence-Segment Type, Location, Length, and Site Conditions

Deferred Maintenance Fencing Contract

Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR February 2021

Fence Segments (listed in order of performance)

Starr County La Puerta Tract – 66,570’ rocky soils

Seg. 1: East B. 26,770’ – 2 corners 2 gate openings

Seg. 2: North B. 7,650’ – 3 corners

Seg. 3: West B. 25,100’ – 1 corner 2 gate openings

Seg. 4: S. West B. 4,000’ – 2 corners

Seg. 5: S. East B. 3,050’ - 1 gate opening

Note: Significant clearing will be required at all segments. Brush has been growing in the fence line for more than 20 years.