Attachment_1-_A04_SOW_Hazard_Tree-Removal_2026.docx

1. Purpose & Background This Statement of Work (SOW) establishes requirements for call‑as‑needed hazard tree removal services across Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), covering Tennessee (Blount, Sevier, and Cocke Counties) and North Carolina (Swain and Haywood Counties). Work includes: (1) hazard trees along park roadways and developed areas, and (2) strainer hazard trees within the Deep Creek waterway. Services are issued via individual task orders.

2. Scope of Services The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, transportation, materials, and incidentals necessary to remove park‑identified hazard trees and handle woody materials in accordance with this SOW, applicable standards, and environmental/resource protections. Work locations include roads, trails, campsites, picnic areas, parking areas, overlooks, pull‑offs, and administrative areas; Deep Creek work is limited to the 1.5‑mile section described herein.

2.1 Hazard Tree Removal (Roadside/Developed Areas) (Associated with CLINs 0050–0070)

· Remove park‑identified hazard trees adjacent to roadways and in developed areas (administrative sites, buildings, campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas).

· Hazard tree definition: any tree >6″ DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) with a major defect likely to impact a target upon failure (e.g., roadway, campsite, building, parking area). Major defects include: dead snags; significant dead stems/leaders/scaffolds; heavy, unnatural lean toward/parallel to target; open hollows/cankers/rot affecting >30% at site of defect; internal hollows >66% basal area; horizontal/vertical trunk cracking; root lifting; damage/exposed >30% anchoring roots; significant canopy dieback >50%.

· For contract and ordering purposes, hazard tree removal tasks may be categorized by complexity levels based on diameter, access conditions (equipment vs. foot), target conditions, and whether the tree is live or dead. These complexity categories are defined in the contract price schedule and used for task order assignment.

2.2 Strainer Hazard Tree Removal (Deep Creek Waterway) (Associated with CLINs 0080–0100)

· Remove strainer trees (fallen or threatening to fall) within the identified Deep Creek 1.5‑mile section (approx. 3 miles north of Bryson City, NC). Equipment is restricted to roadway surfaces; crews may need foot access up to ~300 ft to reach trees in the creek. Cutting may be in or near swift water.

2.3 Professional Arborist Requirement (Associated with CLIN 0140) An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)‑Certified Arborist shall be physically present on site during all tree work. Provide an alternate certified arborist when the primary is off site.

3. Performance Period & Response Times (Response times correspond to CLINs 0010–0040)

· Period of Performance: approximately June 2026 through March 2027; option periods subject to funding. No work permitted on weekends, Federal holidays, month of October, or the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter, unless the Park authorizes work in closed areas. Weekends: noon Friday to 8:00 a.m. Monday.

· Standard hazard calls: Contractor must respond and begin removal within 5 business days of Park notification.

· Deep Creek strainer calls: Contractor must respond and begin removal within 72 hours of Park notification.

4. Worksite Access & Traffic Control (Associated with CLINs 0120–0130)

· Keep roads open to the public at all times except where one‑lane closures are permitted and properly controlled. No lane closures are allowed June 15 – August 15. Debris must be cleared before lanes are reopened.

· Traffic control shall comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Arrow board is required for any work on the Gatlinburg Spur. Use appropriate signage, cones, flaggers, and maintain measures at all times during operations. Coordinate with the Facilities Management Office. Traffic control in areas closed to the public is still required for Park staff/contractor traffic.

Table 1 — Traffic Control Requirements

5. Protection of Park Infrastructure & Natural Resources

· Prevent damage to asphalt, guardrails, signage, headwalls, specimen trees, boulders, curbing, and other Park amenities; small patches are not allowed on roadway sections paved/overlaid within 3 years. Mill and overlay full lane width (per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements) is required where contractor operations damage newly paved sections.

· Prevent off‑road equipment use: no vehicular equipment beyond forest edge (including skid steers, tracked chippers). Avoid piling material against non‑hazard trees; protect cultural resources—stop work and notify COR immediately if encountered.

· Pruning/Felling Standards: comply with ANSI Z133 and ANSI A300 Part 1; pruning from bucket/aerial lift or trained climber using proper rope techniques; no spiking/gaffing on non‑removal trees.

6. Environmental & Wildlife Protections

6.1 Indiana Bats (Federally Listed)

· Normal cutting window: Nov 15 – Mar 31 for potential roost trees. Outside this period, Park will confirm no roosting before cutting trees >6″ DBH that exhibit structural roost characteristics (exfoliating bark, cavities, crevices, typically on dead/hollow/dying/damaged/very large trees). Certain trees may be cut outside the window (e.g., root‑sprung roadside hazards; live trees with tight bark/no cavities; Spruce/Fir forests).

6.2 Northern Flying Squirrels (Federally Listed)

· Applies at elevations >4,500 ft. Do not cut trees or limbs with holes/crevices/cavities; survey and show any non‑removed trees to COR for concurrence. Yellow birch/northern hardwoods require conservative cutting practices.

7. Woody Material Handling & Disposal (Associated with CLIN 0110)

· Roadside areas: 70–90% of felled logs/woody material shall be hauled off as directed by CO/COR; remaining material may be chipped and evenly spread if approved, ensuring aesthetics are not compromised.

· Developed areas: 100% of woody material must be hauled off Park property unless campground exception applies.

· Campgrounds (exception): logs ≤12″ diameter shall be bucked into 2‑ft sections and stacked at the woodline for firewood; tops/small material shall be hauled off.

· Stumps at roadsides: cut to ≤2″ height or remove and restore area to original contour.

· Streams: logs dropped in streams shall be cut to ≤8 ft lengths; keep chips/debris out of drainage structures; chip piles ≤3″ high, evenly spread, and not in open grass areas.

Table 2 — Woody Material Handling (by location)

8. Health, Safety & Fire Prevention

· Comply with OSHA; furnish PPE (hard hats, goggles, chaps, gloves, hearing protection, high‑top leather boots with lugged soles). Keep first‑aid kit, bee‑sting kit, radio/cell communications, and a vehicle available for emergency transport. Sawyers must be trained and currently certified in First Aid and CPR.

· Fire prevention: Position exhausts away from combustibles; provide ≥1 fire extinguisher per vehicle/equipment; notify COR immediately of any fire starts, regardless of size.

· Contractor conduct: Comply with National Park Service rules while on or traveling within Park boundaries.

9. Reporting & Documentation

· Daily logs: Date, weather, personnel, equipment on site, and work accomplished; contractor’s own form acceptable.

· Tree removal reports: Daily count of hazard trees removed per call‑out.

· Accident reporting: Immediately report to area Ranger and COR (or Project Inspector).

10. Submittals (Pre‑Work / Before NTP) Provide the following prior to Notice to Proceed (NTP):

11. Quality Standards & Assurance

· Perform work per ANSI Z133/ANSI A300, base contract, and commercial practices. QA/QC is the Contractor’s responsibility; COR and Park inspectors will evaluate performance against this SOW. At completion, ensure safe access to roads, trails, pull‑offs, overlooks, and parking areas is re‑established; remove/chip/spread brush in the disturbance area; remove incidental trash/equipment daily; repair direct/indirect damage to Government property.

12. Schedule & Mobilization

· Work may start after award, submittal approvals, pre‑construction conference, issuance of NTP, and coordination of a work schedule with the CO (Contracting Officer). Standard hazard calls: 5 business days; Deep Creek strainer calls: 72 hours.

13. Funding Limitations

· Work is contingent on funding; Government liability is limited to amounts authorized via written contracts. Government may award base and any combination of options; all work under a single contract.

14. Fee & Payment

· Final payment requires submission of a Release of Claims; list any exceptions and monetary amounts with references.

15. Estimated Annual Quantities Use the following planning quantities (the Park may adjust per Task Order):

16. Definitions & Acronyms

· DBH — Diameter at Breast Height (measured 4.5 ft above ground).

· MUTCD — Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

· ISA — International Society of Arboriculture.

· ANSI Z133 / ANSI A300 — American National Standards Institute safety and pruning standards.

· OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration; PPE — Personal Protective Equipment; CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

· COR / CO — Contracting Officer Representative / Contracting Officer.

· MSDS — Material Safety Data Sheet; SF‑1413 — Standard Form 1413 (Statement/Acknowledgement).

· FHWA — Federal Highway Administration.