Attachment 1.pdf

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

Opening Rehabilitation Allegheny National Forest

Marienville Ranger District

DIVISION 100 – GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110 - Scope of Contract

The intent of the contract is:

Plowing, Ripping or modified (plow or double) disking, regular disking and/or shallow dozing (sod removal) and ripping, seeding, liming, and fertilizing using a cultipacker or pulvi-mulcher on 8.9 acres of seven small existing wildlife openings. Some ripping, cutting, digging, or plowing of small trees and shrubs, typically less than 6” dbh is anticipated. Some moving of downed trees to the edge of the opening of the perimeter is anticipated.

The completed sites will be expected to grow a dense cover of grasses and legumes or wildflowers that can be easily mowed or management using standard equipment. Some sites will require the protection and retention of specific trees, shrubs, improvements, trails, oil/gas facilities, pipelines, water courses, moist soils, nesting structures, or fence cribs. The Contractor shall furnish all transportation, supervision, labor, materials and equipment necessary to complete the contract. Access to sites will be reconstructed (if necessary) to their original condition.

Note: Work will commence on at least one of the openings between August 20 and September 30, 2024.

In order to have the best chance of establishing adequate ground cover, the contractor shall complete field operations on all of these sites between August 20 and September 30, 2024 (Fall Planting) and April 15 and June 1, 2025 (Spring Planting) and/or August 20 and September 30, 2025 (Fall Planting).

120 - Location and Description of Areas

Vicinity and Site-Specific Maps of the openings and access to the project area are attached.

Site #1 (621030) 41.503769 / -79.283176

• Site #1 621030 is approximately 1.5 acres in size and access is provided by FR 561A in Warrant 5132, Kingsley Township, Forest County.

This site is a small herbaceous opening. Some trees along the edge of the opening <6 inches in dbh will be required to be cut to maintain the original constructed opening boundary. The contractor is expected to maintain the existing shape of the opening, including removal of small trees and stumps. Debris from prior mastication in adjacent stand will need to be cleared offsite. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter. The slope is gentle, ranging from 0-20 percent. Three large hemlock trees are present in the southern portion of the opening and will be retained. Other trees and shrubs may be designated in the opening and should be avoided, and roots protected as directed by the Contract COR or inspector.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200.

Site #1 621030 is located along FR 561A. Parking is limited, but areas exist along FR 561A in the opening. There is an active timber sale in the area. All infrastructure will be protected.

Site #2 (621029) 41.504643 / -79.285594

• Site #2 621029 is approximately 0.5 acres in size and is along FR 561A in Warrant 5132, Kingsley Township, Forest County

<6 inches dbh will be required to be cut to maintain the original constructed opening boundary. The contractor is expected to maintain the existing shape of the opening, including removal of small trees and stumps. Debris from prior mastication in adjacent stand will need to be cleared offsite. Hemlock trees in the opening will be retained. Other trees and shrubs may be designated in the opening and should be avoided, and roots protected as directed by the Contract COR or inspector. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter. The slope is gentle, ranging from 0-20 percent.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200.

Site #2 621029 is located along FR 561A. Parking is limited, but areas exist along FR 561A near the opening. There is an active timber sale in the area. All infrastructure will be protected. Small woods road needs to be used for access to the opening.

Site #3 (621032) 41.505999 / -79.292254

• Site #3 621032 is approximately 1 acre in size along FR 561A near the end of the road in Warrant 5270, Kingsley Township, Forest County

<6 inches dbh will be required to be cut to maintain the original constructed opening boundary. The contractor is expected to maintain the existing shape of the opening, including removal of small trees and stumps. Debris from prior mastication in adjacent stand will need to be cleared offsite. Hemlock trees in the opening will be retained. Other trees and shrubs may be designated in the opening and should be avoided, and roots protected as directed by the Contract COR or inspector. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter. The slope is gentle, ranging from 0-20 percent.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200.

Site #3 621032 is located along and near the end of FR 561A which provides access to the opening. Parking is limited, but areas exist along FR 561A near the opening. There is an active timber sale in the area. All infrastructure will be protected. Small woods road needs to be used for access to the opening.

Site #4 (615027) 41.491469 / -79.341037

• Site #4 615027 is approximately 3.0 acres in size and access is provided by FR 246 in Warrant 5186, Kingsley Township, Forest County.

This site is an herbaceous opening. Some trees along the edge of the opening <6 inches dbh will be required to be cut to maintain the original constructed opening boundary. The contractor is expected to maintain the existing shape of the opening, including removal of small trees and stumps. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter. The slope is gentle, ranging from 0-20 percent.

Save and retain large conifer hemlock trees in the middle/southern portion of the opening. Other trees and shrubs, including large blueberry plants, may be designated in the opening and should be avoided, and roots protected as directed by the Contract COR or inspector.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200.

Site #4 615027 is located along FR 246. Parking is limited, but areas exist along FR 246 in the opening. All infrastructure will be protected

Site #5 (718012A) 41.553975 / -79.435527

• Site #5 (718012A) is approximately 0.7 acres in size and access is provided by SR 4002-1 and NS017227 in Cornplanter Grant, Harmony Township, Forest County.

This site is a small site opening within a larger abandoned farmstead. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200. Note: This site has special considerations within the technical specifications in Division 200.

Site #5 (718012A) is located along NS017227. Access is gained through a Forest Service Gate. All infrastructure will be protected.

Site #6 (718012B) 41.552948 / -79.436092

• Site #6 (718012B) is approximately 0.7 acres in size and access is provided by SR 4002-1 and NS017227 in Cornplanter Grant, Harmony Township, Forest County.

This site is small site opening within an abandoned farmstead. The terrain is relatively flat. The opening is marked with pink and black striped flagging along its perimeter.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200. Note: This site has special considerations within the technical specifications in Division 200.

Site #6 (718012B) is located along NS017227. Access is gained through a Forest Service Gate. All infrastructure will be protected.

Site #7 (603022) 41.534216 / -79.434679

• Site #7 (603022) is approximately 1.5 acres in size and access is provided by SR 62 in Warrant 3689, Hickory Township, Forest County.

This site is a small site opening within a larger abandoned farmstead. The terrain is relatively flat with some slope 0-3%. The opening is marked with pink flagging along its perimeter.

Contractor will prepare seedbed as indicated, following technical specifications outlined in Division 200. Note: This site has special considerations within the technical specifications in Division 200.

Site #7 (603022) is located along SR 62. Parking and access will be located in this area along the road (41.534419, -79.434033). All infrastructure will be protected.

130 - Equipment and supplies furnished by the Contractor

131 - The contractor will provide required lime, seed, and fertilizer (See clause(s)

250, 260). The contractor will be required to retain and submit all weigh tickets, bills of sale for seed mixtures, lime, fertilizer, and empty lime, fertilizer and seed bags. Seed samples will be provided to the COR.

132 - The contractor will provide and use all heavy equipment required for grading, leveling, tilling, disking, and culti-packing and for applying all applicable seed, lime, and fertilizer.

140 - Contractor Representative

The contractor or authorized representative will be at the site whenever work is in progress. In the absence of the contractor, the authorized representative will receive instructions from the FS Contracting Officer (CO) or designee or FS Contracting Officer Representative (COR). If the contractor designates a person to act for him/her in their absence, or subcontracts, that person will be knowledgeable with all contract requirements.

150 – Protection of Existing Structures

The Contractor shall be required to protect existing improvements such as roads

(including system, oil, gas, minerals, woods or skid trails), pipelines (buried or above ground), hiking trails, power lines (buried or above ground), buildings, gates, fences, plantings, nesting structures, oil/gas equipment, etc., which are located in the project areas. The Contractor shall be required to repair or replace such improvements if damaged as a result of their operations. This includes replacing, re-seeding, and mulching water bars and earthen barricades, pipelines, powerlines, wells, parking areas, access trails, roadside ditches, culverts and signs if disturbed as a result of this contract.

160 – Progression of Work

161 – The Contractor is required to inform the COR of where and when work will commence.

162 – The Contractor is required to inform the COR or Contract Inspector of the completion of seedbed preparation (plowing or tilling) on each site so that site inspections can be made prior to the application of lime, seed, and fertilizer.

If work which was submitted by the Contractor for final inspection does not meet the specifications of this contract, the Contractor will be responsible for correcting any items in order to meet the specifications at no additional cost to the government.

163 – To avoid damaging sensitive or valuable resources the Contractor is required to halt operations and contact the COR or Contract Inspector and have the issue resolved on site if: the site appears inconsistent with instructions or maps, boundaries are questionable, requirements or restrictions are unreasonable, previously unreported water courses or wetlands are found on site, or should soils become too wet or rocky to complete the site safely and without damaging the resource(s).

Division 200 - Technical Specifications

210 – Plowing and Disking – All Sites

211 – Except for a limited number of residual trees and small shrubs, these sites generally have been previously cleared of standing trees. Some sites, especially along the perimeter, have trees and shrubs approximately 6” dbh and less, which will need to be removed in order to keep the original shape of the opening. These trees and shrubs can be cut, ripped, dug, plowed, or moved to the perimeter. Slash height should be less than 6 feet for this material. Other areas may have “islands” of trees/shrubs that will be retained. Generally, avoid and protect any hemlock, fruit trees or residual live or dead trees that occur within the boundary of each opening, unless discussed with the COR.

212 – Rocks must be removed so the site can be plowed and disked for seedbed preparation. Rocks will be removed unless otherwise determined by the COR to be un-removable. Surface stone, roots, and sod will be removed or tilled under to expose mineral soil over the entire site.

220 – Grading and Leveling – All Sites

Sites will be graded and leveled to a standard that will allow a 2-wheel drive vehicle to traverse the site without difficulty, under normal moisture conditions.

240 – Site Exclusions (no treatment or buffer area)

Sites An active timber sale area is located adjacent to some sites and may contain trees marked with paint. All sites may contain individual trees or islands of trees that may need protected: Avoid

250 - Seedbed Preparation – Site #1 (621030), Site #2 (621029), Site #3 (621032) & Site #4 (615027)

251 – These sites will be plowed, ripped or modified (plow or double) disked to a depth of 6 to 7 inches to turn over existing grass/sod and expose mineral soil.

Each site will be disked a minimum of three times. Allowances in plow/disk depth are anticipated in rocky areas with shallow soils. In preparing a suitable seedbed, sites that prove to have an excess amount of rock may require shallow dozing (sod removal) and ripping of the surface.

After disking/tilling of these sites, the contractor shall notify the COR or CO.

Inspection will commence prior to applying seed, fertilizer and lime.

After disking, the lime and fertilizer will be applied, and the site will be disked again. Prepared soil will be seeded within 3-5 days after soil discing, a cultipacker/pulvi-mulcher will be used on the entire site.

252 – Any water bars or dirt or stump mounds removed for access must be rebuilt and reseeded and mulched. Parking areas will be seeded and rehabilitated if needed.

253 - Questionable areas will be resolved on the ground between the Contractor Officer Representative (COR) and the Contractor.

255- Seedbed Preparation – Site #5 (718012A), Site #6 (718012B) & Site #7 (603022)

256 – These sites will be plowed, ripped or modified (plow or double) disked to a depth of 6 to 7 inches to turn over existing grass/sod and expose mineral soil.

Each site will be disked a minimum of three times. Allowances in plow/disk depth are anticipated in rocky areas with shallow soils. In preparing a suitable seedbed, sites that prove to have an excess amount of rock may require shallow dozing (sod removal) and ripping of the surface.

After disking/tilling of these sites, the contractor shall notify the COR or CO.

Inspection will commence prior to applying seed, fertilizer and lime.

After disking, the lime and fertilizer will be applied, and the site will be disked again. Prepared soil will be seeded within 3-5 days after soil discing, a cultipacker/pulvi-mulcher will be used on the entire site.

257 – Any water bars or dirt or stump mounds removed for access must be rebuilt and reseeded and mulched. Parking areas will be seeded and rehabilitated if needed.

258 - Questionable areas will be resolved on the ground between the Contractor Officer Representative (COR) and the Contractor.

260 – Seeding

Sites: Site #1 (621030), Site #2 (621029), Site #3 (621032) & Site #4 (615027)

Sites must be seeded, fertilized and limed and a cultipacker/pulvi-mulcher used after disking is completed. To delay this work due to weather or other factors, prior agreement with the COR or Contract Inspector is required. The following seed and soil amendments are to be applied:

Seed: Site #1 (621030), Site #2 (621029), Site #3 (621032) & Site #4 (615027)

Cover crop If Spring planting:

Oats (clean and tested, certified, pure live) (Avena sativa) 2 bushels (approx. 64 lbs/acre) (or)

If Fall planting:

Winter Wheat (clean and tested, certified, pure live) (Triticum aestivum) 2 bushels (approx. 120lbs/acre)

Legume Medium red clover (Trifolium pratense) 7 lbs/acre Ladino (white) clover (Trifolium repens) 7 lbs/acre

Site # Red Clover (pounds total)

White Clover (pounds total)

Oats (pounds total)

Winter Wheat (pounds total)

1 10.5 10.5 96 180 2 3.5 3.5 32 60 3 7.0 7.0 64 120 4 21.0 21.0 192 360

Lime: – (Sites 1-4) – bulk agricultural lime or bagged pulverized or pelletized lime. All lime used will have a calcium carbonate equivalent of between 94-98%, Based on soil test results, the following lime applications will be applied to the following Sites:

Site #1 – 2.0 tons Site #2 – 0.5 ton Site #3 – 1.5 tons Site #4 – 7.0 tons

Fertilizer: - (Sites 1-4) – 6-24-24 (N-P-K) ratio/blend of fertilizer will be used.

Based on soil test results and assuming the standard packaging of fertilizer is sold in 50-pound bags, the following fertilizer application rates will be adhered to at the following Sites:

Site #1 – 15 bags (50-pound bags) = 750 pounds total Site #2 – 5 bags (50-pound bags) = 250 pounds total Site #3 – 11 bags (50-pound bags) = 550 pounds total Site #4 – 24 bags (50-pound bags) = 1,200 pounds total

Sites: Site #5 (718012A), Site #6 (718012B) & Site #7 (603022)

Pollinator Garden Sites –each of these openings will also be planted with a wildlflower/pollinator seed mix. For each of these sites, work will entail discing, cultipacking, lime and fertilizer application. The additional pollinator seeding and seed mix to apply will be the only difference in these openings as compared to the seeding activities specified in Sites 1-4.

Sites must be seeded, fertilized and limed and a cultipacker/pulvi-mulcher used after disking is completed. To delay this work due to weather or other factors, prior agreement with the COR or Contract Inspector is required. The following seed and soil amendments are to be applied:

Seed:

Cover crop If Spring planting:

Oats (clean and tested, certified, pure live) (Avena sativa) 2 bushels (approx. 30 lbs/acre) (or)

If Fall planting:

Winter Wheat (clean and tested, certified, pure live) (Triticum aestivum) 2 bushels (approx. 30 lbs/acre)

Legume Medium red clover (Trifolium pratense) 5 lbs/acre Ladino (white) clover (Trifolium repens) 5 lbs/acre

Pollinator Mix

The following seed mix was developed by Ernst Conservation Seeds, Inc.

and includes the species, ecotypes and ratio of seed included within a one pound sample of this pollinator mix. The specific species, ecotypes and ratios of this seed mix are to be adhered to and used for these three

Pollinator sites. Any substitute or alternate species, ecotypes and/or ratios of seed mix will be required to have prior authorization by the COR.

The application rate of this seed mix is 15 lbs./acre

Little Bluestem – Fort Indiantown Gap-PA Ecotype 0.265 lbs/acre

Virginia Wildrye, Madison-NY Ecotype 0.213 lbs/acre Purple Coneflower 0.120 lbs/acre Sideoats Grama, Butte 0.102 lbs/acre Lanceleaf Coreopsis 0.040 lbs/acre Blackeyed Susan 0.040 lbs/acre Tall White Beardtongue, PA Ecotype 0.033 lbs/acre Butterfly Milkweed, PA Ecotype 0.027 lbs/acre Oxeye Sunflower, PA Ecotype 0.027 lbs/acre Golden Alexanders, PA Ecotype 0.017 lbs/acre Partridge Pea, PA Ecotype 0.013 lbs/acre Roundhead Lespedeza, RI Ecotype 0.013 lbs/acre Marsh Blazing Star 0.013 lbs/acre Wild Senna, VA & WV Ecotype 0.013 lbs/acre Common Milkweed, PA Ecotype 0.013 lbs/acre Purple Lovegrass, RI Ecotype 0.010 lbs/acre Aromatic Aster, PA Ecotype 0.009 lbs/acre Browneyed Susan, WV Ecotype 0.007 lbs/acre Wild Bergamot 0.005 lbs/acre Gray Goldenrod, AP Ecotype 0.005 lbs/acre Heath Aster, PA Ecotype 0.004 lbs/acre Zigzag Aster, PA Ecotype 0.003 lbs/acre White Goldenrod, PA Ecotype 0.003 lbs/acre Ohio Spiderwort, PA Ecotype 0.003 lbs/acre Hairy Beardtongue 0.001 lbs/acre Early Goldenrod, PA Ecotype 0.001 lbs/acre

Site # Red Clover

(pounds total)

White Clover (pounds total)

Oats (pounds total)

Winter Wheat (pounds total)

Pollinator Mix

(pounds total) 5 3.5 3.5 21 21 10.5 6 3.5 3.5 21 21 10.5 7 7.5 7.5 45 45 22.5

Lime: – (Sites 5-7) – bulk agricultural lime, or bagged pulverized or pelletized lime. All lime used will have a calcium carbonate equivalent of between 94-98%.

The following lime applications will be applied to the Sites below:

Site #5 – 0.5 ton Site #6 – 0.5 ton Site #7 – 1.5 tons

Fertilizer: - (Sites 5-7) – 6-24-24 (N-P-K) blend of fertilizer will be used.

Assuming the standard packaging of fertilizer is sold in 50-pound bags, the following fertilizer application rates will be adhered to at the Sites below:

Site #5 – 7 bags (50-pound bags) = 350 pounds total Site #6 – 7 bags (50-pound bags) = 350 pounds total Site #7 – 15 bags (50-pound bags) = 750 pounds total

270 - Cultural Resource Avoidance

Cultural Resource Surveys have been conducted for this project area. If during the execution of this contract the operator unearths a site, work must cease in the general area and the Contract Inspector or COR notified immediately.

280 - Special Requirements

For Site #5 (718012A), Site #6 (718012B) & Site #7 (603022) a heritage professional shall be present during and immediately after tilling operations.

Sites will not be operated during wet weather conditions. Access to sites will be established by Contract COR or Inspector.

The contractor will be required to retain and submit all weigh tickets, bills of sale for seed mixtures, lime, fertilizer, and empty lime, fertilizer and seed bags. Seed samples for the sites will be supplied by the contractor.

Contractor is responsible for calling PA 1-Call (811) and adhering to those procedures before work begins at a site.

300 - Safety

It is recommended that the successful Contractor utilize appropriate personal protective safety equipment/clothing per OSHA regulations, which may include, but is not limited to, a hard hat, leg protection, ear protection, eye protection, and hand protection while working in the project area.

310 – Equipment Clean-up

Contractor shall ensure that prior to moving any equipment to a work site, between work sites, and from the Allegheny National Forest, that all dozing/plowing/seeding equipment, such as but not limited to: dozers, tractors, plows, discs, mulchers, and shovels, are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Off-road equipment used for the transport of material, such as ATV’s and trailers, shall also be free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. Equipment shall be considered free of soil, seeds and other such debris when a visual inspection by a FS representative does not disclose such material. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection of tools is not required.

Cleaning of equipment on-site may entail brushing or hosing off with compressed air. The use of water and/or detergents or other cleaning agents are not to be used unless they are used at a car wash or other facility equipped for water catchment and treatment. Equipment is not to be cleaned in streams, ditches or other waterways.

320 - Time of Performance

Note: Work will commence on at least one of the openings between August 20 and September 30, 2024.

In order to have the best chance of establishing adequate ground cover, the contractor shall complete field operations on all these sites between August 20 and September 30, 2024 (Fall Planting) and April 15 and June 1, 2025 (Spring Planting) and/or August 20 and September 30, 2025 (Fall Planting).