Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement.docx

Performance Work Statement FY 25 STAND IMPROVEMENT– Green Mountain National Forest General Information It is the intent of this solicitation and any resulting contract to secure services for a midstory removal on 66.7 acres within the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF).

Two types of herbicide treatments will be used under this midstory removal contract:

1. The Contractor shall use the cut stump method to treat American beech between 4 and 10 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5ft) approximately every 25ft. Treated stems will be cut within 6 inches of ground level and the cut stump sprayed with herbicide.

2. Contractor shall use the “hack and squirt” method to treat all red maple between 4 and 10 inches in diameter measured four and one half (4 ½) feet above ground level.

The Contractor shall furnish tools, labor, equipment, and supervision unless otherwise provided herein.

Location and Description The project locations are on the Rochester/Middlebury Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest in Rutland and Addison Counties, Vermont. Work locations will be shown on vicinity and unit specific maps.

These units are flagged with blue flagging.

Delivery Details/Period of Performance

Time of Performance

The period of performance is September 15, 2025 through September 14, 2026. Felling and herbicide application may only take place between June 1 and October 1.

Work Progress Schedule

Upon contract award, the Contractor shall be required to present a written plan of work providing for the orderly and timely completion of the contract requirements. This plan is subject to the approval of the Government. The plan should present when the Contractor intends to start and complete the bid items and how many crews will be working at one time. The schedule may be modified during the contract when conditions warrant if approved by the Government. If the work progress falls behind schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to ensure that the timely completion of the contract is not jeopardized. In addition, the Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit a revised plan of work showing how they intend to complete the project on time and in compliance with all contract requirements.

Definitions

CUT TREE – A tree according to the specifications defined in each item that shall be cut.

CUT STUMP – Application of herbicide to a freshly cut stump.

DBH (DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT) – Diameter of the trunk of the tree measured at 4-1/2 feet above the ground level on the uphill side of the tree.

HACK AND SQUIRT - also known as frill and spray, it is the practice of cutting into (hack) the stem of tree and applying herbicide to the freshly made cut.

LEAVE TREE – Any tree that is required to be left standing as provided in the specifications.

LOP AND SCATTER - To cut limbs from the trunks of cut trees, and move and rearrange slash concentrations to achieve a slash depth required in the contract.

RELEASE (AREA) – Release thinning which removes competing crowns from crop and reserve trees (5 feet from three sides for pole-sized trees, and 5 feet from all sides for sapling-sized trees).

RESERVE TREE – A tree designated to be left.

SAPLING – A tree greater than 4.5 feet in height and less than 5 inches DBH.

SLASH – Limbs and trunks of downed trees.

SNAGS – standing dead trees.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

FELLING SPECIFICATIONS – ALL BID ITEMS

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for all projects involving tree felling unless there are specific supplemental specifications:

· Only American beech shall between 4”-10” DBH shall be cut.

· No trees outside designated unit boundary shall be cut

· No property or item boundary trees marked with paint or flagging shall be cut or treated with herbicide.

· All snags shall be left unless required to fall for safety concerns.

· Trees that cannot be felled without crossing a property line should be treated with hack and squirt method and left standing. Trees shall be directionally felled away from fence lines. Comment by Donahey, James - FS, VT: Girdled, but not treated with herbicide?

· All treated stumps shall not exceed 6 inches in height above ground and shall be cut below the lowest live limb unless obstructed by natural obstacles. If stem is obstructed by natural obstacles, then stumps shall be cut to a maximum of 4 inches above these obstacles.

· Trees in sprouts (multiple stems) will be cut as close to the ground as possible.

· Trees required to be cut shall be completely severed from the stump.

· Stumps shall be cut level with the ground to facilitate the application of herbicide.

· No cut trees shall be suspended above the ground. No tops shall be left hanging in standing trees.

· Cut trees that are hung up above ground shall be cut or pulled down. NO CUT TREES THAT ARE HUNG UP WILL BE ACCEPTED. ALL CUT TREES MUST BE ON THE GROUND REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF BUCKING/LIMBING REQUIRED.

· Trees for cutting will be felled with chainsaw.

· Contractor will exercise caution and care in all operations to minimize damage to leave trees and prevent falling trees on American chestnut seedlings located within metal tree shelters, and prevent damage to the deer fence located adjacent to 0001AC Comment by Donahey, James - FS, VT: I think this might be important.

· Contractor shall not cut any trees that have bird nests in them.

HERBICIDE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

General Specifications

· Herbicide shall be applied under the direction of a Vermont certified pesticide applicator. The contractor shall provide copies of current state applicator license, herbicide labels and a written application plan describing mixtures and application rates. Herbicide prescribed by the applicator is limited to either glyphosate or triclopyr active ingredients.

· Glyphosate products shall be limited to Rodeo or Accord products or equivalents and be labeled for use near water. The application rate of glyphosate shall follow label instructions and not exceed 7.56 pounds of active ingredient per acre with no added surfactants.

· Triclopyr products shall be labeled for use near water. The application rate of triclopyr would follow label instructions and not exceed 6.0 pounds of active ingredient per acre with no added surfactants.

· Dye will be added to all herbicide solutions.

Cut Stump Applications

American Beech trees shall be cut and glyphosate product shall be applied to the stump in accordance with labeling and the following instructions: Comment by Donahey, James - FS, VT: I don’t know if we want to specify this.

· The Contractor shall use the cut surface method to treat the largest 70 American beech per acre between 4 and 10 inches in diameter at breast height. Treated stems will be cut within 6 inches of ground level and the cut stump sprayed with herbicide. This shall be implemented as an approximate spacing, with cut trees being the largest American beech located within a 10 foot radius on a 25ft x 25ft spacing. Comment by Donahey, James - FS, VT: Is this more or less clear? I’m trying to communicate that there’s some flexibility in finding the largest diameter beech to cut. If we go with a fixed spacing, I’m worried they would cut a 4 inch diameter tree on exactly a 25ft spacing.

· For stumps 6 inches in diameter and larger, the outer 2 inches of the stumps will be treated, for stumps less than 6 inches in diameter the entire cut surface of the stump will be treated.

· Herbicide will be applied within 1 hour after the stems have been cut.

Hack and Squirt Applications

Red maple between 4-10” DBH will be treated with the hack and squirt method using glyphosate or triclopyr herbicide on standing trees.

· Cuts shall be approximately 2 inches long and spaced 1 to 2 inches apart. The cuts must penetrate through the bark into the living tissue or sapwood (the outer area of lighter-colored wood in the stem cross-section) and produce a cupping effect to hold the herbicide

· Each cut shall be filled with herbicide using a spray bottle or gunjet herbicide gun attached to a backpack sprayer. The contractor shall avoid overfilling cut and avoid impacts to nontarget trees or plants.

SLASH REQUIREMENTS – ALL BID ITEMS

The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for ALL BID ITEMS involving slash disposal unless there are specific supplemental specifications:

· Slash created by the contractor's operation shall be removed from road surfaces, fence lines, ditches, trails, power lines, culverts, and stream courses.

· If trees are accidentally felled into private land, the boles and slash must be removed and placed back into the contract unit.

· No slash may be left hanging in trees. All cut trees must be on the ground regardless of how much bucking/limbing must occur.

· Slash within 25 feet of trails, roads, and private lands that appear on contract maps must be lopped and scattered to a height not exceeding 2 feet off the ground.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Special Treatment Zone – Within each work item there are areas flagged with orange and white flagging. Felling trees in or into these areas is prohibited to protect cultural resources. Hack and squirt treatment is acceptable within these areas. See project maps for the locations of these zones.

Safety - The Contractor or their Project Supervisor shall report all accidents or incidents associated with this contract to the Contracting Officer within 24 hours. This report shall contain description, cause, and future actions contemplated to avoid future occurrences.

Accidents, as used throughout this contract shall mean destruction or substantial damage to any motorized vehicle, and minor, serious, or fatal injury to personnel.

Incidents, as used throughout this contract shall mean any mishap, malfunction, or situation involving equipment or personnel, which results in a deviation from standard procedures or has the potential of resulting in an accident, injury, or death.

The Contractor shall comply with all Federal and State regulations for spraying herbicide.

The following safety rules will apply for both hand and mechanical applications:

1. Read the safety information on the label.

2. Wear the proper protective clothing.

3. Keep first aid equipment and a supply of clean water readily available, including soap and eye wash equipment meeting OSHA regulations.

4. Do not work alone.

5. Haul only the needed amount of herbicide

6. Stand upwind from the spray projects to avoid contaminating yourself.

7. Keep the container below eye level when pouring to avoid splashing or spilling any herbicide on the face or into the eyes.

8. If herbicides are spilled, stop immediately, wash contaminated area, and remove contaminated clothing.

9. Wash hands after applying herbicides before eating or smoking.

Care and Handling of Herbicide - The Contractor shall be responsible for the security of all herbicide, equipment, and materials furnished for this project. The Contractor shall protect the herbicide and take precautions to prevent loss or theft while it is in his custody. These measures shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The herbicide shall not be allowed to freeze.

2. Containers shall not be damaged to the extent that herbicide leaks are likely to occur.

3. The Contractor shall take precautions to prevent spills during transportation, mixing, and handling.

Personnel handling herbicides shall wear protective clothing and or equipment as recommended by the herbicide manufacturer. The contractor will provide soap and water for personnel to wash with on the job site.

Herbicides shall not be applied or equipment cleaned outside of areas designated by COR.

Sites selected for mixing, loading, and cleaning of equipment shall be located so as to prevent contaminating streams, ponds, or spring seeps. The Forest Service will approve all such locations.

Transportation of Herbicides – Contractor is legally responsible for the safe transportation of herbicides. Contractor shall follow travel routes designated by the COR when transporting herbicides from the public road system to the treatment sites. Transportation of chemicals used on this contract shall be in accordance with label instructions and generally approved and accepted procedures for safe transportation of herbicides. The following precautions as a minimum shall be taken by the Contractor to prevent spills, accidents, injury, or theft.

1. Transport herbicides in the cargo compartment of a truck or other vehicle away from the passenger compartment.

2. No personnel shall be permitted to ride in the back of a vehicle with the herbicide.

3. Herbicide shall not be transported in the same compartment with food or clothing.

4. If any herbicide is spilled in or from the vehicle, it shall be cleaned up at once.

5. Maintain herbicides in secure conditions.

Herbicide Spills - Contractor shall be responsible for all costs for damages, clean up and decontamination should an herbicide spill occur. If a spill occurs, every effort shall be made to keep it from contaminating water and other off-site areas. The spill shall be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Herbicide spills shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures for spill clean up (40 CFR 117).

The Contractor must have a spill prevention and clean-up plan approved by the COR prior to starting work. Herbicide wasted through spills greater than 5 gallons of diluted product, or 1 quart of undiluted product must be reported to the COR and the appropriate state and federal agencies immediately. This report shall contain description, cause, and future actions contemplated to avoid future occurrences.

Disposal of Herbicide Containers: All empty containers will be rinsed 3 times, and rinse solution will be applied to the treatment site. Empty containers will be punctured and disposed of properly (according to label directions) by the Contractor. No empty containers will be left at the worksite.

Resource Protection: Upon completion of work at each area and prior to moving to the next area, all trash, rubbish, and debris generated by the Contractor’s operations shall be removed from National Forest land and properly disposed of.

Contractor’s Key Personnel, Responsibilities and Obligations

· The Contractor’s onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language, spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with the COR.

· Expertise - The contractor needs to have ability and experience to operate the tools for treating stems. They must also possess the ability to identify common Vermont tree species (specifically American beech and red maple).

· Certification – The contractor shall have a current commercial pesticide applicators license for the state of Vermont to supervise the project.

· Records- The Contractor shall maintain an accurate record of the herbicide used on each unit. After completing the contract, the Contractor will submit the records on quantities of chemicals applied in each treatment area to the COR.

· All tools and materials required to complete the contract will be supplied by the contractor.

ATV/UTV Access - Access to treatment units on OM Level 1 roads using All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) or Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) less than 50 inches wide may be granted upon request. ATV or UTV equipment shall be made available for inspection to the COR prior to first use on the Green Mountain National Forest, and subsequently each time it leaves the Green Mountain National Forest and is returned. ATV or UTV equipment will only be allowed access on OM Level 1 roads if it is free of dirt and vegetative debris. OM Level 1 roads are indicated on item maps.

Refueling Away from Streams, Wetlands – Avoid refueling chainsaws and other motorized equipment within 100 feet of streams and wetlands that appear on Subitem maps.

Signage – Signs will be used where crews are working near a road, trail, or other feature in which the public may be present. Signs should read “Tree Work Ahead” or equivalent and be 36” x 36” in size.

Nests - Should a nest be found in any unit of the contract items, at any time during the contract term, the contractor shall flag the tree and write “nest” on the flagging and shall not cut the tree. Additionally, if the nest exceeds 1 foot in diameter or a raptor is observed using the nest the contractor shall immediately stop work in the unit, take a GPS point at the location the nest or where the raptor was observed and notify the COR.

Notification - Contractor is required to notify the COR prior to starting work on any item. The contractor shall also notify the Contracting Officer at least monthly of the progress being attained on this project. This notification can be either oral or written.

Measurement - Method of Measurement, area computation was done with a hand held GPS unit used for locating timber sale units or stands. Re-measurement - Request for re-measurement must be in writing. If a re-measurement indicates a variance greater than + or - 10 percent, the Government will pay for the re-measurement and payment for the work made on the basis of the re-measurement. If re-measurement shows a variance within + or - 10 percent of the predetermined acres, the cost of the re-measurement will be deducted from the contract amount.

Safety Equipment and Operations - Contractors must comply with all OSHA standards related to contract work. Failure to use proper personal safety equipment or non-compliance with safe operating procedures, as outlined by OSHA, will result in a work stoppage.

Road Use and Maintenance - All roads leading into each project area to be worked are to be kept open and free of any debris that may occur as a result of the work. All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started. Prior to the start of work, the Contractor and COR will review and document existing road conditions to provide a basis for maintenance needs.

Quality Control Plan – Contractors must develop and follow a quality control plan to monitor and document the performance of their own work. Measures monitored and documented in the quality control plan should follow the performance requirement measures and all special requirements. Quality Control Plan monitoring documentation shall be made available to the COR at the request of the COR.

Performance Requirement Measures

The COR or inspector will make visual inspections of each project area to check for compliance with contract specifications. The COR may make random or periodic inspections. In addition to the Special Requirements section, the following items will be considered as being in non-compliance:

· Specified trees cut: 95% of work accomplished for each item should include all specified trees cut as specified.

· Slash treatment not complete: 95% of completed work for each item should include proper treatment.

· Herbicide application: trees are treated according to specifications and label. Records of herbicide use properly kept for each unit.

· Stump height and criteria: 95% of completed work in each item shall exhibit stumps of the heights and criteria as specified in the specifications.

For work under each item that is not in compliance with the performance thresholds and cannot be reworked a 2% disincentive will be subtracted from the total value of the item.