Performance Work Statement Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

General:

This is a non-personnel services contract to provide fuel reduction treatments for the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

All units where mastication will occur have two-track road access. If additional road construction for access is required, refuge staff will perform the necessary work. Options for site access, equipment storage and environmental concerns will be addressed during project meetings. Attached map is for reference purpose only, project boundaries could vary depending on Refuge needs. The Refuge reserves the right to select specific jobs or portions of jobs based on budgetary constraints.

Background:

Hagerman NWR would like to mechanically thin areas of burn unit control lines that contain vegetation including dense, mature growth Eastern Red Cedar, Cedar Elm, Winged Elm, Honey Locust, Bois d’Arc, and other species of trees. The overall goal is to improve burn unit control lines, for both wildfires and prescribed burning.

Description of Services/Introduction:

The work consists of the contractor furnishing and providing all labor, personnel, supervision, equipment, training, transportation, tools, materials, operating supplies, and any other incidental items and services necessary for performing mastication and removal of 105 acres of vegetation at Hagerman NWR. The contractor can utilize mechanized equipment and chainsaws. The contractor is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the work unit areas, as well as with the nature and scope of the contract requirements and specifications.

Period of Performance:

The Period of Performance shall be from the contract award date to September 1,2026, all work must be completed no later than September 15, 2026. Work shall begin within 30 days of the awarded date.

Place of Performance:

The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. To support logistical efficiency and timely on-site response, it is recommended for contractors to have a physical business address within 50-100 miles of the Hagerman NWR headquarters (6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman, TX 75092)

Scope:

The contactor will expand the current fuel break an additional 100’ from the existing fuel break. Excluding areas covered with water. Only tracked and wheeled machines that provide low ground pressure are allowed. No digging, grubbing, or pushing of vegetation shall occur. All stumps must be cut flush or below ground level.

Within the 100-foot-wide section, beginning at the edge (untreated) of the existing fuel break, the area will be mechanically thinned to remove all undesirable woody vegetation (e.g., eastern red cedar, cedar elm, winged elm, honey locust, and bois d’arc). All stumps will be cut at ground level. If there is an object i.e... rock, pipe or any other non cuttable object the stump must be cut to the lowest level of the object. All oak and hickory trees with a DBH of six inches or greater existing within the 100-foot-wide section will be left undisturbed. No pile burning will be permitted. The contractor can access the area only during dry times and/or during times preapproved by refuge staff. If the areas are too wet to handle heavy equipment, the work will be postponed in that specific area to minimize critical habitat and soil damage. If chainsaw work is used all cut material will be scattered and not be over 18 inches in height or the material can be chipped. Chipped material must be evenly distributed no more than 8 inches deep. All cut material, that cannot be chipped or masticated in place, will be scattered, within the current project area, and not exceed 18 inches in height.

The area along the railroad tracks in Big Mineral has not been treated. Therefore, the project will start at the edge of the railroad right of way. Some areas along the railroad are steep and inaccessible by equipment, in these areas the project will start where equipment can safely work.

Coordination with Oil and Gas Infrastructure Hagerman NWR has extensive oil and gas infrastructure throughout the refuge. Coordination with the regional oil and gas specialist, Mary Maddux, at (903) 271-0637, and oil and gas personnel will be essential to avoid any damage to the infrastructure.

Specific Tasks

• Expand the existing fuel break an additional 100 feet around existing burn units by removing or thinning existing vegetation.

• Allow for more burnable acres on the refuge.

• Improve access for the refuge staff to increase management capabilities.

• Treatment will involve cutting trees along the interior of the units to reduce fuel loading and reduce the chance of severe wildfire occurrence.

Hours of Operation

Normal hours of operation for this contract shall be conducted during daylight hours, Monday through Sunday.

Work Outside of Normal Duty Hours

If the contractor requires work outside of the normal hours as previously stated, they must request a variance in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO) to work additional hours.

Recognized Federal Holidays.

The contractor is not required to provide contract services on the following observed Federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Weather Conditions:

Certain weather conditions may require work restrictions. No work shall be performed when ground conditions are wet. If equipment is disturbing the ground with ruts, sliding, or sinking work will be delayed until ground conditions improve. Extreme fire danger in the project may require work shutdowns or reduced hours of operation (i.e., no saws or mowing after 1 p.m.). The Oklahoma North Texas Zone Fire Management Officer (or acting) will determine when such conditions exist and will notify the COR the day prior to the restrictions going into effect. The Contractor will be informed by the COR when these restrictions are in effect.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (Technical POC) will be Howard Boss (580) 483- 8921. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance:

maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the TR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the TR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The TR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager and Site Project Leader. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer.

The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5.

List of Attachments:

Attachments No.

Title

Pages

Maps

HGR Fire Prevention Plan 4

Service Contract Act Wage Determination https://sam.gov/content/wage-determination https://sam.gov/content/wage-determination

U.S. Fish & W1ldl1fe Service OK N TX Fire Management Zone

Acres 40

GR Bounda

NAD83

UTM Zone 14N Created By:Howard Boss Map Date:1/13/2026

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge – Contractor Wildfire Prevention Plan

The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the surrounding Grayson County area are at high risk for wildfire at varying times the year. The region is subject to high severity wildfires with continuous stands of highly flammable grasses and trees. The Refuge and Grayson County are home to numerous structures, improvement and critical wildlife habitats that can be quickly threatened by wildfire started in the area. Any project involving vehicles or heavy machinery in the area should be fully aware of the risks posed by wildfires. Contractors should take all precautions to prevent accidentally starting wildfires and have a plan to quickly respond to fires that they might start and to prioritize keeping personnel safe.

The following requirements are a part of this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) solicitation and any resultant contract, and shall be provided at the Contractor’s expense:

1. Wildfire Prevention

During periods of contract performance, fire prevention and immediate suppression actions shall be performed by the Contractor. The Contractor and crews should observe best practices when performing their work including to avoid starting a wildfire:

• Don’t park vehicles in dry grass or near vegetation

• Don’t throw cigarette butts on the ground

• Be sure required machinery and chainsaws have operating spark arrestors and are maintained regularly

• No burning or campfires

• Have a plan for quickly responding to a fire

• Train personnel in how to prevent and respond to a wildfire

• Immediately report wildfires to Grayson County Dispatch (911) and the Contracting Officer

Representative.

2. Execution of Wildfire Prevention Plan

a. USFWS personnel involved will, in all cases, coordinate through the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) except in case of emergency, Red Flag Days or Refuge closure.

b. The Contractor shall designate a Fire Guard, who shall be responsible for executing and carrying out the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements. The name of this representative will be provided to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall include the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements in all subcontracts.

d. The Contractor shall assure that all contract employees are informed of the existence and conditions of the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements.

e. The Contractor shall train supervisors and employees on both the causes and control measures for wildfires, including trade-specific ignition sources (like welding sparks) and the project-specific Wildfire Prevention Plan.

3. Compliance Inspection

a. Inspection by the COR will be carried out to ensure compliance with the fire requirements.

b. Should any deficiencies appear during the inspection, the Contractor will be informed, and the deficiencies shall be corrected within 24 hours.

c. Activities with the potential to start fires shall be halted until the deficiencies are corrected and the corrections are approved by the COR.

d. The Contractor’s Fire Guard shall make daily inspections to ensure that the terms of the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements are met at all times on the jobsite.

4. Fire Pre-Suppression Requirements

a. Fire Toolbox - During contract performance, the Contractor shall furnish and maintain, at the Contractor’s expense, one mobile Fire Toolbox, within ¼ mile or less of the location where the Contractor is currently performing work. The fire toolbox is to be maintained with tools in good condition, in such quantities and mix to provide a fire tool for each person in the Contractor’s workforce. This equipment is for the sole purpose of firefighting: a mix of three shovels, size 0 or larger, one axe, two fire rakes, two Pulaski’s, and two 3–5-gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps filled with water. Where appropriate, chainsaws may be substituted for the axe; a McLeod tool or heavy-duty garden rake for a fire rake, and a heavy-duty garden wide hoe or other sturdy digging/scraping tool may be substituted for the Pulaski.

The fire toolbox shall be replenished with re-sharpened, reconditioned, or new tools by the Contractor after each use. The Contractor will ensure that work crews are trained to use the equipment in the toolbox and fight spot fires.

b. Communications –The Contractor shall provide some form of direct communication, such as a cell phone or two-way radio, between the work crews, and when technically possible, between the jobsite and the COR. The Contractor’s cell phone number, or other form of contact, will be reported to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c.

5. Wildfire Response and Suppression

a. The Contractor shall take independent action immediately to suppress all fires originating within the contract boundary. The Contractor shall continue fighting the fire until an appropriate response has arrived.

b. All fires shall be reported immediately to the Grayson County Dispatch (911) and the Contracting Officer Representative. Even though the fire may have been suppressed by the Contractor’s crew, this report is still required. The office and telephone numbers to which fires shall be reported will be furnished to the Contractor at the contract pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall not perform fire suppression activity, or provide reinforcement support, on any wildfires that originates and remains outside the Refuge boundary without coordinating with the Contracting Officer Representative.

6. Equipment Requirements

a. All gasoline and diesel equipment (except turbocharged) used on the project shall be equipped with spark arresters.

b. All internal combustion engines must be inspected before use in the job and periodically thereafter by the COR. Equipment not passing inspection cannot be used until repairs are made, re-inspected, and passed by the COR.

c. Serviceable baffled mufflers with standard exhaust tailpipes and catalytic converter heat shields are considered adequate on trucks, pickups, vans, sedans, motorhomes, and ATVs. Care shall still be taken to avoid parking vehicles over tall grass, brush or flammable materials.

d. Trucks and other vehicles shall be equipped with a shovel and class ADC pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 15 pounds capacity by weight.

e. The shovels and fire extinguishers are in addition to those required for the Fire Guard tool cache (4.a.) and the mobile fire toolbox (4.e). These shall be furnished and maintained at the Contractor’s expense.

f. If needed for the project, power saws shall be kept in a safe, serviceable condition always.

Each power saw shall be equipped with an approved spark arrestor screen muffler system. All exhaust products must pass through the screen, which has openings of 0.023-inch or less. The effective exhaust area of the screen (total area of all screen openings) shall not be less than 200 percent of the engine exhaust port area at its smallest cross-section. Screen material will be heat and corrosion resistant and shall provide at least 100 hours of service life. (1.) The refueling of power saws shall be done on bare mineral soil, and the saw shall be moved at least 10 feet from the point of refueling to another barren spot before being started.

g. Power saws with warm or hot spark arresters screen mufflers—running or not—shall not be placed or rested on sawdust piles, litter duff, stumps, or spots that are easily ignited.

h. Each crew with power saws shall be accompanied by at least one round point shovel in good condition and a Factory Mutual (FM) approved fuel can. One chemical pressurized fire extinguisher, 8 ounces or larger, is to be kept with the power saw operator while working on the project. The shovel is to be kept with the fuel supply can.

7. Fire Plan and Closure Order Violations

Contractor’s violation or deficiency in meeting fire plan requirements shall result in a state of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Immediate suspension of contract operations will be enforced until the deficiency or violation is corrected.

Northwest Grayson

Acres

Basin Springs Bennett Lane

Ha

Steedham

Keyes Rd adler

Hagerman NWR project area HGR Boundary

Vantor, Sources: Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, (c) OpenStreetM8a2p contributors, and the GIS User Community

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service OK N TX Fire Management Zone

St N M

S M ai n

S t

0 0.3 0.6 1.2 Miles NAD 83 UTM Zone 14N Created By:Howard Boss Map Date:1/13/2026

W US Highway 82

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge – Contractor Wildfire Prevention Plan

The Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the surrounding Grayson County area are at high risk for wildfire at varying times the year. The region is subject to high severity wildfires with continuous stands of highly flammable grasses and trees. The Refuge and Grayson County are home to numerous structures, improvement and critical wildlife habitat that can be quickly threatened by wildfire started in the area. Any project involving vehicles or heavy machinery in the area should be fully aware of the risks posed by wildfires. Contractors should take all precautions to prevent accidently starting wildfires and have a plan to quickly respond to fires that they might start and to prioritize keeping personnel safe.

The following requirements are a part of this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) solicitation and any resultant contract, and shall be provided at the Contractor’s expense:

1. Wildfire Prevention

During periods of contract performance, fire prevention and immediate suppression actions shall be performed by the Contractor. The Contractor and crews should observe best practices when performing their work including to avoid starting a wildfire:

• Don’t park vehicles in dry grass or near vegetation

• Don’t throw cigarette butt on the ground

• Be sure required machinery and chainsaws have operating spark arrestors and are maintained regularly

• No burning or campfires

• Have a plan for quickly responding to a fire

• Train personnel in how to prevent and respond to a wildfire

• Immediately report wildfires to Grayson County Dispatch (911) and the Contracting

Officer Representative.

2. Execution of Wildfire Prevention Plan

a. USFWS personnel involved will, in all cases, coordinate through the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) except in case of emergency, Red Flag Days or Refuge closure.

b. The Contractor shall designate a Fire Guard, who shall be responsible for executing and carrying out the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements. The name of this representative will be provided to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall include the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements in all subcontracts.

d. The Contractor shall assure that all contract employees are informed of the existence and conditions of the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements.

e. The Contractor shall train supervisors and employees on both the causes and control measures for wildfires, including trade-specific ignition sources (like welding sparks) and the project-specific Wildfire Prevention Plan.

3. Compliance Inspection

a. Inspection by the COR will be made to ensure compliance with the fire requirements.

b. Should any deficiencies appear during the inspection, the Contractor will be informed, and the deficiencies shall be corrected within 24 hours.

c. Activities with the potential to start fires shall be halted until the deficiencies are corrected and the corrections are approved by the COR.

d. The Contractor’s Fire Guard shall make daily inspections to ensure that the terms of the Wildfire Prevention Plan requirements are met at all times on the jobsite.

4. Fire Pre-Suppression Requirements

a. Fire Toolbox - During contract performance, the Contractor shall furnish and maintain, at the Contractor’s expense, one mobile Fire Toolbox, within ¼ mile or less of the location where the Contractor is currently performing work. The fire toolbox is to be maintained with tools in good condition, in such quantities and mix to provide a fire tool for each person in the Contractor’s workforce. This equipment is for the sole purpose of firefighting: a mix of three shovels, size 0 or larger, one axe, two fire rakes, two Pulaski’s, and two 3-5 gallon hand pump garden sprayers or backpack pumps filled with water. Where appropriate, chainsaws may be substituted for the axe; a McLeod tool or heavy-duty garden rake for a fire rake, and a heavy duty garden wide hoe or other sturdy digging/scraping tool may be substituted for the Pulaski.

The fire toolbox shall be replenished with re-sharpened, reconditioned, or new tools by the Contractor after each use. The Contractor will ensure that work crews are trained to use the equipment in the toolbox and fight spot fires.

b. Communications –The Contractor shall provide some form of direct communication, such as a cell phone or two-way radio, between the work crews, and when technically possible, between the jobsite and the COR. The Contractor’s cell phone number, or other form of contact, will be reported to the COR at the pre-work meeting.

c.

5. Wildfire Response and Suppression

a. The Contractor shall take independent action immediately to suppress all fires originating within the contract boundary. The Contractor shall continue fighting the fire until an appropriate response has arrived.

b. All fires shall be reported immediately to the Grayson County Dispatch (911) and the Contracting Officer Representative. Even though the fire may have been suppressed by the Contractor’s crew, this report is still required. The office and telephone numbers to which fires shall be reported will be furnished to the Contractor at the contract pre-work meeting.

c. The Contractor shall not perform fire suppression activity, or provide reinforcement support, on any wildfires that originates and remains outside the Refuge boundary without coordinating with the Contracting Officer Representative.

6. Equipment Requirements

a. All gasoline and diesel equipment (except turbocharged) used on the project shall be equipped with spark arresters.

b. All internal combustion engines must be inspected before use in the job and periodically thereafter by the COR. Equipment not passing inspection cannot be used until repairs are made, re-inspected, and passed by the COR.

c. Serviceable baffled mufflers with standard exhaust tailpipes and catalytic converter heat shields are considered adequate on trucks, pickups, vans, sedans, motor-homes, and ATVs. Care shall still be taken to avoid parking such vehicles over tall grass, brush or flammable materials.

d. Trucks and other vehicles shall be equipped with a shovel and class ADC pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 15 pounds capacity by weight.

e. The shovels and fire extinguishers are in addition to those required for the Fire Guard tool cache (4.a.) and the mobile fire toolbox (4.e). These shall be furnished and maintained at the Contractor’s expense.

f. If needed for the project, power saws shall be kept in a safe, serviceable condition always. Each power saw shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester screen muffler system. All exhaust products must pass through the screen, which has openings of 0.023-inch or less. The effective exhaust area of the screen (total area of all screen openings) shall not be less than 200 percent of the engine exhaust port area at its smallest cross-section. Screen material will be heat and corrosion resistant and shall provide at least 100 hours of service life. (1.) The refueling of power saws shall be done on bare mineral soil and the saw shall be moved at least 10 feet from the point of refueling to another barren spot before being started.

g. Power saws with warm or hot spark arresters screen mufflers—running or not—shall not be placed or rested on sawdust piles, litter duff, stumps, or spots that are easily ignited.

h. Each crew with power saws shall be accompanied by at least one round point shovel in good condition and a Factory Mutual (FM) approved fuel can. One chemical pressurized fire extinguisher, 8 ounces or larger, is to be always kept with the power saw operator while working on the project. The shovel is to be kept with the fuel supply can.

7. Fire Plan and Closure Order Violations

a. Contractor’s violation or deficiency in meeting fire plan requirements shall result in a state of non- compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Immediate suspension of contract operations will be enforced until the deficiency or violation is corrected.