Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement GAOA CRD Trails v1 24 Aug 2021.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

CORDORVA RANGER DISTRICT BRUSH CLEARING GAOA PROJECT

Performance Work Statement

Contents General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose:

Contractor Requirements

2.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.0 Deliverable / Schedule

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Travel

6.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

7.0. Performance Requirement Measures

8.0 Definitions, Acronyms, and Applicable Publications………………………………………………………………10

9.0. Appendix:

Cordova Ranger District Brush Clearing GAOA Project Performance Work Statement (PWS)

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose: This is a non-personal services contract to clear vegetative growth and brush located along approximately 8.5 miles (base item, and an additional 5.5 miles option item) of trail on the Cordova Ranger District, Chugach National Forest. The Government will 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.

1.1 Outline of Services: The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, and other items necessary to provide the services outlined below and described in this Performance Work Statement

(PWS).

1.2 Project Location: The project areas are located within close proximity to Cordova AK, (furthest trailhead is approx. 9.5 miles from town) within the Chugach National Forest.

Trailhead locations can be accessed by the Copper River Highway and Power Creek Road.

1.3 Background: The U.S. Forest Service is responsible for maintaining healthy, diverse, and productive National Forests. Part of these responsibilities include maintaining trails and the management of vegetation growth. The Cordova Ranger District (CRD) manages several miles of these trails.

1.4 Period of Performance:

a. Base Items 1 shall be: 20 September 2021 through 19 December 2022.

b. Option item 2 may be: 20 September 2021 through 19 December 2022.

1.5 Government Regular Working Hours: The Government's regular working hours are from 0700 to 1700, five days per week, Monday through Friday, except observed Federal holidays. Exceptions to the regular hours of operation are detailed in subsequent sections of this PWS.

1.6 Federal Observed Holidays: The government observes the following holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

1.7 Time frame of Contract Work Performance: Work should be completed before snow begins falling or after snow melts. Ideally work for Sand Trail will be completed prior to September 1 to reduce overlap with moose harvesting, but work can occur concurrently;

the September 1 preference does not apply to the option item. Work is not permitted May 1 – July 1 during the migratory bird nesting and breeding season unless approved in writing by the contracting officer (CO) and contracting officer representative (COR) following a USFS biologist survey finding no nests in the project area; this applies to both the Base and Option Item.

1.8 Service Interruptions: If any services must be interrupted (even temporarily) due to maintenance of contract work, the Contractor shall notify the CO, and COR at least three working days in advance. If the service is due to an emergency breakdown the Contractor shall notify the CO and COR as soon as practicable.

1.9 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 (FAR) Subpart

42.5. The CO and/or COR shall meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the CO will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues.

1.10 Project Manager (PM): The Contractor shall provide a PM and designated alternate, as applicable, who has full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to this contract. The PM or alternate shall be on-site during the Government's regular working hours and shall be available on-site within one hour after the Government's regular working hours.

1.11 Quality Control Program (QCP): The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective QCP to ensure services are performed in accordance with (IAW) this PWS.

The QCP must be forwarded to and accepted by the CO. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of deficiencies. The Contractor’s QCP is the means by which the Contractor assures that the work complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP shall be delivered to the CO within 10 days after contract award. After acceptance of the QCP the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to the QCP.

1.12 Quality Assurance: The contractor shall comply with the quality assurance program as defined in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable quality level(s) (AQL). Government surveillance of contractor performance is not limited to the Performance Objectives as outlined in this PWS. The Government reserves the right to conduct compliance surveillance of any contractual requirement of this acquisition.

1.13 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A COR may be assigned to this contract to monitor all technical aspects and assist in contract administration. The COR may be 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 communication with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements (without increasing or decreasing contract scope), including Government drawings designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notify both the CO and Contractor of deficiencies; and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the contract or any task order.

Contractor Requirements

2.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

2.1 Clearing and removal includes cutting, trimming, and disposing of live and dead brush/slash, logs and debris as identified in Trail Clearing Limits diagram, attached. See Map 1 for Sand Trail ATV brushing locations and Map 2 (option item) for remaining hiking trail brushing locations, attached. The following is a description of the work areas:

2.1.1 BASE ITEM: Sand Trail (8.5 miles): Trail access is located off the Copper River

Highway (mile post 9.5). Parking lot is immediately north of the highway. The trail follows parts of Scott River and Ibeck Creek north 12 miles to the face of Scott Glacier. ATV use is authorized on this trail. Brushing can be completed mechanically, and mechanical equipment will be permitted for use under this contract. Stream crossings may be compromised during high water events. Bears and moose frequent the area. Coho spawning occurs late July through September. Public access will be restricted during contractor working hours.

2.1.2 Vegetative clearing starts at trailhead as shown in Map 1. Brush zones from the trailhead continuously (except see the note below for 0.3 miles), brushing Zones A and B per the description below. Refer to brushing zone locations in Map 1 and specifications in the Trail Clearing Limits attachments. Brush zones as follows:

2.1.2.1 Zone A (pink) – Brush 5 feet east (in order to avoid the Scott River), 10 feet west of trail centerline (1.5 miles of brushing from trail mile 0 to trail mile 1.5)

2.1.2.2 Zone B (yellow) – Brush 10 feet each direction of trail centerline (7 miles of brushing from trail mile 1.5 to trail mile 8.5)

Note: between trail mile 8.2 to trail mile 8.5 there are areas with glacial outwash and raised moraines that will require reduced brushing

2.1.3 OPTION ITEM (5.5 total miles across three trails).

2.1.3.1 Power Creek Trail (3 miles): Trail is accessed from the end of Power Creek Road (mile 7) and brushing will occur along four segments of trail.

Vegetative clearing will begin at the trailhead bulletin board located 500 feet beyond the gated road and end at the top of the switchbacks; total distance of clearing on this section of trail will be 1.2 miles. Brushing will resume at the intersection of Power Creek Trail and Power Creek utility road (trail mile 1.5) and end at the intersection with Alice Smith Intertie (trail mile 2.5); total distance of clearing on this section of trail will be 1 mile.

Brushing will resume at the end of a rocky outcropping (trail mile 2.8) and end at the third stream crossing (trail mile 3.3); total distance of clearing on this section of trail will be 0.5 mile. Brushing will resume at the open valley bottom (trail mile 3.7) and end at the forested area with open understory (trail mile 4.0); total distance of clearing on this section of trail will be 0.3 mile. This trail is non-motorized. No ATV use is permitted. Brushing will need to be completed with handheld equipment.

2.1.3.2 Alice Smith Intertie Trail (2 miles): Trail is accessed from Power Creek utility road via the main Power Creek Road. The gated utility road junctions with Power Creek Road at mile 6.5 and travels 2.2 miles beyond the gate.

Access will be coordinated. Alice Smith Intertie Trail begins at a junction 1 mile down Power Creek Trail. Clearing begins at the memorial bench (trail mile 0.6) and continues along switchbacks through an avalanche chute to the treeline (trail mile 1.6); total distance of clearing on this section will be 1 mile. Clearing resumes near the southwest edge of the ridge (trail mile 5.4) and continues until just below the cell tower (trail mile 6.4); total distance of clearing on this section will be 1 mile. This trail is non-motorized. No ATV use is permitted. Brushing will need to be completed with handheld equipment.

2.1.3.3 Crater Lake Trail (0.5 miles) Trail is accessed from Power Creek Road at

1.5 mile. Clearing occurs in an avalanche bowl beginning at trail mile 1.5 and ending at trail mile 2.0 of Crater Lake Trail. This trail is non-motorized.

No ATV use is permitted. Brushing will need to be completed with handheld equipment.

2.2 Tasks specific to the base and option items. The contractor shall perform the below tasks:

2.2.1 Contractor shall provide a stream/creek/river crossing plan to the CO and COR five (5) working days prior to commencement of work.

2.2.2 Contractor Shall provide a work schedule to the CO and COR five (5) working days prior to commencement of work. The contractor shall notify the CO and COR as soon as possible about any work schedule deviations.

2.2.3 Clearing Limits. See Attachment 1 for clearing limits. Five (5) feet each side of center line of all three Option Item hiking trails and 10 feet from centerline of Sand Trail (ATV trail), except for Zone A east side where clearing limit is five (5) ft, as identified in Trail Clearing Limits diagram and in the description above. All three hiking trails primarily need brushing. Tree/alder removal is very minimal. Motorized brush cutters have been very effective on those sections. Sand Trail is dominated by alder, which is the primary species to be brushed.

2.2.4 Remove all limbs of shrubs and trees that extend across or into the clearing limits as SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Saw or cut limbs flush with tree trunks. Make cuts in a manner that will not tear or strip bark from the trees.

2.2.5 Cut and remove from the clearing limits all woody plants exceeding 1/2” in stem diameter or 12” in height. Maximum size materials to be cut under this specification are four (4”) in diameter when measured at a height of two in (2”) above the ground on the uphill side of the stump. Cut all brush and small, woody plants as near flush to the surface as possible. When impractical to cut the plants flush, the maximum stem length shall be three to five inches (3-5”).

2.2.6 Scatter debris removed from within clearing limits outside and below the clearing limits. Do not place materials in stream channels, drainageways, ditches, culverts, or other locations where they would prevent the free flow of water away from the trail bed or inhibit natural water flow for aquatic habitat.

2.2.7 Vegetation shall not be cut within 10 feet of a live flowing stream, except for the minimum necessary for crossing around stream bridges below. Brushing slash shall be considered to constitute all woody debris resulting from the cutting and trimming of woody material within the specified clearing limits. Limbs and chunks in excess of three (3) inches in any dimension shall not remain on the traveled way. Mechanical cutting equipment shall not be operated when there are non-contractor personnel, Forest Service employees other than contract administrators, or occupied vehicles within three hundred (300) feet of the immediate operating area. Any exceptions to the clearing requirements listed above will be designated on the ground or in writing by the CO and/or COR.

2.2.8 For the Base Item, the contractor shall keep trails undergoing improvements open and maintained in such condition as to safely accommodate the public outside of the hours the contractor is performing work; the trail shall be closed during working hours. For the Option Item, the trails shall be kept open throughout the period of performance.

2.2.9 Temporary detours, approaches, crossings and intersections with trails shall be provided and maintained in a safe and passable condition.

2.2.10 Before any suspension of work all trailways shall be left in a condition suitable for traffic.

2.2.11 No work which interferes with traffic shall be performed until the contractor has submitted a plan for satisfactory handling of traffic outside of contractor working hours and approved by the CO and/or COR.

2.2.12 The contractor shall post warning signs on the trailheads for each trail to warn the public of work in progress, the times the work is being performed, and the trail status (open/closed) during working hours.

2.2.12.1 All signs shall conform to Section 6B-22 of the “Manual on Uniform Traffic

Control Devices”.

2.2.13 Contractor Furnished Equipment: All contractor furnished equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and free of invasive species (noxious weeds), seeds, external grease and oil and shall be inspected prior to entrance onto Federal lands. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the Contractor or Subcontractor.

2.2.13.1 Provide a list of all equipment to be used two (2) days prior to the start of performance of work under this contract.

2.2.13.2 All protective plating and armoring shall be intact and properly functioning on the equipment to reduce the potential for damaging hydraulic hoses or the undercarriage.

2.2.13.3 Spill kit approved by OSHA for petroleum product leaks shall be on site at all times.

2.2.13.4 Vehicle Use of the Trail. Motorbikes, four wheelers, ATVs, and side by sides, are considered trail construction equipment and can be utilized on Sand Trail, as coordinated with the COR. Note that Sand Trail is typically 50 inches wide. Sections of Sand Trail can be narrow; motorized travel can be hazardous. Depending on time of year and precipitation levels there may be standing water and variable ground conditions on the Sand Trail.

Motorbikes and four wheelers are not permitted on the Option Item hiking trails. Any other type of trail construction equipment shall not be permitted unless approved in writing by the COR.

2.2.13.4.1 Cross-country movement of equipment shall not be permitted unless approved in writing by the COR.

2.2.13.4.2 Equipment use will be authorized on a case-by-case basis as needed to perform the work. All damage to trail tread or water control structures caused by use of equipment will be repaired by the contractor.

2.2.13.4.3 Work on Sand Trail will require crossing several fords.

Contractor shall only cross the fords at the permitted areas for motorized vehicle crossing.

2.2.13.4.4 Work on Sand Trail includes three small bridges (see image attachments); the contractor is required to traverse the water crossings around the bridges, not on the bridge, for heavy equipment. The contractor will share a plan for crossing the streams that will avoid resource damage, such as using temporarily placed dunnage material. Cutting vegetation around bridges is only authorized where necessary per the stream crossing plan submitted by the Contractor.

Coordinate with the COR on crossing plan development and implementation.

3.0 Deliverable / Schedule

3.1 The Contractor shall submit all deliverables for this PWS IAW within listed timelines outlined above. Below is a list of all deliverables outlining each objective and due date.

Key Deliverables

Item No.

Deliverable Objective Due

2.2.1 Stream/Creek/river

crossing plan

To ensure the contractor preserves natural waterways

5 working days prior to commencement of work

2.2.2 Work Schedule To notify the government of when the

contractor shall be on site performing work.

5 working days prior to commencement of work

2.2.13.1 Equipment List For government situational awareness

and to ensure all equipment is inspected IAW with paragraph 2.2.13

2 working days prior to start of performance.

2.2.11 Traffic Control

Plan

To ensure trails and roadways remain open and that all personnel have reduced risk of traffic related injuries

1 working day prior to work in affected area.

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government will only be providing maps for location(s) of work to be performed. See attachments

5.0 Travel

Work performance under this requirement requires access to Cordova via marine or air travel. The government will not be responsible for travel to or form the site location. The Contractor shall be responsible for all travel to and from the work site locations.

6.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: See contract clause 452.237-74 for a list of required key personnel

7.0. Performance Requirement Measures

Performance Objective

PWS

Paragraph

Measurement Method

Allowable Performance Deviation

Remedy Amount or Corrective Action

Stream/creek/river crossing plan

2.2.1 Plan received

by the CO and

COR.

Zero (0)% deviation

Submit the plan prior to work start. If the work plan is not received prior to the start of performance a stop work and stop payment shall occur until plan is received.

Clearing Limits Met, Limb Removal, Woody Plants

2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.7

COR shall inspect trails for 100% compliance

One (1) % deviation along the 8.5 miles

Contractor shall complete all work that is not within compliance prior to invoice payment.

Water ways free of scattered debris from contractor performed work

2.2.6 COR shall

inspect affected streams/creeks for debris from performance.

Zero (0) deviation

Contractor shall remove all debris prior to any payment for performance.

Trails open outside of working hours

2.2.8 COR shall spot

check areas

3 closures without advanced notification

Re-open areas within 24 hours of notification from COR of deficiency. COR shall be notified as soon as possible of any closures.

Trail safety 2.2.9, 2.2.10

COR shall check trails for 100% compliance

Zero safety violations

Contractor shall immediately correct safety deficiencies.

Traffic Control Plan, Warning Signs

2.2.11, 2.2.12

Plan submitted to the COR, warning signs appropriately placed

Zero deviation

Submit the plan prior to work start. If the work plan is not received prior to the start of performance a stop work and payment shall occur until plan is received. If signs are not posted, the contractor shall immediately correct the deficiency upon notification from COR.

Equipment listed is free of invasive species

2.2.13, 2.2.13.1

COR shall inspect equipment for 100% compliance

Zero deviation

Contractor shall immediately remove the invasive species from the work site. A stop work shall be issued until violations are corrected.

Notes:

8.0 Definitions, Acronyms, and Applicable Publications

8.1. Contractor: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

8.2. Contracting Officer (CO): a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the contracting officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the contracting officer. "Administrative contracting officer (ACO)" refers to a contracting officer who is administering contracts. "Termination contracting officer (TCO)" refers to a contracting officer who is settling terminated contracts. A single contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas. Reference in this regulation (48 CFR chapter 1) to administrative contracting officer or termination contracting officer does not-

8.2.1. Require that a duty be performed at a particular office or activity; or

8.2.2. Restrict in any way a contracting officer in the performance of any duty properly assigned.

8.3. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): means an individual, including a contracting officer’s technical representative (COTR), designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

8.4. Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

8.5. Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

8.6. Equipment: A tangible item that is functionally complete for its intended purpose, durable, nonexpendable, and needed for the performance of a contract. Equipment is not intended for sale, and does not ordinarily lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use. Equipment does not include material, real property, special test equipment or special tooling.

8.7. Government Furnished Property: Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently furnished to the contractor for performance of a contract. Government-furnished property includes, but is not limited to, spares and property furnished for repair, maintenance, overhaul, or modification. Government-furnished property also includes contractor-acquired property if the contractor-acquired property is a deliverable under a cost contract when accepted by the Government for continued use under the contract.

8.8. Non-Personal Services: The personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the government and its employees.

Non personal service contracts are authorized by the government in accordance with FAR 37.012, under general contracting authority, and do not require specific statutory authorization.

8.9. Quality Assurance: The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

8.10. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan: An organized document written by the government specifying the surveillance methodology used for surveillance of contractor performance.

8.11. Workday: The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

8.12. Work Week: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

9.0. Appendix:

1. Trail Clearing Limits 1 Page

2. Base Item Map 1 Page

3. Option Item Map 1 Page

4. Sand Trail Ford 1 Picture 1 Page

5. Sand Trail Ford 2 Picture 1 Page

6. Sand Trail Ford 3 Picture 1 Page

7. Sand Trail Ford 4 Picture 1 Page

8. Sand Trail Bridge 1 Picture 1 Page

9. Sand Trail Bridge 2 Picture 1 Page

10. Sand Trail Bridge 3 Picture 1 Page

11. Sand Trail Alder 1 Picture 1 Page

12. Sand Trail Alder 2 Picture 1 Page

13. Sand Trail Alder 3 Picture 1 Page

NO SCALE

Clearing Limits (Feet) t

Do not remove trees over 4 inches in diameter if they are over 3 feet (36") from center line (both sides).

Remove all trees 4 inches or less in diameter if they are within 3 feet (36") of the centerline (both sides).

Stump Height Requirements* (inches)

Stump Position Side Slope

Stumps between the trailway and clearing limits

Stumps outside the clearing limits

Uphill

C.,t

•* All heights are measure on uphill side of stumps.

Footnote:

t Uphill and downhill clearing limit shall be as indicated or 1' beyond top of cut and toe of hill whichever is greater.

Downhill

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Sand Trail See

SOW

Power Creek 5 5 8

Alice Smith 5 5 8

Crater Lake 5 5 8

LOCATION UPHILL DOWNHILL VERTICAL

Side slope less than or = to 10%

Side slope over 10%

Side slope less than or = to 10%

Side slope over 10%

CLEARING LIMITS

See

SOW

Sand Trail Resurfacing Map 1 Brushing Zones and Trail Markers

Map Revision Date: 06/29/2021

0 1 20.5 Miles

Project Purpose:

Exhibit Number:

Ranger District:

Township/Range:

Meridian:

Scale: s Corridor Brush and Gravel Drop Exhibit 1 Cordova Ranger District T14-16S, R1-2W Copper River Meridian 1:75,000

Disclaimer The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.

LegendAuthorization Information Chugach National Forest Boundary Sand Trail

Other Trails

Side Roads

Copper River Highway

Trail Markers

Forest Boundary

Brushing Zone A

B

Zone B

Zone A