Attachment_1_-_Phase3_SOWFinal.pdf

Sol No. 140FS325Q0142- Attachment 1

Statement of Work (SOW)

Pocosin Habitat Enhancement at Great Dismal Swamp NWR

SOW Format

• Background

• Objectives

• Scope

• Tasks and Requirements

• Government-Furnished Property (GFP)

• Security Considerations

• Travel

• Place of performance

• Period of performance

• Project Area Photos

Background Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina (Figure 1). The refuge was established in 1974 for the primary purpose of “protecting and preserving the unique and outstanding ecosystem, and the diversity of life therein.” Thus, the refuge helped pioneer the concept of natural resources stewardship on a landscape scale. Spanning more than 112,683 acres in Virginia and North Carolina, the refuge is one of the largest national wildlife refuges in the eastern half of the United States despite being located near the heart of metropolitan Hampton Roads, Virginia.

At 19,629 acres, pond pine pocosin habitat encompasses approximately 17% of the refuge and represents one of the few occurrences of this community type in Virginia. Pocosin habitats are fire adapted ecosystems and are both restored and maintained on the refuge to provide resiliency from catastrophic wildfires. This habitat type is managed as defined in the refuge’s 2022 Habitat Management Plan, which describes management actions such as stand thinning, herbicide applications, and prescribed fire to accomplish habitat objectives.

2,100 acres of pond pine pocosin habitat (known as “the Blocks” southeast of Lake Drummond) were restored beginning in 2007 to meet stand composition objectives. The Blocks has a varying density of large-diameter pond pines coupled with a dense understory of regenerating pines, red maple, shrubs, and vines. To meet the forest composition goals for a fire adapted pocosin, restoration included selective removal of hardwood species followed by herbicide treatments to slow hardwood regeneration. Following these hardwood removal treatments, the area has seen successful regeneration of pine. In some cases, regeneration is so successful that thinning is necessary to meet the desired forest structure. This is the continuation of an understory thinning that began in 2023 within the Blocks. A second understory thinning is still underway in the southern half of the S2 block.

GDSNWR Pocosin Enhancement SOW

There is one unit of the Blocks that requires mulching of previously cut regenerating pine and smaller hardwood trees (maples). The unit (C3 block) to be mulched consists of 126 acres of felled and bundled trees. Due to the unique characteristics of the project area (peat soils and endangered species), the project will include specialized requirements such as low-ground pressure equipment and equipment-free buffer zones around the large-diameter mature pines.

Preferred equipment will be specified to minimize soil disturbance.

Objectives The objective of this contract is to chip/masticate 126 acres of previously cut and bundled trees using low ground pressure equipment in an area thinned to a 20’ to 25’ spacing. Residual trees should be free of damage from the operation of equipment to the greatest extent possible. The desired result of this project is a healthy open pine stand with minimal and well-distributed wood chips on the forest floor, as well as minimal rutting/soil compaction.

Scope Project Area description:

The project area is within a section of the refuge referred to as the C3 block. This stand includes 126 acres of trees, mostly pine, that were cut and bundled in the fall of 2023. The bundled trees can reach a diameter of up to 18” and sizes are typically around 11” (Figure 4). Access to this area is to the east of Laurel Ditch Road and south of Sycamore Ditch Road. The unit is relatively flat and poorly drained with soils consisting of deep organic peat. Surface water may be encountered within the unit, especially during the winter months and unusually wet periods of the growing season. The unit boundaries on the map are approximate, however, the cut and bundled trees make the project boundaries obvious on the ground. There is direct land access to the unit (C3 Block) on both the western and northern boundaries.

Tasks and Requirements Unless otherwise specified by the Refuge Manager or representative, the contractor shall chip/masticate all cut and bundled stems using low ground pressure equipment within the unit.

Woody debris should be chipped/masticated and distributed evenly throughout the stand to the greatest extent possible.

Protecting the large-diameter residual pines (>15” DBH) from damage is high priority and will have a compaction-free buffer area of 20’ radius from tree center to the greatest extent possible.

In addition to the large-diameter pines, all residual trees should be free of damage from the operation of equipment to the greatest extent possible. Contractor shall avoid damaging the root mat and bole of any known red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) trees (typically marked with numbered tags and white paint); these trees are considered potential nest sites and protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Operations must be conducted during favorable conditions to minimize negative impacts to soils and water quality. Equipment shall operate on hardwood mats or poles when necessary to minimize soil disturbance. Rutting shall not exceed 10 inches in depth at any time during operations. The use of brush or other woody materials to buffer rutting can be used to some extent; however, operations may be halted at any time if unnecessary levels of soil disturbance or rutting occur. It is the contractor’s responsibility to clearly understand the desired result of the operation and ensure that unacceptable site damage is avoided. The Refuge manager or representative reserves the right to temporarily suspend operations during such times as these activities would result in serious consequences to forest soils during prolonged periods of inclement weather.

Partial billing for completed acreage is allowed during the duration of this project, however, payment for the first 10 acres of chipping will be held until the successful completion of the contract. Successful completion includes all 126 acres completed according to this statement of work and all parameters in the post work inspection have been satisfied. See “Task 3 – Conduct Post-work Inspection” section below for more details on close out expectations.

The contractor is responsible for maintaining roads during use and for repairing roads to a good condition at the completion of project. Some portions of the access roads might be used by multiple contractors simultaneously. Road maintenance responsibilities should be shared and negotiated by the different contractors that are using those areas.

Equipment Minimal Requirements:

• Low ground pressure equipment is required to reduce compaction and rutting on peat soils

• All equipment and vehicles must be mechanically sound, with no hydraulic, fuel, or oil leaks. Equipment with leaks will not be allowed on the work site.

• All equipment must be cleaned prior to transport onto refuge site to prevent spread of invasive species. Equipment will be inspected at the gate, and USFWS employees reserve the right to deny entry to the refuge if it is determined that the equipment is not clean.

• All roads must be kept clear and be accessible by refuge staff. All equipment must be parked far enough off the road to allow refuge vehicles to pass.

Preferred Equipment:

• Low ground pressure boom mounted excavator or skid steer type machine with a masticating attachment. The debris is in a stage of decomposition that requires chipping in place due to the relative ease in which the felled trees break apart when moved. This method reduces soil compaction. This method also reduces the amount of equipment needed on the site.

Contractor Requirements:

The contractor must:

• Present documentation or a certificate of work experience showing habitat manipulation experience of similar size and scope.

• Provide a list of approved equipment of appropriate size and efficiency, including age and size of equipment. Any reference to manufacturers’ models is intended to be descriptive only and are for the sole purpose of indicating the type of equipment suitable for contract work.

• Attend a project pre-bid walk-through (preferred) or virtual meeting/call to discuss size and scope of project and potential threats to endangered species and sensitive habitats.

• Cease work immediately if directed by the Refuge Manager or representative to avoid disturbance to endangered species or sensitive habitats.

Contractor shall provide the following:

• All workers, adequate crew supervision, and serviceable equipment to satisfactorily accomplish treatment of all acres identified in the Project Area Description.

• Equipment operators that are skilled in machine operation on the specific equipment offered under comparable working conditions.

• Transportation for all workers, supplies, materials, and equipment to and from the Refuge.

• All supplies, materials, fuel, oil, tools, personal protective equipment needed to ensure safe operations.

• Contractor-owned heavy equipment, vehicles, and materials may be stored at the project area (not on roads), but the Contractor will be responsible for any theft or damage.

• Weekly reports to the Refuge Manager and other specified representatives, including issues encountered and acreage completed.

Special Considerations/Resource Protection:

• Great Dismal Swamp NWR includes sensitive wetlands that provide habitat to endangered Red-cockaded woodpeckers, northern long-eared bats, and other protected wildlife. The Refuge Manager/Biologist will provide a thorough briefing to the contractors before commencing work including how to recognize and avoid disturbing wildlife (see Task 1 below).

• The project area contains sensitive peat soils. The Contractor should conduct operations to minimize compaction or rutting. Low-ground pressure equipment is required.

• Operations may be suspended if the Refuge Manager/representative determines that weather conditions will cause excessive soil damage due to high soil moisture content.

Suspended operations shall not resume unless approval to do so has been given by the Refuge Manager/representative.

• The location of known RCW trees will be well marked and pointed out to the Contractor before the start of the project.

• Pond pine roots are sensitive to compaction. Large-diameter pines in this site are considered valuable foraging and nesting habitat and should be protected to the greatest extent possible. An equipment-free buffer area of 20’ radius from tree center applies to all pines with a DBH equal or greater than 15 inches.

• Fire Control:

o The Contractor shall both independently and in cooperation with refuge and/or fire program staff take all reasonable and practical action to prevent and suppress fires resulting from the Contractor’s operations and to suppress forest fires in the project area.

o The Contractor assumes all liability for damages and suppression expenses if a forest fire occurs because of operations or because of carelessness of those involved in the project.

o Operations could be halted, or additional fire suppression equipment may be required in the case of high or extreme fire danger as determined by the Refuge Manager or their agent.

o The Contractor is required to have an accessible water tank on site with a minimum of 100 gallons.

TASKS

Table 1. Project Milestones/Completion Dates Task Number

Work Milestones

Project Dates

1 Conduct site visit and briefing with Refuge Manager/representative

Within 30 days of contract award

2 Conduct hazard fuels treatment work: must be complete within 2025

August 18, 2025 to December 18, 2025

3 Complete post-work inspection of Project Area with Refuge Manager/representative

Within 30 days of project completion

Task 1 – Conduct Site Visit The Refuge Manager/representative will walk the Contractor through the Project Area pointing out access roads, gates, boundaries, sensitive trees, RCW nest sites, and other areas of concern. They will also discuss how to recognize RCWs and any other species of concern.

Task 2 – Conduct Hazard Fuels Treatment Work The Contractor must wait until the Refuge Manager/representative grants approval before transporting equipment to project site and commencing operations. The Contractor will navigate the 126-acre Project Area and chip/masticate the felled and bunched trees as described above. A general plan and schedule should be provided to the Refuge Manager/representative for approval before beginning work.

Task 3 – Conduct Post-work Inspection The Refuge Manager/representative will walk through the Project Area with the Contractor to confirm that the work has been completed.

Specific inspection points will include:

• No excessive damage to residual trees.

• No woody debris piles remain on site.

• No wood chip piles deeper than 1 foot remain on site.

• No trash, equipment, or discarded materials are present.

• Access roads have been repaired and left in good condition.

• Contractors have not damaged signs or gates.

• Any fuel or oil leaks have been excavated and contaminated soil removed.

• Contractors have not left any significant rutting or other damage to the soil surface.

Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or

GFI)

The Government will not provide any materials, equipment, or facilities.

Security The Project Area is accessed through locked gates. Lock combinations will be provided to the Contractor. Gates are locked in a different configuration during the hunting season. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the gates are left the way that they are found at all times. Contractor may not give out gate lock combinations to non-project personnel and must escort in/out any individual not directly working at the site (i.e., fuel delivery, mechanics, etc.).

Travel Hours of operation are limited to sunrise to sunset. Traffic through Corapeake gate shall be prohibited from sunset to sunrise, unless authorized in advance by the Refuge Manager/representative. Work must begin on a weekday. The Contractor shall provide 48-hour notice for work on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Place of Performance Great Dismal Swamp NWR is located in southeast Virginia and northeastern North Carolina (Figure 1). The project area is in the eastern center of the refuge (Figure 2 and Figure 3) with the only access being from the western refuge boundary via Desert Rd and Corapeake Rd. in Corapeake, North Carolina.

Period of Performance The period of performance will be between August 18, 2025 and December 18, 2025. Work must be completed within 2025 and before conditions become too wet in late fall. Conditions usually become too wet around November 15th. Work will stop if conditions get too wet. Wet conditions usually occur around mid-November.

Figure 1. Location of Great Dismal Swamp NWR.

Figure 2. Location of project area (bright green) in Great Dismal Swamp NWR.

Figure 3. Location of project area (bright green) in The Blocks section of Great Dismal Swamp

NWR.

Project Area Photos

Figure 4. Cut and bunched stems to be chipped/masticated in priority 1 unit

Figure 5. Example of large-diameter residual pine to be protected. Image depicts an identified RCW tree (note ring of white paint on lower trunk)