Attachment_1-_PWS.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Mulching

At Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide vegetation reduction

(mulching/grinding/shredding/mowing/crushing/chipping) at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge. 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.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, fuel, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform mechanical vegetation reduction at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge as defined in this Performance Work

Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract and assumes all liability for work operating in an area open to the public and near a public road right of way.

1.2 Background: Key Cave NWR consists of grassland habitat and several woodlots. Managing and maintaining early successional habitat like grasslands can be labor-intensive and a large investment. Due to several years of a reduced workforce and lack of prescribed burning the habitat has been encroached by undesirable woody vegetation.

This project will help manage portions of Key Cave NWR in native warm season grassland habitat and convert desired tree volume in a woodlot to oak savanna desired conditions, which will support landscape conservation goals and provide habitat for declining grassland-dependent wildlife. By thinning the woodlot, it will create canopy gaps increasing light to the forest floor and encouraging herbaceous plant growth. This project will also decrease the fuel load in these areas promoting beneficial fire on the landscape and reduce the threat of destructive wildfires.

1.3 Objectives: Objective 1 is to mechanically treat and thin 40 acres of a 75-acre woodlot, converting a dense hardwood stand to an open oak savanna by reducing basal area and creating canopy gaps to increase herbaceous understory. Thinning of the woodlot would consist of mulching/grinding all understory trees <8 inches DBH and no more than 5 larger trees (9-16 inches) per acre that will be marked with paint to be removed. The current basal area is estimated to be between 100 to 120 sqft/ac. The objective is to reduce the basal area by 40% to achieve 60 sqft/ac, comprising large diameter (>20 dbh) trees with a dominate overstory canopy.

Objective 2 is to mechanically treat ALL woody species (e.g. sumac spp, sweet gum, maple, hackberry, elm, and privet) encroaching in grassland habitat. Most of the problematic areas are located along grassland drainages, wet areas, and along edges. Estimated area requiring treatment is approximately 80 acres of light to moderately dense woody vegetation. Woody species and sizes range from small diameter sumac and up to 6-10” average diameter elms, sweet gum, and hackberry.

1.4 Scope: In the Oak Savanna woodlot the contractor will thin the woody understory by removing all trees up to 8 inches DBH and all other marked trees to reduce basal area by 40% and achieve 60sqft/ac leaving the large diameter trees (>20dbh). In the grassland habitat the contractor will mechanically remove all woody vegetation within the approximate 80 acres.

Residues from the mulching may be left onsite, evenly distributed across the treatment area. All stems must be completely severed from the stumps and all residues must lie within a depth not greater than 12 inches of the soil surface. Stumps from the treated vegetation will be reduced to no greater than 6 inches in height from the soil surface, however, in rocky conditions if rough cutting is necessary to avoid machine wear than the contractor may grid it down to their desired height.

The contractor may choose their preferred machine and cutting attachment only if the type of machine has a minimum of 200 horsepower, and the cutting attachment has a drum type mulching head.

PART 2

CONTRACT PERFROMANCE

2.0 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE:

2.1 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall begin Contract award and end on December 31, 2024.

The Oak Savanna Woodlot will need to be completed by March 1, 2024 to avoid bat disturbance. Work may be postponed due to inclement weather, high water, high wildfire danger or to prevent adverse impacts to the soils and access roads or for the convenience to the government. The government may allow an extension of the contract term if it is determined that the contractor could not complete the contract within the normal contract period due to excessive inclement weather or government caused delays that exceed a total of 21 days.

2.2 Quality Control: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor must stay within the treatment area as specified.

2.3 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

2.4 Recognized Holidays: The Contractor may, but is not required to perform services on these holidays:

New Year’s Day

Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Washington’s Birthday

Memorial Day Junteenth Day Independence Day

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

2.5 Hours of Operation: Mulching operations should take place during daylight hours and the contractor should make the Contracting Officer Representative aware of times scheduled to work.

2.6 Place of Performance: The project will be on Key Cave NWR in Lauderdale County, West of Florence. It is located off Lauderdale County Road 204. The project area will consist of 40 acres of a 75-acre woodlot and approximately 80 acres of grassland habitat containing woody vegetation. The government reserves the right to designate the exact area to be treated within the designated areas based on the per acre bid price.

2.7 Type of Contract: The government will award a Firm Fixed Price.

2.8 Security Requirements: Not applicable.

2.9 Special Qualifications: The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Service, be responsible for obtaining any licenses and permits, and for complying with any applicable State and Federal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with prosecution of the work.

2.10 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. The contracting officer, Government Representative (GR), and other

Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer or GR 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. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

2.11 Government Representative (GR): The (GR) will be identified by separate letter. The GR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The GR 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. The GR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

2.12 Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Nick Wirwa

(731)-695-7794, GR or Drew Wirwa (731) 695-7791, GR. The Contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work.

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1 Services: The project area is already mapped, using GIS. The Government can provide a GIS shapefile of the treatment area or flag boundaries of the treatment area in the field. The government will provide a FWS employee during all periods of implementation.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will allow the contractor to unload and park equipment within the treatment area while the contract work is being performed. Any use of private property adjacent to the refuge for transporting, unloading or staging equipment is the responsibility of the contractor. The Government assumes no liability for any damages to equipment that may occur while parked on the refuge. The contractor will be liable for any damages that occur on the refuge during contract implementation or mobilizing/demobilizing of equipment.

3.3 Utilities: The Government will provide no utilities.

3.4 Equipment: The Government will provide no equipment.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide paper and GIS maps of the project area. The Government will also provide either shapefiles of the treatment boundaries or physically flag the treatment boundaries with pink flagging.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable.

4.3. Materials: The Contractor shall provide all materials required to accomplish these requirements outlined in this

PWS, excluding those outlined in Part 3 as Government Provided Items.

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall provide all personnel and equipment necessary to furnish the requirements of this PWS, excluding those outlined in Part 3 as Government Provided Items. Contractor will provide a machine capable of mulching/masticating all shrubs, brush, saplings, trees <8 inches in DBH, and marked trees while minimizing soil disturbance. All personnel, fuel, lubricants, consumables, cutting tool, equipment maintenance and repair, lodging, meals, and equipment transportation are the responsibility of the contractor.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. SPECIFIC TASKS:

Mechanically treat (grind, shred, mulch, masticate, mow, crush, etc) all shrubs, brush, saplings, trees <8 inches in

DBH, and other marked trees within the project area identified on the attached map. Residues from the mulching may be left onsite, evenly distributed across the treatment area. More than one pass with machine may be necessary. All stems must be completely severed from the stumps and all residues must lie within a depth not greater than 12 inches of the soil surface. Stumps from the treated vegetation will be reduced to no greater than 3 inches tall from the soil surface.

Refuge Special Use Conditions will include at least the following:

A refuge special use permit is required for access into the refuge after the contract is awarded. Conditions of the permit will include the following:

• A pre-entry conference between the Government Representative or designee and the successful bidder representative will be required before beginning operations to insure understanding of the permit conditions and thus avoid serious conflicts.

• The contractor must complete each individual area before moving to another area. Also, the contractor must work from one starting point in a contiguous fashion. Hopscotching, leap frogging or pin balling from one part of the treatment area to another will not be allowed.

• No damage should occur to residual trees remaining in the stands.

• Except where specifically authorized by a Special Use Permit, all regulations governing activities on Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge in general and specific public use regulations for Key Cave NWR (including littering, possession and use of firearms, and protection of wildlife) apply.

• All mechanical treatment will be within the boundaries specified (see attached map) and coordinated with the Contracting Officer Representative or his designee.

• Vehicles and other equipment will be operated in a safe manner at all times. Both refuge personnel and the visiting public use the refuge roads. The speed limit on refuge roads is 15 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.

• Contractor and his employees shall not build fires on the refuge. The Contractor and his/her employees will be reasonably prudent in preventing and suppressing forest fires. Contractor shall be liable for all fire suppression cost resulting from his operations.

• Clean up of oil, hydraulic fluid and other contaminants as a result of the operation is the responsibility of the Contractor.

• The Project Leader and/or Contracting Officer Representative/Government Representative shall have authority to temporarily close down all or any part of the operation during a period of high fire danger, wet ground conditions, or for any other reason deemed necessary. The government may allow an extension of the contract term if it is determined that the contractor could not complete the contract within the normal contract period due to excessive inclement weather or government caused delays that exceed a total of 21 days.

• Failure of the Contractor to comply with any of these Special Conditions, with the State or Federal law, or special refuge regulations will be sufficient cause for refusal of future Special Use Permits being granted to the permitted party.

• All work must be coordinated with the Government Representative.

• All refuge regulations are in effect unless otherwise designated in writing.

• No collection of plants, animals, rocks, or artifacts allowed.

• No alcohol is permitted on the refuge.

• Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of state and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).

• Contractor is responsible for daily cleanup of work area.

• Application will not be permitted when the ground is wet and subject to rutting or severe soil compaction.

The Contractor will be required to fill any ruts made as a result of their operation.

5.1. Basic Services: The contractor shall provide services for thinning 40 acres in the 75 acre woodlot and woody reduction in approximately 80 acres of grasslands on Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge. The government reserves the right to designate the exact area to be treated within the designated red boundary based on the per acre bid price.

5.1.1. Prior to the treatment the FWS will map the treatment area to be treated using GPS and GIS. Paper and digital copies of these maps will be provided to the contractor on or before the application date. Electronic shapefiles and/or PDF maps may also be provided.

5.1.2. A FWS employee may be on site during the periods of application to make sure the contractor meets and follows all requirements of the contract.

5.1.3. The Contractor will provide a crew to:

1. Mechanically treat (grind, shred, mulch, masticate, mow, crush, etc) all shrubs, brush, saplings, trees <8 inches DBH, and other marked trees within the project area identified on the attached map. Leave residues evenly distributed across treatment area. More than one pass with machine may be necessary. All residues must lie within a depth not greater than 12 inches of the soil surface. Stumps from the treated vegetation will be reduced to no greater than 6 inches tall from the soil surface unless in rocky conditions.

5.1.4. An assessment of the treatment area will be made immediately upon completion of the mechanical treatment to ensure 100% of the mapped area was treated, 80% of the woody stems up to 8 inches in DBH within the treatment area were cut off less than 6 inches from the ground level, all residues lie in a depth less than 12 inches from the soil surface and all stumps are less than 6 inches tall from the soil surface unless in rocky conditions.

5.2. Task Heading

5.2.1. The Contractor shall have the required licenses and certifications.

5.2.2. The Contractor may recommend adjustments to the treatment process but must be approved in writing by the

Contracting Officer Representative prior to implementation.

5.2.3. The Contractor shall coordinate with the USFWS to determine the date(s) and time(s) of mechanical treatment to minimize impacts on other USFWS and public use activities.

5.2.4. The Contractor is responsible for cleaning up any spills (fluids, oils, fuels, etc) that may occur.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures including Alabama Best Management Practices for Forestry Manual available at website:

https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/BMP_Practices.aspx

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachments:

7.1 Attachment 1 – Vicinity Map

7.2. Attachment 2 – Treatment Areas

https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/BMP_Practices.aspx

ATTACHMENT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To

Key Personnel

Contact Information

Within 30 days of contract award 2 MS Word or PDF

Contracting Officer and Site

Representative

Mulching of specified areas habitat as per this

PWS

Duration of Period of Performance n/a n/a Site Representative