Attachment_1-_Scope_of_Work_0001.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge 23734 Hwy 1

McBee, SC 29101

Scope of Work

Item 1: Precommercial Thinning within Longleaf-pine Plantation est. 2017

1.0 General

The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, McBee, SC, is seeking a qualified contractor for the Scope of Work outlined below. Performance period is Contract award through December 31, 2023.

The successful vendor must be registered in SAM.gov (there is no charge to register) and invoice through an Internet Payment Platform (IPP). Payment will be via EFT (electronic funds transfer) or MasterCard.

Interested Vendors are encouraged to schedule a site visit with the Refuge Forester, Monday- Friday, 8:00a.m. 4:00 p.m. before providing a quotation. Please contact Justin Smith at (843)307-8083 or via email: justin_smith@fws.gov .

Contractor shall supply all material, labor, transportation, supplies, supervision, and equipment to accomplish the work described below.

1.1 Purpose and Specifications

The purpose of this action is to promote longleaf pine health by eliminating all other woody vegetation including; loblolly pine, slash pine, and all hardwood stems. No longleaf pines are to be cut or damaged. The contractor is responsible for ensuring correct tree identification.

Woody vegetation removal will be accomplished by mechanically cutting stems by use of combustion brush saw, chainsaw, or hand saw. Stems shall be cut no higher than 6 inches from soil surface. Stems shall be directionally felled in a manner that will not cause injury to longleaf pines. Stems shall be felled and bucked so that all parts of the tree are lying flat and not resting upright on residual longleaf pines.

Prior to treatment, the successful bidder and the refuge representative will conduct a coordination meeting to ensure the treatment application-area is clearly defined and understood, and that job expectations are clearly defined.

mailto:justin_smith@fws.gov

1.2 Project Location

The project area is located on Carolina Sandhills NWR, 2 miles north of McBee, SC. From McBee take Hwy 151 north to Old Wire Road (dirt). Go east on Old Wire Road for 2 miles to Prichard Horse Farm Road. Once on Prichard Horse Farm Road the project location will be in approximately 500 feet on both sides of the road. See Figure 1 for further description.

1.3 Contractor Responsibilities

1. The Refuge Forester or agent must be contacted prior to beginning work.

2. All operations shall be conducted during daylight hours Monday through Friday.

Permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis for conducting operations on holidays or weekends.

3. All refuge wildlife is protected. No type of wildlife will be harmed or harassed.

4. Littering in any manner on the refuge is a violation of Federal Regulations. The entire work area shall be kept free of all forms of litter at all times. Specific attention shall be given to proper storage, maintenance and clean-up of petroleum based products.

5. Vehicles and other equipment will be operated in a safe manner. All state and county laws shall be adhered to.

6. Only designated trees within the project area are to be cut. No activity is to occur outside of project area without prior approval. Trees shall be cut so as to leave a minimal stump, not to exceed 6 inches height. Cut trees shall be felled so not to damage residual longleaf pines and laid flat on the ground in place. Cut trees are not to be left leaning or propped against residual longleaf pines.

7. To provide wildlife benefits, dead trees shall be left standing except where their presence is a safety hazard; e.g., adjacent to logging decks and refuge or public roads.

8. The permittee and employees will take all precautions to prevent forest fires. No open burning is permitted on the Refuge. If a fire does occur immediately call 911 to report wildfire.

9. South Carolina’s Best Management Practices for Forestry will be followed as mandatory practices.

10. The Refuge Forester shall have authority to temporarily close all or part of the operation during inclement weather, a period of high fire danger, refuge hunts, safety reasons or any other reason deemed necessary.

11. All equipment will be removed from refuge property within 3 days of completing final closeout inspection by Refuge Forester.

Item 2: Pine Release via Basal Bark & Hack-n-Squirt within Longleaf-pine est. 2017

2.0 General

The Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, McBee, SC, is seeking a qualified contractor for the Scope of Work outlined below. Performance period is Contract award through October 30, 2023.

The successful contractor must be registered in SAM.gov (there is no charge to register) and invoice through an Internet Payment Platform (IPP). Payment will be via EFT (electronic funds transfer) or MasterCard.

Interested Bidders are encouraged to schedule a site visit with the Refuge Forester, Monday- Friday, 8:00a.m. 4:00 p.m. before providing a quotation. Please contact Justin Smith at (843)307-8083 or via email: justin_smith@fws.gov .

Contractor shall supply all material, labor, transportation, supplies, supervision, and equipment to accomplish the work described below.

2.1 Purpose and Specifications

The purpose of this action is to promote longleaf pine health and understory vegetation by eliminating all undesirable woody vegetation, particularly scrub oaks. Herbicide damage to longleaf pines shall be minimized.

Understory hardwood reduction will be accomplished by applying a basal bark treatment to stems with thin bark (< 1/10 inch thick at 1 foot above soil surface). Basal treatments will be performed using a triclopyr herbicide and oil formulation specified for basal bark treatments. In combination with basal bark, a hack and squirt treatment will be performed on stems with thick bark (> 1/10 inch thick at 1 foot above soil surface). Hack and squirt treatments will be performed using a triclopyr and aminopyralid (Milestone) herbicide formulation. All herbicide specimen labels shall be followed.

Prior to application, the successful vendor and the refuge representative will conduct a coordination meeting to ensure the herbicide application-area is clearly defined and understood, and that job expectations are clearly defined.

mailto:justin_smith@fws.gov

2.2 Project Location

The project area is located on Carolina Sandhills NWR, 6 miles northeast of McBee, SC. From McBee take Hwy 1 north 3.5 miles to Wildlife Drive. Follow Wildlife Drive 3.5 miles to RT9 (gravel). Take RT9 East 3 miles to Old Wire Rd. Take a right going West on Old Wire Rd 4/10 mile to stand 17045. See Figure 1 for further description.

2.3 Contractor Responsibilities

1. The Refuge Forester or agent must be contacted prior to beginning work.

2. All operations shall be conducted during daylight hours Monday through Friday.

Permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis for conducting operations on holidays or weekends.

3. All refuge wildlife is protected. No type of wildlife will be harmed or harassed.

4. Littering in any manner on the refuge is a violation of Federal Regulations. The entire work area shall be kept free of all forms of litter at all times. Specific attention shall be given to proper storage, maintenance and clean-up of petroleum based products.

5. Vehicles and other equipment will be operated in a safe manner. All state and county laws shall be adhered to.

6. Only designated trees within the project area are to be cut. No activity is to occur outside of project area without prior approval. Trees shall be cut so as to leave a minimal stump, not to exceed 6 inches height. Cut trees shall be felled so not to damage residual longleaf pines and laid flat on the ground in place. Cut trees are not to be left leaning or propped against residual longleaf pines.

7. To provide wildlife benefits, dead trees shall be left standing except where their presence is a safety hazard; e.g., adjacent to logging decks and refuge or public roads.

8. The permittee and employees will take all precautions to prevent forest fires. No open burning is permitted on the Refuge. If a fire does occur immediately call 911 to report wildfire.

9. South Carolina’s Best Management Practices for Forestry will be followed as mandatory practices.

10. The Refuge Forester shall have authority to temporarily close all or part of the operation during inclement weather, a period of high fire danger, refuge hunts, safety reasons or any other reason deemed necessary.

11. All equipment will be removed from refuge property within 3 days of completing final closeout inspection by Refuge Forester.

3.0 Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance

In addition to requirements of these specifications, the contractor shall be responsible for meeting all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, and regulations, codes and similar requirements in relation to safety, personal protection, environmental, and transportation compliance with the Statement of Work.