Attachment_1-_Scope_of_Work.pdf

Scope of Work – Russian Olive Removal

STATEMENT OF WORK

Title: Russian Olive Removal – Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge

1. GENERAL

A. Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho has a requirement for the mulching/chipping of 5 miles of Russian olive trees along the shore of Lake Walcott.

B. Project Overview/Purpose:

Russian olive trees are non-native trees introduced in the western United States for habitat management in the 1930’s and 1960’s. Since this introduction experts have studied Russian olive interactions with native species and determined that these introduced trees outcompete other important native species. Due to this and the resulting non-native encroachment, refuge management has decided to remove this species to allow native trees and shrubs to reestablish.

Therefore, the removal of these trees and chemical application to their stumps is required at the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge.

C. Contractor will be required to show past experience with Russian olive mulching/chipping in the State of Idaho.

2. SCOPE

A. Russian olive Removal: Contractor will remove Russian olive trees using mechanical mastication.

• All Russian olive trees in project area will be treated according to specifications below.

• All tree material must be mulched and flush cut with the ground where practical and otherwise no more than three inches (3”) in height. Stumps of masticated trees will not exceed 3” in height on the uphill side of the stump. All living branches must be removed from stump.

• Contractor shall practice due diligence to ensure mastication will achieve the smallest piece size feasible, as well as uniformity in piece size. Mulched pieces shall be no larger than 10 in2.

• Once each tree is engaged by equipment (equipment begins mulching a tree) the tree must be completely mulched and flush-cut (low-stumped) within 30 minutes.

• There may be several rocky areas that could preclude the use of machinery. Trees that cannot be safely masticated onsite must be hand-felled and moved to a different location for mulching.

B. Sagebrush and other brush

• Contain mastication to just what is necessary to masticate the “take” trees. Retain as much of the sagebrush and other brush in the area as possible.

• The contractor shall be able to identify between Russian olive trees and other various tree/shrub species present at the job site and avoid the destruction of them

C. Chemical Application

• The contractor will coat every Russian olive stump with Garlon 3A or similar herbicide with active ingredient: Triclopyr: 2-[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy] acetic acid, triethylamine salt………………..44.4% according to label specifications.

• Herbicide will be applied within 15 minutes of tree being flush-cut or low-stumped

(which shall occur within 30 minutes of tree being engaged by equipment).

• High-visibility dye will be used with all herbicide to ensure proper chemical application.

• All herbicide will be applied properly, according to official herbicide label specifications.

D. Material Dispersion

• Chips and masticated material shall be spread to a depth of no more than three inches

(3”).

2.1 General Project Requirements:

A. Vegetation Removal

• Within the project area it may not be feasible to use the directed method (e.g.

mastication). In those locations, contractor may modify BMP selection (e.g. hand fell, relocate tree, and masticate).

B. Access Roads & Trails

• All access roads and trails within the project area must be returned to their original condition at the Contractor’s expense. This may include replacing aggregate on access roads. Paved roads, concrete sidewalks and edging shall see no damage – and may require mitigation to prevent damage.

C. Equipment

• Mastication equipment shall use tracked excavator-style bases.

• Before coming on site initially, Contractor-furnished trucks, other vehicles, and equipment must be washed to remove all dirt, debris, and plant material that could result in the transfer of noxious weeds. They must also be washed any time they are used on a different project before being brought back into the Project Area.

D. Erosion Control

• Care should be taken to avoid soil disturbance for erosion control and ecosystem health. Limit work in muddy conditions (which may occur in fall/winter freeze-thaw cycles) to not damage soil and not adversely affect the post-treatment aesthetics of the project area. Use mulch to limit vehicle impacts on soil. Travel on existing roads and trails to the extent possible.

E. Public Safety

• The Contractor shall provide signage on all public roads/public access points warning motorists and pedestrians of no entry to treatment area and presence of flying debris within treatment area. If paved roads are used for project staging, contractor shall provide additional signage and cones for traffic control. The entire area is traveled by the public for recreation purposes.

F. Archaeological and Cultural Resources

• The contractor shall take care to avoid disturbance of archaeological/cultural materials including human-made rock cairns/piles, ditches, historic trails, or structures that may or may not be flagged for avoidance. Hand cutting or other alternative means of tree removal may be necessary for archaeological/cultural resource protection in some places.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: (Seasonality, Hours, and Days of Operation)

A. Prior to submitting a bid, a site visit is highly recommended.

B. Work will take place between October 1, 2023 and February 28, 2024.

C. Work will take place from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or daylight hours, whichever is shorter.

D. Work will not take place on Saturday, Sunday, and/or legal national holiday, unless prior written authorization is obtained.

E. Work will cease between December 16th and 31st.

F. Notification of Cessation or Restart of work:

• The Contractor will notify the Refuge point of contact (P.O.C., defined below in section

9) whenever they intend to cease operations and will notify Refuge P.O.C. before starting operations.

G. Protection of Improvements:

• Due to the valuable and delicate environment required for performance, work is to be authorized during dry conditions only. If the contractor desires to work during sub-optimal conditions, this must be approved by a refuge P.O.C. (listed below).

4. LOCATION OF PROJECT AREA

A. All Russian olive trees in the 5-mile project area within 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark (water level at full pool in Lake Walcott) shall be treated.

B. Start and end points of project area will be flagged. Project area may be subject to change, depending on environmental or cultural resource issues, but will not exceed 5 miles or 75 feet from high-water mark along Lake Walcott.

C. Archaeological clearance and/or monitoring of work by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service archaeologist or Tribal monitor may be required for certain sections and will require archaeologist coordination.

5. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

A. Project Foreman: A crew foreman must be on-site, directing work at all times. This person will also serve as an on-the-ground contact person to the Refuge P.O.C. Failure to maintain a foreman will result in suspension of work until a foreman is provided.

B. Contractor will furnish all tools, labor, supervision, materials, supplies, transportation, training, and incidentals to accomplish work according to specifications.

C. Safety: All employees or sub-contractors of the contractor shall perform work in a safe and prudent manner. Proper personal protection equipment (PPE) shall be worn at all times. PPE for chainsaw work shall include but not be limited to boots, chaps, gloves, hearing and eye protection, and a hardhat. Due to the very hazardous nature of dead tree removal, safety will be considered above speed of contract completion. The contractor will be responsible for any injury or damage to all public and private property along and adjacent to the homeowner’s property resulting directly or indirectly from the execution of work. Any damage will be corrected and rehabilitated by the contractor upon completion of the project and prior to being compensated by the government.

6. LICENSING, INSURANCE, and REQUIREMENTS:

A. The contractor is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment. Contractor will be expected to provide certification of liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 as well as worker's compensation insurance. IAW FAR 28.306 & 28.310 insurance under fixed-price contracts Contractor must submit a certificate of insurance naming the Fish and Wildlife Service, Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge as additional named insured upon award of contract. Contract clause 52.228-5 Insurance-Work On Government Installation will be incorporated into this contract.

B. The Contractor will be responsible for any damages to the property resulting from the contractor’s implementation of the contract.

C. If contractor intends to use subcontractors, they must be approved by the Refuge P.O.C.

D. Certificate of Insurance must be received by the Contracting Officer before commencement of work.

E. Contractor will be required to show past experience with Russian olive mulching/chipping in the State of Idaho.

7. EXPECTED TIMEFRAME (date/work-accomplishment thresholds) A. Contractor must submit a work-schedule to Refuge P.O.C.’s by no later than October 13th, B. Initial Period of performance and approximate contract start date – Monday, October 2nd, 2023.

C. Contract completion date – as soon as possible, but no later than February 28th, 2024.

8. REFUGE POINT OF CONTACT (P.O.C.)

A. Any of the Refuge employees listed below may serve as the Refuge P.O.C. and hold all authority granted the Refuge P.O.C., as described herein.

• Ty Matthews; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Minidoka NWR 961 E Minidoka Dam Rd, Rupert, ID 83550; 208-436-3589.

• Jaime Allen; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Minidoka NWR 961 E Minidoka Dam Rd, Rupert, ID 83550; 208-220-4362.

• Lucas Stringfield; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Southeast Idaho NWRC, 4425 Burley Drive STE# A Chubbuck, ID 83202; 208-241-5406

Legend

North RO removal 2023

4000 ft N

N