Attachment_1_SOW_29_FEB_24.pdf

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Introduction: The Upper Snake Field Office of the Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting agricultural services (seedbed preparation, drill seeding, mowing) to restore native range and improve wildlife habitat on the Blacktail Property.

1.2 Background: The Blacktail Restoration Project is a drill seeding treatment with potential for Option seedbed preparation prior to seeding and mowing for weed control post seeding if warranted by site conditions. The treatment area is previously cultivated land seeded to a cover crop in the fall of 2023. Treatment area is flat to gently rolling with slopes generally less than ten percent and are easily traversable with agricultural tractors.

1.3 Purpose: The purpose of the Blacktail Restoration Project is the reestablishment of native vegetation on previously cultivated land to restore native range and improve wildlife habitat. Drill seeding of native seed has been shown effective in restoration of native range vegetation.

1.4 Scope of Work: The objective of this treatment is the planting of native seed and mowing for weed control on

750 acres of the Blacktail Project Area. Seedbed preparation will be a discretionary treatment based on site conditions prior to the drill seeding treatment. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will determine the necessity of seedbed preparation prior to any agreed upon mobilization date. If seedbed preparation is deemed necessary, the contractor will provide services to prepare a uniformly firm well-packed seedbed firm enough to leave human footprints no more than ½ inch deep. Mowing to a height of 8-12 inches is planned to occur in 2024 for weed control purposes, if the COR determines it is unnecessary, the work will be rescheduled for 2025 and a plan will be made to re-establish communication and hold a pre-work meeting prior to commencement of onsite work.

1.5 Period of Performance: The planned period of performance for this contract April 1, 2024 to September 1, 2025. Seedbed preparation and drill seeding may coincide with late winter/early spring conditions. Roads may not be passable, and access may be limited due to muddy, wet, or snow-covered conditions. Work will not be permitted if conditions will result in damage to soils and nontreatment vegetation.

Seedbed preparation (if required) and drill seeding operations will begin on or after April 1, 2024 or as soon as conditions are favorable for access and ground conditions. The Contracting Officer’s representative will notify the Contractor that favorable conditions have been met and coordinate the transfer of seed to the contractor.

The contractor shall be prepared to commence planting around the estimated start date and within 3 days of being notified by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) of favorable conditions and shall ensure timely communication with the COR to ensure timely performance. Planting operations are required to be complete no later than May 15, 2024.

Mowing of the treatment area is planned to begin on or after June 17, 2024 and completed by July 19, 2024.

The COR will determine the necessity of mowing for weed control on or before June 7, 2024 and will notify the Contractor if mowing services are required. If mowing is determined to be unnecessary for weed control, the work will be rescheduled to occur June 16, 2025 to July 18, 2025.

2.1 LOCATION

2.2 Location of Project Areas: The project area is located on the Blacktail LWCF Property approximately 15 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho in Bonneville County and accessible via 49th Rd. South. All work will be performed on lands administered by the BLM. General-purpose maps are included with the solicitation to give the minimum information needed for a contractor’s project bid. Once the project is accepted by the contractor, maps will be provided by and agreed upon by BLM and the contractor. See location maps for the general location of project area and access.

2.3 Project Boundary Marking: The location and access to the areas are shown on the work area and project location maps. The extent of the planting area will be flagged or marked prior to treatment.

2.4 Access: Legal public access to the project area are identified on the project reference maps provided in the solicitation package. Seasonal road closures may exist (contractor will be notified of closures upon award).

Contractor will assume responsibility for any additional access if desired. If roads or any type of access become subject to damage, because of adverse weather conditions or other natural and or political reasons, the

COR will relay information to the contractor, and a Stop Work Order may be implemented by the Contracting

Officer (CO) until other access can be decided.

2.5 Work Camps: Camping on agency-administered lands will only be allowed in approved sites and with the prior written authorization of the responsible land manager. Should such a work camp be authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed.

All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site(s) by the Contractor and disposed of offsite before final payment is made.

3.0 EQUIPMENT

3.1 General: The Contractor shall treat designated areas in conformance with these specifications and the Detailed

Specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, supplies, and materials required to complete the job. The Contractor shall furnish properly equipped personnel experienced in operating the equipment to be used. The Contractor shall service and repair his/her equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on work. Contractor is responsible for all costs incidental to equipment mobilization and demobilization associated with the project.

3.2 Equipment Requirements: The Contractor will furnish all tools, labor, supervision, equipment, materials

(excluding seed), supplies, transportation, training, and incidentals necessary to accomplish the task in accordance with the specifications provided within the designated performance time. The Contractor shall supply, service, and maintain such equipment (tractors, implements, transports) as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on the work. Operators skilled in the operation of the furnished equipment shall be supplied by the Contractor. Equipment shall be furnished and maintained in good mechanical conditions throughout the term of the contract. The Contractor shall furnish all required fuel, oil, and lubricants for operation of all contractors furnished equipment (tractors, implements, transports).

a. Tractors: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary tractors with adequate horsepower, traction, and weight to accomplish the work requirements within the time limits specified by the government.

Rollover protection structures are required on equipment regardless of age, as defined in CFR1920-

1000-1002.

b. Implements: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary implements to accomplish treatment requirements (seedbed preparation, drill seeding, mowing) within the time limits specified by the government.

c. Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Transports: The Contractor shall furnish motor vehicles for hauling equipment and personnel to and from the worksite. The Contractor shall not load or unload tractor(s) or other equipment on public highways unless authorized by the COR.

3.3 Mobilization: Includes all preparatory work and operations, including those necessary to the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies and incidentals to the project site; and for other work and operations which must be performed, or cost incurred prior to beginning work on the various items on the project site. All costs associated with mobilization will be incorporated into the cost of the contract.

4.0 EXECUTION OF WORK

4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor (i.e., knowledge and experience of the crew leader) to determine the quantity of work needed to meet specifications identified in this SOW. Acreage of the units were determined by calculations based on a horizontal plane using GIS technology.

4.2 Pre-Work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, a meeting may be requested by the CO to be attended by the Contractor, the COR, and PI. The meeting will be held at the Upper Snake Field Office at a time mutually agreeable to the Contractor and the CO to discuss the work schedule and to familiarize both parties with the responsibilities of each under this contract. At this time a work schedule showing dates, locations, equipment, and employees working on this project shall be provided by the Contractor to the CO.

4.3 Progress Reports: Contractor will provide weekly progress summaries, during treatment, to the BLM

Representative (COR and/or PI). Regular communication between BLM Representatives and the Contractor is required to help alleviate any problems or potential delays.

4.4 Crew 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 for the COR/PI. Failure to maintain a crew foreman will result in suspension of work until a crew foreman is provided. A maximum of five (5) days will be allowed to produce a qualified foreman. Failure to produce a qualified on-the-ground foreman within five days may result in the CO issuing a

Suspend Work Order. CO and COR must be informed of any changes in Crew Foreman.

4.5 Personnel Requirements: The Contractor must always maintain an adequate work force to ensure timely completion of the work and is responsible for the crew knowing the requirements of the contract. The crew is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment following OSHA standards. The Contractor must attend the pre-work meeting and provide a written performance plan including crew size prior to beginning work.

4.6 Specifications for Treatment: Seed Drilling

a. Drill seeding of an herbaceous seed mix shall be performed in a uniform fashion across the entirety of the 750-acre project area.

b. Rate of application: 31 bulk lbs./acre.

c. Average depth of seeding: ¼ to ½ inches.

d. Seed mix: 23,250 bulk pounds of the herbaceous native seed mix shall be provided by the Government in 50-pound bags.

a. Seed Mix: Big, Bluegrass, Blubunch Wheatgrass, Idaho Fescue, Indian Ricegrass, Great

Basin Wildrye, Slender Wheatgrass, Sainfoin, Small Burnet, Rocky Mountain Beeplant, Blue Flax, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Showy Milkweed, Annual Sunflower, Blanketflower, Palmers Penstemon, Sulphur Buckwheat, Cicer Milkvetch, Western Yarrow, Maximillian

Sunflower, and corn grit to help with drill feeding.

e. Seed location: Seed will be delivered to the project site by the government. The seed will be delivered to a location designated by the Government.

f. Seed storage and loading: The Contractor shall be responsible for its protection from loss or damage due to weather, rodents, insects, theft, or any other hazard. All seed shall be kept covered and off the ground to prevent seed bags from getting wet. All empty seed bags shall be tied in bundles of 25 bags each. No tags, strings, or other trash shall be left in the bundled bags. All bags shall be available for counting by the Government. Empty seed bags which have been blown or otherwise scattered around the work site shall be picked up and bundled. All unused seed and bundled seed bags shall stored out of the weather until completion of the work or termination of the contract.

g. Loading records: Contractor shall keep a written log with daily entries indicating the dates and number of bags of seed picked up at the designated sites. The log shall also show the date, time, and number of bags of seed loaded into each set of drills. This log shall be kept current at all times and shall be available for inspection by the Government at the work site during all working hours.

h. Feeder maintenance: Feeder openings of seeding equipment shall be checked at sufficient intervals to ensure proper operation and even distribution of seed at all times. If at any time inspections of equipment reveals that feeder openings or seed tubes are plugged or other mechanisms of the seeding equipment are not operating properly, the CO may require reseeding of that portion of the area that the

Government determined was not properly seeded. The Government will deduct the cost of additional seed needed to reseed areas improperly seeded by the Contractor from payments due the Contractor.

i. Surface conditions: Unless otherwise directed by the COR, seeding shall not commence under conditions when the seed cannot be properly covered with soil, such as snow, when ground is frozen, or when soil contains excessive moisture. In case such conditions are encountered in the seeding operation, the Contractor shall notify the COR within twenty-four (24) hours.

j. Timing: Early Spring, 1 April – 15 May 2024. Subject to change based on site conditions.

4.7 Specifications for Treatment: Seedbed Preparation

a. If determined necessary by the COR, seedbed preparation shall be performed in a uniform fashion across the entirety of the 750-acre project area using packer/roller or similar implement resulting in a seedbed that is uniformly firm, has soil moisture near the surface, is free from competing vegetation, and is well packed underneath with small surface clods or a light mulch of residue to prevent soil erosion.

b. The seedbed should be firm enough to leave human footprints no more than ½ inch deep.

c. Timing: Early Spring, 1 April – 15 May 2024. Subject to change based on site conditions.

4.8 Specifications for Treatment: Mowing

k. If determined necessary by the COR for weed control, mowing shall be performed in a uniform fashion across the entirety of the 750-acre project area.

l. Height of Mowing: The height of mowing shall be between 8-12 inches, measured from the original ground surface. The cuttings/mulch will be left where cut and will be even with the normal plane of the ground surface and spread as evenly as possible.

m. Surface Conditions: Equipment shall not be operated when the soil is wet, and the equipment causes a three inch or greater rut. If such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the COR or PI.

n. Public access: The area to be mowed is open to public access and will remain so during the treatment.

o. Timing: Mid-summer mid-June through mid-July. Subject to change based on site conditions.

4.9 Protection of Improvements: The COR may order a cessation of work if vehicles are operated on roads within the work area when ground or weather conditions cause or lead to loss of traction. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following rainstorms. Any soil and ground disturbance caused by equipment during and after operations will be rehabilitated by the contractor.

4.10 Salvage Rights: No salvage will be allowed.

4.11 Work stoppages: The Contractor agrees to work diligently to complete the mowing treatment. The Government reserves the right to stop treatment operations at any time when conditions are considered sufficiently unfavorable to warrant stoppage. Stoppage shall continue until treatment operations are again authorized by the

Government. Because of the nature of the work, any time for which work is suspended by the Government because of unsuitable conditions or phase II fire restrictions will not be counted against the contract completion time. However, no monetary compensation will be given to the Contractor by reason of such work suspension.

4.12 Notification of Cessation or Restart of work: The Contractor will notify the COR whenever he/she intends to cease operations for three or more days and will notify the COR before starting operations after a shutdown of three or more days.

4.13 Termination for convenience of the Government: Because of the nature of the work, the CO may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate this contract, in whole or in part, when it is in the best interest of the

Government. To the extent that this contract is so terminated, the Government shall be liable only for payment in accordance with the payment provisions of this contract for work satisfactorily completed prior to the effective date of termination.

4.14 Completion of contract: The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all work identified in the contract have been treated to the standards specified above.

4.15 Risk damages: The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for any or all damages to persons or property in connection with the execution of work by employees of the Contractor.

4.16 Special Provisions:

a. Comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to water quality in connection with any operations under this contract.

b. Take every reasonable precaution not to pollute or obstruct any stream (including dry streams), lake or reservoir on or near the project area in connection with any operations under this contract. If contractor’s operations cause pollution or obstruction of any stream, lake, or reservoir on or near the designated area, contractor shall notify the authorized officer immediately, and will correct the condition to the satisfaction of the BLM.

5.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

5.1 Inspection:

a. The Government COR and/or PI will make periodic inspections as a basis for acceptance and payment and recommendations for adjustments in work quality while work is in progress. The

Contractor is encouraged to participate in inspections while they are being conducted.

b. As the basis for payment, a combination of ocular and physical inspections for compliance with specifications above will be made at random plots across the project area.

5.2 Acceptance:

a. Satisfactory Work Quality: Work is completed to the specifications above based on inspection.

b. Unsatisfactory Work Quality: Based on inspection results, if the work quality does not meet specifications above, the CO will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the

Contractor to improve the quality of the work. The contractor may ask for a meeting between themselves, CO, COR, and PI to discuss a resolution. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level within two consecutive workdays after written notification or within time decided at the meeting, the CO may issue a stop work order and/or Termination of Contract.

c. Final payment shall not be granted until the project is complete to the satisfactory quality standard.

5.3 Meetings:

Pre-work Conference:

a. A pre-work conference will be held prior onsite work commencement. The Contractor will be notified in advance of meeting time, date, and place. The purpose will be to review required work, specifications, payment, and administrative provisions of the Contract.

b. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination for the work (Crew

Representative/Foreman) shall be present at the meeting.

c. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project and provide a schedule to meet the time frames of the project.

Progress Inspections/Meetings:

a. The Government COR and/or PI will make periodic visual inspections. Inspection will consist of documentation of the treated areas. Documentation will be based upon compliance with the specifications listed above.

b. The Contractor shall require his or her Crew Representative to be present during the inspections. COR and/or PI will discuss all deviations from specifications with Crew Representative as soon as possible when deviations from specifications are found.

c. The Contractor shall correct any deficiencies noted and the project will be re-inspected by the COR.

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

6.1 The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

a. Herbaceous seed mix as detailed in section 4.7.

b. Provide various USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) or GIS equivalent with project area boundaries clearly identified.

c. An Avenza map file will be provided that delineates the treatment perimeter. The BLM will flag all cadastral survey monuments and other avoidance areas depicted on the Avenza treatment map.

d. A BLM Representative (COR and/or PI) will be available for technical guidance and when inspection is requested by the contractor. Regular communications between the BLM representatives and the contractor will alleviate any problems or delays.

e. A list of contacts, including emergency contacts, will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

7.0 SAFETY

7.1 Equipment must meet OSHA standards.

7.2 It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure for the safety of employees and general public during treatment. The treatment area will remain open to public access and as such, the contractor must remail vigilant at all times during treatment implementation and equipment operation.

a. Should public safety become a concern, the contractor shall stop all operations and work with the

COR/PI to resolve the issue.

7.3 Primarily for purposes of fire prevention and control, the Contractor shall comply with the following provisions:

a. The Contractor shall comply with all the applicable Idaho State Fire Prevention Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Standards.

b. All equipment will have the following:

i. A serviceable chemical “ABC” fire extinguisher of at least 10-pounds minimum capacity.

Such fire extinguisher shall be filled and in operating condition.

ii. A shovel in good condition with not less than a three (3) foot handle and a blade not less than seven and three-quarters (7 3/4) inches wide.

7.4 Fuel Storage: Storage of flammables and combustibles may occur on site. Storage of flammable and combustibles shall follow State and Federal Regulations.

a. Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5-gallons or less, except that this shall not apply to those flammable liquid materials which are highly viscid (extremely hard to pour), which may be used and handled in original shipping containers. For quantities of one gallon or less, the original container may be used, for storage, use and handling of flammable liquids.

b. Safety can shall mean an approved container, of not more than 5-gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.

c. Storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.

d. At least one portable 10-pound (minimum) “ABC” fire extinguisher shall be located not less than 25-feet, nor more than 75-feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.

e. Areas in which flammable liquids are transferred at one time, in quantities greater than 5-gallons from one tank or container to another tank or container, shall be separated from other operations by 25-feet distance or by construction having a fire resistance of at least 1-hour. Drainage or other means shall be provided to control spills. Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation shall be provided to maintain the concentration of flammable vapor at or below ten percent of the lower flammable limit.