Attachment 1 - SOW.docx

SECTION C

DESCRIPTON/STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST ROAD MAINTENANCE – 2023

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT:

The contractor shall provide all equipment, labor, supervision, transportation, materials, tools, and other incidentals and execute all work necessary to perform road maintenance on National Forest roads The contractor shall perform in accordance with the standards defined in this contract. Services are to be performed on any of the Forest Service roads within the Ranger District for which this contract applies. Project maps showing road locations will be included and can be found in Section D. District visitor maps showing road locations, for the projects on awarded may also be obtained at the individual District Ranger Office. A specific list of roads per Ranger District will be found in Section D, the road maintenance activities schedule.

C.2 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Work will consist of a variety of road maintenance tasks which will be itemized, described, quantified and or specified on the individual Award. Section D contains a road maintenance activities schedule of specific maintenance tasks that ordered by each Section D.

Applicable Department of Labor Wage Rates for service are found in Section D All modifications will be finalized on a SF30.

Offerors are required to submit price quote and technical proposals as specified in Section L, Instructions to Offerors, of this solicitation.

C.3 LOCATION OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

This project includes road maintenance for all ranger districts as shown in Section D, which are under jurisdiction of National Forest’s in North Carolina. Roads to receive maintenance operations are shown on the Vicinity Maps and Road Maintenance Activities Schedules, attached in Section D.

District Maps showing road locations may be viewed/obtained at the following offices:

There are 3 Ranger Districts located within the Nantahala National Forest. Below is a table listing information about each ranger district and what National Forest (Zone) they are located within.

Murphy, NC 28906 Cherokee & Clay

Robbinsville, NC 28771

Graham & Swain

A vicinity map/project map will also be attached with each Award in Section D.

C.3.1 ACCESS

In most cases, roads are open continuously. The Government will supply a key to the Contractor for roads closed by Forest Service gates. It is the contractor’s responsibility to obtain all keys for closed roads from the District Ranger Office prior to start of work and must be returned when the work included in the Award is completed.

C.4 SCHEDULE OF WORK

The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) of his proposed operating schedule on a weekly basis to facilitate timely inspections. Normal grading time shall be Monday through Friday. Any grading done on the weekend shall be coordinated with and approved by COR. Contractor shall notify of the COR or inspector of location every two (2) days minimum.

The Contractor shall complete all maintenance required for one road before starting another road. Contractor shall inform the COR of each road completed.

If Contractor elects to use more than one motor grader on the project, the Contractor shall coordinate with the COR/Inspector as to location and time graders are working.

C.4.1 PERIODS OF OPERATION

. Actual grading periods are subject to temperature and moisture content restraints as specified in Section D.

C.5 OBLIGATON OF THE CONTRACTOR

Contractor shall furnish all supplies, materials, tools, equipment, labor, supervision, and transportation to do the required work. Each week, unless otherwise approved, the Contractor shall report his location and progress of work in writing to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) to permit timely inspection and acceptance of completed work by the Government.

C.5.1 SUPERTEDENCE BY THE CONTRACTOR

At all times during the performance of the contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly supervise the work or assign and have on the work site a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the CO and has authority to act for the Contractor. The superintendent shall be designated in writing to the CO prior to the commencement of work.

C.5.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All equipment proposed to be used for performance of the work shall be of the size, type, number and in such condition to properly pursue the requirements of this contract. Grading equipment must be capable of cutting, crowning, and shaping operations necessary to meet the requirements of Activity Codes applicable in the technical (performance standards) requirements and Typical Section Drawings. All equipment shall conform to the requirements of Section 240 – Supplemental Specifications.

The Contractor's proposed equipment shall be made available for inspection prior to award of the contract. If at any time during the course of this contract the equipment is deemed unsatisfactory, the CO may order removal and may require a satisfactory replacement, at Contractor's expense. Replacement equipment, if ordered, is to be onsite and working within 48 hours.

Any movement or transportation of equipment to or from work areas required to pursue the work on designated roads, to repair or replace equipment, or for the Contractor's convenience shall be at the Contractor's expense.

C.5.3 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORTS

The Contractor shall maintain records of accomplishments using the Daily Accomplishment Report. These records are to be delivered to the COR on a weekly basis, or other time interval agreed upon by the Contractor and COR, with an invoice for the services rendered that month and shall become the property of the Government. No payment will be made prior to receipt of these records and acceptance of the work performed.

C.5.4 QUALITY CONTORL PLAN

The Contractor shall submit to the CO, a Quality Control Plan (QCP) as part of their technical proposal that will detail the methods the Contractor will use to perform self-inspection to ensure the requirements of this contract are performed in accordance with the contract documents. The QCP shall at a minimum record the reference pay item, location, frequency, type of test and resulting outcome. QCPs shall be submitted with the Accomplishment Report and no payment will be made prior to receipt of these records and acceptance of the work performed.

C.5.5 PLAN CONTENTS

1) Inspection System. An inspection system must cover all of the services listed in the “description” column of the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The inspection system need only cover items included in the award. It must specify the work items to be inspected on either a scheduled or unscheduled basis, how often inspections will be accomplished, and the title of the individual(s) who will perform the inspection. The inspection system must provide for a written record of inspections and results.

2) Methods. Identify the proposed methods for identifying and preventing defects before the level of performance becomes unacceptable.

3) Records. The contractor shall maintain on-site records of all inspections and necessary corrective action(s) taken. This documentation shall be furnished at the time payment is requested, or when requested by the Contracting Officer’s Representative during the term of the contract. Project inspectors reserve the right to check contractor’s Quality Control Inspections at any time during the life of a contract.

C.6 GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)

The Government will monitor progress to ensure that the Contractor is providing the quality promised in their QC Plan and that work meets performance standards. Visual observation may be used. The Government reserves the right, if deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the contract, to make random or 100% full inspections of the work. Each road will be inspected separately, and the results will not be averaged.

Government inspections will be documented on Daily Diaries and placed in the contract file. If work in part of an area does not meet the Acceptable Quality Level given above, a Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued to the Contractor (see section E). See Section D for sample of form. The CO may issue other cure notices if work is not being performed in a timely manner or does not comply with contract specifications.

Upon completion of a road or an area and notification by the Contractor, the COTR or designated Inspector shall make an overall inspection of that/those roads. If a need for remedial work prior to acceptance is reflected by the COTR/Inspector`s inspection, such remedial work will be performed before the Contractor moves to the next area. If the inspection results in acceptance of the area, the Contractor may immediately proceed with work on the next area.

Government inspections are for the sole benefit of the Government and do not-

1) Relieve the Contractor of responsibility for providing adequate quality control measures.

2) Relieve the Contractor of responsibility for damage to or loss of the material before acceptance.

3) Constitute or imply acceptance; or

4) Affect the continuing rights of the Government after acceptance of the completed work.

C.7 PHSYSICAL SECURITY

Key Control. The contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all keys issued to the contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. No keys issued to the contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the quality control plan. ALL keys issued by the Government are to be returned prior to final payment request.

C.8 DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS

The contractor shall maintain records of accomplishment using the Daily Accomplishment Report form shown in Section D. Reports are to be updated Daily, COR/Inspector reserves the right to view these documents at any time during inspection visits. These reports shall be verified and signed by the Project Inspector and submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative along with the contractor’s invoice for payment and shall be become the property of the Government. No payment or acceptance shall be made prior to receipt of these records.

All documentation, records and schedules as described in the PWS that are the responsibility of the contractor, are the property of the Government and shall be turned over to the Government upon completion or termination of the contract. All records are subject to the Freedom of Information and/or Privacy Acts and any requests for release of any records shall be handled accordingly.

C.9 OBLIGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

When required by the specifications or drawings, the locations of special work items will be staked on the ground by the government.

C.9.1 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

N/a Government Keys. The Government will provide a gate key to the contractor, if any of the road gates are locked. Refer to section Section D

C.10 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

U.S. Customary Units of measure are used in conjunction with these specifications.

The methods of measurement and computation will be those necessary to accurately determine the quantities of materials furnished and work performed.

All items, which are measured by the foot, will be measured along its longitudinal centerline, unless otherwise shown on the drawings.

A station when used as a definition of term or measurement will be one hundred feet, or a precise location along a survey line.

Miles will, in the absence of known distances from existing plans or surveys, be determined by the Government using a calibrated survey odometer or equal substitute operated on the traveled way at or parallel to road centerline.

The term "ton" means 2000 pounds. Trucks used to haul material measured by truck weight shall bear a plainly legible identification mark. Weight tickets furnished by the Contractor from certified scales will be used to determine weight measurements.

Materials measured by the cubic yard in the hauling vehicle shall be measured therein at the point of delivery. Vehicles may be of any legal size or type, provided that the box is of such shape that the actual volume may be readily and accurately determined.

Measurement by the acre will use the length and width treated. Measurement will be along the ground surface. Measurement of width will approximate significant slope breaks but will not include minor deviations along the slopes.

Measure square yard along longitudinal and traverse slopes on transverse slopes steeper than 2:1.

The term "lump sum" when used in the Bid Schedule means the complete unit as required by or described in the contract.

Measurement will be made of each item or unit of work, as shown in the Bid Schedule, completed, and accepted in accordance with the contract provisions, specifications, and drawings.

C.10.1 PAYMENT PROCEDURES

The Government may make progress payments as the work proceeds per the Contractor’s request. The Contractor shall make this request by submitting the following to the COR:

1) Itemized Invoice that includes your Name/Company Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, Vendor Number, Contract Number, Invoice Number, and Date.

2) Daily Accomplishment Reports for the days covered in the Invoice. Daily Accomplishment Reports are to be signed by the Contractor and Inspector prior to submission.

3) Quality Control Plan inspection records for all roads for which payment is being requested for.

4) A written receipt from the District Office stating that all keys issued to the Contractor have been returned in order to process the Final Invoice.

C.11 SAFETY

Contractor Safety Responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to assure that proper techniques and procedures are followed, and precautions taken to prevent injury to any person or property as a result of work performed under this specification. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for the repair of, or payment for, any damage or injury to government property and their property caused by his representatives, materials, or equipment. All work areas shall be left in a safe and clean condition equal to that in which they were found.

The Contractor and the Contractor’s employees shall adhere to all safety regulations and guidelines applicable to this type of work. These include but are not limited to safety requirements provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR 1910-1926, www.osha.gov). It is the contractor’s responsibility to know what safety regulations and guidelines are applicable to this type of work.

The Contractor shall exercise caution and care while pursuing the work to prevent unnecessary conflict with, or potential hazards to, road users or others within the work area.

The Contractor is to pursue all work on site in accordance with all Federal, State and Local laws governing the transportation and work being performed.

The Contractor will post warning signs on each end of the section of road being worked. Signs are to be of the size, quantity, and colors as required in the current edition of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices", (MUTCD). A copy of MUTCD is located at the District Rangers Office and may be made available to the Contractor for in office reference on request. These signs shall be moved as needed to properly delineate and identify the section of the road being maintained. At no time shall these signs be more than two miles from operating equipment and shall be in place only when road equipment or persons are performing operations. All slow-moving equipment is to have a reflectorized "slow moving" vehicle emblem properly attached.

All work is to be scheduled so that at the end of a working day, the road is passable for the type of traffic normally using the road. If for any reason traffic hazards (segments of unfinished work which may present a hazard to road users, such as rolls of surface material, berms on the shoulder, etc.) are left in or adjacent to the road after normal working hours, the work is to be properly signed as hazardous and visibly illuminated at night.

C.12 SCHEDULING WORK

Delivery of materials and equipment shall be made with a minimum of interference to Government operations and personnel. All deliveries shall be coordinated with the COTR, ahead of the delivery date.

The work shall, so far as practicable, be done in definite sections or divisions and confined to limited areas which shall be completed before work in other sections, or division is begun. Work sequencing shall be coordinated with the COTR, so as to have minimal impact on Government operations and personnel.

C.13 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor is required to adhere to all requirements listed in the contract and to Adhere to all Standard Specifications, Special Specification, and Drawings for each project.

The Contractor is to communicate with the CO and COTR as to progress, location, and completion of items and to adhere to all requirements of the National Forests of North Carolina Fire Protection Requirements.

C.14 WORKING HOURS

Work hours are generally limited to weekdays between dawn and dusk. Work outside of those times requires approval by the COR or Project Inspector. Work on federal holidays requires prior written approval from the Contracting Officer. Approval of the COR is required prior to work done on weekends.

C.15 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The contractor shall instruct employees in environmental protection practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions which preclude the waste of fuel or spoiling the environment which shall include:

Disposal of Refuse: Contractor shall be required to remove all refuse from each respective work site every day work is performed and shall dispose of the refuse off of Government property.

Fuel for equipment, trucks and vehicles shall not be wasted. Extended engine idling shall not be permitted.

Machine fluids (fuel, oils, coolants, etc.) shall not be drained on the ground or allowed to enter any watercourse. Inadvertent spills shall be contained immediately, and the District Ranger, Project Inspector, and local authorities shall be notified immediately. Promptly remediate the spill unless otherwise directed by authorities.

The Contractor shall provide protective barriers to prevent soil erosion on all projects requiring excavation. Also, included will be environmental protection to prevent sedimentation drainage of silts into storm drains. All protective barriers will be continually maintained on the project until the project is completed and accepted by the Government.

C.16 FIRE PROTECTION

The Contractor shall comply with all policies and rules of the National Forests of North Carolina to prevent forest fires. The Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook (FSH 6709.11), National Wildfire Coordination Group Fireline Handbook, and Forest and District policies describe procedures to avoid the unintentional ignition and spread of wildfire. These include, but are not limited to:

1) Use spark arrestors on fuel powered vehicles and machinery.

2) Have onsite access to a fire extinguisher and/or other firefighting tools, such as shovels or rakes.

3) Ensure proper storage and handling of flammable liquids.

4) Ensure positive extinguishing of any open flames or burning materials, such as tobacco.

5) Obtain COTR and District approval for any open fires.

6) Completely extinguish all approved fires before departing worksite.

C.17 NOISE CONTROL

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable local laws, regulations, and ordinances relative to noise control.

C.18 ROAD MAINTEANCE SPECIFICATIONS – PERFORMANCE BASED

Road maintenance specifications are included as Section D

C.19 DRAWINGS/PLANS

Road maintenance drawings are included as Section D.

Nantahala NF Road Maintenance - 2023 RFP – May 2023