Attachment 1 - Tree Management Services.docx

[SAM Description]

TREE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ). The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources to fulfill a potential requirement. Responses will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method.

The Tomah VA Medical Center Forest has significant historic, health and ecological value. Management and maintenance efforts are aimed at preserving these characteristics, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term health and safety of the forest ecosystem. The VA is seeking sources to perform tree care management services to maintain the forest.

Interested vendors should submit a capability statement, a SAM UEI number and point of contact name and contact information to Sonja Freeman at Sonja.freeman@va.gov.

The Government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice. See Attachment 1 for additional details.

[SOURCES SOUGHT ATTACHMENT]

TREE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, Wisconsin

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENT

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, transportation, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform comprehensive tree removal, trimming, new tree planting, and long-term forest management planning. (Quantities and the scale of the requirement are subject to change and will be defined in detail in a Performance Work Statement (PWS) should a formal RFQ be issued for this requirement).

1.1 Description of Services / Introduction

The Contractor shall remove hazardous trees, provide trimming, identify hazards and provide new tree selection and placement, clean up debris, and produce a 5-year forest management plan. All work must be conducted by International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists under supervision by a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP). Avoidance of damage to landscaping and building structures and safety of pedestrians and traffic is prioritized throughout work process. Details of the work to be performed are as follows:

1. Provide complete removal for up to 18 large trees.

2. Trim large trees for health and safety.

3. Plant up to 65 trees for replacement or new installation projects. Recommend appropriate species for selected sites, select and install trees, mulch and provide care plan.

4. Develop a 5-year tree care and management plan to guide the next 5 years.

Owls or migratory songbird nests that may be protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act will be reported and work stopped until corrective measures can be established by CO or COR. Potentially sensitive cultural or historical artifacts discovered will be reported immediately to CO or COR and work stopped until next steps can be established. In addition to adherence to OSHA General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910), ensure adherence to tree care industry standards ANSI Z133.1 for tree removal and related activities. Identified hazards include:

1. Falls

2. Struck-by objects

3. Contact with energized power lines – identify power line hazards for above-ground and underground power lines and have marked before performing work.

1.2 Place of Performance

All work will occur at the Tomah VA Medical Center campus, Tomah, Wisconsin.

2. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Tree Removal

The Contractor shall safely remove dead, diseased, or hazardous trees; establish safety perimeters; use approved mechanical equipment; remove all debris, stumps, and tree parts to a level six inches below ground; comply with OSHA and ANSI Z133.1 standards; and follow local, state and federal regulations for disposal of tree parts.

2.2 Tree Trimming

The Contractor shall trim trees following ISA Best Management Practices, properly dispose of debris, and protect wildlife and cultural resources.

2.4 Tree Planting

The Contractor shall propose species, plant new trees following industry standards, and provide care instructions. Work with VA staff to preserve and protect original forest plan for historic integrity. Select appropriate trees for planting based on mature size of tree, site, consider species diversity, climate and pest resilience. (See Table 1. FY26 Tree Management Plan)

2.5 Long-Term Forest Management Plan

A written 5-year plan shall be provided in Year 5 summarizing completed work and future recommendations. Include:

· Identification of characters/features of historic forest

· Identify trees for removal

· Tree Maintenance (trimming, care, disease management)

· Planting Plan

· Develop Recommended Species list and goals for diversity