Attachment 2 - SOW.pdf

NATIONAL FORESTS IN ALABAMA

Conecuh National Forest

Mulching Contract Fiscal Year 2026 Statement of Work

DIVISION 100 – GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110- General:

This is a service contract to provide vegetation reduction on the Conecuh National Forest (mulching/grinding/masticating/chipping). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein.

Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

111- Description and Location:

All units are located within the boundaries of the Conecuh Ranger District of the Conecuh National Forest, Covington County, Alabama. See attached map for locations of treatment areas.

Unit

Number Forest Type Year of Origin

Acres

1 Longleaf pine 2008 20 2 Longleaf pine 2014 9 3 Longleaf pine 2010 19 4 Longleaf pine 2007 40.5 5 Laurel oak 2006 30 Total Acres 118.5

112- Background:

Since the early 2000’s, the primary management focus of the Conecuh National Forest has been the restoration and maintenance of longleaf pine forests and the recovery of the species associated with the longleaf-wiregrass ecosystem. Herbicide was seldom used for site preparation with longleaf pine planting prior to 2015. As a result, there are many 15– 25-year-old longleaf pine plantations with a heavy brush component of yaupon, sparkleberry and hardwood species < 5 inches in diameter. This project will include approximately 90 acres of these longleaf pine plantations. The longleaf pine varies in density from a few stems per acre to a couple hundred stems per acre on these sites and will be retained as a desired species. There is also a 30-acre naturally established stand from 2006 consisting mainly of laurel and water oaks that are less than 7 inches in diameter. There is also a scattering of pine in this stand that averages approximately 10 inches in diameter which will be retained. Removing the interfering vegetation will enable subsequent herbicide and planting treatments and return these stands to a condition that can be maintained by prescribed fire. This project will also decrease the fuel load in these areas and reduce the threat of destructive wildfires.

113- Boundaries Boundaries of areas to be worked, have been marked with flagging. To avoid confusion, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will furnish and show type of delineation to the contractor upon request at the start of work on each treatment area.

114- Government Furnished Property The government shall deliver to the contractor the following listed material, supplies and property as specified below:

• The project area is already mapped, using an Avenza-ready pdf. The Government can provide a Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefile of the treatment area. The government will provide a Forest Service employee during all periods of implementation.

• The Government will allow the contractor to unload and park equipment within the treatment area while the contract work is being performed. Any use of private property adjacent to the refuge for transporting, unloading or staging equipment is the responsibility of the contractor. The Government assumes no liability for any damages to equipment that may occur while parked on the National Forest. The contractor will be liable for any damages that occur to the National Forest during contract implementation or mobilizing/demobilizing of equipment.

115- Contractor –Furnished Items The Contractor shall provide all personnel and equipment necessary to furnish the requirements of this SOW, excluding those outlined in Division 114 as Government Provided Items. Contractor will provide a machine capable of mulching/masticating all shrubs, brush, saplings, trees <12 inches in DBH, and marked trees while minimizing soil disturbance. All personnel, fuel, lubricants, consumables, cutting tool, equipment maintenance and repair, lodging, meals, and equipment transportation are the responsibility of the contractor.

DIVISION 200-TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

201- Specific Tasks Mechanically treat (grind, shred, mulch, masticate, mow, crush, etc) all shrubs, brush, and non-pine saplings and trees <12 inches in DBH, and other marked trees within the project area identified on the attached map. Residues from the mulching may be left onsite, evenly distributed across the treatment area. More than one pass with machine may be necessary.

All stems must be completely severed from the stumps and all residues must lie within a depth not greater than 12 inches of the soil surface. Stumps from the treated vegetation will be reduced to no greater than 4 inches tall from the soil surface. The following requirements also apply:

• Little to no damage should occur to longleaf pine trees in the stands. Damage to more than 10% of the longleaf pine trees will result in the following penalties:

o Ten percent payment reduction for damage ranging from 11% to 15% of longleaf pine trees in a particular unit.

o Twenty percent payment reduction for damage ranging from 16% to 20% of longleaf pine trees in a particular unit.

o Damage to greater than 20% of the longleaf pine trees in any unit will result in suspension of the contract. The Contracting Officer will schedule a meeting with the Contractor, COR and District Silviculturist to determine if the Contractor is able to resume operations.

• All mechanical treatment will be within the boundaries specified (see attached map) and coordinated with the Contracting Officer Representative or his designee.

• Vehicles and other equipment will be operated in a safe manner at all times.

• Clean up of oil, hydraulic fluid and other contaminants as a result of the operation is the responsibility of the Contractor.

• The Contracting Officer Representative shall have authority to temporarily close down all or any part of the operation during a period of high fire danger, wet ground conditions, or for any other reason deemed necessary. The government may allow an extension of the contract term if it is determined that the contractor could not complete the contract within the normal contract period due to excessive inclement weather or government caused delays that exceed a total of 21 days.

• Application will not be permitted when the ground is wet and subject to rutting or severe soil compaction. The Contractor will be required to fill any ruts made as a result of their operation.

202- Period of Performance The Forest Service shall specify when treatments may begin and the last date that they may be performed.

CONTRACT TIME WILL START as soon as possible, but no sooner than June 1, 2026, with all treatments being completed by September 30th, 2026. The contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within ten (10) calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed and shall complete the work within sixty (60) calendar days from the effective date of the Notice to Proceed.

203- Permits and Responsibilities for the Work The contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, certifications and permits, and for complying with any applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with the performance of this contract.

204- Training and Certification The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures including Alabama Best Management Practices for Forestry Manual available at website:

https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/BMP_Practices.aspx

205- Equipment Requirements All equipment that will be used in the performance of the work shall be of the size, type, and in such condition to properly pursue the requirements of the contract. The machine have a minimum of 110 horsepower, and the cutting attachment has a drum type mulching head. If at any time during this contract, any equipment is deemed unsatisfactory; the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) may order removal and may require a satisfactory replacement at the contractor’s expense.

206- Substitute Equipment In the event of equipment breakdown, substitute equipment may be used subject to prior approval by the COR.

207- Equipment Maintenance Contractor shall furnish all fuel, oil, grease, tools, replacement parts, repairs, and other expenses incidental to the operation of any contractor’s equipment.

208- Method of Measurement The area boundaries were determined by Global Positioning System (GPS) traverses that https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/BMP_Practices.aspx were plotted on Geographic Information System (GIS) software to develop contract maps. The GIS software was used to determine the acreage of each treatment area as well. For this contract, the acreage is considered actual acreage and not an estimate.

GENERAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATIONS

SITE SHOWING: Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. No specified site visit will be conducted on this project.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Upon completion of an entire unit, the Contractor shall notify the COR and request a final inspection of the unit. If the COR determines remedial work is required, the Contractor shall make such remedies before moving equipment to the next work area.

DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

CONTRACT TIME WILL START as soon as possible based on the earliest start date of June 1, 2026. All treatments need to be completed by September 30, 2026. The Contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within 10 (ten) calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed and complete the work within 60 (sixty) calendar days from the effective date of the Notice to Proceed.