Attachment 2 SOW.pdf

USDA Forest Service

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

Manchester Ranger District, Mulching and Mastication

Statement of Work for

Permanent Opening Mastication and Mulching May 15, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Statement of Work

2.0 Location

3.0 Period of Performance………………………………………………………………………………….4

4.0 Technical Specifications

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

for

PERMANENT OPENING MULCHING AND MASTICATION

DESCRIPTION/GENERAL STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK

Purpose/Description

The purpose of this contract is to remove designated woody vegetation in newly created and existing permanent upland opening stands within the Green Mountain National Forest that have been encroached upon by undesirable woody vegetation. Minimum size or diameter of woody vegetation is 0.25” and maximum diameter is 8.0” at breast height.

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this contract begins on August 1, 2023, and continues through December 31, 2026.

4.0 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Mastication/Mulching

All sites shall be mulched or cut in order to restore these areas back to a grass/forb state. Everything woody up to 8 inches in diameter shall be cut and chipped unless otherwise noted below. This includes slash and tops from recently harvested timber sale units as part of a newly created permanent upland opening. Stumps from timber harvest exceeding 6” in height will be ground to a height not exceeding 6 inches. The chipped/mulched pieces of vegetation shall generally be no larger than 4 feet in length. All machinery and equipment shall be cleaned of all debris and residual vegetation prior to leaving each individual site in order to limit the spread of non-native invasive plants species.

Designated Reserve Trees within Contract Area Individual trees or groups of trees within chipping specification designated as reserved will be identified and flagged as exclusions within the unit prior to operations. Generally, acreage estimates of the tree mulching/mastication services contract area are digitally accurate and reflect the total area designated for treatment.

All potential contractors are encouraged to contact Scott Wixsom (802-362-2307 Ext 7219), in order to locate designated mulching sites.

General Specifications:

1. All Forest Service Land and Resource Management Standards and Guidelines will be met during the contract (to be provided).

2. The Forest Service may suspend contract work if site conditions warrant a work stoppage; examples soil conditions extremely wet, dry conditions pose a fire hazard, high winds.

3. The Forest Service reserves the right to restrict work during holidays and weekends.

4. Erosion Control devices that are altered to access contract area will be replaced on all roads and trails.

All erosion control devices will be functioning prior to contract item final acceptance by Item or by job.

5. Road/Trail access barriers will be in place at the end of contract work.

6. Non-native Invasive Plants (NNIS), equipment will be power washed prior to entering Forest Service lands or moving out of infested sites. Forest Service COR or Inspectors will inspect equipment before the work can begin and prior to moves. Complete power washing between units will be done when leaving infested sites.

Equipment

General Equipment Specifications:

1. Primary mastication equipment should be a minimum of 15 tons.

2. Primary mastication equipment should be equipped with a powerpack assist capable of 200 horsepower.

3. Optional equipment includes OHV vehicles capable of servicing equipment in remote locations.