Attachment 2 - Statement of Work.pdf

Solicitation: 12444121R0010

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) FOR

Mechanical Sand Pine Scrub Seeding for Ocala National Forest, FL

1 Project Title

Mechanical Sand Pine Scrub Seeding 2,801 acres on the Ocala National Forest

2 Background

Mission for Mechanically Scrub Seeding on the Ocala National Forest is to regenerate sand pine clear cuts created by Timber Sale Harvesting Activity.

Mechanically Scrub Seeding is part of the reforestation process of assuring a well stocked stand of timber. Seeding will help increase desirable trees/acre.

If clear cuts are not seeding, stands of timber will diminish to oak component.

3 Objective

Mechanical Seed (or cover) all acres within listed area provided in specs of the contract.

4 Scope of Work

Mechanical Seeding is done with a spot seeder. This seeder puts out the seed in spots rather than broadcast to somewhat control the spacing of the sand pines which otherwise can be overly dense at the expense of other scrub species. Seeding is done by contract with a farm tractor hitched to our own spot seeder. Past seeding contracts, the seeding contractor charges were $10 - 15/acre. Our seeder puts out 1/3 pound sand pine/acre on a 6X8 foot grid.

5 Reporting Requirements

No official reporting requirements. Contractor will be monitored daily by assigned Contracting Officer Rep.

6 Deliverables and Delivery Schedule

Contractor will complete task within allotted contract time (59 days). During performance period of date of award and 59 days thereafter.

Contractor will Mechanical Seed 70 acres/ day.

7 Applicable Documents and Standards

Contracting Officer Rep (COR) will monitor contractor’s completed work with Contract Daily Diary Form (FS-6300-21). Upon completion of all seeded acres, COR will request contractor to sign Contract Release Form (FS-6300-

16) releasing the United States of America from any and all obligations arising under this contract. COR will also provide Certificate of Final Inspection (FS- 6300-15) stating last day on which work was performed and certifying that the final inspection of work was completed.

8 Government-Furnished Property

Government will furnish Big Scrub Spot Seeder.

Government will provide all Sand Pine Seed to cover all listed acres (2,801 total acres).

9 Place of Performance

All Mechanical Seeding areas are within the boundaries of the Ocala National Forest, Marion County FL. Seeding Area Contract Maps will be provided with contract specs and description.

10 Contractor Travel

Contractor will be required to travel and move government furnished equipment to and from each listed seeding area below.

11 Applicable Publications (Current Editions) N/A

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

DIVISION 100 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

110 GENERAL - This invitation is for the furnishing of equipment, materials, tools, labor, transportation, and supervision to mechanically seed 2,801 acres of National Forest land in accordance with specifications and provisions of this contract. No materials, labor, or equipment will be furnished by the Government unless specifically identified in the Government-furnished Property Clause.

120 DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION - All areas are within the boundaries of the Ocala National Forest, Marion County, Florida. (See attached maps).

After viewing alternate areas with the contractor, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to substitute at the contract price the same type and amount of work in other areas similar in topography and conditions within the Ocala National Forest boundaries shown on the maps in lieu of the original areas when it is determined by the Contracting Officer that the original areas or portions there of are unsuitable or unavailable for performance of the specified work.

STARTING DATE: TBD Total Acres 2,801

Sand Pine

Seeding

Area

Seeding Type

Ac #of

Ibs

Sand Pine

Seeding

Area

Seeding Type

Ac #of Ibs.

Area 26/04# Standard 228 75 Area 23/04 Standard 125 41

Area 24/03# Standard 375 124 Area 23/27# Standard 178 59

Area 25/11# Standard 348 115 Area 28/21# Standard 332 110

Area 25/12# Standard 255 84 Area 27/08 Standard 116 38

Area 27/09# Standard 123 41 Area 97/02 Standard 314 104

Area 24/22 Standard 126 42 Area 29/03# Standard 281 93

(#) are areas adjacent to OHV Trail System, Horse Trail, and/or Florida National Scenic Trail (hiking). See Section 390.

130 - Information on the Areas –All areas have been delineated on the ground using either flagging, natural boundaries, plowed lines or roads.

All areas were (or will be) chopped once as needed to adequately prepare sites for seeding.

Choppers are double drum with offset blades.

There are a few trees and/or snags over five inches in diameter at breast height present on some areas.

Ground conditions will still be rough for the farm tractor used to pull the seeder.

Brush, logging debris, and stumps up to six inches in height from the logging operation are present on each area.

140 - Government Furnished Property - – The following items will be furnished by the Government and available for pickup by the contractor at Pittman Work Center, located approximately 4 miles north of Altoona on State Road 19.

1. Big Scrub Spot Seeder:

The following items will be available for pickup by the contractor at Lake Bryant Work Center, located approximately 2 miles east of intersection of CR 314A & SR 40. Or at Ocala National Forest Helibase, located approximately 4 miles south of intersection Hwy 19 & 40, just east of Hwy 19 on FS Road 24.

2. Sand Pine Scrub Seed:

DIVISION 200 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

210 - EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS - All equipment proposed to be used on the work shall be of proper type, sufficient size, operated at sufficient speed, and in such mechanical condition as to meet with the requirements of the work and produce a satisfactory quality of work. The contractor will be required to provide sufficient equipment to seed 70 acres per day. Tractors must be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers. The COR may order the removal and require replacement of any unsatisfactory equipment.

Big Scrub Spot Seeder:

The Big Scrub Spot Seeder is a seeder developed in 1993 to meet the special needs of seeding in the sand pine scrub. It is a fairly lightweight machine that attaches to the tractor’s three point hitch. The width of the seeder is adjusted hydraulically. Repairs of small items such as chains, tires, and cables may be required during the contract. This machine was custom built. The contractor must be willing to work with the Forest Service in utilizing this seeder.

The seeder needs to be pulled by a farm tractor with a minimum horsepower of 80 mph. The seeder will attach to tractor’s three point hitch.

The drive chain will require a regular application of oil. Scarification and covering cables may need to be replaced or repaired during the contract. Other minor welding repairs may be required to the seeder during the contract time. Generally, unless negligence is shown by the contractor, the Forest Service will supply parts for repairs, but the contractor will be responsible for minor repairs and/or changing of cables or chains (i.e. labor).

Estimated production with this seeder is approximately 6-8 acres per hour (a slow walking speed). The contractor must go slowly enough so the cables are scarifying the ground sufficiently prior to seed drop.

Tractor Repairs:

If contractor's equipment is down for repairs for more than 12 hours, the contractor must provide the COR with a mechanic's estimate of down time. If estimated down time will exceed 72 hours, the contractor must furnish a replacement machine within 48 hours.

220 Sowing Method - The COR or Inspector will initially calibrate the seeder. Calibration is done by determining proper whole size on the seed plates. Some adjustments and calibration of the seeder unit will be required at the beginning of and during the seeding operation.

NOTE: Delays of short duration will occur continuously during the operation, since frequent checking of seeder mechanism is necessary to assure continuous dispensing of seed from seed hoppers. The seeder unit must be operating properly and dispensing seed regularly as the seeder unit operates.

222 Spacing - areas are designated as Standard Seeding which will use a standard 6 foot by 8 foot spacing. All three seed boxes will be filled with seed. The sowing rate will be .33 lbs. per acre.

230 Moving between Areas - The contractor will be responsible for safe transport and operation of the Government-furnished seeder during moves from one area to another. The Big Scrub Spot Seeder may be shortened (hydraulically) to provide a smaller width for moving down narrow woods roads.

Contractor may only utilize roads that are open as designated on the Ocala National Forest Motor Vehicle Use map. A copy of this map will be given to the contractor at the Pre-Work Conference. If the contractor needs to use a closed road, they need to approval from the COR or Inspector and they may be required to re-close the road if blocked by posts or other barriers.

240 Operations Sequence - Sequence of areas to be seeded will be proposed by the Forest Service and agreed at the pre-work conference. Any deviations from this sequence require approval by the

COR.

245 Schedule - Seeding can start on or near December 7, 2020 and must be completed by February 3, 2021.

250 Care of Government Furnished Equipment - Any damage to government furnished equipment caused by negligence, improper maintenance, or careless operation will be repaired at the contractor's expense.

DIVISION 300 - Resource Protection

310 - Erosion Control - The contractor's operation will be conducted so as to avoid unnecessary soil erosion.

320 - Protection of Lands, Streams, Lakes and Reservoirs - The contractor shall prevent pollution of streams, lakes, and reservoirs by fuels, oils, and other chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials.

Contractor shall remove from National Forest land any trash, cans, etc. deposited as a result of contracting operations.

330 - Access - The contractor shall protect all trails, roads, ditches, fences, and other improvements in the project area. Roads and trails shall be kept free from logs, slash, and debris. Any road or trail used by the contractor that is damaged by contract operations shall promptly be repaired by the contractor. Any closed road that is opened by the contractor to access an area must be closed back after work on that area is complete.

The seeder unit can be moved from area to area without the use of a lowboy trailer.

340 - Protection of Archeological/Historical Resources - The Contractor upon discovery of suspected archeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify the COR. Known significant archeological sites will be marked on the ground and discussed at the pre-work meeting. Seeding operations will not be allowed in these areas.

350 - Protection of Land Control Monuments - All land control monuments likely to be disturbed may be identified by 4 X 4 posts or signs. Contractor may not damage these monuments during contract operations.

360 - Protection of Seed - The contractor shall protect seed from damage by fuels, oils, water, or heat while seed is in the contractor's possession. Seed must be kept cool and shaded from the sun. Any seed damaged or lost through contractor's negligence will be deducted from contractor's payments at a rate of $ 83.00 per pound.

370 - Protection of Gopher Tortoise Burrows - Areas may have gopher tortoise burrows which were excluded from chopping. The tractor should not be driven within 25 feet of the burrow to prevent the collapse of the burrows.

380 – Other Wildlife Protection - Contractor will not destroy or knock down any dead trees or snags. These serve as perch trees and/or den trees for cavity nesting birds, and raptors such as (hawks and owls).

390 – Trails – When an OHV Trail or the Florida national Scenic Trail runs through or is adjacent to the area, as indicated on the map or the table, a 35-foot buffer of vegetation was left adjacent to trail. Contractor will not seed in established buffer. COR/Inspector will designate equipment crossings.

Trails must be left clear of debris.

DIVISION 400 – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Upon completion of an area, the Contractor shall notify the COR so that an inspection can be made of that area. When remedial work is required, the Contractor shall perform such work before moving equipment to the next area.

DIVISION 500 – MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

510 – Basis of Payment – Payment will be made for the actual number of acres satisfactorily completed and accepted by the COR times the contract unit price.