Attachment_A_-_SOW_-_RFP-012-2671002-KC_-_IROS.pdf

County of Orange OC Community Resources

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance and Administration

Services for IROS

File No.: 2671002

ATTACHMENT A

SCOPE OF WORK

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance and Administration

Services for IROS

SCOPE OF WORK

I. Introduction

1. Management – The Irvine Ranch Open Space (IROS) is located in north-central Orange County and is adjacent to several Orange County regional and wilderness parks, as well as extensive federal lands in the Cleveland National Forest. Donated in two acquisitions from the Irvine Company in 2010 and 2014, the IROS is a County of Orange managed property within the OC Community Resources agency and OC Parks department.

A. The County – The County of Orange is a regional service provider and planning agency whose core businesses include public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services, and aviation.

B. OC Community Resources (OCCR) – OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Homeless Services, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries.

C. OC Parks – OC Parks encompasses regional, wilderness, and historical facilities, as well as coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring 60,000 acres of parkland, open space, and shoreline, Orange County's award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves.

D. Irvine Ranch Open Space – The Irvine Ranch Open Space is organized into nine management units owned and managed by OC Parks spanning nearly 25,000 acres in the Eastern Foothills of Orange County and consists of protected wildlands, wilderness, and nature preserves. Characterized by breathtaking geologic formations, long range scenic overlooks, featuring a wide variety of important or rare native plant communities and unique geologic formations, special features abound within these lands. Named a State and National Natural Landmark in recognition of their outstanding biological and geological resources, OC Parks stewards these special lands with strict environmental protections which were already in place when OC Parks received the lands to safeguard its rare and precious natural resources. OC Parks continues to uphold the conservation obligations inherited with the property and balances environmental stewardship efforts with robust wilderness access opportunities. Various educational and recreational opportunities are available through regularly scheduled programs only.

2. Strategic Plan

A. The 2018 OC Parks Strategic Plan compiles research, outreach, and discussions with the public, stakeholders, the County Board of Supervisors (Board) and OC Community Resources/OC Parks employees. The resulting document highlights OC Parks’ core identity and values: Community, Commitment to Excellence, Service, Stewardship;

provides a clear set of objectives to guide planning and decision-making processes; and better positions OC Parks to take on the challenges and opportunities of the present and in the years to come.

B. Guiding Principles – These principles were developed and refined during the public engagement process to implement the vision for the future of the IROS, and are meant to align with the intent of the greater county-wide system as described in the Strategic Plan:

http://www.ocgov.com/ http://occr.ocgov.com/ http://www.ocparks.com/ https://ocparks.com/irvine-ranch-open-space https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/index.htm https://www.ocparks.com/sites/ocparks/files/import/data/files/82682.pdf

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

i. Provide Effective Management – Adaptively manage park use to protect natural and developed resources while preserving exceptional park experiences; develop a system for evaluating the effects of public access to assure the preservation of native habitat areas.

ii. Exemplify Land Stewardship – Invest in the future by protecting and promoting the health of natural areas, including sensitive habitats and ecosystems; respond appropriately to the result of monitoring activities.

iii. Promote Resiliency – Sustain and create alliances to address emergency incidents and safety concerns while maintaining a responsible posture to address potential damage from natural disasters.

iv. Encourage Equity and Access – Responsibly support community activities to promote public health and wellness; create clear entrances and provide adequate facilities for enjoyment by people of diverse ages, cultures, and abilities.

v. Inspire Responsible Park Behavior – Elevate awareness and appreciation of the natural environment through interpretive educational installations; provide enhanced experiences.

C. OC Parks’ Vision – Champions of the land for a thriving community.

D. OC Parks’ Mission – We preserve and enhance OC Parks' natural and cultural resources for recreation, education, and exploration.

II. Background

1. Land Significance

A. Natural Resources – The IROS possesses significant biological resources of Mediterranean shrublands, including extensive areas of chaparral and coastal sage scrub associations, significant resources of live oak woodlands, riparian woodlands, and rare Tecate cypress woodlands. Rare and endangered plants and animals are present in these habitats, such as the Cactus Wren, Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Least Bell’s Vireo, Northern Harrier, Quino Checkerspot, Western Spadefoot Toad, Catalina Mariposa Lily, and Laguna Beach Dudleya. Geologically, it contains a remarkably complete stratigraphic succession ranging in age from late Cretaceous to the present (around 80 million years). This succession records the transition through several plate tectonic frameworks that are key to understanding the evolution of the South Pacific Border Biophysiographic Province. The geology includes the visually impressive Sinks in Limestone Canyon, the red rock cliffs in Black Star Canyon and Red Rock Wilderness, and massive granite outcroppings in Fremont Canyon.

B. Cultural Resources – Situated on the ancestral homeland and traditional Tribal territory of the Acjachemen/Juaneño, Tongva/Gabrieleño, and Payómkawichum/Luiseño, artifacts found at archaeological sites on the IROS consist of stone, shell, animal bone, plant, and historic objects that were used for food, tools, and ornamentation. These artifacts represent the material culture of the people who have populated Orange County for more than 10,000 years, inhabiting ancient villages, fishing areas, milling sites, Rancherias, and homesteads.

2. Conservation A. The land protection and management structure of the IROS includes regulatory overlays established to protect a wide range of plant and animal species and natural communities.

These include sensitive biological and geological features of nationwide significance

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS which could be vulnerable to degradation over time without proper management. These protection overlays and policies include conservation easements from the Orange County Central Coastal Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Orange County Parks Foundation (OCPF); approved Resource Management Plans; and other applicable County of Orange/OC Parks land use and regulatory provisions.

B. Conservation easements closely restrict the allowed uses within IROS, however, managed public access programs currently exist, and future opportunities will provide a corresponding level of monitoring to assure protection of sensitive habitat areas. Regular public visitation, enjoyment, knowledge, appreciation, and passive recreational use of these lands are essential program components to be provided on these lands.

III. Objective/Purpose

1. The objective of this request for proposals is to select a Contractor with adequate experience, expertise, financial resources, personnel, and equipment to manage various aspects of IROS for OC Parks, “County”. These aspects include:

A. Contractor shall provide Natural Resources Services including Invasive Weed and Pest Survey and Control, Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, and Monitoring and Research.

B. Contractor shall provide Communications, Programming, and Volunteer Services including public outreach, activities, and fire watch.

C. Contractor shall provide Maintenance Services including baseline minimums and on-call services.

2. The Contractor will also provide services which are not specific to, but may include, IROS as well as all County facilities including:

A. Research, review and facilitation.

B. Website management for programming and outreach.

C. Volunteer program.

IV. General Work Requirements

The scope of work in this Contract includes a broad range of services and activities that shall be performed over a number of years in order to meet the County's requirements. The County intends to engage the successful Contractor to provide technical, professional, and administrative staff to execute the services described below and as desired by the County. It is understood and agreed by the Contractor those services performed under this Scope of Work shall include but not be limited to the services described below.

1. Areas of Responsibility

A. The scope of services for this contract will include the IROS management units listed in the below table. For a map, see Attachment D.

Management Unit Approximate Acres Approximate Trail

Miles

Amenities

Black Star Canyon Wilderness 1,993 17.18 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

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Maintenance & Administration

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Management Unit Approximate Acres Approximate Trail

Miles

Amenities

Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve 7,204 28.8 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

Gypsum Canyon Nature Preserve 1,790 2.1 N/A

Gypsum Canyon Wilderness 500 6 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve 8,014 31.6 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

Loma Ridge Nature Preserve 638 4 N/A

Red Rock Wilderness 1,494 8.6 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

Saddleback Wilderness 422 3.3 Staging area, parking, picnic tables, portable restrooms

Weir Canyon Nature Preserve 2,825 9.7 N/A

2. Service Expectations

A. The Contractor shall provide superior services for all areas described in this contract including, but not limited to, Natural Resources Services; Communications, Programming, and Volunteer Services; and Maintenance Services. Contractor shall clearly demonstrate in their proposal that they have the expertise and experience to fulfill all aspects of this scope of work.

B. Contractor shall perform all work outlined in this Contract in a safe manner that meets all performance and schedule standards.

C. All work shall be completed with the least disturbance possible to habitat, park patrons, park staff, and regularly scheduled operations and events.

D. The County reserves the right to, without cause at any time, require Contractor to suspend, delay, or reduce the performance of any of portion of this scope of work. Contractor shall immediately suspend, delay, or reduce any of the services to the extent specified upon written email notice by the County. Contractor shall resume performance of any services as requested under this Contract back to established service levels upon written email notice by the County.

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Services for IROS

E. Contractor shall only invoice the County for actual work performed and shall not include any suspended, delayed, or reduced services pursuant to written email notice by the County.

3. Performance on Schedule

A. All work shall be accomplished efficiently and sustainably according to the performance schedule standards outlined in this document.

B. All work shall be completed on time following the designated schedules described herein.

C. Minimum staffing levels shall be such to meet the need of achieving the performance standards set forth in this contract.

D. In addition to meeting all performance standards contained in this contract, Contractor shall provide minimum staffing levels with staff dedicated solely to this contract. Any additional staffing needs required for non-regular, supplemental, extra work services, or work in conjunction with an outside funding or grant source may utilize staff who are not dedicated to this contract full-time, as long as the staffing plans and scope of services are presented to the County for approval in advance as outlined below. Supplemental revenue sources to fund positions whose scope of work is complementary to the management goals and efforts of the County may be filled by the Contractor with the approval of the County.

E. Additional Work:

i. Upon County request, Contractor shall submit supplemental proposals for Additional Work not called for under the Scope of Work of this Contract. Contractor must obtain County Project Manager’s written approval prior to commencing any additional work.

ii. County reserves the right to obtain supplemental proposals from, and use, alternate sources for completion of the additional work and to utilize the data provided under this Contract to obtain necessary services.

iii. If County authorizes work by an alternate source, Contractor may be relieved of responsibilities pertaining to the equipment affected by the project while work is being performed and during the subsequent warranty period.

iv. Contractor shall continue to provide services to all areas not affected by work provided by alternate sources.

v. Upon completion of any additional work, whether by Contractor or an alternative source, County’s Project Manager or designee and Contractor will inspect the finished product at no additional cost to County. Upon mutual acceptance of the additional work, Contractor shall again be responsible for all services originally covered under this Contract and the work performed under this section.

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F. In no way do task-specific minimum staffing requirements relieve the Contractor of fully achieving the performance standards set forth in this contract. This is a performance-based contract.

G. Failure to meet the agreed upon Service Expectations for all tasks and requirements contained in this contract, including but not limited to, performance standards, minimum personnel requirements, and mandatory equipment requirements, shall incur a one-time warning and a subsequent automatic daily monetary penalty.

4. Contract Communication

A. The County shall designate a County Representative to be the main point of contact with the Contractor Representative. The County shall appoint other staff as appropriate to inspect the Contractor’s performance and direct workflow of the contract.

B. Contractor shall provide one Contractor Representative that is dedicated full-time to this contract who can communicate effectively in written and oral English and shall provide the County the contact information of the Contractor Representative upon contract execution.

Any order or communication given to the Contractor Representative shall be deemed as delivered to the Contractor. This shall be the County’s single point of contact for communication about contract performance, contract adherence, contract deficiencies, and scheduling.

C. The Contractor Representative shall be available for cell phone, text, and e-mail communication during normal work hours, generally 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, or as agreed upon with the County Representative. The Contractor Representative shall have a cell phone capable of sending and receiving text messages and e-mails.

Contractor Representative shall have the ability to contact field crews within thirty (30) minutes of notification by the County Representative during normal working hours, or when cell service connectivity allows.

D. The Contractor Representative shall be competent in all aspects of contract administration and staff supervision. Contractor Representative shall be physically present daily during normal working hours as described in this contract.

E. Contractor Representative shall meet monthly with the County Representative to review the Contractor's schedules, performance, resolve deficiencies, and perform joint field inspections, as required. At the request of the County Representative, other senior Contractor representative(s) shall be available to attend these meetings.

F. An appropriate backup to the Contractor Representative shall be dedicated fully to this contract when the regular Contractor Representative is away or unavailable. Contractor shall provide the County the contact of the backup Contractor Representative upon contract execution.

5. Contractor Personnel

A. Contractor shall designate at least one (1) full-time staff member for each program area covered in this contract dedicated solely to work on County projects. Any additional staff added either permanently or temporarily to accomplish work or specific projects can be added by the Contractor. Those additional personnel’s credentials and resume shall be

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS submitted in advance for review and approval by the County. Each staff member shall be required to communicate effectively in written and oral English. An appropriate backup staff member shall provide coverage when the regularly assigned staff is unavailable.

B. Contractor shall maintain an accurate record showing the name of employee, classification, actual hours worked, wages paid, and benefits paid to each employee. This record shall be subject to inspection of the County and State Division of Labor Law Enforcement in accordance with provisions of the California Labor Code section 1776.

C. Contractor agrees to permit County’s Auditor-Controller or Director, OC Parks, or their authorized representative, access during normal working hours to all books, accounts, record, reports, files and other papers or property of Contractor for the purpose of auditing any aspects of performance under the Contract.

D. Personnel shall present a clean, neat, and professional appearance and be easily recognized as the Contractor’s employee(s). All Contractor personnel shall wear uniform shirts with the company name printed on them and feature the OC Parks logo while working out in the field. All uniforms shall be kept clean and professional-looking. Office personnel are encouraged but not required to wear uniform shirts.

E. All Contractor personnel shall carry a photo ID badge issued by the Contractor at all times.

Any staff not wearing a branded uniform shall prominently display their Contractor issued badge at the front outer clothing at all times.

F. Adherence to the applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards will be mandatory for this Contract. The Contractor shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws and statues concerning safety. The firm shall manage all work areas to endure the safety of building occupants, employees, and visitors in, or near, the property. All personnel shall be in good health and free of any contagious diseases. Contractor shall not allow any personnel under the influence of alcohol or drugs on any County property.

G. Contractor warrants that qualified personnel shall provide services under this Contract in a professional manner, meaning that the personnel performing the services will possess the skill and competence consistent with the prevailing business standards in the industry. The Contractor and their employees shall always be courteous and considerate toward the public in the course of their work. Proper training and instruction as to courteous responses to all inquiries is required. Any report of abusive attitude, language, or action, following investigation, shall be the grounds for immediate dismissal of the employee(s) involved.

H. Any employee who fails to work or act in an acceptable manner, as solely determined by the County Representative, shall be removed immediately and replaced with a qualified replacement within a timeframe as determined by the County Representative.

I. The Contractor shall not substitute key personnel assigned to the performance of this Contract without prior written approval by the County. The Contractor shall notify the County of any desired substitution, including the names and references of Contractor’s recommended substitute personnel. The County will approve or disapprove the requested substitution in a timely manner. The County may, in its sole discretion, terminate the services of any person providing services under this Contract. Upon such termination, the

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

County may request acceptable substitute personnel or terminate the contract services provided by such personnel.

6. Subcontracting

A. No performance of this Contract or any portion thereof may be subcontracted by Contractor without the express prior written consent of the County. Any attempt by the Contractor to subcontract any performance of this Contract without the express prior written consent of the County shall be invalid and shall constitute a breach of this Contract.

B. In the event that Contractor is authorized by the County to subcontract, this Contract shall take precedence over the terms of the Contract between Contractor and subcontractor, and shall incorporate by reference the terms of this Contract. The County shall look to Contractor for performance and indemnification and not deal directly with any subcontractor. All work performed by a subcontractor shall meet the approval of the County.

7. Funding from Outside Sources

A. The Contractor may pursue additional outside funding from government agencies, private foundations, grants, and other related sources for projects, personnel, materials, or equipment which directly help with the management of IROS or other applicable parts of this scope of work.

B. Before the Contractor independently pursues or applies for outside funding which would impact or be used for projects on County property, a proposal shall be presented to the County in writing for the County’s review and written approval prior to submission.

C. If the Contractor is awarded funding for projects on IROS property or other applicable parts of this scope of work, those funds may not be used to fund salaries, wages, or other benefits of the Contractor’s team that are listed in their proposal for this scope of work or staff who have replaced those in the original proposal. If additional staffing is required to fulfill the terms of the funding, then the Contractor shall hire additional personnel or subcontract services (with the County’s approval) at no expense to the County.

8. Quarterly and Annual Reporting

A. Contractor shall prepare and submit in electronic and hard copy formats four (4) quarterly reports and one (1) annual report in a form and standard as agreed upon by the County.

B. Quarterly reports shall provide status updates with photo and other documentary evidence on project progress, and forecasting including next steps and project timelines regarding all aspects of this scope of work.

C. Annual reports shall include a comprehensive description of work within the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) including any special provisions required below.

9. Contractor Vehicles

A. All Contractor vehicles used for work under this contract shall be identified with the Contractor's name and logo affixed to the driver side, passenger side and rear of the vehicle

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Services for IROS that is easily visible to the general public. In addition, each vehicle must have affixed a unique, easily visible identification number.

B. All vehicles shall be driven defensively with utmost caution and shall not exceed the speed limit of 10 miles per hour while on County property. Care shall be taken not to damage vehicles or other property during the execution of this Contract.

C. Any use of personal electronic devices while driving on County business is prohibited. If Contractor employees need to use their phones, they shall pull over safely to the side of the road or another safe location. They shall limit participation in any activities that could distract while driving on County business.

D. All vehicles shall possess valid vehicle licensing, registration, and proof of insurance coverage, consistent with requirements by the California Department of Motor Vehicles inside every vehicle whenever said vehicle is on County property.

E. Contractor employees must possess current and valid licensing to operate vehicles and equipment as required per the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

10. Contractor Equipment

A. Contractor’s equipment and materials shall not be stocked or stored on County property unless authorized by the County Representative. The County shall not be held responsible for Contractor’s equipment. Contractor shall assume liability and responsibility of stored equipment.

B. Contractor’s equipment shall be kept in good repair and conform to all current safety, state and local laws. Any equipment that leaks lubricants, coolant, or other substances on County hardscape shall be removed from service, with the soiled area reported and cleaned to the satisfaction of the County.

C. All equipment shall be subject to inspection. Any equipment found in need of repair, out of compliance with standards set forth in this contract, unsafe, or that produces poor quality of work shall be removed from service immediately at the County Representative’s request.

D. Contractor shall have available at the start of the contract all necessary equipment. This shall be subject to inspection and approval by a County Representative.

11. Offices

A. Upon contract award, Contractor shall maintain an office or maintenance yard within twenty (20) miles of 13042 Old Myford Road, Irvine, CA 92602 with a telephone answering system such that twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, emergency notification is possible. All emergency notifications or attempted notifications shall be responded to the County within two (2) hours.

B. The County reserves the right to utilize office space for all assigned County positions at the Contractor’s facility, if available, for County staff offices at no cost to the County.

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12. Inclement Weather

A. Contractor shall adjust their work force by providing materials, labor, and all items necessary to accomplish those activities that are not affected by weather during the periods when inclement weather hinders normal operations.

B. Contractor shall not remove their work force from the job site without prior authorization from the County Representative.

C. During inclement weather, Contractor shall focus on administrative tasks, programming development, research, tracking, data input, planning current and future projects, maintenance of equipment, and other appropriate tasks.

13. Site Access

A. The County shall provide appropriate park access during contract services.

B. The County shall issue necessary keys or lock codes for access to work areas. Contractor shall assume full responsibility for the theft or loss of said keys and pay for re-keying all locks operated by these keys, in the event of theft or loss of said keys by Contractor. Keys shall not be duplicated, and contractor shall maintain an employee key issuance log for each worksite. Contractor shall immediately report the loss of any key to the County Representative.

C. At no time shall the Contractor enter areas not specifically included in this Contract without prior approval of the County Representative. This includes, but is not limited to, County buildings, storage yards and storage containers. Contractor shall be held responsible for full replacement of any and all damages or losses which are directly or indirectly caused by the actions of its employees. All damage shall be repaired or replaced, at the option of the County, at Contractor’s expense within three (3) days after notification of such damage by the County. Repairs and/or replacements shall be equal to original in all aspects.

D. In the event the Contractor wants to take non-contracted guests (media, elected officials, etc.) into the IROS, advanced notice of a minimum of 48 hours is required and approval shall be given by the County Representative.

14. Work Schedule

A. Workdays shall generally be five (5) days per week Monday-Friday for all facilities.

i. When on-call services are requested, maintenance personnel shall work Monday- Friday.

ii. At least one (1) staff shall be dedicated to working on Saturdays and Sundays for public programming and activities to accommodate peak public usage, with their other scheduled workdays during the week as agreed to by the County.

B. Working hours shall be determined by park operating hours and are subject to change.

Performance on schedule requirements of this contract shall be adhered to at all times regardless of operating hours.

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C. Holidays may be staffed as agreed to with the County Representative. Work schedules shall reflect a normal day’s work unless otherwise directed by the County Representative to meet facility-specific program needs.

D. The Contractor Representative shall submit a monthly schedule to the County Representative for review and approval indicating the major items of work to be completed, and further delineating the time frames for accomplishment by day of the week, and by morning and afternoon.

F. The initial monthly schedule shall be submitted on or by the effective date of Contract execution. Thereafter, it shall be submitted monthly on a day mutually agreed upon by Contractor Representative and the County Representative.

G. Changes to the schedule shall be received by the County Representative at least twelve (12) hours prior to the scheduled time for the work.

H. Failure of Contractor to notify the County Representative of a change and/or failure to perform a work task on schedule shall initiate penalties as listed in Section 20.

15. Safety Requirements

A. Contractor shall perform all work outlined in this Contract in such a manner as to meet all accepted standards for safe practices during all operations and to maintain safe conditions of premises and right of ways at all times, including safely stored equipment, machines and materials. This includes compliance with local County, State or other legal intents and terms of the applicable OSHA and CAL/OSHA Safety orders at all times so as to protect all persons, including Contractor’s employees, against injury or damage to their property.

B. Protective gear and appropriate clothing shall be worn and utilized at all times, and shall comply with all federal, state, and local safety regulations. Workers exposed to traffic or equipment conditions shall wear highly visible orange or lime-green reflective clothing meeting current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines.

16. Environmental Requirements

A. Noise Control

i. The Contractor shall comply with all federal, state, county and local sound control and noise level rules, regulations, and ordinances, whichever is most strict.

Contractor shall make every effort to keep unnecessary noise pollution to a minimum.

B. Air Pollution

i. All equipment used in performance of this contract shall meet the current regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air and Resource Board (CARB) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), whichever is most strict.

ii. All gas and diesel equipment shall be EPA Tier 4 compliant if applicable and shall be updated accordingly if and when new regulations are imposed.

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C. Dust Control

i. Contractor shall perform their operations in such a manner as to limit dust. Contractor shall not create dust in such a quantity as to violate the AQMD regulations.

ii. Full compensation for conforming to requirements of dust control shall be considered as included in the various items of work involved and no additional compensation shall be allowed thereafter.

D. Water Conservation

i. The use of water shall be minimized when an alternative method can be identified to complete the task appropriately, particularly during cleanup operations.

ii. Contractor shall comply with all National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements.

iii. Contractor shall comply with all State, County, or Water District drought-imposed restrictions.

17. Pesticide Use Procedures

A. Contractor shall always comply with the OC Parks Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan (Attachment F) and any specific direction given by the County.

B. Contractor shall have in possession, during the term of the contract, a valid Pest Control Business License, a CA DPR Qualified Applicators License (QAL), and be registered to perform weed control in the County of Orange with the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. Possession of an Agricultural Pest Control Advisers (PCA) License is also highly desirable. Contractor personnel applying pesticides shall complete handler training annually pursuant to California Code of Regulations 6724. Structural pest control treatments shall only be completed by a registered structural pest control company with appropriately trained applicators as defined by the Structural Pest Control Board. Copies of the required licensing shall be made available to the County upon commencement of the contract and annually thereafter.

C. Contractor shall provide an official PCA recommendation for each pesticide to be used for each use scenario per calendar year and/or treatment season. Contractor shall follow all directives in the PCA recommendation, pesticide label(s), safety data sheets, and all other applicable laws and regulations. In addition to the mandatory PCA recommendation, each unique pesticide used within this contract shall be reviewed by the OC Parks IPM Representative prior to approval.

D. A Herbicide Application Request form to apply herbicides shall be provided to the County Representative or designee for review and written approval a minimum of ten (10) days in advance of each scheduled application.

E. When required, pesticide application signage shall be displayed in a manner that is reasonably visible to anyone who may enter the treatment site during the application.

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F. Contractor shall store, transport, handle, mix, and apply pesticides and fertilizers in a manner consistent with Federal, State, and local regulations. Contractor shall report and maintain records of pesticide applications in compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations including NPDES permit requirements.

G. Contractor shall adhere to the pesticide label at all times including but not limited to following proper mixing procedures, wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), applying correct rates, applying in appropriate weather conditions, and following the Restricted Entry Interval.

H. Off target chemical spray drift and chemical spray drips and leaks shall not be tolerated. Spray equipment shall always be in good working order.

I. Contractor shall maintain a pesticide identification card located on the application equipment that displays the product brand name, active ingredient, EPA registration number, and signal word.

18. Sustainable Maintenance Requirements

A. Battery Operated Equipment

i. Contractor shall comply with AB 1346 that prohibits the purchase of gas-powered small off-road equipment effective January 1, 2024.

ii. Contractor shall make every effort to support the transition to zero-emission small off-road equipment.

iii. In addition to AB 1346, Contractor shall not be permitted to use gas-powered leaf blowers.

iv. Contractor shall provide the necessary equipment in order to meet the contract performance standards at all times.

v. Battery charging shall not be permitted at County facilities by the Contractor unless authorized in writing.

B. Waste Disposal

i. All trash and debris shall be removed from work area by the end of each working day.

ii. At other times during the progress of work, when required, Contractor shall remove all surplus materials, rubbish, and debris resulting from the work.

iii. Work area shall be left in a neat, clean, and acceptable condition as approved by Park Staff. No stockpile of debris shall be allowed at the site.

iv. All green waste generated by brushing/mowing activities shall be mulched in place and or/ cut and scatted as determined by the County.

v. Green waste containing nonnative or invasive plants shall be bagged and disposed of properly by Contractor. Exceptions may be granted for certain projects (e.g.

habitat restoration) after consultation with the County Representative. Green waste shall be recycled in adherence with SB 1383 and AB 1826 State mandates.

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vi. Trash shall be disposed of offsite each day by Contractor following all State and County laws and regulations. Excess trash or debris shall be hauled offsite and properly disposed of.

vii. All costs for refuse disposal shall be considered as included in various items of work involved and no additional compensation shall be allowed thereafter. Contractor shall be responsible for all dump/disposal fees in all unit prices quoted. No disposal of any kind shall be permitted on County property.

C. Spraying Equipment

i. All devices used to spray chemicals with a spray nozzle device such as a backpack sprayer shall always have a working pressure regulator and check valve attached on the spray wand.

ii. Contractor shall always provide the necessary equipment and quantities to meet the performance on schedule specifications of this contract.

19. Regulatory Reporting

A. Pesticide Use

i. Contractor shall report to the County the pesticide type(s), quantities used, and other pertinent application details in the OC Parks Pesticide and Fertilizer Tracking Application. Pesticide use data shall be entered for each work order/task completed.

All pesticide applications for a given month shall be entered in the application no later than the 10th day of the following month. For example: all June applications are due no later than July 10.

20. Deficient Performance Procedures

A. The County Representative or designee shall regularly inspect for contract performance standards on schedule to ensure alignment with Contract specifications.

B. Penalties shall not be assessed for deficient contract performance standards that have been deemed unavoidable due to circumstances beyond the control of Contractor such as, but not limited to, extreme weather, civil unrest, vandalism, theft, etc. The determination as to whether deficient contract performance is beyond the control of the Contractor shall be at the sole discretion of the County Representative.

C. Warning and penalty protocol shall be for all tasks and requirements within this Contract.

i. If performance for contract standards is not met, the County Representative shall issue one (1) written warning to the Contractor Representative for each unique contract infraction that is identified. The Contractor Representative shall have forty-eight (48) hours to rectify the contract infraction to the satisfaction of the County Representative. Failure to resolve the contract infraction identified in the written warning within forty-eight (48) hours shall result in an official written contract infraction memorandum with an assessed penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) on the day of issuance, and accumulating in a five-hundred-dollar ($500) penalty each day there forward until the infraction is rectified to the satisfaction of the County

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

Representative. Accrued penalties shall be withheld from the following payment to the Contractor.

ii. After the initial one (1) written warning for each unique contract infraction, no additional written warnings shall be given prior to issuance of a contract infraction memorandum and penalties being assessed.

D. Continued failure of the Contractor to meet performance on schedule contract standards for all tasks and requirements as described in the contract shall give the County, in addition to reserving all other rights and remedies under the Contract, the right to deliver the services by other means for said deficiencies and back charge the Contractor for the incurred costs of having the contract standards completed.

V. Natural Resources Services

1. General Requirements

A. The Natural Resources Services scope includes three sections: Invasive Weed and Pest Survey and Control, Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Monitoring and Research.

B. The Contractor shall designate one project manager for each section within this service for a total of three (3) project managers who shall be responsible for overseeing all aspects herein.

C. Contractor shall be familiar with industry standards, best management practices, including nesting bird season and weed sanitation practices, and regulatory requirements associated with each section.

D. Contractor shall coordinate with the County and provide regular communication and updates on project progress and outcomes.

2. Minimum Qualifications

A. Invasive Weed and Pest Survey and Control

i. Contractor shall have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in weed and pest treatment, specifically in open space areas exceeding 200 acres. Proof of experience shall be submitted.

1. A minimum of three references from other Contractor clients is required for review and can be considered proof of experience.

ii. Contractor shall be a financially sound company primarily engaged in professional weed abatement practices in the State of California.

iii. Contractor shall provide personnel fully trained in weed and pest identification and abatement, holding applicable and current licenses for pesticide application in the State of California.

iv. Contractor shall be familiar with various weed control methods, including manual removal, mechanical weed removal, herbicide application, and related tools and equipment.

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

v. Contractor shall have knowledge of local native plant species, fauna, habitats, and ecological processes relevant to the IROS.

vi. Contractor shall have an understanding of target pest species, such Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) and Invasive Shot Hole Borer (ISHB), and proficiency in identifying signs of infestation, conducting surveys and monitoring, and implementing treatment options.

vii. Contractor shall possess a current pest control business license and include at least two (2) staff members with current Qualified Applicators Licenses, preferably with a Pest Control Advisor on staff.

viii. Contractor is responsible for maintaining all necessary government licenses required for the scope of work issued by the State of California and registered in Orange County at no additional cost to the County.

B. Habitat Restoration and Enhancement

i. Contractor shall have a minimum of five (5) years conducting habitat restoration in southern California. Proof of experience is required.

ii. A minimum of three references demonstrating successful completion of habitat restoration projects from other Contractor clients are required for review and can be considered proof of experience.

iii. Contractor shall provide biologically qualified personnel fully trained in habitat restoration efforts and monitoring.

iv. Contractor shall be familiar with various habitat restoration methods and related tools and equipment.

v. Contractor shall be proficient in identifying native plant species including locally rare species.

vi. Contractor shall be proficient in identifying and managing invasive non-native species.

vii. Contractor shall be a financially sound company primarily engaged in habitat restoration practices in the State of California.

C. Monitoring and Research

i. Contractor shall have demonstrated expertise in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.

ii. Contractor shall have knowledge of local flora, fauna, habitats, and ecological processes relevant to the IROS.

iii. Contractor shall have experience in conducting fieldwork, data collection, and research in similar ecosystems.

iv. Proven experience in designing and implementing biological monitoring programs and research studies is required.

v. Familiarity with research methodologies, sampling techniques, and data analysis relevant to ecological studies is required.

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

vi. Contractor shall have a track record of presenting findings to both lay and professional audiences.

vii. Contractor shall have proficiency in utilizing a variety of monitoring techniques, methodologies, and tools, including GIS, remote sensing, and statistical software.

viii. Contractor shall have the ability to use technology for data collection, management, and analysis efficiently.

ix. Contractor shall have experience in obtaining necessary permits and approvals for conducting research in natural areas.

x. Contractor shall have an understanding of regulatory requirements and guidelines related to biological monitoring, research, and environmental protection.

3. Invasive Weed and Pest Survey and Control

A. Scope of Services

i. This service includes administering an Early Detection-Rapid Response (EDRR) program along with surveying, controlling, mapping, and monitoring of target invasive weed and pest species. Contractor shall conduct comprehensive invasive weed and pest surveys and control in alignment with the Natural Communities Coalition (NCC) Five-Year Invasive Plant Management Plan for the Central Reserve of the Nature Reserve of Orange County and Adjacent Lands, California Forest Pest Council, OC Parks Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan (Attachment F), OC Parks Invasive Plant Control Guidelines (Attachment G), and current County practices.

ii. Contractor shall utilize appropriate control methods, including mechanical, manual, cultural, biological, and chemical treatments, as needed and approved by the County.

iii. Contractor shall accurately capture all invasive weed and pest survey routes and populations in GIS and provide those data to the County.

iv. Contractor shall accurately map all control activities in Calflora, adhering to established data recording and reporting protocols.

v. Contractor shall implement quality assurance/quality control to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of data capture in Calflora and other databases.

vi. Contractor shall input all chemical weed and pest control metrics in OC Parks Pesticide and Fertilizer tracking application following treatment.

vii. Contractor shall comply with all regulatory requirements and guidelines related to weed and pest control and pesticide use.

viii. Contractor shall implement weed and pest control strategies to minimize impacts through careful planning and execution on non-target species, habitats, and the environment.

ix. Contractor shall coordinate weed and pest control activities with the County.

x. Contractor shall monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of weed and pest control efforts through regular assessments and data collection, adjusting strategies in consultation with the County to achieve desired results.

RFP 012-2671002-KC

Maintenance & Administration

Services for IROS

xi. Annual pesticide application training for all Contractor staff working on this service is mandatory.

xii. Contractor shall provide invasive weed and pest control crews of a minimum of three (3) individuals with the ability to identify common target weed and pest species at different growth stages. The crew size does not exempt Contractor from meeting performance standards.

B. Deliverables

i. The Contractor shall prepare a Weed Survey and Control Plan detailing the EDRR program and ongoing target weed control program and include the following to the County:

1. Identification of target weed species, priority areas for treatment, and appropriate control methods.

2. Mapping of EDRR survey routes.

3. Mapping of proposed weed control activities in Calflora.

4. Schedule of proposed weed control activities.

ii. The Contractor shall provide the County with an annual plan of the Invasive Pest Control Program outlining surveying schedules, species mapping, management action thresholds and control measures.

1. Current invasive pests of concern include but are not limited to Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB), Invasive Shot Hole Borer (ISHB), and Sudden Oak Death

(SOD).

iii. The Contractor shall survey and treat NCC target weed species as follows:

1. Contractor shall treat of a minimum of five hundred (500) gross acres of target invasive weed species annually, including retreatments.

2. Contractor shall capture survey and treatment efforts in GIS, Calflora, and chemical control tracking application as appropriate, with data provided to the County.

3. Contractor shall provide an annual work plan map of survey routes and target treatment areas for the year ahead for review and approval by the County by August 31.

iv. Contractor shall provide or host a minimum of three (3) trainings annually to the County staff, which may include County contractors, partners, and volunteers, on pertinent natural resources topics such as EDRR and Calflora.

v. Weed and Pest Survey and Control Reports

1. Contractor shall provide quarterly reports to the County detailing areas surveyed, treatment progress, control methods, and any challenges encountered.

vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Reports

1. Contractor shall perform periodic assessments of weed and pest populations and vegetation dynamics following control activities.

2. Contractor shall perform periodic assessments of EDRR survey routes.

RFP…