Attachment A- Statement of Work Maumee Mowing 2024.docx

Attachment A Statement of Work

Maumee Opening Maintenance 2024 Brownstone Ranger District (RD) inside Hoosier NF Scope of Contract:

The purpose of the project is to maintain the early successional habitat characteristics of designated wildlife openings. Maintenance, such as bush-hogging, is needed to inhibit the growth of tree species. Contractor shall be able to identify and remove all unwanted tree species 3 inches and less Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) in project. Contractor shall use a GPS unit to stay within designated boundary area and access routes.

Approximately 151 acres of early succession land may be awarded to be mowed. Base amount is 65.1 acres (units # 1-17) with optional line items being awarded pending funds up to 85.9 acres. Work may begin on July 1,2024 and run through November 30, 2024. Access into the treatment area will be determined by Forest Service personnel using GPS shapefiles. Where necessary, contractor must pull and then replace barrier posts when egress to contract area is needed.

Contractor shall mobilize all equipment to each project site clean and dirt/weed free to reduce spread of invasive species. Inspection of cleaned equipment will be done by FS personnel before it is unloaded at the site. Minimum of 3 business days’ notice of mobilization to and from the site is required.

Maps will be provided by USFS along with GPS shapefiles of treatment unit boundaries and access routes. Before implementation, the project leader will meet the contractor on site.

Contractor shall notify Hoosier NF personnel no less than 48 hours prior to start of contract work.

Access routes will be pre-determined by FS personnel. Routes will be mowed the width of the path. Usually 4-8ft wide pending road/trail designed. Generally, this is accomplished by offsetting tracks and mowing path on one side of access going in and mow other side on the way out. Contractor will mow as close to ground as possible to not create a hazard. Some paths are too narrow and cannot be off-set, so Contractor will just mow on the way in. Contractor will not deviate off the specified GPS access path. Access paths will be cleared of any downed trees by Forest Service personnel by the July 1 start date, and any subsequent downed trees or obstacles shall be cleared by the contractor.

The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of their trash, repair damage to resources and any spills, and will notify the COR immediately of any spills or damage. Operations will not be conducted during wet ground conditions where rutting will occur and cause damage. Any ruts made will be reported to FS personnel and repaired by contractor at contractor’s expense. Payments with be withheld until fixed.

During mowing operations, any findings of previously unknown heritage sites or archaeological artifacts (old homesites/foundations, wells, etc.) should be reported to the COR (contract officer representative), and any further mowing of the opening should cease until cleared by a FS specialist. Any other issues or unforeseen circumstances should be communicated with and addressed by FS personnel/COR.

Specification: The specified area will be mechanically mowing all live undesirable trees 3 inches and less DBH including all shrubs/saplings. Undesired trees are soft mass producers including but not limiting to: maples, tulips, beech, and pines. Leave trees that have been flagged or otherwise agreed upon by Hoosier NF personnel. All snags > 3” DBH will be left standing and undamaged. Winter cover of grasses and forbs (flowers) may remain un-mowed whenever possible.

Machinery must be capable of mowing/grinding all vegetation as close to ground surface as possible without soil disturbance (1-2 inches). All woody materials mowed must be ground and scattered so no piles are formed. Low ground pressure equipment is mandatory for this contract, as is equipment used to mow (i.e bush hog).

The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the work within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule for the awarded contract.

Inspections: The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one line item (CLIN). The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule, then request an inspection by the COR. 3 days’ notice will be given for COR to begin inspection process.

Inspection process by FS includes:

1) Walking the boundaries with GPS unit to ensure unit is completed up to the boundary and not beyond or shy. The mow-able boundary may be smaller than the GPS boundary due to operator unable to mow based on trees being too large (over 3in DBH) or snags in the way.

2) Visual inspection of damage to leave trees.

3) Visual inspection that all unwanted trees have been mowed to proper height.

4) Visual inspection of ground disturbance (ie rutting). This includes wildlife opening and access routes.

Invoicing: Invoicing is tied to successful inspection of completed work. The Contractor may only invoice after the COR has inspected the line item(s) work and the work is determined to have met the AQL. This applies to both interim and final payments.

Performance Work Statement and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP):

Contract Line Item No. – Work Requirement

Line Item: #1-5 Mowing

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

Minimum 95% removal of woody vegetation 3iches and less.

Visual and with use of GPS unit

Line Item: #1-5 Mowing

Staying within designated boundary and along access routes.

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

Not going off trail/road.

Staying off private land Visual and with use of GPS unit

Schedule (non-Line Item)

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

All work must be complete by the end date of the contract and meet the AQL.

Visual and with use of GPS unit

*Meeting the AQL for Line Items: Contractor(s) must re-mow at their expense upon failure to meet AQL values at the final inspection for each contract line item where the work performed failed to reach the minimum acceptable target ratio and re-pair any damages.

image1.emf