Attachment F_Specifications.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Performance Work Statement

Contents

Project King Beaver Road Decommissioning

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Award of this solicitation will result in a Firm-Fixed Price service contract. Road decommissioning requires re-distribution of vegetation, full road re-contour, removal of through-fill/turnpike road sections, de-compaction, stream channel restoration, removing ditch relief culverts, installing water bars, road closure devices, clump planting, and seeding and mulching disturbed areas and related work in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals.

This work is being solicited as a performance based service contract, where the Contractor is responsible for an end product. If an end product is not provided in compliance with the contract specifications, an adjustment to the payment will be made.

2.0 Project Location

The project area includes multiple locations in the Beaver Creek subwatershed, located in T49N R4E sec 11, 14, 29, 32, 33 and 34; T48N R4E sec 3 and 4; and T49N R5E sec 7. The following descriptions are not inclusive for all travel routes to the project area and are provided only as one option to get prospective bidders to the work area.

Roads 1505UI, 1505UIA and 1505UCA From I-90, take exit 43 and head north on Forest Highway 9/Coeur d’Alene River Road. Continue on Forest Highway 9/ Coeur d’Alene River Road for approximately 29 miles to Murray. Turn right onto Kings Pass Road. Continue on Kings Pass Road for approximately 5 miles, then turn left onto Forest Service Road (FSR) 1505. In 0.35 mile, there is an unauthorized route that leaves the main road on the right. This is the beginning of route 1505UI. Route 1505UI continues for 0.1 mile before intersecting 1505UIA, which continues for 0.2 mile before intersecting 1505UCA. Note: this is not the shortest access route to these project roads. However, this route bypasses the Potosi Gulch culvert on Kings Pass Road (Shoshone County jurisdiction), which is in need of replacement. Contractors should investigate this culvert prior to transporting equipment over it. Location is indicated on Exhibit Page 1.

Roads 1505A and 1505D From the beginning of 1505UI, continue on FSR 1505, through the locked gate, for approximately 2.3 miles to 1505A, on the left. Road 1505D is almost 4 miles farther along 1505, on the right.

Road 271UAD and Skid Trail From Forest Highway 9 / Coeur d’Alene River Road approximately 21 miles from I-90, turn at the G&G Riverstop convenience store onto FSR 456/Beaver Creek Road. Continue on FSR 456/Beaver Creek Road for approximately 6.7 miles. Turn right onto FSR 271. Continue approximately 0.7 miles to the overgrown junction with road 271UAD on the right. The skid trail is located along this road, as indicated on Exhibit Page 4.

Road 271UA Continue on FSR 271 for approximately 2 miles beyond the junction of 271UAD. Road 271UA is on the left.

Roads 424UL and 424ULA From the junction of 271UA, continue up road 271 for approximately 1.75 miles, then turn right onto FSR 424. Continue almost 1 mile to the junction of 424UL on the left.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 Definitions. The following definitions apply to this contract:

Channel Site – a location in a stream channel where a road crosses. Often a drainage structure and road fill exists but not always.

De-compaction – the process of decreasing the density of a surface.

Free Draining — A slope that will drain water without pooling or causing erosion of the slope.

Headwater Swale – A shallow, trough-like depression in the landscape that may be hydrologically connected to a stream channel downslope. Swales are sometimes referred to as ephemeral channels having an undefinable channel and no evidence of scour or deposition. Upslope precipitation, as rainfall or snowmelt is generally concentrated in swales and directed towards definable stream channels as subsurface flow.

Material — Any substances specified or necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.

Roadway — In general, the portion of a road, including shoulders, cut and fill slopes, for vehicular use.

Road Slump/Cracking – A localized portion of the roadbed, generally the fill slope that has either slipped or cracked or otherwise become lower than that of the adjacent roadbed.

Slope notation (vertical : horizontal) – For slopes flatter than 1V:1H, express the slope as the ratio of one unit vertical to a number of units horizontal. For slopes steeper than 1V:1H, express the slope as the ratio of a number of units vertical to one unit horizontal. Slopes can be expressed as percentages.

Spring/Seep – a permanent or intermittent discharge of water that emerges from the ground and flows across the soil surface without defined bed and banks. Springs/seeps can generally be identified along roads by water appearing in the ditch, sheeting across the road, by softened and damp road conditions, or by cracks in the road where the structural integrity has been compromised due to drainage into or through the road prism.

Through-fill/Turnpike – An elevated section of roadway with fill slopes on both sides; the road is made of embankment.

3.2 Road Decommissioning

A. Description Decommissioning treatments initiate restoration of ecological processes interrupted or adversely affected by a road. `A series of drainage treatments may be applied with the goal of making a road effectively “hydrologically inert”. A hydrolocally inert road is defined as providing no resistance to the circulation and distribution of water. This work includes but is not limited to de-compaction of roadbeds, removal of ditch relief culverts, road re-contour, removal and end haul of through fill/turnpike roads, water-bar installation, restoration of stream channels, culvert removal, installing road closure devices, and seeding of all disturbed areas. It also includes excavation of fill material from landscape drainage features (hydrologic features) such as springs, seeps, and headwater swales. Perform necessary work for equipment to access the road terminus and decommission the road toward the permanent road closure. Obstacles preventing access include but are not limited to vegetation (brush, trees, stumps), slumps, erosion sites, loss of road fill material, rocks, and flowing streams without road crossings. Cross streams with flowing water in a manner that minimizes erosion, sedimentation and turbidity to the stream. In addition, erosion control measures shall be incorporated. The following table displays the approximate length of road decommissioning work at each site.

It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to determine actual work for each road to meet specifications outlined in the contract. Standard industry practice indicates use of a Hydraulic Excavator to effectively perform this type of work.

B. Performance Work Requirements Method 1. Restore the hillside to its natural contour by removing the entire road. Treatment consists of redistribution of vegetation, de-compaction, removal and end haul of through-fill/turnpike road sections, road re-contour, erosion control, headwater swale restoration, stream channel restoration, removal of ditch relief culverts, vegetation transplants, and seeding disturbed areas.

1. Springs/Seeps. When springs or seeps in the cut slope are evident, do not place embankment material directly against the seep or spring. Conduct vegetation transplants and redistribution of vegetation downslope and adjacent to the spring or seep to encourage subsurface flow.

2. Ditch Relief Culvert. This work consists of removing culverts other than those found at typical topographic features that indicate water may be present. Recontour the road and dispose of the ditch relief culvert in accordance with the Disposal of Drainage Structures subsection.

3. Redistribution of Vegetation. This work consists of clearing, grubbing, removing vegetation for access and storing for later use. Vegetation includes dead woody debris, trees, stumps, roots and other vegetation within the limits of the project area necessary to be cleared for access to the project sites, within the areas designated for de-compaction, and excavation and embankment. Evenly distribute stored vegetation on the surface of re-contoured road segments and completed channel side slopes in stable positions that do not interfer with stream channel flow. Vegetation may be anchored in place by partially burying to a maximum depth of 12 inches.

4. Through-fill/Turnpike Road Removal. This work consists of removing and end hauling sections of road (including turnouts) constructed out of embankment. Material may be hauled to previously existing borrow sites or incorporated into other re-contour work. Once embankment is removed the restored section of road shall be of even slope from natural ground on one side to natural ground on the opposite side. Leave the disturbed ground in a de-compacted condition that promotes vegetative recovery.

5. Road Re-contour. Restore the hillslope to match the adjacent natural side slopes by removing the embankment and returnig it to the originating cut slope. This work requires excavation and embankment of the road in the reverse order of road construction. Recontour the road including turnouts so that no detectable shelves or benches exist. To the best of ability place the soil containing the most organics on the surface of the recontoured road, conduct redistribution of vegetation and vegetation transplants. When available, scrape duff material from above the top of the cutslope and scattered over the completed recontoured road. Duff material may consist of a combination of needles, organic material, decomposing stumps and logs. Leave the restored hill slope in a roughened condition that promotes vegetative recovery.

6. Erosion Control. This work consists of furnishing, constructing, and maintaining erosion and sediment control measures to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after work performed. The Contractor shall be responsible for storage, security, handling, and preservation of quality and fitness of erosion control material. An erosion control plan will be developed by the Contractor and approved by the CO prior to Contract Award. The erosion control plan shall indicate when, where, and how erosion control measures will be utilized and implemented.

Maintain a vegetation buffer, brush barrier, straw or hay dike or other method to control erosion when working adjacent to live water. Conserve brush from the clearing operation when constructing brush barriers. Provide the CO with certification that straw or hay bales or other erosion control products are weed free.

Stream diversions or dewatering is required while work is being done in channels where water is present. Diversions may be done with pipes, plastic lined trenches, check dams, pumps or other methods approved by the CO. The intent is to minimize the amount of erosion and sedimentation during project performance.

Maintain temporary erosion control measures in working condition until the project is complete. Restore the ground to its natural or intended condition and provide permanent erosion control measures when temporary measures are no longer needed. Soil erosion control measures will be evaluated by visual inspection of the work for compliance with the contract. Work may be rejected at any time if it does not comply with permits or the contract. Remove all erosion control devices upon contract completion or when approved.

7. Headwater Swale Restoration. At the site remove all road fill, bedding material and drainage structures (if present) and restore to natural ground slope. Soil organic layers and stumps can be used as indicators to determine slope and width of the swale which shall be restored. Blend side slopes of the swale upslope and downslope of the road to determine the re-contour shape. Use features that have not been altered by road construction to connect the swale by excavating to a uniform grade that connects the undisturbed swale upslope and downslope of the road. The restored swale should have a natual appearance that conforms to the surrounding landscape. If present, dispose of drainage structures in accordance with the Disposal of Drainage Structures subsection.

8. Stream Channel Restoration. All channel sites are treated the same whether water is present or not. Remove all road fill, bedding material and drainage structures. Old soil organic layers, stumps, and the presence of streambed materials can be used as indicators to determine stream slope and width which shall be restored. If floodplain is present either upstream or downstream of the channels site, the floodplain shape and width shall also be restored. Blend side slopes of the stream channel and hillslopes upstream and downstream of the channel to determine the re-contour shape. Use features that have not been altered by the road construction. Connect the stream channel by excavating the crossing to a uniform grade. The reconstructed channel and floodplain (if present) shall connect uniformly with the undisturbed natural channel 50 feet beyond the influence of cut and fill slope of the road upstream and downstream. The restored stream channel and floodplain (if present) should have the same dimensions (width, depth, and slope) as the stream channel upstream of the channel site. Dispose of drainage structures in accordance with the Disposal of Drainage Structures subsection. Tolerances for the restored channel dimensions are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Stream Channel Restoration Monitoring Parameters for Method 1.

(a) Gradient Control. Gradient control structures are designed to prevent headcutting in the newly restored stream channel. Install a minimum of 1 gradient control stuctures per 15 lineal feet of stream channel restored. Culvert length or placement is not a factor in determining the amount of gradient control structures. The length of disturbed area resulting from restoration activities will determine the amount of gradient control structures. Match the gradient breaks of the undisturbed stream channel upstream of the channel site. Use native materials such as rocks, logs, and rootwads to construct the structures as shown on the plans. Rock conserved from the restoration process can be used to armor the steambed. Armor rock size should be of the approximate size and dimensions of rock upstream of the crossing. Gradient control structures are not needed in locations where bedrock controlls stream channel gradient, however the bedrock must be readily verified upon inspection.

(b) Habitat Logs. Use trees and logs stored during the clearing operation as habitat logs in the stream channel. Install a minimum of 6 habitat logs per stream channel restoration with a minium large end diameter of 10” and a minumum length of 20 feet. Do not orient the habitat logs parallel with the stream channel. The primary function of a habitat log is to stabilize the side slopes of the stream channel, but they may be used to provide shade and cover.

9. Disposal Of Drainage Structures. Remove all drainage structures (culverts, downpipe, anchors, drop inlets, and trash racks, log culverts etc.) gates and barriers on the project road. All removed items shall become the property of the Contractor (except log drainage structues) and shall be removed from government land and recycled or disposed of in a legal manner. The material or structure designated for removal shall include the structure and all of its appurtenances and hardware. Material from log drainage structures can be used as redistribution of vegetation on road recontour.

10. Vegetation Transplants. Use available native perennial vegetation along the clearing limits to immediately transplant live vegetation throughout the recontouring at a minimum of 6 transplants per 100 lineal feet. Care shall be taken not to prematurally clear or completely clear for access resulting in loss of transplantable vegetation. Transplants shall be of sufficient size to maintain all the root system and contain adequate soil to enhance favorable growth and survival.

11. Seed and Mulch. This work consists of uniformly spreading seed the full length and width of the decommissioned roadway and using straw or hay erosion control devices as mulch at restored stream channels.

Conform to the Federal Seed Act, the Federal Noxious Weed Act, and applicable State and local seed and noxious weed laws. The Contractor is responsible for the proper storage and security of seed. Do not use wet, moldy, or otherwise contaminated or damaged seed.

Furnish the kinds of seed and the amounts to be applied in terms of pure live seed (PLS) as follows: use the Standard Moist Site Mix for all stream channel restoration sites, road re-contours, permanent road closures, seeps/springs, headwater swales, de-compaction and through-fill/turnpike road sections.

Table 2. Standard Moist Site Mix

Seed Certification B = This seed may either be “Source Identified” or “Uncertified” but must have lab inspections indicating it meets certification standards for seed purity and cannot have noxious weed species. The CO may approve acceptable substitutions to these specifications when certain cultivars or species are unavailable.]

PLS LBS/AC[endnoteRef:3] [3: Seed is estimated using a standard average of 4 acres/mile (or 140 lbs/mile). This is only an estimate and Contractor is responsible for full coverage and any additional mileage.

Pounds of seed to be furnished per acre shall be obtained by dividing the pounds of pure live seed (PLS) required per acre by the product of the percent purity and percent germination.

Example: Seed with purity of 90% and germination 85%: (5 pounds PLS/acre) / (0.90 x 0.85) = 6.55 pounds PLS/acre]

Quickguard Sterile Triticale (Triticum aestivum x Secale ceral) OR ReGreen Steril Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

TOTAL

Apply seed by the dry method. No fertilizer shall be used. Do not spread seed over snow or ice or during windy or excessively wet weather. Seed may only be applied in September, October, November, or when approved by the Contracting Officer.

If straw bales are used for erosion control, they may be broken apart and scattered in a manner that does not prevent vegetation from becoming established under the mulch.

3.3 Equipment

The moving of equipment and supplies to the job site and between job sites shall be the Contractor’s responsibility and is incidental to decommissioning.

Contractor shall provide quality equipment capable of safely performing the work under the terms of the contract. All repairs are the total responsibility of the Contractor.

The Contractor shall provide a minimum 24 hour advance notice to COR at an agreed upon location to make equipment available for inspection and approval before use. The Contractor shall satisfy all applicable OSHA and DOT requirements or certifications for the operation of offered equipment.

Equipment provided to conduct work must meet or exceed the following minimum specifications:

Year of Manufacture – 2005 or newer Hydraulic Excavator (standard industry practice)*

Bucket must be equipped with hydraulic thumb, claw style with teeth capable of grasping material

100HP

Bucket capacity of 1 cubic yard Undercarriage width of 8’ Operating weight of 36,000 pounds Digging depth of 20 feet

150HP

Bucket capacity of 1.75 cubic yards Undercarriage width of 10’ Operating weight of 45,000 pounds Digging depth of 21 feet

* Or other types of equipment as approved by the Contracting Officer

3.4 Road Closure using Concrete Barriers

The Contractor shall provide and properly place concrete barriers to effectively close FSR 1505D to motorized traffic. The material provided shall be approved by the CO and shall be placed as staked and directed by the CO.

3.5 Maintenance of Traffic and Use of Warning Devices

The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades, suitable and sufficient lights, danger signals, signs, and other traffic control devices, and shall take all necessary precautions for the protection of the work and safety of the public. Project roads closed to traffic shall be protected by effective barricades, and obstructions shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness. Suitable warning signs shall be provided to properly control and direct traffic. All signs and devices remain the property and responsibility of the Contractor. Work shall not be started until all the required signs are in place.

The Contractor shall erect warning signs to any place on the project where operations may interfere with the use of the road or trail by traffic and at all intermediate points where the new work crosses or coincides with an existing road or trail. All road barricades, warning signs, lights, temporary signals, flagmen and pilot car operators and equipment, and other protective devices, except for special devices, shall conform with the most recent edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Immediately replace any device that is lost, stolen, destroyed, or inoperative. Remove all temporary traffic control devices upon contract completion or when approved.

Each road shall be surveyed before work to prevent blocking motorized or non-motorized vehicles.

Devices

· Required signs can be mounted on portable or temporary mountings. Standard MUTCD legends shall be used.

· Traffic approaching the work area from either direction or side approaches shall be warned by signing.

Equipment

· Vehicles and machinery not directly used in the maintenance operation shall be parked off the traveled way to minimize interference with the normal use of the road.

3.6 Weed-Free Equipment

In order to prevent the introduction of new or potential spread of noxious weeds into the project area, the Contractor shall be required to furnish the Contracting Officer with proof of weed-free equipment.

The equipment shall be washed with a pressure washer that is capable of producing enough water force to thoroughly remove all organic and mineral debris, including excess grease, from the machine. The Contractor shall request inspection of the equipment by the Contracting Officer Representatives and shall obtain the written approval of the COR prior to moving the equipment to the jobsite. The COR shall be given at least 24 hours’ notice prior. If the equipment is removed from the jobsite, the equipment shall be re-washed and re-inspected. This is considered incidental and no separate payment will be made.

3.7 In-stream Work Period

Do not work within the wetted perimeter of streams before July 15 or after September 30, unless authorized by the local Line Officer and in agreement with CO.

3.8 Protect Mining Claim Monuments

Contractor shall make reasonable efforts to avoid damage to mining claim corner monuments, excavations, and other mining improvements and equipment. This applies when they are discovered by the contractor as well as when they are identified by the government. Claim monuments may include blazed trees, posts, stone mounds, or metal posts.

4.0 Government Furnished

List any government-furnished support, data, property or facilities. Describe government responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. If the contractor will require access to government facilities, identify the facility location and specific area. Identify any federal holidays or other times when access may be restricted.

The Government will provide the combination to locks on gates where access is required to complete portions of the project work.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

E-4 Contractor Quality Control The Contractor is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of this contract. The role of the Government is quality assurance to ensure contract standards are met.

The Contractor shall provide a site specific Quality Control Plan (QCP) with their quote. The Contractor’s QCP must provide the Government with sufficient information to indicate and verify the contractor is conducting work in accordance with this agreement. The Contractor may supplement the QCP within 10 days of the start of work based on items awarded to the Contractor and Government comments. The plan shall include; (1) control procedures for security of Government-provided items such as keys, and lock combinations; (2) how quality will be monitored to assure performance; (3) how the work will be supervised and by whom; (4) identify the person responsible for quality control; (5) corrective or preventive actions that will be taken to meet quality standards; and (6) a customer comments feedback system.

The Contractor’s quality control inspection shall provide an unbiased assessment of road decommissioning activities. The quality control inspection shall also notify the Government in advance of cases where the Contractor may be in question of whether or not work needs to be performed. The Government may provide two courtesy quality control reviews per item number at the request of the Contractor for specific Critical Work during the duration of the contract. The courtesy review request must be received by the Contracting Officer in writing, and provide the road number and WGS coordinates of the Critical Work to be reviewed. The Government shall have 48 hours from the date received to provide the courtesy review. The review will not be considered as inspection nor acceptance of any item of work.

The Contractor’s written inspection data for road decommissioning activities shall include global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for the beginning and end of work on each road, each channel site, spring/seep, and headwater swale. The Government will use datum WGS 84 and report coordinates in decimal degree (DD) format. Site 1 is at the road end. Table 3 provides an example of displayed data.

Road decommissioning activities that are not identified or incorrectly identified or not completed will result in a deduction or be considered unacceptable.

The Contractor’s Quality Control will be deemed unacceptable when the Contractor fails to complete Critical work as outlined in Table 4. Depending on the determination of Non-Critical the Contractor will have the option of a re-work for full payment with no additional contract time or a deduction for Non-Critical work items will be assessed. Deductions may total up to 30%. Deductions more than 31% will be unacceptable and rejected.

Table 4. Critical and Non-Critical Work Assessment

Assessment of Work

Redistribution of Vegetation

Vegetation is not evenly redistributed. Each 100 lineal feet of road not to specification will have individual (compounding) deductions. Applies to all Critical Work.

5%

5%

When detectable shelves or benches exist or when available duff material is not scattered on surface. Each 100 lineal feet not to specification will have individual (compounding) deductions.

5%

5%

10%

Headwater Swale not identified and has drainage structure. Each headwater swale not identified will be a (compounding) deduction.

20%

Headwater swale not excavated to a uniform grade that connects the undisturbed swale upslope and downslope of the road. Each headwater swale improperly connected will be a (compounding) deduction.

Gradient control applied at less than minimum rate of 1 gradient control per 15 lineal feet or out of slope with the channel. Deduction applied to each missing or out of slope gradient control structure per stream channel restoration.

10%

Contractor shall assure performance meets contract specifications prior to requesting the Government to inspect for payment or acceptance. Upon completion of a road the Contractor shall notify the COR in writing to set a mutually agreed upon date for inspection of completed work.

6.0 Travel

Identify any travel requirements, locations involved, number of trips (if known), and duration of anticipated travel. Specify responsibility for travel reimbursement, e.g., the contractor or the Government. If the travel will be reimbursed by the Government, discuss the method of reimbursement, e.g., in accordance with Federal/agency travel regulations. State the Government official authorized to approve contractor travel, e.g., the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative.

Travel and accommodations are incidental to the work.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

On-Site Supervisor and/or Contractor Representative Equipment Operator(s) Quality Control Inspector

8.0 Security Requirements

Specify security requirements that apply to the contract performance. Specify the level of clearances required and identify positions that are applicable.

N/A

9.0 Data Rights

If data is to be produced, furnished, acquired, or used in meeting contract requirements, delineate the respective rights and obligations of the government and the contractor regarding the use, production, and disclosure of that data.

N/A

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards When information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements.

N/A

Attachment If applicable, include an Attachment stating Evaluation Factors and significant Subfactors representing the key areas of importance and emphasis to be considered in the source selection decision.

See main Solicitation.

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