Attch1_SOW_MarcotteCouleeBAR_Fence_12pp.pdf

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Marcotte Coulee Boundary Fence Repair/Replace

Location: Work is located on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR) in Fergus County, State of Montana. Prospective bidders may inspect the site by contacting the CMR Sand Creek Field Station, 8407 U.S. Hwy 191 N. Telephone 406-464-5181, ext. 10 or 12. Normal duty hours for Refuge staff is Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Work location in proximity to field station is shown on attached map in Appendix 1.

Contractors are urged to visit the work site and become familiar with existing conditions.

Failure of the contractor to ascertain the nature, location, and conditions which will affect the work will not relieve them from the responsibility of successfully performing the requirements of the contract without additional expense to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Description of work: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to replace boundary and interior fence in the Habitat Unit referred to as Marcotte Coulee Habitat Management Unit that was damaged by the 2025 Wilder Fire.

Project includes approximately 3 miles of fence to repair and replace shown in purple on attached map in Appendix 1. The fence starts at or near the CMR/Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boundary along Wilder Trail and proceeds south along the CMR/BLM/State Boundary.

The attached table shows the current structures within the existing fence line that were impacted by the Wilder Fire.

Structure Type Quantity Corner 2 Drainage 2 Gate 4 H-Brace 16 Double H-Brace 12 Triple H-Brace 1 Quad H-Brace 3 Cattle Guard 4 Deadman 64

The Contractor will remove and replace fire damaged fence. Intact steel T-posts that show no evidence of fire damage, warping, excessive rust, or loss of structural integrity may remain in place. All wood posts, braces, stays, gate sticks, and structural wood components shall be removed and replaced with steel regardless of condition. Construction of new fence will be with 3 strands; the top 2 wires will be barbed wire, and bottom wire will be barbless, 18” up from the ground. The Contractor is responsible for removing all fire-damaged fence materials, including

2 | P a g e wire, wood posts, braces, hardware, and associated debris, and disposing of materials at an approved off-site disposal location.

Period of Performance: Project will start as soon as possible after notice to proceed with completion of project by September 30, 2026.

Job conditions: Fence lines traverse terrain that may be wet, muddy or uneven. There are numerous drainages, both small and large, rises and falls, loose, rocky and compacted soil. Access can be limited by weather as roads are often impassable when wet.

The contractor will, if necessary, clear fence lines of trees, brush, and other obstructions large enough to hinder construction operations. Fence lines may be cleared to a maximum of 4 feet on each side of the fence. On interior fence lines where there is U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federal land on both sides, clearing may be done on either or both sides of the fence.

On boundary fence lines where there is USFWS Federal land on only one side, clearing may only be done on the USFWS Federal land side. Existing grass, sod, and other vegetation shall be disturbed as little as possible.

Construction Specifications:

See Appendix 2 for further specifications.

General: T-Posts (Steel) shall not be used for end-panel, corner-panel, gate-panel, or stress-panel. Posts shall be installed plumb, to the designated depth, and the lateral alignment shall be within plus or minus ½ inch. T-Post spacing shall be 1 rod (16 1/2 feet) between posts. T-posts may only deviate 6 inches from the 1 rod spacing except (due to the topography of the ground) when closer spacing is needed to attain specified wire heights. Drive T-Posts into the ground until the anchor plate is slightly below the ground surface.

Corner Panel, End Panel, and Stress Panel Assemblies: All structures shall be constructed with steel tubing.

Wire: Fence shall consist of three (3) strands of wire at heights of 18 inches, 30 inches, and 42 inches above ground level. The bottom strand (18”) shall be barbless wire. The upper two strands (30” and 42”) shall be barbed wire. Stretch tightly and securely attach to steel post or structures.

Wire shall be stretched to manufacturer-recommended tension sufficient to prevent sagging while maintaining elasticity. Terminate wire at each end post, gate post, corner post, or stress panel by wrapping around the post a minimum of two times and tie off by wrapping incoming wire a minimum of five times.

Wire Gates: Replace wood gate sticks with steel tubing.

Panel or dead man at minor depression: Dead man shall be constructed of barbless wire bent in two and wound around the three wires in the fence and attached to a full length steel post. The wire shall be wrapped around the steel post a minimum of 2 times, and then wrapped around itself a minimum of five times. The post shall be

3 | P a g e driven 4 feet underground at a 45-degree angle with 1-1/2 feet extended above ground level. In extreme conditions, two steel posts shall be used and shall be positioned opposite one another to form a 90-degree angle between the two posts for maximum holding power.

Deviations:

Line post may not deviate more than 6 inches on spacing, except closer when needed to achieve specified wire heights All posts shall not deviate more than 1 inch from plumb or specified height above ground Wire spacing may not deviate more than 2 inches from that specified The center of no post shall be more than 3 inches out of alignment between quarter-mile stakes set by government Splicing – Use wrap or telephone-type splice using at least five complete turns in each direction. Do not pull wire around corners

End Results/Deliverables: The Contractor will arrange an on-ground inspection with Refuge personnel to assure that the fence is repaired according to the contract specifications, including materials and placement. The finished work should be sturdy with the posts secure, and all components properly installed. All gates shall be properly hung with hinges aligned and secure.

Latches shall function without binding and allow secure closure. Upon completion of the project, the work area shall be free of rubbish and debris, and if there are any disturbed areas they be restored to their original condition. Contractor shall immediately notify Refuge personnel of any unstable soils, erosion features, or safety hazards encountered during construction that may require alignment adjustment.

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Appendix 1. Location of damaged fence

Boundary fence in proximity to Sand Creek Field Station and Highway 191.

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Appendix 2. Construction Specifications

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