B08-_Attachment_1-_Performance_Work_Statement_-_2024_USFO_Big_Desert_Fuel_Break_Mowing.pdf

PREFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

2024 USFO BIG DESERT FUEL BREAK MOWING

RANGELAND MOWING

1.0 GENERAL

Introduction: The Upper Snake Field Office of the Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting fuels management services to mow native grass and brush within established fuel breaks to reduce the risk and minimize the size of future wildland fires.

Background: The Big Desert Fuel Break Project is a shrub mowing treatment consisting of seven road segments. The treatment area consists of sagebrush steppe habitat that has been previously modified to reduce fuel loads and shrub stature. Because of previous mowing treatments, not all acres within the established boundaries of the project area will require the same amount of labor to achieve the specifications outlined below. Vegetation within the treatment area is typical of the Great Basin and consists primarily of bluebunch wheatgrass and Wyoming big sagebrush along with other native vegetation. The topography of the project area consists of gently rolling lava plains with associated basalt bluffs and desert playas with elevations ranging from 4,700 to over 7,500-ft above sea level. Slopes within the mowing areas are generally less than ten percent and are easily traversable with agricultural tractors. Fuel loadings range from less than one half ton per acre to as high as four tons or more per acre. The material to be mowed consists of native vegetation, with heights ranging between 8- to 12-in and densities ranging from sparse to dense.

Purpose: The purpose of the Big Desert Fuel Break Project is to reduce the risk of large and/or severe wildland fires through the establishment of areas with reduced fuel loads and vegetative stature. Treatments that focus on reducing fuel loads, modifying vegetation composition, and increasing interspaces in shrubland vegetation types have been shown to alter fire behavior as well as enhance firefighter access, improve response times, and provide safe and strategic anchor points for wildland firefighting activities.

Scope of Work: The objective of this treatment is to mechanically mow sagebrush, and other vegetation, to a height of no more than eight (8) inches within the 150-ft fuel break on either side of the designated roads. The mowing units total 2,266-ac along 66-mi of roads. Much of the 2,266-ac consists of sagebrush that has been previously treated out to 150-ft but needs maintenance to decrease the existing vegetation height. Segments of the Coffee Point/Apollo Well Road, Mosby Butte Road, and Cowley’s Cutoff Road were impacted by fire in 2019. As a result, those areas have been excluded from the contract acres and will not be treated due to the lack of shrubs.

2.0 LOCATION

Location of Project Areas: The project area is located approximately 18 miles northwest of Aberdeen, Idaho within Power, Bingham, and Blaine Counties. All work will be performed on land administered by the BLM or on State of Idaho or private land where treatment has been authorized. General-purpose maps will be included with the solicitation to give the minimum information needed for a contractor’s project bid. Once the project is accepted by the contractor, maps will be provided by and agreed upon by BLM and the contractor. See location map for the general location of project area and access.

Project Boundary Marking: The location and access to the areas are shown on the work area and project location maps. The 150-ft edge of the treatment area will NOT be flagged or marked.

Access: Legal public access to the project area will be identified on the map prior to the contractor beginning implementation. Seasonal road closures may exist (contractor will be notified of closures upon award).

Contractor will assume responsibility for any additional access if desired. If roads or any type of access become subject to damage, because of adverse weather conditions or other natural and or political reasons, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will relay information to the contractor, and a Stop Work Order may be implemented by the Contracting Officer (CO) until other access can be decided.

Work Camps: Camping on agency-administered lands will only be allowed in approved sites and with the prior written authorization of the responsible land manager. Should such a work camp be authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed.

All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the camp site(s) by the Contractor and disposed of offsite before final payment is made.

3.0 EQUIPMENT

3.1 General: The Contractor shall treat designated areas in conformance with these specifications and the Detailed Specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, supplies, and materials required to complete the job. The Contractor shall furnish properly equipped personnel experienced in operating the equipment to be used. The Contractor shall service and repair his/her equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on work. Contractor is responsible for all costs incidental to equipment mobilization and demobilization associated with the project.

3.2 Equipment Requirements: The Contractor will furnish all tools, labor, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, training, and incidentals necessary to accomplish the task in accordance with the specifications provided within the designated performance time. The Contractor shall service and maintain such equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on the work.

a. Tractors: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary tractors with adequate drawbar horsepower, traction, and weight to accomplish the mowing requirement within the time limits specified by the government. The tractors shall be of the following type: Four-wheel drive, RUBBER TIRE tractor with a MINIMUM HORSEPOWER OF 90 rated at power take-off unit. Rollover protection structures are required on equipment regardless of age, as defined in CFR1920-1000-1002. Operators skilled in the operation of the furnished tractor(s) shall also be supplied by the Contractor. Tractor(s) shall be furnished and maintained in good mechanical conditions throughout the term of the contract.

The Contractor shall furnish all required fuel, oil, and lubricants for operation of all contractor furnished equipment (tractors, mowers, transports).

b. Mowers: The mowers shall be the following type: Pull behind or push rotary style cutter CAPABLE OF CUTTING A MINIMUM SWATH OF FOURTEEN (14) FEET. Mowers must be capable of traversing terrain and cutting brush to a height of approximately eight (8) inches.

c. Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Transports: The Contractor shall furnish motor vehicles for hauling equipment and personnel to and from the worksite. The Contractor shall not load or unload tractor(s) or mower(s) on public highways unless authorized by the CO.

3.3 Mobilization: Includes all preparatory work and operations, including those necessary to the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies and incidentals to the project site; and for other work and operations which must be performed, or cost incurred prior to beginning work on the various items on the project site. All costs associated with mobilization will be incorporated into the cost per acre to be mowed.

4.0 EXECUTION OF WORK

4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor (i.e., knowledge and experience of the crew leader) to determine the quantity of work needed to meet specifications identified in this SOW. Acreage of the units were determined by calculations based on a horizontal plane using GIS technology. The treatment units are located in areas that, during the winter months, may receive two feet or more of snow annually.

4.2 Pre-Work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, a meeting may be requested by the CO to be attended by the Contractor, the COR, and PI. The meeting will be held at the Upper Snake Field Office at a time mutually agreeable to the Contractor and the CO to discuss the work schedule and to familiarize both parties with the responsibilities of each under this contract. At this time a work schedule showing dates, locations, equipment, and employees working on this project shall be provided by the Contractor to the CO.

4.3 Progress Reports: Contractor will provide weekly progress summaries, during treatment, to the BLM Representative (COR and/or PI). Regular communication between BLM Representatives and the Contractor is required to help alleviate any problems or potential delays.

4.4 Crew Foreman: A crew foreman must be on-site directing work at all times. This person will also serve as an on the ground contact person for the COR/PI. Failure to maintain a crew foreman will result in suspension of work until a crew foreman is provided. A maximum of five (5) days will be allowed to produce a qualified foreman. Failure to produce a qualified on-the-ground foreman within five days may result in the CO issuing a Suspend Work Order. CO and COR must be informed of any changes in Crew Foreman.

4.5 Personnel Requirements: The Contractor must always maintain an adequate work force to ensure timely completion of the work and is responsible for the crew knowing the requirements of the contract. The crew is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment following OSHA standards. The Contractor must attend the pre-work meeting and provide a written performance plan including crew size prior to beginning work.

4.6 Specifications for Treatment: Rangeland Mowing

a. Mowing shall be performed in a linear fashion along roadways creating a 300-ft-wide mow swath, 150-ft on both sides from the edge of the road. Mowing may include some mosaic areas of non-mowed areas due to avoidance sites or rock outcrops. However, the contractor should make every effort possible to mow ALL vegetation within the 300-ft-wide treatment area.

b. Mowing shall be performed on both sides of the roadway. In cases where fences bisect treatment areas, the contractor WILL need to adequately treat both sides of the fence out to the distance specified in the contract.

c. Surface Conditions: Equipment shall not be operated when the soil is wet, and the equipment causes a three inch or greater rut. If such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the COR or PI.

d. Height of Mowing: The height of mowing shall be no more than eight (8) inches, measured from the original ground surface. The cuttings/mulch will be left where cut and will be even with the normal plane of the ground surface and spread as evenly as possible.

e. Work Hours: Mowing operations shall be permitted during daylight hours between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

f. No equipment may be parked in sage-grouse lekking areas.

g. The area to be mowed is open to public access and will remain so during the treatment.

h. Avoidance areas (no mowing) may be identified within the project area and designated with flagging, i.e., cultural sites, survey monuments, above ground pipeline structures, etc.

i. Surface rock and uneven terrain may reduce tractor speeds and cause mechanical problems. Routine periodic maintenance of equipment may reduce the daily hours of operation. Each tractor/mower combination working on the project should accomplish roughly 36 acres per day.

j. Period of performance will be 45 calendar days.

4.7 Protection of Improvements: The COR may order a cessation of work if vehicles are operated on roads within the work area when ground or weather conditions cause or lead to loss of traction. Such conditions usually develop where frozen ground is thawing, when snow is melting, and during or immediately following rainstorms. Any soil and ground disturbance caused by equipment during and after operations will be rehabilitated by the contractor.

4.8 Salvage Rights: No salvage will be allowed.

4.9 Work stoppages: The Contractor agrees to work diligently to complete the mowing treatment. The Government reserves the right to stop mowing operations at any time when conditions are considered sufficiently unfavorable to warrant stoppage. Stoppage shall continue until mowing operations are again authorized by the Government. Because of the nature of the work, any time for which work is suspended by the Government because of unsuitable conditions or phase II fire restrictions will not be counted against the contract completion time. However, no monetary compensation will be given to the Contractor by reason of such work suspension.

4.10 Notification of Cessation or Restart of work: The Contractor will notify the COR whenever he/she intends to cease operations for three or more days and will notify the COR before starting operations after a shutdown of three or more days.

4.11 Termination for convenience of the Government: Because of the nature of the work, the Contracting Officer may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate this contract, in whole or in part, when it is in the best interest of the Government. To the extent that this contract is so terminated, the Government shall be liable only for payment in accordance with the payment provisions of this contract for work satisfactorily completed prior to the effective date of termination.

4.12 Completion of contract: The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all areas furnished to the Contractor by the Government have been treated to the standards specified above.

4.13 Risk damages: The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for any or all damages to persons or property in connection with the execution of work by employees of the Contractor.

4.14 Special Provisions:

a. To limit impacts to lekking Sage-grouse, work hours under this contract shall be limited to the time between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

b. Comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to water quality in connection with any operations under this contract.

c. Take every reasonable precaution not to pollute or obstruct any stream (including dry streams), lake or reservoir on or near the project area in connection with any operations under this contract. If contractor’s operations cause pollution or obstruction of any stream, lake, or reservoir on or near the designated area, contractor shall notify the authorized officer immediately, and will correct the condition to the satisfaction of the BLM.

5.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

5.1 Inspection:

a. The Government COR and/or PI will make periodic inspections as a basis for acceptance and payment and recommendations for adjustments in work quality while work is in progress. The Contractor is encouraged to participate in inspections while they are being conducted.

b. As the basis for payment, inspections for compliance with specifications will be made for work units reported as completed by the contractor. All plots will be averaged together to determine payment.

c. A combination of Ocular or Physical Inspections will be made on a series of plots located at different intervals across each work unit. A sufficient number of plots will be taken to obtain at least one percent sample of the work unit.

d. The following information will be recorded for each plot inspected if more than five (5) percent of the treated area has these items found in them. The treated areas will get a failing grade if:

i. Remaining vegetation taller than the specified maximum (8-in).

ii. Mowed width is less than 150-ft.

iii. Cuttings/mulch not spread evenly on the ground to the extent possible.

5.2 Determination of Work Quality Percentage:

a. Work quality percentages are derived from data developed from inspection plots. The final work quality percentage multiplied the bid price determines the pay. A work quality percentage of 95 percent or higher will result in full payment. If any of the reasons stated above in the Inspection section part (d) are the primary reason for unsatisfactory work, the Contractor shall rework areas designated by the Government until satisfactory work quality is obtained.

5.3 Acceptance:

a. Satisfactory Work Quality: A minimum work quality standard of 95 percent is required.

b. Unsatisfactory Work Quality: Based on inspection results, if the work quality percentage falls below

95 percent, the Contracting Officer will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and instruct the Contractor to improve the quality of the work. The contractor may ask for a meeting between themselves, CO, COR, and PI to discuss a resolution. If the quality of the work is not raised to an acceptable level within two consecutive workdays after written notification or within time decided at the meeting, the CO may issue a stop work order and/or Termination of Contract.

c. Final payment shall not be granted until the project is complete to the satisfactory quality standard.

5.4 Meetings:

Pre-work Conference:

a. A pre-work conference will be held 3 calendar days following award or calendar days before onsite work begins. The Contractor will be notified in advance of meeting time, date, and place. The purpose will be to review required work, specifications, payment, and administrative provisions of the Contract.

b. The Contractor and the persons responsible for coordination for the work (Crew Representative/Foreman) shall be present at the meeting.

c. The Contractor shall be prepared to summarize and explain procedures planned for the project and provide a schedule to meet the time frames of the project.

Progress Inspections/Meetings:

a. The Government COR and/or PI will make periodic visual inspections. Inspection will consist of documentation of the treated areas. Documentation will be based upon compliance with the specifications listed above (item #13).

b. The Contractor shall require his or her Crew Representative to be present during the inspections. COR and/or PI will discuss all deviations from specifications with Crew Representative as soon as possible when deviations from specifications are found.

c. The Contractor shall correct any deficiencies noted and the project will be re-inspected by the COR.

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

6.1 The Government will provide the following items to the Contractor:

a. Provide various USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24,000 scales) or GIS equivalent with clear cut unit boundaries clearly identified.

b. An Avenza map file will be provided that delineates the treatment perimeter. The contractor must have a smart device capable accepting and displaying Avenza map files.

c. The BLM will flag all cadastral survey monuments and other avoidance areas depicted on the Avenza treatment map.

d. A BLM Representative (COR and/or PI) will be available for technical guidance and when inspection is requested by the contractor. Regular communications between the BLM representatives and the contractor will alleviate any problems or delays.

e. A list of contacts, including emergency contacts, will be provided at the pre-work meeting.

7.0 SAFETY

7.1 Equipment must meet OSHA standards.

7.2 It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure for the safety of employees and general public during treatment. The treatment area will remain open to public access and, as such, the contractor shall furnish roadside warning signs to be placed at treatment area access points. Signs shall be high visibility, with minimum dimensions of 3-feet by 3-feet and shall warn of flying debris.

a. Should public safety become a concern, the contractor shall stop all operations and work with the COR/PI to resolve the issue.

7.3 Primarily for purposes of fire prevention and control, the Contractor shall comply with the following provisions:

a. The Contractor shall comply with all the applicable Idaho State Fire Prevention Laws, Rules, Regulations, and Standards.

b. All equipment will have the following:

i. A serviceable chemical “ABC” fire extinguisher of at least 10-pounds minimum capacity.

Such fire extinguisher shall be filled and in operating condition.

ii. A shovel in good condition with not less than a three (3) foot handle and a blade not less than seven and three-quarters (7 3/4) inches wide.

c. The CO may require additional fire tools and fire equipment as the fire danger warrants. This may require the contractor to supply a mechanized fire suppression apparatus (i.e., UTV with water tank and gas or electric pump) that will be always manned during times of high fire danger.

7.4 All diesel and/or gasoline operated engines will be equipped with spark arresters.

7.5 Remove all concentrations of wood dust and debris from equipment daily.

7.6 If a fire is started or discovered, work crews will immediately notify Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center

(208) 524-7600. Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan will be followed.

7.7 Fuel Storage: Storage of flammables and combustibles may occur on site. Storage of flammable and combustibles shall follow State and Federal Regulations.

a. Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5-gallons or less, except that this shall not apply to those flammable liquid materials which are highly viscid (extremely hard to pour), which may be used and handled in original shipping containers. For quantities of one gallon or less, the original container may be used, for storage, use and handling of flammable liquids.

b. Safety can shall mean an approved container, of not more than 5-gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.

c. Storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.

d. At least one portable 10-pound (minimum) “ABC” fire extinguisher shall be located not less than 25-feet, nor more than 75-feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.

e. Areas in which flammable liquids are transferred at one time, in quantities greater than 5-gallons from one tank or container to another tank or container, shall be separated from other operations by 25-feet distance or by construction having a fire resistance of at least 1-hour. Drainage or other means shall be provided to control spills. Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation shall be provided to maintain the concentration of flammable vapor at or below ten percent of the lower flammable limit.