B08_Attachment_1_Performance_Work_Statement.docx

PROJECT TITLE:

Buffalo-Skedaddle Legacy Phase 1 Juniper Reduction

Contents

3.0 Overall Objective(s)…………………………………………………………………5

6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services…………………………...8

1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Buffalo-Skedaddle Legacy Phase 1 Juniper Reduction project would implement restoration treatments to improve habitat for sagebrush-steppe species such as the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and to reduce hazardous fuels on the landscape through the removal of juniper on 4,767 acres of public land administered by the Eagle Lake Field Office (ELFO) in Lassen County, California. The project areas are located within the Phase 1 Juniper Removal Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-N050-2014-19-EA) analysis area and site-specific analysis and surveys have been completed. Additionally, the project areas are located within the Buffalo-Skedaddle GRSG Population Management Unit (PMU) in areas designated as either Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) or General Habitat Management Areas (GHMA) for GRSG as identified in the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (DOI BLM, 2015).

The purpose of this project is to restore the sagebrush-steppe landscape and improve habitat for the GRSG. Through the removal of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) that have been encroaching across the landscape, this project aims to reduce perch sites for predators of the GRSG as well as altering the vegetation structure to minimize the impact and severity of wildfires.

2.0 General Scope of Work

Services include 1) the cutting of western juniper of all sizes, with the exception of Old Growth (Exhibit 2), with chainsaws on a total of 4,767 acres spread across multiple unit locations within the Buffalo-Skedaddle PMU and Eagle Lake Field Office. Subsequent treatment methods with the cut junipers include 2) cutting, lopping, and scattering slash in areas of low to moderate-density canopy cover, or 3) cutting, lopping, and piling slash in areas of high-density canopy cover.

The Contractor shall accomplish the cutting, lopping, and the scattering and/or piling of all western juniper, both live and dead, with no set limit on tree height or diameter, EXCEPT for Old Growth and trees exhibiting signs of wildlife usage, within the identified treatment locations totaling 4,767 acres spread across the Eagle Lake Field Office.

Place of Performance:

The services under this contract will be performed at eight separate locations throughout Lassen County, California. The treatment areas are all located northeast of Susanville, California, on public lands administered by the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office (see attached maps). The eight project areas are located within Sections (or parts of Sections) of the following Township (T) and Range (R) identifiers, based off the Mount Diablo meridian:

Rodeo Flat:

T35N R17E Sections 14, 22, 23, and 24

South Grasshopper:

T34N R12E Sections 4 and 9

Spanish Springs:

T33N R14E Sections 1, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, and 23.

T33N R15E Sections 7 and 18 T34N R14E Sections 27 and 34

Shinn Dawn:

T33N R16E Sections 14, 23, and 24

W. Ravendale Unit 2:

T33N R14E Sections 7, 8, 17, and 18

Middle Creek Unit 3:

T33N R13E Sections 19, 30, 31, and 32

Black Mountain:

T32N R13E Sections 13 and 23

Tunnison:

T30N R13E Sections 2, 3, and 4 T31N R13E Sections 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, and 35

Driving Directions to Project Areas

Rodeo Flat Project Location - From Susanville, California, head north on US Highway 395 for approximately 51.5 miles to Ravendale, CA. Turn right onto School House Road and continue straight, road will turn into County Road 502 / Mail Route Road. Continue on CR 502 for about 10 miles, then keep straight onto Marr Road and continue for about 7 miles. Make a slight right onto Buckhorn Road and continue for about 6 miles. Units will be along the north side of the road.

South Grasshopper Project Area - From Susanville, California, head north on CA Highway 139 for approximately 33 miles. Turn right onto South Grasshopper Road and continue for about 8 miles. Units will be along South Grasshopper Road and across the road from Dry Valley Cemetery.

Spanish Springs Project Area – From Susanville, California, head north on US Highway 395 for approximately 45 miles. Turn left onto Horse Lake Road and continue in a southwest direction for approximately 1 mile. Units will be located off of the east side the road.

Shinn Dawn Project Area – From Susanville, California, head north on US Highway 395 for approximately 39 miles. Turn right onto Ramhorn Road and continue for 10 miles. Unit will be along the east side of the road.

W. Ravendale Unit 2 Project Location - From Susanville, California, head north on CA Highway 139 for approximately 13 miles. Turn right onto Horse Lake Road and continue for 12.5 miles. Keep right to stay on Horse Lake Road and continue for about 7 miles. Turn left onto North Horse Mountain Road and continue for about 3.5 miles. Turn right onto unnamed road which will take you through the middle of the unit. Able to access from US Highway 395 and Horse Lake Road as well.

Middle Creek Unit 3 Project Area – From Susanville, California, head north on CA Highway 139 for approximately 13 miles. Turn right onto Horse Lake Road and continue for 9.5 miles. Turn left on Woodranch Road and continue for about 6 miles.

Black Mountain Project Area – From Susanville, California, head north on CA Highway 139 for approximately 13 miles. Turn right onto Horse Lake Road and continue for 10.5 miles. Units will be off the road to the east. Able to access from US Highway 395 and Horse Lake Road as well.

Tunnison Project Area – From Susanville, California, turn left onto Johnstonville Road / County Road A27 (across Main Street from the Walmart entrance). Take immediate right to stay on Johnstonville Road and continue for 0.3 miles. Turn left at stop sign to stay on Johnstonville Road. Continue on Johnstonville Road / A27 for 2.2 miles where road becomes Center Road (Stay straight, do not take right turn for Johnstonville Road / A27). Continue on Center Road for 7.8 miles and turn left onto Belfast Road. Stay on Belfast Road / Road 20632 for about 7.3 miles. Units will be off the road to the west.

Highway 139 to Rice Canyon Road can get you closer access to the Tunnison West units

Access roads, trails, and parking areas are identified on units or area maps for each project area.

Period of Performance:

The base-year period of performance shall be for one Base Year and three additional option years. The Period of Performance reads as follows:

Base Year:

Rodeo Flat, South Grasshopper, Spanish Springs, Shinn Dawn – 1,495 acres Active Period of Performance: Time of Award through February 28th, 2026

Option Year I:

Spanish Springs, West Ravendale, Middle Creek, Black Mountain - 1,079 acres Active Period of Performance: July 1, 2026, through February 28th, 2027

Option Year II:

Tunnison East – 1,188 acres Active Period of Performance: July 1, 2027, through February 29th, 2028

Option Year III:

Tunnison West – 1,005 acres Active Period of Performance: July 1, 2028, through February 28th, 2029

3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is to improve habitat for wildlife species, improve forest and rangeland health, and alter the fuel loading and canopy structure back to historical conditions through the removal of western juniper on 4,767 acres of public lands managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office in Lassen County, California.

4.0 Specific Tasks

Tasks involve the cutting, lopping, and either scattering or piling of juniper on a total of 4,767 acres spread across eight separate locations of various unit sizes throughout the Buffalo-Skedaddle PMU and Eagle Lake Field Office. Western Juniper of all heights and diameters, with the exception of old growth, would be hand cut, lopped, scattered and/or piled.

Lopping and scattering of slash will be used in areas of low to moderate density juniper when slash is able to be lopped to within 2 feet of the ground and the scattering of slash will not create a continuous fuel arrangement of more than 5 acres per any given 50 acres across the landscape. Additionally, lopping and scattering of slash will be used within identified sensitive areas with additional stipulations (PWS 7.0 - Preservation of Historical and Archeological Data, Page 12). Lopping and piling of slash to create burn piles will be used in areas of high-density juniper where cut material would need to be moved more than 50 feet to adequately scatter (ex: one isolated juniper vs multiple in proximity).

Task 1:

For all juniper cutting treatment services, the following prescriptions apply:

· All junipers regardless of size must be felled, with the exception of old growth junipers, trees with cavity nests and/or stick nests, trees showing evidence of active wildlife use (including sticks from woodrat nests/middens), or trees with fencing wire attached (all examples of leave trees).

· The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring their crew can identify old growth juniper to ensure it is not accidentally cut or damaged (see Exhibit 2: Old Growth Identification). If old growth juniper is found to be cut by mistake or willfully cut by the Contractor, the Contractor will be subject to liquidated damages.

· The BLM will reserve the right to have trees cut that were deemed to not be old growth that are found during the inspection phase. These trees will be mapped and/or marked with flagging for easy identification. This information will be relayed to the crew at the earliest convenience.

· Designated trees within the project boundary shall be completely severed from the stump(s). No live or dead limbs shall be left on the stump of cut trees. Ensure all live shoots are removed, particularly from remaining stump, to prevent regrowth.

· Stump height shall not exceed 6 inches measured on the uphill side. Stump height may be 4 inches over the top of rocks or other obstacles that would damage the cutting surface of the machine or tool doing the cutting.

· Central tree bole, after felling, shall lay flat on the ground, be completely limbed, and its length shall not exceed 8 feet.

· Trees greater than 8 feet in height and/or 4 inches DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) will be limbed to approximately 30 inches above ground prior to felling.

· Trees shall be directionally felled to avoid damaging or interfering with any cultural feature.

· Trees shall be directionally felled to avoid damaging any wildlife trails, burrows, or ground nests.

· Trees shall be directionally felled to avoid damaging or interfering with any facility, such as range improvements (troughs, spring boxes, guzzlers), fences, access routes, roads, and established trails. Any damage to fences resulting from this project shall be fixed by the Contractor, at the Contractor’s expense, on the same day that the damage occurred.

· Leave trees shall not be cut or damaged. Severed trees and/or slash lodged in or covering a leave tree shall be dislodged or removed.

· Trees in fence lines need to be cut unless the fence is attached to them.

· Known leave trees within a unit for wildlife, cultural, and other resources are marked with red and black striped (or other specifically indicated) flagging. DO NOT CUT

Task 2:

For the lopping and scattering treatment services, to be used when cut material can be lopped down to a height of no greater than 2 feet above ground level and able to be scattered or isolated enough to avoid creating a continuous arrangement of fuel over 5 acres of any given 50 acres across the landscape. the following prescriptions apply:

· Slash from felled junipers will be lopped to within 2 feet from the ground at all points.

· All top limbs and all limbs that extend above 2 feet from the ground must be limbed flush to the bole of the cut trees.

· Slash shall be moved at least 2 feet away from the drip line of any conifer leave tree.

· Slash will not be left on top of any sagebrush or other brush species.

· Slash will not be left on top of or next to any identified cultural features, whether inside or outside of identified sensitive area boundaries.

· Slash will not be left on top of any wildlife trails, burrows, or ground nests.

· Slash will be scattered a minimum of 20 feet from meadow, wetland, or riparian area zone edges.

· Slash will not be scattered within ephemeral drainages (drainages that flow with water in direct response to a precipitation event).

· Slash will be scattered a minimum of 20 feet away from any range facility including troughs, spring boxes, fences, and guzzlers.

· All slash shall be moved at least 10 feet back from the edge of all roadways and property boundaries between government and private land daily, before the crew leaves the project area.

· All trails, whether recreational, wildlife, or livestock, within and adjacent to the project area shall be kept free of slash.

Task 3:

For the lopping and piling treatment services, to be used if scattering the slash created from cut junipers results in a contiguous fuel arrangement of over 5 acres of any given 50 acres, the following prescriptions apply:

· Piles shall be a minimum of 6 feet wide by six 6 feet tall and may be as large as 10 feet wide by 6 feet tall.

· Burn piles will be constructed and trimmed of any material that protrudes beyond 2 feet from the outermost compacted edge of the burn pile and its footprint (see Exhibit 3: Piling).

· Burn piles will be compact, free of interior open spaces, free of dirt and/or other non-combustibles.

· At least 90% of the limbs from all felled juniper within the designated cut and pile acres will be piled.

· Burn piles will be placed a minimum of 6 feet from leave trees, powerline drip lines, fence lines, range facilities, trails, roadways, and unit boundaries.

· Burn piles should be built in areas void or of minimal vegetation, within reasonable effort.

· Burn piles will not be built within the boundaries of sensitive areas identified on the map provided.

· Burn piles will not be built on top of any wildlife trails, burrows, or ground nests.

· Burn piles will not be built within 20 feet from meadow, wetland, or riparian area zone edges.

· Burn piles will not be built within ephemeral drainages (drainages that flow with water in direct response to a precipitation event).

· Burn piles will not be built within 20 feet of any range facility including troughs, spring boxes, fences, and guzzlers.

· All roads and trails designated on the project map(s) shall be kept free of slash and piled material.

5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

The Contractor shall accomplish cutting, lopping, and scattering or piling of western juniper on a total of 4,767 acres, with 1495 acres identified as the Base Year, 1079 acres identified as Option Year I, 1188 acres identified as Option Year II, and 1005 acres identified as Option Year III.

All work to be performed under this contract is located at the eight separate locations listed above in central Lassen County, California on public lands managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office. There is no documentation or permits that need to be acquired by the Contractor.

The work is to be performed over a base year period of performance and up to three additional option years. Active yearly periods of performance begin on July 1st and conclude on the last day of February, based upon local restrictions in place for wildlife. The Contractor will adhere to the seasonal timing restrictions for GRSG, as well as any fire danger restrictions that are put into effect seasonally.

6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government-furnished.

Materials:

The Contractor shall furnish all materials necessary to meet the requirement of this contract except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services.

Equipment:

The Contractor shall furnish equipment necessary to meet the requirement of this contract except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services.

Services: N/A

Facilities: N/A

Utilities: N/A

Applicable Publications (Current Editions): N/A

7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Travel:

Vehicle use associated with this project is restricted to existing roads. No motorized vehicles (including ATV or UTV) are permitted off designated roads or two tracks. Designated roads are identified on access maps (see Exhibit 4: Maps). Roads or two tracks not identified on maps are not approved for motorized vehicle use without prior written approval by the COR.

The entirety of the Tunnison East and Tunnison West project units is located within a Wilderness Study Area (WSA). The use of motorized equipment including vehicles and UTVs are Prohibited. The only allowed motorized piece of equipment within the Tunnison WSA boundary are chainsaws, classified as the minimum tool needed to accomplish objectives.

Stay on designated routes and do not cross private lands unless the BLM has permission from the landowner(s). Respect private property boundaries. Do not access unit through private property unless approved by CO or COR. Access to some treatment areas will require passing through private property with locked gates. Communication with the Technical Point of Contact (POC) is required to allow for coordination with landowners to provide access to these areas.

Access to all treatment unit areas can be difficult as the roads are not maintained and in varying states of conditions. Portions of the units can be accessed via truck and crew van; however, other portions of the units will likely only be accessible via UTV due to road conditions (i.e. muddy, reduced traction, rutted, or overgrown with vegetation). Dirt roads across much of the Eagle Lake Field Office become impassable during the winter months due to weather and poor road conditions.

Regular Work Hours:

The Contractor will coordinate their hours of operation with the BLM, but the Contractor is not restricted to operating during regular BLM office hours. Daily chainsaw work may not begin until 30 minutes after sunrise and must end 30 minutes after sunset on any given working day. Other hours of operation restrictions may be implemented during high fire danger or during previously scheduled events. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

Wildlife Resources:

The Contractor shall comply with the seasonal habitat restrictions outlined in Table 2-2 of the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (DOI BLM, 2015) and Table 2-2.1 of the Phase 1 Juniper Removal Habitat Restoration and Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-N050-2014-19-EA). Seasonal restrictions will be applied during the periods below to manage surface-disturbing activities that are disruptive to GRSG and other wildlife species during seasonal life-cycle periods:

1. NO work may be completed outside of the period of performance of any given year of project work. All operations would occur between July 1st and the last day of February. No work under this contract is permitted outside of the above listed date/time range, unless authorized by the COR.

2. NO cutting within 100 meters (328 feet) of riparian areas (springs, meadows, and wetlands) from July 1st through July 31st due to wildlife. All cutting within this 100-meter riparian buffer will occur after July 31st.

The presence of BLM Threatened and Endangered Species, Sensitive Species, raptors, or nests within the project area will be reported to the wildlife biologist, via the Technical Point of Contact (POC). Project activities in the area would cease until an evaluation occurs, and any buffer zones and/or seasonal restrictions are implemented if necessary.

Other evidence of wildlife habitat and usage may still be present year-round. Avoid felling trees and scattering slash on top of wildlife trails, burrows, ground nests or other sites of wildlife or livestock usage. Directionally fell trees away from range improvements, including troughs, spring boxes, fences, and guzzlers, and scatter or pile slash a minimum of 20 feet away from these improvements.

Preservation of Historical and Archeological Data:

The Historic and Archeological Data Preservation Act of 1974, provides for the preservation of historical and archeological data that might otherwise be lost as the result of alterations to the terrain caused by a federal or federally licensed activity or program. If, in connection with operations under this contract, the Contractor, subcontractors, or the employees of any of them, discovers, encounters or becomes aware of any possible historical or archeological data, objects or sites of cultural value on the project area, such as historical ruins, graves or grave markers, fossils, or artifacts, the Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity of the cultural value and shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing, giving the location and nature of the findings. No objects of cultural resource value may be removed. Where appropriate by reason of discovery, the Contracting Officer may order delays in the time of performance and/or changes in the work. If such delays and/or changes are ordered, the time of performance and contract price shall be adjusted in accordance with the Changes clause.

The Contractor will be responsible for protecting the cultural resources within the affected area from damage. In addition, the contractor will be liable for all damage to the identified cultural resources caused by their actions or the actions of their agents or representatives. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer/Contracting Officer Representativeif any damage occurs to any cultural resource and immediately suspend work in the area in which damage has occurred until authorized to proceed.

Known sensitive areas within the project boundaries, if any, have been identified and these locations will be made known to the Contractor. In the absence of visible flagging, the Contractor is to reference a provided georeferenced PDF (Avenza) map for these sensitive areas.

The following stipulations apply when working within and around sensitive sites:

Juniper trees within sensitive sites are to be cut in a manner to prevent any disturbance of cultural resources. Directional felling will be used to fall trees away from any identified cultural features. Any tree that will damage or disturb an identified cultural feature will not be cut. Treatment methods within the entirety of these sensitive areas will consist of lopping and scattering slash only, no piling of material is allowed within site boundaries. Avoid scattering slash on top of or adjacent to any known cultural feature identified through handouts or on-site monitors, if deemed necessary. If scattered slash exceeds two feet above ground depth or the scattering of slash creates a continuous fuel arrangement across the identified sensitive area, the slash will be hand carried, elevated above the surface (no dragging), and scattered or piled outside of the sensitive area boundary.

Sensitive resource areas will be flagged and identified on maps provided at the pre-work meeting. However, if this protection measure proves inadequate, if other such areas are discovered, or if new concerns are identified, the BLM may either cancel or unilaterally modify this contract to provide additional protection regardless of when such facts become known. Discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party and operations will be suspended at that location until the significance or potential significance of the area is determined.

Prevention of Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants Machinery working in the project area is required to be clean and free of soils, seeds, and plant parts before being moved into the project area and upon completion of the project.

Power wash all vehicles and equipment involved in land and resource management activities prior to entering the project area to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive plant species.

Improvements The Contractor shall comply with the rules and regulations governing the operation of premises which are occupied and shall perform the contract in a manner that will not interrupt or interfere with the conduct of BLM business.

Before any camp, quarry, borrow pit, storage, or service area other than shown on drawings is opened or operated on National Forest land or lands administered by the BLM, written permission shall be obtained through the BLM or Forest Service. A camp is interpreted to include the campsite or trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for Contractor. Such permission, if granted, shall be without charge to Contractor. Contractor must remove and dispose of all said improvements when no longer needed. Contractor must also clean up refuse and eliminate subsidized food sources for GRSG predators.

Such temporary infrastructure must be located in areas that lack invasive plant populations.

Protection of Improvements The Contractor shall protect roads and other improvements (such as fences, roads, trails, telephone lines, and ditches) whether designated on the project area map or not.

Protection of Improvements Not Owned by the BLM The Contractor will notify all utility companies, or other parties affected, and plans for all necessary adjustments of the public utility fixtures, pipelines, and other improvements affected by Contractor’s operations.

When Contractor’s operations are adjacent to properties of railway, telegraph, telephone, or power companies, or other property, work shall not begin until all necessary arrangements to prevent damage have been made by the Contractor.

The Contractor will cooperate with all owners of above-mentioned property. In the event of interruption because of accidental breakage, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and cooperate with that authority in the restoration of service.

Protection of Land Survey Monuments The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments and bearing trees against any damage during Contractor’s operations.

Public contact:

Contractor personnel may encounter adjacent landowners or members of the public during the performance of their work.

Contractor personnel will present a professional appearance and be able to provide appropriate identification, including display of proper identification by each employee.

All Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall comply with all Federal and State laws relative to citizenship.

Contractor personnel shall inform any trespassers along the right of way of hazards and, as necessary and appropriate, ask trespassers to leave fenced off or restricted areas. If Contractor personnel may encounter emergency personnel, policemen, or firemen along the right of way, the Contractor personnel shall notify the On-Site Foreman. If Contractor personnel encounter the news media, they should refer all questions to the On-Site Foreman, who shall keep the COR informed of all news media contacts.

Government Observations:

Government personnel other than COR may from time-to-time monitor, observe, photograph, or otherwise record Contract operations. However, these personnel will not interfere with Contractor performance unless operations have the potential to disturb any resource value of significance.

If deemed necessary by the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, a Resource Monitor may be present on-site throughout contractor operations to ensure any resource values located within project boundaries are not disturbed, that contract specifications are being met, and to meet monitoring requirements within sensitive sites.

Security:

The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government property provided for Contractor use or under their control, including securing all facilities the Contractor may access after normal business hours.

Contractor shall coordinate work schedule with Contracting Officers Representative to minimize public and employee ingress/egress to the building.

Safety:

The Contractor shall not require, or allow any employee, engaged in the performance of this contract to work under conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to their health or safety, as determined under safety and health standards promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under Section 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327 et seq.) as amended and other Federal, State and applicable local government safety standards.

Department of Labor Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 and other Federal, State and local government safety standards will apply in its entirety to the Contractor.

Examples of applicable safety standards are OSHA 29 CFR 1910, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, California Title 19, "Public Safety", California Title 8, "General Industry Safety Orders", and 41 CFR, Subpart B, "Public Contracts, General Safety and Health Standards."

The contractor shall also use the “BLM SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS” (The Yellow Book) for reference.

Should the contractor fail to comply with any of these standards and regulations, the contractor shall be found to have defaulted on the terms of the contract.

Contingency Plan:

Sudden or unusual events could result in a negative impact to the delivery / performance of these requirements.

As an aid to properly plan for such events, the Contractor shall prepare and submit for approval a Contingency Plan for each Place of Performance for these requirements.

The Contractor will outline in detail the method(s) that the Contractor shall use in meeting contract requirements in the following circumstances:

· medical emergency response

· wildfire mitigation and wildfire response

· environmental conditions that impact the Contractor's ability to perform

· hazardous materials spill response and notification plan

· vehicle and equipment accidents which impacts the Contractor's ability to perform

· other unforeseen circumstances

In all cases, the Contractor will assume that government cannot provide supplemental forces and continues to need the same or additional performance under the contract, which the Contractor must meet.

Emergency Response:

Response to emergency service calls outside of the normal business hours shall not exceed four (4) hours regardless of the time during the day or night, weekends or holidays.

Response to emergency service during normal business hours shall not exceed two (2) hours.

Response is defined as having all personnel and equipment required to correct an emergency at the site of the emergency or at a pre-approved staging area, ready, willing, and able to perform the emergency work. The Contractor will provide a draft emergency response plan prior to contract start date.

Emergency Services:

On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal business hours described above. The Contractor's responsibilities for emergency support will be in accordance with the contingency plan.

Sanitation and Servicing The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent pollution of air, soil, and water by Contractor’s operations. If facilities for employees are established within the project area, they shall be operated in a sanitary manner. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on BLM lands where servicing is likely to result in pollution to soil or water. Contractor shall remove from BLM lands all refuse resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment. If the contractor’s operations or servicing of equipment result in pollution to soil or water, Contractor shall conduct cleanup to restore the polluted site to the satisfaction of the BLM.

Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Response:

The Contractor will conform to all Reclamation, Federal, State, and local regulations in the use and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. The Contractor will provide the appropriate response to any emergency involving hazardous materials at any of the facilities covered by this Contract. The Contractor will provide proof/certification of its personnel qualified to work with hazardous materials and wastes to Reclamation. The Contractor will notify Reclamation immediately upon discovering a release of hazardous waste into the environment.

Prevention of Oil Spills If the Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products within the project area, Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil products does not enter any stream or other waters of the United States or any of the individual States. If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, Contractor shall prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. Such plan shall meet applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112) including certification by a registered professional engineer. In addition, oil spills or leaks including spills and leaks from equipment less than the above amounts are to be removed, including contaminated soil and vegetation, from the site and disposed of in accordance with state and federal laws. Equipment parked for a prolong period ten (10) days or more will need oil absorbing cloth or other spill deterrent authorized by the COR to mitigate equipment oil leaks.

8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Physical Condition:

The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR. Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO):

The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA):

Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below):

The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control:

Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

Technical Definitions:

Avoidance Area:

An identified area within the project boundary that contains a value and/or values of significance that are vulnerable to disturbances. These areas will be completely excluded from any treatment services identified above and pedestrian access (vs. Sensitive Area).

Cultural Feature:

A culturally modified or made object that is typically unmovable and has been identified as having historic interest by the archaeologist. Examples of features include structural remains; rock-constructed alignments, rings, cairns, and placements; and dense concentrations of artifacts.

Old-growth Juniper:

Old-growth trees as being 150 years or older. The tree may also develop a combination of the following characteristics:

1. Do not have typical “cone” shape like younger trees. Instead, they have broad, non-symmetric tops that are often rounded or flat-topped.

2. Bark with thick, fibrous, and well-developed vertical furrows.

3. Trunks containing narrow strips of cambium (strip-bark) or missing bark completely.

4. Large trunk diameter relative to tree height.

5. Twisted trunks or branches.

6. Decay and/or hollow areas on main trunk.

7. Dead branches and spike tops.

8. Large horizontal lower limbs.

9. Branches covered with abundant yellow or light green lichen.

10. Leader growth in the upper one-fourth of the tree usually less than (<) one (1) inch.

Sensitive Area:

An identified area within the project boundary that contains a value and/or values of significance that are vulnerable to disturbances. Treatment can still be implemented in these areas, although extreme caution is needed to prevent any disturbance to the values located within these areas. Follow the treatment method identified under 4.0 Specific Tasks for these areas.

Slash:

Woody debris left behind, consisting of branches, limbs, small diameter tree boles, and tops, as a result of logging or mechanical thinning operations.

Technical Exhibits:

EX 1: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)/Performance Requirements Summary EX 2: Old Growth Identification EX 3: Piling EX 4: Maps

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 5

EXHIBIT 1: Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

Task 1: Cutting of western juniper on a total of 4,767 acres, spread across one Base Year and three Option Years

Task 2: Lopping and scattering of cut juniper in low to moderate density juniper, as well as any identified sensitive area boundaries

Task 3: Lopping and piling of cut juniper in high density juniper

All juniper regardless of size must be cut, with the exception of old growth, trees with cavity nests and/or stick nests, or trees with fencing wire attached.

Designated trees within the project boundary shall be completely severed from the stump(s). No live or dead limbs and small shoots shall be left on the stump of cut trees.

Stump height shall not exceed six (6) inches measured on the uphill side, or four (4) inches above rocks or other obstacles lodged by base of the tree.

Central tree bole, after felling, shall lay flat on the ground, be completely limbed, and its length shall not exceed eight (8) feet

Trees greater than 8 feet in height and/or 4 inches DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) will be limbed to approximately 30 inches above ground prior to felling.

Directionally fell trees to avoid damaging any cultural resources, wildlife burrows or ground nests, range improvements, and fences.

Slash shall not create a contiguous fuel arrangement of more than 5 acres per any given 50 acres across the landscape.

All junipers felled and ensuing slash will be lopped to within two (2) feet from the ground.

Slash shall not be left on top of any brush and shall not exceed the height of any surrounding brush.

Slash shall not be left on top of any cultural feature, wildlife burrows or ground nests.

Slash shall not be scattered within 20 feet from meadow, wetland, or riparian area zone edges.

Slash shall not be scattered within ephemeral drainages.

Slash shall not be scattered within 20 feet from any range facility.

All slash shall be moved at least ten (10) feet back from the edge of roads and property boundaries between government and private land daily, before the crew leaves the project area.

Piles are built to a minimum specification of six (6) feet wide by six (6) feet tall, and below the maximum of ten (10) feet wide by six (6) feet tall.

Piles constructed and trimmed of any material that protrudes beyond two (2) feet from the outermost compacted edge of the burn pile and its footprint.

Piles are compact, free of interior open spaces, free of dirt and/or other non-combustibles.

Piles placed a minimum of 6 feet from leave trees, trails, fence lines, powerlines, roadways, and unit boundaries.

Piles shall not be built within any identified sensitive area boundary.

Piles shall not be built within 20 feet from meadow, wetland, or riparian area zone edges.

Piles shall not be built within ephemeral drainages.

Piles shall not be built within 20 feet from any range facility.

The COR and/or Project Inspector (PI) will conduct government inspections. The Contractor (or designated representative) is encouraged to be present to observe inspections. Summary results will be made available on request. Government inspections will consist of:

a. Compliance Inspections: Visual compliance inspections of juniper treatment work tasks will be made on a periodic basis across the project area. Such inspections are not final and do not constitute acceptance by the Government.

b. Final Inspections:

Final inspections for payment will be made on the completed project unit unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Contractor shall request a final inspection. Inspection requests shall be verbal and documented within the diary or in writing and pursuant to FAR 52.246-4, shall include results of Contractor’s quality inspections. Inspections will be completed within ten (10) calendar days after the notice is received for each item. If a formal request for an item inspection is within the ten (10) working days since the previous request, the time will not start until the time for the previous inspection expires.

The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring his or her crew can identify old growth juniper to ensure it is not accidentally cut or damaged.

If old growth juniper is found to be cut by mistake or willfully cut by the Contractor, the Contractor will be subject to liquidated damages.

The contractor will be made aware of the deficiencies and documented in the COR’s diary. Deficiencies will need to be corrected within 48 hours unless the BLM representative states otherwise.

Incentives/Disincentives

a. Contractor will be required to rework the area at no additional cost to the Government.

b. The Government will charge to the Contractor any additional cost of subsequent inspection of reworked area.

c. Positive or negative Performance rating at the end of the contract (this will have definitive impacts on the contractor receiving additional contracts with the BLM in the future).

Disputed Inspection When formal inspection by the Government is accomplished through visual inspection, the Contractor may request re-inspection without rework if the results are unacceptable. Re-inspection must be requested in writing within 48 hours after receiving written notice of the inspection results. Re-inspection will be accomplished within ten days after receipt of the contractor's written request. The same inspection procedures will be used. The inspection pattern will be shifted so that new samples will not overlap previously inspected samples.

If re-inspection results are still unacceptable without re-work, the Contractor shall pay the actual costs incurred by the Government for the re-inspection. Actual costs will be determined by the use of detailed logs indicating time spent, transportation utilized, etc.

EXHIBIT 2: Old Growth Identification Old Growth Juniper Individual old growth trees in restoration areas would be identified using morphological characteristics (Miller et al. 2005) and preserved for their many social and ecological values. These characteristics would include:

· Rounded or unsymmetrical tops that may be sparse and contain dead limbs.

· Deeply furrowed, fibrous bark on the trunk that is reddish in color.

· Branches near the base of the tree that may be very large and covered with fruticose lichens.

· Limited terminal leader growth on branches in the upper 25 percent of the canopy.

EXHIBIT 3: Piling

1) Pile all limbs with a wide base, stacking the limbs on top of one another in a perfect circle.

*think of a scoop of ice cream, flat on the bottom and rounded at the top, taller than it is wide*

2) Once all the limbs are stacked, go around the pile and cut all of the limbs that are sticking out so the pile is taller than it is wide. Once you go around trimming the pile, restack the excess material that you just cut putting it back onto the burn pile.

3) This step is the most important part to get the pile to settle and compact. Take the chainsaw and bore into the middle of the pile to cut the center limbs making the pile fall onto itself. (If this step is forgotten the pile is likely to tip over in wind or have a lot of air gaps causing the pile to be very difficult to burn later on.) *** The more compact the pile is the cleaner the pile will consume***

4) The end product will be a burn pile that has no limbs sticking out and that once it’s time to burn, the pile will collapse onto itself burning all green material down to bare mineral soil. If built correctly there will be very minimal work stacking the material that didn’t burn during ignitions.

EXHIBIT 4: Maps

Exhibit 3A – Buffalo-Skedaddle Phase 1 Vicinity Map

Exhibit 3B – Rodeo Flat Units Map – Base Year

Exhibit 3C – South Grasshopper Units Map – Base Year

Exhibit 3D – Spanish Springs Unit Map – Base Year

Exhibit 3E – Shinn Dawn Unit Map – Base Year

Exhibit 3F – Spanish Springs Units Map – Option Year 1

Exhibit 3G – West Ravendale Unit 2 Map – Option Year 1

Exhibit 3H – Middle Creek Unit 3 Map – Option Year 1

Exhibit 3I – Black Mountain Units Map – Option Year 1

Exhibit 3J – Tunnison East WSA Units Map – Option Year 2

Exhibit 3K – Tunnison West WSA Unit Map – Option Year 3 image1.jpeg image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg image5.jpeg image6.jpeg image7.jpeg image8.jpeg image9.jpeg image10.jpeg image11.jpeg image12.jpeg image13.jpeg image14.jpeg image15.jpeg image16.jpeg image17.jpeg image18.jpeg image19.jpeg