B08_Attachment_1_-_Statement_of_Work.pdf

C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Remove Debris from Aqueducts

Parkwide - 2025

Statement of Work

Perform debris, woody plant and vegetation clearance.

PART 1: GENERAL

1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

1. The C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH) is home to multiple historic aqueducts used to facilitate maritime transportation activities in the 19th and early 20th century. These aqueducts are historical structures protected by statute and agency policy, and centerpieces of the park’s historical and aesthetic presentation to the American public.

2. The Park’s aqueducts are plagued with unwanted climbing vegetation growth. Climbing vegetation hangs to Aqueduct stone by first softening the stone structures and then attaching themselves to the softened stone. As it grows larger, the attaching limbs also grow bigger. Combined with the produced acids this growth can weaken and create openings in the mortar and stone. Once the root is into the joint, it can crack the stone or brick as the root expands allowing water to get in, ultimately wearing the stone away.

3. Requirement: The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, barricades, signs, traffic control measures/coordination and equipment incidental to and necessary for wood debris removal, woody plant removal and vegetation management in and around each aqueduct.

4. To prevent premature wear, this project covers debris removal, woody plant and vegetation removal of the five (5) aqueducts identified. The aqueducts include:

a. Tonoloway Creek Aqueduct, located at milepost (MP) 122.92 in Hancock, MD, was constructed between 1835 and 1839 from limestones with a single barrel design. Tonoloway Aqueduct spans 62 feet across Tonoloway Creek.

b. Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 136.56 in Little Orleans, MD, was constructed between 1837 and 1840 primarily of limestone with a single barrel design. Sideling Hill Aqueduct spans 61 feet across Sideling Hill Creek.

c. Fifteenmile Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 140, spans 110 feet across and is fed from the 19.9-mile Fifteenmile Creek. With it’s single-barrel design, the Aqueduct does not jam easily. Currently, logs are accumulating upstream from fallen trees and restrictions of the upstream bridge.

d. Town Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 162.34 in Oldtown, MD, was constructed between 1837 and 1850 primarily of “bastard limestone” with a single barrel design. Town Creek Aqueduct spans 89 feet across Town Creek.

e. Evitts Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 180.66 in Cumberland, MD, was constructed between 1839 and 1841 primarily of “fossiliferous Tonoloway limestone”. Evitts Creek Aqueduct, as the smallest aqueduct on the canal, its single arch only spans 70 feet across Evitts Creek. The Evitts Creek Aqueduct has a single barrel and is the last of twelve such “works of art” on the canal.

5. Historically, there are additional six (6) aqueducts in the park that flood yearly. The aqueducts are Optional Items, subject to the availability of funds. The optional items for the following aqueducts include:

a. Seneca Creek Aqueduct, located at milepost (MP) 22.81 in the town of Poolesville, MD, was constructed in 1832 from locally quarried gleaming red sandstone with a double barrel and a bridged gap design. Seneca Aqueduct spans 112 feet across the Seneca Creek. Seneca Creek is a 5.8-mile stream entirely in Montgomery County, Maryland. It includes two main tributaries, Great Seneca Creek (21.5 miles long) and Little Seneca Creek (14 miles long). The two tributaries merge near Darnestown, then flow to the Potomac under Seneca Aqueduct on the C&O Canal and into the Potomac River. The surrounding topography, with steep slopes, produces rapid runoff and frequent flooding during heavy precipitation events.

b. Monocacy Aqueduct, located at (MP) 42.20 in the town of Dickerson, MD, was constructed between 1825 and 1833 largely of granite with a septuple barrel design. The Monocacy Aqueduct spans 516 feet across the Monocacy River. Together with its fourteen major tributaries the Monocacy River forms a 970-square mile watershed covering parts of Frederick, Carroll and Montgomery Counties in Maryland. Compounding debris accumulation at this site is non-federal logjam clearance of other two bridges up-stream, which sets debris masses in motion that invariably accumulate against the five inner barrels of the aqueduct and as a result obstructs waterflow.

c. Catoctin Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 51.53 in the town of Jefferson, MD, was constructed between 1832 and 1834 from granite with a triple barrel design. Catoctin Aqueduct spans 92 feet across the Catoctin Creek. Catoctin Creek is a small secondary stream that flows through northeastern Loudoun County and empties into the Potomac near the Route 15 bridge link between Virginia and Point of Rocks, Maryland. Although small, large debris tends to flow downstream to the aqueduct accumulating along the two outer barrels.

d. Antietam Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 69.40 in the town of Sharpsburg, MD, was constructed between 1832 and 1835 from limestone with a triple barrel design. Catoctin Aqueduct spans 92 feet across the Catoctin Creek. This aqueduct has a propensity to accumulate obstructing debris along the two outer barrels due to the shallow depths extending along the banks. The dam effect forces hydrological flow to be diverted through the remaining center barrel. During highwater events, this has the potential to greatly increase the force of flow through the center barrel much like a pressure nozzle on a garden hose. Maryland is currently in Phase II (2018 - 2025) of the Antietam Creek Watershed Restoration plan.

e. Conococheague Aqueduct, located at (MP) 99.80 in the town of Williamsport, MD, was constructed between 1833 and 1835 of limestone with a triple barrel design. The Conococheague Aqueduct spans 196 feet across the Conococheague Creek. The 81 miles of shallow muddy bottom in Conococheague Creek results in accumulation that blocks vessel access to the Potomac River, adversely impacting freshwater maritime traffic in proximity upstream. The overall condition of the structure is a concern, especially given the tendency for invasive vegetation to develop in local masonry seams and joints.

f. Licking Creek Aqueduct, located at (MP) 116.04 in Big Poole, MD, was constructed between 1836 and 1838 of limestone with a single barrel design. Licking Creek Aqueduct spans 96 feet across the Licking Creek. Licking Creek is a 56.6-miles of tributary of the Potomac River in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States. Licking Creek is born on the west slope of the Tuscarora Mountain then flows through Fulton and Franklin Counties in Pennsylvania into Washington County Maryland to join the Potomac River downstream from Hancock, MD. Licking Creek’s single arch is historically resistant to major debris and logjams. Partial log jams are beginning to amass.

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK:

1. TASK 1 - Perform woody plant and vegetation clearance on the Aqueduct, Wing Walls and Stone Walls. Base item aqueducts include the Little Tonoloway, Sideling Hill, Fifteen Mile Creek, Town Creek, Evitts Creek. Option item aqueducts include Seneca Creek, Monocacy, Catoctin Creek, Antietam Creek, Conococheague and Licking Creek Aqueduct structures.

a. Utilizing mechanical means and hand tools (i.e., no chemical agents), remove woody plant and other vegetation from the masonry, stonework, seams, crevices, and facades. Includes all on, around, under the structures and four feet of walking clearance around the exterior of the walls and structure.

b. Prune all visibility limiting tree overhang witin thirty (30) feet upstream, downstream and around to allow for preventive maintenance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potomac_River https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States

c. Remediate any ground damage incurred during the performance of operations (e.g. ruts, holes, etc.).

2. TASK 2 - Remove woody debris accumulation at Little Tonoloway, Sideling Hill, Fifteen Mile Creek, Town Creek and Evitts Creek Aqueduct structures:

a. Remove all accumulated woody debris fields, to include submerged fields, to a submerged depth of four (4) feet or the river/stream bed floor (whichever occurs first). Include debris within predetermined distance of the upstream/downstream façade of the structure or to next structure, or within the structure(s) barrels/arches:

(1) Predetermined Distances. Historically these Aqueducts do not accumulate debris consistent so there will be no predetermined distances (Dictated by debris present):

i. Tonoloway Creek

ii. Sideling Hill

iii. Fifteenmile Creek

iv. Town Creek

v. Evitts Creek

(2) Predetermined Distances (Unless debris field exceeds historical estimates, if this happens the debris field will override distances):

i. Seneca Creek: 80 ft

ii. Monocacy: NE 40 yds, SW 40 yds

iii. Catoctin Creek: NW 85 yards, SE 50 yds

iv. Antietam Creek: NE 20 yds, SW 45 yds

v. Conococheague: NE 30 yds, SW 30 yds

vi. Licking Creek: NE 70 yds, NW 70 yds

* No dredging is authorized. Operations should be designed to minimize river/streambed disturbance. If soil mixes with woody debris, it is not considered the river/stream bed and should be treated as such for the removal process.

* No chemicals are authorized for use on the structures. Pesticides, no matter if aquatic- safe or not, can impact the integrity of the stone.

b. Remove all independent/standalone woody debris over three (3) inches in diameter, to include submerged debris, to a submerged depth of four (4) feet or the river/stream bed floor (whichever occurs first). Include debris within the predetermined distance of the upstream/downstream façade of the structure, or within the structure(s) barrels/arches.

c. Remove all fine woody debris within the predetermined distances. This includes twigs and woody debris under 3 inches.

d. Remediate any ground damage incurred during the performance of operations (e.g., ruts, holes, etc.).

e. Remove all wood and debris in accordance with the technical requirements.

CAVEAT REGARDING DEBRIS ACCUMULATION: Because the aqueducts are positioned in active watersheds, the conditions are dynamic and constantly changing with the rise and fall of water levels. For estimating quotes, anticipate debris accumulation and possibility for flood accumulation during the solicitation and period of performance.

6. Mandatory Accompanying Submittal(s): No work shall be authorized to commence without submission of these documents:

a. Date Time Group (DTG) for an on-site kick-off meeting.

b. Gantt Chart showing work plan for each Aqueduct Draft Gantt chart with proposal and (finalized chart upon award/ within first thirty calendar days).

(1) All Gantt chart changes must be discussed with the COR.

c. Operational Safety Plan (OSP) (upon award/ before work execution).

(1) Shall include comprehensive traffic control plan for pedestrian and cyclists traffic detailing standard operating procedures that shall be followed during the duration of performance. Must include detailed plans for all aqueducts specifically.

d. Contractor Quality Control Plan (QCP) in accordance with PART 2.4 (upon award/ before work execution).

e. Proof of current active insurance policy (upon award/ before work execution).

(1) If expiring prior to project completion, new insurance must be provided to COR before previous expiration.

f. Arborist ISA and Maryland Tree Expert Certification must be submitted before work starts (upon award/ before work execution).

STATEMENTS CLARIFYING RESPONSIBILITY:

* The contractor’s work obligation is solely contained in with this Statement of Work and correspondence from the CO/COR. The contractor shall use available support tables, documents, and electronic aids, as well as other resources as necessary to locate logjams/ debris, Woody plants and other vegetation in and around the area of responsibility.

* For all tasks the contractor shall take adequate measures to ensure the protection of historic structures on the property (all edifices). The contractor shall perform work while the public use areas of the park remain open to their full and normal uses unless specifically notified in writing that an area will/may be closed. This does not preclude the contractor from securing temporary work zones in accordance with industry best practices and reasonable safety precautions, providing the public thoroughfare is not unreasonably obstructed.

* WEIGHT LIMITS AND LOAD RATINGS: Since the C&O Canal towpath is a historical thoroughfare, it contains many structures such as bridges, waste weirs, culverts, etc. The contractor shall inspect all such structures before crossing them with equipment and vehicles. The contractor shall assess the suitability of each trafficable structure and determine what equipment or vehicles can safely traverse. The contractor is highly encouraged to use bridging and weight dispersion techniques, such as laying timber/steel plates, to facilitate load dispersion when crossing structures. Because weight limits cannot be provided for waste weirs particularly, the contractor shall not leave any vehicle or piece of equipment in a static state on them (maintain motion).

* At no time shall equipment other than personal equipment be stationed on the aqueducts (no vehicles or heavy equipment). Monocacy and Catoctin Aqueducts may be traversed with light vehicles (below F350 type) for the simple purpose of reaching the opposite bank, but vehicles may not be stationed on those structures for work execution.

* GROUND PROTECTION: When appropriate, to prevent damage to soil, vegetation, and surrounding tree root systems, ground protection mats or similar devices are required to be emplaced.

* WORKING IN CONSTRICTED / RESTRICTED SPACES: The area of operations consists of elements of modern and historical infrastructure that may constrict or prevent access of heavy equipment.

It is the solely the responsibility of the contractor to assess the environment and implement methods and means supported by equipment arrays that are suitable to the unique working conditions. The contractor’s methods and means shall not compromise the structural integrity of infrastructure, to include (but not limited

to) paved surfaces, bridges, and retaining walls.

* STAGED / STORED EQUIPMENT: The C&O Canal NHP is not responsible for any property the contractor choses to stage on the park during the execution of this task order. The task order does not require any contractor property to be staged. Contractors storing equipment do so at their own discretion while assuming all risk and liability. Equipment storage/staging shall be coordinated with, and approved by, the COR in writing.

* WORKING WITH OVERHEAD AND UNDERGROUND UTILITIES: The area of operations consists of elements of modern and historical utilities that may constrict or prevent work and access of equipment. It is solely the responsibility of the contractor to contact the appropriate agencies, identify and mark (if necessary) all overhead and underground utilities and implement methods that are suitable to these working conditions. The contractor’s methods and means shall not compromise the structural integrity of utilities infrastructure, to include (but not limited to) poles, conduit, paved surfaces, bridges, and retaining walls.

* TRAFFIC CONTROL, SAFETY, AND PEDESTRIANS: The identified work areas represent major thoroughfares with dense pedestrian and cyclist traffic. Furthermore, the C&O Canal towpath represents a major commuter artery for cyclists in the DC Metropolitan region. The contractor shall be responsible for executing the assigned work in a manner that ensures both sustained trafficability and safety for park users.

a. Signage shall be posted at the nearest point on either side of the work zone.

b. Signage shall communicate to the public that delays of up to ten (10) minutes are to be expected.

The contractor is not authorized to stop traffic on the towpath for more than ten (10) consecutive minutes before allowing multi-directional passage of pedestrians / cyclists.

c. Work along roadways shall include traffic control measures that conform to US Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and CFR 29 requirements, as well as specifications in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). It is the sole responsibility of the contractor to take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of all personnel, especially the visiting public, during the execution of operations. The contractor shall follow all federal, state, municipal, and local requirements for permitting and operating along/in roadways.

1.3 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION(S):

1. The following additional specifications/requirements shall be adhered to for aqueduct clearance operations:

a. All woody debris, biomass, green waste, conglomerated river/stream residue and vegetation from the waterway and Aqueduct Structures shall be removed from the park boundaries.

b. Debris may be consolidated into a staging area for efficient processing providing that the staging area has reasonable active/passive control measures to notify the public of any hazards. Examples include caution tape, cones, and barriers. Furthermore, the staging area must not obstruct the public thoroughfare along the towpath and parking access point. Debris shall not unreasonably obstruct parking capacity.

c. No grubbing is permitted. All stumpage rooted into the watershed embankment shall be left in place and undisturbed, even if partially submerged.

d. No earth moving should occur. Do not remove sand bars or other soil, sediment, sand, or gravel from the watershed.

e. All trees, brush, and debris that are causing severe obstruction to flow and are proposed for removal, shall be removed from the channel.

f. Vehicles using cables, ropes, winches, and similar means to drag trees and brush shall only be used from the top side of the river/stream bank.

g. Special precautions shall be taken so debris, contaminants such as oil and fuels, or undesirable erosion shall not enter the stream channels.

2. The following additional specifications/requirements shall be adhered to for tree removal operations:

a. The ANSI A300 (most current revisions) shall be the performance standard.

b. The ANSI Z133 (most current revision) shall be the safety standard.

c. The contractor shall make every effort to mitigate damage to surrounding trees during the performance of the work. Damage shall be mitigated by the contractor at no additional charge to the government through the reasonable application of arboricultural techniques in accordance with industry standards and best practices. The contractor is not authorized to fell trees not contained within the work specifications. The contractor may remove necessary brush and ground shrubbery around the aqueducts to facilitate safe work performance in accordance with ANSI Z133 standards.

d. The contractor shall perform a cursory inspection for live nesting birds and bats before performing tree removals or pruning. This inspection may be performed from the ground on trees that do not require aerial access for work performance (the use of an aid such as field binoculars is highly encouraged). In instances where an aerial lift or climber is employed, the contractor shall also execute a simple aerial inspection. If a nesting site containing live birds or bats is identified, the contractor shall provide notification to the COR in writing, a general disposition of tree with latitude/longitude and mark with orange tree marking paint. The notification shall be submitted within three (3) business days of the inspection. The contractor shall not perform work on any trees if identified by inspection as avian nesting sites 1 June – 31 July unless otherwise cleared by the COR.

e. Debris removal requirements will be further detailed once awarded.

1.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

1. The period of performance for all tasks is one year (365 days) after award. Optional CLINS will be for the Same work listed in Task 1, but at a later date that is approximately six (6) months after completion of base items Task 1 and Task 2.

1.5 PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY:

1. The Contractor shall assume full liability and responsibility for any loss or damage to Government property caused by his/her operations and shall assume full responsibility for all damages or claims for damage resulting from injury to persons, property or equipment which might result from any service performed under this contract. The Contractor shall be responsible for the repair or replacement of all damaged government property caused by his/her operations. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting

Officer and COR, in writing, within 2 hours of any damage occurring and include details related to the extent.

Details should include any park operations or assets adversely impacted. Furthermore, the Contractor shall take any immediate actions necessary to prevent further damage (e.g., tarp roofs, etc.). The Government, at its sole direction, may elect to repair or replace the damaged property, and deduct such costs from monies due the contractor.

2. Historical structures and other items of cultural significance shall be preserved from damage using appropriate protective measures. In the event of damage, the CO and COR shall be notified immediately by whatever means available to the contractor. The Contractor shall notify the CO and COR in writing within 1 hour of the occurrence.

3. The C&O Canal Towpath is a historical asset and active thoroughfare. The Contractor is required to remediate any damage caused by equipment or operations by restoring the towpath to the condition in which existed before project commencement.

4. The contractor shall be issued any necessary key(s) required to complete the work specifications. In the case of task orders, the contractor may already possess the necessary keys. Regardless, no work may begin on the project until all government furnished keys have been accounted for on an official hand receipt, DI- 105, (to include keys received previously without a hand receipt). Keys require strict chain-of-custody and control, and the contractor shall have adequate internal control measures to ensure accountability of keys. It is strictly forbidden to duplicate government furnished keys, even if duplicates are destroyed at the end of the project. The contractor shall use keys only when it relates to execution of the specified work and shall at no time relinquish key control to persons that are not employed by the contractor.

1.6 PERMITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining and renewing all necessary licenses and permits.

2. The contractor shall be responsible for all damages to persons or property that occur because of the contractor’s negligence and shall take proper safety and health precautions to protect the work, the workers, the public and the property of others.

3. The contractor shall be responsible for all materials delivered and work performed until completion and acceptance of the entire work.

1.7 ON-SITE PERSONNEL:

1. The government has elected to always require the presence of a current ISA Certified Arborist and licensed Maryland Tree Expert on the jobsite. The credentials may be held by different employees if the requirement to have credentialed personnel on the jobsite is met. The contractor shall provide the arborist’s certification ID and Maryland Tree Expert license information for verification before work begins, and any time there is a change in the onsite arborist. Certification and currency will be subject to verification by the government utilizing the ISA and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) databases.

1.8 CONDUCT:

1. The contractor’s employees shall, always while on the job site, whether on or off duty, conduct themselves in a professional, orderly, and safe manner. Rudeness, fighting, being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or bringing and/or consuming alcohol and/or drugs, gambling, soliciting, stealing, and any immoral or otherwise undesirable conduct shall not be permitted on the job site and shall result in immediate and permanent removal from the job site of any employee engaging in such conduct. Contractor employees shall not loiter in any working or patron area. Upon completion of their assigned work, employees shall promptly depart from the public areas. All contract employees shall display professionalism in all interactions with the public and Government employees.

2. The Contracting Officer may require the contractor to remove from the job site any employee working under this contract for reasons of misconduct and security, or if found to be (or suspected to be) under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating agent(s). A contractor employee shall be subject to removal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is in the best interests of the Government. Such removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the contractor of the requirement to provide sufficient personnel to perform this contract as specified.

3. Working in a Federal building or federally controlled indoor workspaces:

a. To take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of all Federal employees, onsite contractors, visitors to Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor workspaces, and other individuals interacting with the Federal workforce, employees under the subject contract who are required to work on site in Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor worksites must comply with requirements located at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/overview/.

PART 2: EXECUTION

2.1 SITE MAINTENANCE:

1. The contractor shall maintain the work site in a safe, neat and orderly manner. All supplies and equipment on the project site shall be stored to preclude any damage.

2. Limited space may be provided for the storage of materials, which shall be stored in a clean and neat condition as approved by the COR. This is not guaranteed; thus, the contractor must be prepared to transit the entire operational footprint daily.

3. All mud, dirt, debris, foreign objects, or spills of any kind from the contractor’s operations shall be cleaned up daily or as requested by the COR.

4. All contractor generated refuse and waste shall be hauled from the work site daily. Refuse and waste material shall be hauled in trucks with tight fitting covers to prevent spillage on roadways.

5. It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to take whatever measures are necessary to assure the protection of the Government assets and to perform the work to cause minimal disruption of ongoing activities near occupied areas.

6. The contractor assumes the risk and responsibility for the loss or damage to the Government furnished property.

2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND SAFETY STANDARDS:

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saferfederalworkforce.gov%2Foverview%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cbrianna_b_jackson%40nps.gov%7C26b9b308665f49ea38bc08da48dc1f79%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C637902407498490843%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fmM7XGKn57iRVDHtOEEOfRcqwdV%2FgAHEhHGId9oF03w%3D&reserved=0

1. The contractor and each of his employees shall work in compliance with all applicable OSHA, Federal, state and local safety laws and regulations.

2. The contractor shall comply with CFR29 requirements.

3. The contractor shall provide and ensure that all personnel at the work site use the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by OSHA regulations and ANSI standards.

4. The contractor shall take all necessary precautions for safety and shall provide reasonable protection to prevent damage, injury or loss to persons, properties, equipment and vehicles.

5. Damage caused by the contractor to any properties shall be repaired or replaced to the satisfaction of the Government at the expense of the contractor. The Government, at its sole direction, may elect to repair or replace the damaged property, and deduct such costs from monies due the contractor.

6. The contractor shall not leave any tools, parts and/or supplies unattended in the public area at any time while performing work.

7. The contractor shall report public safety hazards noted during the performance of normal duty of care to the COR or staff arborist.

8. In the event of an emergency the contractor should first call 911 and then immediately call the parks 24-hour dispatch emergency number – 1-866-677-6677. The dispatch will immediately send out information to all on-duty Rangers/Park Police.

9. The government reserves the right to conduct audit contractor safety practices during performance.

Egregious safety violations or a pattern of repeated minor offences shall result in the issuance of an official stop work and safety review. All concerns shall be provided by the government to the contractor in writing.

Work shall not be reinitiated until the contractor has satisfied the government that safety concerns have been mitigated by producing a reasonable mitigation plan grounded in common industry standards and best practices.

2.3 VEHICLE OPERATIONS

1. Contractor personnel operating motor vehicles used in performance of this contract shall have a valid state operator’s license and shall operate all motor vehicles in accordance with applicable laws. The contractor’s vehicles shall have an identification tag clearly visible while on site.

2.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE:

1. In accordance with section 1.9, the contractor shall provide the government a copy of the contractor’s internal Quality Control Plan (QCP). The QCP shall contain the active and passive control measures the contractor will implement to ensure that work is performed at an acceptable level of quality. Examples include but are not limited to internal monitoring practices and frequencies, staff education and training specific to this contract, and internal contractor work standards. The QCP has no standard or mandated format but shall be grounded in reasonable trade standards and best management practices. The contractor shall be bound by the provisions in QCP. This does not prevent the contractor from implementing additional measures above and beyond the QCP during the performance period.

2. The contractor will update the COR weekly and will provide a copy of Enclosure 1, with entries lined through to identify completion. The COR shall perform periodic monitoring to ensure work is being performed at an acceptable level of quality. The COR may visit the work site at any time during the contract period of performance. Any concerns or deficiencies shall be addressed to the contractor in writing. The contractor shall have three (3) business days to address legitimate concerns, in writing, with a corrective action plan. All corrective action plans shall contain a timeline for execution and require the COR’s acknowledgement that the corrective action plan effectively remedies the government’s concerns. If the contractor believes that a concern in unmerited by the terms of the contract, the contractor shall submit to the Contract Officer (CO), in writing, an explanation of any disagreement. Such a submission to the CO shall be submitted within three (3) business days and include the COR in all correspondence. The CO shall provide determinative guidance in such cases in consultation with the COR.

3. When the contractor considers work is ACCEPTABLE to the Government and complete, the contractor shall inform the COR that the work is complete and ready for inspection. The COR will inspect the work on-site in consultation with the staff arborist(s). The close-out inspection shall be documented in writing and must clearly convey any deficiencies and remedial action required. The contractor shall provide a representative with requisite knowledge and authority to accompany the COR during the close-out inspection to provide clarity, context, and rationale, when necessary, as well as position the contractor to better execute any necessary follow-on actions. If the work is NOT ACCEPTABLE, the contractor shall record a list of items noted by the Government to be corrected. A subsequent inspection shall take place to review the corrected items. The contractor is responsible for ensuring all TASK(S) are complete at an ACCEPTABLE level of quality during the performance period, to include all necessary corrections.

PART 3: BUSINESS PROCESSES

3.1 PERFORMANCE PERIOD EXTENSIONS:

1. Contract extensions beyond the performance period are at the sole discretion of the government. Requests for extension shall be considered on a case-by-case basis and shall be submitted in writing (to the CO and COR) no later than (10) business days before the performance period termination date. Requests shall detail the justification for the extension, reasonable circumstances that prevented the contractor from adjusting operations to meet the performance period requirement as written, a new proposed termination date, and the benefit to the government in granting an extension.

3.2 ENCLOSURE(S):

1. Attachment 2 - Support Imagery

2. Attachment 3 - Credentialed Personnel Checklist