C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

IMPLEMENT TOWPATH HAZARDOUS TREE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2026

Statement of Work

DISCLAIMER: Only the Contracting Officer (CO/KO) can authorize changes in the terms of a contract. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) cannot authorize changes to requirements, payment amounts, or any other provision of the contract (to include subtracting work requirements). The COR acts only within the specific limitations of the CO/KO’s delegation letter.

DISCLAIMER: This document is procurement sensitive and for official use only.

All communications shall be executed in accordance with 48 CFR 1.

PART 1: GENERAL

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The C&O Canal The C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH) occupies the Maryland bank of the Potomac River from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC. The park spans over 184 linear miles and contains the historical infrastructure of the C&O Canal. The primary feature of the park is the towpath, an earthen path used by mules in the 19th and early 20th century to draw boats up and down the entire length of the canal. Today the towpath exists as a recreational and commuter thoroughfare for pedestrian and cyclist traffic with intermittently improved and unimproved camp sites and historical landscape features such as locks, culverts, waste weirs, and lockhouses. Because the towpath transits areas dominated by lowland riparian forests containing an estimated 6.5 million trees, the necessity for robust and continual hazard tree management is necessary to maintain public safety in accordance with NPS REF MAN 77 while ensuring sustained trafficability. This presents challenges for National Park Service staff given the vastness of the park, the constricted access and trafficability of the towpath, dangerous working environment, and the high throughput rates of cyclists, pedestrians, and campers.

The C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH) is soliciting arboreal services to perform hazard tree mitigation in targeted areas of the park.

The C&O Canal does not currently have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff. This contract includes hazard tree inspections and data management of approximately forty miles and the below designated areas as additional optional tasks for bid. Hazard trees are identified by required means in the appropriate data management systems, physically tagged and photographed. Inspections are performed only by an ISA Certified Arborist.

Work Packages must be completed sequentially to minimize impact on other projects throughout the park. Once the COR confirms completion of Work Package, the Contractor may proceed. Work is restricted around caves and nesting sites on the Northern Long Eared Bat from 1 April – 15 May. Work in these areas must be performed outside of this timeframe. These areas will be managed more extensively to ensure compliance.

1.1 BASE TASK 1: SCOPE OF WORK PACKAGE # 1 MP 1-40

The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, barricades, signs, traffic control measures/coordination and equipment incidental to and necessary to execute safe full spectrum tree care operations and woody debris removal in and around the towpath and main areas contained within mileposts 1 – 40.

1. TASK 1 / Removal: Remove tree(s) identified in Enclosure 1:

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

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

c. Cut all stumps flush 3 to 4 inches above grade unless otherwise specified.

2. TASK 2 / Pruning: Prune tree(s) identified in Enclosure 1:

a. Prune to remove deadwood 3 inches in diameter and larger.

(e.g., ruts, holes, etc.).

c. Process and remove all wood and debris in accordance with the technical requirements.

3. TASK 3 / Grinding: Grind existing stump(s) and/ or any that fall within guidance:

a. The contractor shall grind existing stumps from four to six inches below grade

b. Take note of:

i. Fencing, concrete, brick, or rock around a stump (such as a tree ring).

ii. Nearby trees that may have roots under the tree stump.

iii. Walkways, and patios that may prevent the grinder from reaching all the root material.

iv. Irrigation, sprinkler systems, tree lighting wiring, and buried hoses.

v. Do not grind deep enough to risk interfering with properly installed utility lines or buried cables, but unforeseen obstacles can be encountered that necessitate a shallower grind.

vi. Backfill:

1. Maintained Areas – Topsoil

2. Outside Maintained Areas – Wood chippings

1.2 BASE TASK 2: SCOPE OF WORK PACKAGE # 2 MP 41-184.5:

The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, barricades, signs, traffic control measures/coordination and equipment incidental to and necessary to execute safe full spectrum tree care operations and woody debris removal in and around the towpath and main areas contained within mileposts 41

– 184.5.

1. TASK 1 / Removal: Remove tree(s) identified in Enclosure 1:

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

c. Cut all stumps flush 3 to 4 inches above grade unless otherwise specified.

2. TASK 2 / Pruning: Prune tree(s) identified in Enclosure 1:

a. Prune to remove deadwood 3 inches in diameter and larger.

c. The contractor shall cut existing stumps 3 to 4 inches above grade.

3. TASK 3 / Grinding: Grind existing stump(s) and/or any that fall within guidance:

c. The contractor shall grind existing stumps from four to six inches below grade.

d. Take note of:

vii. Fencing, concrete, brick, or rock around a stump (such as a tree ring).

viii. Nearby trees that may have roots under the tree stump.

ix. Walkways, and patios that may prevent the grinder from reaching all the root material.

x. Irrigation, sprinkler systems, tree lighting wiring, and buried hoses.

xi. Do not grind deep enough to risk interfering with properly installed utility lines or buried cables, but unforeseen obstacles can be encountered that necessitate a shallower grind.

xii. Backfill:

1. Maintained Areas – Topsoil 2.

3. Outside Maintained Areas – Wood chippings

1.3 (OPTIONS TASKS) SCOPE OF WORK HAZARD TREE INSPECTIONS:

The C&O Canal does not currently have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff. This package includes hazard tree inspections and data management of the below designated areas.

Each hazard tree is identified by required means in the appropriate data management systems, physically tagged and photographed. Inspections must be completed by an ISA Certified Arborist.

The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, barricades, signs, traffic control measures/coordination and equipment incidental to and necessary to execute safe full spectrum risk management tree inspections in and around the towpath, main areas and trails contained within the park.

Deviations to scheduled inspections are not permitted. Records will be kept digitally via ArcGIS and hard copy notes. Data input (Notes and Photos) is conducted in the field remotely using personal electronic devices (PEDs). Specific information shall be provided upon award.

1. OPTION TASK 1 / Inspect Point of Rocks – Little Catoctin, Mileposts 48.2 - 52.51

2. OPTION TASK 2 / Inspect Weverton – Lock 34, Mileposts 58.1 - 61.57

3. OPTION TASK 3 / Inspect Cohill – Lockhouse 56, Mileposts 130.7 - 136.21

4. OPTION TASK 4 / Inspect Lockhouse 56 - Lock 59, Mileposts 136.21 - 146.59

5. OPTION TASK 5 / Inspect Lock 59 – Paw Paw, Mileposts 146.5 – 156.1

6. OPTION TASK 6 / Inspect Spring Gap - Evitts Creek, Mileposts 173.37 - 179

7. OPTION TASK 7 / Inspect Areas:

a. Fletcher's / Abner Cloud House

b. Carderock Recreation Are

c. Marsden Track

d. Great Falls Tavern Area,

e. Swains Lock, Visitation Threshold

f. Horsepen Branch

g. Chisel Branch

h. Turtle Run

i. Marble Quarry

j. Indian Flats

k. Nolands Ferry

l. Calico Rocks

m. Bald Eagle Island

n. Lock 30

o. Huckleberry Hill

p. Dargan Bend

q. Antietam Creek

r. Killiansburg Cave

s. Horseshoe Bend

t. Town Creek Aqueduct

u. Big Woods

v. Big Slackwater

w. Opequon Junction

8. OPTION TASK 8 / Inspect Trails:

a. Anglers Spur Trail

b. Berma Road Trail

c. Billy Goat Section A Trail

d. Billy Goat Section B Trail

e. Billy Goat Section C Trail

f. Billly Goat Section C Access Trail

g. Capital Crescent Trail

h. Carderock Access Trail

i. Emergency Access Trail

j. Falls Road Spur Trail

k. Ford Mine Trail

l. Gold Mine Loop Trail

m. Gold Mine Spur Trail

n. Lock 8 Spur Trail

o. Lock 16 Spur Trail

p. Lock 19 Spur Trail

q. Olmstead Island Bridge Trail

r. Overlook Trail

s. Overlook Spur

t. Paw Paw Trail

u. Rockwood Spur Trail

v. River Trail

w. Valley Trail

x. VFW Spur Trail

y. Woodland Trail

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

a. Gantt Chart showing work plan for Work Packages 1 & 2 (before work execution). Separate Gantt Chart Identifying Option Tasks 1 – 8 (before work execution)

i. All changes to Gantt chart must be discussed with the COR.

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

i. 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 Base Tasks and Options Tasks specifically.

c. Contractor Quality Control Plan (QCP) in accordance with PART 3.

d. Proof of current active insurance policy. No work shall be authorized to commence without submission of this plan.

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

e. Arborist ISA Certification must be submitted before work starts.

STATEMENTS CLARIFYING RESPONSIBILITY:

* TAGS: All trees will be tagged (official tag, ribbon or paint) to facilitate the contractor in locating the specimens. Tags however are an aid, and subject to removal by the public or environmental effects outside of the NPS staff’s control.

The presence of a tag or the lack thereof does not determine the work obligation.

The contractor’s work obligation is solely contained in the Worktable (Enclosure 1) in conjunction with this Statement of Work. The contractor shall use available support tables, documents, and electronic aids, as well as other resources as necessary to locate specimens in the field.

* 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). It is the sole responsibility of the contractor to take all measures necessary to safely transit trafficable structures (including the CCT) without compromising structural integrity.

* 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 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, including (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.

* 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.

1.5 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION(S):

1. The requirement(s) for all TASK(S) are conveyed in Enclosure 1. Furthermore, the following requirements shall be adhered to:

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 base of trees 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 and shall include the tree tag number and general disposition. The notification shall be submitted within three (3) business days of the inspection. The contractor shall not perform work on trees identified by inspection at avian nesting sites 15 May 2027 – 15 August 2027 unless otherwise cleared by the COR. Additionally, work is restricted around caves and nesting sites of the Northern Long Eared Bat from 1 April – 15 May. Work in these areas must be performed outside of this timeframe. Areas will be identified upon award. These areas will be managed more extensively to ensure compliance.

e. In some cases, the government has elected to leave standing spars in lieu of removing all trunk-wood from a tree site to increase retained biomass in the ecosystem and encourage the development of wildlife habitat. The requirement to leave habitat spars is identified by individual specimen as promulgated in the “Notes” column of Enclosure 1.

f. All woody debris and biomass twelve (12) inches in diameter and under shall be chipped and dispersed into the adjacent forest. The discharge chutes of woodchippers shall be rotated periodically to ensure chips are evenly and uniformly dispersed without clumping. It is strictly FORBIDDEN to disperse chips into watered areas of the canal, active watersheds such as streams or creeks, or the Potomac River. Trees may not be felled in a manner that would cause debris to fall or rest over to watered areas. This includes trees located along all portions of the C&O Canal NHP.

g. Woody debris over twelve (12) inches may be left in the general location of felling, (Hiker-bikers, locks, fields, picnic areas, etc.) when such action would not create a hazard (such as on a slope), threaten to convey into a watershed (river or stream), or create an artificial and unaesthetic appearance. Woody debris may not be left in maintained areas (Hiker-bikers, locks, fields, picnic areas, etc.) Debris shall be felled and staged to convey a natural appearance. Relief cuts shall be applied to create as much contact with the ground as possible to facilitate decay and improve aesthetics. All non-chipped debris is required to be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet off the towpath shoulders and positioned so that no hazards are presented to park visitors utilizing the towpath. The contractor shall make every attempt to place debris in a manner that does not face large chainsaw cuts (white eyes / round eyes) toward the viewing public from the towpath. No debris may be left in the canal prism or any watered area. All felling debris inside a grind area or maintained area shall be removed from such area and placed 15 feet off the towpath out of sight. Examples would be placing large logs in a grassy field adjacent to mown areas. The grassy field will naturally matte down and/ or die during the winter months. This does not allow for the wood to blend naturally into the landscape and creates an unaesthetic appearance to visitors late fall through early spring. These logs will be physically removed and relocated off-site from the area by the contractor. They may be placed 15 feet from the actual towpath in the forest away from the mown areas.

h. The contractor shall grind all stumps within 5 ft of the towpath or that reside in a mown area (maintained area) (Hiker-bikers, locks, fields, picnic areas, etc.). In maintained areas (Hiker-bikers, locks, fields, picnic areas, etc.) the contractor shall backfill grind with topsoil. Along the towpath, unless in a maintained area, the contractor is free to backfill with wood chippings. If grinding could compromise the structural integrity of the towpath, the stumps must be cut in a manner that prevents hazards and does not take from the aesthetics of the area.

i. The contractor, at the contractor’s discretion, may elect to haul woody debris when doing so is more efficient for meeting the task objective at no additional costs to the government. The contractor is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local statues related to resources acquired from government/public lands.

j. 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 be in a mown or maintained area, obstruct the public thoroughfare along the towpath and parking access point.

k. The contractor is required to coordinate workflow / schedules with the COR to avoid conflicting operations with all park divisions.

l. The contractor will notify the COR of daily work schedule and area. It may be telephonic, text or email. This allows for prompt QA/QC by the COR.

1.6 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

1. The period of performance for all tasks will be 30 September 2026 – 29 September

2027 inclusive of the no work period for avian nesting and bat nesting.

1.7 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 buildings, witness trees, 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.

1.8 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.

1.9 ON-SITE SUPERVISOR:

1. As a minimum, the contractor must provide one on-site supervisor to direct all contract personnel and maintenance operations.

2. The on-site supervisor shall be fluent in the English language to effectively communicate with the contractor’s employees and/or subcontractors as well as the COR and other Government personnel.

3. If the on-site supervisor is not present or absent due to illness or other reasons, the contractor shall provide an alternate supervisor to manage and direct all contract personnel and operations. The alternate supervisor shall possess the same qualifications as the on-site supervisor.

4. The onsite supervisor shall be available for phone calls during all working hours.

5. The government has elected to require the presence of a current ISA Certified Arborist. 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 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 database.

1.10 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:

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 follow ANSI Z133.1standards and CFR29 requirements.

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

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 an audit contractor safety practice 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 industry standards and best practices.

10. Avian habitat protection is a paramount concern to the Government and is subject to statutory requirements. The contractor shall follow all federal, state, and local ordinances / statues for the protection of avian life and wildlife.

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. No personnel may ride in the back or pick-up trucks within the park’s boundaries. The contractor’s vehicles shall have an identification tag clearly visible while on site.

PART 3: QUALITY ASSURANCE AND PAYMENT:

3.1 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 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, including all necessary corrections.

PART 4: BUSINESS PROCESSES

4.1 BUSINESS HOURS

1. The contractor is responsible for conducting routine services, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET Monday thru Friday, except when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons unless emergency services are requested.

2. No Work shall take place on the following Federal Holidays:

a. New Year’s Day – January 1st

b. Martin Luther King Junior’s Birthday – January 18, 2027

c. President’s Day – February 15, 2027

d. Memorial Day – May 31, 2027

e. Juneteenth – June 19th (Observed on June 18, 2027)

f. Independence Day – July 4th (Observed on July 5, 2027)

g. Labor Day – September 6, 2027

h. Columbus Day – October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2027

i. Veteran’s Day – November 11th

j. Thanksgiving Day – November 26, 2026

k. Christmas Day – December 25th

4.2 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.

4.3 INVOICING AND PAYMENT

1. The Contractor shall submit all invoices through www.ipp.gov within 30 days of ACCEPTABLE completion. Partial or progressive billing is not authorized, and the contractor shall receive payment only after 100% of the work items are completed. All invoices shall have the work performed broken out on them along with the location site clearly defined and TASK(CLIN). Failure of the contractor to upload an attached copy of the invoice and any requested documentation through IPP.gov will result in invoice being rejected.