B08__Attachment_2_-_STATEMENT_OF_WORK_-_10_April_2023.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

VISTA MANAGEMENT WITHIN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

April 10, 2023

Vista Management at Shenandoah National Park Base Bid: PMIS 236579 Option Year 1: PMIS 244780 Option Year 2: PMIS 305795 Option Year 3: PMIS 320894 Option Year 4: PMIS 320895

SECTION A: SPECIFICATIONS

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION

Description. This contract is for furnishing of equipment and labor necessary to perform Vista Clearing Operation activities in accordance with these specifications. Unless otherwise provided the contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies, and perform all work required to complete the work in accordance with this Statement of Work (SOW). Contractor will proceed and execute the work under their own direction to accomplish the work in accordance with the scope and contract provisions. Period of performance shall be 12 months from Notice to Proceed for base bid and each option year.

Location. Vista clearing shall be conducted at Shenandoah National Park within Mile Post 0-105 along Skyline Drive. Vista work is performed at designated Overlooks and Ride-By-Vista’s and are identified by either name or mile post.

Park points of contact and COR will be:

CO: Cole Johnson COR: Tim Heiston Tim_heiston@nps.gov – (540) 999-3500 Ext 3253

2. SPECIFICATIONS

The following Specifications are applicable to this contract and are physically included in this section:

A: National Park Service staff will identify all vista’s to be cut and will be delineated with flagging which marks the perimeter boundaries that crews work within. Acreage shall be based on current records managed within NPS Facility Management System Software of identified vistas to be cleared. Work primarily consists of slash cutting or felling of small trees and shrubs with a typical Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of 6 inch or less. All trees and shrubs shall be removed from the slope and chipped into a chipper box then transported to a location designated by the NPS (identified below). Stumps that remain shall not exceed a height of 4 inches and shall be parallel to the ground; no pointed stumps will be accepted. Stumps shall be treated with an approved herbicide that will eliminate regrowth once cutting has been completed; all stumps shall be marked with a dye to eliminate missed trees. When herbicide application occurs, contractor shall have a Virginia certified Registered Technician or Certified Right of Way Applicator onsite.

The following locations are identified for placement of chippings:

Piney River Boneyard is located along Skyline drive at mile post 21.8.

Big Meadows Boneyard is located approximately 1 mile off the Skyline Drive at mile post 51.3. on Rapidan Fire Road “Camp 3” Boneyard is located along Skyline Drive at mile 61.6.

B: If initial herbicide treatment is unsuccessful and does not show adequate die back, resprouting and or growth of invasives occur, a foliar spray shall be applied. NPS Staff will identify the need for the foliar spray based on a percentage of success within previously treated areas. Only approved herbicides (see appendix A) will be used, and adjuvants should be used to minimize drift and facilitate penetration. All spraying shall be directed by a licensed Registered Technician or Certified Right of Way Applicator licensed in the state of Virginia.

3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

· Trees and saplings that are cut shall be removed from the viewshed and chipped and placed in an approved location from the park.

· Contractor shall ensure all herbicide mixes are approved prior to any application by NPS COR.

· Contractor shall apply herbicide based upon VADACS Standards and regulations and product labeling.

· Contractor shall replace or repair any damaged assets including but not limited to rockwalls, asphalt pavement, trees or shrubs listed in “vegetation to save”, etc. at no additional cost to the government.

· When foliar spray is required, sprayers will need to provide a 5 foot buffer around each tree and shrub listed under “vegetation to save” or anything marked with flagging by NPS staff.

Vegetation to save:

Bear Oak - Quercus ilicifolia Blueberries / Huckleberries - Vaccinium spp. / Gaylussacia spp.

Coralberry - Symphorocarpus orbiculatus Elderberry - Sambucus spp.

Flowering raspberry vines - Rubus odoratus Goldenrods / Asters - Solidago / Aster Grapes - Vitis spp.

Hazelnut - Corylus americana Milkweed - Asclepias spp.

Mountain Laurel - Kalmia latifolia Ninebark - Physocarpus opulifolius Raspberry / Blackberry - Rubus spp.

Staghorn sumac -Rhus typhina Virginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolius Wild Hydrangea - Hydrangea arborescens Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana

Vegetation to kill:

Black birch - Betula lenta Black locust - Robinia pseudoacacia Cherries - Prunus spp.

Chestnuts - Castanea dentata Elms - Ulmus spp.

Maples - Acer spp.

Oaks - Quercus spp.

Oriental bittersweet - Celastrus orbiculatus Princess tree - Paulownia tomentosa Tree-of-heaven - Ailanthus altissima

SECTION C: EQUIPMENT

Furnish and operate equipment with such auxiliary attachments, as are usually needed for efficient operation of the equipment. Keep the equipment in good repair and capable of continuous operation. Contractor shall operate and maintain all vehicles and equipment according to State Department of Transportation laws and regulations.

SECTION D. NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL

Noxious weeds are defined as any exotic plant species established or that may be introduced in the State which may render land unfit for agriculture, forestry, livestock, wildlife, or other beneficial uses and which is designated by the State Department of Agriculture, or by the County Weed Management District, or by other appropriate agencies having jurisdiction. To help stop the spread of weed seeds, the Contractor shall wash all equipment and support vehicles prior to entering the park. The equipment and support vehicles shall be washed with a pressure washer that can produce enough water force to thoroughly remove organic and mineral debris from the machine. Before moving the equipment to the jobsite, it shall be inspected and approved by the Contracting Officer Representative or NPS designated representative.

The COR will direct activities in areas that require rare plant protection and invasive species avoidance and will provide maps as needed or advise crews when near specified locations.

SECTION E: LABOR

The contractor shall provide all labor, expertise, and supervision required to execute the contract.

Licensures and Certifications Contractor personnel shall be led or instructed by a licensed/certified Arborist to accomplish work identified within this Statement of Work.

SECTION F: SAFETY

All necessary equipment will be provided by the contractor - Chainsaws, PPE (Chainsaw Chaps, Safety Glasses, Steel Toed boots with aggressive lugged soles, Gloves, Helmets, Hearing Protection), etc. - shall meet industry standards for chainsaw operations.

SECTION G: EROSION CONTROL

During all operations under this contract, the Contractor shall exercise reasonable measures to prevent or minimize soil erosion and pollution of water and other resources.

SECTION H: DISPOSAL OF WASTE AND DEBRIS

All refuse, including garbage, rubbish, and solid or liquid wastes from the Contractor's operations shall be collected and stored in a sanitary, nuisance-free manner and disposed of in a State-approved sanitary landfill or as approved by the Contracting Officer. Oil from crankcases or gear boxes, equipment waste, spilled or excess fuel shall be placed in containers and removed from the work site and disposed of as approved and required by Federal, State and Local laws.

SECTION I: PARK ACCESS & OPERATIONS

A standard workday operates during park business hours, from 0700 to 1700. Any deviations from the standard workday must be approved in writing from the Contracting Officer. A standard work week is 5 days, Monday thru Friday. No work will be conducted on the weekends or National holidays. Any deviations from the standard work week must be approved in writing from the Contracting Officer.

36 CFR §4.11 - VEHICLE LOAD, WEIGHT AND SIZE LIMITS

(a)The following load, weight and size limits, which are more restrictive than State law, apply to the roads indicated under the terms and conditions, and/or under permit as noted:

Single unit's Gross vehicle weight (lbs.)

2 axles 40,000 3 axles 48,000 4 axles 52,000

Combination Units Gross Vehicle Combination (lbs.)

3 axles 57,000 4 axles 62,000 5 or more axles 66,000

Limits are essential to protect the motor road and appurtenances, to protect resources, and for reasons of visitor safety.

APPENDIX A – HERBICIDES Comment by Johnson, Cole B: As recommended above, please provide a listing of approved herbicides here.

The following list of Herbicides has been previously approved and utilized within the park. However, due to NPS regulations, the contractor shall submit each herbicide they intend to use by filling out the attached Pesticide Use Proposal Form (ie. including estimated acreage totals, estimated amount of product, etc.) for approval, prior to any application. This list shall be submitted at the beginning of each calendar year, regardless of prior year approval.

1. HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

Stump Treatment – 20% solution of triclopyr ester (Garlon 4, Element 4, etc) in basal oil (Loveland Bark Oil is acceptable) which will be applied to the cut surface and down the sides of the stump.

Foliage Spray - Low Volume Foliar Treatment To control susceptible woody plants, mix up to 5% v/v of Garlon 4 Ultra in water and apply 10 to 100 gallons of finished spray. The spray concentration of Garlon 4 Ultra and total spray volume per acre should be adjusted according to the size and density of target woody plants and kind of spray equipment used. With low volume sprays, use sufficient spray volume to obtain uniform coverage of target plants including the surfaces of all foliage, stems, and root collars. For best results, a surfactant and drift control should be added to all spray mixtures. To minimize spray drift, select the minimum spray pressure that provides adequate plant coverage without forming a mist and direct sprays no higher than the top of the target plants. Use a drift control additive cleared for application to growing crops to reduce spray drift.

Performance Work Scope – Vista Management Within SHEN - April 4, 2023 image1.png