B08_Attch_1_-_PFSM_Handpile_PWS_Arcata_2_Aug_23.docx

PROJECT TITLE:

ARCATA BLM

PRESCRIBED FIRE SUPPORT MODULE

PILE BURNING

Contents PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

Bureau of Land Management Arcata Field Office is requesting a Prescribed Fire Support Module thirty (30) days per year to implement hand or machine pile ignitions, unit or pile preparation, prescribed fire holding functions, and prescribed fire unit mop-up. Arcata BLM field office has conducted extensive fuels reduction work which has created a backlog of machine and hand piles within BLM administered public land. Piles within multiple fuels reduction units would be burnt under the direction and supervision of BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and/ or Contracting Office Representative.

Services shall be non-personal. The Government shall neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

Prescribed Fire Modules may be ordered by the Bureau of Land Management for unit(s) when the Government is conducting prescribed fire operations of hand or machine piles and needs assistance in one or more prescribed fire related tasks. These operations include the following: prescribed burn preparation, ignition assistance, holding assistance, burned unit patrol, and mop-up of burned unit(s). Prescribed Fire Modules can be ordered for any one of the above operations, a combination, or all the operations.

Services required in the implementation of prescribed pile burning include:

· pile unit preparation using chainsaws and/ or handtools to cut and prune piles, construct handline or pull back around hand piles, limb reserve trees, trim resprouting vegetation near piles;

· hand or machine pile ignition using handheld drip torches or fusees;

· holding prescribed fire units during initial burn-down to ensure burning piles do not spread outside of established prescribed fire unit or control lines;

· chunking of or re-piling of burnt or burning material to promote complete combustion;

· mop-up of hand or machine pile units using chainsaws and handtools to cut and/ or dig to extinguish smoking or smoldering pile material;

· and to suppress fire spread outside of prescribed fire units or controls lines using chainsaws or handtools to cut or dig control lines to stop undesired fire spread.

The contractor shall provide 30 days of Prescribed Fire Support Module to prep, ignite, hold, and mop-up hand or machine piles upon request from Arcata BLM Field Office, under the supervision and direction of assigned BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, to burn and consume through burning existing hazard fuels reduction piles within multiple separate units.

Place of Performance:

All prescribed burning operations will occur on Bureau of Land Management administered public lands managed by the Arcata BLM Field Office in Humboldt or Mendocino Counties California. Many established fuels reduction units requiring hand or machine pile ignitions exist within the Arcata BLM Field Office. General project areas may include:

· Lacks Creek Forest Health units - -

· King Range NCA Fuel Break units - -

· Headwaters Forest Reserve - -

· Red Mountain Fuels Reduction units - -

Each location will require all identified tasks to accomplish hand or machine pile prescribed burning. Each activation period of Prescribed Fire Support Module will begin with a briefing at the Arcata BLM Field Office where a designated module foreman will receive an in-depth operational briefing from BLM Contracting Officer’s Representative and/ or BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss. At the briefing, the Government will provide the Contractor with the following:

A. Briefing on Prescribed Fire Plan and Objectives, Standards, and Assignments for preparation, ignition and holding assistance for prescribed fire operations.

B. Module Daily Shift Plan Objectives, Standards, and Assignments for patrol and mop-up assistance.

C. Communications instructions and chain of command.

D. Identification of any priorities or special considerations.

E. Safety concerns and issues.

F. Target Completion Time, anticipated length of activation.

Access to most fuels reduction units require off-road travel with four wheel drive capability, especially during winter months or adverse weather conditions. Ordering officials may request PFSM be equipped with Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and trailer to be utilized in prescribed burning operations. Cross country foot travel up to one hour may also be required to access fuels reduction units, some units may also be located in steep or rugged terrain making cross county foot travel arduous. Navigation utilizing paper or digital maps during vehicle or foot travel is of critical importance to make access to project areas and during implementation of prescribed burning operations.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Period and one (1) option period as described below:

Base Period: Date of Award to 31 October 2024*

Option Period 1: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025*

*All field work shall take place only between 1 November and 30 April of each performance period.

PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is to provide Prescribed Fire Support Module for 30 days to implement hand or machine pile prescribed burning tasks under the guidance of BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and/ or Contracting Officer’s Representative in multiple separate fuels reduction units.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1: Preparation of hand or machine piles using chainsaws and hand tools to cut and prune piles, construct handline or pull back around hand piles, limb reserve trees, trim resprouting vegetation near piles, or cut fallen dead vegetation to reduce the threat of prescribed burn escape.

Preparation for prescribed pile burning as directed by BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss –

· Cut and Prune using chainsaws pre-built fuels reduction piles to promote pile consumption and efficient burning.

· Construct handline using hand tools around hand or machine piles to limit fire spread away from pre-built piles planned for immediate burning.

· Limb using chainsaws reserve trees adjacent to hand or machine piles to limit reserve tree mortality during burn operations.

· Trim using chainsaws or hand tools resprouting vegetation adjacent to hand or machine piles to reduce risk of fire spread away from burn piles planned for immediate ignitions.

· Cut using chainsaws fallen dead and downed vegetation to limit fire spread from piles into adjacent reserve/ downed heavy logs.

Preparation operations will occur in each fuels reduction unit for approximately one day prior to prescribed fire implementation. No activation period of Prescribed Fire Support Module will be used primarily for burn unit preparation.

Task 2: Ignition of hand or machine piles using handheld firing devices such as Drip Torches or Fusees within identified prescribed pile burn units.

Ignition operations, under the direction and supervision of BLM Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, will occur –

· After safety and operational briefing has been given to all assigned resources to communicate operational assignments, communication methods, work location, safety considerations, and emergency procedures.

· In a method and pace to ensure prescribed fire objectives are met and with a limited risk of prescribed fire escape.

· In coordination with other assigned resources including ignition personnel, engine crews, resource advisors, and firing or holding bosses.

· Overall goal to ignite 90% or greater of piles within targeted prescribed burn units

· Overall consumption goal of 80% or greater of piled material within ignited piles

Ignition operations will occur only when Prescribed fire burn plan environmental parameters are met – Temperature, wind speed/ direction, humidity, fuel moisture, and smoke dispersal. Ignition operations will be stopped under the direction of BLM Prescribed Fire Burn boss as burn plan objectives are not met or within allowable ranges. Ignition personnel will immediately transition to holding or mop up tasks as directed by BLM Burn Boss.

Task 3: Holding of prescribed fire piles or units during initial burn down phase

Holding operations may include:

· Monitoring pile consumption and communicating spread outside of holding lines or prescribed burn units

· Chunking or re-piling burning or partially burnt material to promote complete consumption. PFSM chunking/ re-piling goal is to ensure 80% or greater consumption of total piled material and reduce the risk of fire spread from outside of pile perimeters.

· Patrolling unit boundaries or holding features for spot fires or fire growth outside of unit boundaries

· Done in coordination with other assigned resources such as ignition crews, engines or handcrews, resource advisors, and holding bosses.

· The use of handheld radios or other devices to communicate with prescribed burn overhead or leadership.

Task 4: Mop-up operations, under the direction of BLM prescribed fire burn boss, will occur after initial burn down phase of prescribed burns and be used to limit unwanted fire growth, reduce smoke from burning material, limit impacts to non-piled standing or fallen reserve vegetation.

Mop-up tasks include the use of Chainsaws, handtools, and water delivery equipment to cut, dig, chop, and extinguish burning or smoldering piled or immediately adjacent to piled material.

Mop-up can occur for one or more days following prescribed burn ignition operations. Mop-up will occur in each prescribed burn unit under the direction and discretion of BLM Prescribed Burn Boss. Prescribed Fire Support Modules will receive daily operational briefings during mop-up operations which communicate operational objectives, safety concerns, special considerations or specifications, and emergency procedures.

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

Prescribed Fire Support Module Configuration The following are the descriptions of requirements for personnel, specialized equipment, minimum crew transportation, optioned Utility Terrain vehicle (UTV) standards.

Five Person Crew Module

1. Five (5) persons

2. Transportation - 1 or 2 vehicles, each with four-wheel drive capability

3. Equipment Pulaski - 3 Shovel - 2 Backpack water pump/ Bladder Bag - 5 Chainsaws -2 Saw gas/ oil and supplies for up to a 12-hour shift, resupplied daily Programmable handheld radio or other agreed upon communication device - 1

Ten Person Crew Module

1. Ten (10) persons

2. Transportation – 2 or more vehicles, each with four-wheel drive capability

3. Equipment Pulaski - 6 Shovel - 4 Backpack water pump/ Bladder Bag - 10 Chainsaws -4 Saw gas/ oil and supplies for up to a 12-hour shift, resupplied daily Programmable handheld radio or other agreed upon communication device - 2

Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) – 1

· UTV option will be at the discretion of the ordering GOV agent/ COR and communicated at the time of PFSM activation.

· UTV will be capable of transporting five (5) module members and crew equipment.

· All UTV passengers must have Department of transportation (DOT) approved helmets

Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) – 2

· UTV option will be at the discretion of the ordering GOV agent/ COR and communicated at the time of PFSM activation.

· Each or two UTVs will be capable of transporting five (5) module members and crew equipment.

· All UTV passengers must have DOT approved helmets

** Maximum UTV request by BLM official will not exceed two total UTVs or equivalent needed to transport two 5-person crew module members and equipment in configuration.

Ordering Prescribed Fire Support Modules

BLM Contracting Officer Representative will contact the Contractor during the period of performance (November – April) and request Prescribed Fire Module Support to the Arcata BLM Field Office. Requests will be placed a minimum of 48hrs in advance of the desired reporting time to Arcata BLM Field Office, Humboldt County, Arcata, CA. Activations of PFSM may be requested longer than 48hrs in advance of reporting time but not less.

Basic ordering information such as desired module configuration; ie: Five Person Module configuration or Ten Person Module configuration; and equipment configuration of One or Two Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV).

The Contractor will confirm the availability of desired crew configuration and UTV optioned equipment, Basic Firefighter Training compliance of each activated crewmember, and communication method/ information for the primary crew leader for each Five Person module.

Reporting instructions at the time of activation will include date, time and place to report for initial operational briefing. Initial activation may also include digital reference documents such as Maps, Incident Action Plans (IAP)s, or other special operational information.

Upon arrival and making contact with BLM COR and/ or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss the PFSM will receive an in depth operational briefing regarding the planned prescribed burn to be implemented. This briefing will include:

· Operational objectives,

· Safety concerns,

· Prep/ Ignition/ Holding/ and Mop-up standards,

· Other assigned operational personnel

· Communication procedures, expectations, and reporting standards

· Logistical support or concerns

· Special resource considerations,

· Area and unit maps, access, and reporting instructions,

· Emergency procedures

· Expected length of assignment/ activation period

Government supplied equipment may be transferred to the contractor at the initial briefing or at the prescribed burn unit – Drip torches and Five-gallon slash mix cans.

Minimum Activation Guarantee

Each PFSM activation will meet a minimum guaranteed duration regardless of continued burn operations. Minimum activation period will include,

· One day of full rate travel to reach the agreed upon reporting location (Arcata, CA)

· One day full rate Operational shift.

Scenarios in which the PFSM is activated but prescribed burn operations are not implemented based on conditions, smoke, resource concerns or other constraints the contractor/ PFSM will at a minimum be activated the identified two (2) full rate days.

Communication and Language requirements

As identified in PFSM Configuration and equipment section, each five person PFSM will have a minimum of One (1) handheld programmable radio or other agreed upon communication device. One PFSM module member is expected to operate the radio sufficiently to stay in communication with Prescribed Fire Burn Boss or other assigned Fireline Supervisor. BLM COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss will ensure common radio frequencies are communicated and programmed into the provided radio equipment.

One PFSM Module member must speak, read and sufficiently communicate in English as to receive instructions, communicate with other resources/ supervisors, and relay critical instructions to non-English speaking module members in order to meet prescribed burn objectives.

Minimum Fireline Qualification Requirement

Each PFSM crewmember must meet minimum qualification standards for Firefighter Type 2, as identified by National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, https://www.nwcg.gov/positions/fft2/position-qualification-requirements.

Basic Firefighter Training:

ICS-100, Introduction to ICS L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service S-130, Firefighter Training S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Each PFSM activation requires documentation of participant crewmember Basic Firefighting Training.

Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards or processes encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body. The contractor will provide training to their employees in the safe operation and use of equipment being used. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.

The contractor shall provide each employee who operates a chain saw, chain saw chaps and assure the chaps are worn during saw operations. The chaps shall cover the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg and be washed or replaced if they have any evidence of damage or heavily soiled with oil or lubricants.

The contractor shall assure that each employee wears foot protection that provides adequate traction and ankle support and must meet NFPA-1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting.

The contractor shall assure that each employee wears flame resistant clothing, pants and long sleeve shirt, that that meet NFPA-1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting, when engaging in prescribed fire ignition, holding, and mop-up activities.

Mapping

Unit boundaries may not be marked. A shapefile and PDF Map of each prescribed burn unit area for GPS/ Avenza will be provided at the time of activation or at the initial Operational Briefing. Area and transportation maps will also be provided in order to access Prescribed Burn Units. PFSM must be able to navigate using map products both digital and on paper to reach prescribed burn units and during Prescribed Burn operations in order to ensure objectives are met.

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The contractor shall provide all qualified/trained personnel, equipment and supplies (except those specified as Government furnished), tools, materials, supervision, transportation, lodging, and services necessary to perform wildfire hazard reduction through prescribed burning and mop-up operations, and related services.

The contractor shall furnish labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies (except those specified as Government furnished) to perform work necessary to conduct prescribed fire preparation to include brushing/lopping/scattering/pruning for vegetation modification in preparation for prescribed burning, fuels pullback, ignition, holding, mop-up and patrol. The COR will describe the specific objectives of any operational duty, normally during a pre-operational briefing. The Contractor’s employees must meet the standard classifications of positions on prescribed burn projects as defined in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group National Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualifications System Guide (PMS 310-1, NFES 1414, October 2018, or latest version) which is available under “Publications” at the following website: https://www.nwcg.gov.

Government-Furnished Documents The Government shall provide the following documents:

Applicable prescribed burn unit maps with previously identified boundaries, applicable road numbers or names, critical holding points and locations specifying where work is to be completed, such as, hand pile ignition that will be provided to Contractor key personnel.

Government-Furnished Property The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of Government-furnished property until return and COR acceptance of property. The Government will provide keys for locked Government gates in order to make access to prescribed burn units or identified work locations.

Government-Furnished Supplies The Government shall provide the contractor with burn fuel for refilling drip torches or used for ignition devices. The contractor is expected to arrive with full drip torches and the Government will provide fuel to refill drip torches when used.

Government-Furnished Services The Government shall provide the following services - The Government shall obtain prescribed burn clearance from the appropriate state air quality regulatory agency.

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during work periods from 8 up to 12 hours in length (typically 0700-1900 hrs or less per operational shift) Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. If Prescribed burning conditions require work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, an agreement will be documented between the Contractor and Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s representative that justifies the need for extended staffing or shifts outside of base work days.

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.

Stop Work Orders:

The Contracting Officer, COR, or Contractor may stop performance due to the following:

a. Contractor has not maintained a safe work environment for their employees in accordance with the law. Work will not resume until the issue has been resolved in accordance with the contract’s terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer shall not make an equitable adjustment to the period of performance, delivery schedule, or the contract price.

b. Contractor has damaged Government property, defaced the landscape, or caused pollution. Work will not resume until the Contractor has corrected all damages at no cost to the Government, and all issues have been resolved in accordance with the contract’s terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer shall not make an equitable adjustment to the period of performance, delivery schedule, or the contract price.

c. The Government discovers threatened, endangered, and sensitive species present in or adjacent to the project area. If work has not resumed within three days of stoppage, the Government and Contractor will negotiate an equitable adjustment to the period of performance and/or delivery schedule.

d. The discovery of historical and archeological resources. If work has not resumed within three days of stoppage, the Government and Contractor will negotiate an equitable adjustment to the period of performance and/or delivery schedule.

e. Environmental hazard threatening the project area, such as a forest fire. If work has not resumed within three days of stoppage, the Government and Contractor will negotiate an equitable adjustment to the period of performance and/or delivery schedule.

PWS 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:

Prescribed Fire Support Module (PFSM) Utility Terrain vehicle (UTV) Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Technical Exhibits:

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 5

EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Task(s) 1 – Preparation

2 – Ignition

3 – Holding

4 – Mop-up

1. PFSM prepares hand or machine piles using chainsaws and handtools to cut and prune piles, construct handline or pull back around hand piles, limb reserve trees, trim resprouting vegetation near piles, or cut fallen dead vegetation to reduce the threat of prescribed burn escape.

2. Ignition of hand or machine piles using handheld firing devices such as Drip Torches or Fussees within identified prescribed pile burn units at a pace and intensity that meets burn objectives, limits risk of fire escape, ignites 90% or greater of unit piles

3. Holding of prescribed fire piles or units during initial burn down phase, chunking or re-piling burning or partially burnt material to promote 80% or greater consumption of total piled material. Patrol and reporting/ communication standards are met.

4. Mop-up operations are used to limit unwanted fire growth, reduce smoke from burning material, limit impacts to non-piled standing or fallen reserve vegetation.

1. COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss inspects preparation work on each prescribed burn unit to ensure standards are met

2. COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss inspects ignition operations work on each prescribed burn unit to ensure standards are met.

3. COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss inspects Holding and Chunking/ Re-piling work on each prescribed burn unit to ensure standards are met.

4. COR or Prescribed Fire Burn inspects Mop-Up work on each prescribed burn unit to ensure standards are met.

For 1 or first deficiency the COR and/ or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss will communicate specific deficiencies and desired improvements to meet acceptable standards. Documentation of communicated deficiency and outcome. For standard configuration equipment or vehicle deficiencies 48hrs will be given to regain acceptable standards.

For 2 or second deficiency COR and Contractor will review written contract standards, briefing materials, and a 24hr timeline will be made to bring deficient activity or deliverable to acceptable standard. For standard configuration equipment or vehicle deficiencies 48hrs will be given to regain acceptable standards.

Incentives/Disincentives

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

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

1. Positive or negative Performance rating at the end of the contract image1.emf

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),

(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Headwaters Reserve Project Area

¹

0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles

Legend HDW_Boundary Lakes & Ponds image2.emf

King Range Project Area

0 3 6 9 121.5 Miles

KR_Nonwilderness image3.emf

Lacks Creek Project Area

0 0.75 1.5 2.25 30.375 Miles

Lacks_Creek_DB_2022 image4.emf

Red Mountain Project Area

0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles

Red MountainContract Grant area