B08_CARE-265911-SOW_Seed-Veg-Instal-01172025.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Capitol Reef National Park

PMIS # 265911, 249639, 249640

Revegetation for Rehabilitation of Scenic Drive, Chimney Rock parking lot, Capitol Gorge parking lot, Visitor Center parking lot, Grand Wash parking lot, and Pendleton Pasture at Capitol Reef National Park

Figure 1. Project area.

1.0 General Information

Introduction

Road work and parking lot reconstruction at Capital Reef National Park (CARE) in Utah have resulted in ground disturbance at 6 sites totaling 11.28 acres (10.25 acres +10% contingency) of ground disturbance (Scenic Drive 4.66 acres, Visitor Center 0.15 acres, Capitol Gorge parking lot 0.15 acres, Chimney Rock parking lot 0.12 acres, Grand Wash parking lot 0.17 acres, and Pendleton Pasture 5.0 acres) of ground disturbance. The tasks in this contract include hydroseeding and mulching, drill seeding, hand seeding, planting & watering nursery grown container plants.

The project area includes 6 separate areas. The scenic drive (1) and (4) parking lots are being repaved and have minor alignment or footprint changes. The resulting disturbance that requires hydroseeding/mulching work is all directly adjacent to road or parking areas and is easily accessible by equipment and vehicles. Areas to be planted with nursery grown plant materials include parking lot islands and some adjacent areas. Some small disturbances in islands, perimeters of parking lots will be hand seeded. The 6th location, a staging area, Pendleton Pasture, will have topsoil prepped and drill seeded.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The performance period of this contract will be from time of award through 12/30/2026.

ACRONYMS:

NPS – National Park Service CARE /Park– Capitol Reef National Park DSC — Denver Service Center CO – Contact Officer COR –Contracting Officer’s Representative SOW – Scope of Work

CONTACTS:

Contracting Officer (CO): Zaira Lupidi, Zaira_Lupidi@nps.gov

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The project area includes six (6) locations within CARE including Scenic Drive, Chimney Rock parking lot, Capitol Gorge parking lot, Visitor Center parking lot, Grand Wash parking lot, and Pendleton Pasture (Figure 1). All six areas will require seed application. Roadside two step hydroseeding/mulching will occur along Scenic Drive from the entrance station to Capitol Gorge parking lot. Planting of 300 hundred nursery grown plants will occur at all four (4) parking lot island locations Chimney Rock parking lot, Capitol Gorge parking lot, Visitor Center parking lot, Grand Wash parking lot. Hand seeding will be required at smaller parking lot and parking island features, following planting where that is to occur. One staging area, the Pendleton Pasture, will have top soil prepared and then seeded with drill seeding equipment following construction and site preparation by the road contractor.

All seeding and planting work will be done in one dormant season effort during Fall 2025. Follow up reporting will occur at the beginning of the following calendar year. Seed and plants will be government furnished.

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II. SCOPE / TASKS

Task 1

Two Step Hydro Seeding and Mulching and Hand Seeding 5.3 acres Apply seed and mulch to (4.83 acres+10% contingency) of disturbed soil (Scenic Drive 4.66 acres and Grand Wash parking lot 0.17 acres). Disturbed area includes 6.4 miles along both sides of Scenic Drive. Seeding along scenic drive will be from edge of pavement to edge of disturbance and averages 2 to 5 feet wide with some narrower and some areas wider.

Scenic drive (4.6 acres) and one parking lot are, Grand Walsh (0.17 acres) +10% contingency will be hydroseeded and mulched.

Seed will be government furnished. Contractor shall contact COR minimum of 3 weeks prior to seeding date to ensure seed is delivered and on site. Once delivered on site, Contractor will be responsible for keeping seed in a cool, dark, humidity-controlled environment to ensure seed remains viable.

Hydroseeding standards: Hydraulic method -- Use hydro-type equipment capable of providing a uniform application using water as the carrying agent.

Step 1: Add 400 lbs. per acre /449kg. per ha. of hydro-mulch consisting of wood fiber mulch as a tracer material to the water. Add the seed to the water slurry no more than 30 minutes before application. Do not use seed that has become wet, moldy, or otherwise contaminated or damaged. Apply the seed mixture at the government specified rate of pure live seed / pounds per acre within the project limits.

Step 2: Using the same equipment, make a second pass, applying mulch only at the rate of 1500 lbs. per acre/1681.27 kg per hectare.

Mulch will be accepted when it uniformly covers the area being applied and is no less than ¼” thick at the time of application. Mulch applied to non-designated areas, such as roadways is to be cleaned immediately following application and will not be counted towards the total being applied.

Task 2 Hand Seeding 3 parking lots’ vegetated islands .42 acres (Visitor Center 0.15 acres, Capitol Gorge parking lot 0.15 acres, Chimney Rock parking lot 0.12 acres)

Three areas will be planted with nursery grown plant materials, the Visitor Center (3330 sq ft.), Chimney Rock (1529 sq ft.), Capitol Gorge (895 sq ft.). Visitor Center parking lot has multiple vegetated islands that require seeding.

These areas will be hand seeded following plant installation and watering.

Seed may be applied by manually dispersing seed across the site by hand, via a small handheld distribution device (whirlybird etc.) or other government approved method. Contractor shall assure the seed is applied evenly, at the desired rate, across the entire site. Any seed wasted, destroyed, or mis-applied will be replaced by the Contractor at no cost to the government.

Following even dispersal, the seed shall be evenly raked into the top ¼ inch of soil. Do not bury or rake seed more than ¼ inch deep. Following seed application, no excessive foot or any vehicle traffic will be permitted.

Task 3

Top Soil preparation and Drill Seeding at staging areas 5.5 acres Pendleton Pasture The Pendleton Pasture is a 5.5-acre site (5.0 acres +10% contingency) and topsoil will be de-compacted a minimum of 4 inches by Contractor and prepared for drill seeding. It will be drill seeded after all construction activities have been completed as it is the staging area for the site. Drill seeding will require a rangeland, no till seed drill that had multiple seed boxes and can accommodate different sized seeds, has the capacity of placing seed at ¼ inch depth, and firming soil after placement.

Specifications for the proposed seed drill equipment shall be provided to the government for approval prior to mobilization or seed application. Contractor will be responsible for notifying government a minimum of 3 weeks prior to drilling of how to deliver seed based on seed size to accommodate equipment.

Task 4 Planting Nursery Grown Container plants 1- 2 Gallon and Initial Watering

Plant up to 300, 1-to-5-gallon government provided nursery grown plants at parking lot islands at the Visitor Center (3330 sq ft.), Chimney Rock (1529 sq ft.), Capitol Gorge (895 sq ft.). Plant material must be installed in the dormant season, October 15-November 30.

The government will work with the Contractor to arrange plant delivery at an agreed upon time. After delivery the Contractor will be responsible for all maintenance of material until plants are installed. This includes supplemental watering, protection from weather, protection for herbivory, and general maintenance.

Source Common Name Size -Gallon Quantity

Zion National Park

Yucca 2 gal 15

Zion National Park

Opuntia 1 gal 18

Zion National Park

Rhus 2 gal 8

Commercial Nursery (likely

Wildscapes)

Single-leafed Ash, Barberry, Mormon

Tea, Etc.

1 gal 48

Zion National Park

Sego Lily and Prickly Poppy

1 gal 22

Zion National Park

TBD Shrubs, Graminoids, and Forbs

1-2 gal 100-130

Total 210-241 plants

Installation Specifications

Once the planting hole is prepared, lay the containerized tree, shrub, grass, or forb on its side and gently slide the plant out of the container.

o It may be necessary to push on the sides of the container to loosen the root ball or cut the container.

o Remove all containers, including biodegradable pots.

If roots are growing in a spiral around the soil ball, the plant is rootbound.

o Separate these roots or they will eventually girdle the plant.

o Make vertical cuts with a knife or pruning shears on the sides of the ball just deep enough to cut the net of roots.

o Make a crisscross cut across the bottom of the ball.

Place the intact root ball in the hole.

o Plant trees so that the graft and/or trunk flare (whichever is lowest on the plant) is 1" above the soil surface. This is usually the same level at which the tree was growing in the container.

Backfill the soil into the hole a few inches at a time, firming the soil after each addition. While backfilling, be sure the plant remains vertical.

Form a ridge to hold water and stake and protect plants when necessary.

Contractor to water each plant at time of installation. Contractor is responsible for providing watering equipment. Watering shall be at a gravity fed/slow rate as to not disturb soil. Water shall not be sourced from nearby creek or wetlands. Access to garden hose at maintenance facility is available with advanced notification and supervision. Watering shall be completed until at least all soil within 2x the width and depth of the root ball is sufficiently saturated.

Task 5 Traffic Control & Safety Plan All roads will remain open to the public during revegetation activities. Appropriate traffic control measures shall be implemented by the Contractor to assure safety of work crews, park staff, and the visiting public.

1. Scenic Drive is a two-way road with one lane of travel in each direction. The Contractor is responsible for providing traffic control during all work that requires a lane closure to safely accomplish it.

2. The Contractor will need to provide adequate traffic control including flaggers and safety signage per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and follow the National Standards for Traffic Control.

Submit a traffic control plan to COR and Park for review and approval prior to the beginning of work; work will need to be coordinated with any scheduled road construction still occurring within the road corridor. Total allowable traffic delays will be negotiated with the CO. The Contractor should expect only short delays would be allowable.

Anticipate Traffic Control efforts for all roadside seeding work.

Traffic control support may be required for parking lot island work to allow safe access.

All work including traffic control will be conducted in the Fall.

3. The Contractor shall provide the CO, Park, and COR with a safety plan subject to approval that includes traffic control plan, other risks, and hazardous material spill response plans at least two weeks prior to mobilization.

Task 6 Reporting & Documentation Documentation shall include no few than 9 photos per revegetation location and include a minimum of 3 pre, 3 during, and 3 after revegetation work. Brief written documentation will highlight any unusual or ecologically concerning conditions such as observed weed pressures in adjacent soil, overly compacted soil conditions, or other issues that may influence revegetation success.

Documentation shall be provided to the government no later than 3 months following revegetation work. Documentation of site conditions does not substitute for communication during implementation. The contractor shall inform the government of any observed unexpected, unusual, or difficult site conditions that may impact the success of revegetation activities.

Unless specifically stated, the Contractor shall submit all reports to the COR in an electronic format. Provide digital GIS shapefiles in UTM/NAD 83 format.

III. MATERIALS

Seed Seed will be government furnished. Contractor must provide a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice prior to seed application. Government will provide seed bags and seed application rates.

Mulch Contractor will provide mulch and tackifier appropriate for hydroseeding at a rate of 1900 lbs. per acre.

Wood mulch shall conform to the following (Contractor supplies):

i. Mulch shall consist of 100% Aspen wood fibers

ii. Moisture 10.0% ± 3% PH 5.4 ± 0.1

iii. Organic matter (oven dried basis) 99.3% ± 0.2

iv. Inorganic Ash (oven dried basis) .7% ± 0.2

v. Water Holding 1,402%

vi. A minimum of 50% of the fibers will be equal to or greater than 0.15 inch.

vii. 75% or more will be retained on a 28 mesh screen.

viii. American Excelsior (1-800-777-Soil) or approved equal.

ix. Guar Tackifier, applied at a rate that conforms to the suppliers recommended application rate.

Nursery Grown Plant Material

Plant material will be government furnished. Contractor will notify the government 30 days before plant materials are scheduled to be installed. The government will arrange delivery of plant material at or near the date provided by the Contractor. Following delivery, the Contractor is responsible for maintenance as specified above.

Water Contractor is responsible for sourcing water if hydrants are necessary. There are no hydrants available to provide water for hydroseeding equipment.

After last spring frost and prior to October 31st, there is an irrigation valve that sources non-filtered water nearby Pendleton Pastures and at Headquarters.

Contractor is responsible for communication with park at a minimum of two weeks prior to mobilization if access to these sources is needed. If these water sources are utilized, the Contractor will not be charged for water by the Park.

IV. QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality Standards shall be in accordance with the base scope of work, commercial practices, and as described in this statement of work.

1. Safety. The Contractor will understand that its employees will be working alongside, near, and in some cases on the road. Proper safety protocol will be the responsibility of the Contractor. This includes, but is not limited to, proper signage for oncoming traffic and safety attire for employees (e.g. orange vests, traffic cones, and flags).

2. Quality Assurance

a. The Contractor will be responsible for its workers at all times. The NPS expects full compliance with National Park Service regulations and the quality standards listed in this task order. The Contractor is to assume this responsibility.

3. Site Housekeeping. - The Contractor is expected to keep a clean job site. Dirt clods and other debris are expected to be removed from the pavement and jobsite prior to departure each day. If any hazardous spills occur (e.g. oil, herbicide, or hydraulic fluid), Contractor is responsible for clean up and any damage caused. All spills will be reported immediately to CO, Park, and COR.

4. Damage to Government Property- Pavement, concrete, and the entire built environment that the Contractor is working on and around is likely new, is government property, and shall not be damaged. The contractor shall be responsible for repairing or replacing any damaged infrastructure, pavement, concrete, or other facilities at the government’s discretion.

5. General Damage. The contractor will be held accountable for any damage to government property this includes, but is not limited to existing vegetation, historic walls, paving surfaces, and building structures.

6. Equipment Cleaning

a. All vehicles and equipment will be inspected before their entry into CARE for mud, weeds, and other unwanted substances. Power-wash all seeding equipment before loading for transport to the Park and conduct secondary inspection with Park or DSC representative before off-loading equipment at park.

b. Be advised that NPS has very high equipment cleaning standards. This includes all equipment, including vehicles, seeders, rental equipment, shovels, boots, etc. All parts of equipment are required to be clean included but not limited to exterior, interior, hoses, tires, truck beds, skid plates, pans, etc. subject to inspection prior to implementation.

c. Equipment will be rejected and need to be re-cleaned if it is not permissible.

d. Hydroseeding equipment is a vector for introducing non-native and non-local plants into park lands. All hydroseeding equipment and hoses must be triple rinsed before it enters the park. All agitator, tank, hose, and small tank must be inspected by the contractor to assure there is no mulch, seed, or foreign material before entering the park. Contractor should arrive with water in the tank and be prepared to flush hoses with a park representative present to verify no foreign material or residuals are in the tank or hoses. ANY foreign material in the tank will result in equipment being sent back to locations outside of the park for further cleaning by the contractor. Avoid using corrugated hoses for hydroseeding equipment. These can trap seed and mulch from previous jobs.

7. Seeding Seeding rate for each application method will be calculated at pure live seed per square foot application rate by the government. The pounds per acre rate of application will be between 10 and 40 lbs. per acre and will be provided at the time of seeding.

Seed shall be applied via a dormant season application. Dormant season seeding dates at CARE are between October 1st and November 30th. Target application date is when average surface soil temperatures are below 40 degrees and soil is not excessively wet, or frozen.

a. Contractor must calibrate application rate to assure seed is applied at the specified pounds per acre rate. Contractor shall use park provided maps and on site evaluations to estimate how much disturbed area will be covered with each tank full of hydromulch/seed slurry and calculate how much seed will be utilized for each tankful to achieve the specified pounds per acre seeding rate. This calculation and area estimate will be communicated to the CO/COR on site before any application occurs. The government will verify that the application rate is correct before application is approved.

b. Existing vegetation will not be impacted by any seeding operations. Plants will not be covered in a mulch/tack slurry. Hand seeding will be done around plants and not impact existing vegetation.

V. DELIVERABLES

Pre-field work initiation Provide written and verbal description of methods that will be used to calibrate hydroseeding/mulching equipment to achieve the specified application rates.

Written and verbal descriptions of how hand specified hand seeding application rates will be achieved. Example: We will use provided maps and on-site observations to estimate disturbance areas and calculate acres/square feet in each area and define how many pounds of seed will be applied in each area.

Mulch manufacturers specification sheets for approval by government.

Traffic Control Plan

Post work completion.

Summary report with photos