B08__Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

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PROJECT TITLE:

APPLEGATE 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 A: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

EXHIBIT B: MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

EXHIBIT C: Example photos of piled units

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PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Bureau of Land Management Applegate Field Office is requesting a Prescribed Fire Support Module for 15 days per year to provide ignition assistance on prescribed burns of hand or machine piles. Applegate BLM field office has conducted extensive fuels reduction work which has created a backlog of machine and hand piles within BLM administered public land. The intent of this contract is to supplement capability of prescribed burning on BLM managed lands.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work This contract is to provide a 10-person prescribed fire module on a daily rate for 15 total days to assist with prescribed burning. The prescribed burning services consist of igniting pre-built hand or machine juniper piles with handheld drip torches. The prescribed burns will be conducted by the BLM, utilizing a BLM burn boss under the Incident Command System, with the contractor providing assistance with ignitions of the piles. The contractor shall provide all services, supervision of the module, equipment, and supplies (except those specified as Government furnished), transportation, lodging and qualified/trained personnel necessary to meet or exceed the contract specifications.

Place of Performance:

The prescribed burning operations will occur on four different units on Bureau of Land Management administered public lands managed by the Applegate BLM Field Office (See Exhibit C for maps and directions). The units are:

• Modoc Gulch Unit – Siskiyou County 4 miles SE of Dorris, CA o 400 of acres of hand piles

• Ryegrass Swale Unit – Modoc County 12 miles south of Alturas, CA o 1200 acres (300 of hand piles and 900 machine piles)

• Duck Flat Unit – Washoe County, NV 40 miles south of Cedarville, CA o 4000 acres of hand piles

• Bull Creek Unit - Washoe County, NV, 15 miles east of Cedarville, CA o 3000 acres of hand piles

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year with a 6-month active period and one (1) option year with a 6-month active period.

Base Year: November 1st, 2023, through October 31st, 2024 Active Period: November 1st, 2023, through April 30th, 2024

Option Year: November 1st, 2024, through October 31st, 2025 Active Period: November 1st, 2024, through April 30th, 2025

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PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this contract is to provide a 10-person prescribed fire module on a daily rate for 15 total days to assist with prescribed fire ignitions of pre-built hand or machine juniper piles using handheld drip torches.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Ignition of hand or machine piles using handheld firing devices, such as Drip Torches or Fussees within identified prescribed pile burn units. The prescribed burns will be conducted by the BLM, utilizing a BLM burn boss under the Incident Command System, with the contractor providing assistance with ignitions of the piles. The contractor shall provide all services, supervision of the module, equipment, and supplies (except those specified as Government furnished), transportation, lodging and qualified/trained personnel (see Section 5) necessary to meet or exceed the contract specifications.

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

Daily ignition accomplishment will vary due to a variety of factors, such as weather, terrain, pile moisture, and pile density. Typical production on similar burns is 10-20 acres per person per day. The piles are constructed of cut western juniper. Hand pile density on the units are approximately 10-20 hand piles per acre and 10-15 machine piles per acre. The hand piles on average are roughly 6 feet high and 6 feet in diameter.

The machine piles are comprised of roughly 2-6 trees stacked together with an estimated size of 6-10 feet high, 15-25 feet long, and 10-15 feet wide.

Ignitions will take place during daylight hours only, with a typical operational period of 8-10 hours. Ignition operations may be stopped under the direction of the BLM Prescribed Fire Burn boss if prescribed burn objectives are not met or if weather is outside prescription parameters. The contractor shall be paid the full daily rate if the burn is stopped by the BLM.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be on site during the operational period and may also function as the burn boss or will provide coordination of operations between the burn boss and contractor if not serving as the burn boss. The COR will describe the specific objectives of the operational duty to the contractor during a daily pre-operational briefing. The briefing will take place at a designated site for each unit (See Exhibit C for location), and at a designated time which will be determined by the COR at the time of activation. The briefing time will typically be between 0700 and 0800 but may vary based on travel distance to the unit and weather/road conditions. The

PWS Page 4 specific objectives, such the ignition location within the unit, may change during prescribed fire operations, based on variables such as weather or fire behavior, and the COR will be the designated person to communicate such changes to the contractor.

The daily pre-operational briefing will include the following information:

o Briefing on Prescribed Fire Plan and Objectives o Target ignition starting location and priority area to ignite.

o Access route into the area.

o Safety concerns, weather forecast.

o Special resource considerations o Communication methods and emergency procedures.

o Target completion time, anticipated length of activation.

o Logistical support method for Government furnished equipment and supplies.

Access to the units may require travel during winter driving conditions or adverse weather and may require off-road travel with four-wheel drive capability and Utility Task Vehicle (UTV). Cross country foot travel through steep or rugged terrain up to one hour may also be required to access portions of the units.

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 standards.

Ten Person Crew Module

1. Ten (10) persons

a. Crew Boss (CRWB) – 1

b. Fire Firefighter I (FFT1) – 1

c. Fire Fighter II (FFT2) - 8

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

3. Equipment

i. Fireline handtools (Pulaski, Shovel, or equivalent) - 10

ii. Supplies for up to a 10-hour shift.

iii. Programmable handheld radio or other agreed upon communication device – 2

4. Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) – 2

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

ii. All UTV passengers must have Department of transportation

(DOT) approved helmets

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Ordering Prescribed Fire Support Modules BLM Contracting Officer Representative will contact the Contractor during the agreed upon activation period (November – April) of a given period of performance and request Prescribed Fire Module Support. Requests will be placed a 72hrs to 1 week before the desired reporting time to the project briefing location.

The Contractor will confirm the availability of the module, Basic Firefighter Training compliance of each activated crewmember, and communication method/ information for the primary crew leader the module.

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

The BLM may change the unit to be worked on and reporting location during the activation depending on conditions, such as weather, or completing of a unit. The COR will notify the contractor at least 24 hours before the reporting time at the new location. The new unit and reporting location be one of the four units identified in section 2.

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 be for five (5) full rate operational days, exclusive of travel.

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 five (5) 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 BLM COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss. BLM COR or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss will ensure common radio frequencies are communicated and programmed into the provided radio equipment at the briefing time.

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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 Arduous Level Work Capacity Test

Each PFSM activation requires documentation of participant crewmember Basic Firefighting Training to be provided to the COR and CO at the time of request.

Map/navigation capabilities

Unit boundaries may not be marked. A 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, such as with Avenza PDF maps, or on paper to reach prescribed burn units and during Prescribed Burn operations in order to ensure objectives are met.

https://www.nwcg.gov/positions/fft2/position-qualification-requirements

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PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government-furnished.

Materials:

The Contractor shall furnish all materials necessary to meet the requirement of this contract except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services.

Equipment:

The Government shall furnish the below Equipment to assist the Contractor in meeting the requirement of this contract, Handheld Firing devices such as Drip Torches or Fusees during ignition operations, Drip Torch fuel in 5-gallon safety cans to be used in handheld drip torches while igniting burn piles.

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 workdays.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day 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.

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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:

Ignition – The act of starting the prescribed fire. Ignition devices that may be used are drip torches and fusees. Contractor will ensure any hand crew members assigned to ignition duties are trained and qualified to operate ignition devices safely and competently.

Incident Action Plan (IAP) - The IAP is a written plan that sets forth the incident objectives and reflects the tactics necessary to manage an incident during an operational period. The IAP provides essential information regarding incident

PWS Page 9 organization, work assignments, resources, and safety-all of which are driven by the incident objectives.

Prescribed (RX) Burning - The burning of forest or range fuels on a specific area under predetermined conditions so that the fire is confined to that area to fulfill silvicultural, wildlife management, sanitary or hazard reduction requirements, or otherwise achieve forestry or range objectives.

Prescribed Fire Support Module (PFSM) – Ten-Person Module – Consisting of one Crew Boss (CRWB), One Squad Boss (FFT1) and eight crew members (FFT2), equipment and transportation.

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RXB2 or RXB3) - Is responsible for the organizing and management of all personnel and equipment on the burn project and for meeting prescribed burn objectives.

Single Resource Crew Boss (CRWB) - Responsible for supervising and directing a fire suppression hand crew. The Crew Boss shall have met the training and experience requirements for Single Resource - Crew Boss and the performance tasks in PMS 311-13 (PTB) for CRWB.

Squad Boss (FFT1) - Responsible for supervising and directing up to five fire crew members (FFT2). Each Squad Boss shall have met the training and experience requirements for Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss and the performance tasks in PMS 311-14 (PTB) for FFT1.

Utility Terrain vehicle (UTV) – A self-propelled off-road vehicle intended for utility use to transport persons and cargo, have a non-straddle seat, are designed to travel on four or more wheels.

Other Terms, see NWCG Fire Glossary -https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms205 https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/pms205

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EXHIBIT A: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s)

Ignitions

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.

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

For 1 or first deficiency the COR will communicate specific deficiencies and desired improvements to meet acceptable standards, and document 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.

Incentives/Disincentives

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

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

c. Positive or negative Performance rating at the end of the contract

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EXHIBIT B: MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

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Directions:

Modoc Gulch:

From Dorris, CA head south on HWY 97 Turn Left on E 4th St In 500’ Turn Right on Center St In 300’ Turn Left on Dorris Brownell Rd In 800’ Turn Right on E Butte Valley Rd In 1.6 miles Turn left at the sharp corner onto the gravel rd Follow for 1000’ to the briefing area, which will be an open dirt parking area behind a green gate.

Ryegrass Swale:

From Alturas, CA head south on Main st.

Turn Right on Carlos St near the end of town In ¼ mile turn Left at the 4-way on West st In ½ mile turn Left on County Rd 60 In 4 miles turn Right on County Rd 62 The briefing area is at the intersection of CR 60 & CR 62

Duck Flat:

From Cedarville, CA head south on County Road 1 In 29 miles at the NV Stateline continue on to Hwy 447 In 17 miles turn Right on to Buckhorn Rd In ¼ mile the briefing area will be at the intersection of Buckhorn Rd and Duck Lake Loop Rd

Bull Creek:

From Cedarville, CA head east on Hwy 299 In 9.5 miles continue east on NV Route 8A at the NV Stateline, road will transition to maintained gravel road.

In 10 miles turn Right on NV Route 34 The briefing area will be at the intersection of NV route 8A and NV route 34

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EXHIBIT C: Example photos of piled units