B09_-_Attachement_1_-_Hobe_Sound_FY21_Mechanical_Treatments_PWS_QAP.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

FY21 Hobe Sound Mechanical Treatments

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge

Hobe Sound, Florida

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide vegetation reduction (i.e. fine cut mulching, shredding) within delineated project boundaries on the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/Refuge). The

Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein.

Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

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

1.2 Description of Services/Introduction: This procurement is for the mechanical treatment of vegetation within delineated project units on the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound NWR for scrub fuels management. The contractor shall utilize mechanized equipment to physically reduce brush, saplings, and trees; targeted vegetation will be mulched, masticated, ground, shredded, mowed or otherwise physically reduced and brought down to ground level. Residues may be left on site, evenly distributed across the treatment area. The contractor shall mechanically treat all live sand pine trees that are not flagged and all other live woody stems within the treatment area. Large sand pine trees greater than 12 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) may be left untreated, not to exceed one tree per acre. Target species include sand pine trees (Pinus clausa), saw palmetto (Sereona repens), and scrub oaks (Quercus spp.). Target vegetation must be reduced down to 3 to 6 inches above grade to avoid soil disturbance and no higher than one foot above ground level. Tree stumps shall be reduced to 3 to 6 inches above grade.

Specific trees to avoid will be marked by flagging.

1.3 Period of Performance: The Contractor shall begin work within 30 days of notification by Contracting and Grant Services or the assigned Contracting Officers Representative (COR)/Site Representative (SR). The project shall be fully completed within 6 months following issuance of the task order and notification to begin work. Final inspection and final billing shall be completed prior to the end of the Period of Performance.

1.4 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be within the boundaries of the Nathaniel P. Reed

Hobe Sound NWR, Hobe Sound in Martin County, Florida. The Refuge is comprised of two separate and distinct tracts of land totaling 1,091 acres (Figure 1). This project will be conducted in sand pine scrub habitat on the Mainland Tract, comprised of approximately 356 acres located between US 1 and the Indian River Lagoon, roughly two miles south of Bridge Road.

1.5 Type of Contract: This is a Firm Fixed Price contract with price per acre provided.

1.6 Security Requirements: n/a

1.7 Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.8 Key Control (if applicable). The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.8.1 In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting

Officer, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.8.2 The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.8.3 Lock Combinations (if applicable). The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.9 Special Qualifications: Contractor must have 3-5 years of documented experience in successfully completing mechanical treatments in scrub habitat within the state of Florida within the past 5 years.

1.10 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference or progress meetings convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal

Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, COR, Government/Site Representative (GR/SR), and other

Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance and/or status of work. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the government views the

Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems being experienced, if any. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.11 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Government/Site Representative (GR/SR): The COR/SR will be identified by either separate letter or other form of notification. The COR/SR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR/SR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; conduct inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor performance and notify both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.12 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager/Administrator, Project Manager/Supervisor. The Contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the

Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between

1.13 Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. The Contractor personnel will be required to obtain and wear badges (or company attire indicating name of company) in performance of this service.

1.14 Data Rights (If applicable): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract.

All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the

Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

II. BACKGROUND

2.1 Scrub fuels management is one of the highest priorities at the Refuge. As vegetation becomes overgrown, the ecosystem becomes uninhabitable for much of the flora and fauna and becomes a fire hazard to the surrounding community. Highly combustible, heavy fuel loads increase the risk of unwanted fire, threatening nearby residents’ property. Densely overgrown

Florida scrub also degrades ecosystem function and displaces rare plants and native wildlife species that rely on scrub for existence, including many listed species.

Notable animals of Florida scrub include the Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), the endemic Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus), Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi), and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus).

The health and integrity of this rapidly disappearing ecosystem can be greatly improved by the reduction of biomass.

Controlled burning is the principle method by which scrub habitats are managed in Florida. This management activity reduces biomass, creates forage resources at ground level for use by native species, and produces a much safer environment for the management of wildfire and protection of nearby residents and communities. When logistics and conditions prevent controlled burning as is the case with our scrub system, mechanical treatments are the next option used to mimic fire. By controlling vegetation through mechanical means, the ecosystem continues to provide much needed forage and cover resources for wildlife and provides a way to manage the threat of unwanted fire.

III. SCOPE

3.1 Objective: The project area is comprised of two units totaling 152 acres of scrub habitat that transitions into hardwood hammock or mangrove along the Indian River Lagoon. Of the 152 acres, up to 100 acres are slated for treatment. Portions of the scrub are approaching or have reached sub-optimal conditions and are located in areas where due to multiple logistical constraints, prescribed fire is currently not the principle method of treatment. Treatment areas are characterized by a combination of flat terrain, gently rolling hills, and steep slopes that may require a different approach for achieving desired results depending on equipment used and operator experience. The contractor must be able to distinguish scrub plant species and habitat from hammock and mangrove plant species and habitats. It is important to avoid treating hammocks and mangroves.

Additionally, large patches or clusters of lichens, airplants, and rosemary balds shall be avoided. Completion of the proposed project shall ensure restoration, in part, to a larger ecosystem that provides suitable habitat for the federally listed Florida scrub-jay, and improves habitat conditions used by a host of species listed by the State of Florida such as the gopher tortoise.

Only scrub specific species within the delineated areas are targets for treatment.

3.1.1 Unit M5 (Figure 2): This unit, totaling 57 acres was prescribe burned as recently as February 2020. Mechanical treatments will target roughly 28.8 acres, 17.5 of which will include sand pine trees only, within the interior burned portion.

The remaining 11.3 acres will expand treatments to include treatment of all vegetation identified as scrub species (trees and shrubs). Some hammock species may be encountered on the east side of this unit near the privately owned residences and shall be avoided.

3.1.2 Option Unit - Unit M2 (Figure 3): This unit, totaling 94.5 acres, is comprised of sand pine scrub, hardwood hammock and mangrove habitats. Mechanical treatments will target up to 70.5 acres of scrub vegetation within the interior of the unit, leaving an aesthetic screen buffer along the lagoon in addition to untreated patches (up to 10%) to provide a mosaic of forest cover types. Specific untreated patch locations shall be provided by the Refuge prior to treatments; however, these areas may be altered due to various circumstances including amount of gopher tortoise burrows found or plant buffers (i.e. lichens, rosemary). Any field level modifications and adjustments by the COR shall be made through close coordination with the vendor. The COR will make every attempt to ensure equal acreage is added/removed within a timeframe acceptable for both parties under these circumstances. Care must be taken to ensure hammock and mangrove species are left untreated. {Note:

Depending on available funding, contractor may be directed to treat this entire unit, a portion of this unit or none of this unit.} (Option Line)

3.2 Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Method of treatment will be done using a mulcher or tree cutter type of implement. Equipment shall be tracked (no wheeled equipment; no exceptions) to make sure that ground disturbance is minimized. The type of equipment to be used shall be stated on the bid (both the type of vehicle and the mulching head) in addition to price per acre.

3.3 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of contract. Note: The Contracting Officer reserves the right to require the Contractor to replace any operating personnel, or equipment used in the performance of this

Contract if the personnel, or equipment are violating, or have violated, any state or federal laws; or are unsafe; or for any valid reason. In this event, the Contractor shall as soon as reasonably possible, upon written or verbal notice (to be later reduced to writing) from the Contracting Officer, provide replacements satisfactory to the Contracting Officer at no additional cost.

3.4 The contractor will treat overgrown scrub vegetation within delineated project boundaries, pre-defined and mapped within the USFWS geographic information system (GIS) database (Figure 2). Heavy equipment will be used to treat vegetation in the delineated areas using the following guidelines. Any field level modifications and adjustments shall be made through close coordination and at the discretion of the Refuge.

3.4.1 The mulching implement shall be able to treat a 20-foot wide swath of vegetation per pass (at a minimum). Reducing the number of passes the vehicle makes will reduce ground disturbance and therefore will minimize the potential spread of the non-native plants or crush desired vegetation. Alternative methods or equipment, such as chainsaws, may be needed where terrain slopes are too steep or unsafe for the primary implement. In such cases, alternative methods or equipment must be preapproved in writing by the COR.

3.4.2 Specified areas will be left untreated and undisturbed for various reasons including protection of coastal hammocks or listed/rare plants, creating a mosaic of treated and untreated areas, or utilization as a visual screening of the road or residents.

Only areas delineated on the map for treatment shall be suitable for mechanical control.

3.4.3 The project area may encompass transitional areas from scrub specific species such as oaks and saw palmetto to hammocks or mangroves. The contractor must be able to distinguish scrub plant species from hammock and mangrove plant species to avoid treatment of non-target species found in hammocks, wetland, and mangroves. Additionally, large patches or clusters of lichens, airplants, and rosemary balds shall be avoided. The contractor shall coordinate closely with the COR in areas of ambiguity.

3.5 Actions are required by the contractor for the protection of listed species. Observations of threatened or endangered species shall be documented (photo and coordinates) and reported to the COR. Species list available upon request.

3.5.1 Gopher Tortoises and Burrows - All gopher tortoises and their burrows shall be avoided by the contractor, and no heavy equipment shall drive within 25 feet of the entrance to the burrow to prevent the collapse of the burrows. Depending on equipment used, vegetation may still be treated within the 25-foot buffer as long as the equipment tracks maintain buffer distance. When treating in heavy brush where several stems are treated at once, the operator shall cut no lower than 12 inches to prevent take of gopher tortoises, unless and until operator can clearly confirm the absence of gopher tortoises. Mechanical treatment of individual small trees where the operator can clearly see the ground surrounding the trunk is exempt from this restriction and can be cut to a 3 to 6 inch stump. The contractor must report any accidental take to the COR. The contractor shall mark observations of gopher tortoise burrows discovered during operations and submit coordinates to the Refuge.

3.5.2. Eastern Indigo Snakes - Contractor shall review and adhere to the Protection Measures (USFWS 2013) for Eastern indigo snakes, including associated posters and brochures (provided by the COR upon award) prior to work commencement.

3.6 Sand pine trees (Pinus clausa) <12”DBH will be mechanically treated. Up to one tree per acre may be left untreated with preference given to larger sand pine trees (>12” DBH). Specific trees that are desired to be kept will be marked by flagging.

3.7 Equipment operator shall have navigation equipment such as a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, to record mechanical treatment tracks for submittal to the Refuge.

3.8 Any exotic trees or shrubs (i.e. Brazilian pepper, earleaf acacia) will be mechanically treated.

3.9 Large pieces of trash discovered during operations (such as concrete blocks, engines, tires, etc) shall have coordinates and photo documentation reported to the COR.

3.10 Any maintenance of heavy machinery while on-site needs to be along the fire-lines or road shoulder. Any liquid spills

(hydraulic fluid, fuel, etc.) needs to be properly contained and communicated to refuge staff.

3.11 Contractor personnel shall maintain professional conduct at all times while on the Refuge. The area is surrounded by residential homes and a hospital. Contractor personnel shall be not leave any sort of personal trash on-site. Refuge staff have the right to request that trash is to be picked up.

3.12 The Contractor will provide adequate vehicles and personnel for the purpose of loading/unloading equipment, and shall be responsible unloading/loading operations. Movement of equipment in and around the treatment locations will be the sole responsibility of the contractor. All personnel and equipment to be used will be appropriately licensed and certificated as appropriate for the work to be done. The Contractor will be responsible for providing sufficient equipment, fuel (for equipment), safety items, spill response kit, personnel and their subsistence needs during the project period, as well as checking all work sites for hazards of any type which could affect their ability to accomplish the project.

3.13 The Contractor will provide USFWS with contact information for all ground personnel, vehicles, and equipment, identification information (including make, model, color, name of company, and contact information) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

3.14 All equipment and personnel must be able to work at a semi-remote and semi-primitive site (i.e., no electrical or water hookups, bathrooms, or other facilities available).

3.15 The Refuge Manager must be notified at least 48 hours prior to commencing any work.

3.16 During periods of extended wet weather or in areas with saturated soils, equipment cannot cause ruts greater than 6 inches deep. If work is prohibited by the USFWS due to extended wet weather, negotiations may be made to lengthen the contract period.

3.17 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife other than any identified native vegetation to be treated. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall avoid damage to sensitive archaeological sites such as Native American middens and shell mounds. The Contractor shall be held liable if damage was determined to be the fault of the Contractor (negligence), the result of improper treatment techniques, or the result of improper use of equipment.

IV. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

4.1 All Contractor employees performing work directly onsite must adhere to all local regulations, rules, policies relating to the obtainment of proper clearances, building access, site access, and badges. If applicable, must complete background investigation, computer security, and records management training.

4.2 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

4.3 OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 (as applicable)

4.4 EPA regulations

4.5 The Contractor is responsible for acquiring and maintaining all federal and local licenses, certification, and permits as required.

4.6 Chapter 487, Florida Statutes

4.8 The Contractor (or their representatives) will not litter. Litter violations will be handled under Federal Code of Regulations

50 CFR27.94(a), which carries a fine of $100.00 per incident upon conviction.

V. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The contractor will observe 95% compliance with agreed upon work schedules and the PWS (5% allowance due to uncontrollable events such as severe weather, illness).

5.2 Minimum acceptable mechanical treatment of vegetation is 95% of all stems meeting the required specifications as outlined in “Section III. Scope”.

5.3 Non-Target Damage: The Contractor shall, to the best of his/her ability, avoid non-target damage to native vegetation and avoid disturbance and impacts to native wildlife.

5.4. All equipment including trucks and trailers must be properly cleaned and sterilized using accepted Best Management

Practices to ensure that non-native seed contamination from other job sites does not occur. The Contractor will be held responsible for any new species introductions to the treatment unit that can be traced to a prior job site.

VI. WORK TIME/HOURS OF DUTY

6.1 Work will not be performed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

6.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:00AM and 5:30PM, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the

Contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the

Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

6.2.1 Any weekend work requires prior approval by the designated contracting officer.

6.3 Work may be temporarily suspended during certain construction, prescribed fire activities, anticipated extreme weather conditions such as drought, tropical storms or other severe weather event, or during low water or muddy conditions. The COR shall inform the Contractor of the time schedule as work progresses. The Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice.

6.4 Weather and site conditions may interfere with the work completion schedule negotiated at the award conference. The

Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice for conditions beyond the control of the contractor. If this result in significant time lost, the completion date for the project can be re-negotiated by the CO/COR/SR and the contractor.

VII. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND UTILITIES

NOTE: As a government agency dedicated to “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strives to incorporate the most ecologically sound and environmentally beneficial technologies, materials, and practices into all aspects of planning and operations. To help achieve this mission and meet Executive Orders (EOs) and Department of the Interior (DOI) planning requirements, the USFWS has implemented strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with procurement, lease acquisition, waste prevention and recycling, facility design, construction, operation and management, contracting and permitted commercial visitor services. These strategies have been collectively referred to as the FWS’s Green Procurement and Waste

Prevention & Recycling Program (Greening Program) and are a part of the FWS’s overall approach to environmental management.

7.1 Government-Furnished Property and Services. none

7.1.1 Services/Supply: none

7.1.2 Facilities: none

7.1.3 Utilities: none

7.1.4 Equipment: Storage of equipment and/or herbicides needed to complete the project shall be addressed prior to the start of the project, and approval shall be at the discretion of the Site/Refuge Manager. No exceptions shall be allowed/permitted. The

Government shall furnish no equipment or property for this task.

7.1.5 Materials: none

7.2 Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: to be provided by the Contractor

7.2.1 All supplies, equipment, parts, and material(s) required to successfully complete this requirement (unless otherwise provided by the Government as indicated above). All equipment to be used in the performance of work described herein is subject to the approval of the SR.

VIII. SUPERVISION

8.1 In order to ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall provide adequate and competent supervision at all times for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees. When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be available at all times to receive notices, reports, or requests from the SR/COR or his authorized representative. At no time shall Government representatives direct or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees.

8.2. Supervisory Responsibilities. Supervisory responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

8.2.1 Providing an adequate labor force; this includes the immediate replacement of personnel dismissed for cause or leaving employment of their own volition.

8.2.2 Ensuring that Contractor personnel are properly trained to perform their assigned work in a proper, safe, and efficient manner, and ensuring that the proper supplies, materials, and equipment are on hand.

8.2.3 Taking action to prevent general carelessness by employees and/or abuse of facilities or equipment.

8.2.4 Establishing an effective and comprehensive safety program.

8.2.5 Indoctrinating employees to report fire, hazardous conditions, maintenance deficiencies, and graffiti.

8.2.6 Continually ensuring that the conduct of the Contractor’s employees reflect favorably upon the Contractor’s and FWS organization(s). If applicable, supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that employees fully support and participate in the energy-conservation program within the facilities. Use lights or other energy-consuming equipment only in areas where and when work is actually being performed. Secure lights and other equipment when not in use or needed.

IX. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

9.1 Supervisory Personnel. All supervisory employees engaged in directing the work to be accomplished under this contract shall possess, at least with-in the last two years of recent, (within the past four years) experience in directing the subject service-type operations in a supervisory capacity for buildings/property of the approximate size/scope under this contract.

X. DELIVERABLES

10.1 Frequent reporting/accounting of overall progress and (to-date) expenditures (i.e. 25%, 50%, 90%) or as determined by the Government/Site Representative.

10.2 Coordination, treatment, and wrap-up meetings.

10.3 Report and include GPS location and photo documentation of all known endangered plants and animals. Main targets include Eastern indigo snakes, scrub jays, four-petal pawpaw, Lakela’s mint, Florida perforate cladonia, and tiny polygala.

10.3.1 GPS locations (in decimal degrees) for each gopher tortoise burrow found.

10.4 If applicable, herbicide usage report with quantity and tradenames for all applications.

10.5 Work plan to include schedule

10.6 A government representative will inspect all areas periodically during the contract period and will perform a final inspection of all areas 30 days following treatments.

10.7 Copies of all task order invoices (signed by the Contractor Crew Supervisor/Site Manager) shall be submitted to the

USFWS Site Manager as agreed upon by the Government and the Contractor. Invoices shall be submitted no more frequently than on a monthly basis.

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

(This technical exhibit lists any reports or documentation that is required as a deliverable and includes the frequency, # of copies, medium/format and who/where it is to be submitted. A deliverable is anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as meeting minutes.)

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To

List of Company Point of

Contacts with name, phone number, email address

Once 1 Pre-award teleconference notes; MS Word or Email

Contracting Officer and

Government

Representative/Manager

Coordination, pre-award, application, interim, and wrap-up meetings

As directed by the

CO/COR/SR

n/a Meeting Government

Representative/Manager

Scheduled reporting/accounting of progress (acres treated and expected acreage treated for the coming week).

Weekly; also at

50% & 100% project completion

1 Hard/soft copy in MS

Word or Excel format

Government

Representative/Manager

Threatened and endangered species observations

Within 3 days of observation

1 Hard/soft copy in MS

Word, shapefile, or Email

Government

Representative/Manager

GPS Track Log Bi-weekly 1 Projected shapefile Government

Representative/Manager

Gopher Tortoise Burrows Submitted at project completion

1 Projected shapefile or

Excel format list of coordinates

Government

Representative/Manager

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

1.1 The Contractor shall institute a complete quality-control program to ensure that the requirements of this contract are provided, as specified. The overall goal of the program should be to identify and correct any problems that may exist before they are identified by or reported to the Government Representative (GR)/Site Representative (SR). This will aid in ensuring the contractor meets time schedules, adheres to standard commercial practices, and complies with Performance Work

Statement/contract in an efficient, ethical, and productive manner. As a minimum, the program shall include:

1.1.1 An inspection system covering all the services required under Section V (Performance Requirements) with a comprehensive checklist to be used to inspect contract performance during scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and the name(s) of the individuals who will be performing the inspections.

1.1.2 A system for identifying and correcting deficiencies and/or a pattern of deficiencies in the quality or quantity of services provided before the level of performance becomes unacceptable and/or Government inspectors point out the deficiencies.

1.1.3 A file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and corrective actions taken (at Contractor’s expense). This should include follow-up inspections to ensure that corrective action was appropriate, complete, and timely. This documentation shall be organized in a logical manner, kept current, and made available to the GR and the CO during the term of the contract.

1.1.4 When notified of a deficiency, items designated as unsatisfactory or below standard shall be re-performed by Contactor at no additional cost to the Government. All corrective action must be completed by the next working day of notification of the deficiency. If not, a deduction may be made (as determined from the applicable month’s invoice). Failure of the Government to notify the Contractor of a deficiency does not relieve the Contractor of the obligation to perform services nor does it relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to ensure that quality control measures are adhered to for contract compliance.

1.2 Performance Indicators and Acceptable Quality Levels

1.2.1 Comply with work production/work schedule(s) except for Excusable Delays. 100% compliance

1.2.2 Comply with all work requirements and standards as indicated within the Work Statement. 100% compliance

1.2.3 Comply with all Performance Requirements (PR) and PR Standards. 100% compliance

1.2.4 Comply with all contract terms and conditions. 100% compliance

1.2.5 Cause no damage to government resources, fish, wildlife, and/or property. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.6 Maintain safety of workers and work environment at all times. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.7 Maintain a Quality Control Plan and immediately disclose/report any problems. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.8 Ensure all equipment is in good working order during the entire period of performance. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.9 When possible and to the greatest extent of the Contractor’s capabilities, non-target damage shall be avoided. The

Contractor shall be held responsible and liable for extensive non-target damage (to be determined by the COR or GR/SR.

100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.10 The Contractor shall implement ‘Decontamination’ protocols prior to, during, and after completing work to prevent the introduction, transport and spread of invasive and non-native plant species. 100% compliance

1.2.11 The Contractor shall document, report, and clean up all spills, and dispose of any hazardous material including chemicals and fuels according to State standards. A Spill Prevention and Containment safety plan must be present on site at all times. 100% compliance

1.3 Surveillance Methods

1.3.1 Regularly scheduled inspection/review of work

1.3.2 Inspection of materials, equipment. The CO/COR/SR, reserves the right to inspect, at any time upon notice to the

Contractor, the Contractor’s procedures, equipment, and operating personnel. Inspection, however, shall not relieve the

Contractor of any obligations or responsibilities, nor shall it transfer any liability to the Refuge.

1.3.3 Contractor logs/reports

1.3.4 Entire payment will be held until final inspection by Refuge staff. Following inspection, the Contractor may submit their invoice for payment. Unless 100% coverage is shown on all targeted vegetation, the Contractor must return to the unaffected portion of the site and re-treat at their expense within 2 months of the original treatment. Payment will be withheld until satisfactory results are achieved.

1.4 Incentives

1.4.1 Non-compliance with Performance Work Statement will result in negative performance evaluation/rating.

1.4.2 A positive performance rating will be given for overall satisfactory work and compliance related to the contract.

Figure 1. General Location Map, N.P.R. Hobe Sound NWR.

Figure 2. Mechanical Treatment Unit - M5 (3.1.1), N.P.R. Hobe Sound NWR. Aerial maps should not be used to estimate current conditions and vegetative coverage.

Figure 3. Mechanical Treatment Unit – M2 (3.1.2), N.P.R. Hobe Sound NWR.