C04a Attachment 1 SOW BSC 1240BH26R0013.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents

PROJECT

BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS TUNNEL REHABILITATION AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work

This project includes all labor, equipment, supplies, testing & inspections, and incidentals necessary for the Blanchard Springs Caverns (BSC) Dripstone and Discovery Trail Infrastructure repairs and safety upgrades. All work shall conform to the attached Drawings and Specifications. All work shall be performed by qualified and licensed contractors for all trades applicable. Work includes but is not limited to structural stabilization of tunnel entrance and exits, disposal and removal of existing supports, masonry repairs, Installation of Instrumentation & monitoring equipment, replacement of existing air lock doors at entrance and exits, replacement of existing security doors at entrance and exits, replacement of existing suspended ceiling system, components, and associated ductwork, replacement of existing bypass tunnel door, replacement of existing lighting and distribution system components, replacement of existing safety handrails, and replacement of the existing mine phone system and components.

· Cavern Access & Monitoring Requirements

· Forest personnel must always be present on site with non-Forest personnel and contractors while they are working within the underground portions of the Caverns. Entry and exit into the cavern shall be controlled by US Forest Service personnel. For all non-Forest Service individuals, each entry into and exit from the cavern must be documented.

· All contractor personnel, team members, and monitors will be required to complete a training module prior to first entry into the cavern environment and construction zone (approximately 4 hours). The training will be focused on the Caverns environment, species, and significance and sacred nature of the space in which this construction project will take place.

· The Forest archaeological monitor, or archaeological monitoring services secured by the Forest will be available during all rock displacement activities in the Caverns to ensure archaeological concerns are addressed and workers stay within the approved work area.

· All clothing, footwear, equipment, and other items brought into the cave would be decontaminated according to the USFWS’s White-nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocols posted at https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/mmedia-education/nationalwnsdecontamination-protocol-u-s. (USDOI FWS 2020)

· Shoe-clean troughs to prevent transport of dust, oil or any foreign material into and out of the cave shall be utilized.

· Structural Rehabilitation Repairs

· Any equipment that emits fossil fuel exhaust shall not be used inside the caverns and must be staged outside of the cavern environment.

· All removed timber supports and associated components must be disposed of offsite and according to jurisdictions having authority.

· Existing cavern rock must be used for all masonry repairs within the cavern.

· Native material originating from within the cavern, such as breakdown, shall not be removed from the cavern. Coordinate with CO for disposal location within the cavern.

· Air Lock Doors

· A temporary noise and containment barrier wall system shall be installed for construction and renovation of the air locks and bypass tunnel. To the maximum extent practicable, barriers shall be pre-assembled outside of the cave and brought into the cave for installation.

· Sound levels shall not exceed 65dB.

· Only one air lock shall be removed and replaced or modified at any one time.

· Lighting & Handrails

· To the maximum extent practicable, existing lighting fixtures, handrails, and wiring shall be replaced with new components within the same footprint of the existing.

· If replacement fixtures require welding or soldering, they must be pre-assembled outside of the cave and brought into the cave for installation.

· An area outside of the air lock shall be designated to modify or assemble replacement fixtures not requiring welding or soldering.

· Mine System Phones

· It is the intent to replace all existing phones and wiring components within the caves. See Drawings.

2.0 Background

· Original metal hand- and guardrails (i.e., safety railing), rock bolts (i.e., threaded steel bars utilized to stabilize jointed or fractured rock layers in mines or tunnels), incandescent lighting fixtures, wiring and air locks are still in place, but have corroded, compromising their functionality and safety. Degraded components of the original air locks at the cavern trail entrance and exit points have created gaps that allow outside air to enter the cavern environment. Utility service lines supporting communication systems within the caverns have also degraded in the humid cavern environment and affect the staff’s ability to reliably communicate to the surface in the event of an emergency.

· In 2015, an inspection completed by the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) identified potential hazards associated with horizonal tension fractures in the natural rock above the Dripstone trail entrance air lock and tunnel where loose rock had been falling (USDOL MSHA 2015). Temporary mitigation measures (i.e., timber supports) were installed as MSHA recommended. The timber support structure has been inspected regularly by an agency geologist since its installation. The structure continues to function as designed but is showing signs of deterioration. A design for air lock door replacement and renovation of constructed tunnels was completed in 2021 and included in the above scope of work; see Drawings and Specifications for construction.

· In 2023, an engineering firm contracted to assess the condition of existing railing, lighting and electrical components of the Dripstone and Discovery trails and to identify needs for additional railing to meet current requirements concluded the electrical systems do not meet current electrical code requirements and have reached the end of their service life (JLA 2023). Some electrical components pose safety hazards which include delivery of mild electrical shocks to staff changing bulbs and electrical breaker boxes have caught fire. A design to address these deficiencies has been completed and included in the above scope of work; see Drawings for construction.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 The Contractor is required to closely coordinate with the CO to perform all work per attached Drawings and Specifications and adhere to the requirements referenced in the attached Environmental Assessment, which includes a Memorandum of Agreement among the United States Forest Service & Tribal Stakeholders, and a Biological Opinion completed with the US fish and Wildlife Service.

3.2 Work is divided into 2 sets of plan documents that will be referred to as the Golder Drawings and Specifications for the BSC Tunnel Rehabilitation portion of the project, and the JLA Drawings and Specifications for the BSC Handrail and Lighting portion of the project.

3.2.1 Disregard all handrail work referenced in the Golder Drawings and Specifications. All handrail work and quantities are reflected in the JLA Drawings and Specifications.

3.3 No Surface Area Sinkhole work will be conducted under this contract. Disregard Surface Area Sinkhole work and omit from Bid.

3.3.1 Therefore, Golder Drawing Sheet C-15, page 18 of 18, Specification Section 310000_ Earthwork, and Section 329219_ Seeding will not be utilized.

3.4 Administrative process and procedures outlined in the Golder specifications such as progress schedule, schedule of values, progress payments, substitution procedures, and submittal procedures shall also apply to all JLA portions of the work.

3.5 See Schedule of Items below:

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS:

TOTAL ESTIMATED AMOUNT

TOTAL ESTIMATED OPTION AMOUNT

BLANCHARD CAVERNS PROPOSED RENOVATION SCHEDULE.

Building Reconstruction

Any time of year

None

VIC Landscaping tree removal During winter months or if during bat active season, see design criteria

Biologist clearance required

3.6 Elevator Room & Dripstone Cave Entrance (Golder)

3.6.1 Review Golder Specification 011000 Summary_ 1.02 Summary of Work_ A

3.6.1.1 Note: See Golder Specification 095100 Suspended Tile Ceilings. See JLA Drawing sheet E-101 Elevator Lobby Plan. It is the Forest Service Intent to replace the suspended ceiling system per the JLA Drawing. Coordinate with the CO on any discrepancies.

3.7 Dripstone Bridge (Golder)

3.7.1 Review Golder Specification 011000 Summary_ 1.02 Summary of Work_ B

3.8 Dripstone Cave Bypass Tunnel (Golder)

3.8.1 Review Golder Specification 011000 Summary_ 1.02 Summary of Work_ C

3.9 Dripstone Cave Exit (Golder)

3.9.1 Review Golder Specification 011000 Summary_ 1.02 Summary of Work_ D

3.10 Discovery Cave Exit (Golder)

3.10.1 Review Golder Specification 011000 Summary_ 1.02 Summary of Work_ E

3.11 Dripstone Lighting and Distribution Equipment (JLA)

3.11.1 Full replacement of lighting fixtures, controls, and distribution equipment will be paid for under this item.

3.11.1.1 All associated testing and inspection of services are incidental to this pay item

3.12 Dripstone Handrails (JLA)

3.12.1.1 Full replacement of Handrails per Base Bid Plans and Option Bid Plans. Provide bid amounts for both Base and Option totals. See JLA Drawings.

3.13 Discovery Lighting and Distribution Equipment (JLA)

3.13.1 Full replacement of lighting fixtures, controls, and distribution equipment paid for under this item.

3.13.1.1 All associated testing and inspection of services are incidental to this pay item.

3.13.1.1.1 Drawings were developed consisting of Base Bid Items and Option Items due to uncertainty of future available funding. The Forest Service elected to change the following Option Item to a Base Bid Item after Drawings were already produced. Contractor to include the following Item in Base Bid Quantity

3.13.1.1.1.1 JLA Drawing Sheets E-501 through E-512 are moved from option to Base Bid.

3.14 Discovery Handrails (JLA)

3.14.1.1 Full replacement of Handrails per Base Bid Plans. See JLA Drawings.

3.14.1.1.1 Drawings were developed consisting of Base Bid Items and Option Items due to uncertainty of future available funding. The Forest Service elected to change the following Option Item to a Base Bid Item after Drawings were already produced. Contractor to include the following Item in Base Bid Quantity

3.14.1.1.1.1 JLA DRAWING SHEET C-509 (79 OF 97) CHRISTMAS TREE ROOM

3.14.1.1.1.1.1 Include 158 Linear Feet of Type C railing into Base Bid.

3.15 Mine Phone System (JLA)

3.15.1.1 Full replacement of all phones throughout Dripstone and Discovery sections of the caverns.

3.16 Natural Entrance Area Handrails_ Option Item (JLA)

3.16.1.1 The Natural Entrance Area is part of the Discovery Tour section. Provide bid for full replacement of Handrails per Option Bid Plans. See JLA Drawings.

3.17 Stalactiflats Handrails_ Option Item (JLA)

3.17.1.1 The Stalactiflats room is part of the Discovery Tour section. Provide bid for full replacement of Handrails per Option Bid Plans. See JLA Drawings.

3.18 Salamander Pool Room Handrails_ Option Item (JLA)

3.18.1.1 The Salamander Pool Room is part of the Discovery Tour section. Provide bid for full replacement of Handrails per Option Bid Plans. See JLA Drawings.

3.19 Giant Flowstone Room Handrails_ Option Item (JLA)

3.19.1.1 The Giant Flowstone Room is part of the Discovery Tour section. Provide bid for full replacement of Handrails per Option Bid Plans. Exclude the portion of handrails already accounted for in the Base Bid Line Item (See Contractor Requirements 3.14). See JLA Drawings.

3.20 Heart Attack Hill & Ghost Room Handrails_ Option Item (JLA)

3.20.1.1 The Heart Attack & Ghost Room is part of the Discovery Tour section. Provide bid for full replacement of Handrails per Option Bid Plans. See JLA Drawings.

4.0 Government Furnished

List any government-furnished support, data, property or facilities. Describe government responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. If the contractor will require access to government facilities, identify the facility location and specific area. Identify any federal holidays or other times when access may be restricted.

Insert Government Furnished Here

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables

Final – 20 days after NTP

O&M Data – Prior to Start of Work Warranties & Bonds – 10 days after acceptance & completion per specification.

6.0 Travel

Identify any travel requirements, locations involved, number of trips (if known), and duration of anticipated travel. Specify responsibility for travel reimbursement, e.g., the contractor or the Government. If the travel will be reimbursed by the Government, discuss the method of reimbursement, e.g., in accordance with Federal/agency travel regulations. State the Government official authorized to approve contractor travel, e.g., the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative.

Insert Travel Here

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Describe positions which are considered key to successful performance of the contract and the information required to support key personnel qualifications, e.g., experience which correlates to SOW requirements, education, and past performance on similar projects. Specify if resumes are required and provide resume format if appropriate.

Insert Contractor’s Key Personnel Here

8.0 Security Requirements

Specify security requirements that apply to the contract performance. Specify the level of clearances required and identify positions that are applicable.

Insert Security Requirements Here

9.0 Data Rights

If data is to be produced, furnished, acquired, or used in meeting contract requirements, delineate the respective rights and obligations of the government and the contractor regarding the use, production, and disclosure of that data.

Insert Data Rights Here

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards When information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements.

Insert Section 508 Here

Attachment

· Environmental Assessment

· Golder Drawings

· Golder Specifications

· JLA Drawings

· JLA Specifications

· Schedule of Items

· Golder Findings & Recommendations Report

· Golder & JLA Work Items Spreadsheet image1.png