C04a_Attachment 1_Statement of Work_12444326Q0038 .docx

USDA Forest Service Grey Towers National Historic Site Vine Pruning Mansion

SECTION 329300 - LANDSCAPE WORK – VINE PRUNING

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

A. Extent of landscape work includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Vine Pruning around the complete exterior of Grey Towers Manson. Any vine growth near or covering millwork, windows, gutters, and tall chimneys will need to be removed. Also, all vines from the 3rd floor will need to be removed.

1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE:

A. Landscape work shall be performed by a single firm with at least three (3) years of successful experience specializing in landscape work-vine pruning.

1.3 SOURCE QUALITY CONTROL:

A. Inspection: The COR will inspect all pruning work. The COR retains the right to further inspect trees and shrubs, around the mansion, for injuries and to reject unsatisfactory or defective material at any time during the progress of work. Remedy rejected work. The COR shall be the sole judge of acceptability.

1.4 JOB CONDITIONS:

A. Contractor is responsible for examining the existing work locations before the submission of bids to familiarize himself/herself with the character and condition of the site.

B. Proceed with and complete landscape vine pruning as rapidly as portions of the site become available, working within seasonal limitations for each kind of landscape work required, as specified in Part 3.

C. Utilities: Determine the location of overhead and underground utilities by calling utilities for mark outs. Perform work in a manner that will avoid possible damage to hardscapes, planting, shutters, masonry, and all millworks. Repair or replace any damaged items.

D. The Contractor shall at all times take reasonable and adequate precautions to protect the existing improvements during the job. The Contractor at the Contractor’s expense shall correct any damage incurred.

E. Coordination with Lawns: If work will happen in turf areas, protect lawn areas with Dica mat type protection and promptly repair damage to lawns resulting from pruning operations.

G. Repair all damage from pruning, this includes any ruts, divots created in transporting and pruning on site. Protection should be used on root zones of historic trees.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 COMPOST/TOPSOIL

A. Contractor shall import topsoil as described in this section to complete turf repair work, as needed. Topsoil shall be mixed with native soil and compost.

B. Use only topsoil which is fertile, friable, natural loam, surface soil, free of subsoil, clay lumps, brush, weeds and other litter, and free of roots, stumps, stones larger than 1" in any dimension, and other extraneous or toxic matter harmful to plant growth. No topsoil shall be placed that doesn’t meet the above requirements, or it shall be removed at the Contractor’s expense.

2.2 MISCELLANEOUS LANDSCAPE MATERIALS

A. Mulch for repairs to mulched areas. Mulch shall be organic mulch free from deleterious materials and suitable for top dressing of trees, shrubs or plants and consist of: Double hammered shredded bark mulch.

2.3 SEED MIX: For turf repairs, as needed. See Schedule at end of Section.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 GENERAL

A. Pruning Season: Pruning can occur between April 15 through November 13. Pruning out of this season can only be performed with the approval of the Contracting Officer.

3.2 PREPARATION - TREE, SHRUB, AND VINE PRUNING

1. Remove only dead, dying, or broken branches. Do not prune for shape.

2. Prune and thin vines according to standard professional horticultural and arboricultural practices. Unless otherwise indicated by Horticulturist, do not cut main leaders; remove only vines on windows, millwork and gutters and tall chimneys, also remove injured, dying, or dead branches from vines and prune to retain natural character.

A. Preparation of Pruning:

Ladders, scaffolding, and small lifts may be used. The proposed work plan with lift equipment must be submitted with the proposal with Dica mat type protection for hardscapes, turf, and root zones.

The pruning tool will be clean sharp and adequately sized for the job.

B. Preparation for Planting Seed in damaged turf areas, as needed:

1. After areas have been brought to the required grade and properly trimmed and cleaned up by others, the soil shall be brought to a friable condition by harrowing, tilling or otherwise loosening and mixing.

2. Where no grades are shown, areas shall have a smooth and continual grade between existing or fixed controls (such as walks, curbs, catch basins, etc.). Areas to be repair seeded shall account for thickness in the establishment of finished grades.

3. The prepared soil shall be made smooth and uniform by raking and all lumps and clods over 1-1/2" in diameter shall be thoroughly broken and foreign material removed.

Fine-grade lawn areas to smooth even surfaces with loose, uniformly fine textures. Roll, rake and drag lawn areas, remove ridges and fill depressions, as required to meet finish grades. Limit fine grading to areas that can be planted immediately after grading.

C. Moisten prepared lawn areas before planting if the soil is dry. Water thoroughly and allow surface moisture to dry before planting lawns. Do not create a muddy soil condition.

D. Restore lawn areas to specified condition if eroded or otherwise disturbed after fine grading and prior to planting.

3.3 SEEDING OPERATION, as needed from damage

A. All seeding shall be done when weather and soil conditions are suitable immediately after the fine grading of topsoil is complete.

B. When conditions are such, by reason of drought, high winds, excessive moisture, frozen ground, or other unsuitable factors, that satisfactory results are not likely to be obtained, work shall be halted. It shall not be resumed until desired results can be obtained or alternate or corrective measures and procedures can be used.

3.4 RECONDITIONING LAWNS

A. Recondition existing lawns damaged by Contractor’s operations, including storage of materials or equipment and movement of vehicles/ lifts, lawn areas where settlement or washouts occur or where minor regrading is required.

B. Apply required soil amendments and initial fertilizers and mix thoroughly into top four inches of soil. Provide new planting soil as required to fill low spots and meet newly finished grades.

C. Apply seed and protect with straw mulch as required for new lawns.

D. Water newly planted areas and keep them moist as required for new lawns.

CLEANUP AND PROTECTION

A. During landscape pruning work, keep pavements, hardscapes clean and work area in an orderly condition.

B. Protect landscapes, gardens, and their features from damage due to landscape pruning operations, Maintain protection during pruning periods. Treat, repair, or replace damaged landscape work as directed by COR, Contracting Officers Representative at no additional cost to the Owner.

C. Inspection: In-progress inspections shall be made at regular intervals during execution of work on the pruning. A final inspection shall be made upon completion at the request of the Contractor.

3.5 LAWN MAINTENANCE FOR DAMAGED TURF AND GUARANTEE

A. Reseeding and re-sodding shall be done the same as the original installation in a manner that will cause a minimum disturbance to the existing stand of grass. Any areas that have had topsoil washed away shall be filled to match specific grade with topsoil before reseeding.

B. The Contractor shall water sufficiently and often enough to insure establishment and maintain vigorous appearance. This generally is 1" of water per week via rainfall or watering.

C. Weeding shall be done as required. Apply herbicide in accordance with manufacturers’ instruction.

D. Apply fertilizer at rate to provide 1 1/2 pounds of actual Nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Twice during the growing season; spring and summer.

A. Examination will include proper layout, material and installation, quality and maintenance, healthy growth and satisfactory turf conditions.

3.6 MATERIAL SCHEDULES

A. Seed Mixes:

1. The seed mix supplied by Cerbos Hampton Nursery, 86 County Road 519, Newton, New Jersey, (973) 579-5518, or approved equal, and shall consist of the following:

28.09% Kentucky Blue Grass 28.03% Creeping Red Fescue 19.78% Chewing Fescue 19.44% Oasis Perennial Rye

a. Application Rate: apply seed at a rate of 6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.

b. Seed mix to be 98% pure, 99% weed seed free, and have a minimum 90% germination rate.

END OF SECTION