C4_Attachment 2_SOW_Lowline Fence.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work Lowline Burned Area Rehabilitation Fence Construction & Supplies

2026 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Attachment

Project Lowline Burned Area Rehabilitation Fence Construction & Supplies

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Provide labor and materials to rehabilitate range fences in the Lowline Fire area, to include removal of existing damaged fences, material and installation of new fence with a wildlife friendly fence type.

2.0 Background

Lowline Fire started on July 26, 2023, growing up to a fire perimeter of around 1, 899 total acres, from which 1, 264 acres (around 67% of the fire area) fall under National Forest Land (GMUG-Gunnison).

To record fire effects to current environment and other infrastructures (under, permitted and applicable within forest service land) a no treatment 2500-8 Burn Area Report was reported and submitted to the regional office January 29, 2024. On September 1, 2023, an internal BAER team (lead by Lizandra Nieves-Rivera – GMUG Watershed Program Manager) visited the fire area to recheck areas, take general soil burn intensity observations, correlate them with vegetation intensity, and complete the estimated soil burn severity map and burn area report analysis.

The main objective of the Burn area report completion was to provide soil burn severity conditions within the fire perimeter and to record a No treatment report recommendation, as the submission of the report is a requirement for potential BAR funding Requests. During mapping and report development it was found that allotment fence areas were damaged, therefore potential Fence repair would be surveyed and monitored for additional requests.

Per Gunnison Range Specialists on the ground fence inventory, it was found that the fire affected in different levels (high to low) the range structures. Based on the field inventory it was determined that even within low effect areas the integrity of the fence has been compromised overall. The compromised fence structure is part of a complex of 4 allotments permitted between two individual permittees.

February 11, 2025, a Burn Area Rehabilitation Funding Request (BAR) was requested as a structural range improvement activity. During April 2026 GMUG national Forest received the Fiscal Year 2026 Burned Area Rehabilitation Allocations – Region 2, official letter stating the allocation of $200,000 for the Lowline Burned Area Rehabilitation Fence Construction & Supplies

Through the inventory and BAR request it was stated that the Fence needs replacement as was destroyed or compromised from the fire equating to 16,416 linear feet (3.1miles). Reconstruction will follow the prior existing line with removal of all old materials to be completed by contractors. Reconstruction will adhere to WY NRCS 382 fence IR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fencing with Wildlife in Mind design criteria for 4 strand fence specifications. However, in place of treated wood posts, steel drill steam pipe will be used to increase the resistance to fire and add longevity to the life of the fence.

Within the request it was recommended to completely replace all the affected line extending to the nearest anchor point (h-brace) to maintain the integrity of the fence rather than post by post or section by section repairs. This will save time during the repair process and avoid missing/skipping portions of the fence where visibly it may appear functional but may have fire weakened posts or wire.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The project will consist of constructing approximately 16,414 feet of four wire fence in the vicinity of the 2023 Low Line Fire, Gunnison County, Colorado. The purpose and need are to replace existing fences damaged by the 2023 Low Line Fire with a friendly wildlife fence and provide removal of old and damaged fence materials.

• Line posts will be capped/sealed steel pipe 2-3/8 or larger weighing at least 4.7 lbs. per linear foot installed every 99-feet at a 30-inch minimum depth with concrete at least 24 inches deep by 8 inches in diameter mounded above the hole to shed water (rock cribs as needed in saturated or sandy soils). NOTE: A hydraulically driven steel pipe does not require concrete at the base but must be set at least 48 inches or more below ground level.

• Braces will be capped/sealed steel pipe 2-3/8 or larger weighing at least 4.7 lbs. per linear foot installed at all corners, gates, horizontal direction changes, and steep vertical angle changes in the line. Maximum distance between braces will be no greater than 1320 feet on level terrain.

• 5.5-foot steel t-posts will be installed every 16.5 feet.

• Fence will be constructed to have the ability to lay-down during off season. Either clips or wire loops can be used to support the fence in the upright position at a minimum of every 16.5 feet.

• 2-3-inch by 48-inch wooden stays will be installed between posts every 5.5-feet affixed with either staples or wire ties with the ability to swing free of the ground.

• The height and material of the four wires will be 16 inches (12.5ga smooth wire), 24 inches and 30 inches (12.5ga barbed wire), and 42 inches (12.5ga smooth wire).

• Contractor is responsible for purchasing the material, hauling materials, and installation of the fence. The US Forest

Service may provide storage of materials if notified in advance.

• Contractor will be responsible for clearing a right-of-way along fence line not to exceed 10 feet in width.

• Contractor will be responsible for removal and disposal of all old fencing material and trash.

• For additional information on wildlife friendly fencing construction, water gaps, anchoring, gates, etc. see CPW

“Fencing with wildlife in mind” brochure and NRCS protocol https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/LandWater/PrivateLandPrograms/FencingWithWildlifeInMind.pdf and WY NRCS 382 Fence Implementation Requirements

Restrictions on Work:

• No marsh or any other kind of wetland or riparian habitat will be impacted. No perennial water bodies or streams discharging into water bodies will be impacted by equipment, fill or contaminants of any kind.

• Equipment including ATV’s and trailers shall be sprayed prior to entering the forest and is subject to inspection in the project area by the Forest Service representative or Contracting Officer to ensure equipment is clean of mud and any possible noxious weed seeds.

• In the event of archeological discovery, the contractor shall immediately notify the FS of all antiquities and other objects of historic or scientific interest, including but not limited to historic or prehistoric ruins or artifacts discovered in connection with the project. These discoveries shall remain intact and in place until directed otherwise by the USFS.

4.0 Government Furnished

• Gunnison range specialist will provide GIS – geospatial data (shapefiles) of the fence line area to be followed in the field, during implementation in addition to providing a georeferenced map showing the reference map to be used in applicable apps within cellphone or tablets.

• Camping will be available on NFS land in sites designated by USFS personnel collectively decided on in advance.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables

Item No. Deliverable Objective Due 1 Initial project review Reviewing the location, scope, and requirements of fence construction.

During pre-work meeting

2 Material submittals COR to approve main materials before ordering No later than 15 business days after pre-work meeting

3 Groundwork initiation Crew and equipment begin project installation Groundwork begins summer 2027 4 Monthly status report Report completed tasks & issues monthly or as issues arise.

Report status to the USFS technical staff at a minimum of once/month during work season.

5 Project completion Project is completed and inspected September 15, 2027

6.0 Travel

The project area is located 13 miles north of Gunnison, Colorado to the north of the Mill Creek drainage on portions of the Beckwith, Squirrel Creek, and Price grazing allotments. Access is limited from the east through private property in Section 31 and Section 24 of township 15S and Range 87W. Rolling-to-steep terrain through spruce-fur, aspen forest, and open meadows.

From Gunnison, Colorado travel north on CO-135 for 3.5 miles and turn left onto CR 730. Travel for 8.9 miles and turn left onto CR 727. Travel for 3.5 miles to Low Line trailhead parking. Hike 1.2 miles north on Low Line trail to reach southernmost section of fence.

Camping will be available on NFS land in sites designated by USFS personnel collectively decided on in advance. If camping, then garbage removal and a portable sanitary facility is required at contractor campsites and all food should be secured away from wildlife.

All travel related to the project is included in contract main cost, no additional payment should be requested for travel.

Maps showing the vicinity and road locations will be provided as contract attachment.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Provide experience of similar work for the company as required in the solicitation under Factor 1, Technical Approach.

Attachment

• Map lowline affected fences (Vicinity and road locations)

• Specs for Brace designs and horizontal braces