CCRD- Hebo SOW - Mowing.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

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

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Attachment

Project 2023 Siuslaw National Forest Meadow Mowing – Central Coast Ranger District and Hebo Ranger District

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The intent of this solicitation is to provide services, equipment, and labor necessary for maintaining or restoring existing meadows on the Central Coast Ranger District and the Hebo Ranger District. The primary focus of treatments is controlling unwanted vegetation in or adjacent to meadows. Unwanted vegetation includes but is not limited to non-native grasses, fern, blackberry, salal, shrubs, and small trees. Portions of some meadows are steep and will require good traction to complete treatments.

Treatment methods vary depending on type of vegetation to be removed and the ability to access sites with machinery. Treatment methods can include machine mowing and track mowing. Machine mowing is generally used where machinery has access and the unwanted vegetation can be treated with a tractor mower on wheels or tracks (grass and small shrubs, blackberry, trees, etc.). Tracked mowing is generally required where terrain or slope of the meadow or access into is such that tracks may be necessary to access or complete the mowing.

The amount of effort needed to control unwanted vegetation varies by site. SEE DETAILED UNIT INFORMATION SHEET (DUIS) FOR SITE SPECIFIC TREATMENT NEEDS, and SITE SPECIFIC TREATMENT DATES and SEE PROJECT AREA MAPS FOR WORK SITE LOCATIONS. For this solicitation the government expects 230.2 acres (tracks optional) and 39 acres of mowing with tracks required on equipment.

For Items 1-2 see Detailed Unit Information Sheet for target species to mow and other information including road and gate access. Avoid compacting soil and driving across wet ground as much as possible.

Period of performance is August 7th – October 13th 2023.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, materials, transportation, supplies, (unless specified elsewhere as Government-furnished) and incidentals required to accomplish the work.

2.0 Background

The project work area is located on the Siuslaw National Forest, Central Coast Ranger District and Hebo Ranger District. Vicinity maps showing project location are attached. Project area maps will be available at the Central Coast Ranger Station or Hebo Ranger Station upon request. Other information regarding specific units and accessibility are contained in the Detail Unit Information Sheet.

For all Hebo Ranger District inquiries, contact Contracting Officer Representative Sarah Kaufman. For all Central Coast Ranger District inquiries, contact Contracting Officer Representative Kate Cronin.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The desired outcome is to maintain or restore grass/forb dominated open areas by removing unwanted vegetation from meadow areas.

A. Vegetation cut will generally be grasses, noxious weeds, invasive species, forbs, blackberries, salal, and bracken ferns within designated meadow boundaries.

B. Meadows shall be mowed to their original boundary.

C. Vegetation treated by mowing will generally be less than 2.5” diameter at the base.

D. Treatments will not damage soils, especially compaction from vehicles with too much weight per square inch, or from operating on wet soils. Another concern is soil exposure or rutting from machines on slopes too steep for the traction of the vehicle. This may result in the Contractor returning to complete work.

E. Equipment shall be furnished on a fully-operational basis, of modern design, and in good operating condition, with a competent, qualified operator. Equipment shall be free of fluid leaks and in good operating condition. The tractor(s) shall meet the minimum requirements listed below:

a. Mower: mowing deck at least 4 feet wide

F. Height of material after mowing will be 4-6”.

G. Vegetation within 30 feet of the bank full width (BFW) of stream channels will not be cut.

H. Streams will only be crossed at specific crossing sites as designated by the COR.

I. Contractor shall have adequate traction on mowers to reach all areas of described work.

J. Operating periods are described in the DUIS.

K. The density and types of vegetation to be treated varies between subitems and between areas within subitems. The Contractor is encouraged to visit the units prior to placing a bid.

To prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds onto National Forest lands, the Contractor shall furnish the Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment.

All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and certified free of noxious weeds and their seeds prior to entrance onto the National Forest. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the contractor or subcontractor.

Cleaning shall consist of the removal of all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. This may require the use of a pressure hose. Cleaning shall occur off Federal lands.

Equipment, materials, and vehicles shall be visually inspected by a designated Forest Service Representative, and certified in writing to be reasonably clean and weed free. Inspections will take place at a location designated by the Contracting Officer Representative in advance of equipment and material arrival. Equipment and vehicles shall proceed directly to the job site following the inspection.

Materials to be used on the project shall be delivered to the project after inspection and approval.

Certification shall remain valid for each identified piece of equipment or vehicle only for the duration of the specified project and only as long as the vehicle or equipment remains at the job site. Equipment and vehicles (except passenger vehicles) that leave the job site shall be re-certified as weed free before they are allowed to return to the job site or re-enter the National Forest.

4.0 Government Furnished

The property and services provided by the Government are listed below. The Contractor shall inform the Government when supplies are needed and both parties shall schedule a time to meet at the warehouse where the Government will issue the needed supplies to the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for safe handling and transport of supplies to the work sites.

The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such delivered Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. All unused Government furnished material shall be returned to the Government in the original packaging and in good condition.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

Most work areas may be reached by a standard two-wheel drive pickup during normal operating seasons. Some units; however, may require a four-wheel drive vehicle. Please contact the COR immediately if mowing meadows are inaccessible.

No vehicles shall be permitted to operate off system roads without approval of the Contracting Officer.

Due to winter storms, some areas may have fallen trees blocking road access. In the event that there is a fallen tree that has not been cleared by the government, the contractor may cut the fallen tree to access the road. Tree cutting must adhere to the daily time restrictions between August 6th and September 15th (work must occur 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset).

Inaccessibility due to snow, road conditions, slides or washouts on roads may or may not be corrected at the option of the Government. If a road is not accessible, the Government may, under the Changes Clause (1) provide an alternate access route; (2) delete the inaccessible unit(s) or; (3) substitute similar unit(s) or (4) negotiate a cost adjustment for change in access. Access routes that have overgrown vegetation or down trees hindering meadow access may require additional work to provide route clearance for necessary equipment. Knowledge of such areas will be the responsibility of the contractor and any additional work should be incorporated into bids.

Where roads are very wet or saturated due to runoff or unseasonable weather conditions, road conditions may dictate the need to delay use of some road segments in order to ensure no damage to the road, drainage structures, or the adjacent environment. The Contractor may request entry on road closures through the appropriate Ranger District office. Approval for use of closed roads in the project(s) area will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the District Ranger. No vehicle access is permissible on closed roads prior to receiving written permission.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Attachment

ATTACHMENT 2

FIRE PROTECTIONS AND SUPPRESSION FORMS, R6-FS-6300-52, R6-FS-6300-54

USDA FOREST SERVICE

PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION

FIRE PROTECTION AND SUPPRESSION

1. Fire Period and Closed Season

Specific fire prevention measures are listed below and shall be effective for the period April 1 to October 31 of each year. The Forest Service may change the dates of said period by advance written notice if justified by unusual weather or other conditions. Required tools and equipment shall be kept currently in serviceable condition and immediately available for initial attack on fires.

2. Fire Plan

Before starting any operations on the project, the Contractor, Permittee, Licensee, or Purchaser, hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor," shall prepare a fire plan in cooperation with the Contracting Officer providing for the prevention and control of fires in the project area.

The Contractor shall certify compliance with fire protection and suppression requirements before beginning operations during the fire period and closed season, and shall update such certification when operations change.

3. Substitute Measures

The Contracting Officer may by written notice authorize substitute measures or equipment or may waive specific requirements during periods of low fire danger.

4. Emergency Measures

The Forest Service may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of equipment or portions of operations in the project area during periods of fire emergency created by hazardous climatic conditions.

5. Fire Control

The Contractor shall, independently and in cooperation with the Forest Service, take all reasonable action to prevent and suppress fires in the project area. Independent initial action shall be prompt and shall include the use of all personnel and equipment available in the project area.

For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor's operations, the Contractor shall place employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Any individual hired by the Forest Service will be employed in accordance with the Interagency Pay Plan for Emergency Firefighters. The Forest Service will compensate the Contractor for equipment rented at firefighting equipment rates common in the area, or at prior agreed to rates.

6. Compliance with State Forest Laws

Listing of specific fire precautionary measures herein is not intended to relieve the Contractor in any way from compliance with the State Fire Laws covering fire prevention and suppression equipment, applicable to operations under this contract, permit or license.

7. Fire Precautions

Specific fire precautionary measures are as follows:

a. Smoking and Open Fires

Smoking and fires shall be permitted only at the option of the Contractor. The Contractor shall not allow open fires on the project area without advance permission in writing from Forest Service.

Unless restricted by State Law or Federal Regulation, smoking shall be permitted only in such portions of the project area that are free of flammable material. Smokers shall sit down to smoke in such a position that any burning material will fall within a cleared area, and shall extinguish and press out in mineral soil all burning material before leaving the cleared area.

b. Fire Extinguishers and Equipment on Trucks, Tractors, etc.

All power-driven equipment operated by the Contractor on National Forest land, except portable fire pumps, shall be equipped with one fire extinguisher having a UL rating of at least 5 BC, and one "D" handled or long handled round point shovel, size "0" or larger. In addition, each motor patrol, truck and passenger-carrying vehicle shall be equipped with a double-bit axe or Pulaski, 3- 1/2 pounds or larger.

Equipment shall be kept in a serviceable condition and shall be readily available.

c. Power Saws

Each gasoline power saw operator shall be equipped with a pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight, and one long-handled round point shovel, size "0" or larger. The extinguisher shall be kept in possession of the saw operator at all times. The shovel shall be accessible to the operator within 1 minute.

d. Extinguishers

One refill for each type or one extra extinguisher sufficient to replace each size extinguisher required on equipment shall be safely stored in the fire tool box or other agreed upon place on the project area that is protected and readily available.

e. Spark Arresters and Mufflers

Each internal combustion engine shall be equipped with a spark arrester meeting either (1) USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, or (2) appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) as now or hereafter amended unless it is:

(1) Equipped with a turbine-driven exhaust supercharger such as the turbocharger. There shall be no exhaust bypass.

(2) A passenger-carrying vehicle or light truck, or medium truck up to 40,000 GVW, used on roads and equipped with a factory-designed muffler complete with baffles and an exhaust system in good working condition.

(3) A heavy duty truck, such as a dump or log truck, or other vehicle used for commercial hauling, used only on roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and with a vertical stack exhaust system extending above the cab.

Exhaust equipment described in this subsection, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed and constantly maintained in serviceable condition.

f. Emergency Fire Precautions

The Contractor shall restrict operations in accordance with the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels listed below. The Forest Service may change the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to other values upon revision of the National Fire Danger Rating System and may change the specific Industrial Fire Precaution Levels when such changes are necessary for the protection of the National Forest.

When sent to the Contractor, the revised Industrial Fire Precaution Levels will supersede the attached levels.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTIONS SCHEDULE

LEVEL INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION (IFPL)

I. Closed season - Fire precaution requirements are in effect. A fire watch/security is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.

II. Partial hootowl - The following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time:

a. power saws, except at loading sites;

b. cable yarding;

c. blasting;

d. welding or cutting of metal.

III. Partial shutdown - The following shall be prohibited except as indicated:

Cable yarding - except that gravity operated logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may be operated between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time, when all block and moving lines, except the line between the carriage and the chokers, are suspended 10 feet above the ground;

Power saws - except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time.

In addition, the following are permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., local time:

a. tractor/skidder operations;

b. mechanized loading and hauling of any product or material;

c. blasting;

d. welding or cutting of metal;

e. any other spark-emitting operation not specifically mentioned.

IV. General shutdown - All operations are prohibited.

The following definitions shall apply to these Industrial Fire Precaution Levels:

Cable yarding systems: A yarding system employing cables and winches in a fixed position.

Closed season (Fire Precautionary Period): That season of the year when a fire hazard exists as declared by the responsible agency official.

Contracting Officer: The person executing the contract, permit or license on behalf of the Government and includes that person's designated representative, acting within the limits of their authority or the duly appointed successor to the individuals.

Loading sites/woods site/project area: A place where any product or material (including but not limited to logs, firewood, slash, soil, rock, poles, posts, etc.) is placed in or upon a truck or other vehicle.

Low hazard area: Means any area where the responsible agency representative (WDNR, ORF, BIA, BLM) determines the combination of elements reduces the probability of fire starting and/or spreading.

Tractor/skidder operations: include a harvesting operation, or portion of a harvesting operation, where tractors, skidders, or other harvesting equipment capable of constructing fireline, are actively yarding forest products and can quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start.

Waivers, written in advance, may be used for any and all activities. Activities for which waivers may be issued include, but are not limited to:

a. mechanized loading and hauling;

b. road maintenance such as sprinkling, graveling, grading and paving;

c. cable yarding using gravity systems or suspended lines and blocks, or other yarding systems where extra prevention measures will significantly reduce the risk of fire;

d. powers saws at loading sites or in felling and bucking where extra prevention measures will significantly reduce the risk of fire;

e. maintenance of equipment (other than metal cutting and welding) or improvements such as structures, fences and powerlines.

Such waiver, or substitute precautions will prescribe measures to be taken by the Contractor to reduce the risk of ignition, and/or the spread of fire. The Contracting Officer shall consider site specific weather factors, fuel conditions, and specific operations that result in less risk of fire ignition and/or spread than contemplated when precaution level was predicted. Consideration shall also be given to measures that reduce the precaution levels above. The Contractor shall assure that all conditions of such waivers or substitute precautions are met.

The Contractor shall obtain the predicted Industrial Fire Precaution Level daily, prior to the start of work, from the appropriate Ranger District headquarters. If predictions made after 6:00 p.m., local time, are significantly different than the original prediction, the Forest Service will inform the Contractor when changes in restrictions or industrial precautions are made.

NOTE: The IFPL system does not apply on lands protected by ODF east of the summit of the Cascades.

Where hauling involves transit through more than one shutdown/regulated use area, the precaution level at the woods loading site shall govern the level of haul restriction, unless otherwise prohibited by other than industrial precaution level system.

8. Fire Tools

The Contractor shall furnish serviceable fire fighting tools in a readily accessible fire tool box or compartment of sound construction with a hinged lid and hasp so arranged that the box can be secured or sealed. The box shall be red and marked "Fire Tools" in letters one inch high. It shall contain a minimum of:

a.2 axes or Pulaskis with a 32-inch handle;

b.3 adze eye hoes. One Pulaski may be substituted for 1 adze eye hoe;

c.3 long-handled, round point shovels, size "0" or larger.

9. Fire Security

When the Industrial Fire Precautions Level is "I" or higher, unless a waiver is granted, the Contractor shall designate a person who shall perform fire security services listed below on the project area and vicinity.

The designated person shall be capable of operating the Contractor's communications and fire fighting equipment specified in the contract, excluding helicopters, and of directing the activities of the Contractor's personnel on forest fires. In lieu of having the designated person perform the required supervisory duties, the Contractor may provide another person meeting the qualifications stated above to direct the activities of Contractor's personnel and equipment during all fire fighting activities.

Services described shall be for at least 1 hour from the time the Contractor's operations are shut down. For the purposes of this provision, personnel servicing equipment, and their vehicles, who are not engaged in cutting or welding metal are excluded.

Fire security services shall consist of moving throughout the operation area or areas constantly looking, reporting, and taking suppression action on any fires detected. Where possible, the designated person shall observe inaccessible portions of helicopter operating areas from vantage points within or adjacent to project area.

10. Blasting

Whenever the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is "II" or greater, a fire security person equipped with a long-handled, round point, No. "0" or larger, shovel, and a five-gallon backpack pump can filled with water will stay at location of blast for 1 hour after blasting is done. Blasting may be suspended by Forest Service in writing, in an area of high rate of spread and resistance to control.

Fuses shall not be used for blasting. Explosive cords shall not be used without written permission of Forest Service, which may specify conditions under which such explosives may be used and precautions to be taken.

R6-FS-6300-52

(5/97)

USDA Forest Service – Pacific Northwest Region Fire Protection and Suppression

Additional Fire Precautionary Measure 2 –Communications

12. The Contractor shall provide adequate two-way communication facilities to report a fire to Forest Service within 15 minutes of detection. FCC Regulations prohibit commercial use of Citizen Band (CB) radios. (CB’s are not considered adequate two-way communication).

Such communication shall be operable during periods of operation of power-driven equipment, including the time fire security is required.

R6-FS-6300-54

(5/89)