ESBD_512932_1778010430483_02. Statement of Work.pdf

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

STATEMENT OF WORK

TxDOT 988-88-53223 Dated: April 2026

TREE REMOVAL, STUMP GRINDING, AND DISPOSAL SERVICES PUBLICATION

This statement of work (SOW) is a product of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

This SOW may not be sold for profit or monetary gain. If this document is altered in any way, the header and any and all references to TxDOT must be removed. TxDOT does not assume nor accept any liability when this SOW is used in the procurement process by any other entity.

1. SCOPE

This SOW is to provide services for tree removal, stump grinding, and disposal services for the Austin District HQ.

2. LOCATION(S)

Are specified on Attachment A- Service Locations. TxDOT reserves the right to add or delete facilities serviced under the contract. TxDOT will provide 10 calendar day(s) written notice to the vendor for locations to be deleted or of any additional locations requiring service within the same area or region.

3. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS

3.1. Contract- Any Purchase Order (PO) or Blanket Purchase Order (BPO) resulting from this solicitation as listed in the Order of Precedence in the resulting PO or

BPO

3.2. POC- Point-of-Contact

3.3. TxDOT- Texas Department of Transportation

3.4. ANSI - American National Standards Institute

3.5. CDL - Commercial Driver License

3.6. Class II Pruning- Standard pruning for general tree maintenance where tree health and structure integrity are the primary concern.

3.7. Emergency- an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate actions, such as timber debris from storm damage which caused or may cause utility disruption, threat of damage to building, vehicle, or other property, obstruction of roadway, or threat of safety or security to employees, passers-by, or TxDOT property.

3.8. !SA- International Society of Arboriculture.

3.9. Response Time- the time from receiving a routine or an emergency request to the time of arrival at the job site.

3.10. Routine- work relating to or being in accordance with established procedures.

3.11. TCIA- Tree Care Industry Association

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3.12. Tree with obstacles -Trees with limbs that are blocked by obstacles (i.e.

fencing, telephone, electrical wires, or telephone posts) hindering the trimming of trees.

4. APPLICABLE LAWS AND STANDARDS:

The vendor shall provide the specified service requirements in accordance with all federal, state, and local applicable laws, standards, and regulations necessary to perform the services, including, but not limited to:

4.1. Tree Care Industry Association, latest standard

4.2. ANSI 2133.1, latest revision - Safety in Tree Trimming Operations Tree Care Industry Association, latest standard

5. HISTORY OR BACKGROUND:

Not Applicable

6. CURRENT ENVIRONMENT:

Not Applicable

7. VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS:

The vendor must:

Be a company or an individual engaged, or whose partners are engaged in the business of providing tree removal and stump grinding services for a minimum of five years within the past seven years. Years of experience of an individual(s) or partner(s) with a minimum of 25% ownership of the company can be applied to the company's years in business.

8. VENDOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The vendor must provide the following personnel with the listed qualifications:

8.1. Foreman must have a minimum of three years' experience within the past five years in the services identified in the Scope of Work. Be a permanent staff employee, serve as the point of contact with knowledge of day-to-day operations, and have experience in tree climbing, operation of an aerial lift in tree removal operations along roadways and near energized utility lines.

8.2. Arborist must have a minimum of three years' experience within the past five years in the services identified in the Scope of Work. Be certified through ISA and a permanent staff employee.

NOTE: Arborist and Foreman may be the same person.

8.3. Crew Members must have a minimum of two years' experience within the past three years in the services identified in the Scope of Work. Must have a valid class "B" CDL with the airbrake endorsement and be qualified to operate a truck mounted aerial device bucket.

8.4. All personnel who will be driving to and from TxDOT work locations must:

8.4.1. Possess a valid driver license acceptable in the state of Texas.

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8.4.2. Have no Driving Under Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) incidents on driving record within the past three years.

8.4.3. Have no more than two moving violations on driving record within the past three years.

NOTE: TxDOT reserves the right to request proof of qualifications.

9. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:

The vendor must:

9.1. Provide all required safety equipment and instruct personnel to observe all safety policies, rules, and requirements at all times.

9.2. Provide a primary POC.

9.3. Conduct driver license checks annually on vendor staff that drive to and from TxDOT work locations to verify compliance.

9.4. Provide an updated list of all vendor personnel or subcontractors at each job site and comply with all security measures required by TxDOT.

9.5. Make arrangements with the designated TxDOT representative prior to off-loading tools and equipment at the job site.

9.6. Only park in locations assigned by the designated TxDOT representative.

9.7. Not use restrooms for washing tools and equipment.

9.8. Ensure all personnel are fluent in English with the ability to receive, give, and understand written and oral instructions.

9.9. Ensure personnel are not excessively loud.

9.10. Ensure personnel do not use personal multi-media devices while performing services for TxDOT unless furnished by the vendor to facilitate communication with TxDOT or the vendor.

9.11. Conduct background checks using statewide DPS, Texas, and out-of-state county equivalent verification of criminal and sex offender background checks on all vendor's permanent and temporary personnel scheduled to work on TxDOT projects prior to beginning service start-up. Upon award, supporting documentation confirming the completion of these comprehensive background checks may be subject to review upon request by TxDOT or the TxDOT designee, or both, prior to beginning the service. Failure to produce the requested documentation may be cause for cancellation of the contract.

Background checks must be within the last year of contract execution date and must be completed on any new employees throughout the life of the contract.

The background checks must include, but not be limited to, the following:

9.11.1. Social Security number verification.

9.11.2. Statewide criminal and sex offender records for all Texas counties and out-of-state county equivalents based on the current and previous addresses of the applicant for the past seven years.

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9.12. Begin work within 10 business days after the issuance of written authorization from the authorized TxDOT representative.

9.13. Provide all labor, materials and equipment necessary to meet requirements of the specified services throughout the term of the purchase order. Equipment includes but is not limited to a loader to pick up and remove tree trunks and limbs, an aerial lift, chipper, chain saws, ladders, climbing equipment, trucks with strobe hazard light, in use when working on the right-of-way, to haul loads of debris created from trimming and pruning operations.

9.14. Have a crew consisting of a certified ISA Arborist, foreman and minimum of two qualified climber operators, available 24 hours per day, seven days per week that is knowledgeable in the hazards and techniques of tree trimming services.

9.15. Provide a work weekend schedule prior to beginning work and notify TxDOT representative upon arrival and prior to departure of job site. Advise of any hazardous conditions and other pertinent information and receive approval to correct any problems which have been identified and diagnosed prior to work being performed.

9.16. Cordon off and isolate the work area for the safety of TxDOT employees, pedestrians, and other personnel. Handle material in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations, and take care to avoid obstructing roads, sidewalks, and lawns.

9.17. Ensure work area stays clean and free of all wood, brush, chips, ball moss, materials, debris, and vendor equipment while on the job site daily to the satisfaction of the designated TxDOT representative. Clean, repair, or replace any TxDOT property damaged by the vendor during the performance of this service to the satisfaction of TxDOT, at no additional cost. Restore any turf areas and grade damaged caused by vehicular or mechanical operations.

9.18. TREE REMOVAL:

Lower all branches to the ground with proper ropes or equipment to prevent tree or property damage. Precut heavy branches to prevent splitting or peeling the bark.

9.19. STUMP GRINDING: Cut or grind the stump 6 inches below the grade, return chips and residue to the hole to level the grade if necessary, and remove excess grindings and legally dispose by transporting to a mulching facility.

9.20. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: Equipment to be provided by vendor at no additional fee to TxDOT. Maintenance and repair of equipment is vendors responsibility.

Vendor is responsible for maintaining an onsite first aid kit and any damage caused by equipment malfunction or vendor negligence. Equipment to include, but not limited to:

9.20.1. Truck-mounted aerial lift; fully insulated, 65-foot minimum vertical reach and equipped with all necessary outriggers, safety devices, traffic direction signs with flags, and amber strobe light.

9.20.2. Brush chipper; disc type, 12 inch minimum.

9.20.3. Equipment necessary for operational efficiency and daily safety needs to

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10. MATERIALS OR PARTS PRICING:

11. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT:

12. VENDOR DELIVERABLES:

Not Applicable

13. PROJECT SCHEDULE:

Not Applicable

14. WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS:

Not Applicable

15. VENDOR PERFORMANCE:

Vendor performance will be monitored on a regular basis by TxDOT.

15.1. An unsatisfactory performance determination includes, but is not limited to:

15.1.1. One service "call back" to correct the same problem within 30 calendar days.

15.1.2. Any requirement not met as outlined in the service requirements determined by TxDOT

NOTE: Unsatisfactory performance may result in a negative vendor performance report, or cancellation of the contract or both, in addition to any other rights, liquidated damages and remedies provided by the contract or allowed by law.

15.2. An exceptional performance determination includes, but is not limited to:

15.2.1. Additional trimming, pruning, or removal service(s) suggested and accepted at no additional cost to TxDOT.

15.2.2. Vendor providing additional qualified personnel to complete service at no additional cost to TxDOT.

16. CONTRACT REMEDIES:

In the event of a breach of contract or non-performance by the vendor, compensatory damages may be assessed at TxDOT's discretion as outlined below. If damages are assessed the vendor may reimburse TxDOT by discount, credit, refund, or waived fees as applicable and outlined in the service requirements.

17. PERSONNEL CONTINUITY AND REPLACEMENT:

17.1. The Foreman, Arborist, and Crew Members must remain available for the entire term of the contract as long as that individual is employed by the vendor.

17.2. TxDOT recognizes that events beyond the control of the vendor such as the death, physical or mental incapacity, long-term illness, or the voluntary

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17.3. Proposed replacement personnel must:

17.3.1. Be submitted to TxDOT within 15 calendar day(s) of notification resulting from sub-paragraphs 17.1 or 17.2 above.

17.3.2. Meet minimum qualifications and have experience comparable to the person(s) being replaced. Resume(s) and reference(s) may be requested for the proposed replacement(s).

17.3.3. Be provided at no additional cost to TxDOT.

17.3.4. Not begin work on the project without prior written approval from TxDOT.

NOTE: TxDOT may reject any replacement if references or past working performance is questionable or unfavorable. TxDOT will be the sole judge of the qualifications of the proposed replacement personnel.

18. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN:

19. BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN:

20. TRAVEL:

All travel and per diem must be included in the unit price.

21. MOBILIZATION:

Not Applicable

22. TRIP CHARGE:

Not Applicable

23. ADDITIONAL INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS:

Not Applicable

24. TxDOT RESPONSIBILITIES:

TxDOT will:

24.1. Provide a contract manager.

24.2. Provide a POC.

24.3. Monitor vendor performance.

24.4. Provide access to buildings as necessary.

24.5. Inspect the service location and provide acceptance and approval that the service has been completed in accordance with SOW, Paragraph 9.

25. TRANSITION OF TxDOT PROPERTY:

26. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION:

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Administration of the contract is a joint responsibility of the TxDOT contract administrator and TxDOT purchasing staff. Purchasing staff will be responsible for administering the contractual business relationship with the vendor.

26.1. Any proposed changes to work to be performed, whether initiated by TxDOT or the vendor, must receive final written approval in the form of a Purchase Order Change Notice signed by the authorized TxDOT purchasing agent.

26.2. Upon issuance of contract, TxDOT will designate an individual to serve as the contract manager and POC between the agency and the vendor. The contract manager does not have any express or implied authority to vary the terms of the contract, amend the contract in any way, or waive strict performance of the terms or conditions of the contract. This individual's contract management and contract administration responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

26.2.1. Monitoring the vendor's progress and performance and ensuring services conform to established specification requirements.

26.2.2. Managing the financial aspects of the contract including approval of payments.

26.2.3. Meeting with the vendor as needed to review progress, discuss problems, and consider necessary action.

26.2.4. Identifying a breach of contract by assessing the difference between contract performance and non-performance.

26.2.5. Other areas as identified by the State of Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide version 3.0.

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TxDOT 988-88-53223 REVSIED: April 2026

ATTACHMENT A:

SERVICE LOCATIONS

BUILDING NAME LOCATION ADDRESS

Greer/ Building 13

125 E. 11th Street Austin, TX 78701