Ouray_NWR_Fencing_Statement_of_Work.pdf

Statement of Work Ouray NWR Fencing Project

Project Overview:

This project involves the removal of approximately 6.0 miles of existing fence and the construction of 6.0 miles of new fence. Removal includes approximately 6.0 miles of four-strand barbed wire on steel and wood posts. New fence construction will be 6.0 miles of a four-strand fence with the top three wires barbed and the bottom wire smooth on steel and wood fence posts.

The new fence will primarily consist of steel fence posts; wood posts and braces will be placed at designated intervals, wet areas and steep vertical changes. Calculated length of removal and installation will be close to actual lengths; however the exact quantity of necessary bracing and wood posts will be dictated by site conditions. The attached map shows the location of corners, braces and gates.

Project Location:

The project is located on Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Sections 28, 21, 15, 10, 11, 2 and 3, T8S R20E in Uintah County, Utah.

Contractors are urged to visit the work site and become familiar with existing conditions. Failure of the contractor to ascertain the nature, location, and conditions which will affect the work will not relieve them from the responsibility for successfully performing the work without additional expense to the Government.

Start and End Date:

Work can begin immediately after the Notice to Proceed is issued.

The work in this contract consists of:

A. Removal of all preexisting fence materials.

1. All removed fence materials will be hauled off the refuge for recycling/disposal by the contractor. Existing wood corner, brace posts and wood line posts are not commonly set in concrete. In the rare event wood posts are set in concrete, cutting these wood posts at ground level is recommended and preferred. Wood posts not set in concrete will be removed by pulling, jacking or with the least amount of ground disturbance and holes backfilled.

B. The construction of new boundary fence.

Construct 3, 4, and 5 post corners, 3 post ends, 2 post stress panels, wire gates with closers, steel T-posts (6’6”), and 2-strand barbed (12 ½-gage, 2-barb), and bottom wire (two-strand, 12 ½-gauge smooth) wire fence.

The Materials to be used:

Erection:

Barbed Wire Fence:

1. Fence Corners: Corner Construction: Install as specified in the drawings, the task order, and as directed by the station. Wire shall not be stretched around the treated wooden corner posts.

Wires shall be stretched tight at corners and stapled at each change of direction of the wire and on the outside of all treated wood posts. Stapling shall be in accordance with that described in Paragraph C-4 of the Wire Placement section. Smooth-wire (9 gauge) support ties shall be installed as shown on drawings.

2. Gates: The gates shall be constructed as shown on the drawings and as directed by the station. Perimeter fence gates will be constructed with four wire and 3.5” wood posts at ends. Each gate will contain three gate sticks at 5’ spacing. Latching style mechanical gate closers, provided by the contractor, will be installed on one end.

The specific locations of wire gates will be staked by the government. All gates will be a standard size of 20’ unless otherwise specified by the task order. There are three (3) existing metal gates that will remain in place.

One (1) new metal gate (16’ wide, 48” minimum height, heavy duty tube style, painted) is to be installed at the southwest corner of the project. This gate is to be provided by the contractor.

3. Stress Panels: Install as specified on the drawings. Set at sharp vertical angles in the line or a maximum of 1,320 feet. Each unit shall consist of a 2-post anchorage, using 6-8” dia. x 8' treated wood posts set in line 8 feet apart, complete with 5-6” dia. x 8' treated wood bracing, brace wire, and other required materials. Wood posts shall be 8 feet minimum length with 3'6" set in ground. Set horizontal braces 9 inches below tops of posts. Connect to posts by drilling through horizontal and vertical posts and connecting both with a 12⅜-inch spike (Refuge staff will demonstrate for contactor if necessary.) Run diagonal brace wire from 4 inches above ground line on each brace post to 4 inches below top of other brace posts with an extra loop around post at each point of attachment. Staple brace wires to posts, twist until entire assembly is rigid and brace wires singing tight. This is typical for all panel and corner bracing.

4. Single Wood Posts: Install a single treated 6-8” dia. x 8’ wood post at designated intervals (generally every fifth line post). In addition, wood posts will be installed in locations with sharp vertical changes as designated. Barbed wires will be anchored to the posts using staples.

5. End Brace: Install as specified on drawings, and as directed by the station. End brace assemblies shall consist of typical 3, 4 & 5 post end brace as shown on the drawings, using 6-8” dia. x 8' treated wood upright posts with a 5-6”dia. x 8' treated wood cross-brace, as shown on the drawing.

Deviations:

A. Line posts may not deviate more than 6 inches on line spacing.

B. All posts may not deviate more than 1 inch from plumb or specified height above ground.

C. Wire spacing may not deviate more than 1 inch from that specified.

D. The center of post shall be not more than 1½ inches out of alignment between quarter-mile stakes set by the Government.

Protection:

A. All permanent property corner and line monuments shall be protected.

B. All care should be taken to minimize damage to the existing landscape and vegetation.

Installation:

A. Properly locate and erect posts along fence lines.

B. Post Placement:

1. Power Driven Wood Posts. Large end of post shall have blunt point to facilitate driving. Replace all damaged or bent posts at no cost to the government.

2. Excavation and Backfilling. Upon approval, set wood posts by means of an approved excavation and backfill method where terrain and material to be penetrated are suitable. Carry all excavations to required depths regardless of the nature of materials encountered. Post holes, cylindrical in shape and plumb with centers in true alignment with bottoms flat. Set post in center of holes. Deposit of backfill, carefully tamp in layers a maximum of 1-foot thickness. Restore surfaces to existing grade after mounding, tamping, and smoothing off. Disposal of excess waste excavation shall be by scattering or as directed by the Authorized Government Representative.

3. All steel T-posts or wood line posts will be placed 1-rod (16.5 feet) apart.

C. Wire Placement

1. Align posts on existing fence line with wire opposite Refuge side of posts

(Utah is a fence out state).

2. Stretching: Stretch by hand or use suitable equipment to ensure wire will be taut. Use of trucks and tractors for stretching will not be permitted.

Power stretching will not be allowed on line fence.

Splicing: All splicing will be completed using splicing sleeves. Wrap or telephone-type splicing will not be allowed on this project. Do not pull wire around corners. Cut, loop around post, wrap and staple.

3. Staples: Drive crosswise with wood grain at slight downward angle except where pull of wire is upward, then slope staple upward. Wire shall be free to move through staples as it expands and contracts, except on corners and at ends of fence.

4. Stays: Stays (36” nine-gauge smooth galvanized wire) will be used in this fencing project and placed midway between all line posts.

5. Install tie downs and anchors in depressed areas, where required, and in accordance with the specifications and drawings.

6. Wire Spacing: Top barbed wire height is to be 54”. Space between the three barbed wire fence strands is to be 12”. There will be 18” clearance on the bottom smooth wire.

Miscellaneous:

1. All trash and wood/wire scrap material generated by new fence construction will be collected by contractor and removed from the refuge.

2. Tree and brush removal from fence line is unlikely but if needed will be completed by contractor under guidance provided by government.

3. Mowing of fence line for construction will be the responsibility of the contractor.

4. Total estimated braces, corners and single wood posts for bidding purposes are 18 two-post ends and braces, 18 three-post ends, 5 five-post corner and 290 single wood posts.

Certificate and license: The Contractor shall have all certificates and licenses required by law for the execution of the work, and shall comply with all Federal, State, or local laws, ordinances, or rules and regulations relating to the performance of the work.

Applicable codes, standards and specification: All work shall comply with codes and standards applicable to each type of work and as listed in individual sections of these specifications.

Safety: The Contractor shall assume full responsibility and liability for compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to the protection of workers, visitors to the site, and persons occupying areas adjacent to the site, including the provisions of 29CFR1910 (OSHA) and 29CFR1926 (Safety and Health Regulations for Construction) of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Contractor shall hold harmless the Government for failure to comply with any applicable safety or health regulation on the part of himself, his employees, or his subcontractors. The contractor must provide and maintain a basic first-aid kit for use of workers.

The first-aid kit must have supplies commensurate with the size of project with items necessary for first-aid treatment of all injuries. Advise all workers of the location of first-aid supplies.

Conform to all regulations and statutes of the State of Utah and to all Federal regulations which apply.

Where a conflict occurs between referenced documents and the Project Specifications, the Project Specifications shall govern. Where a conflict occurs between referenced documents, the document containing the most stringent requirements shall govern. Where referenced documents are not specified by date, the document current at the time of contract award shall apply.

Materials, applications, and tests specified by reference to published standards of a Society, Association, Code, or other published standards, are included in the specification as if written in their entirety.

Reference Standards: Following is a list of abbreviations for reference standards that may be used throughout the specifications, and the organization or document represented:

ALSC American Lumber Standards Committee

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials 1916 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

NBC National Building Code Batterymarch Park Quincy, MA 02269 OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S. Department of Labor) Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402

Additional abbreviations will be defined as they appear in the specifications.

Environmental Protection: Pollution control, The Contractor shall abate and control all environmental pollution arising from construction activities by complying with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations concerning environmental pollution control and abatement, as well as the specified requirements in this contract.

Water Pollution: During construction, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations concerning the control and abatement of water pollution.

The Contractor’s construction activities shall be performed by methods that will prevent entrance of accidental spillage of solid matter, contaminants, debris, and other objectionable pollutants and wastes into streams flowing or dry watercourses, lakes, ponds, and underground water sources. The Contractor shall dispose of all pollutants such as petroleum products, rubbish, cement, concrete, and objectionable material at a legal, offsite disposal facility.

Air Pollution: The Contractor shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations concerning the prevention and control of air pollution. Construction activities shall be performed in such a manner that air pollution is held to a minimum. Burning of materials, trees and brush, combustible construction materials, and rubbish will not be permitted.

Environmental Litigation: Time lost due to work stoppage because of failure of the Contractor to comply with these requirements may not be the subject of a claim for extension of time or for costs or damages.

Fossils and Cultural Materials: Should the Contractor discover any fossils or cultural materials during construction operations, such objects shall become the property of the Government. The Contractor shall cease construction operations in the area of the "find," and immediately notify the Project Manager of such discovery. Construction operations may proceed in other areas not affected by this clause. Care shall be exercised by the Contractor not to damage or collect fossils or cultural materials uncovered during excavation operations.

Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a violation of the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 as amended. Destruction of historic and prehistoric sites and/or unauthorized collection of cultural materials can result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

Penalties can include fines, prison sentences, and/or confiscation of equipment.

Progress meetings: The Contractor or project superintendent shall be available to meet with the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), and/or Site inspector, at the job site or by telephone, periodically during the project to discuss work progress. In the meeting the contractor or superintendent shall give verbal reports of progress on the project, discuss the work schedule, and present all conflicts, discrepancies, or other difficulties for resolution.

Submittals: No formal submittals are required. However, all materials must be approved by the On-site Inspector prior to installation.

Construction Progress Schedules: Submit a construction schedule as a formal submittal within 10 calendar days after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP), and prior to the start of any contract specified onsite work.

Without exception, approval of the construction schedule must be obtained prior to the start of any on-site work. The schedule shall include the following:

o Breakdown of work activities in categories, as necessary, to allow monitoring of progress of work during construction.

o Sequence of construction by activity with start dates, duration, and finish dates.

Weather protection: Provide necessary protection against weather to keep all materials, equipment, and completed work free from damage during shipment, in storage, or in place.

Utilities: There is no available electrical power on the site. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing temporary electrical service for equipment required to perform the work.

Telephone: The Contractor is required to provide a cellular phone, CB, shortwave radio, or similar reliable means of communication in the event of an emergency. With the station manager’s permission, the Contractor will be permitted to use the Government telephone at the station headquarters without charge for local calls that are directly related to the performance of the work, provided such use does not interfere with normal Station operations.

Water: The Contractor is responsible for transporting potable water to the work site

Toilets: There are no toilets along the work area. This is a remote work site; contractor will need to provide toilet facilities, if the need is warranted. Provide and maintain facilities in accordance with the requirements of applicable local and State health authorities and OSHA.

When toilet facilities are no longer required, promptly remove them from the site. Disinfect and clean or treat the area as necessary.

Operation and Storage areas: All operations of the Contractor (including storage of materials) upon Government premises will be confined to areas authorized or approved by the Contracting Officer. Government premises adjacent to the construction will be made available, at no cost, for use by the Contractor if such use does not interfere with use by the Government. Other contractors and employees or agents of the Government may, for all necessary purposes, enter upon the work and premises used by the Contractor, and the Contractor will conduct his work so as not to impede unnecessarily any work being done by others on or adjacent to the site. The Contractor will not enter or occupy with personnel, tools, equipment, or material, any ground outside the Government’s property without the written consent of the owner of such ground.

Access Routes and Storage Areas: The Government will designate all access routes to the worksite prior to initiation of the contract work. The designated routes must be strictly adhered to unless specific deviations are authorized by the Government. Observe all laws and regulations imposed by the local County and the State authorities in the use of all public roads and highways for the transportation of materials and equipment in connection with work on the project. Observe all overhead construction, bridges, cables, and the like. Repair damage to roads, highways, overhead construction, and similar off-site items, resulting from operations in connection with this project.

Final Inspection: The Contractor shall request a final inspection in writing at least one week (7 calendar days) prior to the anticipated date of completion. Work will not be considered ready for final inspection until all work has been completed and the Contractor has certified that all items are properly installed and in strict compliance with all contract terms and conditions. The Contractor or his project supervisor shall be at the job site during the final inspection

Clean up: All work and storage areas shall be kept clean and free from paper, garbage, and trash.

Such materials shall be removed by the Contractor and disposed of in properly designated areas.

No burning of rubbish on Government premises will be allowed. Fuels, lubricants, petroleum products, chemicals or other waste materials shall be disposed of legally in properly designated areas off Government premises.

Final Payment: Measurement for existing fence demolition and removal and for new fence construction will be actual length along the ground. Measurement shall include the distance across all gates, stress panels, end braces, corner panels, and so on.

Clearing: The Contractor may, if necessary, clear fence lines of trees, brush, and other obstructions large enough to hinder construction operations. Fence lines may be cleared to a maximum of 4 feet on each side of the fence. On interior fence lines where the Government owns the land on both sides, clearing may be done on either or both sides of the fence. On boundary fence lines where the Government owns land on only one side, clearing may only be done on the Government-owned side. Existing grass, sod, and other vegetation shall be disturbed as little as possible. Debris from fence line clearing shall be disposed of in the immediate vicinity of the fence by scattering, as directed by the Authorized Onsite Government Inspector.

Panel or dead man at minor depression: these shall be installed in accordance to the drawings, or as directed by the Contracting Officer. Dead man shall be constructed of barbless wire bent in two and wound around the three wires in the fence and attached to a full-length steel post. It shall be driven 4 feet underground at a 45 degree angle with 1-1/2 feet extended above ground level. In extreme conditions, two steel posts shall be used and shall be positioned opposite one another to form a 90 degree angle between the two posts for maximum holding power.

Requirements: Access roads will not be constructed; all cross-country travel by wheeled or tracked vehicles will need to be approved by the On-site Inspector.