IBC-02-22 Statement of Work.pdf

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CONTRACT FOR RE-CLEARING

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY LINE VISTA

ALONG THE 49th PARALLEL (Washington/British Columbia)

Contract IBC-02-22

DESCRIPTION

The International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada (IBC), is mandated by treaty to maintain an effective boundary line between the two countries. This is accomplished, in part, by keeping a 20-foot wide strip (vista), 10 feet in each country, clear of trees, brush and other obstructions and the boundary monuments in good repair.

This is a vista-cutting project located along a rugged, remote segment of the Washington/British Columbia boundary. The project area begins on the international boundary on the west side of the Port of Entry between Laurier, WA and Christina Lake, BC (US Hwy 395/BC Hwy 395) and continues west along the boundary for approximately 36 mi / 58 km. Sections of this project are very difficult to access and will likely require helicopter support.

Since the purpose of the vista is to enhance the demarcation of the boundary between the two countries, it is required that it be accurately laid out between boundary monuments and that each segment has the appearance of a straight line of uniform width.

The majority of the international boundary monuments along this section are 53 inch high, aluminum-bronze obelisks (shafts), filled with concrete and set in 3-foot square concrete bases.

In the interest of good public relations, it is essential that skilled workmen of good character carry out the work in a professional manner.

LOCATION

The project generally follows the 49th Parallel between longitudes 118° 13' 28" and 119° 01' 01". The project is specifically identified as being from International Boundary Monument 165 proceeding west to International Boundary Monument 132.

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WORK STATEMENT

Contractor shall clear 36.0 mi / 58.0 km of the International Boundary Line vista between the United States (Washington) and Canada (British Columbia). Note that the distance given is a horizontal distance and does not take into account peaks and valleys.

The 39 International Boundary Monuments located along this section of boundary shall be inspected, cleaned, painted and photographed. The work shall be accomplished with chain saws and related hand tools. The Contractor is expected to accomplish the work in an orderly fashion, progressing from one end to the other, unless circumstances beyond Contractor's control dictate otherwise.

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SPECIFICATIONS

1. TEST CUT

The successful bidder will be required to perform a test cut over a section of the boundary unless waived by the Contracting Officer (CO). It is required that the CO be informed two weeks prior, the start date and the monument number where the work will begin under this contract. The CO will arrange for a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) to be on site on or about the start date to ensure all specifications and requirements of this contract are being followed.

2. LIMITS OF THE BOUNDARY VISTA

In order to be certain of the location and width of the 20-foot vista, the boundary line shall be projected from boundary monument to adjacent boundary monument with a surveyor’s transit or theodolite and/or a survey grade Global Positioning System (GPS) capable of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) surveying. Due to the terrain, growth and distance between monuments an RTK unit is recommended.

Contractor shall mark on the ground, with suitable stakes topped with bright color paint or surveyors flagging, the boundary line and vista limits at intervals not exceeding 200 feet in order to provide a straight vista of uniform width.

3. CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

All trees, brush and limbs are to be cut at or within 6 inches of the ground and to such a width that at all places the vista will have a clear skyline for a width of at least 20 feet, 10 feet on each side of the boundary line.

Trees shall be felled away from or parallel to the vista and none are to be left leaning.

Within the 20-foot wide vista, no trees are to be left perpendicular to the vista.

4. DISPOSAL OF CUT TREES AND SLASH

Trees 6 inches and over in diameter shall be limbed and the trunks shall bucked into lengths that leave them in contact with the ground throughout their length.

The Contractor shall attempt, at all times, to avoid having trees or cut branches falling into or across any roads, trails, fields, ditches, streams or other bodies of water. Such debris shall be immediately removed by the Contractor.

The vista shall be left with a clean appearance, free of debris and operating refuse.

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5. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY MONUMENTS

All 39 monuments, from International Boundary Monument 132 to International Boundary Monument 165 shall be cleaned and painted. The concrete base shall be painted with a quality exterior white latex paint. The obelisk shall be painted with quality aluminum paint. All monuments will be cleaned with a wire brush prior to painting. Only the bases of washed pebble ornamental obelisks will be painted.

Three photographs shall be taken of each monument with a digital camera. One shall be taken of the North face of the monument before it is painted. The second and third photographs shall be of the North and West faces after the monument is cleaned and painted. Because the monument numbers may not be visible in the photograph, an erasable sign board with the correct monument number shall be visible in each photograph.

Extra caution shall be exercised when working in the vicinity of international boundary monuments. Any damage or disturbance of said monuments by the Contractor shall be repaired at the expense of the Contractor.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

This work shall be carried out under the authority of the International Boundary Commission; however, the Contractor shall make every reasonable effort to foster good relations with property owners and the public in general. Where access to the boundary vista is over private roads or land, property owners shall be notified prior to crossing.

Should there be any objections to the work being performed under this contract, the Contractor shall consult with the Contracting Officer (CO) or the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to proceeding with operations in that segment.

The Contractor shall attempt at all times to avoid damage to private property. Any such damage shall be promptly repaired at the expense of the Contractor.

EQUIPMENT AND CREW

The work under this contract requires work in both the United States and Canada. All employees working on this project must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All crew members must be in good standing and legally able to cross the boundary into Canada. At a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of this contract, a list of all crew members, their dates of birth, citizenship, valid passport number, and copy of their vaccination card must be submitted to the CO. This list may be submitted to officials within Department of Homeland Security and Canadian Security Officials to determine a crew member’s suitability to work on this project. It should also be noted here that any employee with the equivalent to a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) may not be allowed to cross into Canada and therefore cannot work on this contract. Due to the some remoteness of the

6 | P a g e work under this contract, helicopter support and camping along the boundary may be necessary. For added safety, a satellite phone will be required at the work location.

All equipment and related manual tools shall be in good working order and safety equipped as required to comply with prevailing Local, State and Federal government regulations.

All equipment shall be capable of performing all work as specified herein. The Government reserves the right to inspect and approve all equipment to be used under this contract prior to commencement of the work and during the course of the work being performed.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, tools, equipment, material and supplies required to complete the work described herein. All transportation for this project will also be provided by the contractor.

LITTER AND OPERATING REFUSE

All litter and operating refuse shall be disposed of in a responsible manner in accordance with prevailing regulations.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance of the work shall be determined by the Contractors compliance with the specifications of this contract as observed by CO and/or COR and determined by an inspection(s) of the work.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

All work called for in this contract shall be completed no later than 120 days after award of the contract.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

The Contracting Officer (CO) for this contract is:

John T. Moore, Jr Deputy Commissioner International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada 1717 H Street, N.W., Suite 845 Washington, D.C. 20036 Telephone (202) 736-9100

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for this contract will be assigned upon the award of the contract.

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SUBCONTRACTING

The Contractor shall perform on site, and with his own organization, work equivalent to at least at least 50 per cent of the total amount of work performed under this contract.

The Government reserves the right to approve subcontractors prior to any work being performed by said subcontractors.

COST AND PAYMENT

This is a Firm Fixed Price Contract (not by unit price) $__________________

If requested by the Contractor, and upon submission of a properly executed invoice, two interim progress payments are authorized. The first interim payment of 30 percent of the total contract price after 40 percent of the work required under this contract is completed, starting at one end of the project and progressing toward the other end. A second interim payment of 30 percent of the contract price after 80 per cent of the work under this contract is completed. The second segment will be a continuation of the first segment progressing toward the other end and not for any isolated, unconnected sections.

Upon completion and acceptance of all work, the amount due the Contractor under this contract shall be paid upon presentation of a properly executed invoice and, after the Contractor has furnished the Government with a release of all claims against the Government arising by virtue of the contract.

PAYMENT DUE DATE

The Prompt Payment Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3901-3907; 5 C.F.R.1315; FAR SUBPART 32.9 is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment to contractors of interest on overdue payments and improperly taken discounts.

Determination of interest due will be made in accordance with the provision of the Prompt Payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315.

INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

Invoices shall be submitted in an original and two (2) copies to the Government office designated below. To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice must include the following information and/or attached documentation:

• Name of the business concern and invoice date.

• An invoice number.

• The contract number.

• Description, price and quantity of services actually delivered or rendered.

• Payment terms, if any.

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• Name (where practicable), title, telephone number, and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent.

Invoices must be submitted to:

International Boundary Commission, United States and Canada 1717 H Street, N.W., Suite 845 Washington, D.C. 20036

INDEMNITY

The Contractor expressly agrees to indemnify and save the Government, its officers, agents, servants and employees harmless from and against any claim, loss, damages, injury, liability, however caused, resulting from or arising out of the Contractors’ fault or negligence in connection with the performance of work under this contract. Furthermore, any negligence or alleged negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, or employees, shall not bar a claim for indemnification unless the act or omission of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, or employees is the sole, competent and producing cause of such claim, loss, damage or liability.

FAILURE TO PERFORM

Should the Contractor fail to complete the work within the performance time allowed or any extension thereof, and his right to proceed has not been terminated, he shall, in the absence of a liquidated damages proviso, be charged actual damages suffered by the Government which can be directly attributable to the Contractor’s delayed performance.

Such damages shall include, but not necessarily limited to, the CO’s and/or COR’s salary, per-diem (at prevailing Government rate), or other expenses, as well as losses of Government furnished property, if any, which can be accurately determined.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

1. Bonds

(a) The successful bidder shall furnish to the Contracting Officer a completed performance bond on SF-25 in the penal sum if 20 percent of the contract price and a payment bond on SF-26 in the penal sum of 20 percent of the contract price, or in lieu thereof may furnish certain US bonds, Treasury notes, other acceptable public debt obligations, cashier’s or certified check, bank draft, US Postal Money Order, or cash in an amount or value equal to the above penal sum.

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(b) If the bidder (contractor) furnishes bid, performance guarantee or payment security in a form other than on a Corporate or individual surety bond, he must comply with the requirements of 31 CFR 225.3 and FPR 1-10.204.

(c) Each surety company bond (bid, performance, payment), which purports to have been executed by an agent or attorney-in-fact for a corporate surety, is required to have submitted with it a power of attorney to the signatory agent or attorney-in-fact, and executed by the corporate surety upon a date reasonably proximate to date of bond, or power of attorney shall be accompanied by a certification of the surety to the effect that the power of attorney was in full force and effect upon a date reasonable proximate to date of bond.

(d) Bond Premium Adjustment: When the net changes in the original contract price affect a premium of a Corporate Surety Bond by $5 or more, the Government in determining basis for final settlement, will provide for bond premium adjustment computed at the rate shown in the bond.

(e) As provided in 13 CFR Part 115, published 37 F.R. page 6922, April 8, 1972, the Small Business Administration may under certain conditions provide assistance to small businesses on surety bonds required hereunder. Further information may be obtained from the nearest office of the Small Business Administration.

The Conditions and Provisions Contained Herein

Are Hereby Accepted on the Part of:

International Boundary Commission Offeror 1717 H Street, N.W., Suite 845 Washington, D.C. 20036

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SCHEDULE J

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

• SCHEDULE B- Offer returned with sealed bid.

• SF 33 SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD- Section titled OFFER must be completed by Offeror and returned in sealed bid.

• SF 25 PERFORMACE BOND AND SF 25A PAYMENT BOND- Will only be submitted by winning bidder.

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SCHEDULE B

IBC-02-22

This is a Firm Fixed Price Contract (not by unit price):

Item No. 1 Re-clearing the 20-foot vista along the International Boundary Line between United States (Washington) and Canada (British Columbia) from International Boundary Monument 165 heading west to International Boundary Monument 132 (36 miles total horizontal distance); and inspect, clean, paint and photograph 39 International Boundary Monuments located therein.

$____________________USD

Signature offeror Date

*Include this sheet along with your completed SF-33 (original and one copy) in the sealed bid package

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