J.2 Pagosa Plumtaw SOW (7 Pages).pdf

Plumtaw Fire Fence Replacement

Pagosa Ranger District

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SUMMARY OF WORK

Scope of Contract:

The purpose of this project is to remove and replace approximately 1.25 miles of pasture

"lay down fence" within the 2022 Plumtaw fire scar on the Pagosa Ranger District of the

San Juan National Forest (see attached map provided). The fence line had been reconstructed in 2018. The replaced burned fence line will make barrier effective once again in managing permitted livestock grazing rotations and patterns in this grazing allotment.

The proposed project for the new lay down fence consists of approximately 1.25 miles horizontal length of a 4 wire, lay down fence. The two middle wires will consist of 2-point, 2-strand twisted, barbed wire. The top and bottom wires will consist of twisted two strand barbless wire.

The Forest Service will mark the beginning and end of the fence line. The Contractor shall be responsible for clearing the fence line corridor, which may include fallen burnt snags and brush removal. The width of the fence line corridor/right-of-way shall be a maximum of 8 feet wide on either side of center line of fence to allow for placement of the fence.

Previous 4 wire lay down fence will need to be removed and rolled up to be hauled off site.

The contractor shall coordinate any alignment changes with the COR prior to making alignment changes.

The Forest Service will provide fence materials to build the fence to these specifications.

The fence materials will be stockpiled at the Piedra Work Center. The Contractor shall arrange a time to pick up fence materials. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, tools, disposal, and supervision. The contractor shall perform all work required to complete the project as reasonably close to conformity with drawings and specifications, and in accordance with provisions of the contract.

Location of Project:

The project site located off Hwy 160 and County Road 400, head north on County Road

400 for about 7 miles. Continue travel on Forest Road 634 for about 3.13 miles. Turn right on two track closed Forest Service roads 634G (3.06 miles) and 634E (3.13miles). Travel

Forest Service Road 634G about .74 miles and 634E 1.0 miles to reach fence line.

Construction Specifications:

1. The Contractor shall be permitted to use Forest Service Roads 634E and 634G. All equipment and vehicles are required to stay on the roadways and fence ROW unless approved otherwise.

The Contractor shall be restricted from using the roads and fence ROW when unacceptable road or native surface damage will occur. Road damage is defined as four-inch ruts or deeper on native surfaces and two-inch ruts or deeper on FR 634 E and

634G. The COR shall issue a Suspend Work Order, if these conditions exist. Use may resume at such time as the conditions improve and, when the CO issues a Resume Work

Order.

No roads shall be constructed, upgraded, or modified.

2. All work shall be completed within 47 calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed. Work shall be completed no later than June 30, 2023

3. There are no trees to be removed along the fence ROW. There are shrubby materials and possibly burnt down snags to be removed along the fence ROW. Shrubby and snag material shall be cleared to accommodate the lay down fence. The lay down fence shall be constructed along the entire length of the ROW so that the fence can be laid flat.

Some short sections with steeper grades would not be laydown and just made into permanent fence.

5. Contractor shall remove old 4 wire, lay down wire along the 1.25 miles. Also remove brush and down burnt snags from the ROW.

6. Contractor shall protect all improvements, which include but are not limited to structural improvements such as: fences, roads, culverts, survey monuments, and signs. Contractor shall be responsible for any damage to these improvements.

7. Contractor shall furnish equipment that is in functional condition and that complies with current Office of Safety and Health Administration regulations (All equipment shall be equipped with a spark arrestor, except for turbo-charged engines).

8. In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds, the Contractor shall be required to furnish Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment. The following is considered proof of weed-free equipment:

The permittee will be required to clean all equipment prior to entry on the area.

This cleaning shall remove all dirt and plant parts and material that may carry noxious weed seeds into the work area. Only equipment inspected will be allowed to operate within the area. All subsequent move-ins of logging and construction equipment shall be treated the same as the initial move-in. Prior to initial move-in of all construction equipment, and all subsequent move-ins, the contractor shall make equipment available for Forest Service inspection at an agreed location.

9. TREATMENT OF TREES:

a) There will be no removal of trees in the project.

10. BRUSH AND SLASH TREATMENT:

a) Contractor shall remove brush and slash to create a ROW that is approximately

1.25 miles horizontal distance and is a minimum of 6 feet wide and a maximum of

10 feet wide on either side of fence line. The cleared ROW shall allow fence to be laid flat and for equipment to be driven on the ROW. The ROW may be cleared manually by the use of chainsaws, and brush saws.

b) All vegetation and roots less than 5" shall be cut flush with the ground. All cleared vegetation shall be removed from the ROW and piled along the ROW and as determined by the COR. Slash piles will not exceed 2 feet in depth from the ground.

Slash shall not be windrowed.

c) The holes generated from root wads removed, shall be filled in with soil.

11. FENCE STANDARDS:

a) Contractor shall construct approximately 1.25 miles horizontal distance of new 4 wire lay down fence.

b) The lay down fence shall be constructed so that the fence can be laid flat in the

ROW. If section of ROW is on a slope or hillside, lay down fence needs to be able to be laid down upslope.

c) The top and bottom wires shall be twisted two strand barbless wire. The two middle wires shall be barbed wire. Wire spacing shall be as shown in the attached drawings.

d) The two middle wires shall be placed on the "uphill side" of the T-posts. The top and bottom wires shall be placed on the "downhill side" of the T-posts.

e) Steel T-posts shall be used as shown in the attached drawings.

f) Fence stays shall be placed as shown in the attached drawings (2 fence stays between every steel T-posts/treated wood post or H brace).

g) Double H-Braces shall be constructed at gates, corners and on 1/4 mile intervals or at drainage crossings and slope and alignment change whichever the lesser. All Single and Double H-Braces have been constructed out of well pipe and will not need replaced.

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h) One Double H-Brace shall be installed, one on each side of 14’ 4 strand barbed wire gates. Gate locations will be determined in the field by the COR.

All Double H-Braces have been constructed out of well pipe and will not need replaced.

i) Corner H-Braces shall be constructed at each corner. All Corner H-Braces have been constructed out of well pipe and will not need replaced.

j) One treated wood post, 6 in. x 8 ft., shall be installed at 660ft intervals, along the fence line.

k) One treated wood post 5” x 4ft shall be installed at the start (first double H-brace) and end points of each section of lay down fence to allow for dropping the fence line. (For example, if referring to Line Double H-brace then one post this size is placed at either side of double ti-brace to connect lay down fence to H-brace.)

l) Cable shall be installed and clamps placed at the bottom end of the H brace as shown in the attached drawings.

m) If rock is encountered the contractor may have to drill in the posts.

12. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

a) Contractor Representative: The contractor shall designate, in writing, a contract representative during the performance period of work. The written designation shall state the named representative’s authority and any contractual limitations to act on behalf of the contractor for all contractual matters relating to daily operation during the contractor’s absence. The contractor’s representative or alternate must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

b) Weed-free Equipment: The service provider shall ensure all equipment including vehicles, ATV/UTVs, trailers and similar equipment will be checked for weed seeds prior to entering the Forest.

13. PAYMENT:

The Contractor shall be paid for the actual length of fence built in accordance with the specifications. Following a field inspection by the COR to determine final completion and will notify CO.

14. FIRE PLAN:

The Contractor shall be responsibile for the cost of suppressing all fires caused by his operation, and for all damage to any property of the USDA Forest Service or third parties

The USDA Forest Service reserves the right to participate in extinguishing any fires caused by the contractor’s operations and the contractor reimburse the USDA Forest

Service for the cost of all suppression activities ardered or directed by the USDA Forest

Service. The following requirements are apart of this solicitation and any result contract.

(1) Fire Prevention: During periods of contract performance, fire requirements shall be met by the contractor.

(2) Execution of Fire Plan:

(a) Forest Service personnel involved will, in all cases, coordinate through the

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) except in cases of emergency of Forest closure.

(b) The contractor shall designate a fire plan representative who shall be responsible for executing and carrying out the fire requirements.

(c) The contractor shall include the fire requirements in all subcontracts

(d) The contractor shall assure that all contract employees are informed of the exsistence and conditions of the fire requirements.

(3) Compliance Inspection:

(a) Inspection by the Forest Service will be made to insure compliance with fire requirements.

(b) Should any deficiencies appear during the inspection, the contractor will be informed and the deficiencies shall be correctd within 24 hours. Activities with the potential to start fires shall be halted until the deficiencies are corrected and the corrections approved by the COR.

(4) Fire Presuppresssion Requirements:

(a) Fire Toolbox

(1) During fire season, the Contractor shall furnish and maintain, at the contractor’s expense, one fire toolbox at the campsite or some central location, as long as it is within ¼ mile of the location where the Contractor is currently performing work.

(2) The fire toolbox is to be maintained with tools in good condition in the following quantities for each five people in the Contractor’s workforce. The eqiupment is for the sole source of firefighting. Four shovels, two axes, one pulaski, and five each 1-gallon canteens. Where needed, brushhooks and McLeod tools may be substituted for shovels or axes.

(3) The fire toolbox shall be replenished by the Contractor after each incidence of fire use.

(a) Work-hours At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the

Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the contract. Unless the COR waives the requirement in writing.

The fire plan shall also specify additional measures and/or special requirements, such as Hoot

Owl restrictions, necessary during periods of critical fire weather conditions.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contractor's operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

a. All high fire risk operations could be terminated at 1300 local time.

a. Patrolman may be required for a period of 2 hours after high fire risk operations and 1 hour after end of work shift. The Contractor shall provide the patrolman unless the contract is for equipment rental, in which case the Government will provide the patrolman.

Reference of Industrial Operations on last page of Fire Plan

Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

a. One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4

BC or higher rating.

b. One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

c. One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under

Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester.

Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

Powersaws. For each powersaw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

a. One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

b. One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least

10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the COR with special precautions stated.

Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires. Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

Welding. Welding or use of cutting torches will be permitted only in areas that have been cleared or are free of all material capable of carrying fire. Flammable debris and vegetation must be removed from within a minimum of 10 feet radius of all welding and cutting torch operations. A shovel and a 5-gallon standard backpack water container, (filled) with handpump attached, shall be immediately available for use in the event of a fire start.

Fire Suppression. The Contractor shall take independent action on the suppression of all fires in the work area vicinity. Vicinity is defined as a 1/2 mile extension from the operations area boundary.