J2 FY23_Fence_Installation_Specs.docx

Construction Specifications

FY 23 FENCE INSTALLATION – GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST

General Information It is the intent of this solicitation and any resulting contract to secure services to provide for the completion of the work described. The precise details of performing the work are not stipulated except as considered essential for the successful completion of the work. Furnish all labor, material, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies necessary to complete the work according to the contract.

Item 0001 The Contractor shall furnish tools, labor, equipment, and supervision unless otherwise provided herein.

Location and Description The project location is on the Manchester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest. The site is within Compartment 39, Stand 106, which is a maintained meadow adjacent to Bowen Hill Road in the Town of Dorset, Bennington County, Vermont.

At the project site are four wooden stakes with orange ribbon attached to identify the site and fence corners (see attached location map). Approximate work location is shown on the project map.

Delivery Details/Period of Performance

Time of Performance

The successful contractor shall complete this project by April 1st, 2023.

Work Progress Schedule

Upon contract award, the Contractor shall be required to present a written plan of work providing for the orderly and timely completion of the contract requirements. This plan is subject to the approval of the Government. The schedule may be modified during the course of the contract when conditions warrant if approved by the Government.

If the work progress falls behind schedule, the Contractor shall take such action as necessary to ensure that the timely completion of the contract is not jeopardized. In addition, the Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit a revised plan of work showing how they intend to complete the project on time and in compliance with all contract requirements.

Specifications

Source of Supply and Quality Requirements.

Follow the requirements of FAR Clause 52.236-5 Material and Workmanship.

Select sources and provide acceptable material. Notify the CO of all proposed sources before delivery to the project to expedite material inspection and testing. Do not incorporate material requiring submittal into the work until approved.

Storing and Handling Material.

Store and handle material to preserve its quality and fitness for the work. Stored material approved before storage may again be inspected before use in the work. Locate stored material to facilitate prompt inspection.

Use only approved portions of the right-of-way for storing material and placing equipment. Provide all additional space needed. Do not use private property for storage without written permission of the owner or lessee. Furnish copies of all agreements. Restore all Government-provided storage sites to their original condition.

The Contractor is responsible for the security of all stored material.

Material Woven Wire Furnish Class 3 galvanized fixed knot fencing with maximum 6” vertical spacing. Minimum diameter (gauge) is 14. Before fence material is to be chosen for installation, fence material will be approved by the Forest Service to ensure it meets the above standards. Several brands are available on the market that meet the above requirement.

Fence Posts Fencing materials shall be new, of high quality and durability and constructed to meet the intended purpose.

Fence will be 8 feet high.

Wooden posts shall be treated. Corner posts shall be a minimum 6 inches in diameter. Between corners posts will be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter. Posts shall be of sufficient height and long enough to be driven into the ground in accordance with the fence manufacturers specifications. Installation (distance) of posts will be in accordance of the fence manufacturer’s specifications.

All corner posts, terminal posts and line posts and cables shall conform to the manufacturer’s specifications for fence.

Metal posts shall be in accordance with the fence manufacturer’s specifications.

All fasteners and hardware shall be in accordance with the fence manufacturer’s specifications.

REQUIREMENTS

The following items shall apply during construction.

Clearing Clear vegetation along the fence line if needed. Perform clearing and leveling with minimum disturbance to the terrain outside the fence line.

Posts Where posts cannot be set to the specified depth, they must be set in concrete to secure them. Set post in a hole that is at least 24 inches deep, with a diameter that is at least three times the diameter of the post. Concrete shall be sloped at the top to provide positive drainage away from the post. Where solid rock is encountered without overburden, drill line post holes at least 14 inches deep. Drill end, corner, gate, and pull posts at least 20 inches deep in the solid rock. Make the hole width or diameter at least 1 inch greater than the post width or diameter. Cut the post to the required length before installation or drill the hole deep enough to set the post at the required height. Set and plumb the post and fill the hole with grout. Thoroughly work the grout into the hole to eliminate voids. Crown the grout to drain water away from the post.

Where solid rock is covered with soil or loose rock overburden, set posts to the plan depth or to the minimum depth into the solid rock as specified above, whichever is less. When solid rock is encountered before the plan depth, grout the portion of the post in solid rock and backfill the post hole from the solid rock to the top of the ground with concrete.

Gate The following may apply.

Wire gates. Construct wire gates of the same material as the fence and as shown. Provide a taut and well-aligned closure of the opening, capable of being readily opened and closed by hand.

Provide 2 foot long section of stout chain that can be used to lock the gate shut with a FS brass padlock which (lock will be provided).

Metal gates. Firmly attach the fittings to the posts and gates. Hinge each single gate to prevent removal of the gate without tools. Set the gate in an approximately horizontal plane. Set the gate so it swings freely inward and outward and fastens securely in its latch holder, or in the case of double gates, in its latch holder and gate stops. Set double gates and their respective pintles to provide a common horizontal plane in which each single gate swings. Set gates to swing open at least 90 degrees in each direction.

For double gates, provide a drop-bar locking device with a concrete footing 12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. Crown the top of the footing and make a hole to receive the locking bar. Make the diameter and depth of the hole in the footing as specified by the manufacturer of the locking device.

Wood gates. Install wood gates like metal gates.

12.5-14 Gauge Woven Wire Fence (14 gauge minimum). Apply tension according to the manufacturer's recommendations using a mechanical stretcher or other device designed for such use. Evenly distribute the pull over the longitudinal wires in the woven wire so not more than 50 percent of the original depth of the tension curves is removed. Do not use a motor vehicle to stretch the wire. Splicing of woven wire between posts is permitted provided not more than two splices, spaced a minimum of 50 feet apart, occur in any one run of fence. Use wrap or telephone type splices for the longitudinal woven wire with each end wrapped around the other wire for not less than six complete turns.

Fastening woven wire. Terminate the woven wire at each end, corner, gate, and pull post. Wrap each line of wire and each longitudinal wire of the woven wire around the post and then itself with at least four turns. Where wood posts are used, staple the wires tightly to the posts.

At line posts, fasten the woven wire to the post at top and bottom and at intermediate points not exceeding 12 inches apart. Fasten each strand of wire to each line post. Use wire ties or clamps to fasten the wires to metal posts. Securely splice tie wires to the fence on both sides of the post so there are two loops behind the post and one loop in front. On wood line posts, drive U-shaped staples diagonally across the wood grain so that both points do not enter between the same grain. In depressions where wire uplift occurs, drive staples with points slightly upward. On level ground and over knolls, slope the points slightly downward. Drive the staples just short of actual contact with the wires to permit free longitudinal movement of those lines and to prevent damage to the protective coating.

At grade depressions, alignment angles, and other locations where stresses tending to pull posts from the ground or out of alignment are created, snub or guy the wire fence. Attach the guy wire to each strand of wire and to the top and bottom wires of woven wire in a manner to maintain the entire fence in its normal shape. Attach the guy wire to a deadman anchor buried not less than 24 inches in the ground or to an approved anchor at a point that best serves to resist the pull of the wire fence. If necessary to guy the fence in solid rock, grout the guy wire in a hole 2 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Deadman may also be fastened to posts. Place the deadman anchors at locations as directed.

Where required, install vertical cinch stays as shown. Twist the wire to permit weaving into the horizontal fence wires to provide rigid spacing. Weave wires and the top, middle, and bottom wire of the woven wire, as applicable, into the cinch stay.

Contractor’s Key Personnel The Contractor’s onsite representative shall be fully conversant in the English language, spoken and written, sufficient to read and understand the contract, and communicate effectively with the COR.

Special Requirements

Equipment Access - Access to treatment units on OM Level 1 roads using heavy equipment may be granted upon request. Equipment shall be made available for inspection to the COR prior to first use on the Green Mountain National Forest, and subsequently each time it leaves the Green Mountain National Forest and is returned.

Signage – Signs will be used where crews are working near a road, trail, or other feature in which the public may be present. Signs should read “Work Ahead” or equivalent and be 36” x 36” in size.

Notification - Contractor is required to notify the COR prior to starting work on any item. The contractor shall also notify the Contracting Officer at least monthly of the progress being attained on this project. This notification can be either oral or written.

Measurement - Method of Measurement, area computation was based on slope distances measured using cloth tape and/or laser. Re-measurement - Request for re-measurement must be in writing. If a re-measurement indicates a variance greater than + or - 10 percent, the Government will pay for the re-measurement and payment for the work made on the basis of the re-measurement. If re-measurement shows a variance within + or - 10 percent of the predetermined acres, the cost of the re-measurement will be deducted from the contract amount.

Safety Equipment and Operations - Contractors must comply with all OSHA standards related to contract work. Failure to use proper personal safety equipment or non-compliance with safe operating procedures, as outlined by OSHA, will result in a work stoppage.

Road Use and Maintenance - All roads leading into each project area to be worked are to be kept open and free of any debris that may occur as a result of the work. All existing roads used by the Contractor shall be left in the same condition, or better, as when the operation started. Prior to the start of work, the Contractor and COR will review and document existing road conditions to provide a basis for maintenance needs.

Quality Control Plan – Contractors must develop and follow a quality control plan to monitor and document the performance of their own work. Measures monitored and documented in the quality control plan should follow the performance requirement measures and all special requirements. Quality Control Plan monitoring documentation shall be made available to the COR at the request of the COR.

Performance Requirement Measures

The COR or inspector will make visual inspections of each project area to check for compliance with contract specifications. The COR may make random or periodic inspections. In addition to the Special Requirements section, the following items will be considered as being in non-compliance:

· Specified trees cut: 95% of work accomplished for each item should include all specified trees cut as specified.

· Slash treatment not complete: 95% of completed work for each item should include proper treatment.

· Stump height and criteria: 95% of completed work in each item shall exhibit stumps of the heights and criteria as specified in the specifications.

· Selection and Protection of reserve or crop trees: 95% of completed work in each item shall exhibit only the specified items cut, 95% of suitable crop trees selected and released.

For work under each item that is not in compliance with the performance thresholds and cannot be reworked a 2% disincentive will be subtracted from the total value of the item.