Timber_Ridge_Thinning_SOW.doc

Statement of Work for Timber Ridge, Tom’s Canyon Thinning project

C.1.0

GENERAL:

C.1.1 Purpose: The BLM Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) is seeking to improve Gunnison Sage Grouse habitat located on Glade Park twelve miles southwest of Grand Junction Colorado. Within the past ten years several fuel reduction projects have been completed through mechanical treatments. Rollerchopping has been the primary technique used. Several of these treatments left many small pinyon and juniper seedlings/saplings that survived as well as “some” larger trees that may have been pushed over, but remain alive. These “survivors” will occupy and regenerate the initial stand if not removed. The object of this contract is to cut down the surviving pinyon and junipers within these treated areas to maintain the long-term reduction in wildland fuel, improve wildlife habitat and improve landscape health. The two project areas consist of approximately 710 total acres at 7,200 feet elevation.

C.1.2 Description of Work:

Habitat Improvement Treatment: The project consists of removing young pinyon/juniper trees that remained from a previous mechanical treatment. All trees greater than 6 inches tall will be cut, except as described below in the “Description of Work”. Tree density within the cutting units is less than 20%. IDIQ item 0002AA, Lop and Scatter, level 1.

The project will be accomplished by the contractor or his employee’s hand cutting the live pinyon and juniper seedlings greater than 6 inches tall, saplings less than 10 feet, and trees damaged by the equipment within the rollerchopped areas. Trees will be cut within 6 inches of the ground and shall have no live branches remaining. All larger trees that are cut shall be limbed and lopped. Slash from cut trees must be lopped so it is no deeper than 2 feet in height. Hand cutting shall include cutting with hand carried but gasoline/battery powered tools (for example chainsaws or brush cutter/clearing saws) or non powered tools (for example: axes, brush hooks, brush axes). Self propelled cutters/chippers shall not be allowed; travel off of existing roads and trails shall be allowed. The contractor shall leave all ponderosa pine and oakbrush untreated; additionally all pinyon or juniper, of good form, over 8 feet tall that were not damaged by the earlier treatments shall also be left untreated. Smaller saplings and trees in leave islands within the treatment areas also shall not be cut.

The project area is on gently sloping mesas surrounded by deep canyons. Specific objectives identified under C.10 below will also be communicated during the on-site pre-work meeting or during subsequent project inspections by the Government’s Project Inspector (PI) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Notice to Proceed will be issued in late July and work on this project will be completed no later than 3/1/2016. Consideration will be given to delays caused by bad weather or wet road conditions.

C.1.3.

Project access: The project locations are approximately 12 miles southwest of Grand Junction Colorado. From Grand Junction contractors will use Monument Rd. thru the Colorado National Monument to DS Rd. To reach the Timber Ridge project travel approximately 8 miles west of the Glade Park store until turning south on 9 8/10’s Rd. Continue south approximately 5 miles until accessing a private gate. Follow two track Rd. another 4 ½ miles to reach project site. To reach the Toms Canyon project area travel approximately 12 miles west of the Glade Park store until turning north on BLM 7130BA Rd. for 1 ½ miles to the project site. Project and travel maps are included.

C.1.4 Environmental Considerations: The majority of the targeted area is gently sloped with moderately deep soils and scattered rock. The areas were previously rollerchopped in 2002 and 2003. The surrounding area is canyons and canyon rims which have a much higher concentration of rocks.

1) Surface Conditions - Crew carriers (vehicles) shall not be operated when the road is muddy or the soil moisture is high enough for the vehicles to leave ruts over 3 inches in height. When/If such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and immediately notify the COR/PI.

2) Contractor shall clean-up all generated liter and dispose of it at an approved sanitary landfill or other location and in a manner approved by the CO/COR.

C.1.5 Work Limits: The project consists of working in an area consisting of approximately 710 acres. Any areas of the project boundaries which are difficult to distinguish will be flagged while boundaries that are quite obvious (previous rollerchop treatment) will not be flagged. A map of each area will be provided. Any areas within the project perimeter that may need to be excluded from treatment will be flagged with pink color flagging. The project outlines will also be provided to the Contractor on a project map and electronically for GPS if desired. Boundary markings for sensitive areas will be communicated to the contractor by the COR or PI who will also provide on-site direction to the contractor as needed. Total avoidance of these areas is required and is the Contractor’s responsibility.

C.1.6. Moving to and from the project area will be limited to dry conditions to reduce damage to roads.

C.1.7 A pre-bid inspection tour will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 for all bidders. Meet at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction Colorado at 9am.

C.2.0 SCHEDULING: This is a single schedule contract.

C.3.0

CONTRACTOR‑FURNISHED ITEMS:

C.3.1 The contractor will provide the following

1. Cutting equipment and any and all necessary parts or equipment to maintain the tools in a safe operating condition.

2. Transportation for equipment and operators to and from the site. Four wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

3. Repair and maintenance of equipment.

4. Sanitary facilities on site for employees which will include, as a minimum, 1 “port-a-pottie” per every 15 employees or portion therein. Port-a-potties shall be serviced regularly and shall be on site and operational prior to any cutting.

5. A “Contractors authorized representative” proficient in the English language, on site at all times when working.

C.4.0

GOVERNMENT‑FURNISHED ITEMS:

C.4.1 The BLM will provide a pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job.

C.4.2 Areas within the project perimeter which are to be excluded from treatment will be flagged with a pink color flagging. The BLM will provide maps and descriptions of the area and will go with the operator around the boundary.

C.4.3 The BLM will provide representatives from the BLM Grand Junction Field Office to act as liaison between the contractor and the BLM Contracting Officer to implement the project and to ensure that the resource objectives of the project are met.

COR: Lathan Johnson, Office: (970)244-3120, cell: (970)640-9615.

PI: Jeff Phillips, Office: (970) 244-3040, cell: (970) 250-6001 C.4.5 The BLM will provide treatment measurement: The determination of the acreage of completed work will be made by using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Area measurements required under this Contract will be measured on a horizontal plane. Work performed according to the specifications and C.9.0 will be considered acceptable for payment purposes.

C.4.6 The BLM will provide re-measurement of the acreage under this Contract upon the written request of the Contractor. The request for re-measurement must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after completion of the work. If re-measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the Contractor shall pay the actual cost of the re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5 percent. Where the difference is less than 5 percent the results of the first measurement will be used.

C.4.7 The BLM will provide weekly on-site inspections by the PI and/or COR. The Contractor is encouraged to observe inspections while they are being made and have a supervisor on site to confer with the PI and/or COR. If an onsite visit has not occurred during the period, the contractor is required to report status of work each week, or when any special situations or problems are encountered. These reports may be made by telephone to the PI or COR.

C.5.0

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING:

C.5.1 The contractor will provide transportation for equipment, operators, and fuel to and from the site. The Contractor shall be responsible for the appropriate security when equipment is left on site.

C.6.0

TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT:

C.6.1 The Contractor will be responsible for transporting all equipment to and from the site.

C.7.0

LUBRICATING AND SERVICING OF EQUIPMENT:

C.7.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for all service to all of their equipment. The Contractor shall keep all equipment in proper functioning condition to ensure objectives of the project are met. Servicing must comply with Hazardous Materials stipulations below.

C.8.0

REPAIRS TO EQUIPMENT:

C.8.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for repair of all equipment. The Contractor shall keep the equipment in proper functioning condition to ensure objectives of the project are met. The Contractor shall be equipped to make necessary field repairs to equipment.

C8.2 Use of welding equipment may be limited by fire restrictions. It is the Contractors responsibility to keep current on any restrictions.

C.9.0

SPECIFIC TASKS:

C.9.1 Surface Conditions: Operations shall not be done when soil surface conditions are muddy. Rutting shall not exceed 3 inches. When such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer will determine the best course of action based on comments from the contractor and COR/PI.

C.9.2 Protection: The Contractor is required to protect section corners, bench marks, and other markers and stakes from damage or removal. In case of destruction or removal by the Contractor, they will be replaced by the Government and the actual cost for replacement will be deducted from payments due the Contractor. Any monuments that need to be preserved will be flagged and their location communicated in a pre-work on-site meeting.

C.9.3 Noxious Weeds: Vehicles and equipment are one of the primary agents for the spread of noxious weed seed to public lands. In efforts to mitigate the spread of weed seed to BLM lands the following actions are required for contractors prior to transport to a BLM project area. The Contractor will be responsible for power-washing or comparable cleaning, to ensure that noxious weed seeds are removed from any and all equipment and vehicles used on the project prior to entering the project area. BLM may require a pre-implementation inspection to ensure compliance which would be arranged to occur in Grand Junction when the contractor is planning transport to the project area. The Contractor is responsible for any additional transport or expenses associated with non-compliance.

Support vehicles (pickups, fuel/service vehicles, transports, dump trucks, etc.)

Pressure wash radiator to flush seeds.

Pressure wash undercarriage to remove accumulations of mud and soil that may contain seeds.

C.9.4 Hazardous Materials:

Use of Hazardous Materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate State and Federal Regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). On-site disposal of Hazardous Materials or Waste including hydrocarbons is not authorized. The Contractor will be responsible to prevent introduction of hazardous materials into the environment during the implementation of the proposed action. Any on-site disposal or release of two gallons or more in the form of spilled fuel or oil used by the machinery and the resulting contaminated soil will subject the contractor to at least the cost of reclamation and the appropriate disposal of contaminated soil. Fueling and maintenance activities should not take place in or adjacent to any drainage (perennial or ephemeral.)

a.

All product containers, cans, and debris should be removed from the site and disposed of properly.

b. Incidental leaks from fittings, gaskets, or ruptured hoses will not subject the contractor to remedial requirements.

c. Fueling equipment and maintenance/repair locations and equipment will be inspected and approved prior to contract startup by the owner/operator and the Government’s PI/COR. Inspections will include checking for evidence of oil/fuel leaks at all piping, oil/fuel lines, hydraulic lines and seals, fuel tanks and other potential sources of leaks. All evidence of leaks will be investigated and immediately repaired prior to equipment operation on the job and continual leaks will be noted on inspection reports and corrected through required maintenance.

d. All non-manual fueling equipment will have an automatic shut-off switch installed to avoid fuel releases.

e. Fuel tanks greater than 200 gallons may only be used within a spill containment pit. The spill containment pit shall be constructed at a site designated by the PI/COR, with an impermeable liner capable of containing a released volume of one and one-half times the tank volume.

C.9.5 Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Provisions: The government may require the contractor to curtail or cease operations should wildland fire danger approach critical levels. The contractor will be given 24 hours notice in the form of a Suspend Work Order issued by the Contracting Officer.

Ignition of a wildland fire that threatens the project area may require the Contractor to proceed with an emergency evacuation of the project area.

A 10 lb ABC fire extinguisher and shovel or equivalent tool will be available on the operating equipment for fire prevention and control.

C.10.0

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. It is prohibited to operate or use any internal or external combustion engine, on any timber, brush, or grass covered land, including trails traversing such land, without a spark arrester maintained in effective working order and meeting guidelines set forth in National Wildfire Coordinating Group Publication NFES 1363 and 2363.

2. The contractor or his employees, upon documented permission from the CO/COR, may establish temporary work camps on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Camps shall be kept tidy and free of refuse. These camps may consist of mobile trailers, pickup campers, tent trailers, or tents. The contractor will be required to rehabilitate the camping area to the satisfaction of the CO/COR. Camps are subject to all fire restrictions placed by state, county or federal authorities.

3. Cut trees will remain where they fall. Cut trees will not be piled.

4. Only pinyon and juniper trees will be cut. A minimum of 90% of the targeted trees need to be cut.

5. Work will not occur between May 15 and July 15 to protect migratory birds and their nests (All Sites). Work will not occur between March 1 and May 15 to protect the Sage Grouse Lek Site (Timber Ridge Site).

6. Private land access to the Timber Ridge site is restricted by the landowner from September 12, 2015 to November 15, 2015. This does not include Toms Canyon.

7. All vehicle travel must occur on existing roads, No off road travel is allowed,

8. During most winters, the snow depth makes the Timber Ridge Unit unpassable by pickup for several months.