MASS - Nichols Dam SOW.doc

AG-3A75-C-09-0019

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR INDEPENDENT DESIGN REVIEWS OF

NICHOLS DAM (85% DESIGN) REHABILITATION

IN WORCESTER COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS

The Contractor shall furnish the personnel, equipment, labor, materials, transportation, and facilities required to perform the services described herein:

I. Purpose The Contractor shall perform an independent review as required by the policy of the USDA—Natural Resources Conservation Service as stated in the National Engineering Manual (NEM) Part 501.05(a), Part 520.26 and Part 511.05(b). The NEM defines independent review as an examination and evaluation of procedures used and decisions made during the design of a dam by peers from outside NRCS or from an organizational unit other than the one responsible for the design. The NEM requires an independent review of designs for engineering job class VII and other projects, as determined, based on their complexity and potential hazard The Contractor’s capability must be equal to that needed to independently perform the design.

Independent reviews are made to verify that design and construction procedures and decisions reflect safety considerations as well as economy. Dam safety considerations are directly related to the potential for loss of life, damage to valuable property, or disruption of transportation and utility facilities if the dam fails. The classification of dams is determined by the potential for such losses and damage (see NEM 520.2l). The Contractor shall determine whether the methods of analyses are appropriate and the assumptions are justified by the site conditions, as well as whether the results are reasonable. The Contractor shall verify that the design:

· Addresses all potential dam safety deficiencies

· Safely and effectively meets the stated objectives

· Addresses unique site conditions

· Is consistent with industry practice for similar structures

· Generally complies with, or has appropriate variances to, the more stringent of NRCS or applicable state policy and criteria.

The Contractor’s review of the design folder prepared by the designer of record (Designer) shall not relieve the Designer of any liabilities resulting from errors or omissions in the Designer’s design, specifications, construction documents, bid documents and/or project construction costs that exceed cost estimates prepared or provided by Designer. NRCS agrees to look solely to the Designer, for any indemnification arising out of claims, liabilities and causes of action that are in any way caused or alleged to have been caused by errors or omissions in the design, specifications, construction documents, bid documents and/or project construction costs that exceed cost estimates prepared or provided by Designer, and the NRCS shall release and hold HDR harmless from any and all liability arising there from, including but not limited to any third party claims. The Contractor does not assume any risk with the design conducted by the Designer.

II.

Supervision A registered Professional Engineer in the state where the designed project is located shall be designated by the Contractor as the responsible engineer. The responsible engineer may be the Project Administrator (PA) or other senior level engineer within the Contractor’s organization. The responsible engineer shall be fully cognizant of contract requirements for the performance of the work and requirements of meeting the performance schedule. All work performed for this contract shall meet the requirements as established by the applicable state PE Laws, Rules, and Regulations and all work shall be performed under the complete direction and control of, and stamped by the responsible engineer.

III. Personnel All work under this task order shall be performed by senior level personnel who collectively possess the capability equal to that needed to perform the design. These personnel shall be engineer level P3 or P4 or technical specialist level T3 or T4 as defined in the IDIQ contract.

The Contractor shall submit a list of names and qualifications of proposed personnel to be assigned work under the task order to the CO for approval. The work detailed by this task order shall not be performed by personnel other than those who have been approved by the Contracting Officer (CO).

The employees designated by the Contractor and approved by the CO shall serve in these capacities throughout the completion of the task order. If an assigned employee must be replaced by the Contractor, the replacement candidate must have qualifications equal to that needed to perform the portion of the design for which they are assigned to review. The Contractor shall submit documents supporting the replacement candidate's qualifications. The CO will review the submitted documentation to evaluate and approve or disapprove the replacement candidate. The Contractor shall not make any replacements in personnel until the approval has been received from the CO in writing.

The Contractor shall ensure that personnel utilized to conduct the design review include individuals licensed, as applicable, in the various disciplines required. These disciplines include, but are not limited to, engineers, geologists, seismologists and landscape architects.

IV.

Government Furnished Materials The CO will furnish to the Contractor the project information (hereafter referred to as the “design folder”) to be reviewed. One electronic copy in PDF format will be provided with the request for proposal.

V.

Scope of Work

1. Upon receipt of the design folder, the Contractor shall access the completeness of the design folder. The Contractor shall promptly notify the CO of items missing from the design folder that are listed in paragraph 3 below or are otherwise, as determined by the contractor, necessary for the review. The Contractor shall also determine whether or not, in their opinion, any of the missing information is necessary to complete the review of the documents that have been provided.

2. Procedures and documentation for the design folder shall be reviewed in sufficient detail to determine if the functional and technical requirements of the design have been met. The functional and technical inadequacies shall be clearly noted with an explanation of what is needed to correct the inadequacies. The review shall determine if all identified dam safety deficiencies have been appropriately addressed and note such deficiencies identified during the review that are not addressed by the design. Alternatives for different aspects of the project that may more efficiently (i.e. more efficient functionally or economically more efficient with equal or better functionality) or reliably achieve the design objectives shall be described, along with the Contractor’s recommended approach. The review shall evaluate technical details of the design and identify compliance, or the lack thereof, with the more stringent of NRCS or applicable state criteria or design guidelines. For specific elements of the project for which design criteria have not been established, or do not represent the current state of the practice, The Contractor shall identify an established criteria or practice upon which to evaluate the design. The Independent Review Report shall include the justification for selection of the criteria.

3. As a minimum, all applicable items under NEM Part 511 including all applicable items listed in (1) through (18) below and contained in the design report, shall be evaluated by the Contractor. The Contractor shall note any omissions, inadequacies, or errors and recommend corrective actions.

(1) Design summary. The design summary is a concise statement of the history and status of design, previous reviews, disposition of applicable policy items, justification for departure from standards, receipt of waivers, etc. The Contractor shall document that the summary covers pertinent information to the extent necessary to convey this and other applicable information.

(2) Description of the job. The description of the job is a brief description of the major features, hazard classification, drainage area, storm frequencies, landscape resources, capacities, etc. including any variance from project plans. The Contractor shall document the description of the job includes these items and other information necessary to describe the designed work.

(3) Design objective. The design objective is a brief, clear statement that may be a summary from a project plan. Differences identified from plans must be supported by proper approvals. The Contractor shall document that the design objective statement accurately conveys the planned design objective and clearly indentifies differences in the design objective and the planned design objective. The Contractor shall document that proper approvals for any deviation from the planned design objective are included.

(4) Basis for design. The basis for design is a listing of reference documents used in the design such as handbooks, codes, reports, studies, and criteria. The Contractor shall document that the references listed are applicable to the design and note any references listed that are inappropriate (i.e. outdated, superseded, not applicable, etc.). The Contractor shall recommend the appropriate reference to replace inappropriate references and recommend any additional references that should have been used in the design.

(5) General basic data. General basic data includes hazard analyses, seismic assessment, and limiting conditions or restraints that may influence design, construction, or facility operation. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of general basic data in the design and note any general basic data omitted in the design or inaccuracies in the data provided in the design. The Contractor shall recommend actions to correct inaccuracies and provide any additional general basic data needed to ensure functional and technical requirements of the design will be met.

(6) Location and layout. The Contractor shall document that site configuration and landscape conditions are adequately described and considered in the design. The Contractor shall note the need for any additional data necessary to determine if the project can be safely accessed and constructed within construction easement limits.

(7) Hydrology. The Contractor shall document that the data referenced, procedures used, determination of spillway operation frequency, reservoir operational studies, and summary of precipitation depth, duration, and distribution properly describe the hydrology of the contributing watershed and provide the necessary basis for the hydraulic design. The Contractor shall note any omissions and list any errors to be corrected by the designer.

(8) Hydraulic design. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of the hydraulics including: hydraulic shape and proportioning selected for all hydraulic features, adequacy of sediment and flood storage to satisfy planned criteria, adequacy of channel stability analysis to ensure continued function and resistance to failure from erosion, and sediment transport considerations necessary to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. The Contractor shall note any inadequacies or errors to be corrected by the designer

(9) Embankment and foundation design. The Contractor shall evaluate the adequacy of the geotechnical investigation, testing and analysis and design evaluation performed and design approaches selected for:

(a) Seepage control measures.

(b) Stability, deformation and settlement of the embankment and foundation.

(c) Foundation treatment measures.

(d) Embankment materials, zoning and construction requirements.

(e) Instrumentation systems.

(f) Unique, or critical issues, or issues which have a significant impact on the function of the structure, or cost or duration of construction.

Analyses shall be performed within the general guidelines presented in NRCS publication TR-60 and other NRCS references, with the following additional provisions:

a) The stability condition at the end-of-construction need not be analyzed if the work under review is the rehabilitation of an existing embankment dam with limited modifications to the embankment.

b) Assumptions used regarding the selection of shear parameters and the appropriate type of analyses shall be clearly stated. Assumptions used in developing an assumed phreatic surface and any uplift shall be clearly stated and shown.

c) A graphical and tabular summary of the results of the slope stability analysis shall be included in the report. Only the most critical failure surfaces for each condition analyzed need be shown in the summary. However, the details of the analyses shall be discussed in the report. A narrative summary of the rationale used in selecting methods of analyses, any assumptions pertinent to the analyses, and selection of design recommendations to improve stability shall be included in the report.

d) At sites where the maximum considered peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHGA) at the base of the embankment is less than or equal to 0.07g, further consideration of seismic stability of the embankment is not required. In other cases, seismic stability of the embankment shall be evaluated in general conformance with Reference 2.h. under Section-VI Reference Materials. In Section IV.C.3.a. of Reference 2.h., replace “0.2g” with “0.3g”, and “The freeboard at the time of the earthquake is at least 3% to 5% of the embankment height and not less than 3 feet (0.9 m).” with “The height between the top of dam and auxiliary spillway crest prior to the earthquake is equal to or greater than 3% of the embankment and alluvial foundation height, with a minimum of 3 feet.” The dam must be stable and not fail or suffer major damage that may lead to failure when subjected to the design earthquake loading. Damage from the design earthquake shall be limited to the extent that the dam and appurtenances will be able to pass the principal spillway flood without failure prior to repair.

e) At sites where the maximum considered peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHGA) at the base of the embankment is greater than 0.07g, site characterization shall include an assessment of ground water conditions and the existence and extent of potentially liquefiable soils.

f) Earthquake loading considered shall be based on the annual exceedance probability listed below. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) and other associated earthquake characteristics shall be obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Earthquake Hazards Program or other suitable source. If the earthquake loading is not determined from the USGS program, the rational for the proposed loading must be stated. Earthquake loading at the base of the embankment must include consideration of foundation conditions at the site. Hazard classifications listed in the table are the overall hazard classification, usually controlled by the hazard represented by the dam during flood storage.

Minimum Earthquake Loading for Dams

Hazard

Annual Exceedance Probability

Return Period

Approximate

Class

(Years) probability of exceedance in 50 years

Low

1 x 10-3

1,000

5 %

Significant

4 x 10-4

2,500

2 %

High (With no potential for loss of life from failure at permanent

Pool)

2 x 10-4

5,000

1 %

High (With potential for loss of life from failure at permanent

Pool)

1 x 10-4

10,000

0.5 %

g) Pipes in embankment drains shall be limited to the toe drain to facilitate replacing or repairing pipes should this become necessary over the life of the structure. Sizing and access for pipe drains shall be in accordance with guidelines included in Reference 2.m. under Section VI – Reference Material.

(10) Structural design. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of assumptions, loading conditions, and design procedures used to analyze and design all structures associated with the project. The assessment shall be based on NRCS criteria listed under Section VI – Reference Material. The Contractor shall note any inadequacies or errors to be corrected by the designer.

(11) Environmental considerations. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of considerations given to features or practices to provide for conservation of visual, biological, and surface and ground water resources that may be affected by the planned measures, both during and after construction.

(12) Construction drawings. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of the construction drawings to illustrate the work. To adequately illustrate the work, the drawings shall contain the detail needed to:

(a) Access the site.

(b) Ensure avoidance of both underground and above ground utilities.

(c) Establish construction operations including material storage, staging areas, equipment storage, servicing areas, construction office, etc.

(d) Layout and construct the work as specified.

The Contractor shall verify where the specifications include “as shown on the drawings” or similar language, the information is included on the drawings and the work illustrated on the drawings can be safely constructed as specified.

(13) Specifications. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of the specifications to describe the work. To adequately describe the work, the specifications shall contain the detail needed to:

(a) Define the scope of the work.

(b) Specify the materials to be incorporated into the work

(c) Specify all ancillary work such as foundation preparation, borrowing of earth materials, etc.

(d) Specify tests and activities necessary to control the quality of the work.

(e) Describe the method of compensation for the work including, if applicable, items that are subsidiary as defined in NEH Part 642, Specifications for Construction Contracts.

The Contractor shall ensure the lack of conflicting information between the specifications and the drawings and between the specifications and the bid schedule.

(14) Bid schedule. The Contractor shall document that the bid schedule lists all bid items included in the specifications in a logical sequence commensurate with the work, the method of payment (i.e. lump sum or quantity basis) is consistent with that specified, and the units for bid items are consistent with the method of payment.

(15) Cost estimate. The Contractor shall document the reasonableness of the values assigned to each bid item.

(16) Construction schedule. The Contractor shall document the reasonableness of the construction schedule.

(17) Operation and maintenance plan. The Contractor shall document the adequacy of the O&M plan based on the designer’s explanation of conditions in which design assumptions depend on proper O&M and significant O&M activities are anticipated (i.e. grasses in the emergency spillway to protect against erosion during flow). The Contractor shall documents that items identified and evaluated during design that are planned for replacement during the evaluation period are adequately noted and described in the plan.

(18) Quality assurance plan. The Contractor shall determine if the quality assurance plan is adequate to provide the construction oversight needed to determine if the desired construction quality is attained. The Contractor shall also determine if the plan contains provisions for timely notification of specialists such as the designer, geologist, soil mechanics engineer, or other specialist to determine if conditions anticipated during design are consistent with the design assumptions.

VI.

Reference Materials

1. The following NRCS reference materials are available through the internet, except as otherwise noted, at http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watershed/NWSM.html, and http://www.economics.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/technotes/index.html. The Contractor shall obtain the reference through internet access unless otherwise noted. Non-NRCS documents will be obtained by the Contractor. The Contractor will identify other applicable reference documentation considered appropriate and applicable to the review. The basis for selecting and using such references in the review shall be included in the report and report documentation submitted.

a. NRCS National Engineering Manual (NEM).

b. NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Parts 628, 630, 631, 633, 636, 641, 642, 650, 653, and 654 and Sections 3, 5, 6, 8, and 14.

c.

National Operation and Maintenance Manual d.

NRCS Technical Releases:

TR 5

Structural Design of Underground Conduits

TR 18

Computation of Joint Extensibility Requirements

TR 20

Computer Program for Project Formulation Hydrology *

TR 25

Design of Open Channels

TR 26

The Use of Soils Containing More Than 5 Percent Rock Larger Than the Number 4 Sieve

TR 27

Laboratory and Field Test Procedures for Control of Density and Moisture of Compacted Earth Embankments

TR 29

Hydraulics of Two-Way Covered Risers

TR 30

Structural Design of Standard Covered Risers

TR 31

Structural Analysis and Design at Low Stage Inlets

TR 37

Structural Analysis and Design at Base of Riser with Conduit Openings in Both Endwalls

TR 39

Hydraulics of Broad-Crested Spillways

TR 42

Single Cell Rectangular Conduits - Criteria and Procedures for Structural Design

TR 43

Single Cell Rectangular Conduits - Catalog of Standard Designs (applicable portions furnished on request)

TR 45

Twin Cell Rectangular Conduits - Criteria and Procedures for Structural Design

TR 48 Water Resources Site Analysis Computer Program “SITES”

TR 49

Criteria for the Hydraulic Design of Impact Basins Associated with Full Flow in Pipe Conduits

TR 50

Design of Rectangular Structural Channels

TR 54

Structural Design of SAF Stilling Basin

TR 55

Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds *

TR 60

Earth Dams and Reservoirs

TR 62

Engineering Layout, Notes, Staking and Calculations

TR 63

Structural Design of Monolithic Straight Drop Spillways

TR 65

Procedure to Establish Priorities in Landscape Architecture

TR 66

Simplified Dam-Breach Routing Procedure

TR 67

Reinforced Concrete Strength Design

TR 68

Seismic Analysis of Risers

TR 69

Riprap for Slope Protection Against Wave Action

TR 70

Hydraulic Proportioning of Two-Way Covered Baffle Inlet Riser

TR 74

Lateral Earth Pressures

TR 77

Design and Installation of Flexible Conduits *

e. NRCS User Guides 210-7-5 Win TR-20 User Guide

210-3-1 Win TR-55 User Guide

f. NRCS Design Notes:

DN 1

Scour Protection at Base of Risers to Drop Inlet Spillways

DN 2

Required Three-Edge Bearing Strength for Ridge Pipe

DN 3

Detail of Riprap above Berm on Earth Dam

DN 4

Cradle Modification Where a Rock Foundation Hiatus Exits

DN 5

Some Comments on Flexural and Anchorage Bond Stresses

DN 6

Riprap Lined Plunge Pool for Constructed Outlet

DN 7

Variation in Joint Extensibility Requirements as Sectional Conduit is Moved Up or Down from Embankment Foundation Interface

DN 8

Entrance Head Losses in Drop Inlet Spillways

DN 9

Use of AWWA C302 Pipe for Principal Spillway Conduits

DN 10

Special Designs of Single Cell Rectangular Conduits

DN 12

Control of Underground Corrosion

DN 14

Cavitation Potential at an Irregularity

DN 15

Submerged Weir Flow

DN 17

Some Comments on the Location of Riser-Conduit Articulation Joints

DN 18

"Unattached" ES Drawings

DN 19

Input Data for Design Unit Programs

DN 21

Guide to Substitution of Higher Strength Steel in Reinforced Concrete * f.

NRCS Soil Mechanics Notes:

SMN 3

Soil Mechanics Considerations for Embankment Drains

SMN 5

Flow Net Construction and Use *

SMN 6

Glossary, Symbols, Abbreviations and Conversion Factors *

SMN 7

The Mechanics of Seepage Analysis

SMN 8

Soil Mechanics Testing Standards

SMN 9

Permeability of Selected Clean Sands and Gravels

SMN 12

Portable Pinhole Test Apparatus

SMN 13

Dispersive Clays g.

NRCS Geology Notes:

GN 3

Geologic Investigation Process *

GN 4

Photography of Rock Cores

GN 5

Soil Sample Size Requirements for Soil Mechanics Laboratory Testing h.

NRCS National Watershed Manual i.

NRCS Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies 2.

The following materials, and other materials not listed but pertinent to the design, shall be obtained by the Contractor, as necessary.

a. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) technical standards.

b. U. S. Army Corps of Engineers EM 1110-2-1901 Seepage analysis and Control for Dams

EM 1110-2-1902 Slope Stability

EM 1110-2-1906 Laboratory Soils Testing

EM 1110-2-1908 Instrumentation of Embankment Dams and Levees

EM 1110-2-2006 Engineering and Design; Roller Compacted Concrete.

EM 1110-2-2200 Gravity Dam Design, June 30, 1995

EM 1110-2-2300 Engineering and Design; General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rockfill Dams EM 1110-1-2908 Rock Foundations, November 30, 1994

EM 1110-2-4300 Instrumentation for Concrete Structures, November 30, 1987

EM 1110-2-6050 Response Spectra and Seismic Analysis for Concrete Hydraulic Structures, June 30, 1999 c.

American Concrete Institute (ACI) - 207.5R-89 - Roller Compacted Mass Concrete.

d. American Concrete Institute (ACI) – 318-08 – Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

e. American Concrete Institute (ACI) – 350-06 – Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures and Commentary

f. American Institute of Steel Construction, 13th Edition Structural Steel Manual g.

Bureau of Reclamation

Design Standards No. 13. Embankment Dams

Design of Small Dams

Engineering Geology Field Manual, 2nd Ed. Volumes 1 and 2 Guidelines for Drilling in Embankments, August 1996

Embankment Dam Instrument Manual January 1987 Earth Manual, U.S. Department of Interior, Third Edition, Part 1 1998, Part 2 1990.

Design Criteria for Concrete Arch and Gravity Dams, U.S. Department of Interior, Engineering Monograph No.19, February 1997.

Design of Gravity Dams, U.S. Department of Interior, 1976.

Guidelines for Designing and Constructing Roller-Compacted Concrete Dams, U.S. Department of Interior, ACER Technical Memorandum No.8, 1987.

Groundwater Manual, U.S. Department of Interior, Second Edition, 1995

Concrete Dam Instrumentation Manual, U.S. Department of Interior, October, 1987

Physical Properties of Plastic Pipe Used in Reclamation Toe Drains, Report DSO-09-01, September 2009

h. FEMA 65, Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety, Earthquake Analysis and Design of Dams, May 2005

i. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, current edition.

j. International Code Council, Incorporated (ICC), International Building Code, current edition.

k. USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

l. FEMA L-266, Conduits through Embankment Dams-Best Practices for Design, Construction, Problem Identification and Evaluation, Inspection, Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair September 2005

m. FEMA P-675, Technical Manual: Plastic Pipe Used in Embankment Dams: Best Practices for Design, Construction, Problem Identification and Evaluation, Inspection, Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair

* These items have been deleted from the directives system and are no longer available.

VII. Presentation of Work

1. All work shall be performed in a professional manner in accordance with the criteria of the Natural Resources Conservation Service engineering standards, the standards listed in Section IV, and other standards specifically approved by the CO for use on this project.

2. Task order deliverables are a draft, a “response to the draft” document, and the final Independent Review Report.

3. Draft and final reports shall include all notes, computations, sketches, or other pictorial representations, computer program runs, or other data developed in completion of the review. This information shall be complete, recorded neatly, and organized in a manner that will readily convey the basis for the comment to which the information relates. This information shall be presented as an appendix to the review. Computations shall be in accordance with NRCS computation standards for engineering work. The sources of data, procedures, equations, parameters, and all other items utilized in the computations for the evaluation shall be clearly and completely referenced and cited.

4. The draft Independent Review Reports shall be prepared in accordance to the format exhibited in the sample reports provided by the NRCS.

1) Electronic Copies of the draft Independent Review Report in MSWORD format will be submitted to the COTR.

Final approval and acceptance of the work will be made by the CO after all corrections are made and all required material has been submitted. The following required submittals are to be submitted to the COTR:

1) An electronic “response” document in MSWord format with “track changes” showing the edits and the AE reviewer’s response to NRCS comments that were made on the draft Independent Review Report.

2) Electronic Copies of the Final Independent Review Report with all comments deleted and “track changes accepted” in PDF format.

3) Two (2) hard copies of the final Independent Review Report will be submitted. The reports will be submitted to the COTR.

VIII. Review Procedures

1. The CO will furnish comments on the work to the Contractor after receiving and reviewing the draft Independent Review Report. The Contractor shall make all necessary corrections to the work and will document the responses and actions taken as a result of the CO’s comments. The documented responses shall be submitted with the Final Independent Review Report.

IX.

Teleconferences

Teleconferences shall be scheduled at least three (3) days prior to the conference date. The Contractor shall provide the CO, at the time of scheduling, teleconference coordinates, an agenda, a summary of the conference topics, and information necessary for complete review of the conference topics.

Teleconferences will be held after award of the task order, and upon receipt of Government comments on the draft independent review report.

The Contractor shall record and prepare minutes of all teleconferences summarizing discussions and decisions reached and furnish electronic copies of the notes to the CO or the persons identified by the CO within five calendar days. The CO will return concurrence or comments within ten workdays after receipt.

Except as stated in Optional Teleconferences below, teleconferences involved in issuing the Task Order, and other correspondence involved in completion of the Task Order are normal and necessary activities to complete the work, and are included in the hours bid for completion of the work.

Optional Teleconferences Two optional teleconferences may be held whenever requested by the CO or Contractor during which questions relating to the project will be discussed, work to be performed or previously performed will be reviewed, and decisions made with a view toward expediting the completion of the contract.

Optional Teleconference #1- A teleconference will be held if there are unusual circumstances to the project, there are significant discrepancies, or inadequacies in the data furnished by the CO, or if questions arise on the review of key aspects of the project. It is assumed the conference could be up to four (4) hours in length and require attendance of the Project Administrator and one Professional Level 4 specialist.

Optional Teleconference #2 - Work submitted by the Contractor will be reviewed by the NRCS State Office initiating the work reviewed in the independent review report. If the comments generated by the State Office review have a significant impact on the independent review report or there are areas of disagreement on incorporation of the comments, a teleconference may be arranged to address these issues. It is assumed the teleconference could be up to four (2) hours in length and require attendance of the Project Administrator and one Professional Level 4 specialist.

X. Schedule Times are shown in workdays based on a 5 day workweek.

Contractor receives design package and Request for Proposal (RFP) from NRCS Contractor provides proposal to CO 4 days

Negotiation 2 days

Award 4 days

Contractor review period …..10 days NRCS review of Contractor report and schedule teleconference as needed ….5 days

Teleconference 1 day Contractor finalizes and submits final report 5 days

XI. Payment

1. Payment will be made in accordance with applicable Contract Clauses for payment.

2. No progress payments will be made. Full payment will be made after the final report is accepted and approved by the Government. Final payment will include payment for the draft and final Independent Review Reports, Optional Teleconference #1, if exercised, and Optional Teleconference #2, if exercised.

XII. GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT

The designated Contract Specialist for this order is James Lowe. All administrative matters regarding this task order shall be directed to the Contract Specialist at the following address:

James Lowe, Contract Specialist

USA Natural Resources Conservation Service

National Centers Servicing Unit

501 W. Felix, Bldg 23

Ft. Worth, TX 76115

Phone: 817.509.3520

FAX: 817.509.3594

E-Mail: james.lowe@ftw.usda.gov The designated Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for this task order is Dennis Clute. All deliverables and technical matters regarding the work involved in this task order shall be directed to the COTR at the following address:

Dennis Clute USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

National Centers Servicing Unit

501 W. Felix, Bldg 23

Ft. Worth, TX 76115

Phone: 817.509.3765 E-Mail: dennis.clute@ftw.usda.gov

Only the Contracting Officer may authorize changes to this Task Order after issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

XIII. ADDITIONAL APPLICABLE FEDERAL ACQUISITION CLAUSES:

FAR 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity – Separately Priced Line Items (Mar 1989)

The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 60 days from the date of award of the task order. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that the items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

(End of Clause)

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