Attachment_1 _SOW_Tree_Pruning.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND TREE PRUNING

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

P15PS02197

A. DESCRIPTION

The National Park Service (NPS), Channel Islands National Park, located in Ventura, CA has a requirement for pruning Blue Gum Eucalyptus, Monterey Cypress, and other tree species on Santa Cruz Island to reduce the risk of tree/limb failure, protect the safety of people and property and maintain the health and aesthetic qualities of the trees.

Work will be carried out in two locations. East Santa Cruz Island is the location of the work to be accomplished at Scorpion Valley and Smugglers Cove, and is accessed via boat to Scorpion harbor. Prisoners Harbor is the second work location and is accessed by boat to Prisoners Harbor. There is no vehicle transportation between East Santa Cruz Island (Scorpion/Smugglers) and Prisoners Harbor.

The island can be reached using Island Packers, the park’s official concession boat operator, which runs frequent trips to Scorpion Harbor and Prisoners Harbor.

B. CONTRACT LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO. 0001 - Scorpion Valley

Monterey Cypress Trees

· Prune trees as described in arborist’s report, (note arborist’s caution regarding cypress canker and cleaning of equipment and recommendation to prune cypress tree #530 last).

Eucalyptus Trees

· Prune trees as described in arborist report.

· Additional work in campgrounds and eucalyptus alley to be determined during site visit Citrus Trees

· Prune and deep root fertilize two citrus trees # 518 and 519 in fenced residential area, as described in arborist report. Fertilizer to contain complete nutrients and minor nutrients (“Palm Plus” or equivalent”)

As directed by park representative on the island, Contractor shall cut brush or branches to a size suitable for burn piles and leave in piles for park representative to move. Contractor shall chip the remainder of the pruned branches up to 10 inches in diameter and spread chips or place in piles as directed by COR. Contractor shall saw remaining limbs and trunks into 5’ lengths and place in location(s) designated by the COR.

ITEM NO. 0002 - Smugglers Cove

Eucalyptus Trees

· Prune trees as described in arborist report.

Citrus Trees

· Deep root fertilize trees #104 and 106 at Smugglers ranch house, as described in arborist report. Fertilizer to contain complete nutrients and minor nutrients (“Palm Plus” or equivalent”).

ITEM NO. 0003 - Prisoners Harbor Eucalyptus

· Prune trees as recommended in arborist report.

· Remove tree #124 as recommended in the arborists report

Italian Stone Pine

· Apply wood chips as indicated in arborist report.

As directed by park representative on the island, Contractor shall cut brush or branches to a size suitable for burn piles and leave in piles for park representative to move.

C. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

All work shall be scheduled for weekdays (Monday-Friday) to avoid the largest volume of island visitors on weekends.

Work is limited to weekdays (Monday through Friday). Work in campgrounds is limited to the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., to limit disturbance of campers. Work in other areas (beach area, Smugglers and Prisoners) may be conducted during daylight hours.

D. ISLAND TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS FOR TREE-PRUNING

For the tree-pruning project, Contractor shall arrange their own transportation to/from the island via Island Packers (805-642-1393, www.islandpackers.com) at their own expense. Please call Island Packers to reserve seats, and request the “NPS Tree-Trimmer”.

Please be aware of Island Packers’ requirements regarding cargo: Each passenger being transported for multiple day/night stay on the island is permitted to bring up to three (3) items each weighing 45 pounds or less and one (1) carry on that must fit under the bench seat. No single item in your gear may weigh more than 45 lbs.; this includes ALL ice chests. Additional gear will be charged a fee of 0.25 cents per pound. Gear weighing more than 45 pounds will be required to be broken down until the proper weight is achieved. Island Packers may weigh any item prior to being loaded. Flammable liquids or gas (stove fuel) must be turned over to a crew member for proper storage. Gear must arrive one (1) hour before boat departure time. No cardboard boxes are allowed for packing food or gear.

Smugglers Cove is reached by NPS vehicle from Scorpion Ranch, and takes approximately 30 minutes each way. NPS will provide on-island transportation from Scorpion Valley to Smugglers Cove to carry out the work at Smugglers Cove.

NPS will provide island housing for up to 7 persons (shared kitchen and bathroom facilities) at the park’s housing facilities in Scorpion Valley. NPS shall provide housing in similar facilities at Prisoners Harbor, as needed. Contractor shall provide own food, sleeping bags or bed linens, towels and toiletries. The drinking water on the island is potable. There is no food, beverage or other services on the island.

E. SPECIFICATIONS

All pruning work shall be performed by Qualified and/or ISA Certified Tree Workers, supervised by an ISA Certified or Consulting Arborist. The ISA Certified Arborist shall be on site at all times during the pruning work.

Contractor shall prune all trees to current ANSI A300 Standards (Part I)-2008, Pruning: Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance—Standard Practices (Pruning), and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices: Tree-Pruning, 2008.

In addition, Contractor shall pay particular attention to the following:

· When a branch is cut back to a lateral, no more than one-fourth of its foliage should be removed. The remaining lateral branch must be at least one-third the diameter of the removed portion.

· Lion tailing is not acceptable and is a poor pruning practice in which an excessive number of branches are thinned from the inside and lower part of specific limbs or a tree crown, leaving mostly terminal foliage. This results in poor branch taper, poor wind load distribution, and higher risk of branch failure.

· All broken and cracked branches found in the canopy must be removed.

· All dead branches two inches or greater in diameter must be removed.

· No more than 25 percent of live green foliage should be selectively removed from a branch or the entire tree unless recommended for specific individual trees.

· If the qualified Tree Pruner sees something in the canopy of the tree that they are working in to be a potential for failure then they are expected to use their experience to relieve weight on the problem branch to help prevent breakage or failure.

· When removing lower branches on the Monterey Cypress trees that may be supporting a branch above, caution must be taken to prevent the supported upper branch from failure because the lower supporting branch was removed.

All work shall be performed by climbers; NPS is unable to transport an aerial lift to the island. Climbing gaffs (spikes) shall not be used to perform the work or ascend the trees.

All footwear, equipment and other gear transported to the island must be washed clean of dirt, seeds and other matter which could introduce non-native plants, soil organisms, or plant diseases to the islands.

Smoking is limited to the beach and designated areas at the park housing. There is no smoking inside buildings.

Contractor shall follow the pruning and other recommendations in the tree evaluation reports (Attachments 2, 3, and 4).

F. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

Contractor shall provide all tools and equipment necessary to complete the required work, including safety and climbing gear; fuel; chainsaws and other pruning equipment.

G. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT

NPS will furnish the use of its Bandit 250 disc chipper at Scorpion/Smugglers and Vermeer BC-1400 drum chipper at Prisoners; both are capable of handling 12-inch materials.

For all contractor chipper operators contractor shall provide documentation to NPS of previous brush chipper use and knowledge of chipper operation. Contractor chipper operator shall perform at least one day (approximately 8 hours) of operator-in-training status with the NPS chipper certifier, who will evaluate contractor operator for safety and overall knowledge of the operation of the wood chipper. NPS has the discretionary authority to deny operator certification.

The contractor/cooperator shall carry a general liability insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000.00 in which the NPS is named as additionally insured in the policy. A certificate of the insurance must be provided to the contracting officer after award of the contract.

It is not anticipated that the contractor will need to provide a lift or other vehicles or equipment.

H. SAFETY

Contractor shall take all precautions to protect the public and all property from damage during performance under this contract. The contractor shall coordinate work schedules and locations with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and shall erect barricades and appropriate signs while working to prevent harm to persons and property.

Contractor shall observe Title 8, Group 3 of the California Code of Regulations, and American National Standard Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations.

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining an effective accident prevention program and providing a safe environment for all personnel and visitors. The contractor shall ensure that work is accomplished in compliance with Federal, State and local safety and health requirements.

The contractor shall comply with all OSHA requirements for operating equipment, fall protection and all other aspects of the work.

To ensure safe operation of government-provided chippers, NPS personnel shall demonstrate operation of chippers and supervise contractor operation for a full work day.

To address potential fire hazards, contractor shall ensure that all vehicles are equipped with spark arrestors; contractor shall carry a fire extinguisher (minimum 20 lb., Type AB) and shovel in each vehicle at all times; contractor shall provide at least 5 feet of vegetative clearance around combustion engines.

Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent damage to government and personal property, structures and vegetation on the island. Should any damage result, the contractor shall complete repairs or replacement to the satisfaction of the COR, at no cost to the government.

Storage of materials and equipment shall be limited to areas designated by the COR during contractor’s operations. The contractor is responsible for daily clean-up.

Contractor shall keep the work site free of any potential fire and safety hazards.

Hantavirus is carried in mice found on Santa Cruz Island. Contractor shall ensure that all employees sign and return the Certification of Receipt of the “Hantavirus Notice, Awareness, and Precaution Information” (Attachment 7).

I. CLEAN-UP

Upon completion of work and before final acceptance, the contractor shall clear the entire project area and all grounds occupied by the contractor, of rubbish, excess materials, and any other debris caused by their operations.

J. INSPECTION/ACCEPTANCE

ISA Certified Consulting Arborist Ed Slowik inspected the trees and provided pruning/removal recommendations that are the subject of this contract. He has been contracted by Channel Islands National Park to accompany the potential bidders on the site visit and to inspect the completed pruning work. NPS will not accept the completed pruning work until it has been inspected and approved by Ed Slowik.

NPS will inspect the completed work within 15 days of completion and will notify contractor of any deficiencies. The contractor shall promptly cure any problems identified.

K. PAYMENT

Payment will be authorized by the COR after completion of work. Final payment will not be authorized until final inspection by the COR and consultant and all work under this contract is accepted.

P15PS02197

Attachment 1, Statement of Work

P15PS02197

Attachment 1, Statement of Work