Attachment_A_-_Performance_Work_Statement.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Fuels Reduction and Roadway Management Project (Valles Caldera National Preserve – VCNP)

1. Scope The primary goal(s) of this contract is to reduce and manage the fuel load, and other fuels related landscape features in the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), within the areas on or near the Valle Seco and Cerro Seco, in the northwest quadrant of the VCNP. The work primarily consists of forest thinning, slash disposal, road closure and repurposing, and erosion control activities. All work must be conducted in a manner that protects VCNP visitors, protects rare plants, preserves sensitive wildlife habitat, and minimizes negative aesthetic impacts. (See map).

Over the next 3-5 years the VCNP is proposing to implement forest thinning, slash disposal, road closure, and erosion control, activities. Forest thinning activities would include cutting trees less than or equal to 16 in. diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) at variety of intensities and designs (prescriptions) based on site characteristics including: forest type, current structure and composition, fire regime, vegetation type, current fire behavior potential, slope, soils, climate and/or the desired outcome following treatment. Prescriptions and guidelines for mechanical treatment are presented in Appendix A. – Forest Structure / Prescriptions.

This contract will accomplish forest thinning and slash disposal on approximately 814 acres, repurposing or closure of approximately 12.6 miles of road and provide project related maintenance for approximately 6 miles of single lane, gravel road. Final acreage and mileage totals awarded under this contract may be adjusted dependent on final bid pricing and available funding.

2. Performance Work Statement:

Cut Trees a: Cut trees >5” in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) and </= 16” d.b.h., favoring the selection of smallest trees, trees with visible signs of deformity and damage or infection by disease and insects.

b: Cut or masticate 90% of conifer trees <5” Leave Trees a: Leave trees in the size range based on composition, form, vigor and size.

b: Favor ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, white pine and aspen as leave trees; all white fir should be cut, some well-formed blue spruce may be left in openings. Select trees for form, vigor and size i.e. leave the largest trees of the best form and vigor.

Biomass Disposal a: Cut and carry trees or logs >7” d.b.h. to pre-existing skid trail/logging roads using feller buncher or similar equipment.

b: Skid or carry logs to landing sites and deck.

c: Remove from landing sites as logs, chips or other d: Tree tops from 4” diameter may be masticated and left in the woods or removed.

e: In general, Masticate 90% of conifer trees less than 5” diameter unless otherwise noted on task order.

f: Other methods of biomass disposal may be considered provided final outcome is similar and soil disturbance/compaction is not increased.

Road Closure a: There are old logging/roads and skid trails within the thinning units. These should serve as skid trails and access roads during operations and be closed following operations as described in Appendix C.

b: Landing sites and disturbed ground created by project operations are to be covered in masticated slash, chips, lopped slash as well as logs and occasional boulders.

c: Address site specific erosion by improving drainage or placing materials to slow or reroute water.

Repurposing Roads to Multi-purpose Trails a: Where specified, place slash, log or boulders along “inside” of road while leaving 36-42” open or covered with chips only to the outer edge.

b: Address site specific erosion by improving drainage or placing materials to slow or reroute water.

Road Maintenance a: Roads are to be maintained to provide access to the project area, egress for hauling and ongoing use including the surface, shoulders, and side areas as well as signage and traffic control measures as necessary for its safe and efficient utilization. Specifications are provided in 5.2., Appendix B. Specific actions would include:

i. Reshaping and crowning of the road prism to provide proper drainage to reduce erosion.

ii. Widening the roads to a consistent width of 17 feet with turnouts.

iii. Turnouts will be a standard length of 100’ with 50’ taper at either end.

iv. Reshaping, constructing or maintaining ditches and drainage

v. Blind horizontal corners will be flattened

vi. Intersections will be reworked to provide proper drainage.

vii. Installation and replacement of culverts

3. Performance Requirements All bid items are being implemented for the purpose of restoration and stewardship of the VCNP’s natural and cultural resources. To ensure the protection of these resources and to prevent or eliminate localized adverse impacts resulting from restoration activities, specific performance requirements for this contract are provided below.

Soils a: In general operate when ground is dry or frozen.

b: Do not operate heavy equipment when conditions are saturated (spring thaw, monsoons, or periodic soaking rains.)

c: Do not haul material when roads are saturated and/or rutting is occurring.

d: Minimize equipment maneuvering within units that may cause ground disturbance.

e: In general, all logs will be carried to existing roads or skid trails, skidding will be along existing roads or skid trails, skidding off existing roads and skid trails will be avoided.

f: Place landings and stage equipment on roads and old skid trails; avoid disturbing and compacting new areas.

Noxious Weeds a: All equipment must be cleaned of plant debris and soil before transporting to the VCNP.

b: Contractor will provide the COR with a 24 hour notice of the intent to bring equipment onto the VCNP; COR will inspect the equipment to ensure that all plant debris and soil has been removed prior to off-loading the equipment.

c: Avoid disturbing existing jackpots of logs.

d: Avoid disturbing sites when indicated by COR/Inspector.

e: Report siting of Canada, Bull, or Musk thistle or noxious weeds not known to occur (Dalmatian toad flax, yellow toad flax, for example).

Protected Areas a: There are features including but not limited to heritage resource sites, wildlife habitat locations or features, wetland locations or features, others within the project area where equipment may not enter and other activities may be constrained.

b: Such area will be clearly marked, specified in the task order, and shown to the contractor.

c: If any unrecorded heritage resource site(s) are discovered in the course of implementation, all project activity in the vicinity of the site(s) will cease, and the COR will be notified. Work in the vicinity of the discovered site(s) will not resume until appropriate evaluation and treatment recommendations are determined.

Wildlife a: May 15 – June 15, avoid entering a new unit and disturbing nesting migratory birds; operations in units already active may continue.

b: To meet our desired 3-5 logs per acre leave all existing large, down logs and 1 new log/acre 12 in. minimum diameter at the large end and 12 feet minimum length.

c: Avoid disturbing rocky areas with equipment.

d: Avoid trampling shrubs e: Halt operations in designated critical habitat during summer monsoonal season.

Public Safety a: Operations on weekends and holidays May – October may be restricted by COR with no cost to government.

b: Hauling on NM 4 and NM 126 on weekends and holidays may be restricted by COR with no cost to government.

c: Hauling, equipment transport, and heavy truck traffic may be restricted by hours/days through Elk Valley Subdivision or other specified areas to provide for public safety with no cost to government.

d: All such restrictions will be specified to the greatest degree possible in each task order.

Felling a: Cut trees will be felled to avoid damage to the residual stand. Trees will be felled so no jack-straw arrangement occurs.

b: Cut trees will be felled within unit boundaries and away from roads, telephone lines, stock driveways, established trails, established land corners, drainage culverts, heritage resource sites, fence lines, riparian areas and clumps previously identified for wildlife. Any trees falling in such areas will be removed.

c: All cut trees shall be completely severed at the stump. Stump Height - The maximum stump height shall not exceed 6 inches above ground level or 4 inches above any natural object that would prevent severing the tree at a lower point. Any and all live limbs below the cutting point will be removed.

d: The Contracting Officer’s Representative may require the Contractor to fell trees damaged by the Contractor or Subcontractors.

e: The COR or designated inspector will identify and mark all damaged trees.

f: If the number of trees damaged is judged excessive by the COR (with concurrence by the CO), the Contractor will be charged a rate of $20/tree.

g: To be considered a damaged tree one of the following criteria must apply:

i. bark is removed for more than 30% of the circumference

ii. top broken out Infrastructure protection a: The Contractor(s) shall avoid any damage to improvements such as, but not limited to, fences, gates, utility poles, power lines, survey markers or monuments, survey witness trees and cultural sites.

b: The Contractor will be required to repair or pay fair market value to replace any damaged improvements. In the event of interruption to utility services because of accidental breakage or as a result of lines being exposed or unsupported.

c: Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with that authority in the restoration of service. If utility services are interrupted, cooperation shall be required until the service is restored.

d: Task specific elements may be identified with each task order.

Prevention of Oil Spills a: If Contractor maintains storage facilities for oil or oil products on or near the Contract Area, Contractor shall take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that any spill of such oil or oil products does not enter any stream or other waters of the United States or any of the individual States.

b: Contractor shall notify appropriate agencies, including Contracting Officer, of all reportable spills of oil or oil products on or in the vicinity of Contract Area that are caused by Contractor’s employees or subcontractors, directly or indirectly, as a result of Contractor’s Operations.

c: Contractor will take whatever initial action may be safely accomplished to contain all spills.

d: Task specific elements may be identified with each task order.

Fire Prevention and Response

4. Administrative Information The VCNP is located in north-central New Mexico with access at several locations along NM 4 between La Cueva, NM and Los Alamos, NM.

Contract Type Performance based, firm-fixed price contract.

Performance a: This is a performance based, firm-fixed price contract.

b: It is the government’s intent to allow the contractor flexibility to achieve the desired results within the defined performance requirements.

c: It is the government’s intent to encourage the contractor to seek innovative approaches to achieve the desired outcome with the least degree of environmental impact and the highest degree of environmental benefit economically feasible.

Quality Control a: It will be the contractors responsibility to ensure quality control including achieving specified outcomes and adhering to performance requirements.

b: A quality control plan clearly outlining how the contractor will ensure that all requirements of the contract can be accomplished, must be submitted by the contractor and approved by the contracting.

c: The Contracting Officer may request additional quality control elements be added / included in the contractor’s quality control plan, prior to approval.

Government Furnished Property a: There is no government furnished property on this contract.

Salvageable Material a: Biomass identified under, 2.3, c: may be salvaged.

Specifications a: Unit Prices are to include all costs associated with the work.

b: The price per unit shall be all inclusive. For example, saws, overhead, profit, direct and indirect labor, equipment, etc., shall be included in the cost. One single price shall be given each item and the total.

c: Initial mobilization and final demobilization is a separate price on the schedule.

d: Unit prices may be greater than, less than or equal to zero.

Acceptable Quality Level Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for general bid items is described below.

Tree felling/limbing a: Quality Standard for Payment:

· Task completed within payment unit b: AQL:

· Applicable performance requirements under 3. Performance Requirements have been met/adhered to.

· No trees over 16 in. d.b.h. are cut

· Leave trees visually appear healthy and vigorous (see Appendix A) with no deformity or signs of disease or insects.

· Leave trees are well spaced to prescription standards.

· Minimum/minor damage to residual trees.

c: Monitoring Method.

· Visual d: Effect of not meeting standard.

· Base rate payment of gross volume to government for trees over 16” or damage to residual tree likely to cause mortality.

· Review of quality control methods and adjustment of method at government request; all costs borne by contractor.

· Additional work completed at no cost to government Skidding/decking a: Quality Standard for Payment:

· Task completed within payment unit b: AQL:

· Applicable performance requirements under 3. Performance Requirements have been met/adhered to.

· Trees >5 in are decked or chipped for removal

· No new skid trails (unless specifically authorized).

· No decks blocking open roads (unless specifically authorized).

· Decks of size and location identified in task order.

c: Monitoring Method.

· Visual d: Effect of not meeting standard.

· Move decked material at no cost to government.

· Review of quality control methods and adjustment of method at government request; all costs borne by contractor.

Biomass Disposal a: Quality Standard for Payment:

· Task completed within payment unit b: AQL:

· Applicable performance requirements under 3. Performance Requirements have been met/adhered to.

· Decked material has been removed.

· Material < 5 in. has been masticated in the forest or lopped and scattered to a height not to exceed 18 in. unless otherwise specified or authorized.

c: Monitoring Method.

· Visual d: Effect of not meeting standard.

· Rework at no cost to government.

· Review of quality control methods and adjustment of method at government request; all costs borne by contractor.

Road Maintenance a: Quality Standard for Payment:

· Task completed within payment unit b: AQL:

· Applicable performance requirements under 3. Performance Requirements have been met/adhered to.

· Specifications met as described in Appendix B, or in task order

· Open roads drivable by prudent driver driving a passenger vehicle under fair weather conditions or high clearance vehicle as specified.

· No visible signs of ponding or erosion on open roads or roads being used for project.

c: Monitoring Method.

· Visual d: Effect of not meeting standard.

· Rework at no cost to government.

· Review of quality control methods and adjustment of method at government request; all costs borne by contractor.

Road Closure/Repurposing a: Quality Standard for Payment:

· Task completed within payment unit b: AQL:

· Applicable performance requirements under 3. Performance Requirements have been met/adhered to.

· Specifications met as described in Appendix B or in task order c: Monitoring Method.

· Visual d: Effect of not meeting standard.

· Rework at no cost to government.

· Review of quality control methods and adjustment of method at government request; all costs borne by contractor.

Offeror Proposals (See sections L & M of the solicitation for detailed instructions) Evaluation Factors (See sections L & M of the solicitation for detailed instructions) Proposal Format (See sections L & M of the solicitation for detailed instructions)

Fuels Reduction & Roadway Management Project - VCNP Page 12 of 15

5. Appendices Appendix A. – Forest Structure/Prescriptions Prescriptions There are three forest thinning prescriptions/guidelines that have been assigned to the project area based on forest ecotype, slope and accessibility. These forest thinning prescriptions are presented below in Table 1.

Table 1 - Prescriptions and guidelines for forest thinning.

· Ponderosa pine forest and woodland – ponderosa pine with inclusions of other dry mixed conifer species;

· Dry-mesic mixed conifer forest and woodland – ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir with inclusions of other species

· Reduce canopy closure to 30-60 percent over a landscape area with a target Basal Area (BA) of 40-75 ft2.

· Leave groups and clumps representing all age classes.

· Select trees based on size, species, and vigor

· This prescription is assigned to ponderosa pine and xeric-mixed conifer (mixed conifer species dominated by ponderosa pine).

· Leave the healthiest, most vigorous best formed trees, favoring Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine.

· Structure should be a two-storied stand of widely spaced trees with openings.

· Removal of individual trees and group selection with a target BA of 40-60 ft2.

· May include openings ranging from ½ to 3 acres.

· This prescription is assigned to aspen and mixed conifer forests dominated by aspen.

Forest Types / Structure There are three forest types within the project area that have been delineated by structure (size and density). This variation in structure may correspond to varying production rates for forming bids. Table 2 below, breaks down each forest strata by: forest ecotype, basal area/acre (BA/A), trees per acre (TPA), and quadratic mean diameter (QMD), for various diameter classes. Data is derived from a stratified forest inventory. Within the project unit boundaries there are small inclusions totaling approximately 60 acres of open forest over grass that will not be treated. These are designated as “GRASS” on the attached map.

Table 2 – Forest structure summary

BA/A

5-16” Total BA/A >16” Total

TPA

5-16”

QMD

5-9”

QMD

9-16”

Appendix B. – Tree Selection (Cut Trees) Guidelines The VCNP is aiming to thin forested areas to improve overall forest health and vigor, to reduce the potential for severe burning and to leave the forest more resilient in the event of disturbances such as fire, drought and/or insects and changing climate. So what makes a high quality, vigorous tree? Following are some guidelines for “leave” and “cut” trees related to tree quality that you can “eyeball” out in the woods. While these points focus on conifer trees, the basic principles also apply to hardwoods.

In a nutshell, these guidelines follow the old adage, “cut the sick, lame, and lazy, and leave the better ones.” As you thin for quality, you will probably also be reducing stand density to more desirable levels. It may not be too scientific, but forestry, after all, is a science and an art.

Characteristics of “leave” trees:

· Good live crown ratio (30% or greater)

· Good height growth for species and age

· A-shaped crown (“pointy top”)

· Abundant foliage with good color

· Good form (straight, without sweeps, crooks, forks, etc.)

· Species is well suited to the site over the long term (fire adapted species) Characteristics of “cut trees”

· Poor crown ratio (<30%)

· Poor height growth and crown form (flat or rounded top, lopsided)

· Foliage is sparse or off-color

· Poor form or has signs of damage or internal decay

· Species not well suited to the site (white fir) Definitions a: Height growth Height growth can be determined by examining the length of the leader, if visible, or, on many conifer species (including the true firs, pines, Douglas-fir), the length of internodes, which is the distance between branch layers or whorls. Trees with good height growth are preferred as leave trees.

b: Crown shape/form Pointy-topped or A-shaped crowns indicate rapid height growth. Rounded tops mean height growth has slowed which is fine in mature trees, but the younger trees (<16” d.b.h.) should demonstrate good height growth. Good height growth is a sign of good vigor. Full, symmetrical crowns are preferred over ragged or lopsided crowns. Lopsided crowns develop when a tree is crowded on one or more sides. Trees with lopsided crowns are more vulnerable to blowdown and breakage in snow and ice storms.

c: Crown color/needle density A dark green color indicates good vigor. Light green or greenish yellow foliage (“chlorotic foliage”) is a sign of stress. This may be due to nitrogen deficiency, root disease, bark beetle attacks, or simply moisture stress.

d: Crown sparseness A sparse or thinning crown, resulting from needle loss and is another sign of stress. This can often be best determined by comparing a thin or sparse crown with a denser crown on a nearby tree. An abundant crop of undersized cones (“distress crop”) is sometimes an indication that the tree is severely stressed and likely to die in the near future.

e: Tree form The form of the tree trunk (stem) is an important consideration in thinning. All other things being equal, trees with straight trunks and little taper that are free of defect are most desirable as leave trees from a timber perspective. However, trees that are very tall for their diameter, especially conifers, tend to be unstable and easily bent by the wind or snow, so some taper is important. Trees that have forked or broken tops, crooked trunks or evidence of rot and defect may be candidates for removal. However, defective trees may also make good wildlife trees, so aiming for a balance is important.

f: Other considerations These guidelines touch on a few key indicators of tree quality. You should also be on the lookout for evidence of insect and disease problems, some of which may warrant tree removal, regardless of other factors. Tree species should also be considered. Generally leave species that are suitable to the site based on the trees that are currently present. Favor fire adapted species (ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir) where present; favor white pine (5-needle pine) and aspen where present.

Appendix C. – Road Management Road Maintenance The VCNP is including road maintenance in the scope of work for two purposes 1) to ensure that the contractor is able to maintain access to the project area and 2) as a standalone restoration activity. Unfortunately, many of the roads on the VCNP were not well constructed initially and have not had proper deferred maintenance actions. In general road maintenance items include: developing and maintaining a crowned driving surface (crowned road), a shoulder area that slopes directly away from the edge of the driving surface (outslope), and a ditch. The shoulder area and the ditch of many gravel roads maybe minimal however; the basic shape of the cross-section must be correct or a gravel road will not perform well, even under very low traffic.

Figure 1 – Cross-section of road profile elements to be addressed under routine maintenance

In addition, gravel roads tend to rut more easily in wet weather. Traffic also tends to displace gravel from the surface to the shoulder area and even to the ditch during dry weather. The contractor will have the continual responsibility of keeping the roadway and shoulder area properly shaped, keeping the foreslope and ditch established and shaped, and maintaining drainage features is the equipment operator’s responsibility and is classified as routine maintenance.

Obviously, the whole idea here is to keep water drained away from the roadway. Standing water at anyplace within the cross-section (including the ditch) is one of the major reasons for distress and failure of a gravel road. General specifications are described below; individual task orders may vary depending on the site.

Specifications a: Crown Generally, the recommended crown is a straight line from the shoulder to the centerline that rises approximately 1/2 inch per foot (or approximately 4%), accept as needed to bank the road at turns.

b: Shoulder The shoulder should meet the edge of the roadway at the same elevation. In other words, the shoulder should be no higher or no lower than the edge of the roadway.

While it is recognized that the shoulder is quite narrow on some roads, the operator shall take care to avoid low shoulders or steep drop offs as these present a safety hazard and reduce the integrity of the road edge.

The operator shall avoid creating high shoulders or secondary ditches as these redirect water drainage from the real ditch and may lead to standing water and an excessive softening of the road. On steeper roads high shoulders may lead to increased runoff in the roads and ultimately to cutting and erosion.

c: Drainage and Ditches The drainage system for any one road may be comprised of various ditches and other features serving various purposes including the road/borrow ditch Maintenance of the road or borrow ditch includes minimizing the pitch of the foreslope and prevent secondary ditches as shown below.

Figure 2 – Cross-section standards for maintaining road crown, shoulder, foreslope, and ditches Other ditches installed or maintained to support the function of the borrow ditch include wind ditches which leads water downslope from the borrow ditch, lead-out ditches which lead water through a culvert or rolling dip to the downhill side of the road, a lead-in ditch that may collect water from a gully or seep and lead it through the lead-out ditch.

Other drainage requirements may include cleaning and maintaining culverts, maintaining low water crossings, Road Closure Unless otherwise specified all roads NOT identified as open roads will be closed following thinning and biomass disposal. Closure may be a full closure or repurposing the road as a recreational, multipurpose trail.

Road Closure Road closure activities will be specific for each task order but will generally include reshaping or some erosion control activities, ripping or loosening the soil, applying organic amendments, applying locally collected seed and placement or construction of barriers.

· Close temporary roads and skid trails promptly after forest thinning/biomass disposal activities are completed.

· Remove all temporary crossings, such as culverts, log bridges, and brush- and log-lined fords.

· Reshaping the road to prevent erosion or mitigate ongoing erosion.

· Ripping to loosen soil

· Adding organic amendments such as slash and mulch.

· Apply locally collected seed.

· Close access points with logs, rocks, slash, and mulch as both barriers and camouflage.

Repurposing Roads

· Remove all temporary crossings unless otherwise specified.

· Construct water bars at recommended spacing to reduce surface erosion.

· Spread slash and mulch on bare areas on the slope side of road up to 36-42” from edge side of road; mulch only the remaining 36-42”.

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