pile_burn_SOW_final.docx

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Introduction - This project requires fuels management services specifically burning piles of vegetation to reduce the risk of wildland fires. The Blanding East fuels project is pinyon and juniper woodland on shallow rocky slope areas, pinyon juniper encroachment into sage and grass flats on the lower elevations and pinyon and juniper which has encroached into Ponderosa pockets with Oak and other shrub components at the higher elevations.

1.2 Background – The Blanding East project area is made up of managed stands of pinon and juniper woodlands. Fuels will consist of piled fuels and slashed shrubs and trees. Fuel loadings range from 21 to 40 piles per acre. Piles average 6 feet in diameter and 6 feet tall. Treatments such as brushing, piling, fuel hazard modification, and prescribed fire have been shown to reduce the risk of wildland fire and the severity of fires that do occur. It is the objective of this contract to burn piles present on The Blanding east project to reduce fuel loading.

1.3 Scope - Contractor shall furnish all necessary management, labor, supervision, material, equipment, transportation, and incidental services to perform wildfire hazard reduction, prescribed burning and mop-up, and related services. This contract requires prescribed burning and mop-up in compliance with its terms, specifications, and provisions. This includes the Contractor providing all required crew members, supervision and making all prescribed burn operational decisions, ranging from determining that site specific unit conditions are within approved burn plan parameters, through ignition and holding operations, mop-up and patrol until released by the COR. This includes furnishing labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals to perform all work necessary to conduct, fuels pullback, prescribed burning and mop-up, additional mop-up, snag felling, roadblock removal/restoration. Supervision for prescribed burning requires a qualified burn boss, firing boss, and holding boss for the complexity level of the Blanding east pile burn (low complexity). Standard classifications of positions on fire projects are defined in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Fire Qualifications Subsystem Guide (PMS 310-1,NFES 1414) which is available under “Qualifications” at the following website: http://www.nwcg.gov. Blanding east pile burn consists of 1,051 acres of piles. Piles must be burned and consume at least 85% of the piled material.

1.4 Personnel Required for the Blanding east pile burn contract. Prior to award, names of personnel to be working on the contract will be required. Key Personnel identified are required to perform the duties of their position for the life of the contract, unless a substitution is approved by the Contracting Officer.

a. Prescribed Fire Overhead Personnel required (Key Personnel):

i. Quantity two (2) Type 3 Burn Bosses (RXB3)

ii. Quantity two (2) Firing Bosses (FIRB)

iii. Quantity two (2) Holding Bosses (SRB)

1. Required skills, training, experience:

(a) Supervisory experience in projects relevant to the specifications within this solicitation.

(b) Experience in determining the appropriate environmental window for utilizing prescribed fire in Southeastern Utah fuel types.

(c) Experience monitoring weather and fuel moisture (live and dead) conditions in Pinon/Juniper fuel types.

(d) Related wildland fire supervisory experience.

(e) Minimum of 10 years of experience in areas stated in (1)(a) – (d) above.

b. Personnel:

i. Quantity twenty (20) Type 2 firefighters (red carded at moderate level)

(1) Required skills, training, experience:

(a) Experience in work described in Section C, Description/Section/Work Statement to include wildland and prescribed fire. Minimum of 2 years of experience

1.5 Standard equipment required for this contract includes, but is not limited to:

--1 Type 2 crew --22 drip torches --22 hand tools for wildland firefighting --3 chainsaws -- 4 programmable radios -- 3 4x4 vehicles

1.6 Location of Project Areas -The work will be performed in southeastern Utah within a radius of 2 hours travel time from the city limits of Blanding. The specific location of the project is shown in the attached maps

1.6.1 Boundaries of Project Areas - The Blanding East pile burn is comprised of multiple irregular shaped pile units. The pile burn units are located directly northeast of Blanding and span north of Highway 191. The units stretch from the southeast side of Recapture reservoir to the north until they meet the Manti La Sal National Forest boundary. The area is commonly known as the upper Recapture Canyon area. All pile units contain piles, areas where piles are not present, and pinyon and juniper density increases will be rightly distinguished as the unit boundary. Maps clearly defining unit boundaries will be provided with this contract. PDF maps will also be available for use with smart phone or GPS applications.

1.6.2 Access to Project Areas

1.6.2.1 Access is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains, or snow-blocked during the winter months.

1.6.2.2 Contractors accessing project areas via private land shall obtain permission to travel over private lands unless the Government has already obtained access from the private land. Otherwise, the Contractor shall provide the Government a written statement or written documentation of verbal approval given by a named person on a stated date and time that the contractor has been granted permission to travel over private lands.

1.6.2.3 A key for access to locked gates may be supplied to the Contractor at issuance of a task order.

Supplying the Contractor, a key for access is at the discretion of the COR. The key shall be returned to the COR in a usable condition before final payment is made. The Contractor will be charged $30.00 for each key lost or returned in an unusable condition.

1.6.2.4 When two or more locks are present on a gate, the Contractor shall secure the lock so that access is not restricted nor prevent the unlocking of other locks on the gate.

1.6.2.5 Environmental Considerations: Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. All vehicles and equipment to include packs, will arrive free of weed and foreign seeds.

1.7 Unique Features of Project Areas - Standing timber, wildlife trees and snags may be present within the project sites. Research plots or special protection buffers may be located within the project boundaries. These may have seasonal restrictions on operations and cannot be disturbed during project treatments. COR reserves the ability to flag additional “leave areas” where values in need of protection may be discovered.

1.8 Wildfire Guidelines and Procedure - If, in the judgment of the COR, a slop-over that occurs during ignition or mop-up cannot be contained with the personnel and equipment identified in the Contingency and holding, elements 17 and 16 of the Prescribed Fire plan, the COR will declare a wildland fire (see Element 18 Wildfire Declaration in the burn plan). Under this condition, the Contractor shall take immediate action to control, suppress and mop up the escaped fire. The Contractor and crew(s) shall work under the direct supervision of the Government and continue working until released by the Government. The COR will notify the responsible dispatch center and procedures specified in the Burn Plan shall be implemented.

1.9 Smoke Management Clearance for Burning and/or Mop-up

1.9.1 A National Weather Service Clearing Index above 500 is required prior to ignition. This will be obtained by the contractor, as part of the spot weather forecast required for each burn day.

Two days prior a Form 4, Burn Request/and Reporting form will be submitted to the State of Utah and approval will come in the form of an e-mail from the Utah Interagency Smoke Management Coordinator. The contractor will submit this form.

The morning after each burn day by 08:00 a Form 5 Daily Emissions Report will be submitted to the Smoke Management Coordinator. The contractor will be responsible of submitting this form.

Under special circumstances, the form 4 and smoke clearing of 500 can be bypassed. A provision called a demonstration of Utah House Bill 92 can be obtained for more flexibility within the smoke regulations. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining this clearance if chosen as an option.

If these requirements are not met, burning may not occur on the project regardless of all other burning conditions.

1.9.2 It will be at the Government's option which units are ignited on any day(s) due to existing suppression contingencies, priorities of individual units, and smoke management.

1.10 Contractor Liability - ORS Chapter 477 will apply to all Contractor operations except prescribed burning. For prescribed fire, the Contractor shall be liable for suppression cost and resource damages only as a result of failure to follow the approved Prescribed Fire Plan.

1.11 Sequence of Work - The sequence of work in each task order may be determined in whole or part by the Government at the time of task order issuance or at pre-work conference and may be subject to change. The Contractor shall keep the COR informed of crew(s) location(s). The Contractor shall contact the COR when units are completed and when new units commence.

2.0 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

2.1 Unless otherwise specified herein, the Contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, materials, and equipment necessary to perform the work as described herein.

2.2 The Contractor shall provide a means of communication whereby the Government can leave a message and receive a response within 8 hours. The Government will consider the Contractor notified to begin work when the message has been delivered. This system must be in operation 24 hours per day.

2.3 Work Camps - Camping on agency-administered lands will only be allowed in approved sites and with the prior Verbal authorization of the responsible land manager. Should such a work camp be authorized, the Contractor shall maintain the camp in an orderly and sanitary manner. All fire regulations and permits shall be followed. All garbage and refuse shall be removed from the campsite(s) by the Contractor and disposed of offsite before final payment is made.

2.4 Noxious Weeds - Ensure that all equipment is cleaned off prior to operating on Government lands.

Remove all dirt, grease, and plant parts that carry noxious weed seeds or vegetative parts. This may be accomplished with a pressure hose. In addition, if equipment is found operating in a noxious weed area, the equipment must be cleaned before moving to another area.

2.5 Security of Materials - The Contractor shall be responsible for the Contractor's equipment and Government furnished property if it should be lost, stolen or damaged, unless the Government orders the material to be left unattended by the Contractor.

2.6 Furnish at least four radios per module. Radios must be

programmable and capable of communicating with narrow band federal and State frequencies.

2.7 A working, English-literate crew supervisor, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the required work and supervision, shall be provided for each crew and is required to stay with the crew while work is in progress.

2.8 Aerial Ignition – Only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aircraft and pilots shall be used should the Contractor choose to use aerial means to perform the work described herein. A copy of the appropriate FAA aircraft and pilot certificates documenting approval for the type of work being conducted shall be provided to the Contracting Officer (CO) in advance.

3.0 INFORMATION PROVIDED TO CONTRACTOR:

3.1. Blanding east Prescribed Fire Plan. The Government will provide a Prescribed Fire Plan.

4.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

4.1- Prescribed Burn and Mop-Up: Hand Pile Burn (Subunit A). Blanding East pile burn area averages 30 piles per acre.

4.1.1 The levels of difficulty for Hand Pile Burns will be determined as follows:

Subunit A1 - Level I - An average of fewer than 20 piles per acre.

Subunit A2 - Level II - An average of 21 to 40 piles per acre.

Subunit A3 - Level III - An average of 41 to 60 piles per acre.

Subunit A4 - Level IV - An average of 61 to 80 piles per acre.

Subunit A5 - Level V - An average of 81 to 100 piles per acre.

Subunit A6 - Level VI - An average of 101 to 120 piles per acre.

Subunit A7 - Level VII - An average of 121 to 140 piles per acre.

Subunit A8 - Level VIII - An average of 141 and greater piles per acre.

4.1.2 The burning season for hand piles in southeastern Utah normally is during November, December, January, and February. However, conditions permitting burning may occur at any time from the middle of October through June. Major control problems can occur during a period of frontal passage and strong wind conditions. Close attention to weather forecasts and securing and patrolling of previously burned units is common practice to eliminate any fire spread from burned piles or escaped fires outside unit boundaries.

4.1.3 The Blanding East Prescribed fire plan was completed and signed January 29, 2019. Per the plan, agency administrator approval must be acquired prior to each burn season. An approval has been obtained for October 1, 2021 through June 1, 2022. All elements of the plan shall be followed unless a deviation has been approved in advance by the COR.

4.1.4 Clearance to Burn - The Contractor if shall be responsible for monitoring fuel and weather conditions to determine time periods when units are in the prescription parameters identified in the Prescribed Fire Plan. The Contractor may consult the Government regarding short, mid, and longterm weather forecast to determine the potential impacts to fuel moisture conditions and the ability to meet Prescribed Fire Plan objectives. The Contractor shall notify the Government no later than 13:00 hours on the day prior to ignition when specific units are within burn prescription parameters and of their request to burn. The Government will grant final approval to conduct burning. Approval is based on the Government verifying: 1) unit fuel and weather conditions are within Prescribed Fire Plan parameters and prescribed fire and resource objectives are attainable; 2) Prescribed Fire Plan parameters and objectives for smoke management are attainable based on smoke management instructions and forecast, and weather forecasts for proposed burn date and time; and 3) successful completion of the Go/No-Go Checklist and the test fire.

4.1.5 During ignition operations, the Contractor's crew supervisor shall maintain contact with the Government representative (COR and Moab Interagency Fire Center) through mutually-agreed-upon communications system at all times.

4.1.6 A minimum of 90% of all piles shall be ignited. Stoke each pile until at least 80 percent of each pile is consumed. Units with a high tree cover and pile density shall be burned in stages to reduce crown scorch. Some piles located in these units have aged and are less receptive to burning than when first constructed. Piles such as these can be re-located or “fed” to adjacent piles at the time of burning in order to meet contract specifications.

4.1.7 Holding typically is not necessary when piles are burned during winter conditions. Conduct holding operations as necessary in accordance with the prescribed fire plan. Relocation of personnel and equipment may be required as ignition and burnout progress. The Contractor's crew supervisor shall recognize the need for and make such relocations, dependent upon on-site weather and fire conditions.

4.1.8 Extinguish any fire outside the prescribed fire units and promptly report this to the COR at the site. A fireline shall be constructed completely around fire inside the unit, slop-over, and/or spot fires outside the primary unit boundaries. The minimum shall be a fireline scraped to mineral soil 18 inches in width with all overhanging combustible material cleared for 3 feet on either side and 6 feet overhead.

4.1.9 Do not fell any reserved trees which may have fire in them without prior verbal approval of the COR.

4.1.10 Mop-up shall be performed in accordance with 4.2, Standard Mop-Up and Patrol.

4.2 Standard Mop-Up and Patrol

4.3.1 Each burn period will be followed-up with some form of mop up and patrol, dependent on the burn situation and environmental conditions. Following each burn period, immediate action in terms of patrolling project boundaries and checking for spots or slop-over during the course of the burn or after ignition is complete will occur. All slop-overs and spot fires will be lined as soon as practical with 100% mop-up occurring and the location noted on the patrol map. With all pile burning, the goal is to let piles burn down completely and therefore smoldering and/or some active fire may be present for a period of time following ignition. Aggressive mop-up will only be implemented if unfavorable weather conditions are predicted, smoke impacts are presenting a health or safety concern or if resource management objectives are being compromised. At the end of each day, a decision will be made by the burn boss in charge of patrolling the burn unit as to whether or not further action will be required.

Objectives of mop-up and patrol are:

The Daily Mop Up Shift Plan needs to be completed on a daily basis until the fire is declared out, and included in the final project folder. The burn boss or holding specialist function has the authority to declare the fire out once all objectives have been met.

4.3.2 If the weather conditions, forecasts, fuel conditions change, and/or smoke management concerns occur during mop-up and patrol operations to a point where the standard mop-up and patrol may no longer meet mop-up or smoke management objectives, then the Government may, at its option, order additional mop-up resources.

4.3.3 Complete mop-up and patrol to meet the objectives described in 4.3.1 within 48 hours from 0800 the day following completion of ignition in that unit, or until released from such services by the COR, whichever comes first. Advise the Government of conditions which prevent the meeting of mop-up objectives within the 48-hour period.

4.3.4 Patrol shall include the visual inspecting of all sites where burning was performed, and checking for and mop-up of burning material that threatens the achievement of mop-up objectives or the mop-up standards for each unit’s Daily Shift Plan. Patrol shall also include taking actions to prevent fire escape outside the unit boundary and/or to prevent reburn within the unit boundary. Immediately take actions to fireline, mop up, and identify all slop-overs or spot fires. If the Contractor is unable to contain or control slop-over or spot fires with patrol resources, promptly, within 30 minutes after discovery, notify the Government of the situation and continue to take action to contain or control fire.

4.4.5 Completely extinguish all burning material within the designated mop-up area.

4.4.6 Mechanical equipment used must keep soil disturbance to a minimum unless preapproved by the COR.

4.4.7 Do not fell any reserved trees which may have fire in them without approval of the COR.

4.4.8 The Contractor may use COR-approved wetting agents, retardants, foam, or suppressants during mop up and ignition operations. Contractor shall assure these do not leak or spread into streams, water sources or standing water. Root wads (uprooted stumps with roots attached) shall be thoroughly extinguished (dug around and rotten or loose wood scraped off). Fireline berms shall be thoroughly extinguished.

4.4.9 Logs and chunks with a minimum size of 12 inches diameter x 4 feet in length up to a maximum of 20 inches diameter x 8 feet in length on slopes greater than 50% shall be turned and placed in a manner that prevents this debris from rolling.

4.4.10 Project Area Reburn - Should a reburn occur during the mop-up operation, the Contractor shall suppress the fire and notify the COR immediately. The cost of reworking the area to contract requirements shall be borne by the Contractor. Contingency actions will include:

If the contingency actions are successful at bringing the project back within the scope of the Prescribed Fire Plan, the project may continue. If contingency actions fail, full suppression strategy will be used in order to flank the fire with crews and/or engines until the forward rate of spread is stopped or excessive smoke conditions clear. The containment strategy will be to cease ignitions, utilize safe anchor points and create direct fire line where feasible and indirect fire line, including burning out, depending upon location of natural barriers and roads. If contingency actions are not successful by the end of the next burning period, then the prescribed fire will be converted to a wildfire.

4.4.12 Mop-up contingencies are established and will be initiated by the COR for the following situations:

1. Fire threatens the project boundary.

2. More than three simultaneous spot fires and/or slop overs occur.

3. Fire outside of the primary unit boundary.

4. Smoke management objectives being impacted.

5. Potential for costs to control exceed available project funds.

a. If a Fire Weather Watch or Red-Flag Warning is issued or predicted by the National Weather Service for extreme fire weather conditions; or if smoke emissions from the burn unit during mop-up are creating air quality impacts to population centers, or other smoke sensitive areas, the Contractor may be required to complete mop-up within a 24-hour period. If satisfactory progress is not made, or a mop-up plan is not provided that ensures completion within the 24-hour period, the Government, when determined necessary, may immediately assume control of the project area and provide personnel and/or equipment to complete the work. In this event, the Contractor will be liable for the cost to the Government of performing mop-up.

b. If prescribed fire is declared a wildland fire by the COR, the Government will immediately assume control of the project area.

5.0 Objectives

To burn all piles within the 1051 acre Blanding east project area. This must be accomplished by following the Blanding East Piles Rx Burn Plan.

6.0 Place of performance

The Blanding East pile burn is located east of Blanding Utah. Briefing area and units will be given to contractor from the COR upon request for services. Unit maps are attached.

7.0 Period of performance

Contractor must work between December 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022.

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Work Item

Description Unit of Measure

Quantity

Price/Acre

Sub Total

Company Name:__________________________________________ Date:_____________________

Print Name of Authorized Official:____________________________ Phone Number _______________________

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS INSPECT THE WORK AREAS AND SPEND THE TIME AND EFFORT NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THE COST, TIME, AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE A BID PRICE.