PWS - DWA Elk Exclosure Installation.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

DWORSHAK ELK EXCLOSURE (TEMPORARY FENCING) INSTALLATION & FENCING

MATERIALS

Part 1 – General Information

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide materials, installation, maintenance and removal of temporary fencing designed for big game on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) lands in the Grandad Elk Mitigation Area (GEMA) near Dworshak Dam and Reservoir. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over Contractor employees. Contractor employees must be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.2 Objective: The objective of this contract is the installation of a heavy-duty, 8-foot fencing (Elk Exclosure) designed to exclude elk from a select area of habitat in the GEMA to protect forage plants from ungulate herbivory.

The fence must be designed and constructed to exclude elk from the area for a minimum of ten years. The contractor is responsible for supplying all fencing materials. A small area of existing temporary 8-foot fence will need to be removed and unusable materials will need to be hauled off site and disposed of. Existing fencing located throughout the project vicinity will require maintenance and repairs. Work may include, but is not limited to, the replacement of fence posts, straightening and reinforcing misaligned or leaning fence sections, and the repair or replacement of fence hardware as necessary.

1.3 Background (For Information Only):

1.3.1 Dworshak Dam and Reservoir (Dworshak Project) has several congressionally authorized purposes, one of which is to develop and sustain fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, it has a federal mandate to provide elk habitat (“Design Memorandum 15 – The Plan for Development of Rocky Mountain Elk Habitat”). The implementation of this plan resulted in the acquisition and development of the GEMA, a 6,900-acre block of land designed to meet specific elk habitat objectives (Attachment 1Figure 1).

1.3.2 Approximately 3,000 acres of the 6,900-acre GEMA was clear-cut and burned in the 1970s to promote the production of winter browse for elk. Although the efforts in the ’70s were generally successful, today some of the clear-cut and burn units have very little elk forage and are thought to have inadequate seed source of these plants in the ground. Both of these conditions are primarily the result of elk herbivory. Although the ’70s burns provided ample winter forage early on, years of continued elk herbivory have prevented forage from maturing, and heavy browsing have killed many of the existing plants. Without maturing, these plants are kept from producing seed.

1.3.3 The Elk Exclosure will allow stunted plants to mature and produce seed. After several years, the fencing will be removed by the Government. The plants will have provided a new seed source to the landscape, and the mature, more vigorous plants will also be able to provide food for the elk without compromising plant survival.

1.4 Scope: The total area for the Elk Exclosure to be constructed is approximately 2,670-linear feet. The total area for the elk exclosure to be removed is 742- linear feet.

1.5 Period of Performance:

1.5.1 General. The performance period of this contract is August 1, 2026, through October 15, 2026; however, the Offeror should note it is the Government’s intent to have this work performed as early within this timeframe as practicable.

1.5.2 Coordination. Prior to commencing any work activities at the work site, the Contractor must attend a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Project Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). The purpose of this meeting will be to provide technical clarifications, discuss the Contractor’s work plan, and develop the Activity Hazards Analysis (AHA). The Contractor must coordinate their work schedule with the COR.

1.6 Place of Performance:

1.6.1 Site Access. The Grandad Elk Mitigation Area is a remote work site location (Elk Exclosure coordinates:

46.812958, -115.939390). The Contractor should expect at least two hours’ drive time (approximately 75 road miles) from downtown Orofino (Figure 1). Further, gravel road access is through private and state-owned timber ground. Active logging should be expected, and having a CB radio for traffic communication is highly recommended. The Contractor should coordinate the best route to Grandad with the COR or the TPOC. A .kml file of the best route (based on logging activity, etc.) can be provided by the TPOC for upload into mapping software or a global positioning system (GPS) device.

The Elk Exclosure fence line can be accessed by a full-sized vehicle on the Robinson Creek H Road. This is a native surface road and is only drivable in fair weather. Full-sized vehicles are not permitted when road conditions are wet. Attachment 1. Figure 2.

1.6.2 Site Condition. The area is light-to-moderately steep (average slope = 20%, Appendix A – Soil Output) and occurs as an opening within a forested landscape. The area being fenced is an old clear-cut and prescribed burn area. The primary vegetation occurring within the area being fenced is grass with a few small trees and shrubs.

1.6.2.1 Soil Type and Composition. Multiple soil cores from the proposed Elk Exclosure were collected and submitted to the University of Idaho Analytical Laboratory for various soil assays. Our laboratory report indicates the average aggregate composition of these soil samples is 29% sand, 15% clay, and 56% silt. The soil classification in this location is silt loam (by the university laboratory) or ashy silt loam (Web Soil Survey). This specific soil type is Kauder ashy silt loam with gentle slopes of 5 to 20 percent and ashy silt loam down to about 15-inches. All technical soil properties are provided in Appendix A. Although not generally expected in this area, offerors should anticipate that the soil may be rocky in some areas or unusually hard depending on the amount of precipitation received prior to the exclosure install.

1.7 Project Security Requirements:

Pre-screen candidates using E-Verify Program: The Contractor must pre-screen Candidates using the E-verify Program (http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify) website to meet the established employment eligibility requirements. The Vendor must ensure that the Candidate has two valid forms of Government issued identification prior to enrollment to ensure the correct information is entered into the E-verify system. An initial list of verified/eligible Candidates must be provided to the COR no later than 30 business days after the initial contract award, or prior to start of work on the ground, whichever is earlier.

1.8 Safety: All work at the site must be performed in accordance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Standards and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM-385-1-1, 2014 edition. The manual is available online at:

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1.pdf.

Some, but not all, required safety submittals are described in the following paragraphs:

1.8.1 Accident Prevention Plan (APP). The Contractor must prepare an APP in accordance with EM 385-1-1, Appendix A. The APP must be job-specific and must include plans for emergency communications and transportation from the location.

1.8.2 Activity Hazards Analysis (AHA). The Contractor must prepare an AHA to address potential hazards that may be present during the performance of the work. The plan must identify the sequence of work, the specific hazards anticipated during each phase of work, and control measures to be implemented to eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk to an acceptable level and must include training required and equipment to be used.

Work must not proceed until the AHA has been reviewed and accepted by the Government.

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1.pdf

1.8.3 Accident Reporting. The Contractor must immediately notify the COR by the quickest means available, of any accident, which does or may result in injuries to the Contractor’s employees or visitors to the work area, damage to the Contractor’s property if the loss exceeds $1,000, and/or damage to Government property, regardless of amount.

1.9 Quality of Work:

1.9.1 Quality Control. The Contractor is responsible for quality control throughout the performance of the contract to ensure work is performed in accordance with, and meeting the standards of, this Performance Work Statement. A written Quality Control Plan will not be required initially but may be required if significant defects are found during periodic inspections.

1.9.2 Quality Assurance. The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards.

It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.9.3 Warranty. The heavy-duty temporary fence installation must be covered by a minimum one-year warranty on all labor and workmanship.

Part 2 – Required Fencing Materials

The Government will retain any materials not utilized for the installation.

• Game fence, hinge joint, galvanized zinc coated, 12.5-gauge

• (1) Deer gate, 92-inch x 10-foot; frame constructed from 16-gauge 1 5/8-inch OD tubing; wire-filled with

2-inch x 4-inch 8-gauge wire grid; powder coated finish; 2 chain latches; (3) 12-inch-long threaded bolts for mounting; weight unknown.

• Post, repurposed stem pipe, 12-foot long or post, wood, treated, 12-foot long by 6-inch diameter; blunt and/or pointed tip

• Studded Metal “T” Posts, 10-foot lengths, #1.33

Part 3 –Additional Contractor Furnished Materials

3.1 General: The Contractor must provide all labor, transportation, equipment, tools, and supervision, as well as any materials needed to transport Government-provided materials from the LCWC to the worksite and to install the heavy-duty temporary fencing in accordance with the specification in Part 4 below and in accordance with all applicable safety requirements.

3.2 Materials: The Contractor must provide all equipment, hardware, and other materials not identified in Part 2 above that may be required to complete the fence installation. Depending on installation technique, such materials may include:

• Skid steer or tractor (with fence attachment, auger?)

• Truck (4x4) and/or ATV/UTVs

• Flatbed trailer

• Standard fence building power tools: reciprocating saw, earth auger, electric drills with appropriate bits for hanging gates and/or predrill holes for bracing fasteners

• Standard fence building hand tools: post hole digger, t-post pounder(s), shovels, tamping tool(s), hammer(s), fence stretcher, heavy-duty pliers (e.g., fencing with side wire cutter), wire cutter, bolt cutters, wire twister, crescent wrench for adjusting gate,

• Other standard fence building tools: wooden doweling for crosswire bracing, splicing sleeves and crimping tool, marking paint and/or flags, construction twine, and/or guide wire for fence layout

• Additional materials (optional): Brace post pins, concrete (if bracing structures give under fence tensioning)

3.3 Sanitation: The work is located at a remote site, which has no electricity or sanitation facilities. The Government will not provide temporary sanitation facilities for the Contractor’s crews at the site.

Part 4 – Specific Tasks

4.1 Exclosure Assembly Requirements: The finished fence must be a minimum 8-feet +/- 4- inches high to prevent ungulates (elk and deer) from entering the exclosure area. The Contractor must use the big game fencing provided and installed with the smaller squares on the bottom and larger graduated squares on the top (Attachment 2, Figure 1).

The Contractor must not leave more than a 4-inch gap opening at the bottom. Any gap at the bottom of the fence greater than 4-inches must be patched with additional fencing and secured by rebar or similar provided by the Government (e.g., shorter t-posts, livestock panels, etc.). Similarly, if the bottom of the fence comes into contact with the ground such that it causes the fence to bend or bulge outward, the Contractor must dig and level the ground until the fence is flush with or slightly above the ground and not bulging. Fencing material must be stretched taut with minimal bounce at any given point. Fencing must be securely attached to posts, using a minimum of ten alternating 13/4-inch galvanized fence staples, and attached to in-line metal t-posts using a minimum of six fence clips. Examples of big game fence installed correctly on uneven ground are presented in Attachment 2, Figure 2.

Use of small equipment (e.g., skid steer or tractor) to move, stand up, and partially stretch fence is recommended (Attachment 2, Figure 3). Any changes in the proposed fence assembly must be approved by the COR prior to installation.

The topography poses a challenge for Elk Exclosure layout. Any changes in the proposed fence line must be approved by the COR and the TPOC prior to installation. In general, the spacing of flat or nearly flat ground are as follows:

• Single H-Brace = 330-ft

• Double H-Brace = 300-ft o Gate assembly across Robinson Creek H Road with 8-in post to hang gate

• Single 6-in Post = 50-ft

• T-post = 10-ft on center between bracing structures

In the event that the fence roll will need to be cut (“stopped” and “started again) multiple times at a wood brace due to the topography of the Elk Exclosure. Ending the fence must include wrapping and securing all horizontal wire strands from the ending fencing to ensure no fence ends are sticking out and causing a hazard to wildlife or people.

Typically, this process includes removing the last vertical wires (stays) from the end of each fence roll (leaving approximately eight to ten inches of bare horizontal wire), lining up the two remaining end vertical wires, then tightly wrapping the bare wire from each roll around a wood post (6- or 8-inch in diameter) onto the corresponding horizontal wires of the fence (similarly as depicted in Attachment 2, Figure 4). All wires must be adequately wrapped and/or removed in a manner that they are not sticking out.

4.1.1 Splicing. Due to the weight of the fence, splicing the fence should be avoided to the greatest extent possible and instead ended at a wooden brace structure. However, if splicing can occur adjacent to a wooden brace structure, splicing by the most appropriate method (e.g., twisting wire method, sleeves, etc.; similar to photos presented in Attachment 2, Figure 5) is permitted. If using the twisted wire method, splicing must include wrapping all horizontal wire strands from either end of the fencing to the other. Typically, this process includes removing the last vertical wires (stays) from the end of each fence roll (leaving approximately four inches of bare horizontal wire), lining up the two remaining end vertical wires, then tightly wrapping the bare wire from each roll onto the corresponding horizontal wires of the opposing rolls. However, if using splicing sleeves, it is required that each wire has at least two crimped sleeves per vertical wire, as highlighted in the photo of Figure 5.

4.1.2 Vertical Posts:

• All vertical posts must be set or driven into the ground approximately 24-inches deep.

• All vertical posts must be sturdy and plumb. If posts are not sturdy by tamping, concrete must be used. If used, the maximum fill of concrete in each hole must not exceed 2-inches below ground level as seen in Attachment 2, Figure 7.

• Posts may be shaped to a point and mechanically driven into the ground.

• Posts set in the ground (not mechanically driven) must have the backfilled soil tamped down in 6-inch lifts to strengthen posts (Attachment 2, Figure 7).

4.1.3 Brace Post Assemblies: Bracing is required at all corner, end, pull, and gate assemblies in the fence.

All brace assembly posts must be set into the ground such that displacement from tension applied to the wire does not occur. If this occurs, the Contractor must use concrete to set the vertical posts as described above. The Contractor must notch all round wooden posts to allow for a flat attaching surface for all horizontal cross braces. All post assemblies must have crosswire bracing. Double loops of 9-gauge wire will be installed as a figure-8 between corner posts and twisted taut (similarly as depicted in Attachment 2, Figure 6). Over uneven terrain, additional bracing may be required between corner, end, and brace assemblies and/or at all points where excessive upward or downward pull is encountered.

4.1.3.1 Pull Assemblies (H-Brace). Pull assemblies are required in straight sections of fence so that the maximum distance between fence material does not exceed 330-feet.

4.1.3.2 End Brace Assemblies. End bracing is required when the fence ends at each side of a gate opening or when the topography causes a change in the fence line greater than 10-degrees (about 2:12 pitch).

4.1.3.3 Double Brace Assemblies (Double H-Brace). Double braces should be used when the fence line changes direction by 20° or more and slope changes more than 8%.

4.1.3.4 Corner Post Assemblies. Corners are required at all points where the fence alignment changes 20 degrees or more.

4.1.4 Gate Post Assemblies. One gate installation is required. The gate installation must require one end of the fencing to be attached directly to a wooden post (swing post). The other end must be wired to the opposite gate post (lock post), so that the gate is taut when closed. The finished gate fencing must act as one unit; that is, the overlap of top and bottom sections of fencing must be lashed together securely, and the edge of the “free” end of the fence secured straight for easy attachment/detachment from lock post.

4.1.5 In-line Support Posts: In-line Support Posts must be installed between Post Assemblies at approximately 10-foot on center intervals.

• Single In-line Support Posts should be installed such that no length of fence over 50-feet is without a post for support. These support posts should be spaced fairly evenly between Post Assemblies.

• Remaining In-line Support Posts (t-posts) must be placed 10-feet on center, and plumb to the outside (wire side) of the fence.

• All posts must be properly aligned to prevent one post from having a disproportionate amount of weight or pull than adjacent posts.

4.1.6 Alternative Exclosure Assemblies. Additional post assemblies and variations in spacing may be offered by the Contractor. However, any change in the specifications listed above must be approved by the by the COR prior to installation.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

DWORSHAK ELK EXCLOSURE (TEMPORARY FENCING) INSTALLATION

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The Contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance

Objective Standard AQL Surveillance

Method

Fencing (4.2) At any given point, finished fencing is 8′ tall as described, is stretched taut, and is securely attached to posts.

90% Periodic Surveillance or Statistically Random Sampling

Fencing (4.2) No bulges are present in fence. Areas that the bottom of the fence contacts the ground are adequately dug out.

90% Periodic Surveillance or Statistically Random Sampling

Fence Splices (4.2.1)

If using twisting method: end vertical wires are lined up and all horizontal end wires are tightly wrapped. If using sleeves: At least 2 sleeves are tightly crimped on each wire.

90% Periodic Surveillance or Statistically Random Sampling

Vertical Posts (4.2.2) Vertical posts are sturdy, plumb and are set or driven into the ground approximately 24 inches deep.

90% Periodic Surveillance or Statistically Random Sampling

Set Posts (4.2.2) Soil is tamped down in 6-inch lifts around posts for strength. 95%

Periodic Surveillance or Statistically

Random Sampling

Posts Assemblies (4.2.3) Vertical points have been notched as needed to create flat surfaces for attached braces. 100% 100% Inspection

Brace Post Assemblies (4.2.3.1 – 4.2.3.4)

Each brace structure is appropriately placed, assembled as described, and are sturdy and secure.

95%

Periodic Surveillance or Statistically

Random Sampling Brace Post Assemblies (4.2.3.1 – 4.2.3.4)

Changes to assembly design and/or location have been approved by COR prior to installation. 100% 100% Inspection

Gate Post Assemblies (4.2.4) Each gate post is appropriately placed, assembled as described, and are sturdy and secure.

95%

Periodic Surveillance or Statistically

Random Sampling

In-line Support Posts (4.2.5) Posts are evenly spaced along the fence or at a maximum width of 50-ft from a brace structure and are 30 inches in depth.

90% Periodic Surveillance or Statistically Random Sampling

In-line Metal Support Posts (4.2.5)

Metal “T” posts are spaced at approximately 10-foot intervals and are 24 inches in depth 90%

Periodic Surveillance or Statistically

Random Sampling

Alternative Exclosure Assemblies (4.2.6)

Changes to exclosure assembly design and/or post set location have been approved by COR prior to installation.

100% 100% Inspection

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DWORSHAK ELK EXCLOSURE (TEMPORARY FENCING) INSTALLATION

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverable Due Submit To

Work Plan (1.5.2) Draft at or before the Post-award Conference *Final must be accepted by the Government prior to commencement of onsite work.

COR

E-Verify candidate list (1.7) Once for each Contractor employee, within 30 days of contract award or prior to commencement of onsite work, whichever is earliest, and updated as needed.

COR

Accident Prevention Plan (1.8.1)

Draft at or before the Post-award Conference *Final must be accepted by the Government prior to commencement of onsite work and a hardcopy available to Contractor employees at each work site.

COR

Activity Hazards Analysis (1.8.2)

Draft at or before the Post-award Conference *Final must be accepted by the Government prior to commencement of onsite work and a hardcopy must be reviewed and acknowledged by each Contractor employee and a copy kept at each work site.

COR

Quality Control Plan (1.9.1)

Contractor is expected to follow standard good work practices utilizing experienced labor; if the work fails to meet the standards herein, the Government will require a written Quality Control Plan to be provided and followed.

COR

Standard