PWS - Grande Ronde Restoration Project Final.docx

Project Title Grande Ronde Restoration Project

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

The Grande Ronde Restoration Project involves: (1) Habitat restoration on 1.25 miles of the Grande Ronde River (Vey Meadows); (2) Gravel Haul from the Mine Tailings Reach (Upper Grande Ronde River) to staging sites adjacent to the Middle Grande Ronde River; (3) 15 miles of small streams (Spring Creek (4.5 miles), South Fork Spring Creek (2 miles), Dark Canyon Creek (3.5 miles), Little Dark Canyon Creek (1.25 miles), Pelican Creek (.25 mile), California Gulch (1.5 miles), and Dry Creek (2 miles) (refer to maps). The project would prioritize LWD (channel spanning log jams, whole trees and small wood material) and gravel placement to add roughness, increase floodplain interaction and habitat complexity, and promote out of channel flooding. It is expected that the project will promote longer periods of hydrologic production, decreased stream temperatures, and increased riparian deciduous vegetation.

2.0 Definitions

Frozen soil conditions: Soil must be frozen 6 inches below the soil surface.

mm: Millimeter 1 Day: 10 hour day

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

Tasks for the Grande Ronde Restoration Project

1.0 SMALL STREAMS Equipment with Operator on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest: Spring Creek (4.5 miles), South Fork Spring Creek (2 miles), Dark Canyon Creek (3.5 miles), Little Dark Canyon Creek (1.25 miles), Pelican Creek (.25 mile), California Gulch (1.5 miles), and Dry Creek (2 miles)

1.1 Equipment with Operator: Wood Placement

Equipment with operator: 2 tracked excavators - Service work activities (minimum of 25 hp (fly wheel power) and 10,000 lbs. minimum to 25,000 lbs. maximum operating weight) with an 18” minimum toothed bucket and thumb for a total estimated 120 days (Each day is equal to one excavator working 10 hours). Work Period: 08/01/2024 & ending 11/01/2024.

The excavators will be involved with placing wood and branches into the stream in the form of a log jam configuration at specified locations on Spring, South Fork Spring, Dark Canyon, Little Dark Canyon, Pelican, California Gulch and Dry Creeks. Wood will be felled by USFS personnel and collected/gathered by the excavator (0-200’ from the stream) and transported to the stream. Access for fueling/maintenance would be from USFS roads. However, approximately half of the stream miles (7.5 miles) will need an ATV/Side x Side to assist with fueling/maintenance, due to the distance from open roads to the stream. Rehabilitation will occur where soil disturbance occurs.

2.0 Vey Meadows: Log/Gravel Haul

2.1 Transport and stage 394: 50’ logs with root wad/branches (10” – 29” dbh) from nine staging areas (adjacent to the 5125 Road)(refer to map) to the 53 structure sites in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate .25 mile one way haul distance). Method of transport needs to ensure the greatest amount of limb retention and the least amount of soil disturbance. Access routes will be identified with flagging. Rehabilitate access routes and where the wood material is obtained. Work Period: 12/15/2023 – 3/15/2024 (Needs to be over frozen soil conditions).

2.2 Transport and stage 274: 30’ – 50’ logs with branches & with or without root wad (10” – 25” dbh) from nine staging areas (adjacent to the 5125 Road)(refer to map) to the 53 structure sites in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate .25 mile one way haul distance). Method of transport needs to ensure the greatest amount of limb retention and the least amount of soil disturbance. Access routes will be identified with flagging. Rehabilitate access routes and where the wood material is obtained. Work Period: 12/15/2023 – 3/15/2024 (Needs to be over frozen soil conditions).

2.3 Transport and stage 154: whole trees with root wad/branches (13” – 17” dbh) from nine staging areas (adjacent to the 5125 Road)(refer to map) to the 53 structure sites in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate .25 mile one way haul distance). Method of transport needs to ensure the greatest amount of limb retention and the least amount of soil disturbance. Access routes will be identified with flagging. Rehabilitate access routes and where the wood material is obtained. Work Period: 12/15/2023 – 3/15/2024 (Needs to be over frozen soil conditions).

2.4 Transport and stage 250: ten yard dump truck loads (2500 cubic yards) of cut trees and branches (3 - 8 inches average diameter) from nine staging areas (adjacent to the 5125 Road)(refer to map) to the 53 structure sites in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate .25 mile one way haul distance). Method of transport needs to ensure the greatest amount of limb retention and the least amount of soil disturbance. Access routes will be identified with flagging. Rehabilitate access routes and where the wood material is obtained. Work Period: 12/15/2023 – 3/15/2024 (Needs to be over frozen soil conditions).

2.5 Screen, transport and stage 900 cubic yards of gravel to 6 mm – 100 mm in diameter from mine tailings gravel piles located adjacent to the 5138 road to 20 structure sites in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate 4 to 6 mile one way haul distance). Minimum per trip haul of 5 cubic yards of gravel to the staging areas adjacent to the river. Method of transport needs to ensure the least amount of soil disturbance. Access routes will be identified with flagging. Rehabilitate areas where the gravel is obtained, screened and staged. Also, rehabilitate access routes. Work Period: June of 2024.

Need to submit an operations plan for transport, stage and screening of gravels.

3.0 VEY MEADOWS: Equipment with Operator

3.1 Equipment with Operator: 1 tracked excavator - Service work activities (minimum of 115 hp (fly wheel power) and 35,000 lbs. operating weight with thumb and a 24” minimum toothed bucket) for a total of an estimated 20 days. Work Period: 7/01/2024 & ending 7/31/2024. Work days will involve five: ten hour days per week (Monday through Friday) within the 07/01/2024 - 07/31/2024 work period.

3.2 Equipment with Operator: 1 log loader or tracked excavator with rotating clam style bucket - Service work activities (minimum of 115 hp and maximum of 170 hp (fly wheel power) and 35,000 lbs. – 75,000 lbs. operating weight for a total of an estimated 15 days. Work days will involve five: ten hour days per week (Monday through Friday) within the 07/01/2024 - 07/31/2024 work period.

The excavators will be involved with placing wood, racking material and gravel into the stream, according the attached design for the three structure types in the Grande Ronde River. Access for fueling/maintenance would be from USFS roads. Rehabilitation will occur where soil disturbance occurs.

4.0 MUGR Gravel Haul and Stage

4.1 Screen, transport and stage 6,000 cubic yards of gravel to 6 mm – 100 mm in diameter from mine tailings gravel piles located adjacent to the 5138 road to the 3 staging sites adjacent the Grande Ronde River (one on the 5110 and two in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate 10 - 22 mile one way haul distance)). There will be 2000 cubic yards placed in each staging area. Method of transport needs to ensure the least amount of soil disturbance. Rehabilitate areas where the gravel is obtained, screened, washed and staged. Work Period: 5/15/2024 – 11/15/2024.

Need to submit an operations plan for transport, stage and screening of gravels.

4.2 Transport and stage 6,000 cubic yards of mine tailings gravel located adjacent to the 5138 road to the 3 staging sites adjacent to the Grande Ronde river (one on the 5110 and two in close vicinity to the Grande Ronde River (approximate 10 - 22 mile one way haul distance)). There will be 2000 cubic yards placed in each staging area. Method of transport needs to ensure the least amount of soil disturbance. Rehabilitate areas where the gravel is obtained and staged. Work Period: 5/15/2024 – 11/15/2024.

Need to submit an operations plan for transport and stage.

Rehabilitation Rehabilitation will be minimized by removing the least amount of vegetation removal and soil necessary to complete the project. Rehabilitation will involve filling in ruts, rootwad holes, and placing small wood over 60% of disturbed ground surface where it is available.

Mobilization

Mobilization to the project and mobilization out at the completion of the project is incidental to the project work and will not be a separate pay item under this contract. The method of movement of equipment between project work sites is at the discretion of the contractor except movement along a paved road shall be by truck and trailer/lowboy.

Fueling

The contractor is responsible for fueling vehicles, machinery and will not be paid separately under this contract. There is motor vehicle and equipment access for the entire project area. However, approximately half of the stream miles within Line Item 1.1 (7.5 miles) will need an ATV/Side x Side to assist with fueling/maintenance, due to the distance from open roads to the stream.

Maintenance

All equipment used shall be cleaned and leaks repaired prior to entering the project area. External oil and grease, along with dirt and mud would be removed prior to project operations. Thereafter, equipment would be inspected daily for leaks or accumulation of grease, and fix any identified problems before entering streams or areas that drain directly into streams or wetlands. Contractor is responsible for the daily maintenance of all equipment.

Equipment Operation

The government reserves the right to request a new operator for any of the equipment, if that operator is not capable of performing work in a safe, efficient, and proficient level.

Flagging, Signing, Permits and Operating on Pavement

The contractor will be responsible for all flagging, signing and permits associated with this project.

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 5 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work not later than November 15, 2024. Start date is December 15, 2023.

Contractor Quality Control

SAFETY

The type of work required with this contract includes inherently hazardous conditions involved in excavation, felling, hauling, moving and placing woody debris/boulders; difficult and remote terrain; and stream crossings. The contractor will operate in the safest manner possible at all times. All personnel and machinery, except for the equipment involved in woody debris placement shall stay 2 tree heights away from the site. Equipment operation involved in excavation shall not operate at least 1 ½ boom lengths from any personnel. The contractor shall provide a job specific Safety Plan at the Post Award conference meeting. Work shall not commence without submission and COR review and approval of the Safety Plan. The plan should include the following:

· Identify inherently hazardous conditions that could lead to serious injury or loss of life.

· Identify and describe inherently hazardous conditions.

· Recognize hazards when contracting for inherently hazardous working conditions.

· All appropriate permits and coordination with Oregon Department of Transportation during project operations will be completed by the contractor.

· Identify safety requirements.

Work shall not commence on this project until the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) receives and approves the Safety Plan.

Inherent hazards of working in forests include but not limited to:

· Narrow Gravel or native surface forest roads

· Long, steep grades (generally <than 20%)

· Logging Traffic

· Unskilled visitor traffic

· Dusty conditions hindering visibility behind vehicles

· Paved roads with traffic

· Backing into objects

· Steep side slopes or soft ground for rollovers

· Refueling hazards

· Exceeding equipment limitations

· Unsafe equipment / lack of safety equipment

· Operator fatigue

· Inclement weather for potential hypo/hyperthermia

· High winds that can bring down trees

· Wet, snowy or ice conditions making ground unstable

· High db noise

· Insects, plants, animals

· Slope or trench wall instability

· Noise for equipment

· Additional equipment for material disposal/delivery

· Loads insecurely lashed

· Low clearance – powerlines, brush, trees.

NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL

In order to prevent the potential spread of noxious weeds onto National Forest lands, the Contractor shall: furnish the Forest Service with proof of weed-free equipment.

All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and certified free of noxious weeds and their seeds prior to entrance onto the National Forest. The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the contractor or subcontractor.

Cleaning shall consist of the removal of all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. This may require the use of a pressure hose. Cleaning shall occur off Federal lands.

Equipment, materials, and vehicles shall be visually inspected by the Contract Officer Representative, and approved in writing to be reasonably clean and weed free. Inspections will take place at a location designated by the Contracting Officer Representative in advance of equipment and material arrival. Equipment and vehicles shall proceed directly to the job site following the inspection. Materials to be used on the project shall be delivered to the project after inspection and approval.

Inspection and approval shall remain valid for each identified piece of equipment or vehicle only for the duration of the specified project and only as long as the vehicle or equipment remains at the job site. Equipment and vehicles (except passenger vehicles) that leave the job site shall be re-certified as weed free before they are allowed to return to the job site or re-enter the National Forest.

CONTROL OF EROSION, SEDIMENTATION, AND POLLUTION (NOV 1996)

A. A Spill Prevention Control and Containment Plan (SPCCP). The contractor would be required to have a written SPCCP, which describes measures to prevent or reduce impacts from potential spills (fuel, hydraulic fluid, etc.) The SPCCP should contain a description of the hazardous materials that would be used, including inventory, storage, handling procedures; a description of quick response containment supplies that would be available on the site (e.g. a silt fence, straw bales, oil-absorbing pads, floating boom whenever surface water is present).

B. Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens, raw sewage, and other harmful materials shall not be discharged on the ground; into or nearby rivers, streams, or impoundments; or into natural or man-made channels. Wash water or waste from concrete or aggregate operations shall not be allowed to enter live streams prior to treatment by filtration, settling, or other means sufficient to reduce the sediment content to not more than that of the stream into which it is discharged.

C. An environmentally compatible hydraulic fluid shall be used during project operations for all mechanized equipment that operates within 300’ of the stream.

D. Mechanized equipment shall have the appropriate spill containment equipment.

E. Staging areas would be designated as far as possible from streams (because of the confined canyon, a staging area of 300’ slope distance will not always be possible to achieve). These staging areas would be used for fueling, equipment storage, and maintenance.

F. All equipment used for instream work shall be cleaned and leaks repaired prior to entering the project area. External oil and grease, along with dirt and mud would be removed prior to project operations. Thereafter, equipment would be inspected daily for leaks or accumulation of grease, and fix any identified problems before entering streams or areas that drain directly into streams or wetlands.

G. The time that heavy equipment is in stream channels would be minimized as much as possible. Mitigation would include using chokers and block and tackle to move logs into place instead of entering the stream, when possible.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

A. Contractor's Responsibility for Fire Fighting

1. The Contractor, under the provisions of FAR clause 52.236-9, PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS, shall immediately extinguish all fires on the work site other than those fires in use as a part of the work.

2. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and for all costs incurred by the Government for labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies and transportation deemed necessary to control or suppress a fire set or caused by the Contractor or the Contractor's agents or employees.

B. Contractor's Responsibility for Notification in Case of Fire

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Government of any fires sighted on or in the vicinity of the work site.

C. Contractor's Responsibility for Responding to Emergencies

When directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall allow the Government to temporarily use employees and equipment from the work site or emergency work (anticipated to be restricted to fire fighting). An equitable adjustment for the temporary use of employees and equipment will be made under the Changes clause, FAR 52.234-5.

NOTE:* Fire Protection Requirements The Contractor shall comply with the Fire Protection and Suppression (Eastside) Requirements, Form R6-FS-6300-52 (May 1989), which are attached hereto.

FINAL CLEANUP

Before final acceptance, all areas occupied by the Contractor in connection with the work shall be cleaned of all contractor’s rubbish, excess materials, temporary structures, and equipment, and all parts of the work area shall be left in a neat and presentable condition.

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

Contractor shall certify compliance with specific fire precautionary measures included in the attached Fire Protection and Suppression Forms. The certification shall be made prior to commencement of work and shall be updated if at any time during performance the conditions change. The Contracting Officer Representative may conduct verification inspections to ensure Contractor's compliance.

SITE VISIT

The government will be conducting a site visit with offerors or quoters on October 30, 2023. We will meet at 51 Road/5110 Road junction at 7:00 AM on October 30, 2023. Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

Contractors may contact below for site visit inquires:

Name: Joe Platz Telephone: 541-962-8571

5.0 Government Furnished

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with provisions of FAR Clause 52.245-2 "Government Property (Fixed-Price Contracts)" found herein.

CO Note – add this clause to Clauses Incorporated by Reference.

6.0 Travel

There are no travel requirements with this project. The contractor is responsible for all travel, mobilization to and from the project work areas.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Qualified Operator.

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

Use of Roads

(c) The roads authorized for use will be subject to the following provisions:

1. The Road Rules in the current Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Road Rules Document are applicable to all commercial road users. This document is available for inspection at the office of the Forest Supervisor and shall be applicable except when modified by provisions of the contract.

Wallowa-Whitman NF Road Use Rules: Available on line at following address: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5420174.pdf

2. State laws governing traffic rules and equipment requirements on State and County highways.

3. Federal regulations contained in 36 CFR 261.12. These regulations prohibit use of vehicles or equipment in excess of State legal highway loads or posted limits without valid State and Forest Service overload permits, damaging a road while using it, and blocking a road open to use by others, except as may be otherwise provided in the contract.

Load Limits --All vehicles and equipment shall not exceed State legal highway loads and widths or posted limits without valid State and Forest Service overload, overwidth permits. Forest Service overload permits for this project may be obtained from the District Ranger.

4. Federal Regulations contained in 36 CFR 261.54 as applied to the area by an order issued under 36 CFR 261.50. These regulations authorized the Forest Service, as a sovereign act, to issue additional restrictions and closures any time conditions warrant. Such closures will be in addition to those shown in the current Road Rules Document and will be posted on the road.

8.0 Security Requirements

No security requirements with this contract.

9.0 Data Rights

No data is to be produced, furnished, required or used in meeting contract requirements.

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards

No information technology is to be acquired in this contract.

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

% for NOT meeting the Task

Log jam configuration of wood is achieved to promote backwater pools and out of channel flooding.

Safety requirements, log jam configuration will be visually monitored and recorded in the Daily Diaries by the COR.

The government reserves the right to request a new operator for any of the equipment, if that operator is not capable of performing work in a safe, efficient, and proficient level.

Rootwads and logs will not be broke or split.

Line Item 2.5:

Screen, transport gravel.

LWD/Gravel placement is achieved to promote pools, fish cover, habitat complexity, backwater pools and out of channel flooding.

Safety requirements, LWD and gravel placement will be visually monitored and recorded in the Daily Diaries by the COR.

The government reserves the right to request a new operator for any of the equipment, if that operator is not capable of performing work in a safe, efficient, and proficient level.

Rehabilitation will be visually monitored and recorded in the Daily Diaries by the COR.

The government reserves the right to request a new operator for any of the equipment, if that operator is not capable of performing work in a safe, efficient, and proficient level.

Contractor Quality Control

The Contractor shall have a quality control inspection system to ensure that contract specifications are achieved.

Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

The COR will provide quality assurance by inspecting performance with respect to the specifications.

Measurement and Payment

Payment will be based on those items that have been satisfactorily completed.

Attachment