PWS Supplement 6 404 - GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - Draft.docx

Attachment 06

Grounds Maintenance

15 March 2021

Table of Contents

1.0 General Information.

1.1 Overview. The Contractor shall inspect, service, maintain, and landscape grounds of Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). The work shall include scheduling and performance of mowing and trimming; turf replacement; leaf and debris removal; tree, hedge, and shrub planting, maintenance, irrigation, and fertilization; policing of areas; tree and stump removal, and other associated work as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (ACOR). The Contractor shall provide all work necessary to maintain the grounds to the standards specified herein. The Contractor shall provide for tree preservation and protection during all maintenance and construction activities.

2.0 Description of Services.

2.1 Scope. The Contractor shall provide Grounds Maintenance for all High Visibility (Improved Grounds), Common Areas (Semi-Improved Grounds), Fire Breaks and Ranges, and Unimproved Grounds. The Contractor shall ensure all work accomplished maintains and presents a healthy, clean, neat, and professional appearance to all grounds included and covered by this contract in support of mission requirements for users, residents, and visitors. The Contractor shall set the mower height to three (3) inches for all areas when grass heights reach 6 inches. All work shall be performed by personnel qualified in accordance with (IAW) applicable laws and regulations.

2.2 Service High Visibility Areas. Developed areas of the installation that require an intensive level of maintenance. The work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall include mowing grass, edging and trimming grass, removing grass trimmings from paved areas, irrigating, aerating lawn areas, applying fertilizer and/or lime, applying herbicide to lawn and landscape areas, maintaining athletic fields, plants, shrubs, and flowers, performing seasonal planting of plants and flowers, removing leaves, applying mulch, pruning trees, removing grass from cracks in sidewalks and pavements, and litter control.

2.2.1 Mowing. High Visibility Areas, approximately 203 acres, are indicated in the Installation Grounds Maps referenced in TE 49. The DPW will provide historical data for grass cutting in TE 56. The Contractor shall remove trash, litter, tree limbs, debris, etc., prior to mowing. Paved areas and walkways shall be free of lawn clippings/debris the same day the mowing is performed. The Contractor shall mulch mow the grass and remove visible grass clippings after mowing, before leaving the work area. The lawn shall be uniform in appearance, free of skips, gaps, rutting, or scalping. The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage incurred as a result of grass cutting operations. All grass cutting operations performed on the parade fields are defined in the drawings referenced in TE 49.

2.2.2 Edging. The Contractor shall edge to present a neat appearance. Edging responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, flowerbeds, mulched areas, sidewalks, driveways, street edges, curbs, and other concrete (except against asphalt edges) located in the Improved Grounds. Edging includes the removal of all grass or weeds sprouting from cracks in sidewalks, pavement, and curb joints. The use of post-emergent herbicides by the Contractor, for edging purposes, is limited to grass in cracks and shall not be used to edge the entire area. The Contractor shall collect and dispose of all edging debris the same day edging is performed.

2.2.3 Trimming. The Contractor shall, in conjunction with grass cutting, trim grass and weeds around trees, shrubs, buildings, fences, poles, posts, fire hydrants, parking lot bumper blocks, boulders, and all other fixed objects that project above the ground so grass height is maintained consistent with adjacent grass. The use of herbicides by the Contractor shall be limited to the post perimeter fence line and for use in preventing grass growth on sidewalks. The Contractor shall remove all trimming debris from sidewalks and driveways on the same day trimming is performed.

The Contractor shall repair any damages to trees and shrubs caused by trimming. If a plant damaged by trimming dies or becomes unhealthy, the Contractor shall replace the damaged plant with a plant of the same size and type at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall provide a one (1) year warranty on all replacement trees and shrubs. Tree and shrub replacements shall be performed within fifteen (15) days of the date the Contractor is notified to replace the plant.

2.2.4 Fertilizing and Liming.

2.2.4.1 Fertilizing and Liming. The Contractor shall apply commercial, N-P-K granular fertilizer and pulverized agricultural lime to High Visibility Areas, IAW the Work Capability Levels table and shall be applied IAW the manufacturer’s recommendation.

2.2.5 Seeding and Sodding.

2.2.5.1 Seeding. The Contractor shall repair damaged lawn areas by excavating unsuitable material, backfilling with shredded topsoil, leveling and seeding and maintaining adjacent turf areas. The areas to be seeded are approximately 300 acres annually. All seeded areas must be covered with two to three (2 - 3) inches of loose straw mulch immediately after the seed has been applied.

2.2.5.2 Hydroseeding. N/A

2.2.5.3 Sodding. N/A

2.2.5.4 Aerating and Overseeding. The Contractor shall perform core aeration of all turf within High Visibility. All areas shall be aerated with complete coverage and the cores shall remain on site. The Contractor shall aerate annually during periods of optimum soil moisture. The Contractor shall seed approximately 300 acres annually. Seed shall be inserted without disturbing the existing vegetative cover. Seeding shall be performed immediately after mowing to facilitate use of equipment.

2.2.6 Maintain Flower Beds. N/A

2.2.7 Weed Control. Herbicide application shall be limited to parade fields and athletic fields. Contractor personnel that apply herbicide shall have Alaska herbicide application certificate or license. The Contractor shall ensure training and licenses and/or certificates of Contractor personnel are kept current. The Contractor shall provide copies of these licenses or certifications to the Contracting Officer (KO), not later than (NLT) ten (10) calendar days during the phase-in period, and again within ten (10) calendar days upon a change in personnel.

The Contractor shall submit a consolidated list of all chemicals used during the month, in a monthly herbicide application record to the COR/ACOR. All mixing and storage of herbicide shall be performed off the installation. If the Contractor spills or releases any hazardous substances, i.e., substances listed in 40 CFR 302, Designation, Reportable Quantities, and Notification, the Contractor shall immediately notify the KO, followed by written notification within one (1) hour. The Contractor shall submit an herbicide usage report of all herbicide use to the KO within one (1) day after application of any herbicide.

2.2.8 Remove Debris, Leaves, and Litter. The Contractor’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the removal and disposal of all natural debris, (e.g., tree limbs, rodent habitats, etc.) litter, and trash. Leaves shall be removed from High Visibility Areas IAW the Work Capability Levels table. Organic debris such as leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings, stumps, Christmas trees, and pine straw shall be disposed. The Contractor shall collect and dispose woody debris after pruning and removal of trees or stumps. The Contractor shall mechanically chip tree limbs less than four (4) inches in diameter, transport, and dispose. The Contractor shall remove and dispose limbs and trunks greater than four (4) inches in diameter off post. The Contractor shall remove and haul wood chips off the installation as required.

2.2.9 Service/Maintain Trees. Trees that become diseased or die shall be removed and replaced with like trees. Trees that are installed shall be two (2) inch to two-and-a-half (2½) inch) caliper.

2.2.9.1 Perform Mechanical Tree Spading and Transplanting. N/A

2.2.9.2 Tree Mulching. N/A

2.2.9.3 Tree Fertilization. N/A

2.2.9.4 Tree Pruning. During the period of (May-September), the Contractor shall trim all tree limbs that are damaged, unsightly, or present unsafe conditions, and remove all associated debris. Pruning shall be accomplished IAW ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001, Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Pruning) and ANSI Z133.1-2006, Arboricultural Operations – Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush – Safety Requirements, or the most current approved update, and National Arborist Association standards.

2.2.9.5 Tree Removal. The Contractor shall inspect for dead, damaged, and diseased trees within High Visibility Areas and remove as directed by the COR. All debris shall be removed within ten (10) calendar days of tree removal and damaged area shall be raked, leveled and seeded.

2.2.9.5.1 Emergency Tree Removal. When removal of a tree, or part thereof, is required to eliminate a safety hazard or restore traffic flow, the Contractor shall accomplish the action within two (2) hours of notification by the COR/ACOR.

2.2.9.5.2 Reforestation. N/A

2.2.10 Hedge and Shrub Maintenance. N/A

2.2.10.1 Hedge and Shrub Mulching. N/A

2.2.10.2 Hedge and Shrub Fertilization. N/A

2.2.10.3 Hedge and Shrub Pruning. N/A

2.2.11 Irrigation. N/A

2.2.11.1 Operation of Irrigation Systems. N/A

2.2.11.2 Maintenance of Irrigation Systems. N/A

2.2.12 Service/Maintain Xeriscape Areas. N/A

2.2.13 Athletic Fields Grounds Maintenance. The Contractor shall maintain athletic fields, including baseball, softball, multi-purpose and other recreational/athletic fields.

2.2.14 Special Services. The Contractor shall provide additional services as necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to, Very Important Person (VIP) visits, retreats, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and open houses. The Contractor shall provide extra labor and equipment to service pre-identified locations within the High Visibility and Common Areas beyond the normal grounds maintenance. The COR/ACOR will notify the Contractor of special service requirements NLT forty-eight (48) hours prior to the event. The Contractor shall coordinate special service requirements with the existing grounds maintenance schedule.

2.2.14.1 Upon receiving direction from the COR/ACOR, the Contractor shall complete work prior to the event. In the event the Contractor must deviate from their schedule to meet special event requirements, the Contractor shall do so at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall be authorized/entitled one (1) additional duty day to return to their normal operations. Furthermore, the Contractor will not be held accountable for any unsatisfactory performance results, on a quality assurance inspection or complaint, due to KO-directed schedule change(s), until such point when the Contractor resumes normal operations.

2.3 Service Common Areas. N/A

2.4 Service Fire Breaks and Ranges. N/A

2.5 Service Unimproved Areas. N/A

2.6 Service Specialized Locations. N/A

2.7 Other Special Services.

2.7.1 Refuge and Nature Trail Maintenance. N/A

2.8 Special Equipment Requirements.

2.8.1 All rotary mowers used within High Visibility Areas shall be equipped with mulching blades and have discharges blocked.

2.8.2 All equipment used to perform grass mowing and leaf removal operations on High Visibility Areas shall be equipped with turf type tires. Equipment not essential for the performance of grass mowing or leaf removal functions (e.g., equipment with agricultural tires, wheel weights, snow blades, or other accessories that may damage turf or tree root zones by compaction, rutting, or scalping), shall not be permitted on High Visibility Areas.

2.8.3 Unimproved Grounds. A rotary mower capable of negotiating steep slopes and cutting heavy clumps and brushy vegetation shall be used to service Unimproved Grounds.

2.8.4 The Contractor shall submit a complete equipment list including make, model, specifications and catalog cut sheets for KO approval with the proposal.