Attachment_1-_PWS.pdf

Attachment 1

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

General Specification for Interim Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Services

Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, personnel, and supplies (except as otherwise specified herein) as necessary to maintain the landscaped areas at the Main Campus including the AIRS location, maintain the landscaped areas at the FEELC, and perform basic maintenance and inspection of the campus stormwater treatment system to insure its proper function.

The contractor must have successful landscaping experience including administrative experience at a level equivalent to that of this scope of work. The project supervisor shall have experience in all facets of landscaping as required by this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Additional work requirements are further described in Appendices for each of the areas to be serviced under this Performance Work Statement and for supplemental requirements in conformance with applicable EPA-RTP Campus Policies and Procedures as referenced herein.

B. SITE:

1. The contractor shall perform landscaping services at the EPA-RTP Campus, located at 109 Alexander Drive, Durham, NC 27711.

2. The grounds are divided into three (3) areas to simplify identification for any work and discussions concerning the grounds. The areas are listed below and identified on Attachment 1.

a. Research Triangle Park Campus – this includes all turf areas from the north entrance to the campus on T W. Alexander Drive to the south entrance to the campus on Hopson Road, with the exception of the two areas listed below. There are approximately 12 acres of turf and an extensive stormwater management system in this area.

b. First Environments Early Learning Center (FEELC) – this includes the inside and outside of the fence of the on-site day care center. There is approximately 1 acres of turf and a stormwater management system in this area.

c. Ambient-air Innovative Research Site (AIRS) – the area north of the

National Computer Center accessible from old Jenkins Road housing air testing equipment and associated facilities. There are approximately 2 acres of turf in this area.

C. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

1. Unless otherwise stated, the contractor shall provide all supplies, materials, equipment and tools for the performance of the contract requirements. Materials and equipment shall be of the type and quality used in large-scale landscaping operations, and shall meet the requirements specified herein.

2. In the performance of this contract, the contractor shall use environmentally preferable products. Information to assist the contractor in meeting this requirement is found on EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing webpage for Landscaping. The contractor shall use Integrated Pest Management practices, which rely on cultural and natural practices to control pest problems which may be identified on the grounds. The use of chemicals, such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, shall be as a last resort only, and shall require specific approval by the Project Officer (PO), prior to application. The Contractor shall provide a recommended pest control action plan for the EPA-RTP campus as part of his proposal. Contractor shall provide valid Pesticide Applicators License for his proposed Pest Control contractor staff as part of his proposal.

3. The contractor shall utilize equipment and processes which minimize the use of gasoline emissions. All gasoline-powered equipment shall conform to emissions standards established by the California Air Resource Board for Small Off-Road Engines. Mowers shall be mulching-type mowers. Mower bags shall not be used for collecting clippings, except under special circumstances as approved in advance by the PO. When bags are used the clippings shall be collected and transported to the designated composting area. All equipment used in the performance of the specified services shall be maintained in good operating condition to ensure clean and even mowing of grass and to prevent scalping or rutting of grounds and damage to trees, shrubs and other property. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintenance and repair of all equipment used http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/landscaping.htm in the performance of the specified services. Equipment proposed for use on this project shall be approved in advance by the PO. In small areas and/or adjacent to building Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) air intakes, the use of electric, battery operated equipment or hand labor for mowing, brooming, sweeping, trimming, and leaf removal is preferred in lieu of gasoline powered equipment.

The contractor shall contact the Building Automated System (BAS) room at 919541-5783 a minimum of 24 hours prior to operating any gas powered equipment near the air intakes to coordinate the temporary closing of air intakes for the duration of grounds maintenance activities. Concurrent notification shall be given to the Project Officer.

4. When the use of a gasoline-powered leaf blower is necessary within 200 feet of a building, it will be used prior to 8:00 a.m. to minimize exterior noise pollution.

5. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) shall be provided to the Project Officer for review and approval a minimum of 30 days prior to application and shall contain information to assist in identifying products to ensure they meet the requirements relative to use of toxic chemicals and the EPA-RTP IPM plan provided in Attachment 2.

D. WORK REQUIREMENTS:

1. Mowing and Trimming:

a. Turf areas to be maintained consist of turf which is regularly mowed, generally along all roadway shoulders, surrounding the buildings, along all walkways and paths, at the FEELC, and at the AIRS. Turf shall be mowed and trimmed when it reaches a height of approximately four to five inches and cut to a height of not less than three inches.

b. Turf shall be trimmed back even with the edge of sidewalks and curbs after each mowing. Areas around trees, shrubs, building, etc., shall be trimmed to the same height as the mowed grass after each mowing.

c. An edger shall be used around sidewalks and concrete curbs once per month.

At other times grass shall be trimmed back even with the edges of sidewalks, curbs, etc., with a hand or mechanical trimmer (i.e., as a weed eater.)

d. Clippings that are generated during mowing or trimming operations which accumulate on the sidewalk and/or within 25’ of building entrances shall be removed immediately to prevent them from being tracked into the building.

No cuttings, clippings or leaves shall be intentionally introduced into any storm drainage system.

2. Weed and Turf Removal: Turf and weeds shall be removed from around shrubs and trees to the edge of the mulched area. Turf and weeds shall be removed from joints in walks, structures, patios, plazas, paved areas, butterfly habitat gardens, decorative gravel beds, and mulch beds.

3. General access and clearance: Live or fallen vegetation shall be trimmed, removed, or otherwise maintained so as not to interfere with: motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic along roadways and sidewalks: sight distance at roadway intersections; safe campus egress and access; and air circulation and/or access by equipment maintenance personnel at emergency generators, chillers, valve pits and vaults, meter boxes, standpipes, vents, and other mechanical structures.

4. Police of Grounds: Pick up and remove debris, trash and litter from grounds along roads and around the buildings as prescribed in the Appendices for each work area.

5. Yard Waste: All landscape waste materials must be managed on-site. No organic wastes generated from this contract shall be disposed of in a landfill.

Plant debris shall be allowed to naturally decompose where appropriate; this includes mulched clippings on turf or wildflower areas, as well as naturally occurring tree debris (dead falls) in forest areas. Any dead trees or logs that, in the opinion of the PO, present a hazard, is unsightly, etc., shall be removed as directed. These trees, logs, etc., shall be removed and stumps cut flush to the ground level to allow mowers to go over them. The decomposed or composted product shall be reused on-site for landscaping maintenance.

6. Stormwater Management: The contractor shall perform stormwater management inspections and activities under this contract as noted elsewhere in this Performance Work Statement and consistent with the EPA-RTP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan provided in Attachment 3. The Monthly Visual Inspection Form therein shall be used to record field inspections of stormwater devices performed under paragraphs D.1.17, 18, and 19 of this Performance Work Statement. After a 24 hour rain event (with greater than 1.0 in) or at least monthly, each stormwater device (inlet, outlet, drain, trench drain, overflow, spillway, etc.) shall be inspected to ensure proper function (flow) and to remove accumulated debris. All clogs or other flow restrictions shall be removed before the next rainfall event. A mowed access path shall be maintained to all stormwater devices to allow ready inspection and access. Should an inspection reveal damage or broken inlets, the conditions shall be reported to the PO. Areas of soil erosion shall be brought to the attention of the PO for assessment and repair.

7. Pest Control and Chemical Use: Integrated Pest Management practices shall be employed to control harmful levels of pests, weeds, fungus, and insects. All work on site shall conform to the requirements of the EPA-RTP Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan, provided in Attachment-2. The IPM plan manages pests and nuisance wildlife with an emphasis on least toxic methods. A list of approved pesticides that may be applied outdoors by the pest control contractor is provided in the IPM Plan. The pest control contractor is encouraged to offer alternate approaches and compounds based on their knowledge and availability of chemicals and technology. The application of chemicals, to include, but not limited to pesticides, fungicides and herbicides shall only be applied, under the direction/supervision of a licensed applicator, by a “target” treatment method only to the plant or area infested at periods when the campus is least populated (anytime with the exception of weekdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding federal holidays). Natural, biological, and structural controls shall be exhausted before chemicals are proposed for use. These products shall be approved by the PO prior to use. Contamination of non-target plants or areas shall be avoided. A record of quantities and locations of chemicals used shall be maintained, and monthly activity reports shall be provided to the PO using the Sample Pest Control Contractor Monitoring Report found in the IPM Plan.

8. Conformance with Environmental Management Systems: The Contractor shall perform work under this contract consistent with the relevant policy and objectives identified in the agency, organizational, or facility environmental management system (EMS), as described in at:

http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/ems_policy_nov2013-opt.pdf. The Contractor shall perform work in a manner that conforms to all appropriate Environmental Management Programs and Operational Controls identified by the agency, organizational, or facility EMS, and provide monitoring and measurement information as necessary for the organization to address environmental performance relative to the environmental, energy, and transportation management goals. In the event an environmental nonconformance or noncompliance associated with the contracted services is identified, the contractor shall take corrective and/or preventative actions. In the case of a noncompliance, the Contractor shall respond and take corrective action immediately. In the case of a nonconformance, the Contractor shall respond and take corrective action based on the time schedule established by the EMS Site Coordinator. In addition, the Contractor shall ensure that their employees are aware of the roles and responsibilities identified by the environmental management system (see:

http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/e4e.htm) and how these requirements affect their work performed under this contract.

http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/ems_policy_nov2013-opt.pdf http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/ems_policy_nov2013-opt.pdf http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/ems_policy_nov2013-opt.pdf http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/ems_policy_nov2013-opt.pdf http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/e4e.htm http://www.epa.gov/rtp/ems/e4e.htm

9. Additional work requirements at the FEELC:

a. All grass clippings in the playground areas must be bagged. There is a compost area behind the FEELC to place grass clippings. All work shall be completed before or after normal operating hours, which are 7:30 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise instructed by the Project Officer.

b. No materials shall be left in place that may present a hazard to the children

(wire flags, guy wires, stakes, etc.).

c. Mulching: The contractor shall maintain the mulch play areas to a minimum depth of four inches. The contractor shall perform a weekly inspection in high traffic areas; visually inspect the play area for trip hazards. Trip hazards are defined as any irregularity greater than one half-inch in the Infant Play areas and greater than one inch in all other play areas. Mulch should be raked at least bi-weekly to maintain a level play surface. During extended dry periods it may be necessary to wet the surface of the mulch. The contractor shall also maintain the mulch planting areas (beyond the limits of all play areas and fall zones) and the wooded play area within the playground to a minimum depth of four inches. Mulch is supplied and located behind the FEELC. If supply levels are low, the contractor shall contact the Project Officer. All mulch used must be approved by the Project Officer.

d. Fall Zones: There are four (4) shredded rubber mulch fall zone areas at the

FEELC totaling approximately 4,300 square feet. The contractor shall maintain the mulch fall zones to a minimum depth of six (6) inches. The contractor shall perform a weekly inspection in high traffic areas to check the depth and resiliency of the fall zone mulch, visually inspect the play areas for trip hazards, and fluff and rake the mulch at least biweekly to maintain a level play surface. Rubber mulch is supplied and is located behind the FEELC. If supply levels are low, the contractor shall contact the Project Officer. All shredded rubber mulch used must be approved by the Project Officer.

e. Hardwood Mulch Areas: There are three (3) areas with the Multipurpose

Courtyard and the Animal Bollards near the drop-off lot totaling approximately 8,100 square feet. Mulch in these areas must be maintained at a uniform depth of four (4) inches. Mulch for these areas shall be comprised of triple-shredded hardwood. Shredded wood mulch is supplied and is located behind the FEELC. If supply levels are low, the contractor shall contact the Project Officer. All shredded wood mulch used must be approved by the Project Officer.

f. Sand Areas: There are four (4) sand areas in the playgrounds of the FEELC totaling approximately 2,000 square feet. The contractor shall maintain the play sand areas to a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches. The contractor shall perform a weekly inspection in high traffic areas, visually inspect the play area for trip hazards, and sand should be raked at least bi-weekly to maintain a level play surface. Sand is supplied and is located behind the FEELC. If supply levels are low, the contractor shall contact the Project Officer. All play sand used must be approved by the Project Officer.

g. Artificial Turf Areas: There are two (2) areas in the Toddler playground consisting of ForeverLawn Endura artificial turf atop 2” Poly-Green foam totaling approximately 1,450 square feet. The contractor shall maintain the artificial turf in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

10. Additional Work Requirements for the AIRS:

a. Turf shall be mowed and trimmed at the frequency and with the proper equipment as set forth in general landscaping specifications, paragraphs D.1.a thru d., with the exception that the turf at AIRS, including along the paved road leading into the site, shall be mowed when it reaches a height of seven to eight inches and cut to a height of four inches.

b. Due to the sensitive nature of ambient air sampling and other research at

AIRS, the contractor shall maintain records of all maintenance activities performed at AIRS and provide these records to the PO on a monthly basis.

Work records shall include dates and times when any equipment is utilized which create exhaust or other emissions.