S01 Attachment A - Specifications.pdf

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Alexander County ACEP-WRE Tree Planting

Illinois State Office

INDEX OF SPECIFICATIONS

8 Mobilization 490 Site Preparation 612 Tree Planting

INDEX OF MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

NONE

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Specification 8—Mobilization and Demobilization

1. SCOPE

The work consists of the mobilization and demobilization of the contractor's forces and equipment necessary for performing the work required under the contract. It does not include mobilization and demobilization for specific items of work for which payment is provided elsewhere in the contract. Mobilization will not be considered as work in fulfilling the contract requirements for commencement of work.

2. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL

Mobilization shall include all activities and associated costs for transportation of contractor's personnel, equipment, and operating supplies to the site; establishment of offices, buildings, and other necessary general facilities for the contractor's operations at the site; premiums paid for performance and payment bonds including coinsurance and reinsurance agreements as applicable; and other items specified in section 4 of this specification.

Demobilization shall include all activities and costs for transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies not required or included in the contract from the site; including the disassembly, removal, and site cleanup of offices, buildings, and other facilities assembled on the site specifically for this contract.

This work includes mobilization and demobilization required by the contract at the time of award. If additional mobilization and demobilization activities and costs are required during the performance of the contract as a result of changed, deleted, or added items of work for which the contractor is entitled to an adjustment in contract price, compensation for such costs will be included in the price adjustment for the item or items of work changed or added.

3. PAYMENT

Payment will be made as the work proceeds, after presentation of paid invoices or documentation of direct costs by the contractor showing specific mobilization and demobilization costs and supporting evidence of the charges of suppliers, subcontractors, and others. When the total of such payments is less than the lump sum contract price, the balance remaining will be included in the final contract payment. Payment of the lump sum contract price for mobilization and demobilization will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

Payment will not be made under this item for the purchase costs of materials having a residual value, the purchase costs of materials to be incorporated in the project, or the purchase costs of operating supplies.

4. ITEMS OF WORK DETAILS

Items of work to be performed in conformance with this specification are:

A.) Task 1 - Mobilization

(1) Mobilization shall consist of the following:

a. Mobilization and demobilization of the contractor's work force and equipment.

b. Purchase of bonds if required by the terms of the contract.

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c. Purchase of liability insurance coverage for accidental injury to personnel on the work site and accidental damage to property located within the work sites and damaged during the performance period of the contract.

d. Costs of moving equipment to the work sites and removal of equipment after completion of the work.

(2) The contractor shall assume responsibility for protection of existing roads, overhead and/or buried utilities and fences that may be affected by the work.

(3) All invoices submitted by the contractor shall be subject to approval of the Contracting

Officer.

(4) Ingress and egress to the construction sites shall be provided by the project sponsors with specific instructions provided by the site landowner. Access roads shall be restored to original condition and grade after the work is completed.

(5) Measurement and Payment: Payment will be made by the method in Section 3:

Payment.

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Specification 490—Tree-Shrub Site Preparation

This work shall consist of the treatment of sites to enhance the success of artificial regeneration of desired trees and/or shrubs.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this work is to facilitate the establishment, survival, and growth of tree and shrub species.

3. MATERIALS

Use mechanical and/or, chemical methods either alone or in combination to alter woody residue, vegetation, ground cover, soil, or microsite conditions to prepare the site for planting, seeding, or natural regeneration of desired tree and shrub species.

Expose mineral soil as needed to achieve the desired distribution of plants to be established by seed for tree and shrub species that require mineral soil for germination and establishment.

Determine method(s), intensity, and timing of site preparation activities depending on topography, and on soil and site conditions. Schedule site preparation activities so they are completed at the optimal time prior to the commencement of planting or seeding activities, or to the initiation of natural regeneration.

Leave woody residue in place to provide soil protection and wildlife habitat, retain soil moisture and organic matter, and protect the soil surface from temperature extremes—except where it will pose a fire hazard, increase the risk of pest damage, or interfere with management activities.

On soils prone to compaction or rut formation, use low ground-pressure equipment or nonmechanized site preparation methods. When preparing compacted cropland or pasture sites for tree planting, chisel, rip, and/or subsoil to mitigate compacted soil layers, as needed.

Do not use wheeled and tracked equipment on slopes where operability causes safety concerns or adverse impacts on soil conditions. Perform ground-disturbing site preparation activities on the contour where feasible. Restrict the use of wheeled and tracked equipment to periods when the soil is either frozen or unsaturated. Use designated trails or establish a trail system as appropriate and feasible.

Mitigate site preparation activities near wetlands, water bodies, and in or near riparian areas to reduce negative water quality impacts.

4. OPERATIONS

Site preparation operations will comply with all local, State, and Federal laws and ordinances, and with State’s forestry best management practices for water quality.

For site preparation using herbicides, the operator will develop a safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals, including telephone numbers and addresses of emergency treatment centers and the telephone number for the nearest poison control center. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) telephone number in Corvallis, Oregon, may also be given for nonemergency information: 1- 800-858-7384, Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The national Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTRAC) telephone number is 1-800-424-9300.

• Follow label requirements for mixing/loading setbacks from wells, intermittent streams, and rivers, -5-natural or impounded ponds and lakes, and reservoirs.

• Post signs, according to label directions and/or Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws, around fields that have been treated. Follow restricted entry intervals.

• Dispose of herbicides and herbicide containers in accordance with label directions and adhere to

Federal, State, Tribal, and local regulations.

• Read and follow label directions and maintain appropriate material safety data sheets.

• Calibrate application equipment according to recommendations before each seasonal use and with each major chemical and site change.

• Replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges on spray equipment.

• Herbicide application records shall be kept in accordance with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s

Pesticide Recordkeeping Program and State-specific requirements.

Determine the success of the practice by evaluating post-treatment conditions and verifying that they are suitable for the establishment of desired trees and shrubs.

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Specification 612—Tree Planting

This work shall consist of site preparation, furnishing, transporting, temporary storage and planting tree seedlings of the species, method and quality specified and at the locations provided in Attachment B.

2. MATERIALS

Unless otherwise specified, all plant materials used shall be true to name, size and quality in conformity with the following standards:

AMERICAN STANDARD FOR NURSERY STOCK. Copyright 1973 (current edition 2004). ANSI Z60.1 - 2004 (Published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc., 230 Southern Building, Washington, DC 20005)

a. Verification of Sources of Supply.

The contractor shall verify, prior to bidding, all sources of supply to ensure that all of the items on the plant materials list, of size, species, variety, and quality noted and specified, can be supplied.

b. General Requirements.

A minimum of 2% of the plants of each type representative of the planting group in a Tract will be properly identified by species name and size on legible weatherproof labels securely attached to the plants.

All plants shall be nursery grown from a seed source collected within a 300-mile radius of the job site and from an appropriate bottomland or upland source, as the case shall be, for the given species selected.

All plants shall have normal, well-developed branches and vigorous root systems characteristic of the species. They shall be sound, healthy, vigorous, free from defects, disfiguring knots, abrasions of the bark, sun scaled injuries, plant diseases, insect eggs, borers, and all other forms of infections. They shall be carefully dug such that the major portion of the root system, including the fibrous roots, remains intact. The soil shall be carefully removed from the roots, avoiding unnecessary loss or breakage of fibrous roots.

Any roots that are broken or which must be cut shall be cleanly cut. The roots of all plants shall be protected at all times to prevent injury or drying caused by heat, sun, wind, and freezing temperatures.

All plants shall be dormant when collected.

Plants which have been held in storage shall be rejected if they show signs of growth during storage.

c. Inspection of Plant Material.

The Contractor shall notify the Technical Point of Contact at least one (1) week prior to delivery. The Technical Point of Contact will have the option, at their discretion, to inspect the plants for acceptance at the place of growth. Inspection at the place of growth will not impede the right to reject plants at the planting site.

The Contractor shall notify the Technical Point of Contact when the plant materials arrive

- 7 -upon the job site. Plant materials shall be inspected, and a determination shall be documented as to their condition relative to their suitability for planting prior to the commencement of work. Final acceptance of all plant materials shall be given only after the materials are planted and after all requirements are met.

Unacceptable plant material shall be immediately removed at the contractor’s expense from the job site.

d. Delivery and Storage.

All plants shall be packed in such a manner as to ensure adequate protection against climatic, seasonal or other injuries during transit. Special care shall be taken for prompt delivery and careful handling in loading and unloading. Plants should be kept moist during transportation, storage, and during the planting operation. Seedlings should be planted within five (5) days of arriving at the site. If the tree seedlings are not planted within five (5) days after they have arrived from the designated nursery, the Contractor shall place them in cold storage at 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting the seedlings from injury or theft during the contract period.

No plant shall be pruned prior to delivery. Root stock may be pruned at the planting site, to a length no less than 8 inches, to accommodate the proper placement and position of roots in the planting trench.

Each shipment of plants to the site shall be accompanied by a delivery slip indicating source of supply, exact quantities, sizes, and species delivered. A copy of all delivery slips shall be delivered to the Technical Point of Contact.

e. Measurement for Size.

All planting stock shall be bare root seedlings, nursery grown for a minimum of one year.

The minimum height of seedling stock shall be 12 inches, measured from the root collar to the tip of the branches. The minimum seedling diameter shall be 7/32 inch, measured at 1 inch above the root collar. The minimum length of roots shall be 8 inches, measured from the root collar to the tip of the roots. All seedlings shall have at least 5 primary roots 1/10 inch diameter or larger. Roots longer than 8 inches may be pruned to 8 inches during the same day in which they will be planted, to accommodate proper placement in the planting trench.

3. SITE PREPARATION

Site preparation will be required to be performed on the entire acreage of the tree planting area prior to tree planting. The only approved method of site preparation shall be rotary mowing.

The existing vegetation shall be mowed to a height no greater than 8 inches above the ground.

Disking or strip mowing is not authorized.

4. PLANTING

a. Planting Procedures

(1) Seedlings shall be planted upright with no more than a 20% lean. Soil shall be packed firmly around seedling roots to eliminate air pockets. Furrows shall be sufficiently pressed to insure that seedlings will not be windthrown or scoured out during flood flows. The Contractor shall ensure that planting furrows are deep and wide enough to fully extend roots.

Tree seedlings shall be planted so that the root collar is placed 1/2 inch deeper than the depth at which it was grown in the nursery. Trees shall be planted with conventional forestry

- 8 -planting equipment such as the dibble bar, planting spade, or mechanical tree setter.

(2) Seedlings shall be planted on the geographic contour. The Contractor shall plant the species type and number identified in the planting groups contained in this specification, at the locations identified for the appropriate planting group on the maps provided in this solicitation. To attain a random species mix within the planting group, the Contractor shall ensure that at least two species are planted per row and that no two rows of the same species are planted adjacent to one another.

b. Inspection Requirements

Inspection of seedling quality by the government will be performed under this contract prior to or at the beginning of the planting of the seedlings. The government or its agents shall be given at least 48 hours’ notice of the anticipated arrival of seedlings and planting crew to each site to facilitate the completion of this inspection requirement.

Inspection by the government of the tree planting adherence to contract specifications will be performed under this contract by measuring sampling plots. A sampling plot is defined as a 1/20-acre sample taken for every 10 acres of planted area. An area will be considered adequately planted when a minimum of 80% of the trees in each sample plot meets contract-planting specifications. In the event, a sample plot fails to meet the contract requirements, the Contractor will be required to re-work the 10-acre area prior to re-inspection. The re-inspection sample plot will not be the original sample plot.

5. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Method 1 The acreage figure for each tract or planting group is an estimate that was made on an aerial photograph.

Payment will be made to the nearest 0.1 acre. The estimated acreage will not be re-measured or adjusted further. Contractor is responsible for providing and planting the number of trees necessary to achieving the specified spacing. Such payment will constitute full compensation for furnishing, transporting, planting trees complete and in place. For items of work for which specific unit prices are established in the contract, each area treated as specified will be measured to the nearest 0.1 acre. Payment for treatment will be made at the contract unit price for the designated treatment which will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

The payment for planting trees and shrubs shall be paid for at the contract unit price. Such payment shall constitute full compensation for all labor, tools, equipment, materials, and other necessary and incidental to completion of work.

Method 2 For items of work for which specific lump sum prices are established in the contract, the quantity of work will not be measured for payment. Payment for this item will be made at the contract lump sum price for the item and will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

Method 3 For items of work for which lump sum prices are established in the contract, payment will be made as the work proceeds, after presentation of invoices by the Contractor showing related costs. If the total of such payments is less than the lump sum contract price for this item, the unpaid balance will be included in the final contract payment. Payment of the lump sum contract price will constitute full compensation for completion of the work.

All Methods The following provisions apply to all methods of measurement and payment. Compensation for

- 9 -any item of work described in the contract will be included in the payment for the item of work to which it is made subsidiary. Such items and the items to which they are made subsidiary are identified in Section 6. Payment will be made by electronic transfer.

6. ITEMS OF WORK

Items of work to be performed in conformance with this specification are:

Task 3 – Planting Trees, Thomas Raffety Alexander County, 60 acres

(1) This item shall consist of site preparation, furnishing, storing, transporting, and planting bare root tree seedlings in the areas shown on Attachment B.

(2) Site preparation is required as per Section 2.

(3) Staging and storage of materials shall be in the areas designated.

(4) The species and number of seedlings per acre to be planted in each area shall be as shown

(10) below in the following Plant Materials List. All seedlings shall be bare root seedlings.

(5) Tree seedlings in all areas shall be planted at a rate of 435 seedlings per acre. Seedlings shall be planted on a 10 foot by 10-foot grid spacing.

(6) The following will be furnished to the Technical Point of Contact:

a. Copies of invoices of each shipment of seedlings.

b. Certification that all seedlings conform to the standards of the

AMERICAN STANDARD FOR NURSERY STOCK. Copyright 1973 (current edition 2004). ANSI Z60.1 – 2004 (Published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc., 230 Southern Building, Washington, DC 20005)

c. Certification that the equipment to be used is of the proper type, sizes, capacity, and condition to do the work.

d. An inspection certificate for each shipment of seedlings cross-referenced with the invoice for each shipment.

e. Documentation of seed source for seedlings.

(7) Areas shown on the maps or marked in the field as food plots, open water areas, power lines or existing woodland shall not be planted.

(8) Caution should be taken to preserve steel posts placed by survey benchmarks as shown on the drawings. Replacement of benchmark marker posts shall be at the contractor’s expense.

(9) Measurement and Payment shall be by Method 1 of Section 5 above.

(10) Plant Materials List

A MINIMUM OF 5 SPECIES IS REQUIRED, IN EQUAL NUMBERS PER SPECIES. CARE

SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PLANT APPROPRIATE SPECIES AT THE TOPOGRAPHIC

ELEVATION THAT EACH SPECIES WOULD BE FOUND IN A NATURAL SETTING.

(11) Tree Planting will be a dormant planting and may begin after October 1 until the ground freezes as long as soil moisture is adequate.

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7. PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall be responsible for the quality of products and services provided under the terms of this Contract, to include those products and services provided by subcontractors. The Contractor shall re-perform work that does not meet Contract requirements, unless it is of a nature that re-performance is not possible or otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer. To ensure that the requirements of this Contract are met, the Contractor shall implement an effective Quality Control Program (QCP).

Inspection by the government will be performed under this contract. The contractor shall coordinate with the designated NRCS Technical Point of Contact throughout the process.