SOW_Mine_Creek_Southeast_Cedar_Cut.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Mine Creek Southeast Cedar Cut

Marais des Cygnes NWR

24141 KS Hwy 52 Pleasanton, KS 66075

1. General

1.1 Describe the project in general terms:

When completed, this project will have led to the eradication of eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana) from approximately 95 acres of Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.

1.2 Purpose/End Application:

This project is being undertaken for the primary purpose of wildland fuel reduction.

Primary drivers for the project are outlined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fire Management program and the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. Some of the specific purposes are listed in the bullets below.

• To increase firefighter and public safety.

• To improve response to wildfire events in, and near, Wildland Urban

Interface (WUI), and the identified Hazard Risk Zone.

• To minimize long-range spotting potential during wildfire incidents.

• To minimize resource damage from catastrophic wildfire incidents.

• To improve overall forest health and diversity.

• To allow native flora to thrive where eastern red cedars have encroached.

• To protect, restore, and maintain resilient and treasured landscapes.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications:

Contractor qualifications and certifications, as required by law, are required for this contract. Contractors are requested to provide a technical approach based on past experience doing similar work.

1.4 Other:

It is highly recommended by Refuge and Fire Management staff all contractors perform a site visit prior to bidding the work. Work is extensive and will require mostly cutting by hand due to inaccessibility for equipment. We want contractors to understand the workload.

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance

2.1 Annotate the complete address and if work is to be performed at the contractor site.

Work will be completed on Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located in east central Kansas and lies within Linn County. The refuge’s headquarters building is located at 24141 KS Hwy 52; Pleasanton, KS, 66075. The project area is approximately 5 miles SSE from refuge headquarters; or approximately 5 miles ENE of Pleasanton, KS, with primary access to the project site being from Stateline Road.

Approximate coordinates of the gate to the management trail which access the project site are N 38.1941667° W -094.6130556° and work will be completed primarily in Township 21 South, Range 25 East, Section 26 (Northeast ¼ of Section 26). See Maps (pages9-11).

The location of the project area is in the Mine Creek arm of Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and is the furthest southeast portion of the refuge. The site consists of flat topography and highly variable topography within coal mining spoils piles. Vegetation cover consists of eastern hardwood forest, eastern red cedar trees (target tree for the project) and old overgrown mixed tall-grass prairie. The site is bottomland area, with the exception of the spoils piles, and lies within the floodplain of nearby Mine Creek. Soils become muddy and quite soft after rains.

Slopes vary from 0-100% with the sharp slopes existing for very short distances within the old coal mining spoils piles. The general project area is accessible by gravel road and refuge management trail. Parking is limited but is available for vehicles, equipment and trailers.

2.2 Annotate the Performance start and end date. Annotate any conditions, limitations, or windows of opportunity impacted by the habitat, seasons or weather, or other projects.

The eastern red cedar cutting project will be completed within 1 year (365 days) of the Notice to Proceed, weather permitting. The work for this project should occur when the ground is dry or firm enough to hold the weight of the utilized equipment and minimize habitat disturbance (e.g., avoid creation of deep ruts/tracks). Work completed without the use of equipment may be conducted at any time as long as access to the work site does not result in the creation of deep ruts/tracks and/or unnecessary habitat damage.

The eastern red cedar cutting described in this Statement of Work may be completed during daylight hours (no work sunset thru following morning’s sunrise). The work may be completed Sunday thru Saturday, outside of Normal Duty Hours as described below and also can be completed outside Non-Duty hours as described below. The contractor may adjust work hours during weekdays or weekends and holidays as long as prior coordination is made with the Refuge Manager and approved by the Contracting Officer. The full project area is within huntable lands on the refuge. Timing may need to be adjusted to avoid conflicts with other users.

!! Exclusion Period !!: The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge falls within historic range of the federally protected Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB). There have been surveys for this species on the refuge that have failed to document any NLEB occurring within the Refuge boundary. However, out of an abundance of caution – Eastern Red Cedar cutting described in this bid will not occur during the months of June and July, the maternal roosting months for this tree dwelling species.

The Notice to Proceed will only be given following the contract award and notification by the Contracting Officer. All work must be completed within one year of the Notice to Proceed unless a change in scheduling is arranged with the Refuge Manager and Contracting Officer. A contract extension may be approved if climate conditions are unsuitable during portions of the contract period, and the contractor is prevented from working. Documentation, as described in section 4.2 will be required for an extension to be granted. Option years may be available depending on funding.

2.3 Normal Duty Hours

Normal duty hours are Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Non-Duty Hours

Non duty hours include week nights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

3. Scope

3.1 This element does not repeat what is stated above and is technical to the extent of the requirement; describe more precisely what is expected of the contractor, not how to perform the work, (leave actual deliverables out of this element; annotate activities such as meetings, management requirements, strategy and any specialized expertise and services, training, and documentation (will be included in paragraph 4); use "shall" statements to make requirements binding.

Target trees (eastern red cedar; Juniperus virginiana) for this project range in height from 1-30 + feet and diameters of 0.0625-30.0+ inches. Target trees vary from scattered individuals throughout the unit to dense stands. Trees are located in overgrown grasslands, forested flats, forested coal mining spoils piles, and in fence lines. See photos (pages 15-20)

The contractor shall bid the work for the project as a whole. The project area will not be split into sections or priority areas. All 95 acres will be bid together. The contractor(s) shall make on-site visits prior to bidding the work as the bulk will be done by hand instead of with the use of machinery. Meetings to discuss project area specifics, contract specifics, work progress, and work completion will occur prior to on-the-ground work starting, during the course of the project, and upon completion.

The contractor shall be fully responsible to ensure that the terms of this contract are met and complied with, via quality control and monitoring, to ensure contract compliance. The contractor will also be fully responsible for completion of work unit areas within an acceptable, and timely, manner.

The contractor shall eradicate eastern red cedar trees as specified and summarized below:

Overall Cut Specifications

• Cut all eastern red cedars trees in the project area.

• Completely cut and sever the main body of the tree from the stump.

• Maximum stump height less than 3.0 inches.

• Trees under 4 feet tall may be dropped and left whole or mulched. Trees 4 feet and over will either be mulched OR cut (limbed and bucked) and piled; OR cut, limbed on one full side and felled in a manner the full bole (from stump end to tree top) will be in contact with the ground. A combination of methods is acceptable throughout the project area. See photo on page 14.

• NO live limbs on stumps.

• NO partially-cut trees.

• NO barber-chair trees with uncut bark and wood.

• NO hang up trees.

• NO missed juniper trees or saplings will be allowed.

• Any cut material will need to be pulled in a minimum of 100 feet from the project area boundary and private property.

• Damage to desirable trees must be avoided at all times possible with only minimal damage acceptable on a very limited basis.

Mulching Specifications (preferred action)

• Maximum stump height less than 3.0 inches.

• NO live limbs on stumps.

• NO partially-mulched trees.

• NO hang up trees.

• When mulching heads used in conjunction with equipment, damage to desirable trees must be minimal.

• When mulching heads used in conjunction with equipment, all cedar tree material must be mulched.

• Any mulched material will need to be pulled in a minimum of 100 feet from the project area boundary and private property.

Cut and Pile Specifications (preferred action)

• Felled trees will be limbed, bucked, and piled as specified by onsite Refuge/Fire staff.

• Piles may not consist of whole trees.

• Piles will be greater than 150’ from the project area boundary/perimeter.

• Piles will be constructed tightly to improve burnability. See photos on page 12.

• Piles will be constructed at, or near, the stump of a cut cedar tree.

• Piles may consist of more than 1 tree’s vegetation.

• When possible, piles should be constructed a minimum of 30’ from existing desirable living trees.

• NO live limbs on stumps and stumps less than 3 inches.

• NO partially-cut trees.

• NO barber-chair trees with uncut bark and wood.

• NO hang up trees.

Limb and Drop Specifications (acceptable action)

• Felled trees will be limbed in a manner so the full bole of the tree is in contact with the ground. From butt end (cut end) to tree top. See photos on pages 13-14.

• Limbed material may be left where it lay which should result in it being under the cut tree.

If not, it may be thrown on top of the cut tree.

• Butt end of tree may not be elevated off the ground.

• NO live limbs on stumps and stumps less than 3 inches.

• NO partially-cut trees.

• NO barber-chair trees with uncut bark and wood.

• NO hang up trees.

• Trees felled in the limb and drop manner on the edge/perimeter of the project area must be relocated and pulled into the project area a distance greater than 100 feet from the edge of the project area boundary.

General Specifications

• Trash/litter will be removed after each shift.

• Gate on access trail will be closed and locked after each shift.

• Any part of a cut cedar tree may be removed from the project area by the contractor.

• Off road and off trail travel with vehicles and/or equipment will be limited during times of wet soil conditions in order to avoid rutting and habitat damage.

• A combination of all three actions is acceptable. Different locations throughout the project area may lend themselves better to different actions. The Mulching and the Cut and Pile are preferred, though, with Limb and Drop being acceptable but not preferred.

• Any modification to this listed Scope of Work will be approved and documented by on-site Refuge and Fire staff.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule: (for extended list a bid schedule and/or use of line item detail on the PR is recommended)

4.1 Clearly state the deliverables required, the schedule for delivery, the quantities, schedule (for multiple items).

Contractor will furnish all labor, services, equipment, and supervision to mechanically remove eastern red cedars on Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).

Removing cover of eastern red cedar trees on the Refuge where encroachment and invasion has occurred in the following project area:

Mine Creek Southeast – approx. 95 acres

On flat topography, tracked equipment may be utilized but limited to skid-steer and/or Fecon type equipment. No dozers allowed. In the coal mining spoils piles, only foot access is allowed.

If tracked skid-steer type equipment or tracked Fecon machines are utilized, a mulching head will be utilized to chew material. When working on foot, most any means necessary to cut cedar trees is allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, chainsaws, pole saws, loppers, pruning shears, mechanical brush cutters, etc. Other equipment may also be acceptable upon approval of the Refuge Resource Management and/or Fire Management Staff.

When utilizing heavy equipment or accessing work area via motorized means, ground conditions need to be checked before going off road or off trail. Ground disturbance will be kept to a minimum due to long-term damage and recovery rates of ruts in the heavy clay soils. Contractor should prioritize minimizing ground disturbance and damage to non-target vegetative species.

4.2 Identify the type of documentation (printed and electronic-such as manuals) to be provided , as well as those quality indicators desired by the Government.

Contractor will document in the form of daily work logs identifying work completed and weather/ground conditions. A potential extension to the period of performance will not be allowed without daily logs from the contractor.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP):

N/A

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

6.1 Identify any Government-furnished equipment (GPE) and Government-furnished information (GFI) or note N/A

Government will not furnish any equipment, services, labor, or daily supervision of contractor or contractor employees. Government will provide support in the form of overall project guidance and oversight. Government will also provide maps and initial access to the project area. Access to the project area will initially be granted in the form of unlocking the gate. After initial access is granted, the contractor will be responsible for daily access to the project area by providing their own lock to daisy chain onto the government’s lock on the management trail gate. Both parties shall be able to access the project area at any time.

6.2 Identify any limitations.

Limitations are previously discussed in sections 1-3.

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 The contractor will be evaluated as detailed herein. Government acceptance is contingent upon: [Either state generally or reference the table in 8.2 if used].

Refuge staff, such as the manager or fire management staff or other designated representative, will make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

Government acceptance contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 For commercial supplies reference clauses for inspection and acceptance. Where appropriate, QC will be maintained according to industry standards and made available to the agency with the contractor’s proposal.

Refuge staff, such as the manager or fire management staff or other designated representative, will make frequent site inspections and observations during the work process to verify quality of work and quantify percentage of work completed.

Government acceptance contingent upon meeting the work and specifications outlined in this Statement of Work.

8.2 Identify and detail measures for assessing quality control and acceptance; each requirement is unique and a table format is visually friendly and may be desirable.

Project Area Total

Acres* Bid Breakout Bid

Cost Treatment Target Period (time schedule)

Mine Creek 95 Whole Project. All months excluding June and July.

Southeast Project area will Note: Non-growing season months provide not be split into conditions yielding better identification of eastern red sections cedar locations.

*Acres = the area within the project area boundary and NOT the acres of eastern red cedar trees in the project area. Percent cover of eastern red cedar vary throughout the project area.

9. Technical Coordinator:

Contacts Name Title Phone Email Primary Deon Steinle Assistant

FMO

o 913-352-8956 m 913-294-6513 deon_steinle@fws.gov

Alternate Kate Brenner Refuge Manager o 913-352-8956 m 620-238-1647 kathryn_brenner@fws.gov

Both individuals are located at Marais des Cygnes NWR headquarters:

24141 KS Hwy 52; Pleasanton, KS 66075 mailto:deon_steinle@fws.gov mailto:kathryn_brenner@fws.gov

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Preferred Piling Action.

Acceptable Piling Action.

The following four photos depict a moderate sized eastern red cedar cut with the “limb and drop” method. Note how the tree is generally flush to the ground, from butt to top, after dropped.

A B

A. Side view post cut. Tree’s bole is generally flush to the ground due to one whole side being limbed.

B. Back view of same tree.

C D

C. Closer back view showing cut limbs from limbing action under the tree and other limbs from limbing action thrown on top and within cut tree. Stump pieces also thrown into framework of downed tree.

D. Back view of same tree. Note butt end of bole not completely flush to the ground.

This is acceptable only due to limbs from limbing action being under the tree. Also note, the stump cut is lower than 3” and is nearly flush cut.

The following three photos depict smaller eastern red cedars. One cut with the “limb and drop” method and one cut and dropped (trees 4’ and shorter) method.

E F

E. Side view post cut. Tree’s bole is fully flush to the ground due to one whole side being limbed.

F. Back view of same tree. Note butt end is flush to ground and stump is less than 3” high.

G. Small tree (less than 4’) dropped whole.

As you will see in the next set of photos, trees range from quite small to a much larger specimen.

The next several photos are included to try capturing the various topography, tree densities, tree sizes, and vegetative cover types encountered in the project area.