SOW_Red_Hook_Facility_Landscaping.pdf

Virgin Islands National Service St. John, Virgin Islands

SCOPE OF WORK

RED HOOK FACILITY VEGETATION SERVICE CONTRACT

1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Project Name: RED HOOK FACILITY VEGETATION SERVICE CONTRACT

• 1.1 Scope

Per the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor shall perform the work of this Request for Quote (RFQ) for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below.

All services performed under this RFQ shall be performed per applicable codes and accepted industry standards.

• 1.2 Location

The project area is located at the Virgin Islands National Park Service Red Hook Facility on the islands of St. Thomas. It consists of both sides of the roadway, grounds, picnic areas, dock and building lawn / grounds.

• 1.3 Description

The service contract shall be performed quarterly, four times a year. This will commence from date of award and continue every three months after. If the contract is awarded July the cuts will be in July, October, January and April. The work will include:

o Cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal to a uniform low finish;

cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal. The cutting, raking, blowing and removal of all debris at the Red hook Facility area include:

the entrance roadway outside and inside of both gates.

the entire length of the roadway on both side of the road. 3 feet from the edge of the pavement and horizontal 12 feet vertically straight up.

the picnic areas, picnic benches, and bench pads.

the dock area and sidewalks.

around and in front of existing office building and stationary generator.

o Any tree that poses an immediate danger to normal traffic flow and poses a threat to pedestrians or vehicle traffic shall be removed and cut to the ground level. Any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter shall have Park approval before being cut and removed. Care shall be given to parked vehicles, vessels, pedestrian, exercisers, and anything other feature that can be damaged because of work being performed.

o All picnic area and lawn vegetation cutting debris will be allowed to be dispose of in the illegal short cut. The grass debris piles shall be spread evenly as to not be easily seen from the road.

Entrance roadway (both sides) – Approximately 2,547 linear ft Picnic areas (Handicap and Main) Approximately 27,440 sq.ft.

Sidewalks -Approximately 392 sq.ft.

Dock area (Grounds and concrete) - Approximately 2,156 sq.ft.

Side and rear of the office building – Approximately 6,760 sq.ft.

Office building lawn – Approximately 23,517 sq.ft.

1.4 Vegetation Removal Guidelines from Mangroves and Historic Structures

• Clearing Vegetation Along the Edge of Roads and Sidewalks - Mangroves

As the only tree species that can tolerate salt water, mangroves are one of America’s most unique plant species. They provide valuable nursery habitat for fish, serve as a mecca for birdwatching, and protect people and property along our coasts from the impacts of erosion and storms. Mangroves provide numerous benefits to both people and wildlife. They help stabilize coastal ecosystems and prevent erosion. Mangroves also provide natural infrastructure and protection to populated coastal areas by reducing flood impacts during extreme weather events such as hurricanes.

In clearing the vegetation by the mangroves along the Park’s road edges and sidewalks by mechanical means we must be mindful to not use these equipment in a manner to cause irreversible damage to the mangroves and its growth. Clearing the road edge at these locations must be done by hand as described below in Clearing Vegetation Around Historic Sites. Special care must be taken while cutting and removing vegetation and debris, only what is necessary to achieve requirements and safe path. No excessive cutting will be allowed. No breaking of branches rather clean cut at the base of the branches.

• Clearing Vegetation Around Historic Sites

In clearing around historic sites, we must keep in mind that there may still be remnants of historic gardens and crops present that can add so much to the government’s and visitors’ knowledge and understanding of these historic sites and the landscape that surrounded them.

Safety is of utmost importance when working around these old walls. The possibility of injury due to a collapse is there and all precautions must be adhered to insure everyone’s safety.

Before clearing a structure, the contractor must be sure to evaluate the risks and dangerous areas that must be avoided and never remove vines or plants by pulling on them as this can result in a collapse and will assuredly result in damage to the building.

As a rule, vegetation is removed no more than ten feet around a structure.

In a complex setting, this can result in the removal of almost all vegetation if precautions are not taken. Each time a new site is selected it is important to establish the limits as to what should be removed with a park manager.

Mowers, weed whackers, and hand tools are all great tools if used in the right locations. Within one foot of a historic wall that contains any soft masonry materials such as historic brick or plaster only hand tools such as loppers, hand saws, and clippers should be used to cut. If a structure is made of only stone then a weed whacker can be used next to the building without damaging the structure. Clearing away from the walls past the one-foot zone can be accomplished with hand tools and weed whackers where historic fabric is not present. Clearing inside the structure’s walls should be accomplished with only loppers, hand saws, and clippers and no plants should be pulled as this could be damaging a historic floor that may not be obvious. Mowers that can be used and were approved in usually large open areas such as the esplanade at Shipley Battery, the grounds at Careening Cove, and the grounds at Creque Marine.

• Clearing Vegetation Growing out of Historic Structures

Clearing vegetation growing out of the walls of historic structures can preserve these buildings and if done wrong can quickly destroy them. If the roots of a plant have firmly embedded themselves to the point where they are blowing the wall apart or in some cases holding the wall together cutting and killing the plant will result in a masonry collapse. However, if the plant can be eliminated before it gets to this stage then we have prolonged the time the structure will remain standing.

In general, plants that are one inch or less in diameter that are growing out of the walls have not reached the point where cutting and killing them with an herbicide would not be harmful to the building. However, there is always the exception so the crew supervisor should emphasize the need for each team member to inspect first to ensure the cutting of the plant is the appropriate action. If the plant is two inches in diameter then the plant’s removal should be evaluated by a supervisor or park employee to determine if its removal would cause damage. Again, do not pull plants out of the historic fabric for your safety and the life of the structure.

• 1.5 Requirement

1. Contractor shall use all safety equipment and procedures; necessary PPE and tools to perform work safely (e.g., signage, cones, safety vest, hard hats, etc.).

2. Contractor shall remove dead trees in a manner that does not damage persons and property.

3. Contractor shall remove all debris from the site unless specified by the Park.

4. Contractor shall provide a schedule for location before beginning work.

Schedule to include days and times to give prior notification to Park personnel.

5. No additional work is to be performed that is not listed in the scope of work.

Any change request must be made to the contracting officer (CO) only and for approval before proceeding. The CO is the only person with the authority to authorize changes.

6. Contractor shall provide all necessary copies of the invoice for work performed name of employee and days work for each.

1.6 INFORMATION

NPS Points of Contact for the following will be given at time of award:

o Contracting Officer o Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor o Deputy Superintendent

1.7 FEES AND PAYMENT

A. All travel and any other direct or indirect costs shall be included in the work included in the offer.

B. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond the amount that has been authorized through the issuance of the award.

C. Payment will be processed after the inspection and acceptance by the government for services rendered.