statement_of_work.docx
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- 2022 TFD FUELS SHRUB PLANTING
- Solicitation number
- 140L2622Q0050
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SPECIFICATIONS
SEEDLING PLANTING DESCRIPTIONS/SPECIFICATIONS/ WORK STATEMENT
PART 1: GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
This contract is to furnish labor to hand plant 125,000 Wyoming Big Sagebrush and 25,000 Antelope Bitterbrush seedlings in the Shoshone Field Office area of the Twin Falls District BLM.
1.2 PERFORMANCE PERIOD
The estimated start of the planting performance period for this contract is October 3rd, 2022, through October 20th, 2022.The contractor will be allowed 7 calendar days once planting is initiated to complete all planting operations. Planting operations shall be completed no later than October 27th, 2022. Additional days can be added in the event of adverse weather or planting conditions.
| Project Location |
| Seedling Count |
| Acreage |
| Project Initiation Period |
| Planting Days Allowable |
| Project End Date |
Wagon Butte
150,000 – plug root seedlings
4,134
| 10/03/22-10/20/22 |
| 7 days after initiation to complete |
| 10/27/22 |
1.3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY
| Seedlings Furnished |
| Quantity |
| Approximate Size |
| Wyoming Big Sagebrush (plug root) |
| 125,000 |
| 6 Cubic Inch |
| Antelope Bitterbrush (plug root) |
| 25,000 |
| 6 Cubic Inch |
1.4 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Specific unit information and corresponding vicinity maps are identified in the work location maps. Project area and road access can be found on maps available from the Twin Falls District Office of the BLM, 2878 Addison Avenue East, Twin Falls, ID 83301 or the Idaho State Office of the BLM, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709-1657. The cost is $4.00 per map for BLM.
1.5 BOUNDARIES
Boundaries of the planting sites are identified by the work location maps.
PART 2: PLANTING OPERATIONS
| 2.1 | SEEDLING PREPARATION |
| A. | The Contractor shall be responsible for removal of seedlings from the packaging prior to planting. |
| B. | The Contractor will be required to consolidate and organize all packaging used to transport seedlings including containers, plastic wrapping, plastic bags, and boxes. |
| C. | The Contractor will protect products from damage while loading and in transit to project unit(s). |
| 2.2 | SITE PREPARATION |
| A. | Preparing the Planting Hole – Planting holes shall be located near the center of the prepared area and shall be oriented at an angle between perpendicular to the slope and true vertical (see Attachment). Planting hole must be two inches deeper than the maximum root length of the seedlings. |
| 2.3 | PLANTING METHODS |
The following requirements will apply to all planting units, unless identified otherwise.
| A. | Proper selection of planting site is important to provide protection from animal damage, sun, wind, loose debris, and other agents detrimental to seedling survival and growth. |
| B. | Plant spacing will be 8-15 feet and plants will be planted in large groups utilizing a grid pattern by planting crews. Planting grid patterns must cover the entire planting project unit with exceptions for avoidance areas (see section F below) or as allowed by the Project Inspector due to site conditions. |
| C. | Plants will be placed no closer than 3 feet away from existing live brush plants but could be placed closer to standing dead shrubs. |
| D. | Clearing efforts will be required to prepare the site for planting and maintaining required spacing. |
| E. | An unplantable area (spot) will be indicated by the Project Inspector prior to planting on the project site. The Project Inspector will make the determination whether a site is plantable or unplantable. |
| F. | Where an unplantable spot is encountered: The planter shall move over the unplantable spot and plant in the closest plantable spot available, and then resume required spacing. Examples of unplantables are: |
1. Rock outcrops, talus slopes, and areas of stone, cobbles or gravel that is 12” deep.
2. Sites with obvious rodent or insect (ant hill) activity.
3. Sites with obvious run-off, i.e. bottom of drainages.
4. Animal & human travel paths – planting sites shall be a minimum of five feet, each side, from travel paths.
5. Within 0.25 miles of livestock troughs or supplement sites.
6. Within 50 feet of two-track roads or fence lines.
7. Within 300 feet of main travel roads.
8. Cultural avoidance areas as identified on the project maps.
| G. | Planting will not occur on slick spots where they exist, or near other sensitive areas. Slick spots are visually distinct microsites that are mostly void of vegetation. The soil in the slick spots is usually lighter than the surrounding area as well. |
| H. | For tracking shrub survival, monitoring points will be installed by Government representatives at every project site. The number of monitoring points will be directly related to project size (acres treated/planted) and given to the Contractor prior to the start of planting. |
| 2.4 | SEEDLING PLACEMENT |
| A. | Consolidated Containerized Seedling Planting – The seedling shall be suspended near the center of the hole with roots extending down in a near natural arrangement at a depth that, after filling, packing, and leveling, the root collar is even with or slightly below the firmed soil level. No portion of the roots shall be exposed. If an auger is used, seedlings shall be planted in the center of the augered hole. Planting on the side of the hole will not be permitted. Only one seedling may be planted per hole; multiple seedlings planted in a single hole will be considered wasted and may result in assessment of liquidated damages against the Contractor (see Payment Section). |
| B. | Filling and Firming – Moist mineral soil shall be filled in and firmed around seedling roots. Dry soil, ash, organic matter, rocks, and other foreign matter shall be kept out of holes. Soil shall be filled in and firmed progressively (layered) so no loose soil or air pockets remain, and the seedling is as firmly planted as soil conditions allow. The Contractor shall not wedge the seedling in the side of the hole. Firming the soil around the seedling shall be done in a manner that assures the seedling and root systems are not damaged. After the soil is firmed around the seedling, it shall be smoothed out to the level horizontal to surrounding soil surface. See Attachment. After planting, the seedlings the stem shall stand erect. The seedling shall not be wedged down with mud or debris. Soil or other debris shall not be left covering the leaves or stems of the planted seedling. |
| 2.5 | SEEDLING CARE – CACHES (TEMPORARY STORAGE) |
| A. | A Government Official shall approve all seedling caches or temporary storage sites. Overnight storage will be cleared by the Government Official/COR. |
| B. | Seedlings stored in boxes, bags, or bundles shall not be exposed to direct sunlight. Punctured or torn bags or boxes must be promptly resealed. Containers of seedlings shall be opened only in full shade when possible. |
| C. | Seedlings shall not be removed from shipping containers until needed for preparation for planting. |
| D. | Seedlings in temporary seedling caches shall also comply with all the requirements under SEEDLING CARE (FIELD HANDLING). |
| 2.6 | SEEDLING CARE (FIELD HANDLING) |
The Contractor shall adhere to the following specifications for care and protection of seedlings:
| A. | Seedlings shall not be handled in any manner that may cause injury to the seedlings. |
| B. | Frozen seedlings shall not be handled until completely thawed and shall be thawed in full shade. |
| C. | Seedlings removed from cold storage facilities shall not stand or lay in water or snow or be covered directly with snow. |
| D. | Each planting crew will have a designated “Runner” responsible to deliver seedlings from the roadside delivery point to resupply the planters with seedlings on the planting unit, unless otherwise authorized by a Government Official. |
| E. | Seedlings in planting bags shall have only their tops exposed and shall have wrapping loosened slightly to allow individual seedling removal. Seedlings shall be protected at all times from drying, heating, smothering, freezing, crushing, drowning, abrasion, rapid temperature fluctuations, and contact with injurious substances such as petroleum products or petroleum product residues. |
| F. | Individual seedlings shall not be removed from planting bags until immediately before they are to be planted in prepared holes. |
| G. | Seedlings shall be gently removed, one at a time, to prevent stripping or other injury, and quickly and gently inserted into planting holes. Removal by terminal buds is not permitted. |
| H. | Seedlings carried in planting bags shall not exceed the amount that can be removed without injury, or which can be planted before critical heating or drying occurs. This will be determined by a Government Official. Seedlings issued to planters shall be planted out prior to lunch breaks and not returned to storage. |
| I. | Seedlings shall be planted the calendar date of issuance (unless precluded by weather or other unsuitable planting conditions). If seedlings are not planted within this time frame, they will be considered wasted, unless the Contractor (for excusable reasons) can show that the seedlings could not have been planted. Contractor will be responsible for returning unplanted seedlings to the delivery point or other Government Official’s designated site for storage. |
| J. | Seedlings may not be transported around the site in bundle wrapping only. A planting bag or other approved storage device shall be used. |
| K. | The Contractor shall not do root pruning, top pruning, or culling except with the written approval of the COR. If seedlings are being pruned or culled without written approval from the COR, they will be considered wasted seedlings and will be charged to the contractor. |
| L. | If the Contractor notices dryness of roots, mold or other evidence of damage to seedlings, he/she will immediately notify the Project Inspector. |
| M. | If inclement weather conditions occur during the planting operation which will damage seedlings (such as freezing or high temperature, drying winds, low humidity, or snow which prohibits the planting operation from continuing) any unused seedlings shall be returned to a storage site or Staging Area as directed by the Project Inspector. The following environmental conditions must exist on the site before the Contractor will be allowed to plant. Final decision whether site conditions are unfavorable will be made by a Government Official. |
· Temperature: Between 28° - 65°F
· Humidity: Greater than 20%
· Soil: Not frozen more than 1” deep, upper 10” of soil is moist
· Snow: Less than four inches
PART 3: DISTRIBUTION AND CARE OF SEEDLINGS
| 3.1 | DELIVERY/TRANSPORTING |
| A. | The contractor will stage seedlings at a pre-approved point on or near the project site unless other arrangements are approved by a Government Official. Seedlings must be protected against damage to tops and roots, including damage from freezing, heating, and drying as indicated in the following requirements. |
| B. | Transporting of seedlings to the drop-off point (Staging Area) locations shall be done by the Government. Transporting of seedlings around the project site with UTV’s (or other similar vehicles) must be pre-approved by the Project Inspector. See section on SEEDLING CARE. |
| C. | Upon arrival at the planting site, seedlings shall be stored in a manner that protects them from direct sunlight, frost, and wind and provides for proper air circulation around bundles or boxes. Seedlings shall not be allowed to stand or lay in water or directly on snow. Seedlings that are frozen shall not be handled until completely thawed. They shall be thawed in full shade. There will be no overnight storage of seedlings at the project site. |
| D. | Unless otherwise specified, planting bags shall be a light color and porous material, shall not retain water or heat, shall have a minimum depth of 15”, and shall be free of defects. Bags may have a shield of waterproof material attached to one exterior side to protect the planters from water seepage. During the planting operation, seedlings shall be transported around the project in these planting bags (See PART 7: TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT). Planters shall be restricted to the removal of one seedling at a time from the rolled bundle and only after the planting hole has been prepared. |
| E. | Upon termination prior to completion, any unused seedlings will be returned to the staging area as directed by the Project Inspector. Upon completion of the project, all seedlings should be planted out on the project site. |
| F. | The Contractor shall be responsible for site clean-up of all packaging and transportation materials after planting is completed. |
3.2 TIMING OF PLANTING
Seedling survival and growth is dependent on proper soil and moisture conditions at the time of planting. These conditions may only prevail for a short period of time. It may be necessary to plant a portion of a unit and return after snowmelt or when ground conditions are suitable to plant the remaining area. Due to varied situations, this shall be at the discretion of a Government Official.
PART 4: DEFINITIONS
Plantable Spot: An area from which vegetation, ash, duff and debris have been, or can be, removed and seedlings can be planted according to all specifications contained herein.
Unplantable Spot: An area within the specified spacing limits in which it is not possible to plant a seedling according to specifications. Unplantable spots will be recognized as follows: one unplantable spot will be allowed for each single unplantable area within the plot of square foot size equal to the square of the average specified spacing.
· Example: If a single unplantable area of 100 square feet exists on 10 x 10 foot spacing plot, one unplantable spot will be recognized.
Satisfactory Planted Seedling: A seedling planted in full compliance with all planting specifications.
Unsatisfactory Planted Seedling: A planted seedling that fails to meet one or more of the specifications for a satisfactorily planted seedling.
Wasted Seedlings: Seedlings that are lost, damaged, destroyed, or handled contrary to the specifications for the Care of Seedlings.
Cotyledon Scar: The location where the seed coat had been attached to the seedling. This marks the point where the hypocotyl, which grows upward and turns into the stem and the radicle, which becomes the root system differentiate.
Bare Root Seedling: A seedling grown from one to three years in a natural environment.
Containerized Seedling: A seedling grown from one year in a container.
Culling: To remove by any method, any portion of the seedling roots or branches.
Pruning: The cutting of seedling top, roots, or branches with pruning clippers.
Space Blanket: Provides seedling protection from direct sunlight, frost, wind, and provides proper air circulation around bundles or boxes of seedlings.
PART 5: PLANTING STOCK
A. 6-12-month-old containerized Wyoming Big Sagebrush and Antelope Bitterbrush seedlings are to be planted under this contract. Planting stock will be provided by the Government, per contract specifications. Storage for the seedlings will be provided by the Government. In the event circumstances require substitution of age class or species, a modification of the contract will be negotiated with the Contractor to provide for any adjustment in cost due to the substitutions.
PART 6: CONTRACTOR WORKFORCE REQUIREMENTS
| A. | The Contractor must maintain an adequate work force at all times to insure timely completion of the work. At the pre-work conference, the Contractor shall provide a work schedule including the planned work force, which must be acceptable to the Government. |
| B. | A non-planting, English-speaking supervisor shall be provided for each crew and is required to stay with the crew while planting is in progress. No more than twelve planters are to be supervised by one non-planting supervisor. Crew members shall not be scattered within or between units except as necessitated by on-the-ground conditions and only when authorized by the Project Inspector. Planters must stay within 200’ of the non-planting supervisor. The supervisor must work closely enough with the crew to inspect and accept or pass the work done by the crew to ensure contract compliance. The supervisor must correct any error found in the planting process at this time and continually ensure that the planting is done according to contract specifications. |
| C. | The Project Inspectors will run inspection sample plots to ensure contract compliance and to provide the basis for computing the rate of payment and will not supervise the planting crew. |
| D. | The Contractor is responsible for the crew(s) knowing the requirements of the contract including, but not limited to seedling care, proper planting, spacing requirements, unit location, avoidance areas, and scalping techniques. The contractor or the supervisor shall also assure that debris from the crew’s lunches and other breaks is thoroughly cleaned up. (The Project Inspector will not act as a supervisor to the crew.) |
| E. | The Contractor is responsible for maintaining a daily crew manifest or roster for planting operations. All rosters will need to include full legal names of employees and the hours worked each day they are on the job site, including subcontractors and their employees. The manifest will be provided to the government when requested by the COR or CO. The contractor will have 24 hours to provide a manifest if requested during planting operations. |
| F. | All employees must have proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and appropriate protective clothing for the current conditions during planting operations. The contractor and crew supervisor are responsible for the crew(s) preparation, safety, and transportation to and from the worksite. |
PART 7: TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
| A. | Unless otherwise specified, planting tools, materials, and containers for carrying seedlings during planting operations will be of design normally used in seedling or tree planting work. All containers, planting tools and other tools proposed for use by the Contractor must be approved by the COR and the Project Inspector at the pre-work conference. |
| B. | Tools used in scalping may be McCleods, Fire Rakes, Hazel Hoes, or Hoedads. Planting bars, Hoedads, and/or Augers may be used for planting. Only tools capable of opening a hole perpendicular to the ground surface, broken on three sides, and at least 12” deep and 4” wide will be approved for use, unless otherwise authorized by the COR. |
| C. | Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) may be utilized with approval of government official for the use of transporting personnel and seedlings. |
| D. | All travel is restricted to established roads; any off-road travel must be approved by the COR. |
| E. | All vehicles and equipment need to be washed prior to entering the project unit(s), to minimize the introduction of undesirable and/or invasive plant species. |
| F. | Because of the remoteness and harsh terrain in some of the project locations, all vehicles must be 4x4 capable. |
PART 8: PLANTING SAFETY
| A. | All operations shall comply with OSHA and State Safety Standards. |
| B. | Recipients will take all reasonable precautions to provide for safe work conditions. Worker and public safety are foremost within the active areas of work. |
| C. | Field crews will conduct safety briefings at least weekly or whenever site conditions change and warrant a review of work conditions. Briefings will be documented and made available to BLM representatives. |
| D. | All appropriate personal protective equipment for planting operations is required by field workers under this contract and must be always utilized when work is on-going. This is the responsibility of the recipient performing the work. |
| E. | Field crews must have fire extinguishers and shovels on all vehicles while working on the project. |
| F. | Planting units are in remote areas. Cell phone coverage may not accessible. Satellite phone or an emergency SPOT device is required for communicating in emergency situations. |
INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE
PART 1: INSPECTION
| A. | The Government will inspect planting to determine compliance with specifications and to provide the basis for computing the rate of payment. Inspections will consist of observations of seedling storage and handling, site preparation, planting procedures, and examination of individual seedlings on sample plots. The contractor will determine how many seedlings they intend to plant each day and the government will provide those seedlings at the start of each day prior to work beginning. Project Inspectors will also maintain a daily count of seedlings provided to the contractor for planting and will provide that number to the contractor at the end of the work day. |
| B. | The sample plots will be taken throughout the project unit to obtain a representative sample, a minimum of 1 percent sample of the work. A minimum of three plots will be taken on all units. |
| C. | Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract. The Contractor or designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway. |
| D. | Seedlings that are handled in a manner inconsistent with these specifications will be declared “wasted” seedlings and may result in assessment of liquidated damages against the Contractor. |
PART 2: PLANTING QUALITY
| A. | Planting procedures will be observed and planted seedlings on representative sample plots will be examined to assure and measure compliance with specifications. |
| B. | Seedlings will be inspected for the following criteria: alignment, depth, spacing, stem position, firmness, air pockets, and several other factors. The Project Inspector will notify the Contractor of any inconsistencies to ensure compliance is maintained with the contract specifications. |
| C. | A minimum of 25 seedlings will be randomly inspected by the Project Inspector. This check will be performed at least three times during the duration of the project, but as much as necessary, per discretion of the Project Inspector and/or COR, to ensure seedlings are planted correctly. Every inspection will be documented within the contract diary. |
PART 3: PAYMENT
It is understood and agreed that the loss to the Government by lowered planting quality exceeds the amount by which planting quality is lower than 90 percent, and that replanting at a later date will likely be necessary if planting quality is below 80 percent.
A. If the Contractor fails to plant a unit within an acceptable level of quality (90 percent), the Contractor shall, in the place of actual damages, pay to the Government as fixed and agreed liquidated damages as follows for each unit of planted at less than 90 percent quality:
Quality between 80 and 90 percent – Actual quality % below 100 Less than 80 percent quality – Contractor’s bid price for planting for that unit
| B. | Alternatively, if quality of planting falls below 80 percent and is not corrected, the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default clause in this contract and, in that event, the Contractor will be liable for fixed and agreed liquidated damages on all units planted where the planting quality is less than acceptable. In addition to liquidated damages charged for unit planted where the quality is less than acceptable, the Contractor may be assessed actual damages for the remaining units that have not been planted under this contract but that have been terminated. |
| C. | The Contractor shall not be charged with liquidated damages when the unsatisfactory quality of planting arises out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in this contract. |
PART 4: REINSPECTION UPON CONTRACTOR’S REQUEST
| A. | If the original inspection results are unacceptable to the Contractor, a re-inspection may be requested. Requests for re-inspection must be made in writing within five days after receipt of notice of initial inspection results. The same inspection procedure will be used but new plots will be selected. The inspection pattern will be shifted so new inspection plots will not overlap previously inspected plots. |
| B. | Inspection Results Used to Determine Payment: The inspection results of the first examination will be used in determining payment and acceptability if re-inspection results are within 5% of the first inspection. If re-inspection indicates a variance of more than 5% from the first inspection, the results of the second inspection rounded up to the nearest whole percent will be used. |
| C. | Payment for Re-inspection by Contractor: If the results of the re-inspection rounded to the nearest whole percent are within 5 percentage points of the first inspection, the Contractor shall pay the liquidation costs of the re-inspection based on wages and vehicle mileages of the re-inspection crew. |
DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE
PART 1: DELIVERY
| A. | The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within five calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the Notice to Proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and complete the entire work no later than the time specified in the contract, after receipt of Notice to Proceed. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises. |
| B. | At the pre-work conference, the Contractor shall provide to the COR a written “work progress plan” that details their work force and schedule to provide for orderly completion of the work within the contract performance time. This work schedule must be acceptable by the Government. As a minimum, the schedule should reflect a progress rate of work to be completed equal to the expired amount of contract performance time. |
| C. | Work shall progress in accordance with the established schedule as stated in the work progress plan. An average production rate of seedlings planted per calendar day will be required. The average production rate will equal the number of seedlings divided by the total performance time for that item. The production rate will be based on a three or four day average. |
| D. | If the Contractor’s progress falls behind 20 percent of the established work schedule, the Contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated for default if satisfactory progress is not attained within five working days after receipt by the Contractor of a written notice of deficient performance. The Government will have a Project Inspector on the planting site to monitor the Contractor’s progress and skill. |
PART 2: PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
| A. | Planting operations will begin on or after October 3rd, 2022 and as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for survival of planting stock. The count of contract time will start on the date specified on the Notice to Proceed if hand delivered, or on the third day after the post office has issued a notice of certified mail to the Contractor, or when planting commences, whichever is sooner. Failure of the Contractor to pick up certified mail will not be considered an excusable delay. |
| B. | Whenever the Contracting Officer determines that the temperature, humidity, soil moisture, winds or a combination of these and other physical conditions have become unsuitable for seedling survival on any area, the Contractor will move the work force to another area as prescribed by the CO. When no other area is available, the CO will issue a Suspend Work Order for the item(s) and the count of contract time will stop for the item(s). When conditions are again favorable, the CO will issue a verbal Resume Work Order and confirm the verbal in writing. The count of contract time will resume on the day indicated by the CO. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to keep the CO currently advised as to where the Contractor or the Contractor’s representative may be reached by phone during periods of work suspension. If the Contractor cannot be reached by the telephone number provided, or if the Contractor fails to leave a number, written Resume Work Order will be mailed, and the count of contract time will resume on the date specified on the Resume Work Order. |
| C. | Prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed and starting work, the CO or COR will contact the Contractor and mutually agree on a pre-work conference date and location to discuss contract terms and work performance requirements. |
| D. | The Government may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate the Contractor’s right to proceed and declare the Contractor in default for improper disposal of Government furnished shrub seedlings. Improper disposal includes, but is not limited to, the wrongful dumping or burying of seedlings. |
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