Statement_of_Work.pdf

Virgin Islands National Service St. John, Virgin Islands

SCOPE OF WORK

Hassel Islands Grounds, Ruins and Structures -Vegetation and Debris Removal

1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Project Name: Hassel Islands Grounds, Ruins and Structures -Vegetation and

Debris Removal

Project Number:

• 1.1 Scope

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor shall perform the work of this Request for Proposal (RFP) for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below.

All services performed under this RFP shall be performed in accordance with applicable codes, accepted industry standards.

• 1.2 Location

The project is located at the Virgin Islands National Park Service Grounds on the islands of Hassel Island:

• Hassel Islands- Grounds, Ruins and Structures- Vegetation Maintenance and

Debris Removal.

1.3 Description-

• Vegetation Maintenance

• Debris Removal

The work includes:

• Vegetation Maintenance - Bulkhead grounds and ruins, old slipway grounds and ruins, around numerous artifacts and wayside signs. Inside and out of structures to a manicure finish, cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal. Care shall be given to vessels, and anything other feature than can be damage because of work being performed.

• Debris Removal – o Old Skid Steer machine and attachments, o Two conex trailers and its contents, o Contents of abandon house at Careening Cove buildings.

1.4 Vegetation Removal Guidelines from Historic Structures

• Clearing Vegetation Along the Edge of Roads- In clearing along the Park’s road edges by mechanical means we must be mindful to not use this equipment where historic ruins are present. Clearing the road edge at these locations must be done by hand as describe below in Clearing vegetation around historic sites.

• Clearing Historic Park Trails-

Most of the trails on St. John and on Hassel Island are historic roads or very near to historic routes. With that in mind we must ensure that their integrity remains intact just as we would an historic building.

In the park, trails are cleared with hand loppers or clippers and weed whackers where appropriate. The width of a park trail on Hassel Island should be cleared 4 to 6 feet wide. On St. John they are approximately 3 to 4 feet wide. Any vegetation cut in a trail or at historic sites should be cut flush with the ground to avoid any possibility of a trip hazard or body puncture.

• 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 our knowledge and understanding of these historic sites and the landscape that surrounded them.

Safety is of upmost 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 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 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 an 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 with. 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 an historic floor that may not be obvious. Mowers can be used were approved; 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 than 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 herbicide would 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.

In clearing along the Park’s road edges by mechanical means we must be mindful to not use this equipment where historic ruins are present. Clearing the road edge at these locations must be done by hand as describe below in Clearing vegetation around historic sites. Most ruins on the road edge can be found on the one-way loop between Maho Bay and Annaberg.

• 1.5 Requirement

1. Contractor shall verify all areas and measurements prior to submitting of bids.

2. Contractor shall use all safety equipment and procedures; necessary PPE’s and tools to perform work in a safe manner. Signage, cones, safety vest, hard hats etc.

3. Contractor shall remove dead trees in a manner not to damage person and property.

4. Contractor shall remove all debris from site

5. Contractor shall provide a schedule for each location prior to beginning work.

Schedule to include days and time in order to give prior notification to Park personnel and residence at location.

6. Contractor shall receive written approval prior to obligating Park funds and/or resources. This is to include but not limited to notice to proceed, change orders, additional work not outlined in scope of work, etc.

7. No additional work is to be perform unless a written change order is submitted for review and approved to proceed is given in writing to the Contractor.

8. Contractor shall provide all necessary copies of invoice of work performed.

1.6 INFORMATION

NPS Points of Contact:

Deputy Superintendent, Scott Simmons Cell (340) 244-3762 E-mail: scott_simmons@nps.gov

VIIS Program Coordinator, Elsa M. Alvear Cell. (340) 690-9750 Email: telsa_alvear@nps.gov

1.7 FEES AND PAYMENT

A. All travel and any other direct or indirect costs shall be included for the work included in this task order.

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 written task orders.

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

D. Contractor shall upload all approved invoices in the Invoices Processing Platform System, (IPP) for payment.

mailto:scott_simmons@nps.gov mailto:telsa_alvear@nps.gov