Statement_of_Work.pdf

Voyageurs National Park International Falls, MN

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Aquatic Vegetation Removal

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

INTERIOR REGIONS 3, 4, 5

OHIO MAJOR ACQUISITION BUYING OFFICE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Description Page

1. Objectives Page 2

2. Scope of Work Page 2

3. Project Location(s) Page 2

4. Period of Performance Page 2 - 3

5. Safety Page 3

6. Submittals Page 3

7. Materials/Equipment/Personnel Requirements Page 3 - 4

8. Resource Protection Measures Page 4

9. Inspection/Acceptance Page 4

10. Other Unique Requirements Page 4

1. OBJECTIVES

The objective of this project is the mechanical removal of invasive cattail in the bays of large lakes in Voyageurs National Park, MN with the use of vegetation cutter and harvester barge machines and operators for both.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

Work will consist of providing all labor, materials, and equipment necessary for the removal of up to 30.6 acres of aquatic vegetation (Typha x. glauca) mats in designated areas of Rainy and Kabetogama Lakes. A minimum target goal of 11.25 acres to be removed within the Base Year (2024) and Option Year 1, if executed. If Option Year 2 is executed, a minimum target goal of

8.1 acres will be removed. While price per acre may vary, Base and executed Option Years will each have a minimum of $64,000 available per year. Due to the location, type of operations, and scientific nature of the project, two different specialized aquatic vegetation removal machines with operators are required. The first machine is an aquatic vegetation cutter that uses a high horsepower engine to operate large steel cutting blades to effectively chop up the cattail rhizome/rooted material as it grows in thick dense mats over very large areas. The second machine is an aquatic vegetation harvester that collects and transports the chopped vegetation and deposits it on a designated location on shore. These machines are required to operate simultaneously. A minimum one of each machine is required with operators for each machine.

See Section 7 for detailed specification requirements.

3. PROJECT LOCATION(S)

This project will take place in the large bays of Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake in Voyageurs National Park, MN. Limited road access exists and towing of machines will be necessary.

Contractor must provide boat to transport operators and fuel to/from the project site.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Machines and operators will need to be available July 1st – September 30th, however work may be limited to high water periods at the discretion of the COR. This project is being solicited to include a Base Year (2024) with two additional Option Years (2025, 2026), contingent on performance and continued funding. The Government has the Option to exercise each Option Year should it so choose, but it is under no obligation to do so. The exact amount of acreage to be removed will depend on the contractor’s removal efficiency and costs, as well as the total available funding. The minimum target goal if all three Option Years are implemented is 30.6 acres.

Base Year (2024) July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Option Year 1 (2025) July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 Option Year 2 (2026) July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

5. SAFETY

Contractors must follow proper boat safety policies and procedures at all times. See attached VOYA Boat Safety document and Minnesota DNR Boating Guide for more information.

6. SUBMITTALS

Make/model and number of machines to be used (see Technical Questionnaire).

Hourly rate of individual machines (operators and fuel included – see Price Schedule).

Estimated removal rate of dense cattail (i.e. hours/acre – see Technical Questionnaire).

7. MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT/PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Operator Requirements

Experienced operators are required. Machines must be operated by persons familiar with operating these machines in the bays of northern boreal lakes. Rocks, logs, debris, and sensitive wetland ecosystems necessitate experienced operators. Operators must also be capable of identifying native and non-native vegetation and wildlife in the work areas to avoid unnecessary damage to these ecosystems and spreading of invasive species.

Equipment Requirements

Aquatic Vegetation Cutter Aquatic Vegetation Harvester Aquarius Swamp Devil/Cookie Cutter or equivalent Aquarius H220 or equivalent/larger

Flat bottom non-keeled hull Flat bottom non-keeled hull Diesel motor approx. 200 HP or greater Diesel motor approx. 30 HP or greater

Marine grade environmentally safe hydraulic oil

Marine grade environmentally safe hydraulic oil

Balanced steel auger style blades required for Reciprocating cutting heads dense cattail Approx. 5 foot cutting width or greater Approx. 3 foot cutting depth or greater Approx. 250 cubic foot holding capacity or greater Approx. 6 feet discharge distance or greater

Duel independent steel cutting blades Approx. 8 foot cutting width Approx. 3 foot cutting depth

Paddle wheel propulsion

8. RESOURCE PROTECTION MEASURES

Due to potential aquatic invasive species, machines and operators should be sourced as local as possible. Obtaining machines from further distances increases the chance of spreading invasive species even if costly and labor-intensive decontamination processes are completed. See attached document from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for guidance regarding best practices for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

9. INSPECTION/ACCEPTANCE

The contractor will provide an invoice for payment on a monthly schedule, or as agreed upon by both parties. This invoice will need to be approved by the COR as accurate and acceptable before payment will be made.

10. OTHER UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS

Contractor shall maintain commercial liability and insurance coverage for damages and injury to persons or property arising from the work being done in a minimum amount of $1,500,000 and provide proof of coverage.