STRI_SOW_Tree_Removal_Stump_Grinding_5_1_2024.docx

National Park Service Statement of Work

Tree Removal and Stump Grinding

Getty Stones River National Cemetery Murfreesboro, TN

1.0 OBJECTIVE, SCOPE, AND LOCATION

The objective of this contract is the safe dismantling, removal, and disposal of trees and stumps in the Stones River National Cemetery. A total of 18 trees and their stumps are to be removed. After stump grinding, the stump cavities will be backfilled with clean, weed-free imported topsoil. The scope of this contract includes the provision of all labor, materials, equipment, and tools necessary to complete the Work, including remove of all debris in a safe and professional manner, with no collateral damage to any park resources.

The Work identified in this contract is located at 2552 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 within Stones River National Cemetery, a component of Stones River National Battlefield.

Prior to commencement of the Work a site visit will be scheduled for (Date TBD) to ensure that the Contractor and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) visually identify and agree upon the Scope of Work to be accomplished under the contract.

Stones River National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 6,100 Union soldiers killed in the Battle of Stones River, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Civil War. The cemetery receives daily visitors, holds ceremonies, and conducts committal services. Because of the cemetery’s special significance and attention that it receives from the public, strict adherence to contract specifications is essential.

2.0 POINTS OF CONTACT:

· Contractor: (Contractor name & contact TBD)

· Contracting Officer (CO): (CO name & contact TBD)

· Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Adrian Sosa

· NPS Arborist: Keith Park, ISA Certified Arborist # WE-9928A

3.0 GENERAL

a) Work Identification – trees to be removed and their stumps to be ground are marked on a map in Attachment A, and individually tagged or otherwise identified by park staff prior to contractor arrival and commencement of the Work.

b) Wildlife - all trees identified for work will be surveyed for the absence of nesting birds or other wildlife by qualified park staff within one week prior to the commencement of Work, unless the Work is scheduled outside of nesting season in which case no survey may be needed. If occupied bird nests or nested cavities are encountered during the Work the Contractor shall cease work in that tree and notify the COR immediately. Trees identified in the contract known to harbor active beehives will be rendered safe by the park prior to the commencement of Work.

c) Safety Standards - all workers shall comply with Federal, State and Local safety requirements. The Contractor and all workers in their employ shall be familiar with and conform to the ANSI Z.133.1-2017 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations, and when applicable the ANSI A300-2017 Standards for Tree Care Practices.

d) Worksite - all roads, paths, and sidewalks must be left clear of materials and debris at the end of each workday.

e) Traffic Control: The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades, danger signals, detour, and other signs, and take all necessary precautions for the protection of the Work and safety of the public. All such barricades and signs shall be in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD, 2003 Edition, as published by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

f) Resource Damage: The Contractor shall preserve and protect all existing vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and turf areas (on or adjacent to trees being removed) which do not reasonably interfere with the Work. The Contractor shall be responsible for all unauthorized cutting or damage to trees and shrubs, including damage due to careless operation of equipment, stockpiling of materials, or rutting of turf and other surfaced areas by equipment. Such damaged areas or materials shall be restored, repaired, or replaced by the Contractor at the discretion of the COR and at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor will be held responsible for any damages to, and for maintenance and protection of existing structures and utilities. The Contractor will be required to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment for cleanup and restoration of all disturbed areas or features, which have been damaged during the course of this contract.

g) Dignity Clause: Every action by Contractor personnel at a National Cemetery must be performed with special care and respect to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of service members and their families for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Contractor employees of burials in the vicinity of the Work. The utmost care must be given to burials and grave markers that identify those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.

4.0 SCHEDULE

a) Work is to be performed during the hours of (8:00am – 4:00pm), Monday through Friday. No work is to be performed on Saturday or Sunday or on federally recognized holidays (unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer 72 Hours ahead of date of work).

b) Period of Performance shall begin upon issuance of each task order and end ninety (90) days thereafter.

c) Once the Contractor begins work on a specific task under this contract, they are expected to be on the job site each workday until that effort is complete, weather permitting.

d) Work shall be scheduled and arranged so as not to interfere with normal activities of the park such as cemetery burials, memorials, ranger-led tours scheduled at various hours of the day or any special tours or visiting groups. Advanced notice will be given to the Contractor if a conflict is expected to divert from a prearranged schedule. Any plant debris, personnel or equipment that would interfere with any NPS sponsored or NPS permitted activity or event shall be removed prior to the activity. If, at any time, the COR determines that the work is unsatisfactory or is being conducted in an unsafe manner, the Contractor will be notified and shall immediately cease all work activities.

e) The Stones River National Cemetery is closed to new burials but occasionally conducts secondary interments into existing graves. If notified by the COR, contract personnel will stop (cease) all work in the area where an interment is taking place. As a general "rule-of-thumb", work should not take place within 1,000 feet of an ongoing committal service or ceremony. The Site Manager will re-direct work throughout the rest of the cemetery so that productive use of labor and equipment is assured, and downtime is avoided. If the Contractor fails to re-direct employees away from an event in a timely manner, the COR may then do so.

5.0 DELIVERABLES

Within five (5) days of award, Contractor shall provide the following:

1. Safety and Accident Prevention Plan (sec. 11c below)

2. Proof of Arborist Certification

3. OSHA 10 Certification

4. Insurance Certificate

6.0 INSPECTION/ACCEPTANCE

a) The NPS reserves the right to conduct any inspection it may deem necessary prior to acceptance and approval of payment, to ensure that all work conforms to the Statement of Work and any applicable standards, regulations, or laws.

7.0 OPERATIONS

Tree Removal

a) Tree removal: the Contractor shall carefully remove 18 trees, as indicated in Attachment A. Trees are located within the cemetery, with the exception of one tree, which is located immediately south of the Maintenance Building, adjacent to the cemetery.

b) Resource Protection: rigging equipment and systems that conform to ANSI Z133.1-2017 sec. 8.5 Rigging standards shall be used to dismantle any tree or tree parts within potential reach of targets or areas containing monuments, grave markers, walls, or other resources to avoid damage from impacts by falling tree parts. In these areas the severed portion of the tree must be under control at all times, and no felling or “cut and chuck” of large diameter limbs or trunk shall occur where sensitive resources are targets. Resource protection measures such as cribbing, or plywood shall be implemented to protect all nearby resources from falling or flying debris. Felling of whole trees or tall tree trunks in high target areas is not permitted without the express permission of the COR. Contractor personnel shall not lean, sit, or stand on or against grave markers or monuments. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on grave markers or monuments.

c) Tree Protection: when ascending a tree on ropes, unless that tree is to be removed, climbing arborists shall utilize friction-saving devices over any main points of attachment to prevent abrasion damage to the limb. Climbing spikes, spurs or gaffs may be used for tree removals only, but will NOT be permitted on any tree to be pruned, rather than removed.

d) Heavy Equipment: lift equipment such as cranes, bucket trucks, boom lifts, scissor lifts, or “spider” lifts will be permitted at the discretion of the COR based on the conditions on the ground and the location of the tree. All heavy lift equipment, trucks, chippers, or stump grinders that are driven or used on turf or bare soil shall require the laying down of COR-approved plastic mats or equivalent material approved by the COR to prevent soil compaction and rutting of park property. Any ruts or soil damage created by insufficient equipment mitigation measures will be filled in completely by the Contractor at no extra cost to the Government. Pneumatic tires or tracked equipment are required and pavement protection for vehicles over 10,000 GVW is required in sensitive areas. Sensitive areas include turf areas, habitat areas, or any surface area identified by the COR. Ground protection devices such as industry-standard track mats or ¾” plywood shall be utilized for any equipment driven onto sensitive areas.

e) Debris Management: all woody debris generated in the course of the completion of this contract shall be removed from the site and legally disposed of by the Contractor unless otherwise directed by the COR. To mitigate the spread of any exotic pests such as emerald ash borer any trunks, logs, or branches from removed ash trees shall be disposed of in accordance with local state and county department of agriculture protocols and not transported beyond established quarantine areas. All hung tree limbs must be placed on the ground as soon as possible but no later than the end of each workday. Any additional tree or debris management incidental to the removal of trees or pruning identified in this contract shall be included in the Work at no additional cost to the Government.

Stump Grinding

f) Stumps and large roots: Contractor shall carefully grind, to a depth of 4”-8” below grade, 18 stumps of the trees removed, as specified in Attachment A and any sizeable above-ground roots connected to each stump. Stumps are located within the cemetery, with the exception of one stump, which is located immediately south of the Maintenance Building, adjacent to the cemetery. Care shall be taken to only grind woody tree parts (stump and roots) while avoiding unnecessary contact with adjacent soil. All chips generated from stump grinding are to be raked up and removed and the stump cavity filled with approved topsoil, as directed by the COR. The topsoil shall be raked level to match the adjacent grade.

g) Archaeological monitoring: stump grinding operations requires the presence of an archaeological monitor. An archeological monitor shall be provided for the duration of the stump grinding operation at no extra cost to the Contractor. If monitoring reveals any resources of archaeological value, the Monitor shall halt the stump grinding at that location and immediately notify the COR. Once the resources have been assessed stump grinding may continue with permission of the COR.

8.0 USE OF PARK FACILITIES

a) The Government will provide limited storage and shop area. Space offered will be in as-is" condition. Prior to making any modifications or alterations to the space, Contractor shall obtain written approval from the COR. Any such modifications or alterations shall be at the expense of the Contractor. Upon completion of the contract, the facility shall be returned to the government in the same condition as received at the expense of the Contractor, except for reasonable wear and tear.

b) Only the Contractor’s equipment, supplies and property necessary to perform work under this contract shall be stored at the Contractor's designated storage area at the end of each workday. No maintenance or repair of Contractor equipment shall be conducted on NPS property without the COR s written approval.

c) Contractor employees may park privately owned vehicles in the area designated for parking by the COR.

9.0 PROTECTION OF PARK PROPERTY

a) Work must be completed without damage to any landscape features or resources, such as earthworks, monuments, grave markers, walls, fences, irrigation, signage, road, trails, pathways, trees not to be removed, or other property. The Contractor will be financially liable to the park for any costs incurred as a result of repairing and/or replacing any of the aforementioned items or for the value of the item as assessed by a qualified NPS resource specialist.

b) Operations resulting in depressions in the soil greater than ½ inch shall cease until conditions change or a plan to mitigate for the damage is agreed on with the COR. Skidding of logs will not be permitted. No work shall be allowed for at least a 24-hour period following a rain accumulation of one-quarter (1/4) inch or more during the proceeding 24-hour period. After any work stoppage, it will be the responsibility of the COR to determine when work may re-commence. CO, COR, and Contractor will coordinate together on any extension of time in the period of performance lost due to any unforeseen work stoppage.

c) All vehicles and other heavy equipment involved in the completion of this contract will be restricted to roads, parking areas, and road shoulders unless given case-specific permission by the COR.

d) All vehicles should be equipped with absorptive pads while on park property in order to quickly contain any spills of fuel, oil, or hydraulic fluid. Immediate action shall be taken by the Contractor and/or their workers on site to contain, absorb, and/or clean up any spills of equipment fluids or other possibly toxic substances. Any such spills must be reported to the COR as soon as is safely possible who will in turn notify the park safety officer and facility manager.

10.0 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

a) All work shall be under the on-site direction and supervision of a Certified Arborist who possesses verifiable experience and technical competence in tree physiology, identification, diagnosis of disorders, and current tree care and safety practices in accordance with accepted industry standards.

b) The Certified Arborist must have not less than three (3) years of experience as a direct supervisor of a tree maintenance operation that has included large tree removal, tree pruning, and stump grinding/removal in industrial, commercial, or public sites and must be certified by International Society of Arboriculture.

c) The Arborist shall be the primary contact with the COR on site and shall be responsible for directing work in the field, controlling the quality of work, and inspecting all completed work to ensure that contract performance requirements are met.

d) All workers shall, through verifiable related training and on the job experience, be familiar with the technical aspects and hazards of tree removal and stump grinding and the use of equipment used in such operations. All workers shall abide by any code of ethics of professional conduct established by the Tree Care Industry Association and the International Society of Arboriculture

11.0 SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM

a) The Contractor shall be responsible for employee and visitor safety on the work site and shall establish an effective accident prevention. Report to the COR any and all accidents or injuries that occur. Employ all required protective barriers and take all necessary measures to assure unauthorized persons do not enter the work site. Assure there are no hazards to park visitors during execution of the work.

b) The Contractor shall possess and maintain all necessary insurance, licenses, and permits required for contract performance. Contractor is responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his/her employees’ fault or negligence and shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of (state name).

c) ACCIDENT PREVENTION PLAN: Before on-site work begins, submit to the COR for acceptance an accident prevention plan containing at minimum the following information:

1. EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS: Post telephone numbers and reporting instructions for ambulance, physician, hospital, fire department, and police in conspicuous locations at the work site.

2. Name of responsible Arborist or Supervisor to carry out the program.

3. Emergency Planning - Planning for possible emergency situations including fires, windstorms, lighting storms etc.

4. All operations shall be conducted in accordance with ANSI Z133.1-2017 Safety Requirements for Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush and all Federal OSHA, state, and local safety requirements.

5. First aid procedures - Provide adequate facilities for the number of employees and the type of construction at the site. Provide adequate training to ensure prompt and efficient first aid.

6. Training - Ensure that all employees have adequate training for the tasks that they perform.

7. Housekeeping - Keep project site in a clean, neat, and safe condition at all times.

8. All workers under Contractor’s employ will wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and sturdy work boots. Gloves shall fit tight to the wrist, no “gauntlet style” gloves shall be worn during chipping operations.

9. The Contractor is responsible for all traffic and pedestrian control, including but not limited to signage, and or flagger when working on or adjacent to on roads, or sidewalks. Designated flaggers are required when working over a road and sidewalks.

10. The Contractor shall comply in rectifying all unsafe or unhealthy conditions called to his/her attention by the COR.

11. The Contractor shall allow for formal or informal, announced, or unannounced, safety inspections at the worksite.

12. All tools and equipment used on any project must meet all OSHA regulations.

13. There will be no smoking in or around any building, smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.

14. Drug and alcohol use while on the site will not be tolerated, Contractor shall ensure no workers are under the influence during work hours on the site.

12.0 BID FORMAT:

a) Prior to the bid deadline, the Park will host an open house to show bidders the project areas and locations of trees and shrubs specified in Attachment A.

b) The Contractor will provide a cost estimate for the Work in Attachment A, which includes pruning, lightning protection installation, cabling installation, planting, tree removal, stump grinding, and debris removal.

c) Contractor will be evaluated based on ability to meet requirements stated above in item number 2, past performance, and lowest price.

13.0 CONTRACTOR PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Contractor must submit the invoice after completion of work. Upon Government acceptance of work, payment shall be made to Contractor.

14.0 TECHNICAL COORDINATION:

The Contracting Officer’s Representative for this action is the park’s Facility Management Operations Specialist

Adrian Sosa Supervisory Facility Management Operations Specialist Stones River National Battlefield 3501 Old Nashville Highway Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Ph: 907-315-9858 E-mail adrian_sosa@nps.gov

15.0 ADDRESS FOR DELIVERABLES:

Adrian Sosa Supervisory Facility Management Operations Specialist Stones River National Battlefield 3501 Old Nashville Highway Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Ph: 907-315-9858 E-mail adrian_sosa@nps.gov

ATTACHMENT A:

“STRI National Cemetery Tree Removal Stump Grinding Map.pdf” image1.jpeg