Attachment 00 PWS Annex F - Grounds Maintenance 2020-May-04 UPDATED.pdf

Annex F

Grounds

Maintenance

04 May 2020

Table of Contents

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Overview

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

2.1 Scope

2.2 Service High Visibility Areas

2.2.1 Mowing

2.2.2 Edging

2.2.3 Trimming

2.2.4 Fertilizing and Liming

2.2.5 Seeding and Sodding

2.2.6 Maintain Flower Beds

2.2.7 Weed Control

2.2.8 Remove Debris, Leaves, and Litter

2.2.9 Service/Maintain Trees

2.2.10 Hedge and Shrub Maintenance

2.2.11 Irrigation

2.2.12 Service/Maintain Xeriscape Areas

2.2.13 Athletic Fields Grounds Maintenance

2.2.14 Special Services

2.3 Service Common Areas

2.4 Service Fire Breaks and Ranges

2.5 Service Unimproved Areas

2.6 Service Specialized Locations

2.7 Other Special Services

2.8 Special Equipment Requirements

3.0 WORK CAPABILITY LEVELS ................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

1.0 General Information.

1.1 Overview. The Contractor shall inspect, service, maintain, and landscape grounds of installations assigned and reassigned to the USAG-RP. The work shall include scheduling and performance of mowing and trimming; turf replacement;

leaf and debris removal; tree, hedge, and shrub planting, maintenance, irrigation, and fertilization; policing of areas; tree and stump removal, and other associated work as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (ACOR). The Contractor shall provide all work necessary to maintain the grounds to the standards specified herein. The Contractor shall provide for tree preservation and protection during all maintenance and construction activities.

2.0 Description of Services.

2.1 Scope. The Contractor shall provide Grounds Maintenance for all High Visibility (Improved Grounds), Common Areas (Semi-Improved Grounds), Fire Breaks and Ranges, and Unimproved Grounds. The Contractor shall ensure all work accomplished maintains and presents a healthy, clean, neat, and professional appearance to all grounds included and covered by this contract in support of mission requirements for users, residents, and visitors. The Contractor shall mow grass only when the minimum height is reached or exceeded. The Contractor shall replace any new trees or shrubs planted that die within one (1) year, at no cost to the Government. All work shall be performed by personnel qualified in accordance with (IAW) applicable laws, regulations.

The Contractor shall inspect, maintain, repair, and provide policing of grounds and playgrounds of the installations in accordance with Host Nation requirements and Army regulations. At a minimum, the on-site tree trimming supervisor will have a certificate of training as a European Tree Worker (Fachagrarwirt Baumpflege) or possess a similar certificate of training at specialized classes for tree trimming according to ZTV Baumpflege. The Contractor shall perform a program of inspection, testing, installation, modification, transplanting, irrigation, fertilization, maintenance, and repair of improved grounds, structures, appurtenances, improvements, and vegetation on U.S. installations and in areas listed in the Technical Exhibits. The Contractor shall submit updates of applicable Technical Exhibits to the COR for approval, as required. For improved grounds areas, the Contractor shall provide grass cutting and trimming, tree and bush trimming, grounds repair, debris removal, landscaping maintenance, removal of grass clippings and leaves, periodic lawn treatment, and tree removal services. All grounds maintenance should include measures to improve the overall appearance of the community while reducing the cost of the next maintenance cycle (for example, mowing grass and removing fallen tree limbs and other debris during a single trip). The Contractor shall monitor weather conditions and adjust the grounds maintenance accordingly. Non-established vegetation should be watered as necessary during extended periods of hot, dry weather. After a wind or thunderstorm, the Contractor shall survey the developed installation areas and adjust their maintenance schedule to restore the grounds as necessary. (TE-0075A Through to TE-0075U; TE-0080A Through to

TE-0080B)

2.2 Service High Visibility Areas. Developed areas of the installation that require an intensive level of maintenance. The work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall include mowing grass, edging and trimming grass, removing grass trimmings from paved areas, irrigating, aerating lawn areas, applying fertilizer and/or lime, maintaining athletic fields, plants, shrubs, and flowers, performing seasonal planting of plants and flowers, removing leaves, applying mulch, pruning trees, removing grass from cracks in sidewalks and pavements, and litter control.

2.2.1 Mowing. High Visibility Areas are indicated in the Installation Grounds Maps referenced in Ground Maintenance Maps provided. The Contractor shall remove trash, litter, tree limbs, debris, etc., prior to mowing. Paved areas and walkways shall be free of lawn clippings/debris the same day the mowing is performed. The Contractor shall mulch mow the grass and remove visible grass clippings after mowing, before leaving the work area. The lawn shall be uniform in appearance, free of skips, gaps, rutting, or scalping. The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage incurred as a result of grass cutting operations. All grass cutting operations performed on the parade fields are defined in the drawings referenced in Ground Maintenance Maps. Historically, the mowing schedule shall be as follows:

(1) Clear Zones. Vegetation 3.6 meters outside, if within the U.S. boundary, and three meters inside of perimeter fences shall be cut as scheduled.

(2) Ammo Storage Magazines (Igloos). Vegetation in front, on the slopes, on top, and one meter away from the bottom of the slopes of the igloos shall be cut as scheduled.

(3) Runoff Ditches. Ditches will be mowed as scheduled, regardless of height, unless otherwise instructed by the COR.

(4) Road Shoulders. Vegetation up to three meters on either side of surfaced roads shall be cut as scheduled.

(5) Interior Fences. All interior fences that do not border improved or semi-improved grounds will be cleared of all vegetation, up to one meter on either side of the fence, as scheduled.

2.2.1.1 Mowing Standards. The Contractor shall mow grassed areas to ensure a healthy, neat, clean, and even cut as well as a visually attractive mowing pattern. During the mowing of the grass, the Contractor shall not damage trees, shrubs, real property, or personal property, or cause erosion. After mowing is performed, vegetation shall be trimmed to present a uniform appearance, as necessary. Any damage to the trees, shrubs, real property, or personal property shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to replace or repair at no cost to the Government. The Contractor shall perform soil testing and sampling of bare grass areas as requested by the COR. Ordinarily, improved grounds shall be mowed as scheduled in order to maintain a height between 5 cm – 10 cm, unless described otherwise below. All mowing shall not impair the health of the grass. The Contractor shall maintain grass according to specific standards for the following areas:

(1) Clear Zones. Clear zones shall be cut to a height of 7 cm (+/- 2 cm). Prior to mowing, the clear zones shall be cleared of all debris, and the ground topography should be re-established as necessary.

(2) Fire Breaks. Vegetation 15 meters around outdoor storage pads, and ammunition maintenance facilities, containing ammunition and explosives, and three meters around water ponds, transformer stations, and ammunition maintenance buildings shall be cut to a height of 7 cm (+/- 2 cm).

(3) Airfields (Helipads). Vegetation within three meters on either side of active taxiways and parking aprons shall be cut to a height of 7 cm (+/- 2 cm).

(4) Runoff Ditches. Side slopes and bottom surfaces of runoff ditches shall be maintained to a maximum height of 20 cm.

Man-made ditches are to be cleaned at the same intervals and vegetation must be cut back, not to exceed 1 cm in height.

Cut vegetation shall be removed from the ditch to prevent clogging of culverts, inlets, etc. Ditch vegetation mowing should be replaced with storm drainage maintenance when required.

(5) Road Shoulders. Road shoulders shall be cut to a height of 7 cm (+/- 2 cm). The Contractor shall grade shoulders to maintain a smooth transition from the pavement to the shoulder. Grass areas shall be reseeded after grading.

(6) Paved Areas and Parking Lots. Grass and all other weeds shall be cut or removed from paved areas and gravel parking lots.

(7) Sports fields. Sports fields shall be maintained to a height of 5 cm (+/- 2 cm).

2.2.2 Edging. The Contractor shall edge to present a neat appearance. Edging responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, flowerbeds, mulched areas, sidewalks, driveways, street edges, curbs, and other concrete (except against asphalt edges) located in the Improved Grounds. Edging includes the removal of all grass or weeds sprouting from cracks in sidewalks, pavement, and curb joints. The Contractor shall collect and dispose of all edging debris the same day edging is performed.

2.2.3 Trimming. The Contractor shall, in conjunction with grass cutting, trim grass and weeds around trees, shrubs, buildings, fences, poles, posts, fire hydrants, parking lot bumper blocks, boulders, and all other fixed objects that project above the ground so grass height is maintained consistent with adjacent grass. The Contractor shall remove all trimming debris from sidewalks and driveways on the same day trimming is performed.

The Contractor shall repair any damages to trees and shrubs caused by trimming. If a plant damaged by trimming dies or becomes unhealthy, the Contractor shall replace the damaged plant with a plant of the same size and type at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall provide a one (1) year warranty on all replacement trees and shrubs. Tree and shrub replacements shall be performed within fifteen (15) days of the date the Contractor is notified to replace the plant.

2.2.4 Fertilizing and Liming.

2.2.4.1 Fertilizing and Liming. The Contractor shall apply commercial, N-P-K granular fertilizer and pulverized agricultural lime to High Visibility Areas and shall be applied IAW the manufacturer’s recommendation.

2.2.5 Seeding and Sodding.

2.2.5.1 Seeding. Areas damaged by disease, wild animals, vehicular traffic removal of trees or bushes, erosion, construction or excessive use (including sports fields) shall be reseeded and resodded IAW DIN 18320 as required to match existing grounds. Bare grass areas shall be restored and reseeded and soil conditions improved. All stones and rubbish that appear on the surfaces shall be removed. The areas shall be seeded after grading and sufficiently watered to promote growth IAW the DIN standards. Areas damaged by disease, vehicular traffic, removal of trees and bushes, and erosion or construction shall be restored and reseeded as approved by the COR to match the existing grass. The type of grass seed to be used is to be based upon the amount of shade and soil analysis by approved testing methods. The Contractor shall perform additional grading, drainage, erosion repair, restoration, stabilization, reestablishment of ground cover, and soil sampling and testing at the COR’s request. The Contractor shall repair damaged lawn areas by excavating unsuitable material, backfilling with shredded topsoil, leveling and seeding and maintaining adjacent turf areas IAW with the Work Capability Levels table.

2.2.5.2 Hydroseeding. Reserved

2.2.5.3 Sodding. The Contractor shall remove turf and excavate, prepare soil, provide, place and water sod and surrounding turf as necessary, and manicure the sodded area.

2.2.5.4 Aerating and Over seeding. The Contractor shall perform core aeration of all turf within High Visibility areas as identified in the Work Capability Levels table. All areas shall be aerated with complete coverage and the cores shall remain on site. The Contractor shall aerate annually during periods of optimum soil moisture. The Contractor shall seed using a no till drill. Seed shall be inserted without disturbing the existing vegetative cover. Seeding shall be performed immediately after mowing to facilitate use of equipment.

2.2.6 Maintain Flower Beds. The Contractor shall maintain indigenous flower/planting beds semi-annually. The Contractor shall maintain only low maintenance and indigenous flowering species. The Contractor shall fertilize, weed, mulch, water, add compost, and till. The Contractor shall remove all annual plants, add compost, and mulch flowerbeds annually prior to planting new seasonal flowers. Leaf/grass compost and shredded hardwood bulk mulch from the Yard Waste Compost Facility shall be used.

2.2.7 Weed Control. Growth such as grass on the curbing, on the paved area, including bordering curbstones, shall be removed during the growing season. This includes plants growing from adjacent planted areas onto the pavement.

Ornamental plants growing onto paved areas shall not be removed but be cut back to stop interference. The Contractor shall dispose of debris immediately and properly in accordance with Host Nation and local laws.

2.2.8 Remove Debris, Leaves, and Litter. The Contractor’s responsibilities shall include the removal and disposal of all natural debris, (e.g., tree limbs, rodent habitats, etc.) litter, and trash. Leaves shall be removed from High Visibility Areas.

Organic debris such as leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings, stumps, Christmas trees, and pine straw shall be disposed.

The Contractor shall collect and dispose woody debris after pruning and removal of trees or stumps. The Contractor shall mechanically chip tree limbs less than four (4) inches in diameter, transport, and dispose. The Contractor shall, with approval of the COR and Federal Forest, remove and dispose limbs and trunks greater than four (4) inches in diameter off post. The Contractor shall remove and haul wood chips off the installation as required.

2.2.9 Service/Maintain Trees. The Contractor shall service all trees annotated in the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Urban Trees Database. Trees that become diseased or die shall be removed and replaced with like trees. Trees that are installed shall be caliper. The Contractor shall trim and maintain trees within the installations in accordance with ZTV Baumpflege (Zusätzliche Technische Vertragsbedingungen und Richtlinien für Baumpflege) Baumschutzsatzung and the German

Nature Protection Law (Naturschutzgesetz). Work shall include but not be limited to removal of dead or decayed branches; repair of damage due to severe weather or vandalism; trimming branches to within two meters of any roof gutter; and shaping of young trees. Trees in forested areas, or otherwise not falling under one of these conditions, shall not be pruned or trimmed without prior COR approval. The Contractor shall water, fertilize, and anchor trees as necessary to promote optimum appearance and growth. Trees shall be pruned and trimmed during the dormant season in conformance with DIN 18919. Trimmings shall be collected, transported and disposed, or shredded. Trimming in public areas shall be in accordance with a list, which will be provided yearly by the COR. Individual trees (avenue type planting located along roads or walkway trees planted in and around facilities or in a park type environment) are part of the requirement and shall be pruned and/or trimmed up to a height of three meters, so new growth coming out of the tree trunk (if any) is cut back. Limbs shall be trimmed as follows:

(1) From high-tension power lines (voltage equal to or above 1,000 volts): 2.0 m vertically/2.0 m horizontally.

(2) From low-tension power lines (voltage below 1,000 volts): 2.0 m vertically/2.0 m horizontally.

(3) From railroads: 5.5 m vertically/2.5 m horizontally. (4) From streets: 6.0 m vertically/2.0 m horizontally.

(5) From fences in clear zones: 3.0 m vertically (measured from the fence top)/3.0 m inside fence horizontally/3.6 m outside fence horizontally.

(6) From fire breaks: 3.0 m vertically/15.0 m horizontally.

The Contractor shall plant trees, shrubs, hedges, plants, and grasses. The Contractor shall water, fertilize, and anchor trees as necessary to promote optimum appearance and growth. The Contractor is responsible for all new plantings. Dead and diseased plants must be replaced by the Contractor as part of the planting guaranty (Anwachsgarantie).

2.2.9.1 Perform Mechanical Tree Spading and Transplanting. The Contractor shall perform mechanical tree spading and transplanting of tree.

2.2.9.2 Tree Mulching. Reserved

2.2.9.3 Tree Fertilization. The Contractor shall fertilize all trees, including saplings, medium to mature trees, and other trees. The Contractor shall apply sufficient fertilizer to maintain the health of the trees.

2.2.9.4 Tree Pruning. During the period of October - February, the Contractor shall trim all tree limbs which are damaged, unsightly, or present unsafe conditions, and remove all associated debris. Pruning shall be accomplished IAW ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001, Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Pruning) and ANSI Z133.1-2006, Arboricultural Operations – Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush – Safety Requirements, or the most current approved update. Injured trees shall be repaired and trimmed in accordance with a Government list, as part of the PMP. Tree injury repair shall be in conformance with DIN 18919.

2.2.9.5 Tree Removal and Replacement.

The Contractor shall remove dead trees and trees that are a hazard or nuisance because of location (for example, near electric lines or roads) as authorized by the German Federal Forestry Officer for the respective local district. The Contractor shall remove dead wood from trees, debris left by forest work or treatment, and remove dead trees under the supervision of a trained gardener, as requested by the COR. The Contractor shall remove debris daily and haul it to an approved dumping site. Tree cutting and stump removal and disposal, to include chipping and shredding, shall be performed as requested by the COR. Cut trees and stumps shall be disposed in accordance with clean up and disposal standards specified in this PWS.

The Contractor shall inspect for dead, damaged, and diseased trees within High Visibility Areas and provide a written report to the COR/ACOR within five (5) working days of the end of each month in the format to be provided(Deliverable 0091A).

The report shall identify by species, size, class, and location of all hazardous trees, insects, and disease problems that require immediate attention and a specific plan of action for corrections. Dead trees to be removed and new replacement plantings shall be identified on an approved site plan. The Contractor shall paint an “X” on the trunks of trees to be removed.

All tree removals and the associated schedules shall be approved by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Environmental and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) prior to implementation. All debris shall be removed within ten (10) calendar days of tree removal and damaged area shall be raked, leveled and seeded.

The Contractor shall replace trees, shrubs, or other plants lost or permanently damaged by any act IAW DIN 18916.

Dead, diseased, or dismembered plants shall be replaced with the appropriate species and shall be maintained weed-free. The Contractor shall replace plant species in accordance with the species list provided to the COR.

2.2.9.5.1 Emergency Tree Removal. When removal of a tree, or part thereof, is required to eliminate a safety hazard or restore traffic flow, the Contractor shall accomplish the action within two (2) hours of notification by the COR/ACOR.

2.2.9.5.2 Reforestation. Reseved

2.2.9.6 Tree Injury Repair. Injured trees shall be repaired and trimmed in accordance with a Government list, as part of the PMP. Tree injury repair shall be in conformance with DIN 18919. Dead, diseased, or dismembered plants shall be replaced with the appropriate species and shall be maintained weed- free. The Contractor shall replace plant species in accordance with the species list provided to the COR.

2.2.10 Hedge and Shrub Maintenance.

2.2.10.1 Hedge and Shrub Mulching. Reserved

2.2.10.2 Hedge and Shrub Fertilization. The Contractor shall fertilize all hedges and shrubs. Fertilizer shall be incorporated into the surface area around shrubs, which are to receive applications of granular fertilizer. The Contractor shall apply sufficient fertilizer to maintain the health of hedges and shrubs.

2.2.10.3 Hedge and Shrub Pruning.

The Contractor shall maintain and prune hedges and shrubs. Hedges and shrubs shall be free of dead limbs. Hedge trimming shall be performed IAW the Work Capability Levels table. All clippings, branches and debris resulting from hedge and shrub trimming and pruning shall be removed the same day work is accomplished. All young hedges and shrubs shall be pruned properly during the vegetation season, and according to the requirements of the plant species. The Contractor shall cut, remove, and properly dispose of dry and damaged branches. Damaged and deteriorated shrubs shall be maintained in accordance with acceptable standards. The Contractor shall replant or replace removed shrubs with like species. Visibility shall be maintained at all times for sidewalks, crossings, railroads, and traffic signs for safety reasons.

Maintenance of hedges and shrubs for aesthetic reasons shall be done.

2.2.11 Irrigation. Reserved

2.2.11.1 Operation of Irrigation Systems. Reserved

2.2.11.2 Maintenance of Irrigation Systems. Reserved

2.2.12 Service/Maintain Xeriscape Areas. The Contractor shall ensure xeriscape areas, those that require little or no irrigation, are maintained. The Contractor shall ensure the xeriscape areas are healthy and clean; free of debris, litter and weeds. The Contractor shall identify High Visibility Areas that can be replaced with various types of gravel, mulch, drought tolerant trees, shrubs and grass turf indigenous to this climate, including providing steel or concrete edging.

2.2.13 Athletic Fields Grounds Maintenance. The Contractor shall maintain athletic fields, including baseball, softball, multi-purpose and other recreational/athletic fields, IAW the Work Capability Levels table.

The Contractor shall maintain and improve established turf areas. Lawn treatment shall include, but is not limited to, aeration, fertilization, over seeding, sodding, weed control, dehatching, and scarification. The Contractor shall fertilize grass areas as required to promote green, healthy, and uniformly weed-free lawns. Sports fields shall be fertilized as necessary using a slow release fertilizer. Additional grounds shall be fertilized and lawn treatments shall be performed according to the Contractor's COR-approved PMP. The Contractor shall replace softball infield brick dust at a measurement of 4 cm every October and leveled in the beginning of May. The Contractor shall cut the infield lip (the area where the infield transitions to the outfield) every other year. The Contractor shall deeply aerate the fields with top sanding in the springtime prior to re-seeding, and the field shall be compacted. Compacted soil in sports fields shall be aerated in conformance with DIN 18919. The holes shall be filled with sand, grain size 0.4 mm. Additional grounds will be aerated at the request of the COR. Sports fields shall be thatched (vertical) as necessary in conformance with DIN 18919. Additional grounds shall be thatched. Tamped and sanded areas shall be re-leveled to finish design grade. Holes or depressions shall be filled with “brick-sand for athletic-fields 0.3 mm.” Areas shall be rolled and compacted. Areas may be irrigated as necessary to achieve compaction. Vegetation growing in those tamped or sanded areas shall completely be removed, to include the root systems.

2.2.14 Special Services. The Contractor shall provide additional services as necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to, Very Important Person (VIP) visits, retreats, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and open houses. The Contractor shall provide extra labor and equipment to service pre-identified locations within the High Visibility and Common Areas beyond the normal grounds maintenance. The COR/ACOR will notify the Contractor of special service requirements NLT forty-eight (48) hours prior to the event. The Contractor shall coordinate special service requirements with the existing grounds maintenance schedule.

2.2.14.1 Upon receiving direction from the COR/ACOR, the Contractor shall complete work prior to the event. In the event the Contractor must deviate from their schedule to meet special event requirements, the Contractor shall do so at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall be authorized/entitled one (1) additional duty day to return to their normal operations. Furthermore, the Contractor will not be held accountable for any unsatisfactory performance results, on a quality assurance inspection or complaint, due to KO-directed schedule change(s), until such point when the Contractor resumes normal operations.

2.3 Service Common Areas. Semi-Improved Grounds used for operational and maintenance purposes. Erosion control shall be the predominant grounds maintenance work performed in this area by the Contractor.

2.4 Service Fire Breaks and Ranges. These are acreage on which periodic recurring maintenance shall be performed.

Activities include mowing for life, health, safety, security; brush control, erosion control, dust control, and drainage maintenance. Brush control, including prescribed burning and plowing to reduce fire risks in order to mitigate injuries from wildlife or damage to real property. The Contractor shall maintain drainage and sustain non-impact area range berms, real property facilities (excluding impact areas) on the ranges and training areas. Ranges include maneuver and training land, live-fire ranges, and other field training sites but shall exclude all impact areas. The Contractor shall obtain from the COR/ACOR schedules for periodic recurring maintenance activities on ranges during the available timeframes, in compliance with the installation Range Facilities Management Support System (RFMSS). In the event the Contractor deviates from the COR/ACOR provided schedule, the Contractor shall do so at no additional cost to the Government.

2.5 Service Unimproved Areas. Reserve

2.6 Service Specialized Locations. Reserve

2.7 Other Special Services. Reserve

2.7.1 Refuge and Nature Trail Maintenance. Reserve

2.8 Special Equipment Requirements. Reserve