PWS(Amendment 1).docx

Performance Work Statement Forest Management Support U.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground Adelphi Laboratory Center and Blossom Point Research Facility *Amendment 1 changes highlighted in red-bold text*

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

TITLE: Performance Work Statement (PWS) for U.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC) and Blossom Point Research Facility (BPRF) Forest Management Support Section 1: General:

1.1 Descriptions of Services/Introduction: The purpose of this project is to provide forest management support through forest stand improvements on ALC and BPRF through the implementation of the Forest Management Plan, Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan and the Invasive Species Management Plan for BPRF and the Invasive Species Management Plan for ALC. All of these plans are components of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for ALC and BPRF.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Forest Management Support as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS), Section 5 except for those items specified as government furnished property and services.

1.2 Background: BPRF has approximately 808 acres of managed forests and ALC has approximately 120 acres of forest. A Forest Management Plan was revised and updated for BPRF in 2017. This plan divided BPRF into seven management compartments. These forest resources not only support the military testing and training mission for customer and tenant activities, they provide habitat that sustains a variety of flora and fauna (including the bald eagle and a variety of species of bats) as well as providing a variety of other ecosystem services. Forests are managed with an ecosystem management level perspective that focuses on ecosystem health, biodiversity and wildland fire reduction. ALC is not required to have a Forest Management Plan due to the small acreage of forest habitat. ALC and BPRF have Invasive Species Surveys and Management Plans to aid with the identification and removal of invasive and nonnative species.

ALC is located in Adelphi, Maryland (Figure 1). The site straddles the border between two Maryland jurisdictions, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Of the total 207 acre area, 84 acres are within Montgomery County and 123 acres are within Prince George’s County. ALC is approximately 6 miles from the District of Columbia. The installation is located within one mile of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) and Interstate 95 (I-95). ALC lies in the Anacostia River drainage basin which is a tributary of the Potomac River. It is bordered by residential areas on the east and south and by the General Service Administration’s Federal Center on the north and west. ALC consists of four main building areas with parking lots, forested lands and two stream corridors, Paint Branch and Hillandale Tributary. The ALC is home to the Headquarters for the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). ARL provides America's Soldiers a technological edge through scientific research, technology development, and analysis (U.S. Army, 2004). The mission of ARL is to provide the underpinning science, technology, and analysis that enable full-spectrum operations.

BPRF is a sub-installation of ALC and occupies approximately 1,600 acres on Cedar Point Neck in southern Charles County, Maryland (Figure 2). It is located approximately 65 miles southeast of ALC. BPRF is approximately 35 miles south of the District of Columbia. The closest town is La Plata, MD, which is approximately 9 miles northeast of the facility. BPRF is situated on Cedar Point Neck, a peninsula on the north side of the Potomac River and is bounded on three sides by the Potomac and Nanjemoy Creek. The area to the north of the facility includes sparsely populated agricultural and forest lands. BPRF is largely forested with wetlands, open fields, testing areas, and a few buildings. The primary activity at BPRF is field research on fuses, ordnance, pyrotechnical devices, and electronic telemetry in support of the mission of the ARL. Both sites are sub-installations of APG.

1.3 Objectives: During the performance of this contract, the Contractor will be responsible for providing all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to provide forest management support at ALC and BPRF. The objectives of this project are to provide forest management support activities on ALC and BPRF through the implementation of portions of management goals in the Forest Management Plan, Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan and Invasive Species Management Plan for ALC and BPRF.

1.4 Scope: This is a non-personal l service contract to provide forest management support at ALC and BPRF to implement portions of the forest management prescriptions from the BPRF Forest Management Plan found in Part 5 of the Plan, and more specifically in Section 5.1.4 and Section 7 of this PWS, and portions of the BPRF Invasive Species Management Plans as specified in Sections 5.13 and 5.1.4 and Section 7 of this PWS

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance of the base year of this contract is three hundred sixty five (365) days from date of contract award. The period of performance for each CLIN is as follows:

CLINs 0001, 0002, and 0003: 30 September 2020 – 29 September 2021 CLIN 0004 (Option) – 30 September 2021 – 29 September 2022 CLIN 0005 (Option) – 30 September 2022 – 29 September 2023 CLIN 0006 (Option) – 30 September 2023 – 29 September 2024 CLIN 0007 (Option) – 30 September 2024 – 29 September 2025

1.6 General Information:

1.6.1 Federal Observed Holidays: New Year’s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day Monday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

1.6.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor is responsible for providing services, between the hours of 0700 and 1530 Monday through Friday, except when the Government facility is closed due to Federal holidays, local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

1.6.3 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at ALC and BPRF.

1.6.4 Quality Control Program: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective Quality Control Program (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The QCP shall be delivered and accepted by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)) within 30 days of the contract award. See Section 5.4.2 (Quality Control Plan) of the PWS for more details regarding the Quality Control Plan.

1.6.5 Quality Assurance: The Government shall monitor the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

1.6.6 Security Requirements: Contractor personnel performing under this scope of work on the ALC premises must be citizens of the United States, either native-born or naturalized. No foreign nationals shall be permitted on ALC or BPRF. Cases of dual or multiple citizenships will be reviewed by security personnel. Contractor personnel performing work under this contract must be able to obtain a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) clearance prior to commencement of work under this contract, and must be able to maintain a NACI clearance during the performance of the contract. The Contractor must pass the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Interstate Identification Index (III) background investigation to gain access on the installation. All NACI and NCIC III investigations will be performed at the Government’s expense. The Contractor shall submit the ALC BPRF Site Access Form a minimum of two weeks prior to site access request date to the COR. The Contractor shall check in with the COR at ALC and with the BPRF Range Safety Officer each work day and remain in communication.

1.6.7 Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures: Contractor and all associated sub-contracted employees shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by government representative). The Contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. Contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DOD, HQDA and/or local policy. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in Contractor security matters or processes.

1.6.8 Installation Access and Control: The installations are closed posts with access restrictions. All vehicles and personnel are subject to search and seizure of contraband and/or unauthorized Government property. Contractor vehicles (Contractor-owned and personal), Contractor personnel, and their personal property shall be subject to inspections and searches upon entering or leaving the Installation. The Contractor may be subject to installation closure exercises that may have an impact on performance. Contractor personnel must have government issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to access the installation.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor shall attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer (KO), COR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings the KO will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.9.1 The first post-award meeting shall be conducted within the first fifteen (15) days of contract award to achieve a clear and mutual understanding of all contract requirements.

1.6.10 Key Personnel: The Contractor shall provide a Contract Manager and a Maryland Licensed Forester, considered key personnel by the Government for the performance of the contract. The Contract Manager shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate, who shall act for the Contractor when the Contract Manager is absent, shall be designated in writing to the KO. The Contract Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contract Manager or alternate shall be available between 0700 and 1530 Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.6.10.1 Key Personnel Requirements: The Contractor shall have on staff at least one individual who possesses a four (4) year forest management degree from Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited university/college and a Maryland valid licensed forester with 15 years field experience. The Contractor shall have on staff at least one Certified Arborist and a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert. The Contractor shall have one staff member who possesses practical experience in compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and complying with the Federal Consistency Requirements of the CZMA.

1.6.11 Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMR): The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the Contractor shall report ALL Contractor manpower (including subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The Contractor shall completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address https://Contractormanpower.army.pentagon.mil. The required information includes: (1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or also known as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); (2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number; (3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period; (4) Contractor's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of Contractor employee entering data; (5) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-Contractors); (6) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-Contractors); (7) Total payments (including sub-Contractors); (8) Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by Contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-Contractor if different); (9) Estimated data collection cost; (10) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the Contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information); (11) Locations where Contractor and sub-Contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest city, country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website); (12) Presence of deployment or contingency contract language; and (13) Number of Contractor and sub-Contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). As part of its submission, the Contractor shall provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period shall be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each Government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. Contractors may use a direct XML data transfer to the database server or fill in the fields on the website. The XML direct transfer is a format for transferring files from a Contractor’s system to the secure website without the need for separate data entries for each required data element at the website. The specific formats for the XML direct transfer may be downloaded from the website.

Section 2. Definitions and Acronyms:

2.1 Definitions:

2.1.1 Cannibalize. Remove parts from Government property for use or for installation on other Government property.

2.1.2 Contractor. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.3 Contractor Acquired Property. Property acquired, fabricated, or otherwise provided by the Contractor for performing a contract and to which the Government has title.

2.1.4 Contracting Officer (KO). A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.5 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.6 Defective Service. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.7 Deliverable. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.8 Equipment A tangible item that is functionally complete for its intended purpose, durable, nonexpendable, and needed for the performance of a contract. Equipment is not intended for sale, and does not ordinarily lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use. Equipment does not include material, real property, special test equipment or special tooling.

2.1.9 Government Furnished Property. Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently furnished to the Contractor for performance of a contract. Government-furnished property includes, but is not limited to, spares and property furnished for repair, maintenance, overhaul, or modification. Government-furnished property also includes contractor-acquired property if the contractor-acquired property is a deliverable under a cost contract when accepted by the Government for continued use under the contract.

2.1.10 Government Property. All property owned or leased by the Government. Government property includes both Government-furnished property and contractor-acquired property. Government property includes material, equipment, special tooling, special test equipment, and real property. Government property does not include intellectual property and software.

2.1.11. Key Personnel. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal. The prime Contractor is responsible for performance of all subcontractors.

2.1.12 Loss of Government Property. Unintended, unforeseen or accidental loss, damage, or destruction of Government property that reduces the Government’s expected economic benefits of the property. Loss of Government property does not include occurrences such as purposeful destructive testing, obsolescence, normal wear and tear, or manufacturing defects. Loss of Government property includes, but is not limited to:—

(1) Items that cannot be found after a reasonable search;

(2) Theft:

(3) Damage resulting in unexpected harm to property requiring repair to restore the item to usable condition; or

(4) Destruction resulting from incidents that render the item useless for its intended purpose or beyond economical repair.

2.1.13 Material. Property that may be consumed or expended during the performance of a contract, component parts of a higher assembly, or items that lose their individual identity through incorporation into an end-item. Material does not include equipment, special tooling, and special test equipment or real property.

2.1.14 Non-Personal Services. The personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the government and its employees. Non personal service contracts are authorized by the government in accordance with FAR 37.012, under general contracting authority, and do not require specific statutory authorization.

2.1.15. Physical Security. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.16 Property. All tangible property, both real and personal.

2.1.17 Property Administrator. An authorized representative of the KO appointed in accordance with agency procedures, responsible for administering the contract requirements and obligations relating to Government property in the possession of a contractor.

2.1.18 Property Records. Records created and maintained by the Contractor in support of its stewardship responsibilities for the management of Government property.

2.1.19 Provide. To furnish, as in Government-furnished property, or to acquire, as in contractor-acquired property.

2.1.20 Quality Assurance. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.21 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. An organized document written by the government specifying the surveillance methodology used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.22 Quality Control. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.23 Real Property. See Federal Management Regulation 102-71.20 (41 CFR 102-71.20).

2.1.24 Sensitive Property means property potentially dangerous to the public safety or security if stolen, lost, or misplaced, or that shall be subject to exceptional physical security, protection, control, and accountability. Examples include weapons, ammunition, explosives, controlled substances, radioactive materials, hazardous materials or wastes, or precious metals.

2.1.25 Subcontractor. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.26 Unit Acquisition Cost means—

(1) For Government-furnished property, the dollar value assigned by the Government and identified in the contract; and

(2) For contractor-acquired property, the cost derived from the contractor’s records that reflect consistently applied generally accepted accounting principles.

2.1.27 Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF):A secure web based system for electronic invoicing, receipt, and acceptance. WAWF allows government vendors to submit and track invoices and receipt/acceptance documents over the web and allows government personnel to process those invoices in a real-time, paperless environment.

2.1.28 Work Day. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.29 Work Week. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2 Acronyms:

Section 3. Government Furnished Property, Equipment and Services:

3.1. Facilities: The Government will provide access to the cafeteria and restroom facilities in Building 205 at ALC and the restroom facilities in Building 500 at BPRF.

The Contractor shall follow the current COVID-19 Protection Measures and Guidance set forth by the Senior Commander. The Contractor shall confirm the current guidance with the COR prior to accessing ALC or BPRF.

3.2. Data: The Government will provide the GPS data that delineates the Forest Compartments and Stands at BPRF.

Section 4. Contractor Furnished Items:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all permits, supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

5. Contractor Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

5.1 Forest Resource Management

The following sections provide the specific tasks for forest resource management support for BPRF.

5.1.2 Protected Species Compliance and Best Management Practices (BMPs)

5.1.2.1 Forest resource and invasive species management activities may require surface disturbance, and therefore, Erosion and Sediment Control and Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) compliance pursuant to 15 C.F.R. § 930.33(a)(4), Forest Enhancement Projects from an approved INRMP are considered environmentally beneficial activities. The Contractor shall work with the COR to acquire the required state and Federal permits or CZMA coordination prior to executing any work on either ALC or BPRF.

5.1.2.2 Tree removal work will be completed outside of Migratory Bird and Northern long-eared bat (NLEB) breeding season (April to August). If work occurs near a bald eagle nest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) nest buffer guidance will be followed.

5.1.2.3 The Contractor shall conduct field work using the following (at a minimum) BMPs:

· Ensure the protection of desirable seedlings and saplings.

· Allow time for wildlife species to move out of the way of equipment.

· Ensure all equipment is clean before mobilizing on ALC and BPRF to reduce the risk of invasive species transport on and off the installations.

· Follow USFWS bald eagle nest buffer guidance if applicable.

· Conduct tree removal work outside of NLEB breeding season.

· Conduct heavy equipment/ mechanical work outside a 100-foot buffer from tidal waters and wetlands.

· Conduct heavy equipment/mechanical work outside a 25-foot buffer from nontidal wetlands.

· The Contractor shall leave all roads on the installations as they found them. Costs associated with repairing road damage to include remediation of ruts, silt fencing, mulch, seeding, or any other work related to BMPs shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.1.3 Forest Management Maintenance

The Contractor shall complete the following:

5.1.3.1

· The Contractor shall prep the ground and then install native perennial plant species using a seed mixture at ALC. The seed mixture will be a native perennial pollinator plant mix for the Piedmont region. The seed mix shall be approved by the COR. This planting will occur in an area previously treated for Golden bamboo that is approximately 9,000 square feet. The planted area shall be marked with flagging tape.

5.1.3.2

· The Contractor shall prep the ground and then install perennial plant species using a seed mixture at BPRF. The seed mixture will be a native perennial plant mixture for the Coastal Plain region that includes species that are beneficial to wildlife. In areas of full sun, a native perennial pollinator mix shall be used. The seed mix shall be approved by the COR. The Contractor shall plant seeds in areas throughout the forest compartments that are prone to invasive species encroachment and that have a low diversity of flora species in the understory. The plantings will not be planted in one continuous area. The Contractor shall mark the planted areas with flagging tape in order for the areas to be easily monitored. The Contractor shall plant seeds in each of the following compartments (amount of area to be planted listed below): See Section 7 for a map of the Forest Compartments.

· Compartment I, Stand 3: 1 acre of seeds over the 18-acre stand

· Compartment III, Stand 1: 6 and 1/2 acres of seeds over the 240-acre stand

· Compartment IV, Stand 1: 1 acre of seeds over the 19-acre stand

· Compartment V, Stand 1: 2 acres of seeds over the 39-acre stand

· Compartment VI, Stand 1: 1/2 acre of seeds over the 7-acre stand

· Compartment VI, Stand 2: 2 acre of seeds over the 3-acre stand

· Compartment V11, Stand 2: 2 acres of seeds over the 44 acre-stand 5.1.3.3

· The Contractor shall provide a 24-month warranty period for 75% of all of the plantings. The Contractor can use exclusion methods in order to increase plant survival.

5.1.4 BPRF Forest Management and Invasive Species Plan Implementation The contractor shall work with the COR to improve the health and sustainability of the existing forest stands (equipment not to exceed 7 pounds per square inch ground pressure).

5.1.4.1

· The Contractor shall remove sub-merchantable sweet gum, American holly, Virginia pine with a Diameter at Breast Height DBH measured 4.5’ feet established from the highest ground level point around the base of the tree immediately above the root system of 5” inches or less in the Forest Stands listed in Section 7. The Contractor shall focus vegetation removal in areas around tree stands where applicable. The Contractor shall remove vegetation in a manner that will allow large areas that would be left untreated that will be left for wildlife bedding and shelter areas. The Contractor shall create a mosaic of wildlife bedding and shelter areas.

5.1.4.2

· The Contractor shall remove all standing or leaning dead or dying less than 50% sound timber that would not qualify for delivery to local area sawtimber or pulpwood mills. No log length or tree length trees exceeding 5 inches DBH with merchantable value are to leave the installation in whole form. The Contractor shall leave 5 snags per acre for wildlife use. The Contractor shall not leave snags that are growing along drivable roads. The Contractor shall remove dead timber from the ground posing a fire hazard. The Contractor shall leave a small amount of dead timber for wildlife use as coarse woody debris (CWD). The CWD will be in the form of downed trees or dead timber that are already found on the forest floor.

5.1.4.3

· The Contractor shall, target invasive species for removal at BPRF including common reed, Japanese stilt grass, Johnson grass, Tree of Heaven, Japanese barberry, Princess tree, common reed and wineberry in the target forest stands.

5.1.4.4

· The Contractor shall tube native oak, poplar and hickory seedlings or small trees (or any other species that are beneficial for wildlife food) for regeneration and protection from white-tailed deer. The Contractor shall use tree tubes that will not need to be manually removed. The Contractor shall place chicken wire around the above mentioned species that are 5” to 6” DBH in order to protect them from white-tailed deer rubs. The Contractor shall make an effort to provide protection to loblolly pine seedlings from equipment during field operations. The Contractor shall note the locations of trees that are protected in the Project Completion Report (see Section 5.4.3).

5.1.4.5

· The Contractor shall provide a 90% eradication rate for each acre treated at the end of the 24-month warranty period. It is understood that some invasive species require multiple years to be fully eradicated.

5.1.4.6

· Using state-certified applicators, the Contractor shall apply (COR- coordinated) chemical vegetation management through ATV mounted boom spraying equipment and/or handheld/backpack spraying as part of the forest management requirements. The use of pesticides shall be in accordance with AR 200-5 and shall follow all ALC Integrated Pest Management Plan procedures for application. The list of proposed herbicides must be approved by the COR prior to use. The applicator shall possess proper state certifications. The Contractor shall record in a pesticide report (see Section 5.4.6) the following information on a daily basis: 1) The amount of chemical used, 2) The amount of water/chemical mixture used, 3) The percent concentration of the mixture used, 4) The total area and location treated, and 5) pounds of active ingredient (PAI). The Contractor shall submit the herbicide application reports on a weekly basis to the COR.

5.1.4.7

· The Contractor shall not leave dead woody debris on site in such a manner that it would increase the risk of a wildland fire at ALC or BPRF. Military metal may be found in the wood.

5.2 Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Support

All areas of BPRF have the potential for unexploded ordnance UXO. Under this contract, when unexploded ordnance (UXO) support is required the Contractor shall, in coordination with the ISO use an ALC BPRF approved UXO Contractor and shall be responsible for doing avoidance, non- intrusive and intrusive work, including developing, coordinating and obtaining ALC approved site specific health and safety (H&S) plans.

5.3 Environmental Requirements

5.3.1 The Contractor shall ensure that work is conducted in accordance with and in support of the goals of the ALC Environmental Division’s Goals. The ALC Environmental Division Goals are the following: (1) reduce hazardous waste generation, (2) recycle solid waste generated to the maximum extent practicable, and (3) reduce energy and water consumption.

5.3.2 The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, state, local, and Army regulations governing environmental control. The Contractor shall work with the COR to ensure all permits and NEPA documentation related to the proposed work have been addressed. The Contractor must apply for any necessary permits.

5.3.3 The Contractor shall not use any materials, herbicides or chemicals that are not approved by the ALC Environmental Division.

5.3.4 The Contractor shall not discharge any materials/fluids anywhere on the facility (i.e. air, storm water, sewer, sanitary drains, etc.) under any circumstances without approval from the COR.

5.3.5 The Contractor shall not drain fluids into roof drains, floor drains, sanitary sewers or storm drains without approval from the COR.

5.3.6 The Contractor or his agent shall carry at all times spill containment kits and immediately contain any fluid spill that could cause harmful environmental problems upon occurrence and call (301) 394-1117 at ALC or (301) 394-1534 at BPRF to report the incident.

5.3.7 The Contractor shall ensure vehicles and equipment used in the performance of service under this contract are maintained to prevent leaking oil and fluids.

5.3.8 The Contractor shall immediately report any nonconformance and/or noncompliance with applicable Federal, state or local environmental laws, Army and installation environmental regulations or policies to the COR.

5.3.9 The Contractor shall follow Federal EPA Comprehensive Procurement guidelines (www.epa.gov/cpg) for acquisition of building materials and products and select materials that have a long life cycle; the least toxic materials; recyclable materials; materials that are resource-efficient; materials with the maximum recycled content; materials harvested on a sustained yield basis; and products causing the least pollution during their manufacture, use, and reuse.

5.3.10 The Contractor shall submit to potential Federal, state, Army and installation work site environmental regulatory inspections and/or investigations into noncompliance, and fully cooperate with such inspections/investigations by providing the appropriate records and documentation. Environmental regulatory agencies are authorized by law to inspect any work site for environmental compliance with regulatory requirements. If an inspection is conducted, it will not stop or disrupt ongoing contract activities. The inspection will only require the work site environmental officer, or supervisor/manager to answer questions and/or escort the inspector to specific work site areas with the potential to affect environmental quality.

5.3.11 Contractor shall take the necessary actions to identify, monitor, and control those contract operations and activities that pose risk of contamination, or can negatively impact the natural and/or human environment.

5.3.12 Contractor shall remove from the installation and dispose of all solid waste generated, which cannot be recycled to an approved and permitted off-post disposal facility. Contractor shall make every effort to divert construction, demolition debris, and all other solid waste to comply with the Army Integrated Solid Waste Management Policy.

5.3.13 Contractor shall, when given a verbal and/or written notice of environmental noncompliance or nonconformance by the COR, take immediate corrective action. Failure or refusal to comply promptly may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to invoke the appropriate contractual remedies. This may cause all or part of the work to be stopped immediately until satisfactory corrective action has been taken.

5.3.14 Minimize the use of hazardous materials and the generation of hazardous waste. Consult with the Environmental Office for suggestions and to obtain a copy of the installation's pollution prevention/hazardous waste minimization plan for supporting waste minimization goals.

5.3.15 Contractor shall obtain all licenses and certifications required by Federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations necessary to adhere to the specifications of this contract. The Contractor shall submit all plans, notifications, reports, submittal documents, and fees required by Federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations to the appropriate Federal, state, and local authority and/or agency as necessary to adhere to the specification of this contract. All required licenses and certifications required by Federal, state, and local environmental laws and/or regulations shall be considered a contract deliverable upon award.

5.3.16 Contractor shall not allow personnel to perform any activities and/or tasks at ALC or at BPRF without proper and adequate qualifications or job competency training. In the event of any identified noncompliance, the Contractor shall, if requested, provide proof of contract personnel training or qualification (individual name, training/qualification type, training/qualification certificate, and date of training/qualification) to perform those contract activities associated with the identified noncompliance.

5.3.17 Protection of Sensitive Areas: Contractor shall comply with all installation designated sensitive and/or off-limit area restrictions. Sensitive areas are generally demarked indicating what activities (e.g., driving, digging, foot traffic) are prohibited. The Contractor shall also adhere to the following installation sensitive areas requirements:

· Cultural Resources Sites: Do not excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise deface any archeological resource located on public lands. If an artifact is found, work will be stopped and the COR will be contacted.

· Endangered Species Habitats: Do not initiate any action that may disturb, endanger, or damage to any degree the habitat of a threatened and endangered species or species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) or bald eagle. If an active bird nest is found, work will stop around the nest until the nest is unoccupied.

· Wetlands: Do not excavate or take any action that could fill or damage any wetland unless working under a project specific Corps of Engineers 404 permit. Wetlands include streams, riparian areas, bogs, marshes, and swamps. Heavy equipment work will be conducted outside a 100-foot buffer from tidal waters and wetlands. Heavy equipment work will be conducted outside a 25-foot buffer from nontidal wetlands.

5.3.18 Prevention of Storm Water Pollution: The Contractor shall perform, track, participate, implement, and comply with storm water pollution prevention minimum control measures, protocols, and best management practices (BMP) and ensure that water quality standards are not violated in accordance with all regulations and policies as applicable to the Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit requirements.

5.3.19 Compliance with Green Procurement Requirements: Contractor shall follow Federal EPA Comprehensive Procurement guidelines (www.epa.gov/cpg) for acquisition of building materials and products and select materials that have a long life cycle; the least toxic materials; recyclable materials; materials that are resource-efficient; materials with the maximum recycled content; materials harvested on a sustained yield basis; and products causing the least pollution during their manufacture, use, and reuse.

5.4 Deliverables

Contractor Deliverables

5.4.1 Health and Safety Plan: The Contractor shall submit the Health and Safety Plan within 30 days after contract award. The COR will return the Health and Safety Plan, with input/comments, to the Contractor within seven (7) days of receipt of the submission. The Contractor shall submit the final Health and Safety Plan, for approval, within seven (7) days of receipt of the plan with COR and Safety Office comments.

5.4.2 Quality Control Plan (QCP): The Contractor shall submit the QCP within 30 days after contract award. The COR will return the QCP, with input/comments, to the Contractor within seven (7) days of receipt of the submission. The Contractor shall submit the final QCP, for approval, within seven (7) days of receipt of the plan with COR comments.

5.4.3 Contract Completion Draft and Final Report with GPS Coordinates: One hard copy and an electronic copy will be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the field work. The report will summarize the work that was completed at ALC and BPRF. The report shall include the GPS coordinates of the work areas including the tree work, invasive species work, seed planting areas and the tree protection locations. The COR will provide comments within 30 days of the Draft Report submittal. The Contractor shall submit the Final Report (one hard copy and an electronic copy) within 14 days of the receipt of the Draft Report comments.

5.4.4 Monthly Contract Status Reports: One electronic copy will be submitted by the 10th of each month providing a summary of the previous month’s work. Information submitted in the status reports will be reviewed and verified at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

5.4.5 GPS Coordinates / Daily Reports of UXO surveys (if required). A final UXO survey will be submitted within (2) two weeks of the UXO field surveys.

5.4.6 Herbicide application reports, herbicide request list and corresponding SDS for COR approval. Work with herbicides will not begin until the COR approves the list. The Contractor shall provide an SDS for each herbicide. The list must be submitted 30 days before the start of the field work. The herbicide application reports must be submitted on a weekly basis when applications are taking place.

6.0 Publications and Forms:

6.1 The Contractor shall work with the COR to ensure that work is conducted in accordance with the following listed publications:

6.1.1 10 USC 2665, Sale of Certain Interests in Land; Logs, 1956, and as amended

6.1.2 Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 USC 1451-1464

6.1.3 DODI 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program, February 2011

6.1.4 AR 200-1, Environmental Protection and Enhancement, 13 Dec 2007

6.1.5 AR 405-90, Disposal of Real Estate, 10 May 1985

6.1.6 Maryland Enforceable Coastal Policies, April 2011

6.1.7 MOU – Federal Consistency Requirements of Coastal Zone Management Act, 2013 (State of Maryland and DoD)

6.1.8 Maryland Forest Conservation Act (Natural Resources Article Section 5-1601 through 5-1613, 1991)

6.1.9 2015 Maryland Soil and Erosion and Sediment Control Standards and Specifications for Forest Harvest Operations

6.1.10 Sikes Act, 16 U.S. Code (USC) 670a-670o

6.1.11 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 USC 668 and National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, May 2007

6.1.12 Clean Water Act of 1977, Section 404, 33 USC 12.51 et seq

6.1.13 Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 USC 1534

6.1.14 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 USC 703-712, and as amended

6.1.15 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 USC 4321-4361

6.1.16 ALC BPRF Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), June 2015

6.1.17 ALC BPRF Forest Management Plan, June 2017

6.1.18 ALC BPRF Integrated Pest Management Plan, September 2015

6.1.19 ALC Invasive Species Management Plan, April 2017

6.1.20 ALC BPRF Invasive Species Management Plan, January 2013

6.1.21 ALC BPRF Integrated Wildland Fire Plan, 2020

Section 7 CLINS 0001 through 0007

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7.1 CLIN 0001. Forest Management Maintenance (Base Year)

The Contractor shall complete the following:

· The Contractor shall prep the ground and then install native perennial plant species using a seed mixture at ALC. The seed mixture will be a native perennial pollinator plant mix for the Piedmont region. The seed mix shall be approved by the COR. This planting will occur in an area previously treated for Golden bamboo that is approximately 9,000 square feet. The planted area shall be marked with flagging tape.

· The Contractor shall prep the ground and then install perennial plant species using a seed mixture at BPRF. The seed mixture will be a native perennial plant mixture for the Coastal Plain region that includes species that are beneficial to wildlife. In areas of full sun, a native perennial pollinator mix shall be used. The seed mix shall be approved by the COR. The Contractor shall plant seeds in areas throughout the forest compartments that are prone to invasive species encroachment and that have a low diversity of flora species in the understory. The plantings will not be planted in one continuous area. The Contractor shall mark the planted areas with flagging tape in order for the areas to be easily monitored. The Contractor shall plant seeds in each of the following compartments (amount of area to be planted listed below):

· Compartment I, Stand 3: 1 acre of seeds over the 18-acre stand

· Compartment III, Stand 1: 6 and 1/2 acres of seeds over the 240-acre stand

· Compartment IV, Stand 1: 1 acre of seeds over the 19-acre stand

· Compartment V, Stand 1: 2 acres of seeds over the 39-acre stand

· Compartment VI, Stand 1: 1/2 acre of seeds over the 7-acre stand

· Compartment VI, Stand 2: 2 acre of seeds over the 3-acre stand

· Compartment V11, Stand 2: 2 acres of seeds over the 44 acre-stand

· The Contractor shall provide a 24-month warranty period for 75% of the plantings. The Contractor can use exclusion methods in order to increase plant survival.

BPRF Forest Compartment Location Map

7.2 CLIN 0002. BPRF Forest Management and Invasive Species Plan Implementation (Base Year) Compartment V, Stand 2 and Stand 3 The Contractor shall work with the COR to improve the health and sustainability of the existing forest stands (equipment not to exceed 7 pounds per square inch ground pressure).

· The Contractor shall remove sub-merchantable sweet gum, American holly, Virginia pine with a Diameter at Breast Height DBH measured 4.5’ feet established from the highest ground level point around the base of the tree immediately above the root system of 5” inches or less. The Contractor shall focus vegetation removal in areas around tree stands where applicable. The Contractor shall remove vegetation in a manner that will allow large areas that would be left untreated that will be left for wildlife bedding and shelter areas. The Contractor shall create a mosaic of wildlife bedding and shelter areas.

· The Contractor shall remove all standing or leaning dead or dying less than 50% sound timber that would not qualify for delivery to local area sawtimber or pulpwood mills. No log length or tree length trees exceeding 5 inches DBH with merchantable value are to leave the installation in whole form. The Contractor shall leave 5 snags per acre for wildlife use. The Contractor shall not leave snags that are growing along drivable roads. The Contractor shall remove dead timber from the ground posing a fire hazard. The Contractor shall leave a small amount of dead timber for wildlife use as coarse woody debris (CWD). The CWD will be in the form of downed trees or dead timber that are already found on the forest floor.

· The Contractor shall, target invasive species for removal at BPRF including common reed, Japanese stilt grass, Johnson grass, Tree of Heaven, Japanese barberry, Princess tree, common reed and wineberry in the target forest stands.

· The Contractor shall tube native oak, poplar and hickory seedlings or small trees (or any other species that are beneficial for wildlife food) for regeneration and protection from white-tailed deer. The Contractor shall use tree tubes that will not need to be manually removed. The Contractor shall place chicken wire around the above mentioned species that are 5” to 6” DBH in order to protect them from white-tailed deer rubs. The Contractor shall make an effort to provide protection to loblolly pine seedlings from equipment during field operations. The Contractor shall note the locations of trees that are protected in the Project Completion Report (see Section 5.4.3).

· The Contractor shall provide a 90% eradication rate for each acre treated at the end of the 24-month warranty period. It is understood that some invasive species require multiple years to be fully eradicated.

Using state-certified applicators, the Contractor shall apply (COR- coordinated) chemical vegetation management through ATV mounted boom spraying equipment and/or handheld/backpack spraying as part of the forest management requirements. See Section 5.1.3 for specific requirements for the use of pesticides on ALC and BPRF. The Contractor shall not leave dead woody debris on site in such a manner that it would increase the risk of a wildland fire at ALC or BPRF. Wood must be chipped or removed from the site. Military metal may be found in the wood.

Table 1. BPRF Compartment Summary for CLIN 0002

KEY STAND ATTRIBUTES

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