24R0003 Combined Synopsis Solicitation Hazard Tree BPA.pdf

US Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District

Hazard Tree Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) Rivers Project Office

United States Army Corps of Engineers

COMBINED SYNOPSIS & SOLICITATION

W912P924R0003

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, "Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items," FAR 13.303 "Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)" as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; Offerors are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation Number: W912P924R0003

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposal.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the date of posting.

This solicitation is set-aside for total small businesses associated with North American Industrial Classifications System (NAICS) code 561730, size standard: $9,500,000.

Please provide a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications

– Commercial Items with your offer and Capability Statement.

Basis for award: The Government will award a contract resulting from this combined synopsis solicitation based on acceptable technical factors stated in PWS.

CAGE Code: ______________________

UEI Code: ______________________

Offeror Name: ___________________________________________________________

Offeror Signature: ________________________________________________________

Date of Offer: ______________________

Submit offer to Logan Kohrmann via email at Logan.R.Kohrmann@Usace.Army.Mil NLT 10:00am CST on 22 JAN 2024.

All questions pertaining to this solicitation will be due 11 JAN 2024 to the same email listed above.

All technical exhibits referenced in the PWS will be included in the Attachment titled "Technical Exhibits"

Contracting Officer Whitney Dee

US Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

& TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

RIVERS PROJECT

OFFICE HAZARD TREE

REMOVAL

Blanket Purchase Agreement

RIVERS PROJECT OFFICE

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

WEST ALTON, MISSOURI 63386

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Contract Area

3.0 Omissions

4.0 Agreement Period

5.0 Safety

6.0 Job Hazard Analysis

7.0 Access

8.0 Post Award Conference

9.1 Contractor Submittals

9.2 Contractor Work Plan

9.3 Contractor Quality Control Program

9.4 Contractor Inspection System

9.5 Records System

9.6 Reports

9.6.1 Accident Reports

9.6.2 Accident Notification

9.6.3 Pre-Work and End-Work Reporting

10.0 Safety Meetings

11.0 Unusual Conditions

12.1 Equipment

12.2 Equipment Maintenance, Repairs and Storage

13.1 Materials

13.2 Material Storage

14.0 Supervision/Site Superintendent

15.0 Sustainability Compliance

16.0 Required Insurance

SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

1.0 Contractor

2.0 Contractor Representative/Site Superintendent/Supervisor

3.0 Contracting Officer

4.0 Contracting Officer’s Representative

5.0 Quality Control

6.0 Quality Assurance

7.0 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

8.0 Control Deficiency Report

9.0 Accident Reporting

10.0 Acceptance

SECTION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

1.0 Scope

2.1 Quality Control

2.2 General

2.3 Reporting

3.0 Permits and Licenses

4.0 Environmental Protection Plan

5.0 Subcontractors

6.0 Noncompliance

7.1 Protection of Environmental Resources

7.2 Protection of Land Resources

7.3 Work Area Limits

7.4 Reduction of Exposure of Unprotected Erodible Soils

7.5 Temporary Protection of Disturbed Areas

7.6 Location of Field Offices, Storage and Other Contractor Facilities

7.7 Temporary Excavations and Embankments

7.8 Borrow Areas

7.9 Disposal Areas

7.10 Burning………………………………………………………………………… 13

8.0 Protection of Water Resources

9.0 Protection of Air Resources

10.0 Protection of Fish and Wildlife

11.0 Protection of Historical, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources

12.0 Sustainable Acquisition

12.2 EPA Designated

12.3 Bio-Based

SECTION 4 GOVENRMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND

SERVICES

1.0 General

2.0 Property Storage

3.0 Materials Furnished by the Government

3.1 Keys

SECTION 5 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT AND

MATERIALS

1.0 General

2.1 Personnel

2.2 Plant Material Laborer With Tools

2.3 Forestry Laborer With Tools

2.4 Class B Sawyer With Tools

3.1 Herbicide and Surfactant

3.2 Herbicide Application

3.3 Systemic Non-selective Herbicide

3.4 Systemic Selective Woody Herbicide

4.1 Wood Shredding

4.1 Wood Chipping

5.0 Multi-Purpose Light Weight Equipment

6.0 Utility Transport 1

SECTION 6 SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

6.1 Location

6.2 Tree Removal

6.3 Tree Removal Including Stump Removal

6.4 Stump Removal

6.5 Dead Limb Removal

6.6 Live Limb Removal

6.7 Emergency Call Out

SECTION 7 SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

7.1 Scope

7.2 Matrix

SECTION 8 Security

8.1 Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures

8.2 Physical security and access control requirements

DRAWINGS ATTACHMENT:

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT A – GENERAL WORK PERFORMANCE MAP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT B-1 – RIVERS PROJECT MAP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT B-2 – CABIN SUBDIVISIONS MAP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT C – PRUNING GUIDELNES

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-1 – CONTRACTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-2 – CONTRACTOR AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-3 – CONTRACTOR AVAILABLE MATERIALS

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-4 – CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-5 and D6 – CONTRACTOR ACCIDENT PREVENTION

PROGRAM

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT D-7 – CONTRACTOR JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

RIVERS PROJECT OFFICE

SECTION 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Scope of Work. Work covered by this agreement and respective task orders against this agreement shall consist of furnishing all labor, equipment, operators, supervision/site superintendent, supplies and materials necessary to perform hazard tree and limb removal in accordance with the specifications contained herein and in accordance with the approved work plan and task orders issued against this agreement. Furthermore, the work will consist of cutting hazard trees and limbs and removing them from Government property unless otherwise stated by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO.

2. Work Area. Location of the work to be performed shall be within the St. Louis District of the Mississippi Valley Division, US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), which extends from Saverton, MO to Cairo, IL along the Mississippi River and from LaGrange Lock & Dam south of Beardstown, IL to Grafton, IL along the Illinois River. General location of the work area is shown in Technical Exhibit A. The work area consists of alluvial floodplains and watersheds in the following Missouri Counties of Ralls, Pike, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cape Girardeau, Scott, and Mississippi, and Illinois Counties of Pike, Calhoun, Cass, Scott, Greene, Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, Union and Alexander. Work areas may be identified on Corps fee title lands, partnership lands, and other federal government fee title lands within work area identified herein. Specific work areas will be specified within each task order.

CAUTION: Work areas may require utilizing infrequently maintained gravel and dirt roads in rural areas. Work areas may be in heavily visited public access areas to include the floodplain and watershed of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and are subject to frequent flooding.

3. Omissions. These specifications may duplicate or not cover all specified activities, steps, and/or procedures required to accomplish work. In case of omission, the normal industry standards, practices, specifications and/or guides shall prevail. In no instance shall an omission be a reason to perform inferior work, produce a less than acceptable product or service, or refuse to perform an intended activity.

4. Agreement Period. The ordering period for this agreement will be for five years.

5. Safety. The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with safety requirements set forth in Corps of Engineers’ Manual, EM 385-1-1, entitled “Safety and Health Requirements Manual”, NOV 2014 copies and any updates which are available for review at:

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1- 1.pdf Contractor shall submit, The Contractor’s Accident Prevention Program, as required by ER 385-1-1. Sample form can be found in Technical Exhibits D-5 and D-6.

6. Job Hazard Analysis. At the end of each month the Contractor shall submit, in writing, the total employee hours worked by employees during the preceding month. This report will include detailed descriptions of any accidents or injuries sustained on the project by their employees during this subject month, including copies of documents for claims under Workman’s Compensation. Sample form can be found in Technical Exhibit D-7.

7. Access. The Contractor shall be responsible for access to, into, and through all locations.

Access to locations may or may not be through locked barricades or gates, through Government or private property. The Contractor shall secure and obtain the consent of the owner, his representative, or agent all necessary right-of-entry permits prior to affecting any entry into private property in conjunction with the performance of this agreement. Access into and through Government property shall be by routes approved by the Contracting Officer Representative in advance prior to entry. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to lock all gates or barricades, if present, when leaving an area. Keys to Government locked barricades or gates will be supplied to the Contractor and returned to the Government after Call Order period is over.

8. Post Award Conference. Within twenty (20) days after the BPA has been established, the Contractor shall contact Mr. Robert Cosgriff, 314-313-9458 to schedule a Post Award Conference, at the Rivers Project Office.

9. Contractor Submittals. The Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer Representative for approval the following after each call order. (Technical Exhibit D).

9.1 Contractor Work Plan. At the Post Award Conference, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer Representative for review and approval, the Contractor Work Plan in accordance with EM 385-1-1. The Contractor’s initial Work Plan and any changes must be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative before commencement of any work by the Contractor. Updates to the Contractor Work Plan will be provided to the Contracting Officer Representative during the Request for Proposal process. The Contractor Work Plan shall include at a minimum, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) The personnel to be used.

(B) The equipment to be used and their specifications.

(C) The name(s) and telephone number(s) of supervisors(s) to whom deficiencies should be reported.

(D) The name(s) and telephone number(s) of supervisor(s), who can be contacted on a daily basis and the supervisor(s) that will be at the work site on a daily basis.

(E) The telephone number(s) and mailing address of the Contractor through which he can normally be contacted on a daily basis.

(F) The telephone number(s) where persons of authority within the Contractor’s organization can be reached during non-duty hours.

(G) The physical address of the Contractor’s place of business.

(H) The number of personnel and how personnel are to be used in the performance of the work.

(I) The schedules, including dates of commencement and anticipated dates of completion, and the personnel to be used in the performance of each phase or area of work.

(J) The methods to be used in one performance of each phase in area of work

(K) The equipment and materials to be used in performance of the work

(L) The Contractor’s Quality Control Program, including Contractor Inspection and Records Systems.

(M) The Contractors Accident Prevention Program/Plan, as required by ER 385-1-1, including:

(a) The Contractor’s Job Hazard Analysis.

(O) Required Insurance.

9.2. Contactor Quality Control Program. The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete quality control program for all work required herein assuring the requirements of the Agreement and Call Order are provided (Technical Exhibit D-4).

9.3. Contractor Inspection System. The Contractor shall provide for an inspection system and a method of identifying deficiencies in the quality of work covering the work required herein before the level of performance becomes unacceptable. The inspection system shall specify the phase or area of work to be inspected on a scheduled or unscheduled basis, the work requirement to be inspected, the method of inspection, and the individual(s) who will do the inspection. The system shall include, but is not limited to, inspection of (1) schedules, (2) methods of performing work, (3) materials, (4) equipment, and (5) personnel.

9.4. Records System. The Contractor shall provide for a records system and file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and the corrective actions taken. This documentation shall be made available to the Government during the Call Order period.

9.5 Reports

9.5.1 Accident Reports. For recordable injuries and illnesses, and property damage accidents resulting in at least $2,000 in damages, the Contractor shall conduct an accident investigation to establish root cause(s) of the accident, complete USACE Accident Report Form 3394 and provide the report to the CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE within two (2) calendar days of the accident. The CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE will provide copies of any required special forms.

9.5.2 Accident Notification. Notify the CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE as soon as practical, but not later than four (4) hours, after any accident meeting the definition of Recordable Injuries or Illnesses or High Visibility Accidents, or property damage equal to or greater than $2,000. Information shall include Contractor name, BPA Call Order title, type of contract, name of activity, installation or location where accident occurred, date and time of accident, names of personnel injured, extent of property damage, extent of injury, if known, and brief description of accident, to include type of equipment used, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used, etc… Preserve the condition and evidence on the accident site until the Government investigation team arrives on-site and Government investigation is concluded.

9.5.3. Pre-Work and End-Work Reporting. The Contractor shall notify the CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours in advance before any work commences and within forty-eight (48) hours of completion of all scheduled work contained herein. Advance notification is necessary for inspection and assuring availability of government access.

10. Safety Meetings. Shall be conducted and documented as required by EM 385-1-1.

11. Unusual Conditions. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer Representative of any unusual conditions observed such as dumping, off road vehicle use, public solicitation, or vandalism. NOTICE: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COOPERATE WITH, AND COORDINATE WITH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE ANY

OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND ANY OTHER CONTRACTORS, WORK CREWS, OR

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHICH MAY BE WORKING WITHIN THE BPA CALL

ORDER LIMITS.

12. Equipment. The Contractor shall provide all equipment necessary to perform the work described herein. Contractor equipment used in the performance of this Agreement and any Call Orders shall be of suitable size and type for the intended use and maintained in a safe and good working condition. Contractor equipment found to be unsafe or not in conformity with the Agreement and Call Order specification shall be removed from work site immediately.

12.1 Equipment Maintenance, Repairs and Storage. The Contractor shall provide all lubricants, fuels, fluids, and repairs necessary for the operation and maintenance of Contractor furnished equipment. The Contractor may store equipment at worksites during task order performance. However, the Government assumes no responsibility for the safety or security of equipment stored. Equipment shall be removed from worksite within ten (10) days after the completion and acceptance of the work within each task order. Storage site shall be returned to original condition.

13. Materials. The Contractor shall provide all materials necessary to perform the work described herein. All materials used in the performance of this Agreement and any Call Orders shall be of suitable size, type and quality for the intended use.

13.1 Material Storage. The Contractor may store materials at the worksite; however, the Government assumes no responsibility for the safety or security of materials stored. Materials shall be removed from the work site within ten (10) days after the completion of the work within each task order. Storage site shall be restored to original condition.

14. Supervision/Site Superintendent. The Contractor shall provide adequate supervision/site superintendent of his/her employees and/or any subcontractor employees to ensure compliance with this Agreement and any Call Order specifications and task orders. The Contractor shall furnish a telephone number and a mailing address through which he/she can normally be contacted on a daily basis and must supply in writing the name(s) of his/her designated representative supervisor(s) or site superintendent who can be contacted on a daily basis. All costs associated with supervision/site superintendent shall be borne by the Contractor and no separate payment will be made, therefore.

15. Sustainability Compliance. EPA Designated (CPG) Under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates products that are or can be made with recovered materials, and recommends practices for buying these products. Any designated product that is being offered or supplied under this contract shall meet the minimum recommended content levels as identified under the CPG program. Visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/cpg/products for a complete list of designated products and the associated recommended content levels. Offerors must be able to demonstrate that each offered product meets minimum content levels upon request.

16. Required Insurance

16.1 As required by the agreement clause entitled “Insurance-Work on a Government Installation”, the Contactor shall, furnish to the Contracting Officer Representative, prior to the commencement of work, a certificate or written statement as evidence of the minimum insurance listed below. The Contractor shall procure and maintain such types and amounts of insurance during the entire period of performance under this Agreement and any Call Orders. The Contractor shall assure that the certificate or written statement is in accordance with required wording indicated in paragraph b of the aforementioned Agreement Clause.

(1) Workmen’s compensation – Amounts required by applicable jurisdictional statutes.

(2) Employer’s Liability Insurance - $100,000

(3) Comprehensive General Liability Insurance – (No property damage liability is required)

Bodily Injury - $500,000 per occurrence

(4) Comprehensive Automobile / Vessel Insurance

Bodily Injury - $100,000 each person

$300,000 each accident Property Damage - $50,000 each accident

16.2 Certificates of insurance should be submitted to the following address:

St. Louis District Corps of Engineers Rivers Project Office

ATTN: Robert Cosgriff 301 Riverlands Way West Alton, MO 63386

SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

1. Contractor. The term Contractor refers to the prime Contractor and all contractor employees and personnel. The prime Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring all subcontractors comply with provisions of this agreement.

2. Contractor Representative/Site Superintendent/Supervisor. A foreman or superintendent assigned to represent the interests of the contractor with regards to all matters involving this agreement.

3. Contracting Officer. The term “Contracting Officer” shall mean the person executing this agreement on behalf of the Government, and any other officer or civilian employee who is properly designated Contracting Officer; and the term shall include, except as otherwise provided in this agreement, the authorized representative of a Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority.

4. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). An Individual designated in writing by the Contracting Officer to be responsible for administration of the agreement and Quality Assurance Representative.

5. Quality Control. The term “Quality Control” refers to action taken by the Contractor and/or their personnel to document, inspect, and control performance of services to ensure they meet the specifications and requirements of this agreement.

6. Quality Assurance. The term “Quality Assurance” refers to action taken by the Government to ensure the Contractor’s quality control system is functioning and effective, and the Contractor is providing services, which are in accordance with this agreement.

7. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The term “Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan” refers to the Government’s plan and inspection system to ensure the work is performed in accordance with the agreement.

8. Control Deficiency Report (CDR). The term “Control Deficiency Report” refers to written record of unsatisfactory performance by the Contractor as observed by the Quality Assurance Inspector.

9. Accident Reporting. An accident constitutes an incident or act involving the Contractor, which may or may not have caused obvious damage to persons or property. All accidents shall be reported to the Contracting Officer within 24 hours of the occurrence. All serious accidents (those resulting in death or injury requiring medical attention) shall be reported immediately.

10. Acceptance. Formal acceptance will be accomplished through the Governments quality assurance inspectors appointed by the Contracting Officer for and in behalf of the Government upon completion of the services called for herein.

SECTION 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

1.0 SCOPE. This section covers prevention of environmental pollution and damage as result of hazard tree and limb removal under this agreement. This section is in addition to those measures set forth in other sections of these specifications. For the purpose of this specification, environmental pollution and damage are defined as the presence of chemical, physical, or biological elements or agents which adversely affect human health or welfare, unfavorably alter ecological balances of importance to human life; affect other species of importance to man; or degrade the utility of the environment or aesthetically, cultural and/or historical purposes. The control of environmental pollution and damage requires consideration of air, water, and land and includes management of visual esthetics, noise, solid waste, radiant energy and radioactive materials, as well as their pollutants. Subsequent SOWs and RFPs will provide additional guidance.

2.1 QUALITY CONTROL.

2.2 GENERAL. The contractor shall establish and maintain quality control for environmental protection operations to assure compliance with agreement requirements and maintain detailed records of quality control for all operations including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Law, Regulations and Ordinances. (Compliance with all Federal, State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances concerning pollution control.)

(2) Protection of Land Resources. (See Section 3-7.1)

(3) Protection of Water Resources. (See Section 3-8.0)

(4) Protection of Air Resources. (See Section 3-9.0)

(5) Protection of Fish and Wildlife. (See Section 3-10.0)

(6) Protection of Historical, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources. (See Section 3-

11.0)

2.3 REPORTING. One copy of these records and any tests required, as well as records of corrective action taken, shall be furnished to the Government daily when work covered by this section is being performed.

3.0 PERMITS AND LICENSES. The Contractor shall obtain and comply with all required permits and licenses. Contractor should be an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist. Certification must be maintained throughout the course of the agreement.

Copies of all applications, permits and licenses obtained from Federal, State and Local governing bodies pursuant to this agreement shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative.

4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN (EPP). Within 15 days after receipt of Notice of Award, the Contractor shall submit in writing an EPP and meet with representatives of the Contracting Officer to develop mutual understanding relative to compliance with this provision and administration of the EPP. The Contractor shall also furnish, within 15 days of receiving each Task Order, specific updates to the EPP. Acceptance of the Contractor's plan will not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for adequate and continuing control of pollutants and other environmental protection measures. The Government reserves the right to require the

Contractor to make changes in EPP and operation as necessary to maintain satisfactory environmental protection performance. The EPP shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Methods for protection of features to be preserved within authorized work areas. The Contractor shall prepare a listing of methods to protect resources needing protection, i.e., trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and ground cover, landscape features, air and water quality, fish and wildlife, soil, historical, archaeological and cultural resources.

(2) Procedures to be implemented to provide the required environmental protection and to comply with the applicable laws and regulation. The Contractor shall set out the procedures to be followed to correct pollution of the environment due to accident; natural causes or failure to follow the procedures set out in accordance with the environmental protection plan.

(3) Permit or license and the location of solid waste disposal areas.

(4) Drawings showing location of any proposed temporary excavations or embankments for haul roads, stream crossings, materials storage areas, temporary structures, sanitary facilities, and stockpiles of materials.

(5) Environmental monitoring plans for the worksite, including land, water, air and noise monitoring.

(6) Traffic control plan.

(7) Methods of protecting surface and ground water during forestry activities.

(8) Work area plan showing the proposed activity in each portion of the area and identifying the areas of limited use or non-use. Plan shall include measures for marking the limits of use areas.

5.0 SUBCONTRACTORS. Assurance of compliance with this section by subcontractors will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

6.0 NONCOMPLIANCE. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor in writing of any observed noncompliance with the Contractor's EPP. The Contractor shall, after receipt of such notice, inform the Contracting Officer of proposed corrective action and take such action as may be approved. If the Contractor fails to comply promptly, the Contracting Officer may issue an order stopping all or part of the work until satisfactory corrective action has been taken. No time extensions will be granted, or costs or damages allowed to the Contractor for any such suspension.

7.1 PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. The environmental resources within the project boundaries and those affected outside the limits of permanent work under this agreement shall be protected during the entire period of each Task Order work period. The Contractor shall confine activities to areas and time restrictions defined by the drawings and specifications in each SOW and RFP. The Contractor will also restrict all activities to the work time frame outlined within the SOW and RFP. Environmental protection shall be as stated in the following subparagraphs.

7.2 PROTECTION OF LAND RESOURCES. Prior to the beginning of any activities, the Contracting Officer Representative will identify all land resources to be preserved within the Contractor's work area. The Contractor shall not remove, cut, deface, injure or destroy land resources including trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, topsoil, and landforms without permission from the Contracting Officer Representative. No ropes, cables, or guys shall be fastened to or attached to any trees for anchorage unless specifically authorized. Where such species emergency use is permitted, the Contractor shall provide effective protection for land and vegetation resources at all times as defined in the following subparagraphs.

7.3 WORK AREA LIMITS. Prior to any work starting, the Contractor shall mark the boundaries of areas that are required to accomplish all work to be performed under Task Orders to prevent damages to non-target areas. Isolated area within the general work area, which are to be saved and protected before forestry and restoration operations commence, and during all operations shall also be marked so they can be avoided. Where operations are to be conducted during darkness, the marker shall be visible during darkness. The Contractor shall convey to personnel the purpose of marking and/or protection of all necessary objects.

7.4 REDUCTION OF EXPOSURE OF UNPROTECTED ERODIBLE SOILS. Earthwork brought to final grade shall be finished as indicated and specified within Task Order/SOW/RFP.

Side slopes and back slopes shall be protected as soon as practicable upon completion of rough grading. All earthwork shall be planned and conducted to minimize the duration of exposure of unprotected soils.

7.5 TEMPORARY PROTECTION OF DISTURBED AREAS. Such methods as necessary shall be utilized to effectively prevent erosion and control sedimentation, including but not limited to the following: Retardation and Control of Runoff.

(1) Runoff from the forestry and restoration site shall be controlled by construction of diversion ditches, benches and beams to retard and divert runoff to protected drainage courses. The Contractor shall also utilize any measures required by area-wide plans approved under paragraph 208 of the Clean Water Act.

7.6 LOCATION OF FIELD OFFICES, STORAGE AND OTHER CONTRACTOR

FACILITIES. The Contractor's field offices, staging areas, stockpile, storage, temporary buildings, and loading sites shall be placed in areas approved by the Contracting Officer Representative. The Contracting Officer Representative shall make temporary movement or relocation of Contractor facilities only on approval.

7.7 TEMPORARY EXCAVATIONS AND EMBANKMENTS. Temporary excavations and embankments for barge landing sites and/or work areas shall be controlled to protect adjacent areas from despoilment. Landing sites will be identified within the RFP and SOW.

7.8 BORROW AREAS. Borrow areas on Government property shall be managed to minimize erosion and to prevent sediment from entering nearby watercourses or lakes.

7.9 DISPOSAL AREAS. Disposal areas on Government property shall be managed and controlled to limit material to areas designated on drawings and prevent erosion of soil or sediment form entering nearby watercourses or lakes.

7.10 BURNING. Material and debris resulting from clearing and grubbing operations on this agreement may be required to be burned within the work areas and any time within the Call Order work period, provided such burning does not cause air pollution that exceeds regulatory limits on such. Burning operations shall be conducted so as to prevent damage to standing timber or other flammable growth. The Contractor shall be required to obtain all necessary burning permits. The Contractor will be responsible for any damage to life and/or property resulting from fires that are started by employees or as a result of operations. The Contractor shall furnish, at the site of burning operations, adequate firefighting equipment to properly equip personnel for fighting fires. Fires shall be guarded at all times and shall be under constant surveillance until they have been extinguished.

8.0 PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES. The Contractor shall keep all activities under surveillance, management, and control to avoid pollution of surface and ground waters.

Management techniques shall be implemented to prevent water pollution by the listed activities, which are included in each task order.

9.0 PROTECTION OF AIR RESOURCES. The Contractor shall keep all activities under surveillance, management, and control to minimize pollution of air resources. All activities, equipment processes, and work operated or performed by the Contractor in accomplishing the specified constructing shall be in strict accordance with the State of Missouri and/or the State of Illinois and all federal emission and performance laws and standards.

Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency shall be maintained for those forestry and restoration operations and activities specified in this section.

10.0 PROTECTION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. The Contractor shall keep all activities under surveillance, management, and control to minimize interference with, disturbance to, and damage of fish and wildlife. The Contractor, prior to beginning of any operations, shall list species that require specific attention along with measures for their protection.

11.0 PROTECTION OF HISTORICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND CULTURAL

RESOURCES. The preservation and recovery of existing historical, archaeological, and cultural resources within the Contractor’s work area will be so designated by the Contracting Officer Representative and precautions shall be taken to preserve all such resources as they existed at the time they were identified to the Contractor. The Contractor shall install all protection for these resources so designated on drawings and shall be responsible for their preservation during task order work periods. Any item that may have historical or archaeological value discovered during operation shall be left undisturbed and the Contracting Officer Representative shall be immediately notified of such discovery.

12.1 SUSTAINABLE ACQUISITION

12.2 EPA DESIGNATED (CPG). Under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates products that are or can be made with recovered materials and recommends practices for buying these products. Any designated product that is being offered or supplied under this agreement shall meet the minimum recommended content levels as identified under the CPG program. Visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/cpg/products for a complete list of designated products and the associated recommended content levels. Offerors must be able to demonstrate that each offered product meets minimum content levels upon request.

12.3 BIO-BASED. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designates certain biobased products for federal procurement and specifies minimum biobased content levels for those products. Any designated product that is being offered or supplied under this agreement shall meet USDA BioPreferred’s minimum biobased content level. Visit the BioPreferred web site for the complete list of designated products and the associated minimum biobased content level requirements.

SECTION 4

Government Furnished Property, Equipment and Services

1. GENERAL. The Government will provide to the Contractor for use only in connection with the scope of this agreement, the following:

2. PROPERTY STORAGE. Materials and Equipment may be stored at the work site during continuous working days. The Government assumes no responsibility for the safety or security of materials left on Government property. Materials shall be removed from the work site within ten

(10) days after the completion of the work described herein.

3. MATERIALS FURNISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT. The Government will provide to the Contractor for use only in connection with the scope of the agreement, the following described materials not specifically to be provided by the contractor as specified herein. The Government will deliver materials required for operations to the contractor prior to operations at the specified job site. The Contractor shall evidence receipt of materials by signature and shall be responsible for the storage of delivered materials.

3.1 KEYS. If government keys are issued to the Contractor, the final month's work will not be considered completed and accepted until the keys are returned to the government's key control officer. If key(s) are lost and/or not returned, a deduction fee of $250.00 per key will be made from the final payment. The Contractor shall not reproduce keys.

SECTION 5

Contractor Furnished Personnel, Equipment, and Materials

1.0 GENERAL. All materials and or equipment used in the performance of this agreement and any Call Orders shall be of suitable size and type to comply with the requirements of this agreement.

2.1 PERSONNEL. The Contractor shall furnish all employees required to satisfactorily perform the work described herein. All operators shall be thoroughly qualified in the operation of the equipment and shall, except as otherwise provided herein, be furnished by the Contractor. The Contractor shall provide adequate supervision of his/her employees to ensure compliance with the agreement specifications. The Contractor shall furnish a telephone number and mailing address through which he/she can normally be contacted on a daily basis and must supply in writing the name(s) of designated supervisor(s) who can be contacted on a daily basis.

2.2 FORESTRY LABORER WITH TOOLS. The Contractor shall furnish all laborer(s) required to complete timber stand improvements, along with all tools necessary to complete the directed tasks. The laborer to be furnished shall be capable of operating small miscellaneous power and hand tools provided by the Contractor (i.e., chainsaws, weedeaters, brushcutters, bowsaws, polesaw, loppers, pruners, etc.) for the purpose of but not limited to felling trees less than twelve

(12) inches dbh, girdling all size trees, cutting brush, clearing vines, etc. The stand or area provided by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO shall detail the tree or limb removal work parameters. The Government may mark stems for treatment prior to commencement of work.

Otherwise, selection criteria will be provided in the Task Order. All herbicides and application methods should be completed to label and industry standards and be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative. The Contractor shall provide all materials, labor, and equipment to complete the work as specified in the SOW/RFP/TO and herein.

2.3 CLASS B SAWYER WITH TOOLS. The Sawyer to be furnished shall be certified through the 0667-2C01-MTDC, S-212, North East Woodland Training, or comparable industry or agency course that is a minimum of 24 hours of classroom and field training. Class B sawyers are skilled saw operators capable of performing general saw work, including bucking, limbing, and felling. The sawyer must utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e., approved hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, leather gloves, long-sleeved shirt, chainsaw chaps, and 8” boots) and operator procedures when using the saw as outlined in Section 5, Part A;

Section 13, Part F; and Section 31 of EM 385-1-1 (30NOV2014). The Sawyer to be furnished shall include necessary equipment and supplies required to perform advanced felling of trees greater than twelve (12) inches in diameter. The stand or area provided by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO shall detail the tree or limb removal work parameters. The Government may mark stems for treatment prior to commencement of work. Otherwise, selection criteria will be provided in the Task Order.

3.1 HERBICIDE AND SURFACTANT. Herbicide materials shall be delivered to the site in the original unopened containers. Containers that do not have an original legible label that identifies the Environmental Protection Agency registration number and the manufacturer’s registered uses will be rejected. Herbicide materials shall be kept in dry storage and shall not contaminate adjacent materials and shall be handled and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Price and payment shall constitute full compensation for the cost of delivery, equipment, fuel, operator, and laborer necessary to complete the furnishing of herbicide specified herein.

3.2 HERBICIDE APPLICATION. The Contractor shall apply herbicide furnished by this agreement or Government furnished completely, uniformly and overlapping so that no areas remain untreated. The Contractor shall mix and apply the herbicide according to the EPA approved label instructions in locations as specified in an issued task order. A minimum of 10 days prior to application, the Contractor shall submit for approval a completed Planned Pest Control Report as shown in Technical Exhibit E-1 and E-2. The Contractor shall complete and provide to the Contracting Officer Representative within 10 working days following any applications of herbicide, a completed Actual Pest Control Report as shown in Technical Exhibit E-1 and E-2. Applications shall not cause any damage to non-target plants. Care shall be taken to ensure that herbicides are not allowed to affect non-targeted areas. A colored dye shall be mixed with all herbicides to be applied so that areas sprayed can be easily identified. The Contractor shall remain liable for any damages resulting from improper use of herbicides. Herbicide application shall be under the supervision of a certified applicator possessing a current and appropriate state pesticide applicator’s certificate, a copy of which shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative prior to the commencement of any application. While mixing and applying the chemical, the applicator shall wear the EPA recommended safety equipment and clothing and shall comply with, in addition to or concurrent with other requirements, the following general requirements. “General use” pesticides shall be used bearing EPA registration number. The use of “restricted use” pesticides is strictly prohibited. Pesticides shall be applied, mixed, stored, and disposed of in strict compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

3.3 SYSTEMIC NON-SELECTIVE HERBICIDE. Systemic non-selective herbicide shall be a liquid chemical herbicide for broad spectrum control of many annual weeds, perennial weeds, woody brush, and trees. Post-emergent systemic herbicides shall have no soil residual activity.

The herbicide shall not require the addition of an additional surfactant at mixing time and shall be equal to or better than Roundup Pro of Monsanto Company. Herbicides must be packaged in approved metal, plastic, alloy or otherwise safe containment system and properly labeled with chemical name and product placards.

Active Ingredient- Glyphosate N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, *In form of isopropylamine salt 41.0% Inert Ingredients- 59.0%

3.4 SYSTEMIC SELECTIVE WOODY HERBICIDE. Systemic selective herbicide shall be a liquid chemical herbicide for the selective control of woody plants and broadleaf weeds on rights-of-way, industrial sites, non-crop areas, non-irrigation ditch banks, forests, and wildlife openings, including grazed areas on these sites. This chemical herbicide shall not require the addition of an additional surfactant at mixing time. The chemical herbicide shall be equal to or better than Garlon 3A herbicide of Dow AgroSciences. Herbicides must be packaged in approved metal, plastic, alloy or otherwise safe containment system and properly labeled with chemical name and product placards.

Active Ingredient- Triclopyr 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxacetic acid, triethylamine salt 44.4% Inert Ingredients- 55.6%

4.1 WOOD SHREDDING. The Contractor shall provide all tools, equipment and labor required to mulch standing trees or those that have fallen on the ground, live or dead, up to six

(6) inch diameter measured one (1) foot above the ground level; process up to eight (8) inch diameter intermittently; plane stumps up to twelve (12) inch diameter to grade level; and grind to soil surface. All vegetation shall be shredded to a mulch type consistency so that no pieces are larger than six inches. Shredded vegetation shall remain on the ground in place where it is shredded.

4.2 WOOD CHIPPING. The Contractor shall completely and uniformly chip limbs up to six

(6) inches in diameter, to include branches and small trees in conjunction with timber stand improvement operations. The Contractor shall dispose of or place wood chips at the work site, as directed by the Contracting Officer Representative.

6.0 MULTI-PURPOSE LIGHT WEIGHT EQUIPMENT. Contractor shall provide Multi- Purpose Light Weight Equipment, with necessary attachments as needed, to complete work described in task order i.e., hazard tree removal, limbing, etc. Multi-Purpose Light Weight Equipment must have a Rated Operating Capacity of 1600 lbs. The Multi-Purpose Light Weight Equipment shall meet all Federal, State, and Local requirements to include: licenses, titles, safety equipment, etc. Payment for mobilization and demobilization of Multi-Purpose Light Weight Equipment will be made at the applicable lump sum price for “Mobilization and Demobilization of Multi- Purpose Light Weight Equipment and Attachments” for multi-purpose light weight equipment and attachments description listed on the proposal schedule and as specified in the agreement specifications and required within each task order issued, which prices shall constitute full compensation for the cost of equipment, operator, fuel, materials, supplies, repairs, supervision and support equipment necessary to deliver each piece of equipment to the worksite, on the ground and in operating condition and to remove each piece of equipment from the worksite.

7.0 UTILITY TRANSPORT I. Contractor shall provide Utility Transport I (such as Utility Terrain Vehicle) with necessary attachments/trailer for described work in task order (i.e., transport supplies and materials). The Utility Transport I must have a minimum payload potential of 1000 lbs., towing capacity of 1300 lbs., a cargo bed, and 4 or 6 wheel-drive. The Utility Transport I shall meet all Federal, State and Local requirements to include: licenses, titles, safety equipment, etc. Daily mobilization and demobilization shall be included in the daily per unit cost for this item.

SECTION 6

Hazard Tree and Limb Removal

6.1. LOCATION. The Government will supply to the Contractor a list and map of all trees and limbs to be removed or Government will mark trees and/or limbs to remove. These items may be located in any US Army Corps of Engineers managed location within the St. Louis District.

6.2. TREE REMOVAL. Trees marked for removal will be cut either flush with the ground or within 2 ft at ground level, depending on task order specifications. Trees shall be removed from Government property at the Contractor’s expense unless otherwise stated by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO. In cases where a tree is forked or multi-trunked, the tree will be measured at DBH and if the fork is BELOW 4 ½ feet, it will be counted as 2 trees (or more if multi-trunked). If the fork is ABOVE 4 ½ feet, it will be counted as a single tree.

6.3. TREE REMOVAL INCLUDING STUMP REMOVAL. Trees marked for removal will be cut down and the stump removed. Trees will be cut to a height so that the stump can be ground utilizing a stump grinder and the stump shall be ground approximately 10" below ground level. All stump holes will be filled with topsoil capable of producing a natural stand of grass and may contain NO more than 30% wood chips. Once the topsoil is packed level, it shall be seeded and fertilized (10- 10-10) with a viable mixture of tall fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass seed. Trees and limbs shall be removed from Government property at the Contractor’s expense unless otherwise stated by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO. In cases where a tree is forked or multi-trunked, the tree will be measured at DBH and if the fork is BELOW 4 ½ feet, it will be counted as 2 trees (or more if multi-trunked). If the fork is ABOVE 4 ½ feet, it will only be counted as one tree. However, for the purposes of tree removal including stump grinding, the diameter of the largest tree will be used to determine payment, and the remaining trunk(s) paid under 5.4 (Tree Removal).

6.4. STUMP REMOVAL. Marked stumps shall be removed with a stump grinder and the stump ground approximately 10" below ground level. All stump holes will be filled with topsoil capable of producing a natural stand of grass and may contain NO more than 30% wood chips. Once the topsoil is packed level, it shall be seeded and fertilized (10-10-10) with a viable mixture of tall fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass seed. The remaining wood chips are to be removed from the area and disposed of at the COR’s discretion.

6.5. DEAD LIMB REMOVAL. Trees marked for limb removal must have all dead or damaged limbs removed two inches and larger in diameter when measured at the final pruning cut. Bark that is peeled or damaged so as to cause separation from the wood must be cut away from the tree. If the removed branch damages the tree or surrounding trees it is the responsibility of the Contractor to repair any damages. All limbs will be cut according to the guidelines specified in Technical Exhibit B. Limbs must be removed from Government property at the Contractor’s expense unless otherwise stated by the Corps in the SOW/RFP/TO.

6.6. LIVE LIMB REMOVAL. Trees marked for live limb removal must have all live limbs removed so that the ends of the remaining limbs are NO lower than 10 feet within mowing limits and scenic overlooks. All limbs will be cut according to the guidelines specified in Technical Exhibit B. Bark that is peeled or damaged so as to cause separation from the wood must be cut away from the tree.