Work_of_Statement.docx

Project Title: 2021 Contract Mulching for Habitat Improvement at Cache River NWR Project Time Frame: From award date, 2021 to July 1, 2022 Purpose: This project is part of the Refuge forest management program to improve forest habitat in older hardwood plantations. The trees are large enough for commercial harvest, but quality and form render them unsalable in current local markets. Completing the project by large forestry mulching machine(s) is the only viable option in order to release better quality residual trees and allow a flush of lower vegetation to greatly improve current and future habitat for waterfowl, forest breeding birds, bats, quail, and other native wildlife. This operation must be performed following prescription guidelines; monitor as required.

Parameters:

Contractor must utilize large forestry mulching, or masticating machines capable of mulching 12 to 20-inch-diameter trees.

For the duration of this Project, the Contractor must carry Commercial General Liability Insurance, with a per occurrence limit of not less than $1,000,000; and, Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Employer’s Liability Insurance with a limit of at least the amount required by applicable law, but not less than $500,000, fully covering all employees and supervisors participating in the Contractor’s operations. The Contractor shall save, hold harmless, defend, and indemnify the United States of America, its agents and employees for loss, damages, or judgments and expenses on account of bodily injury, death or property damage, or claims for bodily injury, death, or property damage of any nature whatsoever, and by whomever made, arising out of the Contractor’s, his employees, subcontractors or agents with respect to conducting activities connected with this Project within the lands administered by Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

The Contractor must give the Government Representative (GR) notice three days before any day in which work will be done. The Contractor must meet with the GR on-site before any work is begun.

Work will be allowed all days through the project time frame including Federal Holidays; however, work must be accomplished during favorable weather conditions; i.e., dry ground conditions.

To avoid transport of invasive pests, all equipment will be pressure washed before coming on to the refuge.

Scope of Work:

Contractor will mulch or masticate all material from “harvest” trees to within 24 inches of the ground and tree stumps to within 6 inches of the ground on 159 acres. Contractor will follow guidance from refuge forestry staff to mulch every third, fourth, or fifth row, and mulch up to 50% of low quality trees in remaining rows; see below for specific mulching guidelines per stand.

Example schematic:

1 in 4 rows and 50% of residuals mulched (green=standing tree, white=mulched tree)

Payment:

The GR will make regular inspections and conduct random sampling to survey completed work according to the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). Areas not meeting the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) will be retreated by the Contractor to meet the AQL. The Contractor will be paid according to the contracted amount for the acres successfully treated and successfully retreated (if necessary). The Contractor may submit for an acreage-prorated-payment for those acres that have been successfully treated/retreated on a monthly or per stand basis or may wait to submit for payment when all of the treatments are complete, at their option.

United States Department of the Interior

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE - CACHE RIV NWR

26320 HIGHWAY 33 SOUTH

AUGUSTA AR 72006-5027

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