NV-MOAPA VLY NWR-PALM TREE REMOVAL

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCMENET ONLY. This is sources south Notice only and it is not a solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of qualified, potential contractors and their socio-economic size classification in accordance with NAICS Code category 115310. Responses will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After a review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice, a solicitation announcement may be posted. A response to this Sources Sought Notice is not an adequate reply to a potentially forthcoming solicitation. This procurement is tree removal at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Purpose/End Application: - Removal of up to approximately 80 medium to large palms from Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge to protect existing endangered species, warm springs, streams, native riparian habitat, and refuge structures. - Minimal disturbance to native vegetation surrounding the palms to be removed. The work to potential be performed would consist of furnishing all labor, management, permits, fees, equipment, materials, and supplies necessary to meet the following needs, unless otherwise stated. A. Cut assisted by bucket lift i. Approximately 31 palms are estimated to be able to be reached by a lift. These palms are indicated by purple pentagons in the attached figures. If site conditions at and around the tree are such that it is better to remove the tree by climbing, the tree shall be removed as noted in A.2.b. as determined onsite by the potential Contractor in conference with the FWS, if needed. ii. Option Item 1: The potential Contractor will grind rooted stumps below ground level. In addition, for the approximately 31 palms removed by bucket lift assist, the Contractor may implement root grinding of the cut stump to lower the stump 6-12 inches below the surrounding soil height. This is intended to allow the stump to be covered by dirt and not be visible to visitors. iii. The Contractor shall maintain a daily record of trees removed by this method. B. Climbing Method i. Approximately 38 palms are estimated to be removed by climbing method (Figure 1, red triangles). Each of these 38 palms shall be treated as a hazard palm due to proximity to sensitive habitat or visitor structures. This removal method is intended to remove the palm without damaging the surrounding vegetation caused by felling large portions of the palms or using heavy equipment in the area adjacent to the palms. Each palm must be climbed and cut and lowered in pieces in controlled falls. The pieces must then be carried or transported via wheelbarrow, or similar conveyance, to designated areas where they can be loaded onto equipment or trailers and hauled to the designated disposal area. Each of these palms shall be cut to the surrounding soil height. ii. The potential Contractor would maintain a daily record of palms removed by the climbing method. 2. The potential Contractor shall transfer the palm trunks, pieces of trunk, fronds, and all associated palm debris to an area designated by FWS, unless exercising Option Item 2, below. The designated area will be on the Apcar unit of Moapa Valley NWR, approximately - mile from palm removal location. The materials shall be transferred by equipment and vehicles provided by the Contractor primarily using West Warm Springs Road (versus internal, gravel roads on Moapa Valley NWR). The potential Contractor shall arrange the materials in the designated area as directed by FWS. Alternatively, the potential Contractor may choose to chip palm debris, deposit the chips at the designated area, or haul the chips off site. i. Option Item 2: potential Contractor will be responsible for collecting and hauling debris off site using trucks or debris bins instead of onsite disposal (see bid schedule). 3. The potential Contractor would remove trunks, fronds, and associated palm debris continuously as the palm removal efforts proceed to avoid fire hazards from accumulation of vegetation debris near and under equipment, tools, and vehicles, avoid damaging surrounding vegetation, and maintain the visitor area in acceptable condition. 4. The potential Contractor would perform appropriate post-removal clean up and grooming of the site where the palms were removed. For example, repair any damages that occurred such as divots or ruts left from vehicles or equipment, rake out equipment tracks or footprints, and any other necessary repairs to make the treatment less obtrusive. If your firm can provide the above, submit your interest to Curtis_Smith@fws.gov by 1/16/2024 5:00PM Eastern Time.