F--Vegetation Slashing at Dworshak Dam

STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK A. Contractor will provide all labor and materials to carry out the slashing of over-mature vegetation on 37.5 acres of Corps of Engineers (Corps) managed lands as described below. B. The contractor will perform slashing treatment in two units within the Elk Creek Meadows area (totaling 37.5 acres). A vicinity map and a site map are attached. C. The work will be performed within the following dates: March 30, 2009, through May 15, 2009. This window is set such that the work is conducted soon after snowmelt, which is ideal for browse rejuvenation. D. A tour of the work sites will be conducted by Government personnel (date TBD), starting at the Dworshak Dam Natural Resource Building, located on the south end of the dam. All prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to attend the tour, as site conditions this year are substantially different from previous years. 1 SPECIFICATIONS 1.1 Method Due to the fairly steep and rugged terrain, methods for accomplishing this work are expected to be limited to hand tools (e.g., mechanical and manual clippers, and chainsaws). Therefore hand-slashing is the approved method for accomplishing the work. We recognize that there may be alternative methods to accomplishing this work. The contractor may request approval through the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) to utilize other methods. In the event alternative methods are approved, all performance specifications remain the same and appropriate safety and environmental considerations will be applied. 1.2 Performance Specifications The contractor will hand-cut trees and shrubs and reduce debris within the treatment units depicted on the attached map and in accordance with the following specifications: (1) All deciduous trees and shrubs from 1/4 inch to 6 inch in diameter, measured at one foot above the base, are to be cut to a height of approximately two feet. (2) All conifer trees less than 6 inches dbh (diameter at breast height) are to be cut at or near ground level. (3) Slashing debris (tree and shrub pieces separated from the base after cutting) will be reduced to lengths less than 72 inches and the depth of debris will not exceed 24 inches above the ground surface. (4) All slashing debris that lands on a road surface will be removed from the road surface. (5) The contractor is not to cut down any deciduous trees and shrubs nor conifers trees within 50 feet of any swamps, bogs, wetlands, lakes, or any permanent or temporary streams; this includes the Reservoir itself. Temporary streams can be identified by the occurrence of a definite bed and bank. 1.3 Area Description and Access The terrain of the Elk Creek Meadows area varies between gently sloped to fairly steep. The slashing units have recently been logged using tractor or cable yarding methods. As a result the amount of vegetation to be slashed per acre within the units is much less then in previous years. Therefore it is very important to attend the site tour in order to adequately determine cost per acre. The site can be accessed by either boat or vehicle. However, accessing the units by passenger vehicle will require crossing land owned by Potlatch Corporation, the Idaho Department of Lands and other private landowners. If the contractor wishes to access the units by passenger vehicle he/she must get permission and obtain keys from these owners. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to obtain permission to utilize roads not owned by the Corps. The Corps is not responsible for providing access to the site via road. 1.4 Pre-work Meeting The contractor shall meet with the point of contact (POC) at the Dworshak Natural Resources Office, +1 (555) 000-0000, prior to beginning work. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and develop mutual understandings relative to the general, technical, and safety aspects of the work to be completed as well as establishing a quality control program and schedule of work. 1.5 Contractor Quality Control Program The Quality Control Program is the means by which the Contractor assures himself or herself and the COR that all work will be accomplished in accordance with the contract specifications. The Contractors Quality Control Program shall be prepared in advance of the start of work and provide for all services in the contract. It shall include the surveillance required to meet all contract specifications regarding schedule, compliance, proper equipment, materials, and work performance. The Contractor shall be responsible for controlling work quality through effective management, training, and sufficient inspections of all work items (including those of subcontractors) to ensure compliance with all contract requirements. The contractor may be required to produce his/her written quality control program at any time during the course of the contract. 1.6 Government Quality Assurance 1.6.1 Inspections. The Government has the right to inspect all work called for in this contract, to the extent practical, at all times and places during the terms of the contract. The Government will perform perodic inspections in a manner that will not unduly delay the work. The Government will perform such additional inspections of materials, procedures, equipment, and completed work as considered necessary by the COR to ensure contract compliance. 1.6.2 Quality Assurance Representative. The COR may designate a Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) to inspect the Contractors performance. Neither the QAR nor COR are authorized to change the scope of work of the specifications without written authorization from the Contracting Officer. Neither the presence nor absence of a QAR will relieve the Contractor from any requirement of the contract. The QAR will observe and report to the COR the Contractors activities and compliance with contract specifications. A QAR has the authority to require work to be done in accordance with contract requirements and to stop the Contractors operation for violations of safety requirements or when life is endangered. 1.6.3 Performance Requirements Summary. Following the completion of the work, Corps staff will inspect each unit for compliance with this Statement of Work using the criteria below. These criteria must be met to satisfy the intent of the contract. Random sampling may be used to determine compliance. (1) Ninety percent of all deciduous trees and shrubs (1/2 inch to 6 inches in diameter as measured at the one foot above ground level) are to be cut to a height of 1-1/2 feet to 2-1/2 feet above ground level. (2) The number of deciduous slash pieces longer than 72 inches in length will not exceed 10 per acre. (3) Ninety percent of the 37.5 acres will not have slash extending beyond 24 inches above the ground. (4) The number of conifer stumps greater than 6 inches above the ground surface will not exceed five (5) per acre. 1.6.4 Discrepancies. If the findings of any given inspection demonstrate that the work does not comply with the Performance Requirements Summary, the Government may require the Contractor to correct the deficient work at no cost to the Government. A written notice of discrepancies to be corrected will be given to the Contractor or his or her representative. The contractor shall have seven (7) days from the date of a written notice of discrepancies in which to furnish satisfactory written justification for the discrepancies and/or bring the work into compliance. 1.6.5 Contractors Nonperformance. If the Contractor fails to perform the work in the specified timeframe or fails to meet contract specifications and fails to take necessary action to ensure future performance is in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may terminate the contract for cause (see FAR 52.212-4(m)). 1.7 Subcontracting No work may be subcontracted without the written approval of the Contracting Officer. Compliance with the provisions of this contract by subcontractors shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. 1.8 Permits and Responsibilities The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses and permits and for complying with any applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with the performance of this work. 1.9 Protection of Resources 1.9.1 Protection of Government Facilities. The Contractor shall be responsible for restoring any Government facilities, structures, or equipment damaged as a result of his/her operations. Reasonable care shall be used to avoid damage to existing structures, equipment, and vegetation in the area and other areas of Government property. Any such damage shall be repaired, or the items replaced, as directed by the Contracting Officer, at no charge to the Government. If the Contractor does not make such repair or replacement, the cost for the repair or replacement may be deducted from payments to be made to the Contractor. The Contractor shall advise the COR of any damage to the facilities due to vandalism or other causes on the day such damage is first noticed. 1.9.2 Fire Control. (1) Fire Hazards. The Contractor shall eliminate all potential fire hazards that may result from his operations of grounds equipment and the storage of supplies, fuels, or cleaning agents. (2) Fire Equipment. All vehicles used by the Contractor on the job site must be equipped with a shovel, bucket, and one 10-pound A/B/C rated fire extinguisher. (3) Fire Responsibility. The contractor will be responsible for the control of, and any damages and costs associated with, fires that result from his/her operation of this work. 1.9.3 Protection of Water Resources. Special measures shall be taken to prevent chemicals, fuels, oils, greases, bituminous materials, and waste washings from entering drainage ditches, ponds, and rivers. 1.9.4 Protection of Soil Resources. Measures shall be taken to minimize erosion and scarification of soil. Planned methods of control will be discussed at the pre-work meeting. 1.10 Safety 1.10.1 Safety Standards. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Standards, as well as the Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual EM 385-1-1, effective September 2008. The OSHA Standards are subject to change, and such changes may affect the Contractor in his performance under the contract. It is the Contractors responsibility to know such changes and to take immediate action to implement those changes. 1.10.2 Accidents (1) The Contractor shall notify the COR immediately of damage to Government or private property and injury to any person resulting from his or her operations. In the event that an accident or injury should occur on Government lands, the Contractor shall first notify the appropriate local emergency service organization and then the COR. See Section 01.D of EM 385-1-1, for further details on accident reporting. (2) The Contractor shall make a written report of each separate cause of an injury or accident. These reports shall include location, nature of the injury or accident, authorities notified, and the action taken, along with any other pertinent information. These reports shall be accompanied by sketches, graphs, drawings, and photographs, as needed, and forwarded to the COR within two (2) working days following the injury or accident. 1.11 Vehicles and Equipment All vehicles and equipment shall be equipped and operated in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws governing safety, pollution control, licensing, and operation.