GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: VPA-HIP Projects; invasive shrub control and tree-felling

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1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: VPA-HIP Projects; invasive shrub control and tree-felling I. SCOPE OF WORK The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), Northcentral Region, requires a total of 45.8 acres of treefelling; 15 acres of cut stump herbicide treatment on a low density of invasive shrubs; and 15.1 acres of cut stump herbicide treatment on hophornbeam at one privately-owned property in Tioga County. Services shall include, but not be limited to the furnishing of all labor, superintendence, tools, equipment, and herbicide as per attached specifications for the projects. All Purchase Orders require the contractor to provide the labor, supervision, tools, equipment, herbicide, insurance, and all miscellaneous expenses to complete the operation for all projects listed. Any questions concerning the technical aspects of this bid should be directed to the Northcentral Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Mario Giazzon, at mgiazzon@pa.gov or Contractors wanting to visit the site prior to placing a bid should contact Mr. Giazzon, who will arrange it if and when possible. Questions concerning the Request for Quote, the Purchase Order(s) or bidding procedures should be directed to Mary Rhone at II. CONTRACT TASKS: Project Location: The private property of Thomas and Maureen Socha at 517 Linder Road, Osceola, PA 16942, Farmington Township, Tioga County. Follow PA-287 North out of Wellsboro to PA-249 West. Follow PA-249 approximately 1.5 miles, turn right onto Cummings Creek Road, in 2.4 miles veer left onto State Road, in 2.1 miles turn right to stay on State Road. Follow another 1.5 miles and turn left onto Linder Road (a.k.a. Soules Road). Residence is ½ mile on right. Coordinates: N, W Project Narrative: Cut and chemically treat a low density of non-native invasive shrubs (i.e., honeysuckle) on approximately 15 acres in the understory of a pine plantation delineated as Stand 1. Then conduct 30.7 acres of felling red & scotch pine, black birch, and aspen to release a hardwood understory and promote aspen in Stand 1. An additional 15.1 acres of select hophornbeam felling and stump treatment will occur in Stands 2a and 2b. See Attachment 1 for project details and enclosed maps for Stand locations. III. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS: The entire project including herbicide treatments and felling must be completed prior to April 1, No more than one contract extension might be possible if inclement weather or other natural event prevents project completion by this date. However, this will be at the discretion of the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist or designee. The contractor agrees to comply with all requirements, all specifications and all attachments. The Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

2 IV. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: A. The contractor will provide Workmen s Compensation Insurance sufficient to cover all of the employees of contractor working to fulfill this contract. B. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, including bodily injury and property damage insurance, to protect the Commonwealth, landowners (Thomas and Maureen Socha) and the contractor from claims arising out of the performance of the contract. The amount of Bodily Injury Insurance shall not be less than $300, for injury to or death of persons per occurrence. The amount of Property Damage Insurance shall not be less than $300, per occurrence. Such policies shall name the Commonwealth and landowners (Thomas and Maureen Socha) as additional insured. Prior to the commencement of work under this contract, the contractor must provide the Commonwealth with current Certificates of Insurance. These Certificates shall contain a provision that coverage s afforded under the policy shall not be canceled or changed until at least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the Commonwealth. Hold Harmless: The contractor shall be responsible for and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth and Thomas and Maureen Socha from and against damages to property or injuries (including death) to any persons and other losses, damages, expenses, claims, demands, suits, and actions by any party against the Commonwealth in connection with the work performed by the contractor. V. BID AWARD: Vendors may access the website or phone (877) or (717) or ra-srmhelp@pa.gov for assistance to register as a new vendor or, if you are an existing vendor, to change a main or remit to address. This is a DGS website so you need to contact them directly if you have any problems with the website. The bid shall include all labor, supervision, tools, equipment, herbicide, insurance and all miscellaneous expenses necessary for the completion of the project. The Contractor shall be paid for the completed project as determined by the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist or designee. ALL VENDORS WHO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION MUST HAVE A VENDOR NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THEM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH. VI. CONTRACT TERM: The contract term shall commence upon contractor s receipt of the Purchase Order that includes a notice to proceed and terminate April 1, No more than one contract extension might be possible if inclement weather or other natural event prevents project completion by this date. However, this will be at the discretion of the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist or designee. VII. PAYMENT TERMS: Payment shall be for the completed project as measured by the Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist or designee.

3 Attachment 1: Cut-stump chemical treatment of invasive shrubs and American hophornbeam and tree-felling on the Thomas and Maureen Socha property located in Tioga County, PA. Cut and chemically treat a low density of non-native invasive shrubs (i.e., honeysuckle) on approximately 15 acres in the understory of a pine plantation delineated as Stand 1. Then conduct 30.7 acres of non-commercial wildlife habitat improvement cutting in Stand 1 by felling red & scotch pine, black birch, and aspen to release a hardwood understory and promote aspen. An additional 15.1 acres of select hophornbeam felling and stump treatment will occur in Stands 2a and 2b. Stand 1: In fall/winter of 2015 and prior to any tree felling, cut all non-native invasive shrubs (primarily bush honeysuckle and to a lesser density multiflora rose) and treat the freshly cut stump with triclopyr (i.e., Garlon 4) at label rates. Total estimated area for treatment within this stand is acres. The shrubs are generally at a low density in a relatively open understory, so are easily accessible. The black birch, red pine and scotch pine in Stand 1 (30.7 ac) will be targeted for removal. Approximately 10 red or scotch pine trees per acre in the pine plantation area have been marked for retention or girdling. Pines marked with blue paint should be retained. Pines marked with red paint will be girdled by the contractor (or receive hack and squirt treatment with herbicide). All remaining unmarked pines in the unit will be felled. Season of felling for the pines and black birch is flexible (i.e., they can be cut up to April 1, 2016 if necessary). However, all aspen must be felled only during the dormant season between December 2015 to February 2016 to favor root sprouting. All debris from the tree felling can be chipped onsite or simply allowed to lay on the ground. If aspen debris will remain onsite, it should be scattered if necessary so that growing space for the root sprouts is not excessively hindered. Aside from black birch, no hardwood trees or native shrubs will be felled. These hardwoods and native shrubs will be retained as future seed sources and should be protected from damage during felling of surrounding trees to the extent possible. Felling operations to be completed by April 1, Stands 2a & 2b: American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) in Stands 2a (5.0 ac) and 2b (10.1 ac) will be targeted for felling and chemical treatment of fresh stumps, with one exception. Approximately 5-6 groups of hophornbeam marked with blue paint will be retained for wildlife, each group ranging from ¼ to ½ acre in size. Aside from the hophornbeam marked with blue paint, all remaining hophornbeam >2 inches dbh will be felled and fresh cut stumps treated with triclopyr (i.e., Garlon 4) at label rates. All other native hardwoods and shrubs will be retained as seed sources (including the sawlog white ash, large pole sugar and red maple, and other sapling-sized trees/shrubs) and damage during felling operations will be minimized to the extent possible. Felling and chemical treatments must be completed by April 1, Treatment Acreage: Treatment Type Stand # Acreage Pine, birch, and aspen felling (dormant season only for aspen) Invasive shrubs cut and stump treated with herbicide Hophornbeam felling, stump treatment with herbicide 2a, 2b 15.1

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6 Stand 1 regeneration under pine plantation Stand 1 pine with honeysuckle understory Stand 1 aspen plantation Nearby daylighted site, showing regen potential Stand 2a hophornbeam Stand 2b conditions