What this opportunity is
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking tree felling services in Sitka, Alaska, specifically for the MH-60T aircraft mishap site. This HUBZone set-aside opportunity is suitable for small businesses that can provide all necessary labor, equipment, and materials for tree removal to facilitate helicopter recovery operations. The notice type is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, indicating that interested contractors should track the opportunity closely and prepare to submit bids in response to the solicitation.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
Tree Felling Services – MH-60T Aircraft Mishap Site
Harbor Mountain, Sitka, Alaska
1. Background
The Government requires professional tree-felling services to establish safe operating areas and
helicopter flight corridors necessary to facilitate the recovery of the aircraft and associated major
components. This requirement is limited solely to tree removal activities and does not include
aircraft recovery or wreckage removal. The military's recovery assessment identified tree
removal and site preparation as the primary prerequisite to the recovery mission.
2. Objective
Provide all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, transportation, materials, and incidentals
necessary to safely remove Government-designated trees to support future helicopter recovery
operations while minimizing risk to personnel, Government property, and the integrity of the
aviation mishap site.
3. Scope of Work
The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, chainsaws, rigging equipment,
transportation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and all other resources necessary to safely
perform tree-felling operations.
Primary Aircraft Recovery Area:
The Contractor shall remove Government-designated trees located within approximately 40
feet, measured from the outermost extent of any major aircraft component designated for
external helicopter recovery, including but not limited to:
• Main fuselage
• Tail section
• Other major aircraft assemblies identified by the Government
Trees shall be directionally felled away from the aircraft whenever terrain, safety, and site
conditions permit. Trees may be topped, limbed, sectioned, or bucked as necessary to safely
complete removal while preventing damage to the aircraft.
Various types of trees ranging from Hemlock’s, Cedar’s, and Sitka Spruce
Diameter of trees range from 6” to approx. 48”
Height of trees range from 10’ to approx. 100’
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Contingency Tree Removal
Following completion of the initial tree removal, additional Government-designated trees may be
identified by United States Coast Guard personnel or designated Army and Air Force aviation
recovery Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) if additional clearance is determined necessary to safely
execute aircraft recovery operations.
Upon direction of the Contracting Officer (KO) or the Contracting Officer's Representative
(COR), the Contractor shall remove those additional designated trees. Tree removal outside the
general recovery areas identified in this Statement of Work shall require written authorization
from the Contracting Officer.
4. Period of Performance
The Period of Performance (PoP) shall begin upon contract award and continue for fifteen (15)
calendar days unless otherwise modified by the Contracting Officer.
Due to rapidly changing weather conditions common to Southeast Alaska, the Contractor shall
diligently prosecute the work to completion. Weather-related schedule extensions may be
considered only upon written approval by the Contracting Officer.
5. Site Access & Logistics
First Location needs approx. two trees fell near the tail gear box at the below location.
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Primary location of trees needing to be fell are at the below location. Approx. number of trees is
near 100.
The Contractor shall be solely responsible for transporting personnel, tools, equipment, and
supplies to the work site.
The Government will provide site access coordination through the Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR); however, the Government will not furnish contractor transportation,
equipment, or logistical support.
The nearest vehicle access point is the Harbor Mountain Road picnic area. All personnel,
equipment, and materials required to perform the work shall be transported by the Contractor
from this location to the work site.
6. Contractor Responsibilities
The Contractor shall:
• Provide qualified personnel experienced in steep-terrain tree-felling operations.
• Furnish all equipment necessary to safely complete the work.
• Conduct daily safety briefings.
• Coordinate all activities with the Government Contracting Officer’s Representative
(COR).
• Maintain positive control of all felling operations.
• Utilize industry-standard directional felling techniques.
• Suspend work whenever unsafe conditions exist.
• Immediately report hazards or changing site conditions to the COR.
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7. Site Conditions
The Contractor acknowledges that work will occur in mountainous terrain characterized by:
• Steep slopes, dense timber, and loose/uneven footing.
• Limited maneuvering space and restricted equipment access.
• Variable and severe weather conditions.
• Standing and fallen hazard trees.
• Aircraft wreckage located within forested terrain.
7A. Emergency Procedures
The Contractor shall immediately notify the COR of any:
• Injury or illness requiring medical assistance
• Damage to Government property
• Environmental spill or release
• Near-miss incident
• Emergency requiring outside assistance
The Contractor shall maintain emergency communication capability throughout the
duration of work.
The Contractor is responsible for evaluating site conditions and conducting operations in a safe
manner.
8. Protection of Government Property & Security
The aircraft and associated wreckage are Government property and are part of an active aviation
mishap investigation.
• Physical Protection: The Contractor shall exercise extreme caution to prevent additional
damage to the aircraft, avoid disturbing aircraft wreckage or associated evidence, and
immediately notify the COR of any accidental contact with Government property.
• Information Security & Non-Disclosure: No photography, video recording, or digital
mapping of the aircraft wreckage, military equipment, or mishap site is permitted by
contractor personnel, except as explicitly authorized in writing by the COR for
documenting work progress. Release of any site imagery, location data, or operational
details to th…
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.