Turnbull NWR Boundary Fence Maintenance

1 STATEMENT OF WORK Maintenance of Refuge Boundary Fencing Re-build or Repair of Boundary Fence on Cheney-Spangle Rd 1. General: 1.1 Project Description: The Turnbull NWR requires the removal of old wire and construction of wildlife friendly smooth/barbed wire boundary fence to protect wetland and riparian habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife from trespass of persons and cattle. 1.2 Purpose/End Application: The purpose of this project is to protect habitat for migratory birds resulting in increased use by nesting and migratory waterfowl and other federal trust species. 1.3 Contractor Qualifications: Contractors must have demonstrated experience with building smooth and barbed wire fences and willingness to comply with wildlife safe designs. USFWS will provide wildlife safe fence designs. 2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance 2.1 Turnbull NWR is located within the “channel scablands” of NE Washington where ground conditions are considered variable with a mix of deep soils near wetlands, basalt rock outcroppings, and a variety of soil depth throughout the ponderosa pine habitats (rock hammer or rock cribbing will be required in some locations if new posts are needed.) The fence to be rebuilt/repaired is located on Cheney- Spangle Rd between W Jennings Rd and Wells Rd (see map 1). 2.2 Period of Performance: June 15, 2026-June 30, 2027, the fencing work will be scheduled with consideration to the weather and fire danger conditions. The project is estimated to take 2 weeks to complete once it is started. 2.3 Work Scheduling: The anticipated work schedule must be coordinated with the COR for approval. There are concerns regarding active fire precautions throughout the year. 2.4 Normal duty hours Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information. 2.5 Nonduty hours include weeknights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). 2.5 Work required outside of normal duty hours shall be coordinated with the COR five business days in advance. 3. Scope -- 1 of 8 -- 2 3.1 The vendor shall provide maintenance up to 5 miles of fence, updating to 3 strand wildlife- friendly barbed/smooth-wire fence with metal T-posts a maximum of 16 feet apart. Corners requiring replacement can be constructed of either wood or steel pipe. Wire gates will be repaired at any existing wire gates or entry points where swing gates do not exist. No new gates will be added to the fenceline. (See map 1 for rebuild vs repair information) 3.1.1 Approximately 1.5 miles of re-build and 3.5 miles of repair. Rebuilding requires replacement of greater than 15% of all posts, removal of all fence strands and replacement with new smooth and barbed wire to meet the designs specified in section 3.3. Repairing requires less than 15% replacement of posts, removal of any number of strands greater than 3 and replacement of the top and bottom strand with smooth wire to meet the designs specified in section 3.3. 3.2 The vendor shall remove existing fence lines from the designated boundary line, replacing it with the new wire if needed. T-post previously cemented or jackhammered into the ground may be reused if still sturdy. Corner braces and H-braces in serviceable condition may be reused. All old fencing materials are to be disposed of by the contractor. " 3.3 The work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: Wildlife safe fence design, 16’ post spacing, top wire at a max of 42” off the ground, second wire min 12” below top wire, bottom wire min 18” from the ground. 4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule: 4.1 Materials 4.1.1 Wire. Wire shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A 121, Standard Specification for Metallic- Coated Carbon Steel Barbed Wire with galvanizing meeting ASTM 641, Standard -- 2 of 8 -- 3 Specification for Zinc- Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire. The barbed wire will be new and consist of 2 twisted strands of 12.5-gauge minimum high tensile wire with galvanizing with 2-point barbes. The smooth wire will be new and consist of 2 twisted strands of 12.5-gauge minimum high tensile wire with galvanizing. The wire supplied must carry a 20-year supplier’s warranty or documentation from the supplier that the wire will remain durable for the practice lifespan. The barbs shall be minimum 2-points on 5-inch centers. 4.1.2 Fasteners. Staples shall be 9-gauge, galvanized steel or heavier. They shall securely attach the wire to wood posts. Manufacturer’s clips or 14-gauge wires may be used to fasten wires to steel posts. 4.1.3 Posts. Wood All wooden posts and brace members shall be pressure treated with a rating of UC4C extreme heavy-duty use and ensure that complete penetration of the sapwood is obtained. The quality of treated wood shall provide sufficient strength and last for the expected life of the fence. All corner, end, pull, and gate assembly posts shall be wooden with a minimum top diameter of 5 inches. Steel Steel line posts shall have the standard “T” section, and nominal dimensions of 1⅜ inches by 1⅜ inches by ⅛ inch with anchor plate. The posts shall be rolled from high carbon steel, weigh at least 1.25 pounds per foot of length, and shall be painted GREEN with weather resistant paint for steel, enameled and baked, or hot dip galvanized. The posts shall contain studs to aid in wire attachment. The weather resistant paint shall be approved by COR prior to use. 4.2 INSTALLATION 4.2.1. Post Installation and Spacings. Post spacing for line posts shall not exceed 16 feet for standard barbed wire fence. 4.2.2. Corner, End, Pull, and Gate Assemblies. One of the following br…