1. Statement of Work.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work (SOW)

Contents

Project Wesley Chapel Gulf NNIS 2024

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Contractor will conduct treatments to the specified project area of the target Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) infestation of Johnson Grass and Sericia lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata).

2.0 Background

The project area occurs within Hoosier National Forest which includes streamside, roadside, open-land, forest habitats and Karst Features i.e. sink holes. The target species have been treated for several years and infestation density has been decreased. Parts of Johnson grass units may have prescribed fire applied by FS in late winter early spring.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

General Treatment Specifications

· The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards in the contract. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. Contractors shall use selective herbicides. The Scope of Work will list any additional necessary requirements.

· Herbicide applicators shall use typical herbicide concentrations according to all EPA approved manufacturer herbicide directions. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and any applicable laws or regulations. Application operations shall be conducted as indicated on the herbicide label, including approved concentrations, rates/acre, and environmental conditions. Only chemicals for aquatic use in or adjacent to streams shall be used whenever directed at or adjacent to waterways and wetlands such as the aquatic formulation of glyphosate (Rodeo ® or equivalent product).

· The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The contractor must have herbicide labels and copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used on site. The contractor must provide copies or notification by telephone or email of herbicide labels and MSDS of chemicals to the COR prior to the start of work.

· Where appropriate, vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is permissible to apply herbicides in designated old fields or grassland openings, and along roads. Other spot spraying typically involves the use of backpack sprayers or other hand techniques, and along some wider trails ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is also permissible. Use of suitable dye is required to indicate where applicators have sprayed or used herbicides. Contractors cannot use ATVs with liquid cargo tanks exceeding 15 gallons.

· For foliar herbicide application during the growing season, the contract will require the use of selective herbicides or a selective method of application to reduce effects to the surrounding non-target vegetation. Foliar herbicide application will occur mainly after full leaf expansion and applicators will apply herbicides in a systematic fashion to provide coverage to the entire NNIS infestation. Contractor shall apply foliar spray in such a manner to thoroughly wet foliage, but not to the point of runoff to avoid harm or mortality to desirable non-target plant species.

· Contractor will place caution signs around the sprayed areas according to the appropriate interval per label directions of the chemical used in application areas where the public may have contact with herbicide (e.g. trails, parking areas). Where necessary per label directions, caution signs may include a temporary closure of treatment areas.

· Contractor will conduct treatments within specified project area(s) of the target NNIS infestation(s) as identified in the Scope of Work. Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate of 90% for target NNIS infestations.

· The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the work within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule for the awarded contract.

· Forest Service COR or Contract Inspectors may conduct visual inspection of NNIS treatments on site to check on their progression to ensure the Contractor is following the specified requirements of the contract. The COR may conduct random inspections and sampling to verify acceptable kill rates to target NNIS infestations and mortality to non-target desirable native plants. At the discretion of the COR, the Forest Service will accept work based on visual inspection, to confirm kill rates to both target NNIS species and non-target native plant species.

· All herbicide applicator staff must be able to identify target NNIS plant species in the field, including during dormant seasons, to a sufficient degree without exceeding the maximum acceptable levels of mortality to desirable non-target native species and to meet minimum kill rates to target NNIS infestations (refer to Quality Assurance Plan).

Recordkeeping and Daily Logs/Diary

Minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates, copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used, and the location of the waste site and/or use destination locations.

Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas per contract, with a copy made available to the COR at billing or upon request. At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of the daily treatment log no later than upon submission of the final invoice. When invoicing for partial work payments, the Contractor shall provide information from the daily diary regarding the herbicide treatments done for the relevant specific contract line items. The daily log must record the Contract Line Item, target NNIS species’, chemical used (product name), quantity of herbicide (volume applied & unit of measure per each target NNIS species’ –including product and carrier/dilutant), application rate (active ingredient applied & unit of measure or percent solution), and adjuvant used (product name & rate applied, if any). Other log requirements include date, time of day (start time and stop time), treatment location, approximate acres treated, hours to complete task, type of application (method/technique), name of licensed commercial applicator, other licensed applicators and non-certified applicators, type of equipment used, plus optional information such as any other miscellaneous notes or observations.

Equipment Cleanliness

Prior to starting work, the Contractor must clean all equipment used in NNIS control activities before entering the treatment areas. Project COR will inspect equipment on-site prior to implementation.

Cultural Resources If artifacts or cultural materials are discovered during project implementation, cease work and notify the COR. If human remains are discovered, cease work, notify the COR, the heritage resource specialist, and secure the area.

Licensing and Certification

The Contractor and/or whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Indiana commercial pesticide applicators certification and license (category 2) at the time of quote and during any herbicide treatments. Most contracts will require work requirements in category 2 (Forest Pest Management), which is applicable for all treatments on the Forest.

The Contractor must also possess a current Indiana Commercial Pesticide Business License. Information on Indiana pesticide certification is available at https://oisc.purdue.edu/.

The Contractor, or subcontractor, shall ensure that there is either an Indiana pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatment or registered technicians that are in direct voice communication by telephone or radio with the certified supervisor.

Inspections

The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one line item (CLIN). The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule then request an inspection by the COR. Contractors are reminded that some work, such as herbicide application, cannot be immediately inspected, because an appropriate time interval must pass before determining whether the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) has been met.

Invoicing

Invoicing is tied to successful inspection of work. The Contractor may only invoice after the COR has inspected the line item(s) work and the work is determined to have met the AQL. This applies to both interim and final payments.

Safety Plan

The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, their employees. The safety plan should include: 1) a chemical spill plan documenting internal procedures, in the event of a pesticide spill on-site or in transport, 2) documentation to substantiate that the Contractor has an ongoing safety training program, 3) documentation regarding any Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) actions/citations issued against the Contractor within the previous three (3) years, to include follow-up measures or remedies taken by the Contractor. The same safety plan information is required of subcontractors.

ATV/UTV Use

Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in off road areas along trails or fields for indefinite periods or possibly the entire area at certain times of the year. The COR will determine those conditions or locations that warrant the appropriate use of vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV.

4.0 Government Furnished

Contractor will be provided a government furnished key to access the project area.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Contract Line Item Treatment Categories:

Open Land NNIS and Roadside Grasses – (Selective Herbicide)

Contractor shall apply foliar herbicide in specified locations and times as identified. Typically, work done in these areas is for treatment of smaller scattered infestations and/or NNIS populations that are interspersed with significant amounts of desirable native plant species. These treatment areas may occur immediately adjacent to the above dense open land NNIS treatments or possibly in other locations within the same grassland opening or roadside and trail infestation.

Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations and not exceed the maximum specified mortality to non-target plant. Because these NNIS infestations contain more desirable native non-target species, typical treatments may require the use selective herbicides to minimize harm to native species. The SOW will specify all areas where inadvertent herbicide treatment kill of native species that exist intermixed within the defined spray area is acceptable.

Statement of Work (SOW) and Project Specifications:

General Requirements –

The initial draft specific Work Plan and Schedule will indicate how the Contractor intends to meet the required AQL values, as well as the contract specifications, within the time allotted. The Work Schedule will provide dates of work for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) addressed, to include completion of all work before the required final date specified. The Contractor shall inform the COR of completion of each contract line item.

Upon issuance of the contract, the Contractor will then submit a final site-specific Work Plan and Schedule, including any changes in values or proposed chemical differing from the initial Work Plan for approval by the COR. The Contractor will inform the COR of any relevant changes to the technical specifications when performing work under the contract. The contractor will submit a Work Plan and Schedule, which optimizes the effectiveness of the foliar application for each target NNIS species as specified by the individual Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLIN).

As specified, the contractor will complete a daily dairy with information requested for each contract line item (CLIN) and provide a copy to the COR no later than with the final invoice.

Specific Requirement –

Treat Lespedeza Line Item #1 is the Base & Line Item #2 is option line item awarded pending funds.

Line Item #1 Treat lespedeza Wesley Chapel Gulf Treatment Area: Sericia lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) first treatment throughout the 94ac wildlife opening as indicated on the attached maps.

Performance period – Begins July 31, 2024, and concluding on September 30, 2024. The application timing must be made so that plant death occurs before the target plants develop seed. The performance period may start early or be extended upon FS COR approval and treatment kills plants before seed development.

Line Item #2 Treat lespedeza is option item.

Wesley Chapel Gulf Treatment Area: Sericia lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) second treatment throughout the 94ac wildlife opening. Work should occur after enough time has passed from first treatment to apply to plants under first treatment plants.

Performance period – Begins July 31, 2024, and concluding on September 30, 2024. The application timing must be made so that plant death occurs before the target plants develop seed. The performance period may start early or be extended upon FS COR approval and treatment kills plants before seed development.

Treatment – Do not apply herbicides at cave entrances, direct drainage inputs, such as sinkholes and swallow holes, or any stream flowing into a known cave.

Do not use triclopyr (ester formulation) or surfactants used with glyphosate (terrestrial version) in intermittent or perennial stream corridors, or within 100 feet of caves, karst features, lakes, ponds, or wetlands.

This is a spot spray treatment only application, no boom spraying.

The Sericea lespedeza contract line items (CLIN) may be treated twice during the contract time frame pending funding. The herbicide treatments are to be done at the times most optimal for control. The application timing must be made so that plant death occurs before the target plants develop seed. Broadcast applications can be made in monocultures of lespedeza if no damage is caused to desirable native vegetation. The foliar herbicides applied can be different for the two treatments. Please provide a description of when, and with what herbicides, the infestations will be treated in the initial draft Work Plan. Use of ATV/UTV/OHV and other equipment is allowable.

Line Item #3 Johnson Grass is option item.

Performance period – Begins on July 31, 2024, and concluding on September 30, 2024. The application timing must be made so that plant death occurs before the target plants develop seed. The performance period may start early or be extended upon FS COR approval and treatment kills plants before seed development. Treatment must be applied once mowed plants have reached at least 12 inches in height.

Treatment – Broadcast spray and spot spray entire treatment area as needed for Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense). Use of ATV/UTV/OHV and other equipment is allowable where appropriate. Spot spray may be required in places near sensitive plants or near Karst areas (i.e. sinkholes). If spraying near a sinkhole aquatic safe herbicide shall be used.

6.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Provide the list of employees who will work on the project, and documentation to substantiate the requisite certification and licensing(s).

The same information is required of all proposed subcontractors. Provide the name and address of any subcontractor(s) (or partner/joint-venture entity) that will be used on this project. Also include the type of work that the subcontractor will accomplish. If the intent is to allow the subcontractor to work without direct oversight by the offeror, then the subcontractor shall also furnish a safety plan and quality control plan, as described below.

**FAILURE TO SUBMIT EMPLOYEE(S) AND SUBCONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE(S) STATE OF INDIANA (OR RECIPROCAL) LICENSING CERTIFICATION FOR HEBICIDE TREATMENT WILL RESULT IN THE QUOTE BEING DEEMED AS NONRESPONSIVE. OFFEROR AND SUBCONTRACTOR(S) SHOULD SUBMIT A COPY OF EACH EMPLOYEE CERTIFICATE**

Definitions:

1. Contracting Officer: A Forest Service employee with the authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts, as well as issue determinations regarding such matters as claims.

2. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Forest Service employee that is appointed and officially designated by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with the technical matters related to contract administration. The COR will assist the Contracting Officer with surveillance of contractor performance.

3. Forest Service Inspector: A Forest Service employee designated by the Contracting Officer or COR to perform surveillance of contractor performance.

4. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): A suitable level of conformance based on an established percentage of defects.

5. Quality Assurance: Those actions taken by the Forest Service to assure services meet specified requirements.

6. Quality Control: Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the specified requirements.

7. Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC): A contract which incorporates a results-oriented statement of work, describing the overall work to be accomplished (outcome/result), rather than explicitly describing how the tasks should be performed, to accomplish the work.

7.0 Mandatory Contractor Training

After award, the contractor must ensure their employees (including subcontractor personnel) complete the training course(s) listed below in the frequency identified. The contractor must maintain records of course completion and provide them to the Contracting Officer Representative upon request.

In accordance with DR3640-001 Identity, Credential, and Access Management (06/08/21) United States Department of Agriculture Office of Safety Security and Protection (OSSP) Version 3.0 June 2020 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

A sponsor will decide if you need a LincPass/AltLinc through the process of a credential risk assessment using the USDA Credential Matrix to determine if a person requires a LincPass/AltLinc. Through the Risk Assessment, other determining factors for the requirement of a LincPass/AltLinc include:

· The Employee requires a Level 2 eAuthentication account, a USDA email address, or access another protected IT resource

· If the Employee has access to sensitive information,

· If the Employee requires unescorted access to areas within Mission Critical or National Capital Region (NCR) facilities or as determined by an agency’s local risk assessment process

Below is the USDA Credential Matrix that Sponsors use to determine the type of credential a person may require.

Table 1: USDA Credential Matrix

Badge No Badge

IT & Unaccompanied Physical Access Required < 6 Months

X

No IT Access Required & Unaccompanied Physical Access Required

X

No IT Access Required & Accompanied Physical Access Required

X

No IT or Physical Access Required

X image1.png