1202NV18Q0032.pdf

IDAWY ACQUISITION SERVICE CENTER INSTRUCTIONAL COVER SHEET

ISSUING OFFICE:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

IDAWY ACQUISITION SERVICE CENTER

1405 HOLLIPARK DR.

IDAHO FALLS, ID 83401

FAX (208) 557-5829

SOLICITATION NO. 1202NV18Q0032

OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FOR: SALMON RIVER BREAKS RESTORATION

SET-ASIDE: SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

IMPORTANT – NOTICE TO OFFEROR:

AT A MINIMUM, OFFEROR SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BACK WITH THEIR RESPONSE

TO THIS SOLICITATION:

1.SF-1449 Request For Quotation (Complete, date, and sign)

2.Section I – Schedule of Items . (Complete Unit Price and Amount)

3.Technical Proposal

4.Representations and Certifications. (Complete the Representations and Certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website at https://www.sam.gov)

5. Acknowledgement of Amendments (If Any)

IT IS REQUIRED YOU WRITE THE SOLICITATION NUMBER ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR ENVELOPE.

Return to: IDAWY Acquisition Service Center 1405 Hollipark Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Solicitation No. 1202NV18Q0032

IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL CONTRACTOR’S BE REGISTERED IN THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRIOR TO AWARD UNDER THIS SOLICITATION. SEE CLAUSE 52.204-7

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY.

IT IS THE OFFERORS RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH FOR ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITATION, WHICH SHALL BE ISSUED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH FEDERAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WEBSITE AT

WWW.FBO.GOV.

https://www.sam.gov/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

• SECTION B – Supplies or Services and Prices

• SECTION C – Descriptions/Specifications

• SECTION E – Inspection and Acceptance

• SECTION F – Description and Performance

• SECTION G – Contract Administration Data

• SECTION H – Special Contract Requirements

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

• SECTION I – Contract Clauses for Commercial Items

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS,EXIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

• SECTION J – Exhibits

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

• SECTION K – Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors or Respondents

• SECTION L – Solicitation Provisions

• SECTION M – Evaluation Factors for Award

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

PAGE OF

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

1202NV18Q0032

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

03/20/2018

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL

a. NAME

AMELIA VELASCO

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

(208) 557-5848

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

05/03/18 1:00 pm. MST

9. ISSUED BY CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS: UNRESTRICTED or SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR:

IDAWY Acquisition Service Center

1405 Hollipark Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Small Business Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Eligible Under the Women-Owned

Hubzone Small Small Business Program NAICS: 115112 Business Economically Disadvantaged Women-

Service-Disabled Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Size Standard: $7.5 Million Veteran Owned Small Business 8(A)

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS

A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

11. Delivery for FOB

Destination unless Block is Marked

See Schedule

12. Discount Terms

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

15. DELIVER TO

See Delivery Schedule

Same as Block 9

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE

OFFEROR FACILITY

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO.:_____________________________________

DUNS NO:_____________________ CAGE Code. ___________________________

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture National Finance Center P.O. Box 60000 New Orleans, LA 70160-0001

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH

ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS

CHECKED SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

Salmon River Breaks Restoration, Salmon-Challis National Forest

This requirement is being procured as a fixed-price Simplified Acquisition.

Faxes will not be accepted.

PLEASE PLACE YOUR QUOTE IN SECTION I-

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _____ COPIES TO

ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET

FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS

SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________ OFFER

DATED _________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES

WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT)

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT)

AMELIA VELASCO

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 5/2011)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ___________________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT

VERIFIED CORRECT

FOR

36. PAYMENT

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE 42.b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42.c DATE REC’D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

Standard Form 1449 (REV. 5/2011) Back

1202NV18Q0032 Salmon River Breaks Restoration Salmon-Challis National Forest

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

Salmon River Breaks Restoration

Lemhi County, Idaho

B.1. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

B.1.1. Base Items

B.1.2. Optional Items

B.2. PERMITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - TAXES

Under clause 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, Contractors shall be responsible for complying with any Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes and regulations applicable to the performance of the work. Questions regarding assessment of Idaho Use Tax on Government Furnished Property should be directed to the Idaho State Tax Commission at (208) 799-3491.

Line Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount 1 Aerial Seeding (Buster/Dead) 40 Acre $ $

TOTALFOR BASE ITEMS $

Line Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount 2 Aerial Herbicide Application

(Buster/Dead) 200 Acres $ $

3 Aerial Herbicide Application (Middle Deadwater)

60 Acres $ $

4 Aerial Herbicide Application (West Buster I)

135 Acres $ $

5 Aerial Herbicide Application (West Buster II)

263 Acres $ $

6 Aerial Herbicide Application (Whiskey Springs)

150 Acres $ $

7 Aerial Herbicide Application (Buster Gulch Roads)

154 Acres $ $

TOTALFOR OPTIONAL ITEMS $

SECTION II - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION C – CONTRACT DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

C. 1. GENERAL

C.1.1 Scope of Contract

This solicitation and any resultant Contract is for post fire restoration and fuels management efforts, specifically aerial herbicide application and seeding on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (SCNF). Considering the location of this Contract, this Contract will only include helicopter-based aerial services described herein and will not include fixed wing aircraft. Due to the amount of product that will be needed, no drones will be acceptable. All services procured shall be accomplished in a safe, effective, environmentally aware manner and in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Work under this Contract consists of one base item and up to five option items, including (a) application of a native grass seed mix over 40 acres and (b) application of herbicides on up to 962 acres of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) infestations.

This Contract will support post-fire rehabilitation objective for areas of the 2012 Mustang Fire and SCNF objectives for fuels management in areas with frequent fire return intervals.

C.2 Period of Performance Work will occur on lands administered by Salmon-Challis National Forest on the North Fork Ranger District, just west of North Fork, Idaho (see Section C.3 for Contract Area Description).

Actual performance will depend on weather and soil conditions; however, estimated start date is November 1, 2018. Herbicide application and seeding shall be completed no later than December 31, 2018. Deliverable digital/GPS products shall be provided to and approved by the COR prior to January 31, 2019.

C.3 Contract Time Contract time will be effective from date of award and shall be completed no later than January 31, 2019.

C. 4 Contract Area Description The Contract area is located four miles west of North Fork, Idaho, just north of the Salmon River in the vicinity of Buster Gulch and Deadwater Gulch. North Fork, Idaho is located along Highway 93 North approximately 20 miles north of Salmon, Idaho at the confluence of the Salmon River and the North Fork of the Salmon River.

From North Fork, turn west onto the Salmon River Road and travel four miles west to the Deadwater Picnic Area and Boat Ramp. The Contract is located above the breaks of the Salmon River to the north and west.

There are five work units in the Contract area: Whiskey Springs, West Buster I/II, Middle Deadwater and Buster-Dead. There are treatment areas for herbicide control of non-native annual grasses (primarily cheatgrass), spotted knapweed and for rush skeletonweed as well as aerial application of native grass seed.

Table 1 - 2018 Salmon River Breaks Treatment Area Work Units Overall

Acreage Weed Control Acres

Seeding Acres Base Item (B) Option Items (O)

Buster-Dead ~ 200 acres ~ 200 acres (O) ~ 40 acres (B) Base and Optional Buster Gulch Roads ~ 154 acres ~ 154 acres (O) NA Option Item Middle Deadwater ~ 60 acres ~ 60 acres (O) NA Option Item West Buster I ~ 135 acres ~ 135 acres (O) NA Option Item West Buster II ~ 263 acres ~ 263 acres (O) NA Option Item Whiskey Springs ~ 150 acres ~ 150 acres (O) NA Option Item Totals ~810 acres ~ 962 acres ~ 40 acres

The Contract area consists of steep slopes and large, flat ridgetops above the Salmon River corridor. The primary plant community is composed of bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass, needle-and-thread grass, and Idaho fescue with patches of dry conifer habitat, xeric Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine) and evergreen shrubs (mountain mahogany, rabbitbrush and sagebrush).

The Salmon River breaks are prone to frequent lightning strikes and there is a history of frequent fires, both large and small, in the Contract area. The land use history of timber harvest, road building and domestic livestock grazing has resulted in degradation of the native plant community due to widespread establishment of various non-native invasive plant species. The primary invasive plant species include annual grasses, annual mustards, spotted knapweed and rush skeletonweed. These invasive plants respond very strongly to fire and with each wildfire, the plant community composition becomes more heavily weighted toward non-native invasive species. This results in a downward ecological spiral as non-native invasive plant species become predominant and the fire return interval shortens due to fuel buildup, particularly from invasive annual grasses.

The area is both winter and transitional range for elk and mule deer. Repeated wildfires in the Contract area (most recently in 2012) have resulted in the degradation of range and forage quality due to the encroachment of invasive annual grasses and mustards and Idaho State listed noxious weeds. Particularly, areas frequented by elk and mule deer have become stands of cheatgrass and tumble mustard with very little native vegetation. This is especially true of ridge and bench systems where elk and deer spend considerable time and of drainages that had higher tree and shrub cover but have since burned very hot, killing a high percentage of the overstory.

There are no environmentally sensitive areas, (e.g. streams, ponds or rare plant populations_ within treatment areas.

C. 5 Deliverable Products Deliverable products include completion of field work, and GPS/GIS products for application of herbicides and seed as defined by the specifications described herein.

Spatial and tabular deliverable products shall be provided as zip files or on external drives, including (a) GPS files as ESRI ArcMap shapefiles (or geodatabase) with minimum required attributes per Forest Service specifications and requirements, (b) digital or hard-copy treatment records for herbicide applications, (c) digital or hard-copy maps of work areas, (d) field notes, whether digital (in a printable format such as Adobe Acrobat PDF files) or hard-copy and (e) any color photographs of work areas treated.

Identified deliverables shall be provided to and approved by the COR prior to the Contractor submitting invoices for payment. The Contractor shall submit hard copy and electronic data to the COR as specified within two weeks of completion of work. Delivery of these products is necessary for the COR to approve the submitted invoice. Failing to provide deliverable products in a timely manner shall constitute non-performance and may be grounds for Contract termination for failure to perform.

C. 5 Technical Specifications C.5.1 Staging Areas Final decisions on the use of staging areas on NFS lands will be agreed upon by the contractor, local officials (such as the District Ranger, or acting), and the COR.

Contractor shall submit a plan outlining what precautions and mitigation will be in place to limit spread of material prior to Contract initiation. This will include daily clean-up plans, mitigation strategies, and equipment that will be used to meet above mentioned specifications. A written plan shall be provided to the COR for approval.

• Disposal of spilled mulch/seed, packing materials, pallets and/or other waste material is the responsibility of the Contractor.

• If the Contractor modifies physical characteristics of staging areas, the Contractor will be responsible for all restoration and rehabilitation. Clean-up and restoration will require that the restoration of the site will allow recovery to original pre-use conditions.

C.5.2 Herbicide Applications Commercial Contract applicators must include a copy of the front and back of their Idaho professional pesticide applicator’s license with their proposal for this solicitation. Proposals without this documentation will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for Contract award.

Mixing and loading sites will be accessible by road. These sites will be identified and discussed with the Contractor prior to commencement of work to coordinate logistics. The Contractor will receive authorization to drive support vehicles behind gated forest roads as needed.

• The active ingredient Imazapic will be aerially applied in the fall/winter months as a tank mix with

Aminopyralid to infestations of annual grasses and mustards at a rate of 3 ounces/acre, unless the COR specifies a change in active ingredient or application rate. See Table 1 above and Map for details.

• The active ingredient Aminopryalid will be aerially applied in the fall/winter months as a tank mix with Imazapic to infestations of spotted knapweed and rush skeletonweed at a rate of 5 ounces/acre, unless the COR specifies a change in active ingredient or application rate. See Table 1 above and Map for details.

• All application of herbicides will be performed by, or supervised by, a state licensed applicator following all current legal application procedures administered by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

• All herbicides will be handled following the EPA label guidelines and other state and federal laws for storage, application, and disposal methods.

• No ether-based herbicides or surfactants are allowed.

• Water shall be the ONLY herbicide carrier.

• The Contractor shall mix only the amount of herbicide that will be used for the operating period or load.

The Contractor shall take special care to avoid mixing more than the amount to be used in the event the weather changes into no spray conditions. The Government does not guarantee that other areas will be available to treat in the event a weather change occurs and mixed herbicide is left over.

• Mixing and loading operations shall occur no closer than 300 feet from open water or other sensitive sites unless spill containment devices are readily available and the Government has pre-approved the practice and location.

• Herbicide applicators will not initiate spraying when heavy rains or other weather conditions are forecast that could cause offsite herbicide transport into sensitive resources such as streams.

• The Government may stop spraying operations if wind speed and/or temperature rises or the relative humidity drops to a point the Government feels the treatments will not be effective.

• Herbicides will not be applied if snow or ice covers the target vegetation.

• The Contractor shall apply herbicides at as low an elevation as possible subject to vegetation, terrain and safety considerations.

• Herbicide shall be applied in a water/herbicide mixture at rate of 2-5 gallons per acre unless otherwise specified or the COR and Contractor agree in advance to another rate.

• Low boom pressure, as agreed upon by the Contractor and COR, will be used to reduce drift. The definition of “low pressure” will depend on the type of equipment used, product being applied, use of drift control agents and the site type and location.

• Drift agents and surfactants will be applied with herbicides when recommended by the Contractor or as requested by the COR in advance of the application. These products will be applied according to label.

Specific products in these categories are subject to prior approval by the Government.

C. 5.3 Seeding Application A native grass seed mix, as specified by requirements herein, will be applied by aerial application in specified amounts in designated areas to assist with recovery of native plant communities. The native grass seed mix will be supplied by the government.

Native Grass Mix Scientific Name Common Name Seeding Rate Sporobolus cryptandrus Sand Dropseed 2 lbs/acre in seed mix Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata Needle and Thread 3 lbs/acre in seed mix Poa secunda ssp. sandbergii Sandberg Bluegrass 5 lbs/acre in seed mix Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp.

spicata Bluebunch Wheatgrass 10 lbs/acre in seed mix

TOTALS 20 lbs/acre (Total = 800 lbs)

• The contractor is responsible for storing and protecting seed and incidentals at staging area. Bags of seed shall be stored in a cool and dry storage facility to assure optimal viability of seed until seed application to treatment units.

• Contractor shall deliver any leftover seed to the COR at completion of seed application

C.6 Government Furnished Information

Item # Quantity Where, When, How Furnished General Area locator maps and maps of work area(s) 1 EACH Included in Solicitation

USGS Quadrangle Maps in Electronic Format 1 EACH Electronically downloaded to GPS

C. 6.1 Government Furnished Property

Item # Quantity Where, When, How Furnished Seeding Application

Native grass seed mix ~800 lbs Provided on commencement of work per agreement by COR and Contractor

C.7 Contractor Furnished Items

Item # Quantity Description General

1 1 kit/crew Shovel, bucket, fire extinguisher for fire prevention regulations 2 Minimum 1/crew GPS devices recorders (as approved by the COR) 3 1/crew Reliable communications system to contact COR as needed 4 Minimum 1/crew Camera equipment with minimum 5 megapixels and software 5 1 each Personal Computer and peripherals

6 1 each ESRI ArcGIS software (ArcMap and ArcPad) OR software that will convert interim and final products to ESRI shapefiles, as required under Deliverables.

Herbicide Applications

1 As needed

All equipment & labor to control weeds per specifications, including transportation, helicopter(s) with spray equipment meeting FS requirements, chase truck and support personnel, water drafting equipment, operational spill incident kits, decontamination kits and personal protective equipment for each worker.

2 As needed Herbicide for aerial application per attached SCNF requirements

3 As needed All necessary adjuvants, including surfactant and drift control agents, as specified.

Seeding Applications

1 As needed

All equipment & labor to apply seed per specifications, including transportation, helicopter(s) with seeding equipment meeting FS requirements, chase truck and support personnel, operational spill incident kits, decontamination kits and personal protective equipment for each worker.

For those specifications under which the Contractor is to provide material and supplies, the Contractor will be responsible for transport and handling to/from staging areas, protection, storage and other requirements before/after application commences. Where the Contractor is required to supply materials and supplies, the Contractor is responsible for procuring, ensuring state certification and testing requirements are met and deliver and transport to staging areas.

C. 8 Communications The Contractor shall provide a communication system so that contractor personnel, aircraft, and Government Contract inspectors can communicate at all times with each other to discuss performance matters, or safety issues. VHF-FM radios must have high band capabilities, and must be capable of reaching narrow band frequencies.

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

TASK/ SUBTASK PERFORMANCE

STANDARD METHOD OF SURVEILLANCE

DISINCENTIVES FOR

NOT MEETING

STANDARDS

Contractor to manage Quality Control.

Provide Quality Control Plan (QCP) as per proposal information..

Visual inspection by FS inspectors.

Curtailment of performance until compliance is obtained.

Non-acceptance of work until quality control work is accomplished.

Withhold payment.

Period of Performance.

Begin work in a timely manner and complete all aspects of the Contract within prescribed time.

100% started and completed on time. Visual, reviewing record for excusable days.

Preventative measures made to minimize invasive plant spread at both staging areas and within treatment units.

As invasive plant prevention requirements in this

SOW.

Thorough cleaning and decontamination by Contractor.

Written and signed certificate of cleaning from Contractor.

Visual inspection by FS inspectors.

Curtailment of performance until compliance is obtained.

Withhold payment.

Accomplish Contract objectives.

As per Technical Specifications in this SOW and Contract specific requirements tiered to these Technical Specifications.

(1) Review ground application quality control reports.

(2) Visual observation during & after application.

(3) Final approval by Inspector.

(4) FS may conduct random sampling tests of application rates and coverage (100 foot or 100 step transects in representative areas in dispute).

Contractor shall be required to rework any area in a unit that fails to meet the cover standards.

Non-acceptance of work until treated to the AQL levels.

Withhold payment.

Supply fertilizer, herbicide, mulch, soil amendments and seed for the treatment units

As per Technical Specifications in this SOW and Contract specific requirements tiered to these Technical Specifications.

Contractor meets as outlined in this

SOW

Curtailment of performance until compliance is obtained.

Withhold payment.

Provide daily progress reports

As per Technical Specifications in this SOW and Contract specific requirements tiered to these Technical Specifications.

COR reviews and approves report.

Curtailment of performance until adequate report is submitted.

Withhold payment.

Provide Final Report.

As per Technical Specifications in this SOW and Contract specific requirements tiered to these Technical Specifications.

COR reviews and approves report. Withhold payment.

TASK/ SUBTASK PERFORMANCE

STANDARD METHOD OF SURVEILLANCE

DISINCENTIVES FOR

NOT MEETING

STANDARDS

Clean-up and restoration of staging areas.

As per Technical Specifications in this SOW and Contract specific requirements tiered to these Technical Specifications.

Acceptance by Forest Service or other land owner. Withhold payment.

E.1 Quality Assurance Inspections

• The Government will perform periodic review of the Contractor's Quality Control Procedures, Operating Plan, and Inspection Reports.

• Quality Assurance Inspections will be made by random sampling or entire inspection of the work.

• Work that does not meet the Contract requirements will be brought to the Contractor's attention.

Repetitive or continuous failure to meet Contract requirements may result in a quality adjustment to payment, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated or the Contract may be terminated for failure to perform.

E.2 Government Quality Assurance Quality assurance will be performed by the Government during the Contract at regular intervals. Methods may include visual survey and review of Contractor quality control documents. Deduction for work may include rework at no cost to the Government or Government acceptance with price reduction.

E.3 Contractor Quality Control The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of this Contract. The role of the Government is to provide quality assurance to ensure Contract standards are met.

Records of quality inspections shall be kept and made available to the Government throughout the performance period and for the period after Contract completion until final settlement of any claims under this Contract.

A description of the quality control inspection plan shall be provided prior to pre-work meeting. The plan shall include; (1) control procedures for security of Government-provided items such as keys, and lock combinations; (2) location of the inspection documents; (3) corrective or preventive actions that shall be taken to meet quality standards; and (4) a customer comments feedback system.

Contractor quality control personnel must have electronic equipment capable of capturing coordinates using a Global Positioning System (GPS). The Government will provide coordinates for each treatment area as GIS shapefiles or .kmz files. All aerial treatment sites are required to be flown using geo-referenced shape files that are available as polygons to be downloaded in aircraft GPS units. A completed map of coverage areas shall be provided by the contractor during and at the end of the Contract denoting where all aerial and/or ground operations have occurred.

Contractor must also supply SATLOC or similar GPS tracking information on a daily basis for all aerial Contracts.

SECTION F – DESCRIPTION AND PERFORMANCE

F.1 Description The Government may halt aerial operations if weather or site conditions alter to the point the government feels the treatments may not be effective.

The Contractor may be asked to time activities to avoid conflicts with forest users, in particular, Contract areas near developed recreation sites during periods of high public use, or to stop work if people are found to have somehow entered the Contract area.

Working on weekends and holidays may be acceptable and requests must be submitted to the COR two weeks in advanced of desired work dates and must be approved by the COR prior to work being performed.

The government reserves the right to alter the location of work areas should planned work areas become inaccessible (e.g. wildfires or mass erosion events due to high intensity storms) with prior written notification of the change by a properly executed modification from the Contracting Officer. Only areas of comparable size, terrain, etc. will be selected for substitutions.

F.2 Environmental Responsibilities and Resource Protection Objectives The Contractor shall be familiar with and comply with SCNF environmental protection design features and mitigation measures. The 2015 Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest-wide Weed Management Environmental Impact Statement and the 2016 SCNF Weed Management Record of Decision outline design features and mitigation measures for management of invasive plant species. These documents are available on the SCNF website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Contract/?Contract=36537.

• The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all maintenance, fueling, and flight activities do not cause environmental damage to natural resources or to federal infrastructure or facilities.

• The Contractor and all application personnel are required to review, understand, and follow the labels for herbicide and soil amendments as well as product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements, precautions, and prohibitions. Labels and associated SDS must be carried and be within easy access during all spraying operations.

• All spray tanks and other containers for liquids will have tight fitting and secure lids. Equipment shall be inspected regularly for leaks.

• Materials shall be transported in a manner that will prevent spills and in containers that are isolated from food, clothing and safety equipment.

• Spray equipment will be calibrated for each Contract and/or product and recalibrated as needed. Calibration of equipment shall be complete prior to start of work and before the Contractor mobilizes into the Contract area. Calibration calculations shall be provided to the Government on request. The spray pattern, application rates and calibration shall be reviewed before beginning a Contract and monitored during the Contract. Additional calibration checks may be required by the Government if there is question or indications of inaccurate application rates.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=36537

• Disposal of wastewater and herbicide containers shall be done off National Forest lands and in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

• A pumping system shall be used to fill water tanks that will prevent contamination of wells, springs, streams, lakes, and ponds. The system shall be so constructed that a back flow from the mixing or application tanks is not possible.

• Contractor is responsible for cleaning of all vehicles to ensure they are free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold non-native noxious weed seed prior to entering Forest Service lands. Contractor shall certify, in writing, compliance of terms prior to moving equipment onto job site and shall present all equipment to COR and Inspectors for inspection and approval.

F.3 Public Relations Contract personnel shall conduct themselves in a professional and cooperative manner to SCNF personnel and members of the public while performing under this Contract. In particular, professional, courteous and helpful interactions with forest users are vital in communicating the benefits of aerial treatments in managing plant communities.

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 Documentation Daily progress reports are to be provided to the Government representative at the end of each operational period or the next day during the morning briefing. No additional work that day will commence until documentation is provided.

Daily progress reports are to be provided to the Government representative at the end of each operational period or the next day during the morning briefing. No additional work that day will commence until documentation is provided.

(a) Color hard copy or digital maps attached to each treatment record containing at a minimum: topographic background layer, outline of work area boundary and name, delineation of area and infestations sprayed each day with date of treatment and any recommendations regarding the area, new or existing infestations and further management.

(b) Daily Operational Report

1) Total flight time (hours) for each aircraft and treatment or assignment.

2) Total acres treated at each site by treatment type.

3) Total amount herbicide application (gallons).

4) Total of seed (pounds) applied.

• Seed tags from each lot of seed delivered attached to a separate sheet.

(c) Final Report. A final report (1 digital copy with photos and maps) shall be provided which includes at a minimum:

• A written report shall contain daily field conditions, application rates and areas covered, site conditions, and any other pertinent data that records the treatment. The report shall contain a summary of treatment results.

G.2 Definitions Carrier - For herbicide applications, only water shall be used as the liquid carrier. Carriers such as wood shavings, etc. could be used for seeding operations.

Datum – The datum used by SCNF is the North American Datum 1983, Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 11N or 12N (as required by the location of the work area).

Geographic Information System (GIS) software – the Forest Service utilizes ESRI ArcGIS software, including ArcMap and ArcPad. At a minimum, Contractors providing invasive plant survey/inventory/monitoring, control treatments and rehabilitation/restoration actions need access to ESRI software or other GIS software that the Contractor can easily crosswalk with ESRI products to meet requirements specifying delivery of digital products such as shapefiles.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Equipment – Commercial grade Trimble GPS receivers or wireless GPS devices and portable data recorders capable of receiving and transmitting data dictionaries, Pocket Excel, ESRI ArcPad software, digital raster graphics and other GIS files for use in recording spatial and tabular data of treated infestations.

Herbicide – Only those herbicides listed specifically for use on SCND may be applied to national forest system lands under the provisions of the Biological Opinion from the National Marine Fisheries Service and Fish and Wildlife Service that, in part, govern the application of herbicides to lands administered by the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Invasive Plant – Any non-native/non-indigenous plant species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health, as defined by federal law.

Invasive Plant Infestation – A discrete area infested with noxious weeds or other invasive species designated Forest Service, Idaho State and Butte/Custer/Lemhi Counties delineated by a point or a polygon. Invasive species plant cover may vary from less than one percent of the plant community in the infested area to a percentage in which the invasive species is dominant in the plant community (e.g. 75% cover).

Noxious Weed - Any of 67 invasive plant species having the potential to cause injury to public health, crops, livestock, land or other property and designated as “noxious” by Butte, Custer or Lemhi Counties and by the State of Idaho as of January 2007 (Noxious Weed Rules, IDAPA 02.06.22).

Plant Phenology – This phrase refers to any of the number of plant growth and life cycle stages, from germination to seed production to senescence. Herbicide application shall be timed to coincide with those stages of plant growth in which the target species is most susceptible to the effects of the herbicide. The COR may stop work during the time when the phenological stage of the target species precludes susceptibility to the mode of action of the herbicide required for use.

Contract Area – Consists of a geographically and topographically defined area of work in which work shall be conducted for which specific site conditions are described herein.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 KEY PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall assign to this Contract the key personnel identified in their technical proposal and that list may include the following:

• Pilot

• Superintendent (by the Contractor or Contractor’s Representative)

• Foreman/woman

• Inspector

• Employees with technical skills or expertise required to successfully complete work in conformance with Contract requirements

One person may fulfill one or more roles on a Contract (e.g. Foreman/woman and Inspector). The Contractor shall make no substitutions of the approved key personnel without notifying the Contracting Officer within a reasonable timeframe and in advance, and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the Contract. Proposed substitutes must have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced.

The Contractor shall make no diversion of personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

The Contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

H.2 Licensing and Permitting Requirements

H.2.1 Aircraft/Pilot Licensing For all aerial application Contracts, Contractors shall provide aircraft and pilots licensed to perform aerial services for the Forest Service. This annual certification shall be provided with quote in order to be considered for award. If required, by the Forest Aviation Officer, the Contractor shall submit aircraft for a safety inspection to Forest Service aviation personnel prior to work starting.

Prospective vendors shall provide copies of their annual aircraft AND pilot’s FS certification with their quotes in response this solicitation. Quotes without this documentation will be rejected.

H.2.2 Herbicide Licensing For herbicide application Contracts, Contractors shall be licensed Professional Applicators with the State of Idaho and have the proper endorsements for agriculture/forest herbicide applications. Information on licensing requirements may be obtained from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Technology, 2270 Old Penitentiary Road, PO Box 790. Boise, Idaho, 83701. Telephone (208) 332-8600.

Prospective vendors shall provide a copy of their applicator's license with their quotes in response this solicitation. Proposals without a copy of the applicator’s license will be rejected.

Special permits, if required for operation within the applicable state, county, and/or city, will be required at the pre-work meeting.

H.3 Equipment Requirements/General Provisions The contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and directives pertaining to safety, maintenance, and performance of all aircraft proposed for use under this Contract. Additionally, aircraft shall be maintained in accordance with all manufacturer’s guidelines and bulletins.

The Forest Service is not responsible for the safety of the Contractor nor any operators or assistants during the operation of Contractor equipment or Contractor licensed activities. The Contractor shall use and maintain work procedures which will safeguard Contractor personnel, Government personnel and the public.

H.3.1 General Condition of Equipment Contractor-furnished aircraft and equipment shall be operable, in good mechanical condition, free of damage, and in good repair. Aircraft systems and components shall be free of leaks except within limitations specified by the manufacturer.

H.3.2 Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Requirements

• All aircraft, application equipment (e.g. sprayers), and ground-based chase or transport vehicles shall be maintained in a condition that minimizes the potential for spills of materials such as fuel, oil, herbicide, liquid or granular products, etc.

• The Contractor shall have a written spill response plan, which shall be provided to and approved by the

Contracting Officer and COR at the pre-work meeting. The plan must meet all FS standards and requirements for the management of spills. Adherence to this plan is mandatory.

• All spray operations equipment and transport vehicles will have adequate spill containment and cleanup materials and equipment. Operators shall be trained in responding to spills.

• The Contractor shall be responsible for all cleanups of fuel, and oil on airport ramps, staging areas, parking areas, landing areas, etc., when caused by Contractor aircraft or personnel. If a spill occurs, the Contractor will assume all liability and responsibility for clean-up to meet EPA and applicable state water quality standards

• The contractor shall utilize cleaning agents that are biodegradable and non-toxic. Contaminated soils shall be removed in appropriate containers and disposed of as hazardous waste.

• The Government may, at its option, assign an area to be utilized by the Contractor for storage of equipment used in support of Contract performance. Oil, solvents, parts, engines, etc. shall be stored and utilized in a manner consistent with acceptable safety, health and environmental concerns.

• The contractor shall ensure that they are in compliance with 40 CFR Part 112: Oil Pollution Prevention;

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan Requirements (SPCC). An SPCC plan is required for each mobile fueler used on this Contract regardless of bulk storage container (tank) size.

H.4 Fire Control Contractors are responsible for insuring fire precautions are taken in the vicinity of the work areas as authorized under this Contract. If it turns out that a Contractor causes a fire in or around an authorized work areas, and the Government responds with a fire fighting team, the Contractor may be held responsible, by the Government, for the costs involved with fighting a fire. A Contractor working under this Forest Service Contract is not authorized to leave the work areas specified under the Contract, to fight a fire in another area, if a Contractor does so, it is done at their own risk and they will not be reimbursed for this unauthorized act. A Contractor’s only duty and responsibility, is to report a fire, and if danger is imminent, move all of its employees and equipment to a safe area.

H.4.1 Notification to Fire Dispatch The Numbers of the Salmon-Challis Fire Dispatch office to notify in case of a fire are as follows:

Central Idaho Dispatch during office hours – 208-756-5157 Central Idaho Dispatch after hours – 208-303-8103

H.4.2 Fire Protection Requirements At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to his operation under the Contract.

H.4.3 Fire Tools The Contractor will provide for each employee in the Contract area at least one approved handtool of a type appropriate in the Contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and identified below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only."

All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

H.4.4 Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this Contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

a. One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

b. One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

c. One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

d. One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity),but not required with stationary equipment.

H.4.5 Spark Arresters Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, are: (a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester. Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

H.4.6 Powersaws For each powersaw used in connection with this Contract, the following will be provided:

a. One – shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

b. One – Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

H.4.7 Smoking Smoking shall not be permitted within the Contract area except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

H.4.8 Warming Fires Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

H.5 Camping and Worksite Conditions The District Ranger of the unit on which survey/inventory/monitoring/amending/fertilizing activities or invasive plant management will take place may approve the use of Forest Service campgrounds for the Contractor and crew. A request for a camping permit will be required two weeks in advance of the planned stay. The District Ranger may choose to disallow requests for camping permits at developed sites, based on campground and facility availability, anticipated recreational demand, etc. Contractors shall comply with all applicable campground use regulations. Non-compliance will result in revocation of the camping permit without advance notification and immediate departure will be required.

Camping at undeveloped sites within or near a treatment area is permitted, provided (a) a request for a camping permit is requested two weeks in advance of the planned stay, (b) sanitation requirements for garbage removal, human waste, etc. and (c) resource protection measures for sensitive resources (e.g. riparian areas) are met.

Water for camping may have to be hauled in.

Camping and Worksite Plan shall be consistent with requirements set forth in this section, Section I, the camping permit if required, and supplementary requirements in Section J. The Contractor shall provide a general plan with the technical proposal, and shall provide a more specific plan based on items awarded, prior to start work.

The Contractor shall be aware of and abide by the Salmon-Challis National Forest use regulations (Exhibit 7).

The contractor shall obtain a camping permit prior to camping on Forest Service land. Final payment shall be withheld until the authorized camping areas have been cleaned up according to the requirements of the Camping Permit and applicable use regulations.

If the Contractor does not obtain a Camping Permit but requires his/her employees to obtain the Camping Permit, the Contractor remains responsible for campsite cleanup and his/her employees conduct while camping on National Forest land.

The Contractor shall obtain a road use permit authorized by the District Ranger of the unit on which survey/inventory, invasive plant management or monitoring activities will take place prior to entering areas closed to motor vehicle use. Work may not commence until a vehicle use permit is issued by the Forest Service. The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR to secure the required road use permit. The Contractor must comply with all conditions listed on the road use permit and other applicable road and vehicle use regulations.

H. 8 Contractor Safety H.8.1 Accident Prevention and Safety The Contractor shall keep and maintain programs necessary to assure safety of ground and flight operations.

The development and maintenance of these programs are a material part of the performance of the Contract.

When, in the sole judgment of the Contracting Officer, the safety programs do not adequately promote the safety of operations, the Government may terminate the Contract for cause as provided in the “Contract Terms and Conditions”. Examples of such programs are but not limited to: 1) Personnel Activities, 2) Maintenance, 3) Safety and 4) Compliance with Regulations.

The Contractor shall fully cooperate with the Contracting Officer in the fulfillment of this clause. The Contracting Officer may suspend performance of this Contract work, during the evaluation period used to determine cause as stated above.

Plans referenced below shall be submitted with the written proposal for review. Contractor shall comply with all Government Safety and Health regulations and the Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) standards, and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

H.8.2 Site-Specific Safety Plan

• Prior to the pre-work being scheduled, the Contractor shall submit site specific safety planning to the COR for approval. This includes procedure for traffic control (air traffic if applicable), communication, equipment use, signing, and protection of personnel and public. This plan will be used during the pre-work and subsequent meetings to ensure safe operations. Once approved by the COR, this information will also be used for quality assurance standards during the Contract.

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