Appendix H Invasive Plant Control.doc

2020 CORP 2.0 APPENDIX H

Invasive Plant Control

INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL

1.

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

This contract requires invasive plant treatment in compliance with its terms, specifications, clauses and provisions. This includes furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, supplies (except those designated as Government-furnished) and incidentals. The work consists of treating invasive plants using herbicides or manual control methods.

2.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

This solicitation and any resultant Blanket Purchase Agreements is a service project with Forest Restoration activities as its focus. These services will be performed on the Ochoco, Crooked River National Grassland, Deschutes and Fremont-Winema National Forests in the state of Oregon.

Work may be reached by improved gravel and unimproved dirt roads, which are accessible to the public by standard two-wheel and four-wheel drive pickups. Chains and tread tires may be required. Some treatment areas are located off existing roads and require foot travel of up to ½ mile. All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) travel is allowed on all improved roads and may be allowed in other areas.

In case of inaccessibility due to snow, mud, washouts, rock, slides, or fallen trees, the Government may, (1) provide an alternative route, (2) delete the inaccessible site(s), (3) clear the blockage, or (4) substitute a similar site.

3.

BACKGROUND

Current federal laws require agencies to control invasive plants and prevent the further spread of invasive plants. Invasive plant control of the selected sites is necessary to protect native and desirable plant communities from being invaded by invasive plants. Invasive plant treatment will help prevent spread onto other private, county, state and federal lands.

4.

AGAR 452.204-70 INQUIRIES (FEB 1988)

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer issuing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award.

5.

AGAR 452.211-72 STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS (FEB 1988)

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced.

6. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

The contractor shall perform all work in accordance with all applicable directives, as follows:

1. Fremont-Winema National Forest Invasive Plant Treatment FEIS and Record of Decision, 2011;

2. Deschutes/Ochoco NF’s and Crooked River National Grassland Invasives Treatment FEIS and Record of Decision, 2012;

3. Pacific Northwest Region Invasive Plant Program FEIS and Record of Decision, 2005;

4. Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and ordinances regarding transportation, mixing, application and disposal of herbicide.

7. DEFINITIONS

Spot Spraying: Targets individual plants or small clumps of plants. Several methods of delivery may be used, including a backpack sprayer, or a hose connected to a tank mounted on a truck, all terrain vehicle (ATV), or horse.

Broadcast Spraying: Applies herbicide over an area rather than to individual plants and is used on larger sites with concentrated plants. Any method of delivery may be used; however, broadcast spraying typically utilized a hose from a tank mounted on a truck or ATV, or a boom mounted on a truck or ATV.

Herbicides: A chemical substance used to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants. There are only 10 herbicides permitted for use on this contract; aminopyralid, chlorosulfuron, clopyralid, glyphosate, imazapic, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, picloram, sethoxydim and sulfometuron methyl.

Controlled – Weeds showing a dead root system after treatment.

Dye - Liquid or tablet chemical coloring agent added to herbicide tanks to result in a blue or purple color.

Invasive plant - Plant classified by Federal, State or county jurisdictions as noxious.

Invasive plant species: Invasive plant species on the Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont-Winema National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland include, but are not limited to the following. Species encountered, which are not on this list, but are designated as Invasive plants in the State of Oregon https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Weeds/OregonNoxiousWeeds/Pages/AboutOregonWeeds.aspx), or those species of local important determined by the Forest Botanist may also appear on the BPA Call.

Site - Location at least 0.1 acre in size identified on contract maps that require treatment.

8. Invasive Plant Species on the Deschutes, Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Fremont-Winema National Forest.

“X” indicates the Forest or Grassland proposing treatments.

X

Brachypodium sylvaticum

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

9.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

The Contractor is responsible for supplying all spray equipment, herbicide formulations, supplies, labor, transportation, safety equipment, GPS units, and licenses required to fulfill the requirements of this contract. The Government will provide the Contractor with Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for every site requiring treatment. The required GPS unit shall be accurate down to 10 meters and shall be capable of using a position format of UTM UPS and a Map Datum of NAD83 CONUS. All Contractors are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Operator License with the Forestry and Rights-of-Way categories. The Forestry and Right-of-Way categories are required for licensed commercial applicators performing work on this contract. If a licensed commercial applicator cannot be on site at all times, then a Directly Supervised Commercial Pesticide Trainee, who holds the same required categories, must be present.

10.

CONTRACTOR OBLIGATIONS

The Contractor obligations are listed below:

1. The Contractor shall control noxious weeds using the methods suggested by the Government unless an alternative method is submitted and approved by the Government in advance. Herbicides shall be applied in accordance with label instructions (see Approved Herbicides, Table 1, 2, and 3), except for the following: 1) herbicides may be applied at less than the label rate; 2) herbicides may be applied on a target plant not specified on the label if the application is to a site specified on the label and the label does not state that the herbicide can only be used for listed plants; 3) site-specific analysis indicates more restrictive measures are required.

2. Application of herbicides shall be performed or directly supervised by a State or Federally licensed applicator. All Contractors are required to have a Commercial Pesticide Operator License with the Forestry and Rights-of-Way categories. The Forestry and Right-of-Way categories are required for licensed commercial applicators performing work on this contract. If a licensed commercial applicator cannot be on site at all times, then a Directly Supervised Commercial Pesticide Trainee, who holds the same required categories, must be present.

3. Personal protective equipment shall be used in accordance with label requirements and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

3. Contractors must prepare a Safety Plan and an Emergency Spill Response Plan. A current Safety Plan and Emergency Spill Response Plan shall be within vehicles used to transport pesticides at all times. A copy of the current Safety Plan and Emergency Spill Response Plan will be kept on file with the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

4. Contractors shall have a Pesticide Spill Kit located within every vehicle used for transportation of pesticides at all times. The kit shall be labeled and designated for use in handling pesticide spills only. The kit shall contain directions for use.

5. Equipment used for transportation, storage, or application of herbicides will be maintained in a leak-proof condition. Inspect equipment and make periodic checks to ensure no spillage has occurred. An emergency spill kit will be available at storage facilities and in vehicles transporting herbicides.

6. Herbicide label requirements regarding wind velocity and nozzle pressure/droplet size will be followed. Typically, application will occur when wind velocity is between 2 to 8 mph, and low nozzle pressure/coarse droplet size will be used.

7. No herbicide application shall occur if precipitation is occurring or is imminent within 24 hours depending on label requirements for specific herbicides.

8. Herbicide formulations containing one or more of the following 10 active ingredients may be used: chlorsulfuron, clopyralid, glyphosate, imazapic, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, picloram, sethoxydim, sulfometuron methyl, and aminopyralid. All herbicide formulations must be approved by the Forest Service prior to use.

9. Use only adjuvants (e.g. surfactants, dyes) and inert ingredients reviewed in Forest Service hazard and risk assessment. Please see Attachment B (Compliance with Standard 18) for details.

10. All Project Design Features and aquatic no-spray buffers will be adhered to. Each BPA call will specify these requirements. See Exhibit H for aquatic buffers for each Forest.

11. All herbicide applications must follow herbicide applications specified in each BPA call. For example, the Fremont-Winema National Forest has required the following herbicide rate restrictions:

During broadcast application, the following rate restrictions will apply:

a. NPE surfactant

< 0.500 lbs a.i./acre

b. Chlorsulfuron

< 0.125 lbs a.i./acre

c. Picloram

< 0.500 lbs a.i./acre

d. Sulfometuron methyl < 0.125 lbs a.i./acre

During spot spray/wicking application, the following rate restrictions will apply:

e. NPE surfactant

< 1.670 lbs a.i./acre

f. Sulfometuron methyl < 0.125 lbs a.i./acre

12. Dye, either blue or purple in color, shall be added to all herbicide mixes.

13. Herbicide mixing and tank washing shall not occur within 150 feet of surface water on the Fremont/Winema NF and shall not occur within 300 feet of surface water on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests (different restrictions in each Environmental Impact Statement). Rinse water may be required to be applied to treatment sites depending on the specific BPA call.

14. Fueling of gas-powered machinery and ATV’s shall not occur within 150 feet of surface water.

15. Ground based mechanized equipment (trucks and ATVs) will not be used on wet soils, or allowed within 15 feet of streams, ponds, or wetlands, except on existing trails/roads.

16. Avoid standing or walking in wetted streams or other water bodies when conducting treatments near water, except when treating aquatic species.

17. Contractor equipment (including vehicles and ATVs) shall be washed prior to entering National Forest System lands if that piece of equipment has been operating off-road in noxious weed sites prior to entering National Forest System lands.

18. Empty pesticide containers and excess herbicides shall be disposed of in accordance with label requirements.

19. A pesticide flag shall be placed at each site sprayed. In a waterproof marker, write application date (all dates if more than one is needed), herbicide used, and Contractor’s name on back side of flag.

20. If the size of a site has increased from the Government flagging and the increase falls within the acreage tolerance of 5 percent of the acreage awarded or up to 2 acres (whichever acreage is lower) per BPA call, the Contractor shall hang ribbon flagging around the perimeter of the additional acreage. If the Contractor treats additional acreage, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative before the sites are released for inspection, of the increase to ensure the Contractor gets paid for the additional amount treated. If the size of a site has increased from the Government flagging more than the acreage tolerance of 5 percent of the acreage awarded or up to 2 acres (whichever acreage is lower) per BPA call, the Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer’s Representative for direction before any further work commences on that particular site.

10.1.

FIELD WORK DOCUMENTATION

The Contractor shall complete all required fields on the Government-furnished Pesticide Application Record (PAR) for each individual site on each BPA call (See Exhibit B). PARs shall be turned in on a bimonthly basis to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Payment will not be issued for sites that have incomplete PARs (see Section J).

Oregon State Pesticide Use Reporting Requirements – Contractor is required to report (on-line) all pesticide application on National Forest lands. Applicable rules and instructions are available online at: https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Pesticides/RegulatoryIssues/Pages/Recordkeeping.aspx 10.2

APPROVED HERBICIDES

Each BPA call will specify which herbicides shall be used, as well as the application rates, for each site.

Tables 1 and 2 apply to the Fremont-Winema NF; they show the herbicides that are approved for use and recommended herbicides that should be applied for known invasive plant species. Herbicides will be applied according to label directions and at recommended label rates.

Herbicide applications on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland may differ from these recommendations. For example, aquatic glyphosate may be used on any species if the sites fall within the appropriate aquatic protection buffers on the Fremont-Winema NF as shown in Exhibit H ; this is not the case for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland and direction will follow in the specific BPA call.

Table 1: Approved Herbicides, Application Rates, and Characteristics for the Fremont-Winema

(pounds active ingredient/acre)

Inhibits enzyme synthesis (acetolactate synthase)

Mimics natural plant hormones (auxins)

Inhibits three amino acids and protein synthesis

Inhibits enzyme synthesis (acetolactate synthase)

Inhibits enzyme synthesis (acetolactate synthase)

Inhibits enzyme synthesis (acetolactate synthase)

Mimics natural plant hormones (auxins)

Inhibits enzyme (acetyl co-enzyme (ACE))

Inhibits enzyme synthesis (acetolactate synthase)

*Shown as examples, other brands may be used.

Table 2 was taken from the Fremont-Winema SF Invasive Plant Treatment EIS. This table provides an example of potential herbicide treatment options for the majority of the invasive plant species on the forest. Aquatic glyphosate may be used on any species if the sites fall within the appropriate aquatic protection buffer on the Fremont-Winema FS as show in Exhibit H.

Table 2: Potential Herbicide Treatment for Invasive plant Species on Fremont-Winema

glyphosate

A = annual; B = biennial; P = perennial; RP = perennial with rhizomes or creeping roots; SP = perennial with stolons.

+ Invasive species likely to occur near water or that currently have one or more known site on the Forests located near water.

****As presented from the tables above, multiple herbicides may be **** required to treat all the species and/or sites listed on a BPA call.

10.3

TIMEFRAMES FOR SUBMITTING DOCUMENTATION

10.4

RESOURCE PROTECTION

The Contractor shall take all practical precautions while working to minimize soil damage, and damage or destruction of sensitive or endangered species (plants and animals) and archeological resources. The work is limited as follows:

a.

Utilize existing roads only.

b.

Utilize foot or ATV travel, where permitted, as the main mode of travel to treatment sites where off‑road travel is necessary.

c.

Perform services in a manner that will minimize impact on non‑target plants. If the Contractor expects damage to non-target plants, contact the Contracting Officer’s Representative in advance.

10.5

PROTECTIVE MEASURES

The Government may issue a suspend work and/or, partially terminate any portion of the work due to discoveries of sensitive, threatened, endangered species, or archeological sites during contract operations.

11.

CONTROL OF WORK

a. The Government may specify a priority of work items during the period of the contract.

b. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer 24 hours in advance of changes in their established work schedule. Failure to do so may result in assessment of administrative costs.

c. Unknown cultural or archaeological sites discovered by the Contractor or his/her crews during the operations of this contract will be reported to the Contracting Officer. Work will be suspended in the immediate area until surveys are completed.

d. The Contractor is expected to perform to the standards as indicated in the Government Quality Surveillance Plan at a minimum. The Government Quality Surveillance Plan is Exhibit D.

12.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL PLAN

The successful offeror’s Quality Control Plan will become part of the awarded contract and the Contractor shall provide inspection reports at the time the sites are released for inspection to the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

13.

INSPECTION--CONTRACTOR

The Contractor shall develop a Quality Control Plan and the Contractor shall follow their Quality Control Plan for the duration of the contract. The Contractor shall submit their inspection reports to the Contracting Officer’s Representative when the sites have been released to the Government for inspection.

14.

INSPECTION PROCEDURES—GOVERNMENT VERIFICATION

The Government will conduct verification inspections to determine compliance with specifications. Each site(s) will be verified separately and inspection results on one site(s) will not be averaged with those of other sub-items/units. Determination of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these verification inspections and will be considered conclusive. The Contractor or a designated representative is encouraged to observe inspections while they are underway. Government inspection of a site(s) may or may not be performed immediately following treatment.

15.

INSPECTION-GOVERNMENT

To determine whether the acceptable quality levels (desired results) of control have been met the following inspection procedures will be followed by the Government. The inspection form that will be completed by the Government is Exhibit C.

The Government will formally sample 50 percent or more of the completed treatment sites. The Government will randomly select the time and place of the inspection. The selected sample sites will be distributed across all weed species over a range of site sizes.

The Government will walk through the treated areas to evaluate site conditions, collateral damage, and to ensure no Invasive plants were overlooked. A weed treatment site must meet approximately 80 percent efficacy to pass Government inspection, based on dividing the number of satisfactorily treated Invasive plants (to ensure control) by the number of Invasive plants found throughout the inspected area.

Percent control will be determined by post-treatment inspections. Inspection protocol will include one of the two following methods.

1. Complete Count - will consist of counting all live and dead plants/stems present. Sample plants will also be extracted and inspected for signs of both root and shoot damage/stress to determine if they are dead or likely to die. This method will be used at sites with <1000 plants/stems.

2. Partial Count - will be used at sites with >1000 plants/stems. Inspectors will use a compass to follow an azimuth through the treated site. While following the azimuth, the inspectors will only count live and dead plants/stems rooted within two feet of either side of them, thus producing a four foot wide belt. Multiple azimuths may be used to cover an entire treated site. Sample plants will also be extracted and inspected for signs of both root and shoot damage/stress to determine if they are dead or likely to die.

The control target is defined as meeting the desired result of at least 80 percent control of all weed species at each site, as indicated on the BPA call. Where control quality for a sub-item falls below the minimum acceptable quality level of 80 percent, the Contractor will be required to rework the site at no additional cost to the Government, and any actual damages incurred by the Government as a result of the rework may be assessed. Repeated failure to control the weeds at approximately 80 percent efficacy or above may be grounds for termination for default.

16.

ACCEPTANCE

Final acceptance will be based upon approximately 80% efficacy of the weed treatment sites on a site-by-site basis for each BPA Call.

17.

DOCUMENTATION

All documentation of completed treatment areas shall be submitted to the Government at the appointed time. The Government will inspect all documentation for legibility and consistency in reporting style. Any submittals not meeting these requirements will be returned and shall be re-done by the Contractor.

18.

FIRE PRECAUTION INSPECTION

The Contractor shall certify in writing, compliance with fire specifications “Fire Protection and Suppression”, before beginning operations on this contract and shall update such certifications when operations change.

Prior to starting work, the Contractor shall provide a letter of Fire Specification Compliance stating that he or she has inspected all fire tools, vehicles, supplies, and equipment and that they meet or exceed the requirements of the contract specifications.

It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to conform to all fire regulations and/or Fire Supplemental Specifications. Equipment not meeting the contract requirements shall not be used and shall be removed off Forest Service lands. No further work shall be done until the fire tool box, vehicles, supplies, and equipment are in compliance with the contract specifications. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to check for the daily precaution classes during fire season.

19.

BASIS OF PAYMENT

The Contractor may at any time during the course of the contract request re-measurement of any project area that the acreage stated in the BPA call is felt to be incorrect. If re-measurement indicates that a variance of 5% or less exists, the Contractor will pay for the actual cost of the re-measurement. Under this condition, payment for the project area will be made on the acreage stated in the BPA call. If re-measurement indicates the actual variance is greater than 5%, payment for the project area will be based on the re-measured acreage.

The Contractor shall submit responses to questions (a) through (f) of the Data Collection Requirements for Title II Special Projects on Federal Lands (Public Law 106-393, Section 203 (b)(6) to the Contracting Officer with the final invoice, no final payment will be made without these responses.

For each BPA call issued, an acreage tolerance (based on the total acres for each BPA call) will be permitted. For this contract, the acreage tolerance will be up to 5 percent of the acres award or up to 2 acres, whichever value is lower. The amount of acres permitted to be treated under the acreage tolerance will be displayed on the BPA call when issued. The Contractor can increase the size of each site on the BPA call by 0.2 acres without prior Government approval. If the Contractor increases the size of the site, the perimeter needs to be flagged to confirm the increase in acreage. If a site increases by more than 0.2 acres, the Contracting Officer’s Representative needs to be contacted before treatment beyond the acreage specified within the BPA call is allowed. The Contractor CANNOT treat additional acreage beyond that allowed under the acreage tolerance without Government approval. If the Contractor treats additional acreage, the Contractor must notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative before the site(s) are released for inspection. During the inspection process the Government must verify the acreage increase before it is accepted for payment.

The Contractor shall complete a Government-furnished Pesticide Application Record (PAR) while at each individual site on each BPA call (See Exhibit B). PARs shall be submitted to the Government every two weeks. For BPA calls containing the survey line item, Exhibit F and Exhibit G (if applicable), shall be provided to the government every two weeks as well. Payment shall not be made on units that the Government has not received acceptable documentation.

If Government inspection indicates the percentage is between 80% and 90%, payment will be made at 100 percent of the sub-item unit price. An incentive of 5% (by BPA call) will be made if an average of 90% control has been achieved for all inspected and accepted treatment sites for each BPA call issued.

Where control quality for a sub-item falls below the minimum acceptable quality level of 80 percent, the Contractor will be required to rework, and any actual damages incurred by the Government as a result of the rework may be assessed. Repeated failure to perform to contract specification and control the weeds at the 80 percent level or above may be grounds for termination for default.

Pesticide Application Record- Exhibit B Deschutes, Ochoco, or Fremont-Winema National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland Site #(s) _________________________________________________________________

Applicator(s) ________________________________________________________________________

Date of Application ______ /______ /______

Month Day Year

Time of Application ___________(AM)(PM) to ___________(AM)(PM)

Location:

T._______S. R._______E. Sec_______ ¼ Sec of the ¼ Sec. ______________________

UTM’s (Beginning) (Easting) __________________(Northing)______________________ (Ending) (Easting) __________________(Northing)______________________

Land Manager: ________________________________________ (ranger district name) County: _______________________ Road: ____________________________

Site Description: ___Forest ___Range ___R.O.W. ___Riparian ___Power Line ___Other (list)___________

Equipment Used: ____Hand Gun ____Back Pack____Hand Tools ____A.T.V.____Boom ____Granules

Pesticide Used:

EPA#

Amount of Chemical Used Concentration

________________(oz, gal)

________________(oz, gal)

Amount of Spray Mix Used: ______gal(s) Additives Used Amount of Additive Used

Concentration

_______________(oz, gal)

_______________(oz, gal)

Weeds Treated: ___Canada Thistle ___Musk Thistle ___Scotch Thistle ___Leafy Spurge ___ White Top

___Spotted Knapweed ___Russian Knapweed ___Diffuse Knapweed ___Dalmatian Toadflax ___Yellow Toadflax

___Mediterranean Sage ___Medusahead ___St. Johnswort ___0ther (list)_______________________________

Acres Infested: _______ Gross Acres Treated: _______ Estimated Number of Plants Treated: __________ Plant Stage: ___Seedling, ___Rosettes, ___Bolting, ___Flowering, ___Mature, ___Senescent

Weather: Wind: ____Calm, ____0-5 MPH, ____6-10 MPH, ____N, ____S, ____E, ____W. Temperature: _______ degrees F. @ ________ (AM)(PM

Sky: _____Clear, _____Partly Cloudy, _____Cloudy, _____Showers _____Rain

Signature(s): ______________________________________________________________

Exhibit C

Invasive Plant Control Inspection Form

Deschutes, Ochoco or Fremont-Winema National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland Site #(s)______________________ Date__________________ Inspector________________ Visual Inspection Notes: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Complete Count

Species____________ #Dead _________ #Alive ___________ %Mortality___________ Belt Transect Start Point UTMs: E ___________ N _______________ Azimuth Degrees _________

Species____________ #Dead _________ #Alive ___________ %Mortality _____________

2nd Transect Start Point UTMs: E ___________ N _______________ Azimuth Degrees _________

Species____________ #Dead _________ #Alive ___________ %Mortality _____________

3rd Transect Start Point UTMs: E ___________ N _______________ Azimuth Degrees _________

Species____________ #Dead _________ #Alive ___________ %Mortality _________

Average % Mortality ____________

Plot Transect Start Point UTMs: E ___________ N _______________ Azimuth Degrees _________

P1 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P2 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P3 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P4 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P5 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P6 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P7 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P8 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P9 Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

P10Species__________ #Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

Totals

#Dead _______ #Alive _______ %Cover Dead _______ %Cover Alive______

Average % Mortality ____________

Instructions

Complete Count – Use at sites with <1000 plants/stems. Total the number of dead/dying plants/stems and number of live plants and calculate % mortality.

For sites with >1000 plants/stems use one of the 100m transect methods. Stretch out a 100 m tape through a representative area of the site. Flag and GPS the transect start point and record the azimuth of the transect direction in degrees. Write the number of the transect on the flagging.

Belt Transect - Using a meter stick held perpendicular to the tape, count the number of dead/dying and live plants/stems in a 1 m wide belt located on the right hand side of the tape. Plants must be rooted in the belt to be counted. Calculate % mortality. Use up to 3 transects if results are close to the 80% cutoff, or to get a representative sample of the site. Average the transect results for the site.

Plot Transect – Use a meter square plot frame at 10m intervals along the transect tape, beginning at 10m. The frame will be positioned with the upper left hand corner at the 10m (20m, 30m, etc.) mark on the tape. Within the plot frame, either count the number of dead/dying and live plants, or visually estimate % cover of dead and live plants. Plants must be rooted in the plot frame to be counted. Total the results for all 10 plot frames and calculate % mortality. Use up to 3 transects if results are close to the 80% cutoff, or to get a representative sample of the site. Average the transect results for the site. This method will be used for sites where plants/stems are too numerous to count in a belt transect within a reasonable timeframe, or for rhizomatous species, where cover is a better measure.

Determining Mortality – Mortality is determined by looking at both top kill and root death. Look for indications of stress such as brown edges on leaves, and brown and curled buds and meristem. Determining kill in the time frames allowed within this contract can be difficult for musk thistle that has already bolted. If the main shoot has turned brown and is curled over, and other signs of stress, such as those mentioned above, are present, the plant is likely to die. In some instances, mature musk thistle plants will produce new buds after they are sprayed. However, past inspections have shown that the herbicide will eventually kill these mature plants before the buds have an opportunity to flower and produce viable seeds.

Root inspection is critical for determining mortality of perennial rhizomatous species. Dig up sample plants and look for dye at the base of the plants and 1-2” into the root system. Roots that have been effectively killed by the herbicide should be fairly dry, or at least lacking the moisture content of non-sprayed roots. Also examine rhizome buds. If the adventitious root buds are still pink or green, then the plant is still alive, even though the above-ground portion may have signs indicating stress from the herbicide.

Equipment Needed: Flagging, marker, GPS unit, 100m reel tape, meter stick, square meter plot frame (PVC or other), data sheets, shovel.

QUESTIONNAIRE

A. Quality Control Plan, Safety Plan, and Emergency Spill Response Plan

1. Develop a quality control plan that speaks to the accuracy of your GPS unit and if it is compatible with the GPS used by the Government in order to properly locate the Invasive plant sites by their coordinates, Pesticide Application Record submissions, how the percent work quality based on plot or visual work data will be reported, and how the Contractor will ensure that the pesticides were applied to all plants in each site at a minimum:

GPS______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PAR ________________________________________________________________________________

Work quality _________________________________________________________________________ Quality assurance__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Develop a Safety Plan that includes all necessary componenets listed in Section J. The Safety Plan should be completed on a separate sheet and submitted with the contract.

3. Develop a Emergency Spill Response Plan that includes all necessary componenets listed in Section J. The Emergency Spill Response Plan should be completed on a separate sheet and submitted with the contract.

B. Personnel Qualifications

1. Key personnel. (List all personnel who will be working on this project—be sure to include applicator.)

Name

Experience Doing This Type of Work

C. Past Performance History

1. List below the projects completed by your business within the last three (3) years which most closely relate to this type of work:

2. Have you failed to complete any project in the last three (3) years? [ ] Yes [ ] No If “yes”, list all contracts not completed, provide explanation of the circumstances, remedy of situation, and action taken to avoid recurrence.

D. Technical Experience

1. Number of years this specific business entity has been doing this type of work.

Number of years experience under a different business name doing this type of work.

Name of business: ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. List supplies, tools, equipment, and facilities to be used.

3. List firm’s contractual commitments running concurrently with the work contemplated by this solicitation.

Evidence of licenses.

Commercial Pesticide Operator’s License with Forestry and Right-of-Way categories:

Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License with Forestry and Right-of-Way categories for the on-site representative or a Directly Supervised Commercial Pesticide Trainee, who holds the Forestry and Right-of-Way categories:

E. Local Labor

1. Provide a work plan that describes how you will utilize labor from the local workforce, other resources from the local communities, small, small disadvantaged, and women-owned small business subcontractors from the local area.

EXHIBIT H. Required aquatic buffers for the Fremont-Winema National Forest (Table 1) and Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland (Table 2).

Table 1. Aquatic Protection Measures for the Fremont-Winema NF

(Distances shown in the table represent the closest horizontal distance in feet measured from the water’s edge, dry channel, or ditch line, in which a particular chemical or application method can be used.)

Aquatic Labeled

Low Risk to Aquatic Organisms

Moderate Risk to Aquatic Organisms

High Risk to Aquatic Organisms

* Includes ponds, lakes, springs, wetlands, flowing streams, and flowing ditches that are hydrologically connected to lakes, ponds, or streams.

** Includes dry intermittent stream channels, meadows, and ditches that are hydrologically connected to lakes, ponds, or streams.