Attachment_1_-_Statement_of_Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

BRUSH MANAGEMENT

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)

1.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this purchase order is to obtain services in the State of Vermont (VT) for Brush Management for several properties located in the towns of Brandon and Sudbury Vermont. Description of services is listed below.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS has authority to administer voluntary conservation easement programs. All properties involved with this purchase order are enrolled in the former Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), which is now called the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easement component (ACEP-WRE). The Federal government has an in-perpetuity obligation to manage these lands as restored wetlands and wildlife habitat. The invasive species requiring treatment on these properties are bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) These invasive plants are established in these former agricultural fields, now restored wetlands. These invasive plants need to be controlled because they are outcompeting native vegetation and decreasing wildlife habitat quality for native reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.

3.0 SCOPE

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work, applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations, and conservation practice standards and specifications to provide Brush Management services for the associated properties. The services entail the following:

1. Brush Management (315) – controlling a minimum of 90% of the invasive plant species within targeted areas while minimizing impacts to non-target plants and animals.

4.0 STANDARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work, applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations, and conservation practice standards and specifications to provide Brush Management services.

The individual Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications can be found at https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/VT/TABLE_OF_CONSERVATION_PRACTICES.pd

f. Other specifications specific to this contracted work are listed in Section V., Description of Services of this Statement of Work.

Please see Attachment 2. General Location Map, for the grouping of properties. Please see Attachment

3. Location Map, for specific property access and location. Please see Attachment 4. Invasive Plant Control Map, for the acreage and location of targeted invasive plant species identified for each property. Please see Attachment 5. Invasive Plant Control Plan, for invasive plant specific control information for each property. Please see attachment 6. Conservation Practice Job Sheets. Please see attachment 7. Invasive Control Plan – Contractor Record and Certification of Conformance for the

Solicitation 121A2318Q0019 Attachment 1 https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/VT/TABLE_OF_CONSERVATION_PRACTICES.pdf template for reporting completed work.

The Contractor will follow all Vermont Pesticide laws and label requirements and maintain appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). MSDS and herbicide labels may be accessed on the Internet at:

http://www.greenbook.net/

The Contractor must have current commercial pesticide applicator Core and Category 2 Forest Pest certifications with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. The Contractor will provide a copy of these certifications along with their quote for performing these Brush Management services.

The Contractor will carry out activities during appropriate weather conditions so that herbicide treatment is effective and impacts to non-target plants and animals are reduced.

The Contractor will develop a safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals, including telephone numbers and addresses of emergency treatment centers and the telephone number for the nearest poison control center. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) telephone number in Corvallis, Oregon, may also be given for non-emergency information: 1-800-858-7384, Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The national Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTRAC) telephone number is: 1-800-424-9300. The Contractor will provide a copy of this safety plan to NRCS before beginning the initial Brush Management treatment.

The Contractor will follow label requirements for mixing/loading setbacks from wells, intermittent streams and rivers, natural or impounded ponds and lakes, and reservoirs.

The Contractor will post signs, according to label directions and/or federal, state, tribal, and local laws, around fields that have been treated. Follow restricted entry intervals.

The Contractor will dispose of herbicide and herbicide containers in accordance with label directions and adhere to federal, state, tribal, and local regulations.

The Contractor will calibrate application equipment according to recommendations before each seasonal use and with each major chemical and site change.

The Contractor will replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges on spray equipment.

The Contractor will attend the pre-implementation meetings with the NRCS representative(s). The discussions and decisions shall be documented by the NRCS and the Contractor.

The Contractor will effectively communicate to NRCS the status of the Brush Management Services, beginning with the start of the first practice and through to completion. The contractor must notify the NRCS Inspector at least 24 hours before proceeding with the first treatment at each property.

The Contractor will communicate scheduling conflicts ahead of time. Any changes or modifications to the planned treatment acres will be communicated to and approved by NRCS.

The Contractor will evaluate the success of the Brush Management practice by evaluating regrowth or

Solicitation 121A2318Q0019 Attachment 1 reoccurrence of target species after sufficient time has passed to monitor the situation and gather reliable data. Length of evaluation periods will depend on the herbaceous weeds species being monitored, proximity of propagules (seeds, plant materials and roots) to the site, transport mode of seeds (wind or animals) and methods and materials used.

The Contractor will monitor and perform any necessary follow-up treatments on any re-growth of the controlled invasive plant species or new noxious or invasive species in entire targeted treatment area during the two successive years after the initial treatment.

The Contractor will submit the following Records of Application documentation to NRCS within 14 days of Brush Management completion, on the Invasive Control Plan – Contractor Record and Certification of Conformance:

1. Extent of practice application (i.e. number of acres) and corresponding map

2. List of materials and methods used for practice implementation (see more specific deliverables for each practice below) and estimated hours of labor

Specific documentation for deliverables is listed below:

1. Brush Management

• Plant species controlled and percent kill of target species

• Extent of practice application (i.e. number of acres)

• Time and Dates of treatment

• Chemicals applied product brand name & active ingredients (also carriers, surfactants, and/or dyes if used)

• Product EPA Registration Number

• Amount of herbicide applied

• Method of application, including general equipment used

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

1. Brush Management

Properties: Bertrand 160 Acres: 5.0 acres Control of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) and bush honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)

The invasive species requiring treatment on the Bertrand 160 WRE easement are bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.). These two invasive species are found in the riparian area along the Otter Creek. These patches of honeysuckle and buckthorn are well established and spread throughout the 5 acre treatment area. Density of these plants ranges from 10% to 80%. In general, the plants are mostly mature (seed bearing and well established) but care should be taken to treat seedlings as well. See attachment 4 for specific treatment locations.

While the aforementioned species have been identified on site and compose the bulk of the treatment needs, all commonly known invasive plants (e.g. barberry, garlic mustard, etc.)

encountered during application will be controlled within the treatment area.

The goal for this treatment is at least 90% reduction in common buckthorn and bush honeysuckle cover after the initial application. Two additional years of follow-up treatment are planned. (See Performance of Services).

Treatment options and specifications can be found in the Shrub Honeysuckles and Buckthorns Conservation Practice Job Sheets:

(https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/VT/TABLE_OF_CONSERVATION_PRACTICE S.pdf).

The best time to treat honeysuckle and buckthorn is between August and October when the plant is transporting nutrients to its root system. Treatment of these plants will occur using an appropriate aquatic approved herbicide, surfactant, and dye. All debris from treated plants (stems, branches) will be disposed of properly. Due to the presence of uncommon and rare species and natural communities, care must be taken to avoid treating non-target species and prevent any herbicide reaching surface waters on site. Avoid wet rainy conditions when amphibians may be active at or near the ground surface. Avoid direct spray on any wildlife found in the treatment area.

2. Brush Management

Properties: Branon and Margot Acres: 139.0 acres Control of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) and bush honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)

The invasive species requiring treatment on the Branon & Mott WRE easements are bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.). These patches of honeysuckle and buckthorn are not well established and spread throughout the 139 acre treatment area at approximately 1% density. In general, the plants are mostly immature. See attachment 4 for specific treatment locations. While the aforementioned species have been identified on site and compose the bulk of the treatment needs, all commonly known invasive plants (e.g. barberry, garlic mustard, etc.) encountered during application will be controlled within the treatment area.

The goal for this treatment is at least 90% reduction in common buckthorn and bush honeysuckle cover after the initial application. Two additional years of follow-up treatment are planned. (See Performance of Services).

Treatment options and specifications can be found in the Shrub Honeysuckles and Buckthorns Conservation Practice Job Sheets:

(https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/VT/TABLE_OF_CONSERVATION_PRACTICE S.pdf).

The best time to treat honeysuckle and buckthorn is between August and October when the plant is transporting nutrients to its root system. Treatment of these plants will occur using an appropriate aquatic approved herbicide, surfactant, and dye. All debris from treated plants (stems, branches) will be disposed of properly. Due to the presence of uncommon and rare species and natural communities, care must be taken to avoid treating non-target species and prevent any herbicide reaching surface waters on site. Avoid wet rainy conditions when amphibians may be active at or near the ground surface. Avoid direct spray on any wildlife found in the treatment area.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/VT/TABLE_OF_CONSERVATION_PRACTICES.pdf

6.0 PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES:

The time spent to perform these items shall vary depending on the complexity of the site. The contractor will have 1095 days to complete this project.

2018 Initial application of Brush Management to all targeted areas within the growing season

2019 Monitoring of all targeted areas and follow up Brush Management as needed within the growing season

2020 Monitoring of all targeted areas and follow up Brush Management as needed within the growing season

7.0 DELIVERABLES

Item No.

Deliverable/

Item Title

Description

Frequency

Delivery Format

Due By

1 Core and Category 2 Forest Pest certifications with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Annual proof of pesticide application license certifications

Once per year

Via email to COR

The 1st business day of May for each year of the contract award

2 Safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals

This plan will be used in the event of an accident or emergency

Once per contract award

Via email to COR

On the 1st business day of May in the year of the contract award

3 Pre-implementation meeting attendance

Contractor will attend meetings before commencing initial treatment at each property

Once per each year of contract award for each property

In person

On the 1st day of planned Brush Management for each property for each year of the contract award

4 Communication with NRCS

The contractor must notify the NRCS Inspector at least 24 hours before proceeding with the first treatment at each property.

Once per each year of contract award for each property

Via text, phone call, or email to COR and

NRCS

Inspect or

At least 24 hours before proceeding with the first treatment at each property for each year of the contract award.

5 Records of herbicide application

The contractor must provide NRCS with completed Invasive Control Plan – Contractor Record and Certification of Conformance

As needed and at least once per each year of contract award for each property

Via email to COR and

NRCS

Inspect or

Within 14 days of Brush Management completion

6 Evaluation of Brush Management Success

The contractor must provide NRCS with a map of the area treated and the invasive plant control success evaluation results

Once per each year of contract award for each property

Via email to COR and

NRCS

Inspect or

Within 30 days of Brush Management completion

8.0 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements for applying conservation practice Brush Management:

1. The Contractor must have current commercial pesticide applicator Core and Category 2 Forest Pest certifications with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture which will be provided to NRCS with the quote and then once annually for each year of the contract award.

2. Applicators must have excellent tree and shrub identification skills as there may be native plants in the treatment area. This will be demonstrated by providing a written description of the Contractor’s knowledge, skills, abilities and experience in invasive plant control regarding the targeted invasive plant species.

The pesticide certification terms are from VT Agency of Agriculture:

http://agriculture.vermont.gov/pesticide_regulation/applicator_dealer_resources/commercial_applicator s

9.0 CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

By signing this contract the Contractor assures the USDA that the program or activities provided for under this agreement will be conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal civil rights laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Any and all information gained through this Statement of Work or in the process of carrying out the Brush Management project are to be held confidential between the Contractor, NRCS, other designated partners and the landowner unless released by the landowner.

Information gained may not be shared with others and are considered private to the landowner. The Contractor will protect the privacy of information collected during the technical assistance process according to the provisions of Section 1619 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

10.0 CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO)

The designated Contracting Agency for this Statement of Work is NRCS. All administrative matters regarding this Statement of Work shall be directed to either the Contracting Specialist:

Gay Mullen-Brown, Contract Specialist

USDA NRCS

Contracting Services Branch, Team 1 Phone: (517) 324-5236 Email: Gay.Mullen@wdc.usda.gov

Only the CO may authorize changes to this Statement of Work.

http://agriculture.vermont.gov/pesticide_regulation/applicator_dealer_resources/commercial_applicators http://agriculture.vermont.gov/pesticide_regulation/applicator_dealer_resources/commercial_applicators mailto:Gay.Mullen@wdc.usda.gov