12363N23Q4241 Combined Synopsis - Chequamegon-Nicolet NF Gravel Pit.pdf

12363N23Q004241

Gravel Pit

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Combined Synopsis and Solicitation

Request for Quote #12363N23Q4241 **MUST BE REGISTERED IN SAM (www.sam.gov) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD**

Payment will be made via EFT. Invoice using IPP.Gov

FOB: X Destination Origin

Set Aside For: Large Small

Woman- Owned SDVOSB Hubzone 8(a)

(Please check all that apply)

NAICS Code: 115310 Size Standard: 10 Million

Delivery address

Date and time needed

**MUST HAVE ALL INFO BELOW**

Company Name:

Vendor Rep:

Phone:

Email:

Mailing Address:

UEI SAM #

**QUOTES ARE DUE BY: 07/10/2023 by 1:30PM EST**

Questions are due by 07/07/2023 COB.

http://www.sam.gov/

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Chequamegon – Nicolet National Forest

Schedule of Items Non-Native Invasive Plant (NNIP) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests

FS Unit SUMMARY: Please check which FS unit(s) you have bid on

Chequamegon-Nicolet NF (CN)

CHEQUMEGON-NICOLET (CN)

Item No.

Work Title Description

QTY Unit price Base Year:

(07/12/2023- 07/11/2024) Total:

Herbicide Treatment Category Woody Vegetation

Open Land and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP

Acres

Interior Forest

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category-Herbaceous Flowering Plants, Grasses & Vines/Semi-woody Vines and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody

NNIP

Work Title Description

QTY Unit price Option Year 1 (07/12/2024- 07/11/2025) and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors

Work Title Description

QTY Unit price Option Year 2 (07/12/2025- 07/11/2026) and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors

Work Title Description

QTY Unit price Option Year (07/12/2026- 07/11/2027) and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along and/or Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors

Basis of Award: Best Value

Acres are estimated pending availability of funds.

SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR MUST BE REGISTERED IN SAM PRIOR TO AWARD

Scope of Work

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (also referred to as “forest”) has a requirement to enter into a Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) for control of nonnative invasive species (NNIP) of plants and selected “invasive-like” native plants using a combination of manual, mechanical, physical, and chemical treatments.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest administers approximately 1.5 million acres of public land in northern Wisconsin.

Private land parcels are scattered throughout the forest boundaries. Land administered by the forest includes a variety of upland and wetland habitats, including both forested and open lands.

The primary objective is to eradicate, reduce, or contain non-native invasive plants (NNIP), thereby minimizing the threat to native plant communities, sensitive wildlife and fish habitats, rare species and their habitats, recreational activities, and reducing their economic impact. The projects will emphasize control activities on highly invasive non-native plant species infestations. To accomplish this objective the Forest Service uses an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for NNIP control activities as required by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) and in the Environmental Assessment completed for NNIP control.

Chequamegon-Nicolet Land Management Plan: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest - Planning (usda.gov)

Chequamegon-Nicolet Environmental Assessment for NNIP: Forest Service (usda.gov)

Invasive plant control activities will be conducted along disturbance corridors (e.g. roads, trails, utility corridors, fence lines, and riparian corridors), at developed sites (e.g. campgrounds, recreation sites, and administration sites), at disturbed sites (e.g. timber harvest units and maintained openings), and in relatively undisturbed places (e.g. forest interiors and wetlands). In addition, treatments will be conducted as part of restoration projects to improve wildlife habitat and protect plant diversity in native grassland openings, early successional habitat areas, interior areas of the forest, and other unique native plant communities threatened by invasive plants. As the initial NNIP treatments are successful subsequent treatments will focus less on using off road vehicles and mechanized equipment to increase amounts of spot spraying of herbicides by using backpack sprayers or other hand techniques.

C.3 SCOPE OF WORK

Work will be accomplished through task orders (TO), issued against an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. IT IS THE INTENT TO HAVE MULTIPLE IDIQ CONTRACTORS. The awarded contract and TO shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract. Upon TO award, and before any contract work is started, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange for a pre-work conference to discuss contract provisions and specifications.

The contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, dyes or other herbicide markers, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards attached to each TO. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. The PBSC Statement of Work (SOW) shall consist of completing the ordered tasks to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) required in Section C.12

PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE CONTRACT (PBSC) REQUIREMENTS.

Each TO will involve work that may include manual, mechanical, physical, or chemical controls, or a combination of these.

Infestations of NNIP to be treated include trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants. Some cut or pulled plants may be able to be left on site. All work must meet state and pesticide application and label direction.

C.4 GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND

C.4.1 GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICIATIONS

Nonnative invasive plants needing treatment are in the attachment, “Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest NNIP List” (Appendix A). This contract is part of a forest-wide project to remove and control undesirable non-invasive species of herbaceous plants, grasses, vines/semi-woody vines, shrubs and trees on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cnnf/landmanagement/planning https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=35515 treatment for various infestations of NNIP will depend on factors such as species; location and accessibility; patch size;

new invader or established population; concentration of NNIP; distance to surface and ground water resources; distance to special features or natural resources; surrounding vegetation; potential for successful treatment; and exposure to public.

NNIP plant treatments may include the use of hand methods and chemicals to eliminate NNIP when possible or at least appreciably reduce their presence in the treatment areas. While an initial inventory of NNIP plants throughout the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been completed; inventory continues. The project takes an adaptive management strategy, which will result in changes in treatment strategies if Forest Service monitoring of treatment areas indicates that treatment objectives are not being met.

Specifications for each of the items listed in the Schedule of Items are as follows:

Herbicide Treatment of Woody Vegetation Category 1

1.1 -Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Vehicle Access) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Cut stump, basal bark spray, and/or foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers or truck, ATV or UTV mounted sprayers with a single nozzle application within a drivable road or utility corridor. For the cut stump method treatments involve utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws and/or chain saws to cut stems and apply herbicides to stumps.

Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order. Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of either side of roads, trails, or utility corridors. If infestations along a roadway, trail, or utility corridor extend to beyond 30 feet, the contractor will treat this extra area making sure to treat the entire infestation and inform the COR of additional treatment and locations of treatments.

1.2 -Open land and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Cut stump, basal bark spray, and/or foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers within ¼ mile of a drivable road or utility corridor. For the cut stump method treatments involve utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws and/or chain saws to cut stems and apply herbicides to stumps. Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order. Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

1.3 - Interior Forest woody NNIP – (Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Cut stump, basal bark spray, and/or foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held or backpack sprayer where sites are greater than ¼ mile from road, trail, or utility corridor access. Foot travel only (e.g. wilderness areas away from roads). For the cut stump method treatments involve utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws and/or chain saws to cut stems and apply herbicides to stumps. Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order. Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of edge of mapped infestation perimeter. If infestations extend to beyond 30 feet of the mapped infestation perimeter, the contractor will map and inform the COR of the locations of additional infestations.

Foliar Herbicide Treatment of Flowering Plants, Grasses, Vines/Semi-woody Vines Category 2

2.1 - Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Vehicle Access) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers or truck, ATV or UTV mounted sprayers with a single nozzle application within a drivable road or utility corridor. Examples of target species: spotted knapweed, non-native thistles, or leafy spurge.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of either side of roads, trails, or utility corridors. If infestations along a roadway, trail, or utility corridor extend to beyond 30 feet, the contractor will treat this extra area making sure to treat the entire infestation and inform the COR of additional treatment and locations of treatments.

2.2 - Open Land and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers application within ¼ mile of a drivable road or utility corridor. Examples of target species:

spotted knapweed, non-native thistles, or leafy spurge.

2.3 - Interior Forest non-woody NNIP – (Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Direct foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held or backpack sprayer where sites are greater than ¼ mile from road, trail, or utility corridor access. Foot travel only (e.g. wilderness areas away from roads). Examples of target species:

spotted knapweed, non-native thistles, garlic mustard, or leafy spurge.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of edge of mapped infestation perimeter. If infestations extend to beyond 30 feet of the mapped infestation perimeter, the contractor will map and inform the COR of the locations of additional infestations.

C.4.2 GENERAL HERBICIDE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest has approved the following herbicides:

Selective Herbicides (active ingredient) Non-Selective Herbicides (active ingredient)

Aminopyralid Glyphosate

Metsulfuron methyl Imazapic Clopyralid Triclopyr

Herbicide selection is dependent on the NNIP plants targeted for control treatment, surrounding vegetation, distance to ground and surface water, soil type, and other non-target resources that may be impacted by herbicide applications.

The herbicide to be used for chemical treatment, the application method and the desired application rate and will be identified in the task order. Design criteria and mitigation measures may also be specified in the TO.

Applicators will use typical herbicide concentrations according to all EPA approved manufacturer herbicide directions.

The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and any applicable laws or regulations.

The Contractor and any employees must follow all label safety requirements and recommendations. At a minimum, this will require all applicators and handlers to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, gloves that are impervious to the pesticide in use, and footwear that provides protection from exposure to the pesticide being used. Contractor must have clean water and soap for applicators and handlers to be able to wash their hands. Contractor must also provide enough clean water to provide first aid in case the herbicide contacts eyes. This will include clean water to rinse eyes for 15-20 minutes. The contractor must possess a working cell phone to be able to contact the Forest Service as needed and emergency personnel if necessary.

The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The contractor must have herbicide labels and copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS or the new SDS) of chemicals used on site.

Application operations shall be conducted as indicated on the herbicide label, including approved concentrations, rates/acre, and environmental conditions. Only chemicals approved for aquatic use in or adjacent to streams shall be used whenever directed or adjacent to waterways and wetlands, such as the aquatic formulation of glyphosate (Rodeo ® or equivalent product).

This contract does not allow any broadcast applications or aerial spraying. Where appropriate, vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers are permissible to apply herbicides with a spot spray technique in designated old fields, gravel pits or native grassland openings, and along roads. Other spot spraying typically involves the use of backpack sprayers, hand-held sprayers, glove swipe methods, or other hand techniques, and along designated motorized trails where ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is also permissible.

Except for selected areas of dense infestations of NNIP where herbicide use could occur throughout much of the year or areas, foliar application will most likely occur when native plants are dormant and by spot-spraying of target species (e.g.

garlic mustard). For other herbicide application during the growing season, the contract will require the use of selective herbicides or a selective method of application to reduce effects to the surrounding non-target vegetation. Other work may involve NNIP control of woody shrubs, trees, and woody vines by using a combination of herbicide treatment and cutting.

Contractor will place warning signs around the sprayed areas according to the appropriate re-entry interval per label directions of the chemical if applied where the public may have contact with the herbicide. Where necessary per label directions, caution signs may include a temporary closure of treatment areas (the need for temporary closure should be discussed with the COR to make sure there are no conflicts). These areas typically include campgrounds, trails and trail heads, day-use areas and administrative sites.

Foliar herbicide application will occur mainly after full leaf expansion and applicators will apply herbicides in a systematic fashion to provide coverage to the entire NNIP infestation. Contractor shall apply foliar spray in such a manner to thoroughly wet foliage, but not to the point of runoff to avoid harm or mortality to desirable non-target plant species. Dye will be used by the contractor so that the COR can track where spraying occurred.

Contractor must take care to minimize the drift from herbicide application. The contractor must check the weather forecast prior to herbicide application to give enough time (per label directions) prior to rain events in order to make sure herbicide has a sufficient drying period on the target plant to be effective.

Contractor will conduct treatments to 100% of the specified project area(s) of the target NNIP infestation(s). Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate of greater than 85% for target NNIP infestations, and with no more than 10% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides (refer to Quality Assurance Plan).

The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule. The Contractor shall report treatment progress to the COR at least twice per week (telephone check-in suffices).

Forest Service COR or Contract Inspectors may conduct visual inspection of NNIP treatments on site to check on their progression to the specified requirements of the contract. The COR may conduct random inspections and sampling to verify acceptable kill rates to target NNIP infestations and mortality to non-target desirable native plants.

All herbicide applicator/mechanical treatment staff must be able to identify target NNIP plant species in the field, including during dormant seasons, to a sufficient degree without exceeding the maximum acceptable levels of mortality to desirable non-target native species and to meet minimum kill rates to target NNIP infestations (refer to Quality Assurance Plan). NNIP populations may be flagged on the ground by Forest Service personnel.

C.4.3 RECORDKEEPING

The Contractor will maintain an accurate daily log record of herbicide used in each area (see next section for the required elements). Other minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates and copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used.

Contractors will be issued shapefiles and maps with infestation locations and must be able to use a GPS unit to locate the infestations. Contractor must record on a map and take GPS points when they observe plants outside the mapped infestation boundary, to help the USFS adjust infestation data.

C.4.4 DAILY LOGS/DIARY

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

Data collected and reports prepared under this contract are the property of the USDA Forest Service. Data publication is prohibited without prior consent of the USDA Forest Service, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest or Ottawa National Forest and the USDA Forest Service reserves the right to edit any potential publications. The USDA Forest Service will be acknowledged in any publications using such data.

C.5 Licensing and Certification

The Contractor and/or whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Wisconsin (Chequamegon-Nicolet) commercial pesticide applicators license at the time of any herbicide treatments. Copies of certifications should be provided with technical proposal or at pre-work meeting.

The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Wisconsin pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatment or has direct voice communication by telephone or radio with the certified supervisor.

For work on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest the Contractor and/or whomever will supervise the herbicide treatments must possess a current Wisconsin pesticide applicators license at the time of the treatment. The Contractor must also possess a current Commercial Pesticide Application Business License. Information on Wisconsin pesticide certification is available from the following sources:

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (WDATCP). P. O 8911 Madison, WI 53708. 608- 224-4560 http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/pest-fert/pesticides/licenses/comm_app_cert.jsp

• University of Wisconsin-Extension, Department of Agronomy, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706. 608-262- 7588. http://ipcm.wisc.edu/PAT/

C.6 Task Order Issuance

Each task order will be awarded based on best value, to include price, past performance, past experience, and a technical submission. The technical submission will include a draft Work Plan and Schedule. The draft Work Plan and Schedule should include a start date, production rate, completion date, labor, and equipment list. The Contractor shall demonstrate the ability to complete all tasks for completion of the work required by this Contract.

TOs will include specific dates for conducting the given treatments. Depending on the season each year, the dates may receive small adjustments, with consent of both the Contracting Officer and Contractor.

If issued the task order, the Contractor will then submit a final site-specific Work Plan and Schedule for approval by the COR. The approved Work Plan and Schedule will indicate how the Contractor intends to meet the required Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) values, as referenced in the Quality Assurance Plan, as well as the contract specifications. The Work Schedule will provide dates of work for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) addressed in the contract, to include completion of all work before the required final date specified. The Contractor shall inform the COR of completion of each contract line item. The Work Plan for the awarded contract shall include any changes in values or proposed chemicals differing from the initial Work Plan, and the Contractor will inform the COR of any relevant changes to the technical specifications when performing work under the task order.

C.7 Inspections

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

C.8 Invoicing

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

C.9 Safety Plan

The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, their employees and the public at large. The safety plan should include: 1) a first aid plan documenting procedures in case of chemical exposure; 2) a chemical spill plan documenting internal procedures, in the event of a pesticide spill on-site or in transport, 3) documentation to substantiate that the Contractor has an ongoing safety training program, 4) documentation regarding any Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) actions/citations issued against the Contractor within the previous three (3) years, to include follow-up measures or remedies taken by the Contractor.

The same safety plan information is required of subcontractors.

The Contractor must meet the safety requirements as specified in the permit to work on highway right-or-way for treating invasive species infestations. These requirements specify that all applicators wear a type II safety vest and that the vehicle used to apply herbicide have an activated high intensity light, and at least one “road work ahead” sign be placed 500 feet before the work area.

C.10 Equipment ATV/UTV Use

Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in off road areas along trails or fields for indefinite periods or possibly the entire area at certain times of the year. The COR will determine those conditions or locations that warrant cessation of vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV use. Use of ATV/UTV/OHV Forest Service roads must follow the Wisconsin State motor vehicle regulations. On the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, vehicle use must comply with the motor vehicle use map unless administrative use of other roads has been authorized through the CO. No cross-country vehicle use is permitted.

Contractor shall maintain Forest Service approved spark arresting device on any piece of equipment operated by an internal combustion motor. In addition, each piece of motorized equipment shall be equipped with a serviceable round-pointed shovel and an operational fire extinguisher of at least five-pound rating suitable for the equipment being used.

C.10.1 EQUIPMENT CLEANLINESS

Prior to starting work, the Contractor must clean all off and on-road equipment (e.g. ATV, UTV, truck) used in NNIP control http://ipcm.wisc.edu/PAT/ activities before entering the treatment areas. Project COR or designated individual will inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving to another treatment area as needed. Contractor will inform the COR at least 48 hours in advance of needing an equipment check.

C.11 DEFINITIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C.12 PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE CONTRACT (PBSC) REQUIREMENTS

Since this is a Performance Based Service Contract, inspections will be performed to be sure work is done in accordance with the contract and product specifications and also to be sure that the desired outcome is achieved.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

No.

Treatment type (see Section C.4 above)

Quality standards

(QS)

Monitoring method

Acceptable Quality Level(AQL)

Monitoring method

Remedy

Herbicide Treatment Category – Woody Vegetation

1.1

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Vehicle Accessible)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, cutting -during or immediately after work is completed

AND/OR

herbicide – herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

No.

Treatment type (see Section C.4 above)

Quality standards

(QS)

Monitoring method

Acceptable Quality Level(AQL)

Monitoring method

Remedy

1.2

Open land and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, cutting -during or immediately after work is completed

AND/OR

herbicide – herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon

1.3

Interior Forest woody

NNIP

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, cutting -during or immediately after work is completed

AND/OR

herbicide – herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category-Herbaceous Flowering Plants, Grasses & Vines/Semi-woody Vines

2.1

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Vehicle Access)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for herbicide effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon

2.2

Open Land and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for herbicide effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon

No.

Treatment type (see Section C.4 above)

Quality standards

(QS)

Monitoring method

Acceptable Quality Level(AQL)

Monitoring method

Remedy

2.3

Interior Forest non-woody NNIP

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestation treated

Visual during or immediately after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for herbicide effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met. AQL determinations are made by the COR upon

NOTES:

Meeting the AQL for Line Items: Meeting or exceeding the acceptable kill ratio on target NNIP but exceeding the specified mortality value to non-target desirable plants, will result in the same reduction because the Contractor(s) did not meet all elements of the AQL values. Additionally, Contractor(s) must reapply the required herbicide at their expense upon failure to meet AQL values at the final inspection for each contract line item where the work performed failed to reach the minimum acceptable target kill ratio of the NNIP infestation(s).

Inspection: The Forest Service considers passing inspections (interim or final) to be critical. The Forest Service strives for effective and efficient contract administration; one of way of promoting this is to limit the need for re-inspections.

Solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal

Acquisition Circular 2023-04

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Items”

FAR 52.212-5, “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders”

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular; updated through FAC 2023-02 dated March 16, 2023.

Basis of award: Best Value

Schedule Notes:

a) Quantities shown are estimates only. Invoicing and payment based on actual quantities.

b) Quantiles not used or funded in a previous year, may be used in a following year at the applicable new option year financing.

c) Ultimate base contract value shall not exceed initial award value.

Description of Requirement:

The Contractor and any Subcontractors shall comply with all state and federal laws pertaining to herbicide application.

All herbicides, surfactants and dyes furnished by the Contractor shall be of recent manufacture and in the original containers with labels intact.

The required herbicides and surfactants are listed under each line item section. If the contractor wishes to substitute an equal herbicide and/or surfactant not listed below, he/she may do so only with specific contracting officer representative (COR) approval. A copy of the chemical label and MSDS must accompany the request.

(ii) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance/Location

Period of Performance:

Base: July 12, 2023, through July 11, 2024

Option Year 1: July 12, 2024, through July 11, 2025

Option Year 2: July 12, 2025, through July 11, 2026

Option Year 3: July 12, 2026, through July 11, 2027 https://www.acquisition.gov/

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

(i) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (OCT 2022) (DEVIATION 2017- 1, DEVIATION APR 2020, and DEVIATION JUL 2020)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or

Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or

Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Nov 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(l)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and

108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or

Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

☒ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (June 2020), with Alternate I (Nov

2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

☐ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

☐ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun

2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

☒ (4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of

Whistleblower Rights (Jun 2020) (DEVIATION 2017-1)

IXI (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

□ (6) [Reserved].

(7) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of

Div. C).

(8) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts

(Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

IXI (9) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101note).

(10) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

□ (11) [Reserved].

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/far-class-deviation-implement-whistleblower-protection.pdf

☐ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.657a).

☐ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022)

(if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

☐ (13) [Reserved]

☒ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C.644).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

☐ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

☐ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and

(3)).(DEVIATION DEC 2022)

☐ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

☐ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

☐ (iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

☐ (v) Alternate IV (Sep 2021) of 52.219-9.

☒ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13

☐ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.637s)

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

☒ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or

☐ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

☐ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

☐ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.

657f).

☐ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (MAR 2023) (15 U.S.C.

632(a)(2)).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

☐ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-

Owned Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

☐ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns

Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

☐ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

☐ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

☒ (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

☐ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Dec 2022) (E.O.13126).

☒ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

☒ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

☐ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

☐ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C.793).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

☐ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

☐ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O.

13496).

☐ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/far-class-deviation-regarding-threshold-small-disadvantaged-business.pdf

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter78 and E.O. 13627).

☐ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

☐ (37) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May

2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

☐ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

☐ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun

2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners

(Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (40) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and

13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

☐ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

☐ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

☐ (43) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s

13423 and 13514).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

☒ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O.

13513).

☒ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

☐ (47) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

☐ (48)(i) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

☐(ii) Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1

☐ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (DEC 2022) (19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-

4732), Public Law. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-

41, 112-42, and 112-43.

☐(ii) Alternate I [Reserved]

☐(iii) Alternate II (Dec 2022) of 52.225-3.

☐(iv) Alternate III (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3.

☐(v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3.

☐ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Dec 2022) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

☒ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

☐ (52) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016)

(Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C.

Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

☐ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

☐ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C.

5150).

☐ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Feb 2021).

☐ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov

2021) (41 U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C.3805).

☐ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41

U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C.3805).

☒ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31

U.S.C. 3332).

☐ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul

2013) (31 U.S.C.3332).

☐ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C.3332).

☐ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

☐ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

☐ (63) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C.

55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

☐ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

☐ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

☒ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

☒ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and the regulations of the Secretary of

Labor (29 CFR Part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C.5341 or 5 332.

This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination

Employee Class

Monetary Wage/Fringe Benefits

Forestry Technician

$23.17 per hour

☒ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple

Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

☐ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (May

2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

☐ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for

Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter

67).

☐ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain

Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3

☐ (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

☒ (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

☐ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at

52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller

General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the…