1240LQ24Q0090 Attachment 1 - SOW_ASWHIP_Weed_Spraying-PDN.docx

1240LQ24Q0090

Aswhip Weed Spraying White River National Forest Sopris Ranger District

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work ASWHIP Weed Spraying Contract White River National Forest Aspen-Sopris Ranger District 06/3/2024

This is a readvertisement of Solicitation 1240LQ24Q0071

Contents

Project Title ASWHIP Weed Spraying Contract

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

The contractor shall visually locate noxious weeds and conduct treatments by spot spraying approximately 65 acres of herbicide in remote areas before or after prescribed fire across some 340 acres total of the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District at Lime Park and Cattle Creek, Eagle County, near Basalt, Colorado (see maps provided Attachment 1).

1.1 Statement of Work

Provide all personnel, equipment, certifications, livestock (as needed), supplies, water, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform noxious weed treatments as defined in this Statement of Work, except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. The successful offeror(s) will perform the work following a pre-work meeting with the Contracting Officer, the District Noxious Weed Program Manager and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), clarifying the terms and conditions of the contract.

Weed species include Houndstongue, Plumeless thistle, Canada thistle, and any other Colorado State Listed noxious weed species identified while in the performance of this contract. Houndstongue and thistles will be the priority species. The scope of this work involves 100% remote, horse or foot accessible areas. The service provider shall provide their own CO2 for saddlelite spraying and provide all equipment and livestock to perform the tasks outlined. The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District will provide the herbicide, surfactant, and marker dye necessary to fulfill the contract.

No off-road vehicles are allowed in the areas that have this work in them and no on-road vehicles can be driven into the areas. Acceptable application methods are backpack spraying, livestock-mounted spray systems, or other means that do not rely on wheeled or tracked vehicles to cover large native areas. Truck or UTV mounted systems alone are not acceptable due to the expanse of areas and their remoteness from Forest Roads.

For efficient completion of this project, the service provider may set up a base camp along nearby Forest Roads.

1.2 Period of Performance

September 4, 2024, to September 15, 2025; with a preference for most spray operations occurring in late June to late July 2025. Given this timing, treatments will occur first at Lime Park and then remaining acres completed at Cattle Creek. If treatments start in 2024, work may be suspended for the remainder of the growing season after 50% or more of flower heads develop seeds. Survey and spray treatments are to occur in a systematic progression. No specific quantity of work is guaranteed nor implied. Greater or fewer acres may be treated depending upon weather, severity of weed infestation, topography or other conditions.

1.3 Quality Control

The Contractor shall provide a general Quality Control Plan (QCP) to the Contracting Officer (CO), with the proposal. The general Quality Control plan must demonstrate how the Contractor will assure quality meets the requirements and specifications of the contract. It shall state specify how quality will be monitored to ensure the performance standards are met; the supervision of crew and work; and the personnel that will be performing the quality control. Quality control includes the monitoring of quality while work is in progress and an unbiased sample of thinning and other work to determine actual quality percentage. The plan should identify who will be conducting the inspection, the method of inspection, the frequency of inspections, and how deficiencies in work would be corrected. The quality control program is to be delivered at the time of proposal. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to their QC system.

2.0 Definitions

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

Defective Service. A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

Quality Assurance Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW).

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) A Government person appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract administration and surveillance.

Government Inspector A Government person responsible for surveillance of contractor performance.

Quality Control Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

State each objective, task, or activity. Identify expected or desired outcome(s). Include provisions for the contractor to comply with all relevant quality standards. Identify any specific skill requirements needed to successfully complete the work.

It is the contractor's responsibility to comply with all requirements of the Pesticide Applicator's Act (Sec.35-10-101 et seq. C.R.S.). The service provider shall comply with all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the work required. Herbicide choices and application rates for treatment will be determined by the Forest/District Weed Program Manager, prior to start of work.

With exception of existing designated routes identified on the current Travel Management road map, the project areas are only accessible by foot or horseback. Horse/mule-mounted spray equipment is anticipated for the execution of this project. If the service provider chooses to utilize backpack sprayers instead of horse-mounted equipment, it will take several operators to complete this project in a timely manner. A 4-gallon backpack will only treat approximately 0.1 acre per load. If the service provider were to choose backpacks, or some other hand held application method, they would need to show an adequate workforce to complete the project in the allotted timeframe in order to be awarded the contract.

The service provider will supply their own CO2 for saddle-lite sprayer operations.

Weed-free Equipment: The service provider shall ensure all camp equipment, tack, blankets and stock hooves will be checked for weed seeds prior to entering the Forest. All vehicles, trailers, and similar equipment will be checked for weed seeds prior to entering the Forest.

Livestock Use

1. Any authorization to graze livestock is temporary and will not establish a priority for future use of the range. Any grazing that occurs must be authorized by the Forest Service prior to beginning work.

2. The service provider shall comply with grazing instructions as issued by the Forest Service after award and shall require all employees to do likewise. Illegal grazing of livestock used in conjunction with this work will be grounds for termination of the contract.

3. Only the number of livestock necessary to complete the spraying operation will be authorized to graze (Usually two per sprayer, one saddle and one pack animal). Livestock numbers will be determined in the pre-work meeting.

4. Grazing utilization will be determined by stubble height of the grasses and sedges. Grazing utilization will not exceed a 4-inch forage stubble height. Note: Measurements are average of plant heights within grazed area. Once maximum utilization has been reached, the stock will need to be moved or fed certified weed free hay or pellets. Any new grazing location must be approved by the District Range Staff or the COR prior to use.

5. The service provider shall not allow horses to run at large. Unless grazing, horses shall be tied to a high line or kept in a temporary pasture when being fed and watered or when not being used. Animals will be tied to removable hitch racks, or other holding devices rather than tied to individual trees. Any tying to trees will be for very short time durations only and done in a manner so that no tree damage occurs. All pasture locations and materials must be approved in advance by the District Range Staff or COR. Any pasture will be constructed out of temporary electric fence or other approved material. Animals being picketed must be routinely moved to avoid excessive grazing use. The use of hobbles or electric fences is preferred. Stubble height utilization applies in all cases.

6. Grazing of wet meadows is not allowed.

7. Once grazing use has reached the maximum amount, you must find a new area to allow your stock to graze.

8. No authorization for grazing use will be approved which results in overuse of the grazing resource.

9. The service provider is responsible for tracking and complying with the allowable forage use levels.

10. Pack and unridden saddle stock must be led and controlled while using trails except where conditions make this practice unsafe. The purpose is to protect trails, people, and livestock.

11. Manure will be routinely raked and spread to reduce odors, flies, resource damage, and unsightly conditions.

12. Livestock, owned or controlled by the service provider, that die on NFS lands, shall be removed or otherwise disposed of in a manner acceptable to the Forest Service.

13. All public lands within the State of Colorado require the use of certified weed free hay, mulch or straw.

14. Livestock will be secured a minimum of 100 feet from all lakes, streams, and trails, unless otherwise restricted by local regulations.

15. When salt is provided for livestock, it shall be in block form and contained to a tub to prevent soil contamination.

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

The contractor shall provide the Forest Service access to all documents/material produced under this Statement of Work. The contractor shall maintain daily records and logs containing all applicable information as required by the State of Colorado and shall provide a copy of the daily application record for District Weed Program Manager’s review and records at time of invoice. Only Forest Service application records will be accepted unless otherwise agreed upon with the District Weed Program Manager and the Contractor at the pre-work meeting. A copy of a daily application record is attached.

In addition, daily electronic tracks and points (aka spatial data) of survey and treatment locations must be recorded that correspond to daily spray records. Tracks of daily routes as well as daily application point records in .GPX or .SHP files are required. All spatial data will be in NAD83, Zone 13N, UTM projection. Data in KML or KMZ format will not be accepted. Acres sprayed and recorded are assumed to have also been surveyed. A spray report and GPS file is required for each daily application of chemical mixture per area. In some instances, a GPS unit may be available for use during application periods. Application record forms shall be completed in full, along with corresponding mapped treatment locations, GPS points, and tracks as specified under this Statement of Work. This information, along with a field inspection, will be the basis of payment. Invoices will not be approved before electronic data and corresponding application records have been received and approved by Forest Service officials.

Key Deliverables and Schedule

Submit To

COR or Sami Dinar Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, PO Box 309, Carbondale, CO 81623

5.0 Government Furnished

Herbicides to be used include only EPA approved products and those specified and furnished by the Forest Service. These may include, but are not limited to; Telar XP, Milestone, Tordon 22K, Perspective and 2,4-D.

Surfactant will be utilized in all applications and added to the mix at the rate of no less than 0.25% by volume.

Marker dye will be added into all mixtures to ensure uniform treatment and also to minimize the number of patches of weeds that could be accidentally missed.

Electronic files of any or all of the following, as requested by the contractor:

a) maps covering the treatment area showing known occurrences of noxious weeds. Maps of areas to be treated will be provided at the pre-work meeting and may be adjusted during the spraying season to reflect new weed locations.

b) GIS files or GIS coordinates of the weed treatment polygons

c) Format for Daily Application Record

d) Sprayer calibration directions

6.0 Travel

None identified.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Only Colorado State Qualified Supervisors, Certified Applicators, or Trained Technicians will be allowed to apply herbicides. The Contractor shall provide a copy of all licenses and certifications to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall be experienced in noxious weed management and herbicide use. The contractor and all employees performing field work under this contract shall be able to identify target weed species in all stages of development and to distinguish between weed species and non-target species. Herbicide application to non-target species when no noxious weeds are present shall constitute noncompliance.

8.0 Security Requirements

None identified. The Forest Service is not responsible for the safety of the Service provider or any of their employees, nor liable for damage to adjacent crops, water aquifers or human and animal contamination. The Forest Service is not responsible for damage to equipment or livestock provided by the service provider, or for damage caused to property or individuals as a result of negligence of the service provider or damage caused by his animals.

9.0 Data Rights

Daily application records and daily electronic tracks and points (aka spatial data) corresponding to daily spray records and areas searched under this contract become property of USDA Forest Service for use, production, and disclosure of data for public benefit.

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards If information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements.

Insert Section 508 Here

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

The Contracting Officer’s Representative or inspector(s) shall inspect the herbicide application work following treatment. Inspections of treatment and spatial data will determine the adequacy of treatment. Herbicide application shall be evident by marker dyes. A determination of successful execution of this contract shall be based on either a visual inspection of the treatment area, or where feasible, ocular plots. If inspections determine that work to date has not met or exceeded the acceptable quality levels, the COR shall meet with the Contractor on site to discuss the deficiencies. The Contractor shall be given two weeks to correct the deficiencies by treating sites that were missed and/or re-spraying areas where the treatment was inadequate. If the follow-up inspection by the COR determines that acceptable treatment levels have been met, the Contractor shall receive full payment. If acceptable levels have not been met, the Contracting Officer shall reduce payments as required in Section 4 (Deliverable / Schedule). The contractor must deliver to the COR fully completed Daily Application Records and spatial data within 7 days of completion for full payment. Partial payments may be requested.

Payment will be on a per acre surveyed/treated basis, (up to 65 acres) per invoice to be submitted by the contractor, along with daily application records and receipt of accepted spatial data, as specified. Acres sprayed and recorded are assumed to have also been surveyed.

% for NOT meeting the Task

Treatment.

Locate and spray herbicide on noxious weeds using stock pack equipment, and/or backpack equipment methods

Payment will be deducted 2% for each percentage point of AQL less than 90%. No payment will be made for less than 70% AQL; Poor performance rating will be given.

Reporting Provide location information for each day, for each site, to document areas searched and/or sprayed. Separate location information will be completed for each List A species site.

All Daily Application Record forms will be completely and accurately filled out, recording herbicide, adjuvant, and dye use and acres treated for each species.

All location information will be technically sound and reflect actual area searched and/or treated.

100% acceptable level of performance (100% of the completed forms

100% acceptable level of performance (100% of the spatial data

Payment will be deducted 1% for each day that daily Application Record forms and corresponding spatial data that meet the performance standards are not provided.

Attachment Pesticide Application Record

Ranger District: ______________________ Date: _______________

Location of Application Drainage: _________________________ Specific Location: _____________________

Land Ownership: FS___BLM___State___PVT___Other___________

Application Information Time: Start _______ End _______ Start _______ End _______ Initial Treatment _____ Re-treatment _____ Weather Conditions: Clear _____ Cloudy ______ Partly Cloudy _____ Wind Speed: ________mph, from __________ Temperature _________

NPDES: In/Over Water: YES NO Near Water: Yes No (below seasonal floodplain) _________ %

Target Weeds (List most abundant weed first)

Site of Application:

Rangeland___ Campground___ Trailhead___ Right of Way___ Natural Area ____Other______________

Herbicides Used:

Adjuvants Used:

Name: Rate: ___ Oz/ Gal Name: Rate: ____ Oz/ Gal Name: Rate: ___ Oz/ Gal Name: Rate: ____ Oz/ Gal

Dilutant Used:________ Gallons per Acre:______ Total Gallons Mix applied:______

Application Method: ____________________Calibrated Acres Treated: __________ Affected Acres Treated:________

Empty Containers Triple Rinsed: Yes _____ No _____ Disposal Site: ____________________________________________ Acreage Justification/Comments:__________________________________________________________________________

Applicator’s Signature: ____________________________ Certified Applicator’s Signature: ___________________

SPRAYER CALIBRATION MADE EASY

(No-Math Version)

Step 1. Establish a calibration plot that is exactly 18.5 feet wide by 18.5 feet long.

Note: This is 1/128 acre and there are 128 ounces in a gallon

Step 2. Spray calibration plot uniformly with water. Note number of seconds required.

Time Required = ____________Seconds

Step 3. Spray into bucket or other container for the same number of seconds.

Step 4. Measure the number of ounces of water collected in the bucket.

Volume Sprayed=____________Ounces

Step 5. Ounces collected equals the number of gallons per acre the sprayer is delivering.

Gallons Per Acre =____________

Note: Each individual's spraying habits will be different enough that everyone’s Gallons Per Acre (GPA) will be slightly different. This makes it imperative that each person using the sprayer must calibrate individually, in order to determine the proper rate of herbicide in the spray mixture.

Tank Mix Based on Calibrated Application Volume

Example 1: An herbicide label says to apply 2 quarts of product per acre.

Through the 18.5 square feet calibration method you have determined how many gallons per acre (GPA) you apply with this sprayer.

Note: Each individual will be different for each apparatus.

This is why it is extremely important for everyone to calibrate on every piece of spray equipment they use.

For our example we'll say you apply 40 GPA. This means for every 40 gallons of total spray solution you apply, you need 2 qt. (64 oz.) in that mix. Our sprayer utilizes four 5-gallon canisters. 5 divided by 40 equals .125 acres per can. You need 64 oz. per acre times .125 acres per can equals 8 ounces of herbicide in each 5-gallon can. Thus you put 8 oz. of herbicide in your 5 gallon can and then top it off with surfactant and water.

Example 2: One commonly used mix for Leafy Spurge is 2 qt. Tordon 22K, and 1 lb. 2,4-D Low Vol. per acre. Surfactant at .25% by volume (32 oz/100 gal or .32 oz/gal) This would come out on a per canister basis at 40 GPA as follows:

You should check your calibration periodically as the season progresses to make sure your spraying habits have not changed, thus throwing off your application rate.

Fluid Measure Conversion Table

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