Solicitation_12435H19R4001.pdf

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7A86

HOT SPRINGS AR 71901

100 RESERVE STREET

OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST

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115310

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05/28/2019 1500 ET501-321-5324JAY TOBIN

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FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12435H19R4001

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 67 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

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GAINESVILLE GA 30501

1755 CLEVELAND HWY

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13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORES

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

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SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

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22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT/WILDLIFE PROTECTION

SERVICES CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST

This solicitation will result in one or more awards as best meets the needs of the Government in support of various Stewardship projects.

The contract(s) will provide the following services as further detailed below:

Conasauga Ranger District - Non-Native Invasive (Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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XX

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ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

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OFFER

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Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

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STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Species Treatment and Manual Slashdown of

Midstory.

Blue Ridge Ranger District - Insecticide treatment of selected hemlock trees for control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.

Oconee Ranger District - Mid-story reduction to improve wildlife habitat.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202)720-2600

(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

67 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

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CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

12435H19R4001 of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272

(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

12435H19R4001 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Vegetative Management/Wildlife Protection Services

VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT/WILDLIFE PROTECTION SERVICES

CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST

Conasauga Ranger District; Blue Ridge Ranger District; Oconee Ranger District.

OVERVIEW

This solicitation will result in one or more awards as best meets the needs of the Government in support of various Stewardship projects.

The contract(s) will provide the following services as further detailed below:

Conasauga Ranger District - Non-Native Invasive Species Treatment and Manual Slashdown of Midstory.

Blue Ridge Ranger District - Insecticide treatment of selected hemlock trees for control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.

Oconee Ranger District - Mid-story reduction to improve wildlife habitat.

Offerors may quote on one or multiple Ranger Districts. Offerors may also limit the total amount of work they might accept by addressing any such limitations in their Technical Proposal. When quoting on multiple districts, offerors shall identify the priority of those items and the maximum amount of work that may be undertaken.

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

Conasauga Ranger District (Must bid all items per specifications)

Item Description Unit Estimated Quantity

Unit Cost Total Cost

Johns Mountain Road NNIS treatment ac 10 $ $

2 Treadaway Road NNIS treatment ac 8 $ $

3 Fisher’s Chapel NNIS treatment ac 12 $ $

4a Fisher’s Chapel manual slashdown of midstory ac 86 $ $

4b Fisher’s Chapel manual slashdown of midstory ac 28 $ $

5 Hickory Ridge Road NNIS ac 10 $ $

6 Mill Creek Road NNIS ac 30 $ $

7 Lackey Knob NNIS ac 8 $ $

8 West Cowpen Road NNIS ac 16 $ $

TOTAL 208 $ $

OPTIONAL ITEM

9 Horseshoe Bend NNIS ac 245 $ $

GRAND TOTAL 453 $ $

Blue Ridge Ranger District (Must bid all items per specifications)

Quantity

Unit Cost Total Cost

Recreation Areas

1 Desoto Falls Tree 484 $ $

2 Cooper's Creek Tree 124 $ $

3 Byron Herbert Reese Tree 46 $ $

4 Deep Hole Tree 51 $ $

5 Mulky Tree 114 $ $

6 Sandy Bottoms Tree 32 $ $

Hemlock Conservation Areas

7 Cold Mountain Tree 164 $ $

8 Stanley Creek Tree 70 $ $

9 Toccoa River Tree 182 $ $

10 Mill Creek Tree 100 $ $

11 Flat Creek Tree 209 $ $

12 Jones Creek Tree 236 $ $

TOTAL 1812 $ $

Oconee Ranger District (Must bid item per specifications)

Quantity

Unit Cost Total Cost

1 Foliar/cut-spray ac 175 $ $

TOTAL $ $

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SECTION I - GENERAL DESCRIPTION

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The purpose of the proposed contract is to provide vegetation management/wildlife protection services to the Chattahooche-Oconee National Forest as detailed in the Schedule of Items and this Performance Work Statement.

PROJECT ACCESS

a) The project area shall be accessed by Forest Service Roads. The Forest Service assumes no obligation to perform any special maintenance in order to keep roads open. Stands are accessible by some combination of 4-wheel drive vehicle and foot travel.

b) The National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the individual Ranger Districts

(available upon award) provides open road information. The Contractor will be issued a Forest Service key in order to access those roads that are seasonally closed by gates. Forest Service roads that are permanently closed by earthen berms or some other obstruction will have to be accessed by foot or, if available, UTV.

c) Contractors are subject to the same rules as Forest Service personnel regarding the use of off-road vehicles and must use only utility task vehicles (UTV) or side by sides. These vehicles differ from all-terrain vehicles (ATV) in that UTV payloads run from 800 to 1,350 pounds above the operator/passenger’s weight. UTV also have roll-over protection and seat belts unlike ATV.

SALVAGE RIGHTS

No salvage rights exist under this contract.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE

The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, understand English, and communicate with his crews.

PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

Any improvements damaged by the contractor’s work shall be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the contractor’s expense.

NON-NATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL - CONSASAUGA RANGER DISTRICT

The primary objective is to kill or control non-native invasive (NNIS) plant populations to reduce the threat to native plant communities and wildlife populations. Most control activities will occur along roadsides and trails, streamside zones, and at small isolated spots in interior areas of the Forest. The project will require various NNIS treatments entailing any or all of the following methods: chainsaw or cutting of trees, shrubs, and woody vines with application of herbicide to the cut surface, and foliar spraying. Factors such as species to be controlled and locations of the populations will determine the treatment methods. Species, locations and treatment methods are specified in the attached materials.

The contractor will provide all labor, supervision, transportation, equipment, tools, herbicide, herbicide carriers or adjuvant, herbicide dye, permits and licenses, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work.

Contractor shall have both a pesticide contractor’s license and professional applicator’s license issued by the State of Georgia. All contractor crew leaders must be certified to apply herbicides in the state of Georgia and must be on-site at all times (Georgia State Pesticide Applicator’s license). Crew leaders must be certified in the category related to the project; this project requires Forestry certification.

Documentation of certification must be provided with quote.

Work will be accomplished in strict accordance with the standards defined in this contract. Tasks will be completed to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) specified in the table at the end of this document listing the Performance Assessment Methods and the Acceptable Quality Levels.

Manual Slashdown of Midstory Vegetation Midstory control treatments will be conducted using manual methods with chainsaws, brush cutters or other hand tools. The purpose of the midstory treatments are to remove unfavorable competitors of oak. This work will be accomplished in strict accordance with the standards defined in this contract.

Individual tasks will be completed to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) described in section C.5.

C.2 Project Location

Maps of the locations are attached.

C.3 Period of Performance

Estimated Start Date - June 1, 2019 Contract duration - 3 months Completion Date - August 31, 2019

C.4 Pre-Bid Tour (No pre-bid tour is scheduled. )

C.5 Project Progression

Item 1 – Johns Mountain Overlook Road NNIS treatment- Walker Co, GA MAP 2 Cut stem and/or foliar treatment will be applied to targeted NNIS vegetation within 20 feet of both sides of Forest Service Road 208 (Johns Mountain Overlook Road); applicable portions indicated on the attached maps. The primary NNIS are bicolor lespedeza and mimosa, but other NNIS species could be present. Density ranges from very high (50-100% cover) to low (1-10% cover), but primarily in scattered clumps. Approximately 10 acres of treatment is anticipated. See Table A for information about the appropriate chemicals and rates of application. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a first-year treatment.

Item 2 – Treadaway Road NNIS treatment – Walker County, GA MAP 2 Cut stem and/or foliar treatment will be applied to targeted NNIS vegetation on Forest Service Road 368 (Treadaway Road); applicable portions indicated on the attached maps. The majority of the infestation is located within 100 feet of the road. The primary species to be treated is bicolor lespedeza, but other NNIS species could be present. Density ranges from very high (50-100% cover) to low (1-10% cover). The COR should be contacted about how to proceed with treating other NNIS species, if encountered. Approximately 8 acres of this type of treatment is anticipated. See Table A for information about the appropriate chemicals and rates of application. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a first-year treatment.

Item 3 – Fisher’s Chapel NNIS treatment – Chattooga County, GA MAP 6

Cut stem and/or foliar treatment will be applied to targeted NNIS vegetation near Forest Service Roads 200-1 and 200-2 and County Road 40. Areas are indicated on the attached maps. The primary species to be treated is Chinese privet, but other NNIS species could be present. Density ranges from very high (50-100% cover) to low (1-10% cover). Approximately 12 acres should be treated. See Table A for information about the appropriate chemicals and rates of application. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a second-year treatment.

Item 4a and 4b - Fisher’s Chapel midstory slashdown treatment – Chattooga County, GA MAPS 6, 7 Areas 4a (86 acres) and 4b (28 acres) were recently commercially thinned and consist of a mixed stand of various oaks, loblolly, shortleaf pine and other hardwood species. Vegetation to be treated consists of saplings 1 to 5 inches diameter within orange-painted boundaries of various cutting units on attached maps. No herbicides will be utilized. All areas are accessible by roads (Forest Service 200-1 and 200-2), with some foot travel required. Area terrain ranges from gently sloping ridges to steep hillsides and side-slopes with small diameter trees and stump sprouting vegetation.

Item 5 – Hickory Ridge Road, Murray County, GA MAP 3 Cut stem and/or foliar treatment will be applied to targeted NNIS vegetation within 20 feet of both sides of Forest Service Road 630B (Hickory Ridge Road); applicable portions indicated on the attached maps. The primary NNIS is bicolor lespedeza, but other NNIS species could be present.

Density ranges from very high (50-100% cover) to low (1-10% cover), but primarily in scattered clumps. Approximately 10 acres of treatment is anticipated. See Table A for information about the appropriate chemicals and rates of application. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a first-year treatment.

Item 6 – Mill Creek Road, Murray County, GA MAP 3 Cut stem and/or foliar treatment will be applied to targeted NNIS vegetation within 20 feet of both sides of Forest Service Road 630 (Mill Creek Road); applicable portions indicated on the attached maps. The primary NNIS are mimosa, princesstree, kudzu, and autumn olive, but other NNIS species could be present. Density ranges from moderate (10-50% cover) to low (1-10% cover), but primarily in scattered clumps. Approximately 30 acres of treatment is anticipated. See Table A for information about the appropriate chemicals and rates of application. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a first-year treatment.

Item 7 – Lackey Knob Road NNIS - Murray County, GA MAP 3 An 8 acre area near Lackey Knob Road and Sumac Creek has an infestation of Nepal grass (Microstegium vimineum), but other NNIS may be present as well. This area shall be treated as described in Table A. Density of Nepal grass ranges from very high (50-100%) to moderate (10-50% cover). Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a first-year treatment. NOTE:

A large percentage of this site is within 100 feet of a stream(s). To reduce complexity, all of the site should be treated with aquatic-formulation herbicide and surfactant.

Item 8 – West Cowpen NNIS - Murray County, GA MAP 4 A 16 acre kudzu patch on both sides of FS road 17 shall be treated by foliar spray and/or cut-stem treatments as described in Table A. Density of kudzu ranges from moderate (10-50% cover) to low (0-10% cover). Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment only. This is a third-year treatment.

OPTIONAL Item 9 – Horseshoe Bend NNIS – Murray County, GA Map 5 A 245 acre area bounded by East Cowpen Road (FSR 51), Ken Mountain Road (FSR 51C), and the Horseshoe Bend Trail shall be searched for Paulownia tomentosa (princess tree). This area was affected by a large wildfire in November-December 2016 (Rough Ridge Fire), and princesstree seedlings/saplings have been reported in the area. Density of seedlings/saplings is reported as low (1- 10%). All princesstrees (mature seed-bearing plus seedlings and saplings) shall be treated by foliar spray and/or cut-stem treatments as described in Table A. In addition to the daily log of pesticide use, an accurate record of number of princesstrees encountered and treated will be required, including GPS locations. This is a first-year treatment.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS – NNIS TREATMENT

Contractor Requirements

1. The contractor and any crew treating NNIS must be able to identify the NNIS plant species in the field and distinguish them from similar native species.

2. The contractor will supply all herbicide(s) used on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The cost per acre for herbicide required should be reflected in the Pricing Schedule and based on the application methods.

3. The contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment sites, with a copy made available to FS at billing or upon request. The daily log will be maintained for each product (if applied separately) for each site. The daily log must record the following:

a. Date

b. Name of licensed commercial applicator (first and last name)

c. Names of other licensed applicators and noncertified applicators

d. Time of day (start time and stop time based on a military clock)

e. Treatment location (used name of site in schedule of items)

f. Approximate acres treated (actual extent in acres of pesticide application)

g. Treatment method/equipment used

i. Target invasive species

j. Herbicide

(1) chemical used (product name),

(2) quantity of herbicide (calibrated volume and volume applied & unit of measure – including carrier and dilutant),

(3) product rate (label rate in which the product is applied (oz/acre)

(4) adjuvant used (product name & rate applied, if any).

k. Weather information

(1) air temperature (°F)

(2) relative humidity (percent)

(3) wind speed and unit of measure (MPH or knots)

(4) wind direction (E, N, NE, S, SE, SW, W, NW)

(5) daily precipitation (inches).

Optional information such as any miscellaneous notes or observations should be included.

4. The Contractor will be responsible for all costs of damage, cleanup, and decontamination in the event of an herbicide spill. If a spill occurs, every effort will be made to keep herbicide runoff from contaminating water or other sensitive off-site areas. The spill will be cleaned up as quickly as possible. The COR will be notified immediately of any herbicide spill or accident, and other Federal, State and local officials will be notified as appropriate. Herbicide spills will be handled in accordance with the standard procedures for spill cleanup (40 CFR 117).

Equipment Cleaning Requirements

1. Prior to moving any equipment onto the Forest, the equipment will be cleaned.

2. Project COR or Inspector may inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving to another treatment area so that the NNIS is not introduced into the next treatment site. This will depend on the species being treated and the methods used.

General Herbicide Application Specifications

1. Typical herbicides used will be:

clopyralid; glyphosate; triclopyr; aquatic formulation glyphosate

2. Herbicide will be applied in accordance with the label instructions.

3. Weather will be monitored and herbicide application suspended if temperature, humidity, or wind becomes unfavorable as follows:

Application Method

Temperature Higher Than

Humidity Less Than

Wind (at target) Greater Than

Ground:

Hand (cut surface) Hand (other)

N.A.

98o F

N.A.

20%

N.A.

15 mph

Mechanical:

Liquid Granular

95o F N.A.

30% N.A.

10 mph 10 mph

4. Liquid herbicide applications will include a compatible dye (blue).

5. A non-ionic surfactant will be added to all formulations at the labelled rate.

6. Herbicide will not be applied within 100 horizontal feet of lakes, wetlands, or perennial or intermittent springs and streams, unless indicated and NNIS being eradicated within this buffer will require the use of an aquatic-labeled herbicide.

7. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field will not be located in sensitive areas or within 200 feet of private land, open water, or wells. If sensitive areas are present, they will be indicated on a map.

8. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field will be located at least 50 feet from ephemeral streams.

9. Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothes worn during treatment, and skin will not be cleaned in open water or in wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply.

Containers for transporting mixing water must be separate from containers for transporting cleaning water, and all containers must be appropriately labeled.

10. Generally, herbicide application will occur sometime between May and December. However, applications may occur at any time of the year depending on the species and type of treatment. Time of the year for herbicide application will vary with the plant species and herbicide used, and is specified in the attached treatment tables.

11. During herbicide treatments, the contractor will post “Public Notice” signs around each treatment area.

The signs (furnished by Government) should be filled out with specific treatment information and posted (usually stapled to a tree) in an easily seen location near the access point to each treatment area. Also per label directions, the site may be temporarily closed and will be signed accordingly.

12. The government will provide:

Area locator maps and District maps;

Handling of herbicide guidelines;

Herbicide application rate assumptions;

Spill plan.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Foliar Applications

1. Foliar application of herbicide will be used for trees, shrubs and woody vines less than 6 feet tall, as well as for grasses and other low-growing herbaceous vegetation.

2. Herbicide will be applied to target vegetation only.

3. Herbicide will be applied such that leaves are wet, but there is no herbicide runoff from the treated foliage.

4. Foliar spray will occur after the leaves are fully expanded.

5. Foliage will not be sprayed during rain events, when rain is imminent, or when leaves are still wet from recent rain.

6. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment will be used.

Cut-stump/Cut-surface

1. Trees, shrubs and woody vines equal to or greater than 6 feet tall shall be cut before herbicide is applied, with the cut being less 6 inches or less above the ground.

2. Sawdust will be removed from cut surfaces before herbicide is applied, to minimize deactivation of the herbicide.

3. For stems/stumps greater than 3 inches in diameter, completely wet the outer 1 inch of the cut surface with herbicide mixture.

4. Completely wet tops of cut surfaces that are 3 inches or less in diameter, including cut stems in a clump.

5. Herbicide will be applied to cut surfaces as soon as possible after cutting, but within 20 minutes at the longest.

6. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines to be stump sprayed will not be cut during rainfall, and those that are already cut will be stump sprayed immediately.

7. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines will not be cut and stump sprayed when the air temperature is 32 degrees or less.

8. There may be occasions (for example, autumn olive along a road) where the tops of the cut trees or shrubs will need to be removed from the site. All treated vegetation will need to be removed from roadways, ditches, recreation sites such as shooting range or parking areas. Vines in trees should remain in place due to safety concerns.

9. Back-pack sprayers or other hand-held equipment will be used.

Manual Slashdown of Midstory Vegetation

1. VEGETATION TO BE TREATED - All live trees that are between 1-5” DBH

2. VEGETATION NOT TO BE TREATED

Shortleaf pine trees

Dogwood trees >3” dbh

Persimmon

Shagbark Hickory

No cutting of snags >6 inches DBH

Live den trees- trees with noticeable cavities and hollows (wildlife trees)

Orange painted boundary trees (orange paint-3 slashes)

Trees outside treatment area boundary

Stream course boundary trees w/ pink paint

Wetland boundary trees w/ white paint

FS property boundary trees w/ red paint

Other trees designated by COR/Inspector

3. MANUAL SLASHDOWN PROCEDURE:

All area boundaries are marked with orange paint and/or flagging.

All trees, shrubs, and brush designated for cutting shall be severed from the stump and made to lie on ground.

All slash resulting from manual slashdown shall be immediately removed from trails, roads, road shoulders, and drainage ditches.

Maximum stump height of cut trees, shrubs, and brush shall be 6 inches measured from ground level on the uphill side of tree to the top of stump.

Vegetation treated within 50 feet of Dry Creek Road (Chattooga County Road 40), Forest Service Roads 200-1 and 200-2 shall be directionally felled away from the road and made to lie on the ground.

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT – NNIS TREATMENT

The Contracting Officer’s Representative or Inspector shall inspect the herbicide application within 30 days of application. This should generally provide time for the effects of the herbicide to become evident.

Indications of herbicide application and incipient mortality shall be evident by visual deterioration of the treated plants, including drooping, wilting, chlorosis, interrupted seed maturation, and drying of plant parts (stem, leaves, reproductive parts), beyond recovery. Inspections shall determine both the adequacy of coverage of the project area and the efficacy of the application to the target species.

If desired, partial payments may be requested during the contract period as a treatment at a site is completed and accepted. All complete chemical daily logs must be submitted for invoiced treatment sites.

The Forest Service will review the logs within 7 calendar days and payment will be made when the work is accepted. Payment will be based on the unit price shown on the order. For payment purposes, the acreage shown for the treatment sites is considered to be true acreage and will not be re-measured. Acreage for infested areas was determined from on the ground surveys and/or GIS analysis.

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT – MANUAL SLASHDOWN OF MIDSTORY

The Forest Service will monitor progress of Contractor to determine that work meets performance standards.

Visual observation will be used. In addition, the COR/Inspector shall take standard 1/100th acre inspection plots by random sample. Each area will be inspected separately, and the results will not be averaged.

Forest Service inspections will be documented on Daily Diaries and placed in the contract file. If work in part of an Area does not meet the Acceptable Quality Level given above, a Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued by the COR. The COR may issue other cure notices if work is not being performed in a timely manner or does not comply with contract specifications. Upon completion of an Area and notification by the Contractor, the COR or designated Inspector shall make an overall inspection of that Area. If a need for remedial work prior to acceptance is reflected by the COR/Inspector`s overall inspection, or by plot sample results, such remedial work will be performed before the Contractor moves to the next Area (if applicable).

Contractor will not receive payment for unaccepted work until remedial work has been completed and accepted by COR/Inspector. If the inspection results in acceptance of the Area, the Contractor may immediately proceed with work on the next area (if applicable).

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT METHODS AND ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVELS (AQL)

Task Quality/Performance

Standards

AQL

Method of Assessment

Penalty for Not Meeting

AQL

Items 1-3, 5-9, Foliar spraying of herbicides

Control of NNIS by foliar spraying of herbicides

Minimum of 95 % of targeted vegetation treated;

minimum of 95% kill rate of treated

NNIS

vegetation;

and no more than 10 % inadvertent treatment to non-target vegetation.

Visual inspections by COR or COI of random locations or transect or the entire area if possible performed 30 days after application.

Contractors not meeting the minimum 95% kill rate at the final inspection of treated vegetation will be required to reapply herbicide at their expense.

If a 95% kill rate is not achieved after the 2nd application, a 2% reduction will be made in the award price and the government may require a third herbicide application at the contractor’s

If there is more than 10 % inadvertent treatment to non-target vegetation, a 2% reduction will be made in the award price.

Items 1-3, 5-9, cut surface treatment

Control of NNIS by cut surface treatment with herbicides

Minimum or 95 % of trees, shrubs and vines 6 feet tall or greater cut within 6 inches of ground level before treatment;

minimum of 95% of cut surface treated on cambium layer for a distance of 1 inch if stem 3 inches or greater diameter;

minimum of 95% of stems

Visual inspections by COR or COI of random locations or transect or the entire area if possible performed 30 days after application.

Contractors not meeting the minimum 95% kill rate at the final inspection of treated vegetation will be required to reapply herbicide at their

3 inches diameter or less including multiple stems in a clump, completely wet by herbicide; and no more than 10% inadvertent treatment to non-target vegetation

If a 95% kill rate is not achieved after the 2nd application, a 2% reduction will be made in the award price and the government may require a third herbicide application at the contractor’s

If there is more than 10 % inadvertent treatment to non-target vegetation, a 2% reduction will be made in the award price.

Items 4a and 4b Manual slashdown of midstory vegetation

Minimum 90 percent of vegetation to be treated is treated properly and in accordance with technical specifications.

Visual inspection by COR or Inspector and use of random plots data within two days of manual treatments, excluding weekends and federal holidays.

Contractors not meeting the AQL at the final inspection will be required to perform remedial work prior to acceptance and payment. Such remedial work shall be performed at the Contractor’s

If the AQL is not achieved after Contractor performs remedial work, a 2 percent reduction will be made in the award price and the government may require a third entry to correct unsatisfactory work at the Contractor’s expense.

Daily log of work activities

All daily logs are completed and submitted to the COR.

100% of the daily logs are completed and submitted.

Acceptance of daily log by COR or COI prior to payment.

All completed daily logs must be accepted for any partial and final payment.

Chattahooche-Oconee National Forest

Table A. Herbicide application information for the Conasauga Ranger District NNIS project.

TARGET SPECIES

VEGETATION

HEIGHT

CHEMICAL

APPLICATION

TYPE

% FRACTION

IN SOLUTION

Chinese lespedeza, bicolor lespedeza, tall fescue, Nepal grass, Johnsongrass

< 6 feet Triclopyr amine/ glyphosate* mix

Foliar 2% triclopyr/ 2% glyphosate

Japanese or Chinese privet, autumn olive, multiflora rose, mimosa, tree of heaven, princess tree (paulownia), Chinaberry tree, wisteria, honeysuckle

< 6 feet Triclopyr amine/ glyphosate* mix

Foliar 2% triclopyr/ 2% glyphosate

Japanese or Chinese privet, autumn olive, multiflora rose, mimosa, tree of heaven, princess tree (paulownia), Chinaberry tree, wisteria, honeysuckle (large vines)

> 6 feet Glyphosate* Cut stem 50%

Kudzu < 6 feet Clopyralid Foliar 1%

Kudzu > 6 feet Clopyralid Cut stem 50%

Any NNIS within 100 feet of stream, spring, pond, seep

<6 feet

Aquatic-labeled herbicide (i.e.

Renovate or

Rodeo) plus an aquatic-labeled surfactant (i.e.

Champion Elite)

Foliar 2%

>6 feet

Cut stem 50%

NORTH HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID CONTROL PROJECT

BLUE RIDGE RANGER DISTRICT

The purpose of the project is to retreat selected hemlocks in 12 locations for control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. A soil injection method will be used to treat approximately 1,812 trees with a cumulative diameter of 24,547 inches.

Payment will be made at the unit bid price for total number of diameter inches treated and accepted.

SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall furnish all labor, transportation, supervision, supplies (chemical, tree tags and nails) and equipment and perform all work necessary to treat the designated hemlock trees in accordance with the specifications below.

The purpose of this contract is to perform insecticide treatments on hemlock trees in order to ensure their ability to survive infestation by the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The contract areas are located in Hemlock Conservation Areas (HCA’s) and Developed Recreation Areas on the Blue Ridge Ranger District. The contractor will be required to inject designated trees with Imidacloprid insecticide (soil injection only). These trees were previously treated in 2015-2016 and now require retreatment. The contractor will identify the tree, place a new, numbered aluminum tag on the tree using aluminum nails, measure, record the tree’s DBH and then treat the tree according to insecticide labeling and the dosing instructions listed below. Upon completion of the work, the contractor will provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative with the completed data sheet including date of treatment, the new tag number, current DBH, tree condition (healthy, declining, or dead) and quantity of chemical used.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The project is located on the Blue Ridge Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee NF within the boundaries of Union, Lumpkin, Gilmer, and Fannin counties, Georgia.

The contract areas are located in Hemlock Conservation Areas (HCA’s) and Developed Recreation Areas on the Blue Ridge Ranger District (see attached Service Work maps). All of the Developed Recreation Areas are accessible by vehicle although trees will need to be accessed by walking from the recreation area parking lot.

Access to some of the sites in the Hemlock Conservation Areas will require a short hike of ½ mile or less.

The following table list the numbers of trees and inches to be treated by the soil injection method for each of the 12 treatment sites. The estimated number of treatment inches is based on the actual diameter measurements at the time of the original treatment plus 10 percent to account for 5-6 years of growth.

SITE Total # of TREES Estimated Number of

Treatment Inches Average DBH

Recreation Areas Desoto Falls 484 5170 10.7 Cooper's Creek 124 1674 13.5 Byron Herbert Reese 46 700 15.2 Deep Hole 51 700 13.7 Mulky 114 1572 13.8 Sandy Bottoms 32 502 15.7

Hemlock Conservation Areas

Cold Mountain 164 2307 14.1 Stanley Creek 70 947 13.5 Toccoa River 182 2762 15.2 Mill Creek 100 2278 22.8 Flat Creek 209 2646 12.7 Jones Creek 236 3289 13.9

TOTALS 1,812 24,547 13.5

Vegetative Management/Wildlife Protection Services

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The soil injection method will be used for treating all the trees in this contract. Imidacloprid insecticide labelled for use on adelgids in forested areas will be used. The Contractor will provide the Forest Service with a sample label of the insecticide prior to treatment.

The contractor will adhere to all Pesticide Standards, Requirements for Pesticide Use, Storage, and Transportation and implement an Emergency Spill Plan. The Forest Service will provide signs for the contractor to post in treatment areas prior to insecticide treatments. The sign will inform the public that insecticides are being used in the area and the date of the application.

For each site, the contractor will be provided with a data sheet containing the tag numbers and tree DBH as measured at the time of the original treatment as well as an approximately GPS location of the site. The contractor will identify the tree and place a new, numbered aluminum tag on the tree using aluminum nails (2-2 ½”). The new tags shall be placed adjacent to the existing tags. Approximately ½” of the nail shall be left out beyond the tag to allow for growth.

The contractor shall, before beginning any treatment, calibrate the soil injector using water to determine how many ounces of solution are delivered with each handpush on the injector handle. The Contractor shall measure and record the tree’s DBH and then treat the tree according to insecticide labeling and the dosing instructions listed below. For each tree, the injector will be used to make one injection hole per inch of trunk diameter, 3-4” deep within 12” of the base, evenly distributed around the tree. If present, excess litter shall be remove around the base of the tree to ensure the chemical is injected into the root zone. Dead trees shall not be treated.

Upon completion of the work the contractor will provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative with the completed data sheet including date of treatment, the new tag number, current DBH, tree condition (healthy, declining, or dead) and quantity of chemical used.

Treatments in the Recreation Areas will occur on Mondays through Thursdays from November through the end of April to avoid the period of heavy recreation use. The contractor will, before treating any trees in the developed recreation site post a pesticide use sign provided by the Forest Service. If a campsite has trees designated for treatment and the site is occupied, the contractor will notify the COR, who will work with him and the campsite occupants to schedule a time for treatment of that site. The other sites may be treated at any time of the year.

However, treatments will not occur if the ground is frozen, excessively wet or excessively dry. All treatments must be completed by December 2019.

Dosing Guidelines

The contractor will be responsible for mixing the insecticidal solution on the job site. The chemical shall be mixed with water according to label direction for normal to wet soils. The quantity Imidacloprid per inch DBH (ounces of active ingredient) applied will be based on the following table.

Treatment Diameter (DBH inches)

Imidacloprid per inch DBH (grams of active ingredient)

1-11 inches 0.5 grams 12-18 inches 0.75 grams 19-22 inches 1.0 grams >22 inches 1.5 grams

Vegetative Management/Wildlife Protection Services

MID STORY REMOVAL - OCONEE RANGER DISTRICT

Desired Condition

These areas are within the Sub Habitat Management Area for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) located 11 miles south of Monticello, Georgia. The mid story vegetation within these areas has becoming dense and the Forest Plan has requirements to maintain the mid story for red-cockaded woodpecker habitat. Reducing the density of the hardwood and pine stems allows the condition of the stands/units to remain in an open park-like woodland savanna which is not only habitat for the RCW but for other wildlife species.

It is the intent of this contract to improve habitat within the Oconee Quail Focal Area. Controlling the hardwoods in this area is of part of maintaining suitable habitat for RCW, Bobwhite Quail and many other wildlife species.

There will be a pre-bid meeting at the Oconee RD, 1199 Madison Rd, Eatonton, GA on Wednesday, 5/8/19, at 9AM.

SCOPE OF WORK

1.1 Scope of Contract

It is the intent of this contract to remove mid story vegetation including non-native invasive species (NNIS) with herbicide both foliar and cut/stump spray methods within red-cockaded woodpecker habitat.

No materials, labor, supervision, or equipment will be furnished by the Government. A total of 175 acres in compartments 110 and 118 will be treated.

1.2 Description and location

The project area is located off Hwy 83 on Starr Road and Felton-McMichael Road. Some of the Compartment locations are along Forest Service Roads which will be listed below. Active and Inactive Cavity trees are within some of the areas and will recognized by white bands. Individual Cluster site treatment area maps will be available upon request. The points are the locations of the cluster site areas.

Acreage. Acreage listed in the table was determined by Trimble Unit - Global Position System (GPS) and is considered actual acreage and not an estimate.

Boundaries. All Boundaries will be flagged with Blue flagging tape. Description of the boundaries defined at pre-work meeting. Contractor will need to walk boundaries to be sure boundaries are clearly established.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

2.0 Equipment-

Back pack sprayers will be used when doing chemical applications. ATV tank spraying is acceptable.

2.1 Technical Specifications- Pine/Hardwood stands

Foliar spray treatments will be applied to all hardwood stems 6 feet and under (including stems that are 6 inches off the ground floor). Foliar treatment will be implemented during the leaf-on period of the year when the leaves of target vegetation are at least three-quarters expanded. Normally, bud-break starts about the first of March-April in the Georgia Piedmont; the COR may approve treatment beyond July 30th for cut/spray only. Full leaf expansion of most species has occurred by about May 1. Would like to have chemical treatment completed for a growing season burn if all possible and weather permits.

Foliar Spray Herbicide. The spray solution to be used will consist of the mixture as listed Triclophyr .

Foliar Spray Applications Herbicide Common

Name Lbs ai/gal % solution Lbs ai/acre

Max Gallons of Spray/acre

Triclopyr (ester) 4.0 2.0% 25 1.0

Apply herbicide solution only to the foliage of the target vegetation. Targeted vegetation would include but not limited to sweetgums, maples, elms, and other hardwood stems that are less than or equal to 6 feet.

Leaves must be expanded to at least three-quarters of full leaf-out.

Do not apply foliar spray in the rain, when rain appears imminent, or when foliage is still wet from recent rain

Spray all vegetation (except for dogwoods, white oaks, persimmon, black gums, wild cherry, redbuds). No spraying above 6 feet will be allowed.

The contractor will provide herbicide application records for each site treated.

2.3 Cut/Spray Treatment

Herbicide Common

Name Lbs ai/gal % solution

Lbs ai/acre

Max Gallons of Spray/acre

Triclophyr (amine)

3.0 50.0 2.5 3.75

Cut/Spray treatments will be implemented on all stems that are less than 4.9 inches DBH. The outer one (1) inch of the cut surface of the stump will be sprayed until wet around the entire circumference of the stump. Stump spray will be done as soon as possible after the tree is cut, but no longer than 20 minutes afterward. The herbicide solution will be thoroughly agitated before filling the squirt bottle or sprayer.

Slash treatment: Maximum slash height is two (2) feet.

All hardwood and pine stems less than 4.9 inches dbh (all stems to ground level) will be cut and severed at ground level.

A cut surface stump height limit of 3 inches.

All sweetgum, yellow poplar, maple, elm, and ash trees under one inch in DBH. Any Non-native invasive species for example-but not limited to kudzu, wisteria, or privet found in the unit will also be treated using a direct foliar spray. List of NNIS species in Appendix

Cut surfaces of stumps / stubs will be flat, having no Sharp angles.

No stems with Blue, Green, Yellow or Orange paint will be cut.

No white oaks, sourwoods, cherry, or persimmons will be cut unless agreed upon by COR.

Prefer dogwood, black gum, and redbud trees 2 dbh inches and greater are left when possible.

No large (> 5 in dbh) dead trees will be cut unless a safety hazard is present. All Dead stems of the burned hardwoods need to be cut and sprayed (majority are resprouting). No standing saplings except for dogwoods, white oaks, persimmon, wild cherry, or (other mast producing trees such as red oaks and hickorys will be cut).

Slash will be lopped and scattered to lie within 3 feet of the ground within 50 feet of public roads.

A 50% mixture of Triclopyr (amine) mixed with high visibility dye will be applied to cut surfaces within 20 minutes of cutting. Herbicide will be applied with a low pressure sprayer. The contractor will supply the herbicide All felled stems and slash will be removed within a 50 foot radius of Red cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) cavity trees. Within 50-foot radius from a RCW Tree (white banded pine tree)- Trees will be identified on map.

The contractor will provide herbicide application records for each site treated.

This work will not be done during the breeding season period of April to July (if there is an active cluster site within ¼ mile of the project area. Buffers will be done within/near streamside protection corridors.

Slash will be scattered. Slash shall not lie within 50 feet of a public road nor within the 50’ radius of the white banded trees.

Dogwood trees 2 inches DBH and greater shall be left when possible.

Slash will not to be felled into the public roads or access roads to the RCW trees.

All cavity trees that are active and inactive will have all slash removed 50 feet from the tree. No slash piled within or left leaning against a white banded tree. All hardwood or pine saplings within the 50’ radius of the white banded trees will be removed.

Contractor will maintain an accurate daily chemical treatment log of work activities applied in treatment areas per each Task Order, with a copy made available to FS at billing or upon request. The daily log is attached and includes the following information:

a. Date

b. Name of contractor (first and last name)

c. Names of other workers

d. Time of day (start time and stop time based on a military clock)

e. Treatment location

f. Approximate acres treated

g. Treatment method/equipment used

h. Contract number

i. Target species

k. Weather information

l. Pesticide Use Form and daily chemical use form

Optional information such as any miscellaneous notes or observations should be included and turned in to FS representative.

2.4 Equipment Requirements

Equipment used must be of sufficient power and size to cut stems ranging from 2 inches in height to 4.9 inches DBH. Brush cutters and chainsaws are the most practical implements to complete the required work. Not opposed to mechanical methods such as masticators. Government will not furnish any equipment or supplies.

2.5 Access

Any vehicular use of closed roads must be approved by the COR. The contractor is responsible for repair of any damage (rutting, excessive soil exposure, etc.) caused by vehicles. All areas will need reseeding and mulched if needed to minimize erosion.

2.6 Debris Removal

All slash deposited by the contract crew(s) shall be removed from all roads within and out of the project areas. Slash that falls over a Forest Service property line will be moved into the project areas. No slash on or within 50’ radius of a white banded tree (red-cockaded woodpecker trees). No slash leaning on any tree. All slash will be removed away from trees not piled next to trees.

2.7 Vegetation Not To Be Treated

The following vegetation will not have treatments under any circumstances.

A. Property boundary trees.

B. Hardwoods such as black gum, beech, and dogwood should not be cut. Soft mast producing trees such as persimmon, wild pear, plum, and black cherry should not be cut.

C. Vegetation designated by the C.O.R. or Inspector.

2.8 Inclement Weather

Work will be stopped in the event of the following weather conditions:

A. Rain forecasted, during rain, or at least 1 hour after rain.

3.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection of work performance under this contract shall be made by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or the designated inspector as the work progresses at such intervals as are necessary to insure compliance with the contract specifications and provisions.

Upon completion of work on an area, the contractor shall notify the COR that work on the area is completed and the COR shall make an overall inspection of the work completed. If the work completed is accepted, the Contractor shall proceed with work on the next area. If the work is not accepted by the COR, the Contractor shall complete any remedial work required prior to commencing work on the next area.

3.1 Unsatisfactory Work

In the event any or the work does not meet the specifications through the fault or negligence of the Contractor, such work shall, upon request of the COR, be made to conform to specifications by the Contractor at his expense. Cost of re-inspection by the Government will be charged to the Contractor.

3.2 Basis of Payment

Payment will be made on the basis of the acreage stated in the Task Order upon satisfactory completion of the work and acceptance by the COR.

SECTION II - DEFINITIONS

2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

TERMS MEANING

A…