ATTACHMENT 1 HMR PROSPECTUS BLUFF STATEMENT OF WORK.docx

HMR Prospect Bluff NNIS Apalachicola National Forest FL 12444124Q0039

Prospect Bluff Invasive Exotic Treatments Scope of Contract - This invitation is for the furnishing of equipment, materials, labor and supplies to treat exotic species on approximately 140 acres of National Forest lands. Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), taro (Colocasia esculenta), and coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) are the species that have been identified for removal.

Description and Location - All areas are within the boundaries of the Apalachicola National Forest, Franklin County, Florida. Prospect Bluff is along the Apalachicola River and contains the Fort Gadsden historic site. (See attached maps).

Government –Furnished Property - None Contractor Furnished Items – The contractor will furnish all materials and equipment needed to complete the contract except as specified under Government-Furnished Property above. Contractor will need to secure a location for staging equipment. There is a possibility of storing equipment on site if gate is locked, but the site is unlikely to be locked by the time of third treatment.

Equipment Requirements - All equipment which is proposed to be used on the work shall be of the proper type, sufficient size, operated at sufficient speed, and in such mechanical condition as to meet with the requirements of the work and produce a satisfactory quality of work. Contractor will be responsible to repair or replace any equipment that breaks down within the allowed working period. The contractor will supply their own safety equipment, including water available for washdown in case of a spill or decontaminating an employee.

Job 1 – Spring 2024 Treatment This work will be completed between April 15, 2024 and June 14, 2024.

The purpose of this project is to reduce and eventually eliminate the targeted exotic species from this site. Ground conditions are generally dry or flatwoods, but there are some wetter areas including areas adjacent to wetlands. The contractor will treat coral ardisia, taro, and Japanese climbing fern primarily through foliar application of the required concentrations of herbicides (Table 1). Basal bark treatment of coral ardisia will be allowed where appropriate. Marking dye will be required to allow for site inspection, and all chemicals used must be appropriate for aquatic environments. The contractor will use a tracking function on a GPS unit and be prepared to send shapefiles to the Contracting Office Representative (COR) upon completion of each job. The estimated acres requiring treatment are in Table 1, however the contractor will be responsible for surveying the entire site for new instances of the targeted species.

Table 1. Chemicals required for treatment of exotic species and estimated acres.

Basal bark: 10% triclopyr ester Scattered throughout 23 acres

Job 2 – Fall 2024 Treatment This work will be completed between August 19, 2024 and October 18, 2024.

The contractor will perform follow-up treatments to address surviving plants of the same species, coral ardisia, taro, and Japanese climbing fern. This will require visiting all portions of the site that were previously treated. The contractor will again use a tracking function on a GPS unit and send shapefiles to the COR. Previous GPS tracks will aid in making sure all spots are revisited.

Job 3 – Spring 2025 Treatment This work will be completed between March 31, 2025 and June 13, 2025.

A second follow-up will occur in the spring of 2025. The contractor will visit all previously treated spots and spray any remaining plants of coral ardisia, taro, and Japanese climbing fern. Again, the contractor should use a tracking function on a GPS unit and be prepared to send shapefiles to the COR.

In addition to the above, the following requirements apply:

1. The herbicide mixture shall consist of the chemicals specified for each species in Table 1. Enough dye must be used to make the treated areas readily visible for at least 24 hours post treatment. Only the COR may approve substitutions to the chemical mixture listed.

2. Application of herbicide will only be permitted when vegetation is dry, wind speeds are less than 8 miles per hour and there is no threat of rain for 4 hours after application. Contractor must have a wind gauge on site.

3. Mixing operations will take place on-site of the proper treatment area (not at water supply location) in the presence of the COR or designated inspector. All rinsing of herbicide containers will take place on treatment site and away from designated leave areas. Contractor will triple rinse, air-dry, and puncture the containers while on the job site. Contractor shall not use herbicide containers to mix or disperse herbicide solution. Rinse water will be added to the spray mix in the mixing tank and shall be used as part of the application. It is the contractor’s responsibility to properly dispose of herbicide containers.

4. Herbicide shall not be left unattended during the day or on the job sites overnight.

5. Contractor shall be responsible for recording the amount of herbicide and mixture applied to each area. Contractor shall turn in this record to the COR or designated inspector after the completion of each job.

6. All contractor-generated debris shall be removed from National Forest land.

Permits and Responsibilities - The contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, certifications and permits, and for complying with any applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with the use of pesticides under this contract. The contractor’s handlers and workers will meet all provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Worker Protection Standards (WPS), and a certified pesticide applicator will be on site during all times of mixing/spraying or transport of pesticides. The contractor shall follow all instructions found on the manufacturer's label for herbicides and follow WPS for workers’ safety. The contractor will provide a decontamination site wherever the crew is working. This includes soap, towels, eyewash and at least three gallons of clean water per crewmember.

Transportation of Herbicides - Contractor shall be legally responsible for the safe transportation of herbicides.

· Transport herbicides in the cargo compartment of a truck or other vehicle away from the passenger compartment.

· No personnel should ride in the back of a vehicle with herbicide.

· All herbicide containers should be tied down or otherwise constrained to prevent breakage or spillage.

· Pesticides should not be transported in the same compartment with food, clothing, or personnel.

· If any herbicide is spilled in or from the vehicle, it should be cleaned up at once.

· Unlocked herbicides should not be left unattended.

· Contractor should carry a moisture absorbent material like kitty litter to clean up any herbicide spills or leaks.

Handling and Application of Herbicides - Contractor will ensure that personnel use proper protective clothing and safety equipment required by labeling for the herbicide and application method. Herbicide shall not be applied, or equipment cleaned outside of areas designated by COR.

Following these simple rules will help make the use of the herbicide safer for everyone:

· Read the safety information on the label.

· Wear the proper protective clothing.

· Maintain a First Aid Kit on the work site.

· Do not work alone.

· Checkout and haul only the amount of herbicide needed for the immediate future.

· Stand upwind from the spray projects to avoid contaminating yourself.

· Keep the container below eye level when pouring to avoid splashing or spilling any herbicide on the face or into the eyes.

· If herbicides are spilled, stop immediately, wash out eyes if contaminated and remove contaminated clothing. Wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water. Speed is essential. Once clean, put on clean protective clothing and equipment and clean up the spill. See a physician as appropriate.

· Keep measuring cups and other equipment clean and properly stored when not in use.

· Wash hands carefully before relieving yourself, eating, or smoking.

Herbicide Spills - Contractor shall be responsible for all costs of damages, clean up, and decontamination should an herbicide spill occur. COR shall be notified immediately of any herbicide spill or accident.

Personnel Requirements - The contractor will designate in writing a nonworking foreman conversant in the English language for each crew of workers. The designation shall indicate the limits of the foreman’s authority. When two or more people are designated as foreman, their written delegation shall indicate the priority of their designation so no more than one person shall be in charge of a crew at any one time. The foreman shall be with the crew at all times while the crew is working.

A State of Florida Certified Pesticide Applicator must be on site at all times when herbicides are being transported, mixed or applied. This certified applicator shall be responsible for mixing chemicals and making certain that all spray equipment is applying the specified volume of herbicide solution. Contractor will check equipment’s calibration at least twice daily. A flat nozzle with pressure less than 35 psi is required for droplet size control. The contractor shall provide the COR with a detailed record of gallons per area applied and spray equipment calibrations.

Contractor shall be responsible for providing the proper personal protective equipment for his/herself and crew.

Protection of Lands, Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs - The Contractor shall prevent pollution of streams, lakes, and reservoirs by fuels, oils, other chemicals, silt, or other harmful materials. They shall schedule and conduct operations so as to avoid siltation of streams, lakes, and reservoirs. All streams will be kept free of Contractor-generated debris. Contractor shall remove from National Forest land any trash deposited as a result of contracting operations.

Protection of Archaeological/Historical Resources – The Contractor, upon the discovery of suspected archaeological or historical materials, shall cease work in the vicinity of such material and immediately notify the COR. Equipment will be operated in a manner to not cause soil disturbance.

Protection of Gopher Tortoises and their burrows - No work will be done within 25 ft. of active Gopher tortoise burrows. These may not all be marked prior to treatment. Contractor will avoid all Gopher Tortoise burrows including those flagged with blue and white ribbon or otherwise designated by COR or inspector. Contractor will not harm Gopher Tortoises or other burrow inhabitants (including indigo and other snakes).

Access - The Contractor shall protect all trails, roads, woods road, ditches, and other improvements in the project area. Roads and trails shall be kept free of logs, slash, and debris. Any road or trail used by the Contractor that is damaged by his operations shall promptly be repaired by the Contractor.

Protection of Private Lands - The contractor shall not push trees or other debris across Forest Service boundary lines onto private property. Any trees that fall onto private property as a result of contractors’ actions will be brought back onto National Forest land by whatever means necessary.

Inspection - Inspection of the work performed under this contract shall be made by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or by the designated Inspector as the work progresses. These inspections will be performed at such intervals as are necessary to ensure compliance with the contract specifications. Should remedial work be required it shall be done before moving to another area.

Basis of Payment - Payment will be made at the price quote per job.

Contractor shall NOT receive payment for unsatisfactory work until unsatisfactory items have been corrected.

Time for completion of work – Work for Job 1 must not begin before April 15, 2024. Work must be complete by June 14, 2024 Work for Job 2 must not begin before August 19, 2024 and must be complete by October 18, 2024.

Work for Job 3 must not begin before March 31, 2025 and must be complete by June 13, 2025.

Mandatory Contractor Training

The contractor must ensure their employees (including subcontractor personnel) complete the training course(s) listed below in the frequency identified. The contractor must maintain records of course completion and provide them to the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative upon request.

Requirements of the USDA Desk Book, subpart 404.13, Personal Identity Verification, USDA solicitations and contracts must indicate that anyone requiring routine physical access to Federally-controlled facilities and/or routine access to Federally-controlled information systems must have a successful Tier 1 BI or have a PIV-A to work on a federal contract. 1) Any contractor that needs un-escorted access to a federal facility needs to be entered into Person Model. 2) Security Awareness training must be completed in order to approved in Person Model.

If needed, add other courses as approved by the Contracting Officer