Attachment 2 - Statement of Work.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

Attachment

Project FLNF Stiltgrass treatments

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Provide a brief statement of the overall project, including goals and objectives.

The objective of this contract is to treat the non-native invasive plant (NNIP) Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) in a hardwoods forest along Breakneck Creek on Finger Lakes National Forest (FLNF), and on adjoining private land. Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass native to Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and India. It is an aggressively spreading invasive species in the United States, that actively displaces native species, decreases ecosystem function, and degrades habitats (see identification guide provided with this document).

On the FLNF, the stiltgrass infestation follows Breakneck Creek for 1.9 miles, crossing over into private land in two locations - one parcel belongs to Michael Boggs, and the other is owned by Debbie Ellsworth. On Michael Boggs’ property, permission has been given to treat plants with herbicide. On Debbie Ellsworth’s land, permission has been given to employ mechanical methods of treatment only. FS staff and volunteers will conduct treatments on Ms.

Ellsworth’s property; that may or may not include hand pulling, mowing, and flame-weeding.

A contractor with a current Certified Pesticide Applicator license in New York, is sought to perform herbicide treatments at specified stiltgrass infestations at least twice over the 2024 growing season. Treatment timing is dependent on seasonal stiltgrass phenology and must be administered before plants flower and develop fruit.

2.0 Background

Provide a general description of the requirement, describing the acquisition history (if applicable), the current environment, and the vision of the future of the requirement. If information technology is a factor, provide pertinent technical facts.

The Japanese stiltgrass infestation occurs in a hardwoods forest along Breakneck Creek on FLNF and on adjoining private land. The site supports two plant species on the Regional Forester Sensitive Species list: Broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) and Canada lily (Lilium canadense). Removing Japanese stiltgrass will protect these native rare plants and improve the overall quality of the habitat for natural resources including fish and wildlife. The future vision for this work is the restoration of ecosystem functions.

This project directly supports Goals 2 and 4 of the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes (GMFL) Forest Plan. Goal two is to “Maintain and restore quality, amount, and distribution of habitats to produce viable and sustainable populations of native and desirable non-native plants and animals.” This work will restore habitat quality, maintain sustainable populations of rare plants, and minimize adverse effects of non-native invasive species. Goal four is to “Maintain or restore aquatic, fisheries, riparian, vernal pool, and wetland habitats.” The riparian habitat of Breakneck Creek is expected to improve and be restored.

NEPA analysis for treating the NNIP Japanese stiltgrass has been completed. The two adjacent landowners have given initial approval. Treatments (to all infestations) must occur twice over the 2024 growing season, before plants flower and fruit, followed by sowing native plant seeds by FL staff. The goals of this work include enduring habitat for two rare plants, improved riparian habitat, and more sustainable hardwood forest ecology. The long-term target is complete eradication of stiltgrass, which may require additional funding for five or more field seasons until the seed bank is exhausted.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The contractor must be a licensed certified pesticide applicator in the State of New York. The primary task of the contractor is the application of herbicides to specified Japanese stiltgrass infestations at least twice over the 2024 growing season before plants flower and develop fruit. Treatment may begin after contract is awarded but must occur at the optimally effective times for stiltgrass control. Work is to be completed by September 30, 2024.

Under this agreement, the contractor will be asked to perform the following tasks:

o Select FS approved herbicide products for the chemical treatment of Japanese stiltgrass, such as a glyphosate product that can be used around wetlands and a sethoxydim grass-specific product.

o Employ an appropriate method of treatment such as direct foliar spot spraying while adhering to mitigation measures for herbicide application on FLNF as described in this document.

o Use global positioning system (GPS) technology and maps to physically navigate to correct locations of Japanese stiltgrass infestations and administer herbicide treatments as specified in this contract.

o Schedule treatments at 2 separate times over the 2024 growing season, before plants develop seeds, while factoring in the following considerations:

FLNF land: The stiltgrass infestation is continuous along Breakneck Creek for 1.9 miles in FLNF. Herbicides will need to be applied in sections, because the area is too large to treat in a single day. All sections require applications at least twice over the 2024 field season. For this reason, multiple workdays may be necessary to achieve two separately timed treatments on both FS and private land.

Private land: Before planning treatment on private land, the contractor must confer with the FS Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to ensure that the landowner’s preference for the timing of work is respected.

o Electronically record treatment locations using GPS technology (compatible with ArcGIS Pro) or the Avenza application to produce maps that clearly document work results, and calculate total acres treated.

o Maintain and submit written records that indicate dates, locations, and treatment administered (see reporting guidelines in Deliverables/Schedule).

o Following herbicide applications, signage posting of interval periods during which entry into the area is prohibited must be done to protect those recreating in the NF.

o When applying herbicide, the contractor is solely responsible for safety as outlined by the Worker Protection Standard (WPS).

Mitigation measures that apply on Finger Lakes National Forest (FLNF):

1. For herbicide applications that involve glyphosate:

a. Use only the less toxic formulations of glyphosate (e.g., Rodeo®, Accord®). Less toxic formulations are those that require the addition of surfactants. Other Accord formulations (for example, Accord XRT II) are unacceptable because of potential toxicity associated with the surfactants already in their formulations.

b. Limit the use of glyphosate in wetland settings to 1.25 pounds acid equivalent per acre. A shape-file of

Breakneck Creek and poorly drained soils or shallow water tables will be supplied prior to the start of work, but the contractor must also pay attention to conditions on the ground.

c. To comply with design criteria HU-10, contractors are asked to use either Agridex or LI-700, which are the only ones currently classified by the EPA as almost non-toxic. Please contact the COR prior to bidding with any questions or concerns.

d. The surfactant R-11 may not be used on the National Forest.

2. In reference to the fish and wildlife design criterion WF-1, guidance from the Finger Lakes National Forest

Plan is referenced below:

4.0 Government Furnished

The infestation treatment area on FLNF and private land has been delineated and mapped by FS staff. GIS coordinates, shapefiles, and maps that show treatment locations of Japanese stiltgrass will be provided.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

The period of performance under this Agreement covers the 2024 growing season beginning after the contract is awarded. The anticipated period of performance is Date of Award - 31OCT2024.

The deliverable is ten acres of treated Japanese stiltweed infestations – with all locations receiving at least two treatments during the growing season before flowers or fruits emerge. Anticipated results are improved riparian habitat quality for 2 RFSS plant species, fish, and wildlife, and restoration of ecosystem function.

Timely submission of deliverables is essential to successful completion of this agreement.

Reporting Requirements

The contractor must provide a written progress report monthly that communicates the progression of work, as well as a final report.

o Performance reports should be submitted to the FS Contracting Officer Representative (COR) once a month that clearly describe what activities were undertaken, any problems encountered, and plans for addressing them. See the “Optional Project Performance Report” in this document as an example.

Schedules for deliverables are specified below in Exhibit A. All deliverables shall be prepared and submitted according to format, content, and schedule described in the SOW.

Exhibit A: Key Deliverables

Item No.

Acreage of stiltgrass treated

Description Frequency Reference Delivery Format

Due By

1 Monthly Status Report

Monthly report documenting tasks and issues identified during the month

Once per month

Ref. SOO, Page 3, Section 4.2.1, Functional Tasks

Via email to

FS COR

The fifth day of each month after contract award

A final report, due by October 15, 2024, must be submitted to the FS Contracting Officer Representative (COR), that identifies project outcomes/deliverables. Contractors must use the spreadsheet below to summarize herbicide treatment details and acreage covered. Comments about treatment efficacy are helpful and will be used to inform future treatments.

o When requesting payments, a breakdown of the costs associated with the billing request must be provided to allow the FS Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to determine that costs are necessary and reasonable. If invoice cost detail is not provided, the FS COR may not be able to approve further payments (see sample expense report below).

Sample Expense Report

Performance Period:

Line Item Budgeted Amount Previous Balance Spent this period Balance Remaining

Personnel Fringe Equipment Supplies Procurement Other Total Direct Indirect Total

6.0 Travel

Travel expenses are included in the unit rate of payment for services; hence mileage records are not required.

Contractors are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Contractors may perform treatments independently or with assistance. The actual herbicide application must be performed by a certified pesticide applicator in the State of New York. If assistants are used, they must be certified or legally permitted to perform pesticide application under the direction of a certified/licensed pesticide applicator.

8.0 Security Requirements

o Sharing information about rare plant locations to anyone outside of GMNF is prohibited.

o The contractor is responsible for ensuring worker safety as outlined by the Worker Protection Standard (WPS).

o Following pesticide application, requirements for posting information about product application and interval entry periods must take place to protect those recreating in the NF and on the private land specified.

9.0 Data Rights

Ownership of all data and materials collected under this Agreement shall remain with the contractor and GMNF.