Attachment 1 PWS_PioneerMothersNNIS (002).pdf

02/28/2022 Pioneer Mothers 2022

Introduction/Background

The Hoosier National Forest is in south-central Indiana and contains approximately 204,000 acres of the National Forest System. This contract area is in Paoli, Indiana in Orange County. The contract area was treated in 2021 and contains several species of native grasses, forbs, and sporadic shrubs. The area is a high visitor use site due to morel mushrooms and spring ephemerals.

Treatment Specifications

The performance period for the Pioneer Mothers contract line items 1 – 6 (garlic mustard treatments) is approximately 3 months beginning on February 21, 2022 and concluding on May 13, 2022.

The performance period for the woody species-specific contract line items 7 – 11 are approximately 4 months from June 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

In total, this contract spans from February 21 to September 30, 2022.

Any or all of the optional line items could be funded at the discretion of the COR depending upon funding. Optional line items are not guaranteed to be funded.

Contract Line Items 1 – 5

Treat garlic mustard in all contract line items (CLINs) with foliar herbicide applications. Treat these invasive plants using careful spot spraying techniques to avoid damage to desirable native species. Small equipment capable of spot spraying (eg. backpack sprayer, UTV with hose reel) will be needed to ensure minimal damage to rare native species. ATV/UTVs may be used but must stay on the designated paved trail at all times. This project requires the use of an aquatic approved herbicide within 100 feet of Lick Creek and all its tributaries.

Contract Line Items 6 - 10

Treat woody invasive species, such as but not limited to: wintercreeper, oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckles (vines and shrubs), privet, multiflora rose, jetbead, and other non-native/invasive woody plants found in the project area. If an invasive plant is over 5 feet tall, it must be cut and the stump treated with herbicide. Plants under 5 feet can be foliar sprayed or cut stump at the discretion of the contractor. Small equipment capable of spot spraying (eg. backpack sprayer or UTV with hose reel) will be needed to ensure minimal damage to rare native species. ATV/UTVs can be used but must always stay on the designated paved trail. This project requires the use of an aquatic approved herbicide within 100 feet of Lick Creek and all its tributaries.

For all Line Items

The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards in the contract. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. Only the use of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved, non-restricted chemicals are to be used in accordance with the label. This includes application rates, concentrations, and environmental condition directions by the manufacturer. This contract does require the use of aquatic approved herbicide. Use of suitable dye is required in all herbicide mixtures. Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills that occur.

The project area contains a stream and a heavily used public trail in forested habitat. Pre-approved signage must be placed at the trail head and along the trail to advise the public of the restoration project, indicate areas where herbicides have been applied and what time they can re-enter the area. Submit signage to COR at least 1 week before work begins for approval.

ATV/UTV Use

Contractors cannot use ATVs with liquid cargo tanks exceeding 15 gallons and equipment must meet FS fire and safety requirements. Equipment is to be inspected by the COR for cleanliness before work can begin. A vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayer may be used to apply herbicides; however, the vehicle must remain on the black-top trail. Hose may be pulled from the sprayer into the forested area for application.

Cultural Resources

If artifacts, cultural materials, or human remains are discovered during project implementation, cease work IMMEDIATELY and notify the COR and call 812-276-4748 to notify our Cultural Resources Specialist.

Inspections

Equipment inspections on ATVs/UTVs/OHVs are required before any work is started to ensure cleanliness.

Contact the COR to schedule this inspection at least 4 business days beforehand. If the equipment leaves the worksite, it will require another inspection upon returning to the worksite.

The Contractor may set up interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one CLIN. The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule then request an inspection by the COR. At the discretion of the COR, the Forest Service will accept work based on visual inspection, to confirm kill rates to both target species and non-target native plant species.

Contractors are reminded that herbicide application cannot be immediately inspected after work is completed.

Based on the herbicide, it may take additional time for the COR to see if Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) has been met.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR 2022, due to changes at State level:

The Contractor, or subcontractor, shall ensure that there is either an Indiana pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatments or ALL on-site personnel applying herbicide MUST be registered technicians AND have access to immediate voice communication by telephone or radio with the licensed supervisor.

Recordkeeping and Daily Logs/Diary

Minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates, material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used, and the location of the waste site and/or use destination locations. The MSDS sheets must always be on site. The contractor must provide copies of herbicide labels and MSDS of chemicals to the COR prior to the start of work.

Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment, with a copy made available to the COR before billing or upon request.

The daily log must record: Contract Line Item, target NNIS species, chemical used (product name), quantity of herbicide (volume applied & unit of measure per each target NNIS species – including product and carrier/dilutant), application rate (active ingredient applied & unit of measure or percent solution), and adjuvant used (product name & rate applied, if any). The log will record weather information consisting of wind velocity (MPH), wind direction, air temperature (˚F), condition (cloud cover), and precipitation (inches). Other log requirements include date, time of day (start time and stop time), treatment location, approximate acres treated, hours to complete task, type of application (method/technique), name of licensed commercial applicator, other licensed applicators and non-certified applicators, type of equipment used (back pack sprayer, UTV, hand sprayer), plus optional information such as any other miscellaneous notes or observations.

Invoicing

Invoicing is tied to successful inspection of work. The Contractor may only invoice after the COR has inspected the line item(s) work and the work is determined to have met the AQL. This applies to both interim and final payments. When invoicing for complete or partial work payments, see above for daily diary requirements.

Technical Submissions

The Contractor shall furnish with their technical submission:

1. Names of staff and their documented education or experience in identifying non-native invasive plants

2. Names of staff and their past work experience performing similar herbicide application in projects

3. All Indiana Herbicide Licenses and registered technician information for applicators

4. Submit a site-specific Work Plan and Schedule

5. Submit a safety plan

Licensing and Certification

The Contractor and/or whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Indiana commercial pesticide applicators certification and license at the time of any herbicide treatments. Most contracts will require work under category 2 (Forest Pest Management), which is applicable for all treatments on the Forest.

The Contractor must also possess a current Indiana Commercial Pesticide Business License. Information on Indiana pesticide certification is available at http://www.isco.purdue.edu/

The Contractor, or subcontractor, shall ensure that there is either an Indiana pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatments or ALL on-site personnel applying herbicide MUST be registered technicians AND have access to immediate voice communication by telephone or radio with the licensed supervisor.

All herbicide applicator staff must be able to identify target NNIS plant species in the field, including during dormant seasons, to a sufficient degree without exceeding the maximum acceptable levels of mortality to desirable non-target native species and to meet minimum kill rates to target NNIS infestations (refer to Quality Assurance Plan). This is especially important in this contract.

Work Plan & Schedule http://www.isco.purdue.edu/

The contractor’s Work Plan and Schedule will indicate how the Contractor intends to meet the required Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) values, as well as the contract specifications, within the time allotted. The Work Schedule will provide dates of work for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN). Please provide a description of when, and with what herbicides, the infestations will be treated in your Work Plan. The Contractor will inform the COR of any relevant changes to the technical specifications when performing work under the contract.

Safety Plan

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

Definitions:

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

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

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

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

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

Performance Work Statement and Quality Assurance Plan:

Contract Line Item No. – Work Requirement Task / Critical Sub-tasks Inspection requirements *Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) Monitoring

Method

CLIN 1 - 6

Foliar treatment of herbaceous invasives

Treat garlic mustard

At least 95% of target NNIS infestation(s) treated.

No more than 5-10% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species.

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

Minimum 85% kill of target NNIS infestation(s) prior to seed production

AND

Less than 10% mortality to non-target plant species’; or values specified on the SOW.

Visual and GPS

CLIN 7 - 11

Foliar treatment of woody invasives

Treat Japanese honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose, autumn olive and other woody invasive species infestations.

At least 95% of target NNIS infestation(s) treated.

No more than 5-10% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species.

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

Minimum 85% kill of target NNIS infestation(s) prior to seed production

AND

Less than 10% mortality to non-target plant species’; or values specified on the SOW.

Visual and GPS

Schedule (non-Line Item)

Timely Completion of the contract work

Per the Work Schedule, the Contractor will complete all work prior to the contract end date.

AQL determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

All work must be complete by the end date of the contract and meet the AQL.

Visual and GPS

*Meeting the AQL for Line Items: Exceeding the specified mortality value to non-target desirable plants, will result in the Contractor(s) not meeting all elements of the AQL values and not receiving payment. Contractor(s) must reapply the required herbicide at their expense upon failure to meet AQL values at the final inspection for each contract line item where the work performed failed to reach the minimum acceptable target kill ratio of the NNIS infestation(s)