Request_for_Proposals.doc

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

2/26/19

INFORMATION CALL:

3/26/19 11:00 a.m. e.s.t.

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SMALL BUS.

EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

NAICS: 115310 BUSINESS

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SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- FORMCHECKBOX

8(A)

SIZE STANDARD: $7.5mil OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

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SEE SCHEDULE

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700) 13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

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RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

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18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

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17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

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Emailed submissions are preferred to: rkmanning@fs.fed.us No fax submissions will be accepted.

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25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

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29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

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SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Prairie-Wide Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Plant Control

PART I-THE SCHEDULE

Section B – Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs

Base Year: (For a period of one year from the date of the Award)

Description

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category

Herbaceous Flowering Plants, Grasses, and Vines/Semi-woody Vines

(Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide)

Option Period One (365 days from Base Period)

Description

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category

(Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide)

Option Period Two (365 days from Option Period 1)

Description

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category

(Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide)

Option Period Three (365 days from Option Period 2)

Description

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category

(Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide)

Option Period Four (365 days from Option Period 3)

Description

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

(Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide)

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category

(Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide)

Pricing:

The pricing offered is considered by the Forest Service to be contractually binding unit ceiling pricing. If a contract is awarded, based on this pricing; the Contractor is bound to this offered pricing as the maximum pricing that can be offered when a task order is solicited. When offering a task order proposal, the IDIQ Contractor can elect to offer less than the contractually established ceiling pricing; however, this reduction is only in effect for that specific task order solicitation/issued task order, and does not constitute a contractual change to the unit ceiling pricing. An IDIQ Contractor can only propose to those task order solicitations where line item pricing is contractually established.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 115310 and is set-aside for small businesses. Each period on the schedule is one year in length and the Base period begins on the date of contract award. Price will be evaluated by adding the total price for all 5 periods. Service rates apply to this acquisition.

BASIS OF AWARD

: Award(s) will be made to that offeror whose proposal offers the technical/cost relationship that is the most advantageous to the Government. Evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are more important than price in the award decision. The critical factor in making any cost/technical trade-off is not the spread between the technical ratings, but rather, the significance of that difference. The significance of the spread of ratings will be determined on the basis of what the difference might mean in terms of the performance and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. Award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. The Government reserves the right to make cost/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest of and advantageous to the Government. Award may be made without further discussions. Offers should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint, which the Contractor can submit to the Government. The Government may, after evaluation of the proposals, conduct further oral or written discussions as appropriate. Failure to provide all information requested by the RFP may render the proposal as unacceptable.

Scope and Statement of Work

NNIS IDIQ

Section C

General Information / Description / Specifications

Statement of Work (SOW)

C.1.

Introduction One of the goals of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is to reduce noxious weeds and exotic or invasive plant infestations as well as prevent new invaders from becoming established. Species to be controlled include both native and non-native plant species. Invasive plant species control is covered under the Prairie-Wide Habitat Maintenance Environmental Assessment

(http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5160298.pdf) and herbicide use on Midewin is covered under the Herbicide Use for Invasive Plant Species and Noxious Weeds Control Environmental Assessment

(http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5160341.pdf).

C.2.

Background Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (Midewin) is located in Will County approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago and approximately 10 miles south of the town of Joliet. Prior to the creation of Midewin, the land was part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant that the Department of Defense (DoD) closed in the 1990’s. During DoD management lands not associated with the manufacture of munitions were either in row crops, pasture or left idle. Invasive species associated with grazing were common throughout the facility. The DoD also planted invasive plant species such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive. Some management by the DoD kept some of the many invasive species in check, but once the plant was slated to be closed, management stopped and these species spread rapidly. The Forest Service has been trying to eradicate invasive species in some areas, keeping them out of other areas and stopping their increase in other areas.

The goal is to decrease the size of invasive plant populations through repeated treatments using an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to a point where staff and volunteers can take over the invasive species control. Work under this contract would involve the herbicide portion of the IPM strategy. Areas to be treated may range from pastures, prairie remnants, prairie restorations, wetlands, woodlands, old fields, roadsides and small isolated areas.

C.3.

Scope of Work C.4.

General Project Description and General Herbicide Specifications

Work will be accomplished through, task orders (TO), issued against an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. It is the intent to have multiple IDIQ contractors. The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, herbicide dye, materials, 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 attached to each TO. The PBSC-Statement of Work (SOW) shall consist of completing the ordered tasks to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) required in Section C.14.

The awarded contract and TOs shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract. TOs may or may not be further competed among the awarded IDIQ contractors.

The TOs will involve work that includes cutting (as needed) and/or herbicide treatment of larger woody vegetation consisting of trees and large shrubs using foliar or basal bark spraying, and other techniques. Other work includes treatment of shrubs and woody vines by light mowing or cutting of woody vegetation in combination with herbicide, and other areas would require only foliar application of herbicides to treat woody shrubs and vines. Lastly, other TOs will request work to apply foliar herbicides to specific NNIS infestations of herbaceous flowering plants, grasses, small shrubs and vines/semi-woody vegetation.

C.4.1 General Project Description and Specifications This requirement is a prairie-wide project to remove and control undesirable woody vegetation (trees, shrubs, and woody vines) and foliar herbicide treatment to nonnative or invasive species of herbaceous flowering plants, grasses, and vines and semi-woody vegetation on the Midewin. The treatment for various patches of NNIS would depend on factors such as, location, patch size, the response of invasive species to the seasons, concentration of NNIS, and surrounding vegetation. NNIS plant treatments may include the use of hand methods, machinery, and chemicals to eliminate NNIS. The project takes an adaptive management strategy that would allow for treatment of newly discovered infestations in the surrounding prairie area and/or on roads in various project areas.

Project-level Environmental Assessments (EAs) have indicated that Midewin will only use non-restricted use herbicides for treatment of NNIS plants and other woody vegetation. Herbicides permitted for application include glyphosate, triclopyr, sethoxydim, clopyralid and 2,4-D. Other approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval of the contractor officer representative (COR). Herbicide selection is dependent on the NNIS plants targeted for control treatment, the amount of desirable native plants interspersed among the infestation, and the potential affects to specific herbaceous or woody vegetation located nearby.

Typical invasive trees or larger shrubs requiring treatment, but are not limited to, include osage orange, black locust, willows, and autumn olive or “invasive-like” native species such as cottonwoods, honey locust, cherry species and ash species. Other woody vegetation documented in project areas of current EAs in the form of shrubs and woody vines commonly needing treatment include multiflora rose, honeysuckles and rubus. NNIS herbaceous plants and grasses of medium to high priority for treatment include species such as reed canary grass, cattail species, teasel species, thistle species, phragmites, spotted knapweed, birds-foot trefoil, crown vetch, garlic mustard, and purple loosestrife.

Other applicable actions associated with this contract involve the potential need for cutting and mowing of larger shrubs, woody vines, or resprouts in conjunction with foliar application of herbicides in forested areas, grassland openings and old fields. Generally, design criteria in project-level EAs prohibit mowing during April 1st through August 15th in old fields and grassland openings. Current project-level EAs have further identified that treatments in large areas to typically occur when native plants are dormant (i.e. early spring or late fall) to reduce the effects to non-target vegetation. Likewise, if application is necessary during the growing season, contractors shall use selective herbicides or a selective method to reduce impact on surrounding non-target vegetation. Exceptions include those areas of dense infestations of NNIS where herbicide could occur throughout the year or other areas that do not provide suitable habitat for sensitive species. Individual TOs will list all necessary requirements.

Sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and native vegetation may exist within project areas. These areas will be marked by Midewin staff as needed and avoided by the contractor or performed only with an appropriate Midewin staff member on site. Furthermore, these areas may require special application methods to avoid potential damage to plant communities or other resources within the designated project area. In areas which will be open to the public, the contractor will put up warning signs in ingress and egress lanes to the work area. Operating areas and equipment ingress and egress lanes for equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, materials, 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.

C.4.2 General Herbicide Specifications The following specifications provide criteria pertaining to herbicide application according to current EAs where work would occur under this contract. Individual Task Orders for specific areas may contain additional restrictions on treatment activities depending on the application area. Indiscriminate broadcast or aerial spraying will not be allowed. The FS will consider other types of application than those specified, but must have approval by COR prior to application.

Applicators will use typical herbicide concentrations according to all EPA approved manufacturer herbicide directions. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with manufactures instructions and any applicable laws or regulations. Contractors, as well as all subcontractors, and any employee applying herbicide must have a valid Illinois state commercial pesticide applicators license and be an Illinois licensed pesticide applicator or have documentation of a reciprocal state license. Contractor will supply Midewin with copies of the licenses prior to starting work. Contractor shall follow all applicable state and federal laws when mixing, applying, storing and transporting chemicals.

The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The contractor must have herbicide labels and copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used on site. The contractor must provide copies or notification by telephone or email of herbicide labels and MSDS of chemicals to the COR prior to the start of work.

Application operations shall be conducted as indicated on the herbicide label, including approved concentrations, rates/acre, and environmental conditions. Only chemicals for aquatic use in or adjacent to streams shall be used whenever directed or adjacent to waterways and wetlands such as the aquatic formulation of glyphosate (Rodeo ® or equivalent product).

This contract does not allow any indiscriminate broadcast applications or aerial spraying. Where appropriate, vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers are permissible to apply herbicides in designated old fields or grassland openings, and along roads. Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles or ATVs on portions of the tract or possibly the entire tract at certain times. The COR will determine conditions that warrant cession of vehicular traffic. Other spot spraying, typically involves the use of backpack sprayers or other hand techniques, and along some wider trails ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is also permissible. TOs require the use of suitable dye to indicate where applicators have sprayed or used herbicides. Specific TOs may also require multiple treatments and time intervals as needed for hard to control invasive plants or NNIS infestations containing more than one species.

Except for selected areas of dense infestations of NNIS where herbicide use could occur throughout the year or areas, Woody vegetation control will most likely occur when native plants are dormant and by spot-spraying of target species. For other herbicide application during the growing season, the contract will require the use of selective herbicides or a selective method of application to reduce effects to the surrounding non-target vegetation. Other work may involve NNIS control of woody shrubs, trees, resprouts and woody vines by using a combination of herbicide treatment and mowing or cutting. Treatments in old fields will often include all woody vegetation, the contract line items (CLIN), as well as a combination of foliar herbicide application to selected areas of dense or sparse open land NNIS infestations. Likewise, some roadside infestations could have a similar scenario, but at a smaller scale of treatment. Foliar application will only occur when wind velocity is less than 10 MPH, unless permission is granted by the COR. Contractor must take care to minimize the drift from herbicide application. Under no conditions will contractor allow over-spray of herbicides to within 1foot of the target plant, and no herbicide damage can occur beyond 3 feet of the target infestation.

Contractor will place caution signs around the sprayed areas according to the appropriate interval per label directions of the chemical used in application areas where the public may have contact with herbicide. Where necessary per label directions, caution signs may include a temporary closure of treatment areas. Contractors are responsible for removing signage after appropriate posted time has been reached.

Foliar herbicide application will occur mainly after full leaf expansion and applicators will apply herbicides in a systematic fashion to provide coverage to the entire NNIS infestation according to the specifications in the TO. Contractor shall apply foliar spray in such a manner to thoroughly wet foliage, but not to the point of runoff to avoid harm or mortality to desirable non-target plant species.

Contractor will conduct treatments to 100% of the specified project area(s) of the target NNIS infestation(s) as identified in the TO. Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the overall kill rate of 95% for target NNIS infestations, and with no more than 5% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides (refer to Quality Assurance Plan); or values specified on TO.

Individual TOs may specify different acceptable kill rates for target NNIS and mortality of desirable native plant species at some treatment sites than these Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) values. The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the TO within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule for the awarded TO.

Refer to the Quality Assurance Plan and the following Technical Requirements and Specifications section for the general incentive value regarding each contract line item and treatment categories. Any deviation of an AQL, to include the corresponding incentive values, will be specified in the TO. Because of complex site conditions and difficulty of determining NNIS values and the corresponding kill rates from herbicide treatments, some TOs would not be available for incentive payment, as determined by the Forest Service.

Forest Service COR or Contract Inspectors may conduct visual inspection of NNIS treatments on site to check on their progression to ensure the Contractor is following the specified requirements of the TO. The COR may conduct random inspections and sampling to verify acceptable kill rates to target NNIS infestations and mortality to non-target desirable native plants. At the discretion of the COR, the Forest Service will accept work based on visual inspection, to confirm kill rates to both target NNIS species and non-target native plant species.

All herbicide applicator staff must be able to identify both target NNIS plant species and non target 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); or values specified on the Task Order.

C.4.3 Daily Logs/Diary Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas per TO, with a copy made available to the COR at billing or upon request. At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of the daily treatment log no later than upon submission of the final TO invoice. When invoicing for partial work payments, the Contractor shall provide information from the daily diary regarding the herbicide treatments done for the relevant specific contract line items. The daily log must record the 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 includes 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, plus optional information such as any other miscellaneous notes or observations. Midewin will provide a copy of the daily herbicide data sheet. Contractor will supply Midewin with copies of receipts for purchases of herbicide as the herbicide is purchased. Contractor will provide weekly progress maps; GPS data such as lines, points or polygons are acceptable as well.

C.4.4 Recordkeeping The Contractor will maintain an accurate daily log record of herbicide used in each area (see last section for the required elements). Other minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates, copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used, and the location of the waste site and/or use destination locations. Weekly equipment calibration records are required C.4.5 Equipment Cleanliness Prior to starting work, the Contractor must clean all equipment used in NNIS control activities before entering the treatment areas. Project COR will inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving to another treatment area as needed. Contractor shall maintain Forest Service approved spark arresting device on any piece of equipment operated by an internal combustion motor. In addition, each piece of motorized shall be equipped with a serviceable round pointed shovel and an operational fire extinguisher of at least five- pound rating suitable for the equipment being used.

C.5 Licensing and Certification The Contractor and/or whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Illinois commercial pesticide applicators certification and license at the time of any herbicide treatments. Any employee who will be applying herbicide must also possess a current Illinois pesticide applicators license. Proper documentation of a state reciprocal license is also accepted. The Contractor will provided all required licensing and certifications to the Forest Service prior to contract award.

C.6 Task Order Issuance As mentioned in section C.3, TOs will be issued for each project. The Forest Service will normally compete each TO amongst the group of IDIQ contractors; however, the Forest Service can elect to issue a TO without competition. Reasons for not competing an order include: 1) meeting the contract minimum guarantee (base year only), 2) new work that ties directly with work previously completed by one of the IDIQ contractors, or 3) an emergency situation.

Each TO that is competed will be done as best value, to include price and a technical submission. Past Performance and other technical factors will be more important than price in the task order evaluation. The technical submission will include a draft Work Plan and Schedule. The draft Work Plan and Schedule should include a start date, production rate, completion date, labor, and equipment list. The Contractor shall demonstrate the ability to complete all tasks for completion of the work required by this Contract.

If issued the TO, the Contractor will then submit a final site-specific Work Plan and Schedule for approval by the COR. The approved Work Plan and Schedule will indicate how the Contractor intends to meet the required Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) values, as referenced in the Quality Assurance Plan, as well as the contract specifications. The Work Schedule will provide dates of work for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) addressed in the TO, to include completion of all work before the required final date specified. The Contractor shall inform the COR of completion of each TO line item. The Work Plan for the awarded TO shall include any changes in values or proposed chemicals differing from the initial Work Plan, and the Contractor will inform the COR of any relevant changes to the technical specifications when performing work under the TO.

C.7 Inspections The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections; however, interim inspections will only be done upon completion of at least one line item (CLIN). The Contractor shall complete the CLIN work according to the approved Work Schedule then request an inspection by the COR. Contractors are reminded that some work, such as herbicide application, cannot be immediately inspected, because an appropriate time interval must pass before determining whether the AQL has been met. COR will inspect areas at random using both visual methods and GPS equipment to collect data.

C.8 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.

C.9 PBSC Incentives/Disincentives Per section C.14, the incentive/disincentive percentages allow for the Contractor to receive up to a maximum 6% incentive (bonus), or a maximum disincentive (deduction) of -4% (minus). The payment schedule and the applicable incentive/disincentive are tiered to insure: 1) that work meets the minimum AQL, 2) at least a 95% success rate for 100% of the project area is met on all interim and final inspections, and 3) that the work is completed on schedule. All incentive/disincentive percentage adjustments are based on the original TO price only.

The Contractor will receive a 3% incentive IF: 1) the required kill rate to the target NNIS infestation(s) is met, AND 2) the acceptable mortality level to desirable non-target plant at the final inspection is met. If the Contractor fails to meet both of these criteria, a 2% deduction (disincentive) will be incurred. If the Contractor fails to meet the AQL, the herbicide must be reapplied, at Contractor expense. At final inspection, areas previously inspected, may now require further treatment to attain the overall minimum acceptable target kill ratio of NNIS infestation(s). This additional work will also be done at Contractor expense.

A 2% deduction (disincentive) will be incurred if the Contractor fails an inspection, interim or final. This disincentive is not cumulative, but rather a one-time only TO deduction. In any case, the Contractor is still required to complete all necessary rework, to meet the AQL, to include reapplication of herbicide and/or any other rework necessary to attain the minimal AQL values.

Finally, in terms of timely completion, the Contractor will receive a 3% incentive for successfully completing all TO work within the stated performance period. The work must meet the AQL when inspected; otherwise the work will not be considered as complete.

Conversely, a 2% disincentive will be applied to the original TO price if the Contractor fails to successfully complete the TO within the stated performance period.

The AQL determinations are made by the COR and are unilateral.

C.10 Safety Plan The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, 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.

C.11 ATV/UTV Use Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in off road areas, along trails or fields for indefinite periods or possibly the entire area at certain times of the year. The COR will determine those conditions or locations that warrant cession of vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV use. In the event that vehicular access is precluded, work must be completed on foot.

Work under this contract will not be performed when ground or access road conditions would result in damage to access roads or to the natural resources. If precipitation makes the ground wet enough to cause rutting, then work will be temporarily suspended or the contractor can bring in machinery that won’t cause ruts. Soil ruts deeper than 2 inches or covering more than 10% of the designated work area must be avoided or mitigated and reported to COR by the contractor. Mitigation would include filling in the ruts and possibly seeding the area with appropriate plant species.

C.12.

Technical Requirements and Specifications C.12.1.

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category Woody Vegetation

C.12.1.1 Trees and Large Shrubs(6” DBH or less) - Hand Cutting and Cut Stump Herbicide – (Selective and/ or Non-selective Herbicide):

Contractor shall hand cut trees and or large shrubs no larger than 6” DBH and apply herbicide to the stump and stump surface. Typically, hand cutting will be in sensitive areas where trees and or shrubs are sparse or in small clusters.

Cut stump treatment will require application of triclopyr (Garlon 4® or equivalent product) or water approved version of glyphosate (Aquaneat® or equivalent product). Other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval of the COR. The herbicide concentration applied must adhere to the label directions for the appropriate techniques used by the applicator.

Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations and not exceed the maximum specified mortality to non-target plant species as indicated on each TO. Typically, most treatments would occur in restoration or grassland areas or along trails and roads in either groups or singular infestations. The TO will specify all acceptable areas where inadvertent herbicide treatment could kill native species that exist intermixed within the defined spray area.

If the TO includes treatment in grasslands, some areas may have restrictions prohibiting herbicide application from April 1st to August 15th to avoid direct effects on ground nesting birds. Individual TOs may provide other specifications for the permissible timing of herbicide application, restrictions on herbicide concentrations and use of surfactants or other additives (if any), or any other restrictions on their use.

Sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and native vegetation may exist within project areas. These areas will be marked by Midewin staff as needed and avoided by the contractor or performed only with an appropriate Midewin staff member on site. Furthermore, these areas may require special application methods to avoid potential damage to plant communities or other resources within the designated project area. In areas which will be open to the public, the contractor will put up warning signs in ingress and egress lanes to the work area. Operating areas and equipment ingress and egress lanes for equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

C.12.1.2 Shrubs and Woody Vines (6” DBH or less) – Light mowing/cutting & Cut Stump Herbicide - (Selective and/ or Non-selective Herbicide):

Contractor will mow NNIS woody shrubs and vines infestations and apply herbicide to the stump and stump surface. Woody vegetation that is too small or missed will received foliar treatment. Work shall occur in specified locations and times as requested in the TO. Typically, the contractor will accomplish brush control by using forestry type mowers. Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations and not exceed the maximum specified mortality to non-target plant species as indicated on each TO.

Depending on the location, extent and size of the infestation, the contractor may use either backpack sprayers and hand techniques and vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers to apply herbicides in fields and other grassland openings. Other work can occur along roads and trails.

If TOs includes treatment in grasslands, some areas may have restrictions prohibiting mowing/cutting and/or herbicide application from April 1st to August 15th to avoid direct effects on ground nesting birds.

Contractor shall apply non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup® or equivalent product) or selective herbicides such as triclopyr (Garlon4® or equivalent product), and/or other non-restricted use selective herbicides as indicated in the TO. Other EPA approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval from the COR. Individual TOs may provide other specifications for the permissible timing of herbicide application and mowing or cutting, restrictions on herbicide concentrations and use of surfactants or other additives (if any), or any other restrictions on their use.

Sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and native vegetation may exist within project areas. These areas will be marked by Midewin staff as needed and avoided by the contractor or performed only with an appropriate Midewin staff member on site. Furthermore, these areas may require special application methods to avoid potential damage to plant communities or other resources within the designated project area. In areas which will be open to the public, the contractor will put up warning signs in ingress and egress lanes to the work area. Operating areas and equipment ingress and egress lanes for equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

C.12.1.3 Light Shrubs and Woody Vines (6” DBH or less) – Foliar Herbicide and or Basal Barking - (Selective and/or Non-selective Herbicide):

Contractor shall apply foliar herbicide in specified locations and times as identified in the TO. Additional techniques could include basal bark herbicide application and/or method as requested in the Task Order Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations and not exceed the maximum specified mortality to non-target plant species as indicated on each TO. Typically, this treatment will be applied to sparse or small pockets of woody vegetation that has been previously treated.

Depending on the location, extent and size of the infestation, the contractor may use either backpack sprayers and hand techniques and vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers to apply herbicides in old fields and openings. Other work may occur along roads and trails or adjacent forests. Foliar herbicide application will occur only after full leaf expansion.

If the TO includes treatment in grasslands, some areas may have restrictions prohibiting herbicide application from April 1st to August 15th to avoid direct effects on ground nesting birds. Except for selected areas of dense infestations of NNIS where herbicide use could occur throughout the year, foliar application would occur when native plants are dormant and by spot spraying of target species.

Contractor shall apply non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup® or equivalent product) or selective herbicides such as triclopyr (Garlon3A® or equivalent product), clopyralid (Transline® or equivalent product), and/or other non-restricted use selective herbicides as indicated on the Task Order. Other EPA approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval of the COR. Individual TOs may provide other specifications for the permissible timing of herbicide application, restrictions on herbicide concentrations and use of surfactants or other additives (if any), or any other restrictions on their use.

Sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and native vegetation may exist within project areas. These areas will be marked by Midewin staff as needed and avoided by the contractor or performed only with an appropriate Midewin staff member on site. Furthermore, these areas may require special application methods to avoid potential damage to plant communities or other resources within the designated project area. In areas which will be open to the public, the contractor will put up warning signs in ingress and egress lanes to the work area. Operating areas and equipment ingress and egress lanes for equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

C.12.2.

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category - Herbaceous Flowering Plants, Grasses, and Vines/Semi-woody Vines C.12.2.1 Open Land NNIS and Roadside Vegetation – (Non-selective Herbicide and/or/in combination with Selective Herbicide):

Contractor shall apply foliar herbicide in specified locations and times as identified in the TO. Treatment areas can vary from spotty infestations interspersed with dominant native vegetation to dense infestations with few native plant species. Work done in these selected areas can generally occur throughout the year or when native species are dormant. However, if the TO includes treatment in grasslands, some areas may have restrictions prohibiting herbicide application from April 1st to August 15th to avoid direct effects on ground nesting birds.

Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations and not exceed the maximum specified mortality to non-target plant species as indicated on each TO. As indicated, most treatments would occur in grassland areas or along trails and roads in either groups or singular infestations. The TO will specify all acceptable areas where inadvertent herbicide treatment could kill native species that exist intermixed within the defined spray area.

Depending on the location, extent and size of the infestation, the contractor may use either backpack sprayers and hand techniques and vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers to apply herbicides in fields and openings. In some cases, amphibious equipment may be beneficial. Other work can occur along roads and trails. Foliar herbicide application will occur only after full leaf expansion.

Typically, the Contractor will apply non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup® or equivalent product) in dense NNIS infestations and/or use selective herbicide such as clopyraid (Transline® or equivalent product) for control of less dense NNIS plants. Designated herbicide will be specified in the TO. Other EPA approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval from the COR.

Individual TOs may provide other specifications for the permissible timing of herbicide application, restrictions on herbicide concentrations and use of surfactants or other additives (if any), or any other restrictions on their use.

Sensitive areas, cultural resource sites, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and native vegetation may exist within project areas. These areas will be marked by Midewin staff as needed and avoided by the contractor or performed only with an appropriate Midewin staff member on site. Furthermore, these areas may require special application methods to avoid potential damage to plant communities or other resources within the designated project area. In areas which will be open to the public, the contractor will put up warning signs in ingress and egress lanes to the work area. Operating areas and equipment ingress and egress lanes for equipment will be approved by the COR in advance of work in each area.

C.13 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. Forest Service Inspector: A Forest Service employee designated by the Contracting Officer or COR to perform surveillance of contractor performance.

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

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

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

7. Task Order (TO): Method by which the FS will order services and supplies necessary to perform the services of the contract.

8. Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity contract (IDIQ): Contract type that allows for the ordering of supplies or services, based on a minimum and maximum order amount.

9. Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC): A contract which incorporates a results-oriented statement of work, describing the overall work to be accomplished (outcome/result), rather than explicitly describing how the tasks should be performed, to accomplish the work.

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Section C.14 Performance Work Statement and Quality Assurance Plan Contract Line Item No. –

Work Requirement

Mechanical and Herbicide Treatment Category

Woody Vegetation

AND

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

If the Contractor fails to meet the AQL a disincentive (deduction) of 2% will be applied against the original task order price.

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

These determinations are unilateral and not protestable

Refer to the NOTES at the bottom of this spreadsheet for further clarification.

2 - Shrubs and Woody Vines – Light Mowing/Cutting

& Cut Stump Herbicide

AND

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