A04_-_SOW_-_Herbicide_Application_0001_0001.pdf

Herbicide Application

Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Statement of Work

Exhibit A

Project: Herbicide Application of Woody Vegetation

Location: Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge – Herman Ridge

Project Performance Period: August 1st, 2026-September 30th, 2026

Quotes and Site Visit

All quotes are to be submitted on a “PER ACRE" basis and a total quote amount for 237 acres.

Site visits may be requested by contacting Eric Mark (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 701.425.9080, eric_mark@fws.gov or Ben Walker at 218-230-5563, benjamin_walker@fws.gov).

Description of Work

This is a non-personal services contract for chemical application of UP TO 237.0 acres of woody vegetation at the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The project will take place at select management units located 6 miles west of Mentor, MN. The project areas are in Section 08, 09, 10 of

Godfrey Township within Polk County, MN (see attached map). 100% of woody vegetation within the designated polygon shall be chemically treated. The results from this treatment will promote a higher-quality and more diverse tall-grass prairie habitat which will benefit a suite of wildlife species for years to come.

The selected contractor shall provide all personnel, labor (e.g., herbicide application), equipment, supplies, (e.g., chemicals, herbicides, surfactant, water), transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of the contract.

This project requires a tank mix of 2 quarts/acre of Vastlan (Corteva), 5 oz/acre Milestone (Corteva) and

1 oz/acre of Escort XP (Bayer) herbicide with the recommended amount of drift control agent, non-ionic surfactant, and applying the mixture. This application will require that a carrier of 10 gallons of water be applied per acre. Herbicide shall only be applied to uplands (no wetland areas) which are currently owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The selected contractor shall comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Application of chemicals shall be at the appropriate rate suggested by the manufacturer and in accordance with the product label.

The Contractor shall have a current Minnesota Pesticide Applicator license and shall comply with all

EPA, FAA, OSHA, and other Federal, State and Local Government statutes and regulations. The awardee shall have and provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Manager with a safety/spill response plan appropriate to the scope of work. The contractor shall provide at least 24 hours’ notice before application commences.

Note that the payment will be made only for actual acres treated which are to be agreed upon between the

Contractor and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service project manager, Eric Mark, prior to commencement of spraying operations.

The awardee shall provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the contact information for all designated personnel. All contractor personnel involved in performing this contract as well as the equipment used shall be appropriately licensed and certified for the work to be done as stated in this Statement of Work. The Contractor is responsible for the repair or replacement of any faulty or sub-standard equipment to be used during herbicide application and shall notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 48 hours of discovery of necessary repair or replacement.

Weather conditions shall be monitored by the Contractor's prior to each spraying event. Spraying may be prohibited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when environmental conditions (e.g., wind, temperature, humidity) are not within the herbicide label application parameters.

The Contractor shall be responsible for collecting the following data for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

application date, location (longitude & latitude or UTM), and number of acres sprayed and a chemical use report detailing: herbicide rates/volume, hours worked, and weather conditions during each application event.

The Contractor shall exercise their professional judgment as to the exact timing and extent of application of the herbicides/surfactants prior to the deadline. Care shall be taken to avoid application on days with consistent wind speeds over 12 mph. No broadcast spraying shall be performed when wind speeds exceed specifications listed on the herbicide label or when wind directions are likely to result in drift to non-targeted areas. At a minimum, herbicide shall not be applied when the forecast indicates a moderate probability (40% or higher) of significant precipitation during the 24 hours following application.

Statement of Guarantee

The Contractor warrants that should the desired results not be achieved, the contactor shall, at no additional cost to the Government, reapply herbicide to those areas where targeted vegetative growth persists post-treatment.

The determination as to the acceptable performance of the Contractor and the need to reapply the herbicides shall rest solely with the Government. A request to re-treat an area may be either verbal or in writing. The desired results to be achieved are 75% kill of targeted woody vegetation delineated in provided map and shapefiles (if requested).

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

1. General - The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, herbicide and incidentals needed to perform the work.

2. The vendor shall possess any/all required Minnesota licenses applicable to this job, including a license to apply aquatic herbicides

3. Provide: spray equipment system, fuel and all other staff and associated supplies needed to mix and apply herbicide.

4. Apply specified herbicide tank mix at the rates listed above.

5. Ensure spray is applied to allow for a 24 hour dry-time. Application shall not be made within

24 hours of predicted rainfall.

6. Ensure spray is applied while winds remain under 12 mph.

7. Ensure spray coverage is a minimum of 90% of the area defined.

8. Equipment Maintenance: Throughout the period of performance, machines used to accomplish this contract shall be maintained in good and safe working order and shall be free of fluid leaks in order to protect the Refuge environment. All equipment shall be cleaned prior to operation on Government lands (all dirt, grease, and plant parts shall be removed, to minimize risks of contamination of the

Refuge). The Contractor shall not deviate from the equipment listed in its quote unless approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Safety

• At all times, the vendor shall ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment.

• Loading sites may be located on-site or off-site at the determination of the Contractor.

Similarly, damages caused by spills caused by either the Contractor or other parties shall not be the responsibility of the Government.

• The Contractor agrees to abide by all local standards, protocols, instructions and briefings related to access the various sites. Any accident or injury resulting from the Contractor's failure to follow instructions shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

Contractor Safety and Experience

• Contractor and all employees assisting will have an excellent safety record.

• At all times, the Contractor will ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation including the mandatory use of all prescribed personal protective equipment.

• The Contractor shall have a current Minnesota Pesticide Applicator license and an aquatic applicator endorsement. The Contractor shall comply with all EPA, FAA, OSHA, and other Federal, State and Local Government statutes and regulations while performing the services stated in this Statement of Work.

• Contractor shall be fully insured for project scope

Project Manager:

Eric Mark

Glacial Ridge NWR

17788 349th St SE

Erskine, MN 56535

Eric_mark@fws.gov

Cell: 701.425.9080

Alt Project Manager:

Ben Walker

Glacial Ridge NWR

17788 349th St SE

Erskine, MN 56535

Benjamin_walker@fws.gov

Cell: (218)-230-5563