Attachment_1_-_SOW_15_MAY_24.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

STATEMENT OF WORK

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

(NOXIOUS WEED TREATMENT)

Item(s) 0001– Blacktail Noxious Weed Survey and Treatment

1. Approximate Acreage: The treatment area consists of approximately 2,100 acres of BLM-administered land. Grid inventories are required at a minimum 25-yard spacing between ATV’s/UTV’s or by foot with 100% coverage of project boundary. It is anticipated that the total treated (sprayed) area will be up to 10% of the total project area per year; or approximately 210 acres annually. If the project requires more than 210 acres of treatment annually, a stop work order will be issued to determine how the government will proceed.

2. Location of Work Site as Shown on Work Location Map: The Blacktail project is located in Bonneville County approximately 12 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho (see Location Map). Only BLM-administered lands will be treated under this contract.

3. Requirements of Equipment to be supplied by the Contractor: Sufficient to meet specifications of the contract.

Contractor will be required to stage along roadsides or pull-out areas void of tall vegetation. Contractor needs to be cautious of ATV/UTV muffler in tall vegetation when stopped. ATV’s/UTV’s must have a spark arrestor installed and have a current registration with the State of Idaho. Work crews will be required to carry fire suppression tools when travelling cross-country including a shovel, bladder bag and an ABC fire extinguisher.

Immediately notify Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (208) 524-7600 if fire is started or discovered. Idaho

Fire Restrictions Plan will be followed.

4. Work Crew Requirements: Work crews for handling and mixing of chemical and loading equipment shall be furnished by the Contractor. Work crews should be well trained in Idaho noxious weed identification specifically, Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Rush skeletonweend (Chondrilla juncea), and Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) though other noxious weed species may be present. Idaho’s noxious weed list can be found at https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/plants/.

Item(s) 0002 – Pine Creek Noxious Weed Survey and Treatment

1. Approximate Acreage: The treatment area consists of approximately 362 acres of BLM-administered land. Grid inventories are required at a minimum 25-yard spacing between ATV’s/UTV’s or by foot with 100% coverage of project boundary. It is anticipated that the total treated (sprayed) area will be up to 10% of the total project area per year; or approximately 36 acres annually. If the project requires more than 36 acres of treatment annually, a stop work order will be issued to determine how the government will proceed.

2. Location of Work Site as Shown on Work Location Map: The Pine Creek Bench project is located in Bonneville

County approximately 27 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho and about 5 miles northwest of Swan Valley, Idaho (see

Location Map). Only BLM-administered lands will be treated under this contract.

3. Requirements of Equipment to be supplied by the Contractor: Sufficient to meet specifications of the contract.

Contractor will be required to stage along roadsides or pull-out areas void of tall vegetation. Contractor needs to be cautious of ATV/UTV muffler in tall vegetation when stopped. ATV’s/UTV’s must have a spark arrestor installed and have a current registration with the State of Idaho. Work crews will be required to carry fire suppression tools when travelling cross-country including a shovel, bladder bag and an ABC fire extinguisher.

Immediately notify Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (208) 524-7600 if fire is started or discovered. Idaho

Fire Restrictions Plan will be followed.

4. Work Crew Requirements: Work crews for handling and mixing of chemical and loading equipment shall be furnished by the Contractor. Work crews should be well trained in Idaho noxious weed identification specifically, Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula), Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), and Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), though other noxious weed species may be present. Idaho’s noxious weed list can be found at https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/plants/.

Items 0001 and 0002 – Common Information https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/plants/ https://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/plants/

5. Herbicide: Herbicide will be supplied by the contractor. Contractor is required to mix only the herbicide amount needed for the day of applications. Disposal of mixed herbicide is the responsibility of the contractor. Contractor is required to have locked storage for herbicide concentrate containers and keep herbicide locked-up while unattended. The capacity of the locked storage should be large enough for 25 gallons of herbicide in 2.5-gallon individual containers. Contractor is responsible for any/all spill occurrences. Contractor is required to immediately notify COR if spill occurs on BLM land.

6. Kind of Chemical: Telar + 2,4-D, Aminopyralid + 2,4-D or Picloram + 2,4-D. Trade names; Telar XP, Alligare

Chlorsulfuron 75, Milestone, Tordon 22K, Picloram 22K, Outpost 22K, 2,4-D Amine 4, Alligare 2,4-D Amine.

Leafy spurge must be treated with Picloram + 2,4-D combination. Telar XP + 2,4-D and Aminopyralid +

2,4-D combination is acceptable for all other noxious weed species.

7. Rate of Application: The recommended chemical herbicide application rate for Telar XP + 2,4-D will be one and one half (1.5) ounces of Telar per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, for the Aminopyralid + 2,4-D it will be seven (7) ounces of Aminopyralid per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, and for the Picloram + 2,4-D will be one (1) quart of Picloram per acre + one (1) pint of 2, 4-D per acre. Hand or spot applications on single plant sites and boom or hand applications on all infestations discovered will be required.

8. GPS: A Trimble GPS or equivalent data collection unit is required. Collected data will consist of species, location, and approximate size of infestation. Contractor is required to map all areas discovered. Infestations will be mapped according to the BLM NISIMS Data Standard. GPS tracklog lines will be recorded at all times where inventories are conducted. GPS data will be recorded in UTM NAD 1983 Zone 12N and uncorrected GPS files will be submitted to the COR upon project completion.

9. Photos: Photos will be taken of each noxious weed species discovered. At least one photo per mapped species will be required. The photo may be taken with a camera, cell phone, or other device, but the photo must clearly depict the distinguishable features of the plant to allow for identification.

10. Remarks and Other Requirements: Treatments will begin the week of June 17, 2024 and continue until all areas are treated. Hand or spot applications on single plant sites and boom or hand applications on all infestations discovered will be required. Apply Telar XP + 2,4-D, Aminopyralid + 2,4-D or Picloram+2,4-D in accordance with these specifications, the Detailed Specifications in this contract, and the Herbicide Label. Controlling drift is the responsibility of the Applicator. BLM pesticide application records need to be filled out daily within 24 hours of application and submitted to USFO at completion of project. BLM pesticide application records will be provided by the Government at the contractor/contracting officer meeting.

Period of Performance:

Estimated dates for this project are:

Start Date: June 17, 2024

End Date: July 31, 2024

Start Date: June 17, 2025 End Date: July 31, 2025

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 The purpose of this contract is to secure services for on-the-ground inventorying for the presence of noxious weeds and herbicide spraying of discovered noxious weeds. All services will be done on-the-ground with ATV’s, UTV’s, or by foot. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, supplies, and incidentals; and perform all work necessary to complete the specifications in this contract.

1.2 The Contractor’s applicators shall hold a current Idaho Professional Applicator License in the Agricultural

Pesticide Category. The Government will inspect each applicator for their current Idaho Professional Applicator’s

License in the Agricultural Pesticide Category before work on this contract.

1.3 The common noxious weed species that have been documented and may be encountered within the project area include: Houndstongue, Canada Thistle, Leafy Spurge, Musk Thistle, and Spotted Knapweed.

1.4 The Contractor shall stop operation if inclement weather conditions (wind or rain) occur during the spraying operation. (See section 5.0 Execution of Work)

1.5 Applicator Logs

A. The Contractor shall maintain a daily written log or 'Daily Herbicide Application Record', which will be provided by the Government.

B. This log or record shall be signed by applicator operator and turned into the Project Inspector. The

Project Inspector will check the Contractor’s equipment to ensure proper operation and the Contractor shall demonstrate that the work crews are properly trained in the identification of noxious weed identification.

1.6 The Government will pay for treatment by the treated acre upon submission of proper invoices, after acreage is determined to have been treated by using the computer-generated shapefile from a Global Positioning System

(See Section 4.5 – GPS).

1.7 The Contractor shall conduct herbicide spraying procedures safely and in accordance with the Label restrictions of the herbicide. (See Section 7.0 - Safety).

1.8 The Contractor shall follow Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for application of herbicides (if applicable).

1.9 The Contractor shall strictly adhere to the herbicide label instructions.

1.10 The Government will have the option to inspect the Contractor's equipment and work before, during, and after completion of this contract.

1.11 The Contractor shall adhere to the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan and will need to stop work if Stage II Fire

Restrictions are implemented. Information regarding the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan and Stage II Fire

Restrictions can be found on www.idahofireinfo.com.

2.0 LOCATIONS

2.1 The Government will provide work location map(s) for all sites that are to be treated.

2.2 The Government will provide GPS perimeter data of the boundaries of all sites that are to be treated.

3.0 CHEMICALS

3.1 The Contractor will supply all the chemical herbicide necessary to complete the specifications of this contract.

Contractor is responsible for disposal of mixed herbicide.

3.2 The recommended chemical herbicide application rate for Telar XP + 2,4-D will be one and one half (1.5) ounces of Telar per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, for Aminopyralid + 2,4-D it will be seven (7) ounces of

Aminopyralid per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, and for the Picloram + 2,4-D will be one (1) quart of

Picloram per acre + one (1) pint of 2, 4-D per acre. All chemicals will be applied with 10-40 gallons of water per acre. The contractor shall adhere to the application rate the label and the Government has determined for each site. The rate will be within the product label rate.

3.3 Adjuvants

A. A high-quality non-ionic surfactant of at least 80% active principal will be used at manufacturer’s recommended rates in the tank mix. Contractor shall supply all surfactant to be used. Contractor is responsible for disposal of mixed surfactant.

B. Drift agents may be used. If a drift control additive is used, read and carefully observe the cautionary statements and all other information appearing on the additive label. The Contractor shall provide the drift agent. Controlling drift is the responsibility of the Contractor.

C. If the Government desires that dye be used for marking sprayed areas, it will be provided by the

Government.

D. All drift agents, surfactants and dyes shall be handled as chemicals. (See Section 7.0 - Safety).

E. No additional payment will be made to the Contractor for the use of Contractor furnished drift agents or

Government-Furnished surfactant and dyes. These expenses shall be included in the unit price bid per acre for herbicide spraying.

http://www.idahofireinfo.com/

4.0 EQUIPMENT

4.1 General: The Contractor shall inventory/treat designated areas in conformance with these specifications and the

Detailed Specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, supplies, and materials required to complete the job. The Contractor shall furnish properly equipped personnel experienced in identifying noxious weed species. The Contractor shall service and repair his/her equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on work. Contractor is responsible for all costs incidental to equipment move-in and move-out associated with the project.

4.2 Equipment

A. The Contractor shall furnish sufficient equipment to satisfactorily inventory the designated areas in the time specified as required in the Detailed Specifications. Equipment shall be capable of traveling at moderate speed. Contractor shall have communications with the Government by using cell phones.

4.3 Spray equipment

A. Spray Tanks: Spray solutions of the product shall be mixed, stored and applied using only stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic or plastic-lined steel containers.

B. Spray Nozzles: Contractor shall furnish a nozzle type that is designated for the intended application.

Refer to the Label for proper nozzles to comply with Drift Management Section.

C. Booms: Contractor shall furnish non-rust booms.

4.4 Work Crew

A. Applicators: Shall be furnished by the Contractor and shall meet certification requirements of Idaho

Regulations for this type of work.

B. Work Crew: Shall be furnished by the Contractor for inventorying for the presence of noxious weeds and loading/unloading of equipment. The Contractor shall furnish the necessary qualified mechanics for maintenance of equipment and shall furnish all fuel, oil, and service required for operation of equipment and vehicles. All expenses relating to maintenance and operation of equipment shall be included in the unit price bid per acre for herbicide spraying.

C. Work crews should be well trained in noxious weed identification in Idaho for all stages of development.

Work crews shall be well trained with the use of GPS units. A designated trained crew lead will need to be on-site during the duration of the project to secure project specification compliance.

4.5 Global Positioning System (GPS)

A. Requirement: A Trimble GPS or equivalent data collection unit that is capable of recording points, lines, and polygons. A data dictionary or geodatabase with required input fields will be provided to the contractor by the Government for data collection units.

B. Memory/Battery: Must be capable of storing and operating up to 8 hours of continuous project log data.

C. GPS data will be recorded in UTM’s with a Datum of North American Datum (NAD) 1983 (Conus)

Zone 12 North.

D. Contractor required to log GPS tracklog lines during all times of on-the-ground inventories.

E. The contractor is required to log GPS locations of infestation areas according to the BLM NISIMS Data

Standard, summarized below.

i. National Invasive Species Information Management System (NISIMS) Business Rules for GPS Mapping

1. Each infestation represents only one species; therefore, infestations may overlap. If multiple species are identified, then multiple infestation records should be generated.

2. Infestations of the same species must be 40 yards or 120 feet apart to be a unique infestation. Infestations closer than 40 yards (120 feet) shall be treated as one infestation.

3. When collecting a point stand in the center of the feature.

4. Do not allow a polygon to intersect itself. End or complete feature before reaching starting point.

5. Infestation points need to have an appropriate size class associated with each point:

a. Less than 0.10 acre

b. 0.10 – 0.50 acre

6. Infestations larger than 0.5 acre in size need to be mapped as a polygon.

5.0 EXECUTION OF WORK

5.1 Pre-Work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, a meeting may be requested by the Contracting Officer to be attended by the Contractor, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and the Project Inspector(s).

The meeting will be held at the Upper Snake Field Office at a time mutually agreeable to the Contractor and the

Contracting Officer to discuss the work schedule and to familiarize both parties with the responsibilities of each under this contract. At this time a work schedule showing dates, locations, equipment, and employees working on this project shall be provided by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer.

Progress Reports: Contractor will provide weekly progress summaries to the BLM Representative (COR and/or

PI). Regular communication between BLM Representatives and the contractor is required to help alleviate any problems or potential delays.

5.2 Environmental Conditions

A. Work Period: Spraying Operations will be permitted only during daylight hours. The Contractor will have a foreman on site prior to commencing daily application, during application, and will notify COR or Project Inspector of changing weather conditions. The COR or Project Inspector will allow Contractor to continue or stop application if weather factors dictate. The COR or Project Inspector will give the permission to start, approximately one (1) hour from notification of conditions, depending on location of project from the Idaho Falls Field Office.

B. Wind: Spraying shall not be done when the wind is greater than 10 mph constant or is less than 2 mph or as specified in the Label. The Contractor shall follow the Label Section on Spray Drift Management -

Wind. Local wind can influence wind patterns. Every applicator should be familiar with local wind patterns and how they affect drift.

C. Relative Humidity: Refer to the product label when making applications in low relative humidity conditions. Measurements can be obtained from local National Weather Service.

D. Site Conditions: No treatment spraying will be allowed under the following conditions:

i. Winds greater than 10 mph.

ii. During a rain or snow.

iii. Within 4 hours after rain or snow, unless approved in writing by the COR.

iv. When there is obvious surface run-off on work site

v. Will not be directly applied to water.

vi. Applicators will not be allowed to broadcast spray within 25 feet of agricultural crops or residences.

vii. If Stage II Fire Restrictions are implemented as outlined in the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan.

5.3 Surveying/Spraying

A. On-the-ground grid surveys required, minimum 25-yard spacing between workers/applicators with 100% coverage of entire project boundary. Herbicide applications will be conducted on all noxious weed species found. See Detailed Specifications.

B. Coverage: The entire area within the designated boundaries of the project area shall receive uniform coverage with the herbicide except for areas excluded by the Government. Areas excluded from the spraying operation within the designated boundaries, will not be included in the acreage computed for payment. Any areas not covered by the Contractor shall be reapplied or compensated by suitable contract adjustment, at the option of and at no additional cost to the Government. (See section 5.6 Field Quality

Control and Section 5.9 Completion of Contract)

C. Rate of Spraying: Herbicide shall be applied as follows: The recommended chemical herbicide application rate for Telar XP + 2,4-D will be one and one half (1.5) ounces of Telar per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, for Aminopyralid + 2,4-D it will be seven (7) ounces of Aminopyralid per acre + one (1) pint of 2,4-D per acre, and for the Picloram + 2,4-D will be one (1) quart of Picloram per acre + one (1) pint of 2, 4-D per acre. Contractor will be required to demonstrate that they can provide adequate and uniform coverage. Contractor shall furnish mixing equipment, suitable work crew, and perform mixing operation. Application formulation shall be applied thoroughly according to the Label and distributed over entire infested area. Distribution of herbicide shall not vary more than ten percent (10%) above or below the average distribution of herbicide per acre from that specified.

D. Application Paths: Shall be patterned to secure a uniform distribution of herbicide. Avoid overlapping, and no stripping shall be allowed. Applicators will not be allowed to broadcast spray within 25 feet of agricultural crops or residences. Spot spraying is allowed within 25 feet of an agricultural field to limit drift potential.

E. Application Height: Spray boom shall be set at a height to obtain proper distribution and uniform coverage of herbicide on target species. Contractor shall follow Herbicide Label instructions on Spray

Drift Management to obtain proper boom height.

F. Spray Drift Management: The interaction of many equipment and weather-related factors determines the potential for spray drift. The Contractor is responsible for considering all these factors when making application decisions. Avoiding spray drift is the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.4 Sprayer Clean up: Shall be conducted according to the label instructions. Avoiding contamination of the work site is the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.5 Field Quality Control: The Government representative will make tests to determine uniformity of herbicide application and survey compliance. Randomly spaced water sensitive cards or equivalent will be utilized.

A. Tests for Rate of Application: Rate of spraying will be determined from test applications and strip tests made prior to commencement of spraying operations to establish setting of the distribution mechanism.

B. GPS data from the Trimble GPS units will be used to ensure compliance of surveys. GPS lines will be recorded during all times of survey. GPS data will be used to create an ArcGIS shape file to determine surveyed areas.

5.6 Work stoppages: The Contractor agrees to work diligently to complete the application of the herbicide. The

Government reserves the right to stop spraying operations at any time when conditions are considered sufficiently unfavorable to warrant stoppage. Stoppage shall continue until spraying operations are again authorized by the

Government. Because of the nature of the work, any time for which work is suspended by the Government because of unsuitable spraying conditions or Stage II Fire Restrictions will not be counted against the contract completion time. However, no monetary compensation will be given to the Contractor by reason of such work suspension.

5.7 Termination for convenience of the Government: Because of the nature of the work, the Contracting Officer may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate this contract, in whole or in part, when it is in the best interest of the

Government. To the extent that this contract is so terminated, the Government shall be liable only for payment in accordance with the payment provisions of this contract for work satisfactorily completed prior to the effective date of termination.

5.8 Completion of contract: The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all areas furnished to the Contractor by the Government have been inventoried/treated to the standards specified above. Test for uniformity will be made at the time of spraying, and final completion of the contract will be determined by these tests.

5.9 Risk damages: The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for any or all damages to persons or property in connection with the execution of work by employees of the

Contractor.

6.0 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

6.1 Method of Measurement

A. Units: Survey’s and application of herbicide solution will be measured and paid for by the number of acres sprayed to the nearest whole acre.

B. Measurement: Measurement for payment for surveying/spraying will be the actual area, in acres, within the designated boundaries satisfactorily surveyed/sprayed in conformance with these specifications.

Measurement will be made from either physical surveys of the areas or a computer-generated shapefile created from GPS data at the option of Government. The shapefile will be used in ArcGIS for final acreage measurement. Acreages will be computed from horizontal distances as shown on maps at the option of Government.

C. Remeasurement: Remeasurement of the acreage under this contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor. The request for remeasurement must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after completion of the work. If remeasurement indicates a difference of not more than 5% from the original measurement, the Contractor shall pay the actual cost of the remeasurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5%. Where the difference is less than 5%, the results of the first measurement will be used.

6.2 Basis of Payment:

A. Payment: Payment will be made at the unit price per treated acre specified in the Bid Schedule which is made a part hereof and shall include the cost of all work described in this paragraph and the Detailed

Specifications, including any respraying, if such work is required.

7.0 SAFETY

7.1 Transportation of herbicides: The Contractor shall be responsible for the transport of herbicides used to fulfill the specifications of this contract. The Contractor shall secure herbicide containers in mixing area to prevent spillage.

Contractor shall be responsible for the herbicide’s protection from loss or damage due to weather, rodents, insects, theft, or any other hazard. Any herbicide damaged or lost while in the custody of the Contractor will be replaced by the Contractor at the Contractors expense.

7.2 Protective clothing and equipment for contract employees exposed to herbicides: The Contractor shall supply protective clothing and equipment to contract workers that guarantee minimal exposure throughout the herbicide application process. The Contractor shall follow all advice on protective clothing and equipment which appears on the herbicide label and/or SDS documentation. The Contractor shall make available cleanup facilities to contract employees exposed to herbicides or herbicide-contaminated equipment.

7.3 Storage of herbicides: Contractor required to have locked storage for herbicide concentrate containers and keep herbicide locked-up while unattended. The capacity of the locked storage should be large enough for 25 gallons of herbicide in 2.5-gallon sized individual containers.

7.4 Mixing and application of herbicides:

A. The Contractor shall mix herbicides in accordance with the proportions listed on the product labels. The

Contractor shall provide adequate protective clothing and equipment for contract employees who mix the herbicides.

B. By law, the application of an herbicide, either directly or through drift, must not expose workers or other people. The Contractor shall be very aware and cautious of any environmental hazard present during herbicide application. Upon completion of herbicide application, the Contractor shall thoroughly clean equipment and dispose of waters, residues, rinses, and unused herbicides only according to EPA and

Idaho State regulations. All empty herbicide containers will be tripled rinsed, labels removed, and punctured by the Contractor after mixing. The Contractor shall be responsible for disposal of the empty boxes, labels, empty containers, and lids.

7.5 Spills and accidents: The Contractor shall be responsible if accidents and chemical spills occur. The Contractor shall report immediately spills and accidents to the BLM authorized officers and appropriate local authorities. The

Contractor shall provide immediate treatment of contaminated or injured persons and seek professional medical attention when necessary. The Contractor shall control chemical spills quickly and shall secure additional help when the Contractor cannot effectively or safely handle the spill cleanup. Spills will be the responsibility of the

Contractor and shall be cleaned up to the satisfaction of the local authorities.

GLOSSARY

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: The chemicals in an herbicide which control the targeted brush species.

ADJUVANT: An inert material added to an herbicide formulation or tank mix to increase the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

DRIFT: The movement of airborne particles by air motion or wind away from the intended target area.

EMERGENCE: The act of a germinating seedling breaking through the soil surface.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: Plant or animal species that are in danger of extinction through all or a significant part of their range.

LABEL: All written, printed, or graphic matter on or attached to pesticide containers as required by law.

RATE: The amount of active ingredient or acid equivalent applied per unit area or other treatment unit.

THREATENED SPECIES: Plant or animal species that are not in danger of extinction but are likely to be classified as Endangered within the foreseeable future.

SENSITIVE SPECIES: Plant or animal species (as designated by the Idaho BLM State Director) that are managed by the BLM to ensure that agency actions do not contribute to the need to list any species as Threatened or Endangered in the future.