A04_SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

ELKO DISTRICT - 2024 FALL HERBICIDE TREATMENT

1. GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

A. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management is acquiring vegetation treatment services on selected sites administered by the Elko District. The work consists of applying herbicides in select locations on BLM administered lands for the control of annual grasses including cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata. Ground disturbance is not allowed due to the potential to cause additional ground disturbance, the likelihood of spreading weeds, and impacts to cultural resources that are susceptible to damage by overland travel. The contractor shall determine the appropriate application method, with consideration of terrain limitations and presence of potential hazards in the project area. There are 7 project areas totaling 6,807 acres and are located throughout the Elko District BLM. They include the following: Smith Ranch & Cottonwood (874 acres), Tosawihi (139 acres), Owhyee (3850 acres), Bald Mountain (372 acres), Dixie (989 acres), Upper Willow Creek Ridge (125 acres), Toano Fuel Break (458 acres).

Applicable Directives

Contractor(s) must hold a current Nevada Commercial Applicator License for application of pesticides in the weed control category appropriate for application type (Proof of licensing shall be provided prior to contract award. All vegetation control measures shall comply with the provisions set forth in the Record of Decision for the Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic EIS, (September 2007) and all federal, state, and local regulations.

Location and Description

Overview Map and Location Maps are attached and show the project areas in which the treatment units are located. Contractor will not treat areas outside of identified work areas.

B. SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL

It is required that the areas shown on the attached Location Maps, and as described in the Statement of Work, be treated in accordance with the specifications for each unit. The Contractor shall treat designated areas in conformance with these specifications. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish at work sites all equipment, labor, supplies, and materials required to complete the job. The Contractor shall be responsible for service and repair equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on work.

GPS REQUIREMENTS:

1. GPS/ARC/INFO compatible navigation system: Equipment shall be equipped with a GPS Guidance/Tracking system capable of accepting and utilizing ARC/INFO GIS Shape files (.shp) and of directly supplying Shape files (.shp) of treatment coverage to the Government upon completion of each treated area or as required by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Project Inspector (PI).

2. Differentially Corrected Global Positioning System (DGPS): DGPS is required for tracking, and data collection. The Contractor shall provide all guidance equipment, materials, computers, printers, personnel, and services required for the system to be used. The system shall be sufficiently sensitive to provide immediate deviation indications (real-time). The DGPS system must be capable of determining a differentially corrected location with an error of no more than one to two meters in the horizontal plane. The guidance system shall be capable of updating current position at a rate of a minimum of one time per second. Differential correction must cover the complete operational area. During operation, differentially corrected signal must be accurately recorded at least 90% of the operational time. Differential correction may be provided by a portable differential station, FM radio fixed towers, or satellite.

Software provided with DGPS must be designed for parallel offset in increments equal to the assigned swath width of the application equipment.

3. Equipment Requirements:

Software: Software provided with DGPS must be designed for parallel offset in increments equal to the assigned swath width of the application equipment.

Project Log: Must be capable of a minimum rate of one-second logging intervals. Full record includes position, time altitude, speed, track, application system on/off, job name/number, and differential correction status. The computer program must be capable of calculating and show total acres treated during the application and capable of downloading to a computer for analysis and review. The project log must show and differentiate between spray-on and spray-off when viewed on a computer monitor or printer. Export files of each project log shall be provided electronically and must be compatible with ArcView or ARC-INFO GIS system. The Contractor may provide software that is compatible, and which will enable the files to convert into viewable files for ArcView or ARC-INFO GIS. The Contractor will provide project log data at the end of each day’s application (via email is preferred). Additionally, the Contractor must, upon request by the COR or PI, be able to supply project log data on a USB memory drive for review at any time during the contract. The Contract will not be considered complete until the data has been reviewed and deemed complete with no skips in the sprayed areas. The DGPS system must be capable of zooming in on any portion of the treatment to view a specific area with greater detail.

Hardware: Visual Display Monitor and Control Keypad: (1) Capable of displaying swath width over project path: (2) mounted in a location that will allow the applicator to view the screen; (3) have a method to display nested polygons to indicate sensitive or no-spray areas within or adjacent to treatment blocks: (4) have a feature that allows the applicator to return to the exact location of application shutdown and complete application without omitted or doubled treated areas: (5) be able to input reference waypoints (A-B line): (6) have a feature which alerts applicator when they are about to enter or exit a specific treatment block or an exclusion area within a block.

Memory: Must be capable of storing up to 10 hours of continuous project log data.

Log: Must be capable of calculating and showing total acres treated during treatment, must show the entire track of the equipment from beginning to end and differentiate between spray drop-on and spray drop-off. A color printout and Export files shall be provided on a standard removable drive, USB Drive, or other appropriate media approved by the contracting officer and the Elko District Office and must be compatible with ARC/INFO GIS. Shapefiles are the required file format.

SPECIFIC TASKS

1. Contractor shall provide a completed Pesticide Application Record (PAR) for the treated site (see attached PAR template). At a minimum, one PAR per treatment area and/or pilot per day must be completed. Each PAR will match the corresponding project log data. The contractor must, upon request by the COR or PI, be able to supply PARs for review at any time during the contract. The Contractor shall submit final PARs no later than 7 business days after applying the herbicide specified in this contract.

2. An ESRI ArcGIS shapefile/project log containing treated areas is required daily. The shapefile will be in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 11 datum NAD83. Contact information (i.e. email and phone number) for whom the Contractor will provide project log data will be given to the Contractor during the Pre-Work Conference.

3. Herbicide will be applied utilizing water as a carrier, with no less than 2 gallons/acre of tank mix applied.

4. To minimize the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plant species on public lands, all equipment must be cleaned prior to on-site arrival.

5. All roads (public and private) damaged or opened by the Contractor shall be restored at no cost to the Government to their condition prior to commencement of work.

6. Contractor will be responsible for managing public access to the project areas during treatment activities (i.e. signage).

7. If sensitive, endangered, or threatened species (plant or animal) are discovered within the treatment area the contractor is to immediately notify the COR/PI. The Government may issue a suspend work and/or partially terminate any portion of the work due to discoveries of sensitive, threatened, endangered species or archeological sites during contract operations.

8. The Government may issue a suspend work order and/or partially terminate any portion of the work at any time when application conditions are considered sufficiently unfavorable to warrant stoppage. Stoppage shall continue until application operations are again authorized by the Government. No monetary compensation will be given to the contractor for work suspensions.

9. Whenever a specification: Agency, State or Federal law; or label direction has a contradiction, the most stringent interpretation shall take precedence.

10. Herbicide shall not be applied within 100 feet of water sources (troughs, ponds, open water) or within 300 feet of any potential or existing Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) habitat. Water sources and LCT habitat will be marked on the GIS layer or map and given to the Contractor prior to herbicide application. Contractor is expected to apply the herbicide consistent with the maps and shapefiles provided by the BLM.

11. Wind velocities for chemical applications of herbicides must be 6 mph or less at the application site. The contractor is responsible for checking conditions at the application site using a device that provides quantitative data (for example a Kestrel).

12. Application shall not be made during a rainstorm, snowstorm, or when the ground is frozen.

13. Application shall be patterned in such a manner as to secure as high a uniformity of herbicide distribution as possible.

14. DGPS navigation unit shall insure straight and regular application paths. Irregular paths will result in immediate stoppage of work. Corrective action shall be taken immediately by the contractor to insure evenly spaced, straight, and regular paths and complete coverage of areas included in the spraying job. The entire surface within the designated boundaries of the project area shall receive uniform coverage with herbicide except for areas excluded by the Government. Areas excluded from the herbicide operation within the designated boundaries, will not be included in the acreage computed for payment. Dispersal methods must be able to obtain proper distribution and uniform coverage of herbicide.

2.0 PROPERTY AND SERVICES

A. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

1. This is an End Product contract. The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, fuel, chemical, water (for application), supervision, supplies and incidentals to perform all work as set forth in the specifications. The contractor will be responsible for the transportation and storage of the supplies and equipment used for the project.

2. The Contractor shall be responsible for safely transporting, storing and disposal of the herbicide (and disposal of herbicide containers).

a. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the application of the herbicide meets all label specifications and complies with all Federal, State, and Local regulations (most restrictive of these shall be followed). The contractor shall be responsible for cleanup of accidental spills, following proper handling and storage precautions, and ensuring proper exposure control and personal protection is provided as defined by the herbicide label and Safety Data Sheets.

3. Approved Herbicides and Adjuvants:

Application will be completed using a tank mixture containing the herbicide active ingredient imazapic and a deposition aid/drift control agent. The prescribed products will have the following EPA registration numbers and are approved for use on BLM lands:

a. 2024 Elko District Fall Broadcast Herbicide – 7483 acres (all nine project areas)

i. For imazapic: Plateau 241-365, Panoramic 2SL 66222-141-81927, or Nufarm Imazapic 2SL 71368-99.

· Rate: 6 fluid ounces/acre (must be equivalent to 0.09375 lbs active ingredient/ acre) for Owyhee, Bald Mountain, Dixie, Upper Willow Creek Ridge, and Toano.

· Rate: 8 fluid ounces/acre (must be equivalent to 0.125 lbs active ingredient/ acre) for Smith Ranch & Cottonwood, and Tosawihi.

ii. For deposition aid/drift control Agent: Infuse, Grounded or equivalent at label rate compatible with pre-emergent herbicide imazapic. Also see Attachment: Elko District BLM Approved Adjuvants.

B. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

1. The Government will provide maps with the project area boundaries, and shapefiles of the project area boundaries (for GPS upload). Government will not be responsible for loading this information onto Contractor devices or equipment.

3.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

A. FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

a. The COR/PI will monitor to determine uniformity of herbicide application. Randomly placed drift cards will be utilized. If less than 90% of drift cards show herbicide coverage, the contractor will be required to retreat those areas at no additional cost to the Government.

b. The Government reserves the right to stop treatment operations at any time when conditions are considered sufficiently unfavorable to warrant stoppage. Stoppage shall continue until operations are again authorized by the Government. No monetary compensation will be given to the Contractor for work suspensions.

B. EXPECTED DELIVERY OR PERFORMANCE TIMES

a. The period of performance is from 9/16/2024 and must be completed no later than 10/16/2024. Government preference is starting and completing the project as quickly as possible, however due to weather conditions during this time, soil moisture, soil temperature, timeframes may need to be re-negotiated.

b. There will be a Pre-Work conference prior to the start of the project at an agreed upon date between the COR and the Contractor. At the prework conference the Contractor shall provide the COR with a “work progress” plan that details his/her proposed workforce and schedule to provide for orderly completion of the work within the contract performance times. This work schedule must be acceptable to the government. At a minimum, the schedule should reflect a work progress rate equal to the available amount of contract performance time. The unit sequence work schedule will be determined by the COR at the prework conference but may be subject to change because of normal variations in weather conditions.

c. The Contractor shall begin work within 7 calendar days from the effective notice to proceed. The Contractor shall continue performance of the work under the contract without delay or interruption except by causes beyond the contractors control as defined by contract clauses, or by the receipt of a “Suspend Work Order” issued by the Government. Failure to do so may be cause for action under the “Default” clause. The Contractor shall complete all work required within the time specified.

d. The Contractor shall contact the authorized BLM Contracting Officers Representative or Project Inspector (COR/PI) 72 hours prior to implementing any work specified in this contract.

C. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) AND/OR PROJECT INSPECTOR (PI)

The COR and/or PI will be appointed by the Contracting Officer upon award of the contract. Such COR/PI will be responsible for giving the contractor any special instructions or guidance necessary to complete delivery as required by the contract. The COR or PI does not have the authority to modify or in any way amend the terms of this contract.

D. PRE-BID TOUR

A site visit of the contract area will not be conducted. The project area is in a publicly accessible location, and it is at the bidders’ discretion to view the project area and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

E. SAFETY

The contractor is responsible for providing a safety plan that identifies a point of contact in the event of any accident. The plan should include names and emergency phone numbers for personnel and facilities to contact, including Flight for Life/Life Flight/Care Flight, etc., in case an emergency warrants such actions. The plan should also include a description of on-site emergency procedures to follow in case of an accident. The plan should identify the insurance company providing coverage and the pertinent group coverage number.

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to identify all hazards within the work area. The Contractor shall take all appropriate precautions.

The Contractor shall be responsible if chemical spills occur. The Contractor shall report spills and accidents immediately 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.

4.0 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

a. Application of liquid herbicide will be measured and paid for by the number of acres treated to the nearest acre.

b. Measurement for payment for herbicide treatment will be the actual area, in acres, within the designated boundaries satisfactorily treated in conformance with these specifications. Measurement will be made from either physical surveys of the areas or a computer-generated file created in a GPS Differential Guidance System at the option of the BLM. 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 the BLM.

c. If the quantity of a unit-priced item in this contract is an estimated quantity and the actual quantity of the unit-priced item varies more than 15 percent above or below the estimated quantity, an equitable adjustment in the contract price shall be made upon demand of either party. The equitable adjustment shall be based upon any increase or decrease in costs due solely to the variation above 115% or below 85% of the estimated quantity. If the quantity variation is such as to cause an increase in the time necessary for the completion the contractor may request, in writing, an extension of time, to be received by the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the beginning of the delay, or within such further period as may be granted by the Contracting Officer before the date of final settlement of the contract. Upon receipt of a written request for an extension, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and make and adjustment for extending the completion date as, in the judgment of the Contracting Officer, is justified.

5.0 Unmanned Aircraft System

a. Aviation Utilization: If UAS will be utilized (i.e., Unmanned Aircraft System) please describe the equipment to be used, compliant with OPM-35 and DOI covered UAS assessment Guide Version 4.0 (see attached).

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT 1 - Location Maps (7 project areas): Smith Ranch & Cottonwood, Tosawihi, Owyhee, Bald Mountain, Dixie, Upper Willow Creek Ridge, Toano

ATTACHMENT 2 - Elko District BLM Approved Adjuvants

ATTACHMENT 3 - Elko District BLM Approved Herbicides

ATTACHMENT 4 - Pesticide Application Record (PAR) Template

ATTACHMENT 5 - OPM-35

ATTACHMENT 6 – UAS Assessment Guide Version 4.0