A05_PWS_0001.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS) BITH Herbicide 2025 B

1. Overview This requirement is for herbicide treatment of resprouting shrubs and hardwood trees following recent mechanical clearing/mulching as part of Longleaf pine savanna ecosystem restoration.

The park wishes to eliminate shrubs and hardwood trees that are currently resprouting from underground roots after mechanical treatments completed in 2024, ultimately to encourage the reestablishment of Longleaf pines, native grasses, and forbs. The sites will be maintained with prescribe fire following treatment.

2. Project Site Description Location: Big Sandy Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve near Dallardsville, TX.

Approximate coordinates: 30.629152, -94.662769 Description: The project site consists of 52 acres with an irregular boundary. It may be accessed by truck or UTV from several maintained fire breaks off of Farm-to-Market Road 1276. The site itself can be largely driven through by UTV. Staging areas for vehicles and equipment can be accommodated anywhere along roads or fire breaks in the park.

The project site was underbrush mulched in June 2024. The area contains target species 1-3 feet in height, multi-stemmed, with total canopy cover of 50-70%. 3 acres were treated with herbicide in 2024, which shall be re-treated in 2025, but the rest of the 52 acres have not been treated previously.

Target species include Yaupon holly, Sweetgum, American beautyberry, Southern wax myrtle, Oaks (Water oak, Southern red oak, Post oak, Blackjack oak, others), Carolina buckthorn, and occasionally other woody shrubs and hardwoods.

Potable water for herbicide mixing or drinking may be accessed from an NPS housing unit approximately 4.5 miles from the project site at no cost to the contractor.

Please see attached file “A05 Map_Photos” for project area.

3. Work Description Potential application methods: (1) Foliar spray via backpack sprayer and ground crew and/or, (2) foliar spray by wand sprayer from UTV. The contractor is prohibited from utilizing All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV)s on National Park Service lands. ATV is defined as: A motorized off-highway vehicle (OHV) traveling on four or more low-pressure tires, having a seat to be straddled by the operator and a handlebar for steering control.

Application via drone or helicopter is not permitted.

Approved products: Triclopyr (3A or 4 of any brand), surfactant (any brand), spray dye (any brand).

Final spray mix should be a minimum of 2.22% active ingredient (e.g. 5% product dilution for standard 44.4% a.i. triclopyr 3A concentrate) or other rate approved by the product label.

Target species: All woody shrubs and hardwood trees less than 5 feet in height within the project boundary.

Success rate: must be >90% reduction in target species canopy cover. Shrubs/hardwoods over 5 feet tall at the time of treatment are not included as targets.

No ESA threatened or endangered species are present in the project sites and NEPA compliance is complete for the project.

4. Timeframe Performance period: Within 45 days of receipt of award, services under this PWS shall commence and be completed within 30 calendar days thereafter; period of performance shall be 75 days after release of award. Anticipated release of award date is on or around April 30th, 2025.

5. Other Deliverables

a. Daily application log

b. Daily GPS tracks of spray crew or polygons of treated areas (submitted with invoices)

6. Designated National Park Service (NPS) Representatives The Contracting Officer (CO) can award and modify the contract. The CO is the only individual authorized to approve changes in terms, conditions, time of performance, or payment requests, or in work resulting in adjustments to costs.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) acting on behalf of the CO, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the contract services, which include review of work in progress. The COR will be responsible for inspecting operations outlined in this SOW and will recommend approval or disapproval to the CO. Additionally, the COR will approve invoicing prior to input into IPP.gov for payment.

Any arrangements or agreements made regarding the administration and execution of this contract with persons other than the CO or their designee will not be considered binding upon the Government.

7. Post-Award Meeting Prior to commencing work, the park COR will arrange a meeting with the contractor, CO, and any subcontractors to discuss at minimum:

Project work and requirements Roles and responsibilities General park rules and regulations Work schedule Accident reporting and emergency response Site access routes, staging areas, and water access Site inspections/work evaluation No-spray areas Billing and payment schedule Exchange of contact information Exchange of project maps and GIS files

8. Other Conditions The Contractor shall furnish all necessary personnel, vehicles, materials, equipment, and services required to complete the specifications identified in this Statement of Work.

The Contractor shall meet current Texas state pesticide applicator’s license requirements and have substantial experience and knowledge in field plant identification and current Federal, State and local safety regulations pertaining to transportation, handling, mixing, storage, and on-site use of herbicides. A copy of the site supervisor’s Texas state applicator’s license must be provided with response to solicitation and to the COR prior to commencing work while still be a valid license throughout the performance of the PWS.

The Contractor shall ensure protection of the work site from excessive human impacts. Material including but not limited to food, containers, bottles, cigarette butts, and human waste shall be removed from the site. The operation of all vehicles and equipment shall be done in a manner appropriate to the site that does not adversely impact soil resources, non-target vegetation, buildings, or other components of the work site. The Contractor shall be responsible for the on-site security of equipment and materials.

The Contractor is to follow, at a minimum, the regulations, laws, policies, and guidelines of the National Park Service (NPS) and all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and procedures.

Daily operational hours and weekly schedule will be agreed upon with the park COR. The contractor, COR, and CO will negotiate a schedule for invoicing. The park COR must receive treatment documentation (daily application logs and GIS maps) prior to approving payment.

Specific chemical products used by the contractor must be submitted to the park COR at least 7 days prior to use to allow for approval in the NPS Pesticide Use and Proposal System. Final mix formulations must comply with product label instructions. Applications cannot be made during sustained wind speeds greater than 10 mph at ground level to avoid damage to non-target vegetation due to drift. Applications cannot be made if local weather forecasts indicate a 50% or greater chance of rain within 4 hours. Overspray onto non-target vegetation including grasses, broadleaf forbs, and Longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) should be minimized where possible.

The COR will flag or provide maps of any no-spray areas within project sites. Wetlands or areas with standing water in the project sites shall not be treated. The COR may conduct site inspections to evaluate performance.

9. Payment/Invoicing Payment will be based on satisfactory contract performance and acceptance of the services performed. Final acceptance of service performed cannot be confirmed until the Evidence of Efficacy is identifiable. Evidence of Efficacy shall be defined as 100% application to 100% of the defined area within this PWS and meet the Success Rate noted above in section “3. Work Description”. Evidence of Efficacy cannot be determined until 14 days after the final herbicide application. It is the contractor’s responsibility to report this date to the COR and CO.

Therefore, upon completion of efforts of this PWS , the Contractor shall only be permitted to submit for payment of 90% of the contracted value. The Final Invoice, 10% of the contracted value, shall be submitted upon final acceptance by the government which shall not be provided until the Evidence of Efficacy date has been reached.