A05_PWS_ServiceWork_Hemlocks_GRSM2024_0002.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Treatment of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025

Background. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The park encompasses more than 800 square miles and is dominated by ancient mountains, with elevations ranging from 850 feet to 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome. The park is world-renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, beautiful scenery, and the size and integrity of the wilderness sanctuary within its boundaries. More than 19,000 species have been documented in the park. No other area of equal size in a temperate climate can match the park’s diversity of plants, animals, and invertebrates. This is evident in the park’s status as the core unit of one of America’s few International Biosphere Reserves (1988) and its designation as a World Heritage Site (1983).

GRSM preserves a vast expanse of the southern Appalachian Mountains ecosystem including its scenic beauty, extraordinary diversity of natural resources, and rich human history, and provides opportunities for the enjoyment and inspiration of present and future generations.

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), or HWA, is a non-native insect pest that has been decimating Eastern Hemlocks in the eastern United States. HWA was discovered in GRSM in 2002 and was most likely present at sub-detection levels for several years prior.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) are particularly vulnerable to the damage caused by HWA as there is no evolved resistance known and there are no native predators. Biological control efforts such as releasing beetle and fly species are also underway. HWA feed by inserting piercing mouthparts at the base of hemlock needles and in the process cause cellular changes to plant tissues. Trees needles begin to yellow, prematurely drop, and trees stop producing new growth. In effect, the trees are starved of the photosynthetic process. Tree death can occur within three to five years after infestation. HWA feeds on all age classes of hemlock, from old growth to seedlings, and all are equally affected by HWA.

Consequently, hemlock regeneration is unlikely in infested forests, creating the real threat of ecological extinction for this specie and eliminating their role on the landscape, without intervention. Information about Eastern Hemlock trees may be obtained by following the internet address;

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=TSCA or by contacting the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Information about HWA may be obtained by following the internet address;

https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/hemlock-woolly-adelgid or by contacting the COR.

The goal of this service contract is to suppress HWA populations, protect and preserve the valuable resource of Hemlock trees for the benefit of aesthetic, recreational, and ecological importance. The service contract will involve treating Eastern Hemlock tree species by placing an approved pesticide in tablet form or packet form soil drenching method just below the soil surface. Details listed below.

1. Required Services. The contract requires treatment to base items: Site #1, #2. *Optional acreage with sites #3-#6 may be added. Service Contract is subject to funding and All some or none of these may be awarded. The contractor will provide all but not limited to supervision, labor, and tools/equipment necessary to apply the treatment. GRSM will provide the tablet soil treatment and soil drench packets. Optional acreage may be added. Ratio of treatable trees to acres may vary from stand https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=TSCA https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/hemlock-woolly-adelgid to stand. All sites are within the GRSM (see attached maps). Service Contract is subject to funding. All, some or none of these may be awarded.

Sites for treatment and protocol are as follows:

Site

Site Name Treatment Protocol Acres

1 Scott Gap Imidacloprid soil drench treatment: =>6” DBH 23 +/-

2 Lower Abrams Creek Tablet soil treatment: =>6” DBH 83+/-

3 Abrams Fish Trail Imidacloprid soil drench treatment: =>6” DBH 56+/-

4 Deep Creek Trail Horse 098 Tablet soil treatment: =>6” DBH 41+/-

5 Winding Stair Upper 426 Tablet soil treatment: =>6” DBH 33+/-

6 Boogerman Loop 079 Imidacloprid soil drench treatment: =>6” DBH 124+/-

1a. Overview of treatment methods and associated requirements.

• The contractor will be responsible for the identification of the target specie and of similar appearing non-target species. In addition, some areas may contain sensitive native species (including but not limited to small mammals, insects, plants, lichens, bryophytes, mosses, liverworts and others) that must be avoided and must not be impacted by treatment activities.

Special care must be taken on steep terrain to prevent damage from erosion. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will provide information regarding sensitive species of concern after contract award.

• All treatment activities will be properly documented by vendor personnel. The vendor is required to assign one person (preferably the on-site supervisor) to maintain such records and submit copies to the COR. Forms to be used will be provided by the COR. Vendor personnel responsible for maintaining records will be provided with proper training and instruction for completing required forms by the COR, with a time and date for such training and instruction to be scheduled with the COR prior to any treatment activities. Treatment forms are to be submitted to the COR on a regular basis, with the schedule for submission to be defined by the COR after contract award and prior to initiation of treatments. See Data collection section below.

• At minimum the on-site supervisor is required to possess a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certification issued by the state of North Carolina or Tennessee Department of Agriculture and/or to be an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Applicator certifications will be in the Forest Pest Control or Ornamentals and Turf grass Pest Control categories. Proof of certifications must be submitted to the COR prior to treatments.

• A minimum of two employees are required to be on site during treatments due to the remote locations of treatment sites.

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and label information for chemicals utilized will be made available to personnel at the work site. Such information may be obtained by contacting the COR. This information will be carried by on-site supervisor when in the park.

• Sites may be on or near park boundary; Check with COR to determine park boundary before treatments begin.

2. Contractor Responsibilities

• All treatment methods will be approved and periodically inspected by the COR. Note specific treatment protocol that will be used for each site.

Tablet Protocol:

• Tablet treatments will be made with tablet form of imidacloprid based on appropriate dose rate scale per DBH provided by COR. (Example: Coretec® Tree and Shrub Insecticide Tablets, 6” DBH-5 tablets, 16” DBH-23 tablets, 30” DBH-57 tablets)

Soil Drench Imidacloprid 75%WSP Protocol:

• All treatments will be mixed with a 1.6-ounce packet of imidacloprid and enough water to result in a final volume of 48 oz solution. This solution will be applied at a rate of 1 ounce per inch measured at DBH (4.5 feet from ground level) for all trees treated. (Example: 6” DBH- 6 ounces of solution, 20” DBH- 20 ounces of solution, 28” DBH- 28 ounces of solution)

• All hemlock trees in selected sites for soil drench will be treated evenly (demonstrated by COR) around the base of the tree with a soil drench or soil injection example Kioritz™ or NuArbor™ soil injector.

Data Collection Protocol:

• All data for treatments will be recorded in field on day(s) of treatment. Individual sites will be compiled onto one final form per site. COR will be presented completed field data forms by hardcopy or electronic mail within 3 business days after completion of treatment of each site.

• For reference marking purposes, each treated tree will be painted with tree marking paint, color determined by COR for each treatment site with a two (2”) inch diameter dot after it is treated.

The dot will be placed on the trunk two feet from ground surface and facing away from trails.

• Only trees that have a transparency rating between 0% and 75% will be treated. Contractor will be instructed (during site visit) if needed by COR or representative in USFS Crown Condition Classification to determine transparency rating. No trees with signs of Hemlock Borer (Melanophila fulvoguttata) damage will be treated.

• All trees treated will be recorded with individual number and diameter on COR approved GPS units and GIS data will be provided to COR on a regular basis.

• Under this contract, no imidacloprid will be applied within 10 feet of surface water. No treatments may take place during heavy rain, periods of surface run-off or while the soil is in a saturated state. Determination of soil saturation will be made by the COR or Representative.

Any trees that fall inside of the 10-foot buffer near surface water will be recorded on GPS unit with individual tree number and DBH (trunk diameter at 4.5 feet from ground level) recorded.

COR will supply more information on this prior to treatment.

• The contractor must have the ability to interpret topographic boundary maps of work sites using their own GPS equipment. Electronic copies of maps will be provided by the COR. Boundaries of work sites will not be flagged or marked before work period.

3. Government Furnished Property, Materials and Supplies

• All paint and pesticide will be supplied by the Government/COR/Representative.

• All needed chemical supplies will be picked up by Contractor at the Sugarland’s North District Maintenance Yard at 107 Park Headquarters Rd. Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738. A running tally of chemical withdrawn will be kept at the Vegetation Management building and warehouse.

4. Business Hours

The contractor shall coordinate specific on-site work schedule with the Contracting Officer and COR five days prior to performance start date. While on site, the COR may be reached by mobile phone during normal business hours. Any work outside of normal business hours shall be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer and COR.

5. Suggested Contractor Furnished Property, Materials & Supplies

• Safety Glasses

• Nitrile gloves

• Diameter tape: DBH measurement or Biltmore stick: DBH measurement down to =>6”.

• Reflective Safety Vest

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) MUST include all requirements listed on the pesticide label.

• PPE typically consists of nitrile gloves, long pants, socks and appropriate footwear, long sleeve shirts when applying pesticides. Potable water must be available on site. A safety and first aid kit should be available for immediate use while working. Snake protection boots or chaps are recommended. All PPE may be subject to inspection and approval by the COR prior to use, and questions regarding PPE should be submitted to the COR.

6. Management

• The contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on-time completion of this contract. PRIME contractor has to be at the site daily while work is being performed.

7. Safety & Environmental Compliance

• The contractor shall comply with pertinent provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and state, local, safety, laws.

• The contractor shall comply with pertinent Environmental Protection Agency laws and regulations.

• The GRSM safety officer has the authority to issue restraint or cease-and-desist orders to the contractor when violations or unsafe acts are present and threaten Government and contractor employees, visitors and/or damage to Government property.

• The contractor shall immediately report to the Contracting Officer, COR and GRSM safety officer all accidents resulting in employee injury or death and/or damage to property while performing this contract.

7a. Suggested Safety Equipment

• Safety items: A first aid and safety kit must be always available while working. Kit contents should include eyewash, insect sting medication (benzocaine wipes and/or Benadryl tablets), poison ivy cream, various size bandages, antiseptic wipes, bandage tape and small scissors, burn cream, and other common first aid kit items. Further recommendations of Safety items and/or potential suppliers may be obtained by contacting the COR.

7b. Additional Safety requirements specific to this contract

• Many of the treatment sites are off trail in hemlock stands. These areas are typically rugged with uneven ground, steep slopes, fallen trees, and thick undergrowth.

• All personnel should be briefed regarding terrain hazards, the possibility to encounter potentially hazardous wildlife (venomous snakes and stinging insects, spiders, coyotes, bears, feral dogs and hogs, or other species) and plants, fungi or other organisms exhibiting toxic properties.

• All trails and roads in work areas will always remain open to the public. Care should be taken to prevent visitor exposure to chemicals and hazardous contractor activities. The treatments along roadways will be conducted with the safety of contract personnel and visitors as a high priority.

All personnel will be required to wear safety vest when working roadways. Chemical containers (Full or Empty) will not be left on roadway unsupervised. The Contractor must communicate with COR as to when roadwork will be performed.

Note: Administrative roads access will not be permitted for Contractor vehicle use. It is the responsibility of the contractor to access work sites.

8. Special Contract Requirements

Archeological Findings

• All work is subject to the Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 CFR 1B, Archaeological Resources Protection) and the Archeological Resource Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) (16 CFR 1B; 470aa – 470mm). Text of both documents may be obtained at http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/16/ch1B.html, or by contacting the COTR/COR.

Petroglyphs, artifacts, burial grounds or structural features, ceremonial, domestic and archeological objects of any nature, historic or prehistoric, found in the work area are the property of GRSM and will only be removed by GRSM Park personnel. Should the contractor’s operation uncover any archeological remains the contractor will immediately suspend operations at the site of discovery, notify the COR of the findings, and continue operations in other areas. Included in the notification will be a brief statement describing the location (preferably with UTM coordinates located with GPS technology) and a detailed description of the findings. Any archeological finding MUST NOT BE DISTURBED IN ANY MANNER AFTER DISCOVERY to protect the integrity of the site and preserve historic data. Should the temporary http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/16/ch1B.html suspension of work at the site result in delays, or the discovery site require archeological studies resulting in delays or additional work for the contractor, they will be compensated by an equitable adjustment under the General Provisions of the contract.

Control of Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution

• Operations will be scheduled and conducted to minimize erosion of soils to prevent siltation and/or excessive discharge of mud to streams, rivers, irrigation systems, and impoundments (ponds, lakes, reservoirs, etc.). The contractor will not be permitted to blade, doze, or slice the soil surface to remove vegetation. Soil disturbance should be minimized and prevented to the extent possible.

• Pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumen, raw sewage, and/or other potentially harmful materials will not be discharged onto the ground, into or near rivers, streams and impoundments, or into natural or manmade channels. The vendor is responsible for all clean up resulting from toxic spills and may be billed for costs of such cleanup if spills are discovered after job completion that may be shown to have been the result of vendor activities.

• All empty pesticide containers must be disposed of according to Label. Local recycling centers are available for such containers. Field rinsing of containers will be applied to target species outside the 10 ft buffer to surface water.

9. Insurance

The Contractor shall be insured in accordance with State of Tennessee and North Carolina insurance regulations. The Government is not responsible for damage to Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

• Workers Compensation: The contractor shall furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the Workers Compensation Laws of the State of Tennessee and North Carolina.

• Liability: The Contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

10. Motor Vehicle & Traffic Regulations

• Contractor employees operating motor vehicles shall possess a valid driver's license. Driver and vehicle permit, licenses, registrations and proof of insurance shall be always maintained in the vehicle and made available upon request. Contractor employees shall comply with federal vehicle motor law requiring seat belts be always worn. Contractor employees shall adhere to the posted speed limits.

11. Employee Signage / Parking

• All contractor employees shall comply with parking procedures published for the GRSM.

Contractor employees shall return any GRSM issued personal or vehicle identification signage immediately upon termination of employment or completion of this contract.

12. Replacement of Contractor Employee for Security Reasons

• The Government retains the right to request removal of the contractor’s employee(s), regardless of prior clearances.

13. Non-Payment for Additional Work

• Any additional contractor performed services not specified in contract, either at its own volition or at the request of an individual other than an appointed Contracting Officer, except as may be explicitly authorized in the contract, shall be performed at the financial risk of the contractor.

Only an appointed Contracting Officer is authorized to bind the Government to a change in specifications, contract terms, or conditions.

14. Conflict of Interest

• The contractor shall not employ off-duty COR’s or other Government employees if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in conflict-of-interest directives utilized by the GRSM.

15. Quality Control

• The contractor shall establish and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure the work performed conforms to the contract requirements. The Performance Requirements Summary establishes performance standards that are the minimum requirements for acceptable performance of required services. The contractor’s QCP shall address methods for remedying poor performance. The Contractor shall develop QCP and submit with proposal package. The Contractor’s QCP includes:

o What method do you use to ensure the contract is performed in accordance with the

PWS.

o Describe your typical courses of action when a problem does arise, or is addressed by

COR.

o Determine corrective measures and who will evaluate and correct deficiencies.

o Describe the record-keeping system in accordance with Paragraph 3 (Overview). Define the types of reports generated and the frequency of reporting.

16. Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

• The contractor performance requirements are summarized into required services that relates directly to successful contract completion. The performance standard identifies the minimum acceptable levels of service allowed.

PWS

Section

Required Service Standard Monitoring Method Incentive/

Disincentive

Overview of treatment methods

100% compliance

Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

Contractor Responsibilities

100% compliance

Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

7 Safety 100% compliance Random Inspection Performance

Evaluation

Special Contract Requirements

100% compliance

Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

17. Contractor Proposal Package

The following deliverables are to be submitted with offer in response to RFQ. The items listed below must be provided.

• Full understanding of the solicitation letter.

• Provide a technical approach to perform required services mentioned above.

• Provide Past Performance. Provide 3 completed projects in the last 5 years.

• Contractor safety plan. There are many safety items addressed in this document, Performance Work Statement, After Award.

• Contractor’s QCP, Paragraph 17 Performance Work Statement. After award.

• Proof of Insurance–General Business Liability & Workers Compensation. After Award

• Proof of Arborists certification, see Paragraph 1a of this document bullet point three.

• Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certification, see Paragraph 1a of this document bullet point.

18. Inspection

• In order for the COR or representative to monitor Contractor performance and give feedback;

no more than three sites shall be actively treated at one time. Final payment will be processed upon confirmation that all records from completed treatment site have been given to COR, all sites have been inspected for quality of completion and all contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected.

19. Site Evaluations

A site visit will be offered in advance of the submittal due date. The Contractor is responsible for field checking site conditions prior to submitting a bid. Failure of the Contractor to inspect sites prior to submitting a proposal will not constitute grounds for withdrawal of a proposal or of a claim after the award of the contract.