A04_RFQ_SOW__Big_Pond_Unit_1.pdf

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Roland Davis

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Region 2

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Herbicide Treatment of Chinese Tallow San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Big Pond Unit

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PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Treatment of Chinese Tallow on the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

Big Pond Unit

Revision 1

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide herbicide application for treatment of invasive

Chinese tallow trees (Triadica sebifera) for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service). The Service shall not exercise any supervision or control over service providers performing part or all the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Service.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all herbicide, surfactant, drift control, personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, supervision, and other items and non-personnel services necessary to perform herbicide application of Clearcast, IMOX, or Castaway (active ingredient (a.i.):

ammonium salt of imazamox 12.1%) to 308 acres on the Big Pond Unit of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

(Refuge). The contractor shall meet the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: Conservation of the Columbia Bottomlands ecosystem is a biological priority for the Texas

Mid-coast Refuges Complex. The Columbia Bottomlands provide important stopover habitat for neotropical migratory birds as well as refugia for resident wildlife species and are considered an imperiled ecosystem that is rapidly dwindling from urban development, fragmentation, and conversion to agricultural uses. The hardwood forests of the Columbia Bottomlands also fall within the range of the Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), a species proposed for Federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The presence of invasive Chinese tallow trees deviates from the refuge’s management priority to protect and restore remaining areas of Columbia

Bottomlands hardwood forest.

The Big Pond Unit was acquired under the Columbia Bottomlands Land Protection Plan (LPP), approved in

1997. From its acquisition in 1999 to the present, the 2,300-acre Big Pond Unit has received nominal control of invasive Chinese tallow trees, small scale and short term with marginal to no reduction of existing populations.

Big Pond is dissected by several pipeline rights-of-way (ROW), which also serve as pathways that promote the spread of invasive species on the refuge. Chinese tallow populations are epicenters for invasion of ecosystems undergoing nascent to intermediate ecological succession. When established, the trees grow and propagate quickly, forming dense monocultures which preclude establishment of native flora by co-opting sunlight, ground space and soil nutrients.

Chemical treatment is required to reduce invasive Chinese tallow and allow beneficial native plant species to grow, improving wildlife habitat. Foliar application of Clearcast, IMOX, or Castaway herbicide at an application rate of 128 fluid ounces per acre (fl. oz./A) will provide selective control of Chinese tallow in and around tolerant tree species. Helicopter application of herbicide allows for greater precision and helps to reduce drift.

See Figure 1 in Part 5 below, and the attached KMZ files of the unit.

1.3 Objectives:

• Herbicide application of Clearcast, IMOX, or Castaway herbicide across 308 acres of the Big Pond Unit on the Refuge, as outlined in Figure 1 and the attached KMZ files.

• For maximum efficacy, herbicide should be applied to foliage at the beginning of and during leaf senescence prior to leaves dropping during the period from September 1st – October 31st. However, the period of performance will be four (4) months from August 1st – November 30th of 2026.

• Full coverage of the designated areas using the following application rate:

o A.i.: ammonium salt of imazamox 12.1% at 128 fl. oz./A

• Surfactant and drift control is to be used in accordance with herbicide label instructions.

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• Do not release spray at a height greater than 10 feet above the canopy, unless a greater application height is necessary for pilot safety.

• Outlined areas in Figure 1 are project and unit boundaries, but application will be determined by vegetation presence and actual limit of targeted vegetation. Application should not occur over portions of the mapped area if the target vegetation is not present. Pilot should discuss the units with the Contracting

Officer Representative (COR) or refuge manager.

1.4 Scope: The Company must use the application methods that will provide more precise coverage over target vegetation and apply chemical during desirable weather conditions for best results.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall be for four (4) months between the months of

August 1st to November 30th of 2026.

1.6 General Information:

1.6.1 Quality Control (QC): The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS). The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is how he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. The Quality Control Program (QCP) is to be delivered within

30 days after contract award or with the contractor’s proposal if it is an evaluation factor, three copies of a comprehensive written QCP shall be submitted to the contracting officer (CO) and COR within 5 working days when changes are made thereafter. After acceptance of the QCP, the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the

Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Federal Holidays: The Contractor is not required to perform work on these holidays but may if they want to.

New Year’s Day Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

President’s Day Veterans Day

Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day

Juneteenth National Independence Day Christmas Day

Independence Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business between the hours of sunrise to sunset Sunday through Saturday except Federal holidays at the Contractor’s option. The

Contractor must always maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the Big

Pond Unit of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. Please see the attached .KMZ file for exact directions.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a firm fixed-price contract.

1.6.7 Gate Locks: N/A

1.6.8 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with

Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The CO, COR, and other Government personnel, as

Page | 4 appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the CO will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.9 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be Curtis Jones. The COR’s contact information is: 6801 County Road 306, Brazoria, TX 77422 or phone 979-964-3639 (office). The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor

Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies;

coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially regarding changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.10 Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract

Manager and Site Project Leader. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.6.11 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are

Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.12 Contractor Travel: Contractor will be responsible for all travel costs and scheduling of any travel.

1.6.13 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent

Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the

Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the CO to avoid or mitigate any such OCI.

The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the

Contracting Officer and in the event the CO unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the CO may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or

Page | 5 service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter, administer, or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the

Contractor if that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the people that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the

Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of a product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORKDAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative

CCE Contracting Center of Excellence

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COR Contracting Officer Representative

COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

PRS Performance Requirements Summary

PWS Performance Work Statement

QA Quality Assurance

QAP Quality Assurance Program

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QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

QC Quality Control

QCP Quality Control Program

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will not provide any services for this contract.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will not provide any facilities for this contract.

3.3 Utilities: The Government will not provide any utilities for this contract.

3.4 Equipment: The Government will not provide any equipment for this contract.

3.5 Materials: The Government will not provide any materials for this contract.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, materials, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract.

4.1.1 Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish all equipment to adequately perform the requested job.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. SPECIFIC TASKS:

5.1. Basic Services: The contractor shall provide herbicide and all adjuvants, including surfactant and drift control, for the application of herbicide on the treatment areas shown outlined in yellow below and in the attached KMZ files. The refuge boundary for this tract is outlined in red.

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Figure 1: Area to treat with Clearcast, IMOX, or Castaway (Active ingredient: ammonium salt of imazamox 12.1%);

Approximately 308 acres as shown outlined in yellow in the above map of the Big Pond Unit on San Bernard National Wildlife

Refuge.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable Federal and State regulations and laws applicable to this project.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LIST:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance

Objective

Standard

Performance

Threshold

Method of

Surveillance

PRS # 1.

• Clearcast, IMOX, or Castaway shall be applied over entire area as outlined by the

KMZ File.

• GPS: 95.832804°

W, 29.154272° N to center of the Big

Pond Unit

• The contractor will provide herbicide, drift control, and surfactant for spraying over the project area.

• Spraying will cover entire project area delineated in Figure 1.

• Weather must meet label requirements.

• Use application rates in accordance with the label and identified above.

• 75% or greater mortality rate of target species within project area.

< Five (5) percent deviation from the standard.

100% Inspection.

COR will inspect work daily.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To

All work to be completed between 01 August to 30

November 2026.

NA