A04_SOW_BITH_Herbicide_582.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) BITH Big Thicket National Preserve

Herbicide 582 Acres

Overview

This contract involves application of herbicide to target shrubs and hardwood saplings across 582 acres of restoration sites at Big Thicket National Preserve (BITH). This contract combines 2 legacy projects (Subparts 1 and 2) into one larger project.

The purpose of the work is to control unwanted brush and hardwood saplings to reduce hazardous fire fuels and restore open forest conditions, allowing for establishment of native grasses and forbs as part of an ongoing effort to restore Longleaf pine savanna habitat.

Project Site Description

Subpart 1 (374.3 acres)

Location: Big Sandy Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve near Dallardsville Approximate coordinates: 30.639012, -94.662751

Subpart 2 (207.7 acres)

(1) “Big Sandy Creek Sites” – 118.4 acres

Location: Big Sandy Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve near Dallardsville

Approximate coordinates: 30.646645, -94.672837

(2) “Turkey Creek Sites” – 89.3 acres

Location: Turkey Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve near Warren, Texas Approximate coordinates: 30.589840, -94.334676

Description:

All sites in both Subparts 1 and 2 can be accessed by adjacent public roads, fire breaks, and trails. Staging areas for vehicles and equipment can generally be accommodated along any access route, however, prior approval is needed at the Subpart 2 Turkey Creek sites due to the proximity to public hiking trails (i.e., Pitcherplant Trail).

The project sites have been subjected to various management treatments (mulching, fire, herbicide) in the last several years which have been mapped into blocks containing roughly similar vegetation conditions (see map attachments). Current canopy cover of the target species ranges from 5-95% depending on the treatment block (see photo attachments for a breakdown of management history and current conditions).

Target species are primarily Yaupon holly, Beautyberry, and Sweetgum, but include other shrubs and hardwoods. Impacts to non-target vegetation must be minimized.

Target Species: Non-Target Species to be Avoided:

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) Dwarf pawpaw (Asimina parviflora) Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Cherokee bean (Erythrina herbacea) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) All non-woody forbs and wildflowers Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) All grasses Swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) Oaks (Quercus species) Sweet leaf (Symplocos tinctoria)

Sensitive vegetation occurs in small portions of Subpart 2 Turkey Creek sites, requiring special care to avoid impacts to non-target vegetation. The treatment boundary near these areas will be flagged by the preserve staff.

The Subpart 2 Turkey Creek sites also overlap with public hiking trails, so a treatment date will need to be scheduled as early as possible with the preserve to allow time for closing the area to the public.

Work Description

***Herbicide application will consist of Individual Plant Treatment via foliar spray using backpack sprayers by ground crews. Target plants up to 6 feet tall will be treated. Broadcast application is not accepted and impacts to non-target vegetation must be minimized.

Approved products will only consist of triclopyr (3A or 4 of any brand), surfactants, and spray dye.

***The final spray mix must be a minimum of 2.22% active ingredient triclopyr (Example: 5% triclopyr 3A).

Treatment success must show a greater than 90% reduction in cover of target species compared to the starting percent cover prior to treatment. This applies to target species up to 6 feet tall only.

Final treatment success will be determined 6 weeks after treatment completion. An 80% invoice will be accepted immediately following treatment. The final 20% will be released after the 6-week evaluation period.

Any sensitive species or no-spray areas will be discussed and clearly flagged by the preserve prior to treatment.

***The contractor must notify the preserve at least 5 business days prior to starting treatment in the Subpart 2 Turkey Creek sites and give at least 24 hours’ notice in the Big Sandy Creek Sites.

The contractor must also notify the preserve when treatment is completed. Treatment at the Turkey Creek sites must occur during a weekday (to minimize visitor impacts).

GIS files (ArcGIS shapefiles, GoogleEarth .KML, or georeferenced PDF) of treatment polygons will be provided to the contractor.

Timeframe

Period of Performance: July 27 – Sept 11, 2026. This may be adjusted depending on time of contract award.

Other Deliverables

The contractor must also provide a daily pesticide application log with invoices. The log must include at minimum:

Date of application Products applied Final mix concentration Gallons of final mix applied Number of acres treated

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.

Post-Award Meeting

Prior to starting work in the preserve, the CO or COR will schedule a meeting (virtual or in person) with all parties to discuss project requirements, work schedules, logistics, access routes, no-spray areas, billing and payment, and address any questions.

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 provide to the COR prior to commencing work.

The contractor shall ensure protection of the work site from excessive human impacts. Materials 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 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) 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 those identified above must be minimized.

The COR will flag off 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.