A04_SOW_V2.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Invasive Species Treatment

General The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is soliciting bids for the scouting/survey, treatment, and mapping of target invasive species over approximately 111 acres during the fall of 2024 and spring/summer of 2025. Individual treatments will be determined based on best management practices of individual species.

Location Arapaho NWR, Jackson County, CO 80480 (near Walden, CO) POP Dates: September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025

Scope

3.1 The Contractor is required to provide functional, well-maintained, and properly calibrated equipment sufficient for surveying, spot treating, and mapping individual or patches of invasive plants, and adequate qualified personnel to conduct all operations in a safe manner. The Contractor will provide all labor, equipment, and herbicide, and will ensure applicators have appropriate state of Colorado qualifications and permits for proper herbicide application. All treatments will be completed with an ATV/UTV/truck handgun, or boom system if near a current road. If infestations are not near a current access road, backpacks will be used on small roads and ATV/UTVs used if in an area that can be safely accessed by ATV/UTV and the infestation is large enough to warrant the use of the off-road vehicle.

3.2 The Contractor will provide necessary herbicide suitable for use in different habitat types and following all current best management practices for herbicide application. The Service will provide water needed for applications and logistical support through locked gates and Arapaho NWR maps to determine access points and methods.

3.3 All herbicides and adjuvants must be used in accordance with the label.

3.4 The contractor must schedule and coordinate the timing of work and applications with the Service and must maintain flexibility to adjust the timing of survey efforts and herbicide application. Unpredictable delays such as excessive heat, high wind events, and storm conditions may delay the timing of work.

3.5 The application areas are on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administered lands that comprise Arapaho NWR, which is entirely within Jackson County, CO. Specific survey and treatment locations will be determined between the contractor and the Service.

3.6 The pesticide application and contractor must meet the following specifications:

A. The contractor will apply herbicide at the rate agreed upon by Service staff.

B. Herbicide application will be completed by October 1, 2025.

C. The contractor will hold a current State of Colorado license for Pesticide Application, including all applicable subcategories.

D. Contractor will follow pesticide labels to comply with all State and Federal laws.

E. The Contractor will carry commercial liability insurance against the potential loss, damage, or injury to the Service or to the public.

F. The Service will provide existing invasive species location information and high priority species and sites to the contractor indicating areas to be surveyed and treated. If there are additional location-based questions, the Contractor will coordinate with the Service.

G. This treatment is intended to attain control of infestations of target species to prevent further spread across Arapaho NWR. Treatment will require the contractor to be precise to ensure complete and uniform coverage of target species.

H. The contractor will provide the names and contact information for themselves and any crew working on the project.

3.7 Application Requirements:

A. Winds at time of treatment should be less than 10 mph (sustained) or as specified by label.

B. Applicator will be State certified. All equipment used should be well-maintained, functioning properly, and calibrated appropriately.

C. Herbicide mix will be applied uniformly and completely as needed by characteristics of infestation and species being treated.

3.8 At the conclusion of treatments, the contractor will provide a summary of acres and weeds treated with chemicals, rates and total amount used, as well as location information of the completed treatments.

3.9 Target Species include, but are not limited to: Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), and any invasive annual grasses that may be encountered, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), ventenata (Ventenata dubia), or medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae).

3.10 Priority locations include, but are not limited to, the Chandler Unit, the vicinity of the Old Fish Hatchery, the old Anderson and Hackley Homesteads, the Case Flats and Auto Tour Route, and all roadsides, parking lots, and ditches that may act as conveyance for invasive species. Other Arapaho NWR locations will be prioritized by the Refuge Manager and Contractor and assessed for treatment.

3.11 Chemicals that are likely to be used include, but are not limited to:

· Aminopyralid, milestone

· Metsulfuron methyl, Escort XP

· 2,4-D amine (aquatic)

· 90% nonionic surfactant (generic)

· 4 oz/acre blue dye Additional chemical trade names, surfactants, and application methods will be agreed upon prior to treatment so Pesticide Use Proposals can be completed by refuge staff.

Technical Point of Contact Keely Lopez, Refuge Manager, 509-412-2028, keely_lopez@fws.gov