A04_-_Statement_of_Work.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

FWS POTOMAC RIV NWR COMPLX

12638 Darby Brook Court

WOODBRIDGE VA 22192

Invasive vegetation management on Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

1. Introduction and Overview

The Occoquan Bay NWR requires approximately 14 acres of former grassland management unit to be treated with approved herbicide, controlling invasive plants, including but not limited to, callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliate), Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Tree-of-heaven

(Ailanthus altissima), Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), Japanese Knotweed

(Reynoutria japonica) as targeted species of invasive plants.

1.1 Background

The four treatment areas, as shown in the attached map (unit: 2a, 4a, 5a, and 30) are within former grassland management units progressing to the next successional stage towards forest.

Currently, the invasive plant species are present and hinder the growth of native trees and saplings, such as oaks, hickories, ashes, etc., in these areas. The treatments of invasive vegetation will allow the native trees and saplings to grow with less competition. The first treatment was conducted in the year, 2020. This will be a fourth follow-up treatment with intent to control or reduce the invasive plants and exhaust their seed bank.

1.2 Scope of Work

Licensed and trained personnel of pesticide applicators certified in the state of Virginia will apply approved herbicide on targeted plant species in approximately 14 acres within former grassland management units, at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in Woodbridge, Virginia. The primary targeted plants to treat are mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and callery pear (Pyrus calleryana). The treatments include the three different methods of herbicide applications: basal bark, cut stump, and foliar. Contractor is to supply all of the needed equipment including the agreed to apply herbicide with use of backpack sprayers, chain-saws, ATV/UTV and/or other equipment needed to complete task.

The contractor will submit status reports to technical POC weekly by text message or e-mail, including work timeframe for the week, number of personnel on-site, area being treated, method of treatment, and any logistical issues that may emerge regarding public use. The contractor will also provide a complete document recording the acreage of treated areas, what amount of which herbicide applied in which treated area, and what percent efficacy of each treatment after the task is complete, plus the GIS shapefiles containing certain areas that were treated with name of targeted invasive plant species.

1.3 Objectives

Treat to eliminate the targeted plant species using approved herbicides and methods of treatment within the designated 14 acres within former grassland management units.

1.4 Period of Performance

Period of Performance begins from award date 2023 and ends September 30, 2023.

2. Tasks

The contractor shall conduct the following tasks:

• Communicate with technical POC by text message or e-mail to coordinate timing and locations of treatment.

• Mix, safely store and utilize herbicide as instructed on product label.

• Use backpack or other portable spraying equipment to deliver the herbicide effectively and minimize spray drift.

• Application rate in fluid ounces as indicated on the herbicide label to treat target invasive plants.

• Walk and/or drive UTV/ATV in designated treatment areas to identify target and conduct herbicide applications on invasive plant species.

2.1 Schedules/Milestones

Schedule of services to be negotiated by the contractor and refuge federal project manager.

3. Progress/Compliance

The Government requires the following from contractors in order to monitor progress and ensure compliance:

• Before start of project, provide a list of proposed herbicides to insure NEPA/EPA compliance and managerial approval.

• Weekly status report, including work timeframe for the week, number of personnel on-site, area being treated, method of treatment, and any logistical issues that may emerge regarding public use.

4. Payments and Invoices

4.1 The Contractor shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award. The SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov.

4.2 The Contractor is also required to be registered in the Internet Payment Platform

System (IPP) in order to submit electronic invoices. Any questions regarding this billing system https://www.sam.gov/ should go to the Customer Support for the IPP directly at telephone: 866-973-3131 or by email: ippgroup@bos.frb.org. The Contractor must submit all receipts and time card data as an attachment to the electronic invoice in the IPP that matches what is being invoiced.

4.3 Back-up documentation should be reviewed and approved by the project manager prior to uploading the electronic invoice to prevent delays in payments or rejection of the invoice being submitted.

mailto:ippgroup@bos.frb.org

Figure 1: Map of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, showing four treatment areas (encircled in orange polygons) for invasive plant management in 2023.