A05_PWS_Shingletown_Herbicide_Maintenance.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS) 140L3726Q0099

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PROJECT TITLE:

Shingletown Herbicide Maintenance Hazardous Fuels Project

Redding Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California Northern Operations District (CA-NOD)

Contents PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

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PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

Herbicide application services include approx. 65 acres of public lands using Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved herbicides and adjuvants to target woody shrub plant species tos. Herbicide use on previously mechanically and manually treated resprouting woody shrubs specimens will be used to create a 30ft-to-30ft stem to stem spacing for forest health and fire resilience. Some manual cutting may be required to larger diameter base height (DBH) woody shrubs that are 2 inches or greater to meet specifications. They will have to be cut to no more than 1 inch above ground level before herbicide is applied.

One base year will be offered to complete the total 65 acres. The Contractor will have California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CA DPR) required certification and licenses (qualified applicator license (QAL) for individuals supervising applicators and Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) for individuals applying herbicides). Contractor shall have an agency approved pesticide use proposal (PUP) supplied by the BLM to accomplish all proposed herbicide application within the designated treatment area in accordance with the specifications. Pesticide Application Records (PARs) will be submitted within 24 hours of each treatment to a BLM Authorized Officer. A BLM licensed and certified pesticide applicator will be designated to the project to ensure that all herbicide applications are being applied properly and in accordance with BLM protocols and policies.

Place of Performance

The services under this contract will be performed at The Shingletown Community Defense project area located in Shasta County, CA and contain approximately 65 acres of herbicidal application on vegetation for fuels reduction treatments on public lands administered by the BLM Redding Field Office (REFO) (see attached map). The project area is located near the town of Shingletown, in Shasta County, CA. Within Sections (or parts of Sections) of the following Township (T) and Range (R) identifiers:

• Unit 5 – 65 acres T31N R1E Section: 24

Driving Directions to Project Area

• Unit 5: From Redding, California. Drive East on highway CA-44. Take a left where the Shasta County Waste Management Transfer Station is adjacent to Ritts Mill RD in Shingletown, CA

Note: vehicle access to project area requires gate access provided by BLM.

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Access Specifications

Access will be by both gravel roads (improved) and dirt roads (unimproved), which may require four-wheel drive vehicles. Access is by all-weather and seasonal roads. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after heavy rains or snow-blocked during the winter months. Cross-country foot travel of one-half mile to one mile is typical to the unit boundaries.

If an all-terrain vehicle is used, it shall be of such design that it will travel over rough, uneven terrain and not create wheel ruts and channels, or cause significant damage to existing trails or riparian areas. The vehicle shall be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to use.

Portions of the project area are beyond locked gates that require a key or lock combination for access. The Contractor will be given access to gate combinations and required agency keys to make access. Gate keys must be returned to the COR at the end of the period of performance. The Contractor shall lock gates with locks immediately after entry or exit.

Hours of Operations

The Contractor will coordinate their hours of operation with BLM, but the Contractor is not restricted to operating during regular BLM office hours. Equipment operations may not begin until ½ hour after sunrise and must end ½ hour after sunset on any given working day. Other hours of operation restrictions may be implemented during high fire danger or during previously scheduled events.

Security of Equipment and Property

The Contractor may leave equipment at the work site with approval from the COR. The Contractor shall be responsible for equipment if it should be lost, stolen, or damaged. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured. All personnel employed by the Contractor in the performance of this contract, or any representative of the Contractor entering the government worksite, shall abide by all security regulations.

Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be for seven (7) months. The Period of Performance reads as follows:

March 1st, 2027, through September 30th, 2027 – 65ac

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PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is to reduce wildfire threat by maintaining hazardous fuel breaks near high-use existing infrastructure adjacent to private infrastructure on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office. Herbicide will be used to treat resprouting shrubs in previously treated areas to maintain 30-foot stem spacing.

• Hazardous previously treated resprouting woody shrubs specimens will be reduced by herbicide application.

• Fuels reduction work will reduce vegetation from future wildfire threat and improve for wildlife habitat and forest health.

• Desired post-treatment state will result in woody shrubs specimens 30-foot stem shrub-to-shrub spacing.

• Manual cutting of larger diameter base height (DBH) woody shrubs and specimens that are 2 inches or greater to meet specifications. They will have to be cut to no more than 1 inch above ground level before herbicide is applied.

• No herbicide application of standing live trees of any species.

• No herbicide application in any riparian buffer zones.

A pre-bid walkthrough of the project site will be scheduled and is recommended to contractors to attend but is not mandatory. Questions may be directed towards:

Michael Allan, Fuels Technician/COR, Redding Field Office, 530-360-6376 or John O’Coy, Fire Management Officer, Redding Field Office, 530-736-9095.

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PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Task 1: Herbicide application: Methods include foliar sprayer and cut stump techniques

Herbicide specifications:

• Manually cut target woody shrubs species that are 2 inches or greater to meet specifications.

• Remaining stumps will be no taller than 1 inch above ground level, measured from the uphill side.

• Stumps will be treated after cutting via cut stump herbicide application. If cut stump is not effective after post treatment monitoring, foliar spraying of resprouts will be used.

• Shrub reduction operations will thin shrubs to achieve 30-foot stem spacing shrub-to-shrub post-treatment.

• Herbicide application is excluded from within riparian buffers.

o Riparian buffers include 150-foot riparian buffers of ephemeral and intermittent streams.

o The Contractor will be responsible for identifying and excluding ephemeral and intermittent streams.

o Intermittent and ephemeral stream crossing sites are allowable for equipment transportation during the dry season (May 15 through October 15).

o No riparian species (elderberry, willow, etc) will be treated with herbicide in the project area.

Criteria for Selection of Leave Shrubs:

- The first species listed is the prioritized preference for target species retention. The 30-foot post-treatment stem spacing profile for live standing shrubs will be achieved through the preference list (below). Species low on the list (4) will be cut prior to species high on the list (1) to achieve stem spacing.

• Leave species preference:

1. Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)

2. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

3. Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni)

4. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)

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Required Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Herbicide Use on BLM land

• Ground applications of herbicides are limited to spraying the target species.

Applications of liquids will occur at low nozzle pressure within 2.5 feet of the ground.

• Herbicides shall not be applied during high temperatures and low humidity conditions where droplets evaporate before hitting the ground or target.

• No herbicide may be conducted when rain (greater than a 50% chance) is predicted within 24 hours of treatment. Refer to Labels and MSDS. The Contractor will consult the national weather service reports for rain predictions.

• Ground applications of liquids shall not occur when wind speeds exceed 8 mph or are less than 2 mph.

• The Contractor will have California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CA DPR) required certification and licenses (qualified applicator license (QAL) for individuals supervising applicators and Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) for individuals applying herbicides).

• The Contractor shall have an agency approved pesticide use proposal (PUP) supplied by the BLM to accomplish all proposed herbicide application within the designated treatment area in accordance with the specifications. Pesticide Application Records (PARs) will be submitted within 24 hours of each treatment to a BLM Authorized Officer.

• The Contractor will clean all equipment necessary for project implementation (UTVs, hand tools, spray equipment) prior to entering BLM lands to prevent the spread of non-native, invasive species.

• Follow all instructions and SOPs to avoid spills. Spill kits should be on all equipment transporting herbicides and applicators should be trained in how to use them.

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

Prework Meeting

At the Prework Meeting the BLM COR and/or BLM resource specialists will provide an initial briefing on cultural resource sensitivity, critical plant species identification, and recreation concern.

Sensitive resource areas will be flagged and/or identified on maps provided at the pre-work meeting. However, if this protection measure proves inadequate to protect the sensitive resource areas or if new concerns are identified, discovery of such areas by either party shall be promptly reported to the other party. Operations shall not resume at that location until the significance or potential significance of the area is determined and BLM has approved to start work again under the appropriate mitigations. Updated maps will be provided to the Contractor after each change.

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Mapping

Unit boundaries are not marked. A shapefile and PDF Map of the treatment area, including exclusion areas and riparian buffers (for perennial streams only), for GPS/ Avenza will be provided at pre-work meeting and updated maps provided as changes are made, and the contractor will be required to accurately work within boundary of unit. Trailheads, intersections, and trail spurs are identified with recreation signage.

Additional Information

The Contractor is responsible for organizing and directing all the equipment and personnel needed to fully accomplish the work. The Contractor shall develop and submit a Treatment Plan and Schedule to accomplish the project objectives. The Treatment Plan and Schedule will be agreed upon by both parties and incorporated into the contract at the Prework Meeting. The Contractor shall notify the BLM COR a minimum of 2 weeks prior to initiating work. All changes to the Treatment Plan and Schedule will be agreed to prior to the changes taking effect. The Treatment Plan and Schedule shall include as a minimum the following items:

1. Herbicide application Plan – Spill prevention/clean up, pesticide transportation/storage, personal protective equipment, and more details will be discussed at Prework Meeting.

2. Safety Plan – To include traffic control, and identification of hazards, and trail closures if applicable.

3. Fire Prevention Plan – For prevention and control of fires, with detailed list of personnel and equipment.

Statutory Compliance

The Contractor agrees to conduct operations under this contract and other related business activities in compliance with federal, state, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits or other regulations. Failure to comply will be grounds for default in accordance with the default clause. The contract shall govern if such laws conflict with or preclude performance of contractual requirements.

Improvements

The Contractor shall comply with the rules and regulations governing the operation of premises which are occupied and shall perform the contract in a manner that will not interrupt or interfere with the conduct of BLM business.

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Before any camp, quarry, borrow pit, storage, or service area other than shown on drawings is opened or operated lands administered by the BLM, written permission shall be obtained through the BLM and COR. A camp is interpreted to include the campsite or trailer parking area of any employee working on the project for Contractor. Such permission, if granted, shall be without charge to the Contractor. The Contractor must remove and dispose of all said improvements when no longer needed.

Recreation Resources

The Contractor will repair recreation trails to pre-treatment conditions where damage has been done to trail tread or trail drainage, and where user access is blocked or compromised.

BLM recreation planners will be consulted for proposed treatments affecting recreation sites or along trails and roads to ensure recreation management objectives. A trail system may be closed by the BLM during fuels reduction operations when heavy machinery is used on trails or trailheads. The Contractor will coordinate with the BLM on timing and duration of closures to public access. The closing of trails or trailheads on weekend should be avoided if possible. As fuels reduction operations allow, trails will be reopened to continue public use. The contractor will notify BLM if a treated areas result in the public illegally driving off road or onto trails in the project area.

Wildlife Resources

The Contractor shall comply with seasonal restrictions administered by the Bureau of Land Management project design features. The project area contains suitable nesting habitat for a multitude of species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The regional nesting season for raptors protected under the act with the potential to occur within the project area runs from January 1 through August 31; for non-raptors, nesting season in the region occurs from mid-February through August 15.

Project activities that involve tree removal, vegetation disturbance, or other activities likely to cause disturbance to nesting birds within either of these timeframes will require the following design features:

A. Pre-project surveys Project activities conducted during either nesting season will require surveys to determine the presence of active nests within or adjacent to project areas, no more than 7 days prior to commencing work. Surveys will be conducted by a qualified biologist and should begin as early as possible within the nesting season, when visibility due to lack of foliage is highest.

B. Implementation of Avoidance Measures

Where nests are found, a buffer of 250 feet should be established around the nest and maintained until birds have fledged or breeding activities have ceased. If it is determined that a smaller buffer would be sufficient to prevent impacts to nesting

PWS Page 9 birds, buffer size may be adjusted by a qualified biologist, in coordination with USFWS. The buffer would be monitored by a biological observer until project work has ceased, or the nest is no longer active. Any incidental take of a migratory bird will be reported to USFWS. No treatments and no on-site work will be permitted without a survey for active nests/nesting by a qualified biologist prior to project implementation during the reginal nesting season.

Any active raptor nest found will be reported to the Wildlife Biologist and project activities ceased within a 0.5-mile buffer until surveys indicate that project activities would not disturb nesting and/or breeding activities.

Sensitive Vegetation and Riparian Areas

Intermittent and ephemeral streams within the project area will require a buffer of 150 feet.

Intermittent and ephemeral streams will not be identified by flagging but will be delineated on a map if present. The Contractor will be responsible for identifying intermittent and ephemeral streams within the project area and adjusting treatment specifications accordingly. Intermittent and ephemeral streams are streams that cease to flow in very dry periods.

Archeological Resource Protection

Archeological features are protected by federal law and are prohibited from excavation, disturbance, damage, or collecting. Should previously unidentified archeological resources be found or uncovered, the Contractor must make immediate contact with COR and stop all fuels reduction operations in the immediate area of discovery.

Protection of Improvements

The Contractor shall protect roads and other improvements (such as fences, roads, trails, telephone lines, and ditches) whether designated on the project area map or not.

Protection of Improvements Not Owned by the BLM

The Contractor will notify all utility companies, or other parties affected, and plans for all necessary adjustments of the public utility fixtures, pipelines, and other appurtenances affected by Contractor’s operations.

When Contractor’s operations are adjacent to properties of railway, telegraph, telephone, or power companies, or other property, work shall not begin until all necessary arrangements to prevent damage have been made by the Contractor.

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The Contractor will cooperate with all owners of above-mentioned property. In the event of interruption because of accidental breakage, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and cooperate with that authority in the restoration of service.

When access through private inholdings or rights of ways are required, the Contractor will adhere to all stipulations and security requirements of the landowner to maintain project area access. Coordination with private landowners and right-of-way holders will be done through or in cooperation with the BLM COR.

Protection of Land Survey Monuments

The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments and bearing trees against any damage during Contractor’s operations.

Safety

The Contractor will follow all United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Standards that pertain to the operations set forth in this contract under Subpart R, Special Industries Standards 1910.266 Logging Operations Standards.

Sanitation and Servicing

The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent pollution of air, soil, and water by Contractor’s operations. If facilities for employees are established within the project area, they shall be operated in a sanitary manner. Contractor shall not service tractors, trucks, or other equipment on BLM lands where servicing is likely to result in pollution to soil or water.

Contractor shall remove from BLM lands all refuse resulting from use, servicing, repair, or abandonment of equipment. If the contractor’s operations or servicing of equipment result in pollution to soil or water, Contractor shall conduct cleanup to restore the polluted site to the previous observed conditions, and approved by the COR.

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PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished property and services.

Materials

The Contractor shall furnish all materials necessary to meet the requirement of this contract except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services.

Equipment

The Contractor shall furnish equipment necessary to meet the requirement of this contract except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services.

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Regular Work Hours

Unless otherwise specified, work hours under this task order shall be limited to the time between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Work being done on Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holidays must be coordinated with and authorized by the BLM COR.

Federal Holidays

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Juneteenth National Independence Day

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Fire Danger Season

The Contractor shall take every reasonable precaution to prevent a wildland fire from occurring from his or her actions on this project. The Contractor must provide a fire mitigation and response plan to the BLM COR which outlines the Contractor’s fire prevention equipment at site, fire response/reporting actions, and evacuation plan in the event of a Wildfire start at or adjacent to the project site. The Authorized Officer may, under certain conditions, require fire prevention and control measures in addition to those required by applicable state laws and regulations. This may include but will not be limited to changes in daily work schedules or full closure of operations due to extreme fire risk.

PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions

Physical Condition The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR. Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA) Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control

Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement

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EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level

Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s)

Task(s):

1.Herbicide Mixing and Handling

2. Weed Spraying

3 Transporting herbicides

Employees trained via state, BLM, in-house training, and Pre-season training.

Supervisor ensures employees are trained and certified.

Treatment crew leaders ensure that first aid supplies and MSDS are up to date.

Supervisor ready training package for season starts.

Periodic field checks during season.

Supervisor/crew leaders ensure compliance.

Follow label direction (label is the law).

-Set containers where they won’t spill.

-Wear appropriate PPE.

-Triple rinse and destroy containers.

-Lock up all herbicides at office in pesticide storage cabinet.

-Keep adequate fresh water for spills and cleaning.

-Clean sprayers in the field, not at the office.

-Use truck tanks for fresh water only.

First Aid: Keep first aid supplies with sprayers, MSDS sheets with sprayers.

--Orient machine downwind of infestation, pull hose to patch and spray with back to wind working toward sprayer. Back into wind using backpack sprayers.

--Follow label guidelines for soil, water, and weather conditions.

--Wear appropriate PPE as per label --Check sprayers for leaks, components for proper operation.

--Periodically re-calibrate sprayer for proper application rates.

--Avoid unnecessary damage to non-target plants.

-Secure containers in toolboxes away from sharp objects, not in open bed.

-Use DOT approved hazmat bottles (Nalgene) for smaller quantities of herbicides. Label as to contents.

-Secure backpack sprayers with herbicides away from sharp objects.

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4. Herbicide storage

5.Herbicide spills

6. Spraying storage

7. Sprayer battery charging

Same as above

Same as above

Proper handling and storage of containers.

Store all herbicides and adjuvants in Pesticide storage cabinet at office.

--Periodically check cabinet for leaking containers.

Utilize spill kit. Notify Hazmat coordinator and supervisor.

Clean all sprayers in the field prior to storage.

Use only automatic shut-off chargers. Do not use manual charging.

-Ensure charger has proper contact with terminals before leaving.