Aerial Weed Spraying Solicitaion Final.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30 97

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE 4. ORDER NUMBER 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

1284LM21R0001

DATE

05/21/2021

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect 8. OFFER DUE DATE/

7. FOR SOLICITATION Lori Austad calls) 406-329-3858

LOCAL TIME

06/11/2021 4:00

P.M. MST

INFORMATION CALL:

Email: lori.austad@usda.gov Cell 406-499-1353

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITON IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100% FOR

Forest Service Property and Procurement Services

SMALL BUSINESS WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

HUBZONE SMALL SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

BUSINESS

24 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804

EDWOSB NAICS: 115310

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED SIZE STANDARD: $8 Million

SMALL BUSINESS 8(A)

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE

See Delivery Schedule

16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

Same as Block 9

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR ADDRESS CODE

DUNS No: ____________________________________________ Tax Identification No.: ___________________________________ CAGE Code (see FAR Provision 52.204-16) __________________ Email Address: _________________________________________

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

All invoices will be processed using the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), visit http://www.ipp.gov to learn more. Contractors must follow the instructions on how to register and submit invoices via

IPP.

TELEPHONE N0.

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

OFFER IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM N0. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

R1 Aerial Weed Spraying for the Beaverhead- Deerlodge, Bitterroot, and Lolo National Forests

IDIQ

PLEASE PLACE YOUR QUOTE IN

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, page(s) 3-8

FURNISHING QUOTATION: Complete Standard Form 1449, Schedule of Items, Evaluation Factors Addressed, Experience Questionnaire, A copy of your MT Applicator License, and Solicitation Provisions as your quote. (Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN 1 original & 2 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY DATED .. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS: ____________________

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212 http://www.ipp.gov/

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ___________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE 42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC’D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

R1 Aerial Weed Spraying

SERVICES AND PRICES

BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE, BITTERROOT, AND

LOLO NATIONAL FORESTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – 2021-2024 AERIAL APPLICATION

BASE YEAR: Date of Award – May 31, 2022

ITEM 1-01: Aerial Herbicide Spraying “Applied”, May combine sub-items/tank mix per application (Contractor-furnished Chemicals)

Sub-Item No.

Herbicide/Concentration

Unit Price for B-D for

Bitterroot for Lolo

1-01A Aminopyralid @ 5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01B Aminopyralid @6 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01C Aminopyralid @ 7 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01D Metsulfuron methyl @ 1 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01E Metsulfuron methyl @ 2 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01F Imazapic @ 4 oz/Acre Applied

1-01G Imazapic 6 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01H Imazapic 8 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01I Imazapic 10 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01J Imazapic 12 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01K Clopyralid @ 2/3 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01L Chlorsulfuron @ .5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01M Chlorsulfuron @ 1 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01N Chlorsulfuron @ 1.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01O Chlorsulfuron @ 2 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01P Chlorsulfuron @ 2.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01Q Picloram @ 1 pt/Acre Applied $

1-01R Picloram @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01S 2,4-D @ 1 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01T 2,4-D @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01U Drift Agent (per ounce)-Not a separate application $

(Insert product name and label rate/ac)

1-01V Methylated Seed Oil (specify product and label rate/acre) $

1-01W Surfactant- Not a separate application

(Insert product name and label rate/ac)

B-2 ITEM 1-02: Mobilization

Sub-Item

Description

Unit Price for B-D

Lolo

1-02A Task Order Mobilization / Mile $

YEAR ONE: One Year Post Date of Award - (Estimated June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023) application (Contractor-furnished Chemicals)

Sub- Item for B-D for

1-01A Aminopyralid @ 5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01B Aminopyralid @6 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01C Aminopyralid @ 7 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01D Metsulfuron methyl @ 1 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01E Metsulfuron methyl @ 2 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01F Imazapic @ 4 oz/Acre Applied

1-01G Imazapic 6 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01H Imazapic 8 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01I Imazapic 10 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01J Imazapic 12 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01K Clopyralid @ 2/3 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01L Chlorsulfuron @ .5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01M Chlorsulfuron @ 1 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01N Chlorsulfuron @ 1.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01O Chlorsulfuron @ 2 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01P Chlorsulfuron @ 2.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01Q Picloram @ 1 pt/Acre Applied $

1-01R Picloram @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01S 2,4-D @ 1 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01T 2,4-D @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01U Drift Agent (per ounce)-Not a separate application

(Insert product name and label rate/ac)

1-01V Methylated Seed Oil (specify product and label rate/acre) $

1-01W Surfactant- Not a separate application

ITEM 1-02: Mobilization

YEAR TWO: Two Years Post Date of Award - (Estimated June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024) application (Contractor-furnished Chemicals)

Sub- Item

1-01A Aminopyralid @ 5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01B Aminopyralid @6 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01C Aminopyralid @ 7 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01D Metsulfuron methyl @ 1 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01E Metsulfuron methyl @ 2 oz/Acre Applied $

1-01F Imazapic @ 4 oz/Acre Applied

1-01G Imazapic 6 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01H Imazapic 8 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01I Imazapic 10 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01J Imazapic 12 @ oz/ Acre Applied $

1-01K Clopyralid @ 2/3 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01L Chlorsulfuron @ .5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01M Chlorsulfuron @ 1 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01N Chlorsulfuron @ 1.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01O Chlorsulfuron @ 2 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01P Chlorsulfuron @ 2.5 oz / Acre Applied $

1-01Q Picloram @ 1 pt/Acre Applied $

1-01R Picloram @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01S 2,4-D @ 1 pt / Acre Applied $

1-01T 2,4-D @ 1 qt / Acre Applied $

1-01U Drift Agent (per ounce)-Not a separate application

(Insert product name and label rate/ac)

1-01V Methylated Seed Oil (specify product and label rate/acre)

1-01W Surfactant- Not a separate application $

ITEM 1-02: Mobilization

Notes for Schedule of Items Note 1: No more than 2 awards will be made from this solicitation. Helicopter aerial spraying on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot, and Lolo National Forests. A base and 2 Option Years will be awarded.

Quoters must provide prices for all 3 locations to be considered.

Note 2: Estimated Quantities. The actual quantities ordered each year are unknown. It is possible that no quantities will be ordered in any given year for some sub-items.

Note 3: The chemical application rates identified on the Schedule of Items are for pricing purposes only and are not necessarily the quantities that will actually be applied. Contractor payment for chemicals applied per acre will be based on the application rates required by the product label of the chemical utilized, as applied to meet contract specifications.

Note 4: Surfactants and Drift Agents:

*Quoters shall insert the product name and application rate that they propose to use on this contract.

*Application of surfactants and drift agents shall be made concurrent with herbicide application.

Consequently, quoters are advised to price these items appropriately.

Authorized Ordering Activities In addition to the Contracting Officer (CO) for the parent contract, the authorized officials shown below may issue Task Orders under this contract: Contracting Officers assigned to the USDA Forest Service, within the limits of their authority.

Basis of Award Multiple awards may be made. Quoters must submit prices for all items and sub-items on all locations. See FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items (OCT 2014) for instructions for quote preparation and for the basis of award.

Minimum Task Order Size

(a) The Contractor is not obligated to honor individual Task Orders for less than 150 acres or individual polygons less than 15 acres.

(b) The Contractor may agree in writing to accept individual Task Orders under the terms of this contract for less than 150 acres and individual polygons less than 15 acres.

(c) The Contractor will not charge the Government a Mobilization charge if the project location is within 50 miles of their home base.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT (PWS)

SCOPE OF WORK

(a) Herbicide Applications: This contract is for Aerial Helicopter Application of herbicide on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (Jefferson, Silver Bow, and Madison counties), Bitterroot National Forest (Ravalli, Missoula counties in Montana, and Idaho County in Idaho) and the Lolo National Forest, (Mineral, Missoula, Sanders, Granite, Powell, Lewis and Clark, Flathead, Lake, and Ravalli counties).

Contractor shall furnish all materials, herbicides, equipment, labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to safely apply herbicides using aerial spraying apparatus, in accordance with the contract specifications, terms, conditions specified on the herbicide label(s), and State of Montana regulations. This includes fuel, fuel truck, and driver; water for mixing; and any other supplies necessary unless the contract states they will be furnished by the Government.

1. Specific tasks to be performed by the Contractor include: a) review of treatment plan and specific prescription; b) acquisition of herbicides; c) mobilization; d) application or treatment of the target species with approved herbicide; e) mix and clean-up of herbicides; f) documentation including a Quality Control Plan (includes safety and spill plans); g) Contractor Quality Inspection Records, h) completing Daily Herbicide Application Record (enclosed in this package), and (i) provide the government with treatment shapefiles and a map displaying GPS data of actual spray treatment on each swath.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The areas scheduled for aerial herbicide treatment on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot, and Lolo National Forests consists of polygons (such as rangelands, big game winter ranges, burned areas and general forest areas). The topography varies from open rolling hills to steep, high elevation mountain sides.

Overstory canopy varies and there may be areas with too dense of forest canopy to aerially spray within the polygons to be treated. All identified polygons may have live streams running in or adjacent to them. Closed timber overstory areas and live water are not to be sprayed. Sensitive areas, such as, plants and/or water will have 300-foot buffers around these sensitive sites. Buffer strips may be designated by the Government during operations to protect rare plants, water, riparian zones or other sensitive resources.

Mix and loading sites will be identified and discussed with the Contractor prior to treatment date and will be accessible by road. The Contractor will receive authorization to drive mix and support vehicles behind gated forest roads as needed. The Contractor may be asked to time treatment to avoid conflicts with other users in particular treatment areas (e.g. periods of high public recreation), or to stop treatment if people are found to have somehow entered the treatment area during treatment. Based on experience, such treatment stoppage is anticipated to be the exception and not the rule but can happen.

The Contractor shall apply the herbicides at as low an elevation as possible subject to vegetation terrain and safety considerations. Herbicide amounts per acre shall be applied in a water/herbicide mixture at a minimum rate of 2 gallons per acre unless otherwise specified.

Weed infestation levels vary from light to heavy in the treatment areas and occur on a variety of habitat types, aspects, elevations, and canopy covers. Spotted knapweed is the most common weed on the Beaverhead Deerlodge, Bitterroot, and Lolo National Forests, but other weed species will be found in treatment areas.

Target invasive plant species for this contract are identified in the Weeds To Be Treated section. The Contracting Officer may unilaterally modify this contract to include any additional species identified on the State noxious weed lists of Montana.

Task Orders will be issued by the Government for work ordered under this contract. Task Orders will include specific prescriptions, digital layer/shapefile, and maps for the work to be accomplished.

This is a performance-based service contract. Performance-based means the Contractor is responsible for an end product. If an end product is not provided in compliance with the contract specifications, an adjustment to the payment will be made by the Contracting Officer.

Rights, responsibilities, and liabilities are those of a commercial Contractor and neither extend to, nor include, the rights, responsibilities, protection, liabilities, or amenities afforded to Government employees hired under office of Personnel Management Regulations. Herbicides will be applied in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract, which includes, but is not limited to compliance with label direction and Montana State Regulations.

Location and Description

1. The Contract Area Boundaries for this project are the boundaries of three National Forests within the State of Montana. Contract Area Boundaries may also include land administered by Partners or Cooperators of the listed National Forests, within the State of Montana.

2. Land administered by Partners or Cooperators. The Contractor shall not treat lands not administered by the U.S. Forest Service (FS) unless the following conditions are met:

a. The Contracting Officer (CO), by Task Order(s), specifically orders the work on non-FS administered land;

b. A written Agreement is in place between the Government, the Partner or Cooperator, and/or the landowner, as necessary. The COR will sign the Task Order(s) confirming such an agreement is in place, and the CO will certify by initialing said Task Order(s).

Description of Roads, Firelines, Big Game Winter Range and Burned Timber Weed Infestations The areas scheduled for aerial herbicide treatment on the National Forest lands consist of both linear features (such as roads) and polygons (such as big game winter ranges, burned areas and general forest areas).

Overstory canopy varies and there may be areas with too dense a forest canopy to aerially spray within the polygons to be treated. All the roads and polygons may have live streams running in or adjacent to them.

Closed timber overstory areas and live water are not to be sprayed.

Roads, fireline, big game winter ranges and burned area sites identified for treatment contain light to heavy infestations. Burned areas will have varying degrees of dead standing timber. Blow-down density is variable.

Terrain on the sites scheduled for treatment under this contract typically varies from 10% to 70% slopes.

Government-furnished Materials

Government-furnished Property, Services, Data, Requirements, etc.

Where, When, How to be Furnished to Contractor

Area Locator Map On Request Lolo National Forest, Integrated Weed Management

FEIS, ROD 12/2007

Upon request to the Lolo National Forest Supervisor’s Office or any Ranger District

2002 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Noxious Weed Control ROD

Upon request to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor’s Office or any Ranger District

2003 Bitterroot National Forest Noxious Weed Treatment Project ROD

Upon request to the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office or any Ranger District

Technical Specifications Overview The Contractor shall comply with the requirements and restrictions specified herein.

The Contractor shall comply with all label instructions for the application of herbicides.

When the specifications mandated by this contract differ, the Contractor shall comply with the more stringent requirement, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Contracting Officer.

Technical Specifications, Contractor Personnel

• The Contractor shall be experienced in invasive plant species management and herbicide use. The Contractor shall be able to identify target invasive plant species in all stages of development and to distinguish between those target invasive plant species and non-target species.

• Personnel employed by the Contractor must be briefed and trained in application and safety techniques. All herbicide mixing and herbicide applications shall be performed by, or under the supervision of a state licensed applicator.

• The applicator or supervisor shall have a current and valid Montana State Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License and appropriate liability insurance as required by the Montana Department of Agriculture. The Contractor will show proof of bonding and insurance coverage.

Herbicide Treatment Standards

1. Weeds to be Treated: The Contractor will treat all “Priority levels” of species identified by the Montana Noxious Weed List listed below with the appropriate herbicide at prescribed rate. The Government will approve which herbicide(s) will be used on each site.

This list is provided to get a sense of commonly treated weeds. The list is not all inclusive and additional plants may be added within the contract period.

PRIORITY 1A

These weeds are not present or have a very limited presence in Montana. Management criteria will require eradication if detectedˌ educationˌ and prevention:

Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis Dyer's woad Isatis tinctoria Common reed Phragmites australis ssp. australis

PRIORITY 1B

These weeds have limited presence in Montana. Management criteria will require eradication or containment and education:

Knotweed complex (Polygonum cuspidatumˌ P. sachalinenseˌ P. × bohemicumˌ Fallopia japonicaˌ F. sachalinensisˌ F. × bohemicaˌ Reynoutria japonicaˌ R.

sachalinensisˌ and R.× bohemica)

Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria);

Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius

PRIORITY 2A

These weeds are common in isolated areas of Montana. Management criteria will require eradication or containment of these weeds where less abundant. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts:

Tansy ragwort Senecio jacobaeaˌ Jacobaea vulgaris Meadow hawkweed complex Hieracium caespitosumˌ H. praealtumˌ H.

floridundumˌ and Pilosella caespitosa Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacumˌ Pilosella aurantiaca Tall buttercup Ranunculus acris Perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium Yellowflag iris Iris pseudacorus

Blueweed Echium vulgare Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus

PRIORITY 2B

These weeds are abundant in Montana and widespread in many counties. Management criteria will require eradication or containment of these weeds where less abundant. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts:

Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Whitetop Cardaria drabaˌ Lepidium draba Russian knapweed Acroptilon repensˌ Rhaponticum repens Spotted knapweed Centaurea stoebe, C. maculosa Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica St. Johnswort Hypericum perforatum Sulfur cinquefoil Potentilla recta Common tansy Tanacetum vulgare Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris Saltcedar Tamarix spp.

Curlyleaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana

PRIORITY 3 REGULATED PLANTS (NOT MONTANA LISTED NOXIOUS WEEDS)

These regulated plants have the potential to have significant negative impacts. The plant may not be intentionally spread or sold other than as a contaminant in agricultural products. The state recommends research, education, and prevention to minimize the spread of the regulated plant:

Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia Brazilian waterweed Egeria densa Parrot feather watermilfoil Myriophyllum aquaticum or M. brasiliense Common Mullein Verbascum Thapsus Tumble mustard Sisymbrium altissimum Common bugloss Anchusa officinalis Field scabious Knautia arvensis Black henbane Hyoscyamus niger Common teasel Dipsacus fullonum Kochia Bassia scoparia Baby’s breath Gypsophila spp.

2. At a minimum, application coverage of the Task Order will meet or exceed 90%, and 80% of the weeds treated and acreage claimed will show mortality or physical signs of herbicide treatment such as wilting, curling or discoloration. Contract inspections will allow sufficient time for target plants to exhibit herbicide effects.

3. Drift Agents and Surfactants: Surfactants will be used as recommended by label direction or directed by the Forest Service. The choice of product is up to the Contractor; however its use is subject to prior approval by the Government.

4. Carrier: Water shall be used as a carrier.

5. The Contractor shall only apply herbicides within the boundaries of the project areas identified on the

Task Order.

Monitoring and Record Keeping Requirements for Herbicide Treatments Federal and State laws require record keeping for all applications of pesticides on public lands. The Contractor shall provide complete, accurate, and detailed records throughout the duration of the contract and provide the Government with legible, readable copies of such records on Forest Service provided forms (attached).

1. Upon completion of each project or unit of work on the contract, and prior to or accompanying each invoice, the Contractor shall provide the Government with a summary of all applications on that invoice or project along with individual daily application records and a GPS file in the form of a shapefile.

2. The Contractor is required to complete a Daily Application Record for the areas treated and submit the original (or readable photocopy) to the correct corresponding Forest.

3. The Contractor will notify the COR within 48 hours of discovery and record GPS locations of all potential invader or New invader weed species (as identified on the Montana Noxious Weed List) encountered and submit these records to the COR at the completion of each Task Order.

4. Daily weather records will be provided on the daily application records.

Safety Requirements and General Provisions

1. A pumping system shall be used to fill the spray mixing and spray application tanks that will avoid contamination of wells, springs, streams, lakes, and ponds used as a water source. The system shall be so constructed that a back flow from the mixing or application tanks will not be possible if the pump loses prime.

a. Screens will be attached at the intake end of hose to prevent the uptake and unintentional transport of aquatic invasive species (plant and animal). No bodies of water with known aquatic invasive species (plants and animals) shall be used as a water source. It is highly suggested that you supply your own water from a well or municipal water source.

2. Herbicide pouring and mixing operations will not occur within 150 feet of any open water source.

3. Spray drift shall be avoided. Do not spray when winds exceed an average of 6 miles per hour.

4. No spraying shall be done inside ditches containing water unless it is within the labeled use of the particular herbicide being used.

5. The Contractor shall be expected to take at least three (3) relative humidity readings on each day that herbicides are applied. The readings shall occur at the beginning of the day’s application, during the hottest time of day during application, and at the end of the day’s application. Spraying shall not occur when the relative humidity reading drops below 25% unless authorized by the COR. The daily humidity readings shall be recorded on the daily application record.

6. Spraying shall not occur while it is raining or snowing. The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid spraying if it appears that precipitation sufficient to wash herbicide(s) off target species or into open water may occur within 2 hours after herbicide application or as cautioned by the herbicide label.

7. The Contractor shall avoid applying herbicide on inclusions of shrub and tree cover which is relatively heavy in an otherwise open treatment area. These avoidance sites may be discussed with the COR or Inspector.

8. Buffer strips may be designated by the Forest Service during operations to protect rare plants or water influenced areas. No spraying shall occur within these designated buffer strips. Maps provided to the Contractor will account for buffer strips and avoidance areas in most, but not all projects.

9. The Contractor shall ensure that containers or tanks used for herbicide application are not washed out within 150 feet of open water: springs, ditches, streams, ponds, or lakes. The contractor will follow all local, State, Federal and label regulations involving rinsing and washing procedures.

10. The Forest Service is not responsible for the safety of the Contractor nor any operators or assistants.

The Contractor shall provide and maintain work procedures which will safeguard the public and Government personnel, as well as the Contractor’s own personnel. The Contractor shall be expected to use reasonable safety procedures and equipment while operating on National Forest lands.

11. The Contractor and all application personnel are required to review, understand, and follow the herbicide label recommendations, requirements, precautions, and prohibitions.

12. The Contractor shall carry and have within easy access during all spraying operations, a label and MSDS for the herbicides being used.

13. The Contractor will remove all herbicide containers from the National Forest and dispose of or recycle them in accordance with all local, state and federal requirements.

14. A tight fitting and secure lid is mandatory on all spray tanks and herbicide containers.

15. Herbicides shall be transported daily to the project site as follows: Transport, as closely as possible, only the estimated quantity needed for that day’s work; transport concentrate containers only in a manner that will prevent spills; and transport herbicides and additives in a compartment that is isolated from food, clothing and safety equipment.

16. The contractor will inspect equipment daily for leaks and suspend operations until all leaks are repaired.

17. All equipment will be in good mechanical condition and will be inspected prior to work. The spray pattern, application rates and calibration shall be checked before beginning the job and may be requested more frequently if deemed necessary by the Forest Service. Calibration calculations shall be provided to the Forest Service once at the start of the spring application season, once at the start of the fall application season, and as requested during the operating season.

18. Herbicide application operations will not occur when any one of the following conditions exists in a treatment area:

a. Wind velocity exceeds six (6) miles per hour.

b. Relative Humidity readings are less than 25%.

c. Frost, snow, or ice covers target plants.

d. Emergency closures such as Fire Restrictions.

e. When in non-compliance with the contract provisions

19. The Spill Plan for the National Forest lands is found in the Attachment section of this package.

Compliance with this plan is mandatory. All spray operations and herbicide transport vehicles will have standard adequate spill containment and cleanup materials and equipment. Operators will be trained in responding to and dealing with any spills of herbicide.

20. The contractor will keep spray vehicles and equipment appearing neat, professional and organized.

Spray residues on the vehicles, equipment, tanks, and employee clothing will be kept to a minimum by regular cleaning. It is important during contract performance to project a professional image and to demonstrate that the herbicide applications are performed carefully, professionally, and without spillage.

21. The contractor will be familiar with the list of environmental protection measures included in each Forest Lands Weed Mitigation Measures. These measures outline the standard mitigation measures from each respective National Forest. Please see the table Government Furnished Material for the proper title and how to obtain each document. Each Record of Decision is available upon request.

22. The Contractor will apprise the COR or Inspector of the spray operation location plans on a weekly basis.

23. Herbicide will not be applied at a pressure that exceeds 40 pounds per square inch (psi) at the nozzle.

Contractor Quality Control The Contractor shall:

1. Develop a Quality Control Plan, specific to this contract, that demonstrates how the Contractor will comply with the contract requirements. The plan shall include:

a. A description of Contractor Quality Control procedures and methodology, including a description of :

i. How the Contractor will determine the correct period(s) for application;

ii. The techniques used to ensure coverage;

iii. The techniques used to ensure application stays within boundaries designated on the Task Order; and

iv. The techniques used to ensure the correct application rate(s).

b. Location of the Contractor Quality Control records

2. Provide the Quality Control Plan to the Contracting Officer within 30 calendar days of contract award; and

3. Provide Contractor Quality Control Inspection Records, including application maps and application records, to the Contracting Officer:

a. Upon the request of the CO;

b. Upon Contractor submittal of an invoice; and

c. At any time throughout the performance period and for the period after contract completion until final settlement of any claims under this contract.

Government Quality Assurance Inspections

1. General.

a. The Government will monitor Contractor compliance with all requirements of the contract.

b. The Government will review the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan, Inspection Records, and customer comments as frequently as determined necessary by the Contracting Officer.

c. Government Quality Assurance Inspections will be made by random sampling or entire inspection of the work and follow up of customer comments. When validating customer comments, the possible cause of unacceptable performance will be determined. If any Government action or lack of action was the cause, the complaint is not valid, and deficiencies shall not be counted against the Contractor.

d. Work that does not meet the contract requirements will be brought to the Contractor’s attention. Repetitive or continuous failure to meet contract requirements may result in a quality adjustment to payment or the Contractor’s right to proceed may be terminated.

*Government Quality Assurance – Herbicide Application Coverage and Mortality

1. Government Quality Assurance Timing:

a. The Government will inspect the herbicide application work generally within one month.

This will provide time for the effects of the herbicide to become evident.

For Contractor work performed in late summer and fall, the Government will ensure that the proper amount of herbicide was applied and may or may not inspect for herbicide effects to become evident.

2. Government Quality Assurance will determine:

a. The application coverage of the project area. Indications of application coverage include the presence of drooping, wilting, chlorosis, interrupted seed maturation, and drying of plant parts (stem, leaves, reproductive parts), beyond recovery; and

b. The percent mortality of the target species in the project area. Mortality is defined as the condition in which the target invasive plant species identified on the Task Order have been chemically treated to effectively interrupt and/or stop growth processes in order to stop seed production, prevent re-growth, and establishment of new seedlings. Indications of plant mortality shall include: drooping, wilting, chlorosis, interrupted seed maturation, and drying of plant parts (stem, leaves, reproductive parts), beyond recovery.

c. Compliance with all other contract requirements.

3. Herbicide Application Standards. The Contractor shall meet or exceed the following herbicide application standards:

a. Application Coverage shall meet or exceed 90% of target species within the project areas identified in Task Orders and attached maps issued under this contract; and

b. Percent Mortality shall meet or exceed 80% mortality of the target species within the project areas identified in Task Orders and attached maps issued under this contract.

c. Contractor shall comply with all other contract requirements.

4. The Contracting Officer’s determination of Contractor compliance with herbicide application coverage and mortality will be determined based on:

a. Application Coverage: Visual Inspection of up to 100% of the project area covered by the Task Order.

b. Percent Mortality:

i. Plots along randomly located transects within each treatment area that are representative of the treatmentment area; or

ii. An inspection of the entire treatment area.

c. Other contract requirements: Contracting Officer assessment of compliance.

5. Re-treatment. If Government Quality Assurance determines that herbicide application coverage has not met the 90% standard, and mortality has not met or exceeded the 80% identified herein (See Government Quality Assurance Inspections), the Government will issue a written Notice of Noncompliance. The Contractor shall, after receipt of a Notice of Non-compliance, correct the deficiencies at no additional cost to the Government by treating sites that were missed and/or re-spraying areas where the mortality was inadequate. If the follow-up inspection by the Government determines that the contract requirements have been met, the Contractor will be eligible to receive full payment.

If the Contractor does not comply with re-treatment requirements, this constitutes grounds for contract termination for cause based on failure to perform and payment will not be made.

6. Laboratory Analysis. If the CO deems it necessary, random samples of the target weed species and/or the herbicide solution used may be obtained for laboratory analysis. The target weed species specimens would be analyzed to determine that the required herbicide was applied. The herbicide solution sample would be analyzed to determine that the required strength was used.

The Contractor may observe the sampling and may request a copy of the laboratory analysis. In the event the laboratory analysis concludes that the required herbicide was not applied to the target weed species or that the herbicides solution does not comply with the contract requirements, the Contractor shall be given one week to correct the deficiency. Contractor non-compliance may constitute grounds for termination for cause based upon failure to perform.

Quality Assurance Plan/Requirements

Task/Critical Subtask

Quality Performance

Standards

Acceptable Quality Level

Means of Measurements Penalties Incentives

Application Coverage of the Project Area

Application Coverage shall meet or exceed 90% of target species within the project areas identified in Task Orders and attached maps.

Complete and submit pesticide use records in a timely fashion.

90-100%

Application records will have all items filled out.

Visual inspection of up to 100% of the project area covered.

Inspection of gridding thoroughness and techniques.

If necessary, weed samples and/or herbicide solution samples will be collected to determine if adequate herbicide was applied.

Review of records.

Re-treatment

No payment for application coverage less than 90%

Poor performance evaluation

Possible termination

100% pay for work meeting 90% coverage

Positive performance evaluation

Percent Mortality Percent mortality shall meet or exceed 80% mortality of the target species within the project area

80-100% Plots along randomly located transects within each treatment area

100% inspection

Re-treatment

No payment for mortality less than 80%

May be reflected on performance evaluation

Possible termination

100% pay for work meeting 90% mortality

Positive performance evaluation

Other contract requirements

100% compliance 100% Contracting Officer assessment of compliance

Reduced payment for some items.

Re-work

Possible termination

Positive Performance Evaluation

Contract Period of Performance

AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is from date of award through 3 years and 6 months if FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) is exercised. Task Order period of performance may extend past the expiration of this contract with all terms and conditions of this contract remaining in full force until the task order expires.

Contract Year Start of Contract/Option Date Last Day of the Contract Period Year One (Base Yr.) Award Date of Contract May 31, 2022 Year Two (Option Yr. 1) June 1, 2022 May 31, 2023 Year Three (Option Yr. 2) June 1,2023 May 31, 2024

Task Order Performance Period and Estimated Start Work Date(s)

(a) The estimated start work date and a required completion date for each Task Order will be specified by the Contracting Officer on the Task Order at the time the Task Order is issued to the Contractor. Any deviation of this date must be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative.

(b) The Start Work Date for each Task Order.

The Contractor may propose, and the Contracting Officer may accept (at the CO’s discretion), an alternate start date for the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall make such requests in advance, in writing, and shall obtain written CO approval of the proposed date(s) prior to commencing operations.

(c) Required Completion Date for each Task Order.

(1) The Contracting Officer will establish a specific required completion date for each Task Order by considering the size of the Task Order (number of acres) and the amount of time left in the Treatment Season that is effective for the control of the target species.

(2) The Contracting Officer will establish the specific required completion date for each Task Order by giving the Contractor, at a minimum, the amount of time identified in the table below. The Contracting Officer may establish a required completion date that exceeds the minimum number of calendar days required by the table below.

(3) If there is insufficient time left in the treatment season for effective treatment of the targeted species, the Contracting Officer may establish the required completion date for the Task Order in the following Treatment Season, or later if necessary to accommodate the amount of time stated below, as long as no performance will be required past the last date authorized for performance under this contract. In such cases, the Contracting Officer may also specify the last date that the Contractor may perform work in each Treatment Season, and/or may suspend the Contractor’s work until the next Treatment Season. Resume Work Order date(s) will be determined by the Contracting Officer based on plant phenology.

Size of Task Order

Minimum Number of Calendar Days in the Treatment Season to be included in the Task Order’s Required Completion Date

1. Task Orders from 150-800 acres 60 calendar days

2. Task Orders from 801-7000 120 calendar days

(4) If the Contractor is issued Task Order(s) with overlapping performance periods, contact time will run concurrently on those Task Orders. The performance period(s) for individual Task Orders may extend past the last day of the total contract period as long as no performance will be required past the last date authorized for performance under this contract (See FAR 52.216-18 Ordering, and FAR 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity).

Contract Time Performance Restrictions The Contractor shall not apply herbicides or perform seeding operations on Saturday, Sunday or on federal holidays, unless approved in advance, in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Ordering Procedure The Contracting Officer and/or any Contracting Officer identified in Authorized Ordering Activities herein may issue Task Orders to the Contractor. Order(s) may be issued by mail, facsimile, electronic commerce, or orally and confirmed in writing. Task Orders will be considered as being “issued” at the time they are mailed, faxed transmitted or verbally issued by the Contracting Officer. If more than one method is used to place the order, the date of the earliest provable method will be the date of issue.

Each Task Order issued by the Government will include the following items:

1. Task Order Cover Sheet

2. Location and description of specific work ordered by the Task Order, including identification of the target invasive plant species to be treated and prescription

3. Estimated start work date and the required completion date for the Task Order

4. Project Maps and GIS generated layer, shape, kmz or other digital file based on Contractors preference

Contractor Payment

1. Payment to the Contractor will be made per Task Order, with each Task Order being considered a separate job. The Contracting Officer may make partial payments to the Contractor under each Task Order.

2. The Contractor shall deliver to the Contracting Officer completed treatment report records, noxious weed inventory forms (to supplement the electronic GPS data), all GPS data files, and USGS maps with the perimeter of the weed treatments clearly outlined, before invoices for partial or full payment will be accepted.

3. Payment will be based on Contractor compliance with all of the contract specifications and the percent mortality achieved.

a. The Contractor is eligible for 100% payment if the Contractor complies with all contract requirements and mortality is 80% or greater.

b. If, after a required re-treatment of an area, mortality is below 80%, the Contractor shall receive no payment

c. No payment will be made for mortality less than 80%.

Key Personnel The key personnel specified in the Offeror's Technical Proposal are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer reasonably in advance and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract. No diversion shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer: Provided that the Contracting Officer may ratify in writing such diversion and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the Contracting Officer required by this clause. The contract may be amended from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or delete personnel, as appropriate.

Fire Control

(a) Contractor's Responsibility for Contractor-Caused Fires. The Contractor, whether or not directed by the Forest Service, shall immediately extinguish, without expense to the Government, all fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are caused by Contractor's employees, whether set directly or indirectly as a result of Contractor operations. The Contractor may be held liable for all damages and costs of additional labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation resulting from fires set or caused by the Contractor's employees or resulting from contract operations.

(b) Other Fires. For the purpose of fighting forest fires on or in the vicinity of the project which are not caused by the Contractor or the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor when requested by the Contracting Officer shall place the employees and equipment temporarily at the disposal of the Forest Service. Payment for such services will be made by the Government at not less than the current rate for fire-fighting services established by the Forest Service in the area concerned.

Any employees and equipment furnished will be relieved from firefighting as soon as the Forest Service finds that it is practicable to employ other labor and equipment adequate for the protection of the area.

An equitable adjustment in contract time may be made for this period.

(c) Fire Protection Requirements - Fire Plan. At all times during closed fire season period, as specified by State law, the Contractor shall comply with each of the following provisions to the extent applicable to the Contractor’s operation under the contract.

(1) Fire Tools. The Contractor will provide for each employee in the contract area at least one approved hand tool of a type appropriate in the contract area, such as shovel, pulaski, or ax. Tools required and furnished under (2) and (4) below, shall count toward fulfillment of the above requirement. Where additional tools, beyond those required under (2) and (4) below, are to be provided, the Contractor shall seal such tools in one or more boxes painted red and marked "Tools for Fire Only." All tools required herein shall be kept sharp and in good serviceable condition and maintained at locations to be designated by the Forest Service.

(2) Fire Extinguishers and Tools on Mobile or Stationary Equipment. Each unit of powered equipment used in connection with this contract, including automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc., shall be equipped with serviceable tools and fire extinguishers as follows:

One - fire extinguisher, dry chemical type of not less than 2-1/2 pound capacity with 4 BC or higher rating.

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal.

One - ax, 2 pounds or over, 26-inch minimum length, or one pulaski.

One - water container (at least 1-gallon capacity), not required with stationary equipment.

(3) Spark Arresters. Each internal combustion engine shall be provided with a spark arrester or spark arresting device approved by the Forest Service. Exceptions where the Forest Service may approve mufflers, or other equipment in lieu of spark arresters qualified and rated under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a are:

(a) small multiposition engines, such as chain saws, shall meet Society of Automotive Engineers J335b standards; (b) passenger-carrying vehicles and light trucks may have baffle-type mufflers with tail pipe; (c) heavy-duty trucks may have a vertical stack exhaust system and muffler, provided the exhaust stack extends above the cab of the vehicle. An exhaust-driven turbocharger is considered to be a satisfactory spark arrester.

Internal combustion engine exhaust systems, arresters, and other devices must be properly installed and maintained.

(4) Powersaws. For each powersaw used in connection with this contract, the following will be provided:

One - shovel, round point #0 lady or equal. Shovel must be immediately available for use.

One - Fire extinguisher, containing not less than 8 ounces of extinguisher fluid, or a dry chemical powder-type of not less than 1-pound capacity. The extinguisher must be immediately accessible to the saw operator at all times.

Any fueling or refueling of a powersaw shall only be done in an area which has first been cleared or is free of all material capable of carrying fire; powersaw shall be moved at least 10 feet from place of fueling before starting.

(5) Blasting. Fuse or prima cord shall not be used unless authorized in writing by the COR with special precautions stated.

(6) Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted within the contract area or helispot except on surfaced or dirt roads, at landings, within closed vehicles, in camps, or at other posted places, and shall never be allowed while working or traveling on foot.

(7) Storage of Petroleum and Other Highly Flammable Products. Gasoline, oil, grease, or other highly flammable material will be stored either in a separate building used exclusively for such storage, or at a site where all combustible debris and vegetation is cleared away within a radius of 25 feet. Fire extinguishers and/or sand barrels may be required at such locations specified by the Forest Service when unusually hazardous conditions exist.

(8) Debris Burning and Warming Fires. Burning permits will be required for all debris burning fires.

Lunch and warming fires may be allowed in fireproofed areas during periods of low fire danger if and as specified in the fire plan. Such fires must not be left burning unattended.

(9) Precautions for Stoves.