Ochoco Sole Source.doc

The Ochoco National Forest plans to award a Sole source contract to Crook County as authorized by the Carlson-Foley Weed Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-583, 82 Stat. 1146; 43 U.S.C. 1241). The current weed treatment program is covered by the 1998 and 1995 Ochoco NF Integrated Noxious Weed Management Environmental Assessment. Herbicide application is required on approximately 59 weed sites across 275 miles of road right-of-way on 580 acres using three herbicides including dicamba, picloram, and glyphosate. There are 14 species of weeds that are included. Treatment at the proper time of year and proper physiological state for each weed species is required for maximum effectiveness, which may require multiple treatments each season on any one site. Herbicide application is spot treatment using a wand from an ATV-mounted tank, or a backpack sprayer. Weed infestations with less than 10 plants require hand-pulling Weed sites are located Forest-wide, general boundaries and responsible county weed master include:

North – 23 mile northeast of Prineville, OR (T.12S., R.20E.), East – Battle Mountain (Paulina RD) (T.14S., R.26E.)

South – Maury Mountains (T.18S., R.19E.)

McKay Creek (T.13S., R17E.)

There are 10 site-specific mitigation measures that apply to herbicide treatments depending on the location and proximity to water Documentation is required monthly; reports are prepared for each site. Documentation required for each noxious weed site includes:

· Date, Applicator, Site number and Equipment used

· Herbicide used (including EPA#), amount of herbicide, total amount of mix used, application rate, type of application

· Adjuvents used, rate, and amount applied

· Start and stop time

· Lat/long location and legal location

· Cost for each site

· Weather during application period – wind speed, temperature

· Mitigation measures used for the site

Separate reporting is also required to the Oregon Department of Agriculture using the Pesticide Use Reporting System when the system is operational.

The approximate value of this procurement will be $30,000.