Deschutes Sole Source.doc

It is the intent of this notification to award a Sole source contract to Oregon Department of Agriculture 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 Deschutes NF Noxious Weed Control Environmental Assessment. Herbicide application is required on 174 weed sites covering 479 acres using four herbicides including dicamba, picloram, glyphosate, and triclopyr. There are 22 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 entail multiple treatments throughout the season on any one site. Herbicide application is spot treatment using a wand from an ATV-mounted tank, or a backpack sprayer.

Oregon Dept of Agriculture is responsible for treatment. Weed sites are located Forest-wide, general boundaries include:

North – 20 miles north of Sisters, OR (T.11S., R.11E.)

West – crest of the Cascade Mountains (T.21S., R.08E.)

East – 20 miles east of Paulina Lake (T.20S., R.15E.)

South – 10 miles south of Crescent OR (T.26S., R.09E.)

Sites are located across 22 different management areas and areas of concern, such as sensitive plant sites, Newberry Volcanic Monument, scenic view areas, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. There are 51 site-specific mitigation measures that apply to herbicide treatments depending on the appropriate management area.

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 system is operational.

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