Amendment2.docx

AG-67T0-S-17-0078

Amendment #2 2017/2018 Noxious Weed Treatment – Ft. Pierre National Grassland Nebraska National Forest

CONTRACTING OFFICER

US FOREST SERVICE

1019 N FIFTH ST

CUSTER, SD 57730-8214

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

08/07/2017

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

|X| The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers |X| is extended, |_| is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor |_| is not, |_| is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

Purpose of amendment is to replace specification pages 3 through 11 with the attached specification pages. Quote due date is extended to 9/8/17. Option item line #2 has been increased.

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

FORT PIERRE NATIONAL GRASSLAND

NOXIOUS WEED TREATMENT 2017/2018

Thistles (Canada, bull, & musk)

$15,000.00

Option Item Thistles (Canada, bull, & musk)

$22,000.00*

GRAND TOTAL

NOT TO EXCEED $37,000 TOTAL

*NOTE: At this time, no funding is available for Option Item 0002. The Contracting Officer may exercise this option and fund it by written notice to the Contractor within 60 calendar days of award.

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

NEBRASKA NATIONAL FORESTS & GRASSLANDS

FORT PIERRE NATIONAL GRASSLAND

FY 2017/2018 FALL NOXIOUS WEED TREATMENT SERVICES

SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The services covered in this solicitation and resultant contract are for the application of herbicide to noxious weeds and the inventory of those treated areas on National Forest System lands. The areas to be treated are located on the Fort Pierre National Grassland (FPNG) located in central South Dakota.

Those noxious weeds specific to this contract are thistles (Canada, bull and musk). These species are located predominately on upland rangeland; however, there are some infestations around riparian areas. The identified species will be treated during the plants’ developmental stage when optimum effectiveness can be obtained, preferably the rosette to flowering stage. Treatments could start as early as September 2017 given the fall is not dry otherwise treatment will commence in the spring/summer of 2018, determination of when to spray will be based on agency monitoring of growing conditions. All treatments will be mapped with a global positioning system unit (GPS unit). The successful contractor shall submit treatment data in the specific data format of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Noxious Weeds Geodatabase. The database is an ESRI ArcGIS version 9.0 personal geodatabase. The database contains the spatial and tabular data. Many data elements are required. Corresponding herbicide application records will be filled out by the applicator for the spatial data. All spatial data and application records will be submitted in satisfactory form prior to payment at the treatments’ conclusion.

All bids for this contract will be done based on the number of acres obtainable for the specified dollar amount. Contractors will be rated based on past experience and the ability to meet the GPS/GIS requirements.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The contract’s work would take place on the Fort Pierre National Grassland located south of Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The contract is to cover select pastures in the northeast corner of the grassland south of SD Highway 1806. The treatment priority is labeled in order by number: 1) Timber Creek (Cactus Flat); 2) Williams (South); 3) Williams (North) and 4) Butte (South) etc. Please see the attached map for further clarification.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK (PWS)

NOXIOUS WEED TREATMENT AND INVENTORY SERVICES

SECTION I – GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE OF WORK. The contractor shall be required to:

· Furnish all labor, transportation, equipment, herbicide, personal protective equipment, water, services, supervision, permits, and licenses necessary to treat noxious weeds in South Dakota.

· Applications by equipment will require 10 gallons of water/herbicide mix per acre.

· Required herbicide and rate:

· Milestone at 7 oz. /acre

· Carrier agent applied at 3 oz. /acre.

· Apply herbicide at rosette to flowering stage of plant development to be most effective.

· Applications will be done with spot spraying methodology, unless infestations are solid enough to warrant broadcast methods. If such a situation is found, then approval by the COR will be done prior to broadcast treatments.

· The government has $37,000 to spend for this contract. The contractor is asked to quote the number of acres they will be able to treat based on this dollar amount.

· The contractor will treat the noxious weed infestation with the corresponding herbicide, then will map the infestation’s perimeter with GPS to create a polygon, and finally complete an application record linking the treatment data to that polygon. Please see 2.2.5 for detailed requirements of spatial data. The contractor shall submit spatial

· data along with the application records that correspond with the mapped treatment areas.

· Contractor will comply with all pesticide use requirements set forth under South Dakota State Law (SDCL) Title 38 Chapter 21 and Administrative Rule (ARSD) 12:56.

· This statement of work consists of completing the tasks/subtasks in Section V to the performance requirements of Section VII. Services shall be in compliance with the terms, conditions, and specifications herein.

1.1.1 LOCATION DESCRIPTION. The treatment area covers priority sections of the Fort Pierre National Grassland. (See attached map) This map shows fence boundaries and road access to the project area along with the highlighted pastures and the priority level for treatment.

1.1.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. Services covered in this solicitation and resultant contract are to be performed during the 2017 and/or 2018 fiscal years (September 2017 through September 1, 2018). Work shall occur when the target plants are actively growing and weather conditions allow them to be susceptible to herbicide effects as per label directions. Work may begin in September 2017 and the Contractor shall complete all fieldwork no later than August 25, 2018; consideration will be given to varying seasonal conditions and determination of when to spray will be based on agency monitoring of growth conditions. Reporting documents along spatial data are due no later than December 31, 2017 for fall treatments and no later than September 1, 2018 for spring/summer treatments. All reports and data must be received in satisfactory format prior to payment.

1.1.3 ACCESSIBILITY. Specific site maps identifying units and road access shall be provided to the contractor.

1.1.4 BOUNDARIES. Maps will be provided to the contractor detailing the treatment area and identifying any interior private lands.

1.1.5 NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE WEEDS. The contractor shall be experienced in noxious and invasive weed management and herbicide use. The contractor shall be able to identify target weed species in all stages of development and to distinguish between target and non-target species.

1.1.6 CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE. The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

SECTION II – DEFINITIONS

2.1 STANDARD DEFINITIONS

2.1.1 ACCEPTABLE QUALITY LEVEL (AQL). The maximum allowable deviation from perfect performance that may occur before the Government will invoke payment deduction. An AQL does not allow a contractor knowingly to offer defective service, but limits reduced payment to circumstances in which defective performance results in a measurable reduction in the value of services rendered.

2.1.2 DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A unit of service which contains one or more defects, or nonconformance with specified requirements.

2.1.3 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS). Identifies the key service outputs of the contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure contract performance standards are met by the contractor.

2.1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE. Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.1.5 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). A government person appointed by the contracting officer to help the contracting officer with contract administration and surveillance.

2.1.6 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP). An organized written document used for quality assurance surveillance. The document contains specific methods the Government will use to perform surveillance of the contractor.

2.1.7 QUALITY CONTROL. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the PWS.

2.1.8 APPLICATION RECORDS. Records the contractor uses to document herbicide applications on the treated area. Information includes, but is not limited to: herbicide used, amount of active ingredient applied, weather conditions, etc.

2.1.9 RANDOM SAMPLING. A sampling method in which each service output in a unit has an equal chance of being selected.

2.2 TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS

2.2.1 ACCESS TO TREATMENT AREAS: Access to treatment areas requires travel and treatment operations on or near: paved roads, graveled county roads, and non-graveled two track Forest Service roads. The treatment areas may be along or away from roads and within areas with no developed road access. Access is allowed off designated roads by authorization only issued by the Fort Pierre District Ranger. Your access must be timed such that road or trail surfaces are not subjected to unreasonable resource damage.

2.2.2 AQUATIC AREA: Any type of lake, pond, dam, spring, or stream course that contains an invasive plant species.

2.2.3 BOOM SPRAYER: Spray equipment capable of delivering a minimum of 10 gallons per acre. Boom sprayers shall be equipped with an identifier system to minimize swath overlap such as a ribbon or flagging system. ATV/UTV boom-less nozzles are not considered as boom sprayers.

2.2.4 CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL: Clean up and disposal of excess herbicide and empty containers is the contractor’s responsibility and will be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable to Federal and State Laws.

2.2.5 GIS & GPS SPECIFICATIONS:

Field Survey Operations and Procedures:

Treat and record noxious weed sites in accordance with the Nebraska National Forests and Grassland Noxious Weed User Guide, Noxious Weed GPS User Guide, and GIS User Guide. These documents are attached to this solicitation package. The final product submitted will be in the specific data format of the NNFG Noxious Weeds Geodatabase; this will be submitted to the COR upon completion of treatment. The database is an ESRI ArcGIS version 9.0 personal geodatabase. The database contains spatial and tabular data. Submittals can be made after contract completion but no later than December 31, 2017 for fall treatments and September 1, 2018 for spring/summer treatments. During the contract the contractor may submit spatial data, in the geodatabase format, to the COR to ensure that the information is being recorded correctly.

Field survey operations using GPS shall be performed using:

1. A GPS unit, preferably Trimble, capable of loading and using NNFG Noxious weed data dictionary (.ddf) files and concurrent GPS software.

2. Computer with the capability to run ArcGIS and Pathfinder Office software and to convert GPS data into an ArcGIS geodatabase.

3. ArcGIS software (ESRI) for aggregating exported GPS files into an ArcGIS geodatabase.

4. Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the NNFG User Guides listed above.

5. Knowledge of GPS and ArcGIS accuracy and standards.

GIS Layer:

1. All weed treatment sites will be combined into one ESRI ArcGIS version 9.0 polygon personal geodatabase. The geodatabase contains spatial and tabular data. The geodatabase will be referenced to the North American Datum, 1983 (NAD83) in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), zone projection will be determined by general location of geographic area. Coordinates will be reported in meters.

2. Geodatabase will be referenced using the following export coordinate system, units, and velocity:

3. If possible, the geodatabase will be exported with the additional attributes:

· PDOP

· Receiver Type

· Correction Status

· Data File Name

Final GPS products submission

· The spatial data is to be submitted in an electronic format: raw .ssf files from the GPS unit and the final geodatabase. All reports must be submitted no later than December 31, 2017 for fall treatments and September 1, 2018 for spring/summer treatments; early submittals are accepted. If deficiencies are found, all data will be returned for corrections. Payment will not be made until all reports/data received are found to be satisfactory.

2.2.6 MIXING SITE: All mixing and rinsing during the operational period will take place in the field within the treatment areas at a distance greater than 100’ from any stream course, trees, or crops. Rinseate will be reused as spray solution as much as possible until project completion and application rates shall not exceed ¾ ounce per acre.

2.2.7 NOXIOUS WEED LIST:

2.2.8 SPRAY EQUIPMENT: All spray equipment shall be accurately calibrated to ensure herbicide is applied as per manufacturer recommended application rates. All spray equipment would be operated in accordance with owner’s manuals. Weed treatment accomplished by the use of spray equipment installed in trucks, ATVs, or UTVs would follow manufacturer specifications and recommendations, including those specific to weight restrictions.

2.2.9 WEATHER CONDITIONS: Herbicide shall not be applied if temperatures exceed 95 degrees and or the wind speed exceeds 15 mph in all areas.

2.2.10 WEED DATA DICTIONARY: A data dictionary is a list of features and attributes that are collected in the field. It ensures that the collected data is always consistent. In the field, the data dictionary structures and speeds up data collection and allow crews to enter data in the correct format. This ensures data uniformity and integrity, as well as compatibility with the GIS database. The Government provides the data dictionary to the contractor.

SECTION III – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government Property” FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

1. Hard copy maps of detailed treatment areas.

2. A blank application record sheet

3. The Nebraska National Forests and Grassland GPS/GIS User Guides (3)

4. Weed Data Dictionary compatible with Trimble GPS units (provided after contract award).

5. Electronic Data Templates (ESRI ArcGIS v9.0 blank personal geodatabase) containing the proper data format (provided after contract award).

SECTION IV - CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

The contractor shall furnish everything, including water and herbicide, required to perform this contract.

SECTION V - PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

The following tasks are to be performed to the quality performance requirements shown on the Performance Requirements Summary table in Section VII.

5.1 WEED TREATMENT/INVENTORY/DATA: The contractor shall apply herbicide according to product’s label in order to treat noxious weeds on the FPNG and each treatment shall be recorded with spatial data and application record field sheets.

5.1.1 Herbicide will be applied at the optimal stage of plant development to be most effective. For the species being treated, this could require the contractor to return to an area at varying times. The preferred development stage for all targeted species is in the rosette to flowering stage. The herbicide application rates are as follows:

· Thistles (Canada, bull and musk):

· Milestone at 7 ounces per acre

· Carrier agent applied at 3 ounces per acre.

5.1.2 Record data on each site treated according to the attached requirements. On a regular basis, provide the COR with information as to where the recent treatments have been made.

5.2 SUBMITTALS: The contractor shall provide the following submittals:

5.2.1 QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP): The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan acceptable to the Government to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified. The QCP includes the contractor’s inspection system and the method for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service preformed. No work may start until the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan is submitted and accepted by the Government, and the Notice to Proceed is issued.

5.2.2 WORK PLAN: The Work Plan shall describe how the contractor plans to perform the project, including methods, personnel certifications and calibration rates, and list of equipment by make and model. No work may start until the Contractor’s Work Plan is submitted and accepted by the Government and the Notice to Proceed is issued.

5.2.3 PROGRESS SCHEDULE: The contractor shall prepare and submit a practical schedule showing the order in which the contractor will perform the work and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each task, unless specific treatment areas list both required start and stop work dates. No work may start until the Contractor’s Progress Schedule is submitted to and accepted by the Government, and the Notice to Proceed is issued.

5.2.4 DATA SUBMITTAL: The contractor shall provide spatial data in an electronic format and hard copy application records. These items are to be submitted to the COR before December 31, 2017 for fall treatments and September 1, 2018 for spring/summer treatments; early submittals will be accepted. Inaccurate or incomplete data will be returned to the contractor for correction.

SECTION VI - GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/INDUSTRY STANDARDS/STATE STANDARDS/GOVERNMENT STANDARDS/TECHNICAL EXHIBITS Technical specifications and attachments:

· All spray equipment must be capable of delivering at least 10 gallons per acre.

· Contractor must certify that spray equipment can be accurately calibrated and the products applied at required label rates.

· Contractor shall comply with all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the work required by this contract.

· Contractor will be required to adhere to all aspects of pesticide labels used during treatment.

· Target weed species shall be sprayed at optimal stage of development for herbicidal action to take place. Timing will be consistent with factors such as target species growth stage, product formulation and weather.

· Treatment areas shall be uniformly traversed with spray vehicles. Overlap of spray swaths should be kept to a minimum. Spray vehicles should be equipped with an identifier or an identifier system to insure reduced overlap of spray swaths. Spray will not come in contact with standing water in ponds or drainages. Care will be taken to avoid spray contact with adjacent crop fields, trees, and stock tanks.

· Spraying will cease in the event of rain or wind in excess of 15 miles per hour or when temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

· Mixing and rinsing will take place in the field within treatment areas at a distance greater than 100ft. upstream of standing water, trees or crops. Rinseate will be reused as spray solution as much as possible until project completion. Final leftover rinseate may be applied to treatment areas.

· Contractor shall ensure all equipment moved onto National Forest System land is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold noxious weed seed. The Forest Service may request inspection of equipment prior to it being placed into service.

· Payment for treatment will be based on acres of noxious weeds sprayed with herbicide.

· Preparing tank mixes, cleaning spray equipment or disposing of herbicide containers shall not occur at any Forest Service facility.

· All equipment used in treatment will have adequate fire extinguishers and other fire prevention mechanisms.

SECTION VII - PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

STANDARD

5.1: Noxious Weed Inventory/ Treatment Data

Weeds will be treated as per herbicide label directions

Responsible for the effects of herbicide residue on non-target species and any drift.

Equipment will be equipped with anti-siphon devices to prevent contamination of any water supply

Treat at temperatures less than 95 F and wind speeds less than 15 mph

Complete treatment to required standards as defined in Section 2.2.5 and provide COR with updates on where treatments have occurred.

90% Acceptable level of performance thus resulting in 90% kill

Less than 20% loss of non-target species

Follow task order direction and manufacturer label direction 100% Review contractor’s records of treatment, inspection, and sampling results, and perform periodic on-site inspections

Government shall perform our own sampling through a series of ocular inspections

Checking compliance of contractor supplied inspection plots

Rework at contractors expense

Payment will be deducted in accordance with G.5 Payments.

Poor performance rating

5.2 - Submittals

5.4.1 - Quality Control Plan (QCP)

5.4.2 - Work Plan

5.4.3 - Schedule of Work

5.4.4 – Data Submittals

All submittals are received within 10 days after contract award

QCP includes contractor’s inspection system and the method for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service preformed.

Includes method and frequency of inspections On-site records of all quality control inspections are submitted weekly

Contractor will submit GPS/GIS data as outlined in 2.2.5 above.