Attach 01 sow r1.docx

Statement of Work: The Black Hills National Forest is actively working to reduce invasive plant species across the forest in an effort to foster productive and sustainable use of the National Forest Systems Lands and improving the condition of the forests and grasslands while fostering a good neighbor relationship with private landowners bordering national forest lands.

This statement of work consists of treating targeted invasive plant species (noxious weeds), and providing treatment data, including applicators reports that includes all information that the state of South Dakota and Wyoming require. Contractors shall GPS all treatment infestations and will be required to GPS all Class A & B priority species infestations as separate files. GIS data in the form of polygons will need to be submitted after individual treatment locations have been completed (there may be several submissions throughout the treatment season). Inventories will also be conducted by contractors to establish invasive species and size of infestations. All herbicide used within the Black Hills National Forest must have a risk assessment and worksheet. A list of these herbicides can be viewed at the USDA Forest Service National Headquarters Forest Health protection website Treatment maps will need to be completed and submitted for each individual treatment areas for inspection purposes. Contractors will be required to use the Black Hills National Forest weed data dictionary and will need all attributes completed. Contractors shall be familiar with ESRI software and Field Maps for collection of data or something compatible. The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, licensing, supervision, workman’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and transportation to accomplish weed treatment and inventory. Equipment being used for the requirements under this contract shall be cleaned prior to entering the Forest and cleaning may be required between sites. Treatment for this contract shall be noxious weed treatment (Item 1. In the schedule of items) and optional acres for motorized trail treatment, inventory, and non-motorized treatment.

Supply of water may or may not be available in the local area of work, if not; the contractor will be required to furnish water. All potential water drafting areas on forest must be approved before treatment starts. Management areas may be identified as non-motorized, trails, with or without water. Treatment under this contract will target certain geographic areas and features such as burn piles, landings, meadows, uplands etc. These features could change in option years depending on forest needs. The forest may prioritize treatment of certain species over treatment of other species depending on the location.

Inventories (optional Acres) will be conducted under this contract, identifying invasive species and documenting size, locations through GIS. Contractors shall be able to identify plants form early growth (bolt and leaf) to late growth (flowering). As in treatment, inventories will require all species to be documented thru GIS, A&B priority species to be documented within nonpriority infestations as a separate file.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Services covered under this Performance Work Statement are to be performed when target plants are actively growing, and weather conditions make them most susceptible to herbicide effects, a targeted date for treatment to commence June 1, 2023, and end September 30, 2023.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: Project areas that are included under this contract are identified in the attached treatment area maps. They are in the Bear Lodge, Hell Canyon, Mystic, and Northern Hills Ranger districts. Project areas encompass two states Western South Dakota and Eastern Wyoming, applicators will need all required licensing for both states. Locations could and will have areas littered with down timber and steep aspects that could limit the use of motorized equipment. Specific project area location maps will be included.

ACCESSABILITY: A vicinity map identifying the Black Hills National Forest will be provided. Specific site maps identifying units and road access are attached. There may be project management areas that have limited access due to travel restrictions and/or terrain within each District. Within these areas the forest service shall select a method of treatment that meets the contract requirements. Some of these areas may be limited to foot or horse travel. Contractors should be aware that areas could and will have steep terrain as well as limited travel due to downed timber, fences, private land intermixing, as well as other obstacles that will impede travel and treatment.

BOUNDARIES: Project areas are on the map(s). Boundaries are generally identified as roads, topographic features (ridge tops, drainages), private lands, fences, etc.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall designate, in writing, a contract representative during the performance period of work. The written designation shall state the named representative’s authority and any contractual limitations to act on behalf of the contractor for all contractual matters relating to daily operation during the contractor’s absence. The contractor’s representative or alternate must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

QUALIFICATIONS: The contractor and employees shall be experienced in noxious weed and invasive weed management, plant identification, and herbicide application and knowledge of GIS/GPS. Regardless of project area, the contractor and employees should be proficient in identifying target and non-target species in all stages of development. Contractor shall comply with all South Dakota and Wyoming state laws, certifications, and applicator licensing requirements prior to treating noxious weeds.

Personnel: The contractor and employees should possess a basic knowledge of regional sensitive plant species, the Forest’s species of local concern, and identification of these plants in all stages of development.

The Forest Service considers the following key personnel/positions are deemed to be vital to the successful performance of this contract: Forman, GIS/GPS coordinator(s). Contractor will need to identify the designated individual(s) for these positions:

· Foreman/Crew leader should have knowledge or education in plant identification, botany, range management or related fields. They should have experience in managing crews as well as educating crew members in herbicide application and plant identification. Foreman should be versed in mixing tanks with the correct herbicide/water ratio or experience using injector systems. They should also be educated in pump systems on ATV’s or truck mounted sprayers. Foreman should have the ability to identify areas of sensitive plants through maps that are provided and have the ability to inform crew member of these locations.

· GIS/GPS Coordinator will have knowledge or education in GIS systems and related programs. Will have experience in GPS capability including point, line, and area plotting, familiar with nesting features, placing way points and navigating features. Personal will have experience in ESRI software and experience with field maps or programs similar. They should also be familiar with the downloading process

SAFETY AND CONTAMINATION: The contractor shall follow all manufacture label directions in dealing with application rates, personal safety, and contamination. Contractor shall submit to the CO the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all products utilized during performance of this contract. Contract employees shall wear required personal protective equipment as identified in the company’s safety plan and SDS. Contractor shall monitor environmental precautions and utilize special care when operating boom sprayers in close proximity to private property, animals, crops, water developments, fields, and shelterbelts to minimize over spray or contamination. Preparation of tank mixes, cleaning equipment, disposing of herbicide containers shall not occur at any Forest Service Administrative site or other public facility.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS: All spray equipment will be inspected by COR or Inspector and must be washed and cleaned prior to beginning initial project. Any time the equipment is removed and used on lands not included under this contract the COR shall be notified and equipment shall be cleaned prior to commencing work under the contract. In order to minimize the potential for weed spreading, spray trucks and equipment will be pressure washed before moving from one type of infestation to another, unless combinations of infestations already exist. Equipment washing shall be conducted at a site owned or leased by the contractor or a commercial site designated for this work, outside the National Forest.

Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor shall give the Forest Service at least 48 hours’ notice when equipment is ready for inspection. Notification will include an agreed upon location where the equipment will be available for inspection by the forest service.

All equipment will be inspected and inspection sheets on file prior to the issuance of the NTP for this contract.