Attachment_1_-_Cattle_Egret_Statement_of_Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK- EGRET ROOKERY HABITAT REMOVAL

NOTE TO OFFERORS: PRICING STRUCTURE

This requirement will be solicited and awarded with a separate Base Item and an Optional Item. This structure provides the Government with maximum flexibility. Offerors shall provide separate, distinct pricing for each of the four

(4) Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs) identified in the solicitation's price schedule. The work for each CLIN is described in the corresponding sections below.

1. General Requirement

Contractors shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services necessary to execute tree removal on one (1) private property, totaling approximately one (1) acre, in support of the installation's

Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Program. In recent years, Cattle egrets have established nesting colonies on said property, frequently traversing the airfield and generating significant strike threats to aviation safety at Sheppard Air Force Base (SAFB).

The location of the off-base property and project site within said property are detailed in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Contractor shall remove all unmarked vegetation via cut-stump herbicide treatments. Trees to be saved will be clearly marked for preservation by SAFB officials. Contractor shall also be responsible for off-site legal disposal of all woody debris associated with the project.

Cattle egret nests sites are regulated by State Law under Chapters 64 and 67 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, as well as Federal Law, under Title 50 of the

Code of Federal Regulations, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the United State

Fish and Wildlife Services "Empty Nest Policy." These laws and policies prohibit disturbance of active rookeries that contain viable eggs, hatchlings, or dependent young. Although the project will occur outside the typical nesting season of migratory birds, the site will be inspected for any active bird nesting by USDA-Wildlife Services, prior to any work. Field work shall be initiated no later than 30 September 2026 and completed by 30 October 2026.

A. Tree Removal:

With exception of trees that are selected and marked for preservation, contractors shall cut all woody vegetation to ground level, not to exceed two

(2) inches in height above the soil grade and be restricted to the following methods of felling:

1) Skid-steer or equivalent machinery fitted with hydraulic tree shear or saw.

2) Chain saws.

B. Herbicide:

Garlon 4 Ultra Herbicide (EPA Reg No. 62719-527) shall be the only herbicide authorized for this project. Contractor is responsible for knowing and following all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to the application of herbicide. Contractor must possess a valid commercial Pesticide Applicators

License, under the proper category, issued by the Texas Department of

Agriculture. Herbicide shall be mixed, applied to stumps, and disposed of in a manner consistent with the herbicide label, manufacturer's guidelines, and special requirements specified herein, specifically for cut stump treatments. For quality assurance, contractor shall mix all herbicide with a compatible blue indicator dye.

Immediately following the removal of each tree, contractor shall treat each cut stump with herbicide. Prior to applying herbicide, contractors shall ensure the cut surface, as well as remaining vertical portions of each stump’s circumference, to ground line, is free of soil or debris that could impede herbicide absorption. In event of a stump being cut or covered below soil surface, contractors shall be required to expose the stump and properly apply herbicide.

Contractor shall thoroughly wet the entire cut surface with herbicide, being certain to treat the cambium and outer edges of stump. In addition to treating cut surfaces, contractor shall treat all vertical portions of the remaining stump, from origin of cut to soil surface, to the point of being wet, but not running off.

Exact quantities of the approved herbicide used per day must be recorded and submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) at the end of the project for tracking purposes.

Contractors shall not store or dispose of unused herbicide at the worksite.

Contractor shall be responsible for proper storage and/or disposal of any unused herbicide.

C. Disposal of Woody Debris:

All trunks, limbs, and branches within the project area shall be transferred off-site for legal disposal.

D. Control and Payment:

SAFB will assign oversight personnel to this project for quality control and acceptance of work. It is paramount that cut stumps be immediately treated with herbicide. Contractors will be required to stop all work in event of cut stumps not being promptly treated with herbicide. Acceptance of work and payment to the contractor will be contingent upon the following discrepancies being corrected:

1) Failure to remove all trees identified for removal

2) Failure to properly treat cut stumps with herbicide

3) Failure to dispose of all woody debris in accordance with Section C

4) Failure to repair ruts or property damages inflicted by contractor

E. A joint pre-work site inspection with photo/video documentation shall be performed to establish a baseline condition. Upon completion of work at each site, the Contractor shall ensure the worksites are left in a clean and orderly condition, free of all contractor-generated trash, material packaging, and fluid spills.

All work shall be subject to inspection and approval by the designated

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The COR will conduct a final inspection of each property to ensure compliance with the requirements outlined for that specific location before formal acceptance is granted.

F. Safety

The Contractor shall be solely responsible for conforming to all applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations. The Contractor shall adhere to the

City of Wichita Falls quiet hours of 9 PM - 7AM and utilize all applicable TXDOT road warning signs.

Aerial View of Worksite

Figure 1.

Figure 2.