Attachment_1-_Performance_Work_Statement.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

AERIAL SPRAYING

IN DESIGNATED AREAS ON

WHEELER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide Aerial Spraying via helicopter in designated areas within Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The

Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Aerial Spraying by helicopter in designated areas of the NWR as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The refuge has a significant problem with several exotic and native invasive wetland plants (i.e., alligatorweed, button bush, persimmon, and black willow) within the managed wetlands on Wheeler NWR. To efficiently manage these wetlands, aerial application of herbicides is necessary. Many areas where these invasive plants exist are in locations where ground treatment measures are not possible due to access or not practical due to staffing limitations.

1.3 Objectives: The objective of the treatment is to achieve significant reduction of invasive species within the treatment areas so that spot treatments can maintain control in the future. This will allow for the promotion of native, seed-producing for wintering waterfowl and other wetland birds.

1.4 Scope: The contractor shall, with the use of a helicopter, aerially apply herbicide on up to 350 acres on Wheeler NWR. Aquatic labeled chemicals, provided by the refuge, will be used to treat woody vegetation and invasive aquatic plants in wetlands.

Application at Wheeler NWR

Application rates for Wheeler NWR (up to 350 acres total) will be 4 quarts of Aquaneat

(aquatic glyphosate) and 0.5 quarts surfactant per acre. This will be applied at a rate of

10 gallons of water per acre using GPS operated flow control. Application will primarily be for control of alligator weed and secondary control of black willow and other non-desirable woody vegetation.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall begin with the issuance of the award date of the contract with the spraying to be conducted between June 1, 2026 to October 15, 2026.

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS to achieve 95% treatment coverage. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non- recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: The contractor is not required nor permitted to perform services on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

President’s Day Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day

Independence Day Christmas Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. Depending on weather conditions and wind speeds the work may have to occur outside the normal business day.

Refuge staff will be available during these conditions. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the

Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the

Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the following locations:

Headquarters: Wheeler NWR, 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Decatur, AL 35603

Treatment boundary within Wheeler NWR boundary

1.6.7 Security Requirements: Not applicable.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: The Contractor and Pilot shall, without additional expense to the Service, be responsible for obtaining any licenses and permits, and for complying with any applicable Federal laws, codes, and regulations in connection with prosecution of the work.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5.

The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other

Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced.

Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions:

assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the

Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property; and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially regarding changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: The following are considered key personnel by the government:

Nick Wirwa, 256-353-7243 x46144, for Wheeler NWR. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons. Depending on weather conditions and wind speeds the work may have to occur outside the normal business day.

Refuge staff will be available during these conditions. Qualifications for all key personnel are listed below: Operator is to possess the required licenses and certifications to aerially apply herbicides by helicopter.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel working in situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. Vehicles should also be clearly marked bearing the companies name and logo.

1.6.16 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational

Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the

Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may effect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the

OCI.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the

U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations.

This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor if that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key

Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor.

The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COR Contracting Officer Representative

COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

KO Contracting Officer

POC Point of Contact

PRS Performance Requirements Summary

PWS Performance Work Statement

QA Quality Assurance

QAP Quality Assurance Program

QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

QC Quality Control

QCP Quality Control Program

TE Technical Exhibit

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will provide:

Prior to each aerial treatment, the FWS will provide a map (pdf) and spatial data (shp or kml) of the treatment areas with acres to the contractor before the application date. A

FWS employee will be on site during all periods of the aerial application to make sure the contractor meets and follows all requirements outlined in Part 5. Assessment of the treatment areas will be made approximately two weeks following the herbicide treatment to make sure that 95% of the mapped area was treated. Spatial data will be used to make the assessment.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will provide no facilities. The Refuge will provide direction to a designated location on site for the vendor to land and refuel or refill spray tank. The Refuge is not responsible for supplying water for tank mixing as there is no hydrant access on site.

3.3 Utilities: The Government will provide no utilities. The vendor will need to have a water truck capable of refilling the helicopter spray tank. The vendor will be responsible for securing a clean water source as the Refuge does not have a location capable of filling such a large tank. Typically, the vendors have made arrangements with the local fire departments to fill their water tank from the city hydrants.

3.4 Equipment: The Government will provide no equipment.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide maps of the designated areas and the chemicals as outlined in Part 5.1.1.

GPS/GIS technologies and paper copies of maps.

Chemicals: The Government will supply all chemical and surfactant sufficient for one application. Repeat applications, if required, will be at the expense of the contractor as outlined in Part 5.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this

PWS. This will include the ground crew and licensed helicopter pilot.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable.

4.3. Materials: The Contractor shall furnish all materials required to accomplish the requirements outlined in this PWS, excluding those outlined in Part 3 as Government

Provided Items. Contractor will provide a GIS map (pdf) and spatial data (shp or kml) showing the areas treated at the time services are delivered. Spatial data is to be collected at the time of treatment from an onboard GPS system. Map will be broken out showing areas treated by chemical type for each refuge included in the contract. Map showing actual acreage treated will be provided to the refuge no later than two weeks following the application. Water for tank mixing will need to supplied by the contractor.

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall provide the helicopter, PPE (personal protective equipment), and any other supplies, equipment, etc. to furnish the requirements of this

PWS, excluding those outlined in Part 3 as Government Provided Items.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for aerial application, via a helicopter, of herbicides on up to 350 acres per year, at a rate of 10 GPA of spray solution as prescribed in this PWS. An aquatic labeled herbicide will be used to treat woody vegetation and invasive aquatic plants in wetlands. The chemicals and surfactants will be provided by the Refuge.

5.1.1. Prior to each aerial treatment, the FWS will map all areas to be treated using GPS and GIS technologies. Paper copies of these maps will be provided to the contractor on or before the application date. The contractor will be provided the GIS data prior to their arrival, if requested. An FWS employee will be on site during all periods of the aerial application to make sure the contractor meets and follows all requirements outlined in 3.0

“Scope” above. Assessment of the treatment areas will be made approximately two weeks following the herbicide treatment to make sure that 95% of the mapped area was treated. Again, GPS and GIS will be used to make the assessment.

5.1.2. Refuge specific applications are as follows:

Application at Wheeler NWR

Application rates for Wheeler NWR (up to 350 acres total) will be 4 quarts of Aquaneat

(aquatic glyphosate) and 0.5 quarts of surfactant per acre. This will be applied at a rate of 10 gallons of water per acre using GPS operated flow control. Application will primarily be for control of alligatorweed and secondary control of black willow, red maple, sweetgum, and other non-desirable woody vegetation.

5.2. Task Heading.

5.2.1 Licenses/Certifications/Permits: The Contractor shall have the required licenses and certifications to aerially apply herbicides by helicopter. Pilot will have copy of the contract and the required documents when he arrives on site.

5.2.2. Aerial Application of Herbicides via Helicopter: The Contractor will:

5.2.2.1 Provide the ground crew and helicopter pilot to perform requirements outlined in this PWS. The contractor also to provide the crew with a copy of this PWS so they understand their responsibilities.

5.2.2.2 Operate at less than 60 mph using a microfoil or through-valve boom with a nozzle size of 045 or greater in order to reduce the risk of spray drift onto non-target vegetation. Boom pressures may not exceed 40 psi with 30 psi being preferred. Nozzles must always be pointed backward parallel with the air stream and never pointed downward more than 45 degrees.

5.2.2.3 Apply the herbicides in such a manner and at a rate as designated by the USFWS to provide adequate coverage within the designated treatment areas.

5.2.2.4 Apply and handle the herbicide and surfactant in a manner that conforms to all state and federal regulations and label restrictions.

5.2.2.5 Be responsible for disposal of all empty herbicide and surfactant containers.

Disposal must be according to state and federal regulations.

5.2.2.6 Complete the herbicide application between June 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026.

5.2.2.7 Coordinate with the USFWS to determine the date(s) and time(s) of herbicide application to minimize impacts on other USFWS activities.

5.2.2.8 Will not apply herbicides when wind speeds are in excess of 7 mph or when inversion conditions occur to limit drift on non-target vegetation.

5.2.2.9 All spray tanks and mixing tanks must be properly cleaned (triple rinsed) prior to arrival because this will not be allowed on site. Contractor may not flush/rinse out tanks onto the ground after the job is completed.

5.2.2.10 Contractor is responsible for cleaning up any spills that may occur.

5.2.2.11 Contractor is responsible for all damage to agriculture crops.

5.2.2.12 Application must cover at least 95% of the mapped area to be sprayed or contractor must return within 2 weeks to spray the area missed at the contractors own cost including chemicals and surfactant.

5.2.2.13 Discharge the spray at an elevation of no more than 10 feet above the alligator-weed or tallest vegetation in the area being sprayed unless a greater height is required for aircraft safety.

5.3 Non-target areas (agriculture crops) must be avoided. The contractor shall protect property such as roads, levees, fences, power lines, water control structures, ditches, agriculture crops, and other private property against unnecessary damage and shall repair said damages immediately. The contractor shall restore damages to the condition found prior to damage.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures, including chemical labels and Material Safety Data Sheets.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1– Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2 – Deliverables Schedule

ATTACHMENT 1

Performance Requirements Summary

The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective

(The Service required— usually a shall statement)

Standard Performance

Threshold

(This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of

Surveillance

Positive

Or

Negative

Incentive

PRS # 1.

The contractor and the helicopter pilot shall have required licenses/certificates.

Refer to 1.6.8

Qualifications, Part

4 Contractor

Furnished Items and Specific Task #

5.2.1

100% compliance.

Zero Deviation

100% Inspection

Positive:

Favorable performance review; prompt payment of invoices.

Negative: Possible

Termination for

Default. Negative past performance evaluation.

PRS # 2

The contractor shall provide ground crew, pilot and helicopter.

Refer to Specific

Task # 5.2.2.1

Zero

Deviation.

Favorable performance review; prompt payment of invoices.

Negative: Possible

Termination for

Default or Delay of

Work. Negative past performance

PRS # 3

provide aerial application of herbicides via helicopter

Tasks # 5.1 and #

5.2 (all items under these tasks)

95% compliance as outlined in

Quality

Assurance

(Application must cover at least 95% of the mapped area to be sprayed).

Favorable performance review; prompt

Negative: Retreat missed areas at no additional expense to the government.

Negative past performance

PRS # 4

protect government property at all times

Task # 5.3

Zero deviation

Visual Inspection

Favorable performance review; prompt

Negative: Restore damages to the condition found prior to damage at no additional expense to the government.

Negative past performance

ATTACHMENT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To

Key Personnel

Contact

Information

Within 15 days of beginning spraying operations

2 MS Word or

PDF

Contracting

Officer and Site

Representative

Copy of pilot’s license and certifications to aerially apply herbicides by helicopter

Once 1 Hard copy Site

Representative

Ground crew, pilot and helicopter

Duration of

Period of

Performance n/a n/a Site

Representative

Application of herbicides as per this PWS

Duration of

Period of

Performance n/a n/a Site

GIS Map of treated areas

Within 2 weeks of the application

1 Hard copy of map and GIS data

Site