Performance Work Statement

Invasive vegetation management, Occoquan Bay NWR

1. Introduction and Overview

The Occoquan Bay NWR requires approximately 10 acres, including 2 acres of Tree-of-Heaven colonies in scattered areas and the other 4-acre area designated as “test area” to be treated with approved herbicides, controlling invasive plants, including but not limited to, callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliate), Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) as targeted species of invasive plants.

1.1 Background

The Refuge used to be managed as grassland habitat for wildlife. Now, we are reverting the habitat to forest, supporting the priority species (Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Yellow- Throated Vireo, Prothonotary Warbler, and American Woodcock). Currently, the invasive plant species are present and hindering the growth of native trees and saplings (oaks, hickories, ashes, etc.) progressing to the next successional stage towards forest in these areas. The treatments of invasive vegetation will allow the native trees and saplings to grow with less competition.

1.2 Scope of Work

Licensed and trained personnel of pesticide applicators certified in the state of Virginia will apply approved herbicides on targeted plant species in approximately 10 acres at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in Woodbridge, Virginia. The primary targeted plants to treat the 2-acre of scattered areas are Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Use the herbicide with formulation of triclopyr ester to treat by hack-and-squirt method on these wooden trees larger than 1 inch in diameter in the fall, before the onset of fall color. The foliar spray method with 2% solution of either glyphosate or triclopyr can be used on smaller trees in colonies. In the 4-acre “test area”, the targeted plants are mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). The “test area” is bordered by roads in the east, south, and west and the ditch in tall, mature trees in the north.

Also, invasive plants, including mile-a-minute, Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), and other invasive plants listed above, as found along the Refuge roads and trails will be treated with approved herbicide to prevent and reduce their spread in the remaining 4 acres scattered on the Refuge, see attached map. These areas will be treated during the growing season. Contractor is to supply all needed herbicides and equipment including the agreed to apply herbicide with use of backpack sprayers, ATV/UTV and/or other equipment needed to complete task. Take great care not to cause injury (by drift of herbicide spray or root uptake) unto the desirable and native trees nearby.

The contractor will submit status reports to technical POC weekly by text message or e-mail, including work timeframe for the week, number of personnel on-site, area being treated, method of treatment, and any logistical issues that may emerge regarding public use. The contractor will also provide a complete document recording the acreage of treated areas, what amount of which herbicide applied in which treated area, and what percent efficacy of each treatment after the task is complete, plus the GIS shapefiles containing certain areas that were treated with name of targeted invasive plant species.

1.3 Objectives

Treat to eliminate the targeted plant species using approved herbicides and methods of treatment within the 2 acres of scattered areas with Tree-of-Heaven colonies, other 4-acre “test area”, and 4 acres of scattered areas infested with invasive plants on Refuge, see map in Figure 1.

1.4 Period of Performance

Period of Performance begins June 1, 2027 – October 31, 2027.

2. Tasks

The contractor shall conduct the following tasks:

• Communicate with technical POC by text message or e-mail to coordinate timing and locations of treatment.

• Mix, safely store and utilize herbicide as instructed on product label.

• Use backpack or other portable spraying equipment to deliver the herbicide effectively and minimize spray drift.

• Application rate in fluid ounces as indicated on the herbicide label to treat target invasive plants.

• Walk and/or drive UTV/ATV in designated treatment areas to identify target and conduct herbicide applications on invasive plant species.

2.1 Schedules/Milestones

Schedule of services to be negotiated by the contractor and refuge federal project manager.

3. Progress/Compliance

The Government requires the following from contractors in order to monitor progress and ensure compliance:

• Before start of project, provide a list of proposed herbicides to insure NEPA/EPA compliance and managerial approval.

• Weekly status report, including work timeframe for the week, number of personnel on-site, area being treated, method of treatment, and any logistical issues that may emerge regarding public use.

4. Payments and Invoices

4.1 The Contractor shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award. The SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov.

4.2 The Contractor is also required to be registered in the Internet Payment Platform System (IPP) in order to submit electronic invoices. Any questions regarding this billing system https://www.sam.gov/ should go to the Customer Support for the IPP directly at telephone: 866-973-3131 or by email: ippgroup@bos.frb.org. The Contractor must submit all receipts and time card data as an attachment to the electronic invoice in the IPP that matches what is being invoiced.

4.3 Back-up documentation should be reviewed and approved by the project manager prior to uploading the electronic invoice to prevent delays in payments or rejection of the invoice being submitted.

mailto:ippgroup@bos.frb.org

Figure 1: Map of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, showing locations targeted for invasive plant management in this scope of work.