Attachment_1_-_PWS_Crystal_River_NWR_PWS_FY24_FL_Invasive_Species_Contract.pdf

Page 1 of 13 PR #

Specifications/Performance Work Requirements Furnish and Deliver FY24

Crystal River NWR Crystal River, Florida

PR #

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide ground treatment of invasive native and non-native (exotic) plants at the Crystal River NWR Complex. The Contractor shall control, treat and/or remove invasive native and non-native vegetation, including Category 1 & 2 state-listed invasive plants, using approved ground treatment methodologies, and approved herbicide Current Control Technologies. The Government will 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. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform work services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Introduction: Using current control techniques, contractor will target existing Refuge high priority species such as Brazilian pepper, (Schinus terebinthifolia), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), Common lantana (Lantana camara), existing incipient invasive plants such as Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex), wax begonia (Begonia cucullia), weeping bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis), Flamegold or Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria elegans), Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), Pinuela (Bromelia pinguin), trailing daisy or wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), and Goosefoot-plant (Syngonium podophyllum). Any other Florida Invasive Species Council (FL-ISC) listed Category I & II and other invasive, non-native plants identified, or occurring within the project treatment area will also be targeted. Additionally, 60% of the space occupied by emergent and submerged wetland plants within the managed wetland area will be treated/removed to reduce plant density. These actions will improve the existing habitat for wildlife while meeting the water treatment objectives of the managed wetland. The Contractor shall treat 100% of the treatment area, 100% of invasive, non-native, and native invasive plants, or those identified in the PWS, and achieve a 95% control rate of all targeted vegetation three (3) months post-treatment.

1.3 Period of Performance: The Contractor shall begin work around September 1, 2024, or within 2 weeks of notification from an authorized Government representative. The Contractor shall be responsible for completing an initial treatment of all targeted priority areas within ≤ 90 days of notification to begin work. The Contractor shall wait a minimum of one month before performing any re-treatments so results of the initial treatment are visible, and crews shall then target plants or infestations missed during initial treatments. Final inspection and final billing shall be completed prior to the end of the Period of Performance. The project shall be fully completed [initial, re-treat, inspection, final invoice] within 1 year following issuance of the task order and notification to begin work.

1.4 Place of Performance: Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (Figures 1 and 2)

1.5 Type of Contract: This is a fixed price per acre contract/task order.

1.6 Security Requirements: Access will be through the maintenance entrance of Three Sisters Springs Unit off of Kings Bay Drive. The gate code will be provided to the Contractor but must not be shared with others. Access to refuge islands may be made by a public boat ramp at Pete’s Pier located at the north end of Kings Bay or the Port Hotel and Marina adjacent to the refuge headquarters.

1.7 Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.8 Key Control (if applicable). The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys and gate codes issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or

Attachment 1

Page 2 of 13 PR # duplicate keys to the Contracting Officer.

1.8.1 In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting Officer, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.8.2 The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys or gate codes by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.8.3 Lock Combinations (if applicable). The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations or gate codes are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.9 Special Qualifications: N/A

1.10 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference or progress meetings 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), Government/Site Representative (GR/SR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance and/or status of work. 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 being experienced, if any. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.11 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Government/Site Representative (GR/SR): The COR/SR will be identified by either separate letter or other form of notification. The COR/GR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR/GR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; conduct 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, and specifications; monitor Contractor performance and notify 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 with regard to 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.

1.12 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager or Administrator, Project Manager, and the Crew Supervisor. 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 Project 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 by cell phone or text message.

1.13 Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other 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. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. The Contractor personnel will be required to obtain and wear badges (or company attire indicating name of company) in performance of this service.

1.14 Data Rights (If applicable): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract.

All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from

Page 3 of 13 PR # the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

II. BACKGROUND

2.1 Treatment and management of non-native and nuisance plants has been identified as one of the highest priorities within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Invasive exotic plants displace native plant communities and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Their rapid growth and copious seed production permit the establishment of dense, impenetrable forests and thickets that shade out desirable native plant species, affect water flow and drainage, obstruct human and wildlife movement and public viewing opportunities. Invasive exotic plants degrade native habitat quality decreasing native species abundance and diversity. Refuges employ a variety of management techniques to control invasive exotic plants including herbicides (primary means), mechanical controls (heavy equipment), cultural controls (prescribed fire), physical controls (hand pulling seedlings & vines), and biological controls (when available). Invasive non-native and nuisance plant removal work is performed by Refuge staff, independent Contractors, volunteers, and volunteer groups.

III. SCOPE

3.1 Objective: To provide herbicide and physical (manual pulling) control and treatment of invasive, non-native and native vegetation within delineated project boundaries (to be determined [TBD] by individual task order awards; Figure 2).

Completion of proposed projects shall meet USFWS mission requirements and to ensure restoration, in part, of ecosystems that provide critical habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered plants and wildlife, and a host of species listed by the State of Florida as Species of Special Concern. Crystal River NWR was established for the protection of the Florida manatee. Small numbers of manatees live in waters of Kings Bay during the summer months (April-September) with hundreds of manatees seeking the refuge of the warm water springs throughout Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs during the winter months (October-March). The specific goal of this project shall be to treat all invasive and non-native plants including Category 1 & 2 exotic plants listed by the FLEPPC on 96 acres of Crystal River NWR Complex. This includes the Three Sisters Springs unit of the Refuge Complex, which is 57 acres and includes a canal on the Eastern border of the property, a 6-acre emergent wetland, and an 8-acre lake. The Refuge-administered islands and island parcels within Kings Bay encompass an additional 32 acres, the parcel at 556 SW King’s Bay Drive is 2.6 acres, the parcel at 31 SE King’s Bay Drive is 0.4 acres, and two Refuge parcels near Refuge headquarters at 1502 SE Kings Bay Drive are a combined 4 acres. See Figure 3 for priority species locations.

3.1.1 Priority 1: Three Sisters Springs Unit – This is a 57-acre parcel that includes a 6-acre emergent wetland/open water area where treatment will include but is not limited to hydrilla, water lettuce, water hyacinth, and water hemlock. Cattail cover shall be reduced by 35% at locations to be approved by the refuge prior to treatment. Native willow trees and shrubs under 5 inches diameter at breast height shall also be removed within the wetland and the remainder of the parcel. Mexican petunia is becoming established along the 137-foot spring run and the shoreline of the1-acre springs. Hydrilla occurs in the 7-acre Lake Crystal. Brazilian pepper, cogon grass and other category 1 and 2 plants are scattered throughout the remainder of the parcel.

3.1.2 Priority 2: The canal/drainage ditch along the eastern border of the Three Sisters Springs unit. This canal is approximately 1,100 feet long by 35 feet wide. Primary species for treatment include hydrilla in the canal and wild taro on the adjacent bank. Overhanging vegetation, branches, and dead trees on both canal banks will be trimmed and removed as part of this contract.

3.1.3 Priority 3: Approximately 23 acres of islands within Kings Bay islands (wild taro and umbrella sedge).

3.1.4 Priority 4: The Headquarters Unit consists of 4 acres located at 1502 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL. Primary species for treatment include air potato, Chinese tallow, and others in low densities. A vacant residential lot near the Headquarters Unit is also included. This lot is less than 0.5 acres and is located at 31 SE Kings Bay Drive. Primary species include wedelia, wild taro, air potato, and possibly bamboo.

3.2 Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Method of treatment will be by ground. Applications must be at the appropriate rate suggested by the manufacturer and in accordance with the label. All work must be done according to the work statement, EPA standards and herbicide label restrictions.

3.3 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor (i.e. herbicide application), equipment, supplies (i.e. chemicals, herbicides, adjuvant), transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of contract. NOTE: The Crew Supervisors must be familiar with working and driving in habitats similar to those within the Refuge. Travel from the mobilization site to delineated work areas must minimize impact to the native

Page 4 of 13 PR # habitat by using the same trail to access the site as much as possible. Crews must avoid all areas marked as “off limits”;

coordinates for these locations will be provided by the Government or Site Representative. Treatment applications shall be performed in such a manner as to protect non-target organisms, the environment, and the public. NOTE: The Contracting Officer reserves the right to require the Contractor to replace any operating personnel, or equipment used in the performance of this Contract if the personnel, or equipment are violating, or have violated, any state or federal laws; or are unsafe; or for any valid reason. In this event, the Contractor shall as soon as reasonably possible, upon written or verbal notice (to be later reduced to writing) from the Contracting Officer, provide replacements satisfactory to the Contracting Officer at no additional cost.

3.4 Work performance shall be defined as 100% of the project area treated, 100% of identified species infestations treated, and a 95% control rate (Acceptance Criteria [AC]) achieved four to six months post-treatment. If the AC is not met, it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to re-treat areas until the control rate is achieved at no additional cost to the Government

(FWS).

3.5 The Contractor shall provide adequate personnel for the purpose of loading and dispersing the chemicals. The Contractor shall be responsible for all unloading/loading operations. Movement of chemicals, water, and equipment in and around the treatment locations shall be the sole responsibility of the contract applicators. All personnel and equipment to be used shall be appropriately licensed and certificated as appropriate for the work to be done. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing sufficient equipment, fuel (for equipment), safety items, spill response kit, personnel and their subsistence needs during the project period, as well as checking all work sites for hazards of any type which could affect their ability to accomplish the spraying project.

3.6 The Contractor shall provide USFWS with contact information for all ground personnel, vehicles, and equipment, identification information (including make, model, color, name of company, and contact information) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

3.7 The name brand and quantity of herbicide proposed by the contractor must be pre-approved by the USFWS through a Pesticide Use Proposal 14 days prior to application (the chemical approval process can take several months). Rates applied shall not exceed the highest rate recommended on the label for that treatment. Upon request, the USFWS can supply a list of commonly used chemicals for the Southeast Region.

3.8 The Contractor shall supply equipment to meter chemicals and water mixtures, and shall provide mixing and loading equipment and water. Water hauling services may be required. The Contractor must be capable of calibrating equipment to the final application rate specifications. *NOTE: All equipment and personnel must be able to work at a semi-remote and semi-primitive site (i.e., no electrical or water hookups, bathrooms, or other facilities available).

3.9 Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when spraying or using pesticides. Refuges are heavily visited by the public.

In application areas where there is potential for public use, the Refuge shall advise the Contractor of any public use hazards. It shall be the ultimate responsibility of the Contractor to initiate spray operations – GO/NO GO. The Contractor shall mitigate for herbicide contamination on federal land and adjacent private property, and any adjacent waters. Herbicides shall be applied and utilized as approved or recommended on the label. Any fines or penalties for herbicide contamination or resultant environmental damage shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

3.10 The Refuge Manager must be notified at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of work activities and the application of any chemical.

3.11 No heavy equipment will be allowed to operate within the treatment units sooner than 48 hours after a rain event of 2 inches or more. During periods of extended wet weather or in areas with saturated soils, equipment cannot cause ruts greater than 6 inches deep. If work is prohibited by the USFWS due to extended wet weather, negotiations may be made to lengthen the contract period.

3.12 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife other than any identified native vegetation to be treated. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall avoid damage to sensitive archaeological sites such as Native American middens and shell mounds. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all trash and treatment-related equipment. The Contractor shall be held liable if damage was determined to be the fault of the Contractor (negligence), the result of improper treatment techniques, or the result of Contractor control activities.

3.13 Ground crews shall be transported by trucks, boats, airboats, ATVs, UTVs, and/or jon boats to be furnished by the Contractor. Each ground crew shall consist of one supervisor and no more than six crewmembers per supervisor. The ground

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Crew Supervisor must be a licensed herbicide applicator, and shall be responsible for data collection, herbicide application and inventory, herbicide safety procedures, and crew supervision. The Crew Supervisor and all crew members shall have navigation equipment such as a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, to mark areas of treatment for submittal to the Refuge. All targeted plants, or populations of such plants, shall be treated and treatment sites recorded at each designated location before proceeding further. The Refuge COR/COTR shall provide technical support concerning species treatments for each delineated work area shall this information be requested. Under no circumstances shall a non-approved herbicide or combination thereof, be used without knowledge or permission of the COR and an approved pesticide use proposal.

IV. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

4.1 All Contractor employees performing work directly onsite must adhere to all local regulations, rules, policies relating to the obtainment of proper clearances, building access, site access, and badges. If applicable, must complete background investigation, computer security, and records management training.

4.2 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

4.3 OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 (as applicable)

4.4 EPA regulations

4.5 The Contractor is responsible for acquiring and maintaining all federal and local licenses, certification, and permits as required including a Florida State Certified Pesticide Applicator license. Each crew supervisor shall have a valid and current license in the aquatic and/or natural areas categories issued by the State of Florida, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Contractor shall be required to submit a copy of the licenses to the Contracting Officer prior to the award date.

4.6 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

4.7 Chapter 487, Florida Statutes

4.8 The Contractor (or their representatives) will not litter. Litter violations will be handled under Federal Code of Regulations 50CFR27.94(a) , which carries a fine of $100.00 per incident upon conviction.

V. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Supply and apply herbicide according to desired outcomes as per label directions and quantities.

5.1.1 Employ approved Current Control Technologies (CCTs) for controlling identified invasive, non-native and native vegetation in the treatment areas. Treated plants shall be cut or left in place at the Contractor’s discretion unless indicated otherwise at the discretion of the Site Manager (SM). The Contractor shall have full responsibility for systematically treating the highest priority areas indicated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Site Representative (SR) unless the priority is changed by management. The Crew Supervisor shall be responsible for notifying the COR/SR within three weeks of treatment completion so that area can be inspected. Areas not treated, or not responding to treatment shall be required to be re-treated at the Contractor’s expense, if it is determined that the Contractor provided inadequate treatment measures. The Contractor shall be responsible for treatment of 100% of the project treatment area, 100% of targeted pest plants, and 95% control (four to six months post-treatment) of all targeted species including Category I and II exotic plant species within the delineated treatment area.

5.1.2 Treatment requirements for all project units: Complete ground treatment of 100% of targeted invasive, non-native and native vegetation plants including all FLEPPC Category I and II species unless otherwise indicated, achieving no less than 95% control three months post-treatment.

5.1.2.1 Apply the herbicides in such a manner and rate to provide adequate coverage within the designated treatment areas.

Application rates shall be no more than the maximum permitted by label and manufacturer’s specifications. The Contractor shall only apply herbicides that have been approved through the Refuge Pesticide Use Proposal process. Confirmation of permitted herbicides shall be coordinated with the Government/Site Representative (GR/SR)/Refuge Manager and approved well in advance of the spraying. The Contractor shall be held liable for the use of any non-approved herbicides, or damage occurring from the usage of a non-approved herbicide.

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5.1.2.2 The Contractor shall canvass 100% of the treatment area.

5.1.2.3 Non-Target Damage: The Contractor shall, to the best of his/her ability, avoid non-target damage to native vegetation, and avoid disturbance and impacts to native wildlife. Contractor will not apply herbicides when wind speeds are in excess of 12 mph (or as agreed upon by GR), or when inversion conditions occur to limit drift.

5.1.2.4 Handling, Mixing, Chemical Disposal: All herbicides and adjuvants/surfactants shall be handled and stored in accordance with instructions on the EPA registration label. All herbicides shall be mixed and applied in accordance with the label instructions. Unless noted, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing, handling, mixing and disposing of all herbicides and adjuvants/surfactants. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all mixing water on all FWS projects.

In addition, the Contractor shall ensure that no contamination of any water source occurs, and that emergency spill containment equipment, or spill kit shall be present at the worksite, and shall be capable of containing all potential herbicide or surfactant spills from contract vehicles or equipment.

5.1.2.5 The Contractor shall perform an initial treatment and a re-treatment, as necessary, to ensure Acceptance Criteria is met.

5.1.2.6. All boats, machetes, and other equipment must be properly cleaned and sterilized using accepted BMPs to ensure that contamination from other job sites does not occur. The Contractor shall follow accepted decontamination protocols. The Contractor will be held responsible for any new species introductions to the treatment unit that can be traced to a prior job site.

5.2 The Contractor shall complete the herbicide application during the specified dates as directed by the COR/SR.

5.2.1 The Contractor shall coordinate with the Government to determine the date(s) and time(s) of herbicide application to minimize impacts on other Government activities and so refuge staff has time to close roads and trails in the treatment area prior to treatment beginning. Contractor must have work dates and a plan of work approved by the USFWS 48 hours prior to beginning work, preferably established during a face-to-face pre-work meeting.

5.3 The Contractor shall clean and flush spray equipment in accordance with EPA guidelines. All spray tanks and mixing tanks must be properly cleaned (triple rinsed) prior to arrival because this will not be allowed on site. Contractor/operator may not flush/rinse out tanks onto the ground after the job is completed. Prior to leaving the worksite for the day, the Contractor shall remove all equipment and materials associated with contract or aerial spraying activities on government property unless approval has been granted by the Refuge Manager or GR, and/or a storage site has been identified.

5.4 Contractor shall be responsible for cleaning up any spills that may occur.

5.5 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all trash and treatment-related equipment. Trash shall be removed on a daily basis. If damage occurs, the Contractor shall be held liable if damage was determined to be because of Contractor negligence, the result of improper treatment techniques, or the result of Contractor control activities.

5.6 Special Conditions: The Contractor shall fully survey all treatment areas for invasive, non-native and native vegetation infestations. The Contractor will exercise caution not to damage existing native plant communities during survey efforts. FWS staff reserve the right to mobilize the Contractor to any areas provided funding remains on the task order to achieve habitat management goals of the Refuge.

5.6.1 Work may be temporarily suspended during certain construction or during or when conducting prescribed fire activities, during anticipated extreme weather conditions such as drought, or in anticipation of tropical storms or other severe weather event, or during low water or muddy conditions.

5.6.2 Water levels and high fire danger may prohibit access to delineated project areas during certain times of the year. The SM or GR may re-assign Contractor crews to a different area on short notice should any Special Condition warrant these measures. Notification shall occur verbally and in writing, and shall be mutually agreed upon by the CO, SM/GR, and the Contractor.

5.6.3 Weather and site conditions may interfere with the work completion schedule negotiated at the pre-award conference.

The CO may halt work at any time upon written notice for conditions beyond the control of the Contractor. If this results in significant time lost, the completion date for the project can be re-negotiated by the CO/COR/GR and the Contractor.

5.6.3.1 The Contractor and/or Project or Crew Supervisor shall exercise due diligence with respect to and with regards to

Page 7 of 13 PR # coordinating control activities if adverse weather is expected or predicted. Future weather conditions (the next day’s and beyond) shall be evaluated nightly by the Contractor, their designated Project Manager, and/or the Crew Supervisor prior to planning and initiating exotic control activities for the next day or days ahead. Except in unusual or extreme cases, weather can be predicted fairly accurately.

5.6.4 No heavy equipment shall be utilized during extreme wet periods due to damage to native habitats.

5.7 The Contractor is subject to all Performance Requirement stipulations as detailed in the ‘master’ IDIQ contract.

VI. WORK TIME/HOURS OF DUTY

6.1 Work will not be performed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas or the days these holidays are observed.

6.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall be responsible for working a 40-hour work week, and conducting business, between the hours of 7 AM to 5:30 PM (or as determined by the Site Manager) 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. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the Contractor shall 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.

6.2.1 Any weekend work requires prior approval by the designated Contracting Officer and the Site Manager.

VII. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND UTILITIES

NOTE: As a government agency dedicated to “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) strives to incorporate the most ecologically sound and environmentally beneficial technologies, materials, and practices into all aspects of planning and operations. To help achieve this mission and meet Executive Orders (EOs) and Department of the Interior (DOI) planning requirements, the FWS has implemented strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with procurement, lease acquisition, waste prevention and recycling, facility design, construction, operation and management, contracting and permitted commercial visitor services. These strategies have been collectively referred to as the FWS’s Green Procurement and Waste Prevention & Recycling Program (Greening Program) and are a part of the FWS’s overall approach to environmental management.

7.1 Government-Furnished Property and Services. The Government will provide the Contractor with the following items:

7.1.1 Services/Supply: none

7.1.2 Facilities: none

7.1.3 Utilities: none

7.1.4 Equipment: none

7.2 Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: To be provided by the Contractor.

7.2.1 All supplies, equipment, parts, and material(s) required to successfully complete this requirement (unless otherwise provided by the Government as indicated above). All equipment to be used in the performance of work described herein is subject to the approval of the Government Representative.

VIII. SUPERVISION

8.1 In order to ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall provide adequate

Page 8 of 13 PR # and competent supervision at all times for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees. When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be available at all times to receive notices, reports, or requests from the GR/COR or his authorized representative. At no time shall Government Representatives direct, or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees.

8.2 On-site Supervision. An on-site supervisor, with the ability to speak and understand English clearly and with the authority to act for the Contractor on a day-to-day basis and to sign inspection reports and all other correspondence on behalf of the Contractor, shall be present at the work site at all times when contract work is in progress, unless a contractor employee can act on the supervisor’s behalf.

8.3. Supervisory Responsibilities. Supervisory responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

8.3.1 Providing an adequate labor force; this includes the immediate replacement of personnel dismissed for cause or leaving employment of their own volition.

8.3.2 Ensuring that Contractor personnel are properly trained to perform their assigned work in a proper, safe, and efficient manner, and ensuring that the proper supplies, materials, and equipment are on hand.

8.3.3 Taking action to prevent general carelessness by employees and/or abuse of facilities or equipment.

8.3.4 Establishing an effective and comprehensive safety program.

8.3.5 Indoctrinating employees to report fire, hazardous conditions, maintenance deficiencies, and graffiti.

8.3.6 Continually ensuring that the conduct of the Contractor’s employees reflect favorably upon the Contractor’s and FWS organization(s). If applicable, supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that employees fully support and participate in the energy-conservation program within the facilities. Use lights or other energy-consuming equipment only in areas where and when work is actually being performed. Secure lights and other equipment when not in use or needed.

IX. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

9.1 Supervisory Personnel. All supervisory employees engaged in directing the work to be accomplished under this contract shall possess, at least with-in the last two years of recent, (within the past four years) experience in directing the subject service-type operations in a supervisory capacity for buildings/property of the approximate size/scope under this contract.

X. DELIVERABLES

10.1 Frequent reporting/accounting of overall progress and (to-date) expenditures (i.e. 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%) or as determined by the Government/Site Representative.

10.2 Universal Daily Progress Report (U-DPR), to be provided prior to commencement of work, documenting all locations treated in UTMs, habitat types, herbicides and surfactants used and their respective volumes, dates treated, number of applicators, hours worked, targeted species and stems/acreage treated and seedlings pulled, equipment used and hours, etc., which shall be submitted to the FWS Site Manager or his/her designee on a bi-weekly basis (minimum). Contractor shall enter U-DPR information into necessary databases.

10.3 Associated tracks and waypoints collected shall be downloaded as a projected shape file and provided to the Contracting Officer’s Representative or Site Manager of record or their designee.

10.4 Coordination, application, and wrap-up meetings

10.5 Work plan to include schedule

10.6 Safety/spill response plan

10.7 A government representative will inspect all areas periodically during the contract period and will perform a final inspection of all areas 30 days following treatments.

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10.8 Copies of all task order invoices (signed by the Contractor Crew Supervisor/Site Manager) shall be submitted to the FWS Site Manager as agreed upon by the Government and the Contractor. Invoices shall be submitted no more frequently than on a monthly basis.

10.9 Comprehensive Project Summary Report to include gross acreage covered, infested acreage treated in total, infested acres treated by species, and total amount of herbicide used for each herbicide, etc.

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

(This technical exhibit lists any reports or documentation that are required as a deliverable and includes the frequency, # of copies, medium/format and who/where it is to be submitted. A deliverable is anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as meeting minutes.)

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To List of Company Point of Contacts with name, phone number, email address

Once 1 Pre-award teleconference notes;

MS Word

Contracting Officer and Government

Representative/Manager

Coordination, pre-award, application, interim, and wrap-up meetings

As directed by the CO/COR/SR n/a Meeting Government

Representative/Manager

Scheduled reporting/accounting of progress (acres cleared and treated, brand or trade name and amount of herbicide used, and expected acreage treated for the next week).

Bi-weekly; also at 50% & 100% project completion

Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

U-DPR Bi-weekly 1 Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

WEEDAR/AVATAR

and Government

Representative/Manager

GPS Track Log As directed by the CO/COR/SR 1 Projected shape file Government

Representative/Manager Weekly logs to document progress Recorded daily;

submitted weekly 1 Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

Comprehensive project summary report

Once; when project has been approved by designated Gov’t

COR

1 MS Word document or tabular form

Government Representative/Site specific COR

Complete all billing paperwork

Within 14 days of completion of project 2 www.ipp.gov with hard copy invoice

Contracting Officer And Government

Representative/Manager

XI. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

11.1 The Contractor shall institute a complete quality-control program to ensure that the requirements of this contract are provided, as specified. The overall goal of the program should be to identify and correct any problems that may exist before they are identified by or reported to the Refuge Manager (RM), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Government/Site Representative (GR/SR). This will aid in ensuring the contractor meets time schedules, adheres to standard commercial practices, and complies with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in an efficient, ethical, and productive manner. As a minimum, the program shall include:

11.1.1 An inspection system covering all the services required under Section V (Performance Requirements) with a comprehensive checklist to be used to inspect contract performance during scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and the name(s) of the individuals who will be performing the inspections.

http://www.ipp.gov/

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11.1.2 A system for identifying and correcting deficiencies and/or a pattern of deficiencies in the quality or quantity of services provided before the level of performance becomes unacceptable and/or Government inspectors point out the deficiencies.

11.1.3 A file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and corrective actions taken (at Contractor’s expense). This should include follow-up inspections to ensure that corrective action was appropriate, complete, and timely. This documentation shall be organized in a logical manner, kept current, and made available to the COR or GR/SR and the Contracting Officer (CO) during the term of the contract.

11.1.4 When notified of a deficiency, items designated as unsatisfactory or below standard shall be re-performed by Contactor at no additional cost to the Government. All corrective action must be completed by the next working day of notification of the deficiency. If not, a deduction may be made (as determined from the applicable month’s invoice). Failure for the Government to notify the Contractor of a deficiency does not relieve the Contractor of the obligation to perform services nor does it relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to ensure that quality control measures are adhered to for contract compliance.

11.2 Performance Indicators and Acceptable Quality Levels:

11.2.1 Comply with work production/work schedule(s) except for Excusable Delays. 100% compliance

11.2.2 Comply with all work requirements and standards as indicated within the PWS. 100% compliance

11.2.3 Comply with all Performance Requirements (PR) and PR Standards. 100% compliance

11.2.4 Comply with all contract terms and conditions. 100% compliance

11.2.5 Cause no damage to government resources, fish, wildlife, and/or property. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.6 Maintain safety of workers and work environment at all times. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.7 Maintain a Quality Control Plan and immediately disclose/report any problems. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.8 Ensure all equipment is in good working order during the entire period of performance, and safeguard the use and storage of all chemicals. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.9 The Contractor shall submit the proposed herbicide brand name (s) and application rates to refuge staff for approval via a Pesticide Use Proposal (an internal USFWS document). 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.10 The Contractor, in advance of the commencement of work activities, shall submit verification of chemical use or their proposed herbicide brand with application rate, and the name of and amount of herbicide used and acreage covered and treated by species upon project completion to refuge staff. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.11 When possible and to the greatest extent of the Contractor’s capabilities, herbicide drift shall be avoided. The Contractor shall be held responsible and liable for extensive non-target damage (to be determined by the COR or GR/SR.

100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.12 The Contractor shall treat 100% of the delineated project area as identified via maps or text, 100% of targeted invasive and non-native invasive plants, and achieve a 95% control rate 3 months post-treatment. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.13 The Contractor shall maintain crew continuity for the duration of the project. 100% compliance

11.2.14 The Contractor shall implement ‘Decontamination’ protocols prior to, during, and after completing work to prevent the introduction, transport and spread of invasive and non-native plant species. 100% compliance

11.2.15 The Contractor shall have in their possession, at all times, copies of all herbicide and surfactant labels and Material Safety Data Sheets while conducting treatments. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.16 The Contractor shall document, report, and clean up all spills, and dispose of any hazardous material including chemicals and fuels according to State standards. A Spill Prevention and Containment safety plan must be present on site at all times. 100% compliance

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11.2.17 The Contractor shall complete, provide and enter all U-DPR data sheets into appropriate databases at all times, and provide this information to the COR or GR/SR. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.18 The Contractor shall remove all trash (daily) and debris (completion) generated during the execution of contract performance. 100% compliance

11.2.19 The Contractor shall re-treat any sites not responding to treatment at their own expense if it is determined by the COR or SR, to be the fault of the Contractor, or use of improper treatment techniques. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.2.20 Additional Performance Requirement Standards other than those identified above may be listed in individual task orders. The Contractor agrees to perform to all work standards. 100% compliance.

11.3 Acceptance Criteria:

11.3.1 The task shall be considered completed following a thorough inspection of the delineated treatment area by the COR, or GR/SR, and only if it is determined that the Contractor treated 100% of all invasive native and non-native vegetation within the delineated treatment area, and 100% of the treatment area. If determined that the Contractor did not remove or treat 100% of all invasive native and non-native vegetation following the initial treatment event, any additional re-treatments shall be performed at the Contractor’s expense. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.3.2 The Contractor shall achieve a 95% stem control rate 90 days post-treatment or task completion, and/or a control rate timeline as identified within each task order PWS. 100% compliance with no deviations

11.4 Surveillance Methods:

11.4.1 Regularly scheduled inspection/review of work

11.4.2 Unscheduled site inspections to document project progress

11.4.3 Inspection of materials, equipment, and chemicals. The CO/COR/SR reserves the right to inspect, at any time upon notice to the Contractor, the Contractor’s procedures, spray systems, spray solution, and other ancillary equipment, and operating personnel. Inspection, however, shall not relieve the Contractor of any obligation or responsibilities, nor shall it transfer any liability to the Refuge.

11.4.4 Communication via electronic means: e-mail, text or telephone

11.4.5 Airboat and Contractor personnel GPS track logs

11.4.6 Contractor logs and reports

11.5 Payment (s):

11.5.1 Entire payment will be held until final inspection (unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties at the pre-award conference with concurrence of the CO) by refuge staff to determine effects on target vegetation to ensure work standards and acceptance criteria have been achieved. Inspection by staff shall occur in 45 days or less, dependent upon weather. Following final inspection and concurrence of the COR or SR, the Contractor may submit their invoice for payment. If the Contractor is negligent in achieving desired acceptance standards, the Contractor shall implement re-treatments at their own expense within 2 months of notification by the COR/SR. Payment will be withheld until the desired results are achieved.

11.6 Incentives:

11.6.1 Non-compliance with the PWS or contract will result in negative performance evaluation/rating.

11.6.2 A positive performance rating will be given for overall satisfactory work and compliance related to the contract.

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Figure 1. Crystal River NWR Location Map

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Figure 2. Crystal River NWR-treatment locations

Figure 3. Selected infestations of high priority.

11.2.20 Additional Performance Requirement Standards other than those identified above may be listed in individual task orders. The Contractor agrees to perform to all work standards. 100% compliance.