Attachment_1_-_SOW_1.pdf

West Hardscrabble Weed Treatment Statement of Work

PROJECT:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) seeks to suppress noxious weeds in the West Hardscrabble area, southeast of Gypsum, Colorado. The primary infestations are Scotch thistle. Other thistle species, houndstongue, and other noxious species may be present. Infestations are scattered. Spot spray application is required.

LOCATION AND ACCESS:

The project is located in T.5S., R.85W., sections 14 and 23. From Gypsum: Take Cooley Mesa Rd

(County Road 102) towards the Eagle Airport. Turn right (south) on Spring Creek Road (County

Road 102A). Turn left a left at the Spring Creek Access point and refer to the project map to navigate to the project site.

Driving direction map can be accessed.

https://www.blm.gov/documents/colorado/public-room/map/hardscrabble-special-recreation-management-area-map.

SITE CHARACTERIZATION:

The project includes two treatment polygons with different application equipment requirements.

The 153-acre polygon includes relatively flat terrain that can be sprayed with a UTV mounted sprayer. The 31-acre polygon includes steeper terrain that will likely need to be accessed with a backpack sprayer. Elevation ranges from approximately 7200-7500 feet. See photos for typical site characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The contractor will spray noxious weeds in areas that are accessible only by UTV and foot.

There are two categories of treatment areas.

• UTV Weed Treatment. BLM roads will be used to access the 163-acre weed treatment polygon. The contractor will drive cross country within the polygon to spot spray noxious weeds.

• Backpack Weed Treatment. Backpack spraying will likely be needed to treat 31 acres.

The contractor will spot spray all Scotch thistle, houndstongue, other thistles, and other noxious weeds visible in the treatment areas. The contractor will target rosettes as well as plants in the bolting and/or flowering stages.

Additional Specifications:

• Apply chemicals per label instructions.

https://www.blm.gov/documents/colorado/public-room/map/hardscrabble-special-recreation-management-area-map https://www.blm.gov/documents/colorado/public-room/map/hardscrabble-special-recreation-management-area-map

• The contractor may pump water from creeks/springs to use in chemical mixes. Mixing must be done at least 20 feet from water’s edge.

• A Pesticide Application Record (PAR) shall be submitted to the BLM CRVFO in Silt, within 1 week after completion of treatments.

• Use GPS to document sprayed areas and heavy infestations using points, tracks, and/or polygons. The contractor will provide either shapefiles or data via email through the onX

Hunt application.

• Vehicles and equipment are one of the primary agents for the spread of noxious weed seeds to public lands. The contractor will be responsible for power-washing or comparable cleaning, to ensure that noxious weed seeds are removed from all equipment and vehicles used on the project prior to entering the project area. BLM may require a pre-implementation inspection to ensure compliance. The contractor is responsible for any additional transport or expenses associated with non-compliance.

• The Project Inspector (PI) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) shall be informed of any objects or sites of cultural, paleontological, or scientific value such as historic or prehistoric resources, graves or grave markers, human remains, ruins, cabins, rock art, fossils, or artifacts. The objects shall not be damaged, destroyed, removed, moved, or disturbed. Any person who knowingly violates this may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment (Public Law 16-95; 16 U.S.C. 470).

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS:

1. Equipment capable of treating all of the described areas that is in a safe operating condition.

2. Transportation for equipment and operators to and from the site. High clearance four-wheel drive vehicles will be needed.

3. Repair and maintenance of equipment.

4. A contractor’s authorized representative proficient in English on site at all times when working.

BLM FURNISHED ITEMS:

1. Map and description of the project area. Electronic GPS files will also be provided.

2. All herbicides, surfactants, and dyes required for the project.

3. Completed Pesticide Use Proposals and a number for PAR reporting.

4. Provide a pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job.

5. Provide representatives from the BLM CRVFO to act as a liaison between the contractor and the BLM Contracting Officer to implement the project and to ensure that the project objectives are met. The COR and PI will provide regular on-site inspections.

a. COR: Hilary Boyd, cell: (970) 366-2891.

b. PI: Kristy Wallner, cell: (970) 366-1633.

c. PI: Kim Davis, cell: (970) 379-8265.

CONTRACT PERIOD:

The preferred period of performance is June 21 to July 23, 2021. The contract period is a narrow window between the time of vegetative growth and seed production and ripening. The period may need to be modified depending on seasonal conditions.

PRE-BID TOUR/CONFERENCE:

A pre-bid conference will be not be held, however a MS teams on conference call will be set up upon request.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

• Wheeled motorized equipment shall not be operated when conditions are muddy or the soil moisture is high enough for the vehicles to leave ruts over 3.0 inches in height. When/if such conditions are encountered, the contractor shall stop work and immediately notify the PI or

COR.

• Use of hazardous materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate state and federal regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).

• Maintain a spill-containment and cleanup kit appropriate for the equipment used in the weed spraying treatments.

• The contractor will report all hazardous substance spills immediately to the PI or COR.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER, EQUIPMENT AND STIPULATIONS:

It is prohibited to operate or use any internal combustion engine, on any timber, brush, or grass covered land, including trails traversing such land, without a spark arrester maintained in effective working order and meeting guidelines set forth in National Wildfire Coordinating

Group Publication NFES 1363 and 2363.

During periods when fire danger is rated high, very high, or extreme as identified by the interagency Grand Junction Fire Dispatch Center, the Contracting Officer or BLM Field

Manager may issue a restriction or closure order to the contractor. The contractor and employees must follow the order. At a minimum, the contractor must have available a shovel, a class A-B-

C fire extinguisher with a minimum of one pound of retardant, or a container with a minimum of

5 gallons of water and one axe/pulaski.

In the event a fire should start during the treatment, the contractor and/or his employees will immediately take initial action necessary to suppress the fire if it can be done safely. This will in no way relieve the contractor from any responsibility regarding suppression and/or trespass cost, in the event fire investigation reveals the fire was started by the contractor and/or his employees, either through negligence or from operations.

INSPECTIONS/ACCEPTANCE:

Inspection/acceptance of all services performed in accordance with this contract for purpose of initiating contractor payment shall be by the PI or COR.

RE-MEASUREMENT:

Re-measurement of the acreage under a task order will be made upon written request to the contractor. The written request must be made within 10 calendar days after completion of the work. If measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the contractor shall pay the actual cost of the re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5 percent. Where the difference is less than 5 percent the results of the first measurement will be used.

STATUS REPORT:

Provided an onsite visit has not occurred during the period, the contractor is required to report status of work when any special situations or problems are encountered or once a week

(whichever is less). These reports may be made by telephone to the PI or COR. In the event of extreme weather or early snow, the Contracting Officer will determine the best course of action based on comments from both the contractor and PI or COR.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection will be based on price and past performance.

BLM CONTACT:

For location description, area/access information, weed specific questions and PUP and PAR forms:

Kristy Wallner, BLM, Colorado River Valley Field Office. Office Phone number is 970-876-

9023. Email is kwallner@blm.gov.

mailto:kwallner@blm.gov

PROJECT MAP:

PROJECT PHOTOS:

A portion of the 163-acre polygon.