Attachment_1-_SOW_BLM_CO_CRVFO_AERIAL_SEEDING_FY23.pdf

Colorado River Valley Aerial Seed Application Statement of Work (SOW)

Section A- Introduction:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seeks to utilize aerial applications to broadcast seed on vegetation projects located within the Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO). The application of seed will expediate the establishment of forage for wildlife and livestock and reduce the amount of bare ground, which provides a niche for the potential spread and establishment of noxious weeds and annuals. There are four treatment areas: Stifel Creek Phase II Mastication (634 acres), Crown Vegetation Mastication (245 acres), River Common Lop and Scatter (256 acres), and Trail Gulch Allotment Restoration (61 acres).

Section B- Description of Work and Location of Treatment Areas:

Description of Work. Application of Seed (applicable to all projects areas).

Apply mixed seed at a uniform rate per horizontal acre, minimizing drift outside treatment boundaries. Seed strips shall be distributed in such a manner as to secure a high uniformity of seed distribution. Such distribution shall not vary more than 10 percent above or below the average distribution of seed per unit of surface specified for each area. Electronic mapping of the aerial application pattern shall be provided to the government upon request. The maximum pounds per acre of seed to be aerially applied is listed in Table 1.

Location of Project areas: Work under this contract is within the CRVFO. Maps of each project area are attached in Appendix A. The Stifel Creek Phase II Mastication project and River Common Lop and Scatter project areas are located near Burns, Colorado. The Crown Vegetation Mastication project area is located south of Carbondale, Colorado. The Trail Gulch Allotment restoration project area is located approximately 12 miles north of Dotsero, Colorado.

Section C - Schedule of Items Performance time: There are four treatments included in this Statement of Work. Each treatment will be allowed two calendar days (weather permitting) continuous work.

Estimated Start Work Date: Each seeding application will occur within the period of performance specified for each project shown in Table 1.

Section D- Specification applicable to Seeding and Contractor Furnished Items

Table 1. Summary of Colorado River Valley Field Office Aerial Seed Application Projects

Colorado River Valley Field Office Aerial Seed Application Treatments

Project

Project Name & Description

Est.

Quantity

Unit

Period of

Performance

**Application Rate lbs/acre

Est.

Lbs

Seed

Stifel Creek Phase II Mastication

Acres

Between 8/20/23 - 9/10/23

15 lbs/acre

9,510

Crown Vegetation Mastication

9/25/23 - 3/28/24

3,675

River Common Lop & Scatter

3,840

Trail Gulch Allotment Restoration

** Application rate is the maximum application rate, actual application could be less depending on funding and natural response of vegetation.

1. The Contractor shall furnish application equipment, supplies, and materials, except for specified government furnished property (seed) to aerially apply seed to the designated treatment areas at the applications rates specified using the appropriate application equipment and delivery method. All work must be done such that there is no soil disturbance.

2. The Contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, tools, and equipment necessary to perform the requirements of this contract. Contractor shall provide a communication system so that the Contractor personnel engaged in the project at different locations can always communicate with each other.

3. The Contractor shall evenly distribute the designated seed at the rates specified. Equipment that cannot perform the specified work shall be modified or replaced by the Contractor prior to beginning work. Application equipment shall be equipped for carrying seed with distribution mechanisms including release, shutoff, and spreading device which can be calibrated for spreading seed at the prescribed rate in an acceptable manner and uniform pattern. Seed application equipment shall include lids/covers which fasten securely to prevent seed from blowing out.

4. Description of Work. Application of Seed (applicable to all projects). Apply mixed seed at a uniform rate per horizontal acre, minimizing drift outside treatment boundaries. Seed strips shall be distributed in such a manner as to secure a high a uniformity of seed distribution. Such distribution shall not vary more than 10 percent above or below the average distribution of seed per unit of surface specified for each project area. Electronic mapping of the aerial application pattern shall be provided to the government upon request.

The application rate of seed to be aerially applied is listed in Table 1.

5. Global Positioning System- Application equipment furnished by the Contractor shall be capable of electronically mapping application routes to ensure seed is applied evenly and completely at the specified rates. After the completion of each treatment, shapefiles/maps of application routes shall be submitted to BLM CRVFO COR.

6. The Contractor will notify BLM the Project Inspector at least 24 hours prior to commencing aerial application of seed.

7. The Contractor will notify the Project Inspector and/or Contracting Officer Representative of any equipment incidents or seed loss.

Section E- Government (BLM) furnished BLM Items/Guidelines

1. The BLM will provide maps of the project areas as shapefiles or the format requested by the Contractor specifically for aerial applications.

2. The BLM will furnish all seed for the project areas and seed will be transported to the Contractor’s designated staging area by BLM personnel as coordinated between the Project Inspector or Contracting Officer Representative and the Contractor. All seed will be pre-mixed and in 50-pound bags.

3. The BLM will provide a pre-work conference with the Contractor awarded the job.

4. The BLM will coordinate project partners to assist with monitoring.

5. The BLM will 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 resource objectives of the project area met. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Project Inspector (PI) will provide regular on-site inspections.

a. COR: Hilary Boyd, cell: (970) 366-1917.

b. PI: Kristy Wallner, Office: (970) 876-9023, cell: (970) 366-1633.

Contract Period

1. See Table 1 and subject to funding availability.

2. Additional time may be given for delays caused by weather.

Prebid conference

A pre-bid conference can be held for all bidders to more fully explain the project and contracting process. The pre-bid conference info is as follows:

Date: August 11, 2023 Time: 8:00 AM MST Call in Number: 1-866-912-4331 Passcode: 9070989 Please RSVP to the Contracting Officer. Email: c1strickland@blm.gov . At this time, we do not plan to have an organized or hosted physical site visit.

Section F- Inspection, Invoicing, and Payment:

Inspection. Seed openings of the distribution mechanism shall be inspected at sufficient intervals to ensure proper functioning and even distribution of seed.

Where skips or insufficient application are document during on the ground inspections by the PI or COR, retreatment will be required at no extra cost to the Government. Inspections will be completed within 24 hours of application of seed.

Acceptance. Will be based on satisfactory completion of the completion of requirements in section C and D specified for each project.

The COR and Contractor will agree upon the quantity of seed/acreage treated and both sign-off on the inspection form.

Payment/Invoicing. Upon completion of the terms of this contract the contractor will submit an invoice with the following information:

• Company name

• Contract number

• Dates of contract performance

• Number of acres seeded

• Invoice must be submitted to www.ipp.gov and include an attachment.

mailto:%20c1strickland@blm.gov http://www.ipp.gov/

Appendix A: Project Area Maps

Map 1: Stifel Creek Phase II Mastication (634 acres) Project Map

Map 2. Crown Vegetation Mastication (245 acres) Project area

Map 3. River Common Lop & Scatter (256 acres) Project Map

Map 4. Trail Gulch Allotment Restoration (61 acres) Project Map