Attachment_1-_SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK FOR SLV-CB WEED AND HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT

Scope

Under this Scope of Work, there will be two applications with the first starting in the May/June timeframe. The Contractor will be treating approximately 382 acres, with the first area consisting of 312 acres and the second area of 70 acres, with herbicides as specified below. The second application will be predicated on weed growth due to available moisture. Consequently, the Contractor shall be available for spraying the second application within a 10-day notice.

Please contact Technical Representative Frank Espinoza at (719)588-7114 for questions or to arrange a site visit.

Background

The Bureau of Reclamation, Closed Basin Division (CBD), has the responsibility for management of invasive plants, noxious weeds, and undesirable plant species and protection of all Government-owned lands within the Closed Basin Project (Project) in accordance with the most recent Alamosa Field Division Integrated Pest Management Plan. A key feature of the Project is the 42-mile-long conveyance canal known as the Franklin Eddy Canal. Contractors shall not use the canal water for their herbicide mixing, water will be provided.

Objectives

Reclamation’s expectations of the contractor are as follows:

1. Control deep rooted, woody plant species to prevent them from damaging the Franklin Eddy Canal liner while maintaining grasses on canal berm for bank stabilization

2. Control common cattail along the entire length of the canal

3. Control undesirable terrestrial plant species, at CBD standard of at least 80%, on slopes of canal, access roads, right of way, boundary fences, shelter belts and facilities

4. Control undesirable terrestrial plant species at the CBD administrative site

5. Application of herbicide shall be applied in a cost effective and environmentally conscious manner in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations

6. Contractor weed control efforts shall include control/elimination of plant species that when mature, could be blown into the canal and cause floating and submerged aquatic vegetation maintenance removal problems/issues

Tasks

IDENTIFIED TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC PLANT SPECIES:

Weeds of Concern -Terrestrial Plant Species: Russian olive, salt cedar, gray rabbitbrush, greasewood, coyote willow, kochia, wild mustard, Russian thistle, Canada thistle, Russian knapweed, perennial pepper weed, and Halogeton

Incidental Terrestrial Plant Species: Shephard’s purse, western sticktight, hog potato, black mustard, field bindweed, western salsify, palmer amaranth tumble pigweed, common sunflower, yellow sweet clover, flixweed, redroot pigweed, marsh sow thistle, and turkey mullein

Aquatic Plant Species: Sago pondweed, northern watermilfoil, common waterweed, white buttercup, common cattail

These are the species we are aware of on the canal and in the equipment yard. To facilitate an accurate determination of plant species and their respective population density, it is imperative that potential contractors participate in a site visit before submitting their bids.

HERBICIDES: For any treatments near or in water, only products specifically labeled for that use may be used. All herbicides used must be EPA approved. Generic or post patent herbicides are allowed-if the Contractor can get us the labels of the herbicides at least 2 weeks before spraying so they can be compared to the name brand products. The contractor shall follow the manufactures labeled guidelines of each and all herbicides including recommended adjuvants.

EQUIPMENT: The Contractor shall utilize the equipment specified for the treatment as identified under the “Equipment” headings below. Power sprayer equipment may be mounted on ATVs or trucks, and appropriate spray guns and nozzles must be provided. Biodegradable colored dye shall be used with all spraying for proof and effectiveness of applications. (Note: Do not use the dye where it could enter the waterway). Backpack spreaders will be allowed if the application rate is the same and the 80% control standard is met.

GUARANTEE: The Contractor will be paid seventy-five percent (75%) of the Contractor’s price for the initial application when that application is complete. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) will be paid after the job has been inspected (according to the IPM standard listed below) up to forty-five (45) days after treatment is finished. Likewise, the Contractor will be paid seventy-five percent (75%) of the Contractor’s price for the second application when that application is complete. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) will be paid after the job has been inspected (according to the IPM standard listed below) up to sixty (60) days after treatment is finished.

ANNUAL CONTROL STANDARD: Annual treatments must show a strong potential for success, i.e., 80 percent or higher control of selected plant species. See figure 1 for land use types.

1. Land Use Type C The inner berm slope of the 42-mile-long canal is between the access roadway and the edge of water on both sides of the canal. The average width of the inner berm is 5.5 feet on both sides. The total area for Land Use Type C is about 50 acres. (Note: Do not spray areas that contain healthy stands of grasses and sedges within Land Use Type C.)

· Objectives of Treatment: The objectives are to (1) remove all common cattail along both sides of the canal, (2) control the broadleaf weeds on the inner berm slope, and (3) control grey rabbitbrush and other woody plants from growing their roots through the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) canal liner.

2. Land Use Type D The access roadway is on both sides of the 42-mile-long canal. The average width of the access roadway is 18 feet. The total acreage to be treated in Land Use Type D is about 53 acres.

· Objective of Treatment: Most of the access roadway will be maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation with a motor grader. However, canal sections 6 through 9 on the west side of the canal have potato rock that cannot be graded, and weeds in this area shall be sprayed.

3. Land Use Types E and F Herbicide applications shall only be done where there are significant stands of weeds, which would be no more than 20% of the area. The outside slope (E), which has an average width of 7.5 feet, goes from the access roadway toward the right-of-way to the boundary fence (F). The average width of the right-of-way from the outside slope to the boundary fence is 100 feet. The total area for Land Use Types E and F is about 200 acres.

· Objective of Treatment: The primary objective is to control broadleaf weeds to reduce the vegetative biomass that can be blown into the canal. A secondary objective is to suppress woody shrubs, especially grey rabbitbrush, to reduce the potential for spread toward the canal.

4. Land Use Type, Structures There are 27 structures along the access roadway (D) where mowing cannot be done and weed control shall be done using an herbicide. The total area to be sprayed around these canal features is estimated to be 1/10 of an acre.

Canal Features from Outlet Works to Highway 17

1) Franklin Eddy Canal – River outlet - 900 square feet (sq ft)

2) CH01- 80 sq ft

3) CH02 - 80 sq ft

4) Nine Mile Rd crossing - 140 sq ft

5) a) Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge Pumping Plant - 80 sq ft

b) Refuge Pumping Plant Flow Meter Vault (adjacent to pumping plant) - 80 sq ft

6) Old Blanca Highway (Alamosa County Lane 8S) – 80 sq ft

7) Road 8S Siphon - 80 sq ft

8) US Highway 160 crossing - 140 sq ft’

9) Parshall Flume - 80 sq ft

10) Alamosa County Road 116S (Baca Rd) crossing - 140 sq ft

5. San Luis Lake Pumping Plant Yard area at the San Luis Lake Pumping Plant. The size of the yard is one (1) acre.

· Objective of Treatment: The objective is to prevent weeds from overgrowing the site.

6. Equipment Service and Storage Area This administrative site is located at 10900 Hwy 160 E., Alamosa, CO. It covers about seven (7) acres.

· Objective: The objective is to control undesirable plants on this site that could overgrow the site and obscure structures, which would pose a safety risk for equipment operation. Special attention shall be paid to the area between the rear of the equipment garage and the fence on the south boundary of the site.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

a. Eagle habitat: Both bald and golden eagles use these areas for winter foraging between November and March.

b. Waterfowl habitat: Project waterways consist of the canal (42-miles long) and a half mile long feeder canal. The canal is supplied with approximately 55 °F water from 170 salvage wells on a year-round schedule and, except for brief periods of extremely cold weather, the water surface is free of ice. Such conditions invite many types of waterfowl to use these waterways for foraging, spring nesting, etc.

c. Project water: Water flows into the Rio Grande and is utilized for both agricultural and residential use. In addition, Project water is used to prevent stagnation of two lakes (Head Lake and San Luis Lake), provide drinking water for San Luis State Park, and to create specific habitats on two wildlife management areas (Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge and Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area).

d. Adjacent crops: Adjacent crops consist of potatoes, small grains and alfalfa hay.

e. Aquaculture (grass carp): These fish are stocked and used as a biological tool for controlling aquatic weeds.

PERTINENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS:

a. Endangered Species Act (ESA) The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher may be a migrant through the area. The black footed ferret, although never seen on Project lands, is listed as a potential species within Alamosa County. The Gunnison’s prairie dog, present on project lands, is listed as a candidate species but is currently not covered under the ESA.

b. Migratory Bird Treaty Act (Waterfowl)

c. Clean Water Act

d. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

e. State and local regulations

Delivery

RECORD KEEPING

The Contractor shall keep records of all herbicide applications activities performed on all Project lands which are identified as sections 1 through 10. There shall be a record for each section (1 through 10) of the canal. The record shall include:

· Date of Application

· Target Weeds

· Control Techniques used

· Common name of Herbicide(s) used

· Description of formulation or tank mix

· Application method (aerial, backpack, etc.)

· Quantity (ounces/pounds) of herbicide used

· Weather conditions (highest temperature, average wind speed, precipitation, etc.)

· Estimate of acreage treated according to the contractor’s application meter

· Estimate of annual treatment success

· Names of applicators

This record shall be turned into the COR following each application and along with the final invoice.

REQUIRED WITH QUOTE

The Contractor shall be state certified and provide a copy of license with the quote for the Contractor to be considered responsive.

SAFETY

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) As per the Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (refer to Section 4, Work Planning), the responsible supervisor, consulting with a safety or health professional if needed, shall assess the workplace and work activities. A written JHA is necessary for the pesticide treatments identified above. In addition, since there is a potential exposure to chemicals, the supervisor shall ensure that a health hazard assessment is included in the JHA.

The Contractor shall furnish a JHA, along with the health hazard assessment, three working days prior to the start of the work for approval by the COR. The current pesticide label, along with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall accompany the safety hazard analysis.

Following award and three days prior to work on site the contractor shall provide Herbicide Safety and Spill Plan to the COR that includes the following:

Information and Equipment

1. All individuals applying the herbicide shall receive training on safety and application procedures prior to any spraying.

2. A copy of the MSDS for each chemical utilized shall be always available during project operations. Employees shall be completely familiar with the information in these documents in case it is needed in the event of a spill or incident.

3. Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be always worn when the herbicide is being mixed and applied. Label requirements shall be followed. Applicators and handlers shall wear the maximum PPE required by the label.

4. An emergency spill kit, with directions for use, shall be present when the herbicide is being mixed, transported, and applied. Employees shall be trained in the use of the spill kit prior to initiation of operations.

5. The spill kit shall contain the following equipment (as a minimum)

- Broom

- Ten pounds of absorbent material

- Box of large plastic bags

- Nitrile gloves

- Shovel

Place of Performance

Work shall be performed along the 42-mile-long conveyance canal, as well as the San Luis Pumping plant and equipment service and storage areas. See Map below.

(Comment: Portions of the inner berm slope will not require spraying due to a lack of weeds where there are the desired healthy stands of grass.)

(Comment: The major plant species on the roadway will be Halogeton, kochia, and Russian thistle. CBD may perform some grading to help manage this species and other weeds of concern.)

(Comment: Herbicide applications shall only be done where there are significant stands of weeds, which should be no more than 20% of the area. If weeds develop in this area, a follow up mowing operation shall be done.)

Period of Performance

In addition to the Base Period June – October 2023, this contract will include three option periods in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

CONTRACTOR WORK SCHEDULE

Hours of Operation Typically the Project hours are from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If the Contractor wants to work outside of the normal hours, they shall plan with the COR.

No spraying shall be scheduled on the weekends or holidays.

TIMEFRAME This contract will start in mid-May or early June and continue through the end of September.

Figure 1 Land Use Types image1.png image2.wmf