Attachment_1_SOW_Right-of-way_Invasive_Plant_.docx

Right-of-way Invasive Plant Treatments Grand Teton National Park Statement of Work

1.1 Scope of Work

Right-of-way Spot Treatments – Motorized: This involves areas where motorized survey and treatment methods are approved for roadside use. Survey and treatment are to be conducted on foot or with a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) using handheld spray guns or short-duration use of boom sprayers. All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or truck-mounted spray systems are not approved within these areas. All work will take place within a distance from the edge of a roadside, estimated between 25 feet and 50 feet from the road shoulder. The roads include paved, graded, gravel, and dirt surfaces used for motorized traffic. The price per acre includes the cost of survey, application of herbicide (treatment), herbicide used, and the collection of electronic data. A daily treatment record shall be completed for each day work is performed and for each treatment location specified in the task orders. The Government estimates awarding a minimum of 300 acres each year, with the Base Year award estimated at approximately 1,000 acres.

This work involves the ground-based survey and application of herbicide to control targeted noxious weeds in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Equipment and treatment methods may vary by site.

The Contractor shall furnish all necessary items, including but not limited to herbicides and adjuvants, materials, equipment, labor, licensing, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to safely survey assigned acreage and apply herbicides using ground-operated equipment, in strict compliance with herbicide labels. A variety of common herbicides and adjuvants may be used, as described in the task orders.

The Contractor's work includes: (a) surveying assigned acreages (Sites) for noxious weeds; (b) mixing and applying specified herbicide(s) to the target weed(s); (c) completing and submitting Government-provided daily herbicide treatment records; and (d) collecting electronic data, including GPS tracks that capture travel routes while surveying and applying herbicide. A sample herbicide treatment record is included as an attachment (Attachment 3). The individual task orders will provide further specifics on the daily herbicide treatment records.

Task Orders will be issued by the Government for work ordered under this contract and will include site-specific descriptions and maps, specify herbicides, adjuvants, and rates to be used, as well as provide additional details on access points, water sources, and other information.

This is a ‘performance-based’ contract with multiple contract awards (IDIQ, Base Year, and Two Option Years). The Contractor is responsible for an end product/result. Failure to provide an end product/result in compliance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and contract terms may result in rework or payment reduction as outlined in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), Attachment 4.

1.2 Period of Performance

The period of performance includes one Base Year of 12 months and two 12-month option years:

· Base Year: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

· Option Year I: June 1, 2027 – May 31, 2028

· Option Year II: June 1, 2028 – May 31, 2029

1.3 Schedule

Individual task orders will specify start work and completion dates. Work shall commence when target plants are actively growing, estimated to be between June 1 and July 15 each year.

1.4 Place of Performance

Project areas include all National Park Service lands within Grand Teton National Park and/or the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. Task orders will include maps and descriptions of project areas.

1.5 Hours of Operation

Work will be conducted during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. Weekend or holiday work and work outside daylight hours must be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer.

1.6 Estimated Acres to be Treated

Specific information for Right-of-way Spot Treatments will be provided in individual Task Orders.

1.7 Information Related to All Invasive Plant Treatment Types All weed treatment and pesticide applications must conform to product manufacturer’s recommendations and product labeling and comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. The Contractor shall conduct surveys to cover the entirety of defined sites and treat the invasive vegetation found within unless otherwise described. The exact location and number of acres of any noxious weed infestation is unknown and may vary yearly; estimated acreages will be outlined in individual Task Orders.

2.0 Description of Survey and Treatment (Project) Areas

2.1 General

Survey and treatment sites may include roadsides within Grand Teton National Park. Access to project sites will generally be straightforward. Treatment methods may vary by site, including motorized or non-motorized methods like backpack, UTV boom and handgun, truck hose and handgun.

2.2 Terrain

Terrain varies from gentle to steep within project sites; most sites will contain gentle to low/moderate slopes. Treatment locations may contain fences, irrigation ditches, or other features requiring situational awareness to safely and efficiently conduct work.

2.3 Weed Densities (Estimate)

Invasive vegetation densities vary across potential project sites, estimated mostly between 1-10%, with isolated patches approaching 20% or greater. The Government will not be responsible for on-ground weed densities that vary from these estimates.

2.4 Project Site Access

Roads may be paved or unpaved and may require 4-wheel drive to access. Task orders will include maps showing site location, access roads, and staging areas. Further details on treatment site(s) and methods, weed densities, access, and target weed species will be provided in task orders.

2.5 Pay Items

All weed treatment and pesticide application must conform to product manufacturer’s recommendations and labeling, and comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. The Contractor shall conduct surveys to cover the entirety of defined sites and treat the invasive vegetation found within unless otherwise described. The exact location and number of acres of any noxious weed infestation is unknown, and may vary yearly; estimated acreages will be stated in task orders.

3.0 Requirements and Conditions

3.1 Contractor Representative

The Contractor shall provide a contract representative for work performance. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who can act for the Contractor in their absence shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer.

3.2 Site Manager

If the Contractor is absent from the job site, a Site Manager shall be designated in advance to supervise employees and operations. The Site Manager must have a Wyoming Commercial Pesticide Applicators license and two years of experience in noxious weed management and personnel supervision. The Site Manager may also be the Contractor Representative. The name of this person shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer.

3.3 Certification and Personnel Requirements

The Contractor and employees must be experienced in noxious weed and invasive weed management, plant identification, and herbicide application. They must be proficient in identifying target and non-target species at all development stages. Those performing herbicide mixing or application operations must hold a current Wyoming Commercial Pesticide Applicators License. Personnel must be briefed and trained in application and safety techniques. The Contractor shall provide a list of all employees and their certifications before the Notice to Proceed (NTP) with each task order. Personnel must be under the supervision of a licensed applicator at all times in the Park and should have experience in GPS capability, including point and line recording.

3.4 Safety Requirements and Related Provisions

3.4.1 General

The Government is not responsible for the Contractor’s safety or that of their operators or assistants. The Contractor shall maintain work procedures to safeguard the public, Government personnel, and their own personnel. Reasonable safety procedures and equipment must be used while operating on National Park lands. The Contractor and all application personnel are required to follow the herbicide label recommendations and precautions and must carry and have easy access to the herbicide label and MSDS during all spraying operations. Equipment must appear neat, professional, and organized, with minimal dye stains.

3.4.2 Animal Presence

Domestic animals (cattle, horses) and wildlife (bison, elk, antelope, bear, birds, etc.) may be present at project sites. The Contractor and employees must conduct themselves appropriately when animals are present. The Government reserves the right to alter or relocate treatment operations if wildlife conflicts occur or are expected.

3.4.3 Roadside Treatment Safety and Traffic Control

The Contractor’s employees will work alongside, near, and sometimes on the road. Proper safety protocols are the contractor’s responsibility, following all pertinent work zone and traffic control safety standards. During operations, employees must wear safety clothing or vests and provide bright orange traffic cones and signs per MUTCD standards. Contractors shall ensure all employees are trained, and a competent person is onsite. The Contractor shall work with the flow of traffic, avoiding vegetation runover. UTVs must travel with the flow of traffic. All wheels shall remain on the road shoulder and never cross the white line intended to indicate driving lane. UTVs shall not trample vegetation while traveling as far on the side of the road as possible. UTVs must have flashing lights as listed in the contract. UTVs must have a minimum of 200 square inches of high-visibility Safety Yellow material attached to the front of the vehicle, such as tape, decals, flags, or signs, and 200 square inches in the front of the vehicle. Road signs must be used on both sides of the road and must be within 5 miles of the area where work is being done.

3.4.4 Weather

The Contractor must monitor weather conditions regularly, avoiding spraying in rain or snow. They must take precautions to avoid spraying if precipitation sufficient to wash herbicide(s) off target species or into open water may occur within the label-specified rain fast period of herbicides used. Retreatment of weeds initially treated within this period is the Contractor’s responsibility.

3.4.5 Triple Rinsing

Containers or tanks used for herbicide application must not be washed within 150 feet of open water sources. The Contractor will follow all State, Federal, and label regulations involving rinsing and washing procedures.

3.4.6 Chemical Transport

A tight-fitting lid is mandatory on all spray tanks and herbicide containers. Transport concentrate containers to prevent spills and in a compartment isolated from food, clothing, and safety equipment. The Contractor will inspect equipment daily for leaks and suspend operations until all repairs are made.

3.4.7 Chemical Spill

All spray operations and herbicide transport vehicles must have adequate spill containment and cleanup materials. Contractors and employees will be trained to respond to herbicide spills. In case of a significant spill, follow standard procedures and contact the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) immediately. If they are unreachable, contact Teton Interagency Dispatch (307-739-3301), who will attempt to reach the COR or CO.

3.5 Scouting of Noxious Weeds in the Project Area

The Contractor must cover all the project areas described in a Task Order to find weed infestations. The exact location and acres of any noxious weed infestation are unknown. The Government will give the Contractor an estimated number of acres at the time of the Task Order.

3.6 Herbicide Treatment Standards

The Contractor will treat all targeted weeds with the appropriate herbicide at the prescribed rate, as identified by the Government for each treatment area. At least 90% of weeds treated (for each species) and acreage claimed must show signs of herbicide treatment. Inspections will allow sufficient time for target plants to exhibit herbicide effects. Intermittent and spot spraying will occur where target species densities are light to moderate. Broadcast application is appropriate for dense continuous stands of targeted weeds or as specified in a Task Order, otherwise avoided. A water-based dye or approved color marking system may be used. Treatments may require changing herbicides to minimize damage to non-target vegetation. The Government will determine herbicides or tank mixes for each area.

3.7 Electronic Data Collection

Electronic data collection involves collecting spatial and tabular data using GPS hardware and software. The Contractor must provide this data to the Government, using a GPS unit capable of recording tracks and points in the coordinate system of NAD 83. Track lines must be recorded for every employee performing survey and treatment. Point data, if required, will be specified in task orders. The final product will contain track lines or point data for the entire surveyed and treated area, with the date collected for every employee onsite. The Contractor will submit electronic data within fourteen (14) days of completing on-site treatment.

3.8 Monitoring and Record Keeping Requirements for Treatments Federal and State laws require record keeping for all pesticide applications on Park Service lands. The Contractor shall provide detailed daily records and legible, readable copies on Government-provided forms (see Daily Treatment Records in attachments). Completed hard copy treatment records must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of completing on-site treatment.

3.9 Weed-Free Equipment

The Contractor must provide weed-free equipment. Vehicles, trailers, and equipment must be mobilized in a condition free of mud, dirt, and plant material, requiring pressure washing or similar cleaning method. Equipment must be available for Government inspection before work, with approval required to proceed. Non-compliant equipment will be re-cleaned, re-inspected, and approved or rejected at no cost to the Government. All subsequent move-ins will follow the same procedure.

3.10 Equipment Maintenance

The Contractor is solely responsible for repairing and maintaining all equipment used for work, including repair parts costs. Delays caused by equipment malfunctions are the Contractor’s responsibility.

3.12 Availability of Water

Water for herbicide mixing is available at Headquarters Campus, Moose, WY, and Moran Junction Administrative Site, Moran WY. The Contractor must provide necessary fittings and hose, use an approved backflow prevention device or air gap, and transport water to job sites. Water sources in backcountry, non-motorized treatment areas will be limited.

5.0 Weed List

Species to be treated include those listed on the Grand Teton National Park Invasive Plant Priority List (Attachment 1). The Contractor must be familiar with native and nonnative plant species common to the Intermountain West and those on the noxious weeds list.

Performance Requirements Summary

7.1 Contractor Quality Control

The Contractor is responsible for managing and ensuring the quality of actions to meet the terms and conditions outlined herein. The Government's role is to provide quality assurance to ensure contract standards are met. The Contractor must provide a Quality Control Plan within thirty (30) days of contract award, demonstrating how they will monitor and inspect their work. Daily Quality Control self-inspections are required once work for a Task Order has commenced, with records submitted to the Government weekly. These records must be kept and made available throughout the performance period and until final settlement of any claims under this contract.

7.2 Government Inspection and Acceptance

The Government will inspect completed work on each task order by reviewing self‐inspection records and verifying information in the field. Periodic inspections may be conducted at discretionary times and locations while work is underway. Concerns about the Contractor’s ability to meet defined Quality Standards will be communicated to the Contractor. The Government will conduct a final inspection at the treatment sites at least fourteen (14) days following task order completion to check for signs of herbicide damage to plants. Acceptance is based on the discoloration and wilt of plants, with initial ocular inspection during the final inspection suggesting treatment efficacy of less than 90 percent. If less than 90 percent efficacy is observed, monitoring plots will determine compliance with quality standards. Work will not be accepted until 90 percent of the targeted species show signs of herbicide damage, and failure to meet this standard will result in reduced payment or non-acceptance. Additionally, daily treatment logs and electronic data must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of task order completion and before invoicing. Monitoring plots will be used as necessary, with weed kill counts recorded within these plots.

7.3 Government Quality Assurance

The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a systematic method to evaluate contract performance. It explains what will be monitored, how monitoring will occur, who will conduct the monitoring, and how it will be reported. The Government's role is to oversee and coordinate monitoring activities among the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, and Inspectors. The Contractor must provide an onsite contract manager (Site Manager) responsible for all contract requirements and representing the Contractor on all operation-related matters.

7.4 Ratings

Ratings will be given to the Contractor based on work quality, defined as follows:

· Acceptable performance: The Government will document positive performance, which may support future contract actions.

· Unacceptable performance: When performance is unacceptable (e.g., Rating 3), it will be communicated to the Contractor in writing and acknowledged in writing. The COR will prepare a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) for the Contractor and CO. The Contractor must clean up and leave the work site.

Note: Any CDRs may become part of the supporting documentation for any contract action. Inspections will be conducted as needed throughout the contract.

The Government will inspect as required. The final inspection will occur at least 14 days after treatment and upon receipt of treatment records and electronic data (if applicable).