Attachment 1 - Statement of Work Field Weeding.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents

Project Lucky Peak Nursery Field Weeding

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure services to maintain one-year old shrub seedling beds and long-term seed increase beds in a weed-free condition between the months of May to September at the Lucky Peak Nursery. These services shall consist of removing the weeds without damaging seedlings or forbs, maintaining the seed beds in a condition so that there are no weeds of any size, remove and dispose of all extracted vegetative material to an agreed disposal site. The weeding may require multiple entries per field during the contract period.

2.0 Background

This contract provides vital weeding services to the Lucky Peak Nursery. This allows the seedlings to grow in proper form and size. In previous year’s the contract has consisted of 1+0 seedling beds only. This year we have added an hourly option for weeding of seed increase fields. We have previously done this contract as a multi-year service.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

All weeds shall be removed from the raised seedbeds (each seedbed is approximately 4’ wide x 400’ long). The removal of unwanted vegetation in the non-production areas of the fields (e.g. pipelines, tractor pathways/aisles, ends of seedbeds) is the responsibility of the government.

The intent of this contract is that there be will be no weeds of any size during the period of time specified in this contract. All portions of weeds including leaves, stems, flowers and roots shall be removed. Stakes, flagging, other identifying markers and irrigation equipment shall not be disturbed by Contractor’s employees during weeding operations. Upon completion of work for the day, Contractor’s employees will remove all weeds, containers, tools and other implements or debris from the work site. Contractor and his/her employees shall not walk upon seedlings or in seedling beds.

The approximate number of seedbeds will vary from year to year and will be provided at prior to award for each option year award.

2023 WEEDING AREAS (APPROX.)

Soil adhering to weeds will be shaken off and replaced in the hole from where it came. Hoes may not be used in 1+0 seedbeds. They may be appropriate for seed increase after COR approval. Other tools used in seedbeds will be subject to approval by the COR. Care shall be taken to avoid loosening, uprooting, bruising, or scraping seedlings. Soil loosened or pulled away around seedlings shall be tamped back into place with fingers. All weeding will be from the edge of the bed, standing or kneeling in pathways. Standing or kneeling in beds will not be permitted. Stepping on seedlings will not be permitted. All weeds shall be transported to Government-furnished dumpsters located throughout the Nursery. The Contractor may use plastic bags, cloth sacks or buckets to transport weeds. However, no container or other items that will not biodegrade at a rate equal to that of the weeds shall be placed in the Government-furnished equipment. Containers shall not be placed in seedbeds or on top of tree seedlings at any time. Weeding must be coordinated with the routine irrigation schedule and other cultural activities carried out on the seedlings.

After irrigation, weeding will be allowed to resume after surface soil moisture has adequately drained. Pipelines must not be moved since this causes line breakage during irrigation. If lines are inadvertently moved, they must be replaced exactly where they came from and joints checked.

B. Miscellaneous Requirements

Unless approved by COR, all weeding services will be conducted during normal summer Nursery business hours (Sunday-Saturday, 0700-1700). The Contractor and his/her employees will not be allowed the use of the Nursery Employee Center nor open access to any other Nursery buildings without approval by the COR. The Contractor and Contractor’s employees’ vehicles shall not be permitted anywhere on the Nursery site other than in the designated parking area. However, the Contractor may use one crew bus or similar vehicle per crew to transport employees and required supplies between the parking area and the crew work area.

Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall use service roads only and will not walk in fields unless specifically directed to do so by the COR or inspector. Contractor and Contractor’s employees will use chemical toilets provided by the Contractor. Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall perform work in a safe manner. Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall wear appropriate clothing and footwear (e.g. closed-toes shoes, shirts with sleeves, etc). No firearms or controlled substances are permitted on the site. No warming or cooking fires will be permitted on the Nursery site. The Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall maintain a clean work site. Lunch sacks and other debris will be placed in Contractor furnished garbage receptacles. Only the Contractor and Contractor’s employees shall be permitted in designated work areas. Family members and acquaintances of the Contractor or Contractor’s employees are not permitted to loiter on the Nursery site.

C. Altered Quantities

It is mutually agreed that it is inherent in the nature of this contract that some changes in the acreage as provided in the Schedule may be necessary during the course of the contract and that it is in the scope of the contract to recognize a normal and expected margin of change within the meaning of Clause 52.243-1, Changes, as not requiring or permitting any adjustment of contract prices, except: (1) when the acreage is increased more than 25% of the quantity stated in the Schedule, then either party of the contract, upon demand, may be entitled to an equitable adjustment on that portion above 25% of the quantity stated in the Schedule; or (2) when the acreage is reduced to less than 75% of the quantity stated in the Schedule, then either party to the contract, upon demand, may be entitled to an equitable adjustment for the acreage actually

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government will furnish the following property: receptacles/dump stations (dumpsters) into which the Contractor will dispose of the extracted weeds.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

If the Contractor fails to deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified in this contract, or any extension, the Contractor shall, in place of calendar day of delay the sum of the following amounts:

Inspections will be performed following deviations from the specifications. Should any of the following deviations from the specifications occur, the Government will deduct as liquidated damage $0.50 for each damaged or destroyed seedling from the contact payment. Stepping in seedbeds: $0.50 per seedling stepped

on. Nicking, cutting, breaking off any new growth, or bruising any part of the seedling: $0.50 per damaged seedling. Seedlings found in weed containers or on the ground: $0.50 per seedling. Containers and dumpsters will be inspected as often as deemed necessary by the Government. Seedlings found in the refuse receptacles will be removed and charged for. The same refuse receptacle may be inspected several times.

Inspection may be in the field or when the receptacles are being dumped at the dump site.

Damage to irrigation pipe or any other Nursery property will be paid based on actual costs to repair or replace.

Alternatively, if delivery or performance is so delayed, the Government may terminate this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for Default-supplies and Services clause in this contract and in that event, The Contractor shall be liable for fixed agreed and liquidated damage occurring until the time of Government may reasonably obtain delivery or performance of similar supplies or services. The liquidated damages shall be in addition to excess costs under the Termination clause.

Re-measurement of the size of any seedbed to be weeded under this contract will be made upon written request from the Contractor. Request for re-measurement must be made no later than the completion of weeding of the unit to be re-measured. Re-measurement will be done with an approved measuring device (wheel or tape) by the Government. If re-measurement indicates the difference of no more than 3% of original measurement, the Contractor will pay the actual cost of re-measurement. If re-measurement indicates a difference of more than 3%, the Government will be responsible for the costs of re-measurement. In any event, payments will be based upon the results of the re-measurement.

Performance Work Statement/Quality Assurance (Q/A) Plan

Unwanted vegetation = identified weeds and grasses 1” in crown diameter or 3” in height Leave sown vegetation = remove all other vegetation including seedlings of wrong species

blossom or seed stage

3. Clean-Up

6.0 Travel

This contract does not require travel.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

There will be at least one English-speaking Contractor’s Representative for every 2-13 workers.

8.0 Security Requirements

This contract does not require security requirements

9.0 Data Rights

This contract does not require data rights.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards This contract does not require technology standards image1.png