Attachment 1- Statement of Work FINAL.pdf

Solicitation No. 127EAT24Q0009 Carbaryl Application

Region 5,Cleveland NF,Descanso RD

ATTACHMENT 1 - STATEMENT OF WORK

1. SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Description of Work: The intent of this contract is to secure forestry related services for the application of a contact insecticide, Carbaryl, to the boles of 287 individual coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), trees greater than 14 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) to prevent attacks of the invasive goldspotted oak borer. Individual trees have been pre-identified by Forest Service (FS) personnel and are designated for spraying with metal tags and colored flagging. Designated trees are spread across four (4) administrative and developed recreation sites located on the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest in northeastern San Diego County, CA.

Seven (7) additional developed recreation sites are included in the base year contract as optional to be awarded based on available funding to complete the same treatment on an additional 368 individual coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California black oak (Quercus kelloggii), and canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) trees greater than 14 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) to prevent attacks of the invasive goldspotted oak borer.

Work is expected to occur in early to mid-May of 2024.

Four (4) option years have been included in the contract to continue treatments into May of 2028.

Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall provide everything--including, but not limited to, all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision--necessary to complete the project, except for that which the contract clearly states is to be furnished by the Government.

2. Project Location and Description

Location: The project is located on the Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Ranger District in northeastern San Diego County.

The following administrative and developed sites contain designated trees:

Name Street Address City State Zip No. of Trees

Acres

Oak Grove Campground 37560 Hwy 79 S Warner Springs

CA 92086 107 26

Oak Grove Fire Station and Administrative site

37560 Hwy 79 S Warner Springs

CA 92086 141 32

Pine Hills Fire Station 17158 Boulder Creek Rd

Julian CA 92036 28 15

Inaja Memorial Picnic Area

30828 Julian Rd Santa Ysabel CA 92070 11 4

Dripping Springs Campground

39755 CA-79 Aguanga CA 92536 125 19

Dripping Springs Fire Station and Trailhead Parking

38000-39314 CA-79 Aguanga CA 92536 34 9

Indian Flat Campground Puerta La Cruz Rd Warner Springs

CA 92086 77 15

San Luis Rey Picnic Area

CA-76 Santa Ysabel CA 92070 57 7

Henshaw Overlook S-7 / East Grade Road

Santa Ysabel CA 92070 9 2

Crestline Picnic Area Summit Circle Santa Ysabel CA 92070 40 7

Fry Creek Campground County Hwy S6 / Canfield Rd.

Palomar Mountain

CA 92060 26 54

Description: Trees have been pre-selected for treatment and identified with a permanent numbered tag (silver round tag). In some cases, fluorescent flagging has been tied to tags to aid in relocation by contractor.

An inventory of all marked trees is being maintained to aid in contract inspection, monitoring and any follow-up treatment needs. The inventory record includes information about each tree such as species, diameter, GSOB Rating, and GPS coordinates to add information for treatment effectiveness and monitoring.

Additional tree location maps for each site, compatible with Avenza Maps, ESRI Field maps, or other geolocated PDF viewer, can be requested after award and prior to commencement of operations.

Exclusions (non-work areas): PWS Para. 8 for areas of avoidance by Contractor.

Accessibility: All FS designated trees can be reached on foot with 200 feet of hose while spray truck and/or trailer are parked on a maintained paved or dirt road within each site.

Any prospective contractor desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation, drawings, specifications, etc., must request it in writing from the Contracting Officer soon enough to allow a reply to reach all prospective contractors before the solicitation closing date. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding.

3. Maps

Maps showing the general vicinity and/or specific work areas are included in Attachment 3. Maps are general in nature and are not to be considered as definitively identifying locations.

4. Estimated Start Date and Contract Timeframe

The Contractor shall begin work within seven (7) calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed and shall prosecute the work at a rate that will result in completion of all work within the following time frame:

Period of Performance Estimated Start Date Contract Time

Base Year (2024) May 6, 2024 12 calendar days

Option Year One (2025) May 5, 2025 12 calendar days

Option Year Two (2026) May 4, 2026 12 calendar days

Option Year Three (2027) May 3, 2027 12 calendar days

Option Year Four (2028) May 8, 2028 12 calendar days

5. Restrictions on Work

Work may be performed at any time during the period of the contract, except as outlined here. Nothing in this part shall be construed to take away any of the Government's rights under the Suspension of Work Clause (52.242-14). Restrictions are as follows:

1. When the Contracting Officer (or designated representative) determines that adverse weather has made access too dangerous or that continued vehicular travel would cause unacceptable road damage.

2. In accordance with all stipulations prescribed in PWS Para. 8.8.

6. Licenses and Insurance

The contractor shall obtain the following insurance and licenses:

California Qualified Applicator License or Certificate (QAL/QAC), California Restricted Materials Permit. For information on how to apply for a license, please visit How to Get a Permit, License or Product Registration (ca.gov).

7. Camping and Housing

Camping is not permitted in FS campgrounds.

8. Technical Requirements

8.1 General Requirements

8.1.1 Carbaryl must be applied by a state-licensed pesticide applicator. Carbaryl is a California Restricted Use Pesticide and requires that the contractor obtain a Restricted Materials Permit to possess and apply. Contractor shall provide a copy of the Applicator License (or Certificate) and a copy of the valid Restricted Materials Permit to the FS.

8.1.2 The Contractor is responsible for any notifications (for example, to nearby apiaries) that may be required by the County Agricultural Department.

8.1.3 The Contractor is responsible for reporting pesticide use amounts and locations to the County pesticide use reporting system.

8.1.4 A FS contract inspector will be on-site at all times, including during mixing and clean-up operations to ensure all contract requirements are met.

8.1.5 The Contractor must comply with all federal, state and local pesticide laws and regulations regarding pesticide application during project implementation.

https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/quicklinks/faq.htm https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/dept/quicklinks/faq.htm

8.2 Chemical Formulation

8.2.1 The insecticide shall be a concentrated liquid (4 lbs. AI per gallon) formulation of Carbaryl registered for forestry applications in California... Examples include Drexel Carbaryl 4L, Sevin Brand 4F Carbaryl, Sevin Brand XLR Plus, Carbaryl 4L. The chemical to be used shall be registered for bark beetle control and properly formulated, following label directions. A 2% solution (5 fluid ounces/gallon) in water will be the dilution rate.

8.3 Mixing

8.3.1 The water pH used for mixing shall be at a level specified by the insecticide label. The water pH shall be checked daily and from each water source and recorded prior to mixing. The water must be neutral or at about a pH7. The type and amount of additive to achieve a pH7 will be measured and recorded. After mixing and settling to obtain the desired pH level the pH will be checked and recorded again.

8.3.2 Mixing and loading of insecticide shall be done in areas where accidental spills would not contaminate streams or other water sources. The area shall be approved by the COR.

8.4 Application Procedure

8.4.1 All bole surfaces, including the root collar, must be treated with insecticide. All trees shall be sprayed on all sides up to a minimum of 25 feet or to the point where the diameter of the bole or lateral branches are less than 5 inches, whichever is less. The applicator cannot choose to ignore a particular face of the tree due to heavy component of tree branches. This may require the applicator to reposition the spray apparatus during the operations in order to achieve the required coverage.

8.4.2 The applicator cannot choose to ignore any portion of the face of a tree due to a heavier denser crown component (multiple branches). This means the applicator needs to reposition during application to ensure adequate coverage on entire bole or face of tree.

8.4.3 The amount of spray to be applied will vary depending upon tree height and diameter, but must be sufficient so that all bark crevices, bark flaps, and the root collar where beetles may enter tree are thoroughly treated.

8.4.4 No Carbaryl spraying will occur within 100 of flowing water or wetland areas.

8.4.5 To minimize drift of spray droplets, spraying will be done only when wind is 0-5 mph.

8.4.6 269 trees have been marked for spraying, it is likely that some of those individuals will have died or be dying at the time of contract implementation. Those trees as determined by the COR to be unhealthy will not be sprayed.

8.4.7 The Contractor shall be required to keep the spray vehicle or cherry picker on established roads unless otherwise approved by the COR. All designated trees will be within a reachable distance of an established road.

8.4.8 The Contractor will adhere to all applicable safety regulations, including all label direction regarding mixing and PPE.

8.4.9 Applicators must wear chemical resistant gloves, footwear and headgear. Overalls (or Tyvek) over a long sleeve shirt and long pants AND must be wearing a NIOSH approved particulate filter when designated on the pesticide label.

8.5 Designation of Trees to Be Treated

8.5.1 Designated trees will be marked by a round silver tag in the bole of tree and pink, fluorescent flagging which will be removed and disposed of properly at the time of spraying for each tree.

8.6 Timing of Spray Operations

8.6.1 Spraying must occur between beginning of the second full week of May and the end of the second full week of June, annually. Coordination between the Contractor and the COR will be necessary to determine the proper time for spray operations to begin due to restrictions on weather conditions.

8.6.2 Certain conditions must be met prior to pesticide application, including wind speed, direction of wind, humidity, rainfall and temperature. The COR will determine if these conditions are present. If these conditions are not present, then spraying will be stopped until those conditions are present and are likely to remain present. These items are outlined in the hydrologist’s mitigation measures (read below).

8.6.3 To the extent possible dependent on weather conditions, the campground will be closed to the public 12 hours prior to and 72 hours after application.

8.6.4 The Contractor shall cooperate with the Government in deciding a schedule that satisfies the notification requirements of posting signs to notify the public of the Governments intentions, and the signs will be provided and posted by the Government one (1) week prior to application and remain in place after spraying is to be completed.

8.6.5 Contractor will follow label directions for minimizing impacts to honeybees if bees are foraging in the area. This includes early morning or late evening applications. The contractor will work with the COR to determine if honeybee impact minimization practices need to be followed at each site.

The Contractor shall adhere to all “Mitigation Measures” recommended by Forest Hydrologist in the Hydrologist Specialist Report. These include the following:

8.6.6 Do not apply spray to any trees when rain is likely within 24 hours. This is to allow for the spray to dry. A weather report can be found at www.nwsla.noaa.gov

8.6.7 Do not apply spray when the wind is greater than 5 miles per hour.

8.6.8 Do not dispose of spray, wash equipment or release spray to open water.

8.6.9 Do not apply spray within 100 feet of any open water.

8.6.10 Do not apply spray to trees within 100 feet of intermittent and ephemeral channels if the bottom of the channel has surface water or is saturated and/or contains snow.

8.6.11 Do not apply spray to the trees near intermittent and ephemeral channels when precipitation is forecasted within the next three (3) days. A weather report can be found at www.nwsla.noaa.gov

8.6.12 Do not apply spray to trees across any flowing channels.

8.6.13 Spray preparation will occur at designated paved site that is more than 300 feet from any perennial and intermittent channel. An impervious membrane will be placed under the truck, http://www.nwsla.noaa.gov/ http://www.nwsla.noaa.gov/ mixing equipment and loading equipment so that spills maybe contained. An adsorbent will be available to pick up all spills.

8.6.14 All empty and used spray containers and spent adsorbent will be disposed in a properly designed and designed waste container. All spent adsorbent along with other waste materials from spraying will be disposed of at an approved landfill.

8.6.15 A copy of the of the Pesticide Spill Contingency Plan will be prepared by the forest and will be available to the spray applicators and a copy will be onsite at all times.

8.7 other general measures to protect water quality:

8.7.1 If equipment is to be fueled or serviced on site, the refueling and servicing will at a designated site 300 feet from any perennial and intermittent channel. An impervious membrane will be placed under the equipment when they are serviced.

8.7.2 Following the label direction, the recreational/administrative site will be closed for at least one day. Label direction permits restricted entry interval (REI) of 12 hours for agricultural workers. For non-agricultural use people, “Keep unprotected persons out of treated areas until sprays have dried.”

8.7.3 Contractor shall make every possible effort to spray trees parallel to stream channels. The diagram bellow is an example of spraying parallel to the channel bed. Spraying will not occur if the channel has water in it and is less than 100 feet from the tree.

Spray Spray

Tree

8.7.4 By spraying parallel to the stream as shown above, the tree will receive almost 100% coverage and if the spray accidentally goes past the tree, it is not likely fall into the channel.

8.8 Contractor-Furnished EquipmentThe Contractor shall furnish all tools, equipment, materials, supplies, labor, and supervision necessary to accomplish the spraying.

The Contractor’s equipment shall meet the following minimum requirements: COR will verify that the Contactor has neutralized the tanks to be used on this project prior to mixing the insecticide for this project application.

(a) The Carbaryl insecticide product must be new, or one that has been properly stored (according to label specifications) for no more than three (3) months from date of purchase. Insecticide that is greater than three (3) months from date of purchase, but less than one (1) year old may be used if approved by the CO. Approval will be based on written proof of proper storage and care of the product as directed by product label specifications and receipt of purchase.

(b) A self-agitating hydraulic power sprayer is required and shall have sufficient capability to adequately mix contents of holding tank to ensure proper application of Carbaryl in a consistent and effective manner. Also, the spray equipment used by applicator shall be required to spray at 300 PSI (pounds per square inch) minimum, with a #8 orifice on the washer nozzle. The hose on the Contractor’s spray apparatus shall be capable of reaching a minimum of 300 feet.

(c) Safety for this operation must meet all Federal, State, and local requirements for Carbaryl insecticide applications. As part of the safety protocols, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to adhere to those requirements with the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as stated on the chemical label and material safety data sheets (MSDS).

(d) Contractor shall have at their immediate disposal a spill cleanup kit available with each spray vehicle. The spill cleanup kit will include the following: shovel, rubber boots, rubber gloves, protective rain suit or coveralls, safety goggles, buckets, 4 mil minimum polyethylene plastic bags, and 10-20 pounds of an absorbent material.

(e) Key contract personnel performing the spraying operations must provide documentation of all necessary certifications, licenses, permits, etc. as required by Federal, State, and local governments.

8.9 Public Safety

A safety plan will be discussed with Contractor upon award and may vary on complexity and proximity to high use areas.

8.10 Road Maintenance

Road maintenance is not required. All roads shall remain open, unobstructed, and free of trees and/or slash at all times during the Contractors’ operations. Any damage caused by contractors’ activities to gates, drainage structures or deleterious roadbed re-shaping shall be repaired at the contractors’ expense and under the direction of the Contracting Officer

9. Delivery/Performance

9.1 The period of performance is from May 2024 to April 2025 for the base year and if all options are exercised the contract will go through May of 2028.

9.2 Winter Shutdown

When winter weather sets in and the continuation of work is impractical, the Contracting Officer may authorize a total suspension until such time as work can proceed. During the period of total suspension, the calendar days elapsed will not be charged against the contract time.

10. Contract Administration Data

10.1 Pre-work

Pre-work conference. Before work begins on service contracts, a pre-work conference is normally held to discuss the contract--especially the specifications, labor provisions, plan of work, and selected standard clauses. The pre-work meeting should be attended by an officer of the firm, or someone designated in writing to act on behalf of the firm. The pre-work meeting may be waived at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

10.2 Notice to Proceed

No work may begin on this contract until the Contracting Officer has issued a Notice to Proceed.

10.3 Payment

The Contractor will be paid for each tree accepted upon inspection by USFS inspecting personnel.

10.4 Payments and Deductions

Payment will be made for fully acceptable work at the prices bid in the schedule of items. In the event of extended non-work periods because of adverse weather, the Contracting Officer may authorize progress payments for partially completed sub-items on a case-by- case basis. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.212-4 (a) Inspection/Acceptance, payment may be made for less than fully acceptable work at a reduced price. Other exceptions are noted below:

10.4.1 Payment will be made in full if inspection results are 90 percent or higher. No payment will be made if inspection results are less than 90 percent.

10.4.2 The Contracting Officer may retain up to 10 percent of the invoiced amount if the contractor is behind schedule at the time the invoice is presented. “Behind schedule” means that the percentage of work completed is less than the percentage of time used.

10.5 Release of claims. The Contractor, and each assignee under an assignment entered into under this contract and in effect at the time of final payment under this contract, shall execute and deliver, at the time of and as a condition precedent to final payment under this contract, a release discharging the Government, its officers, agents, and employees of and from all liabilities, obligations, and claims arising out of or under this contract.

10.6 Invoices.

Payment will be processed using the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). Contractor shall upload invoices in IPP and submit for payment.

11. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE:

11.1 The sample plots will be located throughout each unit, so as to obtain a representative sample of the work. Each item will be inspected separately. Determinations of the acceptability of the work performed will be based on these inspections, which will be considered conclusive, except as otherwise provided in the contract.

11.2 Plot centers will be marked at each plot with brightly colored flagging and examined. The following criteria are inclusive of all items up for award; only applicable criteria for each item will be measured, but all is shown to inform contractor.

11.3 Presence of State License Pesticide applicator

Presence of COR or Inspector on site at all times of Spraying

(Pass /Fail)

(Pass / Fail)

11.4 Concentrate to be inspected prior to mixing. SDS

reviewed and approved before mixing begins

11.5 Water PH tested daily and results shared with inspector or

COR.

Mixing and loading location agreed upon prior to work starting.

11.6 Even application of Carbaryl on main stems and lateral

branches greater than five (5) inches in diameter.

Designated trees identified by contractor and insecticide applied.

11.7 Wind speeds are less than five (5) mph during

applications

Contractor performs work on dates specified, flexibility included for undesirable climatic conditions.

(Pass /Fail)

11.8 Spraying methods minimize impacts to water resources (Pass / Fail)

Work on this contract will be deemed acceptable when the governments’ inspection plots equal a quality equal to or higher than that specified for that task, as shown in Attachment 2 -Quality Assurance Plan (QASP). Each item and each task must meet or exceed its Acceptable Quality Level for full payment on the item. If one or more tasks are below their Acceptable Quality Level of 90 percent, rework shall be completed at no charge to government or payment will not be made.

Equipment Cleaning All off-road equipment used on this project shall be washed before moving into the project area so that the equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative material, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds of noxious weeds. “Off-road equipment” includes all logging and construction equipment and such brushing equipment as brush hogs, masticators, and chippers; it does not include log trucks, chip vans, service vehicles, water trucks, pickup trucks, and similar vehicles not intended for off-road use.

Equipment will be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil, seeds, plant material, or other such debris. Disassembly of equipment components or specialized inspection equipment is not required. Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least five (5) days in advance of moving equipment in so that arrangements can be made for inspection.

If the project area is known to contain noxious weeds, the equipment shall be cleaned before moving to other FS system lands which do not contain noxious weeds.