Attachment_2_-_Statement_of_Work.docx

BPA FOR HERBICIDE APPLICATION SERVICES

TWIN FALLS DISTRICT BLM, IDAHO

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

NOXIOUS WEED TREATMENT IN BLAINE COUNTY

A. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Twin Falls District (TFD) is seeking to fill a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) contract to fulfill an herbicide application involving inventory and noxious weed control at a location Northwest of Carey, Idaho. There are a variety of noxious weeds, listed below, on public lands administered by the BLM’s, Twin Falls District Office (TFDO). These species are all listed on the Idaho Noxious Weed List. The focus area of this contract is a specific, mapped polygon, within Blaine County, Idaho, as described below:

· Dip Vat treatment unit, 1,250 acres, located Northwest of Carey, in Blaine County (see map #1). The following weed species known to be in this unit are: Dyer’s woad, Dalmatian toadflax, Rush skeletonweed, and Leafy spurge. There may be other species listed on the Idaho Noxious Weed’s List in the unit and if found will be inventoried and treated.

The goal of this contract is to inventory and treat noxious weeds within the 1,250 acre mapped polygons described in this document and to timely provide TFD with GPS data for quick and accurate contract inspection. This contract, in combination with other ongoing weed control efforts, will help control the spread and possibly eradicate the species from BLM-administered lands within this TFD area.

B. DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Inventory:

The intensive inventory of the area within the provided mapped polygon, will require an intense search for any of the 67 weeds designated as noxious by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (see attached list). The inventory will involve gridding the project areas in an organized manner starting at a known point and progressing back and forth until the entire area is completed. It is assumed a ground-based inventory would be conducted, using off-highway vehicles, muleback/horseback, walking or a combination thereof. Depending on terrain, weed development (height) and the height of surrounding vegetation (i.e. grasses versus trees), the grid lines will need to be from 50 to 200 feet apart. The more rocky and mountainous areas may need to be searched by foot with the aid of binoculars. Data for each discovered infestation shall be provided for the major treatment polygons (see below for weed mapping requirements).

Weed Treatment:

Contractor shall furnish all personnel, supervision, labor, equipment, materials, travel and any other direct incidental costs to treat weed species on BLM rangelands with BLM approved government furnished herbicides and adjuvants as specified in the individual task orders. Work involves the application of specific herbicides in solution of any noxious weed species on BLM land only. All weed locations range in size from scattered single plants to concentrations of plants on areas several acres in size. All noxious weeds found within the mapped polygons are to be treated. Control treatments may be completed from the seedling and rosette stage to the very early bloom stage for all species in the Dip Vat project area. A Pesticide Application Record (PAR) will be completed daily by each spray crew (Attachment 1).

History of noxious weed treatments in the area has been with BLM employees using backpacks gridding the area each year. The time spent has been one day with up to fifteen employees. This gives a contractor a time reference for bid estimates. Terrain can be uneven, rocky, and steep on most portions of this weed area. This may add to the difficulty of maneuvering through the unit with a backpack on each person.

The contractor will plan their work and keep the BLM informed of progress by reporting daily, including turning in GPS data and PARs at the end the treatment. While planning work, the highest priority for treatment should be given based on the phenological progression of the target species so that they are treated before they go to seed (see also section G of this contract).

Dip Vat – Map # 1 Polygon Acreage: 1,250 acres for inventory and treatment Notes about treatment: Dyer’s woad, Dalmatian toadflax, Rush skeletonweed, Diffuse knapweed and Leafy spurge are the target species and are found on the steep side hills, drainage bottoms, and ridge tops. It is recommended from a safety and effectiveness standpoint that this unit is walked with backpack sprayers or using mule/horseback sprayers as the primary methods of treatment. Limited access to OHV’s / ATV’s is available for spraying on flatter terrain and to allow herbicides to be transported to the interior of the unit.

Dip Vat estimated infestation: 1,250 acres In the case above, “known infestation” data is from 2019 inventory and acreage is estimate only.

Weed Mapping, GPS and Recordation Requirements:

At the pre-work meeting there will be coordination in which the BLM will make sure the contractor has pre-loaded on their smart phones or tablets the Avenza Maps App for use in recording locations of Herbicide treatments and the BLM will provide the geo-referenced PDF map for the contracted treatment unit. Protocol for recording infestations shall include collection of GPS data per Avenza PDF App.

Contractor is required to accurately complete all fields of the Pesticide Application Record (PAR) form provided by the BLM. Per the PAR, point data would be 0.25 acres for each point collected and all other associated PAR information shall be filled out upon completion at the end of each day. The Contractor shall report their (e.g. # of acres sprayed, weather, Herbicide amounts, etc.) on the PAR. Having both GPS data and the PAR allows the BLM to accurately report treatment acreage and mitigate the risk of lost data.

All data should be exported and submitted using the following format:

Avenza Maps information shall be verified and sent to the TFD Weeds Specialist at email address: aowens@blm.gov.

C. LOCATION

Work under this contract is located on BLM land Northwest of Carey, Idaho, in Blaine County. The work location is shown on the attached maps.

D. ACCESS TO THE WORK

Paved and dirt roads, vehicle trails and off road and/or foot travel. Cross country travel is generally permitted with care not to create ruts in inclement weather and saturated soil conditions. The contractor will only traverse an area once to avoid the creation of new ATV trails across recently rehabilitated landscapes.

E. CERTIFICATION

The contractor and site foreperson shall hold a current Idaho Professional Pesticide Applicator License and follow all guidelines as described in IDAPA 02.03.03 (Idaho Department of Ag Rules Governing Pesticide and Chemigation) and all application of herbicides shall be made in accordance with Federal, State, and local requirements. Other applicators may work under the direct supervision of the contractor and/or site foreperson’s license(s).

All Professional Applicator Licensees will be required to provide proof of financial responsibility prior to award for this contract and will be required to carry proof of financial responsibility whenever working on this contract. This may be accomplished by providing the BLM with form (IDAPA 02.03.03.250.01.A) The Idaho Professional Applicator Certificate of Insurance. A company’s manager may indicate that the company insurance policy covers all employees.

The minimum amount of coverage required as proof of financial responsibility is coverage of $50,000 bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per occurrence and property damage coverage of $50,000 per occurrence.

Reference: the attached Idaho Department of Ag Rules Governing Pesticide and Chemigation Use document.

F. WORK TIMING AND GEOGRAPHICAL LIMITS

Work timeframes are specified with each order. For 2022 and following years, this is expected to be between May 15th and July 2nd. Work would end when the contract work was completed or when weeds are so advanced in their maturation that “control” is ineffective, as decided by the BLM. Weeds must be treated prior to producing seed for the year. All deliverables, including weed GIS data must be given to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) by July 15. The outer perimeter of the work area is defined on the attached maps (a 100-foot buffer in which control work is required, extends beyond the outer perimeter which is depicted on the maps. It is highly recommended that potential bidders visit the site, during the scheduled site tour, prior to bidding on the contract due to the high variability from year to year in density of the target species and other variables related to site conditions.

G. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES

Inventory and infestation mapping will be monitored by the designated Project Inspector (PI) and the COR, using field contract inspections.

Progress will be monitored by BLM’s designated PI and the COR. The intent is for all weed infestations to be treated prior to seed production. A site is defined as anywhere at least one plant occurs. In the event more than 5 percent of a weed patch has gone untreated, the contractor must return to the site and complete treatment of the weeds within 3 days of being informed (if the percentage of live weeds remaining is 5 percent or less, the PI could elect to complete the control). If untreated acreage remains at the end of the contract, payment for the contract will be adjusted down by percentage of total acres which have not been treated when work is stopped. This percentage will be based upon data mapping and as determined by the BLM Contracting Officer (CO) or the COR.

Contractor shall only use, from section J, herbicides provided by the BLM and apply in accordance with current Pesticide Use Proposals (PUPs) and EPA labels and in compliance with all guidelines and restrictions. Contractor shall complete a daily PAR as required for BLM reporting. The schedule of data submission may be altered by the PI or the COR. Pesticide Application Records (PARs) must be completed within 24 hours of application.

H. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS

All personnel, materials, and equipment required to complete the project. This includes application equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), vehicles, fuel, water, and any other associated tools and equipment. ATVs are recommended to assist in covering the areas used primarily as nurse units for backpacks. Smart phones or tablets with appropriate Avenza Maps App, capable of utilizing the BLM provided geo-referenced PDF maps are required for each of the crews.

I. METHOD OF TREATMENT

The weeds can generally be treated by use of herbicide. Required buffers for herbicide treatments in wetland and riparian areas are 10 feet hand application and at water’s edge if selective spot spraying with a backpack. If picloram, a restricted use herbicide, is used, it cannot be near water or where it could possibly be a runoff contaminate hazard.

J. HERBICIDE METHOD

All Standard Operating Procedures, Mitigation Measures and Conservation Measures (Appendices A through C) apply to the application of herbicides under this contract.

1. All applications will be in accordance with the label and the Twin Falls District Pesticide Use Proposal (IDT000-21-002-P).

2. Herbicides and Application Rates: only the following herbicides will be provided for use: Milestone (Aminopyralid), Platoon (2, 4-D), Low Vol 4 (2,4-D Ester), Escort XP (Metsulfuron methyl), Telar (Chlorsulfuron), and Picloram 22K (Picloram).

The following intended and maximum use rates will be utilized. If additional herbicides are approved prior to or during the term of this contract, they may be added to this list of approved herbicides.

Rates of Application:

A. Milestone (Aminopyralid)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 7 oz/acre Pounds AE: 0.11 lbs

Maximum seasonal rate: 7 oz per acre per annual growing season.

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: 5 oz/acre Pounds AE: 0.8 lbs/acre

B. Platoon (2,4-D)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 2 qt/acre Pounds AE: 1.9 lbs Maximum seasonal rate: 4 qt per acre with no single dose being over 2 qt per acre.

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: 1 - 4 pts/acre Pounds AE: 0.5 - 1.9 lbs/acre

C. Escort XP (Metsulfuron Methyl)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 1 2/3 oz/acre Pounds AI: 0.062 lbs/acre Maximum seasonal rate: 1 2/3oz/acre

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: Up to 1 2/3 oz/acre Pounds AI: Up to 0.062 lbs/acre

D. Telar XP (Chlorsulfuron)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 1 1/3 oz/acre Pounds AI or AE: 0.062 lbs/acre Maximum seasonal rate: 1 1/3 oz/acre on rangeland

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: 1 1/3 oz/acre depending on growth stage Pounds AE or AI: 0.062 lbs/acre

E. Picloram 22K (Picloram)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 2 qts/acre Pounds AE: 1.0 lbs/acre Maximum seasonal rate: 2 qts/acre

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: Up to 2 qts/acre Pounds AE: Up to 1.0 lbs/acre

F. Low Vol 4 (2,4-D Ester)

MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

Formulated Product: 4.2 pts/acre Pounds AI or AE: 2.00 lbs/acre Maximum seasonal rate: 8.4 qt/acre

INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

Formulated Product: 2.1pt – 4.2qt/acre Pounds AE or AI: 1.0 – 2.0 lbs/acre

3. Adjuvants: The following nonionic surfactants must be used with the approved herbicides provided in conjunction with label directions: Alligare 90

4. Dye: The following vegetation dye will be included in the fluid mixture at all times: Hi-Light (Beckerunderwood). The dye will be a highly contrasting color to the vegetation it is applied on. It will be applied in sufficient amounts so as to be highly visible for at least 3 days following application unless it is removed by precipitation.

5. Product substitutions: N/A

6. Equipment/Spray Nozzles: Sprayers shall be equipped with nozzles capable of uniform distribution at the specified rate. Sprayers shall be calibrated to assure the specified rate is being met. Mixing Equipment: Contractor shall furnish the agitator and mixing tank for mixing treatment material. The treatment material shall be mixed according to the label and in a safe and knowledgeable manner. It can be mixed on site as needed. Water sources will be arranged for by the Contractor. Water taken from BLM sources will be pre-negotiated with the COR for safety and hazardous materials considerations. Herbicides shall be mixed and loaded in an area where an accidental spill cannot flow into a stream or water body or contaminate ground water. The water intake system for mixing shall have an anti-siphon system between the live water intake and the mixing tank to prevent any back flow of chemical into the water source.

7. Environmental Conditions: Application of treatment Herbicides shall not be done when the wind velocity exceeds label limits. Herbicide will not be applied when inclement weather conditions (rain, hail, sleet and snow) are forecast within 12 hours following a planned treatment. Also, herbicide shall not be applied for at least 12 hours after receiving moisture from a storm. Herbicides shall not be applied when ground is frozen. Spraying operations will be permitted only during daylight hours.

8. Transportation of Herbicide: The Contractor shall load and transport herbicide, adjuvants, and dye from the BLM's location to the work site and between sites according to all applicable laws and regulations. Upon completion of the work or termination of the contract, all unused herbicides shall be returned by the Contractor to the BLM's location. Disposal of all used containers and other materials shall be done according to the label and local laws and regulations and is the responsibility of the contractor.

K. HAND CUTTING AND PULLING:

N/A

L. GOVERNMENT -FURNISHED PROPERTY:

Maps (1:24,000 scale), Herbicide, Adjuvants, Dye, GPS data dictionary and PAR forms.

M. INSPECTION

The COR or PIs will make inspections as a basis for monitoring progress in relation to completion payments and to make recommendations for adjustments in work. The PI and COR will communicate regularly with the Contractor or their designated representative. Contractor shall be required to show or submit completed pesticide application records to COR/PI upon request during the inspection of the contract.

N. ACCEPTANCE

Work performed according to the specifications will be considered acceptable for payment.

O. PAYMENT

Final payment will be based on completion and acceptance of the job. Payments will be based upon compliance with all specifications. Price and payment will be full compensation for the work described in this section. Prior to final payment, the BLM must have completed forms and data for the entire performance period, which are subject to approval by the TFD certified pesticide applicator.

Idaho's Noxious Weed List Idaho has a total of 67 weeds listed on the noxious weed list.

Please note these links have multiple photos and may take several seconds to load.

Noxious Weed List

This Noxious Weed List contains information about Idaho's noxious weeds. Just click on the name of a weed you want more information on. You will then be given the best control methods available to manage that weed and links to other sources for more education and information.

· Black Henbane Hyoscyamus niger

· Bohemian Knotweed Polygonum bohemicum

· Brazilian Elodea Egeria densa

· Buffalobur Solanum rostratum

· Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense

· Common Crupina Crupina vulgaris

· Common/European Frogbit Hydrcharis morsus-ranae

· Common Reed (Phragmites) Phragmites australis

· Curlyleaf Pondweed Potamogeton crispus

· Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica

· Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa

· Dyer's Woad Isatis tinctoria

· Eurasian Watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum

· Fanwort Cobomba caroliniana

· Feathered Mosquito Fern Azolla pinnata

· Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis

· Flowering Rush Butomus umbelltus

· Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum

· Giant Knotweed Polygonum sachalinense

· Giant Salvinia Salvinia molesta

· Hoary Alyssum Berteroa incana

· Hoary Cress (Whitetop) Lepidium draba ssp. draba

· Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale

· Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata

· Iberian Starthistle C. iberica

· Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum

· Johnsongrass Sorghum halepense

· Jointed Goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica

· Leafy Spurge Euphorbia esula

· Matgrass Nardus stricta

· Meadow Hawkweed Hieracium caespitosum

· Meadow Knapweed Centaurea debeauxii ssp. thuillieri

· Mediterranean Sage Salvia aethiopis

· Milium Milium vernale

· Musk Thistle Carduus nutans

· Orange Hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum

· Oxeye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

· Parrotfeather Milfoil Myriophyllum aquaticum

· Perennial Pepperweed Lepidium latifolium

· Perennial Sowthistle Sonchus arvensis

· Plumeless Thistle Carduus acanthoides

· Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum

· Policeman's Helmet Impatiens glandulifera

· Puncturevine Tribulus terrestris

· Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria

· Purple Starthistle Centaurea calcitrapa

· Rush Skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea

· Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens

· Saltcedar Tamarix ssp.

· Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius

· Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium

· Small Bugloss Anchusa arvensis

· Spotted Knapweed Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos

· Squarrose Knapweed Centaurea triumfetti

· Syrian Beancaper Zygophyllum fabago

· Tall Hawkweed Hieracium piloselloides

· Tansy Ragwort Senecia jacobaea

· Variable-Leaf-Milfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum

· Vipers Bugloss Echium vulgare

· Water Chestnut Trapa natans

· Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

· White Bryony Bryonya alba

· Yellow Devil Hawkweed Hieracium glomeratum

· Yellow Flag Iris Iris psudocorus

· Yellow Floating Heart Nymphoides pelata

· Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitialis

· Yellow Toadflax Linaria vulgaris