Attachment 2 - Weeding Specifications.rtf

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

April, May, June, July, August 2023

1.A Government-Required Action Costs by Line Item

Services Period Dates Estimated Quanity Unit Unit Price 1+0 bed weeding June 1-Sept 15 90-110 Seed Bed

Seed Increase weeding April 17-August 15 250 hours Hourly

For the basis of this contract, One seedbed = 1600 square feet (4’ x 400’); four seedbeds = one compartment.

I. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Scope

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.

B. Project Location

Services are to be performed at the USDA Forest Service, Lucky Peak Nursery, located approximately 17 miles east of Boise, ID on Highway 21.

Government/Contractor-Furnished Equipment

The Contractor will provide all supervision, labor, supplies, drinking water and sanitation facilities for the weeding operation, and incidental items that may be required in the performance of the contract. The Contractor will provide weeding tools, hoes and buckets or sacks for weeds. Provisions can be made to store contractor-provided equipment at the Nursery between scheduled weeding services.

The Contractor will provide equipment for transportation of unwanted vegetation to dump station. Such equipment must be approved by the Government’s Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

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

Contractor Representatives

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

II. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

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 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.)

Seedling Type Field Seedbeds 1+0 shrub 1+0 shrub 1+0 shrub Seed increase Seed increase

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.

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.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

During the course of the contract period, the Government will monitor the Contractor’s performance. It is the expectation of all parties the performance standard as stated in the Performance Work Statement/Quality Assurance (Q/A) Plan will be adhered to (“no weeds of any size in the blossom or seed stage; no weeds greater than or equal to 3 inches in height and no weeds greater than or equal to 1 inch crown diameter; no damage to seedlings”). Failure to adhere to the performance standard will require immediate re-work of the affected seedbeds.

The Government will determine and record the Contractor’s accomplishment within 3 working days at the completion of the weeding contract service. The minimum number of randomly selected sample plots (4’ wide x 1’ long) inspected and recorded in one weeded seedbed per compartment is one; the maximum number of sample plots per compartment is sixteen (four plots per seedbed). The number of sample plots taken will be inversely proportional to the number of residual weeds found in the sample plots during the inspection. Plots will be thoroughly checked for adherence to contract specifications. It will be assumed by all parties this sample is representative of the work quality throughout the compartment. If the inspection of a bed results in weeds exceeding allowed amounts, the COR will inform the Contractor, and the whole compartment will be reweeded within three days. Another randomly sample plot (4 feet by 1 foot) per seedbed of the compartment will be taken and recorded.

CONTRACT TIME

The estimated period of performance for this contract is from May 1 through September 1. The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed for the weeding service as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. Contractor shall execute the weeding service in such a manner which will insure completion by the end of the contract period.

V. MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

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.

The Contractor shall not be charged with liquated damages when the delay in delivery or performance arises out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in the Termination for Default-Supplies and Services clause in this contract.

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.

VI. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

In selecting a contractor for this project, the following factors will be considered in addition to price:

Past experience in weeding or similar work – Summarize contracts performed by your firm for Government agencies and private industry. As a minimum, include all work within the past 3 years. Include details on size and location of contract work.

Past performance on previous similar contracts.

Availability of skilled work force – Explain how your firm will mobilize a crew sufficient for the task.

Provide the names and phone numbers of persons who may be contacted to verify past experience and performance. Include both a purchasing office and field representative contact. For Government contract, this will be the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

The government will evaluate the reasonableness of the price of each offeror in relation to the offeror’s approach. Non-price factors, when combined, are equal in importance when compared to price.

The Government reserves the right to award to the offeror providing the best value to the Government. Award may not necessarily be made to the offeror submitting the lowest quote. Failure to respond to these factors may result in rejection of your quote.

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

Attachment 1

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

Work Requirement Performance Standard Maximum Allowable Error Rate (MAER) Effects of Performance Outside MAER Quality Control Concerns Q/A Method of Surveillance Q/A Schedule of Surveillance

1. Maintain weed free seedbeds without damaging seedlings.

1a. No weeds of any size in blossom or seed stage

0% Re-work Weed reproduction Visual Daily, as needed

1b. No weeds greater than or equal to 3 inches in height and no weeds greater than or equal to 1 inch crown diameter one weed/4 sq ft (1 ft length x 6 ft width) Re-work Competition with seedlings Visual/physical counts Daily, as needed

1c. No damage to seedlings 0% Cost of seedlings Damage to seedlings Visual Daily, as needed

1d. No damage to stakes, flagging, or other identifying markers and irrigation equipment or property.

0% Cost to repair or replace Damage to equipment or property Visual Daily, as needed

2. Remove and dispose of weeds.

2a. Remove and dispose of all extracted vegetative material to an agreed disposal site 0% Re-work Weed reproduction Visual Daily, as needed

2b. No damage to seedlings 0% Cost of seedlings Damage to seedlings Visual Daily, as needed

2c. Leave no open holes 0% Cost of seedlings Root exposure Visual Daily, as needed

3. Clean-Up

3a. Work areas should be cleaned to a pre-work status at the end of each work day.

0% Re-work Area must be kept clean Visual Daily, as needed

Potential Bidders:

Leilani Ronquillo 208-954-1443