B08_140L6324Q0019_Attachment_1_SOW.pdf

BLM AK - Solicitation – 140L6324Q0019

Bureau of Land Management Campbell Tract Facilities Invasive Plant Treatment

Statement of Work

Modification to Statement of Work made on 5/14/2024 SOW is modified to include additional language, shown in red colored text:

Objective A. pg. 2: “While treating known infestations, all roadsides, trails, and throughout administrative facilities to find new or re-sprouting infestations during the first visit each summer. For roads and trails that do not show current infestations in Figure 2, inspect as needed. During the second visit it is only necessary to re-visit locations of treatment during the first visit.”

1) Background

The Bureau of Land Management Campbell Tract Facility (4700 BLM Road, Anchorage, AK, Figure 1) houses federal administrative offices, a gravel runway, helicopter landing pads, trails, trailheads, and the Campbell Creek Science Center. In addition to its administrative uses, Campbell Tract Special Recreation Management Area is a well-used recreation area that sees nearly 500,000 visits annually.

Non-native invasive species have been found along roadsides, trailheads, trails, aviation sites, landscaped areas, and within undisturbed forested areas. 48 non-native plant species were found on Campbell Tract during the first survey in 2008. Eight of those species are considered priority invasive plants as defined by the 2022 BLM Invasive Plant Prevention and Management Policy (AK-IM-FY2022-008) because they degrade plant community structure, composition, and ecological functions. Invasive plant control actions have occurred on Campbell Tract for several years, both physical and herbicide control methods. Before 2015, efforts were restricted to physical control such as hand pulling, digging, use of weed wrenches, mowing, and tarping.

The purpose of this contract is to acquire herbicide application services to control invasive plant infestations and prevent spread into adjacent un-infested areas.

2) Objectives

A. Road, Trail and Facility Spot Treatment:

Infestations of BLM-AK priority invasive plant (PIP) species along roads, trails, and facilities are to be treated twice during the growing season. PIP found growing on Campbell Tract during 2023 are listed in Table 1 and typical treatment locations are shown in Figure 2. Other PIP that has not previously been found are also included in the scope of this contract should they be found during contract work. The first treatment will be during mid-June to early July, depending on weather conditions. This treatment will occur before plants begin to form seeds and ideally before flowering begins. A second visit will occur in mid to late-summer (July to August) to address any infestations that have not been successfully controlled with one application.

Figure 1. The Campbell Tract Facility is located within the Municipality of Anchorage, AK.

Table 1. BLM-AK priority invasive plant species found on Campbell Tract.

Common Name Scientific Name Invasiveness Ranking Invasiveness Score Reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea Extremely Invasive 83 White sweetclover Melilotus albus Extremely Invasive 81 Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum Highly Invasive 79 Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense Highly Invasive 76 Bird cherry species Prunus padus and

Prunus virginiana Highly Invasive 83

Bird vetch Vicia cracca Highly Invasive 73 Butter and eggs Linaria vulagris Moderately Invasive 69 Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Moderately Invasive 61

Figure 2. Typical Treatment Locations for Campbell Tract priority invasive plant infestation.

While treating known infestations, walk all roadsides, trails, and throughout administrative facilities to find new or re-sprouting infestations during the first visit each summer. For roads and trails that do not show current infestations in Figure 2, inspect as needed. During the second visit it is only necessary to re-visit locations of treatment during the first visit. It is possible that many known infestations have been successfully or partially eradicated during past treatments, but still require monitoring and subsequent treatment if needed. The total area of all infestations is approximately 3 acres, however, please make bid offer for 4 acres to accommodate the possibility of discovering unknown infestations. A selective foliar application (backpack sprayer) method will be employed for all infestations. The BLM Anchorage Field Office Integrated Pest Management (IPM) coordinator will be heavily involved in the scheduling, notification, and oversight of each herbicide treatment session.

B. Prunus Padus/Virginiana Forest Treatment

A 2023 survey of the intact forested areas of Campell Tract found seedling- and sapling-sized Prunus padus and Prunus virginiana (Prunus spp.) throughout undisturbed forests, primarily in the northwestern parts of Campbell Tract (Figure 3). BLM estimates this area to be approximately 28 acres with a less than 1 percent cover of Prunus spp.

All Prunus spp. shall be treated with a direct treatment method deemed appropriate by the contractor.

Figure 3. Prunus spp. sapling size and larger found on Campbell Tract in 2023.

C. One Acre Broadcast Treatment Option:

It may be necessary to broadcast treat large areas that are either bare ground (Campbell Airstrip) or regularly mowed. A boom sprayer mounted on a UTV/ATV or other motorized method would be required. Full broadcast treatment of the airstrip has occurred in the past, but it is unlikely this will be frequently needed. The exact size of area needing to be treated is variable from year to year and is often not known until the middle of the growing season. Please provide a cost estimate for treating 1 acre with a broadcast method, and this estimate would be multiplied by the size of infestation found each year.

3) Requirements

Herbicide Products: The herbicides Garlon 4 Ultra (triclopyr), Roundup PRO (glyphosate), Roundup Custom (glyphosate), Loveland 2,4-D (2,4-D) and Milestone Specialty (aminopyralid) can be used for this project. Additionally, the additives Spreader 90 and Turftrax can be used. The Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) will describe allowable concentrations for broadcast, spot, and cut stump application methods. The PUP will be provided to the contractor upon contract award.

Equipment:

Contractor provides:

• All herbicides, dies, surfactants or other tank mixture additives.

• All application equipment (backpack sprayers, vehicle-mounted spray booms, vehicles).

• Personal protective equipment for all workers involved in the project.

• Spill prevention and containment materials.

BLM provides:

• The Pesticide Use Proposal which the contractor will reference for reporting purposes.

• Paper and Georeferenced PDF map of know infestations.

• Access to water for tank mixing.

• Preparation area and clean up area.

• Template for required reporting.

• Pre- and post-treatment monitoring to assess efficacy.

• Public notification or closure signs.

Period of Performance: Work will be performed between June 1 and Sept 30, during normal business hours, M-F 8:00am-5:00pm, unless other arrangements are made.

Procedures: Key standard operating procedures applicable for herbicide use are listed in BLM Handbook H-9011 (Chemical Pest Control). Best management practices outlined in this manual will be followed prior to and during implementation of treatments. The following list includes some, but not all, of the standard operating procedures that will be followed in this contract:

1. Only certified applicators will apply herbicide.

2. All directions in the herbicide product label will be followed for application rates, use, storage, and personal protection.

3. The least amount of herbicide needed to achieve the desired result will be applied.

4. The effects of wind, humidity, temperature inversions, and heavy rainfall on herbicide effectiveness and risk will be considered for every application.

5. Site characteristics, environmental conditions, and application equipment will be considered to minimize damage to non-target vegetation.

6. To avoid effects to bees and other insect pollinators, the following efforts would be made:

o avoid peak flowering timeframes;

o for large fields (more than 1 acre), mow during peak flowering to remove flowering plants and schedule herbicide treatment after sufficient regrowth has occurred;

o no spraying would occur if more than 15% of the plants are flowering;

o direct spot applications of isolated infestations would occur, and;

o care would be taken to avoid spraying flowering parts and pollinators.

7. Avoid mechanized vegetation clearing, other than manicured lawns, during the nesting bird window recommended by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Southcentral Alaska (May 1 – July 15). This does not include most manual treatments.

8. Spraying will not occur when heavy rain is forecasted. If weather conditions change to rain during an herbicide application session, the session will be terminated and resumed when precipitation ceases.

9. Herbicides will only be applied when the wind speed is less than 10 mph to minimize drift.

10. Containment will be used when herbicide solutions are being mixed on site. Mixing will only occur on hardened surfaces in the facility area parking lot/maintenance shop zone.

11. Two days in advance of planned start date, BLM will notify the public of applications. Signs will be posted at trailheads and other appropriate locations near treatment areas. Signage will remain for two days post treatment. When the airstrip is being broadcast treated in areas with close proximity to the airstrip trail, that trail may be closed with flagging/fencing and signs posted.

Coordination with the Campbell Creek Science Center will occur before treatment dates are scheduled to allow for notification of groups.

12. When treating vegetation in dispersed areas of CT, access will be by foot only.

13. Applications within 50 ft of surface water will only use direct application methods (cut and paint, injection, hack and squirt).

14. Rare plant locations will be flagging, and applicators instructed to avoid treatment within 2 ft of rare species individuals.

Safety: The applicator will develop a safety plan prior to herbicide use that includes an emergency spill plan, safety data sheets for each herbicide, and identification of appropriate personal protective equipment. All workers will receive training to carry out the safety plan and will have a copy of the plan in their possession during herbicide use.

Reporting: The applicator will complete a Pesticide Application Record within 72 hours of completion of the application (a template of this form will be provided by the BLM). He/she will document the actual rate of application, active ingredient used, formulation, date, time, and location as well as noting all factors identified in the Pesticide Use Proposal that were taken into account.

4) Experience and Technical Approach

In no more than 1000 words, applicants must describe 1) their past experience controlling bird vetch, white sweet clover, or other plants considered invasive in Alaska, and 2) their technical approach to meet the requirements of this statement of work. Applicants must have at least 2 seasons controlling invasive plants with herbicide application using a backpack sprayer. The ideal selected contractor will be an organization or company that is involved in the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership (https://alaskainvasives.org/) or a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area in Alaska.

5) Deliverables

1. Treatment Success - Proper application of herbicides to specified areas. Post-treatment monitoring will be conducted by the BLM IPM coordinator. Successful contract performance is defined by at least 95% of target species treated with minimal off-target damage.

2. Reporting - Pesticide application records must be delivered to the IPM coordinator within 72 hours of each treatment session.

3. Communication – Contractors will effectively communicate and coordinate with the BLM IPM coordinator on scheduling and logistics throughout the project.

6) Options https://alaskainvasives.org/

Please provide cost estimates for the following options that may be funded if needed during 2024 or in future years.

• Option Year 2025 – Perform all tasks detailed in SOW for Road, Trail, Facility Treatment.

• Option Year 2026 – Perform all tasks detailed in SOW for Road, Trail, Facility Treatment.

• Option Year 2027 – Perform all tasks detailed in SOW for Road, Trail, Facility Treatment.

• Option Year 2028 – Perform all tasks detailed in SOW for Road, Trail, Facility Treatment.

• 1 acre Broadcast Option (2024) – It may be necessary to broadcast treat large bare ground or mowed areas. This need will be determined each year by mid-June to mid-July. Please provide a cost estimate for application of 1 Acre using either Garlon 4 Ultra or Milestone Specialty and an ATV/UTV mounted boom sprayer to treat white sweet clover, nuisance woody species, and/or bird vetch. The cost estimate for this option would be multiple to meet the size of desired treatment area.

• 1 acre Broadcast Option (2025) - same as 2024 option.

• 1 acre Broadcast Option (2026) - same as 2024 option.

• 1 acre Broadcast Option (2027) – same as 2024 option.

• 1 acre Broadcast Option (2028) – same as 2024 option.

• Prunus spp. Forest Treatment (2025) – It is expected that some re-sprouting of Prunus spp. will occur. Please provide a cost estimate for application of expected re-sprouting and discovery of new infestations on 5 acres at less than 1% cover.

• Prunus spp. Forest Treatment (2026) – It is expected that some re-sprouting of Prunus spp. will occur. Please provide a cost estimate for application of expected re-sprouting and discovery of new infestations on 5 acres at less than 1% cover.

7) Site Visits

Site visits will be held by appointment during normal business hours (8:00am-4:30pm). Please contact the Aliza DuComb (907-535-1567) to schedule a visit to view the project locations.

Bureau of Land Management Campbell Tract Facilities

Invasive Plant Treatment Site Visit Questions and Answers

Question: Where are the work areas?

Answer: For Objective A. Road, Trail, and Facility spot treatment, the work area is around all the facilities within the Campbell Tract area, in other words, the building campuses. Along all the trails, and along all the roads. As can be seen in figure 2, target species are not usually found along the southeastern trails. For Objective B, the work area is usually the airstrip, but could be any mowed lawn area, too. For Objective C, the work area is shown in Figure 3, the forested area near the facility entrance road.

Questions: What certification or licensing is required?

Answer: All applicators must be a State of Alaska Certified Pesticide Applicator. Information on this certification can be found at the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation website: https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/certified-applicators/becoming-certified/

Question: What is the reporting requirement?

Answer: BLM will provide a template of the Pesticide Application Record form to the contractor before work is to be completed. This form is to be completed and returned to BLM within 72 hours of completing a treatment application.

Question: What is the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership?

Answer: The Alaska Invasive Species Partnership is an affiliation of interested individuals representing agencies, organizations, and members of the public with the purpose of working together for the prevention and management of invasive species.

https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/certified-applicators/becoming-certified/