B08_-_Scope_of_Work.pdf

Scope of Work Furnish and Deliver Upper Ouachita NWR Aerial Gunning Feral Swine

Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge Farmerville, Louisiana

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to aerially shoot feral swine on areas of Upper Ouachita NWR (Refuge) in Louisiana. This includes pilot, gunner, firearms, ammunition, fuel and ground support during the mission.

1.2 Introduction: The Contractor shall aerially shoot feral swine on areas of Upper Ouachita NWR in Louisiana. This includes pilot, gunner, firearms, ammunition, fuel and ground support during the mission.

1.3 Period of Performance: The Contractor shall perform work during the months of February-March of 2024 and February- March of 2025. The COR/GR will coordinate specific dates with Contractor dependent on weather and on-site conditions. It is possible that the treatment site is entirely flooded during the Period of Performance and if there is such an occurrence, the completion date for the project may be re-negotiated by the Contracting Officer and the Contractor.

1.4 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be within the boundaries of the Upper Ouachita NWR, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. Upper Ouachita NWR is approximately 53,000 acres, of which 19,000 acres contained within the refuge could be flown for swine. However, much of those 19,000 acres will likely be inundated with water during the performance period. Specific conditions and considerations to access treatment areas are listed under 3.12.

1.5 Type of Contract: This is a fixed price - all inclusive, cost per hour of flight.

1.6 Special Qualifications: The Contractor gunner and pilot must have at least 500 hours each of previous experience of aerially gunning for feral swine.

1.7 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference or progress meetings convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), Government Representative (GR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance and/or status of work. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems being experienced, if any. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.8 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/ Government Representative (GR): The COR/GR will be identified by either separate letter or other form of notification. The COR/GR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR/GR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; conduct inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor performance and notify both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.9 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager. The Contractor shall provide a Contract Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the Contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the COR. The Contract Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

1.10 Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contractor personnel working on Upper Ouachita NWR are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. Contractor personnel are also to limit contact with members of the public as much as possible. All Contractor personnel are to refer questions by members of the public about the performance of this contract.to Government personnel.

1.11 Data Rights (If applicable): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract.

All documents and materials produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the Contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

II. BACKGROUND

2.1 Treatment and management of invasive exotic animals has been identified as one of the highest priorities within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Feral swine displace native plant communities and native wildlife including threatened and endangered species. Their rapid growth and reproduction permit the establishment of large populations that outcompete native wildlife for food, depredate birds, their nests and deer fawns, spread infectious disease to wildlife and possibly humans, root up native vegetation and reduce water quality by wallowing. In general, feral swine degrade native habitat quality decreasing native species abundance and diversity. The Refuge employs a variety of management techniques to control feral swine including trapping and incidental shooting. Removal work is performed by Refuge staff, independent Contractors, and Government personnel.

III. SCOPE

3.1 Objective: To shoot all feral swine regardless of age or sex within the treatment unit on Upper Ouachita NWR.

3.2 Treatment Unit: The overall goal of this effort shall be to shoot all feral swine regardless of age or sex within the treatment unit. The treatment unit can encompass all lands on Upper Ouachita NWR east of the Ouachita River. Actual treatment size will be dependent on site conditions at the time of performance and number of hours that can be flown for the amount of money awarded to this contract.

3.3 Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Method of treatment shall be by air. All work must be done according to work statement.

3.4 The Contractor shall provide all personnel including experienced pilot and gunner and on-site ground support, and equipment including helicopter, firearms, non-toxic ammunition, and on-site fuel trailer necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of contract. Crews must avoid all areas marked as “off limits”; coordinates will be provided to the Contract Manager by the Government Representative (GR) for these locations. Treatment applications shall be performed in such a manner as to protect non-target organisms, the environment, and the public. NOTE: The COR reserves the right to require the Contractor to replace any operating personnel, or equipment used in the performance of this Contract if the personnel, or equipment are violating, or have violated, any state or federal laws; or are unsafe; or for any valid reason. In this event, the Contractor shall as soon as reasonably possible, upon written or verbal notice (to be later reduced to writing) from the COR, provide replacements satisfactory to the COR at no additional cost.

3.5: If additional funding becomes available, the Contractor may be directed by the GR to treat other locations within the Refuge. Treatment locations may change at SR’s discretion due to environmental conditions or if there is a need to complete higher priority treatments in other work areas.

3.6 The Contractor shall provide adequate personnel for the purpose of achieving performance of contract. Movement of equipment and personnel in and around the treatment location shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor. All personnel and equipment to be used shall be appropriately licensed and certificated as appropriate for the work to be done. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing sufficient equipment, fuel, ammunition, safety items, personnel and their subsistence needs during the project period.

3.7 The Contractor shall provide the GR with contact information for all ground personnel, vehicles, and equipment, identification information (including make, model, color, name of company, and contact information) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

3.8 Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when aerially gunning. Refuges are visited by the public. In treatment areas where there is potential for public use, the GR shall advise the Contractor of any public use hazards. It shall be the ultimate responsibility of the Contractor to initiate aerial gunning operations based on Contractor’s opinion of weather and other safety factors– GO/NO GO.

3.9 The GR must be notified at least 48 hours prior to aerial gunning operations. The GR will coordinate with Contractor timing of work to achieve best results based on site conditions.

3.10 If work is prohibited by the GR due to extended wet weather, negotiations may be made to lengthen the contract period.

3.11 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife other than feral swine to be treated. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all trash and treatment-related equipment. No other animals other than feral swine are to be shot.

3.12 In order to most effectively shoot feral swine, efforts shall occur during February and/or March. To access the treatment unit, the GR will provide GIS shapefiles, maps, pertinent spatial information (i.e. Refuge boundary, treatment unit) and any other necessary information to the Contractor.

IV. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

4.1 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

4.2 OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 (as applicable)

4.3 EPA regulations

4.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for acquiring and maintaining all federal and local licenses, certification, and permits as required by State and Federal entities.

4.5 All State Laws and Regulations

4.6 The Contractor (or their representatives) shall not litter. Litter violations shall be handled under Federal Code of Regulations 50CFR27.94(a) which carries a fine of $100.00 per incident upon conviction.

V. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The Contractor shall supply all equipment and personnel necessary to aerially shoot feral swine, including helicopter, pilot, gunner, firearms, non-toxic ammunition, and ground support including an on-site fuel trailer to successfully remove as many feral swine in as short of a time frame as possible. In order to optimize time spent in the air, aerial gunning should begin as close to sunrise as possible with a full tank of fuel. The Contractor shall provide digital spatial information of area covered (GIS/GPS tracks) and records of all feral swine euthanized, targeted but not euthanized, and observed but not targeted.

5.1.2 Treatment

5.1.2.1 Upper Ouachita NWR treatment area: Terrestrial lands east of the Ouachita River on the Upper Ouachita NWR.

5.1.2.2 The Contractor shall canvass 100% of the treatment area.

5.1.2.3 Non-Target Damage: The Contractor shall not shoot any other animal other than feral swine.

5.1.2.4 The Contractor shall coordinate with the GR to determine the date(s) and time(s) of treatment to minimize impacts on other Government activities and so refuge staff has time to close roads and trails in the treatment area prior to treatment beginning. Contractor must have work dates and a plan of work approved by the GR 48 hours prior to beginning work.

5.3 Contractor shall be responsible for cleaning up any fuel spills that may occur.

5.4 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all trash and treatment-related equipment. Trash shall be removed on a daily basis. If damage occurs, the Contractor shall be held liable if damage was determined to be because of Contractor negligence, the result of improper treatment techniques, or the result of Contractor control activities.

5.5 Special Conditions

5.5.1 Weather and site conditions may interfere with the work completion schedule negotiated at the award conference. The COR may halt work at any time upon written notice for conditions beyond the control of the Contractor. If this results in significant time lost, the completion date for the project can be re-negotiated by the COR/GR and the Contractor.

VI. WORK TIME/HOURS OF DUTY

6.1 Work shall begin as early to dawn as possible and continue as weather permits.

VII. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND UTILITIES

NOTE: As a government agency dedicated to “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strives to incorporate the most ecologically sound and environmentally beneficial technologies, materials, and practices into all aspects of planning and operations. To help achieve this mission and meet Executive Orders (EOs) and Department of the Interior (DOI) planning requirements, the USFWS has implemented strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with procurement, lease acquisition, waste prevention and recycling, facility design, construction, operation and management, contracting and permitted commercial visitor services. These strategies have been collectively referred to as the FWS’s Green Procurement and Waste Prevention & Recycling Program (Greening Program) and are a part of the FWS’s overall approach to environmental management.

7.1 Government-Furnished Property and Services. The Government will provide the Contractor with the following items:

7.1.1 Services/Supply: none

7.1.2 Facilities: none

7.1.3 Utilities: none

7.1.4 Equipment: Storage of a fuel trailer before operations begin is permitted as pre-arranged by Contractor and USFWS.

7.1.5 Materials: none

7.2 Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: to be provided by the Contractor

7.2.1 All supplies, equipment, parts, and material(s) required to successfully complete this requirement (unless otherwise provided by the Government as indicated above). All equipment to be used in the performance of work described herein is subject to the approval of the Government Representative (GR).

XIII. DELIVERABLES

8.1 The Contractor shall provide the means possible to aerially shoot feral swine, including pilot, gunners, firearms, ammunition (non-toxic), and ground support (including fuel trailer) to successfully remove as many feral swine within the time frame of each mission. In order to optimize time spent in the air, aerial gunning should begin as close to sunrise as possible with a full tank of fuel. The Contractor shall provide digital spatial information of area covered (GIS/GPS tracks) and records of all feral swine euthanized, targeted but not euthanized, and observed but not targeted.