B08_-_Scope_of_Work_-_Moonstone_Invasives.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Invasive Species Control & Treatment Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge- Moonstone Beach

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is seeking quotes from qualified/certified Contractors to treat invasive plant species at the Moonstone Beach and Cards Pond areas of Trustom Pond NWR in South Kingstown, RI. Treatment is needed for large stands of common reed (Phragmites australis) primarily on the shorelines of Trustom Pond and Cards Pond for two years. Spot treatment is also required to treat invasive shrub species in dune and back beach habitats at Moonstone Beach and Cards Pond. The refuge seeks a contractor to complete full treatment in Year 1 and spot treatment/follow-up in Year 2.

1.2. All work is contingent upon fund availability and other logistical and timing constraints to be determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Consequently, total contract amount may not encompass entire acreage described. Contractor is to submit a per acre bid price for full treatment (year 1) and spot treatment/follow-up treatment (year 2).

1.3 Timeframe/Period of Performance: Due to the presence of breeding federally-listed species, work must take place after August 25th. In order to maximize effectiveness of foliar applications during the growing season, herbicide treatment must take place prior to September 30. Mulching of Phragmites australis plant material should take place no earlier than two weeks after treatment, and no later than October 31.

Currently, there are 13 acres of common reed identified for treatment on the site (see Figure 2), with the possibility an additional 5 acres depending on funding. All populations along pondshores, extending into barrier shrub and back beach habitat. Some areas are along the side of Moonstone Beach Rd. Due to the sensitive nature of the habitat, the Phragmites australis treatment will require tracked, low-pressure machinery (2 PSI or less) to access wetland areas along the shores of Trustom and Cards Ponds.

There are no water sources available at the site.

We have identified 2 acres for invasive shrub treatment, with the possibility of an additional 8 acres, depending on funding. The shrub populations are accessible by driving a 4x4 truck along the ocean shoreline parallel to the dune and accessing individual shrubs on foot with a backpack sprayer.

Additional methods can be proposed to Technical Project Officer. No vehicles may be driven landward of the toe of the primary dune line without explicit approval/ coordination with refuge staff.

1.2 Objectives

RINWRC requires that the contractor successfully control common reed (Phragmites australis) and reduce the population by at least 75% over the two-year period. For invasive shrubs, the refuge requires that the contractor achieves at least 90% control of shrubs in the treatment areas over the two-year period.

2. TREATMENT AREAS, CONTROL GOALS AND HERBICIDES

2.1.1 Invasive Control Objectives: 100% of all the identified infestations with the shrub and

Phragmites treatment areas will be sprayed, with each infestation recieiveing coverage by foliar spray. The contractor will treat all common reed (Phragmites australis) within the identified treatment area for two consecutive years with a goal of reducing the total population by at least 75%. The contractor will treat all invasive shrub species within the identified shrub treatment area for two consecutive years with a goal of reducing the total population by at least 90%

2.2 Herbicide Selection Procedure: Herbicides for phragmites and shrubs must be registered for wetland use. No restricturd use herbicides are allowed. No herbicides can be used on refuge property without prior approval from the refuge project officer. . In addition, all carriers and adjuvants must be non-toxic and registered for water applications.

2.3 Minimizing Impacts to Non-Target Species: No spraying shall be performed when wind speeds exceed specifications listed on the herbicide label, or 10 mph, whichever is greater, or wind directions are likely to result in drift to non-target areas or public use areas. North winds are the least preferable and should be avoided if possible. The contractor will ensure there is no direct spray or drift of herbicides into non-target vegetation or on adjacent property. No spraying shall be performed if more than 10% chance of rain is forecast for the day of application or for 24-hour period following the planned application. Moonstone Beach and Cards Pond are sensitive habitats and have public access after September 15th. Contractor must provide at least one week notice so that the Refuge can control public access with staff on site and survey for any sensitive species.

3. NOTIFICATION OF TREATMENT

3.1. The Contractor will provide a one week notice to the Refuge Project Officer before arriving at the site location for herbicide treatment work. The Refuge Project Officer retains the right to determine whether spraying at any time is appropriate, due to weather (including wind) and other considerations.

4. HANDLING, MIXING, APPLICATION RATES AND METHODS

4.1. Handling and Mixing: All herbicides will be handled and stored in accordance with instructions on the EPA registration label, and less than 3 years old. All herbicides shall be mixed in accordance with the label instructions so that the desired rate of application can be attained with the Contractor's application equipment. Mixing water is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is required to provide a secondary containment system around their herbicide mixing area when herbicides are mixed on government property. Spill kit is required to contain any accidental Unused, mixed pesticides will be disposed of in accordance with local, state and EPA guidelines. Spray equipment cleaning will also be accomplished in accordance with these guidelines and must be done off Refuge property. Prior to leaving a worksite for the day, the Contractor shall remove all equipment and unused materials, any waste materials, oil, empty herbicide containers and litter resulting from contract activities on government property at the end of each workday.

4.2. Equipment: No materials or operating supplies are Government furnished. All property and materials required for performing the contract tasks shall be provided by the contractor. The equipment used by the Contractor shall be designed for such work and operated in a safe manner. The equipment will be capable of accurately delivering a predetermined rate per acre dosage of herbicide.

For invasive shrub treatment, the work is to be done by walking transects through the dunes using backpack or other portable spraying equipment to deliver herbicide effectively and minimize spray drift. A 4x4 vehicle may be used along the shoreline adjacent to the treatment area.

For Phragmites australis treatment, herbicide foliar spray will be applied, and mulching completed using low pressure (less than 2 PSI) tracked equipment. Mulching of phragmites will take place no earlier than two weeks after herbicide treatment.

All equipment must be cleaned thoroughly prior to accessing the refuge to prevent introduction or spread of any additional invasive species.

4.3. Rates and Method of Application: Application rates and treatment methods will be included in the bid, based on applicator experience with past effectiveness, in consultation with the refuge biologist.

5. SAFETY AND CERTIFICATION

5.1. Safety Manual: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the Contractor shall comply with all safety and health requirements as outlined in OSHA Safety Standards to ensure the safe working conditions for themselves and others.

5.2. Hazard Communication: The Contractor shall implement a hazard communication program in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200 or

1926.59. The written hazard communication program shall address, as a minimum, the following: training (to include potential safety and health effects from exposure), labeling, current inventory of hazardous chemicals on site, and the location and use of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

5.3. Licensing: The Contractor or any employees or sub-contractors performing any of the work under this contract shall possess a valid Rhode Island commercial herbicide applicator's license and shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to the contract work and to the products and materials used by the Contractor in performing that work. Certifications, licenses and/or permits shall be valid for the period of application and available for inspection.

5.4. Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when spraying or using pesticides. In application areas where there is potential for use by the public, Contractor will provide as much advanced notice as possible, and at least one week in advance, so that refuge staff can enforce closure during time of spraying and place appropriate warning signs which inform the public that pesticide application work is on-going.

5.5. EPA Registration Label: All work shall be performed in accordance with the instructions on the EPA registration label of the chemical herbicide used. All safety instructions featured on the label shall be strictly adhered to.

5.6. Safety Data Sheets: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) shall be submitted to the Refuge Project

Officer with the “Application Plan” as outlined in Section 6.1. The Contractor shall also make these SDSs readily available to all affected contract employees.

5.7. Spills and Contamination: The Contractor shall submit the response measures to be implemented should a spill or contamination occur. The Contractor's immediate response to a spill or contamination shall be to proceed with the required measures to limit the contamination. Immediately following this initial response, the Contractor shall notify the appropriate Refuge Project Officer at the work location and other appropriate local, state, and federal officials. Subsequent to these actions, the Contractor shall take actions to clean up the spill as recommended by the Refuge Project Officer.

Should a personnel contamination occur, the Contractor shall take immediate actions as prescribed by chemical manufacturer so as to protect the safety and health of the contaminated individual(s). Immediately following the Contractor's initial response, the incident shall be reported to the Refuge Project Officer.

6. SUBMITTAL AND REPORTING

6.1. Application Plan: The Contractor shall submit an electronic copy of an application plan to the Refuge Project Officer. This plan shall outline the types of herbicides, planned application rates, the timing and treatment frequency scanned copies of applicator licenses, and a spill and contamination action plan. Additionally, the Contractor shall certify in writing that all employees engaged in handling, mixing and spraying herbicides have read the SDS's and that personal protective equipment as specified by the SDS's will be provided to and worn by these persons. Further, one hard copy of the approved plan shall be provided that will include a signed statement by the Contractor that this plan complies with all state, local and federal regulations. This plan shall be submitted for review and approval within 5 working days of the notice of contract award and prior to the desired start of work. Government approval of this plan in no way relieves the Contractor of any liability for compliance with all Federal, State, and/or local regulations, should there be omissions/errors within said plan.

6.2. Post-Application Documentation: The Contractor shall submit a spray log to the Refuge

Project Officer detailing: date and hour(s) sprayed, crew members, chemical applied, application rate, weather conditions (average windspeed, temperature, humidity, cloud cover).

The Contractor shall identify a method to document all areas that been treated and how success will be determined (i.e. paper map, mobile GPS, Field Maps, etc)

The Contractor shall provide recommended follow up treatments to ensure restoration of native shrub and provide separate cost estimates for follow up treatment.

7. PREWORK MEETING

7.1. Within 10 days after contract award, the Contractor shall contact the Refuge Project Officer to arrange a meeting to discuss and develop a mutual understanding of the requirements and details of work. There may also be occasions when subsequent conferences will be called to reconfirm understandings or provide clarifications on contract requirements.

8. LIABILITY OF AND DAMAGES TO THE GOVERNMENT

8.1. Government Liability: The Government assumes no liability from the Contractor's performance of the contract work. The Contractor shall hold and save the Government harmless from any and all liability arising from the performance of the contract.

8.2. Responsibility for Damages: The Contractor is responsible for all damages to persons and property resulting from performance of the contract work.

9. WARRANTY: The Contractor warrants that:

9.1. Should the desired results of 75% Phragmites control and 90% invasive shrub control not occur, the Contractor will, at no additional cost to the Government, reapply the herbicide to those areas where targeted invasives growth continues or recurs. The determination as to the acceptable performance of the Contractor and the need to reapply the herbicides will rest solely with the Refuge Project Officer, or the authorized representative. A request to retreat an area may be either verbal or in writing. A request to re-treat an area will be in the format of a contract modification.

9.2. The Contractor is responsible for damages to persons or property, including unreasonable or unnecessary damages to non-target vegetation, within and outside the treatment areas resulting from the performance of the contract work. Damage costs as determined by government personnel will be charged in the form of a fine for the cost of rehabilitation or replacement of the affected resources. Other penalties may be assessed based on local, State, or Federal laws.

10. INSPECTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE

10.1. Work will be inspected periodically for conformance with these specifications for timeliness, safety and results achieved.

11. DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK/ TREATMENT AREAS

Focus is treatment of Phragmites australis and invasive shrubs such as Rosa rugosa and invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) to promote overwash processes and native beach strand habitat. See figure below for potential treatment areas.