B08_-_SCOPE_OF_WORK_NMRC_Aerial_Spraying_2023.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

OBJECTIVES: Aerial herbicide spraying application to reduce aquatic invasive and pest plants in Refuge waters at Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge. The spraying application timeframe will be completed between June 1 to September 1, 2023. This application shall be conducted during normal business hours 7:00AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

1. SCOPE OF WORK:

1.1 General:

Aerial herbicide application will be applied to 80 acres of waterfowl impoundments in the closed area of the Refuge to reduce invasive and pest plants between June 1 and September 1 of 2023.

Equipment will be in condition to render efficient, economical and continuous service. Failure of the equipment to perform to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer will be sufficient cause for the termination of the contract by the Government, or the requirement by the Government that the equipment be replaced with equipment of satisfactory performance.

1.2 Location of Work Area:

Treatment area is designated wetland impoundments on the Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, Quitman and Tallahatchie Counties in Mississippi (see attached map).

1.3 Description of Work:

Aerial spraying of aquatic plants on refuge wetlands. The target species to be treated is American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) with some patches of black willow (Salix nigra). The target date for spraying will take place between June 1 and September 1, 2023. Spraying dates will be scheduled by refuge staff in coordination with the contractor. The scheduled dates shall be conducted during normal business hours 7:00AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, unless approved by refuge manager. The contractor will supply the herbicide/surfactant and ensure herbicide mixture in accordance with the labels. Approximately 80 acres will be sprayed using LI700 (i.e., surfactant; at rate specified on label) and 2,4-D Amine (4.28 qts/acre). The 80 acres will be distributed among multiple units (see map). The contractor would be paid by the acre at the bid rate.

The work will consist of using a helicopter to spray herbicide. The contractor will abide by all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations and all applicable product labels. The Contractor will provide the necessary herbicide, surfactant, the helicopter, and all other materials and equipment, and all labor necessary to perform the work. The contractor will be responsible for mixing the chemicals and preventing spills and will properly rinse and dispose of the chemical containers as well as all other trash that is generated. The contractor is responsible for drift and will take all necessary precautions to control drift and prevent spraying non-target areas. The contractor will supply all necessary drift control agent. The on-site representative of the government will direct the contractor to the specific locations to be sprayed and will specify the order of the work.

The government will provide to the contractor the designated spraying areas.

2. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY:

2.1 The Fish and Wildlife Service shall:

1) Brief the contractor on the treatment areas and provide the Contractor maps including electronic shapefiles of areas to be treated, and other information for the purpose of further identification of the areas.

2) Provide a point of contact to oversee on-site application.

3) Assume no responsibility for the equipment, or injury to employees of the Contractor, nor for any damages or injury to persons or property of third parties at any time during the life of the Contract. The contractor shall hold and save the service and its officers and agents harmless from all claims arising out of prosecution of the work under this contract.

4) Inspect and approve services for payment.

5) Designate and schedule spraying event, with contractor, that will occur between be June

1 and September 1, 2023.

3. CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The Contractor shall:

1) Provide the Service’s Contracting Officer Representative with the following:

Access number, Office telephone, cellular numbers for all supervisors working on this Contract and a Fax line number. Additionally, electronic mail addresses for key Contract personnel shall be provided to the Service.

2) Be familiar with Refuge treatment areas existing conditions prior to contract execution.

All work shall be conducted between Monday and Friday unless approved in advance by the Service. No work shall be conducted on federal holidays or weekends without prior approval.

3) Have an on-site supervisor, who is responsible for all Contract execution, including herbicide mixing and storage, work assignments and crew supervision. Supervisor must be able to communicate effectively in English.

4) Provide all labor, helicopter, equipment, transportation, fuel, mixing tanks and storage, to perform the work specified herein. Contractor must have all the required training to use herbicides listed in this document. Water is not available on site for mixing herbicide or rinsing equipment. Contract is responsible for providing their own water and disposing of their rinsate properly.

5) Be responsible for all work performed until the completion and acceptance of the entire Contract.

6) Be allowed to subcontract work as described herein with prior approval of the Service.

The subcontractor must meet the same qualifications and follow all technical or special provisions as the contractor.

7) Provide shapefile of treated areas upon completion of spraying event to refuge staff.

4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

1. The contractor’s helicopter must have a GPS unit that provides a map of drawing of the area actually sprayed plus a calculation of the actual acres sprayed at each location. The contractor will provide that information to the authorized representative of the contracting officer.

2. Spraying operations may be suspended temporarily due to weather conditions such as high winds, rain, or anticipated rain. The contractor will not spray when wind conditions are not favorable or when rain is expected.

5. MOBILIZATION:

The contractor will not be paid mobilization or demobilization.

6. WEATHER:

Spraying operations may be suspended temporarily due to weather conditions such as high winds (exceeding 10 MPH), rain, or anticipated rain. The contractor will not spray when wind conditions are not favorable or when rain is expected.

7. WORK PERIOD:

All work will be performed between be June 1 to September 1, 2023. Applications will take place between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM in 2023, unless refuge manager approves an alternative schedule. No spraying will be conducted on Federal Holidays or Weekends.

8. SUPERVISION:

The equipment described herein, for the purpose of ordering work when and as required, determining acceptability of work performed and inspecting equipment furnished by the Contractor, will be under the supervision of the Contracting Officer’s representative.

However, this shall not relieve the Contractor or his responsible agents of any responsibility for the proper execution of the work in accordance with the contract and directives of the Contracting Officer issued thereafter.

9. INSPECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT:

All equipment to be used in the work shall be inspected and approved by the Contracting Officer or his authorized representative, prior to its use.

10. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor will be required to make his own provisions for parking of his equipment.

The Contractor will be required to furnish his own sanitary facilities, water and operational necessities. There are no on site amenities (restrooms, potable water, etc.).

11. EXPENSES OF OPERATION AND REPAIR:

The Contractor shall furnish at his own expense all skilled operators, labor, fuel, and necessary equipment for transportation of fuel to equipment, including operators, laborers, appliances, appurtenances, equipment and supplies, and shall bear all expenses incidental to the efficient operation of the plant in connection with the work.

12. OBJECTIONABLE EMPLOYEES:

The Contractor will remove from work under this contract any employee who in the opinion of the Contracting Officer is objectionable or incompetent. The requirement shall not be made the basis of any claim for compensation or damages against the United States or any of its officers or agents.

13. CONTRACTOR SUPERVISION:

The Contractor shall provide a person at the work site to receive instructions from the Contracting Officer or his authorized representative. This person will be responsible for implementing the Government’s instructions and will be responsible for the direct supervision of all Contract employees.