B08_-_SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

STATEMENT OF SERVICES

Herbicide Application

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge 29 Tabor Road Swanton, Vermont 05488

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is seeking quotes from qualified/certified Contractors for spraying herbicide to control and eradicate invasive plant species including Phragmites, Yellow Iris, European buckthorn, Honeysuckle and others through the application of chemical herbicides on specified areas at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Work shall consist of furnishing all necessary equipment, labor, approved herbicide, water (carrier), insurance and supervision necessary to accomplish the specified vegetative control measures.

1.2. Background: Annual control of invasive plants has been necessary to reduce and/or eliminate infestation and habitat degradation of refuge habitats. Large-scale infestation of several invasive plants has required continued annual management to improve habitat for migratory birds and improve the biological integrity of the refuge. This project is required to continue to reduce infestations in new infestation sites recently documented through inventory work.

1.3. Scope of Work: Vermont Certified Pesticide Applicators (Category 2: Forestry) are needed to spray Rodeo (or comparable) herbicide on targeted species in approximately 17 acres of forested habitat located behind the office/Visitor’s Center at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, in Swanton, Vermont.

1.4. Timeframe/Period of Performance: Herbicide application will occur between July 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Applicators will perform and complete the work during this time frame to ensure effectiveness for target species.

1.5. All herbicide application shall be consistent with the product label instructions, manufacturer's guidance, and the requirements of this contract. See Paragraph “3.3 Herbicide Selection Procedure”.

2. LOCATION

2.1. General Location: Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, 29 Tabor Road, Swanton Vermont.

Approximately 17 acres.

3. TREATMENT AREAS, CONTROL GOALS AND HERBICIDES

3.1. General: Spot treat the designated location comprising approximately 17 acres of forest along Tabor Road behind the Visitor’s Center at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, in Swanton, Vermont.

3.2. Vegetation Control Objectives: A minimum of 80% of all of the identified infestations to be treated in the treatment areas will be sprayed with each infestation receiving coverage by foliar spray, to the degree that at least 80% of the live stems yellow prematurely within 2-3 weeks of the spray and die within one of year of treatment, or Contractor will re-apply in the very next year, at his/her expense. The Refuge Project Officer will be responsible for documenting that less than 80% of the area was treated, and notifying the Contractor, as soon as possible after the spraying activity (e.g. will survey the area, take digital photographs).

3.3. Herbicide Selection Procedure: Herbicide Rodeo or comparable. Herbicides must be registered for aquatic use. No restricted 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.

3.4. 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. There will be zero tolerance for 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.

4. NOTIFICATION OF TREATMENT

4.1. The Contractor will provide a 72-hour 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.

5. HANDLING, MIXING, APPLICATION RATES AND METHODS

5.1. Handling and Mixing: All herbicides will be handled and stored in accordance with instructions on the EPA registration label. 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. This containment system must be constructed of impervious materials. 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. 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.

5.2. Equipment: 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 the most part, the work is to be done by walking using backpack or other portable spraying equipment to deliver herbicide effectively and minimize spray drift. If required cut-stump treatment for European buckthorn will be used. Some use of small ATVs or UTVs can be used along the field-forest edge.

5.3. Rates and Method of Application: Application rates will be per the specification on the material safety data sheet, labeling and manufacturer's suggested rate tables, per chemical used, and the desired results identified in “3.2 Vegetation Control Objective”.

6. SAFETY AND CERTIFICATION

6.1. 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.

6.2. 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).

6.3. Licensing: The Contractor or any employees or sub-contractors performing any of the work under this contract shall possess a valid Vermont 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. Evidence of such licensing shall be submitted in accordance with the "Application Plan" as outlined in Paragraph 7. 1. All appropriate certification and licensing required by the Environmental Protection Agency and Vermont Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, pertaining to the use and application of herbicides, shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

Certifications, licenses and/or permits shall be valid for the period of application and available for inspection.

6.4. Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when spraying or using pesticides. In application areas where there is potential for use by the public, the refuge staff will station personnel to enforce closure during time of spraying and place appropriate warning signs which inform the public that pesticide application work is on-going.

6.5. 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.

6.6. Safety Data Sheets: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) shall be submitted to the Refuge Project Officer with the “Application Plan” as outlined in Section 7.1. The Contractor shall also make these SDSs readily available to all affected contract employees.

6.7. Spills and Contamination: The Contractor shall submit as part of the "Application Plan" described in Section 7.1, 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.

7. SUBMITTAL AND REPORTING

7.1. 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, hyperlinks to SDS's and labels for each chemical to be used, 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 10 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.

7.2. Post-Application Documentation: The Contractor shall submit a spray log to the Refuge Project Officer detailing: day(s) and time(s) sprayed, crew members, chemical applied, application rate, weather conditions (average windspeed, temperature, humidity, cloud cover). The Contractor shall provide GIS data (ESRI shapefiles in unprotected NAD83 format) on all treated areas no later than four weeks after spraying is complete.

8. PREWORK MEETING

8.1. 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.

9. LIABILITY OF AND DAMAGES TO THE GOVERNMENT

9.1. Insurance: The Contractor will carry liability insurance that will cover the application of pesticides as defined in this specification. A Certificate of Insurance form signed by the insuring agency shall be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to award of the contract. The insurance must provide coverage for the entire contract period.

9.2. 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.

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

10. WARRANTY: The Contractor warrants that:

10.1. Should the desired results not be achieved, as described in “3.2 Vegetation Control Objectives”, the Contractor will, at no additional cost to the Government, reapply the herbicide to those areas where targeted vegetative 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.

10.2. 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.

11. INSPECTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE

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

Appendix 2

Commercial Categories:

Intended for pesticide use or supervision of pesticide use on property not owned or leased by the applicator.

Commercial

Pesticide

Category

Brief Description

3 Year

Recert ificati on

Requi remen t*

1A - Agricultural

Plant

Production of agricultural crops, grasslands, non-crop agricultural lands, sod, flowers and shrubs. 8

1B - Agricultural

Animal

Use of pesticides on livestock, as well as to places where livestock is confined. 6

1C - Companion

Animal

Pesticide use on animals other than livestock.

1D - Fumigation of

Soil & Agricultural

Commodities

Use for fumigation of soil in the production of agricultural commodities, as well as, fumigation of agricultural commodities.

Certification in this category requires concurrent certification in category 1A - Agricultural Plant.

2 - Forest Pest

Control

Control pests in forests, forest nurseries, forest seed production areas, and forested areas within urban settings. 6

3A - Ornamentals, Shade Trees & Turf

Maintenance and production of ornamental and shade trees, shrubs, flowers and turf. 10

3B - Turf

Maintenance and production of turf, golf courses, and disease control for aesthetic purposes. 10

3C - Interior Plant

Maintenance

Interior plant maintenance, greenhouses and nurseries.

4 - Seed Treatment

Use for seeds intended for planting on property not owned or leased by the applicator, including seed treaters who apply pesticides to seeds of other individuals and seed plant operators treating seeds before or after sale.

5A - Aquatic

Vegetation Control

Used to control of algae and weeds in swimming pools and in any surface waters of the State. 8