C05 12444726Q0053 Attach 1 SOW.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Project Green Mountain Finger Lakes Invasive Species Map and Control

General Information

1.0 Statement of Work

The Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest (also referred to as “forest”) is seeking contractor support in the control and mapping of nonnative invasive species (NNIP) of plants using a combination of manual, mechanical, physical, and chemical treatments. Invasive plant control activities will be conducted along disturbance corridors (e.g. roads, trails, utility corridors, fence lines, and riparian corridors), at developed sites (e.g. campgrounds, recreation sites, and administration sites), at disturbed sites (e.g. timber harvest units and maintained openings), and in relatively undisturbed places (e.g. forest interiors).

NNIP is also known as Regulated Introduced Plant Species (RIPS) in the state of Vermont.

This contract is part of a forest-wide project to map, remove and control undesirable non-invasive species of herbaceous plants, grasses, vines/semi-woody vines, shrubs and trees on the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest. The treatment for various infestations of NNIP will depend on factors such as species; location and accessibility; patch size; new invader or established population; concentration of NNIP; distance to surface and ground water resources; distance to special features or natural resources; surrounding vegetation; potential for successful treatment; and exposure to public. NNIP plant treatments may include the use of hand methods and chemicals to eliminate NNIP when possible or at least appreciably reduce their presence in the treatment areas. While an initial inventory of NNIP plants throughout the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest has been completed; inventory continues. The project adopts an adaptive management strategy, which will result in changes in treatment strategies if Forest Service monitoring of treatment areas indicates that treatment objectives are not being met.

The contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, dyes or other herbicide markers, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards attached to each contract line item. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.

2.0 Background

The project will occur on the Rochester, Middlebury, and Manchester Districts of the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest. The control of non-native invasive plants (NNIP) is important in many areas on the Forest; the work in this contract specifically focuses on NNIP infestations within or immediately adjacent to timber sales. NNIP survey or treatment work needs to occur prior to timber harvest per NEPA regulations. This contract is to support the timber program and ensure NNIP are mapped and treated prior to timber harvest.

Timber harvests have the potential to spread known infestations to other areas of the Forest. These infestations can result in a loss of biological diversity, loss of natural wildlife habitat, and adverse impacts to other forest resources. It is a goal for the Green Mountains National Forest, as listed in the Forest Plan, to “minimize adverse effects of non-native invasive species on National Forest resources through containment, abatement, and introduction prevention” (Forest Plan, p. 12).

The timber units (labeled as “Sites”) and the invasive plant species to be treated are listed in Appendix B at the end of this document. These timber units are scheduled to be harvested soon, and the NNIP populations must be treated prior to harvest. The purpose of this contract is to conduct targeted survey and control/treatment measures to prevent further spread of NNIP populations during and after timber harvest.

Much previous work has been conducted on invasive species mapping, treatment, and control in the Green Mountain National Forest, but NNIP infestations remain an ongoing issue. Timber harvests are planned in new untreated areas, known populations of NNIP continue to expand, and the extent of NNIP infestations is so large that constant prevention and control are needed. This contract supports ongoing efforts to map and treat NNIP infestations throughout the Forest. The vision is that each management area, including timber sales, recreation sites including trails, parking lots, and campgrounds, ecologically special areas, and areas with known rare plants or animals, will have invasive species mapping and treatment.

This contract will require the use of GIS technology. The contractor may choose to use handheld GPS devices or Tablets. An option to use FieldMaps and Survey 123 will be available. Georeferenced pdf maps for Avenza are included in the contract package and are referenced in Appendix A below. Additionally, shapefiles and an Arc GIS online project have been created for this project and will be provided to the successful bidder. A spreadsheet summary of project locations will be provided.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

Surveys will be conducted, and herbicide application will be applied, to specific target areas (timber sale units) throughout the Forest. Herbicide treatment categories were created and are outlined below.

Herbicide Treatment of Woody Vegetation Category 1

1.1 -Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Vehicle Access) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Cut stump, basal bark spray, and/or foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers or truck, ATV or UTV mounted sprayers with a single nozzle application within a drivable road or utility corridor. For the cut stump method treatments involve utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws and/or chain saws to cut stems and apply herbicides to stumps. Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order.

Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of either side of roads, trails, or utility corridors. If infestations along a roadway, trail, or utility corridor extend to beyond 30 feet, the contractor will treat this extra area making sure to treat the entire infestation and inform the COR of additional treatment and locations of treatments.

1.2 -Open land and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles) – (Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Cut stump, basal bark spray, and/or foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers within ¼ mile of a drivable road or utility corridor. For the cut stump method treatments involve utilizing hand shears, loppers, axes, brush saws and/or chain saws to cut stems and apply herbicides to stumps. Method of treatment will be assigned in the task order. Examples of target species: buckthorns, Asian honeysuckles, and other invasive trees and shrubs.

Foliar Herbicide Treatment of Flowering Plants, Grasses, Vines/Semi-woody Vines Category 2

2.1 - Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Vehicle Access) –

(Selective Herbicide and/or Non-selective Herbicide). Foliar spot application of herbicides utilizing hand-held and backpack sprayers or truck, ATV or UTV mounted sprayers with a single nozzle application within a drivable road or utility corridor. Examples of target species: spotted knapweed, non-native thistles, or leafy spurge.

The contractor will be responsible for treating all infestations of target species within 30 feet of either side of roads, trails, or utility corridors. If infestations along a roadway, trail, or utility corridor extend to beyond 30 feet, the contractor will treat this extra area making sure to treat the entire infestation and inform the COR of additional treatment and locations of treatments.

Survey and Record Populations of Non-Native Invasive Plants Category 3

3.1 – Survey and Record Non-Native Invasive Plants (NNIP) (Not Accessible by Vehicles) – Survey portions of National Forest land to scout for NNIP and collect detailed observation data. Use Mapping tools (GPS) and software (i.e. Field Maps) to record populations of non-native plants and attributes about the NNIP population.

Mobilization Cost Category 4 Mobilization includes all costs associated with preparing for, traveling to, and initiating work within the designated treatment units across the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. Mobilization activities may include but are not limited to: assembling personnel and equipment; transporting herbicides, materials, tools, sprayers, and vehicles/ATVs/UTVs to the project area; conducting required equipment cleaning and inspection prior to entering treatment sites; performing initial coordination with the COR; completing any site-specific safety planning or briefings; and establishing staging areas as needed for contract performance.

The mobilization line item shall cover all one-time, fixed costs necessary to begin field operations under this contract. No additional mobilization charges may be billed under other line items. Mobilization must be completed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Forest Service policy, and contract requirements regarding equipment cleanliness, safety procedures, compliance with pesticide laws, and readiness to conduct NNIP treatment activities.

Mobilization shall be considered complete when personnel, equipment, and materials are fully prepared for field implementation and the Contractor is ready to begin work as directed by the COR.

General Herbicide Procedures and Specifications

The following specifications provide criteria pertaining to herbicide application and NNIP treatment where work would occur under this contract according to FS policy, the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest Plans and project specific design criteria.

The Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest has approved only the following herbicides:

Herbicide selection is dependent on the NNIP plants targeted for control treatment, surrounding vegetation, distance to ground and surface water, soil type, and other non-target resources that may be impacted by herbicide applications.

The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards in the contract. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Applicators would use typical herbicide concentrations according to all EPA approved manufacturer herbicide directions. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and any applicable laws or regulations. Contractors, as well as all subcontractors, must have a valid Vermont commercial pesticide applicators license.

The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The contractor must have herbicide labels and copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS or the new SDS) of chemicals used on site. The contractor must provide copies or notification by telephone or email of herbicide labels and MSDS of chemicals to the COR prior to the start of work.

Application operations shall be conducted as indicated on the herbicide label, including approved concentrations, rates/acre, and environmental conditions. Only chemicals for aquatic use in or adjacent to streams shall be used whenever directed or adjacent to waterways and wetlands such as the aquatic formulation of glyphosate (Rodeo ® or equivalent product).

This contract does not allow any aerial spraying. Broadcast applications may be permitted for dense infestations along roads. Where appropriate, vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers is permissible to apply herbicides with a spot spray technique in designated old fields or native grassland openings, and along roads. Other spot spraying typically involves the use of backpack sprayers or other hand techniques, and along with designated motorized trails where ATV/UTV/OHV mounted sprayers are also permissible.

Except for selected areas of dense infestations of NNIP where herbicide use could occur throughout the year or areas, foliar application will most likely occur when native plants are not dormant and by spot- spraying of target species. For other herbicide applications during the growing season, the contract will require the use of selective herbicides or a selective method of application to reduce effects on the surrounding non-target vegetation. Other work may involve NNIP control of woody shrubs, trees, and woody vines by using a combination of herbicide treatment and mowing or cutting.

Contractors will place caution signs around the sprayed areas according to the appropriate interval per label directions of the chemical used in application areas where the public may have contact with herbicide. Where necessary per label directions, caution signs may include temporary closure of treatment areas. These areas typically include campgrounds, trails and trail heads, day-use areas and administrative sites.

Foliar herbicide application will occur mainly after full leaf expansion, and applicators will apply herbicides in a systematic fashion to provide coverage to the entire NNIP infestation. Contractor shall apply foliar spray in such a manner to thoroughly wet foliage, but not to the point of runoff to avoid harm or mortality to desirable non-target plant species.

Contractor will conduct treatments to at least 90-95% of the specified project area(s) of the target NNIP infestation(s). Contractor will conduct treatments at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate ranging from 85-90% for target NNIP infestations, and with no more than 10-15% mortality to nearby or interspersed desirable non-target native plant species because of inadvertent treatment or overspray of herbicides (refer to Quality Assurance Plan).

The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified as determined by the final accepted work schedule.

Forest Service COR or Contract Inspectors may conduct visual inspection of NNIP treatments on site to check on their progression to the specified requirements of the contract. The COR may conduct random inspections and sampling to verify acceptable kill rates to target NNIP infestations and mortality to non-target desirable native plants. At the discretion of the COR, the Forest Service will accept work based on visual inspection, to confirm kill rates to both target NNIP species and non-target native plant species.

All herbicide applicator staff must be able to identify target NNIP plant species in the field, including during dormant seasons.

Recordkeeping The Contractor will maintain an accurate daily log record of herbicide used in each area (see next section for the required elements). Other minimum record requirements include copies of hazardous material handling certificates, copies of material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals used, and the location of the waste site and/or use destination locations.

Daily Logs/Diary Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas, with a copy made available to the COR at billing or upon request. At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of the daily treatment log no later than submission of the final invoice. When invoicing partial work payments, the Contractor shall provide information from the daily diary regarding the herbicide treatments done for the relevant specific contract line items.

The daily log must record the Contract Line Item, target NNIP species’, chemical used (product name), quantity of herbicide (volume applied & unit of measure per each target NNIP species’ – including product and carrier/dilutant), application rate (active ingredient applied & unit of measure or percent solution), and adjuvant used (product name & rate applied, if any). The log will record weather information consisting of wind velocity (MPH), wind direction, air temperature (F), condition (cloud cover), and precipitation (inches). Other log requirements include date, time of day (start time and stop time), treatment location, approximate acres treated, hours to complete task, type of application (method/technique), name of licensed commercial applicator, other licensed applicators and non-certified applicators, type of equipment used, plus optional information such as any other miscellaneous notes or observations.

Equipment Cleanliness Prior to starting work, the Contractor must clean all off and on-road equipment (e.g. ATV, UTV, truck) used in NNIP control activities before entering the treatment areas. Project COR or designated individuals will inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving to another treatment area as needed. Contractor will inform the COR at least 48 hours in advance of needing an equipment check.

Equipment ATV/UTV Use Wet weather conditions may preclude the use of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in off road areas along trails or fields for indefinite periods or possibly the entire area at certain times of the year. The COR will determine those conditions or locations that warrant cessation of vehicle or ATV/UTV/OHV use. Use of ATV/UTV/OHV Forest Service roads must follow the State motor vehicle regulations. On the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest, vehicle use must comply with the motor vehicle use map unless administrative use of other roads has been authorized through the CO. No cross-country vehicle use is permitted.

Contractor shall maintain Forest Service approved spark arresting device on any piece of equipment operated by an internal combustion motor. In addition, each piece of motorized equipment shall be equipped with a serviceable round-pointed shovel and an operational fire extinguisher of at least five-pound rating suitable for the equipment being used.

Safety Plan The Contractor will provide a written safety plan that demonstrates how the contractor will ensure a safe work environment for themselves, their employees and the public at large. The safety plan should include:

1) a first aid plan documenting procedures in case of chemical exposure;

2) a chemical spill plan documenting internal procedures, in the event of a pesticide spill on-site or in transport,

3) documentation to substantiate that the Contractor has an ongoing safety training program,

4) documentation regarding any Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) actions/citations issued against the Contractor within the previous three (3) years, to include follow-up measures or remedies taken by the Contractor.

The same safety plan information is required of subcontractors.

The Contractor must meet the safety requirements as specified in the permit to work on highway right-or-way for treating invasive species infestations. These requirements specify that all applicators wear a type II safety vest and that the vehicle used to apply herbicide have an activated high intensity light, and at least one “road work ahead” sign be placed 500 feet before the work area.

The Contractor and whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Vermont commercial pesticide applicators license at the time of any herbicide treatments. The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Vermont pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatment.

Quality Control: Inspection of Services

a. Definition. “Services”, as used in this clause, includes services performed, workmanship, and material furnished or utilized in the performance of services.

b. The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering the services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires.

c. The Government has the right to inspect and test all services called for by the contract, to the extent practicable at all times and places during the term of the contract. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

d. If the Government performs inspections or tests on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties.

e. If any of the services do not conform with contract requirements, the Government may require the Contractor to perform the services again in conformity with contract requirements, at no increase in contract amount. When the defects in services cannot be corrected by reperformance, the Government may—

1) Require the Contractor to take necessary action to ensure that future performance conforms to contract requirements; and

2) Reduce the contract price to reflect the reduced value of the services performed.

f. If the Contractor fails to promptly perform the services again or to take the necessary action to ensure future performance in conformity with contract requirements, the Government may—

1) By contract or otherwise, perform the services and charge to the Contractor any cost incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such service; or

2) Terminate the contract for default.

Quality Control: Inspection Procedures

1) The Contractor shall conduct inspections of i.e., treatment units and record the results using procedures described herein. Inspections shall be maintained concurrent with contract work.

Completed inspection forms shall be made available to the Government within 24 hours of completion of each i.e., treatment unit and will remain part of the permanent contract file.

2) By submission of inspection forms to the Government, the Contractor is considered to be certifying that the unit is satisfactorily completed and that the inspection forms reflect the work accomplished.

3) The Contractor shall submit legible inspection forms. Illegible and incomplete forms shall be returned to the Contractor for correction and re-submission.

4) In the event the Contractor falsifies inspection results, as determined by the Contracting Officer, the Government may declare the Contractor to be in default of the contract. Additionally, the Government may refer such falsifications to the US Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001 (Falsification of Government Documents) or 18 U.S.C. 287 (Fraud).

Quality Control: Compliance Inspection

1) The COR, or a designated inspector, will conduct compliance inspections while work is in progress, usually daily at first, to assure that work is proceeding satisfactorily. Compliance inspections will be accomplished by 100 percent visual inspection of each treatment unit and will be based on adherence to the required specifications / cutting prescriptions.

2) The Contractor shall notify the COR when units are completed prior to his moving out of the general area. Compliance inspections will be conducted within three (3) business days of completion of treatment units and the Contractor notified of any part of the unit(s) requiring additional work or rework.

3) The Contractor may set up the Work Plan and Schedule to include interim inspections. Contractors are reminded that some work, such as herbicide application, cannot be immediately inspected, because an appropriate time interval must pass before determining whether the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) has been met.

Definitions

1) Contracting Officer: A Forest Service employee with the authority to: enter, administer, and terminate contracts, as well as issue determinations regarding such matters as claims.

2) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A Forest Service employee that is appointed and officially designated by the Contracting Officer to assist the Contracting Officer with the technical matters related to contract administration. The COR will assist the Contracting Officer with surveillance of contractor performance.

3) Forest Service Inspector: A Forest Service employee designated by the Contracting Officer or COR to perform surveillance of contractor performance.

4) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): A suitable level of conformance based on an established percentage of defects.

5) Quality Assurance: Those actions were taken by the Forest Service to ensure services meet specified requirements.

6) Quality Control: Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the specified requirements.

7) Performance-Based Service Contract (PBSC): A contract which incorporates a results-oriented statement of work, describing the overall work to be accomplished (outcome/result), rather than explicitly describing how the tasks should be performed, to accomplish the work.

4.0 Government Furnished

Project maps and GIS shapefiles will be provided. General advice on the treatment areas will be provided if requested. Access to ArcGIS Online FieldMaps and Survey 123 will be provided if desired by the contractor.

The contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, herbicides, carriers or adjuvants, dyes or other herbicide markers, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards attached to each contract line item. The Contractor shall perform and accomplish the work in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 7 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than December 31st of the same year. For example, if the fieldwork is completed during the 2027 field season, the entire work should be ready for use no later than December 31, 2027. This includes submission of all required forms/datasheets and required spatial data. Spatial data includes shapefiles or mapped areas submitted through the online ArcGIS project.

Treatment timing will depend on the species/site. See Appendix B for details. In the majority of cases, a late summer/fall application is recommended. For late summer/fall applications, herbaceous plants should be treated between August 1st and October 1st. Treatment for woody species can occur into November. If treatment occurs in October, care should be taken to ensure that treatment for herbaceous species occurs before the first hard frost of the year. For all species, it is recommended that treatment occurs during the time of year when herbicide treatments are most effective for the particular plant species being treated. The Contractor may work with the Green Mountain Finger Lakes National Forest to receive guidance on the ideal time of year to treat each species and/or each site. All surveys and herbicide treatments should be completed no later than October 1st for herbaceous species and surveys, and November 7th for woody species.

Item No.

Deliverable / Item Title

Objective/Description Delivery Format Due By

1.1 Herbicide Treatment:

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Vehicle Accessible)

Complete herbicide treatments of woody NNIP to the quality control specifications outlined in the

“PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT AND QUALITY

ASSURANCE PLAN” Table n/a Nov 7

1.2 Herbicide Treatment:

Open land and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles)

Complete herbicide treatments of woody NNIP to the quality control specifications outlined in the

“PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT AND QUALITY

ASSURANCE PLAN” Table n/a Nov 7

2.1 Herbicide Treatment:

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Vehicle Access)

Complete herbicide treatments of herbaceous NNIP to the quality control specifications outlined in the “PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT AND QUALITY

ASSURANCE PLAN” Table n/a Oct 1

3.1

Surveys Survey and record populations of non-native invasive plants to the quality control specifications outlined in the “PERFORMANCE

WORK STATEMENT AND

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN”

Table n/a Oct 1

Forms/datasheets Data recorded on paper datasheets or in Survey 123 (e.g. daily logs)

Email or Survey

Dec 31

Geospatial data (shapefiles or other similar online GIS spatial files)

Spatial data showing areas treated and/or surveyed

Email or FieldMaps or online ArcGIS project

Dec 31

This is a performance-based service contract. Inspections will be carried out to ensure that work is completed in accordance with the contract, produce specifications are met, and that the desired outcome is achieved.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

Ite m No.

Treatment type (see Section C.4 above)

Quality standard s (QS)

Monitori ng method

Acceptable Quality Level(AQL)

Monitoring method

Remedy

Herbicide Treatment Category – Woody Vegetation

1.1

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Vehicle Accessible)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestatio n treated

Visual during or immediate ly after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, cutting -during or immediately after work is completed

AND/OR

herbicide – herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met.

AQL

determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

1.2

Open land and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors woody NNIP (Not Accessible by Vehicles)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestatio n treated

Visual during or immediate ly after treatment and a few weeks after

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, cutting -during or immediately after work is completed

AND/OR

herbicide – herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met.

AQL

determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

Foliar Herbicide Treatment Category-Herbaceous Flowering Plants, Grasses & Vines/Semi-woody Vines

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

Ite m No.

Treatment type (see Section C.4 above)

Quality standard s (QS)

Monitori ng method

Acceptable Quality Level(AQL)

Monitoring method

Remedy

2.1

Roadside and/or Trailside and/or along utility corridors non-woody NNIP (Vehicle Access)

100% of project area treated and >85% target infestatio n treated

Visual during or immediate ly after treatment and a few weeks after.

100% of project area treated AND >85% target infestation treated AND < 10% mortality to non-target plant species AND all T.O.

specifications followed

Visual, herbicide and dye present after treatment and after adequate time for herbicide effect to be observed

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met.

AQL

determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

Surveys

3.1

Survey and record populations of non-native invasive plants.

100% of project area mapped

Inspection of submitted datasheet and geospatial data (e.g.

shapefile or FieldMaps data)

100% of project area mapped AND acceptable level of detail recorded in datasheet;

AND

datasheet matches the geospatial data

Inspection of submitted datasheet and geospatial data (e.g.

shapefile or FieldMaps data)

Contractor will rework at their own cost if QS and/or AQL are not met.

AQL

determinations are made by the COR upon inspection of the work.

NOTES:

Meeting the AQL for Line Items: Meeting or exceeding the acceptable kill ratio on target NNIP but exceeding the specified mortality value to non-target desirable plants, will result in the same reduction because the Contractor(s) did not meet all elements of the AQL values. Additionally, Contractor(s) must reapply the required herbicide at their expense upon failure to meet AQL values at the final inspection for each contract line item where the work performed failed to reach the minimum acceptable target kill ratio of the NNIP infestation(s).

Inspection: The Forest Service considers passing inspections (interim or final) to be critical. The Forest Service strives for effective and efficient contract administration; one of way of promoting this is to limit the need for re-inspections.

6.0 Travel

Travel not required.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The Contractor and whoever will supervise the herbicide treatment must possess a current Vermont commercial pesticide applicators license at the time of any herbicide treatments. The Contractor shall ensure that there is a Vermont pesticide licensed applicator on-site at all times of treatment.

APPENDIX B – Treatment Table for Proposed NNIP Sites

Site Survey or Treatment Acres

Invasive plant species

Treatment Category

Treatment timing

Woody or herbaceous

White Hill West Treatment 0.54

Morrow's honeysuckle, Japanese barberry, Common barberry, Oriental bittersweet, Autumn olive, Glossy buckthorn, Multiflora rose 1.1, 2.1

Late summer/fall both

Boy Blue Treatment 18.8

Wild chervil, Wild parsnip, Multiflora rose 1.1, 2.1

Varies by species both

Greendale Road Treatment 1.9

Japanese knotweed, Wild parsnip, Burning bush, Goutweed, Wild chervil 1.1, 2.1

Varies by species both

Rake Branch Treatment 1.8

Goutweed, Wild chervil, Spotted knapweed, Morrow's honeysuckle, Wild parsnip 1.1, 2.1

Varies by species both

White Hill East Treatment 21.3

Japanese knotweed, Morrow's honeysuckle, Multiflora rose, Glossy buckthorn 1.1, 2.1, 1.2

Late summer/fall both

Benson Road Treatment 4.4

Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, Glossy buckthorn, Morrow's honeysuckle 1.1, 2.1

Late summer/fall both

Benson Road:

section 2 Treatment 27.8

Japanese barberry, Glossy buckthorn, Morrow's honeysuckle, maybe others 1.1, 1.2

Late summer/fall woody

Treatment Total 174.38

Catamount Cobble Survey 71

Glossy buckthorn, Morrow's honeysuckle, Multiflora rose 3.1

Anytime until Oct 1 n/a

Survey Total 71