Control, Eradicate and Map Invasive at Fort Liberty, NC.pdf

Auburn University Request for Proposal

Control, Eradicate, and Map Invasive at Fort Liberty, North Carolina

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Section I: Request for Proposal 2

Statement of Purpose 2 Scope of Work 2

1. General 2

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction 2

1.2. Objectives 2

1.3. Scope 3

1.4. Period of Performance 3

1.5. General Information 3

1.6. Key Personnel 5

2. Definitions and Acronyms 6

2.1. Definitions 6

2.2. Acronyms 7

3. Government Furnished Items and Services 8

4. Service Provider Furnished Items and Responsibilities 8

4.1. General 8

5. Specific Tasks 9

5.1. Basic Services 9

5.2. Kick-off Meeting 9

5.3. Requirements 10

5.4. Completeness of Work 13

6. Applicable Publications 14

7. Technical Exhibit List 15

7.1. Exhibit 1 – List of non-native plant species 16

7.2. Exhibit 2 – Fort Liberty Installation Map 18

Section II: Instructions to Proposers 20 Section III: Form of Proposal 21 Section IV: Evaluation Criteria 22 ATTACHMENT A – Pricing Sheet 24 ATTACHMENT B – Insurance Addendum 25

Section I. Request for Proposal

Statement of Purpose

Auburn University is seeking to contract with a service provider capable of supplying non-native invasive plant species control at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. The objective of the contract is to complete the tasks as outlined in the Scope of Work. These include surveying and mapping targeted invasive plant species, chemically treating invasive plant species, monitor and re-treat invasive plant species, and provide data collection and reporting of invasive plant species occurrences and treatments.

Scope of work

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services agreement to provide control and eradication of non-native invasive plant species in the training lands of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to include Camp Mackall. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the service providers performing the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to Auburn who, in turn is responsible to the Government. Auburn, in turn, shall be accountable to the Government for service providers or subcontractor personnel.

1.1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/INTRODUCTION: The service provider shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform control and eradication of invasive species in the Training Lands on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, as defined in this Statement of Work (SOW), except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The service providers shall perform to the standards in this agreement.

1.2. OBJECTIVES: Non-native invasive plant species (NIPS) pose a significant conservation and compliance challenge for environmental and natural resource management on military lands.

Successful natural resource management is critical to the military mission, as it represents the primary means of sustaining testing and training lands. NIPS competitively displace native flora and adversely affect ecosystem integrity and function by altering water, energy, nutrients and disturbance cycles, which in turn can cause loss of biodiversity, increased soil erosion, damage to culturally significant resources and degradation of threatened and endangered (T&E) species habitat. These impacts violate numerous laws, statutes, and regulations. Moreover, NIPS negatively impact military operations by reducing acres available for training, compromising long-term sustainability of training lands, and diminishing training realism, thus hampering overall mission readiness. The magnitude and cost of these impacts will increase significantly over time without persistent action targeted at identifying, mapping, monitoring, and controlling

NIPS.

The basic service objectives are to survey, map, control, and eradicate targeted NIPS within the Training Lands on Fort Liberty in accordance with the installation Integrated Natural Resource

Management Plan. All scientifically approved methods and techniques for survey/mapping, control and eradication are acceptable using the latest scientific research.

1.3. SCOPE: The primary objective of this Task Order (TO) is to provide non-native invasive plant species control for the Fort Liberty United States Army Garrison (USAG). All work will be performed on site at Fort Liberty.

1.4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

1.5. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.5.1 Quality Control: Quality Control is the joint responsibility of the service provider and Auburn. The service provider is responsible for the delivery of quality services/supplies to the Government.

1.5.1.1 Quality Control Program: The Government is committed to a highly interactive relationship between quality control by Auburn University, the service provider, and quality assurance by the government recipient of services. This relationship shall be achieved through an effective Prevention Based Quality Control Program dedicated to ensuring the best possible products and services to end users.

1.5.1.2 Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the performance under this agreement.

1.5.2. Recognized Federal Holidays: The service provider shall not be required to perform services on recognized federal holidays. The recognized federal holidays include:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth Christmas Day Independence Day

1.5.3. Hours of Operation: The service provider shall be responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Monday through Friday, except federal holidays or when the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings or similar government directed facility closings. The service provider shall always maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this SOW when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the service provider shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential. No overtime (OT) or compensatory time (CT) is authorized. The service provider personnel shall not exceed a 40-hour work week; flexible work schedule may be considered.

1.5.4. Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this agreement will be accomplished in the training lands of Fort Liberty, NC.

1.5.5. Security Requirements: Service provider personnel do not need to have any level of security to conduct work under this PWS. Therefore, any service provider or persons working under this agreement does not need security clearance. Service provider personnel shall comply with all security and safety regulations, guidance, and procedures, including local, referenced I this PWS and in effect at the worksite.

1.5.5.1. Physical Security: The service provider shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for service provider use.

1.5.5.2. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: In accordance with AR 11-2, Internal Management Controls, the service provider shall be responsible for maintaining proper conduct and good discipline within service provider-occupied work areas. Service provider personnel shall be encouraged to be alert to and report to designated representatives suspected situations of fraud, waste, and abuse or other intentionally dishonest conduct observed during or in the performance of this agreement.

1.5.6. Special Qualifications. The service provider employees working under this agreement must be qualified in identification of Southeastern United States invasive species listed in Technical Exhibit 1. Experience is required involving scientific procedures involving flora survey methods and invasive species treatment techniques for various targeted species. Personnel must be licensed in herbicide application use to treat (control and eradicate) invasive species in the Southeast US. General: This subsection is applicable to ALL service provider personnel.

1.5.6.1. The service provider shall be responsible for ensuring all personnel performing work under this agreement possess and maintain current certifications, herbicide licenses as indicated in SOW; if necessary, security requirements during the execution of this agreement. Provide certification documents to Auburn University and the Garrison IPMC.

1.5.6.2. Service provider personnel performing work under this agreement shall be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language to effectively carry out all agreement requirements. They shall have a command of both the written and spoken English language to communicate in person properly clearly, and effectively or via electronic devices (telephone or Email) with co-workers, customers, and the public.

1.5.6.3. Service provider personnel performing work under this agreement shall be U.S. citizens unless the provisions of Army Regulation 25-2, Information Assurance have been fully completed and approval has been granted by the Government for the non-U.S. citizen to perform the required support.

1.5.6.4. Automated Installation Entry (AIE): Service provider personnel shall gain access to Fort Liberty through the Posts Automated Installation Entry (AIE) Badge system. To register and receive an AIE access control badge, the service provider must complete and submit the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) Form 118 to the IGSA Technical Representative

(TR). Once submitted, a NCIC (National Crime Information Center) Level III background check will be completed on each employee requesting access. No employees with prior felonies or three misdemeanors, excluding routine traffic violations, within the past five years will be granted access to Fort Liberty. All service provider personnel shall be U.S. citizens and legal to work in the United States. Sponsorship is required for all non-DOD affiliated persons. The applications (DES Form 118) will be turned into the All-American Visitor Control Center for processing and approval.

1.6. KEY PERSONNEL:

1.6.1. The follow is considered key personnel by the Government:

The service provider shall provide a Program Manager (PM) The name of this person, and an Alternate PM (APM), who shall act for the service provider when the PM is absent. The PM or APM shall have full authority to act for the service provider on the TO, matters relating to daily operation of this TO.

The Project Manager shall be supported by a technical staff qualified to complete all work described in this Task Order. The PM shall serve as the single POC and liaison for all work required. All work shall be accomplished with adequate internal controls and review procedures to eliminate conflicts, errors, and omissions and ensure the technical accuracy of all other items listed in this Task Order.

Fort Liberty will designate POC’s to serve as the points of contact for this Task Order. The Fort Liberty POC’s will also coordinate internal Task Order reviews with pertinent review personnel.

The primary Fort Liberty POC for the Training Lands will be Stacy Huskins, email:

stacy.d.huskins.civ@army.mil, phone: (910) 643-7030.

The service provider shall coordinate with designated Fort Liberty’s POC’s, as well as the installation POC and tenant activity personnel, as required, to complete the described work. The service provider shall be responsible for coordinating/conducting research and information gathering from pertinent Fort Liberty (to include any tenant activity) personnel. The Fort Liberty POC’s will assist the service provider in coordination of all installation/activity/facility and tenant contacts and information gathering activities. However, the service provider is responsible for physically gathering all data.

1.6.2. Qualifications for all Key Personnel:

1.6.2.1 Program Manager (PM): The PM shall meet or exceed the following minimum qualifications: Minimum 3 years’ experience managing projects. The APM shall meet or exceed the same qualifications as the PM. The PM shall possess a valid state commercial herbicide applicator's license for the state in which work is being performed and shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to the purchase order work and to the products and materials used by the service provider in performing that work.

1.6.3. Service provider personnel:

1.6.3.1. The service provider employees, and any subcontractors performing any of the work under this task order shall possess a valid state commercial herbicide applicator's license for the state in which work is being performed and shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to the purchase order work and to the products and materials used by the service provider in performing that work.

1.6.3.1.1. A minimum of (2) successfully completed projects focused on non-native invasive plant control in native plant communities where rare or protected plant species were a management consideration within the last ten (10) years.

1.6.3.2. All service provider personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their status is not obvious to third parties, are required to identify themselves as service provider employees to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Federal government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by the service provider are suitably marked as service provider products or that the service provider’s participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.3.3 . Service provider personnel will be required to obtain and wear badges during performance of the services.

1.6.4. Public Disclosures: The service provider employees shall make no public announcements or disclosures relative to information developed from this agreement (including future or programs resulting from this effort) nor to government-owned information made available to the service provider. All requests for information shall be directed to the Fort Liberty POC and the TR. Information or other related data shall not be released, by either Auburn University or the service providers, to other government agencies (DoD and Non-DoD), private groups, private individuals or private agencies without prior written approval from Fort Liberty.

The Army has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this TO. All documents and materials produced under this TO shall be Army owned and are the property of the Army with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Army. These documents and materials cannot be used or sold by the service provider without written permission from IGSA Manager. All materials supplied to the Army shall be the sole property of the Army and cannot be used for any other purpose.

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.5. Defective service. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Statement of Work (SOW).

2.1.6. Deliverable. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-physical things, such as meeting minutes, GIS product, or reports.

2.1.8. Government-furnished property (GFP) OR Government Property (GP). If applicable, (i.e., GFE and/or GFM). Property (i.e., equipment and material) in the possession of or directly acquired by the Government and subsequently made available to the service provider.

2.1.9. Key personnel. Auburn University or service provider employees who are critical for achieving SOW objectives. Key personnel shall meet position qualification and experience requirements indicated in the SOW.

2.1.11. Physical security. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of government property.

2.1.14. Quality assurance (QA). A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to provide confidence that adequate technical requirements are established; products and services conform to established technical requirements; and satisfactory performance is achieved. For the purposes of this document, quality assurance refers to actions by the Government.

2.1.16. Quality control (QC). All necessary measures taken by the service provider to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet agreement requirements.

2.1.17. Subcontractor. One that enters into a contract with Auburn University. The Government does not have privacy of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.18. Workday. The length of time during a day in which the service provider provides services, in accordance with the agreement.

2.1.19. Work week. Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

APM Alternative Program Manager APP Accident Prevention Plan AR Army Regulation CFR Code of Federal Regulations COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf DA Department of the Army DD Department of Defense DOD Department of Defense FL Fort Liberty FCL Facility Clearance GA Greenbelt Area GFE Government Furnished Equipment GFM Government Furnished Materials GFP Government Furnished Property IPMC Integrated Pest Management Coordinator IPMP Integrated Pest Management Plan IGSA Intergovernmental Support Agreement NIPS Non-native Plant Species PM Project Manager

POC Point of Contact POP Period of Performance PUL Pesticide Use List PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Plan RCW Red-cockaded Woodpecker SOW Scope of Work TE Technical Exhibit TO Task Order TR Technical Representative USAG United States Army Garrison WSP Work Schedule Plan

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. SERVICES: If applicable, The Government will provide the necessary ArcGIS feature class or map of specific areas to be treated, and point locations if needed. Services of work performance are expected and applicable under this SOW.

3.1.1. The Government will identify species to be treated and identify areas in which they occur, throughout the growing season of the year. The locations will be within specified areas of the training lands (Technical Exhibit 2).

3.2. Facilities: Not applicable.

3.3. Utilities: Not applicable

3.4. Equipment: Not applicable.

3.5. Materials: Not applicable

4. SERVICE PROVIDER FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1. GENERAL: The service provider shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this agreement that are not listed under Section 3 of this

SOW.

4.2. Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable.

4.3. Materials: Not applicable.

4.4. Equipment: 4 wheel drive vehicle for access to sites.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS:

5.1. BASIC SERVICES. Identification and treatment of invasive species in the training lands shall be an ongoing task for the duration of this TO. The species to be targeted are listed and categorized in Technical Exhibit 1. The species in category 1 are to be prioritized for treatment because of their high potential for further spread. They will be continually identified by the Installation Biologists & Service Providers and treated accordingly. Species in lower categories will also be identified and treated as needed. Invasive occurrences shall be treated a minimum of two times (if needed) for effectiveness of control/eradication of the site.

The service provider shall provide services for surveying and mapping targeted invasive species and treatments (mechanical and/or herbicide) to eradicate or control targeted non-native invasive plant species in specified areas in the training lands of Fort Liberty. The service provider shall assemble a team composed of personnel experienced in appropriate disciplines to accomplish the specified work.

Task 1. The service provider shall survey and map locations for targeted invasive species in the training lands (Technical Exhibit 2). Maps for any specified areas will be provided by Installation Biologists. These areas can vary in size and will be identified by prominent feature (drainage, road, LZ, DZ, AFP, etc.), fire management block, or training area. GPS data will be collected using either points or polygons, with the size of each area given in acres.

Task 2. The service provider shall treat (control and/or eradicate) all targeted species found during the surveys. A strategy to prioritize and treat (control and/or eradicate) the targeted invasive species found in all areas will be developed. Prioritize and treat areas with largest occurrences of targeted invasive plant species, or as directed by Installation Biologists. Revisits will be made after the first treatment to assess the need for additional treatments.

Task 3. The service provider shall monitor, and retreat (as needed) previously identified invasive plant locations in the training lands throughout the agreement period.

Task 4. The service provider shall provide monthly progress reports with data collection and maps (section 5.3.3) to Auburn University and the Fort Liberty POC.

Task 5. The service provider shall provide a Final Report that describes the Project Goals and Objectives and the results of the completed services under this agreement TO period in pdf format to Auburn and the Fort Liberty POC. The final deliverable will also include a comprehensive ArcGIS Geodatabase with records for all targeted invasive species. The geodatabase must include an attribute table with fields populated with data collected (as described in section 5.3.3) for each invasive species mapped and treated.

5.2. KICK-OFF MEETING. The service provider shall attend a kick-off meeting with Fort Liberty POC, to discuss the work to be accomplished under this Task Order. The purpose of the meetings will be for the service provider to become familiar with expectations, various issues, initiatives, and programs. At a minimum the following will be discussed:

Fort Liberty Points of Contact.

Information/data available at Fort Liberty.

Information/data available at various facility and activity offices.

Various Fort Liberty policy and program issues.

Various Fort Liberty procedures for coordinating site visits.

Other records, permits, reports to be discussed or reviewed.

As part of the Kick-off meeting, the service provider shall present the project work plan, including technical approach, compliance with all security requirements, milestones, meetings, coordination, submittals, and review period. The work plan shall address project organization, personnel, task order management; technical approach; coordination procedures and activity schedule; and describe the quality assurance and quality control procedures, and activities that will contribute to the successful execution of this Task Order.

5.3. REQUIREMENTS.

Non-native invasive plant species (NIPS) treatment prescription summary:

Precise treatment timing for individual species can significantly improve treatment success (e.g., application of herbicide is most effective for certain species at specific times when they will translocate the herbicide to the roots). However, this specificity of timing greatly limits the efficiency of treating sites that are spread over a large area. It is more efficient to treat all observed NIPS when a site is visited within the growing season, rather than waiting for the ideal time to treat each individual species.

Herbicides approved for use on DoD land will be provided. As much as possible, treatment methods should follow James Miller’s 1998, “Non-native Invasive Plants of Southern Forests – A Field Guide for Identification and Control.” Techniques for controlling NIPS are constantly evolving as new methods are identified and more is learned about the biology of specific species.

As such, the treatment prescriptions presented here provide a general guideline and are subject to change.

All herbicides shall be applied, transported, stored, and disposed of in accordance with Federal, State, County and local regulations, as well as 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 service provider’s application equipment. Mixing water is available at non-potable water fill stations within the cantonment area and at the Endangered Species Branch. The service provider shall 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. In addition, the service providers will ensure that no contamination of any water source occurs, and that emergency spill containment equipment is at the worksite and is capable of containing all potential herbicide spills from service provider’s vehicles/equipment. Unused, mixed herbicides will be disposed of in accordance with local, County, 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 service providers shall remove all equipment and unused materials, any waste materials, oil, empty herbicide containers and litter resulting from the TO activities on government property.

The service providers shall ensure exposure of non-target native plants to herbicides are avoided.

When working in protected plant sites, limit herbicide application to target species only, by identifying protected species and applying herbicide outside a 1-yard buffer of protected species.

Herbicides shall not be applied either 24 hours before or after precipitation events or during periods of strong winds or rain. Additionally, soil disturbance around NIPS infestations should be minimized.

The contractor shall follow the applicable guidance provided by the Installation Pest Management Plan IPMP. Appendix B of the IPMP contains the Pesticide Use List approved for Fort Liberty. The amounts of approved pesticides and application locations shall be reported to the pest manager through the TR. The IPMP will be provided by the government.

The service provider shall provide four-wheel drive vehicle(s) for transportation. Vehicle tag numbers shall be provided to the Fort Liberty POC one week prior to commencement of activities on Fort Liberty.

The service provider shall enter and submit data using EXCEL with the data provided in 5.3.3.

The service provider is responsible for computer entry, proofing, and verification of all data.

It is anticipated that the service provider will need (2) two-person team for 32 weeks during the growing season (5 days per week and 8 hours per day) or one two-person team for each area (MCA and training lands. The service provider is responsible for all travel and accommodations.

5.3.1 The service provider shall conduct all activities in a manner that ensures safety of personnel and avoids damage to significant biological, cultural, or geological resources. By law, herbicides may only be handled and applied according to label instructions, and by licensed herbicide applicators or operators when working on public properties. Training and certification requirements are summarized in DoD 4150.07, Volume 2 “DoD Pest Management Program Elements and Implementation: Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification Program”, January 22, 2020. Consult the current Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) approved list of pesticides and the DoD Pest Management Material List for Army approved herbicides and equipment, respectively, at https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/. The service provider shall comply with all safety and health requirements as outlined in Army Regulation 385-1, The Army Safety Program and OSHA Safety Standards to ensure the safe working conditions for his employees and government workers. The service provider shall implement a hazard communication program in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

1910.1200. 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 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). To ensure safety of the service provider personnel while working at field sites, the service provider shall also provide service provider personnel/teams with cell phones or equivalent remote communication devices, and supply a safety plan.

The service provider shall follow the product label as to the application rate, and time and extent of application of the herbicides. If the desired results are not achieved, the service provider will https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/afpmb/ reapply the herbicide to those areas where treatment prescriptions fail to achieve the required level of control.

5.3.2 Reports/Deliverables: the service provider shall submit the following to Auburn University and the Fort Liberty POC:

Monthly Reports: One (1) monthly progress/status report shall be submitted the last day of the month and shall be due no later than the 10th calendar date following the end of the reporting period. The first and last report may cover more than a month with prior concurrence of the Government. Final Report and ArcGIS Geodatabase: a final report that describes the project goals and objectives and the results of the completed services under this TO period in pdf format to TR. The final deliverable will also include a comprehensive ArcGIS geodatabase with records for all targeted invasive species. The geodatabase must include an attribute table with fields populated with data collected (as described below) for each invasive species mapped and treated.

5.3.3. Data: One (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic format of the raw and processed field data shall be due monthly and at the completion of the period of performance (base year/option year).

Data shall be provided in MS Excel spreadsheet and ArcGIS geodatabase using the following template:

ID Number. Associated ArcMap/ArcGIS Collector number

Invasive Species. The common/scientific name of the invasive species treated.

1st Treatment Date. Date of treatment using month/day/year format

Type Treatment. Method used to control/eradicate invasive (i.e. cut spray, foliar spray, manual removal, basal bark, girdle)

Chemical 1. Type of chemical used to treat the invasive species.

2nd Treatment Date. To be used for repeat treatment at a site.

Type Treatment. For repeat treatment

Chemical 2. For repeat treatment

Percent Killed: 0-25%, 26%-50%, 51%-75%, 76%-99%, Historic (no presence > 5 years)

FP no. Associated Food Plot number

Status: Growing, Shrinking or Stable. (Growing = actively growing or spreading;

Shrinking = reduction in growth/spread but re-growth observed; stable = dead/no new growth observed.

The data may be provided by submitting the report via e-mail to stacy.d.huskins.civ@army.mil.

Raw field data shall include original copies of all data collected during the field survey. The

Government will review and provide any comments on the data deliverables within ten (10) days. Any revisions shall be mutually agreed upon within five (5) days following Government comment.

The service provider is responsible for any damages caused by the service provider and shall be required to reimburse the Government for the cost of any repairs resulting from execution or work related to this TO.

5.4 COMPLETENESS OF WORK: The service provider shall correct all deficiencies identified by Auburn or the Government or in its own quality control review, relating to completeness or accuracy of the work, compliance with the agreement, delivery order, laws or regulations, or satisfaction of requirements relating to costs and cost accounting standards for cost reimbursements delivery orders.

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

6.1. PUBLICATIONS. The service provider shall abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

AR 25-2 Information Assurance AR 200-1 Army Environmental Protection and Enhancement AR 300-3, 28 Feb 95, Natural Resources-Land, Forest and Wildlife Management.

AR 350-6 Installation Range Regulation AR 420-1 Facilities Engineering AR 530-1 Operations Security (OPSEC) DA Memorandum, Army Policy Guidance for Management and Control of Invasive Species, 26 June, 2001 DoD Instruction Number 4715.03, Natural Resource Conservation Program, 18 March 2011 EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual, 15 September 2008;

Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531, Chapter 35.

ER 385-1-92, Safety and Occupational Health Requirements for Hazardous, Toxic and Federal Acquisition Regulation, FAR Clause 52.236-13: Accident Prevention.

INRMP Fort Liberty Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321.1.

NIOSH/OSHA/USCG/EPA, “Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities,” October 1985.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Industry Other applicable Federal, State, and local safety and health requirements.

Standards, 29 CFR 1926, General Industry Standards, 29 CFR 1910, especially 29 CFR

1910.120 - Hazardous Waste Site Operations and Emergency Response.

Presidential Executive Order 13112, subject: Invasive Species, 3 Feb 1999 Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Activities, 1 May 2007.

Sikes Act, as amended by the Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA) of 1997, 16 U.S.C. & 670a et seq.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1, 3 September 1996.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Occupational Health Requirements for Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Activities, ER 385-1-92, 1 September 2000.

James Miller’s 1998, “Non-native Invasive Plants of Southern Forests – A Field Guide for Identification and Control.

TLVs - Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices (current edition), ACGIH

(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists).

ANSI Z88.2, 1980, (American National Standards Institute), American National Standards for Respiratory Protection.

ANSI Z87.1, 1979, American National Standards Practice for Occupational and Educational

Eye and Face Protection.

ANSI Z358.1, 1981, American National Standards Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment.

OSHA, 29 CFR 1910, in general, and specifically Sections .20 and .21 (Health and Safety Plan); Section .120 (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response); Section .134 (Respiratory Protection); and Section .1200 (Hazard Communication Standard).

Interim Standard Air Monitoring Guide for Hazardous Waste Sites, Toxic Waste and Environmental Section, Missouri River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June, 1984.

Industrial Hygiene Checklist, developed by the U. S. Army USACE, CEMRD-ED-ET, August 1988.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety Manual, EM 385-1-1, October 1992.

7. ATTACHMENT/TEHCNICAL EXHIBIT LIST:

7.1. TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1: Non-native invasive plant species targeted for control on Fort Liberty.

7.2. TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2: Fort Liberty Military Installation Map

Category 1 – Highest Invasive Potential Targeted for treatment wherever encountered

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) Fabaceae

Lespedeza Bicolor (Lespedeza bicolor) Fabaceae

Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) Oleaceae

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) Fabaceae

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) Fabaceae.

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) Rosaceae

Giant Reed (Arundo donax) Poaceae

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Simaroubaceae

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) Lygodiaceae

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) Elaeagnaceae

Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera; = Sapium sebiferum) Euphorbiaceae

Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) Poaceae

Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) Rosaceae

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) Meliaceae

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense) Poaceae

European Privet (Lingustrum vulgare) Oleaceae

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Caprifoliaceae

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Poaceae

Watermilfoil or Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) Haloragaceae

Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) Amaranthaceae

Category 2 – Moderate to Low Invasive Potential

Princess Tree (Paulowina tomentosa) Paulowniaceae

White Mullberry (Morus alba) Moraceae

Marsh Dewflower (Murdannia keisak; = Aneilema keisak) Commelinaceae

Vasey Grass (Paspalum urvillei) Poaceae

Technical Exhibit 1: Table 1. Fort Liberty Non-native invasive species

Nandina (Nandina domestica) Berberidaceae

Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) Fabaceae

Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum; = Reynoutria japonica; = Fallopia japonica) Polygonaceae

Chinese Yam (Dioscorea polystachya; = D. oppositifolia; = D. batatas) Dioscoreaceae

Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) Berberidaceae

English Ivy (Hedera helix) Araliaceae

Fuzzy Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Scrophulariaceae

Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa; = A. brevipedunculata) Vitaceae

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei var. radicans) Celastraceae

Category 3 - Established Species

Cannot be eradicated on landscape scale using currently available methods. No longer treated except in high quality natural areas. Highly restricted to ruderal habitats.

Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Fabaceae

Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) Poaceae

Cat 4 - Nearby Species with High Invasive Potential, but Not Yet Found on Fort Liberty

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Poaceae

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) Celastraceae

Winged Burning-bush (Euonymus alatus) Celastraceae

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Hydrocharitaceae

Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) Salviniaceae

Brazilian Waterweed (Egeria densa) Hydrocharitaceae

Technical Exhibit 2:

Technical Exhibit 2, cont’d

Section II. Instructions to Proposers

Proposal Response

• Proposals should be submitted to the Procurement & Business Services Sourcing Event Portal on or before the time and date set for closing.

• Pursuant to the provisions of the State of Alabama Competitive Bid Law rules and regulations adopted there under, sealed bids will be received on the items noted herein by Procurement and Business Services of Auburn University, until the date and time stated.

• All bids are to be "F.O.B. Destination - Freight Prepaid and Allowed."

• Alabama law (Section 41-4-116, code of Alabama 1975) provides that every bid submitted and contract executed shall contain a certification that the vendor, contractor, and all of its affiliates that make sales for delivery into Alabama or leases for use in Alabama are registered, collecting, and remitting Alabama state and local sales, use, and/or lease tax on all taxable sales and leases into Alabama. BY SUBMITTING THIS

BID, THE BIDDER IS HEREBY CERTIFYING THAT THEY ARE IN FULL

COMPLIANCE WITH ACT NO. 2006-557, they are not barred from bidding or entering into a contract pursuant to 41-4-116, and acknowledges that the awarding authority may declare the contract void if the certification is false. Bidder certifies that neither it, nor any of its employees who will provide or perform services under this contract have been debarred, suspended or declared ineligible as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 48 C.F.R. Ch. 1 Subpart 9.4). Bidder will immediately notify the University if the Bidder or any of its employees who will provide or perform services under this contract is placed on the Consolidated List of Debarred, Suspended, and Ineligible Bidders.

• AU reserves the right to award in whole or in part, by line item, or make multiple awards, where such action serves Auburn University’s best interest.

• Proposers may withdraw proposals at any time prior to the time and date set for opening.

• The University reserves the sole and exclusive right to reject or accept any or all proposals and to waive any informality in proposal. The best interest of the University and their subsequent facilities shall be considered as the number one determining factor in selecting or not selecting a Proposer.

• No department, school, or office at the University has the authority to solicit official proposals other than Procurement and Business Services. All solicitation is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Procurement and Business Services and incomplete accordance with the University policies and procedures.

• The University reserves the right to conduct discussions with proposers, and to accept revisions of proposals, and to negotiate price changes. The University will make reasonable efforts to protect proprietary information but all records are subject to State of Alabama open records laws.

• Proposers submitting proposals which meet the selection criteria and which are deemed to be the most advantageous to the University may be requested to give an oral presentation to a selection committee. Procurement and Business Services will schedule the presentations.

• The University is committed to the development of Small Business and Small Disadvantaged business (SB & SDB) suppliers. If subcontracting is necessary, the contractor will make every effort to use SB & SDB in the performance of this contract.

Reporting will be required throughout the duration of the contract indicating the extent of SB & SDB participation.

• The Suppliers shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the University, its officers, agents, and employees from any claims, damages, and actions of any kind or nature arising from or caused by the use of any materials, goods, equipment, or services furnished by the Supplier, provided that such liability does not attribute to the sole negligence of the University.

• The successful supplier will have to attest to the following: By signing this contract, the contracting parties affirm, for the duration of the agreement, that they will not violate federal immigration law or knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien within the state of Alabama, Furthermore, a contracting party found to be in violation of this provision shall be deemed in breach of the agreement and shall be responsible for all damages resulting therefrom.”

• Read and comply with all instructions, specifications, General Terms and Conditions, and Bid Conditions. Supplier’s response must include their Acceptance, Conditional Acceptance (with explanation), or Non-Acceptance of each item in the Scope of Work section of this RFP.

Section III. Form of Proposal

Proposal Format

• Proposal should be submitted in MS Word® and/or Adobe PDF® formatting only.

o If there is any information or required submittals, which due to size limitations cannot be incorporated following the preferred formatting, please note for the evaluator where the information can be found in response.

Paginated Format

• Cover Letter o The proposer shall provide a cover letter describing a brief history of the

Proposer and its organization. The letter will list the Principal or Officer of the organization who will be the University’s primary point of contact for clarifications or during negotiations.

• Executive Summary and RFP Response o A one-to-two page executive summary of the respondent’s proposal, including brief descriptions of the company’s expertise procuring a contract the size and scope described in the RFP, and how the proposer plans to address the University’s requirements.

o A response to each item in the Specific Tasks section, Performance Requirements Summary, and Deliverables Schedule sections of the Scope of Work of this RFP indicating a proposer’s Acceptance, Conditional Acceptance (with explanation), or Non-Acceptance of each item.

• Pricing o Official Bid Price Sheet (See Attachment A-Price Sheet)

• Experience o A listing of other projects/customers similar in size and scope to the services described in the RFP. This list must include the name of the customer and the name, telephone number, and email address of an appropriate contact for each customer.

Section IV. Evaluation Criteria

• In awarding the contract, the University may take into consideration the skill, facilities, capacity, experience, ability, responsibility, previous work, reputation, financial standing of the bidder or respondents, and the amount of other work being carried on by the bidder.

The inability of any bidder to meet the requirements mentioned above may be cause for rejection of proposal.

• Selection shall be made in the best interest of the University. An Agreement will be awarded to the successful respondent who, in the opinion of the University, has best demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of services required at fair and reasonable prices/compensation and whose proposal is deemed to be in the best interest of the University.

• Where contract negotiations with a respondent do not proceed to an executed contract within a time deemed reasonable by the University (for whatever reasons), the University may reconsider the proposals of other respondents and, if appropriate, enter into contract negotiations with one or more of the other respondents. Proposals shall remain valid and current for the period of 90 days after the closing date and time for submission of proposals.

• The respondent and University agree that time is of the essence in all respects concerning the award of contract and performance hereunder.

• Individuals from the Auburn University Office of Information Technology and Athletics Department will form the evaluation committee for this RFP. The University shall determine the award after evaluating each response on the following points.

1. Pricing – 50%

• Supplier having the lowest overall cost in dollars.

2. History and Past Performance – 40%

• Relevant experience

• Demonstration of the selected supplier’s prior successful experience with the specified activities

• References

3. Complete/Thorough Proposal – 10%

• Understanding the nature of the services

• The supplier’s compliance with all requirements of the RFP specifications

• The supplier’s proposed commitment to its relationship with the University and its customers

Attachment A – Pricing Sheet

Proposer pricing is requested for the items below. The services to be provided for each item are defined in the Scope of Work of this RFP. PLEASE INCLUDE A NARRATIVE

EXPLANATION OF THE COSTS AND HOW THEY WERE CALCULATED

ACCOMPANYING THIS SHEET.

Task Category Cost ($) Tasks 1-5 to control non-native vegetation.

Labor Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Total

Attachment B- Insurance Addendum

Within forty-eight (48) hours after bid or PO is submitted to the supplier, the apparent low bidder must submit an approved Insurance Certificate to the Owner. The Contractor shall procure at its own expense and maintain without interruption during the entire term of this contract, insurance of the kinds and limits listed hereunder. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), or industry equivalent, Certificates of Insurance, and Additional Insured Endorsements issued by the contractor’s insurance carrier shall be furnished to Auburn University before beginning work and shall include the following additional insured endorsement:

"Auburn University, its Board of Trustees (individually and collectively), Administrators, Faculty, Designer of Record, Alabama Department of Finance, Division of Construction Management (DCM), Staff, Employees, and Agents are named as additional insureds in respect to General, Umbrella, and Automobile Liability.

Coverage afford the Additional Insureds is Primary and Non-Contributory except for Employer's Liability and contain no exclusions of the additional Insureds relative to job accidents. Policies are endorsed to include a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of Auburn University. Thirty (30) days notice of cancellation applies (ten (10) days notice for non- payment of premium) in favor of Additional Insured."

The insurance coverages required under this contract are minimum insurance limits required and are not intended to limit the responsibility or liability of the Contractor. If any subcontractors are used to fulfill this contract, they or the General Contractor on their behalf, shall carry the same coverages and limits of insurance outlined herein. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance of this requirement.

a. Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance:

i. Workers’ Compensation insurance shall be written in accordance with statutory coverage required by the State of Alabama. A self-insurer must provide a certificate issued by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations stating the contractor is qualified to pay its worker’s compensation claims.

ii. Employer’s Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Bodily Injury by Accident $1,000,000 each accident

2. Bodily Injury by Disease $1,000,000 each employee

b. Commercial General Liability Insurance:

i. $1,000,000 each accident

ii. $1,000,000 each employee

iii. Commercial General Liability Insurance shall be written on an occurrence form and shall provide at minimum the following limits:

1. Each Occurrence $1,000,000

2. General Aggregate $2,000,000

3. Products-Completed Operations Aggregate $2,000,000

4. Contractual Liability $1,000,000

5. Personal & Advertising Liability $1,000,000

6. Damage to Rented Premises $100,000

iv. Policy must cover all activities to be performed by the Contractor, including explosion, collapse, excavation, and underground work.

v. Policy shall be endorsed to be Primary and Non-Contributory to any insurance held by Auburn University.

c. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance:

i. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written to include coverage for bodily injury and property damage arising from ownership, maintenance or use of any and all owned, non-owned, leased, hired automobiles.

ii. Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Combined Single Limit $1,000,000

d. Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability Insurance:

i. The Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability limits specify above maybe satisfied though a combination or primary and umbrella/excess liability policies written on a follow form.

e. Environmental Liability Insurance:

i. Environmental Liability Insurance will be provided if the contractor will be handling hazardous…