FCSNA - TreeLine Clearing Job Specs~1.pdf

Site Specific Job Specification Form

Franklin Creek Restoration Project

Project Name: Franklin Creek Restoration – Tree Line Clearing

Project Site Name and County: Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Lee County

DNR Site Name and County: Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Lee County

The following specifications shall be applied to the above named job.

1. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

1.1. GOAL: This project will help restore the natural community by controlling invasive trees and shrubs which have taken over the approximately 0.89 -acre tree line area adjacent to a prairie restoration. Such management action is part of a larger floodplain restoration effort to improve floodplain function and water quality of Franklin Creek

1.2. SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES REQUIRED:

1.2.1. Vendor shall provide the labor and materials necessary to control invasive woody species as directed below including, but not limited to, hackberry, boxelder, bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, honey locust, , black cherry, cedar, and mulberry. Trees to be removed range from 2 inches DBH to 30+ inches DBH.

1.2.2. All trees (except for oaks) and exotic shrubs shall be cut and treated with herbicide during the dormant season (November 1-March 31), unless otherwise directed by the Primary Job Coordinator. Care must be taken to avoid damaging oak trees when felling and removing trees.

Trees and shrubs will be cut flush with the ground. Backpack sprayers shall be used to treat stumps with 20% Garlon 4 (or equivalent) mixed in basal bark oil. All cut stems shall be treated with herbicide. Care must be taken to treat every stem of multi-stemmed trees/shrubs. Diesel fuel and kerosene may not be used as a carrier for chemical treatments.

1.2.3. Soil disturbance must be kept to a minimum and bulldozing or pushing of stems is unacceptable. The ground must be frozen or dry when using forestry equipment.

1.2.4. The Primary Job Coordinator shall suspend work during periods of heavy sap flow as needed. The Vendor shall notify the Primary Job Coordinator of heavy sap flow.

1.2.5. All cut woody material will be burned on site or removed from the site. The Primary Job Coordinator will decide where burn piles can be located.

1.2.6. Follow-up foliar treatment will be necessary if initial herbicide treatments are less than 95% effective. Foliar herbicide will be applied using a backpack sprayer as directed by the Primary Job Coordinator. If foliar treatment is necessary, vendor shall use 3.75% solution of Vastlan and 2% solution of 2,4-D in water as directed by the Primary Job Coordinator for all woody resprouts except bush honeysuckle. Bush honeysuckle shall be treated using foliar application of 5% solution of Roundup. Foliar herbicide treatment should be conducted with winds at approximately 5 mph, not to exceed 10 mph. Extreme caution needs to be exercised to avoid over-spray and drift. Herbicide should not be applied to the point of runoff. Herbicide applicator shall use spray nozzle apertures to minimize drift and with precision shut-off valves to avoid over-spray and to minimize contact with native species.

1.2.7. For all work described above, the herbicide applicator shall follow all label restrictions for mixing and applying herbicides. No work shall be permitted during rain fall or if rain is forecasted within twelve hours of herbicide application. All mixing of herbicide and filling of herbicide sprayers shall be done off the natural area and must be done over a plastic tub to collect any spills. If a spill occurs it must be reported immediately to the Primary Job Coordinator and cleaned up by the Vendor. Empty herbicide containers shall be properly disposed of as required by Federal law. Materials safety data sheets (MSDS) for all pesticides shall be kept on the work site. Vendor shall post required signage for re-entry restrictions per label.

1.2.8. General Work Details

1.2.8.1 Vendor shall provide all herbicide, carriers, adjuvants, and dye identified in the job specifications.

1.2.8.2 Extreme care shall be taken to avoid non-target contamination with herbicides or herbicide spills within high quality natural areas. The Primary Job Coordinator shall provide a map and list of species of special concern to familiarize the Vendor with the species present and to assist Vendor’s staff in preventing unintentional treatment of endangered or threatened species. Notable damage to non-target species shall result in the termination of the contract and contract obligations.

1.2.8.3 Vendor shall not apply herbicides to target plants if stems or leaves maintain any surface moisture (e.g., dew) or if rain is predicted within time constraints of labeled rain fast duration.

1.2.8.4 The Primary Job Coordinator reserves the right to restrict access of Vendor to the job site with 24 hours’ notice. Vendor shall abide by all park rules and all site and job-based restrictions imposed by the Primary Job Coordinator.

1.2.8.5 Vendor shall limit vehicular access to paved roads or limestone trails or to routes approved by the Primary Job Coordinator. The Primary Job Coordinator may suspend all vehicle access or work if excessive damage to the area is noted.

1.2.8.6 Vendor shall meet with the Primary Job Coordinator on-site prior to initiating work to identify access routes and locations for staging equipment and materials and for mixing of chemicals and filling of herbicide sprayers, site conditions for work and chemical selection.

1.2.8.7 All equipment and work clothing including boots shall be clean and free of any weed seeds prior to entering or leaving the work area to prevent the spread of invasive species within and among job sites and other areas where the Vendor may have worked.

1.2.8.8 Keyed access may be required to reach project areas. Keys shall be provided to the Vendor for the duration of the project. They shall be returned to the Primary Job Coordinator or Site Superintendent prior to any payment being made.

1.2.8.9 All questions or communications related to this Project from the public or news media shall be forwarded immediately to the Primary Job Coordinator.

1.2.8.10 Equipment allowed within the work zone shall be limited to hand tools, herbicide sprayers, and forestry equipment approved by the Primary Job Coordinator, and any other equipment approved by the Primary Job Coordinator. All access to the site and staging areas of support equipment shall be restricted to designated areas.

1.2.8.11 Any project details not included in these specifications must be agreed upon by the Primary Job Coordinator and the Vendor prior to commencing work.

1.2.8.12 INSURANCE: Vendor shall, at all times during the term of this contract and any renewals or extensions, maintain and provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the State as an additionally insured for all required bonds and insurance. Certificates may not be modified or canceled until at least thirty (30) days’ notice has been provided to the State. Vendor shall provide: (a) General Commercial Liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence (Combined Single Limit Bodily Injury and Property Damage) and $2,000,000 Annual Aggregate; (b) Auto Liability, including Hired Auto and Non-owned Auto (Combined Single Limit Bodily Injury and Property Damage), in amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence; and (c) Worker’s Compensation Insurance in the amount required by law. Insurance shall not limit Vendor’s obligation to indemnify, defend, or settle any claims.

1.2.8.13 Modifications to Scope of Work: Change orders must be determined by the Primary Job Coordinator to be germane to the original contract and that the price is fair and reasonable. When changes in or modifications to the work become necessary, the Contractor shall submit an itemized cost for the work and shall include appropriate documentation to support the cost for the labor, material and equipment. A fully executed contract change order, signed by both parties, must be in place for any contract changes to be effective.

1.3. MILESTONES AND DELIVERABLES:

1.3.1. Vendor shall notify the Primary Job Coordinator 24 hours before beginning work on a job.

1.3.2. Vendor shall notify the Primary Job Coordinator weekly via email with updates on work planned the upcoming week and work completed the previous week.

1.3.3. To meet IDNR’s NPDES permitting, the Vendor shall complete an herbicide application log for each day crews are working on site to document work completed, amount and type of herbicide used, time, and conditions. The completed log shall be provided to the Primary Job Coordinator by the Vendor weekly when work is in progress and at the completion of the contract via email to the following address: russell.blogg@illinois.gov

1.3.4. Invoices may be submitted no more frequently than monthly. Vendor shall provide an itemized billing detailing the dates and location of service, number of hours worked, and the quantities of chemical used.

1.3.5. Vendor shall achieve 95% control of all treated invasive/exotic plants. Follow-up is expected at each site to spray any resprouts or missed plants.

1.3.6. Vendor shall schedule an on-site meeting with the Primary Job Coordinator at least 3 days in advance of the last planned day of work to evaluate the project and ensure compliance with the contract.

1.3.7. All work must be completed by December 31, 2023

1.4. VENDOR / STAFF SPECIFICATIONS:

1.4.1. Vendor shall provide the required equipment and manpower to successfully complete the project in the time frame specified under conditions that minimize harmful impacts to the site.

1.4.2. Vendor shall have a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture Commercial Herbicide Applicators License. All workers under Vendor’s supervision shall have Commercial Herbicide Applicators or Commercial Herbicide Operators licenses registered to the Vendor’s Commercial Herbicide Applicators License.

1.4.3. Vendor shall demonstrate familiarity with local native and exotic plants to be able to identify species to be removed and native species to be left undisturbed. Vendor shall be able to identify such species in the dormant season and growing season and must have experience with selective species removal techniques. Vendor and all those applying herbicide under their supervision must be knowledgeable of native flora in Illinois and be able to recognize and avoid spray application to non-target species including rare plants (especially state threatened or endangered species).

1.4.4. All herbicide applicators shall wear appropriate protective clothing, including eye protection, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts and gloves. It shall be the responsibility of the Vendor to be aware of and adhere to these and all other state and OSHA regulations.

1.4.5. Vendor shall notify the Primary Job Coordinator 24 hours before beginning work on a job.

1.4.6. Vendor shall have a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in the use of herbicides and woody species management within natural areas in Illinois. For purposes of these job specifications, “natural area” is defined as a land or water area preserved for its inherent natural conditions representative of biotic communities and other natural features of Illinois. Vendor should provide documentation of experience at time of bid.

1.5. TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY: Not applicable.

1.6. SUBCONTRACTING:

1.6.1. Subcontracting is not allowed.

1.6.2. If unanticipated subcontracting is needed during completion of the contract, Vendor must submit to the Primary Job Coordinator the names and addresses of all subcontractors, a description of work to be performed and anticipated amount of money, and documentation of experience required in section 1.4. Vendor must receive written approval for this subcontracting from the Primary Job Coordinator.

2. PRICING

2.1 TYPE OF PRICING: The Illinois Office of the Comptroller requires the State to indicate whether the contract value is firm or estimated at the time it is submitted for obligation. The total value of this contract is firm.

2.2 EXPENSES:

2.2.1 The Vendor shall be responsible for any expenses which may incur as a result of conducting the activities described in the Job Specifications, including repair, maintenance, or extraction of equipment.

2.2.2 The Vendor shall be responsible for any expenses which may incur as a result of inadequate treatment where follow-up is required to meet stated treatment standards.

2.2.3 Payment for this contract shall only include the Vendor’s time working at the job site and shall not include time spent traveling to or from the job site.

2.2.4 Vendor shall provide an hourly rate bid for the contractual work described in these job specifications. Pricing shall be in the following format (Vendor provides the Unit Cost):

DESCRIPTION UNIT QUANTITY UNIT COST TOTAL UNIT

COST

All work described in the job specifications for this contract.

2.3 N/A

2.4 VENDOR’S PRICING:

2.4.1 Pricing shall be in the following format: one bid for the entire 0.89 acre unit

3. TERM OF CONTRACT:

3.1 TERM OF THIS CONTRACT: This contract shall commence upon the last dated signature of the Parties and shall terminate December 31, 2023 .

3.1.1 In no event will the total term of the contract, including the initial term, any renewal terms and any extensions, exceed 10 years.

3.1.2 Vendor shall not commence billable work in furtherance of the contract prior to final execution of the contract except when permitted pursuant to 30 ILCS 500/20-80.

JOB ADMINISTRATION

Primary Job Coordinator:

Name: Russell Blogg Position: Natural Heritage Biologist Address: P.O. Box 509 Utica, IL 61373 Phone number: 815-313-9306 email: russell.blogg@illinois.gov

Landowner/Site Manager:

Name: Matt Hoogerwerf Address: 1872 Twist Rd. Franklin Grove, IL 61031 Phone number: 815-946-3717 email: matt.hoogerwerf@illinois.gov

Fund manager:

Name: Carson McNamara Address: One Natural Resources Way Phone number: 217-524-0125 email: carson.mcnamara@illinois.gov

ATTACHMENTS: Maps, Vendor documentation of experience forms

VENDOR DOCUMENTATION OF EXPERIENCE

Must meet requirements given in the job specifications for this project in Section 1.4. Reference projects must be from at least a 2 year time period.

Vendor Name: ___________________________________________

PROJECT 1 PROJECT 2 PROJECT 3 PROJECT 4

Project Name and Location

Reference Name and Phone Number or Email Address

Native Plant Community Type (e.g. prairie, wetland, forest, etc.)

Land Use Type (e.g. Nature Preserve, State Park, CRP, municipal park, NWR, etc.)

Approximate Acreage

Type of Work Completed

Date Completed