invasive plant pest management and mitigation services SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

INVASIVE PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT & MITIGATION SERVICES

INVITATION TO QUALIFY (ITQ) CONTRACT

Revised 2/15/2025

OVERVIEW: The purpose of this Invasive Plant Pest Management & Mitigation Services Invitation to

Qualify (ITQ) is to qualify responsible and responsive contractors to perform services necessary to control and/or mitigate the effects of invasive plants or invasive pests of plants. Typical work may include the removal of pest host material or treatment of host plants with approved pesticide. This work will primarily be requested and directed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) however all Commonwealth agencies are permitted to use this contract.

Maximum prices for the range of services covered by this ITQ are pre-established in the Rate Card included in this Statement of Work. PDA will issue Purchase Orders for services to qualified contractors based on the availability of the contractor to perform services and the availability of budgeted funds.

The Commonwealth has attempted to list specific services in this Statement of Work. Any services that are not listed but fall within the normal services of the category can be provided under this contract.

ISSUING OFFICE: This ITQ is managed and administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of General Services (DGS), and Bureau of Procurement. All inquiries should be referred to:

Kent Stimely, Commodity Specialist

Department of General Services, Bureau of Procurement

1800 Herr St., 2nd Floor

Harrisburg, PA, 17103

Telephone: (717) 265-8933

Email: kestimely@pa.gov

TERM OF CONTRACT: Any contract issued to qualified Contractors as a result of this ITQ shall commence on the Contract Effective Date and shall end on December 31, 2031. The contract may be renewed for one additional five-year term.

QUALIFICATIONS: Contractors interested in becoming qualified for this ITQ contract must meet all of the following requirements. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in the rejection of the Contractor’s registration.

A. The Contractor must have a minimum of two (2) years of general experience in the field represented by the commodity code selected; and

B. The Contractor must have a minimum of one permanent employee on staff who possesses a current

Pennsylvania Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License and is certified in the categories specified in the description of the applicable Service Category below. The Contractor is required to complete and submit a List of all Commercial/Public Certified Applicators Employed Form available on the PDA website to demonstrate compliance with this this requirement.

SERVICE CATEGORIES: The service categories included in this ITQ Contract are based on the type of invasive species. The Commonwealth may add additional commodity codes during the term of this ITQ if required due to propagation of additional invasive species. Contractors will select the appropriate commodity code under the Business Details section of the qualification process. The table below lists the appropriate commodity code and description of each service category.

mailto:kestimely@pa.gov http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/PlantIndustry/PesticideCART/Pages/default.aspx

COMMODITY CODE DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE CATEGORY

70110000-ITQ-224 –

Spotted Lanternfly

Management/Mitigation

• Contractor will kill Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) trees with herbicide and provide application of insecticides to aid in the eradication of Spotted Lanternfly

(Lycorma delicatula).

• Work to be completed at designated private properties at the direction of PDA. PDA will delineate the trees or the acreage to be treated and will assist the Contractor in coordinating services with the property owner.

• For Pennsylvania Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator license, Contractor must have a minimum on one permanent employee on staff certified in category 6, ornamental and shade trees, and category 10, right-of-way and weeds.

At the time of execution of this ITQ, PDA may direct work to be completed at any location statewide, if necessary, to control the pest.

ASSIGNMENT OF SERVICES: When services are required, PDA will contact the qualified Contractor(s) and assign projects based on Contractor availability and capacity. At that time, PDA will provide the Contractor with specific information regarding the properties to be treated, the types and estimated amount of treatment required (i.e. acreage, number of trees and/or their diameters if known), the proposed start date, and required completion date so that the Contractor can accurately gauge its ability to complete the work. PDA will issue a

Purchase Order to the Contractor upon their agreement to perform the assigned services.

Purchase orders may be issued for services to be provided for a specified period of time or for a specified number of properties. PDA may add services for additional properties to an existing Purchase Order if sufficient funds and/or time remain on the Purchase Order.

CONTRACTOR DUTIES: Contractors will be required to meet the following standards and perform the following tasks:

A. Overview of Services:

1. The Contractor will be required to furnish all equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to remove trees and/or brush, render the woody debris pest free, apply herbicides, and apply insecticides as dictated by the treatment order for the property.

2. Insecticide treatments will typically include application of a systemic insecticide via basal bark sprays as well as the broadcast application of a contact insecticide to infested areas as designated by PDA.

3. The woody debris management following herbicide treatments for each project will be specified by PDA and may be accomplished using any of the following methods:

a. Left standing using “hack and squirt” method or foliar application of herbicide. b.

Dropped and left in place.

c. Chipped and left on site using an industry standard chipper at a size of 1 inch in two dimensions.

d. Burned on site in compliance with local ordinance via use of a portable air curtain burner.

4. Services should commence on each parcel as soon as practical after a Purchase Order has been issued and the start date for the assigned services has been established. The actual start date for assigned services will be determined through mutual agreement between the property owner, PDA, and the Contractor assigned to perform services on the property.

5. The Contractor shall complete all services for assigned properties prior to the conclusion of the time-period specified by PDA in a Purchase Order, excluding allowances given for adverse weather conditions. PDA tree markings may not represent a complete inventory on a parcel. If treatments will exceed the PDA estimate, the contractor shall contact PDA before proceeding.

6. The Contractor is responsible for returning property to its original condition upon the completion of the assigned services. The Contractor is responsible for any damage caused to property due to the fault of Contractor personnel.

7. The Contractor shall notify registered beekeepers at least 24 hours in advance of contact insecticide applications within 1000 ft of active hives. The registered beekeeper list is available to certified applicators in their PaPlants account.

B. Contractor Personnel:

1. Project Supervisor – The Contractor shall designate one of its personnel as the on-site Project

Supervisor to represent the Contractor in all matters related to the assigned services. The Project

Supervisor shall be familiar with all aspects of the project, including the equipment being used in the work and the specifics of the property on which the services are being performed.

2. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of one person per job site who possesses a current

Pennsylvania Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License and is certified in the applicable license categories required to complete the assigned services.

3. Contractor personnel shall comply with applicable PA Motor Vehicle Laws and federal regulations when operating equipment in the performance of assigned services.

4. Contractor personnel are required to observe all applicable safety regulations and best-practices on the job site at all times.

C. Equipment and Materials:

1. The Contractor is required to provide all equipment and materials needed to complete the assigned services, including all required pesticides. All equipment and materials provided by the

Contractor shall be maintained in good condition.

2. The Contractor shall provide equipment and materials suitable for the safe completion of services on all types of terrain to be encountered on the property. Typical equipment may include backpack sprayers, truck or ATV-mounted power sprayers, hatchets, chain saws, chippers and other relevant treatment and brush removal equipment.

3. The Contractor must make a copy of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available on site required for pesticides or any other materials provided by the Contractor as required for the duration of the project.

D. Pesticides:

1. The Contractor shall provide all pesticides to be used in the completion of the assigned services.

Unless specified otherwise by PDA when assigning a project, all herbicide treatments will be made using hack and squirt, foliar, cut stump, or basal bark application of Triclopyr herbicide and all insecticide treatments will be made as bark/trunk applications of Dinotefuran Tree Care

70WSP (or equivalent). Insecticide will not be applied to trees that are displaying 40% or greater die back. Basal bark treatments would require the application of a ring of white paint to enable

PDA to conduct effective QA/QC. Broadcast insecticide applications will be made with

Bifenthrin at mid-label rate unless specified otherwise by PDA.

2. All trees treated with basal bark application of insecticide or herbicide shall be marked by the contractor with a ring of white paint..

3. The Contractor shall arrange for delivery of pesticides to a suitable site where they will be secured and protected from damage. The Contractor is responsible for transporting pesticides from the storage site to the treatment site.

4. The Contractor is responsible for determining any operational constraints associated with the pesticide materials provided. The constraints may include special requirements for handling, mixing, storage, transportation, and treatment that could impact the effectiveness of treatment.

The Contractor is responsible for providing replacement products, if necessary, to ensure the effectiveness of the application.

5. The Contractor shall complete all pesticide applications in accordance with pesticide label guidelines for the specified application method.

6. Applicators shall follow all label requirements with respect to treatments made near bodies of water.

7. The Contractor shall ensure that all pesticide containers are disposed of properly in the manner specified on the labeling of the product.

E. Recall Treatment: Any recall treatments required due to missed or faulty application of pesticides by the Contractor shall be completed at the Contractor’s expense. The Contractor field coordinator will notify the Contractor in writing of any areas to be retreated within one month of notification of the recall treatment.. This notice will include the specific locations and time periods for the retreatment. The

Contractor shall complete any required retreatment in accordance with the agreed upon treatment plan for the original application.

F. Quality Assurance:

1. The Contractor will be penalized $100 per incident for any pesticide applications made to non-target trees or for applications outside the specified treatment area. The Commonwealth will not compensate the contractor for any applications made outside the specified treatment area.

2. The Issuing Office reserves the right to remove a Qualified Contractor from this ITQ Contract for any of the following reasons:

a. Repeated failure to properly complete the application of pesticides,

b. Repeated failure to adhere to the project specifications provided by PDA.

c. Repeated failure to complete assigned services during the time period specified by

PDA in a Purchase Order.

G. Insurance Requirements:

1. In addition to the requirements for Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Public Liability and

Property Damage Insurance outlined in Section 27, Insurance of the Terms and Conditions, the

Contractor shall procure and maintain at its expense and/or require its subcontractors to procure and maintain, as appropriate, the following types of insurance, issued by companies acceptable to the Commonwealth and authorized to conduct such business under the laws of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

a. Automotive Liability Insurance, including bodily injury and property damage insurance to protect the Commonwealth and the Contractor from claims arising out of its operations under this contract. The amount of bodily injury insurance shall not be less than $300,000 for injury to or death of persons in a single occurrence. The amount of property damage insurance shall not be less than $300,000 per occurrence of property damage.

b. Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance, covering environmental impairment caused by negligence in an amount of $500,000 per occurrence. This specific type of insurance may be substituted by any riders to any of the aforementioned insurance, provided it serves the same benefit and purpose. These provisions must cover the

Commonwealth for any liability as well.

c. Subcontractors/Leased Equipment, If any work under the Contract is subcontracted or otherwise performed by anyone other than the Contractor or performed with equipment subcontracted or leased by the contractor, the Contractor must provide liability insurance as specified under its own policy(s) in order to provide coverage for any persons and/or equipment so subcontracted or leased or the Contractor must provide evidence that the specified liability insurance for any persons and/or equipment so subcontracted or leased is provided for under a policy(s) maintained by the Subcontractor or lessor.

d. Some property owners may require additional insurance beyond the requirements specified above.

2. Each required policy shall name the Commonwealth as an additional insured.

3. Prior to commencing services under any PO, the Contractor shall provide the PDA with a copy of each current certificate of insurance. These certificates shall contain a provision that coverages afforded under the policies will not be canceled or changed until at least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the Commonwealth.

PDA DUTIES: PDA will perform/provide the following to facilitate services:

A. PDA Personnel: PDA will provide the following personnel to supervise and direct the Contractor’s services:

1. Program Supervisor – The PDA will designate a point of contact to fulfill the role of Program

Supervisor. The Program Supervisor is responsible for the overall operation of the Spotted

Lanternfly eradication program and represents PDA in minor contractual matters.

2. Field Contractor Coordinator – This individual will serve as PDA’s field liaison for the

Contractor. This individual is responsible for reviewing the Contractor’s project plan for approval and conducting quality control checks on the application during the operations. This individual is also responsible for coordinating the activities of all people working on the program and communicating with the Contractor’s Project Supervisor concerning any operational problems or changes in plans.

B. Tree Surveys and Marking: PDA will survey and mark the trees selected for control activities on each property. Trees will be marked for removal and herbicide application or for treatment with insecticide.

Trees for removal and herbicide application will be marked with a blue ring. Trees for insecticide treatment will be marked with a red ring.

C. Pre-Work Meeting: The Field contractor coordinator will meet with the Contractor and private property owner to review the details of the treatment order and the work to be performed by the

Contractor on the property.

D. Maps: PDA will supply maps on which the trees to be removed and/or treated have been delineated.

Areas to be treated by broadcast spray of a contact insecticide will be delineated in a polygon on the map with an estimate of the acreage to be treated. PDA will also supply copies of maps on which treatment areas have been drawn and wetland buffer zones have been delineated.

RATE CARD: Pricing for services may be provided to PDA as projects are offered to the

Contractor. However, at no time shall pricing exceed the rates depicted in the Rate Card below. The

Commonwealth reserves the right to list additional services in the Rate Card or revise the specified rates at any time during the term of the contract. Treatments requiring trees to be taken down require additional confirmation from PDA and the property owner.

Service Type Unit of Measure Rate

Tree Removal: Chipped and left on site (chipped at size of one inch in two dimensions), Cut stump herbicide application

DBH 6.5" – 12.4" EA $340.00

DBH 12.5" – 24.4" EA $725.00

DBH 24.5" - Above EA $1100.00

Tree Removal: Dropped and left in place, Cut Stump Herbicide Application

DBH 3" – 6.4" EA $65.00

DBH 6.5" – 12.4" EA $230.00

DBH 12.5" – 24.4" EA $425.00

DBH 24.5" - Above EA $470.00

Tree Left Standing: Hack and Squirt Herbicide Application

DBH 3" – 6.4" EA $25.00

DBH 6.5" – 12.4" EA $55.00

DBH 12.5" – 24.4" EA $72.00

DBH 24.5" - Above EA $85.00

Tree Left Standing: Foliar Application of Herbicide

Spraying of Saplings and Sprouts 1000 sq. ft. $210.00

Basal Bark Spraying of Systemic Insecticide

DBH 3” - 6.4” EA $55.00

DBH 6.5” – 12.4” EA $85.00

DBH 12.5” – 24.4” EA $130.00

DBH 24.5” – Above EA $145.00

Broadcast Spray of Contact Insecticide (non-railroad)

Per acre up to 5 acres EA $875.00

Per acre 6-10 acres EA 780.00

Per acre 11-30 acres EA 690.00

Per acre 31-50 acres EA 600.00

Per acre 50+ acres EA 510.00

DBH: Diameter at Breast Height method of tree size measurement.