lateauWeedTreatmentSOW_2015_2016_Williams.docx

Roan Plateau Weed Treatment Statement of Work Old Mountain Unit – 2015-2016

PROJECT:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in partnership with Williams Production Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are making a joint effort in the treatment of weeds on the Roan Plateau in particular houndstongue and Canada thistle.

LOCATION AND ACCESS:

The project is generally located in T.6S., R.95W., encompassing several sections, approximately 13 miles west of Rifle, Colorado (see Map). Access to the project area is off of highway 13. At the Rio Blanco Store turn west onto the Piceance Creek Road (County Road 5). Travel approximately 5 miles and turn left (south) onto Cow Creek Road (a dirt road). Travel approximately 35 miles to treatment area.

SITE CHARACTERIZATION:

The project site is somewhat scattered along existing BLM roads. Elevation varies from 7600-9000 feet. The project sites are mostly ridgetops with little to no slope and drainage bottoms. See photos below for typical site characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The contractor will spray weeds on routes accessible only by ATV and foot. The area to be treated is approximately 42 acres in which weeds (primarily houndstongue and Canada thistle) are somewhat sporadic. Approximately 75% of the treatment area is assessable by ATV and the rest would be accessible by foot with a backpack type sprayer. Treatments will be completed in 2015 & 2016. All 42 areas will be treated in early July annually for 2 consecutive years.

Additional Specifications:

· The contractor will apply chemicals as per label instructions.

· The contractor may pump water from creeks/springs to use in chemical mixes. Mixing must be done at least 20 feet from water’s edge.

· A Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) shall be submitted to the BLM office in Silt, 1 month prior to work beginning.

· A Pesticide Application Record (PAR) shall be submitted to the BLM office in Silt, within 2 weeks after completion of annual treatments.

· The Project Inspector (PI) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) must be informed of any objects or sites of cultural, paleontological, or scientific value such as historic or prehistoric resources, graves or grave markers, human remains, ruins, cabins, rock art, fossils, or artifacts. The objects shall not be damaged, destroyed, removed, moved, or disturbed. Any person who knowingly violates this may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment (Public Law 16-95; 16 U.S.C. 470).

BLM WILL FURNISH OR DO THE FOLLOWING:

Delineate the boundary of the area to be treated.

Provide maps and descriptions of the area, and a pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job ahead of work.

3. Conduct on-site inspections by the PI/COR.

4. Assistance with Pesticide Use Proposal and Pesticide Application Record paperwork.

5. Provide a pre-bid site inspection tour on June 10, 2015 at 9am, meet at the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652.

CONTRACTOR WILL FURNISH:

1. Equipment capable of treating the described area.

2. Transportation for equipment and operators to and from the site.

3. All chemicals used in spray mixes.

4. On-site sanitary facilities for employees if the work force is over 3 people. Port-a-potties shall be serviced regularly.

5. A “Contractors Authorized Representative” on site at all times when working.

6. A post treatment report including a map of areas treated with areas of heavy infestation marked/identified using GPS points, polygons, or tracks.

7. Submittal of Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) one month prior to treatment and Pesticide Application Record (PAR) two weeks after work is completed.

CONTRACT PERIOD

The preferred timeframe to complete the project is from July 1 and July 10, 2015 and July 1 and July 10, 2016. The contract period is a narrow window between the time of vegetative growth and seed production and ripening. The period may need to be modified depending on seasonal conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

· Wheeled motorized equipment shall not be operated when conditions are muddy or the soil moisture is high enough for the vehicles to leave ruts over 3.0 inches in height. When/If such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and immediately notify the COTR/PI.

· Use of hazardous materials and/or petroleum products requires that all appropriate State and Federal Regulations be complied with including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on hand and use of necessary Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).

· Maintain a spill-containment and cleanup kit appropriate for the equipment used in the vegetation treatment.

· The Contractor will report all hazardous substance spills immediately to the BLM representative.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER, EQUIPMENT AND STIPULATIONS:

It is prohibited to operate or use any internal combustion engine, on any timber, brush, or grass covered land, including trails traversing such land, without a spark arrester maintained in effective working order and meeting guidelines set forth in National Wildfire Coordinating Group Publication NFES 1363 and 2363.

During periods when fire danger is rated high, very high, or extreme as identified by the interagency Grand Junction Fire Dispatch Center, the Contracting Officer or BLM Field Manager may issue a restriction or closure order to the Contractor. The contractor and employees must follow the order. At a minimum the contractor must have available a shovel, a class A-B-C fire extinguisher with a minimum of one pound of retardant, or a container with a minimum of 5 gallons of water and one axe/pulaski.

In the event a fire should start during the vegetation treatment, the contractor and/or his employees will immediately take initial action necessary to suppress the fire if it can be done safely. This will in no way relieve the contractor from any responsibility regarding suppression and/or trespass cost, in the event fire investigation reveals the fire was started by the Contractor and/or his employees, either through negligence or from operations.

INSPECTIONS/ACCEPTANCE

Inspection/Acceptance of all services performed in accordance with this contract for purpose of initiating contractor payment shall be by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

REMEASUREMENT

Re-measurement of the acreage under a task order will be made upon written request to the Contractor. The written request must be made within 10 calendar days after completion of the work. If measurement indicates a difference of not more than 5 percent from the original measurement, the contractor shall pay the actual cost of the Re-measurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5 percent. Where the difference is less than 5 percent the results of the first measurement will be used.

STATUS REPORT

Provided an onsite visit has not occurred during the period, the contractor is required to report status of work when any special situations or problems are encountered or once a week (whichever is less). These reports may be made by telephone to the PI/COR. In the event of extreme weather or early snow, the Contracting Officer will determine the best course of action based on comments from both the Contractor and PI/COR.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection will be based on price and past performance.

BLM CONTACT

Or

MAPS & PHOTO

East Forked Gulch 2008

Upper End of Forked Gulch 2006 image3.emf image4.jpeg image5.jpeg image1.emf image2.emf