Moonstone_Invasives_SOW_2026_Final_modified_1_27_26.pdf

United States Department of Interior

FWS TRUSTOM POND NWR

C/O RHODE ISLAND NWR COMPLEX

50 BEND ROAD

CHARLESTOWN RI 02813

SCOPE OF WORK (SOW)

Invasive Species Control & Treatment

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge- Moonstone Beach

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is seeking quotes from qualified/certified contractors for the treatment of invasive plant species within the Moonstone Beach and Cards Pond areas of Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, located in South Kingstown, Rhode

Island.

The project entails the treatment of stands of common reed (Phragmites australis), primarily along the shorelines of Trustom Pond and Cards Pond. Additionally, spot treatments are required for invasive shrub species, including beach rose (Rosa rugosa) and Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) in dune and back beach habitats at

Moonstone Beach and Cards Pond. Treatment of mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata) is also required in upland fields located north of the barrier beach.

The selected contractor will be responsible for completing comprehensive treatment of all targeted species within the prescribed treatment area during the 2026 field season.

The total estimated acreage for the invasive species treatment is 36 acres (see section 1.3).

All work is contingent upon fund availability and other logistical and timing constraints to be determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Consequently, total contract amount may not encompass entire acreage described. Contractor is to submit a per acre bid price for full treatment for the 2026 field season.

1.2. Timeframe/Period of Performance: Due to the presence of federally listed species within the project area, all herbicide treatments targeting Phragmites australis and invasive shrub species must be conducted after August 25th to avoid disturbance during the breeding season. To ensure optimal efficacy of foliar herbicide applications, all treatments must occur prior to the onset of plant senescence.

There are no seasonal restrictions to protect sensitive species within the designated mile-a-minute treatment areas. Therefore, control efforts for this species may be conducted during the time period most suitable to achieve effective management outcomes

1.3. Invasive Species Treatment Areas and Access Guidelines

Phragmites Treatment Areas (Figure 1; 26 acres):

Currently, approximately 17 acres of common reed that received herbicide in 2024 and 2025 require a third year of spot treatment during the 2026 contract period. In addition, 9 acres of previously untreated common reed will require initial treatment during this same period.

All Phragmites populations are located along pond shorelines and or extend into barrier shrub and back beach habitats, including areas adjacent to Moonstone Beach Road. Due to the sensitive nature of these wetland environments, treatment will require the us of tracked, low-ground pressure equipment (2 PSI or less) to minimize disturbance while accessing shoreline areas of Trustom and Cards Ponds.

Please note that no water sources are available on-site, and contractors must plan accordingly for herbicide mixing and applications logistics.

Invasive Shrub Treatment Areas (Figure 2; 5 acres):

Approximately 5 acres have been identified for invasive shrub treatment. These shrub populations are accessible via 4X4 vehicle travel along the ocean shoreline, parallel to the dune system. Individual shrubs may be treated on foot using backpack sprayers, or alternatively, with tracked, low-ground-pressure equipment (2 PSI or less).

To protect sensitive dune habitats, no vehicles or equipment may be operated landward of the toe of the primary dune line without explicit approval and coordination with refuge staff.

Mile-a-Minute Treatment Areas (Figure 3; 5 acres): Approximately 5 acres of mil-a- minute have been identified for treatment within upland fields north of the barrier beach.

These populations are accessible via a 4X4 vehicle travel along the refuge administration road at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

Treatment may be conducted using low-volume backpack sprayers for smaller patches or high-volume spray equipment for larger infestations, depending on site conditions and infestation density.

2. TREATMENT AREAS, CONTROL GOALS AND HERBICIDES

2.1.1 Invasive Treatment Performance Goals:

Treatment Performance Goals:

The contractor is expected to achieve the following control benchmarks for invasive plant species treated under this contract:

• Common Reed:

o Initial treatments should aim for 70–90% control, measured by reduction in live stem density and percent cover.

o Spot treatments in previously treated areas should target up to 100% control, particularly in pioneer colonies and isolated patches.

• Beach Rose and Morrow’s Honeysuckle:

o Initial treatments should achieve 70–85% control.

o Success will be evaluated based on reduction in live stem density, suppression of re-sprouting, and minimal regrowth within treated areas.

• Mile-a-Minute:

o Initial treatments should aim for 70–90% control, depending on infestation density and timing.

o Success will be measured by reduction in vine density, prevention of fruiting and seed dispersal, and increased native plant cover.

2.2 Herbicide Selection Procedure: Herbicides must be registered for wetland use. No restricturd use herbicides are allowed. No herbicides can be used on refuge property without prior approval from the refuge project officer. In addition, all carriers and adjuvants must be non-toxic and registered for water applications.

2.3 Minimizing Impacts to Non-Target Species: To ensure safe and effective application of herbicides and minimize off- target impacts, the contractor shall adhere to the following weather-related restrictions:

• Wind Conditions:

Herbicide applications shall not be conducted when sustained wind speeds exceed 10 miles per hour or when gusts exceed 15 mph, unless otherwise approved by the Technical Project Officer. Drift-reducing additives and low-pressure equipment should be used where appropriate to further minimize risk.

North winds are the least preferable and should be avoided if possible.

• Rainfall Conditions:

Herbicide applications shall not occur during active precipitation events or when rain if forecast within 24 hours of treatment, unless the product label specifically allows for shorter rainfast periods. Contractors must monitor local weather forecasts and plan accordingly to avoid herbicide wash-off and reduced efficacy.

Contractors are responsible for adjusting treatment schedules to comply with these restrictions and must coordinate with refuge staff to ensure operations are conducted under suitable conditions.

3. NOTIFICATION OF TREATMENT

3.1. The contractor shall provide advanced notification to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to initiating any invasive plant treatment activities. Notification must include:

• Date and Time of planned treatment

• Location(s) of treatment, including specific habitat areas and acreage

• Target species and treatment method(s) to be used

• Herbicide product(s) and application rates

Notification must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of any treatment activity.

The contractor shall also notify the Technical Project Officer upon completion of each treatment event. All treatments activities must be coordinated with refuge stag to ensure compliance with site access protocols, environmental protection measures, and timing restrictions.

4. HANDLING, MIXING, APPLICATION RATES AND METHODS

4.1. Handling and Mixing: All herbicides will be handled and stored in accordance with instructions on the EPA registration label, and less than 3 years old. All herbicides shall be mixed in accordance with the label instructions so that the desired rate of application can be attained with the Contractor's application equipment. Mixing water is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is required to provide a secondary containment system around their herbicide mixing area when herbicides are mixed on government property. Spill kit is required to contain any accidental Unused, mixed pesticides will be disposed of in accordance with local, state and EPA guidelines. Spray equipment cleaning will also be accomplished in accordance with these guidelines and must be done off Refuge property. Prior to leaving a worksite for the day, the

Contractor shall remove all equipment and unused materials, any waste materials, oil, empty herbicide containers and litter resulting from contract activities on government property at the end of each workday.

4.2. Equipment: No materials or operating supplies are Government furnished. All property and materials required for performing the contract tasks shall be provided by the contractor. The equipment used by the Contractor shall be designed for such work and operated in a safe manner. The equipment will be capable of accurately delivering a predetermined rate per acre dosage of herbicide.

All equipment must be cleaned thoroughly prior to accessing the refuge to prevent introduction or spread of any additional invasive species.

4.3. Rates and Method of Application: Application rates and treatment methods will be included in the bid, based on applicator experience with past effectiveness, in consultation with the refuge biologist.

5. SAFETY AND CERTIFICATION

5.1. Safety Manual: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the Contractor shall comply with all safety and health requirements as outlined in OSHA Safety

Standards to ensure the safe working conditions for themselves and others.

5.2. Hazard Communication: The Contractor shall implement a hazard communication program in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200 or

1926.59. 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

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

5.3. Licensing: The Contractor or any employees or sub-contractors performing any of the work under this contract shall possess a valid Rhode Island commercial herbicide applicator's license and shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to the contract work and to the products and materials used by the

Contractor in performing that work. Certifications, licenses and/or permits shall be valid for the period of application and available for inspection.

5.4. Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when spraying or using pesticides. In application areas where there is potential for use by the public, Contractor will provide as much advanced notice as possible, and at 48 hours in advance, so that refuge staff can enforce closure during time of spraying and place appropriate warning signs which inform the public that pesticide application work is on-going.

5.5. EPA Registration Label: All work shall be performed in accordance with the instructions on the EPA registration label of the chemical herbicide used. All safety instructions featured on the label shall be strictly adhered to.

5.6. Safety Data Sheets: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) shall be submitted to the Refuge Project

Officer with the “Application Plan” as outlined in Section 6.1. The Contractor shall also make these SDSs readily available to all affected contract employees.

5.7. Spills and Contamination: The Contractor shall submit the response measures to be implemented should a spill or contamination occur. The Contractor's immediate response to a spill or contamination shall be to proceed with the required measures to limit the contamination. Immediately following this initial response, the Contractor shall notify the appropriate Refuge Project Officer at the work location and other appropriate local, state, and federal officials. Subsequent to these actions, the Contractor shall take actions to clean up the spill as recommended by the Refuge Project Officer.

Should a personnel contamination occur, the Contractor shall take immediate actions as prescribed by chemical manufacturer so as to protect the safety and health of the contaminated individual(s). Immediately following the Contractor's initial response, the incident shall be reported to the Refuge Project Officer.

6. SUBMITTAL AND REPORTING

6.1. Application Plan: The Contractor shall submit an electronic copy of an application plan to the Refuge Project Officer. This plan shall outline the types of herbicides, planned application rates, the timing and treatment frequency scanned copies of applicator licenses, and a spill and contamination action plan. Additionally, the Contractor shall certify in writing that all employees engaged in handling, mixing and spraying herbicides have read the SDS's and that personal protective equipment as specified by the SDS's will be provided to and worn by these persons. Further, one hard copy of the approved plan shall be provided that will include a signed statement by the Contractor that this plan complies with all state, local and federal regulations. This plan shall be submitted for review and approval within 5 working days of the notice of contract award and prior to the desired start of work. Government approval of this plan in no way relieves the Contractor of any liability for compliance with all Federal, State, and/or local regulations, should there be omissions/errors within said plan.

6.2. Post-Application Documentation: The Contractor shall submit a spray log to the Refuge

Project Officer detailing: date and hour(s) sprayed, crew members, chemical applied, application rate, weather conditions (average windspeed, temperature, humidity, cloud cover).

The Contractor shall identify a method to document all areas that been treated and how success will be determined (i.e. paper map, mobile GPS, Field Maps, etc)

The Contractor shall provide recommended follow up treatments to ensure restoration of native shrub and provide separate cost estimates for follow up treatment.

7. PREWORK MEETING

7.1. Within 10 days after contract award, the Contractor shall contact the Refuge Project

Officer to arrange a meeting to discuss and develop a mutual understanding of the requirements and details of work. There may also be occasions when subsequent conferences will be called to reconfirm understandings or provide clarifications on contract requirements.

8. LIABILITY OF AND DAMAGES TO THE GOVERNMENT

8.1. Government Liability: The Government assumes no liability from the Contractor's performance of the contract work. The Contractor shall hold and save the Government harmless from any and all liability arising from the performance of the contract.

8.2. Responsibility for Damages: The Contractor is responsible for all damages to persons and property resulting from performance of the contract work.

9. WARRANTY: The Contractor warrants that:

9.1. Should the desired results of 75% Phragmites control and 90% invasive shrub control not occur, the Contractor will, at no additional cost to the Government, reapply the herbicide to those areas where targeted invasives growth continues or recurs. The determination as to the acceptable performance of the Contractor and the need to reapply the herbicides will rest solely with the Refuge Project Officer, or the authorized representative. A request to retreat an area may be either verbal or in writing. A request to re-treat an area will be in the format of a contract modification.

9.2. The Contractor is responsible for damages to persons or property, including unreasonable or unnecessary damages to non-target vegetation, within and outside the treatment areas resulting from the performance of the contract work. Damage costs as determined by government personnel will be charged in the form of a fine for the cost of rehabilitation or replacement of the affected resources. Other penalties may be assessed based on local, State, or Federal laws.

10. INSPECTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE

10.1. Work will be inspected periodically for conformance with these specifications for timeliness, safety and results achieved.

11. DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK/ TREATMENT AREAS

Focus is treatment of Phragmites australis and invasive shrubs such as Rosa rugosa and invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) to promote overwash processes and native beach strand habitat. See figure below for potential treatment areas.

Figure 1. Common reed treatment area Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

Figure 2. Invasive shrub treatment area Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

Figure 3. Mile-a-Minute treatment area Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.