NNISTreatmentContract2021_RIDDLE_033021.docx

GWJNFs – North River Ranger District North Shenandoah Mountain (NSM) – Invasive Species Treatments 2021

B – Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs Schedule of Items Schedule of Service Work Items – 2021-2022

North River RD, Rockingham Co, VA (Foliar herbicide application)

5/02/2022 to 6/20/2022

Rockingham Co, VA; Pendleton Co, WV (Pre-emergent herbicide application)

North River RD, Rockingham Co, VA (mastication or excavation/chipping)

Contractor Acceptance Statement: By signing the offer, the Contractor agrees to all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agrees to furnish any awarded items at the price set in the schedule unless otherwise excepted as follows:

Award could be made on an individual line item basis if advantageous to the Government, see FAR Provision 52.214-22, Evaluation of Bids for Multiple Awards. Contractors may quote on single line items or all line items.

Additional Contractor Notes:

1. Contractor must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) at the following website: www.sam.gov to be awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation. Registration is this system is free. Assistance is available to help contractors register in SAM. Contact the Contracting Officer for additional information.

2. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which, if timely received, shall be considered by the agency.

3. Contractor must have previous knowledge/experience in these services and must have equipment needed in the performance of this contract.

4. Contractor will be required to submit invoices through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). The website to register and submit invoices is: www.ipp.gov

Additional Specifications for All Pesticide Treatments:

Application.

1. Certification – The contractor shall have a representative who holds a current pesticide use applicator license in the State of Virginia (Slate Lick/Shoemaker Area) to supervise the project and at least applicator must be certified.

2. Records- The Contractor shall maintain an accurate record of the herbicide used on each unit. After completing the contract the Contractor’s Project Supervisor will submit the records with the information to the COR

3. Before beginning treatment in an area, the COR or designated inspector and the Contractor’s representative will walk through the area to review special conditions or area to avoid during spraying.

4. Application of spray material shall be confined to the designated spray area Safety.

1. The Contractor or his Project Supervisor shall report all accidents or incidents associated with this contract to the Contracting Officer within 24 hours. This report shall contain description, cause, and future actions contemplated to avoid future occurrences.

2. Accidents, as used throughout this contract shall mean destruction or substantial damage to any motorized vehicle, and minor, serious, or fatal injury to personnel.

3. Incidents, as used throughout this contract shall mean any mishap, malfunction, or situation involving equipment or personnel, which results in a deviation from standard procedures or has the potential of resulting in an accident, injury, or death.

4. The Contractor shall comply with all Federal and State regulations for spraying herbicide.

5. The following safety rules will apply for both hand and mechanical applications:

· Read the safety information on the label.

· Wear the proper protective clothing.

· Keep first aid equipment and a supply of clean water readily available, including soap and eye wash equipment meeting OSHA regulations.

· Do not work alone.

· Haul only the needed amount of herbicide

· Stand upwind from the spray projects to avoid contaminating yourself.

· Keep the container below eye level when pouring to avoid splashing or spilling any herbicide on the face or into the eyes.

· If herbicides are spilled, stop immediately, wash contaminated area, and remove contaminated clothing.

· Wash hands after applying herbicides before eating or smoking.

Care and Handling of Herbicide. The Contractor shall be responsible for the security of all herbicide, equipment, and materials furnished for this project. The Contractor shall protect the herbicide and take precautions to prevent loss or theft while it is in his custody. These measures shall include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The herbicide shall not be allowed to freeze.

2. Containers shall not be damaged to the extent that herbicide leaks are likely to occur.

3. The Contractor shall take precautions to prevent spills during transportation, mixing, and handling.

4. Personnel handling herbicides shall wear protective clothing and or equipment as recommended by the herbicide manufacturer. The contractor will provide soap and water for personnel to wash with on the job site.

5. Herbicides shall not be applied or equipment cleaned outside of areas designated by COR.

6. Sites selected for mixing, loading, and cleaning of equipment shall be located to prevent contaminating streams, ponds, or spring seeps. The Forest Service will approve all such locations.

Transportation of Herbicides. – Contractor is legally responsible for the safe transportation of herbicides. Contractor shall follow travel routes designated by the COR when transporting herbicides from the public road system to the treatment sites. Transport vehicles shall be parked inside the treatment site in an area designated by the COR. Transportation of chemicals used on this contract shall be in accordance with label instructions and generally approved and accepted procedures for safe transportation of herbicides. The following precautions as a minimum shall be taken by the Contractor to prevent spills, accidents, injury, or theft.

1. Transport herbicides in the cargo compartment of a truck or other vehicle away from the passenger compartment.

2. No personnel shall be permitted to ride in the back of a vehicle with the herbicide.

3. Herbicide shall not be transported in the same compartment with food or clothing.

4. If any herbicide is spilled in or from the vehicle, it shall be cleaned up at once.

5. Maintain herbicides in secure conditions.

Herbicide Spills. Contractor shall be responsible for all costs for damages, clean up and decontamination should an herbicide spill occur. If a spill occurs, every effort shall be made to keep it from contaminating water and other off-site areas. The spill shall be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Herbicide spills shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures for spill clean up (40 CFR 117).

1. The Contractor must have a spill prevention and clean-up plan approved by the COR prior to starting work. Herbicide wasted through spills greater than 5 gallons of diluted product, or 1 quart of undiluted product must be reported to the COR and the appropriate state and federal agencies immediately. This report shall contain description, cause, and future actions contemplated to avoid future occurrences.

Storage and Security – The Contractor shall be responsible for the storage and security of all government supplied materials furnished for this project when transporting and using the materials.

Disposal of Herbicide Containers. All empty containers will be rinsed 3 times, and rinse solution will be applied to the treatment site. Empty containers will be punctured and disposed of properly (according to label directions) by the Contractor. No empty containers will be left at the worksite.

Resource Protection. Upon completion of work at each area and prior to moving to the next area, all trash, rubbish, and debris generated by the Contractor’s operations shall be removed from National Forest land and properly disposed of.

Protection of Improvements. The Contractor shall take every precaution necessary to prevent damage to any improvement in or near the contract areas, i.e., roads, trails, ditches, fences, etc. The Contractor shall be liable for any damages caused by his operations and shall make repairs promptly.

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK

All estimated quantities of work shown in the Schedule of Items are for the base and option years. These estimates are not a representation that these estimated quantities will be required or ordered, or that conditions affecting requirements will be stable or normal. These estimates were obtained from records of previous requirements and consumption, current work plans, or projected need, and are based on the most current information available.

Contractor must be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. Contractor will follow all State and Federal regulations, including OSHA guidelines.

Task orders will be issued as Government needs arise. Each order will contain specific quantities and tasks to be performed; performance period and specific date of Notice to Proceed will be negotiated. Specific area data and maps will be issued with each order.

DEFINITIONS

BOUNDARIES: Boundaries may not be marked. Georeferenced maps and shapefiles for units will be provided to be uploaded onto a mobile phone/GPS. Others may have fences, roads, timber age changes, or natural structures which were used as boundaries.

SALVAGE RIGHTS: No salvage rights exist under this contract unless agreed to in writing with District COR and only in designated units.

RE-MEASUREMENT: The Contractor may at any time after issuance of a task order request re-measurement of an area. The request must be in writing. Payment will be based on the re-measurement of the acreage, except no adjustment shall be made for areas less than one (1) acre. The Contractor will pay for the cost of re-measurement if the re-measurement results in an increase of less than 15 percent. Method of re-measurement to be used will be determined by the Government.

PAYMENT: Payment for performed work will be based on actual work completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The Contractor will provide a Contractor Representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person, who will act for the Contractor when the Contractor is absent, will be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor Representative will have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contractor Representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and communicate with the Contractor’s employees.

PROTECTION OF IMPROVEMENTS: Any improvements damaged by the Contractor’s work will be repaired to the condition that existed prior to the start of work at the Contractor’s expense.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the following item(s) of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the "Government Property" FAR clause contained elsewhere in the contract.

All Items: Project area maps for contract area; vicinity maps that show the general location of the contract area; shapefiles for unit boundaries (if required).

RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS – APPLICABLE TO MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES

Improvements such as fences, gates, property boundaries, corner monuments and trees that are marked or identified with paint, signs, tags, and/or blazes will be protected by the Contractor. The Contractor will notify the COR immediately of any damaged structures and repair damages that have resulted from the Contractor’s operations.

Timing of operations will be constrained as needed to avoid conflicts with recreation, Threatened, Endangered, and R8 Sensitive species, wet soil conditions or other time-sensitive factors.

The contractor shall take sufficient precautions to prevent pollution of wetlands and streams by fuels, oils, herbicide, and other harmful materials. All streams will be kept free of all contractor generated debris. Before final acceptance, all trash, rubbish, and debris generated by the contractor's operation will be removed from National Forest land.

SECTION C—DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Bid Item 1: Units #2-3 - NNIS Understory Treatments, Foliar Application – Scope, Technical Requirements, and Location Scope This contract will hire a qualified contractor to apply herbicide through directed foliar application to non-native invasive species throughout the understory of forested stands, and recently cut stands. Treatments will focus on mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), non-native thistles, and non-native honeysuckle species. Mile-a-minute vine (MAM) is easy to recognize and has a very distinctive triangular leaf, and spines along the vine stem. Units 2-3 are infested with large patches of MAM vine at varying densities, ranging from 10% infestation in some areas, up to 75% infestation in others. Autumn olive, Japanese stiltgrass, multiflora rose, thistles, and non-native honeysuckles species occur in varying densities throughout the forested stands and along road/unit edges. These non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) may grow on streambanks or near spring, seeps, and saturated soil. Special precautions must be taken to switch to a tank mixture labeled for aquatic use in these circumstances.

Portions of units accessible from roadsides would be most efficiently treated with directed foliar application from a larger mix tank with boom sprayer/hose attached to a UTV, tractor, or truck. Areas of units unreachable by these means must be treated with directed foliar application by hand with backpack sprayers. MAM vine, Autumn olive, and honeysuckles have waxy leaves, so it is important to use a non-ionic surfactant (e.g. ‘Alligare 90’ or methylated seed oil MSO) per label guidelines in all tank mixes. Mixes without appropriate amounts of surfactant may not penetrate waxy leafed plants.

Technical Requirements The contractor shall provide transportation for all equipment, herbicide, personnel, fuel, water, and supplies to the site and shall be responsible for providing the appropriate security of equipment and property left on site. Georeferenced maps (Maps A & B in appendix) and shapefiles for Units 2-3 (Slate Lick/Shoemaker 138 acs) will be provided to be uploaded onto a GPS unit. The contractor will be expected to use GPS units to accurately identify unit boundaries. Unit borders will not be painted or flagged due to their size and variable coverage of non-native invasive plant infestations.

Upland/Dry Conditions use a tank mixture of: imazapic, triclopyr, and glyphosate Plateau™ (imazapic - manufactured by BASF EPA Reg. No. 241-365) or equivalent shall be applied in accordance with labeling at 4 oz/acre in mixture with triclopyr (e.g. Garlon 4) and glyphosate (e.g. Roundup Pro or Glyphosate 4 Plus). Plateau will control annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weed and vine species and provide residual control of weeds which germinate in the treated area (soil activity). Certain woody species may be injured by direct application of Plateau to their foliage, so care must be taken to avoid spraying too close to desirable understory and mid-story species (e.g. oaks, dogwood). Do not apply directly to water, areas where surface water is present, or poorly draining soils with shallow water table.

Garlon 4 (acid equivalent: triclopyr – Manufactured by Dow AgroSciences EPA Reg. No. 62719-40) or equivalent shall be applied in accordance with labeling at 1.5 - 3 qts/acre in mixture. Triclopyr may be used in forested stands to control undesirable woody or broadleaf species in upland/dry areas.

Glyphosate 4 Plus (Isopropylamine Salt equivalent: glyphosate – Manufactured by Alligare, LLC EPA Reg. No. 81927-9) or equivalent shall be applied in accordance with labeling in mixture at an amount equal to 2% of tank mix. This product is a postemergent, systemic herbicide with no soil residual activity. It is generally non-selective and gives broad-spectrum control of many annual weeds, perennial weeds, woody brush and trees, thus care must be taken to avoid spraying too close to desirable understory and mid-story species (e.g. oaks, dogwood, native soft mast species).

1. Contractor will be expected to treat 90% of listed species growing in the understory within unit boundaries between May 1st, 202X and June 20th, 202X. This is in order to treat species before they go to seed.

2. These chemicals would be applied in a mixture from the ground, utilizing a method that minimizes the risk to human and wildlife health and the environment (Forest Plan, Common Standard 113, pg. 3-134).

3. The Contractor shall use the directed foliar spray methods to treat NNIS patches throughout understory of units 2 and 3. Directed Foliar Spray: Herbicide will be directly applied to the foliage of the target vegetation via broadcast or low volume backpack sprayer.

4. Broadcast applications with ground equipment (e.g. from roadsides), apply using equipment that will assure uniform coverage of spray volumes applied. Do not broadcast spray over desirable tree species.

5. With low volume sprayers (backpack sprayers), use sufficient spray volume to obtain uniform coverage of all target plant surfaces including leaves and stems.

6. All tank mixes will include an appropriate non-ionic surfactant (e.g. methylated seed oil or Alligare 90) per label guidance for improved coverage. Foliar herbicide formulations applied within the contract areas will also include a compatible marker dye. Dye is required to indicate areas that have been treated, so as not to over spray and thereby increase chemical concentrations per application area.

7. Precise tank mixes will vary between the use of Plateau (imazapic) with various formulations of triclopyr and glyphosate, and labels for all chemicals must be followed. Apply to actively growing MAM vine, Japanese stiltgrass, autumn olive, multiflora rose, thistles, and honeysuckle leaves and stems.

8. Apply herbicides when weather conditions are in accordance with the label instructions regarding wind speed, temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Do not apply herbicide if rain is expected within 2 hours of application.

9. Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothes worn during treatment, and skin are not cleaned in open water or wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply and be transported to the site in separate labeled containers.

10. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are not located in sensitive areas, or within 200 feet of private land, open water, streams, or wells.

11. The contractor shall thoroughly agitate the herbicide mixture before applying. The herbicide solution will be agitated as instructed in labeling materials for Plateau (imazapic), Garlon 4 (triclopyr), and Glyphosate 4 Plus (glyphosate) herbicide products.

12. No other chemical (excluding adjuvant/surfactant) shall be added to spray mix without approval from the COR.

13. Access will be by existing roads/trails and no new roads or temporary developments will be constructed.

Wetlands/Lowlands - Adjacent to streams/wet areas use a tank mixture of: triclopyr and glyphosate (aquatic formulations) Element 3A™ (triclopyr, aquatic use – manufactured by Dow AgroSciences EPA Reg. No. 62719-37), or equivalent and Rodeo™ (glyphosate, aquatic use – manufactured by Dow AgroSciences EPA Reg. No. 62719-324), or equivalent shall be applied in a mixture in accordance with labeling and the instructions outlined below. Element 3A shall be applied in accordance with labeling at 1.5 - 3 qts/acre in mixture and may be used within forest sites to treat broad-leaf non-native invasive species in and around standing water, along banks of streams and ponds, and in transition areas between upland and lowland sites. Rodeo shall be applied in accordance with labeling in mixture at an amount equal to 2% of tank mix, and may be used within forest sites to treat all vegetation types in and around standing water, along banks of streams and ponds, and in transition areas between upland and lowland sites.

1. Contractor will be expected to treat 90% of listed species growing in the understory within unit boundaries between May 1st, 202X and June 20th, 202X. This is in order to treat species before they go to seed.

2. These chemicals would be applied together in a mixture from the ground, utilizing a method that minimizes the risk to human and wildlife health and the environment (Forest Plan, Common Standard 113, pg. 3-134).

3. The Contractor shall use the directed foliar spray method to treat patches of NNIS plants within unit boundaries only between May 1 – June 20th, 202X. Directed Foliar Spray: Herbicide will be directly applied to the foliage of the target vegetation via broadcast or low volume backpack sprayer.

4. Broadcast applications with ground equipment (roadsides), apply using equipment that will assure uniform coverage of spray volumes applied.

5. With low volume sprayers (backpack sprayers), use sufficient spray volume to obtain uniform coverage of all target plant surfaces including leaves and stems.

6. All tank mixes will include an appropriate non-ionic surfactant per label guidance for improved coverage. Foliar herbicide formulations applied within the contract area will also include a compatible marker dye. Dye is required to indicate areas that have been treated, so as not to over spray and thereby increase chemical concentrations per application area.

7. Precise tank mixes will vary, depending on brand of aquatic triclopyr and glyphosate used.

· Triclopyr (aquatic use)- Element 3A™ - Use a minimum of 48 oz (1.5 quarts)/acre treated mixed in water with 2% glyphosate (aquatic formula), and appropriate amount of surfactant for tank volume per label instructions. Apply to actively growing MAM vine, Japanese stiltgrass, autumn olive, multiflora rose, thistles, and honeysuckle leaves and stems.

8. Apply herbicides when weather conditions are in accordance with the label instructions regarding wind speed, temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Do not apply herbicide if rain is expected within 2 hours of application.

9. Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothes worn during treatment, and skin are not cleaned in open water or wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply and be transported in separate labeled containers.

10. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are not located in sensitive areas, or within 200 feet of private land, open water, streams or wells.

11. The contractor shall thoroughly agitate the herbicide before applying. The herbicide solution will be agitated as instructed in labeling materials for Rodeo (glyphosate – aquatic formula) and Element 3A (triclopyr – aquatic formula) or the equivalent herbicide products.

12. No other chemical shall be added to spray mix (excluding adjuvants/surfactants) without approval from the COR.

13. Access will be by existing roads/trails and no new roads or temporary developments will be constructed.

Bid Item 2: Units #1 and #5 – Pre-emergent Field NNIS Treatments, Broadcast Herbicide Application – Scope, Technical Requirements, and Location Scope This contract will hire a qualified contractor to apply herbicide through directed foliar or broadcast (boom) application for non-native invasive species in old agricultural fields being converted to native vegetation. Pre-emergent herbicide treatments will focus on reducing the sprouting of mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) currently found in the old fields. (These species may not be visible during treatment time frame.) This purpose of these treatments is to prevent seeds of these established and aggressive non-native invasive plant species from germinating and continuing to spread. To be effective, preemergence herbicides must already be present in the soil at the time of germination and therefore should be applied at least two to three weeks prior to expected germination. Application timing, as germination, is based on soil temperature, which varies from year to year. A general guideline for Rockingham and Pendleton Counties is to apply preemergence herbicides by March 20 (or late February in the event of an early spring).

Plateau (imazapic) has both pre- and postemergence activity against mile-a-minute vine, stiltgrass, and cool season grasses (e.g. fescue). It will control mile-a-minute vine emerged and germinating seedlings for several weeks due to soil activity. It is also are also effective against Japanese stiltgrass and tall fescue, which commonly occur on the same sites as mile-a-minute vine. Many native warm-season grasses, wildflowers, legumes, and woody plants are tolerant of imazapic. Contractor must be sure to check the herbicide label for specific species efficacy and rates. Herbicide will be sprayed for maximum soil/ground contact and when weather is conducive for absorption, (e.g. low wind, rain expected in 1-2 days).

Herbicide treatments are needed to combat the competing fescue, Japanese stiltgrass, and other undesirable vegetation before native plants can be reestablished. Care is to be taken to protect any redbud, dogwood, or other native hard/soft mast tree/shrub found within the area, regardless of size.

Slate Lick Fields – Unit 1: Ground in this field complex is relatively flat and free of debris, though there are no-spray buffer zones marked on maps near new hedgerow plantings in tubes/cages (see Map C). Due to easy topography, and accessibility from main roads, fields would be most efficiently treated with directed foliar application from a larger mix tank with boom sprayer/hose attached to a UTV, tractor, or truck. Areas of units unreachable by these means (e.g. closer to streams or underneath established hedgerows or trees) must be treated with directed foliar application by hand with a hose or backpack sprayers. It is important to treat all edges within this field complex, as those are areas most infested with mile-a-minute vine. This includes edges around all established (or recently mulched) hedgerows, entire field edges and roadside edges up to 20 feet.

Camp Run Savannah – Unit 5: The goal for this area is to create an open savannah condition, restoring the field vegetation to native species and pollinators. In 2020, a large portion of the pine trees, non-native shrubs, and stumps that had grown in on the old field were removed to increase sunlight back to the field. Trees removed were mechanically piled in windrows around field edge, leaving most of the old field open for tractor, truck, and UTV access. Due to easy topography, and accessibility from main roads, fields would be most efficiently treated with directed foliar application from a larger mix tank with boom sprayer/hose attached to a UTV, tractor, or truck. Areas of units unreachable by these means (e.g. closer to streams or underneath established hedgerows or trees) must be treated with directed foliar application by hand with a hose or backpack sprayers.

Technical Requirements The contractor will be expected to use a GPS unit or smart phone application (e.g. Avenza) to accurately identify field unit boundaries. Georeferenced maps and shapefiles for Units 1 (Slate Lick Fields 58 acs) and Unit 5 (Camp Run Savannah 10 acs total) will be provided to be uploaded onto a GPS unit or smart phone. Plateau™ (imazapic - manufactured by BASF EPA Reg. No. 241-365) or equivalent shall be applied in accordance with labeling and the instructions outlined below. Plateau will control annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weed and vine species and provide residual control of weeds which germinate in the treated area (soil activity). Certain woody species may be injured by direct application of Plateau to their foliage. Do not apply directly to water, areas where surface water is present or poorly draining soils with shallow water table.

1. Contractor will be expected to treat 95% of fields within unit boundaries between February 15th, 202X and March 30th, 202X.

2. A GPS system or georeferenced map application for defining unit boundaries is required as part of the contract, and to ensure that pre-emergent herbicide application was completed across the entirety of Units #1 and #5. Documentation will be submitted for unit for proof of QA/QC, to be used for inspection, and for unit payment. Unit borders will not be painted or flagged due to their size.

3. The contractor shall provide transportation for all equipment, chemicals, personnel, fuel, water, and supplies to the site and shall be responsible for providing the appropriate security of equipment and property left on site.

4. Imazapic – Plateau ™ - Use 8-10 oz /acre treated, mixed in water with appropriate amount of methylated seed oil (MSO) or adjuvant for tank volume per label instructions.

5. These chemicals would be applied from the ground, utilizing a method that minimizes the risk to human and wildlife health and the environment (Forest Plan, Common Standard 113, pg. 3-134).

6. All tank mixes will include an appropriate non-ionic surfactant (e.g. methylated seed oil) per label guidance for improved coverage. Herbicide mix applied within the contract area will also include a compatible marker dye. Dye is required to indicate areas that have been treated, so as not to over spray and thereby increase chemical concentrations per application area.

7. Avoid spraying in proximity to native planted hedgerows (in tubes), seeps, standing water, streams, or saturated soil – 20-foot buffer. Do not broadcast spray over planted shrubs and trees planted in tubes (see map C for exclusion areas).

8. The Contractor shall use the directed foliar spray or boom spray method to treat full field area with pre-emergent herbicide. Herbicide will be directly applied to the ground/soil via broadcast/boom or low volume backpack sprayer.

9. Broadcast applications with ground equipment (fields or roadsides), apply using equipment that will assure uniform coverage of spray volumes applied. Do not broadcast spray over planted shrubs and trees planted in tubes (see map C for exclusion areas).

10. With low volume sprayers (backpack sprayers), use sufficient spray volume to obtain uniform coverage of all target plant surfaces including leaves and stems.

11. Apply herbicides when weather conditions are in accordance with the label instructions regarding wind speed, temperature, humidity, and rainfall (within 1-2 days). Do not apply herbicide if rain is expected within 2 hours of application.

12. Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothes worn during treatment, and skin are not cleaned in open water or wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply and be transported in separate labeled containers.

13. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are not located in sensitive areas, or within 200 feet of private land, open water, streams or wells.

14. The contractor shall thoroughly agitate the herbicide before applying. The herbicide solution will be agitated as instructed in labeling materials for Plateau (imazapic).

15. No other chemical shall be added to spray mix without approval from the COR.

Bid Item 3: Unit #4 – Mechanical NNIS Removal – Scope, Technical Requirements, and Location Scope This contract will hire a qualified contractor to operate a rubber tracked or rubber tired mastication machine (forestry mulcher) or an excavator with hydraulic thumb to mechanically remove Autumn olive and other non-native, invasive shrubs from Slate Lick Fields, on the North River Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The successful contractor will provide necessary equipment and qualified operators in order to accomplish the vegetation management objectives in the unit. The unit is relatively flat and has variable density of mature Autumn olive hedgerows throughout. Vicinity Map A in appendix shows the general location for treatments.

Georeferenced maps Maps B (Contract Area) and D (aerial image with polygons) in appendix and shapefiles for the small polygons in Unit #4 will be provided to be uploaded onto a GPS unit. The contractor will be expected to use GPS or Avenza georeferenced map application (or similar) to accurately identify unit boundaries and ensure complete treatment. Individual shrubs will not be marked with paint or flagging. Additionally, polygon borders may be bounded by a road, field edge, and may have flagging to denote wetland areas.

Treatments are only to be completed between the September 28th, 202X and April 1, 202X timeframe to avoid impacts to R8 Sensitive wildlife species. Treatments will be completed during time periods that generally limit impacts to soil resources, such as dry or frozen soil conditions. Environmental conditions such as wet/saturated ground or standing water would limit operations. Specifically, if heavy rutting (over 6 inches) occurs in the unit, operations shall be suspended.

Technical Requirements The contractor shall provide transportation for all equipment, personnel, fuel, water, and supplies to the site and shall be responsible for providing the appropriate security of equipment and property left on site. Operators will be responsible for daily maintenance of equipment, and contractor will provide on-site support equipment to optimize daily production. Camping is permitted; however camp sites must be pre-approved by the COR and campsites must be maintained in accordance with Forest Service Policy. The following outlines the expected work components of this contract:

1. Mechanical removal of NNIS woody vegetation on 4 acres must occur between September 28th, 2021 and April 1, 2022 in Unit #4 (multiple polygons).

2. Before beginning work, all equipment arriving at the site must be clean and free of soil or plant debris. COR will need to inspect equipment BEFORE mechanical work begins upon arrival to site and coordination with COR is required for this inspection time.

3. This unit shall have the NNIS shrub layer removed via mechanical means, including all autumn olive and other non-native shrubs (e.g. multiflora rose, honeysuckle) within the polygon boundaries in Unit #4. Mechanical removal of non-native shrubs can include the following techniques:

1. Mulching all shrubs and slash materials down to ground level with a rubber track-based forestry mulcher; or rubber-tired mastication machine. Fecon, Diamond (or equivalent brand) drum mulching head on a small-medium sized tracked machine, or large rubber tired Barko type mastication equipment is acceptable; or

2. Pulling shrubs up using an excavator with hydraulic thumb and filling in stump holes. If pulled up, shrubs must be either hauled away from site for disposal or chipped on site. Resulting chips or mulch left onsite should be spread out evenly across the unit not to exceed 5 inches in depth at any point.

4. The distance from the top of ground to the top of remaining shrub stumps and stubble shall not exceed 6 inches at its highest point.

5. Standing snags and downed logs that present a threat to operator safety can be hand felled/sawed, masticated/mulched, or pushed/removed as needed by contractor from the interior of the polygons in Unit #4.

6. A GPS system or georeferenced map application for defining unit boundaries is required as part of the contract, and to ensure that mechanical shrub removal was completed in the correct polygons and that entire Unit #4 was treated. Documentation will be submitted for unit for proof of QA/QC, to be used for inspection, and for unit payment.

7. Contractor is responsible to haul away all personal trash and large slash debris over 5” thick and 24” in length.

8. Contractor shall minimize soil disturbance and exposure of mineral soil to less than 10% of the treatment areas.

9. Mobilization of the machine at the beginning and end of the work period is included in the project cost, and inspection of machine required by COR.

10. Contractor will provide on-site support equipment that can optimize the daily production. This would likely be in the form of a fully equipped service truck that can provide service and repairs in the field, to avoid down time from equipment breakdowns.

11. Fuel will be provided by the contractor and will be incorporated into the price per hour. A fuel trailer or similar container that is mobile should be provided to the job site for the duration of the work.

12. Machines will be clean and free of any soil or debris and will be inspected by the COR when they are brought on to FS lands. Contractor shall not begin mechanical work until COR has inspected equipment.

13. Adequate signage will be provided by contractor and placed along roadways when conducting mechanical treatments to alert public to safety hazard of equipment in use and debris flying. Flaggers or other safety personnel may be necessary to facilitate traffic use and/or interface with the public that may walk through the working area (e.g. fishing reservoir just beyond unit area).

LOCATIONS OF CONTRACT AREAS

The boundaries of the contract areas are designated on project maps provided to contractor. A key will be provided to gain access to contract areas behind locked gates. Refer to Vicinity Map and Contract Area Maps in appendix.

Contract Area 1 – Slate Lick Fields/Shomaker River Bid Items 1-3, 200 acres total – Chemical treatments, pre-emergent herbicide application (unit 1, field) foliar understory herbicide spraying (units 2-3, forested), and mastication/mulching (unit 4, field).

Units 1 and 4, begin at Fulks Run, VA (intersection of St. Rte 259 & St. Rte 612 – Hopkins Gap Rd), travel approximately 6 miles south on 612, turn right on St. Rte 817 – Genoa Rd and travel nearly 1 mile to Hog Pen Rd, turn left on Hog Pen Rd and travel ¾ mile to Slate Lick Fields (broadcast pre-emergent and mechanical removal of NNIS field treatments).

Units 2 and 3 (understory foliar herbicide treatmetns) are accessed directly off St. Rte 612. From intersection of St. Rte 259 & St. Rte 612 – Hopkins Gap Rd), travel approximately 5 miles south on 612 to reach the north end of Unit 3, which follows 612 south on both sides of the road. Unit 4 is further south on 612, 1 mile past the intersection of 612 and 817 (Genoa Rd), at the intersection of 612 and 555 (Cherokee Ln). The contract area is within the boundaries of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Contract Area 2 – Camp Run Savannah, Pendleton County, WV Bid Item 2, 10 acres– Pre-emergent herbicide application, Unit #5

Contract area 2 is located on the North River Ranger District in northern Pendleton County, WV. The treatment unit consist of a old agricultural field, with recent tree removal (Unit 5). A key will be provided to gain access to contract areas behind locked post gate. Refer to Vicinity Map (A) and Contract Area Maps (E-F). To access unit 5, begin at Brandywine, WV and head northwest on US highway 33 for 3 ½ miles, turn right on Sweedlin Valley Road. Follow for 9 ¾ miles to slight right on Camp Run Rd. Follow Camp Run Road 1 mile, past reservoir and Unit 5 is on the right (old agriculture field).

SITE VISITS

There are no scheduled site visits at this time. Special arrangements may be made to provide access for inspection prior to the opening date by contacting Meg Riddle at the North River Ranger District Office at 540-432-0187 or margaret.riddle@usda.gov.

**Offerors are urged to inspect the contract areas to view current conditions prior to bid submission. **

Summary Table of Work Items, Costs, and Locations Habitat Improvement

Amount (Acres)

Pre-emergent NNIS Field Treatment (Herbicide) Slate Lick Unit 1

Understory NNIS Foliar Treatments (Herbicide) Shoemaker Unit 2

Understory NNIS Foliar Treatments

Shoemaker Unit 3

Mechanical Removal of Autumn Olive (mastication or excavation/chipping) Slate Lick Unit 4

Pre-emergent NNIS Field Treatment

Camp Run Unit 5

Total Habitat Improvement Acres

APPENDIX - Project Maps

Map A. Vicinity Map for Contract Areas 1 and 2 (Units 1-5)

Contract Area 1 = Slate Lick & Shoemaker River - Rockingham County, VA Contract Area 2 = Camp Run - Pendleton County, WV

Map B. Contract Area 1 – Slate Lick/Shoemaker, Units 1-4.

Map C. Aerial view -Broadcast Pre-emergent Chemical Application, Contract Area 1, Unit #1

Map D. Unit 4 Aerial View - Mechanical Woody Vegetation Removal, Contract Area 1, Unit #4

Map E. Contract Area 2 – Camp Run Pre-emergent Chemical Application Unit 5

Map F. Aerial view -Broadcast Pre-emergent Chemical Application, Contract Area 2 image5.emf image6.emf image1.emf image2.emf image3.emf image4.emf