A05_-_PWS.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Treatment of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina and Tennessee 2017

1. Background. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and consists of nearly 521,000 acres. The park was established by Congress on June 15, 1934. The park’s mission is to protect, preserve, and interpret the natural, cultural, and historical resources for the benefit and inspiration of present and future generations. As with many of the Parks in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains NP is working to offset the negative effects of invasive species that threaten the unique flora and fauna of our region. One of the valuable tree species in the park Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock), is now at risk of ecological extinction brought about by the invasive exotic forest pest, Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid -HWA). The Goal of this Contract is to suppress HWA populations and protect and preserve the valuable resource of Eastern Hemlock trees for the benefits of aesthetic, recreational, and ecological importance.

2a. Required Services. The contractor shall provide all labor, tools / equipment, materials and supervision required to treat 1 conservation areas, totaling 96 acres. All sites are within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see attachment maps). *Optional acreage of sites (2-14) may be added. Service Contract is subject to funding and all, some or none of these may be awarded… Sites for treatment and protocol are as follows:

2b. Overview of treatment methods and associated requirements The contractor will be responsible for the identification of all target species and of similar appearing non-target species. In addition, some areas may contain sensitive native species (including but not limited to small mammals, insects, plants, lichens, bryophytes, mosses, liverworts and others) that must be avoided and must not be impacted by treatment activities. Special care must be taken on steep terrain to prevent damage from abrasion. Information about hemlock and HWA may be obtained by researching a variety of Internet sites or by contacting the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The COR will provide information regarding sensitive species of concern after contract award. Identification characteristics and other information relevant to sensitive native species may also be obtained by consulting with Great Smoky Mountains Inventory and Monitoring Section liaison (to be named after contract award).

All treatment activities will be properly documented by vendor personnel, and the vendor is required to assign one person (preferably the on-site supervisor) to maintain such records and submit copies to the COR. Forms to be used will be provided by the COR. Vendor personnel responsible for maintaining records will be provided with proper training and instruction for completing required forms by the COR, with a time and date for such training and instruction to be scheduled with the COR prior to any treatment activities. Treatment forms are to be submitted to the COR on a regular basis, with the schedule for submission to be defined by the COR after contract award and prior to initiation of treatments. See Data collection section below…..

At minimum the on-site supervisor is required to possess a Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certification issued by the state of North Carolina or Tennessee Department of Agriculture and / or to be an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist. Applicators certifications will be in the Forest Pest Control or Ornamentals and Turf grass Pest Control categories. Proof of certifications must be submitted to the COR prior to treatments.

A minimum of two employees are required to be on site during treatments due to the remote locations of treatment sites.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and label information for chemicals utilized will be made available to personnel at the work site. Such information may be obtained by contacting the COR. This information will be carried by on-site supervisor when in the park.

3. Contractor Responsibilities

All treatment methods will be approved and periodically inspected by the COR. Note specific treatment protocol that will be used for each site.

Imidacloprid 75%WSP Protocol:

· All hemlock trees in selected sites for imidacloprid treatment will be treated either with a soil drench ,soil injection applicator or tablet form of imidaclprid. Soil drench or injections will be made with a solution of one 1.6 oz. packet of imidacloprid and enough water to result in a final volume of 48 oz solution. This solution will be applied at a rate of 1oz per inch of trunk diameter at dbh (4.5 feet from ground level) for all trees treated. Tablet treatments with be made with tablet form of imidacloprid based off of appropriate dose rate scale provided by COR. For reference marking purposes, each treated tree will be painted with tree marking paint (color determined by COR) with a two inch diameter dot after it is treated. The dot will be placed on the trunk two feet from ground surface and facing away from trails.

· *Only trees that have a transparency rating between 0% and 75% combined with a live crown ratio of 30% or higher will be treated with imidacloprid. Contractor will be instructed (during site visit) if needed by COR or representative in USFS Crown Condition Classification to determine transparency rating and live crown ratio. No trees with signs of Hemlock Borrer (Melanophila fulvoguttata) damage will be treated.

· All trees treated will be recorded with individual number and diameter on GPS units and data will be provided to COR on a regular basis.

Under this contract, no imidacloprid will be applied within 10 feet of surface water. No treatments may take place during heavy rain, periods of surface run-off or while the soil is in a saturated state. Determination of soil saturation will be made by the COR or Representative. Any trees that fall inside of the 10 foot buffer near surface water will be recorded on GPS unit with individual tree number and dbh (trunk diameter at 4.5 feet from ground level) recorded. COR will supply more information on this prior to treatment.

The contractor must have the ability to interpret topographic boundary maps of work sites using their own gps equipment. Paper copies of maps will be provided by the COR. Boundaries of work sites will not be flagged or marked previous to work period.

Data Collection for all protocols and treatment areas All data for treatments will be recorded in field on day(s) of treatment. Individual sites will be compiled onto one final form per site. COR will be presented completed field data forms by hardcopy or electronic mail within 3 business days after completion of treatment of each site.

4. Government Furnished Property, Materials and Supplies

5. Business Hours. The contractor shall coordinate specific on-site work schedule with the Contracting Officer and COR five days prior to performance start date. While on site, the COR may be reached by mobile phone during normal business hours. Any work outside of normal business hours shall be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer and COR.

6. Suggested Contractor Furnished Property, Materials & Supplies

7. Management. The contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on-time completion of this contract.

8. Safety & Environmental Compliance.

8a. Suggested Safety Equipment.

Safety items: A first aid and safety kit must be available at all times while working. Kit contents should include eyewash, insect sting medication,(benzocaine wipes and/or benedryl tablets), poison ivy cream, various size bandages, antiseptic wipes, bandage tape and small scissors, burn cream, and other common first aid kit items. Further recommendations of Safety items and/or potential suppliers may be obtained by contacting the COR.

8b. Additional Safety requirements specific to this contract.

Note: Administrative roads access will not be permitted for Contractor vehicle use. It is the responsibility of the contractor to access work sites by foot traffic.

10. Special Contract Requirements

Control of Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution

All empty pesticide containers must be disposed of according to Label. Local recycling centers are available for such containers. Field rinsate of containers will be applied to target species.

· On some sites, Treatments will be on or near park boundary; Check with Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to determine park boundary before treatments begin.

11. Insurance. The Contractor shall be insured in accordance with State of Tennessee and North Carolina insurance regulations. The Government is not responsible for damage to Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

Workers Compensation: The contractor shall furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the Workman’s Compensation Laws of the State of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Liability: The Contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract, and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

12. Motor Vehicle & Traffic Regulations. Contractor employees operating motor vehicles shall possess a valid driver's license. Driver and vehicle permits, licenses, registrations and proof of insurance shall be maintained in the vehicle at all times and made available upon request. Contractor employees shall comply with federal vehicle motor law requiring seat belts be worn at all times. Contractor employees shall adhere to the posted speed limits.

13. Employee signage / Parking. All contractor employees shall comply with parking procedures published for the GRSM. Contractor employees shall return any GRSM issued personal or vehicle identification signage immediately upon termination of employment or completion of this contract.

14. Replacement of Contractor Employee for Security Reasons. The Government retains the right to request removal of the contractor’s employee(s), regardless of prior clearances.

15. Non-Payment for Additional Work. Any additional contractor performed services not specified in contract, either at its own volition or at the request of an individual other than an appointed Contracting Officer, except as may be explicitly authorized in the contract, shall be performed at the financial risk of the contractor. Only an appointed Contracting Officer is authorized to bind the Government to a change in specifications, contract terms, or conditions.

16. Conflict of Interest. The contractor shall not employ off-duty COR’s or other Government employees if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in conflict-of-interest directives utilized by the GRSM.

17 Quality Control. The contractor shall establish and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure the work performed conforms to the contract requirements. The Performance Requirements Summary establishes performance standards that are the minimum requirements for acceptable performance of required services. The contractor’s QCP shall address methods for remedying poor performance. The Contractor shall develop QCP and submit with proposal package. The Contractor’s QCP includes:

18. Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The contractor performance requirements are summarized into required services that relates directly to successful contract completion. The performance standard identifies the minimum acceptable levels of service allowed.

Disincentive

19. Contractor’s Proposal Package. The following deliverables are to be submitted with offer in response to RFQ. These items below Must Be Provided.

20. Inspection. In order for the COR or representative to monitor Contractor performance and give feedback; no more than three sites shall be actively treated at one time. Final payment will be processed upon confirmation that all records from completed treatment site have been given to COR, all sites have been inspected for quality of completion and all contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected.

21. Site Evaluations. A site visit will be offered in advance of the submittal due date. The Contractor is responsible for field checking site conditions prior to submitting a bid. Failure of the Contractor to inspect sites prior to submitting a proposal will not constitute grounds for withdrawal of a proposal or of a claim after the award of the contract.

Ratio of treatable trees to acres may vary from stand to stand.