PERFORMANCE_WORK_STATEMENT_-_SELA-BAYOU_SAUVAGE_URBAN_NWR_2022_Aerial_Herbicide_2022.docx

Performance Work Statement Performance Work Statement Performance Work Statement Performance Work Statement

Herbicide Control of Aquatic Invasive and Nuisance Plants

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR

985-285-9054

7/2022

1.0 Introduction

Provide a brief description of what you are procuring.

The contractor will apply herbicide and appropriate adjuvant to up to approximately 200 acres on Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge (BSUNWR).

Application must be done by aerial application and the choice of herbicides must be pre-approved by the USFWS to maximize effectiveness of the treatment. Herbicide will be applied to areas that have been pre-defined and mapped within the USFWS geographic information system (GIS) database (see attached maps).

The contractor will apply herbicide to kill water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), cattail (Typha latifolia), southern cut grass (Leersia hexandra), alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) and common salvinia (Salvinia minima) in waterways and shallow water areas of BSUNWR in Orleans parish, Louisiana, primarily located in the canals and pipeline canals (much will be linear spray in canals).

The contractor will apply enough herbicide to control 90% of ALL floating aquatic invasive and nuisance vegetation in the dedicated spray units.

2.0 Background

Many waterways on BSUNWR have become blocked with vegetation and have become impassable via watercraft. Herbicide control of floating aquatic invasive and nuisance vegetation will promote wildlife habitat, promote the establishment of a native plants and associated animal communities on USFWS lands. On BSUNWR, herbicide spraying will remove unwanted vegetation in waterways, improve hydrology, improve refuge access for recreation, and improve the health of refuge marshes.

Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Contractor must have work dates and a plan of work approved by the USFWS 48 hours prior to beginning work, preferably established during an in-person pre-work meeting. Contract is to spray herbicides to control floating aquatic invasive and nuisance vegetation competing with natural vegetation and submerged aquatic plants used by wildlife and fish species.

3.0 Scope

The name brand and quantity of herbicide proposed by the contractor must be pre-approved by the USFWS through a Pesticide Use Proposal 30 days prior to application. Rates applied will likely be the highest rate recommended on the label for that treatment. Upon request, the USFWS can supply a list of commonly used and approved chemicals for the USFWS Southeast Region. The contractor will apply chemicals aerially to control at least 90% of floating aquatic invasive and nuisance vegetation within map units provided.

3) All work must be done according to the plan of work, EPA standards, and herbicide label restrictions.

4) The contractor will supply all material, equipment, and labor to perform the herbicide treatments as well as supplying all chemicals, including herbicide and adjuvant.

5) The contractor will supply equipment to meter chemicals and water mixtures, and will provide mixing and loading equipment and water. Water hauling services may be required.

6) Equipment and personnel must be able to work at a semi-remote and semi-primitive site (i.e., no electrical or water hookups, bathrooms, or other facilities available). Location of helicopter landing zones must be made at the responsibility of the contractor. The refuge does not guarantee a helispot to provide to the contractor. However, with coordination with refuge staff, landing zones may be obtained within or near refuge property for some units.

7) The contractor must be capable of calibrating equipment to the final application rate specifications.

8) The Refuge Manager must be notified at least 48 hours prior to any application of chemicals. No applications will be made during hunting seasons on the refuge to avoid spraying over the public.

9) The contractor will provide adequate personnel for the purpose of loading and dispersing of the chemicals. All personnel and equipment to be used will be appropriately licensed and certificated as appropriate for the work to be done. The contractor will be responsible for providing sufficient equipment, equipment fuel, safety items, spill response kit, personnel and their subsistence needs during the project period, as well as checking all work sites for hazards of any type which could affect their ability to accomplish the spraying project.

10) The contractor will be responsible for all loading operations. Movement of chemicals, water, and equipment in and around an operation location will be the sole responsibility of the applicators.

11) The contractor will provide USFWS with contact information for all ground personnel, and vehicle and equipment identification information (including make, model, and color) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

12) No chemical applications may be made when sustained wind speeds exceed 8 MPH, when temperatures exceed 95 F, or when precipitation is forecast within 6 hours. Minimum buffers must be maintained to prevent spray drift onto undesired vegetation.

14) Period of Performance: September 1, through August 30, with no performance allowed between November 1 through March 31 because of wintering waterfowl. If work is prohibited by the USFWS due to extended wet weather, negotiations may be made to lengthen the contract period. This is a two year contract ending September 30 on the second year after awarded.

4.0 Applicable Directives

List all documents referenced in section 5.0, Performance Requirements, with which the contractor will have to comply in performance of the contract effort. If only portions of a given document apply, specifically identify the applicable portions.

· 52.237-02 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation

· 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification

· 52.236-13 Accident Prevention

· 52.237-03 Continuity of Service

· 52.249-14 Excusable Delays

5.0 Performance Requirements

1. Apply herbicide according to desired outcomes as per label directions and quantities.

2. Report proposed herbicide brand and adjuvant with application rates to the Refuge with bid. Herbicide must be approved by the Refuge.

3. 100% coverage of the treatment area, 90% minimal control of target vegetation measured within one month after last application by Refuge staff.

6.0 Deliverables

List all data required to manage or monitor contractor performance.

· Contractor shall provide:

· Daily logs to document work.

· Proposed herbicide and adjuvant with application rates. MSDS and herbicide labels may be required as well as a safety/spill response plan.

· A government representative will inspect all areas periodically during the contract period and will perform a final inspection of all areas 30 days following treatments.

7.0 Maps.

Line item 10: Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR: Bid per acre: waterways - aerial chemical control of floating aquatic invasive and nuisance vegetation (~200 acres).

Figure 10a. Location of BSUNWR.

Figure 10b. BSUNWR Aerial Spray Area (depicted in green)

image1.jpeg image2.jpeg