PWS_FY21 HQ Exotics_QAP (1).pdf

Specifications/Work Requirements Furnish and Deliver FY21 Headquarters Exotics

A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR Boynton Beach, Florida

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide herbicide application for re-treatment of the following species on the A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/Refuge); Species in bold are new targets included this year:

Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), Earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala), shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia elliptica), guava (Psidium guavajava), Climbing cassia (Senna pendula), Giant brake fern (Pteris tripartita), bishopwood (Bischofia javanica), Senegal date palm (Phoenix reclinata), Rosary pea (Abrus precatorius), castor bean (Ricinus communis), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum), Java-plum (Syzgium cumini), elephant ear (Alocasia spp.), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpeum), Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrical), possum grape vine (Cissus verticillata), and cattail (Typha spp.). All other FISC-listed Category I & II species found within delineated project boundaries shall be treated and reported to the Government/Site Representative (GR/SR). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform work services as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Introduction: The Contractor will apply the appropriate herbicide and adjuvant to control/treat all FISC listed Category I & II species within the project areas. The Contractor will apply sufficient herbicide to control 95% of all vegetation.

1.3 Period of Performance: The Contractor shall begin work around October 1, 2021 or within 30 days of notification from an authorized Government representative. The project shall be fully completed [initial, re-treat, inspection, final invoice] by September 30, 2022. The Contractor shall wait a minimum of one month before performing any re-treatments so results of the initial treatment are visible, and crews shall then target plants or infestations missed during initial treatments. Final inspection and final billing shall be completed prior to the end of the Period of Performance.

1.4 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be within the boundaries of the A.R.M.

Loxahatchee NWR, Boynton Beach (Palm Beach County), Florida. A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR (Refuge) is a 145,188 acre remnant of the northern Everglades (Figure 1). The area is comprised of a mosaic of tree islands, sawgrass marshes, wet prairies, open sloughs, impounded wetlands, cypress swamp, and some transitional upland hardwoods. This project will specifically target the eastern boundary management units east of the L-40 levee/canal system, around refuge headquarters including the Cypress Swamp, and Impoundments.

1.5 Type of Contract: This is a Fixed Price contract. Price per acre for the Headquarters unit with varying habitat types and infestation levels as described in section 3.1.1. Exact areas within the units may be modified/decreased depending on funds available and final bid price.

1.6 Security Requirements: n/a

1.7 Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.8 Key Control (if applicable): The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.8.1 In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting Officer, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.8.2 The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.8.3 Lock Combinations (if applicable): The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.9 Special Qualifications: n/a

1.10 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference or progress meetings convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), GR/SR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance and/or status of work. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems being experienced, if any. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.11 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Government/SR Representative (GR/SR): The COR/SR will be identified by either separate letter or other form of notification. The COR/GR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR/GR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; conduct inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, and specifications; monitor Contractor performance and notify both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.12 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: Contract Manager/Administrator, Project Manager/Supervisor. The Contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available for the duration of the contract.

1.13 Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. The Contractor personnel will be required to obtain and wear badges (or company attire indicating name of company) in performance of this service.

1.14 Data Rights (If applicable): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract.

All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

II. BACKGROUND

2.1 Treatment and management of invasive exotic plants has been identified as one of the highest priorities within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Invasive exotic plants displace native plant communities and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Their rapid growth and copious seed production permit the establishment of dense, impenetrable forests and thickets that shade out desirable native plant species, affect water flow and drainage, obstruct human and wildlife movement and public viewing opportunities. Invasive exotic plants degrade native habitat quality decreasing native species abundance and diversity. Refuges employ a variety of management techniques to control invasive exotic plants including herbicides (primary means), mechanical controls (heavy equipment), cultural controls (prescribed fire), physical controls (hand pulling seedlings & vines), and biological controls (when available). Invasive exotic removal work is performed by Refuge staff, independent Contractors, volunteers, and volunteer groups.

III. SCOPE

3.1 Objective: To provide herbicide control and re-treatment of invasive, exotic plant infestations within delineated project boundaries (Figure 2). Completion of the proposed project shall ensure restoration, in part, to a larger ecosystem that provides critical habitat for the endangered Florida panther and snail kite and improve habitats utilized by threatened wood storks and a host of wading birds and other species listed as threatened by the State of Florida.

3.1.1 Headquarters Impoundments (approximately 1,254 acres) Figure 3: Treatment of all FISC Category I & II species;

primarily Brazilian pepper, Lygodium, Giant brake fern, shoebutton ardisia, climbing cassia, arrowhead vine, bishopwood, guava, castor bean, Java plum, lead tree, water lettuce (canals), elephant ear, Napier grass, Cogongrass, possum grape vine, and cattail. This unit encompasses areas surrounding the Refuge office located directly north and south of Lee Road. It is only accessible by foot with some airboat access within the impounded wetlands. This unit has been treated consistently in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and 2019. Some areas were aerially treated in 2020 targeting cattail, willow, and water lettuce. This project will expand upon previous treatments and target new species that are either EDRR species or have formed pockets of moderate to dense infestations. The primary EDRR species is cogongrass along the levees in the C-impoundments south of Lee Rd.

Pockets of moderate to dense infestations include elephant ear, arrowhead vine, and possum grape vine in the cypress swamp, Napier grass on the eastern edge of the C-impoundments, arrowhead vine behind quarters and the entrance to the marsh trail, and cattail throughout the impounded wetlands. The preferred treatment time for this unit, when water levels are lowest, is typically late winter through early summer. However, utilizing water levels for airboat use in the impounded wetlands would also be permitted in late summer and fall.

3.2 Contractor must comply 100% with the agreed-upon plan of work. Method of treatment will be by ground. Applications must be at the appropriate rate suggested by the manufacturer and in accordance with the label. All work must be done according to work statement, EPA standards, and herbicide label restrictions. The contractor shall use Clearcast herbicide for treatment of cattail in order to avoid non-target damage.

3.3 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor (i.e. herbicide application), equipment, supplies (i.e. chemicals, herbicides, adjuvant), transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of contract. NOTE: The crew supervisors must be experienced airboat operators familiar with working and driving in habitats similar to those within the Refuge. Travel from the boat launch area to delineated work areas must minimize impact to the native habitat to the greatest extent possible. Crews must avoid all areas marked as “off limits”;

coordinates for these locations will be provided by the SR/GR. Treatment applications shall be performed in such a manner as to protect non-target organisms, the environment, and the public. NOTE: The Contracting Officer reserves the right to require the Contractor to replace any operating personnel, or equipment used in the performance of this Contract if the personnel, or equipment are violating, or have violated, any state or federal laws; or are unsafe; or for any valid reason. In this event, the Contractor shall, as soon as reasonably possible, upon written or verbal notice (to be later reduced to writing) from the Contracting Officer, provide replacements satisfactory to the Contracting Officer at no additional cost.

3.4 Work performance shall be defined as 100% of identified species infestations to be treated, and a 95% control rate (Acceptance Criteria [AC]) achieved two to three months post-treatment. If the AC is not met, it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to re-treat areas until the control rate is achieved at no additional cost to the Government (USFWS).

3.5 The Contractor will provide adequate personnel for the purpose of loading and dispersing of the chemicals. The Contractor will be responsible for all unloading/loading operations. Movement of chemicals, water, and equipment in and around the treatment locations will be the sole responsibility of the contract applicators. 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, fuel (for equipment), 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.

3.6 The Contractor will provide USFWS with contact information for all ground personnel, vehicles, and equipment, identification information (including make, model, color, name of company, and contact information) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

3.7 The name brand and quantity of herbicide proposed by the contractor must be pre-approved by the USFWS through a Pesticide Use Proposal prior to application. Rates applied shall not exceed the highest rate recommended on the label for that treatment. Upon request, the USFWS can supply a list of commonly used chemicals for the Southeast Region.

3.8 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. The Contractor must be capable of calibrating equipment to the final application rate specifications. NOTE: All 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).

3.9 Public Safety: Public safety must be ensured when spraying or using pesticides. Refuges are heavily visited by the public.

In application areas where there is potential for public use, the Refuge shall advise the Contractor of any public use hazards. It shall be the ultimate responsibility of the Contractor to initiate spray operations – GO/NO GO. The Contractor shall mitigate for herbicide contamination on federal land and adjacent private property, and any adjacent waters. Herbicides shall be applied and utilized as approved or recommended on the label. Any fines or penalties for herbicide contamination or resultant environmental damage shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

3.10 The Refuge Manager must be notified at least 48 hours prior to any application of chemical.

3.11 No heavy equipment will be allowed to operate within the treatment units sooner than 48 hours after a rain event of 2 inches or more. During periods of extended wet weather or in areas with saturated soils, equipment cannot cause ruts greater than 6 inches deep. If work is prohibited by the USFWS due to extended wet weather, negotiations may be made to lengthen the contract period.

3.12 The Contractor shall avoid any damage to native vegetation and wildlife other than any identified native invasive vegetation to be treated. The Contractor shall not collect, harass, harm, or molest native plants or wildlife. The Contractor shall avoid damage to sensitive archaeological sites such as Native American middens and shell mounds. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal of all trash and treatment-related equipment. The Contractor shall be held liable if damage was determined to be the fault of the Contractor (negligence), the result of improper treatment techniques, or the result of Contractor control activities.

3.13 Ground crews shall be transported by trucks, ATVs, and airboats to be furnished by the Contractor. Each ground crew shall consist of one supervisor. The ground crew supervisor must be a licensed herbicide applicator, and shall be responsible for data collection, herbicide application and inventory, herbicide safety procedures, and crew supervision. The ground crew supervisor and all crew members shall have navigation equipment such as a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, to mark areas of treatment for submittal to the Refuge. All targeted plants, or populations of such plants, shall be treated and treatment sites recorded at each designated location before proceeding further. The Refuge COR/COTR shall provide technical support concerning species treatments for each delineated work area. Under no circumstances shall a non-approved herbicide or combination thereof, be used without knowledge or permission of the COR and an approved pesticide use proposal.

IV. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

4.1 All Contractor employees performing work directly onsite must adhere to all local regulations, rules, policies relating to the obtainment of proper clearances, building access, site access, and badges. If applicable, must complete background investigation, computer security, and records management training.

4.2 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

4.3 OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 (as applicable)

4.4 EPA regulations

4.5 The Contractor is responsible for acquiring and maintaining all federal and local licenses, certification, and permits as required including a Florida State Certified Pesticide Applicator license. If aircraft are to be utilized the pilot must be a licensed pilot (i.e. certified to fly aircraft in the State of where work is performed). Each crew supervisor shall have a valid and current license in the aquatic and/or natural areas categories issued by the State of Florida, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Contractor shall be required to submit a copy of the licenses to the Contracting Officer prior to the award date.

4.6 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

4.7 Chapter 487, Florida Statutes

4.8 The Contractor (or their representatives) will not litter. Litter violations will be handled under Federal Code of Regulations 50CFR27.94(a) , which carries a fine of $100.00 per incident upon conviction.

V. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Supply and apply herbicide according to desired outcomes as per label directions and quantities.

5.1.1 Employ approved Current Control Technologies (CCTs) for controlling identified exotic plant species infestations in the treatment areas. Treated plants shall be cut or left in place at the contractor’s discretion. The Contractor shall have full responsibility for systematically treating the highest priority areas indicated by the COR/SR unless the priority is changed by management. The Crew Supervisor shall be responsible for notifying the COR /SR within three weeks of treatment completion so that area can be inspected. Areas not treated, or not responding to treatment shall be required to be retreated at the Contractor’s expense, if it is determined that the Contractor provided inadequate treatment measures. The Contractor shall be responsible for 100% treatment and 95% control (two to three months post-treatment) of Category I and II exotic plant species within the delineated treatment area.

5.1.2 Treatment requirements for all project units: Complete ground treatment of 100% of all FISC Category I and II species, achieving no less than 95% control two to three months post-treatment.

5.1.2.1 Apply the herbicides in such a manner and rate to provide adequate coverage within the designated treatment areas.

Application rates shall be no more than the maximum permitted by label and manufacturer’s specifications for control. The Contractor shall only apply herbicides that have been approved through the Refuge Pesticide Use Proposal process.

Confirmation of permitted herbicides shall be coordinated with the Government/Site Representative/Refuge Manager and approved well in advance of the spraying. The Contractor shall be held liable for the use of any non-approved herbicides or damage occurring from the usage of a non-approved herbicide.

5.1.2.2 The Contractor shall canvass 100% of the treatment area.

5.1.2.3 Non-Target Damage: The Contractor shall, to the best of his/her ability, avoid non-target damage to native vegetation and avoid disturbance and impacts to native wildlife. The Contractor will not apply herbicides when wind speeds are in excess of 10 mph (or as agreed upon by GR) or when inversion conditions occur to limit drift.

5.1.2.4 Handling, Mixing, Chemical Disposal: All herbicides and adjuvants/surfactants shall be handled and stored in accordance with instructions on the EPA registration label. All herbicides shall be mixed and applied in accordance with the label instructions. Unless noted, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing, handling, mixing and disposing of all herbicides and adjuvants/surfactants. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all mixing water on all USFWS projects. In addition, the Contractor shall ensure that no contamination of any water source occurs, and that emergency spill containment equipment or spill kit shall be present at the worksite, and shall be capable of containing all potential herbicide or surfactant spills from contract vehicles or equipment.

5.1.2.5 The Contractor shall perform an initial treatment and a re-treatment, as necessary, to ensure Acceptance Criteria is met.

5.1.2.6. All boats, machetes, and other equipment must be properly cleaned and sterilized using accepted Best Management Practices to ensure that contamination from other job sites does not occur. The Contractor will be held responsible for any new species introductions to the treatment unit that can be traced to a prior job site.

5.2 The Contractor shall complete the herbicide application during the specified dates as directed by the COR/SR.

5.2.1 The Contractor shall coordinate with the Government to determine the date(s) and time(s) of herbicide application to minimize impacts on other Government activities and so refuge staff has time to close roads and trails in the treatment area prior to treatment beginning. Contractor must have work dates and a plan of work approved by the USFWS 48 hours prior to beginning work, preferably established during a face-to-face pre-work meeting.

5.3 The Contractor shall clean and flush spray equipment in accordance with EPA guidelines. All spray tanks and mixing tanks must be properly cleaned (triple rinsed) prior to arrival because this will not be allowed on site. Contractor/operator may not flush/rinse out tanks onto the ground after the job is completed. Prior to leaving the worksite for the day, the Contractor shall remove all equipment and materials associated with contract or aerial spraying activities on government property unless approval has been granted by the Refuge Manager, and/or a storage site has been identified.

5.4 Contractor is responsible for cleaning up any spills that may occur.

5.5 Special Conditions

5.5.1 Work may be temporarily suspended during prescribed fire operations. The Contractor will be notified in advance when these events will occur and when work shall resume. The COR shall inform the Contractor of the time schedule as work progresses. However, the Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice.

5.5.2 Water levels and high fire danger may prohibit access during certain times of the year. Weather and site conditions may interfere with the work completion schedule negotiated at the award conference. The Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice for conditions beyond the control of the contractor. If this result in significant time lost, the completion date for the project can be re-negotiated by the CO/COR/SR and the contractor.

VI. WORK TIME/HOURS OF DUTY

6.1 Work shall not be performed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

6.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of (To Be Determined by Government Representative) Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the Contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

6.2.1 Any weekend work requires prior approval by the designated contracting officer.

VII. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND UTILITIES

NOTE: As a government agency dedicated to “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” the USFWS strives to incorporate the most ecologically sound and environmentally beneficial technologies, materials, and practices into all aspects of planning and operations. To help achieve this mission and meet Executive Orders (EOs) and Department of the Interior (DOI) planning requirements, the USFWS has implemented strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with procurement, lease acquisition, waste prevention and recycling, facility design, construction, operation and management, contracting and permitted commercial visitor services. These strategies have been collectively referred to as the USFWS’s Green Procurement and Waste Prevention & Recycling Program (Greening Program) and are a part of the USFWS’s overall approach to environmental management.

7.1 Government-Furnished Property and Services. The Government will provide the Contractor with the following items:

7.1.1 Services/Supply: none

7.1.2 Facilities: none

7.1.3 Utilities: none

7.1.4 Equipment: none

7.1.5 Materials: none

7.2 Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: to be provided by the Contractor

7.2.1 All supplies, equipment, parts, and material(s) required to successfully complete this requirement (unless otherwise provided by the Government as indicated above). All equipment to be used in the performance of work described herein is subject to the approval of the GR.

VIII. SUPERVISION

8.1 In order to ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall provide adequate and competent supervision at all times for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees. When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be available at all times to receive notices, reports, or requests from the GR/COR or his authorized representative. At no time shall Government representatives direct or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees.

8.2 On-site Supervision. An on-site supervisor, with the ability to speak and understand English clearly and with the authority to act for the Contractor on a day-to-day basis and to sign inspection reports and all other correspondence on behalf of the Contractor, shall be present at the work site at all times when contract work is in progress, unless a contractor employee can act on the supervisor’s behalf.

8.3. Supervisory Responsibilities. Supervisory responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

8.3.1 Providing an adequate labor force; this includes the immediate replacement of personnel dismissed for cause or leaving employment of their own volition.

8.3.2 Ensuring that Contractor personnel are properly trained to perform their assigned work in a proper, safe, and efficient manner, and ensuring that the proper supplies, materials, and equipment are on hand.

8.3.3 Taking action to prevent general carelessness by employees and/or abuse of facilities or equipment.

8.3.4 Establishing an effective and comprehensive safety program.

8.3.5 Indoctrinating employees to report fire, hazardous conditions, maintenance deficiencies, and graffiti.

8.3.6 Continually ensuring that the conduct of the Contractor’s employees reflect favorably upon the Contractor’s and USFWS organization(s). If applicable, supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that employees fully support and participate in the energy-conservation program within the facilities. Use lights or other energy-consuming equipment only in areas where and when work is actually being performed. Secure lights and other equipment when not in use or needed.

IX. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

9.1 Supervisory Personnel. All supervisory employees engaged in directing the work to be accomplished under this contract shall possess, at least within the last two years of recent, (within the past four years) experience in directing the subject service-type operations in a supervisory capacity for buildings/property of the approximate size/scope under this contract.

X. DELIVERABLES

10.1 Frequent reporting/accounting of overall progress and (to-date) expenditures (i.e. 25%, 50%, 90%) or as determined by the Government/Site Representative.

10.2 Universal Daily Progress Report (U-DPR), to be provided prior to commencement of work, documenting all locations treated in UTMs, habitat types, herbicides and surfactants used and their respective volumes, dates treated, number of applicators, hours worked, targeted species and stems/acreage treated and seedlings pulled, equipment used and hours, etc., which shall be submitted to the USFWS Site Manager or his/her designee on a bi-weekly basis (minimum). Contractor shall enter U-DPR information into necessary databases.

10.3 Associated tracks and waypoints collected shall be downloaded as a projected shapefile and provided to the COR/SR of record or their designee. NOTE: Contractor crew supervisor cannot enter the Refuge, unless they have and are proficient with a GPS to navigate.

10.4 Coordination, application, and wrap-up meetings.

10.5 Work plan to include schedule.

10.6 Safety/spill response plan.

10.7 A government representative will inspect all areas periodically during the contract period and will perform a final inspection of all areas 30-90 days following treatments.

10.8 Copies of all task order invoices (signed by the Contractor Crew Supervisor/Site Manager) shall be submitted to the USFWS Site Manager and/or R4 ISST as agreed upon by the Government and the Contractor.

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

(This technical exhibit lists any reports or documentation that are required as a deliverable and includes the frequency, # of copies, medium/format and who/where it is to be submitted. A deliverable is anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as meeting minutes.)

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To

List of Company Point of Contacts with name, phone number, email address

Once 1 Pre-award teleconference notes; MS Word or Email

Contracting Officer and Government Representative/Manager

Scheduled reporting/accounting of progress (acres cleared and expected acreage treated for the coming week).

Weekly; also at 50% & 100% project completion

1 Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

DPRs Weekly 1 Hard/soft copy of field DPR or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

GPS Track Log Bi-weekly 1 Projected shapefile Government Representative/Manager

Total Herbicide Usage Reports

End of calendar year and at project completion

1 Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

Coordination, application, and wrap-up meetings

As directed by the

COR/SR

n/a Meeting Government Representative/Manager

Quality Assurance Plan

1.1 The Contractor shall institute a complete quality-control program to ensure that the requirements of this contract are provided, as specified. The overall goal of the program should be to identify and correct any problems that may exist before they are identified by or reported to the GR/SR. This will aid in ensuring the contractor meets time schedules, adheres to standard commercial practices, and complies with Performance Work Statement/contract in an efficient, ethical, and productive manner. As a minimum, the program shall include:

1.1.1 An inspection system covering all the services required under Section V (Performance Requirements) with a comprehensive checklist to be used to inspect contract performance during scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and the name(s) of the individuals who will be performing the inspections.

1.1.2 A system for identifying and correcting deficiencies and/or a pattern of deficiencies in the quality or quantity of services provided before the level of performance becomes unacceptable and/or Government inspectors point out the deficiencies.

1.1.3 A file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and corrective actions taken (at Contractor’s expense). This should include follow-up inspections to ensure that corrective action was appropriate, complete, and timely. This documentation shall be organized in a logical manner, kept current, and made available to the GR and the Contracting Officer during the term of the contract.

1.1.4 When notified of a deficiency, items designated as unsatisfactory or below standard shall be re-performed by Contactor at no additional cost to the Government. All corrective action must be completed by the next working day of notification of the deficiency. If not, a deduction may be made. Failure of the Government to notify the Contractor of a deficiency does not relieve the Contractor of the obligation to perform services nor does it relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to ensure that quality control measures are adhered to for contract compliance.

1.2 Performance Indicators and Acceptable Quality Levels

1.2.1 Comply with work production/work schedule(s) except for Excusable Delays. 100% compliance

1.2.2 Comply with all work requirements and standards as indicated within the Work Statement. 100% compliance

1.2.3 Comply with all contract terms and conditions. 100% compliance

1.2.4 Cause no damage government resources, fish, wildlife, and/or property. 100% compliance

1.2.5 Maintain safety of workers and work environment at all times. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.6 Maintain a Quality Control Plan and immediately disclose/report any problems.100% compliance

1.2.7 Ensure all equipment is in good working order during the entire period of performance, and safeguard the use and storage of all chemicals. 100% compliance

1.2.8 The Contractor shall submit the proposed herbicide brand name(s) and application rate(s) to Refuge staff for approval via a Pesticide Use Proposal (an internal USFWS document). 100% compliance

1.2.9 The task shall be considered completed following a thorough final inspection of the delineated treatment area by the Contracting Officer’s Representative, and only if, it is determined that the Contractor treated 100% of all exotic species within the delineated treatment area after the initial and re-treatment phases have been completed, and achieved a 95% control rate two – four months post-treatment. If it is determined that the Contractor did not achieve a 95% control rate, and was found in non-compliance, additional re-treatment of the entire area shall be performed at the Contractor’s expense. 100% compliance

1.2.10 When possible and to the greatest extent of the Contractor’s capabilities, herbicide drift shall be avoided. The Contractor shall be held responsible for extensive non-target damage (to be determined by the COR/SR). 100% compliance

1.3 Surveillance Methods

1.3.1 Regularly scheduled inspection/review of work

1.3.2 Inspection of materials, equipment, and chemicals. The CO/COR/SR, reserves the right to inspect, at any time upon notice to the Contractor, the Contractor’s procedures, spray system, spray solution, and other ancillary equipment, and operating personnel. Inspection, however, shall not relieve the Contractor of any obligations or responsibilities, nor shall it transfer any liability to the Refuge.

1.3.3 Contractor logs/reports

1.3.4 Entire payment will be held until final inspection by Refuge staff to determine effects on target vegetation. Following inspection, the Contractor may submit their invoice for payment. Unless 100% coverage with 95% control is shown on all targeted vegetation, the Contractor must return to the unaffected portion of the site and re-spray at their expense within 2 months of the original treatment. Payment will be withheld until satisfactory results are achieved.

1.4 Incentives

1.4.1 Non-compliance with Performance Work Statement will result in negative performance evaluation/rating.

1.4.2 A positive performance rating will be given for overall satisfactory work and compliance related to the contract.

Figure 1. Refuge location and overview.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Figure 2. Refuge Headquarters Treatment Unit.