PWS -Weed Abatement -DRAFT_1.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior February 2021

Scope of Work

Weed Abatement Program

Central California Area Office – Safety of Dams

FY 2021 -2026

1.0 Scope

1.1 Objective – The objective of this contract is to acquire contractor services to perform weed abatement for Folsom Dam and its facilities. The goal is to have a weed free area for the Folsom

Dam and its facilities.

1.2 Background

The Contractor shall provide the Central California Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation, Great Basin Region 10 (Reclamation) with weed abatement services via the application of herbicides as part of its weed abatement program. Reclamation maintenance personnel perform occasional mechanical control of weeds, however, additional work is needed. Weed abatement services will allow the Central California Area Office to closeout environmental commitments for the Safety of Dams Project.

Weed abatement services will be carried out at Folsom Dam and its facilities including Dikes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Left- and Right-Wing Dams, Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam, and Auxiliary

Spillway. Figure 1 below illustrates these locations (note that the Auxiliary Spillway is within the Left-Wing Dam polygon).

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Figure 1: Weed Abatement Service Locations

The contractor shall be responsible for all permitting, herbicide application, post-application reporting, and disposal of all empty containers. The contractor will also be responsible for the protection of all non-target plants, animals, and other species.

Protection of the environment and water quality is of the utmost importance. Work shall be performed when wind is at a minimum and all application activities shall be halted when wind gusts exceed 5 mph. All herbicide tank mixes shall include a surfactant to enhance chemical adhesion and retard drift.

The work shall involve chemical application of herbicides, approved by Reclamation prior to use, along the drainage slopes, waste ways, primary and secondary roadways and road edges, road drainage swales and ditches, fence lines, turnouts, kiosks, overlooks, parking lots, restrooms, trailheads, wildlife ponds, dams, dam works, spillways, penstocks, pipelines, valve structures, monitoring weirs, bridges, gates, boat ramps, equipment storage areas, office buildings, power plants, pumping plants, switchyards, distribution boxes, gates, and other structures or appurtenances.

2.0 References

The following document is required in the performance of this contract:

1. Reclamation Manual Integrated Pest Management Program - Reclamation Manual |

Bureau of Reclamation (usbr.gov). May 5th, 2020.

3.0 Tasks

The contractor shall perform the following tasks:

3.1 The Contractor will submit a Spray Management Work Plan (Work Plan) before the start of work. The Work Plan shall include recommendations of chemical use, and outlines proposed method and timing necessary to insure a weed-free treatment area from the first pre-emergence application through post-emergence application. The

Work Plan shall include a proposed timetable for weed abatement treatments along with the chemicals and their application rates.

3.2 The contractor will utilize herbicides to remove weeds from the Folsom Dam and its facilities. All weeds must be removed, however, the following species are to be

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https://www.usbr.gov/recman/ https://www.usbr.gov/recman/ targeted: Fox Tail grass Bromus rubens, Wild Oats Avena fatua, Rye Grasses Lolium perenne, Blue Grasses Poa secunda , Yellow Star Thistle Centaurea solstitialis, Italian Thistle Carduus pycnocephalus, Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Filaree

Erodium cicutarium, Skeleton weed Chondrilla juncea, Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana, Stinkwort Dittrichia graveolens, French

Broom Genista monspessulana, Perennial Pepperweed Lepidium latifolium, Medusa head Elymus caput-medusae, Mare’s Tail Hippuris vulgaris, and Tree of heaven

Ailanthus altissima. Contractor shall spray for all annual grasses and any woody vegetation as it appears; however, spraying must avoid special status species such as elderberry shrubs (Sambucus mexicana). Elderberry shrubs encountered during work will be avoided by a buffer of 165 feet from dripline. Special attention shall be paid to dams, dikes, canals, and structures.

3.3 Chemicals approved for use on Reclamation Lands include the following products:

Sulfometuron-methyl (Oust) Oxyfluorfen (Goal)

Glyphosate (Rodeo, Roundup) Oryzalin (Surflan)

Clopyralid (Transline) Tricloypr (Pathfinder, Garlon)

Aminopyralidtriisopropanolammonium (Milestone VM)

Sulfentrazone (Portfolio 4F CA)

3.4 All chemical treatments shall be band applied. No broadcast or blanket type of spray coverage shall be permitted. All chemical treatment shall be applied by ground driven or handheld equipment. Contractor shall avoid driving over freshly sprayed areas. No aerial equipment will be permitted.

3.5 Chemical band treatments will be applied at the following widths;

(a) Fence lines – 10 feet (5 feet each side of fence)

(b) Primary (paved) roads – 5 feet on each shoulder (to include drainage ditch)

(c) Secondary (unpaved) roads – road width + 5 feet each shoulder (to include drainage ditch)

(d) Road edge w/ Bollards – Spray road edge and 3 feet beyond bollards

(g) Parking lots – 5 feet along lot edges (to include drainage ditch)

(h) Bridges/Gates – 5 feet along perimeter and road edge (including abutments)

(j) All Buildings – 5 feet band around perimeter of all buildings

Exception: Landscaped areas around office buildings

(k) Pipelines – 30 feet each side and under pipelines

(l) Wing Dams/Dikes – crest road width + 5 feet each shoulder, access roads + 5 feet each shoulder, entire upstream and downstream face including groin areas, and woody and weedy vegetation on upstream face (when accessible)

(m) Monitoring Wells/Weirs – 5 feet radius around each well/weir plus instrumentation access roads + 5 feet each shoulder

3.6 Weed Abatement applications will be made at the following facilities per Figure 1;

(a) All Primary roads

(b) Secondary roads

(c) Parking lots

(d) Fence lines

(e) Natomas & North Fork Pipeline Right-of-Way (including woody vegetation)

(g) Area buildings and shops

(h) Equipment storage areas

(i) Warehouse storage yard

(j) Secured storage

(k) Earthen Wing Dams and Dikes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8

(l) Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam (including the two benches on the downstream side)

(m) Monitoring weirs/wells including access roads

3.7 Contractor shall apply herbicide applications based upon the following schedule, weather permitting; (Actual times may be adjusted based on weather conditions and after mutual agreement between Reclamation and the Contractor).

3.7.1 Pre-emergence - October to December (annual grasses, biennials, and perennials). Spray for annual grasses and woody vegetation within treatment areas, with special focus on Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitialis and Stinkwort

Dittrichia graveolens. If possible, spray before rain events to allow the material to sink into the soil. Take proper precaution to avoid any chemicals from entering into any waterbodies.

3.7.2 Post-emergence - January to February (annual grasses, biennials and perennials). Spray for annual grasses and all woody vegetation growing within treatment areas.

3.7.3 Touch-up - March to May (late germination of annual grasses, biennials, and thistle). Treat problem areas and re-spray areas missed by initial post-emergence application. Touch-up spray for annual grasses and all woody vegetation growing within the treatment areas.

3.8 The Contractor must abide by all local, state, and Federal regulations relative to the work being performed. Contractor shall be responsible for all fees, fines and penalties assessed for failure to comply with pertinent laws and regulations.

3.9 The Contractor shall provide proof of insurance for the performance of the requested activities including but not limited to vehicle, workers compensation, and professional liability. Professional liability insurance shall have a minimum of one million dollars per occurrence. The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area

Office shall be listed as additional insured on all professional liability insurance.

3.10 The Contractor shall provide Reclamation a hold harmless agreement for all actions resulting from their work activities.

3.11 A work performance evaluation period will commence after the end of the contract time period of May 2021 – May 2026. As part of the evaluation, the contractor will be assessed by its performance in effectively creating a weed-free treatment area for the time period covered in this contract. Mid-term evaluations will be carried out in May 2023 to assess contractor performance.

3.12 The Contractor shall include in the Work Plan steps to be taken to prevent the unauthorized release of any chemicals, steps to be taken for notification of an unauthorized chemical release, steps to be taken to remediate an unauthorized chemical release, including clean-up procedures to be undertaken allowing for the protection of the visiting public, workers, Reclamation employees, neighbors/adjoining property owners, and the environment.

3.13 The Contractor shall submit a hazard analysis prior to commencing work. Hazard analysis shall identify all possible hazards and provide actions for preventing or mitigating them should they occur. Hazard Analysis shall include location and route to nearest hospital, name and telephone number of company physician, telephone number for ambulance, police and fire departments having jurisdiction.

3.14 Prior to the submitting the Work Plan the contractor shall have a mandatory meeting at each project site to review and become familiar and knowledgeable about each area to be treated.

3.15 The Contractor shall include a surfactant in each tank mix to ensure that chemical drift is reduced to a minimum. All chemical applications will be discontinued when the wind gust speed reaches a minimum of 5 mph.

3.16 A non-toxic dye coloring to denote the areas treated shall be included in each tank mix. The dye coloring will be selected by Reclamation. Contractor shall inform

Reclamation as to the colors available. Color dye will be detected for no longer than 30 days after chemical treatment.

3.17 The Contractor shall be responsible for the triple rinsing, crushing, and proper disposal of all pesticide, surfactant, and any other containers utilized on this project.

Contractor shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal of all trash, rubbish, or other waste created while performing work.

3.18 Signs shall be placed along road edges and within campgrounds or visitation sites at least 2 days prior to any herbicide applications. Signs shall be removed no later than noon the second day after treatment. The signs shall include wording informing visitors of herbicide application and the signs need to be approved by Reclamation prior to posting.

3.19 Should contractor fail to provide effective chemical treatment, contractor shall be responsible for providing mechanical abatement to protect buildings, campgrounds, pipelines, powerhouses, water treatment plants, and all other structures or appurtenances from a wildland fire threat.

3.20 Total estimated acreage to be treated for each 1st and 2nd application is approximately 507 acres. The total acreage for Folsom is 507 acres; 404 acres consists mainly of annual grasses and 103 acres of annual grasses with woody vegetation. Special emphasis for treatments shall be placed upon road shoulders, dams, wing dams and monitoring weirs.

3.21 Pest Management Maintenance Record shall be prepared by the Contractor and include; name and address where pest control work was performed, name and address of pest control operator, type of pest control work performed, manufacturer and name of products used, EPA registration number of pesticide used, total product used, site treated, and acres treated.

3.22 Pest Management Maintenance Record shall be signed by the applicator and include applicator identification number/permit number and license number.

3.23 The Contractor shall produce and abide by a fire protection plan with measures to prevent and respond to potential fires. The fire protection plan shall be approved by

Reclamation prior to abatement activities.

4.0 Performance Requirements Summary

Task No.

Task Description

Performance

Indicator

Performance

Standard

Minimum

Acceptable Quality

Level

3.1 Submit Spray

Management Work

Plan

• Contractor shall have a work plan that achieves goal 3.2

• Submit plan with chemical recommendati ons, method, timing, chemical application rates

• Submit completed plan by May 2021

3.2 The contractor will

utilize herbicides to remove weeds from the Folsom Dam and its facilities.

• Existing weed populations are reduced

• Weed free treatment area from first application through June

• Achieve at a minimum a 80% reduction in all listed species or

Control weed species such that populations stay at or below present levels

3.13 Hazard Analysis

Plan

• Contractor shall have sufficient analysis to be prepared for all potential hazards

• Hazard analysis shall provide:

location and route to nearest hospital, name and telephone number of company physician, telephone number for ambulance, police and fire departments having jurisdiction.

• Submit completed plan by May 2021

3.20 Treatment Acreage • Identified areas

show signs of treatment

• All 507 acres will be treated during the pre-emergence, post-emergence, and touch-up phases

• All 507 acres will be treated during the pre-emergence, post-emergence, and touch-up phases

3.21 –

3.22

Pest Management

Record

• Contractor shall maintain proper records to allow for future improvements and provide evidence for work completed.

• Pest

Management

Maintenance

Record shall include; name and address where pest control work was performed, name and address of pest control operator, type of pest control work performed, manufacturer and name of products used, EPA registration number of pesticide used, total product used, site treated, and acres treated.

• Contractor shall continue the record throughout the duration of the contracted work.

The record may need to submitted at regular intervals to ensure compliance and at the end of work for proper records.

3.23 Fire Protection Plan • Contractor shall

produce and abide by a reasonable plan to avoid and be able to respond to any fires.

• The plan shall have measures to avoid and respond to potential fires effectively.

• Submit completed plan by May 2021 and abide by the plan for the duration of the contracted work

5.0 Site Security

PART 1 GENERAL

5.01 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. Cost:

1. Include in prices offered in the Price Schedule for other items of work.

5.02 REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AT FOLSOM DAM AND FACILITY

A. Background:

1. Background - Folsom Dam and facility is formally designated as a National

Critical Infrastructure (NCI) site according to Presidential Decision Directive 21

(PDD-21) issued February 12, 2013 and as such must operate at a much greater level of vigilance than other Reclamation facilities.

B. Authorities for Requirements:

1. The security requirements at Folsom Dam Facilities are based upon Public Law

109-13, Real ID Act of 2005, PDD-21, Homeland Security Presidential Directive

(HSPD) 12; Department of the Interior Manual 444 Chapter 2, Critical

Infrastructure and Key Resource Security (CUI) , Department of the Interior

Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Guide for Federal Employees and

Contractors (December 2005), RM D&S SLE 01-01, Personnel Security and

Suitability and SLE 03-02, Facility Security; and Decision Document (CUI) –

Folsom Dam and Power plant (7/3/2003).

C. References:

1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Folsom Dam Facilities Access and Key

Control, latest revision:

a. This reference is considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI);

distribution will be made only to contract parties who sign a Non-

Disclosure Agreement (NDA) beforehand.

2. Regional Letter 18-08, Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Credential

Process for Contractors (6/7/18).

D. Work will occur in Controlled Access Areas (CAA) including Critical Areas:

1. Contractor personnel will always be required to be badged or escorted while in these areas.

2. Exact CAA and critical area locations are spelled out in Reference C. above.

E. Personnel Access Requirements:

1. Critical Areas: All Contractor personnel entering Critical Areas shall be properly badged and/or escorted as described below:

a. Unescorted Access:

1) Contractor shall designate individuals requiring unescorted access and/or escort privileges into Critical Areas. Those individuals shall be subjected to a Tier 2 background investigation by the

Office of Personnel Management (or equivalent) in accordance with Article 1.09 – Personal Identification Verification (PIV) –

Critical Areas requirements.

a) Individuals may have interim unescorted access and/or escort privileges into Critical Areas for up to 365 calendar days based on receipt of a PIV card. This interim access may be revoked if Tier 2 requirements aren’t completed.

2) In addition, personnel shall complete 1-hour of Folsom Security

Training. This site-specific training will initially be provided by

CCAO personnel prior to individuals starting work on the contract.

3) In so far as is practicable, Contractor shall complete required Tier

2 investigation paperwork, fingerprinting and enrollment for PIV card, along with security training process at least 30-days before anticipated start work date in Critical Areas so as not to impact schedule work. A picture identification badge marked for unescorted access and/or escort privileges to Critical Areas will be issued upon receiving notification from the Regional Personnel

Security Office.

b. Escorted Access:

1) Other Contractor personnel may enter Critical Areas if they have been issued a picture CCAO identification badge and are escorted by an approved escort.

2) Contractor personnel can receive a picture CCAO identification badge allowing unescorted access into non-critical CAA for up to

180 calendar days after their start work date. After 180 days they must complete the requirements to receive unescorted access in paragraph 1a above in order to remain on the project.

3) Contractors requesting escorted access must complete an abbreviated Folsom security training session and present a Real ID compliant form of picture identification before receiving their

CCAO identification badge.

c. Escorts taking persons into Critical Areas shall continuously monitor escorted personnel so that employee overseeing activity ensures that escorted personnel do not enter an unsafe or Critical area. Escorts may turn escorted personnel over to another approved escort to ensure uninterrupted monitoring of escorted personnel. Escorted Contractor personnel shall be monitored continuously by approved Contractor escorts:

1) Ratio of escorts to non-escorts is 1:10.

2. Foreign Nationals: Foreign national employees or visitors who possess a current

Real ID compliant form of photo identification may apply for either unescorted or escorted access using the procedures above. Foreign nationals who present passports as their identification must have a current U.S. work visa.

a. Foreign Nationals who don’t have a current Real ID compliant identification are required to present their full passport information to include a photocopy to the Government no later than 14 days prior to their coming into CAA’s. The individual must be approved by the Reclamation

Office of Safety, Security, and Law Enforcement (SSLE) prior to entering a CAA.

F. Vehicle Access Requirements:

a. Vehicle Access:

1) No personal vehicles are allowed intro Critical Areas.

2) All work and personal vehicles may be subject to search and/or inspection by Folsom Dam Security prior to entering the facility.

b. Deliveries and work vehicles:

1) All delivery and work vehicles shall wait at designated site access points for an approved escort before proceeding into Critical Areas and will be inspected by Folsom Dam security staff prior to entry.

2) Contractor vehicles that are kept on-site and taken off site for short periods only (less than 2 hours) may be exempt from this requirement provided they are inspected upon first entry and each subsequent entry greater than two hours off site. Such vehicles will have distinctive markings provided by Folsom Dam Security.

G. Open Areas

1. Areas of the facility that are not shown in the SOP in Paragraph 1.02 C (2) above as CAA or Critical Areas will be considered open. The contractor will be responsible for access control and site security in these areas.

H. Loss of Access Badges:

1. Contractors who lose an access badge shall report it immediately to COR and to

CCAO Administrative Office. Failure to report a lost badge may result in denial of replacement badge.

I. Misuse of Access Badges:

1. Contractors that misuse access badges issued by CCAO, enter unauthorized

Security Zones, provide badge to others, tailgating, follow improper escort procedures, or other misuses face the following actions:

a. First offense: Warning and requirement to retake Folsom Security

Training.

b. Second offense: Permanent loss of CCAO access badge.

5.03 SUBMITTALS

A. Submit the following in accordance with Section 01 33 00 – Submittals.

B. RSN 01 35 50-1, Security Program:

1. Identify procedures for restricting entry onto project site to authorized persons.

2. Develop and implement Identification Badging process for open areas.

3. Develop security plan and procedures for monitoring personnel and vehicle entry and egress to project site, control access to Critical areas, and develop a security sensitive traffic circulation plan for various phases of work.

C. RSN 01 35 50-2, List of Onsite Employees and Vehicles:

1. Provide list of employees. List shall provide full name, date of birth, purpose or job title, and estimated duration of access:

a. Designate individuals for “Unescorted Access” or “Escorted Access”.

2. Provide list of Contractor vehicles and equipment. List shall provide vehicle description, license number and State as applicable, year, make, and model.

3. Update and resubmit RSN 01 35 50-2 monthly, or as employees and/or vehicles are added or deleted.

5.04 DEFINITIONS

A. Control Access Area (CAA): A security area at Folsom Dam defined in the Folsom Dam

Access and Key Control SOP (CUI).

B. Critical Areas: A CAA requiring PIV cards and successful completion of background investigation for unescorted access. These areas are defined in the Folsom Dam Access and Key Control SOP (CUI).

C. Open Areas: Areas not defined as a CAA in the SOP. These areas don’t require PIV badges as stipulated in clause WBR 1452.237-80 Security Requirements but do require a

CO approved Contractor developed badging system to identify employees allowed on site.

5.05 CRITERIA TO DEVELOP SECURITY PROGRAM

A. Site access is limited to those access points shown on drawings.

B. CCAO is responsible to control access into CAA through these site access points and provide overall security for Government facilities.

C. When security fence or device protecting Critical areas is removed for construction, a new “temporary Critical area” perimeter fence shall be installed and maintained until area is secured.

D. It should be assumed all vehicles entering Critical areas and temporary Critical areas shall be subject to thorough CCAO inspection lasting up to 15-minutes.

E. Once vehicles have entered Critical areas and passed security inspection they will be subject to CCAO random daily inspection only, unless there is cause or concern for additional inspections such as if vehicle has left site for an extended period, i.e., greater than 2-hours.

F. Personnel not having required ID on their person always shall be subject to immediate removal from the site.

5.06 RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Protect work and existing facilities from unauthorized entry, theft, and vandalism.

Contractor is responsible for security of Contractor’s own property.

B. Initiate security program in coordination with Government's existing security procedures at job mobilization. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department is the local law enforcement office handling security.

C. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and Folsom Dam Security will require routine and continuous access to work area during construction.

D. Maintain security throughout construction period until acceptance of work by CO.

5.07 ENTRY CONTROL

A. Real ID compliant Photo ID and a CCAO issued identification card required for each employee entering a CAA.

B. Entrance to site will be limited to authorized personnel and vehicles.

C. Maintain continuous log of workmen and visitors and make available to Government on request.

5.08 PERSONNEL IDENTIFICATION (ID) – OPEN AREAS

A. For all employees entering open areas, issue a durable CO approved identification card to each person authorized to enter site with the following information:

1. All ID’s: A single unique background color, but not Blue, Red, Green, or Black.

2. Employee’s name.

3. Employee’s photograph.

4. Assigned identification number or alpha numeric ID.

5. Card issue and expiration date.

6. Responsible employee’s supervisor name and phone number(s).

7. Responsible On-site Government Representative name and phone number(s).

B. Maintain list of authorized persons and provide a copy to COR.

C. Collect card from authorized person at completion of their work at site and surrender to

COR.

5.09 PERSONNEL IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION IDENTIFICATION (PIV-ID)

– CRITICAL AREAS

A. Follow requirements as stipulated in WBR 1452.237-80 Security Requirements Contract

Clause, (c) Contractor Employee Suitability and Issuance of Government Identification

Cards.

B. Contractor designated individuals shall provide required Tier 2 investigation and PIV card paperwork to the Reclamation Regional Personnel Security Office. The exact process is spelled out in Paragraph 1.02 C (2) above.

C. After submission of required documentation, a system generated email from HSPD-12 will be sent to the individual notifying them they have been sponsored and to make an appointment to enroll for PIV card. Email will provide a set of instructions on how to make an appointment to enroll and what credentials will be needed for their appointment.

Contractor can enroll anywhere across the country where there is a USAccess center.

D. During enrollment, individual will be fingerprinted and photographed.

E. After review of fingerprints PIV card will be issued to Contractor (normally takes two to three weeks). PIV card will be available for pick up at CCAO Administrative building.

F. Maintain list of authorized persons issued PIV-ID and provide copy to COR.

G. Collect PIV-ID card from authorized person at completion of their work at site and surrender to COR.

5.10 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION PROCESS

A. A security specialist from Security, Safety and Law Enforcement (SSLE) in Denver, Colorado, will contact individuals designated as needing Tier 2 investigations via email with instructions on how to complete background investigation security paperwork

(provide a valid email address to subject or to another contractor representative that can forward instructions to individual).

B. Individual will complete security paperwork online through Office of Personnel

Management’s eQIP portal. Contractor will be expected to complete security questionnaire within 7-days of being notified to begin the process.

C. If any derogatory information is found in Contractor’s background, SSLE will send

Letter of Interrogatory to individual requesting additional information to assist in making determination to favorably adjudicate background investigation.

D. Once individual has submitted required security paperwork through eQIP and has enrolled for PIV card and no issues are found from fingerprint check, a provisional badge may be issued while background investigation is in process.

E. Full completion of background investigation may take one to three months.

F. If SSLE unfavorably adjudicates individual’s background investigation or if the requirements for a Tier 2 investigation aren’t successfully completed, the individual may be immediately removed individual from Folsom Dam property at the direction of the

Government.

PART 6 PRODUCTS

Not Used

PART 7 EXECUTION

Not Used

6.0 Government Furnished Materials

N/A