SOW_ROMO_WeedControl.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO)

PMIS #210818, 316133, 239689

February 2022

Weed Control for Road and Infrastructure Improvement Projects

SCOPE: The contractor shall perform the work of this contract for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The information developed under this contract is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The work of this contract shall consist of shall be provided from approximately April 2022 to December 31, 2026.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION: The work of this contract shall consist of the services described below for the referenced project. In this document, the project shall be referred to as Weed Control.

CONTACTS: The following individuals are to be contacted with any questions, concerns, and issues regarding this contract other individuals are authorized to make decisions regarding this contract during any portion of the work. By responding with a bid proposal the contractor understands and agrees to these terms.

Contracting Officer (CO): L.J. Gravelle, lj_gravelle@nps.gov, 720-415-1428 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Amanda Stein, amanda_stein@nps.gov, 303-905-4934 Park Technical Contacts: Kevin Gaalaas, kevin_gaalaas@nps.gov, 970 586-1360 and Jim Bromberg, jim_bromberg@nps.gov, 970-586-1302

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This contract shall provide for reconnaissance surveys, treatment, and data collection of non-native species to facilitate the restoration of native vegetation in areas disturbed by construction activities at the Fall River Entrance Fee Station, Moraine Park Headquarters and Campground Area, and Green Mountain Demolition and New Housing Area in Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). Based on species’ phenology multiple visits may be required for site reconnaissance and to complete treatments during the spring, summer, and fall months. Treatments shall occur for three years at each project site; in the year prior to construction, and two years post construction. The total treatment area is anticipated at 25 acres.

II. FUNDING LIMITATIONS

The Government obligation for performance of this contract beyond this phase is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond the amount that has been authorized through the issuance of written modifications.

III. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Task 1. Reconnaissance Surveys and Treatment Plan

The Contractor shall conduct reconnaissance surveys to identify targeted non-native and invasive weeds listed in Table 1 at sites listed in Table 2 (also see locational map in Appendix A). Reconnaissance surveys should include walking each project limit of disturbance (LOD) as well as a 100-foot buffer beyond the proposed LOD. NPS will provide more detailed site maps following the award of the contract.

Table 1. Targeted Invasive Species.

Table 2. Survey & Treatment Locations.

* includes treatment buffer 100’ from edge of construction disturbance.

Following reconnaissance surveys the Contractor will submit a proposal (Treatment Plan) to perform invasive plant treatment of targeted non-native and invasive weeds found during reconnaissance surveys. Contractor’s plan must follow requirements, as identified in the Quality Standards listed. At a minimum this Treatment Plan should include:

· Proof of Colorado herbicide license.

· Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layer (preferred) or hard copy maps of areas showing perimeter of areas walked and locations of targeted species.

· Timing of proposed treatments.

· Proposed treatment method and equipment.

· Treatment may consist of manual and/or herbicide methods but must result in the effective destruction of the invasive and proper removal of any of its propagative parts.

· For herbicides this includes: copies of Pesticide labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulation Number.

· Safety Plan including topics covering employee safety, hospital access, equipment access, pesticide application safety procedures, spill response and containment methods.

Four weeks prior to work commencing, the Contractor shall submit the Treatment Plan to the COR and Park for review to confirm that the methods, locations, and timing of proposed work does not conflict with or impact natural and cultural resources and to assure that the Plan is consistent with Conservation Measures and Best Management Practices as outlined in the Exotic Plant Management Plan (NPS 2018, Appendices B and C). The Treatment Plan must be approved by the CO prior to the start of work.

Task 2. Treatment

Treatments shall occur for three years at each project site; in the year prior to construction, and two years post construction (see Table 3). All invasives plants shall be treated before they reach a flowering or seeding stage, otherwise they shall have any reproductive parts bagged in 3 mil or greater plastic, sealed to prevent seed dispersal, and disposed of legally off site.

Table 3. Anticipated treatment schedule.

Moraine Park Headquarters and Campground Area

Green Mountain Demolition and New Housing Area

Herbicide Application:

· One person in the crew must possess a current Qualified Applicator’s license.

· Adhere to herbicide label instructions.

· Conduct selective spot spraying on targeted species; avoid or minimize impacts to non-targeted species during application.

· Conduct during the growth period of the plant that will maximize the efficacy of the herbicide applied. Plant phenology recommendations are stated on herbicide labels for each approved species. If specific plant phenology / treatment timing is not specified on the table the contractor will research the optimal treatment time and submit that in the treatment plan (Task 1).

· All herbicide used on site shall contain a non-toxic tracking dyes.

· Spot spray rather than boom or broadcast spray.

· Spray only when weather conditions are conducive to effective uptake of the herbicide by the targeted species (e.g., sunny, dry, and when plants are actively growing) and when wind conditions are such that herbicide drift is minimal.

· Do not store herbicide on ROMO land without CO approval.

· Select existing hardened surfaces or disturbed sites for staging/mixing areas. To reduce the potential for spills, impervious material, such as a bucket or plastic, shall be placed beneath mixing areas in such a manner as to contain any spills associated with mixing/refilling.

· An Emergency Spill Response Plan and spill kit will be on-site when herbicide treatment methods occur. This Plan will include project safety planning, methods of clean-up of accidental spills, and information including a spill kit contents and location.

Manual Removal:

· Minimize impacts to soils. Any excessive digging will need to be cleared through the CO and be reviewed by government cultural resource staff.

· Removal efforts should be completed when soils are dry to moist, and not overly wet.

· Remove all above and for perennial or rhizomatous (or root sprouting) species below ground materials.

· Collect, bag, and haul offsite any reproductive parts of manually removed plants (rhizomes, mature buds, and seeds).

· Target manual removal efforts early in the growth period such that plants are removed when small to maximize efficacy and minimize site disturbance.

· Removal activities shall not damage newly established native plants. Post-construction work, all of the disturbed areas at the project sites will have been seeded with native species and removal activities should be conducted in a sensitive manner so as to reduce impacts to newly germinating native plants.

Task 3. Reporting:

For both manual and herbicide treatments the areas surveyed and treated shall be mapped using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with 1 meter accuracy or better. Using a handheld or tablet- based mapping GIS application is preferred. For each treatment, a polygon shall be generated with attributes to include the following:

· species treated and percent cover

· treatment date

· treatment method

· phenological stage of species treated

· approximate number of individuals treated

Herbicide use reporting logs shall be documented in a table format An example is provided in Appendix B. Each entry in the table shall include:

· date and time of application

· weather (including wind speed and direction)

· amount of herbicide concentrate applied (including adjuvants used)

· EPA registration number of herbicide concentrate

· target species and estimated number of individuals treated

· size of treated area (square feet or acres)

· name and herbicide license number of applicator(s)

· method of application and other vital information

All GIS data and reporting logs shall be provided to the COR by November 1 after treatments are performed. Unless specifically stated, the Contractor shall submit all reports to the COR in an electronic format. Provide digital GIS shapefiles in UTM/NAD 83 format.

IV. QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality Standards shall be in accordance with the base contract, commercial practices, ROMO’s Exotic Plant Management Plan (NPS 2018, Appendices B and C), and as described in this statement of work.

If the Contractor has concerns regarding meeting any of the following quality standards, the COR must be notified in writing with an explanation and possible corrective actions at the earliest opportunity. A determination of the most effective corrective action as mutually agreed upon will be made, which may result in a modification of this contract.

Contractor and all staff shall wear orange or yellow reflective safety vests and have vehicles clearly marked and identifiable to ROMO law enforcement.

Weed Prevention Protocol: Ensure all vehicles, gear, tools, equipment, personnel PPE, etc. involved with or otherwise used in non-native plant treatment arrive to the project sites clean and free of off-site soil and organic debris. Efforts shall be made to ensure that seeds and/or vegetative propagule of invasive plants will be removed from clothing and equipment prior to leaving treatment sites. Efforts shall be made to ensure that seeds and/or vegetative propagules of invasive plants shall be removed from clothing and equipment prior to leaving treatment sites.

Species Identification: Crews must be knowledgeable of local plant species and able to identify non-native species in Table 1.

Treatment Timing and Efficacy: Contractor to provide treatment protocol for each species for approval by CO. Methods may include approved herbicides and manual removal. Conduct treatments at the appropriate time to eradicate plants and prevent further spread. Utilize proven, effective treatment methods.

Herbicide Use Protocols: Follow all requirements listed under Task 2 in Section III. All sites where herbicides are proposed to be applied will be posted at access points with signs at least two weeks prior to application. Signs will remain in place for at least as long as is required by the herbicide label. Signs will contain the treatment date, target invasive exotic plants, name of herbicide applied, restricted entry period if any, and a park contact name and number for any questions.

V. DELIVERABLES and SCHEDULE

Fall River Entrance Road Fee Station

Moraine Park Headquarters and Campground Area

Green Mountain Demolition and New Housing Area

VI. PROPOSAL PRICING

Task

Fall River Entrance Road Fee Station (East Side of Park)

LS

Moraine Park Headquarters and Campground Area (East Side of Park)

LS

Green Mountain Demolition and New Housing Area (West Side of Park)

LS

COMBINED TOTAL

Fill in this table or include a similar set-up table in your proposal (prices should include all services, associated materials, labor, travel, and documentation).

VII. REFERENCES

National Park Service (NPS). 2018. Rocky Mountain National Park: Exotic Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment. November. Appendices B and C. https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/exotic_plant_mgmt_plan.htm

Contract # Task Order #

Appendix A.

Locations of Weed Control at Rocky Mountain National Park

Moraine Park Headquarters and Campground Project Area

Fall River Entrance Project Area

Green Mountain Demolition and New Housing Project Area

Appendix B. Example Pesticide Use Log image1.png image2.png image3.png image4.emf image5.emf image6.emf image7.emf