SOW-TraskLakeAO2024.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

SCOPE OF WORK:

The purpose of this contract is to treat Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), a non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) located along Trask Lake Rd. on the Huron Shores Ranger District. Treatments can begin immediately after award, with 100 % of the treatments completed by September 30, 2025.

The Contractor shall provide all expertise, labor, supervision, services, materials (including herbicide, dye, and adjuvants), equipment, tools, supplies, transportation, licenses, permits, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work, for which the desired outcome is in strict accordance with the standards of the contract. The contractor must be registered with the Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act or certify that the Act does not apply. The Contractor shall follow all State and Federal regulations, including OSHA guidelines.

Acreages listed were determined by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in conjunction with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

LOCATION: The areas are located within the boundaries of the Huron-Manistee National Forest on the Huron Shores Ranger District. Infestations are along the north and south sides of Trask Lake Rd., along FS road 4020, FS road 3937, and FS road 3935 in Alcona County, MI. See attached map.

SALVAGE RIGHTS: No salvage rights exist under this contract.

NON-PERFORMANCE: Failing to treat NNIS using one of the required methods will be considered non-performance. If non-performance cannot be remedied (i.e. reworked), payment for the pertinent acres will be forfeited and damages may be assessed. See the Performance Requirements/Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan for specific information.

PAYMENT: Payment for performed work will be based on actual acres completed by the Contractor and accepted by the Government.

CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE: The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and effectively communicate with their crew members.

CONTRACT TIME AND SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS: Treatment timing will depend on treatment used.

· Foliar applications will be implemented when the target species is actively growing and fully leafed out, typically from mid-June through the end of September.

· Cut stump treatments will be implemented either before bud break or after the target species is fully leafed out. Cut stump treatments cannot occur when the soil is frozen.

· Cut stump treatments for Autumn Olive cannot occur on along Trask Lake Rd. between April 15-July 15 due to Oak Wilt Restrictions. Foliar applications may be conducted during this time period.

· Contractor will notify COR upon award of Contract when they anticipate completing the contract acres. After receiving a contract, coordination with the COR on a work schedule is critical, as work will commence no later than 10 days after receiving a Notice to Proceed, unless other arrangements are made in advance.

· Contractor needs to compete 100 % of the contract acres by September 30, 2025.

A. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT TREATMENT STANDARDS

RESOURCE PROTECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS: The Contractor shall use every precaution necessary to prevent damage to public and private property.

1. Protection of Land Survey Monuments: The Contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, bearing trees, and boundary line trees against avoidable destruction, obliteration, or damage during the operation.

2. Refuse Disposal: Papers, cans, bottles, or other refuse resulting from the Contractor's operations shall be removed from National Forest lands.

3. Erosion Control: The Contractor shall (1) avoid operating equipment when soil conditions are such that excessive damage will result; (2) construct erosion control structures as needed to control erosion problems caused by the operation; and (3) repair promptly any existing erosion control structures damaged by the operation.

4. Protection of Cultural Resources: Discovery of historic sites, buildings, objects, and properties by either the Government or the Contractor shall promptly be reported to the other party.

5. Protection of Improvements: When the Contractor's operations are adjacent to private property, railway property, utility company property, or other property, work shall not begin until all necessary arrangements to prevent damage have been taken by the Contractor. In the event of damage to private fencing improvements, the improvement must be restored immediately to the same or better condition that existed prior to the start of the work. In the event of interruption to utility services because of accidental breakage or as a result of lines being exposed or unsupported, the Contractor shall promptly notify the proper authority and shall cooperate with that authority in the restoration of service.

6. Protection of Reserve Trees and Excluded Trees: Reserve trees and excluded trees shall be protected from damage or destruction in the Contractor's operations. Damage includes any injury to the living crown, bole or roots of reserve trees.

7. Prevention of Oil Spills: The Contractor shall take appropriate prevention measures to insure that any spill of oil or oil based products do not enter any stream or other waters.

8. Fire Prevention and Control: Warming fires will not be permitted except when leaves are wet or a place cleared of flammable material is used. If conditions warrant, the Government may prohibit fires. All fires must be completely extinguished before leaving.

9. Protection of waterways, streams, and aquatic features: Care will be taken to avoid herbicide entering any aquatic features. Only chemicals approved for aquatic use in or adjacent to streams shall be used adjacent to waterways and wetlands. Other EPA approved herbicides may be acceptable with prior approval of the COR.

B. ITEMIZED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Herbicide Applications- Standards for ALL Herbicide Applications

• Contractor is responsible for providing all labor, equipment, supplies, storage, permits, licenses and certifications required for completion of Herbicide Applications under this contract and as set forth by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

• Contractor shall follow all manufacturer’s label directions and industry standards for application of herbicides.

• Applications of herbicide will be directed so damage will not be done to non-target vegetation.

• Weather is to be monitored and the project could be suspended if temperature is greater than 95 degrees, humidity is less than 30%, wind is at/or above 10 MPH or significant precipitation is forecast in the next 24 hours.

Basal oils –Cut-stump treatments may require basal oil to be used in the herbicide mixture. Only commercially available MSO can be used for this contract.

Colorants- A colorant (also called dyes or spray pattern indicators) will be required to be used in the mixture for all herbicide task items. Use of a colorant helps to facilitate appropriate application and inspection. Some basal oils have dye already added and would not need an additional colorant.

Mixing- The amount of each item required will be within the ranges set by the herbicide and other product labels. The Contractor will mix herbicides in accordance with the label. The Contractor is responsible for the cleanup of any spills and will notify the COR immediately of any spills. The Contractor must have herbicide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS or the new SDS) for all chemicals on site.

Warning Signs - The Contractor will post caution/warning signs at any entry point (road, trail, boat ramp, visitor access point) around the sprayed areas that lists the herbicide and active ingredient being used, date sprayed, any access restriction or warnings, and the East Zone Ecologist(s) Jill Pritchett or Sienna Falzetta and phone number (989-739-0728).

Herbicide Use Log - The Contractor will be required to use the Herbicide Application Daily Use Log (exhibit 1 of this document) on a daily basis to maintain accurate records of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment areas. The Herbicide Application Daily Use Log will be required to be given to the COR at the completion of each treatment area and no later than September 30, 2025.

Licensed Pesticide Applicator- Herbicide handling and application shall be performed by a licensed Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator. Applicators must be certified in either Category 2 Forest Pest Management or Category 6 Right-of-Way Pest Management. The contractor is required to employ Commercial Pesticide Applicators with sufficient knowledge to accurately identify species named for treatment and any species added to the list by the COR. The contractor will be responsible for the necessary training for crew members to accurately perform their duties.

Approved Herbicides for use All herbicides shall be used in strict accordance with manufacturer’s labeling directions concerning concentrations, rates, exposure times, and application methods:

· 2,4-D ([2,4-dichlorophenoxy] acetic acid)

· Clopyralid (3, 6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid)

· Dicamba (3,6-Dichloro-o-anisic acid)

· Endothall (7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid)

· Fosamine ammonium salt (FAS) (ethyl hydrogen [aminocarbonyl] phosphonate)

· Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl] glycine)

· Sethoxydim (2-[1-{ethoxyimino}butyl] -5[-2-{ethylthio}propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one)

· Triclopyr ([{3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl}oxy] acetic acid)

· Aminopyralid 2-pyridine carboxylic acid, 4-amino-3,6-dichloro-. 2-pyridinecarboxylic acid

· Imazapic (�})-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1 Himidazol-2-yl]-5-methyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid)

· Imazapyr (2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5oxo-1Himidazol-2-yl]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid)

· Metsulfuron methyl (Methyl-2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,4-triazin-2-yl)amino]-carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate])

Target Species –Autumn Olive

Cut Stump Herbicide Application:

· Cutting shall be done with hand cutting tools, such as brush axes or chainsaws or machinery, such as DR trimmer or Disk mulcher. All undesirable stems shall be completely cut below the lowest live limb and within 6 inches of the ground. Undesirable stems smaller than 3 inches in diameter can be cut up to 6 inches above the ground so that both sides and the cut surface may be treated. Undesirable stems greater than 3 inches in diameter should be cut as close to the ground as possible and the cambium (the thin layer inside the bark) should be treated in its entirety and to the point of saturation. All stumps shall be treated with herbicide immediately after cutting (within 5 minutes) using the cut stump method as directed by the herbicide label.

Foliar Herbicide Application:

· Spray the leaves of plants until leaves are thoroughly wet or as directed by the herbicide label.

C. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, SERVICES

The Government will furnish the following: Vicinity maps that show the general location of each unit and shapefiles with treatment locations, if requested.

D. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

The contractor shall furnish all the equipment, supplies and labor required to perform this Performance Work Statement. The contractor shall also provide proof that the work meets the standards. Contractor shall provide proof of State license for herbicide handling and application.

E. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKS

The following tasks are to be performed in accordance with the technical specifications.

Submittals. The contractor shall provide the following submittals:

1 Progress Schedule. The contractor shall prepare and submit to the COR a Progress Schedule showing when the contractor will perform the work, the techniques and equipment the contractor plans to use, and the dates on which the contractor contemplates starting and completing each task. Contractor shall provide a written Progress Schedule for review and approval at the pre-work meeting.

· Contractor must complete 100% of the initial treatment of the contract acres by September 30, 2025.

2 Safety Plan – Contractor shall provide a written, job-specific Safety Plan identifying and addressing site specific hazards including mitigation measures, for review and approval at the pre-work meeting. The Safety Plan should include, but is not limited to, how to minimize herbicide drift, what to do in case of an herbicide spill, etc.

3 Pesticide Licensing. The contractor must submit a copy of the valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification for each employee or subcontractor who will be applying herbicides prior to initiating any herbicide application.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) has been developed pursuant to the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in this contract. This plan sets forth procedures and guidelines that will be used in evaluating the technical performance of the contractor. This plan does NOT relieve the contractor of their responsibility to practice proactive quality control.

A. PURPOSE OF THE QASP

The QASP is intended to accomplish the following:

• Define the roles and responsibilities of participating government officials and the contractor;

• Identify the types of work to be performed and the inspections to be performed to validate adequacy

• Describe the evaluation methods that will be employed by the government in assessing the contractor’s inspection program and performance to the quality/performance standards required for each task;

• Provide copies of the contractor’s inspection records and Government quality assurance monitoring forms that will be used by the government in documenting and evaluating the contractor’s performance;

• Describe the process of performance documentation.

The contractor is responsible for performing inspection services pursuant to the inspection clause and for providing and maintaining the inspection forms, approved by the government, to perform the contractor’s inspection services. The contractor has represented themselves, to be responsible for meeting the prescribed quality/performance standards in the statement of work.

B. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be designated upon award of the contract. The COR’s roles and responsibilities will be listed on their designations and include the following: monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on the schedule of inspections submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. The COR will either witness the contractor’s performance of the inspections performed by the contractor or will evaluate the contractor’s inspection results as to documented findings relative to meeting the standards for each task/subtask within the statement of work. The COR will have primary responsibility for completing quality assurance monitoring forms which will be used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

The Contracting Officer (CO) will have overall responsibility for overseeing the contractor’s performance and for the day-to-day monitoring of the contractor’s performance in the areas of contract compliance, contract administration, cost control, and property control; reviewing the COR’s assessment of the contractor’s performance; and resolving all differences between the COR’s and the contractor’s version.

C. TYPES OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED/SCHEDULE OF INSPECTIONS

This contract calls for the contractor to perform the following tasks and subtasks and to perform inspections at the completion of the tasks/subtasks as a minimum and or for intermediate inspections as determined at contract award by the COR/CO. The contractor’s quality control plan/schedule will be modified accordingly and will be one of the basis for the award of the contract.

Inspected What To Be Inspected

Performance Work Statement.

1) Contractor Records

2) COR Daily Diaries Random/Periodic/100%

D. METHODS OF SURVEILLANCE

The government will monitor the contractor’s performance on a continuous basis. The methods the government will use are identified above. The COR will first verify the results of the contractor’s inspection, completeness, and adequacy of the documentation of the contractor’s inspection results. The government COR will perform periodic independent inspections. The contractor shall be required to rework/repair or replace the effort until the quality/ performance standard is achieved. Inspections will be performed to the schedule submitted by the contractor and approved by the government. Variances from the schedule must be pre-approved by the CO – submit requests to Primary COR.

E. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) FORMS AND REPORT

1. The COR will use a quality assurance monitoring form to document and evaluate the contractor’s performance under the contract. This can consist of a Form, a memo for record or an entry in a daily or weekly diary. The form when completed will document the COR’s understanding of what the contractor was supposed to do, what was done, and the impact or consequences of what was done. The documentation will also identify the additional steps required of the contractor if there is a nonconformance.

2. The COR will judge each event in accordance with the performance standards and performance requirements stated in the Quality/Performance Requirements stated in the contract either in section C of the Statement of Work (SOW) or in section E of the SOW.

3. The COR must substantiate all tasks which he judges to be indicative of “unacceptable” performance. Performance at the “acceptable” level is expected and need not be substantiated.

4. In accordance with Section C above, the contractor shall furnish (weekly, at a minimum) to the COR copies of all inspection forms generated by the contractor witnessing inspections performed. The COR will forward copies of all completed QA monitoring forms to the CO and contractor inspection records prior to processing payments. The contractor is required to respond in writing to any negative QA monitoring form(s) within 5 working days after receipt of the form(s).

F. ANALYSIS OF SURVEILLANCE RESULTS

1. The CO will review each QA monitoring form prepared by the COR. When appropriate, the CO may investigate the event further to determine if all the facts and circumstances surrounding the event were considered in the COR’s opinion outlined on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating on the forms. The CO will immediately discuss every event receiving a substandard rating with the contractor to assure that corrective action is promptly initiated.

2. Upon completion of the contract the COR will perform a performance evaluation of the contractor using the results documented as above and provide to the CO for further action.

Non-native Invasive Species Treatment Huron Shores Ranger District Huron-Manistee National Forests

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Standard

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

ALL

*examples:

Herbicide – minimum of 90% of target vegetation has proper herbicide coverage.

AND

Less than 15% mortality to non-target plant species;

1) Verify contractor, records, data & reports

2) Periodically witness contractor inspection

3) Independent Government verification

1) Rework at no additional cost to Government until work is performed to AQL;

2) Acceptance with consideration;

3) Less than satisfactory performance evaluation;

4) Non-compliant contractor inspection system: Contractor bears 100% of government re-inspection cost;

Note – These are all remedies available to the Government. Contractors do not decide whether to re-work or not.

Satisfactory or better performance rating image1.png