SOW_Welch_Weed_Inventory.pdf

Statement of Work

Welch Ranch Noxious & Invasive Weed Species

Inventory BLM Buffalo Field Office

Statement of Work for Welch Ranch Noxious & Invasive Weeds Inventory

1.0 INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

1.1 BACKGROUND

The Buffalo Field Office (BFO) is seeking to hire a contractor and their staff to identify and inventory noxious and invasive weed species within Welch Ranch Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA).

The Welch Ranch SRMA encompasses 1,748 acres of BLM managed lands within Sheridan County in northeastern Wyoming. Welch Ranch was previously farmland and acquired in 2004 as part of a land exchange. Due to this property being previously farmed, noxious and invasive weeds have outcompeted most native plants in the area.

1.2 SCOPE

The contractor will be responsible for conducting identification and inventory of noxious and invasive weed species on 1,748 acres (Table 1) located within the Buffalo Field Office Welch Ranch SRMA (Map 1). Welch Ranch is located approximately 13 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming (Map 2). Incidentals such as mobilization/demobilization to and from the site including fuel costs, equipment costs (i.e. GPS, OHVs, PPE, etc.), and labor costs (i.e. plant identification/inventory, camping onsite, food, water, filling out data forms, using GPS to delineate weed species, and conversion of GPS data into GIS shapefiles) should be included. Camping may be necessary to maximize time at the worksite and reduce the amount of travel time. This area has public access, and no pre-bid meeting is scheduled. Bidders are highly encouraged to visit the project area prior to bid submission.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The objective of the project is to identify and locate noxious and invasive weeds within Welch Ranch. For BLM to appropriately manage the weed issues at Welch Ranch, this project will allow BLM to move forward with a proper management prescription to reduce weeds and restore native plants which will improve habitat/rangeland for wildlife, reduce fire occurrence, increase plant diversity, enhance the stream and riparian corridor, and provide a diverse array of benefits to the public.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

2.1 TASKS and DELIVERABLES

TASKS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

Contractor shall furnish all personnel, supervision, labor, equipment, materials, travel, and any other direct incidental costs to inventory noxious and invasive weeds within Welch Ranch. Inventorying areas may be located on terrain ranging from flat to steep slopes in areas that may or may not be accessible by motorized vehicles.

Inventorying costs for Items 1 and 2 below shall include mobilization/demobilization to and from site including travel time and fuel costs, equipment costs (i.e. GPS, OHVs, PPE, etc.), labor costs (i.e. plant identification/inventory, camping onsite, food, water, filling out data forms, using GPS to delineate weed species, and conversion of GPS data into GIS shapefiles) should be included.

Item 1: PERSONNEL FOR INVENTORYING WEEDS:

All personnel assigned by the Contractor to the contract shall be employees of the Contractor or a subcontractor and shall be fully qualified to perform the work required herein. Personnel employed by the Contractor or a subcontractor to fulfill the terms of the contract shall remain under the sole direction and control of the Contractor or the subcontractor respectively. If the Contractor intends to utilize any subcontractor, the subcontractor's level of effort, tasks, and time allocation should be clearly defined in the Contractor’s proposal. The Contractor shall agree that it will not utilize any subcontractors not specifically included in its proposal in the performance of the contract without the prior notification to the BLM contracting officer representative (COR). Personnel shall be equipped with all PPE and any equipment necessary to complete the work. A day of inventorying shall be ten (10) hours. Bid will include cost per person for each day. If personnel are staying onsite, bidding will include a camp rate (camping out near project site) equivalent to government standard per diem rate at $38 per person per day. Noxious and invasive weed infestations typically occur as patches.

There are several two-track roads that can be used via four-wheel drive vehicle or off-highway vehicles (OHV) throughout Welch Ranch.

Item 2: VEHICLES REQUIRED TO COMPLETE INVENTORYING:

Four-wheel drive vehicles shall be required for transportation to and from the work area.

Trailers will be considered as part of the vehicle. Bids may be higher or lower depending on distance to and from the contractor’s home/business location to Welch Ranch. A day of inventorying shall be ten (10) hours. Keep this in mind for your bids. Noxious and invasive weed infestations typically occur as patches. There are several two-track roads that can be used via four-wheel drive vehicles or off-highway vehicles (OHV) throughout Welch Ranch.

DELIVERABLES

1. Inventory Record

a. The contractor will fill out an inventory form at the end of each day. BLM will provide the inventory form to the contractor.

b. GIS Shapefile (Polygon)(Datum: WGS84) of the inventoried areas, GPS points, and track log data shall be submitted to the Government as part of the inventory record for the site. The files should be associated with its related inventory record form.

2.2 SPECIFICATIONS and RESTRICTIONS

1) Plant Identification

a) The contractor and their employees must possess plant identification skills for this work to be completed.

2) Geospatial Specifications

a) A GPS or equivalent data collection unit that is capable of recording points, lines, and polygons. The GPS or equivalent data collections device must be able to.

i) record data with >15 ft. accuracy.

ii) be capable of storing and operating up to 8 hours of continuous log data.

iii) shall have surface ownership card installed.

b) Data will be recorded and submitted using the WGS84 geographic coordinate system.

c) Applicator will be required to log GPS tracklog lines during all times of on-the-ground inventories.

d) The applicator is required to log/map GPS locations of the infestation area using the standards described below a polygon of the infestation will be the final product submitted.

i) Each infestation represents only one species; therefore, infestations may overlap. If multiple species are identified, then multiple infestation records will be generated.

ii) Infestations of the same species must be 40 yards or 120 feet apart to be a unique infestation. Infestations closer than 40 yards (120 feet) shall be treated as one infestation.

3) Vehicle/Equipment Requirements

a) All Contractors’ vehicles and/or equipment must be in good working condition, suitable and safe for the work to be performed. The Contractor shall furnish all fuel, oil, and grease for said equipment for operation. Any equipment found to be unsuitable, or a hazard shall be repaired or replaced. All labor and repairs necessary for repairing equipment will be at the Contractor’s expense. Equipment used for transportation or, storage shall be maintained in leakproof condition.

b) Cross-country travel off designated two-track roads in a vehicle (i.e. truck, OHVs) is prohibited due to fire risks and to reduce the spread of weeds to new areas.

c) Work during wet, muddy, or frozen condition shall be completed on foot and not by vehicle. During these conditions, vehicles can be parked at the parking entrance to Welch where the portable toilet is located.

d) The staging/storage area, if applicable, will be at the Welch Ranch parking area.

e) The applicator shall thoroughly wash all vehicles (i.e. trucks, OHVs) and other equipment to be used on the contract including the under carriage prior to beginning project work and when there is a high potential to move weed seed from one site to another (i.e. if vehicles leave Welch Ranch they should be washed prior to returning).

4) Project Meetings and Work Inspection

a) Pre-work meetings: A meeting will be held prior to start of work to review work requirements and maps.

b) A site visit of the Welch Ranch area will not be conducted. This area has public access, and no pre-bid meeting is scheduled. Bidders are highly encouraged to visit the project area prior to bid submission.

c) The BLM or its authorized representatives shall have the right to enter any premises where the Contractor or subcontractor duties under the contract are being performed, and to inspect, monitor or otherwise evaluate the work being performed. All inspections and evaluations shall be at reasonable times and in a manner that will not unreasonably delay work. If any deviations from work outlined in the project are not in accordance with the contract, a stop work order will be initiated and the Applicator will correct deviations at their expense.

d) All roads damaged or opened by the applicator shall be restored at no cost to the Government to restore them to their previous condition.

5) Environmental Considerations

a) The project sites shall be left in a clean and orderly condition. All trash shall be removed from site and placed in a trash receptacle and disposed by the Contractor at an authorized landfill at contractor expense.

b) Weather events may impact work schedule and can change throughout the day.

Thunderstorms can move in quickly and access in or out of an area may be compromised.

Vehicular travel on wet roads may damage soil and vegetation resources and should be avoided. Hot and dry conditions promote the ignition and spread of fires. Precautions will be taken when traveling to and from two-track roads.

6) Fire Prevention State and local fire prevention laws may exist and must be followed unless written direction is provided by the Contracting Officer. At a minimum:

a) Operate all internal and external combustion engines on federally managed lands per 36 CFR 261.52, which requires all such engines to be equipped with a qualified spark arrester that is maintained and not modified.

b) Carry shovels, water, and fire extinguishers that are rated at a minimum as ABC -10 pound on all equipment and vehicles.

c) Have means of communications with Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Project Inspector (PI).

d) Initiate fire suppression actions in the work area to prevent fire spread to or on federally administered lands.

e) Notify the appropriate dispatch center or 911 immediately of the location and status of any unplanned ignition.

f) Notify the COR and Contracting Officer immediately of the incident.

g) Off-road vehicles (OHVs) must be equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

7) Personnel Support and Sanitation Facilities

a) Provide and maintain, in a neat and sanitary condition, such accommodations for use by the Contractor’s and subcontractors' employees, the Engineer, and the Owner as required by regulations of the General Safety and Health Regulations of the Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety Commission and by State and locals Boards of Health as enforced by the Sheridan County Health Officer. The portable toilet is in the Welch Ranch parking area.

b) Leave No Trace Rules Apply. Pack out all solid human waste. The contractor will be responsible to place it in a trash receptacle and dispose at an authorized landfill at contractor expense.

c) When camping, wash yourself and dishes. Carry water 200 feet away from water sources (i.e. streams, creeks) and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

8) Safety

a) Personal protective equipment (PPE), if needed, will be supplied by the contractor.

b) A first-aid kit with portable eyewash shall be required at each work site.

c) Maintain all vehicles or equipment to prevent leakage of oil, fuel, or other fluids and to prevent unacceptable levels of emissions.

d) Coordinate with emergency medical services. Contractor is responsible to give emergency medical service information to their employees.

e) Always stay aware of your surroundings. Wildlife such as black bear, rattlesnakes, badgers, etc. have been observed at Welch Ranch. Insects can also be an issue during the summer months. Long sleeves and bug spray are recommended.

f) Keep a clean camp and ensure proper food storage and disposal to not attract wildlife and insects to the campsite(s).

3.0 EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

BASIS OF AWARD

This solicitation will result in the award of one (1) contract. The government intends to award, without discussion, to responsible offeror(s) submitting a proposal. Proposals are evaluated for plant identification skills and inventorying abilities, equipment configuration, past experience, past performance, and price.

Contractors shall submit a proposal package detailing their ability to meet each evaluation factor below.

Evaluation Factor 1-Plant Identification Skills & Inventorying Abilities

RATING DEFINITION

Technically Acceptable Meeting or exceeding the minimum acceptability level.

Not Technically Acceptable

Not meeting the minimum acceptability level.

Evaluation Factor 2-Equipment Minimum Acceptable Standard for this factor: Offerors shall list equipment applicable to use for the work (i.e. list equipment for standard 4x4 vehicle, OHV, GPSs, transformation of GPS data to shapefiles, etc.).

RATING DEFINITION

Technically Acceptable Meeting or exceeding the minimum acceptability level for configuration to meet each line item.

Not Technically

Evaluation Factor 3-Past Experience Minimum Acceptable Standard for this factor: Offerors shall have and demonstrate three (3) years of required experience in plant identification and inventorying in rangeland settings and provide resumes listing information of key personnel. Identify proficiency in map reading, weed identification skills and inventorying abilities, and equipment use (i.e. 4x4 vehicles, OHV, GPSs, transformation of GPS data to shapefiles, etc.).

RATING DEFINITION

Technically Acceptable Meeting or exceeding the minimum acceptability level.

Not Technically

Evaluation Factor 4-Past Performance Minimum Acceptable Standard for this factor: Successful past performance on recent similar type projects where the final performance rating was Satisfactory (or comparable) or higher.

Provide references that will be utilized to verify work performance.

RATING DEFINITION

Technically Acceptable Meeting or exceeding the minimum acceptability level.

Not Technically

Evaluation Factor 5-Price Price will be an evaluation for fairness and reasonableness but will not be rated.

Table 1-List of Noxious and Invasive Weeds to be Identified and Inventoried

Field Bindweed COAR4 Convolvulus arvensis L.

Moth Mullein VEBL Verbascum blattaria L.

Leafy Spurge EUES Euphorbia esula L. Common Mullein VETH Verbascum thapsus L.

Russian Knapweed

ACRE3

Acroptilon repens

(L.) DC.

Houndstongue CYOF Cynoglossum officinale L.

Canada Thistle CIAR4 Cirsium arvense (L.)

Scop.

Dyer’s Woad ISTI Isatis tinctoria L.

Common Tansy TAVU Tanacetum vulgare L.

Tumbling Mustard

SIAL2

Sisymbrium althissimum L.

Yellow Star-thistle

CESO3

Centaurea solstitialis L.

Poison Hemlock COMA2 Conium maculatum L.

Musk Thistle CANU4 Carduus nutans L.

Western Hemlock

TSHE

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.

Scotch Thistle ONAC Onopordum acanthium L.

Spotted Knapweed

CESTM

Centaurea stoebe L.

ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek

Plumeless Thistle

CAAC

Carduus acanthoides L.

Ventenata VEDU Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.

Sulphur Cinquefoil

PORE5 Potentilla recta L.

Western Waterhemlock

CIDO

Cicuta douglasii (DC.) J.M. Coult. & Rose

American Licorice (Wild Licorice)

GLLE3

Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh

Prickly Russian Thistle

SATR1

Salsola tragus L.

Black Henbane HYNI Hyoscyamus niger L.

Purple Loosestrife

LYSA2 Lythrum salicaria L.

Bull Thistle CIVU Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.

Puncturevine TRTE Tribulus terrestris L.

Tansy Ragwort SEJA Senecio jacobaea L. Buffalobur SORO Solanum rostratum Dunal

Oxeye Daisy LEVU Leucanthemum vulgare L.

Common Pepperweed

LEDE

Lepidium densiflorum Schrad.

Field Pennycress

THAR5 Thlaspi arvense L.

Broadleaved Pepperweed

LELA2

Lepidium latifolium L.

Lambsquarters CHALA Chenopodium album L. var. album

Orange Hawkweed

HIAU

Hieracium aurantiacum L.

Field (Japanese) Brome

BRAR5 Bromus arvensis L. Field Sowthistle

SOARA

Sonchus arvensis L.

ssp. arvensis

Downy Brome (Cheatgrass)

BRTE Bromus tectorum L.

Common Cocklebur

XANTH

Xanthium strumarium L.

Whitetop CADR Cardaria draba (L.)

Desv.

Meadow Knapweed

CEDE5

Centaurea debeauxxi Gren. & Godr.

Ripgut Brome BRDIR Bromus diandrus Roth ssp. rigidus

Common St.

Johnswort

HYPE

Hypericum perforatum L.

Lesser Burdock ARMI2 Arctium minus Bernh.

Medusahead Rye

TACA8

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.)

Nevski

Diffuse Knapweed

CEDI3

Centaurea diffusa Lam.

Perennial sowthistle

SOAR2 Sonchus arvensis L.

Quackgrass ELRE4 Elymus repens (L.)

Gould

Skeletonleaf Bursage

AMTO3

Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt.

Yellow Toadflax LIVU2 Linaria vulgaris Mill.

Dalmatian Toadflax

LIDA

Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill.

Salt Cedar

TAMA

R2

Tamarix spp. Russian Olive ELAN Elaeagnus angustifolia L.

Curly Dock RUCR Rumex crispus L.

Map 1 – Map of Welch Ranch (outlined in purple; 1748 acres)

Map 2 – Map of Directions to Welch Ranch

LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 44.94479538, -106.9428397

DIRECTIONS: To reach Welch Ranch from Interstate 90 past Sheridan, Wyoming, take exit 339 and head east. Go over the railroad tracks and turn left (north) onto WY 338 (aka Decker Road).

Go about 6.5 miles. The first parking area will be on your left where the portable toilet is located, just before the Tongue River, and the second parking area will be on the right, just after the Tongue River.