Statement_of_Work.pdf

Department of the Interior National Park Service

Title: 2021 IPMT Aerial

Project Objective: For the identified areas on the accompanying map: 1.) Aerially inspect all areas for the presence of Melaleuca, Lygodium and Syzygium. 2.) Aerially treat all Melaleuca, Lygodium and Syzygium using a combination of boom and spot-spray techniques.

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

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The work for year one of this task order shall be provided from 1 December 2021 to April 15, 2022

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

2021 IMPT

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Project Size: Total gross acres of the project area:

Primary Zone-109,649 acres.

Secondary Zone- 132,901 acres

Habitat description and information: Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY) is a 729,000 acre unit of the National Park Service. This Task Order proposes the aerial treatment of all Melaleuca, Lygodium, and Syzygium within the areas shown on the attached map labeled as Primary Treatment Units. The treatment areas shown represent the mix of vegetation communities present in Big Cypress National Preserve. They include open prairie, pineland, cypress and hardwood hammocks. Big Cypress is home to several federally listed endangered wildlife species including the Florida Panther, Red Cockaded Woodpecker and the Eastern Indigo Snake. Furthermore, state- and federally-listed plant species are also found within the boundary of the Preserve.

II. FUNDING LIMITATIONS

The Government obligation for performance of this task order 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 task orders.

II. SCOPE OF SERVICES-TASKS

Invasive plants of varying density levels are found throughout BICY. These plants have been actively treated since the late 1970’s. The goal of the BICY invasive plant program is the coordinated and consistent management of invasive plants in order to maintain their populations at the lowest feasible levels.

In this project BICY intends to contract for services to aerially treat three primary invasive plants. It is understood that the primary species present in the area is Melaleuca, Lygodium and Syzygium. The accompanying map indicating presence and location of invasive plants within the treatment area are from aerial reconnaissance flights conducted in 2020-21.

• Herbicides and all equipment necessary for the execution of this task order will be provided by the vendor.

• Target species will be treated appropriately and left to naturally decompose.

• Vendor is responsible for procurement of herbicides, aviation services and herbicide formulations.

If extra funding and flight time is available after treatment of primary areas, secondary areas will be treated using the remaining funds at the agreed rates.

Herbicide Use:

1) Submit the proposed herbicides to be used on this project to the COR a minimum of four weeks prior to application. Per the base contract include the EPA registration number, the MSDS sheets, method of application, and approximate dates of application.

2) All herbicide applications shall comply with product labels, including the location where it shall be applied, and the plants to which it shall be applied.

3) Be familiar with, and adhere to, all Federal, state, territorial or local safety regulations pertaining to natural area weed control operations.

Schedule:

1) Provide a schedule for this project including start date, and overall completion date.

2) Provide schedule of breaks including number of breaks, when the breaks shall occur and how long breaks shall last.

Treatment:

1) Sites will be identified and accessed aerially. All identified invasive species will be treated using a combination of boom and spot aerial application techniques.

2) The contractor shall, on a daily basis, electronically record all treatment information for this project. That includes all spray-on spray-off data, daily herbicide use and formulations.

3) The contractor shall submit invoices to the NPS Contracting Officer and the COR.

4) All data submitted in association with application of herbicides will be submitted Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system (UTM-17)/NAD-83 datum.

5) GPS Information shall be submitted as an ARC GIS Shape File.

6) The contractor shall at all times during this project, provide on-site a supervisor that is a Florida certified pesticide applicator with a natural area endorsement.

7) Any flight crew applying herbicide must possess a valid Florida Pesticide Applicators license with a natural area and aerial endorsement.

8) Project supervisor is responsible for sending two text daily to COR. One in the morning indicating where they are working and the second in the afternoon upon exiting the field.

9) The ground crew supervisor should be able to communicate with all crew members in a common language and shall be responsible for:

Python reporting and capture: If a python (Python molurus) is encountered during exotic vegetation treatment during the period of performance for this task order, Tony Pernas should be notified at (305) 815-8849 or Everglades Dispatch (305) 242-7740.

Bidders information- For the attached area map, please include in your bid for evaluation information pertaining to areas indicated as Primary Treatment Units.

1. Flight Rate cost per hour for boom treatment applications including herbicides

2. Flight Rate cost per hour for aerial spot-spray applications including herbicides

3. Estimate number of hours to complete each 5 Primary treatment Units A geo-file with general infestation data for each primary unit will be made available to each bidder. The data provided in the geo-file is for general information only. The data were collected aerially from a moving aircraft- species densities are NOT to be relied upon for bidding, but rather a guide to what species were observed, a general density and location.

Figure 1 Treatment Area Maps

IV. QUALITY STANDARDS

All work performed shall comply with applicable laws, regulations, NPS policies and guidelines, the requirements of the base IDIQ contract, and as described in this statement of work.

A. Plant Knowledge: The contractor shall have an in-depth knowledge of the treatment area plant community. This includes plant identification skills for both native and exotic species.

B. Safety Protocol: Contractor shall follow safety protocols to prevent accidents.

Contractor and park shall develop accident reporting procedures and contacts.

C. Site Housekeeping: The contractor shall keep a clean job site. Dirt clods, trash, and other debris shall be removed from the jobsite prior to departure each day.

D. Quality Assurance: The contractor and staff shall have knowledge and experience with current control technologies of exotic pest plants common to the ecosystem being treated. The contractor shall fully comply with all applicable local, state and Federal regulations.

E. Clean Vehicle and Equipment Standards: All vehicles and equipment shall be inspected for mud, weeds, exotic seeds and other unwanted substances before their entry into Big Cypress National Preserve. The contractor shall power-wash all equipment before entry. The NPS reserves the right to reject equipment that is dirty and could potentially spread unwanted substances within the park. Vehicles may require cleaning upon leaving the site.

V. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Negotiable if necessary

VI. OTHER CONSIDERATION

N/A

VII. DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The contractor shall complete all work and services no later than April 15, 2022.